Patent ID: 6619869
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method for generating a matte finish on a photo picture using a thermal printer; the thermal printer comprising a thermal printhead for heating an ink ribbon and generating an image through the ink ribbon on a photo picture; the ink ribbon comprising a plurality of sequentially arranged color frames, each color frame comprising a plurality of dye frames with different color dyes and a dye frame with overcoating; the method comprising: using the thermal printhead to heat a color frame with a plurality of different color dyes and to sublimate the color dyes on a photo picture; and using the thermal printhead to heat different areas of the overcoating dye frame by at least two distinct time periods to form a matte finish pattern of disposed overcoating on the photo picture, the two distinct time periods being a first time period and a second time period, the matte finish pattern of overcoating comprises a two-dimensional array of cells wherein each cell is heated by either the first time period or the second time period.