Abstract: A user can easily determine, before connecting, whether an electronic device is able to operate when connected to an interface circuit and whether power can be supplied. The interface circuit includes a controller, a connector for connecting to an electronic device, and a display. The controller displays an operation mode and a power supply mode supported by the interface circuit on the display with the electronic device not connected to the connector.

Abstract: A quick start method for starting up a system easily and quickly is disclosed. A memory control unit reads the start-up data prestored in a storage unit, using auxiliary power supplied from an auxiliary power supply unit. Also, the memory control unit writes the read start-up data into RAM. As well, the memory control unit reads and outputs the start-up data written in RAM when the main power is turned on.

Abstract: In an information processing system having a main central processing unit for processing object information being a processing object, a sub-central processing unit adapted to operate independently of the main central processing unit is further provided. The main central processing unit produces execution information indicating executing contents and a corresponding time point. The sub-central processing unit processes state information indicating a state of the information processing system while receiving the execution information.

Abstract: A rotor is operable to rotate in a rotating direction, and is provided with five teeth that define five slots therebetween at regular intervals in the rotating direction. A pair of arc-shaped magnets surrounds the rotor, and faces each other through the rotor. A value of a circumferential angle between two adjacent slots with respect to an axis of the rotor is defined as a. A value of a circumferential angle between opposite end edges of an inner surface of the magnet in a circumferential direction of the magnet, which faces the rotor, with respect to the axis of the rotor is defined as b. The value of b falls within a range from 23 to 25 when the value of a is assumed as 12.

Abstract: A quick start method for starting up a system easily and quickly is disclosed. A memory control unit reads the start-up data prestored in a storage unit, using auxiliary power supplied from an auxiliary power supply unit. Also, the memory control unit writes the read start-up data into RAM. As well, the memory control unit reads and outputs the start-up data written in RAM when the main power is turned on.

Abstract: A rotor is operable to rotate in a rotating direction, and is provided with five teeth that define five slots therebetween at regular intervals in the rotating direction. A pair of arc-shaped magnets surrounds the rotor, and faces each other through the rotor. A value of a circumferential angle between two adjacent slots with respect to an axis of the rotor is defined as a. A value of a circumferential angle between opposite end edges of an inner surface of the magnet in a circumferential direction of the magnet, which faces the rotor, with respect to the axis of the rotor is defined as b. The value of b falls within a range from 23 to 25 when the value of a is assumed as 12.

Abstract: A printing system using a thermal printer capable of readily visually discriminating the background data and sales data, saving waste of paper resources and improving the printing speed is provided. When printing basic data and background data in superimposition on each other in a thermal printer having a matrix array of color generation dots, data representing density gradation values are supplied to each color generation dot for printing background data with density lower than the density of the basic data. The direction of the basic data is set to a direction different by 90 degrees, for instance, from the direction of the array of the basic data. The visual discrimination of the two different kinds of data is improved.

Abstract: A memory stores printing data. A CPU reads, from the memory, printing data on a target line to be printed subsequently and printing data on a plurality of immediately preceding lines, performs an arithmetic operation with respect to the read printing data to determine a history pattern, stores the determined history pattern in the memory, reads, from the memory, the history pattern of a history factor which is a dot exerting the influence of heat accumulation on a target dot to be printed subsequently, transmits the read history pattern to a thermal print head interface unit, and transmits a history timer value preliminarily allocated to the history factor to the thermal print head interface unit. The thermal print head interface unit drives a thermal print head based on the history pattern and on the history timer value.

Abstract: A printing system using a thermal printer capable of readily visually discriminating the background data and sales data, saving waste of paper resources and improving the printing speed is provided. When printing basic data and background data in superimposition on each other in a thermal printer having a matrix array of color generation dots, data representing density gradation values are supplied to each color generation dot for printing background data with density lower than the density of the basic data. The direction of the basic data is set to a direction different by 90 degrees, for instance, from the direction of the array of the basic data. The visual discrimination of the two different kinds of data is improved.

