Apparatus for producing a color picture on recording paper

Abstract

Apparatus for producing a color picture on recording paper in response to a color video signal includes a cylindrical platen having the recording paper circumferentially embraced about at least a portion thereof; a multi-color tape of the thermal transfer type having black, cyan, magenta and yellow colored pigments arranged in lengthwise strips on the tape; a head transfer carriage adapted for movement along the platen in the lengthwise direction thereof; black, cyan, magenta and yellow head groups associated with the black, cyan, magenta and yellow colored pigment strips of the tape and mounted on the head transfer carriage in close proximity to the surface of the platen so that the tape is situated between the head groups and the recording paper, each head group including eight heads for transferring the color of the respective pigment strip with which it is associated to the recording paper; and a control device for controlling movement of the head transfer carriage and head groups in the lengthwise direction of the platen, rotation of the platen, and operation of the heads of each head group for recording respective colors on the recording paper so as to produce the color picture thereon, the control section including a separation circuit for separating cyan, magenta and yellow color signals from the color video signal, color memory circuits for storing one frame of the respective color signals, and a control section for controlling operation of the memory circuits to supply the color signals to the heads.