JPH03282A - Color thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently arrange an ink layer and to accurately control the transfer of a ribbon with high sensitivity by providing a cueing detecting marking region only to the edge part of the ribbon on one side thereof. CONSTITUTION:A color transfer ribbon 8 is transferred until ink layer cueing timing marks 6a, 7 are simultaneously detected by both of the first and second sensors 10a, 10b and the leading end part of the first yellow ink layer 5a of the ink layer rows corresponding to one page on the ribbon feed side thereof is positioned at the transfer position opposed to a heater row 12a to perform cueing. The heater row 12a generates heat on the basis of a data signal to thermally transfer molten yellow ink to paper 13 to be transferred. Next, the paper 13 to be transferred is reversely moved to the original position and stopped at the point of time when the ink layer cueing timing mark 6b corresponding to the second magenta ink layer 5b is detected by the first sensor 10a and the leading end part of the second magenta ink layer 5b on the ribbon feed side is positioned at the transfer position opposed to the heater row 12a to perform cueing. In the same way, the cuueing of a cyan ink layer 5c and a black ink layer 5d is performed to perform the thermal transfer corresponding to one page.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention provides a method for transporting a color transfer ribbon to form yellow, magenta, and
The present invention relates to a color thermal printer, such as a color line thermal transfer printer, in which each color ink of a four-color ink layer including three colors of cyan or a blank is sequentially polymerized and thermally transferred onto a transfer paper.

<Prior Art> The color transfer ribbon used in this type of color thermal printer generally has a base material of a polyester film with a thickness of about 6 μm or a content paper with a thickness of about 10 μm, on which an ink layer of about 3 μm is formed. It is extremely thin and has low strength. Therefore, it is difficult to use a mechanical mechanism to detect the color and position of the ink layer, and in general, markings are made on parts of the color transfer ribbon that do not interfere with printing, and these marks are made using a combination of light emitting diodes and phototransistors. Optical detection means using a photo sensor is used.

Conventionally, the means shown in FIG. 6 or 7 has been generally used for marking the above-mentioned color transfer ribbon. That is, in the case shown in FIG. 6, a linear mark 2 in the lateral direction of the color transfer ribbon 1 is determined between each of the ink layers 1a to 1C of the color transfer ribbon 1 for each of the ink layers 1a to 1C. It is marked as many as the number of books. Further, the color transfer ribbon 3 shown in FIG. 7 has markings on the edges on both sides, so that the colors can be determined by the combination of the marks 4a and 4b on both sides. In the illustrated example, the yellow ink layer 3a has no mark, the magenta ink M3b has a mark 4a on one side, and the cyan ink layer 3c has a mark 4b on the other side.
, the black ink layer 3d forms marks 4a and 4b on both sides.

However, the color transfer ribbon 1.30 color and position detection means had various drawbacks.

That is, in the case of FIG. 6, although not shown, as many as four marks 2 are attached to the fourth black ink layer, so four marks 2 are placed between each of the ink layers 13 to 1C. Since a space is required for attaching the ink layer 13 to the color transfer ribbon 1 per unit length,
As the number of 1C decreases, the amount of ribbon feeding per time increases. Moreover, since the mark detection sensor detects each of the ink layers 1a to 1C in addition to the mark 2 during the ribbon feeding operation, there is a drawback that the detection sensitivity is poor.

On the other hand, the one in Figure 7 is 2. Since the edges on both sides of the ribbon 3 are marked, the marking space is larger than that shown in FIG. 6, and there is also the problem that mark detection sensors must be provided at both sides of the ribbon 3.

Therefore, the same applicant as the present application proposed a color transfer ribbon that can detect the color and transfer position of each ink layer by attaching simple markings to the small space of the color transfer ribbon as a solution to the above-mentioned problems. He devised a method for detecting the color and position of a transfer ribbon, and has already filed an application as Japanese Patent Application No. 60-232843. To briefly explain this, as shown in FIG. 4, one ink layer cue timing mark 6a to 6a is placed on one edge of the color transfer ribbon 5, corresponding to each ink N5a to 5d. 6d, and ink is added to the edge portion corresponding to the first yellow ink N5a in the feeding direction indicated by the arrow of the ink layer row of the four ink layers 5a to 5d corresponding to one page of the transfer paper. A timing mark 7 for locating the beginning of the layer row is attached.

