JP6463088B2 - Printing apparatus and printing apparatus control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a printing apparatus, relates to a control method for a printing apparatus. Particularly, a printing apparatus of a thermal transfer method which performs printing by using the ink ribbon, the printing apparatus capable of transferring the ink of the same color a plurality of times, relates to a control method of the printing apparatus.

  As a printing apparatus capable of obtaining high-quality image recording, a printing apparatus of a sublimation type thermal transfer method using a thermal head is used. A thermal transfer printing apparatus has, for example, a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction, and an image is formed using an ink ribbon in which an ink layer of each color and an overcoat layer are formed. Print. Specifically, each color ink of the ink ribbon is transferred to a printing medium such as roll paper while being heated with a thermal head to print an image, and the overcoat is transferred so as to cover the printed image.

  In a sublimation thermal transfer printing apparatus, in order to print a high-quality image, it is required to increase the print density. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the print density is increased by transferring each color ink twice.

  The ink ribbon used in the sublimation thermal transfer printing apparatus has, for example, a yellow (Y) ink surface, a magenta (M) ink surface, a cyan (C) ink surface, and an overcoat surface in the longitudinal direction in the order described above. Periodically arranged. At the time of printing, the ink ribbon is sequentially wound up, and transferred sequentially in the order of yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and overcoat. In addition, it is difficult to further transfer the inks of the respective colors on the surface of the roll paper to which the overcoat is transferred. For this reason, when transferring each color ink twice, after the completion of the first transfer of each color ink, the ink ribbon is wound up to skip the overcoat surface and the second transfer of each color ink is performed. . That is, the transfer of the overcoat is omitted after the completion of the first transfer of each color ink and before the second transfer of each color ink.

JP 2007-276259 A

  In the printing operation for transferring the overcoat, the roll paper is conveyed while the thermal head is pressed against the roll paper as in the printing operation for transferring the ink of each color. For this reason, the overcoat is transferred by such a printing operation, and the surface of the roll paper is smoothened. Furthermore, by moving (penetrating) the ink that has already been transferred by the heat of the thermal head, the ink of each color is easily received and the weather resistance is improved. With these actions, the image quality of the printed image can be improved. However, if the overcoat transfer is omitted after the first transfer of each color ink is completed, the above-described effects cannot be obtained. Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the image quality of an image to be printed when ink of each color is transferred twice.

  In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus of the present invention presses an ink ribbon against a printing medium by a thermal head, and heats the thermal head while conveying the ink ribbon and the printing medium, thereby causing the ink of the ink ribbon to be heated. And a thermal transfer type printing apparatus that transfers the overcoat to the printing medium, and has a first mode in which the ink of each color is transferred twice, and in the first mode, the ink of each color for the first time After the transfer of the ink is completed, before the transfer of the ink of each color for the second time, the ink ribbon and the ink ribbon are not transferred to the print medium while the ink ribbon is pressed against the print medium by the thermal head. A first operation for conveying the print medium is performed.

  According to the present invention, when ink of each color is transferred twice, the image quality of an image to be printed can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an external configuration of a printing apparatus and a cartridge according to the first embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of an ink ribbon typically. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of printing in the printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing of the printing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which roll paper is conveyed to a printing start position. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the state which the thermal head moved to the printing position. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state where printing is completed. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state after the roll paper is discharged. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print processing according to a second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the image printed. It is a figure which shows the content of print data typically. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print processing according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print processing according to a fifth embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating print processing according to a sixth embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process according to a seventh embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The printing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention is a printing apparatus of a sublimation type thermal transfer system, and forms an image on a roll paper by sublimating the ink of the ink ribbon and thermally transferring it to the roll paper as an example of a printing medium. To do. In the embodiment of the present invention, “printing” refers to a series of overall operations from forming an image on roll paper based on a print instruction from the user, cutting the roll paper into a predetermined size, and discharging the roll paper. It shall be said. In addition, “printing” refers to an operation of forming an image on a roll paper by performing thermal transfer of the ink applied to the ink ribbon onto the roll paper among the printing operations.

<< First Embodiment >>
<Configuration of printer main body>
First, an overall configuration example of the printing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an external configuration of a printing apparatus 100 (main body) and a cartridge 110 used in the printing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 100 includes a main body housing 101 as a housing. An opening 108 is formed on the side surface of the main body housing 101, and a lid 109 that covers the opening 108 so as to be freely opened and closed is provided. The main body housing 101 is configured so that the cartridge 110 can be attached and detached in the direction of an arrow 120 from an opening 108 formed on the side surface thereof. A display unit 102 and an operation unit 103 are provided on the upper portion of the main body housing 101. A display device having a display screen such as an LCD is applied to the display unit 102 and can display a menu for inputting image data to be printed and setting data necessary for printing. The operation unit 103 includes a power switch 104 that instructs to turn on / off the power of the printing apparatus 100 and a selection switch 105 for selecting various menus displayed on the display unit 102. Further, a left / right key 106 and an up / down key 107 for moving the cursor displayed on the display unit 102 to a desired position are arranged around the selection switch 105. The user or the like can move the cursor displayed on the display unit 102 by pressing the left / right key 106 or the up / down key 107, and can confirm the operation with the cursor by pressing the selection switch 105.

<Configuration of cartridge>
The cartridge 110 has a cartridge housing 111 as a housing. Inside the cartridge housing 111, a roll paper 5 (see FIG. 4), which is an example of a printing medium, and an ink ribbon 4 (see FIG. 2, which will be described later) coated with ink of various colors and an overcoat are housed. . The roll paper 5 is accommodated in the cartridge housing 111 while being wound around the paper feed roller 112. The ink ribbon 4 is wound around the supply roller 113 and accommodated in the cartridge housing 111 with one end (tip) connected to the take-up roller 114. When the cartridge 110 is detached from the printing apparatus 100, the roll paper 5 is covered with the cartridge housing 111, and the user or the like cannot directly touch the roll paper 5. With such a configuration, entry of foreign matter or the like into the inside of the cartridge 110 is prevented. When the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printing apparatus 100, the rotation shaft of the paper feed roller 112 around which the roll paper 5 is wound is connected to the rotation mechanism of the paper feed motor 215 provided in the printing apparatus 100. The rotation is controlled by a main controller 201 (described later). The rotation shaft of the supply roller 113 and the rotation shaft of the take-up roller 114 are connected to the rotation mechanism of the ink ribbon winding motor 217 provided in the printing apparatus 100, and the rotation is controlled by the main controller 201 of the printing apparatus 100. The At the time of printing, the roll paper 5 is pulled out from the cartridge housing 111. Then, the printing apparatus 100 heats the ink applied to the ink ribbon 4 by the thermal head 227 and sublimates it to transfer it to the roll paper 5. As a result, an image is printed on the roll paper 5. In addition, the cartridge 110 is provided with an IC (not shown) in which information about the cartridge 110 is stored. The information stored in the IC includes information on the sizes of the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5.

  On the surface of the roll paper 5, a receiving layer for fixing the transferred ink (dye) is provided. Specifically, the roll paper 5 has a film of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PP (polypropylene) having air bubbles and a function as a heat insulating material bonded to the surface of natural paper as a base material. Then, on the surface of the PET or PP film, a receiving layer made of a polymer having high acceptability of ink as a dye is formed. For example, the receiving layer is formed by applying a solution containing a polymer having high acceptability of ink as a dye to the surface of a PET or PP film. Note that the printing medium is not limited to the roll paper 5 having the above-described configuration. The printing medium may be any structure that can transfer (receive) each color ink and overcoat, and various recording papers can be applied.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the ink ribbon 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon 4 used in the present embodiment has a long base film 40. A yellow ink surface 41Y, a magenta ink surface 41M, a cyan ink surface 41C, and an overcoat surface 41O are periodically provided in the longitudinal order on the surface of the base film 40 in the order described above. It has been. For example, a film such as polyester is applied to the long base film 40. The ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, and 41C for each color are regions where ink layers for each color are formed. Each color ink layer is formed by applying a solution prepared by dissolving a color material, which is an ink (dye) of each color, and a synthetic resin mixed material called a binder to a surface of the base film 40 and drying it. Yes. The overcoat surface 41O is a region where an overcoat mainly composed of an acrylic resin is provided. Furthermore, strip-shaped markers 42 are provided at the cueing positions (leading positions) of the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, 41C and the overcoat surface 41O of the respective colors. The marker 42 is black and has a light shielding property, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base film 40. Two markers 42 are provided at the leading portion of the yellow ink surface 41Y, and one marker 42 is provided at the cueing position of the ink surfaces 41M and 41C of other colors and the overcoat surface 41O. . Thereby, it is possible to identify (discriminate) the cueing position of the yellow ink surface 41Y from the cueing positions of the ink surfaces 41M and 41C of other colors and the overcoat surface 41O.

<Functional configuration of printing device>
Next, an example of a functional configuration of the printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the printing apparatus 100.

  The main controller 201 controls the entire printing apparatus 100. For example, a computer having a CPU is applied to the main controller 201. The ROM 202 is connected to the main controller 201 and stores data such as a computer program for controlling the printing apparatus 100 and γ correction data (described later) used to generate print data (described later). The RAM 203 is used as a work memory for arithmetic processing of the main controller 201 and temporarily stores various setting data input via the operation unit 103. The main controller 201 reads out a computer program for controlling the printing apparatus 100 from the ROM 202 and executes it using the RAM 203 as a work memory. Thereby, the operation of the printing apparatus 100 described later is realized. The main controller 201 has a function as print data generation means, and generates print data for each color for printing based on the γ correction data stored in the ROM 202. In the present embodiment, data of an image to be printed captured from the outside is referred to as “image data”, and data generated from the image data for printing is referred to as “print data”. The print data for each color is data that defines a gradation value that defines the energy input to the thermal head 227. For example, the print data is data having gradation values of 0 to 255 in each pixel, and the gradation value of each pixel indicates the level of energy input to the thermal head 227. In this case, no ink or overcoat is transferred to the pixel with the gradation value of 0 (the density is 0), and the pixel with the gradation value of 255 is transferred with the highest density.

  The image memories (image buffers) 224Y, 224M, and 224C for each color temporarily store the image data for each color captured via the image data input unit 229 and the generated print data. The yellow image memory 224Y temporarily stores yellow image data, the magenta image memory 224M temporarily stores magenta image data, and the cyan image memory 224C temporarily stores cyan image data. The image data 224Y, 224M, and 224C for each color stores print data for each color in a bitmap format. The overcoat image memory 224OP temporarily stores overcoat print data. The main controller 201 generates print data for overcoat. At this time, the main controller 201 appropriately refers to the print data stored in the image memories 224Y, 224M, and 224C.

  In the thermal head 227, a plurality of heating elements (not shown) that generate heat when energized (input of energy for heat generation) are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction. Then, by selectively energizing these heating elements (adding energy for heat generation) to generate heat, the ink applied to the ink ribbon 4 is sublimated and transferred to the roll paper 5. That is, the main controller 201 uses the image data temporarily stored in the image memories 224Y, 224M, 224C, and 224OP and the γ correction data stored in advance in the ROM 202 to generate print data for each color and overcoat. To do. The driver controller 225 controls the head driving circuit 226 using the print data generated by the main controller 201 in accordance with the control of the main controller 201. The head drive circuit 226 selectively energizes the heating element built in the thermal head 227 (inputs energy for heat generation) under the control of the driver controller 225. As a result, the ink and overcoat of each color are transferred to the roll paper 5 and printing is performed. The thermal head 227 is rotatably provided on the base frame of the printing apparatus 100 via a head lever 612 (see FIG. 4). The thermal head 227 can move to the printing position 611 and the retracted position by rotating. Note that the printing position 611 is a position where the ink ribbon 4 is pressed against the roll paper 5. When the thermal head 227 moves to the printing position 611, the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5 are sandwiched between the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605, and the ink ribbon 4 is pressed against the roll paper 5. For this reason, when the thermal head 227 is at the printing position 611, an image can be printed on the roll paper 5. The retracted position refers to a position where the thermal head 227 is separated from the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5.

  The roll paper transport motor driver 211 drives the roll paper transport motors 212 and 213 under the control of the main controller 201. The roll paper transport motors 212 and 213 are connected to a grip roller 614 and a paper discharge roller 606, which will be described later, via a rotation mechanism so as to be able to transmit power. The roll paper conveyance motor driver 211 conveys the roll paper 5 by driving these rollers via the roll paper conveyance motors 212 and 213. The paper feed motor driver 214 drives the paper feed motor 215 under the control of the main controller 201. When the cartridge 110 is mounted on the main body housing 101, the paper feed motor 215 is connected to the rotation shaft of the paper feed roller 112 via the rotation mechanism. The paper feed motor driver 214 rotates the rotation shaft of the paper feed roller 112 in accordance with control by the main controller 201.

  The ink ribbon winding motor driver 216 drives the ink ribbon winding motor 217 under the control of the main controller 201. In a state where the cartridge 110 is mounted on the main body housing 101, the rotation shaft of the take-up roller 114 of the ink ribbon 4 and the ink ribbon winding motor 217 are connected via a rotation mechanism. For this reason, when the ink ribbon winding motor driver 216 drives the ink ribbon winding motor 217, the ink ribbon 4 is wound and wound. The head up / down motor driver 218 drives the head up / down motor 219 under the control of the main controller 201. When the head up / down motor 219 is driven, the thermal head 227 moves up and down and moves to the printing position 611 and the retracted position. The cutter motor driver 220 drives the cutter motor 221 under the control of the main controller 201. The cutter motor 221 drives a cutter blade 609 and a cutter receiving blade 610 that constitute a cutter unit that cuts the roll paper 5. The fan motor control unit 231 performs ON / OFF control of the fan motor 232 based on the printing operation and the temperature information of each unit according to the control of the main controller 201. A cooling fan is provided on the rotating shaft of the fan motor 232, and the thermal head 227 is mainly cooled by an air cooling system by driving.

  The end detection sensor 204 consumes the roll paper 5 wound around the paper feed roller 112 and the remaining amount is less than a predetermined number of turns (for example, less than one turn) (that is, the end of the roll paper 5). Is detected. The end detection sensor 204 is provided, for example, in the paper feed roller 112 of the cartridge 110. When the end of the roll paper 5 is detected by the end detection sensor 204, the main controller 201 controls the display control unit 222 to display a message on the display unit 102 that the remaining amount of the roll paper 5 is low.

  The roll paper cueing sensor 206 is disposed between the platen roller 605 and the grip roller 614 on the conveyance path of the roll paper 5. The roll paper cueing sensor 206 detects that the leading end portion of the roll paper 5 drawn from the cartridge 110 has passed behind the grip roller 614 at the start of printing.

  The ribbon cue sensor 207 detects the marker 42 provided at the cue position (leading position) of the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, 41C and the overcoat surface 41O of each color of the ink ribbon 4. The ink ribbon winding motor driver 216 drives the ink ribbon winding motor 217 based on the detection result of the marker 42 by the ribbon cue sensor 207 according to the control of the main controller 201. Thereby, the winding operation of the ink ribbon 4 is executed.

  The environmental temperature sensor 208 is an example of environmental temperature detection means, and detects the ambient temperature of the environment where the printing apparatus 100 is installed. The head temperature sensor 240 is an example of a head temperature detection unit, and detects the temperature of the thermal head 227 (hereinafter referred to as “head temperature”). The environmental temperature sensor 208 (environment temperature detection means) may be any configuration that can detect the ambient temperature, and the specific configuration is not limited. Similarly, the head temperature sensor 240 (head temperature detecting means) may be configured to detect the head temperature, and the specific configuration is not limited. As the environment temperature sensor 208 (environment temperature detection means) and the head temperature sensor 240 (head temperature detection means), various known temperature sensors can be applied. Detection results from the environmental temperature sensor 208 and the head temperature sensor 240 are transmitted to the main controller 201.

  The IC read / write unit 230 reads information related to the cartridge 110 from the IC provided in the cartridge 110. The main controller 201 temporarily stores information read from the IC of the cartridge 110 in the RAM 203 and refers to it during printing processing. The image data input unit 229 can read image data from a storage medium or storage device that stores the image data. Various interfaces such as a slot into which a storage medium can be inserted, a port that can be connected to an external storage device, a wireless communication device, and the like are applied to the image data input unit 229.

<Configuration of each part of printing apparatus>
Next, the configuration of each unit that operates when the printing apparatus 100 performs printing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the state in which the cartridge 110 is mounted on the printing apparatus 100 as viewed from the side of the printing apparatus 100.

  The cartridge housing 111 is provided with a conveyance path 601 for the roll paper 5 and a cartridge outlet 602. The conveyance path 601 is a path through which the roll paper 5 included in the cartridge 110 passes when it is pulled out to the printing position 611 during printing. The roll paper 5 wound around the paper feed roller 112 is peeled off by the separation member 406, passes through the conveyance path 601, and is drawn out of the cartridge 110 from the cartridge outlet 602. A roll paper detection sensor 205 (omitted in FIG. 4, see FIG. 2) is provided near the outside of the cartridge outlet 602. The roll paper detection sensors 205 are provided at both ends in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the roll paper 5 and detect the right and left ends in the width direction of the roll paper 5 pushed out from the cartridge outlet 602, respectively. . The main controller 201 can recognize the inclination in the width direction of the roll paper 5 pushed out from the cartridge outlet 602 based on the difference in detection timing between the two roll paper detection sensors 205.

  The pinch roller 604 and the grip roller 614 pinch and convey the roll paper 5 drawn from the cartridge 110. That is, when the grip roller 614 rotates (in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4), the roll paper 5 pulled out from the cartridge 110 is conveyed toward the printing position 611. The decurling guide 603 is a member provided to correct curl of the roll paper 5 so that the roll paper 5 has a curvature in a direction opposite to the curl direction (curl direction). Curve.

  The platen roller 605 maintains the state in which the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5 are overlapped with the thermal head 227 at the printing position 611. The printing apparatus 100 is provided with a head pressure detection sensor 209 (not shown in FIG. 4; see FIG. 3). The head pressure detection sensor 209 detects the head pressure. The head pressure is a pressure at which the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605 sandwich the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5.

