WO2019208511A1

WO2019208511A1 - Printing device, and method for controlling printing device

Info

Publication number: WO2019208511A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/017061
Authority: WO
Inventors: 朋宏星
Original assignee: 日本電産サンキョー株式会社
Priority date: 2018-04-25
Filing date: 2019-04-22
Publication date: 2019-10-31
Also published as: JP2019188708A

Abstract

Provided are a printing device with which it is possible for positioning of a printing head with respect to an ink ribbon to be achieved using a simple configuration, thereby enabling highly accurate color printing to be performed, and a method for controlling the same. A control unit 1 of the printing device detects, on the basis of outputs from a first sensor 31 and a second sensor 32, a first position of a boundary between a black ink layer K printed in the previous cycle and an adjacent overprint layer OP printed in the previous cycle, and uses the first position as a reference to perform positioning of a print start position of a thermal head 5 with respect to an unprinted yellow ink layer Y (figure 4(a), figure 4(b)), detects a second position of a boundary between an unprinted black ink layer K and an adjacent unprinted cyan ink layer C, on the basis of the outputs from the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32, and uses the second position as a reference to perform positioning of the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the cyan ink layer C (figure 4(f)).

Description

Printing apparatus and printing apparatus control method

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that transfers and prints ink formed on an ink ribbon onto a medium, and a control method for the printing apparatus.

There is known a thermal transfer type printing apparatus that heats an ink ribbon with a thermal head and transfers the ink applied to the ink ribbon to a printing medium for printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a color determination unit that determines the color of the ink ribbon. The color determination unit receives a light emitting element that emits red light, a light emitting element that emits green light, a light emitting element that emits blue light, and light emitted from these three light emitting elements via an ink ribbon. And at least one light receiving element that detects the color of the ink ribbon and the colorless and transparent portion based on the output signal of the light receiving element. The detection means compares the output signal of the light receiving element with color reference data that has been measured and stored in advance, and detects the color of the ink ribbon based on the comparison result.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-002045

As described in Patent Document 1, the method of individually detecting the color of the ink ribbon complicates the process of detecting the color of the ink ribbon, which increases the manufacturing cost of the apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a printing apparatus capable of performing high-precision color printing by realizing positioning of a print head with respect to an ink ribbon with a simple configuration and a control method thereof. The purpose is that.

The printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs printing using an ink ribbon in which a group including three or more layers arranged in one direction is repeatedly arranged in the feed-out direction. A plurality of types of second layers having higher light transmittance than the first layer, and a print head for sequentially printing each of the three or more layers of the group on a medium; , Two sensors for detecting the first layer arranged side by side along the transport path of the ink ribbon, and the first layer and the first layer based on the outputs of the two sensors The first position of the boundary with the second layer adjacent to the first position is detected, and the first position is a reference distance away from the first position by a predetermined distance upstream in the delivery direction. The printing head for the second layer in position And a control unit that starts printing on the medium of the first group, which is the group including the second layer, and the control unit further includes the first After starting the printing of the first group, the first layer included in the first group and the first layer adjacent to the downstream side in the delivery direction of the first layer based on the outputs of the two sensors. The second position of the boundary with the second layer included in the group of the first layer is detected, and with the second position as a reference, the first layer is adjacent to the upstream side or the downstream side in the delivery direction. The print start position of the print head is positioned with respect to the second layer.

A control method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention is a control method for a printing apparatus that performs printing using an ink ribbon in which a group including three or more layers arranged in one direction is repeatedly arranged in a feeding direction. Includes a black first layer and a plurality of types of second layers having a higher light transmittance than the first layer, and the printing apparatus includes: each of the three or more layers of the group. A print head for printing on the medium in sequence, and two sensors for detecting the first layer arranged side by side along the transport path of the ink ribbon, and outputs of the two sensors And detecting a first position of a boundary between the first layer and the second layer adjacent to the first layer, and using the first position as a reference, from the first position A predetermined distance away from the upstream side in the delivery direction A control step of positioning the print start position of the print head with respect to the second layer at a position and starting printing on the medium of the first group, which is the group including the second layer, In the control step, after the start of printing of the first group, the first layer included in the first group and the delivery of the first layer based on the outputs of the two sensors A second position of a boundary with the second layer adjacent to the downstream side in the direction is detected, and the upstream side or the downstream side in the delivery direction of the first layer with respect to the second position as a reference The print start position of the print head is positioned with respect to the second layer.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus and a control method thereof that can perform high-precision color printing by realizing positioning of the print head with respect to the ink ribbon with a simple configuration.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a thermal transfer printer 100 which is an embodiment of a printing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a thermal transfer printer 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ink ribbon 61 accommodated in the ink cassette 60 shown in FIG. 4A to 4F are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer 100 shown in FIG. 5 (g) to 5 (l) are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer 100 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed structural example of 100 A of thermal transfer printers which are the modifications of the thermal transfer printer 100 shown in FIG. FIGS. 7A to 7F are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer 100A shown in FIG. 8 (g) to 8 (k) are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer 100A shown in FIG.

(Schematic configuration of thermal transfer printer)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a thermal transfer printer 100 which is an embodiment of a printing apparatus of the present invention. The thermal transfer printer 100 includes a main body 10 and an ink cassette 60 that accommodates an ink ribbon 61 and is configured to be detachable from the main body 10.

The main body 10 includes a control unit 1 that performs overall control, an ink ribbon drive mechanism 2 for unwinding and winding the ink ribbon 61, and a plastic card 40 (see FIG. 2) as a medium. A card transport mechanism 4 for transport; a thermal head 5 for transferring each layer of the ink ribbon 61 to the card 40; a first sensor 31 and a second sensor used for positioning the thermal head 5 with respect to each layer of the ink ribbon 61; 32 and a rotary encoder 33 for measuring the amount of movement of the ink ribbon 61.

The control unit 1 includes various processors that execute processing by executing programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). As various processors, programmable logic, which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), which are general-purpose processors that execute programs and perform various processes Examples include a dedicated electrical circuit that is a processor having a circuit configuration that is specifically designed to execute a specific process such as a device (Programmable Logic Device: PLD) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). More specifically, the structures of these various processors are electric circuits in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined. The control unit 1 may be configured by one of various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). May be.

(Detailed configuration of thermal transfer printer)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the thermal transfer type printer 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The thermal transfer printer 100 includes, as the card transport mechanism 4 shown in FIG. 1, two transport rollers 41, a pinch roller 42 disposed to face each of the two transport rollers 41, and the two pinch rollers 42. And a platen roller 43 disposed to face the thermal head 5 located at the center. The transport roller 41 is driven by the control of the control unit 1 shown in FIG.

Further, the thermal transfer printer 100 includes an unwinding roller 21 for driving an unwinding reel 63 included in an ink cassette 60 attached to the main body 10 as the ink ribbon drive mechanism 2 shown in FIG. The take-up roller 22 for driving the take-up reel 64 included in the ink cassette 60 attached to the unit 10, the transport path of the ink ribbon 61, and the tension on the ink ribbon 61 arranged on the transport path.

Rollers

51 and 52.

The ink ribbon 61 is disposed between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43 in a state where the ink cassette 60 is mounted on the main body 10. The unwinding roller 21 and the winding roller 22 are driven by the control of the control unit 1 shown in FIG. The rotary encoder 33 shown in FIG. 1 is provided, for example, on the roller 51 or the roller 52, and detects the rotation amount of the roller 51 or the roller 52 that rotates with the movement of the ink ribbon 61 as the movement amount of the ink ribbon 61. .

Both the unwinding roller 21 and the winding roller 22 are rotated counterclockwise so that the ink ribbon 61 is unwound by the unwinding roller 21 and the ink ribbon 61 is wound by the winding roller 22 Hereinafter, the transport direction of the ink ribbon 61 is referred to as a feed-out direction, and this state is referred to as “feed-out”.

Further, both the unwinding roller 21 and the take-up roller 22 are rotated clockwise, the ink ribbon 61 is rewound by the unwinding roller 21, and the ink ribbon 61 is unwound by the take-up roller 22. The state to be performed is hereinafter referred to as “rewinding”.

Each of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 is a sensor for optically detecting the black ink layer K passing through the transport path of the ink ribbon 61. The first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 are located in the transport path in the vicinity of the transport path of the ink ribbon 61. They are arranged side by side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sensor 31 includes a light emitting element 31 a and a light receiving element 31 b that are arranged to face each other with the ink ribbon 61 interposed therebetween. The second sensor 32 includes a light emitting element 32a and a light receiving element 32b that are arranged to face each other with the ink ribbon 61 interposed therebetween. The first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 are arranged on the upstream side of the thermal head 5 in the feeding direction of the ink ribbon 61.

The light emitting element 31a emits light (specifically white light) including light in a wavelength range that can be transmitted through each layer other than the black ink layer K of the ink ribbon 61, which will be described later, and is an LED (Light Emitting Diode). Or it is comprised by semiconductor light-emitting devices, such as LD (Laser Diode). The light emitting element 31a is adjusted in the light emission direction so that the emitted light passes through the transport path and enters the light receiving element 31b. The light receiving element 31b is configured by a photodiode or the like having sensitivity in the wavelength range (for example, visible range) of the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a. The first sensor 31 is a so-called monochrome sensor.

The light emitting element 32a emits light (specifically, white light) including light in a wavelength range that can be transmitted through each layer other than the black ink layer K of the ink ribbon 61 described later, and is a semiconductor such as an LED or LD. A light emitting element is used. The light emitting element 32a is adjusted in the light emission direction so that the emitted light passes through the transport path and enters the light receiving element 32b. The light receiving element 32b is configured by a photodiode or the like having sensitivity in the wavelength range (for example, visible range) of the light emitted from the light emitting element 32a. The second sensor 32 is a so-called monochrome sensor.

The first sensor 31 has a reflecting mirror disposed at the position of the light emitting element 31a in FIG. 2, and the light emitting element 31a and the light receiving element 31b are disposed at positions facing the reflecting mirror across the transport path of the ink ribbon 61. It may be configured. In this case, the white light emitted from the light emitting element 31a passes through the transport path of the ink ribbon 61 and enters the reflection mirror, and is reflected here and enters the light receiving element 31b.

Similarly, in the second sensor 32, a reflecting mirror is arranged at the position of the light emitting element 32a in FIG. It may be arranged. In this case, the white light emitted from the light emitting element 32a passes through the transport path of the ink ribbon 61 and enters the reflection mirror, and is reflected here and enters the light receiving element 32b.

(Ink ribbon configuration)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ink ribbon 61 accommodated in the ink cassette 60 shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, the ink ribbon 61 includes a group including five layers of a yellow ink layer Y, a magenta ink layer M, a cyan ink layer C, a black ink layer K, and an overprint layer OP for protecting the printing screen. 61G, and this group 61G is repeatedly arranged in the delivery direction.

The group 61G of the ink ribbon 61 has a yellow ink layer Y, a magenta ink layer M, a cyan ink layer C, a black ink layer K, and an overprint layer OP in this order from the downstream side to the upstream side in the delivery direction. It is a lined configuration.

The black ink layer K is a layer coated with black ink and is a layer that hardly transmits white light. The black ink layer K constitutes a black first layer. The yellow ink layer Y is a layer to which yellow ink is applied, and is a layer that transmits a yellow wavelength region of white light. The magenta ink layer M is a layer to which magenta ink is applied, and is a layer that transmits a magenta wavelength region of white light. The cyan ink layer C is a layer to which cyan ink is applied, and is a layer that transmits the cyan wavelength region of white light. The overprint layer OP is a layer that is transparent to white light.

The yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and the overprint layer OP each have a higher transmittance for white light emitted from the light emitting element 31a and the light emitting element 32a than the black ink layer K. Consists of two layers.

In FIG. 3, the printing areas PR set as the areas to be printed on the card 40 are indicated by broken lines in each layer of the ink ribbon 61. The width L1 in the feeding direction of each layer of the ink ribbon 61 is the same as the distance L2 between the print start positions (the right end of the printing region PR) set on the downstream side in the feeding direction of each layer of the ink ribbon 61. Yes. The distance x2 from the right end of the printing area PR of each layer to the right end of the sending direction of each layer, and the distance x1 from the left end of the printing area PR of each layer to the left end of the sending direction of each layer Are equal. When the distance in the sending direction in the print region PR is a distance P1, a value obtained by adding the distance P1, the distance x1, and the distance x2 is the width L1.

FIG. 3 shows the positional relationship between the ink ribbon 61, the thermal head 5, the first sensor 31, and the second sensor 32 when the ink ribbon 61 is in the transport path. The distance along the transport path of the ink ribbon 61 between the intermediate position of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 in the delivery direction and the thermal head 5 (hereinafter referred to as the head-sensor distance) is determined for each layer of the ink ribbon 61. Is set to be the same as the distance L3 from the printing start position set to 1 to the upstream end in the feeding direction of each layer.

(Boundary position detection processing by the control unit of the thermal transfer printer)
The control unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 determines the black ink layer K and the black ink layer K in the delivery direction based on the output of the light receiving element 31b of the first sensor 31 and the output of the light receiving element 32b of the second sensor 32. The position of the boundary between the layers adjacent to the downstream side and the position of the boundary between the black ink layer K and the layer adjacent to the upstream side in the feeding direction of the black ink layer K are detected.

When white light is emitted from the light emitting element 31a and the black ink layer K is between the light receiving element 31b and the light emitting element 31a, the output of the light receiving element 31b is equal to or less than the threshold value TH1. Similarly, when white light is emitted from the light emitting element 32a and the black ink layer K is between the light receiving element 32b and the light emitting element 32a, the output of the light receiving element 32b is equal to or less than the threshold value TH1. On the other hand, when white light is emitted from the light emitting element 31a and there is a layer other than the black ink layer K between the light receiving element 31b and the light emitting element 31a, the output of the light receiving element 31b exceeds the threshold value TH1. Similarly, when white light is emitted from the light emitting element 32a and there is a layer other than the black ink layer K between the light receiving element 32b and the light emitting element 32a, the output of the light receiving element 32b exceeds the threshold value TH1. .

Therefore, when the output of the light receiving element 31b exceeds the threshold value TH1 and the output of the light receiving element 32b is equal to or less than the threshold value TH1, the control unit 1 is downstream in the feeding direction of the black ink layer K and the black ink layer K. It is detected that the boundary with the cyan ink layer C adjacent to the side is between the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 (hereinafter referred to as a detection location).

In addition, when the output of the light receiving element 31b is equal to or less than the threshold value TH1 and the output of the light receiving element 32b exceeds the threshold value TH1, the control unit 1 upstream of the black ink layer K and the black ink layer K in the feeding direction. It is detected that the boundary with the overprint layer OP adjacent to the side is at the detection location.

The control unit 1 positions the print start position of the thermal head 5 for the black ink layer K, the yellow ink layer Y, and the cyan ink layer C with reference to the position of the boundary thus detected.

(Printing operation of thermal transfer printer)
4 (a) to 4 (f) and FIGS. 5 (g) to 5 (l) are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer 100 shown in FIG. 4 (a) to 4 (f) and FIGS. 5 (g) to 5 (l), the positional relationship of each layer of the ink ribbon 61 with respect to the first sensor 31, the second sensor 32, and the thermal head 5 is shown in time series. Is shown. In FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (f) and FIGS. 5 (g) to 5 (l), the time advances from (a) to (l). In FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (f) and FIGS. 5 (g) to 5 (l), the printing region PR of the layer of the ink ribbon 61 that is not yet used for printing is indicated by a broken line, and is printed in the previous printing. The printed region PR of the layer of the ink ribbon 61 that has been printed is indicated by a thin solid line, and the printed region PR of the layer of the ink ribbon 61 that has been printed by this operation is indicated by a thick solid line.

Hereinafter, description will be made on the assumption that the ink ribbon 61 at the time when the power of the thermal transfer printer 100 is turned on is in the state shown in FIG. When the thermal transfer printer 100 is turned on and a print start instruction is given, the control unit 1 starts control to emit light from the

light emitting elements

31a and 32a. And the control part 1 acquires the output signal of light receiving

element

31b, 32b, and determines whether the boundary of the black ink layer K and its adjacent layer exists in a detection location based on this output signal.

In the state of FIG. 4 (a), the boundary between the printed black ink layer K and the printed overprint layer OP adjacent thereto already exists at the measurement location. For this reason, the first position of the boundary between the printed black ink layer K and the printed overprint layer OP adjacent to the upstream side thereof is detected by the control unit 1.

If the control unit 1 determines that the boundary between the black ink layer K and its adjacent layer is not present at the detection location, the control unit 1 controls the ink ribbon drive mechanism 2 until it is detected that the boundary is present at the detection location. Then, the ink ribbon 61 may be rewound.

For example, assuming that the ink ribbon 61 is in the state shown in FIG. 5K when the power is turned on and the print start instruction is given, the control unit 1 emits light from the

light emitting elements

31a and 32a. After the control is started, the output signals of the

light receiving elements

31b and 32b are sequentially acquired while the ink ribbon 61 is rewound, and based on this output signal, the boundary between the black ink layer K and the overprint layer OP is detected. When it is detected, rewinding is stopped.

Next, the control unit 1 is at a position away from the first position by a predetermined distance (width L1 in FIG. 3) on the upstream side in the delivery direction with the detected first position as a reference. The print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the yellow ink layer Y is positioned.

Specifically, the control unit 1 resets the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 at the time of FIG. 4A when the first position is detected to zero. Then, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 from the state of FIG. 4A, and when the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 reaches a value corresponding to twice the width L1 shown in FIG. Then, the feeding of the ink ribbon 61 is stopped.

By this series of operations, as shown in FIG. 4B, the downstream end of the printing region PR of the unprinted yellow ink layer Y is arranged between the tip of the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. Then, the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the yellow ink layer Y is positioned.

After the positioning is performed as shown in FIG. 4B, the control unit 1 resets the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 to zero. Then, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to feed the ink ribbon 61 while transporting the card 40 between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43 and press the thermal head 5 against the card 40 being transported. Thus, printing of the yellow ink layer Y onto the card 40 (hereinafter referred to as Y printing) is performed. When the Y printing is finished, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to retract the card 40 from between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. FIG. 4C shows a state after the end of Y printing.

When the Y printing is completed, the control unit 1 determines the distance corresponding to the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 at the time when the Y printing is completed from the known width L1 shown in FIG. 3 (movement distance during the Y printing of the ink ribbon 61). Is subtracted to calculate the required moving distance (predetermined amount) of the ink ribbon 61 necessary for printing the next color. Then, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 by the necessary moving distance, and positions the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the magenta ink layer M adjacent to the upstream side of the yellow ink layer Y after printing. FIG. 4D shows a state in which the ink ribbon 61 has been sent out by the necessary moving distance after the end of Y printing.

After positioning is performed as shown in FIG. 4D, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to transport the card 40 between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43, and the ink ribbon 61 is moved. The thermal head 5 is pressed against the card 40 being fed out and conveyed, and printing of the magenta ink layer M onto the card 40 (hereinafter referred to as M printing) is performed. When the M printing is finished, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to retract the card 40 from between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. FIG. 4E shows a state after the end of M printing.

When the M printing is completed, the control unit 1 starts sending out the ink ribbon 61, sequentially acquires the output signals of the

light receiving elements

31b and 32b, and based on this output signal, the unprinted black ink layer K and its downstream side. When it is detected that the second position at the boundary with the unprinted cyan ink layer C adjacent to the side is at the detection location, the feeding is stopped. The ink ribbon 61 at this time is in the state shown in FIG. By this feeding, the downstream end of the printing area PR of the cyan ink layer C and the position of the thermal head 5 coincide with each other, and the printing start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the cyan ink layer C is accurately positioned.

When the head-sensor distance is longer than the distance L3 in FIG. 3, the downstream side of the print start position set in the cyan ink layer C when the second position is detected. Thus, the thermal head 5 is positioned. Therefore, in such a case, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 by the difference between the head-sensor distance and the distance L3, so that the downstream end of the printing region PR of the cyan ink layer C is sent. And the position of the thermal head 5 may be made to coincide with each other to position the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the cyan ink layer C.

If the distance between the head and the sensor is shorter than the distance L3 in FIG. 3, the upstream side of the print start position set in the cyan ink layer C when the second position is detected. Thus, the thermal head 5 is positioned. Therefore, in such a case, the control unit 1 rewinds the ink ribbon 61 by the difference between the head-sensor distance and the distance L3, so that the downstream end of the printing region PR of the cyan ink layer C The position of the thermal head 5 may be positioned with respect to the cyan ink layer C by matching the position of the thermal head 5 with the position of the thermal head 5.

As described above, after the M printing is completed, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 to detect the second position, and prints the thermal head 5 on the cyan ink layer C with reference to the second position. Position the start position. In the form in which the distance between the head and the sensor coincides with the distance L3, the process of stopping the feeding of the ink ribbon 61 when the second position is detected is the thermal head for the cyan ink layer C with the second position as a reference. 5 corresponds to the process of positioning the print start position.

After positioning is performed as shown in FIG. 4 (f), the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to transport the card 40 between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43, and the ink ribbon 61 is moved. The thermal head 5 is pressed against the card 40 being sent out and conveyed, and printing on the card 40 of the cyan ink layer C (hereinafter referred to as C printing) is performed. When the C printing is finished, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to retract the card 40 from between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. FIG. 5G shows a state after the end of C printing.

When C printing is completed, the control unit 1 starts sending out the ink ribbon 61, sequentially acquires the output signals of the

light receiving elements

31b and 32b, and based on this output signal, the unprinted black ink layer K and its upstream side. When it is detected that the third position (the same position as the first position in the next group) of the boundary with the unprinted overprint layer OP adjacent to the side is at the detection position, the sending is stopped. The ink ribbon 61 at this time is in the state shown in FIG. By this feeding, the downstream end of the printing region PR of the unprinted black ink layer K and the position of the thermal head 5 coincide with each other, and the printing start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the unprinted black ink layer K is accurately positioned. To be done.

If the head-sensor distance is longer than the distance L3 in FIG. 3, the downstream side of the print start position set in the black ink layer K when the third position is detected. Thus, the thermal head 5 is positioned. Therefore, in such a case, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 by the difference between the head-sensor distance and the distance L3, so that the downstream end of the printing region PR of the black ink layer K is sent. And the position of the thermal head 5 may be matched.

If the head-sensor distance is shorter than the distance L3 in FIG. 3, the upstream side of the print start position set in the black ink layer K when the third position is detected. Thus, the thermal head 5 is positioned. Therefore, in such a case, the control unit 1 rewinds the ink ribbon 61 by the difference between the head-sensor distance and the distance L3, so that the downstream end of the printing region PR of the black ink layer K And the position of the thermal head 5 may be matched.

In this way, after the end of the C printing, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 to detect the third position, and prints the thermal head 5 on the black ink layer K based on the third position. Position the start position. In the form in which the distance between the head and the sensor coincides with the distance L3, the process of stopping the feeding of the ink ribbon 61 when the third position is detected is the thermal head for the black ink layer K with the third position as a reference. 5 corresponds to the process of positioning the print start position.

After positioning is performed as shown in FIG. 5 (h), the control unit 1 resets the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 to zero. Then, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to feed the ink ribbon 61 while transporting the card 40 between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43 and press the thermal head 5 against the card 40 being transported. Thus, the black ink layer K is printed on the card 40 (hereinafter referred to as K printing). When the K printing is finished, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to retract the card 40 from between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. FIG. 5I shows a state after the end of K printing.

When the K printing is completed, the control unit 1 subtracts a distance corresponding to the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 at the time of the completion of the K printing (movement distance during the K printing of the ink ribbon 61) from the width L1 shown in FIG. Then, the necessary moving distance (predetermined amount) of the ink ribbon 61 required until the next color printing is calculated. Then, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 by this necessary moving distance, and positions the printing start position with respect to the overprint layer OP adjacent to the upstream side of the black ink layer K on which printing has been completed. FIG. 5 (j) shows a state where the ink ribbon 61 has been sent out by the above-mentioned necessary moving distance after the end of K printing.

After the positioning is performed as shown in FIG. 5 (j), the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to transport the card 40 between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43, and the ink ribbon 61 is moved. The thermal head 5 is pressed against the card 40 being sent out and conveyed to perform printing on the card 40 of the overprint layer OP (hereinafter referred to as OP printing). When the OP printing is finished, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to retract the card 40 from between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. FIG. 5K shows a state after the end of OP printing.

After the OP printing is finished, the control unit 1 starts to rewind the ink ribbon 61, sequentially acquires the output signals of the

light receiving elements

31b and 32b, and based on this output signal, the black ink layer K printed this time and its When it is detected that the position of the boundary with the currently printed overprint layer OP adjacent to the upstream side is at the detection location, the sending is stopped. The ink ribbon 61 at this time is in the state shown in FIG. Then, the control unit 1 ends the printing process. Thereafter, each time a print start instruction is issued, the processing shown in FIGS. 4A to 5L is performed.

(Effect of the thermal transfer type printer of the embodiment)
As described above, according to the thermal transfer printer 100, simple processing of detecting the first position, the second position, and the third position based on the outputs of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32. In the group 61G of the ink ribbon 61 used for printing, the printing start position of the yellow ink layer Y, the printing start position of the cyan ink layer C, and the printing start position of the black ink layer K are Can be done accurately. For this reason, it is possible to perform color printing with high accuracy without increasing the manufacturing cost of the apparatus.

Further, according to the thermal transfer printer 100, monochrome sensors are used as the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32. Such a monochrome sensor is often already mounted in a printing apparatus that performs printing using a monochrome ink ribbon including only the black ink layer K and the overprint layer OP. For this reason, even a printing apparatus that performs such monochrome printing can be adapted to color printing, and the value of the printing apparatus can be increased.

Further, according to the thermal transfer printer 100, the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 are arranged on the upstream side in the feeding direction with respect to the thermal head 5. For this reason, the second position and the third position can be detected from the unprinted portion of the ink ribbon 61 with high accuracy, and printing can be performed with high accuracy.

Further, in the thermal transfer printer 100, after the OP printing is completed, the controller 1 starts to rewind the ink ribbon 61 as shown in FIG. 5 (l), and the printed overprint layer OP and its neighbor are started. When the boundary with the printed black ink layer K is detected, the rewinding of the ink ribbon 61 is stopped and the printing operation is terminated. Therefore, the first position can be detected at a high speed when the next printing for the new card 40 is started. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the time until the card 40 starts printing. Furthermore, each layer (each group) of the ink ribbon 61 can be used without being wasted.

Further, in the thermal transfer printer 100, even if there is an error in the print start position of the magenta ink layer M determined without using the outputs of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32, the magenta ink layer M For the cyan ink layer C to be printed next and the black ink layer K to be printed next, the printing start position is positioned based on the outputs of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the printing start positions of the cyan ink layer C and the black ink layer K from being shifted from the set value due to this error, and the printing accuracy can be improved.

(First modification of thermal transfer printer)
The control unit 1 of the thermal transfer printer 100 does not position the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the black ink layer K based on the outputs of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32, but instead of ink during C printing. You may carry out based on the moving distance and the width L1 of the ribbon 61.

Specifically, from the state of FIG. 5G, the control unit 1 subtracts the moving distance of the ink ribbon 61 during C printing from the width L1, and the ink ribbon 61 necessary for the next color printing is subtracted. The required moving distance (predetermined amount) is calculated. Then, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 by this necessary moving distance, and positions the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the unprinted black ink layer K.

As described above, even when the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the yellow ink layer Y and the cyan ink layer C is only positioned based on the outputs of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32, printing of each color is performed. The starting position can be determined with high accuracy, and high-quality color printing can be performed with a simple configuration.

(Second modification of thermal transfer printer)
The first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 may be disposed downstream of the thermal head 5 in the delivery direction. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a thermal transfer printer 100A, which is a modification of the thermal transfer printer 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIG. The hardware configuration of the thermal transfer printer 100A is the same as that of the thermal transfer printer 100 except that the positions of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 are changed to positions downstream in the feed direction with respect to the thermal head 5. Is the same.

7 (a) to 7 (f) and FIGS. 8 (g) to 8 (k) are schematic diagrams for explaining the printing operation of the thermal transfer printer 100A shown in FIG. 7A to 7F and FIGS. 8G to 8K, the positional relationship of each layer of the ink ribbon 61 with respect to the first sensor 31, the second sensor 32, and the thermal head 5 is shown in time series. Is shown. In FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (f) and FIGS. 8 (g) to 8 (k), the time advances from (a) to (k). In FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (f) and FIGS. 8 (g) to 8 (k), the printing region PR of the layer of the ink ribbon 61 that is not yet used for printing is indicated by a broken line, and is printed in the previous printing. The printed region PR of the layer of the ink ribbon 61 that has been printed is indicated by a thin solid line, and the printed region PR of the layer of the ink ribbon 61 that has been printed by this operation is indicated by a thick solid line.

Hereinafter, description will be made on the assumption that the ink ribbon 61 at the time when the power of the thermal transfer printer 100A is turned on is in the state shown in FIG. When the thermal transfer printer 100A is turned on and a print start instruction is given, the control unit 1 starts control to emit light from the

light emitting elements

element

In the state of FIG. 7A, the boundary between the printed black ink layer K and the printed overprint layer OP adjacent to it already exists at the measurement location. For this reason, the first position of the boundary between the printed black ink layer K and the printed overprint layer OP adjacent to the upstream side thereof is detected by the control unit 1.

If the controller 1 determines that the boundary between the black ink layer K and its adjacent layer is not present at the detection location, the controller 1 determines that the boundary is present at the detection location, as described above. The ink ribbon drive mechanism 2 may be controlled to rewind the ink ribbon 61.

Specifically, the control unit 1 resets the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 at the time of FIG. 7A when the first position is detected to zero. Then, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 from the state of FIG. 7A, and the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 becomes a value corresponding to the total value of the distance x1 and the distance x2 shown in FIG. At that time, the feeding of the ink ribbon 61 is stopped.

By this series of operations, as shown in FIG. 7B, the downstream end of the printing region PR of the unprinted yellow ink layer Y is arranged between the tip of the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. Then, the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the yellow ink layer Y is positioned.

After positioning is performed as shown in FIG. 7B, the control unit 1 resets the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 to zero. Then, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to feed the ink ribbon 61 while transporting the card 40 between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43 and press the thermal head 5 against the card 40 being transported. Thus, printing (Y printing) of the yellow ink layer Y onto the card 40 is performed. When the Y printing is finished, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to retract the card 40 from between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. FIG. 7C shows a state after the end of Y printing.

When the Y printing is completed, the control unit 1 determines the distance corresponding to the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 at the time when the Y printing is completed from the known width L1 shown in FIG. 3 (movement distance during the Y printing of the ink ribbon 61). Is subtracted to calculate the required moving distance (predetermined amount) of the ink ribbon 61 necessary for printing the next color. Then, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 by the necessary moving distance, and positions the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the magenta ink layer M adjacent to the upstream side of the yellow ink layer Y after printing. FIG. 7D shows a state in which the ink ribbon 61 has been sent out by the necessary moving distance after the end of Y printing.

After positioning is performed as shown in FIG. 7 (d), the control unit 1 resets the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 to zero. Then, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to feed the ink ribbon 61 while transporting the card 40 between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43 and press the thermal head 5 against the card 40 being transported. Thus, printing (M printing) of the magenta ink layer M onto the card 40 is performed. When the M printing is finished, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to retract the card 40 from between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. FIG. 7E shows a state after the end of M printing.

When M printing is completed, the control unit 1 determines the distance corresponding to the number of pulses detected by the rotary encoder 33 at the time when M printing is completed from the known width L1 shown in FIG. 3 (movement distance of the ink ribbon 61 during M printing). Is subtracted to calculate the required moving distance (predetermined amount) of the ink ribbon 61 necessary for printing the next color. Then, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 by the necessary moving distance, and positions the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the cyan ink layer C adjacent to the upstream side of the magenta ink layer M on which printing has been completed. FIG. 7F shows a state in which the ink ribbon 61 has been sent out by the necessary moving distance after the M printing is completed.

After positioning is performed as shown in FIG. 7 (f), the control unit 1 resets the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 to zero. Then, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to feed the ink ribbon 61 while transporting the card 40 between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43 and press the thermal head 5 against the card 40 being transported. Thus, the cyan ink layer C is printed on the card 40 (C printing). When the C printing is finished, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to retract the card 40 from between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. FIG. 8G shows a state after the end of C printing.

When the C printing is completed, the control unit 1 determines the distance corresponding to the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 at the time when the C printing is completed from the known width L1 shown in FIG. 3 (movement distance during the C printing of the ink ribbon 61). Is subtracted to calculate the required moving distance (predetermined amount) of the ink ribbon 61 necessary for printing the next color. Then, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 by this necessary moving distance, and positions the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the black ink layer K adjacent to the upstream side of the cyan ink layer C after printing. FIG. 8 (h) shows a state where the ink ribbon 61 has been sent out by the necessary moving distance after the end of C printing.

After the positioning is performed as shown in FIG. 8 (h), the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to transport the card 40 between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43, and the ink ribbon 61 is moved. The thermal head 5 is pressed against the card 40 being sent out and conveyed, and the black ink layer K is printed on the card 40 (K printing). When the K printing is finished, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to retract the card 40 from between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. FIG. 8I shows a state after the end of K printing.

When the K printing is completed, the control unit 1 acquires the output signals of the

light receiving elements

31b and 32b, and on the basis of the output signals, the printed black ink layer K and the printed cyan ink layer C adjacent to the downstream side thereof. It is determined whether or not the second position of the boundary between and is at the detection location. In the example of FIG. 8, since the head-sensor distance is the same as the distance L3, the second position is detected by the control unit 1 simultaneously with the end of K printing.

If the distance between the head and the sensor is longer than the distance L3 in FIG. 3, the detection location is downstream of the boundary between the printed black ink layer K and cyan ink layer C at the end of K printing. Will exist. For this reason, in such a case, the control unit 1 starts sending out the ink ribbon 61 after the end of K printing, sequentially acquires the output signals of the

light receiving elements

31b and 32b, and based on this output signal, When it is detected that the second position of the boundary between the printed black ink layer K and the printed cyan ink layer C adjacent to the downstream side is at the detection position, the sending is stopped.

If the distance between the head and the sensor is shorter than the distance L3 in FIG. 3, the detection location is upstream of the boundary between the printed black ink layer K and cyan ink layer C at the end of K printing. Will exist. Therefore, in such a case, the control unit 1 starts to rewind the ink ribbon 61 after the end of the K printing, sequentially acquires the output signals of the

light receiving elements

31b and 32b, and based on this output signal When it is detected that the second position of the boundary between the printed black ink layer K and the printed cyan ink layer C adjacent to the downstream side is at the detection position, the rewinding is stopped.

When the second position is detected after the end of the K printing in this way, the control unit 1 uses the detected second position as a reference and the unprinted black ink layer K next to the upstream side in the feed-out direction. The printing start position of the thermal head 5 is positioned with respect to the printing overprint layer OP.

Specifically, the control unit 1 resets the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 at the time of FIG. 8 (i) when the second position is detected to zero. Then, the control unit 1 sends out the ink ribbon 61 from the state of FIG. 8 (i), and the number of detected pulses of the rotary encoder 33 becomes a value corresponding to the total value of the distance x1 and the distance x2 shown in FIG. At that time, the feeding of the ink ribbon 61 is stopped.

By this series of operations, as shown in FIG. 8J, the downstream end of the printing region PR of the unprinted overprint layer OP is arranged between the tip of the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. Then, the printing start position of the thermal head 5 is positioned with respect to the overprint layer OP.

After the positioning is performed as shown in FIG. 8 (j), the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to transport the card 40 between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43, and the ink ribbon 61 is moved. The thermal head 5 is pressed against the card 40 being sent out and transported to perform printing (OP printing) on the card 40 of the overprint layer OP. When the OP printing is finished, the control unit 1 controls the card transport mechanism 4 to retract the card 40 from between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43, and the printing process is finished. FIG. 8K shows a state after the end of OP printing.

As described above, according to the thermal transfer printer 100A, the ink used for printing can be obtained only by a simple process of detecting the first position and the second position based on the outputs of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32. In the group 61G of the ribbon 61, the printing start position of the yellow ink layer Y and the printing start position of the overprint layer OP can be accurately performed. For this reason, it is possible to perform color printing with high accuracy without increasing the manufacturing cost of the apparatus.

Further, according to the thermal transfer type printer 100A, as shown in FIG. 8K, the first position can be detected simultaneously with the end of OP printing. For this reason, when starting the next printing with respect to the new card | curd 40, a 1st detection can be performed at high speed and printing can be sped up. Since such an effect can be obtained without rewinding the ink ribbon 61 after the OP printing is completed, the load on the apparatus can be reduced.

In the embodiments and modifications described so far, the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32 do not have to be monochrome sensors, but may be color sensors. For example, instead of each of the light receiving element 31b and the light receiving element 32b, three light receiving elements including a light receiving element that detects yellow light, a light receiving element that detects cyan light, and a light receiving element that detects magenta light may be used. Even in this case, when there is a black ink layer K between each light receiving element and the light emitting element, the output of each light receiving element is equal to or less than the threshold value, and there is a layer other than the black ink layer K between each light receiving element and the light emitting element. In some cases, the output of one of the three light receiving elements exceeds the threshold value, and therefore the presence or absence of the black ink layer K can be detected.

