JPH10157263A - Ink ribbon and transfer type printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use an ink ribbon adapted to a transfer type printer as a ribbon used for the printer. SOLUTION: A mark 8 for specifying a lengthy ribbon 6 by itself is provided at a side of the ribbon 6 in a lateral width direction or on a part of a spool 7 on which the ribbon 6 is wound and which part is not covered with the ribbon 6. At the time of feeding the ribbon 6, the mark 8 is read by a mark reader 9, and data of the mark 8 read by the reader 9 s compared with a parameter for matching stored in a memory of a transfer printer. If a compared result does not coincide, the ribbon 1 mounted in the printer is recognized as being not proper for the printer to generate an alarm or to regulate start of a printing operation, thereby preventing use of the ribbon 1 which is not adapted to the printer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an ink ribbon and a transfer printer for printing on paper using the ink ribbon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, transfer type printers using ink ribbons have become widespread, and there are very many types of ink ribbons. Each transfer type printer can basically print using any ink ribbon, but in order to extend the thermal head of the transfer type printer and improve printing accuracy, the transfer type printer is required. It is desirable to use an ink ribbon suitable for the printing.

An example of a case where the thermal head does not last long due to the use of an ink ribbon which is not suitable for a transfer type printer is a case where the ink ribbon contains a harmful chemical substance in the thermal head. When the material of the thermal head is different, the chemical substance contained in the ink ribbon may be harmful to the thermal head.

[0004] An example of a case where the printing accuracy is deteriorated due to the use of an ink ribbon which is not suitable for a transfer type printer is as follows.
The printing speed assumed by the ink ribbon and the printing speed of the transfer printer greatly differ, and blurring and blurring may occur. That is, when the printing speed is increased, the ink may not be transferred to the paper without being melted by the heat of the thermal head.

[0005]

Therefore, it is desirable to use an ink ribbon suitable for each transfer type printer in each transfer type printer. However, it is not easy to determine whether the ink ribbon is suitable for a transfer type printer. Further, the user of the transfer printer often does not care whether the ink ribbon is suitable for the transfer printer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink ribbon and a transfer type printer which can promote the use of an ink ribbon suitable for a transfer type printer.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink ribbon in which a mark for identifying itself is provided on a lateral side of a long ribbon body. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is suitable for the transfer type printer by using the mark.

In the ink ribbon according to the present invention, a long ribbon body is wound around a paper roll, and a mark for identifying itself is provided on a portion of the paper roll not covered by the ribbon body. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is suitable for the transfer type printer by using the mark.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer printer for reading a mark on the ink ribbon according to the first or second aspect, a storage unit for storing a predetermined matching parameter, and a storage unit for storing a predetermined matching parameter. A comparing unit for comparing the matching parameter with the data of the mark read by the mark reading unit; and a warning generating unit for issuing a warning when the comparison result by the comparing unit does not match. Therefore, when the ribbon feeding of the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is started, the mark on the ink ribbon is read by the mark reading unit, and the data of the mark read by the mark reading unit and the matching data stored in the storage unit are read. The comparison parameter is compared with the use parameter. If the comparison results by the comparing means do not match, it is determined that the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is unsuitable for the transfer type printer, and a warning is issued by the warning generating means to appeal to the sight and the hearing. By this warning, the worker can know that the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is not suitable for the transfer type printer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer printer for reading a mark of the ink ribbon according to the first or second aspect, a storage unit for storing a predetermined matching parameter, and a storage unit for storing a predetermined matching parameter. A comparison unit for comparing the matching parameter with the data of the mark read by the mark reading unit; and a start restriction unit for restricting the start of the printing operation when the comparison result by the comparison unit does not match. Therefore, when the ribbon feeding of the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is started, the mark on the ink ribbon is read by the mark reading unit, and the data of the mark read by the mark reading unit and the matching data stored in the storage unit are read. The comparison parameter is compared with the use parameter. If the comparison results by the comparing means do not match, it is determined that the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is not suitable for the transfer type printer, and the start of the transfer type printer is regulated by the start regulating means. By restricting the start-up, the operator can know that the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is not suitable for the transfer type printer.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a mounting structure of an ink ribbon 1 and a roll paper 2 in a transfer type printer of the present invention. The cover for covering the ink ribbon 1 and the roll paper 2 is omitted. The ink ribbon 1 is mounted on an ink ribbon mounting shaft 3 and an ink ribbon winding shaft 4, and the roll paper 2 has a mounting recess 5 mounted thereon.

