Abstract: An fluid ejection device includes nozzles and includes firing resistors which correspond to the nozzles. Each firing resistor and corresponding nozzle are located in zones on the fluid ejection device where each zone has at least one firing resistor and corresponding nozzle. Addressable select logic responsive to a select address couples fire pulses to the firing resistors in the zones so that each firing resistor in each zone is coupled to the same fire pulse.

Abstract: A thermal head includes a metal substrate; an insulating layer formed on the surface of the metal substrate; a plurality of heating elements disposed on the surface of the insulating layer, the heating elements being arranged with a predetermined pitch along a plurality of lines in a main scanning direction, the plurality of lines being spaced apart from each other in a paper-feeding direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction; and a heat radiating element projecting from the surface of the metal substrate to the side where the insulating layer is disposed. Although most of the heat generated by the respective heating elements is transferred to an ink ribbon or print paper, residual partial heat is absorbed by heat radiating means via the insulating layer and radiated into the atmosphere, which suppresses thermal interference among the heating elements.

Abstract: A print control device and method utilizes a thermal head provided with a set of minute heating members serving as both a heating element and a temperature detector and a drive circuit for supplying an electric current to drive the heating members; a control circuit for switching the electric current flowing to the respective heating members between a heating drive state and a temperature detection state; a circuit for converting temperature values from each of the heating members to voltage values and for detecting the voltage values using electrical current that flows during the temperature detection state; an analog/digital conversion circuit for converting the voltage into a digital value; an adder for cumulatively adding digital values obtained by the digital conversion from the start of heating; a comparator for comparing the cumulative value obtained by the adder against a target print density value set in advance with respect to a given point on which printing is to be executed and sent from a superio

Abstract: A printer, which enables complicated printhead controls without a complicated logic circuit, includes a data table showing a control pattern of six controls stored in a RAM. When a drive trigger is inputted into a read-trigger generator, an address generator generates the address of the data table in the RAM as an address signal and inputs the address signal into the RAM. On the other hand, the read-trigger generator inputs a data-read trigger into the RAM. Control signals read by these signals are inputted into a head driver with heat pulses, which drives the printhead.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus provides a plurality of recording heads arranged in a scanning direction, each having a plurality of nozzles arranged substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction, and records by discharging ink from the nozzles onto a recording medium by application of drive signals. The apparatus divides the plurality of nozzles among a plurality of blocks having a predetermined number of nozzles and sequentially drives each block so as to discharge ink within a discharge cycle. The apparatus has a column counter for counting a number of nozzles driven in a discharging cycle in each recording head, and a block counter for counting a number of nozzles driven in each block, and determines a pulsewidth of a heat signal for each recording head by a heat timing controller, based upon count values counted by the column counter and block counter.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a printhead capable of printing at a higher speed even when the number of printing elements is large, a printing apparatus using this printhead, a printhead cartridge, and a printing element substrate. For this purpose, print signals necessary for driving M printing elements belonging to each of N divisional blocks and a select control signal necessary for block selection are transferred by inputting print signals corresponding to L (L<M) printing elements serially from a first signal line by using a clock signal and inputting print signals corresponding to the remaining (M−L) printing elements and a corresponding select control signal serially from a second signal line by using the same clock signals.

Abstract: This invention discloses a printing apparatus and printing method for shortening the print data transfer time in thinning and driving nozzles in high-speed printing, multipass printing, or the like. In thinning and driving nozzle blocks, a printer main body transmits data representing a print mode, and print data corresponding to nozzles to be used. In a printhead, a shift clock generator generates a shift clock shortened in period in accordance with the thinning ratio, and a shift register stores the print data in correspondence with the clock. Print data corresponding to the printing elements to be used are repetitively stored in areas corresponding to printing elements not to be used.

Abstract: A wide-array inkjet printhead assembly includes a carrier and N printheads and a module manager disposed on the carrier. The module manager receives a serial input data stream and corresponding input clock signal from a printer controller located external from the inkjet printhead assembly. The module manager demultiplexes the serial data stream into N serial output data streams. The module manager provides the N serial output data streams and N corresponding output clock signals based on the input clock signal to the N printheads.

