JPS6221564A - Color recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform a color image recording at a high speed, by a method wherein a recording paper carry path, a recording paper discharge path, and a recording paper cycle path wherein the recording paper fed from a thermal head is guided again to the thermal head are formed, and the recording paper is discharged on a paper discharge tray after the solid ink of each color in an ink ribbon is melted and adhered on the recording paper in sequence of the area. CONSTITUTION:The facsimile signal is received via a line control part 91 and the image signals resolved by color are stored in a page memory 96. A recording paper 22 is carried by a feed roller 34 and a pinch roller 35 to be pinched between a platen roller 11 and an ink ribbon 61 which is being fed. When the leading edge of the recording paper 22 faced to the yellow beginning portion in the ink ribbon 61 comes right above the heating resistor line in a thermal head 12, the image signal corresponding to an yellow is read first from the resolved image signals stored in the page memory 96 and sent to the thermal head 12, whereby the heating resistors therein are heated so that the yellow solid ink layer in the ink ribbon 61 is melted to be transferred on the recording paper 22 to perform an yellow image recording.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a color recording device, and more particularly to a color recording device using a thermal transfer recording method.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Conventionally, there are inkjet recording methods, electrophotographic methods, electrostatic recording methods, and thermal transfer recording methods as means for recording color information. Of these, the inkjet recording method uses colored ink and separates fine particles for each color. This device ejects water from a small diameter nozzle in response to the image signal to be recorded, attaches it to the recording paper, and records the image. However, it is difficult to use multiple nozzles, so high speed cannot be achieved, and the nozzles are easily clogged, making it difficult for the device to operate. The problem was that it lacked reliability. In contrast, in the electrophotographic method, a photoconductor drum that has been uniformly charged in advance is scanned and exposed in a dark place with a light beam such as a laser beam modulated by an image signal to obtain an electrostatic m image, and toner is selectively applied to this image. After being applied and developed, the process is transferred to plain paper, and as the process is repeated for each color, the process is extremely complicated, and the equipment is also large and expensive.

Furthermore, the electrostatic recording method uses a multi-stylus head,
An electrostatic latent image is created in accordance with the image signal on the electrostatic recording paper that comes into contact with this, and development is performed in the same way as in electrophotography.
This process is repeated for each color, and the process is nearly as complex as electrophotography, making it difficult to miniaturize the device.

On the other hand, the thermal transfer recording method heats an ink ribbon, which has a heat bath-meltable solid ink layer containing a colorant on a base film such as paper or resin, using a thermal head that is energized in response to an image signal. The ink layer is melted, brought into contact, and transferred onto plain recording paper, and #i images and fixing are not required, which simplifies the process and makes it possible to downsize the apparatus. To perform color recording using this method,
As shown in FIG. 5, an ink ribbon having an ink layer divided into bands of cyan, magenta, yellow, or black is used to repeatedly scan the same mQ recording paper for each color. This is generally called a field sequential recording method, and the methods shown in FIG. 6 and the method shown in FIG. 7 are conventionally known for conveying the recording paper for this purpose. The method shown in Figure 6 is
For recording one color, for example, cyan, a recording paper 104 is conveyed by a platen roller 101 connected to a stepping motor (not shown) and a feed roller 103 that cooperates with a pinch roller 102, and an ink ribbon A is recorded by a conveying device (not shown). While conveying the recording paper 10 at the same speed as the paper 104, the recording paper 10 is transported in cooperation with the platen roller 101.
4 and the ink ribbon A in close contact and pressure contact.
The recording paper 104 is selectively biased according to the image signal No. 5.
When recording of one color is completed, the platen roller 101 and the thermal head 105 are separated by means not shown, and the feed roller 103
is rotated in the opposite direction so that the leading edge of the recording paper 104 is aligned with the thermal head 105.
Return until it reaches near . During this time, the ink ribbon A is conveyed in the same direction as during recording until the next color to be recorded, for example magenta, reaches the recording position of the thermal head 105. Thereafter, the platen roller 101 and the thermal roller 105 are brought into pressure contact, the recording paper 104 and the ink ribbon are held between them, and magenta recording is started. Below, these processes are recorded by the number of colors of ink ribbon A, that is, 3 or 4 (
By repeating g1, a color image is finally obtained on the recording paper 105. This method has the advantage of being able to record color images in a field-sequential manner using a relatively simple mechanism, but it requires time to return the recording paper 104 for each color, which is a waste of time for recording. Therefore, there is a problem that the recording speed is limited and disadvantageous for high-speed recording.In addition, space may be required to temporarily accommodate the reciprocating recording paper 104, which is disadvantageous for downsizing the device. This is the condition. In the method shown in FIG. 7, a recording paper 202 is wound around a drum-shaped platen 201 connected to a stepping motor (not shown), and an ink ribbon A whose length for one color is approximately equal to the length of the drum-shaped platen 201 is passed through an ink ribbon A to a thermal head. The drum-shaped platen 201 rotates once in the same direction for each color of recording by pressing the ink ribbon 203, and at the same time conveys the ink ribbon at the same speed by a drive device (not shown) to perform color recording.
Three to four rotations light guide the recording of the color image. The recording paper 202 on which recording has been completed is peeled off from the drum-shaped platen 201 and taken out. According to this method, it is possible to minimize wasted time that is not directly involved in recording due to the back and forth movement of the recording paper in the method shown in FIG. 202 to the drum-shaped platen 201 and the need for a complicated mechanism for peeling it off, the use of a specially shaped thermal head, and the time required to record one page regardless of the paper size. The disadvantage of this method is that it cannot take advantage of the advantage of being suitable for high speeds with fixed or short recording paper. In addition, the drum-shaped platen has a large diameter, which makes it difficult to downsize the device and requires a large rotational driving force.

[Purpose of the invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a color recording apparatus using a heat-sensitive transfer recording method, which eliminates the drawbacks of the conventional apparatus and is capable of performing color image recording in a field-sequential manner at high speed.

Another purpose is to use a specially shaped thermal head (
An object of the present invention is to provide a compact and inexpensive color recording device.

Still another object is to provide a color recording apparatus that can always minimize wasted time not involved in recording, regardless of the size of the recording paper.

Still another object is to provide a color recording device that is more compact.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention includes a recording paper feeding path that guides single-sheet recording paper from a recording paper storage section to a line scanning type thermal head, and a recording paper feeding path that guides the recording paper from the thermal head to the paper output tray at the top of the device. The recording paper ejection path, the inlet facing the recording paper ejection path, and the exit facing the recording paper feeding path, selectively taking in the recording paper sent out from the thermal head and feeding the recording paper back to the thermal head. The recording paper is conveyed through these paths, and the recording paper is circulated past a thermal head for the number of times it is colored, and the thermal head applies solid ink of each color on the ink ribbon one after the other. In addition to melting and adhering the recording paper to the recording paper and ejecting the recording paper to the paper output tray, the recording paper storage section is formed in an elliptical loop shape, and the long axis direction of the ellipse is approximately parallel to the paper output tray. The above hC objective is achieved by placing the

[Embodiments of the Invention] The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a Calan axis receiving device as a recording device.

In this device, a recording section 1o is located in the center of a housing 1, a recording paper storage section 20 is located on the right side, and a paper ejection tray 2 is formed integrally with the upper part of the housing 1 at an angle substantially in the middle.
is located. In this device, the recording section 10
．． A recording paper conveyance system 30 is arranged in a space surrounded by the recording paper storage section 20 and the paper discharge tray 2, an ink ribbon transport system 60 is arranged in the space below the recording section 10, and an ink ribbon transport system 60 is arranged in the space below the recording paper storage section 20. A control system 90 is arranged. The recording unit 10 is composed of a platen roller 11 and a thermal head 12. The platen roller 11 is a rubber roller having a metal shaft 11' at the center, and the shaft 11a
are supported by the frames 3 and 4 (see FIG. 2.3) of the housing 1, and are rotationally driven by the stepping motor 13.

Further, the thermal head 12 has a predetermined density (for example, 16 heads/
m) and the number of minute heating resistors corresponding to the recording width (e.g. 216 m+ equivalent to A4 size) (e.g. 3456 pieces).
- By arranging the ink ribbons in a row and applying pulse current according to the image information to be recorded, the temperature of the contacting ink ribbons is raised minutely locally, melting the solid ink layer and transferring it to the recording paper;
It has the function of forming a visible image, and is rotatably supported around a support shaft 14 fixed to the frames 3 and 4 of the housing l, and is biased by a leaf spring 15 to record the image. It is pressed against the platen roller 11 to generate the optimum pressure.