Further, the order in which the layers in the group 61G of the ink ribbon 61 are arranged in the feeding direction may be different from the above. Further, instead of the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, and the cyan ink layer C in the group 61G of the ink ribbon 61, a green ink layer that transmits green light, a red ink layer that transmits red light, and a blue ink layer A blue ink layer that transmits the light may be used.

Further, instead of or together with the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, and the cyan ink layer C in the group 61G of the ink ribbon 61, a silver ink layer that transmits silver light or a gold ink that transmits gold light. Layers may be used.

The required moving distance described above may cause an error depending on the usage environment (temperature) of the apparatus, the remaining amount of the ink ribbon 61, and the like. For this reason, by correcting the calculated required moving distance based on the temperature and the remaining amount, the print start position of the thermal head 5 with respect to the ink layer that is not positioned based on the outputs of the first sensor 31 and the second sensor 32. Positioning can be performed with high accuracy.

As described above, the following items are disclosed in this specification.

(1)
A printing apparatus that performs printing using an ink ribbon in which a group including three or more layers arranged in one direction is repeatedly arranged in a feeding direction,
The group includes a black first layer and a plurality of types of second layers having higher light transmittance than the first layer,
A print head for sequentially printing each of the three or more layers of the group onto a medium;
Two sensors for detecting the first layer arranged side by side along the transport path of the ink ribbon;
Based on the outputs of the two sensors, the first position of the boundary between the first layer and the second layer adjacent to the first layer is detected, with the first position as a reference, Positioning the print start position of the print head with respect to the second layer located at a predetermined distance upstream from the first position in the delivery direction, including the second layer A controller for starting printing on the medium of the first group, which is a group,
The control unit further includes the first layer included in the first group and the delivery of the first layer based on outputs of the two sensors after the start of printing of the first group. A second position of a boundary with the second layer included in the first group adjacent to the downstream side in the direction is detected, and the delivery direction of the first layer with respect to the second position A printing apparatus that positions a print start position of the print head with respect to the second layer adjacent to the upstream side or the downstream side of the print head.

According to this apparatus, the printing start position is accurately positioned with respect to the plurality of second layers other than black by the first position and the second position detected based on the outputs of the two sensors that detect black. be able to. As described above, since the print start position can be positioned with respect to the second layer other than black only by the sensor that detects black, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus capable of color printing can be suppressed.

(2)
(1) The printing apparatus according to (1),
The two sensors are arranged upstream of the print head in the delivery direction,
The control unit is located next to the downstream side of the delivery direction of the first layer included in the first group, with the second position detected after the start of printing of the first group as a reference. A printing apparatus for positioning a print start position of the print head with respect to a second layer.

According to this apparatus, it is possible to detect black from the ink ribbon before printing by two sensors. For this reason, the detection accuracy of the first position or the second position can be increased.

(3)
(2) The printing apparatus according to (1),
The control unit starts rewinding the ink ribbon after printing of the first group is completed, and the first layer of the first group and the first layer are output based on outputs of the two sensors. A printing apparatus that stops the ink ribbon when a position of a boundary with the second layer adjacent to one layer is detected.

According to this apparatus, the first position can be detected at high speed when the next printing starts. For this reason, it is possible to shorten the time until the start of printing.

(4)
(2) or (3) printing apparatus,
The distance along the transport path of the ink ribbon between the intermediate position of the two sensors and the print head is the upstream end of each layer in the feeding direction from the print start position set for each layer of the group. Printing device that is the same as the distance to the copy.

According to this apparatus, when the second position is detected, positioning of the print start position of the second layer with reference to the second position can be completed at the same time. For this reason, printing can be performed at high speed.

(5)
The printing apparatus according to any one of (2) to (4),
The control unit, after starting printing of the first group, based on outputs of the two sensors, the first layer included in the first group and the feeding direction of the first layer. The third position of the boundary with the second layer included in the first group adjacent to the upstream side is detected, and the print head prints on the first layer with the third position as a reference. A printing device that positions the start position.

According to this apparatus, the print start position can be accurately positioned with respect to the black first layer by the third position detected based on the output of the sensor for detecting black. As a result, printing performance can be improved.

(6)
(1) The printing apparatus according to (1),
The two sensors are disposed downstream of the print head in the delivery direction,
The control unit is adjacent to the upstream side in the delivery direction of the first layer included in the first group, with the second position detected after the start of printing of the first group as a reference. A printing apparatus for positioning a print start position of the print head with respect to a second layer.

According to this apparatus, when printing is completed, the distance between the first layer and the two sensors can be reduced. For this reason, the first position can be detected at a high speed at the start of the next printing, and the time until the start of printing can be shortened.

(7)
The printing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4) or (6),
The control unit includes, for the layers other than the second layer in which the printing start position is positioned with reference to the first position and the second position in the first group, A printing apparatus for positioning a printing start position by feeding a predetermined amount of the ink ribbon after printing of the layer adjacent to the downstream side of the feeding direction of the layer is completed.

According to this apparatus, the printing accuracy is ensured by positioning, for example, according to theoretical values for the layers other than the second layer where the printing start position is positioned with reference to the first position and the second position. can do.

(8)
(5) A printing apparatus according to (5),
The control unit includes the layers excluding the layer in which the printing start position is positioned with reference to the first position, the second position, and the third position in the first group. For the printing apparatus, the printing start position is determined by feeding a predetermined amount of the ink ribbon after the printing of the layer adjacent to the downstream side in the feeding direction of the layer is completed.

According to this apparatus, for layers other than the layer where the printing start position is positioned with reference to the first position, the second position, and the third position, for example, by positioning according to the theoretical value, Printing accuracy can be ensured.

(9)
The printing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8),
Each of the two sensors is a printing apparatus that is a monochrome sensor.

According to this apparatus, it is possible to make a monochrome printing apparatus compatible with color printing.

(10)
The printing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (9),
The group of the ink ribbon includes a cyan ink layer, a magenta ink layer, a yellow ink layer, and an overprint layer as the second layer, and the yellow ink from the downstream side to the upstream side in the delivery direction. A printing apparatus in which a layer, the magenta ink layer, the cyan ink layer, the first layer, and the overprint layer are arranged in this order.

