JP5717529B2 - Printing apparatus and printing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that transfers an image on a transfer film to a recording medium such as a card, and more particularly to a printing apparatus and a printing method that can accurately transfer without causing transfer displacement.

  In general, this type of device is widely known as a device that forms images of facial photographs, character information, etc. on a medium such as a plastic card. However, when an image formed on a transfer film is transferred to a recording medium by a platen section. In addition, it is necessary to accurately align the transfer film conveyed to the platen and the recording medium.

  Therefore, after the front edge of the image on the transfer film is transported to just before the retransfer position, the front edge of the image on the transfer film is aligned with the front edge of the card, and then the heat roller is moved to move the transfer film surface. There has been known a configuration in which the image is transferred by being pressed on (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In order to align the transfer film and the card at the transfer start position in the secondary transfer portion of the intermediate transfer printer, a method of aligning the transfer film and the card at the nip point between the heat roller and the platen is conventionally performed. It was taken.

JP 2006-198963 A

  In the above-described prior art, since the card is conveyed by the driving force of the stepping motor, it can be accurately stopped at the nip point between the heat roller and the platen, but the transfer film is conveyed by the driving force of the DC motor. Therefore, the overrun when the DC motor is stopped is not constant, and it is difficult to accurately stop the transfer film at the nip point, and there is a problem that the transfer start position of the card is shifted from the transfer start position of the film.

  The transfer film is wound around a supply spool in a large amount, and the transfer film is taken out while being dispensed from the supply spool by the rotation of the take-up spool during transfer. Therefore, a DC motor excellent in characteristics such as a large starting torque and ease of speed control and output control is regarded as an optimal motor as a transfer film transport motor.

  The present invention provides a printing apparatus in which a transfer film and a card are nipped between a heat roller and a platen in a state where the transfer film and the card are accurately aligned, and can be transferred with high accuracy without causing transfer deviation.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus for transferring an image from a film-like medium to a recording medium, a recording medium carrying means for carrying the recording medium, and a film for carrying the film-like medium. A control unit controls the conveying unit and the film conveying unit to perform an alignment process for conveying the image information recording unit formed on the film-like medium to the transfer start position, and then controls the recording medium conveying unit. Positioning processing means for carrying out positioning processing for conveying the recording medium to the transfer start position, and transfer means for transferring the image by pressing the image information recording portion to the recording medium after both of the positioning. And the alignment processing means includes detection means for detecting a stop position of the image information recording unit during the alignment processing. According to the result, the conveyance amount of the recording medium to the transfer start position is corrected, and the recording medium conveyance unit and the film conveyance unit are respectively configured to record the recording medium and the film-like medium during transfer by the transfer unit. Are transported simultaneously.

  The recording medium conveying means is driven by a stepping motor, and the film conveying means is driven by a DC motor.

  The detecting unit includes an encoder that generates a clock pulse synchronized with the rotation of the DC motor, and the amount of deviation from the transfer start position due to the overrun of the DC motor from the stop control of the film conveying unit, The clock pulses are detected by counting.

  The alignment processing means adjusts the amount of rotation of the stepping motor according to the stop position of the image information recording unit detected based on the count value of the clock pulse, and the image information recording unit and the card It is characterized by performing alignment.

  Further, the alignment processing means performs the alignment processing in a state where the film conveyance path by the film conveyance means is moved by the film path movement means and is in contact with the medium conveyance path of the recording medium conveyance means. It is a feature.

  And the said film path moving means is the peeling roller which comprises the said film conveyance means, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing method according to the present invention is a printing method for transferring an image from a film-like medium to a recording medium, the step of conveying an image information recording portion of the film-like medium to a transfer start position, A step of detecting a deviation between the image information recording portion and the transfer start position, a step of conveying the leading edge of the recording medium to the detected position of the deviation, and a position alignment; and And transferring the recording information of the image information recording portion to the recording medium by simultaneously conveying the recording medium to the recording medium.

  According to the present invention, since the stop position at the time of alignment of the film conveying means is not stable, the alignment is performed by cueing to the transfer start position of the film-like medium first, and then supplemented by the alignment of the recording medium. Thus, the image information recording portion of the film and the print start position of the recording medium can be accurately matched. As a result, accurate printing is possible without causing transfer displacement.

1 shows an overall configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. The perspective view of the film cassette in the apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown. The block diagram of the part in connection with the image transfer in the apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown. The structure explanatory drawing of an encoder is shown. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram in a state where a card approaches in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Operation | movement explanatory drawing of the state which the peeling roller moved to the peeling position in the printing apparatus concerning this invention is shown. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram in a state where the heat roller is moved to the operating position in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram in a state where the rear end of the card passes through the heat roller and the transfer is completed in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram in a state where the peeling roller moves from the peeling position to the retracted position in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the image information recording portion of the transfer film is out of the transfer start position in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the image information recording portion of the transfer film and the card front end are aligned in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for transferring an image to a recording medium through a film-like medium. As a preferred embodiment, the present invention will be described by showing a printing apparatus for recording image information on a card through a transfer film.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. This apparatus transfers and prints image information on an ID card for various certifications, a credit card for commercial transactions, etc. through a transfer film. For this purpose, an information recording unit A, an image recording unit (image forming unit; the same applies hereinafter) B, and a card supply unit C for supplying cards to these are provided.

[Card supply section]
The device housing 1 is provided with a card supply unit C, and is constituted by a card cassette that stores a plurality of cards. The card cassette 3 shown in FIG. 1 stores a plurality of cards arranged in a standing posture, and feeds the cards from the left end to the right end in the figure. A separation opening 7 is provided at the front end of the card cassette 3, and the pickup roller 19 supplies the card from the front row to the apparatus.

[Configuration of information recording section]
A card (recording medium; the same applies hereinafter) sent from the card cassette 3 is sent from the carry-in roller 22 to the reversing unit F. 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, even if it is configured that the rotation of the unit frame and the rotation of the roller pair are switched by a clutch with one pulse motor, the rotation of the unit frame and the rotation of the roller pair are configured as separate drives. May be.

  Accordingly, the cards prepared in the card cassette 3 are separated one by one by the pickup roller 19 and the separation roller (idle roller) 9 and sent to the reverse 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.

  A magnetic recording unit 24, a non-contact type IC recording unit 23, a contact type IC recording unit 27, and a reject stacker 25 are disposed on the outer periphery of the reversing unit F in the turning direction. A bar code reader 28 shown in the figure is a unit for reading a bar code printed by an image forming unit B, which will be described later, and making a correct / incorrect determination (error determination). Hereinafter, these recording units are referred to as data recording units.

  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 to the card. Further, when a recording error occurs in these data input units, they are carried out to the reject stacker 25.

  An image forming unit B is provided on the downstream side of the reversing unit F. A conveying path P1 for transferring the card from the card cassette 3 is provided in the image forming unit B, and the reversing unit F is disposed in the path P1. ing. Further, transport rollers (or belts) 29 and 30 for transporting the card are arranged on the transport path P1, and are connected to a stepping motor (not shown) in order to realize accurate positioning control of the card. The transport rollers 29 and 30 are configured to be capable of switching between forward and reverse, and are configured to transport the card from the image forming unit B to the reversing unit F in the same manner as the card is transported from the reversing unit F to the image forming unit B. .

  On the downstream side of the image forming unit B, a carry-out path P2 for transferring the card to the storage stacker 55 is provided. Conveying rollers (or belts) 37 and 38 for conveying cards are arranged in the carry-out path P2, and are connected to a conveying motor (not shown).

  A decurling mechanism 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.

[Image forming unit]
The image forming unit B forms an image such as a face photograph or character data on the front and back surfaces of a card which is a recording medium for printing. In this image forming part B, an image is formed on the card. The apparatus shown in the figure first forms an image (primary transfer) on a transfer film 46 (intermediate transfer film-like medium), and further transfers an image of this film onto a card (secondary transfer) by a transfer platen 31. Therefore, the apparatus housing 1 is equipped with an ink ribbon cassette 42 and a transfer film cassette 50.

  The ink ribbon cassette 42 is detachably attached to the apparatus housing 1 by winding a sublimation ink ribbon or other thermal transfer ink ribbon 41 between the operation roller 43 and the take-up roller 44. On the apparatus side, a thermal head 40 and an image forming platen 45 are disposed opposite to each other with the ink ribbon 41 interposed therebetween.

