Abstract: A printing device that includes a platen for supporting an imaging member during a printing operation and at least one print head subassembly for direct thermal printing on the imaging member. The print head subassembly is configured to be movable independently of the platen for printing on a first surface of the imaging member in a first transport path and on a second surface of the imaging member in a second transport path. The printing device also includes an element movable with said print head subassembly for ensuring that the wrap of the imaging member around the platen is substantially symmetrical about the print line such that the thermal heating elements of the thermal print head are substantially parallel to the surface of the imaging member when printing on each side of the imaging member.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes an upstream conveying device and a downstream conveying device that are respectively arranged upstream and downstream of a recording device. The upstream conveying device conveys a recording sheet while a first half of a print region that is adjacent to a print start edge of the recording sheet is being printed on, and the downstream conveying device conveys the recording sheet while a second half of a print region that is adjacent to a print end edge of the recording sheet is being printed on, so that the entire region of the recording sheet can be printed on without leaving margins. In addition, upstream and downstream guides are provided to make the movement of the recording sheet stable during printing.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a feed mechanism configured to advance the printing medium intermittently. The feed mechanism is adjusted so that an average feed error ?ave is in the vicinity of zero with respect to a most slippery printing medium among plural types of printing media designed to be used in the printing device. Alternatively, a printing device comprises a controller to correct a feed amount such that an average feed error ?ave is in the vicinity of zero with respect to at least one specific printing medium among plural types of printing media designed to be used in the printing device.

Abstract: A multi-function peripheral includes a first scan module for scanning a front side of a to-be-scanned document, a print module for printing data on a to-be-printed sheet, and a sheet-feeding mechanism for feeding the to-be-scanned document and the to-be-printed sheet and for moving the to-be-scanned document and the to-be-printed sheet along a sheet feeding path and across the first scan module and the print module.

Abstract: A thermal activation apparatus comprises a housing having an insertion slot for insertion therethrough of a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. A sensor detects the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet inserted through the insertion slot and outputs a corresponding detection signal for determining a start time of the thermal activation apparatus. A transfer unit transfers the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet and a thermal activation unit thermally activates a heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. An ejection unit ejects the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet after thermal activation. A control unit disposed within the housing controls operation of the thermal activation apparatus and includes a printer communication unit for communicating the thermal activation apparatus with a printer for printing on a printable surface of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet before or after thermal activation of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet.

Abstract: There is provided an ink sheet cartridge that includes a cartridge case having a case body disposed opposite to an upper surface of an ink sheet unit, driving sidewall portions rotatably supporting driving shafts of respective sheet supply and winding bobbins, and a supporting sidewall portion to rotatably support supporting shafts of respective sheet supply and winding bobbins. The ink sheet unit is detachably insertable in the case body, receives an ink sheet wound around the sheet supply bobbin, and includes a supply sheet case capable of drawing out the ink sheet therefrom at the time of receiving the ink sheet. The ink sheet cartridge enables replacement of the ink sheet unit such that the cartridge case is reusable and protects the replacement ink sheet from foreign objects and substances.

Abstract: In a thermally transcribing printer including a frame, a roller made of a metal for feeding sheet at constant speed, a gear made of a resin, a motor, a press-fit engaging member, and a compression coil spring, the roller includes a shaft portion attached to project from an inner side to an outer side of the frame 1 and the press-fit engaging member is press-fitted to the shaft portion. Further, the gear includes a shaft inserting hole in a circular shape inserted from an outer side of the press-fitted engaging member made of a metal into a shaft portion of the roller, and four second engaging portions provided at intervals of 90 degrees between the shaft inserting hole and an outer peripheral portion of the gear and having a predetermined length in a rotational direction.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding a recording medium in a feed direction, including: a drive roller having an annular recess; and a driven roller rotatably held and positioned such that a radially outer end portion of the driven roller is positioned within the annular recess of the drive roller. The driven roller is displaceable away from the drive roller, so that the recording medium is fed to pass between the drive and driven rollers, with the recording medium being gripped by the radially outer end portion of the driven roller and the radially outer end portion of the drive roller.

