KR100850724B1 - Thermal printing system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system for authenticating a print medium 12 includes providing a digital memory 14 physically associated with a holder 10 of the print medium, and data configured to be authenticated to authorize use of the print medium. Storing in digital memory. In a preferred embodiment, the system and method can allow for detecting the print media present in the printer and adjusting the printing characteristics of the printer in relation to the particular print media present.

Print Media, Digital Memory, Identification Number, Print Media Holder

Description

Thermal printing system and method {THERMAL PRINTING SYSTEM AND METHOD}

Technical field

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to printers for digital photographic images and, more particularly, to allowing appropriate print media to be used in a manufacturer's printer and to adjust different printing characteristics of the printer for different print media.

Background of the Invention

Due to the use of digital cameras and the increasing digital storage and distribution of photographic images, the printing of digital photographs is rapidly increasing. Printing of digital images is rather difficult for color images because separate color components are usually applied separately. In addition, image quality may vary widely depending on several factors including the particular print media being used. A manufacturer can fine tune his printer to produce good quality on a given print medium, except that the quality is severely degraded when an inappropriate print medium is used.

Because each manufacturer's printer sales are frequently dependent on the image quality provided, the manufacturer's reputation and sales can be deteriorated when inappropriate print media is used. For this reason, it is desirable for the manufacturer to have appropriate print media used in their respective printers. In addition, the printer preferably has the ability to adjust different printing characteristics depending on the particular print media being used in any particular case in order to obtain improved print quality.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention includes a digital memory configured to be physically associated with a particular print medium, and coding data stored in the memory and configured to verify the reliability of the particular print medium. To provide.

The coded data stored in that memory may include an identification number, which may be authenticated by an algorithm. The memory may be reprogrammed with a new identification number stored instead of the first identification number to enable the use of additional print media in connection with the memory. The identification number may be unique to the memory.

The system may further comprise a print media holder physically associated with the digital memory, where the memory is attached to the print media holder. The memory may be located in a carrier configured for commercial distribution with the print media. The memory may include a copyright notice that prevents all copying.

The system may further include a printer control system configured to be operatively coupled to the digital memory and for authenticating the coded data stored in the memory to enable use of the print media. The coding data may comprise an identification number and the control system may be configured to store the relevant usage data as a record of how much print media has been used with respect to the identification number. The digital memory may be flash memory and the control system may be configured to store data in the flash memory in response to the amount of use of the print medium. The control system may be configured to terminate the use of the print media associated with the identification number once the use of the predetermined amount of print media has occurred with respect to the identification number.

In another embodiment, the invention is configured to include a digital memory configured to be physically associated with a print media holder, coded data stored in the memory to verify the reliability of the print media holder, and operatively coupled to the digital memory. An authentication system for a print medium, comprising a control system for authenticating coding data stored in a memory to enable use of the print medium from a print medium holder.

The coded data stored in the memory may include an identification number and the control system may be configured to authenticate the identification number with an algorithm.

The control system may be configured to store the identification number as a record for the print media holder used by the control system. The control system may be configured to store the relevant usage data as a record of the identification number or how many print media have been used for each print media holder. The digital memory may be flash memory and the control system may be configured to store usage data in the flash memory. The control system may be configured to terminate the use of the print media holder associated with the identification number once the amount of print media usage has been recorded with respect to the identification number. The control system may be configured to control the printing device.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes providing a digital memory physically associated with a holder of a print medium, and storing data in the digital memory configured to be authenticated to authorize use of the print medium. Provides a method of authenticating a medium. The data in the memory may include an identification number, which is configured to be authenticated by an algorithm.

The method may further comprise coupling a memory to a printer control system configured to authenticate the identification number. The method may include digitally storing the identification number as a record for the holder used by the printer control system. The method may also include digitally storing the identification number and associated usage data as a record of how much print media has been used from each holder.

The method may further comprise terminating the use of the holder once the predetermined amount of print media from the holder has been used.

The digital memory may be flash memory used to store data in response to the amount of use of the print media from the holder.

The method may further include reusing the memory with another holder of the print media or additional print media, including storing a new identification number in the memory.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a particular type of print media being used in the printer is identified and for that particular type of print media, for example, by adjusting different characteristics of the printer, such as thermal history control, A method of providing improved image quality with certain print media is provided.

In this embodiment, the control system may be configured to store characteristics for different print media supported by the printer in a digital memory, which may be a flash memory, as described above. In addition, the printer may be configured to print only on the particular print media type identified in the digital memory.

Brief description of the drawings

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In order to better understand the present invention as well as other objects, advantages and additional features of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of various preferred embodiments of the invention, obtained in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a conceptual perspective view of a print media holder constructed in accordance with the present invention.

2 is a conceptual perspective view of a rolled print medium associated with a flash memory, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a table diagram of a digital memory used in accordance with the present invention.

