Abstract: In order to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming a high quality image on a film-shaped medium, the present printer includes an image forming section B1 that forms an image on a transfer film using an ink ribbon, a film conveying mechanism that has a motor Mr4 and conveys the transfer film while applying a tension thereto, an ink ribbon conveying section that has a motor Mr3 and conveys the ink ribbon while applying a tension thereto, and a control section that controls the image forming section B1, motor Mr3, and motor Mr4. When adjusting the drive amount of one of the motors Mr3 and Mr4, the control section also adjusts the drive amount of the other one thereof according to the adjustment amount of the one motor.

Abstract: A printer apparatus comprises a paper conveyance path on which a paper is conveyed; a carrier which moves in a direction orthogonal to conveyance direction of the paper conveyed on the paper conveyance path; a dot matrix print head which includes head pins arranged in the carrier; an ink ribbon cassette which stores an ink ribbon; a photo sensor which is arranged at the external side of the movement direction of the carrier in the printing area of paper and at the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction of the dot matrix print head; a concentration detection pattern printing module which prints a predetermined concentration detection pattern with the head pins; and an exchange necessity determination section which determines whether to exchange the ink ribbon cassette according to the value obtained by detecting the printing created by the concentration detection pattern printing module through the photo sensor.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.

Abstract: A power system comprises a tension harnessing arrangement to harness tension in a tether connected between a tensioning arrangement and storage means. The tension harnessing arrangement of the system comprises at least one first capstan roller arranged in a predetermined configuration. The tether tensioningly abuts at least a portion of the periphery of the first capstan rollers such that there is substantial contact between the tether and the first capstan rollers, thereby engaging the first capstan rollers to generate rotational energy. Alternatively, second capstan rollers engage with the first capstan rollers. At least one converter functionally co-operates with the first capstan rollers, either directly or via the second capstan rollers, for converting the rotational energy to energy in a transmissible form, storage form dissipative form, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.

Abstract: This is disclosed a portable printer that is easy to load with an ink ribbon cartridge and record members web supplies, that is simple, has relatively few parts, is lightweight and has a small footprint.

Abstract: A motor control system includes a motor having an associated rotary position encoder, and a controller for controlling the operation of the motor, wherein the motor is switchable between a position control mode and a torque control mode.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing an image on a printing object on the basis of input data is composed of a printing mechanism for compressing an ink ribbon against a printing object and forming an image in accordance with input data on the printing object, a controlling section for controlling the printing mechanism so as to form a rotated image by 180 degrees for second printing conducted in succession to first printing for printing a not rotated image, and a driving mechanism for rewinding the ink ribbon extended between supply and take-up rolls to the supply roll during the first printing and second printing.

Abstract: A ribbon supply shaft drive motor (8) and a ribbon take-up shaft drive motor (10) are drivingly controlled separately. If the state of a ribbon is not changed after a control cycle is repeated for a set time, the rotational speed of the drive motors (8, 10) is increased step by step.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A printer includes a ribbon supply end, a ribbon retrieving end, and a ribbon. The two ends of the ribbon are installed on the ribbon supply end and the ribbon retrieving end respectively. The printer further includes a print head, a print medium fixture, a driving module for driving the ribbon from the ribbon supply end to the ribbon retrieving end, a moving shaft for moving from a first position of the ribbon between the print head and the ribbon supply end so as to elongate the ribbon between the print head and the ribbon supply end before the print head transfers dye on the ribbon onto the print medium and when the print head and the print medium fixture clamp the print medium, and a control module for controlling the printer according to whether the moving shaft can be moved from the first position to a second position.

Abstract: The present invention reduces the peak torque of a motor used in a ribbon takeup mechanism and makes the motor, used for driving, smaller and less costly. A ribbon takeup device includes ratchet wheels (5) provided on ribbon takeup axes (4), a feed claw (6) that engages the ratchet wheels, a displacement member (9) driven and displaced by a motor (11) so that at least a linear displacement is given, a slide member (3) that moves the feed claw, and an elastic member (15). The configuration is that the elastic member engages the slide member that has the ribbon feed claw for taking up a ribbon and, with force applied to the slide member into one direction by the elastic member, a motor driving force is added to the slide member into the same direction as the direction in which the elastic member applies force.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a ribbon transport mechanism of a ribbon feed system includes a supporting structure carrying a plurality of ribbon transport devices including a ribbon storage spool, a ribbon take-up spool, and at least one ribbon guide around which roller the ribbon is passed, a ribbon feed path including the ribbon guide, between the storage and take-up spools and through an operating station where a work operation is carried out which utilises the ribbon, the ribbon transport mechanism in use, transporting the ribbon along the ribbon feed path between the storage and take-up spools, the apparatus including a mounting structure for mounting at least one of the ribbon transport devices so as to permit the respective device to move relative to the supporting structure in response to changes in ribbon tension occurring in the ribbon feed path, and a sensor device which is sensitive to such movements to provide an input which is dependant upon the extent of such spool movement, to a controller, th

Abstract: Applicable to machines having a moving carriage (4) that can move transversally with respect to the continuous band to be printed and that includes a thermal printing head (9) by which passes a thermal ribbon, from a cassette of origin (5) to a destination cassette (10), which pulls said ribbon (7), its characteristics centred on the fact that the drive motor for said ribbon (7) instead of being established on the moving carriage (4) is established on the fixed plate (3) along which the aforementioned carriage may travel, for which purpose said motor acts directly or indirectly on a roller (12) mounted on the fixed plate (3), aided by a return roller (14) to establish a transmission belt (14) which bends in its path due to a pair of auxiliary rollers (16–16?) mounted free to revolve about the carriage (4), by which bend the belt (13) is connected to a drive roller (15) that is also mounted on the carriage (4), which transmits the motion to the pulling cassette (10) by a transmission belt (20) and by a clutch

Abstract: A printer comprises a printing mechanism (9) composed of a platen (9b) and a printing head (9c) for printing on a recording medium (C, S) via an ink ribbon, a paper path (30, 33) for guiding the recording medium to and past said printing mechanism (9), the printing head (9c) and the platen (9b) being disposed facing each other on opposite sides of the paper path (30), an ink ribbon feeding device (9e, 9d) for transporting the ink ribbon between the printing head and the paper path (30), a medium transport mechanism (7, 91, 92) for transporting the recording medium (C, S) along the paper path (30, 33), a detecting device (6, 96) for detecting a predetermined position of said recording medium along the paper path (30, 33), and a controller (100) for controlling the ink ribbon feeding device (9e, 9d).

Abstract: Problems relating to shifting and misalignment of an ink ribbon relative to the print head as a result of changing the color used for printing with a multi-color ink ribbon are eliminated with the least possible reduction in printing throughput. The ink ribbon 13 can be wound in conjunction with print head 14 movement, and has a plurality of ink colors arranged in a direction perpendicular to the ribbon winding direction. Switching mechanisms 30 and 40 change the relative position between the print head 14 and the ink ribbon 13 in the directional perpendicular to the ink ribbon winding direction. If, after a switching mechanism changes the ink color selection, the distance l of print head movement to the next print start position accompanied by ink ribbon winding is less than a specific distance L needed to correct any misalignment of the ribbon to the print head, the controller moves the print head in a non-printing winding mode a distance of at least L−l to wind the ribbon.

Abstract: An apparatus to drive a ribbon carrying a printing medium in an impact printer is implemented. The apparatus accommodates manual tightening of the ribbon by decoupling the drive motor from the ribbon cartridge without use of a clutch mechanism. A gear train effecting the required speed reductions between a drive motor and the ribbon cartridge spool also implements the decoupling. Reliability of the ribbon drive is improved thereby, and manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced over ribbon drives now used in impact printers.

Abstract: A tape cartridge for a debossing stamper includes a casing, a tape-containing supply spool and a tape take-up spool in the casing, the supply spool having at least one reflector pad visually accessible from the exterior of the casing by an optical reflective sensor for detecting and indicating an amount of tape remaining on the supply spool. In one embodiment the at least one reflector pad is a series of equally spaced reflector pads on an outer periphery of the supply spool. The sensor provides a feedback on each 1/4 revolution of said supply reel, the feedback being received by firmware to track the number of motor steps to drive the take-up spool and to rotate the supply spool a 1/4 turn, and wherein a computer calculates the amount of tape remaining on the supply spool based on supply spool core diameter, take-up spool core diameter and total tape length.

Abstract: A thermal printer having a supply of media with a rotatable platen on which the media is moved for printing by a thermal printing head. A supply spindle supplies print ribbon from a supply spool mounted thereon, and a take-up spindle takes up the used print ribbon on a take-up spool. The spindles are each driven by a motor and controlled by a controller which detects the Back EMF (BEMF) of the motors, and calculates the velocity of the spindles, spool, and print ribbon to control each motor based on the BEMF. The status of the print ribbon as to low condition, breaks, ribbon full and other monitoring functions can be provided to a remote host computer or other monitoring station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling energization of a take-up motor driving a take-up spool of used ink ribbon in thermal printing apparatus. Prior to a printing cycle, the take-up motor is energized to rotate the take-up spool until ternsion in the ink ribbon caused rotation of an ink ribbon supply spool. The take-up spool is then rotated a predetermined amount and resultant rotation of the supply spool is determined by sensing means. A function dependent upon the rotation of the supply spool is determined and used during subsequent operation of the apparatus to control energization of the take-up motor such as to wind the used riobbon onto the take-up spool with a desired amount of tension in the used ribbon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for transporting a printing ribbon past the print head of a printer using a rocking beam mechanism the rocking beam being driven by a drive means. The invention also provides a printer, notably a thermal printer, incorporating such a transport mechanism and a method for operating the printer.

Abstract: A thermal demand printer for printing on media is a novel system which includes a case structure including a hinged cover panel, easily removable guide structures and media hanger, and a single central support wall to which the various components are attached. The printer includes a power supply circuit for receiving power from an external source and conditioning it for operation of the printer. An input device is provided for receiving command signals related to the operation of the printer. A control circuit for processing the command signals and generating corresponding control signals for controlling the operation of the printer and a printhead assembly for processing the control signals and generating corresponding control signals for controlling the operation of the printer are mounted in the case structure and coupled to the input device and the power supply circuit. The printhead assembly includes a printhead support structure which controls the printhead.

Abstract: A method of printing utilizing a printing apparatus having a base mounting a print head which has a plurality of printing elements each of which is operable to transfer a pixel of print medium from a carrier onto an adjacent substrate, the method comprising causing relative movement between the substrate and carrier, and the print head, such that the print head moves relative to an area of the carrier from a start position to an end of print position whilst utilizing some or all of the printing elements to transfer a set of pixels of print medium from the area of the carrier onto the substrate, wherein during the printing operation the area of the substrate and carrier is moved in a feed direction at a first speed relative to the base and the print head is also moved relative to the base in the feed direction.

Abstract: A printer, in particular of the type used for printing cheques with magnetic ink, comprises a control device for advancing a ribbon at a velocity substantially equal to the velocity of documents. The velocity of documents and the ribbon are controlled by an electronic unit which drives respectively a first motor and a second motor. The control device includes a presser means comprised of a pair of rollers urged against a motor driven roller. This arrangement enables the precise control of the velocity at which the ribbon is advanced. Downstream of the control device, the combined action of a first temporary take up device outside the cartridge and a second permanent take up device inside the cartridge assures the insertion of used ribbon into the cartridge and its winding around a reel by means of a third motor timely controlled by the electronic unit.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a ribbon winding mechanism of a printing apparatus which is adapted to perform a printing operation in which at a printing station a print head is moved relative to a first length of the ribbon to transfer print medium from the first length of the ribbon onto a substrate and the ribbon is subsequently advanced a predetermined amount to present a second length of ribbon at the printing station for use in a further printing operation, the winding mechanism comprising a supply spool and a take-up spool and there being a ribbon path between the supply and take-up spool through the printing station, and a motive means to cause the ribbon to be moved along the ribbon feed path and wound onto the take-up spool, and a sensing means to sense movement of the ribbon as the take-up spool is rotated and to provide a signal to a control means in response, the method being characterized in that prior to performing the printing operation, the take-up spool is rotated a predetermined amount whilst the

