JP2607028B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording (printing) on a recording medium using a multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon capable of repeatedly performing pass printing several times.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon has been developed in which a thermal transfer ribbon, which is a transfer medium, can be repeatedly printed by using a portion which has been used for recording once and a portion which has been used for recording again. . Such a multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon allows the same ribbon to be printed repeatedly several times by applying a special treatment to the ribbon.If the ribbon is used for one-time recording, it must be discarded. compared to the usual thermal transfer ribbon of single-pass, which did not, Oh re-use as much as possible economic
It is also ecologically preferable.

In order to perform printing using a thermal printer, which is a conventional printing apparatus, using such a multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon, the multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon wound once is set on the ribbon supply shaft side. Then, pull out one end, fix it to the ribbon take-up shaft through the space between the thermal head and the platen, transport it in one direction in synchronization with the recording operation, and gradually take it up with the ribbon take-up shaft. When the winding of the ribbon is completed, it is necessary to remove the wound ribbon from the ribbon winding shaft, set the ribbon again on the ribbon supply shaft side, and repeat the same recording operation.

[0004]

However, the multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon once used for recording is removed from the ribbon winding shaft side and set again on the ribbon supply shaft side to perform the recording operation with the same ribbon. If it is performed, it is economical because the ribbon will not be wasted, but the ribbon that has completely moved to the ribbon take-up shaft side is good when it is wound up neatly, but the ribbon winding state When the tape is gradually offset to one side in the axial direction to form a conical part, the winding state becomes loose, or in some cases, the ribbon itself is wound with wrinkles, the ribbon itself May be unusable while having a sufficient life.

Further, if the recording state (print quality) is always to be kept above a certain level, it is necessary to record the number of uses each time the ribbon is set on the supply side and reused. When a multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon is used in such a conventional recording apparatus, it is troublesome.

If the ribbon breaks at a stage where the ribbon has been wound to some extent, the ribbon separated into two by the cutting is still in a state where both can be used at that time. However, in this case, since the total length of the ribbon is shortened, all the ribbons set on the supply side are lost at a relatively early stage, and it is difficult to reset the ribbon. Frequently, the handling became troublesome. And the other, which has been separated, is
If you keep it for a while and don't use it,
U.

Further, even if the ribbon is not broken, the capacity of the ribbon to be set on the supply shaft side is predetermined by the mounting space and the like. Therefore, when a large amount of recording is continuously performed, all the recording is completed. In the middle of recording, the ribbon on the supply side is lost, so it is necessary to move the ribbon wound up in the middle of recording to the supply side again and set it again. And the work efficiency was poor.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem,
The present applicant has previously filed an application for Japanese Patent Application No. 5-13553 (recording apparatus). The recording apparatus includes a recording unit that applies energy to a transfer medium such as a multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon to perform recording on a recording medium such as a label, and a recording medium that moves in a direction opposite to a forward direction of the transfer medium toward the recording unit. Transfer medium reverse transport amount information management means for managing reverse transport amount information; transfer medium transport capable of transporting the transfer medium in the forward direction and in the reverse direction based on the reverse transport amount information of the transfer medium reverse transport amount information management means; A unit comprising one or several sheets by managing the reverse conveyance amount information in the reverse direction opposite to the forward direction toward the recording means by the transfer medium reverse conveyance amount information management means. Every time the recording is completed, a part of the length used for recording (printing) of one unit of the transfer medium is returned in the reverse direction based on the management information to perform the next recording. The transfer medium once It was to be used repeatedly to use limit in the door.

Therefore, the transfer medium such as the ribbon, which is still recordable, can be used up to the end of its life without being discarded. Once the transfer medium is set, the transfer medium can be set again and again. There is no need to record the number of times the transfer medium is used repeatedly,
If the transfer medium is cut off at a stage where the transfer medium has been wound up to some extent, it is necessary to discard the wound transfer medium so that it is not wasted. Also, all recording was possible with the transfer medium once set without changing the transfer medium.

In the above-described multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon, the density (print density) of the recording portion gradually decreases each time it is used. Since it cannot be known unless it is actually used and recorded, it is sometimes difficult to determine when to replace the ribbon with a new one.

Therefore, in the above-described recording apparatus, which the applicant has previously filed, the transfer means conveys the transfer medium in a reverse direction by a predetermined ratio to the predetermined length each time the recording means performs recording on the recording medium by a predetermined length. There has also been proposed a recording apparatus provided with a test printing unit for setting a transfer medium reverse conveyance rate that repeatedly performs long recording.

According to the recording apparatus, before the normal recording operation is started, the transfer medium is first printed each time the recording means performs recording of a predetermined length on the recording medium by the test print means for setting the reverse conveyance rate of the transfer medium. If the test print is transported in the reverse direction by a fixed ratio with respect to the predetermined length and the recording of the predetermined length is repeatedly performed for several units , the first unit of the test print is entirely recorded on the unused transfer medium. It will be recorded with an increase in the number of transfer media used repeatedly in the order of recording below, so it is possible to use it up to the number of times that it was recorded on the transfer medium reused while watching it. It is possible to determine in advance whether or not the transfer medium is present, and based on the result of the determination, the transfer medium reverse transfer rate setting means sets the transfer rate for returning the transfer medium in the reverse direction. Recording status (printing quality) was obtained.

[0013] However, in the above case, there is no problem in a case where the recorded contents can be visually recognized by human eyes, such as letters and numbers, but there is no problem. When a symbol including a symbol recognized by optical technology is included, if the recorded data cannot be read by a reader such as a barcode reader, or if there is a defect such that misreading may occur, a barcode may be used. In some cases, the entire system would stop functioning, causing a serious problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and every time a recording unit performs recording of a predetermined length on a recording medium, the transfer medium is conveyed in a reverse direction by a fixed ratio to the predetermined length. In a recording device that repeatedly performs recording of a predetermined length, when the recorded content including a symbol such as a bar code is read by electro-optical technology, it is possible to perform recording without reading or erroneous reading, and there is a defect in the recorded content. It is an object of the present invention to allow an operator to clearly see and sort a portion of a recorded content having a defect.

In addition, even when a very small void or spot is present on the scan path when the recorded content is read by the electro-optical technique, and a defect is detected due to the void or spot, the recording medium in that portion is immediately replaced with the defect. It is also an object to eliminate waste of the recording medium by not treating it.

Further, when a recording medium becomes defective due to a wrinkle or the like on a transfer medium such as a ribbon due to a local defect, the recorded contents of the failed symbol are recorded in a series of recordings. It is another object of the present invention to avoid recording again after the operation is completed.

Furthermore, when a transfer medium such as a ribbon has a permanent wrinkle or a factor related to other than the transfer medium, and the recording medium becomes defective in recording, it can be known.
It is another object of the present invention to be able to remove the recording medium in the portion where the recording has failed.

Further, it is possible to prevent a defect in the recorded contents due to an inappropriate transfer amount of the transfer medium, or to adjust the transfer amount of the transfer medium to an optimum amount at which no defects are detected in the recorded contents. It is also an object of the present invention to automatically make correction. It is still another object of the present invention to easily identify a portion of a recording medium where a defect has been detected for each factor.

[0019]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, pass printing can be repeated several times.
A recording means for recording energy such as a barcode on a recording medium by applying energy to the transfer medium ;
The length of the part used when recording the symbol
The transfer medium is returned in the reverse direction opposite to the forward direction toward the recording means by the ratio. <br/> A transfer medium reverse transfer amount information managing means for managing reverse transfer amount information, a transfer medium having one end wound around the supply shaft and the other end wound around the supply shaft. To the spindle
The transfer medium can be transported in the forward direction and the reverse direction in the attached state, and when the transfer medium is transported in the reverse direction, the transfer medium according to the reverse transport amount information managed by the transfer medium reverse transport amount information management means. Transfer medium transporting means for transporting the recording medium in a predetermined length by using the transfer medium transported in the forward direction by the transfer medium transporting means and the recording means. After that, after the transfer medium is conveyed in the reverse direction according to the reverse conveyance amount information managed by the transfer medium reverse conveyance amount information management means, the recording of the predetermined length on the recording medium while repeating the conveyance in the forward direction is repeated. A recording device, comprising: verification means for verifying the recorded contents of the symbols recorded on the recording medium by the recording means; and when a defect is detected in the recorded contents by the verification means, an invalid index is formed on the recording medium. To provide a recording apparatus and a disable indicator forming means for.

In the above-mentioned recording apparatus, it is effective if the verification means has a re-verification means for verifying the recorded contents and detecting a defect again by changing the scan path and re-verifying the same recorded contents. It is.

Further, in the above-mentioned recording apparatus, when a defect is detected in the recorded contents as a result of the verification by the verification means, the re-recording control means causes the recording means to re-record the same symbol in a portion to be recorded next on the recording medium. Or
When a defect is detected in the recorded contents as a result of the verification by the verification unit, the transfer medium conveyance unit is configured to convey the transfer medium in the reverse direction based on the reverse conveyance amount information of the transfer medium reverse conveyance amount information management unit. Stop and transport the transfer medium only in the forward direction,
The recording means may be provided with a transfer medium forward conveyance re-recording control means for re-recording the same symbol on a portion to be recorded next to the recording medium.

In the recording apparatus, when no defect is detected based on the result of the verification performed by the verification unit on the recording content recorded by the re-recording by the transfer medium forward conveyance re-recording control unit, the transfer medium reverse conveyance amount While changing the reverse transport amount of the transfer medium, which is information managed by the information management means, to a small amount, and adding the changed reverse transport to the transfer of the transfer medium by the transfer medium transport means to the subsequent transport of the recording medium. It is effective to provide a recording medium reverse transport amount change recording control means for recording symbols in the recording means.

In the recording apparatus, the transfer medium reverse transport amount change recording control means may control the recording contents of the symbols recorded under the control of the means by the verification means to detect a defect based on the result of the verification. It is preferable to have a transfer medium reverse transport amount gradually decreasing adjusting means for repeatedly changing the reverse transport amount of the transfer medium, which is information managed by the transfer medium reverse transport amount information managing means, until the defect is no longer detected.

Further, in the recording apparatus, when a defect is detected based on the result of verifying the recorded content of the symbol recorded on the recording medium by the verification means while the reverse transport by the changed reverse transport amount is added, the recording is performed. The medium may be provided with an invalid index change control unit that forms the invalid index by changing the invalid index with the previous invalid index by the invalid index forming unit.

[0025]

According to the recording apparatus constructed as described above, the symbol such as a barcode recorded on the recording medium by applying energy to the transfer medium by the recording means verifies whether the defect is present by the verification means. When a defect is detected in the recorded content of a symbol or the like by the verification means, an invalid index is formed by printing or the like by the invalid index forming means on the recording medium. The operator can clearly identify the part at a glance and remove it.

If the verification means has a re-verification means for verifying the recorded contents and detecting a defect and changing the scan path again for the same recorded contents, the re-verification means is provided. When a defect is detected due to a very small void or spot on the top, the recorded content of the part where the defect is detected is changed again by changing the scan path, and the defect is not detected by the verification again In this case, the recorded contents that can be sufficiently read by the electro-optical technique do not need to be treated as defective, so that the recording medium in that part does not need to be wasted.

Further, if a defect is detected in the recorded contents as a result of the verification by the verification means, the recording means may be provided with a re-recording control means for re-recording the same symbol in a portion to be recorded next on the recording medium. When a defect is detected in the recorded contents by the verification, the same symbol is recorded again in a portion to be recorded next to the recording medium. If the medium has a recording failure, it is not necessary to re-record the recorded contents of the failed symbol after a series of recording operations.

Furthermore, if the transfer medium forward conveyance re-recording control means described above is provided, if a defect is detected in the recorded contents as a result of the verification by the verification means, the transfer medium is reversed .
When the transport is stopped in the forward direction and is transported only in the forward direction, the same symbol is recorded again on the next recording portion of the recording medium by the transfer medium that has not been used. And when a defect is detected there, it can be seen that a permanent wrinkle is formed on the transfer medium such as the ribbon or a defect due to factors other than the transfer medium.

Further, if the transfer medium reverse transport amount change recording control means described above is provided, the defect can be eliminated based on the result of verification by the verification means on the recorded contents recorded by the re-recording by the transfer medium forward transport re-recording control means. If the transfer medium is not detected, the transfer medium reverse conveyance amount, which is information managed by the transfer medium reverse conveyance amount information management means, is changed to a small value, and the transfer medium is transferred by the transfer medium conveyance means with respect to the subsequent conveyance of the recording medium. Since the symbols are recorded on the recording means while the changed reverse conveyance is added to the conveyance of the transfer medium, even if the setting of the reverse conveyance amount of the transfer medium is not appropriate and a defect is detected in the recorded content, By changing the reverse conveyance amount to be small, it is possible to obtain a recorded content in which no defect is detected.

If the transfer medium reverse transport amount change recording control means is provided with a transfer medium reverse transport amount gradual decrease adjusting means, the set value is still appropriate even though the reverse transport amount is changed small. However, if a defect is detected in the recorded contents, the amount of reverse transport of the transfer medium is automatically corrected repeatedly until the defect is no longer detected in the recorded contents. Undetected recorded content is obtained.

Further, if the invalid index change control means described above is provided, when a defect is detected in the recorded content of the symbol recorded on the recording medium while the reverse conveyance by the changed reverse conveyance amount is added, the defect index change control means is provided there. The invalid index formed is changed in shape and the like with respect to the invalid index formed on the previous recording medium, so that the setting of the reverse transport amount of the transfer medium is not appropriate, and a recording failure occurs. the recording medium is part, the shape
And the like can be easily identified for each factor by means of invalid indicators.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a recording apparatus showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a left side view of the recording apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof.

In this recording apparatus, a thermal head 2 is swingably held on a main frame 1 via a head holding member (not shown), and a head holding plate 3 integrated with the thermal head 2 is moved by a leaf spring 4 to a platen 5 side. The thermal head 2 is pressed against the platen 5 with a predetermined pressure.

The platen 5 is rotatably supported by a main frame 1 at one end of a shaft portion 5a and a platen subframe 6 shown in FIG. 2 via bearings at both ends of the shaft portion 5a. Has a head positioning collar 7,7
Are rotatably mounted.

Further, a platen gear 8 is fixed to one end (the left side in FIG. 2) of the shaft portion 5a, and the platen gear 8 is fixed to the motor sub-frame 9.
And a motor gear 11 fixed to the rotary shaft 10a of the motor.

Further, the motor gear 11 is connected to the sleeve 1
The gear 13 is engaged with the gear 12 fixed integrally with the motor 3, and the sleeve 13 is rotatably fitted to a shaft 39 fixed to the motor sub-frame 9.

A gear 15 having a one-way clutch 14 press-fitted therein is mounted on the outer periphery of a portion of the sleeve 13 projecting from the gear 12, and the gear 15 is mounted on the main frame 1 and the motor sub-frame 9 via bearings. And meshes with a gear 17 rotatably attached to a ribbon winding shaft 16 which is rotatably supported.

The right side surface of the gear 17 in FIG.
A friction member 18 is fixed, and a disk 19 having a step portion is not rotatable relative to the ribbon winding shaft 16 on the right side of the friction member 18 and the axial direction of the ribbon winding shaft 16 (FIG. 2).
(In the left-right direction) so as to be movably engaged only with the compression coil spring 20.
Are pressed against each other by the urging force.

[0039] Thus, the rotational force of the gear 17 is transmitted to the disc 19 via the friction member 18, the ribbon take-up shaft 16 is rotated, one end of the ribbon supply as shown in FIG. 1
The other end is attached to the shaft 21 and the other end is attached to the ribbon take-up shaft 16.
The multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon (hereinafter simply abbreviated as a ribbon) 27 in the set state is wound up.
The multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon 27 is recorded (printed) once.
The pass printing can be repeated several times by using the portion used for the recording again, and the ribbon is subjected to special processing, thereby making it possible.

Arrows attached to the respective gear systems in FIG. 1 indicate when the label Ra (recording medium, other paper such as a ticket or a price tag) may be discharged and when the ribbon 27 is wound. In this case, the sleeve 13 and the one-way clutch 14 are locked (coupled), and the motor gear 11 is shifted to the gears 12, 15,.
The gear system and the disk 19 relating to all the ribbon winding up to 17 rotate, and the ribbon winding shaft 16 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow.

When the ribbon take-up shaft 16 for returning the wound ribbon 27 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 1, the motor 10 is held so as not to rotate with a very small current. However, the ribbon winding shaft 16,
The disc 19 rotates against the friction of the gear 17 and the friction member 18, and the ribbon 27 rewinds toward the ribbon supply shaft 21 by the rotational force of the ribbon rewinding motor 23.

The one-way clutch 14 separates the thermal head 2 from the platen 5 in the recording apparatus in which the platen drive and the ribbon take-up drive are performed by the motor 10 shown in the present embodiment, and only the label is reversely conveyed. When the thermal head 2 and the platen 5 hold the label and the ribbon in the reverse direction while holding the label and the ribbon together, the function is to interrupt the rotation transmission of the motor 10. It is unnecessary when control is not required.

[0043] the ribbon supply shaft 21, as shown in FIG. 3 (Motagi
Illustration of the connecting portion from the gear 11 to the gear 17 is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 1, the main frame 1 and the motor sub-frame 9 are rotatably supported via bearings, respectively, and the portion of the ribbon supply shaft 21 located between the main frame 1 and the motor sub-frame 9 is provided. Is gear 22
Has been fixed.

A gear 24 fixed to one (lower side in FIG. 3) of a rotating shaft 23a extending to both sides of a ribbon rewinding motor 23 fixed to the motor sub-frame 9 meshes with the gear 22. A slit disk 25a of the encoder 25 is fixed to the other side of the rotating shaft 23a, and a sensor portion 25b of the encoder 25, which is a photosensor, is disposed at a position where a slit formed on the outer peripheral side of the slit disk 25a passes. Thus, the encoder pulse can be measured.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
The head holding plate 3 for fixing and holding the head has legs 3a, 3a formed by bending both sides downward at right angles, and the left end edge of each of the legs 3a, 3a in FIG. The position of the thermal head 2 with respect to the platen 5 (in the left-right direction in FIG. 1) is determined by abutting the outer periphery of the thermal head 2 on the platen 5.

Below the leg 3 a of the head holding plate 3, there is provided a mechanism for lifting the thermal head 2 upward and separating it from the platen 5. The mechanism is
As shown in FIG. 2, an arm 33 is fixed to a substantially intermediate portion of the plate-like arm 32, and the arm 33 is extended to the position of the leg 3a of the head holding plate 3 on the main frame 1 side. A columnar boss 35 is attached, and a columnar boss 35 is similarly attached to the upper end side of the arm 32 so as to correspond to the right leg 3a in FIG.

The arms 32 and 33 are fixed to a shaft 34 attached between the main frame 1 and the platen sub-frame 6, and are pivoted about the shaft 34 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. It is possible. On the other hand, a coil spring 36 is attached to the lower end of the arm 32, and the urging force causes the arm 32 to rotate together with the arm 33 in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. The position is regulated at the position shown in FIG.

The coil spring 36 of the arm 32
A plunger 31 of a DC solenoid 30 for raising the thermal head 2 and separating it from the platen 5 is attached to the upper part of the position at which the plunger 31 is attracted when the DC solenoid 30 is excited. The arm 32 rotates together with the arm 33 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 1 against the urging force of the coil spring 36.

When the DC solenoid 30 is not operated, the bosses 35, 35 on the distal ends of the arms 32, 33 are slightly spaced from the legs 3a, 3a on both sides of the head holding plate 3. (See also FIG. 2). When this recording apparatus is used, as shown in FIG. 1, the ribbon 27 wound around the supply core is set on the supply shaft 21, and one end on the pull-out side is passed between the thermal head 2 and the platen 5.
It is wound around a winding core set on the ribbon winding shaft 16.

Similarly, a label Ra, which is a recording medium in a wound state (may be another recording medium such as a ticket, a price tag, etc.), is set on the label supply shaft 28, and one end on the drawer side thereof is set. Is pulled out between the thermal head 2 and the platen 5 and clamped there.

In this state, recording of the first label Ra1
When (printing) is started, measurement of the pulse number of the encoder 25 is started at the same time. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the recording of the first label Ra1 ends, the measurement of the number of pulses is completed. The number of pulses n1 obtained during this time
Is the ribbon 2 used (consumed) to record the first sheet
7 is a substitute value for the rotation angle θ1 of the ribbon supply shaft 21 rotated during this recording.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the DC solenoid 30 is excited, the plunger 31 is attracted to the left side in FIG. 5 and is rotatably connected to the plunger 31 via a pin. Arm 32 and its arm 3
The arm 33 integrated with the shaft 2 rotates about the shaft 34 in the direction of arrow A.

As a result, the bosses 35, 35 fixed to the upper ends of the arms 32, 33 respectively move, and they abut against the lower edges of the legs 3a, 3a of the head holding plate 3 and move it upward. To lift, the thermal head 2 is separated from the platen 5.

When the motor 23 for rewinding the ribbon is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 while maintaining this state, the ribbon 27 is rewound as indicated by the arrow in the figure. At this time, the gear 22 that rotates in the winding direction includes the gear 22 that rotates the supply shaft 21 whose rotation is indicated by an arrow in FIG.
The gear 24 meshes therewith, and the ribbon winding shaft 16 and the disk 19 (FIG. 2) on the ribbon winding shaft 16 side.

[0055] In addition, in this case the motor 10 is not a matter in advance and held in the hold state. The amount of rewinding at this time can be determined by various methods such as a dip switch (hereinafter referred to as a dip switch), a rotary switch (hereinafter referred to as a rotary switch), or a method of inputting using a key, depending on recording conditions at that time. Can be determined using

In this manner, recording is performed on the first label Ra1 by the unused ribbon 27, and when the recording is completed, the second label Ra2 is subjected to thermal printing as described with reference to FIG. The head 2 is separated from the platen 5 and, for example, a rotary SW for rewinding amount setting is now set.
To set the rewind amount to 90%, and rewind the ribbon 90% of the ribbon length used when recording on the first label Ra1 (can be set to any other ratio). Similarly, every time recording is completed for the third and subsequent labels Ra3, the thermal head 2 is separated from the platen 5 and the ribbon is rewound by 90% sequentially.

FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the ten labels Ra1 to Ra10 temporarily recorded in this way and the number of times the ribbons used there were used. Since the ribbon used for recording the first label Ra1 is a ribbon used for the first time (unused state), the recorded (printed) state is clear. In the recording of the next label Ra2, the portion of the ribbon used for the first recording (second use) is 90%, and 10% is the first use ribbon.

Further, the recording on the third label Ra3 is as follows.
80% of the 3rd part used for recording the first and second sheets
Second use ribbon, 10% second use, 1 remaining
0% is used for the first time, and is recorded sequentially in the same manner as described above. (In FIG. 6, after the label Ra3, the second use is "2", the third use is "3," and so on.) Similarly, only the numbers indicating the number of times of use are simplified and described below.

As a matter of course, when recording is performed in this manner, the recording quality (print density, etc.) gradually decreases as the number of recordings advances. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the number of pulses obtained as a substitute value of the used amount (consumption amount) of the ribbon 27 used when the first label Ra1 is recorded is n1, so "n1 × The rewinding motor 23 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 by the number of pulses of "0.9" to rewind the ribbon 27.

After rewinding by the predetermined length, D
When the excitation of the C solenoid 30 is stopped (OFF), the arms 32 and 33 rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow A by the urging force of the coil spring 36 and the plunger 31 moves rightward in FIG. , 35, the thermal head 2 pushed up through the head holding plate 3 descends and comes into pressure contact with the platen 5 again, so that the head-up state is released and the next recording can be performed.

By repeating the above operation, FIG.
When the recording of the m-th label Ram is completed as shown in FIG.
As a matter of course, the winding diameter of the ribbon 27 on the supply side (the side wound on the ribbon supply shaft 21) is small, and the winding side (the side wound on the winding shaft 16) is large.

