JP2021066030A - Indirect transfer recording device and indirect transfer recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

To automatically pull up a head of a used part of an intermediate transfer ribbon or the like, to accurately grasp an amount of an unused part of a roll and the number of unused parts of an intermediate transfer file or the like, and to suppress illegal use.SOLUTION: A barcode 12c is a barcode including information for identifying a roll of an intermediate transfer film 1 and information for specifying an order in the roll of a corresponding unit recording area, a barcode sensor S1 for reading a barcode is provided at a front stage of a primary recording part, a determination recording part 103 is provided to determine whether a unit recording area of the intermediate transfer film is used or unused on the basis of a read result of the barcode sensor, and associate the determination result with information of the barcode to store them, and the primary recording part performs head pulling up operation being operation for setting a head part of the unused part to a prescribed recording start position in the intermediate transfer film on the basis of the determination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an indirect transfer recording apparatus and an indirect transfer recording method in which an image is thermally transferred onto an intermediate transfer film using a thermal head and an ink ribbon, and then the image on the intermediate transfer film is transferred again onto an object to be transferred.

The image forming method using the intermediate transfer film is performed from the ink ribbon even if the material of the transferred object to which the image is finally provided is different, such as paper or plastic, or the state of the recording surface is different. When an image is formed on an intermediate transfer film by thermal transfer, recording is performed on the intermediate transfer film, so that the recording conditions are constant and stable image formation is possible. Therefore, an image formation by a thermal transfer method using an ink ribbon is possible. It has long been considered as one of the methods. The indirect transfer recording method, which is a recording method using this intermediate transfer film, has been used as a means for forming a multicolor image on a medium such as a passport or an ID card that requires security.

The ink ribbon or intermediate transfer film is typically provided in the form of a long ribbon wound in a roll. The ink ribbon is formed by sequentially coating a heat transfer ink layer such as a color heat transfer ink and a functional heat transfer ink on a heat-resistant base material in a panel shape. Further, in the intermediate transfer film, a recording area corresponding to one screen of the transferred body is partitioned, and at the time of primary recording in which an image is formed on the intermediate transfer film, and an image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer film to the transferred body. A sensor mark is provided as a position reference when recording.

This sensor mark can be provided in advance by a method such as printing, or can be provided by thermal transfer from the ink ribbon together with image formation at the time of primary recording. The indirect transfer recording device detects this sensor mark with a sensor or the like and uses it as a reference position for image formation on the intermediate transfer film and secondary recording on the transfer target, driving the thermal head and heat roller, and ink. Perform necessary controls such as transport control of ribbons and intermediate transfer films.

However, in the intermediate transfer film in which the sensor mark is provided in advance, as a problem when the sensor mark is detected by a sensor or the like, is the detected sensor mark provided in an unused portion of the intermediate transfer film? There is a point that the indirect transfer recording device cannot automatically determine what has already been primary or secondary recorded and is provided in the used portion where the image receiving layer or the like has been transferred.

Therefore, when starting the device or recovering from some error that occurred during printing, the primary recording is performed again in the used recording area, causing printing failure, or the unused part is unwound. There was a risk that it would be wasted, or that unused parts would remain and be misappropriated. On the other hand, in the ink ribbon, it is also considered to detect the used part by detecting the part where the ink is removed by thermal transfer with a sensor, but the recorded image and character patterns are various. It was difficult to detect it reliably.

In order to prevent this, it was troublesome for a person to visually check the head portion of the unused portion of the intermediate transfer film or the ink ribbon and set it at an appropriate position, so-called cueing. In addition, the same visual confirmation was required when mounting a new intermediate transfer film. In addition, when the device was opened for human work, dust and the like were mixed and adhered to the intermediate transfer film, leading to poor printing.

In response to these problems, for example, in Patent Document 1, when a desired image is recorded on an intermediate transfer film, a used mark is printed at the end of the desired image, and the presence or absence of detection of the used mark is present. Discloses a retransfer type image forming apparatus and an image forming method for cueing an unused portion of an intermediate transfer film. However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it takes extra time to record the color inks of each color in layers and print the used mark, which reduces the efficiency and the frame mark provided from the beginning. Since the used marks provided at the time of image formation are provided by different methods, there is a problem that the adjustment of the sensor to be detected is troublesome.

On the other hand, when the sensor mark is provided at the time of primary transfer, it is possible to distinguish between the used part and the unused part, but from the viewpoint of preventing unauthorized use of the intermediate transfer film and ink ribbon, the ink ribbon and intermediate transfer While it is necessary to manage the number of people including the film, simply providing a used mark will accurately determine the number of used parts and the number of unused parts of the rolls of the intermediate transfer film and ink ribbon. Since it could only be estimated from the roll diameter, etc., there was a problem that it was not possible to specify the number of intermediate transfer films and ink ribbons that were illegally used, and improvement is desired. It was.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-135552

The present invention is for solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is an indirect transfer recording device, in which the cueing of an unused portion such as an intermediate transfer ribbon does not bother manpower and print work. Indirect transfer that can be performed accurately and automatically without reducing the efficiency of the process, and that the number of used parts and the number of unused parts of the roll such as the intermediate transfer film can be accurately grasped to prevent unauthorized use. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording device and an indirect transcription recording method.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is
The primary recording unit that records barcodes and images for each unit recording area of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film having a transfer layer on the substrate, the intermediate transfer film and the transferred body are superposed, and the transfer is performed by a heat roller. An indirect transfer recording apparatus having a secondary recording unit that thermally transfers a layer to a transfer target and an intermediate transfer film transfer mechanism that transfers the intermediate transfer film from the primary recording unit to the secondary recording unit.
The barcode is a barcode including information for specifying a roll of the intermediate transfer film and information for specifying the order of the unit recording area in the roll.
A barcode sensor that reads the barcode is provided in front of the primary recording unit.
It has a determination recording unit that determines whether the unit recording area of the intermediate transfer film is unused or used based on the reading result of the barcode sensor and stores the determination result in association with the barcode information.
Based on the determination, the primary recording unit performs an indirect transfer recording operation, which is an operation of setting the head portion of an unused portion to a predetermined recording start position with respect to the intermediate transfer film. It is a device.

In the indirect transfer recording device, the barcode may be a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode.

In the indirect transfer recording device, the primary recording unit has a thermal head and an ink ribbon transfer mechanism, and the thermal head transfers the thermal transfer ink from the ink ribbon for each unit recording area to record barcodes and image information. It may be a mechanism to do.

In the above indirect transfer recording device
The barcode sensor is provided in both the intermediate transfer film transfer mechanism and the ink ribbon transfer mechanism, and the barcode sensor provided in the ink ribbon transfer mechanism is a thermal transfer ink of the ink ribbon after the barcode is transferred. The negative pattern of the barcode formed on the layer is read, and whether the thermal transfer ink layer is unused or used is determined based on the reading result of the negative pattern, and the determination result is associated with the information of the negative pattern to make the determination. It may be stored in the recording unit.

In the above indirect transfer recording device
The primary recording unit has a laser light source and a laser light source control unit, and a barcode and an image are formed by a removal pattern formed by irradiating the unit recording area with laser light to remove at least a part of the transfer layer. It may be a mechanism for recording information.

In addition, another aspect of the present invention is
The unit recording area of the heat transfer ink layer of the ink ribbon and the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film having the transfer layer on the substrate are arranged to face each other, and the heat transfer ink is transferred to the unit recording area by the thermal head to form an image and a barcode. The primary recording step and the intermediate transfer film after the primary recording step and the transferred body are superposed, and the transfer layer is thermally transferred with a heat roller together with the formed image to form the image on the transferred body. An indirect transcription recording method that includes a secondary recording step.
A bar code reading step of reading the bar code and the negative pattern of the bar code formed on the ink ribbon by transferring the bar code from the ink ribbon is further provided before the primary recording step. ,
In the bar code reading step, the bar code is read, it is determined that the unit recording area in which the bar code is read is used, and the head portion of the unused portion of the intermediate transfer film is recorded in the primary recording step. Cueing, which is an operation of setting to the recording start position in, is performed, and the negative pattern is read, and it is determined that the heat transfer ink layer on which the negative pattern is formed has been used, and the ink ribbon is cueed. ,
In the primary recording step to the cueed unit recording area, a predetermined image is formed in the unit recording area, and at least information identifying a roll of the intermediate transfer film and information in the roll of the unit recording area are provided. A barcode containing order information, as well as information identifying a roll of the ink ribbon and information on the order of the cueed thermal transfer ink layer in the roll, is not transferred onto the transferee in the unit recording area. It is an indirect transfer recording method characterized in that it is transferred to a site and recorded.

