The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 08, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 13, 2002
Satoshi Nakajima, Horigane-mura, JP;
Naohiko Koakutsu, Shiojiri, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A control method and apparatus for a thermal head capable of printing two colors applies thermal history control using a simple circuit configuration. The thermal head control apparatus has a print data processing unit and a drive control circuit . The print data processing unit has a first command processing function for converting first color data to a first and second stage energizing commands, a second command processing function for converting second color data to a second stage energizing command, a first line buffer for storing first stage energizing commands, and a second line buffer for recording second stage energizing commands. The print data processing unit selectively outputs energizing commands from the first line buffer and energizing commands from the second line buffer . The drive control circuit has a print buffer and history buffer , and energizes the heating elements of the thermal head based on energizing commands determined by a comparison of content stored to the print buffer and history buffer