Abstract: When a CPU of a printing apparatus generates a red energization pattern for causing a print medium to develop a color, the CPU generates a subtraction pattern obtained by subtracting a portion of an amount of energy from a magenta energization pattern. The CPU calculates a logical sum of a yellow energization pattern and the subtraction pattern, to generate the red energization pattern.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member and a pressing member forming a fixing nip therebetween, a heat generator, and a processor. The heat generator is disposed to heat a print medium passing through the fixing nip via the fixing member. The processor is configured to control the heat generator to start heating at a timing when a non-fixed image portion formed on the print medium is expected to reach the fixing nip, based on image data of an image to be fixed, a conveyance speed of the print medium, and an estimated heat capacity of the print medium.

Abstract: A first storage portion stores, in advance, first reference voltage values respectively for ink ejection portions, the first reference voltage values corresponding to a predetermined first image density value. A second storage portion stores, in advance, voltage values that are different from each other, and measurement values that indicate image densities respectively corresponding to the voltage values. A voltage value calculating portion, at a predetermined change timing for changing image density, calculates second reference voltage values respectively for the ink ejection portions based on the voltage values and the measurement values, the second reference voltage values corresponding to a second image density value that is different from the first image density value. A voltage switching portion switches driving voltages that are applied to the ink ejection portions, from driving voltages having the first reference voltage values to driving voltages having the second reference voltage values.

Abstract: A high speed tabletop and industrial printer is disclosed with integrated high speed RFID encoding and verification at the same time. The industrial printer simultaneously prints on and electronically encodes/verifies RFID labels, tags, and/or stickers attached to a continuous web. The industrial printer comprises a lighted sensor array for indexing the printing to the RFID tags; and a cutter powered from the industrial printer for cutting the web that the RFID tags are disposed on. The industrial printer comprises two RFID reader/writers that are individually controlled. Specifically, one of the RFID reader/writers comprises the ability to electronically encode the RFID tags while the web is moving; and the second RFID reader/writer uses an additional RFID module and antenna on the printer for verifying the data encoded to the RFID tags.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first obtaining unit obtaining color signals representing colors of an image, a second obtaining unit obtaining a gloss signal representing image gloss, a third obtaining unit obtaining a predetermined amount of a recording material, a first determination unit determining a recording amount of glossy recording material recorded in a first region, a second determination unit determining recording amounts of colored recording materials recorded in the first region such that a total amount of the recording amount of the glossy recording material recorded in the first region and the recording amounts of the colored recording materials recorded in the first region does not exceed the predetermined amount, and a third determination unit determining recording amounts of colored recording materials recorded in a second region based on the color signals and the recording amounts of the colored recording materials.

Abstract: An encoding system converts a grayscale image into an original halftone image according to a predetermined threshold matrix, determines carrier cells from the original halftone image according to reference dot patterns having rotationally asymmetric first-tone patterns, converts the carrier cells into encoded cells according to to-be-embedded codes and rotational states of corresponding asymmetric first-tone patterns, and optimizes non-carrier cells and encoded cells using a direct binary search technique to visually approach the grayscale image.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a first rearrangement circuit that receives, in parallel, pieces of line data included in image data. The first rearrangement circuit rearranges A-bit pixel data (where A is an integer that is greater than or equal to two) in the line data to arrange pixel data for only one color component in at least one of the line data. LUT correction circuits, arranged in correspondence with the line data, each include a memory that stores a lookup table and correct the rearranged A-bit pixel data using the corresponding lookup table. A second rearrangement circuit rearranges the corrected A-bit pixel data to return the A-bit pixel data rearranged by the first rearrangement circuit to an original arrangement order.

Abstract: A multi-phase phase interpolator receives two input clocks to generate several equally spaced output clocks using several phase interpolators. A phase interpolator may include a first circuit branch and a second circuit branch with output nodes that are connected together to provide an output clock. The output clock may be generated at least based on resistor values of the phase interpolator.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus which prints a protective coat, on the basis of input image data, onto a recording sheet on which an image is printed with a dye ink, the printing apparatus comprising: an area dividing unit configured to divide the input image data into a plurality of areas; a conversion unit configured to convert the input image data into print control data by using conversion information provided to convert the input image data into the print control data; and a printing unit configured to print the protective coat on the basis of the print control data acquired by the conversion unit, wherein the conversion unit is configured to include a plurality of pieces of the conversion information and convert the input image data into the print control data by using a piece of the conversion information different for each area divided by the area dividing unit.

