Printer capable of detecting status of unutilized ribbon

A method of controlling a printer, the method comprising the following steps:

• (a) providing a first contact sensor, and a second contact sensor installed between the first contact sensor and a ribbon supply end of the printer;
• (b) controlling the first contact sensor and the second contact sensor to move towards the ribbon supply end before the printer prints dye on a ribbon onto a print medium;
• and
• (c) controlling the printer when the first contact sensor contacts the ribbon on the ribbon supply end according to whether the second contact sensor contacts a shaft of the ribbon supply end.

A printer capable of detecting status of unutilized ribbon, the printer comprising:

• a ribbon supply end;
• a ribbon retrieving end comprising a shaft;
• a ribbon wherein two ends are installed on the ribbon supply end and the ribbon retrieving end respectively;
• a print head for printing dye on the ribbon onto a print medium;
• a driving module for driving the ribbon supply end and the ribbon retrieving end, and to move the ribbon from the ribbon supply end to the ribbon retrieving end;
• a sensor module, installed at each side of the ribbon retrieving end, comprising a first contact sensor, and a second contact sensor installed between the first contact sensor and the ribbon retrieving end;
• and
• a control module for controlling the printer when the second contact sensor contacts the ribbon on the ribbon retrieving end according to whether the first contact sensor contacts the shaft of the ribbon retrieving end.

A method of controlling a printer, the method comprising the following steps:

• (a) providing a first contact sensor, and a second contact sensor installed between the first contact sensor and a ribbon retrieving end of the printer;
• (b) controlling the first contact sensor and the second contact sensor to move towards the ribbon retrieving end before the printer prints dye on a ribbon onto a print medium;
• and;
• (c) controlling the printer when the second contact sensor contacts the shaft of the ribbon retrieving end according to whether the first contact sensor contacts the ribbon on the ribbon retrieving end.