Abstract: An image aligning method for a thermal imaging device includes picking up a thermal imaging medium that has a first surface and a second surface on which printing operations may be performed respectively from a medium container. An edge of the medium is fed a first distance from a heating element of a thermal printhead to a printing path. An image is formed on the first surface of the medium while proceeding the medium through the printing path. The thermal printhead is rotated to face the thermal printhead toward the second surface of the medium. The edge of the medium is fed the first distance from the heating element. An image is formed on the second surface of the medium while feeding the medium through the printing path.

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: It is intended to provide a tape producing apparatus capable of printing on an appropriate printing medium with high quality based on data directly read from marks which are continuously printed on a release paper to show a type of a printing medium, with non-contact tape type identification devices. The tape producing apparatus comprises non-contact tape type discrimination sensors. Each label tape includes the adhesive and the release paper for protecting the adhesive. The release paper is provided with only one of the tape type identification marks which are printed continuously to show the types of the materials to produce the label tape. The non-contact tape type discrimination sensors read the tape type identification marks which are printed continuously to show the types of the materials to produce the label tape.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a recording portion including a recording head for recording on one side of a recording medium, a thermal activation portion including a thermal head for heating the other side of the recording medium, a first discharge port disposed on a downstream side of the recording portion, a second discharge port disposed on the downstream side of the thermal activation portion, and a conveying roller arranged between the recording portion and the first discharge port. The conveying roller is capable of conveying the recording medium from the recording portion to the first discharge port through normal rotation. Further, the conveying roller is capable of changing the course of the recording medium conveyed from the recording portion and conveying the recording medium to the thermal activation portion through reverse rotation.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes a sheet feed roller and a pinch roller cooperating to reciprocate a sheet, a motor providing the sheet feed roller with drive force, a thermal head 6 performing thermal transfer, and a controller controlling a series of operations. The sheet feed roller has a helical gear attached thereto to transmit the motor's drive force. In shifting from a sheet feeding operation to an image printing operation a reverse operation is performed to rotate the motor in a direction opposite to that of the sheet feeding operation, with the thermal head detached from the sheet, to previously offset the sheet together with thrust play of shaft.

Abstract: A printer includes a supply member that separates and supplies a recording sheet from a sheet storage means, and a recording-sheet turning member that can turn the recording sheet. A recording sheet supplied from the sheet storage means by the supply member is turned approximately 90 degrees by the recording-sheet turning member, and is then subjected to image formation in an image forming means.

Abstract: In a printer that forms an image on a color thermal recording paper by using a thermal recording head, a preheating region of the recording paper that is used for preheating the thermal recording head in a process prior to formation of the image and disposed of as a cut piece can effectively be used. An image forming control unit preheats a part of the thermal recording head in each end region that contact with the recording paper for heating the thermal recording heat to a proper temperature just before forming an image on the recording paper. While preheating of the thermal recording head, the image forming control unit further controls the thermal recording head for printing arbitrary information such as residual quantity of the recording paper on a portion between preheated portions of the recording paper to be disposed as the cut sheet.

Abstract: A roll paper feeding device includes a paper feed roller, a flange holder, a flange pressing portion, a roll paper pressing lever, a housing containing these components therein, and a cover arranged above the housing. The flange holder has a recess having wide opening at an upper surface, and a shaft of the flange axially supporting the roll paper is placed in the recess. The flange pressing portion is provided on the cover, and when the cover is open, the flange pressing portion is moved toward the center of rotation of the cover, by means of a rotating member, a base member and a spring. Consequently, the flange supporting the roll paper on its shaft can easily be set in the flange holder.

Abstract: A photographic printer removably holds a magazine for containing a roll of photographic paper is provided. The photographic paper is advanced and supplied to a transporting path. A large-width loading support is loaded with a large-width magazine removably. A small-width loading support is loaded with plural small-width magazines removably. The small-width magazines have a smaller width than the large-width magazine, and are arranged in a path crosswise direction that extends along a width of the transporting path. As viewed from the large width loading support, the small-width loading supports are arranged in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the path crosswise direction. Furthermore, a cutter cuts the photographic paper to form a photographic paper sheet.

Abstract: A printer and a method of controlling the printer. The printer includes a color ink ribbon and a thermal head for forming images on recording sheets and an accommodating portion accommodating the ink ribbon and the thermal head therein. The printer includes several paths for conveying the recording sheet including a circular path around the accommodating portion. Depending on the length of the recording sheet, the printer conveys the recording sheet along one of the several paths during a printing operation.

Abstract: An image forming device has a recording unit for recording a recording material in a sheet form in a major scanning direction based on an input image signal and a conveyance unit for conveying the recording material in a sub-scanning direction substantially perpendicular to the major scanning direction, wherein the image forming device is provided with a guide plate for guiding while the recording material comes into contact with the guide plate on an opposite surface of a recording side, the guide plate being provided at an image recording position in which the recording material is recorded by the recording unit, and a drive roller for conveying the recording material while pressing the recording material onto the guide plate, wherein the guide plate has a planar portion along a conveyance direction and an inclined portion bent toward a side of the recording unit, and the inclined portion is formed in only one end portion of the conveyance direction of the guide plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming device comprising a first roller mechanism for sending out printing paper from a paper feed tray accommodating the printing paper therein, a second roller mechanism for transporting the printing paper to a printing start position where formation of an image on the paper is started, and a power supply mechanism for giving power to the first roller mechanism and the second roller mechanism.

Abstract: A printer capable of transferring images to different types of media is disclosed. Media sheets of different sizes and types may be dispensed through a single input path to a print station including a printhead and a platen. The printhead is adapted for transferring images to media using either a direct thermal or dye diffusion process. A capstan roller, platen roller, picker assemblies and kicker assemblies are driven by a single motor, allowing for substantial cost and space savings. Other features are directed to improving the quality of images using the direct thermal and dye diffusion processes.

Abstract: A printer has a sheet housing unit for storing a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet having a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on one side and a printable surface on the other side. A set of pull-out rollers pulls the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet out of the sheet housing unit and transports the sheet in a given direction, and a cutter device cuts the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet that has been transported by the pull-out rollers. A printing device has a thermal print head for printing letters or images on the printable surface of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, and a print platen roller for transporting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in the given direction. A thermal activation device has a thermal-activation thermal head for heating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, and a thermal activation platen roller for transporting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in the given direction. A first drive unit drives the pull-out rollers and a second drive unit drives the print platen roller.

Abstract: A pressing lever is attached, rotatable about one end, on a holder. The center of rotation is positioned on a side opposite to a paper feed roller with respect to the center line of a vertical slit of the holder. Further, the pressing lever is provided with a pressing bar that extends toward the holder. When a supporter is inserted to the slit of holder, a sidewall having larger diameter is brought into contact with pressing member before the shaft of supporter comes into contact with a tip end of pressing lever, and thus, pressing lever rotates smoothly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image reading and recording apparatus comprising: a driving source; a recording sheet feeding means for feeding a recording sheet; recording means for recording an image in a predetermined recording area on the recording sheet, supplied by the recording sheet feeding means, and movable to outside of the recording area; document feeding means for feeding a document; reading means movable between the reading position for reading an image on the document, fed by the document feeding means, and the stand by position withdrawn from the reading position; a document feeding force transmitting means for transmitting the driving force of the driving source to the document feeding means; and moving means for moving the reading means to the reading position by the driving force of the driving source at the time the recording means is moved to the outside of the recording area.

Abstract: A card-flipping device for a card printing apparatus is provided. The card-flipping device comprises a card-carrier unit for transporting the card in a vertical direction, a motor drive means for moving the unit in the vertical direction, and an actuator assembly including a rotatable cam arm for flipping the card over. The card-flipping device is particularly suitable for use in thermal dye printers that print images on card substrates such as driver's licenses, employee badges, student cards, and the like. After one surface of the card has been printed, the card is conveyed to the card-flipping device, where the card is flipped over so that the reverse, unprinted side of the card can be printed thereon.

Abstract: A printer has a printing unit for printing during a printing operation on a printable surface of a thermally sensitive adhesive sheet having a thermally sensitive adhesive layer formed on a surface opposite to the printable surface. A first transporting mechanism transports the thermally sensitive adhesive sheet through the printing unit. A thermally activating unit heats the thermally sensitive adhesive layer of the thermally sensitive adhesive sheet and has a second transporting mechanism for transporting the thermally sensitive adhesive sheet through the thermally activating unit. A third transporting mechanism transports the thermally sensitive adhesive sheet from the printing unit to the thermally activating unit. A control device independently controls the first and second transporting mechanisms to thereby independently control a transporting speed of the thermally sensitive adhesive sheet during transportation thereof by the first and second transporting mechanisms.

Abstract: A thermal printer apparatus has a plurality of print stations for recording image information onto a receiver moving past the print stations. An adjustable-speed receiver drive mechanism is adapted to advance the receiver along the path. A plurality of sensors adapted to detect the temperature of the receiver and other surfaces along the path. A controller adjusts the speed of the drive mechanism as a function of the detected temperatures so as to effect a shim of the average raster line pitch of the printer to compensate for changes in the temperature of the receiver. An empirical model of receiver speed as a function of measured receiver temperature is used in software to predict receiver speed during printing.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus of this invention comprises a feed roller and a paper holding member for nipping and feeding roll paper; and a first paper guide that has a first guide surface against which the roll paper outputted from the feed roller is pushed. The first guide surface is tilted so as to guide the roll paper in a direction opposite to a curving direction of the roll paper. In this paper feeding apparatus, the roll paper is pushed against the guide surface for removing the curl. Therefore, the curl is removed efficiently. The mechanism for removing the curl becomes simple and load of motor is reduced. The paper feeding apparatus can be applied to a compact printer that is carried with a mobile phone.

Abstract: A card cleaner roller assembly for use in an identification card printer includes first and second cleaner pinch rollers, first and second tape rollers, first and second brackets, and a biasing mechanism. The first and second cleaner controllers are adapted to receive a transported card therebetween. The first and second tape rollers support a cleaning tape loop that is sandwiched between the second cleaner roller and the first tape roller. The cleaning tape loop includes a debris-collecting exterior surface that engages the second cleaner roller. The first bracket supports the first and second cleaner rollers and the first tape roller. The second bracket supports the second tape roller. The first and second brackets are assembled in sliding arrangement with each other and include a roller release position and an operating position. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the first and second brackets in the operating position.

Abstract: In the first print sequence, recording paper is conveyed in a printing direction. When the recording paper is conveyed to a target conveyance amount during the conveyance, a yellow image is printed. Then, the return sequence is performed. While conveying the recording paper in a supplying direction, ultraviolet rays is irradiated on the recording paper to fix a yellow image. During the fixing operation, the recording paper is returned by additionally considering the correction amount of conveyance according to the conveyance speed. In the return sequence, the recording paper is conveyed to the target conveyance amount to print a magenta image. Then the magenta image is fixed in the second return sequence. The recording paper is set in consideration of the conveyance speed during fixing the magenta image. After that, a cyan image is printed. Consequently, the printing position of each primary color becomes coincident.

Abstract: There is provided precise paper feeding. A control unit for controlling a motor for use in a printer includes a position counter to count output pulses of an encoder that rotates to follow rotation of the motor and detect a position of a printing medium transferred by the motor; a target control amount modifying and calculating part to calculate a modified target value of a feed-amount of the printing medium based on a target value of a feed-amount of the printing medium and a previous stop position of the printing medium detected by the position counter, and set a counted value of the position counter to the modified target value; and a position control part to control the motor so that the counted value of the position counter falls into a predetermined range including zero.

Abstract: The image processing device (A) comprises an original-document platen roller (P1) that has a first driven gear (G1) and is for transporting an original document (D), a recording-paper platen roller (P2) that has a second driven gear (G2) and is for transporting recording paper (K), and a drive mechanism (2) that has a first movable gear (a1), a second movable gear (a2), and a drive source (M) and is for transmitting a drive force generated by this drive source (M) to the first driven gear (G1) and second driven gear (G2). First movable gear (a1) is provided so as to be capable of engaging directly with first driven gear (G1), and second movable gear (a2) is provided so as to be capable of engaging directly with second driven gear (G2).

Abstract: In order to provide a paper-feeding stepping motor driving method which inhibits the torque of a paper-feeding stepping motor of a line-type thermal printer, which is driven in response to the divisional energization of heating elements, from excessively increasing during dynamic division printing, and which achieves noise reduction and energy conservation, while a driving signal to be applied to the paper-feeding stepping motor is active, an active pulse is subdivided.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording on a recording sheet by recording means comprises a conveying roller for conveying a recording sheet on the upstream side of recording means in the recording sheet conveying direction, plural discharging rollers for conveying a recording sheet on the downstream side of recording means in the recording sheet conveying direction, and a common driving source for driving the plural discharging rollers. For this recording apparatus the driving force of the driving source is transmitted first to a discharging roller on the outermost downstream side in the recording sheet conveying direction. With the structure thus arranged, this recording apparatus is capable of forming images in good condition on the rear portion of a recording sheet by enhancing the conveyance precision only by use of discharging rollers without any significant cost increase for a recording apparatus provided with plural discharging rollers.

