Abstract: In the case the die cut label sheet is mounted, by detection of threshold voltage of output signal of the photo sensor, each label provisionally adhered to a front surface of the die cut label sheet is fed to a print start position. In the case the unfixed-length roll sheet is mounted, if the feeding speed is less than 40 mm/sec, by detection of threshold voltage of output signal of the photo sensor, the feeding state of unfixed-length roll sheet is judged, or if the feeding speed is not less than 40 mm/sec, on the basis of voltage change for the predetermined potential difference portion of output signal of the photo sensor, the feeding state of unfixed-length roll sheet is judged.

Abstract: In a print position setting method, a sequence of the following operations of printing a toner mark 4 by the obverse side printer, of detecting the toner mark 4 by a mark sensor 9, and feeding a printing sheet a distance ranging from a toner mark detecting position 12 to a page leading edge position 6 when the printing operation starts, is automated.

Abstract: A printer is provided, which comprises a printer body 20 including a paper sheet feeding unit for setting paper sheets therein for printing and a paper sheet discharging unit, and a printer controller 10 of the printer body 20. When setting again paper sheets after printing on one surface in the paper sheet feeding unit for printing on the other surface, the printer body 20 is adapted to print, under control of an instruction from the printer controller 10, a first symbol indicating that the paper sheets should be set in the paper sheet feeding unit with the upper, lower, left or right part of the printed surface directed in the paper sheet feed-out direction and also with the printed surface up or down.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a media advance mechanism in a printer utilizes an optical sensor of the printer to detect printed marks on a calibration sheet. The marks on the calibration sheet are spaced at actual longitudinal intervals. The calibration sheet is advanced longitudinally past the printhead carriage, and the calibration marks are detected with the optical sensor. The printer determines the apparent or measured longitudinal intervals and compares them to the actual intervals to determine errors in positioning the calibration sheet.

Abstract: A reference pattern is printed on one of the printing regions as the printing head moves in one direction, and a comparison pattern, which is to become a pattern identical to the reference pattern, is printed on the other of the printing regions as the printing head moves in both directions. A judging process is provided in which the comparison pattern is compared with the reference pattern so as to judge whether the two patterns are identical or not. The relative positional relation is determined to be proper if the two patters have been judged to be identical.

Abstract: A data card for a printer includes a plurality of data areas. Data readable by a sensor can be written in the data areas to control specifications or functions of a serial printer. A standard mark is printed on the data card to provide a reference position. The serial printer includes the data card, a card receiver into which the data card is detachably inserted, a sensor for reading data written in the data card, and a carriage having a printing head thereon. Either the card receiver or the sensor is mounted to the carriage. The other component is fixedly arranged within the serial printer. The serial printer further includes a memory for storing the data, and a controller for controlling a printing mechanism according to the data stored in the memory.

Abstract: In order to ensure correct registration of printing, a printing device is provided with a transducer arrangement which scans the printing platen to detect one of the edges of the stationary or, in the case of continuous feed stationery, pre-printed markings on the stationery. The scanning may take place in the vertical and/or horizontal directions according to the direction in which precise registration is desired. The transducer arrangement is provided with an associated light source and to avoid errors arising, e.g. from variations in ambient lighting level, the transducer arrangement comprises two sensors which are spaced apart in the direction of scanning and an associated circuit forms a difference signal from the outputs of the sensors, which is discriminated with respect to a predetermined threshold level to produce a signal representative of the edge or marking.