US4638332A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal printer
Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corp
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Filing: 1986-02-14
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Granted: 1987-01-20
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Expires: 2006-02-14
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is equipped with a plurality of print buffers for inputting print data into a thermal head, wherein such print data are selectively fed to simply change the current on-time for energizing the heating elements of the thermal head relative to specific information out of the entire information to be printed, thereby partially altering the color-forming degree on the recording paper to definitely distinguish the emphatic label portion from any other portion, and the current on-time for energizing the heating elements is shortened for any print line having none of the particular-color print data, hence reducing the required print time.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuhiro Sakura
- 👤 Hitoshi Nimura
- 👤 Satoshi Nakayama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:12
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; B41J2/35; G; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/10; B41J2/355; G01D15/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A thermal printer apparatus comprising: recording papers each having multi-color-forming temperature characteristic; a thermal head containing a multiplicity of heating elements and capable of printing the recording paper over the entire width thereof while being kept in contact therewith during its unidirectional motion; at least two print buffers for feeding print data to control energization of the heating elements of said thermal head; and a current on-time control circuit for differentially setting the on-time periods of a constant current to the heating elements of said thermal head in response to selection of said print buffers under the predetermined condition that a basic color for general print data is formed at a low temperature while a different particular color for specific print data is formed at a high temperature in a printing operation on the recording paper by the heating elements of said thermal head, wherein the current on-time is extended only when said print buffer for the different particular color has the print data therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A thermal printer apparatus comprising: recording papers each having multi-color-forming temperature characteristic; a thermal head containing a multiplicity of heating elements and capable of printing the recording paper over the entire width thereof while being kept in contact therewith during its unidirectional motion; at least two print buffers for feeding print data to control energization of the heating elements of said thermal head; and a current on-time control circuit for differentially setting the on-time periods of a constant current to the heating elements of said thermal head in response to selection of said print buffers under the predetermined condition that a basic color for general print data is formed at a low temperature while a different particular color for specific print data is formed at a high temperature in a printing operation on the recording paper by the heating elements of said thermal head, wherein the current on-time is extended only when said print buffer for the different particular color has the print data therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The thermal printer as defined in claim 1, wherein said recording paper has preprinted characters or the like such as a production date, and desired print contents are selectively printable in the different particular color with respect to the individual items of various print groups determined by such preprinting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The thermal printer as defined in claim 1, wherein said recording paper has none of preprinted characters or the like such as a production date, and characters or the like corresponding to such preprinted ones are printed in the different particular color formed by said thermal head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The thermal printer as defined in claim 1, wherein, when the print content based on the specific print data is a message such as "advertised article", "article for special sale" or the like, the sum calculated from (scaled weight)×(unit price) or said unit price is printed in the particular color which is the same as that of said message.
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) | 1990-01-19 | 1990-07-21 | 1991-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-19 | 1994-07-21 | 1995-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-19 | 1998-07-21 | 1999-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |