STRIP MODE PRINTING AND PLOTTING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

A novel thermal "strip mode" printing method and apparatus are disclosed. Data representing the image (26) to be printed is arranged in a plurality of X-axis strips (34-38) each having a Y-axis width substantially less than the width of the medium (27) to be printed on. Each strip may have a Y-axis width of from about 1 inch to about 4 inches. The strip mode thermal print head (28) is moved to an X-axis strip, then the medium (27) is moved to print in the strip. The strip mode print head (28) remains stationary while the medium (27) is moved to print an entire strip, unlike a serial mode print head which is scanned across the full width of the medium to print an entire line. The strip mode print head is next moved to print in another strip and held stationary while that strip is printed.