In the above indirect transfer recording method, the intermediate transfer film may be an intermediate transfer film having a transfer layer including a hologram forming layer and a metal vapor deposition layer on a substrate.

Further, the third aspect of the present invention is
A laser light source is placed facing each other in the unit recording area of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film having the hologram forming layer and the transfer layer including the metal vapor deposition layer on the base material, and the hologram forming layer and the metal vapor deposition layer are removed by irradiation with laser light. The primary recording step of forming a bar code consisting of a removal pattern from which the metal vapor deposition layer is removed in the unit recording region, and the intermediate transfer film and the transferred body after the primary recording step are superposed to heat the transfer layer. An indirect transfer recording method including a secondary recording step of transferring a hologram forming layer and a metal vapor deposition layer onto the transferred object by thermal transfer with a roller.
A barcode reading step for reading the barcode formed on the intermediate transfer film is further provided before the primary recording step.
In the barcode reading step, the barcode formed on the intermediate transfer film is read, it is determined that the unit recording area on which the barcode is recorded is used, and an unused portion of the intermediate transfer film is used. Cueing, which is an operation to set the beginning part of the above to the recording start position in the primary recording process,
The barcode recorded in the primary recording step to the cueed unit recording area contains at least information identifying a roll of the intermediate transfer film and information on the order of the unit recording area in the roll, and the unit. It is an indirect transfer recording method characterized in that it is formed in a portion of a recording area that is not transferred onto a transfer target.

Further, the fourth aspect of the present invention is
Primary recording in which the unit recording area of the heat transfer ink layer of the ink ribbon and the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film having the transfer layer on the substrate are arranged to face each other, and the heat transfer ink is transferred to the unit recording area by a thermal head to form an image. Secondary recording in which the intermediate transfer film and the transferred body after the step and the primary recording step are superposed, and the transfer layer is thermally transferred with a heat roller together with the formed image to form the image on the transferred body. An indirect transfer recording method that includes steps,
A barcode reading step for reading a barcode provided in advance for each unit recording area on the intermediate transfer film is further provided before the primary recording step.
In the bar code reading step, the bar code is read, it is determined that the unit recording area in which the bar code is read is unused, and the head portion of the unused portion of the intermediate transfer film is recorded in the primary recording step. Cueing, which is the operation to set the recording start position in
In the primary recording step to the cueed unit recording area, a predetermined image is formed in the unit recording area, and a pattern that makes the barcode unreadable is formed on the barcode corresponding to the unit recording area. This is an indirect transfer recording method characterized by transferring from the ink ribbon.

In the above indirect transfer recording method, the intermediate transfer film may be an intermediate transfer film having a transfer layer including a hologram forming layer and a metal vapor deposition layer on a substrate.

In each of the above indirect transfer recording methods, the barcode may be a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode.

According to the present invention, the used area and the unused area of the intermediate transfer film or the ink ribbon are easily and accurately detected by reading the barcode, and the head portion of the unused area is set as the recording start position. Cueing for setting is easy, and primary and secondary recording is not accidentally made in the used area. In addition, by recording the order information of the unit recording area on the barcode, the accurate usage amount and remaining amount of the intermediate transfer film and ink ribbon can be known, which leads to the improvement of the efficiency of management of these consumable materials and work process management. ..

Further, by determining whether the film is unused or used based on the presence or absence of the barcode and storing the determination result in association with the information of the barcode, the accurate usage amount of the intermediate transfer film or the ink ribbon can be grasped. Therefore, it can be confirmed that these consumables are not used illegally or cut out and stolen, and the security can be improved.

In addition, the cueing work eliminates the need for manual work such as rewinding the ink ribbon and the intermediate film, improving work efficiency and preventing dust and dirt from entering the apparatus.

The schematic block diagram of one Embodiment of the indirect transfer recording apparatus of this invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of an intermediate transfer film and an ink ribbon recorded by the indirect transfer recording device of the present invention. Schematic plan view of the intermediate transfer film when the barcode is a two-dimensional barcode. Schematic plan view when the intermediate transfer film is a hologram film. Schematic plan view showing an example of recording a pattern that makes a barcode unreadable. The schematic block diagram of another embodiment of the indirect transfer recording apparatus of this invention. Schematic plan view when a dimeta pattern barcode is used on the intermediate transfer film.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In the following, the same reference numerals may be given to equivalent members and the like, and the description thereof may be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the indirect transfer recording device of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon recorded by the indirect transfer recording device of the present embodiment. The schematic configuration of the indirect transfer recording device 100 of the present embodiment is as follows. The intermediate transfer film 1 wound in a roll shape is unwound from the unwinding roll 101F and wound on the winding roll 102F via the primary recording unit 501 and the secondary recording unit 502. The roll-shaped ink ribbon 2 is unwound from the unwinding roll 101R, and is wound around the winding roll 102R via the primary recording unit 501.

In the primary recording unit 501, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film 1 and the thermal transfer ink layer of the ink ribbon 2 are sandwiched between the thermal head 100T and the platen roller 100P so as to face each other. The thermal head 100T and the platen roller 100P are separated from each other when the intermediate transfer film 1 and the ink ribbon 2 are simply conveyed, and are pressed against each other when the transfer recording from the ink ribbon 2 to the intermediate transfer film 1 is performed. Predetermined image information and barcodes are transferred to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film 1.

Subsequently, in the secondary recording unit 502, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film 1 and the transferred body 100B are arranged so as to face each other, and the intermediate transfer film 1 is transferred to the transferred body 100B by a heat roller 100H heated by a heater (not shown) or the like. By thermocompression bonding to, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film 1 is transferred to the transfer target 100B together with the image recorded by the primary recording unit. At this time, the barcode recorded on the intermediate transfer film 1 is not transferred.

In the intermediate transfer film 1 shown in FIG. 2, unit recording areas (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “panels”) A1, A2, A3, A4, etc. are sequentially set for each length P in the longitudinal direction of the film, and here, the panel. A2 shows a state in which the primary recording has been performed and the secondary recording has not yet been performed. That is, on the panel A2, images such as a face photograph 12a, character information 12b, and a sensor bar 12d, and a barcode 12c are recorded by the primary recording unit 501. The sensor bar 12d is used to more accurately align the intermediate transfer film 1 with the transferred body in the secondary recording unit 502, which will be described later. It is possible to perform this alignment using the barcode 12c, but it is more reliable to provide the sensor bar 12d separately.

Further, the mode of the ink ribbon 2 in which the primary recording is performed is shown in the lower figure of FIG. If the ink ribbon 2 is compatible with full-color recording, it is generally coated in a surface-sequential manner with three primary colors of cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y and four thermal transfer ink layers of black ink K. It is an aspect, and the heat transfer layer of these four colors corresponds to one panel, and this is referred to as a "set". However, in addition to this, a heat transfer ink layer of a spot color ink, a fluorescent ink, an infrared absorbing ink, or other functional ink can be provided, and these are also included in the set.

By recording a full-color facial photograph image 12a on the ink ribbon 2, cyan C
, Magenta M, Yellow Y, negative patterns 22c, 22m, 22y are formed on the thermal transfer ink layer. Similarly, the character information 12b, the negative patterns 22b and 22d of the sensor bar 12d, and the negative pattern 22c of the barcode 12c are formed on the thermal transfer ink layer of the black ink K.

A barcode sensor S1 is provided on the intermediate transfer film 1 and a barcode sensor S2 is provided close to the ink ribbon 2 in front of the primary recording unit 501, and the barcode 12c and the barcode recorded on the intermediate transfer film 1 are provided. Is recorded to read the negative pattern 22e of the barcode formed on the ink ribbon 2. The barcode sensors S1 and S2 can be appropriately selected and used from known sensors such as a dedicated sensor for reading barcodes, a CCD line sensor, and a CCD camera. The sensor may be a transmissive type sensor, but may be a reflective type sensor when the base material of the intermediate transfer film 1 is opaque. The read information is sent to the determination recording unit 103, and the presence / absence of the barcode and the negative pattern is determined. Although the determination recording unit 103 can store these information and the determination result, it may be separately stored in a storage area on a network such as an external personal computer or a cloud via a communication line 104 or the like. ..

