JP2851972B2 - Recording paper holder printing method for video printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper holder for a video printer, and more particularly to a paper holder and a printing method capable of increasing the printing speed of recording paper requiring high image quality.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, video printers have been proposed as needed to record an image by instantaneous capture of a video signal or to print a video record reproduced on a monitor through a recording device such as a still camera. There has been proposed a sublimation type heat conduction system in which three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan, which can freely express gradation and can record all colors, are sequentially sublimated.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, an ink ribbon 10 on which dyes of three colors of Y, M and C are sequentially applied.
And a heat-sensitive recording head 13 selectively adhered to the platen 12. The recording paper is fixed to the platen 12, and the platen 12 is rotated. Is platen 1
It progresses at the same speed as 2. At this time, the thermal recording head 13
Is heated, and Y,
M and C dyes are sublimated to be adsorbed on thermal equalization type recording paper, and printing of all colors with different synthetic colors depending on the amount of Y, M and C inks adsorbed is enabled. It becomes.

A video printer that operates as described above has three types.
Since the printing is performed while rotating, a device for fixing the recording paper so as not to flow from the platen is required. Conventionally, an apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 has been developed as such a fixing holder for recording paper. FIG. 2 was invented by Stephen J. Sparrer and William I. Maurice, and is an Eastman Kodak company in the United States.
Company of Rochester, N.M. Y.,)
No. 4,815,870, assigned to U.S. Pat. The thermal paper 20 is supplied to the clamp 25 through the paper supply unit S. The bracket 23 is rotated by the projecting pin 22 from around the rotation center shaft 24 and moves while facing and contacting the outer surface of the cam 21 , and as a result, the clamp 25 presses the paper 20.

When printing Y, M and C colors,
The platen drum 26 rotates three times counterclockwise to complete printing of the selected Y, M, and C colors. The platen drum 26 continuously rotates counterclockwise so that the leading end of the paper 20 reaches the entrance of the paper discharge unit O. Then,
The platen drum 26 rotates clockwise to move the paper 20
To waste paper. When the discharge operation is performed, the clamp 25
Makes the paper 20 free by the movement of the cam 21.

[0006] As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feeding unit S and the discharge portion O is disposed in the opposite direction radially almost against each other. Thus, the platen drum 26 rotates counterclockwise to print the Y, M, and C color dyes. The printed paper to completely discharge the paper (not shown)
The platen drum 26 rotates counterclockwise until the leading end of the paper 20 reaches the entrance of the paper discharge unit O. The next, the platen drum 26 to the paper discharge the paper that is printed by rotating counterclockwise.

Accordingly, when printing by the apparatus of FIG. 2 Y, M, in addition to the actual qualitative time required for printing the C color, to position the printed paper to the inlet of the discharge unit O the platen drum rotates the platen drum counter-clockwise direction by rotating clockwise time to the paper discharge the paper is further required for. In FIG. 3, the spring 3 is attached to the center axis 31 of the platen drum 30.
An apparatus has been developed in which the holder 33 is fixed or unlocked by the operation of the bracket 34 which includes the holder 33 held by the holder 2 and drives the other side end of the holder.

In the apparatus having the above-described configuration, the bracket 34 rotates the recording paper 35 fed through the paper feeding unit SS counterclockwise by a bracket driving unit (not shown).
At this time, one end 34a of the bracket 34 pushes the other side surface 33a of the holder. By pushing the holder 33, the holder 33 is raised from the main surface of the platen drum 30 and the recording paper can be pulled in. In this state, the bracket 3
When 4 is returned to the original position, the holder 33 pushes the recording paper 35 and is fixed while returning to the original position by the restoring force of the spring.

While printing the Y, M, and C colors using the apparatus of FIG. 3, the platen drum 30 rotates counterclockwise. Platen drum 30 until the holder 33 in order to the printed paper after printing is completed is paper discharge is reached at the inlet of the discharge unit OO shall further rotated. Next, the platen drum 30 rotates clockwise, and the second arm 34b of the bracket 34 pushes the second arm 33b of the holder 33 to move the holder 3
3 is spaced apart from the platen drum 3 0. Therefore,
The leading end of the printed paper is free,
Print completion been paper is paper ejection.

At this time, a print head (not shown) must apply pressure to the printed paper so that a frictional force occurs between the paper, the dye ribbon, and the platen drum. FIG. 4A shows a general structure of a cassette including the dye ribbon of FIG. 4B. In FIG. 4B, a pattern in which Y, M, and C colors are continuously connected is formed. A conventional video color printer as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 prints first yellow, then magenta and finally cyan after matching the paper position at the initial printing position of each color. To complete printing of one multicolor screen.

[0011] In the conventional multicolor printing apparatus, the one screen after printing completed in a state where the print head is holding the paper and dye region C ', have to drum somewhat rotated in order to discharge paper paper Must. Therefore, a loss occurs in the cyan C ribbon region C ′. That is, in addition to the substantial ribbon length necessary for printing one screen, C 'is further consumed in the paper discharging stage. Also, since the platen drum must be further rotated as far as the ribbon area C ′, the printing speed is reduced. Briefly, the apparatus of FIG. 3 consumes more ribbon length and printing time than necessary.

[0012]

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus that can perform multicolor printing. The second object of the present invention is to shorten the printing time by adding completion the frictional force paper simultaneously the final color printing, to provide a method and apparatus for discharging paper printed paper.

