WO2021181497A1

WO2021181497A1 - Thermal printer and print control method

Info

Publication number: WO2021181497A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/010169
Authority: WO
Inventors: 沖中　潮広
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2020-03-10
Filing date: 2020-03-10
Publication date: 2021-09-16

Abstract

At the time of printing a printing material, the present invention prints, in a margin portion, a correction pattern to be used for correcting image quality, generates correction data for correcting the print image quality on the basis of recognition result data, which is a result obtained by recognizing the correction pattern printed in the margin portion, and reference data of the correction pattern, and corrects the print image quality on the basis of the correction data. Accordingly, image quality correction can be performed without waste.

Description

Thermal printer and print control method

This disclosure relates to a thermal printer and a print control method.

Thermal transfer thermal printers have an ink sheet with Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) color materials and an overcoat (OP) material that improves light resistance and fingerprint resistance, and a receiving layer. Print with the provided paper attached. In a thermal transfer type thermal printer, the ink sheet and the paper are pressed against each other between the thermal head and the platen roller, the heat generation of the thermal head is controlled, and the ink sheet and the paper are simultaneously conveyed while heating the ink sheet. Is thermally transferred to paper for printing.

The print quality of such a thermal printer has high quality that can be used for photographic applications, but due to differences in the manufacturing quality of ink sheets and paper, differences in storage environment, or differences in environmental temperature and humidity during printing, Print quality fluctuates.

In a conventional thermal printer, in order to suppress such fluctuations in image quality, a pattern for image quality correction is periodically printed, and the print image quality is corrected based on the printed image quality correction pattern (for example). , Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-11153

In the prior art, before printing the first printed image to be printed in the normal printing process, the second printed image including the density correction pattern is printed in another printing process similar to the normal printing process, whereby the second printed image is printed. 1 The density of the printed image was adjusted to correct the image quality. However, such a method causes waste of the printing process and waste of the printing material.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a thermal printer and a print control method capable of performing image quality correction without waste.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is a thermal printer that prints on paper using an ink sheet and cuts off a margin portion that does not become a printed matter of the paper after printing, and has a correction pattern printing function, a recognition unit, and correction. The correction pattern printing function is a function for printing a correction pattern used for correcting the image quality in a margin portion when printing a printed matter, and the recognition unit is printed in the margin portion. The correction pattern is recognized and the result is output as recognition result data. The correction data generation function is based on the recognition result data of the correction pattern and the reference data of the correction pattern, and the print quality is printed. A thermal printer is provided, which is a function of generating correction data for correcting the print quality, and corrects the print quality based on the correction data generated by the correction data generation function.

Further, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, it is a printing control method in which printing is performed on a paper using an ink sheet and a margin portion that does not become a printed matter of the paper is cut off after printing, and the image quality is improved at the time of printing the printed matter. The print quality is corrected based on the recognition result data as a result of printing the correction pattern used for correction in the margin portion and recognizing the correction pattern printed in the margin portion and the reference data of the correction pattern. A print control method for generating correction data for printing and correcting the print image quality based on the correction data is provided.

In the thermal printer and the print control method of the present disclosure, when printing a printed matter, a correction pattern used for correcting the image quality is printed in a margin portion. As a result, the thermal printer and the print control method of the present disclosure can perform image quality correction without waste.

Further, the objectives, features, aspects, and advantages related to the technology disclosed in the present specification will be further clarified by the detailed description and the accompanying drawings shown below.

It is a block diagram of the main configuration of the thermal printer of Embodiments 1 to 3. It is explanatory drawing of the main printing mechanism of the thermal printer of Embodiments 1 to 3. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the print control method which corrects the print image quality of the thermal printer of Embodiments 1 to 3. It is operation flowchart explaining the print control method for correcting the print image quality of the thermal printer of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the printing operation of the thermal printer of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the printing operation of the thermal printer of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the printing operation of the thermal printer of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the printing operation of the thermal printer of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the correction pattern of the thermal printer of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the correction pattern of the thermal printer of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is operation flowchart explaining the print control method for correcting the print image quality of the thermal printer of Embodiment 2. It is explanatory drawing of the printing operation of the thermal printer of Embodiment 2. It is explanatory drawing of the printing operation of the thermal printer of Embodiment 2. It is explanatory drawing of the printing operation of the thermal printer of Embodiment 2. It is explanatory drawing of the printing operation of the thermal printer of Embodiment 2. It is explanatory drawing of the modification of the printing operation of the thermal printer of Embodiment 2. It is explanatory drawing of the modification of the printing operation of the thermal printer of Embodiment 2.

