Abstract: An apparatus for holding a thermal transfer printing ink-sheet in a cartridge case and for indicating a characteristic of the ink-sheet, comprises an ink-sheet including an ink which is transferred from the ink-sheet by a heat energy, a shaft on which the ink-sheet is wound and which is mounted detachably and in a rotatable manner on the cartridge case, and an indicating member which is discrete in relation to the cartridge case, indicates the characteristic of the ink-sheet, is rotatable in relation to the shaft, and is connected to the shaft so that an integral combination of the indicating member and the shaft is kept on a replacement of the ink-sheet, and the indicating member and the shaft are separated simultaneously from the cartridge case on the replacement of the ink-sheet.

Abstract: A video printing apparatus including a thermal head and accommodating an ink ribbon cartridge having a plurality of color blocks. The apparatus has a subsidiary head which records an identification mark on the color blocks when used in a printing operation. The identification mark is recorded on a predetermined portion of the color block which is not used in a printing operation. A sensor is provided for detecting the identification mark recorded on the used color blocks.

Abstract: Means to control feeding of a multi-strike ink ribbon housed in a reversible cassette is disclosed. The cassette carries a magnetizable element and when the cassette is inserted in printing apparatus the element is located in operative alignment with a magnetic sensing device and with an electromagnet. Upon insertion of the cassette, the polarity of magnetization is sensed and provided the polarity is correct printing is enabled. If the polarity is incorrect printing is disabled. When the end of the ink ribbon is sensed, the electromagnet is energized to reverse the polarity of magnetization of the element so that when the cassette is removed and reinserted with reversed orientation, the correct polarity of magnetization is sensed and printing is enabled. A counter may be provided to limit the number of permitted reversals of the cassette.

Abstract: A device for displaying a residual amount of cartridge ribbons in a color video printer. The rotational period of a supply reel or a take-up reel, is detected and the detected rotational period is compared with previously stored reference periods. A present residual amount is displayed based on the comparison so that a user can know how many more sheets can be printed with the ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: A motor and drive mechanism having a drive hub which positively locks to a core for a ribbon roll, and a drag hub which also positively locks to a core for a ribbon roll. A ribbon roll has a core formed of concentric cylindrical shells separated from one another with a ribbon wound about the outer shell and one or more coding marks are provided on this shell to indicate both the printer control system and, to a visual observer, information specific to the ribbon.

Abstract: The processing system described by the invention comprises a memory means for storing print information and a printer for printing the print information stored in the memory means. The printing means using exchangeable printing material to print the print information. The printer has a detector which detects when the printing material is used up. The processing system further includes a controller for controlling the printer which in response to the detection of the using-up of the printing material, stops the printer. After the used-up printing material is exchanged, the controller restarts the printer and the remaining portion of the print information is printed, connected to the earlier portion in a smooth manner and that there is no evidence of the interruption. print information when the printing material is used up in the middle of the printing of the print information.

Abstract: An ink ribbon unit and an ink ribbon cassette for use in printers of thermally sublimate ink transferal type are described. The cassette comprises a casing and the ink ribbon unit installed in the casing. The ink ribbon unit comprises an ink film, a spool around which the ink film is wound, a coaxial shaft portion possessed by the spool, a ring rotatably disposed about the coaxial shaft portion of the spool, and a mark representing information on the ink film. The mark is applied to the ring to rotate therewith. Another mark similar to the above-mentioned mark is attached to the casing.

Abstract: A multicolor printing device has a plurality of successive print heads along a path to print images from a dye web of a respectively different color at each head on a dye receiving sheet successively advanced to each head in a set of printing cycles corresponding to the number of heads. The device is operated under end of web roll responsive control to prevent any web from reaching an end of roll condition during a set of printing cycles. Each web has a predetermined number of successive dye areas and intervening dye-free areas that are sensed and counted, as the web moves in increments in the successive cycles, to control the operation and to register the successive dye areas with the associated head.

