KR100530648B1 - Thermal head control apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

A control apparatus for controlling a heating element of a thermal head (10) has a print data processing unit (40) and a drive control circuit (50). The print data processing unit (40) has a first processing function for converting first color data to first and second print data, a second processing function for converting second color data to second print data, a first line buffer (43) for storing the first print data, and a second line buffer (44) for storing the first and the second print data. The print data processing unit (40) selectively outputs print data from the first line buffer (43) or print data from the second line buffer (44) to the drive control circuit. The drive control circuit (50) has a print buffer (52) and history buffer (53), and energizes the heating elements of the thermal head (10) based on energizing commands determined by a comparison of the content of the print buffer (52) with that of the history buffer (53). <IMAGE>

Description

Heat head control method and control device {THERMAL HEAD CONTROL APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD}

The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the amount of heat associated with a heat generating element of a heat generating head.

In general, the heat generating head is used to generate heat by flowing a predetermined current independently of each heat generating element row, thereby forming a dot pattern on the thermal paper, and the time of the heat flowing current, that is, the current ( It is controlled by the magnitude of the pulse width.

In addition, since the heat generating head has a heat storage characteristic that heat is accumulated when electricity is supplied to the same heat generating element, the power supply pulse width is usually shortened according to the history of power supply to the heat generating element. Then, thermal hysteresis control is performed such as to make the heat generated in the heat generating element constant.

In such thermal history control, for example, a printing buffer for temporarily storing printing data for one line corresponding to each heating element array, and a history buffer for storing this data as a history are stored, and each heating is performed for the next printing data. By performing a predetermined logical operation between the print buffer and the history buffer, which should determine the energized pulse width of the device, data for which the shorter energized pulse width is transmitted to the heat generating head is generated for the heat generating element that has just been printed. Some heat generating elements for which the printing has not been executed immediately before may be configured to transmit data of a normal conduction pulse width to the heat generating head.

On the other hand, the thermal paper is formed of a heat-sensitive layer on a paper serving as a base material, and is colored when heat of a predetermined size is applied, but there are some types of two-color types such as generating different colors due to the difference in the size of the applied heat. .

By the way, in the case of using the two-color type of thermal paper for the heat generating head as described above, for example, it is preferable to use the two-color mode for performing two-color printing of black and red and the single color mode for performing black-only printing. Do.

In order to respond to such a demand, when the two-color mode is executed, it is necessary to divide the energized pulse width into long ones for high heat and short ones for low heat.

Therefore, in the case of using a two-color type of thermal paper, there is a problem that a circuit for controlling the amount of electricity supplied to the heat generating element of the heat generating head becomes complicated.

Further, in the two-color mode, there is a problem that a color of low calorific value is generated at the edge of the color of high calorific value. This reason is assumed to be due to insufficient time for heat of the heat generating element to be transferred to the thermal paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a technical problem, and an object thereof is to provide a control device and a control method of a heat generating head capable of printing two colors while performing a thermal hysteresis control with a simple circuit configuration. Arguments are about providing cleaner arguments.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a control method of a heat generating head that controls different amounts of heat by changing an amount of electricity supplied to a heat generating element of a heat generating head. A heat generating head, comprising: a step of carrying out a first step of energization and a second step of energization; and a step of giving a predetermined rest period between the first step of energization and the second step of energization. Control method.

According to the present invention, in the case of printing the same dot of the thermal paper with the color generated by the first calorific value, it is divided into the first step and the second step, while securing the calorific value necessary for the color to be colored by the first calorific value, By printing substantially twice, a printing image can be made clear.

In the present invention, it is also effective that the rest period is a time sufficient for the first heat amount to diffuse substantially over the entire surface of the heat generating element in the second step.

According to the present invention, the heat of the heat generating element can be uniformly diffused on the thermal paper, and the printed image can be made clearer.

In the present invention, it is also effective that the energization amount of the first step is larger than the energization amount of the second step.

According to the present invention, since the heat of the first stage is made higher than the heat of the second stage, the same dots of the thermal paper can be printed in a lighter color than the dark dots, so that the appearance of the printed image can be reduced. I can make it clear. In addition, when the thermal paper is colored by the first heat generation amount, the heat generating element of the heat generating head can be heated at once.

The present invention is also a method of controlling a heat generating head, in the case where the second color is developed by the second heat generating amount, a step of performing only the energization of the second step is used.

According to the present invention, in the case of printing with the color generated by the second calorific value, the heat generating element of the heat generating head can be sufficiently cooled by energizing only the second stage without energizing in the first stage. There is no need to consider the history.

In the present invention, it is also effective that the amount of energization in the second stage is an amount of energization sufficient to develop the second color with the second calorific value.

According to the present invention, in the second step, the printing image can be made clear while ensuring the heat generation amount required for the color developed by the second heat generation amount.

On the other hand, the present invention is a control device for a heat generating head for controlling the amount of heat generated in the heat generating element by changing the amount of energization to each heat generating element with respect to the heat generating head in which a plurality of independently generated heat generating elements are arranged. A factor including both or one of color information based on different calorific values with respect to a heat generating element, and including either first color information based on a first calorific value and second color information based on a second calorific value lower than the first calorific value Among the color information of the information group, among the color information included in the argument information group, the first color information includes a first command processing function for converting the first power supply command and the second power supply command and the second color information. For example, the second command processing function for converting the power supply command of the second step, the first storage area for storing the power supply command of the first step, and the second step A factor information processing unit having a second storage area for recording the previous command, and configured to selectively send the energizing command included in the first storage area and the energizing command included in the second storage area, and the first memory area or the second memory; 1st instruction storage area | region for saving the electricity supply command contained in an area | region, and a 2nd instruction storage area | region for saving the electricity supply command contained in the said 1st instruction storage area | region, A 1st instruction storage area | region and a 2nd instruction storage area | region And a drive control circuit configured to energize the predetermined heat generating element by an electric current command based on a result of comparison with the region.

According to the present invention, since the first and second storage areas are secured to the printing information processing unit, and the first color information and the second color information are arranged in the printing information processing unit, the driving control circuit is sent. Even if the control circuit is used as a monochromatic history control circuit as it is, the heat generation temperature of the heat generating element of the heat generating head is kept constant in consideration of the heat history, while the heat generation amount required for the first color development and the second color development are necessary. By using the calorific value separately, it can be generated in each heat generating element of the heat generating head.

As a result, it is possible to obtain a control device for a heat generating head capable of printing two colors while maintaining a thermal history control while having a simple circuit configuration.

In the present invention, the print information processing unit is configured such that the first command processing function extracts the first color information from the print group and prints the first color information in the first work area and stores it in the first storage area. The second color information is extracted from the factor information group into the second working area, and the second storage area stores the result of the OR operation between the first working area and the second working area. It is also effective.

According to the present invention, information relating to the first step can be recorded in the first storage area with respect to the first color development information, while information relating to the second step with respect to the first and second color information is written in the second storage area. Can record

As a result, information relating to the amount of heat generated for the first color development can be applied to the drive control circuit in the first and second stages, and information about the amount of heat generated for the second color development is driven as the second stage. It can be applied to the control circuit.

In the present invention, the printing information processing unit converts the energizing command of the first step and the energizing command of the second step into a plurality of energizing commands based on the printing history and the history of the power supply to the heating element. It is also effective to be configured to store in the storage area.

According to the present invention, the calorific value of the first color development can be controlled by the energization command of the first stage and the energization command of the second stage, while the calorific value of the second color development is controlled by the energization command of the second stage. can do.

In the present invention, it is also effective that the plurality of power supply commands in the first and second stages have a power supply pulse determined in accordance with the amount of heat required for the first color development in the power supply pulse.

According to the present invention, the amount of heat generated for the first color development can be controlled by the energization pulse width determined by the plurality of energization commands in the first and second stages.

In the present invention, it is also effective that the energization pulse width is determined according to the heat generation amount required for the second color development in the plurality of energization commands in the second stage.

According to the present invention, the amount of heat generated for the second color development can be controlled by the energization pulse width determined by the plurality of energization commands in the second stage.

In the present invention, it is also effective that the first energizing command of the first stage is determined based on the relationship between the heat generation amount caused by the plurality of energizing commands of the second stage and one cooling temperature of the heat generating element of the heat generating head. to be.

According to the present invention, by appropriately changing the setting of the energization pulse width of the first energization command in the first stage and by providing a rest period, the heat generation temperature in the first stage and the heat generation in the second stage are generated for the heating element of the heat generating head. By making the temperature uniform, as a result, the printing image can be made clear with respect to the first color.

In the present invention, it is also effective that the first energizing command in the second stage is determined based on the relationship between the heat generation amount caused by the plurality of energizing commands in the first stage and the cooling temperature of the heat generating element of the heat generating head. .

According to the present invention, by appropriately changing the setting of the energization pulse width by the first energization command of the second stage, the heat generation temperature of the second stage is made uniform with respect to the heat generating element of the heat generating head, and as a result, the second color. It is possible to sharpen the print image with respect to.

