Abstract: A 2-color ink jet point of sale (POS) printer includes a converter for converting full color printing commands into a commands for printing in two colors, a primary color and an alternate color. A three color image is possible when using the background color of the paper as a color. The printer includes a print carriage which contains only two print cartridges. The printer determines a location of the print cartridge relative to a print location of the image to be printed, and when the print cartridges are both on one side of the print location, the print carriages traverses the paper in one direction, printing first with the primary color and then with the alternate color on the same pass. After the paper is advanced in the printer, the print carriage traverses the paper in the other direction, with the alternate color printing before the primary color.

Abstract: A 2-color ink jet point of sale (POS) printer includes a converter for converting full color printing commands into a commands for printing in two colors, a primary color and an alternate color. A three color image is possible when using the background color of the paper as a color. The printer includes a print carriage which contains only two print cartridges. The printer determines a location of the print cartridge relative to a print location of the image to be printed, and when the print cartridges are both on one side of the print location, the print carriages traverses the paper in one direction, printing first with the primary color and then with the alternate color on the same pass. After the paper is advanced in the printer, the print carriage traverses the paper in the other direction, with the alternate color printing before the primary color.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having a drive roller assembly for conducting forms into and out of a printing station that is located beneath the drive roller assembly. A pair of sensor units are mounted above the axis of the drive roller for detecting the alignment and registrations of the leading edge of a form as it enters the nip between the drive roller and a biasing plate prior to initiating a validation sequence. A sensor unit is mounted below the axis of the drive roller for detecting the leading edge of a form as it starts to move out of the nip. The validation sequence is terminated when the trailing edge of the form is detected by the two upper sensors. The printer is arranged to process forms in a lengthwise orientation or a widthwise orientation.

Abstract: A 2-color ink jet point of sale (POS) printer includes a converter for converting full color printing commands into a commands for printing in two colors, a primary color and an alternate color. A three color image is possible when using the background color of the paper as a color. The printer includes a print carriage which contains only two print cartridges. The printer determines a location of the print cartridge relative to a print location of the image to be printed, and when the print cartridges are both on one side of the print location, the print carriages traverses the paper in one direction, printing first with the primary color and then with the alternate color on the same pass. After the paper is advanced in the printer, the print carriage traverses the paper in the other direction, with the alternate color printing before the primary color.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically loading paper from a supply roll into a printer. The printer includes a base and a cover hinged to the base. A contoured guide is mounted adjacent to a drive roll to form a paper path that converges from an upper entrance region to a lower exit region in the direction of drive roll rotation. A biased member is mounted in the top cover of the printer and is arranged to move into contact with the drive roll within the entrance region when the cover is closed. In practice, when the cover is open a run of paper from the roll is placed over the entrance region to the paper path. Closing the cover produces rotation of the drive roll and causes the biased member to force the paper into driving contact with roll producing a fold in the front section of the paper supply. The folded section passes through the paper path into a nip formed between the drive roll and pinch rollers whereupon the folded section is advanced through a printing station into a read out station.

Abstract: A 2-color ink jet point of sale (POS) printer includes a converter for converting full color printing commands into a commands for printing in two colors, a primary color and an alternate color. A three color image is possible when using the background color of the paper as a color.

Abstract: Apparatus for reciprocally moving one or more ink cartridges through the printing station of an ink jet printer. A carriage having at least one open top compartment equipped with a latching mechanism which is arranged to urge the front face of the ink cartridge into contact with the front wall of the compartment. The latching mechanism includes a frame that is pivotally supported in the rear wall of the compartment so that it can move between a rearwardly canted position into an upright vertical position. A biasing member is pivotally supported in the frame and contains a pair of spaced apart ramps. A spring rotates the biasing member within the frame so that the ramp rides in biasing contact with the back of an ink cartridge being inserted into the compartment as the frame is rotated from the canted position into the upright position.