EP0444763A1 - Thermal printer taking heating element history into account - Google Patents

Thermal printer taking heating element history into account Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0444763A1
EP0444763A1 EP91250048A EP91250048A EP0444763A1 EP 0444763 A1 EP0444763 A1 EP 0444763A1 EP 91250048 A EP91250048 A EP 91250048A EP 91250048 A EP91250048 A EP 91250048A EP 0444763 A1 EP0444763 A1 EP 0444763A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pulse
data
print data
print
strobe
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EP91250048A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0444763B1 (en
Inventor
August Holstegge
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Eastman Kodak Co
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Mannesmann AG
Eastman Kodak Co
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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
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
    • B41J2/35—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads providing current or voltage to the thermal head
    • B41J2/355—Control circuits for heating-element selection
    • B41J2/3555—Historical control
    • 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
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
    • B41J2/35—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads providing current or voltage to the thermal head
    • B41J2/355—Control circuits for heating-element selection
    • B41J2/36—Print density control

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a thermal or thermal transfer printing unit in which a recording medium is blackened line by line directly or via an ink ribbon in accordance with the image to be displayed.
  • the blackening depends, among other things, on the heating duration and the associated heating output.
  • a thermal print head which has a large number of individually controllable resistance elements, the so-called heating dots.
  • These heating dots are heated by current pulses.
  • the blackening of the record carrier depends on the duration of the current pulses and on the initial temperature at which the heating dot is excited with this current pulse.
  • a so-called heating dot history analysis is carried out (DE-OS 31 44 368).
  • the duration of the current pulses is controlled depending on the previous line. A current pulse of shorter duration is applied to a specific heating dot if a so-called black value was present for this heating dot in the previous line. A current pulse of longer duration is applied if a so-called white value was previously available.
  • a thermal transfer printer is known from EP O 274 905 A2, in which a matrix print head is guided line by line over the recording medium.
  • the heating pulses contain a main pulse and, if appropriate, additionally a pre-pulse or a post-pulse.
  • the heating pulse consists of pre-pulse, main pulse and post-pulse. The main pulse is always triggered when a point is generated on the recording medium, while the additionally provided pre and post pulses are controlled as a function of the duration of the previous heating pulses.
  • the heating dots can be summarized in four segments. These segments are then driven one after the other for printing on one line (US Pat. No. 3,467,810).
  • the thermal printhead includes a serial-to-parallel converter for converting the serial print data into parallel print data, a latch circuit connected to the converter for latching the data, and a current driver circuit connected to the latch circuit.
  • each of these segments is then assigned a serial-parallel converter, a holding circuit connected to it and a switching element, via which a so-called STROBE Control signal the duration of the heating pulse is adjustable.
  • This STROBE control signal contains a pre-pulse, a main pulse and a post-pulse, so that the heating time is determined by the total duration of these three pulses.
  • the serial printing data are transmitted from the control device of the thermal printing unit to the thermal printing head on four data lines.
  • Each segment of heating dots, ie each of the four serial-parallel converters is therefore connected to the control device via its own serial data line.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a fast data transmission method for this.
  • the duration for the data transmission is 160 ⁇ s for each of the pulses of the STROBE control signal.
  • the minimum heating period that can be set (corresponding to the duration of the STROBE control signal) would be 480 ⁇ s.
  • the minimum duration for each of the pre, main and post pulses would also be set to 160 ⁇ s.
  • the heating duration is divided, in which, for example, 50% of the heating duration is allocated to the main pulse, 40% to the pre-pulse and 10% to the post-pulse, the minimum heating duration that could be set would be around 1600 ⁇ s. This value is reduced to 320 microseconds by the parallel data transmission according to the invention. The printing process can therefore be carried out much faster.
  • This control device ST outputs serial print data DATA 1 and DATA 2 to two serial-parallel converters SP1 and SP2, which are arranged on the thermal print head. These two converters can for example, be implemented by shift registers.
  • FIG. 1 To explain the principle of operation of the method according to the invention, two segments are shown in FIG. 1, in each of which three heating dots H11, 12, 13 and H21, 22, 23 are arranged.
  • the serial pressure data DATA 1, DATA 2 brought into parallel form in the serial-parallel converters SP1, SP2 are given to two holding circuits M1, M2 via three lines each.
  • a data transfer signal LATCH output by the control device ST is present at these two holding circuits M1, M2. With this data transfer signal LATCH, the parallel pressure data output by the serial-parallel converters SP1, SP2 are each transferred to the holding circuits M1, M2.
  • the heating dots H11 to H13 are connected on one side to the holding circuit M1 via three lines, and on the other side to a current source S via a common line via a switching element S1.
  • the heating dots H21 to H23 are analogously connected on one side to the holding circuit M2 and on the other side to the current source S via a switching element S2.
  • a control signal STROBE 1 or STROBE 2 emitted by the control device ST is present at the switching elements S1, S2.
  • the heating dots H11 to H23 intended for printing are selected via the pressure data stored in the holding circuits M1, M2, and the heating duration for the selected heating dots H11 to H23 is set using the switching elements S1, S2 via the control pulses STROBE 1, STROBE 2.
  • a main pulse H1 or H2 is provided in each of the control signals STROBE 1, STROBE 2 in order to blacken the recording medium via the heated heating dots H11 to H23.
  • a heating dot history analysis is carried out.
  • the print data in the current print line n are linked on the one hand to the print data of the previous print line n-1, and on the other hand to the print data of the previous print line n-2.
  • These data packets are passed to the serial-parallel converters SP1, SP2 in succession as serial print data DATA 1, DATA 2.
  • Each of these data packets has a duration of approx. 160 ⁇ s with a real thermal printing unit with approx. 640 heating dots per segment and e.g. 4 segments, with a data transfer rate of 4 MHz).
  • the linkage is carried out mathematically by multiplication.
  • the data packet formed from the print data for the current print line n linked to the previous print line n-1, must be given to the serial-parallel converters SP1 and SP2 in the control signals STROBE 1 and STROBE 2 before the occurrence of the pre-pulse V1 or V2 will.
  • the data packet with the print data for the current print line n must be delivered before the main pulse H1 or H2 occurs.
  • the data packet, formed from the print data for the current print line n and the print data for the previous print line n-2, must be delivered before the occurrence of the post-pulse N1 or N2. At the end of each of these data packets, these print data located in the serial-parallel converter SP1, SP2 are transferred to the latches M1, M2 by the data transfer signal LATCH.
  • the data packet (n ⁇ (n-2) for the post-pulse N1 of the control signal STROBE 1 is now transmitted simultaneously with the data packet (n ⁇ (n-1)) for the pre-pulse V2 for the control signal STROBE 2
  • the print data for the post-pulse of one segment are thus transmitted simultaneously with the print data for the pre-pulse of the following segment.
  • the minimum heating duration which is predetermined by the transmission duration of the corresponding data packets for the partial pulses V1, 2, H1, 2, N1, 2 in the control signals STROBE 1, 2, is therefore 320 ⁇ s, since during the duration of the preliminary and main pulses V1 , 2, H1, 2 only transmit two data packets (each with a duration of 160 ⁇ s) will.
  • the duration of the main pulse H is 50%, the duration of the pre-pulse 40% and the duration of the post-pulse N 10% of the heating duration specified by the control signal STROBE.
  • the minimum heating period that can be set is also 320 ⁇ s, corresponding to the duration for the transmission of two data packets.

Abstract

The invention relates to a data transmission process for taking heating element history in account in a thermal printer with a thermal printing head. The latter contains a plurality of heating elements (H11, H21 etc.) combined in segments, a serial-parallel converter (SP1, SP2) for converting the serial print data into parallel print data, and switching elements (S1, S2) via which the duration of heating can be adjusted, each control signal (STROBE1, STROBE2) having a pre-pulse (V1, V2), a main pulse (H1, H2) and a post-pulse (N1, N2). Using a control device (ST), the following print data are sent to each segment; print data for the main pulse (H1, H2); print data for the pre-pulse (V1, V2) which are formed by means of a logical connection from the print data for the current print line and the print data for the preceding print line; print data for the post-pulse (N1, N2) which are formed by a logical connection from the print data for the current print line and the print data for the preceding print line. The print data for the main pulse (H1) are transmitted during the pre-pulse (V1) and the print data for the post-pulse (N1) of the one segment are transmitted parallel with the print data for the pre-pulse (V2) of the subsequent segment during the main pulse (H1) of the one segment. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Thermo- bzw. ein Thermotransferdruckwerk, bei dem ein Aufzeichnungsträger zeilenweise direkt bzw. über ein Farbband entsprechend dem darzustellenden Bild geschwärzt wird. Die Schwärzung ist unter anderem abhängig von der Heizdauer und der zugehörigen Heizleistung.The invention relates to a thermal or thermal transfer printing unit in which a recording medium is blackened line by line directly or via an ink ribbon in accordance with the image to be displayed. The blackening depends, among other things, on the heating duration and the associated heating output.

