Color printer and multi-ribbon cartridge therefor
US4403874A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 1980 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N1/50
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A color printer includes a print head assembly including a plurality of independently actuable print heads serially arranged along a printing direction. Each print head includes a plurality of impact pins and an associated different color printing ribbon having a portion disposed between the associated print head and a media to be printed upon. The serial alignment of the print heads enables four color images to be produced by a single pass of the print head assembly along the media in a printing direction. Control apparatus includes pulse modulation circuitry for controlling the impact force of each impact pin to cause intensity modulation of printed colored marks. In addition, a feedback system enables the control apparatus to vary the impact force of each impact pin to maintain good color fidelity. An ink ribbon cartridge includes a plurality of compartments with each compartment having a ribbon supply area and an associated pathway for passage of a ribbon loop exterior to the compartments, said ribbon loops being disposed in a line along a front face of the cartridge frame. Drive apparatus circulates each ribbon from the supply over to the pathways and back into the supply area…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.