JP3605372B2 - Recording apparatus, recording method, and recording system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording method, and a recording system for recording various kinds of information such as images and characters on a recording medium such as a card, and in particular, a user according to characteristics of the recording medium or information to be recorded. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording method, and a recording system capable of arbitrarily switching a recording method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for producing a credit card, a cash card, a license card, an ID card, and the like, thermal transfer is performed by thermally transferring to a card-shaped recording medium with a thermal head via a thermal transfer film to record an intended image or character. A recording device of a system is used. As an example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-131930 proposes a recording apparatus of a direct transfer system for directly transferring images and characters to a recording medium via a thermal transfer film. The use of the thermal sublimation ink in this method has the advantage that a high-quality image can be obtained because of the excellent gradation expression due to the characteristics of the ink, but the surface of the recording medium onto which the image is transferred is provided. There is a problem that a layer for receiving the ink is required and the recording medium is limited, or a receiving layer must be laminated on the surface of the recording medium.
[0003]
In general, a card made of polyvinyl chloride (so-called PVC card) capable of accepting heat sublimation ink is often used as the card-shaped recording medium as described above. For example, switching to a card such as polyethylene terephthalate (a so-called PET card) has been studied for reasons such as generation of pollutants when incinerated. However, since this PET card is a crystalline material, not only is it difficult to transfer by heat sublimation, but it is difficult to form an emboss. Therefore, a conventional card-shaped recording medium using an emboss uses a PVC card for a while. I have to do it.
[0004]
Further, in a recording medium of a type in which an IC chip or an antenna is embedded, such as an IC card whose use range is expanding in recent years, the surface of the recording medium is uneven due to these elements embedded therein. Disadvantages such as hindrance to image transfer.
[0005]
Therefore, as a thermal transfer type recording apparatus that solves the above-mentioned problem, as disclosed in JP-A-8-332742, an image is temporarily transferred to an intermediate transfer recording medium, and then the image is re-transferred to an object to be transferred. A recording device using a so-called indirect transfer method for transferring is also used. According to this method, it is possible to improve problems such as limitation of the recording medium related to the receiving layer, or a problem at the time of transferring an image to an uneven surface of the recording medium surface, which was pointed out as a disadvantage in the direct transfer method. In addition, there is an advantage that printing over the entire surface of the card-shaped recording medium can be easily performed as compared with the direct transfer method.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the indirect transfer method uses an intermediate transfer recording medium, so that the running cost is higher than that of the direct transfer method, and the processing time required for printing is increased. There are pros and cons to each method, such as the fact that the front side needs to be printed on the entire surface, but the back side often prints and displays precautions on the use of the card, etc. .
[0007]
In view of the above circumstances, the recording apparatus, the recording method, and the recording system according to the present invention take into consideration the above-mentioned circumstances, and in addition to the material of the recording medium such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene terephthalate, the surface shape of the recording medium including the presence or absence of an emboss, an IC element, and the like The user can arbitrarily switch the recording method between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method according to the characteristics, information to be recorded such as whether or not printing on the recording medium is required, or according to various purposes. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus, a recording method, and a recording system that can perform the recording.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a first aspect of the present invention provides:A recording device, a thermal transfer film having a sublimable ink layer, an intermediate transfer film that temporarily holds the ink of the thermal transfer film as an image, and a surface of a recording medium or the intermediate transfer film via the thermal transfer film. Thermal transfer means for thermally transferring print information, retransfer means for retransferring an image thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer film to the surface of a recording medium, and transfer of print information to the surface of the recording medium arranged opposite to the thermal transfer means. First recording medium supporting means for supporting a recording medium during thermal transfer, and intermediate transfer film supporting means arranged to face the thermal transfer means and supporting the intermediate transfer film during thermal transfer of print information to the intermediate transfer film, A second recording medium supporting means disposed opposite to the retransfer means and supporting the recording medium when retransferring an image to the recording medium; A recording unit, a detachable first unit formed as at least a part of the recording unit and including at least the first recording medium support means, and formed as at least a part of the recording unit and at least the intermediate transfer A detachable second unit including a film supporting unit or the second recording medium supporting unit, a mounting unit that replaceably mounts the first unit and the second unit,WithThat is the gist.
[0009]
In order to solve the above problems,A second aspect of the present invention provides:A recording device, a thermal transfer film having a sublimable ink layer, an intermediate transfer film that temporarily holds the ink of the thermal transfer film as an image, and a surface of a recording medium or the intermediate transfer film via the thermal transfer film. Thermal transfer means for thermally transferring print information, retransfer means for retransferring an image thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer film to the surface of a recording medium, and transfer of print information to the surface of the recording medium arranged opposite to the thermal transfer means. First recording medium supporting means for supporting a recording medium during thermal transfer, and intermediate transfer film supporting means arranged to face the thermal transfer means and supporting the intermediate transfer film during thermal transfer of print information to the intermediate transfer film, A second recording medium supporting means disposed opposite to the retransfer means and supporting the recording medium when retransferring an image to the recording medium; A recording unit, a detachable first unit formed as at least a part of the recording unit and including at least the thermal transfer film and the thermal transfer unit, and formed as at least a part of the recording unit and at least the intermediate transfer A detachable second unit including a film and the retransfer unit, and a mounting unit that replaceably mounts the first unit and the second unit;WithThat is the gist.
[0010]
AndIn order to solve the above problems,A third aspect of the present invention provides:A recording device, a thermal transfer film having a sublimable ink layer, an intermediate transfer film that temporarily holds the ink of the thermal transfer film as an image, and a surface of a recording medium or the intermediate transfer film via the thermal transfer film. Thermal transfer means for thermally transferring print information, retransfer means for retransferring an image thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer film to the surface of a recording medium, and transfer of print information to the surface of the recording medium arranged opposite to the thermal transfer means. A first platen roller that supports a recording medium during thermal transfer, and a second platen roller that is disposed opposite to the thermal transfer unit and supports the intermediate transfer film when thermally transferring print information to the intermediate transfer film. Platen rotation for supporting a recording unit and the first platen roller and the second platen roller integrally and rotatably Holding means, and one of the first and second platen rollers is switched so as to be positioned at a position facing and close to the thermal transfer means, so that the platen rotation support can support the recording medium or the intermediate transfer film. Switching means for rotating the means.
[0011]
Furthermore,In order to solve the above problems,According to a fourth aspect of the present invention,A recording method for recording an image on a recording medium, comprising a step of selectively heating a heating element and transferring ink of the thermal transfer film to a surface of the recording medium while synchronously feeding the thermal transfer film and the recording medium. An image recording method by a direct transfer method of directly recording an image on a recording medium, and selectively heating a heating element and feeding the thermal transfer film ink to the intermediate transfer film while synchronously feeding the thermal transfer film and the intermediate transfer film. Transferring the image and recording the image; transporting the intermediate transfer film on which the image is recorded; and reheating the intermediate transfer film and transferring the image recorded on the intermediate transfer film onto the surface of the recording medium. And an image recording method using an indirect transfer method of indirectly recording an image on a recording medium. Setting the direct transfer method or the indirect transfer method so as to position the recording position, the image recording by the direct transfer method and the image recording by the indirect transfer method by this setting step. The gist of the present invention is to record the image on a recording medium by setting it to be arbitrarily switchable.
[0012]
Also,In order to solve the above problems,According to a fifth aspect of the present invention,An image generation device that generates image data, a recording device that records the image data generated by the image generation device on a surface of a recording medium, and an image signal is transmitted and received between the image generation device and the recording device. A recording system comprising communication means, wherein the recording device is a thermal transfer film having a sublimable ink layer, an intermediate transfer film for temporarily holding the ink of the thermal transfer film as an image, and Thermal transfer means for thermally transferring the print information to the surface of the recording medium or to the intermediate transfer film, retransfer means for retransferring the image thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer film to the surface of the recording medium, facing the thermal transfer means A first platen roller that is disposed and supports the recording medium during thermal transfer of print information to the surface of the recording medium; A recording unit having a second platen roller supporting the intermediate transfer film during thermal transfer of print information to the intermediate transfer film, and the first platen roller and the second platen roller can be integrally rotated. Platen rotation support means for supporting the image forming apparatus, wherein the image generating apparatus switches so as to position one of the first and second platen rollers in the recording apparatus at a position facing and close to the thermal transfer means. Switching means for rotating the platen rotation support means so as to be able to support the recording medium or the intermediate transfer film, and the switching means of the image generating apparatus causes the thermal transfer method in the recording apparatus to be the thermal transfer film. Direct transfer method for directly transferring an ink to the surface of a recording medium to form an image, and an ink for the thermal transfer film Once after forming the image is transferred to the intermediate transfer film, and summarized in that configured to switch in an indirect transfer method for re-transferring the image to the surface of the recording medium.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, an example is shown in which a card is used as a recording medium.
[0014]
<First embodiment>
A recording apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a first embodiment of the present invention stores a first transport path P1 disposed substantially horizontally inside a casing 2 and one or more blank cards C. A card supply unit 3 for sending out cards one by one to the first transport path P1, a third transport path P3 disposed substantially orthogonal to the first transport path P1, that is, substantially perpendicular to the first transport path P1, A print recording unit 4 that prints and records various types of information on at least one surface of the first transport path; a second transport path P2 that is disposed in an inclined manner between the first transport path P1 and the third transport path P3; P2, an information recording unit 5 for recording various types of information on the card C, a card reversing unit 6 provided at an intersection X1 of the first transport path P1, the second transport path P2, and the third transport path P3; On the opposite side of the card supply unit 3 with respect to the reversing unit 6, that is, on the downstream side of the first conveyance path P1, It is equipped with a card ejection stacker 7 and the like to discharge houses the complete card you have completed the physical.
