EP0586265A1 - Operation Register Device for thermal transfer printers - Google Patents

Operation Register Device for thermal transfer printers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0586265A1
EP0586265A1 EP93401527A EP93401527A EP0586265A1 EP 0586265 A1 EP0586265 A1 EP 0586265A1 EP 93401527 A EP93401527 A EP 93401527A EP 93401527 A EP93401527 A EP 93401527A EP 0586265 A1 EP0586265 A1 EP 0586265A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cassette
film
drum
printer
coupling
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93401527A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Bernard Patry
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Axiohm SA
Original Assignee
Axiohm SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FR9207726A external-priority patent/FR2692838B1/en
Priority claimed from FR9304683A external-priority patent/FR2704181B1/en
Application filed by Axiohm SA filed Critical Axiohm SA
Publication of EP0586265A1 publication Critical patent/EP0586265A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B41J2/325—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 by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G5/00—Receipt-giving machines

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for recording the prints produced by a thermal printer operating by ink transfer on a print medium.
  • the recording of the prints produced by a print head is commonly practiced in the field of cash registers.
  • needle printers for editing tickets we proceed to the simultaneous printing of a double ribbon, the impact on the first ribbon generating a mark on the second which is wound and stored to constitute the memory or log of all transactions made by the machine.
  • the problem is posed differently because there is no impact by which marks can be produced on a secondary support.
  • the first support is for example a thin thermal paper which allows a transfer of heat towards a second thermally sensitive paper.
  • the first paper is thermally sensitive on its upper face and forms a transfer film by its lower face to transfer ink onto normal paper which forms the second printing medium.
  • thermal printing which uses an ink transfer technique from a film carrying ink on a support (for example plain paper), does not allow the publication of a operations by doubling the print head to make two identical simultaneous prints.
  • This technique apart from the fact that it entails high costs, does not definitely fulfill the exact memory function of printer operations. Indeed one of the heads may not work identically to the other and the result may be two different impressions.
  • the invention intends to offer a simpler solution to the constitution of an operations log of a thermal printer by transfer.
  • its first object is a device for recording the impressions produced by a thermal transfer printer which consists of the film carrying the ink transferred after it has passed under the heating points of the print head and by a drum for winding this film comprising means for its coupling to a motor member synchronized with the motor member driving the support to be printed.
  • the winding drum consists of the winding drum of the ink-carrying film from another drum where it is previously wound, two drums being contained in a cassette case.
  • This cassette increases the ease of placing the support film in the printer, of extracting it once used and especially of its reuse to allow it to be read again in a device designed for this purpose.
  • each of the drums of the cassette is equipped with a means for its coupling to a drive motor member.
  • an element of the housing will advantageously be equipped with an electronic "chip" by means of which, when it is placed in the machine and during its use, it is possible to '' enter a certain number of information allowing for example to identify the machine, the operator or the successive operators, to record information relating to the hours of use ...
  • This electronic component can also contain instructions of a program for commissioning certain parts of the machine, in particular the printer, and thus prohibiting its operation with cassettes of different origin from that provided by the printer manufacturer.
  • a second object of the invention which consists of a simple device comprising in a frame motor means comprising coupling members complementary to the means coupling carried by each of the cassette drums and reading means located to the right of a cassette window when the latter is housed in the frame.
  • the device for reading and checking the content of the cassette it will be advantageous for the device for reading and checking the content of the cassette to include the contacts necessary for reading and more generally for dialogue with the memory that this chip contains for complete the proofreading operation by correlating it with other information relating for example to the conditions of use.
  • FIG 1 there is shown in a partial sectional view the essential mechanical elements of a thermal printer.
  • a print head 1 in the form of a plate carrying in a known manner a line of heating points, the plate being kept applied by an elastic member 2 against a roller 3 said capstan.
  • the contact line between insert and capstan is precisely the line of heating points.
  • it passes between the wafer 1 and the capstan 3, a printing paper 4 from a roll 5 and a transfer film 6 from a roll 7 and collected by a drum 8.
  • the transfer film 6 is a support for a fusible ink such that, under the effect of the heat delivered by each point, the ink carried by the film 6 on its face which is in contact with the paper 4 is transferred to this paper where it adheres while it is detached from the film 6.
  • the printing device generally comprises a device 13 for cutting the paper ribbon 4 into sections to form tickets.
  • This device also includes, in a known manner, a rotary blade 14 and a fixed counterblade 15 between which the paper 4 passes behind the capstan 2.
  • This figure shows neither the paper guide members 4 between the capstan and the cutting device nor the drive members of the rotary blade cutting 14 which are controlled by the capstan drive.
  • the print head shown in FIG. 1 is in two parts which are movable with respect to each other between a position in which the members cooperate with each other as shown and another position in which the print head is open so that the support paper 4 and the film 7 which are the consumable products of the device can be inserted and extracted.
  • a first frame which carries the plate 1, the spring 2, the motor 12 with the drive gear 9, 10, 12.
  • This first frame comprises means not shown for receiving a second frame which carries the roll 5 of paper 4, the roll 7 of transfer film 6, the drum 8 for rewinding, the capstan 3 and the device 13.
  • the cutting device 13 has its own driving device which is carried by the second frame and whose synchronism of operation with that of the capstan is ensured electronically.
  • the drum 8 for rewinding the transfer film which can be associated with the second frame in a removable manner in order to be able to recover the used transfer film, comprises a toothed wheel 16 which can mesh with a train gear reducer 17, 18, 19 coupled to the output axis 20 of a motor 21, the reducer and the motor being carried by the first frame.
  • the drum 8 therefore constitutes the means of storing the film which has been used. Its drive is provided in synchronism with the movement of the capstan 3 so that there is no sliding of the transfer ribbon 6 relative to the paper 4. More specifically, the motor 21 is a motor coupled to the drum 8 by sliding. It ensures the tension of the transfer film, its driving under the head being ensured by friction by the paper 4 itself driven by the capstan 3.
  • the film 4 extends between a reel 7 and a rewinding drum 8 operating in synchronization with that of driving the capstan.
  • the preferred embodiment of the invention is a cassette 22 which contains the transfer film.
  • This cassette is shown in Figures 2 and 3. It essentially comprises a housing 23 in two closed parts 24 and 25 which respectively contain the roll 7 of blank film 6 and the drum 8. These two parts 24 and 25 are connected by two arms 26 and 27, which delimit between them a window 28 through which the film 6 is accessible. It is through this window that the film 6 is placed in the print head.
  • the roller 7 is mounted on a shaft 29 which has outside the housing 24 a coupling member (for example a drive square 30).
  • the drum 8 is also equipped, outside the part 25, with the toothed wheel 16 which can cooperate with any drive device ending in a conjugate toothed wheel and in particular the toothed wheel 17 associated with the motor 21.
  • the cassette 22 once fully used is removed from the printer.
  • the roller 7 can be reconstituted by rewinding by acting on the drive square 30.
  • the film 6 can then be examined by scrolling it by means of a drive by the pinion 16 (manual or motorized).
  • the examination consists in reading the negative of the impressions on the film either by simple visual inspection or by an optical reader.
  • a support 31 for a contrast surface for example white
  • This support 31 can be placed directly on the cassette between the arms 26 and 27 which for this purpose comprise means for its snap-fastening. It can also belong to a device for verifying the printing operations carried out by a thermal printer, which consists in carrying out the examination of each used cassette 22 forming the log of these operations.
  • This device is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4. It comprises a frame 32 for receiving the cassette (with non-illustrated coding members for example) which carries motor means 33 and 34 which can be automatically coupled to the drive elements 16 and 30 from the cassette.
  • the control of these means allows the film 4 to be wound and unwound for its passage in one or the other of the two directions in the window 28.
  • This frame 32 is also equipped with the contrast surface 31 and can be closed by an optical reader 35 for examining the journal that constitutes the film 6.
  • the optical reader 35 can be a scanner equipped with a light source and a bar of CCD cells allowing the digitization of the information read by reflection on the surface 31 of the light having passed through the transparent areas of the film 6.
  • This reader can be connected to a processing unit (shape recognition, etc.) allowing operation of the operations log.
  • the surface 31 and the scanning reader is placed under the film 6, the member 35 being simply replaced by an illumination device.
  • FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 the presence of an electronic component 40 on one of the walls of the housing 23, for example the arm 26.
  • This component or “chip” comprises in known manner a memory which is only readable or electrically programmable, or even electrically programmable and erasable as well as connection elements accessible from the outside for its connection to supply and information exchange conductors (addresses, data, etc.).
  • the printer and the device for reading and checking the cassette have means on standby to make the connection and the logical dialogue with the electronic component. Is illustrated on the frame 32 of the device of Figure 4 the conductors 41 which connect these means waiting inside the frame 32 to a processing unit not shown.
  • the memory may contain program instructions which are necessary, for example, for commissioning the printer.
  • the printer management microprocessor may in fact have to go and interrogate certain addresses of the memory carried by the cassette in order to execute the program for commissioning the printer each time the cassette is changed. So the manufacturer of the printer and cassettes can protect himself against counterfeiting or a copy of its material, dedicating the cassettes to the printer of its manufacture or of an authorized manufacture.

Abstract

Device for registering prints made by a thermal transfer printer (1,3), characterised in that it consists of the film (6) carrying the ink transferred after its passage under the heating points of the printing head (1,3) and of a drum (8) for winding this film, comprising means (16) for coupling it to a motor member (21) synchronised with the motor member (12) for driving the support (4) to be printed. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif pour enregistrer les impressions réalisées par une imprimante thermique opérant par transfert d'encre sur un support d'impression.The present invention relates to a device for recording the prints produced by a thermal printer operating by ink transfer on a print medium.

L'enregistrement des impressions réalisées par une tête d'impression est couramment pratiqué dans le domaine des caisses enregistreuses. Lorsqu'il s'agit d'imprimantes à aiguilles pour éditer des tickets, on procède à l'impression simultanée d'un double ruban, l'impact sur le premier ruban engendrant une marque sur le second qui est enroulé et stocké pour constituer la mémoire ou le journal de toutes les transactions réalisées par la machine.The recording of the prints produced by a print head is commonly practiced in the field of cash registers. When it comes to needle printers for editing tickets, we proceed to the simultaneous printing of a double ribbon, the impact on the first ribbon generating a mark on the second which is wound and stored to constitute the memory or log of all transactions made by the machine.

Dans le cas d'imprimantes thermiques, le problème se pose différemment car il n'existe pas d'impact grâce auquel on puisse réaliser des marques sur un support secondaire. On utilise alors un double support. Dans une première technique, le premier support est par exemple un papier thermique fin qui permet un transfert de chaleur en direction d'un second papier sensible thermiquement. Dans une autre version, le premier papier est thermiquement sensible sur sa face supérieure et forme un film transfert par sa face inférieure pour transférer de l'encre sur du papier normal qui forme le second support d'impression.In the case of thermal printers, the problem is posed differently because there is no impact by which marks can be produced on a secondary support. We then use a double support. In a first technique, the first support is for example a thin thermal paper which allows a transfer of heat towards a second thermally sensitive paper. In another version, the first paper is thermally sensitive on its upper face and forms a transfer film by its lower face to transfer ink onto normal paper which forms the second printing medium.

La mise en oeuvre d'un double support est toujours une complication dans les têtes d'impression thermique et leur environnement. Il faut en effet assurer un guidage séparé de chacun des supports qui n'ont pas la même destination.The implementation of a double support is always a complication in thermal print heads and their environment. It is indeed necessary to provide separate guidance for each of the supports which do not have the same destination.

En outre, l'impression thermique qui met en oeuvre une technique par transfert d'encre à partir d'un film porteur de l'encre sur un support (par exemple de papier ordinaire), ne permet l'édition d'un journal des opérations qu'en doublant la tête d'impression pour faire deux impressions simultanées identiques. Cette technique, outre qu'elle entraîne des coûts élevés ne remplit pas de manière certaine la fonction de mémoire exacte des opérations de l'imprimante. En effet l'une des têtes peut ne pas fonctionner identiquement à l'autre et le résultat peut être deux impressions différentes.In addition, thermal printing, which uses an ink transfer technique from a film carrying ink on a support (for example plain paper), does not allow the publication of a operations by doubling the print head to make two identical simultaneous prints. This technique, apart from the fact that it entails high costs, does not definitely fulfill the exact memory function of printer operations. Indeed one of the heads may not work identically to the other and the result may be two different impressions.

L'invention entend offrir une solution plus simple à la constitution d'un journal des opérations d'une imprimante thermique par transfert.The invention intends to offer a simpler solution to the constitution of an operations log of a thermal printer by transfer.

A cet effet, elle a pour premier objet un dispositif d'enregistrement des impressions réalisées par une imprimante thermique par transfert qui est constitué par le film porteur de l'encre transférée après son passage sous les points chauffants de la tête d'impression et par un tambour d'enroulement de ce film comportant des moyens pour son accouplement à un organe moteur synchronisé avec l'organe moteur d'entraînement du support à imprimer.For this purpose, its first object is a device for recording the impressions produced by a thermal transfer printer which consists of the film carrying the ink transferred after it has passed under the heating points of the print head and by a drum for winding this film comprising means for its coupling to a motor member synchronized with the motor member driving the support to be printed.

On sait en effet que le film support de l'encre transférée présente à la place de l'encre qui a disparu une zone transparente si l'encre a complètement quitté le film pour être déposée sur le support. On dispose donc en négatif, de la copie de ce qui fut imprimé. La collecte de ce film est donc bien un moyen efficace pour réaliser un journal fidèle des opérations réalisées par l'imprimante.It is in fact known that the support film of the transferred ink has, in place of the ink which has disappeared, a transparent area if the ink has completely left the film to be deposited on the support. We therefore have a negative copy of what was printed. Collecting this film is therefore an effective means of producing a faithful log of the operations carried out by the printer.

De manière avantageuse et surtout pratique pour la manipulation de ce support de transfert et d'enregistrement, le tambour d'enroulement est constitué par le tambour de bobinage du film porteur d'encre issu d'un autre tambour où il est préalablement bobiné, les deux tambours étant contenus dans un boîtier formant cassette. Cette cassette augmente la facilité de mise en place du film support dans l'imprimante, de son extraction une fois utilisée et surtout de sa réutilisation pour en permettre la relecture dans un appareil conçu à cet effet.Advantageously and above all practical for the handling of this transfer and recording medium, the winding drum consists of the winding drum of the ink-carrying film from another drum where it is previously wound, two drums being contained in a cassette case. This cassette increases the ease of placing the support film in the printer, of extracting it once used and especially of its reuse to allow it to be read again in a device designed for this purpose.

Pour que cette relecture puisse être réalisée de manière aisée, soit au moyen d'un scanner ou d'un lecteur optique, soit même directement à l'oeil, chacun des tambours de la cassette est équipé d'un moyen pour son accouplement à un organe moteur d'entraînement.So that this rereading can be carried out easily, either by means of a scanner or an optical reader, or even directly to the eye, each of the drums of the cassette is equipped with a means for its coupling to a drive motor member.

Dans ce mode de réalisation en cassette du support, on aura avantageusement équipé un élément du boîtier d'une "puce" électronique au moyen de laquelle, lors de sa mise en place dans la machine et au cours de son utilisation, il est possible d'inscrire un certain nombre d'informations permettant par exemple d'identifier la machine, l'opératrice ou les opératrices successives, d'inscrire des informations relatives aux heures d'utilisation... Ce composant électronique peut également contenir des instructions d'un programme de mise en service de certains organes de la machine et notamment de l'imprimante, et ainsi interdire son fonctionnement avec des cassettes d'origine différente de celle prévue par le constructeur de l'imprimante.In this cassette embodiment of the support, an element of the housing will advantageously be equipped with an electronic "chip" by means of which, when it is placed in the machine and during its use, it is possible to '' enter a certain number of information allowing for example to identify the machine, the operator or the successive operators, to record information relating to the hours of use ... This electronic component can also contain instructions of a program for commissioning certain parts of the machine, in particular the printer, and thus prohibiting its operation with cassettes of different origin from that provided by the printer manufacturer.

Il est ainsi possible de réaliser, pour la vérification des enregistrements portés par le film transfert enfermé dans une cassette un second objet de l'invention qui consiste en un dispositif simple comportant dans un bâti des moyens moteurs comportant des organes d'accouplement complémentaires des moyens d'accouplement portés par chacun des tambours de la cassette et des moyens de lecture situés au droit d'une fenêtre de la cassette lorsque celle-ci est logée dans le bâti.It is thus possible to produce, for the verification of the records carried by the transfer film enclosed in a cassette, a second object of the invention which consists of a simple device comprising in a frame motor means comprising coupling members complementary to the means coupling carried by each of the cassette drums and reading means located to the right of a cassette window when the latter is housed in the frame.

Si le boîtier de la cassette est équipé de cette "puce" électronique, il sera avantageux que le dispositif de lecture et contrôle du contenu de la cassette comporte les contacts nécessaires à la lecture et plus généralement au dialogue avec la mémoire que comporte cette puce pour compléter l'opération de relecture en la corrélant avec d'autres informations relatives par exemple aux conditions d'utilisation.If the cassette casing is equipped with this electronic "chip", it will be advantageous for the device for reading and checking the content of the cassette to include the contacts necessary for reading and more generally for dialogue with the memory that this chip contains for complete the proofreading operation by correlating it with other information relating for example to the conditions of use.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages ressortiront de la description donnée ci-après d'un mode de réalisation de chacun des objets de l'invention à titre d'exemple.Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description given below of an embodiment of each of the objects of the invention by way of example.

Il sera fait référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe d'une imprimante thermique comportant un film transfert d'encre,
  • les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues d'une cassette de ce film,
  • la figure 4 illustre, par un schéma, un dispositif pour vérifier ou lire la cassette formant journal des opérations de l'imprimante.
Reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a thermal printer comprising an ink transfer film,
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are views of a cassette of this film,
  • FIG. 4 illustrates, by a diagram, a device for checking or reading the cassette forming the printer's operations log.

A la figure 1, on a représenté par une vue partielle en coupe les éléments mécaniques essentiels d'une imprimante thermique. Ainsi, elle comporte une tête d'impression 1 se présentant sous la forme d'une plaquette portant de manière connue une ligne de points chauffants, la plaquette étant maintenue appliquée par un organe élastique 2 contre un rouleau 3 dit cabestan. La ligne de contact entre plaquette et cabestan est précisément la ligne de points chauffants. Au niveau de ce contact, il passe entre la plaquette 1 et le cabestan 3, un papier à imprimer 4 issu d'un rouleau 5 et un film transfert 6 issu d'un rouleau 7 et recueilli par un tambour 8. Le film transfert 6 est un support pour une encre fusible telle que, sous l'effet de la chaleur délivrée par chaque point l'encre portée par le film 6 sur sa face qui est au contact du papier 4 est transférée sur ce papier où elle adhère alors qu'elle se détache du film 6.In Figure 1, there is shown in a partial sectional view the essential mechanical elements of a thermal printer. Thus, it comprises a print head 1 in the form of a plate carrying in a known manner a line of heating points, the plate being kept applied by an elastic member 2 against a roller 3 said capstan. The contact line between insert and capstan is precisely the line of heating points. At this contact, it passes between the wafer 1 and the capstan 3, a printing paper 4 from a roll 5 and a transfer film 6 from a roll 7 and collected by a drum 8. The transfer film 6 is a support for a fusible ink such that, under the effect of the heat delivered by each point, the ink carried by the film 6 on its face which is in contact with the paper 4 is transferred to this paper where it adheres while it is detached from the film 6.

On rappellera que l'entraînement du papier est assuré par sa friction sur le cabestan 3 qui est entraîné en rotation au moyen d'un jeu de pignons 9, 10 qui forment chaîne d'accouplement et d'entraînement entre une roue dentée solidaire du cabestan et l'arbre 11 de sortie d'un moteur 12.It will be recalled that the paper is driven by its friction on the capstan 3 which is rotated by means of a set of pinions 9, 10 which form a coupling and drive chain between a toothed wheel secured to the capstan and the output shaft 11 of a motor 12.

Derrière le cabestan 3, le dispositif d'impression comprend en général un dispositif de coupe 13 du ruban de papier 4 en tronçons pour former des tickets. Ce dispositif comprend, également de manière connue, une lame rotative 14 et une contre-lame fixe 15 entre lesquelles passe le papier 4 derrière le cabestan 2. Il n'est représenté sur cette figure ni les organes de guidage du papier 4 entre cabestan et dispositif de coupe ni les organes d'entraînement de la lame rotative de coupe 14 qui sont asservis à l'entraînement du cabestan.Behind the capstan 3, the printing device generally comprises a device 13 for cutting the paper ribbon 4 into sections to form tickets. This device also includes, in a known manner, a rotary blade 14 and a fixed counterblade 15 between which the paper 4 passes behind the capstan 2. This figure shows neither the paper guide members 4 between the capstan and the cutting device nor the drive members of the rotary blade cutting 14 which are controlled by the capstan drive.

Il faut enfin mentionner que la tête d'impression représentée à la figure 1 est en deux parties mobiles l'une par rapport à l'autre entre une position dans laquelle les organes coopèrent les uns avec les autres comme représenté et une autre position dans laquelle la tête d'impression est ouverte pour que soient possibles la mise en place et l'extraction du papier support 4 et du film 7 qui sont les produits consommables du dispositif. A titre indicatif, il existe donc un premier bâti qui porte la plaquette 1, le ressort 2, le moteur 12 avec la pignonerie d'entraînement 9, 10, 12. Ce premier bâti comporte des moyens non représentés pour recevoir un second bâti qui lui porte le rouleau 5 de papier 4, le rouleau 7 de film transfert 6, le tambour 8 pour son rembobinage, le cabestan 3 et le dispositif 13.Finally, it should be mentioned that the print head shown in FIG. 1 is in two parts which are movable with respect to each other between a position in which the members cooperate with each other as shown and another position in which the print head is open so that the support paper 4 and the film 7 which are the consumable products of the device can be inserted and extracted. As an indication, there is therefore a first frame which carries the plate 1, the spring 2, the motor 12 with the drive gear 9, 10, 12. This first frame comprises means not shown for receiving a second frame which carries the roll 5 of paper 4, the roll 7 of transfer film 6, the drum 8 for rewinding, the capstan 3 and the device 13.

Il est donc aisé de préparer sur le second bâti la mise en place des produits consommables (papier 4 et film 6) puis de rapprocher et réunir les deux bâtis, ce qui a pour effet d'appuyer la tête 1 contre le cabestan 4 avec en sandwich le papier et le film et de placer en engrènement le pignon d'entraînement du cabestan qui lui est solidaire et le dernier pignon de la chaîne 9, 10, 11. En général le dispositif de coupe 13 possède son propre dispositif d'entraînement qui est porté par le second bâti et dont le synchronisme de fonctionnement avec celui du cabestan est assuré de manière électronique.It is therefore easy to prepare on the second frame the installation of consumable products (paper 4 and film 6) then to bring together and join the two frames, which has the effect of pressing the head 1 against the capstan 4 with sandwich the paper and the film and place the meshing pinion drive pinion which is integral with it and the last pinion of the chain 9, 10, 11 in mesh. In general, the cutting device 13 has its own driving device which is carried by the second frame and whose synchronism of operation with that of the capstan is ensured electronically.

Selon l'invention, le tambour 8 de rembobinage du film transfert qui est associable au second bâti de manière démontable pour pouvoir récupérer le film transfert usagé, comporte une roue dentée 16 qui peut engrener avec un train réducteur d'engrenages 17, 18, 19 accouplé à l'axe 20 de sortie d'un moteur 21, le réducteur et le moteur étant portés par le premier bâti.According to the invention, the drum 8 for rewinding the transfer film which can be associated with the second frame in a removable manner in order to be able to recover the used transfer film, comprises a toothed wheel 16 which can mesh with a train gear reducer 17, 18, 19 coupled to the output axis 20 of a motor 21, the reducer and the motor being carried by the first frame.

Le tambour 8 constitue donc le moyen de stockage du film qui a été utilisé. Son entraînement est assuré en synchronisme avec le mouvement du cabestan 3 de manière qu'il n'y ait aucun glissement du ruban transfert 6 par rapport au papier 4. Plus précisément, le moteur 21 est un moteur accouplé au tambour 8 par glissement. Il assure la tension du film transfert, son entraînement sous la tête étant assuré par friction par le papier 4 lui-même entraîné par le cabestan 3.The drum 8 therefore constitutes the means of storing the film which has been used. Its drive is provided in synchronism with the movement of the capstan 3 so that there is no sliding of the transfer ribbon 6 relative to the paper 4. More specifically, the motor 21 is a motor coupled to the drum 8 by sliding. It ensures the tension of the transfer film, its driving under the head being ensured by friction by the paper 4 itself driven by the capstan 3.

Alors que dans un mode de réalisation sommaire de l'invention, le film 4 s'étend entre une bobine 7 et un tambour 8 de rembobinage de fonctionnement synchronisé avec celui d'entraînement du cabestan. Le mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention est une cassette 22 qui contient le film transfert. Cette cassette est représentée aux figures 2 et 3. Elle comporte essentiellement un boîtier 23 en deux parties fermées 24 et 25 qui contiennent respectivement le rouleau 7 de film 6 vierge et le tambour 8. Ces deux parties 24 et 25 sont reliées par deux bras 26 et 27, qui délimitent entre eux une fenêtre 28 par laquelle le film 6 est accessible. C'est au travers de cette fenêtre que le film 6 est placé dans la tête d'impression.While in a summary embodiment of the invention, the film 4 extends between a reel 7 and a rewinding drum 8 operating in synchronization with that of driving the capstan. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a cassette 22 which contains the transfer film. This cassette is shown in Figures 2 and 3. It essentially comprises a housing 23 in two closed parts 24 and 25 which respectively contain the roll 7 of blank film 6 and the drum 8. These two parts 24 and 25 are connected by two arms 26 and 27, which delimit between them a window 28 through which the film 6 is accessible. It is through this window that the film 6 is placed in the print head.

Le rouleau 7 est monté sur un axe 29 qui possède à l'extérieur du boîtier 24 un organe d'accouplement (par exemple un carré d'entraînement 30). Le tambour 8 est par ailleurs équipé, à l'extérieur de la partie 25, de la roue dentée 16 qui pourra coopérer avec tout dispositif d'entraînement se terminant par une roue dentée conjuguée et notamment la roue dentée 17 associée au moteur 21.The roller 7 is mounted on a shaft 29 which has outside the housing 24 a coupling member (for example a drive square 30). The drum 8 is also equipped, outside the part 25, with the toothed wheel 16 which can cooperate with any drive device ending in a conjugate toothed wheel and in particular the toothed wheel 17 associated with the motor 21.

La cassette 22 une fois entièrement utilisée est extraite de l'imprimante. Le rouleau 7 peut être reconstitué par rembobinage en agissant sur le carré d'entraînement 30. Le film 6 peut ensuite être examiné en le faisant défiler au moyen d'un entraînement par le pignon 16 (manuel ou motorisé). L'examen consiste à lire le négatif des impressions sur le film soit par simple inspection visuelle soit par un lecteur optique. Pour que cette lecture soit plus aisée, il est possible de placer d'un côté du film 6 un support 31 pour une surface de contraste (par exemple blanche) qui sera visible au travers du film 6 dans ses zones dépourvues d'encre et rendra plus lisibles ces zones soit visuellement soit au moyen d'un lecteur optique. Ce support 31 peut être placé directement sur la cassette entre les bras 26 et 27 qui comportent à cet effet des moyens pour son encliquetage. Il peut également appartenir à un dispositif de vérification des opérations d'impression réalisées par une imprimante thermique, qui consiste à réaliser l'examen de chaque cassette 22 usagée formant le journal de ces opérations.The cassette 22 once fully used is removed from the printer. The roller 7 can be reconstituted by rewinding by acting on the drive square 30. The film 6 can then be examined by scrolling it by means of a drive by the pinion 16 (manual or motorized). The examination consists in reading the negative of the impressions on the film either by simple visual inspection or by an optical reader. To make this reading easier, it is possible to place on one side of the film 6 a support 31 for a contrast surface (for example white) which will be visible through the film 6 in its areas devoid of ink and will render these areas are more legible either visually or by means of an optical reader. This support 31 can be placed directly on the cassette between the arms 26 and 27 which for this purpose comprise means for its snap-fastening. It can also belong to a device for verifying the printing operations carried out by a thermal printer, which consists in carrying out the examination of each used cassette 22 forming the log of these operations.

Ce dispositif est schématiquement illustré par la figure 4. Il comporte un bâti 32 de réception de la cassette (avec des organes non représentés de détrompage par exemple) qui porte des moyens moteurs 33 et 34 qui peuvent être accouplés automatiquement aux éléments d'entraînement 16 et 30 de la cassette. La commande de ces moyens permet l'enroulement et le déroulement du film 4 pour son passage dans l'un ou l'autre des deux sens dans la fenêtre 28.This device is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4. It comprises a frame 32 for receiving the cassette (with non-illustrated coding members for example) which carries motor means 33 and 34 which can be automatically coupled to the drive elements 16 and 30 from the cassette. The control of these means allows the film 4 to be wound and unwound for its passage in one or the other of the two directions in the window 28.

Ce bâti 32 est également équipé de la surface de contraste 31 et peut être refermé par un lecteur optique 35 pour l'examen du journal que constitue le film 6. Par exemple le lecteur optique 35 peut être un scanner équipé d'une source lumineuse et d'une barre de cellules CCD permettant la numérisation des informations lues par réflexion sur la surface 31 de la lumière ayant traversé les zones transparentes du film 6. Ce lecteur peut être relié à une unité de traitement (reconnaissance de forme....) permettant une exploitation du journal des opérations.This frame 32 is also equipped with the contrast surface 31 and can be closed by an optical reader 35 for examining the journal that constitutes the film 6. For example the optical reader 35 can be a scanner equipped with a light source and a bar of CCD cells allowing the digitization of the information read by reflection on the surface 31 of the light having passed through the transparent areas of the film 6. This reader can be connected to a processing unit (shape recognition, etc.) allowing operation of the operations log.

Dans une variante de réalisation, on supprime la surface 31 et le lecteur de numérisation est placé sous le film 6, l'organe 35 étant simplement remplacé par un dispositif d'éclairement.In an alternative embodiment, the surface 31 and the scanning reader is placed under the film 6, the member 35 being simply replaced by an illumination device.

On remarquera enfin aux figures 2, 3 et 4 la présence d'un composant électronique 40 sur l'une des parois du boîtier 23 par exemple le bras 26. Ce composant ou "puce" comporte de manière connue une mémoire soit uniquement lisible soit électriquement programmable, soit encore électriquement programmable et effeçable ainsi que des éléments de connexion accessibles par l'extérieur pour son raccordement à des conducteurs d'alimentation et d'échange d'informations (adresses, données....). L'imprimante et le dispositif de lecture et de contrôle de la cassette comportent des moyens en attente pour réaliser la connexion et le dialogue logique avec le composant électronique. On a illustré sur le bâti 32 du dispositif de la figure 4 les conducteurs 41 qui relient ces moyens en attente de l'intérieur du bâti 32 à une unité de traitement non représentée.Finally, it will be noted in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 the presence of an electronic component 40 on one of the walls of the housing 23, for example the arm 26. This component or "chip" comprises in known manner a memory which is only readable or electrically programmable, or even electrically programmable and erasable as well as connection elements accessible from the outside for its connection to supply and information exchange conductors (addresses, data, etc.). The printer and the device for reading and checking the cassette have means on standby to make the connection and the logical dialogue with the electronic component. Is illustrated on the frame 32 of the device of Figure 4 the conductors 41 which connect these means waiting inside the frame 32 to a processing unit not shown.

Il est ainsi possible de repérer la cassette, la machine où elle fut en service, l'opérateur de cette machine, la date et le temps d'utilisation.... grâce à un certain nombre de données introduites dans la mémooire au moment de son installation et de son utilisation dans la machine associée à l'imprimante.It is thus possible to locate the cassette, the machine where it was in service, the operator of this machine, the date and the time of use .... thanks to a certain number of data entered in the memory at the time of its installation and its use in the machine associated with the printer.

A l'examen du journal, on dispose alors de ces informations, ce qui peut avantageusement compléter le traitement de la cassette.Upon examination of the newspaper, this information is then available, which can advantageously complete the processing of the cassette.

