Having Multilayers Colored Transfer Material Patents (Class 347/175)
  • Patent number: 11890884
    Abstract: A printing device for printing on a label sheet includes a first print head to perform printing on a first side of a label sheet being conveyed along a conveyance path. The label sheet is interposed between the first print head and a first roller. A second print head is upstream of the first print head and performs printing on a second side of the label sheet. A second roller is adjacent the second print head across the conveyance path. A cutter is downstream of the first print head to cut off a first portion of the label sheet. A processor is configured to cause the label sheet to be conveyed in a second direction after the first portion is cut off from the sheet so that the cut end of the sheet reaches the first print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Motohito Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 11662680
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printhead configured to add energy to an image material; and a control unit configured to output, based on image data, a signal pattern for controlling energy to be added by the printhead to the image material including a plurality of color development layers that have different color development characteristic and develop colors in accordance with the added energy. When causing at least two of the plurality of color development layers to develop colors, the control unit generates, based on at least two signal patterns generated to cause the at least two color development layers to develop colors, a signal pattern of an OR of the at least two signal patterns and outputs the signal pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeru Sasaki, Hiroaki Ogawa, Takashi Fujita, Okinori Tsuchiya, Akitoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10875343
    Abstract: Formation of a multi-colored image in thermochromic material involves controlling operation of first, second, and third heat sources. The first heat source heats pixels of the thermochromic material to activate the pixels. The second and third heat sources are selectively controlled to heat different sets of pixels using neither, one, or both of the second and third heat sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Fatemeh Nazly Pirmoradi, Christopher L. Chua, Kyle Arakaki, Jacob N. Chamoun
  • Patent number: 10151608
    Abstract: A sensor system has an acquisition unit comprising an analog to digital converter generating a series of digital sensor signals, a first evaluation unit receiving the series of digital sensor signals for evaluation, wherein the first evaluation unit generates output signals that correspond to a sensor event, and a second evaluation unit independent from said first evaluation unit receiving the series of digital sensor signals. At least a first and second series of digital sensor signals is processed by the second evaluation unit to generate a control signal that is configured to select a sampling frequency controlling the analog-to-digital converter, wherein the first and second series of digital sensor signals are sampled at different sampling frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ruben Fontes, Lionel Portmann
  • Patent number: 9403375
    Abstract: A credential production device includes a transfer ribbon, a printing device, a laminating device, and a transfer ribbon accumulator. The printing device is configured to print an image to the transfer ribbon. The laminating device is configured to transfer printed images from the transfer ribbon to a substrate. The transfer ribbon accumulator includes first, second, and third ribbon-engaging members (REM's), and a drive system. The first and second REM's have fixed positions relative to each other. The third REM is configured to move relative to the first and second REM's along an axis that extends through a gap between the first and second REM's. The drive system is configured to generate a force that drives movement of the third REM relative to the first and second REM's along the axis. Movement of the third REM relative to the first and second REM's along the axis changes a length of a path along which a portion of the transfer ribbon travels through the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Assa Abloy AB
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stangler, James Rieck, Russell Ericson
  • Patent number: 9296214
    Abstract: A data acquisition unit for use in monitoring print head activity and collecting corresponding data for product analysis is disclosed. A method of using the data acquisition unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ZIH CORP.
    Inventor: Alvin Hunsberger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9279874
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a transmit electrode configured to provide an alternating electric field to a sensor; one or more receive electrodes for detecting variations in the alternating electric field; and an adaptive frequency adjustment unit configured to adjust an operating frequency of the alternating electric field responsive to detection of a noise measure, such as noise power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Axel Heim, Martin Hoch
  • Patent number: 8848010
    Abstract: Thermal printers and methods of operating thereof are provided. In one embodiment, a thermal printer comprising a thermal print head, thermal media including a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating on at least a first side thereof, and a thermal transfer ribbon installed between the thermal print head and the first side of the thermal media is provided, wherein the thermal print head is adapted to apply heat at a first temperature to image the direct thermal thermally sensitive coating without transferring a thermal transfer coating associated with the thermal transfer ribbon and a second temperature to image the direct thermal thermally sensitive coating and transfer the thermal transfer coating associated with the thermal transfer ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Keeton, Yaoping Tan
  • Patent number: 8840237
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for printing a substrate (7) in a printing machine, in which ink is transferred from a flexible carrier (3) to the substrate (7) in accordance with a predefined pattern by energy being introduced into the ink through the flexible carrier (3) by a device for the introduction of energy, some of the ink evaporating in the area of action of the energy and, as a result, a drop of ink (67) being thrown onto the substrate (7) to be printed, this step being repeated at least once, ink being transferred at least partly to the substrate (7) at the same positions in order to intensify the pattern produced. The substrate is transported through the printing machine (1) during the printing and, after the transfer of ink in step (a), the device for the introduction of energy is controlled in such a way that, during the repetition in step (b), the ink is transferred at the same position again as in step (a). The invention further relates to a printing machine for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Frank Kleine Jeager, Juergen Kaczun, Udo Lehmann
  • Patent number: 8767266
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus which can suppress degradation of an image quality in a recording material save mode processing and obtain an effect of consumption amount reduction of recording material desired by a user at low costs. A recording material consumption amount at the time of applying first color conversion processing unit is predicted corresponding to inputted image data. The setting of a second color conversion processing is changed from a prediction value and a target value of the recording material consumption amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Nagai
  • Patent number: 8610750
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is disclosed a multicolor thermal imaging system wherein different heating elements on a thermal print head can print on different color-forming layers of a multicolor thermal imaging member in a single pass. The line-printing time is divided into portions, each of which is divided into a plurality of subintervals. All of the pulses within the portions have the same energy. In one embodiment, every pulse has the same amplitude and duration. Different colors are selected for printing during the different portions by varying the fraction of subintervals that contain pulses. This technique allows multiple colors to be printed using a thermal print head with a single strobe signal line. Pulsing patterns may be chosen to reduce the coincidence of pulses provided to multiple print head elements, thereby reducing the peak power requirements of the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Zink Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien Liu, William T. Vetterling
  • Patent number: 8502846
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is disclosed a multicolor thermal imaging system wherein different heating elements on a thermal print head can print on different color-forming layers of a multicolor thermal imaging member in a single pass. The line-printing time is divided into portions, each of which is divided into a plurality of subintervals. All of the pulses within the portions have the same energy. In one embodiment, every pulse has the same amplitude and duration. Different colors are selected for printing during the different portions by varying the fraction of subintervals that contain pulses. This technique allows multiple colors to be printed using a thermal print head with a single strobe signal line. Pulsing patterns may be chosen to reduce the coincidence of pulses provided to multiple print head elements, thereby reducing the peak power requirements of the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Zink Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien Liu, William T. Vetterling
  • Patent number: 8502848
    Abstract: A multicolor direct thermal imaging method wherein a multicolor image is formed in a thermal imaging member comprising at least first and second different image-forming compositions and a thermal printer for use in practicing the method. Heat is applied to at least the second image-forming composition while the first image-forming composition is at a first baseline temperature (T1) to form an image in at least the second image-forming composition, and heat is applied to at least the first image-forming composition while it is at a second baseline temperature (T2) to form an image in at least the first image-forming composition, wherein T1 is different from T2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Zink Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Busch, Fariza B. Hasan, Chien Liu, Stephen J. Telfer, William T. Vetterling
