Abstract: An approach is provided for managing the processing of print data at a printing device based upon available consumable resources. A printing device includes a print process configured to determine consumable resources that are currently available at the printing device. The print process is further configured to determine which print data is to be processed based upon the consumable resources currently available at the printing device and the consumable resources required to completely process each of the print data. Print data that can be completely processed using the currently available consumable resources are selected for processing. The print process may also be configured to cause a notification to be provided to a client device to indicate the consumable resources currently available at a printing device and/or that insufficient consumable resources were available to process particular print data and to recommend other consumable resources to process the particular print data.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are related to a printer including a thermal head, a platen roller, a plurality of biasing members, and an urging force adjustment mechanism. The urging force adjustment mechanism includes a base member, an action member movable in the widthwise direction with respect to the base member and configured to expand or compress the plurality of biasing members, and a plurality of contact members configured to contact the action member and supported by the base member such that contact positions of the contact members on the action member can be varied in the expansion or compression direction of the biasing members, wherein the amount of expansion or compression of the biasing members varies according to the variation of the contact positions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a printer, specifically an edge justified printer, having a housing. The printer further comprises a mounting assembly that holds printable media and a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly of the present invention has a printhead cantilevered to a mounting member by a bracket. The printer further comprises a plurality of adjusting devices wherein each of the adjustive devices includes an adjusting member. The adjusting member(s) allows for pressure to be applied at the end or edge of the printhead and less pressure at the other end or edge of the printhead.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame that has a first side frame and a second side frame facing each other, a platen which is rotatably supported by the first side frame and the second side frame, a head to move in first or second directions to press against or separate from the platen, a head supporting member connected to the head to support the head, and an adjusting member to pivotally support opposite ends of the head supporting member, wherein one of the two ends is fixed to the first side frame, and the other of the two ends is movably coupled to the second side frame so as to be able to move relative to the fixed end in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: Systems for thermal patterning are presented. The system includes a thermal print head module. The thermal print head module includes at least one point heater. An elastic adjustable device is used for adjusting the flatness of the thermal print head module. A rotation adjustable device is used for controlling the thermal print head module to rotate with a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an image on a media while the media is moved relative to an imaging head. The media can include a pattern of registration sub-regions, such as a matrix. The image can include one or more patterns of features, such as color features for a color filter which can be registered with the pattern of registration sub-regions. The images can be formed by a laser-induced thermal transfer process. The method can include the steps of operating an imaging head to emit imaging beams. A first portion of the image is formed while scanning a first group of imaging beams in a first direction over the media at a first scanning speed and a second portion of the image is formed while scanning a second group of the imaging beams in a second, opposite direction over the media at a second, different scanning speed.

Abstract: The invention provides a printer in which a lock lever comes into contact with a roller shaft of a platen roller in upper open grooves disposed in a frame and controls the position of the upper portion of the upper open grooves so that the platen roller is supported in a predetermined position of the frame and reliably comes into contact with a thermal head disposed to be opposite to the platen roller, and a lock lever member disposed so as to position a joint member for joining the upper open grooves and close to a bottom plate of the frame in a print portion in which the platen roller and a thermal head come into pressure contact with each other.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A recording device presses a thermal head, where heating elements are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the print medium, against a printing surface of the print medium at a printing portion on a transport path of a print medium transported by a transport means, controls the flow of current selectively applied to the heating elements, and performs desired printing at a printing area on the printing surface. The print medium has a shape having portions where the contact lengths of the printing surface coming in contact with the heating elements in a width direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the print medium are different in the transport direction. A pressing load of the thermal head is frequently adjusted according to the contact length of the printing surface of the print medium.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a print media feed mechanism for feeding print media along a feed path, opposed transfer rollers for simultaneously contacting both sides of the print media as the print media is fed along the feed path, and printheads for printing on the transfer rollers so that material printed on the transfer rollers is simultaneously transferred to both sides of the print media by the transfer rollers.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a thermal head mounted on a case main body and a platen roller confronting the thermal head. A cover member mounted to the case main body undergoes swinging movement to open and close an opening of the case main body. A slider rotatably supports the platen roller and is mounted to the cover member for linear movement on a plane including a rotational center of the platen roller and a swing center of the cover member. Engagement pieces mounted to the slider engage with engagement portions of the case main body when the cover member closes the opening of the case main body and the platen roller confronts the thermal head. A biasing member biases the slider such that the engagement pieces engage with the engagement portions of the case main body and the platen roller is brought into pressure contact with the thermal head.

