Abstract: A device for recording predetermined magnetization patterns on a magnetic recording medium such as for use in a copying machine. The magnetic medium is first magnetized with a uniform magnetization pattern then passed to a thermal printing head upon which a number of heat generating elements are arranged one-dimensionally on a supporting substrate. The heat generating elements are selectively activated to heat the recording magnetic medium to a temperature greater than the Curie temperature thereof so as to change the direction of the magnetization of the magnetic medium in cooperation with a biasing magnetic field.

Abstract: The adjustment of pressure between the thermal head assembly and back roll in a thermal recording device is achieved by adjusting the bias force applied to the thermal head rather than the back roll, to thereby maintain a substantially constant contact pressure between the back roll and a drive roll.

Abstract: The heat-generating resistors in a heat-sensitive recording head are preheated, during the serial-to-parallel conversion of the video input signals and prior to the initiation of the recording cycle, to pre-heat the recording medium to a temperature 10.degree. to 15.degree. C. less than the temperature at which recording occurs, thereby reducing the minimum recording time required to produce a high density, high quality image on the recording medium.

Abstract: A method of driving a thermal printing head includes expanding the printing time for a line which follows successive non-printed (blank) lines. In this manner, deterioration otherwise caused in the print density can be avoided without employing an auxiliary heater for the thermal head. Instead of expanding the printing time, the applied voltage may be increased to achieve the same result.

Abstract: A method of driving a heat-sensitive recording head with a very small number of components. In the recording head, leads are arranged on an insulated substrate extending on both sides of the substrate in parallel with one another with heat generating elements disposed between adjacent leads. A microcomputer divides data inputted thereto in a time division manner into data blocks each having a predetermined amount of data. The data in each data block is rearranged by skipping data every predetermined number of data. The data thus rearranged is applied in a parallel mode to a plurality of shift registers and from the shift registers coupled to leads on one side of the recording head successively.

Abstract: A two-sided image recorder employs thermal printing heads and respective ink donor sheets contacting opposite sides of a recording paper as the paper makes a single pass through the recording paper passage.

Abstract: A multicolor recording apparatus includes a number of recording sections for applying different colors of inks. A main transport path travels through all recording sections, while bypass paths are provided for recording sheets which are to be recorded monochromatically, for example, so that any one or more of the recording sections may be bypassed. To eliminate wastage of ink donor sheet, the web containing the solid ink is not conveyed in recording sections bypassed by the sheet.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive type multi-gradation image recording apparatus adapted for use with a conventional two-valued recording apparatus including a simple device for identifying image signal levels for recording multi-gradation images. A plurality of heat generating resistance elements are arranged one-dimensionally in correspondence to picture elements. A video signal is converted into a plurality of binary video signals using different threshold level values. Electrical energy is supplied to the heat generating elements controlled by the binary video signals to record and image in an overlap mode.

Abstract: A thermal recording head is formed by alternately laminating conductive and insulating layers and then disposing a heat generating resistive element along a side surface of the laminated body in contact with each conducting layer and extending in a direction transverse to the planes of the laminating layers.

Abstract: A thermal recording medium has two or more kinds of thermo sensitive ink on a base member thereof, and each of the inks has a different melting point and a different color. At least one of the inks also contains an achromatizing agent for concealing a color of at least one of the inks. The thermal transfer recording medium thus constructed is capable of producing multiple colors on a recording sheet by utilizing a device having only one heating head.

Abstract: A multi-color thermal transfer recorder has a thermal recording head, a roll disposed opposite to the thermal recording head, and an ink donor sheet having two or more layers of single-color ink different in color from each other, the length of each ink layer being equal to the length of the outer circumference of the opposing roll.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording head having heat generating elements arranged on an insulating substrate and a system for preheating said substrate and controlling the heat generated during the recording operation. In one embodiment the substrate is placed in contact with a larger heat sink which is heated by a carbon-type internal resistor, a printed circuit contacting resistor, or a conventional heater. A thermal sensor detects the temperature of the heat sink and is fed to controls for controlling the overall application of heat. In another embodiment the substrate is placed in contact with a Peltier effect device which controls heat generation and absorption.

Abstract: A plurality of thermal head assemblies can be arranged around a single backing roller to minimize the distance between recording stations. Synchronization marks recorded on the paper at a first station can be detected between recording stations to control the timing of image recording at the later stations.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording head including an insulating substrate, an array of heat generating elements, a plurality of leads alternately arranged on both sides of the array of heat generating elements on the insulating substrate with the heat generating elements interposed between the leads. Lead wires are connected to predetermined ones of the leads either directly or through diodes. The lead wires are arranged in a matrix format and heat generating elements are coupled in blocks with the number of blocks being equal to half the number of common drive terminals provided. With the number of blocks represented by n, the average value of the resistances of the heat generating elements by r, and the maximum variation of the resistances by .+-.r, ##EQU1## is established.

Abstract: A drive device for a heat sensitive recording head in which the heat generating elements in an entire array generate heat uniformly. The heat generating elements within an array-type heat sensitive recording head are separated into groups. Voltage dropping elements connect the various heat generating elements to common terminals, one of which is provided for each group. The voltage drops provided by the various voltage dropping elements are adjusted such that the heat generating elements produce heat uniformly so that the image recorded is uniform over the entire recording surface.