Abstract: A microcomputer is put into a sleep mode immediately when tasks become ready for the sleep mode so as to eliminate wasted power. Multiple application tasks are executed. Each application task provides notification regarding entry into sleep-ready state. When any application task provides notification, a status management section program sets a flag indicating that the application task goes to the sleep-ready state. The status management section checks flags of all the application tasks to determine whether all the application tasks go to the sleep-ready state, whereupon the microcomputer is put into the sleep mode.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method ejecting already printed sheets stacked one on top of another, wherein: a period T, necessary for ink printed on a former sheet to be fixed enough that it does not adhere to a successive sheet stacked on top of the former sheet is set; an elapsed period tn is measured from a point in time when printing of the former sheet is completed; the elapsed period is compared with a set period when the successive sheet is ejected; and if the elapsed period has not reached the set period, the successive sheet is ejected by an intermittent feeding operation in which the successive sheet slidingly contacts the former sheet at a point in time when the elapsed period exceeds the set period.

Abstract: A serial printer for printing on a recording medium which includes a platen, a carriage and a recording medium discharge section. The platen serves as a recording medium insert member and is rotated by a motor. A carriage shuttles in parallel with the platen and includes a recording head and a paper holder attached thereto. The sheet discharge section is arranged on a downstream side of the carriage and is provided for guiding the recording medium to a sheet discharge outlet. The printer further includes a carriage controller for moving the carriage towards the center of the recording medium and stopping the carriage proximate the center of the recording medium, while decelerating the carriage before the center of the recording medium, when the recording medium is forwarded for printing until the recording medium reaches a sheet discharge section from a predetermined position on the downstream side of the paper holder.

Abstract: A printer including at least two tractor unit mounting sections upstream of the print position in the sheet feed direction, and at least one tractor unit can be mounted on either of these tractor unit mounting sections. The sheet feeding direction can thus be selected freely in accordance with the web replacement frequency or the printer installation location merely by changing the mounting position of the tractor unit. If the number of tractor units is increased, a plurality of webs can be set up simultaneously and used selectively.