A cartridge unit for a printer including a cartridge and a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly includes a base member and a circuit substrate having a memory module and a plurality of second electrical contacts. In a cartridge attached state, the circuit assembly is configured to be in a circuit assembly attached state where the circuit assembly is arranged between the plurality of first electrical contacts of the printer and the particular cartridge side wall, the plurality of first electrical contacts electrically contacting the plurality of second electrical contacts, respectively. In a circuit assembly unattached state, the circuit assembly is not arranged between the plurality of first electrical contacts and the particular cartridge side wall. A thickness of the circuit assembly is larger than a distance between the plurality of first electrical contacts and the particular cartridge side wall in the cartridge attached and the circuit assembly unattached state.

A tape cassette configured to accommodate a tape has a cassette case having first-sixth outer walls, a substrate having first and second surfaces. A storage is provided to the second surface. The third wall is formed with a first recess having a bottom wall, which is formed with a second recess or a hole. The substrate is arranged in the first recess with an adhesive layer being sandwiched between the bottom wall and the second surface. The storage or a molded part protecting the storage is arranged in the second recess or the hole. The first recess is formed with an opening part, at least a part of the adhesive layer being accessible through the opening part, and the cassette case is provided with a blocking member overlapping the one of the storage and the molded part in a first direction at the particular position.

A width detecting system includes a sensor-LED array positioned across a path of a media and/or ribbon within a printing apparatus. The LEDs are adapted to produce light directed toward the media and/or ribbon path. The optical sensors are configured to detect the LED light, produce analog signals proportionate to the received amount of light, and transmit the signals to a signal receiving assembly for processing. Additionally or alternatively, a width detecting system can have an array of LEDs facing an array of sensors in such a way that the media and/or ribbon path is located between the arrays. A method for width detection includes analyzing sensor data to determine one or more transition point between media and no-media sections, and calculating media width. The method can include using sensor data collected for a reflective and/or transmissive sensor arrays, and can be used for media and/or ribbon width detection.

At an initializing operation, if it is determined that an indirect transfer film has not been replaced before power-on if transferred sensor marks are detected while being conveyed from a supply spool to a winding spool, then the unused amount of the indirect transfer film is estimated on the ratio between the rotation angle of the supply spool and the rotation angle of the winding spool, if the unused amount is estimated to be 2% remaining amount alert threshold or more, positioning of the primary transfer is performed based on the last sensor mark among the sensor marks, and if estimated to be less than 2% it is determined that the unused amount is greater than an amount necessary for recording on the next recording medium unless an end mark is detected while the indirect transfer film is conveyed by predetermined image areas from the last sensor mark.

At an initializing operation, if it is determined that an indirect transfer film has not been replaced before power-on if transferred sensor marks are detected while being conveyed from a supply spool to a winding spool, then the unused amount of the indirect transfer film is estimated on the ratio between the rotation angle of the supply spool and the rotation angle of the winding spool, if the unused amount is estimated to be 2% remaining amount alert threshold or more, positioning of the primary transfer is performed based on the last sensor mark among the sensor marks, and if estimated to be less than 2% it is determined that the unused amount is greater than an amount necessary for recording on the next recording medium unless an end mark is detected while the indirect transfer film is conveyed by predetermined image areas from the last sensor mark.

Systems and methods related to adaptive ribbon speed control for a line matrix impact printer are provided. A ribbon cartridge includes a ribbon configured to be driven at a ribbon speed, and a ribbon gear configured to rotate with movement of the ribbon. The ribbon includes a ribbon joint patch detectable via a first sensor to determine a first ribbon speed of the ribbon. Rotation of the ribbon gear is detectable via a second sensor to determine a second ribbon speed of the ribbon. A target ribbon speed is determined based on at least one print job characteristic. A current ribbon speed is determined based on the first ribbon speed and the second ribbon speed. The ribbon speed is adjusted based on a difference between the current ribbon speed and the target ribbon speed. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Systems and methods related to adaptive ribbon speed control for a line matrix impact printer are provided. A ribbon cartridge includes a ribbon configured to be driven at a ribbon speed, and a ribbon gear configured to rotate with movement of the ribbon. The ribbon includes a ribbon joint patch detectable via a first sensor to determine a first ribbon speed of the ribbon. Rotation of the ribbon gear is detectable via a second sensor to determine a second ribbon speed of the ribbon. A target ribbon speed is determined based on at least one print job characteristic. A current ribbon speed is determined based on the first ribbon speed and the second ribbon speed. The ribbon speed is adjusted based on a difference between the current ribbon speed and the target ribbon speed. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

A tape printing device on which a tape cartridge is mounted, the device includes a sensor unit that faces a specification reading pattern formed on a base end surface of the tape cartridge; and a unit energizing portion that energizes the sensor unit toward a base end surface side. The sensor unit has a sensor portion that irradiates a specification reading pattern with a detection light and reads the specification reading pattern, and a sensor holder that supports the sensor portion and presses the base end surface by energizing of the unit energizing portion.

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.