Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media supply section and a media take-up section. Each section is capable of accepting a plurality of cassettes. On the supply section side, the cassettes can contain a roll of photosensitive material that is to be processed through a printing section. The cassettes on the take-up sections are initially empty and are designed to receive the web of photosensitive material after the web has been conveyed through the printing section. The cassettes can be provided at a plurality of locations and can be angularly positioned with respect to each other. A single transport assembly can be provided at each of the supply section and take-up section, and can be rotatable about a rotatable point so as to accept or discharge media to each of the appropriate cassettes. A splicer is provided on the transport assembly in the supply section, for splicing the end of the material from an empty cassette, and is also rotatable with the transport assembly.

Abstract: The printer comprises a first receptacle (11) for the sheets to be printed, a sheet feeding path (27) with a printing zone (14) and a second receptacle (15) for the printed sheets. The latter is integral with an intermediate storing device having storage trays (42, 43) thus forming a group (44) which can be pivoted about a shaft (45). The sheets printed on a first face are fed by conveying members (57) into the storage trays, retained for drying, fed again into the feeding path (27) where they are reversed for printing on their second face and then arranged in the second receptacle (15). Accordingly a duplex printer is obtained, which can be used reliably with ink jet printheads, and which works dependably, has low overall dimensions and is simple and inexpensive to build.

Abstract: In a printer which can print both a paper roll and cut paper, when cut paper is printed, a gap between the cut paper and a platen can be keep fixed. In an ink-jet printer 1 wherein a printing position for a paper roll 5 is formed in a part of a printing position 11 for cut paper 5, the surface of a platen for a paper roll 16 defining the printing position for the paper roll 5 is backed at least by a dimension G equivalent to the thickness of the paper roll from the surface of a platen for cut paper 13 defining the printing position for the cut paper 4. When cut paper is printed, a gap between a part of cut paper carried with the part overlapped on a paper roll and the platen is equal to a gap between the other part of the cut paper and the platen. Therefore, the deterioration caused by the variation of the gap of the quality of printing on cut paper can be solved.

Abstract: A method for alerting a user when the time has arrived to replace a media feed roller on a printing device, employs statistical analysis of data gathered relating to the number of pages between misfeeds associated with the media feed roller. It has been ascertained that the misfeed rate associated with media feed roller failure follows a characteristic pattern, which may be treated as a step function. That is to say that, beginning with a new media feed roller, the feed failure rate, which is usually measured in pages printed between misfeeds, remains relatively constant. However, as the time for replacement nears, the graph begins to plunge precipitously, as misfeeds begin to occur with increasing regularity. After the plunge, the misfeed rate continues to increase, but at a decreasing rate. Eventually, the feed failure rate reaches a value that represents a misfeed during every page feed. The optimum time for replacement is deemed to be shortly after the graph begins to plunge.

Abstract: An auxiliary print media tray or cartridge forms part of a print media handling system that provides for holding two discrete supplies of print media in a manner that permits the user to select printing media from one supply or another, without the need for first emptying either of the supplies. The print media is oriented in a manner such that both supplies engage a common media feed mechanism, such as pick and feed rollers. As a result, a printer that employs two discrete media supplies is provided without the increased manufacturing cost or size that would otherwise be required if duplicate pick and feed rollers (or related components) were employed. One embodiment of the present invention is particularly adapted for holding in an auxiliary tray a supply of relatively small print media, such as photo-type paper that is popular as a medium upon which high-quality digital images may be printed.