Abstract: An image data acquiring unit 32 acquires image data of a chart sheet and a reference chart and image data of the white sheet from the external imaging device. A shading correcting unit 34 generates shading correction data on the basis of a white sheet, and performs shading correction for the image data of the chart sheet and the reference chart using the shading correction data. A projective transforming unit performs a projective transformation for the image data of the chart sheet and the reference chart. A color value identifying unit identifies color values of patches in a test chart printed on the chart sheet and color values of patches in the reference chart after the shading correction and the projective transformation. A correction data generating unit generates image correction data on the basis of the identified color values of patches in the test chart and the reference chart.

Abstract: A printer includes a feeding portion, a printing portion, and a processor. The feeding portion is configured to feed a printing medium in a sub-scanning direction that is orthogonal to a main scanning direction. The printing portion includes a plurality of heating elements that are arrayed in the main scanning direction and that is configured to perform printing on the printing medium fed by the feeding portion when heating pulses are applied to the plurality of heating elements each corresponding to a single dot. A length of each of the plurality of heating elements in the sub-scanning direction is shorter than a length of each of the plurality of heating elements in the main scanning direction. The processor is configured to apply one or more heating pulses to one of the plurality of heating elements in response to a command to print one dot.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus which can suppress degradation of an image quality in a recording material save mode processing and obtain an effect of consumption amount reduction of recording material desired by a user at low costs. A recording material consumption amount at the time of applying first color conversion processing unit is predicted corresponding to inputted image data. The setting of a second color conversion processing is changed from a prediction value and a target value of the recording material consumption amount.

Abstract: A printer includes a feeding portion, a printing portion, and a processor. The feeding portion is configured to feed a printing medium in a sub-scanning direction that is orthogonal to a main scanning direction. The printing portion includes a plurality of heating elements that are arrayed in the main scanning direction and that is configured to perform printing on the printing medium fed by the feeding portion when heating pulses are applied to the plurality of heating elements each corresponding to a single dot. A length of each of the plurality of heating elements in the sub-scanning direction is shorter than a length of each of the plurality of heating elements in the main scanning direction. The processor is configured to apply one or more heating pulses to one of the plurality of heating elements in response to a command to print one dot.

Abstract: The printer (1) includes a control unit (20) including a function reproducing multiple tones by outputting energization data that is dot control data in multiple cycles in line units to a head unit (10) including a plurality of dot generating elements disposed in a line. The control unit (20) includes: a thermal head control circuit (60) supplying the energization data of each cycle and a latch signal for the energization data of each cycle to the head unit (10); and a mask circuit (70) operable when the energization data of the current cycle is the same as the energization data of the previous cycle, to erase the current energization data and the signal for latching to be supplied to the head unit (10).

Abstract: A multi-media printer includes an engine controller, a printhead controller, and a pulse activation table. The engine controller transmits a row of energy values. The printhead controller receives the row of energy values and transmits an activation signal. The activation signal is transmitted based on a comparison of an activating energy level for each pulse position in a pulse stream with the energy values in the row of energy values. Comparison logic performs the comparison and transmits an activation signal if the energy value for the row of energy values is greater than or equal to the activating energy level for the corresponding pulse positions.