In the present invention, the drive control circuit directly executes the last power supply command in the first step or the last power supply command in the second step in the command storage area stored based on the argument data, For an energizing command except for the last energizing command or an energizing command except for the last energizing command of the second stage, the negative logic between the stored command storage area based on the argument data and the previous argument data command storage area is maintained. It is also effective to be configured to execute based on the result of the multiplication operation.

According to the present invention, it is possible to energize the heating element of the heat generating head by dividing the calorific value basically generated for the first and second color development and the calorific value of the first and second necessary calorific values based on the heat history. have.

In the present invention, the drive control circuit is configured to generate an Nth strobe signal at a predetermined timing in response to an Nth energization command (an integer such as N = 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). It is also effective to have.

According to the present invention, a plurality of energizing commands of the first step and the second step can be easily generated.

On the other hand, in the present invention, even in the case of the single color printing, the control device uses only the first power supply instruction by using the drive control circuit, so that one line printing is performed by one line printing. It is a thermal printer characterized in that the printing (thermal printer).

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a heat generating head printer that can print clearly in both monochrome and two colors while performing the thermal history control using the driving circuit at the time of monochrome printing.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a control device for a heat generating head according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a heat generating head of this embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device of the heat generating head. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration ratio of the strobe signal of the control device.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the heat generating printer 1 of this embodiment has a heat generating head 10 and the control apparatus 30 of a heat generating head.

In the present embodiment, the history control represents an embodiment of the control method of the "past one-stage history" method of determining the history data in accordance with the presence or absence of the immediately preceding factor in the dot which is energized this time. .

The heat generating head 10 has a heat generating element 11 in which a plurality of independently generating heat generating elements are arranged in one direction. This heat generating element 11 forms a desired dot pattern with respect to the thermal paper which is sent as a paper transfer roller (not shown) rotates under the power of the paper transfer motor 2.

Here, although the thermal paper used for the heat-generating printer 1 has a "black and white photograph" type in which only a single color is developed by heat, there is also a "two-color" type in which different colors are colored by the difference in heat. In the "two-color" type, a type of so-called "additional color", which is colored in black when high heat is applied, and colored in red or blue when low heat is applied, In some cases, there is a type of so-called &quot; discoloration &quot; which develops color red or blue and develops color black when low heat is applied.

In the case of the present embodiment, it is also possible to use one of the thermal papers of "false color" and "discolored". However, a color generated when high heat is applied is assumed by assuming a two-color thermal paper of "false color" type. It is called "1st color (black)" and the color which generate | occur | produces when low heat is applied is called "2nd color (red)."

The drive circuit 12 is electrically connected to each heat generating element of the heat generating element 11, respectively. Each of the heat generating elements generates a different amount of heat depending on the amount of current flowing through the driving circuit 12, and the thermal paper is subjected to color development of the first color or the second color for each dot.

In addition, although the heat generating head 10 has the shift register 13 and the latch register 14, these are mentioned later.

The control device 30 of the heat generating head consists of the print information processing unit 40 and the drive control circuit 50, which are electrically connected to each other.

The printing information processing unit 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM (not shown) in which a signal processing program and other programs are stored, a first line buffer 43, a second line buffer 44, and a first image. The buffer 46 and the second image buffer 47 are composed of a RAM 42 secured in a predetermined area, a selector 45 and the like. In addition, all or part of the RAM 42 may be built in the CPU 41.

The signal processing program uses the first and second colors for the first and second colors in a user-specified print data string arranged by mixing the print data H of the first color or the print data L of the second color. It is for creating a printed signal, and has a first signal processing function and a second signal processing function.

The first signal processing function is configured to extract an array of only the print data H from the print data string and store it in the image buffer 46 of the first color.

The second signal processing function is configured to extract only the print data L from the print data string and store it in the image buffer 47 of the second color.

The first line buffer 43 is an area for recording printing data for one line from an image buffer of a first color composed of a plurality of lines. The second line buffer is an area for recording the logical sum of the image buffers of the first color and the second color as print data for one line. Then, by executing different programs stored in the ROM (also in the following description), the contents of the first image buffer 46 are transmitted to the first line buffer 43 every line. At the same time, the result of performing the OR operation between the first image buffer 46 and the second image buffer 47 is transmitted to the second line buffer 44 every one line.

The selector 45 is configured to alternatively connect the first and second line buffers 43 and 44 with the drive control circuit 50. As a result, the contents of the first and second line buffers 43 and 44 are selectively transmitted to the drive control circuit 50.

The drive control circuit 50 includes a print signal transmission circuit 51, a control selector 54, a synchronous clock output circuit 55, an energization output circuit 56, an energization timer 57, and the like.

The print signal transmitting circuit 51 transmits selectively overwritten the contents of the first and second line buffers 43 and 44 to the heat generating head 10 according to the column history. 52 and a history buffer 53, which are connected to the selector 45 described above.

In addition, the print signal transmitting circuit 51 stores the contents of any of the first and second line buffers 43 and 44 in the print buffer 52 and stores the contents of the print buffer 52 in the history buffer ( 53).

The print buffer 52 is connected to one terminal of the control selector 54 while connected to the other terminal of the control selector 54 through an AND operation with the NOT operation of the history buffer 53.

Such a control selector 54 is connected to the shift register 13 of the heat generating head 10, whereby the logic of the contents of the print buffer 52 or between the print buffer 52 and the history buffer 53 is maintained. The result of the calculation, i.e., the result of considering the column history, can be written in the shift register 13 as a factor signal.

The synchronous clock output circuit 55 becomes a synchronous signal when writing the print data to the shift register 13. By the synchronous clock, the result of the calculation of the print buffer or print buffer and the history buffer is written into the shift register as print data representing ON-OFF of the heating element string.

The energization output circuit 56 is for generating a latch signal and a strobe signal in synchronization with the timing indicated by the energization timer 57. The latch signal is connected to the latch register 14 of the heat generating head 10. The strobe signal is passed through a NOT operation and a negative logical product (NAND) between the latch register 14 and the latch register. It is connected to the drive circuit 12 of each heat generating element of the heat generating head 10 through calculation.

Here, the latch register 14 is for recording the contents of the shift register 13 based on the latch signal. As a result, the printing signal recorded in the latch register 14 is determined to be &quot; factor 1 &quot; and &quot; not factor 0 &quot; to determine ON-OFF of the heating element.

The strobe signal is a strobe signal (I, II) of the first stage, each having a predetermined pulse width by a time table relating to the energized pulse width in the RAM 42 of the printing information processing unit 40, and these and predetermined. With the period of, the strobe signals III and IV of the second stage are generated.

3 and 8, the ratio between the sum of the strobe signals I and II in the first stage and the sum of the strobe signals III and IV in the second stage is the first and second colors. From the standpoint of the relationship between the heating temperature (t1, t2) necessary to develop the color and the high heat in the first step to heat the heating element of the heating head 10 at once, it is (I + II) ≥ (II + III). desirable.

Further, the ratio of the strobe signal I to the strobe signal II is I? II from the viewpoint of adjusting the amount of heat generated in consideration of the heat history when the heat generating element in front of the heat generating head 10 generates heat. desirable.

However, in the present embodiment, the adjustment of the strobe signal III in consideration of the column history is not performed. Although this will be described in detail later, when printing with the first color, there is a time interval between the strobe signal (II) and the strobe signal (III), and when the strobe signal (IV) is adjusted, the strobe signal (III) is not used. This is because the strobe signal (I, II) is not used when printing with the second color, and therefore it is not necessary to consider the thermal history in the first place.

From this point of view, in the case of the present embodiment, each component ratio of the strobe signals I to IV with respect to the entire strobe signal is 0.1 for the strobe signal (I), 0.55 for the strobe signal (II), and the strobe signal ( III) is set to 0.05 and the strobe signal IV is set to 0.3.

4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the flow of the processing of the control device. 6 is a timing chart showing timing of the control device.

7 is a diagram showing the contents of the data of the control device. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a strobe signal based on a column of the control device.

8 is a diagram illustrating a state of temperature distribution with respect to the heat generating element of the heat generating head. Hereinafter, the flow of the process of the control apparatus in this embodiment is demonstrated based on a flowchart, a timing chart, etc.

As shown in Fig. 4, in step S1, when the print information processing unit 40 of the control device 30 receives a print command, in step S2, the print mode set by, for example, a DIP switch or the like is &quot; two-color mode &quot; It judges whether it is or "monochrome mode".

If the two-color mode is set, the process proceeds to step S3, and if the monochrome mode is set, the process branches to step S100 (see FIG. 5).

In step S3, the CPU 41 extracts the print data H of the first color from the print data string, temporarily stores it in the first image buffer 46, and prints the print data L of the second color. ) Is temporarily stored in the second image buffer 47. In Fig. 7, "H", "H", "from m dots are displayed in regions corresponding to dots (m-2) to (m + 4) in the heat transfer direction in the n-th and n + 1th rows of the print data column. An example in which "L" and "L" is recorded with "H", "L", "H", and "L" from the m dot on the n + 1th line is illustrated. In the image buffers of the first color and the second color, dots to be printed are indicated by ● so as to be processed as data of printing or not. Hereinafter, it demonstrates based on this example.

In step S4, the CPU 41 transfers the n-line data for printing the contents of the first image buffer 46 to the first line buffer 43 as it is, and at the same time, the image of the first color and the second color. The result of performing the OR operation between the n-th line data of the buffers 46 and 47 is transmitted to the second line buffer 44.

In step S5, the first line buffer 43 and the drive control circuit 50 are connected by selection of the selector 45, and then the contents of the first line buffer 43 are transferred to the print buffer 52. When data is transferred from the first line buffer 43 to the print buffer 52, the data is synchronized, and the data of the print buffer 52 is transferred to the history buffer 53 to be used as the data printed last time.

In step S6, the selector 54 is selected by an instruction from the print information processing unit 40, and the print buffer 52 (n-th line first data) and the history buffer 53 are selected from the first line buffer. (In the case of n-1 line data, since it is n-1, the result of logical operation ("m" and m-1 dot is "1": energization) between "O": data which does not print.) Is transferred to the shift register 13 of the heat generating head 10 as the print signal I. After the transfer ends, the latch signal I is transmitted from the energization output circuit 56 to the latch register 14 of the heat generating head 10 in step S7. As a result, the print signal I in the shift register 13 is transferred to the latch register 14.

Then, in step S8, by the instruction from the print information processing unit 40, the paper transfer motor 2 is operated, the paper transfer of the thermal paper is started, and the step is based on the control signal from the paper transfer motor 2. Proceed to S9.

In step S9, the selector 54 is selected by an instruction from the print information processing unit 40, and the print signal II is transferred from the print buffer 52 to the shift register 13 of the heat generating head 10.

In step S10, the heating element of m, m + 1 dots of the heat generating head 100 selected by the content of the printing signal I stored in the latch register is energized. After the latch signal is applied, the shift register and the latch register can be used independently, so that energization can be performed during the transfer of the print signal II. Here, since the content of the printing signal I corresponds to the strobe signal I via the clock signal, heat corresponding to the strobe signal I is applied to the heat generating element. On the other hand, in step S12, after connecting the second line buffer 44 and the drive control circuit 50 by selection of the selector 45, the contents of the second line buffer 44 are transferred to the print buffer 52. (See FIGS. 2 and 7).

In steps S11 and 13, based on the latch signal II from the energization output circuit 56, the print signal n in the shift register 13 is transferred to the latch register 14, and then the contents (m of the print signal II). , m + 1 dot energization) is energized with respect to the specific heating element of the heat generating head 10. Here, since the contents of the print signal II correspond to the strobe signal II, heat corresponding to the strobe signal II is applied to the heat generating element.

In step S12, the second line buffer 44 and the drive control circuit 50 are connected by selection of the selector 45, and then the contents of the n-line second line buffer 44 are transferred to the print buffer 52. send. When data is transferred from the second line buffer 44 to the print buffer 52, the data is synchronized to transfer the data of the print buffer 52 (that is, the first line buffer data) to the history buffer 53, and as the data that was printed last time. Used.

In step S14, the selector 54 is selected by an instruction from the print information processing unit 40, and the print buffer 52 (n-th line second data) and the history buffer 53 (from the second line buffer are selected). In this case, the shift register 13 of the heat generating head 10 is a print signal III as a result of the logical operation (m + 2 dot and m + 3 dot is “1”) between the n-th line first data. To send).

In steps S15 and 17, based on the latch signal III from the energization output circuit 56, the print signal III in the shift register 13 is transferred to the latch register 14, and then the contents of the print signal are read out. Is emitted for a specific heating element. Here, the contents (m + 2, m + 3 dots) of the printing signal IV correspond to the strobe signal III via the clock signal, and heat corresponding to the strobe signal III is applied to the heat generating element.

In step S16, the selector 54 is selected by an instruction from the print information processing unit 40, and the print signal IV is transferred from the print buffer 52 to the shift register 13 of the heat generating head 10.

In steps S18 and 19, based on the latch signal IV from the energization output circuit 56, the print signal IV in the shift register 13 is transferred to the latch register 14, and then the contents of the print signal IV are recorded. Electric current is supplied to the specific heating element of 10). Here, heat corresponding to the strobe signal IV is applied to the heat generating element with the contents (m to m + 3 dots) of the printing signal IV.

8 or 9, first, when a current corresponding to the strobe signals I and II flows through a specific heat generating element of the heat generating head 10, the heating temperature with respect to the specific number of dots n of the thermal paper is reduced. Since the heat generation temperature t1 of one color is exceeded, the part color develops in a 1st color (black).

In this case, the column based on the printing signal is specified by the column of the first stage because the column of the first stage corresponding to the strobe signals I and II is higher than the column of the second stage corresponding to the strobe signals III and IV. The heat generating element is heated at once to the first peak temperature T1.

On the other hand, for a short period of time, and without using the strobe signal III (FIG. 9 (c)), the heat generating element is subjected to the first phase by the heat of the second stage (equivalent to the strobe signal IV). It is heated again to the second peak temperature T2 which is approximately equal to the peak temperature T1.

As a result, the specific heat generating element of the heat generating head 10 is printed twice substantially with the same dot of the thermal paper while reducing the heat remaining during the heat generation in the first stage, so that the heat of the heat generating element is reduced. Is sufficiently secured, and the heating temperature of the thermal paper is almost uniform in a range exceeding the exothermic temperature t1 of the first color. Therefore, the phenomenon that the color of low calorific value is generated at the edge of the color of high calorific value is eliminated, and a clear printing image is obtained.

This processing is for a specific heat generating element of the heat generating head 10, and the same processing as the printing data (H, L) included in the printing data column at the time of printing for one line in the paper width direction. Is executed for each heat generating element based on.

Subsequently, in step S20, when the CPU 41 determines that the print data (H, L) is included in the first and second image buffers 46 and 47, the process branches to step S4 and thereafter. When a series of processes of steps S4 to S19 are performed on the lines n + 1 to S19, and it is determined that the print data H and L are not included in the first and second image buffers 46 and 47, Finish printing processing in two-color mode. In the case where the print data is included, steps S19 and S20 are described in the form of going from step S20 to step S4 after the step S19 is described, but the energization of the data IV is performed using the energization timer 57. Since step S4 to step S6 can be operated independently, the energization of the data IV of step S19 is executed while steps S20, S4, 5, and 6 are finished.

Hereinafter, the process of the (n + 1) -th line will mainly be described different from the case of the n-th line.

In the case of the (n + 1) line, in step S4, energization of m and m + 2 dots is transmitted from the image buffer 46 of the first color to the first line buffer 43, and the first color is transmitted. And energization of m to m + 3 dots, which is a result of performing an OR operation between the data of the n + 1th line of the image buffers 46 and 47 of the second color.

In step S5, data is transferred from the first line buffer 43 to the print buffer 52, and m to m which are the contents of the print buffer (data at the n-th line IV) at the time of the previous print. The contents of energization of m + 3 dots are transmitted to the history buffer 53.

In step S6, the calculation result (there is no factor dot) of the history buffer 53 and the print buffer 52 is transferred to the shift register 13 of the heat generating head.

Steps S7 and S8 are executed, and in step S9, the contents (m, m + 2 dot energization) of the printing buffer 52 are transferred to the shift register 13 of the heat generating head, and there are no dots actually printing. In step S10, energization of the printing signal I is performed.

The following is only a description of the steps related to data transfer.

In step S12, the contents of the second line buffer 44 of n + 1 line (energizing m to m + 3 dots) are transferred to the print buffer 52. In synchronism with this data transfer, the data (m, m + 2 dot energization) of the print buffer 52 is transferred to the history buffer 53 and used as the data printed last time.

In step S14, the shift register (of the heat generating head 10) is used as the print signal III as a result of the logical operation (the energization of m + 1, m + 3 dots) between the print buffer 52 and the history buffer 53. To 13).

In step S16, the print signal IV (m to m + 3 dot energization) is transferred from the print buffer 52 to the shift register 13 of the heat generating head 10.

When the first color is generated as in the data of the n + 1 line, when there is a printing in the previous time, as shown in FIG. 8 or 9, the column of the first stage has no previous printing Since the strobe signal I is higher than the strobe signal I based on the factor signal I, by inserting the strobe signal II with the rest period corresponding to the strobe signal I by the column of this 1st step (FIG. 9 (b)). Is heated to the first peak temperature T1.

On the other hand, when the printing information processing circuit 40 determines that the monochromatic mode is set in step S2, it branches from step S2 and performs a series of processes of step S100 to step S110 shown in FIG.

Regarding the processing here, the fact that only the first image buffer 46 and the first line buffer 43 are used for the print data string in which only energization is present as information without distinguishing the print data H / L is 2 Since the processing differs from the processing for the color mode, and other contents are the same as those in the two-color mode, the description thereof is omitted.

According to the present embodiment as mentioned above, the area of the first and second line buffers 43 and 44 is secured in the RAM 42 of the print information processing unit 40, and in the print information processing unit 40, Since the print data H of the first color and the print data L of the second color are collectively transmitted from the first and second line buffers 43 and 44 to the drive control circuit 50, the drive control circuit 50 Even if it is used as a monochromatic history control circuit as it is, the heat generation temperature of the heat generating element of the heat generating head 10 is kept constant in consideration of the heat history, while the calorific value required for color development of the first color and The amount of heat generated for color development can be divided and used to generate the respective heat generating elements of the heat generating head 10.

As a result, it is possible to obtain the control device 30 of the heat generating head 10 capable of printing two colors while having a simple circuit configuration and thermal history control.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the same dot of the thermal paper is divided into the heat of the first step and the heat of the second step so as to be printed twice, the heat of the heat-generating element is uniformly diffused on the thermal paper, resulting in the printing image. Can be sharpened.

In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, since the heat of the first step is made higher than the heat of the second step, the same dots of the thermal paper can first be printed in a darker color and then in a lighter color than that. The appearance of the printed image can be made clear.

From the other point of view, since only the column of the second stage is used for the printing of the second color as it is, the printing of the printing data H of the first color and the printing data L of the second color is performed in the printing data column. It is possible to simplify the control itself in the step, and to reduce the burden on the RAM 42 of the print information processing unit 40 by using a common buffer for recording the print data H or print data L.

Further, according to the present embodiment, strobe signals II and IV are used as the necessary common signals for the print data H, and strobe signals I and III are selected as the signals selectable according to the thermal history. The set values of I and III can be changed. The strobe signal IV is also a necessary signal for the print data L, and the strobe signal III is a signal selectable according to the thermal history. Therefore, the set value of the strobe signal III can be changed according to the type of thermal paper.

In particular, if the rest period is set between the strobe signal II and the strobe signal III as in the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the strobe signal III is not used for the factor data H from the viewpoint of the thermal history (Fig. 9 (b). ), (c)), and the printing data L can be controlled such that the strobe signal III is always used (Fig. 9 (a)).

As described above, according to the present invention, in the case of printing the same dot of the thermal paper with the color of the color generated by the first calorific value, the color is generated by the first calorific value divided into the first stage and the second stage. The printing image can be made clear by printing substantially twice while ensuring the amount of heat required for color.

In addition, according to the present invention, the heat of the heat generating element is uniformly diffused on the thermal paper, so that the printed image can be made clearer.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the heat of the first stage is made higher than the heat of the second stage, the same dots of the thermal paper can be printed in a darker color first and then lighter in color than that. You can sharpen your appearance. In addition, when the thermal paper is colored by the first heat generation amount, the heat generating element of the heat generating head can be heated at once.

In addition, according to the present invention, in the case of printing with the color generated by the second calorific value, the heat generating element of the heat generating head can be sufficiently cooled by energizing only the second stage without energizing in the first stage. There is no need to consider.

Further, according to the present invention, the printing image can be made clear while securing the amount of heat required for the color developed by the second amount of heat in the second step.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, even if the drive control circuit is used as it is as a circuit for monochromatic hysteresis control, the heat generation temperature of the heat generating element of the heat generating head is kept constant in consideration of the heat history, and is required for the first color development. The heat generating amount and the heat generating amount necessary for the second color development can be used separately to produce the heat generating elements of the heat generating head, and as a result, a control device for a heat generating head capable of printing two colors while maintaining a heat history control with a simple circuit configuration. Can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, information relating to the first step can be recorded in the first storage area with respect to the first color development information, while information relating to the second step with respect to the first and second color development information can be recorded in the second storage area. The information can be recorded, and as a result, information on the amount of heat generated for the first color development can be divided into the first and second stages and applied to the drive control circuit. It can apply to a drive control circuit as a 2nd step.

According to the present invention, the calorific value required for the first color development can be controlled by the energization command in the first stage and the energization command in the second stage, while the calorific value for the second color development is controlled by the energization command in the second stage. Can be controlled.

Further, according to the present invention, the amount of heat generated for the first color development can be controlled by the energization pulse width determined by the plurality of energization commands in the first and second stages.

In addition, according to the present invention, by appropriately changing the setting of the energization pulse width of the first energization command of the first stage and providing a rest period, the heat generation temperature of the first stage with respect to the heat generation element of the heat generating head and the like. The heat generation temperature of the second stage can be made uniform, and as a result, the printing image can be made clear with respect to the first color.

Further, according to the present invention, by appropriately changing the setting of the energization pulse width by the first energization command of the second stage, the heat generation temperature of the second stage can be made uniform with respect to the heat generating element of the heat generating head, and as a result, The printing image can be made clear with respect to the second color.

According to the present invention, the heat generation element of the heat generating head can be energized by dividing the heat generation amount basically required for the first and second color development and the heat generation amount based on the heat history with respect to the first and second required heat generation amounts. have.

In addition, it is possible to obtain a heat generating head printer capable of vivid printing in both monochrome and two colors while controlling the thermal history by using the driving circuit at the time of monochrome printing.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a heat generating head of this embodiment;

2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device of the heat generating head;

3 is a diagram showing a configuration ratio of a strobe signal of the control device;

4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process of the control device;

5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process of the control device;

6 is a timing chart showing a timing of the control device;

7 is a diagram showing the configuration of data of the control device;

8 is a diagram showing a state of temperature distribution with respect to the heat generating element of the heat generating head;

9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a strobe signal based on a column of the control device.

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: fever head

30: control device of the heating head

40: print information processing unit

43: first line buffer (first storage area)

44: second line buffer (second storage area)

50: drive control circuit

52: argument buffer (first instruction storage area)

53: history buffer (second instruction storage area)

56: energized output circuit

Claims (15)

In the control method of the heat generating head which controls a different heat generation amount by changing the quantity which energizes the heat generating element of a heat generating head, When you develop the first color in the first calorific value, Performing the energization of the first stage and the energization of the second stage; A process of placing a predetermined rest period between the energization of the first stage and the energization of the second stage Provided with The rest period is a heating head control method, characterized in that, in the second step, the first heating amount is a time sufficient to substantially diffuse to the entire surface of the heating element. delete The method of claim 1, The heat supply head control method, characterized in that the amount of energization of the first stage is larger than the amount of energization of the second stage. The method of claim 1, When the second color is developed by the second calorific value, the heating head control method is characterized by using the step of performing only the energization of the second step. The method of claim 4, wherein The heat supply amount of the second step is a heat supply head control method, characterized in that the amount of power supply sufficient to develop the second color with the second heat amount. In the heat generating head control device for controlling the heat generation amount generated in the heat generating element by changing the amount of energization to each heat generating element with respect to the heat generating head in which a plurality of independently generated heat generating elements are arranged, Information regarding color development based on different calorific values for a given heat generating element includes either one or both of first color information based on a first calorific value and second color information based on a second calorific value lower than the first calorific value The first instruction processing function for converting the first color information into the first power supply command and the second power supply command and the second color information among the color information included in the factor information group. The information has a second command processing function for converting to a power supply command of the second step, a first storage area for storing the power supply command for the first step, and a second storage area for recording the power supply command for the second step. A factor information processing unit configured to selectively transmit an energizing command included in the first storage area and an energizing command included in the second storage area; 1st instruction storage area | region for saving the electricity supply command contained in a 1st storage area | region or 2nd storage area | region, and a 2nd instruction storage area | region for storing the electricity supply command contained in the said 1st instruction storage area | region, The 1st And a drive control circuit configured to energize the predetermined heat generating element by an energization command based on a result of comparison between the command storage region and the second command storage region. The method of claim 6, The print information processing unit The first command processing function is configured to extract the first color information from the group of argument information into the first working area and store it in the first storage area. The second instruction processing function extracts the second color information from the argument information group into the second working area and stores the result of performing the OR operation between the first working area and the second working area in the second storage area. Configured to Heating head control device, characterized in that. The method according to claim 6 or 7, The printing information processing unit converts the power supply command of the first step and the power supply command of the second step into a plurality of power supply commands for each step based on the printing history and the history of the power supply to the heating element, and stores them in the storage area. Heating head control device, characterized in that configured to. The method of claim 8, In the energization pulses of the first and second steps, the energization pulse width is determined in accordance with the heat generation amount required for the first color development in the energization pulse. The method of claim 9, The heat supply head control apparatus, characterized in that the current supply pulse width is determined according to the heat generation amount required for the second color development in the plurality of power supply commands in the second stage. The method of claim 9, The first energizing command of the first stage is determined based on the relationship between the amount of heat generated due to the plurality of energizing commands of the second stage and the cooling temperature of the heat generating element of the heat generating head. The method of claim 9, The first power supply command in the second step is determined based on the relationship between the amount of heat generated due to the plurality of power supply commands in the first step and the cooling temperature of the heat generating element of the heat generating head. The method of claim 8, The drive control circuit The last energizing command of the first stage or the last energizing instruction of the second stage is executed directly in the stored command storage area based on the argument data, For an energizing command except for the last energizing command of the first stage or an energizing command except for the last energizing command of the second stage, the negative logic is stored between the command storage area stored based on the argument data and the previous argument data command storage area. Configured to execute based on the result of the multiply operation Heating head control device, characterized in that. The method of claim 8, The drive control circuit has a heat-generating output circuit capable of generating an N-th strobe signal at a predetermined timing in response to an N-th energizing command (an integer such as N = 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). controller. The method of claim 8, The control apparatus prints one line by using only the energization command of the first step by using the drive control circuit even in the case of monochrome printing, but prints by half of the electricity supply command in the case of two-color printing. Fever head control device.