JP2002355998A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-cost printer which can print while switching a direct transfer system and an indirect transfer system without being made large as a whole. SOLUTION: The printer 1 has an imaging part 9 and a transfer part 10. The imaging part 9 can print directly to a card C and can form images to an intermediate transfer sheet F which temporarily holds images. The transfer part 10 transfers images formed to the intermediate transfer sheet F to the card C. A thermal head 20 of the imaging part 9 prints directly to the card C and images to the intermediate transfer sheet F. At this time, a platen roller 21 supports the card C or the intermediate transfer sheet F. Members can be used in common between the direct transfer and the indirect transfer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing various kinds of information such as images and characters on a recording medium such as a card, and more particularly, to a printing method according to the characteristics of the recording medium or the information to be printed. And a printing device capable of printing the above-mentioned various information by switching the information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when producing a card-shaped recording medium such as a credit card, a cash card, a license card, an ID card, etc., a thermal transfer is performed on the recording medium by a thermal head via a thermal transfer film to obtain a desired image / image. 2. Description of the Related Art A thermal transfer printing apparatus that records characters and the like is used.
As an example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-131930 discloses an image and
A direct transfer type printing apparatus that directly transfers characters and the like to a recording medium via a thermal transfer film has been disclosed. This method has an advantage that a high-quality image can be obtained by using a thermal sublimation ink because of excellent gradation expression by ink characteristics, but this ink is applied to the surface of a recording medium onto which an image or the like is transferred. Since a receiving layer for receiving the recording medium is indispensable, it is necessary to limit the recording medium or to form a receiving layer on the surface of the recording medium.

In general, a polyvinyl chloride card (so-called PVC card) is frequently used as a recording medium capable of accepting the heat sublimation ink. However, when the unnecessary PVC card is incinerated, pollutants are generated. For the reason, recently, a card made of polyethylene terephthalate (so-called PET)
Card) etc. are being considered. However, since this PET card is made of a crystalline material, it is difficult to transfer by heat sublimation and it is difficult to form an emboss. I have to use a PVC card.

Further, in a card-shaped recording medium of a type in which an IC chip or an antenna is embedded, such as an IC card whose use range is expanding in recent years, irregularities are generated on the surface by these elements embedded therein. It has also been pointed out that there are disadvantages such as hindrance to image transfer to the above-mentioned uneven surface.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-332742 discloses a thermal transfer type printing apparatus which solves the above-mentioned problem. An image is temporarily transferred to an intermediate transfer medium, and then the image is re-transferred to an object to be transferred. A technique of a transfer type printing apparatus is disclosed. According to this method, it is possible to improve the disadvantages of the direct transfer method, such as limitation of the recording medium related to the receiving layer and problems such as inconvenience at the time of transferring the image to the uneven surface of the recording medium surface, and the like. In addition, there is an advantage that printing over the entire surface of the card-shaped recording medium can be easily performed as compared with the direct transfer method.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-58125 discloses that
A structure in which ink is transferred to an intermediate transfer film by a thermal head to form an image, and then the ink image is re-transferred to the front surface of the recording paper by a heating roller; There has been disclosed a thermal transfer printing apparatus that performs printing on both the front and back surfaces of a recording sheet by using a configuration that transfers ink.

[0007]

However, since the indirect transfer method requires the use of an intermediate transfer medium, the running cost is higher than that of the direct transfer method, and the processing time required for printing is disadvantageously increased. In addition to the fact that there is a point and the card design requires full-surface printing, the back side often displays the card's usage precautions, etc. Has pros and cons. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 8125, since a plurality of thermal heads and ink films are provided, the size of the printing apparatus is increased, and the cost must be increased.

Accordingly, in addition to the material of the recording medium such as PVC or PET, the surface shape or characteristics of the recording medium including the presence or absence of an emboss, an IC element, and the like, and whether or not the entire surface of the recording medium needs to be printed. If a printing device that can print an image or the like on a recording medium by switching the printing method between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method according to the information and various purposes is obtained, it is possible to perform printing with the printing method that is optimal for the recording medium. And the running cost associated with printing can be reduced. Also, if a part of the members is shared between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method, it is possible to realize a printing apparatus with reduced cost without increasing the size of the entire printing apparatus. It is thought that various printing apparatuses will become popular.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost printing apparatus capable of printing by switching between a direct transfer method and an indirect transfer method without increasing the size of the entire apparatus.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a first printing means for forming an image on a recording medium and an image on an intermediate transfer medium for temporarily holding the image. A second printing unit; and a transfer unit that transfers an image of the intermediate transfer medium to the recording medium, wherein the first printing unit and the second printing unit are arranged at the same position.

According to the present invention, an image is formed on a recording medium by the first printing means, an image is formed on the intermediate transfer medium for temporarily holding the image by the second printing means, and the image is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the transfer means. While the image is transferred to the recording medium, the first printing means and the second printing means are arranged at the same position. According to the present invention, it is possible to perform direct transfer to a recording medium by the first printing unit, and to perform indirect transfer to the recording medium by the second printing unit and the transfer unit. It is possible to print by switching between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method.
Since the printing means and the second printing means are arranged at the same position, the size of the entire apparatus can be suppressed. As such a transfer unit, for example, a heat roller having a heating element can be used.

In this case, if the printing elements of the first printing means and the second printing means are constituted by the same printing element, the image formation by the first printing means and the second printing means is the same printing element. Therefore, a low-cost printing apparatus can be obtained. At this time, the image forming apparatus is arranged to face the printing element, supports the recording medium when the image is formed on the recording medium by the first printing unit, and performs the intermediate transfer when the image is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the second printing unit. If a platen for supporting the medium is provided, a common platen can be used in the direct printing method and the indirect printing method, so that the size of the entire apparatus can be further reduced and the printing apparatus can be manufactured at low cost. be able to.

Further, the printing element is configured such that heat energy is made different between when the image is formed on the recording medium by the first printing means and when the image is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the second printing means. Is provided with a thermal energy control means for controlling the temperature, a suitable thermal energy is supplied to the printing element at the time of image formation on the recording medium and the intermediate transfer medium by the thermal energy control means, so that a high quality image can be obtained. Can be. At the time of forming these images, due to the difference in characteristics such as the heat capacity between the recording medium and the intermediate transfer medium, the thermal energy control unit determines that the thermal energy given when forming the image on the recording medium by the first printing unit is the second energy. The control may be performed so that the heat energy is larger than the heat energy applied when the image is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the printing unit.

Further, a recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium, a recording medium conveying driving means for driving the recording medium conveying means, an intermediate transfer medium conveying means for conveying the intermediate transfer medium, and a driving means for the intermediate transfer medium conveying means And a transfer direction of the recording medium when an image is formed on the recording medium by the first printing means, and an intermediate transfer when the image is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the second printing means. By driving the recording medium conveyance driving means and the intermediate transfer medium conveyance driving means so that the medium conveyance direction is the same as the medium conveyance direction, the recording medium and the intermediate transfer medium with respect to the printing element can be conveyed in the same direction. It is possible to arrange the recording medium transporting means and the intermediate transfer medium transporting means close to each other and to compactly arrange the recording medium transporting means and the intermediate transfer medium transporting driving means. Part can be shared with.
Also, the transport speed of the recording medium when forming an image on the recording medium by the first printing unit is different from the transport speed of the intermediate transfer medium when forming an image on the intermediate transfer medium by the second printing unit. If the recording medium conveyance driving means and the intermediate transfer medium conveyance driving means are driven, the conveyance speed is different between the recording medium and the intermediate transfer medium. An image of high quality can be formed. At this time, it is preferable that the transport speed of the intermediate transfer medium by the intermediate transfer medium transport unit is higher than the transport speed of the recording medium by the recording medium transport unit.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a printing apparatus capable of direct transfer and indirect transfer will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, a printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a card transport path for recording information on a card C as a recording medium in a housing 2 serving as a housing. A three-card transport path P ₃ , a first card transport path P _{1 serving} as a card transport path for forming (printing) an image on a card C by a direct transfer method, and temporarily on an intermediate transfer sheet F as an intermediate transfer medium. and a second card transport path P ₂ to be a card transport path for transferring the card C by indirect transfer method the retained image. The second card transport path P ₂ and the third card transport path P ₃ are substantially arranged in a horizontal direction, the first card transport path P ₁ is substantially arranged in a vertical direction. The second card transport path P ₂ is the third card transport path P ₃
More upper substantially are arranged in parallel to the third card transport path P ₃ (arrow U side in FIG. 1), the second card transport path P ₂ and the third
Intersection _{X 1} and card transport path _{P 3} from the first card transport path _{P 1}
Intersect each substantially orthogonally with and X _2.

On the third card transport path P ₃ , a card which separates blank cards C (before being subjected to magnetic recording processing and printing processing) one by one and sends out to the third card transport path P ₃ The supply unit 3, a cleaner 4 for cleaning the surface of the blank card C downstream of the card supply unit 3, and a first card transport by rotating or reversing the card C while holding the card C around the intersection X ₂ on the downstream side of the cleaner 4. Road C Card C in _one direction
The second reversing unit 5 capable of orthogonally switching the transport path of the data, and data to the magnetic stripe formed on the card surface (back surface) of a credit card or the like on the downstream side of the second reversing unit 5, for example. Information recording units 8 for performing processes such as writing and reading are provided.

The card supply unit 3 has a card stacker for accommodating a plurality of blank cards C in a stack. At a position facing the third card transport path P ₃ of the card stacker,
A stacker side plate 32 having an opening slot that allows the passage of only one card C is arranged, and at the bottom of the card stacker, among the plurality of blank cards C stacked and accommodated in the card stacker by rotating. kick roller 31 for feeding the blank card C located on the third card transport path P ₃ one by one to the lowest portion is pressed against arranged.

The cleaner 4, pressure roller 35 for pressing the cleaning roller 34 of rubber material or the like Nurigi a sticky substance on the surface facing in pairs across the third card transport path P ₃ to the cleaning roller 34 have.

The information recording section 8 magnetically records information on a magnetic stripe and reads and verifies the recorded magnetic information (verifies the magnetic information to be recorded with the recorded magnetic information), such as a magnetic decoder. An information writing / reading head 41, an IC contact point 42 for accessing data recorded electrically on the IC card, and a blank card C from the second reversing unit 5 are transmitted and received to write and read magnetic data on the magnetic stripe. Information writing / reading head 41
The card C is transported in the direction of arrow L in FIG. 1 with respect to the IC contact 42 for accessing data recorded electrically on the IC card, and the information writing / reading head 41 and / or the IC contact 42 After the recording is completed, a plurality of pairs of rollers capable of normal and reverse rotation are provided for conveying the recorded card C in the direction of arrow R in FIG.

[0021] on a first card transport path P ₁ is an intersection point X ₁ on either rotated or inverted while nipping the card C of the first card transport path P ₁ and the second card transport path P ₂ as the center of rotation A first reversing unit 6 for selectively switching the transport path is provided. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (A), the first reversing portion 6 disposed on the second inverting section 5 and the intersecting point X ₁ disposed on the intersection X ₂ are have the same configuration In addition, it has a configuration of rotating or reversing in synchronization with a driving unit (not shown).

The second reversing unit 5 and the first reversing unit 6 are paired with a pinch roller 3 that can pinch a magnetically recorded card C.
8 and 39, and a rotary frame 40 which rotates or inverted around the intersection X ₁ or X ₂ and rotatably supporting the pinch rollers. These pinch rollers 38, 39
Is a driving roller and the other is a driven roller. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the pinch rollers 38 and 39 are connected to the third card transport path P ₃ (in the case of the second reversing unit 5) or the second card transport path P ₂ when the rotary frame 40 is in a horizontal state.
2 (in the case of the first reversing part 6),
As shown in (A) (and two-dot chain line in FIG. 1), in a vertical state mutually pressed across the conveyance path P ₁ first card.
Incidentally, before and after the second reversing unit 5 in the third card transport path on P _3, also between the second inverting section 5 according to the first card transport path P on _a first inverting unit 6, and the first reversing portion between 6 and an image forming unit 9 to be described later, further, not shown, for detecting the presence of the card C between the horizontal conveying roller pair 11 to be described later with the first reversing portion 6 of the second card transport path P ₂ An integral transmission sensor is provided for each.

If the rotating frame 40 is rotated or reversed while the card C is held between the pinch rollers 38 and 39, the card C is displaced by rotating the pinch rollers 38 and 39 together. The rotation or inversion operation of the unit 5 and the first inversion unit 6 is driven independently of the rotation or inversion of the rotating frame 40 and the rotation of the pinch rollers 38 and 39. still,
In order to detect the rotation angle of the rotating frame 40, an unillustrated integrated transmission sensor (in combination with a slit plate) is provided,
Further, since an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) for detecting the position of one of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 is provided to determine the rotation direction of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 (in combination with the meniscus). , The rotation angle of the rotating frame 40 can be set arbitrarily and the pinch roller 3
It is possible to control the direction in which the card C is transported by the cards 8 and 39.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first card transport path P ₁
On the downstream side of the first reversing unit 6 (arrow U side in FIG. 3), an image forming unit that forms an image on a card C or an intermediate transfer sheet described later using thermal transfer ink in accordance with image information such as images and characters. 9 are arranged. The image forming unit 9 employs a configuration of a thermal transfer printer, and includes a platen roller 21 that supports the card C when printing on one side of the card C, and a thermal head 20 that can be moved forward and backward with respect to the platen roller 21. Have. A thermal transfer sheet R is interposed between the platen roller 21 and the thermal head 20.

The reciprocating motion of the thermal head 20 with respect to the platen roller 21 includes a holder (not shown) for detachably holding the thermal head 20, a driven roller 22 fixed to the holder, and a cam shaft 24 while being in circumferential contact with the driven roller 22. And a non-circular thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 that rotates in any direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 or the opposite direction),
This is carried out by an advance / retreat drive unit having a spring (not shown) for pressing against the spring.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the thermal transfer sheet R
Is a width slightly longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the card C on the film, and is Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
(Cyan) and Bk (black) inks are sequentially applied, and after Bk (black), a belt-like shape in which a protective layer region T for protecting the surface of the card C on which an image has been formed is repeated in a sequential manner. It has the shape of

As shown in FIG. 3, the thermal transfer sheet R is supplied from a thermal transfer sheet supply section 14 in which the thermal transfer sheet R is wound into a roll, and is fixed to a plurality of guide rollers 53 and the above-mentioned holder (not shown). The thermal transfer sheet take-up section 15 is driven by the rotation drive of the take-up roller pair 57 to take up the thermal transfer sheet R in a roll shape while being substantially guided by the plate 25 and in contact with the distal end portion of the thermal head 20.
It is wound up. The thermal transfer sheet supply section 14 and the thermal transfer sheet take-up section 15 are disposed at positions on both sides of the thermal head 20, and the central portions are respectively mounted on spool shafts. Further, the image forming unit 9 includes a light emitting element S ₃ and a light receiving element S ₄ for detecting a positioning mark of the thermal transfer sheet R or a position of Bk of the thermal transfer sheet R as described later. And between the two guide rollers 53 disposed between the thermal head 20 so as to be orthogonal to the thermal transfer sheet R in a separated state.

A gear (not shown) is coaxially fitted on the drive roller shaft of the winding roller pair 57, and this gear meshes with a gear having a clock plate (not shown) coaxially. In addition, an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) for detecting rotation of the clock plate (not shown) is disposed near the clock plate (not shown) to control the winding amount of the thermal transfer sheet R.

Via the thermal transfer sheet R for the card C
The printing position (heating position) Sr of the thermal head 20 is
The peripheral portion of the platen roller 21 and the first card transport path P
₁(See also FIG. 5). Image shape
On both sides of the component 9, the card C is shown for the printing position Sr.
3 to move in the direction of arrow U or arrow D
Capstan roller 7 that rotates and has a constant rotation speed
4 and pinch roller 7 pressed against capstan roller 74
5 and a capstan roller
The roller pair including the roller 78 and the pinch roller 79 is the first pair.
Card transport path P ₁It is arranged so as to sandwich it.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, when an image is formed on the card C by indirect transfer, the platen roller 21 is used.
, The intermediate transfer sheet F is laid. As shown in FIG. 7B, the intermediate transfer sheet F includes a base film Fa,
Back coat layer Fb formed on the back side of base film Fa, receiving layer Fe for receiving ink, overcoat layer Fd for protecting the surface of receiving layer Fe, base film F
a formed on the surface side of the overcoat layer Fd by heating
A release layer Fc that promotes release from the base film Fa by integrally forming the back coat layer F
b, a base film Fa, a release layer Fc, an overcoat layer Fd, and a receiving layer Fe. The intermediate transfer sheet F has the receiving layer Fe side facing the thermal transfer sheet R, and the back coat layer Fb side has a platen roller 21.
It is hung so that it abuts. Note that the image forming section 9, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the light emitting element S ₁ and the light receiving element S ₂ for detecting the positioning mark of the intermediate transfer sheet F is, the platen roller 21 and the guide roller The intermediate transfer sheet F is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the intermediate transfer sheet F in a separated state.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second card transport path P ₂
On the downstream side (arrow L side) of the first reversing unit 6, a pair of horizontal transport rollers 11 for transporting the card C in the horizontal direction, and the image formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F by the image forming unit 9 on the card C
The transfer section 10 transfers the card C to the arrow L side in FIG. 4 and has a discharge roller pair for discharging the card C to the outside of the housing 2. They are arranged in order.

The transfer unit 10 includes a platen roller 50 and a platen roller 5 that support the card C when transferring the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H described below to the card C.
A heat roller 45 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to zero. The heat roller 45 has a heating lamp 46 for heating the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H.
Is built-in. An intermediate transfer sheet F or a hologram sheet H is interposed between the platen roller 50 and the heat roller 45.

The reciprocating motion of the heat roller 45 with respect to the platen roller 50 includes a holder 49 for detachably holding the heat roller 45, a driven roller 43 fixed to the holder 49, and a cam shaft 52 while being in circumferential contact with the driven roller 43. A non-circular heat roller elevating cam 51 that rotates in one direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 4) at the center and a spring (not shown) that is built in the holder 49 and presses the upper surface of the holder 49 against the heat roller elevating cam 51. Performed by the drive unit.

The intermediate transfer sheet F is supplied from an intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 16 in which the intermediate transfer sheet F is wound into a roll, and is provided with a conveying roller 58 having a driven roller 59, a guide roller 60, a platen roller 21, and a guide roller 91. A back tension roller 88 for applying a reverse tension to the intermediate transfer sheet F together with the pinch roller 89, guide rollers 92 and 44,
Heat disposed on both sides of the roller 45 is guided by such a guide plate 47 which is fixed to the frame which constitutes the transfer unit 10, the platen roller 50 and the heat roller 45 at the time of transfer on the second card transport path P ₂ through the card C Sandwiched between
The intermediate transfer sheet F is taken up by an intermediate transfer sheet take-up section 17 that takes up the intermediate transfer sheet F in a roll shape. Further, the transfer unit 10, the second card transport path P ₂ interposed therebetween conveying roller pair 48 that can be conveyed in the direction of arrow L in FIG. 4 the card C mutually pressed on the second card transport path P ₂ is a horizontal It is disposed downstream of the transport roller pair 11 and upstream of the platen roller 50. Note that the transfer unit 10, the light emitting element for detecting the positioning mark of the intermediate transfer sheet F S ₅ and the light receiving element S
₆ is disposed so as to straddle the intermediate transfer sheet F between the guide roller 44 and the guide plate 47.

As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 2 shown in FIG.
The area defined by the first card transport path P ₁ and the second card transport path P _2, a reversible pulse motors M1, M2
Is provided as a drive power source. A timing pulley (hereinafter, referred to as a timing pulley) is provided on the motor shaft of the pulse motor M1.
Simply called a pulley. ) 61 is fitted, and the pulley 6
3, an endless timing belt (hereinafter simply referred to as a belt) 62 is wound. A pulley 64 having a smaller diameter than the pulley 63 is fitted on the shaft of the pulley 63.

A belt 65 is wound around the pulley 64 with the pulley 66. An electromagnetic clutch 67 is fitted on the shaft of the pulley 66. The electromagnetic clutch 67 is used for direct printing of the thermal head 20 and for the card C during direct printing.
The rotational driving force of the pulley 66 is connected to the pulley 68 fitted on the shaft of the electromagnetic clutch 67 only during the conveyance of the pulley 66. A pulley 70 is fitted coaxially with the platen roller 21, and a belt 69 is wound around the pulley 68 and the pulley 70. A gear 71 having a larger diameter than the platen roller 21 is fitted coaxially with the platen roller 21. The gear 71 is engaged with gears 72 and 76. The gear 72 coaxially meshes with a gear 73 having a capstan roller 74 pressed against a pinch roller 75, and the gear 76 meshes with a gear 77 having a capstan roller 78 pressed against a pinch roller 79 coaxially. I have.

Another belt 81 is wound around the pulley 64, and transmits a rotational driving force to the pulley 82. A gear 83 meshing with a gear 84 is fitted on the shaft of the pulley 82. A gear 85 smaller in diameter than the gear 84 is fitted on the shaft of the gear 84, and the gear 85 meshes with a gear 86. A torque limiter 87 is fitted on the shaft of the gear 86, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the back tension roller 88 via the torque limiter 87. A pinch roller 89 is pressed against the back tension roller 88. A clock plate 90 is fitted coaxially with the back tension roller 88. As described later, when the intermediate transfer sheet F is fed in the forward and reverse directions, the back tension roller 88 rotates in synchronization with the intermediate transfer sheet F. In the vicinity of the clock plate 90, unit transmission sensor S ₇ for detecting the rotation amount of the clock plate 90 in order to manage the feeding amount of the intermediate transfer film F is disposed.

On the other hand, the motor shaft of the pulse motor M2 has
A pulley 93 is fitted, and a belt 94 is wound around the pulley 95. Gear 9 on the shaft of pulley 95
6 is fitted.

The gear 96 is transmitted counterclockwise by the drive from the gear 96 and becomes free clockwise (i.e., idles).
It is in mesh with the one-way gear 97 fitted on the shaft. A gear 98 and a pulley 99 are fitted on the shaft of the one-way gear 97, and the gear 98 meshes with a one-way gear 101 that is free clockwise and locked counterclockwise. The pulley 99 has a belt 10
2 is wrapped around. Gear 1 is mounted on the shaft of pulley 103
The gear 104 is engaged with the gear 105. A torque limiter 106 is fitted on the shaft of the gear 105, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the gear 107 via the torque limiter 106. A clock plate 108 is fitted coaxially with the gear 107. The gear 107 is
Take-up spool shaft 11 for taking up intermediate transfer sheet F
The gear 109 is engaged with the gear 109 fitted to the gear. In the vicinity of the clock plate 108, the rotation amount of the take-up spool shaft 110 is detected through the rotation of the clock plate 108, and the rotation of the take-up spool shaft 110 is detected to detect the take-up of the intermediate transfer sheet F. unit transmission sensor S ₈ is arranged.

On the other side of the one-way gear 97, the gear 96 meshes with a one-way gear 111 fitted on a shaft to which drive from the gear 96 is transmitted clockwise and becomes free counterclockwise. A gear 112 and a pulley 113 are fitted on the shaft of the one-way gear 111.
Numeral 12 meshes with a one-way gear 114 which is free in the counterclockwise direction and locked in the clockwise direction. Pulley 113
The belt 11 between the pulley 116 and the pulley 125
5 is wound. It should be noted that the pulley 116 connected by the belt 115 is maintained so that the belt 115 maintains a constant tension.
A tension roller 126 is provided between the pulley 125 and the pulley 125. A gear 117 is fitted on the shaft of the pulley 116, and the gear 117 is engaged with the gear 118. A torque limiter 119 is fitted on the shaft of the gear 118, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the gear 1 via the torque limiter 119.
23. The clock plate 1 is coaxial with the gear 123.
21 are fitted. The gear 123 meshes with a gear 124 fitted on a supply spool shaft 120 for supplying the intermediate transfer sheet F. In the vicinity of the clock plate 121, the supply spool shaft 1 is rotated via rotation of the clock plate 121.
Unit transmission sensor S ₉ for detecting the feeding of the intermediate transfer sheet F is arranged by detecting the rotation of 20. The supply spool shaft 120 is loaded with the intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 16 or the hologram sheet supply unit 29,
The intermediate transfer sheet winding section 17 or the hologram sheet winding section 30 is loaded on the winding spool shaft 110.

On the other hand, the drive from the pulley 113
15 to the pulley 125. Pulley 12
A gear 127 is fitted on the shaft 5, and the gear 127 is engaged with the gear 128. Further, the drive is transmitted to the gear 130 via a gear 129 disposed coaxially with the gear 128. An electromagnetic clutch 131 is mounted on the shaft of the gear 130.
Is fitted. The electromagnetic clutch 131 is used only when the intermediate transfer sheet F for forming an image on the intermediate transfer sheet F of the thermal head 20 is rewound (Rv).
The rotational driving force of the gear 130 is connected to the gear 133 via the gear 132 fitted to the shaft of the gear 133. A torque limiter 134 is fitted on the shaft of the gear 133, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the transport roller 58 that transports the intermediate transfer F via the torque limiter 134. The electromagnetic clutch 131
Transfer sheet F by the supply spool shaft 120, the platen roller 21, and the transport roller 58 during the drive connection of
The transfer speed of the supply spool shaft 120> the transfer roller 58
> In the relationship of platen 21, torque management
Platen 21> Transport roller 58> Spool shaft 120
It is set to be.

Feeding (Fw) and rewinding (Rv) of the intermediate transfer sheet F are mainly performed by switching the rotation direction of the pulse motor M2, and the intermediate transfer performed in the rewinding (Rv) operation of the intermediate transfer sheet F. When an image is formed on the sheet F, the conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer sheet F by the supply spool shaft 120, the platen roller 21, and the back tension roller 88 has a relation of supply spool shaft 120> platen roller 21> back tension roller 88. For this reason, as described later, when the intermediate transfer sheet F is fed while the thermal head 20 is separated, the driving is disconnected by the electromagnetic clutch 67 in order to prevent the intermediate transfer sheet F from being loosened. At this time, the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer sheet F is a feeding direction from the supply spool shaft 120 to the back tension roller 88.

As shown in FIG. 6, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can manually mount the hologram sheet H instead of the intermediate transfer sheet F. In this case,
The supply spool shaft 120 and the take-up spool shaft 110 are detached from the roll-shaped intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 16 and the intermediate transfer sheet take-up unit 17, respectively.
And the hologram sheet supply unit 29 and the hologram sheet take-up unit 3 in roll form
0 is loaded and the hologram sheet H is laid. The hologram sheet H has the same layer configuration as the intermediate transfer sheet F shown in FIG. 7B, except that it has a hologram layer in which a hologram is formed in advance instead of the receiving layer. ing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the extension of the second card arrow L direction of the transport path P ₂ of the housing 2, and discharges the card C the process is finished printing the outside of the housing 2 Outlet 2
7 are formed. On the lower side of the outlet 27, the card C
A stacker 13 for stacking and stocking is stacked on the housing 2 in a detachable manner. Note that the horizontal transport unit 12 and the discharge port 2
7, an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) is arranged. Further, a defective card C in which a data writing defect in the information recording unit 8 has been found, the image forming unit 9 and the transfer unit 1
Ejecting the defective card C in which the malfunction has occurred at 0, by rotating the second reversing part 5 in the inclined direction which is an intermediate position between the arrows D and R in FIG. 1 and ejecting the defective card downward in the inclined direction. A mouth 28 is formed. A defective card receiver or the like for temporarily holding the defective card C may be attached to the ejection opening 28.

The printing apparatus 1 has a housing 2 in which a power supply unit 18 for converting a commercial AC power supply into a DC power supply capable of driving / operating each mechanism and control unit and the like and an operation control of the entire printing apparatus 1 are provided. And a control unit 19 for performing the operation. Further, the printing device 1
Has a touch panel (not shown) on the upper part of the housing 2 that displays the status of the printing apparatus 1 and the like according to information from the control unit 19 and that can issue an operation command to the control unit 19 by an operation by an operator.

The control section 19 has a CPU block for controlling the printing apparatus 1. The CPU block is a CPU that operates with a high-speed clock as a central processing unit,
It comprises a ROM in which the control operation of the printing apparatus 1 is stored, a RAM serving as a work area of the CPU, and an internal bus connecting these.

An external bus is connected to the CPU block. External buses include a touch panel display operation control unit that controls touch panel display and operation commands, a sensor control unit that controls signals from various sensors, an actuator that controls a motor driver that sends drive pulses to each motor, an electromagnetic clutch, etc. A control unit, a thermal head control unit for controlling thermal energy of the thermal head 20, an external input / output interface for communication between an external computer and the printing apparatus 1, a RAM for storing image information to be printed on the card C, and the like are connected. ing. The touch panel display operation control unit, the sensor control unit, the actuator control unit, a thermal head control unit, respectively, the touch panel, sensor S sensor comprising ₁ to S _9, the motor driver and the electromagnetic clutch 67 includes a motor driver of the motor M1, M2, Thermal head 2
Connected to 0.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that image information received from an external computer via an external input / output interface is stored in the RAM, and either direct transfer and / or indirect transfer to the card C is stored in the RAM. Printing information, such as whether to perform transfer on one side or both sides, in which case, image information in that case, whether to perform overcoating with the hologram sheet H when performing direct transfer, to a magnetic stripe or IC chip It is assumed that record information for writing and information regarding recording / printing such as dimensions of the card C have been already input from the touch panel or an external computer. Hereinafter, (1) the operator
The operation of the printing apparatus 1 when printing is performed on both sides of the card C by direct transfer, and the hologram processing is desired to be performed only on the front side (the side on which the magnetic stripe is not formed); The operation of the printing apparatus 1 when it is desired to perform printing by the direct transfer method on the back side of the card C and to perform printing by the indirect transfer method on the front side.
Two cases will be described as examples.

(1) Operation in Double-Side Direct Transfer (Front-Side Hologram Processing) First, the CPU (hereinafter simply referred to as CPU) of the control unit 19 removes the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H in the initialization operation. screen or winding, it is determined that the intermediate transfer sheet R If the light receiving sensor S ₂ detects the ribbon position detection mark in the winding operation is attached, the light receiving sensor S ₂ does not detect the ribbon position detection mark In this case, it is determined that the hologram sheet H is mounted. Also, the spool shaft 110 and the spool shaft 120
When either of them performs the winding operation, the driving is disconnected by the action of a clutch (not shown). Therefore, the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H is mounted by monitoring the sensor S ₈ or the sensor S _9. If not,
Alternatively, it is possible to detect the case where it is broken. After this judgment is completed, the ribbon type judgment is ended by rewinding one screen or more.

[0050] In the state shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate transfer sheet F or hologram sheet H by the detection signal of the light receiving sensor S ₆
The presence of is detected (and both either sheet is loaded, it is detected that the uncleaved), since the presence of the intermediate transfer sheet F is detected by the light receiving sensor S _2,
It is determined that hologram processing cannot be performed. When the determination is impossible, a message is displayed on the touch panel so that the intermediate transfer sheet F is replaced with the hologram sheet H, and a wait is made until an open / close door (not shown) is once opened / closed. Incidentally, when not detected either in the presence of the intermediate transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet H by the light receiving sensor S _6, not shown, in a similar way to display to the effect that the intermediate transfer sheet F or hologram sheet H on the touch panel is not loaded or is disconnected Wait until the door is opened and closed once, and after opening and closing, the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H
To detect the presence of On the other hand, (it is a hologram sheet H) In the state shown in FIG. 6, the presence of the intermediate transfer sheet F or hologram sheet H is detected by the light receiving sensor S _6, it is not an intermediate transfer sheet F by the light receiving sensor S ₂
Is detected, it is determined that hologram processing is possible.

[0051] When the hologram processable, card supply portion 3 disposed on the third card transport path P _3, the cleaner 4,
The second reversing unit 5 is operated. Thereby, the blank card C in the card supply unit 3 is transported in the direction of arrow L in FIG. That is, the blank card C of the bottom-most card stacker by the kick roller 31 of the card supply section 3 is rotated sent on the third card transport path P _3, both sides of the blank card C by the cleaning roller 34 of the cleaner 4 When the tip of the blank card C is cleaned and detected by an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) disposed between the second reversing unit 5 and the cleaner 4, the kick roller 31 of the card supply unit 3 stops rotating. The blank card C is stopped after being transported by the predetermined number of pulses from the integrated sensor to the second reversing unit 5, and the second reversing unit 5 in the horizontal state is in a state of holding the blank card C (see FIG. 1).

Subsequently, the recording information is sent to the information recording section 8, and a blank card C is exchanged between the second reversing section 5 and the information recording section 8. The information recording unit 8 starts rotating and driving the plurality of transport rollers in the direction in which the blank card C is loaded according to a command from the CPU. The CPU stores the card C in the information recording unit 8 according to a signal from an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) disposed between the second reversing unit 5 and the information recording unit 8.
The rotation operation is stopped by the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the second reversing section 5 sent out. The information recording unit 8 performs processing such as writing of magnetic data and / or IC data on the blank card C based on the recording information sent from the control unit 19. The CPU receives, from the information recording unit 8, verification information as to whether or not a writing failure has occurred, rotates the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the second reversing unit 5 in the direction in which the card C is received, and sends the information to the information recording unit 8. The card C is ejected. The CPU stops the rotation of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the second reversing unit 5 according to a signal from an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) disposed between the second reversing unit 5 and the information recording unit 8. The blank card C is stopped after being transported by the predetermined number of pulses from the integrated sensor to the second reversing unit 5, and the second reversing unit 5 in the horizontal state is in a state of holding the blank card C (see FIG. 1). If the verify information obtained from the information recording unit 8 is defective, the second reversing unit 5 is rotated in the inclined direction, which is an intermediate position between the arrows D and R in FIG. The pinch rollers 38 and 39 are driven to rotate toward the ejection port 28 provided in the printer.

On the other hand, when the verify information received from the information recording unit 8 is good in writing (when there is no bad writing).
Means that the CPU sets the second inverting unit 5 (along with the first inverting unit 6)
Rotate 90 ° (see FIG. 2A). Subsequently, the pinch rollers 38, 39 of the second reversing unit 5 are driven to rotate so as to convey the card C in the direction of the arrow U in FIG. 1, and the pinch rollers 38, 39 of the first reversing unit 6 are also driven to rotate. Thereby, the card C is inserted between the second reversing unit 5 and the first reversing unit 6.
Are transmitted and received (the state shown in FIG. 2A). The CPU detects the card C by an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) disposed between the second reversing unit 5 and the first reversing unit 6 and conveys the card C by a predetermined pulse. The rotation of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of No. 5 is stopped. When the card C is sandwiched by the first reversing unit 6 (the state in FIG. 3), C
The PU causes the motor driver of the pulse motor M1 to start rotating the pulse motor M1, and the electromagnetic clutch 6
7 is connected. Thus, the rotation drive of the platen roller 21, the capstan roller 74, and the capstan roller 78 is started.

During this time, the thermal head 20 is at a position separated from the platen roller 21 (see FIG. 3), and the thermal transfer sheet R is kept at a predetermined position until the start end of Y (yellow) reaches the print position Sr, for example. Sent away. Such control may, for example, the rear end of the Bk of the thermal transfer sheet R by the light receiving sensor S ₄ detects the trailing edge of the (black), Bk pre equidistant width on the thermal transfer sheet R is defined (Black) Is the distance from the starting point of Y (yellow) to
This can be executed by detecting the rotation of a clock plate (not shown) disposed near the take-up roller pair 57 by an integrated transmission sensor (not shown).

The pinch rollers 38, 39 of the first reversing section 6
Is an illustration provided between the first reversing unit 6 and the image forming unit 9.
When the rear end of card C is detected by an integrated transmission sensor that does not
Stop the rotation at the point. The card inserted into the image forming unit 9
Card C is the first card transport path P ₁Above is the first reversing unit 6 and
3 by a capstan roller 78 and a pinch roller 79.
In the direction of arrow U. CPU is Capstanlo
FIG. 2 is a diagram provided between the roller 78 and the thermal head 20.
After detecting the leading edge of card C with an integrated transmission sensor,
The card C is moved in the direction of the arrow U by a predetermined pulse until the printing start position
To transfer the card C to the printing position,
The rotation operation of the head advance / retreat cam 23 is started. at the time
The card C is the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 shown in FIG.
The back side is a platen roller due to the rotation in the direction of arrow A.
21 and has a front surface through a thermal transfer sheet R.
It is pressed against the round head 20.

The CPU converts the printing data of each YMC into thermal energy in advance in accordance with the image information, and generates heating information in which a predetermined coefficient depending on the type of the card C and the type of the intermediate transfer sheet R is added to the thermal energy. It is sent to the thermal head 20. Each element of the thermal head 20 is heated according to the heating information. By driving the pulse motor M1, the platen roller 21 rotates counterclockwise,
Synchronously, the thermal transfer sheet R is taken up by the thermal transfer sheet take-up section 15 and is directly transferred to the card C by Y (yellow).
Is formed (printed).

When the image formation by Y (yellow) is completed, the CPU further rotates the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG. After the thermal head 20 retreats, the reverse drive of the pulse motor M1 is started.
Thereby, the platen roller 21, the capstan roller 74, the pinch roller 75, the capstan roller 78,
The pinch roller 79 rotates in the reverse direction, and the card C is transported in the direction of arrow D in FIG. The CPU stops the reverse drive of the pulse motor M1 after the leading end of the card C has passed through a not-shown integral transmission sensor (not shown) provided between the capstan roller 78 and the thermal head 20 and has been conveyed by a predetermined pulse. . In order to print the next dye M (magenta), the CPU drives the pulse motor M1 to rotate in the normal direction, and drives the pulse motor M1 to rotate the card C with an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) disposed between the capstan roller 78 and the thermal head 20. After detecting the tip,
The card C is transported in the direction of the arrow U by a predetermined pulse up to the printing start position. During this time, the CPU moves the next M to the print position Sr.
The thermal transfer sheet R is fed slightly until the leading end of (magenta) is located. Then, the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23
Is further rotated in the direction of arrow A, whereby the thermal head 20 is pressed against the card C via the thermal transfer sheet R, and the thermal head 20 overlaps the card C with Y (yellow) to form an M (magenta) image. . The CPU sequentially repeats the above processing to form an image on the front side of the card C by using the YMC ink.

When image formation on the front side of the card C is completed, the CPU further rotates the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG. . After the thermal head 20 is retracted, the pinch rollers 38 and 39 are driven to rotate, and then the reverse rotation drive of the pulse motor M1 is started so that the platen roller 21, the capstan roller 74, the pinch roller 75
The card C is transported in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3 by the reverse rotation of the capstan roller 78 and the pinch roller 79. First
With the reversing unit 6 holding the card C, the pulse motor M
1 and the connection of the electromagnetic clutch 67 is stopped, and the rotation of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 is stopped (the state shown in FIG. 3).

Next, the CPU inverts the first inverting section 6 together with the second inverting section 5 (rotates it by 180 °) (see FIG. 2B). The card C is moved in the first card transport path P
_The front and back are opposite to ₁ . The CPU forms an image on the back side of the card C in the same manner as described above. In general, for printing on the back side of the card C, one color of Bk (black) is often designated. In such a case, an image is formed only with Bk (black) in the same manner as described above.
Image formation by YMC is not performed. The CPU terminates the image formation on the back side of the card C, stops the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the first reversing unit 6 while holding the card C, and then switches the first reversing unit 6 to the second reversing unit. 5 and 90 ° (see FIG. 6). Thus, the card C becomes to be positioned on the second card transport path P _2, a state capable of starting the hologram processing.

The CPU operates the pinch roller 3 of the first reversing unit 6.
8 and 39, the horizontal conveying rollers 11, by rotating the plurality of rollers of the conveying roller pair 48 and the horizontal conveying section 12 to transport the card C to the second card transport path P ₂ on the arrow L direction in FIG. 6 . The CPU includes the first reversing unit 6 and the horizontal transport unit 1
When the rear end of the card C is detected by an integrated sensor (not shown) disposed between the two, the rotation of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 is stopped, and a predetermined pulse from the integrated transmission sensor (not shown) to the heat roller 45 is output. By transporting the card C by an amount, the leading end of the card C is positioned at a position where it comes into contact with the heat roller 45. Next, the heat roller lifting cam 51 is rotated in the direction of arrow B. As a result, the state in which the heat roller 45 is separated from the platen roller 50 in advance is shifted to a state in which the heat roller 45 contacts the platen roller 50. The heat generating lamp 46 in the heat roller 45 is turned on in advance and has reached a predetermined transfer temperature.

At this time, the front end of the card C is supported by the platen roller 50 on the back side, and the front side is pressed against the heat roller 45 via the hologram sheet H.
The back side of the card C is supported by a platen roller 50 that rotates counterclockwise, and the front side is pressed against the heat roller 45 via the hologram sheet H, and is conveyed in the direction of arrow L in FIG. The peeling layer of the hologram sheet H is peeled off from the base film by the heat of the heating lamp 46, and the hologram layer and the overcoat layer are integrally transferred to the surface of the card C. The hologram sheet H can be wound around the hologram sheet winding section 30 in synchronization with the transfer of the hologram layer and the overcoat layer.

When the transfer of the hologram sheet H to the front side of the card C is completed in accordance with the size of the card C, the CPU stops the rotation of the pulse motor M2 in the feed direction and moves the heat roller elevating cam 51 with an arrow. The heat roller 45 is retracted with respect to the platen roller 50 by rotating again in the direction B. The card C passes through the horizontal transport section 12 and is discharged to the stacker 13 through the discharge port 27. C
PU after a predetermined time upon receiving a signal from the unit transmission sensor (not shown) disposed between the horizontal conveying section 12 and the discharge port 27, stops the roller drive on the second card transport path P _2, The number of processed cards and the completion of processing are displayed on the touch panel.

(2) Operations in Back Direct Transfer and Front Indirect Transfer First, as in the case of double-side direct transfer, the CPU first detects the detection signals of the light receiving sensors S ₂ and S ₆ and the sensors S ₈ and S _9. It is determined whether or not the intermediate transfer sheet F is present based on the detection signal. If a negative determination is made, a message is displayed on the touch panel so that the intermediate transfer sheet F is replaced with a new one, and the process waits until the door is once opened and closed. In the case of an affirmative determination, after the image is formed by direct transfer on the back side of the card C as described above, the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the first reversing unit 6 are stopped while holding the card C, The first reversing unit 6 is connected to the second
It is rotated 90 ° together with the reversing unit 5 (state of FIG. 4). When an image is formed by both direct transfer and indirect transfer, the intermediate transfer sheet F is wrapped around the platen roller 21 and the back tension roller 88 to transport the card C to the back surface of the card C during image formation. The direction and the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer sheet F when forming an image on the intermediate transfer sheet F are as follows.
Although the pulse motors M1 and M2 are driven to rotate in the same direction, the transport speed of the intermediate transfer sheet F at the printing position Sr is higher than the transport speed of the card C.

Next, the CPU heats the ink of the thermal transfer sheet R with the thermal head 20 to form an image on the receiving layer Fe of the intermediate transfer sheet F. At the time of image formation, the pulse motor M1 is rotated to rotate the platen roller 21.
Is rotated counterclockwise and the pulse motor M2 is rotated to feed the intermediate transfer sheet F to the intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 1.
6, and the heat transfer sheet R is wound around the heat transfer sheet take-up unit 15 in synchronization with the winding. That is,
CPU recognizes the positioning marks provided on the intermediate transfer sheet F by monitoring the light receiving sensor S _2, always connected to the back tension roller 88 to forward and reverse integrally when return feed and of the intermediate transfer sheet F the rotation amount of the clock plate 90, which is monitored by unit transmission sensor S _7, to convey a predetermined distance intermediate transfer sheet F up to the printing start position. The thermal head 20 is located at a position separated from the platen roller 21, and the thermal transfer sheet R is fed by a predetermined distance until the start end of Y (yellow) reaches the position of the printing position Sr, as described above. CPU is Y (yellow)
When the start end of the print head reaches the position of the print position Sr, the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4 to press the thermal head 20 against the platen roller 21 via the thermal transfer sheet R, and at the same time, The motor M1 and the pulse motor M2 are rotated in the rewind (Rv) direction. Thereby, the intermediate transfer sheet F has Y (yellow)
Is performed.

When the Y (yellow) image formation on the intermediate transfer sheet F is completed, the CPU rotates the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 to retract the thermal head 20 with respect to the platen roller 21, and the pulse motor M1 , M2
By rotating the feed (Fw) direction, the take-up spool shaft 110 is rotated counterclockwise positioning marks provided on the intermediate transfer sheet F winding to pass through a light receiving sensor S _2. Then, Y recognizes the positioning marks provided on the intermediate transfer sheet F by monitoring the same manner the light receiving sensor S ₂ and (yellow), always a positive reverse integrally the intermediate transfer sheet F of the feed and return the rotation amount of the clock plate 90, which is connected to the back tension roller 88 to be monitored by unit transmission sensor S _7, to convey a predetermined distance intermediate transfer sheet F up to the printing start position. Until the leading end of the next M (magenta) is located at the printing position Sr, the thermal transfer sheet R
Let me send a little amount. Then, as in the case of Y (yellow), the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 is rotated again to press the thermal head 20, and the image of M (magenta) is overlaid on the receiving layer Fe of the thermal transfer sheet R on Y (yellow). Allow formation to take place. The CPU repeats the above processing sequentially,
After an image is formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F by superimposing it with the YMC dye, the thermal head 20 is retracted with respect to the platen roller 21.

The thermal energy applied to the thermal head 20 when an image is formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F is controlled by the thermal head control unit of the control unit 19 so that the specific heat of the base film Fa of the intermediate transfer sheet F itself is reduced to the specific heat of the card C. It is controlled so as to be smaller than the thermal energy given to the thermal head 20 at the time of direct transfer to the card C (larger at the time of direct transfer to the card C). Is performed by changing the coefficient to the above-mentioned thermal energy.

Next, the CPU sets the pulse motors M1, M
2 in the feed (Fw) direction until the heat roller 45 is separated from the platen roller 50 in advance.
Conveying the intermediate transfer sheet F according to the rotation amount of the clock plate 90 for detecting the unit transmission sensor S _7. Incidentally, the positioning mark of the intermediate transfer sheet is detected by monitoring the light receiving sensor S ₆ during transport, it is possible to set the conveyance amount again at this time, to improve the conveyance accuracy. C
During this time, the PU rotates the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the first reversing unit 6, the horizontal transport roller pair 11, the transport roller pair 48, and the plurality of roller pairs of the horizontal transport unit 12 in the same manner as in the case of the two-sided direct transfer described above. It was driven to transport the card C to the second card transport path P ₂ on the arrow L direction in FIG. 4.

When the CPU reaches the position where the leading end of the card C contacts the heat roller 45, the CPU rotates the heat roller lift cam 51 in the direction of arrow B to separate the heat roller 45 from the platen roller 50. To a state in which the heat roller lift cam 51 is brought into contact with the platen roller 50, and the rotation operation of the heat roller lift cam 51 is stopped. At this time, the front end of the card C is supported by the platen roller 50 on the back side and the heat roller 4 is supported on the front side via the intermediate transfer sheet F.
Pressed against 5. The CPU drives the pulse motor M2 to rotate in the feed (Fw) direction. The card C is supported by a platen roller 50 whose back side rotates counterclockwise, and its front side is a heat roller 4 via an intermediate transfer sheet F.
5 and is transported in the direction of arrow L in FIG. The peeling layer Fc of the intermediate transfer sheet F is peeled from the base film Fa by the heat of the heating lamp 46, and the receiving layer Fe having the image formed on the surface of the card C and the overcoat layer Fd are integrally transferred. The intermediate transfer sheet F is taken up by the intermediate transfer sheet take-up section 17 in synchronization with this transfer.

When the CPU completes the transfer of the intermediate transfer sheet F to the front side of the card C in accordance with the size of the card C, the CPU stops the rotation of the pulse motors M1 and M2 in the feed direction, and the heat roller lifting cam 51 Is rotated again so that the heat roller 45
Evacuation. The card C passes through the horizontal transport section 12 and is discharged to the stacker 13 through the discharge port 27.

(Operation, etc.) Next, the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment
The operation and the like of will be described.

The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment has an image forming section 9 for forming an image on the card C or the intermediate transfer sheet F, and a transfer section 10 for transferring the image formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F to the card C. Therefore, printing can be performed by switching between direct transfer and indirect transfer. Further, the printing apparatus 1 can cover the card C on which the image of the direct transfer is formed by the transfer unit 10 with the hologram sheet H. For this reason, the operator needs to perform various operations such as the material of the card C such as PVC or PET, the surface shape and characteristics of the card C including the presence or absence of the IC element, and the like, whether the card C needs to be entirely printed. In accordance with printing information and various purposes, it is possible to perform printing by switching between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method to the optimum printing method, and to reduce the running cost involved in printing the card C.

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the image formation on the card C and the image formation on the intermediate transfer sheet F are performed by a single thermal head 20, and the indirect transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet H on the card C are formed. Transfer is performed by a single heat roller 45. The platen roller 21 and the platen roller 50 that are disposed to face the thermal head 20 and the heat roller 45 are used for indirect transfer to the card C when forming an image on the card C or the intermediate transfer sheet F. It is used in common when transferring the sheet F or the hologram sheet H. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1, since members are shared by direct transfer, indirect transfer, and overcoating, the cost of the printing apparatus 1 can be reduced without increasing the size.

In the printing apparatus 1, the intermediate transfer sheet F
And a hologram sheet supply unit 29 that supplies a hologram sheet H and a hologram sheet supply unit 29 that supplies the hologram sheet H using a common supply spool shaft 120 and winds up the intermediate transfer sheet F. 17, a hologram sheet winding unit 30 for winding the hologram sheet H,
Are loaded using the common take-up spool shaft 110, so that the intermediate transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet H
And the winding mechanism for the intermediate transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet H can be used in common, and the printing apparatus 1 can be downsized because these mechanisms are not provided redundantly. it can.

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the pulse motor M2
The take-up spool shaft 110 and the supply spool shaft 120
Is rotated.
The cost of the printing apparatus 1 can be reduced. Also pal
In the conveyance path of the intermediate transfer sheet F,
Conveys the intermediate transfer sheet F and the card C
So that the intermediate transfer sheet F is loosened by the electromagnetic clutch 67.
To prevent the transfer of Y to the intermediate transfer sheet F.
Images can be formed by overlapping three colors of MC, and a card
Separately providing a transport drive unit near the image forming unit 9 of C
Becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the cost of the printing apparatus 1 is further reduced.
can do. Moreover, the pulse motors M1 and M2
This is a motor that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions.
The amount of feed and return of the intermediate transfer sheet F during the road is
Integrated transmission sensor S for detecting ₇To detect
Therefore, even if the Y, M, and C colors are overlaid and printed, the color
Will not occur.

In the printing apparatus 1, the thermal energy applied to the thermal head 20 when forming an image on the card C is supplied to the thermal head 20 when forming an image on the intermediate transfer sheet F by the thermal head control unit of the control unit 19. While controlling to be larger than energy,
With the configuration of the drive mechanism shown in FIG. 5, the conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer sheet F during image formation on the intermediate transfer sheet F
Since the conveying speed of the card C at the time of forming an image on the card C is higher than that of the card C and the intermediate transfer sheet F, it is possible to obtain a high-quality image without lowering the processing ability such as printing regardless of the difference in specific heat and the like. it can.

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the transport direction of the card C when forming an image on the back surface of the card C and the transport direction of the intermediate transfer sheet F when forming an image on the intermediate transfer sheet F are the same. Since the pulse motors M1 and M2 are driven so as to rotate, the capstan rollers 74 and 78 for transporting the card C near the image forming unit 9 can be compactly arranged close to the platen roller 50. Thus, the size of the image forming unit 9 can be reduced.

[0077] In the printer 1, the image forming portion 9 on a first card transport path P _1, since the located where the transfer unit 10 on the second card transport path P _2, the printing apparatus 1 as a whole However, it does not become an elongated rectangular parallelepiped, and it is possible to achieve compactness while having a degree of freedom in design.

[0078] Further, in the printer 1, the intersection _{X 1} of the first card transport path _{P 1} and the second card transport path _{P 2,} the card C
The intersection X ₂ between the rotation to place the first reversing portion 6 for reversing the first card transport path P ₁ and the third card transport path P _3, and
Since the second reversing unit 5 for rotating or reversing the card C is arranged, the transport direction of the card C can be switched by these reversing units. Can be stored inside.

[0079] In the printer 1, the card C first reversing portion 6 is first card transport path _{P 1,} the transport path _{P 2} second card
And the first card transport path P ₁ and the second card transport path P
With exchanges of the card C between _2, the second reversing unit 5 to carry out the exchange of the recording medium between the information recording unit 8 for performing recording processing on the card C, also first reversing portion 6 and the Since the two reversing sections 5 are connected in the vertical direction, the recording medium can be conveyed in a compact space without deteriorating the conveyance performance. Further, the image forming unit 9 is disposed above the first reversing unit 6, the transfer unit 10 is disposed on the side, and the information recording unit 8 is disposed below the transfer unit 10. The components can be rationally arranged.

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, since the discharge port 27 is provided at the end of the second card transport path P ₂ , after the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H is transferred to the card C by the transfer unit 10, Since the card C can be discharged as it is, the transport path of the printing apparatus 1 can be shortened. Further, an ejection port 28 for ejecting the card C in which the writing failure has been detected in the information recording section 8 is provided.
Since the card C in which the writing failure has been detected is rotated in the reversing unit 5 and ejected from the ejection port 28, the transport path for transporting the card C in which the writing failure has been detected in the information recording unit 8 to the outside is reduced. This is unnecessary, and the printing apparatus 1 can be made compact.

In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the information recording section 8 is exemplified by a recording magnetic encoder and a contact type IC writer / reader. For example, if the recording target is a non-contact type IC card, A non-contact antenna for electrically writing and reading an IC chip in the card may be used. In order to selectively perform magnetic recording and electrical recording, the second reversing unit 6 and the ejection port 2 are used.
8, an IC writer or the like may be arranged between
Still another inverting section may be arranged between the second inverting section and the information recording section 8, and two types of information recording sections may be arranged at an angle of 90 °. By the way, information writing in the case of a magnetic encoder usually involves writing magnetic data,
The reciprocating transport of one or more passes to the information writing / reading head is performed in the processing such as verification, but the transport of these cards is handled by rotating or reversely driving the multiple transport rollers in the information recording unit. can do.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the first reversing unit 6 and the second reversing unit 5 are rotated (or interlocked) to rotate or reverse, but these reversing units are rotated or reversed separately. It may be. Further, in the present embodiment, the rotating frame 4
Although the example in which the pin 0 and the pinch rollers 38, 39 are independently driven has been described, in order to prevent the card C from being displaced, the pinch rollers 38, 39
May be reversed by the same amount of angular rotation.

[0083] Further, in the present embodiment, by forming the first card transport path P ₁ in a substantially vertical direction is disposed an image forming section 9, and a second card transport path P ₂ in a substantially horizontal direction transfer Part 10
An example is shown in which is disposed a substantially horizontal direction of the first card transport path P _1, it may be formed a second card transport path P ₂ in the substantially vertical direction. In this case, the first reversing unit 6 or the second
Since the image forming unit 9 and the transfer unit 10 are separated from each other at a 90 ° angle only by slightly changing the arrangement of the reversing unit 5 and the like, it is possible to obtain a printing apparatus having the same operational effects as the present embodiment. it can.

In this embodiment, the hologram sheet H is exemplified as a sheet for covering the card C. However, instead of the hologram sheet H, a simple card C having no hologram is used.
May be used. The hologram sheet H is used to cover the surface of the card C in order to enhance the security of the card C. However, even with such a coat film, the receiving layer formed directly on the card C can be covered with the hologram sheet H. Like H, it can be protected.

Further, in this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, an example in which the intermediate transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet H are manually exchanged has been described, but these are coaxially and electrically driven by a known technique. Switching may be performed. In this case, the take-up spool shaft 110 and the supply spool shaft 1
The intermediate transfer sheet take-up unit 17 and the hologram sheet take-up unit 30, the intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 16 and the hologram sheet supply unit 29 may be arranged coaxially with the take-up spool shaft 110, respectively. Intermediate transfer sheet take-up section 17 and hologram sheet take-up section 3 only coaxially
0, and the intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 16 and the hologram sheet supply unit 29 have separate spool shafts, or conversely,
The intermediate transfer sheet supply section 16 and the hologram sheet supply section 29 are arranged only on the same axis as the supply spool shaft 120, and the intermediate transfer sheet take-up section 17 and the hologram sheet take-up section 3
0 may be a separate spool shaft.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which in the case of double-sided direct transfer, the card C is positioned by an integrated transmission sensor and an image is formed by overlapping three colors. However, as in the case of the indirect transfer described above. For example, a clock plate may be provided on the capstan roller 78 and the rotation amount thereof may be detected by an integrated transmission sensor.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the front side of the card C is printed first in the case of double-sided direct printing.
The back side may be printed first. In the present embodiment, an example in which the intermediate transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet H are not overcoated by the above two operations is not described. It goes without saying that the card C can be ejected. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example of rotating only the rollers on the second card transport path P ₂ in the direction of arrow L in FIG. 1, the arrow R
If it can be conveyed also in the direction, the card C is directly printed on the front side and then covered with the hologram sheet H, and then fed in the direction of arrow R and printed directly on the back side and discharged. You may do so. Similarly, in the case of performing direct transfer and indirect transfer, in the above operation, an example is described in which indirect transfer is performed later. However, direct transfer may be performed after performing indirect transfer.

In this embodiment, the example in which the information recording unit 8 is built in the printing apparatus 1 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the information recording on the card C is performed outside the printing apparatus 1 or When a card that does not require recording is assumed, the cleaner 4 is disposed upstream of the first reversing unit 6 and the card supply unit 3 is disposed further upstream thereof, so that the second reversing unit 5 and the information recording unit are provided. Since it is not necessary to dispose the printer 8 in the printer, such an arrangement example can be adopted as an option of the printer 1, and the second reversing unit 5 and the information recording unit 8 are omitted to reduce the size of the printer. May be achieved.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The first printing means can perform direct transfer to the recording medium, and the second printing means and the transferring means can perform indirect transfer to the recording medium. It is possible to obtain an effect that printing can be performed by switching between the transfer method and the first printing means and the second printing means are arranged at the same position, so that an increase in the size of the entire apparatus can be suppressed. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention can be applied.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views illustrating a connection state between a second reversing unit and a first reversing unit of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment, in which FIG. 2A is a vertical state in transfer of a card, and FIG. Indicates a vertical state.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vicinity of an image forming unit when direct printing and hologram processing are performed by the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment when performing direct printing and indirect printing.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a transfer mechanism of an intermediate transfer sheet and a card transfer mechanism near an image forming unit of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment when performing hologram processing.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer sheet, (A) is a front view schematically showing the thermal transfer sheet,
(B) is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the intermediate transfer sheet.

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of another embodiment of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 printing device 9 image forming unit (first printing unit, second printing unit) 10 transfer unit (transfer unit) 19 control unit (thermal energy control unit) 20 thermal head (printing element) 21 platen roller (platen) 45 Heat roller (transfer means) 46 Heating lamp (heating element) C Card (recording medium) F Intermediate transfer sheet (intermediate transfer medium) M1 Pulse motor (part of recording medium transport driving means, part of intermediate transfer medium transport driving means) ) M2 pulse motor (part of the intermediate transfer medium transport drive unit)

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 30, 2002 (2005.3.
0)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

Claims (9)

[Claims] A first printing unit for forming an image on a recording medium; a second printing unit for forming an image on an intermediate transfer medium for temporarily holding the image; and recording the image on the intermediate transfer medium. And a transfer unit for transferring the image onto a medium, wherein the first printing unit and the second printing unit are arranged at the same position. 2. A printing apparatus, wherein the printing elements of the first printing means and the second printing means are constituted by the same printing element. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first printing unit configured to support the recording medium when the first printing unit forms an image on the recording medium, and an image formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the second printing unit. Supporting the intermediate transfer medium during formation,
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a platen. 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first printing means forms an image on a recording medium and the second printing means forms an image with different thermal energies when forming an image on an intermediate transfer medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a thermal energy control unit that controls the printing element. 5. The thermal energy control means according to claim 1, wherein:
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the thermal energy applied when forming an image on the recording medium by the printing unit to be larger than the thermal energy applied when forming the image on the intermediate transfer medium by the second printing unit. The printing device according to the above. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transfer unit is a heat roller having a heating element. 7. A recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium, a recording medium conveyance driving means for driving the recording medium conveying means, an intermediate transfer medium conveying means for conveying the intermediate transfer medium, and the intermediate transfer medium An intermediate transfer medium transport drive unit for driving a transport unit, wherein a transport direction of the recording medium when an image is formed on the recording medium by the first printing unit and an intermediate transfer medium by the second printing unit. 2. The recording medium transport drive unit and the intermediate transfer medium transport drive unit are driven such that the transport direction of the intermediate transfer medium during the image formation is the same direction. Item 3. The printing device according to Item 2. 8. A recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium, a recording medium conveying driving means for driving the recording medium conveying means, an intermediate transfer medium conveying means for conveying the intermediate transfer medium, and the intermediate transfer medium An intermediate transfer medium transport drive unit for driving a transport unit, wherein a transport speed of the recording medium when an image is formed on the recording medium by the first printing unit, and an intermediate transfer medium by the second printing unit. 3. The recording medium transport driving unit and the intermediate transfer medium transport driving unit are driven such that the transport speed of the intermediate transfer medium during the image formation is different. 4. The printing device according to the above. 9. The conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer medium by the intermediate transfer medium conveyance means is higher than the conveyance speed of the recording medium by the recording medium conveyance means.
A printing device according to claim 1.