JP2000211221A - Ink ribbon for image printer and image printer using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly detect the number of copies of a ribbon even when the ribbon is exchanged. SOLUTION: Information 110 corresponding to serial numbers is recorded in copying screen in reference of an ink ribbon for an image printer. The information 110 corresponds to the number of copying sheets linked from a first one screen formed in the ribbon, and this is stored as a bar code of (n) bits. Inasmuch as the number of printing sheets or sheers of the remains can be detected only by reading the bar code, even when the ink ribbon is exchanged, the number of printing sheets or remaining sheets can be detected correctly after the exchange, and it can be displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ink ribbon for an image printer and an image printer using the same. For details, the information corresponding to the printing screen for the ink ribbon is recorded at the same time so that the number of prints used and the remaining number of prints that can be printed from now on can be displayed correctly regardless of the ribbon change or in-use. This makes it possible to detect skipping of a character.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image printer that prints an image in color on a photographic paper such as a postcard is known. In this image printer, an ink ribbon coated with a sublimable dye or a fusible pigment is used. FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of the ink ribbon 10 using a sublimable dye.

The ink ribbon 10 has a predetermined length Wa at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of a ribbon main body 12 formed of a strip-shaped transparent film.
4M and 14C are sequentially applied (printed) repeatedly. As the dye band 14, the dye band 14Y for yellow (Y) and the dye band 1 for magenta (M) are usually complementary colors.
Dye bands 14C for 4M and cyan (C) are used. Each of the examples described below illustrates an ink ribbon using a thermosensitive dye.

Such an ink ribbon 10 is housed in a cartridge 22 indicated by a chain line in FIG. 17, and is used by being loaded into an image printer 20 as shown in FIG. In the image printer 20, when a cartridge 22 is loaded in the main body, a thermal head 28 as a printing head faces between a pair of ribbon reels 24 and 26, and is opposite to the thermal head 28. Is ink ribbon 1
The platen roller (platen) 32 is positioned so as to sandwich 0. The platen 32 is provided for pressing the ink ribbon 10 against the thermal head 28 and transferring the printing paper 34 inserted between the platen 32 and the ink ribbon 10 in cooperation with a transport roller (not shown). .

[0005] The above-described ink ribbon 10 is one in which one set of the dye bands 14 of Y, M and C constitutes one screen, and is for thermally transferring a color image to one photographic paper 34. When the head 28 scans the Y dye band 14Y, the Y color separation image signal (Y signal) is supplied. When the head 28 scans the M dye band 14M, the M color separation image signal (Y signal) is supplied. M signal) is supplied and the color to be printed is synchronized with the running of the ink ribbon 10 so that the C color separation image signal (C signal) is supplied when scanning the C dye band 14C. The decomposition image (Y, M, C image) is supplied to the thermal head 28.

As described above, the ink ribbon 10 is run in synchronization with the image signal, and the position of the dye band 14
In other words, in order to detect each of the color change and the screen change, as shown in FIG. 16, the non-section area 35Y in front of the dye band for Y 14Y is located substantially at the center of the ribbon width W and has a predetermined width and length. The sensor mark 36 is formed. The sensor mark 36 is a black bar.

Further, a dye band 14M for M and a dye band 14C for C
Sections 35M, 35C provided before the
Is formed with a color change sensor mark 38 having a predetermined width and length from the upper end side of the ribbon. In order to detect these sensor marks 36 and 38, respectively, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the image printer 20 is provided with a sensor mark detecting means (sensor mark reading means) 40. In the figure, the light emitting section 40A and the light receiving section 40B constitute the sensor mark detecting means 40.

Incidentally, in such an image printer 20, cartridges 22 having different numbers of prints are prepared. Usually, there are cartridges having different numbers of prints, such as for 100 sheets and 120 sheets. This is to enable the number of prints to be processed according to the user's request. Although it is barefoot, photographic paper for obtaining a color image has recently used a plurality of different types of photographic paper such as a standard size, a postcard size, a four-part seal size, and a sixteen-part seal size.

[0009]

By the way, since there are a plurality of types of ribbons, such as 10 to 120 ribbons, the user can print on any number of ribbons. You may want to know exactly what you have, that is, how much you have printed, and therefore how many more you can print.

Conventionally, the number of print operations performed on the image printer side is counted as the first sheet when the ribbon is mounted, and the number of sheets used, the number of sheets remaining, and the like are displayed. In this case, when the ribbon was taken out and put in the middle of use of the ink ribbon, or when the ribbon was replaced with another ribbon, the number of sheets used and the remaining number of sheets could not be accurately displayed, and in particular, it was not possible to know exactly how many more sheets could be printed. .

Furthermore, since the screen change sensor mark cannot be detected correctly, the image may be skipped without printing for several screens, and even in such a case, the display of the number of prints and the remaining number of prints may be inaccurate. was there.

In order to improve this, an IC chip or the like is mounted on the ink ribbon cartridge, and the printing information is transferred to the I / O ribbon cartridge.
Attempts have been made to record data on a C chip.
Since the use of the C chip requires an increase in cost, the IC chip must be removed when the ink ribbon is discarded, which is troublesome.

In view of the above, the present invention has solved such a conventional problem. Information such as the number of prints is recorded on an ink ribbon, and the number of prints and the number of remaining prints are displayed based on the information. Thus, the number of prints and the number of remaining prints can be accurately displayed.

[0014]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink ribbon for an image printer according to the present invention, wherein information corresponding to a serial number is recorded on a printing screen relating to the ink ribbon. It is characterized by the following.

More specifically, this information corresponds to the number of prints consecutively formed from the first screen formed on the ribbon, and whether this information is recorded as an n-bit bar code or a fixed number. A mark for detecting the number of prints formed at intervals L2, or a screen change sensor mark, a mark for detecting the number of prints, and a clock mark formed in synchronization with these marks are formed on the same ribbon body, The number of prints is calculated and displayed from the number of clock marks existing between these two marks.

In the ink ribbon for an image printer according to the present invention, the number of prints is calculated based on a distance to the print number detection mark based on the screen change sensor mark. It is characterized in that it is displayed.

In the image printer according to the present invention, the specific sublimable dye or the fusible pigment is repeatedly formed with a predetermined length in the running direction, and the dye is interposed between the dyes. In addition to the screen change sensor mark and the color change sensor mark being formed on the ribbon main body, an ink ribbon for an image printer on which specific information regarding the number of prints of the ink ribbon is recorded, detection means for detecting the sensor mark, and image data And a printer control unit for controlling the ink ribbon and the print head, a display unit for displaying the number of prints or the remaining number of prints, and a detection unit for detecting the specific information is provided. It is characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, even when the ribbon is taken out and put in the middle of use of the ink ribbon, or when the ink ribbon is replaced with another ink ribbon, the information formed on the ink ribbon is read and the number of prints and the remaining number of prints are again determined. Since it can be calculated, the number of prints and the number of remaining ink ribbons in use can be accurately displayed.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an ink ribbon for an image printer according to the present invention and an image printer using the same will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an ink ribbon 10 according to the present invention. In the present invention, a dye band 14 (14Y, 14M, 14C) of three colors of Y, M, and C has a predetermined length, similarly to the related art. Are repeatedly applied (or printed) to the ribbon main body 12 in the order of Y, M, and C to form ribbons for a plurality of screens, respectively, and a non-segment area between the Y, M, and C dye bands 14. The sensor marks 36 and 38 described above are formed on 35 (35Y, 35M, 35C).

That is, a black screen change sensor mark 36 having a predetermined width and length is printed and formed substantially at the center of the ribbon body 12. Similarly, a black color change sensor mark 38 having a predetermined width and length is formed on the upper end side of the ribbon body 12 by printing. Therefore, the two sensor marks 36 and 38 are the same, and only the printed position is different.

In the present invention, these sensor marks 3
In the example of FIG. 1, the information 1 corresponding to the number of prints is located at the lower end of the non-section area 35Y where the screen change sensor mark 36 is formed.
10 is recorded. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the record information 110 is recorded as a barcode having a predetermined length, width, and predetermined pitch.

The barcode 110 has a number of bits capable of expressing the maximum number of prints, and is recorded on the ribbon main body 12 so that the bit content differs for each screen.
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when it is the first print screen (first screen), the bar code 110 is composed of bar code information as shown in FIG. The barcode 110 to be recorded is a serial number corresponding to the print, and in the case of n screens (n prints), barcode information indicating the nth screen is recorded.

The bar code 110 has the sensor marks 36, 3
8, black carbon or the like can be used, and this can be formed by printing or coating on the ribbon body 12.
Due to the formation of the barcode 110 in this manner, the width of the no-segment area 35Y is equal to the width of the remaining no-segment areas 35M and 35M.
It is slightly wider than the width of C.

In order to read the sensor marks 36 and 38 and the bar code 110 formed on the ink ribbon 10 described above, dedicated reading detection means 40 and the like are provided, respectively.

As a detecting means, reading is generally performed depending on the presence or absence of a light transmitting state. As shown in FIG.
2A and 54A are the sensor marks 36 and 38 and the information code 1
It is arranged to face 10. The light emitting unit 40A provided at the center is for detecting the screen change sensor mark 36, and similarly, the light emitting unit 52A is for detecting the color change sensor mark 38, and the light emitting unit 54A
Is for reading the barcode 110.

Therefore, the light emitting sections 40A, 52A, 54A
For example, a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode can be used.

Light receiving sections 40B, 52B and 54B are arranged on the lower surface side of the ink ribbon body 12 so as to face the light emitting sections 40A, 52A and 54A. Light receiving units 40B, 5
As 2B and 54B, light receiving elements such as photodiodes can be used. When the sensor mark 36 and the barcode 110 pass, the light is blocked, so that the sensor mark 36 can be detected and the contents of the barcode 110 can be read in this light transmitting state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the ribbon cartridge 22. The figure shows a state in which the cartridge 22 is looked down from the lower surface side of the cartridge 22 in relation to the configuration. In FIG. 1, the ink ribbon 10 is wound around a pair of left and right reels 24 and 26, and the pair of reels 24 and 26 are provided with reel holding portions 62 and 64, respectively. In this example of one reel, the right reel 2
A code ring 42 on which a bar code is printed, for example, for discriminating the type of the ribbon main body, is attached to the right end side of 6.

The pair of reel holders 62 and 64 are connected to each other by a pair of ribs 66 and 68 provided at the front and rear so as to have a predetermined length. The space between the ribs 66 and 68 is a space, and the thermal head 28 and the detection means 40 described above are arranged in the space (window) 70. The cartridge body is formed by resin molding.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the printer control circuit. This printer control circuit is a control means 8 having a CPU.
0, the control function will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the ribbon cartridge 22 is loaded in the main body of the image printer, a ribbon cartridge detection sensor (not shown) detects the loaded state. When the loaded state is detected, the process of winding the ink ribbon 10 and the process of detecting a sensor mark or the like recorded on the ink ribbon are simultaneously executed.

Therefore, the printer control unit 82 outputs a take-up signal to the ribbon take-up and rewind motor control unit 86. In response to this, a pair of motors 8
8, 90 are driven to perform a winding process of the ink ribbon 10. At the same time, a reading start signal is output from the printer control unit 82 to the ribbon control unit 84 for reading the sensor marks 36 and 38 (including the barcode 110).

In response to this, the light emitting unit control unit 92 is controlled, and the three light emitting units 40A, 52A and 54A arranged at predetermined positions on the upper surface of the ribbon at predetermined intervals are excited. The excited light passes through the ink ribbon 10 and the light receiving sections 40B, 52B,
The light is received at 54B. When detecting the information of the barcode 110, a window (detection width) for detection can be applied as necessary. For example, the sensor mark 36,
When the barcode 110 exists in the window generated based on the reference 38, the light is blocked by the barcode information. Providing a window improves the detection system.

The data of the detected barcode 110 is R
Stored in a memory 93 such as an AM. The stored barcode data is supplied to the printer control unit 82, and the CPU provided therein analyzes the barcode information to obtain information on the number of the currently printed sheet, that is, the number of printed sheets. The calculated print number data is supplied to the display unit 83 to display the print number. Display 8
As 3, a two-dimensional liquid crystal display element or the like can be used.

After winding the ink ribbon, the bar code 11
After reading 0, the ink ribbon 10 is rewound,
It waits when the sensor mark 36 is detected again. This is the printing standby mode.

In parallel with the ribbon loading process, the printer control unit 82 sends the printing paper 34 to the printing paper control unit 100.
Is output. In response to the paper feed processing signal, the paper feed / discharge system control unit 102 including the platen 32 is controlled to wind the photographic paper 34 around the platen 32,
The wound platen 32 is rotated to a printing start position (standby position).

On the other hand, a printing instruction is given from a key input section (operation panel section) 91. When the print instruction is input, a print instruction signal is supplied to the printer control unit 82. First, an instruction to capture a signal to be printed is given to the interface 94 via the printing control unit 97, and the interface 9
The print information is taken into the image memory 96 from the signal source connected to the signal source 4. If the print information is video print data, it is a video signal, and if it is digital print data, it is a digital signal conforming to the SCSI format or GP-IB format.

The stored printing information is subjected to various image processing suitable for printing in the image processing section 98. The image processing includes a process of converting image information into complementary color signals of Y, M, and C, and a correction process based on image correction coefficients (coefficients for correcting print density and color tone).

The printing information read from the image processing section 98 is supplied to the thermal head 28 as a printing head, and the color of the dye (Y, M,
Only the printing information (Y signal, M signal and C signal) corresponding to C) is read out, and the image contents based on the printing information are printed on the printing paper 34 by frame sequential scanning.
Therefore, a process is performed in which the platen 32 reverses by a predetermined angle for each color and returns the printing paper 34 to the printing start position.

By printing all print information, a color image is reproduced. When the printing processes are completed in the order of Y, M, and C, the printing paper control unit 100 controls the paper supply / discharge system control unit 102 to perform the discharging process of the printed photographic paper and continue. When performing the printing process, a process of feeding new printing paper to the platen 34 is performed.

Since the printing process is performed for one screen, that is, for each sheet of printing paper, at the stage where the printing process for one printing paper is completed, the printing information to be printed next and the necessary image processing are performed. become. When printing a plurality of pieces of print information having the same contents, the print information stored in the image memory 96 is repeatedly used.

When the sensor mark 36 indicating the next one screen is detected, the bar code 11 is displayed in the same manner as the first printing pre-processing.
A reading process of 0 is performed, and the contents of the number of prints and the number of remaining prints are updated by analyzing the barcode 110.

Instead of reading the barcode 110 every time printing is completed, the content of the barcode 110 once obtained can be automatically updated for each screen to display the number of prints and the number of prints remaining. . However, in this case, especially when the print skip occurs such that the next sensor mark 36 cannot be read, the remaining number cannot be displayed accurately. This is particularly noticeable when print skipping occurs for several screens.

At this point, each time printing is completed, the bar code 1
If the process of reading 10 is performed, the occurrence of print skip can be detected by comparing with the data of the previous number of prints, and the remaining number of prints can be displayed accurately. Further, when such a print skip occurs, the rewind amount can be easily calculated, and the print can be rewound to the print start position immediately after the last printed screen.

Display of the number of prints and the remaining number of ink ribbons 10 can be performed simultaneously with the printing process. This is the case in which the number of prints and the number of remaining prints can be determined from the first print, so that the detection of the number of prints and the number of prints before the print processing is not required. By doing so, there is an advantage that the printing standby processing of the ink ribbon is simplified, and the printing processing program is also simplified.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the number display process when the printing process program is simplified as much as possible. The ink ribbon 10 is loaded and an instruction to start printing is waited for (steps 121 and 122). . When there is an instruction to start printing, the ribbon winding process starts,
At the same time, the screen change sensor mark 36 is detected (steps 123 and 124).

When the sensor mark 36 is detected, the bar code 110 is read, and then the printing process is performed in the order of Y, M and C (steps 125 and 12).
6). When the printing process is completed, the winding process of the ink ribbon 10 is completed when the next sensor mark 36 is detected, and the content of the detected barcode 110 is analyzed to calculate the number of prints and the number of remaining prints. It is displayed (steps 127 and 128). This process continues until the end of printing.

In the ink ribbon 10 shown in FIG. 1, the bar code 110 is formed at the lower end of the ribbon main body 12.
It can also be formed at the central portion as shown in FIG. In this case, sensor mark 3
6 and the bar code 110 can be shared. Alternatively, a bar code 110 can be formed on the upper end side of the ribbon main body 12 as shown in FIG.

In FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the bar code 110 is used as information corresponding to the printing screen.
9 and the following are other embodiments, in which the number-of-sheets detection marks 112 are provided at regular intervals L2.
Is recorded.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a screen change sensor mark 36 recorded for each screen is used. The sensor marks 36 are arranged at regular intervals L1 in the ribbon main body 1.
2 is formed. On the other hand, the number detection mark 1
12 is recorded at an interval L2 different from the sensor mark interval L1.

In the case of FIG. 9, L2> L1 and L2
2 = L1 + Δ. For example, when the interval L1 between the sensor marks is 450 mm and the ink ribbon 10 can print 100 sheets, if Δ is represented by the interval L1 / number of sheets, then Δ = 450/100 = 4.5 mm. Therefore, 4.5m per screen
m for the number of marks 11
2 will be shifted.

In the case of FIG. 10, the first mark 112a is recorded at the same position as the first sensor mark 36a with reference to the sensor mark 36a on the first screen. Therefore, the difference t1 between the marks 36a and 112a becomes zero and deviates from the next difference t2 by Δ.

When the marks are formed so as to be separated from each other by Δ with respect to one screen as described above, the shift amount increases as the screen moves to a later screen. Therefore, in the case of the n-th screen as shown in FIG. 10, the difference tn between the sensor mark 36n and the detection mark 112n formed in the non-section area 35Y.
Becomes nΔ.

Therefore, the difference ti (i = 0 to n) is counted using, for example, a timer, and the number of prints is calculated from the count value. This counting process can be performed by the printer control unit 82 in FIG.

As described above, when both the sensor mark 36 and the detection mark 112 are used and the interval between them is converted into the number of prints or the like to calculate, the contraction of the ribbon main body 12, the uneven feeding of the ink ribbon 10, the slip It is conceivable that the count value between the marks varies due to the influence of the above. Therefore, this variation is taken into account when calculating the actual number of prints.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the number display process in consideration of such variations, which is based on the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, the process from the loading of the ribbon to the detection of the sensor mark 36 is the same (steps 131 to 134), and when the sensor mark 36 is detected, a measurement timer (actually,
U is set), and the counting operation is started immediately (step 140). The counting operation continues until the detection mark 112 is detected, and the detection mark 11
When 2 is detected, the counting operation ends (steps 141 and 142).

At the same time, the printing process for Y, M, and C starts (step 136), and when the printing process ends (step 143), the reading operation of the count value is performed (step 144). Next, the shift amount of the count value is calculated, and the calculation process and the display process of the number of prints and the remaining number are performed in consideration of the shift amount (step 14).
5,146,147).

If the shift amount is considerably far from the predetermined count value, it is possible that print skipping has occurred, and an instruction to that effect can be given. If the deviation is within a certain range, it may be due to uneven ribbon feed, etc.
In this case, the calculation processing such as the number of prints is performed as it is, assuming that the detection processing is normal.

Since the accuracy of detection depends on the frequency of the timer, a somewhat higher frequency may be used to maintain the accuracy of detection.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of FIG. 9. In this embodiment, a detection mark 112 for the number of prints is not recorded for each screen, but a similar detection mark 114 is provided for each color change. This is an example of recording. In this case, the recording interval of the detection mark is L2 / 3.

Thus, even when the sensor mark 36 is skipped, the no-segment areas 35M, 35M
By reading the sensor mark 38 recorded on C and the detection mark 114 recorded in connection with it,
The number of prints can be calculated.

FIG. 13 shows the ink ribbon 10 shown in FIG.
1 shows an embodiment of a printing device 50 that prints the sensor marks 36 and 38 and the detection mark 112 on the printing device 50. In this embodiment, a gravure roll (coating roll) 151 for applying the sensor marks 36 and 38 to the ribbon main body 12 is provided, and the gravure roll 1 having a larger diameter than the gravure roll 151 is provided.
52 is provided as a roll for applying the detection mark 112. The detection mark 1 is larger than the distance L1 between the sensor marks 36.
Rolls 15 having different roll diameters because the interval L2 of 12 is large
1,152 are used. Ink ribbon 10 is roller 1
The vehicle travels at a constant tension by the tension roller 54 and the tension roller 153.

When the coating is performed, the rolls 151, 1
Since it is necessary to keep the outer peripheral speed of the roller 52 constant,
The shaft speeds 1 and 152 are finely adjusted according to the difference in diameter.

By using such rolls 151 and 152, the sensor marks 36 and 38 and the detection mark 1
12 can be printed simultaneously.

When the detection marks 112 are recorded on the ribbon body 12 at a constant interval L2 as shown in FIG.
6 is used to measure the relative distance between the marks 36 and 112, so that the contraction of the ribbon body 12 is inevitable.
Influences such as uneven feeding and slippage of the ink ribbon 10 cannot be avoided. The measurement count value between marks often varies.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the ink ribbon constructed so as to avoid this effect as much as possible. As shown in FIG. 14, the ink ribbon 10 has a constant interval L2.
Record the mark 112 for detecting the number of sheets, and also record the clock mark 118 synchronized with the marks 36 and 112.

In the case of FIG. 14, a clock mark 118 having a predetermined pitch is provided between the sensor mark 36 and the detection mark 112 and near the detection mark 112. When calculating the number of prints, the clock mark 118 present between the marks 36 and 112 is detected based on a separately provided detecting means (not shown), and a count value indicating the number of clocks as a detection output thereof. The number of prints and the like are calculated from the above. The detecting means having the same configuration as that of FIG. 3 can be used.

FIG. 14 shows an example in which the number of clock marks is increased by one clock per one screen.
It is also possible to configure so as to increase by m (m is 1 or more) clock marks for each screen.

Since both the sensor mark 36 and the detection mark 112 are formed on the ribbon main body 12, when the ribbon main body 12 contracts, the ink ribbon 10 is fed unevenly, or slips, etc. Will be similarly affected. Therefore, the occurrence of these phenomena does not affect the measurement accuracy of the clock mark at all, so that the detection accuracy does not deteriorate.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing one example of the number display processing based on the clock mark measurement. Step 13
Steps 1 to 134 are the same as those in FIG. At the same time as detecting the sensor mark 36, a counter (CPU processing) for measuring the clock mark is set, and the count value is incremented each time the clock mark 118 is detected until the detection mark 118 is detected (step 160, step 160). 161, 162, 163).

The printing process is performed simultaneously with the count measurement (step 136). After the printing is completed (step 164), the number of prints and the number of remaining prints are calculated from the measured clock mark value. The result is displayed as a numerical value (steps 165 and 166).

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention, information indicating the number of prints and the like is recorded on an ink ribbon for an image printer.

According to this, information on the number of prints and the number of remaining prints can be detected from the ink ribbon in use. Therefore, even if the ribbon is taken out or put in the middle of use of the ink ribbon or replaced with another ink ribbon, the information formed on the ink ribbon can be read and the number of prints and the number of remaining prints can be calculated again. The feature is that the number of printed ink ribbons and the number of remaining ink ribbons can be accurately displayed.

In the image printer according to the present invention,
By reading the information recorded on the ink ribbon, the number of prints up to now and the remaining number of prints that can be printed can be displayed on the display unit, so that information such as ribbon replacement can be provided to the user. There is.

Since the number of prints and the number of remaining prints can be detected, by monitoring this information, even when the ink ribbon for one screen or several screens is skipped, the skipping can be reliably detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of an ink ribbon according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing details thereof.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a ribbon cartridge that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a system diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of the image printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a number display process.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a main part of another embodiment of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 8 is a main part configuration diagram of another embodiment of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 9 is a main part configuration diagram of another embodiment of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing details thereof.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a number display process.

FIG. 12 is a main part configuration diagram of another embodiment of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of a mark printing apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a main part configuration diagram of another embodiment of an ink ribbon.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a number display process.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional ink ribbon.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of an image printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... ink ribbon, 12 ... ribbon body, 35
... No section area, 20 ... Image printer, 36,
38: sensor mark, 40, 52, 54: detecting means, 28: thermal head, 110, 112, 1
14, 118: detection mark, 110: bar code

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C068 AA02 AA06 AA08 AA15 AA22 BC03 BC16 BD04 BD23 BD31 KK11 KK13 KK14 KK16 NN01 NN17 NN28

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An ink ribbon for an image printer, wherein information corresponding to a serial number of a printing screen related to the ink ribbon is recorded. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information corresponds to a print number serialized from the first screen formed on the ribbon, and is recorded as an n-bit bar code. 2. The ink ribbon for an image printer according to 1. 3. An ink ribbon for an image printer according to claim 2, wherein said information is recorded at one of an end and a center of said ribbon. 4. The ink ribbon for an image printer according to claim 1, wherein the information is a print number detection mark formed at regular intervals L2. 5. The relationship between a screen change sensor mark recorded at a fixed interval L1 for each screen and an interval L2 between the printed image number detection marks is L1 ≠ L2. The ink ribbon for an image printer according to the above. 6. The ink ribbon according to claim 4, wherein the distance L1 is different from L2. 7. An ink ribbon for an image printer, wherein the number of prints is calculated and displayed based on a distance to the print number detection mark based on the screen change sensor mark. . 8. A screen change sensor mark, a mark for detecting the number of prints, and a clock mark formed in synchronization with these marks are formed on the same ribbon main body, and the number of clock marks existing between the two marks is determined. 2. The ink ribbon for an image printer according to claim 1, wherein the number of prints is calculated and displayed based on the number of prints. 9. The ink ribbon is of a sublimation type or a fusion transfer type, and the ribbon main body has at least a first, a second and a third sublimable dye while maintaining a predetermined interval along a longitudinal direction thereof. 2. The ink ribbon for an image printer according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon is coated with a fusible pigment. 10. When the first to third sublimable dyes or fusible pigments are used for the ribbon body, the dyes or pigments are yellow, magenta and cyan. The ink ribbon for an image printer according to the above. 11. A specific sublimable dye or a fusible pigment is repeatedly and sequentially formed with a predetermined length in the running direction, and a screen change sensor mark and a color change sensor mark are provided between the respective dyes. In addition to the above, an ink ribbon for an image printer on which specific information relating to the number of prints of the ink ribbon is recorded, a detecting means for detecting the sensor mark, a printing head to which image data is supplied, An image printer, comprising: a printer control unit for controlling the printing head; display means for displaying the number of prints or the remaining number; and detecting means for detecting the specific information. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the ribbon main body is formed of a transparent sheet, and the detecting means is formed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged so as to sandwich the ribbon main body. An image printer as described.