Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head pressed against a paper sheet on a platen directly or through an ink ribbon, a carrier which holds the thermal head and on which a black or color ink ribbon is detachably mounted, a first detector for generating a color output signal upon detecting that a color ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the carrier, a second detector for generating a "black" signal while detecting a black area of the ink ribbon, and a control circuit for setting a thermal printing mode, a black or a color ink printing mode in accordance with the output signals from the first and second detectors. When the thermal printer is powered, the control circuit sets the color ink printing mode upon detecting that the color output signal is continuously generated from the first detector. When the color output signal is not generated from the first detector, the control circuit moves the thermal head by a given distance upon pressing it against the paper sheet on the platen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sublimation ink ribbon capable of printing on a printing paper a still picture image of various kinds of picture images such as a picture image shot by a video camera, a television picture image and the like. At least the surface of its sublimation ink layer is made of a layer containing a sublimation dye whose solubility relative to methyl ethyl ketone is not higher than 2.5g/100 ml or a layer in which a sublimation dye having a solubility higher than 2.5g/100 ml is mixed such that a ratio (P/B) of a weight P of the sublimation dye relative to a weight B of a binder is not higher than 0.5. Thus, it is possible to reduce the under layer soil characteristics.

Abstract: A multicolor inked ribbon cartridge for an impact serial printer comprising a ribbon housing body and two arms protruding from such body to allow the interposition of a ribbon portion between a printing head and a printing support for the whole length of the platen when the cartridge is rotatably attached to the frame of an impact serial printer by means of two lateral cylindrically-shaped projections provided on the body of a cartridge thus permitting rotation of the body around a common axis of said cylindrical projections, parallel to the platen. The cartridge rotation around such axis and therefore the positioning of a suitable multicolor band between the printing head and printing support is assured by a cam actuated by a motor and interacting with the body of such cartridge. The cartridge is further provided with a string made tight between the ends of its arms upon the multicolor ribbon portion which is interposed between the head and printing support.

Abstract: A ribbon take-up drive mechanism for a universal ribbon cartridge. The cartridge is adapted to engage the ribbon drive shafts of printers of two different designs. The drive shaft positions are different, and the direction of drive shaft rotation is opposite for the two designs. The take-up mechanism is designed such that the ribbon is pinched between the teeth of a direct drive gear and a biased idler gear. The printer of one design drives the ribbon through the direct drive gear. The printer of the second design drives the ribbon through an alternate drive gear, an idler gear and the biased idler gear. In either case, the ribbon is advanced in the same direction.

Abstract: A cartridge (1) is attached to a carrier and tiltable around a tilting axis (2). The carrier is movable along platen (3) and parallel to the print line and tilting axis (2). On the rear and on the bottom of the cartridge a drive knob (4) is provided as part of the internal cartridge ribbon drive. On the carrier a ribbon feed device with wheel (6) and upright standing blades (7) is provided. Those blades (7) cooperate with walls (9) inside the knob surface and form a kind of screw driver interconnection. Both engaging parts (7) and walls (9) allow a movement perpendicular to their rotational axis and to each other. Wheel (6) with blades (7) rotates around an axis (11) and knob (4) rotates around axis (12). Intentionally the two rotational axes (11, 12) are offset to each other relative to tilting axis (2). Thus, always a moment around this tilting axis (2) is created.

Abstract: A printer using a disposable ribbon which is fed from a feed section toward a take-up section of a feeding device upon completion of printing of each line of characters. The printer comprises a memory for storing position data representing a feed-side end of an active portion of the ribbon which has been used for the last printed line, the feed-side end being located on the side of the feed section of the feeding device, and another memory for storing another position data representing a take-up-side end of another active portion of the ribbon which is to be used for the next line of characters, the take-up-side end being located on the side of the take-up section of the feeding device.

Abstract: A pivotal guide for changing the direction of a typing ribbon in typewriters such that when raising or lowering the ribbon at the printing location relative to the printing element, transverse forces are eliminated. The guide comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinal slot which receives an end wall of the magazine, the bottom of the slot being formed with two projecting sloped surfaces which intersect midway of the body to form a pivot axis for the body on the edge of the end wall. The body has cylindrical end surfaces confined between cover plates of the magazine to limit axial movement of the guide body and the ribbon thereon.