Abstract: Provided is thermal printer in which positioning precision between a platen roller and a thermal head is enhanced, thereby being capable of positively arranging heating elements within a heating element allowable range.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.

Abstract: A head mechanism of a thermal printer includes a platen roller rotatably supported by a housing, and a thermal head arranged at a front end of a head bearing member the front end of which is adapted to be rotatable about a rear end supported by the housing, and arranged to face the platen roller, and is constructed such that, during recording, a sheet provided for recording is sandwiched between the platen roller and the thermal head, and an electric current is selectively applied to heat-generating elements arranged in the thermal head, thereby obtaining desired recording. The thermal head and the platen roller are arranged to form a gap with a dimension smaller than the thickness of the sheet provided for recording during non-recording.

Abstract: In order to realize an adjustment mechanism which can adjust the pressing force of a thermal head according to paper thickness, and in addition, which is suitable for a small thermal printer, in a small thermal printer in which a platen roller (11) is adapted to be detachably attachable to arms for rotatably holding the platen roller and room at the back of a thermal head where a spring (16) for pressing the thermal head (14) toward the platen roller is disposed is narrow, an auxiliary plate for receiving the spring is provided at the back of the thermal head, the auxiliary plate (13) is adapted to be approachable to or separable from a head support plate (15), and means (18, 41) which can adjust a position of the auxiliary plate with respect to a position of the head support plate (15) is provided.

Abstract: A cover operation member (41) is movably attached to the base frame to selectively latch and unlatch a platen (21) attached on the cover frame. The cover operation member (41) is in contact with the head bracket (32) so that the thermal head (31) is separated from the platen (21).

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for lifting an imaging head are disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus using a thermal printing head (TPH) and a printing method thereof to print a borderless image on both sides of a printing medium. The image forming apparatus includes first and second feeding units respectively disposed at front and rear sides of the TPH to transfer the printing medium at a predetermined printing speed and a pair of out-feed rollers that co-rotates and feeds out the printing medium, in which one of the out-feed rollers rotates in contact with the pick-up roller. A platen roller co-rotates in contact with the printing medium fed by the first and second feeding units The TPH has a printing position in which the TPH is pressed towards the platen roller to form a printing nip, and an open position in which the TPH is separated from the platen roller. The knock-up plate has a pick-up position where the printing medium comes in contact with the pick-up roller and a stand-by position where the printing medium loaded thereon is separated from the pick-up roller.

Abstract: A card printer comprises a print platen, a first support, a printhead, and a biasing component. The first support is moveable, relative to the platen, between print and withdrawn positions. The printhead is moveably mounted to the first support for movement between a forward position and a floating position relative to the first support. The biasing component is configured to apply a biasing force to bias the printhead toward the forward position.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an imaging head mount are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for thermal patterning are presented. The system includes a thermal print head module. The thermal print head module includes at least one point heater. An elastic adjustable device is used for adjusting the flatness of the thermal print head module. A rotation adjustable device is used for controlling the thermal print head module to rotate with a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A recording device presses a thermal head, where heating elements are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the print medium, against a printing surface of the print medium at a printing portion on a transport path of a print medium transported by a transport means, controls the flow of current selectively applied to the heating elements, and performs desired printing at a printing area on the printing surface. The print medium has a shape having portions where the contact lengths of the printing surface coming in contact with the heating elements in a width direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the print medium are different in the transport direction. A pressing load of the thermal head is frequently adjusted according to the contact length of the printing surface of the print medium.

Abstract: A heating unit is disclosed that heats a heat-sensitive medium. The heating unit includes a heat generating body that converts electric energy into heat energy; a fixed member to which the heat generating body is fixed; and a holding member that directly holds the fixed member while contacting at least a part of the fixed member.

Abstract: An improved print head assembly is disclosed that provides even pressure over the width of a print face across a platen roller. Accordingly, the print head assembly can perform edge-justified printing operations without portions of the print being faint or skewing due to uneven pressure across the print head.

Abstract: A thermal print head has a row of heating elements arranged in a printing position in which the heating elements row abuts against a platen via a paper guide path. The thermal print head is held so as to be displaceable in an adjusting direction substantially orthogonal to a rectilinear direction between the heating elements row and the platen. Positioning pins projecting from both sides of the thermal print head are fitted in positioning grooves so as to be movable in the adjusting direction The position of the positioning pins in the positioning grooves is displaced in the adjusting direction by displacement of movable pieces each adapted to project selectively from opposite sides of each of the positioning grooves, thereby making the position of the heating elements row adjustable in the adjusting direction.

