JPH08183231A - Color printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a color printing method capable of reducing the unused residual quantity of a used ribbon when color printing is performed using a multicolor ribbon constituted by cyclically arranging a plurality of color segments respectively having different colors in a longitudinal direction. CONSTITUTION: Printing is applied to the first line of printing paper 24 by the first color segment of a multicolor ribbon 25. Thereafter, when there is unused residual quantity in the first color segment, printing paper 24 is sent in one direction with respect to a printing head 22 by a printing paper driving means 33 to apply printing to the separate line of the paper 24 by the first, color segment until unused residual quantity becomes a definite value. After the printing paper 24 is returned in the reverse direction with respect to the printing head 22 by the printing paper driving means 33, printing is applied to the printing paper 24 by the separate color segment continued to the first color segment.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color printing method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a color printing method for performing color printing using a so-called multi-color ribbon, which is configured by periodically arranging a plurality of color regions (segments) each having a different color in the longitudinal direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of color printing printing methods by a color thermal printer, as shown in FIG. 24 (b), a plurality of color segments 2 having different colors in the longitudinal direction are used.
There is known a system (multicolor ribbon system) for performing color printing using a so-called multicolor ribbon, which is configured by periodically arranging a, 2b, 2c, 2d, ....
The multi-color ribbon method has an advantage that a device to be used can be downsized and simplified as compared with an auto ribbon changer method in which a mono-color ribbon is always mounted in four colors and ribbons are automatically switched to perform color printing.

[0003]

However, in the conventional multi-color ribbon system, since one cycle composed of a plurality of colors of the multi-color ribbon is filled every time one line of the printing paper is printed, for example, in one line. When only one color is printed on the ribbon, there is a problem in that the segments of the other colors remain unused in the used ribbon, resulting in poor ribbon utilization efficiency. This results in high running costs.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24 (a), the print data corresponding to one page of the printing paper 4 is provided for the purpose of preventing the ribbon from being idly fed due to the difference in color arrangement between the ribbon and the print data. Data buffers 4a, 4b, 4c,
4d is stored, the print data is read out from the data buffer in a color corresponding to the same order as the color arrangement order of the multi-color ribbon, and a method is proposed in which the print paper is printed at a predetermined position while line-feeding in the vertical direction. (JP-A-3-
No. 222789). However, the method described in this publication is effective only in the color segment 2 of the ribbon.
Only in the rare cases where the lengths of a, 2b, 2c and 2d and the length of the print data are the same, and in the general case where the length of the color segment of the ribbon and the length of the print data are different, the ribbon still remains in the ribbon. Many wasteful parts occur.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the wasteful portion of the used ribbon that remains unused when performing color printing using a multi-color ribbon, and to improve the efficiency of use of the ribbon. It is to provide a color printing method capable of performing.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a color printing method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a multi-color printing method in which a plurality of color segments each having a different color in the longitudinal direction are periodically arranged. The color ribbon is used, and the multi-color ribbon is run between the printing paper and the print head by the ribbon drive means, and the print data stored for each color in the print data storage means corresponds to each color of the print data. A color printing method in which each color is printed by a color segment, and after printing with one color segment of the multi-color ribbon on one line of the printing paper, an unused remaining amount is present in the one color segment. At one time, the print sheet driving means feeds the print sheet in one direction to the print head so that another line of the print sheet is loaded with the one color segment. Performs printing until the unused remaining amount becomes constant value each, after returning the printing paper in the reverse direction relative to the print head by the print paper drive means,
It is characterized in that the printing paper is printed with another color segment following the one color segment.

A color printing method according to a second aspect is the color printing method according to the first aspect, in which a boundary between the color segments of the multi-color ribbon represents a color segment adjacent to the upstream side in the traveling direction. A discrimination mark is provided, and a discrimination mark detecting means for detecting the discrimination mark is provided upstream of the print head in the traveling direction of the multi-color ribbon, and the discrimination mark detecting means is provided during printing with the one color segment. When a discrimination mark representing the next color segment following the one color segment is detected, printing with the one color segment is terminated based on the timing when the discrimination mark is detected, and the one color The first address of the unprinted portion of the print data of the color corresponding to the segment Is stored in less memory means, is traveling the multicolor ribbon by the ribbon drive means, the next time you start printing the color print data,
The printing is started from the print data of the address stored in the head address storage means.

A color printing method according to a third aspect is the color printing method according to the first aspect, wherein a boundary between the color segments of the multi-color ribbon represents a color segment adjacent to the upstream side in the traveling direction. A discrimination mark is provided, and a discrimination mark detection means for detecting the discrimination mark is provided upstream of the print head in the traveling direction of the multi-color ribbon, and the discrimination mark of one color segment is detected by the discrimination mark detection means. From that time, the running length of the multi-color ribbon is obtained by counting means, and when the difference between the length of the one color segment and the ribbon running length represented by the count value of the counting means becomes a constant value, Printing with the color segment of is completed and printing of the print data of the color corresponding to the above-mentioned one color segment is still The head address storage means stores the head address of the non-printed portion, and when the ribbon driving means drives the multi-color ribbon to start printing the print data of the color next time, the head address storage means It is characterized in that printing is started from the print data of the address stored in.

A color printing method according to a fourth aspect is the color printing method according to the first aspect, in which the print data of each color is printed at a plurality of positions in one line, or at the same time. When printing is performed from the line (1) to another line, a blank corresponding to the pressing and releasing time of the print head is provided before and after the data to be printed on the printing paper.

The color printing method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the color printing method according to the first aspect, wherein the printing paper drive means cannot return the printing paper in the reverse direction in a non-return-controllable area. The printing is performed for each line on the printing paper by one cycle or a plurality of cycles of a plurality of color segments having different colors of the multi-color ribbon.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color printing method according to the first aspect, wherein printing of a part of color data of the plurality of colors is completed on the printing paper. At this time, the multi-color ribbon was switched to a single-color mono-color ribbon corresponding to the color of the remaining print data, and the print paper driving means returned the print paper to the print head in the reverse direction for each color. After that, printing is performed using the monocolor ribbon.

The color printing method according to a seventh aspect is the color printing method according to the first aspect, wherein the printing paper drive means is in a non-return-controllable area where the printing paper cannot return the printing paper in the reverse direction. The above-mentioned printing paper is characterized in that it is printed line by line using a plurality of mono-color ribbons.

Further, the color printing method according to claim 8 is the color printing method according to claim 1, wherein when printing data of a plurality of colors is overlapped and printed at a specific position on the printing paper, When one color segment corresponding to the color to be printed faces the print head, the print data of the color to be printed later is printed until the print data of the color to be printed first is completed. The color segment after 1 cycle or a plurality of cycles of the color segment is postponed so that the color superposition order of a specific portion on the printing paper becomes constant.

A color printing method according to a ninth aspect is the color printing method according to the eighth aspect, in which the print data stored in the print data storage means is recorded each time printing by the color segment is completed. It is characterized by erasing the data portion of which printing has been completed.

The color printing method according to claim 10 is the color printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the multi-color ribbon includes a black segment in the plurality of color segments. Including, when printing the print data of a plurality of colors in a specific location on the printing paper in a superimposed manner, the black color is printed last in the specific location by the black segment. .

[0016]

According to the color printing method of the present invention, the printing paper drive is performed when one color segment has one unused color after printing with one color segment of the multi-color ribbon after printing on one line of the printing paper. The printing paper is fed in one direction to the print head by means, and printing is performed on another row of the printing paper by the one color segment until the unused remaining amount reaches a constant value. The unused amount of the color segment is reduced. For example, when only one part of the one color segment is used for one line of the printing paper, the rest of the one color segment is not fed. Therefore, the unused remaining amount in the used multi-color ribbon is reduced as compared with the conventional one, and the ribbon usage efficiency is improved. As a result, running costs are reduced.

In the color printing method according to the second aspect, the printing by the one color segment is completed based on the timing when the discrimination mark is detected by the discrimination mark detecting means, so that the unused remaining amount of the color segment becomes a constant value. Until then, the ribbon is effectively used. Further, when the printing of the print data of the color corresponding to the one color segment is started next time, the printing is started from the print data of the address stored in the head address storage means, so that the printing is smoothly performed.

In the color printing method according to the third aspect, when the difference between the length of one color segment and the ribbon running length represented by the count value of the counting means becomes a constant value, the printing with the one color segment is finished. Therefore, the ribbon is effectively used until the unused remaining amount of the color segment reaches a constant value. Further, when the printing of the print data of the color corresponding to the one color segment is started next time, the printing is started from the print data of the address stored in the head address storage means, so that the printing is smoothly performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the color printing method, when the print data of each color is printed at a plurality of positions in one line, or when the print data is printed from the one line to another line, the printing is performed. Since a blank corresponding to the pressing and releasing time of the print head is provided before and after the data to be printed on the paper, printing is smoothly performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the color printing method, the printing paper driving means cannot return the printing paper in the reverse direction. In the non-return control area, the different colors of the multi-color ribbon are different for each line on the printing paper. One of multiple color segments with
Since printing is performed in a cycle or a plurality of cycles, printing is performed smoothly.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the color printing method, when printing of a part of color data out of the print data of a plurality of colors is completed on the printing paper, the color of the remaining print data from the multi-color ribbon is dealt with. After switching to a single color mono-color ribbon for each color and returning the print paper to the print head in the reverse direction by the print paper drive means, printing is performed using the mono color ribbon. The use efficiency of the ribbon is improved as compared with the case where printing is performed using the color ribbon as it is. The reason for this is that if the multi-color ribbon is used as it is, the color segments corresponding to some of the colors for which the printing has been completed are fed in idle, and the ribbon usage efficiency is slightly reduced. Further, since printing is performed while the printing paper is fed back, printing is performed at high speed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the color printing method according to the seventh aspect, in the return-control-disabled area where the printing paper drive means cannot return the printing paper in the reverse direction, a plurality of mono-color lines are printed on each line on the printing paper. Printing is performed smoothly because the ribbon is used for printing.

According to the color printing method of the eighth aspect, when the print data of a plurality of colors are overlapped and printed on a specific portion on the printing paper, the order of color superposition is constant, so that the tint is stable. However, there is no difference in color.

According to the color printing method of the ninth aspect, every time printing by the color segment is completed, the printed data portion is erased from the print data stored in the print data storage means. When the same color is printed on, the address to start printing is easily retrieved.
Therefore, printing is performed at high speed.

A color printing method according to a tenth aspect, wherein the multi-color ribbon includes a black segment in the plurality of color segments, and print data of a plurality of colors is overlaid at a specific position on the printing paper. In the above specific location,
The black segment prints black of the plurality of colors last so that the printed image becomes clear.

[0026]

1 shows the construction of a color printing apparatus for carrying out a color printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. This color printing apparatus includes an input unit 11 and a control unit 12.
1, a storage unit 13, a printing unit (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 14, and a display unit 15.

The input unit 11 is connected to an external device 10 such as an information processing device and receives print data from the external device 10. The print data supplied to the input unit 11 is stored in the storage unit 13 under the control of the control unit 12. The storage unit 13 stores a print data storage unit 13a as a print data storage unit for storing print data, an address storage unit 13b as a head address storage unit for storing a print start address of each color, and a remaining amount of the ribbon. It has a ribbon remaining amount management unit 13c and the like. Printer 14
Is driven and controlled in accordance with a command from the control unit 12 to print the print data on a print sheet. The display unit 15 is the control unit 1.
Display whether to switch the ribbon under the control of 2,
The color of the ribbon to be attached to the printer 14 is notified. The control unit 12 controls the operation of the entire device. The input unit 11, the control unit 12, and the storage unit 13 are actually composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the printer 14 is
A platen 23 and a carriage 21 are provided. A thermal head 22 as a print head disposed on the carriage 21 is provided with a printing paper 24 set on a platen 23.
Are in contact with each other at a constant pressure via the ink ribbon 25. The carriage 21 is slidably fitted to a guide shaft 26 that is arranged in parallel with the platen 23.
It is fixed to a feed belt 27 which is parallel to 3. The feed belt 27 is moved to the left and right (-X, + X) in the drawing via pulleys by forward and reverse rotation of a thermal head drive motor (not shown)
Can be reciprocated in any direction. Thermal head 2
2 is provided with a heat generating portion composed of a plurality of resistance heat generating elements in order to form a print by dots. Figure 2
As shown in (b), the print paper 24 is the paper feed roller 3
3 is sandwiched between the first auxiliary roller 34 and the second auxiliary roller 35, and is fed back up and down (-Y, + X) by the forward and reverse rotations of the paper feed roller 33.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon 25 is
It is accommodated in a state in which it is wound around a ribbon delivery bobbin 30A in the ribbon cassette 28. With the ribbon cassette 28 loaded in the carriage 21, the ink ribbon 25
Is wound around the ribbon winding bobbin 30B by a ribbon winding motor (not shown). The ribbon delivery bobbin 30A, the ribbon winding motor, and the ribbon winding bobbin 30B constitute ribbon driving means. FIG. 3 also shows a ribbon sensor 29 provided as a discrimination mark detecting means disposed near the thermal head 22 of the carriage 21. The ribbon sensor 29 is composed of a light emitting diode and a phototransistor.

As shown in FIG. 4, an ink ribbon 25 for multi-color printing, for example, has a base layer 25a made of a polyester film, yellow 31 (Y), magenta 31 (M), cyan 31 (C), and black 31. The ink layers 31 of the respective colors (B) are alternately applied in the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 25 and are commonly used.
The dimension 1 in the longitudinal direction of each ink layer 31 is a dimension obtained by adding a slight margin to the maximum print width of the printer 14 (indicated by W in FIG. 2). Further, at the boundary between the ink layers 31 of the respective colors of the ink ribbon 25, the widths corresponding to the respective colors (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-286212 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-3189).
(See Japanese Patent Publication No. 46), a black discrimination mark 32 (Y),
32 (M), 32 (C), and 32 (B) are provided. At the time of operation, each discrimination mark 32 is attached to the ribbon sensor 29.
By detecting the segment 31 of the desired color.
(Y) to 31 (B) can be opposed to the thermal head 22.

When a print start command is issued, the heating elements of the thermal head 22 are selectively heated based on the print data. The thermal head 22 performs dot printing on the printing paper 24 while moving in the right (+ X) direction together with the carriage 21.

