JP4609154B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing and overcoat on a printing medium based on printing information.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of imaging devices such as digital cameras, there is an increasing demand for printing devices that can print image information in a photo-like state. Such a printing apparatus includes a serial printing apparatus that performs printing in line units by moving a print head in a main scanning direction with respect to a recording medium. In actual printing, each line is printed, and the print line is overcoated with a coating resin such as an acrylic resin for each line printing in order to finish printing with a glossy scratch like a photograph. is doing.

Various proposals for finishing the overcoat into a smooth overcoat have been made.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a banding portion generated when each line is printed with an ink ribbon having an ink area and an overcoat area for each line, and the print line is overcoated with a coat resin for each line print. A printing apparatus capable of improving the printing quality to the same extent as other parts is disclosed.

JP 2001-96840 A

  However, the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the print heads of all the thermal heads are operated in order to overcoat the print lines for each line of printing, so that a load is applied to the thermal heads. Further, when the number of print dots used on the thermal head is changed, there is a problem that the entire surface is not overcoated and is easily damaged.

  Moreover, since the overcoat is intended to be finished into a smooth overcoat, there is also a problem that it is difficult to produce the texture and texture of the printed matter.

  In view of the above situation, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and reduces the load on the thermal head when all the print lines are overcoated for each line print. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of producing the texture and texture of printed matter.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to claim 1 includes a thermal head having a plurality of heating element arrays, an ink ribbon in which an overcoat layer is continuously formed on an ink layer and an ink layer on a ribbon film, and In particular, a thermal print is applied to a printing medium by thermally transferring an ink layer to a printing medium through a thermal head, and then an overcoat layer is coated on the printing part on the printing medium and is thermally transferred. The overcoat layer is formed to have a length that can be thermally transferred over a predetermined number of times of two or more with respect to the print portion, and prints the print portion through a heating element array of the thermal head. The required number of print dots is divided by the predetermined number of times, and the heat generating element array is heated a predetermined number of times according to the divided number of print dots, thereby covering the overcoat layer. Characterized by heat transfer to the shaped portion.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the ink layer is formed to have a length corresponding to one line of a portion to be printed printed by the heating element of the thermal head. The overcoat layer is formed to have a length corresponding to a plurality of lines of the print portion, and is formed to have a different thickness for each line.

  In the printing apparatus according to claim 1, the overcoat layer is formed to have a length capable of thermal transfer over a predetermined number of times of two or more with respect to the print target portion, and the print target portion is formed via the heating element array of the thermal head. The number of print dots necessary for printing is divided by a predetermined number of times, and the overcoat layer is thermally transferred to the print portion by performing the heat generation drive of the heater element row a predetermined number of times according to the divided number of print dots. Therefore, the load applied to the thermal head during overcoat printing can be reduced. Further, a visual difference appears in the print portion due to irregular reflection of light, and a texture different from the conventional one can be obtained.

  In the printing apparatus according to claim 2, the ink layer is formed to have a length corresponding to one line of the printed portion to be printed by the heating element of the thermal head, and the overcoat layer corresponds to a plurality of lines of the printed portion. In addition to being formed with a different thickness for each line, the texture and texture of the printed matter can be further changed by irregular reflection of light.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The printing apparatus according to the first embodiment is a serial printing apparatus that performs printing in line units such as one line unit or two line units, and is arranged in parallel to the print medium 1 as shown in FIG. A pair of guide shafts 2 and 2 and a carriage 3 supported by the guide shafts 2 and 2 so as to be movable are provided. The carriage 3 is connected to a carriage conveyance mechanism (not shown). The carriage conveyance mechanism moves the carriage drive motor 16 and the conveyance belt shown in FIG. 5 to move the carriage 3 forward and backward in the arrow direction Y1 (main scanning direction). I have.

