CN100478186C

CN100478186C - Print apparatus, ribbon movement control device, ribbon film, ribbon movement control method and device

Info

Publication number: CN100478186C
Application number: CNB2006101403768A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 泽田康一; 小野胜久; 牛头悟; 鸭田仁
Original assignee: Sony Corp
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 2005-08-02
Filing date: 2006-08-02
Publication date: 2009-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-02
Also published as: JP4752380B2; JP2007038464A; CN1944060A

Abstract

A print apparatus includes a print unit that records a print pattern with a thermal head and a ribbon film, the ribbon film having a base film on which transfer-material areas and margin areas including cue marks are arranged; a cue-mark detector that detects the cue marks; a ribbon-moving mechanism that moves the ribbon film on which the transfer-material areas and the cue marks are arranged such that L1 < L2 is satisfied, where L1 is a distance between the leading edge of each transfer-material area and the corresponding cue mark and L2 is a distance between a transfer position and a cue-mark detection position; and a ribbon movement controller that monitors the cue-mark detection and moves the ribbon film backward by a distance corresponding to the difference between the distances L1 and L2, thereby positioning the ribbon film with respect to a print start position.

Description

PRN device, ribbon film and colour band mobile controller and method

The cross reference of related application

The present invention includes the theme relevant with following application, the Japanese patent application JP2005-223540 that submits to Japan Patent office on August 2nd, 2005, in the Japanese patent application JP2005-223539 that on August 2nd, 2005 submitted to Japan Patent office, the full content of these applications is incorporated at this by reference.

Technical field

One embodiment of the present of invention relate to a kind of PRN device that comprises thermal head.An alternative embodiment of the invention relates to a kind of colour band mobile controller, is used for transfer materials zone location with the colour band film at the printing initiating position place.An alternative embodiment of the invention relates to a kind of colour band control method for movement and program, and it has been realized by the colour band film of reeling again after detecting cue mark, next function of locating this colour band film with respect to printing initiating position.

In addition, an alternative embodiment of the invention relates to a kind of colour band film, and this colour band film is applicable to by the colour band film of reeling again after detecting cue mark, next method of locating this colour band film with respect to printing initiating position.

Background technology

The Method of printing that uses in thermal printer is known dyestuff-sublimation method, melting method and temperature sensing method.

A kind of typical thermal printer (thermal printer) comprises a linear temperature-sensitive (thermalhead) head, and this thermal head has a plurality of heating element heaters of arranging along the print span direction (resistive element).Can control the heat that generates by these heating element heaters individually according to tonal gradation, and can go up a plurality of points of the different tonal gradations of record at record-paper (recording medium).For example, in dyestuff-sublimation method, during placing between thermal head and the record-paper, colour band controls the heat that generates by these heating element heaters separately, so that half-tone information is recorded on the record-paper.

When using colour band, colour band be wound on usually that feed reel (feed reel) is gone up and machine reel (take upreel) on.When printing was carried out, colour band was pulled out from feed reel, and is wound on the machine reel.This colour band comprises basal film, has arranged the transfer printing-material area that is formed by the material that includes dyestuff (as the China ink layer), hot-pressed material (as laminated film) etc. along the longitudinal direction of this this colour band thereon.

For example, with the arranged in order of yellow ink (Y), magenta ink (M), cyan ink (C) and laminated film (L) they.

In addition, near the forward position of each the transfer printing-material area on this colour band, form cue mark.For example, be used for the colour band of colour print, this cue mark is used for providing indication in the operation that continuously China ink of different colours is transferred on the printing paper.

For example, cue mark is the black that extends across this basal film, the pattern of strip, and the mark detecting sensor that is positioned at the thermal head downstream is optically detected.

Usually, the distance L between the forward position of each cue mark and corresponding transfer printing-material area 1 is set to equal the distance L 2 between mark detecting sensor and the thermal head.Therefore, when mark detecting sensor detected cue mark, the forward position of transfer printing-material area arrived the position (that is printing initiating position) that is sitting at the thermal head below.

Fig. 1 shows the structure of known colour band.Colour band shown in Fig. 1 can be used for carrying out the superimposed printing of three kinds of colors of ink of use and covers print area with laminated film.

As shown in Figure 1, each cue mark 1 and be spaced from each other with distance L 1 with this cue mark 1 corresponding transfer printing-material area 3.In addition, the interval region (margin area) 5 that is not used in printing is arranged between adjacent transfer printing-material area 3.Each cue mark 1 is positioned at the place, forward position in corresponding interval zone 5.

Distance L 1 is set to equal distance L 2 between the link position of the link position of mark detecting sensor and thermal head.

The open 2002-292957 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application discloses a kind of example of known structure.

Summary of the invention

In known colour band structure, provide interval region 5, each interval region all has the length of the distance L 2 between the link position of the link position that equals mark detecting sensor and thermal head.Because the quantity of interval region 5 equates with the quantity of the transfer printing-material area that forms on this colour band, so the total length of colour band increases (that is to say, increase along with the increase of printable number) along with the increase of the quantity of the transfer printing-material area that wherein comprises.

This also increased the consumption of basal film and print after the discarded object that abandons.So,, need improve in view of production cost and environmental pressure.

In addition, in known colour band structure, winding diameter increases along with the increase of the length of basal film.This feasible size that is difficult to reduce ribbon cartridge.

Desirable solution is to eliminate interval region 5 (that is to say, distance L 1 is reduced to 0).Yet in fact, it is extremely difficult that structure allows the space layout of such thermal printer of arranging.

Therefore, inventor of the present invention has proposed following colour band location technology.

That is to say, a kind of colour band localization method that uses in PRN device is proposed, this PRN device comprises: print unit, it is by thermal head being pressed on the recording medium and write down print pattern arbitrarily on this recording medium, wherein ribbon film places between this thermal head and the recording medium, this ribbon film has basal film, has alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and the interval region that comprises the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area along the longitudinal direction of this basal film; Indication-mark detector is positioned at the downstream of this print unit and is configured to detect this cue mark.This method comprises following processing:

The processing of (a1) indication that supervision is carried out by indication-mark detector during colour band moves forward-mark detection, transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged on the ribbon film like this so that satisfy L1＜L2, wherein L1 (it is 0 or more) is the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance between the corresponding cue mark, and L2 (it is greater than 0) is a distance between the indication-mark detection position of transfer position and indication-mark detector of thermal head; And

(a2) ribbon film detect from indication-mark the position finish towards feed reel move a distance backward, thus with of the processing of this ribbon film with respect to the printing initiating position location, this distance poor corresponding to distance L 1 that is calculated as L2-L1 and L2 wherein.

In addition, inventor of the present invention has also proposed a kind of ribbon film, and it comprises basal film, has alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and the interval region that comprises the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area along the longitudinal direction of this basal film.On this ribbon film, transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged like this so that satisfy following condition:

(b1) satisfy L0＜L2, wherein L0 (it is 0 or more) is the distance between the forward position of the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and corresponding interval region, and L2 (it is greater than 0) is the transfer position of thermal head and the distance between indication-mark detection position.

In addition, inventor of the present invention has proposed a kind of ribbon film, and it comprises basal film, has alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and the interval region that comprises the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area along the longitudinal direction of this basal film.On this ribbon film, transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged like this so that satisfy following condition:

(c1) L1＜L2, wherein L1 (it is 0 or more) is the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance between the corresponding cue mark, and L2 (it is greater than 0) is the transfer position of thermal head and the distance between indication-mark detection position.

In addition, the another kind of colour band localization method that uses in PRN device has been proposed, this PRN device comprises: print unit, its any print pattern of record by thermal head being pressed on the print media and on recording medium, wherein ribbon film is placed between this thermal head and this recording medium, this ribbon film has basal film, has alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and the interval region that comprises the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area along the longitudinal direction of this basal film; And indication-mark detector, be positioned at the downstream of this print unit and be configured to detect this cue mark.This method comprises following processing:

(a1) term of execution of the printing of use and the corresponding transfer printing-material area of this cue mark, monitor the processing of cue mark by the indication-mark detection position of this indication-mark detector, this transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged on the ribbon film like this so that satisfy L1＜L2, wherein L1 (it is 0 or more) is that L2 (it is greater than 0) is the transfer position of thermal head and the distance between described indication-mark detection position in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance between the corresponding cue mark;

(a2) determine in the processing that detects the amount of movement that this ribbon film moves in cue mark and the printing period between finishing; And

(a3) from when detecting cue mark, deduct determined amount of movement the length sum of the length of the unprocessed portion of definite transfer printing-material area and each interval region based on the colour band form, and this ribbon film is moved forward and the corresponding distance of this subtraction result, thus the forward position of next transfer printing-material area is positioned at the processing at printing initiating position place.

In colour band location technology according to the embodiment of the invention, by (from finishing the position of indication-mark detection) moves and the corresponding distance of L2-L1 backward towards feed reel from indication-mark detection position, the forward position of each transfer printing-material area can be positioned at a position (printing initiating position) that is located immediately at below the thermal head and locate.

Therefore, can reduce restriction to the link position of the link position of indication-mark detector in the thermal printer and thermal head.

In addition, when the distance L 0 between the forward position of the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and corresponding interval region during less than the transfer position of thermal head and the distance L 2 between indication-mark detection position, compare with the total length of known ribbon film, the total length of this ribbon film can reduce and can not reduce printable number.

In addition, when the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance L 1 between the corresponding cue mark during less than the transfer position of thermal head and the distance L 2 between indication-mark detection position, the distance L 0 between the forward position in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and corresponding interval zone can be set to less than distance L 2.So, to compare with the total length of known ribbon film, the total length of this ribbon film can reduce and can not reduce printable number.

In the ribbon film location technology according to the embodiment of the invention, the forward position of transfer printing-material area positions by following method.That is to say, at first, detecting when the corresponding cue mark of transfer printing-material area, determine just to stand the length of unprocessed portion of the transfer printing-material area of printing based on the colour band form.Then, calculate the length of unprocessed portion and the length sum of each interval region.Then, from above-mentioned acquisition and deduct at the amount of movement that detects this colour band in cue mark and the printing period between finishing.Then, this colour band is moved forward and the corresponding amount of this subtraction result.

Therefore, during the printing of transfer printing-material area, can carry out the preparation that calculating is used to locate the quantity delivered of next transfer printing-material area.

In addition, the length L 2 between the transfer position of thermal head and indication-mark detection position needn't equal the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the length L 1 between the corresponding cue mark.Therefore can reduce restriction to the link position of the link position of indication-mark detector in thermal printer and thermal head.

In addition, when the distance L 1 between the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the corresponding cue mark less than the transfer position of thermal head during with the distance L 2 between indication-mark detection position, the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and accordingly the distance L 0 between the forward position of interval region can be set to less than distance L 2.Therefore, compare with the total length of known ribbon film, the total length of this ribbon film can reduce and can not reduce printable number.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the figure that a kind of known colour band is shown;

Fig. 2 is the figure that the colour band structure that is proposed is shown;

Fig. 3 is illustrated in the figure that effectively utilizes the mode in space in the colour band that is proposed;

Fig. 4 is the figure that the system configuration example of thermal printer is shown;

Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B are the figure of topology example that the sensor of the rewinding amount that is used to detect colour band is shown;

Fig. 6 shows a kind of figure of internal structure example of colour band mobile controller;

Fig. 7 shows the figure that locatees the processing of transfer printing-material area by this colour band of rewinding;

Fig. 8 shows the figure by the performed colour band Movement Control Agency reason example of colour band mobile controller;

Fig. 9 shows the figure of colour band move mode example;

Figure 10 shows the figure of another example of the internal structure of colour band mobile controller;

Figure 11 shows the figure of a colour band for an example of the internal structure of band device;

Figure 12 A to Figure 12 C shows the figure for the computed image of band amount;

Figure 13 shows the figure by the step in another example of the colour band Movement Control Agency reason of colour band mobile controller execution;

Figure 14 shows the figure of the step in the colour band Movement Control Agency reason performed after step shown in Figure 13;

Figure 15 shows the figure of another example of colour band move mode;

Figure 16 shows the figure of another example of colour band structure;

Figure 17 shows the figure of another example of colour band structure; And

Figure 18 shows the figure of another example of colour band structure.

The specific embodiment

Will be described below embodiments of the invention.For the parts that do not illustrate especially or describe in this manual, be suitable for generally or disclose known technology.

The embodiments described below only are examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

First embodiment

A. colour band structure

Fig. 2 shows the example of the colour band that uses in current embodiment.Colour band shown in Figure 2 is used to carry out three looks to be printed, and covers the zone of being printed with laminated film.

Colour band has along the longitudinal direction of basal film and alternately is arranged in transfer printing-material area 11 and interval region 13 on the basal film.In current embodiment, the length L 0 of each interval region 13 is shorter than the transfer position of thermal head and the distance L 2 between indication-mark detection position.In other words, like this arrangement interval zone 13 so that satisfy L0＜L2.

By being applied to, the solid ink (material that comprises dyestuff) of yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) and laminated film (hot-pressed material) form transfer printing-material area 11 on the basal film.

Interval region 13 is the join domains that place between adjacent transfer-material area 11.Each interval region 13 all has the cue mark 15 that is used to locate corresponding transfer printing-material area 11.In current embodiment, with regard to the width of cue mark 15, this cue mark 15 places the basic center of each interval region 13 along the longitudinal direction of basal film.

Therefore, the distance L 1 (＞0) between the forward position of each cue mark 15 and corresponding transfer printing-material area 11 is shorter than the transfer position of thermal head and the distance L 2 between indication-mark detection position.In other words, satisfy L1＜L2.

Cue mark 15 has the optical characteristics that is different from interval region 13, so that can detect cue mark 15 optically.For example, when basal film was made of transparent material in interval region 13, cue mark 15 formed nontransparent pattern.In current embodiment, cue mark 15 forms the black bar of extending across basal film.

As mentioned above, the length L 0 of each interval region 13 is shorter than the transfer position of thermal head and the distance L 2 between indication-mark detection position.

Therefore, compare with known colour band, the total length of colour band shown in Figure 2 can significantly reduce and can not reduce printable number.

Fig. 3 shows the structure of known colour band and according to the figure of the difference between the colour band structure of current embodiment.In Fig. 3, (A) show known colour band, (B) show colour band according to current embodiment.

From Fig. 3 obviously as can be known, the length of each interval region is the main difference between these two structures, and this difference provides the remarkable minimizing of length, even this also is like this in the part that only comprises four transfer printing-material areas.

But, when the colour band that will have structure shown in Figure 2 invests known thermal printer simply, can not obtain correct print result.

In the following description, can set forth a kind of correct thermal printer that moves the control function of colour band that has with structure shown in Figure 2.

B. thermal printer

B-1. system architecture

Fig. 4 shows the system configuration example of a kind of dyestuff-subliming type thermal printer.This thermal printer uses the colour band 23 of having used sublimable solid ink in its transfer printing-material area,, and can carry out three looks that use yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) and print.

Fig. 4 only shows the major part of the structure that is used for mobile colour band 23 and recording paper 25.Therefore, except the device shown in Fig. 4, actual thermal printer also comprises known control device and drive unit.

In the thermal printer shown in Fig. 4, recording paper 25 is rolled into web-like.Recording paper 25 is placed in the container (not shown), and is pulled out to the printing portion of wherein having placed thermal head 27 along mobile route from this container.

This thermal printer comprises the device on the mobile route that is positioned at record-paper 25 and is positioned at device on the mobile route of colour band 23.

The device that is positioned on the mobile route of record-paper 25 comprises guide roller 31, hold-down roller 33, driving wheel 35 and air roll 37.

