JPS62221556A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable sharp images to be recorded by providing a control means to control the movement of a stripping member for separation of an ink sheet from a material to be recorded. CONSTITUTION:A stripping lever 58 of an ink ribbon cassette 50 is providing in freely sliding manner (arrows C1, C2 directions) along the side 50a of the cassette with an opening 52e. After heating, recording paper 12 and an ink sheet 1 travel in contact state upto the position of a stripping roller 54. If they passed through the stripping roller 54, they are separated. A switching lever 62 is constituted so that the stripping roller 54 may lightly press a platen 10 through the elastic power of a spring 61. Therefore, when the stripping roller 54 contacts the platen 10, this is performed with a stable power caused by the elastic power. Accordingly, fouling of an image record by offset printing of faulty ink sheet supply due to creasing and oblique feed can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to output devices such as electronic typewriters, facsimile machines, printers used in recording units of personal computers, etc., or word processors, etc. that contain ink. The present invention relates to a recording device that uses an ink sheet to obtain a recorded image in a color corresponding to color information. Note that the present invention includes not only cases in which the aforementioned color information means different colors, but also cases in which they mean the same color.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, printing apparatuses capable of obtaining recorded images in colors corresponding to color information use a wide ink ribbon coated with ink layers of different colors in the width direction, and use a wide ink ribbon coated with ink layers of different colors in the width direction. The ink layer of the desired color had to be guided to the recording section by rotating the ribbon in the vertical direction.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Therefore, the above-mentioned conventional apparatus requires a means for vertically rotating the ink ribbon, which has the problem of making the apparatus larger and more complicated.

[Means for solving problems]

Therefore, the present applicant previously disclosed the following technology in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-260403.

That is, in order to perform clear recording in multiple colors on a recording medium, a first ink layer and a second ink layer having different tones are provided on a support in order from the support side, and heat is applied from the support side. After applying energy, when the recording medium and the support are peeled off, the selected color can be applied to the recording medium by changing the time from the application of the thermal energy until the separation of the two. It forms a recorded image.

Furthermore, the applicant disclosed the following technology in Japanese Patent Application No. 60-298831.

That is, the first ink layer and the second ink layer are formed on the support.
Both have two ink layers, and an ink sheet having an adhesive layer on one side between the two ink layers or between the first ink layer and the support is brought into contact with the recording medium, and recording is performed. After applying thermal energy to the ink sheet according to the information, by controlling the peeling time between the application and the separation of the ink sort and the recording medium, a predetermined ink layer is transferred to the recording medium. , to form a recorded image of a selected color on a recording medium.

The present invention is a further development of the above technology,
In a recording apparatus that records on a recording medium using an ink sheet containing ink, in order to record on the recording medium, a heating means that heats the ink sheet, and a heating means that heats the ink sheet based on information related to recording. a first control means for controlling heating energy of the means; a movable peeling member for peeling the ink sheet from the recording medium; and a second control means for controlling movement of the peeling member based on the information. It is characterized by having the following.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, when an ink sheet is attached to the attachment section and recording is performed, a clear image in a color corresponding to color information can be recorded on a recording medium.

〔Example〕

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

In the following embodiments, a case of two-color recording will be described to simplify the explanation.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first ink layer and the second ink layer may have the same color tone, or an ink layer with a different color tone may be added to create a third ink layer.
It is also possible to record more than just color.

Note that when the first ink layer and the second ink layer have the same color tone, the ink sheet can be used twice as much for monochrome recording.

First, the ink sheet used in this example will be explained. Note that the ink sheet used in this example is the one disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application No. 59-260403 or Japanese Patent Application No. 1988-60.
The method disclosed in No.-298831 can be used.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an ink ribbon l that can be applied to the present invention.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, an ink ribbon 1 is formed by forming a thermally transferable ink layer 3 on a sheet-like support 2.

Further, this thermal transferable ink layer 3 itself has a multi-layer structure, and consists of a first ink layer 3a and a second ink layer 3b provided in this order from the support 2 side.

As the support 2, conventionally known films and papers can be used as they are, such as films of relatively heat-resistant plastics such as polyester, polycarbonate, triacetyl, cellulose, nylon, and polyimide, and cellophane. Alternatively, parchment paper, condenser paper, etc. can be suitably used. The thickness of the support 2 is 1-15 μm when considering a thermal head as a heat source during thermal transfer.
Although it is desirable that the temperature be within a certain range, there is no particular limitation when using a heat source that can selectively heat the thermal transferable ink layer, such as a laser beam.

When thermal energy is applied to the first ink layer 3a,
It is necessary that the first ink layer 3a and the second ink layer 3b can be easily peeled off. Further, the first ink layer 3a is formed when the time from the application of thermal energy to the transfer of the support 2 from the recording medium is long, that is, when the ink ribbon l and the recording medium are in close contact with each other facing each other, heat is applied. It is necessary that the first ink layer 3a be easily peeled off from the support 2 when the ink ribbon 1 is cooled down considerably by running the thermal head that is still in close contact with the ink ribbon 1.

Therefore, heat-melting binders include natural waxes such as spermaceti wax, beeswax, lanolin, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, ceresin wax, ceresin wax, petroleum waxes such as paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax, oxidized waxes, Synthetic waxes such as stellate wax, low-molecular polyethylene, and Fischer-Tropsch wax, higher fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, valmitic acid, stearic acid, and behenic acid, higher alcohols such as stearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol, and fatty acid esters of sucrose. , containing at least 50% or more of esters such as fatty acid ester of sorbitan, amides such as oleylamide, and other polyolefin resins, polyamide resins, polyester resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, and polyacrylic resins. , polyvinyl chloride resin, cellulose resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, petroleum resin, phenol resin, polystyrene resin, vinyl acetate resin, natural rubber, threadin butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, etc. By appropriately mixing elastomers, polyisobutylene, polybutene, plasticizers, mineral oil, vegetable oil, and other oils, the melting temperature of the ink layer including colorants and other additives is 50°C to 150°C, and the melt viscosity at 150°C (rotational It is desirable that the viscometer is 500 CPS.

The melting temperature mentioned in this example is Shimadzu Flow Tester CFT.
This is the outflow starting temperature when the apparent viscosity-temperature curve of the sample ink is determined using Model 500 under the conditions of a load of 10 kg and a temperature increase rate of 2°C/min.

The second ink layer 3b must melt and soften when heat is applied from the thermal head and firmly adhere to the recording medium, and when the second ink layer 3b is in a molten state, it cannot be mixed with the first ink J13a. The heat-melting binder for this purpose contains at least 50% of the above-mentioned resins, and is appropriately mixed with the waxes, plasticizers, mineral oils, vegetable oils, and other oils mentioned above. The melt viscosity (rotational viscometer) with a melt temperature of 60°C to 150°C as a layer is 20
0CPS-t, oollj.

It is best to choose it so that it will be 000CPS. In addition, in order to improve the sharpness of printing on the second ink layer 3b, the second ink layer 3b
Of course, b may be formed into a dot shape, or the surface of the second ink layer 3b may be formed into an uneven shape.

The thickness of the first ink layer 3a is preferably in the range of 0.5μ to 10μ, and the thickness of the entire thermal transferable ink layer 3 is 2μ to 20μ.
is preferred.

In addition, when the color tone of the first ink layer 3a and the color tone of the second ink layer 3b are made different, a dark color such as black is arranged in the first ink layer 3a, and a bright color such as yellow is arranged in the second ink layer 3b. (The color tone of the first ink layer 3a and the second ink layer 3
If it is desired to obtain a color mixture with the color tone b, for example, if the first ink layer 3a is colored yellow and the second ink layer 3b is colored magenta, magenta and red can be obtained. In addition, by changing the pigment concentration or layer thickness ratio of each layer, various recordings of two different colors can be obtained.

As the colorant, various dyes and pigments widely used in the field of printing and recording can be used.The content of the colorant is suitably in the range of 1 to 80% for each of the ink layers 3a and 3b. Additionally, additives such as a dispersant or a filler made of fine metal powder, inorganic fine powder, metal oxide, etc. may be added to the ink layers 3a and 3b, if necessary.

Regarding the relationship between the first ink layer 3a and the second ink layer 3b, it is desirable to select materials that are not compatible with each other, but even if the materials are compatible, they may differ due to the difference in melt viscosity. Peeling becomes possible.

To obtain the ink ribbon used in this example, the above-mentioned hot-melt binder, colorant, and additives for each of the ink layers 3a and 3b are melt-kneaded using a dispersion device such as Attrike, or a suitable method is used. A first ink layer and a second ink layer are obtained by kneading with a suitable solvent to obtain a hot-melt, solution or dispersion ink, and sequentially applying these inks on a support and drying as necessary. They should be formed in this order.

Furthermore, another embodiment of the ink ribbon 1 is shown in FIG.

The ink ribbon 1 shown in FIG. 2 has a first adhesive layer 4a, a first ink layer 3a, a second adhesive layer 4b, and a second ink layer 3b on a support 2 in this order.

Also in the case of the ink ribbon 1 shown in FIG. 2, the relationship between the adhesive force between the support l and the first ink layer 3a and the adhesive force between the first ink layer 3a and the second ink layer 3b is There is no difference from the ink ribbon shown in the figure.

That is, if a material whose adhesive strength changes greatly depending on temperature is used as the second adhesive layer 4b, the temperature of the second adhesive layer 4b increases due to the heating of the thermal head, and the strength of the second adhesive layer 4b decreases rapidly. The adhesion between the layers changes as shown in FIG. 3(a).

Furthermore, if the first adhesive layer 4a is made of a material whose adhesive strength changes largely depending on temperature, and the second adhesive layer 4b is made of a material whose adhesive strength changes relatively little with temperature, the adhesive strength between each layer can be reduced. The change is shown in FIG. 3(b).

Note that 2a is a heat-resistant protective layer, which is provided on the surface of the support 2 in contact with the thermal head, and is made of silicone resin, fluororesin,
It is made of polyimide resin, melamine resin, nitrocellulose, etc., and can improve the heat resistance of the support 2, or can use a support material that could not be used conventionally.

Now, next, a recording apparatus capable of obtaining a recorded image in a color corresponding to color information using the above-mentioned ink ribbon will be described using an electronic typewriter as an example.

Note that the embodiments described below apply thermal energy to an ink sheet, peel off the ink sheet and recording medium in a short time after applying thermal energy, and cool the ink sheet after applying thermal energy. Two-color recording is made possible by providing an appropriate process for separating the ink sheet from the recording medium.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a typewriter T, which is an output device, to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In the figure, 10 is a platen, 12 is a recording sheet, 13 is an exterior, 14 is a power switch for controlling power on/off, and 15 is a keyboard. Reference numeral 16 denotes a foot switch that is turned on and off by opening and closing the hood 13a, which senses the opening and closing of the hood 13a, and when the hood 13a is opened, it emits a signal to shift the ink ribbon to a predetermined position, which will be described later. The keyboard is locked. MOKY is a mode key 1 for setting various modes such as ribbon mode setting, which will be described later. PRK
Y is a print command key. Also, this typewriter T
The device includes a printing section, an input section, a display section, a control section, an external input/output interface section, etc. Note that in this embodiment, the above-mentioned input section and display section may not be provided (of course, it is possible to do so).

5 and 6 are perspective views of a recording section to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The recording paper 12 is pressed against a rubber portion (not shown) of a paper feed roller 17 by a pinch roller 18 while being backed up by the platen IO. A gear 19 is attached to the shaft 17a of the paper feed roller 17, and a reduction gear 2
The paper feed roller 17 is connected to the paper feed motor M1 via 0, and the paper feed roller 17 rotates as the paper feed motor Ml rotates.
The recording paper 12 is conveyed. Therefore, when the thermal head 25, which will be described later, contacts the recording paper 12 to perform recording,
The platen 10 maintains the position of the recording paper 12.

Next, the reciprocating movement of the carrier 22 will be explained.

A shaft 21 is installed parallel to the front side of the platen IO. A carrier 22 (FIG. 6) is guided and supported on this shaft 21 so as to be movable in six directions of arrows. That is, the carrier 22 is capable of reciprocating along the conveyance path S of the recording paper 12.

A portion of the belt 23 is fixed to the carrier 22 and stretched by two pulleys (not shown). This pulley (not shown) has a gear (not shown)
A carrier motor M2 is connected via the carrier motor M2. The rotation of the carrier motor M2 rotates a pulley (not shown), which rotates the belt 23, thereby reciprocating the carrier 22 along the shaft 21 (in the six directions of the arrows). Further, a limit sensor 23 for detecting the position of the carrier 22 is installed at the end on the home position side.

Furthermore, a head holder 24 (FIG. 6) is guided and supported by the carrier 22 so as to be rotatable around the shaft 21. This head holder 24 includes a thermal head 25.
The heat sink 26 with the attached is the attachment. Note that this carrier 22 is attached to the rack 2 by an integrated guide portion 22a.
7 is supported. The rack 27 is also provided with protrusions 27a and 27b at both ends thereof.

Furthermore, this carrier 22 includes an ink ribbon cassette 5.
A carrier table 28 is provided for mounting 0 (FIG. 11). This table 28 is provided with a sensor 29 for detecting the presence or absence of an ink ribbon cassette 50, the type thereof, and the end of the ink ribbon l. Furthermore, a connecting lever 30 is attached to the carrier table 28 in a direction perpendicular to the platen 10 (in the direction of arrow C) with a guide 22a.
It is guided and supported so that it can be moved along. This lever 3
0 is further engaged with a connecting member 31 attached to the heat sink 26. Therefore, as the heat sink 26 rotates in the direction of the platen 10 (in the direction of arrow B), the lever 30 moves in the direction of approaching or separating from the platen 10 (in the direction of arrow C). Note that this connection lever 30 is provided with an indicator portion 30a. This index portion 30a allows visual confirmation of the next printing position. Further, an engaging portion 30b is provided at the rear end of this connecting lever 30, and when a switching lever 62 of a cassette 50, which will be described later, is engaged, this lever 62 is pushed up toward the platen 10.

As described above, in this embodiment, the index portion 3 is attached to the connecting lever 30, which is close to the thermal head 25 and is related to controlling the peeling conditions.
Since 0a is provided, when recording at the position indicated by the index section 30a, the thermal head only needs to be moved a short distance to the position indicated by the index section 30a. , without slowing down the recording speed.
Further, problems such as noise do not occur.

A case in which the cassette 50 is removably loaded onto the carrier tape 28 will be described next. This carrier tape 2
8 is provided with bins 28a and 28b fixed on the top surface and an elastic hook portion 28c on the side surface thereof. Therefore, the pins 2 are inserted into openings 52h and 521 provided in the lower cassette case 52 of the cassette 50 (FIG. 12), which will be described later.
8a and 28b and elastically engages the hook portion 28c with the locking portion 52j of the lower cassette case 52, the cassette 50 can be removably loaded onto the carrier table 28. It goes without saying that not only two-color ribbon cassettes but also ordinary single-color ribbon cassettes can be commonly loaded on this carrier table 28.

Next, the up/down mechanism of the thermal head 25 will be explained.

FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 1O are diagrams showing one embodiment of the pressure contact (down) and separation (up) of the head 25 and the ribbon winding mechanism.

An up-down motor M3 is provided on the carrier 22, and the driving force of the up-down motor M3 is transmitted to the gear part 32a of the cam 32 via a gear part (not shown) and a reduction gear 31, thereby rotating the cam 32. . This cam 32 is provided with a cam protrusion 32b, and the cam 32 is rotated clockwise (direction of arrow DI) (FIG. 9) or counterclockwise (direction of arrow D2).
When the cam 32 rotates to the direction shown in FIG. 10, it comes into contact with a stopper 33 installed on the carrier 22, thereby regulating the rotation of the cam 32.

Note that this stopper 33 is made of an elastic member such as rubber, and also serves to relieve the contact with the cam 32.

Further, the up/down lever 34 is connected to a shaft 35 (10th
It is provided on the carrier 22 so as to be rotatable around the center of the figure. Furthermore, the protruding portion 34a of this up/down lever 34
, 34b (FIG. 10), a torsion coil spring 36 is installed with a charged spring force. A roller 37 is rotatably guided and supported at one end of the up-down lever 34. Furthermore, head holder 2
4 spring hook part 24a and carrier 22 spring hook part 22
A head return spring 38 is provided between b and biases the head holder 24 in the direction away from the platen 10 (arrow B2 direction) (FIGS. 8 and 10). The biasing force of the head return spring 38 is applied to the pressure contact portion 2 of the head holder 24.
4b to the arm portion 36a of the torsion coil spring 36, and from this arm portion 36a to the up-down lever 34. Therefore, the up-down lever 34 is moved away from the platen 10 by the head return spring 38 (
The roller 37 provided on the up-down lever 34 is pressed against the cam 32.

Therefore, the head 25 is rotated in the direction of the platen 10 by the drive of the motor M3.

Next, a winding mechanism for the ink ribbon 1 will be explained.

Now, the carrier 22 is provided with a winding shaft 39. Furthermore, a take-up lever 40 and a take-up latch 41 are each rotatably supported on the take-up shaft 39 around the take-up shaft 39 . Further, the winding lever 40 includes a winding gear 42.
is rotatably supported, and the gear portion (not shown) of the take-up latch 41 is a sun gear, and the take-up gear 42 is a planet gear.

Further, a winding switching lever 43 is installed on the guide portion 22c of the carrier 22 so as to be movable in the directions of arrow Gl (FIG. 7) and arrow G2 (FIG. 8).
One end is in engagement with the winding lever 40. Furthermore, a take-up lever pressure contact spring 44 is provided between the spring hook portion 40a of the take-up lever 40 and the spring hook portion 22d of the carrier 22, and urges the take-up lever 40 in the direction of arrow F1. ing. The biasing force of the take-up lever pressure contact spring 44 is transmitted to the take-up switching lever 43 via the take-up lever 40.
The take-up switching lever 43 is urged in the direction of arrow G1 to press against the heat sink 26. The take-up latch 41 is provided with a hub receiving portion 41a, which allows the ink ribbon l and the take-up hub to fit together. Further, a friction clutch (not shown) is provided between the hub receiving part 41a of the take-up latch 41 and the gear part (not shown), and the rotation of the gear part (not shown) is transmitted to the hub receiving part 41a. be done.

Next, press contact (down) of the head in the above configuration.
The separation (up) and ribbon winding operations will be explained.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 are diagrams showing a state in which the head is in pressure contact (down), and a state in which ribbon winding is possible. The up-down motor M3 is driven clockwise to rotate the cam 32 in the direction of arrow Di (FIG. 9) via the reduction gear 31, and the cam protrusion 32b of the cam 32 is brought into contact with the stopper 33.

Here, as the cam 32 rotates in the clockwise direction (arrow D1) (FIG. 9), the radius of the cam 32 at the contact point between the cam 32 and the roller 37 provided on the up-down lever 34 increases. As a result, the up/down lever 34
It rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow E1) (FIG. 9) against the biasing force of the head return spring 38. The rotational force of the up-down lever 34 is transmitted from the arm part 36a of the torsion coil spring 36 provided on the up-down lever 34 to the pressure contact part 24b of the head holder 24, and moves the head holder 24 counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow B1) ( (Figure 9).

Therefore, the heat sink 2 provided on the head holder 24
The thermal head 25 affixed to 6 presses against the platen 10 via the recording paper 12 . That is, when recording with the head 25, the head 25 comes into contact with the recording paper 12, and this recording paper 12 is maintained in that position by the platen 10.

Further, even after the thermal head 25 comes into contact with the platen 10, the radius of the cam 32 increases, and the up/down lever 34
further rotate counterclockwise (direction of arrow E1) (Fig. 9). In this state, the movement of the head holder 24 is restricted because the thermal head 25 is in contact with the platen IO. Therefore, the pressure contact portion 24b of the head holder 24
The movement of the arm portion 36a of the torsion coil spring 36 that is in contact with is restricted. Therefore, as the up-down lever 34 rotates counterclockwise (arrow E1 direction) (FIG. 9), the torsion coil spring 36 leaves the protrusion 34b of the up-down lever 34, and the torsion coil spring 36 is further charged with spring force. Ru. The spring force of the torsion coil spring 36 is due to the separation of the protruding part 34b of the up-down lever 34 and the arm part 36a of the torsion coil spring 36,
The pressure is transmitted to the pressure contact portion 24b, which presses the thermal head 25 against the platen 10 via the recording paper 12.

In addition, when the cam protrusion 32b of the cam 32 is in contact with the stopper 33 in FIG. 9, the thermal head 25 is pressed against the platen 10 with a predetermined force.

Next, a ribbon winding mechanism for winding up the ink ribbon 1 will be explained.

As the heat sink 26 attached to the head holder 24 moves toward the platen 10 (in the direction of arrow B1), the take-up switching lever 43 is moved by the take-up lever pressure contact spring 44.
The force moves in the direction of arrow G1. Therefore, the take-up lever 40 rotates in the direction of arrow F1, and the take-up lever 40 rotates in the direction of arrow F1.
A winding gear 42 provided on the rack 27 meshes with a tooth portion 27c provided on the rack 27. Here, in a state where the thermal head 25 is pressed against the platen 10, the take-up lever 40
The movement of the winding gear 42 is regulated by the abutting position of the winding gear 42 and the rack 27, and the winding gear 42 is urged against the rack 27 by the winding lever pressure contact spring 44. Therefore, when the carrier 22 moves in the recording direction (arrow AI force direction), the take-up gear 42 rotates clockwise (arrow H1 direction), and the rotation of the take-up gear 42 is transmitted to the take-up latch 41. The hub receiving portion 41a rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow 11).

Therefore, when the cassette 50 is mounted on the carrier table 28, if the illustrated winding hub 55 provided on the cassette 50 side fits into the hub receiving portion 41a, the ink ribbon 1 in the cassette 50 is wound up. becomes possible.

Next, the head 25 moves away from the platen 10 (up).
I will explain about it. FIG. 8 and FIG. 1O are diagrams showing the head separated (up) state, and are diagrams showing the ribbon winding stopped state.

The up-down motor M3 is driven in the counterclockwise direction opposite to that described above, and the cam 32 is rotated in the direction of arrow D2 (FIG. 10) via the reduction gear 31, so that the cam protrusion 32 of the cam 32 is rotated.
b is brought into contact with the stopper 33. Here, as the cam 32 rotates in the direction of arrow D2 (FIG. 10), the radius of the cam 32 at the contact point between the cam 32 and the roller 37 provided on the up-down lever 34 decreases. Then, the up-down lever 34 is rotated in the direction of arrow E2 (FIG. 10) by the urging force of the head return spring 38, and the head holder 24 is moved in the direction of arrow B2, and the heat sink 26 attached to the head holder 24 and the thermal head 25 is platen I
Move away from O. Furthermore, as the heat sink 26 moves in the direction of arrow B2, the take-up switching lever 43 moves in the direction of arrow G2. Therefore, the take-up switching lever 43 resists the biasing force of the take-up lever pressure contact spring 44 and moves the take-up lever 40 by the arrow F.
The winding gear 42 is separated from the rack 27 by rotating in two directions.

