Abstract: An expandable keyboard with at least one keyboard sections stored in a nested manner inside a default keyboard such that the at least one keyboard sections can be extended in a telescoping manner from a housing of the default keyboard. The default keyboard comprises all the necessary keys to operate the computer so that the computer can be used even when the at least one keyboard sections is in a stored position. The expandable keyboard disclosed is particularly desirable for a portable computer in that it offers users a larger keyboard area comprising a more user friendly keypad layout yet does not add to the computer's thickness or lateral dimension so the computer remains easily portable.

Abstract: A method, printer system and printer apparatus for simultaneously printing a first print medium and a second print medium, wherein, on the first print medium first information is printed that is one of: identical information to the second information and information that includes at least some information different from the second information that is printed on the second print medium.

Abstract: Throughput of ink jet printers can be increased by using multiple print heads, each of which independently prints an image or text on a continuous roll of print media. Independently controlled printer carriages supporting the print heads simultaneously print images onto media since the printer carriages are separated by a distance that is substantially to equal to at least one dimension of the image to be printed.

Abstract: A folding keyboard includes a fixed key module and one or more mobile key modules. The key modules are joined together by links between them. Two ends of the links between the key modules are joined at asymmetric positions. The mobile key module can turn 180 degrees to lie against the fixed key module. The folding keyboard is capable of being frontally folded, showing the whole arrangement of keys after unfolding, and being used immediately after unfolded. Moreover, the folding keyboard can be relatively shrunk by way of compression of the key units to reduce the thickness, and can be designed to be a triply-folded or quadruply-folded structure.

Abstract: A foldable keyboard includes a keyboard body and a linkage unit. The keyboard body includes a central section and left and right sections respectively disposed at left and right sides of the central section. The linkage unit includes two opposing pairs of first parallel linkages that are respectively pivoted to front and rear sides of the left and central sections, and two opposing pairs of second parallel linkages that are respectively pivoted to the front and rear sides of the right and central sections so as to permit folding of the keyboard body.

Abstract: A multifunctional machine prevents contamination caused by the contact of a document and a printhead by placing the printhead to face a base frame supporting a printable mediumu, and by placing a scanner to face the base frame supporting the document. The multifunctional machine is also capable of simplifying the structure and reducing the manufacturing costs by sharing the base frame for supporting the printable medium and the document, and by moving the printhead and the scanner using one driving motor.

Abstract: An external input device for a portable computer or personal digital assistant (PDA) has at least one rotatable sideboard. The sideboard operates in two states. When the sideboard is in the first state, the sideboard protects the key sets, and when the sideboard is in a second state, the sideboard facilitates input operation of user.

Abstract: An printing apparatus is equipped with a recording medium transport device for transporting a recording medium from a supply portion along a transport path; at least one printing device arranged on the transport path for selectively forming an image on the recording medium or an intermediate transfer medium for temporarily holding the image at a predetermined image forming position; and a transfer device arranged on the transport path for transferring the image formed on the intermediate transfer medium to the recording medium. A mode setting device selects a mode between the first mode in which the printing device forms the image on the recording medium and the second mode in which the printing device forms the image on the intermediate transfer medium. An intermediate transfer medium moving device advances and retracts the intermediate transfer medium between the image forming position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A notebook computer comprises a housing including an internal control unit, a recess on a top surface, and wireless receiving means electrically coupled to the control unit; and detachable input means received in the recess and including wireless transmission means which is enabled as the input means is detached from the housing for activating a radio frequency (RF) transmission from the wireless transmission means to the wireless receiving means while entering inputs through the input means.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing a recording medium includes a recording medium transport device for transporting the recording medium from a supply portion along a transport path; a first printing device arranged on the transport path for forming an image on the recording medium or an intermediate transfer medium through a thermal transfer film; a thermal transfer film transport device for transporting the thermal transfer film; a second printing device arranged on the transport path for transferring the image to the recording medium; and an intermediate transfer medium transport device for moving the intermediate transfer medium back and forth relative to the second printing means. A control device controls the printing apparatus so that the second printing device prints at the same time the thermal transfer film is being transported for the first printing device to print the thermal transfer film.

