JP3852201B2 - Thermal recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a thermal recording apparatus that applies a predetermined multi-value energy amount to a plurality of heating elements mounted on a thermal head and controls the energy amount to perform a predetermined density recording of each pixel. The plurality of heating elements are composed of a plurality of blocks, with at least two heating elements adjacent in the main scanning direction as unit blocks, and adjacent to the block to which the heating elements to be heated belong, in the main scanning direction of the block. By setting the amount of energy applied to the heat generating elements that should generate heat based on the heat generation data of the heat generating elements belonging to the pair of blocks, it is possible to always record pixels of the same density and to achieve high quality The present invention relates to a thermal recording apparatus capable of printing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, various thermal recording apparatuses for recording pixels of the same density using a thermal head have been proposed.
  For example, in the thermal recording method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 64-2076, in the thermal recording method in which printing is performed using a thermal head having a plurality of heating resistors, an applied pulse for causing the heating resistors to generate heat is applied. A heat generation state at the time of printing immediately before the heating resistor to be heated at present, formed at a plurality of pulses, and a heat generation state at the time of printing immediately before the heating resistor adjacent to the upper and lower sides of the heating resistor to be heated at present, A thermal recording method is employed in which printing is performed by selecting the number of pulses applied to the heating resistor to be heated now in consideration of the next heating information of the heating resistor to be heated at the next time. In this way, the heating history immediately before the heating resistor to be printed, the heating history immediately before the adjacent heating resistor, and the prediction of the heating resistor to be printed next time are taken into account, and the heating resistor to be heated Since it is configured to control the number of applied pulses so that the temperature is high enough to perform printing without adding excessive heat, it prevents printing blur due to temperature rise of the ceramic substrate, etc. High-quality printing can be performed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the thermal recording method described in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 64-2076, when a pulse is applied to a heat generating element that should currently generate heat, the heat generation state at the time of printing immediately before the heat generating element and the heat generation that should currently generate heat. Only the heat generation state at the time of printing immediately before the heat generating elements adjacent to the upper and lower sides of the element is considered, and the heat generating element that generates heat simultaneously with the heat generating element that should generate heat is not considered at all. In recent years, with the increase in the density of the heat generating elements of the thermal head, the heat generating elements that should be heated now should be heated at the same time due to the heat generated by the neighboring heat generating elements that generate heat at the same time, especially the heating elements adjacent to the top and bottom. The dots applied to the heat generating elements have excessive amounts of energy, resulting in problems such as an increase in dot diameter, printing blur, and blurring as compared to the case where the upper and lower heat generating elements do not generate heat.
[0004]
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the plurality of heating elements are configured as a plurality of blocks with at least two heating elements adjacent in the main inspection direction as unit blocks, The amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set based on the heating data of the heating elements belonging to the block to which the heating element to be heated belongs and a pair of blocks adjacent to the block in the main scanning direction. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a thermal recording apparatus capable of always recording pixels having the same density and capable of high-quality printing.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0006]
[0007]
  In order to achieve the above object, the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1 is configured such that the thermal head provided with a plurality of heating elements in the main scanning direction and the print medium are relatively moved in a predetermined sub-scanning direction while the heat generation is performed. In a thermal recording apparatus comprising an application means for applying a predetermined amount of energy to the element, at least two adjacent heat generation data storage means for storing heat generation data of the heat generation elements corresponding to each pixel in the main scanning direction The plurality of heating elements are configured as a plurality of blocks, and the first block to which the heating elements to be heated belong, excluding the blocks at both ends in the main scanning direction, and the main block of the first block The number of heat generating elements to be heated among the heat generating elements belonging to the two blocks of one of the pair of blocks adjacent to each other in the scanning direction; Heat should be generated so that the amount of energy decreases as the number of heat generating elements to be heated among the heat generating elements belonging to the two blocks of the block and the other third block adjacent to the first block increases. And an applied energy amount setting means for setting an energy amount to be applied to the heat generating element.
[0008]
  In the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1 having such a feature, at least two heating elements adjacent in the main scanning direction are used as unit blocks, and the plurality of heating elements are excluded except for blocks at both ends in the main scanning direction, Heat generation belonging to two blocks: a first block composed of a plurality of blocks to which a heating element to be heated belongs, and one second block of a pair of blocks adjacent to the first block in the main scanning direction. The number of heating elements to be heated among the two heating elements belonging to the first block and the other third block adjacent to the first block. The amount of energy applied to the heat generating element that should generate heat is set so that the amount of energy decreases as the amount increases.
  Accordingly, except for the blocks at both ends in the main scanning direction, the first block to which the heat generating elements to be heated belong, and one second block of the pair of blocks adjacent to the first block in the main scanning direction, Of the heating elements belonging to the two blocks, and the heat generation of the heating elements belonging to the two blocks of the first block and the other third block adjacent to the first block. The amount of energy applied to the heat generating element to be heated is set in consideration of the number of heat generating elements to be generated. In addition, it is possible to always record pixels with the same density without causing problems such as blurring and blurring, and to enable high-quality printing..
[0009]
  MaClaim2The thermal recording apparatus according to claim1The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first energy amount storage unit that stores a predetermined first energy amount capable of recording dots with a predetermined quality in advance, wherein the applied energy amount setting unit includes the first block and the first block. Of the heating elements belonging to the second block, the number of heating elements to be heated is equal to or less than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks, and the first block and the third block In the case of the first heat generation state in which the number of heat generation elements to be generated among the heat generation elements belonging to the first heat generation state is equal to or less than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heat generation elements in both blocks, the heat generation elements to be generated The amount of energy applied to is set to the predetermined first energy amount.
[0010]
  Claims having such characteristics2In the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1,1In the thermal recording apparatus described in item 1, the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block is equal to or less than a first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks. In addition, the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is equal to or less than a first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks. In this case, the amount of energy applied to the heat generating element that is to generate heat is set to a predetermined first energy amount.
  As a result, when the number of heating elements located in the vicinity of the heating elements to be heated is small, a predetermined first energy amount can be applied to perform printing with a predetermined dot diameter, resulting in high quality. Can be printed.
[0011]
  Claims3In the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1,2The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second energy amount storage unit in which a predetermined second energy amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount is stored in advance, wherein the applied energy amount setting unit includes the first energy amount setting unit. Of the heat generating elements belonging to the block and the second block, the number of heat generating elements to be heated is equal to or greater than a second ratio larger than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heat generating elements in both blocks, In the second heat generation state, the number of heat generation elements to be generated among the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the third block is equal to or more than a second ratio with respect to the total number of heat generation elements in both blocks. In the case of the third heat generation state in which any one of the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the second block or the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the third block is all heated. And sets the amount of energy applied to the element to be allowed to the heating to the second energy amount of the predetermined.
[0012]
  Claims having such characteristics3In the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1,2In the thermal recording apparatus described in item 1, the number of heating elements to be generated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block is larger than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks. The number of heat generating elements to be heated among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is equal to or greater than the second ratio with respect to the total number of heat generating elements in both blocks. And the third heat generation in which any one of the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the second block, or the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the third block is caused to generate heat. In the case of the state, the amount of energy applied to the heat generating element to be heated is set to a predetermined second energy amount that is smaller than the predetermined first energy amount.
  As a result, in the case of the second heat generation state to the third heat generation state in which many of the heat generation elements located near the heat generation elements to be heated are in the second heat generation state to the third heat generation state, a predetermined amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount By applying the second energy amount, it is possible to perform printing with a predetermined dot diameter without causing problems such as an increase in dot diameter due to the heat generated by the heating elements located in the vicinity, blurring of printing, and blurring. High-quality printing is possible.
[0013]
  Claims4The thermal recording apparatus according to claim3The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising third energy amount storage means for storing a predetermined third energy amount that is smaller than the predetermined first energy amount and larger than the predetermined second energy amount, The applied energy amount setting means includes: a state of a heat generating element to be heated among heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the second block; and a heat generating element belonging to the first block and the third block. When the states of the heat generating elements to be heated are other than the first heat generating state, the second heat generating state, and the third heat generating state, the amount of energy applied to the elements to be heated is the predetermined first amount. It is characterized by being set to 3 energy amounts.
[0014]
  Claims having such characteristics4In the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1,3In the heat-sensitive recording apparatus described in the above, the state of the heat generating element that generates heat among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the second block and the heat generation of the heat generating elements that belong to the first block and the third block are generated. When the state of the heat generating element is other than the first heat generating state, the second heat generating state, and the third heat generating state, the amount of energy applied to the heat generating element to be heated is greater than the predetermined first energy amount. Is set to a predetermined third energy amount that is smaller than the predetermined second energy amount.
  Thus, when the heat generation state of the heat generation element located in the vicinity of the heat generation element to be heated is other than the first heat generation state, the second heat generation state, and the third heat generation state, the predetermined first energy amount Is smaller than the predetermined second energy amount and is applied with a predetermined third energy amount so that printing with a predetermined dot diameter can be performed, and the dots due to the heat generated by the heating elements located in the vicinity are printed. High-quality printing is possible without causing problems such as an increase in diameter, blurring of printing, and slipping.
  And claims5The thermal recording apparatus according to claim3In the thermal recording apparatus described in (1), if the unit block is composed of two heating elements, it is desirable that the first ratio is 1/4 and the second ratio is 3/4.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, a thermal recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied with respect to a tape printer. First, a schematic configuration of the tape printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the tape printer according to the present embodiment.
  In FIG. 1, the tape printer is configured with a control device 1 as a core. The control device 1 includes a CPU 2 that controls each device, and an input / output interface 10, CGROM 3, ROM 4, 5, and RAM 6 connected to the CPU 2 via a data bus 11. Note that a timer 2a is provided inside the CPU 2.
[0016]
  Here, the CGROM 3 stores dot pattern data for display corresponding to the code data for each of a large number of characters.
[0017]
  In addition, the ROM (dot pattern data memory) 4 has print type dot pattern data for each of a large number of characters for printing characters such as alphabet letters and symbols, and the typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.) ), And for each typeface, six types (16, 24, 32, 48, 64, 96 dot sizes) of print character sizes are stored corresponding to the code data. In addition, graphic pattern data for printing a graphic image including gradation expression is also stored.
[0018]
  Further, the ROM 5 reads out the display drive control program for controlling the LCDC 15 corresponding to the character code data such as characters and numbers inputted from the keyboard 3, and the data in the print buffer 8 to read the thermal head 17 and the tape feed motor 19. , A pulse number determination program for determining a formation energy amount of each print dot and a pulse number corresponding to this formation energy amount, and a pulse number data table 24 corresponding to each formation energy amount (FIG. 5). And other various programs necessary for controlling the tape printer. The CPU 2 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 5.
[0019]
  Further, the RAM 6 is provided with a text memory 7, a print buffer 8, a counter 9, and the like. The text memory 7 stores document data input from the keyboard 12. The print buffer 8 stores a dot pattern for printing such as a plurality of characters and symbols, the number of applied pulses as the amount of energy for forming each dot, and the like as dot pattern data, and the thermal head 17 is stored in the print buffer 8. Dot printing is performed according to the existing dot pattern data. The counter 9 stores a count value N that is counted corresponding to each heating element in the print control process.
[0020]
  Here, returning to FIG. 1 and continuing the description of the block diagram, the input / output interface 10 includes a keyboard 12, a disconnect switch 13, and a display controller (hereinafter referred to as a video RAM 16 for outputting display data to the LCD 14). LCDC) 15, a drive circuit 18 for driving the thermal head 17, and a drive circuit 20 for driving the tape feed motor 19 are connected to each other.
  Therefore, when characters or the like are input through the character keys of the keyboard 12, the text (document data) is sequentially stored in the text memory 7, and the keyboard is based on the dot pattern generation control program and the display drive control program. A dot pattern corresponding to a character or the like input via 12 is displayed on the LCD 14. The thermal head 17 is driven via the drive circuit 18 to perform dot printing of the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 8, and in synchronization with this, the tape feed motor 19 passes through the drive circuit 20 to the tape 23 ( (See FIG. 2). Here, the thermal head 17 is provided with a plurality of heat generating elements, and each heat generating element is selectively driven to generate heat via the drive circuit 18 so that characters or the like are printed on the tape in dots. . Since the configuration of the tape printer is known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.
[0021]
  Next, a dot printing control process performed by the tape printer configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of dot printing processing performed in the control device 1 of the tape printer according to the present embodiment.
  In the present embodiment, the thermal head 17 shows an example in which twelve heating elements are provided in a row for convenience of explanation.
[0022]
  First, when a text mixed with a graphic image is created by operating the character keys of the keyboard 12, the text data is stored in the text memory 7. When the print key of the keyboard 12 is pressed to start printing, the document data stored in the text memory 7, the dot pattern data and graphic pattern data for printing in the ROM 4, the pulse number determination program for the ROM 5, etc. Based on this, print data is created and stored in the print buffer 8. A pulse train having a predetermined number of pulses is applied to each selected heating element of the thermal head 17 based on the print data, and heating driving is started.
[0023]
  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, in the dot printing control process, the energy of formation of each printing dot every time the thermal head 17 and the tape 23 (see FIG. 3) move relative to each other by one printing pitch in the sub-scanning direction. The formation energy amount determination SUB, which is a subroutine for determining the amount and the number of pulses of the applied pulse train corresponding to this formation energy amount, is performed (S1, S2: NO), and the formation energy amount of all print dots is determined. Then (S2: YES), next, a control process of the printing SUB which is a printing subroutine is performed (S3). Then, the print dot pattern data in the print buffer 8 is read out by one print pitch for every relative movement by one print pitch until printing is completed, and is repeatedly printed (S4: NO). Is finished (S4: YES).
[0024]
  Next, the control processing of the formation energy amount determination SUB (S1), which is a subroutine for determining the formation energy amount of each printing dot and the number of pulses of the applied pulse train corresponding to this formation energy amount, is based on FIGS. explain. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing dots printed by the thermal head 17 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the formation energy amount determination SUB for determining the formation energy amount of the print dot D3 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a data table of the number of pulses of the applied pulse train corresponding to each formation energy amount according to the present embodiment.
  As shown in FIG. 3, the print dots currently printed on the tape 23 are the print dots D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, arranged in the main inspection direction (up and down direction in FIG. 3). D9, D10, D11, and D12 (dotted circles in FIG. 3).
  Each print dot constitutes one block by two adjacent print dots in the main scanning direction in order. That is, the block B1 is constituted by the two print dots D1 and D2. Further, the block B2 is constituted by two printing dots D3 and D4. Similarly, block B3 is constituted by two printing dots D5 and D6, block B4 is constituted by printing dots D7 and D8, block B5 is constituted by printing dots D9 and D10, and block B6 is constituted by printing dots D11 and D12. .
  The formation energy amount of each of the printing dots D1 to D12 is, for each printing dot, a block to which each of the printing dots D1 to D12 belongs and a pair of blocks adjacent to the main scanning direction of the block (see FIG. 3 is determined by the presence or absence of heat generation of the heating elements corresponding to the six print dots belonging to the three blocks.
[0025]
  Next, as an example, the determination of the formation energy amount of the print dot D3 in FIG. 3 will be described based on the flowchart of the formation energy amount determination SUB shown in FIG.
  First, when the print dot D3 does not generate heat (S5: NO), 0 is substituted for the pulse number N of the applied pulse train, and the print data of the print dot D3 is stored in the print buffer 8 (S15).
  When the print dot D3 generates heat (S5: YES), each print dot belonging to the two blocks B1 and B2, that is, the block B2 to which the print dot D3 belongs and the block B1 adjacent to the block B2 is located. The number of heat generated by the heat generating elements corresponding to D1, D2, D3, and D4 is calculated based on the print data in the print buffer 8 (S6). If the total number of heat generation is four, that is, if the total heat generation is (S6: YES), P1 is substituted for the amount of energy for forming the print dots D3 and stored in the RAM 6 (S7).
[0026]
  Next, when the total number of heat generation elements corresponding to the print dots D1 to D4 belonging to the two blocks B1 and B2 is less than 4 (S6: NO), the block B2 is adjacent to the block B2 below. The number of heat generated by the heat generating elements corresponding to the print dots D3, D4, D5, D6 belonging to the block B3 to be calculated is calculated based on the print data in the print buffer 8 (S8). If the total number of heat generation is four (that is, if the total number of heat is generated) (S8: YES), P1 is substituted for the amount of energy for forming the print dots D3 and stored in the RAM 6 (S9).
[0027]
  Next, when the total number of heat generation elements corresponding to the printing dots D3 to D6 belonging to the two blocks B2 and B3 is less than four (S8: NO), each of the elements belonging to the block B1 and the block B2 is again performed. The number of heat generation elements corresponding to the print dots D1 to D4 is calculated based on the print data in the print buffer 8, and the total number of heat generation is three (S9: YES), and each print dot belonging to the blocks B2 and B3 When the total number of heat generated by the heat generating elements corresponding to D3 to D6 is 3 (S10: YES), P1 is substituted into the amount of energy for forming the print dots D3 and stored in the RAM 6 (S7).
  On the other hand, the number of heat generation elements corresponding to the print dots D1 to D4 belonging to the blocks B1 and B2 is three (S9: YES), but the heat generation corresponding to the print dots D3 to D6 belonging to the blocks B2 and B3. If the total heat generated by the element is not three, that is, less than three (S10: NO), P2 is substituted for the amount of energy for forming the print dots D3 and stored in the RAM 6 (S11).