This device can perform high-quality color printing.

(11)
A control method for a printing apparatus that performs printing using an ink ribbon in which a group including three or more layers arranged in one direction is repeatedly arranged in a feeding direction,
The group includes a black first layer and a plurality of types of second layers having higher light transmittance than the first layer,
The printing apparatus detects a print head for sequentially printing each of the three or more layers of the group on a medium, and the first layer arranged side by side along a transport path of the ink ribbon. Two sensors for,
Based on the outputs of the two sensors, the first position of the boundary between the first layer and the second layer adjacent to the first layer is detected, with the first position as a reference, Positioning the print start position of the print head with respect to the second layer located at a predetermined distance upstream from the first position in the delivery direction, including the second layer A control step of starting printing on the medium of the first group, which is a group,
In the control step, after the start of printing of the first group, the first layer included in the first group and the delivery of the first layer based on the outputs of the two sensors A second position of a boundary with the second layer adjacent to the downstream side in the direction is detected, and the upstream side or the downstream side in the delivery direction of the first layer with respect to the second position as a reference A control method of a printing apparatus for positioning a print start position of the print head with respect to the second layer.

According to this method, it is possible to accurately position the printing start position with respect to the second layer other than black by the first position and the second position detected based on the output of the sensor for detecting black. As described above, since the print start position can be positioned with respect to the second layer other than black only by the sensor that detects black, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus capable of color printing can be suppressed.

100, 100A thermal transfer printer (printing device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 31 1st sensor 32 2nd sensor 40 Card (medium)
5 Thermal head (printing head)
61 Ink Ribbon K Black ink layer (first layer)
OP Overprint layer (second layer)
Y Yellow ink layer (second layer)
M Magenta ink layer (second layer)
C Cyan ink layer (second layer)

Claims

A printing apparatus that performs printing using an ink ribbon in which a group including three or more layers arranged in one direction is repeatedly arranged in a feeding direction,
The group includes a black first layer and a plurality of types of second layers having higher light transmittance than the first layer,
A print head for sequentially printing each of the three or more layers of the group onto a medium;
Two sensors for detecting the first layer arranged side by side along the transport path of the ink ribbon;
Based on the outputs of the two sensors, the first position of the boundary between the first layer and the second layer adjacent to the first layer is detected, with the first position as a reference, Positioning the print start position of the print head with respect to the second layer located at a predetermined distance upstream from the first position in the delivery direction, including the second layer A controller for starting printing on the medium of the first group, which is a group,
The control unit further includes the first layer included in the first group and the delivery of the first layer based on outputs of the two sensors after the start of printing of the first group. A second position of a boundary with the second layer included in the first group adjacent to the downstream side in the direction is detected, and the delivery direction of the first layer with respect to the second position A printing apparatus that positions a print start position of the print head with respect to the second layer adjacent to the upstream side or the downstream side of the print head.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The two sensors are arranged upstream of the print head in the delivery direction,
The control unit is located next to the downstream side of the delivery direction of the first layer included in the first group, with the second position detected after the start of printing of the first group as a reference. A printing apparatus for positioning a print start position of the print head with respect to a second layer.
The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The control unit starts rewinding the ink ribbon after printing of the first group is completed, and the first layer of the first group and the first layer are output based on outputs of the two sensors. A printing apparatus that stops the ink ribbon when a position of a boundary with the second layer adjacent to one layer is detected.
The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
The distance along the transport path of the ink ribbon between the intermediate position of the two sensors and the print head is the upstream end of each layer in the feeding direction from the print start position set for each layer of the group. Printing device that is the same as the distance to the copy.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The control unit, after starting printing of the first group, based on outputs of the two sensors, the first layer included in the first group and the feeding direction of the first layer. The third position of the boundary with the second layer included in the first group adjacent to the upstream side is detected, and the print head prints on the first layer with the third position as a reference. A printing device that positions the start position.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The two sensors are disposed downstream of the print head in the delivery direction,
The control unit is adjacent to the upstream side in the delivery direction of the first layer included in the first group, with the second position detected after the start of printing of the first group as a reference. A printing apparatus for positioning a print start position of the print head with respect to a second layer.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or claim 6,
The control unit includes, for the layers other than the second layer in which the printing start position is positioned with reference to the first position and the second position in the first group, A printing apparatus for positioning a printing start position by feeding a predetermined amount of the ink ribbon after printing of the layer adjacent to the downstream side of the feeding direction of the layer is completed.
The printing apparatus according to claim 5,
The control unit includes the layers excluding the layer in which the printing start position is positioned with reference to the first position, the second position, and the third position in the first group. For the printing apparatus, the printing start position is determined by feeding a predetermined amount of the ink ribbon after the printing of the layer adjacent to the downstream side in the feeding direction of the layer is completed.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Each of the two sensors is a printing apparatus that is a monochrome sensor.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The group of the ink ribbon includes, as the second layer, a cyan ink layer, a magenta ink layer, a yellow ink layer, and an overprint layer, and the yellow ink from the downstream side in the feeding direction toward the upstream side. A printing apparatus in which a layer, the magenta ink layer, the cyan ink layer, the first layer, and the overprint layer are arranged in this order.
A control method for a printing apparatus that performs printing using an ink ribbon in which a group including three or more layers arranged in one direction is repeatedly arranged in a feeding direction,
The group includes a black first layer and a plurality of types of second layers having higher light transmittance than the first layer,
The printing apparatus detects a print head for sequentially printing each of the three or more layers of the group on a medium, and the first layer arranged side by side along a transport path of the ink ribbon. Two sensors for,
Based on the outputs of the two sensors, the first position of the boundary between the first layer and the second layer adjacent to the first layer is detected, with the first position as a reference, Positioning the print start position of the print head with respect to the second layer located at a predetermined distance upstream from the first position in the delivery direction, including the second layer A control step of starting printing on the medium of the first group, which is a group,
In the control step, after the start of printing of the first group, the first layer included in the first group and the delivery of the first layer based on the outputs of the two sensors A second position of a boundary with the second layer adjacent to the downstream side in the direction is detected, and the upstream side or the downstream side in the delivery direction of the first layer with respect to the second position as a reference A control method of a printing apparatus for positioning a print start position of the print head with respect to the second layer.