When the printing of one line is completed, the thermal head 22 retracts from the surface of the printing paper 24 together with the ink ribbon 25 by the retracting mechanism (not shown) by the line feed signal.
Move to the left (-X) direction and return to the home position. Subsequently, the printing paper 24 is line-feeded in the upward (+ Y) direction by a transport mechanism (not shown), and printing is started in the right direction again.

Next, a color printing method of one embodiment will be described.

This color printing method selects four printing modes: (1) normal monocolor printing, (2) normal multicolor printing, (3) high efficiency monocolor printing, and (4) high efficiency multicolor printing. It is possible to print according to the purpose.

The meanings of the above four print modes will be briefly described.

(1) Ordinary mono-color printing is a conventional mono-color printing, and uses monochromatic ribbons of single colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, text data 40 having a format in which a print stop code (indicated by “stop” in the figure) 41 is inserted in the sentence is used. In this example, print stop code 4
1 has three text areas A1 and A3
2, A3. 42 indicates a page break code. In the text area A1, the operator loads the black ribbon into the printer and prints with the black ribbon, and in the text area A2, the operator loads the cyan ribbon into the printer and prints with the cyan ribbon, and the text area A3 represents the operator. Loads the magenta ribbon into the printer and prints with the magenta ribbon. In this way, the operator replaces the ribbon for each area in which the designated color of the text changes and performs color printing.

(2) Normal multicolor printing is conventional multicolor printing, and the ribbon 25 for multicolor printing shown in FIG. 4 is used. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the control code for each color (“color 1” to
Text data 50 having a format in which "color 3" 51, 52, 53 are inserted is used. In this example, the color control codes 51, 52 and 53 divide the data area into four text areas A1, A2, A3 and A4.
Then, for each line, yellow (Y) → magenta (M) →
Color printing is performed while feeding the ribbon in the order of cyan (C) → black (B).

(3) High-efficiency monocolor printing is first proposed in this invention. By using monochromatic ribbons of single colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, the printing paper 24 is moved in the vertical direction, and the carriage 21 is moved in the horizontal direction. To do. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the frequency of ribbon replacement, reduce the burden on the operator, and perform high-speed color printing.

(4) High-efficiency multicolor printing is also proposed for the first time in this invention. Using the multi-color printing ribbon 25 shown in FIG. 4, the printing paper 24 is moved in the vertical direction and the carriage 21 is moved in the horizontal direction, and printing is performed until the unused remaining amount of each color segment in the ribbon falls within a certain value. . Therefore, it is possible to reduce waste in use such as idling of the multi-color printing ribbon 25.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic flow of the color printing method of this embodiment. When the operator presses the print designation key in S1, the screen 15a of the display unit 15 is displayed as shown in FIG.
The print condition setting screen is displayed on. The print condition setting screen is a screen for specifying the type of print paper and the like. The print modes are also displayed as "normal mono", "normal multi", "high efficiency mono", and "high efficiency multi", and the operator is asked which of the above four print modes to select. S2
Then, the operator selects a desired print mode from the above four print modes.

Now, considering the case of selecting normal monocolor printing, the normal monocolor printing is performed by the operator pressing the execution key in S15 (S16).

Now, considering the case of selecting the normal multicolor printing, the normal multicolor printing is performed by the operator pressing the execution key in S13 (S14).

Now, considering the case of selecting high-efficiency monocolor printing, the operator presses the execution key in S9 to perform high-efficiency monocolor printing (S10 to S1).
2).

Now, considering the case of selecting high-efficiency multi-color printing, the operator presses the execution key in S3 to perform high-efficiency multi-color printing (S4 to S).
7).

However, as will be described later in detail, in the high-efficiency mono-color printing mode and the high-efficiency multi-color printing mode, the print paper is divided into an area where the paper can be fed up and down and an area where the paper feed is not possible, and control is performed. When switching the control, it is possible to switch from multi-color printing to mono-color printing or from mono-color printing to multi-color printing.

FIG. 7 shows the flow of the normal mono-color printing mode.

In FIG. 7, when the operator presses the execution key for normal monochromatic printing (S101), printing is started from the beginning of the page to be printed based on the text data 40 in the format shown in FIG. S102). Print stop code 4
1 is not extracted (S103), and unless a printer error occurs (S104), printing of that page is completed (S103).
105) and execute printing (loop 1). In this embodiment, the text data is managed page by page in any print mode.

If the print stop code 41 is extracted (S103) or a printer error occurs (S104) during execution of the processing of loop 1, that is, if a cause for stopping the print occurs, the print is immediately stopped. Yes (S10
7). Then, a message corresponding to the factor is displayed on the display unit 1.
5 is displayed (S108). The operator sees this display and executes the corresponding action (S109). Generally S103
When the print stop code is extracted in step 1, the ribbon color change is requested here.

Next, when the operator presses the execution key (S
110) and returns to loop 1 (S102 to S105) to continue printing. On the other hand, the operator does not press the execution key (S1
10) When the release key is pressed (S111), loop 2
The process ends (S106) by exiting (S110 to S111). Further, when it is determined in S105 that the printing of the designated page is finished, the printing is also finished (S10).
6).

As described above, in the normal mono-color print mode, the print stop code is inserted in the text data, and the operator replaces the ribbon for each area where the designated color of the text changes, thereby realizing color printing. ing.

10 to 11 show the flow of the normal multi-color printing mode.

In FIG. 10, when the operator presses the execution key for normal multicolor printing (S201), the line (line) to be printed at present is yellow (Y) in the text data 50 in the format shown in FIG. , Or magenta (M), cyan (C), or black (B) is designated (S202). If any one of the colors has been designated, the color flag corresponding to the designated color is set (S202). Then, whether or not the Y flag is set in steps S203 to S206 (S
203), whether the M flag is set (S204),
It is determined whether or not the C flag is set (S205) and whether or not the B flag is set (S206). If the Y flag is set, S213 is set. If the M flag is set, S217, and the C flag is set. If is standing S
If the 221, B flag is set, the process proceeds to S207.

For example, when the Y flag is set (S20)
3), while feeding the ribbon in an idle manner (S213), as shown in FIG.
The Y determination mark (the head position of the yellow segment) 32 (Y) in the ribbon 25 shown therein is detected (S214).
After the detection, one line of yellow is printed in S215. As a result, since the yellow printing of that line is completed, the Y flag is reset (S216). During printing, the display unit 15 displays the fact that printing is in progress, the print mode, and the current print color, as shown in FIG. 6B.

Further, for the line, in the same procedure, magenta is printed when the M flag is set (S204) (S217 to S220), and cyan is set when the C flag is set for the line (S205). Print (S221 to S224), and if the B flag is set (S206), print black (S207 to S21).
0).

The reason why the printing order is fixed in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is to prevent a difference in final tint due to the difference in printing order. That is, if the printing order is different, for example, the final tint may be slightly different between when magenta is printed on yellow and when yellow is printed on magenta. . It is not necessary to fix the print order in this way as long as the difference in color is not a concern. Also, the last thing to do in black printing is one of the ways to make the printing look clear.

Now, with respect to the above line, one type of printing of yellow, magenta, cyan and black is completed (S
210) or if there is no color data in the line and the color flag is not set in steps S203 to S206, the process proceeds to step S211, and it is determined whether the printing of the designated page is completed. If there is data to be printed in the page to which the line belongs, the paper feed roller 33 is driven to feed the print paper to the next line (S225). Then, returning to S202 of FIG. 10, each color is printed in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black as described above using the next line as the current line. On the other hand, if the printing of the designated page is completed in S211, the printing is completed (S21
2).

Before describing the high-efficiency mono-color printing mode and the high-efficiency multi-color printing mode in detail, the difference in processing between the upper area and the lower area of the printing paper 24 will be described.

As described above, in the high-efficiency mono-color printing mode and the high-efficiency multi-color printing mode, printing is performed while moving the printing paper 24 in the vertical direction and the carriage 21 in the horizontal direction. Here, as can be seen from the sectional structure of the printer shown in FIG. 2B, when the printing paper 24 is fed to the vicinity of the end, the paper feed roller 33 and the second auxiliary roller 35.
Since the trailing edge of the printing paper 24 is removed from the position between and, it is no longer possible to return it even if the paper feed roller 33 is reversed. That is, the printer 14 has a return control impossible area LP corresponding to the distance between the thermal head 22 and the second auxiliary roller 35. High-efficiency mono-color printing and high-efficiency multi-color printing cannot be executed as they are in this return-control-disabled area LP.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
The printable area “L1” of No. 4 is the area LP of the printer.
, And a return controllable area "L2" capable of sending back. High-efficiency mono-color printing or high-efficiency multi-color printing is executed in the return controllable area "L2". Normal mono-color printing or normal multi-color printing is assumed. The printable area L
1 is a value determined by the specifications of the printer 14 for each paper size (A4, A5, B4, B5, postcard, etc.). Therefore, L2 is determined for each paper size.

For example, in the flow of FIG. 5, when the operator selects the high-efficiency mono-color printing mode (S2) and presses the execution key (S9), first in S10, the return controllable area (upper area) of the printing paper 24 is ) For high-efficiency mono-color printing. When printing on the upper area of the printing paper 24 is completed, the operator selects the printing mode (ribbon type) for the return-controllable area (lower area) of the printing paper 24 in S11. When selecting multi-color printing, the operator loads the multi-color ribbon into the printer. Then, multi-color printing is performed on the lower area of the printing paper 24 (S14). When the operator selects mono-color printing in S11, mono-color printing is executed on the lower area of the printing paper 24 (S12).

Further, in the flow of FIG. 5, when the operator selects the high-efficiency multi-color printing mode (S2) and presses the execution key (S3), first, in S4 and S5, the upper area of the printing paper 24 is set. To perform highly efficient multi-color printing.

When the printing for one color on the upper area of the printing paper 24 is completed, the operator selects the printing mode (ribbon type) in S6. The reason for this is that if you use the multi-color ribbon as it is for the upper area,
This is because the color segment corresponding to the color for which printing has been completed is fed in a blank manner, so that the ribbon usage efficiency is slightly reduced.
The operator can improve ribbon utilization efficiency by selecting monochromatic printing.

When the operator selects mono-color printing in S6, but printing is not completed for all the colors "YMCB" in the upper area of the printing paper 24 (S8).
Advances to S10 to execute high-efficiency monocolor printing on the upper area of the printing paper 24.

On the other hand, in S6, the operator selects the mono-color printing, and "YMC" is displayed for the upper area of the printing paper 24.
B "When printing for all colors is completed (S
8) executes mono-color printing on the lower area of the printing paper 24 (S12).

Although the operator selects multi-color printing in S6, "YMCB" is displayed for the upper area of the printing paper 24.
When printing has not been completed for all colors (S7)
Returns to S4 and executes high-efficiency multi-color printing on the upper area of the printing paper 24 for the remaining colors of "YMCB".

On the other hand, in S6, the operator selects the multi-color printing, and "YM" is added to the upper area of the printing paper 24.
CB "When printing has been completed for all colors (S
In 7), normal multi-color printing is executed on the lower area of the printing paper 24 (S14).

As described above, the processing for the upper area of the printing paper 24 and the processing for the lower area are significantly different.

Next, the high-efficiency monocolor printing mode is shown in FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

In this high-efficiency monocolor printing mode, FIG.
The text data 50 of the format shown in is used.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the high-efficiency monocolor printing mode, the operator loads the yellow ribbon into the printer and presses the execute key (S301). Here, the printable range "L1" shown in FIG. 18 is extracted from the paper size, and (L1-LE) is set as L2 to clarify the upper area of the print paper 24. And
Yellow data is printed on the upper area of the printing paper 24 (S302). Then, the operator loads a magenta ribbon on the printer and prints magenta data on the upper area of the printing paper 24 (S303). Then, the operator loads a cyan ribbon into the printer and prints cyan data on the upper area of the printing paper 24 (S304). Then, the operator loads the printer with the black ribbon and prints black data on the upper area of the printing paper 24 (S305). In this way, the print paper 24 is moved in the vertical direction and the carriage 21 is moved in the horizontal direction, and 1 is set for each color data.
Print by changing ribbons twice. That is, the printing paper 24
Color printing is performed on the upper area of the tape by changing the ribbon four times in total. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the frequency of ribbon replacement, reduce the burden on the operator, and perform high-speed color printing. The printed data is sequentially erased from the print text buffer.

Here, the printing order is fixed in the order of “Y → M → C → B”, because it is difficult to manage the color tone if the printing order is different, as already described. This is because the image looks more beautiful when "black" is printed last.

After the printing on the upper area of the printing paper 24 is completed, the operator selects in S306 whether the printing on the lower area of the printing paper 24 is multi-color printing or mono-color printing.

When monocolor printing is selected here, ribbon replacement is required for each line and each color, and therefore operation error and operation time increase. Therefore, monochrome printing is
It seems that you should select it without a multicolor ribbon. When preparing a multi-color ribbon, it seems to be operationally preferable to perform the latter half processing of the high-efficiency multi-color printing mode described in detail later.

When monocolor printing is selected in S306, the text data 50 in the format shown in FIG. 9 is searched in S307 to extract the highest line (line) to be printed, and the line is printed. Set color flags for all colors used in.

Then, S308, S309, S310,
In S311, it is confirmed whether or not the color flag is set, and if the color flag is set, the color represented by the color flag is printed on the line.

That is, when the Y flag is set in S308, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), in S316, a message indicating that a yellow ribbon is requested is displayed on the display unit 15. Here, if the operator loads a yellow ribbon into the printer and presses the execution key (S317), yellow is printed on the line (S318). Then, the Y flag is reset in S319, and the process returns to S309 in FIG.

Similarly, when the M flag is set in S309, as shown in FIG. 13B, the display unit 1 is displayed in S320.
A message to request a magenta ribbon is displayed on 5. here,
When the operator loads the magenta ribbon on the printer and presses the execution key (S321), magenta is printed on the line (S322). Then, the M flag is reset in S323, and the process returns to S310 in FIG.

Similarly, when the C flag is set in S310, the display unit 1 is displayed in S324 as shown in FIG. 13 (c).
A message indicating that a cyan ribbon is requested is displayed on 5. Here, if the operator loads a cyan ribbon into the printer and presses the execution key (S325), cyan is printed on that line (S326). Then, the C flag is reset in S327, and the process returns to S311 in FIG.

Similarly, if the B flag is set in S311, as shown in FIG. 13D, the display unit 1 is displayed in S328.
A message requesting a black ribbon is displayed on 5. here,
When the operator loads a black ribbon on the printer and presses the execution key (S329), black is printed on the line (S330). Then, the B flag is reset in S321, and the process returns to S312 in FIG.

Then, it is confirmed whether or not the printed line is the last line (S312), and if it is the last line, the printing is ended (S315). On the other hand, when the printed line is not the last line, the printing paper 24 is sent to the next line (S3
13). Then, the color flag data of the line is searched, and the color flags are set for all the colors used for the line (S312). Then, the operations after S308 are repeated until the printing is completed.

As described above, in the lower area of the printing paper 24, the ribbon is exchanged for each row to perform monocolor printing.

Monocolor printing on the lower area of the printing paper 24 in the high efficiency monocolor printing mode is as follows.
In terms of using the text data 50 in the format shown in FIG. 9,
This is different from normal monochrome printing using the text data 40 of the format shown in FIG. That is, in the normal mono-color printing mode, when the printing is stopped by the stop code 41, the color of the ribbon to be loaded next is not displayed on the display unit 15. However, in the mono-color printing on the lower area of the printing paper 24 in the high-efficiency mono-color printing mode, the color control codes 51, 5 are added to the text data 50.
Due to the fact that 2, ... Is stored, it is possible to display on the display unit 15 what color ribbon should be loaded next when printing is interrupted. Therefore, the operator does not mistake the color of the ribbon loaded in the printer. Further, in the normal mono-color printing mode, only the ribbon loaded in the line can be printed, whereas in the high-efficiency mono-color printing mode, in the mono-color printing on the lower area of the printing paper 24, various color control codes are used. By providing each of YMCB with dither, it is possible to express many colors while dithering each YMCB.

Next, high-efficiency multi-color printing will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In this high-efficiency mono-color printing mode, FIG.
The text data 50 of the format shown in is used.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the operator presses the execution key in the high efficiency multi-color printing mode (S40
1), the printable area “L” shown in FIG. 18 from the paper size
1 "is extracted (S402), and (L1-LE) is set as L2 to clarify the upper area of the printing paper 24 (S403).

Then, the Y data is fetched from the text data of the page to be printed into the Y text buffer (S40
4), M data from the text data of the page is loaded into the M text buffer (S405), C data from the text data of the page is loaded into the C text buffer (S406), and B data is B text from the text data of the page. It is loaded into the buffer (S407). Also, Y
The head address YAP of the data is set in the YAP register (Y color head position register) (S408), the head address MAP of the M data is set in the MAP register (M position head position register) (S409), and the head of the C data is set. The address CAP is set in the CAP register (C color start position register) (S410), and the B data start address BAP is set in the BAP register (B color start position register) (S411). In this way, the data to be printed is registered in the color text buffers currently scheduled to be printed, and the print start address is registered in each color register.

Further, the end address SA of the return controllable area L2 is fetched into the SA register (paper front-back boundary position register) (S412). Also, four flags Y
#, M #, C #, B # are set respectively (S413
~ S416). This completes the preprocessing for starting printing.

Next, in S417 of FIG. 15, it is judged whether or not YAP≤SA, and YAP≤SA, that is, the area "L".
If yellow data exists in 2 ", the Y flag is set (S418). On the other hand, if YAP> SA, that is, if there is no yellow data in the area" L2 ", the Y flag is reset (S430).

Similarly, in S419, it is determined whether or not MAP ≦ SA. If MAP ≦ SA, that is, magenta data exists in the area “L2”, the M flag is set (S420). On the other hand, MAP> SA, that is, the area “L”
If there is no magenta data in 2 ", the M flag is reset (S431).

Similarly, in S421, it is determined whether or not CAP≤SA. If CAP≤SA, that is, cyan data exists in the area "L2", the C flag is set (S422). On the other hand, MAP> SA, that is, the area “L”
If cyan data does not exist in 2 ", the C flag is reset (S432).

Similarly, in S423, it is determined whether or not BAP≤SA. If BAP≤SA, that is, if black data exists in the area "L2", the B flag is set (S424). On the other hand, BAP> SA, that is, the area "L"
If there is no black data in 2 ", the B flag is reset (S433).

In this way, for each color of YMCB, whether or not print data exists in the return controllable area L2 is stored in each color flag of YMCB.

Next, S425, S426 and S4 in FIG.
27, in S428, it is sequentially determined whether or not the YMCB flag is set (is 1). If the YMCB flag is not set at all, it means that there is no data to be printed in the area L2. Therefore, the process advances to S429 to perform mono-color printing on the lower area of the printing paper 24 or perform multi-color printing. Wait for operator's instruction as to whether to print.
When the operator selects mono-color printing, S in FIG.
Jumping to 307, the latter half processing of high-efficiency monocolor printing is performed. When the operator selects the multi-color printing, the process jumps to S202 of FIG. 10 and the normal multi-color printing is performed.

FIG. 6C shows the display unit 15 in this case.
The display screen 15a of FIG. Ribbon type (mono color, multi color) for the operator to select, and the specified color (yellow, when the operator selects the mono color ribbon)
Magenta, cyan, and black) are displayed. The point at which printing is interrupted on the printing paper is displayed as an image (indicated by "x" in the figure). Therefore, the operator can select the correspondence by looking at this display, and the operability is good.

If any of the color flags is set in S425 to S428, it is checked whether or not the state change has occurred in each color flag. That is, the contents of the Y # flag and the contents of the Y flag are compared in S434, and S43
5, the contents of the M # flag and the contents of the M flag are compared, and S4
At 36, the contents of the C # flag and the contents of the C flag are compared,
In S437, the contents of the B # flag and the contents of the B flag are compared. If there is any state change in each color flag in S434, S435, S436, S437, S4
Proceeding to step 38, the operator waits for an instruction as to whether to perform mono-color printing or multi-color printing on the upper area of the printing paper 24. When the operator selects mono-color printing, the process jumps to S302 in FIG. 12 and the first half process of high-efficiency mono-color printing is performed. On the other hand, when the operator selects the multi-color printing, the process proceeds to S439 where the contents of the Y flag are updated and corrected to the Y # flag, the contents of the M flag are updated and corrected to the M # flag, and the C flag is set. The contents are updated and corrected to the C # flag, and the contents of the B flag are updated and corrected to the B # flag. As a result, subsequent state changes are processed based on this new flag content.

Now, S434, S435, S436, S
If there is no state change in each color flag at 437, or S
When the content of the flag is updated in 439, the actual print processing shown in FIG. 17 is started.

First, in S501, the discrimination mark 32 of the multi-color ribbon (see FIG. 4) 25 loaded in the printer is detected to determine what color the current color segment is. If the determination mark is yellow 32 (Y), the process proceeds to S511.

In S511, Y data is printed from the head address indicated by the YAP register toward the end of the document until one segment of yellow is completed or until the address value of the SA register is reached. Then, the print completed data is erased from the Y text buffer (S512), and the start address of the remaining Y data is set in the YAP register as the next print start address (S513).

Assuming that the Y color is printed first, the discrimination mark is magenta 32 (Y) in S501.
When it is, it progresses to S521.

In S521, M data is printed from the head address indicated by the MAP register toward the end of the document until one segment of magenta is completed or the address value of the SA register is reached. At this time, the data overlapping with the Y data is excluded from the print target. Then, the print completed data is deleted from the M text buffer (S522),
The head address of the remaining M data is set in the MAP register as the next print start address (S523).

Assuming that the Y color and the M color are printed first, the discrimination mark is cyan 3 in S501.
If it is 2 (C), the process proceeds to S531.

In S531, the C data is transferred from the start address indicated by the CAP register toward the end of the document by the cyan 1
Print until the segment is complete or until the SA register address value is reached. At this time, the data overlapping with the Y data and the M data is excluded from the print target. Then, the print completed data is erased from the C text buffer (S5
32), the start address of the remaining C data is set in the CAP register as the next print start address (S5).
33).

If it is determined in step S501 that the discrimination mark is black 32 (B) on the assumption that the colors Y, M, and C have been printed in advance, the process proceeds to step S541.

In S541, the B data is printed from the head address indicated by the BAP register toward the end of the document until one black segment is completed or the address value of the SA register is reached. At this time, the data that overlaps the Y data, the M data, and the C data is excluded from printing. Subsequently, the data for which printing has been completed is erased from the B text buffer (S542), and the start address of the remaining B data is set in the CAP register as the next print start address (S543). After this, the process returns to S417 in FIG.

Since the next print start address is set in the register for each color in this way, printing can be started smoothly.

The M color is printed with the Y color as the preceding target (S521), the C color is printed with the Y color and the M color as the preceding targets (S531), and the Y color, the M color, and the C color are preceded targets. Since the B color is printed as, the overlapping order of the colors can be managed to be constant, and the printed tint can be stabilized.

Next, a specific management method of each color segment 31 of the multi-color ribbon (see FIG. 4) 25 in the actual printing process will be described.

As a management method of each color segment of the multi-color ribbon 25, the present invention proposes two management methods.

The first management method is that the relative position between the thermal head 22 and the ribbon sensor 29 shown in FIG.
As shown in 0, this is a method that utilizes generation of a time difference MG. In other words, when printing is performed on the thermal head 22, even if the ribbon sensor 29 extracts the discrimination mark 32, a fixed time difference MG occurs until the discrimination mark physically reaches the thermal head. To do. Therefore,
It is a method of using the time difference MG to know that the segment currently in use has reached the end. According to this management method, the printing is ended based on the timing detected by the ribbon sensor 29, so that the unused remaining amount of each color segment can be effectively used until it reaches a constant value.

In FIG. 20, YSeg represents a yellow segment and corresponds to the segment 31 (Y) in FIG. For example, when printing the data A, in actual driving of the thermal head 22, a rising processing time (pre-data ribbon running time) Pr and a falling processing time (post-data ribbon running time) Pt are required, and the data is printed on the ribbon 25. A blank area is required before and after the area Y2 corresponding to A. Pr and Pt also exist before and after the next data B, and accordingly the area Y4 corresponding to the data B on the ribbon 25
A blank area is required before and after a. Therefore, the time difference MG
The segment can be effectively used by providing Pt in a width equal to or less than the width.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21, S60
In step 1, the discrimination mark (next discrimination mark) of the next segment is checked, and if the next discrimination mark is detected, it is determined that the time difference MG is within the range, and the printing is ended. On the other hand, if the next discrimination mark is not detected, print data is created in S602, and printing is started in S603. And again S
The next discrimination mark is checked at 604, and if the next discrimination mark is confirmed, the printing is ended. If the next discrimination mark is not confirmed, it is checked in S605 whether printing of one data has been completed. If printing is still in progress, the process returns to S604 and continuous printing is performed. If printing of one data has already been completed in S605, it is checked in S606 whether there is data to be printed next. If there is no data to be printed next, printing ends. If there is data to be printed next, the processing returns to S601 and is repeated.

This first management method has the advantage that it is simple, although the end of the segment physically ends with MG.

In the second management method, as shown in FIG. 22, after the judgment mark 32 is first judged, the end of the segment currently in use is known depending on how far the print length position "PRT" advances. Is the way.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, S70
Set the PRT register to zero by setting 1 to (YSeg-PR
It is determined whether T)> (Pr + Pr), that is, whether the remaining amount (length) of the current segment is larger than the sum of the rising processing time Pr and the falling processing time Pt (S702). In S702 (YSeg-PRT)
If ≦ (Pr + Pr), that is, if the remaining amount of the segment is smaller than (Pr + Pt), it is meaningless to request the tape running, and therefore processing is performed as 1 segment printing completion for that color. As a result, the color segments can be effectively used until the unused remaining amount reaches a fixed value.

On the other hand, in S702, (YSeg-PRT)
If it is> (Pr + Pr), the process advances to step S703 to start printing. Then, the amount of PRT is counted up and increased according to the progress of printing (amount of segment used) (S704). Then, in S705, it is checked whether or not (YSeg-PRT)> Pt for the remaining segment amount, and if (YSeg-PRT) ≦ Pt, one segment printing is completed. On the other hand, (YSeg-PRT)> P
If it is t, it is checked in S706 whether printing of one data has been completed. If printing is still in progress, the process returns to S704 and continuous printing is performed. If printing of one data has already been completed in S706, it is checked in S707 whether there is data to be printed next. If there is no data to be printed next, printing ends. If there is data to be printed next, the data to be printed next is extracted in S708, and the process returns to S702 to repeat the processing.

Since the second management method can adjust the ending method according to the situation at that time, the ribbon use efficiency can be further improved as compared with the first management method.

Next, an example of actual data printing will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.

In FIG. 18, D1 to D16 indicate 16 data blocks. Among them, the data D1 to D12 are in the return controllable area L2, and the data D13 to D16
Is in the return uncontrollable area LE.

For example, the contents of D1 are B1 (black print), the contents of D2 are Y2 (yellow print), and the contents of D3 are M3 (magenta print). The contents of D4 are divided into Y4a (yellow print 4a) and Y4b (yellow print 4b), and C4 (cyan print) on this.
Are overlapped and printed.

FIG. 19 shows the print data shown in FIG.
It is shown on the multicolor ribbon according to the place of use. However, in FIG. 19, in practice, for convenience, each segment which is sequentially arranged in the order of Y → M → C → B → Y → M → C → B on the multi-color ribbon is 6 for each color. It is shown together for each segment. In practice, for example, the first segment of yellow (shown in the top row) is connected to the first segment of magenta (connection is indicated by t1), and the first segment of magenta is connected to the first segment of cyan (connection is t2). , The first segment of cyan is connected to the first segment of black (connection is shown by t3), the first segment of black is connected to the second segment of yellow (shown in the second row) (connection is shown at t4). The yellow second segment is connected to the magenta second segment (connection is shown at t5), the magenta second segment is connected to the cyan second segment (connection is shown at t6), the cyan second segment. Is connected to the black second segment (connection is indicated by t7), the black second segment is the yellow third segment It is connected (connection shown by the t8). The print data shown in FIG. 18 is shown on the segments of each color arranged in this way for convenience, in correspondence with the use positions.

The use situation of this multi-color ribbon will be examined with time with reference to FIG.

