Abstract: A thermal transfer printer for printing images and patterns on a card with thermally transferable color inks while moving the card back and forth in such a state that the card is held and urged against a thermal print head through an ink ribbon by capstan and platen rollers. In printing, the card is first forwarded over a print-starting point, and then, reversed until the leading end thereof arrives at an overrun stop point prescribed behind the print starting point, and thereupon, moved forward until the leading end of the card is positioned at the print-starting point to start printing. Thus, mechanical clearance giving rise to backlash essentially possessed of mechanical elements can be completely eliminated, thereby enabling remarkably high-quality color images to be produced.

Abstract: A document printer, configured as a check printer, in a check dispenser (18) contains a reading device (30), disposed immovably in the delivery-side transport duct (10) of the printer, for registering a consecutive-running control marking imprinted on the reverse of the checks. The reading device makes use of the transport motion of the check, during its passage through the printer and delivery, for scanning purposes.

Abstract: A stack of image receiving sheets, wherein each image receiving sheet has on one side of a support an image receiving layer, includes a cover sheet protecting the image receiving layer of an outermost image receiving sheet. The cover sheet has a detection mark distinguishing it from the image receiving sheets.

Abstract: A mail transport for a franking machine is disclosed in which mail is fed toward a printing head by input rollers, is fed past the printing head by an impression roller and is ejected from the franking machine by ejection rollers. Drive to the input rollers is controlled to initially feed the mail at a transit speed toward the print head, to feed the mail item at a printing speed, during a printing period, lower than the transit speed and initially in an ejection period after the printing period to feed the mail item at the transit speed. When the mail item is released from the input rollers, the ejection rollers are driven to feed the mail item at a higher speed than the transit speed.

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: A web error recovery divert system is provided. A web is printed and scanned for errors. An error is identified in a grouping of sections or pages. A replacement grouping of sections or pages is printed. The replacement grouping includes an identifying mark or banner page indicating the presence of a replacement section. The web is redirected through a cutter and diverter that identifies the banner page and, at the appropriate locations, cuts and removes the grouping having the error. The replacement grouping and the remainder of the web is driven to a post-processing unit for further operations.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having means for detecting a recordable area on a recording medium comprises the structures of measuring means capable of measuring the reflective luminous energy of a recording medium and of means for holding the recording medium, means for holding the data on the basis of the reflective luminous energy of the means for holding the recording medium and the data on the basis of the reflective luminous energy of the recording medium, which are measured by the measuring means, and means for setting by both of the data a threshold value utilized for determining the boundary between the recording medium and the means for holding the medium.

Abstract: A serial printer for printing on a recording medium which includes a platen, a carriage and a recording medium discharge section. The platen serves as a recording medium insert member and is rotated by a motor. A carriage shuttles in parallel with the platen and includes a recording head and a paper holder attached thereto. The sheet discharge section is arranged on a downstream side of the carriage and is provided for guiding the recording medium to a sheet discharge outlet. The printer further includes a carriage controller for moving the carriage towards the center of the recording medium and stopping the carriage proximate the center of the recording medium, while decelerating the carriage before the center of the recording medium, when the recording medium is forwarded for printing until the recording medium reaches a sheet discharge section from a predetermined position on the downstream side of the paper holder.

Abstract: In a label printer printing on individual labels carried in spaced relationship on a surface of a longitudinally moving backing strip, this invention discloses apparatus for adjustably sensing leading edge positions of the labels. A stationary member is carried above the backing strip on one side of the backing strip. A movable member is carried by the stationary member for longitudinal movement along the path of the backing strip. There is provision for adjusting the longitudinal position of the moving member. A sensor is carried by the movable member for sensing leading edge positions of individual labels as a function of a change of thickness between the backing strip alone and the backing strip with a label on the surface. Both optical and mechanical versions are disclosed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of using recording media of different widths expands the range of print head movement while limiting the movement of the mask plate, which press the recording media against a platen, to within the area of the recording media, thereby preventing interference between the mask plate and the recording media, as a means of assuring the minimum print head travel required to sufficiently advance the ink ribbon or prevent overheating of the print head.

