Abstract: The present invention provides effective utilization of an item indicator by storing messages to be indicated by the item indicator in a memory and indicating the messages stored in the memory on the item indicator when data from a balancing section become zero and this condition continues for a fixed time.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes N heating elements arranged in a line, and prints data on a label by each line by selectively supplying a current to these heating elements in accordance with printing data. The printing apparatus has a first memory for storing a plurality of line printing data constituting printing information including special information, a second memory for storing a plurality of line printing data constituting ordinary printing information, and a control unit which generates drive data corresponding to a logical sum of the one line printing data from the first memory and that from the second memory so as to cause the heating elements to be selectively energized during a first printing period of each line printing cycle. Drive data corresponding to the one line printing data from the first memory is generated so as to cause the heating elements to be selectively energized during a second printing period of each line printing cycle.

Abstract: The present invention is equipped with a plurality of print buffers for inputting print data into a thermal head, wherein such print data are selectively fed to simply change the current on-time for energizing the heating elements of the thermal head relative to specific information out of the entire information to be printed, so that the specific information is printed emphatically in a particular color to become conspicuous, and simultaneously the contour of each specific character is edged in a basic color to be distinctly legible. Such edged print is attained by utilizing the gradient of the temperature distribution induced in the heating elements by the current on-time control system, hence eliminating the necessity of any edging print data to consequently simplify the control.

Abstract: In a label feed control system, a label separated from the base ribbon is fed for a predetermined amount after the front edge thereof has been detected, so that the label can be positioned accurately irrespective of the light transmissivity of the base ribbon and labels.

Abstract: In the present invention, a two-color printing operation is performed on a label with dichromatic color-forming temperature characteristic by controlling the current on-time to energize heating elements of a thermal head and thereby emphasizing specific information printed in a different particular color, wherein each horizontal line segment of the character pattern of such specific information transverse to the label feed direction is set to be thick in width, so that the horizontal line segment is subjected to a sufficient amount of thermal energy that covers several print lines and brings out the desired particular color, hence achieving emphatic print in the different particular color with certainty.

Abstract: The present invention is equipped with a plurality of print buffers for inputting print data into a thermal head, wherein such print data are selectively fed to simply change the current on-time for energizing the heating elements of the thermal head relative to specific information out of the entire information to be printed, thereby partially altering the color-forming degree on the recording paper to definitely distinguish the emphatic label portion from any other portion, and the current on-time for energizing the heating elements is shortened for any print line having none of the particular-color print data, hence reducing the required print time.

Abstract: A label issuing apparatus which feeds labels adhered in a line on a base carrier paper, is arranged to stop the feed of the labels at a first printing position and to print thereat on each label, and then to feed the labels so that printed labels issue from a label issuing outlet. The label issuing apparatus is comprised of a keyboard including a RAM having first and second memory areas, a set key, an execution key and ten numerical entry keys. The keyboard stores first and second feed distance data into the first and second memory areas when the keys are operated, and a feed control unit feeds the label carrier paper through a distance corresponding to the first feed distance data when a leading edge of a printed label is detected. The feed control unit sets and prints the label at the first printing position, and then feeds the carrier paper through a distance corresponding to the second distance data to define a second printing position.

Abstract: A thermal-printing device prints by selectively supplying a current to a plurality of heat generating elements in accordance with printing data. In a check mode, the thermal-printing device sequentially supplies a check current to the heat generating elements through a light-emitting diode and a current-limiting resistor.

Abstract: A label feed control system for separating labels sequentially from the base ribbon. The base ribbon is transported for a certain length after the front edge of each label has been detected. The feed amount of the label after its front edge has been detected is substantially constant even if the front edge detector is interfered by a finger or the like and a label detection signal is erroneously generated.