Printer Thermal Head Density Consistency via Stored Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers in a system often fail to produce images with the same density, leading to inconsistent printing quality across different machines due to thermal head deterioration and varying ink and tape properties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermal head, an attachment holder for a memory device storing print data and density data, and a controller to perform printing processes that adjust heating conditions based on stored data to maintain consistent density, allowing printers to share and use print data and density data from other printers to ensure uniform output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermal head is used to print images on print medium, then printing function is achieved, but print density varies across different printers due to thermal head deterioration and varying ink and tape properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the heating parameters of the thermal head based on stored density data. Specifically, the controller adjusts heating conditions (temperature, time, or power) according to the density data read from the memory device, allowing compensation for thermal head deterioration and material variations to achieve consistent print density across different printers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where density data is stored in a memory device attached to the print medium cassette. The controller reads this density data and uses it to adjust heating conditions, creating a closed-loop system that maintains print density consistency despite variations in thermal head condition and material properties
2Reliability
If density data is stored and retrieved from memory devices to adjust heating conditions, then print density consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a memory device as an intermediary between the thermal head and the controller. This memory device stores density data and serves as a portable carrier that can be transferred between different printers, simplifying the complexity by externalizing the data storage function rather than requiring complex internal calibration systems in each printer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a memory device that can be copied or transferred between different printers. The density data is stored on a portable memory medium that can be detached from one printer and attached to another, allowing the printing conditions to be replicated across multiple devices without requiring complex network communication or centralized control systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures that each printer in the system can produce images with consistent density, addressing the issue of varying print quality by adjusting thermal head heating conditions based on stored data, thereby maintaining uniformity across different machines.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal head configured to, when heated, print a particular image on a print medium with a particular density
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a controller configured to perform a first printing process to control a thermal head to print a first image with a first density, store first print data for identifying the first image and first density data for identifying the first density into a first memory device attached to an attachment holder, when a second memory device storing second print data and second density data is attached to the attachment holder, acquire from the second memory device the second print data and the second density data stored into the second memory device by another printer, and perform a second printing process to control the thermal head to print a second image with a second density, the second image being identified based on the acquired second print data, the second density being identified based on the acquired second density data.