  • Patent number: 8446601
    Abstract: A disclosed control device includes a first unit configured to generate image data of multiple images to be superposed one on the other to form a single image and transmit the image data. The second control unit transmits to the first control unit a horizontal sync reference signal for achieving synchronization of the images in a horizontal direction. Based on the horizontal sync reference signal, the first control unit transmits to the second control unit a transfer clock signal that indicates transmission timing of the image data and an effective area signal that indicates an effective area of the image data. The first control unit asserts the effective area signal for an effective-area-signal assertion period that occurs between two consecutive reference-signal assertion periods during which the horizontal sync reference signal is asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 8305631
    Abstract: A method is provided for processing an image to optimize print time of the image by a print apparatus based on the size of the image to be printed and the print pass thresholds of the print apparatus. A dimension of the image corresponding to the dimension along the sub-scanning axis of the image as it will be printed by the print apparatus is obtained, along with the corresponding number of print passes required to print the image. An analysis is performed to determine whether the size of the image could be reduced to require one less print pass by the print apparatus in printing the reduced image based on the proximity of the determined dimension to the range of dimensions that will result in one less print pass by the print apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Vistaprint Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Jay T. Moody, Koen J. M. Dijks, Jacob A. Hyman
  • Patent number: 8174549
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feeding device feeding a recording medium to be recorded, a thermal transfer sheet having an ink layer to form an image and a protective material layer to form a protective layer protecting the image, a thermal transfer sheet transporting device, a surface property reforming sheet having an image printing opening disposed in such a way that the thermal transfer sheet comes into direct contact with a surface of the recording medium to be recorded and a surface property reforming portion to reform the surface state of the protective layer protecting the image, a reforming sheet moving device, and a thermal head to thermally transfer the ink layer or the protective material layer, wherein a non-adhesion treatment layer is formed on at least a surface of the surface property reforming sheet on the side to come into contact with the thermal transfer sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Murakami
  • Patent number: 8169657
    Abstract: A method of registering a print between print stages in a printing system is provided. The method comprises: printing a first part of a digital image on a substrate with a first print engine, wherein the first part of the digital image includes a plurality of reference features; scanning image content on the substrate as it is readied for the second print engine; determining the actual positions of the reference features; using the actual positions of the reference features to determine desired adjustments for the second part of the digital image; applying electronic registration according to the desired adjustments to modify image content of the second print to be aligned with content already on the substrate; and printing a second part of the digital image on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Shen-Ge Wang, Robert P. Loce
  • Patent number: 8164609
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is disclosed a multicolor thermal imaging system wherein different heating elements on a thermal print head can print on different color-forming layers of a multicolor thermal imaging member in a single pass. The line-printing time is divided into portions, each of which is divided into a plurality of subintervals. All of the pulses within the portions have the same energy. In one embodiment, every pulse has the same amplitude and duration. Different colors are selected for printing during the different portions by varying the fraction of subintervals that contain pulses. This technique allows multiple colors to be printed using a thermal print head with a single strobe signal line. Pulsing patterns may be chosen to reduce the coincidence of pulses provided to multiple print head elements, thereby reducing the peak power requirements of the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zink Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien Liu, William T. Vetterling
  • Patent number: 8149255
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium in a predetermined direction, a thermal transfer sheet traveling unit that causes a thermal transfer sheet to travel in a predetermined direction, a modification sheet moving unit that moves a surface modification sheet, a thermal head that applies thermal energy and thermally transfers sequentially a dye layer and a protective layer of the thermal transfer sheet onto the recording medium while the dye layer or the protective layer opposes the surface of the recording medium, and a modification sheet protecting unit disposed in a movement path of the surface modification sheet, and configured to prevent adhesion of dust to the surface modification sheet or to eliminate the adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Higuchi, Takaaki Murakami, Hiromi Tsujie
  • Patent number: 8149456
