JPH09156243A - Color ink ribbon and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To expand the ratio of the effective part of a color ink ribbon and to reduce the number of manufacturing processes. SOLUTION: Thermal transfer ink regions IN1, IN2, IN3 of yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) are successively repeatedly formed on the light pervious base film of a color ink ribbon 11 along a longitudinal direction and a C identification region CM is formed between the Y-ink region IN1 and the M-ink region IN2. The respective ink regions IN1-IN3 are formed in the feed direction of the color ink ribbon 11 so as to have a relatively long common length dimension LA and the identification region CM is formed so as to have a dimension LB sufficiently shorter than the dimension LA of each of the color ink regions IN1-IN3 in the longitudinal direction. By emitting or receiving light transmitted through C-ink by a photointerruptor, the colors of the ink regions are identified and the color ink ribbon is located from those lengths.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color ink ribbon having a large effective area and easy to manufacture, and a printing apparatus using the color ink ribbon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional color ink ribbon for a color printer, yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) color ink regions are sequentially and repeatedly formed. The printing apparatus sequentially prints images of Y, M, and C by using the ink areas of each color of the color ink ribbon so as to perform multicolor printing on the recording paper.

In the case of color multicolor printing by such a method, it is necessary to detect the head position of each group and the head position of the ink area of each color, with the ink areas of three colors Y, M and C as one group. is there.

An example of a conventional method for detecting the head position of a color ink ribbon will be described with reference to FIG. A black marking portion MK is formed between the color change portions of the color ink ribbon CR, that is, the Y, M, and C ink regions IN1, IN2, and IN3. Furthermore, two marking portions MK are formed at the head positions of the three color sets of Y, M, and C.

The position detecting section discriminates the black marking section MK by a photo interrupter composed of an infrared light emitting diode LED0 and an infrared light receiving phototransistor PT0 provided to face each other with the ink ribbon CR interposed therebetween. The presence / absence and the number of the marking portions MK are determined by the control portion of the color printer, and the ink regions IN1 to IN3 of the ink ribbon CR are detected.

[0006]

In the conventional ink ribbon color detection method, it is necessary to print the black marking portion MK on the ink ribbon CR. Therefore, the ratio of the effective portion, that is, the ink area, to the length of the ink ribbon CR becomes small. Therefore, the number of printable sheets with the color ink ribbon CR having the same size is small. Further, since the number of steps for printing the black marking portion MK is increased, the manufacturing cost of the color ink ribbon CR is increased. For example, if there is no black marking portion MK, the printing process is Y, M, C.
However, if there is the black marking portion MK, the four steps of printing Y, M, C, and black ink are required. Further, for these reasons, the printing running cost per sheet of recording paper increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the ratio of the ink area of the color ink ribbon is high.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a color ink ribbon capable of detecting the ink area of each color and the head position of each group of color ink. It is another object of the present invention to provide a printing device that can appropriately perform color printing using the color ink ribbon of the present invention.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the color ink ribbon according to the first aspect of the present invention is formed in sequence along the longitudinal direction of the ribbon base.
A plurality of color ink regions each transmitting light of a corresponding color, and an ink identification region that is arranged at a predetermined position in the set of the plurality of color ink regions and has the same color as the predetermined color of the plurality of colors And are provided.

According to the color ink ribbon having such a configuration, the identification area is formed of the ink of the same color as one of the ink areas of a plurality of colors, so that when a special ink is used for the identification area. In comparison, it can be easily manufactured. Further, by discriminating the identification region and the ink region of the predetermined color, the type, position, etc. of the ink tape can be discriminated.

The identification area is formed, for example, at a boundary portion between ink areas other than the ink area of the predetermined color and having the predetermined color and shorter than the length of the ink area of the predetermined color. To be done.

The ink area includes yellow, magenta, and cyan areas sequentially arranged along the longitudinal direction of the ribbon substrate, and the identification area is formed at a boundary portion between the yellow and magenta ink areas. Formed from short cyan areas.