Abstract: A printer includes a variable torque assembly that allows a printer controller to vary torque on supply and take-up reels in response to monitored diameter of the supply or take-up reels. In one embodiment, the variable torque assembly is a torque divider that divides a fixed amount of torque between a supply reel and a take-up reel. The ratio of torques on the supply and take-up reels is controller by a control stepper motor that adjusts respective Acme gears to adjust pressure on respective clutch plates to increase or decrease the amount of "drag" applied by the clutch plates. In another embodiment, separate control stepper motors control torque to each of the supply and take-up reels so that the overall amount of torque can be varied to accommodate changes in print media lengths.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved thermal printer with a rigid frame made from a main frame plate with compound bends and a base plate, record member supply roll mounting and guide devices, an ink ribbon and record member web feed control system, a print head assembly, and improved ink ribbon cores and spindles.

Abstract: A bar code printing device including a base frame, a cover turned about a pivot in the base frame, torsional springs mounted around the pivot to force the cover outwards from the base frame, gear wheel and sector gear assemblies mounted between the base frame and the cover to buffer the spring force of the torsional springs, a sticker reel mounted in the base frame and turned by a step motor to let off a sticker for printing, a ribbon reel mount fastened to the cover on the outside, a ribbon reel mounted on the ribbon reel mount and turned by a DC motor through a reducing gear to turn a ribbon over the sticker, the ribbon reel having a tension spring adapted for adjusting the diameter of the ribbon reel subject to the size of the ribbon to be used, and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the DC motor and the step motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for low cost thermal printing in a thermal printer having a software controlled thermal print head that moves in relation to a print ribbon disposed adjacent to a print area of a printed medium. The thermal print head is selectively energized to heat the print ribbon which deposits the ink onto the printed medium as the print head moves in relation to the print ribbon in a print stroke. The cost of printing is decreased by efficient use of the ink on the print ribbon. Between print strokes, the print ribbon is displaced an incremental interval to position an unused portion of the print ribbon for printing on the printed medium during a subsequent print stroke. The precise displacement of the print ribbon may be software controlled based on the detection of indices disposed at spaced intervals along the print ribbon which further increases the efficient usage of ink on the print ribbon.

Abstract: An imaging device which reciprocatively transports a recording sheet to form a color image thereon. A front extreme end of the recording sheet is clamped between a pair of rollers, and the pair of rollers are reciprocatively moved along a recording sheet feed path, while clamping the recording sheet therebetween, to repeatedly execute an image forming process. After completion of the repeated image forming processes, at least one of the pair of rollers is driven to rotate, to thereby transport the recording sheet forwardly on the feed path.

Abstract: A single-pass ink ribbon and a multi-pass ink ribbon are incorporated in a single recording apparatus. An identification mark is attached to one end of the single-pass ribbon (or the multi-pass ink ribbon) so that a ribbon sensor can discriminate two kinds of ribbon from each other to find out which one is used for the printing. With the result of the discrimination, a controller selects an appropriate program to set up a printing condition for the ribbon being used for the printing. A thermal head temperature, a degree of wear of the ribbon and a black ratio of the ribbon may also be taken in account in determining the printing condition. If the thermal head temperature is used, one temperature table is selected from a number of temperature tables which are prepared in advance for respective temperature. The printing condition is determined such that the printing density is maintained as long as the same ink ribbon is used.

Abstract: In a printer for printing on a recording medium using a transfer medium, a transfer medium capable of being repeatedly used at the same portion thereof (e.g., a multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon) is conveyed in the normal direction in performing the printing process by a recording means such as a thermal head etc. and the conveying amount of the transfer medium which is used for printing is measured at that time. The transfer medium is conveyed in the reverse direction by a given amount based on the result of the measurement and the reverse direction conveying ratio of the transfer medium to the used length of the transfer medium which is arbitrarily set by a transfer medium reverse direction conveying ratio setting means irrespective of the used amount of the transfer medium every time a unit of printing is completed. Thereafter the transfer medium is conveyed in the normal direction for printing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the useful life of a printing ribbon by controlling the ratio of ink used to ink applied to the ribbon, while maintaining visual clarity of printed characters. A counter accumulates the number of characters printed, and the print density, over a preset period of time. The number of characters printed is compared with predetermined triggering numbers of characters, and the print density is likewise compared with a predetermined triggering print density. As a result of this comparison, the speed of the printer ribbon is increased to allow an increase in the ratio of ink applied to ink used, when the number of characters and print density are high. Conversely, ribbon speed is decreased when the number of characters printed during the preset time period, and the print density, are low, to prevent overinking and fouling of printer hammers. This condition applies when the ribbon is relatively new.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for low cost thermal printing in a thermal printer having a software controlled thermal print head that moves in relation to a print ribbon disposed adjacent to a print area of a printed medium. The thermal print head is selectively energized to heat the print ribbon which deposits the ink onto the printed medium as the print head moves in relation to the print ribbon in a print stroke. The cost of printing is decreased by efficient use of the ink on the print ribbon. Between print strokes, the print ribbon is displaced an incremental interval to position an unused portion of the print ribbon for printing on the printed medium during a subsequent print stroke. The precise displacement of the print ribbon may be software controlled based on the detection of indices disposed at spaced intervals along the print ribbon which further increases the efficient usage of ink on the print ribbon.