In this non-recording state in which the head 25 is separated from the platen 10, the carrier 22 is moved along the shaft 21 in the direction of arrow A.
Even if the ink ribbon l is moved in the I and A2 directions, the hub receiving portion 41a of the take-up latch 41 does not rotate, and the ink ribbon l is not taken up. Therefore, even when the switching lever 62 (described later) and the peeling roller 54 move away from the platen 10 in conjunction with the head 25, the ink ribbon 1 is not wound up.

Further, the biasing force of the head return spring 38 is set so that it does not have a force that charges the torsion coil spring 36 but has a force that resists the take-up lever pressure spring. The position of the winding gear 42 is determined.

The up-down motor M3 is driven and stopped by the cam 32.
The cam 32 may be driven for a sufficient period of time necessary for the rotation of the cam 32, or may be stopped by detecting the lock current of the up-down motor M3 caused by the contact between the cam protrusion 32b and the stopper 33. A sensor that detects the position of (
(not shown) may be provided to perform driving and stopping.

Further, the head 25 or the switching lever and the peeling roller are moved away from the platen 10 in conjunction with the head 25 when the carrier 22 returns to its home position, or when there is a predetermined amount of space between images to be recorded. (so-called skip), partial recording, etc. In these cases, the ink ribbon is not wound up, so wasteful consumption of the ink sheet can be prevented.

Next, regarding the ink ribbon cassette, see Figures 11 and 1.
This will be explained using Figure 2.

50 is the aforementioned ink ribbon cassette, which is removably loaded onto the carrier tape 28 with the ink ribbon 1 housed in the case C formed by the cassette lower case 52 and the cassette upper case 63.

In the figure, the ink ribbon l is wound around a core 51 and fitted into a protrusion 52a of a cassette lower case 52.

The ink ribbon 1 passes through rows 53b, 53c, and 53d rotatably attached to the protrusion 52b, the ink ribbon detection window 52c, and the cassette lower case protrusion 52d of the cassette lower case 52, and then to the cassette lower case. After being exposed to the outside of the -H case C through the opening 52e, the case C is guided through the peeling roller 54 and then exposed again through the opening 521.
It enters the inside and is wound up on the winding hub 55.

Note that when the cassette 50 is loaded at a predetermined position on the table 28, the cassette opening 52e is located opposite the head 25 on the main body side. Therefore, the ink ribbon exposed to the outside of the cassette case C can be heated by the thermal head 25 that generates heat according to the recording information. Furthermore, the ink ribbon l is attached to the cassette lower case 5.
The roller 53b is biased by a pressure spring 56 provided at the roller 53b. Note that a felt 56a is attached to the spring 56 to prevent damage caused by pressure contact of the ink ribbon l.

Further, the tension spring 57 biases the ink ribbon 1 in the direction of arrow J, and takes up slack in the ink ribbon l. That is, this tension spring 57 is provided in the cassette lower case 52, and elastically presses the ink ribbon l on the upstream side of the rollers 53c and 53d (with respect to the winding direction of the ink ribbon l). Therefore, the peeling lever 5 described later
Even if the ribbon l becomes slack when the path of the ink ribbon 1 changes due to the displacement of the peeling roller 54 due to the movement of the tension spring 8, this slack can be quickly absorbed by the elastic force of the tension spring. This prevents the ribbon 1 from remaining loose. It should be noted that the tension spring 57 also has a felt 57a attached to its contact surface with the ink ribbon 1 to prevent damage to the ink ribbon 1. Here, in addition to felt, a coating or the like may be applied to the surface of the tension spring 57.

Furthermore, the peeling lever 58 is provided so as to be slidable (in the direction of arrow Cl-C2) along the side end 50a of the cassette 50 on the side where the opening 52e is provided.

That is, the lever 58 connects the back side to the end 63a of the cassette upper case 63, the guide 63'b, and the cassette lower case 52.
(not shown) and a guide (not shown), and the front side thereof is connected to the lower bent portion 63 of the cassette upper case 63.
b and the upper bent portion 52b of the cassette lower case 52, and is movable. Further, the peeling roller 54 is attached to the tip of the lever 58 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 54a. Furthermore, this lever 58
is provided with an upper opening 58a and a lower opening 58b.

A lower case protrusion 52f is fitted into the upper opening 58a, and a return spring 59 is provided between the protrusion 52f and the lever 58 along the guide bar 58c. Therefore, the lever 58 is urged downward (in the direction of arrow C2) by the elastic force of the spring 59. Furthermore, a slider 60 is provided in the lower opening 58b. This slider 60 is slidable relative to the lever 58 along the guide 58d. Furthermore, in this lower opening 58b,
A guide rod 58e and a slider 60 fixed to the lever 58
A press spring 61 is provided between the lever 58 and the slider 60 along a guide rod 58f fixed to the slider 60. Therefore, the slider 60 is always urged downward (in the direction of arrow C2) and is stopped by coming into contact with the stopper portion 58g of the guide 58d.

Here, the switching lever 62 has its tip 62a connected to the slider 6.
0, and is provided so as to be slidable (in the direction of arrow I) and rotatable (in the direction of the arrow) between the cassette lower case 52 and the cassette upper case 63. A bending switching section 6 is provided at the rear end of the lever 62.
2b is provided, and when this switching portion 62b comes into contact with the aforementioned protruding portions 27a and 27b on the main body side, the lever 62 slides in the left-right direction (direction I in the figure).

Further, the movement range of this lever 62 is restricted by the left and right ends of the opening 52c. Further, the rotation of the lever 62 is controlled by the elongated openings 63 provided in the lower case 52 and the upper case 63.
This is done around the protrusion 62c of the lever 62, which engages with the lever 62c.

Further, a convex portion 62d is provided on the tip side of the lever 62 to prevent the lever 62 from moving inadvertently in the left-right direction. However, the convex portion 62d has a slope 62dl so that the switching portion 62b comes into contact with the protrusions 27a and 27b on the main body side and does not obstruct the movement of the lever 62 in the left and right directions. Therefore, when the lever 62 is moved, the convex portion 62d can overcome the roller 52k with a slight force.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned cassette 50, when the switching part 62b comes into contact with the protruding part 27b on the main body side and the lever 62 moves to the left and its tip 62a protrudes from the cassette side end 50a, this tip 62a comes into contact with the protruding part 27b on the main body side. It is guided to a position where it comes into contact with the engaging portion 30b. Therefore, as mentioned above, the motor M
When the connecting lever 30 is moved toward the platen 10 by the drive of the lever 3, the engaging portion 30b and the tip 62a engage, and the lever 62 is pushed toward the platen 10. Then, this lever 62 pushes the lever 58 in the direction of the platen 10 (arrow CI) against the biasing force of the return spring 59. Further, after the lever 58 contacts the platen 10 via the ink ribbon 1 and the recording paper 12, the slider 60 is pushed in the direction of the platen 10 (arrow CI) against the biasing force of the pressure spring 61, and the pressure spring 6
The lever 58 stops in a state where the platen 10 is pressed by the urging force of 1.

Therefore, after heating, the recording paper 12 and the ink sheet 1 continue to be in contact with each other until reaching the position of the peeling roller 54, without being peeled off, and after passing through the peeling roller 54, they are peeled off.

In this way, on the real male side, the switching lever 62 is connected to the spring 6.
Since the peeling roller 54 is configured to lightly press against the platen 10 through the elastic force of 1, the peeling roller 5
When the ink sheet 4 contacts the platen 10, it does so with a stable elastic force, thereby preventing stains on image recording due to offset, or supply failures such as wrinkles or skewing of the ink sheet.

Conversely, when the switching portion 62b comes into contact with the protruding portion 27a on the main body side and the lever 62 moves to the right and its tip 62a retreats into the cassette side end portion 50a, the connecting lever 30 on the main body side Even if the lever 62 is moved to the side, the lever 62 is not pushed, and the lever 62 remains retracted away from the platen 1O by the biasing force of the return spring 59. Therefore, the position of the peeling roller 54 remains apart from the platen 10, and the heated recording paper and ink sheet l are peeled off soon after passing the end of the thermal head 25.

