Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge includes a cartridge body. The cartridge body has a pair of side plates, a partitioning plate, and a cover segment together defining a frame shape with an central open space. When the ink sheet cartridge is accommodated to a facsimile device, a thermal head and a platen are positioned at the central open space. Also, the partitioning plate serves as a lower transport chute defining a transport path with an upper chute members, so that a recording sheet is transported along the transport path.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge including a frame, supply shaft supporting members and take-up shaft supporting members is provided. The supply shaft supporting members support a supply shaft, and the take-up shaft supporting members support a take-up shaft. The frame includes a first bearing member, a second bearing member, a front connecting member, which connects front ends of the first and second bearing members together, and a back connecting member connects back ends of the first and second bearing members together. At least one of the front connecting member and the back connecting member has one of a groove or a hole capable of accommodating a portion of an image forming device in which the ink ribbon cartridge may be installed.

Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge provided with a bobbin case easy to assemble and disassemble, formed with no protrusion on the outer surface thereof and capable of inhibiting the number of components from increase is obtained. This ink sheet cartridge is provided with a pawl and a receiving portion on upper and lower components respectively. The pawl is provided with a projecting engaging portion, and the receiving portion is provided with a groove engaging with the engaging portion. The groove has a guide for guiding the engaging portion and a stop portion fixing the engaging portion.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette and a printer are provided for preventing an ink ribbon from being wound or drawn to a printing-portion paper transport unit of the printer so as to satisfactorily wind and transport the ink ribbon. A convex portion is formed on a wall-portion contact surface of a first connecting member opposed to a space portion, thereby securing a gap between a wall portion of the ribbon cassette and a printing-portion paper transport unit of the printer. A top portion of the convex portion comes in contact with a driven-roller mounting plate disposed in the space portion when a ribbon cassette is mounted in a ribbon cassette mounting portion of a printer.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is advantageous in miniaturization even though a mechanism for adjusting a head gap is included. The recording apparatus includes a carriage for detachably holding a cartridge, a platen for supporting one surface of a recording medium, and a conveying roller and an eject roller for conveying the recording medium. The platen is constructed so that it is rockable with an axis of the eject roller as a rotation center and is switchable between at least two positions.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer having simpler structure, occupying less installation space, and enhancing the user convenience. The thermal transfer printer includes a cartridge having print paper wound in a roll, a capstan roller for conveying the print paper by applying frictional force on the print paper, a printing head for printing images on the print paper, and a platen roller for selectively pressing the print paper against the printing head. The housing of the cartridge has a first opening penetrating the housing and extending laterally. A paper roll case is rotatably installed in the housing and has a second opening penetrating the paper roll case and extending laterally. Inside the paper roll case, a paper roll is stuck on the inner surface of the paper roll case, and print paper is wound from the inner surface of the paper roll case to inward direction, while a first end of the print paper is exposed through the second opening.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a print head, disposed to a horizontally movable carriage, for printing a recording medium, a print cartridge disposed in a detachably attachable manner to said print head, and a member disposed in a range including an operating range for attaching and detaching said print cartridge, wherein said member has at least a portion positioned in said operating range for attaching and detaching said print cartridge, and wherein the portion is escapable from said operating range for attaching and detaching said print cartridge.

Abstract: An authentication method for authenticating an article in a device includes the steps of (a) reading an identification number stored on the article, (b) reading an authentication number stored on the article, (c) determining an input number based at least in part on the identification number, (d) applying an authentication function to the input number to calculate an output number, (e) determining that the article is authentic only if the authentication number corresponds to the output number, and (f) permitting use of the article in the device if the article is authentic, and disabling use of the article in the device if the article is not authentic.

Abstract: A printer device is disclosed. The printer device includes: a base chassis that accepts therein and ejects therefrom the printing medium; a top chassis that is disposed to be able to freely open and close in a direction vertical to the basis chassis; an ink ribbon cartridge holder that is disposed between the top chassis and the base chassis, and is attached with an ink ribbon cartridge including therein the ink ribbon; and a thermal head that prints an image to the printing medium by heating the ink ribbon in the ink ribbon cartridge attached to the ink ribbon cartridge holder.

Abstract: A ribbon guide used to install a thermal ribbon in a thermal printer, the ribbon guide having a bottle shaped profile and being formed of V-Max® brand synthetic paper. The ribbon guide has three integral portions, a first portion having a cross-shaped slit and a hole, a second portion that may be used for gripping by an operator, and a third portion for receiving printed advertising and/or other useful information. The synthetic paper is a multi-layer product comprised of thin individual layers of high density polyethylene that have been extruded, stretched, bias-cut and cross laminated. The cross-shaped slit receives the very thin thermal ribbon and allows the ribbon guide to connect and hold the thermal ribbon during installation of the thermal ribbon in the thermal printer.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette is provided. A first and second ribbon-receiving parts of an ink ribbon cassette according to the invention includes wallsthat face each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. An ink ribbon slides on a first ribbon-sliding portion formed at a first wall of the first ribbon-receiving part and a second ribbon-sliding portion formed at a first wall of the second ribbon-receiving part, and is wound on a take-up reel from the feeding reel. A ribbon guide, which prevents the ink ribbon exposed at the second ribbon-sliding portion from coming in contact with a printer body (not shown) when the ink ribbon cassette is mounted in the printer body, is provided outside the second ribbon-sliding portion.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon printer ribbon cassette apparatus and a ribbon cassette mounting method by which a ribbon cassette for a thermal transfer ribbon of large roller size can be easily and reliably set in a thermal transfer printer. Focussing on the use of a main guide shaft as an initial guide, guidability along a printer main body stay and, finally, engageability of a final positioning engagement pin and a final position engagement hole, a cassette main body is formed to be attachable to a printer main body by providing a cassette main body stay in which a main guide hole to which a main guide shaft is formed detachably, a final positioning engagement pin formed in a printer main body stay, and a final positioning engagement hole formed in a handle-side base plate.

Abstract: A package suitable for containing marking material used in a printing machine. The package includes a package surface adapted to engage one or more surfaces of the printing machine and a material identifier mechanism for verifying the marking material. The package may also include a material pouch, which is adapted to contain the marking material, joined with or formed in the package surface. Alternatively, the package may include a carrier adapted to engage one or more surfaces of the printing machine and a material pouch joined with the carrier. Other aspects include a method of remanufacturing a package suitable for containing marking material used in a printing machine.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium in a predetermined direction, a thermal transfer sheet traveling unit that causes a thermal transfer sheet to travel in a predetermined direction, a modification sheet moving unit that moves a surface modification sheet, a thermal head that applies thermal energy and thermally transfers sequentially a dye layer and a protective layer of the thermal transfer sheet onto the recording medium while the dye layer or the protective layer opposes the surface of the recording medium, and a modification sheet protecting unit disposed in a movement path of the surface modification sheet, and configured to prevent adhesion of dust to the surface modification sheet or to eliminate the adhesion.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a first zone for receiving a supply of image receiving tape and a second zone for receiving a supply of thermal transfer ribbon, means for identifying the nature of the image receiving tape and the thermal transfer ribbon located in the first and second zones, and means for implementing a compatibility check to determine whether said image receiving tape and said thermal transfer ribbon are compatible, and to generate an incompatibility indication if the the compatibility check fails.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a reading mechanism having an original placement portion on which an original document is placed for reading an image; a recording mechanism having a medium supply tray on which a recording medium is set, the recording mechanism being disposed in such a manner that a longitudinal direction of the medium supply tray is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the original placement portion; an angular casing that houses the reading mechanism and the recording mechanism while stacking the reading mechanism and the recording mechanism vertically; and a cartridge holder that houses an ink cartridge and is disposed in a space located at a corner position of the casing below the reading mechanism and surrounded by a circumferential wall of the casing and a side wall of the medium supply tray.

