Abstract: A data transfer unit is provided which reliably receives the expedited command when the expedited command has arrived, and changes over the reception to receiving a general purpose command when no expedited command is arriving. The data transfer unit contains a data module having at least a command module, and first and second interfaces and first and second host control units. An expedited command output at an indefinite period from the first host control unit is fed to the data module through the first interface. The first interface is turned off and the second interface is turned on at all times when a general purpose command output at a predetermined period from the second host control unit is fed to the command module through the second interface. The first interface is turned on and the second interface is turned off by interface change-over signals of an active level fed to the data module just before the first host control unit produces the expedited command.

Abstract: A data transfer unit is provided which reliably receives the expedited command when the expedited command has arrived, and changes over the reception to receiving a general purpose command when no expedited command is arriving.

Abstract: The invention intends to obtain a good printed result without creating displacement of printing positions when printing is performed on a piece of printed paper with different contact pressures of the thermal head to the platen. To achieve the object, the thermal transfer printer of the invention comprises control means that make it possible to select a contact pressure of the thermal head to the platen in correspondence with a printing mode, and controls a printing setting position in accordance with the printing mode selected, whereby it becomes possible to correct the drifts of printing positions due to the difference of contact pressures of the thermal head to the platen, and acquire an excellent printed result without having the drifts of printing positions.

Abstract: A printer including, from an upstream side to a downstream side in a sheet feeding direction, a sheet feed mechanism, a carriage, a curl straightening device, and a sheet discharge mechanism. A curl straightening head of the curl straightening device is resilient. The carriage and the curl straightening device are driven by a same drive source. The printer is a cheap printer which can allow reliable straightening of curled recorded sheet, even when sheets of different thicknesses are used, and which can reliably discharge the sheet out the printer.

Abstract: A cassette transfer mechanism for a thermal transfer printer with a cassette platform and a cassette holder for holding a plurality of ribbon cassettes. The cassette transfer mechanism transfers a ribbon cassette between the cassette platform and the cassette holder by driving the platform and holder to come into and out of contact with each other. The cassette holder and the cassette platform each have movable members and stationary members for engaging a ribbon cassette. A further embodiment includes elastic members on the cassette holder for abutting the reels of the ribbon cassette to elastically bias the reels in one direction.