JP2003266655A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus comprising a print section printable on a recording medium consisting of a basic material layer and an ink receiving layer, and a thermal fixing part for fixing a sublimation dye carried on the ink receiving layer wherein fixing operation can be carried out continuously and an image having appropriate density and resolution can be obtained regardless of resolution of the image. <P>SOLUTION: A print section comprises a print control section for controlling operation of a print head 5 performing print operation along a main scanning direction by receiving print data including image data and performing the print operation along a main scanning direction, and mechanisms 4a and 4b for carrying the recording medium in a subscanning direction in correspondence with the printing operation of a print head 5 wherein a printed recording medium M is arranged to pass through the heating region of a thermal fixing section at a carrying speed of the carrying mechanisms 4a and 4b and the print control section is arranged to control printing/carriage of the recording medium at a specified speed regardless of print data, i.e., the image data added with dummy data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention: A print part capable of printing with an ink containing a sublimable dye on a recording medium having a sheet-like base material and an ink receiving layer attached to the surface of the base material.
A heating fixing unit that heats a recording medium in order to sublimate and fix the sublimable dye carried on the ink receiving layer to the substrate surface side, and the printing unit has a main scanning direction with respect to the recording medium. A print head that prints along a line, a transport mechanism that transports a recording medium in the sub-scanning direction in response to the print operation by the print head, print data including image data is received, and the print data is handled. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a print control unit that controls the operation of the print head and the transport mechanism so that printing can be performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of such an image forming technique, there is known an invention relating to a method for manufacturing a metal decorative body described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-297197. In the method described here, on the inkjet receiving layer of the recording medium consisting of a flat metal substrate, a transparent resin layer, and an inkjet receiving layer, a colored pattern made of a sublimation type coloring material is jet-formed by an inkjet printer, and then, Then, the recording medium discharged from the inkjet printer is brought into a heating furnace or a hot press and heated there to sublimate at least a part of the sublimation type coloring material to enter the inside of the transparent resin layer. Next, after softening the inkjet receiving layer with warm water, wipe it off with a cloth or the like,
The metal ornament on which the colored pattern is formed is completed.

However, in this known image forming technique, a recording medium on which a colored pattern has been formed by an ink jet printer is brought into a heating furnace or a hot press in a batch process for heat treatment, and the sublimation step is finished by heating. It is necessary to remove the recording medium from the heating furnace or the hot press and wipe the inkjet receiving layer by wiping with a cloth or the like in a batch process, which requires a complicated processing operation.

When a recording medium of the above type printed with ink containing a sublimable dye is heated in a heating portion to sublimate and fix the sublimable dye on the substrate surface side, if the amount of heat is If the amount is insufficient, the dye sublimation does not proceed sufficiently and the image density tends to be insufficient. Conversely, if the amount of heat is excessive, the dye sublimation proceeds too much and the image density becomes excessive, or , The dye tends to diffuse inside the transparent protective film integrally formed on the surface side of the sheet-like base material to lower the resolution, so that the final desired image density or resolution can be obtained. To achieve this, the amount of heat applied must be basically constant. On the other hand, the speed of the printed recording medium ejected from the printing section tends to vary depending on the nature of the image to be printed (length or resolution in the main scanning direction of the area in which the pixels are present).

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the image forming apparatus according to the prior art illustrated above, an object of the present invention is to continuously fix a recording medium printed by a printing section. At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining an image having an appropriate density and resolution after heat fixing even if the resolution and the printing width of the image printed on the recording medium in the printing unit are different.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a characteristic configuration described in any one of claims 1 to 8 in the section of the claims. There is. That is, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a printing unit capable of printing with an ink containing a sublimable dye on a recording medium having a sheet-shaped base material and an ink receiving layer attached to the surface of the base material. And a heat fixing unit that heats a recording medium in order to sublimate and fix the sublimable dye carried on the ink receiving layer to the substrate surface side, and the printing unit is a main unit for the recording medium. A print head that prints along the scanning direction, a transport mechanism that transports a recording medium in the sub-scanning direction in response to the print operation by the print head, print data including image data, and print data The print head and the print control unit that controls the operation of the transport mechanism are provided to enable corresponding printing, and the heating and fixing unit is provided for heating the recording medium. An area, the recording medium discharged from the printing unit is configured to pass through the heating area at a conveying speed by the conveying mechanism,
The print control unit is characterized in that the print medium can be print-conveyed and controlled at a predetermined speed at which a predetermined heat history is received in the heating area regardless of the image data.

Because of having such a characteristic structure,
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, the recording medium printed and ejected by the printing unit is passed through the heating region of the heating and fixing unit by the transport mechanism, and continuously here. Since the fixing process is performed, an efficient image formation can be realized without requiring manpower as compared with the above-described image forming method according to the related art. Moreover, the print control unit is configured to perform print conveyance control of the recording medium at a predetermined speed such that the recording medium receives a predetermined heat history in the heating area regardless of the image data. Even if the resolution and the print width of the image printed on the recording medium in the printing section are different, the discharge speed from the printing section corresponds to the predetermined transport speed at which the recording medium receives a predetermined thermal history in the heating area. Therefore, an image having an appropriate density and resolution can be obtained after heat fixing. According to this structure, an auxiliary transport mechanism different from the transport mechanism of the printing unit is provided in the heating and fixing unit, and a means for solving the speed difference between the transport mechanism of the printing unit and the auxiliary transport mechanism of the heating area. As a result, there is no need to provide a loop forming unit for forming a loop of the recording medium between the printing unit and the heat fixing unit, and a more compact and inexpensive image forming apparatus can be obtained.

The predetermined speed may be a transportation speed corresponding to the maximum resolution of an image printable on a recording medium by the printing unit. According to this structure, even if the resolution of the image printed on the recording medium by the printing unit varies, the print control unit records at the predetermined speed corresponding to the transport speed of the second transport mechanism of the heat fixing unit. The print control of the medium is performed, and appropriate heat fixing is always performed.

The transport mechanism is configured to transport the recording medium in synchronism with the printing operation of the print head in the main scanning direction, and the predetermined speed is the print head with respect to the maximum recording medium. The transport speed corresponding to the full scan length in the main scanning direction can be configured. According to this structure, even if a part of the image actually printed by the print head does not reach the maximum scan length that can be printed by the print head, the print control unit does not need to perform the first fixing of the heat fixing unit. The print control of the recording medium is performed at a predetermined speed corresponding to the conveyance speed of the two-conveyance mechanism, and appropriate heat fixing is always performed.

More specifically, it is possible to add dummy data to the print data for controlling the print head in the main scanning direction with a maximum scan length for a predetermined paper size. According to this structure, even if a part of the image actually printed by the print head is less than the maximum scan length printable by the print head, the print control unit is based on the dummy data. Since the print head controls printing in the main scanning direction with the maximum scan length for a predetermined paper size, as a result, the print control unit operates at a predetermined speed corresponding to the transfer speed of the second transfer mechanism of the heat fixing unit. Printing control of the recording medium is performed.
By the way, as such dummy data, particularly inconspicuous pixels located at both ends in the width direction of the print area of the recording medium or in a margin portion of the recording medium (which usually indicates a portion not included in the print area) ( For example, it may be configured with pixels having the minimum density of white and having an attribute of minimum size).

The printing unit has a first print conveyance mode in which the recording medium is conveyed at the predetermined speed regardless of the image data and a second print conveyance mode in which the recording medium is conveyed at a set speed based on the image data. A mode switching means for switching between may be provided. According to this structure, printing is performed on the recording medium that needs to be heated by the heating and fixing unit in the first print conveyance mode in which the recording medium is conveyed at a predetermined speed regardless of the image data, while the heating and fixing is performed. For a recording medium such as a general paper that does not require heat treatment in a section, printing is performed in a second print conveyance mode in which the recording medium is conveyed at a set speed based on image data, and the recording to be processed is performed. Appropriate processing can be performed depending on the medium. In particular, for recording media such as ordinary paper that does not require heat treatment at the heat fixing unit, printing is controlled at the set speed based on the image data to be printed, resulting in high-speed printing processing. To be done.

The mode switching means may be composed of operation switches provided in the image forming apparatus. According to this structure, the operator can appropriately switch to the print conveyance mode corresponding to the type of recording medium or ink set in the printing unit. The operation switch may be a DIP switch provided in the image forming apparatus, or a predetermined operation key assigned to a keyboard connected to the control unit.

Alternatively, the heating and fixing section is detachably attached to the printing section, and the mode switching means comprises a detection mechanism for detecting a connection state of the heating and fixing section to the printing section. can do. With this configuration, it is possible to perform a processing mode in which the detection mechanism automatically detects whether the heating and fixing unit is connected to or separated from the printing unit, and switches to the print conveyance mode according to the detection result. Therefore, it is advantageous that the operator can save the trouble of switching the print transport mode with the operation keys or the like according to the type of ink or recording medium used.

Alternatively, the mode switching means may comprise a detection mechanism for detecting the type of ink loaded in the print head. With this configuration, the type of ink loaded in the print head can be automatically detected by the detection mechanism, and the processing mode can be switched to the print transport mode according to the detection result. This is advantageous in that it is possible to save the trouble of switching the print conveyance mode with an operation key or the like according to the type of ink to be used.

Other features and advantages of the present invention include:
It will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes a print unit P that forms an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium M with ink containing a sublimable dye.
And a heat fixing unit F for fixing the dye by heating the recording medium M discharged from the print section P. As shown in FIG. 4, inside the print section P, a control section C1 for controlling the operations of the print section P and the heat fixing unit F is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat fixing unit F is designed to be attachable to and detachable from the print section P.

(Structure of Ink) The ink mainly used here is, for example, “black”, “cyan”, “magenta”,
"Yellow", "Light cyan", "Light magenta"
Each of the six inks is basically an aqueous ink containing a sublimable dye. However, the print section P
Then, it is also possible to print with a normal ink containing no sublimable dye.

(Structure of Recording Medium) As shown in FIG. 3, the recording medium M mainly used here is a sheet-shaped base material B.
And an ink receiving layer R that is adhered to the upper surface of the base material B via an adhesive layer (not shown) or the like. The base material B is PE
A base sheet S formed of a synthetic resin material such as T (polyethylene terephthalate) and the like, and a protective layer T having a high weather resistance of about 5 to 10 μm integrally provided on the upper surface of the base sheet S. The protective layer T is made of, for example, a fluororesin. The thickness of the ink receiving layer R is about several tens of μm. The protective layer T has a low affinity with the water-based ink used for image formation in the print portion P, but the ink receiving layer R has a sufficiently high affinity with the water-based ink. As will be described later, the recording medium M is printed on the ink receiving layer R with an aqueous ink containing a sublimable dye, and is subjected to heat treatment after printing to sublimate the sublimable dye into the inside of the recording medium M. Designed on the assumption that it will become established,
Here, it is called a sublimation type medium. However, it is also possible to print on a recording medium Mx, which is a general non-sublimation type medium made of paper, with normal ink containing no sublimable dye.

(Regarding Fixation of Sublimable Dye) In the print section P, an aqueous ink containing a sublimable dye is mainly used.
The recording medium M is placed near the surface of the ink receiving layer R at room temperature. When the recording medium M discharged from the printing unit P is heated by the heating and fixing unit F under appropriate heating conditions, the sublimable dye sublimes (vaporizes) from the ink located near the surface of the receiving layer R, After moving to the inside of the receiving layer R and further passing through the protective layer T, the interface between the base sheet S and the protective layer T, or the inside near the surface of the base sheet S (for example, a portion marked with × in FIG. 3) ) Is reached and is fixed here.
When the fixing process is completed in this way, the ink receiving layer R can be easily peeled from the base material B in a sheet form at an arbitrary time after the fixing is completed. When the ink receiving layer R is peeled off, the dye fixed in the base material B of the recording medium M is protected from the front surface by the weather-resistant protective layer T and from the back surface by the base sheet S, and at the same time, at least From the upper surface side of the base material B, the transparent layer can be seen through the protective layer T having high transparency.

In practice, the heating conditions to be applied to the recording medium M in order to provide the recording medium M with the optimum image density and resolution after the heat fixing is completed and the ink receiving layer R is peeled off are as follows. A detailed type of each constituent layer of the recording medium M,
It is considered that the thickness, the type of ink used, the density of the image at the time when it is formed in the print unit, and the weather conditions are different, but here, for easy understanding of the essence of the present invention, An appropriate heating condition for the heat fixing unit F of the recording medium M is simply set to "180 ° C. × 2 min".