A third object of the present invention is to complete the printing of the final color.
After that by immediately printed paper sheet discharge, it is to provide a method and apparatus capable of reducing the length of the color ribbon required for multicolor printing. A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus which can simplify the structure of a bracket and a paper holder in a multicolor printer and a multicolor printing method.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus for printing yellow, magenta and cyan using a video printer according to the present invention comprises a platen for providing an outer peripheral surface of the platen drum. phase facing to the bottom and top and concentrically position of the drum, said extending from the bottom surface (upper surface) in the axial direction to the outside, having an outer peripheral shape of the glue blanking <br/> its pattern by the corresponding flange is determined central axis, each and the first to the second arm, so that the recess having a circumferential glue blanking the corresponding glue blanking plane arranged spaced curved to move along is placed in the center A third arm forming a unitary structure with the first and second arms, wherein the second arm is axially connected to opposing bottom and top surfaces of a platen drum; That axis, and using a pair of brackets having a paper holder for fixing the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the paper. The paper holder of each bracket projects axially inward from the end of the third arm and crosses the outer peripheral surface. A pair of springs bias each of the brackets in a first direction of movement relative to the pivot.

Further, in a printing method for achieving the object of the present invention, a leading end of a paper is inserted between an outer peripheral surface of a platen drum and a paper holder, and the leading end is formed along an outer peripheral surface facing the paper. Fixing, rotating the platen drum counterclockwise to advance the paper to a first position sensed by counting along the platen drum, stopping the rotation of the platen drum and driving the head motor to drive the platen Lifting the thermal transfer printhead from the drum, rotating the platen drum counterclockwise until the paper reaches a second position sensed by the counter, stopping the rotation of the platen drum and driving the head motor Pressure bonding the paper to a thermal transfer printhead; Rotating the platen drum counterclockwise until the first position is reached, causing the print head to generate heat, printing the first color from the multi-color ribbon, stopping the platen drum, lifting the print head, Rotating the platen drum until the paper moves from the first position to the second position; and stopping the platen drum when the paper is in the second position, causing the thermal transfer printhead to face the platen drum. And printing the second color on the paper from the ribbon by restarting the rotation of the platen drum to move the paper to the first position by holding down the paper to be heated and causing the thermal transfer print head to generate heat. After stopping the platen drum, the paper is moved from the first position to the second position. Lifting the thermal transfer printhead and rotating the platen drum until stopped, driving the platen drum and the head motor to stop rotating, and driving the means for lifting the paper holder from the platen drum at the second position. Causing the leading end of the paper to be free from the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum, stopping the driving means so that the paper holder contacts the surface of the platen drum, and Is rotated counterclockwise to drive the head motor to heat the print head, thereby printing the final color from the multi-color ribbon , and immediately after completing the printing of the final color, completely complete the printed paper. and characterized in that they are composed of a step of discharging paper I do.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The operation and effect of the present invention configured as described above will be described. The apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is configured to make up for the disadvantages of the conventional printer. The device comprises a paper holder.
A mechanism unit 100 including a buffer, a buffer 200, a control unit 300 , and a mechanism unit driver 400 are provided. The mechanism unit 100 includes a paper sensor 101, a print head contact sensor 102, a print head 103 that generates heat according to the density and density of a color of an image to be printed,
It comprises a flange 104 for driving the bracket and a platen drum 105 for moving the paper during a printing process.

The paper sensor 101 detects whether paper has been fed through a paper feeding unit. Head contact sensor 10
2 senses the distance between the platen drum and the printhead when the head is lifted away from the platen drum. The sensing signal output from the paper sensor 101 and indicating whether the recording paper has been inserted into the paper feeding unit and the sensing signal output from the sensor 102 and sensing the distance between the platen drum and the print head are all transmitted to the buffer 200. Is done.

The controller 300 receives a video signal for printing a video image, and controls a mechanism according to the sensing signal. The counter of the controller 300 counts the number of lines to enable sensing of the distance. As a result, the paper moves along the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum 105. The mechanism unit driver 400 controls the mechanism unit 100 by controlling the control signal of the control unit 300.
Drive. The driver 400 is the platen drum 105
, A solenoid 401 for driving the flange 104, and a head motor 403 for driving the print head 103.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the pair of brackets 61, 61 '. The brackets 61 and 61 'are integrally formed with a paper holder 60 installed so as to be adjacent to both opposing surfaces of the platen drum 105. The left and right brackets 61, 61 'connected to the facing bottom and top surfaces 107 of the platen drum rotate about axes 62 formed on the left and right brackets 61, 61', respectively. Each of the brackets 61, 61 'is connected to each other in a unitary structure by first, second and third arms 61a, 61a.
61b and 61c. The first and second arms of each bracket have a centrally located recess (notch) 67.
Glue Bed 66a forms a form, the recess 67 corresponding circumferential shape of the central shaft 66 of the platen drum 105
And has a curved surface portion separated by a predetermined distance so as to move while contacting the surface. Each shaft 62 is fitted into an opening 62 ′ formed on a corresponding bottom surface (upper surface) 107 of the drum 105. The shaft 62 and the pins 63 and 64 are attached to the bracket 6.
1 protrudes. Therefore, the solenoid 401
The flange 104 located at the end of the bracket 61 contacts the pins 63 and 64, whereby the bracket 61 rotates about the shaft 62 (FIGS. 10 and 15). The spring 65 has an opening 6 formed at a position 69 near the first arm 61 a of the bracket 61 and at the bottom surface (upper surface) 107 of the drum 105.
9 'is arranged between the added restoring force of the spring to the arm 61a and the bottom surface (upper surface) 107 of the platen drum 10 5 of the bracket 61, the paper holder 60, 60'
The moving outside peripheral surface of the platen drum 105. When the paper holders 60 and 60 ′ are separated from the platen drum 105 or approach the platen drum 105, the curved surface recess 67 formed on the surface of the bracket 61 is concentric with the bottom surface and the upper surface 107 of the platen drum 105. and guided from the side of the central axis 66 that extends from the upper surface engages the groove 66a formed along the periphery of the outer peripheral surface. On the way the bracket 61 is movement about an axis 62, a curved surface that faces the recess 67 is Guru
By moving along the sleeve 66a, the center line of the curved surface of the recess 67 moves along the "A" axis of the central axis 66.
The paper holders 60, 60 ' in the above-described apparatus are shown in FIG.
Paper holder from the bottom surface and the first direction of movement is a state of being in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 109 from the periphery of the pivot 62 which is associated with the upper surface 107 as as illustrated in Figure 10 60, 60 'is the outer peripheral surface 109 Second away from
When moving in the moving direction, the curved surface of the recess 67 is made the radius of the arc having a center that coincides substantially pivot 62, the paper holder 60, 60 'corresponds to a substantially axial 62 around the axis 62 to make the radius of the arc having a center, creating a large radius Ri by half diameter due to the recess 67.

FIG. 8 shows a printhead 103 having a pair of spaced brackets 108 for supporting a shaft supporting a pair of rollers 72. The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
Of the paper 70 through the paper feeding unit SS
When the controller 300 detects that the leading end of the paper holder 60 has reached the leading end of the paper holder 60, the controller 300 drives the solenoid 401. Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the flange 104 of the solenoid pushes the pin 64 in the direction of arrow "B". Thus, the bracket 61 rotates around the shaft 62 in the counterclockwise direction along the curved surface recess 67. Paper holder 60 is spaced lifted to force from the outer peripheral surface 109 of the platen drum 105, the outer peripheral surface 109 of the tip paper holder 60 and the drum 105 in this case paper 70
Inserted between

Referring to FIG. 10, when the control signal of the control unit 300 shuts off the power supply of the solenoid 401, the bracket 61 rotates counterclockwise and is guided along the curved surface of the recess 67 by the restoring force of the spring 65, and the first time. Return to position. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11 (see FIGS. 12 to 14) , the leading end of the paper 70 is fixed between the paper holder 60 and the platen drum 105.

Accordingly, the platen drum 105 is rotated counterclockwise by the platen drum motor 402, and at the same time, the counter of the control unit 300 counts the number of printing lines. Here, when the platen drum 105 rotates once, the outer peripheral surface of the drum becomes a maximum 654 printing line. Referring to FIG.
When the platen drum 105 rotates while the line counter counts about 400 lines while the paper is fixed by the paper holder 60, the paper reaches the position "D". The position "D" informs that the line counter counts 400 lines, said from the position platen drum 105 is separated lifted from the stop and the print head 103 is a platen drum 105. Thereafter, the platen drum 105 rotates counterclockwise until the paper holder moves to the second position "E" shown in FIG. The line counter counts 64 lines from the first position “D” to the second position “E”. The platen drum stops rotating, the print head 103 in a state of receiving a predetermined force supplied by the head motor 403 to provide a frictional force between the outer circumferential surface 109 and the paper 70, paper 70 The multicolor ribbon 71 is crimped. Thereafter, the platen drum 105 continues to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, and at the same time, the print head is heated and sublimates yellow on the paper 70. As a result, FIG.
A printing operation of a predetermined color is performed as shown in FIG. The operation of printing a predetermined color is performed together with the counting by the counter of the control unit 300, and the printing operation is completed when the counter counts 512 lines.

When the printing of yellow is completed , the paper holder 60 is moved to the third position "F" shown in FIG.
Upon reaching the rotation of the platen drum 105 is stopped, the print head 103 is moved away the holder 60 is lifted from the outer peripheral surface 109 again from the platen drum 105. The third position “F” is from the start of printing
This is the position of 512 lines. Platen drum 105 is its
After that, the tip of the paper 70 is rotated to the second position “E”.
"142 further lines rotate in luma be reached. The 1
Of the 42 lines, 64 lines are the upper margin of the paper and 78 lines are the lower margin. Then,
Magenta is printed on the paper 70 by repeating the operations of FIGS.

When the paper holder 60 reaches the second position "E" after printing yellow and magenta by the above-described operation, the platen drum stops rotating,
The head motor 403 causes the head 103 to press the ribbon 71 against the paper 70. Next, the head motor 403 stops, and the solenoid 401 drives the flange 104.
It pushes the pin 63 Te. Pin 63 and the paper holder 6
The bracket 61 integrated with the shaft 62
To move the paper holder 60 from the second position “E” in the direction of the arrow “G”. As shown in FIG. 15, partly the tip of the printed paper (yellow and magenta are printed state) 70 becomes a free state from the paper holder 60 is spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface 109 by the elastic force of itself . At this time, the solenoid 40
When one of the power supply is cut off, the paper is now located outside of the paper holder (paper 70 is spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface 109 by holder 60 as illustrated in FIG. 16), restoring spring 65 bracket paper holder 60 is fed back to its initial position is again fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the drum by the force.

