JP5339887B2 - Printing apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent sticking of an ink ribbon in a heat transfer type printing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When an ink cartridge is detected by an ink cartridge detection part 13, and when Y-, M-, C-, OP-cartridges are detected, when printing is started, marker 501 of a non-printing region of a printing sheet is sensed by a marker detection part 14. When the marker 501 is not detected, a specified image is printed to overcoat, then the marker 501 is printed on the non-printing region of the printing sheet for expressing the completion of printing to the overcoat. When the marker 501 is detected, as the printing is completed to the overcoat, a display part 5 displays that the printing is to be finished, and printing is stopped, the sheet is ejected, to finish printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer type (sublimation type) printing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program, and more particularly to control when printing special colors such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and overcoat after gold, silver and the like are printed. is there.

  With the widespread use of input devices that record images, such as digital cameras and digital video cameras, various types of printers have been developed to print pictures taken with them. As an example of such a printer, a thermal transfer printer is employed. In a thermal transfer type printer, there is a system in which thermal paper is used as printing paper, and a thermal head in the main scanning direction is selectively driven to perform printing while the printing paper is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction.

  In an inkjet printer that is currently popular, an apparent resolution and gradation are obtained by a method such as error diffusion by causing ink to land on a sheet by binary selection of whether or not to eject ink. On the other hand, in a thermal transfer printer, the amount of heat per pixel from the thermal head can be easily controlled, so that a large number of gradations can be obtained. Further, due to the improvement in the performance of the thermal head and the quality of the paper material, it has become possible to obtain an image that is not inferior to a silver salt photograph even in the finished quality of the printed image.

  In recent years, in addition to commonly used process colors such as Yellow, Magenta, and Cyan, “special colors” such as gold and silver have been printed to give the image a glossy and fluorescent feel. There are printing methods for enjoying photo prints.

  For example, the following flow can be considered as the flow until printing the spot color. The user arbitrarily selects an image for which a special color is to be printed. Next, a pattern on which a special color is to be printed, for example, a star mark or a character, is laid out in the previously selected image. When the process is completed, first, yellow, magenta, cyan, and finish overcoat (hereinafter, Y, M, C, OP) colors are printed, and an image is printed on the printing paper. When printing is completed, the ink sheet is exchanged for a special color, the already printed paper is set again, and the special color specified earlier is printed. As described above, it is expected that the spot color designated by the user is printed on the printing paper pair that has already been printed.

  Depending on the user, it is also expected that the above-described pattern such as the star mark is printed on the paper printed up to OP using Y, M, C, and OP ink cartridges.

  With respect to the spot color printing method, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688, the sublimation printing method is used, and in normal printing mode, the paper is discharged as it is after printing is completed to complete printing. On the other hand, when the special color printing mode is selected, the paper being printed is held inside after the normal printing is completed. Then, a configuration is disclosed in which the cartridge is replaced with a special color cartridge, the special color is printed, and then the paper is discharged and printing is completed.

  Regarding a method for recognizing a paper printing surface, in Patent Document 2, paper feed tray management means for recognizing whether or not a back paper is set in a paper feed tray and whether a printing side of the fed paper has already been printed are detected. Printed paper judging means, and when single-sided printing is designated, it is judged that the designated paper feed tray is not a tray in which the back paper is set, or the printing side of the fed paper is A resource-saving printing apparatus is disclosed that includes a print data output destination determination control unit that detects whether printing has already been performed and determines that printing has been completed, and switches to a paper feed tray on which another backing paper is set. ing.

JP-A-11-70680 JP 2005-7825 A

  By the way, when Y, M, and C are printed again on the paper that has been printed up to OP, the sublimation Y layer is thermally transferred to the melted OP layer, so that the ink ribbon sticks and the paper is jammed. It is expected to cause this.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to prevent sticking of an ink ribbon in a thermal transfer type printing apparatus.

The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes an ink cartridge detection unit that detects a type of an ink cartridge mounted on the printing device, an identification information detection unit that detects identification information printed on a printing paper, the ink cartridge detection unit, Control means for controlling printing according to a detection result by the identification information detection means , and the cartridge detection means stores an ink sheet in which sublimation color ink and heat-melting transparent ink are held in a surface sequential manner. It is possible to detect whether the ink cartridge is a first ink cartridge or a second ink cartridge in which an ink sheet holding a heat-meltable color ink is stored. When printing with the first ink cartridge, the heat-meltable transparent ink is transferred after the sublimation color ink is transferred to the printing paper. When printing with the second ink cartridge, the heat melting color ink is transferred to the printing paper, and the control means detects the identification information by the identification information detection means, An identification information printing unit that prohibits printing by the first ink cartridge, permits printing by the second ink cartridge, and prints identification information on the printing paper when printing by the first ink cartridge; It is further provided with the feature.

  According to the present invention, sticking of an ink ribbon can be prevented in a thermal transfer type printing apparatus.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a thermal transfer type printer (printing system) according to a first embodiment which is a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Note that the printing paper used in the printer according to the present embodiment is a printing paper with a tab.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a central processing arithmetic unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls the entire printer. A ROM 2 stores a program executed by the CPU 1. The ROM 2 is assumed to be composed of a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, for example. Reference numeral 3 denotes a RAM, which is a temporary work memory of the CPU 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes an image data processing unit that performs data processing for printing image data or the like input from a data input unit 11 described later. The CPU 1, ROM 2, RAM 3, and image data processing unit 4 constitute a main control unit.

  A display unit 5 such as a liquid crystal display device or a touch panel displays data input from the display control unit 6 or displays an interface for performing various settings. Reference numeral 6 denotes a display control unit which controls the display unit 5.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes an operation unit such as various buttons. Reference numeral 8 denotes an operation control unit, which informs the CPU 1 of operation information such as power ON / OFF, selection of a print mode, selection of an image to be printed, and the like.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a printer engine such as paper transport or a thermal head. A printer engine control unit 10 controls the operation of the printer engine 9.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a data input unit. A data input control unit 12 reads data input from the data input unit 11 and performs control to write the input data in a storage unit inside the printer. Examples of the data input unit 11 include reading data from a memory stick (registered trademark), a compact flash (registered trademark), or the like. In addition, for example, wireless communication using IrDA (infrared communication), Bluetooth, or the like, and image input from a printer and a digital still camera or a personal computer using a USB cable are also included.

  An ink cartridge detection unit 13 determines the type of the ink cartridge installed in the printer. In the present embodiment, Y, M, C, and OP cartridges or spot color cartridges can be loaded into the printer. Each ink cartridge contains an ink sheet holding ink. The Y, M, C, and OP cartridges have an ink sheet in which yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) -finished overcoat (transparent ink) (OP) inks are repeatedly arranged in the surface order. Is stored. The spot color cartridge contains an ink sheet holding gold, silver, or fluorescent ink. Y, M, and C inks are sublimation inks. OP inks are transparent heat-meltable inks for protecting images printed with sublimation inks. Special colors such as gold ink, silver ink, and fluorescent ink The ink is a hot-melt ink.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a marker detection unit, which will be described in detail later, and performs identification information detection for detecting a marker, which is identification information printed in a non-printing area (tab portion) of printing paper.

  In the printer configured as described above, as will be described in detail below, the main control unit controls printing according to the detection results of the ink cartridge detection unit 13 and the marker detection unit 14.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the printer according to the first embodiment. In the main control unit, the CPU 1 refers to the program read from the ROM 2 to the RAM 3 to execute the processing of FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a user interface of the printer according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, 301 is an LCD (corresponding to the display unit 5), 302 is a power button, 303 is a jog dial, 304 is a cross button, 305 is a set (SET) button, and 306 is a print (PRINT) button.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, in step S101, the ink cartridge detection unit 13 detects the ink cartridge inserted by the user. Subsequently, in step S102, the type of cartridge detected in step S101 (Y, M, C, OP cartridge, or special color cartridge) is determined.

  If “No” in step S102, that is, if a Y, M, C, or OP cartridge is detected, the following control sequence is performed. First, in step S103, the user sets printing paper on the printer. In step S104, the user selects and designates an image to be printed via the operation unit 7. When the user finishes specifying the image and presses the print button 306 of the user interface shown in FIG. 3 (step S105), printing is started.

  In step S106, the marker detection unit 14 senses a marker 501 described later in the non-printing area of the printing paper. Subsequently, in step S107, it is determined whether or not the marker 501 has been detected.

  If the marker 501 is not detected (No in step S107), the process proceeds to step S108, where the designated image is printed and printing is performed up to the overcoat. After the printing process, in step S109, in order to indicate that the overcoat has been printed, the identification information printing for printing the marker 501 on the non-printing area of the printing paper is performed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the marker 501 for indicating that printing has been completed is represented by ■, but is not limited thereto. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the marker printing process S109 is performed after the printing process S108 for printing the image to be printed. However, the printing process S108 and the marker printing process S109 may be performed simultaneously. In this case, the marker 501 is printed together with the image to be printed using YMC ink, and the OP ink is printed after the image and the marker 501 are printed.

  When printing of the marker 501 is completed, the process proceeds to step S110, and the printing paper is discharged. In step S111, it is confirmed whether or not all the images designated by the user have been printed. If unprinted images remain, the processes in steps S107 to S110 are repeated. When all the images designated by the user have been printed, printing is terminated and the print standby state is returned.

  On the other hand, when the marker 501 is detected (Yes in step S107), the process proceeds to step S112, and as shown in FIG. To finish printing. As described above, the fact that the marker 501 is printed has been printed up to the overcoat of the hot-melt ink. If the printing of the sublimation inks Y, M, and C is continued again, the ink ribbon sticks and causes a paper jam, thereby prohibiting printing. Here, the display unit 5 notifies the user that information has been printed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a warning such as a beep sound is urged.

  What has been described above is a control method when a Y, M, C, and OP cartridge is detected. On the other hand, if “Yes”, that is, a spot color cartridge is detected in step S102, the following control sequence is performed. First, in step S113, the user sets printing paper on the printer. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, a display for calling attention is displayed on the display unit 5 so that the user does not mistake the printing direction.

  In step S114, the user arbitrarily lays out special color frames, characters, and the like on the user interface shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, frames, characters, and the like for spot colors are stored in the printer in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a format in which a medium is inserted into the data input unit 11 to prepare spot color layout data may be used. After the layout is completed, if the print button 306 of the user interface shown in FIG. 3 is pressed (step S115), printing is started.

  In step S116, the marker detection unit 14 senses the marker 501 in the non-printing area of the printing paper. Subsequently, in step S117, it is determined whether or not the marker 501 has been detected, that is, whether or not the overcoat has been printed.

  If the marker 501 is detected (Yes in step S117), the process proceeds to step S118, the spot color laid out in step S114 is printed (printing is permitted), and the sheet is discharged in step S119. Thereafter, when an unprinted image remains, the processes from step S114 to S119 are repeated. If all the images have been printed, printing is terminated and the print standby state is restored.

  On the other hand, if the marker 501 is not detected (No in step S117), the process proceeds to step S121, and a display for allowing the user to select whether or not to continue printing is performed on the display unit 5 as shown in FIG. This is because only spot colors are printed on unprinted paper. If the user selects to continue printing, the process advances to step S118 to execute spot color printing. If the user selects to cancel printing, printing is immediately stopped, the paper is discharged, and printing is terminated.

  As described above, by printing the marker 501 in the non-printing area of the printing paper that has been printed up to the overcoat and detecting the marker 501, it is possible to recognize the printing status of the printing paper. As a result, sticking of the ink ribbon can be prevented and printing of a plurality of sheets can be executed by one cartridge replacement.

  In this embodiment, when the marker 501 is printed on a sheet, it is determined that the OP ink has already been transferred to the sheet. However, as shown in FIG. 5, in the case of a paper in which the non-printing area can be cut by the perforation 502, if the non-printing area is cut after the marker printing, the OP ink is transferred to the paper. There is a situation where the marker is not printed. Therefore, when a marker is not detected on the paper that can cut the non-printing area by the perforation, the size detection for detecting the length (size) of the paper is performed, and the non-printing area is cut according to the detected length. Judge whether or not. If it is determined that the sheet has been cut, it is handled as a sheet printed with Y, M, C, and OP inks. In other words, if the detected paper size is a normal size that does not cut the non-printing area, it is considered that the marker is not printed, and if it is not the normal size, the marker is printed. Consider paper.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the printer according to the present embodiment, a configuration is described in which a sensor on the printer side recognizes the set direction of printed paper when performing spot color printing. Note that the basic configuration of the printer is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing operation of the printer according to the second embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 8 corresponds to the steps S116 to S121 in the flowchart in FIG. 2, and includes a determination process for the set direction of printed paper. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the process similar to the process demonstrated in FIG. 2, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the user presses the print button 306, the marker detection unit 14 senses the marker 501 in the non-printing area of the printing paper in step S116. Subsequently, in step S117, it is determined whether or not the marker 501 has been detected, that is, whether or not the overcoat has been printed.

  When the marker 501 is detected (Yes in step S117), the process proceeds to step S201, and the detection timing of the marker 501 is determined. Specifically, the main control unit determines whether the detection timing of the marker 501 is detected at the beginning (that is, at the front end of the sheet) or at the end (that is, at the rear end of the sheet). When the marker 501 is detected last, the process proceeds to step S202, and it is determined that the set direction is different from the direction to be printed (reverse), as shown in FIG. I do. The user looks at this display and corrects the printed paper in the correct direction. On the other hand, if the marker 501 is detected first, the process proceeds to step S118, where a special color frame / character specified by the user is printed, and the sheet is discharged in step S119.

  As described above, by determining the detection timing of the marker 501 before executing spot color printing, it is possible to prevent erroneous printing in the vertical and horizontal directions.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the printer according to this embodiment, a configuration in which the user can execute printing with reference to the “print history” of the printer will be described. Note that the basic configuration of the printer is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing operation of the printer according to the third embodiment. In the main control unit, the CPU 1 executes the processing of FIG. 10 by referring to the program read from the ROM 2 to the RAM 3.

  As shown in FIG. 10, first, in step S101, the ink cartridge detection unit 13 detects the ink cartridge inserted by the user. Subsequently, in step S102, the type of cartridge detected in step S101 (Y, M, C, OP cartridge, or special color cartridge) is determined.

  If “No” in step S102, that is, if a Y, M, C, or OP cartridge is detected, the following control sequence is performed. First, in step S103, the user sets printing paper on the printer. In step S104, the user selects and designates an image to be printed via the operation unit 7. When the user finishes specifying the image and presses the print button 306 of the user interface shown in FIG. 3 (step S105), printing is started.

  In step S106, the marker detection unit 14 senses the marker 501 in the non-printing area of the printing paper. Subsequently, in step S107, it is determined whether or not the marker 501 has been detected.

  If the marker 501 is not detected (No in step S107), the process proceeds to step S108, where the designated image is printed and printing is performed up to the overcoat. After the printing process, in step S109, in order to indicate that the overcoat has been printed, a marker 501 is printed on the non-printing area of the printing paper as shown in FIG. 5 (see FIG. 5).

  When printing of the marker 501 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1001, and print image data is stored in the ROM 2 as an image history. Note that the format of the image data may be changed as appropriate according to the capacity of the storage area of the ROM 2.

  After the print image data storage process, the process advances to step S110 to discharge the print paper. In step S111, it is confirmed whether or not all the images designated by the user have been printed. If unprinted images remain, the processes in steps S107 to S110 are repeated. When all the images designated by the user have been printed, printing is terminated and the print standby state is returned.

  On the other hand, when the marker 501 is detected (Yes in step S107), the process proceeds to step S112, and as shown in FIG. To finish printing. As described above, the fact that the marker 501 is printed means that the overcoat has already been printed, and if the printing of Y, M, and C is continued again, the sticking of the ink ribbon occurs, causing the paper jam. It is to become.

  What has been described above is a control method when a Y, M, C, and OP cartridge is detected. On the other hand, if “Yes”, that is, a spot color cartridge is detected in step S102, the following control sequence is performed. First, in step S113, the user sets printing paper on the printer. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, a display for calling attention is displayed on the display unit 5 so that the user does not mistake the printing direction.

  In step S114, the user arbitrarily lays out special color frames, characters, and the like on the user interface shown in FIG. After the layout is completed, if the print button 306 of the user interface shown in FIG. 3 is pressed (step S115), printing is started.

  In step S116, the marker detection unit 14 senses the marker 501 in the non-printing area of the printing paper. Subsequently, in step S117, it is determined whether or not the marker 501 has been detected, that is, whether or not the overcoat has been printed.

  If the marker 501 is detected (Yes in step S117), the process proceeds to step S1002, and edit data such as frames and characters laid out for a special color is stored in the ROM 2 as an editing history. At this time, the contents to be saved may be appropriately changed according to the storage capacity, such as storing only the edited contents.

  After the editing data saving process, the process proceeds to step S118, the spot color laid out in step S114 is printed, and the sheet is discharged in step S119. Thereafter, when an unprinted image remains, the processes from step S114 to S119 are repeated. If all the images have been printed, printing is terminated and the print standby state is restored.

  On the other hand, if the marker 501 is not detected (No in step S117), the process proceeds to step S121, and a display for allowing the user to select whether or not to continue printing is performed on the display unit 5 as shown in FIG. This is because only spot colors are printed on unprinted paper. If the user selects to continue printing, the process advances to step S118 to execute spot color printing. If the user selects to cancel printing, printing is immediately stopped, the paper is discharged, and printing is terminated.

  Next, an image selection method when printing again using the print history (image history and edit history) saved in steps S1001 and S1002 will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 11 corresponds to steps S101 to S104, S113, and S114 in the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the process similar to the process demonstrated in FIG. 10, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  If Y, M, C, or OP cartridges are detected in steps S101 and S102, the user sets printing paper in the printer in step S103. In steps S1101 to S1103, the user selects and designates an image to be printed.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, a display for inquiring whether or not to refer to the image history is performed on the display unit 5. The user presses the “Yes” button to reprint the previously printed image. If the main control unit refers to the image history (Yes in step S1101), the main control unit refers to the image history storage area of the ROM 2 to display the stored image data and allow the user to select it (step S1102). The user presses a “No” button to newly print an image. When printing a new image (No in step S1101), the main control unit acquires an image from the data input unit 11 according to a user instruction (selects an image in the medium) (step S1103). Thereafter, printing is started after an instruction to start printing.

  On the other hand, if a spot color cartridge is detected in steps S101 and S102, the user sets paper in the printer in step S113. In steps S1104 to S1106, a special color frame, characters, and the like are arbitrarily laid out.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, a display for inquiring whether or not to refer to the editing history is performed on the display unit 5. The user presses a “Yes” button to refer to past editing data. If it is determined that the editing history is to be referred to (Yes in step S1104), the main control unit refers to the editing history storage area of the ROM 2 to display the stored editing data and allow the user to select (step S1105). The user presses the “No” button to print a new layout. When the main control unit newly lays out and prints (No in step S1104), the main control unit causes the user to select a layout pattern stored in advance in the printer (step S1106). Thereafter, printing is started after an instruction to start printing.

  As described above, image data (image history) is stored at the timing when the marker 501 is loaded when the Y, M, C, and OP cartridges are loaded, and editing data (editing) is performed when the marker 501 is loaded when the special color cartridge is loaded. By storing (history), the trouble of printing again can be saved.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the printing paper does not have a tab (for example, cut paper), and a marker is written in advance on the back surface of the printing paper with n-bit (n is an integer) information (printed 9 The basic configuration of the printer is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described below.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the processing operation of the printer according to the fourth embodiment. In the main control unit, the CPU 1 refers to the program read from the ROM 2 to the RAM 3 to execute the processing of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, first, in step S101, the ink cartridge detection unit 13 detects the ink cartridge inserted by the user. Subsequently, in step S102, the type of cartridge detected in step S101 (Y, M, C, OP cartridge, or special color cartridge) is determined.

  If “No” in step S102, that is, if a Y, M, C, or OP cartridge is detected, the following control sequence is performed. First, in step S103, the user sets printing paper on the printer. In step S104, the user selects and designates an image to be printed via the operation unit 7. The method for selecting and specifying an image at this time is as described above. When the user finishes specifying the image and presses the print button 306 of the user interface shown in FIG. 3 (step S105), printing is started.

  In step S106, the marker detection unit 14 senses a marker recorded in advance on the back side of the printing paper (without tabs). FIG. 15 shows markers that are recorded in advance on the back side of the printing paper (without tabs). In the example shown in the figure, four lines are written and 4 bits represent “1101”. In addition, although the example of 4 bits was shown here, it is not limited to this bit number.

  FIG. 16 shows the contents in the print history storage area. In the printing paper No., a bit number recorded in advance on the printing paper detected by the marker detection unit 14 is stored. In association with the bit number, an image file name of the print image is stored as the image name, and a file number such as a frame / character specified by the user is stored as the edit name.

  In step S1401, the bit number detected by the marker detection unit 14 and the bit number in the print history storage area shown in FIG. 16 are referenced to determine whether printing has been completed.

