Abstract: A thermal printer apparatus has a plurality of print stations for recording image information onto a receiver moving past the print stations. An adjustable-speed receiver drive mechanism is adapted to advance the receiver along the path. A plurality of sensors adapted to detect the temperature of the receiver and other surfaces along the path. A controller adjusts the speed of the drive mechanism as a function of the detected temperatures so as to effect a shim of the average raster line pitch of the printer to compensate for changes in the temperature of the receiver. An empirical model of receiver speed as a function of measured receiver temperature is used in software to predict receiver speed during printing.

Abstract: Dye cartridge system adapted to reduce an exterior envelope of a printer and method of providing same. The printer comprises a housing having a front sidewall that has an aperture therethrough. A platen and a print head are disposed in the housing. The print head is movable from a first position spaced-apart from the platen to a second position adjacent to the platen, such that the platen and the print head define a clearance therebetween when the print head is in the first position. A dye donor cartridge carrying a dye donor ribbon is insertable through the aperture and into the housing to a position adjacent to the print head. A rod-shaped catch-member is attached to the end portion of the dye ribbon. Moreover, a dye ribbon take-up spool, which is permanently disposed in the housing has a recess therein for receiving the catch-member. When the catch-member is received in the recess and the take-up spool is rotated, the dye ribbon winds about the take-up spool.

Abstract: Printer defining a reduced exterior envelope thereof and method of providing same. The printer comprises a housing having a front sidewall that has an aperture therethrough. A platen, a print head and a take-up spool are disposed in the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the print head is movable from a first position spaced-apart from the platen to a second position adjacent to the platen, such that the platen and the print head define a clearance therebetween when the print head is in the first position. A dye donor cartridge, which has an elongate neck portion, is insertable through the aperture and into the housing to a position adjacent to the print head. The neck portion is sized to be received through the clearance for interference-free insertion of the cartridge. Moreover, the cartridge includes a dye donor supply spool.

Abstract: A thermal print head which includes an array of individually addressable resistors on a substrate is provided to substantially reduce undesirable drift in the resistance values of the resistors. The thermal print head includes a thermally stable glaze having a smooth surface formed on the substrate, and an electrically resistive doped-semiconductive layer formed on the smooth glaze surface. An array of first and second electrode pairs is formed on the resistive layer such that each of the electrodes forms a gap therebetween. A protective layer is formed over the electrode pairs and over the resistive layer at the gap. An electrically conductive layer is formed on the protective layer. The thermal print head includes a structure for applying first and second potentials respectively to the first and second electrodes of each of the pairs for selectably heating each of the resistors, and applying a third potential to the conductive layer.

Abstract: A disk drive includes an anti-static plate held against a plastic jacket of a cartridge assembly for neutralizing the effect of a static electrical charge accumulated on the plastic jacket. The plate is particularly effective in connection with a magnetic interface in which aerodynamic forces must maintain a magnetic disk within the jacket in contact with a transducer. The plate includes an area that covers a substantial proportion of the jacket surface opposite to the side of the cartridge assembly through which the transducer extends.

Abstract: A video signal recorded on a magnetic disk is erased by applying a fixed frequency erasing signal as the disk is decelerating. By recording the erasing signal while slowing the disk, an effect is obtained that is comparable to scanning through a range of increasing frequencies. The high frequencies obtained, which are ordinarily beyond the frequency response of the erasing circuit, are effective in removing the resident video signal and in preparing the disk for a new recording.