JP2010194736A - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal transfer printer which satisfactorily provides image quality of a mat tone and image quality of a glossy tone. <P>SOLUTION: The thermal transfer printer 1 includes a thermal head 51 for thermally transferring an overcoat layer, and a driving part 52 for driving the thermal head 51. The driving part 52 is configured to be electrically attachable/detachable to/from the thermal head 51. The driving part 52 includes a first driving part side terminal group that is connected to a first thermal head when the thermal head 51 is the first thermal head including a heating part comprising a plurality of resistance elements, and a second driving part side terminal group that is connected to a second thermal head when the thermal head 51 is the second thermal head including a heating part comprising a single resistance element. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printer, and more particularly to a thermal transfer printer having a thermal head for overcoat transfer.

  In the description of “Prior Art” in Patent Document 1, an ink ribbon is disclosed in which an overcoat layer is connected behind an ink layer of yellow, magenta, and cyan (hereinafter referred to as YMC). In addition, in the description of “Example” in Patent Document 1, the YMC ink layer and the overcoat layer are provided as separate ribbons, and these ribbons are exchanged to perform YMC printing and overcoat printing. A scheme is disclosed.

JP 7-237307 A

  In any of the configurations described in Patent Document 1, overcoat printing is also performed by a thermal head used for YMC printing. In general, for printing YMC, a multi-resistance element type thermal head having a heat generating portion composed of a plurality of resistance elements is used. For this reason, according to the multi-resistance element type thermal head, the overcoat layer can be printed in various patterns by individually controlling the heat generation of each resistance element as in the YMC printing. When unevenness is formed on the printing surface with an overcoat layer, a rough texture, in other words, a matte image quality, is obtained by diffused reflection of light.

  On the other hand, when the overcoat layer is printed with a uniform thickness, a smooth texture, in other words, a glossy image quality can be obtained.

  However, in the case of a multi-resistance element type thermal head, the resistance value of each resistance element varies. Therefore, a difference is generated in the amount of heat generated in each resistance element, resulting in unevenness in the overcoat layer. For this reason, only a low level of glossiness can be obtained.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer printer that can satisfactorily obtain both image quality such as matte tone and glossy image quality.

A thermal transfer printer according to the present invention includes a thermal head for thermally transferring an overcoat layer, and a drive unit for driving the thermal head, and the drive unit is configured to be electrically detachable from the thermal head, When the thermal head is a first thermal head including a heat generating part composed of a plurality of resistance elements, a first drive unit side terminal group connected to the first thermal head, and the thermal head is a single And a second drive unit side terminal group connected to the second thermal head when the second thermal head includes a heat generating unit configured by a resistance element.

  According to the thermal transfer printer of the present invention, as the overcoat transfer thermal head, the first thermal head capable of forming matte image quality and the second thermal head suitable for forming glossy image quality are exchanged. Is available. For this reason, any image quality can be obtained satisfactorily. Moreover, these good image quality can be obtained with a single printer.

1 is a schematic diagram outlining a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which outlines an ink ribbon about embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which outlines an overcoat ribbon about an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram outlining an overcoat transfer thermal head (multi-resistance element type) and a drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram outlining an overcoat transfer thermal head (single resistance element type) and a drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged plan view which illustrates the transfer pattern of overcoat about embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram outlining a thermal transfer printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 1, for example, a print medium 10 such as paper or a resin sheet is supplied from the right side of the drawing by a transport mechanism (not shown) and finally discharged to the left side of the drawing. In view of such movement of the print medium 10, the supply side and the discharge side may be expressed as the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively.

  The thermal transfer printer 1 performs printing on the print medium 10 conveyed through the printer 1 using the ink ribbon 20 and the overcoat ribbon 30. FIG. 2 shows a plan view outlining the ink ribbon 20, and FIG. 3 shows a plan view outlining the overcoat ribbon 30.

  The ink ribbon 20 includes a base film (not shown) and an ink layer (hereinafter also referred to as ink) 21 disposed on the base film. The ink layer 21 is a colored ink layer for image recording. The term “image” includes “pictures” and “characters” and widely refers to visual information. The base film and the ink 21 can be formed of various existing materials.

  Here, the ink ribbon 20 has yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink layers 21, and these ink layers 21 are repeatedly arranged along the longitudinal direction of the base film. Illustratively (see FIG. 2). The arrangement order of the three colors is not limited to the order described above. Further, the types and number of image recording colors are not limited to the above three colors, and for example, only the black ink layer 21 may be provided.

  The ink ribbon 20 has one end in the longitudinal direction fixed to the supply bobbin 22 and the other end in the longitudinal direction fixed to the take-up bobbin 23. When the take-up bobbin 23 is rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown), the unused portion of the ink ribbon 20 is fed out from the supply bobbin 22 and the used portion is taken up by the take-up bobbin 23. The bobbins 22 and 23 are supported in the thermal transfer printer 1 so as to be rotatable with a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the print medium 10 (corresponding to the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) as the rotation axis direction. For example, the ink ribbon 20 and the bobbins 22 and 23 are accommodated in a housing (not shown) and supplied as a cartridge.

  The overcoat ribbon 30 includes a base film (not shown) and an overcoat layer (hereinafter also referred to as an overcoat) 31 disposed on the base film. Note that the overcoat layer is also called a protective layer, a laminate layer, or the like. The base film and the overcoat layer 31 can be formed of various existing materials.

  The overcoat ribbon 30 has one end in the longitudinal direction fixed to the supply bobbin 32 and the other end in the longitudinal direction fixed to the take-up bobbin 33. When the take-up bobbin 33 is rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown), the unused portion of the overcoat ribbon 30 is fed out from the supply bobbin 32 and the used portion is taken up by the take-up bobbin 33. The bobbins 32 and 33 are supported in the thermal transfer printer 1 so as to be rotatable with a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the print medium 10 (corresponding to a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) as a rotation axis direction. For example, the overcoat ribbon 30 and the bobbins 32 and 33 are accommodated in a housing (not shown) and supplied as a cartridge.

  The thermal transfer printer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an ink transfer thermal head 41 for thermally transferring the ink layer 21 (see FIG. 2) onto the print medium 10, and an ink transfer thermal head drive unit 42 for driving the thermal head 41. And an ink transfer platen roller 43.

  The thermal head 41 has a heat generating part composed of a plurality of resistance elements (not shown). The plurality of resistance elements are arranged in a line. The thermal head 41 has a posture in which the resistance elements are directed toward the print medium 10 and a posture in which the rows of the resistance elements extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the print medium 10 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) It is arranged in the thermal transfer printer 1.

  The drive unit 42 drives the head 41 by controlling voltage application to each resistance element of the thermal head 41.

  The platen roller 43 is disposed to face the heat generating part of the thermal head 41. The platen roller 43 is supported so as to be rotatable with a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the print medium 10 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) as the rotation axis direction.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a state in which the thermal head 41 and the platen roller 43 are separated from each other, the thermal head 41 and the platen roller 43 are close to each other and sandwich the ink ribbon 20 and the print medium 10 during printing.

  Further, the thermal transfer printer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an overcoat transfer thermal head 51 for thermally transferring an overcoat layer 31 (see FIG. 3) onto the print medium 10, and an overcoat transfer thermal for driving the thermal head 51. A head driving unit 52 and an overcoat transfer platen roller 53 are included.

  In the thermal transfer printer 1, the thermal head 51 and the drive unit 52 are configured to be electrically detachable, and different types of thermal heads 51 can be mounted. The thermal head 51 and the drive unit 52 will be described in detail later.

  The platen roller 53 is disposed so as to face a heat generating portion (described later) of the thermal head 51. The platen roller 53 is supported so as to be rotatable with a direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the transport direction of the print medium 10 as the rotation axis direction.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a state where the thermal head 51 and the platen roller 53 are separated from each other, the thermal head 51 and the platen roller 53 are close to each other and sandwich the overcoat ribbon 30 and the print medium 10 during printing. .

  In addition, the thermal transfer printer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a cutter 60. In FIG. 1, the cutter 60 is schematically illustrated. The cutter 60 is a mechanism for cutting the print medium 10 when it is roll paper or continuous paper. The cutter 60 is disposed between a region where the ink layer 21 is transferred and a region where the overcoat layer 31 is transferred. For example, when the printing medium 10 to be used is only a cut sheet, the cutter 60 can be omitted.

  Here, the printing operation by the thermal transfer printer 1 will be outlined. First, the print medium 10 is supplied from the upstream side (right side in FIG. 1) to the ink transfer region, and is inserted between the ink ribbon 20 and the platen roller 43. The print medium 10 and the ink ribbon 20 are sandwiched between the platen roller 43 and the thermal head 41. In this sandwiched state, the thermal head 41 generates heat, so that the ink layer 21 is sublimated and transferred onto the print medium 10. At this time, when the platen roller 43 rotates, the print medium 10 is conveyed and transferred for one screen, in other words, for one page.

  In the case of the ink ribbon 20 illustrated in FIG. 2, the yellow ink 21 is first transferred. When the ink transfer for one screen is completed by the yellow ink 21, the heat generation of the thermal head 41 is stopped, and the printing medium 10 is pulled back by the reverse rotation of the platen roller 43. Thereafter, similarly, the magenta and cyan inks 21 are thermally transferred.

  When the transfer of the three color inks 21 is completed, the print medium 10 is conveyed to the overcoat transfer region and is inserted between the overcoat ribbon 30 and the platen roller 53. The print medium 10 and the overcoat ribbon 30 are sandwiched between the platen roller 53 and the thermal head 51. The print medium 10 is cut by the cutter 60 when it is conveyed for one screen.

  When the thermal head 51 generates heat in the sandwiched state, the overcoat layer 31 is sublimated, and more specifically, the ink 21 is transferred onto the printed print medium 10. At this time, when the platen roller 53 rotates, the printing medium 10 is conveyed and transfer for one screen is performed.

  Next, the overcoat transfer thermal head 51 and its driving unit 52 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a schematic diagram outlining the case where the overcoat transfer thermal head 51 is a multi-resistive element type thermal head (hereinafter also referred to as a first thermal head) 51A. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram outlining a case where a single resistance element type thermal head (hereinafter also referred to as a second thermal head) 51B. 4 and 5, the configuration of the drive unit 52 is the same.

  4 and 5, the first thermal head 51A includes terminals 101 to 106, the second thermal head 51B includes terminals 201 and 207, and the driving unit 52 includes terminals 301 to 307. Note that the number of the terminals 101 to 106, 201, 207, and 301 to 307 is not limited to the example here.

  4 and 5, for easy understanding, the thermal heads 51 </ b> A and 51 </ b> B are separated from the driving unit 52, while the terminals connected to each other are connected by a two-dot chain line. More specifically, the terminals 101 to 106 of the first thermal head 51A and the terminals 301 to 306 of the driving unit 52 are respectively connected, and the terminals 201 and 207 of the second thermal head 51B and the terminals 301 and 307 of the driving unit 52 are connected. Are connected to each other.

  In this case, the terminals 301 to 306 of the drive unit 52 constitute a terminal group 311 connected to the terminal group 111 (configured of the terminals 101 to 106) of the first thermal head 51A, and the terminals 301 and 307 of the drive unit 52. Constitutes a terminal group 312 connected to the terminal group 212 (consisting of terminals 201 and 207) of the second thermal head 51B. The terminal 301 of the drive unit 52 is shared by both terminal groups 311 and 312.

  In the following description, the terminal group 111 of the first thermal head 51A is also referred to as a first head side terminal group 111, and the terminal group 212 of the second thermal head 51B is also referred to as a second head side terminal group 212. The terminal group 311 of the drive unit 52 is also referred to as a first drive unit side terminal group 311, and the terminal group 312 of the drive unit 52 is also referred to as a second drive unit side terminal group 312.

  In the thermal transfer printer 1, the thermal heads 51 </ b> A and 51 </ b> B are replaced and used, so that the terminals 101 to 106, 201 and 207 of the thermal heads 51 </ b> A and 51 </ b> B and the terminals 301 to 307 of the driving unit 52 are electrically detachable. Is provided.

  Such a detachable terminal configuration can be realized, for example, by using a connector, particularly a multi-terminal connector having a plurality of terminals (in other words, contacts). More specifically, a multi-terminal connector is provided in each of the thermal heads 51A and 51B and the drive unit 52. In particular, both connectors for the thermal heads 51A and 51B employ a structure that is detachable from the drive unit 52 connector. Here, it is assumed that the connectors for the thermal heads 51A and 51B have the same structure. Terminals 301 to 307, 101 to 106, 201, and 207 are assigned to the terminals of each connector so that the above terminal connection form is realized.

  Each of the above connectors can be mounted on the thermal heads 51A and 51B and the drive unit 52 in various forms. For example, the connector may be mounted on a base (not shown) to which various elements described later are attached. Or you may provide a connector in front-end | tip parts, such as a cable connected to the said base | substrate, and a flexible printed circuit board (Flexible Printed Circuits: FPC), for example.

  Alternatively, a shape in which the thermal heads 51A and 51B and the drive unit 52 come into contact with each other when the thermal heads 51A and 51B are attached to predetermined positions of the thermal transfer printer 1 is adopted for the thermal heads 51A and 51B and the drive unit 52. Connection of the terminal groups 111 and 311 and connection of the terminal groups 212 and 312 may be realized by providing the terminals 101 to 106, 201, 207, and 301 to 307 at the site.

  In addition, the form which arrange | positions the terminals 101-106,201,207 and the terminals 301-307 detachably is not limited to the said illustration.

  In any form, by setting the arrangement of the terminals 101 to 106 of the first thermal head 51A and the arrangement of the terminals 201 and 207 of the second thermal head 51B according to the terminal arrangement of the terminals 301 to 307 of the driving unit 52, The terminal groups 311 and 111 can be easily connected, and the terminal groups 312 and 212 can be easily connected. Therefore, the first thermal head 51A and the second thermal head 51B can be easily exchanged.

  In addition to the terminals 101 to 106, the first thermal head 51A illustrated in FIG. 4 generates a heat energy for generating thermal energy for thermally transferring the overcoat layer 31 to the print medium 10, and a voltage applied to the heat generation unit 120. And a voltage application control unit 130 for controlling the application. These elements are attached to a base (not shown), for example. In the following description, the voltage application control unit 130 is also referred to as a first voltage application control unit 130. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, the voltage application control unit 130 and the heat generation unit 120 are connected in series between the terminals 101 and 106, and the voltage application control unit 130 is connected to the terminals 102 to 104. More specific description will be given below.

  The heating part 120 has a plurality of resistance elements as heating elements, and these resistance elements are arranged in a line. Here, in order to simplify the explanation, three resistor elements 121 to 123 are exemplified as the above-described plurality of resistor elements. Generally, for example, about 1000 to 2000 resistor elements are arranged in a width of 100 mm. The The thermal head 51A has a posture in which the resistance elements 121 to 123 are directed toward the print medium 10 and the direction in which the rows of the resistance elements 121 to 123 are orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the print medium 10 (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1). It is arranged in the thermal transfer printer 1 in an extended posture.

  The voltage application control unit 130 includes switching units 131 to 133 provided in the resistance elements 121 to 123, and a switching control unit 135 that controls switching operations of the switching units 131 to 133, in other words, on / off operations. Is included.

  Although the switching units 131 to 133 are schematically illustrated by circuit symbols in FIG. 4, the switching units 131 to 133 are configured by various elements and circuits that can realize a switching operation based on an input control signal.

  The switching control unit 135 is connected to the terminals 102 to 104 and outputs an on / off control signal to each of the switching units 131 to 133 based on a signal input from the drive unit 52 side via the terminals 102 to 104. . The operation of the switching control unit 135, in other words, the processing by the switching control unit 135 can be realized by a combination of various logic circuits, for example. The switching control unit 135 will be further described later.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the terminal 101 is connected to one end of the switching unit 131, the other end of the switching unit 131 is connected to one end of the resistance element 121, and the other end of the resistance element 121 is connected to the terminal 106. Similarly, the terminal 101 is connected to one end of the switching units 132 and 133, the other end of the switching unit 132 and 133 is connected to one end of the resistance elements 122 and 123, and the other end of the resistance elements 122 and 123 is connected to the terminal 106. It is connected. In other words, a configuration in which the switching unit 131 and the resistance element 121 are directly connected, a configuration in which the switching unit 132 and the resistance element 122 are connected in series, and a switching unit 133 and the resistance element 123 are directly connected. Are connected in parallel between the terminals 101 and 106.

  As will be described later, an applied voltage is supplied from the drive unit 52 to the resistance elements 121 to 123 by the terminals 101 and 106. For this reason, voltage application to the resistance elements 121 to 123, in other words, heat generation of the resistance elements 121 to 123, is controlled by the on / off control of the switching units 131 to 133.

  The first thermal head 51 </ b> A illustrated in FIG. 4 further includes a storage unit 140 connected to the terminal 105. The storage unit 140 includes a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit 140 stores various information related to the first thermal head 51A. Various information includes information such as a head ID (product model name, serial number, etc.), an average resistance value of the resistance elements 121 to 123, and the information can be read out to the drive unit 52 via the terminal 105. Examples of the various information include the total use time of the first thermal head 51 </ b> A, and such information can be updated by the drive unit 52 via the terminal 105.

  The second thermal head 51 </ b> B illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a heating unit 220 that generates thermal energy for thermally transferring the overcoat layer 31 to the print medium 10 in addition to the terminals 201 and 207. The heat generating part 220 is attached to a base (not shown), for example. The heat generating part 220 has a single resistance element 221 as a heat generating element. The resistance element 221 is connected between the terminals 201 and 207. That is, the heat generating part 220 is connected between the terminals 201 and 207. The resistance element 221 extends in one direction, and the extension length of the resistance element 221 is substantially equal to the arrangement length of the resistance elements 121 to 123 of the first thermal head 51A (see FIG. 4), for example, 100 mm. is there. The thermal head 51B is in a posture in which the resistance element 221 faces the print medium 10 and in a posture in which the resistance element 221 extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the print medium 10 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1). Arranged in the thermal transfer printer 1.

  4 and 5 further includes a voltage supply unit 360, a voltage control unit 330, and a control unit 340 in addition to the terminals 301 to 307 described above. In the following description, the voltage application control unit 330 is also referred to as a second voltage application control unit 330.

  The voltage supply unit 360 is connected to the terminal 301 and outputs a voltage (drive voltage) applied to the resistors 121 to 123 and 221 to the terminal 301. The voltage supply unit 360 can be composed of various power supply circuits.

  Here, when the first thermal head 51A is connected to the drive unit 52 (see FIG. 4), the terminal 301 to which the voltage supply unit 360 is connected includes the terminal 101, the voltage control unit 130, the heating unit 120, The terminal 106 is connected to the terminal 306 of the driving unit 52 through the terminal 106. The terminal 306 is grounded. Accordingly, when the switching units 131 to 133 of the first thermal head 51A are in the ON state, the resistance elements 121 to 123 generate heat by being applied with the drive voltage.

  Here, the voltage control unit 330 is exemplified by a switching unit 331. The switching unit 331 is schematically illustrated by circuit symbols in FIGS. 4 and 5, but is configured by various elements and circuits that can realize a switching operation based on an input control signal. The switching unit 331 has one end connected to the terminal 307 and the other end grounded. That is, the terminal 307 is grounded via the voltage control unit 330. On / off control of the switching unit 331 is performed by the control unit 340 as described later.

  Here, when the second thermal head 51B is connected to the drive unit 52 (see FIG. 5), the terminal 301 to which the voltage supply unit 360 is connected is connected via the terminal 201, the heat generating unit 220, and the terminal 207. , Connected to the terminal 307 of the drive unit 52. The terminal 307 is grounded via the voltage control unit 330 as described above. As a result, when the switching unit 331 is in the ON state, the resistance element 221 generates heat when a driving voltage is applied.

  Thus, in the thermal transfer printer 1, the voltage control unit 330 that drives the heat generating unit 220 of the second thermal head 51B is provided in the driving unit 52 that is outside the thermal head 51B.

  The control unit 340 is connected to the terminals 302 to 305 and the second voltage application control unit 330. The control unit 340 can output a control signal S1 for controlling the first voltage application control unit 130 in the first thermal head 51A and a control signal S2 for controlling the second voltage application control unit 330 in the drive unit 52. It is configured.

  The terminal 305 to which the control unit 340 is connected is connected to the storage unit 140 of the first thermal head 51A, but is not connected to the circuit in the second thermal head 51B. Therefore, the control unit 304 uses the terminal 305 to determine whether the overcoat transfer thermal head 51 to which the drive unit 52 is connected is the first thermal head 51A or the second thermal head 51B. Identify.

  For example, the control unit 340 attempts to access the storage unit 140 via the terminal 305. As an example of such access, there is a request for reading various information stored in the storage unit 140. The control unit 340 determines that the first thermal head 51 </ b> A is connected to the drive unit 52 when the response to the access is acquired via the terminal 305. On the other hand, the control unit 340 determines that the second thermal head 51B is connected to the drive unit 52 when the response to the access cannot be obtained via the terminal 305.

  The second thermal head 51 </ b> B may be provided with a storage unit corresponding to the storage unit 140 and a terminal corresponding to the terminal 105. Information of the same type as the information stored in the storage unit 140 is stored in the storage unit. According to this example, the control unit 340 can identify which of the thermal heads 51A and 51B the connection partner is based on the content of information acquired through the terminal 305 by the access. For example, the type of the thermal heads 51A and 51B can be determined by the product type name and serial number. Alternatively, information indicating whether the storage unit 140 or the like is the first thermal head 51A (that is, the multi-resistance element type) or the second thermal head 51B (that is, the single resistance element type). May be stored and the information may be used.

  When the control unit 340 determines that the first thermal head 51A is connected (see FIG. 4), the control unit 340 generates a control signal S1 for the first voltage application control unit 130, and the terminals 302 to 354 through the wirings 352 to 354. 304. The wirings 352 to 354 are connected to the control unit 340 and to the terminals 302 to 304, respectively.

  The control signal S1 is a control signal for controlling on / off of the switching units 131 to 133, in other words, control data. Here, an on / off control signal for the switching unit 131 is output to the terminal 302 via the wiring 352, and an on / off control signal for the switching unit 132 is output to the terminal 303 via the wiring 353, and the switching unit 133. The on / off control signal is output to the terminal 304 through the wiring 354.

  In addition to the control signal S1, the control unit 340 generates, for example, a timing control signal for synchronizing the operation timings of the switching units 131 to 133, a clock signal used by the voltage application control unit 135, and the like. These control signals are output to terminals (not shown) included in the first drive unit side terminal group 311.

  The control signal S1 is input to the voltage application control unit 130 of the first thermal head 51A via the terminals 102 to 104. Note that the timing control signal, the clock signal, and the like are also input to the voltage application control unit 130. The switching control unit 135 of the voltage application control unit 130 controls on / off of the switching units 131 to 133 according to the control signal S1, the timing control signal, the clock signal, and the like.

  Here, when there are more switching parts of the voltage application control part 130 than the input terminals 102-104 of the ON / OFF control signal of the switching part, a plurality of switching parts are assigned to the terminals 102-104. More specifically, the control unit 340 serially outputs ON / OFF control signals for a plurality of switching units to the terminals 302 to 304, that is, the terminals 102 to 104. In this case, the switching control unit 135 divides the acquired serial signal into on / off signals for the respective switching units. Such signal division can use, for example, serial / parallel conversion by a shift register (a function of converting an input serial signal into a parallel signal and outputting the parallel signal).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the second thermal head 51B is connected (see FIG. 5), the control unit 340 generates and outputs a control signal S2 for the second voltage application control unit 330. In the drive unit 52, one of the wires 352 to 354 (here, the wire 352 is illustrated) branches and is also connected to the second voltage application control unit 330 to transmit the control signal S2. Also used for.

