Abstract: A system for dispensing customized articles may include a vending machine that includes an article holding area having one or more articles that each include a film on at least a portion of the article, an energy generating print device, a processor, and a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive an indication of a selected article, receive a selection of one or more content items to be printed on the selected article, and cause the energy generating print device to apply energy to the portion of the selected article having the film. Applying such energy may cause a visual representation of the selected content items to be displayed on the portion of the selected article.

Abstract: A depository system operates in response to data bearing records. Information regarding planned future deposits is recorded, at least one record visible appearance feature is stored or generated, and data corresponding to the at least one record appearance feature is stored in associated relation with deposit data. The at least one record appearance feature is made visible on a deposit item. The deposit item is subsequently presented to a depository that includes an image sensor. The image sensor operates to read the at least one record appearance feature. At least one controller in the depository causes a determination to be made that at least one record appearance feature corresponds to a pre-registered deposit and such determination enables the deposit item to be received in the depository.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head which ejects liquid from a nozzle that is disposed on a nozzle surface, a wiping member with a lengthwise shape that is able to contact the nozzle surface, a contact portion which is able to contact the opposite side from a side at which the wiping member contacts the nozzle surface, and a transport mechanism which transports the wiping member, in which the contact portion has a first contact portion which is separated from the wiping member when the wiping member is transported by the transport mechanism and which contacts the wiping member when the wiping member is caused to contact the nozzle surface, and a second contact portion which contacts the wiping member when the wiping member is transported by the transport mechanism.

Abstract: A thermal printing device for electronic voting apparatus including a casing with paper reservoir for receiving a paper roll, an openable external lid with a transparent window for observing of a printed part of the paper, a thermal printing unit with a driving rubber roller for the paper, a cutting device with two blades, a paper transport unit for transporting the paper, arranged below the transparent window, and a ballot discharge opening of the casing provided after the paper transport unit. The rubber roller and one of the blades of the cutting device are integral with part of the paper transport unit that is openable in order to give access to the paper reservoir.

Abstract: A printer for a gaming machine includes a frame having a rear portion rotatably supporting a roll of paper. A panel is fixed to a front portion of the frame. An opening extends from an inner face through an outer face of panel. A guide is fixed in the opening and made of light-transmitting material. The guide includes an extension extending from a surface thereof A portion of the extension of the guide is located beyond the inner face of the panel. A lighting device is fixed to the panel and includes a lighting unit electrically connected to a main board fixed to the frame. The lighting unit is capable of emitting light beams to an upper face of the guide to lighten the guide. A printer prints out information of a result of playing the gaming machine on the paper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of issuing a printed ticket coming from a thermal printer, which printer comprises in a structure, a print head and a capstan for driving the ticket, a ticket travel guide being provided in the structure downstream from the print members, the method consisting in: a) storing in a memory of the printer the data for printing on the ticket; b) causing the ticket to advance by a determined amount so as to enable the user to grasp the ticket manually at the end of the guide; c) within a determined length of time from the end of step b), detecting the user applying a traction force to the ticket; and d) in response to said detection, simultaneously causing printing to take place on the ticket and the ticket to be ejected towards the user.

Abstract: There is disclosed a linerless label web roll wherein the label web has a patterned coating of pressure sensitive adhesive on its underside between marginal side edges and at marginal side edges of the label web. The adhesive is provided in longitudinally extending laterally spaced stripes of adhesive with intervening adhesive-free zones. The label web can be supported and/or guided by support or guide elements which contact the adhesive-free zones in a suitable utilization device such as a printer or label applicator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating forms, especially betting slips or the like, comprising a reader with a transport device that forms a gap-type transport path for a betting slip. In the path of said transport path a reading head is disposed and is linked with a control and evaluation unit. In the projection of the at least one vertically aligned transport path a printer is disposed below the reading heat that is linked with the control and evaluation unit. Said printer comprises an abutment and a print head that can be adjusted between an abutment remote rest position and an abutment proximal operative position. Downstream of the abutment and below said abutment a sheet tray is provided.

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 ticket issuing system for facilitating processing and printing of citations. The ticket issuing system includes a housing being designed for being held in a hand of a user. An information assembly is positioned in the housing. The information assembly is designed for gathering information about a vehicle and the violation. A printing assembly designed for printing the citation to be issued to the motorist. The printing assembly is operationally coupled to the information assembly whereby the printing assembly gathers information from the information assembly to print the citation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing device for printing labels which have been removably affixed to a carrier strip, in particular goods labels, comprising at least one label feed device which comprises at least one wiper head, as well as comprising at least one printer with at least one print head for printing the label. Different label models can be printed in a continuous labelling process using only one printer, if at least one conveyor device is provided which conveys the labels, which have been peeled off at a wiper head, of which there is at least one, to the printer, of which there is at least one.

Abstract: A ticket roll detection arrangement using a photo-grid wheel for synchronous rotation with the ticket roll supply reel of a ticket vending machine, and a photo transmitter receiver assembly on two sides of the photo-grid wheel to detect the revolving speed of the photo-grid wheel upon delivery of the ticket roll out of the ticket vending machine and to measure the diameter of the rest ticket roll on the ticket roll supply reel subject to the detected revolving speed of the photo-grid wheel.

Abstract: A ticket dispensing mechanism (40) includes a drive (42) receiving sheet material (24) from a supply (22). The drive advances the sheet material. A printer (48) prints ticket information on the sheet material as it is advanced by the drive thereby to form a printed ticket. A retaining mechanism (64) receives the printed ticket advanced by the drive and holds the printed ticket in a manner such that the leading end of the next ticket printed contacts and ejects the held ticket prior to itself being held by the retaining mechanism.

Abstract: A ticket making apparatus includes a feed mechanism and a perforating assembly set within a housing that has an opening through which tickets are dispensed. The perforating assembly perforates a flexible material to define individual tickets. The apparatus can also include a slicer assembly to slice the flexible material into strips of tickets. The apparatus can also include a printing mechanism for adding print to the flexible material. A method for making tickets includes feeding a flexible material into a perforating assembly and dispensing the perforated material as a plurality of tickets. The method can also include synchronizing the flexible material to the rotation of the perforating assembly, slicing the flexible material into strips of tickets, and printing on the flexible material.

Abstract: In the ticket printer, a ticket tray is mounted next to the infeed adapter of the printer mechanism for feeding blank tickets into the printer mechanism. The ticket tray is releasably mounted in a pullout module by means of a three point attachment comprising a button clip and a button pin. In another aspect of the invention, a ticket presenter has overlapping upper and lower plates defining a ticket delivery gap there between. The delivery gap has a photo sensor mounted therein, a mating bulge and cavity pair, and spikes cooperating with the bulge and cavity pair for effectively separating tickets from a strip of fan-fold tickets. In yet another feature of the present invention there is provided a communication link between the MCU and the PLD of the ticket printer for programming the PLD through the MCU using a personal computer.

Abstract: A diverter is integrated into a printer apparatus having a feed mechanism for feeding the sheet from a supply location through a printer mechanism to a collection location, and a presenter mechanism for drawing the sheet from the collection location to a discharge location. The diverter is pivotably mounted between the printer mechanism and the collection location so that the diverter is movable by contact of the sheet with a first surface of the diverter. The diverter is gravity-biased to a neutral position in which a second surface is aligned to receive the sheet from the collection location and direct the sheet to the presenter mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the diverter includes a generally triangular-shaped body, with a pivot axis and a center of gravity offset from the pivot axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for randomly marking a game card comprises an array of marking means (46, 48) independently moveable within respective apertures (40) from a stowed position to a deployed position to mark a game card, a plurality of balls (62), the number of which is less than the number of marking means, each ball being capable of entering wholly a randomly selected one of the apertures, and means (64) for engaging each ball when located in its respective aperture to move its related marking means from the stowed position to the deployed position.

Abstract: A device that mechanically separates continuous edge tied automated ticket and boarding pass (ATB) coupons (22) by pulling the coupon to coupon perforations past a stationary tapered edge (50). The existing coupon transport drive provides the energy for coupon separation. Compared to existing methods, this design is low cost, quiet, and forgiving of coupon perforation registration.

Abstract: A self service financial print terminal (10) has a keypad (14) to input instructions; a card reader (44) to read a data-bearing user card; and a printer (20) to print a financial document such as a cheque in accordance with instructions. A correctly-printed cheque is driven by pairs of rollers (22,24) to a delivery slot (18). An incorrectly-printed cheque is diverted by divert mechanism (30) to pass between a pair of print rollers (34) which print a stripe on the cheque in indelible security ink. The marked cheque can then be retained in a non-secure part of the terminal (36).