En outre la mémoire peut contenir des instructions de programme qui sont nécessaires, par exemple, pour la mise en service de l'imprimante. Le microprocesseur de gestion de l'imprimante peut en effet devoir aller interroger certaines adresses de la mémoire portée par la cassette pour exécuter le programme de mise en service de l'imprimante à chaque changement de cassette. Ainsi le constructeur de l'imprimante et des cassettes peut-il se prémunir contre une contrefaçon ou une copie de son matériel, en dédiant les cassettes à l'imprimante de sa fabrication ou d'une fabrication autorisée.In addition, the memory may contain program instructions which are necessary, for example, for commissioning the printer. The printer management microprocessor may in fact have to go and interrogate certain addresses of the memory carried by the cassette in order to execute the program for commissioning the printer each time the cassette is changed. So the manufacturer of the printer and cassettes can protect himself against counterfeiting or a copy of its material, dedicating the cassettes to the printer of its manufacture or of an authorized manufacture.

Claims (10)

Dispositif d'enregistrement des impressions réalisées par une imprimante thermique (1,3) par transfert caractérisé en ce qu'il est constitué par le film (6) porteur de l'encre transférée, après son passage sous les points chauffants de la tête (1,3) d'impression et par un tambour (8) d'enroulement de ce film comportant des moyens (16) pour son accouplement à un organe moteur (21) synchronisé avec un organe moteur (12) d'entraînement du support (4) à imprimer.Device for recording the impressions produced by a thermal printer (1,3) by transfer, characterized in that it consists of the film (6) carrying the ink transferred, after its passage under the heating points of the head ( 1,3) printing and by a drum (8) for winding this film comprising means (16) for its coupling to a motor member (21) synchronized with a motor member (12) for driving the support ( 4) to print. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le tambour (8) d'enroulement est constitué par le tambour de bobinage du film porteur d'encre issu d'un autre tambour (29) où il est préalablement bobiné, les deux tambours (29,8) étant contenus dans un boîtier formant cassette (22).Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the winding drum (8) consists of the winding drum of the ink-carrying film from another drum (29) where it is previously wound, the two drums ( 29.8) being contained in a cassette housing (22). Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que chaque tambour (29,8) comporte des moyens (16,30) pour son accouplement à un organe moteur.Device according to claim 3, characterized in that each drum (29,8) comprises means (16,30) for its coupling to a motor member. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce que la cassette (22) possède une fenêtre (28) entre les deux tambours (29,8) dans laquelle les deux faces du film (6) sont découvertes.Device according to either of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the cassette (22) has a window (28) between the two drums (29,8) in which the two faces of the film (6) are exposed. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4 caractérisé en ce que l'une des parois du boîtier formant cassette (22) constitue le support d'un composant électronique (40) comprenant au moins un circuit de mémoires et des moyens de connexion accessibles de l'extérieur du boîtier.Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that one of the walls of the cassette-forming box (22) constitutes the support of an electronic component (40) comprising at least one memory circuit and connection means accessible from outside the housing. Dispositif de vérification des impressions réalisées par une imprimante thermique par transfert et enregistrées par le dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte, dans un bâti (32) des moyens moteurs (33,34) comportant des organes d'accouplement complémentaires des moyens d'accouplement (16,30) portés par chacun des tambours (29,8) de la cassette (22) et des moyens (35) de la lecture situés au droit de la fenêtre (28) de la cassette lorsque celle-ci est logée dans le bâti.Device for verifying the prints produced by a thermal transfer printer and recorded by the device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises, in a frame (32) motor means (33,34) comprising coupling members complementary to the coupling means (16,30) carried by each of the drums (29,8) of the cassette (22) and the means (35) of the reading located to the right of the window (28) of the cassette when the latter is housed in the frame. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de lecture comportent une surface de contraste (31) située au droit de la fenêtre (28) de la cassette (22).Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the reading means comprise a contrast surface (31) situated to the right of the window (28) of the cassette (22). Dispositif selon la revendication 6 ou la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de lecture comportent un lecteur optique connu en lui-même.Device according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the reading means comprise an optical reader known in itself. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8, caractérisé en ce qu'il constitue un dispositif (32) séparé de l'imprimante, la cassette (22) de film porteur usagé constituant le journal des opérations effectuées par l'imprimante thermique.Device according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it constitutes a device (32) separate from the printer, the cassette (22) of used carrier film constituting the log of the operations carried out by the thermal printer. . Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 9 caractérisé en ce que son bâti (32) comporte des moyens (41) en attente pour leur accouplement électrique avec les moyens de connexion du composant électronique (40) porté par le boîtier de la cassette (22).Device according to any one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that its frame (32) comprises means (41) waiting for their electrical coupling with the means of connection of the electronic component (40) carried by the casing of the cassette (22).
EP93401527A 1992-06-24 1993-06-15 Operation Register Device for thermal transfer printers Withdrawn EP0586265A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9207726 1992-06-24
FR9207726A FR2692838B1 (en) 1992-06-24 1992-06-24 Device for recording the operations of a thermal transfer printer.
FR9304683A FR2704181B1 (en) 1993-04-21 1993-04-21 DEVICE FOR RECORDING THE OPERATIONS OF A TRANSFER THERMAL PRINTER.
FR9304683 1993-04-21

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