As described above, since the barcode and its negative pattern are recorded on the intermediate transfer film 1 and the ink ribbon 2 that have been primarily recorded, they are read by the barcode sensor to determine whether or not the barcode can be read. , It is possible to determine whether the panel of the intermediate transfer film 1 and the set of the ink ribbon 2 are used or unused. That is, to explain using FIG. 2, it is determined that the unit recording areas A1 and A2 of the intermediate transfer film in which the barcode can be read are used, and the unit recording areas A3 and A4 in which the barcode cannot be read are unused. Will be done. The same applies to the ink ribbon, and a negative pattern 22e is formed on the set of the thermal transfer layer ink layer used for recording the unit recording area A2, and a negative pattern is formed on the next set of the thermal transfer layer ink layer. Since there is no such thing, the same judgment can be made.

A leader tape or an unwinding mark is generally provided on the unwinding portion of the roll of the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon, and when a new roll of the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon is attached, these readers are provided. The tape or unwinding mark may be read by a bar code sensor, but a general photo sensor (not shown) may be provided separately as appropriate for detection. When a photo sensor is provided, in addition to detecting the unwinding portion, for example, a separate sensor mark is provided for each thermal transfer ink layer of each YMCK color of the ink ribbon 2 to accurately detect the position, and similarly, the unit of the intermediate transfer film 1 is provided. A sensor mark can be provided for each recording area to detect its position. These sensor marks can be provided with the same shape in advance by printing or the like at the time of manufacturing.

When the new intermediate transfer film and the roll of the ink ribbon are attached, the barcode sensors S1 and S2 cannot read the barcode or the negative pattern at all, so that the determination recording unit 103 is unused for both the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon. In addition, the leader tape, the unwinding mark, or the above-mentioned sensor mark is detected to cue the first panel and the first set of thermal transfer ink layers. Then, the thermal transfer ink is transferred to the first panel in the primary recording unit by the thermal head 100T to form an image and a barcode. At this time, the barcode contains information that identifies the roll of the intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon, and information on the unit recording area and the order of the thermal transfer ink layers (in this case, the first). To do. Here, the information for identifying the roll of the ink ribbon may be data independently generated in the indirect transfer recording device, or may be provided by inputting from the outside.

The intermediate transfer film 1 on which the image is recorded is conveyed to the secondary recording unit 502, the intermediate transfer film 1 is pressure-bonded to the transfer target 100B by the heat roller 100H, and the intermediate transfer film 1 is pressed.
The transfer layer of the first panel of the above is transferred to the transfer target 100B together with the image recorded by the primary recording unit. The panel A1 of the intermediate transfer film 1 of FIG. 2 illustrates the portion where the transfer is performed by the secondary recording unit 502 in this way, the transferred portion 11 is formed, and the barcode 11c is formed as described above. Has not been transcribed. The secondary recording unit 502 may be separately provided with a known photo sensor S3 for detecting the sensor bar 11d and aligning it with the transfer target 100B. When the transfer is complete, the intermediate transfer film 1 is rewound to a predetermined position for recording on the next panel.

Then, when recording to the next unit recording area (second panel), the intermediate transfer film 1 and the ink ribbon 2 are once rewound to prevent the unused portion from being skipped due to cueing. At this time, the barcode 11c and the negative pattern (not shown) formed at the time of recording the first unit recording area can be read, and it can be determined from the information that the first unit recording area has been used. At the same time, the second panel of the intermediate transfer film 1 and the second set of the ink ribbon 2 can be cueed. The primary recording and the secondary recording can be performed on the second panel in the same manner, and similarly, the recording can be sequentially performed on each panel and the transfer to the transferred body can be performed in the same manner.

In this way, by reading the barcode and negative pattern, it is automatically determined in the device whether the set of the heat transfer ink layer of the intermediate transfer film panel and the ink ribbon is used or unused. Recording can be performed, and efficient recording can be performed without reusing the used part or skipping the unused part and wasting it.

Further, at this time, the barcode to be recorded may be a two-dimensional barcode as illustrated in FIG. 3A. For example, on the panel B2, the two-dimensional barcode 32c is recorded together with the image 12a, the character information 12b, and the sensor bar 12d, as in the above embodiment. A portion 11 that has been transferred by the secondary recording unit 502 is formed on the panel B1, and the two-dimensional barcode 31c is not transferred as in the above-described embodiment. When the barcode is a two-dimensional barcode, the amount of information that can be recorded increases, and forgery and falsification are less likely to occur, which is preferable.