The record-paper 25 that guide roller 31 guiding are pulled out from the container (not shown).

Hold-down roller 33 and driving wheel 35 forms driving mechanisms, when being used for being clamped in record-paper 25 between hold-down roller 33 and the drive roll 35 with constant speed along forward direction and inverse direction moving recording paper 25.

Air roll 37 is discharged the record-paper 25 of having printed print pattern on it.

Cut-off knife 39 is located near the tap of discharging record-paper 25 by it, and cuts record-paper 25 by cut-off knife 39 at a preposition place printed print pattern on record-paper 25 after.

Arranged all kinds sensor along the mobile route of record-paper 25.

For example, being used to detect the sensor whether record-paper 25 presented exist places between guide roller 31 and the hold-down roller 33 (driving wheel 35).This sensor is the transmission sensor that for example comprises light emitting diode 41A and phototransistor 41B.

Similarly, being used to detect the sensor whether record-paper 25 of being discharged exist places between air roll 37 and the cut-off knife 39.This sensor is the transmission sensor that for example comprises light emitting diode 43A and phototransistor 43B.

This thermal printer also comprises a kind of colour band travel mechanism, and this travel mechanism includes winding motor 51 and rewinding motor 53.

Winding motor 51 is used for rotating machine reel 55 so that colour band 23 is pulled out from feed reel 57.

Rewinding motor 53 is used for rotating feed reel 57 so that colour band 23 is pulled out from machine reel 55.

The mobile route of colour band 23 also provides various sensors.

For example, the mark detecting sensor that is used to detect cue mark places between thermal head 27 and the machine reel 55.This sensor is the transmission sensor that for example comprises light emitting diode 61A and phototransistor 61B.This sensor places along the moving direction of colour band 23, from the position (mark detection position) of attachment position (transfer position) the displacement L2 of thermal head 27.

In addition, the sensor that is used to detect the rotation amount (the rewinding amount of its indirect representative color band 23) of feed reel 57 places the rotating shaft of feed reel 57.This sensor for example is the transmission sensor that comprises light emitting diode 63A and phototransistor 63B.

Shown in Fig. 5 A, light emitting diode 63A and phototransistor 63B arrange like this in case the dish 73 that passes the rotating shaft 71 that invests feed reel 57 toward each other.

Shown in Fig. 5 B, the dish 73 that plays impulse generator (encoder) effect has a plurality of slits along circumferential arrangement.For example, 90 slits have been formed.In this case, when the rotating shaft 71 of feed reel 57 (dish 73) rotates a circle, detect out (On) or close (Off) signal 180 times.

This thermal printer also comprises a kind of colour band mobile controller 81 that moves that is used to control colour band 23.Colour band mobile controller 81 control winding motor 51 and rewinding motors 53.Fig. 4 shows the mode that detects back rewinding colour band 23 at indication-mark.

Fig. 6 shows the internal structure example of colour band mobile controller 81.This colour band mobile controller 81 comprises indication-mark-detection watch-dog 83 and an ink ribbon rewind device 85.

This indication-mark-detection watch-dog 83 be used for the rewinding of colour band 23 concurrently, the processing unit that detects of indication-mark of carrying out by mark detecting sensor (phototransistor 61B) of monitoring.The existence that the detection signal Ss that this indication-mark-detection watch-dog 83 is obtained by the phototransistor 61B that is included in the mark detecting sensor by monitoring checks cue mark whether.

Colour band rewinding device 85 be used for after detecting cue mark towards feed reel 57 rewinding colour bands 23 preset distance L3 (=L2-L1), thus with respect to the processing unit of printing initiating position location colour band 23.Try hard to accurate foozle though distance L 1 and L2 comprise, ignore this error here.

When detecting cue mark, ink ribbon rewind device 85 is sent to rewinding motor 53 to the control signal Scont of representative beginning rewinding order.Then, when the rewinding of colour band 23 began, ink ribbon rewind device 85 was monitored the rewinding amount of colour band 23 based on the rotation amount signal Sr from phototransistor 63B input.Then, when the rewinding amount reach predetermined distance L 3 (=L2-L1) time, colour band rewinding device 85 transmits the control signal Scont that representative stops the rewinding order.

Even, can change according to the surplus (winding diameter of feed reel 57) of colour band 23 with the corresponding rotation amount of this rewinding amount when rewinding amount when being constant.The surplus of colour band 23 can use known detection method to obtain.For example, rotation amount (number of turns) that can be by detecting machine reel and feed reel 57 one or both of or the number of having printed are determined the surplus of colour band 23.

Fig. 7 shows before the printing of using each transfer printing-material area begins, the schematic diagram of the operation of rewinding colour band 23.In Fig. 7, (A) show the position of colour band when detecting cue mark, (B) show the position of colour band when beginning printing after the rewinding colour band.

As shown in Figure 7, L2 is the transfer position of thermal head 27 and the distance between indication-mark detection position, and L1 is the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance between the corresponding cue mark.

Because the rewinding operation, though distance L 1 is not equal to distance L 2, this transfer printing-material area can be positioned at the printing initiating position place.

When enclosing colour band 23, rewinding amount L3 is calculated or reads as two distance L 1 and L2 poor (=L2-L1).If the colour band that uses only has a kind of distance L 1, then can in advance corresponding therewith distance L 3 be stored in the storage area.

B-2. printing

A. overall printing

At first overall printing will be described.In this printing, pull out record-paper 25 when being clipped in record-paper 25 between hold-down roller 33 and the driving wheel 35, and with its accompanying zone (transfer area) of guiding thermal head 27.

After record-paper 25 was located with respect to printing initiating position, thermal head 27 moved down so that colour band 23 and record-paper 25 are pressed on the air roll 37.

At this moment, colour band 23 also directly is positioned at thermal head 27 belows by guide roller (not shown) guiding for use in the forward position of one group of transfer printing-material area of yellow ink (Y), magenta ink (M), cyan ink (C) and laminated film (L).The forward position of this group transfer printing-material area is corresponding with the forward position of the transfer printing-material area that is used for yellow ink (Y).

Then, when the input gray level data, thermal printer drives the heating element heater that is included in the thermal head 27 selectively when moving forward record-paper 25.Correspondingly, the ink sublimation on the colour band 23 and print pattern is transferred on the record-paper 25.

In colour print, carry out the processing of transfer printing print pattern for every kind of color.Therefore, when each colour band 23 moved forward and want the mass colour of transfer printing to change, hold-down roller 33 and driving wheel 35 rotated in opposite direction so that the forward position of record-paper 25 turns back to printing initiating position.

In current embodiment, when the print pattern with yellow (Y), magenta (M) or cyan (C) was transferred on the record-paper 25, record-paper 25 moved in opposite direction.

Then, the record-paper 25 that has formed the colour print pattern thereon is through after the lamination treatment, and record-paper 25 moves forward to tap and cut in the precalculated position by cut-off knife 39.

Like this, just finished the printing on sheet-fed.

Then, record-paper 25 is rolled again again, and carries out the positioning action that the forward position of record-paper 25 is positioned at the printing initiating position place.

B. colour band moves control

Next, the mobile control operation that description control colour band 23 is moved.This operation is proposed by the present invention person and is used for each transfer printing-material area is positioned at the printing initiating position place.

Fig. 8 shows the mobile control operation process of colour band 23.

When the input print command, colour band mobile controller 81 rotation machine reels 55 also begin to move forward colour band 23 (S1).

Next, the detection signal Ss that obtains among the phototransistor 61B of colour band mobile controller 81 monitoring from be included in mark detecting sensor, and the existence of the cue mark 15 of definite Yellow ink (Y) whether (S2).Repeat this determining step till detecting cue mark 15.In the meantime, colour band 23 moves forward continuously.

When detecting cue mark 15 by mark detecting sensor, colour band mobile controller 81 stops to move forward of colour band 23.Simultaneously, colour band mobile controller 81 calculates the rewinding amounts based on distance L 3 so that transfer printing-the material area of Yellow ink (Y) is positioned at printing initiating position place (S3).

As mentioned above, it is the poor of distance L 2 and distance L 1 that rewind distance L3 is confirmed as, wherein distance L 2 is the distance from the transfer position of thermal head to indication-mark detection position, and distance L 1 is to the distance of corresponding cue mark from the forward position of each transfer printing-material area.

The rewinding amount is converted to the revolution (umber of pulse of rotation amount signal Sr) of feed reel 57 in opposite direction.The rewinding amount changes according to the winding diameter of the colour band 23 on feed reel 57.

Therefore, the data of relevant colour band 23 surpluses can be obtained by a kind of known method.For example, the revolution that can change forward based on the number of having printed, roller etc. is estimated the surplus of colour band 23.

Determining rewinding amount (revolution) by calculating afterwards, colour band mobile controller 81 rewinding colour bands 23 reach and the corresponding amount of determined revolution, and the transfer printing-material area with Yellow ink (Y) is positioned at the position (S4) that is located immediately at thermal head 27 belows thus.

More specifically, 81 monitoring of colour band mobile controller are from the rotation amount signal Sr of rotation amount sensor (light emitting diode 63A and phototransistor 63B) input, and, stop the rewinding of colour band 23 when after beginning rewinding operation, when the reverse rotation amount of feed reel 57 reaches the revolution of expectation.

After the transfer printing-material area of Yellow ink (Y) was positioned at the printing initiating position place, thermal head 27 moved down and presses to record-paper 25 and allows colour band 23 place between the two.Under this state, begin operation (S5) with Yellow ink (Y) record print pattern.

Then, the amount that moves forward by driving wheel 35 when record-paper 25 (with colour band 23) reach with the length of transfer printing-material area corresponding apart from the time, the printing of Yellow ink (Y) finishes (S6).Then, thermal head 27 moves up and moves so that colour band 23 can be independent of record-paper 25.

Then, for indication-mark of carrying out next transfer printing-material area (that is to say the transfer printing-material area of magenta ink (M)) detects, colour band mobile controller 81 rotates machine reel 55 once more forward.In other words, colour band 23 moves forward (S7).

Then, the existence of the detection signal Ss that obtains of the phototransistor 61Bs of colour band mobile controller 81 monitoring from be included in mark detecting sensor and the cue mark 15 that is identified for magenta ink (M) whether (S8).Repeat this determining step till detecting cue mark 15.In the meantime, colour band 23 moves forward continuously.

Then, when detecting cue mark 15, colour band mobile controller 81 is carried out for magenta ink (M) and is similar to the step of S3 to S6.

Similarly, for cyan ink (C) and laminated film (L) carry out with S1 to the similar step of S6.

Then, print when finishing the mobile control operation that is used for the colour band 23 of single print processing be through with (S9) when lamination.

After lamination is printed, discharge record-paper 25.

Fig. 9 shows the schematic diagram of the move mode of colour band in above-mentioned mobile control.Position relation between mark detection position, thermal head position and colour band zone has been shown among Fig. 9.

Among Fig. 9, time point t1 to t5 corresponding to when transfer printing-material area 1 uses in printing, the move operation of performed colour band.

With reference to Fig. 9, colour band moves forward till detecting cue mark, rewinding is up to moving forward once more till the forward position of having located transfer printing-material area 1 and during printing.

Time point t6 to t10 corresponding to when transfer printing-material area 2 uses in printing, the move operation of performed colour band.

Similar to the situation of wherein using transfer printing-material area 1, colour band moves forward till detecting cue mark, rewinding is up to moving forward once more till the forward position of having located transfer printing-material area 2 and during printing.

C. the advantage that this embodiment obtained

According to known method, when colour band was detected corresponding cue mark 1 by such design with box lunch, the forward position of each transfer printing-material area 3 directly was positioned the below of thermal head 27.So the distance L 1 between the forward position of each transfer printing-material area 3 and corresponding cue mark 1 is set to equal the distance L 2 between the attachment position of thermal head 27 and the attachment position of mark detecting sensor (61A and 61B).

So, according to known method, there is not the size of the interval region 5 of contribution to increase along with the increase of distance L 2 to printing, and the also corresponding increase of the total length of colour band.

Comparatively speaking, thermal printer according to current embodiment has such control function, promptly be used for after detecting corresponding cue mark 15, by the predetermined distance L 3 of colour band 23 rewinding (=L1-L2) forward position with each transfer printing-material area 11 is positioned at the directly position below thermal head 27.

Therefore, can be minimized in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area 11 and the distance L 1 between the corresponding cue mark 15.

Therefore, can minimize to print not contribution basal film on the size in zone (as interval region 13), and can reduce the consumption of basal film.As a result, can reduce the total length of colour band and can not reduce printable number, and can correspondingly reduce the winding diameter of colour band.The reducing of basal film consumption not only helps reducing of production cost, and helps the reducing of overall dimensions of ribbon cartridge, and this causes reducing of thermal printer shell sizes.

The size of space that provides in each transfer printing-material area can be provided in increase along with the supply degree of accuracy of accuracy in detection of expecting in above-mentioned control method for movement and colour band.So, can use transfer materials effectively and alleviate the burden of environment.

In known method, the distance L 2 between the attachment position of the attachment position of thermal head 27 and mark detecting sensor is set to as much as possible little so that reduce the size of each interval region in the colour band 23.Therefore, the attachment position of thermal head 27 and mark detecting sensor is limited.

Comparatively speaking, when the control method for movement that uses according to current embodiment, eliminated the restriction of the L2 that adjusts the distance, and the space layout of these parts has more freedom.

D. other embodiment

(a) structure that allows the colour band of colour print and lamination treatment has been described in the above-described embodiments.

Yet, wherein be configured to also can be applicable to the colour band of other types less than the structure of the distance L 2 between the attachment position of the attachment position of thermal head 27 and mark detecting sensor in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance L 1 between the corresponding cue mark (that is to say the length L 0 of each interval region 13).

For example, said structure also can be applied to be used for wherein not carrying out the colour band of the colour print of lamination treatment.In such cases, the transfer printing-material area of Yellow ink (Y), magenta ink (M) and cyan ink (C) forms group, and the transfer printing-material area that is used for these three kinds of colors repeats to be arranged in basal film.

Describe though above three looks are printed as example, said structure also can be applicable to use four kinds or the colour print of more colors that comprises black (K).In addition, said structure also can be applicable to carry out according to purposes the colour band of any multi-color printing.

Said structure also can be applied to the monochromatic colour band of printing.Figure 16 shows the structure of the colour band that only allows use black (K) ink print.As shown in the figure, all transfer printing-material areas are all corresponding to black ink (K).

Certainly, color of ink is not subject to black (K), and can be yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and other colors.In addition, said structure also can be applicable to be exclusively used in the ribbon film of lamination treatment.

(b) in the above-described embodiments, all cue marks that are used for transfer printing-material area all are of similar shape.

Yet, depending on the type of corresponding transfer printing-material area and the position between them relation, cue mark can have different shapes.

For example, the transfer printing that is used on sheet-fed, printing-material area group, the shape of the cue mark of first transfer printing-material area can be different from second and the shape of the cue mark of follow-up transfer printing-material area.

Figure 17 shows the colour band structure with such layout.According to this layout, can identify the stage of colour band.For example, extend, still locate to have the black bar of otch, then can before the beginning printing, detect the stage displacement in the centre position if detect on colour band during performed indication-mark detects before the beginning printing.In this case, move forward colour band up to detect on the colour band expansion but till not having the bar of otch.

(c) in the above-described embodiments, each cue mark 15 is positioned in the basic center in corresponding interval zone 13.

Yet as long as each cue mark 15 is positioned within the corresponding interval region 13, the position of this cue mark 15 is just not limited.For example, as shown in figure 18, each cue mark 15 can be positioned at the place, forward position in corresponding interval zone 13.As selection, each cue mark 15 also can be positioned at the Hou Yanchu in corresponding interval zone 13.

