Abstract: A small-sized printer includes a printing section equipped with a shuttle head in which impact-type printing units are arranged in juxtaposition in a sub-scanning direction, a cylindrical cam for reciprocating the shuttle head in the sub-scanning direction, and paper feeding rollers for feeding a standard sheet in a main scanning direction; an input device for inputting information; a display device for displaying information; a RAM for storing information; and a CPU for controlling the printing section, the input section, the display device and the RAM and performing calculation on information. The printing section and the paper feeding rollers are provided in a body case in such a way as to be exposed where they are opposed to a case cover, which has a flat platen and spring members at positions opposed to the printing section, and ribs adapted to come into contact with the standard sheet and serving as a positioning device and as a sliding guide.

Abstract: A serial printer has a plurality of printing assemblies each comprising, a transport mechanism for transporting a recording sheet in a sheet transport direction, a process part, including an image bearing member with a rotary shaft which extends in a direction parallel to the sheet transport direction, for forming a latent image on the image bearing member by charging the image bearing member and developing the latent image into a developed image, a fixing unit, including a first fixing member, for fixing the developed image on the image bearing member onto the recording sheet by the first fixing member, at least one printing carriage movable in a carriage moving direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction and supporting the process part and the fixing unit, and a transfer unit for transferring the developed image formed on the image bearing member onto the recording sheet that is interposed between the transfer unit and the printing carriage.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a computer with movable keyboard pallets. The pallets are movable relative to each other between a compact stowing position and an extended operational position. A movement mechanism moves at least one of the pallets in a lateral direction relative to the other pallet and then towards the other pallet in a direction orthogonal to the lateral direction. The movement mechanism can be connected to the cover of the computer to automatically control movement of the pallets based upon position of the cover relative to a base of the computer. Thus, the pallets can be automatically moved from the compact stowing position, when the cover is closed, to the extended operational position when the cover is opened. Upon moving the cover from the open position to the closed position, the pallets are automatically moved from the extended operational position to the compact stowing position.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus has a first recording-sheet storing section for storing a first recording sheet, a second recording-sheet storing section for storing a second recording sheet, a serial recording head for effecting image recording on the first recording sheet while travelling with respect to the first recording sheet, a line recording head for effecting image recording on the second recording sheet when the second recording sheet is in a stationary state, a first conveying device for conveying the first recording sheet to the position of the serial recording head; and the second conveying device for conveying the second recording sheet to the position of the line recording head. With this arrangement, it is possible to selectively effect serial recording and line recording and, in addition, to effect recording from an original document as well as recording and reproduction of the thus-read original document.

Abstract: A keyboard has two segments connected to each other at their rear ends by a connector. The two segments can be pivoted about the connector through 90.degree. in the plane of a support surface for the keyboard. In one embodiment, each keyboard segment may be disposed at a maximum angle of 45.degree. to its support surface in a plane perpendicular to its support surface. Thus, the two segments may be tilted 90.degree. with respect to each other. The two segments may be separated and supported individually through three pivotally mounted supports on its bottom surface. Two of the supports are disposed adjacent the rear corners and pivot on the same axis while the third support is disposed adjacent a lower inner corner of the segment and pivots on an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis of the other two supports. Each of the supports has two legs of different lengths to permit various tilting configurations of each segment with one of the legs having an adjustable length in one embodiment.

Abstract: A detachable keyboard including a key pad, an upper frame coupled to the key pad at the bottom, an intermediate shell fastened to the upper frame at the bottom, a lower frame coupled to the intermediate shell at the bottom, a bottom shell fastened to the lower frame at the bottom, an adjusting screw, an actuating member coupled to the adjusting screw, and a lifting member having one end pivotably connected to the actuating member and an opposite end extended out of an opening on the upper frame and pivotably coupled to the key pad, wherein the intermediate frame can be moved along curved sliding grooves on the lower frame to adjust the horizontal position of the key pad; the actuating member can be moved forwards or backwards by turning the adjusting screw in either direction, causing the lifting member to lift or lower the key pad.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly is to be connected to a keyboard port of a host computer and includes a keyboard housing having opposite first and second horizontal faces and opposite vertical side walls at opposite longitudinal ends of the horizontal faces. An array of organ keys is disposed resiliently on the first horizontal face. An organ circuit array is disposed in the keyboard housing and is associated operably with the organ keys. An array of computer keys is disposed resiliently on the second horizontal face. A computer circuit array is disposed in the keyboard housing and is associated operably with the computer keys. A pair of upright support panels is mounted respectively on the side walls of the keyboard housing. Each of the support panels has two opposed distal ends which project respectively past the organ keys and the computer keys. A processor unit is connected electrically to the organ circuit array and the computer circuit array and is to be connected to the keyboard port of the host computer.

Abstract: Greater throughput is possible by using wider print swaths in each traverse across printing media. Multiple print cartridges are mounted to be offset from each other in the media scan direction (X-axis). The amount of offset is adjustably varied by selective on/off control of individual printing elements as well as by relative mechanical movement of the print cartridges.

Abstract: A multiple section keyboard includes a universal support for each section permitting unrestricted orientation of each section. A vertical adjustable support includes a telescoping cylinder unit or a three point linkage support. A ball unit connects the vertical support to a slide unit for lateral placement. The ball unit provides rotational and pivotal positioning. A lock unit is coupled to the ball unit and simultaneously looks the ball unit, the linkage unit and the slide unit in place. A separable ball connector may also connect the top inner corners of two keyboards to maintain a V-shaped board configuration. Each section has a separate extendible spacer bar formed with a telescoping portion adapted to be extended outwardly and latched in place between angularly related and spaced keyboard sections. A separate number 6 key unit is provided for coupling to either section for inputting of the digit from that section.

Abstract: A printer has dual opposing printheads which can print in tandem on two sides of paper fed along a printing plane. The dual opposing printheads can print the same information on each side of two paper sheets fed in back-to-back (two-ply) fashion, thereby providing a document and copy simultaneously. The printer can also print different information on two sides of the same paper sheet or on each side of two paper sheets, thereby doubling the printing speed as compared to a single printhead. In a preferred embodiment, the dual opposing printheads are mounted in carriages driven reciprocatingly in tandem by one drive belt. Tandem paper feed mechanisms are arranged at one side of the printer and have respective clutch spring devices which are actuated alternately by cam surfaces on the printhead carriages so as to drive a pair of paper feed rollers with the paper fed in between them.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for sequentially printing lines of image pixels in the thermal printing of a two-dimensional image on a wide receiver media employing a print head arrangement of the type comprising a plurality N of linear thermal print head segments each comprising a set n of thermal print elements, each element having a data bit input terminal, in an alternating, staggered pattern in first and second rows of N.sub.1 and N.sub.2 print head segments arranged across the media in a print line direction such that respective sub-sets of n.sub.1 thermal print elements of the adjacent ends of the N.sub.1 and N.sub.2 print head segments arranged in the first and second rows overlap in the print line direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing apparatus comprising a printing track defining a print receiving surface and a printing carriage arranged to travel along the printing track. The carriage includes printing heads arranged to receive data from a central database for printing on the printing surface at predetermined positions along the printing track, and a roller arrangement for driving the carriage along the printing track. An optical position encoder is provided for monitoring the movement of the carriage as it travels along the printing track. A data transmission link is provided for interfacing the central database to the carriage. The central database includes both positional data for controlling the position of the printing heads and pricing data. The printing track has mounting clips for mounting it on a shelf edge, and the printing heads are arranged to label items of stock on the shelf.

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement in which a conventional keyboard is divided into two sections, each of which is separately supported on a joint which is freely rotatable and pivotable. The joint in turn may have a supporting base adapted to rest on or to be clamped to a table top or other support surface. Alternatively, the joints supporting the respective keyboard sections may be mounted on a supporting based member, which may have an adjustable width so that the separation between the two keyboard sections can be varied. The sections may have palm rests thereon.

Abstract: A computer keyboard includes two symmetrical parts, each consisted of a bottom shell supported on a common base plate above a common bottom plate, and a top shell supported on the respective bottom shell, wherein the bottom shell has inverted T-rods made to slide in respective arched slots on the base plate, a locating block made to slide in a guide groove on the base plate; the base plate has a spring stop strip terminated to a projecting potion engaged into a serrated side wall of the locating block of the bottom shell; a lifting mechanism is connected between the top and bottom shells and controlled to turn the top shell on mounting lugs on the bottom shell permitting the top shell to be moved from a horizontal position to a sloping position or from the sloping position to the horizontal position.

