RIBBON SUPPORT STRUCTURE, INK RIBBON STRUCTURAL BODY, AND IMAGE PRINTER

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize detection of a residual ink ribbon and secure detection of loading of the ribbon in a small and low cost device in an image printer using the roll type ink ribbon. SOLUTION: A built-in sensor 10 is positioned opposite to a slit-like hole 9 provided to a compartment section 6. As the plurality of slit-like holes 9 are arranged in the rotary direction of the compartment section 6, the sensor 10 can detect one revolution of a ribbon core 4 by detecting all the slit-like holes 9. By counting an amount of a rotation (the number of steps) of a stepping motor for conveying the ribbon at a time when the ribbon core 4 is rotated for one revolution, a length L of the ribbon drawn for one revolution thereof can be calculated. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI