A system and method for enhanced speed thermal printing has a drive roller for contacting thermochromic medal to a thermal printhead. The drive roller includes a cam which causes the drive roller to decelerate as it approaches the printhead such that contact with the thermal printhead and the thermochromic media is at a highest force point. The drive roller accelerates as it is pulled back from the printhead prior to a next printing cycle.

Various embodiments disclose a method of detecting a media jam in a printer. The method includes causing a sensor unit of the printer to generate a sensor signal indicative of a reflectance characteristic associated with a surface of a roller of the printer. Further, the method includes receiving the sensor signal from the sensor unit of the printer and comparing the reflectance characteristic to a threshold reflectance characteristic associated with the roller. Furthermore, in response to the comparison, the method includes generating an output signal to indicate whether the media jam has occurred. For example, a first output signal indicates unsuccessful passage of a media along a media path of the printer, when the reflectance characteristic exceeds the threshold reflectance characteristic and a second output signal indicates successful passage of the media along the media path, when the reflectance characteristic is equal to or below the threshold reflectance characteristic.

A thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a first supply unit (70) supplying an intermediate transfer medium (10) including a receiving layer disposed on one surface of a support member, a second supply unit (51) supplying a thermal transfer sheet (20) including a colorant layer disposed on one surface of a substrate, a printing unit (50) heating the thermal transfer sheet (20) based on image data and printing an image by transferring ink from the colorant layer to the receiving layer, and a transfer unit (60) transferring, onto a transfer-receiving body (40), at least part of the intermediate transfer medium (19) including the receiving layer having the image printed thereon. The printing unit (50) prints an image in each corresponding one of a plurality of sub-regions into which the intermediate transfer medium (10) is divided in a transverse direction.

A thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a first supply unit (70) supplying an intermediate transfer medium (10) including a receiving layer disposed on one surface of a support member, a second supply unit (51) supplying a thermal transfer sheet (20) including a colorant layer disposed on one surface of a substrate, a printing unit (50) heating the thermal transfer sheet (20) based on image data and printing an image by transferring ink from the colorant layer to the receiving layer, and a transfer unit (60) transferring, onto a transfer-receiving body (40), at least part of the intermediate transfer medium (19) including the receiving layer having the image printed thereon. The printing unit (50) prints an image in each corresponding one of a plurality of sub-regions into which the intermediate transfer medium (10) is divided in a transverse direction.

According to one embodiment, a thermal heat transfer printer (printer device) includes a printing data look-ahead unit configured to look ahead a data printing position if printing is performed; a head position control unit configured to cause a thermal head, an ink ribbon, and printing paper to be in a contact state or a non-contact state based on a look-ahead result of the printing data look-ahead unit; an ink ribbon saved amount calculation unit configured to calculate a saved amount of the ink ribbon based on a conveyed amount of the printing paper in the non-contact state; and an ink ribbon saved amount display unit configured to display the saved amount calculated by the ink ribbon saved amount calculation unit.

According to one embodiment, a thermal heat transfer printer (printer device) includes a printing data look-ahead unit configured to look ahead a data printing position if printing is performed; a head position control unit configured to cause a thermal head, an ink ribbon, and printing paper to be in a contact state or a non-contact state based on a look-ahead result of the printing data look-ahead unit; an ink ribbon saved amount calculation unit configured to calculate a saved amount of the ink ribbon based on a conveyed amount of the printing paper in the non-contact state; and an ink ribbon saved amount display unit configured to display the saved amount calculated by the ink ribbon saved amount calculation unit.

Printhead carriers and adapters are disclosed. An example disclosed print mechanism includes an adapter to simultaneously couple a printhead assembly to both a logic circuit of a media processing device and a power source of the media processing device; a printhead carrier coupled to the adapter; and wherein a first connection, between data input connector and the logic circuit, and a second connection, between the power input connector and the power source, are maintained when the printhead assembly is removed from the print mechanism.

Printhead carriers and adapters are disclosed. An example disclosed print mechanism includes an adapter to simultaneously couple a printhead assembly to both a logic circuit of a media processing device and a power source of the media processing device; a printhead carrier coupled to the adapter; and wherein a first connection, between data input connector and the logic circuit, and a second connection, between the power input connector and the power source, are maintained when the printhead assembly is removed from the print mechanism.

In an image recording device, a thermal head is located in the housing. An ink ribbon is to be supplied toward the thermal head from a first supply member. A first supply member is located in the housing. A first take-up member is located in the housing and takes up the ink ribbon. A conveying member is located in the housing and conveys a medium toward the thermal head. A platen is located in the housing and faces the thermal head. The platen and the thermal head sandwich both the ink ribbon and the medium at a nip position in a first direction in which the ink ribbon is conveyed. A first reader is located in the housing and optically reads a first target portion of the ink ribbon which is positioned at a first reading position downstream of the nip position in the first direction.

In an image recording device, a thermal head is located in the housing. An ink ribbon is to be supplied toward the thermal head from a first supply member. A first supply member is located in the housing. A first take-up member is located in the housing and takes up the ink ribbon. A conveying member is located in the housing and conveys a medium toward the thermal head. A platen is located in the housing and faces the thermal head. The platen and the thermal head sandwich both the ink ribbon and the medium at a nip position in a first direction in which the ink ribbon is conveyed. A first reader is located in the housing and optically reads a first target portion of the ink ribbon which is positioned at a first reading position downstream of the nip position in the first direction.