JP2020163704A - Printing device and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To print a character indicated by emboss forming data on a medium by using an ink printer.SOLUTION: A printing device includes a character printing processing unit 110 for generating character printing data for printing a character on a medium based on emboss forming data for forming an emboss on a medium and printing the generated character printing data on the medium, an image printing processing unit 120 for generating data for printing an image indicated by image data on the medium based on the acquired image data and printing the generated data for printing an image on the medium, and an overcoat processing unit 130 for setting an overcoat area on the medium based on the character printing data and the image printing data and performing prescribed printing on the set overcoat area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method.

For plastic cards such as general credit cards, a technique for forming three-dimensional characters called embossing is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-175231

To form embossed letters, it is necessary to use a device called an embosser. The scale of this embosser itself is relatively large, and the noise generated during formation is also regarded as a problem. Due to these circumstances, the demand for embossa is declining. On the other hand, card printers using general ink (hereinafter referred to as ink printers) are not compatible with the functions of the embosser. Therefore, the ink printer has a problem that the characters indicated by the embossing data cannot be printed on the medium.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of printing characters indicated by data for embossing on a medium using an ink printer.

In order to solve the above problems, the printing apparatus of the present invention generates character printing data for printing characters on the medium based on the embossing data for forming embossing on the medium, and the generated data is generated. A character printing processing unit that prints character printing data on the medium, and
An image printing processing unit that generates image printing data for printing the image indicated by the image data on the medium based on the acquired image data, and prints the generated image printing data on the medium.
It is characterized by having an overcoat processing unit that sets an overcoat area on the medium based on the character printing data and the image printing data, and performs predetermined printing on the set overcoat area. To do.

In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the character printing processing unit generates character printing data based on the embossing data, the image printing processing unit generates image printing data based on the acquired image data, and overcoating processing is performed. The unit sets the overcoat area based on the character print data and the image print data, and prints the character print data, the image print data, and the overcoat area. Therefore, in the present invention, the characters indicated by the embossing data can be printed on the medium using the ink printer without changing the higher-level application or system.

In the present invention, the printing apparatus has a storage unit for storing the image data.
The image printing processing unit acquires the image data from the storage unit. In this case, even if the image data is not connected to the communication network, the image data can be printed only by specifying the inside of the storage unit.

In the present invention, the printing device has a communication unit that receives the image data from an external device.
The image printing processing unit acquires image data received by the communication unit. In this case, the types of image data that can be printed are various.

In the present invention, the printing apparatus includes printing of the character printing data performed by the character printing processing unit, printing of the image printing data performed by the image printing processing unit, and printing performed by the overcoat processing unit. , Performed in a predetermined order. In this case, the printed characters and images can be displayed clearly.

In the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the image printing processing unit prints the image printing data, then the character printing processing unit prints the character printing data, and then the overcoating process. The department prints. In this case, the printed characters and images can be displayed clearly.

In the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the character printing processing unit, the image printing processing unit, and the overcoating processing unit perform printing by using the ink ribbon transfer method. In this case, various media can be printed, and strong embossed characters can be printed.

In the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the character printing processing unit prints using a melt-type black ink ribbon.
The image printing processing unit prints using a sublimation type YMC three primary color ink ribbons.
The overcoat processing unit prints using an ink ribbon for overcoating. In this case, various media can be printed, and strong embossed characters can be printed.

In the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the medium is a card. In this case, printing using ink can be performed on the card for which embossing is to be formed.

In order to solve the above problems, the printing method of the present invention includes a process of generating character printing data for printing characters on the medium based on the embossing data for forming embossing on the medium.
Based on the acquired image data, a process of generating image print data for printing the image indicated by the image data on the medium, and a process of generating image print data.
A process of setting an overcoat area on the medium based on the character print data and the image print data, and
The process of printing the generated character printing data on the medium, and
The process of printing the generated image printing data on the medium, and
It is characterized in that a process of performing a predetermined printing on the set overcoat area is performed.

In the printing method of the present invention, character printing data is generated based on the embossing data, image printing data is generated based on the acquired image data, and based on the character printing data and the image printing data. The overcoat area is set, and the character print data, the image print data, and the overcoat area are printed. Therefore, in the present invention, the characters indicated by the embossing data can be printed on the medium using the ink printer without changing the higher-level application or system.

In the present invention, the printing method performs a process of acquiring the image data from a storage unit that stores the image data. In this case, even if the image data is not connected to the communication network, the image data can be printed only by specifying the inside of the storage unit.

In the present invention, the printing method performs a process of acquiring image data received from an external device. In this case, the types of image data that can be printed are various.

In the present invention, in the printing method, the printing of the character printing data, the printing of the image printing data, and the printing on the overcoat area are performed in a predetermined order. In this case, the printed characters and images can be displayed clearly.

In the present invention, the printing method prints the image printing data, then prints the character printing data, and then prints the overcoat area. In this case, the printed characters and images can be displayed clearly.

In the present invention, in the printing method, the printing of the character printing data, the printing of the image printing data, and the printing on the overcoat region are performed by using the ink ribbon transfer method. In this case, it is possible to print on various media, and it is possible to print strong embossed characters.

In the present invention, in the printing method, the printing of the character printing data is performed using a molten black ink ribbon.
The image printing data is printed using a sublimation type YMC three primary color ink ribbon.
Printing on the overcoat region is performed using an overcoat ink ribbon. In this case, it is possible to print on various media, and it is possible to print strong embossed characters.

As described above, in the present invention, the characters indicated by the embossing data can be printed on the medium using an ink printer.

It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of the printing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the printing method in the printing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the print state of a medium at the time of performing the process of step S5. It is a figure which shows an example of the print state of a medium at the time of performing the process of step S6. It is a figure which shows an example of the print state of a medium at the time of performing the process of step S7. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of the printing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the printing method in the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 100 in this embodiment includes a character printing processing unit 110, an image printing processing unit 120, an overcoat processing unit 130, and a storage unit 140. Note that FIG. 1 shows only the main elements related to the present embodiment among the constituent elements included in the printing apparatus 100 of the present invention.

The storage unit 140 stores image data. The storage unit 140 may be a general memory and has a storage address that can specify an area in which each data is stored.
The character printing processing unit 110 generates character printing data for printing characters on the medium based on the embossing forming data for forming embossing on a medium such as a plastic card (hereinafter referred to as a medium). The generation of character printing data based on the embossing data is performed in a middleware layer called an XFS Service Provider. More specifically, in the XFS Embossing class that performs embossing processing, the character string formed as embossing, the font type, the character size, and the formation position are specified from the higher-level application to the Service Provider, and the Service Provider is used. Generate character print data that can be printed using an ink printer. The character printing processing unit 110 prints the generated character printing data on the medium. The character printing processing unit 110 prints using a method of transferring a black ink ribbon to a medium.
The image print processing unit 120 reads and acquires image data from the storage unit 140. At this time, the image printing processing unit 120 specifies the storage address of the image data for the storage unit 140 and acquires the image data from the storage unit 140. The image printing processing unit 120 generates image printing data for printing the image indicated by the image data on the medium based on the acquired image data. The image printing processing unit 120 prints the generated image printing data on the medium. At this time, the image printing processing unit 120 decomposes the image printing data into the color components of the three primary colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenda), and C (Cyan), and transfers the ink ribbons of the three primary colors of YMC to the medium. Printing is performed using the method.
The overcoat processing unit 130 sets an overcoat area on the medium based on the character print data and the image print data. The overcoat processing unit 130 performs predetermined printing on the set overcoat area. The overcoat processing unit 130 prints the overcoat layer on the set overcoat region by using a method of transferring the ink ribbon for overcoating to the medium.

The printing device 100 is a card printing device that transfers the paint of the ink ribbon to the medium by a thermal transfer method. The ink ribbon used in the printing apparatus 100 is a sublimation type for Y (Yellow), M (Magenda) and C (Cyan), and a molten type for black and overcoat. Further, the actual printing on the medium is performed by the printing head used in the printing of the normal thermal transfer method. The character printing processing unit 110, the image printing processing unit 120, and the overcoating processing unit 130 give a printing instruction to the print head.

The printing method in the printing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a printing method in the printing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

First, the character printing processing unit 110 generates character printing data for printing characters on a medium based on the embossing forming data for forming embossing (step S1). Further, the image printing processing unit 120 reads the image data stored in the storage unit 140 from the storage unit 140 and acquires the image data (step S2). Subsequently, the image printing processing unit 120 generates image printing data for printing the image indicated by the image data on the medium based on the acquired image data (step S3). Here, the image printing processing unit 120 may perform the processing of steps S2 and S3, and then the character printing processing unit 110 may perform the processing of step S1. Further, the overcoat processing unit 130 sets an overcoat area on the medium based on the character printing data and the image printing data (step S4). This overcoat area is an area that covers the print area of the character print data and the print area of the image print data. That is, the overcoat processing unit 130 sets an area to cover the printed characters and the image so as to protect them. The overcoat processing unit 130 may set the entire medium to be printed as the overcoat area. The order of the process of step S1, the process of steps S2 and S3, and the process of step S4 is not limited to this.