  A ribbon cassette 4 is detachably mounted on the upper surface of the carriage 3. The ribbon cassette 4 includes a rectangular box 5 and an ink ribbon 6 for color printing accommodated in the box 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the ink ribbon 6 includes yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink layer regions 6a to 6c that are capable of thermal transfer, and a coating resin (OK). Are provided with three overcoat layer regions 6d (first sheet), 6e (second sheet), and 6f (third sheet) with a constant region length L in this order. The ink ribbon 6 may be provided with a black ink layer region as necessary. Further, the overcoat layer region may be only the overcoat layer region 6d having a length of 3L. Furthermore, there may be any number of overcoat layer regions.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the box 5 has a concave fitting portion 5 a formed on the front side facing the print medium 1, and a lower surface on the carriage 3 side at the position where the ink ribbon 6 is fed. It has a pair of penetrating parts 5b and 5b formed penetrating over the upper surface, and a marking part 5d formed on the lower surface on the rear side and combining a plurality of concave parts 5c so as to indicate the type of ribbon cassette 4. . A thermal head 7 is fitted to the fitting portion 5a, and a pair of guide members 11a and 11b are arranged at both ends. The penetrating portions 5b and 5b are fitted with a light emitting element 8a and a light receiving element 8b of the color detection sensor 8 used for detecting the end of the ink ribbon 6 and the color, respectively, and the penetrating portions 5b and 5b. Openings 5e and 5e are formed on the side walls facing each other so that detection light travels from the light emitting element 8a to the light receiving element 8b. In addition, a marker detection sensor 9 that detects the presence or absence of each recess 5c is disposed opposite to the marker portion 5d. The thermal head 7, the color detection sensor 8, and the marker detection sensor 9 are provided on the carriage 3, and move forward and backward in the arrow direction Y 1 (main scanning direction) together with the ribbon cassette 4.

  The unused ink ribbon 6 provided in the ribbon cassette 4 is wound around a delivery reel 10 a that is rotatably provided on the box 5. After the ink ribbon 6 passes between the through holes 5b and 5b and is bent in the direction of the one guide member 11a, the ink ribbon 6 is positioned between the thermal head 7 and the print medium 1 between the two guide members 11a and 11b. The leading end is connected to the take-up reel 10b. The take-up reel 10b passes through the box 5 and the carriage 3, and is connected to the reel drive motor 12 shown in FIG. 5. The reel drive motor 12 has a moving speed of the thermal head 7 (carriage 3). The ink ribbon 6 is taken up on the take-up reel 10b at the synchronized take-up speed.

  The thermal head 7 is pivotally supported on the carriage 3 so as to be rotatable about the upstream end of the ink ribbon 6 in the moving direction. The thermal head 7 is rotated so that the recording surface of the leading end abuts against the print medium 1 as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure at the time of printing, while the solid line in the figure at the time of returning to the print start position. As shown, the recording surface is rotated so as to be separated from the printing medium 1. On the recording surface of the thermal head 7, as shown in FIG. 6, a large number of heating elements 7 a are arranged in a row or a staggered pattern in the width direction (sub-scanning direction) of the ink ribbon 6.

  Each of the heating elements 7a is capable of independently supplying power in the form of a pulse voltage that repeatedly turns on and off from a power supply unit (not shown) provided in the thermal head 7. The power supply unit includes an output terminal that can output a pulse voltage corresponding to each heating element 7a, and an output time setting unit that sets an output time of the pulse voltage at each output terminal based on the application time data t0 to t63. Have. Each heating element 7a to which a pulse voltage is applied from the power supply unit generates heat with power (energy) corresponding to the application time of the pulse voltage, and the ink layer of the ink ribbon 6 is formed with a melting amount corresponding to the generated heat amount. It is melted and thermally transferred to the printing medium 1. Therefore, for example, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 10C, when the heat generating element 7a generates heat with the electric energy of the first supply time Q1, as shown in FIG. 10D, the pixel 15 having the first dot diameter d1. When (dots) are formed on the medium 1 to be printed, the ink is generated when the heat is generated with the electric power of the second supply time Q2 longer than the first supply time Q1, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. Since the amount of melting of the layer increases, pixels 15 having a second dot diameter d2 larger than the first dot diameter d1 are formed on the print medium 1 as shown in FIG.

  The print medium 1 onto which the ink layer is thermally transferred by the thermal head 7 is sandwiched between a driving roller 13a and a driven roller 13b of the conveying roller 13, as shown in FIG. The transport roller 13 is disposed so as not to interfere with the carriage 3 and the ribbon cassette 4 that move forward and backward. The driving roller 13a of the transport roller 13 is connected to a transport mechanism (not shown). The transport mechanism includes the roll drive motor 14 shown in FIG. 5. By rotating the roll drive motor 14 forward and backward, the print medium 1 can be sent out in an arbitrary amount of movement in the sub-scanning direction and pulled back. ing.

  The operation of the printing apparatus having the above-described configuration is controlled by a control device 21 as shown in FIG. The control device 21 includes a central control device (hereinafter referred to as CPU), a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM), and a readable / writable memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM). The control device 21 includes a keyboard 22 as an input device, a character generator memory (hereinafter referred to as CG-ROM) 23 used for displaying characters and printing, and a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD) as a display device. ) 24, a motor drive circuit 25 for supplying drive power to a drive motor group 26 such as the reel drive motor 12, a sensor 27 including a thermal head 7, a color detection sensor 8, and the like, and for driving the printing apparatus The power supply 28 is connected to a communication unit (not shown) that can send and receive image information between an image processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a digital camera.

  The keyboard 22 includes editing keys 22b such as an execution key and a cancel key in addition to a plurality of keys 22a for inputting hiragana and katakana. The keyboard 22 transmits and receives signals such as data input via the various keys 22 a and 22 b to and from the control device 21. The motor drive circuit 25 is a circuit for driving the drive motors 12, 14, and 16 of the drive motor group 26, and for example, moves the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction based on the motor control signal input from the control device 21. The print medium 1 is conveyed by a predetermined amount in the sub-scanning direction by the rotation of the conveyance roller 13, and the ink ribbon 6 is conveyed by a predetermined amount by the rotation of the take-up reel 10b.

  The sensors 27 detect the presence / absence of the ribbon cassette 4 and the type of the printing medium 1 in addition to the color detection and end detection of the ink ribbon 6, and send the detection signal to the control device 21. . The CG-ROM 23 is a character generator for generating image data when characters or the like are displayed or printed. The CG-ROM 23 converts data indicating characters or the like into image data and sends the image data to the control device 21. The LCD 24 displays image information such as characters, marks, and photographs input from the keyboard 22 or an image processing device (not shown) as image data on a screen over a plurality of lines.

  In addition, various data storage areas that function as a display buffer, a print buffer, and the like are formed in the RAM built in the control device 21. The print buffer is set so as to store at least image information for one line (one line) of the print medium 1, and the ink ribbon 6 is yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan. When the color (C) ink areas 6a to 6c are provided, the print buffers corresponding to the ink areas 6a to 6c are secured. On the other hand, the ROM incorporated in the control device 21 has a pseudo gradation required for recording with a pseudo gradation by a drive control routine of the drive motor group 26, a display control routine for displaying image information on the LCD 24, a dither method, or the like. Various programs such as a routine and a print control routine of FIG. 7 to be described later are stored.

  Further, in the ROM, as shown in FIG. 10A, the density data 0 to 32 of the first density data group D1 for the overlap area W1 (see FIG. 11) and the non-overlap area W2 (see FIG. 10). 11) and a DD data table in which the density data 0 to 63 of the second density data group D2 are associated with each other, and as shown in FIG. 10B, the first and second density data groups are stored. A DT data table is stored that associates the density data 0 to 32 · 0 to 63 of D1 and D2 with the application time data t0 to t63 for setting the application time of the pulse voltage to each heating element 7a. These DD data tables and DT data tables are not necessarily stored in the ROM, and may be recorded in an external storage device such as a hard disk.

  In the above configuration, the operation of the printing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The steps in the flowchart are abbreviated as S.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when a printing start signal is input from the keyboard 22 to the control device 21 after the power supply 28 of the printing device is turned on and the control device 21 is operated, the control device 21 Then, the print control routine of FIG. 7 stored in the ROM is read and the one-line print process is executed (S1).

