Abstract: A method of illuminating a computer keyboard, including: providing a keyboard with individually illuminatable keys; probabilistically determining the most likely key(s) that would be pressed next; illuminating the key(s) that are determined to be most likely pressed next while leaving keys probabilistically least likely to be pressed next unilluminated, an electronic dictionary is utilized to determine keys likely needed and the dictionary suggests keys based on running applications such that, if a calculator is running, numeric keys are illuminated and if a word processor is running, alphabet and related keys are illuminated; updating the electronic dictionary to include new words; disabling selective illumination when filling identification and password fields; providing disabling and enabling options; after time when none of the suggested keys have been pressed, automatically illuminating all keys; after additional time when none of all illuminated keys have been pressed, unilluminating all of the keys.

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: An illuminated keyboard with illuminated figures being formed on the top surface of the keyboard including: a top cover, a bottom cover, a plurality of keys and an electroluminescent board. The top cover accommodates the keys and is combined with the bottom cover. The electroluminescent board is installed between the top cover and the bottom cover. The electroluminescent board includes at least one figured pattern to be displayed on a top surface of the keyboard on the top cover when the electroluminescent board is electrified to give light.

Abstract: A printer and printer media are provided. The printer comprises a media support for receiving a print media. The media support includes a bar code reader. The media comprises a printable media and a bar code disposed on the media.

Abstract: A print engine (10) having a maximum physical sheet capacity (MAX_C), and being operable at an operational sheet capacity (OP_C) equal to or less than the maximum physical sheet capacity, includes a marking device (12) which applies marks to sheets of media supplied thereto and outputs the same. A feeding device (14) supplies the sheets to the marking device (12), and a finishing device (16) receives the sheets from the marking device (12). Also included is a user interface (18). The user interface (18) has an indicator (100) which communicates to an operator of the print engine (10): the maximum physical sheet capacity of the print engine (10); the operational sheet capacity at which the print engine (10) is currently operating; and, a measurement of actual sheets which are at least one of contained in or received in a support device of the print engine (10), wherein the support device is the feeding device (14) or the finishing device (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a head gap of an inkjet printer includes: a main frame; an eccentric shaft rotatably disposed on the main frame, and including an eccentric supporting shaft; a head assembly movably disposed on the eccentric shaft, and including a print head for supplying ink onto a printing medium for printing on the printing medium; a head gap detecting sensor for detecting the head gap defined between the printing medium and the print head; an eccentric shaft turning means for automatically adjusting the head gap by turning the eccentric shaft by a predetermined angle; and a controller for controlling the driving of the eccentric shaft turning means so as to compensate for the head gap detected by the head gap detecting sensor to provide a predetermined head gap corresponding to the printing medium.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, transmissive paper sensor includes a light beam projector and light detector having an analog output signal. Changes in the output signal from an open loop condition indicate the presences of at least one print medium being in the field-of-view of the sensor. Output signals indicative of print media leading edge, trailing edge, and number of sheets interrupting the light beam provide improved print media transport control for hard copy apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, transmissive paper sensor includes a light beam projector and light detector having an analog output signal. Changes in the output signal from an open loop condition indicate the presences of at least one print medium being in the field-of-view of the sensor. Output signals indicative of print media leading edge, trailing edge, and number of sheets interrupting the light beam provide improved print media transport control for hard copy apparatus.

Abstract: A portable printer comprising a door pivotally coupled to a main body of the portable printer at a back end, a printing medium roller support rotatably mounted on the door of the portable printer, a platen rotatably positioned at a front end of the door, a door locking mechanism having a pair of door locking latches respectively positioned at opposite ends of the platen, a roller movably and rotatably coupled to the door locking mechanism and positioned parallel to the platen, a pair of levers movably coupled to the door locking mechanism for pressing the roller against the platen when the door is closed to the main body, a support frame positioned within the main body, a print head pivotally coupled to the support frame, a pair of coil springs coupled between the print head and the support frame such that the print head is essentially floating against the support frame, a body locking mechanism having a pair of body locking latches for latching with respective door locking latches, a gear system coupled to t

Abstract: A universal index sensing apparatus. The index sensing apparatus can mount within the media cavities of different printers and can easily adjust for different brands and sizes of media moving therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a line printer for the digital output and calorimetric measuring of colored images, comprising a housing, a paper feeder, a paper discharge means, a printer carriage movable in a direction transverse to the paper feed plus printing head and flexible printer cable, a transporting roller for the paper feed and a printer controller for the control of the printing functions.

