JP2937722B2 - Thermal 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 thermal recording apparatus which is used, for example, as a recording section of a facsimile apparatus and which can perform recording (printing) by either a thermal recording method or a thermal transfer recording method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Thermal recording apparatuses for performing recording (printing) using a thermal head are roughly classified into two types of recording systems, a thermal recording system and a thermal transfer recording system. Since these two systems can be realized by basically the same configuration, there are many systems which can selectively use a thermal recording system and a thermal transfer recording system.

That is, for example, in a facsimile apparatus, it is generally strongly desired to output a received original on plain paper because of its easy handling, but if a thermal transfer recording method is used to record on plain paper, it is expensive. The running cost is increased due to the necessity of a suitable ink film.
Therefore, handling of the received document is slightly inconvenient because the recording paper is a special thermal paper, but a thermal recording system that can reduce the running cost because an ink film is unnecessary is provided side by side to meet the needs of the user. There are many facsimile machines that can select a method as appropriate.

[0004] The type of recording paper used differs between the thermal recording method and the thermal transfer recording method as described above. Depending on which recording method is used for recording, a user can select a recording sheet corresponding to the recording method. You can select and set. Further, which of the thermal recording method and the thermal transfer recording method is used is manually set by a user operating a key switch or the like.

[0005] In addition, the amount of heat required for good printing differs between the thermal recording system and the thermal transfer recording system.
In order to perform good printing in either method, the amount of energy supplied to the thermal printer is changed for each method. Conventionally, the amount of energy supplied to the thermal head is also determined according to which method is selected by the user.

For this reason, if the user sets a different type of recording paper than that corresponding to the set recording method, the amount of energy supplied to the thermal printer is not optimal, and good printing can be performed. Or not
Alternatively, there was a problem that printing could not be performed at all.

[0007]

As described above, in the conventional thermal recording apparatus, the user manually sets which of the thermal recording system and the thermal transfer recording system is to be used. There is a case where a method different from the method corresponding to the recording paper is erroneously set, and in this case, there is a problem that normal recording cannot be performed.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object thereof is to set
The recording method to be used is automatically determined from the type of recording paper, and
The amount of energy supplied to the thermal head to the recording method
It is possible to automatically set the optimum value according to
Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal recording apparatus that can always perform recording under optimum conditions .

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

In order to solve the problem] was to achieve the above purpose
According to the present invention, a predetermined mark is recorded at a predetermined position on a set recording sheet with a predetermined energy amount that can be recorded only in one of the thermal recording method and the thermal transfer recording method (for example, the thermal transfer recording method). And a mark formation control unit such as a test print control unit for driving the thermal head, and detecting the mark at the predetermined position on the recording sheet after the thermal head is driven by the mark formation control unit. A mark detecting means such as a mark sensor, and a processing means such as, for example, a recording table selecting means. and determining which one of the thermal transfer recording sheet, depending on the determination result
I you want to change setting the driving conditions of service Maruheddo Te was Unishi.

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

By taking such means , a predetermined mark can be recorded at a predetermined position on the set recording paper with a predetermined energy amount that can be recorded only in one of the thermal recording system and the thermal transfer recording system. The thermal head is driven so that the mark is recorded at the predetermined position on the recording sheet by the mark detecting means. Thereafter, the processing means detects the mark by the mark detecting means. based on the situation, recording paper that has been set or not is determined which one of the heat-sensitive recording paper and thermal transfer recording sheet, changes setting of the driving condition of the sub Maruheddo is performed according to the determination result.

Accordingly, the type of the set recording paper is automatically determined, and optimal driving conditions of the thermal head in a recording method using the recording paper are automatically set.

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) An embodiment according to the first invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a linear thermal head in which a number of heating resistance elements are arranged one-dimensionally, and a platen roller 2 is provided to face the thermal head. The thermal head 1 is pressed against the platen roller 2 by a spring (not shown).

Reference numeral 3 denotes a roll of recording paper, the leading end of which is pulled out and inserted between the thermal head 1 and the platen roller 2 and through the cutter 4. As the recording paper 3, two types of heat-sensitive paper and plain paper can be used, and these are selectively set. The recording paper 3 used in this embodiment is a heat-sensitive paper 3 as shown in FIG.
In a, a black mark M (shown by hatching in the figure) is continuously formed on the back surface from the front end to the end. As shown in FIG. 2B, no mark is formed on the plain paper 3b.

Under the control of the control unit 5, the cutter 4
The recording paper 3 is cut at an arbitrary position. Reference numeral 6 denotes a roll-shaped ink film, which is attached to a feed sprocket 7. The leading end of the ink film 6 is pulled out and fixed to the take-up sprocket 8, and is taken up by the take-up sprocket 8 as the take-up sprocket 8 rotates. Further, the ink film 6 is inserted between the thermal head 1 and the platen roller 2 in a state of being superimposed on the recording paper 3 on the way from the feeding sprocket 7 to the winding sprocket 8. The ink film 6 is detachable.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a guide shaft for maintaining the state of the ink film 6 with respect to the thermal head 1 in a predetermined state (illustrated state). Reference numeral 10 denotes a head controller, which drives the thermal head 1 based on image data provided from the outside under the control of the control unit 5.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a mark sensor, which is disposed opposite to a predetermined position on the back surface of the recording paper 3. The mark sensor 11 is, for example, a reflection-type optical sensor, and detects black / white at a predetermined position on the back surface of the recording paper 3. That is, the mark sensor 11 outputs the mark M
Is formed or not. The mark sensor 11 is connected to the control unit 5 and supplies a detection signal to the control unit 5.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a main memory unit, which is connected to the control unit 5. The main memory unit 12 stores various information used by the control unit 5 to perform various processes, and includes a thermal recording table 12a and a thermal transfer recording table 12b. The thermal recording table 12a is a table in which the driving conditions of the thermal head 10 (the amount of energy to be supplied) when recording is performed by the thermal recording method. In the thermal transfer recording table 12b, the driving conditions (the amount of energy to be supplied) of the thermal head 10 when recording is performed by the thermal transfer recording method are registered.

An operation panel 13 is connected to the control unit 5. The operation panel 13 allows the user to control the control unit 5.
An input unit 13a, such as a key switch group, for inputting various instructions to the user, and a display unit 13b, such as an LCD, for displaying various information to the user.

The control section 5 has a microcomputer as a main control circuit. In addition to the well-known general control means in a thermal recording apparatus, the control section 5 performs recording for heat-sensitive recording in accordance with the state of a detection signal of the mark sensor 11. Table 12
a and a recording table selecting means 5a for performing a process for validating any one of the recording table 12a and the thermal transfer recording table 12b.

Next, the operation of the thus configured thermal recording apparatus will be described according to the control procedure of the control unit 5. First, in the standby state, the control unit 5 performs a recording table selection process by the recording table selection unit 5a. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 5 first determines whether or not a mark is detected by the mark sensor 11 based on the detection output of the mark sensor 11 (step ST1).
1).

If the mark sensor 11 detects a black image, the control unit 5 determines that the mark M is formed on the back of the recording paper 3 and determines that the recording paper 3 is the thermal paper 3a. Then, the table to be used is determined as the thermal recording table 12a (step ST1).
3).

On the other hand, if the mark sensor 11 detects a white image, the control unit 5 determines that the mark M is not formed on the back of the recording paper 3 and determines that the recording paper 3 is plain paper 3b. Then, the table to be used is determined as the thermal transfer recording table 12b (step S14).
T15).

