Abstract: A system for permitting access to a database, in which labor is saved and privacy of individuals is not invaded when the database is accessed from the outside. Access key information is used as a key when requesting access to the database in which personal credit information is stored. Access key information and conditions under which access is permitted are also stored in the database. When a request for access is made, inputted access key information is checked against the access key information stored in the database. When the inputted access key information matches the access key information stored in the database, and when the conditions under which access is permitted are satisfied, access to the database is permitted.

Abstract: A color printer includes a plurality of platens arranged on paper feeding path to feed paper on which a plurality of printing areas are arranged in series, a plurality of print heads arranged on the feeding path to face the platens to print data on the same printing areas of the paper fed on the feeding path, a feeding roller for feeding, to the print heads, the paper along the feeding path, a front-edge sensing section disposed between the feeding roller and a print head nearest the feeding roller to detect that the paper has been positioned at a printing start position, and a plurality of head lift mechanisms for setting the print heads from the platens to a standby position apart from the platens before the paper is fed to the printing start position and to a contact position at which the print heads come in contact with the platens after the paper has been fed to the printing start position.

Abstract: A printer comprises a convey roller for withdrawing continuous paper from a roll of the paper and conveying the paper along a predetermined convey path. The convey roller is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed and conveys the paper with a first convey force. Four printing portions are provided sequentially along the convey path. Each of the printing portion has a printing head, and a platen roller which is brought into contact with the paper while opposing the printing head and conveys the paper with a second convey force. A sum of second convey forces of the platen rollers is set to be smaller than the first convey force. The platen rollers are rotated at peripheral speeds higher than that of the convey roller, and such that the peripheral speeds thereof are sequentially increased in an order of a platen roller adjacent to the convey roller toward a platen roller separated from the convey roller.

Abstract: A transfer printer comprises a printer body having first and second support frames separated from and opposing to each other. A printing portion includes a platen roller supported by the first and second support frame, and a line thermal head having one end portion supported by the first support frame and a free end located near the second support frame. A ribbon magazine having an ink ribbon is detachably fitted in the printer body from a free end side of the thermal head. The first support frame has first magazine positioning pins for engaging the support body of the fitted ribbon magazine to position and support the ribbon magazine. The second support frame has second magazine positioning pins for engaging the support body of the fitted ribbon magazine to position and support the ribbon magazine. The support body of the ribbon magazine has head positioning pins for engaging the free end of the thermal head to position and support the free end.

Abstract: A label printer comprises a supporting frame having a pair of side plates facing each other. A print head and a platen roller are arranged between the side plates. Above the print head is arranged a ribbon supply device for running a transfer ribbon between the print head and the platen roller. The ribbon supply device includes a ribbon drive section, and a ribbon unit supported on a supporting member and movable between a first position wherein the unit engages the drive section and a second position wherein the unit is located outside the supporting frame. A fixing member is attached to one of the side plates and movable between a release position wherein the fixing member allows the ribbon unit to move and a fixing position wherein the fixing means engages the ribbon unit to hold it in the first position.

Abstract: A label printer includes a body frame and a separating device for separating printed lables from a base. The separating device is detachably mounted on first and second mounting shafts attached to the body frame. The separating device includes a supporting shaft, a pair of supporting members mounted on the opposite end portions of the supporting shaft, and a pair of hook members rotatably mounted on the supporting shaft. Each supporting member has a supporting surface and a engaging recess. The first mounting shaft is removably fitted to the engaging recesses so that the supporting members are rotatable about the first mounting shaft between an off position and a holding position wherein each supporting surface contacts the second mounting shaft so that the supporting member is held between the mounting shafts. Each hook member has a hook portion which engages the second mounting portion to lock the supporting member in its hold position.

Abstract: A label printer comprises a supporting frame having a pair of side plates facing each other. A print head and a platen roller are arranged between the side plates. Above the print head is arranged a ribbon supply device for running a transfer ribbon between the print head and the platen roller. The ribbon supply device includes a ribbon drive section, and a ribbon unit supported on a supporting member and movable between a first position wherein the unit engages the drive section and a second position wherein the unit is located outside the supporting frame. A fixing member is attached to one of the side plates and movable between a release position wherein the fixing member allows the ribbon unit to move and a fixing position wherein the fixing means engages the ribbon unit to hold it in the first position.

Abstract: A label printer comprises a supporting frame having a pair of side plates facing each other. A print head and a platen roller are arranged between the side plates. Above the print head is arranged a ribbon supply device for running a transfer ribbon between the print head and the platen roller. The ribbon supply device includes a ribbon unit supported on a supporting mechanism, and a ribbon drive section attached to the side plate so as to drive the ribbon unit. The supporting mechanism includes a fixed arm fixed to the side plate, and a slider mounted on the fixed arm. The slider supports the ribbon unit thereon and is slidable between a first position where the ribbon unit engages the ribbon drive section and a second position where the ribbon unit is situated outside the supporting frame.

Abstract: A printer includes a platen roller and a print head for printing information on a recording medium moving between the platen roller and the head in a predetermined direction. The platen roller is supported by a supporting frame which is rotatably mounted on a supporting shaft so that the platen roller is rockable in directions to touch and leave the head. The platen roller is pressed against the head by an urging member. The platen roller is shifted in a direction in parallel to the moving direction by a shifting mechanism as the roller rocks, so that the position of the roller relative to the head is kept constant with respect to the moving direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a ribbon supply device for running a transfer ribbon through a printing section. The device includes a ribbon unit and a ribbon drive section which are removably mounted on a head supporting frame of the printing section. The ribbon unit includes a supply shaft on which the ribbon is wound, a take-up shaft for take-up the ribbon drawn from the supply shaft, a tension shaft, and a ribbon drive shaft. The supply and tension shafts are arranged to be symmetrical to the take-up and ribbon drive shafts, respectively, about an imaginary plane which extends between the supply shaft and the take-up shaft and between the tension shaft and the ribbon drive shaft, in parallel with these shafts, so that the unit is capable of being remounted on the head supporting frame while the unit is turned through 180 degrees.

Abstract: A transfer printer includes a platen drive mechanism for rotating a platen roller facing a print head, and a paper feed mechanism for feeding a paper sheet passing between the platen roller and the head. A ribbon supply device is driven through a transmission mechanism by the drive power of the feed mechanism. The transmission mechanism has a roller holder supporting a transmission gear and arranged to be movable between a transmission position wherein the transmission gear engages an interlocking gear of the feed mechanism and an input gear of the ribbon supply device and a release position wherein the transmission gear is disengaged from the input gear so as to interrupt the power transmission. The roller holder is urged by a spring toward the transmission position, and restricted an excessive movement to the transmission position so that the transmission gear is in mesh with the input gear with a suitable backlash.

Abstract: A printer includes a print head and a platen roller facing the head. The platen roller is supported by supporting frames. The frames are rotatably supported by a stationary shaft. A second set lever is mounted on the supporting frame to be movable integrally with the frames, and includes a pressing portion facing a paper guide. The paper guide is pressed against a feed roller for feeding a paper sheet passing between the head and the platen roller. When the supporting frames are rotated in a direction to leave the platen roller from the head by a first set lever, the pressing portion pushes the paper guide so as to leave it from the feed roller.

Abstract: A label printer comprises a supporting frame having a pair of side plates facing each other. A platen roller and a head unit having a print head are arranged between the side plates. A supporting shaft extends parallel to the platen roller and has one end fixed to one of the side plates and a free end adjacent to the other side plate. The head unit is supported on the supporting shaft and located in an operative position wherein the print head is opposite to the platen roller. The head unit is slidable from the operative position to the outside of the supporting frame along the supporting shaft. The free end of the shaft and the head unit in the operative position is fixed by a fixing member mounted on the other side plate.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a support frame and a head frame supported by the support frame. A line thermal head is attached to the head frame. A platen unit is mounted on the support frame and includes a platen roller opposing the thermal head and a pair of support members supporting both ends of the platen roller. The support members are arranged to be rotatable so that the platen roller is movable between a contact position where the roller contacts the thermal head and a separate position where the roller is set apart from the thermal head. A pressing mechanism is provided on the platen unit so as to press the platen roller onto the thermal head at a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A thermal printer comprises a pair of fixed frames for rotatably supporting a platen which is rotated by a motor and a head unit rotatably supported by the fixed frames through a pair of movable frames and for supporting a thermal head. A pair of pinch rollers are rotatably mounted on the fixed frames, which are selectively brought to a first operating state to feed a paper sheet to the region between the platen and the thermal head, and a second operating state to feed no paper sheet. The thermal head is selectively moved between a first position, in which it is pressed against the platen, and a second position in which it is disengaged from the platen. The thermal head is moved to the first position, at the same time the pinch rollers and moved to the second operating state, while the thermal head is moved to the second position, at the same time the pinch rollers are moved to the first operating state.

Abstract: A thermal printer comprises a pair of fixed frames for rotatably supporting a platen which is rotated by a motor and a head unit rotatably supported by the fixed frames through a pair of movable frames and for supporting a thermal head. A pair of pinch rollers are rotatably mounted on the fixed frames, which are selectively brought to a first operating state to feed a paper sheet to the region between the platen and the thermal head, and a second operating state to feed no paper sheet. The thermal head is selectively moved between a first position, in which it is pressed against the platen, and a second position in which it is disengaged from the platen. The thermal head is moved to the first position, at the same time the pinch rollers and moved to the second operating state, while the thermal head is moved to the second position, at the same time the pinch rollers are moved to the first operating state.