The ink ribbon 1 is formed by a long ribbon body 6 and two paper rolls 7 around which the ribbon body 6 is wound. One of the paper rolls 7 is fitted to the ink ribbon mounting shaft 3. Then, the other paper roll 7 is fitted to the ink ribbon take-up shaft 4 to be attached to the transfer type printer.
Most of the ribbon body 6 of the ink ribbon 1 before use is wound around one of the cigarettes 7, and the ribbon body 6 is fed to the transfer type printer by feeding the ribbon to the other cigarette 7. It is wound up.

On the ink ribbon 1, a bar code 8 as a mark for identifying itself is printed on the side of the ribbon body 6 in the width direction. The transfer printer is provided with a sensor 9 serving as a mark reading unit for reading the bar code 8 when the attached ink ribbon 1 is fed. In addition, transfer-type printers
A thermal head 10 for printing on the roll paper 2 fed integrally with the ribbon body 6 in a state of being superimposed on the ribbon body 6 is attached.

The same bar code 8 is repeated for each predetermined length, and FIG. 4 shows a format indicating data that the bar code 8 of a predetermined length means. In this format, an area in which data of optimal applied energy applied to the ink ribbon 1 is recorded, an area in which data of optimal winding force when the ink ribbon 1 is wound, and an optimal back tension applied to the ink ribbon 1 Area in which the data of the ink is recorded, the ink ribbon 1 attached to the transfer type printer
Is formed with an area in which matching data for judging whether or not is suitable for the transfer type printer is formed.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a control system of the transfer type printer. The control system is provided with a CPU 11 for controlling the entire system. The CPU 11 is connected via a bus line 12 to a ROM 13 for storing fixed data such as a control program and a RAM 14 for storing variable data such as data read by the sensor 9. The CPU 11, the ROM 13 and the RAM 14
Constitute a microcomputer. The CPU 11 further includes a matching ROM 15 serving as a storage unit that stores matching parameters for detecting whether the ink ribbon 1 attached to the transfer printer is suitable for the transfer printer. A thermal head driver 16 for driving the thermal head 10 to perform a printing operation, a motor driver 18 for driving a winding motor 17 for rotating the ink ribbon winding shaft 4, and a sensor for capturing an output from the sensor 9. A sensor circuit 19, a display unit circuit 21 for switching the display of the display unit 20, and the like are connected via the bus line 12.
Although not shown, a motor that rotationally drives a platen roller for transporting the roll paper 2 is also connected.

The microcomputer includes a comparing means for comparing matching data in the data of the barcode 8 read by the sensor 9 with a matching parameter stored in the matching ROM 15. A warning generating means for displaying an error message on the display unit 20 when the comparison results by the means do not match, and a start restricting means for restricting the start of the printing operation when the comparison results by the comparison means do not match are provided.
Each of these units is a process performed by the CPU 11 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 13 based on the result of reading the barcode 8 by the sensor 9.

A procedure for determining whether or not the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer in such a configuration is suitable for the transfer type printer will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the print start key is pressed after setting the ink ribbon 1 and the roll paper 2 in a printable state, the paper feed of the roll paper 2 and the ribbon feed of the ink ribbon 1 are performed simultaneously (S1). And ink ribbon 1
The bar code 8 is read by the sensor 9 as the ribbon is fed (S2). The data of the barcode 8 read by the sensor 9 is temporarily stored in the RAM 14, and the conditions of the ribbon control such as the energy applied by the thermal head 10, the winding force of the ink ribbon, and the back tension are set according to the data ( S
3). Next, the matching data read by the sensor 9 is compared with the matching parameters stored in the matching ROM 15 by the comparing means (S
4).

If the comparison results by the comparing means do not match, it is determined that the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is not suitable for the transfer type printer, and an error message is displayed on the display unit 20 by the warning generating means. At the same time, the start of the printing operation is restricted by the start restricting means, and the paper feed of the roll paper 2 and the ribbon feed of the ink ribbon 1 are stopped (S5). On the other hand, if the comparison results by the comparing means match, the thermal head 10 is driven to start printing (S6).

Therefore, when the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is not suitable for the transfer type printer, it is possible to prevent printing from being performed as it is. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lifetime of the thermal head 10 from being shortened by using an ink ribbon containing a chemical substance harmful to the thermal head 10. In addition, it is possible to prevent fading or blurring due to a large difference between the printing speed assumed by the ink ribbon and the printing speed of the transfer printer.

