A ribbon core that is used with a consumable ribbon in a card processing system. The ribbon core can be a take-up core that takes-up used ribbon that has been used in a processing operation in the card processing system, or a supply core around which unused ribbon is wound and that is to be used in a processing operation in the card processing system. The ribbon core is configured to accommodate uneven material on the consumable ribbon.

A media processing device includes a spindle, a sensor, and a logic circuit. The spindle is configured to support a spool of installed consumable media selected from a plurality of different possible types of consumable media. The spindle includes an encoder wheel having a plurality of encoder patterns. The spindle is configured to translate in an axial direction to accommodate the plurality of different possible types of consumable media. The sensor is configured to sense one of the plurality of encoder patterns based on rotation of the encoder wheel and an axial position of the spindle. The logic circuit is configured to receive a signal from the sensor corresponding to the sensed encoder pattern, determine whether the type of consumable media that is installed based on the signal received from the sensor, and track a usage of the installed consumable media based on the signal received from the sensor.

A media processing device includes a spindle, a sensor, and a logic circuit. The spindle is configured to support a spool of installed consumable media selected from a plurality of different possible types of consumable media. The spindle includes an encoder wheel having a plurality of encoder patterns. The spindle is configured to translate in an axial direction to accommodate the plurality of different possible types of consumable media. The sensor is configured to sense one of the plurality of encoder patterns based on rotation of the encoder wheel and an axial position of the spindle. The logic circuit is configured to receive a signal from the sensor corresponding to the sensed encoder pattern, determine whether the type of consumable media that is installed based on the signal received from the sensor, and track a usage of the installed consumable media based on the signal received from the sensor.

In accordance with an embodiment, a printing apparatus includes a shaft and an antenna. The shaft is arranged to be inserted into a tubular material including a wireless tag and rotatably supports the tubular material. The antenna performs data communication with the wireless tag. The antenna has an antenna element group and the antenna element group is arranged to cover an area in a circumferential direction of the shaft.

The present disclosure is directed to a system for preventing incorrect installation of ribbon material in a printer. The system includes a spindle rotatable in a first direction or a second direction. The spindle is capable of supporting a supply of ribbon material for rotation with the spindle. The system also includes a trigger associated with the spindle. The trigger rotates with the spindle in the first direction or the second direction. The system further includes an actuator adjacent the spindle and configured to detect whether the spindle is rotating in the first direction or the second direction via the trigger.

The present disclosure is directed to a system for installing ribbon material in a printer. The system includes a spindle provided in the form of a spindle arm and a key associated with the spindle arm. The system also includes a ribbon cartridge having a keyway arranged to align with the key of the spindle arm and a ribbon roll including a supply of ribbon material. Engagement between the key and the keyway positions the ribbon cartridge on the spindle arm in a correct orientation.

A spindle for facilitating removal of used ribbon material in a printer is disclosed. The spindle includes a shaft movably attached to the printer and a spindle arm positioned on the shaft for collecting the used ribbon material. The spindle arm has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The spindle includes a slider disposed between the shaft and the spindle arm and configured for bidirectional movement along the shaft between a first position and a second position. The spindle also includes a first wiper connected to the slider. A button is connected to the slider and operably engaging the shaft. Engaging the button permits movement of the slider along the shaft from the first position to the second position thereby causing the first wiper to move the used ribbon material toward an end of the spindle arm.

A ribbon take-up hub for a printer is disclosed. The ribbon take-up hub comprises a centre hub configured to be coupled to a rotatable component of the printer. The centre hub comprising a button. Further, one or more arc shaped blocks are positioned in proximity to the centre hub, and a plurality of tension holders are attached to the centre hub. Further, upon pressing of the button, the plurality of tension holders retracts inside the centre hub to facilitate placement and winding of a ribbon between the plurality of tension holders and the one or more arc shaped blocks. Further, upon releasing the button, the plurality of tension holders extends from the centre hub to clamp the winded ribbon between the plurality of tension holders and the one or more arc shaped blocks.

An ink ribbon cartridge includes a first spool, a first case covering the first spool, a second spool, a second case covering the second spool, a first rib provided at the first case, a second rib provided at the second case, an ink ribbon, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The first spool extends in a first direction and the second spool extends in a second direction. The first protrusion protrudes in the first direction from an end of the first case in the first direction. The second protrusion protrudes in the second direction from an end of the second case in the second direction. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are respectively fitted in a first hole and a second hole of a first frame of a printing device in a state where the ink ribbon cartridge is attached the printing device.

A tape cassette includes: a ribbon roll in which an ink ribbon is wound; a tape roll in which a tape is wound; and a housing having an opening space. The housing includes a first partition plate and an arm. The arm has a discharge port allowing the ink ribbon and the tape to be discharged to the opening space through the discharge port. In the tape cassette, the ink ribbon has a leading part extending from an interior of the arm to an outside of the housing through both the discharge port and the opening space. The leading part has a leading edge positioned outside the housing.