JPS61137487A - Picture printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To print a monochrome picture from a color picture by using a monochrome picture printing device that uses black ink and a signal converting device that makes monochrome video signals from video signals of R, G, B. CONSTITUTION:Video signals of R, G, B are approximated to monochrome video signals by resistances 14, 15, 16, 17. A signals switching device 18 selects monochrome video signals (d) and signals R, G, B and the output is A/D converted. When the signals (d) are selected, a signal processing device 20 transfers ink of a black transfer sheet BL to a picture receiving paper by heat generation of a thermal head that expresses the gradation of black, and a monochrome picture is printed. When video signals of R, G, B are selected, signals are selected successively by the signal switching device 18, each color is printed by a tri-color transfer sheet 22 and three colors are superposed successively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to black and white image printing using an image printer inputting RGB video signals.

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technology, for example, there is a prototype color note copy printer system described in the 1959 Shikijutsuken Publication, Research Introduction Material 1, page 33, published by the NHK Institute of Advanced Technology.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional example. 1 is an A/D converter that A/D converts R2G and H video signals, 2 is a frame memory that stores the output of the A/D converter, and 3 is a D/A converter for the output of frame memory 2. D/A
Converter 4 is R(
5 is a G (green) CRT whose input is the output C of the D/A converter 3; 6 is a B (blue) CRT whose input is the output C of the D/A converter 3; 7 is a CRT
A combining prism that combines the modulated light of 4.5.6, 8 an imaging lens that images the combined light combined by the combining prism 7 onto a film 9, and 1o reflects the combined light from the imaging lens onto the film 9. 11 is a moving stage on which the film 9 and mirror 1o are installed; 12 is a moving stage 1;
A step motor 1 moves the motor 1, and a computer 13 calculates data in the claim memory and controls the step motor 12.

The input R, G, and B video signals are converted into digital signals by the A/D converter 1 and stored in the frame memory 2. Next, the output signal processed by the computer 13 is converted into an analog signal by the D/A converter 3, and the CRT 4.6. supplied to e. CRT4,s,
The modulated light from e is projected onto the film 9 by line scanning, and one image is printed by line sequential method. As described above, conventional color image printers print color images by inputting KGB video signals.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the conventional configuration, it is not possible to obtain a monochrome image from a color image provided by an RGB video signal.

Means to Solve the Problems Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a black and white image printing means using black ink, R, G.

A signal conversion means is used to create a black and white video signal from the B video signal.

Operation The present invention enables printing not only a color image but also a monochrome image from a color image provided by an RGB video signal by the above-described means.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, 14, 15, 16°17 are R, G
, a resistor for converting the H video signal into a black and white video signal, 1
8 are video signals R, Q, B and resistors 14, 15, 16 .
A signal switcher 17 selects the synthesized black and white video signal, and a signal switcher 19 converts the video signal selected by the signal switcher 18 into an A/
An A/D converter that performs D conversion, and a signal processor 21 that converts the signal converted by the A/D converter 19 into thermal energy data generates heat by the thermal energy data output from the signal processor 20. Thermal head 22 is a transfer sheet printed with three color inks that are transferred to the image receiving paper by the heat generated by the thermal head 21, and 23 is a transfer sheet printed with BL (black) ink for monochrome image printing. The image printer configured as described above will be explained using the drawings.

The R, G, and B video signals are added by 14, 15, and 16.17 in a ratio of approximately 0.30:0.59:0.11. Although this approximates a black and white video signal, it is a more than sufficient approximation for reproducing a black and white image.

The signal switch 18 outputs a black and white video signal d, a color signal R,
G and B are selected, and the signal is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 19 and input to the signal processor 2o. When the black-and-white video signal d is selected in the signal processor 20, BL ink is transferred to the image-receiving paper by the heat generated by the thermal head 21, which represents shades of black, and a black-and-white image is printed. R,G.

When the B video signal is selected, the R video signal is first selected by the signal switcher 18, and the output converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 19 is converted into a C (complementary color of H) by the signal processor 20. The cyan) signal is converted into corresponding thermal energy data and output. C (cyan) ink on the transfer sheet is transferred to the image receiving paper by heat generation of the thermal head 21 based on the thermal energy data. Similarly, KG has M (magenta), which is the complementary color of G.

B corresponds to Y (yellow), which is a complementary color of B, and is transferred, and the three colors are superimposed on each other by a field sequential method to print a color image.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 24, 25.

26 is an A/D converter that A/D converts the R, G, and B video signals, and 27, 28, and 29 are coefficients h+, respectively.
1+] is a multiplier with a multiplication coefficient, 3° is a multiplier 27
．． 28. Adder that adds l and m to the output of 29, 31
is the color video digital signal e+f+'J and the adder 3
Signal switcher and signal processor 31 for selecting output n of 0
The subsequent steps are the same as in the first embodiment. The image printer configured as described above will be explained using the drawings.

R, G, and B video signals are sent to A/D converters 24 and 25.

26, each is converted into a digital signal, and multipliers 27, 28, and 29 convert it into a digital signal.
o, 59. Multiply m#gX0.11 by row &i, adder 3
o is added to the output n=+l+m=eX0.30
+fX0.59+gX0.11. (7) Output n
is a black and white video signal created from R, G, and B video signals. R, G, B digital video signals c, f.

q and the output n of the adder 30 are selected by the signal switch 31 and output to the signal processor 2o. The signal processor 2o and subsequent parts perform the same operation as in the first embodiment.

Further, FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a thermal transfer recording sheet, in which a monochromatic material 53 containing at least one of pigments, dyes, carbon black, etc. is disposed on the surface 52 side of a thin film or sheet-like substrate 51, and its viscosity decreases as the temperature rises. Related binder material 6
4. A thin layer of ink material 66 is formed, for example of a mixed material with a hot melt binder material.

The ink material 56 has a higher melting point or pour point than the binder material 54, and has a particle size greater than the thickness of the layer of the ink material 55.

For example, they are ink transfer auxiliary particles such as thermosetting resin particles, thermoplastic resin particles, and inorganic powder particles. In this example, a thin layer of ink material 66 is also located on the protruding surface of the ink transfer auxiliary particle, but this does not necessarily have to be present. Thermal energy 59 of a thermal head (not shown) corresponding to printing pulses 57 and 58 based on digital signals output by any of the methods explained in FIGS. 1 and 2,
60, the temperature of the ink material layer 65 is increased from the back surface 61 side,
When the melting point is reached and the required heat of fusion is still supplied, the hot melt binder material 64 is heated under this constant melting point temperature.
is melted and liquefied to produce a so-called molten ink material 62 with substantially reduced viscosity.

If the melting point or pour point of the ink transfer auxiliary particles 66 is selected to be higher than that of the binder material 54, the temperature increase due to heat conduction from the base surface 62 and further from the molten ink material 62 is continuous up to the melting point. .

Thus, the unmelted ink material 66 in contact with the surface 64 of the portion of the ink transfer assisting particle 56 embedded in the ink material layer 65 and the surface 65 of the portion protruding from the layer surface 63 has a melting point temperature even at the highest temperature. Instead, the heat of fusion is supplied by heating from the auxiliary particle surface 64,65 which has a higher melting point temperature. Therefore, Figure 4a
Melted ink material 6 along its surface 64, 65 as shown in FIG.
2 is generated, and with the pulse width of the printing pulse 57.58,
After that, the melted part expands, and the viscosity of the melted part further decreases, fluidity increases, and it adheres to the recording medium 66.
6, the viscosity increases and is further solidified and transferred (Fig. 4b). Therefore, the amount of molten ink material e2 transferred changes depending on the pulse width of the printing pulses 57 and 58, making it possible to perform gradation recording. At this time, cyan is used as the coloring material 53.

If a three-color thermal transfer recording sheet 50 using yellow and magenta pigments is used in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a full-color image can be obtained.
If carbon black or the like is used as the material, a monochrome gradation image can be obtained.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, by using an extremely simple circuit configuration and a black transfer sheet, it is possible to print only a color image from R, G, and B video signals of a color image. Moreover, it is also possible to print black and white images, which has great practical effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image printer according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image printer according to another embodiment of the invention. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional image printer, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the recording state of a recording tray that can be used in the same image printer. 1.19, 24, 25.26..., -A/D converter, 2... Frame memory, 3...
D/A converter, 4゜6.6...CRT, 7...
...Synthesizing prism, 8...Imaging lens, 9
...Film, IQ...Mirror, 11
...Moving stage, 12...Step motor, 13...Computer, 14, 16,
16.17... Resistance, 18.31...
Signal switcher, 2o...Signal processor, 21...
・-・Thermal head, 22...C (cyan)
1M (magenta), Y (yellow) printed transfer sheet, 23...BL (black) printed transfer sheet, 27.28.29...multiplier, 30.
...Adder. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 3
Figure 4 (a-)

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A color printer that inputs R (red signal), G (green signal), and B (blue signal) video signals, and a black and white image printing means using black ink, etc., and the R, G, and B images. An image printer comprising a signal conversion means for producing a black and white video signal from the signal, and printing not only a color image but also a black and white image from the R, G, B video signals. (2) R, G, B video signal approximately 0.30:0.59
: An analog signal addition means for weighting with a ratio of 0.11, and A for A/D converting the output of this analog signal addition means.
2. The image printer according to claim 1, further comprising: /D converting means, and printing a monochrome image using the signal converted by the analog signal adding means. (3) signal switching means for selecting one of the R, G, B video signals and the black and white video signal produced by the analog signal adding means; and A/D conversion means for A/D converting the output of the signal switching means. 3. The image printer according to claim 2, wherein the image printer is capable of printing color images and monochrome images using one A/D converter. (4) Comprising means for A/D converting the R, G, and B video signals, weighting means for weighting at a ratio of approximately 0.30:0.59:0.11, and digital signal addition means. 2. The image printer according to claim 1, wherein a monochrome image is printed using signals converted by the weighting means and the digital signal addition means. (5) A color printer that inputs R, G, and B video signals is provided with a signal converting means that creates a black and white video signal from the R, G, and B video signals, and whose viscosity is controlled to be reduced by temperature increase recording control. , has an ink material that imparts transferability to a recording medium, has a higher melting point or pour point than a binder material that is a component of this ink material, and has a particle size of at least a part of the ink material. is based on a thermal transfer recording sheet in which a thermal transfer layer in which the ink material is mixed with ink transfer auxiliary particles having a particle size equal to or larger than the thickness of the layer made of the ink material is placed on one side of a sheet-shaped heat-resistant substrate. image printing means, and using the color image printing means of the three primary colors by the image printing means, the R, G, B
An image printer characterized in that it not only prints a color image from a video signal, but also prints a monochrome image using the signal conversion means and a monochrome image printing means by the image printing means.