(I) First, the data Y2 and Y4a are printed by the first segment of yellow. Each data Y2,
A rising process time Pr and a falling process time Pt are secured before and after Y4a. As shown in FIG. 18, the data Y2 belongs to the data block D2, and the data Y4a belongs to the data block D4. The data Y4a and Y4b belonging to the data block D4 are not printed at once in order to eliminate waste in use of the tape, but only the first half Y4a is printed first. The latter half Y4b will be postponed. The reason why it can be postponed is that the text data is managed in page units.

(Ii) Next, as shown in FIG. 19, after printing by the first segment of yellow, printing by the first segment of magenta is performed. Data M3, M6, and M8a are printed in the first segment of magenta. FIG.
, The data M3 belongs to the data block D3, the data M6 belongs to the data block D6, and the data M3
8a belongs to the data block D8. Data block D
The data M7 in the latter half of 7 is not printed in the first segment of magenta and is postponed because the data Y7 in the first half of the block has not been printed yet.

(Iii) Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the data C4, C6, C9a is generated by the first segment of cyan.
Is printed. As shown in FIG. 18, the data C4 belongs to the data block D4, and the data C6 belongs to the data block D4.
6, the data C9a belongs to the data block D9. Data C9a and C9b belonging to the data block D9
In order to eliminate waste in using the tape, the tape is not printed at once, but only the first half C9a is printed first. Like the data Y4b, the latter half C9b is postponed.

(Iv) Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the data B1, B5, B11 are generated by the first black segment.
a is printed. As shown in FIG. 18, the data B1 belongs to the data block D1, the data B5 belongs to the data block D5, and the data B11a belongs to the data block D11. Data B11 belonging to data block D11
The a and B11b are not printed at once in order to eliminate waste in using the tape, but only the first half data B11a is printed first. Data Y4b, C9b
Similarly, the latter half B11b is postponed.

(V) Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the data Y4b, Y7, and Y10 are printed in the second segment of yellow. As shown in FIG. 18, Y4b is the latter half data of the data block D4, Y7 is the first half data of the data block D7, and Y10 is the data block D.
It is the data of the head part of 10. This completes the printing of the portion of the yellow data in the return controllable area L2.

(Vi) Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the data M7, M8b, and M1 are generated by the magenta second segment.
0 is printed. As shown in FIG. 18, M7 is the latter half data of the data block D7, M8b is the latter half data of the data block D8, and M10 is the data block D10.
Is the data of the central part of. Due to the limitation of the segment length, the data M12 belonging to the data block D12 is not printed in this second segment, but is printed in the third segment described later.

(Vii) Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the data C9b and C10 are printed by the second segment of cyan. As shown in FIG. 18, C9b is the latter half data of the data block D9, and C10 is the data block D1.
This is the data at the end of 0. This completes the printing of the portion of the cyan data that is present in the return controllable area L2, so the remaining area CP1 of this second segment is idly fed.

(Viii) Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the data B11b is printed by the second segment of the block. As shown in FIG. 18, B11b is the latter half data of the data block D11. This completes the printing of the portion of the black data that is present in the return controllable area L2, so that the remaining area BP1 of the second segment is also idly fed.

(Ix) Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the third segment of yellow is idly fed, and the data M12 is printed by the third segment of magenta. As a result, all printing of the data of each color existing in the return controllable area L2 is completed. The cyan third segment and the black third segment are fed in the air.

As described above, since the data belonging to the data block is divided and printing is performed until the unused remaining amount of each color segment in the ribbon falls within a fixed value, compared with the case of performing normal multicolor printing. Therefore, it is possible to reduce waste in use such as idling of the multi-color ribbon. Further, since it is not necessary to replace the ribbon, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator as compared with monocolor printing, and it is possible to perform color printing at high speed.

From the viewpoint of ribbon usage efficiency,
It is better to shift from multi-color printing to mono-color printing before waste occurs in areas CP1, BP1, YP1, CP2, and BP2. It is for this reason that the transition to mono-color printing can be selected in S438 shown in FIG.

(X) Next, the data existing in the return uncontrollable area LE in FIG. 18 is printed line by line.

First, the data C13, Y14, M14 and C14 existing in the first line of the area LE are printed. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the data Y14 is printed by the yellow fourth segment, the data M14 is printed by the magenta fourth segment, the data C13, C14 is printed by the cyan fourth segment, and the black fourth segment is fed in the air. .

Next, the data M15, C15, B16 existing in the second line of the area LE is printed. That is, the fifth segment of yellow is skipped, the data M15 is printed by the fifth segment of magenta, the data C15 is printed by the fifth segment of cyan, and the fifth segment of black is printed.
The data B16 is printed by the segment.

In this case, it is possible to save the labor of replacing the ribbon, reduce the burden on the operator, and perform high-speed color printing.

The region B of the black fourth segment
The area YP3 of the third segment of P3 and yellow is wasted. The reason why the transition to mono-color printing can be selected in S429 shown in FIG. 16 is that the operator wants to avoid this waste rather than convenience of the operation.

After all, according to the methods (i) to (x),
It is possible to print with 5 segments of each color shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the data shown in FIG. 18 is printed in the normal multi-color printing mode, there is much waste of the ribbon and 12 segments for each color are required. As described above, according to this method, the usage efficiency of the ribbon can be significantly improved.

The Japanese word processor WD-C700 manufactured by Sharp Corp. is always equipped with four color mono-color ribbons and automatically switches the ribbons to realize color printing (auto ribbon changer system). By combining the contents of the present invention with a word processor having such an automatic ribbon changer mechanism, it is possible to select a more advanced printing method and perform printing according to the situation.

[0140]

As is clear from the above, according to the color printing method of the first aspect, after printing one row of the printing paper with one color segment of the multi-color ribbon, it is not used for one color segment. When there is a remaining amount, the printing sheet driving means feeds the printing sheet to the print head in one direction, and the one color segment causes the unused remaining amount to become a constant value in another row of the printing sheet. Since the printing is performed up to, the unused remaining amount of the one color segment can be reduced.
Therefore, the unused remaining amount in the used multi-color ribbon can be reduced as compared to the conventional one, and the ribbon usage efficiency can be improved. As a result, running costs can be reduced.

According to the color printing method of the second aspect, since the printing with the one color segment is finished based on the timing when the discrimination mark is detected by the discrimination mark detecting means, the unused remaining amount of the color segment becomes a constant value. Until then, the ribbon can be used effectively. Further, when the printing of the print data of the color corresponding to the one color segment is started next time, the printing is started from the print data of the address stored in the head address storage means, so that the printing can be performed smoothly. it can.

In the color printing method of the third aspect, when the difference between the length of one color segment and the ribbon running length represented by the count value of the counting means becomes a constant value, the printing with the one color segment is finished. Therefore, the ribbon can be effectively used until the unused remaining amount of the color segment reaches a constant value. Further, when the printing of the print data of the color corresponding to the one color segment is started next time, the printing is started from the print data of the address stored in the head address storage means, so that the printing can be performed smoothly. it can.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the color printing method, when the print data of each color is printed at a plurality of locations in one line, or when the print data is printed from the one line to another line, the printing is performed. Since a blank corresponding to the pressing and releasing time of the print head is provided before and after the data to be printed on the paper, printing can be performed smoothly.

According to the color printing method of claim 5, in the non-return-controllable area where the printing paper driving means cannot return the printing paper in the opposite direction, different colors of the multi-color ribbon are provided for each line on the printing paper. One of multiple color segments with
Since printing is performed in a cycle or a plurality of cycles, printing can be performed smoothly.

According to the color printing method of claim 6, when the printing of a part of the color data among the printing data of the plurality of colors is completed on the printing paper, the color of the remaining printing data from the multi-color ribbon is dealt with. After switching to a single color mono-color ribbon for each color and returning the print paper to the print head in the reverse direction by the print paper drive means, printing is performed using the mono color ribbon. The use efficiency of the ribbon can be improved as compared with the case where printing is performed using the color ribbon as it is. The reason for this is that if the multi-color ribbon is used as it is, the color segments corresponding to some of the colors for which the printing has been completed are fed in idle, and the ribbon usage efficiency is slightly reduced. Moreover, since printing is performed while the printing paper is fed back, printing can be performed at high speed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color printing method, wherein the printing paper driving means cannot return the printing paper in the reverse direction, and in the non-return control area, a plurality of mono-color lines are printed line by line on the printing paper. Since printing is performed using the ribbon, printing can be performed smoothly.

According to the color printing method of claim 8, when the print data of a plurality of colors are overlapped and printed on a specific portion of the printing paper, the order of color superposition is constant, so that the tint is stable. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of color difference.

According to the color printing method of the ninth aspect, every time the printing by the color segment is completed, the printed data portion is erased from the print data stored in the print data storage means. When the same color is printed on, the address to start printing can be easily searched.
Therefore, printing can be performed at high speed.

In the color printing method of claim 10, wherein the multi-color ribbon includes a black segment in the plurality of color segments, and printing data of a plurality of colors is superposed on a specific portion of the printing paper. In the above specific location,
Since the black segment is used to print the black color last among the plurality of colors, the printed image can be made clear.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a color printing apparatus for carrying out a color printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a printer of the color printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a ribbon cassette is loaded in the printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a multi-color ribbon.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline flow of a color printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of a display unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a normal mono-color printing mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram exemplifying text data in normal monochrome printing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram exemplifying text data in normal multi-color printing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a normal multi-color printing mode.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a normal multi-color printing mode.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a high efficiency multi-color printing mode.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a high efficiency multi-color printing mode.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a high efficiency multi-color printing mode.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a high efficiency multi-color printing mode.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a high efficiency multi-color printing mode.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a high efficiency multi-color printing mode.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating print data to be printed on a print sheet.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a usage state of the multi-color ribbon when printing the print data of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an operation of managing an unused remaining amount of a color segment using a discrimination mark.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a processing flow for managing an unused remaining amount of a color segment using a discrimination mark.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an operation of managing an unused remaining amount of a color segment using a discrimination mark.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a processing flow of managing an unused remaining amount of a color segment using a discrimination mark.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a conventional color printing method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 input unit 12 control unit 13 storage unit 13a print data storage unit 13b address storage unit 13c ribbon remaining amount management unit 14 printing unit 15 display unit 21 carriage 22 thermal head 23 platen 24 printing paper 25 ink ribbon

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A multi-color ribbon formed by periodically arranging a plurality of color segments each having a different color in a longitudinal direction, wherein the multi-color ribbon is provided between a printing paper and a print head by a ribbon driving means. Is a color printing method in which the print data stored in the print data storage means for each color is printed for each color by the color segment corresponding to each color of the print data. After printing with one color segment of the multi-color ribbon, and when there is an unused remaining amount in the one color segment, the printing paper driving means feeds the printing paper in one direction to the print head. Then, printing is performed on the other row of the printing paper by the one color segment until the unused remaining amount reaches a constant value, and the printing paper drive means After returning the printing paper in the reverse direction relative to the print head Te, color printing method and performing printing by another color segment following the color segments of the one on the print paper. 2. The color printing method according to claim 1, wherein a discrimination mark representing a color segment adjacent on the upstream side in the traveling direction is provided at the boundary of each color segment of the multi-color ribbon, and the traveling of the multi-color ribbon. A discriminating mark detecting means for detecting the discriminating mark is provided on the upstream side of the print head with respect to the direction, and during the printing by the one color segment, the discriminating mark detecting means detects the next When the discrimination mark representing the color segment is detected, the printing with the one color segment is completed based on the timing when the discrimination mark is detected, and the print data of the color corresponding to the one color segment is not yet printed. The head address of the unprinted portion is stored in the head address storage means, and the ribbon When the multi-color ribbon is run by the moving means to start printing the print data of the color next time, the printing is started from the print data of the address stored in the head address storage means. Color printing method. 3. The color printing method according to claim 1, wherein a discrimination mark representing a color segment adjacent to the upstream side in the traveling direction is provided at the boundary of each color segment of the multi-color ribbon, and the traveling of the multi-color ribbon. With respect to the direction, a discrimination mark detecting means for detecting the discrimination mark is provided on the upstream side of the print head, and when the discrimination mark of the one color segment is detected by the discrimination mark detecting means, the multi-color ribbon is counted by the counting means. Of the running length of the one color segment, when the difference between the running length of the ribbon represented by the count value of the counting means is a constant value,
With the end of printing with the one color segment,
The head address storage means stores the head address of the portion of the print data of the color corresponding to the one color segment that has not yet been printed, and the ribbon driving means runs the multi-color ribbon to A color printing method characterized in that, when printing of print data is next started, printing is started from print data of the address stored in the head address storage means. 4. The color printing method according to claim 1, wherein the print data of each color is printed at a plurality of locations in one line, or is printed from the one line to another line. At this time, a color printing method is characterized in that a blank corresponding to the pressing and releasing time of the print head is provided before and after the data to be printed on the printing paper. 5. The color printing method according to claim 1, wherein the return control uncontrollable region in which the print sheet drive unit cannot return the print sheet in the reverse direction is 1 on the print sheet.
A color printing method, wherein printing is performed for each row by one cycle or a plurality of cycles of a plurality of color segments having different colors of the multi-color ribbon. 6. The color printing method according to claim 1, wherein when printing of data of a part of colors of the printing data of the plurality of colors is completed on the printing paper, the remaining printing data from the multi-color ribbon is printed. After switching to a single color mono-color ribbon corresponding to the above color and returning the print paper to the print head in the reverse direction by the print paper driving means for each color, printing is performed using the mono color ribbon. A color printing method characterized by performing. 7. The color printing method according to claim 1, wherein the return control uncontrollable region in which the print sheet drive means cannot return the print sheet in the reverse direction is 1 on the print sheet.
A color printing method, wherein printing is performed using a plurality of mono-color ribbons for each row. 8. The color printing method according to claim 1, wherein, when printing data of a plurality of colors is overlapped and printed at a specific location on the printing paper, one color segment corresponding to a color to be printed later. When facing the print head, the print data of the color to be printed later is printed after one cycle or a plurality of cycles of the one color segment until the print data of the color to be printed first is completed. A color printing method, characterized in that the color segments are postponed so that the order of color superposition at specific locations on the printing paper becomes constant. 9. The color printing method according to claim 8, wherein each time printing by the color segment is completed, a data part of which printing is completed is erased from the print data stored in the print data storage means. A color printing method characterized by. 10. The color printing method according to claim 1, wherein the multi-color ribbon includes a black segment in the plurality of color segments, and a plurality of color segments are provided at specific locations on the printing paper. When the print data of the color is overprinted, a black color is finally printed at the specific location by the black segment among the plurality of colors.