Furthermore, another embodiment of the ink ribbon cassette is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, an integrated abutting lever 63 is used in place of the above-mentioned peeling lever 58, peeling roller 54, return spring 59, slider 6o, and pressure spring 61.

In this embodiment, the contact lever 63 is connected to the cassette lower case 52 and the cassette upper case (not shown).
It is guided so as to be movable in the direction of arrow Cl-C2. Further, this contact lever 63 is in an engagement relationship with the switching lever 62,
The movement of the switching lever 62 moves in the direction of arrow Cl-C2.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned cassette, when the switching part 62b comes into contact with the protruding part 27b on the main body side and the lever 62 moves to the left and its tip 62a protrudes from the cassette side end 50a, this tip 62a is engaged with the main body side. It is guided to a position where it comes into contact with the joint portion 30b. Therefore, as described above, when the connecting lever 30 is moved toward the platen 10 by the drive of the motor M3, the engaging portion 30b and the tip 62a are engaged, and the lever 6
2 is pushed toward the platen 10. Then this lever 6
2, the thermal head 25 pushes the contact lever 63 to approximately the same position as the position relative to the platen 10, and the contact lever 63 stops at the position where it approaches or contacts the platen IO.

Therefore, after heating, the recording paper 12 and the ink sheet l continue to be in contact with each other until they reach the position of the peeling roller 54, without being peeled off.

Conversely, when the switching portion 62b comes into contact with the protruding portion 27a on the main body side and the lever 62 moves to the right and its tip 62a retreats into the end on the cassette side, the connecting lever 3 on the main body side
0 moves toward the platen 10, the lever 62 is not pushed, and the lever 62 remains retracted away from the platen 10. Therefore, this contact lever 6
The position 3 remains away from the platen 10, and the heated recording paper and ink sheet 1 are separated soon after passing the end of the thermal head 25.

Next, switching of colors of recorded images in this embodiment will be explained. Note that although this embodiment will be described using red and black recorded images as examples, the present invention is not limited to this.

14 to 17 are plan views showing the operation of two-color recording. The figure shows a recordable state in which the ink ribbon cassette 50 is loaded on the carrier table 28.

Below, using the above-mentioned ink ribbon cassette 50,
An example of selectively forming two-color black recorded images according to color information will be described.

First, a case will be shown in which red recording is performed.

14 and 15 are diagrams showing a case where an image is recorded using the second ink layer 3b (red) of the two-color ink ribbon 1, and FIG. 14 shows the color switching operation of the cassette.

First, when the red record information is received by the method described later, the up-down motor M3 (Fig. 8) is activated as described above.
counterclockwise and move the thermal head 25 in the direction of arrow B2.
direction and move it away from the platen IO. Further, the connecting lever 30 is moved in the direction of arrow C2. Next, the carrier motor M2 (FIG. 5) is driven to move the carrier 22 (FIG. 8) to the left (direction A2 in the figure), and the switching portion 62b provided on the switching lever 62 and the protruding portion 27a of the rack 27 are moved. and move the switching lever 62 to the right (one direction in the figure). By moving the switching lever 62 in the direction of arrow K, the connecting portion 6 of the switching lever 62
2a is disengaged from the connection lever 30. Furthermore, the peeling lever 58 is urged downward (in the C2 direction in the drawing) and the switching lever 62 is urged counterclockwise (in the two directions in the drawing) by the urging force of the return spring 59.

The peeling roller 54 is then well in front of the platen 10.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which recording is performed using the second ink layer 3b (for example, red) of the two-color ribbon 1. In the state described above using FIG. 16, the up-down motor M3 (FIG. 8) is driven clockwise to rotate the thermal head 25 in the direction of the platen 10 (direction B1 in the figure) to rotate the recording paper 12 and The two-color ink ribbon 1 is pressed against the platen IO.

At this time, as the heat sink 26 moves in the direction of arrow B1, the connection lever 30 moves in the direction of the platen 10 (in the CI force direction shown in the figure). However, as described above, the return spring 5
9 causes the peeling lever 58 to move downward (in the direction C2 in the figure).
The switching levers 62 remain biased counterclockwise (two directions in the figure), and the peeling lever 58 is separated from the recording paper 12 by a sufficient distance. Therefore, the carrier 22 is moved to the right in the recording direction (direction A1 in the figure), and the heat generating part 25a of the thermal head 25 is made to generate heat according to the recording information to heat the two-color ink ribbon l, and the second ink layer 3b is heated. A red image is formed on the recording paper 12 by transferring it to the recording paper 12. Immediately after heating, the ink ribbon l is deflected from the end 25b of the thermal head 25 by the winding force generated by the rotation of the winding clutch 41 in the direction of arrow It, and is separated from the recording paper 12. Note that after that, the two-color ribbon l is wound around the winding core 55.

Next, a case will be described in which black recording is performed.

16 and 17 are diagrams showing the case where an image is recorded using both the first ink layer 3a and the second ink layer 3b of the two-color ink ribbon, and FIG. 16 shows the color of the cassette. The switching operation is shown.

First, when black recording information is received by the method described later, the up-down motor M3 (Fig. 8) is rotated counterclockwise to move the thermal head 25 in the direction of arrow B2, as described above. Move away from Ten 10.

Also, the connecting lever 30 is moved in the direction of arrow C2. Next, the carrier motor M2 (Fig. 5) is driven to move the carrier 22 (Fig. 8) to the right (in the direction of the AI force shown in the figure).
Switching portion 62b of switching lever 62 and protruding portion 2 of rack 27
7b and move the switching lever 62 to the left (2
direction). By moving the switching lever 62 in the two directions indicated by the arrows, the connecting portion 62a of the switching lever 62 engages with the connecting lever 30. Also, due to the biasing force of the return spring 59, the peeling lever 58 moves downward (in the direction C2 in the figure).
Further, the switching levers 62 are biased counterclockwise (two directions in the figure), and the peeling lever 58 is in a state separated from the recording paper 12.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state in which the first ink layer 3a (black) and the second ink layer 3b of the two-color ribbon 1 are transferred to the recording paper 12 to perform black recording. In the state described above with reference to FIG. 15, the up-down motor M3 (FIG. 8) is driven clockwise, the thermal head 25 is rotated toward the platen 10 (direction B1 in the figure), and the recording paper 1 is rotated.
2. Press onto the platen 10 via the two-color ink ribbon l. At this time, due to the movement of the heat sink 26 in the direction of arrow B1, the connection lever 30 is moved in the direction of the platen 10 (C
Move in the direction of the t force. Illustration C, 1 of this connection lever 30
By moving in the direction, the engaging portion 30b of the connecting lever 30
pushes up the connecting portion 62a of the switching lever 62 and rotates the switching lever 62 clockwise (L1 direction) against the return spring 59. By rotating the switching lever 62 in the L1 direction, the peeling lever 58 moves upward (in the C1 direction in the figure).
It contacts the recording paper 12 via the ribbon l.

The connection lever 30 further moves in the CI force direction and rotates the switching lever 62 in the L1 direction. Further rotation of the switching lever 62 in the L1 direction causes the slider 60 to move in the arrow C-1 direction against the return spring 59 and the pressure spring 61. Therefore, the reaction force of the pressure spring 61 causes the peeling roller 54 of the peeling lever 58 to be pressed against or close to the recording paper 12 via the ink ribbon l.

In this state, the carrier 22 is moved to the right in the recording direction (in the AI force direction shown in the figure), the heat generating part 25a of the thermal head 25 is made to generate heat according to the recording information, the two-color ink ribbon 1 is heated, and then the heat generating part 25a is heated. , the peeling lever 5 separated by a distance β
8, the ink ribbon is changed direction by the winding force generated by the rotation of the winding latch 41 in the direction of the arrow If force, and is peeled off from the recording paper 12, thereby removing the first ink layer 3a along with the second ink layer 3b. By transferring the image to the recording paper 12, a black image is formed on the recording paper 12. Furthermore, after that,
The two-color ribbon l is wound around a winding core 55.