Abstract: A sheet end detector comprising a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element for detecting changes in the amount of light associated with movement of a piece of a recording medium is provided. A standard value calculator detects the difference between the sheet end detector platen voltage Vp corresponding to light reflected only from said platen and said sheet end detector paper saturation voltage Vm corresponding to light reflected only from the recording medium. The amount necessary to feed the paper for platen voltage Vp to reach paper saturation voltage Vm is a constant value, irrespective of recording medium characteristics, which is when all of the light is reflected by the recording medium and the entire end portion of a piece of a recording medium has reached a predetermined position relative to the position of the sheet end detector.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a color printer and its printing method for accurately printing different colors on a document. The printer comprises two roller wheels for clamping and carrying the document forward and backward, a stepping motor for driving the two roller wheels, a detector for detecting a front edge of the document, a printing head for printing the document, and a control circuit for controlling operations of the printer. The control circuit comprises a memory for recording the number of steps of the stepping motor as printing position of the document.

Abstract: A sheet sensor arrangement for a sheet printing machine and particularly for a turning device of a sheet printing machine, which comprises at least one hollow cylindrical drum (3; 4), which has a gripper system to transport and/or temporarily store individual sheets (5). A sensor arrangement which is not very susceptible to contamination and has a mechanically simple structure is comprised of the fact that the cylindrical wall of the drum (3; 4) has at least one opening which allows light to pass through, and that a sheet sensor is formed by a light barrier (9, 10, 11), which has a light beam which, in at least one angle position of the drum, is directed from the inside at the opening which allows light to pass through. In addition, a corresponding process for optical monitoring of sheets in a sheet printing machine is indicated.

Abstract: A paper width detecting apparatus and method for an inkjet printer includes a right paper support integrally formed with a right home position detecting rib; a paper feeding portion for receiving paper sheets and supplying them for printing with the left paper guide movable left and right to tightly fix the paper at the reference of the right paper support; a paper feeding roller for supplying the paper sheets received from the paper feeding portion; a carrier that reciprocates for printing on the paper sheets supplied through the rotation of the paper feeding roller; a photosensor for detecting a light signal output from a light emitting device mounted on the left paper end detecting rib to determine a paper width.

Abstract: A sheet sensor device for a sheet-fed printing press having a sheet-reversing arrangement, said sheet-reversing arrangement being comprised essentially of a storage drum, a reversing drum and gripper systems mounted on these drums, so that a sheet sensor device comprising a transmitter and a receiver is arranged in the sheet-reversing area formed between the storage drum and the reversing drum, and that the transmitter is arranged on the one side of the printing machine, and the receiver is arranged on the other side of the printing machine, outside of the sheet-travel area.

Abstract: A detector assembly for detecting registration marks on a printed sheet when different color printing on different colored sheets is present has a pair of light sources and a light sensor. The light sources are of different colors selected to be complimentary such that one light source or the other will be capable of detecting a substantial range of contrasting registration marks placed on sheets that can be of various colors. Controls are used for selecting the light source that provides an output sensed by a light sensor when passing over the registration marks.

Abstract: A printer has an electric power supply controller which controls electric power supplied to an indicator indicating a state of the printer so as to prolong a driving time of the printer, which is driven by a battery. When the apparatus is set to an on-line state using an on-line key, electric power is initially supplied to an on-line LED, which indicates the apparatus is in the on-line state. Afterwards, when a predetermined time period has passed, the supply of electric power is cut off to the on-line LED, whereby the consumption of electric power supplied to the indicator can be minimized.

