JP4606247B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer that prints a plurality of colored images such as color photographic images, and in particular, a plurality of recording units that print various color inks are provided along the conveyance direction of a recording medium. The present invention relates to a printer suitably used for a tandem printer or the like.

  Conventionally, in a printer that performs recording using a plurality of ink ribbons to which inks of different colors are applied, the ink of each ink ribbon is recorded by a plurality of recording heads provided corresponding to each ink ribbon. There is known a printer that records a desired image on a recording medium by transferring the image on the medium.

  Such a printer has a plurality of colors (in this conventional example, four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and overcoat (OP). The overcoat (OP) is colorless. Although it is transparent, here, it is conceptualized as “overcoat ink” or “ink color. The same applies hereinafter.) In order to transfer the ink to the recording medium, the recording unit for each color is placed in the conveyance path of the recording medium. It arrange | positions at predetermined intervals along.

  Each of the recording units includes a corresponding ink ribbon, recording head, and platen, and the first recording unit, the second recording unit, and the third recording unit from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The unit is a fourth recording unit.

  Specifically, in each recording unit, the recording head is disposed so as to face the recording medium conveyed along the conveyance path of the recording medium via the ink ribbon along the conveyance path of the recording medium. A platen is provided at a position facing the recording head via the medium. The recording head and the platen are relatively press-contactable via the ink ribbon and the recording medium.

  Further, on the downstream side of each recording unit in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, there is a pair of drive rollers and a drive roller moving member that supports each drive roller so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from each other via a conveyance path of the recording medium. A transport unit is provided, and the first transport unit, the second transport unit, the third transport unit, and the fourth transport unit are arranged from the most upstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium.

  In the printer, when the recording start position of the conveyed recording medium reaches a position where the recording head of the first recording unit and the platen face each other, the recording head (first recording head) and the first recording head The opposing platen (first platen) is brought into pressure contact with the recording medium and the ink ribbon. Then, selective energization is performed on the heating element of the first recording head, and the ink ribbon, for example, the yellow Y ink ribbon provided in the recording unit is transferred to the recording medium.

  Further, when the leading edge portion of the recording medium to which the yellow Y ink has been transferred reaches a position facing the pair of drive rollers of the first transport unit, the pair of drive rollers is pressed through the recording medium, By rotating the recording medium while being sandwiched by a pair of drive rollers, the recording medium is transported to a second recording unit located downstream in the transport direction.

  Subsequently, when the recording start position reaches a position where the recording head and the platen of the second recording unit face each other, a recording head (second recording head) and a platen (second platen) facing the second recording head, Is pressed through a recording medium and an ink ribbon. The energization element of the second recording head is selectively energized, and the ink ribbon provided in the recording unit, for example, the ink ribbon of magenta M, has been transferred to the recording medium. Transfer onto the yellow Y ink.

  Further, when the leading edge portion of the recording medium to which the yellow Y ink and the magenta M ink are transferred reaches a position facing the pair of drive rollers of the second transport unit, the pair of drive rollers is interposed via the recording medium. , And the recording medium is rotated while being sandwiched by a pair of drive rollers, thereby conveying the recording medium to a third recording unit located downstream in the conveying direction.

  As described above, the ink is sequentially transferred from the upstream recording unit in the transport direction of the recording medium to the recording medium, and the recording medium is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction by the transport unit. A desired color image is recorded by superimposing a plurality of inks (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-161443 A

  By the way, the ink ribbon has a so-called pancake state (hereinafter referred to as a pancake) having a supply core and a winding core each having a spool on which both ends of the long ink ribbon are fixed and wound. The ink ribbon is simply set in the recording unit as pancake). At the time of this pancake exchange, there is a possibility that the user will set an incorrect color pancake on the recording unit. In that case, if the user notices that the ink color of the pancake to be set is incorrect after the recording is completely completed, the desired color image cannot be recorded, so that the ink ribbon and the paper are wasted.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can determine the color of an ink ribbon disposed in each recording unit and accurately adjust the printing position with a small number of detection means.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a first feature of the printer according to the present invention is that a recording medium is provided in a transport path corresponding to each ink color of yellow, magenta, and cyan, and a marker is provided on the recording medium. and a recording unit having an ink ribbon for printing an image, are respectively disposed the immediately downstream of each recording unit in the transport path, thereby emitting light toward the complementary color of the ink colors of the respective recording units on the recording medium Marker detecting means having a light emitting element and a light receiving element for making incident light reflected by the recording medium of complementary color light emitted from the light emitting element, a control unit for controlling recording on the recording medium and conveyance of the recording medium, the provided Rutotomoni, the mer corresponding to each recording unit other than the recording unit disposed in the most upstream of the transport path The detection means further includes a light emitting element that emits light of complementary color of the ink color of the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream of the transport path toward the recording medium, and the control unit includes the uppermost stream of the transport path. By detecting a marker printed by the recording unit arranged in the recording unit using a light emitting element that emits complementary color light of the ink color of the recording unit arranged in the uppermost stream in each marker detection unit, the transport path With reference to the marker printed by the recording unit arranged in the uppermost stream, the other marker and image are located upstream of the marker printed by the recording unit arranged in the uppermost stream in the transport direction of the recording medium. In order to adjust the printing position, recording on the recording medium and conveyance of the recording medium are controlled, and a recording unit disposed immediately upstream of the conveyance path prints. By detecting the detected marker using a light emitting element that emits the complementary color light of the ink color of the recording unit immediately upstream of each marker detecting means, the correctness of the color of the ink ribbon arranged in each recording unit is detected. The point is that it is configured to discriminate .

According to a second aspect of the printer of the present invention, there is provided another recording unit which is disposed downstream of the yellow, magenta and cyan recording units in the recording medium conveyance path and has a transparent overcoat layer ink ribbon. And the most upstream of the transport path among the recording units that are arranged immediately downstream of the other recording unit having the ink ribbon of the overcoat layer and correspond to each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan ink colors. disposed the one other than the recording unit one recording unit of the ink color light emitting element of a complementary color to emit light toward the recording medium, the ink color recording units disposed at the most upstream of the transport path It is reflected in the light-emitting element light of a complementary color to emit light toward the recording medium, and the complementary color of the recording medium that has been emitted from the light emitting element And other marker detection means having a light receiving element to be incident reflected light, further wherein the control unit, a marker recording unit has printed disposed most upstream of the transport path, the other marker detection means In this case, a marker printed by the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream of the transport path is used as a reference by detecting the light using a light emitting element that emits complementary color light of the ink color of the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream. Recording on the recording medium and the recording medium so as to print an overcoat layer on the marker printed by any one of the recording units other than the recording unit disposed at the most upstream by the other recording unit Other than the recording unit disposed in the uppermost stream on which the overcoat layer is printed in an overlapping manner. A light-emitting element that emits the complementary color light of the ink color of any one of the recording units other than the recording unit disposed at the uppermost stream in the other marker detection unit is used for the marker printed by the one recording unit. By detecting this, the correctness of the color of the ink ribbon disposed in the other recording unit is discriminated .

  In the printer of the present invention having the first feature point described above, the ink color of the ink ribbon set in each recording unit and the color emitted by the light emitting element of the marker detecting means corresponding to the recording unit have a complementary relationship. It has become. Therefore, in each recording unit, the marker printed using the ink ribbon set in the recording unit is caused to emit light having a complementary color relationship with the ink color of the ink ribbon from the light emitting element, and the light receiving element Attempting to receive reflected light reflected by the marker of the recording medium, and detecting whether or not the reflected light is black at a non-reflective level in the control unit, an ink ribbon of the correct ink color is placed on each recording unit. It can be determined whether it is set.

  The printer having the second characteristic point of the present invention can be printed with a transparent overcoat layer superimposed on an image. Since the overcoat layer is transparent, the ink ribbon disposed in the recording unit with respect to the marker printed by the ink ribbon disposed in any one of the recording units disposed upstream of the transport path. Ink color complementary color light is emitted toward the recording medium, the light receiving element receives reflected light reflected by the marker of the recording medium, and the reflected light is black at a non-reflective level in the control unit. By detecting whether or not the ink ribbon of the overcoat layer made of a transparent material is set in the recording unit, it can be determined.

  In the color detection of the ink ribbon of the present invention, the light emitting element only needs to have one light emitting element capable of emitting light that is a complementary color of the ink color of the ink ribbon for each recording unit.

  In the printer having the third feature of the present invention, the marker detecting means in the recording unit other than the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream in the transport path is further provided on the uppermost recording unit on the transport path. A light emitting element is also provided for emitting complementary color light of the ink color of the arranged ink ribbon toward the recording medium.