Abstract: A recording device in which an ink ribbon is used and recording is performed shifting the ribbon in the direction of the width of the ribbon and having a sensor for detecting the end of an effective portion of the ribbon. Using the end sensor, the vertical position of the region of the ribbon used for recording is detected.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording to a recording medium comprises an ink sheet cassette to mount an ink sheet having an ink, a carriage to mount an ink sheet cassette, a platen to mount a recording medium, a recording head for transferring the ink of the ink sheet to the recording medium to thereby record to the recording medium, an alarm portion provided for the ink sheet in order to warn of the end of ink sheet in the cassette, and a sensor which is commonly used to detect both the size of recording medium set onto the platen and the alarm portion. The alarming portion is formed by adhering or printing a high reflectance material such as a metal foil to the end portion on the back surface of the ink sheet.

Abstract: A printing apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes: a plurality of replaceable ink ribbons each having a ribbon end indicating an end of the ribbon; a printer for printing an image by using the ink ribbons while scanning printing paper; a detector for detecting any ribbon end of the ink ribbons; a stop device responsive to a detection output of the detector for stopping operation of the printer; a storage device for storing a stop position of the stopped printer; an instructing device for instructing restart of printing after replacement of the ink ribbon having the detected ribbon end with another ink ribbon; and a control device responsive to an instruction output of the instructing device for controlling the printer to restart printing by using the replaced ink ribbon based on the stored stop position.

Abstract: A printing device including a mounting base on which a ribbon cassette accommodating a ribbon having a transparent terminal end part is removably loaded, light emitting and receiving elements fixed on the mounting base and a reflective plate fixed on the mounting base, wherein when the ribbon in the ribbon cassette loaded on the mounting base comes to the end, light emitted from the light emitting element impinges upon and reflects back from the reflective plate through the transparent terminal end part of the ribbon interposed between the light emitting element and the reflective plate and then enters into the light receiving element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically determining when a ribbon cassette in a printer should be replaced. The ribbon cassette comprises a housing and an electrically conductive ink ribbon stored in the housing. The apparatus comprises a detection apparatus which includes a first conductor and a second conductor which pass through the housing and contact the ink ribbon, thereby enabling a signal to be generated when the electrical resistance of the ink ribbon equals a predetermined resistance. A controller coupled to the detection apparatus causes a message that the ribbon cassette needs to be replaced to be displayed on a display in response to the signal. The method entails generating a first signal corresponding to the electrical resistance of at least a portion of the ink ribbon; and then generating a second signal when the first signal equals a third signal corresponding to the predetermined resistance of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: A dot matrix line printer is disclosed in which the amount of wear of an ink ribbon is measured by continuously compiling data representing impacting action of the printer as the printer prints.In one embodiment, this is accomplished by initially determining a dot count based on the length of the ribbon and representing the maximum theoretical useful life of the ink ribbon and then decreasing the initial dot count as printing thereafter commences. The dot count remaining is continuously divided by the initial dot count to determine the percentage of ribbon life remaining. When the dot count has been increased substantially to zero, a worn ribbon indication is provided to initiate an audible or visible alarm and to prevent further printing until the worn ribbon is replaced. As printing occurs the dots actually printed are counted, and this count is applied to reduce the initial dot count at a rate determined by the type of printing being undertaken.

Abstract: A ribbon assembly having a ribbon supply spool and a ribbon take-up spool. Attached to either the ribbon supply spool or the ribbon take-up spool is a bar code. The bar code is machine readable and is encoded with data relevant to the operation of printing means suitable to employ the ribbon assembly. The printing means comprises reading means for reading the bar code present on the ribbon assembly. Based on the information encoded on the bar code and read by the reading means, the operating parameters of the printing means are adjusted for the specific ribbon assembly employed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a reading device for reading a code registered section provided on an ink sheet cassette, and a color discrimination device, a part of which is provided on a thermal head. The apparatus acts to heat an ink sheet superposed on a print paper by means of the thermal head to print an image on the print paper. The ink sheet cassette includes a pair of ink shafts on which both ends of a continuous ink sheet having a continuous film or paper with inks applied thereon are wound, and a cassette case in which the ink shafts are received, at least one of the ink shafts being adapted to be drivingly connected in the axial direction to a torque supply shaft inserted from the outside of the cassette case so that driving torque is supplied from the torque supply shaft to the ink shaft.

Abstract: A printing machine is disclosed for printing an image on an image receiving tape. The present invention includes a novel tape cassette. The cassette includes a housing with a tape spool and ribbon spool disposed within the housing, and electrical circuit elements which are disposed to electrically engage electrical connectors carried by the printing machine. The circuit elements are selected to cooperate with the circuitry of the printing machine to indicate desired characteristics of the cassette. The desired characteristics may be varied such that the electrical elements identify the size of the tape or the type of tape carried by the casette.

Abstract: There is disclosed a replaceable inking cartridge for a printer. The inking cartridge includes an arrangement for indicating when the inking medium of the cartridge has been spent. The indicating arrangement is non-resettable so that the user is prevented from using a spent cartridge for additional printing. The indicating means is useful for signalling the user or the printer about the spent condition of the cartridge.

Abstract: A dot matrix line printer is disclosed in which the amount of wear of an ink ribbon is measured by continuously compiling data representing impacting action of the printer as the printer prints.In a first embodiment, this is accomplished by initially determining a dot count based on the length of the ribbon and representing the maximum theoretical useful life of the ink ribbon and then decreasing the initial dot count as printing thereafter commences. The dot count remaining is continuously divided by the initial dot count to determine the percentage of ribbon life remaining. When the dot count has been decreased substantially to zero, a worn ribbon indication is provided to initiate an audible or visible alarm and to prevent further printing until the worn ribbon is replaced. As printing occurs the dots actually printed are counted, and this count is applied to reduce the initial dot count at a rate determined by the type of printing being undertaken.

Abstract: In a tape holding case including two or three tapes in wound states and at least one of tapes is arranged to be fed out and the other of tapes is arranged to be taken up in the case, a visually distinguishable portion is provided at a trailing end of the tape to be fed out. The distinguishable portion is fed out before the other of tapes is completely taken up within the tape holding case.Thus, the one of tapes is not travelled without taking up operation of the other of tapes if an operator ceases the feeding operation after confirming the fed out predetermined portion.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes a mark disposed on an ink spool of an ink film cassette, reading device for reading the rotation of the ink spool by use of the mark, a calculation device for calculating the used quantity of ink film by use of the rotation data of the spool, and a display portion for displaying the remaining quantity of ink film obtained by the calculation device.

Abstract: An improved thermal transfer printer which is so arranged that a winding motor for driving a transfer ribbon winding device in synchronization with a carriage motor is mounted on the carriage separately from the carriage motor so as to reduce the load applied onto the carriage motor, with simultaneous elimination of an engaging mechanism between a carriage scanning mechanism and the ribbon winding device.

Abstract: A symmetrically constructed inking ribbon cassette is provided that is substantially rectangular in shape and which has two openings symmetrically arranged at the shorter sides of the cassette for receiving capstan drive shaft and a light barrier. The cassette housing is formed of two halves which are held together with catch noses at a joining plane of the housing halves and a viewing slot is provided in each slot adjacent to one of the ribbon winding hubs which are carried in the housing.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette has a cassette case in which a thermal transfer ink ribbon subjected to a plurality of printing operations on the same surface at the same position. The case is alternately loaded in a thermal printer in a first loading posture and in a second loading posture which is a reversed posture to the first one to change a feed direction of the ribbon in the printer. A count display unit is provided on the case to record the number of times of use of the ribbon and display the number.

Abstract: A means for assuring ink ribbon and correction tape compatibility in a device which utilizes a first cassette having an ink ribbon therein and second cassette having a correction tape therein including a switch means in the device that controls the on-off condition of the device, and means located on one of the cassettes which will activate the on-off switch only when the device contains an ink ribbon in the first cassette which is functionally compatible with the correction tape in the second cassette, such as, for example, functional compatibility between a single-strike ink ribbon and a lift-off correction tape, or functional compatibility between a multiple-strike ink ribbon and a cover-up correction tape.

