JP5586090B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that records information and forms an image on a recording medium such as a plastic card or a cardboard card, and relates to an improvement in a layout configuration of a mechanism unit such as an information recording mechanism or an image forming mechanism.

  In general, this type of image forming apparatus is widely known as an apparatus for recording information on cards used for various certification cards, settlement cards, and the like. It is used as a terminal device of a card issuing system as a device for forming image data such as a face photograph, name and name together with magnetic recording information and IC recording information on the front and back surfaces of the card.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device including a card supply stacker and a conveyance path for guiding the card to an information recording unit and an image forming unit. In this document, a transport path is provided in a direction parallel to the supply stacker, a card reversing unit is disposed between the stacker and the transport path, and the card fed out of the stacker is reversed in the orthogonal direction to be guided to the transport path. A magnetic information recording unit is disposed on the upstream side of the conveyance path, and an image transfer platen is disposed on the downstream side.

  Then, magnetic information is recorded on the card fed out of the stacker by the conveyance path, and then the image is transferred by the transfer platen. After the image is transferred to one side, the card is switched back to the reverse unit, and then the back side is reversed. Transcription.

  Similarly, Patent Document 2 discloses an apparatus in which a recording unit that records magnetic information on a card fed from a supply stacker to a conveyance path and a transfer platen that transfers an image on the downstream side thereof are disclosed. In this document, a card transport path is provided in a linear direction from the card supply stacker, a recording unit and a transfer platen are disposed in this path, and an ink ribbon cassette and a transfer film cassette are disposed below the transport path.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, a reversing unit is provided on the downstream side of the card supply stacker, and a card transport path is provided in two directions of the information recording unit and the image transfer unit with this unit, and the card is sent to the information recording unit. Is switched back to the reversing unit to change the direction, and then the card is sent to the image transfer unit.

Japanese Patent No. 3625206 US Patent Publication No. 2008-216688 Japanese Patent No. 3737037

  As described above, an image forming apparatus for recording magnetic information, IC information, and forming an image on a recording medium such as a card has an information recording unit and an image transfer unit arranged in the card conveyance path as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc. An apparatus configuration for recording information and transferring an image by sending a card in a first and second plurality of directions by a reversing unit that deflects the conveyance direction as in Patent Document 3 is known.

  In this case, since it is difficult to bend and deform the card, the card transport path is configured with a straight path. When transferring an image to the front and back surfaces of the card, the card transport path is at the end of the card transport path (upstream or downstream of the platen). A reversing unit is provided to resend the image transfer unit.

  On the other hand, it is also known that information recording and image formation on a recording medium are performed in parallel by supplying a plurality of cards into the apparatus. However, in the apparatus configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the processing time of the information recording unit When the processing times of the image forming units are the same, continuous parallel processing is possible. However, when one of the processing times is longer than the other, the processing unit with a short processing time must wait for the card.

  When a recording error occurs in the information recording unit along with such a problem, this card must be rejected out of the path. After all, in the device configuration of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the previous card is processed and stored in the storage stacker. After that, the next succeeding card is supplied into the apparatus.

  Therefore, as in the apparatus of Patent Document 3, a reversing unit is provided on the downstream side of the paper feeding unit, a conveyance path is provided in the first and second directions from this unit, and an information recording / image forming processing unit is provided in each conveyance path. A configuration to arrange has been proposed. In the case of this device configuration, the card preceding in the first transport pass can be processed simultaneously with the card following in the second transport pass.

  However, when processing a plurality of cards in parallel, the processing time is variously different. For example, when processing images on both sides of the card (image forming processing; the same applies hereinafter) and when processing images on one side, when the image forming area is different, or when the recording error occurs in information recording, various processing times There will be a difference. For this reason, it is necessary to provide a card standby area (buffer area) in the transport pass and adjust the time of the continuous card flow.

  If a large number of card standby areas in such a transport path are formed, the apparatus becomes large. This requires a space for the length of the card in the standby area, so forming a large number of these areas leads to an increase in the size of the apparatus.

  Therefore, the present inventor transports an information recording unit that records magnetic / IC information on a card, which is a recording medium, and an image transfer unit that forms an image (characters / photos / patterns, etc.) in different directions. A standby area is arranged between the printing unit and the transfer unit. Then, the idea is that the apparatus can be concentrated by disposing an image forming section for forming an image on the transfer film in this standby area.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of processes of information recording and image formation are performed on a recording medium, it is possible to perform parallel processing on a plurality of cards, and the recording medium transport path, the information recording mechanism, and the image forming mechanism can be reduced in size. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be configured compactly.

To achieve the above object, the information present invention, the first and second conveying path for conveying the recording medium from the reverse unit to deflect the conveying direction of the recording medium in different directions provided and disposed on the second conveying path Information is recorded on the recording medium by the recording unit, and the image formed on the transfer film is transferred and formed on the recording medium by the transfer unit arranged in the first conveyance path. Here, the first transport path and the second transport path transport the recording medium in directions different from each other , and the recording medium is temporarily placed between the reversing unit and the transfer unit in the first transport path. A standby unit for standby is disposed, and an image forming unit for forming an image on the transfer film is disposed in a space occupied by the standby unit, and the image forming unit and the transfer unit transfer the recording medium from the reversing unit toward the transfer unit. The image forming unit and the transfer unit are arranged in this order in the recording medium transport direction of the first transport path .

When the information recording process by the information recording unit is finished, if the image forming process by the image forming unit is not finished, the standby unit waits the recording medium, and the information recording process by the information recording unit is finished. In some cases, when the image forming process by the image forming unit is completed, the recording medium is controlled to be transferred to the transfer unit without waiting in the standby unit.

The paper feeding unit and the reversing unit are arranged in the apparatus housing from the top to the bottom in the order of the paper feeding unit and the reversing unit, the first transport path is substantially horizontal from the reversing unit, and the second transport path is It arrange | positions in a substantially perpendicular direction from an inversion part. The image forming unit and the transfer unit are arranged in the order of the image forming unit and the transfer unit in the horizontal direction below the first transport path.

  A transfer film for transferring an image to a recording medium is movably disposed in the transfer portion, and an image forming platen, an ink ribbon, and a thermal head are disposed in the image forming portion for forming an image on the transfer film. To do. The image forming unit is disposed at a position upstream of the transfer unit and facing the standby unit with respect to the transfer direction of the recording medium moving along the first transport path.

  The present invention provides a first second transport path in a different direction from the reversing part of the recording medium, and when the image formed on the transfer film by the transfer unit disposed in the first transport path is transferred to the recording medium, In this first transport path, a standby unit for temporarily waiting the recording medium is arranged between the reversing unit and the transfer unit, and an image forming unit for forming an image on the transfer film is arranged in the space occupied by the standby unit. Since it is a thing, there exist the following effects.

  In the first conveyance path for forming an image on the recording medium, a standby unit is provided between the reversing unit and the transfer unit, and an image forming unit for forming an image on the transfer film is arranged in parallel in the space occupied by the standby unit. Therefore, the apparatus can be configured to be small and compact.

  In addition, since the standby unit is disposed between the reversing unit and the transfer unit of the first conveyance path, the preceding recording medium is sent to the standby unit in the second conveyance path located on the upstream side of this path. Thereafter, information can be recorded on a subsequent recording medium.

  At the same time, it is possible to individually set a job (route) and timing for processing in the recording process of the second transport pass and the image forming process of the first transport pass. Therefore, for example, when a defect (jam or the like) occurs in the ink ribbon or transfer film, the apparatus is stopped after information is recorded on the succeeding recording medium in the second transport pass while the preceding recording medium is kept at the standby position. Thus, it is not necessary to take out all the recording media in the apparatus and perform error processing. In addition, after processing the defect (after jam processing), the recording medium is waiting at a predetermined standby position, so that the apparatus can be easily restarted after processing.

In the present invention, the standby unit is not the transfer unit, but is arranged between the reversing unit and the transfer unit. If the recording medium is made to stand by at the transfer unit, the leading end of the recording medium is heated by the heat source of the transfer unit. If only the leading end of the recording medium is heated, a temperature difference may occur in one recording medium, and the image may be uneven.
Therefore, according to the present invention, since the standby unit is provided between the reversing unit and the transfer unit, a part of the standby recording medium is not warmed. In addition, if the standby unit is provided in the reversing unit or the information recording unit, the parallel processing of the image forming process for the preceding recording medium and the information recording process for the subsequent recording medium cannot be performed. It is preferably provided between the reversing part and the transfer part.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a layout configuration of the apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a detailed explanatory diagram of a standby unit in the apparatus of FIG. 1. The whole perspective view of a paper feed cassette. The perspective block diagram of a film cassette. (A) thru | or (c) are the operation | movement state explanatory drawings of a card | curd. (D) thru | or (e) is an operation | movement state explanatory drawing of a card | curd. (A) and (b) are timing charts for simultaneously processing a plurality of cards. The control block diagram in the apparatus of FIG.

  The present invention will be described in detail below based on the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention. This apparatus performs “information recording” such as magnetic information and IC information and “image formation (printing)” such as characters, photographs, and marks on ID cards for various certifications, credit cards for commercial transactions, and the like. Therefore, the apparatus housing 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes an information recording unit A, an image transfer unit B, and a paper feeding unit C. In addition, the apparatus housing 2 is equipped with an image transfer portion B so that a transfer film 46 can run, and an image forming portion D for forming an image on the transfer film 46.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the layout configuration of the apparatus of FIG. 1, and the layout of each configuration will be described according to this.

  In the apparatus housing 2, a paper feeding unit C and a reversing unit F that converts the direction of a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as “card”) sent from the paper feeding unit C are arranged. A first transport path P1 for transporting cards in the first direction and a second transport path P2 for transporting cards in the second direction are arranged on the downstream side of the reversing unit F. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a third transport path P3 for transporting cards in the third direction is arranged separately from the second transport path P2.

