Abstract: An abnormal current cut off circuit for creating a circuit break when an abnormal current flows in a circuit such as a print head driver circuit for a printer. When a driver section 3 is being driven by a power supply circuit 1, the power supply is provided to a driver circuit 2 which drives the driver section 3 via a transistor 5 which is connected in the power supply line and which is turned on by a transistor 7. When the device goes into a standby state, the transistor 5 is turned off, so that the current is supplied to the carriage motor a and the Line feed motor b within the driver section 3 via the fuse 4 and the diode 6 which are connected in parallel with the transistor 5. If an abnormal current then flows during the standby state, the fuse 4 will be broken, and transistor 7 will be turned off so that transistor 5 will also be turned off which ensures that the power supply line is cut completely.

Abstract: In an arithmetic unit capable of performing arithmetic operations with single byte instructions or a number of bits less than one byte, an instruction which does not specify any register number is executed under the control of a timing control means and a register number stored in a register-specifying memory is selected. When an instruction which does not specify any address is executed under the control of a timing controller, the address information stored in an address-specifying memory is selected, and then the instruction is performed.

Abstract: A data storage control device including a DRAM and a storage device has an address bus common to the DRAM and the storage device, and a control device for selectively applying an address signal relating to the DRAM and another address signal relating to the storage device to the address bus.

Abstract: A serial printer includes a carrier motor which moves a printing head; a signal generator for supplying an output signal to the carrier motor to control the carrier motor to drive the printing head; a microprocessor for controlling operation of the signal generator; a counter for counting movement of the printing head in response to the output signal from the signal generator; and a malfunction detector for detecting a malfunction when the value of the counter reaches a predetermined count and for resetting the microprocessor in response thereto.

Abstract: A serial printer includes: a carrier mounted with a printing head; a display means movable with the carrier; a stationary panel having indicating windows arranged so that the display means is recognizable through the specific indicating window when the carrier comes to a predetermined position; a carrying means for carrying the carrier; a printing mode storage means for storing printing modes; an operating switch for selecting the printing modes; and a printing mode setting means for permitting the carrying means to move the carrier and changing the printing mode of the printing mode storage means according to the position of the carrier.

Abstract: A serial printer comprises a movable carrier, a print head mounted on the carrier, sliders mounted to either a fixed member of the printer or the carrier and selectively slidable to a plurality of positions to select a desired print mode, a sensor mounted to the other member and movable relative to the sliders when the carrier is moved so as to sense the position of the sliders, and an initial condition control system for changing print modes in response to the position of the sliders as sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A data card for a printer includes a plurality of data areas. Data readable by a sensor can be written in the data areas to control specifications or functions of a serial printer. A standard mark is printed on the data card to provide a reference position. The serial printer includes the data card, a card receiver into which the data card is detachably inserted, a sensor for reading data written in the data card, and a carriage having a printing head thereon. Either the card receiver or the sensor is mounted to the carriage. The other component is fixedly arranged within the serial printer. The serial printer further includes a memory for storing the data, and a controller for controlling a printing mechanism according to the data stored in the memory.

Abstract: A data card for a printer includes a plurality of data areas. Data readable by a sensor can be written in the data areas to control specifications or functions of a serial printer. A standard mark is printed on the data card to provide a reference position. The serial printer includes the data card, a card receiver into which the data card is detachably inserted, a sensor for reading data written in the data card, and a carriage having a printing head thereon. Either the card receiver or the sensor is mounted to the carriage. The other component is fixedly arranged within the serial printer. The serial printer further includes a memory for storing the data, and a controller for controlling a printing mechanism according to the data stored in the memory.