Abstract: A printer receives a plurality of image sections and corresponding image headers from the host as an image concatenation command. The plurality of image sections store the plurality of image sections in a print queue. The printer creates a virtual canvas representing a full image size. The printer determines how many lines of uniform data are present in a top border and a bottom border of the plurality of image sections. A variable formatting module of the printer crops a bottom border of a first image section to create a cropped first image section and a top border of a last image section to create a cropped last image section. The variable formatting module creates a first image frame in the virtual canvas corresponding to the first image section minus the bottom border and a last image frame corresponding to the last image section minus the top border.

Abstract: A hard copy recording device for transferring images to media, the hard copy recording device including an engine, a controller, a first non-volatile memory, and a second non-volatile memory. The engine transfers images to the media in response to control signals. The controller provides the control signals to the engine based upon image data and a first non-volatile memory stores recording device system data accessible by processes executing at the controller. The second non-volatile memory stores a copy of selected portions of the recording device system data, the second non-volatile memory being detachably coupled to the hard copy recording device and capable of being coupled to a second hard copy recording device for downloading the selected portions of the recording device system data to the second hard copy recording device.

Abstract: A multi-media printer includes an engine controller, a printhead controller, and a pulse activation table. The engine controller transmits a row of energy values. The printhead controller receives the row of energy values and transmits an activation signal. The activation signal is transmitted based on a comparison of an activating energy level for each pulse position in a pulse stream with the energy values in the row of energy values. Comparison logic performs the comparison and transmits an activation signal if the energy value for the row of energy values is greater than or equal to the activating energy level for the corresponding pulse positions.

Abstract: A platen roller is placed in a fixture. A plurality of pressurizing rollers are placed in the fixture. At least one of the plurality of pressuring rollers applies a pressure to the platen roller to pre-age the roller. A platen roller is placed in a pressurized chamber. A hydrostatic pressure is applied to the platen roller to pre-age the roller. A pre-aging software program is executed to pre-age a platen roller. The printer is instructed to print a number of large format media prints. The printer is instructed to print a number of small format media prints. This cycling continues for either a pre-determined time or a threshold number of prints.

Abstract: A printer capable of transferring images to different types of media is disclosed. Media sheets of different sizes and types may be dispensed through a single input path to a print station including a printhead and a platen. The printhead is adapted for transferring images to media using either a direct thermal or dye diffusion process. A capstan roller, platen roller, picker assemblies and kicker assemblies are driven by a single motor, allowing for substantial cost and space savings. Other features are directed to improving the quality of images using the direct thermal and dye diffusion processes.

Abstract: A printer capable of transferring images to different types of media is disclosed. Media sheets of different sizes and types may be dispensed through a single input path to a print station including a printhead and a platen. The printhead is adapted for transferring images to media using either a direct thermal or dye diffusion process. A capstan roller, platen roller, picker assemblies and kicker assemblies are driven by a single motor, allowing for substantial cost and space savings. Other features are directed to improving the quality of images using the direct thermal and dye diffusion processes.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for compensating for the temperature dependent changes in thermal elements of a thermal printhead is disclosed. Specifically, the thermal imaging system generates a temperature or energy dependent profile of the resistances of each thermal element which makes up the thermal printhead. Based upon this profile, the imaging system estimates the resistances of thermal elements based upon a pixel density to be transferred to media. Based upon the estimated resistances, the imaging system adjusts the amount of energy to be applied to particular thermal elements for transferring a pixel having a density which more closely approximates the density of a corresponding pixel in a desired image.