[0015]
In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes a cleaner for cleaning the card surface. The cleaner 8 here comprises a cleaning roller 31 made of a sticky rubber material and the like and a pressure contact roller 32, which face each other with the first transport path P1 interposed therebetween, and the card discharged from the card supply unit 3 forms a pair. Dust and the like can be removed when passing between the cleaner rollers.
[0016]
The card supply unit 3 includes a card stacker (not shown) that stores one or more blank cards C in a stack, and a kick roller 9 that is provided at the bottom of the card stacker and rotates to send out cards one by one from the card stacker. And a lid (not shown) that opens and closes at least a part of the card stacker so that it can be opened.
[0017]
The card stacker usually has an opening slot at the position facing the first transport path P1 to allow the passage of only one card, and rotates the kick roller 9 in contact with the lowest card of the stacked cards C. Sends only the lowest card to the first transport path P1.
[0018]
The opening / closing lid is hinged to the upper part of the housing 2 so as to be openable upward. The opening / closing lid is provided with a card alignment piece inside, and a plurality of blank cards C are loaded in a stack in the card stacker with the opening / closing lid opened upward, and the card alignment piece is closed by closing the opening / closing lid. Can press the rear end of the card bundle to align the card bundle.
[0019]
The print recording unit 4 in the present embodiment employs a configuration of a thermal transfer printer for recording print information such as characters and images on one side of a card C as a recording medium using thermal transfer ink. The print recording unit 4 that constitutes the thermal transfer printer here is provided at a recording position Sr of the third transport path P3, and a platen roller 11 that is a support unit that supports the card C when printing on the surface of the card C; A thermal head 12 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the platen roller 11, and an ink cartridge 13 having an ink ribbon R coated with thermal transfer ink. A pair of transport rollers 14 and 15 that rotate synchronously to move the card back and forth with respect to the recording position Sr are provided along the third transport path P3.
[0020]
The ink ribbon R stored in the ink cartridge 13 passes from the ribbon supply roll 13a between the platen roller 11 and the thermal head 12, and is wound on the ribbon winding roll 13b. When information such as characters or images is thermally transferred and recorded on a card moving along the third transport path P3, the heating elements of the thermal head 12 are pressed while pressing the thermal head 12 with an ink ribbon R interposed on the surface of the card. By selectively operating, the thermal transfer ink component applied to the ink ribbon R can be transferred to the surface of the card to draw desired information.
[0021]
The reciprocating motion of the thermal head 12 with respect to the platen roller 11 includes a holder 16a for detachably holding the thermal head 12, a driven roller 16b fixed to the holder 16a, and a non-circular cam 16c rotating while being in circumferential contact with the driven roller 16b. And a spring 16d for pressing the holder 16a against the cam 16c. In the illustrated embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the head unit holding the thermal head 12 inside can be attached to and detached from the holder 16a, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this configuration.
[0022]
Such a thermal transfer recording method and the structure of the thermal transfer printer are not particularly novel technologies, and a printer unit such as a conventional thermal fusion type thermal printer or thermal sublimation type thermal printer can be used according to the purpose. Further, the structure of the forward / backward drive unit 16 for moving the thermal head 12 forward / backward with respect to the platen roller 11 is not particularly limited.
[0023]
Here, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the platen roller 11 disposed opposite to the thermal head 12, and the transport roller disposed before and after the platen roller 11 and synchronously rotating in the print recording unit 4. The pairs 14 and 15 are formed as detachable units 10. That is, a part of the print recording unit 4 directly heat-transfers to the surface of the card C via the ink ribbon R coated with the thermal transfer ink by the above-described thermal head 12 to print and record print information such as characters and images. It is configured as a detachable unit that is mounted corresponding to print recording by the so-called direct transfer method. When the unit 10 is attached or detached, the attachment or detachment is performed while the edge of the unit 10 is slid in contact with the mounting portion 17 formed of a guide groove or a slide rail (not shown). In the drawing, reference numeral 18 denotes a positioning hole used when a unit 20 different from the unit 10 described later is mounted.
[0024]
The unit 10 includes a platen roller 11 and a drive mechanism (not shown) for rotationally driving the pair of transport rollers 14 and 15 disposed before and after the platen roller 11.
[0025]
The information recording unit 5 for recording various information on the card C is shown by an information writing head 19 such as a magnetic encoder for magnetically recording information on a magnetic stripe formed on a card surface such as a credit card. Become.
[0026]
If the recording target is an IC card, the information writing head 19 may be a contact type terminal unit of an IC writer for writing information to an IC chip in the card. Alternatively, a non-contact antenna may be used.
[0027]
The information recording unit 5 includes an information writing head 19 provided along the second transport path P2, and a pair of transport rollers 21a and 21b provided before and after the head 19, and particularly, the constituent elements. It does not limit the magnetic recording method. Incidentally, in the case of a magnetic encoder, various types of information writing are usually performed by one-pass card transport to the write head 19 in response to various processing requests such as initialization of a magnetic stripe of the card, magnetic writing, and verification, or A plurality of reciprocating transfers for a plurality of passes are performed, and the transfer of these cards can be controlled by rotating the transfer rollers 21a and 21b in synchronization with the intended processing.
[0028]
The card reversing unit 6 located at the intersection X1 of the first transport path P1, the second transport path P2, and the third transport path P3 moves from the first transport path P1 to the second transport path P2 or the third transport path P3, or Conversely, it has a function of feeding the card C and a function of rotating the card to turn over the card in order to print or magnetically record any one or both sides of the card in the print recording unit 4 or the information recording unit 5. .
[0029]
Here, the reversing unit 6 rotatably supports the pair of pinch rollers 33 and 34, which can pinch the card, and rotatably supports the pinch rollers 33, 34. The first transport path P1, the second transport path P2, and the third A rotating frame 35 that rotates about the intersection X1 of the transport path P3.
[0030]
The pinch rollers 33 and 34 are in pressure contact with each other across the first transport path P1 when the rotary frame 35 is in the horizontal state, are in pressure contact with each other across the third transport path P3 in the vertical state, and are in contact with the second transport path in an inclined state. Pressing each other across P2. One of the paired pinch rollers is a drive roller, and the other is a driven roller.
[0031]
The rotation of the rotating frame 35 and the rotation of the pinch rollers 33 and 34 can be executed by operating a drive system (not shown) that drives them synchronously. When the rotating frame 35 is rotated with the card held between the pinch rollers 33 and 34, the pinch roller also rotates and displaces the card. Reverse rotation by the amount of rotation. The rotating frame 35 and the pinch rollers 33, 34 may be independently driven to prevent the pinch rollers 33, 34 from rotating together when the rotating frame 35 rotates.
[0032]
However, the present invention is not particularly limited to the above-described means, and has a function of transferring a card between the first transport path, the second transport path, and the third transport path, or rotating or reversing the card. Any configuration may be used.
[0033]
In the drawing, reference numeral 36 denotes a discharge roller, which discharges the card C toward the discharge stacker 7.
[0034]
In addition, an opening is provided at a position corresponding to the housing 2 on an extension of the second transport path P2 to form the error card discarding section 37. For example, when an error is found in the write information as a result of verifying the write information at the time of writing information with the magnetic encoder serving as the information recording unit 5, the processing card is taken out of the housing 2 through the opening as an error card. I try to discharge. A card receiver or the like may be attached to the discard unit 37.
[0035]
Further, in the drawing, reference numeral 40 denotes an operation panel unit that sets a change in the thermal transfer method of the recording apparatus 1 and sets various conditions, and includes a display unit that indicates a state of the recording apparatus 1.
[0036]
All the operating parts of the recording device 1 can be driven by a simple drive control system. As an example, the kick roller 9 of the card supply unit 3 and the rotating frame 35 of the card reversing unit are driven by one motor, and one of the pressure contact roller 32, the pinch roller 34, and the discharge roller 36 of the cleaner is driven by another motor. And other methods. The drive of each operating element may be controlled by any drive system, and a power transmission means, an electromagnetic clutch or the like may be used as appropriate. A head drive source for rotating the cam 16c of the advance / retreat drive unit 16 of the print recording unit 4 is also used independently. However, if an electromagnetic clutch or the like is used, power of a transport drive source or the like can be used.
[0037]
In this embodiment, a recording apparatus using a thermal transfer method different from the direct transfer method shown in FIG. 1 is provided by mounting the detachable unit 10 and the replaceable unit 20 which constitute a part of the print recording unit 4. 1 can be configured.
[0038]
The recording apparatus having the above configuration is shown in FIG. 2, and its detachable unit 20 is shown in FIG. 3 and will be described below. It should be noted that detailed description of parts that are the same as those in FIG. 1 is omitted.
[0039]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a unit (indirect transfer unit) 20 that can be replaced with the unit (direct transfer unit) 10 in FIG. Although it constitutes a part of the unit 4, unlike the direct transfer method in the unit 10 described above, it has a structure in which an intermediate transfer film F is added.
[0040]
Specifically, by selectively operating the heating elements of the thermal head 12, the thermal transfer ink component applied to the ink ribbon R is transferred onto the intermediate transfer film to draw the desired information. The transferred information is re-transferred to the surface of the card C by a heat roller 23 which is a re-transfer unit, an intermediate transfer film F, a platen roller 22 supporting the film F during the transfer processing to the intermediate transfer film F, A heat roller 23 containing a heating element as a retransfer means for retransferring the information transferred on the film F to the surface of the card C, and a platen roller 24 supporting the card C during retransfer processing to the card C; , A film supply roll 25a of the intermediate transfer film F, a film winding roll 25b of the intermediate transfer film F, Guide rollers 26 and 27 for guiding; a positioning stick 28 for positioning by inserting into the positioning hole 18 when the unit 20 is mounted; transport roller pairs 38 and 38 for transporting the card C; And a discharge roller 39 for discharging the card after the re-transfer process to the discharge stacker 7.
