JPS63166563A - Thermal transfer printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To supply thermal energy independently for a character and an underline and enable both of the character and the underline to be printed with high quality, by supplying auxiliary that even outside one heating cycle of dot information to be recorded, and eliminating the auxiliary heat in a predetermined heating cycle. CONSTITUTION:When only Main data M is subjected to heating in the case of a series of heating data, heat escapes in the directions of arrows, so that the printed image may be low in density or may be broken. To ensure that sufficient thermal energy is obtained even when the heat escapes, After data A is added thereto. Addition of the A data may be performed at an interval of one dot, or may be performed in the lines on the upper and lower sides of the line in which dot information to be printed is present, namely, on the upper and lower sides to which the heat escapes, or may be performed by the combination of the two methods, whereby characters and an underline are recorded with high quality.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a recording unit capable of high-quality recording or a device equipped with the recording unit, and relates to a thermal transfer printer characterized by driving a thermal head.

[Prior art]

As a method for correcting thermal energy during recording in a thermal transfer printer, one pulse or two pulses with different widths are output within one heat cycle of the dot information to be recorded based on the on/off status of the dot pattern obtained from CG. Methods are being considered to change the applied energy depending on the situation, thereby making the thermal energy uniform. However, the method of equalizing the thermal energy to the dot to be recorded within one heat cycle does not always result in high-quality recording, and this tendency is particularly noticeable when recording underlines.

〔the purpose〕

In view of the above points, the present invention provides a method for recording dot information to be recorded.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer printer capable of recording extremely high-quality underground lines by applying preliminary heat even outside the heat cycle and omitting the preliminary heat in a predetermined cycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal energy generating means for generating thermal energy, an instructing means for instructing recording of a continuous dot information string in the recording direction, and an apparatus for controlling dot information to be recorded in a second recording cycle based on the instructing means. Recording is performed by generating preliminary thermal energy after the generation of thermal energy corresponding to the dot information to be recorded in the first recording cycle, and in a predetermined recording cycle, the dot information to be recorded in that cycle is In order to avoid generating the above-mentioned preliminary thermal energy that should be generated after
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer printer having a control means for controlling the thermal energy generating means.

〔Example〕

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

Description of a typewriter main body> Figure 1 shows a thermal transfer printer to which the present invention can be applied.
1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an electronic typewriter.

By operating the keys arranged on the keyboard unit 1, the thermal head 6 mounted on the carriage 5 of the printer unit 3 is pressed against the print plate via an ink ribbon (not shown), and by applying heat, the ink contained in the ribbon is used. Printing is performed on printing paper guided by a platen. It also includes an LCD liquid crystal display unit 2 for displaying the content to be printed and a platen knob 4 for manually feeding the printing paper.

Note that the electronic typewriter (thermal transfer printer) of this embodiment can be equipped with multiple types of ribbons, including (normal) ink ribbon IR, which can print in one color at the same ribbon position;
Collectible ribbon that allows printing and erasing with the same ribbon (
Self-collection ribbon) CR, Dual color ribbon DR (Japanese Patent Application No. 59-260403, Patent Application No. 59-260403, Gansho 60-298831
The main unit can be identified by a sensor (not shown) or by an instruction from a key to confirm that the main unit is equipped with a device such as (see No. 1).

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the structure of the electronic typewriter.

■Printer unit 3 A printing device for an electronic typewriter that is equipped with a thermal head 6 and has a carriage 5 with a built-in drive motor.

■Keyboard unit 1 This is the human power section and has a key matrix ■LCD unit 2 Displays information to be printed or stored.
As the display surface, an LCD liquid crystal display is used. C.P.
It has a controller and driver to display data from U9 on LCD 2j.

■CPU unit 7 The human power source 8 includes an AC adapter, a nickel-powered battery, a dry cell battery, etc., a power source for operating the logic including the CPU 9 (hereinafter referred to as Vcc), and a power source for the printer motor (hereinafter referred to as ■2). ) and a thermal head application power supply (hereinafter referred to as vll).

As a control system, CPU9. ROM10. which contains the system program and CG which will be described later. Memory elements such as RAM II for work or text, and custom ICs as expansion input/output terminals and address decoders for the CPU9 (
Gate array: hereinafter referred to as GA12. ) are the main components.

The RAM II has a character count section 23 that stores the width of characters from the CG necessary for control described later. As a result, temperature information from the temperature measurement circuit 13 is obtained, and data to be sent to the thermal head 6 of the printer is then transmitted to the thermal head driver through G and A. Furthermore, drive signals are sent from the CPU to each phase of the motor 22 through the motor driver 14 to the stepping motor, which is a printer motor.

Next, this typewriter has an interface connector 15 built into the main body, which allows data from an external host to be sent to the typewriter via the Centronics interface 16 or R3-232C17. Only receive is possible so that it can be used as a printer.

Furthermore, CG that has type character style as data
The main body also has a cartridge connector 20 into which a cartridge 18 and a RAM cartridge 19 for storing registered data can be inserted.

<Configuration of Thermal Head Driver> Next, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the TH driver IC 21 for heating the thermal head shown in FIG. 2.

Vccl, Vcc2: Terminals for inputting logic power VDI, VD2: Power supplies for drivers to drive the thermal head GND1-7: GND OUT 1-25: Oven collector output terminals corresponding to each dot of the head CK: Timing clock for data latch (from G, A12) D IN: Heat data input terminal (G
, from Al1) CRX: Has a CR charging circuit outside the IC, and when the EN terminal is High at the charging voltage level of C, it can output a signal related to software (the main power for printing of the thermal head). ..

EN: When the CRX terminal is Low, if High is input to this terminal, a printable signal is output, and when it is Low, a printable signal is output.

In the above configuration, first, in order to send heat data to the D flip-flop inside the IC, parallel data from the CPU 9 is converted into serial data in G and Al1, and then transferred to the DIN terminal. The clock is also G, Al
1 to T, H, and the CK terminal of the driver 21. By repeating this 24 times, one batch of heat data is stored in the IC and the waste is completed. Next, in the process of sending heat data to the driver, the capacitor outside the CRX terminal is discharged by setting the EN terminal to Low using a software command, then the CRX terminal is set to Low, and the length of time for heating is set in the CPUQ. After setting it as , send a High signal to the EN terminal. From this time, heat starts according to the latched data, and the time set in the CPU is reached, and the EN terminal is set to Low.
The thermal head continues to heat up until the capacitor level of the CRX terminal exceeds the set value.

As is clear from Fig. 3, the thermal head in this example has 25 heads from outl to 25 arranged in a vertical line.When recording the pattern shown in Fig. 5, for example, the left Recording is performed by heating each dot at a recording timing corresponding to each dot while the head moves from the dot to the right. Note that the shape of the head does not need to be limited to this.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the motor driver 14 for driving the motor of the printer.

The signal line of the CPU 9 is directly connected to the input of the driver IC, and its output is directly connected to each phase of the motor 22, and two-phase excitation is performed by software instructions. As a result, the carriage 5 carrying the head 6 moves. Along with this movement, a standard interval called a "heat cycle (one recording timing)" as shown in FIG. 6 is defined according to the switching of each excitation in order to heat at a predetermined timing.

Next, based on the above configuration, a detailed explanation of the present invention will be given with reference to the drawings.

Description of character fonts> Figure 5 is an example of a character font stored in the ROM101 or CG cartridge 18 in Figure 2, where the letter "A" is represented by 24 dots (vertical) x 32 (horizontal) dots (○). It is something. Basically, the letter "A" is applied by heating the head at the part corresponding to the circle in time or position (any of outl to out25' in Figure 3) once within one heat pulse. Ru. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the head is capable of printing 25 dots vertically from outl to out25, and characters are printed by moving the head. Note that the configuration of the head does not need to be limited to this. A to F are part of patterns used below to explain the driving of the thermal head. Further, in FIG. 5, the horizontal direction represents a heat cycle, and the vertical direction represents dot rows (rows 1 to 25) corresponding to one vertical column of heads.

Next, a detailed explanation of the heating of the thermal head of the present invention will be given.

<AMA control> Figure 6 is a diagram showing the printing state of part A in Figure 5 using heat pulses and heat data, where the horizontal direction of one grid represents one heat cycle, and the vertical direction represents one heat cycle. It shows the distance (size) of the dots. The circle mark is heat data (corresponding to CG). The AMA control referred to in this embodiment is different from the data of the main dot within one heat cycle, after data (hereinafter referred to as A
Printing is controlled using two data: main data (called M data) and main data called M data, and the pulse width thereof. The pulse width and pulse position of M data and A data are the same regardless of which M data or which A data is used. Note that for convenience of explanation, pulse position and pulse timing are used interchangeably. If you use the heat data marked O and M day heat, the printing will be uneven. In other words, if the heat pulse of the M data is long, heat will accumulate when the dots are continuous, and the energy will be higher if the dots are heated later. Furthermore, if the heat pulse is short, the energy of the dot that begins to heat is low.

Therefore, in order to make the printing energy uniform, that is, to make the printing uniform, it is necessary to control with separate A data and M data, separate heat positions, and separate heat pulses. Since the interval between A and the next M is short, this AMA control is particularly effective at room temperature and low temperature (e.g. below 30°C) because the heat heated by A is reduced. Print is obtained.

In AMA control, which will be explained in detail later, CG data is pre-read one dot before the start of heating, and if data exists, only A data is heated after M data. The thermal head heated by this A data (the first A data in AMA) prints by the next ((next recording timing)) M data, and the subsequent Δ data reliably warms the head and ensures reliable printing. becomes.

It also serves as a spare for the next M. However, the subsequent dots can be printed using only the M data as shown in FIG.

<PPM Control> Similarly to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an explanation of PPM control using heat pulses and heat data for the case where pattern A in FIG. 5 is printed. The circle mark is heat data. In PPM control, Pre data, called P data, is given at a position before M data. P
In PM control, two P data (one is reserved and one is
The printing is controlled by the M data (which assists the M data in the heat cycle) and the M data. The pulse width and pulse position of the M data and processing data are the same no matter which M data or which data is used. Heat data and M data marked with ○ are 1
It corresponds to 1:1. Especially at high temperatures, if the first dot is corrected too much, the printing energy tends to increase. Printing energy can be made uniform by separating the space between them and dispersing thermal energy between them.

<P'PM Control> FIG. 8 shows printing of pattern A in FIG. 5 by P'PM control using heat pulses and heat data. The circle mark is heat data.

P' PM control is different from P data, which is called pre dash data, which has a different pulse width.
It consists of P data and M data. Considering the control described above, it may be better to use APMPM control, but for convenience, P'
I'll call it PM. This P'PM control consists of three types of pulse widths and positions within one heat cycle.

P' PM control is used for printing with relatively long heat cycles.

In other words, when the heat cycle is long, if A data is printed in the heat cycle before M data, and then M data is printed, A
The interval between and M becomes too long, and the head that has been warmed up ends up cooling down. Therefore, near the end of the heat cycle before the M data, M
Putting a heat pulse called P in front of is P'PM#
I am yours. As a result, the head warmed by P' data can print with P data and M data.

Furthermore, the second and subsequent dots can be printed using only M data.

This P' PM control is particularly effective at room temperature or high temperature, for example.

<P' PM (3, 2, 1) control> Figure 9 shows pattern A in Figure 5 changed to P' PM (3°2.
1) Shows heat pulses and heat data when printing under control. The circle mark is heat data. P'P
M(3,2,1) control uses Pre called P' data.
dash da ta and Pr called P data
Main data called e data and M data
It is composed of three data of ta and three types of heat pulse widths and positions.

P' PM (3, 2, 1) control is used for printing with a relatively long heat cycle.

For example, if P' PM control, which is effective at high temperatures and room temperatures, is used at low temperatures, the printing energy for the first and second dots may be too high, and in order to avoid uneven printing due to this, P' PM (3, 2゜1) Perform control. This makes it possible to make printing energy uniform. In other words, the first dot is heated by the first P' data one heat cycle before, and is printed with P data, M data, and the next P' data within one heat cycle of M data (total of 3 pulses). The second dot is the same as the P data within one heat cycle of the second M data.
Printing is performed using the th M data (total of 2 pulses), and from the third dot onwards, printing is possible using only the M data (total of 1 pulse).

This P' PM (3, 2, 1) control is intended to concentrate the energy applied to the first dot and the second dot.

<P' MP Control> FIG. 10 shows how pattern A in FIG. 5 is printed by P' MP control using heat pulses and heat data. P' MP control is at room temperature.

This is an application example of P' PM control, which is effective at high temperatures. In this example, the positions of P and M of P' PM are exchanged.

<Control of AMA3> FIG. 11 shows pattern B in FIG. 5 using heat pulses and heat data. The O mark is heat data. At the first dot when there is no upper and lower heat data, heat tends to escape in the vertical direction (see FIG. 11(b)), making it difficult to print clearly. Therefore, for the first dot of a horizontal line where there are no other dots in the vertical direction like pattern B in Figure 5,
This can be prevented by slightly heating the upper and lower positions where heat escapes using A data. By doing so, the first dot can be reliably heated and high quality printing can be obtained.

This AMA" control is particularly suitable for high-speed printing. Furthermore, the above-mentioned AMA control is particularly effective at room temperature.

<A"MA sub-control As an application example of the AMA" control, FIG. 12 similarly shows A1MA control for pattern B in FIG. 5. A” MA sub-control This is a method of warming up the temperature around the dots to be printed in advance.

<A2AMA control> Similarly to FIG. 13, A2AMA control for pattern B in FIG.
2AMA control is shown. A" AMA control slowly warms up the head two dots before the dot to be printed.

<A"MA"control> FIG. 14 shows printing of pattern B in FIG. 5 under A"MA" control using heat pulses and heat data. The circle mark is heat data. At low temperatures, the 11th
Heat diffusion is also observed in the AMA" control explained in the figure. Therefore, it is necessary to apply more energy than in the AMA' control. Therefore, in the A"MA" control, the temperature around the dots to be printed is raised in advance. By heating the position where heat can escape with A data, the first
Dots can definitely heat up.

<AA3MΔ control M A' As an application example of MA3 control, the fifth
AA” MA sub-control for pattern B in the figure. AA
”MA sub-control: Two dots before the dot to be printed, the center and periphery of the print dot on the head is warmed and the applied energy is increased.

<A'AMA"control> From 2 dots before, the area around the RAD printing dot is warmed and the applied energy is increased.

<AM underline control> The underline is heated with two vertical dots in a row.

At this time, if the AMA control shown in FIG. 6 is used, heat will accumulate in the head. In order to improve this, it is necessary to reduce the average energy applied. However, A data,
Since the M data width also serves as heat for characters, the heat pulse width cannot be reduced. For this purpose, the applied energy is reduced by making the M data heat every other dot and deleting the A data behind the AMA control.
It suppresses heat accumulation.

FIG. 17(b) shows the above-mentioned AM control.

<A'M underline control> In the AM underline control, the underline from which heat accumulation has been removed is at its first dot. In order to correct this, the pulse width of A in the AM underline control was increased and was designated as A', which was used as the preliminary heat for the first dot. This makes printing of the first dot of the underline more reliable.

FIG. 17(a) shows A'M control.

<Continuous horizontal one-dot control under AMA control> FIG. 18 shows printing of a continuous horizontal one-dot line under AMA control using heat data and heat pulses. Q
The marks are heat data. When there is continuous heat data,
Usually only M data is heated. Therefore, especially when the temperature is low, heat escapes in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 18(b), and there is a possibility that the print may become thin or cut off.

Therefore, in order to obtain sufficient heat energy even if the heat escapes, data A is added as shown in FIG. 18(a).

Figures 19-1 to 19-3 are examples of this application.

In FIG. 19-1, Δ data is added at intervals of one dot.

In FIG. 19-2, data A is added to the lines above and below the line where dot information to be printed exists, that is, in the vertical direction from which heat escapes.

FIG. 19-3 is a combination of the A data of FIG. 18a and FIG. 19-2 with one dot interval.

Box-shaped dot control> FIG. 20 shows how pattern D in FIG. 5 is printed with high quality using heat data and heat pulses. In the A M A III IJI heating method shown in Figure 6, the A data is heated before the actual CG data to warm the head, but in the case of Figure 20, the heat moves in the direction of the arrow. Therefore, this is not necessary. Therefore, when there is M data in the vertical direction, the first A data in the middle (the broken line part) is not heated.

Gate type dot control> FIG. 21 shows how pattern E in FIG. 5 is printed. In this case as well, since the heat moves in the direction of the arrow, there is no need to heat the A data (dashed line portion).

Similarly, the shape of the cup is XU, and also the mouth shape (white inside).
There is also a dot control, but the drawing is omitted.

Box Control> FIG. 22 shows how pattern F in FIG. 5 is printed. In the figure, the dot in the middle is different from the shape of the mouth, and is the dot to be printed. The heat in the middle moves in three directions: up and down. Therefore, when M data is heated, heat energy is concentrated, which may cause uneven printing. However, printing cannot be done without heating, so by heating the A data to the extent that there are no white spots,
Reduces heat energy and equalizes the overall energy.

<P'P3MitIII> FIG. 23 shows printing of pattern B in FIG. 5 using heat pulses and heat data.

The O mark is heat data. When there is no upper and lower heat data, the heat of the first dot is diffused in the vertical direction, making it difficult to print clearly. Therefore, by heating the position where heat escapes using P data, it is possible to prevent the spread of heat, and the first dot can be reliably heated. In this case, P and P' have different pulse widths.

This P'P"m control is suitable for low-speed printing.
Effective at high temperature and room temperature under M control.

<P'P''m control> As an application example of P'P''m control, P'''P is shown in Fig. 24.
M control is shown. P''' PM control is a method of warming the temperature around the dots to be printed in advance.

<P'PMP'Control> FIG. 25 shows P'PMP' control. This is the 8th
The printing energy for the first dot of the P' PM control explained in the figure is increased by the amount of the second P' data (by doing so, it is possible to obtain high-quality printing by responding to the diffusion of the energy applied to the first dot). I can do it.

<P'PMP''control> Fig. 26 shows P'PMP''' control. This is the 8th
The first dot M of P' PM control explained in the figure
P'P/M is protected by preventing heat from dispersing with two pieces of P' data around the upper and lower parts of the data.

<P"P' PM Control> FIG. 27 shows P"P' PM control. This is P'
By adding two pieces of P data just before performing PM control,
Warming the head in advance has the effect of suppressing heat diffusion at the beginning of P'PM control.

<P'P3MP'"Control> FIG. 28 shows how the pattern B in FIG. 5 is printed by P'P"Mpts control using heat pulses and heat data. The circle mark is heat data. In the P' PM (3, 2, 1) control shown in FIG. 9, heat may be diffused in the vertical direction at the first dot when there is no upper and lower heat data, and printing may be difficult to determine. Therefore, by heating the position where the heat diffuses using P data and P' data, the diffusion of heat can be prevented, and the first dot is heated more reliably.

This P'P, MP'm control is particularly suitable for low-speed printing.

<p"p%MP'"control> As an application example of P"P4 MP'" control, P is shown in Fig. 29.
``PMP'' ``Indicates control. The second one shown in Figure 9
The second time is M-de.-By preventing the diffusion of evening heat, heat efficiency is increased.

<P2P'PMP'control> Fig. 30 shows the PM P' PMP control. This is because before the first P' data heat in the P' PM (3, 2, 1) control shown in Fig. 9, preliminary heating is performed on the P data above and below it in order to bring the head temperature to an appropriate state. Further, at P' immediately after the M data, printing energy is made uniform by heating P' upward and downward to prevent heat diffusion in the upward and downward directions.

<PP'S PMP' Control 1> Fig. 31 shows PP' and PMP' control. This is P'
P which is preliminary heat in PM (3,2,1) control
The heat of the 'data drops the efficiency due to thermal diffusion at the first dot at low temperature, so in order to restore this efficiency, heat the P data before that, and the P' data above and below. This prevents heat from spreading.

<Continuous horizontal one-dot control in P' PM control> Part 3
FIG. 2 shows how pattern C in FIG. 5 is printed, using heat data and heat pulses. Q mark is heat data. When there is continuous heat data, usually M
Heat only the data. Therefore, especially during low-speed printing at low temperatures, heat escapes in the vertical direction, resulting in thin prints (
There was a possibility that it would break or break.

Therefore, in order to obtain sufficient heat energy even if heat escapes, P data and P' data are added within the same heat cycle as M, as shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 32.

Figures 33-1 to 33-5 are examples of this application.

In FIG. 33-1, P data and P' data are added at one dot intervals (within one heat cycle) in the vertical direction from which heat escapes.

Figure 33-2 shows 1 at the center of the dot where P data is to be printed.
The data are added at intervals of dots, and P' data is added at intervals of one dot in the vertical direction where heat escapes.

In FIG. 33-3, P data is added to the center of the dot to be printed, and P' data is added at intervals of one dot.

In FIG. 33-4, control is switched at three-dot intervals. First, it is heated with P data, M data, and P' data, then it is heated with P data, and M data, and the third dot is heated with only M data, and this process is repeated.

Figure 33-5 shows P data and P data at the center of the dot to be printed.
'Data is added alternately.

Next, refer to the flowchart for each control detailed above,
explain.

In the flowchart below, data heat means applying a driving pulse, and whether or not printing is actually performed depends on whether or not the data is turned on when the pulse is applied.

ΔMA Control Flowchart> FIG. 34 is a control flowchart of the AMA control shown in FIG. When printing is instructed from key 1 or the like shown in FIG. 1, printing is started and the AMA control routine is entered at step 81. The character width of the character to be printed in S2 (that is, the horizontal length shown in FIG.
OMI O or CG cartridge 18), R
Set it in the character count section 23 in AMII. In addition,
This character width is variable depending on the typeface, etc. In S3, the motor 32 moves the thermal head 6 for one hit cycle, which is the width of one frame shown in FIGS. 6 to 33-5.
In order to move the carriage 5 carrying the motor, the excitation phase of the motor is switched. In other words, one heat cycle carriage advances with one switching from 83 to S9. Next, in S4, substantial print data, that is, M data corresponding to the O marks shown in FIG. 5 is obtained from the CG.

Next, in a routine S5 for acquiring A data, which will be described later, A
Data is obtained. In S6, the M data actually obtained in S4 is heated, and in S7, the A data is heated. However, since there is no M data at first, it is controlled as M data heat (S6), but 86 of the next cycle is actually printed first. Next, in S8, the count data of the character count unit 23 is decremented by 1, and in S9, it is determined whether the character count is 0 or not. If it is 0, printing of the characters to be printed has been completed, and the process ends with SIO.

<PPM Control Flowchart> FIG. 35 is a PPMPM control flowchart shown in FIG. Printing is started at S1, and at S2 the character width to be printed is acquired from the CG and set in the character count on the RAM. In S3, the excitation phase of the stepping motor is switched. In S4, M data is acquired from CG. The steps up to this point are the same as in FIG. 34. In S5, A (P) data is created from the previous M data, the current M data, and the next M data. This routine will be described later. However, for convenience of explanation, P is assumed to be A. In S6, the A (P) data obtained in 85 is heated. Heat the M data acquired in 84 in S7. S
At 8, the character count is decremented by 1. The character count is checked in S9, and if it is not zero, the process moves to S3. If it is zero, it means that printing of one character has been completed, and the process is ended with SIO.

<P'PM Control Flowchart> FIG. 36 is a flowchart of the P'PM control shown in FIG. 8. Since steps 81 to S4 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 34 to 36, their explanation will be omitted. In S5, P data is created from the previous M data and the current M data. This routine will be described later. In S6, the P data created in S5 is heated. S
In step 7, the M data obtained in step S4 is heated. In S8, P' data is created from the current M data and the next M data. This routine will be described later. In S9, the P' data obtained in S8 is heated. In SIO, the character count is decremented by 1. Actually, P' is printed in the first cycle, and P and M are printed in the next cycle.

In Sll, the character count is checked, and if it is not zero, the process moves to S3. If it is zero, it means that printing of one character has been completed, and the process ends in S12.

<P' PM (3, 2, 1) control flowchart> Fig. 37 shows the P' PM (3, 2° 1) shown in Fig. 9.
It is a flowchart of control. 81 to S4 are the same as described above, and therefore will be omitted. In S5, the presence or absence of previous P' data is checked. If previous P' data exists, P data is turned on in S7. In other words, this indicates that the next time the P data is heated, it will be printed. Next, go to 88. If it does not exist, P data is created from the previous M data and the current M data in S6 (described later). S6 and S7 in S8
Heat the P data created. In S9, the M data acquired in S4 is heated. In SIO, P' data is created from the previous M data, the current M data, and the next M data (described later).

Sll heats the P' data obtained by SIO.

In S12, the character count is decremented by 1. In S13, the character count is checked, and if it is not zero, the process moves to S3. If it is zero, it means the end of one character, so the process ends in S14.

[A data acquisition control flowchart]

FIG. 38 is a flowchart of the part of acquiring A data of AMA control (FIG. 34 and 35).

When acquisition of A data starts in Sl, in S2 M data (abbreviated as
Check to see if there is any data (currently referred to as M data). If it exists, the process moves to S3, and it is checked whether previous M data (the dot immediately before the current printing position) exists. If it does not exist, A in S4
Turn on data. This ON means that the A data is actually printed by heat control in S7 of FIG. 34. Here, the latter A data of AMA is created. Also, if previous M data exists in S3,
Since the M data is continuous, the process moves to 87.

Returning to the previous step, if the current M data does not exist in S2, the process moves to S5. In S5, the CG of the next dot is read in advance.

This pre-read data is the next M data. In S6, the presence or absence of the next M data is checked. If the next M data exists, the A data is turned on in S4. The A data created here is the first A data of AMA. If the next M data does not exist in S6, the process moves to S7.

In S7, the first dot is controlled (explained in FIG. 39).

Further, in S8, control is performed to perform one continuous horizontal dot (this will be explained with reference to FIG. 42).

In S9, U-shaped dot control is performed (explained in FIG. 43).

The SIO performs mouth-shaped dot control (explained in FIG. 44).

Sll controls the enclosure (explained in FIG. 45).

Then, in step 312, the process ends.

(First dot control flowchart in AMA control) FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the first dot control in AMA control. Control is started with S1.
The ambient temperature of the device is sensed by the temperature sensing circuit (Fig. 2-13) at 2.

Check whether the temperature is low with S3. At low temperature, S5 is Δ3MA3
Control is performed and the process goes to S6. When the temperature is not low, use S4 to set ΔMA'
Control is performed, and the control is ended in S6.

CAMΔ3 Control Flow Control Flowchart The figure is a flowchart showing AMA3 control. Here, FIG. 11 is cited as an example.

Start control with Sl. In S2, the existence of M data is checked. If it does not exist, go to S6. If it exists, it is checked in S3 whether upper and lower M data exist. If either one or both exist, go to S6. If neither exists, the existence of A data is checked in S4. If it does not exist, go to S6. If it exists, the upper and lower A data are turned on in S5, and the process ends in S6.

(A"MA" Control Flowchart) FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing A'MA" control. Here, FIG. 14 is cited as an example.

Start control with Sl. In S2, the existence of M data is checked. If it does not exist, go to S6. If it does not exist, it is checked in S3 whether the upper and lower M data exist. Either one or
If both exist, go to S7. If neither exists, the presence of A data is checked in S4. If it does not exist, go to S7. If it exists, turn on the upper and lower A data in S5 and go to S7.

By the way, in 86, the existence of upper and lower A data is checked, and if it does not exist, the process goes to S4. If it exists, the process goes to S7 and the control ends.

(Control flowchart for continuous horizontal one dot in AMA control) FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing control for continuous horizontal one dot in AMA control.Here, FIG. 18 will be cited as an example.

Start control with Sl. In S2, it is checked whether M data exists. If it does not exist, move to S5.

If they exist, the existence of the upper and lower M days and evenings is checked in S3. If one or both of the upper and lower M data exists, the process moves to S5. If neither of them coexists, the upper and lower A data (in the case of FIGS. 19-1 to 19-3) are turned on in S4, and the process ends in S5.

[Control flowchart for U-shaped dots] FIG. 43 is a flowchart for controlling U-shaped dots. The example is the second
As explained in Figure 0, control is started at Sl, and A is started at S2.
Check for existence of data. If it does not exist, go to S6. If it exists, the existence of M data is checked in S3. If it exists, go to S6. If it does not exist, the existence of upper and lower M data is checked in S4. If it does not exist, go to S6.

If it exists, the A data is turned off in S5, and the control ends in S6. As a result, the A data in the dotted line portion shown in FIG. 20 is not printed, and the U-shape is surely printed.

[Flowchart of mouth-shaped dot control]

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of mouth-shaped dot control. An example is illustrated in FIG. Control starts at S1. In S2, the existence of current A data is checked. If it does not exist, go to Sll. If it exists, the existence of the current M de 7 is checked in S3. If it exists, go to Sll. S4 when it does not exist
Check the existence of previous M data. If it does not exist, go to Sll.

If it exists, the existence of the above M data is checked in S5. If it does not exist, go to SIO. If it exists, the presence of the M data below is checked in S6. If it exists, go to Sll. If it does not exist, the next dot CG is read in advance in S7. In S8, the existence of M data of the next dot is checked, and if it does not exist, Sl
Go to l.

If it exists, turn off the A data in S9 and go to Sll.

By the way, in 810, the lower M data is checked, and if it exists, the process goes to S7. If it does not exist, the control ends at 811.

[Enclosure control flowchart]

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of box control. An example is illustrated in FIG.

Control is started at Sl, and the presence of current M data is checked at S2. If it does not exist, go to S9. If it exists, go to S3. In S3, the existence of upper and lower M data is checked. If either one or both are absent, go to S9. If both exist, the presence of the previous M data is checked in S4. If it does not exist, go to S9 (. If it exists, read ahead the CG of the next dot in S5. Check the existence of the next dot in S6. If it does not exist, go to S9. If it exists, turn off the M data in S7. Then, in S8, the A data is turned on, and the control is ended in S9.In other words, if there is M data around the current M data checked in S2, that M data is turned off.However, if this continues, it will become blank. Therefore, only data A is turned on to avoid concentration of thermal energy.

CAM, A'M underline control] FIG. 46 is a flowchart of AM underline control and A'M underline control.

It goes without saying that instructions such as underlining are performed by specifying an underlining mode using a key or by inputting data for underlined characters, and control is started at Sl based on these instructions. In S2, it is checked whether it is the first dot.

That is, it is checked whether the first underlined dot is a preliminary heat. If it is not a preliminary heat, go to S4. If it is preliminary heating, A' (meaning that the pulse width differs from A by one position) is heated in S3, and the process goes to S7. In S4, it is checked whether it is an even numbered dot. If it is an even numbered dot, S5
Heat A and go to S7 (.If it is an odd numbered dot, press
M is heated in step 6, and the control is ended in step S7.

[P data acquisition flowchart]

Figure 47 shows S in the P' PM control shown in Figure 36.
5 is a flowchart of the part of acquiring P data of No. 5.

When the acquisition of Sl″C'P data starts, the current M
Check if data exists.

If it does not exist, move to S5. If it exists, the existence of previous M data is checked in S3. If it exists, move to S5. If it does not exist, the P data is turned on in S4.

In S5, the first dot is controlled (described in FIG. 50).

In S6, one horizontal dot continuation control is performed (explained in FIG. 51).

The process ends in S7.

CP' data acquisition flowchart] FIG. 48 shows the P' PM explained in 88 of FIG.
12 is a flowchart of a part of control for acquiring P' data. When acquisition of P' data starts in Sl, it is checked in S2 whether current M data exists.

If it exists, move to S6. If it does not exist, the next dot CG is read in advance in S3. This becomes the next M data. S
In step 4, the existence of the next dot (M data) is checked. If it does not exist, the process moves to S6. If it exists, the P' data is turned on in S5, and the process ends in S6.

(P' PM (3, 2, 1) control flowchart) 4th
FIG. 9 shows P' PM (3
, 2, 1) is a flowchart of P' (3° 2.1) data acquisition in control.

When the acquisition of P' (3, 2, 1) data starts in Sl, the existence of current M data is checked in S2. S when it exists
Move on to 6. If it does not exist, the next dot CG is read in advance in S3. In S4, the existence of the next dot (M data) is checked. If it does not exist, go to S7 (If it exists, go to S5 and go to P'
(3, 2, 1) Turn on the data and go to S7.

By the way, in step 86, the presence of previous M data is checked.

If it does not exist, go to S5. If it exists, the process ends in S7.

CP' 1st dot control in PM control] 5th
FIG. 0 is a flowchart showing control of the first dot in P'PM control.

Control is started with Sl, and temperature sensing circuit (No. 2-1) is started with S2.
3) to sense the ambient temperature of the device. Check whether the temperature is low with S3. If the temperature is not low, P'P and M control are performed in S5 (explained in FIG. 51), and the process goes to S6.

If the temperature is low, P' P and MP' are controlled in S4 and the process ends in 36 (described in FIG. 52).

CP'P'MP'' Control Flowchart] FIG. 51 is a flowchart of the P'P''Mpts control shown at 84 in FIG.

Control is started at Sl, and the presence of M data is checked at S2. If it does not exist, go to S7. If it exists, the presence of upper and lower M data is checked in S3. If M data exists in either or both of the top and bottom, go to S7 (.If neither exists, check for the presence of P data in S4. If it does not exist, go to S7. If it exists, go to S5 , the upper and lower P' data are turned on in S6, and the control is ended in S7.

CP'P"M control flowchart] 52nd cause IL Fig. 50 S51:, P'P" shown
It is a flowchart of M control.

Control is started in Sl, and presence of M data is checked in S2. If it does not exist, go to S6. If it exists, the presence of upper and lower M data is checked in S3. If it exists in one or both of the top and bottom, go to S6. If neither exists, the presence of P data is checked in S4. S6 when it does not exist
go to If it exists, turn on the upper and lower P data in S5,
The control ends in S6.

(Control of one horizontal dot in P' PM control) [Low chart] Figure 53 shows P' explained in Figures 36 and 47.
7 is a flowchart showing continuous horizontal one-dot control in PM control.

Control is started at Sl, and the presence of current M data is checked at S2. If it does not exist, go to S6 (If it does exist, check for the existence of the upper and lower M data in S3. If either or both exist, go to S6.

If both do not exist, turn on P data in S4, and turn on P data in S5.
The P' data is turned on in step S6, and the control is ended in step S6.

[System flowchart]

The method of heat control of the thermal head has been explained above along with the patterns, but below, with reference to FIG. 54, the overall system flowchart of the device when these control methods are switched as appropriate and high-quality printing is always performed. I will explain.

First, when the power of the device is turned on in Sl, the RAMI is turned on in S2.
Performs initial processing for the entire device, including various data in I. Note that in this example, a thermal printer is used as an example. This printer uses various ribbons, such as regular ink ribbon IR, collector ribbon CR that can print and erase with the same ribbon, and multiple ribbon layers (although not limited to this), and two-color ribbons. A dual color ribbon DR capable of printing in the above colors can be selectively mounted on the carriage 5.

In S3, input from the keyboard 1 or data input from the I/F connector 15 is detected. If there is data to be printed, the process advances to S4, and it is determined whether or not the mounted ribbon is a CR ribbon. This determination is made based on data from a ribbon sensor (not shown) or data from a keyboard or the like, ie, nine ribbon colors indicated by a signal from a signal generating means that generates a signal representing the ribbon. If the determination in S4 is negative, the process proceeds to S17, where it is determined whether the mounted ribbon is a DR ribbon. If the ribbon is determined to be CR in S4, the process advances to S5. S5
It is determined whether the input key is an erase key or not.

If the erase key has been input, the process advances to S29 and an erase operation is performed. If not, proceed to S6. In S6, for example, 30
If it is determined that the temperature is higher than 0.degree. C., the PPMPM control described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 35 is selected in S7, and printing is performed in S28.

Returning to S6, if the temperature is not high, the process proceeds to S8 and selects the AMA control explained in FIGS. 6 and 34. Furthermore, in S9, it is determined whether the temperature is low (for example, 14 degrees Celsius or lower).
Determine. Note that this S9 is the same as 83 in FIG. 39. When it is not low temperature, that is, room temperature (e.g. 14°C ~ 3°C)
0°C), the process proceeds to S10, performs the AMA'' control explained in FIGS. 11 and 40, and proceeds to S13.S9
If it is determined that the temperature is low in
The A"MAs control explained in FIG. 41 and FIG.
The horizontal one-dot continuous control in the AMA control shown in FIGS. 19-3 and 42 is performed. S13. In S14, the 17th
AM, A'M underline control shown in FIG. Next 815. 20 to 22 in S16.

Control is carried out around the 1st and 2nd holes shown in FIGS. 43 to 45.

Returning to S4, the process proceeds to S17 instead of the CR ribbon, and if it is determined that the DR ribbon is loaded, the process proceeds to 818. In 318, it is determined whether or not there is a color specification by key input or color specification command data. . If a color is specified (for example, blue), that is, if the ink on the recording paper side of the ink layer is specified, the process advances to S25. When no color is specified, that is, the ink on the thermal head side of the ink layer (
If black) is specified, the process advances to S19. This 819 is the same as 83 in FIG. In S19, if the temperature is low based on the data from the temperature measuring circuit 13 of FIG. 2, the process advances to S22. If the temperature is not low, proceed to S20,
The P' PM control explained in FIGS. 8 and 36 is selected. In S21, the P'P'M control explained in FIGS. 23 and 52 is performed, and in 328, printing is performed.

If it is determined in S19 that the temperature is low, the process advances to S22 and the ninth
P′ PM (3, 2, 1
) control and performs the P'P3MP''' control shown in FIGS. 28 and 50 in S23.Furthermore, in S24, the continuous horizontal 1 The dots are controlled and printed in S28.

Next, the process returns to 818 and if the DR ribbon is installed and the specified print color is blue, the process proceeds to S25. S25
The temperature is determined in the same manner as described above, and if the temperature is high, the PPMPM control described in FIGS. 7 and 35 is selected. If the temperature is not high, the AMA control described in FIGS. 6 and 34 is selected at 826, and printing is performed at S28.

After S28 ends, the process returns to S83 from S31.

[Erase control]

Next, erasing of the fifth/1st figure 829 will be explained.

FIGS. 55(a) and 55(b) are examples of photo patterns for erasing stored in the ROMIO. In reality, it is a 24×8 dot pattern, which is used repeatedly. If you try to peel off the ink recorded by heating all the M data on the pattern you want to erase, the thermal energy will accumulate, and there is a risk that the ribbon will stick to the paper or become smudged.

[For MNN control, N is heated with the heat pulse width of M reduced at intervals of one horizontal dot. Furthermore, since the erasing energy for the first dot is low, by starting heating two dots in advance, the erasing energy for the first dot increases and erasing is ensured.

This can be achieved by using the pattern shown in FIG. 55(a) or the pattern shown in FIG. 55(b).

[Erase twice in an alternating staggered pattern] Figure 55 (a
) and (b) are staggered box fonts used when erasing. There are gaps of 1 dot in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

In this example, the first erasing operation is performed in FIG. 55(a), but in order to ensure that the characters are erased, another erasing operation, that is, a second erasing operation is necessary. During this second erasure, Figure 55 (
Use the font b). The font in FIG. 55(b) is alternated from that in FIG. 55(a), and is erased with a shift compared to the first time. Needless to say, either order is fine.

As described above, by using alternate fonts and erasing twice, characters can be surely erased.

[Manual Erase]

In automatic erasing, the erasing width was determined by the character width of the characters stored on the buffer. When this buffer is full of characters, the characters are deleted from the buffer one after another.

When attempting to erase a deleted character from this buffer, there is no width data to be erased, so a manual erase mode is entered. For manual erasing, it is necessary to notify the operator that this mode is in progress and key in the character width of the character to be erased.

The keyed-in character is the currently displayed font.

The erasing width is obtained by the pitch (full width 9 times width).

As a result, characters can be erased by the erase width obtained. In other words, the operator can freely select the erasing width and erase.

[Elimination (staggered pattern) flowchart]

FIG. 56 is a flowchart for erasing 329 in FIG. 54.

Processing is started at St, and dot pattern 1 of MN is set at S2. Here, the dots and heat pattern shown in FIG. 55(a) are meant. In S3, MN control (FIG. 57) is performed to perform the first erasing. In S4, the thermal head (carriage) 6 that has moved due to the erasing operation is returned to the first erasing start position. MN dot pattern 2 in S5
Set. Here, it means the dot and heat pattern shown in FIG. 55(b). MN control with S6 (Figure 57)
The data is erased for the second time, and the process ends in S7.

In this embodiment, it is also possible to further change the thermal energy during the above-described erasing operation a plurality of times. If the heat pulse width is made smaller each time the heat accumulation in the head is taken into consideration, the thermal energy can be kept at a constant appropriate value each time. This is particularly useful with the CR ribbons mentioned above.

(MN control flowchart) FIG. 57 is a flowchart of MN control.

Control is started at S1, and at S2 the character width of the character to be erased is obtained from the CG and set in the character count section 23 on the RAM. In S3, the character count obtained in S2 is incremented by 2. This makes it possible to erase from two dots before the character. In S4, the excitation phase of the stepping motor is switched. In S5, the character count obtained in 82 and S3 is checked. If it is an odd number, go to S9. If the number is even, S
6 to obtain M data, S7 to obtain the heat pulse width of M data, and S8 to 36. The M data obtained in S7 is heated and the process goes to S12.

In S9, N data is acquired, in S10 the heat pulse width of N data is acquired, and in Sll, S9. N obtained in S10
I heated up overnight and went to S12.

In S12, the character count is incremented by 1. Check the character count in step S] and 3, and if it is not zero, proceed to S4. If it is zero, control ends in S14.

[Manual deletion flowchart]

FIG. 58 is a flowchart of manual deletion.

Start processing with Sl. In S2, a message is displayed on the LCD to notify the operator that the manual erase mode has entered. In S3, it is checked whether a key has been input. If no input has been made, repeat S3 again. If a key is input, it is checked in S4 whether it is an end key. If it is the end key, the process moves to S8. If it is not an end key, check whether it is a character key in S5. If the key is not a character key, the key will wait for human power again in S3. If it is a character key, the character width corresponding to the input character is obtained from the CG in S6, and the erasing width is obtained.

In S7, the erase operation is performed by the erase width obtained in S6, and the process moves to S3.

In S8, the message on the LCD is cleared to inform the operator that the manual erase mode has ended, and in S9
Terminates the process.

〔effect〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, even outside the first heat cycle of the dot information to be recorded, preliminary heat is applied and the preliminary heat is deleted in a predetermined cycle, thereby making it possible to record extremely high-quality underground lines. It has become possible.

Since only the first dot of the Angline increases the preliminary heat, it has become possible for the Angline to record with high quality from the beginning.

By reducing the number of preliminary heat pulses for each dot interval, it is possible to prevent the concentration of thermal energy, so that it is possible to record extremely high quality Anglines.

Rather than reducing the heat pulse width, it is possible to prevent the concentration of thermal energy by deleting heat pulses within one heat cycle, so thermal energy can be applied independently to characters and underground lines. Both in and out can be printed with high quality.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is an external view of an electronic typewriter, Figure 2 is a block diagram of the electronic typewriter, Figure 3 is a diagram of a thermal head driver, Figure 4 is a diagram of a motor driver, and Figure 5 is a character font. 6 is an explanatory diagram of AMA control for heating the pattern A portion in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing PPMPM control for heating the pattern A portion in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of P' PM control for heating the pattern A part in FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of P' PM control for heating the pattern A part in FIG.
2,1) An explanatory diagram of the control, Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the P'MP control for heating the pattern A part in Fig. 5, and Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the AMA control for heating the putter 28 part in Fig. 5. "An explanatory diagram of the control, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the A' MA control for heating the putter 28 portion in FIG. 5, and FIG.
An explanatory diagram of MA control, Fig. 14 is the putter 2 in Fig. 5.
An explanatory diagram of A"MA" control for heating 8 parts,
Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the AA'' MA control for heating the putter 28 part in Fig. 5, and Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the A'' AMA control for heating the putter 28 part in Fig. 5.
"Explanatory diagram of control. Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram of AM, A'M underline control. Figure 18 is an illustration of continuous horizontal one-dot control in AMA control to heat the pattern C portion shown in Figure 5. Explanatory diagrams, Figures 19-1 to 19-3 are explanatory diagrams of the application example of Figure 18, and Figure 20 is an explanation of the U-shaped dot control for heating the putter 20 portion of Figure 5. Figure 21 is an explanatory diagram of the dot control for heating the pattern E in Figure 5, and Figure 22 is an explanatory diagram of the box control for heating the pattern F in Figure 5. , Fig. 23 is an explanatory diagram of P'P''M control for heating the putter 28 part of Fig. 5, and Fig. 24 is an explanation of P''' PM control for heating the putter 28 part of Fig. 5. 25 is an explanatory diagram of the P'PMP' control for heating the putter 28 portion of FIG. 5, and FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of the P'PMP''' control for heating the putter 28 portion of FIG. The explanatory diagram, Fig. 27, shows P"P' for heating the putter 28 part in Fig. 5.
An explanatory diagram of PM control, Fig. 28 is an explanatory diagram of P'P''MP''' control for heating the putter 28 part of Fig. 5, and Fig. 29 is an explanatory diagram of the P'P''MP''' control for heating the putter 28 part of Fig. 5. P'``PMP'' control explanatory diagram, Fig. 30 is P'P' for heating the pattern 8 part of Fig. 5.
An explanatory diagram of the PMP' control, Fig. 31 is an explanatory diagram of the PMP' control for heating the pattern 8 part in Fig. 5. An explanatory diagram of the PMP' control, Fig. 32 is an explanatory diagram of the P ' Continuous horizontal one-dot control in PM control, Figures 33-1 to 33-5 are diagrams showing application examples of Figure 32, Figure 34 is a flowchart of the AMA control shown in Figure 6, Figure 35 The figure shows the PPMPM control flowchart shown in Fig. 7, Fig. 36 shows the P' PM control flowchart shown in Fig. 8, and Fig. 37 shows the P' PM (3,2°1) shown in Fig. 9.
Flowchart of control. FIG. 38 is a control flowchart of the part of acquiring A data of AMA control. FIG. 39 is a control flowchart of the first dot in AMA control. FIG. Flowchart, Fig. 41 is a flowchart of the A'' MA3 control shown in Fig. 14, Fig. 42 is a control flowchart of continuous one horizontal dot in the AMA control shown in Fig. 18, and Fig. 43 is a flowchart of the U-shaped dot. Control flowchart, Fig. 44 is a control flowchart for the dot, Fig. 45 is a boxed control flowchart, Fig. 46 is the float yard for AM, A'M underline control, and Fig. 47 is P for P' PM control. Data acquisition flowchart, Figure 48 is P' data acquisition flowchart in P' PM control, Figure 49 is P'P' in PM (3, 2, 1) control.
(3, 2, 1) Data acquisition flowchart, Figure 50 is a flowchart showing the first dot control in P' PM control, Figure 51 is P'P''MP' 3 control flowchart, Figure 52 is P 'P'M control flowchart, Figure 53 is a horizontal one-dot control flowchart in P' PM control, Figure 54 is a system flowchart, Figure 55 is an explanatory diagram of the erasure pattern, and Figure 56 is an erasure (staggered) control flowchart. (depending on the pattern) flowchart, Figure 57 is a flowchart for controlling the number of MNs, Figure 58 is a flowchart for manual deletion, 9...CPU, 11...
・RAM, 10...ROM.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an apparatus for recording dot information using thermal energy, a thermal energy generating means for generating thermal energy, an instruction means for instructing recording of a continuous dot information string in the recording direction, and a Recording is performed by generating preliminary thermal energy prior to the dot information to be recorded in the second recording cycle after the generation of thermal energy corresponding to the dot information to be recorded in the first recording cycle, and a predetermined recording cycle is performed. A thermal transfer printer further comprising a control means for controlling the thermal energy generating means so that the preliminary thermal energy to be generated after dot information to be recorded in the cycle is not generated. (2) The preliminary thermal energy that precedes the dot information to be recorded first is different from the preliminary thermal energy that is generated during the recording of the continuous dot information. Thermal transfer printer described in section.