Abstract: A printer and control method for printing to various types of recording media store printing modes appropriate to those various types of recording media in a mode/media memory section. When a particular printing mode is selected while a particular type of recording media is selected, the correlation between that printing mode an recording media is stored. Whenever that type of recording media is subsequently selected for printing, the corresponding printing mode is automatically selected from memory to control the printing operation. It is therefore possible to select what printing mode is used with what recording media, and thereafter automatically select, by simply selecting the type of recording media, the printing mode that is most appropriate to the type of recording media, the thickness of the media, and other particular media specifications. Printing appropriate to the type of recording media is then possible by simply selecting the type of recording media used.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer comprising a paper guide surface (11D) defining a printing region. A print head (8) is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) with a gap in between and adapted to move in parallel to the paper guide surface (11D) along the printing region (11) and beyond the printing region (11) into a retracted position (11C). A paper guide guides recording paper (5) to the printing region (11) and exposing it to the print head (8) in the printing region. The paper guide includes a guide plate (31) movable between a first position in which it is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) so as to guide recording paper (5) past the printing region (11), and a second position in which it is retracted from the printing region. A drive source (31-38) moves the guide plate (31) from the first to the second position only when the print head (8) is in the retracted position (11C).

Abstract: A compact, easy-to-maintain printing apparatus features both receipt printing and journal printing and is capable of protecting data. Receipt printer 70 and journal printer 60 are mounted on a bottom housing 31 of the printing apparatus. Journal printer 60 comprises a separate chassis 65 and is removably mounted on a bottom housing 31. Two top housings 71 and 61 are provided, one hinged to the bottom housing 31, the other hinged to the chassis 65. The journal printer 60 is mounted behind the receipt printer 70 and the pivot for both covers is located near the rearward end of the bottom housing 31. When opened, top housing 71 for the receipt printer 70 rotates over journal printer 60, thereby assuring a wide open area above receipt printer 70. Top housing 61 of the journal printer 60 can be locked to bottom housing 31 by a keyed locking mechanism 81, thereby preventing improper operation of the journal printer 60 during maintenance.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method of use therefore are disclosed. The printing apparatus is usable as a replacement printer for replacing an existing printer apparatus without having to change printer drivers or make custom firmware changes in computers on a computer network. The inventive printer apparatus includes a map of source number assignments in the memory of the replacement printer apparatus for the replaced existing printer apparatus and for the replacement printer apparatus. The printing apparatus has a plurality of paper sources with each paper source being assigned a particular pre-assigned assignment code. The print request codes associated with the existing network printer being replaced must be determined. The print request codes are representative of a particular type of paper source. A map of print request codes which are sent by computers on the network for driving the existing printer are compared with the pre-assigned source number assignment of the replacement printer.

Abstract: A printer having a platen for supporting a binder strip to be printed, a ribbon positioned adjacent the platen and print head mechanism having print pins, driver coils associated with each print pin and a heating element for heating the print pins. A driver applies energy to the coils such that a drive force is applied to the print pins up to the time the pins force the ribbon against the binder strip and for a fixed time thereafter. The driver is controlled by a print head controller so as to carry out printing on the binder strip.

Abstract: A printing system in which different types of printing media are each selectively used for printing, making it easy for the user to check the type of printing medium set in a printer, to change the printing medium set in the printer to another type of printing media, and to set printer setup values for each printing medium. The printing system includes a printer (1) and at least one host computer (3). Different types of form sheets are set in the sheet paths of the printer (1). Form sheet data is registered in a memory of the printer (1). The form sheet data contains the names and size values of the form sheets, sheet paths, presence or absence of a desired form sheet. A printer checker (3) fetches form sheet data from the printer (1), and loads it into a register (33).

Abstract: In a printer apparatus having an automatic paper feed selection function for automatically selecting one of a plurality of paper feed means in which a paper of a designated size is loaded, an operator is permitted to set a desired priority. When there are a plurality of paper feed means in which the paper of the designated size are loaded, the paper feed means of a higher priority is selected to cause the selected paper feed means to feed the paper for printing. The priority may be set to groups each comprising a plurality of paper feed means. When there are a plurality of paper feed means in one group in which the paper of the designated size are loaded, the paper is fed from predetermined paper feed means. When no paper is loaded in a paper feed cassette of the paper feed means from which the paper is to be fed, one of a plurality of operation modes relating to a timing to inform it may be selected by the operator.