Abstract: An automatic tape detecting and tape width identifying printing apparatus or tape holder wherein the printing apparatus and tape holder include an optical sensing arrangement having at least first and second optical sensing assemblies. The first and second optical sensing assemblies each, preferably, include a photo transistor and a light emitting diode. The photo transistor is located to receive and detect light from the light emitting diode. The first and second optical sensing assemblies are located to automatically detect the presence or absence of tape within the tape holder. In a preferred embodiment, the first optical sensing assembly is located to automatically discriminate the presence of a particular width, w2, of tape within the tape holder. In addition, the second optical sensing assembly is located to automatically discriminate the presence of a different width, w1, of tape within the tape holder.

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: The invention uses two very inexpensive rotary encoders in combination--a close-coupled one (or more) for high accuracy, and a remote-coupled one for high resolution. High-accuracy information is then combined with high resolution information in a digital processing system to yield composite information that is high in both accuracy and resolution. This information can be used to establish image positioning on a print medium. The overall system cost is lower than with an equivalent single encoder. Insidious cyclical errors in the coupling system (gear train or the like) are removable without expensive high tolerances and assembly or test fixtures. Residual cyclical error due to eccentric mounting or other error in the direct-coupled encoder scale also can be substantially removed, if desired, by adding another one or more encoders reading that scale, and suitably combining the information about that scale from the different sensors.

Abstract: Contact-free double-sheet control device for a printing press having a capacitively-operating measuring sensor for determining sheet count, a counter-electrode adjacent thereto, and an evaluation circuit connected to the sensor, includes an eddy-current measuring sensor assigned to the capacitive measuring circuit for compensating for operating influences.

Abstract: A commercially available dot matrix printer is converted to a document printer by removing the tractor feed sprockets and shaft substituting a pinch roller, rubber roller combination, the roller having a shaft connected to the same stepper motor as the tractor shaft; supplying three positions sensors, a load sensor for detecting a document causing it to be stepped by the rubber-pinch roller combination to the printer head-anvil combination where two more laterally spaced sensors are located so as to measure skew of the document and to further processing of the document if both sensors do not detect the presence of a document essentially concurrently and to turn control of the printer over to the printer's control circuits for further processing when both sensors are activated essentially concurrently.

Abstract: The present invention provides a paper discharge apparatus for collecting a remaining paper which the recipient rejects or forgets to receive so as to facilitate stable paper discharge. The paper discharge apparatus for discharging an arbitrarily cut paper from a paper discharge port comprising a paper feed means for feeding the paper, a paper discharge means for discharging the paper to the paper discharge port, a paper storage means for bending and storing the paper in the apparatus by operating the paper feed means alone while stopping discharging operation of the paper discharge means when the paper fed by the paper feed means is delivered to the paper discharge means in a paper discharge mode, and a paper collection means for collecting the paper in the apparatus when the paper discharged to the paper discharge port is not removed during a given time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing money orders at a plurality of retail establishments is provided, including one or more data collector devices connected to a host device. Preferably, each of the money order dispensers include a digital processor for controlling the overall operation thereof, a keyboard for entering transaction data to request the printing of a money order, a display for displaying the transaction data, and a dot matrix printer for printing the requested money order. Each dispenser further includes an electrically-eraseable programmable read only memory (E.sup.2 PROM) for storing a security inhibit printing code, this code being automatically changed to prevent actuation of the printer when the security of the dispenser is compromised.

Abstract: The printer is provided with a detection data storage area section comprising sixteen storage areas for storing detection data from a transmission type sensor for every 1-step driving of a feed motor. When the difference between the last detection data and the detection data before steps is a value equal to or more than 0.7 V, the last detection data is set in a gap determination level storage area, is set in a gap flag area, and counting by a gap length counter is started. Thereafter, when the detection data from the transmission type sensor comes to be equal to or smaller than the value set in the gap determination level storage area is set in the gap flag area and the position in the half of the count value of the gap length counter is recognized as the gap center.