(d) in the above-described embodiments, use transmission sensor as the sensor that is installed in the thermal printer.Yet, also can use other sensors such as reflective sensor.

(e) though set forth dyestuff-distillation thermal printer in the above-described embodiments, the structure of the foregoing description also can be applied to use the thermal printer of melting method or temperature sensing method.

(f) in the above-described embodiments, colour band mobile controller 81 provides as a hardware configuration.But also can obtain the function similar by making microprocessor (arithmetical unit) carry out corresponding signal process to colour band mobile controller 81.

(g) in the above-described embodiments, record-paper 25 is continuous, and reels with the form of volume.But the present invention also can use and wherein manually supply with record-paper or once supply with the situation that many record-papers are supplied with on a ground.

(h) above-mentioned mobile control program can distribute via network, and perhaps the form with the storage medium that wherein has program stored therein distributes.Storage medium can be a magnetic-based storage media, optical storage medium, semiconductor storage medium etc.

(i) the foregoing description can carry out various modifications in main idea scope of the present invention.In addition, can create various modifications and application based on the description of this specification.

Second embodiment

In a second embodiment, the forward position of transfer printing-material area positions by following method.That is to say, at first, when detecting when the corresponding cue mark of transfer printing-material area, determine just to print the length of unprocessed portion of the transfer printing-material area of operation based on the form of colour band.Then, calculate the length of this unprocessed portion and the length sum of each interval region.Then, from above-mentioned acquisition and deduct at the amount of movement that detects colour band in cue mark and the printing period between finishing.Then, colour band moves forward and the corresponding amount of this subtraction result.Therefore, locate the forward position of next transfer printing-material area.

Figure 10 shows the internal structure according to the colour band mobile controller 81 of current embodiment.Colour band mobile controller 81 comprises that indication-mark-83, one ink ribbon rewind devices 85 of detection watch-dog and a colour band are for band device 87.

This indication-mark-detection watch-dog 83 be used for the coiling of colour band 23 concurrently, the processing unit that detects of indication-mark of carrying out by mark detecting sensor (phototransistor 61B) of monitoring.Operating winding is indicated coiling of carrying out (as described below, as in fact to have two kinds of indications to provide) and the coiling of carrying out for providing before being included in the beginning printing during printing.

The existence that the detection signal Ss that this indication-mark-detection monitor 83 is obtained by the phototransistor 61B that is included in the mark detecting sensor by monitoring checks cue mark whether.

Ink ribbon rewind device 85 be used for detect with will be after the corresponding cue mark of transfer printing-material area (transfer printing-material area of the Yellow ink in current embodiment (Y)) that the single print processing is at first used, with colour band 23 towards feed reel 57 rewinding preset distance L3 (=L2-L1), locate the processing unit of colour band 23 thus with respect to printing initiating position.Try hard to accurate foozle though distance L 1 and L2 comprise, this here error can be ignored.

When detecting cue mark, on behalf of the control signal Scont1 of beginning rewinding order, ink ribbon rewind device 85 will send rewinding motor 53 to.

Then, when beginning the rewinding of colour band 23, ink ribbon rewind device 85 is monitored the rewinding amount of colour band 23 based on the rotation amount signal Sr from phototransistor 63B input.Then, when the rewinding amount reach preset distance L3 (=L2-L1) time, ink ribbon rewind device 85 transmits the control signal Scont1 that representative stops the rewinding order.

Even when the rewinding amount be constant, also change with the corresponding rotation amount of rewinding amount according to the surplus (winding diameter of feed reel 57) of colour band 23.The surplus of colour band 23 can use known detection method to obtain.For example, rotation amount (number of turns) that can be by detecting machine reel 55 and feed reel 57 one or both of or the number of having printed are determined the surplus of colour band 23.

Next colour band feeder 87 will be described.Colour band feeder 87 is the processing units that are used for being positioned at the transfer printing-material area (that is to say the transfer printing-material area of the magenta ink among the current embodiment (M), cyan ink (C) and laminated film (L)) that uses in second and the follow-up circulation of single print processing.

Figure 11 shows the internal structure example of colour band feeder 87.Colour band feeder 87 comprises pulse counter 871, amount of movement getter 873 and quantity delivered calculator 875.

Pulse counter 871 is such processing units, and it calculates in the period that detects in the printing of using certain transfer printing-material area between cue mark 15 and this printing end, the rotation quantity (umber of pulse of rotation amount pulse Sr) of feed reel 57.

Inform the detection that detects cue mark 15 by indication-mark detecting signal Ss from indication-mark-detection watch-dog 83 outputs.Inform the end of the printing of using corresponding transfer printing-material area by the rotating signal of driving wheel 35 acquisitions.

The count number that will obtain in the above-mentioned period offers amount of movement getter 673 as count value FG1.

In current embodiment, in the count value of replacement pulse counter 871 when detecting cue mark 15.In other words, replacement count value when carrying out the printing of using new transfer printing-material area.Therefore, count value FG1 is not subjected to the influence of the measurement result of other transfer printing-material areas.This means the propagation that can eliminate error.

In addition, during the above-mentioned period, colour band 23 and record-paper 25 are being moved simultaneously by coarctate mutually.Therefore, the rotation amount of feed reel 57 has accurately reflected the amount of movement of ribbon film.

Amount of movement getter 873 is such processing units, the amount of movement St that it can determine in detecting cue mark and using period between the printing end with the corresponding transfer printing-material area of this cue mark, ribbon film moved.This amount of movement getter 873 receives the surplus information SR of colour band 23, and as mentioned above, this surplus information SR can be determined by known detection method.For example the winding diameter with feed reel 57 provides as surplus information SR.

Amount of movement getter 873 uses this surplus information SR that count value FG1 is converted to amount of movement St.

Quantity delivered calculator 875 is such processing units, and it calculates colour band 23 and moves forward so that the forward position of next transfer printing-material area is positioned at the quantity delivered at printing initiating position place.

Calculate quantity delivered based on the form relevant with in the transfer position of thermal head and the formula of the distance L 2 between the cue mark detection position with the colour band size.More specifically, used such fact, promptly the distance L 4 when detecting cue mark 15, between the forward position of the transfer position of temperature-sensitive 27 and next transfer printing-material area 11 is confirmed as regular length.

Regular length L4 equals length and each interval region length sum of the unprocessed portion of transfer printing-material area.

Quantity delivered calculator 875 calculates quantity delivered L5 by deduct this amount of movement St from regular length L4.

Figure 12 A to 12C is the figure that shows the computed image of quantity delivered L5.

Figure 12 A shows the not situation of location of ribbon film wherein with being offset.Under this situation, when printing finished, the back edge of transfer printing-material area was positioned at the position of thermal head.Therefore, by from regular length L4, deducting the width L0 that quantity delivered L50 that amount of movement St0 obtains equals interval region 13.

The situation that Figure 12 B shows wherein when the printing of using this ribbon film begins, the forward position of transfer printing-material area is offset downstream.Under this situation, when printing finished, the back edge of transfer printing-material area was positioned at the downstream of thermal head position.In addition because compare with the situation that does not wherein have skew, cue mark 15 early reaches the mark detection position, so compare with the situation that wherein not have to be offset, amount of movement St1 is bigger.In Figure 12 B, the part of interval region 13 be positioned at thermal head below.

Under this situation, from regular length L4, deduct amount of movement St1 and the quantity delivered L51 that obtains less than the width L0 of interval region 13.

Figure 12 C shows when the printing of using colour band begins, the situation that the forward position of transfer printing-material area upstream is offset.Under this situation, when printing finished, the back edge of transfer printing-material area was positioned at the upstream of thermal head position.In addition, because compare with the situation that does not wherein have skew, indicate and show note 15 later arrival mark detection positions, so compare with the situation that does not wherein have skew, amount of movement St2 is less.In Figure 12 C, the part of transfer printing-material area 11 be positioned at thermal head below.Under this situation, from regular length L4, deduct amount of movement st2 and the quantity delivered L51 that obtains greater than the width L0 of interval region 13.