  Therefore, in each recording unit other than the recording unit arranged in the uppermost stream, the marker from the light emitting element prints the outermost marker on the ink ribbon set in the recording unit arranged in the uppermost stream. A light having a complementary color relationship with the ink color of the ink ribbon set in the recording unit disposed upstream is emitted, and the light receiving element attempts to receive reflected light reflected by the marker of the recording medium, and By detecting the printed marker using the ink ribbon set in the recording unit disposed in the printer, it is possible to use the marker as a marker for printing alignment. Therefore, it is possible to control the printing start position of each color image to coincide with the printing start position of the image using the ink of the ink ribbon set in the recording unit arranged in the uppermost stream.

  That is, the printer of the present invention can adjust the printing position in advance regardless of the presence or absence of a register mark that is a cross-shaped pattern used for adjusting the printing position of the recording medium. Since all color images are printed at desired positions, the print quality is improved.

  As described above, in the printer of the present invention, it is possible to determine the color of the ink ribbon disposed in each recording unit and accurately adjust the printing position with a small number of detection means.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The printer 1 has a paper feed roll (not shown) around which a long recording medium 2 is wound, and the recording medium 2 is guided by a plurality of guide rollers (not shown). It is transported along a predetermined transport path.

  The printer 1 transfers a plurality of colors (in this embodiment, four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and overcoat (OP)) to a recording medium. The recording units 11, 12, 13, and 14 for the respective colors are arranged at predetermined intervals along the conveyance path of the recording medium 2.

  Each of the recording units 11, 12, 13, and 14 includes a corresponding one of the ink ribbons 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a, the recording heads 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b, and the platens 11c, 12c, 13c, and 14c. I have. In the following, the recording units 11, 12, 13, 14 are moved from the most upstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium 2 to the first recording unit 11, the second recording unit 12, the third recording unit 13, 4 recording units 14 are assumed.

  Specifically, each recording unit 11, 12, 13, and 14 has a plurality of ink ribbons 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a to which inks of different colors are applied.

  Each of the ink ribbons 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a is wound around a pair of ink ribbon rolls 11d, 12d, 13d, and 14d, and is positioned along the conveyance path of the recording medium 2 at a predetermined interval. While being guided by a guide roller (not shown), each ink application surface is disposed so as to be opposed to the recording medium 2.

In the present embodiment, the ink color of each ink ribbon 11 a, 12 a, 13 a, 14 a disposed in each recording unit 11, 12, 13, 14 is upstream with respect to the conveyance direction FD of the recording medium 2. They are arranged in the order of Y, M, C, OP from the left side (left side in FIG. 1).

  Further, each of the recording units 11, 12, 13, 14 has a recording head 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b corresponding to the number of the ink ribbons 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a. The heads 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b are arranged so as to be positioned with a predetermined gap along the transport path.

  Each recording head 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b is formed by the length corresponding to the width dimension of the recording medium 2, and each ink ribbon 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a in each recording head 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b. A plurality of heating elements (not shown) corresponding to the width dimension of the recording medium 2 are arranged in a line at a position opposite to the recording medium 2.

  In the following description, the first recording heads 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b are arranged in order from the recording unit disposed on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2 to face the yellow Y ink ribbon 11a. The head 11b, the second recording head 12b facing the magenta M ink ribbon 12a, the third recording head 13b facing the cyan C ink ribbon 13a, and the fourth recording head 14b facing the overcoat OP ink ribbon 14a. .

  Each of the recording heads 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b generates a desired heating element based on the recording data input to the printer 1 and transfers the ink of the ink ribbons 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a onto the recording medium 2. It has become.

In addition, the recording medium 2 and the recording heads 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b through the ink ribbons 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a and the recording medium 2 in the recording units 11, 12, 13, and 14 Platen rollers 11c, 12c, 13c, and 14c each having a width corresponding to the width of each recording head 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b are provided. In the following description, the platen rollers 11c, 12c, 13c, and 14c are arranged in order from the upstream side in the transport direction in order from the first platen roller 11c that faces the first recording head 11b and the second plate head that faces the second recording head 12b. A second platen roller 12c, a third platen roller 13c facing the third recording head 13b, and a fourth platen roller 14c facing the fourth recording head 14b.

  In the present embodiment, each of the recording heads 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b is connected to a crank (not shown), and is separated from each of the platen rollers 11c, 12c, 13c, and 14c by the crank. In addition, a head-down operation is performed in pressure contact with the platen rollers 11c, 12c, 13c, and 14c.

  Further, on the downstream side of the recording units 11, 12, 13, 14 in the transport direction of the recording medium 2, drive rollers 21 a, 22 a, 23 a, 24 a of the transport units 21, 22, 23, 24 of the recording medium 2 are provided. Idle rollers 21b, 22b, 23b, and 24b that are disposed to face this are disposed. The drive rollers 21 a, 22 a, 23 a, 24 a and the idle rollers 21 b, 22 b, 23 b, 24 b are provided so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from each other via the conveyance path of the recording medium 2. In the following description, these transport units 21, 22, 23, and 24 are arranged in order from the upstream side with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium 2, from the first transport unit 21, the second transport unit 22, the third transport unit 23, The fourth transport unit 24 is assumed.

  In the present embodiment, the drive rollers 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a of the transport units 21, 22, 23, 24 are connected to a crank (not shown) as a drive roller moving member, An up operation of separating from the corresponding idle rollers 21b, 22b, 23b, and 24b by a crank and a down operation of pressing against the idle rollers 21b, 22b, 23b, and 24b are performed. In the present embodiment, the idle roller is driven by rotating a motor (not shown) in the forward direction while the drive rollers 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a are in pressure contact with the idle rollers 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b. 21b, 22b, 23b, and 24b also rotate following the rotation of the drive rollers 21a, 22a, 23a, and 24a, and the recording medium 2 sandwiched between the rollers 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a, 21b, 22b, 23b, and 24b Is conveyed downstream.

  In the present embodiment, the drive roller 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a and the idle roller 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b are idle with the drive roller 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a at the leading end of the recording medium 2. When the cranks are operated when the rollers 21b, 22b, 23b, and 24b are opposed to each other, they are brought into pressure contact with each other to sandwich the recording medium 2.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the recording units 11, 12, 13, and 14 are downstream in the transport direction of the recording medium 2, and upstream of the transport units 21, 22, 23, and 24. Marker detection means 31, 32, 33, and 34 are provided. The marker detection means 31, 32, 33, and 34 are formed by having light emitting elements 31a, 32a, 33a, and 34a and light receiving elements 31a, 32b, 33b, and 34b, respectively. In the following, these marker detection means 31, 32, 33, 34 are arranged in order from the upstream side with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2, first marker detection means 31, second marker detection means 32, third marker detection means. 33, fourth marker detection means 34.

  In the printer of this embodiment, the light emitting element 31a of the first marker detection unit 31 is a complementary color of the color applied by the first recording unit 11 (in this embodiment, it is blue which is a complementary color of yellow Y). LED (light emitting diode) is used.

  In addition, the light emitting element 32a of the second marker detecting unit 32 includes an LED that emits a complementary color of the color applied by the first recording unit 11 (in this embodiment, blue that is a complementary color of yellow Y), and a second LED. Two-color LEDs are used, one that emits a complementary color of the color applied by the recording unit 12 (in the present embodiment, green that is the complementary color of magenta M).

  Further, the light emitting element 33a of the third marker detecting unit 33 includes an LED that emits a complementary color of the color applied by the first recording unit 11 (in the present embodiment, blue that is a complementary color of yellow Y), and a third LED. Two-color LEDs are used, which are LEDs that emit complementary colors of the colors applied by the recording unit 12 (in this embodiment, the color is red, which is the complementary color of cyan C).

  Furthermore, the light emitting element 34a of the fourth marker detecting means 34 includes an LED that emits a complementary color of the color applied by the first recording unit 11 (in this embodiment, the color is blue that is a complementary color of yellow Y), and a first LED. Two-color LEDs are used, which are LEDs that emit complementary colors of colors applied by the two recording units 12 (in the present embodiment, green which is the complementary color of magenta M).

  As each of the light receiving elements 31b, 32b, 33b, and 34b, a general-purpose phototransistor conventionally used is used.

The first marker detection means 31 is arranged above a conveyance line (shown by a one-dot chain line A in FIG. 2) in which a marker MK1 for color detection and printing alignment printed in the first recording unit 11 is conveyed. It is installed.

  Further, the second marker detection means 32 is a transport line (FIG. 5) through which the marker MK1 for color detection and alignment of the first recording unit 11 and the marker MK2 for color detection printed in the second recording unit 12 are transported together. 2) (shown by a two-dot chain line B).

Further, the third marker detection means 33 is a transport line (FIG. 5) through which both the color detection marker MK1 of the first recording unit 11 and the color detection marker MK3 printed in the third recording unit 13 are transported. 2) (shown by a two-dot chain line C).

  In the fourth marker detection means 34, a color detection and alignment marker MK1 of the first recording unit 11 and a color detection marker MK4 printed in the fourth recording unit are conveyed together ( It is disposed above (shown by a one-dot chain line B in FIG. 2).

  The marker detection means 31, 32, 33, 34 are arranged from the recording medium 2 to the marker detection means 31, 32, 33, 34 in accordance with the detection function of the marker detection means 31, 32, 33, 34 to be used. Assume that a distance is set.

  The recording units 11, 12, 13, and 14, the transport units 21, 22, 23, and 24, and the position detection units 31, 32, 33, and 34 are connected to a control unit 50. The control unit 50 controls printing and conveyance of the recording medium in each recording unit.

  The electronic circuit formed to connect each marker detection means 31, 32, 33, 34 to the control unit 50 is based on a threshold value which is a reference signal preset by a reference voltage. It has a comparator (not shown) that determines the magnitude relationship of the input signals obtained from 31b, 32b, 33b, and 34b. Input terminals formed in the comparator are connected to the light receiving elements 31b, 32b, 33b, 34b and the reference voltage rf. The output terminal formed in the comparator is connected to the control unit 50 for transmitting an output signal obtained from the comparator. Note that the electronic circuit is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for determining the magnitude relation of the input signal with respect to the threshold value, and may be formed using an A / D converter or the like instead of the comparator.

  The control unit 50 includes recording means (not shown) for recording information relating to printing, and a control circuit (not shown) for controlling the printing position based on the information recorded in the recording means. For example, as described later, the recording unit prints an image based on a marker printing position formed for color detection or alignment using each ink ribbon or a marker formed for the alignment. Data relating to the start position and printing information such as the transport amount (number of steps) from each recording unit 11, 12, 13, 14 to each marker detecting means 31, 32, 33, 34 are recorded in advance. The print information is measured in advance using a prototype of the printer 1 of the present embodiment, and is recorded in the recording unit based on the measurement result.

Next, the operation of the printer of this embodiment will be described together with the control in the control unit .

  The printer 1 according to the present embodiment transports the recording medium 2 such as recording paper from the upstream side to the downstream side by the transport units 21, 22, 23, and 24 (in FIG. 1, from the left side to the right side). In the direction of travel).

  The first recording unit 11 that has received a command for printing from the control unit 50 first thermally transfers yellow Y, which is a color applied to the ink ribbon 11a, as shown in FIG. A marker MK1 for color detection and printing position alignment is printed on. The marker MK1 printed by the first recording unit 11 has a length in the transport direction that can be detected by each marker detection means 31, 32, 33, and 34 and a length in the width direction of the recording medium. Is formed.

Then, the recording medium is transported by a transport amount (a dimensional amount between the marker MK1 and the image recording start position) recorded in advance in the recording unit from the printing end position of the marker MK1, and the first recording unit 11 The first color image 11p is printed on the recording medium 2 by thermally transferring yellow Y, which is a color applied to the ribbon 11a.

Further, the first recording unit 11 carries the recording medium of the conveyance amount (dimension amount between the image recording final position and the marker MKE) recorded in advance in the recording means from the printing end position of the first color image 11p. Prints a marker MKE indicating a print end region on the recording medium 2 by thermally transferring yellow Y, which is a color applied to the ink ribbon 11a.

  In this series of flows, the first marker detecting means is the timing at which the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2 is transported to the position where the first marker detecting means 31 on the downstream side of the first recording unit 11 faces. 31 light emitting elements 31 a emit blue light, which is a complementary color of the ink color of an appropriate ink ribbon set in the first recording unit 11, to the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2.

Since the blue light is absorbed by the yellow Y marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2, the light receiving element 31b does not receive the reflected light L from the recording medium 2.

  If the light receiving element 31b does not receive the reflected light L, the input signal measured from the light receiving element 31b falls below the threshold value, and therefore the output signal that has been inverted and compared rises (this state is detected as non-reflecting). Concept of level).

Then, due to the fact that the light receiving element 31b cannot receive the reflected light L of the blue light emitted from the light emitting element 31a, that is, the marker MK1 is complementary to the blue light of the light emitting element 31a. that can determine which are printed by the yellow ink Y in the relationship, the ink ribbon 11a which is set in the first recording unit 11 can be confirmed to be the correct color.