  A head controller IC (see FIG. 5) is connected to the thermal head 40 so that the thermal head 40 is thermally controlled. The head controller IC 74a controls the heating of the thermal head 40 according to the image data, thereby forming an image of the ink ribbon 41 on the transfer film 46 described later. As a result, an image information recording portion d (see FIG. 11) is formed on the transfer film 46 and is later transferred to the card. Therefore, the take-up roller 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. The cooling fan f1 is for cooling the thermal head 40.

  On the other hand, a transfer film cassette 50 (hereinafter referred to as “film cassette”) is also detachably attached to the apparatus housing 1. The transfer film 46 loaded in the film cassette 50 travels between the platen roller (image forming platen) 45 and the ink ribbon 41 to form an image information recording portion d on the transfer film. Therefore, the transfer film 46 is wound around a supply spool 47 and a take-up spool 48, and the transfer film 46 transfers an image formed on the image forming platen 45 between the transfer platen 31 and a heat roller 33 described later.

  The transfer roller 49 is a main transport roller that transports the transfer film 46 only when an image is formed on the transfer film 46 (primary transfer), and is connected to the stepping motor SM2. In addition, pinch rollers 32a and 32b are arranged on the peripheral surface of the transfer roller 49. In the primary transfer state, the pinch rollers 32a and 32b press the peripheral surface of the transfer roller 49 as shown in FIGS. The transfer film 46 is in close contact with the transfer roller 49, and the transfer roller 49 performs an accurate conveying operation by driving the stepping motor SM2.

  The guide roller 34a guides the transfer film 46 to the transfer platen 31, and the peeling roller 34b peels the transfer platen 31 from the recording medium. The guide roller 34a and the peeling roller 34b are attached to the film cassette 50 with the transfer platen 31 sandwiched between the guide roller 34a on the upstream side and the peeling roller 34b on the downstream side. The distance L1 between the guide roller 34a and the peeling roller 34b is set to be shorter than the length Lc in the image forming direction (conveying direction) of the recording medium K (L1 <Lc).

  The heat roller 33 is disposed to face the transfer platen 31 with the transfer film 46 interposed therebetween. The heat roller 33 transfers the image of the image information recording part d formed on the transfer film 46 by heating and pressing the card. The heat roller 33 is configured to move up and down by driving a shift motor (not shown) and press and separate from the transfer platen 31 from the inside of the film cassette 50.

  The sensor Se1 detects the position of the ink ribbon 41, and the sensor Se2 detects the presence or absence of the transfer film 46. Further, the image forming unit B is provided with a fan f2 for taking out heat generated in the apparatus.

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

  A supply spool 47 and a take-up spool 48 are detachably attached to the film cassette 50. The bearing portion 52 supports one end of the spool, and the coupling member 56 supports the other end side of the spool. 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 constituted by pin members (driven rollers) attached to the film cassette 50, but may be fixed pins (non-rotating). 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 (the supply spool 47 side with respect to the heat roller 33) when the transfer film 46 is transferred, and peels the card and the transfer film 46.

  The supply spool 47 and the take-up spool 48, and the peeling roller 34b, the guide rollers 34a, 35b, and 35a on which the transfer film 46 is bridged between the spools 47 and 48, constitute a film conveying means. The peeling roller 34b is configured to move up and down by driving the same shift motor that drives the lifting and lowering operation of the heat roller 33 described above. When the peeling roller 34b moves upward, the transfer path of the transfer film 46 and the transfer path of the recording medium transfer unit by the transfer roller 30 come into contact with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the supply spool 47 and the take-up spool 48 are connected to the output shafts of the DC motors M1 and M2, respectively. When the transfer film 46 is conveyed to the transfer position, the DC motor M1 is driven. When winding the transfer film 46, the DC motor M2 is driven.

  The winding operation of the transfer film 46 is performed when the transfer film 46 reciprocates on the surface of the thermal head 40 according to the constituent color if the image is formed with the ink ribbon 41 (primary transfer). It is done when moving.

  Further, the feed roller 43 and the take-up roller 44 of the thermal transfer ink ribbon 41 in the ink ribbon cassette 42 are also connected to the output shafts of the DC motors M3 and M4, respectively.

  The conveyance amount of the transfer film 46 conveyed by the supply spool 47 and the take-up spool 48 is detected by an encoder 80 that rotates in synchronization with the DC motors M1 and M2. As shown in FIG. 4, the encoder 80 includes a rotating plate 81 having a slit and an optical sensor 82, and the rotating plate 81 is rotated by a driving force of a DC motor M (M1, M2). When rotating together with the spool S (the supply spool 47 and the take-up spool 48), the sensor 82 is turned on / off at the timing of detecting the slit of the rotating plate 81 to generate a clock signal. This clock signal has two usage modes: a high-density mode using 1 clock as 1 clock and a frequency dividing mode using 32 clocks as 1 clock.

  In the high-density mode, the clock signal is generated when the transfer film 46 is transported to the transfer position (secondary transfer) by the heat roller 33 by the rotation of the supply spool 47 driven by the DC motor M1. Used during the film alignment process to grasp the deviation. However, if the high-density mode is adopted in all controls for transporting the transfer film 46, the load on the control CPU is increased and the processing capability of the entire apparatus is reduced.

  In the film alignment process described above, the control unit counts clock pulses generated by the encoder 80 after the cueing portion preset in the transfer film 46 is detected by the sensor Se2, so that the thermal head 40 In this process, it is determined whether or not the image information recording section d (see FIG. 11) primarily transferred has reached the transfer platen 31. By the way, the number of clock pulses for determining that the transfer platen 31 has been reached differs depending on the amount of the transfer film 46 already wound around the supply spool 47. In other words, the larger the amount of the transfer film 46 that is wound, the larger the film spool diameter, and the greater the conveyance amount of the transfer film 46. Therefore, according to the film spool diameter at the time, the rotation amount of the supply spool 47 (from the DC motor M1) until the image information recording unit d reaches the transfer platen 31 after the cueing portion is detected by the sensor Se2. Drive amount) must be calculated in advance.

  The rotation amount of the supply spool 47 (the driving amount of the DC motor M1) is determined by the number of steps of the stepping motor SM2 that drives the transfer roller 49, which is mainly used for transporting the transfer film 46, and the clock from the encoder 80. It can be calculated by the ratio of the number of pulses. That is, when the stepping motor SM2 is driven during the primary transfer, the number of steps corresponds to the transport distance. Therefore, the number of clock pulses generated by the encoder 80 during the predetermined number of steps is the film spool at that time. This indicates the transport amount of the transfer film 46 according to the diameter.

  Therefore, if the ratio between the number of steps of the stepping motor SM2 and the number of clock pulses from the encoder 80 is set at the time of primary transfer, the next time the image information recording unit d reaches the transfer platen 33 for secondary transfer. The number of clock pulses generated by the encoder 80 can be predicted. Since the stepping motor SM2 that drives the transfer roller 49 during the primary transfer has a high resolution of 0.0106 mm / step, the transfer amount of the transfer film 46 according to the film spool diameter can be performed with high accuracy.

[Control unit]
As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit H includes a control CPU 70, and the CPU 70 includes a ROM 71 and a RAM 72. The control CPU 70 includes a data input control unit 73, an image formation control unit 74, and a card transport control unit 75.

  The card transport control unit 75 transmits a command signal to a drive circuit of a drive motor (not shown) so as to control the recording medium transport means (a pair of transport rollers shown in FIG. 1) disposed in the transport path P1 and the transport path P2. The card conveyance control unit 75 transmits a command signal to the drive circuit of the turning motor of the reversing unit F. At the same time, the card transport control unit 75 is connected to receive a job signal from the data input control unit 73. When the job signal is input, a detection signal from a detection sensor of each card arranged in the apparatus. Is configured to monitor the card conveyance state.

  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 24. Similarly, the non-contact IC recording unit 23 and the contact IC A command signal is transmitted to the data R / W IC 73y.

  The image formation control unit 74 controls image formation on the front and back surfaces of the card in the image formation unit B. In this image formation control, the image is transferred onto the surface of the card by the transfer platen 31 in accordance with the card conveyance controlled by the card conveyance control 75. Therefore, the image formation control unit 74 controls the thermal head 40 during primary transfer to form an image on the transfer film 45, a head controller IC 74a, an ink ribbon wind motor control unit 74b that controls driving of the DC motors M3 and M4, and a DC A transfer film wind motor control unit 74c for controlling the driving of the motors M1 and M2 and the stepping motor SM2 and a shift motor drive circuit 74d for controlling the driving of the shift motor for raising and lowering the heat roller 33 and the peeling roller 34 are provided.

  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.

  In the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the alignment process between the transfer film and the card by the control CPU 70 and the subsequent secondary transfer operation will be described.

  When the approach of the card for image formation to the transfer platen 31 is detected by the sensor Se4, the card transport control unit 75 of the control CPU 70 controls the stepping motor SM1 to temporarily stop the card (FIG. 6). Then, the image formation control unit 74 of the control CPU 70 controls the shift motor drive circuit 74d to move the peeling roller 34b to the peeling position, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

  In the state of FIG. 7, the peeling roller 34b is moved from the retracted position to the operating position for the peeling operation, and the transfer film 46 moves together with the peeling roller 34b by the movement of the peeling roller 34b. The film path is changed by drawing the film from the take-up spool 48. The film path at this time comes into contact with the medium conveyance path (conveyance path P1) by the medium conveyance means formed by the conveyance rollers 29 and 30 at the time of transfer, thereby determining the position of the transfer film.

  After determining the position of the transfer film, the control CPU 70 performs control as an alignment processing means. First, the transfer film wind motor 74c is controlled to transport the transfer film 46 in order to perform the alignment process of the image information recording portion d (see FIG. 11) of the transfer film 46. In this case, the image formation control unit 74 detects a film cue mark (not shown) set at the head of the image information recording unit d of the transfer film 46 by the sensor Se2, and then generates a clock generated from the encoder 80. The signal is counted, and when the count value reaches a predetermined value, conveyance of the transfer film 46 is stopped.

  As already described, the transfer amount of the transfer film 46 varies depending on the film spool diameter of the supply spool 47 at that time. Therefore, the image formation control unit 74 determines the ratio of the number of steps of the stepping motor SM2 and the number of clock pulses from the encoder 80 at the stage of primary transfer before the secondary transfer, and based on this, the transfer film 4 The number of clock pulses generated by the encoder 80 until the image information recording unit d reaches the transfer platen 31 is predicted and has a predetermined value, and when the count value reaches the predetermined value, the conveyance of the transfer film 46 is stopped. To do.

  When the conveyance of the transfer film 46 is stopped, the image information recording portion d that has been primarily transferred should have reached the transfer start position N that is the nip position between the transfer platen 31 and the heat roll 33. However, due to overrun caused by the characteristics of the DC motor M1, the stop position of the image information recording unit d is not the transfer start position N but an error p (see FIG. 11). Accordingly, even after the transfer film wind motor control unit 74c performs the stop control of the DC motor M1, the image formation control unit 74 continues to count the clock pulses generated from the encoder 80, so that the image information recording unit d Detect stop position.

  Then, the card conveyance control unit 75 corrects the driving amount of the stepping motor SM1 at the next card alignment based on the error p detected by the image formation control unit 74 counting the clock pulses after the stop control. . That is, the card conveyance control unit 75 is preset with the number of steps required for the stepping motor SM1 to rotate so that the leading edge of the card K is conveyed from the sensor Se4 to the transfer start position N. 75, when the count value of the clock pulse indicating the error p detected by the image formation control unit 74 is input, it is converted into the number of steps of the stepping motor SM1, and this value is added to a preset step value for correction. Do.

  The card conveyance control unit 75 controls the rotation of the stepping motor SM1 based on the corrected step value, and the card is conveyed to the transfer platen 31 as shown in FIG. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the transfer film 46 deviates from the transfer start position N due to the overrun of the DC motor M1, but the driving amount of the stepping motor SM1 is corrected according to the shift of the transfer film 46. In addition, the position of the image information recording portion d of the transfer film 46 and the tip of the card K does not shift as shown in FIG.

  Next, the image forming control unit 74 of the control CPU 70 controls the shift motor drive circuit 74d, and the rotation of the shift motor causes the heat roller 33 to move to the operating position so as to be in the state shown in FIG. When pressed, accurate transfer can be performed by accurate positioning.

  When the position of the transfer film is thus determined, the transfer film 46 is first aligned, and then the card tip alignment process is performed in anticipation of a shift in the stop position of the transfer film 46. The image information recording unit d of 46 does not shift. Further, by performing the alignment of the transfer film 46 first, the image information recording unit d is not rubbed and damaged by contact with the card during the alignment conveyance.

  At this time, since the heat roller 33 is a low-hardness material, even if the film stop position slightly deviates from the transfer start position N, which is the nip position where the heat roller 33 and the transfer platen 31 are in contact, the heat from the heat roller 33 is sufficient. Therefore, the print quality is maintained without significant influence on the transfer. When the film stops outside the range where heat from the heat roller 33 is transmitted (for example, ± 1 mm from the transfer start position N), the alignment process is performed again as an error.

  Then, the image formation control unit 74 of the control CPU 70 controls the shift motor drive circuit 74d when a time (predetermined timer time or card conveyance amount) expected to pass through the heat roller 33 has elapsed. Then, the shift motor is further rotated by a predetermined angle to return the heat roller 33 from the operating position to the standby position (FIG. 9). At this time, the peeling roller 34 is held in an operating state in which the transfer film 46 is peeled from the card.

  Thereafter, the control CPU 70 rotates the shift motor again by a predetermined angle after the expected time (timer time or card transport amount) that the rear end of the card passes the peeling roller 34b, and moves the peeling roller 34b from the peeling position to the retracted position. Move (FIG. 10). The film path deviates from the medium transport path (transport path P1). At this time, the heat roller 33 is held at the standby position.

  As described above, the DC motor M1 for driving the supply spool 47 of the film transport means is not stable at the stop position at the time of alignment due to overrun or the like. Therefore, the position by the cueing to the transfer start position N of the transfer film 46 is first performed. By aligning, and then compensating for the error that has been shifted due to overrun by alignment by cueing the leading edge of the card, the image information recording portion d of the transfer film 46 and the printing start position of the card can be accurately aligned. As a result, accurate printing is possible without causing transfer deviation to the card.

29 Conveying roller (recording medium conveying means)
30 Conveying roller (recording medium conveying means)
31 Transfer platen (transfer means)
33 Heat roller (transfer means)
34b Peeling roller (film path moving means)
46 Transfer film (intermediate transfer film-like medium)
47 Supply spool (film transport means)
48 Take-up spool (film transport means)
70 Control CPU (Positioning processing means)
P1 Media transport path (transport route)

Claims (7)

A printing apparatus for transferring an image from a film medium to a recording medium,
Recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
Film conveying means for conveying the film-like medium;
The film conveying means is controlled to perform an alignment process for conveying the image information recording portion formed on the film-like medium to the transfer start position, and then the recording medium conveying means is controlled to perform the recording. Alignment processing means for performing alignment processing for conveying the medium to the transfer start position;
A transfer means for transferring the image by pressing the image information recording unit to the recording medium after both the alignment,
The alignment processing unit includes a detection unit that detects a stop position of the image information recording unit during the alignment process, and transports the recording medium to the transfer start position according to a detection result of the detection unit. Correct the amount,
The printing apparatus, wherein the recording medium conveying means and the film conveying means simultaneously convey the recording medium and the film-like medium, respectively, at the time of transfer by the transfer means.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium conveying unit is driven by a stepping motor, and the film conveying unit is driven by a DC motor.   The detection means includes an encoder that generates a clock pulse synchronized with the rotation of the DC motor, and detects a deviation amount from the transfer start position due to overrun of the DC motor from a stop control of the film transport means. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein detection is performed by counting pulses.   The alignment processing means adjusts the amount of rotation of the stepping motor according to the stop position of the image information recording unit detected based on the count value of the clock pulse, and aligns the image information recording unit and the card. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:   The alignment processing means performs the alignment processing in a state where the film conveyance path by the film conveyance means is moved by the film path movement means and is in contact with the medium conveyance path of the recording medium conveyance means. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the film path moving unit is a peeling roller constituting the film conveying unit. A printing method for transferring an image from a film medium to a recording medium,
Conveying the image information recording portion of the film-like medium to a transfer start position;
Detecting a shift between the image information recording portion and the transfer start position;
Conveying the leading edge of the recording medium to the position of the detected displacement and performing alignment;
Transferring the recording information of the image information recording portion to the recording medium by simultaneously conveying the film-like medium and the recording medium by the alignment; and
Including printing method.

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