Next, the states of red and black image recording described above will be explained using enlarged schematic diagrams. FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b) are enlarged schematic diagrams showing the case of red image recording, and FIGS. 19(a) and (b) are enlarged schematic diagrams showing the case of black image recording.

FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b) are diagrams showing image recording of the second ink layer (for example, red recording).

In the figure, the thermal head 25 is a two-color ink ribbon l.
and is pressed against the platen IO via the recording paper 12. While the thermal head 25 is running in the direction of arrow AI, the heat generating section 25a (for example, composed of a plurality of heat generating elements) of the thermal head 25 is made to generate heat according to the recording information to heat the two-color ink ribbon l. The second ink layer 3b (for example, red recording) of the two-color ink ribbon 1 is heated.
or adhere to the recording paper 12.

Next, the thermal head 25 is moved in the direction of arrow A1 to change the direction of the ink ribbon l at the edge portion 25b of the thermal head 25, so that a quick time t1 after heating, that is, before the heated ink ribbon l cools down (3rd Figure (a) 2
(Refer to the color ink ribbon characteristic diagram) The ink ribbon l is pulled and peeled off from the recording paper 12 by winding force.

Two-color ink ribbon l at the time of peeling as shown in Figure 3(a)
The relationship between the adhesive force between the support 2, the first ink layer 3a, and the second ink layer 3b is that the adhesive force between the support 2 and the first ink layer 3a is the same as that between the first ink layer 3a and the second ink layer. 3b is greater than the adhesive force between the two. Further, the adhesive force between the second ink layer 3b and the recording paper 12 is increased due to the heating of the thermal head 25, and therefore the first ink layer 3a, which has the weakest adhesive force,
The ink layer 3 is separated between the second ink layer 3b and the second ink layer 3b, and only the second ink layer 3b (for example, a red record) is transferred to the recording paper 12 to obtain a red image record R1.

On the other hand, black image recording is performed as follows.

FIG. 19(a) and FIG. 19(b) show the first ink layer 3a.
, is a diagram showing recording of the second ink layer 3b.

As above, the thermal head 25 is a two-color ink ribbon!
The two-color ink ribbon 1 is heated by pressing the recording paper 12 against the platen 1o and causing the heat generating portion 25a of the thermal head 25 to generate heat according to image information while moving the thermal head 25 in the direction of arrow A1.

The second ink layer 3b of the two-color ink ribbon l adheres to the recording paper 12 by heating. Further, the two-color ink ribbon l is brought into contact with the recording paper 12 by a peeling roller 54 at a distance l (FIG. 19(a)) away from the heat generating portion 25a of the thermal head 25 in the direction opposite to the arrow AI. Next, the thermal head 25 and the peeling roller 54 move in the direction of the arrow AI while maintaining the distance l, and at a later time after heating the ink ribbon l at the point of the peeling roller 54, rIIIt2, that is, the heated ink ribbon l has cooled down. Later (Figure 3(a)
) Refer to the two-color ink ribbon characteristic diagram) The ink ribbon changes direction and is pulled and peeled off from the recording paper 12 by the winding force. The time t2 can be determined by the moving speed and distance l of the thermal head 25.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the relationship of the adhesive force between the support 2, the first ink layer 3a, and the second ink layer 3b of the ink ribbon 1 at the time of peeling is the relationship between the adhesive force between the support 1 and the first ink layer 3a. The adhesive force between the first ink layer 3a and the second ink layer 3b is smaller than the adhesive force between the first ink layer 3a and the second ink layer 3b. Further, the adhesive force between the second ink layer 3b and the recording paper 12 is increased due to the heating of the thermal head 25, and therefore, the adhesive force between the support 2 and the second ink layer 3b, which has the weakest adhesive force, and the second! The ink layer 3 is separated from the ink layer 3a, and the first ink layer 3
Both the ink layer a and the second ink layer 3b are transferred to the recording paper 12, and a black image recording B1 is obtained.

As described above, the apparatus of this embodiment transfers only the second ink layer 3b and transfers the first ink layer 3a and the second ink layer 3.
This makes it possible to perform the combined transfer of b, and to record a two-color image. Peeling of the ink ribbon immediately after heating at the edge of the full head, movement of the distance l after heating the thermal head (overrun), and distance from the thermal head! Two-color image recording is possible by controlling the peeling of the ink ribbon at the separate pressure rollers.

[Configuration block diagram]

Next, FIG. 20 shows a block diagram of the configuration of the output device described above.

Note that this diagram only shows the connection relationship between each block.
Detailed control lines are omitted. The part surrounded by dotted lines is the CPU unit.

The CPU is a central processing unit that reads programs and various data from a ROM, etc. (described later), performs necessary calculations and judgments, and performs various controls. Further, the CPU may be composed of a plurality of CPUs. The ROM is a read-only memory and stores various programs for the operation of the CPU, character codes, dot patterns (character generator; CC), various data necessary for printing, etc. TRAM is read-no-write memory, and is a working area where the CPU temporarily stores data and calculation results while executing instructions.
Keyboard 15 and external interface unit IFu (
It consists of a buffer area for storing various input data (described later), a text area for saving documents, etc., and is backed up by a battery so that the power switch 14
This allows data to be saved even if the main unit's power is turned off.

In addition, the CPU unit has a thermal head driver TWO
, a mork driver MD, and a detection unit Su to the printer unit Pu.

The thermal head driver THD is provided in the aforementioned printer unit Pu under the control of the CPU. The motor driver MD drives the thermal head 25, and the CPU
By controlling the paper feed motor Ml.

Carrier motor M2. Drives up/down motor M3.

The detection unit Su sends information from the aforementioned limit sensor 23 and sensor 29 provided in the printer unit Pu to the CPU.
to communicate.

The power supply PSu is a power supply VH for driving the thermal head 25.

Paper feed motor Ml, carrier motor M2. A power supply VM for driving the up/down motor M3 and a power supply Vcc for other logic circuits are supplied.

Further, the controller GA performs various controls such as changing the voltage and current of the power source VH for driving the thermal head 25 and changing the heating time and duty of the thermal head 25 under the control of the CI'U.

Further, a keyboard 15 is connected to the CPU unit via a keyboard connector KBC for inputting various data necessary for printing 1 editing and the like.

Further, a liquid crystal display section 70 for displaying data and information input from the keyboard 15 is connected to the CPU unit via an LCD connector LCDC.

Note that, instead of the liquid crystal display section 70, another display device such as a CRT may be used.

The CPU unit has an interface connector IFC.
R5232C for controlling this recording device by an external control device and communicating with external devices.

Interfaces such as Centro interface and modem can be connected.

In addition, the CPU unit is connected to a ROM for operating special functions and printing in a different font via the cartridge connector CAC.
A cartridge and a RAM cartridge for expansion memory for storing documents, data, etc. can be connected.

Furthermore, although not shown in this figure, an audio output device such as a buzzer may be provided.

[Power on sequence]

Next, control of the output device using the program stored in the ROM will be explained. FIG. 21 is a control flow of the power-on sequence of the output device to which the present invention is applied. As mentioned above, this output device has a thermal printer that can print in two colors, and can be equipped with a ribbon for one color or a ribbon for two colors that can print in two colors with one ribbon. , Furthermore, in the case of two colors, the colors can be switched.

In the present invention, the color information may be a ribbon identification signal or a color designation signal input from a key.

First, when the power of the device is turned on, the thermal head is raised and the head is separated from the platen IO (SL), and the carrier 22 is moved toward the limit sensor 23 in order to detect the absolute position of the carriage. Move it (S2).