Abstract: A data transfer circuit or a recording apparatus includes an address setting unit for setting a start address for a buffer memory, an offset setting unit for setting an offset for the buffer memory, and an address creating unit for creating a predetermined number of consecutive transfer addresses to be supplied for the buffer memory using a reference address. The circuit also includes an arithmetic logic unit that, after the address creating unit has created transfer addresses using the start address as a reference address, calculates a new reference address in accordance with the offset relative to the start address so as to provide the new reference address to the address creating unit.

Abstract: A print data loading circuit receives N bits of serial data on a serial input data line, and provides the input data to a data bus in an addressing circuit for addressing one or more image-forming elements in a printing device. The data loading circuit includes an N-bit serial shift register having N number of serially-coupled single-bit storage registers. The data loading circuit also includes N−1 number of data latches, each having a data input coupled to a data output of a corresponding one of the single-bit storage registers. The data outputs of the data latches are coupled to N−1 number of selection lines that are coupled to the data bus. Each data latch has a clock input that is coupled to the data output of the Nth storage register. Based on this configuration, a bit provided at the Nth-register data output acts as a load trigger bit to cause the other data bits in the other single-bit storage registers to be loaded into the N−1 number of data latches.

Abstract: Data identifying a print head of a postage meter is registered on the print head by allocating a number of printing elements of the print head to represent a code identifying the print head. The allocated printing elements are not used for printing postage indicia. The print head may be an ink jet print head having resistive elements energisable to eject ink droplets from nozzles. In order to represent the code, the resistance of selected ones of the resistive elements allocated to represent the code is altered for example by fusing the resistive elements.

Abstract: For recording and erasure of data on a reversibly writable thermal recording material (5) with a thermal print head (2), the heating elements (8) of the thermal print head for recording are subjected to an energy pulse (W) which causes the recording material to be heated to a temperature (T1) at which it assumes a colored and/or opaque state. For erasure subsequent to the recording pulse (W), the heating elements (8) are subjected to an energy pulse train (E1).

Abstract: A thermal printer has a thermal head including plural heating elements. The heating elements are arranged in an array in a main scan direction, are driven according to image data, for recording an image to thermosensitive recording paper moved in a sub scan direction. The recording paper has a size smaller in the main scan direction than the thermal head. The thermal printer includes two arrays of photo receptor elements for detecting two lateral edges of the recording paper, to determine effective heating elements in contact with the recording paper among the heating elements. A data correcting unit effects a correcting process to part of the image data for heating elements of a first group included in the effective heating elements. The first group contacts each of the two lateral edges and a near portion near to the lateral edge with reference to the main scan direction in the recording paper.

Abstract: A control circuit for improving the rate of heat input to a thermal print head of a thermal printing apparatus includes a switch which is operably linked to a power source and to the print head of the thermal printing apparatus to provide a control pulse sequence to the print head. The control pulse sequence includes a first pulse and a second pulse. A control circuit timer is provided for operating the switch at the end of the first pulse to provide a second pulse. The first pulse has a first electrical potential and is applied to the print head for a first duration to heat the print head to the desired temperature for activating the print mode. The second pulse has a second electrical potential lower than the electrical potential of the first pulse and is of a second duration for maintaining the printing temperature of the printing head.

Abstract: Media is transported to an imaging region using a vacuum feeder. A vacuum head is positioned onto the media and a vacuum is applied to the vacuum head to hold the media against the vacuum head. The vacuum head is then relocated to the imaging region carrying with it the media. In one embodiment, the vacuum head holds the media slightly above the surface of the imaging region. After the media is imaged, the vacuum head moves the media to an output region. In the output region the vacuum is removed from the vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the vacuum head and remain in the output region. In another embodiment, the vacuum is removed from the vacuum head allowing the media to detach from the vacuum head and remain in the imaging region. A second vacuum head is positioned in the imaging region onto the media and a vacuum is applied to the second vacuum head to hold the media against the second vacuum head. The second vacuum head is then relocated to the output region carrying with it the media.