Abstract: A media handling subsystem picks a media sheet from a stack, then moves the picked sheet along a media path. Any skewing of the media sheet existing in the media stack or occurring during the pick cycle is removed before the sheet reaches a position to receive print markings. In particular, the alignment of the skewed media sheet is altered (i.e., the sheet is moved) to square the media sheet to the media path. An electro-optic sensor detects when the top of a media sheet enters between a drive roller and pinch roller. Upon entering, the media sheet moves a mechanical flag into the light circuit of the optical sensor. After the media sheet trips the flag, the drive roller moves the top edge of the media sheet backward along the media path out of the grasp of the pinch roller and drive roller. As the sheet moves out of the grasp, the top edge of the sheet falls into squared alignment with the drive roller and pinch roller. The squared media sheet then is moved forward tripping the flag again.

Abstract: A follower roller 100 adapted to be rotated while coming in contact with a recording medium 120 is rotatably mounted on a driving roller shaft 114 of a driving roller 113, i.e., one of an opposing pair of driving rollers 111 and 113, and a rotation detector 115 for detecting the rotation of the follower roller 100 is disposed in the vicinity of the driving roller 113. A controller detects a malfunction of paper clogging by comparing the detection signal outputted from the rotation detector 115 with the driving signal outputted from the controller for rotationally driving a paper feeding motor. The follower roller 100 includes a ring-shaped magnet 121 including a plurality of magnet segments which are alternately magnetized in such a manner that adjacent magnet segments exhibit different magnetic poles with a radially extending boundary line as a boundary therebetween.

Abstract: A recording substrate (21) is brought into a predetermined position on a recording substrate holder (10). One edge of the recording substrate (21) rests against a recording substrate stop (18) provided at one side on the recording substrate holder (10). Extending transversely to the recording substrate stop (18), in or on the recording substrate holder (10), there is a transmitting or receiving means (KS) which can be covered by the recording substrate (21). A receiving or transmitting means (KE) is provided on the printing head (7). In the region of the extent of the transmitting or recording means (KS), at a defined distance from the recording substrate stop (18), a shielding surface (30) is arranged on the recording substrate holder (10). During the movement of the printing head (7) along the transmitting or receiving means (KS), the location of the shielding surface (30) and the location of the recording substrate edge remote from the recording substrate stop (18) are detected.

Abstract: A color video printer can identify the length of a print sheet inserted therein for ejecting any print sheets other than a standard print sheet. The printer has a sheet feed sensor and another sensor disposed downstream of the sheet feed sensor with respect to the direction in which a print sheet is fed in the printer. After the leading end of an inserted print sheet is detected by the sheet feed sensor, the print sheet is fed until the leading end thereof is detected by the other downstream sensor. At this time, the length of the print sheet which is fed is equal to the distance, typically of 128 mm, between the sensors. The true length of the print sheet is calculated by adding, to 128 mm, the length of the print sheet which is further fed until the trailing end of the print sheet is detected by the sheet feed sensor.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording an image, by a recording device, on a recording medium having been conveyed to a position opposite to the recording device. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for conveying the recording medium to a recording region where a platen is disposed, a detector for detecting a floating amount and/or a floating angle of the recording medium with respect to the platen, and a selector for selecting either a first mode to continue the recording operation by varying the distance between the recording device and the recording medium in accordance with the detected result of the detector or a second mode to stop the recording operation. According to such a recording apparatus, it is possible to perform a high-quality recording operation since the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be kept optimum.

Abstract: User adjustment of an automatically established gap between a print head and a platen allows adjustment of print head gap relative to a set point by a simple key actuation operation which is preferably conducted during printing operation so that the user can directly observe the result of the adjustment. Storage of user defined adjustment values in non-volatile memory are correlated with measured thicknesses or tolerance ranges thereof and can be recalled after power off/power on cycles and/or after change of paper stocks in the printer. Adjustment limits are imposed to prevent printer damage and user adjustment can be carried out at higher resolution than automatic head gap setting. Graphical and fixed legend displays are preferably provided for confirmation of the adjustment and informing the operator of limits and operating limits and conditions of the gap adjustment.

Abstract: A protective sheet protects a recording surface of a recording sheet. Plural recording sheets are stacked with the recording surface of the recording sheets oriented toward the protective sheet. The recording sheet is fed for recording while an advancing edge of the recording sheet is advanced. The protective sheet includes a discriminative mark, disposed away from the advancing edge and on a surface oriented opposite to the plural recording sheets for signaling presence of the protective sheet. For use with those sheets, a printer records with a thermal head on a recording surface of a recording sheet set on a platen drum in rotation of the platen drum. The advancing edge is clamped by a clamper on the platen drum. The recording sheets and the protective sheet are fed one after another toward the platen drum, to pass the advancing edge of the one fed sheet inside the clamper. The advancing edge at the clamper is detected by the position sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for controlling the operation of a mailing machine having a postage meter which includes a thermal printer which transfers wax ink from an ink ribbon to an envelope being fed through the mailing machine, in such a way that the printer cannot operate if the envelope is not is a proper position in the mailing machine to completely cover a feed roller which controls movement of the envelope and the ink ribbon.

Abstract: A tape is controlled in a printing machine by advancing a length of tape through a light pathway. Transmittance of the light through the tape is measured and values are stored associated with transmittances through the tape. The tape is advanced to a start position where measured transmittance of the tape at the start position corresponds with a stored value of a measured transmittance.

Abstract: This specification discloses apparatus and a process for printing data on a web of print from data related to a wider web than that to be printed upon. It includes a printer having a paper output of a narrower web than data from the wider web, and the provision of data as to the narrow and wide web width. The apparatus and process establishes the difference between the narrow web width of the printer and the wide web width and calculates the number of pages of narrow web width to be printed thereafter forming a raster output from the difference between the narrow web width and the wide web width to establish the width for printing by the printer.

Abstract: After initialization (S1), the cassette signal is retrieved (S2). Then the tape width of the tape in the tape cassette mounted in the tape printer is determined by tape TB1 (S4). The width of the image display zone is calculated using the tape width and using the table TB5 (S7). The data of standard format information is stored in the start address of the text memory (S8). A text input screen is displayed set with the image display zone corresponding to the tape width calculated in S2 for the display. A cursor is also displayed having the size of the display character size, which was determined based on the print character size, which has been calculated using the tape width, the number of lines "1," and the table TB3. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a grasp of the relation between tape width and the situation at which characters will be printed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing money orders at a plurality of retail establishments is provided, including one or more data collector devices connected to a host device. Preferably, each of the money order dispensers include a digital processor for controlling the overall operation thereof, a keyboard for entering transaction data to request the printing of a money order, a display for displaying the transaction data, and a dot matrix printer for printing the requested money order. Each dispenser further includes an electrically-eraseable programmable read only memory (E.sup.2 PROM) for storing a security inhibit printing code, this code being automatically changed to prevent actuation of the printer when the security of the dispenser is compromised.

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 method and associated apparatus for determining edges of tags/labels carried by a backing strip over a fixed surface. The method comprises the steps of, disposing a sensor above the fixed surface measuring the distance to a surface passing beneath it and outputting a first signal reflecting the distance; receiving and amplifying the first signal to a usable level second signal and outputting the second signal; and, receiving and comparing changes in the second signal to a pre-established threshold amount and outputting a third signal indicating an edge has been found when the second signal changes more than the pre-established threshold amount. Contacting and non-contacting approaches to accomplishing the measurement are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a ticket issuing device including ticket roll stock support means, a path for ticket stock to move from the roll past a guillotine station, a magnetic ticket encoder station, a ticket printer station, and computer-controlled ticket processing electronic circuitry, is characterised in that the guillotine, encoder and printer stations comprise separate modules composed of construction elements mounted on base plate members.

Abstract: The invention aims at selecting a recording sheet discharge mode in accordance with user's priority of printing speed or printed image quality. In the thermal transfer printer, when discharge concurrent with printing is selected, a microcomputer operates to rotate a mode motor to close a transport passage between a guide member and a platen roller by means of a sheet discharge plate. Starting printing by rotating the platen roller in this state, the leading end of a recording sheet is delivered to a discharge opening, which is defined by the guide member and a guide plate, and introduced between sheet discharge rollers and idler rollers. When separate discharge after printing is selected, the microcomputer starts printing without rotating the mode motor. The sheet discharge plate closes the discharge opening defined by the guide member and the guide plate. The leading end of the recording sheet is delivered to the transport passage between the guide member and the platen roller.

Abstract: A media handling subsystem picks a media sheet from a stack, then moves the picked sheet along a media path. Any skewing of the media sheet existing in the media stack or occurring during the pick cycle is removed before the sheet reaches a position to receive print markings. In particular, the alignment of the skewed media sheet is altered (i.e., the sheet is moved) to square the media sheet to the media path. An electro-optic sensor detects when the top of a media sheet enters between a drive roller and pinch roller. Upon entering, the media sheet moves a mechanical flag into the light circuit of the optical sensor. After the media sheet trips the flag, the drive roller moves the top edge of the media sheet backward along the media path out of the grasp of the pinch roller and drive roller. As the sheet moves out of the grasp, the top edge of the sheet falls into squared alignment with the drive roller and pinch roller. The squared media sheet then is moved forward tripping the flag again.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a zone for receiving tape for printing so that said tape passes along a predetermined path in the printing device; and an optical sensing arrangement comprising first and second optical sensing assemblies which enable an end of tape state to be detected and also allow discrimination between tapes of different widths.

Abstract: Conveyance apparatus for a continuous form having sprocket holes on both sides thereof provided in a high-speed printing system, comprised of a printing machine and an after-treatment machine, including: a constant-speed conveyance roller for feeding the continuous form to the printer; a pair of ejection rollers located downstream of the constant-speed conveyance roller for conveying and ejecting the continuous form, under tension, by rotating a little faster than the constant-speed conveyance roller; a pair of drawing rollers provided at the entrance to the after-treatment machine for pulling the continuous form therein injected by the printing machine; an end sensor for outputting an end signal when a disengagement between the last sprocket hole and the constant-speed conveyance roller is detected; and a controller.

Abstract: A mailing machine for printing a postage indicia with or without an advertisement on envelopes and varying lengths of postage tape. Also, a method of feeding, printing and cutting postage tape in a mailing machine. The mailing machine includes: an elongate feed deck; a postage meter mounted in the mailing machine and having a printer downstream of the feed deck for printing a postage indicia with or without an advertisement on successive envelopes as they are fed along the feed deck or on postage tape; and a tape feeding and cutting apparatus mounted in the mailing machine for feeding postage tape to the postage meter for printing of the postage indicia with or without advertisement and for cutting the postage tape into finite lengths and ejecting the lengths of tape from the mailing machine. The cut, printed portion includes only the amount of tape necessary for the printing of the indicia with or without advertisement regardless of the length of any advertisement printed.

Abstract: A printer ribbon distinguishing method and apparatus therefor, distinguishes a color ribbon, a black ribbon with a clear patch and a black ribbon without a clear patch in a sublimating type color printer.

Abstract: A printing system for a shuttle-type printer includes a platen and a carriage configured to move bidirectionally across the platen. An optically responsive demarcation is provided on the platen outside of the media feed path. A printhead and an optical sensor are disposed on the carriage. During operation, the carriage is operable to position the optical sensor over the platen demarcation, whereby the optical sensor generates a position signal when it detects the platen demarcation. A control subsystem is operably coupled to the optical sensor to determine absolute position of the carriage relative to the platen in response to optical identification of the platen demarcation by the optical sensor. Several methods for operating such a printing system are also described.

Abstract: A high speed media management device has tractor means for moving a web through the device past a plurality of work stations at each of which the web may be treated. Relatively high web tension is maintained throughout its travel path. Counting means near the beginning of the web path generate a count signal with the passage of each increment of web. The accumulated count signals are compared to numbers stored in a plurality of registers, each register associated with a work station and each containing a count representative of web travel distance relative to the work station. The first register count corresponds to the distance required to accelerate the web from a stop. The remaining registers store that count and a separate count representing the distance between the first station and the corresponding station. When the counter contents equals the count in a register, an actuating signal initiates a treatment activity at the associated work station.

Abstract: A first tape cassette or a second tape cassette is assembled in a tape cassette holding portion of a printing device, and a print key is operated. If a normal character image print mode is set based on a value of a print mode flag, the normal character image is printed on a printing tape. If a reflected character image print mode is set, a reflected character image is printed on the printing tape. Moreover, when a third tape cassette is assembled in the tape cassette holding portion of the printing device, the set print mode is disregarded, and the reflected character image is only printed on a base tape.

Abstract: A mailing machine comprising, structure for feeding a sheet in a path of travel, a fence for defining a direction of the path of travel and against which an edge of a sheet is normally registered for alignment thereof in the path of travel, structure for printing postage indicia on a sheet in the path of travel, the printing structure including a rotary postage indicia printing drum, the printing structure including structure for driving the drum, structure for controlling the sheet feeding and drum driving structure, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the controlling structure including structure for sensing a sheet in the path of travel and providing a signal to the microprocessor when a sheet is fed into and out of blocking relationship with the sensing structure, the signal having a first magnitude when a sheet is not disposed in blocking relationship with the sensing structure, the signal having a second magnitude when a sheet is disposed in blocking relationship with the sensing struc

Abstract: A thermal printing system with encoded cassettes is disclosed. A thermal image transfer sheet is removably attached to a print sheet. Encoded instructions may be provided as either a bar code placed on the print sheet, as digital signals stored in a ROM or RAM storage device which forms a part of a cassette supply storing the print sheets, or as digital signals indicated by extruded pins or punched holes in a part of a cassette supply storing the print sheets. The encoded instructions represent certain conditions, such as the optimum thermal printing energy to be applied to pixels forming a printing head, and such encoded instructions are utilized to program various aspects of printing, such as the printing format. The print sheet may be divided, as by scoring, into different print fields so that it may be readily separated into separate display signs.

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: In a printing device, provided are means for setting a print start position in the printing form, and means for automatically feeding the printing sheet till the set print start position is located at a printing head. Thus, data can be printed in the desired position without complicated operations.In other words, the print start position of the continuous-form printing sheet can be securely and quickly conducted with simple operations.

Abstract: A label printer including a printing section for printing a given image on a label, a label issue opening for issuing the label after the given image is printed thereon by the printing section, a sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, a first prism having a reflecting surface located on one side of the label issue opening, and a second prism having a reflecting surface located on the other side of the label issue opening. The light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected on the reflecting surface of the first prism, and is then reflected on the reflecting surface of the second prism to reach the light receiving element. When the label is issued from the label issue opening, an optical axis between the reflecting surfaces of the first and second prisms intersects a surface of the label. Thus, the presence of the label projecting from the label issue opening can be surely detected.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder for use with an electrophotographic copier, digital copier or similar image recorder capable of transporting ordinary documents in the form of separate sheets and a continuous document in the form of computer form (CF) paper which is formed with equally spaced sprocket holes, as desired. A sprocket hole sensor is disposed on an imaginary line along which the sprocket holes of the CF paper are moved. A control device reversibly controls the transport of the CF paper to a predetermined reference position on a glass platen in association with the number of sprocket holes being counted. The document feeder is capable of not only copying a desired page of the CF paper but also implementing jam recovery in the event when a paper sheet jams the image recorder.

Abstract: A recording medium feed mechanism for a printer includes first, second and third transport sections in the printer along a medium pathway wherein the first transport section is disposed at the insertion point of the recording medium into the printer, the second transport section is disposed immediately before the printer section relative to the direction of transport of the recording medium and the third transport section is disposed immediately after the printer section relative to the direction of transport of the recording medium. A single drive source is adapted for driving in common drive rollers at all three transport sections. First, second and third opening/closing mechanisms are incorporated respectively at the first, second and third transport sections to provide closure and medium engagement and its transport when the medium is present at a particular transport section and to provide its opening when the medium is not present or no longer present at a particular transport section.

Abstract: A motorless label printer employs a matrix ink jet print head under which a continuous web of labels is moved during printing. An encoder in the path of the web is rotated to generate pulses signifying the position of the labels with respect to a reference that is signalled by detection of an aperture on the web by an electric eye. The printer includes a support for a spool of the web and a delaminator for separating the printed labels from the web substrate.