Abstract: An improved ink ribbon cassette for a serial printing apparatus comprises a body, first and second substantially coextensive spaced ink ribbon guide arms projecting from the body, each having a free end, and an ink ribbon mounted in the body for advancement during printing and having a portion extending between the free ends of the guide arms so as to be available for printing. One of the guide arms has a window therein through which the ribbon is visible. A first optically detectable indicator is carried on the ribbon at a position to be visible through the window when the ribbon is substantially exhausted. A second optically detectable structure is mounted on the guide arm adjacent the window and laterally spaced therefrom in the direction of movement of the ribbon. This second optically detectable structure indicates the type of ribbon in the cassette.

Abstract: A multihead thermal printer comprises a plurality of thermal heads arranged around a platen roller. An ink film associated with each thermal head includes an end mark leaving a length to an end of the ink film at least equal to that of one sheet of recording paper. A device for detecting the end mark is disposed adjacent to each thermal head. When the detecting device detects the end mark, the printer completes the printing of a sheet of recording paper in the process of printing, but stops the feed of a succeeding sheet.

Abstract: An end-of-ribbon sensing device for an office machine, which machine includes a printing station for receiving a nonreusable ribbon which is displaceable through the printing station and which has a scannable marking at its trailing end.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette for electronically controlled typewriters or similar machines equipped with a signal generator, the ribbon cassette being disposed on a carriage moveable along the platen. The present invention is also directed to the combination of such a ribbon cassette with such a machine.

Abstract: A ribbon control apparatus for a color printer has a cartridge holder to be installed with a ribbon cartridge supporting a color ribbon which has four color bands aligned to the lateral direction of the color ribbon, a carriage for supporting the holder movably in the lateral direction of the ribbon, and a drive section for driving the holder. The control apparatus further has a first detecting switch for detecting that the cartridge is disposed at an initial position, and a second detecting switch for detecting that the cartridge is exchanged. The drive section responds to a detection signal from the second switch to move the cartridge toward the initial position when the cartridge is exchanged, and responds to a detection signal from the first switch to tilt the cartridge to locate a previously selected color band of the ribbon relative to the printing head consistent with the location of the previous cartridge prior to its replacement.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette with a memory makes it possible to provide a relatively exact determination of either the amount of ribbon remaining or the end of the ribbon with small mechanical outlay in an electronically controlled office machine or typewriter. A memory which contains external contacts and is capable of counting and storing values is provided from which base units can be subtracted by the control unit of the machine depending on the amount of ribbon advanced. The novel ribbon cassette makes it possible to dependably determine and display either the amount of ribbon remaining or the end of the ribbon.

Abstract: The approaching end of usable ink ribbon which is being supplied from a cassette to a serial printer is signaled when a detector member which rides on used ink ribbon as it is wound onto the take-up spool of the cassette, reaches a predetermined distance away from the axis of the take-up spool and moves to project through an opening in the cassette. The wall of the cassette serves as a barrier to motion of the detecting member, with the opening in the wall establishing the predetermined diameter of the used ink ribbon. A detector on the frame of the printer responds to the presence of the detector member when it projects from the cassette.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for use with a tape cartridge of a printer to determine halt of tape feed from a supply reel to a take-up reel of the cartridge comprising reflective and non-reflective portions on the supply reel rotating therewith and an assembly including a light source and a sensor fixed in position to face the supply reel to cooperate with the reflective and non-reflective portions without mechanical contact therewith for producing a train of successive electrical output pulses as the supply reel rotates. Upon cessation of the output pulses the tape feed is halted. The system also provides a mechanical locking device for effecting positive locking of the supply reel at the end of tape feed.

Abstract: The label printer of the present invention comprises a label cassette containing an elongate label sheet and removably loadable in the printer unloadably, a memory for storing print parameters of label formats relative to print contents, and a parameter selection means for detecting the states of a plurality of selective elements incorporated in the label cassette correspondingly to the individual print parameters and selecting a print parameter conforming to the result of such detection. In this structure, mere loading of the label cassette in the printer prescribes the label format relative to the print content that corresponds to the loaded label cassette, thereby facilitating the operation to prescribe the desired label format.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette is provided with a rotatably mounted ribbon supply spool whose flange has markings, angularly spaced according to ribbon type, which are adapted to be successively sensed as ribbon is incrementally drawn off a supply spool to provide signals from which the type of ribbon in the cassette can be identified and the feed increments therefore determined, and information regarding the supply of ribbon remaining on the spool, end of ribbon and ribbon jams may be derived in a programmed control unit. The ribbon cassette further comprises a two-armed lever pivotally mounted in the cassette housing, having first and second lever arms which engage teeth on the edge of the spool flange when the two-armed lever is in a first end condition and a second end condition respectively.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette for typewriters is provided with an end-of-ribbon signaling device which takes the form of a switch comprising a contact web on a ribbon tensioning lever associated with the supply spool in the ribbon cassette and two contact pins provided in the machine. The contact web is adapted to bridge the contact pins signaling end of ribbon when the ribbon supply is used up.

Abstract: A movement monitoring device for monitoring the movement of items past or through a work station wherein the items move synchronously with a ribbon through or past the work station. The transport of the items is monitored by a detector which monitors the linear movement of the ribbon. Signals from the detector can be used to activate the work station at intervals corresponding to the passage of the items.

Abstract: A ribbon fault detection system within an impact printer has a pair of resilient electrical contacts disposed in spaced-apart relation across the width of an ink ribbon within each of a pair of ribbon guides located between the opposite ends of a print station and a pair of spools for receiving the opposite ends of the ink ribbon and driving the ink ribbon. Each of the electrical contacts which is silicone coated to minimize ink migration and which is normally held out of engagement with a mating contact due to engagement by the ribbon is coupled in parallel with the other resilient electrical contacts so that closure of any one of the resilient electrical contacts onto its mating contact will generate an indication of a ribbon fault condition.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises recording means for recording on a recording medium through an ink ribbon in accordance with a predetermined system, means for covering the recording means such that the cover means is free to open or close, and means, interlocked with an opening/closing operation of the cover means, for shifting the ink ribbon from a first position to a second position when the cover means is opened.

Abstract: A printing device having a plurality of indicating units for indicating information on the ink ribbon and having a detecting unit for ink ribbon information, with the indicating units and the detecting unit being arranged opposite to each other.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head pressed against a paper sheet on a platen directly or through an ink ribbon, a carrier which holds the thermal head and on which a black or color ink ribbon is detachably mounted, a first detector for generating a color output signal upon detecting that a color ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the carrier, a second detector for generating a "black" signal while detecting a black area of the ink ribbon, and a control circuit for setting a thermal printing mode, a black or a color ink printing mode in accordance with the output signals from the first and second detectors. When the thermal printer is powered, the control circuit sets the color ink printing mode upon detecting that the color output signal is continuously generated from the first detector. When the color output signal is not generated from the first detector, the control circuit moves the thermal head by a given distance upon pressing it against the paper sheet on the platen.

Abstract: There is disclosed a replaceable inking cartridge for a printer. The inking cartridge includes an arrangement for indicating when the inking medium of the cartridge has been spent. The indicating arrangement is non-resettable so that the user is prevented from using a spent cartridge for additional printing. The indicating means is useful for signalling the user or the printer about the spent condition of the cartridge.

Abstract: At the time of conveying a transfer printing belt-shaped material having known length and utilized in a tape recorder, a picture image forming apparatus or the like by an electric motor, the length of the belt-shaped material remaining after any point thereof is determined and displayed. The remaining length is determined by generating pulses in accordance with the rotation of the motor and then counting the number of pulses with a counter. Since the length of the belt-shaped material is known by correlating the length and the count of the counter with a computer the remaining length can be determined.

