A thermal printer according to one embodiment includes a thermal head, a temperature sensor, and a control unit. The thermal head includes a plurality of heating elements. The temperature sensor is provided in the thermal head and is configured to measure a temperature of the thermal head. The control unit is configured to control an amount of heat generated from the heating elements by determining a pulse supply time for which a pulse signal is supplied to the thermal head based on the temperature of the thermal head and a cumulative heat generation time of the thermal head.

A thermal printer includes a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line, and a processor that executes a printing process of energizing the thermal head successively a predetermined number of times so at to print a printing data by causing a predetermined voltage to be applied to the thermal head the predetermined number of times in accordance with and in synchronization with strobe pulses in a strobe signal, a strobe width of each strobe pulse in the strobe signal defining a duration during which the thermal head is being applied with the predetermined voltage, wherein among the strobe pulses for the predetermined number of times of energizing the thermal head, a strobe width of at least one predetermined strobe pulse is set to be always shorter than a strobe width of another predetermined one of the strobe pulses.

A thermal printer includes a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line, and a processor that executes a printing process of energizing the thermal head successively a predetermined number of times so at to print a printing data by causing a predetermined voltage to be applied to the thermal head the predetermined number of times in accordance with and in synchronization with strobe pulses in a strobe signal, a strobe width of each strobe pulse in the strobe signal defining a duration during which the thermal head is being applied with the predetermined voltage, wherein among the strobe pulses for the predetermined number of times of energizing the thermal head, a strobe width of at least one predetermined strobe pulse is set to be always shorter than a strobe width of another predetermined one of the strobe pulses.

An example system for a thermal printing device may comprise a printhead comprising a heat source, where the printhead is to transmit heat from the heat source onto a thermally activated print medium to form markings on a plurality of regions of the thermally activated print medium to form a pixel, and a controller to determine a plurality of voltage pulse patterns prior to formation of the markings on the plurality of regions, determine which of the plurality of regions the plurality of voltage pulse patterns are to activate prior to formation of the markings on the plurality of regions, where the plurality of regions comprise regions with overlapping color layers onto which markings are to be formed with an individual pulse pattern of the plurality of voltage pulse patterns, and send a voltage pulse pattern information to the printhead.

An example system for a thermal printing device may comprise a printhead comprising a heat source, where the printhead is to transmit heat from the heat source onto a thermally activated print medium to form markings on a plurality of regions of the thermally activated print medium to form a pixel, and a controller to determine a plurality of voltage pulse patterns prior to formation of the markings on the plurality of regions, determine which of the plurality of regions the plurality of voltage pulse patterns are to activate prior to formation of the markings on the plurality of regions, where the plurality of regions comprise regions with overlapping color layers onto which markings are to be formed with an individual pulse pattern of the plurality of voltage pulse patterns, and send a voltage pulse pattern information to the printhead.

Examples disclosed herein relate to an imaging device. Examples include a method for increasing the temperature of the imaging device by determining an internal temperature of the imaging device; determining if a start-up routine is to be initiated; pausing the start-up routine if the internal temperature is below a threshold temperature; and energizing at least one of a fan or heating element of the imaging device when the internal temperature is below the threshold temperature.

Examples disclosed herein relate to an imaging device. Examples include a method for increasing the temperature of the imaging device by determining an internal temperature of the imaging device; determining if a start-up routine is to be initiated; pausing the start-up routine if the internal temperature is below a threshold temperature; and energizing at least one of a fan or heating element of the imaging device when the internal temperature is below the threshold temperature.

An image forming apparatus comprises a printhead configured to add energy to an image material including a plurality of color development layers that have different color development characteristics and develop colors in response to heat; and a control unit configured to output, based on image data, signal patterns corresponding to the plurality of color development layers and at least one signal pattern corresponding to a color reproduced by causing at least two of the plurality of color development layers to develop colors used to control the energy to be added to the image material by the printhead.

A thermal printer includes a thermal head, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The thermal head includes heat generation elements configured to generate heat to perform printing. The temperature sensor is disposed in the thermal printer. The controller is configured to alternately turns on and off the heat generation elements during an idle state of the thermal printer for a number of cycles with a predetermined on-time period in each cycle. The controller determines the number of cycles and the predetermined on-time period based on temperature data obtained by the temperature sensor, such that heat energy generated by the heat generation elements during each of the cycles in the idle state is lower than heat energy generated by the heat generation elements during printing of one line.

A thermal printer includes a thermal head, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The thermal head includes heat generation elements configured to generate heat to perform printing. The temperature sensor is disposed in the thermal printer. The controller is configured to alternately turns on and off the heat generation elements during an idle state of the thermal printer for a number of cycles with a predetermined on-time period in each cycle. The controller determines the number of cycles and the predetermined on-time period based on temperature data obtained by the temperature sensor, such that heat energy generated by the heat generation elements during each of the cycles in the idle state is lower than heat energy generated by the heat generation elements during printing of one line.