JPS60168170A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a shape of a bar-code sensor small-sized by providing two bar-codes on the first color, among plural colors of ink of a thermal transfer ribbon, providing one bar-code on the second color, and thereafter, respectively, and detecting them by at most two photodetectors. CONSTITUTION:Among each ink part 15a-15d of a thermal transfer ribbon 15 consisting of four colors, two bar-codes are provided on the first ink part 15a, also one bar-code is provided on the ink part 15b-15d of the second color and thereafter, respectively, and these bar-codes are detected by a bar-code sensor 65 consisting of one photodetector 65b. Accordingly, each ink part can be discriminated by the photodetectors whose number is smaller than the number of the ink parts, therefore, a shape of the bar-code sensor 65 can be made small-sized. Also, as for the ink parts 15a-15d provided on the thermal transfer ribbon 15, its array is determined, therefore, it will do that the first ink part 15a, namely yellow Y and other ink parts 15b-15d are discriminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus used, for example, in a printer or a copying machine.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

As is well known, for example, a transfer material (hereinafter referred to as a thermal transfer ribbon) on which a plurality of colorants (hereinafter referred to as inks) are arranged is used to perform thermal transfer. An apparatus has been developed that sequentially thermally transfers the ink of the image onto paper as a recording medium to form a desired color image. In order to form an accurate color image in this type of apparatus, it is necessary to detect the position and color of the ink provided on the thermal transfer ribbon.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional thermal transfer ribbon. This thermal transfer ribbon TR has approximately the same size as the paper, and for example, yellow (1), magenta, cyan (C), and black (B) ink areas are sequentially arranged on one side edge of this ribbon TR. A bar code BC is provided corresponding to the color of each ink portion.

This barcode BC is composed of 4 bits, and the code is determined according to the color of the ink portion.

FIG. 2 shows a barcode sensor that detects the barcode BC. This barcode sensor BS is a so-called photointerrupter in which a light-emitting element LE and a light-receiving element RE are arranged facing each other, and a thermal transfer ribbon TR on which a barcode BC is printed between the light-emitting element LE and the light-receiving element RE is used. The side edge portion of is arranged. Then, with the thermal transfer ribbon TR moved in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, the barcode B is
C is detected.

By the way, the barcode sensor BS having the above configuration requires four light receiving elements RE to detect the barcode BC. For this reason, the barcode sensor BS has the disadvantage of becoming larger. Also, since the barcode Be is a code that has ink color information, is it possible to use thermal transfer? If the barcode printed on the ink TR has uneven printing, etc., there has been a problem in that it is difficult to reliably detect the color of the ink.

[Purpose of the invention]

This invention was made based on the above circumstances,
The objective is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the size of a barcode sensor and that can reliably read barcodes.

[Summary of the invention]

This invention provides two barcodes for the first color of a plurality of inks on a thermal transfer ribbon, one barcode for each color after the second color, and transmits these barcodes to at most two light-receiving elements. It is detected by

[Embodiments of the invention]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 shows the appearance of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 4 shows its schematic configuration. In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 1- is the main body of the image forming apparatus, and an operation panel section 11L is formed on the upper front surface of the apparatus main body J.

Further, on the upper surface of the apparatus main body I, a document table 2 having a document holding cover 3 on the left side is provided. The lower side of the document table 2 inside is a document scanning section (scanner section) 4 that scans the document set on the document table 2, and the right side inside the apparatus main body 1 is an image forming section (printer section) 5. ing.

A copy number setting section consisting of a display section 6 and a numeric keypad 7, butane 8, etc. are arranged on the operation panel section la.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the document scanning section 4 optically scans the document set on the document table 2 by reciprocating the movable scanning section 9 of the exposure system along the lower surface of the document table 2. The optical information is scanned, photoelectrically converted, and input to the image forming section 5. The image forming section 5 has a configuration as shown in FIGS. That is, the platen 10 is located approximately at the center of the image forming section 5, and the thermal head II as a recording head is located in front of the platen 10 (to the left in the state of FIG. It is arranged so that it can be moved in and out.

Further, a thermal transfer IJ, yn 15 is interposed between the thermal head II and the grating IO. Then, the paper P is pressed against the grating 10 with the thermal transfer ribbon I5 interposed therebetween, and in this state, a heating element (not shown) formed in the shape of a line tod of the thermal head 11 generates heat according to the image information. Heat transfer H
? The ink on the cylinder I5 is heated and melted and transferred onto the paper P.

Further, a paper feed roller J6 is provided diagonally below the platen IO, and is adapted to sequentially take out the paper P as a transfer material stored in the paper feed cassette 17 one by one. The leading edge of the taken out paper P is aligned by a reso roller 18 disposed diagonally above the paper feed roller 16, and then transported toward the platen I0 and wound around the platen IO by pressing rollers 19 and 20. condition and will be sent accurately.

On the other hand, the thermal head 11 presses the paper P against the platen 10 via a thermal transfer ribbon 15 as a transfer material.
As shown in FIG. 6, the ink 21 as a colorant on the thermal transfer ribbon I5 is heated and melted to be transferred onto the paper P.

The thermal transfer ribbon J5 is approximately the same size as the paper P, and has yellow (G), magenta (F), and cyan (C) colors.

The ink parts of the ink parts can be arranged side by side, or the ink parts of the
, magenta (C), cyan (C), and black (B) ink sections are arranged side by side, and after each color is transferred, the paper P is returned to its original position and accurately overlapped one after another. The details of the thermal transfer IJ and yn 15 will be described later.

In this way, the paper P is reciprocated by the number of colors by the rotation of the platen IO, but the path of the paper P at that time is the first . It will be guided onto the second guide 23.24.

That is, the explanation will be made with reference to FIGS. 7(a) to 7).

First, the paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 218 and the first sorting guide 25
It passes through the arrangement portion and is wound around the platen 10. (See FIG. 7(A)) Next, the platen 10 rotates using a master pulse motor (not shown) as a driving source to transport the paper P at a predetermined speed and form it into a line tod shape along the axial direction of the platen 10. A heating element (not shown) of the thermal roller 1 generates heat according to the image information, and the ink 21 of the thermal transfer ribbon I5 is transferred onto the paper P.

Furthermore, the leading edge of the paper P that has passed through the platen lO section is
The paper is sent onto a first guide 23 provided along the lower surface of the paper discharge tray 22 by a sorting guide 26 . (See FIG. 7 (Io)) In this way, one color of ink 21
The paper P on which the image has been transferred is transported backwards by reversing the platen 10, and the first distribution guide 25 is rotated and moved to a second guide provided along the lower surface of the first guide 23. Sent on 24. (See FIG. 7(c)) In this way, by reciprocating the paper P a plurality of times, a plurality of colors are transferred.

Finally, the paper P to which all the colors of ink 2I have been transferred is
The paper is guided by the second sorting guide 26 to a pair of paper discharge rollers 27 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 22 . (See Fig. 7) 1. The image forming device has a document scanning unit 4 as shown in Fig. 8.
, the color conversion section 12, the memory section 13, the image forming section 5, and the overall control section 14 are biased.

Then, the green (G) detected by the original scanning unit 4
), yellow (2), cyan (the value of each color component of q is changed to magenta, the color of the printing medium by the color conversion unit 12)
, yellow (A), cyan (C), and the converted color values are stored in the memory unit I3 for each color together with the position information on the document. Image formation s5
Now, according to the values read from memo I) fa13, magenta (B), yellow (1), cyan (C), N black (B)
CM U magenta (b), yellow (7), cyan (
AND output of C) The output part character medium is transferred onto the paper P.

The overall control unit I4 includes a document scanning unit 4, a color conversion unit 12,
The entire memory section Z3 and image forming section 5 are controlled.

Further, a pair of paper discharge rollers 27, a paper discharge tray 22, a first paper discharge roller pair 27, a paper discharge tray 22, a first paper discharge roller pair 27, a paper discharge tray 22, a first paper discharge roller pair 27, a paper discharge tray 22, a first paper discharge roller pair 27, a paper discharge tray 22, a first paper discharge roller pair 27, a paper discharge roller pair 27, a paper discharge tray 22, a first paper discharge roller pair 27, a paper discharge tray 22, a first paper discharge roller pair 27, a paper discharge tray 22, a first paper discharge roller pair 27, a paper discharge tray 22, a first paper discharge roller pair 27, a paper discharge tray 22; Second
The guides 23, 24 are formed into a unit, and this unit can be removed if necessary.

Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 9, the back of the thermal head 11 is surrounded by a member 30 attached to a frame block 29, and is attached to a head holder 31 which also serves as a heat sink. Further, the thermal transfer ribbon 15 is assembled into a cassette together with the cores 32 and 33 around which both ends are wound, and the ribbon cassette 35 is detachably attached to the frame block 29. The frame block 29 is integrally formed of Guicast or plastic and has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is designed to provide sufficient strength and to store one of the winding cores of the Lichin cassette 35 in this U-shaped portion. By fitting the parts, the positioning accuracy of the ribbon cassette 35 is improved.Furthermore, in the state where the ribbon cassette 35 is fitted to one end of the U-shaped part of the frame block 29, A barcode sensor 65 is provided in which the side edge of the thermal transfer IJ and l? pin 5 is housed, and which detects the barcode BC provided on the side edge of the thermal transfer ribbon 15.This barcode sensor 65 is a light emitting element. This barcode sensor 65 is installed on a printed board 66 attached to the frame block 29.The output signal of this barcode sensor 65 is detected by a so-called photointeracitor in which a light-receiving element is faced. The bar code sensor 65 is supplied to the overall control device 14 through a connector 67 provided at the bar code sensor 66. Details of the bar code sensor 65 will be described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the head holder 31 to which the thermal head 27 is attached is configured to be movable by a distance X in the direction toward and away from the platen 10. The configuration is such that a gap δ into which the thermal transfer IJ gun 15 can fit between the rechin guide 61, 61 and the platen 10 can be secured as necessary, and the reciprocating movement of the paper P and the IJ gun 15 can be secured as needed.
The J, 5e cassette 35 can be attached and detached easily and reliably.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, guide shafts 38 and 39 are attached to the head holder 31 via stays 36 and 37, and these guide shafts 38 and 39
The bearing part 2 is formed in the frame block 29 at the middle part.
It is configured to be pivotally supported by linear bearings embedded in #a and 29b.

- Also, the head holder 31 supported so as to be able to reciprocate in this way is moved to the platen IO by the head moving mechanism 40.
The movement towards and away from the machine is controlled. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, a head motor 42 is attached to a motor frame 41 9, and an arm 43 is attached to a drive shaft 42a of this motor 42 as shown in FIG. 13. , this arm 43 has one end attached to the head holder 31.
The other end of the connecting rod 44 connected to the arm 430 is connected to the head holder 31 so that the rotating motion of the arm 430 is converted into reciprocating motion and transmitted to the head holder 31.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the motor frame 4I to which the head motor 42 is attached is provided with a grating motor 45 consisting of a 79 mm motor. , a belt 47, and a pulley 48, the platen IO, which also serves as transfer material transfer means, is transferred in the forward or reverse direction. Furthermore, ribbon cassette 35
Couplings 50 are respectively attached to the drive shafts and pin motors 51, 51 are attached at positions corresponding to the cassette attachment portions 49 where the cassettes are attached. These ribbon motors 51 and 51 are operated in opposite directions, that is, the thermal transfer ribbon 1
Torque is applied in the direction of applying tension to the thermal transfer ribbon 5, and by controlling the magnitude of both torques, the traveling direction of the thermal transfer ribbon 15 can be changed.

On the other hand, the thermal transfer IJ accommodated in the litin cassette 35
, the driving force receiving end 32a of the winding core 32, 33 around which both ends of the yin 150 are wound, , :(J& is exposed to the outside through a through hole formed in the end face of the case 34, As shown in FIG. 14, engagement recesses 52 and 52 are formed at this tip.

When the ribbon cassette 35 is completely installed in the predetermined position, the couplings 50, 50 engage with the engagement recesses 52752 of the winding cores 32, 33, and the thermal transfer retin 15 can be wound. There is.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, the retin cassette 35 has two parallel winding cores 32 and 33 around which both ends of the thermal transfer ribbon 15 are wound. The middle part of the tube 15 is the grating 10 and the thermal head 1.
1 and is enclosed by a case 34 with a portion thereof exposed.

There is a core between the core housing portions 34h and 34b of the case 34? As shown in FIG. 14, slits s and q are formed along the axial direction of the slits 2 and 33 and are open at one end.
Driving force receiving ends 32 a and 33 a of winding cores 32 and 33
The structure is set up.

Furthermore, the case 34 of the ribbon cassette 35 is used to hold the thermal transfer ribbon 1 as shown in FIGS. 9, 13, and 14.
A space part for accommodating the member 31 integrally formed between the back surface of the exposed part of 5 and the case 34 and the thermal head 11 attached to the head holder 31 is shaped +1f.
The f-shaped cross section is shaped like a square.

The width dimension of the thermal transfer ribbon 15 (larger than the maximum winding diameter by the winding cores 32, :33, and the cut depth formed in the case 34) is 5 s.
It is set to more than half of the width dimension of 5.

In this way, the ribbon cassette 35 is designed so that the entire length of the case 34 is L.
Then, it consists of a range tl where the upper and lower parts are connected and a range t2 which is divided into upper and lower halves by the slit 53. Additionally, the width t of the slit 53 is set to be slightly wider than the thickness of the cassette fitting portion 29c of the frame block 29, and the cutting depth t2 of the slit 53 is approximately the same as the width of the cassette fitting portion 29c. The dimensions are set.

When the ribbon cassette 35 is installed, the end surface of the opening 1 of the slit 53 is opposed to the end surface of the cassette fitting part 29c, and the ribbon cassette 35 is pushed in along its longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the f Latin) as shown in FIG. As shown, it is only necessary to engage the cassette fitting part 29c and the slit 53, and when removing it, it is sufficient to pull it out in the opposite direction.

The insertion/removal operation of the main cassette 35 is performed by opening the door body 55 to open the cassette insertion/ejection port 54 formed on the front surface of the main body 1 of the apparatus. (See FIG. 3) Next, the main parts of this invention will be explained. In FIG. 15, the thermal transfer IJ gun 15 has yellow (2), magenta (c), cyan (C), which are approximately the same size as the paper P.
Each black (B) ink portion 15a+15b.

15c and 15d are arranged in sequence. This ribbon I5
Each ink portion 15a is provided on one side edge of the .

Barcodes BC are provided corresponding to 15b, 15c, and 15d, respectively. This barcode BC is composed of 2 bits, and for example, the first ink portion 15a has 2 bits.
A barcode BC of the book is provided correspondingly, and one barcode BC is provided correspondingly to the other ink portions 15b to 15cl.

These barcodes BC are printed in the running direction of the thermal transfer ribbon 15 (
the tip of each ink part (for example, in the case of ink part 15b, near the boundary line with ink part 15a)
For example, it is printed and formed slightly toward the rear end. This barcode BC is detected by the barcode sensor 65 described above.

FIG. 16 shows the configuration of the barcode sensor 65. This barcode sensor 65 has one light emitting element 65a.
and one light-receiving element 65b, and the output signal S8 of this light-receiving element 65b is supplied to the overall control section 14, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 17, the same parts as in FIG. 8 are given the same reference numerals.

In the above configuration, the barcode BC detection operation will be explained. For example, when an image forming operation is commanded by operating the operating panel section 1a shown in FIG. 3, the overall control section 14 moves the thermal transfer ribbon 15 in the forward direction (15 (in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure).

Then, in steps 82 to S5, first, the two G-codes provided in the first ink portion 15e+ are detected. That is, based on Stella fS2, it is determined whether the signal S outputted from the light receiving element 65b of the barcode sensor 65 is at a low level "L". As a result, if the signal Sa is not at a low level, the beam is moved and this operation is repeated; if it is at a low level, 9. 2
If the first barcode of the book is detected, it is determined in step S3 whether the signal Sa is at a high level.

As a result, if the signal S8 is not at a high level, the IJ signal is moved and this operation is repeated, and if it is at a high level, that is, the blank portions of the first and second barcodes are detected. In this case, a timer is operated in Stella 7″S4. This timer is set to the time required for the first barcode and the second barcode to be detected as the thermal transfer ribbon 15 moves. It is counted down when the operation starts.

Then, in step S5+36, a second barcode is detected while the timer is operating.

That is, in step S5, the output signal S of the light receiving element 65b
It is determined whether or not it is at a low level, and if it is not at a low level, it is determined at Stellar fS6 whether or not the set time of the timer has expired. As a result, if the process has not been completed, control is transferred to step S5, and if it has been completed, control is transferred to step fS7.
The timer is reset and control is transferred to the Stella 7O8°.

On the other hand, when the second barcode is detected in step S5, the thermal transfer ribbon 15 is stopped in step S8, and the ribbon 15 is run in the reverse direction in step S9, so that the tip of the ink portion I5a is moved to the transfer start position. . After this,
At step 810, the transfer operation described above is performed. When the transfer is completed, the thermal transfer ribbon 15 is moved in the forward direction again in step Sll, and the barcode corresponding to the second color ink portion 15b is detected in step 77''S, □.That is, in step 812, the light receiving element 65b output signal S
It is determined whether or not the signal is at a low level, and if it is not at a low level, this operation is repeated. Mata, if it is low level,
That is, if a barcode is detected, step sis
The thermal transfer ribbon 15 is stopped at step S14, and the ribbon 15 is run backwards to move the tip of the ink portion 15b to the transfer start position. After this, in step S tS 2
A color transfer operation is performed. When the transfer is completed, it is determined in step 816 whether or not the transfer of gold (four colors) has been completed. If the transfer is still completed, control is transferred to step 811.

Furthermore, when the transfer of all colors is completed, all operations are completed.

According to the above embodiment, two barcodes are provided in the first ink part 15a among the ink parts 15a to 15d of the thermal transfer ribbon 15 consisting of four colors, and two barcodes are provided in the ink parts 15b to 15d of the second and subsequent colors. One barcode is provided for each, and these barcodes are detected by a barcode sensor 65 consisting of one light receiving element 65b.

Therefore, since each ink portion can be identified using fewer light receiving elements than the number of ink portions, it is possible to reduce the size of the per-food sensor 65.

Further, the ink portions 15a to 15a provided in the thermal transfer gun 15 are
Since the arrangement of 15d is fixed, the first ink portion 15a, that is, yellow (A) and the other ink portions 15
Identify b~15d1, -P) lA/-I-
k H--*, -1, -Lll On and J-stop +t
Since it is not necessary to have r-, w y +z color information, it has the advantage that there are fewer reading errors even when printing unevenness occurs in the barcode BC.

Next, other embodiments of the invention will be described. 19th
Barcode sensor 651'i shown in the figure, one light emitting element 6
Two light receiving elements 65e + 65d are provided opposite to 5a. These light receiving elements 55a and 65d are arranged at the same interval as the two barcodes provided corresponding to the ink portion 15a (yellow) of the thermal transfer IJ, 49-n 15. The output signals S, , S, of these light receiving elements 65a, 65d are supplied to the overall control section I4 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 20, the same parts as in FIG. 17 are given the same reference numerals.

In the above configuration, the barcode BC detection operation will be explained. For example, when an image forming operation is commanded by operating the operation panel section 1B shown in FIG. 3, the overall control section 14 moves the thermal transfer recon 15 in the forward direction in step S21 shown in FIG. Navel 1. So, step 1. At step S, two barcodes provided on the first ink portion 15a are detected. That is, the light receiving element 6
Output signal S of 5C165d. , Sd are at low level. If they are not at low level, the wire 15 is moved and this determination is repeated.

Further, if both the output signals Sc and Sd are at low level τ, step 1. The thermal transfer ribbon 15 is stopped at step 323, and the ribbon 15 is run in the reverse direction at step 323, and the tip of the ink portion 15a is moved to the transfer start position.

After this, the transfer operation described above is performed in the steno knob S25. When the transfer is completed, the thermal transfer I is performed at Step 826.
J gun 15 is moved in the forward direction again, and step 1. P82
At step 7, the barcode corresponding to the second color ink portion 15b is detected. That is, it is determined whether the output signal sd of the light receiving element 65d is at a low level or not.If the output signal sd of the light receiving element 65d is not at a low level, this operation is repeated. Also, if the low level is detected, step 1 is detected. The thermal transfer repeater 715 is stopped by the push switch, and the ribbon 15 is moved in the reverse direction by the step S and the knob 82g, and the tip of the ink portion 15'b is moved to the transfer start position. After this, in step 830, 2
A color transfer operation is performed. When the transfer is completed, it is determined in step S3□ whether or not the transfer of all colors has been completed, and if not yet, control is transferred to the progressive step 826.

Furthermore, when the transfer of all colors is completed, all operations are completed.

This embodiment also provides the same effects as the above embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the shape of the barcode sensor can be made into a cylindrical shape, and in which the barcode can be reliably read.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a plan view shown to explain a conventional barcode, Fig. 2 is a side view shown to explain a conventional barcode sensor, and Figs. 3 to 14 are image forming IT according to the present invention. 3 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view, FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical side view, and FIG. 6 is a transfer operation. 7(a) to 7) are explanatory diagrams explaining the movement of paper during multicolor transfer. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the control device. Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the image forming section, Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the thermal head and ribbon guide spaced apart from the platen, and Figure 11 is the thermal head with 1 and 5 attached. A perspective view showing the support state of the head holder, Figure 12 shows the platen and thermal transfer? Fig. 13 is a schematic side view showing the approach and separation mechanism of the thermal spatula l to the platen. Perspective view, No. 15
18 shows an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a thermal transfer paper and a barcode, FIG. 16 is a side view showing a barcode sensor, and FIG. 17 is a side view showing a barcode sensor.
The figure shows the main parts of the control device. 18 is a flowchart shown to explain the operation, FIGS. 19 to 21 show other embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a side view showing a barcode sensor. FIG. 20 is a diagram of the main parts of the control device, and FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the operation. 5... Image forming section, 15... Thermal transfer reagent, 15a
~15d... Ink section, BC... Barcode, 65
... Barcode sensor, 65b to 65el... Light receiving element. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 BCBCCBC Figure 2 t5') Lhi Figure 3 2 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 4] Figure 13 j') Z So No. 14 Figure 15 Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 19 Go to Figure 6a Figure 20

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) An image forming apparatus comprising a transfer material on which a plurality of colorants are disposed, and means for transferring the colorants of the transfer material to a recording medium, wherein the plurality of colorants of the transfer material What is claimed is: 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: at most two identification codes provided corresponding to the respective identification codes; and at most two detectors for detecting the identification codes. 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the colorants of the transfer material include at least three colors. 3) The identification code consists of a barcode, and two barcodes are provided correspondingly to the first color among the plurality of colorants, and one barcode is provided to each of the second and subsequent colorants. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image forming apparatus is provided correspondingly. 4) The image forming apparatus 0 according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of the detectors is one.