Abstract: A thermal printer detects an environmental temperature, and directly or indirectly detects a change in tension of an ink ribbon R. A correction value is read or calculated according to at least one of the detected environmental temperature and the detected change in the tension of the ink ribbon R. Thermal energy of each heating element in the thermal head is controlled based on the correction value so as to adjustably increase or reduce number of print lines on a print medium in a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A cartridge having a donor ribbon; a supply housing having an exterior surface and futher having a supply projection extending away from the exterior surface of the supply housing, said supply projection allowing the donor ribbon to pass from the supply area to a supply waypoint, and a take-up housing having an exterior surface and having a take-up projection extending away from the exterior surface of the take-up housing said take-up projection allowing the donor ribbon to pass from a take-up waypoint to the take-up area. A connecting portion holds the supply housing and the take-up spool with a separation area therebetween. said connecting portion providing a printing path from the supply waypoint to the take-up waypoint, wherein the supply waypoint is positioned at a supply side separation from supply housing and the take-up waypoint is positioned at a take-up separation from the take-up housing.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer having simpler structure, occupying less installation space, and enhancing the user convenience. The thermal transfer printer includes a cartridge having print paper wound in a roll, a capstan roller for conveying the print paper by applying frictional force on the print paper, a printing head for printing images on the print paper, and a platen roller for selectively pressing the print paper against the printing head. The housing of the cartridge has a first opening penetrating the housing and extending laterally. A paper roll case is rotatably installed in the housing and has a second opening penetrating the paper roll case and extending laterally. Inside the paper roll case, a paper roll is stuck on the inner surface of the paper roll case, and print paper is wound from the inner surface of the paper roll case to inward direction, while a first end of the print paper is exposed through the second opening.

Abstract: A thermal ink ribbon cassette for a mailing machine has an anti-reverse spring for preventing rotation of the take-up spindle in the unwinding direction; a constant-tension drag arrangement, including an expansible stub axle, a cooperating expansion member, and a drag gear mounted on the stub axle in meshing engagement with an array of gear teeth surrounding the base of the ribbon supply spindle; and a guide bar for defining an optimal ribbon path between the entrance opening of the cassette housing and the take-up spindle.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus which displays display information regarding product liability, which is read out from a storage medium of a processing unit, the image forming apparatus carrying out judgment as to whether or not the processing unit is a genuine/recommended product based on the information read out from the storage medium. The image forming apparatus carries out a series of image forming process when the processing unit is a genuine or a recommended product. On the other hand, when the processing unit is an unauthorized product, the image forming apparatus displays the display information and/or the comparison result. On this account, the user can easily and securely confirm display information regarding product liability of the processing unit, and/or information regarding compatibility of the processing unit with the image forming apparatus, while ensuring superior security and reliability.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a supply core tube that supplies an ink sheet rolled around the supply core tube and a take-up core tube that takes up the ink sheet supplied from the supply core tube. The supply core tube and the take-up core tube are rotatably supported by a frame via supporting shafts provided at both ends of each of the supply core tube and the take-up core tube. The supply core tube may be provided with a connecting mechanism that connects a supply side supporting shaft, which is one of the supporting shafts provided at both ends of the supply core tube, with the supply core tube, and at least one through opening formed at one longitudinal end portion of the supply core tube. The opening allows a tool to be inserted therethrough to access the connecting mechanism for disengaging the connection.

Abstract: A printer to which an ink cassette having a function of transmitting and receiving data via wireless communication with a printer main body is attached, is disclosed. The printer includes: communication means that transmits and receives data via wireless communication with an ink cassette; and control means that acquires management information of the ink cassette stored in the ink cassette side via the communication means and displays the information with display means and controls printing based on the acquired management information, wherein the control means receives data from the ink cassette attached to the printer main body with the communication means and receives the management information through the reception of data with the communication means from the ink cassette made close to a predetermined position of the printer main body and displays the information with the display means.

