JPH11235839A - Thermal recording unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal recording unit capable of recording the same density picture elements at all times, and conducting high quality printing. SOLUTION: For example, in the case of printing dots D3, P1 is substituted in a formative energy quantity (S) when the total number of heating elements are four piece in accordance with two blocks B1, B2, or blocks B2, B3 (S6 or S8: YES) and when the total number of heating elements are three pieces (S9, S10: YES), P1 is also substituted in a formative energy quantity (S7). In addition, when the total number of heating elements is one piece in accordance with blocks B1 and B2 or blocks B2 and B3 (S12, S10: YES), P3 is substituted in a formative energy quantity (S13). In other cases, P2 is substituted in a formative energy (S11). Next, the pulse number N of an application pulse row is decided in accordance with each formative energy quantity (S15).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to selectively applying a multivalued energy amount to a plurality of heating elements mounted on a thermal head and controlling the energy amount to record a predetermined density of each pixel. Regarding the thermal recording device to be performed, in particular, the plurality of heating elements are configured by a plurality of blocks with at least two heating elements adjacent to each other in the main inspection direction as a unit block,
The amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set based on the heating data of the heating element belonging to the block to which the heating element to be heated belongs and a pair of blocks adjacent to the block in the main scanning direction. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a thermosensitive recording apparatus which can always record pixels having the same density and can perform high-quality printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various thermal recording apparatuses for recording pixels having the same density using a thermal head have been proposed. For example, in a thermal recording method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 64-2076, in a thermal recording method in which printing is performed using a thermal head having a plurality of heating resistors, an applied pulse for causing the heating resistors to generate heat is used. A heating state at the time of printing immediately before the heating resistor to be heated, formed by a plurality of pulses, and a heating state at the time of printing immediately before the heating resistor immediately above and below the heating resistor to be currently heated, A thermal recording method is adopted in which the number of pulses applied to the heating resistor to be heated at present is selected and printing is performed in consideration of the next heating information of the heating resistor to be heated at the next time. Thus, the heat generation resistor immediately before the heating resistor to be printed, the heat generation history immediately before the adjacent heating resistor, and the prediction of the heating resistor to be printed next time are added to the heat generation resistor to be heated. Since the number of the applied pulses is controlled so as not to apply excessive heat and to a temperature sufficient for performing printing, it is possible to prevent bleeding of printing due to a rise in temperature of the ceramic substrate or the like. Thus, high-quality printing can be performed.

[0003]

However, in the thermal recording method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 64-2076, when a pulse is applied to a heating element which is to generate heat at the time of printing, the pulse is applied immediately before the heating element. Only the heat generation state and the heat generation state at the time of printing immediately before the heat generation element adjacent to the top and bottom of the heat generation element to be heated now are considered, and the heat generation element that generates heat at the same time as the heat generation element to be heated now is completely considered. Not done. In recent years, with the increase in the density of the heating elements of the thermal head, the heating elements to be heated at present should be heated by the influence of the heating of the neighboring heating elements that are simultaneously heated, particularly the heating elements adjacent vertically above and below. The amount of energy applied to the dots applied to the heating elements becomes excessive, and there is a problem that the dot diameter increases, printing bleeds, fogging, and the like occur as compared with the case where the heating elements above and below do not generate heat.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and the plurality of heating elements are divided into a plurality of blocks by using at least two adjacent heating elements in a main scanning direction as a unit block. The amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated based on the heating data of the heating element belonging to the block to which the heating element to be heated belongs and a pair of blocks adjacent to the block in the main scanning direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal recording apparatus that can always record pixels of the same density and perform high-quality printing.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal recording apparatus in which a thermal head provided with a plurality of heating elements and a printing medium are relatively moved in a predetermined sub-scanning direction. And a heating data storage means for storing heating data of the heating element corresponding to each pixel, wherein the heating data storage means stores heating data of the heating element corresponding to each pixel. The plurality of heating elements are composed of a plurality of blocks, with at least two adjacent heating elements as unit blocks, and a block to which a heating element to be heated belongs, and a pair of blocks adjacent to the block in the main scanning direction. Means for setting an amount of energy to be applied to the heating element to be heated based on the heating data of the heating element belonging to And wherein the door.

In the thermal recording apparatus according to the first aspect having the above features, at least two adjacent heating elements in the main scanning direction are used as unit blocks, and the plurality of heating elements are configured by a plurality of blocks. The amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set based on the heating data of the heating element belonging to the block to which the heating element to be heated belongs and a pair of blocks adjacent to the block in the main scanning direction. Is done. Accordingly, the amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set in consideration of the heat generation state of the heating element located near the heating element to be heated, so that the heat generation of the heating element located in the vicinity is set. This makes it possible to always record pixels of the same density without causing problems such as an increase in dot diameter, printing bleeding, and blurring due to the influence of, and high quality printing becomes possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal recording apparatus, wherein a thermal head provided with a plurality of heating elements and a printing medium are relatively moved in a predetermined sub-scanning direction while a predetermined energy is applied to the heating elements. And a heating data storage unit for storing heating data of the heating element corresponding to each pixel, and at least two heating elements adjacent in the main scanning direction. The plurality of heating elements are constituted by a plurality of blocks, and a first block to which a heating element to be heated belongs and a second block of one of a pair of blocks adjacent to the first block in the main scanning direction. And the heat generation data of the heat generation elements belonging to the first block and the other third block adjacent to the first block. That a applied energy amount setting means for setting the amount of energy applied to the heating element to be to generate heat, characterized in.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal recording apparatus, wherein at least two heating elements adjacent in the main scanning direction are used as a unit block, and the plurality of heating elements are constituted by a plurality of blocks. The heat generation data of the heat generation elements belonging to the first block to which the heat generation element to be caused belongs and the second block of one of a pair of blocks adjacent to the first block in the main scanning direction; The amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set based on the heating data of the heating element belonging to the third block adjacent to the first block. Accordingly, the amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set in consideration of the heat generation state of the heating element located near the heating element to be heated, so that the heat generation of the heating element located in the vicinity is set. This makes it possible to always record pixels of the same density without causing problems such as an increase in dot diameter, printing bleeding, and blurring due to the influence of, and high quality printing becomes possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the thermal recording apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein a predetermined first energy amount capable of recording dots with a predetermined quality is stored in advance. Storage means, wherein the amount of applied energy setting means is such that the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks The number of heating elements that are less than or equal to the first ratio and are to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block are the first ratio to the total number of heating elements in both blocks. In the case of the following first heat generation state, the amount of energy applied to the heat generation element to be heated is determined by the predetermined first heat generation element.
It is characterized in that the energy amount is set.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal recording apparatus as described in the second aspect, wherein the heat generating elements of the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the second block generate heat. The number of heating elements is equal to or less than a first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks, and the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is equal to both. In the case of the first heating state which is equal to or less than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in the block, the amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set to a predetermined first energy amount. . Accordingly, when the number of heating elements located near the heating elements to be heated is small, a predetermined first energy amount is applied, and printing with a predetermined dot diameter can be performed. Can be printed.

Further, in the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 4,
4. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a second energy amount storage unit in which a predetermined second energy amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount is stored in advance, wherein the applied energy amount setting unit includes: The first block and the second block
The number of heat generating elements to be heated among the heat generating elements belonging to the blocks is not less than a second ratio larger than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heat generating elements in both blocks, and A second heating state in which the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the third block is at least a second ratio to the total number of heating elements in both blocks; In the case where one of the heat generating elements belonging to the second block or the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is in the third heat generating state in which all the heat is generated, the element to be generated heat is The applied energy amount is set to the predetermined second energy amount.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal recording apparatus as described in the third aspect, wherein the heat generating elements of the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the second block generate heat. The number of elements is a second ratio that is larger than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks, and the heat generation elements among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block should be heated. In the case of the second heating state in which the number of the heating elements is equal to or more than the second ratio with respect to the total number of the heating elements in both blocks, the heating element belonging to the first block and the second block, or the first block In the case where one of the heating elements belonging to the third block is in the third heating state in which all of the heating elements are caused to generate heat, the energy amount applied to the heating element to be heated is equal to the predetermined first energy amount. Remote it is set to a small predetermined second amount of energy. Thereby, in the case of the second heating state or the third heating state in which most of the heating elements located in the vicinity of the heating element to be heated are to be heated, a predetermined energy amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount is used. When the second energy amount is applied, printing with a substantially predetermined dot diameter can be performed,
Without problems such as an increase in dot diameter, blurring of printing, and blurring due to the influence of heat generated by the heating element located in the vicinity,
High quality printing is possible.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal recording apparatus as defined in the fourth aspect, wherein the predetermined first temperature is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value.
A third energy amount storage unit in which a predetermined third energy amount smaller than the energy amount and larger than the predetermined second energy amount is stored in advance; and the applied energy amount setting unit includes: The state of the heating element to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the second block, and the state of the heating element to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block,
In any case other than the first heating state, the second heating state, and the third heating state, the amount of energy applied to the element to be heated is set to the predetermined third amount of energy. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the heat generating element of the first block and the second block generates heat. And the state of the heat generating element that generates heat among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is other than the first heat generating state, the second heat generating state, and the third heat generating state. The amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set to a predetermined third energy amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount and larger than the predetermined second energy amount. Accordingly, when the heating state of the heating element located near the heating element to be heated is other than the first heating state, the second heating state, and the third heating state,
When a predetermined third energy amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount and larger than the predetermined second energy amount is applied, printing with a substantially predetermined dot diameter can be performed, and heat generation located in the vicinity can be performed. High-quality printing can be performed without causing problems such as an increase in dot diameter, blurring of printing, and blurring due to the influence of heat generated by the elements. Further, in the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 6, in the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 4, if the unit block is composed of two heating elements, the first ratio is 1/4 and the second ratio is 2nd. Is preferably 3/4.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A thermal recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a tape printing apparatus. First, a schematic configuration of the tape printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the tape printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the tape printing apparatus is configured with a control device 1 as a core. The control device 1 includes a CPU 2 for controlling each device.
An input / output interface 10 connected to the CPU 2 via a data bus 11, a CGROM 3, a ROM 4,
5 and a RAM 6. Note that a timer 2 a is provided inside the CPU 2.

The CGROM 3 stores dot pattern data for display in association with code data for each of a large number of characters.

A ROM (dot pattern data memory) 4 stores print dot pattern data for each of a large number of characters for printing characters such as alphabetic characters and symbols in a font (Gothic typeface,
(Mincho style, etc.), and 6 types (1
6, 24, 32, 48, 64, and 96 dot sizes) are stored in association with the code data. Further, graphic pattern data for printing a graphic image including a gradation expression is also stored.

The ROM 5 reads out a display drive control program for controlling the LCDC 15 in accordance with character code data such as characters and numerals input from the keyboard 3, and reads out data from the print buffer 8 to read the data from the thermal head 17 or tape. A print drive control program for driving the feed motor 19, a pulse number determination program for determining the formation energy amount of each print dot described below and the number of pulses corresponding to the formation energy amount, and a pulse number data table 24 corresponding to each formation energy amount (See FIG. 5), and various other programs necessary for controlling the tape printer. The CPU 2 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 5.

Further, the RAM 6 is provided with a text memory 7, a print buffer 8, a counter 9, and the like.
The text memory 7 stores document data input from the keyboard 12. The print buffer 8 stores dot patterns for printing a plurality of characters and symbols and the number of applied pulses, which is the amount of energy for forming each dot, as dot pattern data. The thermal head 17 is stored in the print buffer 8. Dot printing is performed according to the dot pattern data. The counter 9 stores a count value N counted for each heating element in the print control process.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the block diagram will be continued. The input / output interface 10 has a keyboard 12, a disconnect switch 13, and a display controller having a video RAM 16 for outputting display data to the LCD 14. A drive circuit 18 for driving a thermal head 17 and a drive circuit 20 for driving a tape feed motor 19 are connected to each other. Therefore, when a character or the like is input via the character keys of the keyboard 12, the text (document data) is sequentially stored in the text memory 7 and the keyboard is controlled based on the dot pattern generation control program and the display drive control program. A dot pattern corresponding to characters or the like input via the LCD 12 is displayed on the LCD 14. In addition, the thermal head 17 is connected to the drive circuit 1.
8 and performs dot printing of the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 8. In synchronization with this, the tape feed motor 19 drives the tape 2 through the drive circuit 20.
3 (see FIG. 2). here,
The thermal head 17 is provided with a plurality of heating elements. Each of the heating elements is selectively driven to generate heat via a drive circuit 18 so that characters and the like are printed on a tape by dots. Since the configuration of the tape printer is known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Next, a control process of dot printing performed by the tape printer configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of the dot printing process performed in the control device 1 of the tape printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the thermal head 17 shows an example in which twelve heating elements are provided in a row for convenience of explanation.

First, when a character key or the like of the keyboard 12 is operated to create a sentence containing a graphic image,
The sentence data is stored in the text memory 7. When the print key of the keyboard 12 is pressed to start printing, the document data stored in the text memory 7, the print dot pattern data and graphic pattern data in the ROM 4, the pulse number determination program in the ROM 5, and the like are read. Print data is created based on the print data and stored in the print buffer 8. Then, a pulse train of a predetermined number of pulses is applied to each of the selected heating elements of the thermal head 17 based on the print data, and heating driving is started.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, in the dot printing control processing, the thermal head 1 is moved in the sub-scanning direction.
The formation energy amount SUB is a subroutine for determining the formation energy amount of each print dot and the number of pulses of the applied pulse train corresponding to this formation energy amount for each relative movement of the tape 7 and the tape 23 (see FIG. 3) by one print pitch. Is performed (S1, S2: NO), and when the formation energy amounts of all the print dots are determined (S2: YES), next,
The control process of the print SUB, which is a print subroutine, is performed (S3). Until printing is completed, the print dot pattern data of the print buffer 8 is read one print pitch at a time for each relative movement of one print pitch, and is repeatedly printed (S4: NO). Is completed (S4: YES).

Next, a formation energy amount determination SU which is a subroutine for determining the formation energy amount of each print dot and the number of pulses of the applied pulse train corresponding to the formation energy amount.
The control process of B (S1) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows a thermal head 1 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing dots printed by 7. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the formation energy amount determination SUB for determining the formation energy amount of the print dot D3 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a data table of the number of pulses of the applied pulse train corresponding to each forming energy amount according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the print dots currently printed on the tape 23 are print dots D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D7 arranged in the main scanning direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3).
8, D9, D10, D11 and D12 (dashed circles in FIG. 3). Each print dot sequentially constitutes one block with two adjacent print dots in the main scanning direction. That is, the block B1 is constituted by the two print dots D1 and D2. A block B2 is constituted by two print dots D3 and D4. Similarly, block B3 is formed by two print dots D5 and D6, block B4 is formed by print dots D7 and D8, and block B5 is formed by print dots D9 and D10.
However, a block B6 is formed by the print dots D11 and D12. Then, each of the print dots D1 to D1
2, the amount of forming energy of each printing dot is
A block to which each of the print dots D1 to D12 belongs;
It is determined by the presence / absence of heat generation of a heating element corresponding to six print dots belonging to three blocks between a pair of blocks adjacent to the block in the main scanning direction (blocks vertically adjacent in FIG. 3). .

Next, as an example, the determination of the formation energy amount of the print dot D3 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the formation energy amount determination SUB shown in FIG. First, when the print dot D3 does not generate heat (S5:
NO), 0 is substituted for the pulse number N of the applied pulse train, and the print buffer 8 is used as print data of the print dot D3.
(S15). If the print dot D3 generates heat (S5: YES), each print dot belonging to the two blocks B1 and B2, the block B2 to which the print dot D3 belongs and the block B1 adjacent above the block B2. The number of heat generated by the heat generating elements corresponding to D1, D2, D3, and D4 is calculated based on the print data in the print buffer 8 (S6). If the total number of generated heat is four, that is, if all the heat is generated (S6: YES), P1 is substituted for the formation energy amount of the print dot D3, and the RAM 6
(S7).

Next, if the total number of heat generated by the heating elements corresponding to the print dots D1 to D4 belonging to the two blocks B1 and B2 is less than four (S6: NO), the block B
The number of heating elements corresponding to the printing dots D3, D4, D5, and D6 belonging to the block B3 adjacent to the block B2 below the block B2 is calculated based on the print data in the print buffer 8 (S8). And the total number of heat generation is 4
(S8: YE)
S), P1 is substituted into the formation energy amount of the print dot D3 and stored in the RAM 6 (S9).

Next, when the total number of heat generated by the heating elements corresponding to the print dots D3 to D6 belonging to the two blocks B2 and B3 is less than four (S8: NO), the block B1 and the block B2 are again generated. Print dots D1 to D belonging to
4 is calculated based on the print data in the print buffer 8 and the total number of heat generated is 3 (S9: YES), and the number of heat generated by each of the print dots D3 to D6 belonging to the blocks B2 and B3 is calculated. If the total number of heat generated by the corresponding heating elements is three (S10: YES), the printing dot D
P1 is substituted for the formation energy amount of No. 3 and stored in the RAM 6 (S7). On the other hand, the heating elements corresponding to the printing dots D1 to D4 belonging to the blocks B1 and B2 generate three heat (S9: YES), but the heating elements corresponding to the printing dots D3 to D6 belonging to the blocks B2 and B3. If the total heat generation of the element is not three, ie, less than three, (S1
0: NO), P2 is substituted for the formation energy amount of the print dot D3, and stored in the RAM 6 (S11).

Next, if the total number of heat generated by the heating elements corresponding to each of the print dots D1 to D4 belonging to the two blocks B1 and B2 is not three, that is, less than three (S
9: NO), it is determined whether or not the total number is one (S12). If not (S12: NO), P2 is substituted for the formation energy amount of the printing dot D3, and the RAM
6 (S11). On the other hand, if the number is one (S12: YES), the number of heating elements of the heating elements corresponding to the printing dots D3 to D6 belonging to the blocks B2 and B3 is calculated again based on the printing data in the printing buffer 8 ( S
13) If the total number of generated heat is one (S1)
3: YES), the amount of formation energy of print dot D3 is P3
Is stored in the RAM 6 (S14). If the total number of heat generated by the heating elements corresponding to the print dots D3 to D6 belonging to the two blocks B2 and B3 is not one, that is, is larger than one (S13: NO), the amount of energy for forming the print dot D3 Is stored in the RAM 6 (S11).

Next, the amount of formation energy of the print dot D3 stored in the RAM 6 is read again, and
From the data table 24 (see FIG. 5) of the number of pulses of the applied pulse train corresponding to each forming energy amount stored in
Is read. Then, the pulse number N is stored as print data of the print dot D3 in the print buffer 8, and the control process of the formation energy amount determination SUB (S1) of the print dot D5 is completed, and the process returns to the control flowchart (S1).
5). Here, the data table 24 of the number of pulses of the applied pulse train corresponding to each forming energy amount will be described with reference to FIG. When the formation energy amount of the print dot is P1, the number of pulses N of the pulse train applied to the print dot
Is two pulses. When the amount of energy for forming the print dot is P2, the number N of pulses of the pulse train applied to the print dot is four. When the formation energy amount of the print dot is P3, the pulse number N of the pulse train applied to the print dot is 6 pulses.

Therefore, the print dots D1, D2, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D
9, D10, D11, and D12 also form an energy amount
Each print dot D1, D is determined in the same manner from the data table 24 (see FIG. 5) of the pulse number of the applied pulse train corresponding to each formation energy amount stored in the ROM 5.
2, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D
11 and the pulse number N corresponding to the formation energy amount of D12 are read. The number of pulses N is equal to the number of print dots D1, D2, D4, D5, D6,
The print data is stored as print data of D7, D8, D9, D10, D11, and D12 (S5 to S15). If there is no block adjacent to the block B1 to which the printing dots D1 and D2 belong and the block B6 to which the printing dots D11 and D12 belong, two blocks which are not printed on the upper or lower side, respectively. Are provided, and the amount of formation energy of each of the print dots D1, D2, D11, and D12 is determined in the same manner as described above.

Next, the print subroutine "print SUB"
The control process of (S3) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a print SUB which is a subroutine of a print process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a time chart when a pulse train of six pulses is applied in the printing process according to the present embodiment. In the following description, the pulse width or the application width is the time during which the pulse is ON. First, the printing of the printing dots D1 to D12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, in the print SUB which is a print subroutine, the print buffer 8
The number N of pulses corresponding to each of the printing dots D1 to D12 stored in is stored in the counter 9 by substituting it for each count value N corresponding to each heating element (S21).

Next, the pulse applied to the selected heating element of the thermal head 17 is turned on, and each heating element starts heating (S22).

Next, the timer 2a is started (S
23). Next, the application time T1 (see FIG. 7) of the first pulse stored in the ROM 5 is read out, and waits until the count time of the timer 2a reaches T1 (S24: N
O) When the count time of the timer 2a reaches T1 (S)
24: YES), the application pulse to each selected heating element is turned off, the timer 2a is stopped, the count time is set to 0, and then the timer 2a is started again (S25).

Next, the OFF time Toff (see FIG. 7) of the applied pulse stored in the ROM 5 is read, and the timer 2a waits until the count time reaches Toff (S2).
6: NO), when the count time of the timer 2a reaches Toff, the timer 2a is stopped, the count time is set to 0, and the timer 2a is started again (S2).
6: YES).

Next, the count value N of each selected heating element is read out from the counter 9, the count value N is subtracted by 1, and stored again in the counter 9 corresponding to each heating element (S27). Next, the pulse applied to each selected heating element of the thermal head 17 is turned ON (S2).
8).

Next, the application time T2 (see FIG. 7) of the second and subsequent pulses stored in the ROM 5 is read out.
Wait until the count time of the timer 2a reaches T2 (S2
9: NO), when the count time of the timer 2a reaches T2 (S29: YES), the application pulse to each selected heating element is turned off, the timer 2a is stopped, and the count time is set to 0. Again, timer 2a
Is started (S30). Here, the application time T2 of the second and subsequent pulses is set to be shorter than the application time T1 of the first pulse.

Next, the OFF time Toff of the applied pulse stored in the ROM 5 is read, and waits until the count time of the timer 2a reaches Toff (S31: NO),
When the count time of the timer 2a reaches Toff, the timer 2a is stopped, the count time is set to 0, and then the timer 2a is started again (S31: YE
S).

Next, the count value N of each selected heating element is read out from the counter 9, the count value N is subtracted by 1, and stored again in the counter 9 corresponding to each heating element (S32).

Next, the count value N of each selected heating element is read from the counter 9, and if the count value N is not 0 (S33: NO), the count of the selected heating element of the thermal head 17 is determined. Turn on the applied pulse (S2
8) The process from S28 is repeated until the count value N becomes zero.

If the count value N corresponding to each heating element is 0, the application of the pulse to this heating element ends, and the process returns to the control flowchart (S33: YES).

Next, an example of a change in temperature rise of the heating element in the control of the printing SUB (S3) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the temperature rise of the heating element with respect to the time when the number N of pulses of the pulse train applied to the heating element is six. The first application pulse is time T1, and at this time, the temperature rise curve 25 of the heating element has almost risen to the expected heating temperature. Then, during the time Toff, the applied pulse is turned off, and the temperature of the heating element slightly decreases. However, since the heating element is applied again during the time T2, heat is generated and the temperature rises. Then, the stop of the time Toff and the time T2
The count value N stored in the counter 9 is N
Repeat until = 0. As a result, the heating element becomes the first
The second application pulse preheats to a predetermined temperature and the second
The printing pulse of which the number of applied pulses is 6 is maintained at (T2 × 5 + Toff × 5) at a substantially constant heating temperature by the applied pulses from the third to sixth applied pulses.
Is printed on

As described in detail above, in the tape printer of the present embodiment, the control of the control device 1
When the print key of the keyboard 12 is pressed to start printing, the document data stored in the text memory 7, the dot pattern data and graphic pattern data for printing in the ROM 4, and the pulses corresponding to each of the formation energy amounts in the ROM 5. Based on the numerical data table 24 and the like, each print dot D1 to D12 is divided into two blocks by the control processing of the pulse number determination SUB1 (S1), and the formation energy amount of each print dot D1 to D12 is determined. At the same time, the number N of pulses of the applied pulse train corresponding to the formation energy amount is created and stored in the print buffer 8 as print data. Then, under the control of the control device 1,
The thermal head 1 is controlled by the printing SUB (S3) control process.
7, the applied pulse width of the first pulse of the pulse train corresponding to the number N of pulses applied to each heating element corresponding to each of the print dots D1 to D12 is set to T1. Each heating element is preheated to a predetermined heating temperature. Next, the pulse application is turned off for the time Toff, and then the second applied pulse width of the pulse train is changed to the time Toff.
Set to 2 and applied. Until the predetermined pulse number N is reached, OFF of the time Toff and application of the time T2 are repeated, and dot printing of a predetermined density is performed.

Therefore, the total number of the heating elements that generate heat among the heating elements belonging to the first block to which the heating element to be heated now belongs and the second block adjacent to the first block is one, In addition, when the total number of the heating elements that generate heat among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block adjacent to the first block is one, the formation energy of the heating element that should be caused to generate heat at present. The amount is set to P3 and a pulse train of 6 pulses is applied. Accordingly, printing with a predetermined dot diameter can be performed without causing print blurring, and high-quality printing can be performed. Further, when all the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block generate heat, or when all the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block generate heat, the heat should be generated at present. The amount of forming energy of the heating element is set to P1, and the total number of heating elements that generate heat among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block is three. Even when the total number of heating elements that generate heat among the heating elements to which the heating element belongs is three, the amount of energy of the heating element to be heated at present is set to P1, and a pulse train of two pulses is applied. With this, the amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set in consideration of the heating state of the heating element located near the heating element to be heated, and printing with a substantially predetermined dot diameter is performed. It is possible,
Without problems such as an increase in dot diameter, blurring of printing, and blurring due to the influence of heat generated by the heating element located in the vicinity,
Pixels having the same density can always be recorded, and high-quality printing can be performed. Further, when the total number of the heating elements that generate heat among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block and the total number of the heating elements that generate heat among the heating elements that belong to the first block and the third block are other than the above. , The formation energy amount of the heating element to be heated at present is set to P2, and a pulse train of four pulses is applied. Accordingly, even when the heating state of the heating element located near the heating element to be heated is other than the above-described heating state, printing with a substantially predetermined dot diameter can be performed, and the heating element located near the heating element can be printed. High-quality printing can be performed without causing problems such as an increase in dot diameter, blurring of printing, and blurring due to the influence of heat generation. Furthermore, since the amount of print dot formation energy applied to the heating element to be heated at present is controlled by the number of pulses in the pulse train, the control becomes easy, the control circuit configuration is simplified, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the size is reduced. Is possible.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Good. (A) In the above embodiment, the number of heating elements belonging to each of the blocks B1 to B6 is set to two, but any number may be used as long as it is two or more. (B) In the above embodiment, the pulse number data table 24
The number of pulses corresponding to each of the formation energy amounts P1, P2, and P3 is 2, 4, and 6, but the number of pulses may be an arbitrary number of pulses. (For example, two pulses,
(5 pulses, 10 pulses, etc.) (c) In the above embodiment, the number of heating elements provided in the thermal head 17 is set to 12, but a larger number may be provided. (For example, 96, 128, 25
6 etc.)

[0045]

As described above, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the first aspect, at least two adjacent recording media in the main scanning direction are arranged.
The plurality of heating elements are constituted by a plurality of blocks with the plurality of heating elements as unit blocks, and the heating elements belonging to a block to which the heating element to be heated belongs and a pair of blocks adjacent to the block in the main scanning direction. , The amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set. Accordingly, the amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set in consideration of the heat generation state of the heating element located near the heating element to be heated, so that the heat generation of the heating element located in the vicinity is set. Provided is a thermal recording apparatus capable of always recording pixels of the same density without causing problems such as an increase in dot diameter, printing bleeding, and blurring due to the influence of, and capable of performing high-quality printing. be able to.

In the thermal recording apparatus according to a second aspect, at least two heating elements adjacent in the main scanning direction are used as a unit block, and the plurality of heating elements are constituted by a plurality of blocks. The heat generation data of the heat generation elements belonging to the first block to which the element belongs, and one of the pair of blocks adjacent to the first block in the main scanning direction, and the first block and the first block. The amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set based on the heating data of the heating element belonging to the other adjacent third block. Accordingly, the amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set in consideration of the heat generation state of the heating element located near the heating element to be heated, so that the heat generation of the heating element located in the vicinity is set. Increase in dot diameter due to the effect of
It is possible to provide a thermosensitive recording apparatus that can always record pixels of the same density without causing a problem such as printing bleeding and blurring, and that can perform high-quality printing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the second aspect, the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block. Is less than or equal to the first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks, and the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is smaller than that in both blocks. In the case of the first heating state that is equal to or less than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements, the amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set to a predetermined first energy amount. Accordingly, when the number of heating elements located near the heating element to be heated is small, a predetermined first energy amount is applied, and printing with a predetermined dot diameter can be performed.
A thermal recording device capable of high-quality printing can be provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the thermal recording apparatus according to the third aspect, the number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block. Is a second ratio that is larger than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks, and is a value of the heating element to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block. The number of heating elements is equal to or more than a second ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks; the number of heating elements belonging to the first and second blocks; or the number of heating elements belonging to the first and second blocks. In the case where any one of the heat generating elements belonging to the third heat generation state generates heat, the amount of energy applied to the heat generation element to be heated is smaller than the predetermined first energy amount. It is set to a predetermined second amount of energy. Thereby, in the case of the second heating state or the third heating state in which most of the heating elements located in the vicinity of the heating element to be heated are to be heated, a predetermined energy amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount is used. When the second energy amount is applied, printing with a substantially predetermined dot diameter can be performed, and an increase in the dot diameter due to the influence of heat generation of a heating element located in the vicinity can be performed.
It is possible to provide a thermosensitive recording apparatus capable of performing high-quality printing without causing problems such as blurring of printing and blurring.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the thermal recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein a state of the heating element which generates heat among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block, And, when the state of the heat generating element that generates heat among the heat generating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is other than the first heat generating state, the second heat generating state, and the third heat generating state, the heat is generated. The amount of energy applied to the heating element to be
The predetermined third energy amount is set to be smaller than the energy amount and larger than the predetermined second energy amount. Accordingly, when the heating state of the heating element located near the heating element to be heated is other than the first heating state, the second heating state, and the third heating state, the predetermined first energy amount And a predetermined third energy amount smaller than the predetermined second energy amount is applied,
Heat can be printed with almost the same dot diameter, and high-quality printing is possible without causing problems such as an increase in dot diameter, blurring of printing, and blurring due to the influence of heat generated by the heating element located in the vicinity. A recording device can be provided. Further, in the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 6, the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 2 is provided.
6. In the thermal recording apparatus according to claim 5, if the unit block is composed of two heating elements, the first ratio is preferably 1/4, and the second ratio is 3 / 4 is desirable. This allows
It is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus capable of high-quality printing without causing problems such as an increase in dot diameter, blurring of printing, and blurring.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a tape printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of a dot printing process performed in the control device of the tape printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing dots printed by the thermal head according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a formation energy amount determination SUB for determining a formation energy amount of a print dot D3 shown in FIG. 3 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a data table of the number of pulses of an applied pulse train corresponding to each forming energy amount according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a print SUB as a print processing subroutine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a time chart when a pulse train of six pulses is applied in the printing process according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 control device 2 CPU 4, 5 ROM 6 RAM 17 thermal head 23 tape 24 data table of pulse number corresponding to each forming energy amount 25 temperature rise curve B1-B6 blocks D1-D12 print dots

Claims (6)

[Claims] A thermal head provided with a plurality of heating elements; and an application means for applying a predetermined amount of energy to the heating elements while relatively moving a print-receiving medium in a predetermined sub-scanning direction. In the thermal recording apparatus, heat generation data storage means for storing heat generation data of the heat generation element corresponding to each pixel; and at least two heat generation elements adjacent in the main scanning direction as a unit block, and Based on the heating data of the heating elements belonging to a block to which a heating element to be heated and belonging to a pair of blocks adjacent to the block in the main scanning direction are applied to the heating element to be heated. And an applied energy amount setting means for setting an energy amount to be applied. 2. A thermal head provided with a plurality of heating elements, and an applying means for applying a predetermined amount of energy to the heating elements while relatively moving a print-receiving medium in a predetermined sub-scanning direction. In the thermal recording apparatus, heat generation data storage means for storing heat generation data of the heat generation element corresponding to each pixel, and at least two heat generation elements adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction as a unit block, and the plurality of heat generation elements are arranged in a plurality of blocks. And the heat generation data of the heat generation elements belonging to the first block to which the heat generation element to be heated is generated, and the second block of one of a pair of blocks adjacent to the first block in the main scanning direction. Is applied to the heating element to be heated based on the heating data of the heating element belonging to the first block and the other third block adjacent to the first block. Thermal recording apparatus characterized by comprising a applied energy amount setting means for setting the amount of energy. 3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising first energy storage means for storing in advance a predetermined first energy amount capable of recording dots with a predetermined quality, wherein said applied energy amount setting means includes said first block and said second energy amount. The number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the blocks is not more than a first ratio to the total number of heating elements in both blocks, and the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block. In the case of a first heating state in which the number of heating elements to be heated among the elements is equal to or less than a first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks,
The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the amount of energy applied to the heating element to be heated is set to the predetermined first amount of energy. 4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: a second energy amount storage unit in which a predetermined second energy amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount is stored in advance. The number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the second block is equal to or greater than a second ratio greater than the first ratio with respect to the total number of heating elements in both blocks, and The number of heating elements to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the block and the third block is equal to or more than a second ratio to the total number of heating elements in both blocks.
A case of a heat generation state, and a case of a third heat state in which one of the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block, or one of the heating elements belonging to the first block and the third block is caused to generate heat. 4. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the amount of energy applied to the element to be heated is set to the predetermined second amount of energy. 5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a third energy storage means for storing in advance a predetermined third energy amount smaller than the predetermined first energy amount and larger than the predetermined second energy amount. The amount setting means includes a state of a heating element to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the first block and the second block, and a state of the first block and the third block.
When the state of the heating element to be heated among the heating elements belonging to the blocks is other than the first heating state, the second heating state, and the third heating state, the heating element is applied to the element to be heated. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the amount of energy to be obtained is set to the predetermined third amount of energy. 6. The unit block according to claim 4, wherein the unit block includes two heat generating elements, wherein the first ratio is 1/4 and the second ratio is 3/4. Thermal recording device.