In the printing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of color ink areas that transmit light of corresponding colors and an identification area of ink having the same color as a predetermined color of the plurality of colors are provided. A printing device for printing using an ink ribbon, comprising: a transporting device that transports the ink ribbon; the plurality of color ink regions and the identification region on the ink ribbon that are transported by the transporting device. And a printing unit that performs printing according to the result of the determination made by the determination unit, in response to the detection by the detection unit. Is characterized by.

According to the printing apparatus having such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately perform printing using the color ink ribbon according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The discriminating means discriminates, for example, in response to the detection by the detecting means, the discriminating means for discriminating the length and order or the number of the ink areas of the predetermined color, and the ink area according to the discrimination by the discriminating means. It is characterized by comprising means for discriminating the head position and each ink area of each set.

The detecting means may be, for example, a light emitting means for irradiating the ink ribbon with light that passes through the ink areas of the predetermined color but does not pass through ink areas of other colors, and transmitted light or reflection of the ink ribbon. A light receiving unit that receives light and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of received light.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of a color ink ribbon according to an embodiment of the present invention and a printing apparatus using the color ink ribbon will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a plan configuration of a color ink ribbon according to an embodiment of the present invention. The color ink ribbon 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes a yellow (Y), a yellow (Y), and a light-transmissive base film made of a belt-shaped material such as a synthetic resin.
A plurality of sets of thermal transferable ink regions IN1, IN2, and IN3 of magenta (M) and cyan (C) are sequentially and repeatedly arranged.

Ink area IN1 of Y and ink area I of M
An identification area CM of C is formed between the identification area CM and N2.
Each of the ink areas IN1 to IN3 is a color ink ribbon 1
In the longitudinal direction, which is the transport direction of 1, the common area LA is formed relatively long, and the identification area CM is formed in the longitudinal direction in the area LB which is sufficiently shorter than the ink areas IN1 to IN3.

For example, the length LA of each of the ink areas IN1 to IN3 corresponds to the width dimension of the recording paper 19 to be printed, for example, 80.
Assuming that the width is mm, as shown in FIG. 2, the width is formed with a slight margin, for example, about 85 to 90 mm. In addition, the length LB of the identification area CM is formed to be about 3 to 8 mm so that the identification area CM can be reliably detected and can be easily discriminated from the ink area IN3 of C.

Adjacent three color ink areas IN1, IN2 and IN3 of Y, M and C form one set, and print images of these respective ink areas IN1 to IN3 are superposed and printed to print in color. An image is formed.

Next, a method of discriminating the area of the color ink ribbon 11 having such a structure will be described. A light emitting element 21A and a light receiving element 21B are arranged with the color ink ribbon 11 sandwiched therebetween for area discrimination. As shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting element 21A includes a red light emitting diode LED1, and the light receiving element 21B is a phototransistor PT1 for receiving visible light.
Is provided.

In the color ink ribbon 11 shown in FIG. 1, the Y ink region IN1 and the M ink region IN2 easily transmit the red light from the red light emitting diode LED1,
The C ink region IN3 is unlikely to transmit the red light from the red light emitting diode LED1. Therefore, the phototransistor PT1 has the Y ink region IN1 and the M ink region I.
The light from the red light emitting diode LED1 that has passed through N2 can be received, but the light that has transmitted through the C ink region IN3 cannot be received.

Therefore, between the M ink area IN2 and the C ink area IN3, and between the C ink area IN3 and Y.
The ink area IN1 of C and the ink area IN3 of C respectively function as marks. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, a marking portion such as a special black color is not required, and the ink areas I and C have lengths LA and LB.
N3 and the identification area CM can be discriminated.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a specific configuration of the area discriminating mechanism.
Shown in In FIG. 3, the light emitting element 21A is connected to a DC power source of + 5V and includes a series circuit of a red light emitting diode LED1 that emits red light and a current limiting resistor R1.

Further, the light receiving element 21B is made conductive by visible light and has a base connected to the phototransistor PT1 which is grounded via the emitter resistor R2 and the emitter of the phototransistor PT1, the emitter is grounded and the collector resistor R3 is connected. A transistor T for driving an output, which is connected to a power supply via the collector and has a collector for generating a detection signal OUT.
And R.

