Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for data processing for IC tags and an image forming device capable of recording an image onto a conveying medium on which IC tags are mounted. The apparatus and method set up a state that enables reliable radio communication between a reader/writer and an IC tag and read and/or write electronic information from/to IC tags. The reader/writer's antenna to face IC tags mounted on the conveying medium, arranged in multiple rows and columns in the conveyance direction, is skewed so that the IC tags pass sequentially under the antenna and each IC tag can be identified. The reader/writer reads and/or writes electronic information associated with the thus identified IC tag.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for data processing for IC tags and an image forming device capable of recording an image onto a conveying medium on which IC tags are mounted. The apparatus and method set up a state that enables reliable radio communication between a reader/writer and an IC tag and read and/or write electronic information from/to IC tags. The reader/writer's antenna to face IC tags mounted on the conveying medium, arranged in multiple rows and columns in the conveyance direction, is skewed so that the IC tags pass sequentially under the antenna and each IC tag can be identified. The reader/writer reads and/or writes electronic information associated with the thus identified IC tag.

Abstract: In a thermal printer, the print mode that has been set by the user is judged at the start of printing. When the high-speed print mode is set, the standard deviation &sgr; of the original image data is calculated. According to the standard deviation &sgr;, it is judged whether the densities are evenly distributed. When the densities are evenly distributed, a gradation conversion characteristic is selected for converting the gradation in the entire density range only by decreasing the number of gradation levels of the output image. When the densities are intensively concentrated in a specific density range, it is further judged whether the specific density range is the low, middle, or high density range. According to the judgement, the gradation values of input data are converted using a gradation conversion characteristic for decreasing the number of gradation levels of the output image and accurately reproducing the gradation in the specific density range.

Abstract: In a thermal printer, the print mode that has been set by the user is judged at the start of printing. When the high-speed print mode is set, the standard deviation &sgr; of the original image data is calculated. According to the standard deviation &sgr;, it is judged whether the densities are evenly distributed. When the densities are evenly distributed, a gradation conversion characteristic is selected for converting the gradation in the entire density range only by decreasing the number of gradation levels of the output image. When the densities are intensively concentrated in a specific density range, it is further judged whether the specific density range is the low, middle, or high density range. According to the judgement, the gradation values of input data are converted using a gradation conversion characteristic for decreasing the number of gradation levels of the output image and accurately reproducing the gradation in the specific density range.

Abstract: A thermal transfer color printer for recording color images on recording paper by successively transferring inks of different colors from an ink ribbon onto the recording paper at a recording position. The printer includes a transport member adapted to transport the recording paper in forward and reverse directions and disposed downstream from the platen roller with respect to the direction of transport of the recording paper for thermal transfer.

Abstract: A multi-color thermal transfer printing apparatus having a platen roller rotatable in opposite directions with a recording medium driven to travel on the platen roller and a continuous length of carrier medium driven to travel in conjunction with the recording medium on the platen roller so that the carrier medium may be in contact with the recording medium, the carrier medium having a series of areas carrying differently colored inks. A thermal print head is movable between an inoperative position spaced apart from the platen roller and an operative position having the carrier medium pressed against the recording medium on the platen roller and operative to form an image on the recording medium by thermal transfer of an ink from one of the colored areas of the carrier medium to the recording medium.