Abstract: A tape printing system includes a control apparatus and a tape printer, wherein the control apparatus includes an image data generating section generating character strings and/or image data, and an image data transmitting section transmitting the generated character strings and/or image data to the tape printer, and the tape printer includes a processing pattern storing section storing a processing pattern for each tape type, the processing pattern of processing the character strings and/or image data to printing image data, a tape type determining section determining the tape type of a printing tape, an image data receiving section receiving the character strings and/or image data from the data transmitting section, a printing image data generating section generating printing image data by processing the received character strings and/or image data based on the processing pattern, and a tape printing section printing the generated printing image data on the printing tape.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a printhead assembly having a carrier frame, a pagewidth printhead with a corresponding pagewidth print zone defined by a plane adjacent the printhead assembly mounted at a base of the carrier frame, an approach guide mounted to the carrier frame on a first side of the printhead and an exit guide mounted to the carrier frame on a second side of the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The web is unsupported in the print zone and is guided therethrough by the guides. The approach guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate upstream with a leading angular edge abutting with the web such that the natural path of the web is deflected downwards and around the approach guide, and the exit guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate downstream.

Abstract: In one aspect of watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts, an anchor point is obtained and a watercraft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft.

Abstract: A wide format printer having an alternative print zone arrangement is provided. The printer comprises a printhead having a corresponding print zone, the print zone being defined by a plane adjacent the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The printer is characterized in that the web is unsupported in the print zone, which obviates the need for a platen and advantageously maintains a constant distance between the printhead and the web.

Abstract: New method for Image reproduction and recording is based on mechanical-guiding-apparatus-free operating methods, with flexible operations (hand, robot, vehicle), with the means for positioning, processing and controlling, and having exclusive plurality of uses. The system for image reproduction and recording based on this method includes these common apparatuses: head carrier, sprayer/reader or sprayer/reader array, and computer. Additional apparatuses used in wave-based positioning methods or relative-motion-based positioning methods, include operation-unit (OU) and communication-units (CU's), or operation-module (OM) and motion-detectors (MD), or respectively. The MD and OM provide the information of positioning for computer to determines the relative position and direction of the head array on head carrier. The CU's radiate and receive signal needed for determining distance information. The OU processes and converts the received signal into distance-related data and pass to computer.

Abstract: The elements of a printing mechanism, including a platen, print head and drive motors, are constructed and arranged to provide a clearance permitting an envelope to remain entirely in a flat condition in a plane tangent to the platen at the location of the printing line while the envelope is being printed by the print head. The housing of the printing mechanism is constructed with specially configured slots. First and second opposite end walls of the housing, and a third wall, extending from one end wall to the other, provide at least partial coverage of the print head and platen. The third wall has a slot extending from one end wall to the other, the slot being arranged to receive an envelope and to allow the envelope to be inserted in a flat condition between the print head and the platen. The end walls have parallel slots, meeting and continuous with the slot of the third wall.

Abstract: A data printer prints alphanumeric information on photographic slide mounts. Data printer includes a platform and a pair of parallel guide rails which define a slide track along which slide mounts are advanced. The platform has a printing aperture through which a print head prints alphanumeric characters onto a bottom surface of the slide mount positioned at the printing station. A pair of generally parallel conveyor belts are positioned above the platform and extend along the slide track so that a slide mount at the print station is held between the lower runs of the belt and the platform. An eject motor is actuated when the final slide mount of a customer order has been printed. The eject motor drives the conveyor belt and drives the slide mount out of the printing station and into a slide mount collecting basket. An adjustable platen is also positioned above the slide track over the printing aperture to limit upward deflection of the slide mount during printing on the bottom surfaces of the slide mount.

Abstract: A data printing apparatus for printing alphanumeric information on photographic slide mounts includes a slide track along which the photographic slide mounts are advanced. When the slide mount is positioned at a printing station along the slide track, a movable print head prints alphanumeric characters on the slide mount. The print head is carried on a carriage, which in turn is movable on a carriage track. The carriage track is aligned in a plane parallel to a plane defined by the slide track and runs in a generally transverse direction to the slide track, so that the print head moves transversely to the longitudinal direction of the slide track as a carriage drive moves the carriage on the carriage track.