Abstract: A laser printer having two sheet feed trays mounted in the top of its case, enabling two different sizes of sheet to be loaded in the printer or increasing the sheet capacity of the printing device by providing the same type of sheet in both trays. The first tray nearest to the back end of the printer extends only a short distance over the end of the printer case so that the printer occupies little space, and the overall height of the case need not be increased. The second tray can be removed to reveal a sheet conveying path from the first tray, facilitating the removal of jammed sheet.

Abstract: A printer (10) for printing single sheets (126, 128) and at least one continuous paper strip (122) on a printing substrate plane (19), in which a single sheet (126, 128) is led up to the printing station (36, 56) from the operator side by being displaced manually on a feed table (20) and, in said printing station, can overlap the continuous paper strip (122), at least over part of the width of the latter. The continuous paper strip (122) is fed to the printing station (36, 56) from the operating side and the continuous paper feed channel (34) and the single-sheet feed channel (30) are each assigned a driven feed roller (98; 38) of a pair of feed rollers (100; 44). A mating roller (42) that is arranged on a rocker (48) can be pressed optionally against the driven feed roller (98; 38) of the continuous paper feed channel (34) or the single-sheet feed channel (30).

Abstract: A Z-fold print media handling system for printing banners and the like uses an inkjet printing mechanism without a tractor-feed. A series of stuttering stopping and starting steps generates varying static and dynamic frictional forces to separate the first sheet of a Z-fold stack from the remainder of the stack. Both conventional cut-sheet media and Z-fold media are fed using the same printing mechanism, which pulls the media toward a printzone through frictional engagement with a first surface of the media. To prevent printhead crashes and smearing the image near the perforations joining the Z-fold sheets, the printhead to media spacing is increased for Z-fold media over the standard spacing used for cut-sheet media. A cam feature is incorporated into the media drive clutch disk to determine whether an operator has set a selector lever for cut-sheet or Z-fold printhead to media spacing.

Abstract: The invention accomplishes print medium feed functions, at least in part, by making use of pre-existing printer apparatus that is used to accomplish other functions of the printer. For example, the invention can enable the use of a single print drive mechanism to accommodate multiple print medium feed paths within a printer and, in particular, feed paths in which print media are fed into the print drive mechanism in different (e.g., opposite) directions. Additionally, the invention can enable a rotatable media guide that can be positioned in one position to guide a sheet of a print medium during a print operation and in another position to release the sheet of the print medium after the printing operation, to be positioned in still another position to facilitate guiding a sheet of a print medium into a print drive mechanism after the sheet has traversed a gap in the feed path.

Abstract: In a serial recording mode where a carriage CA mounting a recording head HD is moved reciprocatingly in a main scanning direction of a second recording medium D2, the control apparatus drives the carriage CA to move while the recording head HD is separated from a platen P2 and the sensor SY to detect the carriage CA in order to initialize the recording apparatus. In a line recording mode where recording is performed with the recording head being in contact under pressure against a first recording medium D1, the control apparatus drives the carriage CA to move while the recording head HD is separated from a platen P1 and the sensor SY to detect the carriage CA in order to initialize the recording apparatus.

Abstract: In a printer having multiple paper paths, each path is provided with a clutch and a tractor to advance paper between a printhead and a striker bar, the paper being selectively advanced along the paper paths. Each clutch has a timing pulley driven by a cog belt, in turn driven by a stepper motor. The input pulley and the output gear driving the tractor are synchronized during repeated engagement such that the clutch reengages the input and output elements at a rotational position corresponding to the rotational position of the input element when previously disengaged from the output element.

