Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium has a plurality of ink ribbon mounting portions on which a multicolor ink ribbon having inks of plural colors and a monochromatic ink ribbon having monochromatic ink can be mounted, a recording head for recording an image on the recording medium, an input circuit for designating the colors of the image to be recorded on the recording medium, and a control unit for controlling the image based on recording information to be recorded by the direction from said input means so that image recording is effected in a smaller number of the recording colors by the recording information. The unused amount of the color blocks on the ribbon is stored in memory to control efficient use of the ribbon.

Abstract: On the basis of a received print data, a control code in the print data is analyzed to determine the print control program of a suitable command system. The print data is subjected to a processing using the print control program. The processed data is converted to dot pattern data that is usable by print control programs of different kinds of command systems and stored in a non-volatile memory. Thereafter, the stored dot pattern data is printed. Through this operation, in a printing apparatus having plural print control programs of different command systems, not only received print data, but also print data stored in the non-volatile memory can be printed using a suitable print control program.

Abstract: A printer has a thermal head and a cooperable platen roll, which are moveable relatively apart to provide a gap. The cartridge is supplied with a removable installation device which has a guide which can swing outwardly to align the ink ribbon with the gap. When the cartridge is loaded onto locator pins on the printer, the ink ribbon is guided into the gap.

Abstract: A controller for a dot impact printer has capacitance sensors for sensing the motion of the dot wires in the print head, and a non-volatile, rewritable memory for storing self-adjustment data relating to dot-wire characteristics. A processor controls the driving of the dot wires according to the self-adjustment data stored in the memory. At certain times, the processor causes the dot wires to be driven in a test sequence and updates the self-adjustment data in the memory according to the resulting sensor output. Print quality is thereby maintained for the full guaranteed life of the print head.

Abstract: A print controller apparatus and method thereof for controlling the movement of a printhead assembly including a carriage, printhead, and head pins. First and second moving times of the carriage moving from first and second predetermined distances and a difference between these moving times are determined. The carriage at a third predetermined distance is then determined based on the first and second moving times and the difference of the moving times. A basic timing signal corresponding to the current print mode is generated in accordance with the current moving time of the carriage. A correction value is then computed based on the current moving time of the carriage and from a preceding detected moving time which equals a predetermined time the printhead arrives at the printing paper. The basic timing signal is corrected using the correction value to thereby generate a print timing signal.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes two hubs, each hub having two sets of longitudinally extending splines. The two sets are offset from each other circumferentially and longitudinally and form a detent between the sets. A latch mechanism includes a retaining member fixed to a mandrel assembly, the retaining member including first and second pairs of elastic locking members having raised surfaces. The raised surfaces of one of the pairs of locking members engage the detent formed between the first and second sets of hub splines, and the raised surfaces of the other pair of locking members engage a spindle of the mandrel assembly, effectively securing the ribbon cartridge to the mandrel assembly.

Abstract: In a device for transporting sections (28) of a recording substrate from a recording mechanism, the recording mechanism has a cutting unit (12) for separating the sections (28) from the recording substrate. The cutting unit can be moved, in a cutting stroke and in a return stroke, transversely to the direction of transport (A) of the recording substrate across its width. Transport elements (32, 38) for grasping and advancing the separated sections (28) are disposed behind the cutting station in the direction of transport (A) and can be coupled by means of a gear arrangement (14, 24, 52, 50, 44, 36) to the cutting unit (12) in such a way that, upon the return stroke of the cutting unit (12), they grasp the separated section (28) and advance it in the direction of transport (A).

Abstract: A tape printer in which, if prior to printing, a scale print key is operated, a scale data setting process is carried out to input and establish a plurality of setting data about the scale length, pitch and other print conditions. The scale data setting process is followed by a scale printing process executed in accordance with the setting data. This permits printing of a scale having the designated length and pitch onto the printing tape to include those to which a scaling factor has been applied.

Abstract: A shuttle-type printer includes a media feed assembly to controllably transfer a recording media through a printing station and a carriage operably mounted at the printing station to move bidirectionally across the media. The printer further includes means mechanically connected to the carriage and media feed assembly for simultaneously (1) moving the carriage and (2) indexing the media through the printing station, whereby the means includes a single motor. Accordingly, a single drive motor can accomplish both carriage motion and media advancement.

Abstract: The control device is characterized by including a linear encoder for storing two pieces of information on two phases about a printing position in one storing part located on a longitudinal axis of the linear encoder, reading means for reading the pieces of information on two phases stored in the storing part of the linear encoder, and control circuits for controlling a printing position based on the informations on two phases read by the reading means.

Abstract: In a machine including structure for energizing the machine, structure for printing indicia on a sheet, and structure for feeding the sheet in a path of travel to the printing structure, apparatus for automatically testing the machine in response to energization thereof, the apparatus comprising, structure for controlling the machine, the controlling structure including structure for energizing the machine, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed for operating the sheet feeding structure and for operating the printing structure, the controlling structure including a random access memory (RAM) and a non-volatile memory (NVM) respectively connected to the microprocessor, a plurality of sensors respectively connected to the microprocessor for sensing actual movements of the sheet feeding and printing structure and of a sheet in the path of travel and providing respective voltage signals to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor programmed for automatically storing