Abstract: A thermal printer for printing on a continuous print medium by ink transfer from a thermal print ribbon has a print head which is pivotally mounted and which is driven in an oscillatory nodding motion by a stepper motor so as to repeatedly to bring a linear array of energizable printing elements to bear against a platen roller. Both the element array and the platen extend transversely to respective paths of travel of the print medium and the ribbon. The print medium is fed through the printer from an inlet region, between the platen and print head, and thence to an outlet region. The instantaneous rate of travel of the print medium past the print head is substantially the same as the rate of feed of print medium to the printer. Typically this rate is of the order of 250 to 400 mm per second. The ribbon also travels between the print head and the platen, overlying the print medium and is driven in such a manner that it travels at the same rate as the print medium during each printing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a thermal printer for printing bar code symbols onto a paper substrate material is provided which utilizes a ribbon having a multi-transfer ink layer. The thermal printer enables the ink ribbon to be transported at a rate that is selectively lower than the transporting rate of the paper substrate. The thermal printer comprises a platen and a thermal head disposed adjacent to the platen having a region defined therebetween through which the paper substrate material is transported at a first rate. Images or symbols are imprinted onto the paper substrate material by operation of the thermal head in cooperation with ink from the multi-transfer ink ribbon advanced to the region. A supply hub carries a supply of the ribbon, and a first motor is mechanically linked to the supply hub. The first motor rotates the hub in a direction opposite to a direction of advancement of the ribbon.

Abstract: To conserve relatively expensive printing ribbon, in particular a thermal transfer ribbon, when a portion of the medium which is not to be printed, e.g.

Abstract: A thermal recording device suitable for use in an electronic typewriter for printing characters on a printing paper by means of an ink sheet. The device has a thermal recording head adapted to be pressed onto the printing paper through the ink sheet so as to print the characters on the printing paper. The ink sheet is adapted to be fed by a reversible winding device. The recording device further has a first detector for detecting the length of the ink sheet fed by the feeding device in a period between a moment at which the feeding is commenced and a moment at which the thermal recording head reaches the first image recording position, and a second detector for detecting the length of the ink sheet fed by the feeding device in a period between a moment at which the thermal recording head leaves the final image recording position and a moment at which the thermal recording head is stopped.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having a paper feeding device for feeding a printing sheet, a detent mechanism capable of engaging the feed roller so as to determine the feeding pitch at which the paper feeding device feeds the sheet, a ribbon feeding mechanism for feeding an ink ribbon, a driving power source for generating a driving force, a transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force from the driving power source to one of the paper feeding device and the ribbon feeding mechanism to operate the paper feeding device or the ribbon feeding mechanism, and a changeover mechanism for changing over the transmission effected by the transmission mechanism and also changing over the engagement between the detent mechanism and the paper feeding device in a linked relationship with the changeover of the transmission of the driving force.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium has a plurality of ink ribbon mounting portions on which a multicolor ink ribbon having inks of plural colors and a monochromatic ink ribbon having monochromatic ink can be mounted, a recording head for recording an image on the recording medium, an input circuit for designating the colors of the image to be recorded on the recording medium, and a control unit for controlling the image based on recording information to be recorded by the direction from said input means so that image recording is effected in a smaller number of the recording colors by the recording information. The unused amount of the color blocks on the ribbon is stored in memory to control efficient use of the ribbon.

Abstract: A ribbon supply apparatus including a support in which a ribbon supply spool and a take-up spool are rotatably mounted. The supply and take-up spools and the support are designed so that these spools can be mounted in the support in only one way, the correct way. The ribbon is supplied on a tubular core member which is mounted on a cylindrical member which is part of the supply spool. The ribbon supply spool has a large gear thereon which is used in a braking and feeding mechanism which is used to incrementally feed the ribbon to a print station associated with the apparatus. The ribbon take-up spool is identical to the ribbon supply spool, but the ribbon take-up spool is mounted in a reversed manner when compared to the ribbon supply spool. A driving gear, coupled to the large gear on the take-up spool is part of the braking and feeding mechanism which also includes a "dancer arm". The dancer arm controls a loop of ribbon which is fed to the print station.

Abstract: A printer for reducing the consumption of a ribbon at a printing completion section. A ribbon feeder feeds an ink ribbon so as to carry out printing during a period in which heat transfer is being effected on recording paper. Further, the ribbon is continuously fed to a blank area or portion existing in the printing to determine the printing. When a final portion detector detects a final area or portion to be printed during the continuation of feeding of the ribbon toward the blank portion or during a period in which the feeding of the ribbon to the blank portion is stopped to wait for recommencement of the printing, a difference calculator calculates a difference between a feed length of a ribbon required to determine the printing and a length of a ribbon fed toward a blank portion calculated by a blank feed length calculator. Further, the ribbon feeder continues to feed the ribbon by the calculated difference, to thereby fix printing characters subjected to the heat transfer onto the recording paper.

Abstract: The provision is made of a firmware (F/W: ROM, RAM) which enables an accurate indexing of an ink sheet so that printing is not performed at the joint portion when an ink sheet having a joint is used. Therefore, an ink sheet having a joint can be used, decreasing running cost of the printer.

Abstract: A traveling amount calculating unit calculates a minimum traveling amount of a printing transfer material required for a plurality of shapes printed previously not overlying a shape to be printed next on the printing transfer material. Based on the traveling amount, a traveling unit travels the printing transfer material. Then, a transfer unit transfers a shape to be printed next.

Abstract: A color thermal printer loads a dye receiver for printing by moving the dye receiver in a first direction through a gap between a print head and a platen. A dye donor, also positioned in the gap, moves in the first direction during receiver loading. The moving dye donor engages the dye receiver, assisting the dye receiver through the gap. When the dye receiver is detected downstream of the gap, the dye receiver is positioned in a beginning receiver print position and the position of the dye donor with respect to the print head is determined. If the print head position is downstream of a beginning donor print position, the dye donor is rewound in a second direction opposite the first direction until the print head is upstream of the beginning donor print position, whereupon the dye donor is moved to the beginning donor print position. If the print head position is upstream of the beginning donor print position when the dye receiver is detected, the dye donor is moved to the beginning donor print position.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth a dot matrix printer having an improved ribbon drive. The ribbon drive is provided by two respective stepper motors. When one stepper motor is in a take-up mode, the second is in a feed mode. The process is reversed proximate the end of the tape as it is unwound. A re-generative mode for the feed motor is provided and a resistance bank varies amounts of drag on the ribbon as it is fed from the feed motor spool. Both motors when in the take-up mode are driven by full H bridge drivers and amplifiers controlled by a micro controller through an address and decode input and output latch. In order to provide for a uniform velocity of the print ribbon the angular velocity of the take up motor is controlled by counting the zero crossings of the feed motor, and then loading it into the micro controller to compare it with a look-up table for purposes of providing a proper speed to the take-up motor and the proper peak drag through the resistance bank to the feed motor.

Abstract: A device for displaying a residual amount of cartridge ribbons in a color video printer. The rotational period of a supply reel or a take-up reel, is detected and the detected rotational period is compared with previously stored reference periods. A present residual amount is displayed based on the comparison so that a user can know how many more sheets can be printed with the ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: Print drums are described wherein a special "alignment character" is placed, along with print-symbols, on the surface of the print drum, mixed-in with at least one of the character sets.