Systems, devices, and related methods for shaping near field interrogation signals are discussed herein. An example spindle supported near field communication (NFC) device includes a spindle configured to mount to a mounting surface, the spindle having an axis of rotation; a beam shaping NFC device including: a ferromagnetic core portion coaxial with the spindle; a coil disposed around the core portion, the coil to generate a near field interrogation signal; a first ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near field interrogation signal in directions extending radially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in a first axial direction associated with the axis; and a second ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near field interrogation signal in the directions extending radially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in a second axial direction associated with the axis.

Systems, devices, and related methods for shaping near field interrogation signals are discussed herein. An example spindle supported near field communication (NFC) device includes a spindle configured to mount to a mounting surface, the spindle having an axis of rotation; a beam shaping NFC device including: a ferromagnetic core portion coaxial with the spindle; a coil disposed around the core portion, the coil to generate a near field interrogation signal; a first ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near field interrogation signal in directions extending radially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in a first axial direction associated with the axis; and a second ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near field interrogation signal in the directions extending radially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in a second axial direction associated with the axis.

A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a tape feed exit on the front wall, and an arm portion formed by the front wall and an arm rear surface behind the front wall. The arm portion partially surrounds an opening, and a tape feed path passes through the arm portion. The tape cassette also includes a tape at least partially included within the housing and configured to be fed along the tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, an ink ribbon at least partially included within the housing, a take-up spool included within the housing and configured to take-up the ink ribbon, and a first aperture formed on a bottom edge of the front wall. A virtual line orthogonal to the front wall intersects the first aperture, the opening, and the take-up spool.

A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a tape feed exit on the front wall, and an arm portion formed by the front wall and an arm rear surface behind the front wall. The arm portion partially surrounds an opening, and a tape feed path passes through the arm portion. The tape cassette also includes a tape at least partially included within the housing and configured to be fed along the tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, an ink ribbon at least partially included within the housing, a take-up spool included within the housing and configured to take-up the ink ribbon, and a first aperture formed on a bottom edge of the front wall. A virtual line orthogonal to the front wall intersects the first aperture, the opening, and the take-up spool.

According to an embodiment, a printing apparatus mounts an ink ribbon provided with a wireless tag storing a digital certificate that is generated using an encryption algorithm on the basis of a private key and a unique identifier (ID) of the wireless tag. The printing apparatus communicates with the wireless tag, and reads the unique ID of the wireless tag and also reads the digital certificate stored in the wireless tag. Further, the printing apparatus verifies the digital certificate on the basis of a public key and the unique ID read from the wireless tag to determine whether or not the ink ribbon is a genuine product.

According to an embodiment, a printing apparatus mounts an ink ribbon provided with a wireless tag storing a digital certificate that is generated using an encryption algorithm on the basis of a private key and a unique identifier (ID) of the wireless tag. The printing apparatus communicates with the wireless tag, and reads the unique ID of the wireless tag and also reads the digital certificate stored in the wireless tag. Further, the printing apparatus verifies the digital certificate on the basis of a public key and the unique ID read from the wireless tag to determine whether or not the ink ribbon is a genuine product.

A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a tape feed path, a front wall, and a tape feed exit adjacent to the front wall. The tape cassette also includes a tape configured to be fed along the tape feed path to the tape feed exit, an ink ribbon, and a take-up spool configured to take-up the ink ribbon and having an axis of rotation. A first aperture is formed on a bottom edge of the front wall, wherein a portion of the first aperture is downstream of a location at which a virtual line orthogonal to the front wall and passing through the axis of rotation of the take-up spool passes through the front wall and upstream of a virtual centerline that is orthogonal to the bottom surface and divides the front wall into left and right portions.

A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a tape feed path, a front wall, and a tape feed exit adjacent to the front wall. The tape cassette also includes a tape configured to be fed along the tape feed path to the tape feed exit, an ink ribbon, and a take-up spool configured to take-up the ink ribbon and having an axis of rotation. A first aperture is formed on a bottom edge of the front wall, wherein a portion of the first aperture is downstream of a location at which a virtual line orthogonal to the front wall and passing through the axis of rotation of the take-up spool passes through the front wall and upstream of a virtual centerline that is orthogonal to the bottom surface and divides the front wall into left and right portions.

A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a tape feed path, a front wall having a front surface, and a tape feed exit adjacent to the front wall. The tape cassette also includes a tape at least partially included within the housing, an ink ribbon at least partially included within the housing, and a take-up spool included within the housing and configured to take-up the ink ribbon. A first aperture is formed on the front surface of the front wall, wherein a first virtual line orthogonal to the front wall and passing through a most upstream end of the first aperture also passes through the take-up spool, and wherein a second virtual line orthogonal to the front wall and passing through a most downstream end of the first aperture also passes through the take-up spool.

A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a tape feed path, a front wall having a front surface, and a tape feed exit adjacent to the front wall. The tape cassette also includes a tape at least partially included within the housing, an ink ribbon at least partially included within the housing, and a take-up spool included within the housing and configured to take-up the ink ribbon. A first aperture is formed on the front surface of the front wall, wherein a first virtual line orthogonal to the front wall and passing through a most upstream end of the first aperture also passes through the take-up spool, and wherein a second virtual line orthogonal to the front wall and passing through a most downstream end of the first aperture also passes through the take-up spool.