So even produced skew when the forward position of one of transfer printing-material area 11 is positioned at the printing initiating position place, the influence of this skew also only is applied on this transfer printing-material area 11, and other transfer printing-material area 11 and unaffected.

This is because as mentioned above, when detecting cue mark 15, and the rotation amount of replacement feed reel 57 (number of pulses).

Next, use description to control the mobile control operation of moving of colour band 23.This operation is proposed by the present inventor and is used for each transfer printing-material area is positioned at the printing initiating position place.

Figure 13 and 14 shows the mobile control operation process of colour band 23.

When the input print command, colour band mobile controller 81 rotation machine reels 55 also begin to move forward colour band 23 (S101).

Next, the detection signal Ss that the phototransistor 61Bs of colour band mobile controller 81 monitoring from be included in mark detecting sensor obtain, and the existence of definite Yellow ink (Y) cue mark 15 whether (S102).Repeat this determining step till detecting cue mark 15 always.In the meantime, colour band 23 moves forward continuously.

When mark detecting sensor detected cue mark 15, colour band mobile controller 81 stopped to move forward of colour band 23.Simultaneously, colour band mobile controller 81 calculates the rewinding amounts based on distance L 3 so that transfer printing-the material area of Yellow ink (Y) is positioned at printing initiating position place (S103).

As mentioned above, rewind distance L3 is confirmed as the poor of distance L 2 and distance L 1, and wherein distance L 2 is the distance from the transfer position of thermal head to indication-mark detection position, and distance L 1 is to the distance of corresponding cue mark from the forward position of each transfer printing-material area.

The rewinding amount is converted to feed reel 57 number (umber of pulse of rotation amount signal Sr) of turn-taking in opposite direction.The rewinding amount can change according to the winding diameter of the colour band 23 that centers on feed reel 57.

Therefore, the data of relevant colour band 23 surpluses can obtain by known method.For example, the number of turns that can change forward based on the number that has printed, feed reel or machine reel etc., the surplus of estimation colour band 23.

Determining rewinding amount (number of turns) afterwards by calculating, colour band mobile controller 81 rewinding colour bands 23 reach and the corresponding amount of the determined number of turns, thus transfer printing-the material area of Yellow ink (Y) are positioned at the position (S104) that is located immediately at below the thermal head 27.

More specifically, colour band mobile controller 81 monitors from the rotation amount signal Sr of rotation amount sensor (light emitting diode 63A and phototransistor 63B) input, and, stop the rewinding of colour band 23 when after the beginning rewinding operation, when the reverse rotation amount of feed reel 57 reaches the number of turns of expectation.

After the transfer printing-material area of Yellow ink (Y) was positioned at the printing initiating position place, thermal head 27 moved down and is pressed on the record-paper 25 and with colour band 23 and places between them.In this state, opening entry is used for the operation (S105) of the print pattern of Yellow ink (Y).

Then, colour band mobile controller 81 determines whether to detect cue mark 15 (S106).Repeat this determines till detecting cue mark 15 always.

When detecting cue mark 15, that is to say, when the definite result among the step S106 when being (YES), colour band mobile controller 81 counter of the rotation amount that is used to add up feed reel 57 of resetting, and begin to add up umber of pulse (S107 and S108) from phototransistor 63B input.Therefore, determined count value FG1.

Then, the amount that moves forward by driving wheel 35 when record-paper 25 (with colour band 23) reach with the size of transfer printing-material area corresponding apart from the time, the printing of Yellow ink (Y) finishes (S109).Then, thermal head 27 moves up and moves so that colour band 23 can be independent of record-paper 25.

After the thermal head 27 that moves up or with it simultaneously, colour band mobile controller 81 calculates the quantity delivered L5 (S110) that is used for the forward position of transfer printing-material area of magenta ink (M) (it is next transfer printing-material area) is positioned at the printing initiating position place.

After having calculated quantity delivered L5, colour band mobile controller 81 moves forward colour band 23 and reaches and the corresponding rotation amount of this quantity delivered L5 (S111).In the meantime, the rotation of colour band mobile controller 81 monitoring feed reels 57, and when the rotation amount by rotation amount signal Sr representative reaches the rotation amount of expectation, stop to move forward.Therefore, the forward position with the transfer printing-material area 11 of magenta ink (M) is positioned at the printing initiating position place.

When the transfer printing-material area 11 of magenta ink (M) was positioned in the printing initiating position place, thermal head 27 moved down once more and is pressed on the record-paper 25 and allows colour band be positioned between the two.In this state, opening entry is used for the operation (S112) of the print pattern of magenta ink (M).

Then, similar to the printing of Yellow ink (Y), colour band mobile controller 81 determines whether to detect cue mark 15 (S113).Repeating this determines till detecting cue mark 15.

Then, when detecting cue mark 15, colour band mobile controller 81 be red ink (M) carry out to from the similar step of S107 to S109.

Next, the step that 81 execution of colour band mobile controller are similar with S111 to S110 is to be positioned at the printing initiating position place to the forward position of the transfer printing-material area 11 of cyan ink (C).

Then, carry out similar step for cyan ink (C) with laminated film (L).

Then, print when finishing the mobile control operation that is used for the colour band 23 of single print processing be through with (S114) when lamination.

Then, when lamination is printed end, discharge record-paper 25.

Figure 15 shows the schematic diagram of the move mode of colour band in above-mentioned mobile control.Position relation between mark detection position, thermal head position and the colour band zone has been shown among Figure 15.

In Figure 15, time point t1 to t5 is corresponding to the indication operation of the colour band 23 that is used for Yellow ink (Y) and magenta ink (M).

As shown in figure 15, be used for the indication operation of Yellow ink (Y), colour band move forward till detecting cue mark 15 and colour band by rewinding till the forward position of having located transfer printing-material area.

Time point t2 is corresponding to the state in the forward position of the transfer printing-material area of wherein having located Yellow ink (Y).

After the operation of printing and the corresponding print pattern of Yellow ink (Y) began, colour band 23 moved with record-paper 25.

Time point t3 wherein when carrying out printing with the corresponding print pattern of Yellow ink (Y), detects the corresponding cue mark 15 of transfer printing-material area with Yellow ink (Y) corresponding to such state.

At time point t3 place, the distance between the forward position of the transfer printing-material area of printing initiating position and magenta ink (M) is L4.

At time point t3 place, replacement is used for the count value of the rotation amount of definite feed reel 57, increases progressively this count value then till the printing that is used for Yellow ink (Y) finishes.The count value of Huo Deing is corresponding to amount of movement St like this.As mentioned above, amount of movement St depends on whether have position error and change when printing begins.

When time point t4 finishes the operation of printing and the corresponding print pattern of Yellow ink (Y), the forward position that is identified for the transfer printing-material area of a magenta ink (M) is positioned at the quantity delivered L5 at printing initiating position place.

Time point t5 is corresponding to the state that wherein colour band 23 is moved forward the EO that reaches quantity delivered L5.Be similarly and carry out in cyan ink (C) and the laminated film (L) by moving forward the indication operation that colour band 23 carries out.

According to known method, colour band is designed like this so that when detecting corresponding cue mark 1, the forward position of each transfer printing-material area 3 be positioned directly at thermal head 27 below.Therefore the distance L 2 that is set in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area 3 and the distance L 1 between the corresponding cue mark 1 equal between the attachment position of the attachment position of thermal head 27 and mark detecting sensor (61A and 61B).

So according to known method, the size of the interval region 5 that printing is contributed does not to some extent increase along with the increase of distance L 2, and can correspondingly increase the total length of colour band yet.