<A. Embodiment 1>
<A-1. Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main configuration of the thermal printer 100 of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 also shows an information processing device 200 such as a personal computer, which is not included in the thermal printer 100.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the main printing mechanism of the thermal printer 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal printer 100 prints on the paper 15 drawn from the roll paper 16 by using the ink sheet 19. In FIGS. 1 and 2, components not related to the description of the present embodiment are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal printer 100 includes an interface unit 1, a memory 2, a control unit 3, an image processing unit 4, a print data processing unit 5, a correction data generation unit 34, and a thermal head. 6, the cutter 7, the paper transport drive unit 8, the supply side ink bobbin drive unit 9, the take-up side ink bobbin drive unit 10, the paper sensor 11, the ink sensor 12, the recognition unit 13, and the data bus. 14 and.

The data bus 14 is for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other between the elements connected to the data bus 14. As shown in FIG. 1, an interface unit 1, a memory 2, a control unit 3, an image processing unit 4, a print data processing unit 5, a correction data generation unit 34, a thermal head 6, and a cutter 7 The paper transport drive unit 8, the supply side ink bobbin drive unit 9, the take-up side ink bobbin drive unit 10, the paper sensor 11, the ink sensor 12, and the recognition unit 13 are connected to the data bus 14. Has been printed.

The interface unit 1 communicates with the information processing device 200 by using, for example, a USB method. The interface unit 1 receives input from the user via the information processing device 200.

The memory 2 is composed of a non-volatile memory for storing a control program for controlling the operation of the thermal printer 100 and various setting data, and a temporary storage memory for temporarily storing processing data and the like.

The control unit 3 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 3 controls the operation of the entire thermal printer 100 according to the control program stored in the memory 2.

The image processing unit 4 performs image processing such as image quality adjustment and resolution conversion of image data received from the information processing device 200.

The print data processing unit 5 converts the image data received from the information processing device 200 or the image data received from the information processing device 200 and then subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 4 into print data. This conversion process is called print data processing.

The thermal head 6 generates heat during printing to heat the ink sheet 19 in accordance with the control of the control unit 3.

The cutter 7 cuts the paper 15 according to the control of the control unit 3.

The paper transport drive unit 8 rotationally drives the grip roller 17, which will be described later, in accordance with the control of the control unit 3.

The supply-side ink bobbin drive unit 9 rotationally drives the supply-side ink bobbin 21, which will be described later, in accordance with the control of the control unit 3.

The take-up side ink bobbin drive unit 10 rotationally drives the take-up side ink bobbin 22 described later in accordance with the control of the control unit 3.

The paper sensor 11 detects the presence or absence of paper 15.

The ink sensor 12 acquires information on the ink sheet 19 and detects the position.

The recognition unit 13 recognizes the image printed on the paper 15.

As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal printer 100 further includes a grip roller 17, a pinch roller 18, a platen roller 20, a supply side ink bobbin 21, and a take-up side ink bobbin 22.

The grip roller 17 and the pinch roller 18 are gripped by sandwiching the paper 15 between the grip roller 17 and the pinch roller 18 under the control of the control unit 3. Further, with the grip roller 17 and the pinch roller 18 gripping the paper 15, the paper 15 is conveyed by rotating the grip roller 17 by the rotational drive of the paper conveying drive unit 8.

When the ink sheet 19 is mounted on the thermal printer 100, one end of the ink sheet 19 in the longitudinal direction is wound around the supply side ink bobbin 21, and the other end of the ink sheet 19 in the longitudinal direction is wound on the take-up side ink bobbin 22. It is wrapped in. An unused portion of the ink sheet 19 is wound around the supply-side ink bobbin 21. The portion used for printing the ink sheet 19 is wound on the winding side ink bobbin 22. The control unit 3 conveys the ink sheet 19 by rotationally driving the supply-side ink bobbin 21 with the supply-side ink bobbin drive unit 9 and the take-up side ink bobbin 22 with the take-up side ink bobbin drive unit 10.

When printing, the control unit 3 presses the ink sheet 19 and the paper 15 with the thermal head 6 and the platen roller 20, and simultaneously conveys the ink sheet 19 and the paper 15 while controlling the heat generation of the thermal head 6. The ink of the ink sheet 19 is transferred to the paper 15 for each line. The control unit 3 transfers the Y, M, and C colors, prints an image, and then transfers the OP. After printing, the control unit 3 cuts the printed matter to a specified length with the cutter 7 and outputs the printed matter.

The thermal printer 100 has a correction pattern printing function and a correction data generation function.

The correction pattern printing function is a function of printing a correction pattern used for correcting the image quality in the margin portion of the paper 15 at the time of printing. The margin portion is a portion of the paper 15 that is cut off from the paper 15 separately from the printed matter when the thermal printer 100 prints the printed matter, and is not necessarily a portion where nothing is printed. Further, when the marginal portion is referred to in a certain printing, the marginal portion may be a portion that is cut off from the paper 15 and does not become a printed matter in the next printing after the printing.

The correction data generation function generates correction data for correcting the print quality based on the recognition result data which is the output of the result of recognizing the correction pattern by the recognition unit 13 and the reference data of the correction pattern. It is a function to generate.

The reference data of the correction pattern is, for example, recognition result data in which the recognition unit 13 recognizes and outputs the correction pattern printed as standard, and is predetermined by a test before manufacturing or the like.

The correction pattern and the reference data of the correction pattern are stored in the memory 2 in advance. The thermal printer 100 may use the correction pattern received from the external information processing device 200 and the reference data of the correction pattern in the correction pattern printing function and the correction data generation function.

The print quality of the thermal printer 100 depends on, for example, the difference in the characteristics of the ink sheet 19 and the paper 15, the difference in the manufacturing quality of the thermal printer 100, the difference in the environmental temperature and humidity at the time of printing, or a combination thereof. fluctuate. The thermal printer 100 generates correction data by the correction data generation function, and corrects fluctuations in print image quality based on the correction data. This function of the thermal printer 100 is called a calibration function. A more specific method of executing the calibration function is described in <A-2. It will be explained in the item of operation>.

When correcting the color tone as the print image quality, the correction pattern is composed of, for example, a plurality of square pattern groups in which the densities of Y, M, and C are changed. Each square pattern is called a color patch. In this case, the reference data of the correction pattern includes the reference color data regarding the color of the correction pattern, which is paired with each color patch. The reference color data is determined using, for example, the densities of Y, M, and C, or L *, a *, and b * defined by CIELAB as indicators. Further, in this case, the recognition result data is the data of the result of the recognition unit 13 recognizing the color of the correction pattern printed in the margin portion, for example, the density of Y, M, C, or L * defined by CIELAB. , A *, b * are included as indicators. In the correction data generation function, the correction data is generated so that the color of each color patch recognized by the recognition unit 13 approaches the color represented by the reference color data by the image quality correction based on the correction data. The correction data is, for example, the density of Y, M, C between the recognition result data and the reference color data for each color patch, or the value of the index of L *, a *, b * defined by CIELAB. Is the difference. Based on the correction data, the thermal printer 100 corrects the color tone at the time of printing so that the color of each color patch recognized by the recognition unit 13 approaches the color represented by the reference color data.

The recognition unit 13 includes, for example, a reflection type optical sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the optical sensor is arranged corresponding to a color patch. In addition, in order to correspond to a plurality of types of color patches, the recognition unit 13 may include a plurality of optical sensors, or may include one optical sensor and a carriage unit for moving the optical sensor. good.

For example, by recognizing the position of each color patch by the recognition unit 13, the control unit 3 can also correct the color shift that occurs when the print positions of the Y, M, and C colors do not correspond to each other.

<A-2. Operation>
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining a method of correcting the print quality of the thermal printer 100. FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart showing a print control method for correcting the print quality of the thermal printer 100. 5 to 8 are explanatory views of the printing operation of the thermal printer 100. In FIGS. 5 to 8, the broken line c11 and the broken line c12 represent the positions where the cutter 7 cuts the paper 15 in the printing operation.

In the following, first, the outline of the printing image quality correction method of the thermal printer 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3, and then the specific operation of the printing image quality correction method of the thermal printer 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the correction data generation unit 34 receives the reference data 33 stored in advance in the memory 2 and the recognition result data output by the recognition unit 13 in the previous print, and generates the correction data. do. The print data processing unit 5 corrects the print image quality by adjusting the print data processing method based on the correction data. Further, the print data processing unit 5 converts the image data received from the image processing unit 4 into print data by a print data processing method adjusted based on the correction data. The thermal head 6 operates based on the print data generated by the print data processing unit 5.

In FIG. 4, first, the thermal printer 100 receives information such as image data and printing conditions from the information processing device 200 (step S101).

The control unit 3 temporarily stores the image data received from the information processing device 200 in the memory 2, and the image processing unit 4 performs various image processing operations such as color conversion, gamma conversion, and sharpness calculation on the image data, and prints the image data. Image data of image 101 is created by performing resolution conversion according to the size (step S102). FIG. 5 shows an image 101 having a print size created in step S102.

Next, the control unit 3 adds the correction pattern 103 to the image 101 created in step S102 by the image processing unit 4 (step S103). When the correction pattern 103 is added to the image 101, the correction pattern 103 may be arranged outside the area of the image 101, or a part of the image 101 printed in the margin may be a correction pattern. It may be replaced with 103. FIG. 6 shows the correction pattern 103 and the remaining image 102 in which a part of the image 101 printed in the margin is replaced with the correction pattern 103. 9 and 10 show an example of the correction pattern 103.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the correction pattern 103 including the color patch of the 128th step of each of Y, M, and C in the image data of 256 gradations. FIG. 10 shows an example of a correction pattern 103 including color patches of the 32nd, 128th, and 192nd stages for Y, M, and C, respectively, in the image data of 256 gradations. However, the correction pattern 103 is not limited to the examples of FIGS. 9 and 10, and may include, for example, a gray gradation color patch in addition to Y, M, and C.

Next, the control unit 3 confirms whether the current printing is the first printing after the paper 15 and the ink sheet 19 are attached to the thermal printer 100 (step S104). If it is confirmed in step S104 that this printing is the first printing, the control unit 3 does not perform correction, and the print data processing unit 5 performs print data processing (step S106). If it is confirmed in step S104 that this printing is not the first printing, the control unit 3 performs a process of correcting the print image quality based on the correction data generated at the time of the previous printing in the print data processing unit 5. (Step S105), the print data processing unit 5 performs print data processing (step S106). In the process of correcting the print image quality in step S105, the print data processing unit 5 corrects the print image quality by adjusting the method of converting the image data to the print data in the print data processing.

The process of correcting the print image quality in step S105 may be included in the processing of the print data processing unit 5 as described above, may be included in the processing of the image processing unit 4, or may be included in the processing of the image processing unit 4 or printing. It may be performed independently as a process of a mechanism different from the data processing unit 5.

After step S106, the control unit 3 conveys the paper 15 and the ink sheet 19 to the printing start position (step S107), and transfers the materials of Y, M, C, and OP from the ink sheet 19 to the paper 15, respectively. And printing is performed (step S108). FIG. 7 shows an example in which the image 102 to which the correction pattern 103 is added is printed in step S108. In FIG. 7, the area of the paper 15 sandwiched between the broken line c11 and the broken line c12 is the area output as the printed matter 15a of FIG. 8, and the area on the left side of the broken line c11 of FIG. 7 is a margin portion that does not become the printed matter. There are 150 areas. As shown in FIG. 7, the correction pattern 103 is printed on the margin portion 150.

Next, the control unit 3 recognizes the correction pattern 103 printed on the paper 15 by the recognition unit 13 (step S109), and stores the recognition result data output by the recognition unit 13 in step S109 in advance in the memory 2. The correction data generation unit 34 generates correction data based on the reference data 33 (step S110).

Next, the control unit 3 uses the cutter 7 to cut the paper 15 at the positions of the broken lines c11 and c12 in FIG. 7, outputs the printed matter 15a, and cuts off the margin portion 150 (step S111). Further, the paper 15 and the ink sheet 19 are conveyed to the standby position (step S112). FIG. 8 shows an example of a printed matter 15a obtained by printing the image 102 to which the correction pattern 103 is added on the paper 15 and cutting the paper 15.

As described above, in the print control method for correcting the print image quality, the thermal printer 100 prints the correction pattern used for correcting the image quality on the margin portion 150 at the time of printing the printed matter, and prints on the margin portion 150. Based on the recognition result data of the result of recognizing the correction pattern and the reference data 33 of the correction pattern, the correction data for correcting the print image quality is generated, and the print image quality is based on the correction data. To correct.

Since the thermal printer 100 corrects the print image quality by the operation when printing the printed matter, the extra printing step for correcting the print image quality can be omitted, and the time burden can be reduced. Further, since the thermal printer 100 inserts the correction pattern into the margin portion 150 of the print, it is not necessary to perform printing and use the paper 15 and the ink sheet 19 only for correcting the print image quality. Therefore, the thermal printer 100 can reduce the financial burden and waste for correcting the print image quality. In this way, the thermal printer 100 can perform image quality correction without waste.

In the present embodiment, the correction data generation function is executed in each printing, and the thermal printer 100 newly generates correction data each time printing is performed. Since the generated correction data is reflected in the next printing, it is possible to continue printing while correcting the print image quality each time printing is performed. As a result, the thermal printer 100 can print while always maintaining the stability of the print image quality, for example, the color tone.

<A-3. Effect>
When printing a printed matter, the thermal printer 100 prints a correction pattern used for correcting the image quality in the margin portion 150. As a result, the thermal printer 100 can perform image quality correction without waste.

The recognition result data includes data as a result of recognizing the color of the correction pattern printed on the margin portion 150 by the recognition unit 13, and the reference data 33 of the correction pattern includes reference color data regarding the color of the correction pattern. .. As a result, the thermal printer 100 can correct the color tone as the image quality correction.

The correction pattern used by the thermal printer 100 and the reference data 33 of the correction pattern are predetermined. As a result, it is not necessary to prepare the correction pattern and the reference data 33 of the correction pattern at the time of printing.

The correction pattern reference data 33 used by the thermal printer 100 is recognition result data that the recognition unit 13 recognizes and outputs a standard printed correction pattern. As a result, the thermal printer 100 can bring the print image quality closer to that of the standard printing by correcting the image quality.

In the thermal printer 100, the correction pattern and the reference data 33 of the correction pattern are stored in the memory 2. As a result, it is not necessary to input the correction pattern and the reference data 33 of the correction pattern from the outside.

The correction data generation function is executed in each print. As a result, the thermal printer 100 can print while always maintaining the stability of the print image quality.

<B. Embodiment 2>
<B-1. Configuration>
Also in the present embodiment, the thermal printer 100 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is considered. In the first embodiment, when a printed matter having a size equivalent to one screen of an ink sheet used for general printing is output, that is, when an L size ink sheet is used, L size printing is performed and L size printing is performed. A case where 2L size printing is performed when a 2L size ink sheet, which is about twice the size of the above, is used has been described. The L size ink sheet is an ink sheet for printing one L size printed matter, and the size of the L size ink sheet is different from the size of the L size printed matter. Similarly, the size of the 2L size ink sheet is different from the size of the 2L size printed matter.

In the second embodiment, a case where the thermal printer 100 uses a printing method called multi-cut printing in which a plurality of printed matter is printed using the ink for one screen of the ink sheet 19 will be described. In multi-cut printing, for example, using a 2L size ink sheet, two L size images are arranged, and two L size images are printed and output. In the second embodiment, when the thermal printer 100 prints a plurality of printed matter by using the ink for one screen of the ink sheet 19 in the multi-cut printing, the thermal printer 100 uses the correction pattern printing function to perform a plurality of papers 15. The correction pattern is printed in the margin between the areas to be printed on the sheet.

<B-2. Operation>
FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of the thermal printer 100 of the second embodiment. 12 to 15 are explanatory views for explaining the printing operation of the thermal printer 100 in the flowchart of FIG. 11. In FIGS. 12 to 15, the broken line c21, the broken line c22, the broken line c23, and the broken line c24 represent the positions where the paper 15 is cut by the cutter 7 after printing.

Hereinafter, the operation of the thermal printer 100 will be described according to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the thermal printer 100 receives the image data transmitted from the information processing device 200 and information such as the number of prints and printing conditions such as multi-cut printing (step S201).

The control unit 3 temporarily stores the received image data and the like in the memory 2 and confirms whether or not to perform multi-cut printing (step S202).

When the control unit 3 confirms that the multi-cut printing is not performed in step S202, the control unit 3 performs step S102 and step S103 as in the case of the first embodiment. In steps S102 and S103, an image 102 to which the correction pattern 103 is added is created as shown in FIG. 6, as in the case of the first embodiment. When it is confirmed in step S202 that multi-cut printing is not performed, the operation after step S103 is the same as the operation described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted below.

When the control unit 3 confirms that the multi-cut printing is performed in step S202, the image processing unit 4 displays a plurality of

images

201 and 202 according to the print size of one screen of the ink sheet in FIG. (Step S203). Next, the control unit 3 performs various image processing operations such as color conversion, gamma conversion, and sharpness calculation on the image 201 and the image 202 by the image processing unit 4, performs resolution conversion according to the print size, and obtains the image 203. Image data of image 204 is created (step S204).

Next, the control unit 3 adds the correction pattern 205 to the image 203 and the image 204 created in step S204 by the image processing unit 4 (step S205). FIG. 13 shows an image 203 and an image 204 to which the correction pattern 205 is added. The correction pattern 205 is, for example, the pattern shown in FIG. 9 or 10 like the correction pattern 103 of the first embodiment.

After step S205, the thermal printer 100 performs steps S104 to S112 as in the case of the first embodiment. However, the image printed in step S108 is different from the case of the first embodiment. If it is determined in step S104 that the printing being executed is the first printing after the paper 15 and the ink sheet 19 are attached, the step S105 is not performed.

FIG. 14 shows an example in which the image 203 and the image 204 to which the correction pattern 205 is added are printed in step S108 when the control unit 3 confirms that the multi-cut printing is performed in step S202. As shown in FIG. 14, the correction pattern 205 is printed in the margin portion 151 between the areas of the paper 15 to be printed matter.

FIG. 15 shows an example of printed

matter

15b and 15c obtained by cutting the paper 15 at the positions of the broken lines c21, c22, c23, and c24 in step S111 when it is confirmed that the multi-cut printing is performed in step S202.

As described above, in the print control method for correcting the print image quality, the thermal printer 100 prints the correction pattern used for correcting the image quality on the margin portion 151 at the time of printing the printed matter, and prints on the margin portion 151. Based on the recognition result data of the result of recognizing the correction pattern and the reference data 33 of the correction pattern, the correction data for correcting the print image quality is generated, and the print image quality is based on the correction data. To correct.

Since the thermal printer 100 corrects the print image quality by the operation when printing the printed matter, the extra printing step for correcting the print image quality can be omitted, and the time burden can be reduced. Further, since the thermal printer 100 inserts the correction pattern into the margin portion 151 of the print, it is not necessary to print and use the paper 15 and the ink sheet 19 only for correcting the print image quality. Therefore, the thermal printer 100 can reduce the financial burden and waste for correcting the print image quality. In this way, the thermal printer 100 can perform image quality correction without waste.

