JPH04152146A - Thermal transfer recorder and facsimile equipment using same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording device that records an image on a recording medium by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, and a facsimile machine using the thermal transfer recording device.

[Conventional technology]

Generally, thermal transfer printers use an ink sheet with heat-melting (or heat-sublimating) ink applied to a base film, and a thermal head selectively heats the ink sheet in response to image signals to melt (or heat-sublimate) ink. Images are recorded by transferring the sublimated ink onto recording paper. Generally, this ink sheet is one in which the ink is completely transferred to the recording paper by one image recording (a so-called one-time sheet), so after the image recording of one character or one line is completed, the recorded length is It was necessary to transport the ink sheet by the amount corresponding to the amount of paper being printed, and to ensure that the unused portion of the ink sheet was brought to the next recording position.This increased the amount of ink sheet used, and it was necessary to record on thermal paper. Thermal transfer printers tend to have higher running costs than ordinary thermal printers.In order to solve this problem,
471, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-201686, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-58917, thermal transfer printers have been proposed in which recording paper and ink sheets are conveyed at different speeds. The present invention is a further development of the invention described in the above publication.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As an ink sheet used in these thermal transfer printers, an ink sheet (multi-print sheet) capable of recording images a plurality of times (n) is known. , when recording a recording length continuously, the conveyance length of the ink sheet conveyed after each image recording or during image recording is set to be smaller than the length (L/
n:n>1). This results in
The ink sheet usage efficiency is n times higher than that of the conventional method, and it is expected that the running costs of thermal transfer printers will be reduced. below,
This recording method is called multiprint. In the case of multi-printing using such an ink sheet, the ink in the ink layer of the ink sheet is heated n times. Each time the ink is heated, shear is generated between the melted ink and the unmelted ink in the ink layer, and the ink is transferred onto the recording paper. For this reason, for example, if the time between recording one line and recording the next line increases and the temperature of the ink decreases, the shearing force between the ink that is not melted (sublimed) increases (becomes thicker), and the ink sheet and the recording There was a problem that it was difficult to separate from the paper.
This problem occurs noticeably when there is a lot of black information in one line of recorded data, and when the time interval between the current line and the next line is not constant, such as a facsimile machine, and the time interval is relatively long. Now comes the problem. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and is performed when predetermined conditions regarding the elapsed time since the end of the previous line information and the number of black dots in the recorded line information are satisfied, or when the recorded line Image recording is performed by transporting the ink sheet a predetermined length without transporting the recording medium after recording is completed, according to the value obtained by subtracting the number of black dots of the line information recorded one line before from the number of black dots of the information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer recording device that facilitates subsequent separation of an ink sheet and a recording medium, and a facsimile device using the device. Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is a thermal transfer recording device that transfers ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium to record an image on the recording medium, and includes an ink sheet conveying means that conveys the ink sheet, and a recording device that conveys the recording medium. a medium conveying means, a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet, and a counting means for counting the number of black dots recorded by the recording means;
a timer for measuring the elapsed time since the recording of the image of the previous line by the recording means; and a timer for counting the time elapsed since the recording of the image of the previous line; and a control means for controlling the ink sheet to be conveyed a predetermined length without conveying the recording medium after the recording means has recorded the image of the current line according to the difference in the number of black dots on the current line. . Further, a facsimile apparatus according to another invention has the following configuration. That is, it is a facsimile machine using a thermal transfer recording device that records an image on the recording medium by transferring the ink contained in the ink sheet to the recording medium, and includes an image input means for inputting an original image, and an image input means for inputting the ink sheet. an ink sheet conveyance means for conveying; a recording medium conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet conveyed by the ink sheet conveyance means; a counting means for counting the number of black dots recorded by the recording means; a clocking means for counting the elapsed time since the recording of the image of the current line by the recording means; a clock value by the clocking means; and a count value of the counting means. and depending on
Alternatively, after the recording means has recorded the image of the current line, the recording medium is not conveyed (the ink sheet is moved to a predetermined length) according to the difference between the number of black dots recorded on the previous line and the number of black dots on the current line. and control means for controlling the conveyance.

[Effect] The thermal transfer recording apparatus and facsimile apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configurations count the number of recorded black dots and also measure the elapsed time since the image recording of the previous line. Then, after recording the image of the current line, the recording is performed according to the time value by the timer and the counted value of the counting means, or according to the difference between the number of black dots recorded in the previous line and the number of black dots in the current line. It operates to transport the ink sheet a predetermined length without transporting the medium. 【Example】

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Description of facsimile machine (Figs. 1 to 4)> Figs. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing an example in which a thermal transfer printer using an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the facsimile device, FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the facsimile device, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conveyance mechanism for recording paper and an ink sheet. First, the schematic structure of the facsimile apparatus of the embodiment will be explained based on FIG. In the figure, 100 is a reading unit that photoelectrically reads a document and outputs it as a digital image signal to the control unit 101.The configuration of the control unit 101 is as follows: explain. A line memory 110 stores image data for each line of image data, and when transmitting or copying a document, one line of image data from the reading section 100 is stored.
When image data is received, one line of decoded received image data is stored. Then, the stored data is output to the recording unit 102, thereby recording an image on recording paper. Reference numeral 111 denotes an encoding/decoding unit that encodes image information to be transmitted by MH encoding or the like, and decodes received encoded image data to convert it into image data. Further, 112 is a buffer memory that stores encoded image data that is transmitted or received. Each part of the control unit 101 is controlled by a CPU 113 such as a microprocessor. Control unit 1
In addition to this CPU 113, 01 has a ROM 114 that stores control programs for the CPU 113 and various data.
, and a RAM 115 for temporarily storing various data as a work area for the CPU 113. 102 is a recording unit equipped with a thermal line head and records an image on recording paper by a thermal transfer recording method; this configuration is similar to that of the third recording unit;
This will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings. 1O3 is an operation unit that includes various function instruction keys such as starting sending and keys for inputting a telephone number, etc. 103a is a switch for instructing the type of ink sheet to be used; when switch 103a is on, multi-print ink is used. When the sheet is off, it indicates that a normal ink sheet is loaded. A display section 104 is usually provided adjacent to the operation section 103 and displays various functions, the status of the device, and the like. 105 is a power supply unit for supplying power to the entire device. Also,
106 is a modem (modulator/demodulator); 107 is a network control unit (N
CU), 108 is a telephone. Next, the configuration of the recording section 102 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. Note that common parts in each drawing are indicated by the same figure number. In the figure, 1o is a core 10 of recording paper 11, which is plain paper.
A is a roll of paper wound into a roll. The roll paper 10 is rotatably housed in the apparatus so that the recording paper 11 can be supplied to the thermal head section 13 by rotation of the platen roller 12 in the direction of the arrow. Note that 10b is a roll paper loading section, in which the roll paper 10 is removably loaded. Furthermore, 12 is a platen roller which conveys the recording paper 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow and presses the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11 between it and the heating element 132 of the thermal head 13. Thermal head 13
As the platen roller 12 further rotates, the recording paper 11 on which the image has been recorded due to the heat generated by the
(16a, 16b), and when the image recording for one page is completed, the cutters 15 (15a, 15b) are engaged to cut the paper into pages. 17 is an ink sheet supply roll that winds the ink sheet 14, and 18 is an ink sheet take-up roll, which is driven by an ink sheet conveyance motor to be described later and winds up the ink sheet 14 in the direction of arrow a. . In addition,
The ink sheet, the supply roll 17 and the ink sheet take-up roll 18 are stored in an ink sheet loading section 7 in the main body of the apparatus.
0 is removably loaded. Furthermore, 19 is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the ink sheet 14 and the conveying speed of the ink sheet 14. Further, 20 is an ink sheet sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the ink sheet 14;
Reference numeral 1 denotes a spring that connects the thermal head 13 to the platen roller 12 via the recording paper 11 or ink sheet 14.
It is something that presses on. Further, 22 is a recording paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper. Next, the configuration of the reading section 100 will be explained. In the figure, 30 is a light source that illuminates the original 32;
The light reflected by the CCD sensor 31 is input to the CCD sensor 31 through an optical system (mirrors 5o, 51, and lens 52), and is converted into an electrical signal. The document 32 is conveyed by conveyance rollers 53, 54, 55, and 56 driven by a document conveyance motor (not shown).