    Abstract: Restriction information on a total colorant amount for a medium is obtained. Patches at grid points in a color space corresponding to a plurality of colorants at which the total colorant amount falls within a restriction represented by the restriction information, and a patch at a point surrounded by the patches are generated. Color values are obtained by measuring the colors of the patches printed on the medium. It is determined based on a color prediction value between the grid points whether the measured color values are appropriate, and if so, a color value at a grid point at which the total colorant amount exceeds the restriction is estimated based on the measured color values. A color separation table is created based on the measured color values and the estimated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yingying Fan, Kazuhiro Saito, Takayuki Ogasahara
  • Patent number: 8139266
    Abstract: The color printing control device outputs color material reduction processed data generated by applying a color material reduction process to each pixel of bitmaps converted to color material colors to be used in printing, when it is judged that the color material reduction printing mode is specified. The color material reduction process includes chroma conversion that reduces chroma and under-color removal/black generation that replaces at least a portion of achromatic components generated by overlaying of a plurality of color materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Masaru Iida
  • Patent number: 8098269
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is disclosed a multicolor thermal imaging system wherein different heating elements on a thermal print head can print on different color-forming layers of a multicolor thermal imaging member in a single pass. The line-printing time is divided into segments, each of which is divided into a plurality of subintervals. All of the pulses within the segments have the same energy. In one embodiment, every pulse has the same amplitude and duration. Different colors are selected for printing during the different segments by varying the fraction of subintervals that contain pulses. This technique allows multiple colors to be printed using a thermal print head with a single strobe signal line. Pulsing patterns may be chosen to reduce the coincidence of pulses provided to multiple print head elements, thereby reducing the peak power requirements of the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Zink Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Busch, Chien Liu, Stephen J. Telfer, William T. Vetterling, Peter Zelten
  • Patent number: 8068126
    Abstract: A multicolor direct thermal imaging method wherein a multicolor image is formed in a thermal imaging member comprising at least first and second different image-forming compositions and a thermal printer for use in practicing the method. Heat is applied to at least the second image-forming composition while the first image-forming composition is at a first baseline temperature (T1) to form an image in at least the second image-forming composition, and heat is applied to at least the first image-forming composition while it is at a second baseline temperature (T2) to form an image in at least the first image-forming composition, wherein T1 is different from T2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Zink Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Busch, Fariza B. Hasan, Chien Liu, Stephen J. Telfer, William T. Vetterling
  • Patent number: 8035670
    Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet includes coloring material layers D1, D2, and D3. Transferred images respectively formed by the coloring material layers D1, D2, and D3 have a value C defined by mathematical formula 1 of less than 12, and colorimetric values P (a*, b*) defined by mathematical formulae 2 and 3 different from one another: C=([a*]2+[b*]2)0.5 ??(mathematical formula 1) where C represents chroma and a* and b* each represent a colorimetric value equivalent to L*=38, [a*]=(ay?ax)/(Ly?Lx)*(38?Lx)+ax ??(mathematical formula 2), and [b*]=(by?bx)/(Ly?Lx)*(38?Lx)+bx ??(mathematical formula 3) where Lx, ax, bx, Ly, ay, and by represent colorimetric values at adjacent step Sx and step Sy near L*=38 when a stairstep image is formed by transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Shinohara, Yasushi Hirumi, Masanobu Hida
  • Patent number: 7952745
    Abstract: A handheld mobile communications device includes a chassis; mobile communications circuitry and components mounted on the chassis; a printer apparatus mounted on the chassis, the printer apparatus having a pagewidth printhead and an ink supply module arranged on the printhead; and a print media feed mechanism mounted on the chassis to feed print media through the printer apparatus. The ink supply module is a molded multi-part structure defining a plurality of converging ink flow paths. The printer apparatus is detachable from the chassis for replacement after a predetermined amount of usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7920297
    Abstract: Techniques for generated variable density mono-color under-print layer(s) for printing underneath an image on a substrate to improve the appearance of the printed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Vistaprint Technologies Limited
    Inventors: William K. Doggett, III, Jay T. Moody, Anatoliy V. Tsykora, Jacob A. Hyman
  • Patent number: 7773245
    Abstract: A handheld mobile communications device includes a chassis. Mobile communications circuitry and components are mounted on the chassis. A printer apparatus is mounted on the chassis. The printer apparatus has a pagewidth printhead and an ink supply module arranged on the printhead. A print media feed mechanism is mounted on the chassis to feed print media through the printer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7474322
    Abstract: An image display medium that includes a photoconductive layer containing a photochromic compound and an electron accepting compound; and a substrate, in which the photochromic compound contains a fulgide compound, and the electron accepting compound contains a compound selected at least from: a) a phosphonic acid compound having analiphatic group containing 12 or more carbon atoms; b) an aliphatic carboxylic acid compound having an aliphatic group containing 12 or more carbon atoms; and c) a phenolic compound having an aliphatic group containing 12 or more carbon atoms, a process for forming an image using the medium, and a multicolor image-forming apparatus using the medium and suitable for the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Shigenobu Hirano, Ikue Kawashima
