JPS6294375A - Thermal recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance recording speed, by recording in forward and backward direction an odd numbered times which number is approximate to the number of times a repeatedly usable ink ribbon can be used for recording, and thereafter returning a thermal head without taking up the ink ribbon. CONSTITUTION:Forward and backward recording is performed while checking the actual recording range in each line instead of fully scanning in each line on a sheet 2. After recording an odd numbered times (e.g., N=9 times) which number is approximate to the number of times (e.g., 10 times) an ink ribbon can be used for recording, the ribbon is taken up by an amount equal to the maximum of the lengths of the printed lines (maximum line length) L, and then a thermal head is returned (leftward) without taking up the ribbon. thereafter, a fresh part of the ribbon is paid out, and the next forward and backward recording is conducted. Accordingly, recording speed and the economy of the ribbon can be enhanced, as compared with the case of performing full scanning. The above recording operation is controlled based on a program stored in a ROM provide for a CPU 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a serial thermal recording method that uses a multi-ink ribbon and performs thermal transfer recording on a sheet while scanning the thermal head along the sheet.

[Prior art]

A recording device such as a printer or facsimile is a device that records on a sheet (recording medium such as paper or a thin plastic plate) by driving a recording head based on a print data signal. Serial types that perform main scanning are widely used.

Furthermore, there are various recording methods such as an inkjet method, a wire toss type, and a thermal method.

Among these, thermal type (thermal recording device)
A dot forming means consisting of a plurality of electrothermal transducers (heating elements) is provided on the front surface of the recording head (thermal head), and the dot forming means is pressed against the sheet and slides on the sheet, and is driven based on a print data signal. The device is configured to perform heating recording by heating.

In addition, as this type of thermal recording device, the thermal sheet 1-
There are two types of thermal transfer methods: one is a thermal transfer method that uses a sheet that develops color when heated and records without an ink ribbon, and the other is a thermal transfer method that uses a regular sheet and transfers and records via an ink ribbon. There are cases in which a one-time ink ribbon is used for printing once in a section, and there are cases in which a multi-ink ribbon is used which allows printing repeatedly (for example, 10-times).

The present invention relates to a method of operating a serial type thermal recording apparatus using the above multi-ink ribbon.

By the way, the operating method (thermal recording method) of a recording device using a conventional multi-ink ribbon is generally as follows.
Similar to the case of one-time ink ribbons, a method was adopted in which unidirectional recording was performed while winding only in one direction.

However, in this one-way printing, it is necessary to rewind the entire length of the ink ribbon each time the entire ink ribbon r= is wound.
There was a problem that this rewinding took time and the recording speed was low. There is also a method in which the operator manually turns the cassette upside down after winding the entire length, but this method has a problem in that it is not automatic.

〔the purpose〕

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal recording method which can solve the problems of the prior art described above and which can realize a speed of -1 in the recording operation using a multi-ink ribbon.

CJlll Required] The present invention uses a multi-ink ribbon capable of repeated recording, and when recording while moving a thermal head along a sea, the present invention uses two-way printing for an odd number of times close to the number of repetitions that can be recorded by the multi-ink ribbon. The above object is achieved by a recording method in which after recording, the thermal head is returned without winding the ink ribbon, and this process is repeated thereafter.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the main parts of a thermal recording apparatus suitable for carrying out the method of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a thermal hem L4 attached to a carriage 3 is attached to a sheet 2 that is blown up on a platen 1.
It is configured to record. Note that the platen 1 shown in the figure has a roller shape, and has the following functions: (see) 1) 1! Send 1-1
- It also serves as a.

The carriage 3 is movably mounted along a guide shirt [5] installed parallel to the platen 1, and is wound around a stepping motor 6, a driving pulley 7, a driven pulley 8, and these pulleys, and is coupled to the carriage 3.・It is driven reciprocally by a drive system consisting of ＼rut 9.

The thermal head 4 has a plurality of heating elements (for example, 12 x 2 elements arranged in two vertical rows or 24 resistors arranged in one row), and has a down position where it presses against the sheet and a position where it separates from the sheet. It is mounted so that it can swing between the up positions.

A ribbon cassette 10 for feeding a multi-ink ribbon to the front of the thermal printer 4 is removably set on the carriage 3.

The multi-ink ribbon in the ribbon cassette 10 is wound in a predetermined direction in synchronization with the movement of the thermal head 4 by a ribbon drive shaft (not shown) provided on the carriage 3 during recording.

FIG. 2 illustrates the structure of the multi-ink ribbon, in which a heat-resistant porous network absorbent layer 12 is attached to a base 1) made of polyester film, etc., and this one absorbent layer is impregnated with heat-meltable ink. An ink j bias is formed. In this way, an ink ribbon capable of repeatedly recording on the same portion of the ink layer 12 a predetermined number of times (for example, about 10 times) is constructed.

During recording, the thermal head 4 is moved in a press-contact state, and recording is performed while driving the plurality of heating elements based on print data signals, and the sheet 2 is conveyed at a predetermined pitch in the direction of arrow P to perform line breaks.

In this case, the recording operation is to perform bidirectional recording (reciprocating recording) for an odd number of times (for example, 9 times) close to the number of recordable repetitions (for example, 10 times) of the multi-ink ribbon, and then without winding the ink ribbon. This mode is performed in which the thermal head 4 is returned (to the normal state) and the above-described operation is repeated from the returned position.

Therefore, a new ink ribbon is fed to the front surface of the thermal head 4 every time the ink ribbon returns after recording an odd number of times, and the multi-ink ribbon can be used economically with a minimum return operation.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanations 1 illustrating the above-mentioned recording operation.

In the case of Fig. 3, twin J' fill printing is performed while full scanning (Kanayama scanning) each row of sheet 2, and multi-ink ribbon printing is performed an odd number of times (the number of peaks is close to the number of I1) (for example, 10 times). Row) For example, record N = 9 times and then add 1 more wire. Bidirectional recording is performed in full scan.

In the case of Fig. 4, C1), since each line of the sheet 12 is uniformly and fully scanned (not 3I, bidirectional recording is performed while checking the actual recording range of each jj, and the number of recordings (for example, 10 times) is 7 times). When the ribbon has been recorded an odd number of times close to (for example, N-9 times), wind up the ribbon for the maximum length (maximum line length), and then return the thermal head (right) without winding the ribbon. Then, a new section of ribbon is brought out and the next bidirectional recording is made.

According to the operation shown in FIG. 4, compared to the full scan case shown in FIG. 3, the recording speed and ribbon economy are improved.
You can avoid it.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system for carrying out the thermal recording method described above.

In FIG. 5, a CPU (microprocessor) 20 of the recording device is connected to a post 21 of a computer, word processor, etc., and receives print data and necessary command signals (commands).

The CPIJ 20 is connected via a driver (drive circuit) 22 to a motor 23 for driving the carriage 3, a general transport motor 24 for the general transport of the sea + 21 (for driving the transport roller 1), and a motor 24 for driving the amplifier down of the thermal head 4. In addition to controlling various drive systems such as the motor 25 and the ribbon drive motor or ribbon winding increasing mechanism operating means 26, the dot forming means (heating element) of the thermal head 4 is controlled based on the print data signal from the host 21. drive

The recording operation is controlled based on the program i'1 stored in the ROM attached to the CPtJ20.

FIG. 6 does not show the procedure of the recording operation that goes into the control system of FIG. 5;

In FIG. 6, when the recording device is started in step 100, the process proceeds to step 101, where it is determined whether the bidirectional recording is an odd-numbered recording (even-numbered recording). If so, proceed to step 102 and record the outward route (usually from left to right), and when this outward route recording is completed, proceed to step 103 where the number of recording times is set to an odd number (N).
It is determined whether or not the number of times has been reached.

If it is determined in step 103 that the set odd number rr1) (for example, 9 times) has been reached, the process proceeds to step 104, where the thermal hem l4 (carriage 3) and step 10.
In step 5, the number of recordings is set for the first time, and the process returns to step 101.

If it is determined in step 101 that the number of recordings is an even number, the process proceeds to step 106 to perform backward recording, and when this backward recording is completed, the number of recordings is counted and amplified in step 107, and the process returns to step 101.

If it is determined in step 103 that the number of recordings has not reached the set number of times (odd number N times), the process advances to step 107, where the number of recordings is similarly counted up, and the process returns to step 101.

Recording is performed on the sheet 2 while repeating each of the above operations.

According to the embodiment described above, bidirectional printing is performed up to an odd number of times (corresponding to the normal number of lines) close to the number of printable times of the multi-ink ribbon, and then the thermal head 4 (carriage 3) is returned without winding the ribbon. However, since the device is operated to perform bidirectional recording again, the return operation of the thermal head can be minimized and the recording speed can be improved.

Furthermore, the ribbon can be fed automatically without any manual operations such as reversing the ribbon feeder, and has excellent operability.

Furthermore, by setting the number of times of bidirectional printing in the same ribbon range to a value (odd number) close to the number of printable times of the multi-ink ribbon, the multi-ink ribbon can be used with almost no waste, improving the economic efficiency of the ribbon. can be adequately maintained.

〔effect〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the recording speed of a serial type thermal transfer recording device using a multi-ink ribbon, and to provide a thermal recording method with excellent operability. can get.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of essential parts of a serial thermal recording device suitable for implementing the method of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view illustrating the structure of a multi-ink ribbon used in the device of FIG. , FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are explanatory diagrams each illustrating the recording operation mode according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for carrying out the method of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the control system. 2----- Sheet, 3-- Carriage, 4-.
-Thermal head, 10--Multi-ink ribbon cassette, 1'1 20--CPU, N--Number of bidirectional recordings (odd number). Agent Patent attorney Yasushi Ooto Procedural amendment (method) February 3, 1986 3, Person making the amendment Relationship with 4Q Address of person familiar with the patent Tokyo person 1) 1-ku Tomaruko 3 rl' 130 No. 2 Name (100) Canon Co., Ltd. (company representative)
Kaku Ryudabe 4, Agent 101 Address: 3-319 Kajicho, Kami [1], Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
No. 5, H attached to the amendment order, January 28, 1961 (shipment date) 6.? l! i positive target direction 7, correction details

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Using a multi-ink ribbon that can be repeatedly recorded,
In a thermal recording method in which recording is performed while moving a thermal head along a sheet, after bidirectional recording is performed an odd number of times close to the number of recordable repetitions of the multi-ink ribbon, the thermal head is returned without winding the ink ribbon; A thermal recording method characterized by repeating this process thereafter.