Importance

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Abstract

Printing control apparatus includes structure for selectively preventing the operation of a thermal head comprising part of a label printer for thermosensitive labels. The thermal head can be moved away from and into contact with a label to limit its operational printing period. Alternately, thermal elements comprising a portion of the thermal head can be deactivated when a label detector fails to detect the presence of a label at a predetermined position, when the contact between the thermal head and a label is inadequate, or when the transportation or feeding of the label over a predetermined path within the printer is abnormal. A method for using the apparatus to selectively prevent the thermal head from being operational is also provided. A thermosensitive label is adapted to be used in conjunction with the apparatus and method and includes a substrate layer and a thermosensitive coloring layer comprising a color former and a transparent dye.

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First Claim