In the indirect transfer recording device of the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer film 8 in which a barcode, a sensor bar, etc. are formed in advance by printing or the like, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, can also be applied. In this case, since the barcodes 81c, 82c, 83c ... Are formed in advance corresponding to all the panels in the same pattern, the unused portion is cueed depending on the presence or absence of the barcode except for the first panel of the roll. Cannot be done. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, during the primary recording, the erase pattern 82e is superimposed and transferred on the barcode 82c of the panel G2 to be recorded with the ink ribbon so that the barcode cannot be read. By doing so, it should be possible to distinguish it from the unused part. The panel G1 shows an aspect in which the transferred portion 81 is already formed in the secondary recording unit. At this time, it goes without saying that the barcode may be a one-dimensional barcode.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a hologram film in which a hologram pattern, which is a security pattern, and a metal vapor deposition layer are formed on the transfer layer, which is applied to the intermediate transfer film of the indirect transfer recording device of the present embodiment. In this example, hologram patterns 42a, 43a, 44a ... Are pre-formed on each panel in place of the facial photograph and character information on the intermediate transfer film 4, and the sensor bar 41d is recorded as an image in the primary recording unit. , 42d and the barcodes 41c, 42d. Even if such an intermediate transfer film is used, the hologram pattern can be transferred to the transferred object and the intermediate transfer film 4 can be cueed by the same procedure as in the above-described embodiment. The panel C1 shows a mode in which the transferred portion 41 is formed by the secondary recording unit 502 as in the above example.

Further, in the indirect transfer recording device of the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer film 5 in which the hologram pattern is formed in advance and the bar code, the sensor bar, etc. are formed by printing or the like as illustrated in FIG. 5A is applied. You can also. In this case, since the barcodes 51c, 52c, 53c ... Are formed in advance corresponding to all the panels in the same pattern, the unused portion is cueed depending on the presence or absence of the barcode except for the first panel of the roll. Cannot be done. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, during the primary recording, the erase pattern 52e is superimposed and transferred on the barcode 52c of the panel D2 to be recorded with the ink ribbon so that the barcode cannot be read. By doing so, it should be possible to distinguish it from the unused part. The panel D1 shows an embodiment in which the transferred portion 51 has already been formed in the secondary recording unit. At this time, it goes without saying that the bar code may be a two-dimensional bar code as illustrated in FIG. 5 (c).

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of another embodiment of the indirect transfer recording device of the present invention. Further, FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of an intermediate transfer film recorded by the indirect transfer recording device of the present embodiment. In the indirect transfer recording device 200 of the present embodiment, the primary recording unit 601 has a laser light source 200L, and the irradiation direction and laser light ON / OFF control are performed by a laser light source control unit (not shown) to obtain a simple shape. At the same time, the laser beam can be irradiated onto the intermediate transfer film 7 in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code shape. The intermediate transfer film 7 wound in a roll shape is unwound from the unwinding roll 201F and wound on the winding roll 202F via the primary recording unit 601 and the secondary recording unit 602.

The intermediate transfer film 7 used in the indirect transfer recording device of the present embodiment is typically a hologram film in which a hologram pattern, which is a security pattern, and a metal vapor deposition layer are formed on the transfer layer, and the panels F2, F3, F4, and the like are formed. Hologram patterns 72a, 73a, 74a ... Are formed in advance. Then, the primary recording unit 601 irradiates the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film 7 with laser light from the laser light source 200L to remove at least the hologram pattern and the metal vapor deposition layer from the transfer layer. As a result, on the intermediate transfer film 7 after the primary recording, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the sensor bars 71d and 72d and the barcodes 71c and 72d as images are in the form of a negative pattern, that is, a portion without the hologram pattern and the metal vapor deposition layer. It is formed as a dimeta pattern of. The panel F1 shows a mode in which the transferred portion 71 is formed in the secondary recording unit 602 as in the above example.

Subsequently, in the secondary recording unit 602, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film 7 and the transferred body 200B are arranged so as to face each other, and the intermediate transfer film 7 is transferred to the transferred body 200B by a heat roller 200H heated by a heater (not shown) or the like. By thermocompression bonding to, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film 7 is transferred to the transfer target 200B together with the holo pattern and the metal vapor deposition layer. At this time, the sensor bar 72d and the barcode 72d recorded on the intermediate transfer film 7 are not transferred.

