Thermal Head Control Device Printing Rate Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal printer technologies face challenges in calculating an appropriate energizing time for heating elements, leading to inefficient printing rates due to biased heat generation and poor color development on heat-sensitive sheets, resulting in suboptimal printing quality and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A thermal head control device that determines a printing rate calculation range from left-end to right-end energization dots, calculates the energizing time based on the printing rate, and adjusts the energizing time according to the printing rate, while also considering continuous and non-continuous energization dots, and excluding ranges with continuous non-energization dots to optimize energy application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the printing rate is calculated for the entire printable range, then the calculation is simple, but the calculated printing rate is low even when the printing rate is high in specific ranges, leading to inappropriate energizing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the printable range into multiple calculation ranges based on the distribution of energization dots. Instead of calculating printing rate for the entire range, it segments the range into smaller portions where the printing rate is calculated separately. This allows accurate reflection of high printing rates in specific ranges while maintaining manageable calculation complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the energizing time is extended to ensure adequate heating, then printing quality improves, but power consumption increases and blank dots may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the energizing time based on the calculated printing rate for each calculation range. When the printing rate is high, the energizing time is shortened; when the printing rate is low, the energizing time is extended. This dynamic adjustment ensures adequate heating only when necessary, preventing blank dots and reducing power consumption while maintaining printing quality.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the energizing time is shortened to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but printing quality deteriorates due to insufficient heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energizing time parameter based on the printing rate calculation results. By adjusting this parameter dynamically according to the actual printing density in different ranges, the system achieves optimal balance between power consumption and printing quality. High printing rate ranges receive shorter energizing times while low printing rate ranges receive longer energizing times.
4Ease of operation
If the printing rate calculation range is expanded to cover the entire printable area, then the control is simplified, but the energizing time becomes inappropriate for actual printing regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary identification of energization dot distribution before calculating the printing rate. By pre-determining the actual printing regions and their densities, the system can then calculate appropriate energizing times for each region. This preliminary action maintains control simplicity while achieving accurate energizing time determination.
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
This approach improves printing quality by providing appropriate energy for each dot line, reducing the occurrence of blank dots, suppressing excessive energy application, and minimizing power consumption, thereby enhancing the overall printing performance.
Implementation Method 1
causing heating members arranged in one row to generate heat
Data Source
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AI summary
A thermal head control device (514) includes: a printing rate calculation range determination unit (142) configured to determine, as a printing rate calculation range, a range from a left-end energization dot to a right-end energization dot among energization dots present in printing data corresponding to heating elements (42) to be controlled among a plurality of heating elements (42) included in a thermal head (41); a printing rate calculation unit (143) configured to calculate a printing rate of the printing rate calculation range determined by the printing rate calculation range determination unit (142); an energizing time calculation unit (144) configured to calculate an energizing time for which a current is caused to flow through the heating elements (42) based on the printing rate calculated by the printing rate calculation unit (143); and an output unit (150) configured to output a control signal for driving the heating elements (42) to be controlled of the thermal head (41), based on the calculated energizing time.