JPH068497A - Video printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure that data is printed rapidly and printing efficiency is improved by shortening time required for matching the positions of an image- receiving sheet and an ink sheet as well as ensure that characters or symbols are printed, at high speed, outside an image area, in an economical and chromatic shear-free manner. CONSTITUTION:The subject video printer is equipped with a grid roller 104 which shuttles back and forth on an image-receiving sheet, an ink sheet with a heading mark at the head position of each color such as yellow, magenta and cyan, a mark sensor 107 which detects the heading mark of an ink sheet, and a control part 101 which executes the heading of an ink sheet of subsequent color when the image-receiving sheet returns.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal sublimation type video printer capable of color print processing used as a terminal device of a computer or the like, and more specifically, to a color ink to be printed next at the same time when the image receiving paper is returned. The present invention relates to a video printer in which sheet cueing is performed to enable high-speed printing, and a cue mark is widened so that characters or symbols can be printed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional thermal transfer type color recording apparatus,
A plurality of recording elements corresponding to the recording density in the main scanning direction
A color ink sheet in which each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) is arranged and an image receiving sheet are pressed against each other between a thermal head arranged in line and a platen roller provided at a position facing the recording portion of the thermal head. Then, the image is moved in the sub-scanning direction, and a thermal transfer process according to the image data for one line is performed for each color to form a color image by superimposing it on the image receiving paper. In this case, the leading edge position control (heading) control of each color of the ink sheet is performed by pulling back only the image receiving paper, aligning the leading edge position with the same position as the leading position of the ink layer of the previous color, and then the ink layer of the next color. I was doing a cue.

[0003] In addition, there are the following reference technical documents related to the present invention. Firstly, JP-A-60-2
The “color ink medium state detection method” disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 57280 discloses a method of executing a recording process for one color,
The leading edge of the image receiving paper is pulled back to the recording head portion, and the color of the next ink layer and the leading edge position are determined. Secondly, the "color recording device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-220375 discloses only black or all three primary and black inks in an ink sheet in which three primary colors and black inks are applied in a face sequential manner. By using each of the above, recording is performed in the minimum time required for recording.

[0004]

However, in the conventional apparatus as described above, when the image receiving paper is reciprocated and yellow, magenta, and cyan are sequentially printed, after the yellow is printed, the image receiving paper is printed. After pulling back only the paper and aligning the tip position with the same position as yellow, the magenta cue of the ink sheet is executed and the cyan cue is executed in the same way. It takes time other than the print processing that includes both cueing, which causes a reduction in the efficiency of the print processing.

When printing characters or symbols are printed outside the image area of the image receiving paper by superimposing three colors of yellow, magenta and cyan, the image receiving paper is printed at a position off the grid roller. Misalignment occurs. Also,
As a means for solving this color misregistration, black ink for printing characters or symbols may be added to print characters or symbols, but when printing an image area, it takes time and is inefficient. However, there was also a problem in terms of economy because extra black ink was required on the ink sheet.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is a first object of the present invention to realize a high-speed printing process by shortening the alignment time between the image receiving paper and the ink sheet, and to improve the efficiency of the printing process. The purpose of.

A second object of the present invention is to make it possible to print characters or symbols outside the image area at high speed economically and without color misregistration.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image receiving paper conveying means for reciprocating an image receiving paper and a heading mark at the head position of each color of yellow, magenta and cyan. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video printer including an ink sheet, mark detection means for detecting a cue mark of the ink sheet, and control means for cueing the ink sheet of the next color when the image receiving paper is returned.

Further, it is desirable that the control means, after the printing of each color is completed, perform the cueing of the ink sheet corresponding to the first color of the next printing process at the time of discharging the image receiving paper.

Further, when the image receiving paper is present in the conveying path when the power is turned on, the control means discharges the image receiving paper and, at the same time, performs cueing of the ink sheet corresponding to the first color of the next printing process. It is desirable to do.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image receiving paper conveying means for reciprocating an image receiving paper and a cue mark at the head position of each color of yellow, magenta and cyan, and the first color An ink sheet configured to print the cueing mark of a character or a symbol, mark detection means for detecting the cueing mark of the ink sheet, and control means for executing a cueing of the ink sheet of the next color when the image receiving paper is returned. The present invention provides a video printer provided with.

Further, it is desirable that the first color cue mark of the ink sheet is formed wider than the other color cue marks.

Further, it is preferable that the control means executes the printing of characters or symbols outside the printing areas of yellow, magenta and cyan.

Further, it is desirable that the character or symbol printing process using the ink sheet be performed before the yellow, magenta, and cyan printing processes.

When it is not necessary to print characters or symbols after detecting the first-color cue mark, the control means winds up the ink sheet by the first-color cue mark width to generate the first-color cue mark. It is desirable to perform a color printing process.

[0016]

In the video printer according to the present invention, when the image receiving paper is returned, the ink sheet of the color to be printed next is located. Further, the first color cue mark of the ink sheet is configured to be capable of printing characters or symbols, and printing of the characters or symbols is performed outside the printing area before the printing process.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the main configuration of a video printer according to the present invention. A thermal head 101 in which a plurality of recording elements (heating elements) corresponding to the recording density are arranged in one line in the main scanning direction at the tip portion, is arranged to face the recording element portion of the thermal head 101, and smoothness is maintained. A platen roller 102 having a surface and controlled to rotate;
A grid roller 104 that conveys the image receiving paper 103 at a predetermined timing, a belt-shaped ink sheet 105 in which ink layers of three colors (yellow, magenta, and cyan) are arranged in predetermined regions are provided immediately after the grid roller 104. The image receiving paper 103 includes an image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106 that optically detects the leading edge of the image receiving paper 103, a mark sensor 107 that optically detects a mark on the ink sheet 105, and the like.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the color arrangement of the ink sheet 105 and the arrangement of the marks, such as yellow, magenta,
Ink layers are provided in the order of cyan. Marks 201 to 203 for indexing are provided in the head portion of each color of the ink layer with the same width. Also, these marks 201 to 20
Reference numeral 3 denotes detection elements 107a and 107 of the mark sensor 107.
It is arranged at a detectable position by b, and the combination of the detection is set as shown in Table 1 below to judge each color.

[0019]

[Table 1]

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the image area of the image receiving paper 103. An image area (shaded area) 301 on which a normal color image is printed, and characters or symbols are printed outside the image area 301. It is divided into print areas 302.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the video printer according to the present invention. 401 is the ink sheet 1
The control unit (401a controls the print control in a comprehensive manner) by executing cueing of each color in 05 and conveyance control of the image receiving paper 103 based on the detection state of the mark sensor 107, the detection state of the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106, and the like. An image processing unit and a transfer control unit 401b are provided in the unit 401.
Reference numeral 402 is image data, and 403 is the thermal head 1.
The heat control unit controls heating of the recording element 01.

The operation of the video printer configured as above will be described with reference to FIG. 5A to 5C are explanatory views showing the cueing operation and the printing operation of the ink sheet 105, and the operations will be described in detail in the order of numbers. Yellow ink cueing operation When the image receiving paper 103 is fed and the leading edge of the image receiving paper 103 is detected by the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106, the image receiving paper 103 is stopped at a slightly returned position. In this state, cueing of the yellow ink is executed. At this time, if the mark 201 of the yellow ink has already been detected by the mark sensor 107, it is regarded as completed and the cueing operation is not performed.

Yellow print processing After the above-mentioned yellow ink is cued, the thermal head 1
01 is pressed against the platen roller 102, and the print processing according to the image data is executed while moving the ink sheet 105 and the image receiving paper 103 in the arrow direction. The movement of the ink sheet 105 and the image receiving paper 103 is executed by rotation of a motor (not shown).

Magenta Ink Cueing Operation When the yellow print processing is completed, the thermal head 101 is separated from the platen roller 102, and the image receiving paper 103 printed in yellow is slightly moved from the detection position of the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106. While returning to the previous position,
Next, the magenta ink to be printed is cued.

Magenta printing process After the above-mentioned magenta ink is cued, the thermal head 1 is used.
01 is pressed against the platen roller 102, the print process according to the image data is executed while moving the ink sheet 105 and the image receiving paper 103 in the arrow direction, and the magenta image is superimposed on the yellow image.

Cyan Ink Cueing Operation When the magenta print processing is completed, the thermal head 101 is separated from the platen roller 102, and the image receiving paper 103 printed with yellow and magenta is detected at the detection position of the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106. While returning to the position slightly ahead of, cue the cyan ink to be printed next.

Cyan printing operation After the above magenta ink is cued, the thermal head 1
01 is pressed against the platen roller 102, the print processing according to the image data is executed while moving the ink sheet 105 and the image receiving paper 103 in the arrow direction, and the cyan image is superposed on the yellow and magenta images. As a result, a final color image corresponding to the image data is formed on the image receiving paper 103.

Yellow ink cueing operation When the above-described three-color printing process is completed, the thermal head 101 is separated from the platen roller 102, and the printed image receiving paper 103 is ejected while the next printing process is performed at the same time. Performs the cue of the color (yellow).

In the video printer according to this embodiment, the image receiving paper 1 is detected when the sensor (image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106 or the like) in the conveyance path detects the image receiving paper 103 when the apparatus is powered on.
Simultaneously with the discharge process of 03, the first print of the color (yellow) to be printed in the next print process is performed.

The above operation will be described in more detail. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the print processing operation when the ink sheet having the same mark width for each color (see FIG. 2) is used.
First, the print start key (not shown) of the video printer is pressed to determine whether or not the print start signal is ON (S601). If it is ON, the print start signal is set in the paper feed unit (not shown). Image receiving paper 103 that has been fed (S6
02), and the image is conveyed to the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 103 side. The front end of the image receiving paper 103 is the image receiving paper front end detection sensor 10
It is determined whether or not the number has reached 6 and is detected (S603), and O
If it is N, the image receiving paper drive motor (not shown) is moved by a predetermined amount (A
Pulse) reverse rotation to return the image receiving paper 103 (S604),
Further, at the stop position of the image receiving paper 103, the ink sheet 10
5 is fed (S605). At this time, the mark sensor 107 detects the yellow mark 201 (see Table 1).
It is determined whether or not (S606), and cueing of the yellow ink is performed.

After cueing the yellow ink, the image receiving paper 103 and the ink sheet 105 are fed at a predetermined speed (S
607), the platen roller 10 of the thermal head 101
The yellow printing process is executed by the pressure contact with No. 2 and the heat generation of the recording element (S608).

When the yellow printing process is completed, the thermal head 101 is separated from the platen roller 102, the image receiving paper 103 is returned and the ink sheet 105 is fed (S609), and the head of the magenta ink of the next color is fed. Execute delivery. That is, the mark sensor 10
7 determines whether or not the magenta mark 202 is detected (see Table 1) (S610), and if detected, the ink sheet 105 is stopped and the magenta cueing is completed (S611). On the other hand, if the magenta mark 202 is not detected in step 610, it is further determined whether or not the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106 is ON (S612). If OFF, the process returns to step 609. , ON, the image receiving paper 103 is returned by A pulse (S613), and then the image receiving paper 103 and the ink sheet 105 are fed (S614).

Next, the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106 is turned on.
If it is ON, the magenta print process is executed by the pressure contact of the thermal head 101 to the platen roller 102 and the heat generation of the recording element of the thermal head 101 (S616). When the magenta printing process is completed, next, the thermal head 10
1 is separated from the platen roller 102, and the image receiving paper 103
And the ink sheet 105 is fed (S617), and the cyan ink of the next color is cued. That is, the mark sensor 107 causes the cyan mark 203
Is detected (see Table 1) (S61
8) If detected, the ink sheet 105 is stopped and the cueing of cyan is completed (S619). On the other hand, if the cyan mark 203 is not detected in step 618, it is further determined whether or not the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106 is ON (S620). If OFF, the process returns to step 617. , ON, the image receiving paper 103 is returned by A pulse (S621), and then the image receiving paper 103
The ink sheet 105 is fed (S622).

Next, the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106 is turned on.
If it is ON, the cyan print process is executed by the pressure contact of the thermal head 101 to the platen roller 102 and the heat generation of the recording element of the thermal head 101 (S624). When the cyan print process ends (one cycle ends), the print-processed image receiving paper 103 is ejected and the ink sheet 105 is fed (S625). At this time, it is determined whether or not the position of the ink sheet 105 has detected the yellow mark 201 (S626), and if it is ON, the ink sheet 105 is stopped and the cueing of yellow is completed (S627). On the other hand, if the yellow mark 203 is not detected in step 626, or after the ink sheet 105 is stopped due to the cueing of the yellow ink, it is determined whether the image receiving paper 103 has been discharged (S628), and the discharge is completed. Check and finish this routine.

As described above, since the ink receiving sheet 103 is returned and the ink sheet 105 of the next color to be printed is cued, the efficiency is increased and high-speed printing can be performed. Also, the image receiving paper 1 that has been printed
At the same time as 03 is ejected, the first color ink sheet 105 to be printed next is cueed, so that the next printing processing time can be shortened. The reason why the image receiving paper 103 remains in the middle of the conveying path is that the image receiving paper 103 is stopped in the middle of the printing process, and the ink sheet 105 remains in the middle of the printing color. In this case, the ejection of the image receiving paper 103 and the cueing of the color to be printed first in the next print are simultaneously executed to shorten the cueing waiting time in the next print processing.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the color arrangement of another ink sheet 105 and the arrangement of the marks. In the configuration of the ink sheet 105 shown in FIG. The ink also serves as an ink layer for printing, and the magenta mark 202 and the cyan mark 203 are provided at positions where they can be detected by the mark sensor 107 as ordinary mark shapes as shown in FIG. Further, the width of the yellow ink mark 701 is set so as to extend to the recording portion of the thermal head 101 when the mark 201 detects the mark 201 by the yellow ink cueing.

When the printing process is executed with yellow, magenta, and cyan, the image receiving paper 103 is conveyed by the grid roller 104 in order to prevent color misregistration. Further, since the leading edge registration (alignment of the image with the image receiving sheet 103) is controlled, printing is started from when the image receiving sheet leading edge detecting sensor 106 detects the leading edge of the image receiving sheet 103. When the distance to the recording element portion 101 is yellow, magenta, or cyan, printing cannot be performed. However, since the cue mark 701 has only one color, the colors are not overlapped, and thus no color shift occurs.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, characters or symbols can be printed at a position where the image receiving paper 103 is off the grid roller 104. And after printing the characters or symbols,
Executes yellow, magenta, and cyan print processing.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of the printing process capable of printing characters or symbols, and the ink sheet 105 provided with the yellow mark 701 (wide width mark) shown in FIG. 7 is used. First, the print start key (not shown) of the video printer is pressed,
It is determined whether the print start signal is ON (S
901), if it is ON, the image receiving paper 103 set in the paper feeding unit (not shown) is fed (S902) and conveyed to the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 103 side. Then, the image receiving paper 103
It is determined whether or not the leading edge of has reached the image-receiving-paper leading edge detection sensor 106 and is detected (S903). If it is ON, then it is determined whether or not character or symbol printing is executed (S904).

When it is determined that the character or the symbol is printed, the following processing is executed. The image receiving paper 103 is returned by B pulse (S905). As a result, the image receiving paper 103 comes out of the grid roller 104. Next, ink sheet 1
05 is fed (S906). Then, it is determined whether or not the mark sensor 107 detects the yellow mark 701 (see Table 1) (S90).
7). If it is determined that the mark 701 has been detected, the mark 701 is moved to the recording portion, and then the image receiving paper 103 is fed (S908), and the mark 701 and the image receiving paper 1 are fed.
The print area 302 (see FIG. 3) of No. 03 is combined with the print area 302 to print characters or symbols (S909). After the characters or symbols are printed, the image receiving paper 103 is conveyed and it is determined whether or not the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106 is ON (S91).
0), if ON, the yellow print process is executed (S911), and then the print process is similarly continued in the order of magenta and cyan.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 904 that the character or the symbol is not printed, the image receiving paper 10
3 is returned by A pulse (S912). In this case, the image receiving paper 10
3 is sandwiched between grid rollers 104. Next, the ink sheet 105 is fed (S913). Then, it is determined whether or not the detection state of the mark sensor 107 is the yellow mark 701 (see Table 1) (S914). When it is determined that the mark 701 is detected, it is determined whether or not the mark 701 portion is finished (S915), and when it is determined that the mark 701 portion is finished, the image receiving paper 103 is fed. Then (S91
6), it is determined whether or not the image receiving paper leading edge detection sensor 106 is ON (S917), and if it is ON, yellow print processing is executed (S918), and thereafter, print processing is similarly performed in the order of magenta and cyan. continue.

As described above, since the mark 701 provided in the yellow ink portion is used as character or symbol ink, the ink sheet 105 can be made shorter than in the conventional case, which is economical. Further, if an ink layer (black) is provided as the ink for characters or symbols to provide four colors, three detection elements of the mark sensor 107 are required (two detection elements for three colors,
When there are four colors, there are three detection combinations), which increases the cost.

The mark width not used for the character or symbol print may be a width that can be detected by the mark sensor 107, but when the mark is used for the character or symbol print, it is wider than other cue mark widths (thermal mark). Head 10
The width from the symbol element portion 1 to the detection portion of the mark sensor 107).

Further, by executing the printing area for characters or symbols outside the printing range of yellow, magenta, and cyan (printing area 302), the printing range of the image (image area 301) is widened and the margin portion is printed. Characters or symbols can be printed on (see FIG. 3). Further, the printing timing for characters or symbols is executed before the yellow, magenta, and cyan print processing. As a result, the image receiving paper 103 is moved to the grid roller 104 when printing characters or symbols.
It is possible to perform the printing at a position deviated from the above, and it is possible to eliminate the print misregistration (color misregistration) when printing in the middle of printing of yellow, magenta, and cyan. Further, after the cue mark is detected, if there is no printing for characters or symbols, the ink sheet 105 for the wide width of the mark 701 is rolled up and printing of the first color is started. As a result, when there is no printing for characters or symbols, the mark sensor 107
This makes it possible to prevent printing mistakes due to print processing when the mark is detected, and realize high-speed printing.

[0044]

As described above, according to the video printer of the present invention, since the ink sheet of the color to be printed next is cued when the image receiving paper is returned, the alignment time of the image receiving paper and the ink sheet is adjusted. Is shortened, high-speed print processing is realized, and the efficiency of print processing can be improved.

As described above, according to the video printer of the present invention, the first-color cue mark of the ink sheet can be printed with characters or symbols, and the characters or symbols can be printed before the printing process. Since printing is performed outside the print area, it is possible to print characters or symbols outside the image area at high speed economically and without color misregistration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a main configuration of a video printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a color arrangement of an ink sheet and an arrangement of marks according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an image area of an image receiving paper according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the video printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the video printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of print processing when an ink sheet having the same mark width for each color according to the present invention is used.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a color arrangement and a mark arrangement of another ink sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a character or symbol printing operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of a print process capable of printing characters or symbols according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

103 image receiving paper 104 grid roller 105 ink sheet 106 image receiving paper front end detection sensor 107 mark sensor 201 mark 202 mark 203 mark 301 image area 302 printing area 401 control unit 701 mark

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image receiving sheet conveying means for reciprocally moving an image receiving sheet, an ink sheet having a cue mark at the head position of each color of yellow, magenta and cyan, and a mark detecting means for detecting the cue mark of the ink sheet. And a control means for performing cueing of the next color ink sheet when the image receiving paper is returned. 2. The control means executes cueing of the ink sheet corresponding to the first color of the next print process at the time of discharging the image receiving paper after the printing of each color is completed. The listed video printer. 3. The control means, when an image receiving sheet is present in the conveying path when the power is turned on, discharges the image receiving sheet and simultaneously performs the heading of the ink sheet corresponding to the first color of the next print processing. The video printer according to claim 1, wherein the video printer comprises: 4. An image receiving paper conveying means for reciprocating an image receiving paper, and a heading mark at the head position of each color of yellow, magenta and cyan, and a character or a symbol can be printed on the heading mark of the first color. A video printer comprising an ink sheet, a mark detecting means for detecting a cueing mark of the ink sheet, and a control means for executing a cueing of the ink sheet of the next color when the image receiving paper is returned. 5. The video printer according to claim 4, wherein the cue mark of the first color of the ink sheet is formed wider than the cue mark of another color. 6. The video printer according to claim 4, wherein the control means prints characters or symbols outside the yellow, magenta, and cyan print areas. 7. The video printer according to claim 4, wherein the character or symbol printing process using the ink sheet is executed before the yellow, magenta, and cyan printing processes. 8. The control means, when it is not necessary to print characters or symbols after detecting the cue mark of the first color,
5. The video printer according to claim 4, wherein the ink sheet is rolled up by the width of the cue mark of the first color and the print processing of the first color is executed.