Abstract: A robot provides a communicating means to move based on the transmission and reception of information to/from the outside, thereby making it possible to realize a robot with high usability. In addition, it recognizes the user's condition based on sensors provided around a user and outputs a response message according to the recognition. Thus, an information processing system which is very helpful can be realized.

Abstract: When a lower component being different size is selectively and removably connected to an upper component, mechanical and electrical connecting means of the upper component is commonly used, and simultaneously they are connected by mechanical and electrical connecting means being the size corresponding to the size of the lower component.

Abstract: A connector device for signal interconnection and mechanical interconnection of a plurality of components, which comprises the first connector, having signal connection terminals, set at the first component, the second connector, having signal connection terminals, set at the second component, and the third connector, having signal connection terminals connecting with the signal connection terminals of the first connector or the signal connection terminals of the second connector, set at the third component. The third connector has connection fixing parts and for connecting and fixing the first connector by moving it along the first direction substantially along a connection surface of the third connector or for connecting and fixing the second connector by moving it along the second direction intersecting the first direction of the third connector.

Abstract: A video printer includes a chassis, a platen rotatably mounted on the chassis, a printing head carried by the chassis so as to be moved between a pressure-contact position in which the printing head is pressure-contacted with the platen and a standby position in which the printing head is spaced apart from the platen, a roll for pressure-contacting a transfer sheet against the platen, and a cutter provided at a position spaced apart from the printing head and proximate to the sheet exit opening. The transfer sheet is provided in a sheet guide system through a space between the platen and the printing head as far as a sheet exit opening. The printing head is moved to the pressure-contact position during printing operation to the standby position during non-printing operation. When printing an image on the transfer sheet, the transfer sheet is rewound by a distance less than a distance between the printing head and the cutter for effective utilization of the transfer sheet.

Abstract: A video printer includes a chassis, a platen rotatably mounted on the chassis, a printing head carried by the chassis so as to be moved between a pressure-contact position in which the printing head is pressure-contacted with the platen and a standby position in which the printing head is spaced apart from the platen, a roll for pressure-contacting a transfer sheet against the platen, and a cutter provided at a position spaced apart from the printing head and proximate to the sheet exit opening. The transfer sheet is provided in a sheet guide system through a space between the platen and the printing head as far as a sheet exit opening. The printing head is moved to the pressure-contact position during printing time and to the standby position during non-printing time. When printing an image on the transfer sheet, the transfer sheet is rewound by a distance less than a distance between the printing head and the cutter for effective utilization of the transfer sheet.

Abstract: A thermal printer comprises a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements arranged in line in the horizontal direction, a printing data processing circuit responsive to input video signal for energizing the heating elements of the thermal head in accordance with density information of each pixel, a driving device for moving a print paper relative to the thermal head continuously in the vertical direction, a pitch setting circuit for setting a vertical print pitch according to the number of effective horizontal print lines, effective width of the thermal head in the horizontal direction and aspect ratio of a printed image, and a speed control circuit coupled to the driving device for changing a moving speed of the print paper according to the vertical print pitch, wherein an energizing time to the heating elements is fixed independent of the vertical print pitch, and the moving speed of the print paper and an interval between first printing data and second printing data are controlled in order to make

Abstract: A printer is provided which includes a thermal head serving first, second, and third operation modes. In the first operation mode, the thermal head is separate from the platen roller so as to allow a new sheet of printing paper to be inserted, from a roll, for example. In the second operation mode, the thermal head is pressed against the platen roller to via the sheet of printing paper to print an image thereon. In the third operation mode, the thermal head contacts with the platen roller, but under only the slight pressure exerted by its own weight to secure the printed paper sheet to cut it into a predetermined size. The provision of the third operation mode wherein little head pressure is exerted on the platen roller also prevents compression set from occurring on the platen roller.