Abstract: The invention provides a computer system utilizing bi-directional communication between a computing device and a printing machine, for transmitting data representing real-time supply roll parameters to an application program on the computing device. Supply roll parameters are stored on a memory circuit component that is connected to a supply roll. The computing device polls the printing machine for the supply roll parameters. The printing machine transmits the supply roll parameters to the computing device and the computing device formats the parameters into a display, proportionately matching the dimensions and color of the actual supply roll. A user can then create and/or edit output files for the specific supply roll loaded in the printing machine, viewing the output exactly as it will be printed.

Abstract: A tape is controlled in a printing machine by advancing a length of tape through a light pathway. Transmittance of the light through the tape is measured and values are stored associated with transmittances through the tape. The tape is advanced to a start position where measured transmittance of the tape at the start position corresponds with a stored value of a measured transmittance.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a system and method of detecting or identifying a received TV program by forming a database of identifying digital bits for a plurality of programs, processing a TV program by modulating the luminance of pairs of lines of the program and reconstituting the program with said modulated line pairs and the other components of a TV program signal. The reconstituted program is transmitted to a location at which it is decoded to recover the digital identifying bits and comparing such bits with bits in the database to identify the transmitted program.

Abstract: A thermal printing machine is provided with a releasably attachable tape cassette which holds the tape on which an image is placed. The cassette includes a memory circuit component which includes at least 2 separate memory areas. The first area contains a first value which is read by the printing machine; the second area contains a second value which is placed on the cassette as a result of the first value having an algorithm applied to it. When the cassette is installed in the machine, the machine applies the algorithm to the first value and checks this against the second value. This process is followed in order to see it the cassette contains a compatible tape for that machine.

Abstract: A synchronous digital decoding circuit decodes Manchester-encoded data using a clock regenerating circuit which produces a decoding clock that is continuously adjusted in accordance with detected phase deviations in the received data signal. The Manchester-encoded data are transmitted with high-to-low and low-to-high transitions at the centers of the data bit cells. On the receiving end, a digital state machine, which is coupled to a timer/counter unit, detects whether a transition is on-time, early, or late in each bit cell as compared with the established decoding clock. If the transition is early or late, the state machine produces a correction signal which is used to correspondingly shorten or lengthen the clock count by a predetermined incremental amount. The adjustment of the clock counts on an on-going basis reduces or eliminates the phase deviation and prevents the accumulation of phase error over an extended length of time. In the preferred embodiment, an oscillator input of 1.

Abstract: A printing machine is disclosed for printing an image on an image receiving tape. The present invention includes a novel tape cassette. The cassette includes a housing with a tape spool and ribbon spool disposed within the housing, and electrical circuit elements which are disposed to electrically engage electrical connectors carried by the printing machine. The circuit elements are selected to cooperate with the circuitry of the printing machine to indicate desired characteristics of the cassette. The desired characteristics may be varied such that the electrical elements identify the size of the tape or the type of tape carried by the casette.

Abstract: A head contorl apparatus is disclosed for a printing machine. The apparatus includes a frame with a thermal head connected to the frame. A tape roller guide is connected to the frame. The guide and the head are disposed on opposite sides of an intended tape pathway, The guide and head are both movable between first and second positions with the guide and head in the first positions being spaced apart a first distance sized to freely position a tape within the intended pathway. The guide and the head in the second positions are disposed to be closely adjacent with a tape within the pathway being urged against the head. The drive for the image source type is disconnected when the guide and head are separated.

Abstract: A printing mechanism for use in an impact printing system primarily intended for the transfer of a dry film impression onto an image carrying tape. The mechanism includes a hammer (130), and an anvil (126). The hammer is actuated by lever arm (164) which is in turn accuated by eccentric cam (194). At its upper end the hammer is biased by a pivotal spring mechanism (152) against a roller bearing (162). At its lower end the hammer (130) has a guide pin (140) which passes through an aperture (144) in a guide plate (142). The guide plate is adjustably mounted by means of slots (141) so that movement of the guide plate adjusts the inclination of the hammer.

Abstract: A film ribbon cassette for an impact printer is disclosed. The cassette includes two compartments (430 and 432) divided by a central wall (434). A central shaft (482) extends from compartment (432) into the other compartment where it receives a motor drive (486). The shaft is attached to a knurled roller (472) which draws the ribbon from the supply spool (438) through a member (436) across an aperture for a printing station, crossing over and returning to the other side of the cassette into the spent ribbon compartment (432).

Abstract: A printing mechanism for use in an impact printing system primarily intended for the transfer of a dry film impression onto an image carrying tape. The mechanism includes a hammer (130), and an anvil (126). The hammer is actuated by lever arm (164) which is in turn accuated by eccentric cam (194). The degree of impression is controlled by an eccentric bearing (211) and the hammer can be adjusted for exact parallel engagement by moving plate (142) which pivots the hammer. The system is accuated by a geared drive train which rotates the eccentric cam (194) and causes the hammer to reciprocate.

Abstract: A precision tape feed and guide mechanism is disclosed. The guide includes a base plate (308) and a hold-down plate (314) with fingers (316, 318). A spring (345) biases the fingers against the tape (301) during printing. Actuation lever (330) which is pivoted on point (332) causes plate (314) to lift out of contact with the tape and permit its easy removal. Feeding or incrementation of the tape is accomplished by an incompressible roller (350) removably biased against roller (352) which includes a recessed portion (356) having an incompressible O-ring (354) residing therein and biased against roller (350) with a tape (301) therebetween.

Abstract: A print disk positioning system is disclosed herein which provides rotational and lateral movement of a print disk (20) having raised or depressed characters thereon with the objective of locating the appropriate character within the jaws of a printing station (22). The positioner includes a fixed rail (44) which is driven by the rotation of a motor (38) having a pinion gear (42) which drives a rack gear (82) connected to a rack arm (80) which in turn slides a second motor (54) mounted on bearings (56) on rail (44). Motor (54) provides the rotational movement to the disk and motor (38) provides the lateral movement. Each motor is controlled electrically to cause an appropriate sequence of movements to bring the disk into proper alignment in the printing station at the appropriate time.