Abstract: Automatic printing apparatus wherein a single turnaround item-document is utilized as an initial source of intelligible information-data and thereafter by comparing certain of the data on the document with additional data inputted thereto by means of operably associated external hardware and subsequently summarizing the total data on the item effective to provide a final document including both the initially inputted information-data as well as the data resulting from the comparison and summarization.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided wherein data inputted from a data reader, such as a pen scanner, is compared with previously stored data. In the event that a match occurs, the printer prints predetermined information such as a sorting code on a thermal print medium. The thermal printer has a data input, data memory, program memory and an I/O port for communication with external devices. A controller controls the various components and directs the printer to print when the match occurs. Should a match not occur, the non-matching data is stored in data memory. The print medium such as a label or the like, may then be affixed to the same article or merchandise from which the data reader initially read the data.

Abstract: A portable label printer comprising a label printer unit and an electrically and mechanically detachable data terminal unit is disclosed. When mated, the data terminal unit and the label printer unit are angularly adjustable with respect to each other. The printer unit has an interface for communication with external devices.

Abstract: A printing apparatus with an image reading device, having a platen extending along a line of printing, a guide rod extending parallel to the platen, a carriage movable on the guide rod, and a printing head which is mounted on the carriage to effect a printing operation a recording medium on the platen. The image reading device comprises: a pair of support portions which slidably engage the guide rod so as to sandwich the carriage in a direction parallel to the line of printing; a bridging portion connecting the support portions such that the support portions are immovable relative to each other; an image-reading portion supported immovably relative to the support portions and the bridging portion, and having an operative position adjacent to the surface of the recording medium, for reading images on the surface; and a control circuit fixed to the bridging portion, for controlling an image-reading operation of the image-reading portion.

Abstract: A thermal label printer is provided with a label feeding mechanism which is adapted to operate either in a first mode in which the printer supplies peeled labels or in a second mode in which the printed labels are delivered while still adhered to their backing sheet. The labels are delivered out of the printer on a conveyor belt which extends to a label peeling member in the printer. The conveyor belt is tiltable in a manner which is effective to create a larger clearance between the conveyor belt and the peeling member to facilitate loading of the backing sheet prior to beginning printing operations.

Abstract: A portable thermal label printer employing an optical reader such as a pen or touch scanner for data input is disclosed. The operator needs only to hold the scanner, while the remaining components are held around the operator's waist or the like. The operator can therefore use both hands to handle articles of freight, and enables freight to be handled and labels to be printed easily and efficiently. Further, the arrangement of the thermal label roll with respect to the thermal print head enables the overall unit to be made light and compact.

Abstract: This invention relates to a unit type thermal label printer capable of receiving and transmitting data. The unit type thermal label printer is comprised of detachable components consisting of a label printer unit, a data terminal unit, an applicator unit, and a handle unit. These units can be partially or completely connected and disconnected as desired thereby enabling the device to be configured according to the particular needs of the user and the situation.

Abstract: The processor has a "U"-shaped transport path with input and output slots in closely situated parallel planes. An overrunning clutch forms part of the transport drive between the reader and the printer to shorten the transport path by permitting the leading edge of the ticket to enter the printer while the ticket is being read by the higher speed reader. The processor can be either horizontally or vertically oriented. When vertically oriented, the input and output slots can be situated on opposite sides of a glass partition to permit customer insertion of a pre-marked ticket.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprising: an elongate platen; a guide member extending parallel to the platen; a carriage slidably movable on the guide member; a printing head mounted on the carriage; an image reading device including an image-reading portion for reading images on a recording medium on the platen, the image-reading portion being movable between a reading position adjacent to the recording medium, and a retracted position spaced from the reading position in a direction away from the recording medium; and a device for engagement of the image reading device with the carriage, to permit the image reading device to move together with the carriage. The image reading device may be supported pivotally by the guide member in the form of a rod. The carriage may have a stopper abutable on the image reading device to determine the reading position of the image-reading portion. The apparatus may further comprise a member for checking optical sensitivity of the image reading device.