Abstract: In a paper feeding method and an apparatus therefor, papers are selectively fed to a paper-processing station through at least two paper guide paths. The respective papers fed through the paper guide paths are monitored to determine whether or not a double feeding of the papers has occurred, and when a double feeding of the papers is detected, an alarm warning of the occurrence of a double feeding of the papers is raised.

Abstract: A portable ink-jet printer and sheet feeder which can be battery powered. The printer may be manually fed paper for operation independent of the sheet feeder. The printer and sheet feeder are mounted on a base and locked at 90 degrees to one another. They may then be rotated into two operating modes in which automatic sheet feeding occurs, one of which provides a straight paper feed path for relatively stiff print media and/or printing relatively dense graphics. A paper output system includes a pair of wings and a deflector which place various arches in the paper as it emerges from the printer to maintain it over the previously printed sheet to permit it to dry. The printer may be configured by driving a print carriage having an arrow thereon to different positions adjacent a menu. When the arrow is opposite a desired configuration option, the option is selected by pressing a button.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing head for printing on a bank book, a platen disposed opposite the printing head, and a cam mechanism for moving the platen. A sensor detects the thickness of the bank book which is between the printing head and the platen, and a sensor moving mechanism moves the sensor toward or away from the platen. A controller controls the operation of the cam mechanism and the sensor moving mechanism as the sensor is moved to a measuring position approaching the printing head. The platen is moved toward the printing head according to a detected value, and then the sensor is retracted from the measuring position. As a result, after moving the platen, the sensor does not contact the surface of the bank book, and therefore does not produce jamming or oblique feeding of the bank book during a line feed or printing operation.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided with edge reading donor sensors that detect the presence of different color patches on the donor as the donor advances. The sensors detect the intrusion of a new color patch during the print cycle to stop the donor advance and properly position the donor relative to the receiver. The sensors are positioned alongside the thermal head and as near to the end of the print drum as possible. The sensors are thereby positioned as close to the heater line of the thermal head as possible preventing waste of donor.

Abstract: A printer improved in the accuracy of detection as to whether or not recording paper exists. The printer has a sensor provided upstream a printing head in a paper feed direction to detect whether or not recording paper exists, a device for measuring a paper feed quantity of the recording paper, a central processing unit that controls the measuring device and a printer control circuit, and a comparator that makes a comparison between the measured paper feed quantity and a predetermined value. When "paper empty" is detected by the sensor, the central processing unit judges it to be "real paper empty" when no "paper existence" is detected during the period that predetermined paper feed is conducted after the detection of the "paper empty", and then suspends the printing operation. Thus, it is possible to prevent the central processing unit from erroneously judging a printed portion of the recording paper to be the trailing end of the recording paper.

Abstract: In a display device for a recording device, when the power supply of the recording device is switched on, a display lamp is lighted to display that power-on. When the recording device is operated, and recording information is input, a misoperation detection circuit detects misoperation. When a misoperation is detected, a controller controls the display lamp to indicate the misoperation. When a device-trouble is detected, such as lowering of voltage in the recording device, the controller controls the display lamp to indicate the misoperation. The display lamp displays for indicating device-trouble differs from both the display at power-on and the display indicating a misoperation.

Abstract: A recording device in which an ink ribbon is used and recording is performed shifting the ribbon in the direction of the width of the ribbon and having a sensor for detecting the end of an effective portion of the ribbon. Using the end sensor, the vertical position of the region of the ribbon used for recording is detected.

Abstract: A serial printer includes: a carrier mounted with a printing head; a display means movable with the carrier; a stationary panel having indicating windows arranged so that the display means is recognizable through the specific indicating window when the carrier comes to a predetermined position; a carrying means for carrying the carrier; a printing mode storage means for storing printing modes; an operating switch for selecting the printing modes; and a printing mode setting means for permitting the carrying means to move the carrier and changing the printing mode of the printing mode storage means according to the position of the carrier.

