Abstract: A process for controlling the operation of a printing head detects defects in the transport of the printing head along a printed line and if necessary corrects them. A control unit (24) controls a current source (16) which supplies current to a transport motor (12) which moves the printing head (10). The printing elements (14) of the printing head (10) are supplied with pulsed drive current (ID) by a driver component (18). A position indicator (20) records the distance travelled by the printing head (10) along a printed line. According to the invention, the transport time between two printing positions is monitored to detect whether a limit value (G) is exceeded. If the limit value (G) is exceeded, the drive of the printing head (10) is stopped and if necessary the printing head is moved in the opposite direction and/or at least one printing element (14, 15) is operated with less energy that that required for printing.

Abstract: Described is a process for producing information relative to the type of a printer head (18) present in a printer, which head contains at least one printer element (86, 88, 90). The servo component of the printing element (86, 88, 90) has an electrical resistance, which is determined via an electrical evaulation circuit. This resistance is assigned to one of several resistance ranges representing various types of printing head. Depending upon this completed assignment, the evaluation circuit produces a type signal (40a, 40b, 40c) as information. The type signal (40a, 40b, 40c) is made available to a subsequent control, whic can then supply the various types of printing heads (17, 18) with specifically suitable control signals. The invention can be used with practically all types of printing heads, whose printing elements are actuated by electrical or electromechanical servo components and therefore have an electrical resistance.