Abstract: A continuous tone thermal printing apparatus of the type having a printing station and a receiver drive station. The drive station repeatedly advances receiver back and forth through the printing station in conjunction with the advance of successive thermal transfer donor dye colors on a carrier web through the printing station to successively print the overlying different color image separations. The drive station preferably comprises a motor driven capstan roller mounted to bear against one surface of the receiver and a pinch roller mounted to bear and exert pressure against the other surface of the receiver and to press the receiver against the capstan roller and define a nip therebetween.

Abstract: A chart recorder (10) is disclosed having an automatic paper loading system, an automatic tensioning system and an "odometer" system for determining the amount of paper moved through the chart recorder. The chart recorder (10) includes a print roller (34) and a feed roller (22), both in frictional contact with the paper in the recorder and both connected to and rotated by a motor. The feed roller (22) is connected to the motor through a one way clutch that allows the feed roller (22) to "free wheel" when the feed roller (22) is rotated at a faster rate, due to frictional contact with the paper, than the roller would be rotated by the motor (56). Dissipative forces in the one way clutch (68) and bearings (24) of the feed roller (22) cause it to resist being rotated which imparts tension to the paper and draws it into contact with a paper guide (14).

Abstract: In a printing device such as a laser beam printer utilizing a continuous-form recording sheet, provided are feeding member for feeding the continuous-from recording sheet along a predetermined feeding path; forming member for forming the image on the continuous-form recording sheet having been fed by by the feeding member; detecting member for detecting a boundary on the continuous-form recording sheet fed by the feeding member between segments on which the image forming operation by the forming member has been executed and segments on which the image forming member is not executed; cutting member for cutting the continuous-form recording sheet is divided into two portions along the predetermined feeding path.

Abstract: There is disclosed a thermal transfer printer utilizing a one time ink sheet or a multi-print ink sheet. In order to avoid sticking of the ink sheet and the recording sheet, for example where there is an interruption in facsimile transmission or when a recording interval exceeds a predetermined time, the thermal head is energized to maintain a high temperature state and then the recording paper is transported by a predetermined amount, thereby separating the ink sheet and the recording paper.

Abstract: Shock or impact forces applied to a paper sheet when the paper sheet is rolled up in a paper-moving type plotter are relieved thereby preventing the paper sheet from being torn or from being displaced from between a pinch roller and a drive roller. While a part of the rolled paper sheet 15 hanging down at a side of the rolling scroll 2, is rolled up due to the rotation of the rolling scroll 2, a load of the drive roller 11 gripping the paper sheet 15 on the platen 1 is monitored by an output of the encoder 20. When a load is applied to the drive roller 11 and rotation of the rolling motor 4 driving the rolling scroll 2 is paused, a part of the rolled paper sheet 15, which part substantially corresponds to the rotation volume due to inertia of the rolling scroll 2, is fed to a side of the rolling scroll 2 by a rotation of the drive roller 11. As a result, no shock or impact is applied to the rolled paper sheet 15 when the rolled paper sheet is wound on the rolling scroll 2.

Abstract: A sheet conveyor apparatus is provided with a first rotator for supplying the feeding force to a sheet in contact with the sheet, a second rotator for supplying the feeding force to the sheet in contact with the sheet and from the opposite side of the sheet, a drive rotator rotatable by the drive force from a drive source, and a drive transmission for transmitting the drive force of the drive rotator to the second rotator so as to rotate the second rotator at a peripheral velocity higher than that of the first rotator. While the sheet is being conveyed, the drive transmission allows a slip as it transmits the drive force so that the second rotator can rotate at a peripheral velocity in conformance with that of the sheet.