  If the detected value at this time does not reach the non-reflective level, an abnormality is determined, the printing operation is immediately stopped, and an error display is performed as necessary.

  Further, in the second recording unit 12 and the second marker detection means 32, the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2 is conveyed to a position where the second marker detection means 32 on the downstream side of the second recording unit 12 faces. At the timing, the light emitting element 32a of the second marker detecting means 32 emits blue light, which is a complementary color, to the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2.

  Since the blue light is absorbed by the yellow Y marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2 as described above, the light receiving element 31b does not receive the reflected light L, and the input signal is measured from the light receiving element 31b. Falls below the threshold value, the output signal subjected to inversion comparison rises. The position where the light receiving element 31b does not receive the reflected light L can be detected as the position (detection position) where the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the second marker detection means 32.

Therefore, with reference to the detection position of the marker MK1, a recording medium having a conveyance amount (dimension amount between the marker MK1 and the marker MK2) recorded in advance in the recording unit is conveyed from the printing end position of the marker MK1. The second recording unit 12 prints a color detection marker MK2 on the recording medium 2 by thermally transferring magenta M which is a color applied to the ink ribbon 12a. The marker MK2 printed by the second recording unit 12 is a length in the transport direction that can be detected by the second marker detection means 32 in the space between the marker MK1 and the image recording start position in the transport direction of the recording medium 2. And a portion of the length in the width direction of the recording medium.

Further, the recording medium is transported by the transport amount (dimension amount between the marker MK1 and the image recording start position of magenta M) recorded in advance on the recording means from the printing end position of the marker MK1, and the recording medium 2 is moved to the recording medium 2. The second color image 12p is printed.

  In this series of flows, the marker MK2 printed on the recording medium 2 is conveyed from the light emitting element 32a of the second marker detecting means 32 to the recording medium 2 at a timing when the marker MK2 is conveyed to a position where the second marker detecting means 32 faces. A green light that is a complementary color of the ink color of an appropriate ink ribbon set in the second recording unit 12 is emitted to the marker MK2 printed on the head.

  The green light is absorbed by the magenta M marker MK2 printed on the recording medium 2, so that the light receiving element 32 b does not receive the reflected light L from the recording medium 2.

  If the reflected light L is not received by the light receiving element 32b, the input signal measured from the light receiving element 32b is lower than the threshold value, so that the output signal that is inverted and compared rises, and the detected value becomes a non-reflective level.

  Then, due to the fact that the light receiving element 32b cannot receive the reflected light L of the green light emitted from the light emitting element 32a, that is, the detected value is a non-reflective level, the marker MK2 has a relationship between the green color and the complementary color of the light emitting element 32a. Therefore, it can be determined that the ink ribbon 12a set in the second recording unit 12 has an appropriate color.

  If the detected value at this time does not reach the non-reflective level, an abnormality is determined, the printing operation is immediately stopped, and an error display is performed as necessary.

  Similarly, in the third recording unit 13 and the third marker detection means 33, the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2 is positioned at the position where the third marker detection means 33 on the downstream side of the third recording unit 13 faces. At the transport timing, the light emitting element 33a of the third marker detecting means 33 emits blue light which is a complementary color to the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2.

Since the blue light is absorbed by the yellow Y marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2 as described above, the light receiving element 33b does not receive the reflected light L, and the input signal is measured from the light receiving element 33b. Falls below the threshold value, the output signal subjected to inversion comparison rises. The position where the light receiving element 33b does not receive the reflected light L can be detected as the position (detection position) where the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the third marker detection means 33 .

Therefore, with reference to the detection position of the marker MK1, the recording medium of the conveyance amount (dimension amount between the marker MK1 and the marker MK3) recorded in advance in the recording unit is conveyed from the printing end position of the marker MK1, The third recording unit 13 prints a color detection marker MK3 on the recording medium 2 by thermally transferring cyan C, which is a color applied to the ink ribbon 13a. The marker MK3 printed by the third recording unit 13 also has a length in the transport direction that can be detected by the marker detection means 33 in the space between the marker MK1 and the image recording start position in the transport direction of the recording medium 2. The recording medium is formed so as to have a partial length in the width direction. However, it is desirable that the printing position is formed so as not to overlap the transport line on which the marker MK2 is transported, as shown in FIG. Further, the recording medium 2 is transported from the printing end position of the marker MK1 by a transport amount (a dimensional amount between the marker MK1 and cyan C image recording start position) recorded in advance in the recording means. The image 13p of the third color is printed.