[0041]
The unit 20 is also attached to and detached from the mounting portion 17 formed of a guide groove or a slide rail not shown in detail while sliding the edge of the unit 20 at the time of attachment and detachment similarly to the unit 10, In addition, a positioning stick is inserted into the positioning hole 18 to position the two.
[0042]
A drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the platen rollers 22 and 24, the transport roller pair 38, the discharge roller 39, and the like, and a transport mechanism (not shown) for transporting the intermediate transfer film F are provided inside the unit 20. I have.
[0043]
The discharge stacker 7 is formed so as to be detachable from the housing 2 so as to be compatible with both the configurations shown in FIGS.
[0044]
The discharge roller 36 shown in FIG. 1 functions as a transport roller for transferring the card C to the unit 20 in the embodiment of FIG. The three transport path P3 is not shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2 because it is unnecessary.
[0045]
By the way, the ink ribbon R coated with a thermal transfer ink for drawing desired information on the card C or the intermediate transfer film F by the thermal head 12 of the print recording unit 4 is, for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C A sublimation type color ink ribbon in which three primary colors of (cyan) and four colors of Bk (black) are sequentially formed can be used, and an unused portion is wound around a ribbon supply roll 13a of the ink cartridge 13, and a thermal head 12 is formed. The used part, which has performed printing on the card C or the intermediate transfer film F, is provided in the ink cartridge 13 so as to be wound around the ribbon winding roll 13b. The unused portion of the ribbon R wound on the ribbon supply roll 13a by the rotation of the ribbon take-up roll 13b is assisted by the ribbon transport roller 13c in the ink cartridge 13, and the unused portion of the ribbon R is connected to the thermal head 13 and the platen roller 11 or the platen roller. It is sequentially pulled out between the rollers 22. The drive shafts of the ribbon supply roll 13a and the ribbon take-up roll 13b can be driven to rotate forward and backward.
[0046]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate transfer film F includes a base film 45a, a back coat layer 45b, a release layer 45c, an overcoat layer 45d, and an ink receiving layer 45e. After the image is once transferred, the overcoat layer 45d and the ink receiving layer 45e are transferred to the card C by reheating from the back coat layer 45b side, which is the back surface of the film.
[0047]
The intermediate transfer film F is stretched between a film supply roll 25a around which an unused portion is wound and a film winding roll 25b for winding a used film. Although transport is performed, the film F is configured to be able to transport in the forward and reverse directions.
[0048]
As shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, the platen roller 22 and the heat roller 23 are configured to be movable between a solid line position as a processing execution position and a broken line position as a retreat position. This is similar to the case where information such as a color image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer film F by the thermal head 12, as in the case where the information such as a color image is directly transferred to the surface of the card C by the thermal head 12 in the embodiment of FIG. Since the three primary color inks of Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan) applied to the ink ribbon R need to be transferred and printed, the platen roller 22 and the platen roller 22 are transported when the film F is transported in the reverse direction. The heat roller 23 is retracted, and both are retracted so that the exchange operation can be easily performed in the exchange operation of the film F or the like.
[0049]
As described above, in the present embodiment, by using the direct transfer unit 10 and the indirect transfer unit 20 interchangeably, for example, in the case of a PVC card, printing is performed by the direct transfer method, and in the case of a PET card, indirect transfer is performed. As described above, the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method can be arbitrarily switched according to the type of the recording medium.
[0050]
In addition, when the surface of the card has irregularities due to, for example, a contact or an embedded antenna on the surface, such as an IC card, the use of printing the front surface of the card by the indirect transfer method and printing the back surface by the direct transfer method is also possible. In addition, a card having an embossed surface can be printed using an indirect transfer method.
[0051]
Next, a configuration in which the overcoat fixing device 50 is connected to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same reference numerals are given to portions common to the configuration of FIG. 2, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0052]
In this embodiment, the overcoat fixing device 50 shown in FIG. 5 is a protection device having a recording surface that is transparent, colored, or has an appropriate pattern for the purpose of protecting the recording surface of the card C on which information is recorded and preventing tampering. This is a coating unit for overcoating a coat film Y such as a film or a hologram film. The coating film Y is overcoated on the card C on which the information is recorded, but the card C can be turned over by the function of the card reversing section 51, so that the coating film Y can be overlaid on any one or both sides of the card. Can be coated. The card reversing unit 51 of the overcoat fixing device 50 has the same configuration as the card reversing unit 6 of the recording device 1, and includes a horizontal transport path in the overcoat fixing device 50 that extends on an extension of the first transport path P <b> 1. It has a rotary frame 52 that rotates about the intersection X2 of the fourth transport path P4, which is substantially orthogonal to the horizontal transport path, that is, crosses the vertical transport path P4 substantially vertically. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.
[0053]
The coating unit, which is the overcoat fixing device 50, thermally transfers the coat film Y sent from the supply roll 53a to the take-up roll 53b while pressing the heat roller 54 heated at the coating position Sc onto the recording card C. That is, the coat film F is pressed against the card C by lowering the heat roller 54 only when the coat film Y is thermally transferred to the card C.
[0054]
The supply roll 53a and the take-up roll 53b of the coat film Y are loaded into the overcoat fixing device 50 so as to be located vertically above and below the coating position Sc.
[0055]
Elevating means 56 for moving the heat roller 54 forward and backward with respect to the platen roller 55a located at the coating position Sc includes a holding member 56a held by a spring 56b slidably held on a support frame (not shown); A non-circular cam 56c rotatably provided on the support frame, a follower 56d provided on the holding member 56a to move the holding member 56a forward and backward by following the rotation of the cam 56c, and the heat roller 54 can be rotated. And a bracket 56f connected by a holding member 56a and a resilient member 66e.
[0056]
When the cam 56c is rotated at the retracted position of the heat roller 54 (not shown), the follower 56d moves toward the coating position Sc against the spring 56b, and as a result, the elastic member 6e exerts an appropriate urging force. The heat roller 54 presses the card C via the coat film Y.
[0057]
Accordingly, while the coat film Y is wound up from the supply roll 53a to the take-up roll 53b at a speed equal to the moving speed of the card C moving along the transport path P4, the heat roller 54 heated to the card C is moved to the coat film Y. The coating film Y is heat-transferred to the card C by pressing, and the desired coating is achieved.
[0058]
The card conveying means 55 in the coating unit 50 includes, in addition to the platen roller 55a, capstan rollers 55b, 55c and 55d, and conveys the card C along the fourth conveying path P4 by rotating the rollers at a constant peripheral speed. .
[0059]
The fourth transport path P4 includes a cleaner 57 for cleaning the card surface. The cleaner 57 here is substantially the same as the cleaner 8 provided in the first transport path P1. The cleaner 57 also includes a cleaning roller and a pressing roller made of a rubber material or the like having an adhesive surface facing each other with the fourth conveyance path P4 interposed therebetween, and removes dirt or the like of a card moving on the fourth conveyance path P4. .
[0060]
In the drawing, reference numeral 58 denotes a discharge roller for discharging the card C to the discharge stacker 7 outside the machine. The discharge stacker 7 in this figure is also formed to be detachable from the casing 59 of the coating unit 50, similarly to the above-described embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, but is fixed to the casing 59. May be done.
[0061]
The operating elements of the coating unit, which is the overcoat fixing device 50, can be driven by a simple drive control system. The horizontal transport path in the overcoat fixing device 50 and the transport means of the fourth transport path P4, the rotating frame 52 of the card reversing section 51, the elevating means 56, the discharge roller 58, etc. Alternatively, the driving method can be controlled by a plurality of motors and appropriately using a power transmission means or an electromagnetic clutch, but the driving method is not limited in the present invention.
[0062]
<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0063]
As shown in FIG. 6, the recording apparatus 60 in this embodiment has a configuration in which the print recording unit 4 and the information recording unit 5 described in the first embodiment are vertically arranged. A first transport path P1 and a second transport path P2 that are vertically separated from each other in a substantially horizontal state, a card supply unit 62 that stores one or more blank cards C and sends out the cards one by one, A print recording unit 63 provided on the path P1 for printing and recording various information on at least one surface of the supplied card C; an information recording unit 64 provided on the second transport path P2 for recording various information on the card C; A card reversing unit 65, 66 having a function of transmitting and receiving the card C between the card supply unit 62 and the print recording unit 63 and the information recording unit 64 and switching the card transport direction, or rotating or reversing the card C; Card supply The other side of 62, i.e., a card ejection stacker 67 or the like for discharging accommodating the finished card has completed the desired processing on the downstream side of the first conveyance path P1.
[0064]
The card supply unit 62 has a kick roller 68 provided at the bottom thereof and rotating to feed out the lowest cards of the stacked cards C one by one, but the other configuration is the same as that of the card supply unit 3 in the first embodiment. Are the same as or similar to those described above, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0065]
Similarly to the print recording unit 4 in the first embodiment, the print recording unit 63 in the present embodiment records print information such as characters and images on one surface of a card C as a recording medium using thermal transfer ink. The configuration of the thermal transfer printer for performing this is adopted. The print recording unit 63 constituting the thermal transfer printer here is provided at a recording position Sr of the first transport path P1, and supports a platen roller 69 that supports the card C at the time of printing and recording on the surface of the card C; The thermal head 70 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the platen roller 69, and the ink cartridge 71 has a built-in ink ribbon R coated with thermal transfer ink. A pair of transport rollers 72 and 73 that rotate synchronously to move the card back and forth with respect to the recording position Sr are provided along the first transport path P1.