In the present embodiment, when the thermal printer 100 prints a plurality of printed matter using the ink for one screen of the ink sheet 19, the correction pattern printing function is used to print the plurality of printed matter on the paper 15. The correction pattern is printed in the margin portion 151 between the regions to be the printed

matter

15b and 15c). Therefore, as compared with the first embodiment, the marginal portion at the tip of the paper 15 can be made smaller, and the consumption of the paper 15 can be further suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the correction data generation function is executed in each printing, and the thermal printer 100 newly generates correction data each time printing is performed. Since the generated correction data is reflected in the next printing, it is possible to continue printing while correcting the print image quality each time printing is performed. As a result, the thermal printer 100 can print while always maintaining the stability of the print image quality, for example, the color tone.

In the above description, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the correction pattern is inserted only in the print margin between the image data in which a plurality of images are arranged, but the correction pattern is inserted for each image. You may. FIG. 16 shows an example in which a correction pattern is added to each image during multi-cut printing. In FIG. 16,

correction patterns

205a and 205b are added to the

images

203 and 204 to be multi-cut printed, respectively. The

correction patterns

205a and 205b are printed on the

margins

153 and 152, respectively, as shown in FIG. The margin portion 152 is a margin portion between a plurality of printed matter areas of the paper 15.

If a correction pattern is added to each image, when printing an odd number of sheets by multi-cut printing, for example, when printing three L size images using a 2 L size ink sheet, Even if two L size images are printed on the first 2L size ink sheet and then only one third image is printed and output on the second 2L size ink sheet, correction is also made. Data can be generated.

<B-3. Effect>
When the thermal printer 100 prints a plurality of printed matter using ink for one screen of an ink sheet in multi-cut printing, a margin portion 151 or a margin between areas of the paper 15 to be printed matter is printed. A correction pattern is printed on the portion 152. As a result, the thermal printer 100 can perform image quality correction without waste.

<C. Embodiment 3>
<C-1. Configuration / operation>
The thermal printer according to the present embodiment is the thermal printer 100 as in the first and second embodiments.

In the first and second embodiments, the thermal printer 100 executes the correction data generation function in each printing. However, if there is little change in characteristics within the print capacity of the mounted paper 15 and ink sheet 19, or if there is little change in the printing environment, a correction pattern is always inserted and printed to measure each time printing is performed. It is not necessary to correct the print quality.

In the present embodiment, the thermal printer 100 executes the correction data generation function not in each printing but in printing satisfying predetermined conditions.

The predetermined condition for executing the correction data generation function is, for example, any of the following (a) to (d).
(A) A predetermined number of prints were performed after the previous execution of the correction data generation function.
(B) A predetermined period has elapsed since the previous execution of the correction data generation function.
(C) Printing has not yet been performed after replacing the paper 15 and / or the ink sheet 19.
(D) An instruction to execute the correction data generation function is input by the user through the interface unit 1.

In the present embodiment, when step S103, step S109, and step S110 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 or steps S103, S105, S109, and S110 of the flowchart of FIG. 11 satisfy predetermined conditions. It is executed, and if the predetermined conditions are not met, it is not executed. Further, the branching condition of step S104 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 11 is replaced with, for example, whether or not the correction data generation function is executed after the paper 15 and the ink sheet 19 are attached.

In this way, when the correction data generation function is executed when the predetermined conditions are satisfied, the quality of the print image quality is improved, and the correction data generation function is not executed, the first embodiment. Alternatively, the printing process can be simplified, the printing time can be shortened, and the amount of waste can be reduced as compared with 2.

<C-2. Effect>
When the correction data generation function is executed when the predetermined conditions are satisfied, the quality of the print image quality can be improved, and when the correction data generation function is not executed, the first or second embodiment is performed. In comparison, the printing process can be simplified, printing time can be shortened, and waste can be reduced.

The predetermined conditions for executing the correction data generation function are, for example, the condition that a predetermined number of prints have been performed after the previous execution of the correction data generation function, or the previous correction data generation. Either a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the function was executed, or the paper 15 and / or the ink sheet 19 have been replaced and printing has not yet been performed. As a result, the quality of the print image quality can be improved, and when the correction data generation function is not executed, the printing process can be simplified, the printing time can be shortened, and the amount of waste can be reduced as compared with the first or second embodiment. ..

The predetermined condition is, for example, that an instruction to execute the correction data generation function is input by the user through the interface unit 1. As a result, the print quality can be corrected at the timing desired by the user of the thermal printer 100.

It is possible to freely combine each embodiment, and to appropriately modify or omit each embodiment.

1 Interface unit, 2 Memory, 3 Control unit, 4 Image processing unit, 5 Print data processing unit, 6 Thermal head, 7 Cutter, 8 Paper transport drive unit, 9 Supply side ink bobbin drive unit, 10 Winding side ink bobbin drive Department, 11 paper sensor, 12 ink sensor, 13 recognition unit, 14 data bus, 15 paper, 16 roll paper, 17 grip roller, 18 pinch roller, 19 ink sheet, 20 platen roller, 21 supply side ink bobbin, 22 winding Side ink bobbin, 33 reference data, 34 correction data generator, 100 thermal printer, 200 information processing device.

Claims

A thermal printer that prints on paper using an ink sheet and cuts off margins that do not become printed matter on the paper after printing.
Pattern printing function for correction and
Recognition part and
Data generation function for correction and
With
The correction pattern printing function is a function of printing a correction pattern used for correcting image quality in the margin portion when printing a printed matter.
The recognition unit recognizes the correction pattern printed in the margin portion and outputs the result as recognition result data.
The correction data generation function is a function of generating correction data for correcting print image quality based on the recognition result data of the correction pattern and the reference data of the correction pattern.
The print image quality is corrected based on the correction data generated by the correction data generation function.
Thermal printer.
The thermal printer according to claim 1.
The recognition result data includes data as a result of the recognition unit recognizing the color of the correction pattern printed in the margin portion.
The reference data of the correction pattern includes reference color data regarding the color of the correction pattern.
Thermal printer.
The thermal printer according to claim 1 or 2.
The correction pattern and the reference data of the correction pattern are predetermined.
Thermal printer.
The thermal printer according to claim 3.
The reference data of the correction pattern is the recognition result data in which the recognition unit recognizes and outputs the correction pattern printed as standard.
Thermal printer.
The thermal printer according to claim 3 or 4.
With more memory
The correction pattern and the reference data of the correction pattern are stored in the memory.
Thermal printer.
The thermal printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
When printing a plurality of printed matter using the ink for one screen of the ink sheet, the correction pattern printing function is used to cover the margin portion between the areas of the paper to be the printed matter. Print the correction pattern,
Thermal printer.
The thermal printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The correction data generation function is executed in each printing.
Thermal printer.
The thermal printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The correction data generation function is executed in printing that satisfies predetermined conditions.
Thermal printer.
The thermal printer according to claim 8.
The predetermined conditions are
Is it a condition that a predetermined number of prints have been performed after the previous execution of the correction data generation function?
Is it a condition that a predetermined period has passed since the previous execution of the correction data generation function?
The condition that printing has not yet been performed after replacing the paper and / or the ink sheet, or
Is one of
Thermal printer.
The thermal printer according to claim 8.
It also has an interface section that accepts input from the user.
The predetermined condition is that an instruction to execute the correction data generation function is input by the user through the interface unit.
Thermal printer.
This is a printing control method in which printing is performed on paper using an ink sheet, and margins that do not become printed matter on the paper are cut off after printing.
When printing a printed matter, a correction pattern used to correct the image quality is printed in the margin portion.
Based on the recognition result data as a result of recognizing the correction pattern printed in the margin portion and the reference data of the correction pattern, correction data for correcting the print image quality is generated.
The print quality is corrected based on the correction data.
Print control method.