  In this series of flows, the marker MK3 printed on the recording medium 2 is conveyed from the light emitting element 33a of the third marker detecting unit 33 to the recording medium 2 at a timing when the marker MK3 is conveyed to a position where the third marker detecting unit 33 faces. A red light that is a complementary color of the ink color of an appropriate ink ribbon set in the third recording unit 13 is emitted to the marker MK3 printed on the head.

  The red light is absorbed by the cyan C marker MK3 printed on the recording medium 2, so that the light receiving element 33 b does not receive the reflected light L from the recording medium 2.

  If the reflected light L is not received by the light receiving element 33b, the input signal measured from the light receiving element 33b is lower than the threshold value, so that the inverted output signal is increased and the detected value becomes a non-reflective level.

  Then, due to the fact that the light receiving element 33b cannot receive the reflected light L of the red light emitted from the light emitting element 33a, that is, the detected value is a non-reflective level, the marker MK3 has a relationship between the red color and the complementary color of the light emitting element 33a. Therefore, it can be determined that the ink ribbon 13a set in the third recording unit 13 has an appropriate color.

  If the detected value at this time does not reach the non-reflective level, an abnormality is determined, the printing operation is immediately stopped, and an error display is performed as necessary.

  Further, in the fourth recording unit 14 and the fourth marker detection means 34, the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2 is conveyed to a position where the fourth marker detection means 34 on the downstream side of the fourth recording unit 14 faces. At the timing, the light emitting element 34a of the fourth marker detecting means 34 emits blue light which is the complementary color to the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2.

Since the blue light is absorbed by the yellow Y marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2 as described above, the light receiving element 34b does not receive the reflected light L, and the input signal is measured from the light receiving element 34b. Falls below the threshold value, the output signal subjected to inversion comparison rises. The position where the light receiving element 34b does not receive the reflected light L can be detected as the position (detection position) where the marker MK1 printed on the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the fourth marker detecting means 34 .

Therefore, in the present embodiment, recording of the conveyance amount (dimension amount between the marker MK1 and the marker MK2) recorded in advance in the recording unit from the printing end position of the marker MK1 with the detection position of the marker MK1 as a reference. The medium is transported, and the fourth recording unit 14 heat-transfers and prints the marker MK4 using the ink of the overcoat OP of the ink ribbon 14a on the marker MK2 printed by the second recording unit 12 .

Further, the recording medium is transported by the transport amount (the dimensional amount between the marker MK1 and the image recording start position of magenta M) recorded in advance on the recording means from the printing end position of the marker MK1, and the recording medium 2 is overloaded. An image 14p of the coat layer is formed by printing.

In this series of flows, the fourth marker detection means is the timing at which the marker MK2 covered with the overcoat OP marker MK4 printed on the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the position where the fourth marker detection means 34 faces. 34 is a complementary color of the ink color of an appropriate ink ribbon set in the second recording unit 12 with respect to the marker MK2 printed on the recording medium 2 and covered with the marker MK4 of the overcoat OP. Emits green light.

  The green light is absorbed by the magenta M marker MK2 printed on the recording medium 2, so that the light receiving element 34b does not receive the reflected light L from the recording medium 2.

  If the reflected light L is not received by the light receiving element 34b, the input signal measured from the light receiving element 34b is lower than the threshold value, so that the output signal subjected to inversion comparison rises and the detected value becomes a non-reflective level.

  Then, due to the fact that the light receiving element 34b cannot receive the reflected light L of the green light emitted from the light emitting element 34a, that is, the detected value is a non-reflective level, the marker MK2 is made of a transparent overcoat OP ink. It can be determined that the marker MK4 is printed, and it can be confirmed that the ink ribbon 14a set in the fourth recording unit 14 is appropriate.

  If the detected value at this time does not reach the non-reflective level, an abnormality is determined, the printing operation is immediately stopped, and an error display is performed as necessary.

  As described above, the printer according to the present embodiment can perform the color discrimination of the ink ribbon disposed in each recording unit and the accurate adjustment of the printing position with a small number of detection units. Since all color images are printed at desired positions, the print quality is improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above etc., A various change is possible as needed. For example, in this embodiment, the ink colors arranged in the recording unit are in the order of yellow, magenta, and cyan, but the order is not limited to this order.

  In addition, each marker detection unit may have a configuration in which only an LED that emits light of a complementary color of ink disposed in each corresponding recording unit is disposed as a light emitting element. In that case, the alignment of printing can be performed by the number of driving steps of a motor that conveys the recording medium.

  Further, it is not necessary to perform control for detecting the color of the ink ribbon provided in each recording unit for each recording on the recording medium. For example, an open / close sensor is provided on a door formed in a housing that houses each recording unit, and the control unit is provided to each recording unit during the first printing after the open / close sensor detects an open / closed state. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which control is performed so as to perform color discrimination of the provided ink ribbon.

The principal part front view which shows an example of embodiment in the printer of this invention The top view which shows an example of the printing area of the image and mark of embodiment of the printer of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Recording medium 11, 12, 13, 14 Recording unit
11a, 12a, 13a, 14a Ink ribbon
11b, 12b, 13b, 14b Thermal head
11c, 12c, 13c, 14c Platen rollers MK1, MK2, MK3, MK4, MKE markers 11p, 12p, 13p, 14p Each color image 21, 22, 23, 24 Transport units 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a Drive rollers 21b, 22b , 23b, 24b Idle rollers 31, 32, 33, 34 Marker detection means 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a Light emitting elements 31b, 32b, 33b, 34b Light receiving element 50 Control unit FD Transport direction L Reflected light

Claims (2)

A recording unit that is arranged corresponding to each ink color of yellow, magenta, and cyan in the conveyance path of the recording medium, and has a marker and an ink ribbon for printing an image on the recording medium;
Are respectively disposed the immediately downstream of each recording unit in the conveying path, the recording of the complementary color light emitting light of a complementary color of the ink color of each printing unit from the light emitting element and the light emitting element emit light toward the recording medium Marker detection means having a light receiving element for entering the reflected light reflected by the medium;
Rutotomoni a control unit for controlling the conveyance of the recording and the recording medium to the recording medium,
The marker detection means corresponding to each recording unit other than the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream of the transport path uses the ink color complementary color light of the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream of the transport path as the recording medium. A light emitting element that emits light toward
The control unit is a light emitting element that causes a marker printed by the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream of the transport path to emit complementary color light of the ink color of the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream in each marker detection unit. By using this, the recording medium transported by the recording unit disposed in the uppermost stream is transported with respect to the marker printed by the recording unit disposed in the uppermost stream of the transport path. In order to adjust the printing position of other markers and images on the upstream side in the direction, the recording on the recording medium and the conveyance of the recording medium are controlled,
By detecting a marker printed by a recording unit disposed immediately upstream of the transport path using a light emitting element that emits complementary color light of the ink color of the recording unit immediately upstream that each marker detection unit has, A printer configured to determine whether the color of an ink ribbon disposed in each recording unit is correct or incorrect . Another recording unit disposed on the downstream side of the yellow, magenta and cyan recording units in the conveyance path of the recording medium, and having a transparent overcoat layer ink ribbon;
Of the recording units disposed immediately downstream of the other recording unit having the ink ribbon of the overcoat layer and corresponding to each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan ink colors , they are arranged at the uppermost stream of the transport path. set luminescent device ink color of a complementary color of any one of the recording units other than the recording unit to emit light toward the recording medium, ink color complementary color recording unit disposed in the uppermost stream of the conveying path A light-emitting element that emits light toward the recording medium; and another marker detection unit that includes a light-receiving element that causes the reflected light reflected by the recording medium of complementary color light emitted from the light-emitting element to enter. ,
The control unit causes the marker printed by the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream of the transport path to emit complementary color light of the ink color of the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream in the other marker detection unit. By detecting using a light emitting element, the other recording unit uses the marker printed by the recording unit disposed in the uppermost stream of the transport path as a reference, and the recording unit other than the recording unit disposed in the uppermost stream. In order to print the overcoat layer on the marker printed by any one recording unit, the recording on the recording medium and the conveyance of the recording medium are controlled,
A marker printed by any one of the recording units other than the recording unit disposed on the uppermost stream on which the overcoat layer is printed is disposed on the uppermost stream in the other marker detection means. By detecting using a light emitting element that emits complementary color light of the ink color of any one of the recording units other than the recording unit, it is possible to determine whether the color of the ink ribbon disposed in the other recording unit is correct or incorrect. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is configured as follows .

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