Abstract: In a consumable cassette having a recording material storage section 2 and an ink sheet storage section 1, a space 65 where a constituting component such as a supply roller 56 is to be disposed is formed in the cassette, when the cassette is attached to a recording apparatus. A movable member is movably disposed to cover the space, when the cassette is removed from the recording apparatus. Therefore, rigidity of the cassette is improved.

Abstract: In a consumable cassette detachably attached to a recording apparatus and containing a recording material and an ink sheet, a recording material storage section is constantly partially connected to an ink sheet storage section so as to be relatively displaceable in a direction in which the sections disunite from or unite with each other. The sections disunite from each other when the cassette is attached to the recording apparatus, and the sections unite with each other when the cassette is removed from the recording apparatus.

Abstract: In a communication system, a call center is connectable via a communication line to a facsimile apparatus having a printing function. The facsimile apparatus reads ribbon-ID data of an ink ribbon mounted therein, and sends the read ribbon-ID data to the center device. The call center receives the ribbon-ID data from the facsimile apparatus, judges whether or not the ribbon-ID data is valid, and returns a result of the judgment to the facsimile apparatus.

Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge includes a cartridge body. The cartridge body has a pair of side plates, a partitioning plate, and a cover segment together defining a frame shape with an central open space. When the ink sheet cartridge is accommodated to a facsimile device, a thermal head and a platen are positioned at the central open space. Also, the partitioning plate serves as a lower transport chute defining a transport path with an upper chute members, so that a recording sheet is transported along the transport path.

Abstract: An identification card printer includes a card input, a card transport, a printhead, and a card output. The card transport is configured to feed a card from the card input along a print path. The printhead is positioned below the print path and is configured to print an image on a surface of the card. The card can then be discharged through the card output.

Abstract: Improvements relating to identification tags on consumable supply items used in identity document production equipment. The use of identification tags on the consumable supply items allows the document production equipment to recognize the consumable supply items that are loaded into each piece of equipment. The equipment can then initiate a variety of activities that are based on the loaded supply item. The activities are designed to enhance the operation of the equipment for the equipment operator and to provide added value to those customers who utilize consumable supply items that are recognized by the equipment.

Abstract: A cartridge having a donor ribbon; a supply housing having an exterior surface and further having a supply projection extending away from the exterior surface of the supply housing, said supply projection allowing the donor ribbon to pass from the supply area to a supply waypoint, and a take-up housing having an exterior surface and having a take-up projection extending away from the exterior surface of the take-up housing said take-up projection allowing the donor ribbon to pass from a take-up waypoint to the take-up area. A connecting portion holds the supply housing and the take-up spool with a separation area therebetween, said connecting portion providing a printing path from the supply waypoint to the take-up waypoint, wherein the supply waypoint is positioned at a supply side separation from supply housing and the take-up waypoint is positioned at a take-up separation from the take-up housing.

Abstract: This image generating apparatus comprises an ink sheet cartridge storing an ink sheet. When sensing arrival of the rear end of the ink sheet, the image generating apparatus cleans the print head by rotating the print head between a printing position and a nonprinting position (separate position) thereby dropping foreign matter adhering to the print head onto the ink sheet.

Abstract: An ink switching cam (40) is rotated interlockingly with forward/reverse rotation of a head driving motor at all times to swing a cassette support member (20). Accordingly, ink belts can be switched with a simple construction without using a solenoid or the like. By setting a movable area of the ink switching cam (40) to be within one rotation, the operations of a print head (10) and the ink switching cam (40) which are interlocked with the forward/reverse rotation of the head driving motor can be simply associated with each other.