Abstract: A ribbon positioning mechanism comprises a ribbon cartridge, a nosepiece, a stepper motor and flexible ribbon guides connecting the ribbon cartridge to the nosepiece. The nosepiece has two side members connected by a bridge, one of which has a downwardly extending leg. A rack located on the bottom of the leg engages a pinion attached to the stepper motor for lifting the nosepiece into a desired position. A ribbon, having a plurality of parallel color bands, passes from the ribbon cartridge via the flexible ribbon guides and through the nosepiece where it is aligned with a print head. The nosepiece freely slides on vertical guide posts attached to a print head carrier and printer logic controls the stepper motor to align the desired color band with the print head.

Abstract: A method of feeding an ink ribbon for a printer in which the ink ribbon is frequently reused for printing action by reversing the feeding of the ribbon at the ribbon ends including suppressing the printing action of the printer for a predetermined time at the time of reversing the feeding of the ribbon at the ribbon end to prevent the ink ribbon from excessive use at the ribbon ends to prolong the useful life of the ribbon.

Abstract: A printing ribbon spool which is leak-proof even at less than atmospheric pressure and which has an indefinite shelf life. The spool utilizes a central hub as an ink reservoir and has an ink-impervious member forming a portion of the reservoir isolating the ink from an ink-delivery pad before actuation. The central tubular portions of the spool are interlocked in such a manner that the spool is leak-proof. The ink-impervious member can be pierced by a pin to actuate the spool. Air compensation grooves are utilized to maintain air flow which results in uniform distribution of the ink throughout the pad. The edge of the ribbon contacts the pad and becomes saturated by capillary action to provide uniform and consistent printing for millions of characters.

Abstract: A cartridge for a typing ribbon and spools for a correcting ribbon are mounted on a common frame which can tilt about a spindle. In a lowered position of the frame the typing line behind a daisy wheel is visible. The frame is raised by a first stroke to the position shown to dispose the typing ribbon over the typing point on the platen. A longer stroke raises the correcting ribbon to the typing point and this longer stroke also actuates an automatic ratchet wheel and pawl type of feed mechanism for the correcting ribbon. The two strokes of the frame are controlled by a disc comprising two cam tracks with a common part and separate parts having different degrees of eccentricity relative to the common part.

Abstract: The detected phase difference between a sensed motion velocity signal and an electric motor driving signal is used to drive a phase-locked loop which automatically generates a sinusoidal reference signal having a frequency substantially equal to the instantaneous natural mechanical resonant frequency of the driven mechanism. The sinusoidal reference signal is then combined with the sensed velocity feedback signal to generate the motor driving signal required to maintian resonant driving conditions. Low frequency compensation is also provided in the velocity control loop. The sinusoidal velocity reference signal is initially generated in digital form by counting clock signals which are caused to occur at a rate corresponding to the desired frequency of the sinusoidal reference signal.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge (10) is attached to a carrier (1) of a printing device such that it is tiltable along an axis that is parallel to the print line to drop the ribbon such that the print line is visible. That part of cartridge (10) which is opposite of the ribbon exposing part and on the other side of tilting axis (18) is on its bottom provided with a ribbon advance knob (8). Into this knob (8) two essentially upright standing walls and inclined ramps (11) are molded. The ribbon feed device (6), provided on carrier (1), has a blade (5) or noses (17) which cooperate with slot-forming walls (12) of knob (8). In ribbon drive direction (14) cartridge (10) automatically drops into coupling interconnection for ribbon feed. Upon turning ribbon feed device (6) in reverse direction (16) blade (5) or noses (17) slide up ramp (11) and lift the rear part and drop the front part of the cartridge (10) so that the print line is rendered visible.

Abstract: An improved flexible leader for use in conveying ink ribbon from a ribbon box to the print point of a printer or typewriter is disclosed. The leader is a U-shaped channel with top latches which protects the ribbon from operator contact and provides good ribbon tracking. Vertical raised ridges on the insides of the channel reduce frictional contact between the ribbon and the leader. The leader is easy to install.

Abstract: A printer having a daisy type-wheel or the like comprises a carrier longitudinally movable along a platen and a carriage detachably and pivotally mounted on the carrier. Mounted on the carriage are a ribbon cartridge, the type-wheel, a hammer assembly and a magnet assembly for actuating the hammer assembly. The design of the printer permits easy and accurate positioning and adjustment of constituents of the carriage, easy and accurate attachment of the carriage to the carrier, and easy tilting of the carriage for replacement of the type-wheel. Shifting of the type-wheel is achieved rapidly and with the low vibration. The ribbon cartridge may be moved from a non-printing to a printing position easily, with low vibration and with little generation of noise. The U-shaped ribbon cartridge includes an engaging member extending from a front leg of the cartridge toward the inside of the U-shape.

Abstract: For the retention of a ribbon cartridge (1) on a carrier (2) in a printer or a typewriter or the like, a flexible retaining arm (3) is disclosed. This retaining arm (3) is attached to carrier (2) and stands upright from it. Arm (3) includes a protruding leg (12) underneath cartridge (1) and a tenon (8) adapted to snap back into a recess (7) in cartridge (1) after deflection of retaining arm (3). On its opposite side cartridge (1) is supported with its trunnion (5) in a hole in a fixed retaining arm (6) of carrier (2). Trunnion (5) and tenon (8) are arranged on tilting axis (4) which is parallel to the print line. Upon loading cartridge (1) on carrier (2) protruding leg (12) is biased so that upon removal of cartridge (1) protruding leg (12) urges cartridge (1) upwardly. Retaining arm (3) with its protruding leg (12) is made of spring steel in leaf spring form.

Abstract: An impact printing system which is particularly suitable for word processing is provided with the capability of effecting mid-line pitch changes. The impact printer system which is particularly compatible with interactive display terminals in word processing system has means for receiving a selected one of a plurality of type or character font elements. The pitch of character font elements are different from each other. The printing system includes means for selectively impacting selected characters from selected fonts along lines in a document. The system further includes control apparatus for controlling and determining the selection of font elements to be used and in the case of printing with a particular font element, the characters to be printed in respective positions along the lines of the document to provide the desired document format. The control apparatus includes apparatus for controlling the printing with at least two different font elements having different pitch along a single line.

Abstract: A check encoder (11) for printing of full field MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) codes on checks, includes a check guide (19) and means for sensing the position of the check (25,27) in the check guide (19). A pair of fixed roller assemblies (29,31), coact with a pair of movable roller assemblies (33,35) to grip the check and move the check under the action of a stepper motor (44) to an initial known position. A hammer (87), mounted in a hammer mount (83) and activated by an electrical solenoid (91) impacts the check against successive selected characters on a font wheel (61) to print the desired MICR code. A computer program, controls the operation of the check positioning, check encoding and check moving operations. When the desired MICR code has been printed on the check, the check is moved out of the encoder (11) by means of the fixed and movable roller assemblies (29,31,33 and 35).

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette mounting mechanism is generally constructed with a guiding device for guiding an ink ribbon cassette, housing an ink ribbon and having an engaging part on the wall surface thereof, from a predetermined direction to a predetermined position. An engaging and holding device is engaged with the engaging part on the ink ribbon cassette to hold the same at the predetermined position, when the ink ribbon cassette is shifted from the predetermined direction to the predetermined position; and releases the engagement with the engaging part, when the ink ribbon cassette is further shifted in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for a printer comprising a storage reel for an ink ribbon, a take-up reel for the ink ribbon, drive wheels for longitudinally advancing the ink ribbon from the storage reel to the take-up reel for printing on the ribbon and a pulley which rides on a cam for transversely displacing the ribbon during its longitudinal advance to produce a saw-tooth path of travel of the ribbon and offset the area of the ribbon utilized in printing.