Thermal Head Line Correction for Uniform Printing Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal printing systems experience color unevenness due to current shortages, which are not effectively addressed by conventional methods that calculate correction amounts, leading to increased processing loads and prolonged printing times.
Innovation Solution
A printing system where a higher-level device calculates correction values based on image data density and transmits these values to a printing device, which adjusts energization times for each heating element in the thermal head to correct for current shortages, allowing for improved color uniformity and reduced printing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If correction values are calculated by the printing unit, then color unevenness is suppressed, but processing load increases and printing time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The higher-level device calculates correction values in advance before printing occurs. The correction values are pre-computed based on image data density and transmitted to the printing device beforehand, eliminating the need for real-time calculation during printing and thus reducing processing load and printing time while maintaining color uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
A higher-level device is introduced as an intermediary between the image data source and the printing unit. This intermediate device performs the correction value calculation and transmits the corrected data to the printing device, distributing the processing workload and preventing the printing unit from being overloaded with calculation tasks.
2Manufacturing precision
If many points to be energized are disposed on a single line, then printing density is improved, but current shortage occurs causing color unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the energization parameters (current magnitude and duration) for each heating element based on its position and the image data density. By modifying these parameters individually for each point, the system maintains high printing density while compensating for current shortages that cause color unevenness.
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 system effectively suppresses color unevenness and shortens printing time by dynamically adjusting energization times based on calculated correction values, ensuring consistent color output and efficient printing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a printing unit such as a printer that prints on the cards. The printing unit often performs thermal printing, such as sublimation or thermal transfer (melting type) printing, by heating an ink ribbon
Implementation Method 2
thermal transfer (melting type) printing, by heating an ink ribbon
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system including a printing device and a higher-level device to transmit image data to the printing device, wherein the higher-level device includes a correction value calculation portion to calculate a correction value for correcting the image data based on a density of each line of the image data, and a transmitter to add the correction value calculated by the correction value calculation portion to the image data for each line and transmit the image data and the correction value to the printing device, and wherein the printing device includes a storage unit to associate the correction value with the image data received from the higher-level device for each line and to store the image data and the correction value, and a printing unit to perform printing by changing a time for energizing each heating element in a thermal head based on the correction value stored in the storage unit.