Abstract: A print head 6 is disposed next to a transportation path for transporting a cut-sheet form V. A guide frame 17 with a guide member 17a projecting into the transportation path away from the print head 6 is disposed on the cut-sheet form V insertion opening side of the print head 6. A platen unit 16 with a platen 33 is mounted to rotate freely, and a frame member 30 is disposed on the platen unit 16. When the platen unit 16 is closed, the guide member 17a of the guide frame 17 and the guide member 30b of the frame member 30 touch, thus forming an ejection path guiding the roll paper S away from the junction with the cut-sheet form V transportation path. When the platen unit 16 is opened, the guide member 17a of guide frame 17 and the guide member 30b of frame member 30 separate, thereby enabling cut-sheet form V insertion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image recording apparatus with an image recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium, a first conveyor for conveying the recording medium to an image recording portion of the image recording unit while bending the recording medium along a drive convey roller by means of the drive convey roller, and a second conveyor for conveying an elongated recording medium having a plurality of pin holes to the first conveyor. A guide capable of changing a contact area between the recording medium and the drive convey roller at a curved portion of the recording medium along the drive convey roller is also provided.

Abstract: A printer having an ink jet type printing section for printing on a first cut sheet of paper having a first shape or a second cut sheet of paper having a second shape. A set of transfer rollers is provided adjacent to an insertion aperture for the first cut sheet of paper and mounted on one end of an open/close lever. Another set of transfer rollers is provided adjacent to a discharge aperture for the first cut sheet of paper. Opening and closing of the transfer rollers adjacent to the insertion aperture and opening and closing of the transfer rollers adjacent to the discharging aperture are performed by a common driving source.

Abstract: An autochanger which can continuously operate a video printing apparatus without having recourse to intervention by an operator which includes a paper feed tray for containing a plurality of recording media and/or an ink ribbon cartridge are loaded in the video printer device to selectively change them as the occasion demands, a magazine which can contain a plurality of paper feed trays and/or ink ribbon cartridges and a conveyance means of paper feed tray and/or ink ribbon cartridge for conveying the paper feed tray and/or the ink ribbon cartridge between the video printer device and the magazine. Therefore, the paper feed tray and the ink ribbon cartridge of the video printer device can be changed by the conveyance means as the occasion demands, so as to realize an autochanger which can continuously operate a video printer device without having recourse to intervention by an operator.

Abstract: A single sheet printer (21) is adapted to receive continuous carrier forms for printing by a burster module (16) for separating continuous printable stock (24) into separate bursted sheets which are fed to the printer transport mechanism (12) in lieu of the single sheet storage module (24).

Abstract: In a printing apparatus, in which an automatic feeding mode and a manual feeding mode are set in feeding a printing medium, setting of state of feeding unit depending upon respective feeding modes is performed automatically in accordance with a command input relating to a size of the printing medium to be used.

Abstract: A printer allowing attachment and detachment of an external device for improving a paper feed system. The printer allows either an automatic sheet feeder for successively feeding a plurality of cut sheets of paper or a tractor device for feeding a continuous sheet of paper as the external device to be selectively mounted, and the printer itself includes a permanent tractor, in which the permanent tractor and the external device can be driven by a common driving source. More specifically, the printer includes a printing mechanism, a paper feed path communicating with the printing mechanism, a driving source for the paper feed system, and an output gear connected to an output shaft of the driving source. The permanent tractor is located so as to communicate with the paper feed path, and includes an input gear connected to the output shaft of the driving source.

Abstract: A removable roll-feed apparatus that is removably attachable to a printer/plotter. Inexpensive printer/plotters will have the option of the attachment of a simple, but yet reliable, roll-feed apparatus which is easily attached to the printer/plotter without requiring any special training or dexterity on the part of an operator. Datum points and surfaces are provided to locate the printer/plotter in the X, Y and Z-directions, and when the roll-feed apparatus is attached to the printer/plotter, an operator will have the option of feeding the printer/plotter with roll media or single sheet media. Having the roll-feed apparatus attached to the printer/plotter does not restrict single sheet feeding. The roll-feed apparatus also provides a media self-alignment feature and a simple, but effective, hand-operated cutting apparatus to separate completed plots from the printer/plotter.

