Abstract: A cartridge assembly is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge housing defining an internal chamber. At least one rotatable spool is housed in the internal chamber. In the wall of the cartridge housing, a ribbon lock is formed. The ribbon lock has an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the ribbon lock is biased into engagement with the rotatable spool(s) to inhibit rotation of the rotatable spool(s). In the disengaged position, the ribbon lock is urged away from the rotatable spool(s) to disengage the ribbon lock from the rotatable spool(s) to permit rotation of the spool(s).

Abstract: A media cartridge is disclosed for insertion into a cartridge receptacle of a printer. The media cartridge includes a cartridge housing having one or more shifting ribs on the cartridge housing. At a position of initial insertion of the media cartridge into the cartridge receptacle, the shifting ribs are configured to center a length of media and an ink ribbon of the media cartridge between a print head and a platen roller in the cartridge receptacle. As the insertion of the media cartridge into the cartridge receptacle continues, the shifting ribs shift the length of media and the ink ribbon toward one of the print head and the platen roller.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly is disclosed with improved protection of its media and/or ink ribbon. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge housing for receiving media. The cartridge housing includes an exit opening through which the media exits the cartridge housing along a media path. A media guide is also located on the media path and is spaced from the exit opening a predetermined distance. An edge protector extends between the exit opening and the media guide adjacent a lower edge of the media path to protect a lower edge of the media.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a printer for an automatic packing machine, which employs a ribbon cartridge to facilitate replacement of a ribbon tape and allows a thermal print head to be lifted or lowered to further facilitate replacement of the ribbon tape. The present disclosure also provides an automatic packing machine including the same. The printer is configured to print medicine data on a surface of a wrapping paper using a thermal print head and a ribbon tape. The printer includes a stationary plate secured to a lower portion of a body of the automatic packing machine, a movable plate disposed to be movable with respect to the stationary plate, and a ribbon cartridge receiving a ribbon tape and detachably mounted to the movable plate.

Abstract: A tape cassette includes a first guide member provided between a feed portion and a discharge slot, and positioned on or immediately before the discharge slot, on an upstream side in a travel direction of a ink ribbon, wherein the first guide member bends and guides travel of the ink ribbon in the predetermined direction while making contact with a reverse side of a inked surface of the ink ribbon and a second guide member provided between the feed portion and the discharge slot, and positioned on an upstream side in the travel direction of the ink ribbon with respect to the first guide member, wherein the second guide member bends and guides the travel of the ink ribbon in the predetermined direction while making contact with the reverse side of the inked surface of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: A tape printer for use with a tape cassette and an ink ribbon cassette, the printer comprising a housing and a printhead having a line of printing elements thereon, wherein said printer comprises at least one cassette receiving portion in said housing for receiving the tape cassette and the ink ribbon cassette, such that the cassettes are receivable in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the line of printing elements on the printhead when the printhead is in a printing position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an intelligent printer ribbon cartridge includes a microcontroller that monitors sensors related to the ribbon cartridge for use in a line matrix printer. The ribbon cartridge contains an impact printing ribbon in the form of either a simple loop, a mobius loop, or a long strip of ribbon connected to two spools, with one spool at each end of the cartridge. The ribbon cartridge is able to monitor at least one motion sensor, process the information, and perform a suitable action or communicate an action or information to the printer. This allows the ribbon cartridge to adapt or instruct the printer to adapt with any new types of ribbons, ribbon cartridges, formats, etc. so that the printing may occur with virtually any type of ribbon/cartridge.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface and a pair of side surfaces, a tape that is a print medium housed in the housing, a tape exit that discharges, from the housing, the tape guided in the housing along a predetermined feed path, at least a part of the feed path extending parallel to the front surface, and a type indicator portion provided adjacent to the tape exit and in a specified area of the front surface on an upstream side of the tape exit in a feed direction of the tape, the type indicator portion indicating a type of the tape and including vertical information sections and a protrusion formed in at least one of the vertical information sections, the vertical information sections being strip-shaped sections extending along a direction orthogonal to the feed direction.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge includes: a supply spool, on which an ink ribbon is wound; a winding spool which takes up the ink ribbon sent from the supply spool; and a cartridge main body which has a supply-side ribbon housing section which houses the supply spool so as to be able to rotate, and a winding-side ribbon housing section which houses the winding spool so as to be able to rotate, and in which a head entry opening portion, into which a thermal head enters, is formed between the supply-side ribbon housing section and the winding-side ribbon housing section, and opening portions for the ribbon, which make the ink ribbon extend in the head entry opening portion, are formed on the head entry opening portion side of the supply-side ribbon housing section and the head entry opening portion side of the winding-side ribbon housing section.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge includes: a supply spool which has at one end portion a driving hole, with which a driving shaft of a printer apparatus is engaged; a winding spool which has at one end portion a driving hole, with which the driving shaft of the printer apparatus is engaged; and a cartridge main body which has a supply-side ribbon housing section, a winding-side ribbon housing section, and a thermal head entry opening portion formed between the supply-side and winding-side ribbon housing sections, and in which opening portions for the ribbon are formed on the head entry opening portion sides of the supply-side and winding-side ribbon housing sections, wherein in the cartridge main body, a concave guide portion is formed, and on a bottom face of the concave guide portion, a projection portion, which comes into contact with a guide portion of the printer apparatus side, is formed.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing, at least one tape, and a color indicator portion disposed between the tape housing area and the periphery, and in a specified area adjacent to the tape housing area on a rear edge side of the bottom wall, the color indicator portion indicating color information relating to the at least one tape and including a plurality of lateral information sections that are a plurality of strip-shaped sections extending along the left-and-right direction of the housing and aligned in a front-rear direction of the housing, wherein, of the plurality of lateral information sections, whether a protrusion is formed in a first lateral information section indicates a base material color of the at least one tape, and whether a protrusion is formed in a second lateral information section indicates a print color of the at least one tape.

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: A tape cassette that includes a generally rectangular box-like housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall defining a periphery of the housing, a first and second cavities extending from the bottom wall and disposed between a tape containing area and the periphery at opposite ends of a diagonal of the generally rectangular box-like housing, at least one tape wound and mounted within the housing in the tape containing area, the at least one tape including a first tape disposed in a first area, the first tape having a hole at a center of winding, and the first area being one of two areas formed by dividing the housing with respect to a line connecting the first and second cavities, and a third cavity that extends in the hole of the first tape from the bottom wall.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top case and a bottom case, a tape, a printer head insertion portion, an arm portion including a first wall portion and a second wall portion extending perpendicularly upwards from a bottom wall of the bottom case, a first width direction regulating portion and a first print surface side regulating portion provided respectively provided on the second wall portion to restrict a movement of the tape in a tape width direction and toward a print surface side of the tape, a first lower joining portion provided on an upper end of the first width direction regulating portion, and a first upper joining portion provided on the top case to join with the first lower joining portion at a position that corresponds to a position of the first lower joining portion when the top case and the bottom case are joined.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a generally rectangular box-like housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall defining a periphery of the housing, at least one tape wound and mounted within the housing in a tape containing area defined within the periphery, and a pair of cavities extending from the bottom wall and disposed between the tape containing area and the periphery at opposite ends of a diagonal of the generally rectangular box-like housing, the diagonal connecting a first corner portion and a second corner portion of the generally rectangular box-like housing.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface and a front surface, a wound tape mounted within the housing, a printer head holder insertion portion that is a space extending through the housing in a vertical direction and having an oblong rectangular shape in a plan view, the oblong rectangular shape extending parallel to the front surface, and a printer first support receiving portion connected to a first end of the printer head holder insertion portion and facing the printer head holder insertion portion in a first direction that is parallel to the front surface, the first end being positioned on an upstream side of the printer head holder insertion portion in a feed direction of the tape, the printer first support receiving portion being a first indentation extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a box-like housing that includes a top wall having a top surface, a bottom wall having a bottom surface and opposing the top wall, and a side wall having a specified height and being formed along peripheries of the top wall and the bottom wall, a tape that is mounted within the housing, a first indicator portion that is provided in the side wall of the housing and indicates a first element among a plurality of elements of a tape type of the tape, and a second indicator portion that is provided in the bottom wall of the housing and indicates a second element among the plurality of elements of the tape type, the second element being different from the first element.