Comparatively speaking, thermal printer according to present embodiment has such control function, promptly after detecting corresponding cue mark 15, by rewinding colour band 23 reach preset distance L3 (=L1-L2) and the forward position of the transfer printing-material area 11 that will use for the first time in the single print processing is positioned at the position that is located immediately at below the thermal head 27.

In addition, in this thermal printer, for the transfer printing-material area that uses in second and the follow-up circulation that are positioned at this print processing, formerly carry out cue mark during Xun Huan the printing and detect, and when the printing of previous circulation is finished, calculate the quantity delivered L5 that is used to locate next transfer printing-material area.Then, colour band 23 moves forward the quantity delivered of being calculated.

Correspondingly, can minimize in the basal film printing the zone of not having contribution (that is) size, interval region 13, and can reduce the consumption of basal film.As a result, can reduce the total length of colour band and number that reduce to print, correspondingly can reduce the winding diameter of colour band.The minimizing that basal film consumes not only helps the minimizing of production cost, and helps reducing of ribbon cartridge overall dimensions, and this causes the reducing of shell sizes of thermal printer.

The size of space that provides in each transfer printing-material area can be provided in increase along with the supply degree of accuracy of accuracy in detection desired in the aforesaid control method for movement and colour band.Therefore, can use transfer materials and can alleviate the burden of environment effectively.

As a comparison, when the control method for movement that uses according to current embodiment, eliminated the restriction of the L2 that adjusts the distance, and the space layout of layout has more freedom.

In addition, in the single print processing in used transfer printing-material area (four transfer printing-material areas among the current embodiment), in the indication operation, move forward colour band so as to be positioned at second and follow-up circulation in transfer printing-material area of using.Therefore, and wherein compare, can reduce the time that is used to indicate and the amount of movement of colour band 23 for all transfer printings-material area duplicate detection cue mark 15 and with the situation of the operation of preset distance L3 rewinding colour band.

Quantity delivered L5 is based on being calculated by the amount of movement St of the colour band 23 of accurate measurement (amount of movement during detecting cue mark and the printing period between finishing).In addition, from the principle, be used for determining the count value of amount of movement St because when detecting cue mark, reset, so the propagation of error can't take place.So the degree of accuracy of indication does not reduce.

Then, wherein the structure that is set to less than the distance L 2 between the attachment position of the attachment position of thermal head 27 and mark detecting sensor in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance L 1 between the corresponding cue mark (that is to say the length L 0 of each interval region 13) can be applicable to the colour band of other types.

For example, said structure also can be applied to wherein not carry out the colour band of the colour print of lamination treatment.In this case, be used for the transfer printing-material area formation group of Yellow ink (Y), magenta ink (M) and cyan ink (C), and the transfer printing-material area that is used for these three kinds of colors repeatedly is arranged in basal film.

Describe though above three looks are printed as example, said structure also can be applicable to use four kinds or the colour print of more colors that comprises black (K).In addition, said structure also can be applicable to depend on purposes and the colour band that carries out any multi-color printing.

Said structure also can be applied to be used for the monochromatic colour band of printing.Figure 16 shows the structure of the colour band that only allows use black (K) ink print.As shown in the figure, all transfer printing-material areas are all corresponding to black ink (K).

Certainly, color of ink is not limited to black (K), and also yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and other colors.In addition, said structure also can be applicable to be exclusively used in the ribbon film of lamination treatment.

Yet, depending on the type of corresponding transfer printing-material area and position each other relation, cue mark can have different shapes.

For example, the transfer printing that is used on sheet-fed, printing-material area group, the shape of the cue mark of first transfer printing-material area can be different from and be used for second and the shape of the cue mark of follow-up transfer printing-material area.

Figure 17 shows the structure of the colour band with such layout.Arrange according to this, can identify the stage of colour band.For example, if in indication-mark that beginning printing previous crops is carried out detects, detect expansion on colour band but the position has the black bar of otch therebetween, then can before the beginning printing, detect the stage skew.In this case, move forward colour band up to detecting expanding on the colour band till not having the bar of otch.

(c) in the above-described embodiments, each cue mark 15 is positioned at the basic center in corresponding interval zone 13.

But as long as each cue mark 15 is positioned within the corresponding interval region 13, its position is just unrestricted.For example, as shown in figure 18, each cue mark 15 can be positioned at the place, forward position in corresponding interval zone 13.As selection, each cue mark 15 also can be positioned at the Hou Yanchu in corresponding interval zone 13.

(d) in the above-described embodiments, after detecting cue mark, only the forward position of the transfer printing-material area that uses for the first time in the single print processing positions by this colour band of rewinding.

Yet, the operation that the forward position is positioned at the printing initiating position place also can be carried out repeatedly in the single print processing by the rewinding colour band.

As selection, in the print processing of carrying out continuously, only be that first transfer printing-material area is carried out the operation that the forward position is positioned at the printing initiating position place by the rewinding colour band.In this case, can further shorten the time-write interval.Here, " print processing of carrying out continuously " comprises the situation that wherein repeats " single print processing " in order to print print pattern on many record-papers.

(e) in the above-described embodiments, transmission sensor is used as the sensor that is installed in the thermal printer.Then, also can use other sensors such as reflective sensor.

(f) though set forth dyestuff-distillation thermal printer in the above-described embodiments, the structure of the foregoing description also can be applied to use the thermal printer of melting method or heat-sensitive type method.

(g) in the above-described embodiments, colour band mobile controller 81 provides as hardware configuration.Yet, also can obtain the function similar by causing microprocessor (arithmetical unit) to carry out corresponding signal process to colour band mobile controller 81.

(h) in the above-described embodiments, record-paper 25 is form coilings continuous and to roll up.Yet the present invention also can be applied to wherein manually to supply with record-paper or once supply with the situation that many record-papers are supplied with on a ground.

(i) above-mentioned mobile control program can distribute via network, and perhaps the form with the storage medium of wherein having stored program distributes.Storage medium also can be magnetic-based storage media, optical storage medium, semiconductor storage medium etc.

(j) can in main idea scope of the present invention, carry out various modifications to the foregoing description.In addition, can create various modifications and application based on the description of this specification.

Claims

1, a kind of PRN device comprises:

Print unit, it makes ribbon film place between this thermal head and the recording medium any print pattern of record on this recording medium by thermal head is pressed in simultaneously on recording medium, described ribbon film has basal film, wherein along the longitudinal direction of this basal film, on this basal film, alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and comprised the interval region of the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area;

Indication-mark detector is positioned at the downstream of described print unit and is configured to detect described cue mark;

Ribbon-moving mechanism, it moves described ribbon film, described transfer printing-material area and described cue mark are arranged on the ribbon film like this so that satisfy L1＜L2, wherein L1 is 0 or bigger and be distance between the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and corresponding cue mark, and L2 is greater than 0 and be distance between the indication-mark detection position of the transfer position and the described indication-mark detector of described thermal head; And

The colour band mobile controller, the indication that monitoring is carried out by described indication-mark detector when moving forward described colour band by described colour band mobile controller-mark detects, and ribbon film is moved a distance from the position of finishing indication-mark detection backward towards feed reel, described distance is poor corresponding to distance L 1 and L2's, the difference of described distance L 1 and L2 is calculated by L1-L2, locatees this ribbon film with respect to printing initiating position thus.

2, PRN device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said colour band mobile controller is controlled the rewinding amount of described ribbon film so that described ribbon film equals the poor of distance L 1 and L2 towards the distance that feed reel moves backward, and the difference of described distance L 1 and L2 is calculated by L2-L1.

3, PRN device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said colour band mobile controller control is as the rotation amount of the feed reel of the rewinding amount of described ribbon film.

