The system controls for a printer using the resistive ribbon print technology involve conventional requirements, such as moving the print mechanism relative to the paper, with a new requirement, controlling the electrical energy to the ribbon, an electrothermal component. Other special requirements are dictated by using the same ribbon for hard copy print/erase while ensuring that the print and erase operations are acceptable to the user. This paper discusses the design and performance of the system controls for a resistive ribbon printer that was developed for use in an interactive typewriter application and as an output printer for a personal computer.

The system controls for a printer using the resistive ribbon print technology involve conventional requirements, such as moving the print mechanism relative to the paper, with a new requirement, controlling the electrical energy to the ribbon, an electrothermal component. Other special requirements are dictated by using the same ribbon for hard copy print/erase while ensuring that the print and erase operations are acceptable to the user. This paper discusses the design and performance of the system controls for a resistive ribbon printer that was developed for use in an interactive typewriter application and as an output printer for a personal computer.