Abstract: In a printer of the invention, a plurality of head units each including a line thermal head having heat-generating elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of a recording paper are arranged in the conveying direction of the recording paper. The head unit has an angle-adjusting mechanism that adjusts the angle between the conveying direction of the recording paper, and the arranging direction of the heat-generating elements, and a position-adjusting mechanism that slidingly moves thermal head in the arranging direction of the heat-generating elements. An angle-adjusting screw of the angle-adjusting mechanism and a position-adjusting screw of the position-adjusting mechanism are disposed at an external surface of the head unit, which is orthogonal to the line thermal head.

Abstract: A thermal activation device includes a platen lock mechanism for locking a platen roller of a platen unit and a heating unit or printing unit into press contact with each other. The platen lock mechanism has a lock arm mounted to undergo rotation about a rotational axis, a shaft member provided in one of the platen unit and the lock arm, an engagement recess for engagingly receiving the shaft member and provided in the other of the platen unit and the lock arm, and an urging member for urging the lock arm in a direction for bringing the shaft member into engagement with the engagement recess. In a state in which the heating unit or printing unit is in press contact with the platen roller, a distance between the rotational axis of the lock arm and an axis of the shaft member is greater than a distance between the rotational axis of the lock arm and the rotational axis of the platen roller.

Abstract: A printer has a path for a sheet. A donor web is disposed on one side of the path; a platen roller is disposed on the other side of the path and supports the sheet during printing. An edge sensor is located in path at a known distance from the nip of the print head and the platen. Edge sensor senses the lead edge of the sheet and then the control circuit drives the lead edge to a distance D from the heat line of the print head. The head lowers, is selectively energized and the platen moves to carry the donor web and sheet past the head and provide a borderless printed image on the sheet.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus enables information to be recorded in a thermosensitive recording medium accurately while preventing the development of skew. When a rewritable medium is conveyed to a recording unit, the rotation of the rewritable medium and its position with reference to an axis are adjusted. Specifically, the rewritable medium is held between guide pins to such an extent as not to warp the rewritable medium while the medium is sandwiched between a clamper and a conveyance tray, until the rewritable medium reaches the recording unit. Thus, the rewritable medium is delivered to the recording unit with an adjusted posture, allowing the recording unit to record information in the rewritable medium without the development of skew in the rewritable medium.

Abstract: A tape printer includes a holder support member at one side end in a roll sheet holder storage part in a direction substantially perpendicular to a feeding direction. In the holder support member, a mounting piece which is substantially rectangular in section and formed protruding outward on a positioning holding member of a roll sheet holder is fitted. The tape printer further includes a flat portion formed substantially horizontally between a rear edge of an insertion opening through which a roll sheet is inserted into the tape printer. On the flat portion, a front portion of a guide member is placed. At a rear edge of the flat portion in the feeding direction, at plural positions corresponding to various kinds of the roll sheets having different widths, there are formed four second positioning grooves in which part of the guide member is fitted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a chassis, a head portion, a platen roller a plurality of elastically deformable support rods, a U-shaped rotary member and a drive mechanism. The head portion is pivotally supported on the chassis. The platen roller is rotatably supported on the chassis opposite the head portion. The support rods are supported on the chassis. The rotary member is pivotally supported to the chassis by unrotatably engaging the support rods. A second side arm of the rotary member is configured to press the head portion against the platen roller with an urging force of the support rods. The drive mechanism is engaged with a first side arm of the rotary member to pivot the rotary member around the support rods. With the image forming apparatus. the head portion can be pressed on with a sufficient amount of pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal printer in which the temperature of the thermal printing head can be modulated by means of an auxiliary heat sink, and methods for printing using such a thermal printer.

Abstract: A head unit (200) and a sensor unit (300) are freely Rotatably mounted in a printer main body (100). A rod-shaped portion (320) is projectingly provided to the tip portion of the sensor unit (300), and a first catching portion is provided to the rod-shaped portion (320). Furthermore, a first fixing member (220) is provided to the tip portion of the head unit (200), and the first fixing member (220) is freely detachably fitted to the first catching portion.