[0028]
  Next, when the total number of heat generation elements corresponding to the print dots D1 to D4 belonging to the two blocks B1 and B2 is not three, that is, less than three (S9: NO), the total number is It is determined whether or not there is one (S12). If not (S12: NO), P2 is substituted for the amount of energy for forming the print dots D3 and stored in the RAM 6 (S11).
  On the other hand, if the number is one (S12: YES), the number of heat generated by the heating elements corresponding to the print dots D3 to D6 belonging to the blocks B2 and B3 is calculated again based on the print data in the print buffer 8 ( S13) If the total number of heat generation is 1 (S13: YES), P3 is substituted for the amount of energy for forming the print dots D3 and stored in the RAM 6 (S14).
  When the total number of heat generated by the heating elements corresponding to the printing dots D3 to D6 belonging to the two blocks B2 and B3 is not one, that is, larger than one (S13: NO), the amount of energy for forming the printing dots D3 P2 is substituted into and stored in the RAM 6 (S11).
[0029]
  Next, the formation energy amount of the printing dot D3 stored in the RAM 6 is read again and from the pulse number data table 24 (see FIG. 5) of the applied pulse train corresponding to each formation energy amount stored in the ROM 5. The number of pulses N corresponding to the amount of energy for forming the print dots D3 is read. The pulse number N is stored as the print data of the print dot D3 of the print buffer 8, the control processing of the formation energy amount determination SUB (S1) of the print dot D5 is terminated, and the process returns to the control flowchart (S15).
  Here, the data table 24 of the number of pulses of the applied pulse train corresponding to each amount of formation energy will be described with reference to FIG. When the print dot formation energy amount is P1, the pulse number N of the pulse train applied to the print dot is two pulses. When the print dot formation energy amount is P2, the pulse number N of the pulse train applied to the print dot is 4 pulses. When the print dot formation energy amount is P3, the pulse number N of the pulse train applied to the print dot is 6 pulses.
[0030]
  Accordingly, the amount of energy formed for each of the printing dots D1, D2, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D11, and D12 other than the printing dot D3 is similarly determined and stored in the ROM 5. The formation energy of each print dot D1, D2, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D11, and D12 from the data table 24 (see FIG. 5) of the number of applied pulse trains corresponding to each formation energy amount The number of pulses N corresponding to the quantity is read. The pulse number N is stored as print data of each print dot D1, D2, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D11, and D12 of the print buffer 8 (S5 to S15).
  If there is no block adjacent to the upper side or the lower side of the block B1 to which the printing dots D1 and D2 belong and the block B6 to which the printing dots D11 and D12 belong, two pieces that are not printed on the upper side or the lower side, respectively. A virtual block composed of the dots is provided, and the amount of energy for forming the print dots D1, D2, D11, and D12 is determined in the same manner as described above.
[0031]
  Next, control processing of the printing SUB (S3) which is a printing subroutine will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a printing SUB that is a subroutine of the printing process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a time chart in the case of applying a pulse train of 6 pulses in the printing process according to this embodiment. In the following description, the pulse width or application width is the time during which the pulse is ON.
  First, the printing record of each printing dot D1-D12 is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 6, in the printing SUB which is a printing subroutine, the number of pulses N corresponding to each printing dot D1 to D12 stored in the printing buffer 8 is read and each count value corresponding to each heating element is read. Substitute into N and store in counter 9 (S21).
[0032]
  Next, the pulse applied to the selected heating element of the thermal head 17 is turned ON, and each heating element starts to generate heat (S22).
[0033]
  Next, the timer 2a is started (S23). Next, the application time T1 (see FIG. 7) of the first pulse stored in the ROM 5 is read and waits until the count time of the timer 2a reaches T1 (S24: NO), and the count time of the timer 2a is T1. When it becomes (S24: YES), the application pulse to each selected heating element is turned OFF, the timer 2a is stopped, the count time is set to 0, and then the timer 2a is started again (S25).
[0034]
  Next, the OFF time Toff (see FIG. 7) of the applied pulse stored in the ROM 5 is read, waits until the count time of the timer 2a reaches Toff (S26: NO), and when the count time of the timer 2a becomes Toff, After the timer 2a is stopped and the count time is set to 0, the timer 2a is started again (S26: YES).
[0035]
  Next, the count value N of each selected heating element is read from the counter 9, subtracted from the count value N, and stored again in the counter 9 corresponding to each heating element (S27). Next, the pulse applied to each selected heating element of the thermal head 17 is turned ON (S28).