Abstract: A device for detecting the terminal of a web such as an ink ribbon which is accommodated in a cassette, in which a hollow winding core on which the web is wound is formed of a transparent material. Into this winding core, a hollow fixed shaft having a void portion at a portion thereof is inserted so that the winding core is rotatable. A light emitting section and a light receiving section are positioned within the hollow fixed shaft and light is radiated through the void portion towards the winding core. The terminal of the web is connected to a light reflecting member, and the other end of the light reflecting member is fixed to the winding core, and the light reflecting member is wound upon the winding core more than one winding. As long as the web is wound on the winding core, the light from the light emitting section is reflected from the light reflecting member and the light receiving section receives the reflected light.

Abstract: A film ribbon cassette for an impact printer is disclosed. The cassette includes two compartments (430 and 432) divided by a central wall (434). A central shaft (482) extends from compartment (432) into the other compartment where it receives a motor drive (486). The shaft is attached to a knurled roller (472) which draws the ribbon from the supply spool (438) through a member (436) across an aperture for a printing station, crossing over and returning to the other side of the cassette into the spent ribbon compartment (432).

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a type wheel carrying a plurality of type elements and a platen for mounting and advancing a printing paper. A hammer can strike any one of the type elements against the printing paper and an ink ribbon is positionable between the type elements and the paper to imprint a character on the paper when any one of the type elements is struck. The ink ribbon is advanced by a driving mechanism. First, second, and third selecting systems respectively select one of a plurality of degrees of advancement of the printing paper, one of a plurality of time intervals of actuation of the hammer, and one of a plurality of amounts of advancement of the ink ribbon. First, second, and third counters each count pulses from respectively associated first, second, and third pulse generators to, respectively, first, second, and third set values determined by the selected degree of paper advancement, time interval of hammer actuation, and amount of ribbon advancement.

Abstract: Rather than repeatedly using the entire length of a multi-color print ribbon in an impact printer until the reaching of a lower quality threshold requires replacement of the ribbon, this invention causes only a subsection of limited length of the ribbon to be used until the lower quality threshold of any one of the color tracks of this subsection is reached, after which the ribbon is advanced to enable use of a fresh subsection.The quality status of the currently used subsection may be monitored by counting the number of impacts on each individual color track and comparing that number with a predetermined, stored value, or by shining light through the ribbon and optically comparing the passing light with a preset value. The method is flexible enough to permit manual advance of the ribbon to a fresh subsection in case a printing job requires highest possible quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an error such as a cutoff or the like of an ink ribbon used in a thermal transfer type multicolor printer, wherein the ink ribbon is provided with sets of ink zones containing heat dissolving inks, each set of the ink zones including ink zones, disposed in a predetermined order, of different colors. A timer is preset for providing an electric signal representative of detection of the error at an end of a predetermined timing interval equal to a time period necessary in an ink detection mode, in which one of the ink zones having a specified color is detected, for passing at least one ink zone through a printing position where a multicolor printing is made by means of a thermal head. The ink ribbon is then wound at a predetermined speed in the ink detection mode, and the timer is set at the winding of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: A printing device having a plurality of indicating units for indicating information on the ink ribbon and having a detecting unit for ink ribbon information, with the indicating units and the detecting unit being arranged opposite to each other.

Abstract: The detection means for the ends of a ribbon for typewriters includes a light flow conductor member 17 integral with the bottom 2 of the case for the ribbon cassette. The member 17 has two light guides between which the ribbon passes. One of the guides is disposed in a manner to induce flow of light emitted by the light source opposite light source 15 opposite the ribbon, the other is disposed in such a manner as to conduct to the detector 16 the flow of light traversing the ribbon. Thus, the placing of the ribbon is facilitated and the optical reader does not risk damage when it is put in place. Since a new light conductor member is disposed in the light flow each time the cassette is changed, the detection of the end of the ribbon is not adversely affected by harmful deposits.