Abstract: A computer keyboard includes two symmetrical parts, each consisted of a bottom shell supported on a common base plate above a common bottom plate, and a top shell supported on the respective bottom shell, wherein the bottom shell has inverted T-rods made to slide in respective arched slots on the base plate, a locating block made to slide in a guide groove on the base plate; the base plate has a spring stop strip terminated to a projecting potion engaged into a serrated side wall of the locating block of the bottom shell; a lifting mechanism is connected between the top and bottom shells and controlled to turn the top shell on mounting lugs on the bottom shell permitting the top shell to be moved from a horizontal position to a sloping position or from the sloping position to the horizontal position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for printing negotiable instruments in at least two colors. A non-impact printer is operable to print with toner in at least one color and a dot-matrix printer operable to print in at least one additional color. The printers are coupled to each other so that the paper output by one of the printers is received by another of the printers and activates the other of the printers. A computer is connected to the printers and operable to transmit information to be printed by each of the printers to produce a negotiable instrument printed in at least two colors.

Abstract: A printing head (106) as a first functional unit and at least one further functional unit (107) of the same kind or of a different kind are attached to a common carrier (105) and mounted by means of a carriage for displacement in each case in parallel in the direction of the print lines and are arranged so as to swivel between the individual working areas of the printing device by means of a common swivel drive. The arrangement of the individual functional units (106, 107) on the carrier (105) and the alignment of the swivel axis (104) are selected such that the functional units can be swiveled in each case in the direction of the print lines and perpendicularly to the feed direction out of and into the respective printing station (101, 102).

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement and particularly an ergonomic keyboard arrangement is provided which includes, in particular, keyboard blocks (5, 6) that are arranged in the shape of a V for ergonomic operation.In order to be able to vary the V-shaped arrangement of the keyboard blocks (5, 6), one or a plurality of hinges (14, 15) are provided. Moreover, in order to accommodate the keyboard blocks (5, 6), the keyboard housings (2, 3) can be displaced laterally by means of long holes that are arranged in a transverse web in the upper region of the housing so as to vary the distance between the keyboard blocks (5, 6).

Abstract: A wide-spanning thermal head used in a printer comprises a plurality of radiator metal plates attached to a metal support plate and a plurality of head substrates formed from ceramics or the like, one each attached on top of each radiator plate. A construction in which the end faces of the head substrates are made to abut against each other requires highly precise work and involves technical difficulty. Any variation in the gap between the end faces will result in the occurrence of a white streak degrading the print quality. To avoid this, the invention provides a construction in which the radiator plates are attached to the support plate with a gap provided between the radiator plates in such a manner that the ends of the head substrate on each radiator plate protrude beyond the corresponding ends of the radiator plate by a protruding amount d.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are disclosed for aligning the operation of the ink jet printhead cartridges of a multiple printhead ink jet swath printer that includes a print carriage that is movable along a horizontal carriage scan axis, (b) first and second ink jet printhead cartridges supported by the movable carriage for printing onto a print media that is selectively movable along a vertical media scan axis, and (c) an optical sensor supported by the movable carriage. Alignment of the operation of the printheads along the media scan axis is performed by determining with the optical sensor the relative positions of horizontal test line segments printed by selected nozzles of the printhead cartridges.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for negotiable instruments and securities which can print visually unrecognizable data consisting of MICR characters, barcodes or the like on negotiable instruments or securities and judge whether or not the visually unrecognizable data are exactly printed thereon, the printing apparatus for negotiable instruments and securities including a blank storing section (2) for storing stacked blanks (1) for instruments or securities, a first printer (11, 14) for printing visually recognizable data on the blanks (1), a second printer (23, 24) for printing visually unrecognizable data on the blanks (1), a reader (32, 33) for reading out the visually unrecognizable data, an instrument or security storing section (36) for storing the stacked blanks (1) for which the printing operation and the reading operation have been completed as instruments or securities (1a), a blank transporting mechanism (3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 21, 22, 25, 31) for transporting the blanks (1) from the blank storing section (2) to the

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are disclosed for aligning the operation of the ink jet printheads of a multiple printhead ink jet swath printer, and particularly for aligning the operation of the printheads along the carriage scan axis. The relative positions of vertical test line segments printed by the cartridges at a fixed swath position are determined with an optical sensor. The relative position information is utilized to calculate horizontal alignment corrections for the printhead cartridges which are utilized to adjust the horizontal offset shifts provided for the swath data and to adjust the timing of the firing of the ink jet nozzles of the printhead cartridges.

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement in which a conventional keyboard is divided into two sections, each of which is separately supported on a joint which is freely rotatable and pivotable. The joint in turn may have a supporting base adapted to rest on or to be clamped to a table top or other support surface. Alternatively, the joints supporting the respective keyboard sections may be mounted on a supporting based member, which may have an adjustable width so that the separation between the two keyboard sections can be varied.

