Patent · US Expired

Franking apparatus and printing means thereof

US6065883A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
6References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 2, 1998
Grant dateMay 23, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 2, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07B2017/00556
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling energization of a take-up motor driving a take-up spool of used ink ribbon in thermal printing apparatus. Prior to a printing cycle, the take-up motor is energized to rotate the take-up spool until ternsion in the ink ribbon caused rotation of an ink ribbon supply spool. The take-up spool is then rotated a predetermined amount and resultant rotation of the supply spool is determined by sensing means. A function dependent upon the rotation of the supply spool is determined and used during subsequent operation of the apparatus to control energization of the take-up motor such as to wind the used riobbon onto the take-up spool with a desired amount of tension in the used ribbon.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.