Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprises a pair of fixed frames for rotatably supporting a platen, a pair of movable frames supporting a thermal head, the movable frames being connected to the fixed frames so as to be rockable around a shaft, between a position where the thermal head is pressed against the platen and a position where the thermal head is moved away from the platen. The ink ribbon is supported by a supply roll and a take-up roll and may be alternately transported in one direction such that the ink ribbon is directed toward the region between the thermal head and the platen or in the direction opposite thereto. The movable frame is provided with operating member adapted to drive the supply roll to move the ink ribbon in the opposite direction, thereby applying a tension of the opposite direction to the ink ribbon, when the movable frame is rocked so that the thermal head is pressed against the platen.

Abstract: A single filament type wedge-base lamp has projections on opposite sides at opposite end portions of a flat base of the lamp, and the corresponding socket has a recess with clearance grooves corresponding in position to the projections. The socket for a double filament type wedge-base lamp has a recess without clearance grooves so that the single filament type wedge-base lamp, which has the projections thereon, is prevented from erroneously being inserted into the double-filament type lamp socket since the projections will interfere with the recess walls of the double-filament type lamp socket. If a double filament type lamp is inserted into the socket for a single filament type lamp, either one of the two filaments thereof will operate without posing a problem.

Abstract: A communication terminal device includes a network circuit and FAX modem cooperated with each other to receive image information, a printing section for effecting the printing operation with respect to thermosensitive paper, and a processor unit for converting the received image information into the recording format and supplying the converted image information to printing section. The communication terminal device further includes a connector to which a laser printer is connected as an external printer, and an operating section for selectively setting one of the internal and external printer modes, and the processor unit is operated to supply the converted image information to the printer section in the internal printer mode and supply the converted image information to the connector in the external printer mode.

Abstract: A POS loop switching apparatus includes a switching circuit for selectively connecting first and second transmission lines, to which at least one Point Of Sales (POS) terminal is connected, and first and second file control means for periodically supplying a control signal, so as to constitute at least one closed loop, and switch control means for supplying a first switching signal to a switching circuit, in response to control signals from the first and second file control means, to cause the switching circuit to connect the first and second file control means respectively to the first and second transmission lines, thereby to constitute first and second closed loops, and when one of the first and second file control means does not generate a control signal over a predetermined period of time, for supplying a second switching signal to the switching circuit, to cause the switching circuit to connect one of first and second transmission lines connected to the file control means which does not generate the con

Abstract: An image reading device includes a reading window which an article is set to face, a main light source for emitting first light beam which is emitted via the reading window to a limited external space to scan the article, and an image detection circuit for reading a bar code formed on an article from the first light beam reflected on the article placed within the limited external space and has traveled via the reading window. The image reading device further includes a light source control circuit for detecting that no article is set within the limited external space, to thereby inhibit the activation of the main light source.

Abstract: A dot printer wherein a film of magnetic ink is formed in a slit shaped between a pair of magnetic poles, and needles piercing through the ink film thus formed are driven to deposit the magnetic ink on a recording paper so as to print dots thereon. The tips of the needles in an undriven state are positioned in the ink film proximately to one surface thereof adjacent to the recording paper, so that an adequate amount of the magnetic ink is deposited on the paper to eventually attain clear printing.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a recording unit disposed in a case and including support members for supporting a platen a printing head and a sheet feed guide having an outlet situated near a region between the platen and the printing head an an inlet situated on the side of the rolled recording sheet loaded in the case, the sheet feed guide serving to guide the recording sheet from the inlet toward the outlet, thereby delivering the sheet to the region between the platen and the printing head the support members support the sheet feed guide and is rockable between a recording position, where the inlet of the sheet feed guide faces the recording sheet, and a sheet insertion position, where the inlet of the guide faces on opening of the case. The printing head is disengaged from the platen when the support members are brought to the sheet insertion position.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette has a cassette case in which a thermal transfer ink ribbon subjected to a plurality of printing operations on the same surface at the same position. The case is alternately loaded in a thermal printer in a first loading posture and in a second loading posture which is a reversed posture to the first one to change a feed direction of the ribbon in the printer. A count display unit is provided on the case to record the number of times of use of the ribbon and display the number.

Abstract: An in-line coupling circuit for a POS terminal, includes a coupling section connected in a communication line and electrically connecting the POS terminal to the communication line. The in-line coupling circuit further includes a regeneration error check circuit for monitoring signals transmitted from and received into the POS terminal and generating an abnormal detection signal when a specified character data included in the received signal and indicating the end of a data frame is not generated from the POS terminal and a reporting circuit for generating a defective code inherent to the POS terminal in response to the abnormal detection signal and transmitting the defective code through the communication line.

Abstract: A thermal print head comprising a sequential laminated arrangement of an insulating substrate, a heating resistance layer, an electrode layer formed in a predetermined pattern, and a protective layer. The protective layer is formed of a mixture of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 as a principal component, and SiO.sub.2. The protective layer has satisfactory heat resistance, abrasion resistance, crack resistance, moisture resistance and chemical stability.

Abstract: An ink dot printer wherein an ink supply member having both insulation property and ink-impregnation property is positioned in contact with conductive recording electrodes disposed opposite to an opposed electrode through a recording medium, and ink is fed from the ink supply member to fore ends of the recording electrodes, so that a printing operation can be performed without soiling the recording medium. Accordingly the entire structure can be simplified and the ink fed to the fore ends of the recording electrodes is effectively kept undried.

Abstract: A lid opening and closing device is disclosed which comprises a plate spring having thereon an engagement portion disposed on the side of a lid and an engagement portion to engage with the engagement portion on the plate spring formed on the side of a housing, whereby the lid can be held opened at a certain angle of opening, a lid pivot for bearing a fulcrum pin on the lid side provided on the housing side for vertical movement while being urged downward, whereby reading of an original is ensured even if the thickness of the original is varied, and flat portions formed on the fulcrum pin and a cut corresponding to the flat portions made in the lid pivot, whereby the fulcrum pin can be detached from the lid pivot, thus performing necessary functions with a simple structure occupying a samll space on the whole.

Abstract: A display device comprises a memory for storing article name data first and second character generators, a display unit, and a control unit. The character generators respectively generate character data of a normal character size and also of a character size smaller than the normal character size. The control unit detects the number of characters of the article name data stored in the memory, causing the character generators to generate character data, according to the stored article name data, of the smaller character size or of the normal character size, depending on whether the detected number of characters is greater or less than a predetermined value. The generated character data is displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: A sales data registration and payment settlement apparatus includes a number of register terminals for registering sales data of each article to be to be purchased by a customer, and for transmitting the sales data and total sales amount data for each customer to an electronic cash register (ECR) located away from the register terminals. The ECR includes a number of memories for storing data, transmitted from the register terminals when the sales related data for each customer is fully compiled, a printer, and a control unit for driving the printer on the basis of the sales data and total sales amount data for each customer, so that these data items are printed on a receipt. A register terminal associated with each customer arriving at the ECR is designated by way of corresponding call keys on the ECR.

Abstract: In the apparatus of the present invention for processing data contents of totalizing memories, item signs and arithmetic signs are preset in memory terms to be processed such as weight, price and so forth. The apparatus comprises an internal memory having a matrix-like memory processing table where processing numerical expressions are set by combination of items signs and arithmetic signs at predetermined addresses of the table constituted by the totalizing memories with designated addresses and the memory processing timing in respect of such memories; and an external input means for designating a desired address in the internal memory and changing and inputting the processing numerical expression of the matrix-like table thereto. Thus the contents of the totalizing memories can be altered and set easily by the numerical expressions which are changeable by such external input means, hence facilitating alteration of the contents to be totalized at the user level.

Abstract: A nozzle plate in which a nozzle through which fluid can pass is formed is prepared, and an insulator layer is located in layer on the nozzle plate except a location of the nozzle. An electrode plate is provided so as to cover the insulator layer, and a valve beam made of a conductive substance is located in an opposing relationship to the nozzle plate. A valve for opening and closing said nozzle is formed at a yieldable portion of the valve beam opposing to the nozzle. Upon energization of the electrode plate and the valve beam of a valve element thus produced, the valve is attracted toward the electrode plate to open or close the valve. Binary control of the valve to fully open or fully close the nozzle and infinite control of the valve to infinitely open or close the nozzle can be readily attained in the valve element.

Abstract: An image reading device comprises an original table having a surface area defined as a reading section, a black mark, a carrier driven towards the reading section across the mark in the sub-scanning direction, a fluorescent light for illuminating the original and mark, and an image sensor fixed on the carrier and having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line to read the image in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A point-of-sale register system includes an electronic cash register connected to a central inventory control unit to serve as a terminal device of a point-of-sale system: an optical scanner, which is electrically connected to the cash register, for optically scanning a bar code mounted on a product; and a weighing machine for weighing a product. The optical scanner includes a receiving section for receiving a product to be weighed thereon. The optical scanner is connected to the weighing machine so that the weight of the product placed on the optical scanner is transmitted to a measuring device of the weighing machine for measurement of the weight of the product. If a bar code is on the product which is placed on the receiving section of the optical scanner, the optical scanner scans the bar code of the product.

Abstract: A polygon mirror has a plurality of elliptically-curved convex mirror surfaces functioning as light reflection surfaces, each having substantially the same shape as the maximum curvature portion of an ellipse which has long axis b and short axis c. The convex mirror surfaces are uniformly arranged on the circumference of an inscribed circle whose center is set on the long axis b, whose radius is Rm, and which is in contact with the maximum curvature portion of the ellipse. The polygon mirror reflects an incident light beam while being rotated, and scans the incident light beam in the range of effective scanning length Lo on a preset scanning plane which is set at incident light beam travelling distance R from the center of the inscribed circle of the polygon mirror.

Abstract: A facsimile includes a body cover, a U-turn feed unit contained in the body cover and having a turnabout roller for changing an original-sheet feed direction, a reading sensor contained in the body cover to read an image on an original sheet transported in the U-turn feed unit, and an image recording unit contained in the body cover to record an image on a recording sheet. The reading sensor is situated at a position within a space surrounded by a U-turn feed path in the U-turn feed unit such that the reading sensor cannot interfere with the turnabout roller.