Abstract: An image copying apparatus for copying an original by scanning a print head having a predetermined head print width a plurality of times in a main scanning direction and displacing an object to be recorded in a subscanning direction, thereby forming an image of the original on the object, includes circuitry for calculating a print width formed at a last line, and for displacing the calculated printed width before the last line and for reducing a suction area of the object on a platen at the time of printing of the last line. The copying apparatus includes a continuous rolled sheet supply and cutter and a stacked pre-cut sheet supply, both sheet supplies have a conveyor for feeding the respective sheet to a recording area. Recording is performed on the inside surface of the rolled sheet and on the lower surface of the cut sheet to avoid the problem of dust collecting on the opposing surfaces.

Abstract: A recording apparatus using a recording head driven in accordance with print information includes a feeder for feeding a recording material; a discriminator for discriminating presence or absence of next printing information before completion of discharging of a current printed recording material; and a controller for controlling the feeder to start feeding of the next recording material prior to completion of the discharging of the current recording material, when the discriminator discriminates the presence of the next printing information.

Abstract: A continuous tone themal printing apparatus of the type having a printing station and a receiver paper drive station. The drive station repeatedly advances receiver paper back and forth through the printing station in conjunction with the advance of successive thermal transfer donor dye colors on a carrier web through the printing station to successively print the different color separations. The platen drum in the printing station is coupled to a platen drag force mechanism for imparting reverse torque to the torque imparted by the drive station to impart a degree of tension to the receiver paper as it passes through the printing station that exceeds stick/slip variations in movement of the receiver paper therethrough by the sublimation of the dyes from the donor dye carrier web to the receiver paper in the creation of the image thereon. The platen drag force may be effected by overdriving a motor or generator or drag brake coupled to the platen drum.

Abstract: In a multiple-time recorder in which different colored recordings are superimposed on a single sheet to draw a multi-colored drawing, the reference position of the recording paper must remain at a same point for each-time drawing of a single color. At an initialization, a physical property of the recording paper is measured as a function of the paper position including the reference position, and this function is stored in a reference data memory. Before the commencement of the next and subsequent recordings, the same physical property is measured and stored in a compared data memory. From the cross correlation of the contents of the compared data memory and those of the reference data memory, the reference position for the next and subsequent recordings is precisely determined.

Abstract: An image printing method and system. Information of printing paper size, image size to be printed and printing position is inputted by user. On the basis of the information, a control circuit determines the number of data to be printed in the primary scanning direction as well as the number of data for blanks at both sides and additionally determines the number of lines for printing in the secondary scanning direction as well as line numbers for processing and succeeding blanks. In the primary scanning, the data to be printed is supplied to a thermal head together with the data for the blanks. In the secondary scanning, a printing sheet is transported idly for the blank portions. The thermal head is electrically energized in the printing portion for printing the image at a predetermined position on the printing paper.

Abstract: A printer in which a rolled recording paper is housed in a recording paper cassette formed integrally with a printer proper and openably with respect thereto, and one of a thermal recording head or a platen roller is disposed at an openable free end of the cassette with the other disposed in the printer proper, whereby printing onto the recording paper is effected by conducting electrical current to the recording head while the recording paper being clamped by the recording head and platen roller.

Abstract: A thermal printer comprises a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements arranged in line in the horizontal direction, a printing data processing circuit responsive to input video signal for energizing the heating elements of the thermal head in accordance with density information of each pixel, a driving device for moving a print paper relative to the thermal head continuously in the vertical direction, a pitch setting circuit for setting a vertical print pitch according to the number of effective horizontal print lines, effective width of the thermal head in the horizontal direction and aspect ratio of a printed image, and a speed control circuit coupled to the driving device for changing a moving speed of the print paper according to the vertical print pitch, wherein an energizing time to the heating elements is fixed independent of the vertical print pitch, and the moving speed of the print paper and an interval between first printing data and second printing data are controlled in order to make

Abstract: A paper feeding device, having a capability of feeding a tip end of a recording paper to between a recording head and a platen roller, includes a detachable paper storage cartridge to be mounted to or de-mounted from the recording device itself and storing the recording paper, a unit for releasing the recording head out of the pressing state against the platen roller, and a unit for feeding the recording paper included in the detachable paper storage cartridge. The device further comprises a unit for sensing that the detachable paper storage cartridge is mounted to the recording device itself. The recording paper is fed automatically between the recording head and the platen roller by means of the releasing means and the feeding means in response to an output signal from the sensing means when the detachable paper storage cartridge is mounted.

Abstract: A xerographic apparatus for a label printer which receives a continuous label strip on which printing occurs. The apparatus has a photosensitive drum, a toner fixing section including rollers, a label strip conveyor located between the photosensitive drum and the toner fixing section, a detector for detecting slack in the continuous label strip positioned between the label strip conveyor and the toner fixing section, and a controller responsive to the output of the detector for controlling the speed or the clamping force of the toner fixing section rollers in order to increase the conveyance speed of the continuous label strip at the toner fixing section when the slack detector detects the presence of slack.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus for image recording on a recording medium by transfer of ink from an ink sheet is taught. This apparatus includes recording means for transferring ink from the ink sheet onto a recording medium to record, a rotary member capable of rotation for transporting the recording medium, and transporting means for transporting the ink sheet with a relative speed with respect to the recording medium, wherein the frictional force between the recording medium and the rotary member is made larger than the shearing force in the ink in the ink sheet during the recording operation.

Abstract: A scanning thermal dye printer has a plurality of linear scanning arrays positioned to sequentially scan selective color information from a source image and produce a color plane using the selective color information, and a plurality of thermal dye transfer stations, each thermal dye transfer station being responsive to information from a selected one of the linear scanning arrays. The printer includes means for advancing the source image between successive linear scanning arrays, and means for advancing a dye receiving member between successive dye transfer stations. There is at least one roller having a circumference and being disposed between adjacent dye transfer stations in guiding contact with the dye receiving member, and means for changing the position of the roller and adjusting the position of one color plane relative to another color plane.

Abstract: A recorder is disclosed for producing a continuous data record and comprises a case, a strip chart which is wound from a chart storage compartment onto a spring-driven take-up spool, and a speed-reducing governor comprising a gear train which is operatively connected to a hub and spoke assembly immersed in small spheres or balls, preferably of environmentally impervious material such as glass. The sphere-immersed paddle wheel approximates the drag of viscous fluid systems, with advantages which include independence of drag characteristics from temperature variation, simplicity, and easy speed adjustment, that is, the size of the spheres can be used to change the speed of the recorder.

Abstract: A graphics printer including a device for ensuring contact between a print medium and a guiding platform at the printing zone of the graphics printer, including a suction chamber, a suction means for creating a partial vacuum in the suction chamber located beneath the guiding platform and a plurality of orifices formed across the width of the platform communicating with the suction chamber, the print medium being guided over the platform covering a variable portion of the width of the platform as a function of the format of the print medium, the suction chamber being provided with one or more partitions separating the chamber width-wise into compartments while leaving a limited air passage section between the adjacent compartments.

Abstract: A line-type thermal printing apparatus includes a thermal head for recording on a sheet whose thickness is even in the feeding direction thereof and uneven in the print line direction. The apparatus also includes a platen having a platen body portion that rotates integrally with a platen shaft and that feeds the sheet by pinching a part of the sheet between the thermal head and the platen body portion, and separate platen portion that face other parts of the sheet which have thicknesses different from that of the part of the sheet pinched between the thermal head and the platen body portion. The separate platen portions have center holes that are dimensioned to loosely fit the platen shaft. Urging mechanisms are provided for urging the separate platen portions so as to press the other parts of the sheet against the thermal head. For example, a part of a sheet is located opposite to the platen body portion and the other parts of the sheet are located opposite to the separate platen portions.

Abstract: A printing machine includes a print head and a set of sensors adapted to accurately determine the relative position between the print head and a receiver (print media) onto which an image is to be formed. Any dislocation of the receiver from a predetermined nominal position is translated by a data conditioner into correction signals. These correction signals are integrated with nominal incoming image data directed to the print head. The print head then prints an image that compensates for positional variation of the receiver so that a resultant image is properly aligned with the receiver.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus of the type having a facsimile body and a paper having separately, including a double-decker structure of an original document transporting system for transporting an original document to read out original information therein to be transmitted and a paper feeding system for feeding paper to record transmitted information thereonto.

Abstract: A plotter wherein, while a sheet is being moved on a recording surface, figures, characters etc. are automatically depicted on the surface of the sheet, or the contours of figures, characters etc. are automatically cut in the surface of the sheet. In the plotter, both the side edges of the sheet are respectively held between drive rollers and corresponding pinch rollers mounted at both the sideward parts of the recording surface in opposition to each other, and the drive rollers at both the sideward parts of the recording surface are rotated synchronously to each other, whereby the sheet is moved in the rotating direction of the drive rollers on the recording surface. Each of the drive rollers is formed at its peripheral surface with milling or ruggedness for preventing the sheet from slipping.

Abstract: Image recording apparatus characterized by being equipped with the carriers to carry the recording sheet on which recording is made, recording heads, container to accommodate the recording heads, carrier guides which are so arranged as to place the carriers in between such carrier guides and the recording heads wherein rollers are provided to the carrier guides at the point where the carrier enters and leaves.

Abstract: A system and method for directly feeding unstacked paper sheets into a printing device having a moving image conducting element with a plurality of images placed thereon for transfer to the paper and having a wait station for controlling the timing of paper transfer to the image conducting element. A continuous stream of paper sheets is directed to a printing device wait station. The rate of the movement of the paper sheets into the wait station is controlled to present each paper sheet at a predetermined rate relative to the operating speed of the image conducting element. The spacing of the leading edge of each paper sheet, as it is presented to the wait station, is made relative to the linear spacing between consecutive images on the image conducting element.

Abstract: A color thermal printer in which the positioning of the paper in the vicinity of the transfer section is precisely controlled while the paper is being transported and printed. Thus good registration of the various colors used is ensured and the printable area of the paper is enabled to be extended. At the same time, the strain on the thermal print head is minimized by using only the amount of contact pressure required to perform the printing.

Abstract: A printer uses a rotating platen to transport a sheet of receiver (print media) across a programmable print head. The receiver is held to the platen with a positive receiver-locking clamp at the beginning of a print cycle. The clamp is released prior to the completion of formation of an image on the receiver so that the receiver can be quickly removed from the platen. This reduces the print cycle time of the printer. The clamp is configured and operated such that the speed of the moving receiver is not changed when the clamp is released. The clamp configuration and operation thereof permit the printing of high-resolution images without any discernible image distortions being caused by the release of the clamp during image formation.

Abstract: The method of winding paper onto a take-up roller of an automatic drafting machine, according to the present invention, involves the avoidance of winding the paper after each and every drafting operation. Rather, the method contemplates that, after each drafting operation, it will be determined whether the amount of paper, which has been driven forwardly after being utilized in a drafting operation and which has not yet been wound onto the take-up roller, is greater than a predetermined limiting value. If it is not, then no winding operation takes place. If, however, it is greater than the limiting value, a length of the paper equal to the length forwarded since the last winding operation is wound upon the take-up roller. After each such winding operation, the sequence of the method is repeated.

Abstract: A tape supply including a replaceable tape supply cartridge for a portable, hand held thermal printing or transfer device having a receiving pocket, a supply of tape, a tape pathway aligned with the printhead and the mechanism for sensing relative movement between the device and the substrate and a structure to facilitate manual advancement of tape by pulling the tape past the printhead. The invention also relates to a thermal device having a self contained tape supply cartridge wherein the tape is advanced by manually pulling the tape past the printhead.

