Patent ID: 6812943
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A tape printing apparatus for printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising:a thermal print head for printing an image on an image receiving tape, said thermal print head having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation; receiving means for receiving in said first mode of operation a supply of image receiving tape and a supply of ink ribbon for providing an image on the image receiving tape, and in second mode of operation a supply of thermally sensitive image receiving tape; driving means for driving the ink ribbon; control means for controlling said thermal print head, and detecting means for detecting a characteristic indicative of movement of the ink ribbon to determine if an ink ribbon is present or absent in said receiving means and for providing a signal to said control means indicative of the presence or absence of the ink ribbon, said control means acting to control said thermal print head to operate in said first mode of operation when the ink ribbon is present and in said second mode of operation when the ink ribbon is not present.