| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To enable an ink ribbon to be effectively reused, by a method wherein a used portion and a portion not used yet of the ink ribbon are detected with a sensor, and printing operation and paper feed operation are delayed by receiving a state signal which informs an operator of the used portion of the ink ribbon. CONSTITUTION:An ink ribbon state sensor 1 is provided on a feed portion 6a side of an ink ribbon 12 of a transparent substrate coated with thermal transfer ink. In the case where the ink ribbon 12 passes between a light emitting element 1a and a light receiving element 1b, when the passing portion is not yet used, light of the light emitting element 1a is intercepted with the ink ribbon 12 and the light receiving element 1b does not emit an ink ribbon state signal 7. Further, when a used portion of the ink ribbon 12 passes between the light emitting element 1a and the light receiving element 1b, the light receiving element 1b receives light which has been transmitted through the ink ribbon 12, and outputs the ink ribbon state signal 7. Then, when this signal 7 is transmitted to a printing delay mechanism 2 and a paper feed delay mechanism 3, printing and paper feed operation are delayed until the portion not used yet of the ink ribbon 12 is detected. During that time, the ink ribbon 12 continues to be transferred between the supply portion 6a and a winding portion 6b at a fixed speed. |