Abstract: In a printer of the invention, a plurality of head units each including a line thermal head having heat-generating elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of a recording paper are arranged in the conveying direction of the recording paper. The head unit has an angle-adjusting mechanism that adjusts the angle between the conveying direction of the recording paper, and the arranging direction of the heat-generating elements, and a position-adjusting mechanism that slidingly moves thermal head in the arranging direction of the heat-generating elements. An angle-adjusting screw of the angle-adjusting mechanism and a position-adjusting screw of the position-adjusting mechansim are disposed at an external surface of the head unit, which is orthogonal to the line thermal head.

Abstract: An image is formed by thermally transferring dyes of a thermal transfer sheet onto a print recording medium, and then a protection layer is formed on the formed image. The transport speed of the print recording medium in the event of thermal transferring the dyes onto the print recording medium is set higher than that in the event of thermal transferring the protection layer onto the print recording medium. Thereby, the amount of thermal energy for application in the event of protection layer formation is increased to be greater than that in the event of image formation. Thereby, occurrence of concave-convex portions formed on the printed surface in association with a density difference in the event of image formation is prevented, and concurrently, the surface pattern in the event of image protection layer formation is improved.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame that has a first side frame and a second side frame facing each other, a platen which is rotatably supported by the first side frame and the second side frame, a head to move in first or second directions to press against or separate from the platen, a head supporting member connected to the head to support the head, and an adjusting member to pivotally support opposite ends of the head supporting member, wherein one of the two ends is fixed to the first side frame, and the other of the two ends is movably coupled to the second side frame so as to be able to move relative to the fixed end in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A tape printer includes a holder support member at one side end in a roll sheet holder storage part in a direction substantially perpendicular to a feeding direction. In the holder support member, a mounting piece which is substantially rectangular in section and formed protruding outward on a positioning holding member of a roll sheet holder is fitted. The tape printer further includes a flat portion formed substantially horizontally between a rear edge of an insertion opening through which a roll sheet is inserted into the tape printer. On the flat portion, a front portion of a guide member is placed. At a rear edge of the flat portion in the feeding direction, at plural positions corresponding to various kinds of the roll sheets having different widths, there are formed four second positioning grooves in which part of the guide member is fitted.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image recording apparatus provided with a transporting unit transporting an image recording material whose shape has at a least one side in a predetermined transporting direction; an image recording position detecting unit detecting a position of the at least one side along the predetermined transporting direction, an image recording position correcting unit correcting the image recording position for the image recording material based on result of detection of the at least one side by said image recording position detecting unit; and an image forming unit forming a predesired image on the image recording material at the corrected image recording position.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a thermal head, a head support portion, a platen roller, a pressing mechanism and a positioning portion. The thermal head prints in a printing direction. The head support portion rotatably supports the thermal head. The head support portion is supported at locations away from an imaginary line along the printing direction passing between the thermal head and the platen roller. The platen roller is disposed across from the thermal head. The pressing mechanism presses the thermal head against the platen roller during printing. The positioning portion comes into contact with the thermal head from the printing direction when the pressing mechanism presses the thermal head against the platen roller. The positioning portion positions the thermal head with respect to the platen roller along the printing direction.

Abstract: A tape printer includes a holder support member at one side end in a roll sheet holder storage part in a direction substantially perpendicular to a feeding direction. In the holder support member, a mounting piece which is substantially rectangular in section and formed protruding outward on a positioning holding member of a roll sheet holder is fitted. The tape printer further includes a flat portion formed substantially horizontally between a rear edge of an insertion opening through which a roll sheet is inserted into the tape printer. On the flat portion, a front portion of a guide member is placed. At a rear edge of the flat portion in the feeding direction, at plural positions corresponding to various kinds of the roll sheets having different widths, there are formed four second positioning grooves in which part of the guide member is fitted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that uses a thermal printing head (TPH) is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a platen roller. A TPH unit faces the platen roller and pivots to contact or separate from the platen roller. A first elastic member elastically biases the TPH unit toward the platen roller. A pair of cam levers are provided on both sides of the TPH unit. A pair of rotation cams contact the pair of cam levers and allow the TPH unit to pivot according to a rotation angle of the rotation cams.