Abstract: Thermal printing apparatus and printing methods thereof are disclosed. One of the proposed printing methods includes: providing an n-bit value corresponding to a pixel, wherein a color level of the pixel ranges from 0 to 2n?1; determining a total print time corresponding to a target bit of the n-bit value according to the bit significance of the target bit; and if the target bit is of a predetermined value, intermittently driving a heating unit to heat a ribbon within the print time corresponding to the target bit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling a thermal head which is capable of maintaining high image sharpness even in high-speed printing. In the method of controlling a thermal head according to the present invention, resistors constituting the thermal head is energized and non-energized, thereby realizing an image with a predetermined gradation. Further, one line period includes one energizing period in which energization is performed and one non-energizing period in which non-energization is performed, and the resistors are energized during the energizing period after the non-energizing period in the one line period.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a plurality of thermal elements, a strobe generator, and a data sequencer. The strobe generator provides a strobe signal comprising a sequence of N pulses, each pulse having a same period, the sequence including a first group of pulses having an active state for a first duration a second group of pulses having an active state for a second duration, wherein each pulse of the second group is positioned next to a pulse of the first group such their active states combine form a continuous active state.

Abstract: A thermal print head in a thermal printer for printing a digital image, the digital image being composed of lines of multi-bit pixels, the print head having a plurality of thermal resistors, adapted to be simultaneously addressed in parallel by a corresponding plurality of shift register elements, the print head being pulsed a plurality of times to print one line of the image. The print head is driven by providing a table of additive complement values, one additive complement value for each of the possible values of a multi-bit pixel, successively adding each of the complement values to each of the pixel values in a line to create a succession of sums, each sum having an overflow bit, and applying the overflow bits to the shift register elements to drive the print head.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a serially connected LED lamps control circuit device, which is applicable for an integrated circuit and has the following three features: using a buffer circuit to increase the DATA and Clock lines to extend the distance between a plurality of serially connected devices, delaying half cycle of the timing of the DATA line to enhance overall system stability, and adding an internal latch signal generate circuit to simplify the requirements for external connections.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an image enhancement device of a thermal printer which can obtain a corrected image with high quality even if quantity of thermal storage to obtain recording density necessary for target gradation data is excessive or insufficient due to thermal history.

Abstract: A printing system using a thermal printer capable of readily visually discriminating the background data and sales data, saving waste of paper resources and improving the printing speed is provided. When printing basic data and background data in superimposition on each other in a thermal printer having a matrix array of color generation dots, data representing density gradation values are supplied to each color generation dot for printing background data with density lower than the density of the basic data. The direction of the basic data is set to a direction different by 90 degrees, for instance, from the direction of the array of the basic data. The visual discrimination of the two different kinds of data is improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of thermally printing an image on a receiver by (a) printing a first sub-image on a first region of the receiver with a first dye-donor patch of the first color and (b) printing a second sub-image on a second region of the receiver with a second dye-donor patch of the first color, wherein the first and second regions of the receiver have a partial overlap region. The first and second sub-images form the image which is longer in length than either of the first and second dye-donor patches. Pixels in the overlap region are printed with varying gray levels during both of steps (a) and (b) and pixel locations in the overlap region are printed by overlapping a partial pixel printed during printing step (a) with another partial printed during printing step (b).

Abstract: A method includes distributing grayscales of dye blocks in each of a plurality of color blocks to be printed as an image on a medium according to grayscales of the image to be printed on the medium and a predetermined printing rule, transferring the dyes of the dye blocks in the plurality of color blocks to the medium to generate the image according to the distribution, and transferring dyes of an overcoating block in the last color block of the plurality of color blocks to the medium.

Abstract: A thermal printer is disclosed which includes a plurality of thermal print heads, each of the plurality of thermal print heads being operable to print a distinct one of a plurality of colors. The plurality of thermal print heads may print output at a plurality of spatial resolutions. The thermal printer may include dot size varying means for varying perceived levels of color printed by the thermal printer by varying sizes of dots printed by the plurality of thermal print heads. The printer may perform various image processing steps on an image to be printed, such as tone scale adjustment, thermal history control, and common mode voltage correction, to improve the perceived quality of the printed image. The thermal printer may be incorporated into a digital photo-printing vending machine for printing images provided by a customer.

Abstract: A gradation control system includes a device for deriving 2**n decoded data from lower n bits expressing a gradation per dot, a device for grouping the 2**n decoded data with respect to a plurality of dots, to produce 2**n first bit planes, a device for giving to an element a signal of pattern corresponding to each of the first bit planes for a time obtained by adding a time that depends on a decoded value of each of the first bit planes, to an initializing time, a device for grouping, per bit weight, respective bits excluding the lower n bits that express the gradation per dot, to produce a second bit plane, and a device for giving to the element a signal of pattern corresponding to the second bit plane for a time that depends on a weight of the second bit plane.

Abstract: It is the purpose of the present invention to provide an image recording method and image recording apparatus for performing high-density recording without degrading the resolution. A desired image is recorded on a recording medium by exposing the image on the recording medium while moving the recording medium in the main scan direction where a toner layer of a transfer sheet is overlaid on an image reception layer of an image reception sheet as well as moving a plurality of laser beam spots arranged on the recording medium in the sub-scan direction orthogonal to the main scan direction. In this practice, a recording process on the transfer sheet is repeated a plurality of times to record a same image repeatedly with transfer sheets replaced after the transfer sheet has been exposed.

Abstract: A printing method for printing a pixel at a gray level x on paper by a printer. The printer includes a thermal print head, which includes a heater for heating a ribbon to print pixels from gray levels 1 to m−1 on the paper, and the ribbon. The method includes: if x is not greater than a value n, heating the ribbon x times and evenly distributing the heating initiation times of the x times between the time point 0 and the time point (m*(x−1)/n) for printing the pixel at gray level x on the paper. If x is greater than the value n, heating the ribbon x times and evenly distributing the heating initiation time of the n times between the time point 0 and the time point (m*(n−1)/n) and distributing the heating initiation times of the x−n times after the heating initiation time points of the n times.

Abstract: A method is provided to increase the gray level resolution of a thermal print head. The thermal print head includes a plurality of heaters which are used to heat color dye so as to deposit the color dye on a paper to form a line image. The line image contains a plurality of pixels, each formed by one heater. When generating a pixel, a pulse sequence is fed to one heater to control the heater″s heating period. The pulse sequence contains first and second portions. The first portion contains a plurality of consecutive pulses which is used to generate a first gray level. And the second portion contains at least one empty pulse period followed by at least one pulse which is used to generate a second gray level. The combination of the first and second gray levels will determine the gray level of each pixel of the line image.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a thermal printer, having a thermal head incorporating a plurality of energisable heating elements, comprises the step of supplying to the thermal printer a thermographic material m, a plurality of printer data Pi each intended to be recorded as a pixel having a density Di, and default reference values for printing parameters comprising a value Pref for a reference printing power; and the step of printing a calibration pattern for the plurality of printer data Pi, the calibration pattern comprising a multiple step density wedge such that a whole range of a relation Di(Pi) between the printer data Pi and the density Di is covered.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image recording method of recording a single pixel forming an image using a plurality of pulses by expressing gradation using a single pulse or a plurality of pulses having a larger pulse width expressing a superordination bit and a single pulse or a plurality of pulses having a smaller pulse width expressing a subordination bit, and an image recoding apparatus for carrying out the method and the like.

Abstract: A multi-gradation recording method comprising the steps of: providing a thermal transfer recording medium comprising a substrate, a release layer, a first ink layer and a second ink layer provided in this order on the substrate, and carrying out a gradation recording using the thermal transfer recording medium, the step of carrying out a gradation recording comprising: (a) in the case of recording in a middle density/high density region, carrying out a gradation expression based on an area gradation expression by transferring the first ink layer and the second ink layer together, and (b) in the case of recording in a low density region, carrying out a gradation expression by transferring only the second ink layer by causing a cohesive failure in the second ink layer, thereby changing the area of transferred ink per one dot and the thickness of transferred ink dots.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal printhead, a transfer assembly, and a controller. The thermal printhead has an array of heating regions arranged in a primary scanning direction, and a driver for selectively heating the heating regions. The transfer assembly feeds a recording paper in facing relationship to the array of heating regions in a secondary scanning direction perpendicular to the primary scanning direction. The controller is combined with the driver for causing each of the heating regions to selectively form, on the recording paper, differently sized print dots which include an off-dot, a maximum-size dot, and at least one intermediate-size dot.

