JP2012200945A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which allows for rewriting of as much visible and variable information as possible to a card being a thermo-reversible recording medium.SOLUTION: The printer which prints on a rewrite card coated, on the front and back surfaces thereof, with a component coloring and color fading by application of thermal energy and cooling by a thermo-reversible recording system includes a conveyance means for conveying the rewrite card along a conveyance path, a thermal head which can apply thermal energy that allows coloring and color fading of the component for the rewrite card thus conveyed, and a control means for performing conveyance control and thermal energy application control, respectively, for the conveyance means and the thermal head. The thermal heads are arranged on both sides of the conveyance path so as to correspond to the front and back of the rewrite card conveyed on the conveyance path, and the control means performs rewriting on the front and back of the rewrite card by means of the thermal heads based on the print information given from a host device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer that prints on a rewritable card (hereinafter referred to as a rewritable card) that can be repeatedly rewritten by a thermoreversible recording method and a method of using the same.

  In recent years, rewrite cards that can rewrite (print / erase) information such as characters and numbers have been widely used for applications such as point cards, commuter passes, prepaid cards, leisure cards, and examination tickets. There is also known a printer that uses a rewrite card provided with a thermoreversible recording layer and rewrites the above information by a thermoreversible recording method (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

  The above-mentioned conventional rewrite card has the issuer information such as the card issuer's name and service name printed on the surface so that it can be seen visually, and the card user's (customer) name, date of birth, family composition, etc. Customer information that is not rewritten or little is recorded invisible, and customer usage history, transaction contents or current status, history information such as earned points, and other variable information are printed in a visible manner. For recording basic information such as issuer information and customer information, a magnetic recording method for recording on the magnetic stripe or the entire magnetic surface and a data recording method for contact or non-contact type IC cards are adopted. A thermoreversible recording method is employed in which the thermoreversible recording layer provided on the back surface of the material can be repeatedly erased and colored by heating (see, for example, Patent Documents 4 to 6).

Japanese Patent No. 3567241 JP 2005-186495 A JP 2004-322348 A JP 2000-94866 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-251042 JP 2002-103654 A

  Therefore, since a conventional rewrite card has a magnetic recording layer (magnetic stripe or full magnetic surface) in contact with the magnetic head of the printer on at least one surface, a thermoreversible recording layer cannot be provided on that surface. As a method, a thermal reversible recording method is employed in which an image is erased and formed by controlling thermal energy applied from each heating element using a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row at the tip. In this case, since the surface on which the image can be erased or formed is limited to one side of the card, the amount of information that can be recorded is limited. Also, the recording capacity of the magnetic recording layer is small. Therefore, the conventional rewrite card has a problem that there is a limit to the amount of information that can be provided.

  In a conventional printer that rewrites information by a thermoreversible recording method, visible variable information is printed by a thermal head, and erasure is performed by a ceramic heater or a heat roller dedicated to erasure. A magnetic head for reading / recording basic information on the magnetic stripe or the entire magnetic surface is provided. Therefore, since a long conveyance path is required for processing from reading information to rewriting of the rewrite card, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size of the printer.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and (1) a first problem is that in a printer using a thermoreversible recording medium capable of repeatedly performing color development and decoloration by heating. It is to enable rewriting of as much visible variable information as possible on a recording medium. (2) The second problem is to reduce the processing time in the printer and to make the apparatus compact. (3) The third problem is to make it possible to rewrite variable information with as high quality as possible in the above-mentioned printer to the same extent as a photograph. (4) A fourth problem is to provide a method for using the printer which improves the throughput so as not to cause unnecessary operations for rewriting.

  In order to solve the above first problem, the present invention is a printer that prints on a rewrite card coated on both front and back sides by a thermoreversible recording method with components that develop and decolor by application of heat energy and cooling. Transport means for transporting the rewrite card along the transport path, a thermal head capable of applying thermal energy capable of color development and decoloration of the components to the transported rewrite card, and the transport means and the thermal head. Control means for performing transport control and thermal energy application control for each of the cards, and the thermal head sandwiches the transport path so as to correspond to the front and back of the rewrite card transported through the transport path. And the control means rewrites the rewritable card by the thermal head based on print information given from the host device. It is characterized in Rukoto (claim 1).

The above-described invention-specific matters will be described separately. First, (a) the present invention uses a rewritable card in which components that are colored and decolored by application of heat energy and cooling are coated on both sides. The rewritable card is provided with a thermoreversible recording layer on both the front and back sides of the support by applying a component that develops and decolors by applying heat energy and cooling, that is, a mixed material of leuco dye and developer. is there. When the colorless leuco dye and the developer are in a decolored state, and when a predetermined amount of heat energy is applied to reach the first specific temperature (170 to 180 ° C.), the cohesive force between molecules is increased. The developer and the leuco dye, which have the property to enhance and develop the color of the leuco dye, are melted and the leuco dye is colored, and when rapidly cooled in this state, the colored state is maintained while the two are mixed. In addition, the developer and leuco dye melted and crystallized in a colored state are separated by heating at a second specific temperature (120 to 140 ° C.) below the melting point of both, and cooled to be crystallized. And the leuco dye returns to its original colorless state.
The support of the rewritable card is PVC or PET, and the thermal expansion coefficient and the thermal expansion coefficient of the thermoreversible recording layer are different. Therefore, when a thermoreversible recording layer is provided on only one side of the support, stress may be generated by heating during printing, causing the rewrite card to curl. However, the rewrite card used in the present invention is provided on both sides of the support. Since a thermoreversible recording layer is provided, curling of the rewrite card is effectively prevented.

  (A) Further, the printer of the present invention applies thermal energy to the rewrite card to cause the thermoreversible recording layer to perform color development and color erasing simultaneously, that is, a thermal head that serves both as an image forming means and an image erasing means. Is used. The present invention is different from the conventional technique in which one thermal head is used as an image forming unit and an image erasing unit, and one thermal head is used as the image forming unit and a ceramic heater or a heat roller is used as the image erasing unit.

  The thermal head used in the present invention controls the heat generation of each heating element, that is, heating and cooling, based on a large number of minute heating elements arranged in a line at the tip and printing information given from the host device. And a control circuit. As a general characteristic of the thermal head, the heating element is rapidly heated by voltage application, and the heating element is rapidly cooled by interruption of voltage application. Therefore, by controlling the heat generation based on the print information, it is possible to print an image such as desired characters and numbers on the thermoreversible recording layer of the rewrite card.

  (C) In the printer of the present invention, two thermal heads are attached with the transport path of the rewrite card in between. One thermal head is used to rewrite basic information and / or variable information on one side of the rewrite card, and the other thermal head is used to rewrite other variable information on the other side of the rewrite card. Used. In other words, the present invention is characterized in that two thermal heads are used on both the front and back surfaces of one rewrite card to repeatedly print and erase images.

  When non-variable information is included in all or part of the basic information and customer information, the non-variable information is pre-printed on the rewrite card. In the printer of the present invention, only the variable information is obtained by two thermal heads. However, even if non-variable information is included in the issuer information or customer information, the non-variable information is stored together with the variable information in a blank rewrite card on which the non-variable information is not pre-printed. Recording or rewriting can be performed by two thermal heads.

  In order to solve the second problem, the present invention expresses the basic information and customer information of the rewrite card in a two-dimensional code such as a QR code in the printer, and the rewrite card transported in the take-in direction. A rewrite card which is provided with a two-dimensional code reading means and a first thermal head for reading a two-dimensional code at a position for reading a three-dimensional code and a position for rewriting the surface after reading information, respectively. A second thermal head is provided at a position for rewriting the back surface, and the control means is provided with respect to the rewrite card conveyed in the take-in direction based on the information read by the two-dimensional code reading means and the print information given from the host device. Rewrite with 1 thermal head and with 2nd thermal head for rewrite card transported in ejection direction Ri is characterized by rewriting (claim 2).

  Two-dimensional codes include bar codes and QR codes, but QR codes have high recording density and can reduce the printing area, so basic information and customer information can be written in QR codes and read two-dimensional codes. It is desirable to use a QR code reader (hereinafter referred to as QR reader) as the means. The present invention is characterized in that a QR code is used for the two-dimensional code, and a QR reader which is a line sensor is used for the two-dimensional code reading means.

  In order to solve the third problem, the present invention provides a platen roller in which the thermal head is in pressure contact with the thermal head while the thermal head is printing on the rewrite card (coloring and erasing). In addition to performing only by the conveying force, the nips of the conveying rollers before and after the opening are opened so that the conveying roller does not apply an impact to the rewrite card being printed (Claim 4).

  In order to solve the third problem, the present invention also provides a thermal head with a large number of minute heating elements arranged in a line at the tip and respective heating based on printing information given from the host device. It has a control circuit that controls heating and cooling of the element, and uses a heating element with a pitch of about 300 to 500 dpi. During printing on a rewrite card, the nip of the transport roller before and after the thermal head is opened and printing is in progress. The transport roller does not apply an impact to the rewrite card, and the thermal head is pressed against the platen roller to transport the rewrite card only by the platen roller. When the printing is finished, the thermal head is moved to the platen roller. In addition, the nip of the transport roller before and after that is closed and transported by the transport roller. That (claim 5).

  Furthermore, in order to solve the third problem, the present invention provides a first elevating means for elevating and lowering the line sensor at the same time as elevating and lowering the pinch roller of the conveying roller with respect to the feed roller, and a first elevating means for elevating the first thermal head. 2 elevating means and a third elevating means for elevating the second thermal head. In addition, each elevating means is placed at the home position between the insertion of the card and the end of printing by thermoreversible recording until the card is ejected. (Hereinafter referred to as HP) HP mode for holding at the position, upper surface rewrite mode for holding the respective lifting means at the position when the first thermal head prints on the upper surface (front surface) of the card, and each lifting means for the second thermal A mode switching mechanism is provided for switching to a lower surface rewrite mode in which the head is held at a position when printing on the lower surface (back surface) of the card. Are (claim 6).

  In order to solve the fourth problem, the present invention provides a thermoreversible recording material that is erased at a first specific temperature and develops color at a second specific temperature range higher than the first specific temperature. Using a rewritable card coated on both sides, two thermal heads with minute heating elements arranged in a row at a density of 300 to 500 dpi are placed across the conveyance path, and the printing information given to each thermal head from the host device By adding a gradation designation signal to each heating element of the thermal head, an image having a predetermined gradation degree of 300 to 500 dpi is formed on at least one surface of the card.

  The method of using the printer according to the present invention includes a step of reciprocally conveying the rewrite card from the insertion / discharge port to the rear of the second thermal head by a conveying means, and a rewrite card conveyed in the take-in direction. The process of reading the recorded two-dimensional code by the two-dimensional code reading means, the basic information obtained by reading the two-dimensional code on the surface of the rewrite card conveyed in the take-in direction, and the printing information given from the host device Printing basic information including a two-dimensional code by the first thermal head based on the above, printing by the second thermal head based on the printing information given from the host device on the back side of the rewrite card conveyed in the discharge direction And a verification check by reading the two-dimensional code printed by the first thermal head. It is characterized in bets (claim 8). That is, reading of the two-dimensional code and rewriting of the card surface by the first thermal head are performed during conveyance in the card take-in direction, and rewriting of the back surface of the card by the second thermal head is performed during conveyance in the card ejection direction. It is characterized by checking the dimension code.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the thermal head is arranged so as to correspond to the front and back of the rewrite card conveyed along the conveyance path, and needs to be rewritten based on the printing information given from the host device. In such a case, the rewrite card is rewritten by the thermal head, so that as much of the visible variable information as possible can be rewritten. In addition, since the upper and lower thermal heads are used to rewrite both the front and back sides of the rewrite card, the transport distance and processing time can be shortened, that is, the throughput can be improved, and the apparatus can be downsized. Furthermore, the rewrite card is manufactured by simply applying a component that develops and decolors by applying heat energy and cooling on both sides of the support, and it is not necessary to provide a magnetic recording layer, so the card manufacturing cost is low.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the two-dimensional code reading means for reading the two-dimensional code with respect to the rewrite card conveyed in the take-in direction, and the two-dimensional code and variable information on the surface of the rewritten card after the reading. There is one thermal head that performs rewriting, and another thermal head that rewrites variable information on the back side of the rewrite card that is transported in the ejection direction. Based on the information and print information given from the host device, new two-dimensional code (basic information and customer information) and variable information can be printed on the front surface of the rewrite card, and new variable information can be printed on the back surface.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the basic information and the customer information are represented by QR codes and read by the QR reader, so that it is not necessary to provide a magnetic recording surface on the rewrite card. Therefore, it was possible to print on both the front and back sides of the rewrite card using the thermoreversible method. In addition, the area required for printing basic information and customer information is reduced, and the amount of variable information that can be recorded is increased accordingly.

  According to the invention of claim 4, during printing (during coloring and erasing) on the rewrite card, the rewrite card is transported only by the transport force of the platen roller pressed against the summer head, and the transport rollers before and after the transport roller. Since no impact is applied to the rewritable card while printing, the high-resolution image that is the same as a photograph can be rewritten with high quality.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to rewrite a high-resolution image that is not different from a photograph with high quality.

  According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to rewrite a high-resolution image that is the same as a photograph with high quality.

  According to the invention of claim 7, it is possible to rewrite an image having a desired gradation with high resolution and high quality.

  According to the invention of claim 8, the two-dimensional code is read and the card surface is rewritten when the card is conveyed in the direction of taking in the card, and the card is rewritten and the two-dimensional code is rewritten when the card is conveyed in the direction of ejection. Since the check is performed, the throughput can be improved so as not to cause unnecessary operations for rewriting.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration with the housing of the printer of FIG. 1 removed. FIG. 3 is a front view of the printer of FIG. 2. It is also a plan view. Similarly, it is a right side view. It is a figure which shows the state which opened the upper frame of the printer of FIG. 2, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a left view. It is a side view which mainly shows the structure of a conveyance means, the arrangement | positioning position of a card sensor, QR reader, and a thermal head. It is a top view explaining the whole structure of a mode switching mechanism. It is the perspective view which shows the member attached to the lower frame, (a) is the perspective view seen from the left front side, (b) is the perspective view seen from the opposite side of (a). It is a figure which shows the state which removed the lower frame of FIG. 9, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a top view. It is a bottom view of an upper frame. It is the perspective view seen from the arrow V1 direction of FIG. It is a top view which extracts and shows a 1st raising / lowering means, a 2nd raising / lowering means, a 3rd raising / lowering means, and a mode switching mechanism. It is the perspective view seen from the arrow V2 direction of FIG. It is a side view explaining the whole structure and operation | movement of all the raising / lowering means. It is a side view explaining the structure and operation | movement of a 1st raising / lowering means. It is a side view explaining the structure and operation | movement of a 2nd raising / lowering means and a 3rd raising / lowering means. It is a figure which shows the angle of the cam in HP mode in the operation | movement transition of mode switching, and the positional relationship of each element. It is a figure which shows the angle of the cam in the upper surface light mode in the operation | movement transition of mode switching, and the positional relationship of each element. It is a figure which shows the angle of the cam in the lower surface light mode in the operation | movement transition of mode switching, and the positional relationship of each element. 6 is a flowchart of an initial operation of the printer. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of a paper discharge operation in the flowchart of FIG. 19. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of HP transfer operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart of a series of operations from card insertion to removal from the printer. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the paper feeding operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of QR code reading operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the upper surface rewrite transfer operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of an upper surface rewrite operation in the flowchart of FIG. 22. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the lower surface rewrite transfer operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the lower surface rewrite operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of QR verification check operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a time chart of a series of operation in an example of an embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram explaining an example of the conveyance path dimension of a card | curd, the flow of a card | curd, and the rewritable range.

[overall structure]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer A according to the present invention is provided with upper and lower frames 1 and 2 serving as mounting bases in a housing H that provides exterior and internal protection, as shown in FIGS. It has been. The frames 1 and 2 are coupled by a shaft 11 penetrating through the rear portion thereof so that the upper frame 2 can be rotated around the shaft 11 to open and close the front portion. When the upper frame 2 is closed, the hooks 13 rotatably attached to both ends of the shaft 12 provided at the front portion of the lower frame 1 are engaged with the pins 13 protruding from both sides of the upper frame 2. It can be kept closed. A horizontally long opening is formed between the front end faces of the closed frames 1 and 2. This opening communicates with the insertion / discharge port 3 provided on the front surface of the housing H.

  The frames 1 and 2 include a transport means 100 for reciprocally transporting an inserted rewrite card (hereinafter simply referred to as a card) C to a predetermined position along a predetermined transport path, and the presence and absence of the inserted card and transport. Detection means 200a, 200b, 200c for detecting that the card to be reached has reached a predetermined position, two-dimensional code reading means 300 for reading the two-dimensional code recorded on the card to be conveyed, and the conveyance path. Signals from two thermal heads 400a and 400b that rewrite the arranged and conveyed card C by a thermoreversible recording method, detection means 200a to 200c, two-dimensional code reading means 300, and host device (not shown). Alternatively, the conveyance control for the conveyance unit 100 and the heat generation control for the thermal heads 400a and 400b (thermal reversible) based on the print information. Control means 500 for performing recording control) is provided as a minimum component.

In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the above-described components, a lifting / lowering means 600 (not shown in FIG. 1) and a mode switching mechanism 700 for improving printing quality by two thermal heads are provided. . When the mode switching mechanism 700 is provided, the control unit 500 also performs mode switching control for the mode switching mechanism 700.
In FIG. 1, M <b> 1 is a transport drive motor that is one of the components of the transport unit 100, and M <b> 2 is a mode motor that is one of the components of the mode switching mechanism 700.
Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

[Conveying means]
As for the card transport, the card inserted from the insertion port provided on the front surface of the housing H is transported in one direction, and during that time, an image forming process is performed, and the card is removed from the discharge port provided on the back surface of the housing H. In this embodiment, in order to enable insertion and removal of the card on the front side of the printer A, it is inserted from the insertion / discharge port 3 provided on the front surface of the housing H. A reciprocating conveyance system is adopted in which the card is reciprocated and subjected to image formation processing during that time, and then removed from the insertion / discharge port 3.

  At the upper part of the lower frame 1, feed rollers 101f1 to 101f3 are provided between the left and right side plates 1a and 1b with a predetermined interval from the insertion / discharge port 3 in the take-in direction, and at the lower part of the upper frame 2, the feed rollers 101f1 are provided. The pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 are provided so as to face each of. Conveying rollers 101R1 to 101R3 are composed of feed rollers 101f1 to 101f3 and pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 facing each other.

  Synchronized pulleys 102p1 to 102p3 are fixed to a portion where the shafts of the feed rollers 101f1 to 101f3 extend to one side plate of the lower frame 1, for example, the outside of the right side plate 1a. Is stretched.

  Reference numeral 104a in FIG. 7 denotes a first platen roller provided on the lower side of the conveying surface between the left and right side plates 1a and 1b of the lower frame 1 corresponding to a first thermal head 400a to be described later. A synchro pulley 102p4 is also fixed to the portion of the shaft of the platen roller 104a extending to the outside of the right side plate 1a, and the timing belt 103 is also wound around the synchro pulley 102p4.

  The gear trains 106a to 106e, which serve as the speed reduction means and the transmission means, are provided on the left and right side plates 1a and 1b of the lower frame 1 in order to apply the rotational driving force of the conveyance motor M1 which is an important component of the conveyance means to the conveyance rollers 101R1 to 101R3. The last gear 106f of the gear train is engaged with a gear 105a fixed on the shaft of the first platen roller 104a.

Reference numeral 104b in FIG. 7 denotes a second platen roller provided on the upper side of the conveying surface between the left and right side plates 2a, 2b of the upper frame 2 corresponding to a second thermal head P head described later. A gear 105b is fixed to a portion extending to the outside of the side plate 2a or 2b on the same side as the gear train 106a to 106e of the shaft of the platen roller 104b, and the gear 105b is engaged with the gear 105a.
Thus, the card C inserted from the insertion / discharge port 3 can be transported in the take-in direction or the discharge direction via the transport rollers 101R1 to 101R3 by the forward drive or reverse drive of the transport motor M1. Yes.

[Detection means]
The detection means includes detection means 200a (hereinafter referred to as a first card sensor) for detecting whether or not a card is present in the insertion / discharge port 3, and whether a card is present near the rear end of the transport path. Detecting means 200b (hereinafter referred to as a second card sensor) for detecting whether or not, and the tip of the card conveyed in the take-in direction performs printing (thermo-reversible recording) by the first thermal head 400a on the card. There is detection means 200c (hereinafter referred to as a registration sensor) for detecting whether or not a predetermined reference position for starting has been reached. As these detection means, a reflection type or transmission type photoelectric sensor can be used.

[Two-dimensional code reading means]
In the card used in the present invention, basic information and variable information of the card issuer and / or card user are recorded so as to be rewritable by a thermal head described later. The card issuer is, for example, a store in the case of a point card, a financial institution in the case of a credit card, a transportation in the case of a commuter pass, a medical institution in the case of an examination ticket, etc. ID, such as a person's name, sales PR, service contents, and the name of a person in charge, and variable information is, for example, guidance information such as events and campaigns, news, and the like. The card user is, for example, a customer, a trader, a patient, etc., and the basic information is an ID of the card user's address, name, date of birth, age, gender, name of an attendant or attending physician, etc. The variable information is information that changes each time the card is used, such as a usage history or transaction history such as a customer's usage amount or transaction amount, or a medical history or examination result.

  Conventionally, basic information has been recorded on the magnetic recording surface of the card by a magnetic head. In the present invention, both basic information and variable information are recorded on the thermoreversible recording surface of the card by a thermal head. In the present invention, a card having a thermoreversible recording surface on both front and back sides is used. Therefore, only basic information may be recorded on the front surface of the card, and only variable information may be recorded on the back surface, or basic information and variable information may be recorded on one or both of the front and back surfaces.

  In the basic information and variable information, information that is not readable by humans but is readable by reading means (hereinafter referred to as non-readable information, and information recorded so as to be readable by humans is referred to as readable information). .) When such non-readable information is recorded by a thermoreversible recording method, it is recorded by a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or a QR code, for example. The QR code is preferable in that a large amount of information can be recorded in a small area as compared with the barcode, so that a wide recording area of readable information can be secured. In the present invention, it is not always necessary to record the QR code on the card, but the preferred embodiment is configured to record the non-readable information by the thermal head used for printing the readable information also by the QR code. . Therefore, a QR reader 300 is provided as a two-dimensional code reading means. The QR reader 300 is a known one composed of CCDs arranged in a line, and can read a fine QR code.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 11, and 12, the QR reader 300 can move up and down with these pinch rollers between the pinch roller 101p1 of the first transport roller 101R1 and the pinch roller 101p2 of the second transport roller 101R2. Installed. That is, two support rods 302 that penetrate the QR reader 300 in a direction perpendicular to the card conveying direction through the support member 301 existing between the side plates 2a and 2b of the upper frame 2 in the vicinity of the side plates 2a and 2b. The other end of the arm member 304 having one end rotatably attached to both sides of the leader arm shaft 303 suspended on the lower part (upper part in FIG. 2) of both side plates 2a and 2b is the middle in the longitudinal direction of the support member 301. It is rotatably supported at the part.

The pinch roller 101p1 of the first transport roller 101R1 and the pinch roller 101p2 of the second transport roller 101R2 are rotatably supported by a support shaft 305 held between the front and rear end portions of the support members 301 on both sides.
A transport roller assembly RA that can be raised and lowered by a combination of an arm member 304, a support member 301 supported by the arm member 304, a QR reader 300 supported by a support bar 302, and front and rear pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3. Is configured. The structure capable of moving up and down is related to a first lifting means 610 described later.

[Thermo-reversible recording means]
In the present invention, as the thermoreversible recording means, thermal heads 400a and 400b having the following structures and characteristics are used, and the two thermal heads are arranged above and below the transport path with the transport path interposed therebetween. It is one of the features.
That is, the thermal heads 400a and 400b are predetermined for each heating element based on the minute heating element group arranged in a line at a density of 200 to 300 dots per inch and printing information given from the host device. And a control circuit for generating the heat energy. A thermistor, which is a resistor whose resistance value changes with the heat generation temperature, is used for the heat generating element. When printing, the card is brought into contact with the tip of the thermal head, and if the density of the heating elements of the head is 200 dpi, printing is performed by moving (conveying) the card at a pitch of 1/200 inch.

  The thermal heads 400a and 400b are characterized in that when a current is applied, the heating element is rapidly heated, and when the current application is interrupted, the heating element is rapidly cooled. Further, the color is developed at the first specific temperature (170 to 180 ° C.), and the color is erased at the second specific temperature (120 to 140 ° C.) lower than the first specific temperature. Therefore, by controlling the heat generation of each heat generating element based on the print information, desired characters, numbers or QR codes are put on the thermoreversible recording surface of the card conveyed (sub-scanned) in contact with the tips of the thermal heads 400a and 400b. The included image can be printed (colored).

  The thermal heads 400a and 400b can be used as components of the printing control apparatus described in Patent Document 1, respectively. The printing control device converts the temperature value of each heating element into a voltage value from the current flowing at the time of temperature detection, a control circuit that switches between the thermal head and the current circuit that flows to each heating element at the time of heat generation driving and temperature detection. And an analog / digital conversion circuit for digitally converting the same voltage, an integrator for integrating the digital value from the start of heating, and an integrated value of the integrator and a higher-order device set in advance. The comparator comprises a comparator for comparing the print density setting values of the corresponding portions with each other, and a circuit for stopping the heat generation driving of the heating element when the comparator detects that the target density has been reached.

  The integrated thermal energy value given to each line on the card surface is sequentially detected while detecting the surface temperature, so that it is possible to manage the coloring temperature with extremely high accuracy for the thermoreversible recording layer. Therefore, by adding a gradation designation signal for designating the gradation degree to the print information (print density setting value) sent from the host apparatus, the multi-step density of the image having the desired gradation degree is obtained by one or both of the thermal heads 400a and 400b. Printing is possible, and printing that is the same as photo quality can be performed at high speed.

  As the thermoreversible recording layer, a monochrome coloring thermoreversible recording layer, a two-color coloring thermoreversible recording layer, a color coloring thermoreversible recording layer, or the like can be used. The color generation characteristics of these thermal recording apparatuses are that the color density during printing is determined by the heat generation energy applied by the heat generating elements on the thermal head. In the print control, the temperature of the heating element on the card is measured, the values are accumulated momentarily, and heating is performed until the accumulated value reaches the target set value, and the accumulated value becomes the target set value. At that time, the heating drive is stopped.

[First thermal head]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 15, the first thermal head 400a (hereinafter also referred to as a P head) is located immediately above the card conveying surface immediately below the card conveying direction of the registration sensor 200c. It is installed to face the first platen roller 104a provided on the side. The first thermal head 400a is mounted so as to be able to move up and down and is always urged in the direction of the first platen roller 104a in order to reliably cause a thermoreversible reaction with respect to the card being conveyed.

  An example of the mounting structure for this purpose will be described. The other end of the head arm 401 whose one end is pivotally supported by the side plates 2a and 2b on both sides of the upper frame 2 is rotatably coupled to both sides of the first thermal head 400a. The first thermal head 400a is held by the guide member 402 provided on the side plates 2a and 2b so as to be movable up and down, and is always urged downward by the urging member, so that the heat generating surface of the first thermal head 400a becomes the first platen roller 104a. It is designed to be pressed against. The urging member is, for example, a coil spring 403a, the upper end of which is coupled to the first thermal head 400a, and the lower end of the urging member is fixed to a shaft 404a protruding from the upper frame 2.

[Second thermal head]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 15, the second thermal head P head (hereinafter also referred to as S head) is located at a position slightly away from the first thermal head 400a in the card loading direction. The second platen roller 104b provided on the upper side of the conveying surface is disposed on the lower side. Then, in order to surely cause a thermoreversible reaction with respect to the card to be conveyed, as with the first thermal head 400a, the card is mounted by a coil spring 403a and a shaft 404a so as to be movable up and down, and always the second platen roller 104b. The heat generating surface of the second thermal head P head can be brought into contact with the second platen roller 104b.

[Elevating means and mode switching mechanism]
If the pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 of the transport roller are always in pressure contact with the feed rollers 101f1 to 101f3, the card is impacted when entering the nip portion of the transport roller 101, which affects the card transport accuracy. Similarly, when the QR reader 300 is always present at the reading position, the conveyance accuracy is similarly affected. Further, if the two thermal heads 400a and 400b are always in pressure contact with the platen rollers 104a and 104b, the card is subjected to an impact when entering between the thermal head and the platen roller, thereby affecting the card conveyance accuracy. give. Such a change in conveyance accuracy is not preferable because it causes a decrease in print quality by the thermal heads 400a and 400b and reading accuracy by the QR reader 300.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed to improve the conveyance accuracy of the conveyance means and the printing accuracy by the two thermal heads for the purpose of enabling printing of a high resolution image similar to a photograph in basic information or variable information. In order to increase, an elevating means 600 and a mode switching mechanism 700 described below are provided.

[Elevating means]
The elevating means includes a first elevating means 610 that elevates and lowers the pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 and the QR reader 300 at a predetermined timing, a second elevating means 620 that elevates and lowers the first thermal head 400a at a predetermined timing, and a second thermal There is third elevating means 630 for elevating the head P head at a predetermined timing.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the first elevating means 610 has a leader drive cam 611 fixed to a control shaft 701, which will be described later, and an L-shape. The bent portion of the first elevating means 610 is attached to the lower frame 1 by a support shaft 612a. The lower frame 1 is swingably supported by a leader drive arm 615 having a cam follower 613 at the lower end and a pressing piece 614 at the upper end, and a support shaft 612b at a substantially intermediate point in the card conveying direction. A leader arm 617 having a pressed piece 616 provided below the pressing piece 614 of the reader drive arm 611 at the rear end portion in the card taking-in direction, and a leader retract arm 618 provided at the tip of the leader arm 617 It has become.

In the side plates 1a and 1b of the lower frame 1, a vertical hole or a vertical groove 619 is formed in the vicinity of the front end portion of the leader arm 617, and a support bar 6110 continuous between both side plates is fitted in the vertical groove so as to be movable up and down. Yes. The reader retract arm 618 formed in the shape of a balance that is long in the card conveying direction is fixed to the inside of both side plates of the support bar 6110 at its intermediate portion. A guide shaft 6111 extending from the upper part of the leader retract arm 618 in the direction of the side plates 1a and 1b is fitted in the vertical groove 619 so as to be movable up and down, so that the leader retract arm 618 is always maintained in a horizontal state. As shown in FIG. 16, the support shafts of the first pinch roller 101p1 and the second pinch roller 101p2 of the transport roller assembly RA are supported on the upper side of both ends of the leader retract arm 618.
Note that reference numeral 6112 in FIG. 16 denotes an elliptical hole provided so that the leader arm 617 is not prevented from swinging by the feed roller 101f2 of the second transport roller 101R2.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 14, and 17 (a), the second elevating means 620 includes a P head retract cam 621 fixed to a control shaft 701, which will be described later, and a support shaft 622 at a bent portion of the frame 1. An L-shaped P-head retract arm 625 having a cam follower 623 at the lower end and a pressing piece 624 at the upper end is mounted. The pressing piece 624 of the P head retract arm 625 is in contact with the lower surface of the first thermal head 400a.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 14, and 17 (b), the third elevating / lowering means 630 includes an S head retract cam 631 fixed to a control shaft 701, which will be described later, and a support shaft 632 at a bent portion of the frame 1. The L-shaped S head retract arm 635 is mounted so as to be swingable and has a cam follower 633 at the upper end and a pressing piece 634 at the lower end. The pressing piece 634 of the S head retract arm 635 is in contact with the lower upper surface of the second thermal head 104b.

[Mode switching mechanism]
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 of the transport rollers and the QR reader 300 are supported so as to be movable up and down, and the thermal heads 400a and 400b are attached so as to be movable up and down. By rotating the 701 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined angle and controlling the elevation thereof at a predetermined timing, a decrease in conveyance accuracy is prevented in advance. A mode switching mechanism 700 is provided to switch the elevation patterns of the pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 and the QR reader 300 and the elevation patterns of the thermal heads 400a and 400b.

  The mode switching mechanism 700 includes an HP mode for maintaining the lifting / lowering means 610, 620, and 630 at the home position (HP), and an upper surface rewrite for moving the lifting / lowering means to a position for rewriting the upper surface (front surface) of the card. The mode is set to any one of three modes: a lower surface rewrite mode in which each of the elevating means is moved to a position at the time of rewriting the lower surface (back surface) of the card.

Next, the configuration and operation of the mode switching mechanism will be described based on FIGS. 8, 15, and 18A to 18C.
The mode switching mechanism 700 has a mode motor M2 attached to the lower frame 1. The mode motor M2 is a pulse motor whose rotational direction is one direction (CW). A gear G1 is fixed on the rotation shaft of the mode motor M2. A gear G6 is also fixed on a mode switching control shaft 701 that is rotatably suspended on both side plates 1a and 1b of the lower frame 1. The case of the mode motor M2 is provided with gear trains G2 to G5 which serve as transmission means and speed reduction means. The start gear G2 is meshed with the gear G1 of the mode motor M2, and the end gear G5 is connected to the control shaft 701. The control shaft 701 is rotated in a fixed direction by the rotation of the mode motor M2.

  On the control shaft 701, as shown in FIG. 8, the positions of the QR reader 300, the pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3, the P head 400a, and the S head 400b are provided on the left and right sides of the control shaft 701 via the lifting means 610, 620, and 630, respectively. For switching to the three modes of the HP mode, the upper surface rewrite mode, and the lower surface rewrite mode, that is, the mode switching of the leader drive cam 611 and the second lifting means 620 constituting the mode switching mechanism of the first lifting means 610 The P head retract cam 621 constituting the mechanism and the S head retract cam 631 constituting the mode switching mechanism of the third elevating means 630 are fixed.

  The mode switching mechanism 700 detects whether the driving element is currently in one of the HP mode, the upper surface rewrite mode, and the lower surface rewrite mode, and shifts to a predetermined mode when receiving a control signal. It has mode detection means. The mode detection means detects whether or not the rotation angle of the control shaft 701, and hence the rotation angle of each of the leader drive cam 611, the P head retract cam 621, and the S head retract cam 631, is at a predetermined angle. , Two slit disks, a first slit disk 702a and a second slit disk 702b fixed to the control shaft 701, and a first mode sensor 703a and a second mode sensor for detecting the slits of these two slit disks, respectively. It consists of two mode sensors 703b. Each of the slit disks has two slits so that the angle between the centers is 120 degrees. The two slit disks 702a and 702b and the two mode sensors 703a and 703b have a control shaft 701 of 120. Two slit discs are attached with the positions of the slits shifted by a predetermined angle in the rotation direction so that only one of the two mode sensors or both of them are turned on each time it is rotated. For example, a photoelectric sensor that turns on the mode sensor when a slit is detected is used as the mode sensor.

  The driving elements and mode sensors in each mode are as follows. That is, when the angle of the control shaft 701 exists in the HP, in other words, in the HP mode, as shown in FIG. 18A (b), the second slit s2 of the first slit disk 702a moves the first mode sensor 703a. The second slit disk 702b turns off the second mode sensor 703b.

  In this HP mode, as shown in FIG. 18A (a), the rotation angle of the leader drive cam 611 is such that the transport roller assembly RA is closed via the leader drive arm 615, leader arm 617 and leader retract arm 618, The pinch rollers 101P1 and 101P2 of the transport rollers 101R1 and 101R2 are pressed by the feed rollers 101f1 and 101f2 so that the card can be transported. The S head retract cam 631 is in the retracted position, that is, the raised position, and the rotation angle of the S head retract cam 631 is at the retracted position, that is, the position where the S head 400b is lowered via the S head retract arm 632.

  When the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction and the control shaft 701 is rotated 120 degrees in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the drawing), as shown in FIG. 18B (b), the first slit disk 702a is When the first mode sensor 703a is turned off and the second slit disk 702b is turned on by the first slit s1 and the second mode sensor 703b is turned on, the mode motor M2 stops rotating and enters the upper surface rewrite mode. In this upper surface rewrite mode, as shown in FIG. 18B (a), the rotation angle of the leader drive cam 611 is such that the transport roller assembly RA is opened via the leader drive arm 615, the leader arm 617, and the leader retract arm 618, , The pinch rollers 101p1 and 101p2 of the transport roller are spaced upward from the feed rollers 101f1 and 101f2, and the QR reader 300 is spaced upward from the card transport surface, and the rotation angle of the P head retract cam 621 is the P head retract arm. The P head 400a is lowered through 625 and is brought into pressure contact with the first platen roller 104a, and the rotation angle of the S head retract cam 631 is set so that the S head 400b is retracted through the S head retract arm 635, that is, the second It is maintained at a position spaced downward from the platen roller 104b.

  When the mode motor M2 rotates again by a predetermined angle in the predetermined direction and the control shaft 701 rotates further by 120 degrees in the predetermined direction, as shown in FIG. 18C (b), the first slit disk 702a becomes the first slit disk 702a. When the first slit turns on the first mode sensor 703a and the second slit disc 702b turns on the second mode sensor 703b, the mode motor M2 stops rotating and enters the lower surface rewrite mode. In this lower surface rewrite mode, as shown in FIG. 18C (a), the rotation angle of the leader drive cam 611 is such that the transport roller assembly RA is opened, that is, the transport rollers 101p1, 101p2 are separated from the feed rollers 101f1, 101f2. The rotation angle of the P head retract cam 621 raises the P head 400a to the retracted position, that is, the position separated from the first platen roller 104a, and the rotation angle of the S head retract cam 631 increases the S head retract cam. Through the arm 635, the S head 400b is lowered to a position where it is pressed against the second platen roller 104b.

[Control means]
The control means 500 controls the drive of the transport motor M1 of the transport means, the read control of the QR reader 300 based on the detection signals from the detection means 200a to 200c, the mode sensors 703a and 703b and the print information from the host device. It controls the printing of the two thermal heads 400a and 400b and the drive control of the mode motor M2 of the mode switching mechanism 700, and comprises an input / output interface and an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) connected to the storage unit.

  When the printer A is used as a stand-alone type, although not shown, a display unit for displaying the contents converted into readable information on the upper surface of the housing H based on the QR code read from the card, When a numeric key or other input unit for inputting transaction contents is provided, and this printer A is used by being connected to a computer such as a POS system, nothing is provided on the upper surface of the housing H. .

Next, the operation of the above-described configuration of the printer A will be described with reference to FIG. 19 and subsequent drawings.
[Initialization operation]
When the power is turned on to use the printer A, a plurality of preset programs are sequentially executed, and first, an initial operation is started as shown in FIG. That is, in step (hereinafter referred to as S) 11, it is checked whether or not the current mode is designated as the HP mode. If the current mode is designated as the HP mode, the first card sensor 200a, the second card sensor 200b, It is checked whether or not a card is detected from detection signals of the registration sensor 200c and the QR reader 300 (S12). If there is a card, in S13, the routine proceeds to a discharge operation routine which will be described later with reference to FIG. 20, and after executing the discharge operation routine, the mode motor M2 is rotated clockwise (CW) ( S14), when the first mode sensor 703a is switched from OFF to ON (Y in S15), the mode motor M2 is further rotated clockwise (CW) by a minimum predetermined step (for example, 18 steps) (S16), End initial operation.

If the current mode is designated to be other than the HP mode in S11, in S17, the routine shifts to a routine for HP transition operation described later based on FIG. The motor M1 is counterclockwise (CCW) by a number of steps capable of transporting a distance slightly larger than the maximum distance among the distances between adjacent detection means (for example, the distance between the first card sensor 200a and the registration sensor 200c). After the rotation (S18), it is checked whether or not only the first card sensor 200a detects the card (S19). As a result, when there is a card only in the first card sensor 200a, the initial operation is terminated. However, if this is not the case, it will be judged as a jam and an alarm will be issued.
If no card is detected in S12, the process proceeds to S18.

[Output operation]
In the paper discharge operation routine, first in S21, it is confirmed whether or not the current mode is the HP mode. If not in the HP mode, the routine proceeds to the HP transition operation routine described later in S22, and in the HP mode, It is checked whether only the second card sensor is ON (S23). When only the second card sensor is ON, that is, when the card is at the back of the transport path, the transport motor M1 is rotated counterclockwise until the first card sensor 200a is turned on (S24, S25). When the first card sensor 200a is turned on, the transport motor M1 is further rotated for a predetermined step, that is, until the front end of the card protrudes into the insertion / discharge port (S26), and only the first card sensor 200a is turned on. It is checked whether or not it has been done (S27). When only the first card sensor 200a is turned on, the paper discharge operation is terminated. However, if only the first card sensor 200a is not turned on, an error display such as a transport error is displayed.

In S23, when only the second card sensor 200b is not ON, it is checked whether or not both the registration sensor 200c and the second card sensor 200b are ON (S28). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to S24. When the result is negative, it is checked whether or not both the registration sensor 200c and the first card sensor 200a are ON (S29). When the determination is positive, the conveyance motor M1 is rotated counterclockwise until the registration sensor 200c is turned OFF. (S210, S211). After the registration sensor 200c is turned off, the conveyance motor M1 is further rotated in a predetermined step (eg, 1800 steps) counterclockwise until the end of the card protrudes from the insertion / ejection port 3 (S212). .
In S29, when both the registration sensor 200c and the first card sensor 200a are not ON, it is checked whether only the first card sensor 200a is ON (S213). If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S212. Displays an error.

[HP transition operation]
The HP transition operation in S17 of FIG. 19 and S22 of FIG. 20 has the same contents. As shown in FIG. 21, first, in S31, the first mode sensor 703a is ON and the second mode sensor 703b is OFF. If the result is affirmative, the HP transition operation is terminated. On the other hand, when the result is negative, after the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined step (for example, 150 steps) clockwise (S32), the first mode sensor 703a is turned on again and the second mode sensor 703b is turned on again. It is checked whether or not it is OFF (S33). If the result is affirmative, the mode motor M2 is rotated clockwise by a predetermined step (for example, 18 steps) and then stopped (S34).
If the determination in S33 after starting the rotation of the first mode motor M2 is negative, it is checked whether the number of pulses given to the mode motor M2 at that time is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 500 steps). If YES, the process proceeds to S32. If NO, that is, if the number of pulses to the mode motor M2 exceeds the predetermined value, an error is displayed.