Abstract: A dot matrix line printer is disclosed in which the amount of wear of an ink ribbon is measured by continuously compiling data representing impacting action of the printer as the printer prints.In one embodiment, this is accomplished by initially determining a dot count based on the length of the ribbon and representing the maximum theoretical useful life of the ink ribbon and then decreasing the initial dot count as printing thereafter commences. The dot count remaining is continuously divided by the initial dot count to determine the percentage of ribbon life remaining. When the dot count has been increased substantially to zero, a worn ribbon indication is provided to initiate an audible or visible alarm and to prevent further printing until the worn ribbon is replaced. As printing occurs the dots actually printed are counted, and this count is applied to reduce the initial dot count at a rate determined by the type of printing being undertaken.

Abstract: A paper detecting apparatus for a printer which can be produced at a low cost. The paper detecting apparatus comprises a pivotal paper detecting member for detecting paper which passes a paper transport path, and a motion converting and transmitting mechanism for converting pivotal motion of the paper detecting member and transmitting the same to a remote location. The paper detecting apparatus further includes a sensor for converting linear movement transmitted thereto by the motion converting and transmitting mechanism into an electric signal.

Abstract: A printer having a function of reading a bar code attached on a printing paper. A carrier cover of a sensor carrier unit is disposed against the bar-coded surface of the printing paper as located in the printing position by a positioning means, and the printing paper is supported on its rear surface by a guide member, whereupon the sensor carrier unit is moved in the direction of reading the bar code. Therefore, the distance between the bar code and the sensor is normally kept constant so that the printing paper is effectively prevented from being displaced during reading.

Abstract: A dot matrix line printer is disclosed in which the amount of wear of an ink ribbon is measured by continuously compiling data representing impacting action of the printer as the printer prints.In a first embodiment, this is accomplished by initially determining a dot count based on the length of the ribbon and representing the maximum theoretical useful life of the ink ribbon and then decreasing the initial dot count as printing thereafter commences. The dot count remaining is continuously divided by the initial dot count to determine the percentage of ribbon life remaining. When the dot count has been decreased substantially to zero, a worn ribbon indication is provided to initiate an audible or visible alarm and to prevent further printing until the worn ribbon is replaced. As printing occurs the dots actually printed are counted, and this count is applied to reduce the initial dot count at a rate determined by the type of printing being undertaken.

Abstract: A typewriter with variable color display visually presents typed text in a color variable in accordance with the typing speed and accuracy.

Abstract: A printer has a detection mechanism for detecting the absence of paper and the end position of the printhead upon start-up and reset. The detection mechanism includes a detection lever arm that is spring loaded and operationally positioned in a normal state. An optical sensor made up of an LED and a photo transistor that receives light from the LED, has the lower end of the detection lever arm operationally positioned in the normal state, between the LED and the photo transistor. The upper end of the detection lever arm is urged against the paper, by the spring. The platen supporting the paper has a groove formed therein which, in the absence of paper, receives the upper end of the detection lever arm, causing the lower end to move from its normal position between the LED and the photo transistor, the optical sensor then indicating a paper-out condition.

Abstract: An optical method for alignment of paper when making corrections and additions to previously typed or printed sheets is described. A light spot is projected which indicates the exact point of type impact on the sheet. The paper can then be moved until the spot falls onto the desired area. The system can also be used for margin and end-of-page signalling.

Abstract: An operator panel for printers which includes visible function indicators as well as trigger elements for controlling printer functions has a single function operating and indicating field arranged in a matrix fashion with lines and columns wherein the lines indicate classes of functions and wherein a particular column includes designations as well as indications for the classes of functions; there is at the most one indication and/or one designation in any matrix intersection, a single key is associated with each of the columns; a second panel field is disposed alongside the first one, having a single operating key, and being individually organized commensurate with the lines and in a single column but being independent from said designations of the particular column.

Abstract: A thermal ink-transfer printer is disclosed in which an ink donor sheet is wound on a supply reel. The ink donor sheet is drawn out from the supply reel and passes between a rotating drum and a thermal head and is then rolled round a winding reel. Printing paper is moved in a printing-paper transporting path formed between the rotating drum and guide means. The thermal head presses the ink donor sheet against the printing paper and heats the ink donor sheet to transfer the ink on the ink donor sheet to the printing paper. The ink donor sheet after completing the ink transfer is separated from the printing paper and rolled round the winding reel. The printing paper separated from the ink donor sheet is moved in the printing-paper transporting path. When the ink donor sheet during separation from the printing paper is erroneously drawn into a predetermined portion of the printing-paper transporting path, this erroneous operation of the ink donor sheet is detected by jam detecting means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing apparatus such as a typewriter which prints data from an inputting means on a printing medium.In the case of the normal printing apparatus, a feed amount setting means is installed which sets the amount of feed of line feeding or space feeding for relatively moving a printing head and the printing medium, and for the line feeding or for the space feeding, a desired one among about four kinds of amounts of feed is required to be selected.This printing apparatus comprises a unit feed amount selecting means for selecting a unit amount of feed, a feed amount setting means which selects a coefficient to multiply the unit amount of feed selected by this unit feed amount selecting means and sets the actual amount of feed, and a controlling means controlling a feeding mechanism so that the amount of feed of the relative movement is the amount of feed set by the feed amount setting means. Lamps are lit to indicate the feed amount.

Abstract: A protective member in the form of an opaque brush operates as a non-reflective shield to an optical sensor while protecting such sensor against ambient light. The brush also provides for removal of contamination from the surface of the optical sensor as a slip or like document is inserted along a guide by causing the brush to swing across such surface.

Abstract: A paper check device for a printer including paper feed means, a light emitter, a light receiver, reflectance determination means, and paper check means. The paper check means determines that a paper is not on the platen when the platen is detected to be moving and a determined reflectance is in a preset range for a time interval longer than another preset value. The paper check device correctly detects whether the paper is on the platen even if the paper with already printed patterns of low reflectance is employed.

Abstract: Impact type printer of a construction having a carriage including a character type wheel, a light source disposed outside the carriage, device for introducing light beam from the light source into the carriage such as a flexible photoconductor, a mirror, etc., and a detector to detect rotation of the character type wheel by application of the light beam introduced by the light beam introducing device to an encoder.

Abstract: A document processing system has a pitch key for generating character pitch information, an MPU for counting the character pitch information to set auto mode data in an auto mode selection memory RAM, a wheel sort memory RAM for storing printing pitch information of a printing wheel loaded in the system, a display unit for displaying the auto printing pitch setting mode and the detected printing pitch in a combination of different display patterns, and a display controller for controlling the display unit in response to the data read out from the RAMs under the control of the MPU.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dot array recorder having a dot array head carrying an array of the dot printing elements arranged in a plurality of groups, and for effecting dot printing at positions corresponding to the levels of an input print signal. The dot array recorder also includes an LED array having a plurality of LEDs arranged at positions corresponding to the groups of the dot printing elements, wherein the LED belonging to the group of dot printing elements having the element corresponding to the level of an input print signal, illuminates. Marks are provided on the LED array surface at positions between pairs of LEDs on both sides of a reference line and other graduation lines.

Abstract: An assembly for positioning a print head so as to transfer ink from an ink ribbon to a printing medium positioned on a movable platen adjacent to said ribbon supports the print head on a rocker member which enables the head to be swung between a print position wherein it engages the ink ribbon and a feed position wherein the head is spaced from the ribbon enabling ribbon to be moved. The rocker is rocked to move the head between its two positions by a rotary cam driven by a small low-power electric motor. When the cam engages the rocker member at selected angular positions, the head is maintained in its retracted feed position; otherwise, the head resides in its print position. The assembly also includes provision for detecting the angular position of the cam so as to produce signals to facilitate repositioning the cam and head promptly.

Abstract: A printing medium detecting mechanism of a printer having a plurality of printing medium traveling paths includes a detecting groove provided in a circumferential portion of a platen other than a printing region thereof, a first printing medium detecting lever disposed on one of the plurality of the traveling paths to freely fit in the detecting lever, and a medium detecting sensor provided on a printer control circuit board. The printing medium detecting mechanism further includes a second printing medium detecting lever provided on any other medium traveling path of the plurality of the medium traveling paths. The first printing medium detecting lever is adapted to be interlocked with the second printing medium detecting lever, thereby enabling to provide a simplified printing medium detecting mechanism.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter which provides for significant simplification of machine operations. The typewriter includes automatic error correcting function associated with electronic controls and a memory. A series of text data which have been deleted during an incessant error correcting operation are stored in a specially provided buffer memory from which they can be recalled upon depression of a print initiating key for causing the corresponding text to be printed automatically. An LED indicates that the current print line contains printed characters which can be erased by such automatic correcting operation. The typewriter further provides for simplified indentation and a novel carrier return mode.

Abstract: This sequentially highlighting copy holder employs fields of light as the frame of reference for an operator of a keyboard machine in keeping the place in the text of a document page. The page is affixed upon the copy holder for processing and is illuminated, portion by portion, as the place in the text advances. In one place keeping function the perceived effect of this highlighting delivered in sequence is that of a slender field of light slowly descending the document page. In another, the field of light disappears as a second field appears lower on the page, overlapping the position of the first field of light and disappearing in turn as a third field appears, overlapping the position of the second, so that as the place in the text moves downward the field of light moves with it in salient changes of position, holding to the moving place of attention in the text. In yet another function, ongoing input entered into the keyboard machine sets the downward pace of the field of light.

Abstract: A lockable key for use on electronic keyboards in office typewriters and teleprinters has a receptacle at an upper portion thereof for receiving a light emitting diode which is mounted in a small circuit board which can be snapped into the upper portion of the key and which is supplied current via flexible interlaced wires. A lower portion of the key has a guide element which cooperates with a guide pin carried on a side of the key base for retaining the upper portion of the key in a depressed state after a first actuation thereof, and for allowing return of the upper portion of the key to the original position after a successive actuation thereof.

Abstract: An optical sensor is provided for each print wire of a print head and includes two glass fibers to carry light from a light-emitting diode to the surface of a record medium and to carry the reflected light to a photodiode. Each printed dot is detected and the sensor output is compared with a delayed or stored print signal which is applied to the drivers for the print wires.

Abstract: A panel of selectively-controllable indicator elements is associated with a viewable escapement scale on a typewriter and provides an indication of a set of operative tab stops stored in an electronic memory. Escapement position codes extracted from an electronic tab storage drive a logic circuit that is so connected as to modify the state of individual panel elements at corresponding escapement scale positions to indicate a tab layout. By providing, in a preferred implementation, means for accessing the presently operative (selected) set of tab codes from a memory adapted to retain plural tab sets, the operator is enabled to assess the layout of each selection visually. In such an implementation for a typewriter having two different selectable pitches, say pitches of 10 and 12 characters per inch, the panel elements are arranged to display the selected tab layout respective of pitch.

Abstract: A desk top justifying text writing composing machine including automatic encoding and reading control means for operating a desk top justifying reproducing machine, or for operating larger and more sophisticated printing machines capable of automatic justification. The machine will produce unjustified typed lines and will automatically encode for controlling another machine to print justified lines, as a result of a single series of manual keyboard composing operations and automatic code controlled reproducing operations for producing a justified copy of a literal text, respectively.The machine includes a delete key and automatic deleting and back spacing means that reverses the machine and deletes codes from a code medium according to previously encoded information for back space correction purposes. The machine operates much like a normal office typewriter and may be operated by a person with a little more than normal typewriting skills for encoding a justified corrected text and function control codes.

Abstract: A text processing arrangement employing a typewriter in conjunction with storage means, in which information supplied from a typewriter keyboard is recorded on a page and simultaneously stored in the storage means, and in the event corrections thereof are required, material which to be unchanged is read-out of storage for simultaneous re-recording and further storage, along with change information supplied by the keyboard, and simultaneously recorded and stored in association with such further stored unchanged information, means being provided for following the progress of the re-recording and indicating the corresponding instant read-out position on the initially recorded page.