JP2002059668A - Multi-color ink film and thermal transfer line printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-color ink film which permits simultaneous formation of a positioning mark with a primary image when the primary image is formed in an intermediate transfer medium and reduces a running cost without increasing the width of the multi-color ink film as well as a thermal transfer line printer. SOLUTION: A mark forming part 58 is provided which forms a color distinguishing mark 24 of the multi-color ink film 21 in a transferable ink in an intermediate transfer medium 35 in such a way that it can be used as a positioning mark 60 which serves as a positional reference during the retransfer and then forms the positioning mark 60 serving as the positional reference during the retransfer in the intermediate transfer medium 35 by transferring the color distinguishing mark 24 of the multi-color ink film 21 to the intermediate transfer medium 35 during the intermediate transfer which forms the primary image 61.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of transferring a multicolor ink film ink to an intermediate transfer medium by a line thermal head to form a primary image, and retransferring the primary image to a transfer medium by retransfer means. The present invention relates to a multi-color ink film and a thermal transfer line printer suitable for forming an image on a medium to be transferred by an intermediate transfer method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a primary image is formed by transferring the ink of a multi-color ink film to an intermediate transfer medium by a line thermal head, and the primary image is re-transferred to a transfer medium by re-transfer means. An intermediate transfer type thermal transfer line printer that forms images on transfer media can easily form images on a wide variety of transfer media such as CDs and cards, and has high print quality, low noise, and low cost. Because of their ease of maintenance, they are often used as output devices such as computers and word processors.

In such a conventional thermal transfer line printer, in a primary image forming section, a line thermal head is brought into a head down state in which an ink film and an intermediate transfer medium are brought into contact with a platen roller in this order. By selectively heating the heating elements of the line thermal head based on print information (image formation information) while transporting the ink film and the intermediate transfer medium, the ink carried on the ink film is partially melted or sublimated. The image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium to form a reverse image as a primary image for one screen (one page) on the intermediate transfer medium, and then the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed to transfer the primary image formed on the intermediate transfer medium. The image is transported to just before the re-transfer position, and then the primary image is transferred using the positioning marks formed on the intermediate transfer medium. After the image and the transfer medium are aligned, the primary image formed on the intermediate transfer medium is melted or sublimated by using heat and pressure of a retransfer unit such as a heating roller in a retransfer unit. Then, the primary image is transferred (re-transferred) and fixed on the transfer medium, thereby forming a desired image on the transfer medium (printing).
It is supposed to.

At this time, when a single-color image is formed on the medium to be transferred, the image can be formed in one pass.

On the other hand, when a multi-color image is formed on a transfer-receiving medium, a multi-color ink film in which a plurality of color ink regions are repeatedly arranged with different colors adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction is used as an ink film. After forming a reverse image with the first color ink carried on the multi-color ink film on the intermediate transfer medium, the line thermal head is set in a head-up state separated from the platen, and in this state, the intermediate transfer medium is moved in the reverse direction. (Returning) the reverse image formed by the first color ink to the transfer position, and then transferring the reverse image of the next color so as to overlap the reverse image of the first color. A multicolor primary image is formed by a so-called swingback method.

Specifically, when a full-color image is formed, for example, four color ink areas formed by four color inks of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) are used. Are repeatedly arranged in this order so that different colors are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, and a full-color image is formed using a multi-color ink film provided with a color discrimination mark at a boundary portion of each ink region.

That is, first, an inverted image of K color for one screen is formed on the intermediate transfer medium using the K (black) ink area of the multi-color ink film, and then the image is conveyed by a primary image forming operation. By feeding back the intermediate transfer medium and cueing the inverted image of K color formed on the intermediate transfer medium, cueing of the Y color (yellow) ink area adjacent to the K color of the multi-color ink film is performed. Using the Y-color ink area of the color ink film, a Y-color inverted image for one screen is formed so as to overlap the K-color inverted image for one screen formed on the intermediate transfer medium. Color (magenta) ink area,
By superimposing the reverse image on the intermediate transfer medium in the order of the C (blue-green) ink areas, a full-color primary image for one screen is formed on the intermediate transfer medium.

The conventional positioning mark is formed on the intermediate transfer medium in advance, or is formed simultaneously with the primary image when forming the primary image on the intermediate transfer medium.

[0009]

However, in the above-described thermal transfer line printer using the conventional ink film, there are various problems due to the positioning marks formed on the intermediate transfer medium.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the positioning mark 1 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 in advance, a primary image is formed (transferred) on the intermediate transfer medium 2 based on the positioning mark 1. : Intermediate transfer), and the primary image formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 with reference to the same positioning mark 1 is re-transferred while being controlled so as to be aligned with the medium to be transferred. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the ink of the ink film is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 2 and the primary image 3 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium 2.
Is formed, the transfer start position TP of the ink is set with reference to the positioning mark 1.

However, the actual transfer start position TP1 is different from the original transfer start position TP due to the accumulation of the accuracy of the sensor for detecting the positioning mark 1 and the transfer accuracy for transferring the ink film and the intermediate transfer medium 2. A positional error (positional deviation) ΔA is generated. The position error ΔA may occur in the plus direction (right side in FIG. 10) with respect to the transfer start position TP, or may occur in the minus direction (left side in FIG. 10).

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the primary image 3 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 is retransferred to the transfer medium 4 to form the image 5 on the transfer medium 4, the same An overlapping position O serving as a reference for superimposing the transfer-receiving medium 4 on the intermediate transfer medium 2 based on the positioning mark 1
P will be set.

However, the accuracy of the sensor for detecting the positioning mark 1, the intermediate transfer medium 2 and the transfer medium 4
Due to the accumulation of the transfer accuracy of the transfer position and the like, a position error (position shift) ΔB occurs in which the actual overlap position OP1 is shifted from the original overlap position OP. This position error ΔB
May occur in the plus direction (right side in FIG. 11) with respect to the overlapping position OP, or may occur in the minus direction (left side in FIG. 11).

Therefore, since the position error ΔA at the time of intermediate transfer and the position error ΔB at the time of retransfer are accumulated, the position of the image 5 formed on the transfer-receiving medium 4 should be the desired image which should be the original image. The position is greatly shifted from the position of No. 5.

Further, when the positioning mark 1 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 in advance, the size of the primary image 3 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 is larger than the maximum size of the image forming area that can be formed on the transfer medium 4. Even if it is small, the spacing between the positioning marks 1 is based on the image forming area that can be formed on the transfer medium 4, so that, for example, as shown in FIG. In the case where the maximum size of the image forming area 6 that can be formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 is almost half, and when the positioning mark 1 is ignored, the position of the next primary image 3 to be formed The use of the intermediate transfer medium 2 can be reduced by setting the position as indicated by. However, when the conventional positioning mark 1 is used as a reference, the positioning mark 1 and the transfer start position TP (FIG. 10) When the next primary image 3 is formed, as in the case of the first primary image 3, the next positioning mark 1 is used as a reference. As shown, the next primary image 3 is formed. Therefore, the amount of use of the intermediate transfer medium 2 cannot be controlled in accordance with the size of the primary image 3, that is, the size of the image 5 formed on the medium 4 to be transferred, and the use efficiency of the intermediate transfer medium 2 is not good.

Also, during the intermediate transfer, the positioning mark 1A
Is formed simultaneously with the primary image 3, the position error ΔA at the time of forming the primary image 3 can be eliminated. However, for example, as shown in FIG. It is necessary to form the positioning mark 1 outside the intermediate transfer medium 2 in the longitudinal direction.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 14, as the ink film 7, in addition to the ink area 8 having at least the same size as the image forming area 6 having the maximum size, a special mark transfer used for forming the positioning mark 1 is provided. Requires the use ink area 9.

In this case, as the ink film 7, a multi-color ink film 7a capable of forming a full-color image is used.
K, Y, M, and C inks in this order,
When the primary image 3 for the screen is formed, as shown in FIG. 15, the multi-color ink film 7a includes the K color ink region 8K, the Y color ink region 8Y, and the M color
The four color ink regions 8 of the M and C color ink regions 8C and the color identification marks 10 used to determine the colors of the four color ink regions 8 formed at the boundaries between these ink regions 8
(10K, 10Y, 10M, 10C) and the ink for forming the positioning mark 1 disposed before the K color ink area 8K (the leading side in the transport direction of the ink film 7) used for forming the first inverted image. And a mark transfer ink area 9 carrying the same is set as one set, and these are repeatedly arranged in the longitudinal direction. As a result, when the length of the multi-color ink film 7a is constant, the ink area 8
, That is, the number of images 5 obtained, and the running cost of the multicolor ink film 7a increases.

Further, the positioning mark 1 is moved to another position outside the image forming area 6, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, is moved out of the maximum size image forming area 6 that can be formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2. When the intermediate transfer medium 2 is formed on the outer side in the width direction, as shown in FIG. 17, the positioning mark 1 is formed as the ink film 7 in addition to at least the ink area 8 used for image formation. For this purpose, a mark transfer ink area 9 to be used is required at least on one end side of the ink film 7 in the width direction. In this case, a multi-color ink film 7a is used as the ink film 7, and the K of the multi-color ink film 7a is
If the primary image 3 for one screen is formed by superimposing the color, Y, M, and C inks in this order, as shown in FIG. 18, the multi-color ink film 7a has the K color ink areas 8K, Y The color ink area 8Y, the M color ink area 8M,
The four color ink regions 8 of the C color ink region 8C and the color determination mark 10 (1) used to determine the color of the four color ink regions 8 formed at the boundary between these ink regions 8
0K, 10Y, 10M, 10C) and the ink for forming the positioning mark 1 disposed on one side in the width direction shown on the upper side in FIG. 18 of the K color ink area 8K used for forming the first inverted image. The mark transfer ink area 9 carried is made into one set, and these are repeatedly arranged in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the size of the multi-color ink film 7a in the width direction must be increased more than necessary.

The present invention has been made in view of these points. When forming a primary image on an intermediate transfer medium, a positioning mark can be formed simultaneously with the primary image, and the width of the multicolor ink film can be reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-color ink film and a thermal transfer line printer that can reduce the running cost without increasing the image quality.

[0021]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the multi-color ink film according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of ink areas are repeatedly arranged such that different colors are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction. A color discrimination mark for discriminating the color of each ink area is formed at the boundary of the ink area so that it can be used as a positioning mark that serves as a position reference at the time of retransfer using ink that can be transferred to the intermediate transfer medium. . By adopting such a configuration, the positioning mark can be formed using the color discrimination mark at the time of intermediate transfer without providing a dedicated ink area for forming the positioning mark, so that the running cost can be reduced. .

At this time, the color discrimination mark used to form the positioning mark is one of the plurality of color ink areas.
It is preferable that the mark is a color identification mark of a color used first when forming a primary image. Then, by adopting such a configuration, the running cost can be further reduced.

The thermal transfer line printer according to the present invention is characterized in that a multi-color ink film is arranged such that a plurality of color ink regions are repeatedly arranged with different colors adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction, and that a multicolor ink film is provided at a boundary portion of each ink region. A color discrimination mark for discriminating the color of each ink area is formed using ink that can be transferred to the intermediate transfer medium so that it can be used as a positioning mark that is a position reference at the time of retransfer, and at the time of intermediate transfer to form a primary image, The present invention is characterized in that a mark forming unit is provided for transferring a color determination mark of a multicolor ink film to an intermediate transfer medium to form a positioning mark serving as a position reference at the time of retransfer on the intermediate transfer medium. By adopting such a configuration, the color discrimination mark can be transferred to the intermediate transfer medium by the line thermal head. Therefore, when forming the primary image on the intermediate transfer medium, the positioning mark is simultaneously formed with the primary image. In addition to being able to form the positioning marks on the multicolor ink film without using a dedicated ink area for forming the positioning marks on the multicolor ink film, the positioning marks can be formed using the color discrimination marks during the intermediate transfer. Can be reduced.

Preferably, the mark forming section is configured to form a positioning mark using a color discrimination mark of a color used first among the color discrimination marks of the multicolor ink film. By adopting such a configuration, the positioning mark can be efficiently formed simultaneously with the primary image, and the running cost of the multi-color ink film can be further reduced.

It is preferable that the mark forming section is configured such that the positioning mark is a horizontally long linear line mark with the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head being a horizontal direction. By employing such a configuration, the positioning mark can be efficiently and easily formed on the intermediate transfer medium using the line thermal head.

Preferably, the mark forming section is configured to form positioning marks at a plurality of locations. By adopting such a configuration, the positioning mark can be used for detecting the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium at the time of retransfer.

In the mark forming section, the positioning marks are a plurality of linear line marks that are horizontally long with the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head as the horizontal direction, and these line marks are aligned and arranged in the same horizontal direction. It is preferable to be constituted so that. By adopting such a configuration, the positioning mark can be efficiently and easily formed on the intermediate transfer medium by using the line thermal head, and the positioning attitude of the intermediate transfer medium at the time of retransfer can be achieved. Can be used for detection.

Another feature of the thermal transfer line printer according to the present invention is that a plurality of linear line marks that are horizontally long with the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head being the horizontal direction,
In addition, the detecting means for individually detecting each of the positioning marks configured to arrange these line marks in the same row in the horizontal direction is provided on the intermediate transfer medium located between the line thermal head and the retransfer means. In addition to being arranged so as to face the transport path, the detection means detects a difference in the passage time of each line mark, and when the difference in the passage times is within a preset threshold value, issues a control command instructing a retransfer operation. If the difference in the transit time exceeds a preset threshold value, the transport control unit that issues a control command for instructing a re-operation of transporting the intermediate transfer medium in the reverse direction and then transporting the intermediate transfer medium again is performed. It is in the point provided. By adopting such a configuration, by detecting the positioning marks formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the detecting means, the transport posture of the intermediate transfer medium can be easily detected, and the transporting of the intermediate transfer medium can be easily performed. When the posture is in the proper range, the re-transfer operation can be performed to improve the positional accuracy of the image formed on the transfer-receiving medium, and when the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium is not in the proper range, The transfer operation can be automatically re-executed.

Further, the mark forming section forms the positioning marks as a plurality of linear line marks which are horizontally long with the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head as the horizontal direction, and arranges these line marks in the same horizontal direction. It is preferable that the arrangement is further arranged in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction. By adopting such a configuration, the positioning mark can be efficiently and easily formed on the intermediate transfer medium by using the line thermal head, and the positioning attitude of the intermediate transfer medium at the time of retransfer can be achieved. Can be used for detection.

Still another feature of the thermal transfer line printer according to the present invention is that a plurality of linear line marks that are horizontally long with the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head as the horizontal direction, and these line marks are formed. A detecting means for individually detecting each of the positioning marks arranged in the same row in the horizontal direction and a plurality of positioning marks in the vertical direction for each vertical direction is provided between the line thermal head and the retransfer means. In addition to being disposed so as to face the transport path of the intermediate transfer medium, the detecting means detects a difference in the transit time of the line mark positioned in a predetermined pass order for each horizontal direction among the line marks. If the difference between the transit times is within a preset threshold, a control command for instructing a retransfer operation is sent.If the difference between the transit times exceeds a preset threshold, Lies in providing a transport controller for sending a control command for instructing the re-operation of transporting the intermediate transfer medium again is conveyed between the transfer medium in the reverse direction. By adopting such a configuration, by detecting the positioning marks formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the detecting means, the transport posture of the intermediate transfer medium can be easily detected, and the transporting of the intermediate transfer medium can be easily performed. When the posture is in the proper range, the re-transfer operation can be performed to improve the positional accuracy of the image formed on the transfer-receiving medium, and when the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium is not in the proper range, The transfer operation can be automatically re-executed.

Further, the transport controller sends a control command for repeating the re-operation a plurality of times, and thereafter stops the transport operation of the intermediate transfer medium when the difference between the transit times exceeds a preset threshold. It is preferred that By adopting such a configuration, when the transfer posture of the intermediate transfer medium is not appropriate, the intermediate transfer medium can be automatically stopped without bothering the operator.

It is preferable that the transport control unit is configured to transmit a control command for issuing a warning when the transport operation of the intermediate transfer medium is stopped. Then, by adopting such a configuration, the operator can easily recognize the stop.

[0033]

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

First, an embodiment of the multicolor ink film according to the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a multi-color ink film according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a main part, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing another example of a color identification mark. .

The multi-color ink film of this embodiment is black (black:
FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration in which ink areas of four colors of K), yellow (yellow: Y), magenta (magenta: M), and blue-green (cyan: C) are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, a multi-color ink film 21 according to the present embodiment is composed of a base film 22 formed of a long length and having four colors of ink of K, Y, M, and C colors. Area 23 (reference numeral 23 denotes the K color ink area 23)
K, Y color ink area 23Y, M color ink area 23M, C
The color ink areas 23C are collectively referred to as a set in which different colors are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction at intervals.
These are arranged repeatedly. These ink areas 2
Reference numeral 3 denotes a K-color ink region 23K, a Y-color ink region 23Y, and a K-color ink region 23Y at the time of intermediate transfer for forming a primary image 61 (FIG. 5) composed of a reverse image on an intermediate transfer medium 35 (FIGS.
The M ink region 23M and the C color ink region 23C are used in this order.

A color discrimination mark 24 for discriminating colors and cueing (a reference numeral 24 denotes a color discrimination mark 24K for discriminating the K color ink area 23K, a Y color ink) A color determination mark 24Y for determining the area 23Y, a color determination mark 24M for determining the M color ink area 23M, and a color determination mark 24C for determining the C color ink area 23C are collectively formed. These color discrimination marks 24 are provided at the head of the respective ink areas 23 in the transport direction shown on the left side in FIG. These color identification marks 24 are formed like bar codes extending along a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the multi-color ink film 21.

The color discrimination mark 24K used for discriminating the color of at least the K color ink area 23K among the color discrimination marks 24 is formed of the same black ink as the ink forming the K color ink area 23K. In addition, two solid black portions 24Ka provided on both sides in the width direction of the multi-color ink film 21 in this embodiment, and a shape necessary for forming a positioning mark 60 (FIG. 5) described later, and the solid black portions 24Ka And a bar code portion 24Kb formed by a plurality of lines having different thicknesses, both ends of which are connected to each other.

The shape of the color discrimination mark 24K may be any shape that can be easily discriminated by a sensor (not shown) and that is necessary to form the positioning mark 60. In particular, the color discrimination mark 24K of the present embodiment is used. The shape is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the color discrimination mark 24K may be configured such that two thick solid black portions 24Ka extending in the width direction are adjacent to each other with a slight gap.

That is, in the multi-color ink film 21 of the present embodiment, the color discrimination mark 24 is formed of ink that can be transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 35, and the color discrimination mark 24 is positioned as a position reference at the time of retransfer. The mark 60 is formed so as to be usable (transferable). The color determination mark 24 used as the positioning mark 60 is a color determination of the color (ink area 23K) used first when the primary image 61 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35 among the plurality of color ink areas 23. The mark is 24K.

The multi-color ink film 21 may be any film capable of forming a multi-color image.
The same number of ink areas 23 as the number of ink areas 23 and the same number of inks that can be transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 35;
In addition, any configuration may be used as long as the configuration includes the color determination mark 24 having a shape usable as the positioning mark 60.

According to the multi-color ink film 21 having such a configuration, the positioning mark 60 can be formed by using the color determination mark 24K at the time of the intermediate transfer, without providing a dedicated ink area for forming the positioning mark 60. Therefore, running costs can be reduced.

Next, an embodiment of a thermal transfer line printer according to the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 3 to 6 show an embodiment of a thermal transfer line printer provided with a multi-color ink film according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the structure of a main part.
4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the control means, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a positioning mark, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another example of a positioning mark.

The thermal transfer line printer of this embodiment is exemplified by the one provided with the multi-color ink film 21 of the above-described embodiment so that a full-color image can be formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, a platen roller 32 is rotatably disposed in a printer main body 31a of the thermal transfer line printer 31 of the present embodiment. The platen roller 32 is rotatably driven by receiving a driving force of a platen driving motor 33 (FIG. 4) such as a stepping motor. This platen drive motor 33
Is electrically connected to a control unit 55 (FIG. 4) for controlling the operation of each unit, which will be described later, and controls the stop, start, drive speed (rotation speed), and the like based on a control command sent from the control unit 55. It can be controlled.

On the left side of the platen roller 32 shown in FIG. 3 on the left side, a line thermal head 34 that can freely contact and separate from the platen roller 32 has its printing surface 34 a facing the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller 32. It is arranged like this. The line thermal head 34 extends in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the platen roller 32. Further, the print surface 34a of the line thermal head 34 is provided with a plurality of pieces over a length corresponding to a dimension in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the multicolor ink film 21 and the intermediate transfer medium 35 indicated by an arrow A in FIG. Of heating elements (not shown) are arranged. The formation length of the heating element is formed to be longer than the size of the image 62 (FIG. 5) formed on the transfer medium 36 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The line thermal head 34
Each heating element is electrically connected to a control unit 55 (FIG. 4) described later, and is selectively heated by a control command sent from the control unit 55 based on print information (image formation information). It has become.

The line thermal head 34 is at least separated from the platen roller 32 shown by a broken line in FIG. 3 by a head contacting / separating mechanism (not shown) operated by the driving force of a head contacting / separating motor 37 (FIG. 4). 3 and a head-down position, which is in a head-down state in pressure contact with the platen roller 32 as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3, and is selectively formed. And a head contact / separation motor 3
Numeral 7 is electrically connected to control means 55 (FIG. 4) for controlling the operation of each section described later, and the position of the line thermal head 34 is determined at a predetermined timing based on a control command sent from the control means 55. It is controlled.

Between the platen roller 32 and the line thermal head 34, the multicolor ink film 21 and the intermediate transfer medium 35 are supplied in order from the line thermal head 34 side.

One multi-color ink film 21
Is wound between a film delivery roll 38 disposed near the upper left corner of the printer main body 31a in FIG. 3 and a film take-up roll 39 disposed below the film delivery roll 38.
Then, by rotating at least the film take-up roll 39 with the driving force of a film transport motor 40 (FIG. 4) including a control motor such as a stepping motor, the multi-color ink film 21 is fed out from the film delivery roll 38. The film is wound around a film winding roll 39. The multi-color ink film 21 fed from the film delivery roll 38 includes a plurality of guide rolls 41 rotatably disposed in the printer main body 31a, and in the present embodiment, four guide rolls 41a, 41b, 41c, 4
The transport path and the transport direction (indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 3) are controlled so that the film is wound around the film winding roll 39 after passing through 1d in this order. Further, the transport path of the multi-color ink film 21 is
The back side where no is formed is the line thermal head 34
Are formed so as to face. The film transport motor 40 is electrically connected to a control unit 55 (FIG. 4) for controlling the operation of each unit described later.
5, the stop, start, drive speed (rotation speed), and the like are controlled.

The other intermediate transfer medium 35 is provided between the intermediate transfer medium delivery roll 42 disposed near the right side of the film delivery roll 38 in the printer main body 31a and the vicinity of the upper right corner in FIG. It is wound around the intermediate transfer medium take-up roll 43 provided. Then, by rotating at least the intermediate transfer medium take-up roll 43 with the driving force of the intermediate transfer medium transport motor 44 (FIG. 4), the intermediate transfer medium 35 is fed out from the intermediate transfer medium delivery roll 42, The transfer medium winding roll 43 is configured to be wound up. Further, the intermediate transfer 3 unreeled from the intermediate transfer medium delivery roll 42
Reference numeral 5 denotes a plurality of guide rolls 41 rotatably arranged in a printer main body 31a, and in this embodiment, two guide rolls 41e and 41b, in this order, and then along the outer periphery of the platen roller 32. Body 31
a plurality of guide rolls 41 rotatably arranged in a.
In the present embodiment, three guide rolls 41f, 41
g, 41h in this order, and the intermediate transfer medium winding roll 4
The transport path and the transport direction (indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 3) are controlled so that the tape is wound around the transport path 3. Further, the intermediate transfer medium 35 has a transport path formed between the guide roll 41b and the platen roller 32 so as to overlap the multi-color ink film 21. In this portion, the intermediate transfer medium 35 is And the ink region 23.

The intermediate transfer medium take-up roll 43 is formed so as to be driven to rotate in the reverse direction with the driving force of the intermediate transfer medium reverse transfer motor 45 (FIG. 4). The intermediate transfer medium 35 is configured to be able to reversely convey the intermediate transfer medium 35 from the intermediate transfer medium take-up roller 44 to the intermediate transfer medium delivery roller 43 as shown by an arrow B in FIG. I have.

The intermediate transfer medium transport motor 44 and the intermediate transfer medium reverse transport motor 45 are electrically connected to a control unit 55 (FIG. 4) for controlling the operation of each unit, which will be described later. Stop, start, drive speed (rotation speed), and the like are controlled based on the control command.

Further, the intermediate transfer medium 3 in the present embodiment
5, a long and transparent resin film or resin sheet made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or a material obtained by coating the film or sheet with a material for improving retransfer later. I have. Further, such an intermediate transfer medium 35 is formed such that the size in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 3 is substantially the same as the size in the width direction of the multicolor ink film 21. Is used. As the intermediate transfer medium 35, any material can be used as long as the ink of the multicolor ink film 21 can be transferred and the ink transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 35 can be re-transferred to the transfer receiving medium 36. , Thin paper,
It can be selected and used from various types such as resin films.

The ink of the multicolor ink film 21 of this embodiment is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 35 by the platen roller 32 and the line thermal head 34.
A primary image forming section 46 for forming a primary image composed of a reverse image on the intermediate transfer medium 35 is configured.

The contact position between the line thermal head 34 and the platen roller 32 in the head-down state shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 where the line thermal head 34 is pressed against the platen roller 32 with a predetermined contact force is multi-positioned. The ink of the color ink film 21 is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 35, and the primary image 6 including the reverse image is transferred.
1 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35 as an intermediate transfer position PP1.

A sensor (not shown) for detecting the color discrimination mark 24 of the multicolor ink film 21 and the four color ink areas 23 of the multicolor ink film 21 are provided upstream of the intermediate transfer position PP1 in the transport direction. A sensor (not shown) for detecting a positioning mark 60 formed at the time of forming the primary image 61 of the first color when the primary image 61 for one screen is formed by superposition is provided. By detecting the four color ink regions 23 and the positioning marks 60, the position error of the transfer start position, which is the superimposed position of each color ink region 23 and the primary image 61, can be eliminated. .

On the downstream side of the primary image forming section 46 in the transport direction, specifically, on the right side of FIG. 3 from the position where the platen roller 32 is disposed, a heating roller 47 as a retransfer unit is provided with a transport path for the intermediate transfer medium 35. It is arranged so as to face. The heating roller 47 is composed of two guide rolls 41f and 41g that constitute a part of the conveyance path of the intermediate transfer medium 35.
It is arranged between. The heating roller 47 is formed so as to be rotatable by receiving a driving force of a heating roller driving motor 48 (FIG. 4) such as a stepping motor. The heating roller 47 is at least separated from the intermediate transfer medium 35 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3 by a roller contacting / separating mechanism (not shown) that operates with the driving force of the heating roller contact / separation motor 49 (FIG. 4). It is formed so as to be able to selectively take two positions of a separation position and a pressure contact position which is in a pressure contact state in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer medium 35 indicated by a solid line in FIG. The heating roller contact / separation motor 49 is electrically connected to a control unit 55 (FIG. 4) for controlling the operation of each unit described later.
The position of the heating roller 47 is controlled at a predetermined timing based on a control command sent from the control unit.

Below the heating roller 47, a medium to be transferred 36, in this embodiment a compact disk (CD), is supplied with the intermediate transfer medium 35 interposed therebetween. The transfer medium 36 is placed on the upper surface of a movable table 50 formed in a flat plate shape, and the movable table 50 is moved in a double-headed arrow C in FIG. 3 by the driving force of the movable table transport motor 51 (FIG. 4). It is formed so as to be able to reciprocate in the left and right directions shown in FIG. Then, the transfer table 50 is reciprocated by the driving force of the transfer table transport motor 51 to supply and receive the transfer target medium 36 at least as indicated by the solid line in FIG.
It is configured to be able to reciprocate between two positions: an unloading position SP and a re-transfer standby position WP indicated by a broken line in FIG. Further, the moving table transport motor 51 is electrically connected to a control unit 55 (FIG. 4) for controlling the operation of each unit described later, and stops, starts, and drives based on a control command sent from the control unit 55. The speed (rotation speed) and the like are controlled. The transfer medium 36 is exposed to the outside of the printer main body 31a at a supply / removal position SP indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3, and is supplied to the transfer table 50 of the transfer medium 36 and from the transfer table 50. Is configured to be easily executed.

The transfer medium 36 is not limited to a CD, but may be, for example, a stock certificate, a security, a certificate, a passbook, a ticket, an ornamental ticket, an admission ticket, a ticket, a cash card, a credit card, a prepaid card, a postcard, a business card. , IC card,
Examples include various types such as optical discs, calendars, posters, pamphlets, accessories, stationery, stationery, and the like. The material of the transfer medium 36 may be any material that does not deform due to heat during retransfer, and examples thereof include various materials such as paper, resin, glass, metal, ceramics, and cloth.

The re-transfer section for re-transferring the primary image 61 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35 of the present embodiment to the transfer medium 36 by the heating roller 47 and forming (printing) the image 62 on the transfer medium 36. 52 are configured.

The pressing position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3 where the heating roller 47 is pressed against the transfer medium 36 with a predetermined contact force is such that the primary image 61 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35 is transferred to the transfer medium 36. Retransfer and transfer media 3
6 is a retransfer position PP2 where an image 62 is formed.

Between the line thermal head 34 and the heating roller 47, that is, between the intermediate transfer position PP1 and the re-transfer position PP2, a positioning mark 60 described later formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35 is detected. Sensor (reflection type optical sensor) 53 as a detecting means for detecting the transfer direction of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is provided.

In the present embodiment, as described later,
The positioning marks 60 are two line-shaped line marks 60a and 60b that are horizontally long with the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head 34 as a horizontal direction, and these line marks 6
Since the optical sensors 0a and 60b are arranged so as to be aligned in the horizontal direction, the two optical sensors 53a and 53b are formed so as to be aligned and aligned in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the intermediate transfer medium 35. ing. These optical sensors 5
Numeral 3 is electrically connected to control means 55 (FIG. 4) for controlling the operation of each section described later, so that a detection signal of the positioning mark 60 can be sent to the control means 55.

The position of the optical sensor 53 in the present embodiment is above the conveyance path of the intermediate transfer medium 35, that is, on the side opposite to the surface on which the primary image 61 and the positioning mark 60 of the intermediate transfer medium 35 are transferred. Is arranged so as to face the back surface located at the position, and is configured to transmit the transparent intermediate transfer medium 35 and detect the positioning mark 60. However, when the intermediate transfer medium 35 is opaque,
For example, it may be disposed below the conveyance path of the intermediate transfer medium 35, that is, so as to face the surface on which the primary image 61 and the positioning marks 60 are formed. However, in this case, it is important to dispose the optical sensor 53 at a position that does not interfere with the medium 36 to be transferred.

As shown in FIG. 4, the thermal transfer line printer 31 of this embodiment has a control unit 5 for controlling the operation of each unit.
The control means 55 includes at least C
It has a PU 56 and a memory 57 formed of ROM, RAM or the like having an appropriate capacity. This control means 55
At least the platen drive motor 33, line thermal head 34, head contact / separation motor 37, film transport motor 40, intermediate transfer medium transport motor 44, intermediate transfer medium reverse transport motor 45, heating roller contact / separation motor 49,
The moving table transport motor 51, optical sensors 53a and 53b, warning means 54 formed by an indicator lamp or a buzzer for allowing an operator to recognize an error, a power switch (not shown), and various known switches related to a printing operation. Are electrically connected. The platen drive motor 33, the line thermal head 34, the head contact / separation motor 37, the film transport motor 40, the intermediate transfer medium transport motor 44, the intermediate transfer medium reverse transport motor 45, the heating roller contact / separation motor 49, and the moving table transport motor 51 and the like are connected via a dedicated drive circuit (not shown) also called a controller for driving each of them.

The memory 57 of this embodiment has at least a mark forming section 58 and a transport control section 59.

In the mark forming section 58 of the present embodiment, during the intermediate transfer for forming the primary image 61, positioning is performed using the color discriminating mark 24K of the color used first among the color discriminating marks 24 of the multicolor ink film 21. Mark 6
0, and the positioning marks 60 are two linear line marks 60a and 60b that are horizontally long with the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head 34 as a horizontal direction, and these line marks 60a and 60b. Are stored in the same column in the horizontal direction. FIG. 5 shows an example of two line marks 60a and 60b as positioning marks 60 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35 by the control operation of the mark forming section 58.

In the transport control section 59 of this embodiment, the difference between the passing times of the line marks 60a and 60b is detected by the two optical sensors 53a and 53b as detecting means, and the difference between the passing times is set in advance. If the difference is less than the predetermined threshold value, the intermediate transfer medium 35 is conveyed in the reverse direction, and then the intermediate transfer medium is returned again. When the difference in the transit time exceeds a preset threshold value, the transport operation of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is stopped and the transport of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is stopped. A control command for issuing a warning when the operation is stopped, specifically, a program for sending a control command for operating the warning means 58 is stored.

It should be noted that the mark forming section 58 applies the color discrimination mark 24 of the multicolor ink film 21 to the intermediate transfer medium 35 during the intermediate transfer for forming the primary image 61.
The program may be a program storing a program for forming a positioning mark 60 on the intermediate transfer medium 35 by transferring the image to the intermediate transfer medium 35 as a position reference at the time of retransfer. Then, when such a configuration is adopted, the positioning mark 60 is displayed on the primary image 61.
At the same time, it can be formed efficiently and the running cost of the multi-color ink film 61 can be further reduced.

The mark forming section 58 may store a program for forming the positioning mark 60 using the color discrimination mark 24K of the color used first among the color discrimination marks 24 of the multicolor ink film 21. . When such a configuration is adopted, the positioning mark 60 can be efficiently formed simultaneously with the primary image 61, and the multi-color ink film 2 can be formed.
1 can further reduce the running cost.

Further, the mark forming section 58 may store a program in which the positioning marks 60 are horizontally long linear line marks with the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head 34 being a horizontal direction. When such a configuration is adopted, the positioning marks 60 can be efficiently and easily formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35 using the line thermal head 34.

The mark forming section 58 may store a program for forming the positioning marks 60 at a plurality of locations. When such a configuration is adopted, the positioning mark 60 can be used for detecting the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 at the time of retransfer.

Further, as the mark forming section 58,
The positioning mark 60 may be a plurality of linear line marks that are horizontally long with the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head 34 being the horizontal direction, and a program storing a program for arranging these line marks in the same horizontal direction may be stored. . And
When such a configuration is adopted, the line thermal head 3
4, the positioning mark 60 can be efficiently and easily formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35, and the positioning mark 60 can be used for detecting the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 at the time of retransfer.

In the mark forming section 58, the positioning marks 60 are a plurality of linear line marks which are horizontally long with the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head 34 as a horizontal direction, and these line marks are formed in the horizontal direction. A program may be stored in which a plurality of programs arranged in the same column are further arranged in a plurality of columns in the vertical direction. By the control operation of the mark forming unit 58, the two line marks 60a and 60b as the positioning marks 60 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35 are aligned and arranged in the same horizontal direction (perpendicular to the transport direction of the intermediate transfer medium 35). (In the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of the intermediate transfer medium 35).
6 are exaggerated in FIG. 6. When such a configuration is adopted, the positioning marks 60 can be efficiently and easily formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35 by using the line thermal head 34, and the positioning marks 60 can be transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 35 at the time of retransfer. Can be used for the detection of the transporting posture.

When the positioning mark 60 shown in FIG. 6 is used, the optical sensor 53 (53
a, 53b), the difference between the passing times of the line marks 60a, 60b located in the predetermined passing order is detected for each of the line marks 60a, 60b in the horizontal direction, and the difference between the passing times is set in advance. If the difference is less than the preset threshold value, a control command for instructing the retransfer operation is sent. If the difference between the passage times exceeds a preset threshold value, the intermediate transfer medium 35 is transported in the reverse direction and then the intermediate transfer medium is again transferred. A control command for repeating the re-operation of transporting the medium 35 a plurality of times is sent out. If the difference between the passing times exceeds a preset threshold, the transport operation of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is stopped, and the intermediate transfer medium 35 is stopped. It is preferable to provide a transport control unit 59 storing a control command for instructing a warning when the transport operation is stopped, specifically, a program for sending a control command for operating the warning unit 58.

Further, as the transport control section 59, the line marks 60a, 60
b) a difference in the transit time is detected, and if the difference in the transit time is within a preset threshold value, a control command instructing a retransfer operation is sent out, and the transit time difference exceeds the preset threshold value. In this case, a program for sending a control command for instructing a re-operation of transporting the intermediate transfer medium 35 in the reverse direction and then transporting the intermediate transfer medium 35 again may be stored. When such a configuration is adopted, the intermediate transfer medium 35
Line marks 60 as positioning marks 60 formed in
a, 60b as optical means 53 (53a,
53b), it is possible to easily detect the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35, and when the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is within an appropriate range, execute the retransfer operation to perform the transfer. The position accuracy of the image 62 formed on the medium 36 can be improved, and the conveyance operation of the intermediate transfer medium 35 can be automatically re-executed when the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is not within an appropriate range.

Further, the transport control section 59 sends a control command for repeating the re-operation a plurality of times, and thereafter stops the transport operation of the intermediate transfer medium 35 when the difference between the passing times exceeds a preset threshold value. The program may be stored. When such a configuration is adopted, when the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is not appropriate, the intermediate transfer medium 35 can be automatically stopped without bothering the operator.

The transport control section 59 may store a program for sending a control command to issue a warning when the transport operation of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is stopped.
When such a configuration is adopted, the operator can easily recognize that the automatic stop has occurred.

The memory 57 according to the present embodiment has various programs such as a program for controlling the operation and the order of operation of each unit, a program for performing an initialization operation at the time of power-on, and a program for forming a positioning mark. Various data such as positioning mark data, data necessary for executing intermediate transfer and retransfer, and the like are also stored.

Next, the operation of the thermal transfer line printer according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

When the image forming operation by the thermal transfer line printer 31 of the present embodiment is started, first, the multi-color ink film 21 is indicated by an arrow A in FIG. The color ink 24 is conveyed in the conveyance direction, detects the color discrimination mark 24 passing through a sensor (not shown),
Cueing is performed so that the head of the color determination mark 24K for determining K is located at the position of the heating element of the line thermal head 34. Next, the intermediate transfer medium transport motor 44 is driven to execute the idle transfer of the intermediate transfer medium 35, an unused portion is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the head of the unused area is located at the position of the heating element of the line thermal head 34. The cue is done so that it comes.

Then, the head contacting / separating motor 37 is driven to bring the line thermal head 34 into the head down state shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, so that the multi-color ink film 21 and the intermediate transfer medium 35 are transferred to the line thermal head 34. And the platen roller 32. In this state, the platen roller 32 is rotated by driving the platen driving motor 33 in addition to the film transport motor 40 and the intermediate transfer medium transport motor 44, and the multicolor ink film 21 and the intermediate transfer medium 35 are moved in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG.
Is transported at a predetermined speed in the transport direction indicated by.

At this time, the multi-color ink film 21
When the color discrimination mark 24K formed of black ink and the intermediate transfer medium 35 overlap and pass through the intermediate transfer position PP1, the program stored in the mark forming unit 58 and the positioning mark data stored in the memory 57 are used. By selectively causing the heating elements of the line thermal head 34 to generate heat based on the intermediate transfer medium 3 as shown in FIG.
5, two line marks 6 as positioning marks 60
0a and 60b are formed. By forming the positioning marks 60 as the line marks 60a and 60b along the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head 34, a plurality of heating elements of the line thermal head 34 are partially heated. By the control, the positioning mark 60 can be formed efficiently and easily. Further, when the first color ink region 23K of the multi-color ink film 21 and the intermediate transfer medium 35 overlap and pass through the intermediate transfer position PP1, the line thermal head 34 generates heat based on print information (image formation information). By selectively heating the elements, the intermediate transfer medium 35
A reverse image 61K of K color is formed in the image forming area 26 of FIG.

That is, in the present embodiment, at the same time when the inverted image 61K of K color forming a part of the primary image 61 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35, the image forming area 25 is formed.
The positioning mark 60 can be formed at a position out of the range.

Subsequently, the head contacting / separating motor 37 is driven to bring the line thermal head 34 into a head-up state indicated by a broken line in FIG.
From the multi-color ink film 21 to be used next by driving the film transport motor 44.
The cue of the color ink area 23Y is performed. Next, the intermediate transfer medium reverse conveyance motor 45 is driven to drive the intermediate transfer medium 35.
When the sensor (not shown) detects the positioning mark 60, the intermediate transfer medium reverse transfer motor 45 is stopped, and then the intermediate transfer medium transfer motor 44 is driven to perform positioning. The cueing is executed so that the position of the heating element of the line thermal head 34 and the leading end of the previously formed inverted image 61K match with respect to the mark 60.

Then, the head contacting / separating motor 37 is driven to bring the line thermal head 34 into a head-down state shown by a solid line in FIG. 3, so that the multi-color ink film 21 and the intermediate transfer medium 35 are transferred to the line thermal head 34. And the platen roller 32. In this state, the platen roller 32 is rotated by driving the platen driving motor 33 in addition to the film transport motor 40 and the intermediate transfer medium transport motor 44, and the multicolor ink film 21 and the intermediate transfer medium 35 are moved in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG.
Is transported at a predetermined speed in the transport direction indicated by.

At this time, the multi-color ink film 21
Next to the Y color ink area 23Y and the intermediate transfer medium 35
Are selectively heated by the heating elements of the line thermal head 34 based on the print information (image formation information) when passing through the intermediate transfer position PP1. Already formed on
The inverted Y color image 61Y is formed on the inverted color image 61K.

Thereafter, in the same manner as the formation of the inverted Y image 61Y, the inverted M image 61M using the M ink region 23M and the inverted C image 61C using the C ink region 23C are superimposed. By forming, a full-color primary image 61 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35.

Then, when the formation of the full-color primary image 61 on the intermediate transfer medium 35 is completed, the head contact / separation motor 37 is driven to bring the line thermal head 34 into the head-up state shown by the broken line in FIG. To separate the primary image 61 from the platen roller 32 and drive the intermediate transfer medium transport motor 44 to transport the intermediate transfer medium 35 at a predetermined speed in the transport direction shown by the arrow A in FIG. It is transported toward the position PP2.

Then, the primary image 61 is moved to the retransfer position PP2.
Before reaching the position, the optical sensor 53 detects the positioning mark 60 to detect the position of the primary image 61, and the transport posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35, that is, the transfer medium 36
It is determined whether or not the posture of the primary image 61 to be retransferred is appropriate.

Whether the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is proper or not is determined based on a program stored in the conveyance control section 59 by detecting the difference between the passage times of the line marks 60a and 60b. Is compared with a preset threshold value.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the rising point of the detection signal from the optical sensor 53a for detecting one positioning mark 60a and the other positioning mark 60b
Is detected based on the difference between the detection signal from the optical sensor 53b and the rise time, and the difference ΔT in the transit time is compared with a threshold value. It is determined that the transport posture of 35 is appropriate. On the other hand, if the transit time difference ΔT exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that the conveyance posture is not appropriate because the intermediate transfer medium 35 is skewed.

When the positioning mark 60 shown in FIG. 6 is used, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a predetermined passing order, for example, 3 for each of the line marks 60a and 60b in the horizontal direction. The second line mark 60a, 60
b, the difference ΔT in the transit time is detected, and the difference ΔT
Is compared with a threshold value to determine whether the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is appropriate.

If it is determined that the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is appropriate, a control command for instructing a retransfer operation is sent out, and the primary image 61 is determined based on the positioning mark 60a.
The leading end located at the top in the transport direction is the retransfer position PP2.
Cue to come to. Next, the transfer table transport motor 51 is driven to transport the transfer medium 36 previously positioned at the re-transfer standby position WP toward the supply / removal position SP shown on the right side of FIG. Make a delivery. Then, the heating roller contact / separation motor 49 is driven to set the heating roller 47, which is maintained at a predetermined temperature, to the contact position shown by a solid line in FIG.
7 and the medium 36 to be transferred. At this time, the transfer medium 36 faces the primary image 61. And the primary image 6
The heating roller 47 is rotated by driving the heating roller drive motor 48 in addition to the intermediate transfer medium transport motor 44 and the moving table transport motor 51 in a state in which the intermediate transfer medium 1 is pressed against the transfer medium 36, and the intermediate transfer medium 35 and the transfer medium The medium 36 is transported at a predetermined speed to the right in FIG. At this time, when the primary image 61 and the medium to be transferred 36 overlap and pass the retransfer position PP2, the primary image 61 is heated by the heat and pressure of the heating roller 47.
Is melted or sublimated to retransfer from the intermediate transfer medium 35 to the transfer receiving medium 36, and the image 6 is transferred to a predetermined position of the transfer receiving medium 36.
Form 2 Note that the primary image 61 is moved to the retransfer position PP2.
Then, the heating roller contact / separation motor 49 is driven to move the heating roller 47 to a separated position separated from the intermediate transfer medium 35.

If it is determined that the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is appropriate, the conveyance of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is stopped,
The re-operation of transporting the intermediate transfer medium 35 in the reverse direction and then transporting the intermediate transfer medium 35 again is executed, and the detection of the positioning mark 60 by the optical sensor 53 and the determination as to whether or not the transport attitude of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is appropriate. Repeat the operation. That is,
The conveyance operation of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is automatically re-executed. Then, if it is determined that the transport posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is appropriate before the number of repetitions of the transport operation of the intermediate transfer medium 35 reaches a predetermined number, a retransfer operation is performed. On the other hand, even if the number of repetitions of the transfer operation of the intermediate transfer medium 35 reaches the predetermined number, if it is determined that the transfer posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is not appropriate, the transfer operation is stopped and the warning unit 54 is operated. .

In the present embodiment, when the next primary image 61 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 35, the formation position of the next primary image 61 is determined with reference to the positioning mark 60 formed during the immediately preceding intermediate transfer. Can be set, so that the usage amount of the intermediate transfer medium 35 can be
That is, the control cannot be performed in accordance with the size of the image 62 formed on the transfer medium 36, and the use efficiency of the intermediate transfer medium 35 can be easily improved.

As described above, according to the multi-color ink film 21 of the present embodiment, since the color discrimination mark 24 can be used as the positioning mark 60, the positioning mark 6 can be used.
The positioning mark 60 can be easily formed by using the color discrimination mark 24 at the time of intermediate transfer without providing a dedicated ink area for forming 0. Therefore, when the length of the multi-color ink film 21 is fixed, the portion provided with the dedicated ink region for forming the conventional positioning mark can be used as the ink region 23 for forming the image 62. Running costs can be reduced. Further, since the color determination mark 24 is formed so as to be usable as the positioning mark 60, it is not necessary to increase the size in the width direction more than necessary.

Further, according to the multi-color ink film 21 of the present embodiment, the positioning mark is formed by using the color discriminating mark 24K of the color used first when forming the primary image 61 in the plurality of ink areas 23. Since 60 is formed, the running cost can be further reduced.

Further, according to the thermal transfer line printer 31 of the present embodiment, the primary image 61 is transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 35 by transferring the color identification mark 24 of the multi-color ink film 21 to the intermediate transfer medium 35 by the line thermal head 34. Can be easily and reliably formed at the same time as the primary image 61. Therefore, the positioning mark 60 can be formed using the color discrimination mark 24 at the time of the intermediate transfer without providing an exclusive ink area for forming the positioning mark 61 on the multi-color ink film 21, so that the running cost of the multi-color ink film 21 is reduced. Can be reduced.

Further, according to the thermal transfer line printer 31 of this embodiment, the color discrimination mark 2 of the color used first is used.
Since the positioning mark 60 is formed using 4K,
The positioning mark 60 can be efficiently formed simultaneously with the primary image 61, and the running cost of the multicolor ink film 21 can be further reduced.

Further, according to the thermal transfer line printer 31 of the present embodiment, the primary image 61 is retransferred to the transfer medium 36 with reference to the positioning mark 60 formed simultaneously with the primary image 61 on the intermediate transfer medium 35. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the image 36 formed on the transfer medium 36 can be improved.

Further, according to the thermal transfer line printer 31 of this embodiment, the positioning marks 60 are formed as two line marks 60a and 60b, and these line marks 60a and 60b are individually formed by the two optical sensors 53a and 53b. , The positioning mark 60 can be used to detect the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 at the time of retransfer. Based on the appropriateness of the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35, execution and re-execution of the retransfer operation are performed. Can be selected, so that the positional accuracy of the image 36 formed on the transfer medium 36 can be dramatically improved. That is, the re-transfer operation can be performed only when the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is appropriate. Therefore, the positioning mark 60 of the present embodiment has two functions as a reference for the position of the primary image at the time of retransfer and a reference for determining the attitude of the primary image 61.

Further, according to the thermal transfer line printer 31 of the present embodiment, when the conveyance posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is not within the proper range during retransfer, the intermediate transfer medium 35
Can be automatically re-executed.

Further, according to the thermal transfer line printer 31 of the present embodiment, when the transfer posture of the intermediate transfer medium 35 is not appropriate at the time of retransfer, the automatic transfer can be automatically stopped without bothering the operator and the stoppage is possible. Can be easily recognized by the operator.

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

[0108]

As described above, according to the multi-color ink film and the thermal transfer line printer of the present invention, the simple operation of transferring the color identification mark of the multi-color ink film to the intermediate transfer medium using the line thermal head. Since the positioning mark can be formed on the intermediate transfer medium, it is possible to obtain extremely excellent effects such as a reduction in the running cost of the multi-color ink film.

Further, according to the multi-color ink film and the thermal transfer line printer of the present invention, the amount of the intermediate transfer medium can be controlled in accordance with the size of the image to be formed on the transfer medium. Since the use efficiency of the medium can be easily improved, an extremely excellent effect such as a reduction in the running cost of the intermediate transfer medium can be achieved.

Further, according to the multi-color ink film and the thermal transfer line printer of the present invention, since the positioning mark can be used for detecting the conveying posture of the intermediate transfer medium, the position accuracy of the image formed on the transfer medium is improved. It produces extremely excellent effects such as being able to do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a main part of an embodiment of a multicolor ink film according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing another example of the color identification mark of the multi-color ink film shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of a thermal transfer line printer provided with a multi-color ink film according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control unit of the thermal transfer line printer shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a positioning mark.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another example of the positioning mark.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of determining the conveyance attitude of the intermediate transfer medium by the optical sensor.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the operation of determining the conveyance attitude of the intermediate transfer medium by the optical sensor.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing positioning marks formed in advance on an intermediate transfer medium in a conventional thermal transfer line printer.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a relationship between a positioning mark formed in advance on an intermediate transfer medium, a transfer start position, and a position error at the time of intermediate transfer in a conventional thermal transfer line printer.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a relationship between a positioning mark formed in advance on an intermediate transfer medium, an overlapping position, a medium to be transferred, and a position error at the time of retransfer in a conventional thermal transfer line printer.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a position where a primary image is formed on the basis of a positioning mark formed in advance on an intermediate transfer medium in a conventional thermal transfer line printer.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of a positioning mark formed on an intermediate transfer medium simultaneously with a primary image at the time of intermediate transfer in a conventional thermal transfer line printer.

14 is a plan view showing an ink film used for forming the positioning marks shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a case where the ink film shown in FIG. 14 is a multi-color ink film;

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an example of a positioning mark formed on an intermediate transfer medium simultaneously with a primary image at the time of intermediate transfer in a conventional thermal transfer line printer.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an ink film used for forming the positioning marks shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a case where the ink film shown in FIG. 17 is a multi-color ink film;

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 Multi-color ink film 23 Ink area 23K K-color ink area 23Y Y-color ink area 23M M-color ink area 23C C-color ink area 24, 24K, 24Y, 24M, 24C Color discrimination mark 25 Image forming area 31 Thermal transfer line printer 32 Platen roller 34 Line thermal head 35 Intermediate transfer medium 36 Transfer medium 46 Primary image forming section 47 Heating roller (as retransfer means) 52 Retransfer section 53, 53a, 53b Optical sensor (as detection means) 54 Warning means 55 Control means 56 CPU 57 Memory 58 Mark forming unit 59 Transport control unit 60 Positioning mark 60a, 60b Line mark (as positioning mark) 61 Primary image 62 Image PP1 Intermediate transfer position PP2 Retransfer position SP Supply / removal position WP Retransfer standby position Position ΔT Difference (of transit time)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B41J 35/16 B41J 3/20 117C B41M 5/26 B41M 5/26 P 5/38 Z 101B 101Z

Claims (12)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a primary image is formed by transferring the ink of the multi-color ink film to an intermediate transfer medium by a line thermal head, and the primary image is re-transferred to a transfer medium by re-transfer means. A multi-color ink film used in an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer line printer that forms an image on a multi-color ink film, wherein a plurality of ink areas are repeatedly arranged with different colors adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction, and a boundary between the respective ink areas. A color discrimination mark for discriminating the color of each of the ink areas is formed in a portion so that the color discrimination mark can be used as a positioning mark serving as a position reference at the time of retransfer using ink transferable to the intermediate transfer medium. Multi-color ink film. 2. A color discrimination mark used for forming the positioning mark is a color discrimination mark of a color used first when forming the primary image in the plurality of color ink areas. The multi-color ink film according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The transfer medium by transferring a multi-color ink film ink onto an intermediate transfer medium by a line thermal head to form a primary image and re-transferring the primary image to a transfer medium by a re-transfer unit. An intermediate transfer type thermal transfer line printer that forms an image on the multi-color ink film, wherein the multi-color ink film is repeatedly arranged with a plurality of color ink regions adjacent to different colors in a longitudinal direction, and a boundary between the respective ink regions. Forming a color discrimination mark for discriminating the color of each of the ink areas on the portion using ink transferable to the intermediate transfer medium so as to be usable as a positioning mark serving as a position reference at the time of retransfer; Transferring the color identification mark of the multi-color ink film to the intermediate transfer medium during the intermediate transfer. More, the thermal transfer line printer, characterized in that a mark formation unit for forming a positioning mark as a positional reference at the time of re-transferred to the intermediate transfer medium. 4. The mark forming unit is configured to form the positioning mark using a color determination mark of a color used first among color determination marks of the multi-color ink film. The thermal transfer line printer according to claim 3, wherein 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mark forming section is configured so that the positioning mark is a horizontally long linear line mark in which a direction of arrangement of the heating elements of the line thermal head is a horizontal direction. The thermal transfer line printer according to claim 3. 6. The thermal transfer line printer according to claim 3, wherein the mark forming unit is configured to form the positioning mark at a plurality of positions. 7. The mark forming section, wherein the positioning mark is a plurality of linear line marks that are horizontally long with an arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head being a horizontal direction, and
5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said line marks are arranged in the same row in the horizontal direction.
The thermal transfer line printer according to 1. 8. The intermediate transfer medium located between the line thermal head and the re-transfer means, the detecting means for individually detecting each of the plurality of line marks constituting the positioning mark according to claim 7. And the detecting means detects a difference between the passing times of the respective line marks, and instructs a retransfer operation when the difference between the passing times is within a preset threshold value. If the difference between the passing times exceeds a preset threshold value, a control command for instructing a re-operation for conveying the intermediate transfer medium in the reverse direction and then conveying the intermediate transfer medium again is transmitted. 8. The thermal transfer line printer according to claim 7, further comprising a transport control unit for sending out. 9. The mark forming section, wherein the positioning mark is a plurality of linear line marks that are horizontally long with an arrangement direction of the heating elements of the line thermal head being a horizontal direction, and
5. The thermal transfer line printer according to claim 3, wherein the line marks arranged in the same row in the horizontal direction are further arranged in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction. 10. A detecting means for detecting each of a plurality of line marks constituting the positioning mark according to claim 9 for each vertical direction between said line thermal head and said retransfer means. Along with being arranged so as to face the conveyance path of the intermediate transfer medium, the detecting means detects a difference in the transit time of a line mark located in a predetermined pass order for each of the line marks in a lateral direction. If the difference between the transit times is within a preset threshold, a control command for instructing a retransfer operation is sent.If the difference between the transit times exceeds a preset threshold, the intermediate transfer medium is removed. 10. The thermal transfer line printer according to claim 9, further comprising a transport control unit for sending a control command for instructing a re-operation of transporting the intermediate transfer medium after transporting the intermediate transfer medium again. 11. The conveyance control section sends a control command for repeating the re-operation a plurality of times, and thereafter stops the conveyance operation of the intermediate transfer medium when the difference between the passing times exceeds a preset threshold. The thermal transfer line printer according to claim 8, wherein the thermal transfer line printer is configured to perform the operation. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transport control unit is configured to send a control command for instructing a warning when the transport operation of the intermediate transfer medium is stopped. Thermal transfer line printer.