The red light emitting diode LED1 and the phototransistor PT1 are arranged to face each other and to be close to each other so that their optical axes coincide with each other. The light emitting element 21A and the light receiving element 21B form a photo interrupter.

The red light emitted from the light emitting element 21A is incident on the color ink ribbon 11, and the color ink ribbon 11 is exposed.
Only the light transmitted through is received by the light receiving element 21B. The red light transmits the Y and M portions, but does not transmit the C portion. The phototransistor PT1 turns on when receiving visible light, the transistor TR also turns on, and the detection signal O
UT goes to "L" level. Further, the phototransistor PT1 is turned off when it becomes impossible to receive visible light, the transistor TR is also turned off, and the collector potential of the transistor TR, that is, the output potential is increased to the “H” level. Therefore, the operation of the detector shown in FIG. 3 is as shown in Table 1.

[0028]

[Table 1]

Therefore, the "H" level period of the output OUT is detected to discriminate the ink area IN3 of C corresponding to the length LA from the identification area CM corresponding to the length LB, or the signal level of the output OUT. Is detected, Y,
The head positions of the M and C ink areas IN1 to IN3 can be determined.

Next, a printing apparatus using the color ink ribbon and the detection mechanism having the above construction will be specifically described. The color ink ribbon 11 is used by being loaded in an ink ribbon cassette 31, as shown in FIG. The ink ribbon cassette 31 has a case 33, and the case 3
3, a supply reel 13, a take-up reel 15 and a guide roller 39 are arranged. The color ink ribbon 11 is wound around the supply reel 13 and the take-up reel 15, and the color ink ribbon 11 wound around the supply reel 13 is sequentially fed out and appropriately guided by the guide roller 39, so that the take-up reel 15 is wound. Is wound up in. The case 33 has a notch 35 corresponding to the position of the thermal head 17, and a notch 37 for inserting the detector 21 at a corner of the take-up reel 15 on the take-up side. .

In the case 33, the color ink ribbon 11 is guided from the supply reel 13 to each guide roller 39, exposed to the outside at the notch 35, passes through the detector 21, and is taken up by the take-up reel 15. .

As shown in FIG. 5, when the ink ribbon cassette 31 is mounted on the carriage 50, the thermal head 17 is inserted into the cutout portion 35 of the ink ribbon cassette 31, and the color ink ribbon 11 is sandwiched between the thermal head 17 and the recording paper 19. Confront. In addition, the color ink ribbon 11 is connected to the detector 21.
It is inserted between the light emitting element 21A and the light receiving element 21B.

The carriage 50 including the ink ribbon cassette 31 and the thermal head 17 is driven by the carriage drive motor 41 via the belt 43 along the recording paper 19 and the platen roller 45.

In the printing state, the thermal head 17
Is urged by an urging mechanism (not shown), is pressed against the recording paper 19 with the color ink ribbon 11 sandwiched therebetween, moves with the movement of the carriage 50, and generates heat by an electric signal as described later. The elements are energized to transfer the ink in the ink areas IN1 to IN3 of the color ink ribbon 11 onto the recording paper 19.

The recording paper 19 is supported from the back by a platen roller 45, and is conveyed by the rotation of the recording paper drive motor 47 as the platen roller 45 rotates.

Next, the circuit configuration of the printing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This printing apparatus includes a key input unit 101 and a RAM (random access memory) 10
2, ROM (read only memory) 103, detector 2
1. Waveform shaping circuit 104, heating element drive circuit 105, heating element 106, carriage drive circuit 107, carriage drive motor 41, ink ribbon drive circuit 108, ink ribbon drive motor 109, recording paper drive circuit 110, recording paper drive motor 47 , Display drive circuit 111, display unit 112
And a control circuit 113.

The control circuit 113 includes a CPU (central processing unit), and controls the entire printing operation including the area determination operation of the color ink ribbon 11 according to the program stored in the ROM 103.

The key input unit 101 includes a plurality of keys,
A control signal for controlling the printing operation, data to be printed, and the like are supplied to the control circuit 113. The RAM 102 includes a print buffer picture area for storing print target data and print pattern data of, for example, dot pattern data of each color of Y, M, and C, and further, a work area for control operation of the control circuit 113. I will provide a. R
The OM 103 stores a program for controlling the operation of the control circuit 113, fixed parameters, and the like. In this embodiment, a program for mainly performing control as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described later is stored.

The detector 21 includes a light emitting element 21A and a light receiving element 21B. The red light emitted from the light emitting element 21A and transmitted through the color ink ribbon 11 is received by the light receiving element 21B.
To detect. The waveform shaping circuit 104 shapes the waveform of the output signal of the light receiving element 21B and outputs it as a detection signal to the control circuit 113.
To supply.

A plurality of heating elements 106 are provided in the thermal head 17, and are energized to generate heat, which melts the thermal transfer recording ink of the ink ribbon and transfers it to the recording paper 19. The heating element drive circuit 105, under the control of the control circuit 113,
According to the image data stored in the RAM 102, each heating element 106 is selectively energized to drive each heating element 106 to generate heat.

The carriage drive circuit 107 is the control circuit 1
Under the control of 13, the carriage drive motor 41 is driven to move the carriage 50. Ink ribbon drive circuit 1
Under control of the control circuit 113, reference numeral 08 drives the ink ribbon drive motor 109 to rotate the take-up reel 15 and successively take up the color ink ribbons 11. Under control of the control circuit 113, the recording paper drive circuit 110 drives the recording paper drive motor 47 to rotate the platen roller 45 and conveys the recording paper 19. Display drive circuit 111
Under the control of the control circuit 113, causes the display unit 112 including a liquid crystal display element to perform an arbitrary display.

Next, the printing operation of the printing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8. First, it is assumed that print target data is stored in the RAM 102. In this state, when the start of printing is instructed from the key input unit 101, the control circuit 113 rotates the carriage driving motor 41 via the carriage driving circuit 107 to move the carriage 50 and move the thermal head 17. Move to home position. Further, the Y color ink area IN1 of the color ink ribbon 11 is
To the position of the heat generating element 106 of the thermal head 17 (positioning method will be described later. Further, to adjust the start position to the position of the heat generating element of the thermal head 17 is referred to as “cueing”). . further,
The print pattern data of the Y component of the print target data stored in the RAM 102 is expanded in the print buffer (eg, line buffer) in the RAM 102 (step S1).

Next, printing with Y ink is performed (step S2). That is, the thermal head 17 is pressed against the recording paper 19 while sandwiching the color ink ribbon 11, and the carriage driving circuit 107 and the ink ribbon driving circuit 108 are controlled to move the carriage 50 while winding the color ink ribbon 11. In addition, Y expanded in the print buffer
By controlling the heating element drive circuit 105 and energizing the heating element 106 according to the print pattern data of the components, the Y print pattern is printed for one line, that is, for one scan of the thermal head 17.

When the printing of the Y image is completed, the carriage 50 is returned to the home position, and the M ink area IN2
Is performed and the print pattern data of the M component is expanded in the print buffer (step S3). Then, similarly to the printing of Y, the printing pattern of M is printed for one line (step S4).

When the printing of the M color image is completed, the carriage 50 is returned to the home position, and the C ink area IN
3 is performed and the print pattern data of the C component is expanded in the print buffer (step S5). Then, in the same way as the printing of Y, the printing pattern of C is printed for one line (step S6).

Next, it is judged whether or not the printing is completed (step S7). If the printing is completed, the printing operation is completed. If not completed, the recording paper drive circuit 110 is controlled to drive the recording paper drive motor 47. The recording paper 19 is conveyed by one print line by rotating the recording paper 19 by a predetermined amount (step S8). Then, the above process is repeated from step S1.

Next, the cueing process of the Y, M and C ink areas IN1 to IN3 of the color ink ribbon 11 executed in steps S1, S3 and S5 will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, the period corresponding to the length LA of each ink region IN1 to IN3 of the color ink ribbon 11 is the parameter TA, the period corresponding to the length LB of the identification region CM is the parameter TB, and the output of the detector 21. The period of “H” is the parameter TH, and the period of “L” of the output of the detector 21 is the parameter TL.

