Abstract: In a heat transfer recording apparatus, ink of an ink sheet is transferred to a recording medium to record images on the recording medium. The apparatus includes conveying motors for the ink sheet and recording medium, and a timer for counting a recording interval from the termination of the image recording until the next conveyance of the ink sheet or recording medium is started. A waiting time is determined which corresponds to the recording interval. The apparatus is controlled so that image recording is effected on the recording medium after the lapse of the waiting time after the start of ink sheet conveyance.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a main body in which a sheet-like printing medium or a tape-like printing medium contained in a cassette can be mounted, a printing head capable of printing an image either on the sheet-like printing medium or the tape-like printing medium, and a control unit for, when an image is printed on the sheet-like printing medium, controlling the printing head and the sheet-like printing medium to make them move relative to each other and cause the printing head to print the image on the sheet-like printing medium, and for, when an image is printed on the tape-like printing medium, controlling the printing head and the tape-like printing medium to make them move relative to each other and cause the printing head to print the image on the tape-like printing medium.

Abstract: A chart recorder (10) is disclosed having an automatic paper loading system, an automatic tensioning system and an "odometer" system for determining the amount of paper moved through the chart recorder. The chart recorder (10) includes a print roller (34) and a feed roller (22), both in frictional contact with the paper in the recorder and both connected to and rotated by a motor. The feed roller (22) is connected to the motor through a one way clutch that allows the feed roller (22) to "free wheel" when the feed roller (22) is rotated at a faster rate, due to frictional contact with the paper, than the roller would be rotated by the motor (56). Dissipative forces in the one way clutch (68) and bearings (24) of the feed roller (22) cause it to resist being rotated which imparts tension to the paper and draws it into contact with a paper guide (14).

Abstract: In a multiple-time recorder in which different colored recordings are superimposed on a single sheet to draw a multi-colored drawing, the reference position of the recording paper must remain at a same point for each-time drawing of a single color. At an initialization, a physical property of the recording paper is measured as a function of the paper position including the reference position, and this function is stored in a reference data memory. Before the commencement of the next and subsequent recordings, the same physical property is measured and stored in a compared data memory. From the cross correlation of the contents of the compared data memory and those of the reference data memory, the reference position for the next and subsequent recordings is precisely determined.

Abstract: In a printer assembly including a printhead which moves in a first direction for printing on a sheet of paper, roller means having an outer cylindrical periphery that engages the sheet of paper at successive tangent points on the periphery for moving the paper in a second perpendicular direction, and driving means for rotating the roller means, an apparatus for correcting certain pre-established errors in the positioning of the sheet of paper by the roller means is described. The apparatus comprises means for controlling the driving means such that the driving means rotates the roller means in order to move the sheet of paper in a way which eliminates the pre-established errors. An arrangement for determining certain pre-established errors in the positioning of the sheet of paper by the roller means is also described.

Abstract: A printer having a cutter 6 including: program storage 2 for storing printer control programs such as a data edition program, a printing control program and a cutter control program, where the program storage has a random access memory for storing the predetermined length of each of plural sheet divisions arranged on the web to be cut out, the total length of a printing zone in each of the sheet divisions and a blank distance between adjacent two printing zones of the sheet divisions; and a central processing unit 1 for operating the cutter 6 to cut the sheet division according to the data and the programs read out from the program storage, to cut out a sheet in the predetermined length with a printed zone where the central processing unit 1 precalculates the continued travel length L of the web from a travel reference position, where any predetermined point in the sheet or a subsequent sheet division is placed in a predetermined relative position to the printer after printing of the printed zone, to a travel

Abstract: A printing device for a continuous strip of tags prints a plurality of lines on each of the tags. The device allows free selection and easy changing of line spacing. The device for a continuous strip of tags has a feed mechanism for feeding the strip of tags, a printing mechanism for printing a plurality of lines on each tag of the continuous strip of tags and a data memory circuit for storing input printing data. The printing data input to the data memory circuit is required to consist of character data corresponding to contents of the plurality of lines, followed by line spacing data for each line, followed by data indicating the number of tags.

