JPH04357069A - Transfer ribbon of thermal recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent color difference printing while achieving a decrease in cost and to certainly detect a near end (or end). CONSTITUTION:Identification marks 12Y, 12M, 12C corresponding to the colors Y, M, C applied to the respective parts 11a, 11b of a transfer ribbon 10 are provided to the boundaries of said parts and the identification mark of an arbitrary color in the vicinity of the terminal of the ribbon is changed to a special identification mark 13 different from the identification marks 12Y, 12M, 12C.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer ribbon used in thermal recording devices such as color thermal printers and video printers (printers that print video images in multiple colors).

0002

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a transfer film in which a plurality of colors (e.g., three colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C)) are sequentially applied in correspondence with each other for each predetermined length. 2. Description of the Related Art A thermal recording device is known that prints an image in multiple colors on a color CRT screen by causing a thermal head to generate heat while sequentially running a ribbon.

[0003] Generally, such a transfer ribbon is provided with marks 19 at each color change.

[0004] When the above-mentioned thermal recording device detects the first mark 19 on the transfer ribbon, it performs the first printing to print an image of the reference color (for example, yellow) on the paper, and then prints the image of the reference color (for example, yellow) on the paper, and then When a third mark 19 is detected, a second printing is performed to print an image of the first non-reference color (for example, magenta) on the yellow image, and when a third mark 19 is detected, a second printing is performed. The configuration is such that a third printing is performed and an image of the second non-reference color (cyan) is printed on the above-described image to perform multicolor printing.

By the way, when performing multicolor printing using such a thermal recording device, the remaining amount of the transfer ribbon (that is, the near end)
If it is possible to detect this, it would be convenient to be able to predict when it should be replaced.

[0006]Therefore, as a conventional method for detecting the near-end of a transfer ribbon, there have been methods to detect the near-end by measuring the length of each remaining amount identification band provided on the transfer ribbon (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 77267/1983); , one that detects near-end by reading a bar code provided on a transfer ribbon (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-286184) has been proposed.

[0007]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned thermal recording apparatus, since non-reference colors (magenta, cyan) are printed sequentially from the reference color (for example, yellow),
If the reference color (yellow) is not initially set at a predetermined position, the image may be printed in a color different from that on the CRT screen.

On the other hand, conventional methods for detecting the near-end of a transfer ribbon require the provision of optical detection means, measurement means, etc. to measure the length of the remaining amount identification band, or the use of a bar code or a dedicated bar code. This has the disadvantage that a code reading device must be provided, which makes the device complicated and increases the cost. Therefore, the above measures are currently hardly used.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a transfer ribbon for a thermal recording device that can prevent printing in different colors and reliably detect near-end (or end) while reducing costs. be.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] The invention as claimed in claim 1 provides a transfer ribbon for a thermal recording device in which a plurality of colors are sequentially coated in correspondence with each part divided into predetermined lengths, and the boundaries between the parts are provided. The present invention is characterized in that identification marks corresponding to the colors applied to these parts are provided, and the identification marks of arbitrary colors near the end of the ribbon are changed to special identification marks having a configuration different from the respective identification marks.

The invention according to claim 2 provides a transfer ribbon for a thermal recording device in which a plurality of colors including a reference color and a non-reference color are sequentially coated in correspondence to each part divided into predetermined lengths. If the color applied to each of these parts is a reference color, an identification mark corresponding to the reference color is provided on the boundary, and if it is a non-reference color, a different identification mark is provided for each non-reference color, The present invention is characterized in that an identification mark of an arbitrary non-reference color near the end of the ribbon is changed to an identification mark of a non-reference color different from the non-reference color.

0012

According to the first aspect of the invention, the color to be printed can be known by reading the identification marks of each color (for example, three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan) on the transfer ribbon using a mark reading device. Thereby, even if there is a mistake in setting the transfer ribbon, it can be easily set again so that multi-color printing can be performed starting from a predetermined color (for example, yellow), and wrong-color printing can be prevented.

By the way, when the transfer ribbon approaches the end (that is, near end) or reaches the end due to repeated multicolor printing many times, the special identification mark on the transfer ribbon is read by the mark reading device and the near end (near end) mark is read by the mark reading device.
or end) detected. Here, the special identification mark is
Since the configuration is completely different from the identification marks of each color, the near end (or end) can be easily and reliably detected by the special identification mark.