The recording paper storage section 20 has a paper feed cassette 21 installed in the housing 1 . The bottom of the paper feed cassette 21 accommodates a plate 23 on which single-sheet recording papers 22 are stacked, and this plate 23 is urged upward by a spring 24. Reference numeral 30 conveys the recording paper 22 from the recording paper storage unit 20 through the recording unit 10 to the paper output tray 2, which is disposed approximately horizontally and transports the recording paper 22 from the recording paper storage unit 20 to the recording unit IO. a recording paper feeding path 31 for guiding;
It is formed in a 0-shape, with both ends arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, and a recording paper ejection path 32 that guides the recording paper 22 from the recording section 20 to the paper ejection tray 2, and an elliptical loop shape, and A recording paper circulation path 33 is attached approximately parallel to the elongated paper ejection tray 2 in the long diameter direction of an ellipse, and has an inlet 33a facing the recording paper ejection path 32 and an outlet 33b facing the recording paper feed path 31. have. A recording paper transport means 36 consisting of a feed roller 34 and a pinch roller 35 is disposed in the recording paper feeding path 31 and the recording paper circulation path 33, and a recording paper conveyance means 36 is provided in the recording paper ejection path 33.
2 is also provided with a recording paper transport means 39 consisting of a feed roller 37 and a pinch roller 38, and furthermore, a foot roller 40 is provided above the paper feed cassette 21 of the recording paper storage section 20.

The shaft 34& of the feed roller 34 of the conveying means 36 is connected to the stepping motor 13 which rotates and pivots the platen roller 11.
The feed roller 34 is rotated together with the platen roller 11 by the stepping motor 13. In addition, the pinch roller 3 of the conveying means 36
50M35& is supported on the housing frame 3.4 so that the pinch roller 35 moves toward and away from the feed roller 34. Furthermore, on the shaft 35'' of the pinch roller 35,
One end of the spring 41 is in contact with the spring 41, and a plunger 42a of the electromagnetic solenoid 42 is in contact with the other end of the spring 41. This electromagnetic solenoid 42 is excited and the plunger 42a
is projected, thereby increasing the biasing force of the spring 41, and demagnetizing the biasing force of the spring 41 is weakened. That is, in this conveying means 36, the pressure force of the pinch roller 35 against the feed roller 34 is reduced to 2 by the electromagnetic solenoid 42.
Can be changed into stages.

In addition, a feed row 940 disposed in the recording paper storage section 20
41] 40a is linked to a stepping motor 43, and the feed roller 40 is rotationally driven by this stepping motor 43.

@40a of the cono feed roller 40 is supported by the housing frames 3 and 4 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. moreover,
One end of a spring 44 is in contact with the shaft 40a of the feed roller 40, and an electromagnetic solenoid 45 is connected to the other end of the spring 44.
The electromagnetic solenoid 45 is energized to project the plunger 42m, thereby strengthening the biasing force of the spring 44, and demagnetizing it to weaken the biasing force of the spring 44. 40
is pressed against the recording paper 22 in the paper feed cassette 21 by the biasing force of the spring 44, and the pressure contact force is changed in two stages by the electromagnetic solenoid 45.

Further, the recording paper conveying system 30 includes a recording paper aligning means 46 in the recording paper feeding path 31 for adjusting the attitude of the recording paper 22 and timing the feeding to the recording section 10. This recording paper aligning means 46 has a flapper 47 disposed on the downstream side and a recording paper detector 48 on the upstream side, sandwiching the conveying means 36 disposed in the recording paper feeding path 31. flapper 4
7 is disposed near the feed roller 34 by a shaft 471, is biased by a spring 49, and is positioned in a position that does not interfere with the advance of the recording paper 22, as shown by the solid line. Further, a plunger 501L of an electromagnetic solenoid 50 is engaged with this flap (47), and by exciting the 1ilE magnetic solenoid, the flapper 47 is positioned within the recording paper feed path 31 as shown by the broken line. The recording paper detector 48 is provided with a light emitting element 48a and a light receiving element 48kl with the recording paper feeding path 31 in between, and these elements 48a.

