Method and apparatus for loading of a web into a printer

A printer for use with data processing apparatus comprising:

• means for recording information on a web, the means for recording information including a platen attached to the printer and a print head for generating characters, the print head being disposed in a predetermined spaced relationship from the platen to define a print station therebetween;
• means for engaging and moving the web through the print station;
• signal means for generating a normal mode signal and load assist mode signal, said signal means including a signal station that responds to the presence or absence of a web at the signal station and further including a manual input means, said signal means generating a load assist mode signal in response to the absence of a web and a manual input;
• and
• means for driving the means for engaging and moving the web, the means for driving being responsive to the normal mode signal from said signal means for operating at a normal rate during normal printing operation, and being responsive to the load assist mode signal from said signal means by operating at a slower than normal rate to facilitate alignment and engagement of the web with the means for engaging and moving the web during web loading operations.

A method for loading a web into a printer for use with data processing apparatus, the printer having a normal mode of operation for moving the web at a normal rate in normal printing and a load assist mode of operation for loading the web into the printer, the method of loading the printer comprising:

• enabling the load assist mode of operation;
• initiating a slower than normal rate of operation of the means on the printer for engaging and moving the web through a web guide path means;
• loading the web onto the means on the printer for engaging and moving the web;
• sensing, at a sensor station along the web guide path means, a leading edge of the web;
• generating a signal in response to the sensing of the leading edge of the web at the sensor station;
• continuing to advance the sensed leading edge of the web for a predetermined distance after generation of the first signal;
• and
• enabling the normal mode of operation for succeeding web advance operations.