In the present embodiment, since the barcode 8 contains ribbon control data such as applied energy, winding power, and backlash which are optimal when the ink ribbon 1 is used. By performing ribbon control under such optimum conditions, print quality is improved. In addition, it is not necessary for an operator to set ribbon control conditions according to the type of the ink ribbon 1. Further, by attaching such a barcode 8 to the ink ribbon 1, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the ink ribbon 1 is suitable for a transfer type printer by checking the presence or absence of the barcode 8. become.

In the present embodiment, the case where the bar code 8 is printed on the side in the width direction of the ribbon body 6 has been described as an example. 6 may be printed on a portion that is not covered. When the barcode 8 is provided on the paper roll 7, regardless of printing,
A sticker may be attached, and the mounting position of the sensor 9 is changed to a position at which the bar code 8 provided on the cigarette 7 can be read. Further, a mark such as a number or a picture may be used instead of the barcode 8.

In the present embodiment, the ink ribbon 1
In the case where is not suitable for a transfer type printer, an example has been described in which an error message is displayed by a warning generating unit and a start of printing operation is controlled by a display start restricting unit. Only the display of the error message by the warning generating means may be performed without performing the start restriction. The warning generating means may generate a warning sound.

[0023]

According to the ink ribbon of the first aspect of the present invention, since a mark for identifying itself is provided on the lateral side of the long ribbon body, the ink attached to the transfer type printer by the mark. You can easily determine whether the ribbon is suitable for the transfer printer,
By using an ink ribbon that is not suitable for the transfer type printer, it is possible to prevent the life of the thermal head of the transfer type printer from being shortened and to prevent the print quality from being lowered.

According to the ink ribbon of the second aspect of the present invention, a long ribbon body is wound around a paper roll, and a mark for identifying itself is provided on a portion of the paper roll that is not covered by the ribbon body. This mark makes it easy to determine whether the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is suitable for the transfer type printer, and by using an ink ribbon not suitable for the transfer type printer, It is possible to prevent the life of the thermal head from being shortened and the print quality from being reduced.

According to the transfer type printer of the present invention, when the ink ribbon is attached to the transfer type printer and the ribbon is fed, the marks on the ink ribbon are read by the mark reading section, and the marks read by the mark reading section are read. Is compared with the matching parameter stored in the storage unit. If the comparison result by the comparison unit does not match, the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is not suitable for the transfer type printer. Warning is issued by the warning generation means as a warning to the user, so that the operator can be sure that the attached ink ribbon is not suitable for the transfer type printer and is suitable for the transfer type printer. Using a non-ink ribbon shortens the life of the thermal head of the transfer printer,
It is possible to prevent the print quality from deteriorating.

According to the transfer type printer of the present invention, when the ink ribbon is attached to the transfer type printer and the ribbon is fed, the mark of the ink ribbon is read by the mark reading section, and the mark read by the mark reading section is read. Is compared with the matching parameter stored in the storage unit. If the comparison result by the comparison unit does not match, the ink ribbon attached to the transfer type printer is not suitable for the transfer type printer. Since the start of the transfer type printer is regulated by the start regulating means,
The operator can be sure that the attached ink ribbon is not suitable for the transfer type printer, and shorten the life of the thermal head of the transfer type printer by using the ink ribbon not suitable for the transfer type printer. Or lowering of print quality can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink ribbon mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the transfer type printer.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether an ink ribbon attached to a transfer printer is suitable for the transfer printer.

FIG. 4 is a format showing data represented by a barcode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 ink ribbon 6 ribbon body 7 paper roll 8 mark 9 mark reading unit 15 storage unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ink ribbon, characterized in that a mark for identifying itself is provided on a side portion of a long ribbon body in a lateral width direction. 2. An ink ribbon, wherein a long ribbon body is wound around a paper roll, and a mark for identifying itself is provided on a portion of the paper roll not covered by the ribbon body. 3. A mark reading section for reading a mark on an ink ribbon according to claim 1, a storage section for storing a predetermined matching parameter, and a matching parameter and the mark reading stored in the storage section. A transfer type printer comprising: a comparison unit for comparing data of a mark read by a unit; and a warning generation unit for issuing a warning when a comparison result by the comparison unit does not match. 4. A mark reading section for reading a mark on an ink ribbon according to claim 1, a storage section for storing a predetermined matching parameter, and a matching parameter and the mark reading stored in the storage section. A transfer printer, comprising: comparison means for comparing data of a mark read by a copy unit; and start restriction means for restricting the start of a printing operation when the comparison result by the comparison means does not match.