Printer including cartridge mounted read only memory

Claim 1

A printer comprising: a main body including a printing head, at least one motor, a plurality of circuits including a control circuit means for driving the printing head and the at least one motor, processing means, interface means including a first connector means and a random access memory; a cartridge for containing memory means for storing data associated with at least one character font set and a printing operation control program, said cartridge including a second connector means for removably coupling with said first connector means, said cartridge being mechanically and electrically coupled with said main body by said first connector means and second connector means; and said control circuit means within said main body being operatively coupled to said first connector and second connector means and preventing printing by said print head when said cartridge is not connected to said main body by said first connector means and second connector means and, to permit printing by said print head when said cartridge is connected to said main body by said first connector means and second connector means, so that printing is interrupted by detaching said cartridge during printing; the printing operation control program including a variety of printing parameters associated with the at least one character font set whereby the printing operation control program and character font sets can be selectively set by connecting an appropriate cartridge.