Abstract: In a controller for use in a printer, when line pitch information is set in a printer status storage unit by way of a line pitch setter, a distance setter determines a cursor/base line distance on the basis of the line pitch information, and a character pattern expander determines a base line from the cursor/base line distance, expands a dot pattern of a printing character in reference to the base line position and stores the expanded dot pattern in a buffer memory.

Abstract: A thermal printer including a thermal printer and a thermal head wherein a clearance between the platen and the thermal head is not less than a maximum diameter of one roll of an ink filled ribbon set by a thermal head driving motor. A ribbon cassette is moved to a printing position and, after a printing operation has been completed to another ribbon cassette. A guiding arrangement for positioning the ribbon cassettes in predetermined positions is adapted to be rotatably driven by a ribbon cassette motor and a plate for supplying the ribbon cassette and receiving the ribbon cassetts. The plate is joined to a take-up end portion of the ribbon cassette and the guiding arrangement is adapted to be moved in the forward and rearward direction for supplying the ribbon cassette and receiving the ribbon cassette by a transfer belt which can be moved by a cassette-moving motor.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer has a platen and a thermal head between which are pinched a transfer paper sheet and an ink film, so that the ink is transferred from the ink film to the transfer paper sheet as heat is applied to the transfer paper sheet by the thermal head. The film is supplied by a supply roll and is taken-up by a take-up roll. The thermal head is swingable between a position where it contracts the platen and a position away from the platen. When the thermal head is in the position away from the platen, the distance therebetween is greater than the maximum diameter of the supply roll. A film drum can hold a plurality of films each being constituted by the supply roll and the take-up roll. Swing arms are provided for demounting the supply roll of a selected film from the film drum and for bringing the same to a position away from the film drum, and also for returning the same from this position to the film drum.