Then, two optical sensors are arranged in parallel, and the first sensor uses timing marks 6a to 6a to locate the beginning of the ink layer.
6d, the transfer position facing the thermal head of each ink layer 5a to 5d is detected, and the timing mark 6b for ink layer cueing is detected from the time when the timing mark 7 for ink layer cueing is detected by the second sensor. ~6
Depending on the number of detections d, the ink layers 6a to 6a located at the transfer position
The color of 6d is determined.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> The means for detecting the color of the color transfer ribbon 5 and the position of each ink N5a to 5d shown in FIG. The ink layers 5a to 5d can be arranged efficiently because of the small number of marks, and since the timing marks are simple, the number of sensors used can be reduced, and the sensor has various advantages such as being able to maintain high sensitivity at all times. However, there are still problems that need to be solved for practical use.

That is, each ink N5 by applying a plurality of color inks
The lengths a to 5d are set according to the paper size of the transfer paper. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, ink Jlif5a~ of length D corresponding to A3 size
There are many cases where it is desired to print on A4 size transfer paper with a color transfer ribbon 5 having a 5D size attached to a color thermal printer, but replacing it with the corresponding color transfer ribbon each time the transfer paper changes is This is completely impossible as it will drastically reduce the efficiency of printing work, and generally A3 size color transfer ribbons are
The actual situation is that the color transfer ribbon of B4 size and B4 size is commonly used for both B4 size and B5 size.

Therefore, when the color transfer ribbon is used for printing on a smaller size transfer paper, approximately half the length D of each ink layer 5a to 5d is Only the color ink for /2 is used for printing, and even though there are unused ink layer areas in each of the ink layers 53 to 5d, it is transferred as used and taken up on the take-up reel. As a result, there remains the problem that a portion of the color transfer ribbon is wasted and its running cost increases. If this problem is solved, the colors of the color transfer ribbon 5 and each ink 15a to 5
The means for detecting the position of d should exhibit even more remarkable effects when put into practical use.

The present invention has been made in view of these conventional problems, and provides a color thermal printer that can efficiently use a color transfer ribbon without leaving any unused area even when slinting transfer paper onto different sizes of transfer paper. The technical challenge is to provide the following.

Means for Solving the Problems> In the present invention, as a technical means for achieving the above-mentioned problems, a color thermal printer is configured as follows. That is, the ink layer row is a continuous strip in which ink layers of a plurality of colors corresponding to one page of transfer paper are formed in a predetermined order. A color transfer ribbon having timing marks for locating the beginning of an ink layer corresponding to each ink layer, and timing marks for locating the beginning of an ink layer row corresponding only to the first ink layer in the feeding direction of each ink layer row. In a color thermal printer, in which the timing marks are detected by a detection unit comprising a plurality of sensors to control the transport of the color transfer ribbon, the color transfer ribbon is placed at an intermediate position between each ink layer at one edge portion of the color transfer ribbon. , a timing mark for starting the intermediate position is attached to each of them, and the size detection means of the transfer paper and the start position are set only when the size detection means detects the transfer paper of approximately half the size of the length of each ink layer. a use count determining means for determining whether each of the dispensed ink layers has been used for the second time; and only when the use count determining means determines that the ink layer has been used for the second time; The present invention is characterized by comprising a ribbon feeding means for transporting the ribbon until the detecting section detects the intermediate position cueing timing mark.

During the printing operation, the size of the transfer paper is first detected by the size detection means, and if the transfer paper corresponding to the length of each ink layer is set, the mark detection unit detects the size of the ink layer array. The color transfer ribbon is transported until the cue timing mark is detected, and the first ink layer in the ink layer sequence, for example, a yellow ink layer, is positioned and stopped at a transfer position facing the thermal head, and cueed. When the thermal transfer to the transfer paper by this yellow ink layer is completed, the color transfer ribbon is transported until the timing mark for starting the ink layer of the second ink layer is detected by the mark detection section. The beginning of each ink layer is found, and thereafter each ink layer is successively located in the same way, and is sequentially superposed and thermally transferred onto the transfer paper, completing the thermal transfer of one page of the transfer paper.

On the other hand, if the size detection means determines that a transfer paper whose size is half the length of each ink layer has been sent, each ink layer is cued up in the same manner as described above, and then the ink layer is The usage count determining means determines whether or not this is the second use.

In other words, it is determined whether half of the ink layer has already been used for thermal transfer to a transfer paper of half the size. 1
If it is the first time, the thermal transfer starts from the beginning position and about half of the ink layer is used, and if it is the second time, the color transfer ribbon is fed blankly and the mark detection unit detects the beginning of the intermediate position. When the printing timing mark is detected, the process is stopped, the leading part of the unused part of the ink layer in the ribbon feeding direction is positioned at the transfer position, and the printing is performed, and thermal transfer is started to transfer the remaining half of the ink layer. Thermal transfer is performed using unused portions. Therefore, in this color thermal printer, even if the same color transfer ribbon is used to thermally transfer images to paper sheets of different sizes, the color transfer ribbon can be effectively used without leaving an unused portion.

<Example> Hereinafter, a preferred example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a color transfer ribbon 8 in an embodiment of the present invention.
In this figure, parts that are the same as or substantially equivalent to those in FIG. 4 are given the same reference numerals to simplify the explanation. The color transfer ribbon 8 is formed with yellow, magenta, cyan, and black ink layers 5a to 5d in this order in the ribbon feeding direction shown by the arrow, for example, in the A3 size. An ink layer array corresponding to one page of transfer paper is formed, and this ink layer array is continuously arranged.

On one edge of the color transfer ribbon 8, one ink layer cue timing mark 63 is placed at the start point of each feeding direction corresponding to each ink layer 5a to 5d.
~6d is attached, and an ink layer column cue timing mark 7 is attached close to the ink layer cue timing mark 6a corresponding to the yellow ink rM5a located first in each ink layer column. As one of the constituent elements of the present invention, three intermediate position cue timing marks 9a to 9d are attached at predetermined intervals at intermediate positions of each of the ink layers 5a to 5d. The intervals between the three intermediate position cue timing marks 9a to 9d are equal to the spacing between the ink layer cue timing mark 6a and the ink layer column cue timing mark 7 corresponding to the yellow ink layer 5a. We are doing so.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, in which the aforementioned color transfer ribbon 8 and transfer paper 13 are pressed into contact between the platen 1) and the line thermal head 12, and the thermal head 12 The color ink of the color transfer ribbon 8 heated by the heating element array 12a is thermally transferred onto the transfer paper 13 and printed. The transfer paper 13 is transported by the platen 1) and a pair of presser rollers 14a and 14b, and each time the transfer of one ink layer is completed in the transfer of a portion, the transfer paper 13 is transported in the opposite direction to the paper feeding direction. 4 ink layers 5 of the ink layer row corresponding to one page for the print of
It is reciprocated by the number of times a to 5d.

On the other hand, the color transfer ribbon 8 is sequentially unwound from the supply roll 15a, guided by ribbon guides 16a and 16b, and after being transferred is wound around the take-up roll 15b.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, an optical detection section 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is disposed at a transfer position facing the heating element array 12a of the thermal head 12. The first to third sensors 10 that constitute this optical detection section 12
Reference numerals a to 10c are photosensors each composed of a combination of a light emitting diode and a phototransistor, which are arranged oppositely on both sides of the marking area of the ribbon 8. This corresponds to each interval of the position cue timing marks 9a to 9d. Note that this optical detection section 10 does not necessarily need to be provided at a transfer position facing the heating element row 12a;
Based on the positional relationship between the heating element array 12a and the optical detection unit 10, select an appropriate marking position on the color transfer ribbon 8 different from that shown in FIG. By setting an appropriate amount, the optical detection section 10 can be installed at a position where it is easy to install.

Next, the operation of the embodiment described above will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Now, a case will be explained in which a color transfer ribbon 8 corresponding to the size of A3 paper is attached. First, the paper size of the supplied transfer paper 13 is detected (step St), and it is determined whether or not the detected paper size is A3 size (step S2). , 1st
The color transfer ribbon 8 is transported until the second sensors 10a and 10b respectively detect the timing mark 6a for starting the ink layer and the timing mark 7 for starting the ink layer row, and the ink layer corresponding to one page is transferred. The tip of the first yellow ink layer 5a in the row on the ribbon feeding side is positioned at the transfer position facing the heating element row 12a and cueing is performed (step S3), and the heating element row 12a generates heat based on the information signal. As a result, the molten yellow ink is thermally transferred onto the transfer paper 13. This thermal transfer is repeated every time the transfer paper 13 and the color transfer ribbon 8 are transferred at a constant pitch, and one page's worth of thermal transfer is performed using yellow ink (step S4). When the thermal transfer by the yellow ink layer 5a is completed, the transfer paper 13 is transported back to its original position, and the color transfer ribbon 8 is fed idly, and the second magenta ink 1ii5 is transferred.
When the ink layer cue timing mark 6b corresponding to b is detected by the first sensor 10a, the process is stopped, and
The tip of the ribbon feeding side of the magenta ink N5b is positioned at the transfer position facing the heating element row 12a, and cueing is performed (step S5), and thermal transfer of one page with magenta ink is performed in the same manner as described above. (Step S)
6).

Furthermore, in the same way, after the cyan ink layer 5c is located and one page's worth of thermal transfer is performed using cyan ink, the black ink layer 5d is finally located (step 3).
9) Thermal transfer of one page using black ink is performed (
In step 510), thermal transfer for one page is completed. Thereafter, the transfer paper 13 is fed by one page.

During this printing operation, from the time when the second sensor 10b detects the timing mark 7 for starting the ink layer row, the first
The number of detections of the timing marks 6a to 6d for ink layer cueing by the sensor 10a is counted, and it is determined which ink layer 5a to 5d the timing marks 6a to 6d are. If the information signal for the ink layer is not output, the color transfer ribbon 8 continues to be transported without being stopped when the timing mark 6b for starting the ink layer is detected for the second time, and the color transfer ribbon 8 continues to be transported without stopping when the timing mark 6b for starting the ink layer is detected for the second time. It is stopped when the output timing mark 6C is detected.

Further, in step S2, if it is determined that the transfer paper 13 is not A3 size, that is, A4 size, the yellow ink layer 5a is located in the same manner as in step S3 described above (step 51). ), then half of this yellow ink layer 5a on the ribbon feeding side has already been
It is determined whether it has been used for printing on the transfer paper 13 of four sizes and is being used for the second time (step 5).
12). If it is the first use, the printing operation by thermal transfer of the yellow ink layer 5a is started directly from the above-mentioned cue position (step 514), and about half of the yellow ink layer 5a is used for thermal transfer.

On the other hand, when the yellow ink layer 5a is used for the second time, the color transfer ribbon 8 is fed emptyly and each of the three sensors 103 to 10c simultaneously outputs one head from each intermediate position corresponding to the yellow ink layer 5a. When the timing marks 9a are detected at the same time, the printing is stopped, and the tip of the unused portion of the yellow ink layer 5a on the ribbon feeding side is positioned at the transfer position, and cueing at an intermediate position is performed (step 513).
After that, thermal transfer of the yellow ink layer 5a is performed (step 514), and most of the unused portions are used for the printing operation.

Hereinafter, magenta ink layer 5b and cyan ink layer 5C
Thermal transfer is performed in the same manner for
Step 524) to determine whether it is the first use.
If it is the first time, leave it as is, and if it is the second time, feed the color transfer ribbon 8 and apply black ink 1.
! After step 525) of locating the tip of the ribbon feeding side of the unused portion of 5d to the transfer position, the black ink layer 5 is
d thermal transfer is performed (step 826).

Note that the present invention is not limited by the contents of the above description and drawings, and may include various modifications without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, in the above embodiment, the color transfer ribbon 8 is used in common for A3 size and A4 size transfer paper 13, but it can also be applied to common use for B4 size and B5 size transfer paper. Of course.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the color thermal printer of the present invention, the marking area for cue detection is provided only on the edge portion on one side of the ribbon, and the ink layer can be efficiently disposed and the ink layer can be provided with high sensitivity. While maintaining the advantage of being able to precisely control ribbon transport, it is also possible to thermally transfer the same color transfer ribbon to different sizes of transfer paper without leaving unused areas (effectively). It can be used for.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a color transfer ribbon and a mark detection unit used in an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram thereof, Fig. 3 is a flowchart thereof, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional printer. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are both perspective views of the color transfer ribbon of a conventional printer. 5a to 5d -- Ink layer 63 to 6d -- Timing mark 7 for ink layer cueing
... - Timing mark 8 for starting the ink layer row - - Color transfer ribbon 93 to 9d - Timing mark 1 for starting the intermediate position
0...-detection section

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A belt-shaped ink layer array in which ink layers of multiple colors corresponding to one page of transfer paper are formed in a predetermined order are continuously arranged, and on one edge of the ink layer array, A color transfer ribbon with timing marks for ink layer cue corresponding to each ink layer, and timing marks for ink layer cue corresponding only to the first ink layer in the feeding direction of each ink layer column. In the color thermal printer, a mark detection section detects each of the timing marks to control the transfer of the color transfer ribbon. A timing mark for output is attached to each ink layer, and a size detecting means of the transfer paper is used to detect the transfer paper. a use count determining means for determining whether each ink layer has been used for the second time; and a use number determining means for determining whether each ink layer has been used for the second time, and only when the use count determining means determines that the use is for the second time. A color thermal printer comprising: ribbon feeding means for transporting the ribbon until it detects the intermediate position cueing timing mark.