Patent ID: 6168324
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A thermal transfer printer comprising: (a) means to receive an electronic image signal; (b) first and second parallel and adjacent print engines, each engine comprising a platen roller, means to hold a donor ribbon set comprising a donor ribbon extending from a supply spool to a take-us spool, means to hold a supply of receiver sheet, and drive means to rotate the platen roller and to transport the donor ribbon and receiver sheet through the engine during printing independently from the drive means of the other engine; (c) a printhead having a first set of heaters being positioned to operate with the first engine and a second set of heaters being positioned to operate with the second engine; and (d) a control means to coordinate activation of the drive means of one of the engines selectively with application of the image signal to the heater set which is operable with that selected engine, wherein the control means can be set up either to direct the image signal to both sets of heaters while activating the drive means of both engines simultaneously, or to direct the image signal to one set of heaters only, correspondingly activating only the drive means of the engine with which that set of heaters is operable.