  • Patent number: 7474321
    Abstract: An imaging device (30) comprising an array of individually controllable thermal recording elements (36) and a controller (34). Controller (34) is configured to receive an input signal (42) and, based on input signal (42), is configured to select, activate, and drive a plurality of thermal elements (60a, 60b) from the array of thermal elements (36) which correspond to areas (62a, 62b) of an imaging media (38) which are outside an imaging area (52) of imaging media (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Curt A. Wiens
  • Patent number: 7417655
    Abstract: A printer comprises a feed roller to which driving force is transmitted from a motor via a reducer. While the feed roller moves a recording paper, an image is recorded by a line print head one line by one line. The feed roller is provided with a rotary encoder. A controller counts encoder pulses (measured EP) of the rotary encoder to measure an actual feed amount of the recording paper. Whenever five lines are recorded, the measured EP is compared with predetermined reference encoder pulses to detect a feed error of the recording paper. In case that slipping or the like occurs on the reducer, delay in feeding the recording paper is caused. A printing cycle of the next five lines is adjusted so as to eliminate the feed error. In this way, a printing length of one frame is adjusted to a target printing length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Tsubota
  • Patent number: 7321447
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing digital multi-colour images for the reproduction thereof on a colour printing and/or copying system. Image dots of marking particles of the respective colours associated with the respective colour separation images are positioned contiguous to each other as long as the print area corresponding to the image part to be reproduced is not fully covered so as to create a first layer of marking particles. If the area is fully covered and the image is not yet completely rendered, a second and any following layer of contiguously positioned marking particles is formed on top of the first layer of image dots. The halftoning of the digital image is such that within the same layer all images dots, irrespective of their colour, are obtained using a raster of the same matrix structure, while image dots associated with different layers are obtained using rasters of different matrix structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Paul Kuiper
  • Patent number: 7319472
    Abstract: A direct color thermal printer includes a heating element array for yellow, a heating element array for magenta, and a heating element array for cyan to perform the thermal printing on each of recording areas in color thermosensitive recording paper. When one of the heating element arrays, the heating element array for yellow, for instance, faces a blank area of the color thermosensitive recording paper, the heating element array for yellow starts a blank area recording to thermally print the blank area. Thereby, all of the heating element arrays constantly remain in a state of thermal printing, so that variations in recording density, which is caused by the load fluctuations in the power supply, does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Inoue
  • Patent number: 7213993
    Abstract: A thermally activating device has a pair of conveyor rollers which convey a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet while sandwiching the sheet therebetween, and a guide member provided at an anterior stage of the conveyor rollers for abutting on one surface of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet to guide a path of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. A guide tip end nearest the conveyor rollers on a guide surface of the guide member is configured to be placed at a position displaced from a reference line in a direction opposite to a side toward which the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet bends, the reference line being a tangential line of the conveyor rollers and passing through a contact point of the pair of conveyor rollers. The guide surface of the guide member is configured to be inclined so that a distance between the guide surface and the reference line is shortened as the guide surface approaches the conveyor rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Masanori Takahashi, Minoru Hoshino, Yoshinori Sato
  • Patent number: 7104713
    Abstract: A printer has a sheet housing unit for storing a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet having a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on one side and a printable surface on the other side. A set of pull-out rollers pulls the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet out of the sheet housing unit and transports the sheet in a given direction, and a cutter device cuts the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet that has been transported by the pull-out rollers. A printing device has a thermal print head for printing letters or images on the printable surface of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, and a print platen roller for transporting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in the given direction. A thermal activation device has a thermal-activation thermal head for heating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, and a thermal activation platen roller for transporting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in the given direction. A first drive unit drives the pull-out rollers and a second drive unit drives the print platen roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Hoshino, Norimitsu Sanbongi, Tatsuya Obuchi, Yoshinori Sato
