| 摘要 |
A sensor (42) for sensing and identifying characteristics of a printer ink ribbon (66) when a ribbon supply roll (54) is inserted into a printer (10) and operated. Ink ribbons (66) used in printers are provided in a number of types, colors, and other identifiable characteristics that are important for insuring that the correct ribbon (66) is inserted in the printer (10) for the then current print job. In the present invention, the ribbon supply (54, 64) include ribbon supply rolls (54) which are provided with identifying indicia (72) on one end of the roll (51), and a sensor (42) to read the presence of indicia (72) when the printer (10) is operated. The positions of the indicia (72) relative to selected reference positions (73) indicates the ink ribbon type. Suitable circuitry (50) is used to disable the printer (10) if the print ribbon (66) is not properly correlated to the requirements of the printer (10). A Hall Effect Sensor (42) is used adjacent the ribbon roll (54), and the indicia on the ink ribbon roll (54) comprise pins (72) or similar members that will affect the Hall Effect Sensor (42) output when rotated past the sensor (42). |
