A printing system comprises an intermediate transfer member, an image-forming station comprising a print bar disposed over a surface of the ITM, a conveyer for driving rotation of the ITM, a detection system configured to detect foreign matter 5 transported at a detection location upstream of the image-forming station, and a response system operatively coupled to the detection system to respond to the detection of foreign matter by performing at least one collision-prevention action to prevent a potential collision between foreign matter and the print bar.

The present invention relates to a movable thermal printing device, which comprises a gear set, a pressing roller set, and a heating component. The gear set includes a first motor, a first gear, and a rack gear. The pressing roller set includes a frame, a first roller, and a second motor. A sensing medium is attached below the first roller. When the first gear rotates counterclockwise, the rack gear, the pressing roller set, and the sensing medium will be driven to move upwards and away from the heating component. When the first gear rotates clockwise, the rack gear, the pressing roller set, and the sensing medium will be driven to move downwards and contact the heating component for printing sensing medium and for avoiding the sensing medium from contacting the heating component in reverse rotation and thus avoiding the problems of damages or print failure.

The present invention relates to a movable thermal printing device, which comprises a gear set, a pressing roller set, and a heating component. The gear set includes a first motor, a first gear, and a rack gear. The pressing roller set includes a frame, a first roller, and a second motor. A sensing medium is attached below the first roller. When the first gear rotates counterclockwise, the rack gear, the pressing roller set, and the sensing medium will be driven to move upwards and away from the heating component. When the first gear rotates clockwise, the rack gear, the pressing roller set, and the sensing medium will be driven to move downwards and contact the heating component for printing sensing medium and for avoiding the sensing medium from contacting the heating component in reverse rotation and thus avoiding the problems of damages or print failure.

In an example, a system includes a controller to monitor a usage state of a consumable installed in the system and a drive mechanism to lock the consumable in the system under an instruction from the controller. The drive mechanism includes a shaft to drive the consumable and a key integrated in the shaft to lock the consumable to the drive mechanism.

A device includes a current sensor, a first current monitor, and a second current monitor. The current sensor is to sense a current between an input node and an output node. The first current monitor is to disconnect the input node from the output node in response to the sensed current exceeding a first threshold current for a period exceeding a threshold period. The second current monitor is to disconnect the input node from the output node in response to the sensed current exceeding a second threshold current greater than the first threshold current.

In an example, a method includes extracting a static value and a dynamic value from a computer readable storage device mounted on a consumable that is locked in a printing device. Based at least in part on a comparison of the static value to the dynamic value, it is determined that that the consumable should be unlocked to facilitate removal of the consumable from the printing device. A signal is then sent to a drive mechanism with which the consumable is engaged. The signal instructs the drive mechanism to take an action that unlocks the consumable.

A printing system comprises an intermediate transfer member, an image-forming station comprising a print bar disposed over a surface of the ITM, a conveyer for driving rotation of the ITM, a detection system configured to detect foreign matter 5 transported at a detection location upstream of the image-forming station, and a response system operatively coupled to the detection system to respond to the detection of foreign matter by performing at least one collision-prevention action to prevent a potential collision between foreign matter and the print bar.

A printing system comprises an intermediate transfer member, an image-forming station comprising a print bar disposed over a surface of the ITM, a conveyer for driving rotation of the ITM, a detection system configured to detect foreign matter 5 transported at a detection location upstream of the image-forming station, and a response system operatively coupled to the detection system to respond to the detection of foreign matter by performing at least one collision-prevention action to prevent a potential collision between foreign matter and the print bar.

In an example, a system includes a controller to monitor a usage state of a consumable installed in the system and a drive mechanism to lock the consumable in the system under an instruction from the controller. The drive mechanism includes a shaft to drive the consumable and a key integrated in the shaft to lock the consumable to the drive mechanism.

A printing device, includes a printer that prints onto a printing medium that is conveyed along a reference direction by a conveyer; and a controller that controls the printer to print a print pattern onto the printing medium along the reference direction. The controller controls to forbid the printer to execute printing when a temperature of the printer is projected to become equal to or higher than a set temperature if the printer prints onto the printing medium using a printing length of the print pattern along the reference direction, the printing length being a length of at least a portion of the print pattern along the reference direction.