  • Patent number: 7088469
    Abstract: An apparatus for printing halftone recipe color images which comprises a printhead (500). The printhead (500) prints a first color (800) at a first intensity. The printhead (500) prints a second color (802) at a second intensity. The first and second colors (800, 802) are superimposed and coextensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kurt M. Sanger, Mitchell S. Burberry
  • Patent number: 7084891
    Abstract: A key operating portion is operated and a scaling size of an image to be printed is selected. Then, the number of the images to be printed is selected. Further, when printing of a plurality of images is set, if a continuous printing determining portion determines that continuous printing is possible based on a limit on an image size relative to a RAM capacity, an image associating portion associates images that are in the number that can continuously be printed. Next, a one-page printing controlling portion exerts control for printing the associated images on one page. Then, a cutting/ejecting controlling portion exerts control on a paper cutting mechanism and a paper transferring mechanism, for cutting an image-printed object of the associated images into the number of the images and ejecting them. As a result, the image-printed object is cut into the number of the images and ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Ueda
  • Patent number: 7084892
    Abstract: In printing a plurality of color images successively, a photoprinter forms a cyan image of an n-th image and successively forms a yellow image of the (n+1)-th image while drawing back roll paper toward the paper feed source. The time required for printing a plurality of color images can thus be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryusuke Sugiura
  • Patent number: 7042477
    Abstract: When a drive force of the motor for feeding the rolled paper is exerted on a shutter, the shutter moves. When fixing an image formed on a heat-sensitive yellow color developing layer, the shutter is positioned above yellow fixing lamps and the movement of the shutter is restricted by a locking member. When the rolled paper is retracted into a main body of the photoprinter, and a rear end of an image forming area of this time is located in the vicinity of the distal end of the shutter, restriction of the shutter by the locking member is released and the shutter is moved synchronously with the rolled paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Yoshida, Masami Shiratori
  • Patent number: 7030897
    Abstract: An image fixing portion includes a drum of cylindrical shape provided on a conveyance passage, a magenta fluorescent lamp and a yellow fluorescent lamp installed near the axis of the drum, and a fixing portion guide guiding the roll paper to be conveyed along the inner wall of the drum on the conveyance passage. The magenta fluorescent lamp and the yellow fluorescent lamp are disposed so that their axial direction may be coincident to the axial direction of the drum. When the image fixation is made, the roll paper is led into the drum. The roll paper has its image forming area alone led into the inside of the drum, so that light from each fluorescent lamp is applied to the image forming area alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiharu Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 6943815
    Abstract: A thermal printer in which color thermosensitive recording material is used is provided. A thermal head records an image to the recording material by applying heat thereto. One or two photo fixing xenon flash lamps apply electromagnetic rays to the recording material, to fix the image. The electromagnetic rays are emitted in the first and second wavelength ranges, and are ultraviolet or visible. A controller changes over electromagnetic rays received by the recording material from the xenon flash lamps. The controller, when in a first step, sets the electromagnetic rays in the first wavelength range by means of a UV absorbing filter, to fix a first coloring layer for yellow. In a second step next to the first, the electromagnetic rays are set in the second wavelength range, to fix a second coloring layer for magenta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Machida, Nobuo Katsuma, Kenichi Inatsuki
  • Patent number: 6906735
    Abstract: A multicolor imaging system is described wherein at least two, and preferably three, different image-fonning layers of a thermal imaging member are addressed at least partially independently by a thermal printhead or printheads from the same surface of the imaging member by controlling the temperature of the thermal printhead(s) and the time thermal energy is applied to the image-forming layers. Each color of the thermal imaging member can be printed alone or in selectable proportion to the other color(s). Novel thermal imaging members are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Jayprakash C. Bhatt, Brian D. Busch, Daniel P. Bybell, F. Richard Cottrell, Anemarie DeYoung, Chien Liu, Stephen J. Telfer, Jay E. Thornton, William T. Vetterling
  • Patent number: 6876374
    Abstract: A thermal transfer material includes a support. A release layer is overlaid on the support. A coloring transfer layer is overlaid on the release layer, has thermoplasticity, and is colorable by being exposed and then pressurized. In a printer for use with the thermal transfer material, an image is formed by exposing the coloring transfer layer. The coloring transfer layer is placed on image receiving material after the image is formed. The thermal transfer material is heated and pressurized while the coloring transfer layer is placed on, so as to color the image and transfer the coloring transfer layer to the image receiving material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6876467
    Abstract: When densities of C, M and Y colors for automatic density adjustment are measured, test patterns of R, G and B colors are printed on TA paper, and a fixing lamp throws lights that have bright line spectrums of R, G and B colors onto the test patterns and amounts of reflected lights of the test patterns of R, G and B colors are measured with a light-receiving sensor that is an HP sensor for determining a reference position of the TA paper. Then, the densities of C, M and Y colors are calculated according to the amounts of the reflected lights. The color production of the C, M and Y layers of the TA paper is adjusted so that the calculated densities of C, M and Y colors are target densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6876375
    Abstract: A flat-type fluorescent lamp is used as a light source of a color thermal printer. The flat-type fluorescent lamp has a yellow luminescent surface for emitting yellow fixing rays, and a magenta luminescent surface for emitting magenta fixing rays. The respective luminescent surfaces are disposed back to back and are selectively activated by a lamp driving circuit. The flat-type fluorescent lamp is rotatable between a first position where the yellow luminescent surface confronts a recording surface of a color thermosensitive recording paper, and a second position where the magenta luminescent surface confront the recording surface of the recording paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoko Taki, Hideyuki Kokubo
  • Publication number: 20040214093
    Abstract: A thermal transfer material includes a support. A release layer is overlaid on the support. A coloring transfer layer is overlaid on the release layer, has thermoplasticity, and is colorable by being exposed and then pressurized. In a printer for use with the thermal transfer material, an image is formed by exposing the coloring transfer layer. The coloring transfer layer is placed on image receiving material after the image is formed. The thermal transfer material is heated and pressurized while the coloring transfer layer is placed on, so as to color the image and transfer the coloring transfer layer to the image receiving material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Takao Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6801233
    Abstract: A multicolor imaging system is described wherein at least two, and preferably three, different image-forming layers of a thermal imaging member are addressed at least partially independently by a thermal printhead or printheads from the same surface of the imaging member by controlling the temperature of the thermal printhead(s) and the time thermal energy is applied to the image-forming layers. Each color of the thermal imaging member can be printed alone or in selectable proportion to the other color(s). Novel thermal imaging members are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Jayprakash C. Bhatt, Brian D. Busch, Daniel P. Bybell, F. Richard Cottrell, Anemarie DeYoung, Chien Liu, Stephen J. Telfer, Jay E. Thornton, William T. Vetterling
  • Patent number: 6801234
    Abstract: A color thermal printer is provided with a humidity sensor and a paper type discerning sensor. The humidity measured in the humidity sensor is converted to a humidity dependency correction coefficient by an LUT memory. The paper type discerned by the paper type discerning sensor is converted to a paper type dependency correction coefficient by an LUT memory. Image data of one line is converted to a coefficient of dynamic friction of each heating element. A printing load calculator calculates the printing load of one line based on the coefficient of dynamic friction of one line, the humidity correction coefficient, the paper type correction coefficient, and pressing force of a thermal head. The rotation speed of a feeding motor for feeding a color thermal recording paper is controlled in response to the printing load of each line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyoshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6795102
    Abstract: A color thermal printer includes feeder rollers for feeding thermosensitive recording material through a feeding path. A thermal head operates for thermal recording of an image in a recording region of the recording material being fed. An unused region is defined outside the recording region. A photo fixer fixes the image on the recording material by application of ultraviolet or violet rays thereto. A liquid crystal shutter unit is disposed between the photo fixer and the recording material, and includes plural shutter segments. The plural shutter segments are arranged in a form of plural parallel lines, and changeable independently between an opaque state and a transparent state, and when in the opaque state, block the ultraviolet or violet rays, and when in the transparent state, cause the rays to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kokubo, Tomoko Taki
  • Patent number: 6704036
    Abstract: A color thermal printer has thermal heads for recording yellow, magenta and cyan mono-color image, respectively. An mono-color image data of each mono-color image is processed in image data processing section, and thereafter sent to the thermal head. A correction CPU for each mono-color image reads out mono-color image data at each line to calculate a transport friction fluctuation at the thermal head between recording line and a first previous line thereto. Further, the correction CPU calculates a correction of heat energy of the thermal head on the basis of all of the transport friction fluctuation of the thermal heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Hayashi, Hisashi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6683636
    Abstract: In a thermal head, a partial glaze layer is formed on an alumina basal plate, and on that laminated are a heating body, an electrode and a protective layer. A photocatalytic layer composed of titanium oxide is provided on the protective layer. Stains of organic substances, adhered to the photocatalytic layer because of a transparent protective layer of a color thermal recording sheet softened in thermography, is photolized by ultraviolet ray from a magenta-fixing lamp, which loses a coloring capacity of a magenta thermal coloring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Goto, Takao Miyazaki