  The control signal S2 is a control signal for on / off control of the switching unit 331 of the second voltage application control unit 330, in other words, control data. Accordingly, the control unit 340 performs on / off control of the switching unit 331 connected to the resistance element 221 via the terminals 307 and 207.

  Various operations of the control unit 340, in other words, various processes by the control unit 340 can be realized by software, for example, by a microprocessor executing a predetermined program. In this case, the control unit 340 includes a microprocessor and a storage device (ROM, RAM, etc.) in which a program is stored. Note that part or all of the processing by the control unit 340 can be realized by hardware by a combination of various logic circuits.

  When the first thermal head 51A is connected to the drive unit 52, the terminal 302 is connected to the thermal head 51A, but the terminal 307 is not connected to the thermal head 51A. On the other hand, when the second thermal head 51B is connected to the drive unit 52, the terminal 307 is connected to the thermal head 51B, but the terminal 302 is not connected to the thermal head 51B. For this reason, even if the wiring 352 is shared (shared), there is no problem in the operation of the thermal transfer printer 1.

  As described above, the control signal S2 for the second voltage application control unit 330 is transmitted to the second voltage application control unit 330 using the wiring 352 that transmits the control signal S1 for the first voltage application control unit 130. Is done. That is, the wiring 352 is also used. For this reason, wiring can be reduced and a wiring arrangement area can be reduced. Alternatively, the wiring arrangement can be given a margin by reducing the wiring. In particular, since the wiring is crowded in the vicinity of the control unit 340, such a margin is preferable in terms of manufacturing.

  As can be seen from the above description, the terminal 301 is an output terminal for the head drive voltage of the thermal heads 51A and 51B, and the terminals 101 and 201 are input terminals for the head drive voltage. Terminals 302 to 304 are output terminals for the control signal S1, and terminals 102 to 104 are input terminals for the control signal S1. The terminal 305 is a head identification terminal for identifying the thermal heads 51A and 51B, and the terminal 105 is an identification information providing terminal for providing identification information indicating the first thermal head 51A. Terminals 306, 106, and 207 are ground terminals.

  Here, the transfer of the overcoat layer 31 by the thermal heads 51A and 51B will be described. In either case of the thermal heads 51A and 51B, the overcoat layer 31 is transferred thicker as the heating value of the resistance elements 121 to 123 and 221 is larger. The amount of generated heat depends on the voltage application time to each of the resistance elements 121 to 123 and 221, in other words, the energization time. That is, the longer the time during which the corresponding switching units 131-133, 331 are in the on state, the greater the amount of heat generated, and as a result, the overcoat layer 31 is transferred thicker.

  In the case of the first thermal head 51A (see FIG. 4), the heat generation of each of the resistance elements 121 to 123 can be individually controlled for each element. FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a transfer pattern of the overcoat 431 transferred by the first thermal head 51A. In the example of FIG. 6, the thickly transferred portion 431a and the thinly transferred portion 431b are portions formed by one resistance element. In addition, in order to make the drawing easy to understand, the thick portion 431a is hatched. The thickness of the thick portion 431a is, for example, 20 μm, and the thickness of the thin portion 431b is, for example, 8 μm.

  According to the overcoat 431 having such a concavo-convex surface, the incident light is irregularly reflected, so that a rough texture, in other words, a matte image quality is obtained.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a pattern in which both portions 431a and 431b are alternately arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, but other transfer patterns are possible by controlling the amount of heat generated for each resistance element. For example, a concavo-convex pattern in which a plurality of thick portions 431a are continuous or a plurality of thin portions 431b are continuous can be formed. In addition, for example, it is possible to form a concavo-convex pattern in which the arrangement periods of the portions 431a and 431b are different in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In addition, an uneven pattern in which both portions 4431a and 431b are randomly arranged can be formed. Various textures can be expressed by various transfer patterns.

  The overcoat transfer pattern can be selected, for example, by using a signal S0 (see FIG. 4) input to the control unit 340. More specifically, the control unit 340 outputs the control signal S1 corresponding to the transfer pattern designated by the input signal S0, whereby the overcoat can be printed with a desired uneven pattern. The signal S0 is transmitted from, for example, an input unit (operation button or the like) of the thermal transfer printer 1 or a host device to which the thermal transfer printer 1 is connected.

  On the other hand, in the case of the second thermal head 51B (see FIG. 5), since the heat generating part 220 is composed of a single resistance element 221, it is possible to transfer the overcoat with a uniform thickness over the entire surface. In particular, the overcoat transferred by the second thermal head 51B has a uniform thickness compared to the overcoat transferred by driving all the resistance elements 121 to 123 of the first thermal head 51A with the same energization time. High nature. For this reason, glossiness, in other words, a smooth texture can be obtained at a higher level.

  As described above, according to the thermal transfer printer 1, as the overcoat transfer thermal head 51, the first thermal head 51A capable of forming matte image quality and the second thermal head 51B suitable for forming glossy image quality. Can be used in exchange for. For this reason, any image quality can be obtained satisfactorily. Moreover, these good image quality can be obtained with a single printer.

  To provide a thermal transfer printer specialized for overcoat transfer by removing the elements (thermal head 41, driving unit 42, platen roller 43, etc.) used for transferring the ink layer 21 from the thermal transfer printer 1 described above. Is also possible.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal transfer printer, 20 Ink ribbon, 21 Ink layer, 30 Overcoat ribbon, 31 Overcoat layer, 41 Ink transfer thermal head, 42 Ink transfer thermal head drive part, 51 Overcoat transfer thermal head, 51A 1st thermal head, 101-106 terminals, 111 1st head side terminal group, 120 heat generating part, 121-123 resistance element, 130 1st voltage application control part, 51B 2nd thermal head, 201,207 terminal, 212 2nd head side terminal group, 220 Heat generating unit, 221 Resistive element, 52 Overcoat transfer thermal head driving unit, 301 to 307 terminals, 311 First driving unit side terminal group, 312 Second driving unit side terminal group, 330 Second voltage application control unit, 340 Control unit, 352-354 wiring, S1, S2 Control signal.

Claims (3)

A thermal head for thermal transfer of the overcoat layer;
A drive unit for driving the thermal head,
The drive unit is
It is configured to be electrically detachable from the thermal head,
A first drive unit side terminal group connected to the first thermal head when the thermal head is a first thermal head including a heat generating unit composed of a plurality of resistance elements;
A thermal transfer printer comprising: a second drive unit side terminal group connected to the second thermal head when the thermal head is a second thermal head including a heat generating unit composed of a single resistance element. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1,
The first thermal head further includes a first voltage application control unit that controls voltage application to each of the plurality of resistance elements,
The drive unit is
A second voltage application control unit for controlling voltage application to the single resistance element of the second thermal head;
A control unit capable of outputting control signals for the first voltage application control unit and the second voltage application control unit;
A plurality of wirings for transmitting the control signal for the first voltage application control unit from the control unit to the first drive unit side terminal group;
One of the plurality of wirings is also connected to the second voltage application control unit, and is used for transmission of the control signal for the second voltage application control unit. The thermal transfer printer according to claim 1 or 2,
The first thermal head further includes a first head side terminal group connected to the first drive unit side terminal group,
The second thermal head further includes a second head side terminal group connected to the second drive unit side terminal group,
The terminals of the first head side terminal group are arranged according to the terminal arrangement of the first driving unit side terminal group in the driving unit,
The terminals of the second head side terminal group are arranged according to the terminal arrangement of the second drive unit side terminal group in the drive unit,
Thermal transfer printer.

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