Thermal Head Controller for Multi-Layer Medium Viewing Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing devices fail to maintain consistent color tones of images when observed from different directions due to the use of transparent base layers, leading to variations in color appearance.
Innovation Solution
A printing device that includes a thermal head and a controller to detect the viewing direction and create print data for a multi-layer thermal printing medium, ensuring that the color development states of heat-sensitive layers are differentiated based on the detected direction, thickness, or refractive index of the base layer, thereby maintaining consistent color tones regardless of the viewing direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a transparent base layer is used in the multi-layer printing medium, then light transmission and image visibility are improved, but color tone consistency deteriorates when observed from different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the print data for different viewing directions. Specifically, when the viewing direction is from the base layer side, the controller creates print data that forms images with color tones compensated for the transparent base layer's optical effects. When viewed from the protection layer side, different print data is used. This directional differentiation of print data characteristics resolves the color tone inconsistency caused by the transparent base layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the print data based on the detected viewing direction. The controller detects whether the medium is being viewed from the base layer side or protection layer side, and accordingly adjusts parameters such as color values, density, and thermal energy distribution in the print data. This parameter adjustment compensates for the optical path differences through the transparent base layer, maintaining color tone consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat sensitive layers with different chromogenic properties are used, then color reproduction capability is improved, but complexity of color control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color control process by assigning different control strategies to different heat sensitive layers. The first heat sensitive layer (with first chromogenic property) and second heat sensitive layer (with second chromogenic property) are controlled independently through separate print data instructions. The controller selectively activates specific layers based on the desired color outcome and viewing direction, simplifying the overall control complexity while maintaining versatile color reproduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic color control where the controller adaptively adjusts which heat sensitive layers are activated and to what extent, based on the detected viewing direction and desired image characteristics. This dynamic selection and adjustment of layer activation simplifies the control process compared to statically managing all layers simultaneously, while still achieving sophisticated color reproduction through the multi-layer system.
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
The device achieves consistent color tones when viewing the image from different angles by adjusting the color development states of the heat-sensitive layers, ensuring that the color appearance remains uniform across various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
The first heat sensitive layer is colored into a first color when heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a first temperature. The second heat sensitive layer is colored into a second color when heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a second temperature higher than the first temperature.
Implementation Method 2
The thermal head has a plurality of heat generating elements configured to form images on the heat sensitive multi-layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device is configured to print a multi-layer thermal printing medium. The printing device includes a thermal head and a controller. The thermal head has a heat generating elements configured to form images on a heat sensitive multi-layer. The controller is configured to perform detecting whether a viewing direction of the heat sensitive multi-layer is a thickness direction to view from a second surface toward a first surface or a direction opposite the thickness direction to view from the first surface toward the second surface. The controller is configured to further perform creating print data to be applied to each of the heat generating elements. The created print data is such that color development states of a first color and a second color according to the detected viewing direction are differentiated from color development states of the first color and the second color according to an undetected viewing direction.