The above is the process of selecting a recording table. Thereafter, when the start of the recording operation is instructed from outside, the control unit 5 sets the driving conditions of the thermal head 1 to the head controller 10. The driving conditions set here are those stored in the table determined as described above in the standby state. That is, if the thermal paper 3a is set as the recording paper 3, the driving conditions for thermal recording stored in the thermal recording table 12a are set in the head controller 10, and the plain paper 3b is set as the recording paper 3. If so, the head controller 1
To 0, the drive condition for thermal transfer recording stored in the thermal transfer recording table 12b is set. Further, the control unit 5 activates a drive source (not shown) to rotate the platen roller 2 and the take-up sprocket 8 to start transporting the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6. Instructs start of driving.

In response, the head controller 10
The thermal head 1 is driven in accordance with externally applied image data according to the set driving conditions. That is, if the thermal paper 3 a is set as the recording paper 3, the thermal head 1 is set under optimal conditions for performing thermal recording.
To print on the thermal paper 3a by the thermal recording method. If the plain paper 3b is set as the recording paper 3, the thermal head 1 is driven under the optimum conditions for performing the thermal transfer recording, and printing by the thermal transfer recording method is performed on the plain paper 3b.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the mark M is formed on the back of only the thermal paper 3a, and the presence or absence of the mark M at a predetermined position on the back of the set recording paper 3 is detected by the mark sensor 11. Then, it is determined whether the set recording paper 3 is the thermal paper 3a or the plain paper 3b. When the recording paper 3 is the thermal paper 3a, the driving conditions of the thermal head 1 are set to the thermal recording driving conditions stored in the thermal recording table 12a, and when the recording paper 3 is the plain paper 3b,
The driving condition of the thermal head 1 is changed to the recording table 1 for thermal transfer.
Since the driving conditions for thermal transfer recording stored in 2b are respectively set, the thermal recording method and the thermal transfer recording method are automatically selected according to the type of the recording paper 3, and the recording operation is performed in that method.

Therefore, the type of the recording paper 3 and the recording method to be used do not become inconsistent, and good printing can always be performed. Further, according to the present embodiment, there is no need for the user to manually specify which of the thermal recording method and the thermal transfer recording method to use by key operation or the like, so that the burden on the user is reduced and the handling is simplified.

(Second Embodiment) An embodiment according to the second invention will be described below. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

This thermal recording apparatus includes a thermal head 1, a platen roller 2, a recording sheet 3, a cutter 4, an ink film 6, a feed sprocket 7, a take-up sprocket 8,
It comprises a guide shaft 9, a head controller 10, a main memory unit 12, an operation panel 13, a control unit 21, and a mark detection sensor 22.

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the control unit 5 is replaced with a control unit 21 and the mark sensor 11 is eliminated to provide a mark sensor 22.

The cutter 4, the head controller 10, the main memory 12, and the operation panel 13 are respectively
1 connected. The mark sensor 22 is a recording paper 3
Are arranged facing a predetermined position on the surface of the. The mark sensor 22 is, for example, a reflection type optical sensor.
Black / white at a predetermined position on the surface of the recording paper 3 is detected. The mark sensor 11 is connected to the control unit 21,
The detection signal is given to the control unit 21.

The control section 21 has, for example, a microcomputer as a main control circuit, and includes a test print control section 21a and a recording table selection section 21.
b. The test printing control means 21a performs control for performing test printing for printing a predetermined mark on the newly set recording paper 3 when the recording paper 3 is exchanged. is there. The recording table selecting means 21b performs a process for validating one of the thermal recording table 12a and the thermal transfer recording table 12b according to the state of the detection signal of the mark sensor 22.

Next, the operation of the thermal recording apparatus configured as described above will be described according to the control procedure of the control unit 21. First, when the replacement of the recording paper 3 is performed in the standby state, the control unit 21 performs a recording table selection process by the test print control unit 21a and the recording table selection unit 21b. The operation of replacing the recording paper 3 is performed, for example, when the device cover (not shown) that is opened and closed when the recording paper 3 is replaced is closed from an open state, or when the recording paper 3 is not present. It is estimated that the setting from the state is detected by the sensor that detects the presence or absence of the recording paper, or that the exchange of the recording paper 3 is designated by a predetermined key operation on the input unit 13a. When such a predetermined state occurs, the control unit 21 determines that the replacement operation of the recording paper 3 has been performed, and starts the recording table selection process.

