Thermal Transfer Printer Ribbon Reading for Compact Print Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The addition of an image inspection device to conventional thermal transfer printers increases the device size due to the need for a reader mounted outside the housing.
Innovation Solution
An image recording device with a thermal head and a reader positioned inside the housing, where the reader optically reads a reverse image formed on an ink ribbon to evaluate the quality of the printed label without increasing the device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reader is mounted outside the housing near the discharge opening to inspect images on printed matter, then image quality evaluation is enabled, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reading the image on the label after printing, the patent inverts the approach by reading the reverse image on the ink ribbon before the label exits the housing. This allows the reader to be positioned inside the housing, avoiding an increase in device size while still enabling image quality evaluation through the reverse image on the ribbon.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the reading location from the label surface (one dimension) to the ink ribbon reverse image (another dimension). By reading the reverse image on the ribbon that has passed through the printing area, the system enables quality inspection without requiring additional external space, as the ribbon path provides an alternative reading plane within the existing housing.
2Volume of stationary object
If the reader is positioned inside the housing, then device size is maintained, but reading the image on the label becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves the accessibility problem by inverting the reading target from the label image to the reverse image on the ink ribbon. Since the ribbon passes through the printing area and carries the reverse image, reading this reverse image inside the housing provides equivalent quality information without requiring external access to the label.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink ribbon acts as an intermediary carrier that conveys the image information in reverse form. By reading the reverse image on the ribbon instead of the final label image, the system enables quality inspection from within the housing, using the ribbon as a mediator that provides accessible reading surface inside the device.
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
Enables quality evaluation of printed labels by reading the reverse image on the ink ribbon within the housing, maintaining the device's compact size and ensuring high-quality printed output.
Implementation Method 1
The printhead assembly in this printer has a printhead that, under control of a controller, generates heat based on image data. The generated heat transfers ink from the ink ribbon to form an image on a label.
Implementation Method 2
The first reader is located in the housing and configured to optically read a first target portion of the ink ribbon which is positioned at a first reading position downstream of the nip position in the first direction.
Data Source
AI summary
In an image recording device, a thermal head is located in the housing. An ink ribbon is to be supplied toward the thermal head from a first supply member. A first supply member is located in the housing. A first take-up member is located in the housing and takes up the ink ribbon. A conveying member is located in the housing and conveys a medium toward the thermal head. A platen is located in the housing and faces the thermal head. The platen and the thermal head sandwich both the ink ribbon and the medium at a nip position in a first direction in which the ink ribbon is conveyed. A first reader is located in the housing and optically reads a first target portion of the ink ribbon which is positioned at a first reading position downstream of the nip position in the first direction.