  With such a layout configuration, the sheet feeding unit C is composed of a sheet feeding cassette 3 that stores and arranges a plurality of cards in a standing posture (see FIG. 3) in the front-rear direction, and the card feeding direction (the arrow X direction in FIG. 2) The card transport direction (the arrow Y direction in FIG. 2) of the first transport path P1 is arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the opposite directions. That is, since the paper feed cassette 3 and the first transport path P1 located in the upper part of FIG. 2 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, the card storage area and the image transfer mechanism (transfer platen 31 and standby unit E described later) are parallel in the vertical direction. The system is laid out in order to consolidate the devices.

  The reversing unit F (a reversing unit described later) is provided adjacent to the lower side of the paper feeding unit C, and is disposed on one end side (right end in FIG. 2) of the apparatus housing 2. The first transport path P1 is disposed substantially in the horizontal direction downstream of the reversing unit F, and the second transport path P2 is disposed in the substantially vertical direction. The first and second transport paths P1 and P2 are preferably arranged in different directions and in an angle range of 90 degrees to 180 degrees as shown in the figure, but appropriate in consideration of the congestion of the route. Set the angle range.

  In the first transport path P1, a standby unit E and a transfer unit B are disposed, and the standby unit E is disposed between the reversing unit F and the transfer unit B. As shown in FIG. 3, the standby unit E is composed of a first roller pair 29 and a second roller pair 30 having an interval Ld shorter than the card conveying length Lc. The transfer section B is constituted by a transfer platen (the illustrated one is a platen roller 31), and supports the card as a backup to transfer the image onto the surface (lower surface in FIG. 3). The transfer roller 33 is arranged on the platen so as to move up and down between a standby position separated from the card and an operating position in contact with the card.

  A transfer film 46 is wound between the transfer platen 31 and the transfer roller 33. The illustrated one includes a film cassette 50 which will be described later, and this film cassette 50 is disposed below the first transport path P1 together with a ribbon cassette 42 which will be described later.

  A film path P4 is configured so that the transfer film 46 accommodated in the film cassette 50 travels between the transfer platen 31 and the image forming portion D. The image forming unit D is arranged below the conveyance path in the arrangement space of the standby unit E of the first conveyance path P1. The image forming unit D includes an image forming platen 45 and a thermal head 40 disposed so as to face the platen, and the ink ribbon 41 is disposed between the two. The configuration of the ink ribbon will be described in a ribbon cassette described later.

  In the image forming section D configured in this manner, the reversing section F and the standby section E of the first transport path P1 are positioned above, and the second transport path P2 and its information recording section A (magnetic recording to be described later) are located on the side. Mechanism) is located. The ribbon cassette 42 and the film cassette 50 are arranged in this order between the reversing part F and the image transfer part B of the first transport path P1.

  As described above, the first conveyance path P1 and the second conveyance path P2 are arranged in different directions through the reversing unit F, and the ribbon cassette 42 and the film cassette 50 are arranged in an area surrounded by both the paths. An intermediate transfer area is formed. The standby unit E is disposed in the first conveyance path P1 between the reversing unit F and the image transfer unit B, and the image forming unit D is disposed below the standby unit E. With such a layout configuration, it is possible to consolidate the apparatus and achieve compactness.

[Configuration of paper feed unit]
The paper feeding unit C is configured by a hopper mechanism that stores a plurality of cards. The illustrated hopper mechanism includes a paper feed cassette 3 that is detachably mounted on the apparatus housing 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the paper feed cassette 3 includes a box-shaped cassette housing 3 a (hereinafter referred to as “casing”) and a card storage unit 4 provided in the housing. The card storage unit 4 is configured by a storage space that conforms to a card size that allows a plurality of cards to be aligned and stored in a standing posture. An opening 4a for inserting / removing a card is provided in the upper part of the card storage 4 and an opening / closing cover 3b for opening / closing the opening is hinged.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the card storage unit 4 is configured in a space shape that stores cards in a standing position by arranging the cards from one end (left end in the figure) to the other end (right end) in the front-rear direction. In this space, a card placement surface 5 for placing the cards in a standing position and a card locking surface 6 for locking the cards in the front row are provided.

  The card placement surface 5 and the card locking surface 6 hold the card in a forward tilt posture. For this reason, the card mounting surface 5 is formed of an inclined surface having a height difference Δd in the operation direction (arrow X direction) or a step surface. The card locking surface 6 is formed as an inclined surface that locks the card in a forward tilting posture. In this case, the card feeding direction refers to a direction in which the card is fed to the opening 4a in a direction in which the cards are stacked in the front-rear direction.

  The card storage portion 4 is provided with a paper feed opening 7 at the leading end in the operation direction. The paper feed opening 7 is configured as an opening through which the front row of cards can be carried out of the housing. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the front row of cards locked to the card locking surface 6 in a forward inclined posture are formed in a slit shape to carry them out from the bottom of the housing 3a. The paper feed opening 7 is configured with a slit thickness and width suitable for the card thickness, and is formed in a slit shape through which only the card in the front row can pass. The paper feed opening 7 constitutes a separating means for separating the cards one by one.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the card storage portion 4 is provided with a picker opening 11 for engaging a pickup roller 19 described later on the front surface of the card. The picker opening 11 is formed as an opening for engaging a pickup roller 19 (to be described later) with the front row card in order to feed out the front row card from the paper feed opening 7.