Abstract: A multiple-function printing device provides for picking pages from a stack of sheets in an input feeder for roller-driven movement along a first path through a printing station to an output, and for picking pages from a stack of documents in an input feeder for roller-driven movement along a second path through a scanning station to an output, with at least a portion of the first and second paths being commonly shared, with a document deflector which, in a document scanning mode of operation, is pivoted into a lowered position generally parallel to a print station platen to constrain the top and bottom of curled documents exiting from the scan station so as to prevent an incipient paper jam. The deflector is actuated by a drive mechanism including a ball link and cranks connected to a common motor in a service station for capping and wiping print cartridges in the printing station.

Abstract: A printer which includes a paper selector for setting return amount and return amount memories for storing return amounts for at least two kinds of recording paper. The type of recording paper is selected by a printer control command so that a return amount for continuing a printing operation specific to the selected type of recording paper can be set. As a result, printing can be executed once a return amount has been set for each type of recording paper if the user wishes to print on different types of recording paper having different return amounts, thereby reducing the burden on the part of the host computer in controlling the printer and increasing the printing speed of the printer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a printer and comprises a printing mechanism, a paper guiding path connecting with the printing mechanism, a driving source for a paper conveying system, an output gear connected to an output shaft of the driving source, and a permanent tractor having an input gear. The selective transmission of power from the driving source to either the output gear or the input gear provided in the permanent tractor is performed by a power selecting mechanism operated by an operating member. Further, the printer comprises a second drive force selecting mechanism for independently displacing a cam member in the printer and a clutch section for severing the connection between the output gear and the auxiliary tractor in order to feed only the cut paper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet supplying apparatus for selecting and supplying a sheet from a plurality of sheet supply portions. Each of the sheet supply portion comprises a sheet supporting means for supporting the sheets, a rotatable sheet supply means for feeding out the sheet supported by the sheet supporting means, a drive source for driving the rotatable sheet supply means, a drive transmitting means for transmitting or not transmitting a driving force of the drive source to the rotatable sheet supply means, and a control means for controlling the transmission and non-transmission of the drive transmitting means.

Abstract: A printing system for producing a print job, the printing system including a print engine for imaging regular substrates, fed to the print engine from a regular substrate feeding apparatus and delivering the imaged regular substrates to an output; and a duplexer operatively coupled to the print engine having a first path for feeding imaged regular substrates to the print engine for duplex printing, the duplexer having a second, sheet insertion, path for feeding special sheets to the output of imaged regular substrates.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an input portion for inputting information, a recording portion capable of recording information input by the input portion onto a recording medium and a moving mechanism capable of vertically moving the recording portion and holding the recording portion at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A multiple-function printing device provides for picking pages from a stack of sheets in a sheet feeder for roller-driven movement along a first path through a printing station to an output stacker, and for picking pages from a stack of documents in a document feeder for roller-driven movement along a second path through a scanning station to the output stacker, with at least a portion of the first and second paths being commonly shared, the scanning station being underneath the commonly shared path, and with common mechanisms including a first pick and second pick for picking from the document and sheet pages, providing roller-driven movement through the processing stations. A media chassis is provided, including an integral platen, with integral spaced side walls which rotatively mount each of picks on and between at least one of the side walls. A prescan drive roller, a fixed deflector and a gear train are attached to a side wall of the chassis, the latter for driving the respective picks.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for selecting printing either continuous paper or single sheet paper in a printer having a printing section at which each paper may be printed. Continuous paper is fed on a first path to the printing section. Sheet paper is fed on a second path to the same printing section. Upon a first detector detecting that single sheet paper is in the second path, the continuous paper is retracted back along the first path out of the printing section. Upon a second detector detecting the retraction of the continuous paper out of the printing section, the sheet paper is transported to the printing section along the second path. As a result, only one of the continuous paper or the single sheet paper is at the printing section to be printed at one time.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a conveyor for applying a conveying force to a sheet, a first guide for guiding the sheet to which the conveying force is applied from the conveyor, a second guide for guiding the sheet guided by the first guide along a curved path, a driver for driving the conveyor, and a controller for controlling the driver to increase the conveying force of the conveyor when the sheet being conveyed by the conveyor is guided with being abutted against the second guide.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station. A ticket feed path is constructed using feed modules that are mounted on pins extending from a vertical mounting plate.