[0036]
  Next, the application time T2 (see FIG. 7) of the second and subsequent pulses stored in the ROM 5 is read out and waits until the count time of the timer 2a reaches T2 (S29: NO), and the count time of the timer 2a is reached. When T2 is reached (S29: YES), the application pulse to each selected heating element is turned OFF, the timer 2a is stopped, the count time is set to 0, and then the timer 2a is started again (S30).
  Here, the application time T2 of the second and subsequent pulses is set to be shorter than the application time T1 of the first pulse.
[0037]
  Next, the OFF time Toff of the applied pulse stored in the ROM 5 is read and waits until the count time of the timer 2a reaches Toff (S31: NO). When the count time of the timer 2a reaches Toff, the timer 2a is stopped. After the count time is set to 0, the timer 2a is started again (S31: YES).
[0038]
  Next, the count value N of each selected heating element is read from the counter 9, 1 is subtracted from the count value N, and again stored in the counter 9 corresponding to each heating element (S 32).
[0039]
  Next, the count value N of each selected heating element is read from the counter 9, and if the count value N is not 0 (S33: NO), a pulse applied to each selected heating element of the thermal head 17 is applied. Turn on (S28), and repeat the processing from S28 until the count value N becomes zero.
[0040]
  If the count value N corresponding to each heat generating element is 0, the application of the pulse to the heat generating element is terminated, and the process returns to the control flowchart (S33: YES).
[0041]
  Next, an example of a temperature rise change of the heating element in the control of the printing SUB (S3) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a temperature rise of the heating element with respect to time when the number N of pulses applied to the heating element is 6 pulses.
  The first applied pulse is time T1, and at this time, the temperature rise curve 25 of the heating element rises to almost the expected heating temperature. Then, the applied pulse is turned off for the time Toff, and the temperature of the heat generating element is slightly lowered, but since it is applied again for the time T2, heat is generated and the temperature rises. The stop of the time Toff and the application of the time T2 are repeated until the count value N stored in the counter 9 becomes N = 0.
  Accordingly, the heating element is preheated to a predetermined temperature by the first applied pulse, and is maintained at a substantially constant heating temperature (T2 × 5 + Toff × 5) by the second to sixth applied pulses. Then, a printing dot having 6 applied pulses is printed on the tape 23.
[0042]
  As described above in detail, in the tape printer of this embodiment, when the print key of the keyboard 12 is pressed and the print start is instructed by the control of the control device 1, the document data stored in the text memory 7 is stored. Printing dot pattern data and graphic pattern data in the ROM 4, and the pulse number data table 24 corresponding to each forming energy amount in the ROM 5, and the like, by the control processing of the pulse number determination SUB 1 (S 1), the printing dots D 1 to D 12. Are divided into two blocks, the amount of energy formed for each of the print dots D1 to D12 is determined, and the number of pulses N of the applied pulse train corresponding to the amount of energy formed is created, and the print data is stored in the print buffer 8. Stored as Then, under the control of the control device 1, the first pulse train corresponding to the number N of pulses applied to each heating element corresponding to each print dot D <b> 1 to D <b> 12 of the thermal head 17 by the control process of the print SUB (S <b> 3). The applied pulse width of the pulse is set to T1, and each heating element is preheated to a predetermined heating temperature by the first applied pulse. Next, the pulse application is turned OFF during time Toff, and then the second applied pulse width of the pulse train is set at time T2 and applied. Until the predetermined number of pulses N is reached, OFF of time Toff and application of time T2 are repeated, and dot printing with a predetermined density is performed.
[0043]
  Accordingly, the total number of heat generating elements that generate heat among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block to which the heat generating element to be heated at present belongs and the second block adjacent to the first block is one, and the first When the total number of heat generating elements that generate heat among the heat generating elements belonging to the block and the third block adjacent to the first block is one, the formation energy amount of the heat generating element that should be heated at present is P3. And a pulse train of 6 pulses is applied. As a result, it is possible to perform printing with a predetermined dot diameter without causing printing curl and the like, and high-quality printing is possible.
  In addition, when all the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block generate heat, or when all the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block generate heat, they should be heated at present. The formation energy amount of the heat generating elements is set to P1, and the total number of heat generating elements that generate heat among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the second block is three, and the first block and the second block Even in the case where the total number of heat generating elements that generate heat is 3 among the heat generating elements to which the heat generating element belongs, the formation energy amount of the heat generating elements that should be heated at present is set to P1, and a two-pulse pulse train is applied. As a result, the amount of energy applied to the heat generating element to be heated is set in consideration of the heat generation state of the heat generating element located in the vicinity of the heat generating element to be heated, so printing with a substantially predetermined dot diameter is performed. It is possible to always record pixels with the same density without causing problems such as an increase in the dot diameter due to the heat generated by the heat generating elements located in the vicinity, printing bleeding, and blurring. Quality printing is possible.
