There is provided a ribbon winding mechanism including: a winding rotor; a first winding gear that is provided to be coaxial to the winding rotor and rotates the winding rotor; a second winding gear that is provided to be coaxial to the winding rotor and rotates the winding rotor via the first winding gear; a first torque limiter that limits torque, which is transmitted from the first winding gear to the winding rotor, to first torque; a second torque limiter that limits torque, which is transmitted from the second winding gear to the first winding gear, to second torque lower than the first torque; and a torque clutch that inputs power from a feed motor to the first winding gear when the first cartridge is mounted and inputs the power from the feed motor to the second winding gear when the second cartridge is mounted.

A printer with a single motor system to match torques between ribbon supply and ribbon take-up is provided. The printer comprises a ribbon supply spindle, a take-up ribbon spindle, sensors to output ribbon width and diameter at ribbon supply, and a sensor which outputs ribbon diameter at ribbon take-up. The printer is provided with a drive system providing rotation to the ribbon supply via tension on the ribbon loaded on the ribbon supply spindle and taken-up on the take-up ribbon spindle. Firmware, communicatively linked to the sensors and the drive system, is configured to calculate ribbon tension at the ribbon supply spindle, to calculate the torque required on the ribbon on the ribbon take-up spindle to match the ribbon tension at the take-up spindle to the ribbon tension at the ribbon supply spindle, and to adjust the drive system to match these torques.

A printer with a single motor system to match torques between ribbon supply and ribbon take-up is provided. The printer comprises a ribbon supply spindle, a take-up ribbon spindle, sensors to output ribbon width and diameter at ribbon supply, and a sensor which outputs ribbon diameter at ribbon take-up. The printer is provided with a drive system providing rotation to the ribbon supply via tension on the ribbon loaded on the ribbon supply spindle and taken-up on the take-up ribbon spindle. Firmware, communicatively linked to the sensors and the drive system, is configured to calculate ribbon tension at the ribbon supply spindle, to calculate the torque required on the ribbon on the ribbon take-up spindle to match the ribbon tension at the take-up spindle to the ribbon tension at the ribbon supply spindle, and to adjust the drive system to match these torques.

An example disclosure printer includes a base assembly, a lid pivotably attached to the base assembly, and a ribbon frame pivotably connected to the base. The ribbon frame is configured to receive at least one ribbon spool; a ribbon locker configured to interact with the ribbon spool via a spool gear assembly, the ribbon locker comprising: a biasing element to maintain a biasing force on the ribbon locker in a first direction, a first pawl, a second pawl, and a central pivot, wherein: when the ribbon locker is rotated by the actuator in the first direction, the first pawl is brought into contact with the spool gear assembly, and when the ribbon locking assembly is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second pawl is brought into contact with the spool gear assembly.

An example disclosure printer includes a base assembly, a lid pivotably attached to the base assembly, and a ribbon frame pivotably connected to the base. The ribbon frame is configured to receive at least one ribbon spool; a ribbon locker configured to interact with the ribbon spool via a spool gear assembly, the ribbon locker comprising: a biasing element to maintain a biasing force on the ribbon locker in a first direction, a first pawl, a second pawl, and a central pivot, wherein: when the ribbon locker is rotated by the actuator in the first direction, the first pawl is brought into contact with the spool gear assembly, and when the ribbon locking assembly is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second pawl is brought into contact with the spool gear assembly.

A printing device and the ribbon mounting mechanism thereof are disclosed. The ribbon mounting mechanism is used for mounting a first ribbon comprising a first core and a second ribbon comprising a second core having a diameter smaller than that of the first core. The ribbon mounting mechanism includes a first shaft supporting the first core of the first ribbon; a second shaft supporting the second core of the second ribbon, wherein the second shaft and the first shaft are concentrically disposed; a torque generator comprising a third shaft; a first gear set connecting the first shaft and the third shaft, and torque generated by the torque generator is transmitted to the first shaft through the first gear set; and a second gear set connecting the second shaft and the third shaft, and torque generated by the torque generator is transmitted to the second shaft through the second gear set.

A printing device and the ribbon mounting mechanism thereof are disclosed. The ribbon mounting mechanism is used for mounting a first ribbon comprising a first core and a second ribbon comprising a second core having a diameter smaller than that of the first core. The ribbon mounting mechanism includes a first shaft supporting the first core of the first ribbon; a second shaft supporting the second core of the second ribbon, wherein the second shaft and the first shaft are concentrically disposed; a torque generator comprising a third shaft; a first gear set connecting the first shaft and the third shaft, and torque generated by the torque generator is transmitted to the first shaft through the first gear set; and a second gear set connecting the second shaft and the third shaft, and torque generated by the torque generator is transmitted to the second shaft through the second gear set.

The disclosure discloses a printer including a memory. The memory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the printer to perform a first process, a second process, and a third process. In the first process, an N-th determination target value is calculated, from an N-th pulse count index value and an (N+1).sup.th pulse count index value. In the second process, a mean value of a plurality of consecutive pulse count index values within a predetermined range is calculated. In the third process, a comparison value is calculated by comparing (N1).sup.th the determination target value with the mean value. The first process to the third process are performed while increasing N one by one. A first determination step includes determining whether the elongated medium has reached a consumption completion status or not, on the basis of a magnitude relation between the comparison value and a first threshold value.

The disclosure discloses a printer including a memory. The memory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the printer to perform a first process, a second process, and a third process. In the first process, an N-th determination target value is calculated, from an N-th pulse count index value and an (N+1).sup.th pulse count index value. In the second process, a mean value of a plurality of consecutive pulse count index values within a predetermined range is calculated. In the third process, a comparison value is calculated by comparing (N1).sup.th the determination target value with the mean value. The first process to the third process are performed while increasing N one by one. A first determination step includes determining whether the elongated medium has reached a consumption completion status or not, on the basis of a magnitude relation between the comparison value and a first threshold value.

A bidirectional ribbon supply system for a printer includes: a shaft supported by a frame of the printer, the shaft to rotate about an axis; a pulley affixed to the shaft; and a bias member coupled between the frame and the pulley to apply a force to the pulley in either of a first or second direction responsive to rotation of the pulley in the other of the first or second direction, wherein rotation of a spindle supported on the shaft in the first direction dispenses inside-coated ribbon toward a printhead, and rotation of the spindle in the second direction dispenses outside-coated ribbon toward the printhead.