JP2008155455A - Thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make original character image data remaining on an ink ribbon used for printing to be illegible. <P>SOLUTION: An overwriting character image data generation means 43 for generating overwriting character image data to be overwritten on original character image data comprises an overwriting character frame demarcating section 43e for demarcating a plurality of overwriting character frames in a row region corresponding to sizes of characters in the row region detected by means of a row detection section 43a and a row region detection section 43b, and a character data addition section 43f that generates additional character data by adding character data to each other in at least two or more overwriting character frames which are sequentially adjacent to one overwriting character frame in the plurality of overwriting character frames as overwriting character data to be overwritten to the original character data in one overwriting character frame to obtain the additional character data by each frame in the plurality of overwriting character frames. The overwriting character image data generation means 43 further comprises an overwriting character image data output section 43g that outputs each of the additional character data obtained by the character data addition section 43f to a thermal head 15 as the overwriting character image data with respect to the row region. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printing method and a thermal transfer printing system that render initial character image data on a printed ink ribbon unreadable.

  Ink in which yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) inks are repeatedly applied as a sublimation or melting ink layer on a ribbon-like ribbon base. The recording paper (or intermediate transfer film) is formed by a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction while the ribbon and the recording paper (or intermediate transfer film) as a transfer target are overlapped and transferred. A thermal transfer printing apparatus that prints print image data such as image information and character information by transferring ink is often used.

  In this type of thermal transfer printing apparatus, sublimable dyes are generally used for yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) as the ink layer of the ink ribbon. In printing using this sublimation dye, the transfer trace remaining on the ink ribbon and the retransfer trace remaining on the intermediate transfer film are not clear, and it is impossible to read the image information from this trace. In addition, these colors are mainly used when printing various images, and the images are not high in information sensitivity compared to characters.

  On the other hand, black (BK) is mainly used for printing character information and barcodes as an ink layer of an ink ribbon, and therefore, a meltable pigment is generally used. In printing using this fusible pigment, the transfer trace remaining on the ink ribbon and the retransfer trace (reversal image) remaining on the intermediate transfer film can be clearly recognized and read as information. In particular, character information often includes highly sensitive information.

  Therefore, regarding character information printed in black (BK), there is a concern that confidential information may be leaked due to theft of the ink ribbon or intermediate transfer film after printing, and when these are discarded, the confidentiality is kept. There was a problem that special processing was necessary.

As described above, as an example of solving the problem that character information, for which security is very important, remains on a printed ink ribbon or a re-transferred intermediate transfer film, the following Patent Document 1 describes: Discloses a transfer type image recording apparatus that can easily make the original image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon unreadable.
JP 2002-211064 A

  FIGS. 21A to 21D are diagrams for explaining the operation of making the original image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon unreadable using the conventional transfer type image recording apparatus. It is the figure which showed each overwrite image data and superimposition image data.

  In the transfer-type image recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, after an ink ribbon and a recording paper are sandwiched between a thermal head and a platen, the ink on the ink ribbon is transferred to the recording paper by the heat generated by the thermal head and recorded. As shown in FIGS. 21A to 21D, the initial image data A remaining on the printed ink ribbon is overwritten with the overwriting image data B1 (or B2) by the thermal head, and is superimposed on the ink ribbon. By obtaining the combined image data C1 (or C2), the initial image data A on the printed ink ribbon is made unreadable.

  More specifically, in FIG. 21, (a) shows an example of the initial image data A, (b) shows an example of the overwrite image data B1 composed of a random character string, and (c) shows the initial image data A. The superimposed image data C1 obtained by superimposing the overwritten image data image B1 is shown.

  As is clear from FIG. 21C, the initial image data A is almost impossible to interpret in the superimposed image data C1.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 21 (b), for example, overwrite image data B1 is created using a random character string based on numbers, alphabets, kana, kanji, and the like based on JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) as the overwrite image data. Since the overwrite image data B1 is recorded after the front and back sides of the ink ribbon are reversed, the initial image data A and the overwrite image data B1 are reversed upside down on the ink ribbon, as shown in FIG. Since it becomes the superimposed image data C1 as shown, the initial image data A is almost impossible to interpret in the superimposed image data C1.

  Further, in addition to the random character string, as shown in FIG. 21D, the overwrite image data B2 is created using a relatively simple figure such as a broken line or a wavy line (not shown). As shown, it is disclosed that even when the initial image data A and the overwritten image data B2 are overlaid to obtain the overlaid image data C2 on the ink ribbon, the initial image data A can hardly be read. ing.

  By the way, according to the transfer-type image recording apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, as described above, the initial image data A and the overwritten image data B1 (or B2) are superimposed on the ink ribbon to form a superimposed image. By obtaining the data C1 (or C2), the initial image data A on the ink ribbon becomes unreadable, but the overwrite image data B1 (or B2) is obtained after the supply reel and take-up reel of the ink ribbon are switched. Since recording is performed, the replacement operation of each reel of the ink ribbon is complicated.

  Although illustration is omitted here, the initial image data may be formed by a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters having different character heights. However, no consideration is given to the overwritten image data for such a character combination. In such a case, it is necessary to make the original image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon more reliably unreadable.

  Further, in the transfer type image recording apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the superimposed image data C1 (or C2) obtained by superimposing the initial image data A and the overwrite image data B1 (or B2) on the ink ribbon. ) Is transferred to an intermediate transfer film, which is a type of transfer target, but even if the superimposed image data C1 (or C2) is transferred onto the intermediate transfer film, Both the initial image data A and the initial image data A on the intermediate transfer film must be surely unreadable.

  Therefore, security is important on the transferred object by a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction while superimposing and transferring the ink ribbon to which the ink is applied and the transferred object. When the original character image data based on the character information that has been printed is printed, the initial character image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon is overwritten by the thermal head to overwrite the original character image data on the ink ribbon. An intermediate transfer film, which is a type of transfer object, is used to make sure that the overlaid character image data is overwritten by the thermal head over the original character image data remaining on the ink ribbon and overlaid. Even if the image is transferred to a new transfer object different from the one used for printing, the original character image is printed on the intermediate transfer film or the new transfer object. Thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system capable of the over data more reliably unreadable is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is configured such that an ink ribbon on which ink is applied and a transfer target are overlapped and a plurality of heating resistors are transferred while transferring both. After the initial character image data is printed on the transfer medium by the transfer of the ink by the thermal head arranged in the main scanning direction, the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon is overwritten with the character image data. In the thermal transfer printing method in which the initial character image data on the printed ink ribbon is overwritten by
In outputting the overwritten character image data to the thermal head side,
A line detecting step for detecting a line in the initial character image data to be made unreadable;
A line area detection step of detecting a line area in the initial character image data;
Overwriting character image data generation / output step of performing data processing using the character image data detected in the line region detection step as original data, generating the overwrite character image data in units of the line region and outputting the data to the thermal head side When,
It is the thermal transfer printing method characterized by including.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction while superimposing an ink ribbon on which ink is applied and a transfer target and transferring both of them. After the initial character image data is printed on the transfer body by transferring the ink, the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon is overwritten by the thermal head with the thermal head, and the printed ink ribbon is overwritten. In the thermal transfer printing method for making the original character image data unreadable
In outputting the overwritten character image data to the thermal head side,
A line detecting step for detecting a line in the initial character image data to be made unreadable;
A line area detection step of detecting a line area in the initial character image data;
An overwrite character frame partitioning step for partitioning the line region as a plurality of overwrite character frames according to the size of the character in the line region detected in the line region detection step;
After the front end frame and the rear end frame are connected in a loop shape among the plurality of overwrite character frames, character data in at least two or more overwrite character frames sequentially adjacent to one overwrite character frame are added together. Character data for obtaining each additional character data for each frame with respect to all of the plurality of overwritten character frames. Adding step;
Overwriting character image data output step for outputting each added character data obtained in the character data addition step to the thermal head side as the overwriting character image data for the row region;
It is the thermal transfer printing method characterized by including.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction while superimposing an ink ribbon to which ink is applied and a transfer target and transferring both of them. After the initial character image data is printed on the transfer body by transferring the ink, the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon is overwritten by the thermal head with the thermal head, and the printed ink ribbon is overwritten. In the thermal transfer printing method for making the original character image data unreadable
In outputting the overwritten character image data to the thermal head side,
A line detecting step for detecting a line in the initial character image data to be made unreadable;
A line area detection step of detecting a line area in the initial character image data;
A character type detection step for detecting a character type in the line region detected in the line region detection step;
Random character data generation step for generating random character data of the same type as the character type in the line area detected in the character type detection step by the number of characters in the line area;
Overwriting character image data output step for outputting the random character data string generated in the random character data generation step to the thermal head side as the overwriting character image data overwriting the initial character data string in the row region;
It is the thermal transfer printing method characterized by including.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided superimposed image data obtained by overwriting the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon with the overwriting character image data overwritten by the thermal head. The thermal transfer printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transfer is performed to an intermediate transfer film that is a seed or a new transfer target different from the printed transfer target. is there.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction while superimposing an ink ribbon on which ink is applied and a transfer target and transferring both of them. Thermal transfer printing means for printing print image data on the transfer body by transferring the ink;
When there is initial character image data in the print image data on the transfer object printed by the thermal transfer printing means, the initial character image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon is overwritten and printed. In a thermal transfer printing system comprising: overwriting character image data generating means for outputting overwriting character image data for making the original character image data on an ink ribbon unreadable to the thermal head side,
The overwrite character image data generation means includes
A line detection unit for detecting a line in the initial character image data;
A line area detection unit for detecting a line area in the initial character image data;
An overwrite character frame partitioning section for partitioning the line area as a plurality of overwrite character frames according to the size of characters in the line area detected by the line area detection unit;
After the front end frame and the rear end frame are connected in a loop shape among the plurality of overwrite character frames, character data in at least two or more overwrite character frames sequentially adjacent to one overwrite character frame are added together. Character data for obtaining each additional character data for each frame with respect to all of the plurality of overwritten character frames. An adder;
An overwritten character image data output unit for outputting each added character data obtained by the character data adding unit to the thermal head side as the overwritten character image data for the row region;
A thermal transfer printing system comprising:

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction while superimposing an ink ribbon to which an ink is applied and a transfer target and transferring both of them. Thermal transfer printing means for printing print image data on the transfer body by transferring the ink;
When there is initial character image data in the print image data on the transfer object printed by the thermal transfer printing means, the initial character image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon is overwritten and printed. In a thermal transfer printing system comprising: overwriting character image data generating means for outputting overwriting character image data for making the original character image data on an ink ribbon unreadable to the thermal head side,
The overwrite character image data generation means includes
A line detection unit for detecting a line in the initial character image data;
A line area detection unit for detecting a line area in the initial character image data;
A character type detection unit for detecting a type of character in the line region detected by the line region detection unit;
A random character data generating unit that generates random character data of the same type as the character type in the line region detected by the character type detection unit, as many as the number of characters in the line region;
An overwritten character image data output unit that outputs the random character data string generated by the random character data generation unit to the thermal head side as the overwritten character image data that overwrites the initial character data string in the row region;
A thermal transfer printing system comprising:

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 7 is to provide superimposed image data obtained by overwriting the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon by overwriting the overwritten character image data with the thermal head. The thermal transfer printing system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the transfer is performed to an intermediate transfer film which is a seed or to a new transfer target different from the printed transfer target.

  According to the thermal transfer printing method of claim 1, the ink ribbon coated with the ink and the transfer target are overlapped and transferred, and a plurality of heating resistors are arranged by the thermal head arranged in the main scanning direction. After printing the initial character image data based on character information, etc. where security is important on the transfer body, overwrite the original character image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon with the thermal head, When making the original character image data on the printed ink ribbon unreadable, the character image data printed in the line area of the line in the original character image data is subjected to data processing as the original data, and is processed in line area units. After overwriting character image data is generated, it is applied to the thermal head, and the overwriting character image data is placed on the original character image data on the ink ribbon. By writing and overlaying, the superimposed character image data obtained on the ink ribbon is in a state in which it is definitely impossible to read the initial character image data, and therefore the confidentiality with respect to the initial character image data. Can be held.

  Further, according to the thermal transfer printing method according to claim 2 and the thermal transfer printing system according to claim 5, a plurality of heating resistors are formed while superimposing the ink ribbon coated with the ink and the transfer target and transferring both of them. After printing the initial character image data based on character information, etc. where security is important on the transferred material by the thermal head arranged in the main scanning direction, the original character image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon is overwritten. When the character image data is overwritten by the thermal head and the original character image data on the printed ink ribbon is made unreadable, the line area according to the size of the character in the line area of the line in the original character image data. After the inside is divided into multiple overwrite character frames, the front end frame and the rear end frame are connected in a loop in the multiple overwrite character frames, and then one overwritten sentence. Addition character data obtained by adding character data in at least two or more overwrite character frames that are sequentially adjacent to the frame is used as overwrite character data that overwrites the original character data in one overwrite character frame, and a plurality of overwrite character frames Each added character data obtained for each frame for all frames is applied to the thermal head as overwritten character image data for the row region, and the overwritten character image data is overwritten and overlaid on the initial character image data on the ink ribbon. As a result, the superimposed character image data obtained on the ink ribbon is in a state in which the original character image data cannot be reliably read, and thus the confidentiality of the original character image data can be maintained. it can.

  Further, according to the thermal transfer printing method according to claim 3 and the thermal transfer printing system according to claim 6, the plurality of heating resistors are formed while superimposing the ink ribbon to which the ink is applied and the transfer object, and transferring both of them. After printing the initial character image data based on character information, etc. where security is important on the transferred material by the thermal head arranged in the main scanning direction, the original character image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon is overwritten. When overwriting the character image data with the thermal head and making the original character image data on the printed ink ribbon unreadable, after detecting the character type in the line area of the line in the original character image data, Random character data strings obtained by generating random character data of the same type as the characters in the row area for the number of characters in the row area The overwritten character image data obtained on the ink ribbon is applied to the thermal head as overwritten character image data and overwritten by overwriting the overwritten character image data on the initial character image data on the ink ribbon. Since the initial character image data cannot be reliably read, confidentiality of the initial character image data can be maintained.

  Further, according to the thermal transfer printing method according to claim 4 and the thermal transfer printing system according to claim 7, the superimposed image data obtained by overwriting the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon by overwriting with the thermal head. The original character image data on the intermediate transfer film or the new transfer medium even if it is transferred to an intermediate transfer film that is a type of transfer target or a new transfer target that is different from the printed transfer target Can be reliably illegible.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a thermal transfer printing method and a thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a thermal transfer printing apparatus as an example of thermal transfer printing means applied to a thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention,
2A and 2B are a plan view and a side view for explaining the ink ribbon shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a thermal transfer printing apparatus that is a thermal transfer printing means of another example applied to the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention,
4A and 4B are a plan view and a side view for explaining the intermediate transfer film shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the thermal head shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
FIG. 6 shows a plurality of heating resistors arranged in a row at a predetermined pitch in the main scanning direction while superimposing an ink ribbon coated with ink and a recording paper (or intermediate transfer film) as a transfer target and transferring both of them. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a case where print image data is printed on recording paper (or an intermediate transfer film) by ink transfer using a thermal head arranged in the above.

  In the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the ink ribbon 11 and the recording paper 18 which is one type of transfer medium are overlapped and the thermal head is transferred while both are being transferred. 15, a thermal transfer printing apparatus 10 A serving as an example of a thermal transfer unit that employs a direct-type structural form that directly prints print image data such as image information and character information on the recording paper 18, or ink as shown in FIG. The ribbon 11 and the intermediate transfer film 21 which is a type of transfer object are overlapped and the print image data is printed on the intermediate transfer film 21 by the thermal head 15 while transferring both 11 and 21, and then the intermediate transfer film. 21 is a thermal transfer printing apparatus 1 serving as a thermal transfer unit of another example adopting a retransfer type structural form in which the print image data on 21 is retransferred onto the card 28 In any of the B it has to be applied.

  Then, the ink ribbon 11 coated with a plurality of colors of ink and the recording paper 18 (or intermediate transfer film 21), which is a transfer target, are superposed on the recording paper 18 (or intermediate transfer film 21) by the thermal head 15. When printing image data by ink transfer, particularly when the user determines that there is character information or the like in which security is very important in the print image data, In Examples 1 and 2 to be described later, the initial character image data on the ink ribbon is reliably unreadable by superimposing the overwritten character image data on the original character image data with high security remaining on the printed ink ribbon 11. In addition, the superimposed image data obtained by superimposing the original character image data and the overwritten character image data is converted into an intermediate transfer file which is a kind of transfer target. The original character image data is reliably made unreadable on the intermediate transfer film or the new transfer medium even when transferred to a new transfer medium different from the printed transfer medium. Is.

  First, in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10A (10) as an example thermal transfer printing unit applied to the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10A (10) shown in FIGS. On this ribbon-shaped ribbon base 11a, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) were repeatedly applied as a sublimation or melting ink layer 11b. The ink ribbon 11 is stretched between a supply reel 12 connected to a supply reel drive motor (not shown) and a take-up reel 13 connected to a take-up reel drive motor (not shown). A first sensor 14 for detecting the leading position 11c of yellow (Y) and the leading position 11d of black (BK) is installed in the vicinity of the outlet of the supply reel 12.

  Further, between the supply reel 12 and the take-up reel 13, on the base fill side of the ink ribbon 11, a plurality of heating resistors 15b are arranged on the printed circuit board for head 15a at a predetermined pitch in the main scanning direction. The thermal head 15 is attached to the platen roller 16 so as to be opposed to and separated from the rotatable platen roller 16.

  In addition, the recording paper 18 is fed between the ink ribbon 11 and the platen roller 16 that are in contact with the heating resistor 15 b of the thermal head 15 by the pair of recording paper transport rollers 17 and 17, and the top of the recording paper 18. A second sensor 19 for detecting the position is installed in the vicinity of the downstream of the platen roller 16.

  The main scanning direction in which the plurality of heating resistors 15b are arranged in the thermal head 15 is a direction in which the plurality of heating resistors are scanned along the line direction of the recording paper 18 with print image data such as image information and character information. On the other hand, the feeding direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording paper 18 is orthogonal to the main scanning direction.

  When the normal transfer operation (printing operation) is performed by operating the example thermal transfer printing apparatus 10A having the above-described configuration, the ink ribbon 11 and the recording paper 18 are moved to the heating resistor 15b of the thermal head 15 and the rotatable platen. The ink layers of the respective colors are formed on the recording paper 18 by the heat of the heating resistor 15b according to the image signals of the respective colors while being superposed with the roller 16 and transporting both 11 and 18 by the driving force of the platen roller 16. It is transferred repeatedly every time.

  Next, in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10B (10) serving as the thermal transfer printing means of another example applied to the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the recording paper to be printed by the thermal head 15 is intermediate. The difference from the above-described thermal transfer printing apparatus 10A is that the transfer film 21 is used and the card 28 is used as recording paper.

  Also in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10B of this other example, sublimation or melting ink layers (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) are formed on the ribbon-shaped ribbon base as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). As a set, the ink ribbon 11 on which this set is repeatedly applied is stretched between a supply reel 12 connected to a supply reel drive motor (not shown) and a take-up reel 13 connected to a take-up reel drive motor (not shown). In addition, a first sensor 14 for detecting the leading position 11c of yellow (Y) and the leading position 11d of black (BK) of each pair of ink ribbons 11 is installed in the vicinity of the outlet of the supply reel 12.

  Further, between the supply reel 12 and the take-up reel 13, on the base fill side of the ink ribbon 11, a plurality of heating resistors 15b are arranged on the printed circuit board for head 15a at a predetermined pitch in the main scanning direction. The thermal head 15 is attached to the platen roller 16 so as to be opposed to and separated from the rotatable platen roller 16.

  On the other hand, an intermediate transfer film 21 in which a peeling layer 21b and a transparent image receiving layer 21c are laminated on a belt-like film base 21a as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is connected to a supply reel drive motor (not shown). A part of the platen roller 16 is wound around the supply reel 22 and is wound around a take-up reel 23 connected to a take-up reel drive motor (not shown), and at the head of the color image frame on the intermediate transfer film 21. A second sensor 24 for detecting the position 21 d is installed in the vicinity of the outlet of the supply reel 22.

  In addition, a heat roller 25 and a pressure roller 26 are rotatably disposed opposite to each other downstream of the platen roller 16 in the conveyance path of the intermediate transfer film 21.

  Further, an unprinted card 28 is sent between the heat roller 25 and the pressure roller 26 through the card reversing unit 29 by the pair of card transport rollers 27, 27, and then the pair of card transport rollers 30, 30. As a result, the printed card 28 is discharged to the outside.

  The card reversing unit 29 described above reverses the front and back of the card 28 after transferring the print image data to one side of the card 28 in order to easily transfer the print image data on the intermediate transfer film 21 to both sides of the card 28. It is added for this purpose.

  When the normal retransfer operation is performed by operating the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10B of the example having the above-described configuration, the ink ribbon 11 and the intermediate transfer film 21 are moved to the heating resistor 15b of the thermal head 15 and the rotatable platen roller 16. The ink layers of the respective colors are transferred to the transparent image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer film 21 by the heat of the heating resistor 15b in accordance with the image signals of the respective colors while being transferred with the driving force of the platen roller 16 while being overlapped with each other. A color image of one frame is obtained by repeatedly transferring the image for each color.

  Thereafter, the color image of one frame transferred onto the transparent image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer film 21 is heated and pressed onto the card 28 fed between the heat roller 25 and the pressure roller 26 to thereby obtain a transparent image receiving layer. Is peeled off from the release layer, and the color image is retransferred onto the card 28.

  Here, the thermal head 15 used in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10A of one example or the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10B of another example has a plurality of heating resistors 15b on the printed wiring board 15a for the head as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. The heating resistors 15b are arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch P in the main scanning direction, and each heating resistor 15b is selectively driven according to print image data.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink ribbon 11 (FIGS. 1 and 3) coated with a plurality of colors of ink and the recording paper 18 (or the intermediate transfer film 21) are superposed and the recording paper 18 is recorded by the thermal head 15. When print image data such as image information and character information is printed on the (or intermediate transfer film 21) by ink transfer, main scanning is performed in the print image data printed on the recording paper 18 (or the intermediate transfer film 21). The pitch P of adjacent pixels along the direction is the same as the pitch P of the heating resistors 15b.

  On the other hand, the distance K between adjacent pixels along the feeding direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording paper 18 (or intermediate transfer film 21) is the printing time of one line on the recording paper 18 (or intermediate transfer film 21). It is determined by the corresponding transfer speed.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 shows the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention, wherein normal print image data or overwritten character image data generated in a PC (personal computer) is transmitted to the thermal transfer printing apparatus, and normal print image data or overwriting is transmitted. A block diagram showing a form in which character image data is applied to a thermal head,
FIG. 8 shows the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention, wherein normal print image data generated in a PC (personal computer) is transmitted to the thermal transfer printer, while overwritten character image data is generated in the thermal transfer printer. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a form in which normal print image data or overwrite character image data is applied to a thermal head.

  In the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention, the ink ribbon 11 (FIGS. 1 and 3) and the recording paper 18 (or the intermediate transfer film 21) are overlapped and normal print image data is recorded by the thermal head 15. When printing is performed on the paper 18 (or the intermediate transfer film 21), when the user determines that there is character information or the like in which security is very important in normal print image data, the printed ink ribbon 11 is a signal transmission form in which overwritten character image data for overwriting the original character image data with high security remaining in the PC (personal computer) 40 as shown in FIG. 7 or shown in FIG. Thus, any one of the signal transmission forms generated in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10 (10A or 10B) is employed.

  That is, in the signal transmission form shown in FIG. 7, a normal print image data generation unit 41 that generates and outputs normal print image data and a normal print image data generation unit 41 in a PC (personal computer) 40. When the generated normal print image data includes character information to be printed in black (BK), for example, character information detection means 42 for detecting and outputting the character information, and character information detected by the character information detection means 42 Overwriting character image data generating means 43 for generating and outputting overwriting character image data to be overwritten on the initial character image data corresponding to the above, normal print image data and overwriting character image output from the normal print image data generating means 41 Switching means 44 for selectively switching overwritten character image data output from the data generating means 43 is provided.

  On the other hand, in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10 (10A or 10B), a control unit (CPU) 51 for controlling the entire apparatus 10 and normal print image data or overwritten character image data selectively output from the PC 40 side. A PC interface circuit 52 for fetching an image via an electrical communication path such as a USB or LAN, and a memory 53 for temporarily storing normal print image data or overwrite character image data for one screen fetched by the PC interface circuit 52; An image data transfer circuit 54 for transferring normal print image data or overwrite character image data for one screen stored in the memory 53 to the thermal head 15 is provided.

  Next, in the signal transmission form shown in FIG. 8, a control unit (CPU) 61 for controlling the entire apparatus 10 and normal printing generated in the PC are included in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10 (10A or 10B). A PC interface circuit 62 for capturing image data via an electrical communication path such as USB or LAN, a normal print image data storage means 63 for storing normal print image data via the PC interface circuit 62, and normal printing Character information detecting means 64 for detecting and outputting the character information when normal print image data stored in the image data storage means 63 includes character information to be printed in black (BK), for example, and character information detecting means Overwrite character image that generates and outputs overwrite character image data that overwrites the original character image data corresponding to the character information detected in 64. A data generation unit 65, a switching unit 66 that selectively switches between normal print image data output from the normal print image data storage unit 63 and overwrite character image data output from the overwrite character image data generation unit 65; One screen of normal print image data or overwrite character image data selectively output by the switching means 66 is temporarily stored, and one screen of normal print image data or overwrite stored in the memory 67 An image data transfer circuit 68 for transferring character image data to the thermal head 15 is provided.

  Here, either one of the signal transmission form shown in FIG. 7 or the signal transmission form shown in FIG. 8 is applied to print normal print image data on the recording paper 18 (or the intermediate transfer film 21). In this case, the description is omitted because it has been described above, but the overwritten character image data is overwritten on the initial character image data on which the security remaining on the printed ink ribbon 11 which is the main part of the present invention is regarded as important. In this case, the initial character image data is printed using the black (BK) ink layer 11b based on character information or the like for which security is very important. After printing on (or the intermediate transfer film 21), the printed ink ribbon 11 is rewound to the supply reel 12 side, and the printed ink ribbon is printed by the first sensor 14. It detects the head position 11d of one of the black (BK).

  On the other hand, when the overwrite character image data is applied to the thermal head 15 to overwrite the original character image data on the black (BK) of the printed ink ribbon 11, the thermal transfer printing shown in FIG. When the apparatus 10A is used, a new recording paper 18 different from the printed recording paper 18 may be sent between the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 16, but in the following description, the thermal transfer shown in FIG. Since the case where the original character image data is overwritten with the initial character image data when the initial character data is transferred to the intermediate transfer film 21 using the printing apparatus 10B is described, in this case, the retransferred intermediate transfer film 21 is described. Is rewound to the supply reel 22 side, and the color image frame on the intermediate transfer film 21 that has been retransferred by the second sensor 24. It detects the head position 21d.

  Thereafter, the black (BK) leading position 11d of the printed ink ribbon 11 and the leading position 21d of the color image frame on the retransferred intermediate transfer film 21 correspond to the thermal head 15 and the platen roller 16. After being transferred so as to coincide with each other, the overwritten character image data generated in Example 1 or Example 2 described below is applied to the thermal head 15 to overwrite the original character image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon 11. The character image data is overwritten.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the overwritten character image data generation unit of the first embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating initial character image data in the overwritten character image data generation unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining character lines and line regions in the initial character image data in the overwritten character image data generating means of the first embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of dividing the overwrite character frame in the line in the initial character image data shown in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the character data addition operation when generating overwrite character data for overwriting the character data in the line with respect to the initial character image data shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing overwrite character image data for overwriting the original character image data;
FIGS. 15A and 15B show initial character image data on the ink ribbon and the intermediate transfer film, and FIGS. 15C and 15D show superimposed character image data on the ink ribbon and the intermediate transfer film. It is.

  The overwrite character image data generation unit 43 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is provided in the PC (personal computer) 40 as described above with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 8, even when the overwriting character image data generation unit 65 is provided in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10, the overwriting character image data generation unit 65 is described above. Although it is possible to have the same configuration as the overwritten character image data generation means 43, description thereof is omitted here.

  The overwritten character image data generation unit 43 of the first embodiment described above stores character information when character information is included in the print image data generated by the normal print image data generation unit 41 (FIG. 7). A unit 43a, a line detection unit 43b in the character information for detecting a line in the character information stored in the character information storage unit 43a, and a line region detection unit 43c for detecting a line region from the line start position to the line end position. A maximum character height detection unit 43d for detecting the height of the maximum character printed in the line area, and a plurality of overwrite character frames in the line area according to the height of the maximum character printed in the line area At least two or more overwrite characters that are sequentially adjacent to one overwrite character frame after connecting the overwriting character frame partition portion 43e to be partitioned and the front end frame and the rear end frame in a plurality of overwrite character frames in a loop shape. Character data in the frame Characters for which added character data obtained by adding them together is overwritten character data that overwrites the original character data in one overwrite character frame, and for each of the multiple overwrite character frames, additional character data is obtained for each frame The data adding unit 43f and an overwritten character image data output unit 43g that outputs each added character data obtained by the character data adding unit 43f to the thermal head 15 as overwritten character image data for the row area.

  Here, the operation of the overwrite character image data generation unit 43 according to the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described in order. The user determines that there is character information or the like in which security is very important in the print image data. In this case, the character information is stored in the information storage unit 43a in the form of initial character image data G1 as shown in FIG.

  At this time, the initial character image data G1 is data that is applied to the thermal head 15 and transferred onto the intermediate transfer film 21 from the BK ink layer 11b of the ink ribbon 11 (FIG. 2).

  Next, the line detection unit 43b in the character information detects a line in the character information as shown in FIG. 11 for the initial character image data G1 stored in the information storage unit 43a. In the character image data G1, it is detected that there are 6 lines. Thereafter, the line area detection unit 43c detects line areas 1 to 6 from the line start position to the line end position, and each line area 1 to line is detected. The widths X1 to X6 (X6... Not shown) of each of the line areas 1 to 6 are detected based on the size of characters printed in the area 6 and the number of characters. Further, the maximum character height detection unit 43d detects the maximum character heights Y1 to Y1 (Y6... Not shown) of each character in each of the line regions 1 to 6.

  Next, in the overwritten character frame section 43e, for example, in the line area 1 shown enlarged in FIG. 12, the width X1 of the line area 1 is divided by the maximum character height Y1 to partition a plurality of overwritten character frames. Thus, the first overwrite character frame, the second overwrite character frame,..., The Nth overwrite character frame are obtained. In the same manner as described above, a plurality of overwrite character frames are divided into the line area 2 to the line area 6.

  Note that the overwrite character frame partitioning unit 43e partitions a plurality of overwrite character frames by dividing, for example, the width X1 of the line region 1 by the maximum character height Y1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of overwrite character frames are divided in units of characters. Since the overwrite character frame may be partitioned, the plurality of overwrite character frames are partitioned according to the size of characters printed in the line area.

  Next, the character data adding unit 43f creates overwrite character image data G2 to be overwritten on the initial character image data G1 shown in FIG. 10, and a plurality of areas in which the line area is partitioned by the overwrite character frame partitioning unit 43e. Obtained by adding the character data in at least two or more overwrite character frames adjacent to one overwrite character frame after connecting the front end frame and the rear end frame in a loop shape in the overwrite character frame. The added character data is used as overwrite character data for overwriting the initial character data in one overwrite character frame, and the added character data is obtained for each frame for all of the plurality of overwrite character frames.

  Specifically, for example, in the row area 1 shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 13, the first overwrite character data to be overwritten on the first overwrite character frame is the second and third overwrite characters adjacent after the first. This is the added character data obtained by adding the initial character data in the frame. The second overwritten character data to be overwritten on the second overwritten character frame is the added character data obtained by adding the original character data in the third and fourth overwritten character frames adjacent after the second. It is. Hereinafter, when the above-described operations are repeated in order to reach the final Nth overwrite character frame, the Nth overwrite character data to be overwritten in the final Nth overwrite character frame is 1 because there is no Nth character. It is the added character data obtained by making a circulation so as to return to the top and adding the initial character data in the first and second overwrite character frames.

  Further, when the character data addition processing is performed on the line area 2 to the line area 6 in the same manner as the line area 1, the overwrite character image data G2 as shown in FIG. 14 is obtained, and the overwrite character image data G2 is overwritten. It is output from the character image data output unit 43g and applied to the thermal head 15.

  Note that the character data addition method by the character data addition unit 43f described above is merely an example, and is not limited to this. The overwrite character data to be overwritten on the overwrite target character frame to be overwritten is the character string of the overwrite target character frame. It is only necessary to add each initial character data in a plurality of overwrite character frames adjacent to at least one of the front side and the back side, and not only addition of two character data but also addition of three or more character data Is possible.

  Accordingly, in the first embodiment, the character image data printed in the line area of the line in the original character image data is subjected to data processing as the original data, and the overwrite character image data is generated for each line area and then applied to the thermal head. Will be applied.

  When the operation of the first embodiment described above is performed, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the initial character image data G1 is applied to the thermal head 15, and the BK ink of the ink ribbon 11 is applied. When the initial character image data G1 is transferred from the layer 11b onto the intermediate transfer film 21, the initial character image data G1 is character information for which security is very important. Therefore, the ink ribbon 11 and the intermediate transfer film 21 are used. Each of the above initial character image data G1 needs to be unreadable.

  Therefore, after each initial character image data G1 is obtained on the ink ribbon 11 and the intermediate transfer film 21, the printed ink ribbon 11 and the transferred intermediate transfer film 21 are rewound, and overwritten character image data generating means 43 is provided. By adding at least two or more character data sequentially adjacent to one initial character data in the character string in each row area 1 to 6 to overwrite one initial character data, and a plurality of data in the row Each of the added character data obtained repeatedly for all the initial character data is applied to the thermal head 15 as overwritten character image data G2, and the overwritten character image data G2 is overwritten on the initial character image data G1 on the ink ribbon 11. As shown in FIGS. 15C and 15D, the ink ribbon 11 and the intermediate transfer film 21 are overlaid. It fits the character image data G3 can be obtained.

  In the case of the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10A shown in FIG. 1, when the overwritten character image data G2 is overwritten and overlaid on the initial character image data G1 on the ink ribbon 11, a new one different from the printed recording paper 18 is used. The overwrite character image data G2 may be transferred onto a new recording paper 18 using a new recording paper 18.

  Since each of the superimposed character image data G3 obtained on the ink ribbon 11 and the intermediate transfer film 21 is in a state in which it is impossible to reliably read the initial character image data G1, the initial character image data. Confidentiality can be maintained for G1.

  At this time, the initial character image data G1 on the printed ink ribbon 11 is, for example, black (BK) ink has already been removed in accordance with the pattern of the initial image data G1, but the overwrite character image data G2 is one initial character image data G2. Since at least two or more characters are added to the character data, the overwritten character image data becomes ambiguous after overwriting. In any case, the initial character image data G1 is reliably unreadable. Of course, in the case of the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10A shown in FIG. 1, the overwritten character image data G2 transferred onto the new recording paper 18 is also in a state where the initial character image data G1 cannot be reliably read.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the overwritten character image data generation means of the second embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing initial character image data in the overwritten character image data generating means of the second embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining character lines and line regions in the initial character image data in the overwritten character image data generating means of the second embodiment;
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state in which overwrite character image data is overwritten on initial character image data.
FIGS. 20A and 20B show initial character image data on the ink ribbon and the intermediate transfer film, and FIGS. 20C and 20D show superimposed character image data on the ink ribbon and the intermediate transfer film. It is.

  The overwritten character image data generating means 65 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16 is provided in the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10 as described above with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, even when the overwrite character image data generation means 43 is provided in the PC (personal computer) 40, the overwrite character image data generation means 43 is provided as described above. The same configuration as that of the overwritten character image data generating unit 65 can be used, but the description thereof is omitted here.

  The overwrite character image data generation means 65 of the second embodiment described above, when there is character information in the print image data stored in the normal print image data storage means 63 (FIG. 8), displays the character information in this print image data. Character information storage unit 65a to be stored, line detection unit 65b in the character information to detect a line in the character information stored in the character information storage unit 65a, and a line to detect a line region from the line start position to the line end position An area detector 65c, a character height detector 65d for detecting the height of characters printed in the line area, a character type detector 65e for detecting the type of characters printed in the line area, and a line Random character data generation unit 65f that randomly generates character data corresponding to the type of characters in the region as many as the number of characters in the row region, and character types in the row region generated by random character data generation unit 65f Same type of which the overwrite character image data output unit 65g outputs to the thermal head 15 side random character data string as overwrite character image data for the line area, in the configuration as.

  Here, the operation of the overwrite character image data generation unit 65 of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described in order. The user determines that there is character information or the like in which security is very important in the print image data. In this case, the character information is stored in the information storage unit 65a in the form of initial character image data G1 ′ as shown in FIG.

  At this time, the initial character image data G1 'is data that is applied to the thermal head 15 and transferred onto the intermediate transfer film 21 from the BK ink layer 11b of the ink ribbon 11 (FIG. 2).

  Next, the line detection unit 65b in the character information detects the line in the character information as shown in FIG. 18 for the initial character image data G1 ′ stored in the information storage unit 65a. Initially, it is detected that there are six lines in the character image data G1 ′, and thereafter, the line area detection unit 65c detects line areas 1 to 6 from the line start position to the line end position, and each line area 1 to 1 is detected. The number of characters in the line area 6 is counted. Furthermore, the character height detection unit 65d detects the character heights Y1 to Y1 (Y6... Not shown) of the characters in the line regions 1 to 6.

  Next, in the character type detection unit 65e, for example, a line area in the initial character image data G1 ′ shown in FIG. 18 based on a character code (Kanji, Kana, Roman character, etc.) standardized by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard). 1 to line area 6 are detected, the line areas 1 to 3 are detected as Japanese characters, the line area 4 is detected as English characters, The line area 5 is detected as a number, and the line area 6 is detected as a mixture of Japanese characters and numbers.

  Next, the random character data generation unit 65f generates random character data of the same type as the character type detected for each line region 1-6 by the character type detection unit 65e for the number of characters in each line region 1-6. The random character data string of the same type for each of the row regions 1 to 6 generated here is set to the same height as the character heights Y1 to Y1 (Y6... Not shown) in each of the row regions 1 to 6. The overwritten character image data output unit 65g outputs the overwritten character image data G2 ′. Then, the original character image data G1 'overwritten with the overwrite character image data G2' is obtained as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 19, row area 1 to row area 3 overwrite the original Japanese character data string with a random Japanese character data string, and line area 4 stores random English character data to the original English character data string. The row area 5 overwrites the original numeric data string with a random numeric data string, and the row area 6 overwrites the original Japanese character data string with a random Japanese character data string. In addition, the initial numeric data string is overwritten with a random numeric data string.

  When the operation of the second embodiment described above is performed, the initial character image data G1 ′ is applied to the thermal head 15 as shown in FIGS. When the initial character image data G1 ′ is transferred from the ink layer 11b onto the intermediate transfer film 21, the initial character image data G1 ′ is character information for which security is very important. Each initial character image data G1 ′ on the transfer film 21 needs to be unreadable.

  Therefore, after obtaining the initial character image data G1 ′ on the ink ribbon 11 and the intermediate transfer film 21, the printed ink ribbon 11 and the transferred intermediate transfer film 21 are rewound and overwritten character image data generating means is provided. 65, a random character data string of the same type as the character type in each of the row areas 1 to 6 is generated, and this random character data string is applied to the thermal head 15 as overwritten character image data G2 ′, and the ink ribbon When the overwritten character image data G2 ′ is overwritten and overlaid on the initial character image data G1 ′ on the image 11, the ink ribbon 11 and the intermediate transfer film 21 are overlaid as shown in FIGS. Superimposed character image data G3 ′ is obtained.

  In the case of the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10A shown in FIG. 1, when the overwritten character image data G2 ′ is overwritten on the initial character image data G1 ′ on the ink ribbon 11, the printed recording paper 18 is defined as The overwrite character image data G2 ′ may be transferred onto the new recording paper 18 using a different new recording paper 18.

  Since each of the superimposed character image data G3 ′ obtained on the ink ribbon 11 and the intermediate transfer film 21 is surely impossible to read the initial character image data G1 ′, Confidentiality can be maintained for the image data G1 ′.

  At this time, the initial character image data G1 ′ on the printed ink ribbon 11 is, for example, black (BK) ink has already been removed according to the pattern of the initial image data G1 ′, but the overwrite character image data G2 ′ is Since it is random character data of the same type as the character type in each line area, it becomes ambiguous superimposed character image data after being overwritten, so that each superimposed character obtained on the ink ribbon 11 and the intermediate transfer film 21 All of the image data G3 ′ are in a state where the initial character image data G1 ′ cannot be reliably read. Of course, in the case of the thermal transfer printing apparatus 10A shown in FIG. 1, the overwritten character image data G2 'transferred onto the new recording paper 18 is also in a state where the initial character image data G1' cannot be reliably read.

It is the block diagram which showed the thermal transfer printing apparatus used as the thermal transfer printing means of an example applied to the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system which concern on this invention. (A), (b) is the top view and side view for demonstrating the ink ribbon shown in FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the thermal transfer printing apparatus used as the thermal transfer printing means of an example applied to the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system which concern on this invention. (A), (b) is the top view and side view for demonstrating the intermediate transfer film shown in FIG. It is the figure which expanded and showed the thermal head shown in FIG.1 and FIG.3. A plurality of heating resistors are arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch in the main scanning direction while superimposing an ink ribbon to which ink is applied and a recording paper (or intermediate transfer film) that is a transfer target and transferring both of them. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a case where print image data is printed on a recording paper (or intermediate transfer film) by ink transfer using a thermal head. In the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention, normal print image data or overwrite character image data generated in a PC (personal computer) is transmitted to the thermal transfer printing apparatus, and normal print image data or overwrite character image data is transmitted. It is the block diagram which showed the form which applies to a thermal head. In the thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing system according to the present invention, normal print image data generated in a PC (personal computer) is transmitted to the thermal transfer printer, while overwritten character image data is generated in the thermal transfer printer, It is the block diagram which showed the form which applies print image data or overwrite character image data of this to a thermal head. It is a figure for demonstrating the overwrite character image data production | generation means of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating initial character image data in the overwritten character image data generation unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining character lines and line regions in the initial character image data in the overwritten character image data generating means of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation of dividing an overwrite character frame in a line in the initial character image data shown in FIG. 11. It is a figure for demonstrating the character data addition operation | movement at the time of producing | generating the overwrite character data which overwrite the character data in a line with respect to the initial character image data shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the overwrite character image data for overwriting original character image data. (A), (b) shows the initial character image data on the ink ribbon and intermediate transfer film, and (c), (d) shows the superimposed character image data on the ink ribbon and intermediate transfer film. . It is a figure for demonstrating the overwrite character image data production | generation means of Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating initial character image data in the overwritten character image data generation unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a line and a line area of characters in the initial character image data in the overwrite character image data generation unit according to the second embodiment. It is the figure which showed the state which overwrites overwrite character image data on original character image data. (A), (b) shows the initial character image data on the ink ribbon and intermediate transfer film, and (c), (d) shows the superimposed character image data on the ink ribbon and intermediate transfer film. . (A) to (d) illustrate the operation of making the original image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon unreadable using the conventional transfer type image recording apparatus. It is the figure which each showed data and the superimposition image data.

Explanation of symbols

10 (10A or 10B) ... thermal transfer printing means (thermal transfer printing apparatus),
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Ink ribbon 11, 12 ... Supply reel, 13 ... Take-up reel, 14 ... 1st sensor,
15 ... Thermal head,
15a ... Printed wiring board for head, 15b ... Multiple heating resistors,
16 ... Platen roller, 17, 17 ... A pair of recording paper transport rollers,
18 ... transferred body (recording paper), 19 ... second sensor,
21 ... transferred body (intermediate transfer film), 22 ... supply reel, 23 ... take-up reel,
24 ... second sensor, 25 ... heat roller, 26 ... pressure roller,
27, 27 ... a pair of card transport rollers, 28 ... a card, 29 ... a card reversing unit,
30, 30 ... a pair of card transport rollers,
40 ... PC (personal computer), 41 ... normal print image data generation means,
42. Character information detection means,
43 ... Overwrite character image data generation means of the first embodiment,
43a ... Character information storage unit, 43b ... Line detection unit, 43c ... Line region detection unit,
43d ... Maximum character height detection unit, 43e ... Overwrite character frame section,
43f ... Character data adding unit,
43g: Overwrite character image data output unit,
44 ... switching means,
51 ... Control unit (CPU), 52 ... PC interface circuit, 53 ... Memory,
54. Image data transfer circuit,
61 ... Control unit (CPU), 62 ... PC interface circuit,
63: Normal print image data storage means, 64: Character information detection means,
65: Overwrite character image data generating means of the second embodiment,
65a ... Character information storage unit, 65b ... Line detection unit, 65c ... Line region detection unit,
65d: Character height detection unit, 65e: Character type detection unit,
65f ... Random character data generator,
65g ... Overwrite character image data output unit,
66 ... switching means, 67 ... memory, 68 ... image data transfer circuit,
G1, G1 '... Initial character image data, G2, G2' ... Overwrite character image data,
G3, G3 '... superimposed character image data,
P: A predetermined pitch of the heating resistor 15b.

Claims (7)

The initial character image data is transferred onto the transferred body by a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction while superimposing and transferring the ink ribbon to which the ink is applied and the transferred body. After printing by ink transfer, the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon is overwritten by overwriting character image data with the thermal head, and the initial character image data on the printed ink ribbon is made unreadable. In the thermal transfer printing method to
In outputting the overwritten character image data to the thermal head side,
A line detecting step for detecting a line in the initial character image data to be made unreadable;
A line area detection step of detecting a line area in the initial character image data;
Overwriting character image data generation / output step of performing data processing using the character image data detected in the line region detection step as original data, generating the overwrite character image data in units of the line region and outputting the data to the thermal head side When,
A thermal transfer printing method comprising: The initial character image data is transferred onto the transferred body by a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction while superimposing and transferring the ink ribbon to which the ink is applied and the transferred body. After printing by ink transfer, the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon is overwritten by overwriting character image data with the thermal head, and the initial character image data on the printed ink ribbon is made unreadable. In the thermal transfer printing method to
In outputting the overwritten character image data to the thermal head side,
A line detecting step for detecting a line in the initial character image data to be made unreadable;
A line area detection step of detecting a line area in the initial character image data;
An overwrite character frame partitioning step for partitioning the line region as a plurality of overwrite character frames according to the size of the character in the line region detected in the line region detection step;
After the front end frame and the rear end frame are connected in a loop shape among the plurality of overwrite character frames, character data in at least two or more overwrite character frames sequentially adjacent to one overwrite character frame are added together. Character data for obtaining each additional character data for each frame with respect to all of the plurality of overwritten character frames. Adding step;
Overwriting character image data output step for outputting each added character data obtained in the character data addition step to the thermal head side as the overwriting character image data for the row region;
A thermal transfer printing method comprising: The initial character image data is transferred onto the transferred body by a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction while superimposing and transferring the ink ribbon to which the ink is applied and the transferred body. After printing by ink transfer, the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon is overwritten by overwriting character image data with the thermal head, and the initial character image data on the printed ink ribbon is made unreadable. In the thermal transfer printing method to
In outputting the overwritten character image data to the thermal head side,
A line detecting step for detecting a line in the initial character image data to be made unreadable;
A line area detection step of detecting a line area in the initial character image data;
A character type detection step for detecting a character type in the line region detected in the line region detection step;
Random character data generation step for generating random character data of the same type as the character type in the line area detected in the character type detection step by the number of characters in the line area;
Overwriting character image data output step for outputting the random character data string generated in the random character data generation step to the thermal head side as the overwriting character image data overwriting the initial character data string in the row region;
A thermal transfer printing method comprising:   Overlay image data obtained by overwriting the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon with the overwriting character image data overwritten by the thermal head, an intermediate transfer film that is a kind of the transfer target, or printing The thermal transfer printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transfer is performed on a new transfer target different from the transferred transfer target. While the ink ribbon to which the ink is applied and the transfer target are overlapped and transferred, the print image data is transferred onto the transfer target by a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction. Thermal transfer printing means for printing by the transfer of,
When there is initial character image data in the print image data on the transfer object printed by the thermal transfer printing means, the initial character image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon is overwritten and printed. In a thermal transfer printing system comprising: overwriting character image data generating means for outputting overwriting character image data for making the original character image data on an ink ribbon unreadable to the thermal head side,
The overwrite character image data generation means includes
A line detection unit for detecting a line in the initial character image data;
A line area detection unit for detecting a line area in the initial character image data;
An overwrite character frame partitioning section for partitioning the line area as a plurality of overwrite character frames according to the size of characters in the line area detected by the line area detection unit;
After the front end frame and the rear end frame are connected in a loop shape among the plurality of overwrite character frames, character data in at least two or more overwrite character frames sequentially adjacent to one overwrite character frame are added together. Character data for obtaining each additional character data for each frame with respect to all of the plurality of overwritten character frames. An adder;
An overwritten character image data output unit for outputting each added character data obtained by the character data adding unit to the thermal head side as the overwritten character image data for the row region;
A thermal transfer printing system comprising: While the ink ribbon to which the ink is applied and the transfer target are overlapped and transferred, the print image data is transferred onto the transfer target by a thermal head in which a plurality of heating resistors are arranged in the main scanning direction. Thermal transfer printing means for printing by the transfer of,
When there is initial character image data in the print image data on the transfer object printed by the thermal transfer printing means, the initial character image data remaining on the printed ink ribbon is overwritten and printed. In a thermal transfer printing system comprising: overwriting character image data generating means for outputting overwriting character image data for making the original character image data on an ink ribbon unreadable to the thermal head side,
The overwrite character image data generation means includes
A line detection unit for detecting a line in the initial character image data;
A line area detection unit for detecting a line area in the initial character image data;
A character type detection unit for detecting a type of character in the line region detected by the line region detection unit;
A random character data generating unit that generates random character data of the same type as the character type in the line region detected by the character type detection unit, as many as the number of characters in the line region;
An overwritten character image data output unit that outputs the random character data string generated by the random character data generation unit to the thermal head side as the overwritten character image data that overwrites the initial character data string in the row region;
A thermal transfer printing system comprising:   Overlay image data obtained by overwriting the initial character image data remaining on the ink ribbon with the overwriting character image data overwritten by the thermal head, an intermediate transfer film that is a kind of the transfer target, or printing 7. The thermal transfer printing system according to claim 5, wherein the transfer is performed to a new transfer target different from the transferred transfer target.

Images