First, the control circuit 113 determines the parameter TH.
, And TL are substituted with "0" (step T1). next,
The control circuit 113 drives the ink ribbon drive motor 109 via the ink ribbon drive circuit 108 to rotate the take-up reel 15 by a predetermined amount, and sends out the color ink ribbon 11 (step T2). The control circuit 113 determines whether the parameter TH or TL exceeds the parameter TA (step T3).

The parameter TH or TL is the parameter TA
If it exceeds, it is determined that the detector 21 is not properly detected, and it is determined that some error has occurred, an error is displayed, and the process is stopped (step T4).

In step T3, the parameter TH or TL is set.
Does not exceed the parameter TA, it is determined whether the detection output OUT of the detector 21 is "H" level or "L" level (step T5). When the detection signal OUT is at "H" level, it indicates that the ink region IN3 of C or the identification region CM is located on the detector 21, and when the detection output OUT is at "L" level, it is on the detector 21. Shows the state in which the Y or M ink area IN1 or IN2 is located.

At step T5, the detection output OUT is "H".
When the level is determined, the control circuit 113 determines whether or not the parameter TL is “0” (step T6). If the parameter TL is not “0”, the parameter TL is set to “0” (step T7). , Return to step T2.
When it is determined in step T6 that the parameter TL is "0", the parameter TH is incremented by "1" (step T8). After that, the flow returns to step T2.

At step T5, the detection signal OUT is "L".
When the level is determined, the control circuit 113 determines whether the parameter TH is "0" (step T9). When it is determined that the parameter TH is “0”, the parameter TL is incremented by “1” (step T1).
0), and returns to step T2.

At step T9, the parameter TH is "0".
If not, the control circuit 113 determines whether the parameter TH exceeds the parameter TB (step T11). Parameter TH is parameter TB
If it exceeds, it is determined that the head position of the Y ink region IN1 has been reached, and ribbon feeding is stopped (step T1).
2). If the parameter TH does not exceed the parameter TB, it is determined that the head position of the M ink region IN2 has been reached, and ribbon feeding is stopped (step T13).

On the other hand, the C ink area IN3 is detected by M
When the output of the detector 21 first changes from “L” to “H” after the head of the ink area IN2 of No. 2 is determined, it is determined to be the head position of the ink area IN3 of C.

By the color detection by such a method, even if the manufacturing cost of the detecting portion 21 is almost the same as the conventional one, the effective rate of the color ink ribbon 11, that is, the length used for printing with respect to the entire length of the color ink ribbon 11. The height can be increased. Further, unlike the conventional method, it is not necessary to print the fourth color such as black, so that the number of manufacturing steps of the color ink ribbon is reduced and the cost is reduced.

For example, in the case of the printing apparatus using the card-sized recording paper 19, the effective rate of the ink ribbon 11 is about 70% in the past, but according to the configuration of this embodiment,
The effective rate can be increased to 77.2%. Also,
The conventional number of steps for making a color ink ribbon is
The four steps of Y, M, C, and black were used, but according to this embodiment, only three steps are required, and the total manufacturing cost can be reduced by about 30%.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the three color ink regions IN1 to IN3 of Y, M and C are provided.
Using the ink of C of the color ink ribbon 11 having the identification area CM at the boundary of the ink areas of Y and M
Is formed, and the identification area CM is defined by the length of the ink area of C.
Based on each length of the original C ink area, the head position of each Y color ink area of the color ink ribbon 11 can be accurately detected.

The procedure shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8 is an example, and can be arbitrarily changed or applied. Besides, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, the order of arrangement of the ink areas IN1 to IN3 is arbitrary. For example, two C areas may be arranged between the yellow and magenta ink areas to make the detection of the boundary portion clear. The color of the printing ink and the color of the ink area for position detection are not limited to these, and other colors may be used. In this case, the light emitting color of the light emitting element and the light receiving color characteristic of the light receiving element are also appropriately changed according to the color of the ink region.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, the ratio of the ink area of the color ink ribbon can be increased and the manufacturing can be facilitated. Moreover, arbitrary data can be printed using the color ink ribbon having such a configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a color ink ribbon according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a color ink ribbon and a recording sheet in the printing apparatus using the color ink ribbon shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a mechanism for detecting the type and position of a color ink ribbon in the printing apparatus using the color ink ribbon shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an ink ribbon cassette used in a printing apparatus using the color ink ribbon shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing mechanism in a printing apparatus using the color ink ribbon shown in FIG.