[0066]
The ink ribbon R stored in the ink cartridge 71 passes between the platen roller 69 and the thermal head 70 from the ribbon supply roll 74a and is wound on the ribbon winding roll 74b. When information such as characters or images is thermally transferred and recorded on a card moving along the first transport path P1, the heating elements of the thermal head 70 are pressed while pressing the thermal head 70 with an ink ribbon R interposed on the surface of the card. By selectively operating, the thermal transfer ink component applied to the ink ribbon R can be transferred to the surface of the card to draw desired information.
[0067]
The forward / backward movement of the thermal head 70 with respect to the platen roller 69 has the configuration of the forward / backward drive unit 16 described in the first embodiment, and illustration and description thereof in this embodiment are omitted.
[0068]
In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 6, of the print recording unit 63, the thermal head 70 arranged opposite the platen roller 69, and the ink containing the ink ribbon R with the ribbon supply roll 74a and the ribbon take-up roll 74b. The cartridge 71 is formed as a detachable unit 75. In other words, a part of the print recording unit 63 is directly thermally transferred to the surface of the card C via the ink ribbon R coated with the thermal transfer ink by the above-described thermal head 70, and prints and records print information such as characters and images. It is configured as a detachable unit that is mounted corresponding to print recording by the so-called direct transfer method. When the unit 75 is attached / detached, the unit 75 is attached / detached while the edge of the unit 75 is slidably in contact with a mounting portion 76 including a guide groove or a slide rail (not shown).
[0069]
A drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the thermal head 70 forward and backward with respect to the platen roller 69, a drive mechanism (not shown) for winding and driving the ink ribbon R, and the like are provided in the unit 75.
[0070]
An information recording unit 64, which is located below the print recording unit 63 and records various types of information on the card C, is shown in the figure for magnetically recording information on a magnetic stripe formed on a card surface such as a credit card. It comprises an information writing head 77 such as a magnetic encoder.
[0071]
This information writing head 77 may be a contact-type terminal unit of an IC writer for writing information to an IC chip in the card if the recording target is an IC card, or the information writing head 77 Alternatively, a non-contact antenna may be used.
[0072]
The information recording unit 64 includes an information writing head 77 provided along the second transport path P2, and a pair of transport rollers 78a, 78b, 78c provided before and after the head 77, and in particular, It does not limit the components and the magnetic recording method. Incidentally, in the case of a magnetic encoder, various types of information writing are usually performed by one-pass card transport to the write head 77 according to various processing requests such as initialization of a magnetic stripe of a card, magnetic writing, and verification, or A plurality of reciprocating transfers for a plurality of passes are performed, and the transfer of these cards can be controlled by rotating the transfer rollers 78a, 78b, 78c in synchronization with the intended processing.
[0073]
The card reversing unit according to the present embodiment includes a card reversing unit 65 at a position corresponding to the upper print recording unit 63 and a card reversing unit 66 at a position corresponding to the lower information recording unit 64. The reversing unit 65 can receive the card C sent from the kick roller 68 of the card supply unit 62, and can transfer the card C to and from the print recording unit 63 arranged at a corresponding position. Further, the card reversing section 66 located below is capable of transferring the card C between the card reversing section 65 and the information recording section 64 disposed at the corresponding position, and a discarding section for an error card described later. 79 is set so that the card C can be ejected. In the drawing, the transfer of the card C is performed between the card reversing unit 65 and the card reversing unit 66 at the rotation position indicated by the two-dot chain line. Both of the card reversing units 65 and 66 have a function of rotating the card to turn the card over so that the print recording unit 63 or the information recording unit 64 performs printing or magnetic recording on any one or both sides of the card. Since the card reversing units 65 and 66 have the same basic structure and perform a rotating operation in synchronization with each other, some components are denoted by the same reference numerals and will be described at the same time.
[0074]
The card reversing units 65 and 66 are paired with pinch rollers 80 and 81 so as to pinch the card, and a rotatable frame 84 that rotatably supports the pinch rollers 80 and 81 and that rotates about rotation shafts 82 and 83. 85. One of the paired pinch rollers is a drive roller, and the other is a driven roller.
[0075]
The rotation of the rotating frames 84 and 85 and the rotation of the pinch rollers 80 and 81 can be performed by operating a drive system (not shown) that drives them synchronously. In the present invention, these means are particularly limited. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.
[0076]
In the figure, reference numeral 86 denotes a pair of discharge rollers, which discharge the card C toward the discharge stacker 67.
[0077]
Further, an opening is provided at a position adjacent to the card reversing section 66 and at a position corresponding to the housing 61 on an extension of the second transport path P2 to form the error card discarding section 79. The description is omitted to follow the discarding unit 37 in the embodiment.
[0078]
Here, in the present embodiment, a heat transfer method different from the direct transfer method shown in FIG. 6 is provided by mounting the replaceable unit 75 and the replaceable unit 90 constituting a part of the print recording unit 63. Of the recording device 60 can be configured.
[0079]
The recording apparatus having the above-described configuration is shown in FIG. 7, and its detachable unit 90 is shown in FIG. 8 and will be described below. Parts that are the same components as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0080]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a unit (indirect transfer unit) 90 that can be replaced with a unit (direct transfer unit) 75 in FIG. Although it constitutes a part of the recording unit 63, unlike the direct transfer method in the unit 75 described above, it has a structure in which an intermediate transfer film F is added, and further has an ink ribbon R described below. And a unit 88 that houses the intermediate transfer film F as a connecting unit vertically stacked.
[0081]
Specifically, the unit 87 includes a thermal head 89 having a heating element and an ink cartridge 91 having a built-in ink ribbon R coated with thermal transfer ink. The ink ribbon R stored in the ink cartridge 91 passes through the thermal head 89 from the ribbon supply roll 92a and is wound on a ribbon winding roll 92b.
[0082]
Further, inside the unit 88, an intermediate transfer film F, a platen roller 93 supporting the film F during the transfer processing to the intermediate transfer film F, and information transferred on the film F are re-transferred to the surface of the card C. A heat roller 94 containing a heating element, a film supply roll 95a for the intermediate transfer film F, a film take-up roll 95b for the intermediate transfer film F, and a guide for the film F in the conveyance path of the film F. And a guide roller 96.
[0083]
By connecting these units 87 and 88 as a unit 90, the heat generating element of the thermal head 89 is selectively operated to transfer the thermal transfer ink component applied to the ink ribbon R onto the intermediate transfer film F. After drawing the desired information, the drawn information can be re-transferred to the surface of the card C by the heat roller 94 as the re-transfer means.
[0084]
As in the case of the unit 75, the unit 90 is attached and detached at the time of attachment and detachment while the edge of the unit 90 is in sliding contact with a mounting portion 76 formed of a guide groove or a slide rail (not shown). The mounting section 76 has a holding section for holding the unit 75 or the unit 90 at a predetermined position.
[0085]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the platen roller 69 is arranged so as to face the heat roller 94. However, as a support means for supporting the card C at the time of retransferring the drawing information to the surface of the card C, the embodiment shown in FIG. Shared with
[0086]
A mechanism for moving the thermal head 89 forward and backward, a mechanism for transporting the ink ribbon R and the intermediate transfer film F, and a mechanism for rotating and driving the platen roller 93 and the like are housed in the unit 90 although not shown.
[0087]
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the arrangement of the ribbon supply roll 92a and the ribbon take-up roll 92b of the ink ribbon R housed in the unit 87 having the thermal head 89 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. Although the illustration is described in reverse to the arrangement of the corresponding ribbon supply roll 74a and the ribbon take-up roll 74b in the above description, the configuration of the same arrangement may be adopted. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ribbon supply roll 92a is arranged on the right side of the apparatus as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and the ribbon winding roll 92b is arranged on the left side. During the transfer process of the print information onto F, the intermediate transfer film F is sent from the film take-up roll 95b to the film supply roll 95a while the ink ribbon R is sent from the ribbon supply roll 92a to the ribbon take-up roll 92b. It is also possible to do while. Thus, the unit 75 shown in FIG. 6 and the unit 87 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be shared.
[0088]
The same ink ribbon R and intermediate transfer film F as those in the first embodiment can be used for the ink ribbon R and the intermediate transfer film F in this embodiment. The heat roller 94 is also configured to be retractable to the position shown by the broken line, and is adapted to the time of transporting the film F in the reverse direction or the time of replacing the film F.
[0089]
In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, by using the direct transfer unit 75 and the indirect transfer unit 90 interchangeably, for example, in the case of a PVC card, printing is performed by the direct transfer method, and PET is used. In the case of a card, as in the case of printing by the indirect transfer method, it is possible to arbitrarily switch between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method according to the type of recording medium.
[0090]
In addition, when the surface of the card has irregularities due to, for example, a contact or an embedded antenna on the surface, such as an IC card, the use of printing the front surface of the card by the indirect transfer method and printing the back surface by the direct transfer method is also possible. In addition, a card having an embossed surface can be printed using an indirect transfer method.
[0091]
Next, a configuration in which the overcoat fixing device 100 is connected to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Parts common to those in FIG. Description is omitted.
[0092]
Similar to the overcoat fixing device 50 shown in FIG. 5, the overcoat fixing device 100 is transparent or colored on the recording surface for the purpose of protecting the recording surface of the card C on which information is recorded, preventing tampering, and the like. This is a coating unit for overcoating a coat film Y such as a protective film having a pattern or a hologram film.
[0093]
The coating unit, which is the overcoat fixing device 100, thermally transfers the coating film Y sent from the supply roll 101a to the take-up roll 101b while pressing the heat roller 102 heated at the coating position Sc onto the recording card C. That is, the coat film F is pressed against the card C by lowering the heat roller 102 only when the coat film Y is thermally transferred to the card C.
