The disclosure discloses a printer including a memory storing computer-executable instructions. In an index value detecting process, pulse count index values are detected. In a remaining amount determining process, first process, second process, third process, and fourth process are executed. In the first process, an Nth determination object value is calculated from an Nth and an N+1th pulse count index values. In the second process, an average value is calculated from a plurality of successive pulse count index values in a range including a latest value that is an Nth pulse count index value when N is an even number or is an (N−1)th pulse count index value when N is an odd number of three or more. In the third process, a remaining amount rank corresponding to the Nth determination object value is determined. In the fourth process, a rank display corresponding to the remaining amount rank is performed.

A printer includes a printing head that includes a plurality of heating elements arranged in a first direction and a processor, wherein printing data representing an image to be printed on a printing medium are divided into a plurality of line data, each of the plurality of line data representing a corresponding line segment of the image, extending in the first direction, by a series of dots constituted of printing dots to be printed on the printing medium and non-printing dots that are not printed on the printing medium, and wherein, for each of the line data, the processor obtains distribution information of the printing dots in the line data, and sets an energizing time, during which the selected heating elements are energized continuously, or intermittently by pulses, to print the corresponding printing dots, in accordance with the distribution information of the printing dots in the line data.

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 (N−1).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.

Irregularities in the density that can occur in printed images of a thermal transfer printer due to mechanical variations or variations in thermal characteristics in the thermal head are more easily and accurately corrected as compared to cases not having the features of the disclosed invention. The thermal transfer printer includes a thermal head including heating elements and causing the heating elements to generate heat and transfer ink onto a sheet to print an image on the sheet, a storage unit for storing a first correspondence between a heating element in the thermal head and a correction amount of energy applied to the heating element and a second correspondence between a density of an image to be printed and an adjustment coefficient of the correction amount, and a control unit for correcting energy applied to each heating element by an amount obtained by multiplying the correction amount for the heating element obtained from the first correspondence by the adjustment coefficient obtained from the second correspondence according to a density of an image to be newly printed. The first correspondence is generated from a density distribution of a test image printed based on image data of a single tone.

A stamp-face platemaking device transports a medium holder inserted into a plate insertion portion to a printing unit. The medium holder holds a stamp face material at a center portion of a plate-like member, and has a cutout portion in one side end portion thereof. An optical sensor detects the top end portion of the medium holder on a sensor scanning line in the inserting direction, and the cutout start point and the cutout end point of the cutout portion. The size of the stamp face material in the inserting direction and/or the size of the stamp face material in a direction perpendicular to the inserting direction are set based on the positions of two of the detected end portions. When the cutout end point is detected, platemaking with the stamp face material is started. The cutout portion can have a wedge-like shape or a U-shape, or can change its positions and/or sizes.

A stamp-face platemaking device transports a medium holder inserted into a plate insertion portion to a printing unit. The medium holder holds a stamp face material at a center portion of a plate-like member, and has a cutout portion in one side end portion thereof. An optical sensor detects the top end portion of the medium holder on a sensor scanning line in the inserting direction, and the cutout start point and the cutout end point of the cutout portion. The size of the stamp face material in the inserting direction and/or the size of the stamp face material in a direction perpendicular to the inserting direction are set based on the positions of two of the detected end portions. When the cutout end point is detected, platemaking with the stamp face material is started. The cutout portion can have a wedge-like shape or a U-shape, or can change its positions and/or sizes.

In order to provide a thermal printer capable of reliably performing an electric disconnection inspection for a heating element in the case of an optical identification code such as a bar code, reducing frequency of the electric disconnection inspection as necessary, and performing the electric disconnection inspection suitably for a use condition, a thermal printer includes: a platen roller that feeds a paper sheet; a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements for printing print data on a print area of the paper sheet fed by the platen roller; and a CPU that serves as an inspection unit that inspects whether or not there is an electric disconnection in the heating element and a control unit that controls operations of the inspection unit. The CPU is configured to change the inspection frequency.

In order to provide a thermal printer capable of reliably performing an electric disconnection inspection for a heating element in the case of an optical identification code such as a bar code, reducing frequency of the electric disconnection inspection as necessary, and performing the electric disconnection inspection suitably for a use condition, a thermal printer includes: a platen roller that feeds a paper sheet; a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements for printing print data on a print area of the paper sheet fed by the platen roller; and a CPU that serves as an inspection unit that inspects whether or not there is an electric disconnection in the heating element and a control unit that controls operations of the inspection unit. The CPU is configured to change the inspection frequency.

Various embodiments disclose a method for operating a printer apparatus. The method comprising monitoring a utilization rate of each heating element in a first set of heating elements defined by a print head arrangement. Further, the method comprises generating a utilization dataset based upon monitoring of the utilization rate of each heating element in the first set of heating elements print head arrangement. Furthermore, the method includes analyzing the utilization dataset to identify one or more overutilized heating elements of the first set of heating elements. Additionally, the method includes identifying a second set of heating elements defined by the print head arrangement. The second set of heating elements comprises a portion of the first set of heating elements exclusive of the one or more overutilized heating elements. The method further includes processing a print job. The processed print job utilized the second set of heating elements during printing.

For assessing the functioning of an ejection unit of an inkjet print head, a comparison of a residual pressure wave with a residual pressure wave reference is employed. To enable assessment during printing, multiple residual pressure wave references are provided, each relating to a condition relevant to the residual pressure wave. Such a condition may relate to an actuation status of an adjacent ejection unit which may cause crosstalk, for example. When performing the assessment, the condition during assessment is taken into account, for example for selecting a suitable residual pressure wave reference, such that an appropriate and correct assessment can be performed independent from the conditions during assessment.