JPH09290551A - Ink ribbon and thermal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize the automatic inputting of a corrective information only by setting an ink ribbon to a thermal printer by a method wherein the recording part of a production information is provided on the ink ribbon using on a sublimation transfer type thermal printer. SOLUTION: On the leader film 1, in which a production information is recorded as the optically readable mark (or a bar code) 2, of an ink ribbon, the bar code as the mark of the production information, a yellow (Ye) ink range 3, a Ye printing start position mark 4 for indicating the printing start position of the yellow ink range 3, a magenta (Mg) ink range 5, a Mg printing start position mark 6 for indicating the printing start position of the magenta ink range 5 are provided. In addition, as the production information recorded by the bar code 2, a serial production member put to a product, a lot number and the like are used. On the basis of the production information given by the bar code, the corrective data for controlling the printing density at the execution of the printing with the ink ribbon are identified.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of stabilizing print quality in a sublimation transfer thermal printer against variations in characteristics due to manufacturing of the ink ribbon and other factors. In particular, the present invention relates to an ink ribbon and a sublimation transfer thermal printer for recording manufacturing information on the ink ribbon and strictly controlling the printing density in the sublimation transfer thermal printer based on the manufacturing information to obtain stable print quality.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sublimation transfer type thermal printer is capable of performing continuous gradation expression, and is therefore extremely rich in expression, high in quality, and capable of natural image reproduction. Therefore, it is also used in applications where high quality and reproducibility are particularly important. For example, for proof output of printed matter,
Examples include medical scanner-related output such as CT scanners, X-rays, gastrocameras, ultrasonic diagnostics, and color samples of apparel-related products and other products. In such applications, if high quality and reproducibility are especially required, the image data should not be printed as it is, but it should be corrected for variations in characteristics due to other factors such as the manufacturing of the ink ribbon. Then, printing is performed using the corrected image data.

The variation in the characteristics of the ink ribbon is caused by the fact that the printing conditions of the thermal printer are the same,
This is mainly manifested as a phenomenon in which the specified gradation reproduction relating to print density cannot be obtained. Especially when color printing is performed, the primary colors of the ink are Ye (Yellow) and Mg.
(Magenta), Cy (Cyan), or B
All the color tones are reproduced by overprinting them by using the parts of the ink ribbons of four colors in combination with k (Black). Therefore, in the case where the specified gradation reproduction cannot be obtained even with one of the three colors or the four colors, the color balance is disturbed and it becomes impossible to obtain good print reproducibility.

Therefore, in order to enable correction of gradation reproduction, conventionally, the manufacturer of the ink ribbon performs a printing test for each manufacturing lot, and the data to be corrected is determined based on the result of density measurement of the printed matter. It was calculated and added to the ink ribbon of the product before shipping.
Then, the user of the ink ribbon inputs the data into the printing system or the image processing system, sets so that the correction of the image data is appropriately performed, and then prints.

[0005]

However, in this method, the user of the ink ribbon has to input the correction information from the keyboard every time the ink ribbon is replaced, which is troublesome for the user. Moreover, there is a risk that the correction information may be entered incorrectly. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to
Just set the ink ribbon on the thermal printer,
An object is to provide an ink ribbon and a thermal printer configured to automatically input correction information.

[0006]

The above objects are achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the present invention is an "ink ribbon used in a sublimation transfer thermal printer, which has a recording portion for manufacturing information on the ink ribbon". According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, since the ink ribbon has the recording portion of the manufacturing information, the manufacturing information can be read from the ink ribbon, and the gradation correction data can be referred to based on the manufacturing information. This enables gradation correction. Further, the present invention is "the recording portion is an ink ribbon provided at a leading portion of an ink ribbon portion used in one printing". According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, since the manufacturing information recording portion is provided at the beginning of the portion of the ink ribbon used in one printing, it is easy to read the manufacturing information immediately before using the ink ribbon. You can do it.

Further, the present invention is "an ink ribbon provided in a leader film of the ink ribbon in the recording portion". According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, a leader film on which manufacturing information is recorded can be manufactured, and the leader film can be connected to the main body of the ink ribbon, so that the manufacturing method is rationalized. The present invention is also an "ink ribbon in which manufacturing information is recorded by optically readable marks". According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, since the manufacturing information is recorded by the mark and can be optically read, it is not necessary to read using a special sensor, and the manufacturing information can be read using a general optical sensor. It can be done easily. Further, the present invention is "an ink ribbon which is a mark recorded by an ink jet printer". According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, manufacturing information can be recorded in the manufacturing process of the ink ribbon, and the manufacturing method is rationalized.
Compared to the case where the manufacturing information is recorded on the printing plate, it is not necessary to create a new printing plate each time the manufacturing is performed (every time the manufacturing lot changes).