[0094]
The supply roll 101a and the take-up roll 101b of the coat film Y are loaded into the overcoat fixing device 100 so as to be located on the left and right sides of the coating position Sc.
[0095]
This embodiment also has an elevating mechanism for moving the heat roller 102 forward and backward with respect to the platen roller 103 located at the coating position Sc, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, but is the same as or similar to the elevating means 56 in FIG. Configuration.
[0096]
As shown in the figure, a horizontal transport path that is continuous from the first transport path P1 in the recording device 60 is formed in the overcoat fixing device 100, and the coat film Y is supplied from the supply roll 101a to the take-up roll 101b. While winding up at a speed equal to the moving speed of the card C moving along the transport path, the coat film Y is thermally transferred to the card C by pressing the heat roller 102 heated on the card C via the coat film Y. The final coating is achieved.
[0097]
In addition to the platen roller 103, the card conveying means in the coating unit 100 is disposed on one end side of the capstan rollers 104a and 104b and further on the coating unit 100, receives the card C from the recording device 60 side, and controls the heat roller 102 It includes a pair of inlet rollers 105 for transferring the card C in the direction, and the card C is conveyed along the horizontal conveying path P4 by the rotational movement of the rollers at a constant peripheral speed.
[0098]
In the drawing, reference numeral 106 denotes a discharge roller for discharging the card C to the discharge stacker 67 outside the apparatus. The discharge stacker 76 in this figure is also formed to be detachable from the casing 107 of the coating unit 100, similarly to the other embodiments described above, but is fixed to the casing 107. Is also good.
[0099]
The operating elements of the above-described overcoat fixing device 100 can be driven by a simple drive control system similarly to the above-described overcoat fixing device 50, and a driving mechanism and a driving method including drive control configuring the system are as follows. The present invention is not limited at all.
[0100]
<Third embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0101]
The recording apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment stores the first transport path P1 and the second transport path P2 that are vertically separated in a substantially horizontal state inside the housing 201, and one or more blank cards C to store one card. A card supply unit 210 provided in the first transport path P1, a print recording unit 220 for printing and recording various information on at least one surface of the supplied card C, and a card supply unit provided in the second transport path P2. An information recording unit 240 that records various types of information on the card C, a card C is exchanged between the card supply unit 210, the print recording unit 220, and the information recording unit 240, and the card transport direction is switched, or the card C is rotated or inverted. The card reversing units 250 and 260 having the function of causing the card to be removed and the completed card having completed the intended processing are discharged to the opposite side of the card supply unit 210, that is, the downstream side of the first transport path P1. It is equipped with a card ejection stacker 270 or the like for storage.
[0102]
Here, in the present embodiment, as units of the print recording unit 220, each unit capable of detachably mounting the direct transfer system and the indirect transfer system as in the respective embodiments in the first and second embodiments described above. Instead, the recording apparatus 200 is provided with a mechanism that enables both transfer methods in advance, and a detailed description will be given later.
[0103]
The card supply unit 210 includes a card stacker 211 that stores one or more blank cards C in a stack, a kick roller 212 that is provided at the bottom of the card stacker 211, and that rotates and sends out cards one by one from the card stacker 211. And a lid (not shown) that opens and closes at least a part of the card stacker 211 in an openable manner.
[0104]
The card stacker 211 usually has an opening slot at the position facing the first transport path P1 to allow the passage of only one card, and rotates the kick roller 212 in contact with the lowest card of the stacked cards C. As a result, only the lowest card is sent out to the first transport path P1.
[0105]
The opening / closing lid is hinged so that it can be opened upward from the side of the housing 201. The opening / closing lid has a card alignment piece on the inside, and a plurality of blank cards C are stacked in the card stacker 211 in a state where the opening / closing lid is opened upward, and the card is aligned by closing the opening / closing lid. The piece can press the rear end of the card bundle to align the card bundle.
[0106]
The print recording unit 220 in the present embodiment employs a configuration of a thermal transfer printer for recording print information such as characters and images on one side of a card C as a recording medium using thermal transfer ink, as described above. However, unlike the first and second embodiments, the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method are not replaced by each detachable unit, but a mechanism that enables both transfer methods is installed in the recording apparatus 200 in advance. It has something.
[0107]
Specifically, a thermal head 221 provided in the first transport path P1 and having a plurality of heating elements and configured to be capable of moving back and forth for performing print recording on the surface of the card C or on the intermediate transfer film F; An ink cartridge 222 having a built-in ink ribbon R coated thereon is disposed at a recording position Sd so as to be able to face the thermal head 221, and the thermal head 221 transfers the thermal transfer ink of the ink ribbon R to the surface of the card C for printing. A platen roller 223a, which is a support means for supporting the card C at the time of printing by so-called direct transfer printing, is disposed at a recording position Sd so as to be able to face the thermal head 221, and thermal transfer of the ink ribbon R is performed by the thermal head 221. After transferring the ink onto the intermediate transfer film F, the ink is transferred again to the surface of the card C. A platen roller 223b, which is a support means for supporting the intermediate transfer film F at the time of print recording on the intermediate transfer film F by a so-called indirect transfer method, and the platen rollers 223a and 223b are rotatably supported. A platen rotating frame 224 serving as a platen rotation supporting means rotating around the center, an intermediate transfer film F, and a heating element serving as a retransfer means for retransferring the information transferred on the intermediate transfer film F to the surface of the card C And a platen roller 226 disposed at the re-transfer recording position Si and supporting the card C during re-transfer processing to the card C, and moves the card back and forth with respect to the recording position Sd. As described above, the transport roller pairs 227 and 228 that can rotate in synchronization with each other are provided along the first transport path P1. In the figure, reference numeral 229 denotes a pair of conveying rollers for conveying the card C in the direction of the retransfer recording position Si.
[0108]
The ink ribbon R accommodated in the ink cartridge 222 passes between the platen roller 223a or 223b and the thermal head 221 from the ribbon supply roll 230a and is wound on the ribbon winding roll 230b. When information such as characters or images is thermally transferred and recorded on the card C or the intermediate transfer film F that moves along the first transport path P1, the thermal head 221 is interposed with the ink ribbon R on the surface of the card or the film F. By selectively operating the heating element of the thermal head 221 while pressing the ink, the thermal transfer ink component applied to the ink ribbon R can be transferred to the surface of the card or the film F to draw desired information. .
[0109]
The intermediate transfer film F is stretched between the film supply roll 231a and the film take-up roll 231b, and is positioned between the two platen rollers 223a and 223b. During thermal transfer recording (indirect transfer method), the platen roller 223a acts as a guide roller for guiding the film F (see FIG. 12). Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the intermediate transfer film F is in sliding contact with the peripheral surfaces of the two platen rollers 223a and 223b.
[0110]
Note that the heat roller 225 moves in the vertical direction in synchronization with the rotation operation of the platen rotation frame 224 (the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 11), and when printing is performed on the surface of the card C using the platen roller 223a. Is located on the lower side (see FIG. 10), and when the print information transferred on the intermediate transfer film is re-transferred to the surface of the card C using the platen roller 223b, the upper side of the platen roller 226 is provided. , And is positioned at the retransfer recording position Si (see FIG. 12), and can be brought into contact with the card C.
[0111]
The forward / backward movement of the thermal head 221 with respect to the platen roller 223a or 223b is performed by a forward / backward drive unit (not shown), but this embodiment also has the structure of the forward / backward drive unit 16 described in the first embodiment. The description in the present embodiment will be omitted.
[0112]
The ink ribbon R coated with the thermal transfer ink applied to the present embodiment is, for example, a sublimation type in which three primary colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) and four colors of Bk (black) are sequentially formed. A color ink ribbon can be used, and an unused portion is wound around the ribbon supply roll 230a of the ink cartridge 222, and the used portion that has performed printing on the card C or the intermediate transfer film F by the thermal head 221 is a ribbon winding roll. The ink cartridge 222 is provided in the ink cartridge 222 so as to be wound up. The unused portion of the ribbon R wound around the ribbon supply roll 230a by the rotation of the ribbon take-up roll 230b is assisted by the ribbon transport roller 230c in the ink cartridge 222, and the unused portion of the thermal head 221 and the platen roller 223a or the platen roller 223a. It is sequentially pulled out between the rollers 223b. The drive shafts of the ribbon supply roll 230a and the ribbon take-up roll 230b can be driven to rotate forward and backward.
[0113]
On the other hand, the intermediate transfer film F has the configuration shown in FIG. 4 as described above, and is provided between the film supply roll 231a around which the unused portion is wound and the film winding roll 231b for winding the used film. The transport of the film F is performed by a drive mechanism (not shown).
[0114]
An information recording unit 240 that is located below the print recording unit 220 and records various types of information on the card C is, for illustration, used to magnetically record information on a magnetic stripe formed on a card surface such as a credit card. It comprises an information writing head 241 such as a magnetic encoder.
[0115]
This information writing head 241 may be a contact-type terminal unit of an IC writer for writing information to an IC chip in the card, if the recording target is an IC card, or the information writing head 241 Alternatively, a non-contact antenna may be used.
[0116]
The information recording unit 240 includes an information writing head 241 provided along the second transport path P2, and a pair of transport rollers 242a, 242b, and 243c provided before and after the head 241. It does not limit the components and the magnetic recording method. Incidentally, in the case of the magnetic encoder, various types of information writing are usually performed by one-pass card transport to the write head 241 according to various processing requests such as initialization of a magnetic stripe of the card, magnetic writing, and verification, or A plurality of reciprocating transfers for a plurality of passes are performed, and the transfer of these cards can be controlled by rotating the transfer rollers 242a, 242b, and 242c in synchronization with the intended processing.