Abstract: A printer device is equipped with a supply shaft and a take-up shaft for conveying an intermediate transfer medium having a transferring layer in a prescribed pattern, a printer portion for printing prescribed information on the transferring layer of the conveyed intermediate transfer medium, a transferring portion for transferring prescribed printed information together with the transferring layer on an image receiving medium, and a pressurization mechanism for press fitting an image receiving medium and the intermediate transfer medium by applying a fixed pressure irrespective of a thickness of an image forming medium.

Abstract: A printer apparatus has a printing device for printing on a printable layer of a thermosensitive adhesive sheet. A heat-application and transporting member heats a thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet and transports the thermosensitive adhesive sheet. A control device controls the heat-application and transporting member to heat a portion of the thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet while simultaneously controlling the printing device to print on a portion of the printable layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet disposed opposite to and generally confronting the portion of the thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is equipped with a recording head for performing recording on a conveyed recording medium by discharging liquid from a discharge opening array, and comprises a conveyor for conveying the recording medium, and a recording medium floating prevention member for preventing floating of the recording medium, wherein the floating prevention member includes a floating prevention area between the recording medium and the recording head, only on an upstream side, in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, of the discharge opening array of the recording head used in non-margin recording of performing the recording throughout the width of the recording medium. Thus, collision of the recording medium and the recording head can be prevented in both margin recording and the non-margin recording, without lowering recording speed and deteriorating recording quality.

Abstract: Forwarding and cutting method of a heat sensitive adhesive sheet using a printing device for printing on a printable layer of a heat sensitive adhesive sheet formed by the printable layer on one surface of a sheet-shaped substrate and a heat sensitive adhesive layer on the other surface thereof and first forwarding device for forwarding the heat sensitive adhesive sheet in a predetermined direction, a cutter provided in a posterior stage to the printing device, a thermal activating device including heating means provided in the posterior stage to the cutter, for heating the heat sensitive adhesive layer and second forwarding device for forwarding the heat sensitive adhesive sheet in a predetermined direction, an operation of the first forwarding device is stopped so as to cut the sheet by the cutter after temporarily loosening the sheet between the cutter and the thermal activating device according to speed control of the first and second forwarding devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are the following: a wide format thermal printer for printing a multicolor graphic product on a printing sheet; a vacuum workbed for supporting a sheet material for performing work operations, such as cutting, printing or plotting, thereon; a replaceable donor sheet assembly, which includes a memory, for use with a thermal printer; methods and apparatus for improved thermal printing, including methods and apparatus for conserving donor sheet and reducing the amount of time required to print a multicolor graphic product; a thermal printhead including a memory; and methods and apparatus for the alignment of a sheet material for printing or performing other work operations on the sheet material. The wide format thermal printer can include provision for the automatic loading of cassettes of donor sheet from a cassette storage rack.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is disclosed in which media advances at a first speed to an interim position based on signals from a first sensor having a first accuracy. While the media is advancing at the first speed, signals are accumulated from a second sensor having a second accuracy greater than the first accuracy. Upon the media reaching the interim position, an actual position of the media is adjusted based on the signals accumulated from the second sensor.

Abstract: A printer device is equipped with a supply shaft and a take-up shaft for conveying an intermediate transfer medium having a transferring layer in a prescribed pattern, a printer portion for printing prescribed information on the transferring layer of the conveyed intermediate transfer medium, a transferring portion for transferring prescribed printed information together with the transferring layer on an image receiving medium, and a pressurization mechanism for press fitting an image receiving medium and the intermediate transfer medium by applying a fixed pressure irrespective of a thickness of an image forming medium.

Abstract: In a color thermal printer, printing units for each color image are disposed along transporting path of recording sheet. In each printing unit, a thermal head and a platen roller are provided. Recording sheet is pressed on the thermal head by the platen roller and thermal head executes heat recording on recording sheet. The platen roller is provided with a pulse encoder for detecting transporting speed fluctuation amount thereof. Sheet transporting correction quantity is determined from a relation with the transporting speed fluctuation amount. The sheet transporting correction quantity is serially accumulated for the length of the recoding area, to correct recording start position of the color image to print next. Therefore, occurrence of registration deviation caused from heat deformation of the platen roller is suppressed, thereby to obtain high quality printing.

