JP3599064B2 - Recording method and recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a recording method and a recording device (particularly, a laser beam printer) used for implementing the method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in image recording of video cameras, televisions, computer graphics, and the like, needs for not only monocolor recording but also hard copy colorization have been increasing. In response to this, various types of printers have been developed and are being deployed in various fields.
[0003]
Among these recording methods, an ink sheet coated with an ink layer in which a high-concentration transfer dye is dispersed in an appropriate binder resin, and a photographic paper coated with a dye resin that receives the transferred dye. And a heat transfer head located on the ink sheet, heat is applied in accordance with image information, and the transfer dye is thermally transferred from the ink sheet to the dye receiving layer in response to the heating. There is a method.
[0004]
For example, the so-called thermal transfer method that obtains a full-color image by repeating the above operation for each of image signals separated into three subtractive primary colors, yellow, magenta, and cyan, is easy to miniaturize and maintain. It has attracted attention as an excellent technology for obtaining high-quality images comparable to silver halide color photographs.
[0005]
FIG. 25 is a schematic front view of a main part of such a thermal transfer type printer. According to this printer, a thermal recording head (hereinafter, referred to as a thermal head) 1 and a platen roller 3 are opposed to each other, and an ink sheet 12 having an ink layer 12a provided on a base film 12b and a paper are provided therebetween. The platen roller 3 is pressed against the thermal head 1 in a state in which the recording paper (transfer medium) 20 provided with the dyeing resin layer (dye receiving layer) 20a on the recording paper 20b is sandwiched.
[0006]
Then, the ink (transfer dye) in the ink layer 12a, which is selectively heated by the thermal head 1, is transferred in the form of dots to the dyeing resin layer 20a of the transfer object 20, and thermal transfer recording is performed. In general, such a thermal transfer recording is performed by a line method in which a longitudinal thermal head is fixed and arranged perpendicular to the recording paper traveling direction, or a serial type in which the thermal head is reciprocated in a direction perpendicular to the recording paper traveling direction. The method is adopted.
[0007]
[Procedure leading to the invention]
The present applicant has proposed a non-contact type dye vaporizing laser beam printer as shown in FIG. 26 in order to reduce waste and transfer energy and reduce the size and weight of the printer while making use of the advantages of the thermal transfer recording system. (LBP) has already been proposed.
[0008]
According to this recording method, a recording medium (printing head) 10 having a heat-meltable dye layer 22 in the vaporizing section 17 and a recording medium (printing) having a receiving layer 50a for receiving the vaporized (or sublimated) dye. A small gap 11 is provided between the sheet and the paper 50.
[0009]
Then, by irradiating the laser beam L, the liquefied dye 22 of 100 to 200 ° C. contained in the dye containing portion 37 of the vaporizing portion 17 of the recording head 10 is selectively heated and vaporized, and the vaporized dye 32 is formed in the void 11. By flying, the image is transferred from the vaporizing hole 23 onto the printing paper 50 as a recording medium, and an image having continuous gradation is obtained. By repeating this operation for each of the image signals separated into the three primary colors of subtractive color mixing, yellow, magenta, and cyan, full color conversion can be achieved. The dye is mixed with an additive such as naphthalocyanine that absorbs infrared light having a wavelength of less than 1 μm, and is made into a solid (for example, a powder) at room temperature in consideration of handleability at the time of replacement.
[0010]
In this recording method, the photographic paper 50 is opposed to the recording head 10, for example, on the upper side, and the laser light L emitted from the laser 18 and condensed by the lens 19 is applied to the vicinity of the upper surface of the vaporizing section 17. Then, the vaporized dye 32 is preferably caused to fly or move upward. The dye container 37 is made of, for example, quartz glass which is transparent to light having a wavelength of less than 1 μm and has excellent heat resistance.
[0011]
Further, a dye reservoir 15 is provided on a head base 14 having a laser beam transmissivity, and a liquefied dye 22 is accommodated between a spacer 28 fixed on the head base 14 and liquefied into a vaporizer 17 through a dye passage 27 from here. The dye 22 is supplied. In this case, in order to improve the supply efficiency and the vaporization efficiency of the dye to the vaporization unit 17, the vaporization unit 17 is provided with minute irregularities composed of the small cylindrical bodies 21 that supply and hold the dye using the capillary phenomenon. .
[0012]
A protection plate 29 is fixed on the spacer 28 in order to hold the gap 11 and guide the printing paper 50 moving in the X direction. A heater 16 for maintaining the liquefied state of the dye is embedded in the protective plate 29, and such a heater may be provided in the dye container (the above-described passage 17 and the dye reservoir 15). it can.
[0013]
In addition, the entire printer including this printer head is provided with yellow, magenta, and cyan dye reservoirs 15Y, 15M, and 15C on a common base 14, respectively, for full color use, and from there, a large number of 12 to 24 dyes of each color are provided. Are supplied to the vaporizing sections 17Y, 17M, and 17C in a row, which form the dots of.
[0014]
Each laser beam L emitted from a multi-laser array 30 in which 12 to 24 corresponding lasers (especially semiconductor laser chips) 18 are arranged in an array is condensed by a lens 19 for each vaporizing section.
[0015]
As described above, according to this dye vaporization type laser beam printer, only the lost amount of the dye consumed for recording is allowed to flow from the dye reservoir to the vaporization unit in a molten state, so that the dye is continuously supplied to the vaporization unit. Can be supplied to This is possible because the dye contains very little binder resin. Therefore, since the vaporization section involved in recording can be used repeatedly many times, in the above-described thermal transfer system, the ink sheet is disposable only once, which is advantageous in resource saving and environmental protection.
[0016]
In addition, because of the vaporization type, recording can be performed without contact between the dye layer and the recording medium (printing paper). Therefore, the reverse transfer of the dye as seen in the above-described thermal transfer method in the second and subsequent printings can be performed. No color mixing occurs. At the same time, the printer can be reduced in size and weight because a small-volume dye reservoir is used for supplying the dye instead of the ink sheet described above.