Abstract: An on-demand narrow web electrophotographic printer and method of printing forms a latent image and a narrow web paper feeding mechanism feeds paper from a roll for closely spaced printouts of tickets or labels, such as adhesive-backed labels, for bar codes, receipts of arbitrary length, or lottery tickets. An endless rotary latent image carrier mechanism and cutter blade are synchronized with a paper infeed mechanism, a fixing unit, and an outfeed to feed, print and cut the paper printout at a controlled length and with no paper wastage. In different embodiments, a length of paper is either accumulated in advance or drawn back to a position ahead of the drum to allow on-demand operation without sacrificing printing efficiency.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved.The printer's control system includes a printer electronics board and one or more single-slot PC/AT (ISA bus) microcomputers that are plugged into respective slots of a mother board.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on a ticket. The printer also includes a printing station located after the magnetic read/write head. A plurality of separate storage bins are provided for storing different ticket blanks; each bin has its own feed device. The ticket blanks are prefed from the storage bins along separate guide paths to separate staging areas prior to these paths joining to form a common path. The magnetic read/write head and the printer are located along this common path.

Abstract: A system enables multimedia messages, such as audio messages, to accompany print jobs sent from a remote workstation to a central printer. Each print job includes the data to be printed, job ticket data, and multimedia data. The job ticket data is maintained on a queue, and when the job is ready to be printed, the multimedia data is activated.

Abstract: A ticket releasing apparatus comprising two spaced lateral boards, an upper and a lower guiding plates inclinedly disposed between the lateral boards, a roller and a driving pulley respectively disposed at recessed front ends of the guiding plates and frictionally engaged with each other, and a motor disposed under the driving pulley. The tickets are fed through a space between the guiding plates toward the roller and driving pulley. The motor drives a gear set to drive two driven gears and a brake ratchet which via a transmission sleeve makes the driving pulley rotate and frictionally drive the roller to rotate in a reverse direction so as to send out the ticket between the two guiding plates. By means of the engagement between the brake ratchet and the driven ratchet, a linkage connected with the driven ratchet is able to make a stopper plate disposed above the roller prevent the roller from rotating and thus prevent the ticket from being pulled outside by an unauthorized person.

Abstract: A device for preparing and issuing tickets, especially travel tickets. The preparing means comprise a flywheel cooperating with a belt to feed a cut ticket in front of a magnetic writing head and a magnetic reading head and a printing roller. Outside the region of entrainment of the tickets by the flywheel, the tickets move in channels formed by the plates.

Abstract: The invention provides a ticket issuing device including ticket roll stock support means, a path for ticket stock to move from the roll past a guillotine station, a magnetic ticket encoder station, a ticket printer station, and computer-controlled ticket processing electronic circuitry, is characterised in that the guillotine, encoder and printer stations comprise separate modules composed of construction elements mounted on base plate members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing traffic citations or the like. An impact printer is supplied which prints with a print head onto an approximately 3.25" wide paper strips and senses the movement of the paper through the printer. A plate is provided to guide paper over the print head. The sensors are removed from the printer. The plate is widened with by attaching material along the plates side to accommodate 4.5" paper. The material is shaped to prevent the paper from squirreling.

Abstract: A ticket dispenser capable of effectively preventing additionally withdrawing thereout a ticket is provided.

Abstract: A microprocessor controller thermal printer particularly usable in a hand-held labeler for printing labels on a composite web detects indices on the web and automatically adjusts the distance that the web is advanced based on a measurement of the distance between indices made during a paper loading sequence. The printer includes automatic jam detection that measures the length of time that one of the indices is being detected and provides a jam indication if it is detected for more than a predetermined time period. A solenoid operated braking mechanism retains the web in position upon completion of a printing cycle to prevent the web from being moved relative to the print head while the label is being applied.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled thermal printer particularly usable in a hand-held labeler for printing labels on a composite web detects indices on the web and utilizes the detected indices to position the labels relative to the print head. The printer utilizes an improved index detection system that compensates for variations in index size and density and for variations in sensor sensitivity by detecting both the leading and trailing edges of an index and utilizing the distance between the detected leading and trailing edges to determine the length of the index. By dividing the length thus determined by two, and by advancing the web by this amount after the detection of the leading edge of an index, the center of the index can be accurately located, and the web can be accurately registered at any desired position relative to the center of the index.

Abstract: An apparatus of the type for the supply of webs to a processing station is described, in which by means of a controllable drive mechanism, each of several webs is advanced to the processing station in superimposed guide channels. The front portion of the web, following processing, is cut from the web and the front end of the web, following separation, is retracted out of the processing station. For this purpose, the controllable drive mechanism can be selectively engaged with one web in the vicinity of the guide channel of the web for the complete forward and return transport of the web before and after a processing operation. The drive mechanism preferably has reversibly drivable rollers. For producing an engagement between a web and a drive roller the guide channels are preferably pivotable with respect to the rollers. The processing station is generally a printing means, in which, for example tickets of differing color are to be printed.

Abstract: A label printer includes a thermal printer section and a keyboard. The label printer further includes an I/O port to which a memory card storing information of label issuing condition including a preset number of printing formats is electrically connected, and a printing control circuit including a CPU, ROM, RAM and printer controller and for selectively reading out printing format data from the memory card when it is detected that the memory card is connected to the I/O port, setting a printing format corresponding to the readout printing format data, and driving the thermal printer section to print printing data supplied from the keyboard according to the set printing format.

Abstract: This invention relates to a time clock device, which contains a hinged time card shelf, which is adapted to be pressed down by the user of the time clock when he inserts his time card into the time clock. Upon pressing down on the time card and time card shelf, which the operator can do with one hand, the time, date, and other desired information, is printed onto the time card by a thermal printer which is actuated by a switch activated by the movement of the time card shelf to its lower or pushed down position.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a ticket issuing machine system including a keyboard 6 to enter into the machine details of a ticket to be issued a printer 1 to print out ticket information on the ticket depending upon the data entered into the keyboard and means 8 for storing information about the tickets issued by the machine and which includes a store circuit board module 12 capable of storing data about the tickets issued and which is readily capable of being inserted into and removed from the ticket issuing machine to have the details of the tickets issued transferred to an exterior store. The machine includes optical emitting means 17, 20 and optical responsive means 8, 19 to enable signals to be passed.

Abstract: This theater ticket issuing machine uses a single print head to print on any selected one of three differently-colored ticket stocks. Guides establish three separate ticket stock paths, one for each color of ticket stock. These three paths converge into a common path where printing takes place. Each path has its own feed rollers driven by reversible stepping motors under microprocessor control. A cutter is located beyond the print head in the normal direction of ticket stock movement. After cutting, ticket stock is withdrawn by reverse operation of the appropriate feed rollers to clear the common path, at least where a different ticket stock is to be fed in the next issuing operation. The microprocessor can be made to eliminate the clearing step when the color of the next ticket to issue is the same as that of the last ticket issued.

Abstract: The invention provides a printer apparatus which comprises a pair of doors mounted for opening and closing movement on opposite sides of a body case in the form of a housing, a printer located inside each of the doors for receiving elongated continuous print paper therein in such a manner as to allow the print paper toward the door and for printing on the thus received print paper, and a pair of issuing openings located on opposite side portions of a front wall of the body case for issuing therefrom the print paper after printing by the printers. Thus, two different types of print paper can be set in position in and printed by the two printers, which reduces the necessity of frequent label exchanging operations. Besides, an operation for exchanging print paper for each of the printers can be performed readily by opening the door for the printer.

Abstract: A desk-top and/or hand held thermal printer comprises a main unit having a guide path therein for a moving continuous label strip which includes a backing sheet and discrete labels detachably attached to the backing sheet. The printer has a flat bottom surface for resting on a flat surface; a retaining means for supporting a roll of backing sheet and labels and guiding the labels through a thermal printing device where a bar code or the like is thermally printed on the thermosensitive labels; a label peeling means for peeling the labels from the backing sheet; a label affixing means for affixing the peeled-off labels on objects; a data input means for example a keyboard or a computer input terminal; a data display means; and a controller for controlling the entire printer.

Abstract: Automatic printing apparatus wherein a single turnaround item-document is utilized as an initial source of intelligible information-data and thereafter by comparing certain of the data on the document with additional data inputted thereto by means of operably associated external hardware and subsequently summarizing the total data on the item effective to provide a final document including both the initially inputted information-data as well as the data resulting from the comparison and summarization.

Abstract: A portable thermal label printer is provided with a data input, data memory for storing label information data, a program memory, and an input/output port for data communication with external devices.

Abstract: The electronic postage meter includes a microcomputer controlled thermal head opposite a scavenging roller and suitable means of cleaning the scavenging roller. A cassette containing a thermal transfer tape coated on one side with a thermal sensitive ink is received within a cartridge slot in the postage meter. The thermal tape is threaded within the cartridge to journal from a feed reel beyond a guide roller, between a thermal head and scavenging roller, to a transfer roller and be received by a take-up reel, the scavenging roller and thermal head being constituent of the postage meter. The mailing machine includes a back-up roller bias peripherally opposite the transfer roller. An image is traced on the thermal tape by the thermal head in response to a microcomputer constituent to the postage meter.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided wherein data inputted from a data reader, such as a pen scanner, is compared with previously stored data. In the event that a match occurs, the printer prints predetermined information such as a sorting code on a thermal print medium. The thermal printer has a data input, data memory, program memory and an I/O port for communication with external devices. A controller controls the various components and directs the printer to print when the match occurs. Should a match not occur, the non-matching data is stored in data memory. The print medium such as a label or the like, may then be affixed to the same article or merchandise from which the data reader initially read the data.

Abstract: A portable label printer comprising a label printer unit and an electrically and mechanically detachable data terminal unit is disclosed. When mated, the data terminal unit and the label printer unit are angularly adjustable with respect to each other. The printer unit has an interface for communication with external devices.

Abstract: A thermal label printer is provided with a label feeding mechanism which is adapted to operate either in a first mode in which the printer supplies peeled labels or in a second mode in which the printed labels are delivered while still adhered to their backing sheet. The labels are delivered out of the printer on a conveyor belt which extends to a label peeling member in the printer. The conveyor belt is tiltable in a manner which is effective to create a larger clearance between the conveyor belt and the peeling member to facilitate loading of the backing sheet prior to beginning printing operations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a unit type thermal label printer capable of receiving and transmitting data. The unit type thermal label printer is comprised of detachable components consisting of a label printer unit, a data terminal unit, an applicator unit, and a handle unit. These units can be partially or completely connected and disconnected as desired thereby enabling the device to be configured according to the particular needs of the user and the situation.

Abstract: A portable thermal label printer employing an optical reader such as a pen or touch scanner for data input is disclosed. The operator needs only to hold the scanner, while the remaining components are held around the operator's waist or the like. The operator can therefore use both hands to handle articles of freight, and enables freight to be handled and labels to be printed easily and efficiently. Further, the arrangement of the thermal label roll with respect to the thermal print head enables the overall unit to be made light and compact.

Abstract: The processor has a "U"-shaped transport path with input and output slots in closely situated parallel planes. An overrunning clutch forms part of the transport drive between the reader and the printer to shorten the transport path by permitting the leading edge of the ticket to enter the printer while the ticket is being read by the higher speed reader. The processor can be either horizontally or vertically oriented. When vertically oriented, the input and output slots can be situated on opposite sides of a glass partition to permit customer insertion of a pre-marked ticket.

Abstract: A portable label maker adapted for in-field use by electricians and the like the apparatus is self contained and permits printing, in standard wire label format, of single wiring labels. The apparatus also allows the printing of multiple copies of a single label, and the printing of sequences of labels. The label to be printed or first member of a sequence, is entered through a keyboard to be displayed on a display and stored in a memory. Subsequent commands entered through the keyboard control the printing operation including the specifications of the last member of a sequence. The printer and display may be of the dot-matrix type.

Abstract: A postage meter which includes a thermal print head for printing indicia, postal value, and the like is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, thermal elements in the thermal print head are electronically pulsed in appropriate serially timed patterns to provide a complete thermally transferred image on a strip moving past the thermal head. The meter tape is cut prior to the strips moving past the thermal head.

Abstract: A continuous tag printing apparatus is disclosed wherein a strip of tags is not wasted, and cut tags are easily aligned. The continuous tag printing apparatus has a feed mechanism for feeding the strip, a printing mechanism for printing desired information on the strip, and a mark applying mechanism for applying a mark on a side surface of a portion of the strip, which portion corresponds to a partition tag which indicates a change in printing contents.

Abstract: Printing control apparatus includes structure for selectively preventing the operation of a thermal head comprising part of a label printer for thermosensitive labels. The thermal head can be moved away from and into contact with a label to limit its operational printing period. Alternately, thermal elements comprising a portion of the thermal head can be deactivated when a label detector fails to detect the presence of a label at a predetermined position, when the contact between the thermal head and a label is inadequate, or when the transportation or feeding of the label over a predetermined path within the printer is abnormal.