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: 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: A printer for printing an image onto a substrate includes a thermal print head having a plurality of electrical resistors, a supply of coloring material adjacent the print head for deposition on the substrate and a print head controller. The print head controller provides a pulse train output to at least one of the electrical resistors. The pulse train includes a plurality of pulses and at least one pulse has a variable width related to a binary value at least another pulse has fixed width.

Abstract: A thermal head driving integrated circuit capable of preventing the lowering of data transfer speed, and in which the number of bonding pads can be reduced as well as current consumption has a driver circuit in which at least two shift registers are series-arranged in front and rear stages to sequentially transfer print data in a serial signal manner to be read out in a batch mode to drive a plurality of heating resistive elements. A switch circuit is interposed between an output terminal of the front-staged shift register and an input terminal of the rear-staged shift register to selectively connect and disconnect the two shift registers.

Abstract: A thermal head driving integrated circuit may be used to perform an “n” color or “n” gradation printing operation with a simplified circuit having a reduced size by employing a single delay element connected to a plurality of resistive heating elements. The integrated circuit has a plurality of drive units each for driving a respective one of the heating elements and each having a drive transistor for driving a respective heating element, one or more delay elements, the number of delay elements being less than “n”, for supplying delayed print data to the drive transistor, a print data storing unit for storing the print data of each of the “n” types, and a print data supplying unit for supplying print data stored in the print data storing unit to the “n” delay elements.

Abstract: Data identifying a print head of a postage meter is registered on the print head by allocating a number of printing elements of the print head to represent a code identifying the print head. The allocated printing elements are not used for printing postage indicia. The print head may be an ink jet print head having resistive elements energizable to eject ink droplets from nozzles. In order to represent the code, the resistance of selected ones of the resistive elements allocated to represent the code is altered for example by fusing the resistive elements.

Abstract: A multi power type thermal head which has a heating element for producing heat with different energies, an added resistor being connected to the heating element, first switch element for controlling the heating element in an operation state or a nonoperational state, and second switch element for controlling the heating element and the added resistor in an operation state or a nonoperational state. To control the thermal head in a first energy state, heating the heating element is controlled by the first switching element. To control the thermal head in a second energy state, the heating element and the added resistor are controlled by the second switching element with the heating element and the added resistor connected in series.

Abstract: A multi-gradation recording method wherein the recording energy in high density region can be reduced, and the rough appearance in low density region or high density region and notchy appearance in profile or line of the image can be reduced while maintaining the level of reproduction of intermediate tones obtained by the conventional recording method using the zigzag pattern or the stripe pattern is provided which comprises: using a printer of the type wherein each one pixel is formed by using each one recording element and the optical density of the pixel formed is represented by the magnitude of the area of the pixel, dividing input data into two or more groups with respect to the data corresponding to pixels to be arranged in principal scanning direction, correcting the data of each group on the basis of the corresponding &ggr; correction data, the &ggr; correction data for the respective groups being different from each other, and performing recording on the basis of the corrected data wherein the pixels

Abstract: A thermal printer early printhead failure prediction system detects possible printhead and/or printing clement failure in response to the sensed resistance of the printhead or an individual element thereof. A microprocessor of the printer monitors the resistive trends of the printing elements. A warning is generated when a characteristic of the resistive trend exceeds a predetermined boundary.

Abstract: To provide a print head unit and device and a method for evaluation of the print head unit without performing a printing operation. A current probe 21 detects a head ground current, which corresponds to a driving circuit output current. A current-voltage converter 22 converts the head ground current to a voltage level. Then, an integrating device integrates the voltage level to a waveform which corresponds to the head ground current. By comparing the produced waveform with a proper waveform one can determine, whether the print head unit is operational.