Abstract: A carriage motor control device that uses speed determination means (3) for determining a set speed value (SN12) to be set on the basis of an aimed angle value (SN13A) indicative of an aimed rotation angle, an aimed speed value (SN13B) indicative of an aimed rotation speed and the rotation angle value, speed control means (4) for generating a speed control value (SN7) for making the rotation speed value closer to the set speed value on the basis of a difference between the rotation speed value and the set speed value, angle control means (5) for generating an angle control value (SN8) for making the rotation angle value closer to the aimed angle value on the basis of a difference between the aimed angle value and the rotation angle value, selection means (8) for selecting the speed control value as a motor drive control value when the rotation speed value is larger than a first speed value and selecting the angle control value as the motor drive control value when the rotation speed value is smaller than the

Abstract: A printer for printing characters and images on recording paper comprising: a paper cassette for storing the recording paper; a platen roller around which the recording paper is wound at the time of the transfer of images for printing; a clamping mechanism for clamping the recording paper between the clamping mechanism and the platen roller; a motor for driving the platen roller through a gear unit; a thermal printing head for transfferring images onto the recording paper; a paper feeding rollers for feeding the recording paper from the paper cassette to the clamper; a paper discharging rollers for discharging the recording paper upon the completion of the transfer of images thereto; and an ink cassette storing an ink sheet inside thereof; in which the clamping mechanism comprises a clamper which is mounted on the platen roller in such a manner as to permit the free movement of the clamper, holds the recording paper by pushing the recording paper onto the platen roller in a first position and also releases th

Abstract: A wire dot print head having long thin print wires capable of axially advancing and withdrawing with respect to a print surface, and a wire driving device connected to the proximal end of each of the print wires so as to drive the print wire to advance and withdraw axially. The wire dot print head includes a distal end guide for guiding the distal end portions of the print wires so as to prevent them from shifting diametrically, and an intermediate guide for guiding portions of the print wires which are at an antinode in the secondary natural vibration mode of the print wires so as to prevent the print wires from oscillating diametrically.

Abstract: An operating environment setting system for a printer which includes a plurality of switches for selecting basic functions of the printer, environment data storage means for storing a setting of a printer operating environment, menu storage means for storing a menu in which the environment setting items are correlated with display conditions of display means, selecting means for selecting an environment item by pressing the switches, and the display means for displaying a judgment result of the selecting means in the form of a display condition of the display means. The invention also encompasses an accompanying method for setting the operating environment of the printer.

Abstract: A printer for printing characters and images on recording paper comprising: a paper cassette for storing the recording paper; a platen roller around which the recording paper is wound at the time of the transfer of images for printing; a clamping mechanism for clamping the recording paper between the clamping mechanism and the platen roller; a motor for driving the platen roller through a gear unit; a thermal printing head for transferring images onto the recording paper; a paper feeding roller for feeding the recording paper from the paper cassette to the clamper; paper discharging rollers for discharging the recording paper upon the completion of the transfer of images thereto; and an ink cassette storing an ink sheet inside thereof; in which the clamping mechanism comprises a clamper which is mounted on the platen roller in such a manner as to permit the free movement of the clamper, holds the recording paper by pushing the recording paper onto the platen roller in a first position and also releases the re

Abstract: A carriage motor controller for a printer. The controller includes a drive mechanism for driving a carriage motor to thereby cause a carriage to travel; a detector for detecting a position and a speed of the carriage while the carriage is travelling; a measuring device for measuring characteristics of the carriage motor on the basis of the detected position and speed; storage for storing the measured characteristics; a first controller for controlling the drive mechanism and causing the carriage to travel for the purposed of taking the necessary measurements, the measurements being taken after a power switch has been turned on, after a sheet has been fed, or after a predetermined time has elapsed; and a second controller for controlling the drive mechanism upon reception of a print command on the basis of the print command and the stored characteristics to thereby cause the carriage to travel for printing.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette of which the type of ink ribbon accommodated in the ribbon cassette may be identified by detection switches arranged on the carriage of a thermal transfer printer, without using a plurality of types of ribbon cassette case which are different in shape. A ribbon cassette in which a simple construction is used to prevent sticking to each other of the ink ribbon and the guide roller immediately after printing. A ribbon cassette by which a stain on the recording sheet due to contact between the sheet and the ink ribbon at the time of printing operation may be prevented and the stability of running of the ink ribbon is improved. A thermal transfer printer in which: the stability of running of the ink ribbon may be improved; both hot peeling printing and cold peeling printing are possible in an excellent condition; and the consumption of the, ink ribbon may be reduced.

Abstract: A low cost, integrated circuit compatible, circuit for constantly controlling the current in a print hammer coil is provided. The circuit is suitable for use with a hammer coil driven from the low voltage side (bottom drive) and in series with a sense resistor. A programmable reference that actively compensates the coil current for drift in the hammer coil bias power supply reference generating means is included to allow accurate detection of coil current levels. The control circuit reduces generated noise and has good noise immunity.

Abstract: A process for recording information on a recording substrate, in which a print head with number (a) of printing elements moves back and forth over print positions, one print line at a time. Partial numbers of printing elements form subgroups in accordance with predetermined formations specific to the print lines. These subgroups are allocated to the print positions of a print line and are formed by at least partly differing printing elements. The individual printing elements of the respective subgroup are selectively controlled at the print positions in accordance with print data to produce a print pattern line. On completion of a subsequent print pattern line, the predetermined formation for a subsequent print line conforms, at least on the continuation side, to the predetermined formation of the preceding print line. Stripes caused by line continuation errors or ink ribbon structure errors are distributed throughout the printed image so as to be vertically offset.