Printer and method of printing

Abstract

A printer and method of printing on a transfer medium utilizing thermoplastic magnetic ink. A thermal head selectively applies thermal energy to melt selected portions of the thermoplastic magnetic ink. A magnetic head substantially spatially fixed relative to the thermal head applies the magnetic force to the thermoplastic ink which causes the melted portions to be ejected onto the transfer medium. A strip of thermoplastic magnetic ink medium is positioned to slide between the thermal head and the transfer medium. The strip includes a base layer facing the thermal head and a magnetic thermoplastic ink layer facing the transfer medium. A first movement mechanism moves either the transfer medium or the thermal and magnetic heads relative to the other at a first speed. A second movement mechanism moves the magnetic thermoplastic ink medium strip relative to the magnetic and thermal heads at a second speed. The first and second speeds are unequal. The method includes moving a thermoplastic magnetic ink medium at a first speed relative to a thermal head and moving a magnetic head and thermal head at a second speed not equal to the first speed relative to the transfer medium. Selected portions of the thermoplastic magnetic ink medium are melted with a thermal print head. The melted ink from the thermoplastic magnetic ink medium is transferred to the transfer medium by a magnetic force applied by a magnetic head.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.