Seiko Epson Corporation

Asahiro Oguchi

Masahiro Minowa

Masahiro Fujii

Hiroshi Koeda

Naoki Kobayashi

Shigeo Sugimura

Ikuhiro Miyashita

Teruaki Oguchi

Noboru Yanagisawa

Mitsuaki Teradaira

Naohiko Koakutsu

Masayo Miyasaka

Yoshikazu Ito

Kazuko Fukano

Atsushi Yamaji

Kazuhisa Aruga

Yuji Takamizawa

Advertising information input control module of a POS system receives advertising information, and a billing amount calculating module calculates a billing amount based on advertising information received by input control module. A payment confirming module confirms payment of the billing amount calculated by the billing amount calculating module, and an advertising information storing control module stores the advertising information in a storing device. A check-out information input control module receives input of customer check-out information, and an advertising information retrieving module retrieves the advertising information stored in the storing device. A printing data generating module synthesizes or combines check-out information with the advertising information so as to generate printing data, which is output at a printing device, and printed as a receipt with an ad.

POS system for advertisements printed on receipts

Method for billing for advertisements printed on check-out receipts

A printer controller, printer control method, and data storage medium detect a real-time command pattern in the print data to prevent unintended real-time commands from being executed by the printer. The evaluating unit detects whether a command data stream for printing image data sent to a printer contains a specific data sequence. When the specific data sequence, such as the data sequence of a real-time command, is present in the command data stream, the generating unit generates a plurality of command data stream segments not containing the specific data sequence but producing printing image data identical to the image data of the original data stream to the printer; the sending unit then sends the plurality of command data stream segments generated by the generating unit to the printer.

Printer controller, printer control method, and data storage medium for recording the controller and control method

Printer control prevents a user from pulling on printed roll paper before the printed form is cut from the roll while still providing the printed paper quickly to the user. When a paper sensor detects the trailing end of printed portion of the paper, that portion of paper is held by an ejection roller pair to temporarily stop the end of the paper from being ejected from the ejection opening. Paper slack in the paper transportation path is then determined. A paper cutting and ejection roller driving sequence is then executed based on the slack determination to provide the printed portion of the paper to the user through the opening.

Printing apparatus, control method thereof, and data storage medium storing a computer program realizing the control method

A peripheral communications terminal and interfacing method whereby host terminal intercommunication can proceed when the communications terminal is off-line without requiring host driver interface modification. This communications terminal incorporates a communications enabling unit that selectably uses DTR signaling or similar handshaking to notify the host whether data can be received. This communications enabling unit is set to either a first 'busy' mode indicating that receipt of streaming data is not possible when the processor of the communications terminal, which possesses at least a printing function, cannot further process data, or a second 'override' mode which allows receipt of incoming data to continue even when the processor cannot process data. When the communications enabling unit is set to the override mode and a state in which the terminal processor cannot process data has occurred, the communications terminal control method of the present invention is able to automatically notify the host of such status.

Communications terminal and interfacing method therefor

While eliminating the need for a dedicated on-line selector switch, a printing apparatus and control method is provided to improve the processes required to replenish consumable printing materials consumed during the printing operation. Using a transport mechanism for transporting the print medium and a printing mechanism for printing to the print medium, the printing apparatus accomplishes the printing process based on data received from a host device, selectively switches between an on-line state and an off-line state and notifies the host device of the currently selected state. The printing apparatus further comprises sensors for detecting the presence of consumable products, including roll paper and ink, that are consumed by the printing process, a switch with two functional settings, and a control device. The two functional settings of the switch are an on-line function commanding a transition from the off-line state to the on-line state, and a second function for specifying the process, such as a paper feed operation, to be executed by the printing apparatus when consumable materials are replenished. The control device causes the printing apparatus to shift to the off-line state when a sensor detects that a particular consumable material is not present, and selects the on-line function of the switch when a sensor detects after switching to the off-line state that a particular consumable material is again present and available for printing.

Printing apparatus and a control method therefor

An ink jet printer provided with an ink jet print head having a nozzle, an ink channel that is connected to the nozzle, and an electrostatic actuator that is composed of a diaphragm that is provided in a part of the ink channel and an electrode placed outside of the ink channel opposite to the diaphragm. The diaphragm is distorted by means of an electrostatic force generated by applying voltage to the electrostatic actuator thereby performing printing with ink droplets ejected from the nozzle. The electrostatic actuator driver comprises a timing pulse generator, charge circuit and discharge circuit. The driver controls an amount of charge to be charged to the electrostatic actuator as well as charge rate thereof corresponding to the environmental operating condition of the ink jet printer.

Ink jet printer and its control method for detecting a recording

Ink jet printer having an electrostatic activator and its control method

Apparatus for and a method of driving an ink jet head having an

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Suwa, Japan

Asahiro Oguchi