Abstract: A flexible keyboard formed from a grid of flexible wires. Crosspoints between the wires are used to define characters to be selected via the keyboard. The characters are selected by pressing at a location, pressing two wires against one another.

Abstract: A method for determining a mismatch involving the availability of a dye donor supply and a dye receiver supply in a thermal printer when a particular print size and print quantity are selected, comprises: comparing a remaining number of similar-size donor patches available on the dye donor supply with a remaining number of like-size donor patches required for the selected print size and print quantity, and should the former number be less than the latter number providing a warning; and comparing a remaining length of dye receiver available on the dye receiver supply with a remaining length of dye receiver required for the selected print size and print quantity, and should the former length be less than the latter length providing a warning.

Abstract: An input device with a user-selectable key that includes a proximity detector associated with the key. The proximity detector detects the proximity or touch of a user's finger and provides user feedback related to the function of the key, without actually activating the function of the key. This allows a user to determine what a particular key on a keyboard or other device will do by simply hovering the user's finger near the top of the key, or lightly touching the key without depressing it.

Abstract: A key for transmitting data to an electronic apparatus includes a key top, a sound generating mechanism connected to the key top for generating a predetermined sound without any electrical power supply when the key top is depressed, and an outer sleeve receiving the sound generating mechanism. The outer sleeve has an opening portion for outputting the sound to the outside so that the sound can be received by the electronic apparatus. The acoustic communication system between an input unit and the electronic apparatus may dispense with any cable there between and also dispense with any electrical power supply for the input unit.

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 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: A Bicameral Keyboard is provided for generating pictographic characters wherein twenty keys are sufficient to specify the roughly 3000 characters required for ordinary personal and business correspondence. The Bicameral Keyboard is compatible with pictographic expression and pedagogy and will permit direct access to word processors, translation machines, page editors, and printers at input rates more rapid than possible using the alphanumeric keyboard with western orthographic characters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically determining when a ribbon cassette in a printer should be replaced. The ribbon cassette comprises a housing and an electrically conductive ink ribbon stored in the housing. The apparatus comprises a detection apparatus which includes a first conductor and a second conductor which pass through the housing and contact the ink ribbon, thereby enabling a signal to be generated when the electrical resistance of the ink ribbon equals a predetermined resistance. A controller coupled to the detection apparatus causes a message that the ribbon cassette needs to be replaced to be displayed on a display in response to the signal. The method entails generating a first signal corresponding to the electrical resistance of at least a portion of the ink ribbon; and then generating a second signal when the first signal equals a third signal corresponding to the predetermined resistance of the ink ribbon.

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 sheet feeder for a printer selectively feeds a continuous sheet and a cut sheet to a printing mechanism including a platen and a print head. The continuous sheet is fed by a pair of pin tractors and the platen while the cut sheet is fed only by the platen. At least one sheet presser roller is provided for guiding the feeding of the cut sheet, which moves toward the platen when the cut sheet is fed so as to hold the latter against the platen, and moves away from the platen when the continuous sheet is fed. A switching lever sets the sheet feed mode, which when moved to a first position causes to feed the cut sheet by rotating the platen and when moved to a second position causes to feed the continuous sheet by rotating both the pin tractors and the platen.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes one detection switch which is operated according to the movements of a carriage and a paper bail unit. The detection signal outputted from the detection switch is used for a control to locate the carriage to an origin position thereof and a control for automatic paper supply. A CPU judges by which one of the carriage and the paper bail unit the detection switch is operated.

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 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: A printer which utilizes a charge controlled ink jet head is disclosed. A platen and its surrounding parts will be marred if the ink jet head is operated when there is no paper around the platen. Thus, the detection of a paper is of importance, and accordingly, a paper sensor is disposed near the platen. To prevent the sensor from being contaminated by the ink, the paper sensor is disposed rearward of the platen, as viewed from the ink jet head. The presence or absence of a record paper in front of the ink jet head is determined by a microprocessor which responds to a detection signal from the paper sensor and the amount of rotation which the platen has undergone since the detection of a paper by the sensor. If the printing operation is in pause over a given time interval at the end thereof or after the initiation of the projection of an ink jet, the projection of the ink jet is interrupted in order to reduce evaporation of solvent from the ink.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter or other keyboard entry display device may have a voice or audio prompt option incorporated therein. The option provides for the operator to record a series of commands to position the print point as desired and then to code a series of characters spelling the word or words to be vocalized as a prompt. The recorded commands and the prompt may subsequently be played back to position the print point at a desired position on the page and the prompt vocalized to instruct the operator the nature of the entry for that position.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for serial printing by displacement of a printing head, in which a discriminating circuit identifies the typefont of the printing head mounted on the carriage, and a coincidence circuit compares the result of typefont identification with the typefont to be printed and provides alarm if the two are different.

Abstract: In an impact typewriter/printer using a daisy wheel typefont a stepper motor for rotating said daisy wheel for character selection purposes and microprocessor facilities for controlling said stepper motor, means are provided for generating tones signalling the occurrence of predetermined events to be brought to the attention of the typist. For that purpose, the microprocessor facilities are used to detect and identify the occurring event and then generate a tone of a predetermined frequency by moving said stepper motor back and forth at given rates whereby the daisy wheel typefont is made to vibrate the surrounding air fluid and generate the acoustical tone.