A barcode sensor S1 is provided close to the intermediate transfer film 7 in front of the primary recording unit 601 to read the barcode 72c recorded on the intermediate transfer film 7. The barcode sensor S1 can be appropriately selected from known sensors such as a dedicated sensor for reading barcodes, a CCD line sensor, and a CCD camera. The sensor may be a reflective sensor, but a transmissive sensor is preferable from the viewpoint of contrast. The read information is sent to the determination recording unit 203, and the presence or absence of the barcode is determined. The determination recording unit 203 can store these information and the determination result, but it may be separately stored in a storage area on a network such as an external personal computer or a cloud via a communication line 204 or the like. ..

As described above, since the barcode is recorded on the intermediate transfer film 7 that has been primary-recorded in a hologram pattern and a dimeta pattern without a metal vapor deposition layer, the barcode sensor S1 reads this to determine whether or not reading is possible. By performing the above, it is possible to determine whether the panel of the intermediate transfer film 7 has been used or not. That is, according to the explanation using FIG. 7, it is determined that the panels F1 and F2 of the intermediate transfer film on which the barcode can be read are used, and the panels F3 and F4 on which the barcode cannot be read are unused. However, here, for convenience of explanation, the panel F2 is shown in the state before the secondary recording. Based on this result, the panel F3, which is the head of the unused panel, can be cueed.

As an applied usage of the indirect transfer recording device shown in FIG. 6, a dimeta pattern such as a bar code is applied to a large number of panels on the intermediate transfer film 7 by using only the primary recording unit 601 without performing secondary recording. It can also be formed. Then, the intermediate transfer film 7 can be removed and transferred to an object to be transferred such as a card by another thermal transfer device or the like.

1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ... Intermediate transfer film 2 ... Ink ribbon 11c, 12c, 41c, 42c, 51c, 52c, 61c, 62c, 71c, 72c, 81c, 82c, 83c ... Barcodes 11d, 12d, 41d, 42d, 51d, 52d, 61d, 62d, 71d, 72d, 81d, 82d, 83d ... Sensor bar 12a ... Face photo 12b ... Character information 22b, 22c, 22d, 22m, 22y ... Negative pattern 100B, 200B ... Transferee 100H, 200H ... Heat roller 100P, 200P ... Platen roller 100T ... Thermal head 103, 203 ... Judgment recording unit 200L ... Laser light source 501, 601 ... Primary recording unit 502, 602 ... Secondary recording unit S1, S2 ... Bar code sensor

Claims (11)