Accordingly, the document 32 is transported in accordance with the reading speed of the document 32. Note that 57 is a document loading table, and the plurality of documents 32 stacked on this loading table 57 are separated one by one by the cooperation of the conveying roller 54 and the pressing separation piece 58 and sent to the reading section 100. transported. A control board 41 constitutes the main part of the control section 101, and various control signals are output from this control board 41 to each part of the apparatus. Further, 105 is a power supply unit that supplies power to each part;
06 is a modem board unit, and 107 is an NCU board unit having a relay function with a telephone line. Furthermore, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the conveyance mechanism for the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11. In the figure, 24 rotationally drives the platen roller 12;
This is a recording paper transport motor for transporting the recording paper 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow, which is opposite to the direction of the arrow a. Further, 25 is an ink sheet conveyance motor for conveying the ink sheet 14 in the direction of arrow a by means of a capstan roller 71 and a pinch roller 72. Further, 26.27 is a transmission gear that transmits the rotation of the recording paper conveyance motor 24 to the platen roller 12, and 73.74 is an ink sheet conveyance motor 25.
This is a transmission gear that transmits the rotation of the capstan roller 71 to the capstan roller 71. Further, 75 is a slip clutch unit. Here, the ratio of the gears 74 and 75 is set so that the length of the ink sheet 14 wound on the take-up roll 18 by the rotation of the gear 75a is longer than the length of the ink sheet conveyed by the capstan roller 71. (possibly)
The ink sheet 14 conveyed by the capstan roller 71 is reliably wound onto the take-up roll 18. and,
An amount corresponding to the difference between the amount of the ink sheet 14 taken up by the take-up roll 18 and the amount of the ink sheet 14 fed by the capstan roller 71 is transferred to the slip clutch unit 7.
Absorbed in 5. This makes it possible to suppress fluctuations in the transport speed (amount) of the ink sheet 14 due to fluctuations in the winding diameter of the winding roll 18. FIG. 1 shows a control unit 10 in a facsimile machine according to an embodiment.
1 and the recording unit 102, and parts common to other drawings are indicated by the same figure numbers. The thermal head 13 is a line head. Then, this thermal head 13 transfers one line of serial recording data 43a from the control unit 101 to a shift clock 43.
a shift register 130 that inputs and holds data in synchronization with b;
A latch circuit 131 that latches data in the shift register 130 by a latch signal 44 is provided with a heating element 132 consisting of a heating resistor for one line. Here, the heating resistor 132 is divided into m blocks indicated by 132-1 to 132-m and driven. Further, 133 is a temperature sensor attached to the thermal head 13 for detecting the temperature of the thermal head 13. The output signal 42 of the temperature sensor 133 is A/D converted within the control section 101 and input to the CPU 113. As a result, CPUL13
3, and change the pulse width of the strobe signal 47 corresponding to the temperature, or change the driving voltage of the thermal head 13, etc., to control the temperature of the thermal head 13 according to the characteristics of the ink sheet 14. The applied energy is changing. A black dot counter 134 counts the number of black dots recorded on one line. 43c is a counter clear signal output from the control section 101, and the count value of the counter 134 is reset to "0" by this signal 43c. This black dot counter 134 is connected to the shift clock 4.
When 3b is output, the distribution data 43a is black data "1"
'', the counted value is incremented by 1. This counted value is input to the control unit 101 through the signal line 134a. Therefore, after the control unit 101 transfers one line of recording data to the thermal head 13, By inputting the number of black dots through the signal line 134a, it is possible to detect how many dots of black data are included in one line of recording data to be recorded. 116 is a programmable timer, and the CPU The clock time is set from 113, and when the start of time measurement is instructed, the clock starts.Then, at each instructed time, CPtJ
113 to output an interrupt signal, a timeout signal, etc. Note that the characteristics (type) of the ink sheet 14 may be determined by detecting the switch 103a of the operation unit 103 described above or a mark printed on the ink sheet 14, or by detecting a mark printed on the ink sheet cartridge, etc. The identification may be made based on marks, notches, protrusions, etc. attached. Reference numeral 46 denotes a drive circuit that inputs a drive signal for the thermal head 13 from the control unit 101 and outputs a strobe signal 47 for driving the thermal head 13 in units of blocks. Note that this drive circuit 46 changes the voltage output to the power supply line 45 that supplies current to the heating element 132 of the thermal head 13 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 101 to control the thermal head 13.