Abstract: In a printer of the kind which uses a continuous form print sheet having a plural pages each defined by perforated score lines formed in the widthwise direction of the sheet, a sheet feed control device is provided for controlling a sheet feed means for feeding the sheet. The control device includes a central processing unit which upon measuring a first line distance on the sheet, controls a sheet feeding means so that the perforated score line in the bottom of a printed page is brought in coincidence with a sheet cutting position. The print sheet can thus be separated at the line of perforations even if the first line distance is differently than that of the previous sheet.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a printer to print data beginning at a specified distance from the reference edge of a document. Several test documents are moved through a print station and a test symbol is printed on each of them with a preselected set of heating elements from a dot matrix thermal printer. The test documents are then processed through the same print station whereupon a sensor detects the reference edge of the document and the test symbol. A master controller then determines a test symbol distance between the reference edge and the midpoint of the test symbol for each test document. A plurality of test documents is processed in this manner, and the master controller determines an average test symbol distance for the plurality of test documents. Using an average test symbol distance, the master controller determines the distance between the sensor and a given hewating element of the thermal printer.

Abstract: A paper feeding control device for use in conjunction with a recording apparatus controls the feeding of a web of paper having in succession a plurality of equi-length segmental sheets each defining one page and being adapted to be cut along a transversal cutting line from the rest of the web in such a manner that from a position wherein a first line of a new page confronts a printing head, the web of paper is advanced until the cutting line of a leading page is positioned in alignment with a cutter when it is confirmed that no printing is carried out for the next page. The printed page can now be cut off by the cutter.

Abstract: A printer of the type in which printing is performed in response to data supplied from a host computer and the printer is selectively rendered in an on-line mode enabling to receive the data from the host computer and in an off-line mode disabling to receive the data therefrom. A recording paper is firstly moved beyond a reference line by a desired length corresponding to a desired amount of upper margin of the recording paper. The recording paper is then moved backwardly by a distance between a print position and the reference line, whereby the desired amount of upper margin is reserved when printing is started. In another aspect of the invention, an elongated, web-like recording sheet is moved toward a cutting blade and is cut at an appropriate line on the sheet. Then, the sheet is backwardly moved by a predetermined distance toward the print position.

Abstract: The slip issuing apparatus comprises a support or a container for supporting or containing plural kinds of slips having different slip widths, separately; a printing device having a printing head for determining each printing range of the printing head according to each specified kind of slip and for printing predetermined data on the specified slip within each determined printing range; a conveying device for supplying a specified slip out of the slips to the printing device; and another conveying device for conveying the slip printed by the printing device to an outlet. Since the printing range can be changed according to slip widths, it is possible to print slips of plural kinds with a single printing device and to discharge the printed slips to a single outlet.

Abstract: The invention provides a ticket issuing system suitable for issuing tickets with or without a stub for use in payment for parking. The ticket issuing system includes a roll (4) of paper having messages pre-printed thereon, a thermal print head (13), a motor (12) for driving the strip of paper, and means (14, 16) for cutting the paper. A control assembly (34) controls these various means to ensure that a driver is provided with a ticket and a stub or with a ticket on its own depending on whether or not the driver has pressed a button (42).

Abstract: In a method for the operation of a typewriter, printer or the like with a stepping motor for the paper feed and a basic step inputting device, to accomplish feeding of the paper by a fraction of a line spacing, the feeding position set at the time of cutting off the machine is preserved by (1) storing the energization pattern last applied or information descriptive thereof in a value-preserving RAM at a first address, (2) storing a bit pattern contained in the control program in identical form at a second address of the value-preserving RAM, and (3) comparing the bit pattern of the control program which was stored in the second address of the RAM, when restarting the machine, with the bit pattern in the control program. The control program is stored preferably in a ROM of the central control unit, to verify as above the validity of the energization pattern stored in the RAM under the first address.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing apparatus comprises a recording sheet conveying passageway of a chuckless type which does not require a chuck mechanism for affixing a recording sheet to a platen roller. The recording sheet conveying passageway is constituted in loop form by at least one guide member and at least one roller for conveying the recording sheet and has at one end a recording sheet ejector for ejecting the recording sheet to outside from the conveying passageway. The recording sheet is moved through the conveying passageway repeatedly for a number of times required to perform superimposing printing by means of a thermal head. Upon completion of printing, the recording sheet is ejected from the apparatus to outside via the recording sheet ejector.

Abstract: The label printer of the present invention comprises a label cassette containing an elongate label sheet and removably loadable in the printer unloadably, a memory for storing print parameters of label formats relative to print contents, and a parameter selection means for detecting the states of a plurality of selective elements incorporated in the label cassette correspondingly to the individual print parameters and selecting a print parameter conforming to the result of such detection. In this structure, mere loading of the label cassette in the printer prescribes the label format relative to the print content that corresponds to the loaded label cassette, thereby facilitating the operation to prescribe the desired label format.