Abstract: An adapter that electrically couples a portable touchpad keyboard to a portable electronic appliance, wherein the adapter couples a proprietary connector of a portable electronic appliance to an interface of the portable touchpad keyboard through a modified pin connector assembly, and wherein the portable touchpad keyboard also includes a physical support assembly on a bottom portion thereof, wherein the support assembly is unfolded and extended partway therefrom to thereby provide a physical support area on which to rest the portable electronic appliance, wherein the support assembly is unfolded in order to extend the support assembly far enough away from the portable touchpad keyboard to thereby support portable electronic appliances whose physical dimensions are relatively long when compared to a width of the portable touchpad keyboard.

Abstract: A notebook computer with multi-purpose hot keys comprising a platform inside which a motherboard is situated and a covering board on which a screen is situated is provided. A fast select program is stored in the motherboard. A set of multi-purpose hot keys including a number of select keys and an Enter key is situated on the platform besides an ordinary input keyboard. The hot keys can open a fast select application program and have a fast select menu displayed on the screen, wherein the select key selects and the Enter key executes the selected item. The hot keys can further cooperate with the screen brightness adjustment program, volume adjustment program, color contrast adjustment program and the suspend function so as to adjust the intensity of screen brightness, loudness of volume, ratio of color contrast and bring the computer systems into suspend status respectively.

Abstract: A keyboard structure, comprising: a substrate, a scissors mechanism, and a key lid. The scissors mechanism and the substrate are connected together. The scissors mechanism has a rotational configuration formed by cross-connecting a first rod and a second rod. The first rod has a first upper end and a first lower end. The second rod has a second upper end and a second lower end such that the first lower end and the second lower end are connected with the substrate. The key lid is connected with the first upper end and the second upper end for allowing the key lid to move between a first position, wherein the key lid and the substrate are detached, and a second position. The key lid has a base and a stop block. The base is connected with the second upper end of the scissors mechanism. The stop block is kept an appropriate distance with the base. The stop block and the base are formed into a releasing space.

Abstract: A print medium with encoded data and a print media detection system for use in detecting at least one characteristic of the sheet of print medium based on the encoded data are disclosed. The encoded data is designed to minimize its visual perceptibility. The print media detector is designed to recognize various characteristics of print media based upon the encoded data and transmit information regarding these characteristics to a printing device so that one or more operating parameters of the printing device can be adjusted to help optimize print quality for the particular characteristics of a particular print medium. A printing device including the print medium and print media detection system is also disclosed. A method of detecting one or more characteristics of print media used in a printing device is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a portable computer, a personal digital assistant and a mobile telephone handset, includes a main board module having opposite first and second sides, and a keyboard module mounted on and coupled electrically to the main board module. The first side of the main board module is formed with an opening and a keyboard receiving cavity that extends from the opening toward the second side. The keyboard module is received in the keyboard receiving cavity and is capable of being pulled to extend out of the keyboard receiving cavity via the opening. As such, other control devices, such as a touch control panel and a pen input panel, can be provided on a third side of the main board module that interconnects the first and second sides.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus which is capable of increasing the printing speed by employing a multi-head structure while maintaining or enhancing print quality. The printing apparatus prints on a print medium by using N print heads, where N is an integer equal to or larger than 2, assuming that two axes orthogonal to each other on a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system are set to an X axis and a Y axis, each of the print heads being capable of printing M dots in a direction along the Y axis simultaneously, where M is an integer equal to or larger than 3, and at the same capable of printing M dot lines each extending in a direction along the X axis, by relative scan on the print medium in the direction along the X axis, the M dot lines being arranged side by side in the direction along the Y axis.

Abstract: A cooling device is provided for cooling the inside of a main body of an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes the main body having a movable bottom surface portion and a display unit openable/closable relative to the main body. The cooling device is characterized by including means for transmitting an opening/closing angle of the display unit, and means for driving the movable bottom surface portion in accordance with the opening/closing angle of the display unit transmitted by the transmission means, to enlarge the inner space of the main body, thereby cooling the inside of the main body. Another cooling device is disclosed, which includes means for sucking a first gas, means for discharging the first gas sucked by the sucking means, and means for sucking and discharging a second gas by the action of the first gas discharged by the discharging means.

Abstract: A portable keyboard enables touch typing with both hands without external support. The keyboard includes a first array of keys and a second array of keys on opposite sides of the keyboard. The keyboard is held between the hands and is supported against the palm of one hand for touch typing with both hands.

Abstract: A method and a printer for printing on a substrate with a plurality of automatic positioning multiple microprocessor controlled print head assemblies, wherein each assembly includes at least one print head and arranged for movement along a rectilinear path transverse to the direction of movement of the substrate feed path. A microprocessor-based controller determines the print position and directs the print head assemblies to print positions by motor control to properly place the print head assemblies over the substrate feed path. An encoder senses the position of a movable fence used to adjust the width of the feed path according to the width of the substrate to determine a dimension which corresponds to a set of pre-determined criteria used to position and control the print heads for printing on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method and a printer for printing on a substrate with a plurality of print head assemblies, wherein each assembly includes at least one print head. The printer includes a roller assembly to move the substrate towards the print head assemblies along a feed path, which is substantially perpendicular to the width of the substrate. A movable fence is used to adjust the width of the feed path according to the width of the substrate. A linking arm is used to mechanically couple the print head assemblies with pivot action. The moveable fence is used to manually move the print head assemblies relative to each other via the linking arm in order to properly place the print head assemblies over the width of the feed path.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprises two parallel and adjacent print engines (1a, 1b), with each engine comprising a platen roller (4), a donor ribbon extending from a supply spool (10a, 10b) to a take-up spool (11a, 11b), and receiver supply rolls (5a, 5b) to hold a supply of receiver sheet. Drive means (11a, 11b; 26a, 26b) transport the donor ribbon and receiver sheet through the engine during printing independently from the drive means of the other engine. A printhead (3) has a row of heaters extending across both engines, with a first set (3a) of heaters positioned to operate with the first engine (1a) and a second set (3b) of heaters positioned to operate with the second engine (1b). Control means coordinate activation of the engines selectively with application of the image signal to the heater set which is operable with that selected engine. Both engines can be operated independently, enabling the printer to be set up for independent or dual printing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multifunctional machine which prevents the contamination caused by the contact of a document and a printhead, by placing the printhead to face a base frame supporting a printable medium and placing a scanner to face the base frame supporting the document. Also, disclosed is a multifunctional machine capable of simplifying the structure and reducing the manufacturing costs, by sharing the base frame for supporting the printable medium and the document and by moving the printhead and the scanner using one driving motor.

Abstract: A plurality of thermal heads for different colors, are disposed in parallel in a line-printing direction, being offset with respect to each other in a transport direction along which an image-forming sheet is moved via a conveyer path. The image forming sheet is a pressure/temperature-sensitive sheet or a temperature-sensitive sheet. The thermal heads are moved in the line-printing direction. Adjacent-opposing ends of adjacent thermal heads are separated in the line-printing direction, and overlap in the transport direction. The thermal heads are controlled so as to simultaneously generate image-pixels on the image-forming sheet. The printing speed is high due to a plurality of colors being simultaneously printed. The thermal heads are used as part of pressure applying unit. The pressure applying unit is provided for selectively applying predetermined pressure to the micro-capsules, when the image-forming sheet is a pressure/temperature-sensitive sheet.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided for performing recording of an image on a recording medium using a plurality of recording heads disposed at a predetermined interval in a scanning direction. The recording apparatus includes a scanning element for causing the plurality of recording heads to scan corresponding divided recording regions of an entire recording region of the recording medium. The entire recording region is divided into the recording regions in the scanning direction. The recording apparatus also includes a recording control element for causing the plurality of recording heads to perform one of recording in a first recording mode and a second recording mode when the scanning element causes the plurality of recording heads to scan the corresponding divided recording regions.

Abstract: Prior miniaturzed palm-top computers have reduced-size keyboards which are not useful for standard typing. The present invention provides a folding pocket-sized computer, comprising up to a 12" screen, a central processing unit, data storage and input means and a full size computer keyboard. It does this by having the keyboard divided into two halves hingedly connected along a fold line, whereby one of the keys is split along the fold line to permit folding of the keyboard, and by folding the screen and abutting the sections of the screen with no intervening frames.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for enhancing the cooling capacity of portable personal computers. The power dissipation of portable personal computers, especially such as laptop computers or the like, is enhanced through the utilization of a split swivable keyboard adapted to provide for an increased cooling surface area for electronic components generating heat during use of the computer.

Abstract: Two typing units are disposed in a photographic printer, facing a back face of an exposed color paper. The typing unit comprises a typing head and an ink ribbon cassette which is endless type and is removable. As for 135-type photographic film, one-line typing mode is selected. In this case, one of the typing units is actuated to type information concerning a frame number of the photographic film, an exposure correction value and so forth for the back face of the color paper in one line. In this one-line typing mode, the typing unit being used is changed whenever the typing relative to one photographic film is over so that ink ribbons of the typing units are prevented from being unequally consumed. As for IX240-type photographic film, two-line typing mode is selected. In this mode, both of the typing units are actuated to type various information in two lines.

Abstract: A multi-head printer, and a driver therefor, in which the multi-head printer has at least a wide width print mode and a standard width print mode. At least first and second print heads are mounted for lateral reciprocal movement across a support surface for a recording medium, with the first and second print heads being laterally displaced with respect to each other such that both the first and second print heads can print a first lateral print area and such that only the second print head can print a portion of a second and larger lateral print area. In the standard width printing mode, fully or partially overlapped printing in the first lateral print area can be effected by both of the first and second print heads. In the wide width print mode, printing by only the second print head is effected, and not by the first print head.

Abstract: A compact, easy-to-maintain printing apparatus features both receipt printing and journal printing and is capable of protecting data. Receipt printer 70 and journal printer 60 are mounted on a bottom housing 31 of the printing apparatus. Journal printer 60 comprises a separate chassis 65 and is removably mounted on a bottom housing 31. Two top housings 71 and 61 are provided, one hinged to the bottom housing 31, the other hinged to the chassis 65. The journal printer 60 is mounted behind the receipt printer 70 and the pivot for both covers is located near the rearward end of the bottom housing 31. When opened, top housing 71 for the receipt printer 70 rotates over journal printer 60, thereby assuring a wide open area above receipt printer 70. Top housing 61 of the journal printer 60 can be locked to bottom housing 31 by a keyed locking mechanism 81, thereby preventing improper operation of the journal printer 60 during maintenance.

Abstract: An electronic product, such as a personal computer or electronic organizer with an open-surfaced receptacle or slot is described. An electronic product incorporating such a receptacle is able to accommodate an insertable electronic module, such as a PCMCIA card, that is thicker than could be incorporated in the receptacle if a portion of the inserted module were not permitted to protrude through the receptacle along the open surface. One embodiment of the invention includes a display, a platform, circuitry, a keyboard, the receptacle, an electrical connector in the receptacle, protective sliding shutters and a door. The platform includes at least two opposing surfaces and at least one side. The inserted card is connected to the circuitry in the platform via the electrical connector located in the receptacle. The keyboard is connected to one of the opposing surfaces and is also coupled to the circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention is a piano-style attachment apparatus for a computer keyboard comprising a base, a plurality of piano-styled keys hinged to said base, and anchors for anchoring the apparatus over the computer keyboard. Each piano-styled key has a protrusion extending downwardly for striking a corresponding computer key. The anchors comprise walls which extend deep in between computer keys in order to secure the apparatus to the computer keyboard.

Abstract: An apparatus for stamping skins including a plurality of stamping units of thermal transfer type, positioned side by side trasverse to a direction of advancement of the skin. Each stamping unit is provided with at least one skin presence sensor which enables the corresponding stamping unit to operate, and further includes a skin advancement sensing element.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having a memory for storing recording data, and an address counter for controlling addresses in the memory in the direction of the columns or rows. The address counter controls a read start address for starting a process of reading the memory, thereby compensating for deviations in the longitudinal or widthwise direction of recording paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed thermal printer capable of printing on both sides of a web in a single pass wherein there is a straight-through path for the web for ease of threading of a printable web and for simplicity and economy of manufacture, maintenance and use. Print head assemblies can be quickly and easily located at the printing position and yet they can be moved to open or ineffective positions for threading, for cleaning the print head and for maintenance.

Abstract: A computing assembly which comprises a hand held computer or PDA that contains a housing, a processor in said housing and an input/output arrangement in said housing coupled to said processor for inputting data to, and outputting data from the processor and a foldable keyboard electrically connected to the PDA. The foldable keyboard has first and second planar keyboard halves having a plurality of depressable keys arranged on a surface. The keyboard halves have complementary curved outer peripheral edges and are attached to one another by an intermediate hinge. When in the open position, the first keyboard half is substantially coplanar with the second keyboard half, and the peripheral edges of the first and second keyboard halves form a substantially continuous curvilinear path. When in the closed position, the first keyboard half is folded over, substantially congruent in shape with, and in a plane parallel to the plane of the second keyboard half.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing postal indicia and similar images. The apparatus includes two print stations and an ink jet printhead transportable between the stations. The printhead forms images on a transfer roller located at each of the stations and the image is then transferred from the roller to a substrate. At the second station the transfer roller is incorporated in a detachable roller and is used to print remotely located substrates.

Abstract: Greater throughput is possible by using wider print swaths in each traverse across printing media. Multiple print cartridges are mounted to be offset from each other in the media scan direction (X-axis). The amount of offset is adjustably varied by selective on/off control of individual printing elements as well as by relative mechanical movement of the print cartridges.

Abstract: Relatively moveable portions of a flexible printed circuit member are interconnected by a web that extends between the moveable portions and is disposed in a cavity within a hinge interconnecting separately moveable parts of a split keypad assembly. The web portion of the flexible printed circuit is folded so that it is coaxially aligned with the axis of rotation of the moveable portions of the keypad assembly. The design and arrangement of the flexible printed circuit member avoids bending the flexible printed circuit member about an axis perpendicular to the member when the keypad assembly is opened or closed, and provides a vertically assemblable structure that completely encloses the interconnecting web portion of the printed circuit member, thereby avoiding the need for external connectors between the moveable elements of the keypad assembly.

Abstract: A printing system includes a plurality of print engines; a raster printer controller having a processor for generating the rasterized bitmap data; and a plurality of print engine communication devices, where each of the print engine communication devices are coupled to a corresponding one of the print engines to provide the rasterized bitmap data to the corresponding print engine. The print engine communication devices are coupled together with the raster printer controller in a daisy chain configuration by a data link. Each of the print engine communication devices includes a message processing circuit that is adapted to monitor data received from raster printer controller, execute commands embedded in data received, update a bitmap data memory storage buffer in the print engine communication device with rasterized bitmap data embedded in the data received from the raster printer controller.

Abstract: First and second oppositely oriented, spaced apart tandem printers are simultaneously computer controlled to print both sides of labels on a continuous web of blank labels. The front and back designs, the number of labels to be printed and the number of labels on the web between the printers are each entered into the computer and stored. The first printer is actuated to print label fronts and the web is advanced. The second printer is not actuated to print label backs until the first printer has printed the fronts of a number of labels equal to the number of labels between the printers. After the first printer has completed printing the fronts of the required number of labels, the second printer will continue printing an additional number of label backs equal to the number of labels between the printers. Sets of different labels can be printed sequentially.

Abstract: A printing method for performing enlargement printing of one continuous line by simultaneously shifting a plurality of printing heads by a shifting magnitude. The shifting magnitude of the printing heads is set to be greater than a shifting magnitude utilized in standard printing. Dividing points for shifting traces of each of the printing heads are set such that the shifting traces of adjacent printing heads partially overlap one another. Divided printing zones are established between the dividing points, and the printing timing of the printing heads is controlled for performing the enlargement printing of the one continuous line. Additionally, a printing method for performing reduction printing of one continuous line is performed by setting a shifting magnitude of the printing heads to be equal to that used in standard printing. Divided printing zones are established to be printed by at least two printing heads in a non-overlapping manner.

Abstract: A hybrid imaging system is capable of using both ink jet technology and thermal dye transfer technology for producing images on a dye-receiving element of the type having a support and a polymeric dye image-receiving layer that contains an organic acid capable of reprotonating the deprotonated cationic dye from both ink jet ink and dye-donor ribbon. The imaging system includes a print path adapted to accept such a dye-receiving element, and a dye-receiving element transport mechanism adapted to advance a dye-receiving element along the print path. An ink jet imaging assemblage is located along the print path for selectively producing images on the dye-receiving element using ink jet inks having a dye dispersed in an aqueous ink, the dye being a deprotonated cationic dye which is capable of being reprotonated to a cationic dye having an N-H group which is part of a conjugated system.

Abstract: A mailing machine includes structure for transporting a mailpiece at a constant speed through the mailing machine in a processing direction; structure for continuously determining a position of the mailpiece in the mailing machine; a first printhead having first nozzles aligned transverse to the processing direction; a second printhead having second nozzles aligned adjacent to the first nozzles and transverse to the processing direction; structure for coordinating the selective energizing of the first and second nozzles in synchronism with each other and the position of the mailpiece so that the first printhead only prints first predetermined columns of ink dots of an indicia image on the mailpiece and the second printhead only prints second predetermined columns of ink dots of the indicia image on the mailpiece, the second predetermined columns of ink dots being in interlaced relationship in the processing direction with the first predetermined columns of ink dots whereby the first and second columns of ink

Abstract: A portable computer and method of operation thereof.

Abstract: The printed products, overlapping one another in an imbricated manner, are moved, by means of the conveying device, past the first printing station in a conveying direction, where the first outer side of the printed products is provided with typographical labeling in the exposed border region. Before the printed products are guided past the second printing station, the border region of the second outer side of the printed products is exposed; for example by turning over the printed products. Printed products are then provided with typographical labeling in the border region by means of the second printing station.

Abstract: A printer has dual opposing printheads which can print in tandem on two sides of paper fed along a printing plane. The dual opposing printheads can print the same information on each side of two paper sheets fed in back-to-back (two-ply) fashion, thereby providing a document and copy simultaneously. The printer can also print different information on two sides of the same paper sheet or on each side of two paper sheets, thereby doubling the printing speed as compared to a single printhead. In a preferred embodiment, the dual opposing printheads are mounted in carriages driven reciprocatingly in tandem by one drive belt. Tandem paper feed mechanisms are arranged at one side of the printer and have respective clutch spring devices which are actuated alternately by cam surfaces on the printhead carriages so as to drive a pair of paper feed rollers with the paper fed in between them.

Abstract: A platen assembly is provided for use with a printing system which uses ink jet technology to produce images on a substrate. A platen and the substrate move together as a unit. One or more print rollers deflect the substrate under tension to maintain a stable substrate, critical for maintaining print quality. A pivot point is provided from which the rollers can be cantilevered away. A lifting mechanism is then used to raise and lower the platen and the substrate to and away from a print position.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a computer with movable keyboard pallets. The pallets are movable relative to each other between a compact stowing position and an extended operational position. A movement mechanism moves at least one of the pallets in a lateral direction relative to the other pallet and then towards the other pallet in a direction orthogonal to the lateral direction. The movement mechanism can be connected to the cover of the computer to automatically control movement of the pallets based upon position of the cover relative to a base of the computer. Thus, the pallets can be automatically moved from the compact stowing position, when the cover is closed, to the extended operational position when the cover is opened. Upon moving the cover from the open position to the closed position, the pallets are automatically moved from the extended operational position to the compact stowing position. The movement mechanism includes a drive arm with a spring section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing mail pieces. The apparatus includes a first printer for printing documents and a second printer for printing envelopes and a mail finishing unit for receiving the printed documents from the first printer and the envelopes printed with corresponding addresses from the second printer and inserting the documents into the envelope to form a mail piece. The apparatus operates under the control of a single stream of job data from a host computer, where the job data includes a job header defining default mail piece attributes and mail piece records which include document data and address data, and which may include specific mail piece attribute data for each corresponding mail piece. The apparatus control mechanism partitions the data stream and controls the first printer to print the documents while controlling the second printer to separately print the envelopes which are moved along a separate path to an insert station where the mail piece is formed.

Abstract: A non-impact type of printer includes multiple ribbons and multiple printer heads so as to allow use of different types of printing technologies without requiring a user to manually change ribbons. In one embodiment, one of the ribbons installed in the printer comprises ordinary thermal transfer material while another ribbon provides a dye-diffusion type of transfer material. Installation of these and other types of ribbons in a single printer provides reduced cost and is more convenient and flexible than changing ribbons or selecting separate printers as needed.