Abstract: A thermal printer cartridge is provided. The thermal printer cartridge comprising: a supply housing having a drive end and a non-drive end; a take-up housing having a drive end and a non-drive end; a stiffening linkage joining the non-drive end of the supply housing to the non-drive end of the take-up housing, the stiffening linkage being capable of elastic deflection to absorb a portion of the energy from an impact load; an elastically deformable linkage joining the drive ends, the resilient linkage being adapted to elastically deflect following a first deflection pattern and to absorb another portion of an amount of energy from a impact load; and a damping linkage joining the drive ends, the damping linkage being adapted to elastically deflect following a second deflection pattern that is different than the first deflection pattern and to absorb still another portion of an amount of energy from the impact load.

Abstract: A printer includes a print head moving in printing and shifting regions, a carriage connecting the print head and the print head transport mechanism, and a ribbon cassette mounting mechanism that drives a multicolor ribbon cassette to swing. A ribbon cassette supporting mechanism in the shifting region correspondingly supports the ribbon cassette mounting mechanism to different levels to shift color of the ink ribbon while the ribbon cassette supporting mechanism rotates. A ribbon cassette shifting mechanism fixed on the carriage is used, in the shifting region, to lift the ribbon cassette mounting mechanism to a position disengaged from the ribbon cassette supporting mechanism and move the ribbon cassette supporting mechanism to rotate. A resetting mechanism fixed on the ribbon cassette supporting mechanism resets the ribbon cassette supporting mechanism when the ribbon cassette supporting mechanism no longer contacts the ribbon cassette mounting mechanism and the ribbon cassette shifting mechanism.

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 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: The lettering tape produced by the print cassette is composed of an application tape and an adhesive tape. The adhesive tape has a release sheet with which an adhesive layer is coated. A printing surface of the application tape to which the ink is thermally transferred and the adhesive layer are overlapped to be stuck to each other to compose the lettering tape retransferring the ink.

Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge, requiring no adhesive, capable of inhibiting the number of components from increase is obtained. This ink sheet cartridge comprises first and second case portions storing an ink sheet as well as a first hook portion and a first hook engaging portion integrally provided on the first and second case portions respectively. Either the first case portion or the second case portion is so slid as to engage the first hook portion with the first hook engaging portion, thereby fixing the first and second case portions to each other.

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: Devices, systems and methods for a portable printer are provided. Personnel utilize features of the printer to manage products, store information on labels, and aid in shipping. A low battery shut-off feature shuts down the printer at a set battery power percentage; a battery charge control feature controls battery charging to stay within a set range of state of charge values to ensure longer battery life; a ribbon cartridge insertion feature allows for easy replacement of the ribbon cartridge; ribbon cartridge locating features lock the ribbon cartridge into place for printing; a ribbon guiding feature adjusts the ribbon during printing to reduce wrinkles; an RFID coupler mounting feature mounts and shields an RFID coupler inside the printer; a media guide locking feature fixes the media position to prevent misalignment; and a media alignment feature allows the user to properly align the media with the printhead during installation.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having first and second side surfaces of the chassis; an ink sheet cartridge detachably disposed between the first and second side surfaces of the chassis; a take-up reel engaging the take-up bobbin; and a feed reel engaging the feed bobbin. The ink sheet cartridge includes a casing, a take-up bobbin and a feed bobbin disposed within the casing, first and second compression coil springs respectively coupled to circumferences of portions of the take-up bobbin and the feed bobbin so as to bias the take-up bobbin and the feed bobbin in the longitudinal direction. At least one of the take-up reel and the feed reel engages the corresponding one of the take-up bobbin and the feed bobbin without a biasing member being disposed between the first surface of the chassis and the corresponding one of the take-up bobbin and the feed bobbin.

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: This is disclosed a portable printer that is easy to load with an ink ribbon cartridge and record members web supplies, that is simple, has relatively few parts, is lightweight and has a small footprint.

Abstract: A ribbon guide includes a pair of upper and lower plates for limiting upper and lower ends of an ink ribbon. A ribbon guide plate is disposed between the pair of upper and lower plates so as to guide a non-transfer surface of the ink ribbon. Ribbon press bars are suspended between the pair of upper and lower plates so as to guide a transfer surface of the ink ribbon. Cutouts through which the ink ribbon is inserted are formed at the lower plate so as to surround lower end portions of the ribbon press bars.

Abstract: A projection is provided in a roller holder. Accordingly, in a state wherein the roller holder is pressed against a supporting board to make a platen roller come in close contact with a thermal head, a cassette presses the roller holder through the projection in a process of loading the cassette inside a cassette loading portion. As a result, the roller holder moves in a biasing direction (direction from inward to outward of the cassette loading portion) , causing the roller holder to move away from the supporting board. Thus, even if a state is maintained wherein the platen roller adhered to the thermal head and the roller holder is kept pressed against the supporting board, the roller holder can be separated from the supporting board when the cassette is loaded up.

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: Packaging for reliably fixing an irregularly shaped ink ribbon unit includes few components, including a printing paper roll wound with printing paper, an ink ribbon unit having both a sending roll that is wound with an ink ribbon and a winding roll disposed in parallel to the sending roll, a container for holding the printing paper roll and ink ribbon unit, and a partition member that partitions the container into first and second storage regions, into which the printing paper roll and ink ribbon unit are respectively stored. The ink ribbon unit is arranged in such a manner that the direction of the shafts of the sending and winding rolls is parallel to the bottom surface of the second storage region, and the partition member extends with an inclination relative to a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the second storage region.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette structure is provided. The provided ribbon cassette structure includes a cartridge having at least a rotating structure. The rotating structure includes a first actuating element, a first connecting element, a second actuating element and a support shaft. The first connecting element is located between the first actuating element and the second actuating element, and the second actuating element is located between the first actuating element and the support shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a sheet feed cassette to store a sheet supplied to the image forming apparatus. The sheet feed cassette has a cassette body and a cassette cover. The cassette body stores the sheet and has first and second cassette portions coupled adjustably in length. The cassette cover is detachably mounted on the cassette body to cover its upper portion and has first and second cover portions coupled adjustably in length. The cassette cover has a fitting portion, and the cassette body has fitting receive portions in the first and second cassette portions. Each of the fitting receive portions is fittable with the fitting portion. The fitting receive portions overlap in a sheet feed direction when the cassette body is retracted. Of the fitting receive portions, one fitting receive portion not fitted with the fitting portion when the cassette body is extended is at least partially closed.

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: An inked ribbon core is formed with interference structure, providing an internal cylindrical contact surface, and a longitudinal rib, the interference structure and rib frictionally engaging corresponding spindle structures to secure the core on the spindle.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge is used in a label printer, including: a frame having two opposite side boards, a top board, and a bottom board, of which the top and bottom boards are mounted to top and bottom ends of the side boards; two first pivots respectively mounted to opposing surfaces of the opposite side boards and horizontally opposite to each other; two second pivots respectively mounted to the opposing surfaces of the opposite side boards and horizontally opposite to each other, the second pivots being arranged lower than the first pivots; and two channel structures including two first guides and two second guides, which are formed on the opposing surfaces of the opposite side boards and opposite to each other so as to delimit the two channel structures for guiding a printing module of the label printer along the channel structures for coupling to the ink ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge for use in a credential production device is disclosed. The ribbon cartridge includes a take-up spool, a supply spool and a ribbon wound on the supply and take-up spools. The supply spool includes a loaded condition, in which a majority of the ribbon is wound on the supply spool and a minority of the ribbon is wound on the take-up spool. The take-up spool includes a loaded condition, in which a majority of the ribbon is wound on the take-up spool and a minority of the ribbon is wound on the supply spool. The ribbon wound on the supply spool in the loaded condition extends into the space occupied by the ribbon wound on the take-up spool when the take-up spool is in the loaded condition.

Abstract: A ribbon identification system detects a digitally encoded tract comprised of radially printed bands of dark and light areas positioned on a ribbon spool that fits on a media printing device. Each type and length of ribbon to be used is associated with a specific and unique digitally encoded tract. When the ribbon spool is positioned correctly on the printing device, the digitally encoded tract is detected, and the control program of the printing device sets the parameters associated with that ribbon automatically ensuring proper printing. Through the digitally encoded tract, the ribbon spool is uniquely identified so that once it has been determined by the printing device's control program that the ribbon has been depleted, that ribbon spool, if reinstalled on the same printing device at a later time, will be recognized as a depleted ribbon, and the printing device will not function.

Abstract: A ribbon identification system detects a digitally encoded tract comprised of radially printed bands of dark and light areas positioned on a ribbon spool that fits on a media printing device. Each type and length of ribbon to be used is associated with a specific and unique digitally encoded tract. When the ribbon spool is positioned correctly on the printing device, the digitally encoded tract is detected, and the control program of the printing device sets the parameters associated with that ribbon automatically ensuring proper printing. Through the digitally encoded tract, the ribbon spool is uniquely identified so that once it has been determined by the printing device's control program that the ribbon has been depleted, that ribbon spool, if reinstalled on the same printing device at a later time, will be recognized as a depleted ribbon, and the printing device will not function.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge including a frame, supply shaft connecting member, and take-up shaft connecting members is provided. The supply shaft connecting members connect a supply shaft to the frame, and the take-up shaft connecting members connect a take-up shaft to the frame. One of the take-up shaft connecting members includes a gear for driving the take-up shaft and the supply shaft, the take-up shaft connecting member with the gear is detachable relative to the frame such that when the take-up shaft is removed from the frame, the take-up shaft connecting member with the gear remains secured to the frame. The frame having a substantially rectangular shape with a plurality of projecting portions, at least two of the plurality of projecting portions are substantially facing each other.

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: Disclosed is a printer paper spooler with error condition detector including a first slot structure and a second slot structure, a bobbin disposed between the first slot structure and the second slot structure, a light emitting diode, and a phototransistor that receives a detecting light beam emitted by the light emitting diode. Also included is a take-up reel that is powered by a take-up motor, associable with the bobbin via printed receipt paper, and disposed on a take-up tower. Further included is a base structure, on which the first slot structure, the second slot structure, and the take-up tower are disposed, and a spooler control program, associable via a data exchange connection with the phototransistor, the take-up motor, and a printer control program, which is associated with, and controls, a receipt paper printer that is printing the printed receipt paper.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette includes a ribbon supply spool, and a ribbon take up spool that takes up an ink ribbon from the ribbon supply spool by rotating in a first rotation direction. The ribbon take up spool is provided with an engaging portion including first and second walls arranged in the second rotation direction in this order. The first wall is defined along a plane including a rotation axis of the ribbon take up spool. The second wall is inclined to face outside the ribbon take up spool. The ribbon cassette further includes an engaging member. The engaging member resiliently engages with the engaging portion by dropping into a space defined between the first and second walls and thereby prevents the ribbon take up spool from rotating in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. The engaging member, however, comes off from the engaging portion when the ribbon take up spool rotates in the first direction.

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: A system is provided for movably supporting an ink film in a printer. The system has cylindrical supply and take-up cores for supporting and taking up the film during printing operations. The cores may be made of molded plastic resin. The ends of the cores are sized to selectively fit within a frame in such a way as to provide stable operation, including where applicable, while a frame cover is closed. In a preferred embodiment, the diameters of the first and second ends of the supply and take-up cores are essentially the same, and the diameters of the second and first ends of the respective cores are essentially the same. A molded cylindrical brake portion frictionally contacts the teeth of a brake gear to provide the desired film tension with improved handling and with reduced likelihood of jamming.

Abstract: A printer media supply spool adapted to allow the printer to sense type of media, and method of assembling same. The supply spool comprises a shaft having a supply of media ribbon wound thereabout. A transceiver unit is disposed proximate the shaft. The transceiver is capable of transmitting a first electromagnetic field and sensing a second electromagnetic field. A transponder including a semi-conductor chip is integrally connected to the shaft and has encoded data stored in the chip indicative of the type of media ribbon. The chip is capable of receiving the first electromagnetic field to power the chip and then generating the second electromagnetic field as the chip is powered. The second electromagnetic field is characteristic of the data stored in the chip. The transceiver unit senses the second electromagnetic field, which second electromagnetic field has the data subsumed therein.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printing machine and media cartridge. The printing machine has a housing, a printing mechanism and a processing unit connected to the housing, a media cartridge interface connecting the media cartridge to the printing machine, and a look-up table for storing media cartridge parameters. The media cartridge has a media support for a media source, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit has a plurality of conductive traces with fusible links connected together in a circuit pattern on at least one of its sides. The circuit pattern includes an encoding of at least one media cartridge parameter that may be stored in the look-up table of the printing machine.

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