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Wear-indicating resistors for thermal printhead

  • US 20110157291A1
  • Filed: 12/24/2009
  • Published: 06/30/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A thermal printhead comprising:

  • a substrate;

    a plurality of heating elements disposed on the substrate, the heating elements adapted to cause thermochromic media to selectively darken in accordance with selective activation of the heating elements as the thermochromic media moves in relation to the thermal printhead, to print a desired image on the thermochromic media;

    a nonconductive coating over the substrate to protect the heating elements and with which the thermochromic media comes into contact during printing of the desired image on the thermochromic media, the nonconductive coating to wear away with usage of the thermal printhead; and

    ,one or more resistors at least partially disposed within the nonconductive coating to indicate wear of the thermal printhead, the resistors having electrical resistances that increase as the resistors are worn away in accordance with wearing away of the nonconductive coating.

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