Zur Erhitzung des wärmeempfindlichen Aufzeichnungsträgers bzw. des Farbbandes mit einer wärmeschmelzenden Tinte wird ein Thermodruckkopf verwendet, der eine Vielzahl von einzeln ansteuerbaren Widerstandselementen, den sogenannten Heizdots, aufweist. (DE-OS 33 02 388, DE-OS 33 37 950, DE-OS 33 38 722).To heat the heat-sensitive recording medium or the ink ribbon with a heat-melting ink, a thermal print head is used which has a large number of individually controllable resistance elements, the so-called heating dots. (DE-OS 33 02 388, DE-OS 33 37 950, DE-OS 33 38 722).

Diese Heizdots werden durch Stromimpulse aufgeheizt. Die Schwärzung des Aufzeichnungsträgers ist abhängig von der Dauer der Stromimpulse und von der Ausgangstemperatur, bei der der Heizdot mit diesem Stromimpuls erregt wird.These heating dots are heated by current pulses. The blackening of the record carrier depends on the duration of the current pulses and on the initial temperature at which the heating dot is excited with this current pulse.

Um eine konstante Schwärzung auf dem Aufzeichnungsträger unabhängig von dieser Ausgangstemperatur zu erreichen, wird eine sogenannte Heizdot-Vorgeschichtenbetrachtung durchgeführt (DE-OS 31 44 368). Hierbei wird in Abhängigkeit von der vorhergehenden Zeile die Dauer der Stromimpulse gesteuert. An einem bestimmten Heizdot wird ein Stromimpuls kürzerer Dauer angelegt, wenn in der vorhergehenden Zeile für diesen Heizdot ein sogenannter Schwarzwert vorlag. Es wird ein Stromimpuls längerer Dauer angelegt, wenn vorher ein sogenannter Weißwert vorlag.In order to achieve a constant blackening on the recording medium regardless of this starting temperature, a so-called heating dot history analysis is carried out (DE-OS 31 44 368). The duration of the current pulses is controlled depending on the previous line. A current pulse of shorter duration is applied to a specific heating dot if a so-called black value was present for this heating dot in the previous line. A current pulse of longer duration is applied if a so-called white value was previously available.

Aus der EP O 018 762 A1 ist es bekannt, den Weiß- oder Schwarzwert eines Heizdots in der vorhergehenden Zeile in einem Speicher abzulegen. Es kann auch die Dauer des Stromimpulses für den vorhergehenden Schwarzwert gespeichert werden. Bei einem nachfolgenden Schwarzwert in der aktuellen Zeile wird dieser Speicherwert zur Bestimmung der Heizdauer des Heizdots verwendet.It is known from EP O 018 762 A1 to store the white or black value of a heating dot in a memory in the previous line. The duration of the current pulse for the previous black level can also be stored. With a subsequent black value in the current line, this storage value is used to determine the heating duration of the heating dot.

Aus der EP O 274 905 A2 ist ein Thermotransferdrucker bekannt, bei dem ein Matrixdruckkopf zeilenweise über den Aufzeichnungsträger geführt wird. Die Heizimpulse, während denen die Heizelemente mit Strom gespeist sind, enthalten einen Hauptimpuls und gegebenenfalls zusätzlich einen Vor- oder einen Nachimpuls. In einer weiteren Ausführungsform besteht der Heizimpuls aus Vor-, Haupt- und Nachimpuls. Der Hauptimpuls wird dabei immer bei der Erzeugung eines Punktes auf dem Aufzeichnungsträger ausgelöst, während die zusätzlich vorgesehenen Vor- und Nachimpulse in Abhängigkeit von der Dauer der vorhergehenden Heizimpulse gesteuert werden.A thermal transfer printer is known from EP O 274 905 A2, in which a matrix print head is guided line by line over the recording medium. The heating pulses, during which the heating elements are supplied with current, contain a main pulse and, if appropriate, additionally a pre-pulse or a post-pulse. In a further embodiment, the heating pulse consists of pre-pulse, main pulse and post-pulse. The main pulse is always triggered when a point is generated on the recording medium, while the additionally provided pre and post pulses are controlled as a function of the duration of the previous heating pulses.

Zur Verringerung der Heizenergie können die Heizdots in vier Segmente zusammengefaßt sein. Diese Segmente werden dann zum Bedrucken einer Zeile nacheinander angesteuert (US-PS 3 467 810).To reduce the heating energy, the heating dots can be summarized in four segments. These segments are then driven one after the other for printing on one line (US Pat. No. 3,467,810).

Aus der DE-OS 30 36 378 ist ein Thermodruckwerk mit einer Stromtreiberschaltung zur Ansteuerung der Heizdots bekannt. Der Thermodruckkopf enthält einen Seriell-Parallelwandler zur Umwandlung der seriellen Druckdaten in parallele Druckdaten, eine mit dem Wandler verbundene Halteschaltung zum Verriegeln der Daten, und eine mit der Halteschaltung verbundene Stromtreiberschaltung.From DE-OS 30 36 378 a thermal printing unit with a current driver circuit for controlling the heating dots is known. The thermal printhead includes a serial-to-parallel converter for converting the serial print data into parallel print data, a latch circuit connected to the converter for latching the data, and a current driver circuit connected to the latch circuit.

Bei Verwendung von vier Segmenten auf dem Thermodruckkopf, wobei in jedem Segment eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Heizdots vorgesehen sind, ist dann jedem dieser Segmente jeweils ein Seriell-Parallelwandler, jeweils eine damit verbundene Halteschaltung und jeweils ein Schaltelement zugeordnet, über das mit einem sogenannten STROBE-Steuersignal die Dauer des Heizimpulses einstellbar ist. Dieses STROBE-Steuersignal enthält einen Vor-, einen Haupt- und einen Nachimpuls, so daß die Heizdauer durch die gesamte Dauer dieser drei Impulse bestimmt ist. Von der Steuereinrichtung des Thermodruckwerkes werden die seriellen Druckdaten auf vier Datenleitungen zu dem Thermodruckkopf übertragen. Jedes Segment von Heizdots, d.h. jeder der vier Seriell-Parallelwandler ist also über eine eigene serielle Datenleitung mit der Steuereinrichtung verbunden.When using four segments on the thermal print head, with a predetermined number of heating dots being provided in each segment, each of these segments is then assigned a serial-parallel converter, a holding circuit connected to it and a switching element, via which a so-called STROBE Control signal the duration of the heating pulse is adjustable. This STROBE control signal contains a pre-pulse, a main pulse and a post-pulse, so that the heating time is determined by the total duration of these three pulses. The serial printing data are transmitted from the control device of the thermal printing unit to the thermal printing head on four data lines. Each segment of heating dots, ie each of the four serial-parallel converters, is therefore connected to the control device via its own serial data line.

Bei einer Heizdot-Vorgeschichtenbetrachtung müßten dann Druckdaten für jeden der Teilimpulse des STROBE-Steuersignals in den entsprechenden Seriell-Parallelwandler übertragen werden.When considering the history of the heating dot, pressure data for each of the partial pulses of the STROBE control signal would then have to be transmitted to the corresponding serial / parallel converter.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, hierfür ein schnelles Datenübertragungsverfahren anzugeben.The object of the invention is to provide a fast data transmission method for this.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch die im Patentanspruch 1 angegebenen Merkmale gelöst.This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1.

Bei einer üblichen mit beispielsweise einem 4 MHz-Takt arbeitenden Steuereinrichtung (Controller) beträgt bei beispielsweise ca. 640 Heizdots in einem Segment die Dauer für die Datenübertragung für jeden der Impulse des STROBE-Steuersignals 160 µs. Bei einer seriellen Datenübertragung, bei der jedes Segment nach dem anderen seine Druckdaten erhält, würde die minimal einstellbare Heizdauer (entsprechend der Dauer des STROBE-Steuersignals) 480 µs betragen. Zusätzlich würde die minimale Dauer für jeden der Vor-, Haupt- und Nachimpulse ebenfalls auf 160 µs festgelegt sein. Bei einer Aufteilung der Heizdauer, bei der dem Hauptimpuls beispielsweise 50 % der Heizdauer, dem Vorimpuls 40 % und dem Nachimpuls 10 % zugeteilt werden, würde die minimal einstellbare Heizdauer rund 1600 µs betragen. Durch die erfindungsgemäße, parallele Datenübertragung reduziert sich dieser Wert auf 320 µs. Der Druckvorgang kann daher viel schneller ausgeführt werden.In the case of a conventional control device (controller) operating, for example, with a 4 MHz clock, for example with approximately 640 heating dots in a segment, the duration for the data transmission is 160 μs for each of the pulses of the STROBE control signal. In the case of serial data transmission, in which each segment receives its print data after the other, the minimum heating period that can be set (corresponding to the duration of the STROBE control signal) would be 480 µs. In addition, the minimum duration for each of the pre, main and post pulses would also be set to 160 µs. If the heating duration is divided, in which, for example, 50% of the heating duration is allocated to the main pulse, 40% to the pre-pulse and 10% to the post-pulse, the minimum heating duration that could be set would be around 1600 μs. This value is reduced to 320 microseconds by the parallel data transmission according to the invention. The printing process can therefore be carried out much faster.

Im folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand eines in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispieles erläutert. Dabei zeigen

Fig. 1
ein Blockschaltbild zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens und
Fig. 2
ein Impulsdiagramm zur Erläuterung.
In the following the invention will be explained with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show
Fig. 1
a block diagram for performing the method according to the invention and
Fig. 2
a pulse diagram for explanation.

In Fig. 1 ist eine Steuereinrichtung ST eines Thermodruckwerks (insbesondere eines Thermotransferdruckwerkes) dargestellt. Diese Steuereinrichtung ST gibt serielle Druckdaten DATA 1 und DATA 2 an zwei Seriell-Parallelwandler SP1 und SP2, die auf dem Thermodruckkopf angeordnet sind. Diese beiden Wandler können beispielsweise durch Schieberegister realisiert sein.1 shows a control device ST of a thermal printing unit (in particular a thermal transfer printing unit). This control device ST outputs serial print data DATA 1 and DATA 2 to two serial-parallel converters SP1 and SP2, which are arranged on the thermal print head. These two converters can for example, be implemented by shift registers.

Zur Erläuterung der prinzipiellen Wirkungsweise des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens sind in Fig. 1 zwei Segmente dargestellt, in denen jeweils drei Heizdots H11, 12, 13 und H21, 22, 23 angeordnet sind. Die in den Seriell-Parallelwandlern SP1, SP2 in parallele Form gebrachten seriellen Druckdaten DATA 1, DATA 2 werden über jeweils drei Leitungen an zwei Halteschaltungen M1, M2 gegeben. An diesen beiden Halteschaltungen M1, M2 liegt ein von der Steuereinrichtung ST abgegebenes Datenübernahmesignal LATCH an. Durch dieses Datenübernahmesignal LATCH werden die von den Seriell-Parallelwandlern SP1, SP2 abgegebenen parallelen Druckdaten jeweils in die Halteschaltungen M1, M2 übernommen. Die Heizdots H11 bis H13 sind auf der einen Seite über drei Leitungen mit der Halteschaltung M1, und auf der anderen Seite über eine gemeinsame Leitung über ein Schaltelement S1 mit einer Stromquelle S verbunden. Die Heizdots H21 bis H23 sind analog auf der einen Seite mit der Halteschaltung M2, und auf der anderen Seite über ein Schaltelement S2 mit der Stromquelle S verbunden.To explain the principle of operation of the method according to the invention, two segments are shown in FIG. 1, in each of which three heating dots H11, 12, 13 and H21, 22, 23 are arranged. The serial pressure data DATA 1, DATA 2 brought into parallel form in the serial-parallel converters SP1, SP2 are given to two holding circuits M1, M2 via three lines each. A data transfer signal LATCH output by the control device ST is present at these two holding circuits M1, M2. With this data transfer signal LATCH, the parallel pressure data output by the serial-parallel converters SP1, SP2 are each transferred to the holding circuits M1, M2. The heating dots H11 to H13 are connected on one side to the holding circuit M1 via three lines, and on the other side to a current source S via a common line via a switching element S1. The heating dots H21 to H23 are analogously connected on one side to the holding circuit M2 and on the other side to the current source S via a switching element S2.

An den Schaltelementen S1, S2 liegt jeweils ein von der Steuereinrichtung ST abgegebenes Steuersignal STROBE 1 bzw. STROBE 2 an.A control signal STROBE 1 or STROBE 2 emitted by the control device ST is present at the switching elements S1, S2.

Über die in den Halteschaltungen M1, M2 gespeicherten Druckdaten werden die für den Druck bestimmten Heizdots H11 bis H23 ausgewählt, und mit den Schaltelementen S1, S2 wird über die Steuerimpulse STROBE 1, STROBE 2 die Heizdauer für die ausgewählten Heizdots H11 bis H23 eingestellt.The heating dots H11 to H23 intended for printing are selected via the pressure data stored in the holding circuits M1, M2, and the heating duration for the selected heating dots H11 to H23 is set using the switching elements S1, S2 via the control pulses STROBE 1, STROBE 2.

Im folgenden wird auch auf die Fig. 2 Bezug genommen.In the following, reference is also made to FIG. 2.

Zur Schwärzung des Aufzeichnungsträgers über die erhitzten Heizdots H11 bis H23 ist in jedem der Steuersignale STROBE 1, STROBE 2 ein Hauptimpuls H1 bzw. H2 vorgesehen. Um eine konstante Schwärzung auf dem Aufzeichnungsträger zu erreichen, wird eine Heizdot-Vorgeschichtenbetrachtung durchgeführt.A main pulse H1 or H2 is provided in each of the control signals STROBE 1, STROBE 2 in order to blacken the recording medium via the heated heating dots H11 to H23. In order to achieve a constant blackening on the recording medium, a heating dot history analysis is carried out.

Hierzu werden die Druckdaten in der aktuellen Druckzeile n zum einen verknüpft mit den Druckdaten der vorhergehenden Druckzeile n-1, und zum andern mit den Druckdaten der vorvorhergehenden Druckzeile n-2. Diese Datenpakete werden als serielle Druckdaten DATA 1, DATA 2 nacheinander an die Seriell-Parallelwandler SP1, SP2 gegeben. (Jedes dieser Datenpakete hat bei einem realen Thermodruckwerk bei ca. 640 Heizdots pro Segment und z.B. 4 Segmenten eine Dauer von ca. 160 µs, bei einer Datenübertragungsrate von 4 MHz). Die Verknüpfung wird mathematisch durch eine Multiplikation ausgeführt.For this purpose, the print data in the current print line n are linked on the one hand to the print data of the previous print line n-1, and on the other hand to the print data of the previous print line n-2. These data packets are passed to the serial-parallel converters SP1, SP2 in succession as serial print data DATA 1, DATA 2. (Each of these data packets has a duration of approx. 160 µs with a real thermal printing unit with approx. 640 heating dots per segment and e.g. 4 segments, with a data transfer rate of 4 MHz). The linkage is carried out mathematically by multiplication.

Das Datenpaket, gebildet aus den Druckdaten für die aktuelle Druckzeile n verknüpft mit der vorhergehenden Druckzeile n-1, muß vor dem Auftreten des Vorimpulses V1 bzw. V2 in den Steuersignalen STROBE 1 bzw. STROBE 2 an die Seriell-Parallelwandler SP1 bzw. SP2 gegeben werden. Das Datenpaket mit den Druckdaten für die aktuelle Druckzeile n muß vor dem Auftreten des Hauptimpulses H1 bzw. H2 abgegeben werden. Das Datenpaket, gebildet aus den Druckdaten für die aktuelle Druckzeile n und den Druckdaten für die vorvorhergehende Druckzeile n-2, muß vor dem Auftreten des Nachimpulses N1 bzw. N2 abgegeben werden. Am Ende jedes dieser Datenpakete werden diese in den Seriell-Parallelwandler SP1, SP2 befindlichen Druckdaten durch das Datenübernahmesignal LATCH in die Haltespeicher M1, M2 übernommen.The data packet, formed from the print data for the current print line n linked to the previous print line n-1, must be given to the serial-parallel converters SP1 and SP2 in the control signals STROBE 1 and STROBE 2 before the occurrence of the pre-pulse V1 or V2 will. The data packet with the print data for the current print line n must be delivered before the main pulse H1 or H2 occurs. The data packet, formed from the print data for the current print line n and the print data for the previous print line n-2, must be delivered before the occurrence of the post-pulse N1 or N2. At the end of each of these data packets, these print data located in the serial-parallel converter SP1, SP2 are transferred to the latches M1, M2 by the data transfer signal LATCH.

Bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren wird nun das Datenpaket (n·(n-2) für den Nachimpuls N1 des Steuersignals STROBE 1 gleichzeitig mit dem Datenpaket (n·(n-1)) für den Vorimpuls V2 für das Steuersignal STROBE 2 übertragen. Bei einem Thermodruckwerk mit mindestens zwei Segmenten werden also die Druckdaten für den Nachimpuls des einen Segments gleichzeitig mit den Druckdaten für den Vorimpuls des nachfolgenden Segments übertragen.In the method according to the invention, the data packet (n · (n-2) for the post-pulse N1 of the control signal STROBE 1 is now transmitted simultaneously with the data packet (n · (n-1)) for the pre-pulse V2 for the control signal STROBE 2 Thermal printing unit with at least two segments, the print data for the post-pulse of one segment are thus transmitted simultaneously with the print data for the pre-pulse of the following segment.

Die minimale Heizdauer, die vorgegeben ist durch die Übertragungsdauer der entsprechenden Datenpakete für die Teilimpulse V1, 2, H1, 2, N1, 2 in den Steuersignalen STROBE 1, 2, beträgt also 320 µs, da während der Dauer der Vor- und Hauptimpulse V1, 2, H1, 2 nur zwei Datenpakete (mit jeweils 160 µs Dauer) übertragen werden.The minimum heating duration, which is predetermined by the transmission duration of the corresponding data packets for the partial pulses V1, 2, H1, 2, N1, 2 in the control signals STROBE 1, 2, is therefore 320 µs, since during the duration of the preliminary and main pulses V1 , 2, H1, 2 only transmit two data packets (each with a duration of 160 µs) will.

Bei einer möglichen Ausführungsform der Erfindung beträgt die Dauer des Hauptimpulses H 50 %, die Dauer des Vorimpulses 40 % und die Dauer des Nachimpulses N 10 % der durch das Steuersignal STROBE vorgegebenen Heizdauer. Die minimal einstellbare Heizdauer beträgt also ebenfalls 320 µs, entsprechend der Dauer für die Übertragung von zwei Datenpaketen.In one possible embodiment of the invention, the duration of the main pulse H is 50%, the duration of the pre-pulse 40% and the duration of the post-pulse N 10% of the heating duration specified by the control signal STROBE. The minimum heating period that can be set is also 320 µs, corresponding to the duration for the transmission of two data packets.

Claims (3)

Datenübertragungsverfahren zur Heizdot-Vorgeschichtenbetrachtung in einem Thermodruckwerk, insbesondere einem Thermotransferdruckwerk,

mit einem Thermodruckkopf mit einzeln ansteuerbaren, in einer Zeile angeordneten Heizdots (H11 bis H23) die in mehrere Segmente zusammengefaßt sind, die nacheinander zum Drucken einer Druckzeile angesteuert werden,

mit jeweils einem Segment zugeordneten Seriell-Parallelwandlern (SP1, SP2) zur Umformung der seriellen Druckdaten (DATA 1, DATA 2) in parallele Druckdaten zur Ansteuerung der einzelnen Heizdots (H11 bis H23),

mit jeweils einem Segment zugeordneten Schaltelementen (S1, S2), über die die Heizdauer über ein Steuersignal (STROBE 1, STROBE 2) einstellbar ist, wobei jedes Steuersignal (STROBE 1, STROBE 2) einen Vor- (V1, V2), einen Haupt- (H1, H2) und einen Nachimpuls (N1, N2) aufweist,

mit einer Steuereinrichtung (ST) , die folgenden Druckdaten (DATA 1, 2) über getrennte Datenleitungen an jedes Segment gibt:

Druckdaten für den Hauptimpuls (H1, H2) mit den Schwarz- und Weißwerten für die aktuelle Druckzeile (n),

Druckdaten für den Vorimpuls (V1, V2) , die durch eine Verknüpfung aus den Druckdaten für die aktuelle Druckzeile (n) und den Druckdaten für die vorhergehende Druckzeile (n-1) gebildet werden,

Druckdaten für den Nachimpuls (N1, N2), die durch eine Verknüpfung aus den Druckdaten für die aktuelle Druckzeile (n) und den Druckdaten für die vorvorhergehende Druckzeile (n-2) gebildet werden,

wobei die Druckdaten für den Hauptimpuls (H1, H2) während des Vorimpulses (V1, V2), und die Druckdaten für den Nachimpuls (N1, N2) des einen Segments parallel mit den Druckdaten für den Vorimpuls (V1, V2) des nachfolgenden Segments während des Hauptimpulses (H1, H2) des einen Segments übertragen werden.Data transmission method for heating dot history analysis in a thermal printing unit, in particular a thermal transfer printing unit,

with a thermal print head with individually controllable, arranged in one line heating dots (H11 to H23) which are combined in several segments , which are activated one after the other for printing a print line,

with serial-parallel converters (SP1, SP2) assigned to each segment for converting the serial print data (DATA 1, DATA 2) into parallel print data for controlling the individual heating dots (H11 to H23),

each with a segment assigned switching elements (S1, S2), by means of which the heating time can be set via a control signal (STROBE 1, STROBE 2), each control signal (STROBE 1, STROBE 2) having a front (V1, V2), a main - (H1, H2) and a post-pulse (N1, N2),

with a control device (ST) which outputs the following print data (DATA 1, 2) to each segment via separate data lines:

Print data for the main pulse (H1, H2) with the black and white values for the current print line (s),

Print data for the pre-pulse (V1, V2), which are formed by linking the print data for the current print line (s) and the print data for the previous print line (n-1),

Print data for the post-pulse (N1, N2), which are formed by linking the print data for the current print line (s) and the print data for the previous print line (n-2),

wherein the pressure data for the main pulse (H1, H2) during the pre-pulse (V1, V2), and the pressure data for the post-pulse (N1, N2) of the one segment in parallel with the pressure data for the pre-pulse (V1, V2) of the subsequent segment of the main pulse (H1, H2) of one segment. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Dauer des Hauptimpulses (H1, H2) 50 % der Gesamtdauer des Steuersignals (STROBE 1, STROBE 2) entspricht.Method according to Claim 1, in which the duration of the main pulse (H1, H2) corresponds to 50% of the total duration of the control signal (STROBE 1, STROBE 2). Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei dem die Dauer des Vorimpulses (V1, V2) 40 % der Gesamtdauer des Steuersignals (STROBE 1, STROBE 2) entspricht.Method according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the duration of the pre-pulse (V1, V2) corresponds to 40% of the total duration of the control signal (STROBE 1, STROBE 2).
EP19910250048 1990-02-23 1991-02-20 Thermal printer taking heating element history into account Expired - Lifetime EP0444763B1 (en)

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0532877A2 (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-03-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus, recording head and substrate therefor
US5745136A (en) * 1993-04-16 1998-04-28 Canon Kabushiki Kaishi Liquid jet head, and liquid jet apparatus therefor
AU734083B2 (en) * 1991-08-02 2001-05-31 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus, recording head and substrate therefor

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4649401A (en) * 1984-06-08 1987-03-10 Hitachi, Ltd. Thermal recording apparatus
DE3628191A1 (en) * 1986-08-20 1988-02-25 Siemens Ag Method and device for recording information on an information carrier by means of a thermal print head
EP0274905A2 (en) * 1986-12-27 1988-07-20 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Thermal transfer printer
EP0279637A2 (en) * 1987-02-18 1988-08-24 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Thermal printer

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4649401A (en) * 1984-06-08 1987-03-10 Hitachi, Ltd. Thermal recording apparatus
DE3628191A1 (en) * 1986-08-20 1988-02-25 Siemens Ag Method and device for recording information on an information carrier by means of a thermal print head
EP0274905A2 (en) * 1986-12-27 1988-07-20 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Thermal transfer printer
EP0279637A2 (en) * 1987-02-18 1988-08-24 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Thermal printer

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0532877A2 (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-03-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus, recording head and substrate therefor
EP0532877A3 (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-06-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus, recording head and substrate therefor
AU734083B2 (en) * 1991-08-02 2001-05-31 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus, recording head and substrate therefor
EP1122071A3 (en) * 1991-08-02 2001-08-22 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus, recording head and substrate therefor
US6290334B1 (en) 1991-08-02 2001-09-18 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus, recording head and substrate therefor
US6474789B1 (en) 1991-08-02 2002-11-05 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus, recording head and substrate therefor
EP1529643A3 (en) * 1991-08-02 2005-07-13 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording apparatus, recording head and substrate therefor
US5745136A (en) * 1993-04-16 1998-04-28 Canon Kabushiki Kaishi Liquid jet head, and liquid jet apparatus therefor

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DE59102678D1 (en) 1994-10-06
EP0444763B1 (en) 1994-08-31

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