[0014] Therefore, it is sufficient to provide the transfer ribbon with two types of identification marks for different color discrimination and a special identification mark with a structure different from the mark, which simplifies the structure of the ribbon itself and makes it easier to read the marks. The configuration of the device is also simplified. Thereby, cost reduction can be easily achieved.

[0015] Therefore, while trying to reduce costs, printing in different colors can be prevented, and near-end (or end) printing can be achieved reliably.
can be detected.

Further, in the invention of claim 2, similarly to the invention of claim 1, by reading the identification marks of each color (for example, yellow, magenta, cyan) provided on the transfer ribbon, it is possible to easily prevent printing of different colors. It can be prevented.

At this time, if the reference color (yellow) can be distinguished from other non-reference colors (magenta, cyan) based on the arrangement relationship of each color, each non-reference color can be distinguished from each other (for example, yellow is followed by magenta, second is magenta, and the second is magenta, cyan, etc.). cyan), so two different types of marks are sufficient as identification marks for distinguishing colors.

[0018] Furthermore, when the transfer ribbon reaches the near end (or end) due to repeated multicolor printing many times,
The mark reading device reads identification marks of other non-reference colors at a portion where an identification mark of one non-reference color is read. From this reading result (that is, the fact that the actual color and the identification mark do not correspond), the near end (or end) can be easily and reliably detected.

[0019] In this way, it is sufficient to provide the transfer ribbon with an identification mark for the reference color and a plurality of identification marks (for example, two) for the non-reference colors, so the configuration of the ribbon itself is simplified. At the same time, the configuration of the mark reading device is also simplified. Thereby, cost reduction can be easily achieved.

[0020] Therefore, while attempting to reduce costs, printing in different colors can be prevented, and near-end (or end) printing can be achieved reliably.
can be detected.

[0021]

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

(First Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer ribbon 10 according to this embodiment is divided into sections of a predetermined length L, and each section (11a, 11b, 11c, . . . 11
p, 11q, 11r...) are coated with a plurality of colors of ink (yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) in this embodiment) in a corresponding manner. Note that melt ink, sublimation ink, or the like is used as the ink (melt ink is used in this embodiment).

Furthermore, each part of the transfer ribbon 10 (11a, 1
Identification marks 12Y, 12M, 12C corresponding to the colors applied to these parts are provided at the boundaries of the parts (1b, . . . ). Here, the identification mark 12Y corresponds to the reference color yellow (Y), and is aligned with the identification line 15 shown in FIG.
The mark 15d is provided on the lower side of the mark 15d. In addition, the identification mark 12M is a non-standard color magenta (
M), and is constituted by a mark 15u provided above the identification line 15. Furthermore, the identification mark 12C corresponds to cyan (C), which is a non-standard color, and is the same as the mark 15 provided above the identification line 15.
It is composed of u. In other words, each identification mark 12M, 1 for magenta (M) and cyan (C), which are non-standard colors.
2C has the same configuration.

Furthermore, an identification mark of an arbitrary color near the end of the ribbon (in this embodiment, a yellow (Y) identification mark 12Y) is connected to the identification marks 12Y, 12 of each color.
The configuration is changed to a special identification mark 13 which has a different configuration from M and 12C. In this embodiment, the special identification mark 13 is composed of marks 15d and 15u provided below and above the identification line 15.

Therefore, the identification marks 12Y, 12M, 12C (=12M) and special identification mark 13 on the transfer ribbon 10 are detected, and these are shown in the correspondence diagram shown in FIG. If the color of the image to be transferred can be known and the near end (or end) can be detected by identifying it based on the diagram showing the correspondence with the output signal (2-bit information) of the mark reading device 6].

Note that FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a thermal recording apparatus that performs multicolor printing using the above-described transfer ribbon 10. In the figure, 2 is a platen. A thermal head 3 is provided on the left side of the platen 2 so as to be in contact with the platen 2. Further, a reel 4 for supplying the transfer ribbon is provided near the right side of the platen 2, and when the reel 5 near the left side of the platen 2 (reel for winding the transfer ribbon) is driven, the ribbon is wound on the reel 4. A transfer ribbon 10 is passed between a platen 2 and a thermal head 3 and wound onto a reel 5. Furthermore, a mark reading device 6 is provided at the upper left of the platen 2, and the mark reading device 6 reads the identification marks 12Y, 12M, 12C, etc. on the transfer ribbon 10, and identifies the colors printed by the thermal head 3. Type etc. are detected. Thus, the paper P is transferred between the platen 2 and the transfer ribbon 10 when a paper transport mechanism (not shown) is driven.
and is conveyed in the direction of arrow X.

It should be noted that each component such as the thermal head 3 and reel 5 described above is configured to be driven and controlled by a control device (not shown). Furthermore, when the near end (or end) of the transfer ribbon 10 is detected, a display means (not shown) is configured to notify the operator or the like.

Next, the operation will be explained. When performing multicolor printing using a thermal recording device equipped with the above-described transfer ribbon 10, the transfer ribbon winding reel 5 is driven to appropriately run the transfer ribbon 10 in the direction of arrow Y. One of the identification marks 12Y, 12M, and 12C is read by the mark reading device 6. Here, the mark reading device 6 reads the yellow (Y) identification mark 1.
When 2Y is detected, color detection signals "1" and "0" are output based on the correspondence diagram of FIG. In response to this, the control device drives the thermal head 3 etc. to print yellow (Y) on the paper P.
) to print the image. Similarly, when the magenta (M) identification mark 12M is detected, the reading device 6 outputs detection signals "0" and "1", and based on the detection signals, the magenta (M) image changes to yellow ( Y) Printed on the image. Further, when the cyan (C) identification mark 12C is detected by the mark reading device 6, the detection signal “0”, “
1" is output. Based on the detection signal and the color arrangement relationship, the control device changes the cyan (C) image to yellow (Y).
image and magenta (M) image.

As described above, since the transfer ribbon 10 is provided with the identification marks 12Y, 12M, and 12C that indicate the colors to be printed, by reading the identification marks with the mark reading device 6, mistakes in setting the transfer ribbon 10 can be avoided. Even if there is such a problem, the setting can be easily reset so that multi-color printing can be performed from the standard color [yellow (Y)], and printing in different colors can be prevented.

By the way, when the transfer ribbon 10 is used close to the end (ribbon end) by repeating multicolor printing many times, the special identification mark 13 is read by the mark reading device 6. At this time, the mark reading device 6 outputs detection signals "1" and "1" according to FIG. In response to this, the control device notifies the display means (not shown) that it is near end, recognizes that it is yellow (Y) due to the arrangement relationship of each color, and performs a predetermined printing process (i.e., Y image). print).

In this way, the transfer ribbon 10 is provided with two different identification marks 12Y, 12M (=12C) for color discrimination.
) and special identification mark 1 with a different composition from these marks.
By providing the three types of marks No. 3, printing in different colors can be prevented and near-end detection can be performed, so that the configuration of the ribbon itself and the configuration of the mark reading device 6 can be simplified. Thereby, cost reduction can be easily achieved.

According to the first embodiment, identification marks 12Y, 12 corresponding to the colors applied to each part (11a, 11b, . . . ) of the transfer ribbon 10 are placed at the boundaries of each part (11a, 11b, . . . ).
M, 12C are provided, and an arbitrary color identification mark (12Y) near the ribbon end (ED) is attached to each identification mark 12Y, 12C.
Since the configuration is changed to the special identification mark 13 having a different configuration from those of M and 12C, it is possible to reduce costs, prevent printing in different colors, and reliably detect near-end.

Note that the color identification mark immediately before the ribbon end ED [in this embodiment, the cyan (C) identification mark 12C]
It is also possible to detect the end by changing the mark to the special identification mark 13.

(Second Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer ribbon 10A according to this embodiment has its respective parts (11a, 11b).
,...), if the color applied to each part is the reference color [yellow (Y)], an identification mark 12Y corresponding to the reference color is provided, and a non-reference color [magenta (
M), cyan (C)], different identification marks 12M and 12C are provided for each non-reference color. Here, the identification mark 12Y is the identification line 1 shown in FIG.
5 is constituted by a mark 15d provided on the lower side. Further, the identification mark 12M is constituted by a mark 15u provided above the identification line 15. Furthermore, the identification mark 12C is constituted by marks 15d and 15u provided below and above the identification line 15. Then, an arbitrary non-reference color identification mark [in this example, cyan (C) identification mark 1] is placed near the end of the ribbon.
2C] is changed to an identification mark 12M of a non-reference color [magenta (M)] different from the non-reference color (C).

The present transfer ribbon 10A, like the transfer ribbon 10 of the first embodiment, has identification marks 12Y, 12M, 1 of each color (for example, yellow, magenta, cyan).
By reading 2C, printing in different colors can be easily prevented.

Furthermore, when multicolor printing is repeated many times and near-end occurs, the mark reading device 6 prints magenta (M) on the cyan (C) identification mark 12C
) identification mark 12M is read and it is detected that the near end is reached. At this time, the mark reading device 6 outputs detection signals "0" and "1" according to the correspondence diagram in FIG. 4 (that is, the detection signal "corresponding to the actual cyan (C) identification mark 12C" 1”, “1” is not output, and the detection signal “0” corresponding to the magenta (M) identification mark 12M is output.
, "1" and the same signal is output. ). As a result, the control device notifies the user that it is near-end through the display means, recognizes that it is cyan (C) based on the arrangement relationship of each color, and performs a predetermined printing process (that is, C image printing).
I do.

According to this second embodiment, when the color applied to each part of the transfer ribbon 10A is the reference color (Y), a color corresponding to the reference color (Y) is applied to the border of each part of the transfer ribbon 10A. In addition to providing identification marks 12Y, non-standard colors (M,
C), a different identification mark 12M, 12C is provided for each non-standard color (M, C), and the identification mark (12C) of any non-standard color (C) near the end of the ribbon is attached to the non-standard color (C). Identification mark (1) of non-standard color (M) different from color (C)
2M), the transfer ribbon 10A
By providing an identification mark 12Y for the reference color and a plurality of identification marks 12M and 12C for the non-reference colors, printing of different colors can be prevented and near-end detection can be performed.
The configuration of the ribbon itself is simplified, and the mark reading device 6 is also simplified. Thereby, cost reduction can be easily achieved.

Note that the end can also be detected by changing the identification mark of an arbitrary non-reference color immediately before the revolving end to an identification mark of a non-reference color different from the non-reference color.

In addition, in the first and second embodiments described above, the present invention was applied to transfer ribbons (10, 10A) coated in three colors, but for example, transfer ribbons coated in four colors (ie, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) were applied. It may also be applied to transfer ribbons coated with

Furthermore, identification marks 12Y, 12M, 12
C, 13 are provided on the right side of the ribbon 10 (or 10A), but these identification marks 12Y, etc. are provided on the right side of the ribbon 10 (or 10A).
) may be provided on the left side.

[0041]

According to the invention of claim 1, an identification mark corresponding to the color applied to each part is provided at the boundary of each part divided into each predetermined length, and an arbitrary color mark near the end of the ribbon is provided. Since the identification mark is changed to a special identification mark different from each identification mark, it is possible to reduce costs, prevent printing in different colors, and reliably detect near end (or end).

According to the invention of claim 2, if the color applied to each part is a reference color, an identification mark corresponding to the reference color is provided at the boundary of each part divided into each predetermined length. If the color is a non-standard color, a different identification mark is provided for each non-standard color, and the identification mark of any non-standard color near the end of the ribbon is changed to an identification mark of a non-standard color different from the non-standard color. This configuration reduces costs, prevents wrong-color printing, and reliably near-end (
or end) can be detected.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the correspondence between each color applied to each part and an output signal (2-bit information) of a mark reading device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the correspondence between each color applied to each part and the output signal (2-bit information) of the mark reading device in the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a thermal recording device in which a transfer ribbon is used.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional transfer ribbon.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 10A Transfer ribbon 11a, 11b,... Each part of the transfer ribbon 12Y, 12
M, 12C Identification mark 13 Special identification mark

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: In a transfer ribbon for a thermal recording device, in which a plurality of colors are sequentially applied to each part divided into predetermined lengths in correspondence with each other, a border of each part is coated with a color corresponding to the color applied to each part. 1. A transfer ribbon for a thermal recording device, characterized in that an identification mark of a given color near the end of the ribbon is replaced with a special identification mark having a different configuration from each of the identification marks. 2. In a transfer ribbon for a thermal recording device, in which a plurality of colors including a reference color and a non-reference color are sequentially coated in correspondence with each part divided into predetermined lengths, the boundaries between the parts are coated with these colors. If the color applied to each part is a standard color, an identification mark corresponding to the standard color is provided, and if it is a non-standard color, a different identification mark is provided for each non-standard color. 1. A transfer ribbon for a thermal recording device, characterized in that the identification mark of a non-reference color is changed to an identification mark of a non-reference color different from the non-reference color.