In the process of selecting a recording table, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 21 first uses a predetermined amount of energy that allows printing in the thermal transfer recording system but does not allow printing in the thermal recording system. An instruction is issued to the head controller 10 to perform test printing for printing a predetermined mark, and the test printing is executed (step ST2).
1).

Subsequently, the control unit 21 determines whether or not a mark to be recorded by test printing has been detected by the mark sensor 22 based on the detection output of the mark sensor 22 (step ST22).

If the mark sensor 22 has detected the mark, the control unit 21 determines that the recording paper 3 is plain paper because the mark has been printed on the recording paper 3 (step S).
T23), a table to be used is determined as the thermal transfer recording table 12b (step ST24).

On the other hand, if the mark sensor 22 has not detected a mark, the control unit 21 determines that the recording sheet 3 is a thermal sheet (step ST25) because the mark could not be printed on the recording sheet 3 (step ST25). The table to be determined is determined as the thermal recording table 12a (step ST26).

The above is the process of selecting a recording table. Of the above processing, step ST21 is performed by the test print control unit 21a, and processing of steps ST22 to ST26 is performed by the recording table selection unit 21b.

Thereafter, when the start of the recording operation is instructed from the outside, the control unit 21 sets the driving conditions of the thermal head 1 to the head controller 10. The driving conditions set here are those stored in the table determined as described above in the standby state. That is,
If thermal paper is set as the recording paper 3, the driving conditions for thermal recording stored in the thermal recording table 12 a are set in the head controller 10. If plain paper is set as the recording paper 3, The driving conditions for thermal transfer recording stored in the thermal transfer recording table 12b are set in the head controller 10. Further control unit 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a drive source (not shown) which starts the transport of the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6 by rotating the platen roller 2 and the take-up sprocket 8 and starts driving the thermal head 1 to the head controller 10. Instruct.

In response, the head controller 10
The thermal head 1 is driven in accordance with externally applied image data according to the set driving conditions. That is, if a thermal paper is set as the recording paper 3, the thermal head 1 is driven under optimal conditions for performing thermal recording, and printing by the thermal recording method is performed on the thermal paper. Further, if plain paper is set as the recording paper 3, the thermal head 1 is driven under the optimal conditions for performing thermal transfer recording, and printing by the thermal transfer recording method is performed on plain paper.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the mark sensor 22 detects whether or not the mark has been printed by the test printing performed so that the printing can be performed only by the thermal transfer recording method. Judge whether it is paper or plain paper. When the recording paper 3 is thermal paper, the driving conditions of the thermal head 1 are set to the driving conditions for thermal recording stored in the thermal recording table 12a. When the recording paper 3 is plain paper, the driving conditions of the thermal head 1 are changed. Since the driving conditions are respectively set to the driving conditions for thermal transfer recording stored in the thermal transfer recording table 12b, the thermal recording method and the thermal transfer recording method are automatically selected according to the type of the recording paper 3, and the method is used. A recording operation is performed.

Therefore, the type of the recording paper 3 and the recording method to be used do not become inconsistent, and good printing can always be performed. Further, according to the present embodiment, there is no need for the user to manually specify which of the thermal recording method and the thermal transfer recording method to use by key operation or the like, so that the burden on the user is reduced and the handling is simplified.

(Third Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the third invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

This thermal recording apparatus includes a thermal head 1, a platen roller 2, a recording sheet 3, an ink film 6, a feed sprocket 7, a take-up sprocket 8, a guide shaft 9, a head controller 10, a main memory unit 12, an operation panel 13, It comprises a control unit 31 and a cutter 32.

Here, the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control unit 5 is replaced by a control unit 31 and the cutter 4 is replaced by a cutter 32. Head controller 10, main memory 12, and operation panel 13
Are connected to the control unit 31 respectively.

