Patent ID: 6082914
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A thermal printer comprising:support for a spool of media;a platen on which said media can move;a print head in association with said platen for printing on said media;a rotatable print ribbon supply spindle for a print ribbon supply spool;a rotatable take-up spindle for taking up print ribbon and forming a take-up spool from said supply spool as it moves in association with said media between said platen and print head;a motor connected to said print ribbon supply spindle;a motor connected to said take-up spindle; and,a control means to provide movement of said print ribbon by controlling the movement of said motors,wherein said control means calculates a desired tension on said print ribbon from said supply spindle, and tension on print ribbon to said take-up spindle and adjusts their respective velocities.