JPS61137761A - Color printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the recording position control and heat generation control of recording information at every color, by mounting a heat generation control means for selectively generating heat from heat generators and recording a recording medium according to recording information, a color forming means and a moving means. CONSTITUTION:Heat generation heads 2 comprising heat generators arranged in a linear form are allowed to generate heat according to recording information at every color section of a thermal transfer ink ribbon wherein different picture elements (three colors) are successively arranged so as to provided definite distances between thermaly transferrable color sections and heat-sensitive inks are transferred to a recording medium to perform the recording of an image. In this case, the reading of recording information from video RAM12 storing the recording information is performed according to the read information from one ROM storing control process of the output control of an address, the heat generation region control of the heat generating region group and the selective reading control of recording color information in the heat generating region group.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a color printer, and particularly to a color printer that can efficiently read recorded information recorded for each color in accordance with color information to be generated by a heating element. This relates to color printers.

(Prior Art J) In recent years, transfer-type thermal color printers have been put into practical use, and some practical machines are also being provided.

These color printers often use a multi-stylus pen system as a heat generating head.

The three colors yellow (hereinafter referred to as Y), magenta (hereinafter referred to as M), and cyan (hereinafter referred to as C), or black added to the above three colors, are used between the heat generating head and the recording paper. 4
There is an ink lipo in which heat-sensitive inks of different colors or more colors are applied in an alternating array in a fixed width, and color recording is performed by transferring the heat-sensitive ink of the ink ribbon onto the recording paper using a heating pad.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of recording in an example of such a color printer.

It is shown in FIG. , on the lower surface of a heating head 2 of a multi-starus pen type having a heating element group 1 arranged linearly to form a recording line R, a paper distribution 3 can run in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording line R. The recording paper 3 is fed by a feed roller 5 which is rotationally driven by an appropriate paper feeding means 4.

A heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is interposed between the heating element group 1 of the heating head 2 and the recording paper 3, and is driven by an appropriate ribbon driving means (not shown) to form an acute angle of 0 with respect to the recording line R. The ribbon runs along the oblique running line r at .

The heating element group 1 installed in the heating head 2 is formed by forming a conductive thin film in an S* shape using photolithography technology, and fixing a resistor as a heating element to the tip of each ms. A so-called multi-stylus pen is used that can generate heat in units of 14'i teeth.

The recording process for one column of this color printer will be explained with reference to FIG.

The heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 has other sections of three colors, and the ink application width of each of the other sections is constant.

In FIG. 3, on the surface of the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6, other sections Y, M, and C, which are separated by a certain distance gIL along the running line r of the ribbon 6, are arranged sequentially and repeatedly. The other sections Y, M, and C record and display (transfer) pixels of a color unique to the section 1 on the recording surface of the recording paper 3 in response to the heat from the heating element group 1. . 1 for 3 colors
Other section Y.

Each of M and C is impregnated with yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink, respectively.

In such a color printer, when recording image information on recording paper, each heating element corresponding to each fi9m in the heating element group l is selected in accordance with the recording data for each color and generates heat. be done. For example, when transferring only Y on the ink ribbon, multiple heating elements of the heating heads located in the section of the ink ribbon where Y is coated are made to generate heat at the same time, Y is transferred, and then the section of the ink ribbon where Y is coated is transferred first. The ink ribbon is moved to a position adjacent to the recorded Y section, and the heating element of the heat generating head in the Y application section of the moved ink ribbon is made to generate heat, thereby transferring Y.

During the recording operation, with the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 stationary, each heating element of the heat-generating element group l forming the recording line R is connected to each of the other sections Y, M, and C of the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6. Line-shaped heating areas Nl, N2* with a distance gIfL on the recording line R occupying positions corresponding to the central portion, respectively.
It is divided into N3, . . . and controlled so that it can generate heat.

That is, heat generating areas N,, N2. . . . Regarding the N area, the heat generating state may be turned on or off depending on the special recording information signal S1 for each color and the heat generation control signal supplied to each of the heat generating elements in the area. In contrast, a clearance area (n'x+n2), (n
'2 + n3) , . . . remain in a non-heating state regardless of the recording information signal S1 and the heat generation control signal. As a result, each boundary line of the adjacent other sections is a clearance area (n'z+n2), (n'2+n3),...
It is located so as to divide the central part of the
A heat generating area (for example, one heat generating area N2) of the intersection has a front end clearance area (for example, area n2) with a distance of 6 lines/2 at its front end, and a distance ΔfL at its rear end.
/2 rear end clearance area (for example, area n'2)
Other sections of the corresponding distance gIL (for example, other sections M)
completely contained within.

Therefore, the recording data for each color is provided to the heat generating head drive means in correspondence with the position of another section of the ink ribbon, and each time the ink ribbon is moved, the record data for each color is reconfigured and provided to the heat generating head drive means. Heat generation must be controlled.

For this reason, video R records data for each color separately.
In order to read recorded data from the AM, a complicated circuit configuration is required, and its control is also troublesome.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a configuration for outputting each recording data to this conventional heat generating head 2. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, recording data for each color of one line (vertical one bit) of the recording paper 3 is stored in the video RAM 120, including a Y data recording section 121 that records each yellow data, an M data recording section 122 that records magenta data, They are each stored in the C data recording section 123 that records cyan data.

These data are sent in synchronization with the CLK signal from other information processing devices, and the address counter 131 uses this CLK signal.
The write address of the video RAM 120 is sequentially counted up in synchronization with the K signal and written into the video RAM.

The stored data written in this way for each color is read out sequentially in accordance with the address data from the address counter 131. But here, video RAM120
Among the color data read out at the same time, one color corresponding to the other section position of the ink ribbon 6 is selected, and the heat generating head 2
must be given to

Therefore, the address data from the address counter 131 is input to the comparator 132, and the comparator 132 uses the address data of the address counter 131 and the current other section position on the marked Q line R of the recording paper 3 of the ink ribbon 6. The data is compared with data from the other section switching data recording section 133 that records information. Match information 137 when both values match
Output. When this - number information 137 is output, the reading of the current color data (recorded data) for the same - other section of the ink ribbon that is sequentially read out from the video RAM 120 is completed, and the reading of the recorded data to be read next is completed. This indicates that the colors are different, and the address generating section 134, which has received this minus number information, increments the read address of the other section switching data recording section 133 by one in order to read out the next other section switching position data. The other section switching data recording section 133 outputs the switching position data of the next other section corresponding to the address from the address generating section 134 to the comparison section 132. Thereby, the comparison unit 132 checks whether the position data of the next other section of the ink ribbon matches.

At the same time as the address generation section 134 increments, increment information is also sent to the color selection circuit control section 135.
The color selection circuit control unit 135 is a color selection circuit 13 that selects one color from among the read data from the video AM 120.
The 0 color selection circuit control section 135 that outputs color selection information to the ink ribbon 6 records color information to be selected corresponding to other section positions of the ink ribbon 6.

In this way, 1 corresponding to the other section positions of the ink ribbon 6 is
The recording data for the rows is sent to the heat generating head 2, and recording of the heat generating area for each other section is performed according to the heat generating control signal. Thereafter, the recording paper 3 is fed by one digit (one pixel), and the next row of recording data is stored in the video RAM 120 again, and the above control is performed.

As described above, conventionally, complicated control and complicated configuration were unavoidable.

[Objective] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and
The purpose is to provide a color printer that can easily control the recording position and heat generation of recording information +U for each color.

[Summary of the Invention] A heat-generating head consisting of heat-generating elements arranged in a straight line is attached to each of the thermal transfer ink ribbons in which different picture elements (three colors) can be thermally transferred, and other sections are sequentially arranged at a constant distance according to recorded information. Generate heat in each other section and transfer the thermal ink to the recording medium,
Video RA that stores recorded information when recording images
Recording control that performs output control of readout address of recording information from M, heat generation area control of a heat generation area group, and selective readout control of recorded color information in the heat generation area according to readout information from one ROM that stores control procedures. The objects of the invention are achieved by a color printer that is easy to construct, reliable, and simple.

[Example] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a recording information processing section according to an embodiment of the present invention, 2 is a heat generating head, 7 is a heat generating area control section, and the heat generating area control section 7 is equipped with a heat generating head drive section 7a. There is. 10 is a control unit, 11 is a video interface,
12 is a video RAM; 13 is an address register that holds read/write addresses for the video RAM 12;
4 is a color selection circuit; 15 is a video RAM 12 (7) that controls reading/writing, selects a color of data read from the video RAM 12, and specifies a heat generation mode;
15 is an other section control circuit; 16 is a transfer mode control section; 17 is a mode switching section; and 20 is an ink ribbon drive section that drives the ink ribbon 6.

The video RAM control 15 is composed of 128 bytes of EPRAM, and receives address data sent from the address register 40 and CLOCK! sent from the video interface l]. It controls the video RAM 12 according to the signal and outputs a color selection signal to the color selection circuit 14. Along with this, the control unit 10 has a heat generating area control and an ink ribbon 6.
It also outputs a mode signal, which will be described later, for movement control.

The recording section of this embodiment has a schematic configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 2.

Each heating element corresponding to each comb tooth (some corresponding to two comb teeth) in the heating element group l is selected by the heat generating area control section 7, and is heated by the heat generating head drive section 7a. .

The operation of this embodiment will be explained below.

Recording information for this embodiment is sent as a video signal from another information processing device (not shown), and thus is received by the video interface 11. For example, CRT
When recording still images displayed on a display device, the video interface 11 receives recording data sent in synchronization with the GLOCK signal for each horizontal scanning line of the CRT, and the received recording information is based on the received CLOCK signal. The data is sequentially stored in the video RAM 12 in accordance with the write address data of the video RAM 12 output from the video RAM control circuit 15 which has received the address data from the address register 13 that is counted up.

When the recorded data for one column is completed, the video RAM 12
The recorded data is sequentially read out, and the color selection circuit 14 selects R (let) from the video signal.

Each color signal of G (green) and B (blue) is Y.

M and C, and under the control of the video RAM control circuit 15, recording color information that should be heated corresponding to other sections of the thermal ink ribbon 6 is sent to the heat generation area control section 7.

During the recording operation, with the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 stationary, each heating element of the heat-generating element group 1 forming the recording line R is connected to each of the other sections Y, M, and C of the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6. Line-shaped heating areas Nx, N2, N3, with a distance of 81 on the recording line R occupying positions corresponding to the central portion, respectively.
. . . and are controlled to generate heat in the same manner as shown in FIG. 3 above.

The heat generation permission signal from the mode switching unit 17 is first an ODD signal 18 that allows the odd-numbered heating element counting from the left end (or counting from the right end) of the heating element group 1 of the heating head 2 to generate heat. , and then an EVEN signal 19 that allows even-numbered heating elements to generate heat is alternately outputted, and either one of the heating permission signals is outputted, and at the end of each heating scan, the thermal ink ribbon 6 is moved to the next one. move to position. As a result, a uniform amount of heat can be obtained at any heat generating position of the heating element.

An example of a case where odd-numbered heating elements and even-numbered heating elements are alternately made to generate heat within the heat generating area is shown in Fig. 4.
As shown in the figure, one heating area consists of a group of 24 heating elements, which are overlapped by moving 1/2 sentence after recording the odd heating element and controlling the heating of the even heating element. All recording ends. By controlling in this way, a completely uniform amount of heat generation can be obtained at any position in the heat generation area, and high quality recording can be performed.

Note that, in this embodiment, between one heat generation control for the same color and the next heat generation control, the thermal ink ribbon 6 is moved a distance l1 to the left or right along the ribbon running line r.
The vehicle is moved by I11/2, and at this time each heat generating area N1
．． N2, N3, . . . also move along the recording line R at a distance of fan/2 in accordance with the traveling distance of the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6.
move only.

Such a heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6, in other words, each other section Y,
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram that compares and shows the positional relationship between M, C and the heat generating regions Nx*N21, N31, etc. when they run simultaneously.

In this example, the distance gIL is 8 mm, and the distance viewing is 6 mm.
The number of heating elements in the distance viewing interval is 24 (24 dots).

The heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is moved so that the left end of the recording paper 3 is at a position where yellow ink can be recorded, as an initial state of recording processing for one line, and the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is moved to a heat generating area N shown in FIG.
1 is the yellow ink recording position. That is, as in step 1 shown in FIG. 5, the left end of the recording paper 3 becomes the recording position of the yellow picture element.

The control unit 10 outputs the read clock CLK of the address register 13 and sequentially reads recorded data from the video RAM 12 via the video RAM control circuit 15.

Here, the video RAM control circuit 15 reads all the recording data for three colors from the video RAM 12 in accordance with the CLK signal from the control unit 10, and selects the recording data of the picture element to be recorded from among the read data. Color selection circuit 14
1 to the heat generation control unit 7 from the video RAM 12.
Send recorded data of selected picture elements for rows.

When transfer of one row of arrangement data to the heat generating area control unit 7 is completed, the control unit 10 outputs a heat generation signal (not shown) of the heat generating head 2 to the transfer mode control unit 16, and controls the transfer mode. During this heating signal on time, the section 16 controls the video RA.
The heat generating area controller 7 is controlled to cause the heat generating area to generate heat according to the heat generating area mode specified by the M control circuit 15.

The transfer mode control unit 16 sets the heat generating area mode according to the specification. For example, initially, the position shown in step 1 of FIG. 5 is set as the heat generating area.

To record one line of a certain picture element, steps 1 to 4 shown in FIG. Step 6, Step 8. Step 10. Heat is generated in eight heat generating area modes in step 12. This heat generation area is common to each picture element, and the heat generation control described above is performed eight times for each picture element, that is, heat generation control is performed 24 times for three colors.

Note that the video RAM 12 outputs 102 signals for each color as signals output from the video RAM control circuit 15 of this embodiment.
It has a storage area for 4 bits, and this video RAM
12 bits as a read address, 3 bits as a color selection signal to the color selection circuit 14, 3 bits as a recording designation signal to the recording paper, and 3 bits as a heating area mode designation signal to the transfer mode control i1 section 16.

Hereinafter, the recording operation for one line in this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, the control unit 10 sends the CLKM signal to the address register 13, and the video RAM control circuit 15 selects the video RAM based on the address data from the address register 13.
Each picture element is read out from 12, and among the read picture elements, the yellow picture element is sent to the heat generating area control section 7 as valid. When one line of recording data (yellow) has been sent.

Since this is the first recording, heat generation mode 1 is designated to the transfer mode control section 16. Here, the control section 10 is a mode switching section 17.
Then, ODD recording is performed, that is, control is performed so that only the odd-numbered heating elements in the heating area generate heat, and a heating timing signal is output to the transfer mode control section 16. As a result, the first recording control for the yellow picture element shown in step 1 of FIG. 5 is completed.

When this recording process is finished, the control section 10 controls the ribbon control section 2.
0 to drive the ink ribbon 6.

Here, in order to drive (feed) 1/2 Jl, the ink ribbon is driven by 3 pitches. Here, 1 pitch is [■
is the amount of movement.

The video RAM control circuit 15 then specifies heat generation mode 2, and the control unit 1O controls the mode switching unit 17 to perform EVKN recording, that is, to cause only the even-numbered heat generating elements in the heat generation area to generate heat, and the control unit 10 controls the transfer mode control unit 16 to Outputs heat generation timing signal.

This completes the recording control in step 2 shown in Figure ff55.

Next, heat generation mode 3 is specified, and the control unit 10 controls the mode switching unit 17 to perform ODD recording, that is, to generate heat only from the odd-numbered heating elements in the heat generation area, and outputs a heat generation timing signal to the transfer mode control unit 16. do. This completes the recording control of step 3 shown in FIG. Control is performed so that only the heating element generates heat, and a heat generation timing signal is output to the transfer mode control section 16. This completes the recording control in step 4 shown in FIG.

Then, in Step 5, the ink ribbon 6 is
Pitch feed is performed, and since magenta picture elements are to be recorded this time, the control unit 1o sets the address register, ,+star l3 to C.
The LK signal is sent, and the video RAM control circuit 15 reads out each picture element from the video RAM 12 based on the address data from the address register 13, and among the read picture elements, the magenta picture element is set as valid and heat generating area. It is sent to the control section 7. When the transmission of one line of recording data (magenta) is completed, the video RAM control circuit 15 switches to heat generation mode 2.
, the control unit 10 controls the mode switching unit 17 to perform EVEN recording, that is, to generate heat only from the even-numbered heating elements in the heat generating area, and outputs a heat generation timing signal to the transfer mode control unit 16.

This completes the first magenta recording control in step 5 shown in FIG.

The next step 6 is to record the yellow picture element, so
In the same manner as above, the ink ribbon 6 is fed three pitches, each picture element is read out from the video RAM 12, and among the read picture elements, the yellow picture element is made valid and one line of recorded data is sent to the heat generating area control section 7. . When the transmission of one line of recording data (yellow) is completed, the video RAM control circuit 15 specifies heat generation mode 5, the mode switching unit 17 sets the ODD recording mode, and the fifth yellow color shown in step 6 of FIG. Recording ends.

Then, in the following step 7, the ink ribbon 6 is fed two pitches to record magenta picture elements.To record the magenta picture elements, each picture element is similarly read out from the video RAM 12, and a magenta picture is selected from among the read picture elements. The recording data for one line is sent to the heating area control section 7 with the element set as valid. When the transmission of one line of recording data (magenta) is completed, the video RAM control circuit 15 specifies heat generation mode 3, the mode switching section 17 sets the EVEN recording mode, and the second magenta recording shown in step 7 of FIG. recording ends.

Thereafter, each picture element is sequentially read out from the video RAM 12 in the same manner, and as the ink ribbon 6 moves in other sections, the corresponding picture element is selected as valid from among the picture elements read out.
This selected one line of recording data is sent to the heat generating area control section 7, the video RAM control circuit 15 sequentially specifies the heat generation mode for each color, and the mode switching section 17 selects the ODD recording mode and EVEN recording mode for each color. and alternately select the fifth
Recording is performed for each step shown in the figure, and the ink ribbon 6 is driven (feeded).

In this way, steps 1 to 24 shown in FIG.
For each color, recording is performed eight times according to the eight heating area recording modes, and recording of all colors for one line is completed.

The paper feeding means 4 feeds the recording paper 3 by one pitch (l picture element), and the recording process for the next line is executed.

That is, in the above embodiment, eight heating scans for each color constitute one cycle of transfer operation, and during this period, X in FIG.
Picture elements of three colors from three different sections M, C, and Y can be transferred onto the recording surface of the recording paper 3 corresponding to the entire area of the recording line R extending in the axial direction. Additionally, there is no particular restriction on the number of heat-generating scans that constitute one cycle of transfer operation.

As explained above, in each heat generation control, only the same color is recorded, so the color selection for read data from the video RAM 12 only needs to be the same/color, making control extremely easy. can be done.

Furthermore, in the above explanation, the case where the heat generating area is constant among each color has been taken as an example. It is shown in Figure 6.

When the feed amount of the ink ribbon 6 is kept constant, recording of all colors for the entire area of the recording line R of the recording paper 3 is completed in 16 heating scans as shown in modes 1 to 16 in FIG. It turns out.

In this case, the amount of movement of the ink ribbon 6 at one time (movement amount #)
is 3 pitches (3■).

By controlling in this way, the control of the heat generating area and recording color selection becomes somewhat complicated, but the recording mode only requires 16 steps and the heat generating time is short.

In the above description of this embodiment, an example was explained in which conversion from R9G, B in the video signal to Y, M, and C is performed when reading from the video RAM 12. However, the above conversion is performed from the video interface 11 to the revideo RAM 12. The converted Y, M, and C are stored in the video RAM 12.
You may also store it in

In addition, we have explained an example in which the heating head has a capacity equal to the recording width of the recording medium and the heating elements of the head are fixed in one row, but the heating head is smaller than the recording width and the necessary recording is performed by moving the head. Even in thermal printers, uniform printing quality can be achieved by dividing heat generation so that adjacent heating elements do not generate heat at the same time.

It goes without saying that even if the recording medium is a heat-sensitive recording medium and the recording medium is directly colored by one heating head, exactly the same effect can be obtained.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a simple thermal printer with a simple configuration that allows easy selection of recording data and control of heat generating areas.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a recording control section according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a recording section of a thermal printer, and FIG. 3 is a relationship between a heat generating head of a thermal printer, a thermal ribbon, and a recording surface. Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the heat generating position of the heating element in this embodiment, Figures 5 and 6 are the relationship between the heat generating area control of the heat generating head and the movement control of the heat sensitive ink ribbon in this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a video RAM reading section of a conventional thermal printer. In the figure, ■... Heat generating element group, 2... Heat generating head, 6...
・Thermal ink ribbon, 7... Heat generating area control section, 7a・
...Heating head drive unit, 13...Address register,
15... Video RAM control circuit, 16... Transfer mode control section, 17... Mode switching section, 18... 0 mouth signal, 19... EVEN signal, 20... Ribbon control section, L...other section width, vertical...heating area width, 6 sentences...
・Non-heat generation desired range width, N1-N9... Heat generation area.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A heat generating means consisting of a plurality of heat generating elements arranged in a straight line, and a first predetermined distance along the heat generating means interposed between the heat generating means and the recording medium in response to heat from the heat generating means. A coloring means in which at least two types of other sections capable of recording picture elements of a specific color on a recording surface of a recording medium are alternately arranged in sequence, and recording information on the recording medium for each color of the coloring means is recorded. a storage means; the storage means reads recorded information of a color corresponding to the other section; and a plurality of heating area groups extending over a second predetermined distance smaller than the first predetermined distance of the coloring means are each stored in the coloring means; It is characterized by comprising a heat generation control means for selectively causing the heating element to generate heat so as to be formed in correspondence with other sections and recording it on a recording medium in accordance with read recorded information, and a moving means for moving the coloring means. color printer. (2) The heat generation control means outputs the readout address of the recording information from the recording means, controls the heat generation areas of the heat generation area group, and controls the selection and readout of recorded color information in the heat generation areas from a single ROM that stores control procedures. 2. The color printer according to claim 1, wherein the color printer performs the printing according to read information.