US4511903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal printer
Assignee: Toshiba TEC Corp
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Filing: 1983-10-17
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Granted: 1985-04-16
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Expires: 2003-10-17
Abstract
Abstract In a thermal printer of this invention, a detector detects whether a ribbon cassette exists or not, and the thermal printer is automatically changed in thermal sensitive process or thermal transfer process by installing or detaching the ribbon cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoki Miyazaki
- 👤 Keiichi Horiya
- 👤 Tsugio Shiozaki
- 👤 Kazuhide Takahama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:54
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J35/00; B41J35/28; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; B41J35/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A thermal printer comprising: a platen to hold a paper; a carriage moveable in reciprocating motion along the platen; a thermal head attached to the carriage; a ribbon cassette enclosing a printing ribbon coated with thermal fusible ink, said cassette being attachable to the carriage; means for supplying a voltage to the thermal head to heat the thermal fusible ink or the paper; a detector for detecting whether the ribbon cassette is attached to the carriage; and a driving voltage switching circuit for varying the supply voltage to the thermal head in response to the output of the detector in order to heat either the thermal fusible ink or the paper;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A thermal printer comprising: a platen to hold a paper; a carriage moveable in reciprocating motion along the platen; a thermal head attached to the carriage; a ribbon cassette enclosing a printing ribbon coated with thermal fusible ink, said cassette being attachable to the carriage; means for supplying a voltage to the thermal head to heat the thermal fusible ink or the paper; a detector for detecting whether the ribbon cassette is attached to the carriage; and a driving voltage switching circuit for varying the supply voltage to the thermal head in response to the output of the detector in order to heat either the thermal fusible ink or the paper;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A thermal printer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the thermal printer acts in thermal sensitive process to use a heat sensitive paper when the ribbon casssette is not attached.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A thermal printer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the thermal printer acts in thermal transfer process to transfer ink from the printing ribbon to an ordinary paper when the ribbon cassette is installed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A thermal printer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a microswitch to perform switching in response to pressure of the ribbon cassette.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A thermal printer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a photo-electric converter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A thermal printer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the driving voltage switching circuit comprises transistors to be rendered ON or OFF and resistors to be connected in parallel to the transistors in response to output from the detector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-04-15 | 1988-10-15 | 1989-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-15 | 1992-10-15 | 1993-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-15 | 1996-10-15 | 1997-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |