The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 26, 1985
Filed:
Aug. 26, 1983
Junji Kawano, Ise, JP;
Fumio Takahashi, Ise, JP;
Shinko Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting an error such as a cutoff or the like of an ink ribbon used in a thermal transfer type multicolor printer, wherein the ink ribbon is provided with sets of ink zones containing heat dissolving inks, each set of the ink zones including ink zones, disposed in a predetermined order, of different colors. A timer is preset for providing an electric signal representative of detection of the error at an end of a predetermined timing interval equal to a time period necessary in an ink detection mode, in which one of the ink zones having a specified color is detected, for passing at least one ink zone through a printing position where a multicolor printing is made by means of a thermal head. The ink ribbon is then wound at a predetermined speed in the ink detection mode, and the timer is set at the winding of the ink ribbon. A sensor mark, which is provided to each of the ink zones for indicating its color, is detected to provide a color signal representative of the color indicated by the sensor mark. The timer is reset according to the color signal. The error detection signal is provided when the timer become operative because no color signal is supplied to the timer within the timing interval.