  That is, first, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection signal from the label detection sensor 9 that detects the concave portion 5c of the label portion 5d in the ribbon cassette 4 is captured, and the combination of the concave portions 5c is recognized based on this detection signal. The type of the ribbon cassette 4 is specified by As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the ribbon cassette 4 has three ink layer regions 6 a to 6 c composed of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), and an overcoat layer region 6 d. When it is determined that the ink ribbon 6 having 6e and 6f is stored (S11), a print buffer corresponding to each of the ink layer areas 6a to 6c and the overcoat layer areas 6d, 6e, and 6f is secured. . Then, print data which is image information of each color component input from the CG-ROM 23 or the image processing apparatus is stored in one or more lines in these print buffers.

  Next, a print buffer to be read is specified (S12), and as shown in FIG. 9, print data for the print range H1 of the thermal head 7 is read from this print buffer (S13). The printing range H1 is a portion where the ink layer is thermally transferred to the printing medium 1 by the heating element 7a of the thermal head 7. The upper overlapping range Hw and the lower overlapping range are provided at both ends of the printing range H1. Hw ′ is set. Further, in the following description, the area where all the heating elements 7a of the thermal head 7 are present is defined as the entire head range H0 (final overcoat range H3) and the upper overlap from the print range H1 on the lower overlap range Hw ′ side. A range up to one end of the entire head range H0 on the range Hw side is referred to as an intermediate overcoat range H2.

  When the print data for the print range H1 is read, it is determined whether or not the current print for one line is the first line print (S14), and if it is the first line (S14, YES), The heating element 7a in the lower overlap range Hw ′ is driven to generate heat for the overlap application time, and the remaining heating element 7a in the print range H1 is driven to generate heat for the non-overlap application time. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, one column of pixels 15 in the first print line 31 is formed on the print medium 1 (S15).

  That is, after the print data for the print range H1 is divided into print data for the lower overlap range Hw ′ and print data for the non-overlap range excluding this range Hw ′, FIG. As shown, for the print data in the lower overlap range Hw ′, density data 0 to 32 corresponding to each print data is obtained from the first density data group D1 in the DD data table. On the other hand, for the print data in the non-overlapping range, density data 0 to 63 corresponding to each print data is obtained from the second density data group D2 in the DD data table. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10B, application time data t0 to t63 corresponding to the density data 0 to 63 are obtained from the DT data table, and each application time data t0 to t63 is output to the thermal head 7.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10C, the thermal head 7 applies a pulse voltage to each heating element 7a in the printing range H1 at an application time corresponding to the application time data t0 to t63. As a result, each heating element 7a generates heat with an amount of electric power corresponding to each application time and melts the ink layer, so that the pixels 15 (dots) having different dot diameters are covered as shown in FIG. It is formed on the print medium 1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, even if the print data is the same as that of the pixels 15 having the dot diameters D6 and D7 formed in the non-overlap area W2 of the print line 31, the lower overlap area W1 ′ Thus, a pixel 15 having a small dot diameter D4 based on the density data 0 to 32 of the first density data group D1 is formed.

  On the other hand, when the current print line 31 is not printed on the first line (S14, NO), it is determined whether or not the current print is the last line (S16). If it is not the last row (S16, NO), as shown in FIG. 9, the heating elements 7a in the upper overlap range Hw and the lower overlap range Hw ′ are driven to generate heat for the overlap application time, and the rest As shown in FIG. 2, the pixels 15 for one column in the print line 31 of the intermediate line such as the second line are generated by driving the heat generating elements 7a in the print range H1 in the non-overlapping application time. It forms in the to-be-printed medium 1 (S17). On the other hand, if it is the last line (S16, YES), as shown in FIG. 9, the heating element 7a in the upper overlap range Hw is driven to generate heat in the application time for overlap, and the remaining print range H1. By driving the heat generating element 7a to generate heat for a non-overlapping application time, as shown in FIG. 3, one column of pixels 15 in the print line 31 of the last row is formed on the print medium 1 (S18). .

  By executing S15, S17, and S18 as described above, when the thermal head 7 forms one column of pixels 15 in the print range H1 on the print medium 1, for example, as shown in FIG. It is determined whether printing has been completed (S19). If printing for one line has not been completed (S19, NO), the process is re-executed from S13, print data for the next print range H1 is read from the print buffer to be read, and the thermal head 7 is moved in the main scanning direction. At the same time, the ink ribbon 6 is conveyed in synchronism with this movement, whereby the pixels 15 for the next one column are formed at portions separated by a predetermined pitch.

  Then, by repeating such an operation, the pixels 15 for one column are formed in order at predetermined pitches. When printing for one line is completed (S19, YES), the thermal head 7 is printed. While returning to the start position, it is determined whether printing of all the print buffers corresponding to the ink layer regions 6a to 6c has been completed (S20). If printing of all the print buffers has not been completed (S20, NO), S12 is re-executed, the next print buffer to be read is specified, and printing is performed in this print buffer. On the other hand, when printing of all the print buffers has been completed (S20, YES), one line's worth of superimposing three color pixels of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). Since the print line 31 is completed, this routine is terminated and the process returns to the first print control routine of FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the print line 31 printed in the one-line printing process is the last line (S2). If the print line 31 is not the last line (S2, NO), an intermediate overcoat process is performed (S3). That is, after confirming that the ink ribbon 6 is composed of three overcoat layer regions 6d (first sheet), 6e (second sheet), and 6f (third sheet), the intermediate overcoat shown in FIG. Proceeding to the processing routine, intermediate overcoat data creation processing is performed (S21). The intermediate overcoat data creation process is performed by an intermediate overcoat data creation process routine shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the overcoat data to be created is the first overcoat data (S24). If it is the first sheet of overcoat data (S24, YES), for example, the first sheet of intermediate overcode data 6g shown in FIG. 14A is created (S25). Note that the original data used for the generated overcode data is overcode data corresponding to an overcoat layer area prepared in advance in the printing apparatus. Alternatively, it may be input from the keyboard 22.

  Then, returning to the intermediate overcoat processing routine of FIG. 12, overcoat printing is performed (S22). At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the heating element 7a in the intermediate overcoat range H2 in the thermal head 7 is used in the first sheet of intermediate overcode data 6g shown in a of FIG. The thermal head 7 is moved in the main scanning direction while generating heat at 7a (S22). Then, when the intermediate overcode data 6g for the first sheet is printed as shown in FIG. 14 (B) as the printed portion + a and the printing is finished, it is determined whether or not the three overcode printing is completed. (S23). Here, since it is the first (first sheet) overcode printing (S23, NO), the process returns to the intermediate overcoat data creation process of S21.

  Subsequently, the process returns to the intermediate overcoat data creation processing routine shown in FIG. 13, and it is determined whether or not the overcoat data to be created is the first overcoat data (S24). Here, since the first sheet has already been created (S24, NO), the process proceeds to S26, where it is determined whether or not the overcoat data to be created is the second overcoat data (S26). When it is the second overcoat data (S26, YES), for example, the intermediate overcode data 6h for the second page shown in FIG. 14A is created (S27).

  Then, returning to the intermediate overcoat processing routine of FIG. 12, overcoat printing is performed (S22). At this time, as in the first sheet, as shown in FIG. 9, the intermediate over cord for the second sheet shown in FIG. The thermal head 7 is moved in the main scanning direction while generating heat from the heating element 7a used in the data 6h (S22). Then, when the intermediate overcode data 6h for the second sheet is printed as shown in FIG. 14B as the print target portion + a + b and the printing is completed, it is determined whether or not the three overcode printings are completed. (S23). Here, since it is the second (second) overcode printing (S23, NO), the process returns to the intermediate overcoat data creation process of S21.

  Subsequently, the process returns to the intermediate overcoat data creation processing routine shown in FIG. 13, and it is determined whether or not the overcoat data to be created is the first overcoat data (S24). Here, since the first sheet has already been created (S24, NO), the process proceeds to S26, where it is determined whether or not the overcoat data to be created is the second overcoat data (S26). Since the overcoat data for the second sheet has already been created (S26, NO), the process proceeds to S28, and for example, the intermediate overcode data 6k for the third sheet shown in FIG. S28).

