Printing color display device for a printer

Abstract

A color printing display device designed to enable an operator to easily check a printing color manually selected is used for a printer which selectively uses any one of or a set of a plurality of color bands constituting an ink ribbon to print in a desired printing color. It is comprised of the same number of printing color selecting keys (24a through 24d) and of light emitting diodes (26a through 26d) as the number of the color bands, and a computer (11) which operates in response to key operation. When the first key (24a) is held depressed for a specific time, the first diode (26a) blinks to show that a selected printing color can be displayed. If the first key is depressed again, then one or two diodes, which correspond to the currently selected printing color, light. Each time the first key is depressed to change the printing color, one or two diodes, which correspond to a new printing color available for resetting, light. If a key (24b through 24d) other than the first key is depressed, data which indicates a printing color that the operator has conclusively selected and that the operator intended is sent to the ribbon shifting mechanism (19). In accordance with the data received, the ribbon shifting mechanism is actuated to print in the required printing color which corresponds to the required color band.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.