JP2009248341A - Printer apparatus and method for controlling printer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer apparatus which carries out correction of a curl amount of a recording paper correspondingly to differences of various printing conditions by a miniaturized mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: The recording paper 2 includes a curl along a direction in which it is wound around a recording paper reel 15. The printer apparatus is equipped with a platen roller 13 which brings into pressure contacts with the recording paper 2 to travel. The printer apparatus is also equipped with a thermal head 4 arranged confronting the platen roller 13 for giving heat to an ink ribbon 11 comprised of an ink layer and a laminated layer made to meet the recording paper 2. The printer apparatus is equipped with a guide roller for correction (capstan) 6 which forms a travel path of the recording paper 2 so that the recording paper pressure-contacts to the platen roller 13 with a curvature of the opposite direction to the direction of the curl. In addition to these, a controlling part is equipped which controls a quantity of heat given to the ink layer from the thermal head 4 according to contents of printing and controls a quantity of heat given to the laminated layer from the thermal head 4 according to conditions of the printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer apparatus and a printer apparatus control method.

  Conventionally, thermal printers have been widely used in printer apparatuses used as printing means or printing means (typically referred to as printing means). The thermal printer uses a type that uses cut paper as its recording paper (in particular, called photographic paper when printing an image) and roll paper that is a recording paper wound around a recording paper reel. There are types. In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, printing with high image quality is required, and a type using roll paper that is advantageous in terms of cost has been widely used. This roll paper is a roll of long recording paper wound around a paper tube that serves as a core. The required amount of paper is drawn out and fed to the printing section each time printing is performed, and the paper that has finished printing is specified. Used by cutting to size. Therefore, curl (curl) is generated in the drawn paper, and the degree of curl becomes larger as it is used, that is, as the end of winding is approached. When the printing is finished, the photographic paper has a curl. Therefore, when the photographic paper is not stretched, the image appears to be distorted, and since it is curled, it cannot be stacked and discharged, and the quality of the printed and cut photographic paper is deteriorated. Yes. In the following, the terminology of printing is used to represent printing or printing, and the term of recording paper is used to represent printing paper (printing paper) or printing paper (printing paper).

In the prior art, a part of the roll paper is mechanically pressed in the conveyance path (running path) and curved in the direction opposite to the curl (see, for example, Patent Document 1), one side of the roll paper is heated, A method (for example, refer to Patent Document 2) for correcting the difference between the front and back heat shrinkage has been proposed. In the former method, a correction member such as a correction roller is brought into contact with the roll paper being conveyed, and the amount of curl correction can be adjusted according to printing conditions, the remaining amount of roll paper, and the like. As the heating means used in the latter, a heating element such as a plate heater or a halogen heater is used. In order to enhance the effect, a composite type (see, for example, Patent Document 3) that performs heat treatment while applying mechanical pressing force has also been proposed. In these conventional techniques described above, mechanical correction means or heating means, or both means are separately provided in the roll paper conveyance path.
Japanese Patent No. 3491524 JP 2000-318194 A JP 2007-197123 A

  However, in recent years, the material, thickness, standard size, and the like of roll paper have been diversified, and accordingly, the difference in the amount of curl formed is not uniform but has become wide. When applying the conventional technique in such a situation, it is necessary to largely change the movement / retraction distance of the mechanical correction means, or to adjust the amount of heat generated by the heating means within a wide range. For this reason, the apparatus has become larger than before, and the burden on parts cost and manufacturing cost has become considerably large. Moreover, according to these curl correcting means, there is a risk that the mechanical or thermal damage received by the roll paper may increase, and there has been a problem in quality such that the durability of the printed recording paper deteriorates.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides a printer apparatus that corrects the curl amount of recording paper in accordance with various printing conditions using a simple and downsized mechanism, and provides a control method for the printer apparatus. To do.

  A printer apparatus according to the present invention includes a platen roller that allows a recording sheet having a winding according to a direction wound around the recording sheet reel to run while pressing, and an ink layer and a laminate layer that face the recording sheet. A thermal head disposed to oppose the platen roller to apply heat to the ink ribbon, and the recording sheet press-contacts the platen roller with a curvature opposite to the direction of the curl. The correction guide roller that forms the travel path of the recording paper, and the amount of heat applied from the thermal head to the ink layer according to the contents of printing are controlled from the thermal head according to printing conditions. And a controller for controlling the amount of heat applied to the laminate layer.

  The printer device of the present invention includes a correction guide roller that has a curvature opposite to the direction of the curl and forms a travel path for the recording paper so that the recording paper comes into pressure contact with the platen roller. In addition, since the controller for controlling the amount of heat applied from the thermal head to the laminate layer is provided, the amount of curl correction can be controlled according to the printing conditions.

  A control method for a printer apparatus according to the present invention includes: a correction guide roller and a platen roller configured to cause a recording sheet having a winding line according to a direction wound around a recording sheet reel to travel along the traveling path and to form the traveling path. The amount of heat applied to the ink layer of the ink ribbon that is applied to the recording paper by a thermal head that is disposed opposite to the platen roller by applying a curvature in a direction opposite to the direction of the curl to the recording paper. The amount of heat applied to the laminate layer of the ink ribbon that is made to face the recording paper by the thermal head is changed according to the printing conditions.

  In the control method of the printer apparatus of the present invention, the recording paper is caused to travel so as to have a curvature opposite to the curl direction by the correction guide roller and the platen roller. Also, the amount of heat generated by the thermal head applied to the laminate layer is changed. The amount of curl correction can be controlled according to the printing conditions.

  With a simple and miniaturized mechanism, it is possible to provide a printer device that can improve curl correction regardless of printing conditions, and to provide a control method for the printer device.

  Prior to specific description of the best mode (embodiment), the main part of the embodiment will be described.

  The embodiments relate to a printer apparatus and a control method thereof. In this printer apparatus, a recording sheet wound around a recording sheet reel is used, and such a recording sheet has a curl according to the direction wound around the recording sheet reel. In addition, the printer device includes a platen roller, a thermal head arranged opposite to the platen roller, a correction guide roller, a control unit, various detectors for detecting printing conditions, and a mechanism unit as main parts of the mechanism unit. The control part which controls is provided. Then, the recording paper is caused to run by the correction guide roller and the platen roller so as to have a curvature opposite to the direction of the curl. Further, the amount of heat applied to the ink layer of the ink ribbon that is faced to the recording paper by the thermal head is changed to give the recording paper a desired color so as to have a printing function. Furthermore, after coloring, heat is applied to the laminate layer of the ink ribbon that is faced to the recording paper by the thermal head to form a transparent layer on the recording paper. At that time, the laminate layer is formed according to the printing conditions. The amount of heat applied is changed.

  Here, the correction guide roller has a function of pressing the recording paper against the platen roller so as to have a curvature in a direction opposite to the winding direction according to the direction wound around the recording paper reel. As long as the straightening guide roller has such a function and does not generate a large frictional force with the recording paper so as not to damage the recording paper, its specific structure is as follows. Any thing is good. For example, a correction guide roller that rotates freely may be used alone, and a capstan for applying a driving force to the recording paper may be provided as a separate member from the correction guide roller. The correction guide roller and the capstan are configured as a common member, and the correction guide roller is also used as a capstan that applies a driving force to drive the recording paper by applying a rotational driving force to the rotation center of the correction guide roller. You may make it function.

  Further, the content of printing refers to a printing mode of what color and what shape is printed. The printing conditions are various conditions that change the size of the curl. From another point of view, the printing conditions change the amount of curl correction (decal amount) when the curvature generated by the straightening guide roller is constant and the amount of heat applied to the laminate layer is constant. It is a factor that makes it happen. There are various printing conditions. For example, the environmental temperature in which the printer device is placed, the amount of heat applied to the ink layer according to the contents to be printed (printing information), the material of the recording paper, the winding of the recording paper The diameter, the running speed of the recording paper, and the like.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

(Description of the mechanism of the printer device)
First, the mechanism unit of the printer apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a side view of a conveyance path for conveying a recording sheet of a printer apparatus. The printer device 1 is configured as a sublimation thermal printer device. This printer apparatus is configured to sublimate the sublimation dye applied to the ink ribbon by using the heat generation energy when the heat generating element of the thermal head 4 is energized, and to transfer and print on the recording paper 2. ing.

  The recording paper 2 is wound around the recording paper reel 15 in a roll shape. The recording paper reel 15 is mounted in the loading section, and the recording paper 2 is pulled out therefrom and conveyed as necessary.

  As a component for configuring a travel path that is a travel path of the recording paper 2, a paper feed roller 3, a capstan 6, a pinch roller 5, and a folding unit 7 including a plurality of rollers are arranged. . Further, other rollers are appropriately arranged to form a travel path (conveyance path). A paper discharge port 9 is provided for discharging the printed recording paper, and a cutter 8 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge port 9. Further, a paper discharge tray 10 for stacking the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge port 9 is provided in the vicinity of the outlet of the paper discharge port 9. Here, in the embodiment, the capstan 6 has a function of providing a driving force for the recording paper 2 to travel on the travel path. However, at the same time, it also functions as a correction guide roller that has a curvature opposite to the direction of the curl and forms a travel path for the recording paper so that the recording paper comes into pressure contact with the platen roller.

  An ink ribbon 11 is wound around the supply reel 12, and a take-up reel 14 is disposed for winding the ink ribbon 11. Here, the ink ribbon 11 is supplied as a set together with the recording paper 2 wound around the recording paper reel 15 while being wound around the supply reel 12. This one set (hereinafter referred to as a “printing paper ribbon set”) is delivered to the user of the printer apparatus 1 from the producer of the printing paper ribbon set or a dealer entrusted by the producer. In this way, it is delivered as one set of the printing paper ribbon set so that the printing characteristics (printing characteristics and printing characteristics) are uniform. That is, it is possible to specify various printing-related characteristics such as image quality and curl amount caused by different combinations in the printing paper ribbon set. An IC tag 19 that records the specifications of the printing paper ribbon set is incorporated in the supply reel 12 so that the printer device can recognize the specified characteristics. The recorded contents of the IC tag 19 which is one of the printing conditions can be read out in a non-contact manner by the IC tag information detector 20 (see FIG. 3).

  The ink ribbon 11 and the recording paper 2 are arranged between the platen roller 13 and the thermal head 4. The thermal head 4 has a plurality (M) of heating elements arranged in a line in the front and back direction (X-axis direction) of the paper surface of FIG. With such a thermal head 4, the amount of heat generated by each of the M heating elements is changed for each row so that each color can be printed at a desired density on the printing surface. Further, a temperature detector 16 and a humidity detector 17 are provided in order to detect environmental temperature and environmental humidity as printing conditions.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the ink ribbon 11. The ink ribbon 11 has ink layers for coloring each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) along the longitudinal direction that is the transport direction of the ink ribbon 11. It also has a laminate layer (L) for forming a transparent protective film. The ink layer and the laminate layer (L) are sequentially formed on the base film in sequence. The order of the ink layers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) is not necessarily in this order, but the laminate layer (L) is arranged following each ink layer.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram centering on the control unit 100 that controls each component of the printer apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and an interface circuit 104. The CPU 101 is a central subject of control in the control unit 100 and executes control processing according to a control procedure (program) stored in the ROM 102. The CPU 101 controls the actuator unit 200 and the thermal head 4 via the interface circuit 104. The CPU 101 obtains various detection signals from the detector unit 300 via the interface circuit 104. Further, the CPU 101 exchanges information including printing contents with the host device via the interface circuit 104. The RAM 103 is used for temporarily storing information when the CPU 101 operates. The CPU 101, the ROM 102, the RAM 103, and the interface circuit 104 are connected to each other through a bus line so that data can be exchanged between them.

  The actuator unit 200 has a plurality of actuators and is controlled by the control unit 100. As an actuator related to the description of the embodiment, a winding motor 24, a capstan motor 26, and a cutter driver 28 are provided. These actuators are controlled by the CPU 101 via the interface circuit 104. The rotation shaft of the take-up reel 14 is fixed to the rotation shaft of the take-up motor 24, and the take-up reel 14 is rotated by the take-up motor 24. The rotating shaft of the capstan motor 26 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the capstan motor 26, and the capstan 6 is driven to rotate by the capstan motor 26. The cutter driver 28 can cut the recording paper 2 by moving the cutter 8.

  The detector unit 300 includes a plurality of detectors and sends various detection signals to the control unit 100. The CPU 101 can obtain these detection signals via the interface circuit 104. An environmental temperature is detected from the temperature detector 16. The humidity detector 17 detects the environmental humidity. Information on the IC tag 19 is detected from the IC tag information detector 20.

(Description of printer operation)
The pinch roller 5 and the capstan 6 are responsible for feeding the recording paper (roll paper) 2 during the printing operation and the paper discharge operation, and the capstan 6 is subjected to precise forward / reverse control. In this way, the rotational force of the capstan 6 gives a running force to the recording paper 2 that is pressed against the capstan 6. The pinch roller 5 is a member for applying the rotational force of the capstan 6 to the recording paper 2. The operation of the main components in the printing operation will be described later in detail.

  The printed recording paper 2 passes through the folding portion 7, is cut into a predetermined size by the cutter 8, and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 10 through the paper discharge port 9. The folded portion 7 has a substantially U-shaped path, and the recording paper 2 is changed in direction and discharged. Incorporating the turn-back portion 7 makes it possible to effectively utilize the limited space in the apparatus when the recording paper 2 being printed is moved back and forth in the travel path in the printing operation. Further, by providing such a turn-back portion 7, the loading portion for loading the recording paper reel 15 and the paper discharge port 9 can be arranged in the same direction (front side), thereby improving operability. Can do. Note that if the path of the folded portion 7 is curved in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the recording paper 2, a curl correction effect can be expected.

  The ink ribbon 11 is supplied in a state where the leading end of the ribbon is attached to the take-up reel 14.

  At the time of printing, the ink ribbon 11 and the recording paper 2 are parallel to each other, and the position is approximately stepwise with respect to the elapse of time in the negative direction of the Y axis (the direction opposite to the tip direction of the arrow shown in FIG. It can be run to change. Further, every time the position changes, the ink ribbon 11 and the recording paper 2 are sandwiched between the platen roller 13 and the heating element of the thermal head 4 to color the recording paper 2. Each of the M heating elements of the thermal head 4 is caused to generate heat according to the color density (color density of the printed surface), and the ink of the ink layer in the part opposite to the heating part is applied to the recording paper 2. The recording paper 2 is colored by transfer. For example, in order to generate heat according to the density of coloring, the magnitude of the voltage applied to each of the M heating elements of the thermal head 4 or the length of the energization time for energizing each of the heating elements is controlled. The color is determined by driving the current.

  For each of the M heating elements arranged in a line in the X-axis direction, the amount of heat generated by each heating element is selected according to the density, and this coloring is performed in units of one line. Done at the same time. Then, after the coloring of one row is completed, the recording paper 2 travels in the negative direction of the Y axis by a predetermined distance (for example, 80 μm (micrometer)) by the rotational drive of the capstan 6. The ink ribbon 11 also travels in the negative direction of the Y axis by the same predetermined distance as the winding motor 24 rotates. Here, the accuracy of the predetermined distance described above is high because the capstan 6 is driven and controlled by the capstan motor 26 configured as a step motor. The time required to move 80 μm and perform coloring for one row is, for example, about 2 msec (millisecond).

  Here, after printing on one printing surface for coloring yellow (Y), printing is performed on the same printing surface for coloring magenta (M), and after that, cyan (C) is colored. Printing on the same printing surface is performed. Finally, printing is performed on the same printing surface of the protective film by the laminate layer (L).

  In the embodiment, since the pull-back printing method is adopted, this will be described. First, prior to the start of printing, the recording paper 2 is once sent in the positive direction of the Y axis on the downstream side (see FIG. 1), and at the position of the thermal head 4, the topmost part of the screen (printing surface) to be printed (The row with the earliest printing order) is arranged and the feeding operation is stopped. This stop position of the recording paper 2 is referred to as a printing start point, and this term will be used below. Every time one line is printed from the printing start point, the recording paper 2 is fed back together with the ink ribbon 11 to the upstream side (negative direction of the Y axis) again at the same speed. Specifically, the recording paper 2 is sequentially fed back by a capstan 6 and a pinch roller 5 sequentially by a predetermined distance for one row, and printing is performed by energizing the thermal head 4 every time it moves. ing. At this time, the ink ribbon 11 is similarly reversely fed by the winding motor 24 so that the new colored area is located at the same position as the thermal head 4. By doing so, it is possible to eliminate a useless blank portion at the top of the recording paper 2 and to reduce the amount of cut waste that is cut off by the cutter 8. In other words, in the case of such pull back printing, printing can be performed immediately before the leading edge of the roll paper comes off the press contact between the thermal head and the platen, thereby reducing wasteful margins and reducing the amount of cut waste. It has the characteristic of becoming.

  In the case of color printing, the printing process described above is executed for each ink color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). That is, the recording paper 2 moves repeatedly in the positive and negative directions of the Y axis, and the same location is positioned at the position of the thermal head 4. On the other hand, when the recording paper 2 travels upstream (in the negative direction of the Y axis), the ink ribbon 11 travels with the recording paper 2 at the same speed, and each ink layer is transferred (sublimated) and consumed. . Then, after the three ink colors are transferred onto the recording paper 2, the laminate layer (L) is transferred.

  Here, the laminate layer (L) is a portion where a transparent laminate resin is applied on the ink ribbon 11. Then, after each ink layer is transferred to the recording paper 2 and an image is formed, it is subsequently thermally transferred to form a protective film for protecting the image. This makes it possible to improve chemical resistance, solvent resistance, oil resistance, friction resistance, and the like. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the surface gloss of the image and improve the image quality.

(Characteristics of the embodiment)
A characteristic part of the printer device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. The printer apparatus 1 is characterized in that the recording paper travel path is formed so that the recording paper 2 has a curvature opposite to the direction of the winding of the recording paper 2 and the recording paper 2 is pressed against the platen roller. ing. In other words, the travel path of the recording paper 2 that is in pressure contact with the platen roller 13 is characterized in that it is formed in an arc shape that curves in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the recording paper 2.

  Here, the winding direction of the recording paper 2 is the direction of winding that occurs when the recording paper 2 is wound around the recording paper reel 15. If described with reference to the coordinate axes shown in FIG. 1, the winding direction is the negative direction of the Z axis when the recording paper 2 is pulled out from the recording paper reel 15 in the positive direction of the Y axis. In addition, the arc-shaped traveling path that curves in the opposite direction has a position of the recording sheet 2 sandwiched between the capstan 6 and the pinch roller 5 and a position where the platen roller 13 and the recording sheet 2 contact with each other in the Z-axis direction. It is formed so as to be different.

  That is, the platen roller 13, the capstan 6, and the pinch roller 5 in the embodiment are arranged so as to give a curvature opposite to the curvature of the recording paper 2 supplied from the recording paper reel 15, and curl correction means An example is configured. In this case, the capstan 6 and the pinch roller 5 obtain the function for running the recording paper 2 and the function of the correction guide roller for imparting the opposite curvature by the same member to constitute the curl correction means. ing. However, the curl correcting means is not limited to this embodiment, and various modes are conceivable. For example, the capstan 6 and the pinch roller 5 for running the recording paper 2 and a correction guide roller for correcting the curvature (not shown) for providing the opposite curvature may be provided as separate members. Regarding the position of the correction guide, a correction guide roller may be arranged between the capstan 6 and the pinch roller 5 and the platen roller 13.

  In short, the function required for the curl correcting means is to correct the curl (curl) generated when the recording paper 2 is wound around the recording paper reel 15 as a winding core by curving it in the direction opposite to the curl. To alleviate. Therefore, it can be called a curl correcting means if it has a mode that produces the same action. In the example described above, the arrangement of the platen roller 13, the capstan 6, and the pinch roller 5 is determined so as to have an angle (curvature in the reverse direction) that is bent in a direction opposite to the winding direction of the recording paper 2. In the embodiment, the heat from the thermal head 4 is also used in addition to the curl correcting means, but at least the recording paper 2 enters between the platen roller 13 and the thermal head 4 and is only conveyed downstream. However, the curl of the recording paper 2 is corrected to some extent.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship among the platen roller 13, the capstan 6, and the pinch roller 5. In the embodiment, the angle of the recording paper 2 pressed against the platen roller 13 is about 35 °. In this respect, in a conventional general sublimation thermal printer apparatus, this angle is about 10 °, which is large. Have a difference. In the embodiment, the recording paper 2 is not only pressed against the platen roller 13 and enters the platen roller 13, but also the capstan 6 rotates in the normal direction so as to retreat from the platen roller 13. It is controlled in both reverse directions. In this case, the entry angle and the exit angle of the recording paper 2 are the same angle.

  Next, thermal management in the thermal head 4 which is another feature of the embodiment will be described. During the printing operation, that is, after the thermal energy from the thermal head 4 is applied to the recording paper 2, the recording paper 2 passes through the curl correcting means. That is, the same effect as curling correction (curling correction) by heating can be obtained, and efficient curling correction can be performed without separately installing a heating means such as a heater in the conveyance path. Here, when the temperature of the recording paper 2 is kept constant, the effect of the curl correction when passing through the curl correcting means becomes larger as the angle at which the platen roller 13 and the recording paper 2 are pressed against each other is larger. Further, the effect of curl correction increases as the temperature of the recording paper 2 increases when the angle at which the platen roller 13 and the recording paper 2 are pressed against each other is constant.

  Here, various modes are conceivable as to how to perform thermal management (control of heat generation amount) of the thermal head 4 suitable for curl correction. For example, as a first aspect, there is thermal management at the stage of coloring yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). As a second aspect, there is thermal management at the stage of adding the laminate layer (L). As a third embodiment, thermal management in consideration of all the stages of coloring yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and adding the laminate layer (L) can be considered. In the first mode and the third mode, the amount of heat applied from the thermal head 4 to the recording paper 2 differs greatly depending on the contents of printing, so that both optimization of coloring characteristics and optimization of curl correction are compatible. It has great difficulty in making it happen. In view of such a point, each embodiment described below adopts the second mode, and details of how thermal management is performed in the thermal head 4 will be described next.

(First embodiment)
The curl correction according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The aspect of curl correction according to the first embodiment is characterized in that curl correction is performed by performing thermal management of the thermal head 4 in accordance with the environmental temperature at the stage of printing the laminate layer (L).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing performed by the control unit 100. That is, it shows how the control unit 100 controls the actuator unit 200 and the thermal head 4 based on information obtained from the detector unit 300 or information calculated by the CPU 101. In FIG. 5, the information according to the printing condition is described as the temperature information obtained from the temperature detector 16. However, in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5, the information according to the printing condition is other information. It can be applied even in the case of.

In step ST100, the control unit 100 controls the capstan motor 26 to rotationally drive the capstan 6, so that the top position of the recording paper 2 (the first printing position in one screen) is the thermal head 4. It arranges so that it may become a position.
In this state, a standby state is waited for a print command.
At this time, the last position of the recording paper 2 (the position at which printing is last performed on one printing surface) extends in the direction of the folding portion 7, and the tip of the last position has already been cut by the cutter 8. Yes.

  In step ST101, the control unit 100 receives a print command from a host device (for example, a personal computer or a camera). Specifically, the host device includes the contents of printing in the print command and outputs the color information data at each printing position to the control unit 100.

In step ST102, the control unit 100 controls the thermal head 4, the capstan motor 26, and the winding motor 24 to perform printing for one printing surface of yellow (Y).
Specifically, printing for one printing surface of yellow (Y) is performed in the procedure of steps ST1010 to ST1015 in the flowchart of the printing process for each color shown in FIG. 6, and the details will be described later. .

In step ST103, the control unit 100 controls the thermal head 4, the capstan motor 26, and the winding motor 24 to perform printing for one printing surface of magenta (M).
Specifically, printing for one printing surface of magenta (M) is processed by a printing subroutine for each color shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In step ST104, the control unit 100 controls the thermal head 4, the capstan motor 26, and the winding motor 24 to perform printing for one printing surface of cyan (C).
Specifically, printing for one printing surface of cyan (C) is processed by a printing subroutine for each color shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step ST105, the control unit 100 detects the environmental temperature by the temperature detector 16.

In step ST106, the control unit 100 detects whether or not the environmental temperature is within a predetermined range.
If the environmental temperature is within the predetermined range (Yes), the process moves to step ST107. If the environmental temperature is not within the predetermined range (No), the process moves to step ST108.
Here, the temperature in the predetermined range is a temperature in a range determined in advance by experiments, for example, a temperature range of 20 ° C to 25 ° C.

In step ST107, the control unit 100 sets the heat generation amount of the thermal head 4 when the laminate layer (L) is printed to be an initial set value (default value).
Thereafter, the processing moves to step ST110.
This is because, at this predetermined temperature, when the laminate layer (L) is printed, the amount of heat generated by the thermal head 4 is managed using an initial value setting (default value), and a desired curl correction effect can be obtained.

In step ST108, the control unit 100 refers to the conversion table to obtain a set value of the heat generation amount of the thermal head 4 when the laminate layer (L) is printed.
This conversion table is formed in a predetermined area of the RAM 103. The environmental temperature detected by the temperature detector 16 is input as an address of the RAM 103, and the contents of the data stored in the RAM 103 specified by the address are the thermal head 4. It is obtained as the set value of the calorific value.
The contents of the data stored in the RAM 103 will be described later.

In step ST109, the control unit 100 controls the thermal head 4 to print the laminate layer (L).
Specific processing performed in step ST109 will be described later as processing from step ST1090 to step ST1094 in the subroutine for laminate layer printing processing shown in FIG.
Here, the thermal management of the thermal head 4 in the printing of the laminate layer, that is, the control of the amount of heat generation is performed by controlling the time during which the thermal head 4 is energized. When it is desired to increase the amount of heat generated by the thermal head 4, it is necessary to increase the time during which the thermal head 4 is energized (flow current). The time is shortened. Further, an electric current is applied to all the heating elements of the thermal head 4 so that a laminate resin having a uniform thickness corresponding to the amount of heat generated by the thermal head 4 is applied to the printing surface of the recording paper 2 after coloring.
Thus, in the range where the heat from the thermal heads 4 arranged in a row produces the effect of forming a transparent laminate resin layer, the protective films are sequentially formed in a row and finally the printed surface is formed. A protective film is formed over the entire surface. In this way, a protective film is formed on the surface of the printing surface to improve chemical resistance / solvent resistance, oil / fat resistance, friction resistance, etc., and to further improve the surface glossiness of the image and improve the image quality.

  In step ST110, the control unit 100 controls the capstan motor 26 to move the recording paper 2 so that the top position (see FIG. 7) of the printing surface, which is the cutting position of the recording paper 2, is the position of the cutter 8. To match.

In step ST <b> 111, the control unit 100 controls the cutter driver 28 that drives the cutter 8 to cut the recording paper 2.
As a result, the recording paper 2 cut on the paper discharge tray 10 is obtained as a completed printed matter. Here, the cut recording paper 2 has been subjected to curl correction processing.

(About printing for one print side)
How to perform printing for one printing surface of yellow (Y) in step ST102, printing of the same printing surface of magenta (M) in step ST103, and printing of the same printing surface of cyan (C) in step ST104. I will explain. Each of the process of step ST102, the process of step ST103, and the process of step ST104 is processed by a subroutine. Processing performed in this subroutine will be described with reference to a flowchart of a printing subroutine shown in FIG. 6 and a schematic diagram showing an arrangement relationship between the ink ribbon 11 and the recording paper 2 shown in FIG.

  In the following description, the procedure for printing one printing surface will be described using yellow (Y) as an example. However, the printing of magenta (M) and cyan (C), which are other colors, is also described. It is the same.

The starting point of the process in step ST102 of FIG. 5 is step ST1010.
In step ST1010, n = 1 indicating the first column is set as the number n of print positions.
Here, the leading position (first row) of the printing surface of the recording paper 2 to be printed and the leading position (first row) of the ink (here, yellow (Y)) of the ink ribbon 11 to be printed are thermal. It is adjusted to the position of the head 4.
To match the positions, as shown in FIG. 7A, the head position of the printing surface of the recording paper 2, the head position of the ink, and the position of the thermal head 4 in the Y-axis direction are the same position. . Here, it is difficult to accurately match the leading position of the ink layer forming region of the ink ribbon 11 with the leading position of the printing surface of the recording paper 2. Therefore, the area of each color ink layer formation region is larger than the printing surface so as to cover the printing surface of the recording paper 2. In this way, the head position of the ink actually used for printing always exists at the head position of the printing surface. That is, the areas of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and laminate layer (L) of the ink ribbon 11 shown in FIGS. 7 (A) to 7 (C) are made wider than the printing surface, For example, the area surrounded by each broken line corresponds to the printing surface.
As for the positioning of the ink ribbon 11, a black belt-like marker (see FIG. 7) is inserted between the ink layer formation regions of the respective colors, and the marker is detected by an optical sensor (not shown) and placed at a predetermined position. It can be positioned.
Further, the area of the RAM 103 storing the number d1 corresponding to the coloring density to the number dN corresponding to the coloring density is cleared, and all the numbers d1 to dN are set to zero.

In step ST1011, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the printing position is in the (N + 1) th column.
If the printing position is the (N + 1) th column (Yes), the process moves to step ST1011.
On the other hand, if the printing position is not in the N + 1th column (No), the process moves to step ST1012.
Here, the fact that the printing position is the (N + 1) th column in step ST1011 means that the printing has been completed from the first column to the Nth column. The controller 100 detects that the number of pulses sent from the start point of step ST1010 to the capstan motor 26 is the number of pulses corresponding to running the recording paper 2 to the Nth row. This determination is made.
FIG. 7B shows a state when the position where printing is finished is the Nth column (Yes).

  In step ST1012, the control unit 100 energizes each heating element of the thermal head 4 according to the color density, and prints the color of the ink ribbon corresponding to the nth column (in this case, yellow (Y)). I do.

In step ST1013, the control unit 100 sends a pulse to the capstan motor 26 to cause the recording paper 2 to travel in the direction of arrow a (see FIG. 7A) by one line.
Further, the control unit 100 controls the take-up motor 24 to cause the ink ribbon 11 to travel for one row in the direction of the arrow b (see FIG. 7A).

In step ST1014, the control unit 100 sets n = n + 1 in order to increment the value of the number n by 1.
Further, the number dn corresponding to the coloring density of the nth column on which the corresponding color (yellow (Y) in this case) is printed in step ST102 is obtained, and the number dn corresponding to the coloring density is stored in the RAM 103. Stored in a predetermined area (stored for each color and column).
Thereafter, the process returns to step ST1011.

In step ST1015, the control unit 100 sends a pulse to the capstan motor 26 to cause the recording paper 2 to travel for N rows in the direction of arrow c (see FIG. 7B), so that the top of the printing surface is reached. The position and the position of the thermal head 4 are matched.
Further, the control unit 100 controls the take-up motor 24 to cause the ink ribbon 11 to travel in the direction of the arrow d (see FIG. 7B), and to start the next ink layer (in this case, magenta ( The head position of M) is aligned with the position of the thermal head 4. In the alignment, as described above, the black marker disposed between the ink layer formation regions of the respective colors is detected by the optical sensor.
FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a relationship among the position of the recording paper 2, the position of the ink ribbon 11, and the position of the thermal head 4 after the process of step ST <b> 1015 is completed.
As shown in FIG. 7C, the preparation for printing the next color is ready (in this case, the preparation for printing magenta (M) as the next color is ready).
After the process of step ST1015 is completed, the process returns to ST103 of the main routine shown in FIG.

For each of magenta (M) printing performed in step ST103 and cyan (C) printing performed in step ST104, the processes from step ST1010 to step ST1015 described above are performed in the same manner as yellow (Y).
That is, after the magenta (M) printing process performed in step ST103 is completed, the process returns to the beginning of the process in step ST104. After the cyan (C) printing process performed in step ST104 is completed, the process is performed. Returns to step ST105.
As a result, three colors can be overlaid on the printing surface formed on the recording paper 2 corresponding to each color.
When the cyan (C) printing process in step ST104 is completed, in step ST1015 described above, the preparation for printing the laminate layer is ready.

(About printing of the laminate layer (L))
How to print one printing surface of the laminate layer (L) will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a subroutine for printing the laminate layer (L), and is a flowchart showing the contents of the process of step ST109. Processing performed in this subroutine will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.

The start point of the process in step ST109 in FIG. 5 is step ST1090 in FIG.
In step ST1090, n = 1 representing the first column is set as the number n of print positions.
Here, as described above, after the process of step ST104 is completed, at the time of the start of the process of step ST109, the start position (first row) of the printing surface and the start position of the laminate layer (L) of the ink ribbon 11 ( The first row) is aligned with the position of the thermal head 4.

In step ST1091, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the printing position is in the (N + 1) th column.
If the printing position is in the (N + 1) th column (Yes), the processing in the subroutine is terminated, and the processing moves to step ST110. If the print position is not in the N + 1th column (No), the process moves to step ST1092.
Here, the printing position in step ST1091 is the (N + 1) -th column, which means that the laminate layer (L) is printed from the first column (the first position on the printing surface) to the N-th column (the last position on the printing surface). It is printed.

In step ST1092, the control unit 100 causes a current to flow through the heating element of the thermal head 4 to print a laminate layer (application of a laminate resin) in the nth column.
More specifically, the process of step ST1092 is performed according to the following procedure.
(1) The energization time to the thermal head 4 for the nth column is read from the RAM 103.
(2) For the nth column, a current is passed through the thermal head 4 for the length of the energization time read out above.
In the first embodiment, the energization time to the thermal head 4 for the nth row is determined according to the environmental temperature, and the energization time of the current to the thermal head 4 is the same from the first row to the Nth row. The laminate layer is printed after the above time. This is because the environmental temperature is often regarded as being substantially constant without changing until the printing surface is colored and the protective film is formed on the surface. This energization time is based on Table 1 described later.

In step ST1093, the control unit 100 sends a pulse to the capstan motor 26 to cause the recording paper 2 to travel for one row.
In addition, the control unit 100 controls the winding motor 24 to cause the ink ribbon 11 to travel for one row.

In step ST1094, the control unit 100 sets n = n + 1 in order to increment the number n by 1.
Thereafter, the process returns to step ST1091.

  Although the curl amount can be made appropriate by the series of processes described above, the contents of the process in step ST108 described above will be described in more detail. The process in step ST108 is a process for obtaining a set value of the heat generation amount of the thermal head 4 when the laminate layer (L) is printed with reference to the conversion table.

  Table 1 is a table of energization time to the heating element of the thermal head 4 when the laminate layer (L) is printed with respect to the environmental temperature St. Table 1 is an example in which the relationship between the environmental temperature St at which the printed cut recording paper 2 is substantially flat and the energization time Tt is obtained by experiments. Here, the energization time Tt shown in Table 1 corresponds to the set value of the heat generation amount of the thermal head 4 (see step ST108). In addition, in the state of the cut finish, when performing desired curl, another table by experiment different from Table 1 can be used.

  The contents of Table 1 are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 103 of the control unit 100. For example, one address of the RAM 103 is designated when the environmental temperature St is 0 ° C., and another address of the RAM 103 is designated when the environmental temperature St is 10 ° C. Similarly, each temperature is different from each other. An address of one RAM 103 is designated. Then, as shown in Table 1, 0.8 ms (millisecond) is stored as the content of the data specified by the address corresponding to the environmental temperature St of 0 ° C, and the address corresponding to the environmental temperature St of 10 ° C is stored. 0.7 ms is stored as the contents of the designated data. In step ST108, the energization time Tt to the heating element of the thermal head 4 when the laminate layer (L) is printed using the RAM 103 can be managed in this way. That is, since the heat energy applied to the thermal head 4 is [heat generation amount] × [energization time], it is utilized that the heat energy can be controlled by the power supply time if the [heat generation amount] is constant.

  When the environmental temperature St is low, the decurling effect (the effect of correcting curl) is low, and when the environmental temperature St is high, the decurling effect is high. Therefore, in order to absorb the variation in the decaling effect due to the environmental temperature, the laminate layer (L) The amount of heat generated during printing is changed. Table 1 is based on the results obtained by experiments. Also, since this table is every 10 ° C, rounding is used, for example, if 4 ° C, the energization time is 0.8ms, and if 5 ° C, the energization time is 0.7ms. it can. Moreover, although Table 1 is for every 10 ° C., for example, it is possible to obtain a table of energization time for every 1 ° C. and change the energization time according to such a table.

  Here, the temperature of the recording paper 2 can be changed by changing the energization time to the thermal head 4 when the laminate layer (L) is printed, but the transparent sheet formed on the surface of the recording paper 2 is transparent. The thickness of the laminate resin layer is also changed. For example, when the energization time is less than 0.5 ms, the thickness of the laminate resin layer cannot be sufficiently obtained, and when the energization time is longer than 0.8 ms, the thickness of the laminate resin layer becomes thicker and glossy. There is a risk of problems such as worsening. In order to cope with such a problem, even when the environmental temperature is less than 0 ° C, the energization time longer than 0.8 ms is not set and the environmental temperature is higher than 30 ° C. Alternatively, the energization time shorter than 0.5 ms may not be set.

  In the first embodiment described above, the difference in the amount of curl correction caused by the environmental temperature can be absorbed. In the first embodiment, the printed recording paper on which the lamination layer (L) has been printed passes through the folding unit 7, is cut by the cutter 8, and is discharged to the paper discharge port 9. At this time, since the discharged printed recording sheet is properly curled, it does not scatter around the discharge port 9. In addition, since the curl correction amount is controlled according to the environmental temperature, a printed recording sheet having a stable desired curl amount regardless of day or night or a printed recording sheet having no curl is obtained throughout the year. be able to.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the parameter for determining the amount of curl correction is not the environmental temperature described in the first embodiment, but the content of printing (image information), for example, the density of the color recorded on the recording paper 2 (Printing density). That is, since the heating element of the thermal head 4 heats the recording paper 2 in accordance with the printing density, the amount of curl correction can be determined by using the fact that the temperature of the recording paper 2 can be estimated from the printing density. It adjusts suitably as desired.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the control unit 100 in the second embodiment. Part of the contents of the processing in the second embodiment is the same as that shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, the processing from step ST100 to step ST105 and the processing from step ST109 to step ST111 are the same as those in FIG. However, instead of performing the processing from step ST105 to step ST109 in FIG. 5, the processing is replaced with the processing shown in step ST206 shown in FIG.

In step ST206, which is the main part of the process of the second embodiment, a process for obtaining a set value of the heat generation amount of the thermal head 4 according to the contents of printing is performed.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the process in step ST206, which is the main part of the process for controlling the thermal head in accordance with the contents of printing.
The contents of the flowchart of FIG. 10 will be described below.

  In step ST2060, n = 1 representing the first column is set as the number n of print positions.

In step ST2061, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the number n is N + 1.
If the number n is N + 1 (Yes), the process returns to step ST109 shown in FIG. 5, and if the number n is not N + 1 (No), the process moves to step ST2062.
If the number n in step ST2061 is N + 1, the density average value described later in each column from the first column to the nth column of the printing surface has already been obtained, and the process returns to step ST109 of the main routine.

In step ST2062, the control unit 100 specifies the amount of heat generated by the thermal head 4 in the n rows.
How to specify the amount of heat generated by the thermal head 4 in the n rows will be specifically described below.
In step ST102, step ST103, and step ST104 described above, the process of step ST1014 shown in FIG. 6 is executed.
In step ST102, the number corresponding to the color density for each column for which yellow (Y) is printed in step ST1014 is determined for N columns, and the number corresponding to the N color densities is calculated in the RAM 103. Is stored in a predetermined area. In step ST103, the number corresponding to the coloring density for each column on which magenta (M) is printed in step ST1014 is obtained for N columns, and the number corresponding to the N coloring densities is calculated in the RAM 103. Is stored in another predetermined area. In step ST104, the number corresponding to the color density for each column on which cyan (C) is printed in step ST1014 is obtained for N columns, and the number corresponding to the N color densities is obtained in the RAM 103. Are stored in yet another predetermined area. The values corresponding to the densities of three colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are obtained by dividing the sum by dividing the sum by the number corresponding to the coloring density of each color. Obtained by.

In step ST2062,
(1) For the n-th column, a number dn corresponding to the coloring density of yellow (Y), a number dn corresponding to the coloring density of magenta (M), and a number dn corresponding to the coloring density of cyan (C) And add.
(2) The average density value for each column (line) is calculated from the number corresponding to the added coloring density for each column (line).
This density average value is an estimated value of heat applied to one row of one printing surface of the recording paper 2 in the coloring stage.
The density average value for each color is (number according to the density of the actual printed color of one line) (depending on the color density when one line is printed at the maximum possible color density) Divided by the number). Then, the average density for all three colors is obtained by dividing the sum of the average density of each color by 3 and then multiplying by 255. If the color density is 256 gradations, this density average value has a density MAX (maximum density average value) of 255 and a density MIN (minimum density average value) of 0.
(3) Next, based on Table 2, the energization time Tn of the thermal head 4 corresponding to the average concentration Na is determined. That is, the greater the average concentration Na, the greater the heat that is applied to the recording paper 2, so that the energization time Tn is shortened when the laminate layer is printed. Table 2 is an example in which the conditions for obtaining a substantially flat condition when the printed recording paper 2 is cut after decurling are obtained by experiments. Needless to say, a table different from Table 2 obtained by experiments can be used when the curled amount of the recording paper 2 after cutting is not flat but a desired curl amount.
(4) For the nth column, the value of the energization time Tn obtained above is stored in the RAM 103.

In step ST2063, the control unit 100 sets n = n + 1 in order to increment the number n by 1.
Thereafter, the process returns to step ST2061.

  In the second embodiment, after the process of step ST206 is completed, the process proceeds to step ST109. The process of step ST109 is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In step ST1092 of the laminate layer printing process subroutine shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 100 supplies current to the heating element of the thermal head 4 to print the laminate layer (application of the laminate resin) in the nth column. Do.
More specifically, the process of step ST1092 is performed according to the following procedure.
(1) The energization time to the thermal head 4 for the nth column is read from the RAM 103.
(2) For the nth column, a current is passed through the thermal head 4 for the duration of the energization time read out above.
In the second embodiment, when the energization time is read from the RAM 103, the relationship shown in Table 2 of the energization time Tn with respect to the average concentration Na is used. That is, the energization time Tn (content stored in step ST2062) for the average concentration Na for the n-th column is read from the RAM 103, and the current is supplied to the thermal head 4 for the length between the read energization times Tn. . In the second embodiment, the value of the energization time Tn is obtained for each column and used.

  When the average density at the time of printing (color printing) for coloring the recording paper 2 is high, the temperature of the recording paper 2 is increased, so that the decurling effect (curl correction effect) is high and the average density is low. Has a low decal effect. For this reason, in the second embodiment described above, the difference in the decaling effect due to the average density is adjusted by adjusting the amount of heat given when the laminate layer (L) is printed. In this way, in the second embodiment, the desired curl correction amount is obtained without being affected by the printing contents (colored printing contents) of the recording paper 2 by setting the printing conditions as the printing contents. be able to. In particular, even when the average density of each column on one printing surface is not uniform, for example, when the average density differs greatly between the right part and the left part with reference to the column direction, the amount of heat generated by the thermal head for each column Since the correction is made, appropriate curl correction can be performed.

  In addition, as a modification of 2nd Embodiment, it can also be performed as follows. In this modification, the amount of heat applied to the laminate layer is not adjusted for each row, but the amount of heat applied to the laminate layer is the same for each row during printing of one printing surface. That is, curl correction is performed according to the total amount of heat applied to one printing surface.

In this case, the process in step ST2062 is modified as follows.
(1) From the first column to the n-th column, the number (d1 + d2 +... DN) corresponding to the total color density of yellow (Y) and the total color density of magenta (M) .. (D1 + d2 +... DN) and a number (d1 + d2 +... DN) corresponding to the total coloring density of cyan (C).
(2) The sum total of the number corresponding to the added coloring density for each color is obtained, and the above-described calculation is performed to calculate the density average value for each printing surface.
This density average value is an estimated value of the total sum of heat applied to one printing surface of the recording paper 2 in the coloring stage.

  In the modification of the second embodiment described above, instead of adjusting the amount of heat given by the thermal head 4 for each row during printing of the laminate layer (L), the density average value for one printing surface is obtained, For the printing surface, the energization time of the thermal head 4 is the same time. When the same energization time is set for one printing surface, there is an advantage that a protective film can be applied so that the thickness of the laminate resin layer on one printing surface is uniform over the entire printing surface.

(Third embodiment)
Since the recording paper 2 is wound around the recording paper reel 15 and supplied, when the recording paper 2 is consumed and the portion of the recording paper 2 having the inner winding diameter is used, the winding diameter ( The smaller the winding diameter (Rφ), the larger the winding amount. Therefore, in order to perform proper curl correction in such a case, it is necessary to obtain a larger decurling effect. Table 3 shows the relationship between the winding diameter Rφ of the recording paper 2 and the energization time Tr of the thermal head 4 for obtaining an appropriate decurling effect. Table 3 shows an example of experimentally determining conditions for making the printed recording paper 2 substantially flat when it is cut after decurling. Here, the winding diameter Rφ of the recording paper 2 wound around the recording paper reel 15 is detected by sensing the amount of movement of the recording paper 2. For such detection, for example, the amount of the recording paper 2 sent out from the recording paper reel 15 is added to the number of pulses applied to the capstan motor 26, taking into account whether it is normal rotation or reverse rotation. Can be obtained by cumulative addition. The proper decurling effect here refers to a decurling effect in which the printed and cut recording paper 2 is flattened without curling. It should be noted that the curl amount can be appropriately given using a table different from Table 3.

  In the third embodiment, the energization time is controlled based on Table 3. That is, the winding diameter Rφ of the recording paper 2 wound around the recording paper reel 15 is adopted as a printing condition. Although a flowchart corresponding to the third embodiment is not shown, the third embodiment can be realized by modifying the processing of step ST105 to step ST108 shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 as follows.

  In step ST105, the control unit 100 senses the movement amount of the recording paper 2. For example, the number of pulses sent to the capstan motor 26 by itself within the CPU 101 is cumulatively added in consideration of whether it is normal rotation or reverse rotation, and the winding diameter Rφ which is the winding diameter of the recording paper 2 Is detected.

In step ST106, the control unit 100 detects whether or not the winding diameter Rφ is within a predetermined range.
If the winding diameter Rφ is within the predetermined range (Yes), the process moves to step ST107. If the winding diameter Rφ is not within the predetermined range (No), the process moves to step ST108.
Here, the predetermined range of winding diameter Rφ is a diameter in a range determined in advance by experiments, and is, for example, a range of Φ60 mm to Φ65 mm.

In step ST107, the control unit 100 sets the heat generation amount of the thermal head 4 when the laminate layer (L) is printed to be an initial set value (default value).
Thereafter, the processing moves to step ST110.
At this winding diameter Rφ, the heat generation amount of the thermal head 4 when the laminate layer (L) is printed is controlled by using the initial value setting (default value) and depending on the heat generation amount of the initial value setting of the thermal head 4. This is because the effect of curl correction can be obtained.

In step ST108, the control unit 100 refers to the conversion table to obtain a set value of the heat generation amount of the thermal head 4 when the laminate layer (L) is printed.
This conversion table is formed in a predetermined area of the RAM 103 based on Table 3. Then, the winding diameter Rφ calculated by the CPU 101 is input as an address of the RAM 103, and the set value of the heat generation amount of the thermal head 4 which is the data content, that is, the energization time Tr of the thermal head 4 is obtained.

  The processing after step ST109 is the same as that in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, since the winding diameter Rφ of the recording paper 2 wound around the recording paper reel 15 is adopted as a printing condition, appropriate curl correction is performed regardless of the winding diameter (winding diameter Rφ). Can do.

(Other embodiments)
Other examples of printing conditions (parameters) for changing the energization time of the thermal head 4 include specifications such as the material and size of the recording paper 2. In many cases, the recording paper 2 and the ink ribbon 11 are supplied as a set from these suppliers while being wound around the recording paper reel 15 and the supply reel 12, respectively. In such a case, information such as the material and size of the recording paper 2 is provided as the contents of the IC tag 19 built in the supply reel 12. The control unit 100 acquires these pieces of information stored in the IC tag 19 via the IC tag information detector 20, and appropriately changes the energization time of the thermal head 4 according to a table obtained in advance by experiments. Can do.

  Although the specific processing is not shown in the flowchart, it can be easily performed by changing the contents of step ST105 to step ST108 in FIG. That is, information obtained by the IC tag information detector 20 may be used as a printing condition instead of the environmental temperature.

  The conveyance speed of the recording paper 2 is detected by the pulse rate supplied to the capstan motor 26, and the humidity of the environment is detected by the humidity detector 17. Therefore, the control unit 100 can also control the energization time of the thermal head 4 according to various parameters detected from them. For example, when the conveyance speed of the recording paper 2 is fast, control such as energizing time is performed, and when the humidity of the recording paper 2 is high, control such as energizing time is performed. Even in this case, the processing can be easily performed by changing the contents of steps ST105 to ST108 in FIG.

(Embodiment combining parameters)
In the example described in the first to third embodiments and the other embodiments described above, the parameter for controlling the energization time of the thermal head 4 is one. However, in order to obtain an accurate decurling effect, it is also possible to perform control combining a plurality of parameters. For example, various combinations such as a combination of environmental temperature and average concentration, a combination of environmental temperature and winding diameter, a combination of average concentration and winding diameter, and a combination of environmental temperature, average concentration and winding diameter are possible. is there. These combinations can be handled uniformly by the same technical idea as described below.

  Control combining a plurality of parameters can be performed based on mathematical formulas obtained by mathematical computation in the control unit 100. Examples of mathematical expressions are given below.

  The relationship between the energization time Tt and the ambient temperature St shown in Table 1 is approximated by a polynomial as shown by Equation 1, and the relationship between the energization time Tn and the average concentration Na shown in Table 2 is approximated by a polynomial as shown by Equation 2. Then, the relationship between the energization time Tr and the winding diameter Rφ shown in Table 3 is approximated by a polynomial as shown in Equation 3. Here, Cn, Dn, and En are coefficients.

  Then, each of the influence of the environmental temperature St on the energization time, the influence of the average concentration Na on the energization time, and the influence of the winding diameter Rφ on the energization time is weighted to obtain the energization time Ta expressed by Equation 4. . The weighting coefficients K1, K2, and K3 are obtained from experimental results.

  The control unit 100 can control the energization time Ta of the thermal head 4 based on the result calculated by Equation 4 so that the decurling effect is maximized. Further, in the control using Equation 4, various combinations are possible when all of the coefficients K1 to K3 are not zero. For example, when the value of the coefficient other than the coefficient K1 is 0, it is a modified example of the first embodiment, and when the value of the coefficient other than the coefficient K2 is 0, the modified example of the second embodiment. Yes, when the values of the coefficients other than the coefficient K3 are 0, this is a modification of the third embodiment. Each modification does not refer to the table stored in the RAM 103 on the basis of Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3, but obtains the energization time by the above-described calculation performed inside the CPU 101 and performs control. Is. Further, the number of coefficients is not limited to three, which are coefficient K1 to coefficient K3. For example, the coefficient K4 is assigned to the material of the recording paper 2 and the coefficient K5 is assigned to the traveling speed of the recording paper 2. And can be expanded to any number.

