JP2007185793A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which resumes image recording immediately when heat generation of a thermal head can be resumed even if the thermal storage temperature of the thermal head exceeds a threshold thermal storage temperature. <P>SOLUTION: The printer 1 comprises a platen 3, a plurality of recording units 4 each having a thermal head 4a and a temperature sensor 4c, an operation processing means for operating an expected calorific value, and an expected heat generation time of the thermal head 4a from image data, and operating the expected thermal storage temperature T' of the thermal head based on the expected calorific value, the expected heat generation time, the thermal storage temperature, the ambient temperature, and the cooling efficiency of the thermal head, and a control means for stopping heat generation intentionally when the expected thermal storage temperature T' of the thermal head 4a exceeds a first threshold thermal storage temperature Th1, resuming heat generation when the thermal storage temperature T drops below a second threshold thermal storage temperature Th2 and controlling the recording units 4 and a conveying means to sustain the conveyance speed of a recording medium 10 regardless of stoppage of heat generation of the thermal head 4a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly to a printer that can be suitably used for a thermal printer that thermally transfers ink on an ink ribbon by moving a plurality of thermal transfer recording units down on a platen.

  In general, as one form of a color printer that records a plurality of inks on a recording medium, a thermal head presses the ink ribbon of each color that is in contact with the recording medium to generate heat, thereby thermally transferring the ink on the ink ribbon to the recording medium. Printers are widely known. This thermal printer is capable of recording high-quality images at high speed while conveying recording media such as roll paper at high speed, and is therefore often used as a commercial color printer that performs high-speed recording while continuously conveying at high speed. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the conventional thermal printer 101 for business use includes a roller-shaped supply roller 102, a platen 103, and a roller-type roller 102 that conveys a roll paper 110 as a recording medium at a speed of about 2.4 ips (about 61 mm / s). A discharge roller 111 and four thermal transfer recording units 104 disposed in the circumferential direction of the platen 103 are provided. Each of these recording units 104 includes a thermal head 104a facing the platen 103, an ink ribbon 104b of each color attached to each recording unit 104 so as to be interposed between the platen 103 and the thermal head 104a, and a thermal head 104a. It has a cooling fan (not shown) for cooling, and is formed to be movable in the contact / separation direction ZD with respect to the platen 103.

  In this conventional business thermal printer 101, a roll paper 110 conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction FD is interposed between the platen 103 and the ink ribbon 104b, and then a plurality of recording units 104 are arranged on the upstream recording unit 104. The ink ribbon 104b is moved in the direction approaching the platen 103 in order (hereinafter referred to as “proximity direction”) and the ink ribbon 104b is brought into contact with the roll paper 110, and then the thermal head 104a is caused to generate heat, whereby the ink on the ink ribbon 104b. Were respectively transferred to the roll paper 110 (see Patent Document 1). Further, in the conventional thermal printer 101, even if the recording unit records a large amount of images and the thermal head 104a easily stores heat, the cooling head supplies the cooling air to the thermal head 104a so that the thermal head 104a is normal. Thus, the thermal head 104a is prevented from being overheated to a heat storage temperature not less than a predetermined threshold heat storage temperature.

JP 2003-251840 A

  However, when a large amount of images are continuously recorded at high speed as in the business printer 101, even if cooling air is applied to the thermal head 104a from the cooling fan, the thermal head 104a may accumulate in the heat, which is the worst case. As shown in FIG. 7, the thermal storage temperature T of the thermal head 104a rarely rises above the first threshold thermal storage temperature Th1. Then, since the conventional printer 101 cannot perform the recording operation normally, the heat storage temperature T of the thermal head 104a is lower than the second threshold heat storage temperature (temperature lower than the first threshold heat storage temperature Th1) Th2. Until then, the heat generation of the thermal head 104a and the conveyance of the roll paper 110 have been forcibly stopped. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the thermal storage temperature T of the thermal head exceeds the first threshold thermal storage temperature Th1, the cooling time Pc of the thermal head 104a has passed from t1 and the remaining heat (thermal storage temperature) of the thermal head 104a. When T) falls below the second threshold heat storage temperature Th2 (when heat generation of the thermal head can be resumed), the conveyance speed of the roll paper 110 is reduced by forcibly stopping the conveyance of the roll paper 110 even after t2. Since it is 0, it is necessary to wait until the time t3 when the run-up time Pa necessary for the roll paper 110 to reach the conveyance speed suitable for recording from the stop state is reached, and the image is immediately displayed. There was a problem that the recording of 105 could not be resumed.

  This problem is not so important when high-speed recording is not required so much as in a home thermal printer, but when high-speed recording of a large number of images 105 is continuously required as in a commercial thermal printer 101. However, this is a serious problem to solve because of a significant reduction in work efficiency.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and even when the heat storage temperature of the thermal head exceeds a predetermined threshold heat storage temperature, the image recording is immediately resumed when the heat generation of the thermal head can be resumed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a printer according to the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium, a thermal head that generates heat after the ink ribbon is pressed against the recording medium, and a temperature that detects a heat storage temperature and an ambient temperature of the thermal head. A plurality of recording units each for recording an image on a recording medium by the heat generation of the thermal head, and the estimated heat generation amount and the expected heat generation time of the thermal head required for recording from the image data relating to the image. Pre-recording is performed before recording, and the predicted heat storage temperature of the thermal head is predicted and calculated based on the expected heat generation, expected heat generation time, heat storage temperature, ambient temperature, and thermal head cooling efficiency obtained from the heat storage temperature and ambient temperature. The predicted heat storage temperature of the arithmetic processing means and any one of the thermal heads exceeds a predetermined threshold heat storage temperature. After recording the image recorded immediately before the image to be recorded when it is predicted to stop, the heat generation of all the thermal heads is stopped, and the thermal storage temperature of all the thermal heads is lower than the predetermined threshold thermal storage temperature. When the temperature sensor detects that the temperature has fallen below the threshold heat storage temperature, all the thermal heads resume heat generation, and control to maintain the recording medium conveyance speed regardless of whether the thermal head heat generation is stopped And control means for controlling the means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printer of the first aspect, a cutting unit that identifies a plurality of images recorded on a recording medium and margins formed between the plurality of images and cuts the front and rear of each image. It is characterized by being equipped.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the cutting means according to the printer of the second aspect records on the recording surface of the recording medium conveyed after the recording by the recording unit is performed by the surface color of the recording medium or the recording unit. A light emitting element that continuously emits complementary color light for the color of the alignment mark recorded on the recording surface of the medium, a light receiving element that receives light reflected from the recording medium, and whether the light receiving element receives light or not. It is characterized by having a cutting section that identifies a plurality of recorded images and margins formed between the plurality of images and cuts them for each image unit.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if it is predicted that the expected heat storage temperature of the thermal head exceeds a predetermined threshold heat storage temperature and image recording by the recording unit is temporarily stopped, the conveyance speed of the recording medium is maintained. Therefore, when resuming the recording of an image by the recording unit, the image is recorded immediately without waiting for the run-up time necessary to reach the desired conveyance speed from the stop state. There is an effect that it can be resumed.

  Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the predicted heat storage temperature of the thermal head is predicted, and the heat generation is temporarily stopped when the predicted heat storage temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold heat storage temperature. It is possible to prevent the heat storage temperature of the thermal head from actually exceeding a predetermined threshold heat storage temperature during the recording of the image and the recording from being interrupted during the image recording. As a result, the thermal storage temperature of the thermal head that was scheduled to be used for the image at the time of recording interruption is not increased unnecessarily, and the heat dissipation time of the thermal head can be shortened by that much, There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the ink of the ink ribbon that was scheduled to be used for the image at the time of the recording interruption from being applied unnecessarily to the recording medium.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the recording unit is stopped, even if an unscheduled gap is formed in a part between the plurality of images by the control of the recording medium being conveyed, Thus, there is an effect that an image recorded after resuming recording can be cut for each unit image without being cut in the middle.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, even when the recording unit is stopped, even if an unscheduled gap is formed in a part between the plurality of images by the control of the recording medium being conveyed, The margin between images or the alignment mark absorbs the complementary color light emitted from the light emitting element, and multiple images reflect the light emitted from the light emitting element, so that the light receiving element detects only the reflected light from the image In addition, since the cutting unit cuts the front and back of each image according to the light receiving state of the light receiving element, the image recorded after the recording unit resumes recording can be cut for each unit image without being cut halfway. There is an effect.

  Hereinafter, two embodiments 1A and 1B of the printer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the printer 1A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 shows the inside of the printer 1A of the first embodiment from the side. As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1A according to the first embodiment includes a supply roller 2, a platen 3, a discharge roller 11, four recording units 4, and a control unit in a casing (not shown). A control circuit (not shown) serving as a means and a cutting means 12 for cutting the roll paper 10 used as a recording medium are provided.

  The supply roller 2 and the discharge roller 11 are formed to have a roll width larger than the width dimension of the roll paper 10. The supply roller 2 and the discharge roller 11 supply or roll paper 10 at a speed of about 2.4 ips (about 61 mm / s) in a predetermined transport direction FD by using individual high-speed stepping motors (not shown). It is a mechanism that turns to discharge. Here, one end of the roll paper 10 is wound around the supply roller 2.

  The platen 3 is formed in a roller shape having a diameter suitable for arranging the four recording units 4 to face each other and a roll width larger than the width of the roll paper 10. The platen 3 is disposed between the supply roller 2 and the discharge roller 11 in the conveyance path of the roll paper 10 so that the roll paper 10 has a substantially Ω shape and is in close contact with the surface of the platen 3. It is arranged. The platen 3 is a mechanism that rotates to convey the roll paper 10 in a predetermined conveyance direction FD by using an individual high-speed stepping motor (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the recording unit 4 includes an ink ribbon 4 b having any one of four colors such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and a plurality of ink ribbons arranged in the width direction of the roll paper 10. A thermal head 4a for supplying heat by pressing the ink ribbon 4b against the roll paper 10, and a temperature sensor as a temperature sensor for measuring the heat storage temperature T and the ambient temperature of the thermal head 4a. A thermal transfer recording unit 4 having a thermistor 4c and a cooling fan (not shown) for supplying cooling air to the thermal head 4a is used. These four recording units 4 are arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction of the platen 3 with the thermal heads 4a facing the platen 3, and are formed so as to be intermittently movable in the contact / separation direction ZD with respect to the platen 3. Yes.

  The control circuit is a circuit having a storage device such as a memory and an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU, and is connected to the stepping motors, the recording unit 4 and the cutting means 12 of the supply roller 2, the discharge roller 11 and the platen 3 shown in FIG. Has been. The storage means is configured to store various programs, operation signals from each member, image data relating to a plurality of images 5 to be recorded by the recording unit 4, and other various data. The arithmetic processing device is configured to perform arithmetic processing based on a program and various data stored in a storage device and to transmit a control signal to each member.

  Here, the control circuit is a control for rotating each stepping motor at a predetermined rotational speed by an arithmetic processing unit that operates based on a predetermined conveyance program stored in the storage device, regardless of the stop of heat generation of the thermal head 4a. Is formed to do.

  In addition, this control circuit, as shown in FIG. 2, is operated by any one of the four thermal heads 4a by an arithmetic processing unit that operates based on a predetermined overheating prevention program stored in the storage device. When the thermistor 4c detects that the heat storage temperature T of 4a exceeds the first threshold heat storage temperature Th1, control is performed to stop the heat generation of all four thermal heads 4a, and all the four thermal heads are controlled by the thermistor 4c. When the thermistor 4c detects that the residual heat (heat storage temperature) T of the head 4a falls below the second threshold heat storage temperature (temperature lower than the first threshold heat storage temperature Th1) Th2, the heat generation of all the thermal heads 4a is resumed. It is formed so as to perform control. Here, the first threshold heat storage temperature Th1 is determined based on the heat storage temperature obtained by multiplying the maximum heat storage temperature at which the thermal head 4a can normally thermally transfer the ink on the ink ribbon 4b by the safety factor. The temperature difference between the first threshold heat storage temperature Th1 and the second threshold heat storage temperature Th2 is based on the cooling capacity of the thermal head 4a obtained from the surface area of the thermal head 4a, the cooling efficiency of the cooling fan, and the like. It is determined that the heat storage temperature T of the thermal head 4a does not immediately rise to a temperature equal to or higher than the first threshold heat storage temperature Th1 after restarting the heat generation of the thermal head 4a. When the cooling capacity of the thermal head 4a is high, the first threshold heat storage temperature Th1 and the second threshold heat storage temperature Th2 may be set to the same temperature.

  This control means feeds back the control signal to the storage device when the arithmetic processing device instructs to stop the heat generation of the thermal head 4a, and the defect is recorded with a part of it being recorded due to the heat generation stop of the thermal head 4a. It is preferably formed so as to identify the image 7 corresponding to the image 6. Further, it is preferable that the control means is formed so as to resume recording by the recording unit 4 from the head of the image 7 corresponding to the missing image 6 regardless of the portion of the missing image 6 recorded. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting unit 12 includes a light emitting element 13, a light receiving element 14, and a cutting unit 15, and is disposed downstream of the discharge roller 11 in the transport direction FD.

  The light emitting element 13 continuously emits the complementary color light L with respect to the surface color (for example, white) of the roll paper 10 or the color of the alignment mark 16 (for example, yellow). Specifically, the light emitting element 13 is an LED (light emitting diode). ) Is used. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the alignment mark 16 is a symbol that is recorded before and after the image 5 by the recording unit 4 on the recording surface of the roll paper 10 in order to detect the recording position of the image 5. is there. Of course, in other embodiments, the alignment mark 16 may be a + symbol, an X symbol, or another identification symbol. The complementary color light L is light that is absorbed only by a specific color. For example, blue light is complementary color light for the yellow alignment mark 16.

  The light receiving element 14 receives light reflected from the roll paper 10, and specifically uses a phototransistor.

  Then, the cutting unit 15 rolls based on the conveyance data related to the conveyance distance obtained from each stepping motor that rotates the supply roller 2, the platen 3, and the discharge roller 11 and the light reception data related to whether or not the light receiving element 14 receives light. It is a set of cutters that specify and cut the cutting position of the paper 10.

  In the printer 1A of the first embodiment, since the roll paper 10 is used as the recording medium, the cutting unit 12 is provided. However, a standard size recording paper such as A4 size is used as the recording medium. In the embodiment in which the recording medium is used, since it is not necessary to cut the recording medium, the cutting means 12 may not be provided.

  Next, operations and effects of the printer 1A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the printer 1A of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the roll paper 10 is conveyed at a high speed in a predetermined conveyance direction FD by the high-speed rotation of the supply roller 2, the platen 3, and the discharge roller 11. When the roll paper 10 is brought into close contact with the surface of the platen 3 by controlling the rotation speeds of the supply roller 2 and the discharge roller 11, four recording units are sequentially arranged from the recording unit 4 disposed on the most upstream side in the transport direction FD. The unit 4 starts to contact the roll paper 10 one by one. As shown in FIG. 3, the recording unit 4 that is in contact with the roll paper 10 heats the thermal head 4 a to melt the ink on the ink ribbon 4 b to perform thermal transfer (recording) of the image 5.

  Here, the heat generation of the thermal head 4a is caused by continuously repeating the heat generation of the thermal head 4a, and as shown in FIG. 2, the thermal head 4a has one of the four thermal heads 4a. When the thermistor 4c detects that the heat storage temperature T has risen and exceeded the first threshold heat storage temperature Th1 (when heat generation is stopped t1), the control circuit stops the heat generation of all four thermal heads 4a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, after the heat generation of the thermal head 4a is stopped (after elapse of t1 and before elapse of t2), no image 5 is recorded on the roll paper 10 because there is no heat generation of the thermal head 4a. However, each stepping connected to the supply roller 2, the platen 3, and the discharge roller 11 in order to maintain the conveyance speed of the roll paper 10 suitable for performing the immediate recording by the recording unit 4 at the time t <b> 2 when the heat generation of the thermal head 4 a is resumed. The motor rotates while maintaining a predetermined rotation speed under the control of the control circuit.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, after the heat generation of the thermal head 4a is stopped (after t1 has elapsed and before t2 has elapsed), as indicated by the curve of the heat storage temperature T during the cooling time Pc, four pieces are generated by the cooling air from the cooling fan. The thermal storage temperature T of the thermal head 4a rapidly decreases. When the thermistor 4c detects that the residual heat (heat storage temperature) T of all four thermal heads 4a is lower than the second threshold heat storage temperature Th2 (when heat generation can be resumed t2), the conveyance speed of the roll paper 10 is a suitable speed. 2 and 3, the control circuit restarts the heat generation of all the thermal heads 4a, and the image by the recording unit 4 is provided without providing the run time Pa, as shown in FIGS. 5 recording can be resumed immediately. At this time, if the defective image 6 is specified by the control circuit, recording can be resumed from the head of the image 7 corresponding to the defective image 6.

  Then, the roll paper 10 on which the desired image 5 is recorded is conveyed to the position where the cutting means 12 is disposed, and the cutting means 12 makes a margin 17 formed between the recorded image 5 and the image, particularly the cooling time Pc. And the unscheduled blank space 17 formed in (1) is identified, and the image 5 recorded after the recording unit 4 resumes recording (after t2) is cut into unit images so as not to be cut in the middle.

  That is, even if the printer 1A of the first embodiment causes the thermal storage temperature T of the thermal head 4a to exceed the first threshold thermal storage temperature Th1 and the recording of the image 5 by the recording unit 4 is temporarily stopped, the control means Since the controlled conveyance means maintains the conveyance speed of the roll paper 10, the recording unit 4 resumes recording of the image 5 after the thermal storage temperature T of the thermal head 4a falls below the second threshold thermal storage temperature Th2. The recording of the image 5 can be resumed immediately without waiting for the run-up time Pa necessary to reach the desired conveyance speed from the stopped state to the conveyance speed of the roll paper 10.

  Further, since the control circuit identifies the image 7 corresponding to the missing image 6, it is possible to prevent the recording corresponding to the missing image 6 from being lost when the recording is resumed, and the recording unit 4 is in the recording stop state. Even if the margin 17 having an unscheduled interval is formed in a part between the plurality of images by the control of the roll paper 10 being conveyed, the image 5 recorded after the recording unit 4 resumes recording is in the middle The unit image can be cut without being cut by.

  Next, a printer 1B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A printer 1B according to the second embodiment includes a supply roller 2, a platen 3 and a discharge roller 11, four recording units 4, a processing control circuit (arithmetic processing means and a control means) in the casing. As well as cutting means 12 (see FIG. 1).

  Here, the supply roller 2, the platen 3, the discharge roller 11, the four recording units 4, and the cutting means 12 are formed in the same manner as that used in the printer 1B of the first embodiment.

  The processing control circuit is a circuit having a storage device such as a memory and an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU, and is connected to the stepping motors of the supply roller 2, the discharge roller 11 and the platen 3, the recording unit 4 and the cutting means 12. . The storage means is configured to store various programs, operation signals from each member, image data related to a plurality of images 5 to be recorded by the recording unit 4, and other various data. The arithmetic processing device is configured to perform arithmetic processing based on a program and various data stored in a storage device and to transmit a control signal to each member.

  This processing control circuit performs control to rotate each stepping motor at a predetermined rotational speed by an arithmetic processing unit that operates based on a predetermined conveyance program stored in the storage device, regardless of the stop of heat generation of the thermal head 4a. It is formed as follows.

  Further, the processing control circuit is based on image data transferred from, for example, a digital still camera or an external flash memory by an arithmetic processing device that operates based on a predetermined heat storage temperature prediction program stored in the storage device. Obtained after calculating the ink combination, ink transfer amount and ink density necessary for recording each image 5, and calculating the expected heat generation amount and the expected heat generation time of each thermal head 4a required for the recording Each thermal head 4a is predicted based on the heat storage temperature T and the ambient temperature obtained from the thermistor 4c, and the cooling efficiency of the thermal head 4a obtained from the heat storage temperature T and the ambient temperature, in addition to the predicted heat generation amount and the predicted heat generation time. The stored heat storage temperature (hereinafter referred to as “expected heat storage temperature”) T ′ of the image 5 by the recording unit 4 It is formed so as to predict operation before recording.

  Further, this processing control circuit is operated by any one of the four thermal heads 4a as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 by an arithmetic processing unit that operates based on a predetermined overheat prevention program stored in the storage unit. When the predicted heat storage temperature T ′ of each of the thermal heads 4a is predicted to be higher than the first threshold heat storage temperature Th1, an image recorded immediately before the image 8 scheduled to be recorded at t1 (hereinafter referred to as “previous recording”). When “up to 9” is recorded, after t1 ′ (after the recording when the alignment mark 16 is recorded), the heat generation of all the thermal heads 4a is systematically stopped in advance. The temperature sensor detects that the actual heat storage temperature T of all the thermal heads 4a has fallen below the second threshold heat storage temperature Th2 after the elapse of the cooling time Pc 'from the recording stop time t1'. If it is formed to perform control to restart the heating of all the thermal heads 4a to the recording unit 4 (the heating resumable time) t2 '. In addition, the determination method of 1st threshold heat storage temperature Th1 and 2nd threshold heat storage temperature Th2 is the same as that of the printer 1A of 1st Embodiment.

  Next, operations and effects of the printer 1B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the printer 1B of the second embodiment, the roll paper 10 is transported in the predetermined transport direction FD by the rotation of the supply roller 2, the platen 3, and the discharge roller 11. When the roll paper 10 is brought into close contact with the surface of the platen 3 by controlling the rotation speeds of the supply roller 2 and the discharge roller 11, four recording units are sequentially arranged from the recording unit 4 disposed on the most upstream side in the transport direction FD. The units 4 contact the roll paper 10 one by one. The recording unit 4 in contact with the roll paper 10 heats the thermal head 4a to melt the ink on the ink ribbon 4b and perform thermal transfer (recording) (see FIG. 1).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the thermal head 4a continuously accumulates heat to cause a thermal pool in the thermal head 4a, and any one of the four thermal heads 4a has a thermal potential. If the predicted heat storage temperature T ′ of the head 4a is predicted to exceed the first threshold heat storage temperature Th1 at time t1, the processing control circuit will detect all four thermals at t1 ′ when the recording of the immediately preceding recorded image 9 is completed. Heat generation of the head 4a is stopped.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, after the heat generation of the thermal head 4a is systematically stopped (after t1 ′ elapses and before t2 ′ elapses), the thermal head 4a does not generate heat. Although not recorded, the supply roller 2, the platen 3, and the discharge roller are maintained in order to maintain the conveyance speed of the roll paper 10 suitable for performing the immediate recording by the recording unit 4 at the time t2 ′ when the thermal head 4a resumes the heat generation. Each of the stepping motors connected to 11 rotates while maintaining a predetermined rotation speed under the control of the processing control circuit.

  In addition, after the heat generation of the thermal head 4a is systematically stopped (after t1 ′ has elapsed and before t2 ′ has elapsed), as indicated by the heat storage temperature T curve during the cooling time Pc ′ in FIG. The heat storage temperature T of the four thermal heads 4a rapidly decreases. When the thermistor 4c detects that the remaining heat (heat storage temperature) T ′ of all four thermal heads 4a is lower than the second threshold heat storage temperature Th2 (t2 ′), the conveyance speed of the roll paper 10 is maintained at a suitable speed. Since the roll paper 10 is conveyed, the processing control circuit restarts the heat generation of all the thermal heads 4a, and immediately restarts the recording of the image 5 by the recording unit 4 as shown in FIGS. Can do.

  Then, the roll paper 10 on which the desired image 5 is recorded is conveyed to the position where the cutting means 12 is disposed, and the cutting means 12 makes a margin 17 formed between the recorded image 5 and the image, particularly the cooling time Pc. An unscheduled blank space 17 formed at 'is identified, and the image 5 recorded after the recording unit 4 resumes recording (after t2') is cut for each unit image so as not to be cut in the middle.

  That is, similarly to the first embodiment, even when the heat generation of the thermal head 4a is temporarily stopped by the printer 1B of the second embodiment, the conveyance speed of the roll paper 10 is maintained, so the recording unit 4 When resuming the recording of the image 5 by the above, the recording of the image 5 is immediately resumed without waiting for the run-up time Pa necessary for the transport speed of the roll paper 10 to reach the desired transport speed from the stopped state. Can do. Further, even when the recording unit 4 is stopped, even if a margin 17 having an unscheduled interval is formed in a part between a plurality of images by the control of the roll paper 10 being conveyed, the recording unit 4 resumes recording. The image 5 recorded later can be cut for each unit image without being cut in the middle.

  Moreover, in the printer 1B of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the heat storage temperature T at the time of heat generation stop t1 ′ is the predicted heat storage at the time of predicted heat generation stop t1 (when heat generation is stopped in the first embodiment). Since the temperature T ′ is lower than the temperature T ′, the cooling time Pc ′ required to decrease from the heat storage temperature T at the time of heat generation stop t1 ′ to the second threshold heat storage temperature Th2 is calculated from the predicted heat storage temperature T ′ at the time of heat generation stop t1. It becomes shorter than the cooling time (cooling time in 1st Embodiment) Pc required to fall to 2 threshold heat storage temperature Th2. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the heat generation restart time t2 ′ is longer than the predicted heat generation restart time t2 by time tc ′ (time tc ′ ≧ expected heat generation stop time t1−heat generation stop time t1 ′ = time tc). Only get faster. That is, the heat release time of the thermal head 4a can be shortened by an amount that does not unnecessarily increase the heat storage temperature of the thermal head 4a, and the heat generation of the thermal head 4a can be resumed in a short time. Of course, since the ink on the ink ribbon 4b that was scheduled to be used for the image 5 at the time of the recording interruption is not unnecessarily thermally transferred to the roll paper 10, the running cost can be reduced accordingly.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above etc., A various change is possible as needed.

1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a printer of the present invention. The graph which shows the thermal storage temperature curve of the thermal head in the printer of 1st Embodiment The figure which shows the recorded roll paper and elapsed time in the printer of 1st Embodiment; (a) shows the recorded roll paper, (b) has shown elapsed time. The graph which shows the thermal storage temperature curve of the thermal head in the printer of 2nd Embodiment The figure which shows the recorded roll paper and elapsed time in the printer of 2nd Embodiment; (a) shows the recorded roll paper, (b) has shown elapsed time. Side view showing an example of a conventional thermal printer The graph which shows the thermal storage temperature curve of the thermal head in the conventional printer The figure which shows the roll paper recorded in the conventional printer, and elapsed time; (a) shows the recorded roll paper, (b) has shown elapsed time.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B printer
2 Supply roller 3 Platen 4 Recording unit 4a Thermal head 4b Ink ribbon 4c Thermistor 5 Image 6 Missing image 7 Image corresponding to missing image 8 Image to be recorded 9 Immediately recorded image 10 Roll paper
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Discharge roller 12 Cutting means 13 Light emitting element 14 Light receiving element 15 Cutting part 16 Mark for alignment 17 Margin T Thermal head thermal storage temperature T 'Thermal head expected thermal storage temperature t1 When heat generation is stopped t2 When heat generation can be resumed t3 When recording resumes Th1 First threshold heat generation temperature Th2 Second threshold heat generation temperature Pc Cooling time Pa Run-up time FD Transport direction ZD Contact / separation direction

Claims (3)

Conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
A thermal head that generates heat after the ink ribbon is brought into pressure contact with the recording medium, and a temperature sensor that detects a heat storage temperature and an ambient temperature of the thermal head are provided, and an image is recorded on the recording medium by heat generation of the thermal head. A plurality of recording units for performing
Preliminary calculation processing of the expected heat generation amount and the expected heat generation time of the thermal head necessary for the recording from the image data relating to the image before recording the image, the expected heat generation amount, the expected heat generation time, the heat storage temperature, Arithmetic processing means for predicting and calculating an expected heat storage temperature of the thermal head based on the cooling efficiency of the thermal head obtained by the ambient temperature and the heat storage temperature and the ambient temperature;
After recording an image recorded immediately before an image scheduled to be recorded when the expected heat storage temperature of any one of the thermal heads is predicted to exceed a predetermined threshold heat storage temperature, all of the thermal heads Heat generation is stopped, and when the temperature sensor detects that the thermal storage temperature of all the thermal heads is lower than another threshold thermal storage temperature lower than a predetermined threshold thermal storage temperature, the thermal heating of all the thermal heads is resumed. A printer comprising: control means for controlling the recording unit and the conveying means to maintain the conveying speed of the recording medium regardless of the stop of heat generation of the thermal head. The cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a cutting unit that identifies a plurality of images recorded on the recording medium and a margin formed between the plurality of images and cuts the front and back of each image. Printer. The cutting means is for aligning the surface color of the recording medium with respect to the recording surface of the recording medium conveyed after the recording by the recording unit is completed or recorded on the recording surface of the recording medium by the recording unit. A light emitting element that continuously emits complementary light for the color of the mark, a light receiving element that receives the light reflected from the recording medium, and a plurality of images that are recorded on the recording medium depending on whether or not the light receiving element receives light The printer according to claim 2, further comprising: a cutting unit that identifies a margin formed between the plurality of images and cuts the front and back of each image.

Images