To provide a printer, a ribbon cartridge and the use restriction method for ribbon cartridge capable of grasping the residual quantity of an ink ribbon correctly, and also capable of restricting a required sheets or more of prints of an ink ribbon and prints by an imitation ink ribbon.
A code ring 46 having data recording regions (MA, MB) formed on its outer periphery is mounted rotatably on a shaft 52 provided at the bottom surface of a recessed part 41f made on the exterior wall of a cartridge shell 41. At a place opposite to the data recording region of a space defined by the recessed part 41f, an optical sensor (A or B) and magnetic head (B or A) provided at the printer side are formed to move in and out thereof, and further, a motor chucking recessed part 53 is provided at the bottom surface (outside end surface) of the code ring 46. For example, the chucking projection 30a of a spindle motor set at the printer side is fitted in the recessed part 53 during the placement of a ribbon cartridge in order to rotation drive the code ring 46.
MURAKAMI HIROYUKI
SHINOHARA SATORU
