JP2000143005A - Recording medium package and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply suppress density variation attributable to a change in temperature and humidity under the storage environment of recording paper. SOLUTION: This recording paper package 12 is sealed up in a moisture-proof wrapping bag. A storage historical memory device 39 is installed in the recording paper package 12. In addition, the memory device 39 is comprised of a microcomputer of one tip, and such outboard parts as a phototransistor 54, a thermistor 55, a humidity sensor 56, an I/O terminal, etc., plus a printed circuit board 58. After the wrapping bag is unsealed temperature and humidity in a recording plater storage space are periodically detected. by the storage historical memory device 39. When the recording paper package 12, storage hysteretic data are read out of the storage historical memory device 39 by a system controller 69 of a printer body 11. Then a compensation quantity in time of printing is found out of these storage historical data. In time of the printing, image data are compensated on the basis of this compensation quantity, whereby print density variation attributable to the storage environment is thus checked.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium package and a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording paper for a thermal printer has a cyan thermosensitive coloring layer, a magenta thermosensitive coloring layer, and a yellow thermosensitive coloring layer sequentially formed on a support. Then, thermal recording is performed in order from the heat-sensitive coloring layer on the surface, and light fixing is performed when the next heat-sensitive coloring layer is thermally recorded. In this light fixing, each thermosensitive coloring layer is irradiated with ultraviolet rays or the like in a wavelength range peculiar to the thermosensitive coloring layer so as to lose the coloring ability. This is performed in order to prevent coloring. The recording paper for the thermal printer is stored in a light-shielding bag, and is supplied in a paper box because exposure to light for a long time, even under a normal light source, affects the coloring characteristics.

[0003]

The coloring properties of this thermosensitive recording paper vary depending on the ambient temperature and humidity as well as the storage conditions. For this reason, the present applicant has proposed a recording paper package including a recording paper sample having the same configuration as the recording paper, a color sample due to the temporal change of the recording paper sample, and a correction display unit displaying correction data corresponding to the color sample. For example, Japanese Patent Application No. 10-0
No. 72458.

[0004] However, the correction display unit uses:
Comparing the recording paper sample with the color sample to obtain correction data corresponding to a color sample similar in color to the recording paper sample, it is difficult to obtain accurate correction data. In addition, it is necessary to obtain correction data by comparing the samples, and to input the correction data, so that there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording paper package and a printer capable of automatically obtaining correction data for correcting a density change or the like caused by a change in a storage state.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording paper package, comprising:
The storage history storage device includes means for periodically detecting the humidity or temperature, and storage means for storing the detected humidity or temperature as a storage history together with the time when the humidity or temperature is detected. The recording paper package according to the second aspect of the present invention includes means for periodically detecting the humidity and temperature of the package, and storage means for storing the detected humidity and temperature together with the time when the humidity and temperature are detected as a storage history. A storage history storage device is provided. The storage history storage device includes a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a clock unit, a storage unit, and a power supply, and the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor detect the humidity and the temperature in the recording medium storage unit. Is preferred. Further, the package is sealed in a moisture-proof outer bag, and the storage history storage device includes means for detecting opening of the outer bag, and detects temperature and humidity periodically after the outer bag is opened. Is preferred. It is preferable that the type of the recording medium is stored in the storage unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer for reading a storage history from a storage unit of the recording medium package set at a paper feeding position, and obtaining a correction amount at the time of printing from the read storage history, and performing correction based on the correction amount. Recording means for recording on the recording medium. The recording means classifies each data of the storage history according to a combination of temperature and humidity, multiplies the number of data existing in the classified area by a correction coefficient for each area, and calculates a correction amount based on the sum of these. Is preferably obtained. Further, it is preferable that the data of the storage history be classified into a plurality of periods according to the time of detection, the correction coefficient used for each of these periods is changed, and the weighting is increased more immediately before.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a color thermal printer according to the present invention. A color thermal printer 10 according to the present invention includes a box-shaped printer main body 11, a recording paper package 12 detachably attached thereto, and an external display 1 for displaying an image to be printed and the like.
And 3. As the external display 13, a television receiver is used.

At the center of the front surface of the printer body 11, a loading port 14 for the recording paper package 12 is provided. A paper discharge port 15 is provided above the loading port 14. Further, an insertion slot 17 for a smart media (small IC memory card) 16 is provided on the upper left side, and a power switch 18 is provided below it.

The loading port 14 of the recording paper package 12
On the right side are four cursor keys 20, 2
1, 22, 23 and a decision key 24 are arranged at the center thereof. A print key 25 is arranged above the cursor keys 20 to 23. The cursor keys 20 to 23 move the cursor displayed on the external display 13 in each direction. Enter key 24
Is used to determine the frame or the number of prints specified by the cursor. The print key 25 is operated after the designation in each print mode is completed, thereby starting printing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording paper package 12
Is formed in a thin box shape by a package body 30 and a lid 31 made of synthetic resin. The lid 31 is attached to the package body 30 via an attachment shaft 32. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, after the recording paper 33 is loaded, the lid 31 is fitted to the package main body 30 and integrated with the package main body 30. A paper feed port 34 is formed at one end of the package body 30. The paper feed port 34 is formed with a gap provided at a portion where the package body 30 and the lid 31 are joined.

As shown in FIG. 3, the recording paper package 12
Inside, a paper feed roller 35, a holding plate 36, an urging plate 37,
A recording paper separation roller pair 38 and a storage history storage device 39 are arranged, and the stacked recording papers 33 are sandwiched between the urging plate 37 and the pressing plate 36.

The paper feed roller 35 is disposed in the recording paper package 12 near the paper feed port 34 so as to be rotatable by a mounting shaft 40. The holding plate 36 is connected to the sheet feeding roller 3.
5 is rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft 40. Since the pressing plate 36 is urged downward by its own weight, the recording paper 33 is pressed against the urging plate 37. The biasing plate 37 is rotatably mounted via an attachment shaft 41 near an end opposite to the side on which the paper feed roller 35 is mounted.
It is urged upward by a coil spring 42. Thus, the recording paper 33 set on the urging plate 37 is pressed by the paper feed roller 35.

As shown in FIG. 2, one shaft end 40a of the paper feed roller 35 projects outward from the side of the recording paper package 12, and a drive gear 43 is fixed to the projected shaft end 40a. Have been. When the recording paper package 12 is set in the printer main body 11, the drive gear 43
It engages with the gear on the printer body 11 side. The gear on the printer main body side is rotated by a recording paper transport motor (not shown), so that the paper feed roller 35 rotates clockwise during paper feeding, and feeds the recording paper 33 from the paper feed port 34 to the printer main body 11. I do.

The recording paper separating roller pair 38 is disposed in the paper feed port 34 and nips the recording paper 33 from above and below. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower separation roller 45 is rotatably attached to the package body 30. The upper separation roller 46 is mounted so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction, and rotates by contacting the lower separation roller 45 by its own weight.

The lower separation roller 45 is slightly braked by a felt 47, a clutch piece 48, and a coil spring 49, and its rotation is restricted. The clutch piece 48 is composed of a disk having a locking projection 48a, and is rotatably mounted on a mounting shaft 45a of the lower separation roller 45. The locking projection 48a is locked to the package main body 30 so that the clutch piece 4
8 is restricted. The felt 47 is disposed between one end surface of the lower separation roller 45 and the clutch piece 48, and is urged by a coil spring 49.
And the clutch piece 48 are frictionally connected. Therefore, if the recording papers 33 are double-fed in an overlapping state, the lower separation roller 45 regulates the feeding of the lower recording paper 33, so that only the upper recording paper 33 is fed, and the double feeding is performed. Will be blocked.

As shown in FIG. 3, the recording paper package 12
Inside the separation roller pair 38, the storage history storage device 3
9 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage history storage device 39 includes a one-chip microcomputer 51,
Components such as a crystal oscillator 52, a battery 53, a phototransistor 54, a thermistor 55 as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor 56, an I / O terminal 57, and the like, which are externally attached thereto, and a printed board 58 on which these are assembled (see FIG. 3) ). The microcomputer 51 includes a CPU 59, a memory 60, and the like.

The phototransistor 54 has an opening 61 (FIG. 2).
) Is exposed outside the recording paper package 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, light that has entered due to the breakage of the moisture-proof outer bag 62 made of aluminum laminate processing is detected, and opening of the outer bag 62 is detected. Thermistor 55
The humidity sensor 56 is for detecting the temperature and the humidity in the recording paper storage chamber 12a in the recording paper package 12, and as shown in FIG. It is exposed to.

The memory 60 of the storage history storage device 39
The size and type of the recording paper 33 stored in the package body 30 are written in the ROM. A connection pattern 58 a is formed on the substrate 58, and the connection pattern 58 a is connected to the opening 65 of the recording paper package 12.
It is made to be exposed from.

As shown in FIG. 3, the I / O terminal 57 is connected to a connection pattern 58a of a printed circuit board 58, and contacts the printer body 11 when the recording paper package 12 is set at a paper feeding position. It comes into contact with the pin 68 and is connected to the system controller 69 of the printer main body 11.

In the printer main body 11, a contact pin 68 is formed so as to protrude at a position corresponding to the connection pattern 58a of the storage history storage device 39. The contact pins 68 are urged in a protruding direction by a coil spring 70, and when the recording paper package 12 is set at the paper feeding position, the contact pins 68 are pushed.
Contacts the connection pattern 58a, and the storage history storage device 39
Is connected to a system controller 69 in the printer main body 11. Thus, the storage history data and the type of recording paper stored in the memory 60 are read by the system controller 69.

As shown in FIG. 6, the recording paper package 12 constructed as described above is sold in an outer bag 62 having a light-shielding property and a moisture-proof property. Is opened by being torn along the cut line 62b. Further, a fastener 71 made of synthetic resin is provided near the opening 62c of the outer bag 62 in order to store the recording paper package 12 in use again. As is well known, the fastener 71 includes a pair of fitting ridges, and one ridge is fitted to the other ridge to be sealed. Reference numeral 73 in the figure denotes a hanging hole, and a hook for hanging is inserted into the hole 73, so that the outer bag 62 is suspended and displayed and sold.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the storage history storage device 39. The CPU 59 first detects that the outer bag 62 has been opened. This detection is performed by the outer bag 6
This is performed when the phototransistor 54 detects light by opening the box 2.

After opening, the clock function is activated, and the temperature and humidity in the recording paper package 12 are detected every four hours via the thermistor 55 and the humidity sensor 56. The detected temperature and humidity data are written into the memory 60 together with the detection date and time. Thereafter, until the recording paper 33 is used, storage history data including data of the detection date and time, humidity, and temperature is collected every four hours. When the recording paper package 12 is set in the printer main body 11, storage history data and recording paper type data are transferred to the system controller 69 in response to a data transfer request signal from the system controller 69 on the printer main body 11 side. It should be noted that the recording paper 33 remains in the recording paper package 1 even after the printing is completed.
While remaining in 2, storage history data is collected every four hours and stored. When the number of remaining recording papers becomes “0”, the collection of the storage history data ends.

The system controller 69 controls each part of the printer main body 11 to perform printing based on the image stored in the smart media 16. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a printing procedure in the system controller 69. When the power is turned on, first, each unit is initialized. Next, whether or not the recording paper package 12 is set in the loading port 14 is detected. This detection may be performed by providing a package detection sensor. Alternatively, the presence or absence of the setting of the recording paper package 12 may be detected based on whether data can be read from the memory 60 or not.

When the recording paper package 12 is not set, a message indicating no package is displayed on the external display 13 to prompt the user to set the recording paper package 12. Next, the storage history data is read from the memory 60 of the storage history storage device 39. Next, a correction amount based on the storage history is calculated based on the read storage history data.
The calculation of the correction amount is performed as follows.

First, it is determined to which region the storage history data belongs in the graph showing the relationship between temperature and humidity shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the range of the temperature of 5 to 35 ° C. and the range of the humidity of 5 to 80% RH are divided into seven regions A, B, C, D, P, Q, and R.

Next, these storage state data are reversed in the past for each area on the basis of the present, and are totaled on a weekly basis. Thus, the number ND1 of the latest one week (from the current day to six days before) of the area D1, the number NC1 of the latest week of the area C, and similarly the numbers NB1, NA1, N of the respective areas
P1, NQ1, NR1, the number ND2, NC2,... NR2, 2 of each area one week before and one week (from 7 to 13 days before)
Number ND of each area one week before the week (up to 14 to 20 days before)
3, NC3,... NR3 are obtained.

Next, the number of data existing in each area is
The weighting coefficient set for each area is multiplied and added. For example, +3 for the number of areas D, +2 for the number of areas C, +1 for the number of areas B, 0 for the numbers of areas A and P, and 0 for the number of areas Q After multiplying the number of regions R by -1 and the number of regions R by -2, these are added. This is 23 ° C, 50% R
When the point H is set as the reference point and goes further to the upper right, the sensitivity of the recording paper increases, and the color density increases even with the same applied heat energy. Further, the sensitivity of the recording paper decreases toward the lower left from the reference point, and the color density decreases even with the same applied heat energy.

Further, correction data for each period is obtained by multiplying the value obtained by the addition by a weighting coefficient corresponding to the elapse of the period. For example, for the latest one week of data,
The correction coefficient of 005 is multiplied by the correction coefficient of 0.003 for the data of one week before one week, and the correction coefficient of 0.002 for the data of one week before two weeks. This is because the change in temperature and humidity is reversible, so that data for about three weeks is sufficient, and the data is more liable to be affected by the change in concentration as the time comes.

Finally, density correction data is obtained by adding the correction data of each period. The density correction data is stored in the system controller 69, and the density correction data is subtracted from each image data at the time of printing, thereby suppressing a density change due to a change in the storage environment.

Next, the memory 60 of the storage history storage device 39
The print mode corresponding to the recording paper type is selected on the basis of the recording paper type data read from. For example, in the case of a standard package, the standard print mode is selected. In the case of a 16-piece seal print package, a 16-piece sticker print mode is selected.

In the standard print mode, a menu of the standard print mode is displayed on the external display 13 as shown in FIG. The menu screen 80 in the standard print mode includes a designated area 81 for a frame to be printed, a display area 82 for an image to be printed, and a designated area 83 for the number of prints. This menu screen 8
At 0, the frame to be printed is specified and the number of prints is input.

In the designated area 81 of the frame to be printed,
The image of each frame stored in the smart media 16 is displayed as a reduced frame 84. By operating the cursor keys 20 to 23, the frame to be printed is specified. The frame currently designated by the cursor frame 85 changes, for example, to blue, which is different from the background color of the screen, for example. Then, when the cursor frame 85 is moved to the reduced frame 84 of the frame to be printed, by operating the enter key 24, the frame indicated by the cursor frame 85 is selected as the frame to be printed.

Next, the number of prints is input. The number-of-prints display frame 86 is displayed as "1" by default.
push. Thereafter, by operating the print key 25,
Normal printing is performed. In normal print,
One frame of image is recorded on the entire print area of the recording paper 33. By subtracting the density correction data from each image data at the time of this printing, the density fluctuation due to the influence of the storage environment can be suppressed.

In the seal print mode of 16 divisions, a menu screen 90 of the seal print mode is displayed on the external display 13 as shown in FIG. The menu screen 90 includes a designation area 91 for a frame to be printed.
And a display area 92 for the image to be printed and an area 93 for specifying the number of prints. FIG.
The same components as those shown in FIG. Then, in the same manner as the standard print, the frame to be printed is specified and the number of prints is specified.
The image of the specified print target frame is displayed in the print target image display area 92. Thereafter, the sticker print is performed by operating the print key. Also during the sticker printing, the image data is corrected based on the density correction data, so that the density fluctuation due to the storage environment is suppressed.

