JP2000127518A - Thermal transfer recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a serial type thermal transfer recording apparatus capable of performing high-resolution, high-speed printing and various printing. Kind Code: A1 A plurality of serial thermal heads in which heating elements are arranged in high density, a mounted ribbon detecting means for detecting the type of mounted ink transfer ribbon and generating ribbon type data, and an operation mode based on the ribbon type data A thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising: an operation mode setting unit that generates data; and a control unit that controls operations of a plurality of serial thermal heads based on the operation mode data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention belongs to the technical field of a thermal transfer recording apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a serial thermal transfer recording apparatus capable of high-speed printing at high resolution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the technical fields of a sublimation type thermal transfer recording apparatus and a fusion type transfer recording apparatus, a line type thermal transfer recording apparatus having a line type thermal head (referred to as a line thermal head) and a serial type thermal head (serial thermal head). And a serial type thermal transfer recording apparatus having a print head. The line thermal head is provided with heating elements arranged in the printing width of a full-size image, and the line thermal head is used by arranging the heating elements in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the ink ribbon and the image receiving paper. . The line-type thermal transfer recording device presses the heating element of the line thermal head to the image receiving paper via the ink ribbon, and causes the heating element to generate image-like heat, and moves the ink ribbon and the image receiving paper in pixel units. An image is formed in combination with the sub-scanning.

On the other hand, the serial thermal head is provided with heating elements arranged with a printing width of approximately one line. The serial thermal head is arranged such that the heating elements are arranged in a direction parallel to the direction of transport of the ink ribbon and the image receiving paper. It is arranged and used. In a serial type thermal transfer recording device, the heating element of the serial thermal head is pressed against the receiving paper via the ink ribbon, and the heating element is moved while moving the serial thermal head in the direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the ink ribbon and the receiving paper. An image is formed by combining main scanning for generating heat in an image shape and sub-scanning for moving the ink ribbon and the image receiving paper by the printing width of the serial thermal head.

[0004]

Improving the recording quality is always one of the important issues in a thermal transfer recording apparatus. In particular, when printing a character portion compared to an image portion, printing at a high resolution is required. The line thermal head has a large number of heating elements, and it is technically difficult to manufacture a line thermal head for high-resolution printing in which heating elements are arranged at a high density, and the manufacturing cost is also high. On the other hand, the serial thermal head has a small number of heating elements, and it is relatively easy to manufacture a serial thermal head for high-resolution printing in which the heating elements are arranged at high density, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, the serial thermal head is suitable for miniaturization of the thermal transfer recording apparatus, and has advantages such as enabling low-power driving. However, a serial-type thermal transfer recording apparatus using a serial thermal head has a disadvantage that, compared to a line-type thermal transfer recording apparatus, the mechanical scanning distance for forming an image is longer, and the printing time is longer. Having.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a serial type thermal transfer recording apparatus which enables high-speed printing at high resolution.

[0006]

The above objects are achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of serial thermal heads. According to the present invention, since the thermal transfer recording apparatus has a plurality of serial thermal heads, printing can be performed in parallel by the plurality of serial thermal heads. Therefore, a serial type thermal transfer recording device capable of high-speed printing is provided. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the serial thermal head has heating elements arranged in high density. According to the present invention, since the plurality of serial thermal heads used in the thermal transfer recording apparatus have the high-density arrangement of the heating elements, high-resolution printing can be performed in parallel by the plurality of serial thermal heads. Therefore, a serial type thermal transfer recording apparatus capable of high-speed printing at high resolution is provided. Here, the heating elements in the high-density array are 40
Heating elements arranged at a density of 0 dots / inch or more.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising control means for controlling an operation of the plurality of serial thermal heads based on operation mode data. It was made. According to the present invention, the operation of the plurality of serial thermal heads is controlled by the control means based on the operation mode data. Therefore, various forms of printing can be performed. A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the attached ribbon detecting means detects the type of the attached ink transfer ribbon and generates ribbon type data; Operation mode setting means for generating the operation mode data based on the data. According to the present invention, the type of the ink transfer ribbon mounted is detected by the mounted ribbon detecting means, ribbon type data is generated, and the operation mode data is generated by the operation mode setting section based on the ribbon type data. . Therefore, by mounting the ink transfer ribbon, it is possible to perform printing in a form compatible with the ink transfer ribbon. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the operation form data is generated based on an instruction input for setting an operation form of the plurality of serial thermal heads. It has a form input means. According to the present invention, the operation mode data is generated by an operation mode input unit based on an instruction input for setting an operation mode of the plurality of serial thermal heads. Therefore, by inputting an instruction for setting the operation mode of a plurality of serial thermal heads, it is possible to perform printing in a mode that matches the instruction input.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein two serial thermal heads of a first serial thermal head and a second serial thermal head are provided. Having a head,
The first serial thermal head and the second serial thermal head are both YMC colors (yellow, magent
a, cyan) or K color (black) ink transfer. According to the present invention, high-speed printing up to twice as high can be performed. A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the thermal transfer recording apparatus has two serial thermal heads, a first serial thermal head and a second serial thermal head. And the first serial thermal head is Y
The ink transfer of the MC color is performed, and the second serial thermal head performs the transfer of the K color ink. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, black color can be printed by one color ink transfer of K color without printing black color by three color ink transfer of YMC color, and the printing cost of an ink ribbon can be reduced. Further, high-speed printing can be performed as compared with the case where YMCK color ink transfer is performed by one serial thermal head.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein two serial thermal heads of a first serial thermal head and a second serial thermal head are provided. Having a head,
The first serial thermal head performs YMC color ink transfer, and the second serial thermal head performs OP transfer.
(Overprint) ink transfer. According to the present invention, printing for the purpose of protecting the printing surface, imparting gloss, and the like is performed by combining a dedicated OP ink transfer ribbon and a normal (general-purpose) YMC color ink transfer ribbon. Can be done with A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the first serial thermal head, the second serial thermal head, the third serial thermal head, Wherein the first serial thermal head performs Y color ink transfer, the second serial thermal head performs M color ink transfer, and the third serial thermal head has The C color ink transfer is performed. According to the present invention, high-speed printing up to three times can be performed at the maximum.

A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the first serial thermal head, the second serial thermal head, and the third serial thermal head are provided. 3 with thermal head
The first serial thermal head performs YMC color ink transfer, the second serial thermal head performs K color ink transfer, and the third serial thermal head performs OP transfer. Ink transfer is performed. According to the invention, Y
K without printing black color with 3 color ink transfer of MC color
Black color can be printed by one color ink transfer, and the printing cost of the ink ribbon can be reduced. Further, high-speed printing can be performed as compared with the case where YMCK color ink transfer is performed by one serial thermal head. In addition, printing for the purpose of protecting the printing surface, imparting gloss, and the like can be performed using a combination of a dedicated OP ink transfer ribbon and a normal (general-purpose) YMC color ink transfer ribbon. it can.

[0011]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an interface, 2 is image data storage means, 3 is data processing means, 4 is correction / conversion data storage means, 5a, 5
Reference numerals b and 5c denote first, second, and third drive blocks; 6, a mounting ribbon detecting means; 7, an operation mode inputting means; 8, an operation mode setting means;
1b, 11c are print data storage means, 12a, 12b,
12c is a printing control means, 13a, 13b and 13c are thermal heads, 14a, 14b and 14c are drive control means,
15a, 15b, 15c are carriages, 16a, 16
b and 16c are sensors. The arrow in FIG. 1 →
Indicates the main direction of data transfer (the direction is not limited to the direction indicated by the arrow →).

The interface 1 is an interface for inputting image data to be printed, print control data, operation environment setting data of the thermal transfer recording apparatus, and the like.
Normally, the thermal transfer recording device is connected to the print server via the interface 1. The image data to be printed can be sent directly from the print server or
The data is transferred from the computer connected to the print server to the thermal transfer recording apparatus via a (local area network). The image data storage means 2 stores image data to be printed. The image data storage unit 2 not only stores the image data itself transferred, but also stores image data generated by performing data processing such as correction, conversion, etc. based on the transferred image data.

The data processing means 3 performs data processing on image data to be printed. The correction / conversion data storage unit 4 stores correction data, conversion data, and the like for generating image data to be actually printed based on the transferred image data. The data processing means 3 performs data processing on the image data to be printed while referring to the data. For example, if the transferred image data is RGB image data which is an additive color mixture of three primary colors, then YMC which is a subtractive color mixture of the ink transfer ribbon is YMC.
Convert to image data or YMCK image data. Even in the case where the transferred image data is the three primary colors of the subtractive color mixture, the data processing for correcting the tone reproduction and the color tone reproduction is performed with respect to the characteristics unique to the thermal transfer recording apparatus. Further, the data processing means 3 generates image data in a form to be output to a plurality of thermal heads. The image data is output by the data processing means 3 to the first, second, and third drive blocks 5a, 5b, and 5c.

The data processing means 3 performs data processing for main control of the thermal transfer recording apparatus. The data processing unit 3 is based on print control data transferred via the interface 1 together with image data to be printed and operation mode data generated by the operation mode setting unit 8.
Data for controlling the operations of the first, second and third drive blocks 5a, 5b and 5c and the transfer means 10 for transferring the ink transfer ribbon and the image receiving paper integrally (data for setting the control mode). Generate.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first, second and third drive blocks 5a, 5b and 5c
a, 13b, and 13c, and a block that drives each of the associated parts. Since the first drive block 5a and the other drive blocks have no particular difference in configuration, the first drive block 5a will be described as a representative. In the first drive block 5a, the print data storage unit 11a
Stores image data to be printed and data for controlling printing of the image data. The print control unit 12a
A predetermined portion of the image data is read out from the print data storage unit 11a in chronological order as the printing progresses, and output to the thermal head 13a.

The drive control means 14a inputs data for controlling printing of image data to be printed from the print data storage means 11a. Then, the drive control means 14a
Controls the carrying operation of the carriage 15a, which is the means for carrying the thermal head 13a, based on the data. The thermal head 13a is a serial thermal head. The serial thermal head is provided with heating elements arranged in a printing width of approximately one line, and the serial thermal head is used by arranging the heating elements in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the ink ribbon and the receiving paper. . The thermal head 13a is carried by the carriage 15a in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the image receiving paper is transported, that is, the direction in which the heating elements are arranged. This is the main scanning for printing.

On the other hand, the transfer means 9 controls a transfer means 10 for integrally transferring the ink transfer ribbon and the image receiving paper. The transfer means 9 moves the ink ribbon and the image receiving paper by the print width of the serial thermal head. This is the sub-scan for printing. Main scanning by carriage 15a and transfer means 1
An image is formed on the image receiving paper by combining the sub-scanning with 0.

The sensor 16a of the first drive block 5a is a sensor that detects a mark, an identification shape (for example, a notch), etc., corresponding to the type of the ink transfer ribbon mounted on the carriage 15a, and outputs a detection signal. The attached ribbon detecting means 6 receives the detection signal output from the sensor 16a, generates ribbon type data, and outputs the data to the operation mode setting means 8. The operation mode setting unit 8 generates operation mode data based on the ribbon type data and outputs the generated operation mode data to the data processing unit 3 described above.

The operation mode input means 7 generates operation mode data based on the instruction input for setting the operation modes of the plurality of serial thermal heads, and outputs the data to the data processing means 3. While the mounting ribbon detecting means 6 automatically detects the type of the ink transfer ribbon, the operation mode input means 7 manually sets the type of the ink transfer ribbon. The operation mode input means 7 uses an ink transfer ribbon having no mark, identification shape, etc. corresponding to the type, or uses an operation mode other than a typical operation mode depending on the type of the installed ink transfer ribbon. Used for

The data processing means 3 includes an operation mode setting means 8
Of the thermal transfer recording apparatus, and performs data processing for main control of the thermal transfer recording apparatus. The control based on the operation mode data is performed by the first drive block 5a and the second drive block 5a.
This is a control for collectively controlling each of the drive block 5b and the third drive block 5c to perform a printing operation with consistency and synchronization.

Before describing the control based on the operation form data, the arrangement of a plurality of serial thermal heads will be described. FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of the arrangement of a plurality of serial thermal heads in the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention. 2 and 3, 21a, 21b, 31a,
31b is a carriage, 22a and 22b are platens, 32
Is a platen roller, 23 is an image receiving paper, 24a and 24b are infeed nip rollers, and 25a and 25b are outfeed nip rollers. Each carriage 21
Serial thermal heads are provided at a, 21b, 31a and 31b.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which one carriage (serial thermal head) is arranged for one platen. FIG. 3 shows an example in which two carriages (serial thermal heads) are arranged for one platen roller. Since the platen (platen roller) shown in FIG. 2 has a small diameter, it may be difficult to uniformly apply a pressing force to the heating elements arranged in the circumferential direction. In such a case, in FIG. 2, a platen that applies a pressing force on a flat surface is used instead of a platen roller that applies a pressing force on a cylindrical surface. In FIG. 3, since the platen roller has a large diameter, a pressing force can be applied uniformly to the heating element. 2 and 3 show an example having two carriages (serial thermal heads), respectively, but three or more carriages (serial thermal heads)
Can be obviously performed in the same manner.

In FIG. 2, the image receiving paper 23 is nipped and transported by in-feed nip rollers 24a and 24b and out-feed nip rollers 25a and 25b.
After printing on the image receiving paper 23 by the carriage (serial thermal head) 21a at the position of the platen 22a, printing can be further performed by the carriage (serial thermal head) 21b at the position of the platen 22b.

In FIG. 3, an image receiving paper (not shown) is wound around a platen roller 32, and the transfer of the image receiving paper and the rotation of the platen roller 32 are performed simultaneously. After printing on the image receiving paper at the position of the carriage (serial thermal head) 31a, printing can be further performed by the carriage (serial thermal head) 31b.

Next, control based on operation mode data in the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention will be described based on a specific example. (Example 1) Both the first serial thermal head and the second serial thermal head are YMC colors (yellow, magent
a, cyan) or K-color (black) operation form data for ink transfer is generated. Control is performed such that printing is performed every other line by the first serial thermal head, and printing of blank lines is performed by the second serial thermal head. That is, two sub-scans are performed at a time for one serial thermal head, and the image receiving paper is transported in units of two lines. The path length of the image receiving paper between the first serial thermal head and the second serial thermal head is an odd number of sub-scan distances. This allows
Up to twice as high speed printing can be performed. Typically,
When a plurality of serial thermal heads are used, printing can be performed a plurality of times faster than that.

(Example 2) When the first serial thermal head performs YMC color ink transfer and the second serial thermal head generates K color ink transfer operation mode data is generated. YMC for the first serial thermal head
Color print data is output, K-color print data is output to the second serial thermal head, and control is performed so that each print image is overprinted at a regular position. This makes it possible to print black ink by transferring one K color ink without printing black ink by transferring three YMC inks, thereby reducing the printing cost of the ink ribbon. Also, in one serial thermal head, Y
High-speed printing can be performed as compared with the case where MCK color ink transfer is performed.

(Example 3) When the first serial thermal head performs YMC color ink transfer, and the second serial thermal head generates OP (overprint) ink transfer operation form data. The YMC color print data is output to the first serial thermal head, and the solid (all solid) print data is output to the second serial thermal head, and control is performed so that printing can be performed at a regular position. . As a result, printing for the purpose of protecting the printing surface, imparting gloss, and the like can be performed using a combination of a dedicated OP ink transfer ribbon and a normal (general-purpose) YMC color ink transfer ribbon. Can be.

(Example 4) The first serial thermal head performs Y color ink transfer, the second serial thermal head performs M color ink transfer, and the third serial thermal head performs C color ink transfer. When the operation form data to be performed is generated. Y-color print data is output to the first serial thermal head, M-color print data is output to the second serial thermal head, and C-color print data is output to the third serial thermal head. Is controlled so that the printed image of the image is printed at the correct position. Thereby, high-speed printing up to three times can be performed at the maximum.

