JP2001018434A - Method for controlling generated heat of thermal head and thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for controlling the generated heat of a thermal head, and a thermal transfer printer whereby a density can be adjusted easily in a short time. SOLUTION: A printer 1 has a platen 2, a thermal head 3, a temperature detection means 7 and a control means 5. The control means 5 includes an actual data measurement part 13, a data memory part 14 and a recording operation control part 15. In the actual data measurement part 13 heat generation elements 4 of the thermal head 3 is devided into a plurality of heating unit groups G each consisting of an optional number of adjacent heat generation elements 4, a reference energy amount ER is supplied to each of the heat generation unit groups G, a rise temperature UTn is detected by the temperature detection means 7 and actually measured data is obtained. The data memory part stores the actually measured data and theoretical data of a rise temperature RTU for each heat generation unit group G of the thermal head 3. The recording operation control part controls an energy amount EOn to be supplied for each heat generation unit group G on the basis of a relationship of the theoretical data and actually measured data stored in the data memory part 14 when a recording operation is carried out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for controlling heat generation of a thermal head, which can easily control the temperature of a thermal head used for recording on a recording medium, and a thermal transfer printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a thermal head as a recording head mounted on a thermal transfer printer has a plurality of heating elements made of a heating resistor material arranged in a line on a substrate.
By selectively supplying energy to each heating element based on recording information, color recording can be performed on a recording medium made of thermal recording paper, or plain paper, OHP paper, etc. by melting or sublimating the ink of the ink ribbon. The desired images such as characters and figures are recorded on various types of recording media, for example, by transferring and recording on various types of recording media.

In such a thermal transfer printer, recording on a recording medium is performed by controlling the amount of energy supplied to each heat generating element of the thermal head, for example, the duration of an energizing pulse and the voltage to control the temperature of the thermal head. A heat generation control method of the thermal head is used.

[0004] Further, due to the configuration of the thermal head, the resistance value of each heating element varies. In addition, due to the configuration of the thermal transfer printer, the degree of adhesion when the thermal head contacts the platen varies with the alignment direction of each heating element, and the difference in the degree of adhesion results in a difference in heat dissipation. appear.

[0005] Since each heating element having a different resistance value rises in temperature with different degrees of adhesion during recording, according to a conventional thermal transfer printer using a heat generation control method of a thermal head, each heating element has a different degree of adhesion. Even if the same amount of energy is supplied to the heating elements, the temperature rise differs for each heating element, and as a result, a density difference occurs in an image recorded for each heating element.

Therefore, in a conventional thermal transfer printer, when the thermal transfer printer is manufactured at a factory or the like, the density is adjusted for each thermal transfer printer. This density adjustment is performed by executing test recording for density determination.

That is, the density adjustment is performed by dividing each heating element into a plurality of heating element groups each including an arbitrary number of heating elements adjacent to each other, and supplying a reference energy amount to each of the heating element groups. Then, a test recording for forming an image for density determination on the recording medium is executed, and the density of the image of each heating element group formed on the recording medium obtained by the test recording is visually observed or read by a scanner to determine the density. Until the determination result of the density satisfies a preset density reference value, the setting of the amount of energy to be supplied to each heating element group and the density determination for forming a density determination image on a recording medium are performed. This is done by repeating the test recording. The setting and adjustment of the amount of energy to be supplied to each heating element group are selected from a data table to which an amount of energy divided into 10 to 20 levels can be assigned and stored in the memory of the thermal transfer printer in advance.

When the actual printing operation is performed, the energy amount is controlled for each heating element group based on the energy amount selected from the data table,
The temperature of the thermal head is controlled so that the density of the image recorded on the recording medium becomes uniform.

[0009]

However, in a thermal transfer printer to which the above-described conventional thermal head heat generation control method is applied, when a thermal transfer printer is manufactured, test recording for density determination is performed for each thermal transfer printer. Since the density adjustment is performed by repeating the density determination and the setting adjustment of the supplied energy amount based on the density result, the density adjustment requires a great deal of labor and time,
There is a problem that the time required for the density adjustment differs for each thermal transfer printer, and the production efficiency of the thermal transfer printer is not good.