Abstract: A label printer, or a printer in general, can have a processor which can be connected to a data storage medium as well as to data input and data output connections for external devices. Such a printer could include a thermal printer for printing labels on self-adhesive materials. To expand the usability of such a printer, and to increase the printing speed, a common interface can be provided, which interface can be activated by the processor and can be configured in a manner such that both the storage medium and the data input and data output connections for external devices can be connected thereto.

Abstract: Formed on a base frame of a printer is a guide surface which forms one surface of a portion of a paper passage. A pair of rollers of a transferring device are supported proximate one end. A cover frame and a carriage unit are each formed with a guide member, and an urging device, for example, a movable guide lever, and a roller are supported thereby. By mounting the carriage unit and the cover frame onto the base frame from above there is formed a portion of the paper passage, that is a passage for the feed of the paper, in a space where the guide members are spacedly opposed to the guide surface. At the same time, the movable guide lever and the roller are urged against a roller of the transferring device. After assembly, a paper storage tray of an automatic paper feeder is inserted into the printer in a position behind the paper passage.

Abstract: The present invention features a receipt printing and check validating machine. The machine is characterized by a drop-in loading for the receipt paper supply roll. A first drive roller for the receipt printer is pivotably mounted in a clamshell bucket. The first drive roller is swung into contact, when the clamshell bucket is closed, with an idler roller centrally mounted on a fixedly-mounted idler/drive combination shaft. The check validating drive features a second, slip drive roller pair that is in pivotable contact with a pair of slip drive rollers mounted on the aforementioned fixedly-mounted idler/drive combination shaft, one on either side of the receipt idler roller. Thus, the idler/drive combination roller shaft has a fixed position with respect to both drive rollers, and is used cooperatively by both drive rollers. Both the check and the receipt can emerge from the same slot in the housing of the machine.

Abstract: A multiple-function printing device provides for picking pages from a stack of sheets in an input feeder for roller-driven movement along a first path through a printing station to an output, and for picking pages from a stack of documents in an input feeder for roller-driven movement along a second path through a scanning station to an output, with at least a portion of the first and second paths being commonly shared, and with common mechanisms being used for various steps such as for picking, providing roller-driven movement through the processing stations, and for actuating a pressure plate in the input feeders. A document guide in a document scanning mode of operation is pivoted into a lowered position generally parallel to the print station platen to constrain and contain the top and bottom of any curled document exiting from the scan station into an output roller nip so as to prevent an incipient paper jam. Prior to a printing mode of operation on a paper sheet, the document guide is pivoted about 100.

Abstract: The invention is a method whereby the throughput of a printer is varied according to the length of the media piece (e.g., cut-sheet or envelope) that is being fed into the printer feed path. The media piece moves into the feed path by use of a set of take-up rollers and is directed toward a sensor; the sensor detects the piece's leading edge and becomes activated. The activated sensor in turn activates additional feed roller sets which move the media piece along the feed path. Additionally, the sensor detects the trailing edge of the media piece and asks the printer if another image is to be printed. If another image is to be printed, then the take-up rollers are activated and begin feeding the next piece of media. If another image is not to be printed, then the sensor is deactivated. The feed rollers move the media piece along the printer's feed path and toward a second sensor which detects the leading edge of the media piece and is activated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for altering the length of time a print head in a dot-matrix type of printer mechanism receives driving voltage in accordance with the type of recording media being used by the printer, and preselected print head driving modes selected as a result of control commands provided by a host computer. The print head driving voltage is also measured and digitized, and then used along with the paper type as a parameter for altering the print mode. Memory elements can be used to establish print mode, print media, and drive voltage relationships for automatically selecting an optimum driving time interval in response to one of the selected parameters.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus with a recording device for recording an image on a sheet; a first feeding roller disposed at an upstream side of the recording device and adapted to pinch the sheet and to feed the sheet at a first feeding speed; a second feeding roller disposed at a downstream side of the recording device and adapted to pinch the sheet and to feed the sheet at a second feeding speed faster than the frist feeding speed; and a controller for controlling the first and second feeding roller and adapted to perform different controls in accordance with the state that the sheet is fed by both of the first and second feeding roller, or the state that the sheet is fed by either one of first and second feeding roller.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on a ticket. The printer also includes a printing station located after the magnetic read/write head. A plurality of separate storage bins are provided for storing different ticket blanks; each bin has its own feed device. The ticket blanks are prefed from the storage bins along separate guide paths to separate staging areas prior to these paths joining to form a common path. The magnetic read/write head and the printer are located along this common path.

Abstract: A printer which includes a paper selector for setting return amount and return amount memories for storing return amounts for at least two kinds of recording paper. The type of recording paper is selected by a printer control command so that a return amount for continuing a printing operation specific to the selected type of recording paper can be set. As a result, printing can be executed once a return amount has been set for each type of recording paper if the user wishes to print on different types of recording paper having different return amounts, thereby reducing the burden on the part of the host computer in controlling the printer and increasing the printing speed of the printer.

Abstract: To provide a printer in which leakage to the outside of noise produced inside the printer during printing using continuous paper is made low. A printer having a cut sheet feeder 5 which automatically feeds paper into a printing portion 4, an opening for cut paper 7 and a tractor 6 which feeds continuous paper to the printing portion to selectively use automatically-fed cut paper, manually-fed cut paper and continuous paper for printing. The printer has a paper receiving tray (manually-fed paper guide plate) 9 which can form the opening portion 7 between itself and a part 1a of the printer housing 1. The paper receiving tray is movable between a manual paper-feeding position which it forms the opening portion 7 and during manual paper-feeding guides printed cut paper into the opening portion, an automatic paper-feeding position which forms the opening portion 7 and during automatic paper-feeding receives printed cut paper, and a closed position to close off the opening 7.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a roll of recording paper, a roll conveying roller for feeding a roll of recording paper, and a sheet conveying roller for feeding sheets of recording paper. Power from a DC motor is transmitted to both rollers through a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism includes a system gear, a planetary gear, and a planetary gear arm, and a locking member for fixing the planetary gear arm at a prescribed position. A head release cam, a head release pulley, and a timing belt cooperate with the switching mechanism to remove pressure from a print recording head to prevent damage to the head during switching. Accordingly, a roll of recording paper and sheets of recording paper can be selected and used as needed without increasing the manufacturing cost and size of the apparatus.

Abstract: A printer employs a print head having a wire column arranged at an angle between 0.degree. and 90.degree. relative to a permitted line of motion of the print head. This angled print head allows for both portrait and landscape printing. Portrait mode printing is performed by controlling movement of the angled print head along the permitted line of motion during printing of each line of images. Landscape mode printing is controlled by maintaining a stationary position of the print head while the print receivable medium is moved in a direction perpendicular to the permitted line of motion of the print head.

Abstract: In a paper feeding method and an apparatus therefor, papers are selectively fed to a paper-processing station through at least two paper guide paths. The respective papers fed through the paper guide paths are monitored to determine whether or not a double feeding of the papers has occurred, and when a double feeding of the papers is detected, an alarm warning of the occurrence of a double feeding of the papers is raised.

Abstract: A printer which can accommodate both continuous sheets and cut sheets includes both a continuous sheet path and a cut sheet path. A printing section is provided in common for the continuous and cut sheets. A manually .[.slidable.]. .Iadd.movable .Iaddend.continuous sheet guide plate is provided in the upper portion of the printing section. A detector detects .[.operatin.]. .Iadd.operation .Iaddend.of the continuous sheet guide plate. When the guide plate is .[.slid.]. .Iadd.moved .Iaddend.so that the cut sheet path is closed and the continuous sheet path is selected, in response to the output of the detector the continuous sheet is fed to the exit of the continuous sheet path.