Abstract: The ribbon winding unit is equipped with a first moving gear, a second moving gear, a first intermediate gear, a tumbler gear, and a winding member. The first intermediate gear engages with the first moving gear when the first moving gear and the second moving gear move in a given direction, and disengages from the first moving gear when the first moving gear and the second moving gear move in an opposite direction. The tumbler gear engages with the first intermediate gear, engages with the second moving gear when the first moving gear and the second moving gear move in the opposite direction, and disengages from the second moving gear when the first moving gear and the second moving gear move in the given direction.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a takeup reel driving motor which, after printing, takes up an ink ribbon to eliminate a slack in the ink ribbon. The printing apparatus includes a control device for comparing a distance (a) over which the ink ribbon R is taken up to eliminate the slack in the ink ribbon R with a distance (b) from a print end position to a print start position for a next color.

Abstract: A tape printer includes a roll sheet holder storage part of which a bottom is formed with a positioning recess which is rectangular in plan view and long sideways and has a predetermined depth. A discrimination recess rectangular in plan view is provided between the positioning recess and an inner base end of a holder support member). The discrimination recess fittingly receives a sheet discrimination part extending in a predetermined length from a lower end of the positioning holding member inward at substantially right angle thereto. The sheet discrimination part is formed with sensor holes arranged in an L-shaped pattern. In the discrimination recess, there are provided sheet discrimination sensors arranged in an L-shaped pattern.

Abstract: A printer and printer media are provided. The printer comprises a media support for receiving a print media. The media support includes a bar code reader. The media comprises a printable media and a bar code disposed on the media.

Abstract: An improved detectable spool for use with a ribbon includes an improved hub which includes a core and an indication member. The indication member is a generally planar metallic member that is substantially embedded in the core, with the indication member including a support and a plurality of tabs. In at least one embodiment the indication member is a monolithically formed single-piece member, while in another embodiment the indication member is a multi-component member.

Abstract: A thermal printer free of the unevenness of an image is devised so that dust is prevented from adhering to an ink ribbon. In the thermal printer for generating a color image on a recording material by a thermal head and others using an ink ribbon, the ink ribbon is automatically rewound by a length within one image plane and kept on standby after printing is finished and at the time of next printing, the ink ribbon is automatically let out by the length formerly rewound and gets ready for printing.

Abstract: A clean print ribbon feed system and method for a printer having a ribbon with two non-inked clean hands portions wound around a pair of spools is disclosed. Detection of the spool having greater angular velocity and lesser angular velocity determines the direction of feed. The spool having greater angular velocity winds and takes up the print ribbon. The non-inked portion can be formed as a conductive plastic and is initially wound on each spool. Detection of the non-inked portion of the ribbon takes place by two electrical contactors. The determination of the angular velocity of the spools determines the amount of print ribbon on one of the spools so that the spool having the lesser ribbon can be driven as a take-up spool to provide proper directional drive for winding the clean hands portion and the inked portion which follows.

Abstract: A roll of a recording paper is rotatably contained in a paper magazine. The magazine is provided with a mouth through which the recording paper is drawn out and fed to a printer. A leading edge of the recording paper is adapted to come into contact with an outer periphery of the roll by a contacting device. The remainder of the roll is indicated by an indicating device. The mouth of the magazine is opened and closed with a shutter unit. The inside of the magazine tightly closed with the shutter unit is kept at constant humidity by a humidity conditioning paper. On the other hand, the roll is caught between a pair of flanges. One of the flanges is biased by plate springs toward the other of the flanges so that the roll is held in the magazine without looseness.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a ribbon motor for a color printing system, including the stop of rotating a ribbon in reverse by one color pitch so as to prevent the deterioration of print quality due to dust particulates on a surface of the ribbon after the completion of the printing operation. The above method further includes the steps of counting the time that the printing system is in a standby mode after the printing operation; and presetting a critical point in the printing system in order to compare the time that the printing system is in the standby mode with the critical point.