  After the above initialization operation is completed and the printer is normally initialized, the printer A is used for regular operation. When a predetermined card, that is, a card having the above-described thermoreversible recording layers on both the front and back sides is inserted into the insertion / discharge port 3, a program of a series of operations is executed as shown in FIG.

[Series operation]
First, in S41, a paper feed operation routine, which will be described later, is executed. Subsequently, after an upper surface rewrite transition operation routine, which will be described later, is executed (S42), an upper surface rewrite command for printing on the upper surface of the card is input. Whether or not is checked (S43). If the determination is affirmative, a routine for an upper surface rewrite operation described later is executed (S44). When the upper surface rewrite operation is completed, it is checked whether or not a lower surface rewrite command for printing on the lower surface of the card is input (S45). If the determination is affirmative, a lower surface rewrite transition operation routine described later is executed (S46), and then a lower surface rewrite operation routine described later is executed (S47). When the lower surface rewrite operation is finished, the counter-clockwise rotation of the transport motor M1 is started (S49).
When the lower surface rewrite command is not input in S45, the above-described HP transition operation routine is executed, and at the same time, the rotation of the transport motor M1 is stopped instantaneously (for example, 50 ms), and then the process proceeds to S49 to counterclockwise the transport motor M1. Starts rotating.

  Next, in S49, it is checked whether or not a QR verify check command for checking whether or not the QR code is normally printed is input (S410). If the result is affirmative, a QR verify check operation described later is performed. A routine is executed (S411). Thereafter, the conveyance motor M1 continues to rotate counterclockwise (S412), and it is checked whether or not the QR reader has detected no card (S413). If no, the conveyance motor M1 is detected until no card is detected. When the counterclockwise rotation is continued and no card is detected, the transport motor M1 is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined step (for example, 1000 steps) and then stopped (S414). If no QR verify check command is input in S410, the discharge operation routine described above is executed in S415, and the series of operations ends.

[Paper feed]
When the paper feeding operation in S41 of FIG. 22 is positive as shown in FIG. 23, it is checked in S51 whether the first mode sensor 703a is ON and the second mode sensor 703b is OFF. Checks whether the first card sensor 200a detects that a card is present (S52). When the result is negative in S51, the above-described HP transition operation routine is executed (S53), and then the process proceeds to S52. If the result in S52 is affirmative, the conveyance motor M1 is rotated clockwise (S54), and then S55 and S56 are performed in parallel to determine whether the registration sensor 200c has detected a card. Check if a card is detected.

  If the result in S55 is affirmative, the conveyance motor M1 is rotated clockwise by a predetermined step (for example, 776 steps), that is, after the card is conveyed to the reading area by the QR reader 300, it is stopped (S57). When the result is negative in S55, it is checked whether or not the number of pulses given to the transport motor M1 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (for example, 2000 steps) (S58). If the result is affirmative, the process returns to S54 and the transport motor is rotated clockwise. Continue to rotate. However, if it is negative, a jam is displayed.

  When the result in S56 is affirmative, that is, when the QR reader 300 detects a card, a QR code reading routine described later is executed in S59. When the result is negative in S56, it is checked whether or not the number of pulses given to the transport motor M1 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (for example, 2000 steps) (S510). If the result is affirmative, the process returns to S54 and the transport motor is rotated clockwise. Continue rotating. However, if the determination is negative, the rotation of the transport motor M1 is stopped (S511), and a display requesting card resetting is performed.

  After completing the QR code reading in S59, it is determined whether or not the result of the reading is normal (S512). If normal, the registration sensor 200c detects the presence of a card and the first card. It is checked whether or not the sensor 200a detects no card (S513). When the result is affirmative, the paper feeding operation is terminated, and when the result is negative, a jam is displayed. If the QR code reading result is not normal in S512, the paper discharge operation routine is executed and a reading error is displayed in S514.

[QR code reading]
In the QR code reading performed in S59 during the paper feeding operation, as shown in FIG. 24, rotation of the front speed of the transport motor M1 is continued (S61), and it is checked whether or not the QR code on the card is recognized ( When it is recognized, the QR code cell is read while being conveyed at the previous speed (S63), and the QR code reading is terminated.

[Upper surface rewrite transition operation]
In the upper surface rewrite transition operation of S42 in FIG. 22, as shown in FIG. 25, it is checked in S71 whether the first mode sensor 703a is OFF and the second mode sensor 703b is ON. When the result is affirmative, the upper surface rewrite transition operation is terminated. On the other hand, when the result is negative, the mode motor M2 is rotated clockwise (S72), and it is checked again whether the first mode sensor 703a is OFF and the second mode sensor 703b is ON. (S73). If the result is affirmative, the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined step (for example, 18 steps) and then stopped (S74). If the result in S73 is negative, it is checked whether or not the number of pulses given to the mode motor M2 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 500 steps) (S75). If the result is affirmative, the process returns to S72. Continue to rotate M2. On the other hand, when the result is negative in S75, an error is displayed.

[Top-side rewrite operation]
As shown in FIG. 26, the upper surface rewrite transition operation in S44 of FIG. 22 is performed by rotating the transport motor M1 by a predetermined step in the clockwise direction in S81, and then the first thermal head (described as the upper head in FIG. 26) 400a. In step S82, current is applied to each heating element for performing predetermined printing (S82), and then the rotation (only three steps) necessary to move the conveyance motor M1 by one line of the card (sub-scanning) is performed (for example, three steps). After S83), it is checked whether or not the card movement (sub-scan) has been completed for the total number of lines to be rewritten (S84). If not completed, the process returns to S82 and the first until the completion for the total number of lines. The current application to the thermal head and the movement of the card by one line (sub scanning) are repeated, and when the rewrite for all lines is completed, the rotation of the transport motor M1 is decelerated and stopped ( 85).

[Lower surface rewrite transition operation]
In the lower surface rewrite transition operation of S46 in FIG. 22, as shown in FIG. 27, it is checked in S91 whether both the first mode sensor 703a and the second mode sensor 703b are ON. When the determination is affirmative, the lower surface rewrite transition operation is terminated. On the other hand, when the result is negative, the mode motor M2 is rotated clockwise (S92), and it is checked again whether both the first mode sensor 702a and the second mode sensor 703b are ON (S93). If the result is affirmative, the mode motor M2 is rotated for a predetermined step (for example, 18 steps) and then stopped (S94). When the result is negative in S93, it is checked whether or not the number of pulses given to the mode motor M2 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 500 steps) (S95). If the result is affirmative, the process returns to S92. Continue to rotate M2. On the other hand, when the result in S95 is negative, an error is displayed.

[Lower surface rewrite operation]
In the lower surface rewrite operation of S47 in FIG. 22, as shown in FIG. 28, first, in S101, the transport motor M1 is rotated by a predetermined step in the counterclockwise direction, and then the second thermal head (described as the lower head in FIG. 28). ) Current is applied to each heating element for performing predetermined printing on 400b (S102), and then only steps (for example, three steps) necessary to move the conveyance motor M1 by one line of the card (sub scanning) are performed. After the rotation (S103), it is checked whether or not the card movement (sub-scanning) has been completed for the total number of lines to be rewritten (S104). If not completed, the process returns to S102 to set a predetermined number of lines. The current application to the second thermal head and the movement of the card by one line (sub-scanning) are repeated until the time is finished (No in S106, S107, S108), and a predetermined level is reached. After Rewrite for down count has been completed (YES in S108), to stop (S109) counterclockwise rotation of the conveying motor M1, performing the HP transition operation in S110.

[QR verify check operation]
In the QR verify check operation in S411 of FIG. 22, as shown in FIG. 29, the counter speed of the transport motor M1 continues to rotate counterclockwise (S111), and it is checked whether or not the QR reader has detected a card. (S112) If YES, it is checked whether the QR code of the card is recognized (S113). When it is recognized, QR code cell reading (S114) is performed while maintaining the counterclockwise rotation of the front speed of the transport motor M1, and the QR verify check operation is completed. The arithmetic processing unit in the control unit 500 determines whether the QR verify check is correct or not. If the QR reader does not detect the card in S112, whether or not the number of pulses applied to the transport motor M1 at that time is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 1500 steps) required for the leading edge of the card to reach the reading area of the QR reader. (S115), if affirmative, return to S111, and if negative, display jam.

  FIG. 30 illustrates the dimensions of the conveyance path, the flow of the card, and the rewritable range of the printer A according to the present invention.

[Time chart]
A time chart of a series of operations of the printer A is illustrated in FIG. This will be described below. It is not assumed that an abnormality such as a jam of the card being conveyed, an error of the mode motor M2, or a reading error of the QR reader occurs.

  Based on the detection of the card inserted in the HP mode by the first card sensor 200a, the transport motor M1 starts to rotate clockwise, and the card is transported in the take-in direction. Then, the QR code is read by the QR reader from the time when the QR reader 300 detects the leading edge of the card to be conveyed and then conveyed for a predetermined step. Then, after the predetermined number of steps from when the registration sensor 200c detects the leading edge of the card, that is, at the QR code reading end value, the rotation of the transport motor M1 is stopped and the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined angle. The mode is switched from the HP mode to the upper surface rewrite mode through the upper surface rewrite transition operation.

  Accordingly, the P head 400a that has been held in the retracted position until then is pressed against the first platen roller 104a, and the transport roller assembly RA that has been closed is released. That is, when the card leaves the transport roller assembly RA, vibration is not applied to the card, and subsequent card transport is performed only by the lower platen roller pressed against the P head, so that the card does not vibrate. , It is transported very stably.

  Data obtained by reading the QR code is sent to the host device and used for various information processing in the host device. When the control means inputs a rewrite command based on the print information sent as a result of information processing from the host device, the top head rewrite operation and the QR code rewrite operation for the surface rewrite area shown in FIG. 32 are performed by the P head. .

  When print information (rewrite command) is no longer input, the rotation of the transport motor M1 is stopped and the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined angle and switched from the upper surface rewrite mode to the lower surface rewrite mode and switched to the lower surface rewrite mode. That is, the P head that has been in pressure contact with the lower platen roller 104b is retracted, and the S head that has been retracted until then is pressed against the upper platen roller 104a. Thereafter, the transport motor M1 is rotated counterclockwise, and an upper surface rewrite operation for the rear surface rewrite area shown in FIG. 32 is performed based on print information (rewrite command) for the rear surface of the card. During this time, the transport roller assembly RA is maintained in the open state.

  When the rewriting on the back side of the card is completed, the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined angle, returned to the HP mode through the HP mode transition operation, and the QR verify check operation by the QR reader 300 in close contact with the card is performed. The QR data obtained by this QR verify check operation is used for QR verification by the control means 500 or the host device. The counterclockwise rotation of the conveyance motor M1 is stopped after the QR verify check operation is completed, and the printing operation for one card is completed.

  Since the printer A according to the present invention prints on a card that does not have a magnetic recording surface of a conventional card and prints on both sides of the card, it is possible to dramatically increase the amount of printable information. From, for example, mass-market stores, supermarkets, retail stores, department stores, gas stations, rental shops, beauty salons, esthetic salons, hotels, etc., point cards used in shopping streets, amusement facilities, fitness clubs, prepaid cards, hospitals, etc. When printing on examination cards, medical examination cards used in Japan, rental cards used in libraries, etc., for example, on the surface, in addition to card type and other basic information such as store names, point cards, facility guidance information or Print advertising information and QR codes for events and campaigns, and use cards on the back , It can be printed earn points, coupons, the variable information that changes every time of use, such as booking date and time. The thermal head used in the present invention is capable of printing a multicolor image with the same high image quality and high gradation as a photograph. Therefore, by printing an image that does not differ from a photograph for facility guidance information, advertisement information, etc. The card can have a strong appealing power.

  In the above description, for convenience of explanation, the printing medium has been described as being limited to a card having a thermoreversible recording surface on both sides, but the present invention basically has a thermoreversible recording surface on both sides other than the card. It can also be applied to media. Therefore, it should be understood that the card having the thermoreversible recording surface on both sides described in the specification and claims of the present application includes media other than the card.

A Printer 100 Conveyance means
M1 conveying motor 101R1 to 101R3 conveying roller 101p1 to 101p3 pinch roller 101f1 to 101f3 feed roller 104a first platen roller 104b second platen roller 200 detection means 200a first card sensor 200b second card sensor 200c registration sensor 300 image reading means (QR leader)
400a First thermal head P head Second thermal head 500 Control means 600 Lifting means 610 First lifting means 620 Second lifting means 630 Third lifting means
700 Mode switching mechanism
M2 mode motor 701 Control shaft 702a, 702b Slit disk 703a, 703b Mode sensor

  The present invention relates to a printer that prints on a rewritable card (hereinafter referred to as a rewritable card) that can be rewritten repeatedly by a thermoreversible recording method.

  In recent years, rewrite cards that can rewrite (print / erase) information such as characters and numbers have been widely used for applications such as point cards, commuter passes, prepaid cards, leisure cards, and examination tickets. There is also known a printer that uses a rewrite card provided with a thermoreversible recording layer and rewrites the above information by a thermoreversible recording method (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

  The above-mentioned conventional rewrite card has the issuer information such as the card issuer's name and service name printed on the surface so that it can be seen visually, and the card user's (customer) name, date of birth, family composition, etc. Customer information that is not rewritten or little is recorded invisible, and customer usage history, transaction contents or current status, history information such as earned points, and other variable information are printed in a visible manner. For recording basic information such as issuer information and customer information, a magnetic recording method for recording on the magnetic stripe or the entire magnetic surface and a data recording method for contact or non-contact type IC cards are adopted. A thermoreversible recording method is employed in which the thermoreversible recording layer provided on the back surface of the material can be repeatedly erased and colored by heating (see, for example, Patent Documents 4 to 6).

Japanese Patent No. 3567241 JP 2005-186495 A JP 2004-322348 A JP 2000-94866 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-251042 JP 2002-103654 A

  Therefore, since a conventional rewrite card has a magnetic recording layer (magnetic stripe or full magnetic surface) in contact with the magnetic head of the printer on at least one surface, a thermoreversible recording layer cannot be provided on that surface. As a method, a thermal reversible recording method is employed in which an image is erased and formed by controlling thermal energy applied from each heating element using a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row at the tip. In this case, since the surface on which the image can be erased or formed is limited to one side of the card, the amount of information that can be recorded is limited. Also, the recording capacity of the magnetic recording layer is small. Therefore, the conventional rewrite card has a problem that there is a limit to the amount of information that can be provided.

  In a conventional printer that rewrites information by a thermoreversible recording method, visible variable information is printed by a thermal head, and erasure is performed by a ceramic heater or a heat roller dedicated to erasure. A magnetic head for reading / recording basic information on the magnetic stripe or the entire magnetic surface is provided. Therefore, since a long conveyance path is required for processing from reading information to rewriting of the rewrite card, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size of the printer.

The present invention, all SANYO been made in view of the foregoing problems, issues, in a printer using a thermoreversible recording medium capable of repeatedly performing color and decolored by heating the thermoreversible recording medium a child to be a possible rewriting of large quantities of visible variable information for, Hakare shorten the processing time, as much as possible high quality so as not to change the child to allow the size of the apparatus, the photo variable information and the child to be able to be rewritten to, Ru near.

The present invention is to solve the problems above SL, and conveying means for conveying along the conveying path a rewrite card coloring and decoloring to component was coated on both sides with cooling with the application of thermal energy, is conveyed A first thermal head and a second thermal head , which are arranged so as to correspond to the front and back surfaces of the rewritable card , respectively, and capable of applying thermal energy capable of coloring and erasing the components to the front or back surface of the rewritable card to be conveyed . and 2 thermal head, transport means, Bei example and control means for controlling the conveyance and thermal energy application control for each of the first thermal head and the second thermal head, control the control means printing information supplied from the host apparatus in the printer to rewrite the thermoreversible recording system by Lili write card to the first thermal head and the second thermal head group,
The basic information and customer information of the rewrite card are written on the surface of the rewrite card with a two-dimensional code.
The two-dimensional code reading means for reading a respective two-dimensional code at a position relative to the surface of the rewritable card being transported in the capture direction rewriting after reading position and information to be read two-dimensional code and the first thermal head A second thermal head is provided at a position where rewriting is performed on the back side of the rewrite card conveyed in the ejection direction, and a first platen roller and a second platen roller are provided at positions facing each thermal head,
Control means rewrites the first thermal head with respect to rewritable card being conveyed based on print information supplied from the information and a host device read by the two-dimensional code reading means uptake direction, and conveyed in the discharging direction The rewrite card is rewritten by the second thermal head ,
The first raising / lowering means for raising / lowering the two-dimensional code reading means at the same time as raising / lowering the pinch roller of the conveying roller relative to the feed roller, the second raising / lowering means for raising / lowering the first thermal head, and the second raising / lowering means for raising / lowering the second thermal head 3 lifting means,
Exit printing with thermally reversible recording from the time of card insertion until when the card is discharged, the position of (a) the respective lifting means home position (hereinafter. Referred HP), that is, transported by the first lifting means A position where the pinch roller of the roller is pressed against the feed roller, a position where the two-dimensional code reading means is close to the card conveying surface, a position where the first thermal head is separated from the first platen roller by the second lifting means, and a third lifting position HP mode for holding the second thermal head at a position separated from the second platen roller by means, (b) the position at which the first thermal head prints on the surface of the rewrite card , ie, the first of separating the pinch roller of the conveying roller by the elevating means is separated from the feed roller, and the two-dimensional code reading means from the card transportation surface Position, the second lifting means and is pressed against the first thermal head in the first platen roller position, the upper surface rewrite mode for holding respectively the second thermal head by the third elevating means at a position is spaced from the second platen roller, (C) The position when the second thermal head prints each elevating means on the back side of the card , that is, the first elevating means separates the pinch roller of the conveying roller from the feed roller, and the two-dimensional code reading means is used as the card. The position where the first thermal head is separated from the first platen roller by the second elevating means, and the position where the second thermal head is pressed from the second platen roller by the third elevating means are respectively held at the position separated from the conveying surface. And a mode switching mechanism for switching to the lower surface rewrite mode.

The above-described invention-specific matters will be described separately. First, (a) the present invention uses a rewritable card in which components that are colored and decolored by application of heat energy and cooling are coated on both sides. The rewritable card is provided with a thermoreversible recording layer on both the front and back sides of the support by applying a component that develops and decolors by applying heat energy and cooling, that is, a mixed material of leuco dye and developer. is there. When the colorless leuco dye and the developer are in a decolored state, and when a predetermined amount of heat energy is applied to reach the first specific temperature (170 to 180 ° C.), the cohesive force between molecules is increased. The developer and the leuco dye, which have the property to enhance and develop the color of the leuco dye, are melted and the leuco dye is colored, and when rapidly cooled in this state, the colored state is maintained while the two are mixed. In addition, the developer and leuco dye melted and crystallized in a colored state are separated by heating at a second specific temperature (120 to 140 ° C.) below the melting point of both, and cooled to be crystallized. And the leuco dye returns to its original colorless state.
The support of the rewritable card is PVC or PET, and the thermal expansion coefficient and the thermal expansion coefficient of the thermoreversible recording layer are different. Therefore, when a thermoreversible recording layer is provided on only one side of the support, stress may be generated by heating during printing, causing the rewrite card to curl. However, the rewrite card used in the present invention is provided on both sides of the support. Since a thermoreversible recording layer is provided, curling of the rewrite card is effectively prevented.

  (A) Further, the printer of the present invention applies thermal energy to the rewrite card to cause the thermoreversible recording layer to perform color development and color erasing simultaneously, that is, a thermal head that serves both as an image forming means and an image erasing means. Is used. The present invention is different from the conventional technique in which one thermal head is used as an image forming unit and an image erasing unit, and one thermal head is used as the image forming unit and a ceramic heater or a heat roller is used as the image erasing unit.

  The thermal head used in the present invention controls the heat generation of each heating element, that is, heating and cooling, based on a large number of minute heating elements arranged in a line at the tip and printing information given from the host device. And a control circuit. As a general characteristic of the thermal head, the heating element is rapidly heated by voltage application, and the heating element is rapidly cooled by interruption of voltage application. Therefore, by controlling the heat generation based on the print information, it is possible to print an image such as desired characters and numbers on the thermoreversible recording layer of the rewrite card.

  (C) In the printer of the present invention, two thermal heads are attached with the transport path of the rewrite card in between. One thermal head is used to rewrite basic information and / or variable information on one side of the rewrite card, and the other thermal head is used to rewrite other variable information on the other side of the rewrite card. Used. In other words, the present invention is characterized in that two thermal heads are used on both the front and back surfaces of one rewrite card to repeatedly print and erase images.

  When non-variable information is included in all or part of the basic information and customer information, the non-variable information is pre-printed on the rewrite card. In the printer of the present invention, only the variable information is obtained by two thermal heads. However, even if non-variable information is included in the issuer information or customer information, the non-variable information is stored together with the variable information in a blank rewrite card on which the non-variable information is not pre-printed. Recording or rewriting can be performed by two thermal heads.

Two-dimensional codes include bar codes and QR codes (registered trademarks) . QR codes have high recording density and can reduce the printing area, so basic information and customer information are represented by QR codes. It is desirable to use a QR code reader (hereinafter referred to as QR reader) as the two-dimensional code reading means. The present invention uses a QR code in a two-dimensional code, the two-dimensional code reading means you are characterized by using the QR reader is a line sensor.

In the above SL printer, printing thermal head in rewritable card (color and Shoirochu), as well as carried out by the transport of the rewritable card only conveying force of the platen roller the thermal head is pressed against, the conveying rollers of the front and rear It is preferable that the nip is opened so that the transport roller does not apply an impact to the rewritable card being printed .

Also has the support Maruheddo, the number of minute heating elements arranged in a line on the tip portion, and a control circuit for controlling the heating and cooling of each of the heating elements based on print information supplied from the host apparatus Using a heating element with a pitch of about 300 to 500 dpi, during printing on the rewrite card, the nip of the transport roller before and after the thermal head is opened so that the transport roller does not impact the rewrite card during printing. At the same time, the rewrite card is conveyed only by the platen roller by pressing the thermal head against the platen roller. When the printing is finished, the thermal head is separated from the platen roller, and the nip of the front and rear conveying rollers is closed. It is preferable that the toner is conveyed by a conveying roller .

Using a rewritable card that is coated on both front and back surfaces with a thermoreversible recording material that erases color at the first specific temperature and develops color in the second specific temperature range that is higher than the first specific temperature. Two thermal heads arranged in a row at a density of 300 to 500 dpi are placed across the conveyance path, and a gradation designation signal is added to the print information given from the host device to each thermal head for each heating element of the thermal head. Accordingly, it is preferable to form an image having a resolution of 300 to 500 dpi having a predetermined gradation on at least one side of the card .

  According to the present invention, the thermal head is arranged so as to sandwich the conveyance path so as to correspond to the front and back of the rewrite card conveyed on the conveyance path, and when rewriting is necessary based on the print information given from the host device. Since the rewrite card is rewritten by the thermal head, it is possible to rewrite as much visible variable information as possible. In addition, since the upper and lower thermal heads are used to rewrite both the front and back sides of the rewrite card, the transport distance and processing time can be shortened, that is, the throughput can be improved, and the apparatus can be downsized. Furthermore, the rewrite card is manufactured by simply applying a component that develops and decolors by applying heat energy and cooling on both sides of the support, and it is not necessary to provide a magnetic recording layer, so the card manufacturing cost is low.

  According to the present invention, the two-dimensional code reading means for reading the two-dimensional code with respect to the rewrite card transported in the take-in direction, and the rewriting of the two-dimensional code and variable information on the surface of the rewritten card after reading. The basic information recorded on the rewrite card is provided with another thermal head for rewriting variable information on the back side of the rewrite card conveyed in the ejection direction. Based on the print information given from the host device, new two-dimensional code (basic information and customer information) and variable information can be printed on the front surface of the rewrite card, and new variable information can be printed on the back surface.

  And according to this invention, it becomes possible to rewrite the high resolution image which is not different from a photograph with high quality.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the basic information and the customer information are expressed by QR codes and read by the QR reader, so that it is not necessary to provide a magnetic recording surface on the rewrite card. Therefore, it was possible to print on both the front and back sides of the rewrite card using the thermoreversible method. In addition, the area required for printing basic information and customer information is reduced, and the amount of variable information that can be recorded is increased accordingly.

According to the invention of claim 3 , during printing on the rewrite card (during coloring and decoloring), the rewrite card is transported only by the transport force of the platen roller pressed against the summer head, and the transport rollers before and after the transport roller. Since no impact is applied to the rewritable card while printing, the high-resolution image that is the same as a photograph can be rewritten with high quality.

According to the invention of claim 4 , it is possible to rewrite a high-resolution image that is not different from a photograph with high quality.

According to the invention of claim 5 , it is possible to rewrite an image having a desired gradation degree with high resolution and high quality.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration with the housing of the printer of FIG. 1 removed. FIG. 3 is a front view of the printer of FIG. 2. It is also a plan view. Similarly, it is a right side view. It is a figure which shows the state which opened the upper frame of the printer of FIG. 2, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a left view. It is a side view which mainly shows the structure of a conveyance means, the arrangement | positioning position of a card sensor, QR reader, and a thermal head. It is a top view explaining the whole structure of a mode switching mechanism. It is the perspective view which shows the member attached to the lower frame, (a) is the perspective view seen from the left front side, (b) is the perspective view seen from the opposite side of (a). It is a figure which shows the state which removed the lower frame of FIG. 9, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a top view. It is a bottom view of an upper frame. It is the perspective view seen from the arrow V1 direction of FIG. It is a top view which extracts and shows a 1st raising / lowering means, a 2nd raising / lowering means, a 3rd raising / lowering means, and a mode switching mechanism. It is the perspective view seen from the arrow V2 direction of FIG. It is a side view explaining the whole structure and operation | movement of all the raising / lowering means. It is a side view explaining the structure and operation | movement of a 1st raising / lowering means. It is a side view explaining the structure and operation | movement of a 2nd raising / lowering means and a 3rd raising / lowering means. It is a figure which shows the angle of the cam in HP mode in the operation | movement transition of mode switching, and the positional relationship of each element. It is a figure which shows the angle of the cam in the upper surface light mode in the operation | movement transition of mode switching, and the positional relationship of each element. It is a figure which shows the angle of the cam in the lower surface light mode in the operation | movement transition of mode switching, and the positional relationship of each element. 6 is a flowchart of an initial operation of the printer. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of a paper discharge operation in the flowchart of FIG. 19. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of HP transfer operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart of a series of operations from card insertion to removal from the printer. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the paper feeding operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of QR code reading operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the upper surface rewrite transfer operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of an upper surface rewrite operation in the flowchart of FIG. 22. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the lower surface rewrite transfer operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the lower surface rewrite operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of QR verification check operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG. It is a time chart of a series of operation in an example of an embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram explaining an example of the conveyance path dimension of a card | curd, the flow of a card | curd, and the rewritable range.

[overall structure]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer A according to the present invention is provided with upper and lower frames 1 and 2 serving as mounting bases in a housing H that provides exterior and internal protection, as shown in FIGS. It has been. The frames 1 and 2 are coupled by a shaft 11 penetrating through the rear portion thereof so that the upper frame 2 can be rotated around the shaft 11 to open and close the front portion. When the upper frame 2 is closed, the hooks 13 rotatably attached to both ends of the shaft 12 provided at the front portion of the lower frame 1 are engaged with the pins 13 protruding from both sides of the upper frame 2. It can be kept closed. A horizontally long opening is formed between the front end faces of the closed frames 1 and 2. This opening communicates with the insertion / discharge port 3 provided on the front surface of the housing H.

