Abstract: In a printing apparatus which can specify a font memory irrespective of its mounting position, signals supplied from an external apparatus are received by an interface section. A controller section checks whether the received signals are a font specifying command for specifying a font memory or are character data to be printed. When the received signals are character data, character pattern data corresponding thereto is generated using a font memory in pattern generation section corresponding to a font specifying number currently specified by the controller section, and is printed by a printer driver section. When the received signals are a font specifying command, the controller section temporarily stores a font name specified by the font specifying command and searches the specified font memory by sequentially referring the font memories in a pattern generator section to determine the font specifying number.

Abstract: A ribbon control apparatus for a color printer has a cartridge holder to be installed with a ribbon cartridge supporting a color ribbon which has four color bands aligned to the lateral direction of the color ribbon, a carriage for supporting the holder movably in the lateral direction of the ribbon, and a drive section for driving the holder. The control apparatus further has a first detecting switch for detecting that the cartridge is disposed at an initial position, and a second detecting switch for detecting that the cartridge is exchanged. The drive section responds to a detection signal from the second switch to move the cartridge toward the initial position when the cartridge is exchanged, and responds to a detection signal from the first switch to tilt the cartridge to locate a previously selected color band of the ribbon relative to the printing head consistent with the location of the previous cartridge prior to its replacement.