Detecting that the leading edge of the recording paper 22 has reached the 48 m) interval 1--thereby energizing the electromagnetic solenoid 50.The demagnetization of the electromagnetic solenoid 50 is also performed based on the signal from the ink ribbon detector, which will be described later. .

Furthermore, this recording paper conveying thread 30 is connected to the recording paper ejection path 3.
A path switching means 514 is provided at the meeting point between 2 and the recording paper circulation path 33.
'I'm prepared. This course switching means 51 includes a flapper 52
The flapper 52 is rotatably arranged around a shaft 52&. This flapper 52 is biased by a spring 53, and the recording paper ejection path 32 is moved as shown by the solid line.
It is positioned so as to close the recording paper circulation path 330 and open the inlet 33&. Further, a plunger 54& of an electromagnetic solenoid 54 is locked to this flapper 52, and by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid 54, the flapper 52 opens the recording paper ejection path 32 as shown by the broken line, and d Closing the entrance 33a of the recording paper circulation path 33. Also, the above-mentioned ink ribbon transport thread 6o transports the ink ribbon 61 between the platen roller 11 and the thermal head 12 of the recording section 10. .

The ink ribbon 61 has a heat-melting solid ink layer containing a coloring material corresponding to the color to be recorded on a base film such as paper or resin in a field-sequential method, each having a length slightly longer than the maximum flame for recording. Three colors, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, or black as shown in Fig. This somewhat thick ink ribbon 61 is wound around a supply roll 62 and taken up by a take-up roll 63. And supply roll 6
2 and the take-up roll 63 are housed in a cassette case 64 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).The supply roll 62 and the take-up roll 63 inside this cassette case 64 are housed in As shown in the casing frame 3,
4 is loaded.

The housing frames 3 and 4 each have two shafts 65.66°67
．． 68 are implanted, and reels 69,
70, 71, and 72 are loosely fitted.

Among these reels, the reel 60 on the housing frame 3 side
．． 70 has one or more protrusions 69a at its end.

701L, and the projections a9ae70a are formed at the ends of the supply roll 62 and the take-up roll 63.
a, 63a, thereby locking the supply roll 62 and take-up roll 63 to the V-rule 69.70.

In addition, 4 between the reels 69 and 70 and the housing frame 3
41165.66, the joint member 73.74 is loosely fitted. This joint member 73, 74 has a disk 73a at one end.
, 74a.

A flexible plate 73m) $74b is attached to the disc. The joint members 73, 74 are biased to the right in FIGS. 2 and 3 by a compression coil spring 75#76 disposed between the joint member and the housing frame 3, and the 1 template 73b, 74b
The reel 69°7 (l) is brought into pressure contact with the supply M roll 62 and the take-up roll 63. On the other hand, the reel 71.72
are biased to the left in FIGS. 2 and 3 by compression coil springs 77, 78 disposed between the reel and the housing frame 4, and the end surfaces of the reels 71, 72 are pushed toward the supply roll 62. and is pressed against the end surface of the take-up roll 63. Further, in such an ink ribbon holding means, a tin rocket 79 is fixed to the joint member 74 on the take-up roll 63 side. And this sprocket 79 is m1
The stepping motor 800 shown in the figure is linked to a tin rocket (not shown) via a chain.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink ribbon 61 wound around the supply roll 62 and the take-up roll 63 is in contact with the guide bar 81, and is connected to the platen roller 11 and the heat-sensitive plate 1.
2, and is arranged so as to be in contact with the guide bar 82.

Further, the ink ribbon transport system 60 includes an ink ribbon 6
It is equipped with an ink ribbon detector 83 for detecting the positions of 10 colors. This ink ribbon detection word 83 has a light emitting element 83a and a light receiving element 83b arranged to sandwich the ink ribbon 61, and detects when the leading edge of each color divided into ink ribbons/61 reaches between these elements 831L #83b. However, based on this signal, the electromagnetic solenoid 50 of the recording paper aligning means 46 in the recording paper transport system 30 described above is demagnetized.

