Patent ID: 6222572
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: G06K,H04N

Abstract:
A thermal recording apparatus including:a heat recording device provided with a plurality of heating-elements;a dot pattern memory for storing a dot pattern defined by a plurality of dots arranged in a matrix form, forming a pixel to be printed with the heat recording device;a gradation level pattern memory for storing a plurality of gradation level patterns formed per pixel by determining a minimum and maximum values of dot formation energy to be supplied to the heating-element, and providing the minimum energy value to one of the print dots forming a pixel and to remaining print dots in a predetermined sequence until the maximum energy value is provided to all of the print dots; anda heat-generation drive device for selectively driving the heating-elements of the heat recording device in accordance with the dot pattern of the print dots stored in the dot pattern memory and the gradation level pattern stored in the gradation level pattern memory.