(Structure of Print Section) FIGS. 1, 2 and 4
As shown in FIG. 2, the print unit P has a case-shaped main body 2a whose upper side is open, and the upper side of the main body 2a has a hinge 2c.
It is covered by a cover 2b which can swing and open and close around. In addition, the base frame 2d provided on the bottom of the main body 2a
Is provided with a grounding leg portion 2e, and supports the main body 2a at a relatively high position. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a connecting portion 2f (or a discharging portion 2f) having an annular cross-sectional shape is formed at the end of the main body 2a on the side where the printed recording medium M is sent out.
Is equipped with. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 2a of the printing unit P has a storage unit 3 capable of rotatably supporting a continuous roll-shaped recording medium M, and a recording medium M from the storage unit 3.
An image with ink while reciprocating in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction with respect to a conveying mechanism 4 that draws out and conveys the recording medium M conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the conveying mechanism 4. And an ink jet type print head 5 for forming the. The storage unit 3 has a support rod 3a that rotatably supports the recording medium M wound in a roll shape via its cylindrical core. The print head 5 is reciprocally supported by guide rods 6 and 6 extending linearly in the width direction of the recording medium M.
A stepping motor type scanning motor (not shown) is reciprocally driven along the guide rod 6 via an operation system (not shown) such as a timing belt or a screw shaft. The print head 5 is provided with an ejection nozzle 5a composed of a piezo element or the like, and at the same time, an ink cartridge 5b of ink containing a sublimable dye is attached. It should be noted that the print head 5 is provided with a cutter N1 that descends based on a signal issued via the control unit C1 as necessary and cuts the recording medium M based on the movement of the print head 5 in the main scanning direction. ing.

The transport mechanism 4 includes a pair of pull-out rollers 4a for pulling out the recording medium M from the storage unit 3, a print roller 4b for holding the recording medium M at a constant distance from the discharge nozzle 5a of the print head 5, and an image forming. A discharge roller pair 4c for discharging the recorded recording medium M from the printing section P and a stepping motor M1 for driving these roller pairs 4a, 4b, 4c via a timing belt or the like are provided.
The control unit C1 of the print unit P has a microprocessor (not shown) built therein and forms a data input system for inputting print data transferred from the computer 16. Further, the control unit C1 includes a transport mechanism 4 of the printing unit P, an ink ejection mechanism of the print head 5, a scanning motor,
A signal system for outputting a control signal to the stepping motor M1 and the like of the transport mechanism 4 is provided. That is, as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
It has a function as a print control unit that receives the print data sent from the printer 6 and controls the operations of the print head 5 and the transport mechanism 4 so that printing corresponding to the print data can be performed.

The transport mechanism 4 always transports the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction in synchronization with the scan operation of the print head 5. Specifically, it has the following configuration. That is, a home position (not shown) for the print head 5 is set at one end of a stroke in which the print head 5 reciprocates based on sliding on the guide rod 6. Then, the print head 5 is configured to reciprocate in the main scanning direction between the home position and the other end while the transport mechanism 4 is stopped to control printing. On the other hand, the transport mechanism 4 is set to 1 during a short time when the print head 5 returns to this home position and stands still.
Send recording medium by pitch. As will be described in detail later, this one pitch is a distance corresponding to the interval between pixels in the sub-scanning direction at the maximum resolution that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 1. Incidentally, the cutting operation of the recording medium M by the cutter N1 provided in the print head 5 is also performed while moving from the home position to the other end while the transport mechanism 4 is stopped.

(Structure of Heating Unit) The heat fixing unit F is
It has an external housing H1 made of metal or the like, and a heating housing H2 arranged inside the external housing H1. The heating housing H2 is substantially closed from the entire upper, lower, left, right, front, and back by a heat insulating layer I, and the inside of the heating housing H serves as a heating region Q for heating the recording medium M. In the heating area Q, the recording medium M is transported in the horizontal direction. Further, a cutter N2 capable of cutting the recording medium M at a boundary between images is arranged near the downstream end of the heat fixing unit F.
An auxiliary transport mechanism 14 driven by the power received from the transport mechanism 4 of the printing unit P is provided inside the external housing H1. The auxiliary transport mechanism 14 includes a first auxiliary roller pair 14a adjacently arranged on the upstream side of the heating housing H2 and a second auxiliary roller pair 14 adjacently arranged on the downstream side of the heating housing H2.
b, and a discharge roller pair 14c adjacently arranged on the downstream side of the cutter N2. On the side surface of the external housing H1, in order to automatically interlock and connect the auxiliary transport mechanism 14 to the transport mechanism 4 of the print unit P in response to a connection operation of the heat fixing unit F to the print unit P by an operator or the like,
A transmission mechanism (not shown) mainly composed of a plurality of gears is provided. The heating area Q in the heating housing H2 is divided into upper and lower heating spaces Q1 and S2 sandwiching the transport surface of the recording medium M. In the upper heating space Q1, a heater 7 of a nichrome wire type, a heat insulating plate 8 for protecting the recording medium M from radiant heat from the heater 7, and air in the heating space Q1 are mixed to mix the heating space Q1. A fan 9 for forming a temperature distribution as uniform as possible is arranged therein. The heater 7 is a recording medium M on which an image is formed in the printing section P.
Has a function of fixing the sublimable dye contained in the ink by heating mainly by contact with high temperature air.

In the heating area Q, the recording medium M fed by the transport mechanism 4 of the print section P and the auxiliary transport mechanism 14 of the heat fixing unit F is supported in a horizontal state,
A support guide member 10 for holding the heater 7 at a constant distance is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the support guide member 10 is composed of a plurality of rods that are sufficiently spaced from each other in the width direction of the recording medium M. Each rod is a heating housing H
2 includes a leg portion extending upward from the bottom portion and a guide portion extending from the upper end of the leg portion along the transport direction of the recording medium M. These guide portions are flat by gathering in a grill shape. It forms a single guide surface. The thermal history of the recording medium M caused by the contact of the portions of the recording medium moving through the support guide members 10 with the support guide member 10 heated by the heater 7 is the width of the recording medium M. In a plan view, the guide portions of all the rods are inclined and arranged at a constant angle (for example, approximately 20 ° to 60 ° or the like) with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium M so as to be uniform in the direction.

A temperature sensor 12 (for example, a radiation thermometer) for detecting the surface temperature of the recording medium M supported on the support guide member 10 is arranged in the lower heating region Q2. The temperature sensor 12 extends from the surface temperature of the recording medium M immediately after being fed into the heating area Q to the surface temperature of the recording medium M immediately before leaving the heating area Q.
It is arranged at a plurality of locations (five locations in the embodiment of FIG. 4) along at least the conveyance direction of the recording medium M. The auxiliary control unit C2, which will be described later in detail, based on the detection result of the temperature of the recording medium M by these temperature sensors 12, a predetermined heating history (from when the recording medium M is fed into the heating region Q to when it exits) Here, the temperature of the heater 7 is controlled so as to receive “180 ° C. × 2 min”).

An auxiliary control unit C2 is provided below the external housing H1 to form an output system for the heater 7, fan 9 and cutter N2, and an input system for inputting signals from each temperature sensor 12. (See FIG. 7). The auxiliary control section C2 is connected to the control section C1 of the print section P via the control cable 30 and the separable connector 31, thereby forming a signal access system. Figure 2
As shown in FIG. 5, an annular connected portion Hc that can be externally fitted to the connecting portion 2f of the print portion P is provided at the upstream end portion of the external housing H1.
Is provided. The heat fixing unit F is configured to be switchable between a state in which it is connected to the printing section P and a state in which it is released from the connection via this connected portion Hc.
When the print unit P and the heat fixing unit F are connected, the clamp screw 15a is inserted into the hole of the bracket 15 fixed to the side surface of the external housing H1 of the heat fixing unit F, and the main body of the print unit P is inserted. By being screwed into a screw hole formed on the side surface of 2a, it can be securely fixed. When the connection is released, the screw 15a may be removed and the heat fixing unit F may be pulled out.

(Structure of Image Processing System) As shown in FIG. 1, a general-purpose computer 16, a monitor 17, a keyboard 18, a mouse 19, and an image of a developed photographic film Pf are provided near the image forming apparatus 1. An image processing system G including a film scanner 20 that photoelectrically converts information is installed. This image processing system G is
It is used by being connected to the control unit C1 of the image forming apparatus 1.
The computer 16 is provided with a media drive 16a for taking out a file of image data (initially referred to as image data here) from various electronic data recording media such as a CD (CD-R), MO, and CompactFlash (registered trademark) card. Has been done. Therefore, if the initial image data stored in the electronic data recording medium is processed by this image processing system G to create the necessary print data and transferred to the control section C1 of the image forming apparatus 1, this is transferred. An image based on the initial image data included in the print data can be formed on the recording medium M.

(Flow of image formation) The image forming apparatus 1 described above.
An example of a schematic process executed when an image is formed and fixed on the recording medium M with the ink containing the sublimable dye will be described in chronological order as follows. First, the print data created by the image processing system G is transferred to the control unit C1 of the printing unit P. The control unit C1 controls the transport mechanism 4 to transport the recording medium M, controls the print head 5 to spray the ink in the ink cartridge 5b onto the ink receiving layer R of the recording medium M, and an image (here, text). A print process is performed in which a document is also considered as a kind of image) and is printed (here, a photographic image is also considered as a kind of object to be printed). As the printing process progresses, the recording medium M ejected from the printing section P is heated and fixed by the heating fixing unit F by the carrying force of the carrying mechanism 4 and the auxiliary carrying mechanism 14.
Sent to.

In the heat fixing unit F, the auxiliary controller C2
However, the temperature of the heater 7 is controlled so as to receive a heating history of 180 ° C. × 2 min from when the recording medium M enters the heat fixing unit F until it exits, and the sublimation fixing of the sublimable dye is performed under this condition. The recording medium M is ejected outside the image forming apparatus 1. The recording medium M discharged outside the image forming apparatus 1 is
Depending on the usage pattern of the recording medium M, the ink receiving layer R is peeled off at any stage including immediately after discharge, immediately before shipping to an agency or a customer, or when used by the final consumer. When the ink receiving layer R is peeled off, the final recording medium M is obtained.

The printing speed in the printing section P, which is generally an ink jet printer, and the discharge speed of the recording medium differ depending on factors such as the width dimension of the recording medium, the image resolution, and the image form. On the other hand, in order to finish a recording medium printed with an ink containing a sublimable dye with a predetermined image density and resolution, it is basically necessary to carry out a constant heat fixing of 180 ° C. × 2 min. However, the heating and fixing unit F of the image forming apparatus 1 is not provided with the second transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium M at a speed independent of the discharging speed from the print section P, and moreover, the heating and fixing unit F. The length of F is basically constant and the sublimation fixing condition is fixed at 180 ° C. × 2 min in principle. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention, control of the print unit P is performed in order to perform constant heat fixing on the recording medium M regardless of fluctuations in factors such as the width dimension of the recording medium, the image resolution, and the image form. The portion C1 (print control portion) has a predetermined thermal history (180 ° C. × 180 ° C.) in the heating region of the heating and fixing unit F when the recording medium M is irrespective of the form and content of the image data.
It is designed to control the print conveyance of the recording medium M at a predetermined speed for receiving 2 min).

(Processing Routine by Control Unit C1) Next,
Regarding the steps performed when an image is formed on the recording medium of any type (the recording medium M for ink containing a sublimable dye or the recording medium Mx made of normal paper) in the image forming apparatus 1, explain in detail. Control unit C of print unit P
In 1, the processing routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 may be executed. That is, first, the controller C1 determines the connection state of the heat fixing unit F based on the electrical connection state of the connector 31 (# 11 step). Here, when the heat fixing unit F is in the non-connection state, it is assumed that the ink containing no sublimable dye and the ordinary recording medium Mx such as paper are set in the printing unit P, and the control unit C1 , Starts print control in the second print mode. That is, the control unit C1 controls the transport mechanism 4 and the print head 5 so that the normal recording medium Mx made of paper is supplied with the second ink in the second print transport mode (the recording medium Mx at the set speed based on the initial image data). In a mode in which the sheet is rapidly conveyed), and is discharged from the discharge section 2f of the print section P to complete the image formation (step # 12). When printing based on one image file is completed,
The recording medium Mx is cut at the margin of the image by the cutter N1 of the print head 5 as needed (# 13).
Step).

On the other hand, when the heat fixing unit F is in the connected state, it is assumed that the ink containing the sublimable dye and the recording medium M for sublimation are set in the print section P, and the auxiliary control of the heat fixing unit F is performed. The section C2 starts energizing the heater 7 (step # 14) and controls the temperature of the heater 7 based on the feedback signal from the temperature sensor 12 to preheat the heating region Q to 180 ° C. (step # 15).
Incidentally, since the recording medium M does not exist in the heating and fixing unit F at this stage, the auxiliary control section C2 causes the temperature sensor 1 to operate.
The heat generation amount of the heater 7 is controlled based on the detection result of the surface temperature of the heat insulating plate 8 by 2.

Then, the temperature of the heat fixing unit F is
If appropriate (for example, with an accuracy of ± 2 ° C.), the control unit C1
Controls the transport mechanism 4 and the print head 5 to the recording medium M in the first print transport mode (that is, at a predetermined speed for satisfying the heating condition in the heat fixing unit F regardless of the initial image data. While the print process of printing an image is performed in the recording medium conveying mode), the portion where printing is completed is fed into the heat fixing unit F by the conveying mechanism 4 (step # 16). Therefore, the connector 3
1 and the control unit C1, the print unit P, the first print transport mode for transporting the recording medium at a predetermined speed regardless of the image data, and the second print transport mode for transporting the recording medium at a set speed based on the image data. It can be said that a mode switching means for switching between and is configured. When printing based on one image file is completed, the recording medium M is cut by the cutter N1 (or the cutter N2) of the print head 5 along the sub-scanning direction at the margin of the image as necessary. (Step # 17). When the recording medium M is cut by the cutter N1 of the print head 5, the recording medium M is conveyed in the heating area Q by the auxiliary conveyance mechanism 14 of the heating and fixing unit F and discharged to the outside of the heating and fixing unit F. Further, after the recording medium M is cut by the cutter N1 of the print head 5, when the succeeding recording medium M is not subsequently printed by the print head 5, the blank recording medium M which is not printed is sent to the heat fixing unit F. In order to prevent the above, the pull-out roller pair 4a of the transport mechanism 4 of the print section P is provided so as to be capable of releasing pressure.

(Regarding the operation of the print control unit) The control unit C1 (print control unit) of the print unit P always keeps the recording medium M in the heating region Q of the heat fixing unit F at a predetermined heat history (180).
In order to receive the recording medium M, the recording medium M is print-conveyed and controlled at a predetermined speed irrespective of the variable factors such as the width dimension of the recording medium, the resolution of the image, the form of the image, etc. Therefore, the image processing system G
As shown in FIG. 7, a file of initial image data based on an image carried on a recording medium such as a photographic film Pf or a CD is received via the film scanner 20 or the media drive 16a, and print data based on the file is created. In order to force the print head 5 to scan all lines in the sub-scanning direction at the maximum printable length on the recording medium of the maximum size, regardless of the form and content of the initial image data. Print data is created with dummy data added to the original image data, and this is transferred to the control unit C1 of the printing unit P. The dummy data can be formed by, for example, data for blank-filling the blank space in the width direction of the maximum size recording medium in all the lines in the sub-scanning direction.

As a result, for example, A3 is fed vertically.
In the case of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the plate recording medium is set as the maximum size recording medium, as shown in FIG. 6, an initial image that includes image data only in the central portion depending on a line in the sub-scanning direction is used. Even when printing data (shown by the solid line in FIG. 6), the print head 5 repeats the reciprocating movement with a width of 270 mm corresponding to the width of the A3 plate in all the lines in the sub-scanning direction, and the recording medium M exists. Pixels of dummy data located near both ends of the print roller 4b (see FIG. 6).
(Indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2) is blanked, and the transport mechanism 4 controls the printing of the recording medium M in the sub-scanning direction in synchronization with the reciprocating movement of the print head 5. Further, when printing the initial image data of the postcard size, the print head 5 repeats the reciprocating movement in the width of 270 mm corresponding to the width of the A3 plate in each line, and the print roller 4b in which the recording medium M does not exist.
In the state where both ends of the recording medium M are idled, the conveyance mechanism 4 controls the printing of the recording medium M in the sub-scanning direction in synchronization with the reciprocal movement of the print head 5.

Similarly, regarding the resolution, the image processing system G creates the print data based on the initial image data regardless of the form or content of the initial image data (that is, in the sub-scanning direction of the initial image data). Resolution 1
Even if it is relatively small, such as 0 dpi, dummy data was added to the initial image data for the transport mechanism 4 to send the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction at a pitch corresponding to a preset maximum resolution (for example, 20 dpi). The print data is created and transferred to the control unit C1 of the print unit P.
The length of the heating area Q of the heating and fixing unit F in the recording medium conveyance direction and the capacity of the heater 7 are recorded on the recording medium M if the recording medium M is print-controlled based on the print data including such dummy data. Predetermined heat history (180 ℃ x 2m
in) can be added.

[Other Embodiments] <1> The dummy data to be added to the initial image data is not blanked by the print head 5, but a blank space in the width direction of the maximum size recording medium (usually in the print area). Data that causes an inconspicuous image composed of white minimum pixels and the like (for example, pixels of the lowest density white and having an attribute of the minimum size) to be printed may be configured to be included in a portion that is not included).

<2> The print section P has a first print transport mode in which the print medium is transported at a predetermined speed regardless of the image data, and a second print transport mode in which the print medium is transported at a set speed based on the image data. As the mode switching means for switching between the two, for example, a specific key set on the keyboard 18, or a button formed on the screen of the monitor 17 so as to be turned on / off by a click operation of the mouse 19, It may be configured by an operation switch operated by an operator.

<3> The print section P has a first print conveyance mode in which the recording medium is conveyed at a predetermined speed regardless of the image data, and a second print conveyance mode in which the recording medium is conveyed at a set speed based on the image data. As a mode switching means for switching between the two, the type of ink (whether or not it contains a sublimable dye) is automatically determined based on the shape of the ink cartridge 5b set in the print head 5 and the like.
A detection mechanism that sends a signal indicating the determination result to the control unit C1 may be used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the outer appearance of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing another state of a main part of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing layers constituting a sublimation type recording medium.

4 is a side view schematically showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a support guide member of a heat fixing unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing control of a print head and a transport mechanism by a print control unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a computer, a control unit, and an auxiliary control unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing routine executed by a control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

M recording medium (sublimation type medium) B base material S Base sheet (base material) T Protective layer (base material) R ink receiving layer Mx recording medium (non-sublimation type medium) N1 cutter P print department F Heat fixing unit 4 Transport mechanism 5 print head 7 heater 14 Auxiliary transport mechanism

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masazumi Ishikawa             No. 1 at 579 Umehara, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture             Inside Ritsu Koki Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2C056 EB20 EB30 EB45 EC12 EC14                       EC30 EC31 FD03 FD13 HA29                       HA44

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A print portion capable of being printed with an ink containing a sublimable dye on a recording medium having a sheet-shaped base material and an ink receiving layer attached to the surface of the base material, and a print portion carried on the ink receiving layer. A heating and fixing unit that heats a recording medium in order to sublimate and fix the sublimable dye to the substrate surface side, and the printing unit prints on the recording medium along the main scanning direction. A head, a transport mechanism that transports a recording medium in the sub-scanning direction in response to the printing operation by the print head, print data including image data, and print data corresponding to the print data. The heat fixing unit includes a print head and a print control unit that controls the operation of the transport mechanism. The recorded recording medium is configured to pass through the heating area at a conveying speed by the conveying mechanism, and the print control unit causes the recording medium to have a predetermined thermal history in the heating area regardless of the image data. An image forming apparatus configured so that print conveyance control of a recording medium can be performed at a predetermined speed for receiving. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined speed is a conveying speed corresponding to a maximum resolution of an image printable on a recording medium by the printing unit. 3. The transport mechanism is configured to transport a recording medium in synchronization with a printing operation of the print head in the main scanning direction, and the predetermined speed is the maximum recording medium with respect to the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance speed corresponds to a full scan length in the main scanning direction performed by the print head. 4. The image forming according to claim 3, wherein dummy data for controlling the print head to print in the main scanning direction with a maximum scan length for a predetermined paper size is added to the print data. apparatus. 5. A first print conveyance mode in which the print unit conveys a recording medium at the predetermined speed regardless of the image data, and a second print conveyance mode in which the recording medium is conveyed at a set speed based on the image data. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a mode switching unit that switches between and. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the mode switching unit includes an operation switch provided in the image forming apparatus. 7. The heating / fixing section is detachably attached to the printing section, and the mode switching means comprises a detection mechanism for detecting a connection state of the heating / fixing section to the printing section. 5. The image forming apparatus according to item 5. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the mode switching unit includes a detection mechanism that detects the type of ink loaded in the print head.