Therefore, there is a need for a thermal head heat generation control method that can easily perform density adjustment in a short time and a thermal transfer printer that can easily realize this thermal head heat generation control method.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and easily realizes a heat generation control method for a thermal head and a heat generation control method for the thermal head, which can easily perform density adjustment in a short time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer printer capable of performing the above.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling heat generation of a thermal head according to the first aspect of the present invention. By dividing into a plurality of heating element groups consisting of a number of heating elements, theoretical data of the temperature rise per reference time for each of these heating element groups, and measuring the temperature rise per reference time for each heating element group The obtained measurement data is stored prior to the execution of the recording operation, and the amount of energy supplied to each heating element group is controlled based on the relationship between the theoretical data and the measurement data when the recording operation is performed. It is in.

By adopting such a configuration, the density can be easily adjusted in a short time based on the relationship between the theoretical data and the measured data. That is,
By executing test recording only once to obtain actual measurement data, the amount of energy supplied to each of the heating element groups based on the relationship between theoretical data and actual measurement data is determined by software when executing a recording operation. , The density can be easily adjusted. Therefore,
Since the number of test recordings used for density adjustment can be reduced, density adjustment can be easily performed in a short time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling heat generation of a thermal head according to the present invention. In the first aspect, measured data is obtained by directly contacting the thermal head with a platen. It is in the point that it is.

By employing such a configuration, versatile density adjustment can be easily performed without using a recording medium regardless of the type of the recording medium.

A feature of the method for controlling heat generation of a thermal head according to the present invention according to claim 3 is that, in claim 1, the measured data is obtained by indirectly applying the measured data to the platen via a recording medium. That is, it is obtained by contact.

By adopting such a configuration, appropriate density adjustment can be easily performed in a short time for each type of recording medium.

The thermal transfer printer of the present invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a platen, a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged and arranged, and a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the thermal head. And control means for controlling the operation of each part. The control means divides each heating element of the thermal head into a plurality of heating element groups each including an arbitrary number of heating elements adjacent to each other. A measured data measuring section for supplying a reference energy amount for each group and detecting a temperature rise per reference time by a temperature detecting means to obtain measured data, and the measured data and each heating element of the thermal head are located adjacent to each other. A plurality of heating element groups each including an arbitrary number of heating elements, and storing theoretical data of a temperature rise per reference time for each of the heating element groups. And a recording operation control unit that controls an amount of energy supplied to each heating element group based on a relationship between theoretical data and measured data stored in the data storage unit when performing a recording operation. It is in the point.

By adopting such a configuration, the invention according to claim 1 can be easily realized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal transfer printer according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the actual measurement data measuring unit is configured to measure the actual measurement data in a state where the thermal head is directly in contact with the platen. In that it is configured to obtain

By adopting such a configuration, the invention according to claim 2 can be easily realized.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal transfer printer according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the actually measured data measuring unit indirectly contacts the thermal head to the platen via a recording medium. The point is that it is configured to obtain actual measurement data in a state in which the measurement is performed.

By employing such a configuration, the invention according to claim 3 can be easily realized.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of an embodiment of a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention to which a method for controlling heat generation of a thermal head according to the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a thermal head 3 as a recording head so as to face a platen 2. In the thermal head 3, a plurality of, for example, 128 heating elements 4 are arranged and arranged. The thermal head 3 is electrically connected to control means 5 described later,
Is supplied with energy, for example, an energizing pulse by a drive signal sent from the control means 5 to generate heat.

The thermal head 3 is supported by a head supporting member 6 which also functions as a radiator. The head supporting member 6 is provided with a temperature detecting means 7 such as a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the thermal head 3. Has been established. The temperature detecting means 7 is electrically connected to a control means 5 which will be described later.
It is possible to send temperature information to the control means 5 when heat is generated. In addition. As the temperature detecting means 7, a temperature measuring resistor or a thermocouple may be used.

The head support member 6 is supported by a weighting mechanism 8 called a head contact / separation mechanism or the like, and is driven by a head drive motor 9 electrically connected to a control means 5 described later with reference to FIG. It is configured such that an approach position approaching the platen 2 indicated by a solid line and a separation position separated from the platen 2 indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 1 can be selectively taken, and the head support member 6 is positioned at the approach position. If you do
As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal head 3 can be brought into a head down state in which the thermal head 3 is brought into contact with the platen 2 with a predetermined pressing force. When the head support member 6 is located at the separated position, the thermal head 3 can be brought into a head-up state (not shown) in which the thermal head 3 is separated from the platen 2 by a predetermined distance. .

The control means 5 controls the operation of each part of the thermal transfer printer 1. At least an I / O interface 10 used for electrical connection with each part of the thermal transfer printer 1, a CPU 11, and RO with large capacity
M, a memory 12 formed of a RAM or the like.

The I / O interface 10 includes at least a thermal head 3, a temperature detecting means 7, a head drive motor 9, a transport motor for transporting a recording medium (not shown), a power switch, and various operations provided on an operation panel. Switches and display means are electrically connected.

The memory 12 includes at least an actually measured data measurement unit 13, a data storage unit 14, and a recording operation control unit 1.
5 is provided.

The actually measured data measuring section 13 includes a plurality of heating element groups G, for example, 12 each including an arbitrary number of heating elements 4 adjacent to each other in each heating element 4 of the thermal head 3.
Eight heating elements 4 are divided into 16 groups G1 to G
The control program is stored to supply the reference energy preset for each of the heating element groups G, to detect the temperature rise per reference time by the temperature detecting means 7 and to obtain the actual measurement data. The detailed description of the measurement data measurement operation by this control program will be described later. Note that the number of the heating elements 4 constituting the heating element group G may be set according to the design concept, the degree of adhesion, and the like.

The control program stored in the measured data measuring unit 13 includes a control program for obtaining measured data in a state where the thermal head 3 is in direct contact with the platen 2, and a recording medium for storing the thermal head 3 on the platen 2. It is preferable to use a control program for obtaining actual measurement data in a state of indirect contact with the control program alone or in combination.

The data storage unit 14 stores at least the actual measurement data and the theoretical data, more specifically, a plurality of heating element groups each including a given number of heating elements 4 adjacent to each other. G, and a reference rise temperature per reference time for each of the heating element groups G is stored. This reference rise temperature is common to all heating element groups G. It is important that the number of the heating element groups G in obtaining the actual measurement data, the number of the heating element groups G in the theoretical data, and the number of the heating elements 4 included in each of the heating element groups G be the same.

The recording operation control unit 15 supplies the energy supplied to each heating element group G based on the relationship between the theoretical data and the actually measured data stored in the data storage unit 14 when executing the recording operation. A control program for controlling the amount is stored.

That is, the control program stored in the recording operation control unit 15 includes, when executing a recording operation, each heat generation based on the relationship between the theoretical data and the actually measured data stored in the data storage unit 14. It is possible to control the amount of energy supplied to each body group G, for example, the energizing time or voltage of the energizing pulse, and to control the amount of energy supplied to each heating element 4 based on the amount of energy for each heating element group G. Anything that can be done is acceptable.

The memory 12 has a control program for executing an initialization operation at the time of turning on the power, a control program for controlling the operation of moving the thermal head 3 to and from the platen 2 by controlling the head drive motor 9, and a recording program. Various programs such as a program for detecting a medium conveyance error and various data required for a recording operation are also stored.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

In the thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment, the measurement of the actually measured data is executed by the control program stored in the actually measured data measuring unit 13 prior to the execution of the recording operation.

Here, two examples of the operation of measuring the actually measured data by the thermal transfer printer of the present embodiment will be described.

A first embodiment of the measurement operation of the actually measured data by the thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the measurement operation of the actually measured data of this embodiment is started, in step ST01,
The environmental temperature is measured by the temperature detecting means 7, and the environmental temperature obtained from the measurement result is stored in the data storage unit 14 as the reference temperature RT, and the process proceeds to the next step ST02.

Next, in step ST02, the reference energy amount ER is supplied to the heating element group Gn (n = 1) used for the first measurement among the plurality of heating element groups G, and the temperature KTn (n) at the reference time T is supplied. = 1) is detected by the temperature detecting means 7, the difference between the detected temperature KTn (n = 1) at the reference time T and the reference temperature RT is calculated, and the obtained temperature difference is calculated as the heating element group Gn (n = 1), the temperature rise UTn per reference time T (UTn = KTn)
-RT: n = 1) Data storage unit 14 as measured data
And proceeds to the next step ST03.

Next, after waiting in step ST03 until the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 7 reaches the reference temperature RT, the process proceeds to the next step ST04.

Next, in step ST04, it is determined whether or not the measurement has been performed for all the heating element groups Gn. If NO (when the measurement has not been performed for all the heating element groups Gn), UTn (UTn) of each heating element group Gn (n = 1 to n)
Steps ST02 to ST04 are repeated until the measured data of n = KTn-RT: n = 1 to n) is stored in the data storage unit 14. For example, 128 heating elements 4 each having 8 heating elements 16
When the heating elements are divided into the heating element groups G1 to G16, S
T02-04 is repeated 16 times in total.

If the determination in step ST04 is YES (measurement has been performed for all the heating element groups G), the process ends.

Next, a second embodiment of the measurement operation of the actually measured data by the thermal transfer printer of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the measurement operation of the actually measured data of this embodiment is started, in step ST11,
The environmental temperature is measured by the temperature detecting means 7, and the environmental temperature obtained from the measurement result is referred to as a reference temperature RTn (n = 1).
Is stored in the data storage unit 14, and the next step ST
Proceed to 12.

Next, in step ST12, the reference energy amount ER is supplied to the heating element group Gn (n = 1) used for the first measurement of the plurality of heating element groups G, and the temperature KTn (n) at the reference time T is supplied. = 1) is detected by the temperature detecting means 7, and the difference between the detected temperature KTn (n = 1) and the reference temperature RTn (n = 1) at the reference time T is calculated. Body group Gn (n
= 1), the temperature increase UTn (U
Tn = KTn-RTn: n = 1) is stored in the data storage unit 14 as actual measurement data, and the process proceeds to the next step ST13.

Next, after waiting until the reference waiting time WT elapses in step ST13, the next step S13 is executed.
Proceed to T14.

Next, in step ST14, it is determined whether or not the measurement has been performed for all the heating element groups Gn (n = 1 to n). If NO (measurement has been performed for all the heating element groups Gn) In the case where there is no heating element group Gn, the measurement data of the heating elements UTn (UTn = KTn-RTn: n = 1 to n for each of n = 1 to n) is stored in the data storage unit 14 until the measured data is stored in the data storage unit 14. Steps ST11 to ST14 are repeated, for example, when the 128 heating elements 4 are divided into 16 heating element groups G1 to G16 of eight pieces, ST11 to 14 are repeated 16 times in total.

When the determination in step ST14 is YES (when measurement has been performed for all the heating element groups G), the process ends.

The operation of measuring the actual measurement data in each of the above-described embodiments is performed by driving the head drive motor 9 to directly apply the thermal head 3 to the platen 2 according to the control program stored in the actual measurement data measuring unit 13. When executed in a state of contact, versatile density adjustment can be easily performed without using a recording medium regardless of the type of recording medium.

The operation of measuring the actual measurement data in each of the above-described embodiments is performed by driving the head drive motor 9 to move the thermal head 3 to the platen 2 on a recording medium, , Plain paper, O
If it is executed in a state where it is indirectly contacted via an HP sheet, postcard, cardboard, or the like, the density adjustment can be strictly executed according to the type of the recording medium.

Next, the recording operation of the thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the recording operation of the thermal transfer printer 1 according to the present embodiment, each part is driven by the control program stored in the recording operation control unit 15 to bring the thermal head 3 into contact with the platen 2 via a recording medium (not shown). Start with it running.

Then, when the recording operation is started, as shown in FIG.
Reference temperature R as theoretical data stored in No. 4
By calculating the difference between the UT and the temperature rise UTn (n = 1) as the actually measured data of the heating element group Gn (n = 1), the amount of energy supply to the heating element group Gn (n = 1) is calculated. One correction coefficient P1n (n = 1: function F1) is obtained, and the process proceeds to the next step ST22. When this first correction coefficient is expressed by a mathematical expression, P1n = F1 (RUT, UTn).

Next, in step ST22, the energy amount En to be applied to the heating element group Gn (n = 1), more specifically, the energy to be applied to the heating element 4 used for recording in the heating element group Gn (n = 1). By calculating the difference between the amount En and the reference energy amount ER used when measuring the actual measurement data, a second correction coefficient P2n (n = 1) for the amount of energy supplied to the heating element group Gn (n = 1) is calculated. : Function F2) is obtained and the process proceeds to the next step ST23. When this second correction coefficient is expressed by a mathematical expression, P2n = F2 (RU
T, UTn). In the case where all the heat generating elements 4 of the heat generating group G generate heat based on the recording information, the second
The correction coefficient P2n is 1.

Next, in step ST23, the first correction coefficient P1n (n = 1: function F1) and the second correction coefficient P2
n (n = 1: function F2) to the heating element group Gn (n =
The energy amount EOn (n = 1) actually supplied to 1) is determined, and the process proceeds to the next step ST24.

Next, in step ST24, it is determined whether or not the energy amounts EOn (n = 1 to n) to be actually supplied to all the heating element groups Gn (n = 1 to n) are determined. (If not determined for all heating element groups Gn), all heating element groups G
n (n = 1 to n) supply energy EOn (n = 1 to n)
Are repeated until steps are determined. For example, when the 128 heating elements 4 are divided into 16 heating element groups G1 to G16 of eight pieces, ST21 to ST24 are repeated a total of 16 times.

When the determination in step ST24 is YES (when all the heating element groups G have been determined), the process ends.

Then, the supply energy EOn (n = 1 to n) determined in this way is supplied to each heating element 4 driven based on the recording information at the time of the recording operation.
The recording without the density unevenness after the density adjustment is performed on the recording medium.

Therefore, according to the thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment, the density adjustment can be easily executed in a short time based on the relationship between the theoretical data and the actually measured data.

That is, the test recording for obtaining the actual measurement data is executed only once, so that when the recording operation is executed, the recording is supplied to each heating element group G based on the relationship between the theoretical data and the actual measurement data. Concentration adjustment can be easily performed by easily controlling the energy amount EOn by software. Therefore, the number of test recordings used for density adjustment can be reduced, and density adjustment can be easily performed in a short time. Further, since the time required for the test recording can be made substantially the same in each of the thermal transfer printers 1, the variation in the production amount per unit time is almost eliminated, and the production amount can be stabilized. As a result, production efficiency can be improved.

According to the thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment, the measured data is obtained by directly contacting the thermal head 3 with the platen 2, so that the versatile density adjustment can be performed regardless of the type of recording medium. Can be easily executed without using a recording medium.

Further, according to the thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment, the test recording is obtained by indirectly contacting the thermal head 3 with the platen 2 via the recording medium, so that the test recording can be performed according to the type of the recording medium. Although it is necessary to perform the same number of times, it is possible to easily perform appropriate density adjustment for each type of recording medium in a shorter time than before.

Further, according to the thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment, the measurement of the actually measured data can be easily performed not only when the thermal transfer printer 1 is manufactured at a factory or the like but also at the installation place. Therefore, even when the operator performs recording on a special recording medium, it is possible to easily perform recording without density unevenness.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be variously modified as needed.

[0069]

As described above, according to the method for controlling heat generation of a thermal head according to the first aspect of the present invention, the density can be easily adjusted in a short time based on the relationship between theoretical data and measured data. Can be. That is, by executing test recording only once to obtain measured data, the amount of energy supplied to each of the heating element groups based on the relationship between theoretical data and measured data when performing a recording operation is determined. Concentration adjustment can be easily performed by easily controlling with software. Therefore, since the number of times of test recording used for density adjustment can be reduced, an extremely excellent effect such as easy execution of density adjustment in a short time can be obtained.

According to the method for controlling heat generation of a thermal head according to the present invention, in addition to the effects described in the first aspect, versatile density adjustment can be performed regardless of the type of recording medium. It has an extremely excellent effect that it can be easily executed without using.

According to the method of controlling heat generation of a thermal head according to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, appropriate density adjustment for each type of recording medium can be easily performed in a short time. It has an extremely excellent effect that it can be executed.

According to the thermal transfer printer of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the invention of the first aspect can be easily realized.

According to the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, the invention of claim 2 can be easily realized.

Further, according to the thermal transfer printer of the present invention according to claim 6, the invention according to claim 3 can be easily realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a main part of an embodiment of a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention to which a heat generation control method for a thermal head according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a measurement operation of actually measured data by the thermal transfer printer according to the present invention to which the thermal head heat generation controlling method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a second embodiment of a measurement operation of measured data by a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention to which a method for controlling heat generation of a thermal head according to the present invention is applied;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a recording operation by the thermal transfer printer according to the present invention to which the thermal head heat generation controlling method according to the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal transfer printer 2 Platen 3 Thermal head 4 Heating element 5 Control means 7 Temperature detection means 11 CPU 12 Memory 13 Actual measurement data measurement part 14 Data storage part 15 Recording operation control part En (input) Energy amount EOn (actual supply) Energy amount ER Reference energy amount G, Gn Heating element group KTn Temperature P1n First correction coefficient P2n Second correction coefficient RT, RTn Reference temperature RTU Reference rise temperature T Reference time UTn Rise temperature WT Reference wait time

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A heat generation control method for a thermal head in which recording is performed on a recording medium by controlling a temperature of the thermal head by controlling an amount of energy supplied to each heat generation element of a thermal head in which a plurality of heat generation elements are arranged and arranged. The heating elements are divided into a plurality of heating element groups each including an arbitrary number of heating elements adjacent to each other, and theoretical data of a temperature rise per reference time for each of these heating element groups;
And, the measured data obtained by measuring the temperature rise per reference time for each heating element group is stored prior to the execution of the recording operation, when performing the recording operation, theoretical data and measured data Controlling the amount of energy to be supplied to each of the heating element groups based on the relationship of: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measured data is obtained by directly contacting the thermal head with a platen. 3. The heat generation control method for a thermal head according to claim 1, wherein the measured data is obtained by indirectly contacting the thermal head with a platen via a recording medium. . 4. A thermal head in which a platen, a plurality of heating elements are arranged and arranged, a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the thermal head, and a control means for controlling the operation of each part, the control means comprising: Each of the heating elements of the thermal head is divided into a plurality of heating element groups each including an arbitrary number of heating elements adjacent to each other, and a reference energy amount is supplied to each of the heating element groups to increase the temperature per reference time. And a plurality of heating elements comprising an arbitrary number of heating elements adjacent to each other and each of the heating elements of the thermal head. A data storage unit for storing theoretical data of a temperature rise per reference time for each of the heating element groups; and a data storage unit for executing a recording operation. Thermal transfer printer characterized in that it has a recording operation control unit for controlling the amount of energy supplied to each of said heating element group on the basis of the relationship between the theoretical data and the measured data stored in 憶部. 5. The thermal transfer according to claim 4, wherein the measured data measuring section is configured to obtain the measured data in a state where the thermal head is directly in contact with the platen. Printer. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement data measurement section is configured to obtain the measurement data in a state where the thermal head is indirectly in contact with the platen via a recording medium. 5. The thermal transfer printer according to 4.