  The total number of heating elements that generate heat among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block, and the total number of heating elements that generate heat among the heating elements that belong to the first block and the third block are other than the above. In this case, the formation energy amount of the heat generating element to be heated at present is set to P2, and a pulse train of 4 pulses is applied. As a result, even when the heat generation state of the heat generation element located near the heat generation element to be heated is other than the above heat generation state, printing with a predetermined dot diameter can be performed, and the heat generation element located near the heat generation element can be printed. High-quality printing is possible without causing problems such as an increase in the dot diameter due to the influence of heat generation, printing bleeding, and blurring.
  Furthermore, since the amount of energy for forming the printing dots applied to the heating elements that should currently generate heat is controlled by the number of pulses in the pulse train, the control becomes easy, the control circuit configuration is simplified, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the size is reduced. Can be realized.
[0044]
  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, and it may be as follows.
  (A) In the above embodiment, the number of heating elements belonging to each of the blocks B1 to B6 is set to two, but any number may be used as long as it is two or more.
  (B) In the above-described embodiment, the number of pulses corresponding to each of the formation energy amounts P1, P2, and P3 in the pulse number data table 24 is 2, 4, and 6. However, each pulse number is an arbitrary pulse number. But you can. (For example, 2 pulses, 5 pulses, 10 pulses, etc.)
  (C) In the above embodiment, the number of heating elements provided in the thermal head 17 is twelve, but a larger number may be provided. (For example, 96, 128, 256, etc.)
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
[0046]
  As described above, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the first aspect, at least two heating elements adjacent in the main scanning direction are used as unit blocks, and the plurality of heating elements are excluded from the blocks at both ends in the main scanning direction. Of a heating element belonging to two blocks, a first block to which a heating element to be heated belongs and a second block of a pair of blocks adjacent in the main scanning direction of the first block. The number of heating elements to be heated and the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the two blocks of the first block and the other third block adjacent to the first block are: The amount of energy applied to the heat generating element to be heated is set so that the amount of energy decreases as the amount increases.
  Accordingly, of the heating elements belonging to the two blocks of the first block to which the heating element to be heated belongs and one of the pair of blocks adjacent in the main scanning direction of the first block. The number of heating elements to be heated and the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the two blocks of the first block and the other third block adjacent to the first block are considered. In addition, since the amount of energy applied to the heat generating element that should generate heat is set, problems such as an increase in dot diameter due to the heat generated by a heat generating element located in the vicinity, blurring of printing, blurring, and blurring do not occur. In addition, it is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus capable of always recording pixels having the same density and capable of high-quality printing..
[0047]
  MaClaim2In the thermal recording apparatus according to claim1In the described thermal recording apparatus, the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block is equal to or less than a first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks, In the first heat generation state, the number of heat generation elements to be generated among the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the third block is equal to or less than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heat generation elements in both blocks. The amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set to a predetermined first energy amount.
  As a result, when the number of heating elements located in the vicinity of the heating elements to be heated is small, a predetermined first energy amount can be applied to perform printing with a predetermined dot diameter, resulting in high quality. Can be provided.
[0048]
  Claims3In the thermal recording apparatus according to claim2In the thermal recording apparatus described in item 1, the number of heating elements to be generated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block is larger than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks. The number of heat generating elements to be heated among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is equal to or greater than the second ratio with respect to the total number of heat generating elements in both blocks. And the third heat generation in which any one of the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the second block, or the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the third block is caused to generate heat. In the case of the state, the amount of energy applied to the heat generating element to be heated is set to a predetermined second energy amount that is smaller than the predetermined first energy amount.
  As a result, in the case of the second heat generation state to the third heat generation state in which many of the heat generation elements located near the heat generation elements to be heated are in the second heat generation state to the third heat generation state, a predetermined amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount By applying the second energy amount, it is possible to perform printing with a predetermined dot diameter without causing problems such as an increase in dot diameter due to the heat generated by the heating elements located in the vicinity, blurring of printing, and blurring. It is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus capable of high-quality printing.
[0049]
  Claims4In the thermal recording apparatus according to claim3In the heat-sensitive recording apparatus described in the above, the state of the heat generating element that generates heat among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the second block and the heat generation of the heat generating elements that belong to the first block and the third block are generated. When the state of the heat generating element is other than the first heat generating state, the second heat generating state, and the third heat generating state, the amount of energy applied to the heat generating element to be heated is greater than the predetermined first energy amount. Is set to a predetermined third energy amount that is smaller than the predetermined second energy amount.
  Thus, when the heat generation state of the heat generation element located in the vicinity of the heat generation element to be heated is other than the first heat generation state, the second heat generation state, and the third heat generation state, the predetermined first energy amount Is smaller than the predetermined second energy amount and is applied with a predetermined third energy amount so that printing with a predetermined dot diameter can be performed, and the dots due to the heat generated by the heating elements located in the vicinity are printed. It is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus that can perform high-quality printing without causing problems such as an increase in diameter, bleeding of printing, and blurring.
  And claims5In the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 2, claims 2 to4In the thermal recording apparatus according to any one of the above, if the unit block is composed of two heating elements, the first ratio is preferably 1/4 and the second ratio is 3/4. It is desirable. As a result, it is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus capable of high-quality printing without causing problems such as an increase in dot diameter, printing bleeding, and blurring.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a tape printer according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of dot printing processing performed in the controller of the tape printer according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating dots printed by the thermal head according to the present embodiment.
4 is a flowchart of a formation energy amount determination SUB for determining the formation energy amount of the print dots D3 shown in FIG. 3 of the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a data table of the number of pulses of an applied pulse train corresponding to each formation energy amount according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a print SUB that is a subroutine of print processing according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a time chart in the case of applying a pulse train of 6 pulses in the printing process according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Control device
2 CPU
4, 5 ROM
6 RAM
17 Thermal head
23 tapes
24 Data table of the number of pulses corresponding to each formation energy amount
25 Temperature rise curve
B1-B6 block
D1 to D12 printing dots

Claims (5)

A thermal head provided with a thermal head provided with a plurality of heating elements in the main scanning direction, and an application means for applying a predetermined amount of energy to the heating elements while relatively moving the print medium in the predetermined sub-scanning direction. In the recording device,
Heat generation data storage means for storing heat generation data of the heat generation element corresponding to each pixel;
The plurality of heating elements are constituted by a plurality of blocks with at least two heating elements adjacent in the main scanning direction as unit blocks, and the first heating element to which heat is to be generated, excluding blocks at both ends in the main scanning direction. The number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the two blocks of the block and one of the pair of blocks adjacent in the main scanning direction of the first block, and the first block And heat generation to be generated so that the amount of energy decreases as the number of heat generation elements to be generated among the heat generation elements belonging to the two blocks of the first block and the other third block adjacent to the first block decreases. A thermal recording apparatus comprising: an applied energy amount setting means for setting an energy amount applied to the element. A first energy amount storage means in which a predetermined first energy amount capable of recording dots with a predetermined quality is stored in advance;
  In the applied energy amount setting means, the number of heat generating elements to be generated among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the second block is equal to or less than a first ratio with respect to the total number of heat generating elements in both blocks. And the number of heat generating elements to be generated among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is equal to or less than a first ratio with respect to the total number of heat generating elements in both blocks. 2. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in a heat generation state, the amount of energy applied to the heat generating element to be heated is set to the predetermined first energy amount. A second energy amount storage means in which a predetermined second energy amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount is stored in advance;
  The applied energy amount setting means is configured such that the number of heat generating elements to be generated among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the second block is the first ratio with respect to the total number of heat generating elements in both blocks. The number of heat generating elements to be heated among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is equal to or larger than the second ratio larger than the second ratio with respect to the total number of heat generating elements in both blocks. In the second heat generation state that is greater than or equal to the ratio, and any one of the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the second block, or the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the third block, the first heat generation is performed. 3. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the case of the three heat generation state, the amount of energy applied to the element to be heated is set to the predetermined second energy amount. A third energy amount storage means for storing a predetermined third energy amount that is smaller than the predetermined first energy amount and larger than the predetermined second energy amount;
The applied energy amount setting means includes: a state of a heat generating element to be heated among heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the second block; and a heat generating element belonging to the first block and the third block. When the states of the heat generating elements to be heated are other than the first heat generating state, the second heat generating state, and the third heat generating state, the amount of energy applied to the elements to be heated is the predetermined first amount. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the thermal recording apparatus is set to 3 energy amounts. 4. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the unit block includes two heat generating elements, the first ratio is 1/4 and the second ratio is 3/4.

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