Abstract: A roll sheet is unwound and fed with its side edge being positioned in a reference point of the thermal head, and then subjected to printing by the thermal head. Coil springs are placed at positions respectively dividing substantially equally a length from a center to each end of the thermal head. A distribution of loads on the thermal head by each coil spring is determined so that a load exerted on the thermal head on the reference point side is larger than a load exerted on the thermal head on the opposite side. A position of a resultant force of the coil springs acts on the thermal head at a position displaced by a distance obtained by multiplying an entire length of the thermal head by a coefficient, from a center of the thermal head in the longitudinal direction toward the reference point.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (10) has at a printing station (11), a print head (12) with an array (13) of heating elements individually selectable by a computer controller (15), a feed path (16) for feeding carrier ribbon (18) through the printing satation (11), the carrier ribbon (18) carrying a layer of thermally sensitive print medium, pixels of the thermally sensitive print medium being in use deposited on a print area of a substrate (20), by selectively energizing the heating elements, as the substrate (20) and print head (12) are relatively moved, the apparatus (10) including a backing member (22) and the substrate (20) being position in use between the backing member (22) and the carrier ribbon (1.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a rotatable platen roller; an elongated thermal head which is movable toward or away from the platen roller; and a head supporting member having an elongated head supporting portion for supporting the thermal head formed at an end. A heat radiation plate through which heat generated from the thermal head during printing can escape is arranged between the thermal head and the head supporting portion, and the thermal head can be adjustably curved toward the platen roller via the heat radiation plate by an adjusting member arranged in the head supporting portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing device for printing sheet elements (1) that are serially fed to the printing device, in particular product labels made of temperature-sensitive paper or paper substitute materials, comprising a feed device for feeding the sheet elements to a print head which acts on the sheet element, wherein the print head comprises a thermal slat (3) which is supported flexibly by a carrier device (8) such that between the thermal slat (3) and the deflection device (4) a counterpressure surface is formed at a predefined surface pressure on the sheet element (1) to be printed. The thermal slat (3) is associated with an adaptor means (7) that is exchangeable together with the thermal slat (3).

Abstract: A head support base for a thermal printer to provide for movement of a thermal head relative to a printer paper drive roll and control the location of the thermal head relative to the paper drive roll including first and second spaced support plates, the first spaced support plate is a lower plate and is provided with support a posterior fin, anterior fins 3, three anterior ledges, a posterior ledge, and four springs, one placed onto each ledge. The first support plate is centrally provided with an opening into which a hook is inserted for connection with its other end to an upper or second spaced support plate to carry the thermal head and place the springs in compression or expansion and to limit their movement while permitting relative mobility of the first or lower support plate relative to the spaced second or upper support plate and consequently of the thermal head connected with the second or upper support plate to permit movement of the thermal head in all directions relative to the paper drive roll.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a chassis; a print head unit pivotably supported by the chassis; a platen roller rotatably supported by the chassis to perform printing with the print head unit; a metal feed roller rotatably supported by the chassis to convey paper; a metal press roller rotatably supported to the chassis so as to be pressed against the feed roller to convey paper; and feed roller bearings mounted to the chassis for rotatably supporting the feed roller. The feed roller bearings have contact parts that project toward the print head unit, such that the contact parts are pressed into contact with the print head unit when the print head unit is pressed against the platen roller during printing. The precision with which paper is fed and printing is performed can be improved.

Abstract: The image forming device includes a chassis; a thermal head unit pivotably supported by the chassis for executing printing; a platen roller supported by the chassis opposite the thermal head unit; a pressing member that is pivotably supported by the chassis and configured to press the thermal head unit against the platen roller by pushing against a top portion of the thermal head unit; a protruding part that is provided on the top portion of the thermal head unit and configured to engage the pressing member in a horizontal direction as the pressing member is pivoted to press the thermal head unit against the platen roller; and a positioning member configured to engage the thermal head unit as the thermal head unit is pushed in the horizontal direction due to the engagement of the protruding part with the pressing member in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A tape printer includes a holder support member at one side end in a roll sheet holder storage part in a direction substantially perpendicular to a feeding direction. In the holder support member, a mounting piece which is substantially rectangular in section and formed protruding outward on a positioning holding member of a roll sheet holder is fitted. The tape printer further includes a flat portion formed substantially horizontally between a rear edge of an insertion opening through which a roll sheet is inserted into the tape printer. On the flat portion, a front portion of a guide member is placed. At a rear edge of the flat portion in the feeding direction, at plural positions corresponding to various kinds of the roll sheets having different widths, there are formed four second positioning grooves in which part of the guide member is fitted.