Seiko Epson Corporation

Takaaki Akiyama

Naohiko Koakutsu

Mitsuaki Teradaira

Masayo Miyasaka

Takuya Hyonaga

Masahiro Fujii

Osamu Nakamura

Mitsukazu Kurose

Masahiro Kamijo

Shuji Matsuo

Kazuhisa Aruga

Eizo Takahashi

A printing apparatus includes a data receiver that receives command data from a host device and a memory that stores the command data received by the data receiver. A printer controller reads out the command data stored in the memory in a first-in-first-out order and controls the printing apparatus in accordance with the command data. A command detector is provided to detect predetermined command data within the command data received by the data receiver without storing the command data in the memory or while or before command data is stored in the memory. An off-line recovery controller enables the printing apparatus to recover from an off-line state in accordance with the predetermined command data detected by the command detector.

Printing apparatus and a control method therefor

A printing apparatus comprises a real-time command detector connected to the data receiver without the memory therebetween to detect control commands. Status data is transmitted to a host device in response to a real-time command from the host device.

Printing apparatus with real-time status reporting to a host device

A printing apparatus comprises a real-time command detector connected to the data receiver without the memory therebetween to detect control commands. An error recovery controller enables the printing apparatus to recover from an error state in accordance with predetermined command data detected by the command detector.

Printing apparatus with real-time error recovery

A printing apparatus comprises a real-time command detector that detects control commands without first storing the received comand data in memory. A host device can therefore cancel a cut-sheet waiting state of the printer even when the printing apparatus is stopped while waiting for a cut- sheet form to be inserted.

Printing apparatus with real-time cut-sheet waiting state cancellation

A printing apparatus comprises a real-time command interpreter that functions even when the printing apparatus is off-line, and interprets control commands simultaneously with receiving data. The printing apparatus can therefore output pulses to the external devices even when printing is in progress or the printer is off-line. Such printing apparatus comprises a command detector for directly detecting predetermined command data from the received command data. An external controller controls an external device in accordance with predetermined command data detected by the command detection.

Printing apparatus with a cash drawer control function, and a control method therefor

Printer and control method for obtaining printer status

The printing apparatus of the invention provides a control command interpreter whereby control commands can be interpreted even in an off-line state. The cause of the off-line state can then be determined while in the off-line state, and the host computer can be notified of the cause. This achieves a high throughput rate printing. The user can cancel the cut-sheet paper insertion wait-state at any time, and determine why an error occurred to enable recovery from the error. This printing apparatus further provides high data reliability, reduces host computer overhead, and is easy to use.

Printing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a data processing

A printer that prints characters or graphics on tape by means of a thermal print head, having a cutting means that cuts the tape at predetermined positions, and control means which act to eliminate printing defects such as gaps, or spaces, between printed dot strings. Gaps between printed dot strings, caused by a tape cutting operation that pulls the tape past the print head, is eliminated by the control means which reverses the tape feed mechanism in order to slacken the tape just prior to cutting. After cutting, the control means forwards the tape by an amount less than or equal to the amount reversed and printing is resumed. Printer also provides means for entry of lead margin length, total tape length, character spacing and character string to be printed by means of a keyboard. Rear margin length is computed by the printer.

Tape printer apparatus and control method

A hand held printer for printing on a print paper when the printer is manually moved over the surface of the paper is provided, including a print mechanism supported within the housing to print inputted characters and drawings on the print paper upon manual manipulation of the housing. A thermal head is movably supported within the housing. A movement measurement unit indicates movement of the printer. A drive roller drives a ribbon take up roller and movement measurement unit. A clutch allows the drive roller to function only in a printing direction. A spring biases the drive roller towards an operating position, the drive roller moving to the print surface independently of the thermal head when the drive roller is biased by the spring.

Print head and roller biasing mechanism for a hand held thermal printer

A hand held printer for printing on a print paper when the printer is manually moved over the surface of the paper is provided. A single manually manipulatable housing supports an input for imputting characters and drawings to be printed and a display for displaying the inputted characters and drawings. A print mechanism supported within the housing prints the inputted characters and drawings on the print paper upon manual manipulation of the housing. A thermal head is supported within the housing. A thermal transfer ribbon traces a path through the printer. A slide guide which is slidable relative to the print surface supports a slide means. The slide means guides the thermal transfer ribbon to come in contact with the print surface.

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Suwa, Japan

Takaaki Akiyama