Abstract: The flexible printing system is comprised of a printer that has printing characteristics that can be updated. A printer cartridge comprises printer data memory that either stores new printing characteristics or stores a location from the Internet from which these characteristics can be downloaded. The printer accesses the cartridge's printer data memory and checks the stored printing characteristics. If the printer can use these characteristics and they differ from the characteristics that are presently being used by the printer, the printer updates its printing characteristics using the printer data memory's printing characteristics. In one embodiment, the printer characteristics are color tables and dithering algorithms.

Abstract: In a ribbon cassette which is used in a thermal transfer printer of the present invention, a head insertion section, in which a thermal head is inserted to turn its head up and down, is formed between a first ribbon housing section and a second ribbon housing section and further, a relief groove having a predetermined depth, in which a paper feeding mechanism can be positioned, is formed between the head insertion section and the second ribbon housing section. In the relief groove, an ink ribbon to be taken up around a take-up reel is exposed and, in a cassette mounting section, a ribbon guide section is formed to help the ink ribbon to be taken up around the take-up reel in the state where the ink ribbon exposed to the relief groove of the mounted ribbon cassette is bent toward the lower portion of the relief groove.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge, having a frame, a pair of supply shaft connecting members for connecting ends of a supply shaft to the frame, a first take-up shaft connecting member for connecting an end of a take-up shaft to the frame, the first take-up shaft connecting member including a gear member, and a second take-up shaft connecting member for connecting another end of the take-up shaft to the frame is provided. The first take-up shaft connecting member includes a gear portion and a spool portion which is substantially housed inside the take-up shaft. The gear portion includes at least one flexible member with at least one of a projecting portion and an angled end, the flexible member including two surfaces which become closer to each other when the flexible member is being inserted into a receiving portion of the spool portion.

Abstract: A media supply apparatus and associated methods are provided. The apparatus can include a spool on which a media is wound, and/or the media can be provided in a cartridge either wound about a spool or wound about itself. A wireless device such as a programmable radio frequency identification (RFID) device is disposed on the media, for example, near one of the ends of the media. The wireless device can have a memory that is configured to store data and an antenna configured to receive a radio frequency signal for programming the memory. Thus, the wireless device can be used to store data associated with the supply apparatus such as the type of media, aspects of the manufacture of the media, and the like. In some cases, the data can be programmed before or during use of the supply apparatus.

Abstract: A card-cleaning assembly for printers is provided. The assembly can be used in any suitable card printing apparatus, particularly thermal dye printers. Such card printers are used to print driver's licenses, employee badges, student cards, and the like. The assembly includes a card-cleaning roller and an adhesive tape cartridge. The cleaning roller contacts the card and removes dust and dirt particles and other debris from the surface of the card. The tape cartridge is attached to a pivoting arm on the printer which pivots so that the adhesive tape engages the cleaning roller and removes the debris from the roller as the roller rotates.

Abstract: A cassette 10 for a thermal transfer sheet according to the present invention includes a core holding member 11 having a take-up core holding part 12 for holding the take-up core 2 and a feeding core holding part 13 for holding the feeding core 3, and a pair of covers 20 and 21 for respectively covering the take-up core holding part 12 and the feeding core holding part 13. A rod 30 for guiding the thermal transfer sheet 5 is disposed on the core holding member 11. The rod 30 is positioned on the opposite side of the thermal head 5b relative to the thermal transfer sheet 5, and is positioned on the side of the core holding member 11 relative to the thermal transfer sheet 5.

Abstract: There is provided an ink sheet cartridge, which is provided with a cartridge body, a supply-side core tube, a takeup-side core tube, and spools detachably attached to end portions of the supply-side and takeup-side core tubes, respectively, and at least one intermediate connector that is interposed between at least one of the spools and corresponding one of the end portions of the supply-side and takeup-side core tubes. The corresponding one of the end portions at which the at least one intermediate connector is interposed id formed with a female engagement portion. The ink sheet cartridge further includes a male engagement member that is fitted into the female engagement portion from the outside so that the at least one intermediate connector is engaged with one of the supply-side and takeup-side core tubes having the female engagement portion.

Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge includes a cartridge body 30 rotatably supporting four spools 36, 37, 38, 39. The spool 38 includes a first rotation member 56 having a transmission gear 47 and a shaft member 48 having a flange 48a. The first rotation member 46 is undetachably engaged with the shaft member 48 within a support hole 50 formed to the cartridge body 30 while interposing a side plate 51a between the transmission gear 47 and the flange 48a. An intermediate connector 46 includes resilient pawls 59 and projections 61 for engaging respective mating grooves 60 and locking grooves 62 formed to a takeup-side core tube 41, and is engaged with the flange 48a of the shaft member 48.

Abstract: When some trouble occurs to a facsimile apparatus 1 that reads component-identification information of an ink ribbon cartridge 60 and it is impossible to read the component-identification information even if the ink ribbon cartridge 60 is a standard product, a permanent release mode is set to permanently prohibit an identification information reading processing (S24). On the other hand, when any trouble does not occur to the facsimile apparatus 1 but some trouble occurs to the ink ribbon cartridge 60, it is impossible to read the component-identification information so long as the ink ribbon cartridge 60 is used. Therefore, a temporary release mode is set to temporarily prohibit the identification information reading processing (S24). Accordingly, it becomes possible to reduce an economical burden on a user and to perform a printing operation with favorable printing quality.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a housing that defines a receiving formation for a media tray assembly. A chassis is positioned in the housing. A media tray assembly is displaceably engageable with the chassis to permit the tray assembly to be received in, and withdrawn from, the receiving formation. The media tray assembly and the housing define a print medium feed path. The media tray assembly includes a media tray in which a stack of print medium sheets can be stored. A feed mechanism is positioned on the media tray to feed the sheets from the tray. A printhead assembly is positioned downstream of the media tray to carry out a printing operation on the sheets as the sheets are fed from the tray.

Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge and method of assembly for an ink sheet cartridge including a cartridge body rotatably supporting four spools. The spool includes a first rotation member having a transmission gear and a shaft member having a flange. The first rotation member is undetachably engaged with the shaft member within a support hole formed to the cartridge body while interposing a side plate between the transmission gear and the flange. An intermediate connector includes resilient pawls and projections for engaging respective mating groves and locking grooves formed to a takeup-side core tube, and is engaged with the flange of the shaft member 48.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette 10 includes a cassette case 11 having a first accommodating portion 12, a second accommodating portion 13, and a connecting portion 14 connecting the first and second accommodating portions 12 and 13, a feeding core 12 and a take-up core 42 rotatably accommodated respectively in the first and second accommodating portions 12 and 13, and an ink ribbon R having a large width which can be fed from the feeding core 40 and taken up by the take-up core 42 through a connecting member 14, wherein there is provided in the first accommodating portion 12 in the vicinity of the connecting member 14 a shaft 19 extending along the direction of the width of the ink ribbon R, wherein there is provided in the connecting member 14 an edge portion 18a of a wall portion 18 opposed to the shaft 19, and wherein the ink ribbon R fed out from the feeding core 40 is bent at the shaft 19, and then bent in the opposite direction by the edge portion 18a before it is taken up by the take-up core 42, whereby it is possib

Abstract: A modular copying system including combinations of printer, scanner, and system controller modules formed as independent frames. The scanner module includes devices for image reading, first data I/O and first synchronizing signal generation; the printer module includes devices for image forming, second data I/O and second synchronizing signal generation; and the system control module includes devices for third data I/O and system control. The modules are added or removed according to user requirements and the system is capable of accommodating up to seven modules. The modules are stacked in a vertical direction and arranging devices ensure proper module alignment. Once the modules are aligned and assembled in the system, communications between each module is accomplished via light wave, electric wave, or sonic wave transmission and reception. As a result, system interconnection is reduced, system noise is reduced and various connecting cables are eliminated.