Abstract: A method for printing an image using a thermal printing system comprising a thermal printer having a thermal head TH incorporating a plurality of energisable heating elements Hn and a thermographic material m, comprises several steps. These steps comprise supplying image data Id corresponding to a plurality of output values Dn to a processing unit, reading a first table LUT1 comprising first entries for desired output values Dk and second entries for sequences Sk of time slices si of activation pulses, transformation of the image data Id into corresponding sequences Sk of time slices of activation pulses, providing the time slices of activation pulses to the heating elements Hn of the thermal head TH, and printing the image by transporting the thermographic material past and adjacent to the thermal head and by activating the heating elements Hn of the thermal head.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink jet printing module can include forming a piezoelectric element having a stiffened surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to image recording method and apparatus. The apparatus has an image recording unit which records an image in a one-dimensional direction, a transfer unit which transfers the image recording unit with relative to a recording medium, which are moved in mutually perpendicular directions, and a recording control unit which controls and records a single pixel using a plurality of pulses upon recording of the image, the recording control unit performing control so that thermal patterns at neighboring pixels are shifted to perform the image recording.

Abstract: A control device for thermal printing head and a printer having the thermal printing head are presented. The control device had a plurality of heating elements to correspond to a plurality of imprinting dots and a plurality of 1-bit registers for holding bit signals to drive each heating element, and includes dividing means for dividing gradation data of a multi-level gradation to express tones of imprinted dots into a plurality of weighted values according to gradation values; and pulse signal generation means for generating pulses having predetermined pulse widths according to respective weighting of gradation values and generating a number of pulses or pulse widths in accordance with a plurality of values of divided gradation data.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal printhead, a transfer assembly, and a controller. The thermal printhead has an array of heating regions arranged in a primary scanning direction, and a driver for selectively heating the heating regions. The transfer assembly feeds a recording paper in facing relationship to the array of heating regions in a secondary scanning direction perpendicular to the primary scanning direction. The controller is combined with the driver for causing each of the heating regions to selectively form, on the recording paper, differently sized print dots which include an off-dot, a maximum-size dot, and at least one intermediate-size dot.

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: This invention relates to image recording method and apparatus. The apparatus has an image recording unit which records an image in a one-dimensional direction, a transfer unit which transfers the image recording unit with relative to a recording medium, which are moved in mutually perpendicular directions, and a recording control unit which controls and records a single pixel using a plurality of pulses upon recording of the image, the recording control unit performing control so that thermal patterns at neighboring pixels are shifted to perform the image recording.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating print data from a printed image produced by a printing device operating at a first dots per inch (dpi) value, so that the image is composed of a plurality of dots, the image incorporating defects resulting during printing of the image, such as rotation of a print medium and blemishes of the image. The method includes the step of scanning the printed image, at a sampling rate which corresponds to a second dpi value that exceeds the first dpi value by a predetermined factor so that each dot of the image results in the generation of at least two markers. Data relating to the position and colour value of each marker is generated. The defects in the image are detected and a data value is assigned to such defects. The data is processed and the data value is used to determine which of each of the markers generated for a respective dot should be recorded as a center for that dot.

Abstract: The heat-sensitive recording apparatus having a thermal head with heating elements arranged in one direction, a transport unit by which the thermal head and a heat-sensitive recording material being pressed by it are transported relative to each other in a direction normal to the one direction in which the heating elements are arranged and a drive unit that disperses image data for one pixel into a specified number of pieces and which drives the heating elements in the thermal head in accordance with the dispersed image data to perform heat-sensitive recording. The heat-sensitive recording by means of the drive unit satisfies T/n≦50 &mgr;sec, where T is a period of recording the one pixel and n is the specified number of pieces into which the image data for one pixel is dispersed. The apparatus produces small enough recording sound to permit quiet heat-sensitive recording with the thermal head.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image recording method of recording a single pixel forming an image using a plurality of pulses by expressing gradation using a single pulse or a plurality of pulses having a larger pulse width expressing a superordination bit and a single pulse or a plurality of pulses having a smaller pulse width expressing a subordination bit, and an image recoding apparatus for carrying out the method and the like.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes disadvantages including the occurrence of uneven printing, the need to provide a large-sized power supply, high cost and the deterioration of energy conversion efficiency resulting from the application of high current to the common resistance of a line head in a thermal printer for printing an image by the line head. Specifically, a gradation generating means (14) for generating gradation data; a selection means (15) for alternatively selecting each image data the number of which corresponds to the number of head elements of a head, and data of value 0 for the respective image data, and for switching selection as to which data is to be selected, the image data or the data of value 0, every time a value of the gradation data changes; and a comparison means (16) for feeding signals each indicating a comparison result of comparing the data selected by the selection means (15) with the gradation data, are provided at a line head controller (7) of a thermal printer.