[0117]
The card reversing units 250 and 260 according to the present embodiment have the same configuration as the card reversing units 65 and 66 according to the second embodiment described above, and the card reversing unit 250 at a position corresponding to the print recording unit 220 above. And a card reversing unit 260 at a position corresponding to the lower information recording unit 240. The card reversing unit 250 located at the upper side can receive the card C sent from the kick roller 212 of the card supply unit 210, The card C can be transferred to and from the print recording unit 220 disposed at the corresponding position. In addition, the card reversing unit 260 located below can transfer the card C between the card reversing unit 250 and the information recording unit 240 disposed at the corresponding position, and can discard an error card discarding unit described later. 290 is set so that the card C can be ejected. In the drawing, the transfer of the card C is performed between the card reversing unit 250 and the card reversing unit 260 at the rotation position indicated by the two-dot chain line. Both the card reversing units 250 and 260 have a function of rotating the card to turn over the card so that the print recording unit 220 or the information recording unit 240 can perform printing or magnetic recording on any one or both sides of the card. Since the card reversing units 250 and 260 have the same basic structure and perform a rotating operation in synchronization with each other, some components are denoted by the same reference numerals and will be described at the same time.
[0118]
The card reversing units 250 and 260 are paired with pinch rollers 251 and 252 so as to pinch the card, and rotatably support the pinch rollers 251 and 252, and a rotating frame 254 that rotates about the rotating shafts 253 and 263. 264. One of the paired pinch rollers is a drive roller, and the other is a driven roller.
[0119]
The rotation of the rotating frames 254 and 264 and the rotation of the pinch rollers 251 and 252 can be performed by operating a drive system (not shown) that drives them synchronously. In the present invention, these means are not particularly limited. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.
[0120]
In the drawing, reference numerals 203 and 204 denote conveying roller pairs for conveying the card C along the first conveying path P1. Reference numeral 205 denotes a pair of discharge rollers, which discharge the card C toward the discharge stacker 270.
[0121]
Further, an opening is provided at a position adjacent to the card reversing unit 260 and at a position corresponding to the housing 201 on an extension of the second transport path P2 to form the error card discarding unit 290. As in the embodiment, the description is omitted because it follows the discarding unit 37 in the first embodiment described above.
[0122]
In this embodiment, similarly to the other embodiments described above, a change unit of the thermal transfer method of the printing apparatus 200 is set, various conditions are set, and a display unit indicating the state of the printing apparatus 200 is provided. An operation panel section 280 is provided.
[0123]
All the operating parts of the recording device 200 described above can also be driven by a simple drive control system. In other words, the kick roller 212 of the card supply unit 210, the rotating frames 254 and 264 of the card reversing units 250 and 260, and any one of the driving rollers of the pinch rollers 251 and 252, and the plurality of transports disposed in the transport paths P1 and P2. A roller transport mechanism such as a roller and a discharge roller 205; a transport drive mechanism for the ink ribbon R and the intermediate transfer film F; an advance / retreat drive mechanism for a thermal head 221 (not shown); a rotary drive mechanism for the platen rotary frame 224; The drive elements of the roller 225, such as the movement drive mechanism, may be controlled by any drive system, and any power drive means, power transmission means, or electromagnetic clutch may be used as appropriate.
[0124]
Here, the operation panel unit 280 that sets the change of the thermal transfer method of the recording apparatus 200, sets various conditions, and includes a display unit that indicates the state of the recording apparatus 200 will be described. The operation panel unit 40 in the first and second embodiments described above has the same basic configuration, and the detailed portions will be described with the same reference numerals.
[0125]
The operation panel unit 280 (40) is provided at a predetermined position on the exterior of the recording device 200 (1, 60), and is turned on when the power is turned on by a power switch (not shown) of the recording device 200 (1, 60). 281, an error display section 282 that is turned on when various errors, card jams, and the like occur in the recording process of the recording device 200 (1, 60), and a card that is ready for the recording process of the recording device 200 (1, 60). Ready display section 283, which is lit when various recording processes are possible, during maintenance work such as ribbon exchange of the recording apparatus 200 (1, 60) and thermal head exchange, or the thermal transfer method of the recording apparatus 200 (1, 60). A menu button 284 for opening a menu related to changing the setting of various ribbons and setting of various ribbons. When various errors and card jams occur in the recording process of 60), the operator performs the error or jam processing, and then clears the error by the recording device 200 (1, 60) and 285; When the same processing is performed on a plurality of sheets, the execution button 286 for executing test printing or the operation confirmation of various motor driving units after selecting by the menu button, and the lamp display on the error display unit 282 and the ready display unit 283 An LCD panel display unit 287 displays characters of the state of the recording device 200 (1, 60) in conjunction therewith, and displays a menu screen by a menu button 284. Note that the clear button 285 and the execute button 286 are also used as buttons for selecting various setting conditions on the menu screen. Further, when various errors occur in the recording processing of the recording apparatus 200 (1, 60) and the errors can be conveyed in the apparatus irrespective of the card conveyance, the operator performs error processing and then performs a clear button. And 285, the recording apparatus 200 (1, 60) can release the error and eject the card in the apparatus.
[0126]
In this embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, for example, the overcoat fixing device 100 is connected to the recording device 200 to protect the surface of the card C on which information is recorded by the recording device 200. The recording surface of the card C can be protected or tampered with by overcoating with a film or a coat film such as a hologram film.
[0127]
In the present embodiment described above, a mechanism that enables the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method is provided in the recording apparatus 200 in advance, and either one of them can be arbitrarily used according to the user's request. Therefore, for example, in the case of a PVC card, printing is performed by a direct transfer method, and in the case of a PET card, printing is performed by an indirect transfer method. Can be used by switching.
[0128]
In addition, when the surface of the card has irregularities due to, for example, a contact or an embedded antenna on the surface, such as an IC card, the use of printing the front surface of the card by the indirect transfer method and printing the back surface by the direct transfer method is also possible. In addition, a card having an embossed surface can be printed using an indirect transfer method.
[0129]
Next, a recording system 300 applied to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0130]
As shown in FIG. 14, the system 300 includes an image input device 301 such as a scanner and a digital camera, and an image forming device such as a personal computer that forms an image input from the image input device 301 for output using application software. 302, an image generating device 303 including an image input device 301 and an image forming device 302, a recording device 305 such as a printer for outputting and printing and recording an image generated by the image generating device 303, and an image generating device 303. The communication unit 304 includes a communication unit 304 for exchanging image signals with the recording device 305.
[0131]
Note that, for example, when an image held in the image forming apparatus 302 is used as an output image without using the image input apparatus 301, the image generating apparatus 303 may be configured with the image forming apparatus 302 alone.
[0132]
In the present embodiment, the printer as the recording device 305 can use the recording device 1 of the above-described first to third embodiments, or 60 or 200, and a description thereof will be omitted. As described in the example, the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method can be used by switching. In this case, the above-described operation panel unit 280 (40) may be formed on the exterior of the recording device 305 as setting means for setting the recording method of the recording device 305 to be switchable or switching means for switching the recording method. Alternatively, the recording method of the recording device 305 may be switched in response to the switching signal generated and transmitted by the image generation device 303.
[0133]
Subsequently, a control block showing a part of the recording system 300 shown in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, the information recording unit 5 or 64 or 240 described in the above embodiment will be described as an IC encoding unit adapted to an IC card. The print unit in the drawing corresponds to the print recording unit 4 or 63 or 220 in the above embodiment.
[0134]
15, reference numeral 310 denotes application software (hereinafter, application) stored in a hard disk or the like of a personal computer (hereinafter, computer) serving as the image forming apparatus 302, 311 denotes a printer unit of the application 310, and 312 denotes an IC encoder of the application 310. And 313, a printer driver stored in the hard disk of the computer 302, 313a a driver unit, 313b a spool unit, and 313c a monitor unit. The driver unit 313a, the spool unit 313b, and the monitor unit 313c are collectively called a printer driver 313.
[0135]
The printer driver 313 is provided with a bypass B so that data can be transmitted and received directly from the application 310 to the SCSI driver 314. Reference numeral 314 denotes a SCSI driver corresponding to a SCSI interface card installed in the computer 302.
[0136]
Reference numeral 315 denotes a SCSI controller installed in a control device (not shown) of the recording device 305; 316, a main processor; and 317, a memory.
[0137]
Although the details are omitted, when the SCSI driver 314 completes the handshake with the SCSI controller 315 of the recording device 305 from the bus-free state, the image data already spooled from the application 310 to the spool unit 313b via the driver unit 313a is deleted. The data is transmitted to the recording device 305 via the SCSI driver 314. These functions are mainly performed by the printer unit 311 of the application 310.
[0138]
The application 310 can transfer data to the driver unit 313a of the printer driver 313 regardless of the status of the printer as the recording device 305. At this time, tag information for identification is sent in accordance with the print-related data. On the other hand, the monitor unit 313c of the printer driver 313 checks the state of the recording device 305 in response to a print request from the application 310. When the preparation is completed, the completion of the preparation is once notified to the application 310, and the tag information is sent back. When the application 310 confirms the tag information and permits, the data is transmitted from the SCSI driver 314 via the monitor unit 313c. .
[0139]
On the other hand, when recognizing that the SCSI driver 314 has established the connection, the IC encoder unit 312 of the application 310 starts controlling the IC encoder unit 318.
[0140]
Note that a series of print data and IC encoder data are transferred to the recording device 305 in different steps. First, when the monitor unit 313c confirms that the recording device 305 is ready, the print data that has already been spooled to the spool unit 313b via the printer unit 311 and the driver unit 313a is transmitted. The recording device 305 that has received this data stores the information in the memory 317 so that the print unit 319 performs a printing process. Eventually, the print data stored in the memory 317 will be printed on the card by the print unit 319.