Abstract: In the first print sequence, recording paper is conveyed in a printing direction. When the recording paper is conveyed to a target conveyance amount during the conveyance, a yellow image is printed. Then, the return sequence is performed. While conveying the recording paper in a supplying direction, ultraviolet rays is irradiated on the recording paper to fix a yellow image. During the fixing operation, the recording paper is returned by additionally considering the correction amount of conveyance according to the conveyance speed. In the return sequence, the recording paper is conveyed to the target conveyance amount to print a magenta image. Then the magenta image is fixed in the second return sequence. The recording paper is set in consideration of the conveyance speed during fixing the magenta image. After that, a cyan image is printed. Consequently, the printing position of each primary color becomes coincident.

Abstract: A color thermal recording material is fed by a feed roller pair having a capstan roller and a pinch roller along a feeding path at a speed as a basis of thermal recording. Along the feeding path, a yellow, a magenta and a cyan thermal heads are disposed to sequentially print a yellow, a magenta and a cyan images within a recording area of the color thermal recording material. The interval between the thermal heads is a multiple of an integer of circumferential length (&pgr;d) of the capstan roller. The feeding speed of the recording paper changes periodically due to the fine unevenness of the circumference of the capstan roller and eccentric shaft. Since the phase in the feeding speed of the color thermal recording material becomes coincident at each thermal head against the periodical fluctuation, deviation of color registration is prevented.

Abstract: One roller (6) of paired feed rollers is a driving roller which is rotated by a motor (8), and a platen (3) and the other roller (which is a driven roller) (7) of the paired feed rollers are rotatably mounted on a swingable bracket (11) through a platen support member (12) and a roller support member (13) respectively to be free from being rotated by the motor (8).

Abstract: A media supply is provided for use in an imaging device having an entry port. The media supply has a housing defining a media storage area to hold media, an opening to receive media, and a device engagement surface shaped for insertion into the entry port A media enclosure is mounted to the housing and is movable between an open position wherein the media storage area can be accessed through the opening and a closed position blocking the opening. Wherein the media storage area, media enclosure, and engagement surface are arranged so that the media enclosure can be moved between the closed position and the open position when the engagement surface is inserted into the entry port.

Abstract: There is described a thermal printer assembly which includes an elongated thermal print head oriented substantially orthogonally to a print media path and a platen roller, aligned with and opposed to the elongated thermal print head, and adapted to pressure the print media against the print head. The assembly may include one or more additional print heads.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus of this invention comprises a feed roller and a paper holding member for nipping and feeding roll paper; and a first paper guide that has a first guide surface against which the roll paper outputted from the feed roller is pushed. The first guide surface is tilted so as to guide the roll paper in a direction opposite to a curving direction of the roll paper. In this paper feeding apparatus, the roll paper is pushed against the guide surface for removing the curl. Therefore, the curl is removed efficiently. The mechanism for removing the curl becomes simple and load of motor is reduced. The paper feeding apparatus can be applied to a compact printer that is carried with a mobile phone.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head which extends in a main scan direction. Feeder rollers move thermal recording paper relative to the thermal head in a sub scan direction, for image recording to the recording paper in a surface recording manner. In the thermal printer, at least one position detector includes a contact lever, rotatable about a rotational center. There is an edge contact surface for being pressed by a lateral edge of the recording paper. An encoding panel projects from the contact lever and away from the recording paper, and is shiftable in response to rotation of the contact lever. A detection pattern is formed on the encoding panel, and extends in a shifting direction thereof. An encoding sensor of two-phase outputting encoding is disposed in a shifting path of the detection pattern, for photoelectrically detecting a shifted position of the detection pattern.

Abstract: A recording device having a first card transfer passage with a card supply unit and a second card transfer passage intersecting the first card transfer passage enables the component elements including an information recording means such as a thermal-transfer printer to be assembled compact and efficiently handle one or more cards at one time. Such rational arrangement of the first and second card transfer passages includes a card turning means located at the intersection of the passages for transferring the card between the first and second card transfer passages and recording or printing information on either or both surfaces of the card. By adding a third card transfer passage extending radially from the intersection of the first and second card transfer passages, desired information can be recorded on the card in different manner.