  Control combining a plurality of parameters can be performed as follows with reference to a table in the control unit 100. Here, the table may be formed in a predetermined area of the RAM 103 or in a predetermined area of the ROM 102. However, in the following description, the table is described as being formed in the RAM 103.

  For example, the address of the predetermined area of the RAM 103 is specified by 12 bits in a 16-bit address space. Each of the environmental temperature St, the average concentration Na, and the winding diameter Rφ is converted into an integer, an appropriate offset is given, and each is expressed by 4 bits. The environmental temperature St, the average concentration Na, and the winding diameter Rφ are 12 bits in this order. An address space is formed. Then, the energization time is set to be substantially flat when one of the environmental temperature St, the average concentration Na, and the winding diameter Rφ is set as a variable and the other is fixed and the printed recording paper 2 is cut after decurling. Ta is obtained and written as the stored contents of the corresponding address. In this way, all the stored contents of the table are determined.

  The control unit 100 can control the energization time of the thermal head 4 with reference to the contents of the table formed in the RAM 103. Specifically, the energization time can be determined with reference to the contents of the RAM 103 indicated by the address formed by combining each of the environmental temperature St, the average concentration Na, and the winding diameter Rφ, which are variables, into integers.

  Even when an appropriate energization time is obtained by referring to the table, the number of parameters can be any plural number of two or more. That is, the material of the recording paper 2 and the traveling speed of the recording paper 2 can be used simultaneously as parameters for the printing conditions.

  Even in the case of performing control in which a plurality of parameters are combined as described above, it can be easily performed by changing the contents of step ST105 to step ST108 in the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, instead of the environmental temperature as a parameter, the information obtained by the above-described equation combining the parameters represented by Equation 4 or a table combining the parameters may be used.

  In all the embodiments described above, according to the amount of heat of the thermal head when printing the laminate layer, for example, the energization time for energizing the thermal head is controlled, and the printed printed paper after being cut is made substantially flat. can do. In addition, when the user prefers a curl state in a specific direction, it can be controlled to give an appropriate amount of curl. Further, in the case where the folded portion is provided, it is possible to obtain a desired decurling effect by controlling the energization time for energizing the thermal head in consideration of the curling correction effect in the route of the folded portion.

  In the above-described embodiment, a capstan and a platen roller are used to form an arc-shaped recording sheet conveyance path to simplify the mechanical structure as a curl correcting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. The same effect can be obtained by producing the above-described action. For example, apart from the platen roller, a dedicated correction guide roller (decal roller) may be disposed in the vicinity of the thermal head, and the curl of the roll paper may be corrected using the residual heat after printing. Here, the vicinity of the thermal head refers to a range in which the residual heat applied to the recording paper from the thermal head that can exhibit the decurling effect remains.

  In the printer apparatus according to the embodiment, it is possible to control the curl correction amount without adding additional heat generating means. As a result, the mechanical or thermal damage to the roll paper does not increase. Further, since the synergistic effect of the thermal decal correction effect and the mechanical decal correction effect is utilized, the decal correction effect is very large. Therefore, decal correction corresponding to a wide range of printing conditions can be performed only by adjusting the thermal decurl correction effect. Then, it is possible to control the curl correction amount without installing a decurling roller moving mechanism for changing the curl correction amount or separately adding a heating means. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of parts by sharing the necessary mechanical parts. And without burdening the parts cost and manufacturing cost without enlarging the apparatus.

  In the printer device of the embodiment, the amount of heat applied to the recording paper for obtaining an appropriate decurling effect is adjusted not at the coloring stage but at the laminate layer transfer stage, thereby degrading the image quality at the coloring stage. There is no cause. Therefore, good printing characteristics can be obtained. Further, the curl correction amount can be finely controlled steplessly by controlling the energization time of the thermal head at the stage of laminate layer transfer. For example, environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, remaining amount of roll paper (winding diameter), specifications such as roll paper material and size, printing conditions such as transport speed, image information (density) as printing contents, etc. Depending on the accuracy of the detector that detects this information, it is possible to continuously control within that range. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy the effect of stable curl correction without being affected by these printing conditions. Of course, a desired curl correction amount can be set and output in a curl shape desired by the user. Moreover, it can also be set as new embodiment other than what was mentioned above combining the various embodiment mentioned above.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a conveyance path for conveying a recording sheet of a printer apparatus. It is a figure which shows an ink ribbon typically. 2 is a block diagram centering on a control unit of the printer apparatus; FIG. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between a platen roller, a capstan, and a pinch roller. It is a flowchart of the process which controls a thermal head based on the information obtained from a detector part. It is a flowchart of a subroutine of printing processing for each color. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement relationship between an ink ribbon and a recording sheet. It is a flowchart of a subroutine for printing processing of a laminate layer It is a flowchart of the process which controls a thermal head according to the content of printing. The main part of the process which controls a thermal head according to the content of printing is shown with a flowchart.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer apparatus, 2 Recording paper, 3 Paper feed roller, 4 Thermal head, 5 Pinch roller, 6 Capstan, 7 Folding part, 8 Cutter, 9 Paper discharge port, 10 Paper output tray, 11 Ink ribbon, 12 Supply reel, 13 platen roller, 14 take-up reel, 15 recording paper reel, 16 temperature detector, 17 humidity detector, 19 IC tag, 20 tag information detector, 24 take-up motor, 26 capstan motor, 28 cutter driver, 100 control Part, 101 CPU (central processing unit), 102 ROM (read only memory), 103 RAM (random access memory), 104 interface circuit, 200 actuator part, 300 detector part

Claims (9)

A platen roller that causes a recording sheet having a winding line in a direction wound around the recording sheet reel to travel while being pressed against the recording sheet;
A thermal head disposed against the platen roller in order to apply heat to an ink ribbon having an ink layer and a laminate layer facing the recording paper;
A correction guide roller that has a curvature opposite to the direction of the curl and forms a travel path of the recording paper so that the recording paper comes into pressure contact with the platen roller;
A control unit that controls the amount of heat applied from the thermal head to the ink layer according to the contents of printing, and controls the amount of heat applied from the thermal head to the laminate layer according to printing conditions. Printer device. The controller is
Obtain the environmental temperature as the printing condition,
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an energization time of the thermal head is controlled according to the environmental temperature. The controller is
A density average value, which is an estimated value of the amount of heat applied to the ink layer, is obtained as the printing condition,
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energization time of the thermal head is controlled according to the density average value. The controller is
Obtaining an average density value for each column, which is an estimated value of the amount of heat applied to each column of the ink layer, as the printing condition;
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energization time of the thermal head is controlled for each column according to the density average value for each column. The controller is
Obtaining the recording paper material as the printing condition,
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an energization time of the thermal head is controlled according to the material. The controller is
Obtaining the winding diameter of the recording paper wound around the recording paper reel as the printing condition,
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energization time of the thermal head is controlled according to the winding diameter. The controller is
Obtaining the traveling speed of the recording paper as the printing condition,
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an energization time of the thermal head is controlled according to the traveling speed. The straightening guide roller is
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, which also functions as a capstan that adds a driving force for causing the recording paper to travel. Running a recording paper having a winding according to the direction wound around the recording paper reel along the running path;
A curvature in a direction opposite to the direction of the curl is imparted to the recording paper by a correction guide roller and a platen roller that form the travel path,
The amount of heat applied to the ink layer of the ink ribbon that is made to face the recording paper by the thermal head arranged against the platen roller is changed according to the contents of printing,
A control method for a printer apparatus, wherein the amount of heat applied to a laminate layer of an ink ribbon that is faced to the recording paper by the thermal head is changed according to printing conditions.

Images