Abstract: If the recording medium and the thermal head stick together, a recording device, a control method for a recording device, and a control program enable avoiding media transportation problems caused by such adhesion. If the recording medium has a release coat layer or an overcoating layer and the recording medium is left in contact with the thermal head, an operating pattern is set according to the contact conditions for moving the surface of the recording medium a specific distance from the thermal head, and transportation is controlled according to the set operating pattern.

Abstract: A thermal head avoids a drop in print quality caused by adhesion of printing chaff. A thermal head 39 that presses against thermal paper that moves from one side to the other side and prints by melting dye contained in the thermal paper has a glazed layer 150 that is formed in an area on one part of a ceramic substrate 43 and stores in-flowing heat, and a heating resistor 140 that is located offset to one side from the center of the glazed layer 150, selectively heats the thermal paper S pressed in contact therewith, and melts a dye material contained in the thermal paper. A smooth surface P against which the thermal paper S heated by the heating resistor 140 slides is formed to the other side of the glazed layer 150 from the heating resistor 140.

Abstract: Accumulation of foreign matter on the surface of the thermal head that can cause printing defects can be reliably prevented. The downstream edge 54a of the surface 52 of the thermal head 5 is substantially flush with the downstream end of the paper nipping area C of the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 8 in the thermal printer 1. The downstream end 54 extending from the downstream edge 54a in a direction perpendicular to the back side is connected to a through-hole 66 (foreign matter receptacle) formed in the heat sink 6. Foreign matter on liner-less label paper 11 clings to the downstream end 54 of the thermal head 5 after passing the paper nipping area C, and is then fed along the downstream end 54 into the through-hole 66 on the back. Foreign matter does not accumulate on the surface 52 of the thermal head 5, and problems such as streaking and other printing defects caused by foreign matter on the surface 52 of the thermal head 5 do not occur.

Abstract: High print quality from a thermal printer is maintained while the print speed is decreasing without producing white streaks or uneven print density by controlling the hysteresis coefficient of the thermal print head 35 based on the energizing history of the thermal print head 35 and print speed control factors used for determining print speed, which is the speed at which the paper is advanced while printing.

Abstract: A thermal printer enables both duplex printing and simplex printing. A double-sided thermal printer 1 has a first arm 31 and a second arm 32 that opens and closes in conjunction with the first arm 31. A first platen roller 21 is mounted on the first arm 31, a second thermal print head 12 is mounted on the second arm 32, and a first thermal print head 11 and second platen roller 22 are disposed on the printer frame 30 side. When the operating cover 3 closes, the second thermal print head 12 on the second arm 32 is pressed against the second platen roller 22, the first platen roller 21 on the first arm 31 is pressed to the first thermal print head 11, and the double-sided thermal paper 6 can be set with no slack. For simplex printing, the paper transportation load can be reduced by pressing only the first platen roller 21 on the first arm to the first thermal print head 11.

Abstract: A thermal printer 1 and control method for controlling print speed to prevent variation in printing pitch due to frequent slight changes in the print speed following a significant change in print speed. The print speed, which is the speed at which the print medium i.e., paper is conveyed when printing, is controlled based on known print speed control factors. The thermal printer comprises a paper feed mechanism for conveying the print medium at a controlled print speed passed a thermal print head, a print speed control unit 9 for controlling the print speed of the paper feed mechanism based on the print speed control factors, a print speed change acquisition unit 3 for determining the change in the print speed over a predetermined time, and a comparison unit 7 for determining if the change in print speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A recording device that records images on both sides of a recording medium using two recording heads suppresses slack in the recording medium and conveys the recording medium reliably. A first recording unit 21 holds and conveys the roll paper 20 between a first recording head 22 that records images to one side of the roll paper 20 and a first platen roller 27. A second recording unit 41 located downstream from the first recording unit 21 holds and conveys the roll paper 20 between a second recording head 42 that records images to the other side of the roll paper 20 and a second platen roller 47. The first platen roller drive unit turns so that the circumferential speed of the second platen roller 47 is faster than the circumferential speed of the first platen roller 27.

Abstract: A printer avoids scratching or damaging the platen and print defects caused by adhesive. The printer 1 prints to thermal paper S that has an adhesive area 150 formed on one side with the edges of the paper adhesive-free, and color layers formed on the other side of the paper. The thermal paper S is wound sequentially into a roll so that the other side is on the outside without applying a liner protecting the adhesive area 150 on the one side. The printer 1 has a platen 18, a heating element unit 43, and a guide incline 45. The platen 18 is disposed to a main cover, rotates in the thermal paper S transportation direction, and applies pressure to the thermal paper S from the one side. The heating element unit 43 selectively heats the other side of the paper.

Abstract: A thermal printer 1 and control method for controlling print speed to prevent variation in printing pitch due to frequent slight changes in the print speed following a significant change in print speed. The print speed, which is the speed at which the print medium i.e., paper is conveyed when printing, is controlled based on known print speed control factors. The thermal printer comprises a paper feed mechanism for conveying the print medium at a controlled print speed passed a thermal print head, a print speed control unit 9 for controlling the print speed of the paper feed mechanism based on the print speed control factors, a print speed change acquisition unit 3 for determining the change in the print speed over a predetermined time, and a comparison unit 7 for determining if the change in print speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: High print quality from a thermal printer is maintained while the print speed is decreasing without producing white streaks or uneven print density by controlling the hysteresis coefficient of the thermal print head 35 based on the energizing history of the thermal print head 35 and print speed control factors used for determining print speed,which is the speed at which the paper is advanced while printing.

Abstract: A thermal printer 1 and control method for controlling print speed to prevent variation in printing pitch due to frequent slight changes in the print speed following a significant change in print speed. The print speed, which is the speed at which the print medium i.e., paper is conveyed when printing, is controlled based on known print speed control factors. The thermal printer comprises a paper feed mechanism for conveying the print medium at a controlled print speed passed a thermal print head, a print speed control unit 9 for controlling the print speed of the paper feed mechanism based on the print speed control factors, a print speed change acquisition unit 3 for determining the change in the print speed over a predetermined time, and a comparison unit 7 for determining if the change in print speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: In a holder for holding a rolled recording medium, each of a pair of side wall members is opposed to a side end face of the rolled recording medium to regulate a position of the rolled recording medium in a widthwise direction thereof. At least one of the side wall members includes a first section adapted to be brought into contact with the side end face, and a second section adapted to avoid contact with the side end face. A position of the second section is determined such that an upper part of the side end face is free from contact with the at least one of the side wall members, and a position of the first section is determined such that a lower part of the side end face is brought into contact with the first section.

Abstract: In a holder for holding a rolled recording medium, each of a pair of side wall members is opposed to a side end face of the rolled recording medium to regulate a position of the rolled recording medium in a widthwise direction thereof. At least one of the side wall members includes a first section adapted to be brought into contact with the side end face, and a second section adapted to avoid contact with the side end face. A position of the second section is determined such that an upper part of the side end face is free from contact with the at least one of the side wall members, and a position of the first section is determined such that a lower part of the side end face is brought into contact with the first section.

Abstract: An information detection apparatus and information detection method for processing recording media to ascertain validity of checks and other negotiable instruments and print as necessary on the recording media. The information detection apparatus for processing recording media comprises in sequence along transportation path 1009 from the insertion opening 1006 a recording medium transportation mechanism 1003, printing mechanism 1004, and reading mechanism 1005. When a recording medium 1008 is transported by transportation mechanism 1003 along transportation path 1009 to a predetermined position, the check is positioned between presser roller 1051 and a detector 1052 of reading mechanism 1005. Presser roller 1051 then presses recording medium 1008 against detector 1052 while transportation mechanism 1003 pulls the recording medium and particular information recorded to the recording medium is detected. This operation straightens wrinkles and removes slack from recording medium 1008 to reduce reading errors.

Abstract: A magnetic character reader capable of reading information recorded on a record sheet with an optional printer, the size of the magnetic character reader being reduced by use of a shortened record sheet transport passage. The magnetic character reader 50 includes: a reading unit 35 having a magnetic head 33 and a head presser 34; and a transport mechanism section 30 having a paper feed roller 21 and a paper pressing roller 22. The transport mechanism section 30 is arranged at a position adjacent to a reading unit 35 on reference line L which extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a transport direction of a check P from a reading section of the reading unit 35. A paper feed roller 21 includes three transport sections 21a1 to 21a3. Three paper pressing rollers 22a1 to 22a3 which correspond to the three transport sections 21a1 to 21a3 also are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer comprising a paper guide surface (11D) defining a printing region. A print head (8) is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) with a gap in between and adapted to move in parallel to the paper guide surface (11D) along the printing region (11) and beyond the printing region (11) into a retracted position (11C). A paper guide guides recording paper (5) to the printing region (11) and exposing it to the print head (8) in the printing region. The paper guide includes a guide plate (31) movable between a first position in which it is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) so as to guide recording paper (5) past the printing region (11), and a second position in which it is retracted from the printing region. A first pair of rollers is switchable between a closed state engaging each other for transporting the recording paper (5) to the printing region (11), and an open state separated from each other.

Abstract: A printer having an ink jet type printing section for printing on a first cut sheet of paper having a first shape or a second cut sheet of paper having a second shape. A set of transfer rollers is provided adjacent to an insertion aperture for the first cut sheet of paper and mounted on one end of an open/close lever. Another set of transfer rollers is provided adjacent to a discharge aperture for the first cut sheet of paper. Opening and closing of the transfer rollers adjacent to the insertion aperture and opening and closing of the transfer rollers adjacent to the discharging aperture are performed by a common driving source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer comprising a paper guide surface (11D) defining a printing region. A print head (8) is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) with a gap in between and adapted to move in parallel to the paper guide surface (11D) along the printing region (11) and beyond the printing region (11) into a retracted position (11C). A paper guide guides recording paper (5) to the printing region (11) and exposing it to the print head (8) in the printing region. The paper guide includes a guide plate (31) movable between a first position in which it is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) so as to guide recording paper (5) past the printing region (11), and a second position in which it is retracted from the printing region. A drive source (31-38) moves the guide plate (31) from the first to the second position only when the print head (8) is in the retracted position (11C).

Abstract: A printer having an ink jet type printing section for printing on a first cut sheet of paper having a first shape or a second cut sheet of paper having a second shape. A set of transfer rollers is provided adjacent to an insertion aperture for the first cut sheet of paper and mounted on one end of an open/close lever. Another set of transfer rollers is provided adjacent to a discharge aperture for the first cut sheet of paper. Opening and closing of the transfer rollers adjacent to the insertion aperture and opening and closing of the transfer rollers adjacent to the discharging aperture are performed by a common driving source.

Abstract: A printer including a paper guide auxiliary member for guiding recording paper to the vicinity of the lower end of a printing area in which a print head performs printing, a paper side regulating member formed of elastic material for guiding both sides outside of the printing area of recording paper transferred from the paper guide auxiliary member towards the exit of the recording paper, and a gap forming member located outside of recording paper path and pressed between the paper side regulating member and platen. The recording paper is guided along the platen by the paper side regulating member while being transferred in the predetermined gap formed between the paper side regulating member and platen without frictional force, thereby avoiding the need for a mask plate which often causes problems.