Here, assuming that the length in the transport direction of the label Ra per sheet is L, the length of the ribbon 27 consumed for recording the first sheet is also L, and this L corresponds to FIG. The angle θ1 is replaced by the pulse number n1 as described above.

The length of the ribbon 27 used for recording the m-th label Ram in FIG. 7 is also L.
Corresponds to the angle θm in the figure (because the outer diameter of the ribbon is smaller, it becomes larger than the angle θ1 in FIG. 4)
Where the number of pulses is substituted by nm.

The pulse numbers n 1 and nm corresponding to the used amount of the ribbon 27 are different because the outer diameter (the radius of rotation of the ribbon) wound on the ribbon supply shaft 21 is different, of course. Is still a substitute value for. Because, one label as in this embodiment re-measuring the number of pulses for each (predetermined length), by considering the reference number of pulses at that time, regardless of the number that varies with ribbon diameter of the supply side Therefore, the ribbon 27 having a predetermined length can always be rewound.

Incidentally, the recording apparatus according to this embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 1, on the downstream side of the conveyance of the recording unit by the thermal head 2 and the platen 5, the recording content by the symbol such as the bar code recorded on the label (recording medium) Ra by the thermal head 2 as the recording means is verified. A verification device 50 is provided as verification means for performing the verification. When the recorded contents include a barcode or the like, the verifier 50 determines whether or not the barcode or the like is correctly recorded so that it can be read and determined later by a reader using an electro-optical technique such as a barcode reader. This is to verify.

That is, the thermal head 2 is a consumable and a multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon 27 as a transfer medium.
Since it is used by overprinting (recording by repeatedly using the same part), there is a risk that a symbol such as a recorded barcode may produce a defective label which cannot be read by a barcode reader which is later recognized by electro-optical technology. As such, it serves to prevent issuing a bad label by verifying it.

As shown in FIG. 8, the verifier 50 reflects, for example, light emitted from the LED array 57 toward a recording unit such as a bar code 58 with a reflector 59, and reflects the reflected light via a lens 51. CCD line image sensor 52
(Hereinafter simply referred to as CCD 52), and the CCD 5
An analog signal for each pixel is sent to the data processing unit 53 by the photoelectric conversion of 2.

The data processing unit 53 converts the input information into a numerical value and converts it into a bar code verification control unit 4 described later.
2 (FIG. 11). The control unit decodes the signal, compares the signal with input data (data to be recorded), and determines whether the input data has normal recording contents without defects that can reliably read data. I do. If the result is normal, the bar code 58 can be read later by a bar code reader, so that the label R
Discharge a as it is.

When there is an abnormality in which a defect is detected as a result of the verification, an invalid index is formed by printing an invalid index on the label Ra by disposing the invalid index on the label Ra as shown in FIG. The void stamper 70, which is an index forming means, is operated to imprint an invalid index (invalid mark) on the label Ra and then eject the label Ra. In this way, the discriminated record contents which can be read later by the barcode reader and the record contents which may not be read due to the defect or which may cause erroneous reading are discriminated to clarify the defective label or the like. I do.

The verifier 50 moves the carriage 65 on which the pen-type scanner 64 is mounted along the guide shaft 66 by operating a drive motor (not shown) as shown in FIG. It may be something.

As shown in FIG. 10, the void stamper 70 is a stamper 77 of an automatic ink supply type.
Is supported on the label Ra so that it can approach and separate from the label Ra, and the upper part thereof is pivotally connected to one end of the swinging member 78. The swing member 78 is swingable about a substantially center 78a.
A spring 79 is attached to one end of the stamper 77 side between the stamper 77 and a fixed portion of the apparatus, and the spring 79 urges the stamper 77 to swing away from the label Ra in a normal state.

A solenoid 81 is attached to the other end of the swing member 78. When the solenoid 81 is operated (turned on), the swing member 78 swings in the direction of arrow E, whereby the stamper 77 descends. Then, it is stamped on the upper surface of the label Ra.

Here, as an example of the invalid index forming means,
Although the void stamper 70 as described above has been described, even if the void stamper 70 is not provided, if the bar code is abnormal in the verification result of the verifier 50, the label Ra
May be reversed and the thermal head 2 records an invalid mark such as a checkered pattern on the bar code so as to be clearly visible.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control system of the printing apparatus. The main control unit 40 exchanges signals with the recording control unit 41, and the recording control unit 41 transmits a signal for recording based on the recording (printing) information sent from the main control unit 40. and output to the thermal head driver unit 4 9, drives and controls the thermal head 2 which is a recording unit.

The recording control section 41 outputs a signal for driving the DC solenoid 30 for separating the thermal head 2 from the platen 5 to the DC solenoid driver section 44, and controls the driving of the DC solenoid 30.

The transport control unit 43 includes a motor driver 45
A signal for driving the transport motor 10 is output at a predetermined timing. The motor 10 conveys the label Ra as a recording medium and the ribbon 27 as a transfer medium. The motor 10 is rotated in the forward direction during recording to move the label Ra and the ribbon 27 toward the thermal head 2. Carry forward.

The ribbon rewind motor control unit 46
Functions as transfer medium reverse transport amount information management means for managing reverse transport amount information in the reverse direction opposite to the forward direction of the ribbon 27 toward the thermal head 2. The ribbon rewinding motor 23 ( The number of pulses during ribbon ribbon transport in the forward direction is input from an encoder 25 that detects the amount of rotation of the rotation shaft 23a (see FIG. 3) of the rotation shaft 23a (which constitutes a transfer medium transport unit together with the motor 10). SW for setting the rewind amount (reverse transport amount)
From 47, a signal corresponding to the rewind amount is input.

Then, a signal for reversely returning (reversely conveying) the ribbon is output to the ribbon rewind motor driver section 48, and the motor 23 is driven to return the ribbon 27 by a predetermined amount. The barcode verification control unit 42 checks the verifier 5
A binary image signal output from the CCD 52 and input via the data processing unit 53 is input, and based on information from the main control unit 40, it is verified whether or not the recorded signal has no defect. And if there is a defect, a not shown D
The stamper 77 is actuated by the C solenoid driver to impress an invalid index (invalid mark) on the label Ra.
When a defect is detected by the above-described verification, the barcode verification control unit 42 also functions as a re-verification unit that verifies the same recorded content as that having the defect again by changing the scan path.

In the recording apparatus according to this embodiment, in a normal case, the reverse transport amount of the ribbon 27 as the transfer medium is appropriately set by the rotary SW 47, and one label or one unit Each time recording by the thermal head 2 is completed, the ribbon 27 is moved by a predetermined amount according to the reverse transport amount information managed by the ribbon rewind motor control unit 46 which is the transfer medium reverse transport amount information managing means.
The tape is rewound by the motor 23 in a direction opposite to the forward direction toward the disk 2 and transported again in the forward direction for recording.

When the recorded content recorded by the thermal head 2 includes a symbol such as a bar code, the recorded content is verified by a verifier 50, and when a defect is detected there, the void stamper 70 An invalid indicator is imprinted on the label with the recorded content where the defect was detected.

In addition to each of the labels, each time the recording on one unit of the recording medium is completed, the ribbon is returned in accordance with the reverse conveyance amount information managed by the ribbon rewind motor control unit 46. In the case of a recording medium such as a label having a short label pitch, the ribbon is rewound in the opposite direction by a predetermined amount, rather than rewinding the ribbon one by one.
This is because it is more efficient to perform rewinding for each unit of a certain number of sheets, such as every sheet or every 20 sheets.

Next, the verification processing of the recorded contents performed by this recording apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When this recording content verification processing routine starts, it is determined whether or not a defect has been detected based on the result of verifying the recording content recorded on the label in step 1.
If no defect is detected, the process proceeds to step 2 to perform the next recording process and then returns to the main routine. If a defect is detected, the process proceeds to step 3 without printing an invalid index, and the process proceeds to step 1. Then, re-verification (re-scan) is performed using a scan path different from the verification, and it is determined again whether a defect is detected in the recorded content.

In the change of the scan path, if the verification operation is performed in a state where the recording medium conveyance operation is stopped, the label (recording medium) is slightly changed after the first verification operation in step 1 by the motor 10 (see FIG. It can be carried out by transporting in the forward or reverse direction according to 1). If the verification operation is performed without stopping the recording medium transport operation, the recording medium transport operation is stopped when a defect is detected in the first verification result, and the re-verification in step 3 is performed in that state. If performed, the scan path can be changed between the first verification and the second verification (re-verification).

If it is determined in step 3 that a defect is not detected, the flow proceeds to step 2 to perform the next recording process. If a defect is detected, the flow proceeds to step 4 and the label (recording medium) in which the defect is detected The void index is printed by the void stamper 70 (FIG. 10), and then Step 5
Proceed to.

In step 5, the same recorded content (symbol) as the recorded content in which the defect was detected in step 3 is recorded again in the portion to be recorded next to the label, and in step 6, the recorded content is verified. It is determined whether or not a defect has been detected. If no defect is detected, the process proceeds to step 2 and the next recording process is performed. If a defect is detected, the process proceeds to step 7 where the defect is re-recorded and the defect is detected. An invalid index is printed on the label thus set, and the routine proceeds to step 8.

In step 8, the ribbon rewinding operation (reverse transport) with the reverse transport amount set by the rotary SW 47 (FIG. 11) performed during the normal recording operation is stopped to move the ribbon in the forward direction (FIG. 1). In the transport direction toward the left side), and using the unused portion of the ribbon 27 in the portion to be recorded of the next label, the same content as the recorded content in which the defect was detected in step 6 Is recorded again, and it is verified in step 9 whether the recorded content (recorded content using an unused portion of the ribbon) has a defect. If there is a defect, the process proceeds to step 10 and is invalid there. Print indicators. In this case, it is recognized that a constant ribbon wrinkle or some trouble has occurred, and in the next step 11, an operator call for notifying an abnormality is issued, and the operation of the entire recording apparatus is stopped.

If no defect is detected in step 9, the ribbon rewind amount (reverse transport amount) set by the rotary SW 47 is not appropriate (the reverse transport amount was too large when recording in step 5). ), The process proceeds to step 12, the ribbon rewinding amount is changed to a small value, and a predetermined number of prints necessary for uniformly printing the predetermined length to be recorded under the conditions are printed. Verify the recorded contents with.

That is, if the rewind amount of the ribbon is set to be 90% of the predetermined length used for printing by the rotary SW 47, the rewind amount is set to 80% of the length. The print is printed on 5 sheets (10 sheets when the rewind amount is 90%) necessary to print the predetermined length uniformly when the rewind amount is 80% (FIG. 13). Then, the recorded contents are verified.

As an example of a case where a defect is detected because the ribbon rewind amount is too large in the judgment in step 9, for example, the height of the bar code is high (the length in the transport direction is long).
In this case, when the ribbon rewinding amount is too large, there may be a case where a portion (overprint portion) where the ribbon is repeatedly used for recording in the bar portion of the bar code is increased.

Then, in step 13, step 12
Judge whether or not a defect is detected in the recorded contents recorded in the above,
If no defect is detected, the process proceeds to step 2 and the subsequent recording process is repeated with the ribbon rewind amount set in step 12, for example, the label Ra5 shown in FIG.
There is also a barcode at the location (indicating that it was used for the fifth recording), and no defect was detected until the fourth ribbon use up to Ra4. If only the bar code recorded in the portion (the portion indicated by 5 in the drawing) is defective and detected, the invalid index is printed in step 14 and the process returns to step 1 again.
In step 2, the ribbon rewind amount is changed again to a small value, and the verification of the recorded contents is repeated.

Then, a predetermined number of sheets (5 sheets, 9 sheets when the reverse conveyance amount is 80%) necessary to uniformly print the predetermined length.
If no defect is detected in 10 sheets at the time of 0%, the process proceeds to step 2 to perform the next recording process. In addition,
The defective recording label is also generated by the disconnection of the thermal head, but the defective recording check due to this cause is prevented by performing the disconnection check before the recording operation without performing the recording content verifying operation according to the present invention. be able to.

Means for displaying a number corresponding to the scale of the rotary SW 47 of the ribbon rewind amount newly set in step 12 of FIG. 12 (for example, a number from 0 to 15 corresponding to the scale with four LEDs) Is displayed or LE
D is used, and when the power of the recording apparatus is turned off, the scale of the rotary SW 47 is reset according to the number displayed on the display means. When turning on again after turning off the power,
This time, an appropriate rewind amount (reverse transport amount) is set from the beginning, which is convenient.

The printing of the invalid index after the change in the ribbon rewind amount in step 14 in FIG. 12 may be different from the printing of the invalid index in the other steps 4, 7 and 10.

This is because the defect whose detection result is determined in step 13 is basically different in cause from the defect whose detection result is determined in each of steps 1, 3, 6, and 9 described above. , change it to one of the different content and other invalid indicator (e.g., conveys the appropriate recording medium, or a plurality print invalid indication, the stamper 7
7 is provided, a separate stamper having a different shape of the invalid index from that of 7 ) can be easily identified at the time of, for example, investigating a defective label later.
This is very useful information.

Further, when the presence of a defect is detected in the step 13, the defect is caused by improper setting of the ribbon rewinding amount, and is a result of continuous recording. For example, the recorded content is different from the previous one, for example, because the recording temperature changed due to the amount of rewinding due to the change in the melting temperature of the ribbon due to the change in the environmental temperature, etc. In such a case, the printing of the invalid index may be made different from the other invalid indexes, and when the invalid index is printed on the label, the operator may be notified by a buzzer or the like, and the operator's judgment may be obtained.

The defect when the presence of a defect is detected in step 13 is basically caused by an excessive amount of rewinding of the ribbon. Is a verification result during the repetition of the recording necessary for even recording, and since it is highly possible that the verification result becomes defect-free by changing the scan path, step 1
Even if it is determined in step 3 that there is a defect, the invalid index is not printed immediately, but re-verification (rescan verification) is performed again, and the invalid index is printed only when a defect is still detected. Good.

In the flowchart of FIG. 12, an example is shown in which the verification operation of the recorded contents is performed five times (each of steps 1, 3, 6, 9, and 13) in order. (Operation order) may be appropriately set to an optimal combination according to the entire system, and it is convenient to notify an operator call when necessary.

In this embodiment, when the main control unit 40 shown in FIG. 11 detects a defect in the recorded content based on the result of the verification by the verification unit (verifier 50), the recording unit (thermal head 2) Functions as re-recording control means for re-recording the same symbol in the portion to be recorded next on the recording medium (label).

When a defect is detected in the recorded content as a result of the verification by the verification means (verifier 50), the transfer medium reverse conveyance amount information management means (ribbon rewind motor control unit 46) ), The reverse transport of the transfer medium based on the reverse transport amount information is stopped, and the transfer medium is transported only in the forward direction. It also functions as a transfer medium forward transport re-recording control unit for recording.

[0100] Further, the main control unit 40, against the recorded contents recorded by the recording again by the transfer medium forward conveyance rerecording control means, verification means (verifier 50)
If no defect was detected as a result of verification by
Change reduced reverse conveyance of the transfer medium is information managed in the transfer medium opposite the conveying amount information management unit, changes the conveyance of the transfer medium by the transfer medium transport means to the transport of the subsequent recording medium The recording medium (thermal head 2) also functions as a transfer medium reverse conveyance amount change recording control means for recording symbols on the recording means (thermal head 2) while applying the reverse conveyance.

Further, the main controller 40 verifies the recorded contents of the symbols recorded under the control of the transfer medium reverse transport amount change recording controller by the verification means, and a defect is detected based on the result of the verification. At times, it also functions as a transfer medium reverse transport amount gradually decreasing adjusting unit that repeatedly changes the reverse transport amount of the transfer medium, which is information managed by the transfer medium reverse transport amount information management unit, until the defect is no longer detected.

[0102] Further, when made different void indexes for printing in other steps the printing of invalid indication performed in Step 14 as described above, reverse conveyance main control unit 40 shown in FIG. 11, which was modified When a defect is detected based on the result of verifying the recorded content of the symbol recorded on the recording medium by the verification means (verifier 50) while the reverse conveyance by the amount is added, the invalid index forming means (void stamper 70) is added to the recording medium. Function as an invalid index change control means for changing the invalid index with the previous invalid index.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to a recording apparatus, a recording medium that conveys a transfer medium in a reverse direction by a predetermined ratio to the predetermined length each time recording of a predetermined length is performed on the recording medium by the recording unit of claim 1 and repeats the recording of the predetermined length. It is possible to verify whether or not a recorded content including a symbol recognized by an electro-optical technique, such as a bar code, recorded on a recording medium by a recording means by a verification means, thereby verifying whether the recorded content has a defect. Is detected,
Since the invalid index is formed on the defective recording medium by printing or the like by the invalid index forming means, the operator can reliably determine the defective recording medium at a glance, and can easily remove the defective recording medium.

Therefore, it is possible to reliably record a symbol such as a bar code that cannot be read or misread when read by the electro-optical technique. In other words, the multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon, which can be repeatedly printed in a pass several times, is returned in a reverse direction by a fixed ratio to the predetermined length used for the recording every time a recording of a predetermined length is used as a recording medium, and is then transported in the forward direction again. When the recording is repeated, there is a concern that recording of a defective bar code or the like due to a decrease in recording quality (print density or the like) may be performed. However, this recording apparatus can eliminate such anxiety.

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, when a very small void or spot is present on the scan path to be verified by the verification means and a defect is detected, the recorded contents of that part change the scan path and change again. Since the verification is performed, it is not necessary to treat the recorded content that can be sufficiently read by the electro-optical technique as a defect by performing the verification again, so that the recording medium can be wasted.

According to the recording apparatus of the third aspect, when a defect is detected in the recorded content by the verification by the verification means, the same symbol is recorded again in the portion to be recorded next on the recording medium, so that the transfer of the ribbon or the like is performed. It is not necessary to re-record the recorded contents of a symbol which has become defective due to local wrinkles or the like due to wrinkles or the like on the recording medium after a series of recording operations is completed, so that labor can be saved.

According to the recording apparatus of the fourth aspect, when a defect is detected in the recorded contents by the verification by the verification means, the transfer of the transfer medium in the reverse direction is stopped, and the transfer medium is conveyed only in the normal direction. The same symbol is re-recorded on the portion to be recorded next to the recording medium by the transfer medium that has not been used yet. Therefore, if the recorded contents are verified and a defect is detected there, the transfer medium such as a ribbon is used. It can be seen that the wrinkles are constantly formed and that a defect is caused due to factors other than the transfer medium.

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, when no defect is detected based on the result of verification by the verification means for the recorded contents recorded by the re-recording by the transfer medium forward conveyance re-recording control means, the transfer medium The reverse transport amount is changed to a smaller value, and the symbols are recorded on the recording means while the reverse transport changed by the transfer medium transport means by the transfer medium transport means is added to the subsequent transport of the recording medium. Improper setting of the reverse transport amount of the medium and the use of the same portion of the transfer medium over and over again causes the density or the like (print quality) of the recorded portion to deteriorate, thereby detecting a defect in the recorded content. Even if
By changing the reverse conveyance amount to be small, it is possible to obtain a recorded content in which no defect is detected.

According to the recording apparatus of the sixth aspect, even if the reverse transport amount is changed to a small value and the set value is still not appropriate and a defect is detected in the recorded contents, the defect is detected.
The reverse transport amount is automatically corrected repeatedly until the defect is no longer detected in the recorded content on the recording medium, so it is automatically corrected. , Recording that makes the most of its characteristics.

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, an invalid index formed on a recording medium when a defect is detected in the recorded content of a symbol recorded while the reverse transport by the changed reverse transport amount is added. However, since the invalid index formed on the previous recording medium is changed, the recording medium in which the reverse conveyance amount of the transfer medium is improperly set and the recording has failed due to improper setting can be easily identified later by the cause. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a recording apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram similar to FIG. 1, showing a state in which printing of a first label Ra1 has been completed in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the DC solenoid 30 is operated in the state of FIG. 4 to separate the thermal head 2 from the platen 5.

6 shows ten labels Ra1 to Ra10 in the recording apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of times the ribbon is used on the label when the ribbon is sequentially recorded while adding 90% reverse conveyance to the label.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram similar to FIG. 1, showing a state in which recording of an m-th label Ram has been completed in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a verifier provided in the recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a different example of the verifier.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a void stamper provided in the recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the printing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a routine related to a recording content verification process performed by a control unit of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a relationship between the number of times of use of the ribbon used for each label when the number of times of repeated use of the ribbon is set to 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Thermal head (recording means) 5 Platen 10, 23 Motor (transfer medium transport means) 27 Multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon (transfer medium) 40 Main control unit 46 Ribbon rewind motor control unit (transfer medium reverse transport amount information management means) 50 Verifier (verification means) 70 Void stamper (invalid index forming means) Ra label (recording medium)

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical display location B41J 17/36 B41J 29/46 C 29/46 3/534 (56) References JP-A-59-155071 (JP) JP-A-4-31072 (JP, A) JP-A-3-110186 (JP, A) JP-A-4-201835 (JP, A) JP-A-63-149176 (JP, A)

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] To 1. A recording medium by applying energy to pass printable <br/> transfer medium repeated several times and recording means for recording the symbols such as a bar code, the transfer medium, recording the symbols Used when
Transfer medium reverse transport amount information managing means for managing reverse transport amount information returning in the reverse direction opposite to the forward direction toward the recording means by a fixed ratio of the length of the transfer medium ; The other end to the take-up shaft.
The transfer medium can be transported in the forward direction and the reverse direction in the attached state, and when the transfer medium is transported in the reverse direction, the reverse transport amount information managed by the transfer medium reverse transport amount information managing means is provided. And a recording medium conveyed in the same direction by using the transfer medium conveyed in the forward direction by the transfer medium conveyer and the recording unit. The transfer medium is then conveyed in the reverse direction according to the reverse conveyance amount information managed by the transfer medium reverse conveyance amount information management means. A recording device that repeats recording, a verification unit that verifies recorded contents of a symbol recorded on a recording medium by the recording unit, and when a defect is detected in the recorded contents by the verification unit, Recording apparatus characterized by comprising a disable indicator forming means for forming an invalid indicator in the recording medium. 2. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said verification means has a re-verification means for verifying said recorded contents and re-verifying the same recorded contents by changing a scan path when detecting a defect. A recording device characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the same symbol is recorded next to the recording medium in the recording means when a defect is detected in the recorded content as a result of the verification by the verification means. A recording apparatus, comprising re-recording control means for re-recording a portion. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a defect is detected in the recorded content as a result of the verification by the verification unit, the transfer medium is transferred to the transfer medium transport unit. The conveyance of the transfer medium in the reverse direction based on the reverse conveyance amount information of the reverse conveyance amount information management means is stopped, and the transfer medium is conveyed only in the forward direction. A recording apparatus provided with transfer medium forward transport re-recording control means for re-recording a portion to be recorded. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a defect is not detected based on a result of the verification by the verification unit with respect to a recording content recorded by re-recording by the transfer medium forward conveyance re-recording control unit. By changing the reverse transport amount of the transfer medium, which is information managed by the transfer medium reverse transport amount information managing means, to a small value, the transfer of the transfer medium by the transfer medium transport means with respect to the subsequent transport of the recording medium. recording apparatus characterized in that a transfer medium opposite the conveyance amount change recording control means for recording the symbols in the recording means while allowed to make changes to the reverse conveyance. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said transfer medium reverse transport amount change recording control means verifies the recorded contents of the symbols recorded under the control of said means by said verification means. When a defect is detected, the transfer medium reverse transport amount gradually decreasing adjusting means for repeatedly changing the reverse transport amount of the transfer medium, which is information managed by the transfer medium reverse transport amount information managing means, until the defect is no longer detected. A recording device comprising: 7. A recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the verification means verifies the recorded contents of the symbols recorded on the recording medium while applying the reverse transport by the changed reverse transport amount. A recording medium provided with an invalid index change control means for causing the invalid index forming means to change an invalid index with a previous invalid index on the recording medium to form the invalid index.