United States Patent [19] [li] Patent Number: 4,967,205
Sakaguchi et al. [45] Date of Patent: Oct. 30, 1990
[54] THERMAL HEAD CONTROL DEVICE
[75] Inventors: Masatoshi Sakaguchi, Gifu; Yasunori Kitazawa, Anjo, both of Japan
[73] Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Aichi, Japan
[21] Appl. No.: 358,879
[22] Filed: May 30, 1989
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data
Jun. 6, 1988 [JP] Japan 63-138677
[51] Int. CI.5 G01D 15/10
[52] U.S. CI 346/76 PH
[58] Field of Search 346/76 PH
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,700,852 10/1972 Ruggiero 219/216 X
4,563,691 1/1986 Noguchi et al 346/76 PH
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
2147250 5/1985 Japan .
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
JP Provisonal Publication No. Sho 62-157233.
Primary Examiner—Bruce A. Reynolds
Assistant Examiner—Gerald E. Preston
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Kane, Dalsimer, Sullivan,
Kurucz, Levy, Eisele and Richard
[57] ABSTRACT
A thermal head control device for a thermal printer counts the number of printing operations and spacing operations. The energization period for the printer heat elements is controlled in accordance with the counts obtained.
6 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
