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.

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.

A tape cassette includes: a tape roll in which a tape is wound; a ribbon spool about which an ink ribbon is wound; a housing having a first opening; a first gear; and a second gear configured to operate in response to an operation of the first gear. The ribbon spool is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction. The housing includes: a partition plate partitioning an internal space of the housing into a first space in which the tape roll and the ribbon spool are positioned and a second space in which the first gear and the second gear are positioned; and an arm having a second opening allowing the tape and the ink ribbon to be discharged through the second opening to an outside of the housing. The second gear is exposed to the outside of the housing through the first opening.

According to an embodiment, a printer apparatus includes a guide member that guides an ink ribbon and a print sheet nipped by a thermal head and a platen roller and guides only the ink ribbon after the printing towards the winding reel. The printer apparatus further includes a sheet-like elastic member attached to a surface of surfaces in contact with the ink ribbon of the guide member, the surface guiding only the ink ribbon after the printing towards the winding reel.

Methods, apparatuses, systems, computing devices, and/or the like are provided. An example method may include a printer assembly. An example printer assembly may include a printer ribbon drive mechanism. An example printer drive mechanism may include a drive wheel, a connector, a spring, and an actuator. An example actuator may be configured to translate from a first axial position to a second axial position. An example spring may be configured to apply a greater force when an actuator is disposed in the first axial position than when the actuator is disposed in the second axial position. The example method may also include a motor to apply a torque to a drive wheel.