Further, the control system 90 described above, as shown in FIG.
It is equipped with an electronic circuit and a power supply circuit to operate the recording device, and controls the connection to a color facsimile transmitter a located at a remote location via a transmission line according to a predetermined procedure, and inputs facsimile signals. A modem 92 detects and demodulates the recorded facsimile signal to obtain code data, and a microprocessor controls the entire device including the operation panel based on the code data. A system control unit 93, a decoding unit 94 that restores an image signal to be recorded from a code take according to a predetermined system procedure, a color conversion circuit 95 that converts an image signal into a color-specific symbol signal, and a frame-sequential recording system. A page memory 96 temporarily stores the above-mentioned trout recording signals for each color, and a self-recording system that includes, for example, density pattern conversion for gradation recording and control of the energizing pulse width to the heating resistor of the thermal head. control department 97
, and a mechanism control section 98 that controls motors, solenoids, various detectors, etc., and an 'α source 99 that supplies various voltages and currents necessary for the operation of electronic circuits, thermal heads, motors, solenoids, etc. There is.

The operation of the above color facsimile receiving device will be explained below. First, a facsimile signal containing color t * information is sent from a color facsimile transmitting device located at a remote location via a transmission line to an electronic circuit having a block configuration shown in Fig. 4. The image signals are received via the line control section 91, demodulated and decoded by the modem 92, decoding section 94, and color conversion circuit 95, and separated into colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, etc., and stored in the page memory 96. Based on the control signal from the system control unit 93, the mechanism control unit 98 functions, the motor 43 starts rotating, the feed roller 40 connected to the motor 43 also rotates, and the records piled up in the paper feed cassette 21 are paper 2
2 is taken out using the difference in friction coefficient between the recording paper/rubber feed roller and the recording paper, and guided to the recording paper feeding path 31 (and the leading edge of the recording paper 22 When detected by the recording paper detector 48, the flapper 47 is closed via the mechanism control unit 98 as shown by the broken line in the figure, and the stepping motor 13 and the motor 80 are closed.
rotate at a predetermined speed. The recording paper 22 is then bitten into and fed by the feed roller 34 and the pinch roller 35, but as monitored by the system control unit 93, when the tip reaches the closed flapper 47, the recording paper 22 is again fed through the mechanism control unit 98. The electromagnetic solenoid 42 is energized to weaken the pressing force of the pinch roller 35 against the feed ruler 34. At the same time, the feed roller 40 is also lifted upward by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid 45. In this way, the recording paper 22 is fed by the still rotating feed roller 34 and the feed roller 400 exerting a weak frictional force. Shortly after that, the tip hits the flapper 47 and stops. Since the frictional force between the feed roller 34 and the feed roller 40 that acts on the recording paper 22 whose feeding has been stopped is weak, slipping occurs at the contact portion. On the other hand, since the platen roller 11 is connected to the stepping motor 13, it rotates at the same circumferential speed like the feed roller 34, and as described above, the platen roller 11 rotates at the same circumferential speed, for example, for each color of yellow, magenta, and cyan. The colored ink ribbon 61 is attached to the leaf spring 15
At this time, the take-up roll 63 connected to the rotating motor 80 rotates while slipping at the friction joint 74. Furthermore, the supply roll 62 is also equipped with a friction joint 7.
3, the ink ribbon 61 is fed at a speed equal to the circumferential speed of the platen roller 11 while maintaining a predetermined tension. Then, the ink ribbon detector 83 detects the leading edge of the first color of the ink ribbon to be printed, for example, the beginning of yellow, using a field sequential method. This detection signal is sent to the system control 93 and starts timing. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed while continuing to feed the ink ribbon 61, the system control section 93 issues a control signal, demagnetizes the electromagnetic solenoid 50 of the recording paper aligning means 46 via the mechanism control section 98, and opens the flapper 47 (and , the electromagnetic solenoid 42 of the recording paper conveying means 36 is also demagnetized, and the pinch roller 35 is strongly pressed against the feed roller 34. Therefore, the recording paper 22, which had been stopped with its leading edge abutted against the flapper 47, is no longer fed again. Eventually, the leading edge of the recording paper 22 enters between the rotating platen roller 11 and the ink ribbon 610 that is being fed, and is held between the leading edge of the recording paper 22 and the ink ribbon 61. The starting parts of the yellow color are determined to coincide and overlap.In this way, the leading edge of the recording paper 22 and the ink ribbon 61 coincide and overlap.
The starting part of the yellow color is separated into three or four colors stored in the page memory 96 under the control of the system control section 93 described above, starting from a point directly above or slightly beyond the heating resistor row of the thermal head 120. Among the image signals, the image signal corresponding to yellow is first read out and sent to the thermal head 12. The ink ribbon 61 is then heated by a driver mounted on the heat sensitive heater 12 to heat the heat generating resistor.
A recording paper 22 on which a yellow solid ink layer is melted and pressed.
to record the yellow image. The recording paper 22 and the ink ribbon 61 are fed by the platen roller 11 while recording is performed sequentially at each scanning pitch as described above so that they are in close contact with each other and no misalignment occurs. The recording paper 22 and the ink ribbon 61, which have been left on the street after recording, are fed as they are and reach the guide bar 82. At this point, the ink ribbon 61 is suddenly rotated, but the recording paper 22 tries to move straight due to its rigidity and peels off from the ink ribbon 61. The separated recording paper 22 is guided by the flapper 52 and enters the upper part in the figure, that is, the recording paper circulation path 33. As the recording of yellow color progresses, the recording paper 22 is moved to the recording paper circulation path 33 by a recording paper conveying means 36 consisting of a foot roller 34 and a pinch roller 35, which rotate in synchronization with the platen roller 11 at the same circumferential speed. Sent via Then, when the leading edge of the recording paper 22 is detected by the recording paper detector 48, the flapper 47 is closed in the same way as when unrecorded recording paper is fed, and the electromagnetic solenoid 42 is energized, and the pinch roller 35 is The pressing force on the feed roller 34 is weakened.

Thereafter, the recording paper 22 is fed by the weak frictional force of the feed roller, and stops when its leading edge hits the flapper 47. In addition, during the separating operation of the pinch roller,
Yellow recording has been completed, and the trailing edge of the recording paper 22 has sufficiently escaped from the platen roller 11.

On the other hand, the ink ribbon 61 is still being fed, and when the ink ribbon detector 83 detects the starting edge of the next recording color, for example, magenta, the electromagnetic lens 50 of the recording paper aligning means 46 is demagnetized by the signal, and the flapper 47 is demagnetized. is opened (at the same time, each electromagnetic solenoid 42 of the recording paper conveying means 36 is also demagnetized, all the pinch rollers 35Y are strongly pressed against the respective feed rollers 34, and feeding of the recording paper 22 is resumed.

Then, when the leading edge of the recording paper reaches the heating resistor array of the thermal head 12, magenta recording is started in the same way as yellow recording. Thereafter, magenta and then cyan are recorded in the same process as yellow.

When recording of the last color, for example cyan, is started by the thermal head 12, the electromagnetic solenoid 5 of the path switching means 51
4 is excited, so that the flapper 52 moves to the position shown by the broken line in the figure.

Further, the feed roller 37 starts rotating due to Tanabata (not shown). However, the recording paper 22 on which all the colors have been recorded is fed while being in close contact with the ink ribbon 61 - and as described in the case of yellow color recording, the ink ribbon 61 is rapidly rotated by the guide bar 82. The recording paper 22 is peeled off, and the peeled leading edge of the recording paper enters the recording paper ejection path 32 by the flapper 52 which has been moved to the position indicated by the broken line in the figure. Thereafter, the recording paper 22 is fed through the recording paper ejection path 32 by the cooperation of the feed roller 37 and the pinch roller 38, and is ejected and placed on the tray 2. Note that the last color recording is completed. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, that is, the rear end of the recording paper 22 has passed the flapper 52. The rotation of the stripping motor 13 and the motor 80 is stopped based on a command from the system control unit 930, and the rotation of the platen roll 11 and the feed roller 34 is stopped. At the same time, the feeding of the ink ribbon 61 also stops. On the other hand, when the recording paper 22 on which color recording has been completed is discharged onto the tray 2, the motor (not shown) also stops rotating, and therefore the rotation of the feed roller 370 also stops.

