Thermal print head calibration and operation method for fixed imaging elements
US5825394A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 20, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/36
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method calibrating a thermal print head printer having fixed imaging elements so that consistent high resolution output may be achieved includes a means for measuring a common characteristic of each fixed imaging element and storing the values so that print head compensation may occur during the printing process one scan line at a time. Error diffusion, either across the thermal print head, down-web, or both, ensures that appropriate drive level are supplied to each fixed imaging element regardless of inherent differences in the common characteristics of the fixed imaging elements, to achieve consistent tonal image quality. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed imaging elements are thin film electrical resistive elements and the common characteristic is the electrical resistance of the thin film resistor elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.