JP2001080182A - Ink ribbon and ink ribbon detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To assemble information such as a type or the like and to decide the type or the like at a low cost. SOLUTION: The ink ribbon detector comprises a base film 21 formed in a lengthy state, a plurality of ink layer areas aligned and arranged at a predetermined interval in a lengthwise direction of the film 21 on one main surface of the film 21, and sensor marks 23 arranged at an interval of the plurality of the in layer areas and divided by n in a width direction of the film 21. In this case, the marks 23 are formed of patterns of (2n-1) types.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an ink ribbon and an ink ribbon detecting device used in a printer for printing a recorded image such as a video image as a hard copy, that is, a photographic image such as a so-called color photograph.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printer for printing a photographic image such as a color photograph, there is a printer in which an ink ribbon cartridge is loaded. In this ink ribbon cartridge, an ink ribbon having an ink layer formed by coating a dye on one surface of a long base film is wound around a core member and housed in the cartridge body. As shown in FIG. 8, the ink ribbon includes a base film 100 formed in a long shape, a yellow layer 101Y formed on one main surface of the base film 100, and a magenta layer 1
01M and a cyan layer 101C, and a sensor mark portion 10 disposed at an interval between the yellow layer 101Y, the magenta layer 101M and the cyan layer 101C.
And 2.

In this printer, a thermal head is provided on a photographic paper based on image signals.
The magenta layer 101M and the cyan layer 101C are printed in this order to form one image. That is, the thermal head of the printer device can form a predetermined image on photographic paper by heating predetermined regions of the yellow layer 101Y, the magenta layer 101M, and the cyan layer 101C.

Therefore, in this printer, it is necessary to accurately position the ink ribbon before starting printing. In other words, before starting printing, it is necessary to position the ink ribbon so that the yellow layer 101Y to be printed first faces the thermal head. Also,
In the printer device, the magenta layer 101M and the cyan layer 1
01C in order to accurately face the thermal head sequentially
It is necessary to identify the magenta layer 101M and the cyan layer 101C.

[0005] Therefore, in the ink ribbon, a relatively long sensor mark portion 102 is provided at the start position of the ink layer region, that is, at the preceding stage of the yellow layer 101Y. In the ink ribbon, relatively short sensor mark portions 102 are provided at different positions in front of the magenta layer 101M and the cyan layer 101C.

[0006] In the printer head, these sensor marks 102 are detected by a pair of optical sensors arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the ink ribbon. More specifically, the sensor mark portion 102 is formed as a black band having low translucency, and a pair of optical sensors detects the black band to detect the position of the ink ribbon 102.

More specifically, when a pair of optical sensors detect a black band almost at the same time, it can be identified as a relatively long sensor mark portion 102 preceding the yellow layer 101Y. Can be identified as the sensor mark portion 102 at the preceding stage of the magenta layer 101M by detecting the black band,
Only one optical sensor detects the black band,
It can be identified as the sensor mark portion 102 at the preceding stage of the cyan layer 101C.

As described above, the ink ribbon has a sensor mark portion 102 for identifying the type of the ink layer 101.
Are arranged. Therefore, by detecting the sensor mark portion 102, the printer device can identify the type of the ink layer 101 and perform printing corresponding to the yellow layer 101Y, the magenta layer 101M, and the cyan layer 101C.

[0009]

By the way, in the printer, the yellow layer 101Y, the magenta layer 101M and the cyan layer 101C could be identified by detecting the sensor mark section 102. However,
In this printer apparatus, when determining the type of the ink ribbon, a code ring or the like is provided on the ink ribbon in addition to the sensor mark section 102, and the code ring is detected. For this reason, when determining the type of the ink ribbon, it is necessary to provide a detecting device for detecting the code ring in the printer device, and there has been a problem that downsizing becomes difficult and cost increases. .

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and provides an ink ribbon capable of incorporating information such as the type and an ink ribbon detecting device capable of discriminating the type of the ink ribbon at low cost. The purpose is to:

[0011]

An ink ribbon according to the present invention that has achieved the above-mentioned object has a base film formed in an elongated shape, and one main surface of the base film on a main surface of the base film in a longitudinal direction of the base film. A plurality of ink layer regions arranged side by side at a predetermined interval, and sensor marks arranged at intervals between the plurality of ink layer regions and divided into n parts in the width direction of the base film; The mark is characterized by being formed in 2 ⁿ -1 types of patterns.

Since the ink ribbon according to the present invention configured as described above can take 2 ⁿ -1 types of patterns as sensor marks, information such as types can be incorporated in correspondence with the pattern of the sensor marks. .

[0013] Further, an ink ribbon detecting apparatus according to the present invention, which has achieved the above-mentioned object, comprises a base film formed in a long shape, and a predetermined length of one base surface of the base film in a longitudinal direction of the base film. A plurality of ink layer regions arranged side by side at intervals of, and sensor marks arranged at intervals between the plurality of ink layer regions and divided into n in the width direction of the base film, wherein the sensor mark is 2
An ink ribbon running means for running the ink ribbon formed in the ( ^n- 1) types of patterns in the longitudinal direction thereof, and irradiating n light to a position where the n-divided sensor mark is provided, and irradiating the light. And an optical sensor for detecting transmitted light of the generated light transmitted through the ink ribbon, the optical sensor irradiating the ink ribbon traveling by the ink ribbon traveling means with n light beams, and detecting the transmitted light. By doing so, 2 ⁿ -1 types of patterns of the sensor mark are determined.

In the ink ribbon detecting device according to the present invention configured as described above, since the sensor mark can take 2 ⁿ -1 types of patterns, information such as the type of the ink ribbon is provided on the ink ribbon. It can be incorporated corresponding to the pattern. In this ink ribbon detection device, 2 ⁿ −1 types of patterns of the sensor mark are determined by detecting the transmission or non-transmission of n light beams by an optical sensor.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink ribbon and an ink ribbon detecting device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The ink ribbon and the ink ribbon detection device are, for example, an ink ribbon 3 housed in an ink ribbon cartridge 2 mounted on a printer 1 as shown in FIG. Applied when detecting within.

The printer 1 is, for example, an amusement video printer employing a sublimation type thermal transfer system, and prints an image picked up by a digital camera or the like on photographic paper. In the printer 1, a power switch 5, a display panel 6, a cartridge loading slot 7 into which the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is loaded, and a group of operation buttons 8 are provided on a front portion 4 a of the printer main body 4. The printer 1 has a paper feed tray 9 detachably attached to the front surface 4a. Further, in the printer device 1, a print outlet 10 is provided on the front surface 4a.

A cover plate 11 for opening and closing the front part 4a is attached to the printer body 4 so as to be openable and closable. The cover plate 11 has a metal plate 1 on one end of a surface facing the front surface 4a.
2 are provided. Also, the front part 4 of the printer body 4
In a, a magnet 13 is provided at a position facing the metal plate 12 with the lid 11 closed. That is, by magnetically attracting the metal plate 12 and the magnet 13, the front portion 4 a of the printer main body 4 can be closed by the cover plate 11.

Openings are formed in the cover plate 11 at positions corresponding to the display panel 6 and the power switch 5 with the front part 4a closed. For this reason, when the front part 4a is closed by the lid plate 11, the display panel 6 and the power switch 5 face outward from these openings.

Further, the cartridge loading port 7 has a shape corresponding to the outer diameter of the ink ribbon cartridge 2. A pair of reference pins 14 for positioning when the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is loaded are arranged in the cartridge loading port 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon cartridge 2 includes a supply-side bobbin 15 on which an unused ink ribbon 3 is wound in advance, and a used ink ribbon 3 sent from the supply-side bobbin 15. And a cartridge body 17 in which the supply-side bobbin 15 and the take-up bobbin 16 are stored. An opening 18 is formed in the cartridge body 17 between the supply bobbin 15 and the take-up bobbin 16, and the ink ribbon 3 faces outward from the opening 18. A projection 20 for accurate positioning in the printer 1 is formed on the front surface 19 of the cartridge body 17. The ink ribbon cartridge 2 is loaded into the cartridge loading slot 7 from the front portion 19 side, and the projection 2
With 0, it is accurately positioned in the printer body 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon 3 includes a long base film 21 and the base film 21.
A yellow layer 22a and a magenta layer 22b
And a plurality of ink layer regions 22 arranged as a set of the cyan layer 22c, and sensor marks 23 arranged at intervals between the adjacent ink layer regions 22. The ink ribbon 3 includes a yellow layer 22a and a magenta layer 22.
The sensor marks 24 for determining the start of the ink layer are provided at the intervals of b and the intervals of the magenta layer 22b and the cyan layer 22c, respectively.

The sensor mark 23 and the ink layer start sensor mark 24 are formed, for example, by applying a coating material obtained by kneading a pigment, such as carbon black, which does not easily transmit light into a binder onto the base film 21. Is done. In this ink ribbon 3, the sensor mark 2
3 is the first position 25, the second position 26, and the third position 27, which are obtained by dividing the base film 21 into three in the width direction, and appropriately applying the above-described paint to 2 ³ -1 = 7 types of patterns. Is formed as That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the first mark 25 and the second mark 2
The paint is applied to at least one or more selected from the sixth and third positions 27 to obtain seven types of patterns.

Similarly, the ink layer start determination sensor mark 24 is formed by applying the above-described coating material to at least one selected from a first position 25, a second position 26, and a third position 27. It should be done. In particular, the sensor mark 24 for discriminating the start of the ink layer is located within the first position 25, the second position 26, and the third position 27.
Is preferably provided at a position other than the position where is formed. That is, it is preferable that the sensor mark 23 and the sensor mark 24 for discriminating the start of the ink layer are arranged at positions that do not overlap in the longitudinal direction of the base film 21.

Specifically, in the ink ribbon shown in FIG. 3, the sensor mark 23 is formed as a pattern applied to the first position 25 and the third position 27, and the sensor mark 24 for determining the start of the ink layer is formed. It is formed as a pattern applied to the second position 26. In the ink ribbon 3, the sensor mark 23 formed as a pattern applied to the first position 25 and the third position 27 indicates the type of the ink ribbon 3. That is, as the sensor mark 23, the first position 25 and the third position 2
By setting a pattern on the ink ribbon 3, the pattern formed on the first position 25 and the third position 27 is set to mean a predetermined type of the ink ribbon 3.

When the ink ribbon cartridge 2 is loaded in the printer body 4, the thermal transfer unit 28 presses the ink ribbon 3 from the opening 18 to bend the ink ribbon 3 as shown in FIG. For more information,
When the thermal transfer unit 28 is inserted through the opening 18, the thermal transfer unit 28 pushes down the ink ribbon 3, and the ink ribbon 3 is placed on a tension surface 29 having a predetermined radius of curvature. Thereby, the ink ribbon 3
It is curved by the stretching surface 29 and the thermal transfer unit 28.

The thermal transfer unit 28 includes a reflecting plate 31 for reflecting the light beam emitted from the optical sensor 30, a thermal head 32 for heating a predetermined area of the ink ribbon 3 based on an image signal, and a reflecting plate 31. A base member 33 disposed and embedded with the thermal head 32
And the support arm 3 attached to the base member 33
And 4. The thermal transfer unit 28
Although not shown, has a drive device connected to the support arm 34 to drive the support arm 34 in the vertical direction.

The reflection plate 31 is formed by bending a metal plate having a width substantially equal to the width of the ink ribbon 3 into a substantially U-shaped cross section. The reflection plate 31 is provided on one side surface of the base member 33 so that the bent portion 35 projects downward. Note that the reflecting plate 31 only needs to have a dimension enough to reflect the light beam emitted from the optical sensor 30. That is, the reflection plate 31 may not be formed substantially at the width of the ink ribbon 3 but may be formed only at the position facing the optical sensor 30.

The thermal head 32 has a heating section having a width substantially equal to or larger than the width of the ink ribbon 3. The heating unit heats a predetermined area of the ink layer area 22 of the ink ribbon 3 based on the image information input to the printer.

In the printer, a platen roll 36 is provided at a position facing the thermal head 32 in a state where the thermal transfer unit 28 is pushed down. A printing paper for printing an image is placed on the platen roll 36. In addition, the printer device has a pair of drive rolls 37 that run while sandwiching photographic paper for printing an image. Therefore, in this printer device, the printing paper is placed on the platen roll 36 and is sandwiched between the pair of drive rolls 37.

In the printer configured as described above, the ink ribbon 3 and the printing paper are sandwiched between the thermal transfer unit 28 and the platen roll 36, and the printing paper and the ink ribbon 3 are brought into contact. Then, the thermal transfer unit 28
Heats the ink layer region 22 from the surface of the ink ribbon 3 opposite to the surface on which the ink layer region 22 is formed, and prints a predetermined image on photographic paper. At this time, the photographic paper is supplied from the paper feed tray 9 loaded in the front surface portion 4a of the printer main body 4, travels inside the printer main body 4, is sandwiched between the pair of drive rolls 37, and is laid on the platen roll 36. . Then, in the printer device, the thermal transfer unit 28 is inserted from the opening 18, and the ink ribbon 3 is bent as shown in FIG.

At this time, the thermal transfer unit 28 is driven to a position where the reflection plate 31 faces the optical sensor 30 and pushes down the ink ribbon 3 to thereby lower the ink ribbon 3.
Is bent by the bent portion 35 of the reflection plate 31 and the stretched surface 29. As a result, the optical sensor 30
And the reflection plate 31 is interposed therebetween.

In this printer, when printing a predetermined image on photographic paper, the yellow layer 22a, the magenta layer 22b and the cyan layer 22c are sequentially transferred. Therefore, in the printer device, these yellow layers 22a,
It is necessary to accurately position the ink layer region 22 that includes the magenta layer 22b and the cyan layer 22c as a set. That is, in this printer device, when a predetermined image is applied on the photographic paper, first, it is necessary that the thermal head 32 accurately opposes the front end of the yellow layer 22a in the running direction of the ink ribbon 3. Therefore,
In this printer device, the ink ribbon 3 is run,
The ink ribbon 3 is positioned so that the ink layer region 22 is at a predetermined position with respect to the thermal head 32.

On the other hand, an optical sensor 30 is disposed in the printer body 4 at a position facing the curved ink ribbon 3. Specifically, the optical sensor 30 is disposed below the stretching surface 29 so as to face the ink ribbon 3 bridged between the stretching surface 29 and the thermal transfer unit 28. As shown in FIG. 6, the optical sensor 30 has a first
Optical sensor 30 that irradiates light to position 25
a, a second optical sensor 30b for irradiating the second position 26 with light and a third optical sensor 30c for irradiating the third position 27 with light. These optical sensors (the first optical sensor 30a, the second optical sensor 30b, and the third optical sensor 30c) 26 each include a light emitting unit that emits predetermined light and a light emitting unit that emits predetermined light. A light receiving unit that enters through the ribbon 3 to emit light to the ink ribbon 3 and to receive light that enters through the ink ribbon 3.

The first optical sensor 30a, the second optical sensor 30b, and the third optical sensor 30c are connected to a circuit section 44 as shown in FIG. This circuit part 4
4 is a first optical sensor 30a, a second optical sensor 30
b and a microcomputer 45 to which detection signals from the third optical sensor 30c are input. The microcomputer 45 includes a memory unit 46, a color correction color conversion unit 47, and a print data conversion unit 48.
And outputs a signal to the mechanical deck control unit 49.

A digital signal obtained by converting an external video signal by the A / D converter 50 is input to the memory section 46. The memory unit 46 stores the digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the monitor unit 51 and the color correction color conversion unit 47 in accordance with a control command from the microcomputer 45.

The digital signal is stored in the memory 46
Is output to the monitor unit 51 from a D (not shown).
The signal is converted again into an analog signal by the / A converter. The monitor section 51 can display an image to be printed based on the analog signal.

This digital signal is supplied to a color correction color conversion section 47.
Are converted into a yellow signal, a magenta signal, and a cyan signal by the color correction color conversion unit 47 based on a control signal from the microcomputer 45, and color correction is performed. Then, these yellow signal, magenta signal and cyan signal are sent to the print data conversion unit 48.

The print data converter 48 converts these yellow, magenta and cyan signals into drive signals for driving the thermal head 32 based on control signals from the microcomputer 45. Driving signals corresponding to the respective signals are sequentially output to the thermal head 32.

On the other hand, the mechanical deck control unit 49
A motor 52 drive signal is output to the motor 52 of the printer device based on a control signal from the microcomputer 45.
The motor 52 is driven based on the motor 52 driving signal, and rotates the supply reel 15 and the take-up reel 16 by a predetermined amount to cause the ink ribbon 3 to travel.

In the printer device 1 having the circuit section 44 thus configured, the first optical sensor 30a, the second optical sensor 30b, and the third optical sensor 30c are driven while the motor 52 is driven as described above. Is input to the microcomputer 45. Then, the first optical sensor 3
When the detection signals from the optical sensor 0a and the third optical sensor 30c are input to the microcomputer 45, the microcomputer 45 determines that it is the start point of the ink layer area 22 and controls the mechanical deck control unit 49 to drive the motor 52. To stop. As a result, in the printer device 1, the start point of the ink layer area 22, that is, the yellow layer 22 </ b> Y is
2 can be opposed.

When the video signal is input, first, as described above, the drive signal generated based on the yellow signal by the print data converter 48 is output to the thermal head. Thereby, the thermal head 32
Performs printing using the yellow layer 22Y on photographic paper.

When the printing using the yellow layer 22Y is completed, the microcomputer 45 controls the mechanical deck control unit 49 to drive the motor 52 so that the ink ribbon 3 runs. Then, while the ink ribbon 3 is running, the detection signals from the first optical sensor 22a, the second optical sensor 22b, and the third optical sensor 22c are input to the microcomputer 45. Then, the second optical sensor 22b detects the ink layer start determination sensor mark 24,
When the detection signal is input to 5, the ink ribbon 3 is determined to be the start point of the magenta layer 22M, and the travel of the ink ribbon 3 is stopped. As a result, the thermal head 3 has the magenta layer 22
M will be opposed.

Then, the microcomputer 45 causes the print data converter 48 to output a drive signal generated based on the magenta signal to the thermal head 32. This allows
The thermal head 32 moves the magenta layer 22 against the photographic paper.
Printing using M is performed.

When the printing using the magenta layer 22M is completed, the microcomputer 45 controls the mechanical deck control unit 49 to drive the motor 52 to run the ink ribbon 3. Then, the second optical sensor 22b detects the ink layer start determination sensor mark 24, and when a detection signal is input to the microcomputer 45, the cyan layer 22C is detected as in the case of the printing using the magenta layer 22M described above. To the thermal head 32 and the thermal head 32
Is driven to print on the printing paper using the cyan layer 22C.

In particular, in the printer 1, when the detection signals from the first optical sensor 22a and the third optical sensor 22c are input, the microcomputer 45 detects the sensor mark 23 on which the type of the ink ribbon 3 is written. Will be detected. In other words, the microcomputer 45 can detect the type of the used ink ribbon 3 by detecting the sensor mark 23.

The microcomputer 45 changes or corrects the signals output to the color correction color conversion section 47 and the mechanical deck control section 49 according to the type of the ink ribbon 3. For example, between the “standard type” ink ribbon and the “sticker type” ink ribbon, even if a similar amount of heat is applied, a difference occurs in the gradation of the printed image. For this reason, in the case of using the “standard type” ink ribbon and the case of using the “sticker type” ink ribbon, it is difficult to perform printing with an optimum gradation in each case.
It is necessary to optimize the amount of heat applied to 2 according to each.

Therefore, the microcomputer 45 sets the ink ribbon 3
By setting a parameter called a γ value based on the type, the drive signal corresponding to the type of the ink ribbon 3 is output to drive the thermal head 32. That is, the microcomputer 45 outputs the γ value based on the type of the ink ribbon 3 to the print data conversion unit 48, and causes the print data conversion unit 48 to output a drive signal corresponding to the type of the ink ribbon 3.

The thermal head 32 can apply an optimal amount of heat to the ink layer 22 according to the type of the ink ribbon 3. As described above, according to the printer device 1, by detecting the sensor mark 23, it is possible to perform optimal printing according to the type of the ink ribbon 3.

In the ink ribbon 3, as described above, the first position 25, the second position 26, and the third position 2
Since the sensor mark 23 is formed by applying a paint to at least one location selected from 7, the sensor mark 23 can take seven types of patterns. Therefore, seven types of information such as the type of the ink ribbon 3 can be written as the sensor mark 23.

For example, as the type of the ink ribbon 3,
In addition to the above-mentioned "standard type" and "sticker type", "black-and-white type" having a black layer and a white layer, and "laminate type" having a yellow layer, a magenta layer, a cyan layer and a laminate layer can be given. Therefore, for example, by associating the type of such an ink ribbon with the seven types of sensor marks and inputting this correspondence to the microcomputer 45 in advance, the printer apparatus 1 detects The type of the ribbon 3 can be identified.

As described above, in the printer device 1, the first optical sensor 30a, the second optical sensor 30b, and the third optical sensor 30c for detecting the sensor mark 23 for detecting the ink layer area 22 are used. The type of the ink ribbon 3 can be identified. In other words, the printer 1
Does not require a detecting means for detecting a code ring or the like serving as a marker for identifying the type of the ink ribbon 3. For this reason, the printer device 1 has a very simple configuration and achieves a significant reduction in size.

The ink ribbon 3 is wound around the supply bobbin 15 and the winding bobbin 16 in the ink ribbon cartridge 2 as described above.
In the ink ribbon 3, the sensor mark 2
The ink mark 3 and the ink layer discriminating sensor mark 24 are arranged at positions that do not overlap with each other in the longitudinal direction of the base film 21. Therefore, when the ink ribbon 3 is wound around the supply-side bobbin 15 and the winding-side bobbin 16, the sensor mark 23 does not overlap the sensor mark 24 for discriminating the ink layer. Therefore, the ink ribbon 3
When wound around the supply-side bobbin 15 and the winding-side bobbin 16, a good winding appearance is obtained. In other words, the ink ribbon 3 includes the supply-side bobbin 15 and the winding-side bobbin 16.
So that the winding diameter does not differ at both ends in the width direction.

Accordingly, the ink ribbon 3 drives the supply-side bobbin 15 and the take-up bobbin 16 so that no running defect occurs when the ink ribbon 3 is run, and the ink ribbon 3 is accurately positioned. Become.

By the way, the ink ribbon and the ink ribbon detection device according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the position divided into n (n ≠ 3) in the width direction of the base film 21 may be used. Sensor mark 23
And an ink ribbon detection device provided with the ink ribbon as appropriate.

In this case, the sensor mark 23 is formed by applying a paint to at least one portion selected from n divided regions in the width direction of the base film 21. Therefore, as the sensor mark 23, 2 ⁿ −1
It is possible to take various kinds of patterns. For example, n = 4
In this case, since the sensor mark 23 can take 15 types of patterns, not only the type of the ink ribbon 3 but also information such as remaining number information of the ink layer region 22, destination information of the printer device 1, and manufacturer information. Can be written as the sensor mark 23.

For example, when the remaining number information of the ink layer area 22 is written as the sensor mark 24, the remaining amount of the unused ink ribbon 3 wound around the supply bobbin 15, that is, the number of printable sheets is detected. can do. In other words, without separately providing a detecting means for detecting the number of printable sheets from the remaining state of the ink ribbon 3,
The remaining number information of the ink layer region 22 can be detected.

When the destination information of the printer 1 is written as the sensor mark 24, the destination of medical printing, portrait printing, etc. can be detected simply by mounting the ink ribbon cartridge 2 on the printer 1. In this case, there is no need to separately input the destination of medical printing, portrait printing, and the like into the printer device 1, and the printer device 1 can be used very easily.

Furthermore, the ink ribbon 3 may have sensor marks 23 arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the base film 21. In other words, in the ink ribbon, the sensor marks 23 may be formed in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the base film 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
The base film 21 may be arranged in two rows in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the sensor mark 23 has a first position 53, a second position 54, a third position 55, and a fourth position 5
6, formed by applying a paint to at least one selected from the fifth position 57 and the sixth position 58;
Five arrangement patterns can be taken. Therefore, in this case, depending on the arrangement pattern of the sensor marks, not only the type of the ink ribbon but also the ink layer area 22
Information such as remaining number information, destination information of the printer device 1, and manufacturer information.

[0060]

As described above in detail, in the ink ribbon according to the present invention, since the sensor mark is formed in 2 ⁿ -1 types of patterns, information such as the type is used as the sensor mark arrangement pattern. Can be incorporated.

The ink ribbon detecting device according to the present invention can detect a sensor mark formed in 2 ⁿ -1 types of patterns by an optical sensor. The ink ribbon incorporates information such as its type as an arrangement pattern of the sensor mark. Therefore, according to the ink ribbon detection device, the type of the ink ribbon can be detected by detecting the sensor mark.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer device using an ink ribbon and an ink ribbon detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ink ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of the ink ribbon.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an arrangement pattern that can be taken by a sensor mark.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a main part inside the printer, showing a state in which a thermal transfer unit pushes down an ink ribbon in the printer.

FIG. 6 is an electric circuit diagram of the ink ribbon detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a main part of an ink ribbon shown as another example.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a main part of a conventional ink ribbon.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Printer device, 2 Ink ribbon cartridge, 3
Ink ribbon, 22 ink layers, 23 sensor mark, 28 thermal transfer unit, 30 optical sensor, 44
Circuit section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) B41M 5/26 B41M 5/26 Z 5/38 101B 101Z

Claims (10)

[Claims] A base film formed in a long shape; and a plurality of ink layer regions arranged on one main surface of the base film at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the base film; A plurality of sensor marks disposed at intervals of the plurality of ink layer regions and divided into n in the width direction of the base film, wherein the sensor marks are formed in 2 ⁿ -1 types of patterns. Ink ribbon. 2. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the sensor mark indicates a start of an ink layer area located at a subsequent stage in a running direction of the base film. 3. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the sensor mark indicates a type of an ink layer region located at a subsequent stage in a running direction of the base film. 4. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the sensor marks are formed in parallel in a longitudinal direction of the base film. 5. The ink layer region includes: a plurality of ink layers arranged in parallel in a longitudinal direction of the base film;
2. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, further comprising an ink layer start discriminating pattern disposed between the plurality of ink layers. 6. The ink ribbon according to claim 5, wherein the pattern for determining the start of the ink layer is arranged at a position different from the sensor mark in a width direction of the base film. 7. A base film formed in an elongated shape,
On one main surface of the base film, a plurality of ink layer regions arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base film, and the plurality of ink layer regions are arranged at intervals between the plurality of ink layer regions. An ink ribbon running means for running an ink ribbon in which the sensor marks are formed in 2 ⁿ -1 types of patterns in the longitudinal direction thereof, and a sensor mark divided in n in the width direction of the ink ribbon. An optical sensor for irradiating light to a position where the sensor mark is provided, and detecting transmitted light of the illuminated light transmitted through the ink ribbon, wherein the optical sensor travels by ink ribbon traveling means. irradiating the n optical respect ribbon, to determine the 2 ⁿ -1 kinds of patterns of the sensor marks by detecting the transmitted light Ink ribbon detection device for the butterflies. 8. The ink ribbon detection device according to claim 7, wherein the optical sensor determines the start of an ink layer area located at a subsequent stage in the running direction of the ink ribbon. 9. The ink ribbon detection device according to claim 7, wherein the optical sensor determines a type of an ink layer area located at a subsequent stage in a running direction of the ink ribbon. 10. A plurality of ink layers in which the ink layer regions of the ink ribbon are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the base film, and an ink layer start discrimination pattern arranged between the plurality of ink layers. 8. The ink ribbon detection device according to claim 7, wherein the optical sensor detects the ink layer start determination pattern and determines the start of the plurality of ink layers.