Abstract: A print head for which the number of bits can be set to a predetermined value when a plurality of driver ICs are connected. Data input through a data input pin is passed through an internal shift register and output through a data output pin. The data output pin of one driver IC is connected to a data input pin of another, thereby providing any desired number of shift register bits. Each driver IC has additional data output pins and can output intermediate data through one of the data output pins. Therefore, the additional data output pins can be used to change the number of significant bits of the driver IC. Consequently, when the driver ICs are connected to each other, the number of shift register bits can be adjusted.

Abstract: A thermal master making device and a thermal recording device each including a thermal head and a platen roller. The master making device thermally perforates, or cuts, a thermosensitive stencil for making a master while the recording device thermally records an image on a thermosensitive recording medium. The devices each reduce the corrosion of an expensive thermal head in any environmental conditions while guaranteeing the conveyance of the stencil or the recording medium. The stencil and recording medium each contain a corrosive substance in an antistatic agent or adhesive or an overcoat layer thereof. The corrosion of the head would directly translate into defective images. With the above devices, it is possible to reduce a burden on the user and to extend the life of the head. Extending the life of the head is desirable from the environmental standpoint also.

Abstract: According to the improved image recording method, each of pixels that compose an image to be recorded is rendered to be recordable as it is split into L recording points which are scattered in the direction of transport of thermal recording materials, multiple tone image data of each of the pixels is split in accordance with the multiple tone image data into M general equal portions of image data, M being smaller than L, the split image data is assigned in general equal amounts to at least part of the L recording points and the image is recorded as it is scattered among the part of the recording points on the basis of the split image data.

Abstract: A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only 1/3 of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density.

Abstract: Both a method and apparatus are provided for sizing and operating enable groups of thermal elements in a thermal printer to allow the printer to be operated by power sources having outputs too small to operate all of the thermal elements simultaneously. Prior to the printing operation, the maximum number of thermal elements that can be actuated by the output of the power source is determined, and then divided into the total number of thermal elements. Next, the resulting quotient is rounded up into the nearest integer in order to ascertain the number of enable groups. The number of enable groups is then divided into the total number of thermal elements to determine the size of each enable group.

Abstract: A recording head using thermal energy includes a plurality of heat generating elements for producing thermal energy; a waveform storing circuit for storing waveform data for a driving signal or signals applied to one or more predetermined number of heat generating elements; and a driving signal applying device for applying to each of the predetermined number of heat generating elements the driving signal or signals on the basis of the waveform data stored in said storing circuit, in accordance with a record image signal or signals.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a thermal head in which a FET is connected in series to an individual heater element of each of heater element groups which are connected in parallel with each other, and to which one capacitor for smoothing a power and eliminating a noise is connected in parallel relative to the heater element group. The thermal head performs printing on a thermal paper. The thermal printer includes a printing power source circuit, a failure detection power source circuit, a failure detection circuit for detecting a presence and absence of the failure of the heater element by comparing a voltage generated at opposite ends of the detecting resistor with a threshold value.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of high-speed printing with low costs. Upon printing on a recording sheet based on print data inputted from an external device, print-buffer allocation is controlled in such manner that existence/absence of print data with respect to a printing area of a recording sheet is examined by a unit of print buffer capacity, and if there is no print data for a printing area, no print buffer is allocated to printing by a print head in the printing area. This control is managed by a print buffer management table in which an ID number of an allocated print buffer and information indicative of a state no print buffer is allocated are stored.

Abstract: A driver chip for use in an LED or other multi-element recording printhead includes a plurality of current driver channels. Data for determining recording durations for each of the current driver channels is provided on a data bus. A token bit is shifted through a shift register in association with image data to be latched by registers corresponding to a specific driver channel. The driver chip is operational in different recording resolution modes so that it may be connected to recording arrays of different resolutions. When operational in other than its highest or higher resolution, a by-pass signal is generated causing the token bit to by-pass certain stages of the shift register.

Abstract: A drive IC is provided for suitably driving piezoelectric elements of an ink jet printer. The drive IC includes a plurality of drive output pads, a plurality of data input pads for feeding plural kinds of drive data, a plurality of shift registers each connected to a corresponding one of the data input pads, a plurality of analog switches connected to each of the drive output pads, and a selecting circuit for selectively feeding one of plural kinds of drive voltages to each of the drive output pads through a selected one of the analog switches according to the drive data.

Abstract: A print head of this invention has a plurality of heater boards, and each heater board has a plurality of heating resistors, driver circuits corresponding to the heating resistors, one shiftregister for inputting serial data, a data latch circuit for latching print data input from the shift register, a pre-heat data latch circuit for latching selection data of selecting one or several of pre-heat signals input from the shift register, and a pre-heat selection circuit for selecting one or a plurality of pre-heat signals in accordance with the selection data latched in the pre-heat data latch circuit. In a print operation, one or several of the plurality of input pre-heat signals are selected to pre-heat the heating resistors, and when a main heat signal is input thereafter, the heating resistors are driven in accordance with the print data latched by the data latch circuit, thus performing the print operation.

Abstract: A thermal head of a thermal printer has plural heating elements arranged along a line and connected in parallel with one another. A respective one of the heating elements is connected to one of plural heat control switches, which are selectively turned on/off for driving the heating elements individually by applying electrical energy to generate heat. To measure resistance data of at least one of the heating elements, a capacitor is connected in parallel with the plural heating elements. A reference resistor is connected in parallel with the plural heating elements and the capacitor. The capacitor is charged, and then discharged via the reference resistor or the one of the heating elements. A voltage across the capacitor is detected. An amount of discharging time required to decrease the capacitor voltage from a predetermined high voltage to a predetermined low voltage is measured while the capacitor is discharged, in association respectively with the reference resistor and the heating elements.

Abstract: A color thermal dye transfer printer that produces superposed color plane images of varying image densities on a receiver medium includes a printhead movable in a print direction relative to the receiver medium to produce images on the receiver medium at a printing rate, the images being of selectable resolution along the print direction. The image density of each color plane image is determined, and the image resolution for each color plane is set according to the image densities of the color plane images. The image resolution may be set by adjusting the angular velocity of the media drive motor, by adjusting the velocity of relative movement of the printhead relative to the receiver medium, or by adjusting the printing rate. Each color plane image may be divided into a plurality of sectors of varying image densities.

Abstract: A tape printing device comprises a print head, means for causing relative movement between an image receiving tape and the print head, and control circuitry for controlling the print head. The print head has a set of selectively activable printing elements arranged along a longitudinal axis of the print head. The control circuitry prints each pixel by activating the same printing elements on successive print cycles to limit the peak current of the print head. Each group of printing elements lie at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the print head to prevent staggering in the printed image. The tape printing device uses an arrangement of group switches and switches for individual printing elements to reduce the required number of switches which reduces the cost of the apparatus. Current is controlled to prevent accidental activation of printing elements to reduce the number of errors in the printed image.

Abstract: Of a plurality of page memories for storing printing data corresponding to the printing heads, at least the page memory is associated with an auxiliary memory for storing at least two continuous pages of printing data for at least one printing head, wherein a printing data write unit executes a process for writing the next page of printing data in one of the page memory and the auxiliary memory while the printing data stored in the other one of the page memory and the auxiliary memory is being printed, and the image processing unit supplies printing data continuously and alternately from the page memory and the auxiliary memory to each corresponding printing head.

Abstract: Laser guiding and focusing apparatus for imaging lithographic printing members responsive to the output of laser devices. Radiation passes through at least one discrete layer of a printing member and ablates one or more underlying layers, resulting in an imagewise pattern of features on the printing member. The radiation is obtained from a laser diode and its dispersion reduced to produce an image spot with maximum depth-of-focus tolerance.

Abstract: A multiple-source array for use in thermal printing uses source interleaving to avoid overlapping of the dye-transfer tracks upon the donor material in a single pass. This prevents the formation of artifacts in the image because of thermal interaction among either the sources or printing spots. This also permits the thermal array to be oriented predominantly perpendicular to the first-scan direction so that any arcuate shape of the array causes minimal spacing variations of the scan lines and minimizes spacing variations in focus for laser-thermal printing or document source separation for resistive-head thermal printing. Interleaving also allows multiple printheads to be used even when they have different printing characteristics. The array includes independently addressable printing element data channels and a data distributor allowing interleaving to be accomplished in the printhead.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus that selectively connects a voltage source to a plurality of groups of resistive printing elements, arranged substantially in a single row, in a thermal print head. The power available at printing elements selected to print is greater than that available at printing elements not selected to print.

Abstract: A thermal head comprising heating resistors connected in series and arranged on an edge portion of a substrate, first group switching elements respectively connected to first group electrode patterns, second group switching elements respectively connected to second group electrode patterns, and a selecting circuit for selecting one group or the other group of every other switching elements in the second group switching elements, and for selecting at least one of the first group switching elements, whereby a high quality of printing is attained without using diode array.

Abstract: A thermal printer that forms an image on a sheet. The thermal printer includes a thermal head having a plurality of linearly arranged thermal elements, a device for converting image information into bit-map image data, and a device for storing the bit-map image data. A predetermined portion of the stored bit-map image data is transmitted to the thermal head, and a remaining amount of the stored bit-map image data which has not been transmitted to the thermal head is detected. A time interval between a transmission of the predetermined portion of the stored bit-map image data and a subsequent transmission of the predetermined portion of the stored bit-map image data is set, in response to the detected remaining amount of the stored bit-map image data.

Abstract: A process for printing an image data signal, using a parallel input print head which has an input data bus which is narrower than the image data signal, includes the steps of splitting the image data signal into multiple data groups such that each data group (1) has a maximum allowable width equal to the width of the input data bus and (2) consists of consecutive binary value bits of the image data signal. The data groups are loaded to the print head, and the data of the one data group is printed according to its binary weighting in the image data signal. The loading and printing steps are repeated for each data group. The printing step comprises deamplifying the value of the bits of the data groups and amplifying a printer's output by a factor according to the binary weighting of each data group being printed.

Abstract: Method for controlling a line head of a thermal printing apparatus in which heating elements (2; 102) of the head (1; 101) are activated for printing a line of points on a printing medium, whereinthe positions of the heating elements (2; 102) to be activated are stored in memory,a predetermined number (N) thereof are selected, while locating and storing the positions thereof, and activated,and, after deactivation, the preceding step is repeated for points to be printed with positions not yet located,until all the points of the line to be printed have been printed, before advancing the printing medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating all of the print levels represented by an image data signal using a parallel input print head which has an input data bus which is narrower than the image data signal involves processing and printing image data multiple times. Each time the image data is processed, it is reduced from its original width down to the width which the print head can accept. The process includes the steps of determining the minimum number of times L.sub.min that the print head must be loaded to accomplish printing using the full width of the image data signal; processing the image data L times, where L.gtoreq.L.sub.min, to produce L output signals that (1) are no wider than the width of the input data bus and (2) have values such that the sum of the values of the L output signals equals the value of the input data signal; and using the L output signals to drive the print head.

Abstract: A multiple-source array for use in thermal printing uses source interleaving to avoid overlapping of the dye-transfer tracks upon the donor material in a single pass. The array includes independently addressable printing element data channels and a data distributor allowing interleaving to be accomplished in the printhead. The printhead also includes pixel replication circuitry that allows pixel replication in both the fast and slow scan directions.

Abstract: The past print data of plural heating resistance elements adjacently disposed are stored and latched in first latching circuit, the present print data is stored and latched in second latching circuit, and corresponding to the latched outputs of these first and second latching circuits, when the heating resistance elements have printed in the past and when the heating resistance elements adjacently to both sides of each heating resistance element are presently used in printing, it is controlled so as to shorten the driving time. As a result, blurring of the print due to excessive temperature rise of the heating resistance elements may be suppressed. Hence, the printing quality may be enhanced.