The control section 31 has, for example, a microcomputer as a main control circuit. In addition to the well-known general control means in the thermal recording apparatus, the control section 31 performs a test operation of the cutter 32 and an operation state of the cutter 32 at that time. And a recording table selecting unit 31a that performs control to make any one of the thermal recording table 12a and the thermal transfer recording table 12b valid based on.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views showing the structure of the cutter 32. FIG. 7A is a front view, and FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. is there. In the figure, 41 is a housing. Inside the casing 41, a rotary blade 42 is arranged supported by a carriage 43. The carriage 43 is supported by a support / transport mechanism (not shown), and is reciprocated in the housing 41 in a direction indicated by an arrow B in the drawing as necessary.

One end of the housing 41 is provided with a standby sensor 44.
Is provided. The standby side sensor 44 includes the rotary blade 4
2 is turned off by the carriage 43 when it is at a predetermined standby position. Further, a repetition side sensor 45 is provided at the other end of the housing 41. When the rotary blade 42 is at a predetermined repetition position, the repetition side sensor 45
Is turned off. The standby-side sensor 44 and the repetition-side sensor 45 provide a signal indicating the ON / OFF state to the control unit 31.

Next, the operation of the thermal recording apparatus configured as described above will be described according to the control procedure of the control unit 31. First, when the recording sheet 3 is exchanged in the standby state, the control unit 31 performs a recording table selecting process by the recording table selecting unit 31a. The operation of replacing the recording paper 3 is performed, for example, when the device cover (not shown) that is opened and closed when the recording paper 3 is replaced is closed from an open state, or when the recording paper 3 is not present. It is estimated that the setting from the state is detected by the sensor that detects the presence or absence of the recording paper, or that the exchange of the recording paper 3 is designated by a predetermined key operation on the input unit 13a. When such a predetermined state occurs, the control unit 31 determines that the replacement operation of the recording paper 3 has been performed, and starts the recording table selection process.

In the recording table selection process, as shown in FIG.
In order to reach No. 2, the paper is fed by a predetermined amount (for example, several tens of mm) (step ST31), and the cutter 32 is activated (step ST32).

In response to this, in the cutter 32, the rotary blade 4
2 is transported from the standby position to the repetition position while rotating. Accordingly, the recording paper 3 inserted into the housing 41 as shown in FIG.

After activating the cutter 32 in step ST32, the control section 31 sets a cutting time t.
(Step ST33), and the repetition side sensor 4
Wait for 5 to be OFF (step ST34).

In this state, the rotary blade 42 reaches the repetition position, and the repetition side sensor 45 is turned off by the carriage 43.
Then, the control unit 31 ends the timing of the cutting time t (step ST35), and determines whether the cutting time t is longer than the predetermined time T.

The thermal paper and the plain paper have different rigidities and thicknesses, and therefore have different loads on the movement of the rotary blade 42. Therefore, the time required for the rotary blade 42 to reach the repetition position from the standby position (cutting time) differs depending on whether the recording paper 3 is thermal paper or plain paper.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a change in the state of each of the standby side sensor 44 and the repetition side sensor 45.
4A shows a case where the recording paper 3 is a thermal paper, and FIG. 4B shows a case where the recording paper 3 is a plain paper. As can be seen from this figure, the time from when the standby side sensor 44 is turned on to when the repetition side sensor 45 is turned off depends on the recording paper 3
Is shorter than t1 when the recording paper 3 is plain paper, compared to t1 when the recording paper 3 is plain paper.

Thus, by setting the predetermined time T to an intermediate value between t1 and t2, the type of the recording paper 3 can be estimated based on the magnitude relationship between the cutting time t and the predetermined time T. When the control unit 31 determines that the cutting time t is longer than the predetermined time T in step ST36, it determines that the recording paper 3 is a thermal paper (step ST36).
37), the table to be used is the thermal recording table 12
a is determined (step ST38).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST36 that the cutting time t is shorter than the predetermined time T, the control section 31 determines that the recording paper 3 is plain paper (step S36).
T39), a table to be used is determined as the thermal transfer recording table 12b (step ST40).