6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a printing apparatus using the color ink ribbon of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a printing process of a printing apparatus using the color ink ribbon of FIG.

8 is a flow chart for explaining a cueing process for magenta and yellow ink areas in a color ink ribbon of a printing apparatus using the color ink ribbon of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an example of a conventional color ink ribbon.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Color ink ribbon, 13 ... Supply reel, 15 ...
Take-up reel, 17 ... Thermal head, 19 ... Recording paper, 21 ... Detector, 21A ... Light emitting element, 21B ... Light receiving element, 23 ... Judgment section, 31 ... Ink ribbon cassette, 33
... Case, 35 ... Notch, 39 ... Guide roller, 41 ...
Carriage drive motor, 43 ... Belt, 45 ... Platen roller, 47 ... Recording paper drive motor, 50 ... Carriage,
101 ... Key input unit, 102 ... RAM, 103 ... RO
M, 104 ... Waveform shaping circuit, 105 ... Heating element drive circuit, 106 ... Heating element, 107 ... Carriage drive circuit,
108 ... Ink ribbon drive circuit, 109 ... Ink ribbon drive motor, 110 ... Recording paper drive circuit, 111 ... Display drive circuit, 112 ... Display unit, 113 ... Control circuit, IN1
IN3 ... Ink area, CM ... Identification area

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ink region of a plurality of colors, which are sequentially arranged along the longitudinal direction of a ribbon substrate and transmit light of a corresponding color, and are arranged at predetermined positions in a set of the ink regions of the plurality of colors.
A color ink ribbon, comprising: an identification area of ink having the same color as a predetermined color of the plurality of colors. 2. The identification area is formed at a boundary between ink areas other than the ink area of the predetermined color and has the predetermined color and is shorter than the length of the ink area of the predetermined color. The color ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the color ink ribbon is formed. 3. The ink regions of a plurality of colors include yellow, magenta and cyan ink regions sequentially arranged along the longitudinal direction of the ribbon substrate, and the identification region is between the yellow and magenta ink regions. The color ink ribbon according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the color ink ribbon is formed at a boundary portion and is formed from a cyan region that is shorter than a length of the cyan ink region. 4. A printing method that uses an ink ribbon that includes ink regions of a plurality of colors that transmit light of corresponding colors and an identification region of an ink having the same color as a predetermined color of the plurality of colors. An apparatus, comprising: a transport unit that transports the ink ribbon, a detection unit that detects the ink regions of the plurality of colors and the identification region on the ink ribbon that is transported by the transport unit, and the detection unit. A printing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines the position of the ink ribbon in response to the detection, and a printing unit that performs printing according to the determination result of the determination unit. 5. The discrimination means, in response to the detection by the detection means, discriminating means for discriminating the length and order of the ink regions of the predetermined color, and each set of ink regions according to the discrimination by the discriminating means. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a unit that determines a head position of the ink and each ink area. 6. The discrimination means, in response to the detection by the detection means, discriminating means for discriminating the number of ink regions of the predetermined color, and the head position of each set of ink regions according to the discrimination by the discriminating means. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for discriminating each ink area. 7. The light emitting means for irradiating the ink ribbon with light that passes through the ink areas of the predetermined color and does not pass through the ink areas of other colors, and the light emitting means sandwiches the ink ribbon. A light receiving unit that is arranged facing the unit, receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit and has passed through the ink ribbon, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the received light amount. The printing device according to Item 4, 5 or 6. 8. The light emitting means for irradiating the ink ribbon with light reflected by the ink area of the predetermined color and absorbed by the ink area of another color, the light detecting means emitting light from the light emitting means. 7. The printing device according to claim 4, 5 or 6, further comprising: a light receiving unit that receives the light reflected by the ink ribbon and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of received light.