JPS63251263A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve over-printing accuracy in multiple recording, by providing a data correction means for comparing the content of currently detected outputs from a plurality of sensors for detecting positions at the tip of a recording paper with the content of previously detected outputs and modifying image data to be fed to a printing section according to the difference between the contents. CONSTITUTION:Inclination at the tip of a recording paper 2 returned to transfer starting position is detected through CCD image sensors 20a, 20b. Detected content is compared with the content of first time outputs from the sensors 20a, 20b by a system controller 22, and the composition of image data to be fed from a memory 21 to a thermal head 5 is modified in a data correcting section 24 when printing is carried out based on the deviation of the content. Lateral position detected through a CCD image sensor 20c is compared with a first time output from the sensor 20c, and a dummy data is inserted into an image data to be fed from the memory 21 to the thermal head 5 according to the difference between them when printing is carried out so as to align the position of an image.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention detects the leading edge of a recording paper, aligns an ink sheet with the recording paper, and scans the recording paper back and forth to print a plurality of sheets of paper, each of a different color. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that sequentially overlaps and prints an ink sheet and a recording paper, and more particularly relates to an image recording apparatus that improves overlay accuracy in multiple printing.

[Prior art]

An example of an image recording device is a thermal transfer color printer device.

This thermal transfer color printer device is generally... As shown in FIG. 5, images and characters of predetermined colors are recorded on a recording paper 2 using an ink sheet 1 in which a plurality of ink areas of different colors are regularly arranged.

This recording paper 2 is conveyed by a platen 4 in the transfer direction (direction of arrow a) while being brought into close contact with the ink sheet 1 conveyed by a supply member 3A and a winding member 3B.

The ink sheet 1 is configured such that ink in a predetermined ink area is transferred onto the recording paper 2 by a heating resistor element 5A of a thermal head 5 that is pressed against a platen 4.

During the first transfer, this ink sheet 1 is peeled off from the recording paper 2 by a peeling member 6, and the first ink area is wound up on a winding member 3B.

As a result, the second ink area used for the second transfer is arranged at the transfer start position.

After the first transfer, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the thermal head 5 is moved downward (in the direction of the arrow) in order to release the pressure contact with the platen 4.

Then, with the second take-up member 3B stopped, the recording paper 2 is transported in the return direction (arrow C direction) by the platen 4 and the transport roller 7, and the recording paper 2 is placed at the transfer start position.

In this way, at the second transcription start position.

The second ink area and the recording paper 2 on which the first transfer has been completed are overlapped.

After this, the second transfer is performed.

That is, in this type of conveyance mechanism, only the recording paper 2 is conveyed by using the platen 4 and the winding member 3B for conveyance in the transfer direction, and by using the platen 4 and the conveyance roller 7 for conveyance in the return direction.

Further, 8 is a guide roller for the ink sheet 1, and 9 is a temporary guide for the recording paper 2.

In this way, when performing multiple recording by scanning the recording paper back and forth, it is necessary to match the leading edge position of the recording paper each time the recording paper is moved back and forth in order to eliminate color shift of each color.

As one means of accurately performing this positioning, as shown in FIG. There are some that control rotation so that they are always in the same position.

However, in such a configuration.

Since the length of the circumferential surface of the drum must be greater than the length of the recording paper, there is a problem in that the apparatus becomes larger and recording paper having a length longer than the circumferential length of the drum cannot be used.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide an image that makes it possible to improve the overlay accuracy of multiple recording by reciprocating recording paper scanning. The purpose is to provide a recording device.

〔composition〕

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention detects the leading edge of a recording paper, aligns the ink sheet with the recording paper, and scans the recording paper back and forth, thereby combining a plurality of ink sheets of different colors. In an image recording apparatus that sequentially overlaps and prints the recording paper, a plurality of sensors detect the position of the leading edge of the recording paper, and the previous detection content output from these sensors and the current detection content are compared, and the The image forming apparatus is provided with data correction means for changing the image data supplied to the printing section according to the amount of deviation.

Two embodiments of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in FIG. 5, so redundant explanation will be omitted. COD (Charge Coupled Device) installed at the end
Image sensors 20a, 20b, 20c
The driving of motors, solenoids, etc. is controlled under the management of a memory unit 21 storing image data for driving the thermal head 5, a system controller 22 and a +g controller 22, which form the core of the control system. Mechanism part 2
3, and a data correction unit 24 that corrects image data by the system controller 22 and applies it to the thermal head 5.
It consists of

In the CCD image sensors 20a to 20c, as shown in FIG. 2, sensors 20a and 20b are arranged at a predetermined interval at the leading end of the recording paper 2.

A sensor 20c is located at its side end.

The operation of the above configuration will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3 and the explanatory diagram in FIG. 4.

First, when a recording paper is inserted between the platen 4 and the head 5 and fed to the positions of the sensors 20a and 20b (step 31), the CCD image sensors 20a and 20b detect the inclination of the leading edge of the recording paper (step 32).

Furthermore, printing is executed while detecting the position of the recording paper in the lateral direction (relative to the feeding direction) by the CCD image sensor 20c (step 33).

Next, that print is the nameplate side (printed in the final color)
It is determined whether or not (step 34).

If it is not on the nameplate side, return the recording paper 2 to the transfer start position,
The leading edge of the recording paper 2 is again connected to the CCD image sensors 20a to 2.
It is made to come to the position 0c (step 35).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 34 that the name plate is not printed, it is determined that a color print has been made on the recording paper 2, and the recording paper 2 is discharged (step 37).

For the recording paper 2 returned to the transfer start position.

The inclination of the leading edge of the recording paper 2 is detected again by the CCD image sensors 2Qa and 20b (step 36).

The system controller 22 compares this detection content with the first sensor output content in step 32,
Based on the deviation, the data correction section 24 changes the configuration of image data sent from the memory section 21 to the thermal head 5 during printing.

Also, the horizontal position detected by the CCD image sensor 20a and the first detection output of the sensor 20c are compared, and depending on the amount of deviation, the image data to be sent from the memory section 21 to the thermal head 5 during printing is adjusted. , inserting or extracting dummy data, etc.

Align the image.

FIG. 4 shows the overlapping position of pixels according to the process of the present invention, and shows a case where the position of the second recording paper is tilted with respect to the position of the recording paper of the first time.

The data of the lines before and after the second printing are transferred to match the recording position of the first printing.

Also, the lateral deviation becomes larger towards the recording end,
In contrast, dummy data such as the X position is inserted, and data is deleted on the right side of the subsequent line.

Note that the correction by the CCD image sensor 20a is performed by the second
It was assumed that printing would be performed from the first printing, but dummy data was inserted in the first printing so that it was equidistant from the lateral edge of the recording paper.

The configuration may be such that the same applies to the second and subsequent printings.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to correct the skew in the reciprocal scanning of the recording paper, so that the overlapping accuracy in multiple recording can be improved without deteriorating the image quality.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of sensors according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of data conversion due to a first and second positional shift according to the present invention, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are schematic configuration diagrams of a conventional image recording apparatus. Explanation of symbols 3A... Supply member 3B... Winding member 4... Platen 5... Thermal heads 20a to 20c
・・CCD image sensor 21 ・・Memory section 22 ・・System controller

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Detect the leading edge of the recording paper, align the ink sheet with the recording paper, scan the recording paper back and forth, and print multiple ink sheets of different colors and the recording paper sequentially overlapping each other. In an image recording device, a plurality of sensors detect the position of the leading edge of the recording paper, and the previous detection content outputted from these sensors and the current detection content are compared, and the information is supplied to the printing unit according to the amount of deviation. 1. An image recording apparatus comprising: data correction means for changing image data. (2) The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged at the leading edge and side edges of the recording paper.