[0141]
Therefore, the communication means 304 for exchanging image signals between the image generation device 303 and the recording device 305 shown in FIG. 14 includes the SCSI driver 314 and the SCSI controller 315 of the recording device 305 in FIG. , But is not limited to this. In other words, in the present embodiment, the description has been made based on the SCSI interface. However, since the peripherals of the computer have already used Centronics or serial communication for the printer interface, and also use USB, IEEE1394, etc., the communication for exchanging image signals is performed. As means 304, other than the SCSI interface can be applied. In the above description, the configuration in which the image generation device 303 and the recording device 305 are directly connected via the communication unit 304 has been described. For example, a printer as the recording device 305 is used as a network printer under a LAN-connected network. You can also.
[0142]
Next, a recording method by a direct transfer method in which the ink of the ink ribbon R coated with the thermal transfer ink is directly transferred to the surface of the card C to form an image, and an ink of the ink ribbon R coated with the thermal transfer ink is temporarily transferred to an intermediate transfer film. A recording method by an indirect transfer method in which an image is formed by transferring the image onto the surface of the card C after transferring the image to the surface of the card C based on the form of the third embodiment (see FIGS. 10 to 12). The operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0143]
In FIGS. 10 to 12, the recording device 200 is connected to the recording device 200 and the surface of the card C on which information is recorded by the recording device 200 is overcoated with a protective film or a coat film such as a hologram film. Although illustration of an overcoat fixing device for protecting the surface and preventing tampering is omitted, as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, as described above, for example, the overcoat fixing device Since the apparatus 100 can be connected, the following description will be given as a connection configuration between the recording apparatus 200 and the overcoat fixing apparatus 100.
[0144]
(Recording method by direct transfer method)
First, the user operates the operation panel unit 280 (40) described with reference to FIG. 13 to set the direct transfer method or the indirect transfer method (see FIG. 16). Here, the direct transfer method is selected and set (S1). Note that, as described above, the recording method of the recording device 200 may be switched or set in accordance with the switching signal generated and transmitted by the higher-level device such as the image generating device 303. The direct transfer method is set by one of the methods, and the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG.
[0145]
The unprocessed card C sent from the card stacker 211 by the kick roller 212 passes through the card reversing unit 250 and is supplied to the print recording unit 220 along the first transport path P1. The card C is sandwiched between the thermal head 221 and the platen roller 223a, and the thermal transfer ink of the ink ribbon R is transferred to the surface of the card C by the thermal head 221 based on the image information by synchronous conveyance with the ink ribbon R, Images such as characters, designs, or photographs of the owner are printed and recorded in black or color. At this time, in the case of monochrome printing such as black (Bk), printing processing is performed as it passes through the print recording unit 220 (steps S2 to S4), and in the case of multicolor (color) printing, the card C is It reciprocates a plurality of times before and after the thermal head 221 (recording position Sd), and at the time of the forward movement (same in the transport direction of the ink ribbon R), for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), etc. Printing of each color is performed (steps S5 to S7).
[0146]
When the printing process on the card C is completed, if the card C is a magnetic card and performs a magnetic recording process, the card C is returned to the second transport path P2 (see FIG. (In the second pass) (steps S8 to S9), or when the magnetic recording process is not performed, the card C is continuously transported along the first transport path P1 to the overcoat fixing device 100. Supplied.
[0147]
The card C transported to the second transport path P2 (the second pass in the figure) is sent from the card reversing unit 260 to a magnetic encoder as the information recording unit 240, and is magnetically coded by the information writing head 241. The recorded information is recorded on the magnetic recording layer of the card C (steps S10 to S11).
[0148]
The magnetic recording state of the card C, for which magnetic recording has been completed, is checked by the magnetic encoder 240 (step S12). If a defect is detected in the magnetic recording state, the card C is passed through the card reversing unit 260 and then the error card discarding unit 290 ( It is discharged from the reject port in the figure. If there is no problem in the magnetic recording state, the magnetic recording state is returned to the card reversing section 260 along the second conveying path P2, and then returned to the first conveying path P1 (the first pass in the drawing) after being delivered to the card reversing section 250. (Step S13), and after passing through the print recording unit 220 or printing on the back surface (generally, a single color), the overprinting is performed from the discharge roller 205 disposed at the end of the first transport path P1 (first pass). It is supplied to the coat fixing device 100. Thus, a series of recording processes involving the recording method using the direct transfer method to the card C is completed.
[0149]
(Recording method by indirect transfer method)
In the recording method using the indirect transfer method, similarly to the recording method using the direct transfer method described above, first, the user operates the operation panel unit 280 (40) shown and described in FIG. The method is set (see FIG. 16). Here, the indirect transfer method is selected and set (S20). Note that, as described above, the recording method of the recording apparatus 200 may be switched or set in accordance with the switching signal generated and transmitted by the host apparatus such as the image generation apparatus 303. The indirect transfer method is set by one of the methods, and the process proceeds to the processing step shown in FIG.
[0150]
When the indirect transfer method is selected and set (S20), the platen rotating frame 224 rotates (see FIG. 11), whereby the platen roller 223b faces the thermal head 221 and is positioned at the recording position Sd. Then, the heat roller 225 rises to face the platen roller 226 and is positioned at the retransfer recording position Si. In this state, the intermediate transfer film F slides on the peripheral surfaces of the rollers 223b and 225 between the thermal head 221 and the platen roller 223b and between the heat roller 225 and the platen roller 226, and prints by the indirect transfer method. The preparation is completed (see FIG. 12).
[0151]
The unused portion of the intermediate transfer film F sent out from the film supply roll 231a is sandwiched between the thermal head 221 and the platen roller 223b together with the ink ribbon R, and the image is transferred while the ink ribbon R and the intermediate transfer film F are synchronously conveyed. The thermal transfer ink of the ink ribbon R is transferred to the intermediate transfer film F by the thermal head 221 based on the information, and an image such as a character, a design, or a photograph of the owner is printed and recorded in black or color. At this time, in the case of monochrome printing such as black (Bk), printing processing is performed as it passes through the print recording unit 220 (steps S21 to S23), and in the case of multicolor (color) printing, an intermediate transfer film is used. F reciprocates a plurality of times before and after the thermal head 221 (recording position Sd), and during the forward movement (same in the transport direction of the ink ribbon R), for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) Is performed (steps S24 to S26). Then, by the film winding operation of the film winding roll 231b, the transfer (printing and recording) area of the thermal transfer ink on the film F is re-transferred to the card C via the platen roller 223a functioning as a guide roller in this embodiment. And is positioned so that the leading end of the transfer (print recording) area on the intermediate transfer film F coincides with the retransfer recording position Si between the heat roller 225 and the platen roller 226 (step). S27).
[0152]
On the other hand, the unused card C is supplied from the card stacker 211 along the first transport path P1 by sending out the kick roller 212 at an intended timing (step S28), passes through the thermal head 221, and is connected to the heat roller 225 and the platen. When the intermediate transfer film F is conveyed to the retransfer recording position Si between the roller 226 and the intermediate transfer film F, the intermediate transfer film F is reheated by the heat roller 225 while being nipped and conveyed by the heat roller 225 and the platen roller 226, and is transferred. The recorded image is transferred from the intermediate transfer film F to the surface of the card C (Step S29).
[0153]
When the printing process on the card C is completed, if the card C is a magnetic card and performs a magnetic recording process, the card C is returned to the second transport path P2 (see FIG. When the magnetic recording process is not performed, the card C is continuously transported along the first transport path P <b> 1 to the overcoat fixing device 100. Supplied.
[0154]
The card C transported to the second transport path P2 (the second pass in the figure) is sent from the card reversing unit 260 to a magnetic encoder as the information recording unit 240, and is magnetically coded by the information writing head 241. The recorded information is recorded on the magnetic recording layer of the card C (steps S32 to S33).
[0155]
The magnetic recording state of the card C that has been subjected to the magnetic recording is checked by the magnetic encoder 240 (step S34). If a defect is detected in the magnetic recording state, the card C is passed through the card reversing unit 260 and then the error card discarding unit 290 ( It is discharged from the reject port in the figure. If there is no problem in the magnetic recording state, the magnetic recording state is returned to the card reversing section 260 along the second conveying path P2, and then returned to the first conveying path P1 (the first pass in the drawing) after being delivered to the card reversing section 250. (Step S35), and after passing through the print recording unit 220 or printing on the back surface (generally, a single color), the overprinting is performed from the discharge roller 205 disposed at the end of the first transport path P1 (first pass). It is supplied to the coat fixing device 100. Thus, a series of recording processes involving the recording method using the indirect transfer method to the card C is completed.
[0156]
As described above, by performing the printing process on the card C by arbitrarily switching between the recording method using the direct transfer method and the recording method using the indirect transfer method, for example, in the case of a PVC card, printing is performed using the direct transfer method. In the case of a PET card, printing is performed by the indirect transfer method, and the recording process on the card can be performed by arbitrarily switching between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method according to the type of the recording medium.
[0157]
In addition, when the surface of the card has irregularities due to, for example, a contact or an embedded antenna on the surface, such as an IC card, the use of printing the front surface of the card by the indirect transfer method and printing the back surface by the direct transfer method is also possible. In addition, a card having an embossed surface can be printed using an indirect transfer method.
[0158]
Alternatively, it is also possible to switch the recording method depending on whether the printing process on the card C is full printing or partial printing. That is, when the entire surface of the card C is printed, an indirect transfer method suitable for full-surface printing is used, and when the back surface is partially printed, a direct transfer method is used.
[0159]
As described above, in the present invention, the user can arbitrarily switch the recording method and perform the recording process on the recording medium according to the material, surface shape or characteristics of the recording medium, the information to be recorded, and other various forms. Can be done.
