JP2001201800A - Recording method and recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a high quality recorded image clear in recording boundary by providing a recording method and a recorder capable of making apparent dot size into desired dot size. SOLUTION: In this recording method, a recording medium where visible light transmissible recording layers are laminated by every recording color is used, and plural colors are recorded by developing color or changing density at the specified part of the specified recording layer of the recording medium based on image data information. Then, an actually recorded dot is recorded in size smaller than the desired dot size so that the apparent dot size of a dot recorded at the specified part of the specified recording layer may be the desired dot size. Then, this recording device 1 is provided with an image data correction circuit for recording the actually recorded dot in the size smaller than the desired dot size so that the apparent dot size is the desired dot size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium in which a recording layer is laminated for each recording color, and a predetermined portion of a predetermined recording layer of the recording medium is colored or changed in density based on image data information. The present invention relates to a recording method and a recording device for recording a color.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows a recording medium used in this type of recording method and recording apparatus. The recording medium shown in the figure includes a photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material and an image receiving sheet (or a real paper) as an image receiving sheet.
Consists of In the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material, the layers of each color are K, C, M, Y from the image receiving paper side, an adhesive layer is provided below each color layer, and a release layer is provided on the color layer side of the support. Configuration. Such a multi-color type recording medium is
Hereinafter, it is referred to as a multi-layer photosensitive thermal transfer recording medium. The order of layers of each color is K, C, M, Y from the image receiving paper side.
Of course, the layer order is not limited to this. Also, the number of layers is not limited to four, but there are also two layers (two-color printing of M / C) and three layers (three-color printing of M / C / Y. K uses a mixed color of CMY).
There is also. Furthermore, there are times when there are four or more layers (special colors are gray, green, orange, gold, silver, etc.).

[0003] A recording process using this recording medium will be described with reference to FIG. (i) [Recording medium installation step] The image receiving paper or the actual paper is installed on a recording drum or a recording substrate (not shown). (ii) [Recording Medium Winding Step] The photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material is superimposed and wound on an image receiving paper (or a real paper) such that the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer is in close contact with the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer. (iii) [Latent image forming step] A wavelength (300) corresponding to the absorption wavelength of the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer of each color.
The recording is performed independently for each color with a laser beam having a wavelength of 1 to 100 nm. For example, laser recording at a wavelength of about 830 nm using K data.・ Laser recording with a wavelength of about 650 nm using C data.・ Laser recording with a wavelength of about 530 nm using M data. -Laser recording with a wavelength of about 400 nm using Y data. Of course, the wavelength is not particularly limited to these.
By simultaneously exposing the four colors K, C, M, and Y with the laser light, the recording time can be reduced to １ ／. For example, during K recording, the Y / M / C layer has a wavelength of 830.
Since there is almost no absorption with respect to nm, the optical loss is small and reaches the K layer, is absorbed by the K layer, and a latent image is formed. At the time of C recording, the Y / M layer hardly absorbs light at a wavelength of 650 nm, so that the optical loss is small and reaches the C layer, is sufficiently absorbed by the C layer, and a latent image is formed. Slight light having a wavelength of 650 nm that could not be absorbed by the C layer is hardly absorbed by the K layer at a wavelength of 650 nm. As a result, a latent image is formed on a predetermined portion of the predetermined recording layer irradiated with the laser light.

(Iv) [Transfer step] At this time, only the support and the adhesive layer are peeled off, and only the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer remains on the image receiving paper or the actual paper. (v) [Coloring step] Heat is applied for development. As a result, only the portion irradiated with the laser light does not undergo a color development reaction, and the unirradiated portion develops a color. Thereafter, the photoreactivity due to the recording laser light or disturbance light (such as a fluorescent lamp) is lost. (vi) [Image fixing step] As described in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-36308, the spectral sensitizing dye in the light- and heat-sensitive transfer layer is decolorized by light irradiation with a lamp or the like. Finally, as shown in FIG. 5, a four-color recording image of K, C, M, and Y is formed on the receiving paper or the main paper. (vii) [Surface Protective Layer Step] Thereafter, a surface protective layer forming step may be performed on the light and heat sensitive transfer layer Y in order to protect the image from scratches and the like.

[0005]

However, since the recording medium used in the above-described recording method is formed by laminating recording layers capable of transmitting visible light for each recording color, the recording medium is transferred to an image receiving paper or a real paper. When the image after the observation is observed, the following inconvenience may occur. That is, for example, taking the Y layer as an example, the Y layer is at the uppermost layer as shown in FIG. Since the adhesive layer having a higher refractive index than air and the light and heat transfer layer are provided below the Y layer, if the observation direction is inclined with respect to the light and heat transfer layer (45 ° in the illustrated example), Y The dot size of the layer appears (observed / measured) in an apparently larger area than the actual dot size. Further, taking the K layer as an example, as shown in FIG. 7, the K layer is located at the lowermost layer. Since the upper and lower layers of the K layer include an adhesive layer having a higher refractive index than air and a light and heat transfer layer, when the observation direction is inclined with respect to the light and heat transfer layer (45 ° in the example shown), Dot size of K layer
It is apparent (observed / measured) in a larger area than the actual dot size. As a result, when a desired dot is seen in a large area, so-called bleeding occurs at a recording boundary portion, and it is difficult to obtain a clear (sharp) recording image with a clear recording boundary. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a recording method and a recording apparatus capable of changing an apparent dot size to a desired dot size, and has an object to obtain high-quality recording image with a clear recording boundary. I do.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording method using a recording medium in which a recording layer capable of transmitting visible light is laminated for each recording color. In a recording method of recording a plurality of colors by changing the color or density of a predetermined portion of a predetermined recording layer of the recording medium based on image data information, an apparent dot size of a dot recorded in a predetermined portion of the predetermined recording layer may be changed. It is characterized in that the size of the dots to be actually recorded is recorded smaller than the desired dot size so that the desired dot size is obtained.

The dots recorded on the recording layer of the recording medium are:
Since it is observed through an adhesive layer or other recording layer that has a higher refractive index than air, when viewed at an angle of incidence that is inclined with respect to the recording surface of the recording medium, the apparent dot size will be smaller than the actually recorded dot size. , Looks large. In this recording method, an actual recording dot that appears to be large in size appears to be large due to the refractive index, and is recorded in advance in a small size. Observe by size.
As a result, bleeding at a recording boundary portion due to a desired dot being seen in a large area is prevented, and a clear recorded image of the recording boundary portion is obtained.

According to the recording method of the present invention, a correction value for correcting the image data of the actually recorded dots to a small value is set for each recording layer of the recording medium so that the actually recorded dots look large. It is characterized by being.

According to this recording method, the image data of the dots to be actually recorded is corrected to be small by the correction value so that the dots to be actually recorded look large, and the actually recorded dots are recorded to be small with the corrected image data. In addition, since the correction value is set for each recording layer, the apparent dot size of each recording layer, which can be seen at different magnifications due to different refractive indices, can all be corrected to a desired dot size. Become. Also, by providing the correction value,
The degree of reduction can be adjusted according to the position of the layer, the refractive index of the layer, and the thickness of the layer.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recording method, the correction value is larger in a recording layer which is shallower from a writing side of the recording medium.

The refractive index of each recording layer laminated on the recording medium is at least higher than that of air. Therefore, when a plurality of layers are laminated, they are reflected after being repeatedly incident between layers and refracted. The higher the recording layer (recording layer shallower from the writing side), the higher the refractive index
The actually recorded dots are observed as a large apparent dot size. In this recording apparatus, the correction value is set to be larger for a recording layer that is shallower from the writing side of the recording medium, so that the correction value can be corrected with a larger correction amount that sequentially corresponds to a refractive index that becomes larger as the recording layer becomes shallower from the writing side. That is, no uncorrectable recording layer is generated.

A recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect uses a recording medium in which recording layers capable of transmitting visible light are laminated for each recording color.
In a recording apparatus that records a plurality of colors by changing the color or density of a predetermined portion of a predetermined recording layer of the recording medium based on image data information, an apparent dot size of a dot recorded in a predetermined portion of the predetermined recording layer is reduced. An image data correction circuit is provided for recording a dot to be actually recorded so as to have a desired dot size smaller than the desired dot size.

In this recording apparatus, the image data of the actual recording dots, which appear to be apparently large in size, are previously corrected to be small by an image data correction circuit to the extent that they are large due to the refractive index. Since the actual recording dots are recorded in a small size, the apparent dot size of the actually recorded dots becomes a desired dot size.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the recording medium comprises a light and heat sensitive transfer material and an image receiving sheet, and the light and heat sensitive transfer material is provided on a support transparent to writing light.
A photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer for each recording color transferred to the image receiving sheet is laminated.

In this recording apparatus, writing light based on image data is irradiated from the support side of the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material, and the writing light transmitted through the support causes a predetermined photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer of the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material to be transferred. A latent image is formed by color development or density change of a predetermined portion. The photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material on which the latent image is formed is brought into close contact with the image receiving sheet on the side opposite to the support, and the image is formed by thermal development, and the photoreactivity is lost. Remain on the image receiving sheet, and the image is transferred.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer for each color has a different absorption wavelength of said writing light, and said photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer laminated for each color comprises The recording is performed sequentially with writing light having an absorption wavelength corresponding to each of the light and heat sensitive transfer layers from the side opposite to the light incident side.

In this recording apparatus, recording is performed with writing light from the side opposite to the incident side (upper layer side) of the writing light (upper layer side) (lower layer side). When recording is performed on the lower photosensitive heat-sensitive transfer layer, the lower photosensitive layer is recorded. The writing light corresponding to the heat-sensitive transfer layer is hardly absorbed by the upper light-sensitive heat-sensitive transfer layer and reaches the lower light-sensitive heat-sensitive transfer layer,
The latent image is formed by being absorbed by the light and heat transfer layer. When recording on the upper light-sensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer, the writing light corresponding to the upper light- and heat-sensitive transfer layer is absorbed by the upper light- and heat-sensitive transfer layer to form a latent image. Writing light that cannot be absorbed by the thermal transfer layer is not absorbed by the lower photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer. Therefore, a latent image can be formed for each photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, information indicating a refractive index of each of the light and heat transfer layers is recorded on at least one of the light and heat transfer material and a packing material of the light and heat transfer material. It is characterized by.

In this recording apparatus, information indicating the refractive index of each light and heat transfer layer recorded on at least one of the light and heat transfer material and the packaging material of the light and heat transfer material is read.
By operating the image data correction circuit based on the information, it is not necessary to check the refractive index of each light and heat transfer layer each time recording is performed.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a recording method and a recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the law of refraction, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an image data correction circuit connected to the recording apparatus of FIG.
The recording apparatus 1 is a color image forming apparatus for obtaining a full-color image, and includes a recording medium supply unit 32, a recording rotating drum 34 for image formation, and a recording medium fixing / release provided on the recording rotating drum 34. Mechanism 36, pressurizing mechanism 38 arranged along the outer periphery of recording rotary drum 34, recording head (recording head) 40, peeling mechanism 42, paper feed unit 4
4, laminating section 46, fixing section 48, peeling section 50, tray section 52, controller 69, and rotating drum 3 for recording
4 for driving the motor 4 (not shown).

The general operation of the recording apparatus 1 is as follows.
First, the image receiving sheet 12 which is an image receiving sheet as a recording medium is placed on the recording rotary drum 34 from the recording medium supply unit 32.
A color material sheet 10 which is a photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material is supplied, and the image receiving paper 12 is fixed on a recording rotating drum 34 by a recording medium fixing / release mechanism 36. Then, the color material sheet 10 is adhered and laminated on the image receiving paper 12 by applying pressure and pressure by the pressure mechanism 38. The color material sheet and the image receiving paper 12 are
A laser thermal transfer material or the like can be suitably used.

Next, the recording material 40 controlled by the controller 69 according to the image signal causes the color material sheet 1
The image is recorded as a latent image by performing laser exposure imagewise toward 0 (latent image forming step). Subsequently, the peeling mechanism 4
The support and the release layer of the color material sheet 10 are peeled off by 2 [transfer step]. The image receiving paper 12 and the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer are transported to the laminating section 46 and heated (color forming step). Then, the spectral sensitizing dye in the light and heat transfer layer is decolored by the fixing unit 48, and the recording medium on which the full-color image is formed is discharged to the proof tray 52a, and the used support and the release layer are discharged to the waste stocker 52b. . Thus, a full-color image can be obtained as a hard copy.

The color material sheet 10, which is a photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material, is of a multicolor type in which a recording layer similar to the conventional one shown in FIG. 4 is laminated for each recording color (multilayer photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer recording medium). Can be used. In this case, in the color material sheet 10, as shown in the figure, the layers of each color are K, C, M, and Y from the image receiving paper or book paper side, and there is an adhesive layer below each color layer. A release layer is provided on the color layer side of the body. The color material sheet 10 has a wavelength (300 to 110) that matches the absorption wavelength of the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer of each color.
A laser beam of about 830 nm in K data, a laser beam of about 650 nm in C data, a laser beam of about 530 nm in M data, As in the conventional case, the laser light having a wavelength of about 400 nm is used for Y data to record independently for each color, and the laser light is used to simultaneously expose the four colors of K, C, M, and Y to achieve the recording time. Can be reduced to 1/4.

Next, each component of the recording apparatus 1 will be described in detail.
The recording medium supply unit 32 includes a roll-shaped recording medium such as a roll-shaped image receiving paper 12 and a color material sheet 10 having, for example, Y, M, C, and K standard light and heat transfer layers, and a special color sheet used in the printing field. A recording medium station 53 holding a medium, a pair of pull-out rollers 54 for pulling out one recording medium, and the recording medium pulled out from the recording medium station 53 to a predetermined length by the pull-out roller 54 is cut into sheets. A cutter 55, a pair of rollers 56 for nipping and transporting the sheet-shaped recording medium, and a sheet-shaped recording medium guided on the recording rotating drum 34, and a leading end of the recording medium attached to the recording rotating drum 34 And a guide 57 for guiding the fixing / release mechanism 36 to the fixing position.

The recording rotary drum 34 for image formation includes
First, a sheet-shaped image receiving paper 12 is supplied. The receiving paper 1
2 is fixed to a recording medium fixing / releasing mechanism 36 by a clamp or the like, and is wound around the outer periphery of the recording rotary drum 34 by rotation of the recording rotary drum 34 in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the rear end is also fixed to the recording medium. / Fixed by the release mechanism 36. Here, at least one of the leading end fixing portion and the trailing end fixing portion of the recording medium fixing / releasing mechanism 36 is configured to be capable of fixing sheet recording media of various lengths on the recording rotating drum 34. Preferably, it is movable on the outer circumference of the drum 34.

Next, the color material sheet 10 conveyed from the recording medium supply unit 32 is wound on the image receiving paper 12 wound on the outer periphery of the recording rotary drum 34 in the same manner. The lamination on the image receiving paper 12 includes a roller 58, an arm 59 that rotates the roller 58 about a fulcrum 59 a to contact and separate from the outer periphery of the recording drum 34, and a roller 58.
Of the recording drum with a predetermined pressing force.

The pressing means 60 may be a biasing means such as a spring or a manipulator of an air cylinder.
The color material sheet 10 is wound while being pressed by the roller 58 with a predetermined pressing force, so that wrinkles and the like are not generated in the color material sheet 10 and the image receiving layer of the image receiving paper 12 and the color material of the color material sheet 10 are of uniform force. The layer can be in close contact.

In the illustrated example, the image receiving paper 12 of the color material sheet 10 is used.
Although the roller 58 is used for the pressure lamination, any roller may be used as long as the pressure lamination can be performed, and a rod-shaped pressing member having a smooth tip can be used. Further, when the image receiving paper 12 is wound around the recording rotary drum 34, the leading end thereof is fixed by a recording medium fixing / releasing mechanism 36, and the other portion of the image receiving paper 12 is conveyed by the conveying roller 56 or the roller 58 or other means. It is preferable that the recording paper drum 12 is wound around the outer periphery of the recording drum 34 with a predetermined tension applied thereto. At this time, a perforation may be provided on the outer periphery of the recording rotary drum 34, and the image receiving paper 12 may be fixed by suction using a suction unit such as a vacuum suction device. It is preferable to use both the suction means and the recording medium fixing / releasing mechanism 36, but only one of them may be used. By doing so, the image receiving paper 12 can be fixed to the outer periphery of the recording drum 34 without generating wrinkles or the like and without causing a positional shift.

Further, it is preferable that tension is applied to the color material sheet 10 even when the color material sheet 10 is laminated on the image receiving paper 12. At this time, the leading end and / or the trailing end of the color material sheet 10 may be fixed by using the recording medium fixing / releasing mechanism 36 in the same manner as when the image receiving paper 12 is wound, or the above-described suction means may be used together. You may do it. The tension applied to the color material sheet 10 at the time of lamination is preferably set to be smaller than the tension applied to the image receiving paper 12 at the time of winding around the recording rotary drum 34.

The recording head 40 includes a laser light source (not shown) for emitting high-density energy light such as a laser beam, and a laser head 24 including an imaging lens for adjusting the spot diameter of the laser light. And a sub-scanning means 61 for moving the laser head 24 in the axial direction of the recording rotary drum 34 to perform sub-scanning. The main scanning of the color material sheet 10 by the laser beam is performed by rotating the recording drum 34. Further, the recording head 40 is not provided with the sub-scanning moving means 61, but the recording rotating drum 34 is provided with an axial moving means, and the recording rotating drum 34 is moved in the axial direction while rotating main scanning to perform sub-scanning. Is also good. Although described in detail later, the recording head 40 of the recording apparatus according to the present invention has a multi-spot configuration capable of emitting a plurality of laser beams, and a plurality of laser diode (LD) elements as recording elements are two-dimensionally arranged. Formed.

As the laser light source, it is sufficient that high-density energy light capable of exposure can be emitted in the latent image forming step. For example, a gas laser such as an argon ion laser, a helium neon laser, a helium cadmium laser, and a YA
In addition to a solid-state laser such as a G laser and a semiconductor laser, a dye laser, an excimer laser, and the like can be used. The laser light used for image recording in the present invention may be light directly emitted from these lasers, or light obtained by converting these emitted lights to a half wavelength through a second harmonic element.

The laser is appropriately selected from these lasers according to the photosensitive wavelength of the color material sheet 10, the sensitivity, and the required recording speed.
It is most preferable in terms of size, ease of modulation, and the like. Modulation of laser light by an image signal is performed, for example, by passing a beam through an external modulator in the case of an argon ion laser, or controlling (directly modulating) a current injected into the laser by a signal in the case of a semiconductor laser. This is performed by a known method.
The size of the laser spot focused on the light-to-heat conversion layer and the scanning speed are set according to the resolution required for the image, the recording sensitivity of the material, and the like. In the case of printing applications, generally a high resolution is required, and a smaller spot diameter is preferable in terms of image quality, but on the other hand, the depth of focus becomes narrower, and mechanical control becomes difficult.

The image signal is sent to an image reading device external to the recording device 1 of the present invention, a workstation having a DTP function, (W / S), an electronic publishing system, and various storage media (magnetic tape, floppy disk, hard disk,
RAM card, etc.), the color space or the like is matched by a color management system (color image reproduction system) or the like, and then transmitted as a digital signal to the controller 69 via a SCSI interface or the like, where necessary processing is performed. After that, it is transmitted to the recording head 40, and the exposure of the laser head 24 is controlled.

The controller 69 controls the sub-scanning by the sub-scanning means 61 of the recording head 40 and the rotation main scanning of the recording drum 34, and controls various parts of the recording apparatus 1 of the present invention and controls the entire sequence. I do. The peeling mechanism 42 is for peeling off the support of the color material sheet 10 on which an image has been formed as a latent image by exposure by the recording head 40 and the peeling layer. And a comb blade guide plate 65 provided between the dividing rollers 63 and 64 along the peeling roller 62, and a bracket (not shown) for integrally attaching these.

The peeling roller 62 is supported by an arm 67,
It is configured to rotate about the fulcrum 67a and to be able to contact and separate on the recording rotary drum 36. Further, pressing means 68 is provided for pressing the peeling roller 62 via the arm 67 against the laminated body of the image receiving paper 12 and the color material sheet 10 on the recording rotary drum 34. Thermal energy is applied imagewise by exposure, and an image is formed as a latent image. A fulcrum 67a is formed on a laminate of the color material sheet 10 and the image receiving paper 12 on which the color material sheet 10 is laminated.
The arms 67 are respectively rotated around the center, the brackets are brought close to each other, the comb blade guide plate 65 is inserted between the release layer of the laminate and the light and heat transfer layer, and the laminate is moved to the color material sheet 10.
It is pressed by the peeling roller 62 from the side.

Thereafter, the recording rotary drum 34 is rotated, and at the same time, the peeling roller 62 and the dividing rollers 63 and 64 are rotated, and the leading end of the color material sheet 10 is moved along the comb blade guide 65 to be separated from the peeling roller 62. It is held between the rollers 63. In this way, the color material sheet 10 is pinched and conveyed between the separation roller 62 and the split rollers 63 and 64 while being pressed by the separation roller 62, and is separated. Thereby, the color material sheet 10 can be peeled at a constant peeling speed at a portion pressed by the peeling roller 62, so that the peeling force can be kept constant, and a vibration phenomenon such as stick-slip does not occur. No peeling unevenness occurs. In addition, since the peeling force applied to the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer does not fluctuate during the peeling, the fixed position of the image receiving paper 12 on the recording rotary drum 34 does not shift. Therefore, the position accuracy does not decrease. Then, it is possible to obtain a one-color or multi-color high-quality, high-resolution, high-gradation halftone dot image without peeling unevenness or displacement.

In this way, the image receiving paper 12 on which the four color images of C, M, Y and K are accurately aligned, peeled, transferred and developed is conveyed while being guided by the guide members 70 and 70. The sheet is conveyed by the roller pair 71, conveyed rightward in the figure while being guided by the guide member 70, and reaches the fixing unit 48.

In the fixing section 48, the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer and the image receiving paper 12 are nipped and conveyed while being heat-fixed (color forming step) by a heat-fixing roller pair composed of a pressure roller 76a and a heating roller 76b. The spectral sensitizing dye in the light- and heat-sensitive transfer layer is decolorized by exposure by the post-exposure lamp 77 (image fixing step). Next, the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer on which the image is formed and the image receiving paper are discharged as a hard copy to the proof tray 52a of the tray unit 52.

During recording, the recording head 40 performs ON / OFF modulation or power modulation of the emitted laser beam in accordance with image data, and moves in a sub-scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the sheet of FIG. 1) while rotating the recording drum. The color material sheet 10 on 34 is exposed.

At this time, the recording head 40 adjusts the size (area) of the dots to be actually recorded so that the apparent dot size of the dots recorded on the predetermined portion of the predetermined recording layer becomes the desired dot size. Is recorded smaller than the desired dot size.

As described above, the image receiving paper 12 is finally provided with the photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layers of the four colors K, C, M and Y and the adhesive layers for the respective photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layers as shown in FIG. And transferred as shown in FIG. The thickness and refractive index of each layer are, for example, Becomes

As shown in FIG. 2, the refractive indices (n1, n2)
Equation (1) holds between the angle θ ₁ of the incident light on the boundary surface of the medium having a different angle and the angle θ _{2 of the} refracted light. n1 × sin θ ₁ = n2 × sin θ ₂ (1)

Here, a problem that occurs when the recording head 40 records the dot size (area) to be actually recorded in a desired dot size will be described. K, C, M, Y
For example, when dots of 50 μm are recorded on the Y layer on the image receiving paper 12 to which the four-color photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layers are transferred, illumination light is incident at an angle of 45 ° from the right side in FIG. When observed from the left side of FIG. 6 at an angle of 45 °,
When the position on the right side of the actual dot size is 50.0 μm, the position on the left side appears to be a position shifted to the left side by repeating refraction. That is, the illumination light is refracted by the Y, M, C, and K layers and the adhesive layers of the respective layers, then reflected by the lowermost adhesive layer, and again reflected by the K, C, M, and Y layers and the respective layers. Is observed by being refracted by the adhesive layer.

By repeating these refractions a plurality of times, the left position of the actual dot size is observed at a position shifted to the left by -20.6 μm as shown in Table 1. As a result, the apparent dot size of the dot size having a width of 50 μm actually recorded on the Y layer is 70.6 μm.

[0045]

[Table 1]

For example, when a dot of 50 μm is recorded on the K layer, illumination light is incident at an angle of 45 ° from the right side of FIG. 7 and the refracted light is observed at an angle of 45 ° from the left side of FIG. Then, the position on the right side of the actual dot size is 5
When the thickness is set to 0.0 μm, the right side position and the left side position appear to be shifted to the left side by repeating refraction. That is, the illumination light is refracted by the Y, M, C, and K layers and the adhesive layers of the respective layers, then reflected by the lowermost adhesive layer, and again reflected by the K, C, M, and Y layers and the respective layers. Is observed by being refracted by the adhesive layer.

By repeating these refractions a plurality of times, the position on the right side of the actual dot size moves to the left at a position of 43.3 μm and the position on the left side is 13.9 μm as shown in Table 2. Will be observed at the position moved to the left in the position of. As a result, the apparent dot size of the dot size having a width of 50 μm actually recorded on the K layer is 57.2 μm.

[0048]

[Table 2]

On the other hand, in the recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the size of the dots to be actually recorded is set to the desired dot size so that the apparent dot size becomes the desired dot size. Recorded smaller.
As shown in FIG. 3, a dot to be actually recorded is recorded smaller than the apparent dot size because the apparent dot size looks larger. An image data correction circuit 83 is provided between the recording apparatus 1 and the DTP computer 81. Dress. In the illustrated example, the image data correction circuit 83 is provided outside the printing apparatus 1. However, the image data correction circuit 83 may be built in the printing apparatus 1.

Processing of image data performed by interposing an image data correction circuit 83 between the DTP computer 81 and the recording apparatus 1 is performed according to the following procedure.
That is, the DTP computer 81 edits / lays out recorded images / characters and converts image data into image data correction circuits 83.
Send to The image data correction circuit 83 converts the transmitted image data into a dot recording size smaller than the image data by a predetermined amount based on the thickness and refractive index data of each layer of the color material sheet 10 and the layer configuration. I do. The corrected image data that has been corrected is transmitted to the controller 69 in the recording apparatus 1, and the recording head 40 records actual recording dots smaller than desired dots in a predetermined portion of a predetermined recording layer based on the corrected image data.

More specifically, taking the above-described Y layer and K layer as an example, in the case of the Y layer, as shown in Table 3, the left position is-.
Since it appears to be shifted by 20.6 μm, if the right side position is 29.4 μm, that is, if the actual recording dot size is recorded at 29.4 μm, it is almost 50 μm when observed and measured at an angle of 45 °. The apparent dot size is obtained. Further, in the case of the K layer, as shown in Table 4, the left position appears to be shifted by -13.9 μm, and the right position appears to be shifted to 43.3 μm.
If the right side position is 36.1 μm, that is, if the actual recording dot size is recorded at 42.8 μm, an apparent dot size of approximately 50 μm can be obtained when observed and measured at a 45 ° angle. Become.

[0052]

[Table 3]

[0053]

[Table 4]

As described above, according to the above-described recording method, actual recording dots that appear to be large in size are
By recording small in advance by the amount that looks larger due to the refractive index, the recorded dots eventually appear as a desired dot size. As a result,
The occurrence of bleeding at the recording boundary portion due to the fact that the desired dot is seen in a large area is prevented, and a clear recording image of the recording boundary portion can be obtained.

Since the image data is corrected by the correction value stored or calculated by the image data correction circuit 83, the apparent dot size for each recording layer, which is seen at different magnifications due to different refractive indexes. Can be corrected to a desired dot size. By providing the correction value, the degree of reduction can be adjusted for each layer according to the position of the layer, the refractive index of the layer, and the thickness of the layer.

Further, by setting this correction value to be larger for a recording layer which is shallower from the writing side of the color material sheet 10, the refractive index which becomes larger for a recording layer which is shallower from the writing side becomes a large correction amount which corresponds sequentially. Correction becomes possible, and the occurrence of an uncorrectable recording layer does not occur.

Further, the color material sheet 10 and the color material sheet 10
By recording information indicating the refractive index of each photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer on the packing material of the light-sensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer, the image data correction circuit 83 can be operated based on the information. It is no longer necessary to check the refractive index of the recording material, and the recording dots can be easily corrected for various color material sheets having different refractive indexes.

[0058]

As described in detail above, the recording method according to the present invention is designed so that the apparent dot size of the dots recorded on the predetermined portion of the predetermined recording layer is actually the desired dot size. Since the size of the dots to be recorded is recorded smaller than the desired dot size, the actual recording dots that appear to be large in size can be apparently viewed in the desired dot size. As a result, it is possible to prevent bleeding at a recording boundary portion due to the fact that a desired dot is seen in a large area, and to obtain a clear (sharp) recording image with a clear recording boundary.

The recording apparatus according to the present invention adjusts the size of the dots actually recorded so that the apparent dot size of the dots recorded on the predetermined portion of the predetermined recording layer becomes the desired dot size. Since an image data correction circuit for recording smaller data is provided, actual recording dots that appear to be large in appearance can be corrected with a predetermined correction value, and the small dots can be apparently viewed in a desired dot size. It can be recorded as recording dots. As a result, the apparent dot size can be set to a desired dot size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the law of refraction.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an image data correction circuit connected to the printing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a recording medium using a multilayer photosensitive thermal transfer recording medium.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a step of transferring the recording medium shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a recording medium illustrating an apparent dot size of a Y layer.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a recording medium illustrating an apparent dot size of a K layer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording device 10 Color material sheet (recording medium) 12 Image receiving paper (recording medium) 83 Image data correction circuit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium in which a recording layer capable of transmitting visible light is laminated for each recording color, and a predetermined portion of a predetermined recording layer of the recording medium is colored or changed in density based on image data information to form a plurality of colors. In a recording method of recording, so that the apparent dot size of the dots recorded in a predetermined portion of the predetermined recording layer is a desired dot size,
A recording method, wherein the size of dots to be actually recorded is smaller than the desired dot size. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the correction value for correcting the image data of the actually recorded dots to be small is set for each recording layer of the recording medium so that the actually recorded dots look large. Item 1. The recording method according to Item 1. 3. The recording method according to claim 2, wherein the correction value is larger in a recording layer that is shallower from a writing side of the recording medium. 4. A recording medium in which a recording layer capable of transmitting visible light is laminated for each recording color, and a predetermined portion of a predetermined recording layer of the recording medium is colored or changed in density based on image data information to form a plurality of colors. In a recording device for recording, so that the apparent dot size of the dots recorded in a predetermined portion of the predetermined recording layer is a desired dot size,
A recording apparatus, comprising: an image data correction circuit for recording a dot size to be actually recorded smaller than the desired dot size. 5. A recording medium comprising a heat-sensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material and an image receiving sheet, wherein the heat-sensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material has a recording color transferred to the image receiving sheet on a support transparent to writing light. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each photosensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layer is laminated. 6. The photosensitive heat-sensitive transfer layer for each color has a different absorption wavelength of the writing light, and the photosensitive heat-sensitive transfer layer laminated for each color is opposite to the incident side of the writing light. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein recording is sequentially performed with writing light having an absorption wavelength corresponding to each of the light- and heat-sensitive transfer layers. 7. A light-sensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material, and information indicating a refractive index of each of the light-sensitive and heat-sensitive transfer layers is recorded on at least one of a packing material of the light-sensitive and heat-sensitive transfer material. Recording device.