Abstract: An information processing mechanism having a combined printing and reading head wherein the reading head is maintained as close as possible to the printing head by providing means for deflecting light entering the reading head so that the organization of the reading head may be arranged with a reading window thereof through which light enters the reading head arranged adjacent the printing head between a printing needle guide member and a magnet carrier of the printing head, the magnet carrier having a wider dimension than the printing needle guide member.

Abstract: A Chinese typewriter comprising a keyboard for the input of numerical and command signals, a control circuit for control of the system, a rotating drum carrying a film strip on which are optically stored a plurality of Chinese characters, a CRT display for verifying the desired character, and a printer.

Abstract: A method and system are described for producing identification characters that are both man and machine readable. The identification characters, such as those on a patient's I.D. bracelet or an inventory control tag, are scanned with an optical character reader. The character information obtained from the reader, or other input source, is processed and used to control the reproduction of the identification characters using a dot matrix printer. The readability of the characters is enhanced by using thermal paper and increasing the heat applied by the dot matrix printer to (1) enlarge the area of the dots and (2) increase their optical absorbance. The increased area and absorbance produces an apparent solid line character which is more easily readable by an optical character reader.

Abstract: A desk top justifying text writing composing machine including automatic encoding and reading control means for operating a desk top justifying reproducing machine, or for operating larger and more sophisticated printing machines capable of automatic justification. The machine will produce unjustified typed lines and will automatically encode for controlling another machine to print justified lines, as a result of a single series of manual keyboard composing operations and automatic code controlled reproducing operations for producing a justified copy of a literal text, respectively.

Abstract: A desk top justifying text writing composing machine including automatic encoding and reading control means for operating a desk top justifying reproducing machine, or for operating larger and more sophisticated printing machines capable of automatic justification. The machine will produce unjustified typed lines and will automatically encode for controlling another machine to print justified lines, as a result of a single series of manual keyboard composing operations and automatic code controlled reproducing operations for producing a justified copy of a literal text, respectively.The machine includes a delete key and automatic deleting and back spacing means that reverses the machine and deletes codes from a code medium according to previously encoded information for back space correction purposes. The machine operates much like a normal office typewriter and may be operated by a person with a little more than normal typewriting skills for encoding a justified corrected text and function control codes.

Abstract: A magnetic card drive assembly for use with an electronic typewriter is provided for driving a magnetic card supported on a platform with a top surface and a card guide surface thereon. The magnetic card drive assembly includes a drive wheel supported for rotation on a frame. The frame has an alignment surface formed thereon for mating with cooperating alignment faces of a pair of lugs extending from the card platform. The engagement of the alignment surface of the drive wheel frame against the alignment faces of the lugs automatically aligns the frame and the drive wheel relative to the card guide surface. The drive wheel is further alignable relative to the plane of the top surface of the card platform by adjustment of one of three retaining screws connecting the drive wheel frame to the card platform. This screw cooperates with a compression spring acting between the frame and the card platform to position the periphery of the drive wheel tangent to the plane of the top surface of the card platform.

Abstract: A tracking mount assembly is provided for use with an electronic typewriter magnetic card support platform having a top surface and a card guide surface thereon. The tracking mount assembly includes a bridge frame with a lead screw and a guide shaft mounted in the frame. A pair of lugs extend from the frame and are formed with alignment surfaces thereon. The alignment surfaces of the lugs engage the card guide surface of the card support platform to align thelead screw and guide shaft relative to the card guide surface. The lead screw and guide shaft are further aligned relative to the plane of the top surface of the card support platform by the connection between the bridge frame and the card support platform.

Abstract: A justifying text writing reproducing machine for automatic or manual typing of text includes a keyboard enabling an operator to manually type text, and reader means responsive to coded information on a coded medium for automatically typing lines of text. The machine is responsive to separate coded function information on the coded medium for conditioning the machine to perform separate functions such as justification, print or no-print, bold or regular typing, and for printing upper or lower case characters, and the machine is responsive to other separate coded information for conditioning the machine to perform combinations of such functions. The conditioning may be overridden. The carriage of the machine is stepped incrementally in order to enable display of characters with different predetermined widths.