The present invention also relates to an "ink ribbon which is a mark recorded by a melt transfer type thermal printer". According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, in addition to the same effects as those described above for recording by an ink jet printer, a mark with a good print quality and density is recorded, and the reliability of mark reading is increased. Further, the present invention is "an ink ribbon in which the leader film is a leader film made of an aluminum vapor-deposited plastic film and the mark is a light scattering mark or a light absorption mark". According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, manufacturing information can be easily read by using a general reflection type optical sensor. The present invention also states that "the leader film is a leader film made of a transparent plastic film, and the mark is an ink ribbon which is a light shielding mark." According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, manufacturing information can be easily read using a general transmission type optical sensor.

The present invention is also an "ink ribbon composed of a bar code". According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, since the manufacturing information is recorded by the bar code, the manufacturing information can be easily read by using the bar code reader which is technically established and has high reading accuracy and which is inexpensive. Further, the present invention is "an ink ribbon which is a mark that is detected by scanning in the transport direction of the leader film". According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, it is possible to easily read manufacturing information from the mark while moving the ink ribbon during printing or the like. Further, the present invention is "the mark is an ink ribbon provided on the same ink ribbon transfer line as the print alignment mark for specifying the print start position on the ink ribbon". According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, the mark is provided on the same ink ribbon transfer line as the print alignment mark for specifying the print start position on the ink ribbon. The mark sensor can also be used.

The present invention also relates to a "detection section for reading the recording section of the manufacturing information recorded on the head portion of the ink ribbon and outputting a read signal, and a reproducing means for inputting the read signal and reproducing the data of the manufacturing information. And a thermal printer having a storage unit for storing the data of the manufacturing information. According to the thermal printer of the present invention, the detection unit reads the mark of the manufacturing information recorded on the ink ribbon and outputs the read signal, and the reproducing unit inputs the read signal to reproduce the data of the manufacturing information and store it. The unit stores the data of the manufacturing information. Based on the stored manufacturing information data, it is possible to perform gradation correction by referring to specific gradation correction data when printing is performed after storage.
Since the gradation correction is performed on the original image data, it need not necessarily be performed by the thermal printer, and can be performed by an external image processing system. Each time the mark on the ink ribbon is read, new manufacturing information data is stored in the storage unit of the thermal printer, and the data is used until the new mark is read next time. Further, the present invention is a “thermal printer including a calculation unit that performs a gradation correction calculation of image data to be printed based on the stored manufacturing information and a printing unit that performs printing based on the corrected image data”. According to the thermal printer of the present invention, gradation correction calculation of image data can be performed on the thermal printer.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments. Briefly speaking, the ink ribbon used in the sublimation transfer type thermal printer has a thin film such as polyethylene terephthalate having a thickness of about several μm as a base material, and the surface thereof is coated with an ink material by a gravure coating device or the like. To form an ink layer. This ink layer contains a sublimation type ink, and the ink is sublimated by heating the thermal head through the film substrate. Printing is done on the image receiving paper that is in close contact with the ink layer.
The sublimated ink is transferred and fixed. At that time, since the amount of ink that sublimes can be controlled by the heating amount of the thermal head, continuous gradation can be given to the print density.

Regarding the relationship between the heating amount of the thermal head and the printing density, the printing density is relatively low when the heating amount is small, and the printing density is high when the heating amount is large.
However, even if the heating amount is the same, the absolute value of the print density varies depending on the material and composition of the ink ribbon. In addition, even if the material and composition of the ink ribbon are basically the same, it is not possible to prepare all the conditions in the material lot, manufacturing lot, etc. and make them completely uniform. Even if there is, the absolute value of the print density will be different.

On the other hand, in the process of manufacturing the ink ribbon, the manufacturing conditions are adjusted so that the specified characteristics can be obtained. Specifically, in the initial stage of manufacturing,
The manufactured ink ribbon is used to print a gradation scale by a standardized thermal printer for testing, the print density of the printed gradation scale is measured, and the manufacturing conditions are reset according to the result. The resetting of the manufacturing conditions is mainly carried out by changing the viscosity and composition of the coating ink, but also by changing the conditions of the coating apparatus by changing the angle of the doctor blade. However, since it is impossible to adjust the conditions to completely homogenize it, it is inevitable that the product has variations in characteristics even within the specified range.

Therefore, in order to make it possible to correct the gradation reproduction in an application that requires particularly strict printing reproducibility, data used for gradation correction is calculated based on the result of density measurement of the printed matter. The data is shipped with the product ink ribbon in a form that can be referenced by manufacturing information. As described above, manufacturing information is recorded on the ink ribbon of the present invention, and the thermal printer of the present invention can read the manufacturing information. The gradation correction data corresponding to the ink ribbon is referred to based on the read manufacturing information, and the image data to be printed is corrected.

[0015]

EXAMPLES Next, an ink ribbon in which manufacturing information of the present invention is recorded will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of manufacturing information recorded on the ink ribbon of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an ink ribbon leader film in which manufacturing information is recorded as optically readable marks (bar codes). The leader film is transferred in the direction of arrow →, and the main body of the ink ribbon is also transferred with it. Also,
2 is a bar code which is a mark of manufacturing information recorded on the leader film 1, 3 is a yellow (Ye) ink area, 4
Is a Ye print start position mark indicating the print start position of the yellow ink region 3, 5 is a magenta (Mg) ink region,
Reference numeral 6 is a Mg print start position mark indicating the print start position of the magenta (Mg) ink region 5.

As the manufacturing information recorded by the bar code 2, a series of manufacturing numbers, lot numbers, etc. attached to products whose materials and manufacturing conditions are the same or can be regarded as the same can be used. Based on the manufacturing information, correction data for controlling the print density when printing is performed with the ink ribbon is identified. One correction data is in correspondence with one of a series of manufacturing numbers, lot numbers, etc., which is manufacturing information. Further, one common correction data can be made to correspond to a certain range such as a series of serial numbers and lot numbers.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bar code 2 is recorded on a portion near the side of the leader film 1, and the bar code 2 is detected by scanning in the transport direction of the leader film 1. Therefore, the scanning of the barcode 2 can be performed by the ink ribbon transfer mechanism of the thermal printer and the sensor fixed to the thermal printer. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the print alignment marks such as the Ye print position mark 4, the Mg print start position mark 6 and the like are located in the vicinity of the side of the ink ribbon body such as the yellow ink region 3 and the magenta ink region 5. It is recorded. That is, the bar code 2 is provided on the same ink ribbon transfer line as the print alignment mark for specifying the print start position on the ink ribbon. Therefore, the sensor for detecting the barcode 2 and the sensor for detecting the print alignment mark can be shared. An optical sensor can be used as the sensor, but details will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example (part 2) of manufacturing information recorded on the ink ribbon of the present invention. 2, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.
The same applies to the drawings for explaining the present invention. In FIG. 2, 7 is a black ink area, and 8 is a bar code provided on the rear portion of the black ink area 7. When performing multicolor printing with an ink ribbon, as described above, each ink of yellow (Ye), magenta (Mg), cyan (Cy), and black (Bk) is overprinted and the density of each ink is controlled. To reproduce all the color tones. Each ink region of the ink ribbon is provided in the order of overprinting, and the portion of the ink ribbon used in one printing is constituted by each of the above ink regions. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the order of overprinting is yellow (Ye), magenta (Mg), cyan (Cy), and black (Bk) in that order, with the yellow ink region 3 at the beginning and the black ink region 7 at the end. is there.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this example, the bar code 8 is provided at the rear portion of the black ink area 7.
The portion where the barcode 8 is provided is substantially
This is the leading portion of the yellow ink area 3, that is, the leading portion of the portion of the ink ribbon used in one printing. By providing the bar code 8 in which the manufacturing information is recorded in such a portion of the ink ribbon, the manufacturing information can always be read immediately before the start of printing. Therefore, the manufacturing information can be read even when the ink ribbon is exchanged during use of the ink ribbon and the leader film is wound.

Next, the structure of the manufacturing information recording portion of the ink ribbon and the optical sensor for reading the manufacturing information will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a reflected light detection type optical sensor used in the detection unit of a thermal printer and a leader film used in the ink ribbon in that case, or the configuration of a portion in which manufacturing information of the ink ribbon body is recorded. FIG. In FIG. 3, 31 is a base film made of a plastic film such as polyethylene terephthalate, 32 is an aluminum vapor deposition layer formed on the base film 31, 33 is a transparent surface that protects the aluminum vapor deposition layer and enhances the adhesiveness of the mark. Layers 34a are manufacturing information marks (black marks which are black portions of marks such as barcodes) recorded on the surface layer 33, and 34b are manufacturing information marks (black marks such as barcodes) on the surface layer 33. 35a is a reflected light detection type optical sensor that indicates a state in which a black mark 34a is detected, and 35b is a reflection that indicates a state in which a black mark is not recorded 34b. It is a light detection type optical sensor.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reflected light detection type sensor 3
Reference numerals 5a and 35b are optical sensors in which a light projecting portion and a light receiving portion are integrally formed. The light beam projected from the light projecting portion to the black mark 34a by the reflected light detection type sensor 35a is the black mark 34a.
Since the light is absorbed and scattered at, the amount of light received by the light receiving portion is small. On the other hand, the light beam projected by the reflected light detection type sensor 35b from the light projecting portion to the portion 34b in which the black mark is not recorded is transmitted through the transparent surface layer 33 in the portion 34b in which the black mark is not recorded and aluminum vapor deposition is performed. A surface layer 33 that is reflective (substantially specular) at layer 32 and is again transparent.
To reach the light receiving part. Therefore, the amount of light received at the light receiving portion is large. Due to the difference in the amount of received light, the reflected light detection sensors 35a and 35b output a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of a black mark.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of a transmitted light detection type optical sensor used in the detection portion of a thermal printer and the structure of a leader film used in the ink ribbon in that case, or a portion in which manufacturing information of the ink ribbon main body is recorded. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure. In FIG. 4, 41 is a transparent substrate film made of a plastic film such as polyethylene terephthalate, 42 is a transparent surface layer that enhances the adhesiveness of the mark, and 43a is a mark (bar code) of manufacturing information recorded on the surface layer 42. 43b is a mark of manufacturing information on the surface layer 33 (a portion adjacent to a black portion of a mark such as a bar code and the black mark is not recorded), and 44a is a black mark 43a. Of the transmitted light detecting type optical sensor showing the state of detecting the black mark, 44b of the transmitting part of the transmitted light detecting type optical sensor showing the state of detecting the portion 43b where no black mark is recorded, and 45a of the black mark 43a. The light receiving portion of the transmitted light detection type optical sensor showing a state of detecting the black spot, and 45b is a portion 43b where no black mark is recorded.
It is a light receiving part of a reflected light detection type optical sensor showing a state of detecting the

As shown in FIG. 4, a light beam transmitted through the transparent base material film 41 and the transparent surface layer 42 by the light projecting portion 44a of the transmitted light detection type sensor and projected on the black mark 43a is at the black mark 43a. Since it is shielded, the amount of light received at the light receiving portion of the transmitted light detection sensor is extremely small. On the other hand, a light beam which is transmitted from the light projecting portion 44b of the transmitted light detection type sensor through the transparent substrate film 41 and the transparent surface layer 42 to the portion 43b where no black mark is recorded is black. Since no mark is recorded on the portion 43b where no mark is recorded, the mark reaches the light receiving portion of the transmitted light detection type sensor without being greatly attenuated. Therefore, the amount of light received at the light receiving portion is large. Depending on the difference in the amount of received light, the transmitted light detection type sensor outputs a detection signal for the presence or absence of a black mark.

The manufacturing information marks shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are
A melt transfer thermal printer or an ink jet printer can be used to record the manufacturing information on the reader film or the ink ribbon body. Using the manufactured ink ribbon, the gradation scale is printed by a sublimation transfer type thermal printer that is standardized for testing, the printing density of the printed gradation scale is measured, and the correction data of the printing density is generated based on the result. To be done. The gradation scale is a scale that gives a stepwise print density consisting of discrete values, for example, selected from a range of values from 0 to 255. It is specified that a predetermined portion of the gradation scale has a predetermined print density value (density value range). Therefore, in order to obtain the specified print density when the value is out of the specified range, the value of the predetermined part of the gradation scale is calculated, and the calculated value is obtained. When the value of the difference between the value and the original predetermined value of the predetermined portion is obtained, it becomes the correction data.

The correction data includes data for correcting the density and data relating to manufacturing information, and the correction data can be identified by the manufacturing information.
The correction data thus obtained is correction data that differs depending on the lot of the ink ribbon and other units, so by recording manufacturing information on the reader film with a melt transfer thermal printer or an ink jet printer, Correction data for small lots and other small units can be identified from records of ink ribbon manufacturing information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the ink ribbon, the detection unit, and their arrangement when set in the thermal printer. In FIG. 5, 51 is an ink ribbon, 52 is a roll on the supply side of the ink ribbon 51, 53 is a roll on the take-up side of the ink ribbon 51, 54 is a recording section for manufacturing information, and 55 is a detection section of a thermal printer. As shown in FIG. 5, the ink ribbon 51 is a roll of a long sheet (long film), and the sheet (film) unwound by the supply side roll 52 is wound around the wind side roll 53. Then, the supply side roll 52 and the winding side roll 53
In the meantime, the mark recorded in the manufacturing information recording unit 54 is read by the detection unit 55 of the thermal printer. Further, the gradation correction calculation of the original image data is performed based on the read manufacturing information, and the printing by the head (not shown) of the thermal printer based on the obtained corrected image data is performed by the supply side roll 52 and the winding side. It is performed between the rolls 53. The cassette case of the ink ribbon is not shown in FIG. Some of the ink ribbons are stored in the cassette case and some are not stored in the cassette case. The present invention is not limited by the presence / absence of a cassette case to be stored, and can be applied to any case.

Next, the thermal printer of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process of reading manufacturing information by the thermal printer of the present invention. The manufacturing information reading process is performed every time the ink ribbon is replaced if the manufacturing information is recorded only on the leader film, and immediately after the ink ribbon is replaced, the manufacturing information is read and the thermal printer is read. The data of the manufacturing information is stored in the storage unit. The stored data is stored until the next ink ribbon is replaced, and the data is updated when the next ink ribbon is replaced. When manufacturing information is recorded at the beginning of the ink ribbon used in one printing, the manufacturing information is read before printing and the manufacturing information data is stored in the memory of the thermal printer. Is stored. First, in step S1, the exchange of the ink ribbon is started, and the ink ribbon is set in the ink ribbon storage portion of the thermal printer. If the ink ribbon is stored in the cassette case, it is simply attached to the ink ribbon storage section. If the ink ribbon is not stored in the cassette case, install the roll-shaped ink ribbon in the supply side holder of the ink ribbon storage part, pull out the beginning part of the ink ribbon, and wind it on the winding side roll. wear.

Next, in step S2, it is determined whether the ribbon is a new ribbon. Especially in the case of the ink ribbon stored in the cassette case, and also in the case of the roll-shaped ink ribbon, the ink ribbon which has been used up to the middle may be taken out from the thermal printer and mounted for reuse. In addition, the opening / closing hatch of the ink ribbon storage may be opened for inspection. In the case of an ink ribbon used halfway, when the recording section 54 for manufacturing information is provided on the leader film, it cannot be read because it is caught by the take-up roll. Therefore, it is judged whether or not it is a new ribbon, and when it is a new ribbon or when the manufacturing information is recorded in the ink ribbon body, the operator turns on the manufacturing information reading mode switch of the thermal printer. To do. When the manufacturing information reading mode switch is "ON", the manufacturing information is read in the process steps of S3 and subsequent steps described below.

When the manufacturing information is recorded only on the leader film and it is not new, the operator does not operate the correction information reading mode switch of the thermal printer. In that case,
The correction information reading mode switch is “OFF”, and the manufacturing information that has already been set remains valid. Alternatively, the operator resets appropriate manufacturing information based on the manufacturing lot number of the ink ribbon. When the manufacturing information is recorded only on the leader film and is not new, the steps S3 to S6 of reading the gradation information are omitted in the thermal printer.

Next, in step S3, the hatch of the ink ribbon storage portion of the thermal printer is closed. When the hatch is closed, a routine for automatically reading manufacturing information is started and a series of operations is started. Next, in step S4, the ink ribbon is wound up, and the ink ribbon is unwound from the supply side roll 52 and wound up onto the winding side roll 53. Next, in step S5, when the recording portion (bar code) of the manufacturing information of the ink ribbon reaches the position of the detecting portion 55 of the thermal printer, the detecting portion 55 of the thermal printer reads the recording portion. As a result of reading the barcode by the detection unit 55, a series of detection signals output is
Data is input by a data processing unit of the thermal printer (a central processing unit, a storage device, and their peripheral devices incorporated in the thermal printer) and stored in a temporary storage device such as a register.

Next, in step S6, the read data in the temporary storage device is stored in the storage unit as it is or after the data format is converted by the data processing unit of the thermal printer. The data stored in this storage unit is retained. Then, when printing is performed and the ink ribbon is finished (step S7), the process returns to step S1, the above process is repeated, and the data stored in the storage unit is updated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the thermal printer of the present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 71 is a thermal printer of the present invention, and 72 is a thermal printer that generates corrected image data from original image data based on the correction data.
It is a host computer that outputs to 1. In this example,
The thermal printer 71 operates as a terminal device of the host computer 72.

The thermal printer 71 is further composed of details, 73 is a detection unit (for example, a bar code reader) for detecting a mark of manufacturing information recorded on the ink ribbon, and 74 is data of manufacturing information (such as a lot number). RAM (random acces), which is a storage device that stores data
s memory), 75 is a printing device for inputting image data, performing data processing for printing reproduction, and printing. Since the data of the manufacturing information stored in the RAM 74 is held until the ink ribbon is finished, the RAM 74 has a mechanism such as a battery backup. Further, the printing apparatus includes a data processing unit for converting the data of the three primary colors RGB of the additive color mixture into the data of the printing color YMCK, a printing mechanism portion including a thermal head,
It has the same mechanism as a conventional thermal printer including the above. Alternatively, the host computer 72 can perform data processing for converting the data of the three primary colors RGB of the additive color mixture into the data of the printing color YMCK. In that case, needless to say, the data processing unit is not required on the printing device side. Is.

Further, the host computer 72 is further composed of details, 76 is a database of correction data corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing information, and 77 is a used ink ribbon identified by the manufacturing information stored in the RAM 74. The corrected data, 78 is the image data (original image data) input from the scanner or the like and stored in the storage device, 7
Reference numeral 9 denotes a calculation device that executes a gradation correction calculation, and reference numeral 80 denotes corrected image data obtained by correcting the original image data stored in the storage device by the calculation device 79.

The operation of the above structure will be described below.
When the ink ribbon is replaced with a new ink ribbon and the ink ribbon is mounted on the thermal printer 71, the detection information mark is read by the detection unit 73, and the production information data is obtained. The data of this manufacturing information is stored in the RAM 74. On the other hand, the host computer 72 stores correction data corresponding to a plurality of manufacturing information in advance in a storage device of the host computer 72 from a floppy disk or the like attached to the ink ribbon product, and creates a correction data database 76. deep. Also the host computer 7
2 reads the manufacturing information data stored in the RAM 74 from the RAM 74. Then, the correction data 77 corresponding to the used ink ribbon is selected from the correction data database 76 based on the data of the manufacturing information. Based on the correction data 77, the correction calculation of the image data 78 is performed in the calculation device 79.

If the above-mentioned correction data 77 is a correction data of a type in which the correction data is given to a representative value of the gradation values and the linearly approximated correction data is given to the other gradation values, this arithmetic unit After the conversion table is created in 79, the image data 78
The correction calculation is performed by the arithmetic unit 79. If the correction data 77 is a conversion table, the calculation device 79 corrects the image data 78 while directly referring to the conversion table.

By the way, the image data is a set of pixel values, and the pixel values of the color image are vector values, and are composed of, for example, three scalar values of the three primary colors R, G, B of additive color mixture. In that case, the conversion table described above is composed of three sub conversion tables of three primary colors R, G, and B,
Regarding the pixel value (R, G, B) of each pixel, the conversion table corresponding to each component is referred to and the converted pixel value (R ′, G ′, B ′) is obtained. Further, in this case, the printing device 75 outputs the data of the three primary colors RGB to the printing colors YMCK.
A data processing unit for converting into the data of is necessary. Also,
The pixel value of the color image is, for example, Y, which is the print color,
It can be composed of four scalar values of M, C and K. In that case, the conversion table described above uses the printing colors Y, M,
The pixel values (Y, M, C, K) of four sub-conversion tables of C and K are converted by referring to the conversion table corresponding to each pixel value (Y, M, C, K). ', C', K ') is obtained. Further, in this case, the printing device 75 does not need a data processing unit that converts the data of the three primary colors RGB into the data of the printing color YMCK.

When the correction calculation device 79 of the host computer 72 performs the correction calculation as described above, the corrected image data 80 is generated. This corrected image data 80
Is input to the printing device 75 of the thermal printer 71 to perform printing.

Next, the correction data and the conversion table will be described with an example. FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the correction data. As shown in this table, the correction data is given to five gradation values 15, 63, 127, 191, 255, and four printing colors Y, M, C, and K. Also, an offset value for the entire gradation value is given. FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the original image data and the corrected image data, that is, an example of the conversion table. The conversion table shown as the graph in FIG. 9 is created based on the correction data of the print color Y in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the correction data for the print color Y having the gradation value "15" is "+5". This means that if the value of the print color Y of the pixel of the original image data is "15", "+5" is corrected to "20". Further, since the offset value for the entire gradation value is "+2", if the entire correction is performed, if the value of the print color Y of the pixel of the original image data is "15", the correction of "+7" is performed. The value of the print color Y of the pixel of the corrected image data is "22". In FIG. 9, P2 is a point corresponding to the above correction data, and the coordinates of P2 are (original image data, corrected image data) = (15, 22).

Further, the correction data for the print color Y having the gradation value "63" is "+3". This means that if the value of the print color Y of the pixel of the original image data is "63", "+3" is corrected to "66". Further, since the offset value for the entire gradation value is "+2", if the entire correction is performed, if the print color Y value of the pixel of the original image data is "66", the correction of "+5" is performed. The value of the print color Y of the pixel of the corrected image data is "71". In FIG. 9, P1 is a point corresponding to the above correction data,
The coordinates of P1 are (original image data, corrected image data) =
(63, 71).

Similarly, the point corresponding to the correction data "0" of the printing color Y of the gradation value "127" shown in FIG. 8 and the offset value "+2" for the whole is P shown in FIG.
3 and the coordinates of P3 are (original image data, corrected image data) = (127,129). Similarly, the correction data of the print color Y of the gradation value "191" shown in FIG. 8 is "+".
The point corresponding to “1” and “+2” which is the offset value for the whole is P4 shown in FIG. 9, and the coordinates of P4 are (original image data, corrected image data) = (191, 194).
Becomes Similarly, the point corresponding to the correction data “−5” of the printing color Y of the gradation value “255” shown in FIG. 8 and the offset value “+2” for the whole is P5 shown in FIG.
And the coordinates of P5 are (original image data, corrected image data) = (255,252).

The graph shown in FIG. 9 is a graph obtained by connecting the points P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 whose coordinates are set as described above with a straight line. The conversion table (sub conversion table) for the print color Y is equivalent to the graph shown in FIG. 9, and the graph shown in FIG. 9 is described as a reference table. The conversion table for the complete printing color YMCK can be completed by similarly generating sub conversion tables for the other printing colors M, C, and K and generating four sub conversion tables. The conversion table for the print color YMCK has been described, but the description is omitted because it is the same for the three primary colors RGB of the additive color mixture.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an ink ribbon and a thermal printer configured to automatically input correction information only by setting the ink ribbon on the thermal printer.

Further, according to the ink ribbon of the present invention, since the ink ribbon has the recording portion of the manufacturing information, the manufacturing information can be read from the ink ribbon, and the gradation correction data is referred based on the manufacturing information. Therefore, gradation correction can be performed. Further, according to the ink ribbon of the present invention, since the recording portion of the manufacturing information is provided at the head portion of the portion of the ink ribbon used in one printing, it is possible to read the manufacturing information immediately before using the ink ribbon. Easy to do.

Further, according to the ink ribbon of the present invention, a leader film on which manufacturing information is recorded can be manufactured and the leader film can be connected to the main body portion of the ink ribbon, and the manufacturing method is rationalized. Further, according to the ink ribbon of the present invention, since the manufacturing information is recorded by the mark and can be read optically, it is not necessary to read it by using a special sensor, and the manufacturing information is recorded by using a general optical sensor. It can be read easily. Further, according to the ink ribbon of the present invention in which the mark is a mark recorded by an ink jet printer, manufacturing information can be recorded in the manufacturing process of the ink ribbon, and the manufacturing method is rationalized. Compared to the case where the manufacturing information is recorded on the printing plate, it is not necessary to create a new printing plate each time the manufacturing is performed (every time the manufacturing lot changes).

Further, the mark is a mark recorded by a melt transfer type thermal printer. According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, a mark having a good print quality and a high density can be obtained in addition to the same function and effect as described above recorded by an ink jet printer. It is recorded, and the reliability of mark reading is increased. According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, in which the leader film is a leader film made of an aluminum vapor-deposited plastic film and the mark is a light-scattering mark or a light-absorbing mark, the manufacturing information is obtained by using a general reflection type optical sensor. Can be read easily. Further, according to the ink ribbon of the present invention in which the leader film is a leader film made of a transparent plastic film and the mark is a light shielding mark, it is possible to easily read the manufacturing information by using a general transmission type optical sensor. It can be carried out.

Further, according to the ink ribbon of the present invention in which the mark is constituted by a bar code, since manufacturing information is recorded by a bar code, a bar code reader which is technically established and has high reading accuracy and is inexpensive is used. Therefore, the manufacturing information can be easily read. Further, according to the ink ribbon of the present invention in which the mark is a mark which is detected by scanning in the transport direction of the leader film, the manufacturing information can be easily read from the mark while transporting the ink ribbon during printing or the like. . Further, according to the ink ribbon of the present invention, the mark is provided on the same ink ribbon transfer line as the print alignment mark for specifying the print start position on the ink ribbon. According to the ink ribbon of the present invention, the mark specifies the print start position on the ink ribbon. Since it is provided on the same ink ribbon transfer line as the printing alignment mark, the sensor for the manufacturing information mark and the sensor for the printing alignment mark can be used in common.

Further, according to the thermal printer of the present invention, the detection section reads the mark of the manufacturing information recorded on the ink ribbon to output a read signal, and the reproducing section inputs the read signal to output the manufacturing information data. Is played,
The storage unit stores the manufacturing information data. Based on the stored manufacturing information data, it is possible to perform gradation correction by referring to specific gradation correction data when printing is performed after storage. Further, according to the thermal printer of the present invention, which includes a calculation unit that performs gradation correction calculation of image data to be printed based on the stored manufacturing information, and a printing unit that performs printing based on the corrected image data, The gradation correction calculation of the image data can be performed on the printer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of manufacturing information recorded on an ink ribbon of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example (No. 2) of manufacturing information recorded on the ink ribbon of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a reflected light detection type optical sensor used in a detection unit of a thermal printer and a leader film used in an ink ribbon in that case, or a configuration of a portion in which manufacturing information of an ink ribbon main body is recorded. It is a figure which shows an example.

FIG. 4 is an example of a configuration of a transmitted light detection type optical sensor used in a detection unit of a thermal printer, a leader film used in an ink ribbon in that case, or a portion in which manufacturing information of an ink ribbon main body is recorded. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an ink ribbon, a detection unit, and their arrangement when set in a thermal printer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of reading manufacturing information by the thermal printer of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a thermal printer of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of correction data as a table.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between original image data and corrected image data, that is, a conversion table.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Reader Film 2,8 Bar Code 3 Yellow Ink Area 4 Ye Printing Start Position Mark 5 Magenta Ink Area 6 Mg Printing Starting Position Mark 7 Black Ink Area 31,41 Base Film 32 Aluminum Deposition Layer 33,42 Surface Layer 34a, 43a Black mark 34b, 43b Part where black mark is not recorded 35a, 35b Reflected light detection type optical sensor 44a, 44b Light emitting part 45a, 45b Light receiving part 51 Ink ribbon 52 Supply side roll 53 Winding side roll 54 Recording of manufacturing information Part 71 Printer 72 Host Computer 73 Detecting Part 74 RAM 75 Printing Device 76 Correction Data Database 77 Selected Correction Data 78 Image Data 79 Computing Device 80 Corrected Image Data

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An ink ribbon used in a sublimation transfer type thermal printer, wherein the ink ribbon has a recording portion for manufacturing information. 2. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the recording portion is provided at a leading portion of a portion of the ink ribbon used in one printing. 3. The ink ribbon according to claim 1, wherein the recording portion is provided on a leader film of the ink ribbon. 4. The manufacturing information is recorded by optically readable marks.
Ink ribbon described. 5. The ink ribbon according to claim 4, wherein the mark is a mark recorded by an ink jet printer. 6. The ink ribbon according to claim 4, wherein the mark is a mark recorded by a melt transfer type thermal printer. 7. The ink according to claim 4, wherein the leader film is a leader film made of an aluminum vapor-deposited plastic film, and the mark is a light scattering mark or a light absorbing mark. ribbon. 8. The reader film according to claim 4, wherein the leader film is a leader film made of a transparent plastic film, and the mark is a light shielding mark.
6. The ink ribbon according to any one of 6. 9. The ink ribbon according to claim 4, wherein the mark is formed of a bar code. 10. The ink ribbon according to claim 4, wherein the mark is a mark which is detected by scanning in the transport direction of the leader film. 11. The ink ribbon according to claim 10, wherein the mark is provided on the same ink ribbon transfer line as the print alignment mark for specifying the print start position on the ink ribbon. 12. A detection section for reading a recording section for manufacturing information recorded on the head portion of an ink ribbon and outputting a read signal, a reproducing means for inputting the read signal and reproducing data of the manufacturing information, and the reproducing section. A thermal printer comprising a storage unit for storing manufacturing information data. 13. An arithmetic unit for performing gradation correction calculation of image data to be printed based on the stored manufacturing information, and a printing unit for printing based on the corrected image data. Item 12. A thermal printer according to item 12.