The above is the process of selecting a recording table. Thereafter, when the start of the recording operation is instructed from the outside, the control unit 31 sets the driving conditions of the thermal head 1 to the head controller 10. The driving conditions set here are those stored in the table determined as described above in the standby state. That is, if thermal paper is set as the recording paper 3, the head controller 1
To 0, the driving condition for thermal recording stored in the thermal recording table 12a is set. If plain paper is set as the recording paper 3, the recording condition is stored in the thermal transfer recording table 12b in the head controller 10. The driving conditions for thermal transfer recording are set. Further, the control unit 31 activates a drive source (not shown) to rotate the platen roller 2 and the take-up sprocket 8 to start the conveyance of the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6, and to control the head controller 1
0 to start driving of the thermal head 1.

In response, the head controller 10
The thermal head 1 is driven in accordance with externally applied image data according to the set driving conditions. That is, if a thermal paper is set as the recording paper 3, the thermal head 1 is driven under optimal conditions for performing thermal recording, and printing by the thermal recording method is performed on the thermal paper. Further, if plain paper is set as the recording paper 3, the thermal head 1 is driven under the optimal conditions for performing thermal transfer recording, and printing by the thermal transfer recording method is performed on plain paper.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the cutter 32
Is detected as the cutting time t from the standby position to the repetition position of the rotary blade 42 when the recording paper 3 is cut, and the cutting time t is equal to the predetermined time T.
By determining whether the recording paper 3 is larger than the recording paper 3, it is determined whether the set recording paper 3 is a thermal paper or a plain paper. When the recording paper 3 is thermal paper, the driving conditions of the thermal head 1 are set to the driving conditions for thermal recording stored in the thermal recording table 12a. When the recording paper 3 is plain paper, the driving conditions of the thermal head 1 are changed. Since the driving conditions are respectively set to the driving conditions for thermal transfer recording stored in the thermal transfer recording table 12b, the thermal recording method and the thermal transfer recording method are automatically selected according to the type of the recording paper 3, and the method is used. A recording operation is performed.

Therefore, the type of the recording paper 3 and the recording method to be used are not inconsistent, and good printing can always be performed. Further, according to the present embodiment, there is no need for the user to manually specify which of the thermal recording method and the thermal transfer recording method to use by key operation or the like, so that the burden on the user is reduced and the handling is simplified.

(Fourth Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the fourth invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of the thermal recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. 1 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

This thermal recording apparatus includes a thermal head 1, a platen roller 2, a recording sheet 3, a cutter 4, an ink film 6, a feed sprocket 7, a take-up sprocket 8,
It comprises a guide shaft 9, a head controller 10, a main memory unit 12, an operation panel 13, a mark detection sensor 22, and a control unit 51.

The present embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the control unit 21 is replaced by a control unit 51. Cutter 4, head controller 10, main memory 1
2. The operation panel 13 and the mark detection sensor 22 are connected to the control unit 51, respectively.

The control section 51 has, for example, a microcomputer as a main control circuit, and has a test print control section 51a and an error display control section 51b in addition to a well-known general control section in a thermal recording apparatus. ing. The test print control unit 51a, when the replacement operation of the recording paper 3 is performed, the newly set recording paper 3
The control for performing test printing for printing a predetermined mark with respect to is performed. The error display control means 51b monitors whether the set state of the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6 is correct according to the state of the detection signal of the mark sensor 22, and performs control for displaying an error as necessary. .

