JPH029648A - Thermal recording paper - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically change over a printing mode so as to be adapted to the characteristics of thermal recording paper by forming a code obtained by coding the characteristics of the thermal recording paper to the leading end part of said recording paper at a predetermined position and reading said code by a detection sensor. CONSTITUTION:The insertion of thermal recording paper 1 is detected by a detection sensor 13 to start the operation of the automatic loading mechanism of a video printer and the code 3 of the thermal recoding paper 1 is read by the detection sensor 13. When the color forming table of the video printer adapted to the color forming characteristics of the thermal recording paper 1 is set by automatic change-over, the thermal recording paper 1 wound around a platen roller 5 is heated by a thermal head 11 heated to predetermined temp. and the thermal recording paper 1 wherein printing is finished at predetermined density in a predetermined contrast with predetermined resolving power by color development is discharged from a paper discharge port 8.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Application of Production] This invention allows a viewer or operator to view a single screen of a television broadcast image, a VTR bidirectional image, a personal computer data image, etc. displayed on a CR7 screen. The invention relates to thermal recording paper used in so-called "video printers" that selectively make hard copies.

[Conventional technology] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a conventional thermal recording paper.

In the figure, (1) is a roll of thermal recording paper wrapped around the outer periphery of a cylindrical core (2).
) is a base paper E with a white heat-sensitive coloring layer uniformly coated to a thickness of several microns. , and other chemicals are mixed and fixed with a binder.

When heat is applied to the heat-sensitive coloring layer formed in this way, the coloring agent instantly dissolves, which dissolves the colorless dye and causes a chemical reaction to produce color, but the time it takes for color to develop is extremely short.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] This type of thermal recording paper, for example, has many types of coloring characteristics, and when heated with a thermal head at a temperature that does not suit the density characteristics of the thermal recording paper, that is, the coloring characteristics, the print density will decrease. , sufficient print quality in both contrast and resolution cannot be obtained.

In order to deal with this, video printers are designed to be able to switch between multiple printing formats that are adapted to the characteristics of the thermal recording paper used, and for coloring characteristics, the temperature control of the thermal head is adjusted according to the coloring characteristics. It has a plurality of so-called "coloring tables" built-in, and is configured to obtain a hard copy with a predetermined density gradation by selectively switching to a coloring table having data adapted to the coloring characteristics of the thermal recording paper. There is.

Each time a new thermal recording paper is loaded into the video printer, an operator performs the above coloring table switching operation. For video printing, for example, the changeover switch for the color table is manually operated by looking at the video print, which is not only troublesome and requires skill, but also caused by errors such as misreading the data displayed on the thermal recording paper. There is a problem that mistakes are likely to occur.

This invention was made in order to improve the above-mentioned problems, and the leading edge of the thermal recording paper to be loaded is equipped with a device for automatically switching to a video printer print format adapted to the characteristics of the thermal recording paper. The object of the present invention is to provide a thermal recording paper on which a code is formed.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the thermal recording paper according to the present invention, a code symbolizing the characteristics of the thermal recording paper is formed on the leading edge orientation 16 of the roll-shaped thermal recording paper.

[Function] According to the present invention, a code symbolizing the characteristics of the thermal recording paper is formed at a predetermined position on the leading edge of the thermal recording paper, so that the characteristics of the thermal recording paper can be determined by reading this code with a detection sensor. It is now possible to automatically switch to a video printer print format that is compatible with the video printer.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a thermal recording paper according to an embodiment of the present invention, and in the figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the conventional paper shown in FIG. 3, and detailed explanation thereof will be given. omitted.

In Fig. 1, (3) is a code formed on the leading corner of the thermal recording paper (1), and this code (3) indicates, for example, the color development characteristics (density characteristics) of the thermal recording paper (1). This symbol (3) represents not only the coloring characteristics as mentioned above, but also the coloring characteristics of the thermal recording paper (1). It is a symbol for distinguishing classification, coloring temperature, type name, etc.

In addition, if the paper quality of the thermal recording paper (1) is translucent paper or optical fixing paper, the image may be printed horizontally reversed (inside out), and in such cases, the horizontally reversed printing code ( 3) Form. In addition, heat-sensitive recording paper (
Since multi-gradation printing is not possible depending on the type 1), in this case code (3) of binarized printing is formed.

To form the L symbol (3) on the thermal recording paper (1), the thermal recording paper itself may be heated and colored or printed on it, or the heated or printed label may be formed on the thermal recording paper ( It may also be pasted at a predetermined position at the tip of 1).

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the main parts of the mechanism of a video printer loaded with the thermal recording paper (1). (4) is a support shaft that rotatably and detachably supports the thermal recording paper (1); (5)
is a platen roller, which is disposed at the back of a paper insertion port (7) and a paper discharge port (8) formed on the front surface of the video printer (6). (9a), (9bl is a paper guide that guides the thermal recording paper (11) to the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller (5) through the paper insertion opening (7).

(10) is a paper guide that guides the thermal recording paper (1) on which thermal printing has been performed by the thermal head (11) from the platen roller (5) to the paper discharge port (8).

(12) is a pressing roller that elastically presses the thermosensitive recording paper (1) against the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller (5) with a predetermined pressure.

(13) is a detection sensor made of, for example, a photocoupler, and is provided opposite to a slot (14) formed corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the platen roller (5). It is used as a cue sensor for the thermal recording paper (1) to start the auto-loading mechanism of the printer, and also reads the code (3) on the thermal recording paper (1) and manually inputs the code to the CPU ( This is provided to automatically switch to a coloring table (not shown) of the video printer that is adapted to the coloring characteristics of No. 11. (llal is the thermal head (
A support shaft that swingably supports the Ilbl (Ilbl is a thermal rad force bar).

Next, the operation of the video printer having the above configuration will be explained.

In FIG. 2, the detection sensor (13) detects the insertion of thermal recording paper (1) and the autoloading mechanism of the video printer starts operating, and the detection sensor (13) detects the insertion of thermal recording paper (1). When the code (3) is read and the coloring table of the video printer is automatically switched to suit the coloring characteristics of this thermal recording paper (1), the thermal recording paper (1) wrapped around the platen roller (5) ) is a thermal head (11) heated to a predetermined temperature.
The thermosensitive recording paper (1), which has been heated and printed with a predetermined density, contrast, and resolution by color development, is discharged from a paper discharge port (8).

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a code symbolizing the characteristics of the thermal recording paper is formed at a predetermined position on the leading edge of the paper. It is now possible to configure the video printer to automatically switch to a print format that adapts to the characteristics of the thermal recording paper. This eliminates the need for the troublesome and highly skilled operation of manually switching to a coloring table adapted to the characteristics of a video printer, for example, and also eliminates the risk of mistakes in switching between one coloring table and various print formats. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a thermal recording paper according to an embodiment of the present invention, all two figures are sectional views showing essential parts of a video printer, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a conventional thermal recording paper. (1+-...Thermal recording paper, (31...Sign, (+
31--Detection sensor. In addition, in the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a thermal recording paper loaded in a video printer that can be switched to multiple print formats adapted to the characteristics of the thermal recording paper, the characteristics of the thermal recording paper are encoded at a predetermined position at the leading edge of the thermal recording paper, and a detection sensor is installed. Heat-sensitive recording paper with a print pattern that forms a code that can be read.