Abstract: A method for detection of the edge and/or shape of transparent films, wherein the incident rays from a light source enter a polarizer to yield the linearly polarized light for irradiation to a transparent film with a property of rotatory polarization, and the rotatorily polarized light therefrom is transmitted through an analyzer with a polarization axis orthogonal to that of the polarizer, allowing the transmitted light to indicate the edge position and/or shape of the transparent film. An apparatus for detection of the edge and/or shape of transparent films, which is furnished with a polarizer, analyzer and detector to utilize the property of rotatory polarization of a transparent film placed between the polarizer and the analyzer, wherein the polarizer linearly polarizes the incident rays from a light source, emitting the light to be fed to the analyzer, a polarization axis of which is orthogonal to that of the polarizer, and the detector recognizes the output of the analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermal recording head. The thermal recording head includes an insulated substrate, a plurality of thermal resistive elements placed in a line on the insulated substrate, a plurality of drive circuits having signal input terminals, current supply terminals and output terminals, each output terminal of the drive circuits being connected to each thermal resistive element. A shift register having a plurality of memory units, the number of which is the same as the number of thermal resistive elements, is connected to the drive circuits with each memory unit being connected to each signal input terminal. The shift register receives serial input (pictures) signals and supplies these signals to the drive circuits in parallel. A metal cover is placed on the insulated substrate to cover the shift register and the drive circuits, the metal cover being connected to the current supply terminals of the drive circuits.