Next, the operation of the thermal recording apparatus configured as described above will be described according to the control procedure of the control unit 51. First, when the replacement operation of the recording paper 3 or the ink film 6 is performed in the standby state, the control unit 51 performs setting error detection / display processing by the test print control unit 51a and the error display control unit 51b. The operation of replacing the recording paper 3 or the ink film 6 is performed, for example, when the device cover (not shown) that is opened and closed when the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6 are replaced is closed from an open state. Alternatively, recording is performed by a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper and a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the ink film that the setting of the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6 from the state where the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6 are not performed, or by a predetermined key operation on the input unit 13a. It can be estimated from the fact that the exchange of the paper 3 or the ink film 6 has been designated, and the control unit 51 determines that the exchange work of the recording paper 3 has been performed when such a predetermined state occurs. To start the recording table selection process.

In the setting error detection / display processing, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 51 first performs a test for printing a predetermined mark with a predetermined energy amount that can be printed by either the thermal recording method or the thermal transfer recording method. Instructs the head controller 10 to perform printing,
The test print is executed (step ST41).

Subsequently, the control section 51 determines whether or not a mark to be recorded by test printing has been detected by the mark sensor 22 based on the detection output of the mark sensor 22 (step ST42).

Here, if the mark sensor 22 detects a mark, it is known that the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6 are set in a printable state, and the control unit 51 determines that there is no setting error. The setting error detection / display processing ends as it is.

On the other hand, if the mark sensor 22 has not detected a mark, it is known that the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6 are set in a state where printing is not possible, so the control unit 51 determines that there is a setting error. And
A predetermined error message is displayed on the display unit 13b (step ST43). Specifically, for example, first, FIG.
As shown in (a), the recording paper 3 or the ink film 6
A message indicating that there is an error in the setting state is displayed, and after 5 seconds, a message prompting that the recording paper 3 or the ink film 6 is correctly set is displayed.

The control unit 51 waits for a predetermined error resolving operation to be executed with the error message displayed on the display unit 13b (step ST44). Here, the error elimination work is to replace the recording paper 3 with thermal paper,
Or setting of the ink film 6, the recording paper 3 or the ink film 6
It is deemed that some sort of error elimination work has been performed by performing the replacement work. Then, when the error elimination work is performed, the processing after step ST41 is repeated.

In the above processing, step ST41
Is performed by the test print control means 51a, and the processing of steps ST42 to ST44 is performed by the error display control means 51b.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6 are accurately set so that the printing can be performed by detecting whether or not the mark has been printed by the test printing by the mark sensor 22. And if there is a setting error,
This is displayed on the display unit 13b.

Therefore, the user can know that the setting is incorrect, and can quickly resolve the setting error. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications as described below are possible.

(1) The form of the mark M formed on the thermal paper 3a in the first embodiment is not limited to that described in the first embodiment. (2) In the first embodiment, the mark M is formed only on the thermal paper 3a. However, the mark may be provided only on the plain paper 3b, or different marks may be formed on the thermal paper 3a and the plain paper 3a.
b.

(3) The marks formed on the recording sheet 3 in the first embodiment are not limited to marks of a black image, but marks of an image of another color and light reflectance different from that of the recording sheet 3. An invisible mark or the like coated with a different material may be used.

(4) The mark sensor 11 in the first embodiment is not limited to an optical sensor, but may be a magnetic sensor or the like. In this case, however, the marks formed on the recording paper 3 need to be formed of a corresponding material (for example, a magnetic material).

(5) The cutter 32 in the third embodiment.
Is not limited to the configuration shown in the third embodiment. (6) In the third embodiment, the type of the recording paper 3 is determined based on whether or not the cutting time t is longer than the predetermined time T. For example, cutting when cutting one recording paper is performed. The time is set as a standard time, and the difference Δ between this standard time and the measured cutting time is set.
The recording paper 3 is determined based on whether or not t is longer than a predetermined time.
Can also be determined.

(7) In the first to third embodiments,
As a process to be performed according to the type of the recording paper 3, a process of selecting a recording table is performed, but any other process may be performed. For example, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the ink film 6 is separately provided, and the detection result of the sensor and the type of the recording paper are comprehensively evaluated to monitor whether the recording paper 3 and the ink film 6 are set correctly, It is also possible to perform a process of displaying an error as needed.

(8) In the fourth embodiment, the message is displayed on the display unit 13b as an error display. However, a visual display may be performed by, for example, turning over the LED, or a sound or an alarm may be displayed. An audible display or a vibration display may be performed by sound. Also, these plural display methods may be combined. (9) In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0089]

[0090]

According to the present invention, at a predetermined position on a set recording sheet, a predetermined amount of energy that can be recorded only in one of the thermal recording system and the thermal transfer recording system (for example, the thermal transfer recording system) is used. A mark formation control unit such as a test print control unit for driving a thermal head to record a mark, and a drive of the thermal head by the mark formation control unit at the predetermined position on the recording sheet. A mark detecting means such as a mark sensor for detecting the mark, and a processing means such as a recording table selecting means are provided. The processing means sets the recording set based on the detection status by the mark detecting means. paper is determined which one of the heat-sensitive recording paper and thermal transfer recording sheet, depending on the determination result Change sets the driving conditions of Maruheddo
The recording method to be used can be automatically determined from the type of recording paper set.
Thermal head with the optimal amount of energy for the
By de is driven, the heat recording device capable of recording at optimal conditions at all times.

[0091]

[0092]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a thermal recording apparatus according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the first invention.

FIG. 2 shows a thermal paper 3a and a plain paper 3 in the first embodiment.
The perspective view which shows the external appearance of b.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure according to a recording table selection process of a control unit 5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a thermal recording apparatus according to an embodiment (second embodiment) of the second invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure according to a recording table selection process of a control unit 21 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a thermal recording apparatus in an embodiment (third embodiment) according to the third invention.

7 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of the cutter 32 in FIG. 6 with a part cut away.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure according to a recording table selection process of a control unit 31 in FIG. 6;

9A and 9B are diagrams showing changes in the states of a standby sensor 44 and a repetition sensor 45 in FIG. 7, wherein FIG. 9A shows a case where the recording paper 3 is a thermal paper, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a case where recording paper 3 is plain paper.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a thermal recording apparatus according to an embodiment (fourth embodiment) of the fourth invention.

11 is a flowchart showing a control procedure relating to a setting error detection / display process of a control unit 51 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view showing a display example of an error display on a display unit 13b in FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thermal head 2 ... Platen roller 3 ... Recording paper 3a ... Thermal paper 3b ... Plain paper 4, 32 ... Cutter 5, 21, 31, 51 ... Control part 5a, 21b, 31a ... Recording table selecting means 21a, 51a ... Test Print control unit 51 Error display control unit 6 Ink film 7 Feed sprocket 8 Winding sprocket 9 Guide shaft 10 Head controller 11, 22 Mark sensor 12 Main memory unit 12a Thermal recording table 12b Thermal transfer Recording table 13 ... Operation panel 13a ... Input unit 13b ... Display unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shinya Watanabe 3-1-1 Asahigaoka, Hino-shi, Tokyo In-house Toshiba Hino Plant (56) References JP-A-5-185620 (JP, A) JP-A Heisei 2-274564 (JP, A) JP-A-3-36864 (JP, U) JP-A 4-87255 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/32 -2/325 B41J 11/42 B41J 11/70

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A thermal recording paper having a thermal head.
Set and ink film not set
Recording by thermal recording method in the state, and thermal transfer recording paper
Is set and the ink film is set
Recording by the thermal transfer method in each state.
In a thermal recording apparatus, a thermal recording method and a
Recording is possible only in one of the two methods
Record a predetermined mark with a certain amount of energy
Mark forming control means for driving the thermal head
When, driving of the thermal head by the mark formation control means
Is moved to the predetermined position on the recording paper
A mark detecting means for detecting the mark Te, based on the detection state by the mark detecting means, set
Recording paper for thermal recording paper and thermal transfer recording
Judge whether it is paper or not, and then
Processing means for changing and setting the driving conditions of the thermal head;
A thermal recording device comprising: