<title>Pulse count modulation: a novel head drive method for thermal printing</title>

Abstract

In thermal dye diffusion printing the head drive method influences the quality of the prints produced. Eastman Kodak Company's pulse count modulation head drive method better controls the heater temperature on the thermal heads, resulting in improved printing quality. In thermal printing, pulse count modulation produces continuous tone color images with good tone scale and high densities. The pulse count modulation head drive method was developed to reduce printing artifacts and produce the widest range of density, without distorting the plastic receiving layer, or producing printing group artifacts. Excellent continuous tone color prints of near photographic quality can be achieved with thermal dye diffusion printing.