  The paper discharge roller 606 conveys the roll paper 5 in the paper discharge direction. The paper discharge roller 606 and the driven roller 607 are arranged at positions facing each other across the conveyance path of the roll paper 5, and are pressed and separated by a driving mechanism (not shown). Then, the roll paper 5 is nipped and conveyed while being in pressure contact during paper discharge.

  The power of the cutter motor 221 is transmitted to the cutter unit via the gear wheel train 608. The cutter unit has a cutter blade 609 and a cutter receiving blade 610. The cutter blade 609 and the cutter receiving blade 610 are arranged at positions facing each other across the conveyance path of the roll paper 5. The cutter blade 609 and the cutter receiving blade 610 are driven by a gear wheel train 608, and the upper and lower blades are rubbed together like a scissors blade, thereby cutting the roll paper 5. Note that a printing range identification sensor 210 is provided in the vicinity of the cutter unit (omitted in FIG. 4; see FIG. 3). The print range identification sensor 210 identifies a range where an image is printed on the roll paper 5.

<Overall printing flow of printing device>
Next, the overall printing flow of the printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall printing flow in the printing apparatus 100. The printing apparatus 100 is in the state shown in FIG. 4 when the cartridge 110 is mounted and the power is turned on. Further, the main controller 201 acquires information about the cartridge 110 from the IC provided in the cartridge 110 via the IC read / write unit 230 and stores the information in the RAM 203. Further, the main controller 201 takes in image data to be printed from the image data input unit 229. And the main controller 201 will start the process shown in FIG. 5, if these processes are completed. A computer program for controlling the printing apparatus 100 including the processing shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the ROM 202 in advance. The main controller 201 reads this computer program from the ROM 202 and executes it using the RAM 203 as a work memory. Thereby, the control of the printing storage 100 including the processing shown in FIG. 5 is realized.

  In step S801, the main controller 201 receives an operation for setting a print mode for the operation unit 103 by a user or the like. The printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a normal mode and a high image quality mode as print modes. The high image quality mode is a mode in which image quality is improved as compared with the normal mode by emphasizing a high gradation region (high density region). The high gradation area refers to an area where the gradation value (density) is equal to or higher than a threshold value, and the middle / low gradation area refers to an area where the gradation value (density) is less than the threshold value. The threshold value is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. In the normal mode, the printing apparatus 100 prints an image by transferring each color ink to the roll paper 5 once. In the high image quality mode, the printing apparatus 100 prints an image by transferring each color ink twice in order to emphasize the high gradation region. If there is an operation for setting the print mode by the user or the like, the process proceeds to step S802.

  In step S802, the main controller 201 sets the print mode to either the normal mode or the high image quality mode according to the operation detected in step S801.

  In step S803, the image data acquired from the image data input unit 229 is displayed on the display unit 102 via the display control unit 222, and an operation for selecting image data to be printed by a user or the like is accepted. A user or the like visually recognizes image data displayed on the display unit 102 and performs an operation of selecting image data to be printed on the operation unit 103. The main controller 201 waits in this step until the user or the like completes the selection operation of the image data to be printed.

  In step S804, the main controller 201 determines the image data selected in step S804 as image data to be printed.

  In step S <b> 805, the main controller 201 determines whether there is a print instruction from the user or the like via the operation unit 103. If it is determined that there is a print instruction, the process proceeds to step S806. Otherwise, it waits at this step until there is a print instruction operation.

  In step S806, the main controller 201 determines whether printing is possible. Specifically, the main controller 201 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the roll paper 5 is an amount capable of printing all of the image data selected in step S804, based on the detection result by the end detection sensor 204. . If the remaining amount of the roll paper 5 is an amount capable of printing all of the selected image data, it is determined that printing is possible. In this case, the process proceeds to step S807. If the remaining amount of the roll paper 5 is not an amount capable of printing all of the selected image data, it is determined that printing is not possible. In this case, the main controller 201 displays a message indicating that printing cannot be performed on the display unit 102 via the display control unit 222. Then, the process proceeds to step S810 without going through steps S807 to S809.

  In step S807, the main controller 201 functions as print data generation means, and generates print data of each color and overcoat print data from the selected image data. When the print mode is the normal mode, the main controller 201 generates ink print data for each color and overcoat print data. When the print mode is the high image quality mode, the ink transfer operation for each color is performed twice. Therefore, the main controller 201 generates the first and second print data for each color ink and the overcoat print data. The generated print data is stored in the image memories 224Y, 224M, 224C, and 224OP. The process for generating the print data will be described later. If the generation and storage of the print data is completed, the process proceeds to step S808.

  In step S808, the main controller 201 performs a printing process using the generated print data. When the print mode is set to the normal mode, the main controller 201 performs the transfer of each color ink once, and when the transfer of all the color inks is completed, performs the overcoat transfer. On the other hand, when the print mode is set to the high image quality mode, the main controller 201 performs the transfer of each color ink twice, and after the transfer of all colors is completed twice, the overcoat is performed. Transcription. Note that after the first transfer of each color of ink is completed, the main controller 201 performs an operation similar to the printing operation for transferring the overcoat. However, this operation does not actually transfer the overcoat. For convenience of explanation, this operation will be referred to as “pseudo printing operation” of overcoat. After this operation is completed, the second transfer of each color is performed, and after the completion, the overcoat is transferred. That is, in step S808, the first printing operation for transferring each color ink, the overcoat pseudo printing operation, the second printing operation for transferring each color ink, and the printing operation for transferring the overcoat are performed in this order. Run with. As described above, in the high image quality mode, the high gradation region (high concentration region) is emphasized by transferring each color ink twice. As a result, higher image quality is achieved than in the normal mode. Then, the process proceeds to step S809. Details of the printing process will be described later.

  In step S809, the main controller 201 determines whether or not the next image data selected as a printing target exists (is left). If it is determined that the next image data selected as a print target exists, the process returns to step S807, and the processes of steps S807 and S808 are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S809 that the next image data selected as a print target does not exist (printing of all image data has been completed), the process proceeds to step S810.

  In step S810, the main controller 201 performs end processing and returns the printing apparatus 100 to the state shown in FIG. Specifically, the main controller 201 controls the head up / down motor driver 218 to drive the head up / down motor 219 to move the thermal head 227 to the retracted position. Further, the main controller 201 controls the paper feed motor driver 214 to drive the paper feed motor 215 to wind up the roll paper 5 so that the leading end of the roll paper 5 is positioned in the conveyance path 601 of the cartridge 110.

<Print data generation>
Here, the print data generation in step S807 will be described. In the present embodiment, the main controller 201 functions as print data generation means. Then, the main controller 201 generates print data for each color based on the image data selected by the user or the like and the print mode set by the user or the like. The gradation value of each pixel of the generated print data defines the magnitude of energy input to the thermal head 227. At this time, the main controller 201 reads and uses the γ correction data stored in the ROM 202 in advance. The γ correction data is correction data used for correcting the gradation values of the respective colors of the pixels included in the image data so that a natural print result can be obtained. In other words, the main controller 201 uses the γ correction data, adjusts the relative value between the gradation value of each color of the pixel of the image data and the output result when it is actually printed, and outputs a more natural output. Print data is generated so that a result is obtained. The γ correction data is stored in the ROM 202 in advance, and the main controller 201 expands the value on the RAM 203 as necessary and uses it for the process of generating print data.

  The print data of each color ink in the normal mode and the first print data of each color ink in the high image quality mode are data having outputs for all gradation values in accordance with the image data. That is, in the printing operation for transferring each color ink in the normal mode and the printing operation for transferring the first color ink in the high image quality mode, all pixels are transferred regardless of the gradation value of each pixel ( Print). In the present embodiment, the main controller 201 may use the same γ correction data for generating image data used for the first printing in the high image quality mode and the printing in the normal mode.

  In the second print data of each color ink in the high image quality mode, the tone value (density) of the original image data has a tone value that is not 0 in the tone range (density) that is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The gradation value is 0 in the middle / low gradation area below the threshold. In this way, in the second printing operation in which each color ink is transferred in the high image quality mode, each color ink is transferred only to the high gradation region, and each color ink is not transferred to the middle / low gradation region. .

  In step S807, the main controller 201 automatically generates overcoat print data by a predetermined method. The method for generating the overcoat print data is not particularly limited, and various conventionally known methods can be applied. The overcoat print data generated here is print data that has the same gradation value for all pixels.

<Print processing>
Next, the printing process in step S808 in FIG. 5 will be described. When the print mode is set to the normal mode, the printing apparatus 100 executes a print operation for transferring each color ink once, and then executes a print operation for transferring the overcoat once. Specifically, the printing apparatus 100 performs transfer once in the order of yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and overcoat. On the other hand, when the printing apparatus 100 is set to the high image quality mode, the ink of each color is transferred twice, and then the overcoat is transferred once. Further, after completion of the first printing operation for transferring each color ink, the overcoat pseudo printing operation is executed before the second printing operation for transferring each color ink. Specifically, the first yellow ink, the first magenta ink, the first cyan ink, the overprint pseudo-printing operation, the second yellow ink, the second magenta ink, the second time The operation is executed in the order of cyan ink and overcoat transfer.

  Here, the overcoat pseudo-printing operation will be described. In the printing operation in which the ink of each color is transferred and the overcoat is transferred, the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5 are sandwiched between the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605. As a result, the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, 41C or the overcoat surface 41O are pressed against the roll paper 5. Then, while conveying the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5 in this state, energy is selectively input (energized) to the heating elements of the thermal head 227 to generate heat, whereby the ink or overcoat of each color is applied to the roll paper 5. Transcript to. In the high image quality mode, the high gradation region (high density region) is emphasized by transferring each color ink twice.

  In addition, it is difficult to transfer the inks of the respective colors on the surface of the roll paper 5 to which the overcoat is transferred. For this reason, it is preferable to transfer the ink of each color for the second time without transferring the overcoat after the transfer of the ink of each color for the first time is completed. As described above, the ink ribbon 41 is provided with the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, and 41C of the respective colors and the overcoat surface 41O that are periodically arranged in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, when the ink of each color is transferred twice, after the first transfer of each color is completed, the overcoat surface 41O is skipped and the ink of each color is transferred for the second time.

  On the other hand, after the completion of the first transfer of each color ink, and before the second transfer of each color ink, the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5 are sandwiched between the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605, and in this state By conveying the roll paper 5, the following effects can be obtained. First, since the roll paper 5 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605, the surface of the roll paper 5 becomes smooth. Furthermore, since the transferred ink moves to the inside of the roll paper 5 by the heat of the thermal head 227, it becomes easier to receive the ink of each color for the second time, and weather resistance is improved.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, in the high image quality mode, the pseudo printing operation similar to the printing operation for transferring the overcoat is performed after the completion of the first transfer of each color ink and before the second transfer of each color. Execute. In the overprint pseudo printing operation, the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5 are sandwiched between the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605 in a state where the overcoat surface 41O of the ink ribbon 4 is aligned with the roll paper 5 and overlapped. This is the operation of carrying in that state. At this time, the overcoat is prevented from being transferred onto the roll paper 5 by not supplying energy to the thermal head 227 (not energizing). That is, the overcoat pseudo printing operation is different from the printing operation in which the overcoat is actually transferred in that no energy is supplied to the thermal head 227 (no power is supplied). Others may be the same as the printing operation for actually transferring the overcoat. Thereby, the quality of the image printed in the high quality mode can be improved.

  Next, the printing process in step S808 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the printing process of the printing apparatus 100.

  In step S101, the main controller 201 initializes the numerical value of the ribbon print screen number counter to zero. Then, the process proceeds to S102. The ribbon print screen number counter will be described later.

  In step S <b> 102, the main controller 201 controls the roll paper transport motor driver 211 to drive the roll paper transport motor 212, and feeds the roll paper 5 out of the cartridge 110.

  In step S103, the main controller 201 controls the roll paper transport motor driver 211 to drive the roll paper transport motor 212, and transports the roll paper 5 to the printing start position. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the roll paper 5 is conveyed to the printing start position. As shown in FIG. 7, the print start position is a region of the roll paper 5 to which an image is transferred in a print operation (a region to which ink is transferred), which is a discharge port more than the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605. The position conveyed to the side of 613 shall be said. When the operation of transporting the roll paper 5 to the printing start position is completed, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the main controller 201 controls the ink ribbon winding motor driver 216 to drive the ink ribbon winding motor 217 to wind up the ink ribbon 4 stored in the cartridge 110. Thereby, the cueing operation of the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, 41C or the overcoat surface 41O of the ink ribbon 4 is performed. As described above, if the transfer (printing) is performed in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and overcoat, the cueing operation of the yellow ink surface 41Y is performed in step S105 of the first round.

  Here, the cueing operation of the ink ribbon 4 in step S105 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, in the printing apparatus 100, an ink cueing sensor 207 and a reflection sheet 615 are provided so as to face each other with the ink ribbon 4 interposed therebetween. With such a configuration, the ink cueing sensor 207 can detect the light emitted by itself and reflected by the reflection sheet 615. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon 4 is provided with a black marker 42 having a band shape and a light shielding property at the cueing position of the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, 41C and the overcoat surface 41O of each color. Therefore, when the marker 42 is positioned between the ribbon cue sensor 207 and the reflection sheet 615, the ribbon cue sensor 207 can detect that the light reflected by the reflection sheet 615 is shielded by the marker 42.

  Further, two markers 42 are provided at the cueing position of the yellow ink surface 41Y, and one marker 42 is provided at each of the cueing positions of the ink surfaces 41M and 41C of other colors and the overcoat surface 41O. Is provided. Therefore, the ribbon cue sensor 207 can distinguish (identify) the cue position of the yellow ink surface 41Y from the cue positions of the other color ink surfaces 41M and 41C and the overcoat surface 41O. The identification result by the ink ribbon cue sensor 207 is transmitted to the main controller 201. Thereby, the main controller 201 can recognize the cue position of the yellow ink surface 41Y to be transferred first among the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, 41C of the respective colors. When the main controller 201 detects the marker 42 on the ink surface 41Y, 41M, 41C or overcoat surface 41O to be transferred, the main controller 201 controls the ink ribbon winding motor driver 216 to stop the ink ribbon winding motor 217. In the first round, when the marker 42 on the yellow ink surface 41Y is detected, the ink ribbon winding motor 217 is stopped.

  Here, a method for identifying the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, 41C and the overcoat surface 41O of each color will be described. Two markers 42 are provided at the cueing position of the yellow ink surface 41Y to be transferred first. For this reason, the main controller 201 can distinguish the cue position of the yellow ink surface 41Y from the cue positions of the other color ink surfaces 41M and 41C and the overcoat surface 41O. In this embodiment, the main controller 201 uses a variable ink ribbon cue counter for cueing the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, 41C and the overcoat surface 41O of each color. When the main controller 201 cues the yellow ink surface 41Y, it resets the ink ribbon cue counter (sets the value to 0). Further, when cueing of the ink surfaces 41M and 41C other than yellow and the overcoat surface 41O is performed, the numerical value 1 is added to the ink ribbon cueing counter. Therefore, the value of the ink ribbon cue counter is 0 after cueing the yellow ink surface 41Y, 1 after cueing the magenta ink surface 41M, and 2 after cueing the cyan ink surface 41C. And 3 after the cue of the overcoat surface 41O. As described above, the main controller 201 can identify the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, and 41C and the overcoat surface 41O of each color by referring to the value of the ink ribbon cueing counter. Therefore, the main controller 201 can perform cueing of the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, 41C and the overcoat surface 41O of each color.

  As described above, the main controller 201 drives the ink ribbon winding motor 217 to wind up the ink ribbon 4 and stops the winding of the ink ribbon 4 when the ink ribbon cueing sensor 207 detects the marker 42. Thereby, cueing of the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, 41C and the overcoat surface 41O of each color of the ink ribbon 4 is performed.

  In step S105, the main controller 201 controls the head up / down motor driver 218 to drive the head up / down motor 219, thereby rotating the thermal head 227 to the printing position 611 as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the thermal head 227 has moved to the printing position 611. The thermal head 227 is rotatably provided on the base frame of the printing apparatus 100 via a head lever 612. The head up / down motor 219 drives the head lever 612 to rotate the thermal head 227 to the printing position 611 where the roll paper 5 and the ink ribbon 4 are sandwiched between the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605.

  Subsequently, the main controller 201 executes printing. When the print mode is set to the high image quality mode, the main controller 201 transfers the ink of each color to the roll paper 5 twice. On the other hand, when the print mode is set to the normal mode, the ink of each color is transferred to the roll paper 5 once. In the present embodiment, the main controller 201 changes the contents of the printing operation depending on the setting of the printing mode, whether or not the ink transfer is performed, and whether or not the overcoat transfer is performed. Further, when the high image quality mode is set, the content of the printing operation is changed depending on whether the transfer of the ink of each color is the first time or the second time.

  In step S106, the main controller 201 determines whether or not to transfer ink of each color. The main controller 201 makes this determination using an ink ribbon cue counter. That is, if the value of the ink ribbon cueing counter is 0 to 2, cueing is performed on any of the ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, and 41C of yellow, magenta, and cyan, followed by cueing. Ink surfaces 41Y, 41M, and 41C are transferred. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if the value of the ink ribbon cueing counter is 3, cueing of the overcoat surface 41O has been carried out, and subsequently the overcoat is transferred. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step S201. As described above, when ink of a color that has not yet been transferred remains, the main controller 201 determines that the ink is transferred. Then, the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, when the transfer of all the color inks is completed, the main controller 201 determines that the transfer of each color ink is not performed. In this case, the process proceeds to step S201.

  In step S <b> 107, the main controller 201 controls the head up / down motor driver 218 to drive the head up / down motor 219 to rotate the thermal head 227 to the printing position 611. Further, the main controller 201 controls the roll paper transport motor driver 211 to drive the roll paper transport motors 212 and 213, and starts transporting the roll paper 5 by the grip roller 614. When the roll paper 5 is transported by a predetermined distance and the transport speed of the roll paper 5 becomes constant at a predetermined value, the main controller 201 controls the head drive circuit 226 via the driver controller 225 to cause the thermal head 227 to The built-in heating element generates heat. As a result, the ink of each color is transferred to the roll paper 5. For example, in step S109 in the first round, the yellow ink applied to the ink ribbon 4 is sublimated, and the yellow ink is transferred to the roll paper 5.

  When the ink is transferred from the ink ribbon 4 to the roll paper 5, the ink ribbon 4 is pressed against the roll paper 5 by the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605 (in a sandwiched state) while being heated by the thermal head 227. Transport at a speed of. Further, the main controller 201 controls the ink ribbon winding motor driver 216 to drive the ink ribbon winding motor 217, and rotates the rotating shaft of the ink ribbon winding roller 114 to convey the ink ribbon 4. During printing, the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5 are conveyed in close contact at the same speed. For this reason, a slip mechanism (not shown) for preventing a force exceeding a certain value from being applied to the ink ribbon 4 so that the ink ribbon 4 is conveyed at the same speed as the roll paper 5 is provided in the ink ribbon conveyance force transmission mechanism. Has been placed.

  In step S108, the main controller 201 determines whether or not the transfer of the predetermined color ink (yellow ink in the first round) started in step S107 is completed. When the transfer of the ink of this color is completed, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, the main controller 201 controls the head up / down motor driver 218 to drive the head up / down motor 219 to move the thermal head 227 to the retracted position. Then, the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S <b> 103, the main controller 201 controls the ink ribbon winding motor driver 216 to drive the ink ribbon winding motor 217 to wind up the ink ribbon 4. When the ink ribbon 4 is wound up, the marker 42 on the ink surface 41M, 41C or the overcoat surface 41O of the color to be transferred next is detected by the ink ribbon cue sensor 207. When the marker 42 on the ink surface 41M, 41C or overcoat surface 41O of the color to be transferred next is detected, the main controller 201 controls the ink ribbon winding motor driver 216 to stop the ink ribbon winding motor 217. . For example, after the yellow ink transfer is completed, the marker 42 at the cueing position of the magenta ink surface 41M is then detected. For this reason, after completion of the transfer of the yellow ink, cueing of the magenta ink surface 41M is performed. In this way, when the process proceeds from step S109 to step S103, in this step S104, the main controller 201 cues the ink surface 41Y, 41M, 41C or overcoat surface 41O to be transferred next.

  As described above, yellow ink is transferred in steps S103 to S109 in the first round. When transfer of yellow ink is completed, magenta ink is transferred in steps S103 to S109 in the second round. When the magenta ink transfer is completed, cyan ink is transferred in steps S103 to S109 in the third round. In step S104 in the fourth round, since the transfer of the inks of all the colors has been completed, cueing of the overcoat surface 41O is performed. In step S106 of the fourth round, since the transfer of all the color inks is completed, it is determined that the overcoat is transferred. For this reason, the process proceeds from step S106 of the fourth round to step S201.

  In step S201, the main controller 201 determines whether or not to perform overcoat transfer. Next, when it is determined that the overcoat is to be transferred, the process proceeds to step S202. If it is determined in step S201 that the overcoat transfer is not performed next, it is impossible in this embodiment. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step S301. In step S <b> 301, the main controller 201 controls the display control unit 222 to display an error on the display unit 102. Then, this printing process is terminated.

  In step S202, the main controller 201 determines whether the print mode is the high image quality mode or the normal mode. If it is determined that the image quality mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S203. If it is determined that the normal mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S203, the main controller 201 determines whether or not the transfer of the ink of each color is the first time. In the state where the first transfer of the ink of each color is completed and the overcoat surface 41O is cueed thereafter, the value of the ribbon print screen number counter is 1. Therefore, the main controller 201 determines that the transfer is the first time, and proceeds to step S204-1. On the other hand, if it is determined that the transfer of the ink of each color is the second time, the process proceeds to step S208. As described above, in the high image quality mode, after the completion of the first transfer of each color ink, but before the second transfer operation of each color ink, the process proceeds to step S204-1.

  In step S204-1, the main controller 201 sets the thermal head 227 not to generate heat so that the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper 5. That is, the ink of each color, which is a color material, cannot be transferred to the roll paper 5 on which the overcoat has already been transferred. For this reason, the main controller 201 is set so that the thermal head 227 does not generate heat so that the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper 5 before the second transfer of each color ink.

  In step S205, the main controller 201 performs a pseudo printing operation in which each part is controlled and the overcoat is not transferred. Specifically, the main controller 201 controls the head up / down motor driver 218 to drive the head up / down motor 219 to move the thermal head 227 to the printing position 611. When the thermal head 227 reaches the printing position, the main controller 201 controls the roll paper transport motor driver 211 to drive the roll paper transport motors 212 and 213 and starts transporting the roll paper 5 by the grip roller 614. Then, the ink ribbon 4 and the roll paper 5 are conveyed by a predetermined amount without driving the heating element built in the thermal head 227 to generate heat. Here, the predetermined amount is an amount for completing the printing of the overcoat printing area on the roll paper 5. When the roll paper 5 is conveyed by a predetermined amount, the pseudo printing operation is completed. As described above, after the printing operation for transferring the ink of each color for the first time is completed, the pseudo printing operation for the overcoat is performed before the printing operation for transferring the ink of each color for the second time. Thereby, the roll paper 5 can be smoothed. Furthermore, by moving the already transferred ink into the roll paper 5, it is possible to enhance the acceptance of the ink of each color for the second time and to improve the weather resistance.

  In step S206, the main controller 201 determines whether or not a predetermined amount of the roll paper 5 has been transported. If the predetermined amount of the roll paper 5 has been conveyed, it is determined that the operation in step S205 has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S207-1.

  In step S207-1, the main controller 201 returns the setting for preventing the thermal head 227 set in step S204 from generating heat to the normal setting for generating heat. Then, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the main controller 201 moves the thermal head 227 to the retracted position. Through the above operation, the first printing operation for transferring ink of each color and the overcoat pseudo-transfer operation are completed. As described above, in the overcoat pseudo printing operation, the overcoat is not actually transferred.

  As described above, if it is determined in step S202 that the mode is not the high image quality mode, or if it is determined in step S203 that it is not the first transfer of the ink of each color, the process proceeds to step S208. That is, in the normal mode, after the transfer of the inks of the respective colors is completed, the process proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, in the high image quality mode, after the second transfer of the ink of each color is completed, the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S <b> 208, the main controller 201 performs a printing operation to control each unit and transfer the overcoat. Specifically, the main controller 201 controls the head up / down motor driver 218 to drive the head up / down motor 219 to move the thermal head 227 to the printing position 611. When the thermal head 227 reaches the printing position 611, the main controller 201 controls the roll paper transport motor driver 211 to drive the roll paper transport motors 212 and 213. Thereby, conveyance of the roll paper 5 by the grip roller 614 is started. When the roll paper 5 is conveyed by a predetermined distance and the conveyance speed of the roll paper 5 becomes constant, the main controller 201 controls the head drive circuit 226 via the driver controller 225 to change the heating element built in the thermal head 227. Drives heat. As a result, the overcoat applied to the overcoat surface 41O of the ink ribbon 4 is transferred to the roll paper 5 and an overcoat image is printed.

  In step S209, the main controller 201 determines whether or not the printing of the overcoat printing area on the roll paper 5 has been completed. If the printing has not been completed, the main controller 201 continues the printing operation (S208). If the printing is completed, the process proceeds to step S210.

  In step S210, the main controller 201 drives the head up / down motor 219 by controlling the head up / down motor driver 218 to retract the thermal head 227 to the retracted position. When the evacuation of the thermal head 227 is completed, the process proceeds to S211.

  In step S <b> 211, the main controller 201 controls the ink ribbon winding motor driver 216 to drive the ink ribbon winding motor 217 to wind up the ink ribbon 4 by a small amount so that the ink ribbon 4 does not sag.

  In step S <b> 212, the main controller 201 controls the cutter motor driver 220 to drive the cutter motor 221 and cut the roll paper 5. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which printing has been completed. In the cutting operation of the roll paper 5 in S212, first, as shown in FIG. 9, the main controller 201 controls the roll paper conveyance motor driver 211 to drive the roll paper conveyance motors 212 and 213. Then, the roll paper 5 is conveyed until the rear end of the area where the image is printed reaches the cutter unit configured by the cutter blade 609 and the cutter receiving blade 610. When the conveyance of the roll paper 5 is completed, the main controller 201 controls the power (not shown) to move the paper discharge roller 606 and the driven roller 607 to a position where they are pressed against each other, so that the roll paper 5 is pinched. When the paper discharge roller 606 and the driven roller 607 pinch the roll paper 5, the main controller 201 controls the cutter motor driver 220 to drive the cutter motor 221 and move the cutter blade 609 to cut the roll paper 5. To do. When the cutting operation of the roll paper 5 is completed, the main controller 201 controls the power (not shown) to drive the paper discharge roller 606, and the roll paper 5 sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 606 and the driven roller 607 is removed. Paper is discharged from the paper discharge port 613 to the outside of the printing apparatus 100.

  Through the above steps, printing is completed. If the print mode is the normal mode, transfer is performed once in the order of yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and overcoat. If the printing mode is the high image quality mode, each color ink is transferred twice, and then the overcoat is transferred. Then, after the first transfer of each color ink is completed, the overprint pseudo-printing operation is executed before the second transfer. This overcoat pseudo-printing operation is the same as the printing operation for transferring the overcoat except that energy for heat generation is not input to the thermal head 227 (no power is supplied).

  As described above, the first embodiment is similar to the printing operation in which the overcoat is transferred in the high image quality mode after the first transfer of each color of ink is completed and before the second transfer of each color is performed. Executes pseudo print operation. According to such a configuration, first, since the roll paper 5 is sandwiched between the thermal head 227 and the platen roller 605, the surface of the roll paper 5 becomes smooth. Furthermore, since the transferred ink moves to the inside of the roll paper 5 by the heat of the thermal head 227, it becomes easier to receive the ink of each color for the second time, and weather resistance is improved. Therefore, it is possible to improve the quality of an image printed in the high image quality mode.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state after the roll paper 5 is discharged. After the discharge of the roll paper 5 is completed, the roll paper 5 is pulled out as shown in FIG. Therefore, the main controller 201 stores the drawn roll paper 5 in the cartridge 110 and makes the cartridge 110 removable from the main body housing 101 when the next image data is not printed. For this reason, the main controller 201 performs the winding operation of the roll paper 5. Specifically, the main controller 201 controls the roll paper transport motor driver 211 to drive the roll paper transport motors 212 and 213 and controls the paper feed motor driver 214 to drive the paper feed motor 215. Then, the rotation shafts of the grip roller 614 and the paper feed roller 112 are rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. The main controller 201 uses a roll paper cueing sensor 206 for winding the roll paper 5. That is, the main controller 201 adds a predetermined amount of the rotation axis of the grip roller 614 and the paper feed roller 112 starting from the position where the roll paper cue sensor 206 changes from the state where the roll paper 5 is detected to the state where it is not detected. To drive. Thereby, the roll paper 5 can be stored in the cartridge housing 111 with high accuracy.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating print processing according to the second embodiment. In addition, about the structure which is common in 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. The first embodiment described above has a configuration in which, in the high image quality mode, the thermal head 227 is not energized (heat is not generated) in the overcoat pseudo-printing operation after the first ink transfer of each color is completed. . On the other hand, in the second embodiment, in the high image quality mode, in the overcoat pseudo-printing operation, energy for heat generation is input to the thermal head to such an extent that the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper 5 ( It is a form to energize. The overcoat pseudo-printing operation is performed after the completion of the first transfer of each color ink and before the second transfer of each color ink, as in the first embodiment.

  The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the content of “print data generation” in step S807 of the overall flow (see FIG. 5). Further, step S204-1 in the print processing flow (see FIG. 6) is replaced with step S204-2. Further, step S207-1 is not provided, and step S2001 is added between steps S202 and S203 and step S208 instead. Other than these, the same processing as in the first embodiment can be applied. The hardware configuration (see FIG. 1) of the printing apparatus 100, the configuration of the ink ribbon 4 (see FIG. 2), and the functional configuration (see FIG. 3) can also be applied to the configuration common to the first embodiment.

  Next, processing operations different from those in the first embodiment among the processing operations in the second embodiment will be described. The following description is a processing operation when the print mode is the high image quality mode.

  In “print data generation” in step S807 (see FIG. 5), when the print mode is the high image quality mode, the main controller 201 generates the first and second print data of each color ink. At the same time, print data used for the overcoat pseudo print operation and print data used for the actual overcoat transfer are generated. The print data used for the pseudo print operation includes energy for heat generation (in other words, the amount of heat generated by the thermal head) to be applied to the thermal head 227 in the overprint pseudo print operation after completion of the first transfer of each color ink. It is data that prescribes. Since it becomes difficult to transfer the ink of each color to the roll paper to which the overcoat is transferred, in the pseudo-printing operation of the overcoat, energy that does not transfer the overcoat of the ink ribbon 4 to the roll paper 5 is The thermal head 227 is loaded. That is, the transfer of the overcoat is affected by the environmental temperature, the head temperature, and the input energy amount. If the printing environment temperature and the head temperature are low, the overcoat becomes difficult to transfer, and if the input energy amount is less than a certain threshold value, the overcoat is not transferred.

  In step S807, the main controller 201 generates print data in which the gradation values of all the pixels are lower than the threshold value as print data used for the overcoat pseudo print operation. The generated print data is stored in the image memory 224OP. For example, it is assumed that the black density is set to 2.2 when the gradation of the print data is the highest value (for example, 255 when the gradation value is 0 to 255). In this case, if the head temperature at the start of printing is less than 60 ° C. in a normal temperature (25 ° C.) environment, the overcoat is applied to the roll paper 5 if the gradation value is 60 or less of 0 to 255. Not transcribed. Therefore, in this case, the main controller 201 generates print data in which the gradation values of all the pixels are 55 as print data used for the overprint pseudo print. Note that the first and second print data of each color ink and the print data of the print operation for actually transferring the overcoat may be the same as in the first embodiment. For example, the main controller 201 generates uniform print data in which the gradation value of all the pixels is 175 out of 0 to 255 as the overcoat print data.

  In step S204-2 in FIG. 11, the main controller 201 reads print data used in the overcoat pseudo print operation stored in the image memory 224OP. In step S205, the main controller 201 performs an overcoat pseudo-printing operation. At this time, energy is input to the thermal head 227 using the print data read in step S204-2. As described above, the gradation value of each pixel of the print data is lower than the gradation value to which the overcoat is transferred. For this reason, the temperature of the thermal head 227 rises, but the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper 5.

  If the process proceeds to step S2001, the second transfer of each color of ink has been completed. In step S2001, the main controller 201 reads print data for actually transferring the overcoat. The main controller 201 executes a printing operation for transferring the overcoat onto the roll paper 5 using the printing data read in step S2001 after the completion of the second transfer of the ink of each color.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, energy is applied to the thermal head 227 so that the overcoat is not transferred in the nipping and conveying operation of the roll paper 5 after the completion of the first transfer of each color ink. For this reason, an effect can be heightened.

<< Third Embodiment >>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, after the first transfer of each color ink is completed, the first overcoat transfer is executed. After the second transfer of each color ink is completed, the second overcoat transfer is performed. It is a form to execute. That is, compared to the first and second embodiments, the overcoat pseudo-printing operation is replaced with a printing operation that actually transfers the overcoat. In addition, about the structure which is common in 1st or 2nd embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the content of the first overcoat print data generated in step S807 of the overall printing flow (see FIG. 5). In step S204-2 of the print flow (FIG. 11), the print data generated in step S807 is read and used in the print operation in step S205.

  In “print data generation” in step S807, the main controller 201 generates print data of the first and second transfer of each color ink and print data of the first and second overcoats. The first and second print data generation methods for the ink data of each color are the same as those in the first embodiment. The main controller 201 generates print data to be used for the first overcoat transfer based on the generated second print data of each color ink. Specifically, from the generated second print data of each color ink, an area (hereinafter referred to as “color area”) in which any or all of the respective colors are transferred in the second print operation, A region (hereinafter referred to as a “blank region”) where no ink of the color is transferred is extracted. Then, the main controller 201 generates print data for overprint transfer only in the blank area and not overprinting in the color area as print data used for the first overcoat transfer. The print data for the second overcoat transfer may be the same as the overcoat print data in the first and second embodiments. The main controller 201 stores the generated print data in the image memories 224Y, 224M, 224C, and 224OP. Thus, in the second embodiment, the overcoat is actually transferred to the blank area where the ink is not transferred in the second transfer of each color ink in the first overcoat transfer.

  A specific example of the print data of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an image to be printed. As shown in FIG. 12, for example, when an image is printed in the margin mode, the frame portion 1301 around the image is a blank area to which no ink of each color is transferred. The inside of the frame portion 1301 is a color region to which ink of each color is transferred. Therefore, in such a case, the main controller 201 uniformly sets the frame portion 1301 to the gradation value (for example, 175 in 0 to 255) to which the overcoat is transferred as the print data of the first overcoat. Set to. On the other hand, a portion other than the frame portion 1301 is uniformly set to a gradation value (for example, 55 in 0 to 255) at which the overcoat is not transferred. Therefore, the print data for the first overcoat is print data in which the tone value of the frame portion 1301 is uniformly set to 175 and the tone value of the portion other than the frame portion 1301 is set to 55.

  According to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, since the region where the overcoat is transferred twice is formed, the effect on the printed matter can be enhanced by transferring the overcoat.

<< Fourth Embodiment >>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure which is common in 1st-3rd embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. In the fourth embodiment, after the first transfer of each color ink is completed, the first overcoat transfer is executed, and after the second transfer of each color ink is completed, the second overcoat transfer is performed. It is a form to execute. Then, the ink of each color is not transferred to the area where the overcoat has been transferred for the first time in the second printing operation for each color of ink.

  The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the contents of the print data generated in step S807 of the overall printing flow (see FIG. 5). In the printing operation, the printing data generated in step S807 is used. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the contents of print data. FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the print data of the first color ink generated in step S807 in an overlapping manner. FIG. 13B is a diagram schematically showing the content of the first overcoat print data generated in step S807. FIG. 13C is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the print data of the ink of each color for the second time superimposed.

  In step S807, the main controller 201 generates first and second ink printing data for each color, and first and second overcoat printing data. The main controller 201 stores the generated first and second ink print data and overcoat print data in the image memories 224Y, 224M, 224C, and 224OP, respectively.

  The first print data of each color ink is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the first print data of each color ink has a configuration in which the ink is transferred to all areas of the image according to the contents of the image data, as shown in FIG. More specifically, the gradation value of each pixel of the print data is determined using the γ correction data according to the gradation value of each pixel of the image data.

  The print data of the first overcoat has contents corresponding to the effect given to the printed matter. For example, in order to give a special effect to a printed matter, for example, in the first overcoat printing operation, the overcoat may be transferred only to the central portion 1302 of the image. In such a case, the print data of the first overcoat is set to a gradation value (for example, 175 of 0 to 255) at which the gradation value of the central portion 1302 of the image can transfer the overcoat. . On the other hand, the tone value of the portion other than the central portion 1302 is set to a tone value at which the overcoat is not transferred (for example, 0 to 55 out of 0 to 255).

  As shown in FIG. 13C, the image data of each color ink used for the second printing operation has the gradation value of the corresponding portion 1303 to which the overcoat is transferred for the first time when the ink is not transferred. It is forcibly set to an adjustment value (for example, 0 of 0 to 255). In this case, regardless of the gradation value of the original image data, this portion 1303 is set to a gradation value at which ink is not transferred.

  The contents of the print data of the second overcoat may be the same as in the first embodiment. For example, uniform data of gradation values (for example, 175 of 255 gradations) to which the overcoat is actually transferred can be applied to all pixels.

  Here, the printing process according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating print processing according to the fourth embodiment. At the start of this processing, the image memory 224Y, 224M, 224C, and 224OP store the first and second ink print data and overcoat print data generated in step S807. Here, description of the contents common to the print processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is omitted.

  Steps S101 to S106 are the same as those in the first embodiment. If it is determined in step S106 that ink of each color is to be transferred, the process proceeds to step S1401.

  In step S1401, the main controller 201 determines whether the print mode set in step S802 (see FIG. 5) is a high image quality mode or a normal mode. If the high image quality mode is set, the process advances to step S1402. If the normal mode is set, the process proceeds to step S1404 without going through steps S1402 and S1403.

  In step S1404, the main controller 201 reads the first print data of each color ink from the image memories 224Y, 224M, and 224C in the high image quality mode. On the other hand, in the normal mode, the print data of each color ink used in the normal mode is read. Note that the first print data of each color ink and the print data of each color ink in the normal mode may have the same contents. The first print data of each color ink or the print data of each color ink in the normal mode is the print data generated by the main controller 201 in step S807 of FIG. In addition, the first print data of each color ink and the print data of each color ink in the normal mode are set in each area of the image according to the gradation value of each pixel of the original image data. The content of the ink is transferred. Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

  If it is determined in step S1402 that the transfer is not the first time, the process advances to step S1403. In this case, the ink of each color is transferred for the second time. For this reason, in step S1403, the main controller 201 reads the print data of each color ink for the second time from the image memories 224Y, 224M, and 224C. The print data of each color ink for the second time is the print data generated by the main controller 201 in step S807 of FIG. The print data of the ink of each color for the second time has a content in which the ink of each color is not transferred to the area where the overcoat is transferred in the first overcoat print operation.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, various effects can be given to the printed matter by the overcoat.

<< Fifth Embodiment >>
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. In the fifth embodiment, whether or not to execute the overcoat pseudo-printing operation is switched according to the head temperature. In general, the transfer of the overcoat is affected by the printing environment temperature, the head temperature, and the amount of input energy (the gradation value of each pixel of the overcoat printing data). When the printing environment temperature and the thermal head temperature are low, the overcoat is hardly transferred. Further, when the input energy amount is small, the overcoat is not transferred. Therefore, normally, unless energy is supplied to the thermal head 227 (if it is in a non-energized state), the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper in the overprint pseudo printing operation. However, if the printing environment temperature and the thermal head temperature are high, even if energy is not input to the thermal head 227 (even in a non-energized state), the overcoat is roll paper in the overprint pseudo printing operation. 5 may be transferred. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, the environmental temperature and the head temperature are detected, and whether or not to perform the overcoat pseudo-printing operation is switched according to the detection results of these temperatures. This reliably prevents the overcoat from being transferred to the roll paper 5 in the pseudo printing operation.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating print processing in the printing apparatus 100 according to the fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 15 is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 in that step S1501 is inserted between step S204-1 and step S205. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In step S1501, the main controller 201 acquires the detection result of the head temperature from the head temperature sensor 240, and acquires the environmental temperature at which the printing apparatus 100 is installed from the environmental temperature sensor 208. Then, the main controller 201 determines whether or not the acquired head temperature and environmental temperature are each equal to or less than a certain set value. These set values are set to the upper limit value of the temperature at which the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper 5 or lower than that when the pseudo printing operation is executed. The specific temperature is appropriately set and is not particularly limited. For example, the set temperature of the environmental temperature is 40 ° C., and the set temperature of the head temperature is 60 ° C. If the environmental temperature and the head temperature are not more than the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S205. When the environmental temperature and the head temperature exceed the set temperature, the process waits in this step. By including such steps, the execution of the overcoat pseudo-printing operation is stopped until it is determined that the environmental temperature and the head temperature are equal to or lower than the set temperature. If it is determined that the environmental temperature and the head temperature are equal to or lower than the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S205, and an overcoat pseudo printing operation is performed.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to reliably prevent the overcoat from being transferred to the roll paper 5 in the overprint pseudo printing operation.

<< Sixth Embodiment >>
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The sixth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the second embodiment. As described above, in the second embodiment, the print data used in the overcoat pseudo-printing operation is a gradation at which the overcoat is not transferred so that the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper 5 in the overcoat pseudo-printing operation. The value is set uniformly. In the overprint pseudo-printing operation, such print data is used to input energy to the thermal head 227 such that the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper 5. As described in the fifth embodiment, the overcoat transfer is affected by the printing environment temperature, the head temperature, and the amount of energy input to the thermal head 227. If the environmental temperature and the head temperature are high, the overcoat may be transferred to the roll paper 5 in the overprint pseudo printing operation.

  For this reason, in order to prevent the overcoat from being transferred, it is preferable that the energy input to the thermal head 227 (that is, the gradation value of each pixel of the print data) is low. For example, it is assumed that the printing apparatus 100 is set so that the black density is 2.2 when the gradation value of the print data is 255 out of 0 to 255. In this case, in a normal temperature (25 ° C.) environment, the head temperature at the start of printing is less than 60 ° C., and the gradation value of the overcoat printing data is 60 or less of 0 to 255, the thermal Even if the head 227 is heated, the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper 5. On the other hand, the image quality improvement effect obtained when the overcoat pseudo-printing operation is performed increases as the energy input to the thermal head 227 increases. If the printing environment temperature and the head temperature are high, even if the gradation value of each pixel of the overcoat print data is set to 60 or less of 0 to 255 as described above, the overcoat is not generated in the pseudo print operation. In some cases, the image is transferred to the roll paper 5.

  Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, when the printing environment temperature and the head temperature are high, the pseudo printing operation is not executed so that the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper 5 in the overcoat pseudo printing operation. Further, the print data used in the pseudo print operation is corrected so that the head temperature becomes the upper limit value of the temperature at which the overcoat is not transferred or a temperature in the vicinity thereof according to the environmental temperature and the head temperature. For example, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the print data has a gradation value of 0 to 255, and the maximum density is obtained when the gradation value is 255. When the environmental temperature is 40 ° C. and the head temperature is 60 ° C., the gradation value of each pixel of the print data used for the overcoat pseudo print operation is corrected to 58.

  In step S807, the main controller 201 prints the ink data of each color for the first time and the second time, the print data used in the overprint pseudo print operation, and the print data used in the print operation that actually transfers the over-material. Is generated. Then, the main controller 201 stores these generated data in the image memories 224Y, 224M, 224C, 224OP. These print data may be the same as those in the second embodiment.

  Here, the printing process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing print processing according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The printing process according to the sixth embodiment is different from the printing process according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 in that steps S1501 and S1502 are added between steps S204-2 and S205. Is different. Other than that, it may be the same as the second embodiment.

  In step S1501, the main controller 201 acquires a head temperature detection result from a head temperature sensor 240 which is an example of a head temperature detection unit. Further, an environmental temperature at which the printing apparatus 100 is installed is acquired from an environmental temperature sensor 208 that is an example of an environmental temperature detection unit. Then, the main controller 201 determines whether or not the acquired head temperature and environmental temperature are each equal to or less than a certain set value. These set values are set to the upper limit value of the temperature at which the overcoat is not transferred to the roll paper 5 or lower than that when the pseudo printing operation is executed. The specific temperature is appropriately set and is not particularly limited. For example, the set temperature of the environmental temperature is 40 ° C., and the set temperature of the head temperature is 60 ° C. If the environmental temperature and the head temperature are lower than the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S1502. When the environmental temperature and the head temperature exceed the set temperature, the process waits in this step.

  In step S1502, the main controller 201 corrects the print data used for the overcoat pseudo print operation. Specifically, the main controller 201 determines the energy at which the head temperature becomes the upper limit of the temperature at which the overcoat is not transferred, based on the detection result of the environmental temperature by the environmental temperature sensor and the detection result of the head temperature by the head temperature sensor 240. The amount of input is calculated. Then, the gradation value of each pixel of the print data is corrected so that the calculated input amount of energy is obtained. Then, the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the overprint pseudo print operation is executed using the corrected print data.

  According to the sixth embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, since whether or not to perform the overcoat pseudo printing operation according to the environmental temperature and the head temperature is switched, it is possible to reliably prevent the overcoat from being transferred to the roll paper 5 in the overcoat pseudo printing operation.

<< Seventh Embodiment >>
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the seventh embodiment, in the high image quality mode, the overprint pseudo-printing operation is executed after the completion of the first transfer of each color ink and before the second transfer of each color ink. After the ink transfer is completed, the overcoat transfer is executed. Different printing parameters are used for the printing operation for transferring the ink of each color and the printing operation for transferring the overcoat (including the pseudo printing operation). The printing apparatus 100, which is a sublimation printer, has printing parameters such as a temperature correction table for correcting the influence of environmental temperature, thermal head temperature, and the like, and a heat storage correction table for correcting the influence of heat accumulated in the thermal head, etc. Stored in The main controller 201 reads out these printing parameters from the ROM 202 and uses them in the printing operation for transferring the ink of each color and the printing operation for transferring the overcoat.

  In the thermal transfer printing apparatus 100, the transfer of each color ink is a sublimation transfer process. In contrast, overcoat transfer is a hot melt transfer process. For this reason, the transfer of the ink of each color and the transfer of the overcoat differ from each other in the influence of the environmental temperature and the thermal head temperature and the influence of the heat storage due to the difference in the contents of the process. Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, these printing parameters are made different between the transfer of each color ink and the transfer of the overcoat.

  In a conventional sublimation type thermal transfer printing apparatus, the printing operation for transferring the overcoat is a binary melt transfer process in which the overcoat is transferred or not transferred. In the melt transfer process, whether or not the overcoat is transferred to the roll paper 5 changes abruptly across a certain threshold of the head temperature. For this reason, in each of the cases where the overcoat is transferred and not transferred, it is possible to sufficiently control whether or not the overcoat is transferred by taking a sufficient margin of the head temperature from the threshold value. For this reason, conventionally, the same printing parameters are used for the printing operation for transferring the overcoat and the printing operation for transferring the ink of each color.

  However, in order to improve the image quality by the overcoat pseudo transfer operation, it is preferable to increase the input energy to the thermal head 227 in the pseudo transfer operation. On the other hand, when the energy input to the thermal head 227 is increased, the head temperature approaches the overcoat transfer / non-transfer threshold, and a sufficient margin cannot be obtained from this threshold. For this reason, if the setting of the printing parameters is not appropriate, the overcoat is transferred. Then, the second transfer of each color ink cannot be performed. In general, the overcoat transfer print data is required to have as uniform a gradation value as possible. On the other hand, the print data of the transfer of each color ink does not always have uniform pixel gradation values. As described above, the heat generation state of the thermal head differs between the printing operation for transferring the overcoat (including the pseudo printing operation) and the printing operation for transferring the ink of each color. For this reason, in the seventh embodiment, different printing parameters are used for the transfer of the ink of each color and the transfer of the overcoat. Thereby, a high density is realized by transferring the ink of each color twice, and the overcoat is not transferred in the pseudo printing operation.

  The printing parameters used for the printing operation (including the pseudo printing operation) for transferring the overcoat and the printing parameters used for the printing operation for transferring the ink of each color are set in advance and stored in the ROM 202. The main controller 201 reads out different print parameters from the ROM 202 and uses them in the print operation for transferring the overcoat and the print operation for transferring the ink of each color.

  The operation of the printing process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow during print processing in the printing apparatus 100 according to the seventh embodiment. Compared with the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the printing flow according to the seventh embodiment includes a step S1601 added between steps S107 and S108 and a step between steps S201 and S202. The difference is that S1602 is added. Other than that, it may be the same as the second embodiment.

  If it is determined in step S106 that the ink of each color is transferred, the process proceeds to step S1601. In step S1601, the main controller 201 sets printing parameters for transferring ink of each color as printing parameters used for the printing operation in step S107 to be executed subsequently. In step S107, ink of each color is transferred.

  If it is determined in step S201 that the overcoat is transferred, the process advances to step S1602. In step S1602, the main controller 201 sets a print parameter for overcoat transfer to the print parameter used for the print operation in step S205 to be executed subsequently. In step S202, overcoat transfer is performed.

  As described above, in the seventh embodiment, the printing parameters are changed between the printing operation for transferring the ink of each color and the printing operation for transferring the overcoat.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to a plurality of examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist. For example, the hardware configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. Any thermal transfer printing apparatus using an ink ribbon may be used.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed. In this case, a computer-readable storage medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

Claims (8)

A thermal transfer type printing apparatus that presses an ink ribbon against a printing medium with a thermal head and heats the thermal head while conveying the ink ribbon and the printing medium to transfer the ink and overcoat of the ink ribbon to the printing medium. Because
A first mode for transferring each color ink twice;
In the first mode, the ink ribbon is pressed against the print medium by the thermal head after the completion of the first transfer of each color ink and before the second transfer of each color ink. A printing apparatus that performs a first operation of transporting the ink ribbon and the printing medium without transferring a coat onto the printing medium. Control means for controlling energy input to the thermal head;
The control means does not input energy to the thermal head during execution of the first operation, or inputs energy to the thermal head so that the overcoat is not transferred to the printing medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 1. Environmental temperature detecting means for detecting the environmental temperature in which the printing apparatus is placed;
Head temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the thermal head;
Further comprising
In the first operation, the control unit changes energy input to the thermal head so that the overcoat is not transferred to the printing medium according to the environmental temperature and the temperature of the thermal head. The printing apparatus according to claim 2. Environmental temperature detecting means for detecting the environmental temperature in which the printing apparatus is placed;
Head temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the thermal head;
Further comprising
After the completion of the first transfer of each color ink, before the execution of the first operation, the environmental temperature detection means and the head temperature detection means detect the environmental temperature and the temperature of the thermal head,
4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first operation is not executed when the environmental temperature and the temperature of the thermal head exceed a set value. 5. A thermal transfer type printing apparatus that presses an ink ribbon against a printing medium with a thermal head and heats the thermal head while conveying the ink ribbon and the printing medium to transfer the ink and overcoat of the ink ribbon to the printing medium. Because
The ink of each color as well as have a first mode for transfer over twice,
Environmental temperature detecting means for detecting the environmental temperature in which the printing apparatus is placed;
Head temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the thermal head;
Further comprising
In the first mode, after the first transfer of each color ink is completed, the second operation of transferring the overcoat to the print medium is performed before the second transfer of each color ink is performed. In the second operation, the overcoat is not transferred to the print medium in the area where the ink is transferred in the second transfer of the ink ,
After the completion of the first transfer of each color ink and before the transfer of the overcoat, the environmental temperature detection means and the head temperature detection means detect the environmental temperature and the temperature of the thermal head, The above-described overcoat transfer is not executed when the temperature and the temperature of the thermal head exceed a set value . A thermal transfer type printing apparatus that presses an ink ribbon against a printing medium with a thermal head and heats the thermal head while conveying the ink ribbon and the printing medium to transfer the ink and overcoat of the ink ribbon to the printing medium. Because
The ink of each color as well as have a first mode for transfer over twice,
Environmental temperature detecting means for detecting the environmental temperature in which the printing apparatus is placed;
Head temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the thermal head;
Further comprising
In the first mode, after the first transfer of each color ink is completed, and before the second transfer of each color ink, the overcoat is transferred to the printing medium, and the second color of each color is transferred. In the ink transfer, the ink of each color is not transferred to the area where the overcoat is transferred ,
After the completion of the first transfer of each color ink and before the transfer of the overcoat, the environmental temperature detection means and the head temperature detection means detect the environmental temperature and the temperature of the thermal head, The overcoat transfer is not executed when the temperature and the temperature of the thermal head exceed a set value . A second mode in which the ink of each color and the overcoat are transferred once each;
Printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that use different printing parameters in the first mode and the second mode. A thermal transfer type printing apparatus that presses an ink ribbon against a printing medium with a thermal head and heats the thermal head while conveying the ink ribbon and the printing medium to transfer the ink and overcoat of the ink ribbon to the printing medium. Control method,
In the first mode in which the ink of each color is transferred twice, after the transfer of the ink of each color for the first time is completed, the ink ribbon is moved by the thermal head before the transfer of the ink of each color for the second time. A control method for a printing apparatus, wherein a first operation for conveying the ink ribbon and the print medium is performed without transferring the overcoat to the print medium while being pressed against the print medium.

Images