Abstract: An image correction method structured such that supplied image data is converted into image data which must be output when supplied image data is output by a printing apparatus including a line-type head, the image correction method including steps of performing: CMS-conversion (21) of supplied image data in three dimensional or higher order; increase (30) of a gradation accuracy of image data after the CMS conversion has been performed; a correction process (31) of image data having the increased gradation accuracy; and a multivalued dither process (32).

Abstract: The heat-sensitive recording apparatus having a thermal head with heating elements arranged in one direction, a transport unit by which the thermal head and a heat-sensitive recording material being pressed by it are transported relative to each other in a direction normal to the one direction in which the heating elements are arranged and a drive unit that disperses image data for one pixel into a specified number of pieces and which drives the heating elements in the thermal head in accordance with the dispersed image data to perform heat-sensitive recording. The heat-sensitive recording by means of the drive unit satisfies T/n≦50 &mgr;sec, where T is a period of recording the one pixel and n is the specified number of pieces into which the image data for one pixel is dispersed. The apparatus produces small enough recording sound to permit quiet heat-sensitive recording with the thermal head.

Abstract: A head driver for thermal printing drives plural heating elements in a heating element array according to heating data for respectively the plural heating elements, to record dots of one line thermally by heating color thermosensitive recording material. A first data train is output, including gradation level data of gradation levels 0, 2, 4, . . . , 510. One-line image data for plural pixels in the one line is serially compared with the gradation level data in the first data train, so as to create even number gradation heating data in a serial signal form. Simultaneously with the first data train, a second data train is output, including gradation level data of gradation levels 1, 3, 5, . . . , 511. The one-line image data is serially compared with the gradation level data in the second data train, so as to create odd number gradation heating data in a serial signal form. After transfer to the head driver, the even number gradation heating data is converted into a parallel signal form.

Abstract: A multi-gradation recording method comprising the steps of: providing a thermal transfer recording medium comprising a substrate, and a release layer, a first ink layer and a second ink layer provided in this order on the substrate, and carrying out a gradation recording using the thermal transfer recording medium, the step of carrying out a gradation recording comprising: (a) in case of recording in a middle density/high density region, carrying out a gradation expression based on an area gradation expression by transferring the first ink layer and the second ink layer together, and (b) in case of recording in a low density region, carrying out a gradation expression by transferring only the second ink layer by causing a cohesive failure in the second ink layer, thereby changing the area of transferred ink per one dot and the thickness of transferred ink dots.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for performing pulse-width modulation processing based on input image data. A maximum pulse width of a pulse signal, which can be outputted as a modulation signal obtained by the pulse width modulation, is changed in accordance with an image processing mode.

Abstract: A printer apparatus comprises a head having k (number) printing elements for printing an image data. A printing element selecting section selects a printing element driven at the time of printing among the k printing elements of the head. An image correcting section is a section for correcting the image data previous to the printing of the image data using the head, and comprises a correction data memorizing section for memorizing a correction data for a certain single tone among n (number) tones that the image data has for each of the printing elements, a tone detecting section for detecting the tone of the image data corresponding to each of the selected printing elements of the head, and a correction data generating section for generating a correction data for each of the selected printing elements, corresponding to the tone detected by the tone detecting section, by using the correction data memorized in the correction data memorizing section.