When the limit sensor 23 detects a carrier (S3),
Proceed to step 4 (S4), if the ribbon is for two colors,
Color flag (TR above) to print in basic color, for example black
(stored in AM) is turned off. In other words, the basic color is the standard mode when the power is turned on. Note that it may be possible to display that the mode is standard mode. Next, in step 85, the slack of the ribbon is removed in order to maintain uniform printing quality. Note that details regarding slack removal will be described later. The next ribbon to be loaded or to be loaded is (1) a single color ribbon or 2
Ribbon mode flag to identify color ribbon (TRA
) stored in M (S6). Note that this ribbon mode flag may be set by the sensor 29 for determining the type of ribbon or ribbon cassette, or may be set by the operator manually using keys or voice input. If the flag is set to the one-color ribbon mode, the process advances to step 8 (S8). Also, if the ribbon mode flag is set to 2-color ribbon mode, move the carriage to the basic color set position so that the basic color (black) of the two colors can be printed, and press (
(See FIGS. 16 and 17) The state of the ribbon cassette is set to the basic color (S7). Then, in S8, the carriage is moved to the left margin LM1 for the one-color ribbon mode if the ribbon mode is one color, and to the left margin LM2 for the two-color ribbon mode if the ribbon mode is the two colors. This left margin will be explained in FIG. 22. Note that the ribbon mode flag is backed up by the power supply even when the power is turned off, and the ribbon mode at the time the power is turned off is saved.

Then, the ribbon is determined when the power is turned on, and if it is different from the one when the power is turned off, there is a possibility that the operator made a mistake (the operator may have made an input assuming that a two-color ribbon is installed when a one-color ribbon is installed). Therefore, it may be possible to notify by a buzzer, message, etc. after the power is turned on and before the input.

Next, referring to FIG. 22, the margins (movement range of the carriage) for one-color printing and two-color printing described above will be explained. LMI and RMI are a left margin and a right margin indicating the range that can be printed by a monochrome (one color) ribbon. In this case, in this example, 80 characters
can be printed. Also, for two-color ribbons, LM2.
Within the printable range of RM2, the aforementioned black or red printing is possible. In this case, printing of 76 characters is possible. Furthermore, the left and right two characters are a color switching area at the red set position (protrusion 27a position) at the left end, and a color switching area at the black set position (protrusion 27b position) at the right end. Furthermore, between the position of the sensor 23 and the area where actual printing is possible, there is an area where ribbon slack is removed (for example, Icharacte).
r pitches). Note that 27-a and 27-b are protrusions for changing the color of the ribbon mentioned above.

[Key human power sequence]

Next, FIG. 23 is a flowchart for controlling the operator's key power. If there is a key press in Sl, the process advances to S2, and it is determined whether or not a ribbon mode setting key has been pressed. If Yes, proceed to the ribbon mode change program in S8.

If No, proceed to S3. In addition, ribbon mode setting key R
MKY is, for example, the mode key M OK Y + in Fig. 4.
These include key operations using the numeric key ■. Next 8
In step 3, it is determined whether the color change keys 〇〇K Y are pressed. If Yes, proceed to the color change program in S7. The key change key CCKY may be a key operation using, for example, the mode key MOKY+numerical key shown in FIG. Further, the color change key is a key that changes the color described above. If No in S3, the process advances to S4, and if the key in S4 is a return key, tab key, centering key left margin set, etc., the process advances to S6 to proceed to the operation control program for the above function.

Also, if NO in S4, the input key is the print key PR.
It is determined that it is KY, and the process proceeds to print control program S5. After the above operations are completed, the machine returns to Sl again and waits for key input. Although the above description has been given of the case in which data is entered manually using keys, it goes without saying that commands in text information or control commands from an external device such as a host or a control device may also be used.

[Remove slack from ribbon]

Next, removing slack from the ribbon in FIG. 21 S5 will be explained. FIG. 24 is a control flowchart for removing slack from the ribbon. In Sl, the thermal head 25 is lowered. This allows winding of the ribbon within the cassette (see Figures 7 to 1O). Next, in S2, move the carriage to arrow A without heating the head 25.
Move in one direction and move one character. And S3
Perform a heads-up. These operations tension the ribbon at a predetermined tension and remove slack.

[Ribbon mode change]

Next, the ribbon mode change shown in FIG. 2388 will be explained. Ribbon mode setting key RM K Y
When TRA is input, first at Sl in FIG.
Invert the bits of the ribbon mode flag stored in M,
Change the ribbon mode flag from 1-color ribbon mode to 2-color ribbon mode, and from 2-color ribbon mode to 1-color ribbon mode. Next, in S2, it is determined which mode the mode has been changed to, and if it is the one color mode, the process proceeds to S4, and the process proceeds to the power-on routine shown in FIG. 21. Also, in S2, ribbon mode is
If it is the two-color ribbon mode, the positions of the two-color left (LM2) and right margin (RM2) explained in FIG. 22 are set in the memory (TRAM) in S3. (Normally, LMISRMI is set.) Then, the process proceeds to the power-on routine of S4. In the power-on routine, as described above, the slack of the ribbon is removed, and the carriage is moved to a predetermined left margin (LMI or LM2) depending on whether the ribbon is of one color or two colors. Note that it may be moved to a desired margin position set by the user. Note that the ribbon mode can be set not only by the key manually, but also by the fifth button mentioned above.
The sensor 29 shown in the figure may automatically make the determination and proceed to the routine shown in FIG. 25. Also, due to the two printing ranges mentioned above, the user may input the margin position incorrectly, but in that case, a warning will be issued or a message will be issued to ignore the margin position input by the user and move to LMI or LM2. You may also do so.

[Color change]

Next, the color change shown in FIG. 23 87 will be explained. When performing a color change, it is assumed that a two-color ribbon cassette is installed, so in Sl, the ribbon mode flag is determined, and if it is determined that a one-color ribbon cassette is installed, the input Since the color change information is invalid, a warning is given at 82 by a buzzer, display, or voice. If the ribbon mode flag in Sl is determined to be two colors, that is, two colors of ribbon are installed, the output color should be changed (
The bits of the color flag stored in TRAM are inverted at 83. In other words, if black (basic color) is selected from the two-color ribbon, red (preliminary color) is output, and if red is selected, black is output, so the color flag bits are inverted. It is. Then, the current carriage position is stored in TRAM, and then the inverted color flag is determined at 84, and if it is off (black), the process proceeds to S5, and the carriage is moved to the basic color (black) set position described above (
carrier). Further, the color flag is turned on (red) in S3, and the carriage is moved to the preliminary color (red) set position in S6. (See FIGS. 16 and 17) Next, at 87, the carriage is moved to the position before the carriage was moved at 85 and S6 or to the next printing position.

Note that in this explanation, ribbon slack is not removed during color change, but ribbon slack is removed even when a color change signal is input (for example, after 87 in Fig. 26, ribbon slack is removed). ).

[Print sequence]

Next, regarding the printing sequence shown in FIG. 23 85,
This will be explained with reference to FIG. 27. Note that the information output in the present invention may be any data such as characters, graphics 1, images, symbols, etc., or a combination thereof. Proceed to 85 in FIG. 23 by pressing the print command key PRKY, but 1c
A print command may be generated each time a haracter is input, or a print command may be generated in units of words or in units of one line, and the process proceeds to step 85 in FIG. Although the carriage and the like are moved by a motor driver MD shown in FIG. 20, the motor and the like are omitted for the sake of explanation.

In FIG. 27, the carriage is moved to the printing start position using S1. In S2, the thermal head 25 is lowered. Check the ribbon mode flag in S3. Here, if it is the single color ribbon mode, the process moves to S4. In S4, set the carriage speed for monochrome (speed table on ROM), accelerate the carriage at the speed set in S5, and make it run up (for example, 18 characters/
5ee). Then, in S6, heat conditions for single color are set. Here, commands are sent to the controller to change the voltage and current. Also, set the heat time for a single color (for example, heat for 1.1 msec). In S7, the thermal head 25 is heated according to the heat conditions and printing is performed. Then, in S8, the head 25 is raised, and in S9, the carriage is overrun, that is, moved by a certain amount. By performing an overrun here, it becomes possible to see the printed portion, and it becomes possible for the index 30a to indicate the next printed character. Then, the process ends.