The primary recording unit that records barcodes and images for each unit recording area of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film having a transfer layer on the substrate, the intermediate transfer film and the transferred body are superposed, and the transfer is performed by a heat roller. An indirect transfer recording apparatus having a secondary recording unit that thermally transfers a layer to a transfer target and an intermediate transfer film transfer mechanism that transfers the intermediate transfer film from the primary recording unit to the secondary recording unit.
The barcode is a barcode including information for specifying a roll of the intermediate transfer film and information for specifying the order of the unit recording area in the roll.
A barcode sensor that reads the barcode is provided in front of the primary recording unit.
It has a determination recording unit that determines whether the unit recording area of the intermediate transfer film is unused or used based on the reading result of the barcode sensor and stores the determination result in association with the barcode information.
Based on the determination, the primary recording unit performs an indirect transfer recording operation, which is an operation of setting the head portion of an unused portion to a predetermined recording start position with respect to the intermediate transfer film. apparatus. The indirect transfer recording device according to claim 1, wherein the barcode is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. The primary recording unit has a thermal head and an ink ribbon transfer mechanism, and is characterized by being a mechanism for recording barcodes and image information by transferring thermal transfer ink from the ink ribbon to each unit recording area by the thermal head. The indirect transfer recording device according to claim 1 or 2. The barcode sensor is provided in both the intermediate transfer film transfer mechanism and the ink ribbon transfer mechanism, and the barcode sensor provided in the ink ribbon transfer mechanism is a thermal transfer ink of the ink ribbon after the barcode is transferred. The negative pattern of the barcode formed on the layer is read, and whether the thermal transfer ink layer is unused or used is determined based on the reading result of the negative pattern, and the determination result is associated with the information of the negative pattern to make the determination. The indirect transfer recording device according to claim 3, wherein the indirect transfer recording device is stored in a recording unit. The primary recording unit has a laser light source and a laser light source control unit, and a barcode and an image are formed by a removal pattern formed by irradiating the unit recording area with laser light to remove at least a part of the transfer layer. The indirect transfer recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mechanism is for recording information. The unit recording area of the heat transfer ink layer of the ink ribbon and the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film having the transfer layer on the substrate are arranged to face each other, and the heat transfer ink is transferred to the unit recording area by the thermal head to form an image and a barcode. The primary recording step and the intermediate transfer film after the primary recording step and the transferred body are superposed, and the transfer layer is thermally transferred with a heat roller together with the formed image to form the image on the transferred body. An indirect transcription recording method that includes a secondary recording step.
A bar code reading step of reading the bar code and the negative pattern of the bar code formed on the ink ribbon by transferring the bar code from the ink ribbon is further provided before the primary recording step. ,
In the bar code reading step, the bar code is read, it is determined that the unit recording area in which the bar code is read is used, and the head portion of the unused portion of the intermediate transfer film is recorded in the primary recording step. Cueing, which is an operation of setting to the recording start position in, is performed, and the negative pattern is read, and it is determined that the heat transfer ink layer on which the negative pattern is formed has been used, and the ink ribbon is cueed. ,
In the primary recording step to the cueed unit recording area, a predetermined image is formed in the unit recording area, and at least information identifying a roll of the intermediate transfer film and information in the roll of the unit recording area are provided. A barcode containing order information, as well as information identifying a roll of the ink ribbon and information on the order of the cueed thermal transfer ink layer in the roll, is not transferred onto the transferee in the unit recording area. An indirect transfer recording method characterized by transferring to a site and recording. The indirect transfer recording method according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate transfer film is an intermediate transfer film having a transfer layer including a hologram forming layer and a metal vapor deposition layer on a substrate. A laser light source is placed facing each other in the unit recording area of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film having the hologram forming layer and the transfer layer including the metal vapor deposition layer on the base material, and the hologram forming layer and the metal vapor deposition layer are removed by irradiation with laser light. The primary recording step of forming a bar code consisting of a removal pattern from which the metal vapor deposition layer is removed in the unit recording region, and the intermediate transfer film and the transferred body after the primary recording step are superposed to heat the transfer layer. An indirect transfer recording method including a secondary recording step of transferring a hologram forming layer and a metal vapor deposition layer onto the transferred object by thermal transfer with a roller.
A barcode reading step for reading the barcode formed on the intermediate transfer film is further provided before the primary recording step.
In the barcode reading step, the barcode formed on the intermediate transfer film is read, it is determined that the unit recording area on which the barcode is recorded is used, and an unused portion of the intermediate transfer film is used. Cueing, which is an operation to set the beginning part of the above to the recording start position in the primary recording process,
The barcode recorded in the primary recording step to the cueed unit recording area contains at least information identifying a roll of the intermediate transfer film and information on the order of the unit recording area in the roll, and the unit. An indirect transfer recording method characterized in that it is formed in a portion of a recording area that is not transferred onto a transfer target. Primary recording in which the unit recording area of the heat transfer ink layer of the ink ribbon and the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer film having the transfer layer on the substrate are arranged to face each other, and the heat transfer ink is transferred to the unit recording area by a thermal head to form an image. Secondary recording in which the intermediate transfer film and the transferred body after the step and the primary recording step are superposed, and the transfer layer is thermally transferred with a heat roller together with the formed image to form the image on the transferred body. An indirect transfer recording method that includes steps,
A barcode reading step for reading a barcode provided in advance for each unit recording area on the intermediate transfer film is further provided before the primary recording step.
In the bar code reading step, the bar code is read, it is determined that the unit recording area in which the bar code is read is unused, and the head portion of the unused portion of the intermediate transfer film is recorded in the primary recording step. Cueing, which is the operation to set the recording start position in
In the primary recording step to the cueed unit recording area, a predetermined image is formed in the unit recording area, and a pattern that makes the barcode unreadable is formed on the barcode corresponding to the unit recording area. An indirect transfer recording method characterized by transferring from the ink ribbon. The indirect transfer recording method according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate transfer film is an intermediate transfer film having a transfer layer including a hologram forming layer and a metal vapor deposition layer on a substrate. The indirect transfer recording method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the barcode is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode.

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