The platen drum 105 in FIG. 16 rotates continuously to print the final color cyan on partially printed paper. Here, the partially printed paper is fixed on the platen drum by the frictional force of the roller 72 connected to the print head 103. For paper, the final color cyan is printed
The paper is ejected from the leading end.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a flowchart of the microcomputer of the control unit 300 used in combination with the present invention. After printing the yellow and magenta in step 501, the control signal of logic "high" for driving head motor 403 is generated to lift the print head from the outer peripheral surface of the drum 105. When the print head 103 is separated from the platen drum by a predetermined distance, the control signal becomes logic "low".

At step 503, the platen drum motor 40
2 to drive the paper 70 to the cyan initial printing position to generate a logic "high" drum motor control signal. In step 502, the control unit 30
0 of the counter starts counting with step 501. When the number of counted lines reaches 142, step 5
At 05, a logic "low" control signal enables the motor 402 generated by the controller 300 to stop the platen drum. The platen drum 105 and the paper holder 60 are located at the position "E" in FIG. Next, when a logic "high" control signal is provided to the head motor in step 507, the head is moved to the paper 70 and the ribbon 71.
Is applied to the outer peripheral surface 1 of the platen drum 105 by a predetermined pressure.
Crimping to 09 . At this time, the head is at the three contact positions.

When the head 103 comes to the three contact position in step 509, a logic "low" control signal is provided to the head motor 403, thereby stopping the head in step 511 and driving the solenoid 401 in step 513. For this purpose, a control signal of logic "high" is generated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the flange 104 rotates the bracket 61 so that the paper holder is separated from the platen drum, and the leading end of the paper 70 is free.

At step 515, a logic "high" control signal is applied to the solenoid 401 for a predetermined time, and after the predetermined time has passed, the above-mentioned logic "high" signal goes to a logic "low" state from step 517. Is cut off the power supplied to the solenoid 401, whereby the flange is returned to the position of the original come, the tip of the paper 70 paper holder is spaced apart from the platen drum 105 is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface 109 of the platen drum 105.

In step 519, the platen drum rotates counterclockwise according to the logic "high" control signal applied to the drum motor, and from step 521 the print head generates heat according to the density of each color component of the screen to be printed. . At the same time, from step 522, the counter of the control unit 300
Count about 2 lines. Thereafter, in step 523, the heat generation of the drum motor and the head motor is stopped by the controller 300. After completing the printing of the final color (cyan), completion of printing has been paper is guided to the paper discharge roller 73 by the guide, step 525 immediately paper discharge after the final color of the print completion as illustrated in Figure 16 Is done. Finally, the drum motor is stopped at step 527.

In conclusion, there is no need to reload the printhead with the color ribbon to consume the conventionally required additional ribbon and to reverse the platen drum in the reverse direction of the rotation of the platen drum. paper holder increases the printing speed by preventing the platen drum rotates unnecessarily, and prevents waste of the ribbon by causing immediately printed paper after completing all the colors of the printed sheet discharge be able to. While the platen drum rotates in a predetermined direction, paper is fed from a paper feeding unit. A series of sequential multicolor printing operation, multicolor printed on the paper sheet has been paper through steps such as for paper ejection to completion and the opposite direction of rotation tooth separation and multicolor printing operation to paper and paper holder You.

A maximum of 654 in the above-described embodiment of the present invention.
Line paper is used, and only 512 lines are printed, but about 654 lines can be printed. Substantially the paper has an upper and lower margin. In the present invention, the upper margin is 64
The line and lower margin were set to 78 lines. The user can arbitrarily adjust the upper and lower margins and printing lines of paper to the control unit 300. Thus, it can be easily understood by those having ordinary knowledge that the printing operation is completed in response to the counter and the paper size can be changed according to the instruction of the user. As a result, the usage control unit 30
0 can be adjusted so that other sizes of paper can be used (typically using 607 lines of paper).

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiment, structural changes and detailed configurations can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Will be obvious. For example, holder 6
It is also possible to separate 0, 60 ', and as shown in FIG. 7, a unitary paper holder 60 can be formed together with the bale extending between the brackets 61, 61' .

[0034]

[Effect of the Invention] Y by the above operation, M, since it is discharged to the paper discharge tray side at the same time terminates the printing of C dyes, the speed of printing can prevent unnecessary rotation of the platen drum it can be increased, since it is at the same time the paper discharge Upon completion of the printing of the C color, can be economically used to be able to reduce the consumption of unnecessary ribbon.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional video printer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a paper holder and a bracket of a conventional video printer.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a paper holder and a bracket of a conventional video printer for solving the problem of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a color ribbon cassette and a color ribbon pattern used in the cassette of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an overall block diagram of a video printer configured according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bracket and a paper holder of the apparatus configured to combine the features of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view showing another embodiment of the paper holder and the bracket according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a print head.

FIG. 9 is an operation sequence diagram of a paper holder of the video printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation sequence diagram.

FIG. 11 is an operation sequence diagram.

FIG. 12 is an operation sequence diagram.

FIG. 13 is an operation sequence diagram.

FIG. 14 is an operation sequence diagram.

FIG. 15 is an operation sequence diagram.

FIG. 16 is an operation sequence diagram.

17 is a diagram showing an operation flowchart of the present invention by the control unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 18 is a view showing a flowchart following FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 16 Ink ribbon 11 Thermal recording paper 12 Platen 13 Thermal recording head 20, 70 Paper 21 Cam 22 Protruding pin 23, 34, 61, 61 'Bracket 24 Rotation center axis 25 Clamp 26, 30, 105 105 Center of platen drum 31, 66 Shafts 32, 65 Spring 33 Holder 35 Recording paper 60, 60 'Paper holder 61a First arm 61b Second arm 61c Third arm 62 Shaft 63, 64 Pin 67 Recess 69' Opening 72, 73 Roller 100 Mechanism unit 101 Paper sensor 102 Print head contact sensor 103 Print head 104 Flange 107 Bottom surface (upper surface) 109 Outer peripheral surface 200 Buffer 300 Control unit 400 Driver 401 Solenoid 402 Platen drum motor 403 Head motor 108 Elastic member

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/325 B41J 13/22

Claims (35)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for sequentially printing a large number of colors using a video printer, wherein a leading end of a paper is inserted between an outer peripheral surface of a platen drum and a paper holder, and the leading end faces the paper. Fixing along the side surface, rotating the platen drum counterclockwise to advance the paper to a first position sensed by a counter along the platen drum, and stopping rotation of the platen drum. Activating a head motor to lift the thermal transfer printhead from the platen drum; rotating the platen drum counterclockwise until the paper reaches a second position sensed by the counter; Stop the rotation and operate the head motor to hold the thermal transfer print head. Pressing the paper, rotating the platen drum in a counterclockwise direction until the paper reaches the first position, causing the print head to generate heat, and printing the first color from the multi-color ribbon; Stopping the drum, lifting the printhead, rotating the platen drum until the paper moves from the first position to the second position, and stopping the platen drum when the paper is in the second position. Holding the paper facing the platen drum against the thermal transfer print head, causing the thermal transfer print head to generate heat, thereby restarting the rotation of the platen drum to move the paper to the first position, thereby causing the thermal transfer print head to move from the ribbon to the second position. Printing the color on the paper; and stopping the platen drum. Lifting the thermal transfer print head and rotating the platen drum while being moved from the first position to the second position; and stopping the rotation of the platen drum and the head motor immediately before starting printing of the final color. Drive just before starting printing the final color
Temporarily operate the unit, the paper holder in the second position a substantially tangential direction of the peripheral surface of the platen drum 且
One platen drum is moved in the direction of rotation of the Lift from the peripheral surface of the platen drum, and thereby steps that the so that the free state was peeled off the leading end of the paper from the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum, drive means By stopping , the paper holder is moved in a direction substantially opposite to the tangential direction of the peripheral surface of the platen drum in a direction opposite to the above direction, enters the lower side of the free end of the paper, and contacts the surface of the platen drum. Rotating the platen drum in a counterclockwise direction, driving a head motor to press the paper with a thermal transfer print head, causing the thermal transfer print head to generate heat, thereby producing a multicolor ribbon. Complete printing of the final color, and immediately after printing the final color, completely remove the printed paper. Printing method characterized in that it is composed of a step of. 2. A method for sequentially printing a number of colors, the method comprising: providing between a thermal transfer printhead and a platen drum a number of colors having a number of continuous patterns containing a number of identifiable colors. Disposing a color ribbon; inserting a leading end of the paper between the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum and the paper holder; and causing the paper holder to grip the leading end of the paper along opposing sides of the paper. Maintaining the paper relative to the platen drum while the opposing side surfaces of the paper are positioned between the paper holder and the platen drum while rotating the platen drum in a counterclockwise direction to the platen drum. Advancing the paper to the first position along with stopping the rotation of the platen drum and operating the head motor Lifting the thermal transfer printhead from the platen drum; and keeping the paper between the thermal transfer printhead and the platen drum, the leading end of the paper is separated from the first position by the thermal transfer printhead by a predetermined distance. Rotating the platen drum in a counterclockwise direction until it reaches the second position, stopping the rotation of the platen drum when the leading end of the paper reaches the second position, and operating a head motor. Pressing the paper against the platen drum with the thermal transfer printhead, rotating the platen drum in a counterclockwise direction to cause the thermal transfer printhead to generate heat, thereby moving the leading end of the paper from the second position. When the platen drum rotates to transfer to the first position Printing a predetermined first color of the plurality of colors of a pattern in the pattern from the multicolor ribbon on paper, and when the leading end of the paper reaches a first position, Stopping rotation, lifting the thermal transfer print head from the ribbon, and rotating the platen drum until the leading end of the paper moves from the first position to the second position; and Stopping the rotation of the platen drum when it reaches the second position, pressing the paper against the platen drum with the thermal transfer print head, and rotating the platen drum in a counterclockwise direction to cause the thermal transfer print head to generate heat; When the platen drum rotates to transfer the paper from the second position to the first position Printing a predetermined second color of the plurality of colors of one of the patterns from the multicolor ribbon onto the paper; and when the leading end of the paper reaches the first position, Stopping the rotation, lifting the print head from the ribbon, and subsequently rotating the platen drum until the leading edge of the paper moves from the first position to the second position; and starting printing of the final color. Immediately before, the rotation of the platen drum is stopped when the leading end of the paper reaches the second position. Immediately before printing of the final color is started, the paper holder is moved to the platen drum at the second position. Activating the means for moving the platen drum approximately in the tangential direction and lifting it from the platen drum peripheral surface, thereby Causing the leading end of the paper to be free from the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum; and placing the paper holder in a free state while the leading end of the paper is not maintained relative to the platen drum by the paper holder. Moving the drum in a direction substantially opposite to the above in a direction substantially tangential to the peripheral surface of the drum, entering the lower side of the free end of the paper, and transporting the paper to the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum; The paper is pressed against the platen drum with the print head by operating the head motor in a counterclockwise direction, thereby rotating the paper in the multiple colors of one of the patterns from the multicolor ribbon. Printing the final color on paper to provide print completion for all colors; and printing the final color. Immediately after printing, discharging the printed paper. 3. The rotation of the platen drum causes the paper to reach the first position during the step of rotating the platen drum in a counterclockwise direction to advance the paper along the platen drum. 3. The printing method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of sensing by a count number. 4. A method for sequentially printing multiple colors, the method comprising: between the printhead and the platen drum, a multicolor having a number of continuous patterns containing a number of identifiable colors. Disposing a ribbon, inserting a leading end of the paper between the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum and the paper holder, and causing the paper holder to grip the leading end of the paper along opposing sides of the paper. Maintaining the paper with respect to the platen drum while the opposing side surfaces of the paper are positioned between the paper holder and the platen drum, and rotating the platen drum in a first rotation direction to the platen drum. Advancing the paper to a first position along with a platendra when a leading end of the paper reaches the first position. Stopping the rotation of the paper and pressing the paper against the platen drum with a print head; rotating the platen drum in the first rotation direction to operate the print head, thereby moving the print head from the first position to the first position. Printing a predetermined first color of the plurality of colors of a pattern from a multicolor ribbon on a paper as the platen drum rotates to transport the paper to two positions; and When the leading end of the print head reaches the second position, the rotation of the platen drum is stopped, the print head is lifted from the ribbon, and the first position is moved from the second position to the first position.
Rotating the platen drum while transferring the leading end of the paper to a position, stopping the rotation of the platen drum when the leading end of the paper reaches the first position, and holding the print head with respect to the platen drum. Pressing the paper by rotating the platen drum in a first rotation direction to operate the print head, whereby the platen drum is moved to transfer the paper from the first position to the second position. Printing a predetermined second color of the plurality of colors of one of the patterns from the multicolor ribbon on the paper when rotating; and when the leading end of the paper reaches the second position, The rotation of the platen drum is stopped, the print head is lifted from the ribbon, and the leading end of the paper is Rotating the platen drum while moving from a position to the first position; and stopping rotation of the platen drum when the leading edge of the paper reaches the first position immediately before starting printing of the final color. Immediately before printing of the final color is started, the paper holder is moved from the first surface to the tangential direction of the peripheral surface of the platen drum to lift the paper holder from the peripheral surface of the platen drum, whereby the leading end of the paper is moved. Causing the paper holder to be in a free state from the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum; and, while the opposite side surface of the leading end of the paper is not maintained with respect to the platen drum by the paper holder, setting the paper holder in a free state. It is moved in a direction substantially opposite to the above in the tangential direction of the peripheral surface, Entering the lower side of the leading end of the paper and transporting the paper to the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum; rotating the platen drum in the first rotation direction; pressing the paper against the platen drum with a print head; Actuating a printhead to thereby print the final color in the plurality of colors of one of the patterns from the multicolor ribbon on paper to provide a print completion of all colors; And immediately discharging the paper on which printing has been completed after printing. 5. The rotation of the platen drum when the paper reaches the first position during the step of rotating the platen drum in the first rotation direction to advance the paper along the platen drum. 5. The printing method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of sensing by a count number according to. 6. A step of rotating the platen drum in a first rotation direction to advance the paper to a first position along the platen drum, and when the leading end of the paper reaches the first position. Stopping the rotation of the drum and stopping the rotation of the platen drum and operating the head motor to lift the print head from the platen drum before the step of pressing the paper against the platen drum with the print head; Rotating the platen drum in the first rotational direction until the leading end of the paper reaches the first position while the paper is positioned between the print head and the platen drum. The printing method according to claim 4, wherein the printing method is performed. 7. A method for sequentially printing a number of colors, the method comprising: providing between the printhead and the platen drum, a multicolor having a number of continuous patterns containing a number of identifiable colors. Disposing a ribbon, inserting a leading end of the paper between the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum and the paper holder, and causing the paper holder to grip the leading end of the paper along opposing sides of the paper. Maintaining the paper with respect to the platen drum while the opposing side surfaces of the paper are positioned between the paper holder and the platen drum, and rotating the platen drum in a first rotation direction to the platen drum. Advancing the paper to a first position along a platen when the leading end of the paper reaches the first position. Stopping the rotation of the printhead and pressing the paper against the platen drum with the printhead; rotating the platen drum in the first rotational direction to operate the printhead, thereby moving the printhead from the first position to the first position. Printing a predetermined first color of the plurality of colors of one of the patterns from the multicolor ribbon on the paper by rotating a platen drum to transfer the paper to two positions; When the leading end of the paper reaches the second position, the rotation of the platen drum is stopped, the print head is lifted from the ribbon, and the first position is moved from the second position to the first position.
Rotating the platen drum while transferring the paper to a position; stopping the rotation of the platen drum when the leading end of the paper reaches the first position immediately before starting printing of the final color; Immediately before printing of the final color is started, the paper holder is lifted from the peripheral surface of the platen drum by moving in the first position in a direction substantially tangential to the peripheral surface of the platen drum. Causing the paper holder to be in a free state from the outer peripheral surface of the drum; and causing the paper holder to be in a free state while the opposite side surface of the leading end of the paper is not maintained with respect to the platen drum by the paper holder. Before moving to the free state by moving it in a direction substantially opposite to Entering the lower side of the leading end of the paper and transporting the paper to the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum; rotating the platen drum in the first rotation direction; pressing the paper against the platen drum with a print head and a ribbon; Actuating a printhead, thereby printing the final color in the plurality of colors of one of the patterns from the multicolor ribbon on paper to provide a print completion of all colors; Discharging the printed paper immediately after printing the color. 8. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of rotating the platen drum in the first rotational direction to advance the paper to the first position along the platen drum causes the paper to reach the first position. 8. The printing method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of detecting the amount of rotation while rotating the platen drum. 9. After the step of rotating the platen drum in the first rotation direction to advance the paper to the first position along the platen drum, and when the leading end of the paper reaches the first position. Stopping the rotation of the drum and stopping the rotation of the platen drum and operating the head motor to lift the print head from the platen drum before the step of pressing the paper against the platen drum with the print head; Rotating the platen drum in the first rotational direction until the leading end of the paper reaches the first position while the paper is positioned between the print head and the platen drum. The printing method according to claim 7, wherein the printing is performed. 10. A method for sequentially printing multiple colors, wherein one multicolor having a multiple continuous pattern between the printhead and the platen drum containing multiple identifiable colors. Arranging a ribbon, inserting a leading end of the paper between the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum and the paper holder, and holding the paper holder along the opposite side of the paper while the paper holder grasps the paper. Maintaining the paper relative to the platen drum with the opposing side surfaces of the paper positioned between the platen drum and the paper along the platen drum by rotating the platen drum in a first rotational direction To a first position, and rotation of the platen drum when the leading end of the paper reaches the first position. Stopping, pressing the paper against a platen drum with a printhead, rotating the platen drum in the first rotational direction, activating the printhead, and thereby moving the printhead from the first position to the second position. Printing a predetermined first color of the plurality of colors of a pattern from a multicolor ribbon on a paper by rotating a platen drum to transport the paper; and a leading end of the paper. Stops rotating the platen drum when it reaches the second position, raises the print head from the ribbon, and moves the print head from the second position to the first position.
Rotating the platen drum while transferring the paper to a position; stopping the rotation of the platen drum when the leading end of the paper reaches the first position immediately before starting printing of the final color; Immediately before starting printing of the final color, the paper holder is lifted from the peripheral surface of the platen drum by moving the peripheral surface of the platen drum at the first position in a substantially tangential direction, whereby the opposing surface of the paper is Causing the paper holder to be in a free state from the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum; and setting the paper holder to a free state while the opposite side surface of the paper is not maintained with respect to the platen drum by the paper holder. The pen is moved tangentially in the opposite direction to the free state. And moving the platen drum in the first rotation direction and pressing the paper against the platen drum with a print head and a ribbon by rotating the platen drum in the first rotation direction. Actuating a printhead, thereby printing the final color in the plurality of colors of one of the patterns from the multicolor ribbon on paper to provide a print completion of all colors; Immediately after the color printing, discharging the printed paper. 11. The rotation of the platen drum while the paper reaches the first position during the step of rotating the platen drum in the first rotation direction to advance the paper along the platen drum. 11. The printing method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of sensing by a count number according to. 12. A step of rotating the platen drum in a first rotation direction to advance the paper to the first position along the platen drum, and after the leading end of the paper reaches the first position. Stopping the rotation of the drum and stopping the rotation of the platen drum and operating the head motor to lift the print head from the platen drum before the step of pressing the paper against the platen drum with the print head; Rotating the platen drum in the first rotational direction until the leading end of the paper reaches the first position while the paper is positioned between the print head and the platen drum. The printing method according to claim 10, wherein the printing is performed. 13. The multiplicity of colors that have been activated by the printhead to become one of the patterns from the multicolor ribbon while the opposite side of the paper is not maintained against the platen drum by the paper holder. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of enabling printing of the final color in the paper to provide print completion for all colors. 14. An apparatus for sequentially printing a large number of colors, wherein the apparatus is arranged concentrically with a pair of opposing bottom surfaces of the platen drum that provide an outer peripheral surface of the platen drum, and the surface of the bottom surface extends from the surface. A central axis protruding outwardly in the direction of the center axis of rotation of the bottom surface and having a circumferential groove defined by opposing flanges; first and second arms, each along a corresponding groove surface in the groove; The first having a centrally located recess having an isolated curved surface arranged to move.
And a third arm forming a unitary structure with the second arm, pivot means for connecting the second arm to the bottom surface of the platen drum in an axial rotation direction, and an axial direction from a distal end of the third arm. A pair of brackets protruding inward and traversing the outer peripheral surface and having means for fixing the leading end of the paper to the outer peripheral surface; and a pair of brackets in a first movement direction with respect to a pivot. And a biasing means. 15. The printing method according to claim 14, wherein said bracket further comprises means for coupling said biasing means to said bracket, located substantially diametrically opposite said pivot means. apparatus. 16. The first operation mode, wherein one of the first and second arms is pulled, and the fixing means is fixed to the outer peripheral surface from around the pivot means with respect to the facing bottom surface. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for rotating the bracket in a second direction of movement wherein the securing means is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface from one direction of movement. 17. A method in which one of the first and second arms is pulled in the first operation mode, and the fixing means is fixed to the outer peripheral surface from around the pivot means with respect to the facing bottom surface. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: means for rotating the bracket from a first direction of movement in a second direction of movement wherein the securing means is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface. 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said curved surface forms an arc of another radius having a center substantially coincident with said pivot means. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said curved surface forms an arc of another radius having a center substantially coincident with said pivot means. 20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said curved surface forms an arc of another radius having a center substantially coincident with said pivot means. 21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said curved surface forms an arc of another radius having a center substantially coincident with said pivot means. 22. The fixing means is separated from the outer peripheral surface from a periphery of the pivot means associated with the bottom surface in a first movement direction in which the fixing means is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein when moving in the second direction of movement, an arc is created having a center substantially coincident with the pivot means, forming a radius greater than the other radius. 23. The fixing means is separated from the outer peripheral surface from a periphery of the pivot means associated with the bottom surface in a first movement direction in which the fixing means is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein when moving in the second direction of movement, an arc is created having a center substantially coincident with the pivot means, forming a radius greater than the other radius. 24. When the securing means moves from the first direction of movement to the second direction of movement, the securing means creates an arc having a center substantially coincident with the pivot means, and the other radius 21. The device of claim 20, wherein the device forms a larger radius. 25. When the securing means moves from the first direction of movement to the second direction of movement, the securing means creates an arc having a center substantially coincident with the pivoting means and the other radius. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the device forms a larger radius. 26. An arc separated from the pivot means to a second position separated from the outer peripheral surface from a first position in which the tip is fixed to the outer peripheral surface, wherein the fixing means is separated from the pivot means. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is positioned to move along. 27. An arc separated from the pivot means to a second position separated from the outer peripheral surface from a first position in which the distal end is fixed to the outer peripheral surface, wherein the fixing means is separated from the pivot means. 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is positioned to move along. 28. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the fixing means is positioned so as to move along an arc spaced from the pivot means by a predetermined space from the first movement direction to the second movement direction. Claim 16
The described device. 29. The method according to claim 29, wherein the fixing means is spaced from the pivot means and is positioned to move along an arc spaced from the pivot means by a predetermined space from a first movement direction to a second movement direction. Claim 17
The described device. 30. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said securing means includes a bale extending across said outer peripheral surface between said securing means. 31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said securing means includes a bale extending across said outer peripheral surface between said securing means. 32. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fixing means is a portion formed by bending a distal end of a corresponding one of the third arms of the bracket. 33. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the fixing means is a portion formed by bending a distal end of a corresponding one of the third arms of the bracket. 34. When the printhead is separated from the platen drum by means for rotating the platen drum, and a multicolor ribbon comprising a continuous multicolor pattern each including a number of identifiable colors. Means for positioning the print head; control means for controlling the pulling means, rotating means and position means; and operating the pulling means so that the print head is rotated from the first movement direction to the second movement direction. Then, the paper holder fixes the paper along the cross section of the paper, and inserts the leading end of the paper into the outer peripheral surface of the paper holder and the platen drum. The bracket is released while the paper is maintained with respect to the platen drum while the paper is kept in the second movement direction. The platen drum is rotated in the first rotation direction by operating the rotating means, whereby the paper is advanced to the first position along the platen drum, and the leading end of the paper is When the first position is reached, the rotation means is controlled to stop the rotation of the platen drum, the position means is operated to press the paper against the platen drum with a print head, and the rotation means is operated. Rotating the platen drum in the first rotation direction to operate the print head, whereby the rotation of the platen drum causes the leading end of the paper to move from the first position to the second position while the pattern of the multicolor ribbon is being moved. Printing a predetermined one of the multiple colors of one of the patterns, and rotating the paper when the leading end of the paper reaches a second position. Controlling the means to stop the rotation of the platen drum,
When the tip moves from the second position to the first position, control the position means to lift the print head from the ribbon, activate the rotation means to rotate the platen drum, and start printing the final color. Immediately before the tip reaches the first position, the rotation means is controlled to stop the rotation of the platen drum, and immediately before printing of the final color is started, the pulling is performed at the first position. Actuating the paper holder to move the paper holder in a direction substantially tangential to the peripheral surface of the platen drum to lift the paper holder from the peripheral surface of the platen drum; During this period, the paper holder is controlled so that the paper holder is substantially free from the peripheral surface of the platen drum. It is moved in the direction opposite to the above in the linear direction, enters the lower side of the free end portion of the paper, and conveys it to the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum. While the paper is pressed against the platen drum with the drum and the ribbon, the rotating means is operated by the paper holder to rotate the platen drum in the first rotation direction, and the print head is operated to thereby operate the multi-layer. A control means for printing the final color of the plurality of colors, which has become one of the patterns from the color ribbon, on paper to provide completion of printing of all colors, and the like. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein: 35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said control means operates said rotating means to rotate said platen drum only in said first rotation direction.