  Then, returning to the intermediate overcoat processing routine of FIG. 12, overcoat printing is performed (S22). At this time, similarly to the first and second sheets, as shown in FIG. 9, the heating element 7a in the intermediate overcoat range H2 of the thermal head 7 is used for the third sheet shown in FIG. The thermal head 7 is moved in the main scanning direction while heating the heat generating element 7a used in the intermediate overcode data 6k (S22). When the third sheet intermediate overcode data 6k is printed on the entire surface of the print target portion 6r as shown in FIG. 14B (printed portion + a + b + c) and printing is completed, It is determined whether overcode printing is completed (S23). Here, since it is the third (third) overcode printing (S23, YES), the process returns to the printing control routine shown in FIG. At this time, the intermediate overcoat range H2 is set in a region from the print range H1 in the vicinity of the lower overlap range Hw 'to one end of the entire head range H0 on the upper overlap range Hw side. Accordingly, when the heating element 7a in the intermediate overcoat range H2 is heated by the respective overcoat data to melt the coating resin, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower overlap area W1 ′ of the current print line 31 is obtained. And a portion excluding a part of the non-overlap region W2 is covered with the coat layer 32 in the intermediate overcoat range H2 (S3).

  Returning to the print control routine shown in FIG. 7, the print medium 1 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and the lower overlap area W1 ′ of the current print line 31 and the upper overlap area W1 of the next print line 31 are obtained. It sets so that it may overlap (S4). Then, the process is re-executed from S1, and printing of one line of the next line is performed, and the above-described intermediate overcoat process is performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the lower overlap area W1 ′ of the first print line 31 printed between the adjacent print lines 31 as in the relationship between the first line and the second line, The banding portion 33 overlapped with the upper overlap area W1 of the other print line 31 to be printed later is formed after the pixels 15 of both overlap areas W1 ′ and W1 are directly formed on the print medium 1, The other print line 31 is covered with the coat layer 32 by the intermediate overcoat process.

  Therefore, as in the prior art, a problem due to a decrease in transferability or the like when the pixel 15 of the other print line 31 to be printed later is formed on the coat layer 32 of the one print line 31 printed earlier. Will not occur. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the banding unit 33 includes pixels 15 having a dot diameter smaller than that of the non-overlapping region W2, so that even if the number of pixels per unit area is larger than that of the non-overlapping region W2, the image When viewed as a whole, the density difference is not noticeable. As a result, the print quality in the banding portion 33 is improved to the same extent as other portions.

  Thereafter, by repeating the one-line printing process and the intermediate overcoat process, the printing lines 31 of each line are sequentially formed while being covered with the printing lines 31, and as shown in FIG. Is printed (S2, YES), the final overcoat process is performed. That is, after confirming that the ink ribbon 6 is composed of three overcoat layer regions 6d (first sheet), 6e (second sheet), and 6f (third sheet), the final overcoat of FIG. Proceeding to the processing routine, final overcoat data creation processing is performed (S29). The final overcoat data creation processing is performed by a final overcoat data creation processing routine shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the overcoat data to be created is the first overcoat data (S32). If it is the first overcoat data (S32, YES), for example, the final overcode data 6m for the first sheet shown in a of FIG. 17A is created (S33).

  Then, returning to the final overcoat processing routine of FIG. 15, overcoat printing is performed (S30). At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the final overcode data for the first sheet shown in a of FIG. 17A is generated by the heating element 7a in the final overcoat range H3 (total head range H0) of the thermal head 7. The thermal head 7 is moved in the main scanning direction while generating heat from the heating element 7a used at 6 m (S30). Then, when the final overcode data 6m for the first sheet is printed as shown in FIG. 17B and the printed portion + a and printing is completed, it is determined whether or not three overcode printing is completed. (S31). Here, since it is the first (first sheet) overcode printing (S31, NO), the process returns to the final overcoat data creation process of S29.

  Subsequently, the process returns to the final overcoat data creation processing routine shown in FIG. 16, and it is determined whether or not the overcoat data to be created is the first overcoat data (S32). Here, since the first sheet has already been created (S32, NO), the process proceeds to S34, where it is determined whether or not the overcoat data to be created is the second overcoat data (S34). If it is the second overcoat data (S34, YES), for example, the final overcode data 6n for the second page shown in FIG. 17A is created (S35).

  Then, returning to the final overcoat processing routine of FIG. 15, overcoat printing is performed (S30). At this time, as in the first sheet, as shown in FIG. 9, the final overcode for the second sheet shown in FIG. The thermal head 7 is moved in the main scanning direction while generating heat from the heating element 7a used in the data 6n (S30). Then, when the final overcode data 6n for the second sheet is printed as shown in FIG. 17B as the printing portion + a + b and the printing is completed, it is determined whether or not the three overcode printing is completed. (S31). Here, since it is the second (second) overcode printing (S31, NO), the process returns to the final overcoat data creation process of S29.

  Subsequently, the process returns to the final overcoat data creation processing routine shown in FIG. 16, and it is determined whether or not the overcoat data to be created is the first overcoat data (S32). Here, since the first sheet has already been created (S32, NO), the process proceeds to S34, where it is determined whether or not the overcoat data to be created is the second overcoat data (S34). Since the second overcoat data has already been created (S34, NO), the process proceeds to S36, for example, the final overcode data 6p for the third page shown in FIG. 17A is created (FIG. 17A). S36).

  Then, returning to the final overcoat processing routine of FIG. 15, overcoat printing is performed (S30). At this time, similarly to the first and second sheets, as shown in FIG. 9, the heating element 7a in the final overcoat range H3 in the thermal head 7 is used for the third sheet shown in FIG. The thermal head 7 is moved in the main scanning direction while generating heat in the heating element 7a used in the final overcode data 6p (S30). Then, the final overcode data 6p for the third sheet prints the entire surface of the printing portion 6r as shown in FIG. 17B, such as the printing portion + a + b + c. It is determined whether overcode printing is completed (S31). Here, since it is the third (third) overcode printing (S31, YES), the process returns to the printing control routine shown in FIG. In this way, the entire print line 31 is covered with the coat layer 32 (S5). In this way, a finished print image in which only the surface of each print line 31 from the first line to the last line is covered with the coat layer 32 is obtained.

  As described above in detail, in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment, the three overcoat layer regions 6d, 6e, and 6f provided on the ink ribbon 6 are moved three times with respect to the print target portion 6r. It is formed to a length that allows thermal transfer. Then, the number of print dots necessary for overcoat printing of the print target portion 6r through the row of the heat generating elements 7a of the thermal head 7 is divided into three overcoat layer regions 6d, 6e, and 6f. Then, the overcoat layer is thermally transferred to the print portion 6r by performing heat generation driving for the row of the heat generating elements 7a three times in accordance with the divided number of print dots, so that the thermal head is used during overcoat printing. The load applied to 7 can be reduced to one-third compared to applying the entire overcoat at one time. Further, a visual difference appears in the printed portion 6r due to irregular reflection of light, and a texture different from the conventional one can be obtained.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on FIG. The printing apparatus according to the second embodiment has the same configuration and operation as the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment, but the thickness of the overcoat layer regions 6d, 6e, and 6f of the ink ribbon 6 to be used is the first. While the thicknesses of the overcoat layer regions 6d, 6e, and 6f of the ink ribbon 6 used in the printing apparatus of the first embodiment are all the same, the ink ribbon 6 used in the printing apparatus of the second embodiment is the same. At least one of the overcoat layer regions 6d, 6e, and 6f has a different thickness. As described above, the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment and the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment have the same configuration and operation, and thus description of the configuration and operation will be omitted, and only the points will be described. The same reference numerals are used for those having the same function.

  The point is that, as shown in FIG. 18, the thicknesses of the overcoat layer regions 6d, 6e, and 6f to be dividedly printed on the print portion 6r for one line are different. Thereby, irregular reflection of light can be adjusted. For example, matting can be realized by dividing the overcoat layer region into multiple sections. Further, partial matting or glossing can be achieved by adjusting the creation of the pattern for dividing the overcoat layer region.

  As described above, in the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the three ink layer regions 6 a to 6 c composed of the yellow color (Y), the magenta color (M), and the cyan color (C) are included in the thermal head 7. The overcoat layer is formed to have a length corresponding to a plurality of lines of the printed portion 6r and is formed to have a length L corresponding to one line of the printed portion 6r printed by the heating element 7a. Since it is formed with a different thickness for each line, it is possible to further change the texture and texture of the printed matter by irregular reflection of light.

  The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the overcoat layer region 6d for three sheets provided in the ink ribbon 6 in order to perform overcoat printing on the print portion 6r printed on the print medium 1. 6e and 6f are used for overcoat printing, but overcoat printing may be performed using two overcoat layer regions among the overcoat layer regions 6d, 6e and 6f.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a large number of heating elements 7 a are arranged in a row or staggered pattern in the width direction (sub-scanning direction) of the ink ribbon 6. 7a is arranged in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the printing medium 1, and an ink ribbon 6 that repeatedly includes one line of ink regions 6a to 6c and overcoat layer regions 6d to 6f is supplied from the sub-scanning direction. Thus, printing may be performed by a so-called line printer method. The overcoat layer regions 6d to 6f may be formed with different thicknesses for each line.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a large number of heating elements 7 a are arranged in a row or a staggered pattern in the width direction (sub-scanning direction) of the ink ribbon 6. 7a is disposed in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the print medium 1, and the ink ribbon 6 includes ink regions 6a to 6c and overcoat layer regions 6d to 6f corresponding to one page of the print portion 6r. May be supplied from the sub-scanning direction, and printing may be performed by a so-called page printer method. The overcoat layer regions 6d to 6f may be formed with different thicknesses for each page.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the printing line of the 1st line is printed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the printing line of the 2nd line is printed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the printing line of the last line is printed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which sends out an ink ribbon from a ribbon cassette and prints. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printer centering on a control device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between an ink ribbon and a thermal head. 4 is a flowchart of a first print control routine. 6 is a flowchart of a one-line printing process routine. It is explanatory drawing which shows each range of a thermal head. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of each part of the process in which a pixel is formed, (a) is a state of a DD data table, (b) is a state of a DT data table, (c) is a state of a pulse voltage, (d) is a state of a pulse voltage. Indicates the state of the pixel. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the pixel in an overlap area | region and a non-overlap area | region. It is a flowchart of an intermediate overcoat processing routine. It is a flowchart of a creation processing routine of intermediate overcoat data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the division state in the middle of an overcoat layer area | region, and the printing state of intermediate | middle overcoat data. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of intermediate | middle overcoat data in case an overcoat layer area | region is three sheets, (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the printing process of intermediate | middle overcoat data. It is a flowchart of the last overcoat process routine. It is a flowchart of a creation process routine of final overcoat data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the division state in the last of an overcoat layer area | region, and the printing state of the last overcoat data. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the last overcoat data in case an overcoat layer area | region is three sheets, (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the printing process of final overcoat data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state from which the thickness of the overcoat layer area | region of an ink ribbon differs, respectively. (A) is a state diagram of an ink ribbon having three overcoat layer regions, and (B) is a state diagram of an ink ribbon having n overcoat layer regions.

Explanation of symbols

1. 5. Medium to be printed Ink ribbons 6a-6c. Ink areas 6d to 6f. Overcoat layer region 6r. Printed part 7. Thermal head 7A. Heating element 15. Pixel (dot)
L. Area length

Claims (2)

A thermal head having a plurality of heating element arrays and an ink ribbon on which an ink layer and an overcoat layer are continuously formed on the ribbon film are provided, and the ink layer is thermally transferred to the print medium via the thermal head. Then, after printing the print portion, in the printing apparatus that coats the print portion on the print medium with the overcoat layer and thermally transfers it,
The overcoat layer is formed to a length that allows thermal transfer over a predetermined number of times of 2 or more with respect to the print portion,
The number of print dots required for printing the print portion via the heat generating element array of the thermal head is divided by the predetermined number of times, and the heat generating element array is preliminarily driven according to the divided number of print dots. The printing apparatus is characterized in that the overcoat layer is thermally transferred to the printing portion by performing the number of times. The ink layer is formed to have a length corresponding to one line of a printed portion printed by the heating element of the thermal head,
2. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the overcoat layer is formed to have a length corresponding to a plurality of lines of the portion to be printed and has a different thickness for each line. apparatus.

Images