JP2608330B2 - How to print the border between adjacent areas - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method of printing a boundary portion with an adjacent area in a recording apparatus that performs recording in a plurality of layers by superposing a recording agent a plurality of times on a recording medium. It is.

2. Description of the Related Art Due to its structure, printing by a serial printer is performed by sequentially repeating printing by scanning a recording head and line feeding of a recording sheet in a direction orthogonal to the recording head scanning direction.

For this reason, a line feed is performed in such a manner that the line feed distance of each line matches the line spacing. The print completion state in this case is changed to the eighth
These are shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 8 (A) and 8 (B) show the line boundaries of the cross sections cut in the line feed direction in the printing completed state in the case where the line feed distance for each line is simply made equal to the line distance and printing is continued. It is the schematic diagram which expanded and showed the part.

8A and 8B, reference numerals 1a and 2a denote, for example, yellow ink transferred in the first recording head scan in each row, and reference numerals 1b and 2b denote, for example, magenta ink transferred in the second recording head scan. 1c and 2c are, for example, cyan ink transferred by the third recording head scan, and 3 is a recording sheet. Arrow 4 indicates the direction of line feed of the recording paper 3.

The specific print control procedure in this case is as follows:
A, 1b, 1c are printed in that order, then the recording paper is fed by one line in the line feed direction of 4, and the next line is similarly printed with ink, 2a, 2b, 2c.

Here, FIG. 8 (A) is a printing example in the case where there is no line feed error, and it is a case where the boundary portion of the line is continuous. In such a case, there is no problem because it is completely connected, but in general, there is always a line feed error, and an error l occurs in line feed as shown in FIG. 8 (B), so that part Only there will be a gap (or overlap) at the boundary.

As described above, when the print data is continuous over a plurality of lines, there is a disadvantage that if the accuracy of line feed of the recording paper is poor, a gap is formed at a boundary between the lines.

Therefore, conventionally, in a serial printer, when printing continuous print data over a plurality of lines, the line feed amount for one line of the recording paper is determined by the line feed error rather than the print width of the recording paper in the feed direction of each line. The size is reduced by the amount corresponding to, and the boundary between adjacent lines is controlled to be overlapped and printed by that amount. As a result, even if the line feed accuracy is slightly poor, no gap is formed at the boundary between the lines.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In order to solve the above problems, FIGS. 9A and 9B show a case where the boundary portion of each line is controlled to be overlapped by the maximum value L of the line feed error. FIG.

FIG. 9 (A) is a theoretically expected printing example of the method. This is an ideal case, but if it is done in this way, a line feed error occurs, and even when this is "L", it is exactly the same as in Fig. 8 (A). However, there is no gap as in FIG.

However, in this conventional example, since the already printed inks 1a, 1b, 1c form a large step of three ink layers in the overlap printing portion, when printing the inks 2a, 2b, 2c, the recording paper and the ink are used. A space 5 shown in FIG. 9 (A) is created between them. For this reason, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 9 (B), the ink is not actually transferred well on the recording paper at this portion, and is hardly transferred, or the adhesive force is very small even if transferred. Peel off.

In addition, even if the printing is successful as shown in FIG. 9 (A), ink that is not originally needed is in the range L in the drawing.
3 layers of 2a, 2b, and 2c are additionally printed, so the print density or color of this part will be greatly deviated from what it should be, and the ink will not be printed as compared to the part that is not overprinted. Printing performance was liable to deteriorate due to poor transferability and changes in density and color.

In particular, when performing color printing or gradation expression printing with a binary printer, each line must be printed by scanning the recording head a plurality of times. In this case, since the boundary portion between adjacent rows is printed with ink twice as many times as the number of times of scanning, there is a drawback that the above-mentioned deterioration of the printing performance becomes particularly remarkable.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above problems, and includes the following configuration as one means for solving the above problems.

That is, in a recording apparatus that performs recording in a plurality of layers by superposing a recording agent on a recording medium a plurality of times, recording is performed on each layer by a predetermined amount when recording is performed on each recording area on the recording medium by the recording agent. At the same time, the uppermost layer of the first recording area is recorded on the recording medium when the recording of the second recording area adjacent to the first recording area is performed after the recording of the first recording area. The recording layer of the lowermost layer in the second recording area is recorded on the uppermost recording layer of the first recording area at the boundary position, and then the recording position is sequentially shifted by a predetermined amount to record each layer. It is characterized by comprising recording means for performing.

[Operation] In the above configuration, the extra recording layer in the overlapping recording portion of the recording layer at the boundary with the adjacent area can be made one layer, and the deterioration of the recording quality can be minimized.

Further, the space generated by the step of the recording layer at the boundary can be made constant, and stable recording can be performed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire embodiment according to a control procedure and the like shown in FIG. , 11 is a ROM for storing the above-mentioned control procedure, 12
Is a RAM for storing print information sent from the host, 13 is a host interface for connecting to an external device such as a host computer, and 14 is a bar code reading unit for reading a bar code indicating an ink color of a color ink ribbon described later. , 15 is a sensor for reading a barcode, 16 is a ribbon feed control unit, 17 is a ribbon mechanism, 18 is a printer print control unit, 19 is a printer engine unit including a paper feed control mechanism,
Reference numeral 20 denotes an operation unit including a keyboard and a display, and inputs an operation instruction and the like of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a use state of a multicolor ink ribbon used in the color printer of the present embodiment having the above configuration. In the present embodiment, yellow (Y),
Three color inks of magenta (M) and cyan (C) are applied in order.

In the figure, 51, 52 and 53 are bar codes for discriminating the positions of application of yellow, magenta and cyan inks, respectively, and 54, 55 and 56 are color ink parts coated with yellow ink, magenta ink and cyan ink.

The present embodiment has the above-described configuration, and when performing color printing, the recording head is operated up to three times to sequentially transfer each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan inks.

Hereinafter, print control in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In this embodiment, the print data to be recorded on the recording paper is sent from the host or the like prior to the start of the printing process.
Therefore, this data is received by the host interface 13 or the like and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 12. Then, when a print start instruction is input, the control shifts to the control shown in FIG. 3, and color printing is sequentially performed for each line, for example.

When the print start instruction is input, the CPU 10 first instructs the printer print control unit 18 in step S1 to control the recording paper feeding mechanism of the printer engine unit 19 to feed the recording paper to the recording start position.

Then, in the next step S2, the barcode reading unit 14 is activated, and the ribbon feed control unit 16 is controlled to control the ribbon mechanism 17.
To feed the ink ribbon until the sensor 15 detects the barcode of the ink ribbon of the desired color. The sensor 15 detects the ink ribbon bar code of the desired color, and when the bar code indicating the desired color position is detected, the ink of the desired color is applied from the subsequent position of the ink ribbon, and the process proceeds to step S3. The printer print controller 18 is controlled to scan the recording head to transfer a desired color for one line.

When the transfer for one line is completed, the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined whether or not the print data for one line has been completely printed for each color.
If there is still a color to be printed on the line, the process proceeds to step S5. Instruct the recording paper feed mechanism of the printer engine unit 19 to feed the recording paper by a predetermined amount "L". Then, the process returns to step S2, and the transfer process for the next color is performed.

In this way, when the transfer of each color for one line is completed, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S6 to check whether or not all printing on the recording paper is completed. If there is printing of the next line, the process proceeds to step S7, the recording paper is returned by one line, and the process returns to step S2.

On the other hand, if everything is completed in step S6, the printing process is completed. In this case, when printing is to be performed on the next recording sheet, the process returns to step S1, the next recording sheet is fed to the recording start position, and the above processing is performed again.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram in the case where there is almost no line feed error similar to FIG. 8 in which a total of three colors are actually printed on one line by the above control.

In the present embodiment, as described above, in overlapping printing of the boundary portion of each line, the boundary position with the adjacent line is set to "1" at the first, second, and third times for each printing by the print head scan. L "Staggers in the line feed direction for printing.

A specific recording state transition at this time will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 10, 21 is a recording head, and "H" is a printing width in the line feed direction.

Printing of width "H" is performed by one head scan, and recording control is sequentially performed in the order of (A) to (F).

In (A), the ink 1a is transferred and printed from the ink ribbon.
Then, the recording paper is fed "L" in the direction opposite to the line feed direction.

In (B), the ink 1b is transferred and printed from the ink ribbon.
Then, the recording paper is fed "L" in the direction opposite to the line feed direction.

In (C), the ink 1c is transferred and printed from the ink ribbon.
Then, the recording paper is fed "H + L" in the line feed direction.

In (D), the ink 2a is transferred and printed from the ink ribbon.
Then, the recording paper is fed "L" in the direction opposite to the line feed direction.

In (E), the ink 2b is transferred and printed from the ink ribbon.
Then, the recording paper is fed "L" in the direction opposite to the line feed direction.

In (F), the ink 2c is transferred and printed from the ink ribbon.

By the above recording control, the recording state similar to that in FIG. 4 described above can be obtained.

Thereafter, the recording paper is fed "H + L" in the line feed direction, and the printing is similarly continued.

By controlling as described above, as shown in FIG.
The level difference created by the transfer ink is only one ink layer thick.
Therefore, the space created at the time of printing the next line can be made small as shown in FIG. Therefore, even in this portion, transfer to the recording paper is achieved with almost no problem, and the printing quality can be improved without peeling or the like.

Further, FIG. 5 shows a printing state in the present embodiment in a case where a recording paper feed error occurs as shown in FIG. 8B and the feed interval is widened.

According to the present embodiment, even in such a case, the intervals are dispersed in the overlapping portions of the respective color inks, and the places where the space can be formed are increased to 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, but the steps are formed in any portions. Is generated only for one layer of ink, and no portion is not transferred. Therefore, even in this portion, transfer to the recording paper is achieved with almost no problem, and peeling does not occur.
The print quality can be good.

In addition, compared to the conventional example shown in FIG. 9 (B), extra ink that is not originally needed in the overlap printing portion is suppressed in one layer of ink, so that the deviation of the printing density or color in this portion can be reduced. .

Second Embodiment The present invention is not limited to the above example,
Good results can also be obtained when printing is performed by shifting "L" in the direction opposite to the line feed direction so as to overlap the immediately preceding print line.

In this case, in overlapping printing of the boundary portion of each business, the boundary position with the adjacent line is set to "L" at the first, second, and third times every time printing is performed by one recording head scan. Printing is performed in the direction opposite to the line feed direction.

In this case, a printing example in the case where there is no line feed error is shown in FIG. 6, and a printing example in the case where an error of “l” occurs in the line feed is shown in FIG. 7 as in FIG. 8 (B).

In both cases, there is only one ink level difference indicated by 8a, 8b, and 8c, and it is possible to perform overlapping printing of the boundary portion without causing ink peeling or the like without causing printing defects due to the level difference.

According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the excess ink in the overlapping printing portion is only one ink layer.
Therefore, it is possible to minimize the deviation of the print density or the color.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the space generated by the step is constant regardless of the line feed error, so that more stable printing can be performed as compared with the first embodiment.

Further, compared with FIG. 9 (A) of the conventional example, since the extra ink which is not originally required in the overlap printing portion is suppressed in one layer of ink, it is possible to reduce the deviation of the printing density or color in this portion. it can.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment according to the present invention, which is another method of obtaining the same result as the first embodiment, will be described below with reference to FIG. 11 similar to FIG.

The method of this embodiment is carried out by shifting the range of use of the recording head by "L" for each head scan.

Specifically, in the recording head 21, the areas “a” to
"C" is used in the order of (A) to (F) for each head scan.

In the figure, "H '" is the recording width of each area in the line feed direction.

In (A), the recording head area "a" is heated, and the ink 1a is transferred and printed from the ink ribbon.

In (B), the area "b" of the recording head is heated to print the ink 1b from the ink ribbon.

At (C), the recording head area "c" is heated to transfer and print the ink 1c from the ink ribbon. Then, the recording paper is fed by "H'-L".

In (D), the recording head area "a" is heated, and the ink 2a is transferred and printed from the ink ribbon.

In (E), the recording head area "b" is heated, and the ink 2b is transferred and printed from the ink ribbon.

In (F), the recording head area "c" is heated to transfer and print the ink 2c from the ink ribbon.

By the above-described recording control, a recording state similar to that of FIG. 4 can be obtained.

By changing the recording area "a" to "c" and changing the recording area "c" to "a" in the above description and performing the recording control of 1 to 3 shown in FIG. A similar recording state can be set. That is, it is possible to obtain the same recording result as that of the second embodiment according to the present invention.

As described above, by shifting the boundary position with the adjacent line for each printing by one scanning of the recording head,
There is an effect that the transfer failure of the ink at the boundary portion can be eliminated and the deviation of the print density, the color, and the like can be reduced.

In the embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption of the thermal transfer type printer, but the effect of reducing the print density and color shift can be applied to any printer such as a sublimation type, an ink jet type, and a dot impact type. Of course, the present invention can be applied to these cases.

As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, the transfer position of the boundary between the adjacent line and the adjacent line is shifted by shifting the position of the boundary between the adjacent line and each time printing is performed by one scan of the recording head. Thus, deviations in print density, color, and the like can be reduced.

In particular, according to the second embodiment, by performing printing while shifting a predetermined amount in the direction opposite to the line feed direction, it is possible to suppress the excess ink in the overlapping print portion to one ink layer, and to reduce the print density or color. Deviation can be minimized. Further, since the space generated by the step is constant irrespective of the line feed error, more stable printing can be performed.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, an extra recording layer in an overlapping recording portion of a recording layer at a boundary with an adjacent area can be made one layer, and deterioration of recording quality is minimized. In addition to being able to suppress it, the space generated by the step of the recording layer at the boundary can be made constant regardless of the feeding error of the recording medium, and stable recording can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a color ink ribbon used in this embodiment, FIG. 3 is a print control flowchart of this embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a section of a print result when there is almost no feed error when each line of the example is shifted by L in the line feed direction. FIG. 5 is a diagram in which each line of this embodiment is shifted by L in the line feed direction. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a print result when a feed error occurs when printing, and FIG. 6 shows a case where each line of the second embodiment according to the present invention is shifted by L in the direction opposite to the line feed direction and printed. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a print result when there is almost no feed error. FIG. 7 shows printing in the case where there is a feed error when each line of the second embodiment is shifted by L in the direction opposite to the line feed direction. Schematic diagram showing the cross section of the result, FIG. ) Is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the printing result when there is almost no feed error when printing by simply splicing each conventional line, and FIG. 8B is a print by simply splicing each conventional line. FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a print result when there is a feed error in the case of performing a print error, and FIG. FIG. 9 (B) is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the print result when there is a feed error in the case where the boundary portions of respective lines are simply overlapped with each other, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing a specific state in printing of the third embodiment. In the figure, 1a, 1b, 1c... Each ink printed in one line, 2a, 2b,
2c …… Ink printed on the next line, 3 …… Recording paper, 5,6,7a to 7e, 8a to 8c …… Space between recording paper and transfer ink, 10 …… CPU, 11… … ROM, 12 …… RAM, 13 ……
Host interface, 14 ... Barcode reading unit, 15 ...
… Sensor, 16 …… Ribbon feed control section, 17 …… Ribbon mechanism, 18 …… Printer print control section, 19 …… Printer engine section, 20 …… Operating section, 21 …… Recording head, 51
~ 53 ... Barcode for identifying the color of each ink, 44
~ 55 …… It is the part where each color ink is applied.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for printing a boundary portion with an adjacent area in a recording apparatus, wherein a recording material is superposed a plurality of times on a recording medium to perform recording in a plurality of layers, the recording area being formed on the recording medium by the recording agent. When performing recording on each layer by a predetermined amount at the time of recording on each occasion, and performing recording on a second recording area adjacent to the first recording area following recording on the first recording area, At the boundary position where the uppermost layer of the first recording area is recorded on the recording medium, the lowermost recording layer of the second recording area is recorded on the uppermost recording layer of the first recording area. And a method of printing a boundary portion between adjacent layers by successively shifting the recording position by a predetermined amount and recording each layer.