Abstract: A paper circulating assembly is provided for use in a field sequential printing apparatus such as a facsimile. The facsimile includes an ink ribbon having multiple color ink segments. A piece of paper is conveyed ultimately into a printing paper path and to the ribbon and printing platen for printing. The printing platen conveys the leading edge of the printed paper to a gripping arm of the paper circulating assembly. After a predetermined time period, the leading edge of the paper rests in the gap created between the gripping arm and the gripping platen, and the gripping arm closes against the gripping platen. Thereafter, the secured leading edge is conveyed to a recirculating paper path which flows into the printing paper path, and stays in this position until the trailing edge of the printing paper is just about to enter the printing paper path. During this time, the portion of the paper which lies between the gripping arm and the printing platen gathers in a loop in a paper loop area.

Abstract: A paper feed system in a printer includes a platen for supporting a recording paper sheet, a paper feed drive motor, and a transmission gear mechanism for transferring the rotation of the paper feed drive motor to the platen so as to conduct an automatic paper feed operation. The paper feed system further allows a manual paper feed operation wherein the platen is manually rotated. A detection system is provided which detects the manual paper feed operation. If the manual paper feed operation has been conducted before the automatic paper feed operation, a compensating paper drive is first conducted when an automatic paper feed instruction is developed. In the compensating paper drive, the platen is first driven to rotate in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount and, then to rotate in the forward direction by the same amount, thereby compensating for the displacement of the paper sheet location caused by the backlash of the transmission gear mechanism during the manual paper feed operation.

Abstract: A positioning system for a line printer uses dc servomotors for driving a forms feed mechanism in increments of one or more line spaces at a time. The system includes a microprocessor and a position counter that counts either 1/4 or 1 degree displacement pulses generated by a motion indicating means including optical transducers and an emitter disk coupled to the motors. The motion indicating means includes an error hold and compensation counter that counts and stores 1/4 degree pulses generated during error movement of the motors relative to a stop position during the uncontrolled state and supplies a corrected 1 degree pulse to the position counter upon start up.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a type wheel carrying a plurality of type elements and a platen for mounting and advancing a printing paper. A hammer can strike any one of the type elements against the printing paper and an ink ribbon is positionable between the type elements and the paper to imprint a character on the paper when any one of the type elements is struck. The ink ribbon is advanced by a driving mechanism. First, second, and third selecting systems respectively select one of a plurality of degrees of advancement of the printing paper, one of a plurality of time intervals of actuation of the hammer, and one of a plurality of amounts of advancement of the ink ribbon. First, second, and third counters each count pulses from respectively associated first, second, and third pulse generators to, respectively, first, second, and third set values determined by the selected degree of paper advancement, time interval of hammer actuation, and amount of ribbon advancement.

Abstract: A printer of the daisywheel type in which the existence of a carriage control signal and a printwheel control signal operate inhibiting apparatus for a control signal otherwise gated to a paper feed operator.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for setting and varying margins, line spacing and printing direction of a data printing machine by a machine user before and during printing by use of a keyboard with push-button control which is coupled to a digital controller to input information about the actual and the desired location of a print head relative to a printing surface, in response to which the controller outputs signals which control relative motion of the print head and indexes its relative position, from the actual to the desired direction and location.

Abstract: A data processing system or printer subsystem is provided with facilities for detecting emitter changes that have occurred during operating intervals. In a typical operation, a microprocessor initiates a command to a moving assembly, such as a forms feed assembly, then once the operation is initiated the microprocessor transfers to other program responsibilities, meanwhile periodically checking the status of the forms feed assembly. The forms feed assembly supplies emitter signals to the processor which are utilized by the microprocessor to determine whether or not any emitter changes have occurred during the intervals between the checking operations. The microprocessor has a stored data table and logic responsive to emitter signal conditions that had previously occurred (WAS) and that is further responsive to emitter signals that are presently occurring (IS) to supply an output in numbers of emitters indicative of both the extent and direction of movement of the assembly during the intervening interval.

Abstract: A control system for the carriage drive of a line printer includes a microprocessor which controls a carriage drive stepper motor through programmable timers and interface adapter along with other non-print units of a printer mechanism. A control counter in the carriage drive responsive to feedback pulses from the stepper motor coacts with the timers to control various operation of the stepper motor during line feeding of a print medium and is used by the microprocessor for preventing loss of control of the carriage drive due to interrupts from other devices.