Abstract: A facsimile machine and paper cartridge system wherein the facsimile machine is convertible by accepting disposable cartridges having either plain paper or paper coated with a thermal transfer coating, either cartridge having a paper flow path which reverses the natural curl of the paper to provide generally flat facsimile printouts. Each type of cartridge may also be provided with a wiping surface for cleaning the facsimile machine print head upon the insertion and removal of the cartridge from the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing with a laser printer a fresh strip of paper from a large supply roll of paper. The apparatus utilizes a tensioning unit to compensate for lateral travel of paper strip dispensed from the supply roll, to remove paper dust from the paper strip, and to maintain a moderate tension on the paper strip to facilitate processing of the strip.

Abstract: An encoder roll in which a rotatably mounted tube is adapted to be driven by a moving web. A layer of resilient material having a relatively high coefficient of friction is coated on one side marginal portion of the tube. The layer of resilient material is in engagement with the moving web so that movement of the web rotates the tube.

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: A thermal paper cartridge for a facsimile machine, the cartridge including an internal supply of thermal paper, a facsimile machine print head cleaning surface, and an internal paper flow path which reverses the natural curl of the paper to provide generally flat facsimile printouts.

Abstract: A plain paper cartridge for a facsimile machine, the cartridge having an internal supply of plain paper and thermal transfer ribbon, a wiping surface for cleaning the facsimile machine print head upon the insertion and removal of the cartridge from the machine, and an internal paper flow path which reverses the natural curl of the paper to provide generally flat facsimile printouts.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for scanning a photographic film or the like with a laser beam. The apparatus includes a roll source or cassette of film to be supplied and used and a take-up cassette to receive the exposed film in the form of a roll. Between the source of the film and the take-up cassette there is provided an arrangement consisting of one or two knurled segments or rollers which peripherally engage the film along the lateral edges thereof in order to transport the film past a laser beam generator and scanner adjacent which the knurled roller or rollers are positioned in order to draw the film at a closely controlled rate past a slot through which the laser beam exits in order to photographically process the film. Between the knurled roller or rollers and the take-up cassette are provided exit rollers which engage the film at a slightly faster speed than the speed at which the film is travelling. The exit rollers are arranged to engage the film with a force of about 21/2-4 pounds.

Abstract: A recording apparatus in which a heat-sensitive sheet wound in the form of a roll is drawn out for a printing operation is improved in performance in various manners, for instance, by controlling the loading and forwarding of the heat-sensitive sheet, or by controlling the printing means such as thermal printers, or by improving sheet conveying means such as conveying rollers.Specific features include a two sheet entry path into the recording apparatus, one for accommodating a single sheet and one for accommodating a roll of sheet material. Further, the printing units are arranged in a staggered manner in a transverse direction relative to the delivery direction of the recording material, and each of the printing units has a predetermined main scanning length. In addition, any wandering or meandering of the sheet material can be detected accurately by detecting an angle of a roller arm in contact with the upper surface of the sheet material.

Abstract: A paper advance control for a progressive X,Y plotter with unidirectional paper movement senses the actual advancement of the paper and controls the drive to a take-up roll in such a way as to keep the speed of advancement constant over the major portion of its advancement. It also through the same sensor keeps informed of its actual paper position and stops the paper with accurate positioning at the end of an advancement, its stopping procedure including a pre-stop slow down of the paper speed.

Abstract: A color electrostatic recording apparatus in which a color picture can be reproduced without misconvergence of colors through actuating a recording head to expand or contract and compensating the recording position of each image in accordance with the information of expansion/contraction and meandering of a recording medium which has been detected by reading register marks provided on the side edges of the recording medium.

Abstract: A multipoint recorder with a slow effective chart speed is operated to provide good visibility for the most recent record. A number of consecutive values for each point are scanned and stored. These values are recorded by a high speed printing mechanism during a first period of the recording cycle after which the chart is advanced forward for the remaining period of the recording cycle to a point which makes that record easily visible. At the end of the recording cycle the chart is retracted to start the next printing period with the printing mechanism at a point which corresponds to that required make the record look like a continuous line and to provide the desired time scale along the chart. To accomplish this the cycle time is coordinated to the chart speed and the number of consecutive scans recorded during each recording cycle.

