JP2003312111A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate troubles caused through use of an IC chip holder. <P>SOLUTION: In a printer comprising an ink bobbin unit 10 around which an ink sheet 2 is wound, and an ink cassette for setting the ink bobbin unit 10 in the printer body and performing print operation based on information recorded in an IC chip 3, the IC chip 3 is incorporated in the ink bobbin unit 10. A printer where the IC chip 3 is fixed directly to the ink bobbin unit 10 as a part of the shaft, or the like, thereof is also included. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device which performs a printing operation based on information recorded in an IC chip, and more particularly to a holding structure for the IC chip.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an ink bobbin unit in a conventional printer. In FIG. 4, 1
Is a winding side ink bobbin, 2 is an ink sheet, 3 is an IC chip, 4 is an IC chip holder, 5 is a gear side ink bobbin, and 10 is an ink bobbin unit. The ink bobbin unit 10 is composed of a winding side ink bobbin 1 around which an ink sheet 2 is wound, and a gear side ink bobbin 5 provided with a gear.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an ink cassette (for mounting the conventional ink bobbin unit 10 of FIG. 4 in the printer body) in a conventional printer device. In FIG. 5, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, 6 is an ink cassette, and 7 is a take-up side ink bobbin.

The printer device shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a sublimation type thermal transfer printer device which thermally transfers several kinds of color layers coated on an ink sheet onto a printing paper by a thermal head and prints on the IC chip 3. The printing operation is performed based on the provided information.

In such a conventional printer device, the IC chip 3 is loaded in the IC chip holder 4, and the IC chip holder 4 together with the ink bobbin unit 10 around which the ink sheet 2 is wound are provided in the printer device main body. Be attached to.

Further, the ink bobbin unit 10 and the IC chip holder 4 described above are simultaneously arranged in the ink cassette 6
And the ink cassette 6 is attached to the printer body.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional printer device has the following problems due to the use of the IC chip holder.

Since the user himself / herself needs to load the IC chip holder into the ink cassette, and the IC chip holder and the ink cassette must be detachably attached, the IC chip holder may come off or may not be completely mounted. was there.

Further, since it is necessary to detachably attach the ink cassette to the printer body, the connection between the connection terminal provided on the printer body and the IC chip may be incomplete.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer device which can eliminate the problems caused by using an IC chip holder. .

[0011]

A printer device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an ink bobbin unit around which an ink sheet is wound, and an ink cassette for mounting the ink bobbin unit in a printer device main body. Preparation, IC
In a printer apparatus that performs a printing operation based on information recorded on a chip, the IC chip is built in the ink bobbin unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer device according to the first aspect.
In the ink bobbin, the ink bobbin unit has a winding side ink bobbin around which the ink sheet is wound, and a gear side ink bobbin detachably attached to the winding side ink bobbin. The above-mentioned IC chip is built in, and the IC chip and the printer main body are electrically connected only on the gear side.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer device according to the first aspect.
The ink bobbin unit has a winding side ink bobbin around which the ink sheet is wound, and a gear side ink bobbin detachably attached to the winding side ink bobbin. In addition, the IC chip is directly attached as a shaft portion thereof.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer device according to the first aspect.
In the third aspect, the shaft portion of the ink bobbin unit is provided with a conductive contact terminal to electrically connect the IC chip and the printer main body.

A printer device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the printer device according to the fourth aspect.
In the above, the contact terminal is made of conductive plastic.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ink bobbin unit in a printer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram when the ink bobbin unit is loaded in an ink cassette and mounted in a printer device main body (however, , The ink sheet is omitted). In FIG. 1, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, 8 is a detecting means, 11, 12 are contact terminals, 13, 14 are contact points, 15,
Reference numeral 16 is a spring, 17 and 18 are connection cables, and 19 and 20 are printer apparatus main body side terminals (main body side terminals).

The printer device according to the first embodiment is a sublimation type thermal transfer printer device in which several kinds of color layers coated on an ink sheet are thermally transferred onto a printing paper by a thermal head to perform color printing, and are recorded on an IC chip 3. The printing operation is performed based on the information obtained. Information such as the type of ink sheet and image processing conditions unique to the ink sheet is recorded on the IC chip 3.

The ink bobbin unit 10 is composed of a winding side ink bobbin 1 around which an ink sheet is wound, and a gear side ink bobbin 5 provided with a gear. The gear side ink bobbin 5 is detachable from the winding side ink bobbin 1. The IC chip 3 is built in the space between the winding side ink bobbin 1 and the gear side ink bobbin 5 of the ink bobbin unit 10.

A conductive spring 15 is provided in a space on the gear side ink bobbin 5 side (hereinafter, simply referred to as a gear side). The spring 15 contacts the IC chip 3 from the gear side, supports the IC chip 3, and forms a contact 13 with the IC chip 3.

Similarly, in the space on the winding side ink bobbin 1 side (hereinafter simply referred to as the winding side), a conductive spring 16 is provided.
Is provided. The spring 16 contacts the IC chip 3 from the winding side to support the IC chip 3 and
A contact point 14 is formed between the IC chip 3 and the IC chip 3.

A conductive contact terminal 11 is provided at the tip of the gear-side ink bobbin 5. This contact terminal 11
Are connected to the spring 15 by a connecting cable 17. A conductive main body side terminal 19 is provided in the bearing of the gear side ink bobbin 5 of the printer main body. When the ink bobbin unit 10 is attached to the printer main body, the contact terminal 11 contacts the main body side terminal 19.

Similarly, a conductive contact terminal 12 is provided at the tip of the winding side ink bobbin 1. The contact terminal 12 is connected to the spring 16 by a connection cable 18. Further, a conductive main body side terminal 20 is provided in the bearing of the winding side ink bobbin 1 of the printer main body. The contact terminal 12 comes into contact with the main body side terminal 20 when mounted on the main body of the printer device.

As described above, when the ink bobbin unit 10 is mounted on the printer main body, the contact 13 of the IC chip 3 incorporated in the ink bobbin unit 10 is
The spring 15, the connection cable 17, and the contact terminal 11 electrically connect to the main body side terminal 19 provided in the bearing of the gear side ink bobbin 5, and the contact 14 is connected by the spring 16, the connection cable 18, and the contact terminal 12. It conducts with the main body side terminal 20 provided in the bearing of the winding side ink bobbin 1.

The detecting means 8 is provided in the printer main body and is connected to the terminals 19 and 20 on the main body side to detect whether or not the ink bobbin unit 10 is attached. The information recorded on the chip 3 is read.

The procedure for setting the ink sheet 2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) in the printer of the first embodiment will be described below.

First, the ink sheet 2 is wound around the winding-side ink bobbin 1 (actually, the winding-side ink bobbin 1 is inserted into the ink sheet 2), and the winding-side ink bobbin is used. 1, the gear side ink bobbin 5 is removed, the IC chip 3 is inserted into the space inside the winding side ink bobbin 1, the gear side ink bobbin 5 is attached to the winding side ink bobbin 1, and the IC chip 3 is attached to the ink bobbin unit. 10
Built in.

Alternatively, a winding-side ink bobbin 1 around which the karajime ink sheet 2 is wound is prepared, and the IC chip 3 is inserted into the winding-side ink bobbin 1 according to the procedure described above, and the IC chip 3 is inserted. Are incorporated in the ink bobbin unit 10.

Alternatively, the ink bobbin unit 10 in which the fluffy ink sheet 2 is wound and the IC chip 3 is built in is prepared.

Next, the above-mentioned ink bobbin unit 10 in which the ink sheet 2 is wound and the IC chip 3 is incorporated is loaded into the ink cassette 6 (see FIG. 5).

Then, the above-mentioned ink cassette 6 loaded with the ink bobbin unit 10 is mounted on the printer main body. As a result, the protrusions of the winding-side ink bobbin 1 and the gear-side ink bobbin 5 of the ink bobbin unit 10 are fitted to the bearings provided in the printer apparatus main body, and the gear of the gear-side ink bobbin 5 is changed to the printer apparatus. The gear driving means provided on the main body is engaged with the contact terminals 11 of the gear side ink bobbin 5 and the winding side ink bobbin 1,
Reference numerals 12 and 12 respectively contact body-side terminals 19 and 20 provided in the bearings of the printer body.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the IC
By incorporating the chip 3 in the ink bobbin unit 10, the IC chip holder becomes unnecessary, so that it is possible to eliminate problems caused by the IC chip holder, such as the IC chip holder coming off.

Since it is not necessary to load the IC chip holder in the ink cassette, the ink bobbin unit can be easily loaded in the ink cassette.

Further, since the structure for holding the IC chip holder in the ink cassette is not necessary, the structure of the ink cassette can be simplified.

Further, since the IC chip holder is not required, the connection terminal on the printer main body side can be provided in the ink bobbin unit bearing of the printer main body. The IC chip connection structure can be simplified and inexpensive.

Further, by providing a conductive contact terminal on the shaft portion of the ink bobbin unit to electrically connect the IC chip and the printer body, the connection structure between the IC chip and the printer body can be further simplified.

Further, the conventional IC chip can be used as it is.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a gear-side ink bobbin in a printer device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram when the gear-side ink bobbin is loaded in an ink cassette and mounted in a printer device main body. . In FIG. 2, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and 21 is a conductive terminal. The gear side ink bobbin 5 of the second embodiment also constitutes an ink bobbin unit together with the winding side ink bobbin.

In the second embodiment, the IC chip 3 is
The gear-side ink bobbin 5 is built in a space provided in the ink bobbin 5. The main body side terminals 19 and 20 are both provided in the bearing of the gear side ink bobbin 5 of the printer main body, and the contacts 14 are formed on the side surface of the IC chip 3.

The gear side ink bobbin 5 of the second embodiment is provided with a conductive terminal 21. This conductive terminal 21
Contacts the side surface of the IC chip 3 and forms a contact 14 with the IC chip 3. In addition, the conductive terminal 21 is
It extends to the side surface of the shaft portion of the gear-side ink bobbin 5. When the ink bobbin unit according to the second embodiment is attached to the printer apparatus main body, the conductive terminal 21 is provided on the shaft side surface of the gear side ink bobbin 5 on the main body side provided in the gear side bearing of the printer apparatus main body. It is designed to come into contact with the terminal 20.

As described above, when the ink bobbin unit according to the second embodiment is mounted on the printer main body, the contacts 1 of the IC chip 3 built in the gear side ink bobbin 5 are connected.
3 is a spring 15, a connection cable 17, and a contact terminal 1.
1, the main body side terminal 19 provided in the bearing of the gear side ink bobbin 5 is electrically connected, and the contact 14 is connected to the conduction terminal 2
1, it is electrically connected to the main body side terminal 20 which is also provided in the bearing of the gear side ink bobbin 5.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the IC chip is built in the gear side ink bobbin so that the IC is provided only on the gear side.
By electrically connecting the chip to the printer body,
Since it suffices to provide the connection structure between the IC chip and the printer main body only on the gear side, the above connection structure can be further simplified.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a gear-side ink bobbin in a printer device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which an ink bobbin unit constituted by the gear-side ink bobbin is loaded in an ink cassette and mounted in the printer device main body. It is a figure when it is performed. In FIG. 3, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, 31 and 32 are IC covers, 33 is an IC chip body, and 34 is an insulating member. The gear side ink bobbin 5 of the third embodiment also constitutes an ink bobbin unit together with the winding side ink bobbin.

In the third embodiment, the IC chip 3 is
It is directly attached to the gear side ink bobbin 5 and functions as a shaft portion of the gear side ink bobbin 5.

The IC chip 3 of the third embodiment is obtained by packaging the IC chip body 33 with conductive IC covers 31 and 32. These ICs
The covers are insulated from each other.

The IC covers 31 and 32 realize the IC chip 3 having the same shape as the shaft portion of the ink bobbin. The IC cover 31 is an IC through an insulating member.
It is fitted in the cover 32 and forms the contact point 13 with the IC chip body 33. In addition, the IC cover 32
Is directly attached to the gear side ink bobbin 5,
The contact 14 is formed between the IC chip body 33 and the IC chip body 33.

When the ink bobbin unit of the third embodiment is mounted on the printer body, the IC cover 31 comes into contact with the body side terminal 19 provided in the gear side bearing of the printer body, and the IC cover The reference numeral 32 also contacts the main body side terminal 20 provided in the gear side bearing.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, either the winding side ink bobbin or the gear side ink bobbin has a cover structure I having the same shape as the shaft portion of the ink bobbin.
By directly mounting the C chip as the shaft portion of the ink bobbin, the connection structure between the IC chip 3 and the printer main body can be further simplified.

Fourth Embodiment In the printer device of the fourth embodiment, the contact terminals 11 and 12 at both ends of the ink bobbin unit 10 in the first embodiment are made of conductive plastic. As a result, the ink bobbin unit can be inexpensively constructed.

Embodiment 5. In the printer device according to the fifth embodiment, the IC chip 3 according to the third embodiment is directly attached to the winding-side ink bobbin 1 to function as the shaft portion of the winding-side ink bobbin 1, and the main body side terminals 19 and 20 are provided. Are both provided in the bearing of the ink bobbin 1 on the winding side of the printer body. Even in this case, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained.

[0050]

As described above, according to the printer device of the first aspect of the present invention, the IC chip holder is not required by incorporating the IC chip in the ink bobbin, so that the IC chip holder can be removed. It is possible to eliminate the problem caused by the IC chip holder.

Further, according to the printer device of the first aspect, it is not necessary to load the IC chip holder in the ink cassette, so that the ink bobbin unit can be easily loaded in the ink cassette.

Further, according to the printer device of the first aspect, since the IC chip holder holding structure in the ink cassette is not necessary, there is an effect that the structure of the ink cassette can be simplified.

According to the printer device of the first aspect, since the IC chip holder is not required, the connection terminal on the printer device body side can be provided in the ink bobbin unit bearing of the printer device body. Structure of printer body and printer body and IC
The chip connection structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

According to the printer device of the second aspect, I
Since the C chip is built in the gear side ink bobbin and the IC chip is electrically connected to the printer main body only on the gear side, it suffices to provide the connection structure between the IC chip and the printer main body only on the gear side. There is an effect that the connection structure of can be further simplified.

According to the printer device of the third aspect, an IC chip is directly attached as a shaft portion to either the winding side ink bobbin or the gear side ink bobbin, thereby connecting the IC chip and the printer main body. Is further simplified.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a conductive contact terminal is provided on the shaft portion of the ink bobbin unit to electrically connect the IC chip 3 and the printer main body to each other. There is an effect that the connection structure can be further simplified.

According to the printer device of the fifth aspect, there is an effect that the ink bobbin unit can be constructed at a low cost by using the contact terminals made of conductive plastic.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ink bobbin unit in a printer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a gear-side ink bobbin in a printer device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a gear-side ink bobbin in a printer device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an ink bobbin unit in a conventional printer device.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an ink cassette in a conventional printer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 winding side ink bobbin, 2 ink sheet, 3
IC chip (package), 5 gear side ink bobbin,
6 ink cassette, 7 winding side ink bobbin, 8 detecting means, 10 ink bobbin unit,
11,12 contact terminal, 13,14 contact, 1
5,16 spring, 17,18 connection cable, 1
9,20 Printer device body side terminal (body side terminal),
21 conductive terminal, 31, 32 IC cover, 33
IC chip body.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C065 AF02 DA10 DA11 DA12 DA16                       DA22 DZ10 DZ12                 2C068 EE21 EE60 EE63                 2C187 AC05 BF49 BH15 BH22 HA03

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ink bobbin unit around which an ink sheet is wound, and an ink cassette for mounting the ink bobbin unit in a printer body, and a printing operation is performed based on information recorded in an IC chip. A printer device having the IC chip built in the ink bobbin unit. 2. The ink bobbin unit includes a winding-side ink bobbin around which the ink sheet is wound, and a gear-side ink bobbin detachably attached to the winding-side ink bobbin. The above IC chip is built in the ink bobbin,
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the IC chip and the printer apparatus main body are electrically connected only on the gear side. 3. The ink bobbin unit includes a winding side ink bobbin around which the ink sheet is wound, and a gear side ink bobbin detachably attached to the winding side ink bobbin. Of the ink bobbin of FIG.
The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the C chip is directly attached. 4. The shaft portion of the ink bobbin unit is provided with a conductive contact terminal to electrically connect the IC chip and the printer apparatus main body.
The printer device described. 5. The printer device according to claim 4, wherein the contact terminal is made of conductive plastic.