With the above steps, the receiving and recording operation for one letter in color facsimile communication is completed.

Although I did not explain the details of color recording, color reproduction in thermal transfer recording is performed by subtractive color mixing. In addition to white, eight colors can be reproduced and recorded.

Furthermore, if gradation recording is performed using a pseudo-halftone recording method such as the density pattern method, a large number of colors can be reproduced even with the three-color ink ribbon, and the color recording apparatus described in the embodiments of the present invention It can be preferably applied to any of the above-mentioned color reproduction recordings.

Note that the recording paper conveying means 36°39 shown in the above embodiment,
Each mechanism of the recording paper aligning means 46 and the path switching means 51 is -
These are merely examples, and it goes without saying that similar effects can be obtained by other mechanisms. Moreover, each break H1 in the above example! Else, stepping motor 13.80° 43, electromagnetic solenoid 42, 45
, 50, 54, etc., are not limited to the above embodiments.

In the above embodiment, a facsimile machine has been described, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to other recording apparatuses, such as printers.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the recording paper is fed to the recording section along the recording paper circulation path for each recording of one color in the field-sequential color recording system. This method has the advantage that the wasted time required for the reciprocating movement of the recording paper mentioned above can be minimized, and therefore color printing can be performed at high speed.

In addition, since recording is performed using a small diameter platen roller,
Similarly, there is no need for a specially shaped thermal head unlike the conventional drum platen method that circulates the recording paper, and the recording paper can be wound around a drum-shaped platen.
A complicated mechanism for peeling is no longer required, making the device more compact and
It has the advantage of being inexpensive to configure.

In addition, since the recording paper circulation path is located directly below the paper output tray, which is a dead space in a single-color thermal transfer recording device, the casing is almost the same as a single-color thermal transfer recording device. It can be made into a size.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view conceptually showing a color recording device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a structure for holding an ink ribbon supply roll, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing an ink ribbon take-up roll. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the color recording device according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows a part of a conventional color recording ink ribbon. The plan view, FIGS. 6 and 7 are conceptual diagrams showing a conventional color recording system. 1...Device housing, 2-... Paper ejection tray, 10-...
・Recording section, ii--Platen roller, 12--Line scanning type thermal head)', 13--Stepping motor, 20--Recording paper storage section, 22--Single-sheet recording paper, 30-- ...Recording paper conveyance thread, 31...Recording paper feeding path, 32...Recording paper ejection path, 33--Recording paper circulation path, 3
3a...Entrance, 33t)...Exit, 36.39...
- Recording paper conveyance means, 51... course switching means, 60-
... Ink ribbon conveyance system, 61-... Ink ribbon, 6
2... Supply roll, 63-... Winding roll, 80 ・
...Motor, 90-...Control system.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A line-scanning thermal head, single-sheet recording paper, a recording paper accommodating section for stacking and accommodating the recording paper, a recording paper feed path for guiding the recording paper in the recording paper accommodating section to the thermal head, and a recording paper feeding path for guiding the recording paper in the recording paper accommodating section to the thermal head; a recording paper ejection path that guides the thermal head to the paper ejection tray at the top of the apparatus; an entrance facing the recording paper ejection path; an exit facing the recording paper feeding path; a recording paper circulation path that circularly guides the recording paper to the recording paper feeding path; a path switching means that is disposed at the entrance of the recording paper circulation path and selectively guides the recording paper to the recording paper circulation path; a recording paper transport means for transporting the recording paper through the recording paper feeding path, the recording paper circulation path, and the recording paper ejection path; a color ink ribbon formed by applying solid ink layers of a plurality of colors in strips; an ink ribbon conveying means for conveying an ink ribbon, the recording paper fed from the recording paper storage section is circulated over the thermal head for the number of times of coloring, and the solid ink of each color of the ink ribbon is recorded in a field-sequential manner. A color recording device in which recording paper is melted and adhered to paper and discharged to a paper output tray, and the recording paper circulation path is formed in an oval loop shape, and the recording paper circulation path is formed in an oval loop shape, and is located directly below the paper output tray and is ejected to a paper output tray. A color recording device characterized in that the long axis direction of the circle is arranged substantially parallel to the paper discharge tray.