Abstract: A thermal dye printer media element for use in a thermal printer includes sequential color patches which form multiple color groups located along a length of the element. Metering marks are provided repetitively along the length of the element for measurement of distances along the element. The spacing between successive pairs of the metering marks may be uniform, change in a linear fashion, or change in a nonlinear fashion. The metering marks may be optically or magnetically detectable. The first and second metering mark sequences may be essentially the same. Alternatively, the first and second metering mark sub-sequences may be different. The start of a metering mark sequence may be aligned with an edge of a color patch, or may be offset from an edge of a color patch. A third sequence of metering marks may be provided for a third color patch, wherein said third metering mark sequence is different from said first sequence.

Abstract: A thermal dye printer media element for use in a thermal printer includes sequential color patches which form multiple color groups located along a length of the element. Metering marks are provided repetitively along the length of the element for measurement of distances along the element. The spacing between successive pairs of the metering marks may be uniform, change in a linear fashion, or change in a nonlinear fashion. The metering marks may be optically or magnetically detectable. The first and second metering mark sequences may be essentially the same. Alternatively, the first and second metering mark sub-sequences may be different. The start of a metering mark sequence may be aligned with an edge of a color patch, or may be offset from an edge of a color patch. A third sequence of metering marks may be provided for a third color patch, wherein said third metering mark sequence is different from said first sequence.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a web transport for positioning a dye donor web along a path; a sensor along the path and spaced from the print line for detecting the arrival of a leading edge of a dye frame, and a control for the web transport. The control is adapted to reposition the dye donor web along the path so that the leading edge of the dye frame is in substantial alignment with the print line before printing the dye frame begins. The web transport moves the dye donor web in both forward and reverse directions past the print line, and the sensor detects the leading edge of a frame while the donor web moves in a forward direction. The control stops the web and reverses it to thereby rewind the dye donor web until the edge of the dye frame is in substantial alignment with the print line. The control adjusts the amount of repositioning of the dye donor web that is effected as a function of the detected leading edge's location along dye donor web.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a donor web positioning system that uses a single sensor in conjunction with a capstan roller. The roller is driven by a stepper motor to precisely meter the donor web. The roller is positioned between the print drum and the take-up spool and drivingly engages the donor web and controllably advances the donor web towards the take-up spool at a known rate as the web is paid out of the print zone. The single sensor is positioned between the print drum and the supply spool to detect the start of the plurality of frames of dye, as the donor web advances. Each individual frame is then positioned properly by causing the capstan drive motor to advance a known, pre-programmed number of steps to place the beginning of each color frame at the heater line of the thermal head.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided with edge reading donor sensors that detect the presence of different color patches on the donor as the donor advances. The sensors detect the intrusion of a new color patch during the print cycle to stop the donor advance and properly position the donor relative to the receiver. The sensors are positioned alongside the thermal head and as near to the end of the print drum as possible. The sensors are thereby positioned as close to the heater line of the thermal head as possible preventing waste of donor.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a rotatably mounted supply spool, and a rotatably driven print drum for unwinding a dye donor web from the supply spool and advancing the web past a thermal print head at a print zone where dye is transferred to a print receiving medium by the print head. The print drum causes the supply spool to rotate as it unwinds web therefrom and further causes the web to be paid out of the print zone at a constant rate. A rotatably mounted take-up spool accumulates web paid out of the print zone and tensions the web. A capstan roller is interposed between the print drum and the take-up spool. The capstan roller drivingly engages the web and controllably advances the web towards the take-up spool as the web is paid out of the print zone. The capstan roller advances the web at a slower rate than the web is paid out of the print zone to eliminate tension on the donor web caused by the take-up spool as the donor web exits the print zone.

Abstract: A guide roller assembly is provided for a thermal printer to prevent the varying donor web tension from compromising the constant head load. The guide roller is mounted on a frame that is independent of the head loading assembly so that variations in web tension do not impact the head loading.

Abstract: A printer uses a rotating platen to transport a sheet of print media receiver across a print head. The receiver is held to the platen with a positive receiver locking clamp at the beginning of a print cycle. The clamp is released prior to the completion of formation of an image on the receiver so that the receiver can be quickly removed from the platen. This reduces the print cycle time of the printer. The clamp is configured and operated such that the speed of the moving receiver is not changed when the clamp is released. The clamp configuration and operation permit the printing of high-resolution images without any discernible distortions caused by the release of the clamp during the image formation.

Abstract: A printer uses a rotating platen to transport a sheet of receiver (print media) across a programmable print head. The receiver is held to the platen with a positive receiver-locking clamp at the beginning of a print cycle. The clamp is released prior to the completion of formation of an image on the receiver so that the receiver can be quickly removed from the platen. This reduces the print cycle time of the printer. The clamp is configured and operated such that the speed of the moving receiver is not changed when the clamp is released. The clamp configuration and operation thereof permit the printing of high-resolution images without any discernible image distortions being caused by the release of the clamp during image formation.

Abstract: A head transport assembly includes a sled supporting a magnetic head for movement along a guide path generally oriented toward the drive spindle of a drive motor. The sled, which is supported against a guide rod defining the guide path, includes two adjustment points along the guide rod--a first adjustment point proximate the head and a second adjustment point outboard of the first in relation to the drive spindle. By acting on the first point to pivot the sled about the second point, the head is brought onto a true radial path intersecting the center of the drive spindle. The azimuth of the head is next adjusted by acting on the second point to pivot the sled about the first point until the desired azimuth angle is obtained.

Abstract: A film video player/printer allows an operator to display a video image of a photographic film in a normal orientation while magnifying and composing the magnified image according to a desired format (vertical or horizontal) portrayed by the display. Reticle-generating circuitry selectively rotates a rectangular reticle centered on the display, the reticle portraying the border and thereby the format of a print to be made. A turntable serves for selectively rotating the film about an optical centerline of the film video player/printer, to provide for the display of the film image in the normal viewing orientation and to provide for a print corresponding to the image and format displayed. With the film being rotated about the optical centerline and with the aspect ratio of a vertical reticle being the reciprocal of the aspect ratio of a horizontal reticle, an optical print is made without any need to compose or magnify the image to compensate for any rotation of the film for printing.