Here, the position where the carriage is stopped is the printing standby position when the ribbon is in a single color.

By the way, when the process returns to S3 and the ribbon mode flag indicates the two-color ribbon mode, the process moves to SIO.

SIO examines the color flag. If the flag is on, ie, the preliminary color (red), transition to Sll.

In Sll, set the carriage speed for preliminary emergency (speed table in ROM), accelerate the carriage at the speed set in S12, and make it run up (for example, 18c).
haracters/5ec). Then, in S13, the preliminary heat conditions are set, that is, the preliminary color voltage, preliminary color current, preliminary color heat time (for example, 1.1 m
5ec), the thermal head is heated and printed in S14. Then, raise the head at S15 and
An overrun is performed at step 16, and the processing is terminated.

Returning again to SIO, if the color flag is off, that is, the basic color, transition is made to 517. In S17, the carriage speed for the basic color is set, and the carriage is accelerated and run-up at the speed set in S18 (for example, 10 characters/5ec). And S19
Next, set the heat conditions for basic colors, heat the thermal head in S20, and print (for example, 0.8m5
eC heat). In the case of basic colors, the carriage speed and heat time are changed from the others in order to ensure that the basic colors are printed. In S21, in order to change the ribbon peeling position, the carrier is lowered to the head-up start position and moved a distance fil (see FIG. 28). This transfers the first and second ink layers of the ribbon and prints black. Then, in S22, the head is raised, and in S23, the overrun is performed as in the case of the monochromatic auxiliary (preliminary) color. During monochrome and auxiliary color printing, the overrun (S9.816) causes the index to indicate the next printing position, but because S24 is S21, the carriage stops at a different position than when printing a monochrome ribbon. Therefore, the index does not indicate the next print character. Therefore, in order to stop the carriage at the same position as when the monochrome ribbon was used, the 64 pulses that were moved in S21 are returned. Then, no matter what ribbon mode or color printing is being performed, the carriage is moved to position the index 30a at the next printing position.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the relationship between the above-mentioned index 30a, head 25, and printed characters. The solid line I( indicates the already printed character, and the dotted line I( indicates the position of the next printed character.

m is the distance between the index 30a and the head 25, which is naturally constant regardless of the ribbon mode or color (see FIG. 5). Note that the index drawn with a dotted line indicates the desired position indicating the next printing position, and the index drawn with a thick line indicates the desired position of the next print position.
It shows the head-up position after basic color printing. n
is the distance from the position of the head 25 at the end of printing to the center position of the next printed character. Therefore, in the case of monochrome printing or two-color ribbon printing, in the case of preliminary color printing, an overrun is performed by m+n in order to align the index with the next printing position (FIG. 27, 89.516). In the case of basic color printing, the carriage has already advanced, for example, l in FIG. 28, as explained in FIG. 27 S21.

Note that the relationship between n, m, and l may be any one of the larger values. In S21, S23, and S24 of FIG. 27, S21
The carriage is moved as shown in S23 524 r71+n + m - '7', but as is clear from Fig. 28, after printing, the carriage moves by l (S21) and then moves back by l - (m + n). You can do it like this. In this example, the heating time was changed, but it goes without saying that the voltage may be changed by controlling the VH described above.

Although the above embodiments have been described using an ink ribbon, the present invention is not limited to ribbon-shaped ink sheets (in addition to ink ribbons, for example, wide ink sheets used in line printers, etc.) can be used as ink sheets. A tape-shaped material or the like can also be used as appropriate.

In addition to the recording paper described in the above embodiments, examples of recording media include, for example, an overhead projector (so-called OH
A transparent plastic thin plate used in P) can also be used as appropriate.

Further, the heating means is not limited to the thermal head described in the above embodiments, and for example, infrared rays or laser beams may be used as appropriate.

Further, in the above embodiment, a so-called serial type in which a thermal head moves reciprocally along a recording paper was explained as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a heating means such as a thermal head is used for recording. A so-called full-line type, which is provided over the entire width, can also be used as appropriate.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the ink ribbon is housed in a case and an ink ribbon cassette that is removably attached to the main body of the apparatus is used. However, the present invention relating to a recording apparatus is not limited to this. Of course, for example, an ink sheet wound on a reel or roll may be directly loaded into the main body of the apparatus and used.

Further, in the above embodiments, the ink ribbon cassette moves back and forth, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink ribbon cassette may be of a stationary type.

Further, in the above embodiments, two-color image recording has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that it can also be applied to image recording of three or more colors. It can also be applied to a case where the recorded image color of each ink layer is the same, and in this case, the ink sheet can be used for monochrome recording, for example, twice or three times as many times.

Further, the ink sheet is not limited to those shown in the examples, and it goes without saying that other ink sheets can be used as appropriate.

Further, in the embodiment described above, a peeling timing control member such as a peeling roller is also provided on the cassette side, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that it may be provided on the apparatus main body side, for example.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the step of cooling the ink sheet after heating is achieved by natural cooling by delaying the timing of peeling the ink sheet, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, It is also possible to forcibly cool a metal such as aluminum by bringing it into contact with or close to the ink sheet, or by spraying cold air from a nozzle.

〔effect〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform recording according to the information to be recorded, and furthermore, it is possible to miniaturize the device with a simple configuration.

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, extremely high quality recording can be performed based on the above information by controlling both the heating energy and the peeling member.

Further, in a recording apparatus that records on a recording medium using an ink sheet containing ink according to the present invention, a heating means for heating the ink sheet and information related to recording are provided in order to record on the recording medium. a first control means for controlling the heating energy of the heating means based on the information; a movable peeling member for peeling the ink sheet from the recording medium; and a movable peeling member for controlling the movement of the peeling member based on the information. It has now become possible to provide a recording apparatus characterized by having a second control means.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views in the thickness direction of an ink ribbon that can be applied to embodiments of the present invention, and Figures 3 (a) and (b) show the relationship between changes in adhesive force between each layer over time. 4 is an external perspective view of a typewriter to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a recording section to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIGS. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the head rotation and ribbon winding mechanism, Figs. 9 and 10 are side views thereof, Fig. 11 is an external perspective view of the two-color ribbon cassette, and Fig. 12 is its interior. A plan view, FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the two-color ribbon cassette, FIGS. 14 to 17 are plan views showing the color switching operation, and FIGS. 18 (a) and (b). 19(a) and 19(b) are enlarged schematic diagrams of the recording section of the apparatus of this embodiment, FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the configuration of the output device, and FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the power-on sequence of the output device. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing the output range depending on the ribbon, Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing key operations, Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing ribbon slack removal, Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing ribbon mode change operation, Figure 26 is a flowchart showing the color change operation, Figure 27 is a flowchart showing the printing sequence, and Figure 2
Figure 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the print position, head, and index, 50 is a cassette, 58 is a peeling lever, 25 is a thermal head, 22 is a carrier, M3 is an up-down motor, 2
9 is a sensor, CPU is a central processing unit, THD is a T I-1 driver, and 30a is an index.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a recording apparatus that records on a recording medium using an ink sheet containing ink, in order to record on the recording medium, a heating means for heating the ink sheet Based on information related to recording, A first control means for controlling the heating energy of the heating means. A movable peeling member for peeling the ink sheet from the recording medium. A second control means for controlling the movement of the peeling member based on the information. A recording device characterized by having (2) The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the heating energy includes a heating time. (3) The second control means controls the time from heating by the heating means to when peeling is performed. (4) A recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device (4) is characterized in that the information related to the recording includes color information.
Recording device described in section