  The frames 1 and 2 include a transport means 100 for reciprocally transporting an inserted rewrite card (hereinafter simply referred to as a card) C to a predetermined position along a predetermined transport path, and the presence and absence of the inserted card and transport. Detection means 200a, 200b, 200c for detecting that the card to be reached has reached a predetermined position, two-dimensional code reading means 300 for reading the two-dimensional code recorded on the card to be conveyed, and the conveyance path. Signals from two thermal heads 400a and 400b that rewrite the arranged and conveyed card C by a thermoreversible recording method, detection means 200a to 200c, two-dimensional code reading means 300, and host device (not shown). Alternatively, the conveyance control for the conveyance unit 100 and the heat generation control for the thermal heads 400a and 400b (thermal reversible) based on the print information Control means 500 for performing recording control) is provided as a minimum component.

In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the above-described components, a lifting / lowering means 600 (not shown in FIG. 1) and a mode switching mechanism 700 for improving printing quality by two thermal heads are provided. . When the mode switching mechanism 700 is provided, the control unit 500 also performs mode switching control for the mode switching mechanism 700.
In FIG. 1, M <b> 1 is a transport drive motor that is one of the components of the transport unit 100, and M <b> 2 is a mode motor that is one of the components of the mode switching mechanism 700.
Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

[Conveying means]
As for the card transport, the card inserted from the insertion port provided on the front surface of the housing H is transported in one direction, and during that time, an image forming process is performed, and the card is removed from the discharge port provided on the back surface of the housing H. In this embodiment, in order to enable insertion and removal of the card on the front side of the printer A, it is inserted from the insertion / discharge port 3 provided on the front surface of the housing H. A reciprocating conveyance system is adopted in which the card is reciprocated and subjected to image formation processing during that time, and then removed from the insertion / discharge port 3.

At the upper part of the lower frame 1, feed rollers 101f1 to 101f3 are provided between the left and right side plates 1a and 1b with a predetermined interval from the insertion / discharge port 3 in the take-in direction, and at the lower part of the upper frame 2, the feed rollers 101f1 are provided. The pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 are provided so as to face each of. Conveying rollers 101 R 1 - 101 R 3 is composed of a feed roller 101f1~101f3 and the pinch roller 101p1~101p3 opposing respectively.

  Synchronized pulleys 102p1 to 102p3 are fixed to a portion where the shafts of the feed rollers 101f1 to 101f3 extend to one side plate of the lower frame 1, for example, the outside of the right side plate 1a. Is stretched.

  Reference numeral 104a in FIG. 7 denotes a first platen roller provided on the lower side of the conveying surface between the left and right side plates 1a and 1b of the lower frame 1 corresponding to a first thermal head 400a to be described later. A synchro pulley 102p4 is also fixed to the portion of the shaft of the platen roller 104a extending to the outside of the right side plate 1a, and the timing belt 103 is also wound around the synchro pulley 102p4.

To provide the important component rotational driving force of the conveying motor M1 for conveying means to the conveying roller 101 R 1~101 R 3, left and right sides of the gear train 106a~106e of lower frame 1 serving as a transmission means and a deceleration means Provided on one of the side plates 1a and 1b, the last gear 106f of the gear train is engaged with a gear 105a fixed on the shaft of the first platen roller 104a.

104b in FIG. 7 is a second platen roller provided on the upper side of the conveying surface between the second side plate 2a of the left and right of the upper frame 2 in correspondence with the thermal head, 2b to be described later, the second platen roller A gear 105b is fixed to a portion extending to the outside of the side plate 2a or 2b on the same side as the gear train 106a to 106e of the shaft 104b, and the gear 105b is engaged with the gear 105a.

In this way, the card C inserted from the insertion / discharge port 3 can be transported in the take-in direction or the discharge direction via the transport rollers 101R1 to 101R3 by the forward drive or reverse drive of the transport motor M1. Yes.

[Detection means]
The detection means includes detection means 200a (hereinafter referred to as a first card sensor) for detecting whether or not a card is present in the insertion / discharge port 3, and whether a card is present near the rear end of the transport path. Detecting means 200b (hereinafter referred to as a second card sensor) for detecting whether or not, and the tip of the card conveyed in the take-in direction performs printing (thermo-reversible recording) by the first thermal head 400a on the card. There is detection means 200c (hereinafter referred to as a registration sensor) for detecting whether or not a predetermined reference position for starting has been reached. As these detection means, a reflection type or transmission type photoelectric sensor can be used.

[Two-dimensional code reading means]
In the card used in the present invention, basic information and variable information of the card issuer and / or card user are recorded so as to be rewritable by a thermal head described later. The card issuer is, for example, a store in the case of a point card, a financial institution in the case of a credit card, a transportation in the case of a commuter pass, a medical institution in the case of an examination ticket, etc. ID, such as a person's name, sales PR, service contents, and the name of a person in charge, and variable information is, for example, guidance information such as events and campaigns, news, and the like. The card user is, for example, a customer, a trader, a patient, etc., and the basic information is an ID of the card user's address, name, date of birth, age, gender, name of an attendant or attending physician, etc. The variable information is information that changes each time the card is used, such as a usage history or transaction history such as a customer's usage amount or transaction amount, or a medical history or examination result.

  Conventionally, basic information has been recorded on the magnetic recording surface of the card by a magnetic head. In the present invention, both basic information and variable information are recorded on the thermoreversible recording surface of the card by a thermal head. In the present invention, a card having a thermoreversible recording surface on both front and back sides is used. Therefore, only basic information may be recorded on the front surface of the card, and only variable information may be recorded on the back surface, or basic information and variable information may be recorded on one or both of the front and back surfaces.

  In the basic information and variable information, information that is not readable by humans but is readable by reading means (hereinafter referred to as non-readable information, and information recorded so as to be readable by humans is referred to as readable information). .) When such non-readable information is recorded by a thermoreversible recording method, it is recorded by a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or a QR code, for example. The QR code is preferable in that a large amount of information can be recorded in a small area as compared with the barcode, so that a wide recording area of readable information can be secured. In the present invention, it is not always necessary to record the QR code on the card, but the preferred embodiment is configured to record the non-readable information by the thermal head used for printing the readable information also by the QR code. . Therefore, a QR reader 300 is provided as a two-dimensional code reading means. The QR reader 300 is a known one composed of CCDs arranged in a line, and can read a fine QR code.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 11, and 12, the QR reader 300 can move up and down with these pinch rollers between the pinch roller 101p1 of the first transport roller 101R1 and the pinch roller 101p2 of the second transport roller 101R2. Installed. That is, two support rods 302 that penetrate the QR reader 300 in a direction perpendicular to the card conveying direction through the support member 301 existing between the side plates 2a and 2b of the upper frame 2 in the vicinity of the side plates 2a and 2b. The other end of the arm member 304 having one end rotatably attached to both sides of the leader arm shaft 303 suspended on the lower part (upper part in FIG. 2) of both side plates 2a and 2b is the middle in the longitudinal direction of the support member 301. It is rotatably supported at the part.

The pinch roller 101p1 of the first transport roller 101R1 and the pinch roller 101p2 of the second transport roller 101R2 are rotatably supported by a support shaft 305 held between the front and rear end portions of the support members 301 on both sides.
A transport roller assembly RA that can be raised and lowered by a combination of an arm member 304, a support member 301 supported by the arm member 304, a QR reader 300 supported by a support bar 302, and front and rear pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3. Is configured. The structure capable of moving up and down is related to a first lifting means 610 described later.

[Thermo-reversible recording means]
In the present embodiment, thermal heads 400a and 400b having the following structures and characteristics are used as thermoreversible recording means, and the two thermal heads are sandwiched between the upper and lower sides of the transport path. It is one of the features that it is arranged in.
That is, the thermal heads 400a and 400b are predetermined for each heating element based on the minute heating element group arranged in a line at a density of 200 to 300 dots per inch and printing information given from the host device. And a control circuit for generating the heat energy. A thermistor, which is a resistor whose resistance value changes with the heat generation temperature, is used for the heat generating element. When printing, the card is brought into contact with the tip of the thermal head, and if the density of the heating elements of the head is 200 dpi, printing is performed by moving (conveying) the card at a pitch of 1/200 inch.

  The thermal heads 400a and 400b are characterized in that when a current is applied, the heating element is rapidly heated, and when the current application is interrupted, the heating element is rapidly cooled. Further, the color is developed at the first specific temperature (170 to 180 ° C.), and the color is erased at the second specific temperature (120 to 140 ° C.) lower than the first specific temperature. Therefore, by controlling the heat generation of each heat generating element based on the print information, desired characters, numbers or QR codes are put on the thermoreversible recording surface of the card conveyed (sub-scanned) in contact with the tips of the thermal heads 400a and 400b. The included image can be printed (colored).

  The thermal heads 400a and 400b can be used as components of the printing control apparatus described in Patent Document 1, respectively. The printing control device converts the temperature value of each heating element into a voltage value from the current flowing at the time of temperature detection, a control circuit that switches between the thermal head and the current circuit that flows to each heating element at the time of heat generation driving and temperature detection. And an analog / digital conversion circuit for digitally converting the same voltage, an integrator for integrating the digital value from the start of heating, and an integrated value of the integrator and a higher-order device set in advance. The comparator comprises a comparator for comparing the print density setting values of the corresponding portions with each other, and a circuit for stopping the heat generation driving of the heating element when the comparator detects that the target density has been reached.

  The integrated thermal energy value given to each line on the card surface is sequentially detected while detecting the surface temperature, so that it is possible to manage the coloring temperature with extremely high accuracy for the thermoreversible recording layer. Therefore, by adding a gradation designation signal for designating the gradation degree to the print information (print density setting value) sent from the host apparatus, the multi-step density of the image having the desired gradation degree is obtained by one or both of the thermal heads 400a and 400b. Printing is possible, and printing that is the same as photo quality can be performed at high speed.

  As the thermoreversible recording layer, a monochrome coloring thermoreversible recording layer, a two-color coloring thermoreversible recording layer, a color coloring thermoreversible recording layer, or the like can be used. The color generation characteristics of these thermal recording apparatuses are that the color density during printing is determined by the heat generation energy applied by the heat generating elements on the thermal head. In the print control, the temperature of the heating element on the card is measured, the values are accumulated momentarily, and heating is performed until the accumulated value reaches the target set value, and the accumulated value becomes the target set value. At that time, the heating drive is stopped.

[First thermal head]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 15, the first thermal head 400a (hereinafter also referred to as a P head) is located immediately above the card conveying surface immediately below the card conveying direction of the registration sensor 200c. It is installed to face the first platen roller 104a provided on the side. The first thermal head 400a is mounted so as to be able to move up and down and is always urged in the direction of the first platen roller 104a in order to reliably cause a thermoreversible reaction with respect to the card being conveyed.

  An example of the mounting structure for this purpose will be described. The other end of the head arm 401 whose one end is pivotally supported by the side plates 2a and 2b on both sides of the upper frame 2 is rotatably coupled to both sides of the first thermal head 400a. The first thermal head 400a is held by the guide member 402 provided on the side plates 2a and 2b so as to be movable up and down, and is always urged downward by the urging member, so that the heat generating surface of the first thermal head 400a becomes the first platen roller 104a. It is designed to be pressed against. The urging member is, for example, a coil spring 403a, the upper end of which is coupled to the first thermal head 400a, and the lower end of the urging member is fixed to a shaft 404a protruding from the upper frame 2.

[Second thermal head]
The second thermal head 400b (hereinafter, may be referred to S head.) Is 8, as shown in FIG. 15, in a slightly distant position in the card taking-direction from the first thermal head 400a, the card conveying surface The second platen roller 104b provided on the upper side of the conveying surface is disposed on the lower side. Then, in order to surely cause a thermoreversible reaction with respect to the card to be conveyed, as with the first thermal head 400a, the card is mounted by a coil spring 403a and a shaft 404a so as to be movable up and down, and always the second platen roller 104b. The heat generation surface of the second thermal head 400b can abut against the second platen roller 104b.

[Elevating means and mode switching mechanism]
If the pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 of the transport roller are always in pressure contact with the feed rollers 101f1 to 101f3, the card is impacted when entering the nip portion of the transport roller 101, which affects the card transport accuracy. Similarly, when the QR reader 300 is always present at the reading position, the conveyance accuracy is similarly affected. Further, if the two thermal heads 400a and 400b are always in pressure contact with the platen rollers 104a and 104b, the card is subjected to an impact when entering between the thermal head and the platen roller, thereby affecting the card conveyance accuracy. give. Such a change in conveyance accuracy is not preferable because it causes a decrease in print quality by the thermal heads 400a and 400b and reading accuracy by the QR reader 300.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed to improve the conveyance accuracy of the conveyance means and the printing accuracy by the two thermal heads for the purpose of enabling printing of a high resolution image similar to a photograph in basic information or variable information. In order to increase, an elevating means 600 and a mode switching mechanism 700 described below are provided.

[Elevating means]
The elevating means includes a first elevating means 610 that elevates and lowers the pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 and the QR reader 300 at a predetermined timing, a second elevating means 620 that elevates and lowers the first thermal head 400a at a predetermined timing, and a second thermal There is third elevating means 630 for elevating the head 400b at a predetermined timing.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the first elevating means 610 has a leader drive cam 611 fixed to a control shaft 701, which will be described later, and an L-shape. The bent portion of the first elevating means 610 is attached to the lower frame 1 by a support shaft 612a. The lower frame 1 is swingably supported by a leader drive arm 615 having a cam follower 613 at the lower end and a pressing piece 614 at the upper end, and a support shaft 612b at a substantially intermediate point in the card conveying direction. A leader arm 617 having a pressed piece 616 provided below the pressing piece 614 of the leader drive arm 615 at the rear end portion in the card taking-in direction, and a leader retract arm 618 provided at the tip of the leader arm 617 It has become.

In the side plates 1a and 1b of the lower frame 1, a vertical hole or a vertical groove 619 is formed in the vicinity of the front end portion of the leader arm 617, and a support bar 6110 continuous between both side plates is fitted in the vertical groove so as to be movable up and down. Yes. The reader retract arm 618 formed in the shape of a balance that is long in the card conveying direction is fixed to the inside of both side plates of the support bar 6110 at its intermediate portion. A guide shaft 6111 extending from the upper part of the leader retract arm 618 in the direction of the side plates 1a and 1b is fitted in the vertical groove 619 so as to be movable up and down, so that the leader retract arm 618 is always maintained in a horizontal state. As shown in FIG. 16, the support shafts of the first pinch roller 101p1 and the second pinch roller 101p2 of the transport roller assembly RA are supported on the upper side of both ends of the leader retract arm 618.
Note that reference numeral 6112 in FIG. 16 denotes an elliptical hole provided so that the leader arm 617 is not prevented from swinging by the feed roller 101f2 of the second transport roller 101R2.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 14, and 17 (a), the second elevating means 620 includes a P head retract cam 621 fixed to a control shaft 701, which will be described later, and a support shaft 622 at a bent portion of the frame 1. An L-shaped P-head retract arm 625 having a cam follower 623 at the lower end and a pressing piece 624 at the upper end is mounted. The pressing piece 624 of the P head retract arm 625 is in contact with the lower surface of the first thermal head 400a.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 14, and 17 (b), the third elevating / lowering means 630 includes an S head retract cam 631 fixed to a control shaft 701, which will be described later, and a support shaft 632 at a bent portion of the frame 1. The L-shaped S head retract arm 635 is mounted so as to be swingable and has a cam follower 633 at the upper end and a pressing piece 634 at the lower end. The pressing piece 634 of the S head retract arm 635 is in contact with the lower upper surface of the second thermal head 104b.

[Mode switching mechanism]
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 of the transport rollers and the QR reader 300 are supported so as to be movable up and down, and the thermal heads 400a and 400b are attached so as to be movable up and down. By rotating the 701 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined angle and controlling the elevation thereof at a predetermined timing, a decrease in conveyance accuracy is prevented in advance. A mode switching mechanism 700 is provided to switch the elevation patterns of the pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3 and the QR reader 300 and the elevation patterns of the thermal heads 400a and 400b.

  The mode switching mechanism 700 includes an HP mode for maintaining the lifting / lowering means 610, 620, and 630 at the home position (HP), and an upper surface rewrite for moving the lifting / lowering means to a position for rewriting the upper surface (front surface) of the card. The mode is set to any one of three modes: a lower surface rewrite mode in which each of the elevating means is moved to a position at the time of rewriting the lower surface (back surface) of the card.

Next, the configuration and operation of the mode switching mechanism will be described based on FIGS. 8, 15, and 18A to 18C.
The mode switching mechanism 700 has a mode motor M2 attached to the lower frame 1. The mode motor M2 is a pulse motor whose rotational direction is one direction (CW). A gear G1 is fixed on the rotation shaft of the mode motor M2 . A gear G6 is also fixed on a mode switching control shaft 701 that is rotatably suspended on both side plates 1a and 1b of the lower frame 1. The case of the mode motor M2 is provided with gear trains G2 to G5 serving both as transmission means and speed reduction means. The start gear G2 is engaged with the gear G1 of the mode motor M2, and the end gear G5 is connected to the control shaft 701. The control shaft 701 is rotated in a fixed direction by the rotation of the mode motor M2 .

  On the control shaft 701, as shown in FIG. 8, the positions of the QR reader 300, the pinch rollers 101p1 to 101p3, the P head 400a, and the S head 400b are provided on the left and right sides of the control shaft 701 via the lifting means 610, 620, 630. For switching to the three modes of the HP mode, the upper surface rewrite mode, and the lower surface rewrite mode, that is, the mode switching of the leader drive cam 611 and the second lifting means 620 constituting the mode switching mechanism of the first lifting means 610 The P head retract cam 621 constituting the mechanism and the S head retract cam 631 constituting the mode switching mechanism of the third elevating means 630 are fixed.

  The mode switching mechanism 700 detects whether the driving element is currently in one of the HP mode, the upper surface rewrite mode, and the lower surface rewrite mode, and shifts to a predetermined mode when receiving a control signal. It has mode detection means. The mode detection means detects whether or not the rotation angle of the control shaft 701, and hence the rotation angle of each of the leader drive cam 611, the P head retract cam 621, and the S head retract cam 631, is at a predetermined angle. , Two slit disks, a first slit disk 702a and a second slit disk 702b fixed to the control shaft 701, and a first mode sensor 703a and a second mode sensor for detecting the slits of these two slit disks, respectively. It consists of two mode sensors 703b. Each of the slit disks has two slits so that the angle between the centers is 120 degrees. The two slit disks 702a and 702b and the two mode sensors 703a and 703b have a control shaft 701 of 120. Two slit discs are attached with the positions of the slits shifted by a predetermined angle in the rotation direction so that only one of the two mode sensors or both of them are turned on each time it is rotated. For example, a photoelectric sensor that turns on the mode sensor when a slit is detected is used as the mode sensor.

The driving elements and mode sensors in each mode are as follows. That is, when the angle of the control shaft 701 exists in the HP, in other words, in the HP mode, as shown in FIG. 18A ( a ), the second slit s2 of the first slit disk 702a moves the first mode sensor 703a. The second slit disk 702b turns off the second mode sensor 703b.

In this HP mode, as shown in FIG. 18A ( b ), the rotation angle of the leader drive cam 611 is such that the conveying roller assembly RA is closed via the leader drive arm 615, the leader arm 617 and the leader retract arm 618, The pinch rollers 101P1 and 101P2 of the transport rollers 101R1 and 101R2 are pressed by the feed rollers 101f1 and 101f2 so that the card can be transported. The rotational angle of the P head retract cam 621 is controlled by the P head 400a via the P head retract arm 622. The S head retract cam 631 is in the retracted position, that is, the raised position, and the rotation angle of the S head retract cam 631 is at the retracted position, that is, the position where the S head 400b is lowered via the S head retract arm 632.

When the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction and the control shaft 701 is rotated 120 degrees in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the drawing), as shown in FIG. 18B ( a ), the first slit disk 702a is When the first mode sensor 703a is turned off and the second slit disk 702b is turned on by the first slit s1 and the second mode sensor 703b is turned on, the mode motor M2 stops rotating and enters the upper surface rewrite mode. In this upper surface rewrite mode, as shown in FIG. 18B ( b ), the rotation angle of the leader drive cam 611 is such that the transport roller assembly RA is opened via the leader drive arm 615, leader arm 617, and leader retract arm 618, , The pinch rollers 101p1 and 101p2 of the transport roller are spaced upward from the feed rollers 101f1 and 101f2, and the QR reader 300 is spaced upward from the card transport surface, and the rotation angle of the P head retract cam 621 is the P head retract arm. The P head 400a is lowered through 625 to be brought into pressure contact with the first platen roller 104a, and the rotation angle of the S head retract cam 631 is set so that the S head 400b is retracted through the S head retract arm 635, that is, the first Maintaining the platen roller 104b at a position is spaced downward.

Then, when the mode motor M2 rotates again by a predetermined angle in the predetermined direction and the control shaft 701 further rotates by 120 degrees in the predetermined direction, the first slit disk 702a has the first slit disk 702a as shown in FIG. 18C ( a ). When the first slit turns on the first mode sensor 703a and the second slit disc 702b turns on the second mode sensor 703b, the mode motor M2 stops rotating and enters the lower surface rewrite mode. In this lower surface rewrite mode, as shown in FIG. 18C ( b ), the rotation angle of the leader drive cam 611 is such that the transport roller assembly RA is opened, that is, the transport roller pinch rollers 101p1, 101p2 are moved from the feed rollers 101f1, 101f2. The separated state is maintained, and the rotation angle of the P head retract cam 621 raises the P head 400a to the retracted position, that is, the position separated from the first platen roller 104a, and the rotation angle of the S head retract cam 631 is S. The S head 400b is lowered to a position where it comes into pressure contact with the second platen roller 104b via the head retract arm 635.

[Control means]
The control means 500 controls the drive of the transport motor M1 of the transport means, the read control of the QR reader 300 based on the detection signals from the detection means 200a to 200c, the mode sensors 703a and 703b and the print information from the host device. It controls the printing of the two thermal heads 400a and 400b and the drive control of the mode motor M2 of the mode switching mechanism 700, and is composed of an input / output interface and an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) connected to the storage unit.

  When the printer A is used as a stand-alone type, although not shown, a display unit for displaying the contents converted into readable information on the upper surface of the housing H based on the QR code read from the card, When a numeric key or other input unit for inputting transaction contents is provided, and this printer A is used by being connected to a computer such as a POS system, nothing is provided on the upper surface of the housing H. .

Next, the operation of the above-described configuration of the printer A will be described with reference to FIG. 19 and subsequent drawings.
[Initialization operation]
When the power is turned on to use the printer A, a plurality of preset programs are sequentially executed, and first, an initial operation is started as shown in FIG. That is, in step (hereinafter referred to as S) 11, it is checked whether or not the current mode is designated as the HP mode. If the current mode is designated as the HP mode, the first card sensor 200a, the second card sensor 200b, It is checked whether or not a card is detected from detection signals of the registration sensor 200c and the QR reader 300 (S12). If there is a card, in S13, the routine proceeds to a paper discharge operation routine which will be described later with reference to FIG. 20, and after the paper discharge operation routine is executed, the mode motor M2 is rotated clockwise (CW) ( S14), when the first mode sensor 703a is switched from OFF to ON (Y in S15), the mode motor M2 is further rotated clockwise (CW) by a minimum predetermined step (for example, 18 steps) (S16), End initial operation.

If the current mode is designated to be other than the HP mode in S11, in S17, the routine shifts to a routine for HP transition operation described later based on FIG. The motor M1 is counterclockwise (CCW) by a number of steps capable of transporting a distance slightly larger than the maximum distance among the distances between adjacent detection means (for example, the distance between the first card sensor 200a and the registration sensor 200c). After the rotation (S18), it is checked whether or not only the first card sensor 200a detects the card (S19). As a result, when there is a card only in the first card sensor 200a, the initial operation is terminated. However, if this is not the case, it will be judged as a jam and an alarm will be issued.
If no card is detected in S12, the process proceeds to S18.

[Output operation]
In the paper discharge operation routine, first in S21, it is confirmed whether or not the current mode is the HP mode. If not in the HP mode, the routine proceeds to the HP transition operation routine described later in S22, and in the HP mode, It is checked whether only the second card sensor is ON (S23). When only the second card sensor is ON, that is, when the card is at the back of the transport path, the transport motor M1 is rotated counterclockwise until the first card sensor 200a is turned on (S24, S25). When the first card sensor 200a is turned on, the transport motor M1 is further rotated for a predetermined step, that is, until the front end of the card protrudes into the insertion / discharge port (S26), and only the first card sensor 200a is turned on. It is checked whether or not it has been done (S 27 ). When only the first card sensor 200a is turned on, the paper discharge operation is terminated. However, if only the first card sensor 200a is not turned on, an error display such as a transport error is displayed.

In S23, when only the second card sensor 200b is not ON, it is checked whether or not both the registration sensor 200c and the second card sensor 200b are ON (S28). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to S24. When the result is negative, it is checked whether or not both the registration sensor 200c and the first card sensor 200a are ON (S29). When the determination is positive, the conveyance motor M1 is rotated counterclockwise until the registration sensor 200c is turned OFF. (S210, S211). After the registration sensor 200c is turned off, the conveyance motor M1 is further rotated in a predetermined step (eg, 1800 steps) counterclockwise until the end of the card protrudes from the insertion / ejection port 3 (S212). .
In S29, when both the registration sensor 200c and the first card sensor 200a are not ON, it is checked whether only the first card sensor 200a is ON (S213). If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to S212. Displays an error.

[HP transition operation]
The HP transition operation in S17 of FIG. 19 and S22 of FIG. 20 has the same contents. As shown in FIG. 21, first, in S31, the first mode sensor 703a is ON and the second mode sensor 703b is OFF. If the result is affirmative, the HP transition operation is terminated. On the other hand, when the result is negative, after the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined step (for example, 150 steps) clockwise (S32), the first mode sensor 703a is turned on again and the second mode sensor 703b is turned on again. It is checked whether or not it is OFF (S33). If the result is affirmative, the mode motor M2 is rotated clockwise by a predetermined step (for example, 18 steps) and then stopped (S34).
If the determination in S33 after starting the rotation of the first mode motor M2 is negative, it is checked whether the number of pulses given to the mode motor M2 at that time is less than a predetermined value (for example, 500 steps). If YES, the process proceeds to S32. If NO, that is, if the number of pulses to the mode motor M2 exceeds the predetermined value, an error is displayed.

  After the above initialization operation is completed and the printer is normally initialized, the printer A is used for regular operation. When a predetermined card, that is, a card having the above-described thermoreversible recording layers on both the front and back sides is inserted into the insertion / discharge port 3, a program of a series of operations is executed as shown in FIG.

[Series operation]
First, in S41, a paper feed operation routine, which will be described later, is executed. Subsequently, after an upper surface rewrite transition operation routine, which will be described later, is executed (S42), an upper surface rewrite command for printing on the upper surface of the card is input. Whether or not is checked (S43). If the determination is affirmative, a routine for an upper surface rewrite operation described later is executed (S44). When the upper surface rewrite operation is completed, it is checked whether or not a lower surface rewrite command for printing on the lower surface of the card is input (S45). If the determination is affirmative, a lower surface rewrite transition operation routine described later is executed (S46), and then a lower surface rewrite operation routine described later is executed (S47). When the lower surface rewrite operation is finished, the counter-clockwise rotation of the transport motor M1 is started (S49).
When the underside rewrite command is not input in S45, the instantaneous rotation of the conveying HP When the migration operation routine is executed at the same time the motor M1 (e.g. 50 ms), after stopping, the counterclockwise direction of the conveying motor M1 shifts to S49 Starts rotating.

Next, in S49, it is checked whether or not a QR verify check command for checking whether or not the QR code is normally printed is input (S410). If the result is affirmative, a QR verify check operation described later is performed. A routine is executed (S411). Thereafter, the conveyance motor M1 continues to rotate counterclockwise (S412), and it is checked whether or not the QR reader has detected no card (S413). If no, the conveyance motor M1 is detected until no card is detected. When the counterclockwise rotation is continued and no card is detected, the transport motor M1 is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined step (for example, 1000 steps) and then stopped (S414). If no QR verify check command is input in S410, the discharge operation routine described above is executed in S415, and the series of operations ends.

[Paper feed]
When the paper feeding operation in S41 of FIG. 22 is positive as shown in FIG. 23, it is checked in S51 whether the first mode sensor 703a is ON and the second mode sensor 703b is OFF. Checks whether the first card sensor 200a detects that a card is present (S52). When the result is negative in S51, the above-described HP transition operation routine is executed (S53), and then the process proceeds to S52. If the result in S52 is affirmative, the conveyance motor M1 is rotated clockwise (S54), and then S55 and S56 are performed in parallel to determine whether or not the registration sensor 200c has detected a card. Check if a card is detected.

  If the result in S55 is affirmative, the conveyance motor M1 is rotated clockwise by a predetermined step (for example, 776 steps), that is, after the card is conveyed to the reading area by the QR reader 300, it is stopped (S57). When the result is negative in S55, it is checked whether or not the number of pulses given to the transport motor M1 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (for example, 2000 steps) (S58). If the result is affirmative, the process returns to S54 and the transport motor is rotated clockwise. Continue to rotate. However, if it is negative, a jam is displayed.

When the result in S56 is affirmative, that is, when the QR reader 300 detects a card, a QR code reading routine described later is executed in S59. When the result is negative in S56, it is checked whether or not the number of pulses given to the transport motor M1 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (for example, 2000 steps) (S510). If the result is affirmative, the process returns to S54 and the transport motor is rotated clockwise. Continue rotating. However, if the determination is negative, the rotation of the transport motor M1 is stopped (S511), and a display requesting card resetting is performed.

  After completing the QR code reading in S59, it is determined whether or not the result of the reading is normal (S512). If normal, the registration sensor 200c detects the presence of a card and the first card. It is checked whether or not the sensor 200a detects no card (S513). When the result is affirmative, the paper feeding operation is terminated, and when the result is negative, a jam is displayed. If the QR code reading result is not normal in S512, the paper discharge operation routine is executed and a reading error is displayed in S514.

[QR code reading]
In the QR code reading performed in S59 during the paper feeding operation, as shown in FIG. 24, rotation of the front speed of the transport motor M1 is continued (S61), and it is checked whether or not the QR code on the card is recognized ( When it is recognized, the QR code cell is read while being conveyed at the previous speed (S63), and the QR code reading is terminated.

[Upper surface rewrite transition operation]
In the upper surface rewrite transition operation of S42 in FIG. 22, as shown in FIG. 25, it is checked in S71 whether the first mode sensor 703a is OFF and the second mode sensor 703b is ON. When the result is affirmative, the upper surface rewrite transition operation is terminated. On the other hand, when the result is negative, the mode motor M2 is rotated clockwise (S72), and it is checked again whether the first mode sensor 703a is OFF and the second mode sensor 703b is ON. (S73). If the result is affirmative, the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined step (for example, 18 steps) and then stopped (S74). If the result in S73 is negative, it is checked whether or not the number of pulses given to the mode motor M2 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 500 steps) (S75). If the result is affirmative, the process returns to S72. Continue to rotate M2 . On the other hand, when the result is negative in S75, an error is displayed.

[Top-side rewrite operation]
As shown in FIG. 26, the upper surface rewrite transition operation in S44 of FIG. 22 is performed by rotating the transport motor M1 by a predetermined step in the clockwise direction in S81, and then the first thermal head (described as the upper head in FIG. 26) 400a. In step S82, a current is applied to each heating element for performing predetermined printing (S82), and then, the rotation (only three steps) necessary for moving the conveyance motor M1 by one line of the card (sub scanning) is performed (for example, three steps). After S83), it is checked whether or not the card movement (sub-scan) has been completed for the total number of lines to be rewritten (S84). If not completed, the process returns to S82 and the first until the completion for the total number of lines. The current application to the thermal head and the movement of the card by one line (sub-scan) are repeated, and when the rewrite is completed for all lines, the rotation of the transport motor M1 is decelerated and stopped. (S85).

[Lower surface rewrite transition operation]
In the lower surface rewrite transition operation of S46 in FIG. 22, as shown in FIG. 27, it is checked in S91 whether both the first mode sensor 703a and the second mode sensor 703b are ON. When the determination is affirmative, the lower surface rewrite transition operation is terminated. On the other hand, when the result is negative, the mode motor M2 is rotated clockwise (S92), and it is checked again whether both the first mode sensor 702a and the second mode sensor 703b are ON (S93). If the result is affirmative, the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined step (for example, 18 steps) and then stopped (S94). If the result in S93 is negative, it is checked whether or not the number of pulses given to the mode motor M2 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 500 steps) (S95). If the result is affirmative, the process returns to S92. Continue to rotate M2 . On the other hand, when the result in S95 is negative, an error is displayed.

[Lower surface rewrite operation]
In the lower surface rewrite operation in S47 of FIG. 22, as shown in FIG. 28, first, in S101, the transport motor M1 is rotated by a predetermined step in the counterclockwise direction, and then the second thermal head (described as the lower head in FIG. 28). ) Current is applied to each heating element for performing predetermined printing on 400b (S102), and then only steps (for example, three steps) necessary to move the conveyance motor M1 by one line of the card (sub scanning) are performed. After the rotation (S103), it is checked whether or not the card movement (sub-scanning) has been completed for the total number of lines to be rewritten (S104). If not completed, the process returns to S102 to set a predetermined number of lines. The current application to the second thermal head and the movement of the card by one line (sub scanning) are repeated until the end of the minute (No in S106, S107, S108) After the rewrite with respect to the number of lines is completed (Yes in S108), the rotation of the conveyance motor M1 in the counterclockwise direction is stopped (S109), and the HP shift operation is performed in S110.

[QR verify check operation]
In QR verify check operation of S411 in FIG. 22, as shown in FIG. 29, to (S111) continues counterclockwise rotation of the front speed of the conveying motor M1, QR reader examines whether or not it is detected that the card (S112) If YES, it is checked whether the QR code of the card is recognized (S113). When it is recognized, QR code cell reading (S114) is performed while maintaining the counterclockwise rotation of the front speed of the transport motor M1 , and the QR verify check operation is completed. The arithmetic processing unit in the control unit 500 determines whether the QR verify check is correct or not. When the QR reader does not detect the card in S112, whether or not the number of pulses applied to the transport motor M1 at that time is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 1500 steps) required for the leading edge of the card to reach the reading area of the QR reader. (S115), if affirmative, return to S111, and if negative, display jam.

  FIG. 30 illustrates the dimensions of the conveyance path, the flow of the card, and the rewritable range of the printer A according to the present invention.

[Time chart]
A time chart of a series of operations of the printer A is illustrated in FIG. This will be described below. It is not assumed that an abnormality such as a jam of the card being conveyed, an error of the mode motor M2, or a reading error of the QR reader occurs.

Based on the detection of the card inserted in the HP mode by the first card sensor 200a, the transport motor M1 starts to rotate clockwise and the card is transported in the take-in direction. Then, the QR code is read by the QR reader from the time when the QR reader 300 detects the leading edge of the card to be conveyed and then conveyed for a predetermined step. Then, after a predetermined number of steps from the time when the registration sensor 200c detects the leading edge of the card, that is, after the reading of the QR code is completed, the rotation of the transport motor M1 is stopped and simultaneously the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined angle to HP. The mode is switched to the upper surface rewrite mode through the upper surface rewrite transition operation.

  Accordingly, the P head 400a that has been held in the retracted position until then is pressed against the first platen roller 104a, and the transport roller assembly RA that has been closed is released. That is, when the card leaves the transport roller assembly RA, vibration is not applied to the card, and subsequent card transport is performed only by the lower platen roller pressed against the P head, so that the card does not vibrate. , It is transported very stably.

  Data obtained by reading the QR code is sent to the host device and used for various information processing in the host device. When the control means inputs a rewrite command based on the print information sent as a result of information processing from the host device, the top head rewrite operation and the QR code rewrite operation for the surface rewrite area shown in FIG. 32 are performed by the P head. .

When print information (rewrite command) is no longer input, the rotation of the transport motor M1 is stopped and the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined angle and switched from the upper surface rewrite mode to the lower surface rewrite mode and switched to the lower surface rewrite mode. That is, the P head that has been in pressure contact with the lower platen roller 104b is retracted, and the S head that has been retracted until then is pressed against the upper platen roller 104a. Thereafter, the transport motor M1 is rotated counterclockwise, and the upper surface rewrite operation for the back surface rewrite area shown in FIG. 32 is performed based on the print information (rewrite command) for the back surface of the card. During this time, the transport roller assembly RA is maintained in the open state.

When the rewriting on the back side of the card is completed, the mode motor M2 is rotated by a predetermined angle, returned to the HP mode through the HP mode transition operation, and the QR verify check operation by the QR reader 300 in close contact with the card is performed. The QR data obtained by this QR verify check operation is used for QR verification by the control means 500 or the host device. The counterclockwise rotation of the carry motor M1 is stopped after the QR verify check operation is finished, and the printing operation for one card is finished.

  Since the printer A according to the present invention prints on a card that does not have a magnetic recording surface of a conventional card and prints on both sides of the card, it is possible to dramatically increase the amount of printable information. From, for example, mass-market stores, supermarkets, retail stores, department stores, gas stations, rental shops, beauty salons, esthetic salons, hotels, etc., point cards used in shopping streets, amusement facilities, fitness clubs, prepaid cards, hospitals, etc. When printing on examination cards, medical examination cards used in Japan, rental cards used in libraries, etc., for example, on the surface, in addition to card type and other basic information such as store names, point cards, facility guidance information or Print advertising information and QR codes for events and campaigns, and use cards on the back , It can be printed earn points, coupons, the variable information that changes every time of use, such as booking date and time. The thermal head used in the present invention is capable of printing a multicolor image with the same high image quality and high gradation as a photograph. Therefore, by printing an image that does not differ from a photograph for facility guidance information, advertisement information, etc. The card can have a strong appealing power.

  In the above description, for convenience of explanation, the printing medium has been described as being limited to a card having a thermoreversible recording surface on both sides, but the present invention basically has a thermoreversible recording surface on both sides other than the card. It can also be applied to media. Therefore, it should be understood that the card having the thermoreversible recording surface on both sides described in the specification and claims of the present application includes media other than the card.

A Printer 100 Conveyance means
M1 conveying motor 101R1 to 101R3 conveying roller 101p1 to 101p3 pinch roller 101f1 to 101f3 feed roller 104a first platen roller 104b second platen roller 200 detection means 200a first card sensor 200b second card sensor 200c registration sensor 300 image reading means (QR leader)
400a 1st thermal head
400b Second thermal head 500 Control means 600 Lifting means 610 First lifting means 620 Second lifting means 630 Third lifting means
700 Mode switching mechanism
M2 mode motor 701 Control shaft 702a, 702b Slit disk 703a, 703b Mode sensor

Claims (8)

  A printer for printing a component that develops and decolors by applying heat energy and cooling on a rewrite card coated on both front and back surfaces by a thermoreversible recording method, and transporting the rewrite card along a transport path And a thermal head capable of applying thermal energy capable of coloring and decoloring the components to the rewrite card to be transported, and transport control and thermal energy application control to the transport means and the thermal head, respectively. Control means, and the thermal head is disposed across the transport path so as to correspond to the front and back of the rewrite card transported through the transport path, and the control means is print information given from a host device. A printer which rewrites both the front and back sides of the rewritable card by the thermal head based on the above.   Rewrite card basic information and customer information expressed in two-dimensional code such as QR code, the position to read the two-dimensional code on the rewrite card transported in the taking direction and the position to rewrite the surface after reading the information A two-dimensional code reading means for reading the two-dimensional code and a first thermal head, respectively, and a second thermal head at a position for rewriting the back surface of the rewrite card conveyed in the ejection direction. Rewrite is performed by the first thermal head on the rewrite card conveyed in the take-in direction based on the information read by the two-dimensional code reading means and the print information given from the host device, and the rewrite conveyed in the discharge direction The card according to claim 1, wherein the card is rewritten by a second thermal head. Printer.   3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the two-dimensional code reading means uses a line sensor.   While the thermal head is printing on the rewrite card, the rewrite card is transported only by the transport force of the platen roller with which the thermal head is in contact. 4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein an impact is not applied to the card.   The thermal head has a large number of minute heating elements arranged in a line at the tip, and a control circuit that controls heating and cooling of each heating element based on print information given from the host device. The element pitch is about 300 to 500 dpi. During printing on the rewrite card, the nip of the transport roller before and after the thermal head is opened so that the transport roller does not impact the rewrite card during printing. The head is brought into pressure contact with the platen roller, and the rewrite card is transported only by the platen roller. When the printing is finished, the thermal head is separated from the platen roller, and the nip of the front and rear transport rollers is closed to close the transport roller. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the printer is conveyed by a printer.   The first raising / lowering means for raising / lowering the two-dimensional code reading means at the same time as raising / lowering the pinch roller of the conveying roller relative to the feed roller, the second raising / lowering means for raising / lowering the first thermal head, and the second raising / lowering means for raising / lowering the second thermal head In addition, the HP mode for holding each of the lifting / lowering means at the home position from the time when the card is inserted to the end of printing by thermoreversible recording until the card is ejected. Mode switching for switching to the upper surface rewrite mode in which the thermal head is held at the position when printing on the front surface of the card, and the lower surface rewrite mode in which each lifting means is held at the position when the second thermal head is printed on the back surface of the card. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a mechanism.   Using a card with a thermoreversible recording material that is erased at the first specified temperature and colored in a second specified temperature range that is higher than the first specified temperature on both sides, minute heating elements are arranged in a row. By installing two thermal heads arranged at a density of 300 to 500 dpi across the conveyance path, and adding a gradation designation signal for each heating element of the thermal head to the printing information given from the host device to each thermal head, 7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein an image having a predetermined gradation is printed on at least one side of the card with a resolution of 300 to 500 dpi.   A process of reciprocating the rewrite card from the insertion / discharge port to the back of the second thermal head by a conveying means, and a two-dimensional code recorded on the rewrite card conveyed in the take-in direction. Step of reading by the code reading means, two-dimensional by the first thermal head based on basic information obtained by reading the two-dimensional code on the surface of the rewrite card conveyed in the take-in direction and printing information given from the host device A step of printing basic information including a code, a step of printing on the back surface of the rewrite card conveyed in the discharge direction by a second thermal head based on print information given from the host device, and the first thermal head The method according to claim 1, further comprising: performing a verification check by reading the two-dimensional code printed by the step. How to use the printer.

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