[Configuration of reversing unit]
A reversing unit (reversing unit: the same applies hereinafter) F disposed on the downstream side of the paper feeding unit C will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a carry-in roller 22 is disposed on the downstream side of the paper feed opening 7 of the paper feed cassette 3. Then, the card fed out from the paper feed cassette 3 is sent to the reversing unit F by the carry-in roller 22. The reversing unit F is composed of a unit frame supported by a device frame (not shown) so as to be pivotable and a pair or a plurality of roller pairs supported by the frame.

  In the illustrated example, two roller pairs 20 and 21 arranged at a distance from each other at a distance are axially supported on a unit frame so as to be rotatable. The unit frame is swiveled in a predetermined angle direction by a swivel motor (pulse motor or the like), and a roller pair attached to the unit frame is configured to rotate in a forward / reverse direction by a transport motor. Although this drive mechanism is not shown in the figure, for example, a single pulse motor is configured to switch the turning motion of the unit frame and the rotation of the roller pair by a clutch.

  Accordingly, the cards prepared in the paper feed cassette 3 are fed out by the pickup roller 19, separated one by one at the separation gap of the paper feed opening 7, and sent to the reversing unit F on the downstream side. The reversing unit F carries the card into the unit with the roller pairs 20 and 21 and deflects its posture in a predetermined angle direction while being nipped by the roller pair.

  On the downstream side of the reversing unit F, a first transport path P1, a second transport path P2, and a third transport path P3, which will be described later, are arranged in respective angular directions. A magnetic recording unit 24 is built in the second transport path P2, and magnetic information is recorded on the magnetic stripe of the card sent from the reversing unit F. The illustrated magnetic recording unit 24 is configured by a read / write head, and is configured to read the recorded information and determine whether it is correct or incorrect simultaneously with recording of magnetic information.

  Further, a non-contact IC recording unit 23 is built in the third transport path P3, and information is recorded on an IC built in the recording medium in advance. A reject stacker 25 and a barcode reader are arranged on the outer periphery of the reversing unit F in the turning direction. This bar code reader is a unit for reading a bar code printed by an image forming unit D, which will be described later, and making a correct / incorrect determination (error determination).

  Therefore, when the card whose posture is deflected in the predetermined angle direction by the reversing unit F is transferred to the recording unit by the roller pairs 20 and 21, data can be magnetically or electrically input onto the card. Further, when a recording error occurs in these data input units, they are carried out to the reject stacker 25.

[Configuration of the first transport path]
A first transport path P1 is disposed downstream of the reversing unit F. An image transfer portion B is disposed in the first transport path P1, and an image is formed on the card sent from the reversing unit F. In the first transport path P1, roller pairs (which may be belts) 29 and 30 are disposed on the upstream side of the image transfer portion B, and are connected to a transport motor (not shown). The first and second roller pairs 29 and 30 are configured so as to be able to switch between forward and reverse rotations, and at the same time when the card is conveyed from the reversing unit F to the image transfer unit B, the card can be conveyed from the image transfer unit B to the reversing unit F. It is possible.

[Configuration of standby unit]
A standby unit E is disposed on the upstream side of the transfer unit B in the first transport path P1. In the standby section E, as shown in FIG. 3, the first roller pair 29 and the second roller pair 30 are arranged at an interval Ld shorter than the card conveying direction length Lc. The card is temporarily held in a state where the card is held by the roller pairs 29 and 30 arranged at a distance from each other before and after this. For this reason, a transmission clutch (not shown) is provided between the first and second roller pairs 29 and 30 and the drive motor, and the card can be stopped and waited when the clutch is turned off. The first and second roller pairs 29 and 30 are disposed between the reversing unit F and a transfer section B described later. In addition, a sensor Se5 that detects the loading / unloading of a card with respect to the reversing unit F is disposed between the reversing unit F and the first roller pair 29, and the presence / absence of a card in the reversing unit F can be detected.

  In the state where the card is kept on standby, the leading end of the card is on the upstream side of the transfer roller 33 described later. As a result, the leading edge portion of the card that is on standby is not heated by the transfer roller 33, so that there is no possibility of unevenness in the image transferred to the card. Further, when the card tip is bent, if the card is made to stand by on the transfer roller 33, the card may be rubbed against the transfer film 46 described later, and the transfer film 46 may be damaged. Since the standby part E is arranged on the upstream side of the transfer part B, the transfer film 46 is not damaged. Further, in a state where the card is in a standby state, the rear end of the card is between the first roller pair 29 and the sensor Se5 (a state where the sensor Se5 is passed). Therefore, even if the reversing unit F turns during the card standby, it does not contact the card.

  In this way, by arranging the standby unit E in the first transport path P1 between the reversing unit F and the transfer unit B, the job for recording magnetic information in the second transport path P2 positioned on the upstream side and the third transport path The job for recording the IC information at P3 and the job for image formation at the first transport path P1 located on the downstream side can be controlled separately.

  Therefore, when a defect such as a jam occurs in the transfer film 46 or a defect occurs in the ink ribbon 41 in the image forming job in the first conveyance path P1 on the downstream side, the upstream side first is not stopped without stopping the apparatus. It is possible to control to stop the apparatus after the information recording job in the second transport path P2.