  If the detected bit number does not exist in the print history area (No in step S1401), the process proceeds to step S108, the designated image is printed, and printing is performed up to the overcoat. In step S1402, the bit number is associated with the print image data and stored in the ROM 2. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, various data used in editing the frame / characters are also saved.

  After the print image data storage process, the process advances to step S110 to discharge the print paper. In step S111, it is confirmed whether or not all the images designated by the user have been printed. If unprinted images remain, the processes in steps S1401 to S110 are repeated. When all the images designated by the user have been printed, printing is terminated and the print standby state is returned.

  On the other hand, if the detected bit number exists in the print history area (Yes in step S1401), the process proceeds to step S112, and a display to the effect that printing is finished is displayed on the display unit 5 as shown in FIG. Is stopped, the paper is discharged, and printing is finished. The fact that the detected bit number exists in the print history area means that the overcoat has already been printed, and if printing of Y, M, and C is continued again, sticking of the ink ribbon occurs, causing the paper jam. It is to become.

  What has been described above is a control method when a Y, M, C, and OP cartridge is detected. On the other hand, if “Yes”, that is, a spot color cartridge is detected in step S102, the following control sequence is performed. First, in step S113, the user sets printing paper on the printer. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, a display for calling attention is displayed on the display unit 5 so that the user does not mistake the printing direction.

  In step S114, the user arbitrarily lays out special color frames, characters, and the like on the user interface shown in FIG. After the layout is completed, if the print button 306 of the user interface shown in FIG. 3 is pressed (step S115), printing is started.

  In step S116, the marker detection unit 14 senses a marker recorded in advance on the back surface of the printing paper (without tabs). Subsequently, in step S117, it is determined whether or not the detected bit number exists in the print history area, that is, whether or not the overcoat has been printed.

  If the detected bit number exists in the print history area (Yes in step S117), the process proceeds to step S1403, and edit data such as frames and characters laid out for the special color is stored in the ROM2. After the editing data saving process, the process proceeds to step S118, the spot color laid out in step S114 is printed, and the sheet is discharged in step S119. Thereafter, when an unprinted image remains, the processes from step S114 to S119 are repeated. If all the images have been printed, printing is terminated and the print standby state is restored.

  On the other hand, if the detected bit number does not exist in the print history area (No in step S117), the process proceeds to step S121, and the user selects whether to continue printing on the display unit 5 as shown in FIG. Display. This is because only spot colors are printed on unprinted paper. If the user selects to continue printing, the process advances to step S118 to execute spot color printing. If the user selects to cancel printing, printing is immediately stopped, the paper is discharged, and printing is terminated.

  As described above, even in tabless printing paper, by sensing a marker including bit information on the back of the paper and collating it with information in the print history storage area, the printing status of the printing paper surface can be recognized, and the ink ribbon Paper jams due to sticking or the like can be prevented.

  Note that the configurations, shapes, and structures of the respective parts shown in the above embodiments are merely examples of implementation when the present invention is implemented, thereby limiting the technical scope of the present invention. There is no interpretation. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus. In this case, the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not limited to being realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. May be.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. In this case, after being written in the memory, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the function of the above-described embodiment is performed by the processing. Is realized.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a thermal transfer type printer according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the printer according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows a user interface. It is a figure which shows the example of a display which notifies that the printing is complete | finished. It is a figure which shows the example of the printing paper on which the marker was printed. It is a figure which shows the example of a display which calls attention so that a printing direction may not be mistaken. It is a figure which shows the example of a display which makes a user select whether it continues printing. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the processing operation of the printer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example for prompting attention in a paper setting direction. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a printer according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a processing operation of a printer according to a third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the case of referring an image history. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the case of referring edit history. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a printer according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the printing paper which has a bit marker on the back. It is a figure showing the contents in a printing history storage area.

Explanation of symbols

1 Central processing unit 2 ROM
3 RAM
4 image data processing unit 5 display unit 6 display control unit 7 operation unit 8 operation control unit 9 printer engine 10 printer engine control unit 11 data input unit 12 data input control unit 13 ink cartridge detection unit 14 marker detection unit

Claims (14)

Ink cartridge detection means for detecting the type of ink cartridge mounted on the printing apparatus;
Identification information detecting means for detecting identification information printed on the printing paper;
Control means for controlling printing in accordance with detection results by the ink cartridge detection means and the identification information detection means ,
The cartridge detection means is a first ink cartridge containing an ink sheet in which sublimable color ink and heat-meltable transparent ink are held in a surface order, or heat-melt color ink is held. It is possible to detect whether the second ink cartridge in which the ink sheet is stored,
In the printing by the first ink cartridge, the control means transfers the heat-meltable transparent ink after transferring the sublimation color ink to printing paper, and uses the second ink cartridge. When printing, heat-meltable color ink is transferred to the printing paper,
The control means prohibits printing by the first ink cartridge and permits printing by the second ink cartridge when the identification information is detected by the identification information detection means;
A printing apparatus , further comprising identification information printing means for printing identification information on the printing paper when printing with the first ink cartridge . The control unit performs printing using the first ink cartridge when the first ink cartridge is detected by the ink cartridge detection unit and the identification information is not detected by the identification information detection unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 . The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a storage means for storing printing history of printing by the first ink cartridge. The control means, said first ink cartridge by the ink cartridge detecting means detects, when the identification information by the identification information detecting means is detected, any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a notification The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The control means does not perform printing with the first ink cartridge when the first ink cartridge is detected by the ink cartridge detection means and identification information is detected by the identification information detection means. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The control unit performs printing using the second ink cartridge when the second ink cartridge is detected by the ink cartridge detection unit and the identification information is detected by the identification information detection unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 . When the second ink cartridge is detected by the ink cartridge detection means and the identification information is not detected by the identification information detection means, the control means determines whether or not to perform printing by the second ink cartridge. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the printing apparatus is selected by a user. The identification information is identification information for determining whether the heat-meltable ink is transferred to the printing paper,
Wherein, the sheet of heat-fusible ink is transferred, the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the controller controls so as not to transfer the sublimable ink. Size detection means for detecting the size of the printing paper for which the identification information is not detected by the identification information detection means;
The size of the print paper detected by said size detecting means, when not the predetermined size, either the printing paper according to claim 1 to 8, characterized in that considered as a printing paper in which the identification information is printed The printing apparatus according to claim 1. Printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a storage means for storing printing history of printing by the second ink cartridge. Printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a set direction detecting means for detecting a set direction of the printing paper to determine the detection timing of the identification information by the identification information detecting means . The printing apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising a notification unit configured to notify when a setting direction of the printing paper detected by the setting direction detection unit is different from a direction to be printed. A method for controlling a printing apparatus,
An ink cartridge detection step for detecting the type of the ink cartridge ;
An identification information detecting step for detecting the identification information printed on the printing paper;
Have a control step of controlling printing according to the ink cartridge detecting step and said identification information detection result of detection by the step,
The ink cartridge detecting step is a first ink cartridge that contains an ink sheet in which sublimable color ink and heat-meltable transparent ink are held in a surface order, or heat-melt color ink is It is possible to detect whether the held ink sheet is the second ink cartridge stored,
In the control step, when printing with the first ink cartridge, the sublimable color ink is transferred to a printing paper, and then the hot-melt transparent ink is transferred, and then the second ink cartridge is used. When printing, heat-meltable color ink is transferred to the printing paper,
The control step prohibits printing by the first ink cartridge and permits printing by the second ink cartridge when identification information is detected by the identification information detection step;
A method for controlling a printing apparatus, further comprising: an identification information printing step for printing identification information on the printing paper when printing is performed by the first ink cartridge . A program for controlling a printing apparatus,
An ink cartridge detection process for detecting the type of the ink cartridge ;
An identification information detection process for detecting the identification information printed on the printing paper;
Causing the computer to execute a control process for controlling printing according to the detection result of the ink cartridge detection process and the identification information detection process ,
The ink cartridge detection process may be a first ink cartridge containing an ink sheet in which sublimable color ink and heat-meltable transparent ink are held in surface order, or heat-melt color ink It is possible to detect whether the held ink sheet is the second ink cartridge stored,
In the control process, when printing with the first ink cartridge, the sublimation color ink is transferred to a printing paper, and then the hot-melt transparent ink is transferred, and then the second ink cartridge is used. When printing, heat-meltable color ink is transferred to the printing paper,
The control process prohibits printing by the first ink cartridge and permits printing by the second ink cartridge when identification information is detected by the identification information detection process;
A program for causing a computer to further execute an identification information printing process for printing identification information on the printing paper during printing by the first ink cartridge .

Images