4 is a schematic side view of a printer device constructed according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

1 generally shows a print media cassette or holder 10 that includes a rolled print medium 12 and a digital memory device 14. The digital memory device 14 includes coding data configured to verify the reliability of the print medium 12 and / or print medium holder 10. The print media holder 10 is designed for use in a specially constructed printer device that couples in the form of a holder 10 and electrically connects to the memory device 14. The memory device 14 includes an electrical contact 16 configured to provide access to the data contents of the digital memory device 14 by a printer device thus specially configured. This access causes the printer apparatus, or control system of the printer apparatus, to authenticate the holder 10 and / or the printer media contained within the holder. The print medium 12 will be supplied to the printer through the opening 17 of the holder 10.

The digital memory device 14 further includes a copylite note 18 that is issued on the visible outer surface 20. The copyright notice 18 functions to remind the copy scheduler that it is illegal to copy the content of the memory device 14.

2 shows a rolled print medium 30 in cooperation with a memory device carrier 32. Carrier 32 includes memory device 34, which may take any suitable form such as flash memory. Memory carrier 32 also includes a memory device 34 and a number of electrical contacts 36 that allow external access to the contents of the memory device. The memory device carrier 32 will also include a copyright notice 38 to discourage unauthorized access to the data content of the memory device 34.

In a preferred embodiment, the memory device 34 takes the form of a smart card such as available from the Datacard Group of Mentonka, Minn. The smart card includes a flash memory and a control intelligence unit that permits only access to the contents of the memory in response to the predetermined password. This type of memory device provides enhanced security for the contents of the memory and its use. This type of memory device may also be used instead of the memory device 14 of FIG. 1.

Although a more secure smart card is identified as the preferred embodiment, in addition, a less physically secure type of memory device may also be used. Such devices may be less physically secure, but typically, they contain a significant amount of memory used to encode their data, thereby enhancing safety. Other examples of usable memory devices may include industry standard flash memory devices, such as optical memory surfaces such as those used for SECURE MEDIA, MEMORY STICK, magnetic strips or compact disks. . The authentication function of the data contained in this available memory device will then reside in a standard personal computer used to drive the printer device, or software running on a PC, i.e. a printer driver.

3 is a table representation of data stored in a memory device for the purposes of the present invention. The intersection of rows and columns may represent either individual data bits, bytes, or larger numbers. In the smart card embodiment described above, the memory comprises 256 bytes. Data in memory 40 may be encoded by any suitable means, such as by non-linear memory locations 42, 44.

The content of the memory 40 preferably includes an identification number 46 in the memory location 42. Memory 40 may further include usage data 48 stored in memory location 44. This usage data will be described in more detail below.

Identification number 46 may include encoding in the form of amenability to the algorithm. Thus, for each memory device only a certain number of the total available series will be used. The number used will cause the application of the algorithm to produce identifiable results. The limitation of use less than all the available numbers of the series is compensated for by using as large a series as possible because of the available size of modern flash memory. The algorithm may include any suitable combination of mathematical or non-mathematical operations. One example of a simple algorithm is the verification of identification number 46 in a lookup table.

The various specific encoding and authentication techniques described herein are shown by way of example and various suitable techniques may be alternative or additionally used.

4 shows a schematic side view of a printer device 50, generally including a control module 52, a printing mechanism 54, and a print media holder 56. The print media holder 56 is configured in the same form as the print media holder 10 of FIG. 1 and includes a rolled print media 58 that is penetrated through the printer mechanism 54. The print media holder 56 also includes a memory module 60 coupled to the control module 52 via a connector 62. The printer apparatus 50 is specifically configured to receive the print media holder 56 and includes a control system 64 located in the module 52 and configured to access data in the memory device 60. The data in memory device 60 includes the same identification number discussed with reference to FIG. 3, wherein control system 64 authenticates the identification number in memory device 60 with the use of lookup table 66 and in response It is configured to enable printing on the print medium 58.

In fact, when the print media holder 56 is installed in the printer apparatus 50, the control system 64 reads and authenticates the identification number stored in the memory 60. At this authentication, the printer device 50 permits printing by the control system 64. The control system 64 also stores the authenticated identification number in the internal memory as a record of the authentication number used in the printer apparatus 50. Thus, if another print media holder having the same identification number is installed in the printer apparatus 50, its use may be impossible with a counterfeit print media holder.

The control system 64 also obtains information about the print media usage amount associated with each identification number and also stores the usage data in the internal memory. Thus, if the usage level exceeds the amount of usage available from a single print media holder, the use of the print media associated with its corresponding identification number may be blocked. In addition, there may be a case where the print media holder 56 is removed from the apparatus 50 too early and then reinstalled. Even if the control system 64 recognizes the identification number as already used, it can permit further use based on the known use level for that holder.