(Example 5) The first serial thermal head performs the YMC color ink transfer, the second serial thermal head performs the K color ink transfer, and the third serial thermal head performs the OP ink transfer. When the operation form data to be performed is generated. YMC color print data is output to the first serial thermal head, K color print data is output to the second serial thermal head, and solid (all solid) print data is output to the third serial thermal head. The output is controlled so that each print image is overprinted at a regular position. This makes it possible to print black ink by transferring one K color ink without printing black ink by transferring three YMC inks, thereby reducing the printing cost of the ink ribbon. Further, high-speed printing can be performed as compared with the case where YMCK color ink transfer is performed by one serial thermal head. In addition, printing for the purpose of protecting the printing surface, imparting gloss, and the like can be performed using a combination of a dedicated OP ink transfer ribbon and a normal (general-purpose) YMC color ink transfer ribbon. it can.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, a serial type thermal transfer recording apparatus capable of high-speed printing with high resolution is provided. According to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the third embodiment of the present invention, various forms of printing can be performed. Further, according to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, by mounting an ink transfer ribbon, it is possible to perform printing in a form compatible with the ink transfer ribbon. According to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, by inputting an instruction for setting an operation mode of a plurality of serial thermal heads, it is possible to perform printing in a mode conforming to the instruction input. . Further, according to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to perform high-speed printing up to twice as high. According to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the printing cost of the ink ribbon can be reduced, and high-speed printing can be performed. According to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the eighth aspect of the present invention, printing for the purpose of protecting the printing surface, imparting gloss, and the like is performed by a special O
It can be carried out by combining a P ink transfer ribbon and a normal (general-purpose) YMC color ink transfer ribbon.
Further, according to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform high-speed printing up to three times at maximum. Further, according to the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the tenth aspect of the present invention, the printing cost of the ink ribbon can be reduced, high-speed printing can be performed, and the effects of protecting the printing surface, imparting gloss, and the like can be achieved. With the special OP ink transfer ribbon,
It can be performed in combination with a normal (general-purpose) YMC color ink transfer ribbon.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of a plurality of serial thermal heads in the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of a plurality of serial thermal heads in the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Interface 2 Image data storage means 3 Data processing means 4 Correction / conversion data storage means 5a, 5b, 5c First, second and third drive blocks 6 Mounting ribbon detection means 7 Operation form input means 8 Operation form setting means 9 Transfer control Means 10 Transport means 11a, 11b, 11c Print data storage means 12a, 12b, 12c Print control means 13a, 13b, 13c Thermal heads 14a, 14b, 14c Drive control means 15a, 15b, 15c Carriage 16a, 16b, 16c Sensor 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b Carriage 22a, 22b Platen 32 Platen roller 23 Image receiving paper 24a, 24b In-feed nip roller 25a, 25b Out-feed nip roller

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C055 HH06 HH15 KK03 KK05 KK06 KK13 2C065 AA02 AB03 AC04 CJ02 CJ08 DA02 DA11 DA22 DC04 DC06 DC13 DC15 DC18 DC29 2C068 AA01 AA06 KK21 KK35 KK35 LL17

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A thermal transfer recording apparatus having a plurality of serial thermal heads. 2. A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A thermal transfer recording apparatus, wherein the serial thermal head has a high-density array of heating elements. 3. A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling operations of said plurality of serial thermal heads based on operation form data. 4. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The apparatus further comprises: a mounted ribbon detecting unit configured to detect a type of the attached ink transfer ribbon and generate ribbon type data; and an operation mode setting unit configured to generate the operation mode data based on the ribbon type data. Thermal transfer recording device. 5. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
A thermal transfer recording apparatus, comprising: an operation mode input unit that generates the operation mode data based on an instruction input for setting an operation mode of the plurality of serial thermal heads. 6. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two serial thermal heads, a first serial thermal head and a second serial thermal head. And the second serial thermal head are both YMC color (yell
A thermal transfer recording apparatus for performing ink transfer of ow, magenta, cyan or K color (black). 7. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two serial thermal heads, a first serial thermal head and a second serial thermal head. Is YMC
A thermal transfer recording apparatus for performing color ink transfer, wherein the second serial thermal head performs K color ink transfer. 8. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two serial thermal heads, a first serial thermal head and a second serial thermal head. Is YMC
A thermal transfer recording apparatus for performing color ink transfer, wherein the second serial thermal head performs OP (overprint) ink transfer. 9. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising three serial thermal heads of a first serial thermal head, a second serial thermal head, and a third serial thermal head. , The first
Serial thermal head performs Y color ink transfer,
A thermal transfer recording apparatus, wherein the second serial thermal head performs M color ink transfer, and the third serial thermal head performs C color ink transfer. 10. The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first serial thermal head and the second serial thermal head
And a third serial thermal head. The first serial thermal head performs YMC color ink transfer, and the second serial thermal head performs K color ink. After the transfer, the third serial thermal head
A thermal transfer recording apparatus for performing P ink transfer.