[Configuration of image transfer section]
In the first transport path P1, the image transfer unit B is disposed on the downstream side of the standby unit E. As shown in FIG. 3, the image transfer portion B is composed of a transfer platen 31 (hereinafter referred to as a platen 31) that supports the card as a backup, and a transfer roller 33 is disposed opposite to the platen 31. The transfer roller 33 moves up and down from a standby position (solid line state in FIG. 3) separated from the platen 31 to an operating position (a broken line state in FIG. 3) for pressing the card between the platen 31. Although this lifting mechanism is not shown, it is composed of, for example, a shift cam and a drive motor that rotates the shift cam.

  A transfer film 46 is wound between the platen 31 and the transfer roller 33 so as to run. The transfer roller 33 is constituted by a heat roller and heat-welds the image ink formed on the transfer film 46 to the card. For this reason, at least one of the platen 31 and the transfer roller 33 (the transfer roller shown in the figure) is rotationally driven, and the speed is set so as to coincide with the card transport speed and the film running speed. The transfer roller 33 shifts from the standby state to the operating state at the timing when the leading end of the card fed out by the second roller pair 30 reaches the platen 31.

  The heat roller 33 is provided with an elevating mechanism (not shown) so as to be pressed against and separated from the platen 31 disposed in the first transport path P1 via the transfer film 46. The heat roller 33 is composed of a heating roller, and the image on the transfer film 46 is transferred to the card surface by heating means arranged inside. In the figure, Se10 is a position detection sensor of the ink ribbon 41, and Se9 is a presence / absence detection sensor of the transfer film 46. The image transfer portion B is provided with a fan f2 for releasing heat generated in the apparatus.

[Export path]
On the downstream side of the transfer section B, a carry-out path P5 for transferring the card to the storage stacker 60 is provided. In the carry-out path P5, conveyance rollers (or belts) 37 and 38 for conveying the card are arranged and connected to a conveyance motor (not shown). A decurling roller 36 is disposed between the conveying roller 37 and the conveying roller 38, and the curl is corrected by pressing the central portion of the card held between the conveying rollers 37 and 38. For this reason, the decurling mechanism 36 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction in FIG.

“Configuration of image forming unit”
The image forming unit D forms an image such as a face photograph or character data on the front and back surfaces of the card. The illustrated apparatus shows a case where an image is formed with a sublimation ink ribbon. A thermal head 40 and an ink ribbon 41 are disposed in the image forming unit D. The ink ribbon 41 is accommodated in a ribbon cassette 42. A supply spool 43 and a take-up spool 44 are accommodated in the ribbon cassette 42, and a wind motor Mr1 (not shown) is connected to the take-up spool 44.

  A thermal head 40 is disposed at a position facing the image forming platen 45. A head control IC 74x (see FIG. 9) is connected to the thermal head 40 so that the thermal head 40 is thermally controlled. The head control IC 74x heats the thermal head 40 according to the image data to form an image of the ink ribbon 41 on the transfer film 46 described later. Therefore, the take-up spool 44 rotates in synchronization with the thermal control of the thermal head 40, and the ink ribbon 41 is taken up at a predetermined speed. Reference numeral f1 denotes a cooling fan for cooling the thermal head 40.

  The transfer film 46 is wound around a supply spool 47 and a take-up spool 48, and the transfer film 46 is wound around a platen roller 31 and a transfer roller (heat roller) 33 so as to transfer a transfer image. 49 is a transfer roller for the transfer film 46, and pinch rollers 32a and 32b are arranged on the peripheral surface thereof. The transfer roller 49 is connected to a drive motor (not shown). Then, the transfer film 46 moves counterclockwise in FIG. 1 at the same speed as the ink ribbon 41.

"Container"
As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit G is configured to store the card sent from the image transfer unit B in the storage stacker 60. The storage stacker 60 is configured to detect the uppermost card by a lifting mechanism 61 and a level sensor (not shown) and to move downward by the lifting mechanism 61 in FIG.

"Structure of film cassette"
The film cassette 50 loaded with the transfer film 46 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the film cassette 50 is composed of a unit separated from the apparatus housing 2 and is detachably attached to the apparatus housing 2. Although not shown, a front cover is disposed on the front side of FIG. 1 so as to be openable and closable, and the film cassette 50 is attached to the apparatus frame in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 with the front cover opened.

  A supply spool 47 and a take-up spool 48 are detachably attached to the film cassette 50. 52 is a bearing portion for supporting one end of the spool, and 56 is a coupling member for supporting the other end side of the spool. The spool end portion is supported by the bearing portion 52 and the coupling member 56 arranged on the cassette side. Then, the transfer film 46 is bridged from the supply spool 47 to the guide rollers 34a, 35b, 35a and then to the take-up spool 48 through the peeling roller 34b.

  The guide rollers 35a, 35b, 34a and the peeling roller 34b are composed of pin members (driven rollers) attached to the film cassette 50, but these are fixed pins (non-rotating). Also good. In this apparatus, when the image on the transfer film 46 is transferred to the card, transfer is performed while winding the transfer film 46 with the supply spool 47. Therefore, the peeling roller 34 b is provided on the downstream side in the film transport direction when transferring the transfer film 46 (on the supply spool 47 side than the transfer roller 33).

  A transfer roller 49 and pinch rollers 32a and 32b arranged on the apparatus side are engaged with the transfer film 46 that is spanned in this way. A drive rotating shaft (not shown) connected to the supply spool 47 and the take-up spool 48 and the transfer roller 49 are driven and rotated so as to travel the film at the same speed.

  A film traveling path P4 is configured so that the transfer film 46 accommodated in the film cassette 50 travels between the transfer platen 31 and the image forming portion D. The image forming unit D is arranged below the conveyance path in the arrangement space of the standby unit E of the first conveyance path P1. The image forming portion D is composed of an image forming platen 45 and a thermal head 40 disposed so as to face the platen, and an ink ribbon is disposed between them. The configuration of the ink ribbon will be described in a ribbon cassette described later.

"Ribbon cassette configuration"
The ribbon cassette 42 in the apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a supply spool 43 and a take-up spool 44 are rotatably incorporated in a plastic case 42a. A film-like ink ribbon 41 is wound between the spools 43 and 44. The ink ribbon 41 is a sublimation ribbon, for example, and Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and B (black) ribbons are formed in a band shape in the surface order. The ink ribbon 41 is wound around the supply spool 43 in a roll shape.

  The ribbon cassette 42 is detachably attached to the apparatus housing 2 in the front and back direction in FIG. 1, and the ink ribbon 41 is disposed between the image forming platen (platen roller) 45 and the thermal head 40 provided on the apparatus housing 2 side. Inserted. The take-up spool 44 is engaged with a wind motor Mr1 provided on the apparatus housing 2 side by a coupling (not shown). When the ribbon cassette is mounted, a head lifting mechanism (not shown) is provided so that the thermal head 40 stands by at a standby position separated from the platen roller 45.

  In this ribbon cassette, spools 43 and 44 are arranged in the route direction (vertical direction) of the second transport path P2 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the film cassette 50 described above, the supply spool 48 and the take-up spool 47 are arranged in the same direction (vertical direction). In this manner, the spools 43 and 44 of the ribbon cassette 42 and the spools 47 and 48 of the film cassette 50 are arranged in substantially the same direction as the path direction of the second transport path P2, so that the density of the apparatus is increased.

[Description of operating status]
As described above, the present invention is characterized in that the card to be transferred from the reversing unit F to the image transfer unit B is temporarily held in the standby unit E of the first transport path P1. The standby operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows a state where the card is sent from the paper feeding unit C to the second transport path P2. The control means 70 drives the pickup roller 19 to rotate in response to a paper feed instruction signal so as to feed out the card from the paper feed cassette 3. This card is sent to the reversing unit F by the carry-in roller 22. The reversing unit F is set at an angle at which the card is guided to the second transport path P2.

  Accordingly, the front row card is sent from the paper feed cassette 3 to the second transport path P2. The second transport path P2 includes a magnetic recording unit (not shown) and records magnetic information on a magnetic stripe formed on, for example, a card. In this case, the recording unit for recording information in the second transport path P2 is not limited to the magnetic recording unit, and may be an IC recording unit or a bar code writer. Although not shown, the control means 70 records information in the second transport path P2, then changes the direction of the reversing portion F, and records information in the third transport path (not shown is non-contact IC information recording) P3.

  FIG. 4B shows a state in which the card on which information is recorded in the first transport path (and third transport path) P1 (P3) is changed in the direction of the first transport path P1 (first direction). This first direction is arranged substantially horizontally in the device housing 2. Then, the control means 70 drives and rotates the roller pairs 20 and 21 of the reversing unit F to feed out the card from the reversing unit F in the first direction.

  FIG. 2C shows a state where the card fed out from the reversing unit F is waiting in the standby unit E. On the downstream side of the reversing unit F, the first roller pair 29 constituting the standby unit E is arranged, and the sensor Se5 is activated by a signal that detects the leading edge of the card, and a signal that detects the trailing edge of the card (or immediately after that). Stop rotating. In this state, the card whose information has been recorded in the second transport path P2 is sent to the first transport path P1 promptly (regardless of the processing status of the first transport path) after the end of the job, and this path is carried in. It waits in the waiting part E located in the mouth. At this time, the rear end of the card surely passes the sensor Se5.

  Therefore, even if the reversing unit F is driven during card standby, it does not come into contact with the card. In the state where the card is waiting, the leading end of the card passes through the sensor Se8. At this time, the control means 70 stores how many pulses the card leading edge has passed after passing through the sensor Se8, and uses it for card cueing at the time of image transfer described later. When the card is transported from the reversing unit F to the standby unit E, the card may be transported to the downstream side of the transfer unit B to be switched back and then sent to the standby unit E. By doing so, card skew can be removed by a card skew removing mechanism (not shown). At this time, since the transfer film 46 is provided slightly below the first transport path P1 in the transfer portion B, the card and the transfer film 46 do not come into contact with each other.

  On the other hand, the control unit 70 forms an image on the transfer film 46 in preparation for image transfer in the first transport path P1. The image formation on the transfer film 46 starts after or before the end of the information recording job in the second transport path P2. At a processing timing described later (see FIG. 8), image formation is started by a paper feed instruction signal for feeding a card from the paper feed cassette 3. Therefore, the maximum processing efficiency can be obtained by starting the image formation on the transfer film 46 simultaneously with the information recording on the card. Further, if image formation on the transfer film 46 is started after the information recording job in the second transport path P2 is completed, an unnecessary image is not formed on the transfer film 46 when an information recording error occurs.

  FIG. 7D shows a state immediately after the image formation on the transfer film 46 in the image forming unit D is completed. At this time, the card is fed out from the standby unit E toward the image transfer unit B, and the transfer film 46 is fed to the image transfer unit B with the image forming surface (image frame). At this time, the control means 70 detects the card conveyance speed and the transfer film transfer speed so that the timing when the leading edge of the card reaches the image transfer portion B and the timing when the leading edge of the image frame of the transfer film 46 reaches the transfer portion B are matched. And set the card operation timing.

  FIG. 4E shows an initial state where the image transfer unit B transfers an image to a card. At this time, the transfer roller 33 moves from the standby position (position away from the card) to the operating position (position in contact with the card), and heats the image on the transfer film to transfer it onto the card.

  FIG. 5F shows a state where the rear end of the card is carried out from the image transfer portion B. At this time, the peeling member (pin) 34b moves from the operating position to the standby position.

  Next, the timing for simultaneous parallel processing of a plurality of cards will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A shows the case where the image formation time gt on the transfer film is longer (gt> dt) than the information recording time dt on the card, and FIG. 4B shows the case where dt> gt.

  When a paper feed instruction signal is issued from the control means 70, the first card c1 is carried into the apparatus from the paper feed cassette 3, and information is recorded in the second transport path P2 (R / W). At the same time, upon receipt of the paper feed instruction signal, the image forming unit D starts to form an image on the transfer film 46 (c1 printing). When the information recording is completed in the second transport path P2, the card c1 is sent to the standby unit E and waits at that position (c1 standby). After the standby, when the image formation on the transfer film 46 is completed, the card c1 is fed from the standby part E toward the image transfer part B (c1 head search). Then, the image is transferred onto the card at the image transfer portion B (c1 transfer). The card c1 after the image transfer is carried out toward the storage stacker 60 (c1 discharge).

  Next, the second card c2 is carried in from the paper feed cassette 3 in response to a paper feed instruction signal after the first card c1 is on standby in the standby section E (c2 carry-in). Information is recorded on the card c2 in the second transport path P2 (R / W). At the same time, upon receipt of the paper feed instruction signal, the image forming unit D starts to form an image on the transfer film 46 (c2 printing). Next, when information recording is completed in the second transport path P2 as before, the card c2 is sent to the standby unit E and waits at that position (c2 standby). At this time, the first card is carried out from the first transport path P1. In the same manner, the third card is carried in, R / W, printing, standby, cueing, transfer, and carrying out at the timing shown in FIG.

  At the processing timing (gt> dt) in FIG. 8B, when the downstream image formation time is shorter than the upstream information recording time, a plurality of cards are loaded at the timing shown in the drawing without waiting for the cards at the standby position. Each process is “loading, R / W, printing, transfer, unloading”.

[Control configuration]
FIG. 9 illustrates a control configuration according to the present invention. The control unit H is constituted by, for example, a control CPU 70, and the CPU 70 is provided with a ROM 71 and a RAM 72. The control CPU 70 includes a data input control unit 73, an image formation control unit 74, a processing time calculation unit 75, and a card transport control unit 76. Then, the card transport controller 76 sends a command signal to a drive circuit of a drive motor (not shown) so as to control the card transport means (first and second roller pairs 29 and 30) disposed in the first transport path P1 and the transport path P5. Send. The card conveyance control unit 76 transmits a command signal to the drive circuit of the turning motor of the reversing unit F.

  The card conveyance control unit 76 is electrically connected to each sensor so as to receive the status signals of the sensors Se1 to Se12. At the same time, it is connected so as to receive a job signal from the data input control unit 73.

  The data input control unit 73 transmits a command signal for controlling transmission / reception of input data to the data R / W IC 73x built in the magnetic recording unit A1, and similarly for the data R / W of the IC recording unit A2. The IC 73y is configured to transmit a command signal. The image formation control unit 74 controls image formation on the front and back surfaces of the card in the image forming unit B.

  The RAM 72 stores a processing time for inputting data on the card by the data input unit (magnetic / IC recording unit), for example, in a data table.

  The card transport control unit 76 is provided with monitoring means and determination means, both of which are incorporated in the control program of the control CPU 70. The monitoring means is configured to receive the status signal of each sensor and the job signal of the data input control unit 73 and monitor the transport status of the card existing in the apparatus.

  The processing time calculator 75 includes an information processing calculator 75x that calculates the end of information recording in the second transport path P2, an image processing calculator 75y that calculates the end of image formation in the image forming unit D, Comparing means 75z for comparing the processing times calculated by the respective calculating means is provided. The information processing calculation unit 75x calculates, for example, from “a time for transporting and setting a card to the second transport path” and “a time for recording information on the card” with reference to a paper feed instruction signal. At this time, the information recording time is calculated from the preset scanning time of the magnetic head.

  Further, the image processing calculation means 75y calculates, for example, from the card moving direction length of the image area where the image is formed on the card. In this case, the maximum processing time is when an image is formed on the front side in the card transport direction.

  The control CPU 70 is configured to cause the standby unit E to wait for the recording medium sent from the reversing unit F when the comparison unit 75z finishes the image formation later than the information recording completion. At the same time, the control CPU 70 transfers the recording medium sent from the reversing unit F to the image transfer unit B without causing the standby unit E to stand by when the end of information recording by the comparison unit 75z is later than the end of image formation. It is configured as follows.

A Information recording section B Image transfer section C Paper feeding section D Image forming section E Standby section F Reversing section (reversing unit)
P1 First transport path P2 Second transport path P3 Third transport path P4 Film travel path P5 Unload path 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Device housing 19 Pickup roller 20 Roller pair 21 Roller pair 22 Roll-in roller 23 Non-contact IC recording unit 24 Magnetic Recording unit 29 First roller pair 30 Second roller pair 31 Transfer platen (platen roller)
32a Pinch roller 32b Pinch roller 33 Transfer roller (heat roller)
40 Thermal Head 41 Ink Ribbon 42 Ribbon Cassette 50 Film Cassette 60 Storage Stacker

Claims (7)

An apparatus for transferring an image formed on a transfer film in an image forming unit onto a recording medium in a transfer unit
A paper feed unit for supplying a recording medium;
A reversing unit that deflects the conveyance direction of the recording medium sent from the paper feeding unit;
A first transport path for transporting the recording medium in the first direction from the reversing unit;
A second transport path for transporting the recording medium in the second direction from the reversing unit;
A transfer unit disposed in the first transport path and transferring an image to a recording medium;
An information recording unit that is arranged in the second transport path and records information on a recording medium;
A conveying roller provided in the first conveying path for transferring a recording medium;
Drive means for driving the transport roller;
Control means for controlling the drive means;
With
The first transport path and the second transport path transport the recording medium in directions different from each other, and the first transport path temporarily places the recording medium between the reversing unit and the transfer unit. A standby unit is provided for waiting,
The image forming unit and the transfer unit are arranged in the order of the image forming unit and the transfer unit in the recording medium transfer direction of the first transport path for transferring the recording medium from the reversing unit toward the transfer unit ,
The control means includes
When the image recording process by the image forming unit is not completed when the information recording process by the information recording unit is completed, the recording medium is made to wait in the standby unit, and the information recording process by the information recording unit is completed In addition, when the image forming process by the image forming unit is finished, the recording medium is transferred to the transfer unit without waiting in the standby unit. Furthermore, a device housing is provided,
The paper feeding unit and the reversing unit are arranged in the device housing from the top to the bottom in the order of the paper feeding unit and the reversing unit,
The first transport path is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction from the reversing unit,
The second transport path is arranged in a substantially vertical direction from the reversing unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit and the transfer unit are arranged in the order of the image forming unit and the transfer unit in a horizontal direction below the first transport path. The inversion part is
A rotating frame pivotally supported on the device frame so as to be pivotable;
At least a pair of rolls holding the recording medium disposed in the rotating frame;
Unit driving means for rotating the rotating frame;
Roll driving means for rotating the roll pair;
With
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the roll driving unit performs forward and reverse rotation of the roll pair so that a recording medium is carried into and out of the rotating frame. The paper feeder is
A storage case capable of storing the card-like recording medium in a standing position and back and forth; and
A supply port that is arranged in the housing case and feeds the card medium;
Consisting of
The direction in which the card-like recording medium is fed out to the supply port is set to be opposite to the direction in which the recording medium is transferred from the reversing unit to the transfer unit in the first transport path. The image forming apparatus described. In the first transport path, a transport roller for transporting the recording medium sent from the reversing unit to the transfer unit is disposed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying roller is arranged in the standby unit and configured to hold the recording medium in a stopped state. In the transfer portion, a transfer film for transferring an image to a recording medium is disposed so as to be able to run,
In the image forming unit for forming an image on the transfer film, an image forming platen, an ink ribbon, and a thermal head are arranged.
This image forming unit
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is disposed at a position facing the standby unit on the upstream side of the transfer unit with respect to a transfer direction of the recording medium moving along the first conveyance path. Image forming apparatus. The transfer film is
A transfer film cassette detachably attached to the apparatus frame;
A supply spool and a take-up spool disposed in the transfer film cassette;
A transfer film wound between the supply spool and the take-up spool;
Consisting of
The ink ribbon is
A ribbon cassette detachably mounted on the device frame;
A supply spool and a take-up spool arranged in the ribbon cassette;
An ink ribbon wound between the supply spool and the take-up spool;
Consisting of
The transfer film cassette and the ribbon cassette, the first ribbon cassette on the upstream side along the conveying path for transporting the recording medium to the transfer unit from the inversion unit, that the transfer film cassette downstream is located The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

Images