Abstract: A continuous-paper electrostatic printer saves paper by avoiding needless feeding of paper to the electrostatic printing section when there is no data to be printed. This is accomplished by providing a paper cutting means downstream of the paper holder of the printer and ensuring that paper is not transported upstream of the cutting means to the printer when there is no data to be printed and by ejecting the section of cut paper from the printer system at the same time.

Abstract: A thermal transfer color printer provided with a platen roller having elasticity and a surface displaying of low coefficient of friction relative to the recording medium and a transport mechanism which transports the recording medium by force greater than that of the platen roller, in one embodiment or pulls the recording medium from the downstream side of the transport direction while keeping the platen roller freely rotatable in another embodiment.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a recording unit for performing a recording onto a recording paper; a paper feeder roller for feeding the recording paper to a recording position of the recording unit; a conveyor for conveying the recording paper in association with the recording by the recording unit; a drive source for driving the conveyor; and a control unit for moving the paper feeder roller from an operation position to a retreat position using the drive power of the drive source.

Abstract: In a thermal transfer type color printer, an ink film on which plural color inks are sequentially painted in its longitudinal direction is sequentially transported forward between an ink film supply roll and winding roll, while a printing paper is repeatedly transported forward and backward in order to print out a color image by overlapping plural color inks. In color printing, the printing paper and ink film are partially overlapped and wound around a platen roller, and a thermal head is pressed against the platen roller by sandwiching the ink film and printing paper therebetween so that the thermal head transfers the color inks on the printing paper. In order to prevent wrinkles from being formed on the ink film, tension applying means applies tension force to the ink film by temporarily controlling or stopping revolution of the ink film supply roll.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for recording an image. The method of recording an image while a plurality of long recording sheets are selectively being fed to a recording section, comprising the steps of specifying a desired one of the plurality of recording sheets; and locating the leading edge of the desired one at a ready state at a position which is downstream with respect to a recording position of the recording section in the direction in which the recording sheet is fed. The apparatus is arranged such that image recording is performed in accordance with image information while a recording sheet unwound from one of first and second sheet rolls is being fed to a recording section including a recording head. One of the first and second recording sheets is set to a predetermined position in the recording section, after recording onto the recording sheet is completed.

Abstract: An electric field paper stabilizing system for an electrographic plotter, printer, or the like includes a continuous transport belt for passing a recording medium in substantially a complete revolution past a writing head. The belt is conductive or has a conductive surface conformably coated with a minimally thin dielectric material of high dielectric strength and permittivity. A recording medium such as electrostatic writing paper has a conductive surface adjacent the dielectric coating on the conductive transport belt. Electrode means are provided in the dielectric coating for holding the paper at ground potential. A differential potential is applied between the back side of the paper and the conductive transport belt whereby the paper and belt function as parallel conductive plates of a capacitor. The electric field developed between the conductive paper and the belt provides a strong hold down force which immovably registers the paper to the belt.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer including a thermal head for generating heat in accordance with a desired print pattern, a platen having a surface for supporting an ink-sheet and paper, the ink-sheet and paper being pressed by the thermal head on the platen surface so that ink from the ink-sheet is transferred to the paper, a paper supply for storing and supplying paper, an ink-sheet supply and drive for storing and supplying an ink-sheet, the ink-sheet supply and drive driving the ink-sheet to move in accordance with the movement of the paper, a paper drive arranged between the platen and the paper supply, the paper drive driving the paper by the required length according to the position of the paper relative to the position of the platen, and a paper tension device for applying suitable tension to the paper at least between the platen and the paper drive so that the length by which the paper drive drives the paper is identical with the length by which the paper moves on the platen.

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.