US4623901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for printing an image
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1985-08-28
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Granted: 1986-11-18
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Expires: 2005-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A printing head comprises a substrate, a plurality of printing elements disposed on the substrate and adapted to print a picture element of an image, and a driving device for selectively driving the printing elements. Each of the printing elements includes a plurality of ring-shaped printing segments disposed on the substrate concentrically to each other. The printed area in the picture element is changed according to the printing segments selectively driven by the driving device and thus the gradation of the printed image is expressed by changing the printed area in a picture element.
Inventors
- 👤 Masayoshi Nagashima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:48
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/485; B41J2/505; B41J2/51; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; B41J2/345; B41J2/35; B41J2/355; B41J2/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for printing an image having varying tones on a recording medium transported in a predetermined direction, comprising; a substrate; a plurality of printing elements disposed on said substrate in a line crossing said predetermined direction and adapted to print picture elements of the image, each said printing element having a first rectangular printing segment and a second rectangular printing segment surrounding said first rectangular printing segment, said printing segments being selectively activatable to print a picture element with a desired image density; and means for driving said printing segments to produce a plurality of adjacent picture elements of the image with varying tones on the recording medium with each said picture element being produced with a desired image density corresponding to one tone by actuating a predetermined number of said printing segments.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for printing an image having varying tones on a recording medium transported in a predetermined direction, comprising; a substrate; a plurality of printing elements disposed on said substrate in a line crossing said predetermined direction and adapted to print picture elements of the image, each said printing element having a first rectangular printing segment and a second rectangular printing segment surrounding said first rectangular printing segment, said printing segments being selectively activatable to print a picture element with a desired image density; and means for driving said printing segments to produce a plurality of adjacent picture elements of the image with varying tones on the recording medium with each said picture element being produced with a desired image density corresponding to one tone by actuating a predetermined number of said printing segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving means is disposed on said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said printing segments includes a heating member.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for printing an image having varying tones on a recording medium transported in a predetermined direction, comprising: means for supporting the recording medium and transporting said recording medium in said predetermined direction; means for holding an ink donor sheet coated with heat fusible ink opposite to the recording medium; means for selectively heating said ink donor sheet in accordance with the image to be printed so as to transfer the ink to the recording medium, said heating means including a substrate and a plurality of printing elements disposed on said substrate, each of said printing elements corresponding to a picture element of the image to be printed and being composed of a first rectangular heating segment and a second rectangular heating segment surrounding said first heating segment and arranged in a line crossing said predetermined direction; and means for selectively activating said first and second heating segments for each of said printing elements so as to print a plurality of adjacent picture elements of the image with a desired image density.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for printing an image having varying tones on a recording medium transported in a predetermined direction, comprising: means for supporting the recording medium and transporting said recording medium in said predetermined direction; means for holding an ink donor sheet coated with heat fusible ink opposite to the recording medium; means for selectively heating said ink donor sheet in accordance with the image to be printed so as to transfer the ink to the recording medium, said heating means including a substrate and a plurality of printing elements disposed on said substrate, each of said printing elements corresponding to a picture element of the image to be printed and being composed of a first rectangular heating segment and a second rectangular heating segment surrounding said first heating segment and arranged in a line crossing said predetermined direction; and means for selectively activating said first and second heating segments for each of said printing elements so as to print a plurality of adjacent picture elements of the image with a desired image density.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said supporting means includes a roller carrying the recording medium thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said printing elements are arranged in a line crossing the predetermined direction of transportation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said holding means transports the ink donor sheet in accordance with said supporting means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of printing an image having varying tones on a recording medium transported in a predetermined direction using a printing device having a substrate, and a plurality of printing elements disposed on said substrate in a line crossing said predetermined direction and adapted to print picture elements of the image, each said printing element having a first printing segment and a second printing segment surrounding said first printing segment, and means for selectively activating said first and second printing segments to produce different tones; said method comprising the steps of: (a) arranging said printing device adjacent a recording medium with said plurality of printing elements arranged across said predetermined direction; (b) selectively activating said first and second printing segments of each said printing element by said activating means to produce a plurality of picture elements having different tones in accordance with a predetermined pattern corresponding to said image; (c) moving said recording medium in said predetermined direction; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until said image is completely formed.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of printing an image having varying tones on a recording medium transported in a predetermined direction using a printing device having a substrate, and a plurality of printing elements disposed on said substrate in a line crossing said predetermined direction and adapted to print picture elements of the image, each said printing element having a first printing segment and a second printing segment surrounding said first printing segment, and means for selectively activating said first and second printing segments to produce different tones; said method comprising the steps of: (a) arranging said printing device adjacent a recording medium with said plurality of printing elements arranged across said predetermined direction; (b) selectively activating said first and second printing segments of each said printing element by said activating means to produce a plurality of picture elements having different tones in accordance with a predetermined pattern corresponding to said image; (c) moving said recording medium in said predetermined direction; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until said image is completely formed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said activating means is disposed on said substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said printing segments are formed in a ring-shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said ring-shaped printing segments are concentrically arranged.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said printing segments includes a heating member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 including forming a picture element having a lower density by selectively activating only one of said segments.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 including forming a picture element having a highest density by activating all of said segments.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said only one segment is an innermost segment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-17 | 1990-05-19 | 1990-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-17 | 1994-05-19 | 1994-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-17 | 1998-05-19 | 1998-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |