EP0363962A2 - Heat transfer recording apparatus and method - Google Patents
Heat transfer recording apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
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- EP0363962A2 EP0363962A2 EP89118986A EP89118986A EP0363962A2 EP 0363962 A2 EP0363962 A2 EP 0363962A2 EP 89118986 A EP89118986 A EP 89118986A EP 89118986 A EP89118986 A EP 89118986A EP 0363962 A2 EP0363962 A2 EP 0363962A2
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- recording
- ink sheet
- ink
- recording medium
- conveyance
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J17/00—Mechanisms for manipulating page-width impression-transfer material, e.g. carbon paper
- B41J17/36—Alarms, indicators, or feed-disabling devices responsible to material breakage or exhaustion
Definitions
- This invention relates to a heat transfer recording apparatus and a facsimile apparatus for transferring the ink of an ink sheet to a recording medium to thereby record images on the recording medium.
- heat transfer recording apparatus covers, for example, a facsimile apparatus, an electronic typewriter, a copying apparatus, a printer apparatus, etc.
- a heat transfer printer uses an ink sheet having heat-meltable (or heat-sublimating) ink applied to a base film, and selectively heats the ink sheet by a thermal head correspondingly to an image signal and transfers the melted (or sublimated) ink to recording paper to thereby accomplish image recording.
- this ink sheet is such that the ink is completely transferred to the recording paper by one time of image recording (so-called one-time sheet) and therefore, after the termination of the recording of one character or one line, it has been necessary to convey the ink sheet by an amount corresponding to the length of the record, and reliably bring the unused portion of the ink sheet to a position to be recorded next. This has increased the quantity of ink sheets used, and has led to the tendency that as compared with an ordinary thermosensitive printer for effecting recording on thermosensitive paper, the running cost of the heat transfer printer becomes high.
- the ink sheet is conveyed by 1/n of the length of conveyance of the recording paper each time the recording paper is conveyed. This may result in the waste of the ink sheet during the recording of image data having many blank portions, such as facsimile images.
- the embodiment which will now be described with respect to a specific example is a heat transfer recording apparatus which acts on an ink sheet remaining stopped and effects recording of images on a recording medium and in which the then number of times of image recording is counted to detect whether this number of times of image recording has reached a predetermined number of times and when in this manner, it is detected that the number of times of recording has reached the predetermined number of times with the ink sheet stopped during the recording of an image on the recording medium by recording means, the ink sheet is conveyed by a distance corresponding to the length of image recording.
- the embodiment is also a facsimile apparatus which acts on an ink sheet remaining stopped and effects recording of images on a recording medium on the basis of an image signal from image input means for inputting the image of an original or from transmitter-receiver means for transmitting and receiving image signals and in which the then number of times of image recording is counted to detect whether the number of times of image recording has reached a predetermined number of times and when in this manner, it is detected that the number of times of recording has reached the predetermined number of times with the ink sheet stopped during the recording of an image on the recording medium, the ink sheet is conveyed by a distance corresponding to the length of image recording.
- Figures 1 to 4 show an example in which a heat transfer printer using an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus.
- Figure 1 shows the connections of a control unit to a thermal head and to a data detecting circuit for effecting the zero detection of data
- Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of the facsimile apparatus
- Figure 3A is a side cross-sectional view of the facsimile apparatus
- Figure 3B is a pictorial perspective view of the facsimile apparatus.
- the reference numeral 100 designates a reading unit for photoelectrically reading an original and outputting it as a digital image signal to a control unit 101, and the reading unit 100 is provided with an original conveying motor a CCD image sensor, etc.
- the construction of the control unit 101 will now be described.
- the reference numeral 110 denotes a line memory storing therein the image data of each line of the image data. During the transmission or copying of an original, the image data corresponding to one line from the reading unit 100 is stored in the line memory 110, and during the reception of the image data, data corresponding to one line of the decoded received image data is stored in the line memory 110.
- the stored data is output to a recording unit, whereby image formation is effected.
- the reference numeral 111 designates a coding/decoding unit for coding the transmitted image information as by MH coding and decoding the received coded image data and converting it into image data.
- the reference numeral 112 denotes a buffer memory storing the transmitted or received coded image data therein.
- the reference numeral 102 designates a recording unit provided with a thermal line head and effecting image recording on recording paper by the heat transfer recording method. The construction of this unit will be described in detail later with reference to Figures 1 and 3.
- the reference numeral 103 denotes an operation unit including keys for indicating various functions such as starting of transmission, a telephone number input key, etc., and the reference character 103a designates a switch for indicating the kind of the ink sheet 14 used. When it is ON, the switch 103a indicates that an ink sheet for multiprint is loaded, and when it is OFF, the switch 103a indicates that an ordinary one-time ink sheet 14 is loaded.
- the reference numeral 104 denotes an indicating unit for indicating various functions usually provided in the operation unit 103 and the state of the apparatus.
- the reference numeral 105 designates a voltage source unit for supplying electric power to the entire apparatus.
- the reference numeral 106 denotes a modem (modemodulator), the reference numeral 107 designates a net control unit (NCU), and the reference numeral 108 denotes a telephone set.
- the reference numeral 10 designates a roll of paper comprising recording paper 11 which is plain paper wound in the form of a roll on a core 10a.
- This roll of paper 10 is rotatably contained in the apparatus so that the recording paper 11 can be supplied to a thermal head 13 by the rotation of a platen roller 12 in the direction of arrow.
- Denoted by 10b is a roll-of-paper loading portion in which the roll of paper 10 is removably loaded.
- the platen roller 12 conveys the recording paper 11 in the direction of arrow b and also presses the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11 between it and the heat generating member 132 of the thermal head 13.
- the recording paper 11 on which image recording has been effected by the heat generation of the thermal head 13 is conveyed toward discharge rollers 16a and 16b by further rotation of the platen roller 12, and when image recording by one page is terminated, the recording paper is cut into a page unit by the meshing engagement between cutters 15a and 15b and is discharged.
- the reference numeral 17 designates an ink sheet supply roll on which the ink sheet 14 is wound
- the reference numeral 18 denotes an ink sheet take-up roll driven by an ink sheet conveying motor which will be described later to take up the ink sheet 14 in the direction of arrow a.
- the ink sheet supply roll 17 and the ink sheet take-up roll 18 are removably loaded in an ink sheet loading portion 70 within the apparatus body.
- the reference numeral 19 designates a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the ink sheet 14 and detecting the conveyance velocity of the ink sheet 14.
- the reference numeral 20 denotes an ink sheet sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the ink sheet 14, and the reference numeral 21 designates a spring for urging the thermal head 13 against the platen roller 12 with the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 interposed therebetween.
- the reference numeral 22 denotes a recording paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper.
- the reference numeral 72 designates a roller for guiding the ink sheet 14.
- the reference numeral 30 denotes a light source for irradiating an original 32, and the light reflected by the original 32 is input to a CCD sensor 31 through an optical system (mirrors 50 and 51 and a lens 52) and is converted into an electrical signal.
- the original 32 is conveyed correspondingly to the reading speed for the original 32 by conveying rollers 53, 54, 55 and 56 driven by an original conveying motor, not shown.
- the reference numeral 57 designates an original supporting table, and a plurality of originals 32 supported on the original supporting table 57 are separated one by one by the cooperation between the conveying roller 54 and a press-separating piece 58 while being guided by a slider 57a, and are conveyed to the reading unit 100 and are discharged onto a tray 77 after they are read.
- the reference numeral 41 denotes a control base plate constituting the essential portion of the control unit 101, and various control signals are output from this control base plate 41 to the various portions of the apparatus.
- the reference numeral 106 designates a modem base plate unit, and the reference numeral 107 denotes an NCU base plate unit.
- Figure 4 shows the details of a conveying mechanism for the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11.
- the reference numeral 24 designates a recording paper conveying motor for rotatively driving the platen roller 12 to thereby convey the recording paper 11 in the direction of arrow b opposite to the direction of arrow a
- the reference numeral 25 denotes an ink sheet conveying motor for conveying the ink sheet 14 in the direction of arrow a
- the reference numerals 26 and 27 designate transmission gears for transmitting the rotation of the recording paper conveying motor 24 to the platen roller 12
- the reference numerals 28 and 29 denote transmission gears for transmitting the rotation of the ink sheet conveying motor 25 to the take-up roll 18.
- Figure 1 shows the connections of the control unit 101 in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment to the data detecting circuit 33 and the thermal head 13 of the recording unit 102, and in Figure 1, portions common to those in the other figures are designated by similar reference numerals.
- the thermal head 13 is a line head.
- This thermal head 13 is provided with a shift register 130 for inputting serial recording data 41 for one line from the control unit 101 in synchronism with a clock signal 43, a latch circuit 131 for latching the data of the shift register 130 by a latch signal 44, and p heat generating elements 132 comprising a heat generating resistance member for one line.
- the heat generating resistance member 132 is divided into m blocks designated by 132-l to 132-m and driven.
- the reference numeral 133 designates a temperature sensor mounted on the thermal head 13 for detecting the temperature of the thermal head 13.
- the output signal 42 of this temperature sensor 133 is A/D-converted in the control unit 101 and input to the CPU 113.
- the CPU 113 detects the temperature of the thermal head 13 and changes the pulse width of a strobe signal 47 or changes the driving voltage of the thermal head 13, correspondingly to the detected temperature, thereby changing the applied energy to the thermal head 13 in conformity with the characteristic (the kind) of the ink sheet 14.
- the characteristic (the kind) of the ink sheet 14 (for example, whether the ink sheet 14 is an ordinary one-time ink sheet or an ink sheet for multiprint capable of many times of recording) is indicated by the aforementioned switch 103a of the operation unit 103.
- the kind or characteristic of the ink sheet 14 may be automatically discriminated by a mark printed on the ink sheet 14, or a mark, a cut-away or a projection formed on the cassette or cartridge of the ink sheet.
- the reference numeral 46 designates a driving circuit for receiving as an input a driving signal for the thermal head 13 from the control unit 101 and outputting the strobe signal 47 for driving the thermal head 13 in each block unit.
- This driving circuit 46 can change the voltage supplied to a voltage source line 45 for supplying an electric current to the heat generating elements 132 of the thermal head 13, by the instruction from the control unit 101, thereby changing the applied energy to the thermal head 13.
- the reference numeral 33 denotes a data detecting circuit, the details of which are shown in Figure 5.
- the data detecting circuit 33 receives as inputs serial recording data 41 and a shift clock 43 synchronized therewith, and further, number-of-times data and a latch signal 34 which will be described later, and detects the number of times of the data recorded on the ink sheet 14.
- the data detecting circuit 33 outputs a conveyance instructing signal 37 to the control unit 101.
- Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of the data detecting circuit 33 in the present embodiment, and in Figure 5, portions common to those in Figure 1 are designated by similar reference numerals.
- the reference numerals 60-l to 60-p designate latch and counting circuits for inputting and latching the serial data 41 output to the thermal head 13 and also counting the number of times of the outputting of each dot.
- These latch and counting circuits 60-l to 60-p are serially connected together and are similar in construction to one another.
- the value of this p is equal to the number of the heat generating elements of the heat generating resistance member 132 of the thermal head 13 (the total number of dots). That is, the latch and counting circuits 60 correspond to the respective heat generating elements.
- 60-l there is typically shown the construction of the latch and counting circuits 60-l to 60-p. That construction will be described hereinafter.
- the reference numerals 61 and 62 designate D type flip-flops.
- the flip-flop 61 latches the serial data 41 sent from the control unit 101, in synchronism with a shift clock (CLK) 43.
- CLK shift clock
- the output of the flip-flop 61 is put out to the flip-flop 62 and also is connected to the data input terminal of the next stage latch and counting circuit. Accordingly, the pulses of p clocks 43 are input with the serial data 41, the image recording data for one line are stored in the flip-flops 61 of the latch and counting circuits 60-l to 60-p.
- latch signal (LATCH) 34 When a latch signal (LATCH) 34 is then input, the data latched in the flip-flops 61 are stored in the flip-flops 62.
- This latch signal 34 may be common to a latch signal 44 output to the latch circuit 131 of the thermal head 13.
- the reference numeral 63 denotes a down counter, the counted value by which is preset by the counter data 35 and set signal 36 from the control unit 101 and which counts down each time a clock signal from an AND circuit 64 is input. If the latch signal 34 is input when the data of the flip-flop 61 is "1", the AND circuit 64 outputs a clock signal to the counter 63. Thus, the counter 63 is decremented by 1 each time the data "1" is latched in the flip-flop 62.
- a signal in which the recording data is "1" (a signal for electrically energizing the heat generating resistance member 132) is input to the corresponding latch and counting circuit five times, a zero signal 65 (65-i) indicating that the counter 63 has become “0" is output at a high level.
- a conveyance instruction signal 37 which is the output signal of an OR circuit 67 assuming a high level.
- At least one of the plurality of heat generating elements 132 of the thermal head 13 is electrically energized five times and image recording is effected, it means that the ink sheet 14 has been recorded five times at the same position and therefore, the ink sheet 14 is conveyed by a predetermined amount, e.g. an amount corresponding to one line.
- Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the image recording process for one page in the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, and a control program for executing this process is stored in the ROM 114 of the control unit 101.
- This process is started by the image data for one line to be recorded being stored in the line memory 110 to thereby bring about a state in which the image recording operation can be started.
- the number of times n of multiprint is set in the counter 63 of the latch and counting circuit 60. This is accomplished by outputting "n" to the counter data 35 and outputting a set signal 36.
- the recording data 41 for one line is serially output to the shift register 130 in synchronism with the shift clock 43.
- latch signals 44 and 34 are output and the recording data for one line is stored in the latch circuit 131 and also the data is latched in the next stage flip-flop 62 of the latch and counting circuit 60.
- These latch signals 34 and 44 may be made common to each other.
- step 54 whether a conveyance instruction signal 37 is at a high level is examined, and if the signal 37 is at a low level, advance is made to step S7.
- the conveyance instruction signal 37 assumes a high level, it shows that the portion of the ink sheet 14 which has been used for image recording n times is present in the portion of the ink sheet 14 which is currently at the recording position and therefore, at step S5, the ink sheet conveying motor 25 is driven to convey the ink sheet 14 by an amount corresponding to one line in the direction of arrow a ( Figure 3).
- n is again set in the counter 63 and advance is made to step S7.
- the recording paper conveying motor 24 is driven to convey the recording paper 11 by an amount corresponding to one line in the direction of arrow b.
- This amount corresponding to one line is a length corresponding to the length of one dot recorded by the thermal head 13.
- step 58 each block of the heat generating element 132 of the thermal head 13 is electrically energized.
- step S9 whether all of the blocks of the heat generating resistance member 132 have been electrically energized is examined, and when all of the blocks of the heat generating element 132 are electrically energized and image recording for one line is terminated, advance is made to step S10, where whether image recording for one page has been terminated is examined. If image recording for one page is not terminated, advance is made to step S11, where the recording data for the next line is transported to the thermal head 13 and return is made to step S3.
- step S10 When image recording for one page is terminated at the step S10, advance is made to step S12, where the recording paper 11 is conveyed by a predetermined amount toward the discharge rollers 16a and 16b. Then, the cutters 15a and 15b are driven into meshing engagement with each other to thereby cut the recording paper 11 in page unit. Subsequently, the recording paper 11 is returned by a distance corresponding to the spacing between the thermal head 13 and the cutters 15, whereupon the image recording process for one page is terminated.
- the ink sheet 14 may be conveyed in the same manner as the recording paper 11 or may remain stopped.
- Figure 7 shows the states of the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 when image recording is effected in this embodiment.
- the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 are nipped between the platen roller 12 and the thermal head 13, and the thermal head 13 is urged against the platen roller 12 with a predetermined pressure by the spring 21.
- the recording paper 11 is conveyed at a velocity V P in the direction of arrow b by the rotation of the platen roller 12.
- the ink sheet 14 is conveyed in the direction of arrow a by the rotation of the ink sheet conveying motor 25.
- the heat generating resistance member 132 of the thermal head 13 When the heat generating resistance member 132 of the thermal head 13 is electrically energized and heated by the voltage source unit 105, the portion of the ink sheet 14 which is indicated by hatching 81 is heated.
- the reference character 14a designates the base film of the ink sheet 14, and the reference character 14b denotes the ink layer of the ink sheet 14.
- the ink of the ink layer 81 heated by the heat generating resistance member 132 being electrically energized is melted (sublimated), and the portion thereof which is designated by 82 is transferred to the recording paper 11. This transferred ink layer portion 82 corresponds to approximately 1/n of the ink layer indicated by 81.
- Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ink sheet used in the multiprint of the present embodiment, and the ink sheet is constructed of four layers.
- a second layer is a base film which provides a support for the ink sheet 14.
- aromatic polyamide film or condenser paper having a high heat resistance is advantageous, but conventional polyester film will also stand use.
- the smallest possible thickness of these is advantageous in respect of the quality of printing from the viewpoint of the role as a medium, and a thickness of 3 - 8 ⁇ m is desirable from the viewpoint of strength.
- a third layer is an ink layer containing an amount of ink capable of being transferred n times to the recording paper (recording sheet).
- the chief components of this layer are resin such as EVA as an adhesive agent, carbon black or nigrosive dye for coloring, and carnauba wax or paraffin wax as a binding material, and these materials are combined so as to stand n times of use in the same portion.
- the amount of application of these materials is desirably 4 - 8 g/m2, but can be arbitrarily selected because sensitivity or concentration differs depending on the amount of application.
- a fourth layer is a top coating layer for preventing the ink of the third layer from being pressure-transferred to the recording paper in the portion thereof which is not to be printed, and is composed of transparent wax or the like. Thus, it is only the transparent fourth layer that is pressure-transferred, and the ground of the recording paper can be prevented from being stained.
- a first layer is a heat resisting coat layer for protecting the base film which is the second layer from the heat of the thermal head 13. This is suitable for multiprint in which heat energy for n lines may be applied to the same portion (when black information is continuous), but whether it is to be used or not to be used can be suitably chosen. Also, it is effective for a base film of relatively low heat resistance such as a polyester film.
- the ink sheet 14 may comprise, for example, a base layer and a porous ink retaining layer provided on one side of the base layer and containing ink therein, or may comprise a base film and a heat resisting ink layer having a fine porous net-like structure and provided on the base film, the ink layer containing ink therein.
- the material of the base film may be, for example, a film comprising polyamide, polyethylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, triacetyl cellulose, nylon or the like, or paper.
- the heat resisting coat layer is not always necessary, but the material thereof may be, for example, silicone resin, epoxy resin, fluorine resin, etholocellulose or the like.
- an ink sheet having heat-sublimating ink comprising a base material formed of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, aromatic polyamide film or the like, and a coloring material layer containing spacer particles and a dye formed by guanamin resin and fluorine resin, said coloring material layer being provided on said base material.
- the heating system is not limited to the aforedescribed thermal head system using a thermal head, but use may be made, for example, of the electrical energizing system or the laser transfer system.
- the recording medium is not limited to the recording paper, but for example, cloth, a plastic sheet or the like may be mentioned if they are capable of ink transfer.
- the ink sheet is not limited to the roll construction shown in the embodiment, but may be, for example, of the so-called ink sheet cassette type in which ink sheets are contained in a housing removably mountable with respect to the recording apparatus body and this housing is bodily mounted and dismounted with respect to the recording apparatus body.
- this embodiment has been described with respect to a case where image recording is effected with the recording paper and the ink sheet being conveyed in opposite directions, whereas this is not restrictive, but recording may be effected with the recording paper and the ink sheet being conveyed in the same direction.
- the ink sheet is conveyed only when the frequency of use of the ink sheet has reached a predetermined frequency and therefore, the waste of the ink sheet can be eliminated and the ink sheet can be efficiently used.
- the number of times of image recording is counted and when the frequency of use of the ink sheet exceeds a predetermined value, the conveyance of the ink sheet is effected, whereby the amount of the ink sheet used can be economized.
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Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a heat transfer recording apparatus and a facsimile apparatus for transferring the ink of an ink sheet to a recording medium to thereby record images on the recording medium.
- The term "heat transfer recording apparatus" covers, for example, a facsimile apparatus, an electronic typewriter, a copying apparatus, a printer apparatus, etc.
- Generally, a heat transfer printer uses an ink sheet having heat-meltable (or heat-sublimating) ink applied to a base film, and selectively heats the ink sheet by a thermal head correspondingly to an image signal and transfers the melted (or sublimated) ink to recording paper to thereby accomplish image recording. Generally, this ink sheet is such that the ink is completely transferred to the recording paper by one time of image recording (so-called one-time sheet) and therefore, after the termination of the recording of one character or one line, it has been necessary to convey the ink sheet by an amount corresponding to the length of the record, and reliably bring the unused portion of the ink sheet to a position to be recorded next. This has increased the quantity of ink sheets used, and has led to the tendency that as compared with an ordinary thermosensitive printer for effecting recording on thermosensitive paper, the running cost of the heat transfer printer becomes high.
- In order to solve such a problem, there has been proposed a heat transfer printer in which as seen in U.S. Patent No. 4,456,392, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 58-201686 or Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-58917, recording paper and an ink sheet are conveyed with a velocity difference provided therebetween. As described in the aforementioned publications, an ink sheet capable of plural (n) times of image recording (so-called multiprint sheet) is known. If such ink sheet is used, when a record length L is to be continuously recorded, recording can be accomplished with the length of conveyance of the ink sheet conveyed after or during each image recording being made smaller than the length L (L/n:n > 1). Thus, the use efficiency of the ink sheet becomes n times as great as that before, and a reduction in the running cost of the heat transfer printer can be expected. This recording system will hereinafter be called the multiprint.
- In such multiprint system, in spite of recording information being not present at all or the ink sheet being not used n times, the ink sheet is conveyed by 1/n of the length of conveyance of the recording paper each time the recording paper is conveyed. This may result in the waste of the ink sheet during the recording of image data having many blank portions, such as facsimile images.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat transfer recording apparatus and a facsimile apparatus which can improve the quality of images.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a heat transfer recording apparatus and a facsimile apparatus which can decrease the quantity of ink sheets consumed.
- It is still another object of the present invention to provide a heat transfer recording apparatus and a facsimile apparatus which can reduce the running cost.
- It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a heat transfer recording apparatus and a facsimile apparatus in which the number of times of image recording is counted and when the frequency of use of an ink sheet exceeds a predetermined frequency, the conveyance of the ink sheet is effected so that the ink sheet can be more economized.
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- Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the connections of a control unit to a thermal head and a data detecting circuit in a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.
- Figure 3A is a side cross-sectional view showing the mechanism portion of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.
- Figure 3B is a pictorial perspective view of the facsimile apparatus.
- Figure 4 shows a conveying mechanism system for recording paper and an ink sheet in the recording unit of this embodiment.
- Figure 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of the data detecting circuit in this embodiment.
- Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the recording process in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.
- Figure 7 shows the states of the recording paper and the ink sheet during recording.
- Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ink sheet used in this embodiment.
- The embodiment which will now be described with respect to a specific example is a heat transfer recording apparatus which acts on an ink sheet remaining stopped and effects recording of images on a recording medium and in which the then number of times of image recording is counted to detect whether this number of times of image recording has reached a predetermined number of times and when in this manner, it is detected that the number of times of recording has reached the predetermined number of times with the ink sheet stopped during the recording of an image on the recording medium by recording means, the ink sheet is conveyed by a distance corresponding to the length of image recording. The embodiment is also a facsimile apparatus which acts on an ink sheet remaining stopped and effects recording of images on a recording medium on the basis of an image signal from image input means for inputting the image of an original or from transmitter-receiver means for transmitting and receiving image signals and in which the then number of times of image recording is counted to detect whether the number of times of image recording has reached a predetermined number of times and when in this manner, it is detected that the number of times of recording has reached the predetermined number of times with the ink sheet stopped during the recording of an image on the recording medium, the ink sheet is conveyed by a distance corresponding to the length of image recording.
- A preferred embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- Figures 1 to 4 show an example in which a heat transfer printer using an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus. Figure 1 shows the connections of a control unit to a thermal head and to a data detecting circuit for effecting the zero detection of data, Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of the facsimile apparatus, Figure 3A is a side cross-sectional view of the facsimile apparatus, and Figure 3B is a pictorial perspective view of the facsimile apparatus.
- The construction will first be schematically described with reference to Figure 2. In Figure 2, the
reference numeral 100 designates a reading unit for photoelectrically reading an original and outputting it as a digital image signal to acontrol unit 101, and thereading unit 100 is provided with an original conveying motor a CCD image sensor, etc. The construction of thecontrol unit 101 will now be described. Thereference numeral 110 denotes a line memory storing therein the image data of each line of the image data. During the transmission or copying of an original, the image data corresponding to one line from thereading unit 100 is stored in theline memory 110, and during the reception of the image data, data corresponding to one line of the decoded received image data is stored in theline memory 110. The stored data is output to a recording unit, whereby image formation is effected. Thereference numeral 111 designates a coding/decoding unit for coding the transmitted image information as by MH coding and decoding the received coded image data and converting it into image data. Thereference numeral 112 denotes a buffer memory storing the transmitted or received coded image data therein. These various portions of thecontrol unit 101 are controlled by aCPU 113 such as a microprocessor. Besides thisCPU 113, thecontrol unit 101 is provided withROM 114 storing therein the control program of theCPU 113 and various data,RAM 115 for temporarily preserving various data as the work area of theCPU 113, etc. - The
reference numeral 102 designates a recording unit provided with a thermal line head and effecting image recording on recording paper by the heat transfer recording method. The construction of this unit will be described in detail later with reference to Figures 1 and 3. Thereference numeral 103 denotes an operation unit including keys for indicating various functions such as starting of transmission, a telephone number input key, etc., and thereference character 103a designates a switch for indicating the kind of theink sheet 14 used. When it is ON, theswitch 103a indicates that an ink sheet for multiprint is loaded, and when it is OFF, theswitch 103a indicates that an ordinary one-time ink sheet 14 is loaded. Also, when the ink sheet for multiprint is loaded, the value of the aforementioned n is concretely indicated by theswitch 103a in conformity with the performance of the ink sheet. Thereference numeral 104 denotes an indicating unit for indicating various functions usually provided in theoperation unit 103 and the state of the apparatus. Thereference numeral 105 designates a voltage source unit for supplying electric power to the entire apparatus. Thereference numeral 106 denotes a modem (modemodulator), thereference numeral 107 designates a net control unit (NCU), and thereference numeral 108 denotes a telephone set. - The construction of the
recording unit 102 will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 3. In Figure 3, portions common to those in Figure 2 are designated by similar reference numerals. - In Figure 3, the
reference numeral 10 designates a roll of paper comprisingrecording paper 11 which is plain paper wound in the form of a roll on acore 10a. This roll ofpaper 10 is rotatably contained in the apparatus so that therecording paper 11 can be supplied to athermal head 13 by the rotation of aplaten roller 12 in the direction of arrow. Denoted by 10b is a roll-of-paper loading portion in which the roll ofpaper 10 is removably loaded. Further, theplaten roller 12 conveys therecording paper 11 in the direction of arrow b and also presses theink sheet 14 and therecording paper 11 between it and theheat generating member 132 of thethermal head 13. Therecording paper 11 on which image recording has been effected by the heat generation of thethermal head 13 is conveyed towarddischarge rollers platen roller 12, and when image recording by one page is terminated, the recording paper is cut into a page unit by the meshing engagement betweencutters - The
reference numeral 17 designates an ink sheet supply roll on which theink sheet 14 is wound, and thereference numeral 18 denotes an ink sheet take-up roll driven by an ink sheet conveying motor which will be described later to take up theink sheet 14 in the direction of arrow a. The inksheet supply roll 17 and the ink sheet take-up roll 18 are removably loaded in an inksheet loading portion 70 within the apparatus body. Further, thereference numeral 19 designates a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of theink sheet 14 and detecting the conveyance velocity of theink sheet 14. Thereference numeral 20 denotes an ink sheet sensor for detecting the presence or absence of theink sheet 14, and thereference numeral 21 designates a spring for urging thethermal head 13 against theplaten roller 12 with therecording paper 11 and theink sheet 14 interposed therebetween. Thereference numeral 22 denotes a recording paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper. The reference numeral 72 designates a roller for guiding theink sheet 14. - The construction of the
reading unit 100 will now be described. - In Figure 3, the
reference numeral 30 denotes a light source for irradiating an original 32, and the light reflected by the original 32 is input to aCCD sensor 31 through an optical system (mirrors 50 and 51 and a lens 52) and is converted into an electrical signal. The original 32 is conveyed correspondingly to the reading speed for the original 32 by conveyingrollers reference numeral 57 designates an original supporting table, and a plurality oforiginals 32 supported on the original supporting table 57 are separated one by one by the cooperation between the conveyingroller 54 and a press-separatingpiece 58 while being guided by aslider 57a, and are conveyed to thereading unit 100 and are discharged onto atray 77 after they are read. - The
reference numeral 41 denotes a control base plate constituting the essential portion of thecontrol unit 101, and various control signals are output from thiscontrol base plate 41 to the various portions of the apparatus. Thereference numeral 106 designates a modem base plate unit, and thereference numeral 107 denotes an NCU base plate unit. - Further, Figure 4 shows the details of a conveying mechanism for the
ink sheet 14 and therecording paper 11. - In Figure 4, the
reference numeral 24 designates a recording paper conveying motor for rotatively driving theplaten roller 12 to thereby convey therecording paper 11 in the direction of arrow b opposite to the direction of arrow a, and thereference numeral 25 denotes an ink sheet conveying motor for conveying theink sheet 14 in the direction of arrow a. Further, thereference numerals paper conveying motor 24 to theplaten roller 12, and thereference numerals sheet conveying motor 25 to the take-up roll 18. - Figure 1 shows the connections of the
control unit 101 in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment to thedata detecting circuit 33 and thethermal head 13 of therecording unit 102, and in Figure 1, portions common to those in the other figures are designated by similar reference numerals. - In this embodiment, the
thermal head 13 is a line head. Thisthermal head 13 is provided with ashift register 130 for inputtingserial recording data 41 for one line from thecontrol unit 101 in synchronism with aclock signal 43, alatch circuit 131 for latching the data of theshift register 130 by alatch signal 44, and pheat generating elements 132 comprising a heat generating resistance member for one line. Here, the heat generatingresistance member 132 is divided into m blocks designated by 132-l to 132-m and driven. - The
reference numeral 133 designates a temperature sensor mounted on thethermal head 13 for detecting the temperature of thethermal head 13. Theoutput signal 42 of thistemperature sensor 133 is A/D-converted in thecontrol unit 101 and input to theCPU 113. Thus, theCPU 113 detects the temperature of thethermal head 13 and changes the pulse width of astrobe signal 47 or changes the driving voltage of thethermal head 13, correspondingly to the detected temperature, thereby changing the applied energy to thethermal head 13 in conformity with the characteristic (the kind) of theink sheet 14. The characteristic (the kind) of the ink sheet 14 (for example, whether theink sheet 14 is an ordinary one-time ink sheet or an ink sheet for multiprint capable of many times of recording) is indicated by theaforementioned switch 103a of theoperation unit 103. The kind or characteristic of theink sheet 14 may be automatically discriminated by a mark printed on theink sheet 14, or a mark, a cut-away or a projection formed on the cassette or cartridge of the ink sheet. - The
reference numeral 46 designates a driving circuit for receiving as an input a driving signal for thethermal head 13 from thecontrol unit 101 and outputting thestrobe signal 47 for driving thethermal head 13 in each block unit. This drivingcircuit 46 can change the voltage supplied to avoltage source line 45 for supplying an electric current to theheat generating elements 132 of thethermal head 13, by the instruction from thecontrol unit 101, thereby changing the applied energy to thethermal head 13. - The
reference numeral 33 denotes a data detecting circuit, the details of which are shown in Figure 5. Thedata detecting circuit 33 receives as inputsserial recording data 41 and ashift clock 43 synchronized therewith, and further, number-of-times data and alatch signal 34 which will be described later, and detects the number of times of the data recorded on theink sheet 14. When image recording is effected n times on the same position on theink sheet 14, thedata detecting circuit 33 outputs aconveyance instructing signal 37 to thecontrol unit 101. - Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of the
data detecting circuit 33 in the present embodiment, and in Figure 5, portions common to those in Figure 1 are designated by similar reference numerals. - The reference numerals 60-l to 60-p designate latch and counting circuits for inputting and latching the
serial data 41 output to thethermal head 13 and also counting the number of times of the outputting of each dot. These latch and counting circuits 60-l to 60-p are serially connected together and are similar in construction to one another. The value of this p is equal to the number of the heat generating elements of the heat generatingresistance member 132 of the thermal head 13 (the total number of dots). That is, the latch and countingcircuits 60 correspond to the respective heat generating elements. In 60-l, there is typically shown the construction of the latch and counting circuits 60-l to 60-p. That construction will be described hereinafter. - The reference numerals 61 and 62 designate D type flip-flops. The flip-
flop 61 latches theserial data 41 sent from thecontrol unit 101, in synchronism with a shift clock (CLK) 43. The output of the flip-flop 61 is put out to the flip-flop 62 and also is connected to the data input terminal of the next stage latch and counting circuit. Accordingly, the pulses of p clocks 43 are input with theserial data 41, the image recording data for one line are stored in the flip-flops 61 of the latch and counting circuits 60-l to 60-p. - When a latch signal (LATCH) 34 is then input, the data latched in the flip-
flops 61 are stored in the flip-flops 62. Thislatch signal 34 may be common to alatch signal 44 output to thelatch circuit 131 of thethermal head 13. - The
reference numeral 63 denotes a down counter, the counted value by which is preset by thecounter data 35 and setsignal 36 from thecontrol unit 101 and which counts down each time a clock signal from an ANDcircuit 64 is input. If thelatch signal 34 is input when the data of the flip-flop 61 is "1", the ANDcircuit 64 outputs a clock signal to thecounter 63. Thus, thecounter 63 is decremented by 1 each time the data "1" is latched in the flip-flop 62. - Accordingly, when for example, "5" is set in the
counter 63, if a signal in which the recording data is "1" (a signal for electrically energizing the heat generating resistance member 132) is input to the corresponding latch and counting circuit five times, a zero signal 65 (65-i) indicating that thecounter 63 has become "0" is output at a high level. This can be detected by aconveyance instruction signal 37 which is the output signal of anOR circuit 67 assuming a high level. When in this manner, at least one of the plurality ofheat generating elements 132 of thethermal head 13 is electrically energized five times and image recording is effected, it means that theink sheet 14 has been recorded five times at the same position and therefore, theink sheet 14 is conveyed by a predetermined amount, e.g. an amount corresponding to one line. - Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the image recording process for one page in the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, and a control program for executing this process is stored in the
ROM 114 of thecontrol unit 101. - This process is started by the image data for one line to be recorded being stored in the
line memory 110 to thereby bring about a state in which the image recording operation can be started. First, atstep 51, the number of times n of multiprint is set in thecounter 63 of the latch and countingcircuit 60. This is accomplished by outputting "n" to thecounter data 35 and outputting aset signal 36. Atstep 52, therecording data 41 for one line is serially output to theshift register 130 in synchronism with theshift clock 43. When the transportation of the recording data for one line is terminated, atstep 53, latch signals 44 and 34 are output and the recording data for one line is stored in thelatch circuit 131 and also the data is latched in the next stage flip-flop 62 of the latch and countingcircuit 60. These latch signals 34 and 44 may be made common to each other. - Next, at
step 54, whether aconveyance instruction signal 37 is at a high level is examined, and if thesignal 37 is at a low level, advance is made to step S7. When theconveyance instruction signal 37 assumes a high level, it shows that the portion of theink sheet 14 which has been used for image recording n times is present in the portion of theink sheet 14 which is currently at the recording position and therefore, at step S5, the inksheet conveying motor 25 is driven to convey theink sheet 14 by an amount corresponding to one line in the direction of arrow a (Figure 3). At step S6, n is again set in thecounter 63 and advance is made to step S7. At the step S7, the recordingpaper conveying motor 24 is driven to convey therecording paper 11 by an amount corresponding to one line in the direction of arrow b. This amount corresponding to one line is a length corresponding to the length of one dot recorded by thethermal head 13. - Subsequently, advance is made to step 58, where each block of the
heat generating element 132 of thethermal head 13 is electrically energized. Then, at step S9, whether all of the blocks of the heat generatingresistance member 132 have been electrically energized is examined, and when all of the blocks of theheat generating element 132 are electrically energized and image recording for one line is terminated, advance is made to step S10, where whether image recording for one page has been terminated is examined. If image recording for one page is not terminated, advance is made to step S11, where the recording data for the next line is transported to thethermal head 13 and return is made to step S3. - When image recording for one page is terminated at the step S10, advance is made to step S12, where the
recording paper 11 is conveyed by a predetermined amount toward thedischarge rollers cutters recording paper 11 in page unit. Subsequently, therecording paper 11 is returned by a distance corresponding to the spacing between thethermal head 13 and the cutters 15, whereupon the image recording process for one page is terminated. - In the cutter operation of the step S12, the
ink sheet 14 may be conveyed in the same manner as therecording paper 11 or may remain stopped. - Figure 7 shows the states of the
recording paper 11 and theink sheet 14 when image recording is effected in this embodiment. - As shown, the
recording paper 11 and theink sheet 14 are nipped between theplaten roller 12 and thethermal head 13, and thethermal head 13 is urged against theplaten roller 12 with a predetermined pressure by thespring 21. Here, therecording paper 11 is conveyed at a velocity VP in the direction of arrow b by the rotation of theplaten roller 12. On the other hand, theink sheet 14 is conveyed in the direction of arrow a by the rotation of the inksheet conveying motor 25. - When the heat generating
resistance member 132 of thethermal head 13 is electrically energized and heated by thevoltage source unit 105, the portion of theink sheet 14 which is indicated by hatching 81 is heated. The reference character 14a designates the base film of theink sheet 14, and thereference character 14b denotes the ink layer of theink sheet 14. The ink of theink layer 81 heated by the heat generatingresistance member 132 being electrically energized is melted (sublimated), and the portion thereof which is designated by 82 is transferred to therecording paper 11. This transferredink layer portion 82 corresponds to approximately 1/n of the ink layer indicated by 81. - Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ink sheet used in the multiprint of the present embodiment, and the ink sheet is constructed of four layers.
- First, a second layer is a base film which provides a support for the
ink sheet 14. In the case of multiprint, heat energy is applied to the same portion many times and therefore, aromatic polyamide film or condenser paper having a high heat resistance is advantageous, but conventional polyester film will also stand use. The smallest possible thickness of these is advantageous in respect of the quality of printing from the viewpoint of the role as a medium, and a thickness of 3 - 8 µm is desirable from the viewpoint of strength. - A third layer is an ink layer containing an amount of ink capable of being transferred n times to the recording paper (recording sheet). The chief components of this layer are resin such as EVA as an adhesive agent, carbon black or nigrosive dye for coloring, and carnauba wax or paraffin wax as a binding material, and these materials are combined so as to stand n times of use in the same portion. The amount of application of these materials is desirably 4 - 8 g/m², but can be arbitrarily selected because sensitivity or concentration differs depending on the amount of application.
- A fourth layer is a top coating layer for preventing the ink of the third layer from being pressure-transferred to the recording paper in the portion thereof which is not to be printed, and is composed of transparent wax or the like. Thus, it is only the transparent fourth layer that is pressure-transferred, and the ground of the recording paper can be prevented from being stained. A first layer is a heat resisting coat layer for protecting the base film which is the second layer from the heat of the
thermal head 13. This is suitable for multiprint in which heat energy for n lines may be applied to the same portion (when black information is continuous), but whether it is to be used or not to be used can be suitably chosen. Also, it is effective for a base film of relatively low heat resistance such as a polyester film. - The construction of the
ink sheet 14 is not limited to this embodiment, but theink sheet 14 may comprise, for example, a base layer and a porous ink retaining layer provided on one side of the base layer and containing ink therein, or may comprise a base film and a heat resisting ink layer having a fine porous net-like structure and provided on the base film, the ink layer containing ink therein. The material of the base film may be, for example, a film comprising polyamide, polyethylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, triacetyl cellulose, nylon or the like, or paper. Further, the heat resisting coat layer is not always necessary, but the material thereof may be, for example, silicone resin, epoxy resin, fluorine resin, etholocellulose or the like. - Also, as an example of the ink sheet having heat-sublimating ink mention may be made of an ink sheet comprising a base material formed of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, aromatic polyamide film or the like, and a coloring material layer containing spacer particles and a dye formed by guanamin resin and fluorine resin, said coloring material layer being provided on said base material.
- The heating system is not limited to the aforedescribed thermal head system using a thermal head, but use may be made, for example, of the electrical energizing system or the laser transfer system.
- Also, the recording medium is not limited to the recording paper, but for example, cloth, a plastic sheet or the like may be mentioned if they are capable of ink transfer. The ink sheet is not limited to the roll construction shown in the embodiment, but may be, for example, of the so-called ink sheet cassette type in which ink sheets are contained in a housing removably mountable with respect to the recording apparatus body and this housing is bodily mounted and dismounted with respect to the recording apparatus body.
- Also, this embodiment has been described with respect to the case of the full line type, whereas this is not restrictive, but the so-called serial type may be adopted.
- Also, this embodiment has been described with respect to a case where image recording is effected with the recording paper and the ink sheet being conveyed in opposite directions, whereas this is not restrictive, but recording may be effected with the recording paper and the ink sheet being conveyed in the same direction.
- According to this embodiment, as described above, the ink sheet is conveyed only when the frequency of use of the ink sheet has reached a predetermined frequency and therefore, the waste of the ink sheet can be eliminated and the ink sheet can be efficiently used.
- Also, this embodiment has been described with respect to a case where the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus, whereas of course, this is not restrictive, but the heat transfer recording apparatus of the present invention is also applicable, for example, to a word processor, a typewriter or a copying apparatus.
- According to the present invention, as described above, the number of times of image recording is counted and when the frequency of use of the ink sheet exceeds a predetermined value, the conveyance of the ink sheet is effected, whereby the amount of the ink sheet used can be economized.
Claims (27)
conveying means for conveying said ink sheet;
recording means for acting on said ink sheet and effecting recording of images on said recording medium;
counting means for counting the number of times of the image recording by said recording means;
detecting means for detecting whether said number of times of the image recording has reached a predetermined number of times; and
control means for rendering said ink sheet stopped during the image recording on said recording medium by said recording means, and controlling so that said ink sheet is conveyed by said conveying means by a distance corresponding to the length of the image recording when it is detected by said detecting means that said number of times of the image recording has reached said predetermined number of times.
reading means for reading the image of an original;
transmitter-receiver means for transmitting and receiving image signals;
conveying means for conveying said ink sheet;
recording means for acting on said ink sheet and effecting recording of images on said recording medium;
counting means for counting the number of times of the image recording by said recording means;
detecting means or detecting whether said number of times of the image recording has reached a predetermined number of times; and
control means for rendering said ink sheet stopped during the image recording on said recording medium by said recording means, and controlling so that said ink sheet is conveyed by said conveying means by a distance corresponding to the length of the image recording when it is detected by said detecting means that said number of times of the image recording has reached said predetermined number of times.
conveying means for conveying said ink sheet;
recording means for acting on said ink sheet to effect recording of images on said recording medium; and
control means for controlling so as to convey said ink sheet when the number of times of image recording using a predetermined area of said ink sheet has reached a predetermined number of times.
reading means for reading the image of an original;
transmitter-receiver means for transmitting and receiving information;
conveying means for conveying said ink sheet;
recording means for acting on said ink sheet to effect recording of images on said recording medium; and
control means for controlling so as to convey said ink sheet when the number of times of image recording using a predetermined area of said ink sheet has reached a predetermined number of times.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP25484188A JPH02102087A (en) | 1988-10-12 | 1988-10-12 | Thermal transfer recording device and facsimile device using the same |
JP254841/88 | 1988-10-12 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0363962A2 true EP0363962A2 (en) | 1990-04-18 |
EP0363962A3 EP0363962A3 (en) | 1990-11-07 |
EP0363962B1 EP0363962B1 (en) | 1994-12-28 |
Family
ID=17270598
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19890118986 Expired - Lifetime EP0363962B1 (en) | 1988-10-12 | 1989-10-12 | Heat transfer recording apparatus and method |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0363962B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH02102087A (en) |
DE (1) | DE68920254T2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5281977A (en) * | 1991-02-18 | 1994-01-25 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Thermal transfer recording apparatus |
Citations (6)
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JPS587377A (en) * | 1981-07-08 | 1983-01-17 | Toshiba Corp | Heat-sensitive transfer type printer |
JPS58201686A (en) * | 1982-05-20 | 1983-11-24 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Thermal transfer type printer |
JPS6048379A (en) * | 1983-08-26 | 1985-03-16 | Matsushita Graphic Commun Syst Inc | Thermal transfer recording apparatus |
JPS6048388A (en) * | 1983-08-26 | 1985-03-16 | Matsushita Graphic Commun Syst Inc | Conveying system of thermal transfer medium |
JPS60105557A (en) * | 1983-11-14 | 1985-06-11 | Nec Corp | Control circuit for thermal recording |
JPS62140857A (en) * | 1985-12-16 | 1987-06-24 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Thermal printer |
-
1988
- 1988-10-12 JP JP25484188A patent/JPH02102087A/en active Pending
-
1989
- 1989-10-12 EP EP19890118986 patent/EP0363962B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-10-12 DE DE1989620254 patent/DE68920254T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JPS587377A (en) * | 1981-07-08 | 1983-01-17 | Toshiba Corp | Heat-sensitive transfer type printer |
JPS58201686A (en) * | 1982-05-20 | 1983-11-24 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Thermal transfer type printer |
JPS6048379A (en) * | 1983-08-26 | 1985-03-16 | Matsushita Graphic Commun Syst Inc | Thermal transfer recording apparatus |
JPS6048388A (en) * | 1983-08-26 | 1985-03-16 | Matsushita Graphic Commun Syst Inc | Conveying system of thermal transfer medium |
JPS60105557A (en) * | 1983-11-14 | 1985-06-11 | Nec Corp | Control circuit for thermal recording |
JPS62140857A (en) * | 1985-12-16 | 1987-06-24 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Thermal printer |
Non-Patent Citations (6)
Title |
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PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 11, no. 364 (M-646)[2811], 27th November 1987; & JP-A-62 140 857 (MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND. CO., LTD) 24-06-1987 * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 7, no. 81 (M-205)[1226], 5th April 1983; & JP-A-58 007 377 (TOKYO SHIBAURA DENKI K.K.) 17-01-1983 * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 8, no. 47 (M-280)[1484], 2nd March 1984; & JP-A-58 201 686 (RICOH K.K.) 24-11-1983 * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 9, no. 179 (M-399)[1902], 24th July 1985; & JP-A-60 048 379 (MATSUSHITA DENSOU K.k.) 16-03-1985 * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 9, no. 179 (M-399)[1902], 24th July 1985; & JP-A-60 048 388 (MATSUSHITA DENSOU K.K.) 16-03-1985 * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 9, no. 256 (M-421)[1979], 15th October 1985; & JP-A-60 105 557 (NIPPON DENKI K.K.) 11-06-1985 * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5281977A (en) * | 1991-02-18 | 1994-01-25 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Thermal transfer recording apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE68920254D1 (en) | 1995-02-09 |
JPH02102087A (en) | 1990-04-13 |
DE68920254T2 (en) | 1995-06-01 |
EP0363962A3 (en) | 1990-11-07 |
EP0363962B1 (en) | 1994-12-28 |
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