Abstract: A printing apparatus using a consumable providing at least one of an image receiving tape, the consumable carrying a tag holding parameter information identifying the width of the tape and status information including the amount of tape remaining in the consumable, the printing apparatus comprising: printing means for printing an image; a tag reader arranged to receive said information from the tag via a contactless link in the form of electromagnetic waves; and a processor arranged to (i) receive said information and to control operation of the printing apparatus in dependence thereon including selecting a printing operation based on the identified width, and (ii) update the status information based on usage of the tape via the contactless link.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a first zone for receiving a supply of image receiving tape and a second zone for receiving a supply of thermal transfer ribbon, means for identifying the nature of the image receiving tape and the thermal transfer ribbon located in the first and second zones, and means for implementing a compatibility check to determine whether said image receiving tape and said thermal transfer ribbon are compatible, and to generate an incompatibility indication if the the compatibility check fails.

Abstract: A direct thermal printing material having at least one planar layer containing thermally activatable materials, wherein said planar layer forms an image upon application of laser light.

Abstract: A label printer for printing on a direct thermal tape in a plurality of colours, said label printer comprising at least one print head for printing an image on said tape in said plurality of colours and an interface for selecting at least one background colour and at least one text colour.

Abstract: The invention refers to a refillable tape cassette (2,7) for accomodating a supply of printable tape. In order to avoid the need for different tape cassettes for different tape widths it is proposed that the tape cassette (2,7) is capable of selectively housing supplies of tapes of different widths. Alternatively or additionally, the tape cassette (2,7) can have a housing comprising a base (40) on which said tape supply can be releasably fixed, and a lid (42) fixed to said base (40), wherein the lid (42) is pivotally mounted to said base by means of a hinge (46). Further, proposals are made to hold the windings of refill tape units (30) together by means of a strip (60) of adhesive or wax on the axial ends of the units, or by scuffing the backing layer (9) of an image receiving tape (4) which is broader than the image receiving layer.

Abstract: A printing apparatus using a consumable providing at least one of an image receiving tape, the consumable carrying a tag holding parameter information identifying the width of the tape and status information including the amount of tape remaining in the consumable, the printing apparatus comprising: printing means for printing an image; a tag reader arranged to receive said information from the tag via a contactless link in the form of electromagnetic waves; and a processor arranged to (i) receive said information and to control operation of the printing apparatus in dependence thereon including selecting a printing operation based on the identified width, and (ii) update the status information based on usage of the tape via the contactless link.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refillable tape cassette for accomodating a supply of printable tape. In order to avoid the need for different tape cassettes for different tape widths the tape cassette is capable of selectively housing supplies of tapes of different widths. Alternatively or additionally, the tape cassette can have a housing comprising a base on which the tape supply can be releasably fixed, and a lid fixed to the base, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted to the base by means of a hinge, Further, according to the invention, the windings of refill tape units are held together by means of a strip of adhesive or by means of wax on the axial ends of the units, or by scuffing the backing layer of an image receiving tape which is broader than the image receiving layer.

Abstract: A printing apparatus using a consumable associated with an identifier the apparatus comprising, printing means for printing an image onto an image receiving substrate reading means for reading the identifier: storage means for holding a list of any previously used identifiers associated with empty consumables, and a processor arranged to compare the identifier read by the reading means with the list of any previously used identifiers and to generate an invalid indication if there is a match.

Abstract: A printer with a housing arranged to be manually positioned on an image receiving medium. In order to allow easy alignment, a window is provided such that the print face is visible through the window. A controller of the printer is operable to detect markings on an image receiving medium, the markings being scanned by means of a scanner. An indicator referring to a direction in which the printer is to be moved and the detected markings are displayed in order to obtain alignment between the print face and the detected markings. The printer uses a medium with alignment marks, or alternately prints alignment marks onto a medium. Finally, a base station with an adjustable stop for positioning a print medium is included.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printer including a scanning mechanism provided in a housing, a mounting mechanism for releasably mounting a print head to the scanning mechanism, and an aperture. The scanning mechanism is arranged to move within the housing. The aperture is provided within the housing and arranged to be placed on, or adjacent to, an image receiving medium such that the print head, when mounted, is operable to print onto the image receiving medium through the aperture. In order to engrave an image into the image receiving medium, it is proposed that the mounting mechanism is arranged to accommodate a holding mechanism which holds a machining device for machining a medium. The printer may be provided with an ink supply containing a security ink, especially for printing entry receipts onto the hand of as customer entering a discotheque, concert, or other event.

Abstract: A portable printer which can print on a variety of surfaces is disclosed. The printer has a number of failsafe features which improve its operation and the quality of print. In particular, printing is inhibited in a certain number of situations. Alternatively or additionally, a maintenance sequence can be implemented when the printing unit is removed from a base location. A set of absorbent strips additionally or alternatively allow for the ink jet nozzles to be discharged within the print area.

Abstract: A portable printer which can print on a variety of surfaces is disclosed. The printer has a number of failsafe features which improve its operation and the quality of print. In particular, printing is inhibited in a certain number of situations. Alternatively or additionally, a maintenance sequence can be implemented when the printing unit is removed from a base location. A set of absorbent strips additionally or alternatively allow for the ink jet nozzles to be discharged within the print area.

Abstract: A portable printer is provided which provides active cooperation between a computer and the portable printer unit. A number of different features are introduced into the printing unit which allow greater responsiveness from the computer responsive to actions taken at the printer unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printer with a housing arranged to be manually positioned on an image receiving medium. In order to allow easy alignment, a window is provided such that the print face is visible through the window. A controller of the printer is operable to detect markings on an image receiving medium, the markings being scanned by means of a scanner. An information referring to a direction in which the printer is to be moved and the detected markings are displayed in order to obtain alignment between the print face and the detected markings. The invention also relates to using a medium with alignment marks, or to printing alignment marks onto a medium. Finally, a base station with an adjustable stop for positioning a print medium is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printer comprising a scanning mechanism provided in a housing, a mounting mechanism for releasably mounting a print head to the scanning mechanism, and an aperture. The scanning mechanism is arranged to move within the housing. The aperture is provided within the housing and arranged to be placed on, or adjacent to, an image receiving medium such that the print head, when mounted, is operable to print onto the image receiving medium through the aperture. In order to engrave an image into the image receiving medium, it is proposed that the mounting mechanism is arranged to accommodate a holding mechanism which holds a machining device for machining a medium. The printer may be provided with an ink supply containing a security ink, especially for printing entry receipts onto the hand of a customer entering a discotheque, concert, or other event.

Abstract: A portable printer which can print on a variety of surfaces is disclosed. The printer has a number of failsafe features which improve its operation and the quality of print. In particular, printing is inhibited in a certain number of situations. Alternatively or additionally, a maintenance sequence can be implemented when the printing unit is removed from a base location. A set of absorbent strips additionally or alternatively allow for the ink jet nozzles to be discharged within the print area.

Abstract: A portable printer is provided which provides active cooperation between a computer and the portable printer unit. A number of different features are introduced into the printing unit which allow greater responsiveness from the computer responsive to actions taken at the printer unit.

Abstract: A portable printer is provided which provides active cooperation between a computer and the portable printer unit. A number of different features are introduced into the printing unit which allow greater responsiveness from the computer responsive to actions taken at the printer unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a label printing apparatus for printing image data onto a tape. The label printing apparatus has a memory for storing image data to be printed onto the tape, a print head for recording the image data dot wise onto the tape in subsequent printing cycles, a platen for conveying the recording medium relative to the print head and means for determining the number of dots to be activated in each printing cycle. In order to obtain high print quality, a speed adjuster is provided to control the speed of the platen in response to the number of image data stored in the memory and the number of dots to be activated in the present printing cycle. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling the platen and the print head to avoid misalignment of subsequent printing lines, when the platen must stop due to lack of data in the memory.

Abstract: A set of tape holding cases including at least two cases of a first type and at least two cases of a second type, with the cases of the first type housing image receiving tape of respectively different tape parameters and cases of the second type housing image transfer tape of respectively different tape parameters. Each case of the first type has a first cooperating component, depending on the tape parameter of image receiving tape, and each case of the second type has a second cooperating component, depending on the tape parameter of image transfer tape. The first and second cooperating components are arranged to selectively cooperate with each other to allow cooperation only of a properly selected case of the first type with any one of the cases of the second type and otherwise to exclude cooperation of the cases. Also, a thermal printing device having cassette receiving portions for these tape holding cases for use in thermal transfer printing.