Gradation Data Generation for Thermal Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal transfer printers face a trade-off between high-speed recording at low cost and maintaining image quality when reducing the number of bits in gradation data, as lowering the bit count reduces the number of expressible gradations, thereby degrading image quality.
Innovation Solution
A gradation data generation device and method that processes N-bit original gradation data by dividing it into high-order and low-order bits, using 2K processing methods to generate converted gradation data, which is then used for recording with a line thermal head, allowing for reduced data transfer while maintaining image quality by effectively doubling or quadrupling the gradation expression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of bits of the gradation data is reduced, then data processing is enabled by inexpensive hardware and recording speed is accelerated, but the number of expressible gradations is reduced and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the N-bit original gradation data into high-order (N-K) bits and low-order K bits, processing them separately through different pathways (addition vs. direct use) to generate converted gradation data. This segmentation allows the system to reduce data bit depth while preserving perceptual gradation quality through selective processing of different bit portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of gradation data representation by converting N-bit data into converted gradation data with fewer bits (N-K bits), while compensating for the reduced bit depth through arithmetic operations that redistribute gradation information. This parameter transformation enables lower data transfer requirements while maintaining effective gradation expression.
2Loss of time
If the number of bits of the gradation data is reduced, then data transfer time is shortened and recording is accelerated, but the number of gradations which can be expressed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential gradation information needed for quality recording by processing original N-bit data through selective pathways. By taking out and processing only the necessary bit components (either adding high-order and low-order bits or directly using high-order bits), the system reduces data transfer volume while preserving sufficient gradation information for maintaining image quality.
3Ease of manufacture
If inexpensive hardware with lower performance is used, then cost is reduced, but the ability to process high-bit gradation data is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the data parameter from N-bit original gradation data to converted gradation data with fewer bits (N-K bits), making the data suitable for processing by inexpensive hardware with lower performance capabilities. This parameter transformation allows cost-effective hardware to achieve the same effective gradation expression as expensive high-performance hardware would provide with full N-bit data.
Data Source
AI summary
N is defined to be an integer of 2 or more, and K is a positive integer that satisfies K<N. An arithmetic operation unit performs 2K ways of processing, which are a sum of 2K−1 ways of processing for obtaining converted gradation data based on addition of high-order gradation data composed of high-order (N−K) bits of N-bit original gradation data and low-order K-bit data of the original gradation data, and processing directly using the high-order gradation data as the converted gradation data. A selector selects, in response to each of a plurality of heating resistors, any of the converted gradation data as gradation data for performing gradation recording by using a line thermal head including the plurality of heating resistors, the converted gradation data being obtained by the 2K ways of processing.