4, a kind of colour band mobile controller of using at PRN device of being used for, described PRN device comprises: print unit, it is by being pressed in thermal head on the recording medium and allowing ribbon film place between this thermal head and the recording medium simultaneously, come any print pattern of record on this recording medium, described ribbon film has basal film, wherein along the longitudinal direction of this basal film, on this basal film, alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and comprised the interval region of the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area; And indication-mark detector, being positioned at the downstream of described print unit and being configured to detect this cue mark, wherein said colour band mobile controller comprises:

Indication-mark-detection watch-dog, the indication that monitoring is carried out by described indication-mark detector when colour band moves forward-mark detects, described transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged on this ribbon film like this so that satisfy L1＜L2, wherein L1 is 0 or bigger and be in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance between the corresponding cue mark, and L2 is greater than 0 and be distance between the indication-mark detection position of the transfer position and the indication-mark detector of thermal head; And

The ink ribbon rewind device, described ribbon film is moved a distance from the position of finishing indication-mark detection backward towards feed reel, this distance is poor corresponding to distance L 1 and L2's, and the difference of described distance L 1 and L2 is calculated by L2-L1, locatees described ribbon film with respect to printing initiating position thus.

5, a kind of ribbon film comprises:

Basal film, along the longitudinal direction of this basal film, on this basal film, alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and comprised the interval region of the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area,

Wherein, described transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged to and satisfy L1＜L2, wherein L1 is 0 or bigger and be distance between the forward position in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and corresponding interval zone, and L2 is greater than 0 and be in the transfer position of described thermal head and the distance between indication-mark detection position.

6, a kind of ribbon film comprises:

Wherein, described transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged to the L1＜L2 that satisfies condition, wherein L1 is 0 or bigger and be in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance between the corresponding cue mark, and L2 is greater than 0 and be the transfer position of described thermal head and the distance between indication-mark detection position.

7, as the described ribbon film in one of claim 5 and 6, wherein said ribbon film is used for monochromatic the printing.

8, as the described ribbon film in one of claim 5 and 6, wherein said ribbon film is used for multi-color printing.

9,, wherein in described transfer printing-material area, used the material that comprises dyestuff as the described ribbon film in one of claim 5 and 6.

10, as the described ribbon film in one of claim 5 and 6, wherein in described transfer printing-material area, used hot-pressed material.

11, a kind of colour band control method for movement that in PRN device, uses, described PRN device comprises: print unit, by thermal head being pressed on the recording medium and ribbon film being placed between described thermal head and the recording medium simultaneously, on this recording medium, write down print pattern arbitrarily, described ribbon film has basal film, wherein along the longitudinal direction of described basal film, on this basal film, alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and comprised the interval region of the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area; And indication-mark detector, being positioned at the downstream of described print unit and being configured to detect described cue mark, described colour band control method for movement comprises step:

The indication that monitoring is carried out by described indication-mark detector when colour band moves forward-mark detects, described transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged on the described ribbon film like this so that satisfy L1＜L2, wherein L1 is 0 or bigger and be distance between the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and corresponding cue mark, and L2 is greater than 0 and be distance between the indication-mark detection position of the transfer position and the described indication-mark detector of described thermal head; And

Described ribbon film is moved a distance from the position of finishing indication-mark detection backward towards feed reel, described distance is poor corresponding to distance L 1 and L2's, the difference of described distance L 1 and L2 is calculated by L2-L1, locatees described ribbon film with respect to printing initiating position thus.

12, a kind of PRN device comprises:

Print unit, by thermal head being pressed on the recording medium and ribbon film being placed between this thermal head and the recording medium simultaneously, on this recording medium, write down print pattern arbitrarily, described ribbon film has basal film, wherein along the longitudinal direction of this basal film, on this basal film, alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and comprised the interval region of the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area;

Ribbon-moving mechanism, it moves described ribbon film, wherein said transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged on this ribbon film like this so that satisfy L1＜L2, wherein L1 is 0 or bigger and be in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance between the corresponding cue mark, and L2 is greater than 0 and be distance between the indication-mark detection position of the transfer position and the described indication-mark detector of described thermal head;

The amount of movement getter, monitor described cue mark by described indication-mark detection position when carrying out using with the printing of the corresponding transfer printing-material area of cue mark, and determine detect in described cue mark and the described printing period between finishing, the mobile amount of movement of described ribbon film; And

The first colour band mobile controller, from the length sum of the length of the unprocessed portion of described transfer printing-material area of when detecting cue mark, based on the colour band form, determining and each interval region, deduct determined amount of movement, and described ribbon film moved forward with the corresponding distance of this subtraction result so that the forward position of next transfer printing-material area is positioned at the printing initiating position place.

13, PRN device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said amount of movement getter is based on the rotation amount of dish, the amount of movement that determine in the period that detects between described cue mark and the printing end, described ribbon film moves, wherein said rotation amount is corresponding with the winding diameter of described dish.

14, PRN device as claimed in claim 12, also comprise: the second colour band mobile controller, monitoring is to the indication of the transfer printing-material area of use for the first time in print processing-mark detection, wherein when moving forward described ribbon film, carry out described indication-mark by described indication-mark detector and detect by described colour band mobile controller; And described ribbon film moved a distance from the position of finishing indication-mark and detecting backward towards feed reel, wherein said distance is poor corresponding to distance L 1 and L2's, the difference of described distance L 1 and L2 is calculated by L2-L1, locatees described ribbon film with respect to printing initiating position thus.

15, a kind of colour band mobile controller that in PRN device, uses, described PRN device comprises: print unit, by thermal head being pressed on the recording medium and ribbon film being placed between this thermal head and the recording medium simultaneously, on this recording medium, write down print pattern arbitrarily, described ribbon film has basal film, wherein along the longitudinal direction of this ribbon matrix film, on this basal film, alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and comprised the interval region of the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area; And indication-mark detector, be positioned at the downstream of described print unit and be configured to detect described cue mark; Described colour band mobile controller comprises:

Indication-mark-detection watch-dog, when the use and the printing of the corresponding transfer printing-material area of cue mark are carried out, monitor the indication-mark detection position of described cue mark by described indication-mark detector, described transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged on the described ribbon film like this so that satisfy L1＜L2, wherein L1 is 0 or bigger, and be in the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and the distance between the corresponding cue mark, and L2 is greater than 0, and be the transfer position of described thermal head and the distance between described indication-mark detection position;

Move the number getter, the amount of movement that determine in the period that detects between described cue mark and the described printing end, described ribbon film moves; And

The quantity delivered calculator, from when detecting described cue mark, based on the form of described colour band and deduct determined amount of movement the length sum of the length of the unprocessed portion of definite described transfer printing-material area and each interval region, and described ribbon film moved forward with the corresponding distance of described subtraction result so that the forward position of next transfer printing-material area is positioned at the printing initiating position place.

16, a kind of colour band control method for movement that in PRN device, uses, described PRN device comprises: print unit, it is by being pressed in thermal head on the recording medium and ribbon film being placed between described thermal head and the recording medium simultaneously, on this recording medium, write down print pattern arbitrarily, described ribbon film has basal film, wherein along the longitudinal direction of this basal film, on this basal film, alternately arranged transfer printing-material area and comprised the interval region of the cue mark that is used for corresponding transfer printing-material area; And indication-mark detector, it is positioned at the downstream of described print unit and is configured to detect described cue mark, and described colour band control method for movement comprises step:

When the use and the printing of the corresponding transfer printing-material area of cue mark are carried out, monitor the indication-mark detection position of described cue mark by described indication-mark detector, described transfer printing-material area and cue mark are arranged on the ribbon film like this so that satisfy L1＜L2, wherein L1 is 0 or bigger and be distance between the forward position of each transfer printing-material area and corresponding cue mark, and L2 is greater than 0 and be the transfer position of described thermal head and the distance between described indication-mark detection position;

The amount of movement that determine in the period that detects between described cue mark and the described printing end, described ribbon film moves; And

From when detecting described cue mark, based on the form of described colour band and deduct determined mobile quantity the length sum of the length of the unprocessed portion of definite described transfer printing-material area and each interval region, and described ribbon film is moved forward and the corresponding distance of this subtraction result, and the forward position with next transfer printing-material area is positioned at the printing initiating position place thus.