Then, the image printing processing unit 120 prints the generated image printing data on the medium using the ink ribbons of the three primary colors of YMC (step S5). Subsequently, the character printing processing unit 110 prints the generated character printing data on the medium using the black ink ribbon (step S6). Further, the overcoat processing unit 130 performs predetermined printing on the set overcoat area using the ink ribbon for overcoating (step S7). It should be noted that not only the processing of steps S1 to S4 and then the processing of steps S5 to S7, but also the image printing processing unit 120 performs the processing of steps S2 and 3 and then the processing of step S5. Subsequently, the character printing processing unit 110 performs the processing of step S1, then the processing of step S6, and then the overcoat processing unit 130 performs the processing of step S4, and then the processing of step S7. It may be a thing. That is, the character printing processing unit 110, the image printing processing unit 120, and the overcoating processing unit 130 may each perform printing each time they create printing data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a print state of the medium when the process of step S5 is performed. As shown in FIG. 3, an 8-digit character string of "01234567" is printed on the card 200, which is a medium. This character string is embossing forming data when acquired from a higher-level device or the like, and is converted into character printing data by the character printing processing unit 110 by the XFS Service Provider. The character string is printed by the character printing processing unit 110 using a black ink ribbon. The area for printing the character string is the specified area.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print state of the medium when the process of step S6 is performed. As shown in FIG. 4, the image of the face is printed on the card 200 which is a medium. This face image is image data stored in the storage unit 140 in advance, and is image printing data generated by the image printing processing unit 120 based on the image data acquired from the storage unit 140. This image is printed by the image printing processing unit 120 using the YMC three primary color ink ribbons. The area for printing the image is the designated area.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a print state of the medium when the process of step S7 is performed. As shown in FIG. 5, an area including an area in which a character string and an image of the card 200, which is a medium, is printed is set as an overcoat area, and printing is performed in the set overcoat area.

In this way, in the middleware layer of the XFS Service Provider, the character printing processing unit 110 generates character printing data based on the embossing forming data, and the image printing processing unit 120 is based on the image data read from the storage unit 140. The image print data is generated, and the overcoat processing unit 130 sets the overcoat area based on the character print data and the image print data, and prints the character print data, the image print data, and the overcoat area. I do. As a result, the characters indicated by the embossing data can be printed on the medium using the ink printer without changing the higher-level application or system.
(Second Embodiment)

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 101 in this embodiment includes a character printing processing unit 110, an image printing processing unit 121, an overcoat processing unit 130, and a communication unit 150. Note that FIG. 6 shows only the main elements related to the present embodiment among the constituent elements included in the printing apparatus 101 of the present invention.

The communication unit 150 receives the image data from an external device connected to the printing device 101.
The character printing processing unit 110 and the overcoat processing unit 130 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
The image printing processing unit 121 acquires the image data received by the communication unit 150. The image printing processing unit 121 generates image printing data for printing the image indicated by the image data on the medium based on the acquired image data. The image printing processing unit 121 prints the generated image printing data on the medium. At this time, the image printing processing unit 121 decomposes the image printing data into the color components of the three primary colors of Y (Yellow), M (Magenda), and C (Cyan), and transfers the ink ribbons of the three primary colors of YMC to the medium. Printing is performed using the method.
The ink ribbon used in the printing apparatus 101 is a sublimation type for Y (Yellow), M (Magenda) and C (Cyan), and a melt type for black and overcoat, as in the first embodiment. Is used. Further, the actual printing on the medium is performed by the print head used in normal printing. The character printing processing unit 110, the image printing processing unit 121, and the overcoating processing unit 130 give a printing instruction to the print head.

The printing method in the printing apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 6 will be described below. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a printing method in the printing apparatus 101 shown in FIG.

First, the character printing processing unit 110 generates character printing data for printing characters on a medium based on the embossing forming data for forming embossing (step S11). The generation of character printing data based on the embossing data is performed in a middleware layer called an XFS Service Provider. Further, the image printing processing unit 121 acquires the image data received by the communication unit 150 from the communication unit 150 (step S12). Subsequently, the image printing processing unit 121 generates image printing data for printing the image indicated by the image data on the medium based on the acquired image data (step S13). Here, the image printing processing unit 121 may perform the processing of steps S12 and S13, and then the character printing processing unit 110 may perform the processing of step S11. Further, the overcoat processing unit 130 sets an overcoat area on the medium based on the character printing data and the image printing data (step S14). This overcoat area is an area that covers the print area of the character print data and the print area of the image print data. That is, the overcoat processing unit 130 sets an area to cover the printed characters and the image so as to protect them. The overcoat processing unit 130 may set the entire medium to be printed as the overcoat area.

Then, the character printing processing unit 110 prints the generated character printing data on the medium using the black ink ribbon (step S15). Subsequently, the image printing processing unit 121 prints the generated image printing data on the medium using the ink ribbons of the three primary colors of YMC (step S16). Further, the overcoat processing unit 130 performs predetermined printing on the set overcoat area using the ink ribbon for overcoating (step S17).

In this way, the character printing processing unit 110 generates character printing data in the middleware layer of the XFS Service Provider based on the embossing data, and the image printing processing unit 121 is based on the image data acquired from the communication unit 150. The image print data is generated, and the overcoat processing unit 130 sets the overcoat area based on the character print data and the image print data, and prints the character print data, the image print data, and the overcoat area. Do. As a result, the characters indicated by the embossing data can be printed on the medium using the ink printer without changing the higher-level application or system.

The medium to be printed is not limited to the above-mentioned card, but may be paper or the like. Further, the transfer method may be performed using only two types of ribbons, a black ink ribbon and an ink ribbon for overcoating. Further, the transfer method may be performed by using a combination with an ink ribbon of another color or the like. Further, the shape of the printing apparatus of the present invention is different from that of a general-purpose ink printer so that it can be used as a replacement for an embosser, and is a shape that can be easily incorporated into a VTM apparatus that is a card issuing system. Further, the above-mentioned printing order has been described by taking as an example the case where the image printing processing units 120 and 121 are first, then the character printing processing unit 110, and finally the overcoat processing unit 130. , Not limited to this. Further, in the above-mentioned example, the ink ribbon type printing device is mentioned, but the present invention can be applied to other types of printing devices such as an inkjet type printing device and a retransfer type printing device.

The above description has been made by assigning each function (processing) to each component, but this allocation is not limited to the above. Further, the above-described form is merely an example of the configuration of the constituent elements, and the present invention is not limited to this. Further, each embodiment may be combined.

100, 101 Printing device 110 Character printing processing unit 120, 121 Image printing processing unit 130 Overcoat processing unit 140 Storage unit 150 Communication unit 200 Card

Claims (15)

A character printing processing unit that generates character printing data for printing characters on the medium based on the embossing forming data for forming embossing on the medium, and prints the generated character printing data on the medium. When,
An image printing processing unit that generates image printing data for printing the image indicated by the image data on the medium based on the acquired image data, and prints the generated image printing data on the medium.
A printing apparatus having an overcoat processing unit that sets an overcoat area on the medium based on the character printing data and the image printing data, and performs predetermined printing on the set overcoat area. In the printing apparatus according to claim 1,
It has a storage unit for storing the image data, and has a storage unit.
The image printing processing unit is a printing device that acquires the image data from the storage unit. In the printing apparatus according to claim 1,
It has a communication unit that receives the image data from an external device, and has a communication unit.
The image printing processing unit is a printing device that acquires image data received by the communication unit. In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The printing of the character printing data performed by the character printing processing unit, the printing of the image printing data performed by the image printing processing unit, and the printing performed by the overcoat processing unit are performed in a predetermined order. apparatus. In the printing apparatus according to claim 4,
A printing apparatus in which the image printing processing unit prints the image printing data, subsequently the character printing processing unit prints the character printing data, and then the overcoat processing unit prints. In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The character printing processing unit, the image printing processing unit, and the overcoating processing unit are printing devices that perform printing using an ink ribbon transfer method. In the printing apparatus according to claim 6,
The character printing processing unit prints using a molten black ink ribbon.
The image printing processing unit prints using a sublimation type YMC three primary color ink ribbons.
The overcoat processing unit is a printing apparatus that prints using an ink ribbon for overcoating. In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The medium is a printing device that is a card. A process of generating character printing data for printing characters on the medium based on the embossing data for forming embossing on the medium.
Based on the acquired image data, a process of generating image print data for printing the image indicated by the image data on the medium, and a process of generating image print data.
A process of setting an overcoat area on the medium based on the character print data and the image print data, and
The process of printing the generated character printing data on the medium, and
The process of printing the generated image printing data on the medium, and
A printing method in which a process of performing a predetermined printing on the set overcoat area is performed. In the printing method according to claim 9,
A printing method for performing a process of acquiring the image data from a storage unit that stores the image data. In the printing method according to claim 9,
A printing method that performs processing to acquire image data received from an external device. In the printing method according to any one of claims 9 to 11.
A printing method in which the printing of the character printing data, the printing of the image printing data, and the printing on the overcoat area are performed in a predetermined order. In the printing method according to claim 12,
A printing method in which the image printing data is printed, then the character printing data is printed, and then the overcoat area is printed. In the printing method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.
A printing method in which the character printing data printing, the image printing data printing, and the printing on the overcoat area are performed by using the ink ribbon transfer method. In the printing method according to claim 14,
The character printing data is printed using a molten black ink ribbon.
The image printing data is printed using a sublimation type YMC three primary color ink ribbon.
Printing on the overcoat area is a printing method using an overcoat ink ribbon.

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