Moreover, control system 64 may be configured to store usage data in memory device 60, such as usage data 48 in FIG. 44 (FIG. 3). This allows the print media holder 56 to be removed from the printer device 50 and properly installed and used in a similarly compatible printer device (not shown). Other forms of data may also be written into memory device 60 to prevent different forms of unauthorized use.

In addition to identifying the medium as suitable for use in a printer apparatus, this arrangement may be used to further enhance print quality by using a memory device that stores print media calibration data. In this way, a properly programmed printer can fine-tune the printer's printing process to one or more particular types of print media included in one particular batch of particular types of print media or printer memory.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, a block diagram illustrating another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment includes an electronic print media detection element 70 that identifies a particular type of print media inserted in the printer apparatus 72. The detection element 70 is coupled to the memory module 74 of the printer 72 via the connector 76.

Memory module 74 includes data identifying various types of printer media selected as preferred for use with printer 72. In one embodiment, the printer may be configured to not print on any print media for which identification data is not included in the memory module 74. In another embodiment, the printer may be configured to adjust various printing characteristics to optimize the print quality of the image printed on the particular print media used in the particular case. In general, according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain WYSWYG ("what you see is what you get") by matching the color characteristics of the copied image more closely with the formed image. Print characteristics that may be adjusted include, for example, thermal history control, color profiles for print media, lookup tables (LUTS), and the like.

Memory module 74 may include any of the memory devices previously described herein. At that time, the printer adjustment function for the data contained in the open memory device may be executed through a standard personal computer used to drive the printer device 72 or an image input device such as a PC 78, that is, It may reside in the printer driver or the software may be stored in the memory module 74. The resulting printer-specific bitmap is converted into a signal sent to one or more print head (s) (not shown) of the printer 72.

While the invention has been described above in terms of various preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes may be made in accordance with the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. will be.

Claims (27)

Digital memory configured to be physically associated with a particular print medium; And And coding data stored in the digital memory and configured to verify the reliability of the particular print medium. The method of claim 1, And the coding data stored in the digital memory includes an identification number that can be authenticated by an algorithm. The method of claim 2, Wherein the memory includes a second identification number stored in place of the first identification number to enable use of additional print media in connection with the memory. The method of claim 2, And the identification number is unique to the memory. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a print media holder physically associated with the digital memory, And the memory is attached to the print media holder. The method of claim 1, And the memory is located in a carrier configured to be commercially distributed with the print medium. The method of claim 1, And the memory comprises a copyright note that prevents all copying. The method of claim 1, And a printer control system configured to be operatively coupled to the digital memory and to authenticate the coded data stored in the memory to enable use of the print media. The method of claim 8, The digital memory is a flash memory, And the control system is further configured to store data in the flash memory in response to an amount of use of the print medium. The method of claim 8, And the control system is further configured to store characteristics of a plurality of print media in the memory. The method of claim 8, The coding data comprises an identification number, The control system is further configured to store relevant usage data as a record of how many print media have been used with respect to the identification number. The method of claim 11, And the control system is configured to terminate the use of the print medium associated with the identification number once the use of the predetermined amount of print media occurs with respect to the identification number. Digital memory configured to be physically associated with a print media holder; Coded data stored in the digital memory and configured to verify the reliability of the print media holder; And And a control system configured to be operatively coupled to the digital memory and configured to authenticate the coded data stored in the memory to enable use of print media from the print media holder. The method of claim 13, The coding data stored in the digital memory includes an identification number, And the control system is further configured to authenticate the identification number with an algorithm. The method of claim 14, And the control system is configured to store the identification number as a record of the print media holder used by the control system. The method of claim 14, The control system is configured to store relevant usage data as an identification number or a record of how many print media have been used with respect to each print media holder. The method of claim 16, The digital memory is a flash memory, And the control system is further configured to store the usage data in the flash memory. The method of claim 16, And the control system is configured to terminate the use of the print media holder associated with the identification number once the predetermined amount of print media usage has been recorded with respect to the identification number. The method of claim 13, And the control system is further configured to store characteristics of a plurality of print media in the memory. a. Providing a digital memory physically associated with a holder of a print medium; And b. Storing data configured to be authenticated to authorize use of the print medium in the digital memory. The method of claim 20, And the data in the memory includes an identification number configured to be authenticated by an algorithm. The method of claim 21, Coupling the memory to a printer control system configured to authenticate the identification number. The method of claim 22, Digitally storing the identification number as a record of the holder used by the printer control system. The method of claim 22, Digitally storing the identification number and associated usage data as a record of how many print media were used from each holder. The method of claim 24, Terminating the use of the holder once the predetermined amount of print media from the holder has been used. The method of claim 20, And reusing the memory with another holder of print media and additional print media, including storing a new identification number in the memory. The method of claim 22, And the control system is further configured to store characteristics of a plurality of print media in the memory.

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