[0017]
In addition, since this recording method utilizes the vaporization or sublimation of the dye, there is no need to heat the dye receiving layer of the recording material as in the above-described thermal transfer method, and the ink sheet and the recording material are separated. There is no need to press with high pressure, and this is also advantageous in reducing the size and weight of the printer. Since the dye layer in the vaporized portion does not come into contact with the recording medium, not only thermal fusion cannot occur between them but also recording is possible even if the compatibility between the dye and the resin of the receiving layer is low. Accordingly, the range of design and selection of the dye and the resin of the receiving layer is significantly widened.
[0018]
Further, a semiconductor laser 18 is basically used as a light source as a heat energy supply source for vaporizing (or sublimating) a dye, but the semiconductor laser has a high conversion efficiency from electric power to light, and furthermore has a directivity. Because of its excellent light collecting property, the thermal energy transfer efficiency of the dye is also very high. Therefore, compared with the conventional method (thermal transfer using the thermal head or the ink jet), the total energy use efficiency is remarkably increased, which is advantageous in miniaturization and power saving.
[0019]
Further, although it is difficult to represent gradations with a conventional ink jet type color printer, multi-gradation expression can be easily realized by the above-described recording method since the semiconductor laser can easily control output power, pulse width, and the like.
[0020]
In a dye vaporizing laser beam printer, when a single-beam laser array is used, printing is performed one dot at a time, so the printing speed is reduced as it is. In order to solve this problem, the laser may be made into a multi-beam.
[0021]
However, as a result of the inventor's study on the vaporization type laser beam printer, it has been found that, although having the above-mentioned various advantages, the following problems to be solved still remain. However, these problems are not limited to the vaporized laser printer, but also exist in the above-described thermal transfer method using a thermal head.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 27B, the most general recording by a vaporizing laser beam printer is a recording head (17 in FIG. 26) in which m (for example, 12 to 24) vaporizing sections (17 in FIG. 26) are arranged in one row. While scanning the printer head as shown by the arrow, the recording for one line is performed as an integrated dot-like recording, and then the recording for the next line is performed in the same manner as shown in FIG. The reason is that it takes a long time to perform recording by scanning only one dot, and it is difficult to manufacture a dot array composed of a large number of dots over the width of the recording paper.
[0023]
Between the recording of one line and the recording of the next line, the recording paper 50 is fed by one line in the X direction as shown in FIG. Thus, row A₁, A₂...., A_mPerform recording in the order of FIG. 28A shows the position of the printer head 10 with respect to the recording paper 50,_iWhen recording the line, the solid line is A_{i + 1}Indicates when a row was recorded. FIG._iRow and A_{i + 1}It shows the recording dots recorded in the row. The procedure of this recording is the same in the case of serial thermal transfer.
[0024]
It is difficult to control the feeding of one line of the recording paper to a fixed amount with high accuracy, and a slight positional shift often occurs between the lines. This positional deviation is based on an error with respect to a set value for feeding the recording paper.
[0025]
In the recording of character information, by providing a blank portion between each character, even if there is a slight difference between lines due to positional displacement, it is possible to substantially prevent inconvenience. However, when the image information is recorded over a plurality of lines, the positional deviation between the lines causes inconvenience to an unacceptable degree.
[0026]
That is, if the feed amount of the recording paper is larger than the set one line, white streaks which are not recorded in an image which should be continuous and are formed at the line boundary. Conversely, if the recording paper feed amount is smaller than the set one line, the streaks recorded twice at the line boundaries and having a high density will appear in the image as joints. appear. These situations are extremely inconvenient from a visual point of view, especially for an image showing gradation.
[0027]
The above situation occurs when the accuracy of the printing position is not negligible compared to the interval between dots corresponding to printing pixels.
[0028]
FIG.₁~ J_mA when all dots are recorded_iLine record and next A_{i + 1}6 is a graph showing the recording density of each dot with the recording of a row. A_iWhen the recording of the row is completed, the recording paper is fed in the X direction for one row as described above. In FIG. 29, in order to match the description in the embodiment described later, A_iRow and A_{i + 1}The line and the upper and lower parts are drawn separately._{i + 1}The zero level line of the row is A_iIt matches the zero level line of the row.
[0029]
In FIG. 29, d_oIs the dot j₁~ J_mPitch, d_iIs A_iDot j at end of line_mAnd A_{i + 1}Dot j at beginning of line₁Indicates the interval between Assuming that the error of the feed amount for one line of the recording paper (hereinafter referred to as shift amount) is S, the shift amounts S and d_oAnd d_iAnd S = (d_o-D_i) / D_oHolds. Needless to say, by design, S = 0, ie, d_i= D_oAnd
[0030]
As described above, the feed amount of one line of the recording paper often causes an error with respect to the set value. FIG. 30 shows the recording density of each dot when the shift amount S takes a value of -1 to +1. FIG. 30A shows S = 0, FIG. 30B shows S = + 1/2, and FIG. (C) shows the recording density of each dot at S = + 1, (d) shows S = -1 / 2, and (e) shows the recording density of each dot at S = -1. The numbers in the graph indicate relative recording densities (the same applies hereinafter).
[0031]
If S = 0, as shown in FIG. 30 (a), there is no deviation in the pitch of each dot, and good recording is performed. If S = + ／, as shown in FIG._iDot j at end of line_mAnd A_{i + 1}Dot m at the beginning of the line₁Are in contact with each other and are adjacent to each other, where recording is performed with a width twice as large as one dot.
[0032]
If S = + 1, as shown in FIG._iDot j at end of line_mAnd A_{i + 1}Dot j at the beginning of the line₁Overlap and this is the seam of high density. When S = − ／, as shown in FIG._iDot j at end of line_mAnd A_{i + 1}Dot j at the beginning of the line₁Is 1.5 times the interval between other dots, and white streaks appear here. If S = −1, as shown in FIG._iDot j at end of line_mAnd A_{i + 1}Dot j at the beginning of the line₁Is twice as large as the interval between the other dots, the width of the white streak (virtual line) becomes large, and becomes noticeable visually.
[0033]
When S = + 2 and S = -2, the density of the seam and the width of the white streak appear twice as S = + 1 and S = −1, respectively.
[0034]
As described above, there is no problem if the shift amount S is always zero. However, it is actually difficult to substantially eliminate the feed amount of one line of the recording paper.30The situations (b) to (e) occur. This is A_iRow, A_{i + 1}This is not limited to the case where all dots in a row are recorded, and the same applies to the recording of a rectangular graphic having a predetermined width or a non-geometric graphic over a continuous row. Particularly, in the case of recording an image having a gradation, these situations are extremely inconvenient.
[0035]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and does not generate white streaks or high-density seam streaks between lines even when recording an image with gradation, and the visual It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording method and a recording apparatus which always perform good recording.
[0036]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides, for a recording medium, a recording head having a recording dot row in the feeding direction of the recording medium, while scanning the recording dot row in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the recording medium, After the recording material is transferred from the recording head to the recording medium and adhered in a dot shape to perform the first recording for one line, the recording medium is sent in the feed direction, and in this state, the first recording medium is fed. The recording material is transferred from the recording head to the recording medium while scanning the recording dot row in the intersecting direction in the same manner as the recording of the second recording. When doing for the line,
At least one dot in the recording dot row in the first recording and at least one dot in the recording dot row in the second recording have a density lower than the recording density of other dots. Superposition,
The width of the overlapped portion of the first and second recordings is the maximum deviation amount when the recording medium is fed.  Above
And a recording method.
Further, according to the present invention, a recording head having a recording dot row in a feed direction of the recording medium is arranged on the recording medium, and the recording dot row is scanned in a direction intersecting with the feeding direction of the recording medium. Meanwhile, after the recording material is transferred from the recording head to the recording medium and adhered in a dot form to perform the first recording for one line, the recording medium is sent in the feed direction, and in this state, the recording medium is sent. Similarly to the first recording, the recording material is transferred from the recording head to the recording medium while scanning the recording dot row in the intersecting direction, and the second recording is performed adjacent to the first recording. When performing one line,
According to the feed amount of the recording medium in the feed direction, the recording of the first recording is performed.  At least one dot in a recording dot row and the recording dot row in the second recording  At least one dot in the density is lower than the recording density of the other dots.  Tie,
The first and second recordings are performed within the same line by moving the recording head.  Sending the recording medium in a direction intersecting with the moving direction of the recording head,  And the width of the overlapping portion of the second recording is set to be equal to or more than the maximum deviation amount when the recording head is moved.  To
The present invention also relates to a recording method characterized by the above.
[0042]
Further, in the present invention, it is desirable that the total recording density of the dots of each recording in the overlapping portion of the first and second recordings is substantially the same as the recording density of the dots that do not overlap each other.
[0043]
Further, in the present invention, when the size of the recording dots changes depending on the recording density, the total amount of the recording material adhered to the recording dots overlapping each other may be larger than the amount of the recording material adhered to the recording dots not overlapping each other. desirable.
[0044]
Further, in the present invention, a recording material (for example, ink of an ink sheet) can be transferred to a recording medium by a heating means (for example, a serial type thermal recording head).
[0045]
In the present invention, the recording material may be opposed to the recording medium with a gap therebetween, and the recording material vaporized by the heating means may be transferred to the recording medium through the gap.
[0046]
In the above, a heating beam emitting means can be used as the heating means.
[0047]
In the above description, it is desirable that the heating beam emitting means is configured as a multi-laser array.
[0048]
The invention also relates to a recording device for performing the recording method described above.
[0049]
【Example】
Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described.
[0050]
FIG. 1 is a graph similar to FIG. 29, showing the manner of superimposing the first recording dots between rows according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this superposition, A_iDot j at end of line_mAnd A_{i + 1}Dot j at the beginning of the line₁Are superimposed, and the recording density of both dots is set to １ ／ of that of the other dots. In FIG. 1, for explanation, A_iRow and A_{i + 1}The line and the upper and lower parts are drawn separately._{i + 1}The zero level line of the row is denoted by A, as shown by the phantom arrow._iThis coincides with the zero-level line of the row (the same applies to FIGS. 3, 5 and 8 described later).
[0051]
FIG._iRow and A_{i + 1}FIG. 31 is a graph similar to FIG. 30, showing the recording density over the rows.
[0052]
Although the shift amount S described above changes, when S = 0, as shown in FIG._mAnd dot j₁Is set to の of the recording density of the other non-overlapping dots._mAnd dot j₁In the places where the dots overlap, the total recording density is the same as the recording densities of the other dots. Therefore, there is no difference in recording density between the dot positions.
[0053]
In the case of S = + 1, as shown in FIG._m-1And dot j₁And the dot j_mAnd dot j₂And overlap. The total recording density of these overlapping dots is only 1.5 times the recording density of the other dots, and the overlapping dots are expanded to the positions of two dots. Changes are gradual, and high-density streaks appearing as seams are visually inconspicuous.
[0054]
In the case of S = -1, as shown in FIG. 2C, the recording density is set to と し た of that of the other dots._iDot j at end of line_mAnd A_{i + 1}Dot j at the beginning of the line₁Does not overlap each other, and the recording density of these two dots remains at half that of the other dots. The recording density is the dot j on one side of these dots._m-1From the recording density 1 of to 、, ２ to change the dot j on the other side.₂The recording density returns to 1. Therefore, the change in the recording density is gradual and is visually inconspicuous.
[0055]
In the case of S = + 2, dots overlap at three places as shown in FIG. 2D. And dot j_m-2And dot j₁Is 1.5 times the recording density of non-overlapping dots, and the dot j_m-1And dot j₂Is twice the recording density of the non-overlapping dots and the dot j_mAnd dot j₃Is 1.5 times the recording density of non-overlapping dots.
[0056]
As described above, the total recording density of the portion where the dots overlap is the dot j of the recording density of the other dots._m-3From 1 to 1.5, 2.0, 1.5 and the next dot j₄The recording density returns to 1. Therefore, although the recording density can be doubled at the maximum, since there is an intermediate portion of 1.5 times the recording density before and after that, the change in the recording density becomes gentle and the visual density becomes inconspicuous. become.
[0057]
In the case of S = −2, as shown in FIG._iDot j at end of line_mAnd A_{i + 1}Dot j at the beginning of the line₁, A blank space of one dot portion exists. In this case, the recording density is the dot j on one side of these dots._m-1From the recording density 1 of, 0, １ ／, and the dot j on the other side₂The recording density returns to 1. Also in this case, one blank dot (recording density 0) corresponds to dot j._mAppearing between dot 1 and dot 1, but on both sides of the dot j_m, J₁Is present, the change in the recording density becomes gentle, and becomes visually inconspicuous.
[0058]
When the superimposed recording of S = + 1 and S = + 2 (FIGS. 2B and 2D) is compared with the missing dot of S = -2 (FIG. 2E), if the former is more conspicuous, , S = 0, the dots j overlapping each other in FIG._m, J₁May be slightly lower than the recording densities of the other dots.
[0059]
FIG. 3 is a graph similar to FIG. 1 showing the manner of superimposing the second recording dots between rows according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this superposition, A_i2 dots j at the end of the line_m-1, J_mAnd A_{i + 1}2 dots j at the beginning of the line₁, J₂Are superimposed on each other, and the recording density of these dots is １ ／ of that of the other dots.
[0060]
FIG._iRow and A_{i + 1}FIG. 3 is a graph similar to FIG. 2 showing a change in recording density over a row.
[0061]
When S = 0, there is no change in the recording density at each dot position as shown in FIG. That is, it is the same as described with reference to FIG.
[0062]
In the case of S = + 1, as shown in FIG._m-2And dot j₁Is 1.5 times the recording density of the non-overlapping dots. Dot j_m-1And dot j₂Is the same as the recording density of the non-overlapping dots. Dot j_mAnd dot j₃Is 1.5 times the recording density of the non-overlapping dots.
[0063]
As described above, the total recording density of the portion where the dots overlap is the dot j of the recording density of the other dots._m-3From 1 to 1.5, 1.0, 1.5 and the next dot j₄The recording density returns to 1. Therefore, since the change in the recording density is a change that slightly increases or returns, the seam that appears as a high recording density at the line boundary becomes visually inconspicuous.
[0064]
When S = −1, as shown in FIG._mAnd dot j₁Only overlaps, and the recording density at this point is the dot j_m-2Or dot j₃Is the same as the recording density. And dot j_m-1And dot j₂The recording density of dot j_m-2Or dot j₃It is half of that of In this case, white streaks do not occur, and dot locations where the recording density is low appear only at two locations without being continuous, and the change in the recording density is visually inconspicuous.
[0065]
In the case of S = + 2, as shown in FIG._iDot j at the end of the line_m-4, J_m-3, J_m-2, J_m-1, J_mAnd A_{i + 1}Dot j at the beginning of the line₁, J₂, J₃, J₄And each overlap. The recording density at the place where these dots overlap is 1.5 times the recording density of the non-overlapping dots. In this way, the recording density at the boundaries between the rows is only slightly higher over a relatively wide width, and the resulting seams are visually inconspicuous.
[0066]
In the case of S = −2, as shown in FIG. 4E, there is no overlapping dot, and no blank portion appears without being recorded. As a result, dot j_m-1, J_m, J₁, J₂Is only half of the recording density of the other dots, no white streak is generated, and the change in recording density is visually inconspicuous.
[0067]
According to this example, the width of the dot to be superimposed and recorded is a (see FIG. 3), and the error of the recording paper feeding amount (shift amount SCompatible withIf the maximum length of b) is a ≧ b, the recording density of each dot in the line boundary area can be set within a range of 0.5 to 1.5 times the set recording density. Conversely, when a <b, the recording density becomes 0 to 2 times the set recording density as shown in FIG. 30, and the joint becomes conspicuous.
[0068]
Further, as a becomes larger, the number of dots to be superimposed increases, that is, the area of superimposition recording increases and the recording speed decreases, so that a does not fall below b (a ≧ b). It is desirable to make the range as small as possible.
[0069]
FIG. 5 is a graph similar to FIGS. 1 and 3 showing the manner of superimposing the third recording dots between rows according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this superposition, A_i3 dots j at the end of the line_m-2, J_m-1, J_mAnd A_{i + 1}3 dots j at the beginning of the line₁, J₂, J₃And overlap each other. And A_iDot j at the end of the line_m-2, J_m-1, J_mThe recording density of A is set to ／, 、, and に 対 し て in this order with respect to that of the other dots._{i + 1}Dot j at the beginning of the line₁, J₂, J₃Is ド ッ ト, ２, and 順 に in this order with respect to those of the other dots.
[0070]
FIG._iRow and A_{i + 1}FIG. 5 is a graph similar to FIGS. 2 and 4 showing a change in recording density over a row.
[0071]
When S = 0, there is no change in the recording density at each dot position, as shown in FIG. That is, it is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 4A.
[0072]
In the case of S = + 1, as shown in FIG._m-3And dot j₁, Dot j_m-2And dot j₂, Dot j_m-1And dot j₃, Dot j_mAnd dot j₄Are 1.25 times the recording densities of the other dots.
[0073]
When S = −1, as shown in FIG._m-2And dot j₃Dot density and overlapping dots j_m-1And dot j₁, Dot j_mAnd dot j₂Is 0.75 times the recording density of the other dots.
[0074]
As described above, the recording density of the line boundary area when S = + 1 and S = -1 has a smaller change than the second recording dot superposition shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. Has been further improved.
[0075]
In the case of S = + 2, as shown in FIG._m-4And dot j₁, Dot j_m-3And dot j₂, Dot j_m-2And dot j₃, Dot j_m-1And dot j₄, Dot j_mAnd dot j₅Is 1.25 times, 1.50 times, 1.50 times, 1.50 times, and 1.25 times the recording densities of the other dots in this order. Although the maximum of the total recording density is as large as 1.50 times as compared with S = + 1, the overlapping dots (dot j_m-4And dot j₁, Dot j_mAnd dot j₅), The change in the total recording density is gradual, and the seams become less noticeable.
[0076]
In the case of S = −2, as shown in FIG._m-2Recording density, dot j_m-1Dot density, overlapping dots j_mAnd dot j₁Total recording density of dot j₂Recording density, dot j₃Are 0.75 times, 0.50 times, 0.50 times, 0.50 times, and 0.75 times the recording densities of other dots in this order. As described above, the change in the recording density is gradual, and the joint becomes inconspicuous as in the case of S = + 1 in FIG.
[0077]
In this example of the recording dot superimposition, as described above, although it is improved compared to the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, when S = + 2 (FIG. 6D), the number of superimposed dots , The recording speed tends to decrease. Therefore, in this superposition method, the recording paper feeding is controlled so as to make the shift amount S as small as possible, or the superposition area is reduced by applying when the number of dots of the recording head is large (for example, m = 24). It is preferable to suppress the decrease in recording speed.
[0078]
Next, the fourth recording dot superposition according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0079]
The control of the recording density of each dot is performed by controlling the heating energy supplied to the heating section (vaporizing section) corresponding to each dot of the printer head. However, if the heating energy is reduced in order to reduce the recording density, the recording density (the amount of recording material adhering per unit area) is reduced, and the size (diameter) of the recording dot is often reduced.
[0080]
FIG. 7A is a diagram schematically illustrating the size of each dot when two dots whose recording densities are halved are superimposed to make the total recording density the same as the recording densities of the other dots. is there. As shown in the figure, when the recording density of the dots to be superimposed is reduced to の of the recording density of the non-overlapping dots, the diameter of the superimposed dots is also reduced from the diameter R of the non-overlapping dots by R / R It will be reduced to 2.
[0081]
As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 9A, the total recording density of the superimposed dots becomes the same as the recording density of the non-overlapping dots, but the diameter of the superimposed dots becomes smaller. As a result, the total attached amount of the recording material becomes even smaller than の of the attached amount of the recording material of the non-overlapping dots. This is because the amount of recording material attached is proportional to the square of the dot diameter. In this case, the recording density at this position is significantly reduced visually, and is observed as a joint.
[0082]
In such a case, as shown in FIGS. 7 (b) and 8 (b), the heating energy supply amount in the dots overlapping each other is slightly larger than に お け る of that in the non-overlapping dots, and R / R Let 2 <r <R. Where r is the diameter of the dots to be superimposed on each other, R is the diameter of the non-overlapping dotIt is.
[0083]
By doing so, as shown in FIG. 9B, the total recording density of the dots overlapping each other is higher than the recording density of the non-overlapping dots, and the visual density due to the dot diameter decreasing from R to r is reduced. The above (apparent) decrease in density is compensated for, and no seams are observed.
[0084]
The above explanation is based on A_iLine and next A_{i + 1}This is an example of the superposition of one dot at a time with the row. However, the superposition of two dots at a time and the superposition of three dots at a time may be performed according to this. In any of the above-described first to fourth recording dot superpositions, when recording an image showing gradation, recording is performed with the gradation maintained.
[0085]
Next, a recording apparatus for performing the recording method according to the present invention described above will be described.
[0086]
10 to 14 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporizing laser printer (for example, a video printer).
[0087]
FIG. 10A shows a photographic paper 50 on which a dye storage section (or a dye supply head section) 37 and a multi-beam laser array 30 composed of lasers 18 having a row of light emitting points 18a are arranged. 1 schematically shows the printer head 40 shown in FIG. The printer head 40 is scanned in the Y direction from the end of the photographic paper 50, and the photographic paper is fed in the X direction every time one line (one line) is recorded. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, one line is recorded. This one line is, for example, A_iLine.
[0088]
FIG. 11A shows that the printer head 40 is A_iFinish recording the line and continue to the next A_{i + 1}The state shown in the 1st column of the row is shown. In this state, A shown by a virtual line_iThe last light-emitting points 18a and A of the row of printer heads_{i + 1}Earliest firing of the print head in a rowlightThe printer head 40 is positioned such that the point 18a overlaps. Then, as shown in FIG._iLast recorded dot j in line_mAnd A_{i + 1}The first recording dot j in the line₁Overlap with each other (see FIG. 1). Thus, the recording described with reference to FIG. 2 is performed.
[0089]
As shown in FIG. 12, the printer head 40 is reciprocally movable in a head feed direction Y orthogonal to the paper feed direction X of the photographic printing paper 50 by a head feed shaft 42 and a head support shaft 43 composed of a feed screw mechanism. . On the upper side of the head 40, a head receiving roller 44 that supports the photographic paper 50 so as to sandwich it is rotatably provided. The printing paper 50 is sandwiched between the paper feed drive roller 45 and the driven roller 46 and moves in the paper feed direction X. The head 40 is connected to a head drive circuit board (not shown) and the like via a flexible harness 87. When the feed direction of the head 40 is one line, one more head 40 can be added, and one line can be divided into two by these pair of heads to perform color printing.
[0090]
The printer head 40 is similar to the head shown in FIG. 26, specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, a recording medium (printing paper) having a receiving layer 50a for receiving a vaporized (or sublimated) dye. ) 50, a minute gap 11 is provided, and by irradiating the laser L from the laser 18, the liquefied dye 22 of the vaporizing portion 17 of the head 40 is selectively heated and vaporized, and the vaporized dye 32 is formed in the gap 11. The image is transferred onto the printing paper 50 as a recording medium by flying, and an image having continuous gradation is obtained by the transfer dye. The vaporized dye 32 may fly from the vaporizing hole 23 provided in the protective plate 29 to the printing paper 50.
[0091]
A protective plate 29 is provided on the substrate 14 with a spacer 28 interposed therebetween, and the liquefied dye 22 is accommodated in the dye reservoir 15 formed between the substrate 14 and the liquefied dye 22. 47.
[0092]
In this case, in order to improve the supply efficiency and the vaporization efficiency of the dye to the vaporization section 17, the vaporization section 47 is provided with minute irregularities formed of the small cylindrical bodies 21 that supply and hold the dye using the capillary phenomenon. . It is preferable that the diameter of each small cylindrical body 21 is about 3 μm, the height is 1 to 6 μm, and the interval is about 1 μm. The column 21 may be a prism other than a cylinder. In order to maintain the liquefied state of the dye 52, a heater 16 similar to that described with reference to FIG. 26 can be provided on the substrate 14, or in the dye passage 27 and the dye reservoir 15.
[0093]
An output control circuit 62 is provided to control the output of the laser 18 by inputting a signal from the control IC 34 in order to reduce the recording density of the dots to be superimposed on each other to a predetermined density.
[0094]
As shown in FIG. 14, a large number of laser beams emitted from a multi-laser array 30 in which 12 to 24 corresponding lasers (especially semiconductor laser chips) 18 are arranged in an array are provided for each vaporizing section. Are condensed by the microlens array 31 provided with the condensing lens 19 (36 is a mirror for guiding the laser light L in a perpendicular direction). The drive of the multi-laser array 30 is controlled by a control IC 34 provided on a substrate 33, and heat can be sufficiently radiated by a heat sink 35.
[0095]
The printer head 40 of the present embodiment, a laser beam printer 81 using the printer head, and a recording method using the same, are described below. Therefore, the same effect as described above for the non-contact type dye vaporizing laser beam printer can be obtained.
[0096]
15 to 18 show a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporizing laser beam printer.
[0097]
According to the printer head 40 of this example, as shown in FIG. 17, the dye accommodating portions as shown in FIGS. 13 and 26 are used for yellow, magenta 37M, and cyan 37C for each color, particularly for full color. The laser light L from each of the lasers 18Y, 18M, and 18C for each color is selectively incident on each of them, and the dye of each color is vaporized.
[0098]
The printer head 40 of this example is configured as schematically shown in FIG. 15, and the dye storage units (or dye supply head units) 37Y, 37M, and 37C of the respective colors are arranged in the respective laser arrays 30 (the lasers 18Y, 18M for the respective colors, respectively). 18C). The superposition of the recording dots between rows in this example is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 11).
[0099]
Specifically, scanning is performed as shown in FIG. 16 (similar to that described in FIG. 12). Therefore, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained for full color.
[0100]
The entire printer including this printer head can be configured as shown in FIG. 18. For example, yellow, magenta, and cyan dye reservoirs 15Y, 15M, and 15C are provided on a common base 14 for full color, respectively. From there, the dyes of each color are supplied to the vaporizers 17Y, 17M, 17C in a row forming a large number of 12 to 24 dots.
[0101]
Each laser beam emitted from a multi-laser array 30 in which 12 to 24 corresponding lasers (especially semiconductor laser chips) 18Y, 18M, and 18C are arranged in an array is provided to each vaporizing section by a large number of condensing lenses. The light is condensed by a microlens array 31 on which 19 is disposed (36 is a mirror for guiding the laser light L in a right angle direction).
[0102]
Although the illustrated lens system may be used as the condenser lens, a single large-diameter condenser lens 38 indicated by a virtual line may be used. The lens 38 is formed so that the refraction path changes so that the light emission position corresponds to each of the above-described vaporizing portions 17Y, 17M, and 17C according to the light incident position. The drive of the multi-laser array 30 is controlled by a control IC 34 provided on a substrate 33, and heat can be sufficiently radiated by a heat sink 35.
[0103]
19 to 22 show a third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a non-contact type dye vaporizing laser beam printer.
[0104]
This example is an example in which the first embodiment is improved. In other words, in this example, two printer heads are provided for printing the first half and printing the second half of one line, respectively, and the printing speed is doubled.
[0105]
FIG. 19A is a schematic rear view similar to FIG. 10A of the printer head, and FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view similar to FIG. 12 when the printer head is viewed from below. As shown in FIG. 21, two printer heads 40A and 40B having the same specifications are supported by a common head support shaft 43, and are simultaneously scanned by a common feed shaft. Then, as shown in FIG. 19B, printing of one line is performed simultaneously by the two printer heads 40A and 40B.
[0106]
At the end of recording of one row, as shown in FIG. 20A, the head 40A that was initially at the virtual line position moves to the solid line position and is located at the initial position of the head 40B indicated by the virtual line. At this point, the head 40B has moved to the solid line position. Therefore, at the end of recording of one line, as shown in FIG. 20B, the last recording by the head 40A and the initial recording by the head 40B overlap each other.
[0107]
FIG. 22 is a graph showing the recording densities of the heads 40A and 40B. In this example, the recording density of each dot of the head 40B at the beginning of recording of one line is set to の of that of the other dots, and the recording density of each dot of the head 40A at the end of recording of one line. It is の of that of other dots.
[0108]
The area to be recorded by the head 40A in one row of recording is S₁And the recording area by the head 40B is S₂Then, the recording of one line is as shown in FIG. 23, and the recording area S₁, S₂Is overlapped by one dot row, and the recording density at each dot position becomes equal, and the dot overlapping portion does not appear as a joint.
[0109]
Furthermore, A_iRow and A_{i + 1}1 and 11, the dots are superposed one by one, and the recording density of these superimposed dots is set to half that of the non-superimposed dots. FIG._i-1A from line_{i + 2}FIG. 3 is a plan view showing recording dots reaching a row. As shown, the recording area S₁, S₂Since the two dots whose recording densities are halved overlap at the boundary of the line and the boundary between the rows, the total recording density is equal to the recording densities of the other dots, and these boundaries do not appear as joints.
[0110]
In this example, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the recording speed is doubled by using two heads. Similarly, it goes without saying that three heads may be used. Needless to say, the dots to be superimposed on each other may be two dots or three dots as described with reference to FIGS.
[0111]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the above-described embodiments can be further modified based on the technical idea of the present invention.
[0112]
For example, an appropriate electromagnetic wave other than the laser beam can be used as the heating beam. In this case, a lens having an appropriate mechanism suitable for the electromagnetic wave to be used is used.
[0113]
Further, the printing paper may be brought into contact with the vaporizing portion, and the recording may be performed by attaching the vaporized dye to the printing paper. In this case, using an ink sheet, for example, the ink sheet and the recording paper are sandwiched between a platen roller and a recording head, a lens is provided on a member that contacts the ink sheet, and recording is performed by irradiating a heating beam to the ink sheet. it can. Of course, it is also possible to carry out this in a non-contact manner.
[0114]
Further, the structure and shape of the head and the printer may be appropriate structures and shapes other than those described above, and other appropriate materials may be used as the material of each part constituting the head. As for the recording dye, full-color recording can be performed as three colors of magenta, yellow, and cyan, and one-color monocolor or black-and-white recording can be performed.
[0115]
With respect to the head, the drive mechanism for scanning each line is not limited to the above-described drive mechanism (for example, the drive mechanism of FIG. 12, FIG. 16, or FIG. 21).
[0116]
In addition, as in the above-described example, the solid dye is temporarily converted into a liquid state, and in addition to performing recording by vaporizing the solid dye, the solid dye is directly vaporized by heating with a laser beam, that is, sublimation can be performed, and recording can be performed. A liquefied dye (liquid at room temperature) can be contained in the dye reservoir.
[0117]
Further, the recording method according to the present invention can be applied to serial recording by a thermal head using an ink sheet or an ink ribbon as described with reference to FIG.
[0118]
Operation and Effect of the Invention
According to the present invention, a recording head having a recording dot array in a feeding direction of the recording medium is arranged on the recording medium, and the recording head is scanned while scanning the recording dot array in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the recording medium. When the first recording and the second recording adjacent thereto are performed by transferring the recording material from the recording medium to the recording medium and attaching the recording material in a dot shape, the recording medium is sent in the feeding direction in the adjacent area. Depending on the amount, at least one dot in the recording dot row in the first recording and at least one dot in the recording dot row in the second recording have a density lower than the recording density of the other dots and are mutually different. SuperimposeAt the same time, the width of the overlapping portion of the first and second recordings is set to be equal to or more than the maximum deviation amount at the time of feeding the recording medium, or the width of the overlapping portion of the first and second recordings is adjusted by moving the recording head. At least the maximum deviation amountTherefore, in recording continuous images over the first and second recordings, even if the second recording position is displaced from the first recording position, the recording density at the boundary between both recordings is significantly or rapidly increased. It does not change and therefore the border does not become visually noticeable as a seam. This effect is particularly remarkable in the case of performing recording showing gradation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a graph showing a recording density in a first superposition of recording dots between rows according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a graph of a recording density showing a recording result by superimposing the recording dots in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a graph showing a recording density in a second superposition of recording dots in the same row.
FIG. 4 is a graph of a recording density showing a recording result obtained by superimposing the recording dots in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a graph showing a recording density in a third superposition of recording dots in the same row.
FIG. 6 is a graph of a recording density showing a recording result by superimposing the recording dots in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing the size of recording dots in the fourth superposition of recording dots in the same row.
FIG. 8 is a graph showing a recording density in a fourth recording dot superposition between the same rows.
FIG. 9 is a graph of a recording density showing a recording result by superposing the recording dots in FIG. 8;
10A and 10B show a printer head and recording dots according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A is a schematic rear view of the printer head, and FIG. 10B is a schematic rear view of the recording dots.
11A and 11B show the positions of the printer head and the positions of the recording dots over two rows with respect to the recording paper. FIG. 11A is a schematic rear view of the printer head, and FIG. 11B is a schematic rear view of the recording dots. It is.
FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the printer as viewed from below.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a specific example of the printer head.
FIG. 14 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printer head.
FIG. 15 is a schematic rear view of a printer head according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the printer as viewed from below.
FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of the printer head.
FIG. 18 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the printer head.
19A and 19B show a printer head and recording dots according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19A is a schematic rear view of the printer head, and FIG. 19B is a schematic rear view of the recording dots.
FIGS. 20A and 20B show the positions of the printer head and the positions of the recording dots over two lines with respect to the recording paper. FIG. 20A is a schematic rear view of the printer head, and FIG. It is.
FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of the printer as viewed from below.
FIG. 22 is a graph showing a recording density in the recording dot superposition.
FIG. 23 is a graph of a recording density showing a recording result obtained by superimposing the recording dots in FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 is a plan view of recording dots over a plurality of rows.
FIG. 25 is a front view of a main part of a printer using a conventional thermal recording head.
FIG. 26 is a schematic sectional view of a printer head devised before the present invention is completed.
FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing a procedure of recording using the printer head of FIG. 26;
28A and 28B show the same printer head and recording paper. FIG. 28A is a schematic rear view of the printer head, and FIG. 28B is a schematic rear view of recording dots.
FIG. 29 is a graph showing the recording density of recording dots in the same row.
FIG. 30 is a graph of a recording density showing the recording result.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 40, 40A, 40B ... printer head
11 void
14 ・ ・ ・ Base
15 ・ ・ ・ Dye reservoir
16 ... heater
17 ... vaporization section
18 ... Semiconductor laser
19, 119: Condensing lens (focusing lens)
22 ... liquefied dye
30 ・ ・ ・ Laser array
31 ・ ・ ・ Micro lens array
32 ・ ・ ・ Vaporized dye
34 ・ ・ ・ Control IC
37 ・ ・ ・ Dye container
42 ... Head feed shaft
43 ・ ・ ・ Head spindle
50 ... photographic paper (recorded paper)
62 ... Output control circuit
L: Laser beam
S: shift amount (error in the amount of recording paper sent for one line)

Claims (16)

A recording head having a recording dot array in the feed direction of the recording medium is arranged on the recording medium, and the recording head is scanned from the recording head while scanning the recording dot row in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the recording medium. After performing the first recording for one line by transferring the recording material to the recording medium and attaching it in a dot shape, the recording medium is sent in the feed direction, and in this state, the same as the first recording When the recording material is transferred from the recording head to the recording medium while scanning the recording dot row in the intersecting direction, the second recording is performed for one line adjacent to the first recording. ,
At least one dot in the recording dot row in the first recording and at least one dot in the recording dot row in the second recording have a density lower than the recording density of other dots. Superposition ,
A recording method , wherein a width of a superimposed portion of the first and second recordings is set to be equal to or more than a maximum deviation amount at the time of feeding the recording medium . The recording method according to claim 1, wherein at least one dot of the first recording and the second recording adjacent to each other are overlapped with each other at half the density of the other dots. In a region adjacent to the first recording and the second recording, the diameter r of at least one dot is defined as R / 2 <r <R with respect to the diameter R of the other dots, and the at least one dot is mutually separated. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the recording method is superimposed.   A recording head having a recording dot array in the feed direction of the recording medium is arranged on the recording medium, and the recording head is scanned from the recording head while scanning the recording dot row in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the recording medium. After performing the first recording for one line by transferring the recording material to the recording medium and attaching it in a dot shape, the recording medium is sent in the feed direction, and in this state, the same as the first recording When the recording material is transferred from the recording head to the recording medium while scanning the recording dot row in the intersecting direction, the second recording is performed for one line adjacent to the first recording. ,
According to the feed amount of the recording medium in the feed direction, the recording of the first recording is performed. At least one dot in a recording dot row and the recording dot row in the second recording At least one dot in the density is lower than the recording density of the other dots. Tie,
The first and second recordings are performed within the same line by moving the recording head. Sending the recording medium in a direction intersecting with the moving direction of the recording head, And the width of the overlapping portion of the second recording is set to be equal to or more than the maximum deviation amount when the recording head is moved. To
A recording method, characterized in that:   5. The recording method according to claim 4, wherein at least one dot of the first recording and the second recording are overlapped with each other at half the density of the other dots.   In a region adjacent to the first recording and the second recording, the diameter r of at least one dot is defined as R / 2 <r <R with respect to the diameter R of the other dots, and the at least one dot is mutually separated. The recording method according to claim 4, wherein the recording method is superimposed. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a total recording density of dots of each recording in an overlapping portion of the first and second recordings is substantially the same as a recording density of a dot which does not overlap each other. Recording method. 7. The printing medium according to claim 1, wherein, when the size of the recording dots changes according to the recording density, the total amount of the recording material adhered to the recording dots overlapping each other is larger than the amount of the recording material adhered to the recording dots not overlapping each other. Or the recording method according to item 1. A recording head having a recording dot row in the recording medium feed direction with respect to the recording medium, scanning means for scanning the recording dot row in a direction intersecting with the recording substance feed direction, and A recording material transfer unit for transferring a recording material from a head to the recording medium and attaching the recording material in a dot shape and recording each line, and a unit for feeding the recording medium in the feed direction,
At least one dot in the recording dot row in the first recording and at least one dot in the recording dot row in the second recording have a density lower than the recording density of other dots. Superposition ,
A recording apparatus, wherein a width of an overlapped portion of the first and second recordings is set to be equal to or larger than a maximum deviation amount when the recording medium is fed . 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least one dot of the first recording and the second recording are overlapped with each other at half the density of the other dots in the adjacent area. In a region adjacent to the first recording and the second recording, the diameter r of at least one dot is defined as R / 2 <r <R with respect to the diameter R of the other dots, and the at least one dot is mutually separated. The recording device according to claim 9, wherein the recording device is superimposed.   A recording head having a recording dot row in the recording medium feed direction with respect to the recording medium, scanning means for scanning the recording dot row in a direction intersecting with the recording substance feed direction, and A recording material transfer unit for transferring a recording material from a head to the recording medium and attaching the recording material in a dot shape and recording each line, and a unit for feeding the recording medium in the feed direction,
According to the feed amount of the recording medium in the feed direction, the recording of the first recording is performed. At least one dot in a recording dot row and the recording dot row in the second recording At least one dot in the density is lower than the recording density of the other dots. Tie,
The first and second recordings are performed within the same line by moving the recording head. Sending the recording medium in a direction intersecting with the moving direction of the recording head, And the width of the overlapping portion of the second recording is set to be equal to or more than the maximum deviation amount when the recording head is moved. Configured to
A recording device characterized by the above-mentioned.   13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one dot of the first recording and the second recording adjacent to each other are overlapped with each other at half the density of the other dots.   In a region adjacent to the first recording and the second recording, the diameter r of at least one dot is defined as R / 2 <r <R with respect to the diameter R of the other dots, and the at least one dot is mutually separated. 13. The recording device according to claim 12, wherein the recording device is superimposed. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein a total recording density of dots of each recording in an overlapping portion of the first and second recordings is substantially the same as a recording density of a dot which does not overlap each other. Recording device. 15. The printing medium according to claim 9, wherein, when the size of the recording dots changes according to the recording density, the total amount of the recording material adhered to the recording dots overlapping each other is larger than the amount of the recording material adhered to the recording dots not overlapping each other. 2. The recording device according to claim 1.

Images