As described above, when the recording paper package 12 is set in the loading slot 14, the print menu screen 8 corresponding to the recording paper 33 stored in the recording paper package 12 is displayed.
Since 0 and 90 are displayed, the stored recording paper 33 is displayed.
No different printing is performed, and no mistake is made. Moreover, since a dedicated print mode corresponding to the stored recording paper 33 is selected, it is not necessary to select the recording paper 33 bothersome.

In the above-described embodiment, the image data is corrected based on the density correction data to suppress the density fluctuation caused by the storage environment. However, the correction method is not limited to this. The density correction may be performed by controlling the power applied to the thermal head according to the data. Further, the density correction data may be provided individually for each color. In this case, the color fluctuation can be suppressed in addition to the density fluctuation due to the storage environment. Further, the division of the storage history data into each area is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 9 and may be changed as appropriate. Further, the correction data format and the correction method may be appropriately changed depending on the model.

In the above embodiment, the weighting coefficient according to the storage period is changed on a weekly basis. However, the changeable unit is not limited to one week, but may be changed on a daily basis or other units. May be changed. Alternatively, the correction data may be obtained simply by using the storage history data for one week before printing.

In the above embodiment, the temperature and the humidity are stored as the storage history data. In addition, the temperature data or the humidity data is stored together with the time when the data is detected, and the density correction data is obtained based on the stored data. It may be.

As the special recording paper, the seal recording paper of 16 divisions was used, but the number of divisions is not limited to this, and the seal recording paper of various divisions such as 4 divisions, 12 divisions and 24 divisions is used. May be used. In this case, identification data for identifying them is written in the ROM. Also, 1
Instead of multi-printing such as six divisions, various label recording papers such as various cassette tapes may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the storage history storage device is built in the recording paper package 12. Alternatively, the storage history storage device may be a card type and may be arranged inside the recording paper package. In this case, when feeding paper to the printer, the storage history data may be read by taking out the card-shaped storage history storage device and inserting it into the IC insertion slot of the printer.

In the above embodiment, the light detecting means such as a phototransistor is provided to detect the opening of the storage bag. In addition, the insulating sheet is provided so as to be able to be pulled out between the battery holder and the battery. The storage history of the storage bag after opening the storage bag may be started by pulling out the insulating sheet at the time of opening. Instead of pulling out the insulating sheet, the insulating sheet may be connected to the opening of the storage bag, and the opening may be cut out to simultaneously pull out the insulating sheet. Instead of collecting the storage history data after opening the outer bag, the storage history data may be collected immediately after the recording paper package is loaded in the outer bag.

In the above embodiment, the cut sheet type recording paper is used. However, the present invention may be applied to a recording paper package in which a belt-shaped recording paper is wound in a roll form. In the above embodiment, the paper feed roller 35, the separation roller pair 38, and the like are incorporated, but these may be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the color thermal printer 1
0, the present invention may be implemented on other recording media in which density fluctuations or the like occur in the storage state. In the above-described embodiment, the external display 13 is used. However, the display may be incorporated in the printer body.

[0046]

According to the present invention, a storage history storage device comprising means for periodically detecting humidity or temperature and storage means for storing the detected humidity or temperature is provided in the package, so that the storage history is stored. Can be recorded. As a result, it is possible to automatically obtain correction data for suppressing the density fluctuation based on the storage state, and it is possible to suppress the density fluctuation due to the storage state. In particular, by periodically detecting and storing the humidity and temperature, it is possible to accurately suppress the concentration fluctuation due to the storage state.

Further, the package is sealed in a moisture-proof outer bag, and the storage history storage device is provided with a means for detecting the opening of the outer bag, and the temperature and humidity are periodically measured after the outer bag is opened. By detecting, the storage history after opening can be obtained efficiently.

Means for reading the storage history from the storage means of the recording medium package set at the paper feeding position; obtaining a correction amount at the time of printing from the read storage history; correcting based on the correction amount; and recording on the recording medium With the provision of the means, it is possible to automatically suppress fluctuations in density and color due to the storage history. In particular, by classifying each data of the storage history according to the combination of temperature and humidity, multiplying the number of data existing in the classified area by the correction coefficient for each area, and calculating the correction amount based on the sum of these. ,
The correction amount can be easily obtained from the storage history. In addition, each data of the storage history is classified into a plurality of periods, and the correction coefficient used for each period is changed. And the correction can be performed with high accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a color thermal printer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a recording paper package.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a recording paper package is set at a paper feeding position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a separation roller pair.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a storage history storage device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a recording paper package is taken out of an outer bag.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in a storage history storage device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the color thermal printer.

FIG. 9 is a graph for dividing storage history data into regions to obtain correction data.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in a standard print mode.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in a seal print mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 color thermal printer 11 printer main body 12 recording paper package 13 external display 14 loading port 15 discharge port 16 smart media 30 package main body 31 lid 33 recording paper 35 paper feed roller 36 pressing plate 37 urging plate 38 recording paper separation roller pair 39 Storage history storage device 43 Drive gear 45 Lower separation roller 46 Upper separation roller 51 Microcomputer 54 Phototransistor 55 Thermistor 56 Humidity sensor 58 Printed circuit board 58a Connection pattern 62 Outer bag 68 Contact pin 80, 81 Menu screen

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B65D 85/00 B41J 29/00 B 3F343 G01K 11/12 B41M 5/18 Z F-term (Reference) 2C061 AQ04 AS14 BB26 CF01 HH03 HK09 HK11 HV60 2C066 AA06 AD01 BC02 CA15 CA22 CC07 2F056 VA02 VA05 2H026 AA07 AA13 AA32 3E068 AA10 AB05 AC07 BB02 BB09 CC05 3F343 FA02 FB04 FC19 GA03 GB01 GC01 GD01 HA32 MC01 MA03 MA03 MB03 MA03 MB03

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium package in which a recording medium is housed in a package, wherein a means for periodically detecting humidity or temperature is stored in the package, and the detected humidity or temperature is stored together with the time when the humidity or temperature is detected. A storage medium package comprising: a storage history storage device comprising: storage means for storing as a storage history. 2. A recording medium package in which a recording medium is stored in a package, wherein a means for periodically detecting humidity and temperature is stored in the package, and the detected humidity and temperature are stored together with the time when these are detected. A storage medium package comprising: a storage history storage device comprising: storage means for storing as a storage history. 3. The storage history storage device includes a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a clock unit, a storage unit, and a power supply, and the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor are configured to store humidity and temperature in a recording medium storage unit. The recording medium package according to claim 2, wherein the recording medium package is detected. 4. The packaging body is sealed in a moisture-proof outer bag, and the storage history storage device includes means for detecting opening of the outer bag, and the temperature and temperature are periodically measured after the outer bag is opened. The recording medium package according to claim 2, wherein humidity is detected. 5. The recording medium package according to claim 1, wherein a type of the recording medium is stored in the storage unit. 6. A printer to which the recording medium package according to claim 1 is mounted, wherein the storage history is read from storage means of the recording medium package set at a sheet feeding position, and the read storage is performed. Recording means for obtaining a correction amount at the time of printing from the history, correcting based on the correction amount, and recording the correction amount on the recording medium. 7. The recording means classifies each data of the storage history according to a combination of temperature and humidity, multiplies the number of data present in the classified areas by a correction coefficient for each area, and sums up the sum of these. 7. The printer according to claim 6, wherein the correction amount is obtained based on the correction amount. 8. The data of the storage history is classified into a plurality of periods according to the time of detection, and a correction coefficient used for each of these periods is changed, and the weighting is increased more immediately before. 8. The printer according to claim 7, wherein