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US4937590A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermal printing head and controller using past present and future print data to generate micropulse patterns
Assignee: Gould Instrument Systems Inc
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Filing: 1989-06-13
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Granted: 1990-06-26
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Expires: 2009-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A thermal printing head and controller include a serial input port for receiving a serial image bit means for storage of successive lines of serial image data. A multiplexer is connected to the RAMs to produce simultaneous micropulse bits. The micropulse bits are received simultaneously by serial inputs of a plurality of shift registers. The shift registers control the states of a plurality of thermal styli.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Claude Robillard
- 👤 Roger Lepee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/10; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; B41J2/35; B41J2/355; B41J2/375
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A thermal printing head controller for controlling a thermal printing head, comprising: input means for receiving a serial image data frame having n bits from an outside source; historical data storage means for storing the serial image data frame divided into m groups readable in parallel; parallel pattern generator means for dividing each of the n bits into a micropulsed group of m microbits and outputting the micropulsed group to the thermal printing head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A thermal printing head controller for controlling a thermal printing head, comprising: input means for receiving a serial image data frame having n bits from an outside source; historical data storage means for storing the serial image data frame divided into m groups readable in parallel; parallel pattern generator means for dividing each of the n bits into a micropulsed group of m microbits and outputting the micropulsed group to the thermal printing head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A thermal printing head controller as recited in claim 1, wherein said thermal printing head includes a plurality of shift register blocks, each shift register block having an input, so that all of said micropulsed groups are loaded to said thermal printing head in parallel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A thermal printing head controller as recited in claim 1, wherein said historical data storage means includes m parallel data memory means for storing past, present and future data, said parallel data memory means being readable m times in succession for each stored serial image data frame to replace the stored serial image data frame with a sequence of m microbits which are sent to the thermal printing head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
A thermal printing head controller as recited in claim 3, wherein said parallel pattern generator means comprises m pattern generators, including: means for receiving the past, present and future data from said historical data storage means; means for receiving status data relating to thermal printing head temperatures and paper speed; and means for outputting print control signals to said thermal printing head based on said past, present and future data for each of the n bits and said status data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A thermal printing head, comprising: thermal stylus means for printing upon receipt of a predetermined amount of electrical current; latch means for controlling electrical input to said thermal stylus means; shift register means for receiving serial image data and outputting parallel image data to said latch means based on said serial image data, comprising a plurality of shift register blocks, each block including an input, so that all of the serial image data is loaded to said latch means simultaneously; and switch means for electrically coupling said latch means to said thermal stylus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A thermal printing head, comprising: thermal stylus means for printing upon receipt of a predetermined amount of electrical current; latch means for controlling electrical input to said thermal stylus means; shift register means for receiving serial image data and outputting parallel image data to said latch means based on said serial image data, comprising a plurality of shift register blocks, each block including an input, so that all of the serial image data is loaded to said latch means simultaneously; and switch means for electrically coupling said latch means to said thermal stylus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
A thermal printing assembly, comprising: a thermal printing head controller, including: input means for receiving a serial image data frame having n bits from an outside source; historical data storage means for storing the serial image data frame in m parallel groups; and parallel pattern generator means for dividing each of the n bits into a micropulsed group and outputting the micropulsed group; and a thermal printing head, including: shift register means for receiving said micropulsed group and outputting parallel image data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
A thermal printing assembly, comprising: a thermal printing head controller, including: input means for receiving a serial image data frame having n bits from an outside source; historical data storage means for storing the serial image data frame in m parallel groups; and parallel pattern generator means for dividing each of the n bits into a micropulsed group and outputting the micropulsed group; and a thermal printing head, including: shift register means for receiving said micropulsed group and outputting parallel image data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
A thermal printing assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said thermal printing head includes thermal stylus means for printing upon receipt of a predetermined amount of electrical current and latch means for controlling electrical input to said thermal stylus means and wherein said shift register means comprises a plurality of shift register blocks, each block including an input, so that all of the serial image data is loaded to said latch means simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A thermal printing head assembly as recited in claim 6, further comprising: control means for precisely controlling a temperature of said thermal printing head to enable grey tone or bicolor printing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |