(19)
(11) EP 0 405 825 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
15.05.1991 Bulletin 1991/20

(43) Date of publication A2:
02.01.1991 Bulletin 1991/01

(21) Application number: 90306733.8

(22) Date of filing: 20.06.1990
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: B41J 2/36, H04N 1/40, G01D 15/10
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 29.06.1989 JP 167282/89

(71) Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo 141 (JP)

(72) Inventor:
  • Maruyama, Masahide, c/o Patents Division
    Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141 (JP)

(74) Representative: Thomas, Christopher Hugo et al
D. Young & Co, 21 New Fetter Lane
London EC4A 1DA
London EC4A 1DA (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Thermal printing apparatus


    (57) A thermal printing apparatus (1) comprises a printing head (2) having a plurality of heating devices (R) for printing an image, and a driving device (4, 5, 6) for driving the heating devices (R) so as to gradate the image, wherein the plurality of heating devices (R) are grouped into a plurality of blocks and the driving device (4, 5, 6) drives the printing head (2) sequentially at each block in dependence on each required gradational level.







    Search report