Abstract: A thermal head device operates while a recording medium is fed in its lengthwise direction for line-sequentially printing each image line along its widthwise direction. A platen has a plane tangential thereto to define a level of feeding pass of the recording medium in a printing zone thereof. A plurality of planar head segments are opposed to the printing zone of the platen in staggered relation to each other such that the head segments are arranged along a pair of parallel rows along the widthwise direction of the recording medium. The respective planar head segments have edge portions opposed to each other between the parallel rows in the printing zone, and are slanted relative to the tangential plane such that the respective edge portions are inclined away from the feeding pass of the recording medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image recording apparatus which comprises first and second recording heads each used to record a visible image on a recording medium, and a drive mechanism capable of moving the first and second recording heads in the direction which intersects the direction in which the recording medium is fed and in the directions in which they are spaced from each other while respective processes for recording the visible image on the recording medium by the first and second recording heads are being carried out simultaneously.

Abstract: A braille printer that embosses braille characters by a method wherein a paper feed mechanism using a motor is disposed in the entry of a paper feed passage, a motor controler for feeding paper on which braille characters are embossed to an emboss start position according to one dot line spacing and character line spacing is mounted thereto, and the projections and recesses of both the dies at positions corresponding to the braille signals at an embossing position in the midway of the paper feed passage, wherein there are disposed a lead-edge position sensor for detecting the lead-edge position of paper is disposed in the paper-feed passage, and an obverse-/reverse-surface indicator for outputting an obverse-/reverse-surface indication signal indicating which one of either or the obverse surface or reverse surface of the paper should be printed, and an initial paper-feed controller for, in response to a detection signal from the leading-edge position sensor and the obverse-/reverse-surface indication signal,

Abstract: A structure for printing at least four elongated address lines allows maximum efficiency in the grouping together of print heads used for the printing. One print head is provided for each of the address lines, and the print heads are mounted so at least two of the print heads overlap each other, the overlapping print heads not being those for consecutive address lines. This means the print heads are positioned so that they are not in sequence with the numbers of the lines being printed. Transport rolls are mounted at either end of the print head with no other transport rollers or transporting structures between the print heads, and an electronic controller varies the time each of the print heads starts to print to correspond to the spacing of that print head so that all the lines may be printed with an aligned margin.

Abstract: A color thermal printer has a character printing thermal head and a half-tone color image printing thermal head. The character printing thermal head records a black character on an image receiving sheet by heating the back surface of a black ink film. The half-tone color image printing thermal head records a color image on the image receiving sheet by heating the back surface of a color ink film having at least cyan, magenta, and yellow ink areas cyclically formed thereon. A heating element of the thermal head of conventional size is used for character printing, and a heating element with a smaller width than that of a conventional thermal head in the sub scan direction is used for half-tone color image printing.

Abstract: An ergonomic keyboard which allows the user's hands to be placed in an anatomically neutral position with the palms facing each other. The main keys are arranged in vertical rows on opposite sides of a base, with the keys to be engaged by the index fingers being uppermost, and the keys to be engaged by the little fingers being lowermost. Space bars are arranged on side edges of the base such that they may be activated by pressure applied from different directions. Secondary keys, such as function keys, are arranged on inclined surfaces for improved visibility. The keyboard may be a discrete unit, or may be fixed to or integral with a data display monitor.

Abstract: A thermal printer for wide printing comprises a plurality of offset thermal print heads bearing against a rounded fixed anvil. The heads are mounted so that the active faces of each pair of successive heads form a dihedral angle in order to make tangential contact with the anvil along the active lines of heads. The printer includes a drum for driving the paper with the drum having a diameter which is greater than a predetermined value. Printing is controlled in response to a signal representative of paper advance as generated by an encoder driven by a wheel in tangential contact with the paper.

Abstract: A miniature printer is provided which can print characters in additional different character sets of fonts by combining several character sets which are included in the printer on a type drum or type belt. The printer includes a mechanism for selecting particular character sets and impacting a selected character from a selected character set on a printing medium. After a character is printed, the user may select a character from another character set which is present on the drum or belt and overprints the first character. This combination of character sets allows the printer to produce characters which distinguishable fonts without utilizing different color inks.

Abstract: A plurality of thermal heads each having a resistance heating element array are provided for a single platen roller. The individual thermal heads are arranged away from one another in the axial direction of the platen roller in such a way that regions in which images are recorded by their respective heating element arrays overlap each other at the joint portion of said regions. The thermal heads are also spaced away from one another in the circumferential direction of the platen roller so as to avoid mutual interference. The above arrangement makes it possible to use only a single platen roller for a recording apparatus which performs recording in a large recording area, thus contributing to making the apparatus compact.

Abstract: Conceived with the human-engineering objective of overcoming Repetitive Motion Injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The solution, a system comprising a split-keyboard spaced laterally into vertically arranged co-operative keypad halves, optimally enabling the user to sit with the lightweight portable keyboard assembly laying directly upon their lap. Traditional keyboards orient operator's hands inducing a wrist-twisting, arm-extending stress while the stress-free ergonomic bodily position herein liberates one from such trauma by reorientation of the hands and arms to a non-pronated, unextended position. This correction involves the upper-arm draping naturally down from the shoulder with the forearm, set at a relaxed forward projecting right-angle, placing the Carpal-ligaments of one's wrists in a non-torqued, neutral position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer printer ribbon cartridge for a printer having multiple print heads positioned at preset spaced distances on a reciporcating print head carriage. The printer ribbon cartridge (50) has a cartridge housing (52) for mounting on the print head carriage. A print ribbon (54) is mounted in the cartridge housing (52) and has an exposed print section which extends in front of the multiple print heads (102a, 102b, 102c). Multiple ribbon guides (62a, 62b, 62c) are slidably coupled on the exposed print section of the print ribbon (54) and, when coupled to the print heads, the ribbon guides guide the print ribbon over the printing face of the print heads.

Abstract: Ergonomic keyboard apparatus includes a keyboard separable into two portions, and each portion is movable along a curved track so that the portions may be spaced apart a desired distance. The keyboard portions are also individually adjustable for the physical comfort of the user by in and out movements with respect to the track, and the keyboard portions are also pivotable or rotatable and tiltable so that movement in effectively three planes is accomplished to provide for the physical characteristics and physical comfort of the user. Supports are also provided for the user's wrists, and the wrist supports are adjustable towards and away from the keyboard portions.

Abstract: An input keyboard unit includes a left and right keyboard. A separate universal pivot support unit is secured one to each keyboard and to a base support plate. Each universal pivot unit includes a telescopic shaft with a releasable connector for holding of the shaft in desired extended position. One end of the shaft or post unit is secured to the keyboard through a mounting plate. A ball and socket unit is secured to the opposite end and through a tongue and groove connection to a base plate for lateral positioning of the pivot units and the attached keyboard relative to each other. The ball and socket unit allows universal pivoting of the keyboard about the mounting to the base plate and thereby permits the optimal positioning of the keyboard with respect to the hands of the operator. In one embodiment, the two separate keyboard boards are generally rectangular members.

Abstract: A printer for a plurality of different printing objects serving as a multifunctional printer is subject to problems of economic production.

Abstract: A recording apparatus has a first carrier carrying a first recording head thereon and movable, a second carrier carrying a second recording head thereon and movable, a first recording mode in which the first carrier is moved to thereby effect recording, and a second recording mode in which the first carrier and the second carrier are both moved to thereby effect recording.

Abstract: A dot matrix printer has two print head carriages, supported in parallel, and two print heads for printing a receipt and a journal in a tandem printing station arrangement. A drive cam with a rail on the periphery thereof is coupled to both carriages to drive the carriages in opposite directions upon rotation of the drive cam. The movement of one carriage acts as a balance to movement of the other carriage and thereby eliminates or substantially reduces vibration during printing operation.

Abstract: A printing apparatus suitable for printing on a print medium of a large size which is reduced in overall size and facilitates adjustment of printing timings of line printing heads therein. The printing apparatus comprises a plurality of line printing heads of the type wherein printing elements are disposed on a line along an end edge thereof. The line printing heads are disposed in a pair of rows spaced in the feeding direction of a print medium in a housing such that the printing elements along the end edges thereof are disposed in an alternate relationship in a pair of rows perpendicular to the feeding direction of a print medium and each located nearest to the other row of the printing elements.

Abstract: A printer includes a printing unit capable of printing preset characters; a designation unit for designating a character to be printed by the printing unit; and a judgement unit for judging whether a designated character by the designation unit can be printed by the printing unit.

Abstract: A piggyback recorder for use in a printer terminal having a first recorder for printing a first set of data on a document, such as a receipt document. The piggyback recorder is detachably mounted piggyback onto the first recorder, thereby providing a second recorder to the terminal for printing a second set of data on the document. The piggyback recorder comprises a piggyback print member which is capable of printing the second set of data, a mounting member for mounting the piggyback print member directly onto a first print member of the first recorder, a piggyback platen, a second mounting member for mounting the piggyback platen directly onto a first platen of the piggyback recorder, and a solenoid for providing relative movement between the piggyback print member and the piggyback platen.

Abstract: A printing apparatus suitable for printing on a print mediumn of a large size which is reduced in overall size and facilitates adjustment of printing timings of line printing heads therein. The printing apparatus comprises a plurality of line printing heads of the type wherein printing elements are disposed on a line along an end edge thereof. The line printing heads are disposed in a pair of rows spaced in the feeding direction of a print medium in a housing such that the printing elements along the end edges thereof are disposed in an alternate relationship in a pair of rows perpendicular to the feeding direction of a print medium and each located nearest to the other row of the printing elements.

Abstract: Information is recorded with one or more elongate thermal recording heads on a recording medium advancing at least intermittently on a recording medium support. Such recording head or heads are being pressed against the recording medium at the recording medium support by at least two biasing devices spaced along such elongate thermal recording head or heads. These two biasing devices are balanced relative to each other opposite the elongate thermal recording head or heads, as seen from the recording medium support. Different characteristics of the biasing devices are thus compensated opposite the elongate thermal recording head or heads, as seen from said recording medium support. Forces acting at one end of an elongate thermal recording head, or acting on one of the recording heads, against either of the biasing devices are transmitted via both biasing devices to an opposite end of that elongate thermal recording head or to the other of two elongate thermal recording heads.

Abstract: A hybrid printer includes at least one impact type print head and at least one non-impact type print head, which are selectively used to print not only graphic information but also character information. For example, the impact type print head may be a type wheel print head and the non-impact type print head may be a pen print head. The print heads are selectively magnetically coupled to the carriage drive belt.

Abstract: In a thermal recording apparatus using a plurality of thermal heads supported by a head supporting means including a head supporting mechanism and a head pressing mechanism. The head supporting means includes single supporting units provided for correspondingly respectively supporting the thermal heads. Each of the single supporting units has a pair of hook-shaped members fixed to corresponding one of the thermal heads at two places of the rear surface thereof, and has a head supporting member having a pair of side end portions corresponding to the pair of hook-shaped members and a plane portion formed between the pair of side end portions and fixed to a rotatable pillar-shaped member. The head supporting member is engaged at its side end portions with the respective hook-shaped members so as to be movable in the vertical and rotational directions.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing card tickets includes a printing and/or encoding module (1), having means for driving a ticket along a path internal to the module (1) in order to pass it through a ticket print station and, where appropriate, a ticket encoding station (160), and then to a ticket outlet between two wheels (150, 193). A second module (2) is provided, similar to the first, and coupling means (3) are provided between the respective outlets from the two modules (1, 2) and an outlet receptacle (370) in order to take tickets from one or other or both of the modules (1,2) and stack them in the receptacle (370).

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer which can simply and assuredly erase a symbol recorded in error with thermal transfer ink on record paper. The printer comprises, in addition to a printing transfer ribbon and a printing thermal head, an erasing ribbon carrying thereon a layer of a thermally adhesive resin material, and an erasing thermal head which is operated, during erasing operation, to generate heat to melt the thermally adhesive resin on said erasing ribbon sufficient to adhere to the thermally fusible ink of a symbol printed on record paper so that the ink may be removed from the paper as the erasing ribbon is moved away from the record paper. The printing and erasing thermal heads are mounted in a juxtaposed relationship on a movable carriage, and the erasing thermal head has a greater heat generating area than the printing thermal head.

Abstract: Two print heads each having a plurality of print elements arranged over a print width to allow printing of a predetermined area by a print scan operation are arranged one for each one of adjacent pages bordered by a seam line of a booklet along which a plurality of sheets of the booklet are bound. The print elements are non-impact type print elements such as thermal print elements.

Abstract: A recording head of a current application type serial printer is provided with two independent recording electrode groups on both sides of its tip. The angle of contact of the recording head with a platen of the printer is switched between a forward printing stroke and a backward printing stroke of a carrier so that, usually, the electrode group on the right-hand side of the recording head is used during the forward printing stroke, and the electrode group on the left-hand side during the backward printing stroke.