Abstract: A receipt issuing method and a receipt printer capable of smoothly performing a receipt issuing operation even if it takes relatively long time to print header information such as a logo. In time period from the detection of input of a print instruction to the completion of output and cutoff of a receipt, only a dealing information print processing and paper feed are executed so as to promptly issue the receipt. In standby time period right after issuance of the receipt is completed and before a data input operation for dealing with a next customer starts, the header information is printed to include time required to print the header information in the standby time. By doing so, even if it takes long time to perform a header information print operation, it is possible to prevent time required to perform the substantial receipt issuing operation itself from increasing.

Abstract: A gradation control system includes a device for deriving 2**n decoded data from lower n bits expressing a gradation per dot, a device for grouping the 2**n decoded data with respect to a plurality of dots, to produce 2**n first bit planes, a device for giving to an element a signal of pattern corresponding to each of the first bit planes for a time obtained by adding a time that depends on a decoded value of each of the first bit planes, to an initializing time, a device for grouping, per bit weight, respective bits excluding the lower n bits that express the gradation per dot, to produce a second bit plane, and a device for giving to the element a signal of pattern corresponding to the second bit plane for a time that depends on a weight of the second bit plane.

Abstract: A gradation control system includes means for deriving 2n decoded data from lower n bits expressing a gradation per dot, means for grouping the 2n decoded data with respect to a plurality of dots, to produce 2n first bit planes, means for giving to an element a signal of pattern corresponding to each of the first bit planes for a time obtained by adding a time that depends on a decoded value of each of the first bit planes, to an initializing time, means for grouping, per bit weight, respective bits excluding the lower n bits that express the gradation per dot, to produce a second bit plane, and means for giving to the element a signal of pattern corresponding to the second bit plane for a time that depends on a weight of the second bit plane.

Abstract: A memory stores printing data. A CPU reads, from the memory, printing data on a target line to be printed subsequently and printing data on a plurality of immediately preceding lines, performs an arithmetic operation with respect to the read printing data to determine a history pattern, stores the determined history pattern in the memory, reads, from the memory, the history pattern of a history factor which is a dot exerting the influence of heat accumulation on a target dot to be printed subsequently, transmits the read history pattern to a thermal print head interface unit, and transmits a history timer value preliminarily allocated to the history factor to the thermal print head interface unit. The thermal print head interface unit drives a thermal print head based on the history pattern and on the history timer value.

Abstract: A thermal head control circuit and a thermal head control method according to the present invention are so configured as to set a state in which a limiting resistor is connected to a heating resistor element corresponding to data indicating color development in a lower temperature range, and set a state in which a limiting resistor is not connected to a heating resistor element corresponding to data indicating color development in a higher temperature range. Therefore, the calorific values of the heat resistor elements can be regulated even if the duration of electrification is kept constant and, where multicolor printing is to be accomplished, printing can be performed at constant speed all the time.

Abstract: A receipt issuing method and a receipt printer capable of smoothly performing a receipt issuing operation even if it takes relatively long time to print header information such as a logo. In time period from the detection of input of a print instruction to the completion of output and cutoff of a receipt, only a dealing information print processing and paper feed are executed so as to promptly issue the receipt. In standby time period right after issuance of the receipt is completed and before a data input operation for dealing with a next customer starts, the header information is printed to include time required to print the header information in the standby time. By doing so, even if it takes long time to perform a header information print operation, it is possible to prevent time required to perform the substantial receipt issuing operation itself from increasing.

Abstract: A thermal head control circuit and a thermal head control method according to the present invention are so configured as to set a state in which a limiting resistor is connected to a heating resistor element corresponding to data indicating color development in a lower temperature range, and set a state in which a limiting resistor is not connected to a heating resistor element corresponding to data indicating color development in a higher temperature range. Therefore, the calorific values of the heat resistor elements can be regulated even if the duration of electrification is kept constant and, where multicolor printing is to be accomplished, printing can be performed at constant speed all the time.

Abstract: A thermal head control circuit and a thermal head control method according to the present invention are so configured as to set a state in which a limiting resistor is connected to a heating resistor element corresponding to data indicating color development in a lower temperature range, and set a state in which a limiting resistor is not connected to a heating resistor element corresponding to data indicating color development in a higher temperature range. Therefore, the calorific values of the heat resistor elements can be regulated even if the duration of electrification is kept constant and, where multicolor printing is to be accomplished, printing can be performed at constant speed all the time.