The applied energy of can be changed. Reference numeral 36 denotes a drive circuit that engages and drives the cutter 15, and includes a cutter drive motor and the like. 39 is a paper ejection motor that rotationally drives the paper ejection roller 16. 35, 48, and 49 are the corresponding paper ejection motors 39
, a driver circuit that rotationally drives the recording paper conveyance motor 24 and the ink sheet conveyance motor 25. Although these paper ejection motor 39, recording paper transport motor 24, and ink sheet transport motor 25 are stepping motors in this embodiment, they are not limited to this (for example, they may be DC motors, etc.). <Explanation of Recording Process (Figures 1 to 6)> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the image recording process for one page in the facsimile machine of the embodiment. This process is started when image data for one line to be recorded as an image is stored in the line memory 110, and the image recording operation can be started. It is assumed that the control unit 101 has determined that the multi-ink sheet is attached by the switch 103a, etc. First, in step S1, the black dot counter 134 is cleared to "O" by the counter clear signal 43C, and
The black dot number memory 117 and the previous line black dot number memory 118 of the RAM 115 are cleared. Next step S2
Then, the value of the timer 116 for measuring the recording interval is cleared.Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where one line of recording data is serially output to the shift register 130. 1
When the transfer of line recording data is completed, step S4
A latch signal 44 is output, and one line of recording data is stored in the latch circuit 131. Next, the process proceeds to step S5, where the value of the black dot number memory 117 is transferred to the previous line black dot number memory 118, and the number of black dots of the one line data transferred to the thermal head 13 is inputted via the signal line 134a. , RAM11
5 is stored in the black dot number memory 117. This results in
The black dot number memory 117 stores the number of black dots in one line to be recorded from now on, and the previous line black dot number memory 118 stores the number of black dots in the immediately preceding line recorded. Next, the process proceeds to step S6, where the ink sheet conveyance motor 2
Rotate the ink sheet 14 by rotating the ink sheet 1/n94.
Transport for 2 minutes. More specifically, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 6, which will be described later, the transport drive of the ink sheet 14 is started a little before energizing each block of the thermal head 13, and the ink sheet transport motor 25 is excited. Phases are switched. And then step S7
Then, the recording paper 11 is conveyed by one line. As also shown in detail in FIG. 6, the excitation phase of the motor 24 for transporting the recording paper is switched at a timing slightly before the heating element blocks 132-1 and 132-3 of the thermal head 13 are energized. Paper 11 is conveyed. Note that the length of one line is set to approximately (1/7.7) mm in the facsimile machine of this embodiment, and the conveyance distances of the recording paper 11 and ink sheet 14 are determined by the recording paper conveyance motor. This can be set by changing the number of excitation pulses of the motor 24 and the ink sheet conveying motor 25. In this way, the process proceeds to step S8, in which one block of the heating resistor 132 of the thermal head 13 is energized to record an image, and in step S9, it is checked whether all the blocks of the heating resistor 132 of the thermal head 13 have been energized. If the energization to all blocks has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S10, and if the energization to all blocks of the thermal head 13 has been completed, the process proceeds to step S16. In step SIO, it is then checked whether the generation of recording data for the line has been completed (whether the reception of the next line has been completed and its decoding has been completed). If the generation of recording data for the next line has been completed, the process proceeds to step Sll; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S14. In step Sll, it is determined whether this is the first process after the data generation for the next line is completed; If so, the process advances to step S12 and the black dot counter 134 is cleared. Next, the process proceeds to step SL3, where one line of data to be recorded next is transferred to the thermal head 13. As a result, the black dot counter 134
The number of black dots on that line is counted. Note that if the generation of the next line data is not completed in step 510, the process proceeds to step S14, and the process proceeds to step S15, where the line data is received and decoded.
Check whether the block's energization time has passed0
If the energization time (approximately 1200 LLs) has not elapsed, the process returns to step S10, but if the energization time has elapsed, the process returns to step S8 to execute the energization process for the next block. In this embodiment, the thermal head 13 has four blocks (
The time required to record one line is approximately 5.0ms (1200μ
sx4 block). When energization to all blocks ends and one line is recorded in step S9, the process advances to step S16, and the timer 11
The elapsed time since the recording of the previous line information, which is timed by 6, and the number of black dots recorded on the current line (
The number of black dots (value in memory 117) and the value obtained by subtracting the number of black dots in the previous line (value in memory 118) from the number of black dots in the currently recorded line (value in memory 117) are greater than a predetermined value. Accordingly, it is determined whether a predetermined condition for conveying the ink sheet 14 is satisfied. This predetermined condition will be described in detail later. If this predetermined condition is met, the process proceeds to step S17, where the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 is driven to convey the ink sheet 14 an extra 1/2n line. On the other hand, if the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the ink sheet 14 is not conveyed (proceeds to step 518. In step S18, it is checked whether the image recording process for one page has been completed. The recording process for one page is performed. If the image recording for one page has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, if the image recording for one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S26, in which a predetermined amount of the recording paper 11 is transferred to the paper ejection roller 1.
6 (16aa, 16b). and,
In step S27, the cutters 15 (15a, 15b) are driven and engaged to cut the recording paper 11 into pages. Then, the cut recording paper 11 is discharged from the apparatus by the discharge roller 16, and in step 328, the remaining recording paper 11 is returned by a distance corresponding to the distance between the thermal head 13 and the cutter 15, and one page recording processing is performed. end. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that one page of image recording is not completed, the process advances to step S19, where the timer 116 for measuring the recording interval is reset.Next, the process advances to step S20, where the next line data is transferred to the thermal head 13. If it has been completed, the process returns to step S4 and the above-mentioned process is executed. In step S20, if the transfer of the next line data to the thermal head 13 has not been completed, the process advances to step S21 to check whether the generation of the next line data has been completed, and if the generation has not been completed, the process advances to step S22. The next line data is received and decoded. Step S2
If the generation of the next line data is completed in 1, step S
The process proceeds to step S23, and in the same way as in step Sll described above, it is checked whether or not this is the first process after the next line data generation.
The black dot counter 134 is cleared. Next, the process advances to step S25, where the generated next line data is transferred to the thermal head 13, and the process returns to step S4. <Description of ink sheet conveyance conditions> FIG. 5(C) is a diagram illustrating the conveyance conditions of the ink sheet 14 determined in the above-mentioned step S16, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing determination processing and conveyance processing of the ink sheet 14. FIG. Note that the recording period in FIG. 5(C) indicates the elapsed time after the recording of the previous line was completed. In FIG. 5(C), when the recording period t is 30 ms or less, the ink sheet 14 is not conveyed, and when the recording period t is 30 m5 or more and 40 m5 or less, the black color recorded on the current line is When the number of dots is "1843" or more (this is a black rate of 90% or more in the case of 34 size print data), move the ink sheet 14 to 172 of the ink sheet transport length set in the current print mode. Transport only extra. Similarly, the number of black dots is shown corresponding to each recording cycle, and it is determined based on these conditions whether or not the ink sheet 14 should be conveyed extra. If none of these apply, the number of black dots recorded in the previous line (value in previous line black dot number memory 118) is subtracted from the number of black dots recorded in the current line (value in black dot memory 117). If the value is "512" or more, an extra ink sheet 14 is conveyed. Next, this determination process will be explained. In FIG. 5(D), first, in step S30, timer 1
16 is read, it is determined whether the recording period is 30 m5 or less, and if it is 30 m5 or less, the process proceeds to step S41, where the difference between the number of black dots recorded on the current line and the number of black dots recorded on the previous line is calculated. If the difference is "512" or less, the process ends without doing anything, but if the difference is "512" or less, the process ends without doing anything.
If this is the case, the process advances to step S36. In step S36, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed an extra 1/2 of the ink sheet conveyance length corresponding to one line in the current conveyance mode (for example, in the case of this embodiment, 1/2n
line). This step S36 is similar to step S1 described above.
7 processing is supported. Note that a typical example that satisfies the condition of step S41 is a case where the previous line records normal characters, etc., and the current line records horizontal lines of ruled lines. This can prevent the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11 from sticking together, which is likely to occur when recording horizontal ruled lines. On the other hand, if the recording period is 30 m5 or more in step S30, the process advances to step S31, and it is checked whether the recording period is 40 m5 or less. ”
If the recording period t is 40 m5 or more, the process advances to step S32. Check if the following is true* If 40m5<t≦60m5, step S3
8, it is checked whether the number of dots stored in the black dot number memory 117 is "1331" or more. If it is 0 or more, the ink sheet is transported in step S36, and if it is less than 0, the process advances to step S41. Similarly, the recording period t is 60
When m5<t≦250m5, the process advances from step S33 to step S39, and the value of the black dot number memory 117 is set to “1”.
536" or more. If it is 0 or more, the process proceeds to step S36, but if not, the process proceeds to step S41. If the recording period t is 250 m5 <t≦5000 ms, the process proceeds from step S34 to S40, and the number of black dots is determined. is “102
4” or more, the process proceeds to step S36.
If the number of black dots is 0 m5at, the process proceeds to step S35, and if the number of black dots is "512" or more, the process proceeds to step S36, where the ink sheet 14 is conveyed extra. Note that the conditions for determining whether or not to convey the ink sheet 14 are determined based on the above-mentioned recording cycle and the corresponding number of black dots recorded on the current line, and the number of black dots on the current line and the number of black dots on the previous line. The determination conditions based on the difference from the recorded number of black dots were determined from experimental results. According to this embodiment, when the predetermined condition consisting of the elapsed time since the recording of the previous line information and the number of black dots included in the one line information recorded on the current line is satisfied, the When the number of black dots recorded on the current line is more than "512" than the number of black dots recorded on the previous line, the ink sheet 14 is moved without transporting the recording paper 11 after the recording of each current line is completed. is conveyed for a predetermined length. This improves the running properties of the ink sheet 14 and reduces the shearing force between the inks in the ink layer.
4 and the recording paper 11, the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11 can be separated easily. FIG. 14,
This is a diagram showing the conveyance timing of the recording paper 11. Here, the heating resistor 132 of the thermal head 13 is divided into four blocks and energized as described above. Note that each of the strobe signals 1 to 4 corresponds to an energization signal for each block of the heating resistor 132 of the thermal head 13. Note that this example shows the recording operation in the fine mode, in which the excitation phase (1/2 half step) of each motor is generated when pulses indicating the timing of conveyance of the recording paper 11 and the conveyance of the ink sheet 14 are generated. It is switched and transported. Here, the recording paper 11 is conveyed by 2 half steps (1/7°7) mm, and the ink sheet 14 is conveyed by 4 mm.
It is transported by (1/7.7n) mm in half steps. Note that n=5 here. Timing TI indicates the timing when all of the recording data of the next line has been transferred to the thermal head 13 and the next line can be recorded. At timing T1, in order to convey the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11, the excitation phase of each motor is switched and each motor is driven in half steps. Since there is a time delay after the motors are switched to phase excitation until the recording paper 11 and ink sheet 14 are actually transported, these motors are started to be driven before the recording operation begins. Next, as shown at 61, the recording of the ■ line is performed. Timing T2 is the timing when the recording data of the next line is transferred to the thermal head 13 and the recording of the next line (63) becomes possible. It shows. At this time, the recording period (the time from the end timing Tla of the recording process 61 to T2), the number of black dots of the line information to be recorded next,
Alternatively, it is determined from the value obtained by subtracting the number of black dots recorded in the recording process 61 from the number of black dots recorded in the recording process 63. Here, for example, assuming that the time elapsed from timing Tla to timing T2 is 30 m5 or less and the difference in the number of black dots described above is "512" or less, recording processing 61
After the completion of the ink sheet 14, no additional conveyance of the ink sheet 14 is performed. On the other hand, the recording operation is started at the timing T3, and the time elapsed from the end time T2a of the recording process 63 to the start timing T3 of the next recording operation 65 is at least 30 m.
5 or more, and if the number of black dots in one line recorded in the recording process 65 satisfies the conditions shown in FIG. 5(C),
As shown at 66, after the recording process 65 is completed, the ink sheet 14 is printed for 1/2n lines [in this embodiment, (1/2
)X (1/7.7)X (1/n)mm] is transported. At the start timing T4 of the next recording process 68, the time from the recording end timing T3a of the previous line to T4 is short<
(30 ms or less) and does not satisfy the conditions shown in FIG. 5(C), the ink sheet 14
No extra conveyance is performed, whereas recording processing 7
0, the end timing T4 of the recording process 68 for the previous line
The time from a to the start timing T5 of the recording process 70 is short (
30ms or less) and the number of black dots recorded in the recording process 70 is, for example, "1800 (<1843) dots", this recording process is faster than the number of black dots recorded in the previous line recording process 68. When the number of black dots recorded at 70 is 512 or more, as shown at 71, the ink sheet 14 is printed by a predetermined amount [(1
/2)X (1/7.7)X (1/n)mm] is transported. <Explanation of Recording Principle (FIG. 7)> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image recording state when an image is recorded with the conveyance directions of the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 reversed in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, a recording paper 11 and an ink sheet 14 are held between a platen roller 12 and a thermal head 13, and the thermal head 13 is pressed against the platen roller 12 with a predetermined pressure by a spring 21. Here, the recording paper 11 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow at a speed Vp by the rotation of the platen roller 12. On the other hand, the ink sheet 14
is conveyed at a speed V in the direction of arrow a by the rotation of the ink sheet conveyance motor 25. Now, power supply 1 is connected to heating resistor 132 of thermal head 13.
When the ink sheet 14 is energized and heated, the shaded portion 81 of the ink sheet 14 is heated. Here, L4a represents the base film of the ink sheet 14, and 14b represents the ink layer of the ink sheet 14. The ink in the ink layer 81 is heated by energizing the heating resistor 132 and melts, and a portion of the ink layer 82 is transferred onto the recording paper 11 . The ink layer portion 82 to be transferred corresponds to approximately 1/n of the ink layer indicated by 81. During this transfer, it is necessary to generate a shearing force on the ink at the boundary line 83 of the ink layer 14b so that only the portion indicated by 82 is transferred onto the recording paper 11. In this case, the relative speed between the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11 is increased (by doing so, the ink layer to be transferred can be reliably peeled off from the ink sheet 14. [Description of the ink sheet (Fig. 8) ] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ink sheet used for multi-printing in this embodiment, which is composed of four layers. First, the second layer is a base film that serves as a support for the ink sheet 14. In the case of multi-printing, heat energy is applied to the same location many times, so aromatic polyamide films and capacitor paper with high heat resistance are advantageous, but conventional polyester films can also withstand use. Due to its role as a medium, the thinner it is, the more advantageous it is in terms of print quality, but from the point of view of strength, a thickness of 3 to 8 μm is preferable. This is an ink layer that contains ink. This component consists of EVA and other resins as adhesives, carbon black and nigrosine dyes for coloring, carnauba wax and paraffin wax as binding materials, etc. The coating amount is preferably 4 to 8 g/m'', but the sensitivity and density vary depending on the coating amount and can be selected arbitrarily.The fourth layer is the area where no recording is performed. This top coating layer is made of transparent wax, etc., to prevent the third layer of ink from being pressure-transferred onto the recording paper.As a result, only the transparent fourth layer is pressure-transferred. This prevents background stains on the recording paper.The first layer is the thermal head 13.
This is a heat-resistant coating layer that protects the second layer base film from heat. This is suitable for multi-printing where there is a possibility that thermal energy for n 2 rays is applied to the same location (when black information is continuous), but whether or not to use it can be selected as appropriate. It is also effective for base films with relatively low heat resistance, such as polyester films. Note that the structure of the ink sheet 14 is not limited to this embodiment, and may be composed of, for example, a base layer and a porous ink-retaining layer containing ink provided on one side of the base layer. A heat-resistant ink layer having a microporous network structure may be provided on top of the ink layer, and the ink may be contained in the ink layer.The material of the base film may be, for example, polyamide, polyethylene,
It may be a film or paper made of polyester, polyvinyl chloride, triacetyl cellulose, nylon, etc. Furthermore, although a heat-resistant coating layer is not necessarily required,
The material may be, for example, silicone resin, epoxy resin, fluorine resin, nitrocellulose, or the like. Further, the heating method in the thermal transfer printer is not limited to the thermal head method using the above-mentioned thermal head, and for example, an energization method or a laser transfer method may be used. In addition, although this embodiment has been explained using an example of using a thermal line head, the present invention is not limited to this.
It may also be a so-called serial type thermal transfer printer. Further, although the present embodiment has been described in the case of multi-printing, the present invention is not limited to this (it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to the case of ordinary thermal transfer recording using a one-time ink sheet. Although the case where the thermal transfer printer is applied to a facsimile machine has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention can also be applied to a word processor, a typewriter, a copying machine, etc. The medium is not limited to recording paper, but any material that allows ink transfer, such as cloth or plastic sheets, can be used.Also, the ink sheet is not limited to the roll configuration shown in the example, and can be used for recording, for example. The ink sheet may be of the so-called ink sheet cassette type, in which the ink sheet is housed in a housing that is removable from the main body of the apparatus, and the whole housing is removable from the main body of the recording apparatus.As described above, according to this embodiment, In a thermal transfer printer, after the recording of the current line is completed, the time interval from the end of recording of the previous line, the number of black dots recorded on the current line, or the number of black dots recorded on the current line and the number of black dots recorded on the previous line are calculated. The ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11 can be easily separated by conveying the ink sheet 14 by a predetermined distance after the current line recording is completed according to the difference between the number of black dots and the number of black dots. According to the facsimile machine,
For example, even if the recording cycle changes due to standard mode, fine mode, super fine mode, etc.
Accordingly, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed to the recording paper 11.
Since the separation is ensured, it is effective in recording devices such as facsimile machines where the recording cycle may become unevenly long due to the time interval of one line of image data or the decoding processing time thereof. In this embodiment, the amount of extra conveyance of the ink sheet 14 carried out after the end of recording of the current line was fixed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the amount of extra conveyance of the ink sheet 14 after the end of recording of the current line was fixed. The conveyance length of the ink sheet 14 may be changed based on the number of black dots on the recorded current line, the difference between the number of black dots on the current line and the number of black dots on the previous line, or the like. [Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the elapsed time from the end of the previous recording, the number of black dots in the recorded line information, or the number of black dots in the previous line and the black dots in the current line can be calculated. By conveying the ink sheet by a predetermined distance after recording is completed, depending on the difference in the number, there is an effect that the ink sheet and the recording medium can be reliably separated after image recording.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection between the control section and the recording section in the thermal transfer recording device of the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the facsimile machine of the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the mechanical part of the facsimile machine. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the conveyance mechanism for the recording paper and ink sheet of the embodiment. FIGS. 5 (A) and (B) are the recording processing in the facsimile machine of the present embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 (C) is the facsimile machine of the embodiment! FIG. 5(D) is a flowchart showing the determination process based on the conditions of FIG. 5(C). , Figure 6 is a diagram showing the timing of energizing the thermal head and the timing of transporting the ink sheet and recording paper in the recording process of this embodiment, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the principle of multi-printing during recording of this embodiment. 8 are diagrams showing the cross-sectional shape of the multi-ink sheet used in this example. In the figure, 10... Rolled recording paper, 10b... Roll paper loading section, 11... Recording paper, 12... Platen roller, 13... Thermal head, 14... Ink sheet, 15 ... cutter, 16 ... discharge roll, 17.
... Ink sheet supply roll, 18 ... Ink sheet take-up roll, 19 ... Sheet sensor, 20 ... Ink sheet presence sensor, 21 ... Spring, 22 ...
- Recording paper presence sensor, 24... Recording paper conveyance motor,
25... Ink sheet conveyance motor, 100... Reading section, 1011101a... Control section, 102...
Recording section, 103... Operation section, 104... Display section, 1
05...Power supply, 106...Modem, 107...N
CU, 110... Line memory, 111... Encoding/decoding unit, 112... Buffer memory, 113...
・CPU, 114...ROM, 115...RAM,
116...Timer, 117...Black dot memory, 1
18... Previous line black dot number memory, 2... Heating resistor (heating element)... Black dot counter. Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A thermal transfer recording device that records an image on the recording medium by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, comprising: an ink sheet conveying means that conveys the ink sheet; and an ink sheet conveying means that conveys the recording medium. a recording medium conveyance means; a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet; a counting means for counting the number of black dots recorded by the recording means; and a recording means for counting the number of black dots recorded by the recording means; a timer for measuring the elapsed time since the image recording; and a timer for measuring the time elapsed since the image was recorded; and a timer for measuring the time elapsed since the image was recorded; control means for controlling the ink sheet to be conveyed by a predetermined length without conveying the recording medium after the image recording of the current line by the recording means, according to the difference between the two. Device. (2) Claim 1, wherein the predetermined length corresponds to about 1/2 of the transport length of one line of the ink sheet.
The thermal transfer recording device described in 2. (3) A facsimile machine using a thermal transfer recording device that records an image on the recording medium by transferring ink contained in the ink sheet to the recording medium, the image input means for inputting a document image; and the ink sheet. an ink sheet conveying means for conveying the ink sheet; a recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium; a recording means for recording an image on the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet conveyed by the ink sheet conveying means; a counting means for counting the number of black dots recorded by the recording means; a clocking means for counting the elapsed time since the recording of the previous line image by the recording means; and a time value by the clocking means and a count value of the counting means. or depending on the difference between the number of black dots recorded on the previous line and the number of black dots on the current line, the ink is removed without transporting the recording medium after the recording means has recorded the image on the current line. A facsimile machine comprising: a control means for controlling a sheet to be conveyed a predetermined length.