[0160]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a recording apparatus compatible with a direct transfer method in a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a recording apparatus compatible with an indirect transfer method in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an indirect transfer unit in the recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of an intermediate transfer film.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which an overcoat fixing device is connected to the recording device illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a recording apparatus compatible with a direct transfer system in a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a recording apparatus compatible with an indirect transfer method in a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an indirect transfer unit in the recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7;
9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which an overcoat fixing device is connected to the recording device illustrated in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration and operation of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration and operation of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration and operation of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of an operation panel provided in the recording apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a recording system according to the present invention.
15 is a control block diagram of a main part in the recording system shown in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart when a transfer method is set according to the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of direct transfer in the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of indirect transfer in the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,60,200,305 Recording device (printer)
3, 62, 210 Card supply unit
4, 63, 220 print recording unit
5, 64, 240 Information recording unit
10,75 Direct transfer unit(First unit)
11, 223a Platen roller (supporting means, first recording medium supporting means, first platen roller)
12, 70, 89, 221 thermal head(Thermal transfer unit, the first thermal transfer unit, the second thermal transfer unit)
17, 76 Mounting part
20, 90 indirect transfer unit(2nd unit)
22, 93, 223b Platen roller (supporting means, intermediate transfer film supporting means, second platen roller)
23, 94, 225 Heat roller(Retransfer unit)
24 platen roller (supporting means, second recording medium supporting means)
69 platen roller (supporting means, first recording medium supporting means, second recording medium supporting means)
40, 280 operation panel(Setting means, switching means)
224 Platen rotating frame (platen rotating means)
226 Platen roller (supporting means, third platen roller)
303 Image generation device
304 communication means
R ink ribbon(Thermal transfer film, first thermal transfer film, second thermal transfer film)
F Intermediate transfer film
P1 First transport path
P2 Second transport path
P3 Third transport path

Claims (14)

A thermal transfer film having a sublimable ink layer, an intermediate transfer film that temporarily holds the ink of the thermal transfer film as an image, and a thermal transfer that thermally transfers print information to the surface of a recording medium or the intermediate transfer film via the thermal transfer film. Means, retransfer means for retransferring the image thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer film to the surface of the recording medium, and supporting the recording medium at the time of thermal transfer of print information to the surface of the recording medium arranged opposite to the thermal transfer means. A first recording medium supporting means, an intermediate transfer film supporting means disposed opposite to the thermal transfer means and supporting the intermediate transfer film during thermal transfer of print information to the intermediate transfer film; A recording unit having a second recording medium support means arranged to support the recording medium when the image is re-transferred to the recording medium,
A detachable first unit formed as at least a part of the recording unit and including at least the first recording medium support unit;
A detachable second unit formed as at least a part of the recording unit and including at least the intermediate transfer film support unit to the second recording medium support unit;
A mounting unit for replaceably mounting the first unit and the second unit,
A recording device comprising: The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second unit further includes the intermediate transfer film and the retransfer unit. The first unit is configured to be subjected to a direct transfer method of forming an image by directly transferring the ink of the thermal transfer film to the surface of a recording medium by the thermal transfer unit, and the second unit is configured to perform the thermal transfer. After the image of the film is once transferred to the intermediate transfer film by the thermal transfer means to form an image, the image is formed by an indirect transfer method in which the image is retransferred to the surface of the recording medium by the retransfer means. The recording device according to claim 1. A thermal transfer film having a sublimable ink layer, an intermediate transfer film that temporarily holds the ink of the thermal transfer film as an image, and a thermal transfer that thermally transfers print information to the surface of a recording medium or the intermediate transfer film via the thermal transfer film. Means, retransfer means for retransferring the image thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer film to the surface of the recording medium, and supporting the recording medium at the time of thermal transfer of print information to the surface of the recording medium arranged opposite to the thermal transfer means. A first recording medium supporting means, an intermediate transfer film supporting means disposed opposite to the thermal transfer means and supporting the intermediate transfer film during thermal transfer of print information to the intermediate transfer film; A recording unit having a second recording medium support means arranged to support the recording medium when the image is re-transferred to the recording medium,
A detachable first unit formed as at least a part of the recording unit and including at least the thermal transfer film and the thermal transfer unit;
A detachable second unit formed as at least a part of the recording unit and including at least the intermediate transfer film and the retransfer unit;
A mounting unit for replaceably mounting the first unit and the second unit,
A recording device comprising: 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the mounting unit includes a holding unit that holds the first unit independently and holds the first unit and the second unit in a stackable manner. 6. The first unit has a first thermal transfer film and first thermal transfer means, and the second unit has a second thermal transfer film and print information on the intermediate transfer film via the second thermal transfer film. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a second thermal transfer unit that thermally transfers the first unit or the second unit, and a setting unit that sets the first unit or the second unit so as to be switchable. The first unit may be subjected to a direct transfer method in which the thermal transfer film or the ink of the first thermal transfer film is directly transferred to the surface of a recording medium by the thermal transfer unit or the first thermal transfer unit to form an image. And the second unit The heat transfer film or the second Two The ink of the thermal transfer film of the thermal transfer means or the Two 4. The method according to claim 4, wherein after the image is formed by temporarily transferring the image to the intermediate transfer film by the thermal transfer unit, the image is re-transferred to the surface of the recording medium by the re-transfer unit. Claim 6 The recording device according to claim 1. A thermal transfer film having a sublimable ink layer, an intermediate transfer film that temporarily holds the ink of the thermal transfer film as an image, and a thermal transfer that thermally transfers print information to the surface of a recording medium or the intermediate transfer film via the thermal transfer film. Means, retransfer means for retransferring the image thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer film to the surface of the recording medium, and supporting the recording medium at the time of thermal transfer of print information to the surface of the recording medium arranged opposite to the thermal transfer means. A recording unit comprising: a first platen roller to be disposed; and a second platen roller disposed to face the thermal transfer unit and supporting the intermediate transfer film during thermal transfer of print information to the intermediate transfer film.
Platen rotation support means for supporting the first platen roller and the second platen roller integrally and rotatably;
One of the first and second platen rollers is switched so as to be positioned at a position facing and close to the thermal transfer unit, and the platen rotation support unit is rotated to support the recording medium or the intermediate transfer film. Switching means;
A recording device comprising: The intermediate transfer film is interposed between the first and second platen rollers, and the intermediate transfer film is interposed between the first and second platen rollers by the switching unit rotating the platen rotation support unit. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording apparatus is configured to be in sliding contact with the peripheral surface of the platen roller. A third platen roller disposed opposite to the retransfer unit and supporting the recording medium when the image is retransferred onto the recording medium, further comprising a third platen roller interlocked with the rotation of the platen rotation support unit by the switching unit; The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the retransfer unit moves forward and backward with respect to the third platen roller. The first platen roller is configured to be used in a direct transfer system for forming an image by directly transferring the ink of the thermal transfer film to the surface of a recording medium by the thermal transfer unit, and the second platen roller However, after the ink of the thermal transfer film is once transferred to the intermediate transfer film by the thermal transfer means to form an image, the image may be subjected to an indirect transfer method in which the image is retransferred to the surface of a recording medium by the retransfer means. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the recording apparatus is configured as follows. And a step of transferring the ink of selectively surface thermal transfer film of the heat generating member by heating a thermal transfer film and the recording medium and the recording medium at a recording position while feeding in synchronism with, directly recording an image directly on a recording medium An image recording method using a transfer method ,
Selectively heating a heating element and transferring an ink of the thermal transfer film to the intermediate transfer film at a recording position while synchronously feeding the thermal transfer film and the intermediate transfer film to record an image; and Transporting the intermediate transfer film, and re-transferring the image recorded on the intermediate transfer film to the surface of a recording medium at a re-transfer recording position by reheating the intermediate transfer film; wherein the image recording method according to the indirect transfer method indirectly records an image on,
Setting one of the direct transfer method or the indirect transfer method so as to position one of the two different platen rollers at the recording position, and performing the image recording by the direct transfer method by the setting step. A recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by setting the image recording by the indirect transfer method to be arbitrarily switchable. An image generation device that generates image data, a recording device that records the image data generated by the image generation device on a surface of a recording medium, and transmission and reception of image signals between the image generation device and the recording device In a recording system including a communication unit,
The recording apparatus, a thermal transfer film having a sublimable ink layer, the intermediate transfer film for temporarily holding the ink of the thermal transfer film as an image, on the surface or the intermediate transfer film record medium through the heat transfer film Thermal transfer means for thermally transferring print information, retransfer means for retransferring an image thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer film to the surface of a recording medium, and transfer of print information to the surface of the recording medium arranged opposite to the thermal transfer means. Recording having a first platen roller supporting a recording medium during thermal transfer, and a second platen roller disposed opposite to the thermal transfer means and supporting the intermediate transfer film during thermal transfer of print information to the intermediate transfer film. Part, and a platen rotation support that integrally and rotatably supports the first platen roller and the second platen roller. It includes a stage, a,
The image generating apparatus can switch one of the first and second platen rollers in the recording apparatus so as to be positioned at a position facing and close to the thermal transfer unit, and can support the recording medium or the intermediate transfer film. A switching means for rotating the platen rotation support means,
By the switching means of the image generating apparatus, a thermal transfer method in the recording device is a direct transfer method in which an image of the thermal transfer film is directly transferred to a surface of a recording medium to form an image, A recording system characterized in that it is configured to switch between an indirect transfer method in which an image is formed by transferring an image to a transfer film and then retransferring the image to the surface of a recording medium. 14. The recording system according to claim 13, wherein the switching unit includes a switching signal generated by the image generation device.

Images