JP5818726B2 - Thermal transfer recording method and thermal transfer recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a thermal transfer recording method for recording a multi-tone image such as a face image and a two-tone image (binary image) such as a character by thermal transfer on a print medium such as a personal authentication card, a passbook or a bank passbook at a financial institution In (for example, a fusion type thermal transfer recording method in which recording is performed on a printing medium by applying heat to an ink ribbon), when a multi-tone image and a binary image are arranged in the arrangement direction of the heating elements, a plurality of images are arranged in the same row. When recording a gradation image and a binary image, the number of heating elements energized at a time increases, so that the flowing current decreases, and the density of the multi-gradation image may become thin. Therefore, when a multi-tone image and a binary image are simultaneously recorded in the thermal transfer recording method, a row in which a multi-tone image is recorded by shifting the arrangement of transfer dots by the heating elements in time (a row of multi-tone images). ) And a row in which a binary image is recorded (a row in a binary image), and a method in which a row of a multi-tone image and a row of a binary image are alternately recorded (hereinafter referred to as an alternate driving method). It is used.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-59739

  However, in the above-described prior art, since the heating elements are alternately driven in the multi-tone image rows and the binary image rows, the binary image rows are processed in half the time of the normal driving method. It is necessary to record. Therefore, when recording a standardized character such as an OCR-B font as a binary image by an alternating drive method, a large amount of energy is given to the heating element in order to realize a density according to the standard. In some cases, heat concentration may occur on the heating element, and the maintainability such as adhesion of the ink ribbon due to the heat concentration is reduced.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the thermal transfer recording method of the embodiment is a printing in which an image is thermally transferred to a print medium conveyed by a conveyance mechanism by a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row. And a first row for recording the multi-tone image and a second row for recording the binary image based on print data including the multi-tone image and the binary image. A thermal transfer recording method in which the multi-tone image and the binary image are recorded on the printing medium alternately arranged, and the direction in which the heating element is disposed when the binary image is recorded on the printing medium. In the case where the multi-tone image and the binary image are arranged side by side, the binary image is recorded in the second row, and the multi-tone image and the binary image are arranged in the direction in which the heating element is disposed. If not, the binary image is displayed in the first row. It is recorded dispersed in the second row.

  The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the embodiment includes a printing unit that thermally transfers an image to a print medium conveyed by a conveyance mechanism by a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row, a multi-tone image, and 2 Based on the print data including the value image, the first row for recording the multi-tone image and the second row for recording the binary image are alternately arranged so that the multi-tone image and the second row are recorded. Drive control means for controlling the value image to be recorded on the print medium, and the drive control means is arranged in a direction in which the heating element is arranged when the binary image is recorded on the print medium. In the case where the multi-tone image and the binary image are arranged side by side, the binary image is recorded in the second row, and the multi-tone image and the binary image are arranged in the direction in which the heating element is disposed. If they are not lined up, the binary image is set as the first row. Serial dispersed is recorded in the second row.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration of a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print medium after printing. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the intermediate transfer ribbon. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the printing of a multi-tone image and a binary image. FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing the transfer operation from the intermediate transfer ribbon to the printing surface of the printing medium. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining printing by driving a thermal head. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining print data writing processing. FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating printing of a binary image. FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating the temperature rise of the heating element.

  Hereinafter, a thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer recording apparatus according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 simultaneously prints (records) a multi-tone image such as a face image and a binary image such as a character on a print medium P such as a personal authentication card, passbook or bank passbook at a financial institution. A protective film is simultaneously formed on the printing surface.

  In FIG. 1, a thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 includes a printing unit 2 that functions as a printing unit and a transfer unit 3 that functions as a transfer unit provided below the printing unit 2.

  The printing unit 2 includes a line-type thermal head 4 in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line, a platen roller 5 disposed opposite to the thermal head 4, and the like. Between the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 5, for example, a transparent ink layer mainly composed of a colorless or flame-colored transparent resin that functions as a black ink layer and an adhesive layer is formed on one surface of the film-like substrate. Sequentially provided ink ribbons 6 are interposed.

  The platen roller 5 functions as a supply means for supplying an intermediate transfer ribbon 7 having an image receiving layer capable of transferring ink of the ink layer from the ink ribbon 6 on one surface of the film-like substrate at a predetermined speed.

  One end of the ink ribbon 6 is wound around the delivery shaft 8, and the other end is wound around the winding shaft 9. At least one of the delivery shaft 8 and the winding shaft 9 can be driven independently in both forward and reverse directions. A midway portion of the ink ribbon 6 delivered from the delivery shaft 8 is stretched around the guide shafts 10 and 11.

  The transfer unit 3 includes a heat roller 12 as a transfer roller, a backup roller 13 disposed opposite to the heat roller 12, and the like. The heat roller 12 includes a heater 12a for heating and a cut surface 12b in which a part of the circumference is cut out. An intermediate transfer ribbon 7 that functions as an intermediate transfer medium is interposed between the heat roller 12 and the backup roller 13.

  The intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is included in the printing medium P, and has one end wound around a feed shaft 14 provided on the upper side of the printing unit 2 and the other end side wound on the lower side of the printing unit 2. It is wound around the shaft 15. At least one of the delivery shaft 14 and the take-up shaft 15 can be driven independently in both forward and reverse directions. The delivery shaft 14 and the take-up shaft 15 function as supply means for supplying the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 toward the printing unit 2. The intermediate portion of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 fed from the feed shaft 14 is stretched over the guide shafts 16 to 18 and is stretched over the tension roller 19 to be maintained at a substantially constant tension.

  In addition, the transfer unit 3 includes conveyance roller pairs 20 and 21. The conveyance roller pair 20 is disposed upstream of the heat roller 12 in the conveyance direction. Further, the transport roller pair 21 is disposed downstream of the heat roller 12 in the transport direction.

  The transport roller pairs 20 and 21 transport the print medium P inserted from the print medium intake port 22 along the transport path 23 to a predetermined transfer position by the heat roller 12. That is, the transport roller pairs 20 and 21 transport the print medium P so that the transfer start position on the print surface of the print medium P is aligned with the transfer position by the heat roller 12.

  Furthermore, the transfer unit 3 includes sensors S1 and S2 that function as detection means arranged along the supply path of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7. The sensors S1 and S2 optically detect a bar mark arranged outside the effective area of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7, and output a detection signal thereof.

  In addition, the transfer unit 3 includes sensors S3 and S4 that function as detection means arranged along the conveyance path 23 of the print medium P. The sensors S3 and S4 optically detect the presence / absence of the print medium P inserted from the print medium intake port 22, and output the detection signal.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the print medium P after printing. In FIG. 2, a multi-tone image (for example, a face image of the owner of the print medium P) 32, a binary image (characters such as personal information) 33, etc., in a printable area 31 on the print medium P, A binary image 34 such as a character (for example, OCR-B font) according to a predetermined standard is printed, and a transparent protective layer is formed on the entire printing surface.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7. The intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is configured, for example, by sequentially laminating a transparent protective layer 42 and an image receiving layer 43 on which an image is formed on one surface of a base layer (film-like substrate) 41. In order to facilitate peeling from the base layer 41, a structure in which a peeling layer is provided between the base layer 41 and the protective layer 42 may be used.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 4, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 functioning as a control means for controlling the entire apparatus stores a control program for controlling the entire apparatus, or at least a number of data developed into bitmap data. A memory unit 52 that stores print data including gradation images and binary images, an interface unit 53 that receives print data necessary for printing from an external device such as a host computer, and the like are connected. Print data received via the interface unit 53 is temporarily stored in the memory unit 52.

  The CPU 51 includes a thermal head control circuit 54, a printing unit conveyance control circuit 55, a heater temperature control circuit 56, a heat roller rotation control circuit 57, a transfer unit conveyance control circuit 58, a printing medium conveyance control circuit 59, and a sensor input. A circuit 60 or the like is connected.

  The thermal head control circuit 54 controls the printing operation of the thermal head 4 based on the print data. The printing unit conveyance control circuit 55 controls driving of the delivery shaft 8 and the winding shaft 9 that function as a conveyance mechanism in the printing unit 2. The heater temperature control circuit 56 controls the heater 12a in the heat roller 12 so as to maintain the heat roller 12 at a predetermined temperature.

  The heat roller rotation control circuit 57 controls the rotation driving of the heat roller 12. That is, the heat roller rotation control circuit 57 aligns the transfer start position with respect to the printing surface of the print medium P and the transfer position of the predetermined information printed on the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 by the heat roller 12, in a state where the heat roller 12 is aligned. After the edge portion of the cut surface 12b is brought into contact with the transfer start position, the heat roller 12 is rotated in a predetermined direction to transfer the predetermined information on the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 to the printable area 31 of the print medium P. .

  The transfer unit conveyance control circuit 58 controls driving of the platen roller 5, the feed shaft 14, and the winding shaft 15 that function as a conveyance mechanism in the transfer unit 3. The print medium conveyance control circuit 59 controls the driving of the conveyance roller pairs 20 and 21 that function as a conveyance mechanism, takes the print medium P from the print medium intake port 22, conveys it to a predetermined transfer position, and completes the transfer. The printed print medium P is discharged from the print medium intake port 22.

  The sensor input circuit 60 detects the bar mark of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 based on the output signals from the sensors S1 and S2. The sensor input circuit 60 detects the presence or absence of the print medium P based on output signals from the sensors S3 and S4.

Next, an overall basic operation of the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 having such a configuration will be briefly described.

  First, in the printing unit 2, drive control is performed on the surface of the image receiving layer 43 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 to which the transparent protective layer 42 has been applied in advance, based on the print data developed in the bitmap data stored in the memory unit 52. A multi-tone image and a binary image are simultaneously printed by the thermal head 4 and the ink ribbon 6. At this time, in order to control the printing position of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7, the bar mark of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 fed out from the feed shaft 14 is detected by the sensor S1, thereby printing at a predetermined position.

  The image printing method is a method in which the printing pitch is printed at the pitch between the heating elements of the thermal head 4 in both the arrangement direction of the heating elements of the thermal head 4 and the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the heating elements (conveying direction). In the transport direction, a multi-tone image recording row (multi-tone image row) and a binary image recording row (binary) are obtained by shifting the arrangement of transfer dots by the heating elements in terms of time. It is assumed that an alternate driving method is used in which a multi-tone image row and a binary image row are alternately arranged and recorded.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the printing of the multi-tone image 32 and the binary image 33. As shown in FIG. 5, in the alternate driving method, the driving timing of the thermal head 4 is shifted in time in the transport direction, and printing lines L1 and L2 that are ½ pitch of the pitch between the heating elements are alternately arranged and recorded. Here, the binary image 33 is recorded in the print line L1, and the multi-tone image 32 is recorded in the print line L2. Therefore, in the alternate driving method described above, when the multi-tone image 32 and the binary image 33 are arranged in the arrangement direction (arrangement direction) of the heating elements, the multi-tone image 32 and the binary image 33 are recorded in the same row. Therefore, the density of the multi-tone image 32 can be prevented from being reduced.

  Since the speed of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is determined mainly by the platen roller 5, the platen roller 5 is accurately driven by combining, for example, a five-phase stepping motor with a speed reduction mechanism. Further, there is a feature that an image to be printed is a reverse image.

  Next, in the printing unit 2, the surface of the image receiving layer 43 on which the multi-tone image and binary image of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 are printed is colorless or flame-colored transparent that functions as an adhesive layer by the thermal head 4 and the ink ribbon 6. A transparent ink layer mainly composed of the above resin is transferred.

  Next, in the transfer unit 3, the printing surface of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 printed by the printing unit 2 (the surface on which the transparent ink layer as the adhesive layer is transferred on the surface of the image receiving layer 43) and the printing surface of the printing medium P. Are superposed on each other and pressed and heated by the heat roller 12 to simultaneously transfer the print image (image receiving layer 43) and the protective layer 42 through the transparent ink layer. At this time, the alignment between the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 and the print medium P is performed as follows.

(1) After the corresponding transfer area of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 has been printed, the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is wound in the direction of the heat roller 12, and the position of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is grasped by the sensor S2 in the middle of the path. Thereafter, the amount of movement of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 relative to the position of the heat roller 12 is determined.
(2) The print medium P is taken from the print medium take-in port 22 and conveyed to a predetermined position with respect to the heat roller 12.
(3) The intermediate transfer ribbon 7 and the printing surface of the printing medium P, which have been positioned relative to each other, are brought together with the rotation of the heat roller 12, and are pressed and heated, whereby transfer through the transparent ink layer is performed. .

  The print medium P thus transferred is discharged again from the print medium intake port 22 toward the operator. In this example, the heat roller 12 is driven at an accurate speed by a DC servo motor or a stepping motor, and a pressure generated by a coil spring is applied to the freely rotatable backup roller 13. .

  FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing the transfer operation from the intermediate transfer ribbon to the printing surface of the printing medium. By the pressure / heating operation by the heat roller 12, the protective layer 42 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7, the image receiving layer 43, the image (multi-tone image and binary image) 44 printed by the thermal head 4, and the thermal head 4 The transparent ink layer (adhesive layer) 45 transferred in (1) is transferred to the printing surface of the printing medium P.

  In this example (FIG. 6), the base layer 41 of the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 is peeled immediately after passing through the heat roller 12, but the peeling guide (guide shaft 18) is used as the heat roller 12 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to change the peeling parameter from the base layer 41 by disposing the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 at a position away from the base layer 41 and cooling the intermediate transfer ribbon 7 after being heated by the heat roller 12 to the guide shaft 18. .

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining printing by driving the thermal head 4. In the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1, heat is generated by selectively energizing each heating element of the thermal head 4, and thermal transfer printing is performed by melting the ink on the ink ribbon 6. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, one set of a non-energized portion (non-shaded portion) and a energized portion (shaded portion) is defined as one pulse, and an arbitrary print density can be obtained by changing the number of pulses. Is reproduced. In the example of FIG. 7, for example, 3 pulses are energized when printing an intermediate density, and 6 pulses are energized when the highest density is printed.

  Next, a print data writing process performed under the control of the CPU 51 will be described. In this writing process, multi-tone images and binary images are discriminated from print data expanded into bitmap data stored in the memory unit 52, and the multi-tone images are transferred to the print line L2. Is written into the memory unit 52 as new bitmap data rewritten to the print line L1. Therefore, the thermal head control circuit 54 controls the printing operation of the thermal head 4 based on the new bitmap data.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining print data writing processing. As shown in FIG. 8, when the process is started, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the image included in the print data is a multi-tone image (S10). If the image is a multi-tone image (S10: YES), the CPU 51 writes data to the print line L2 that prints the multi-tone image for bitmap data for recording the multi-tone image (S11). ).

  When the image is not a multi-tone image (S10: NO), the CPU 51 is a multi-tone image print region in which the binary image and the multi-tone image are arranged in the direction in which the heating element is arranged. It is determined whether or not (S12). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the binary image and the multi-tone image are arranged in the arrangement direction of the heating elements in the bitmap data.

  When the binary image is a multi-tone image printing area (S12: YES), the CPU 51 writes data to the print line L1 for printing the binary image for bitmap data for recording the binary image. (S13).

  If the binary image is not a multi-tone image printing area (S12: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether or not there is a character standard for the binary image, that is, whether the character conforms to a predetermined standard such as an OCR-B font. It is determined whether or not (S14). This determination may be made based on whether or not the character of the bitmap data matches a character according to a predetermined standard, or based on the page description language used when creating the bitmap data. You may judge.

  If there is no character standard for the binary image (S14: NO), the CPU 51 writes data to the print line L1 for printing the binary image for the bitmap data for recording the binary image (S13). ).

  If there is a binary image character standard (S14: YES), the CPU 51 uses a print line L1 for printing the binary image and a multi-tone image for bitmap data for recording the binary image. Data writing is performed in two lines of the printing line L2 to be printed (S15). More specifically, in S15, data is written so that the printing time for one pixel is divided into two lines, that is, printing lines L1 and L2. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when printing one pixel at the maximum density (for 6 pulses), printing is performed for 3 pulses in each of the print lines L1 and L2 so that the maximum density is obtained in the print lines L1 and L2. It will be divided into time.

  Therefore, when the multi-tone image and the binary image are not lined up in the direction in which the heating elements are arranged according to S15 described above, if the binary image is a character according to a predetermined standard, the binary image Are distributed and recorded on two lines, a print line L1 for printing the image and a print line L2 for printing the multi-tone image.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the printing of the binary image 34. As shown on the left side of FIG. 9, conventionally, the binary image 34 has been printed in the print line L1 for printing the binary image. On the other hand, as shown on the right side of FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, printing is performed by dividing the print lines into two lines, namely, print lines L1 and L2.

  FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating the temperature rise of the heating element. A graph G1 in FIG. 10 illustrates the temperature rise of the heating element when the binary image 34 is printed in the print row L1. Further, the graph G2 illustrates the temperature rise of the heating element when the binary image 34 is divided into two print lines L1 and L2. As is apparent from FIG. 10, in this embodiment, since the printing time can be divided into the printing lines L1 and L2, the maximum temperature of the heating element when reproducing the same density can be reduced by ΔT, and the heating element The heat concentration to can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the ink ribbon 6 from being attached due to the heat concentration on the heating element, and to improve the maintainability.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and the multi-tone image and the binary image are arranged in the direction in which the heating elements are arranged regardless of whether the binary image is a character according to a predetermined standard. It goes without saying that the binary image when there is no image may be recorded in the print lines L1 and L2 in a distributed manner (a configuration in which the process of S14 is not performed).

  The print data writing process described above does not necessarily have to be performed before the actual printing operation as described above, and may be performed simultaneously with the actual printing operation.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the thermal transfer printing apparatus using the intermediate transfer ribbon has been described. However, the thermal transfer printing apparatus that directly performs thermal transfer printing on the print medium using only the ink ribbon without using the intermediate transfer ribbon. Is equally applicable.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a thermal transfer printing apparatus that performs thermal transfer printing of a monochrome image has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a thermal transfer printing apparatus that performs thermal transfer printing of a color image.

  The program executed by the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 of the embodiment is provided by being preinstalled in a ROM or the like. A program executed in the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 of the embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a computer such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). You may comprise so that it may record and provide on a readable recording medium.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 of the embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. The program executed by the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The program executed by the thermal transfer recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described functional configuration. As actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads the program from the ROM and executes the program. The functional configuration is loaded on the main storage device and generated on the main storage device.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thermal transfer recording device, 2 ... Printing part, 3 ... Transfer part, 4 ... Thermal head, 5 ... Platen roller, 6 ... Ink ribbon, 7 ... Intermediate transfer ribbon, 8, 14 ... Sending shaft, 9, 15 ... Winding Shaft, 12 ... Heat roller, 12a ... Heater, 12b ... Cut surface, 13 ... Backup roller, 10, 11, 16-18 ... Guide shaft, 19 ... Tension roller, 20, 21 ... Conveying roller pair, 22 ... Print media removal Port 23, transport path, 31 printable area, 32 multi-tone image, 33, 34 binary image, 41 base layer, 42 protective layer, 43 image receiving layer, 51 CPU, 52 Memory unit 53... Interface unit 54. Thermal head control circuit 55. Printing unit conveyance control circuit 56. Heater temperature control circuit 57. Heat roller rotation control circuit 58 58 Transfer unit conveyance control circuit 59 Print medium transport control circuit, 60 ... sensor input circuit, G1, G2 ... graph, L1, L2 ... print line, P ... print medium, S1 to S4 ... sensor

Claims (4)

Print data including a multi-tone image and a binary image by controlling a printing unit that thermally transfers an image to a print medium conveyed by a conveyance mechanism by a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a row. The multi-tone image and the binary image are alternately arranged by arranging a first row for recording the multi-tone image and a second row for recording the binary image on the printing medium. A thermal transfer recording method for recording on
When recording the binary image on the print medium, if the multi-tone image and the binary image are arranged in the direction in which the heating element is arranged, the binary image is recorded in the second row. If the multi-tone image and the binary image are not arranged in the direction in which the heating element is arranged, the binary image is recorded in the first row and the second row in a distributed manner. Thermal transfer recording method. When the multi-tone image and the binary image are not lined up in the direction in which the heating element is arranged, if the binary image is a character according to a predetermined standard, the character according to the predetermined standard Are recorded separately in the first row and the second row, and when the binary image is not a character according to a predetermined standard, the character is recorded in the second row.
The thermal transfer recording method according to claim 1. Printing means for thermally transferring an image to a print medium conveyed by a conveyance mechanism by a line-type thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line;
Based on the print data including a multi-tone image and a binary image, the first row for recording the multi-tone image and the second row for recording the binary image are alternately arranged in the multiple rows. Drive control means for controlling to record a gradation image and the binary image on the print medium,
The drive control means, when recording the binary image on the printing medium, if the multi-tone image and the binary image are arranged in a direction in which the heating element is arranged, the binary image is displayed as the binary image. When the multi-tone image and the binary image are not aligned in the direction in which the heating element is arranged, the binary image is recorded in the second row. Thermal transfer recording device that records in a dispersed manner. In the case where the multi-tone image and the binary image are not aligned in the direction in which the heating element is disposed, the drive control unit is configured to perform the processing when the binary image is a character according to a predetermined standard. When characters according to a predetermined standard are recorded separately in the first line and the second line, and the binary image is not a character according to a predetermined standard, the character is stored in the second line. Let me record,
The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 3.

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