JPS6169472A - Thermal-type information recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable characters, figures or the like to be recorded with clear tone, by a method wherein for each heating scan, a thermal ink ribbon is intermittently fed whereas heating element blocks are intermittently moved in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the ribbon. CONSTITUTION:A heating element group 1 is divided so that the heating element blocks H1, H2, H3,... having a length l smaller than the spacing L between color sections from effective heating regions N1, N2, N3,..., with the spacing between the blocks being a multiple times of the distance l. An effective heating region controlling means 8 is provided for controlling the heat generation in the regions N1, N2, N3,... consisting of the heating element blocks H1, H2, H3,... by selectively supplying recording information signals S1 thereto, and a movable head 9 carrying the blocks thereon is provided. In synchronism with the intermittent movement of the head 9 by the distance l at a time along a recording line R, the thermal ink ribbon 6 is intermittently moved in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the head by a distance L-l at a time along a moving line (r) inclined to the recording line R.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a heat-sensitive information recording device, typically a color thermal printer, in which a heat-sensitive ink film with a width of 1.
0-20m! In particular, it relates to a device that enables the use of a heat-sensitive ink ribbon in the form of a band with a narrow width of about n.
The present invention relates to an improvement for eliminating disturbances in color tone caused by positional displacement of a heat-sensitive ink ribbon and expansion and contraction of the ribbon.

Previously, this type of thermal printer had a thickness of 10-30 mm.
μm1 width 2101 + n (width of Ji8A4 version) 1
13 I was using a thermal ink film, but the width of this film was quite wide even though it was extremely thin.
Moreover, during winding, wrinkles and misalignment were likely to occur, making it difficult to wind the film in an orderly and uniform manner.

In order to solve the problems such as
No. 5883 discloses a recording medium in which groups of heating elements that individually generate heat in response to different recording information signals are arranged in a straight line and run in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the heating elements are arranged. (
The heating element group and the recording medium (paper) are placed facing the recording surface of the recording medium (paper).
A narrow heat-sensitive ink ribbon that runs in the direction in which the heating element group is arranged (orthogonal to this direction) is interposed between the heating element group and the heating element group, so that the ribbon covers the entire area in the arrangement direction of the heating element group. A thermal information recording device is disclosed.

It is also conceivable to apply the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-55883 to a color thermal printer.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a recording paper 3 is placed on the lower surface of a heat generating head 2 having a group of heat generating elements 1 arranged in a straight line and forming a recording line &. The recording paper is supported by a feed roller 5 which is rotatably driven by an appropriate paper feeding means 4, and is supported so as to be able to run in substantially orthogonal directions.
It is wound up by.

A heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is interposed between the heating element group of the heating head 2 and the recording paper 3, and the ribbon is driven by an appropriate ribbon driving means (not shown) to adjust the recording line ratio. The ribbon runs along oblique running lines at an acute angle θ.

On the other hand, regarding the heating element group 1 installed in the heating head 2, for example, a conductive thin film is formed in a comb-teeth shape using photolithography technology, and a resistor as a heating element is attached to the tip of each comb-teeth. So-called multi-stylus pens are often used, which have a fixed body and can generate heat for each comb tooth. A separate recording information signal S1 is supplied to each separate heating element from a control device (not shown) or the like.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, which shows the essential parts of the structure of FIG. 6 sections Y%M, C separated by a certain distance are arranged sequentially and repeatedly, and each 6 sections Y%M, C
In response to the heat from the heating element group 1, a picture element of a color unique to the section can be recorded and displayed (transferred) on the recording surface of the recording paper 3. For each of the 6 sections Y, M, and C,
Each is impregnated with yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink.

During the recording operation, with the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 stationary, each heating element of the heating element group l forming the recording MR is connected to the recording information signal 81 supplied to each heating element by 1ζ. By generating heat separately according to the signal S
Each of the six sections specified by l is transferred onto the recording surface of the recording paper 3 as a picture element of a different color.

For example, if we focus on one 6 section Y of yellow, the yellow that should be recorded and displayed at the position on the line segment of the recording line included in the section Y in one heating scan along the recording line L. All of the picture elements are transferred to the recording surface of the recording paper 3 corresponding to the position.

Thus, one heating scan along the recording line is completed.

Next, the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is moved to the right in the figure by a distance corresponding to the color interval along the ribbon running line, and after stopping at that position, a second heating scan is applied to the studs. When this is done, the magenta color section M that follows the section Y during the second heat generation scan is located at the position of the yellow color section Y that was focused on in the first heat generation scan i. In the color interval, magenta picture elements are transferred.

Subsequently, when the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is further moved to the right by the distance ML of the color interval and then stopped, a third heat generation scan is performed, and the yellow color focused on in the first heat generation scan is The position 2 of section Y is located in the cyan color section ril following the magenta color section M, which was the target of the second heat generation scan during the third heat generation scan, so in this color section , cyan picture elements are transferred.

In this manner, by one cycle of heat generation scanning, the aforementioned recorded information signal S! representing the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan appears on the recording surface of the recording paper 3 corresponding to the entire area of the recording line It. The recording paper 3 is arranged and transferred in a pattern specified according to On the recording surface of 3,
Graphics in three colors are recorded and displayed.

However, in the above structure in which the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 55-55883 is used for the curler thermal printer, it is difficult to determine the stopping position when the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 stops running. is inevitably accompanied by inaccuracy, and furthermore, the ribbon 6 expands and contracts due to the tension acting on the +1 ribbon 6Iζ during running, the ambient temperature becoming 1, etc., and as a result, the color changes. Since the northern edges of the ward thresholds Y, 81, and C change, when the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 stops running for each heating scan, the boundaries of the color sections Y, M, and C on the ribbon are It was difficult to keep it in place at all times.

Because of this difficulty, in the above configuration, the static position of the boundary line of the color interval often changes, so that during the heating scan, the recording line box is moved along the line segment within a particular color interval, In order to transfer a color picture element, a unique color picture element is transferred to a color section adjacent to the section in response to the recording information signal S1, and as a result, picture elements of different colors are recorded redundantly. There is a problem that the image is displayed, and a disadvantage is that it is not possible to draw figures etc. in clear color tones.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problem of blurring of tone due to positional fluctuations of the boundary line between color sections on a heat-sensitive ink ribbon based on the above-mentioned prior art. A heating element group is provided by forming heating element blocks divided into fi/ into a linear heat generation area and arranging them at a distance that is an integral multiple of the distance l. The recording line is mounted on a movable head that can move intermittently, while the recording line is mounted on a movable head that can move intermittently, and runs intermittently in the opposite direction to the head in synchronization with the movement of the movable head, obliquely crossing the recording line by a distance (L-1). Only when the movable head moves to a position where the heat-generating area is included in the color section of the heat-sensitive ink ribbon, the recording information signal is selectively supplied to reduce the heat generation of each heat-generating element. By providing a heat generation area control means, the above-mentioned drawbacks are eliminated, and despite the positional fluctuation of the boundary line between color sections, there is no redundant recording and display of picture elements of different colors (thus, clear display of picture elements of different colors is avoided). It is an object of the present invention to provide an excellent thermal information recording device that can obtain a graphic pattern.

The configuration of the present invention in accordance with the above object is such that, as shown in FIG. color sections Y%M are arranged on the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 which is supplied directly under the heating element group 1 and runs along a ribbon running line obliquely intersecting the recording line. .

C.... is selectively heated to form a picture element of a unique color within each color section on the recording surface of the recording paper 3 that is fed directly below the ribbon in a direction orthogonal to the recording line. In a thermal information recording device for recording and displaying data, a heating element group 1 is divided into heating element blocks H having a distance gIl smaller than the distance between color sections.
1, N2. Heat generation possible area Nl, N, at N3,...
, N3,... are formed.

The heating element blocks H,, H2, N3, . is selectively supplied to the heating element blocks H1 and N2.
, N3, . . .
A movable head 9 equipped with a heat generating area control means 9 for controlling heat generation of sN2, N3, . . . , and each heating element block H1, N2, N3% . and a distance l along the recording line of the movable head 9.
In synchronization with the intermittent movement of the recording line, the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is moved a distance (L-
1) Make the movable head 9 travel in the opposite direction to the intermittent movement direction, and each time the heat generation scan is performed in each intermittent run, the heat-sensitive ink ribbon is moved to the heat-generating areas N1, N2, N3, etc. The gist of this invention is to be able to form a non-heat generating clearance area of 6 sections Δl on 6, that is, /2. Next, based on FIGS. The configuration and operation of the example will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the recorded information signal S1 as a human input signal is transmitted to a heating element block H, which is formed by dividing a heating element group 1 installed in a heat generating rad 2, through a heat generating area control means 8. , H, , N3, . . . l are supplied separately and simultaneously.

The other components are the same as those indicated by the same reference numerals in FIG.

However, as will be described later, the heat generating head 2 in FIG.
It is mounted on the movable head 9.

Further, regarding the ribbon driving means 7 according to an appropriate conventional technique, when the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is intermittently step-traveled in each running step of the heat-generating scan, the step running distance is Δl. It is different from the one in Figure 1.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, lζ, heating element block H! ~H6 are arranged in a divided manner in the direction along the recording line R to form heat generating areas N1 to N6 extending over a distance l, and generate heat between mutually adjacent end faces of each block. The distance between the body blocks ~'J is set to 1, for example, a distance of 3p. For this purpose, the heat generating head 2 to which the heat generating block is attached is divided into a plurality of divided heads 28 to 2e and fixed on a frame 9a that supports the four-function head υ.

Further, the movable head 9 is moved between the first and second fixed outside 1O111 which are arranged parallel to the recording nlt and opposite to each other.
It is attached via ball bearings 12 and 13, and is movable in the horizontal direction in the figure along the recording line 11.

Each of the heating element blocks H1 to H5 consists of a large number of heating elements arranged in series, and each of these heating elements has a potential VH+.
The supply rrL line P maintained in this manner is commonly used, and furthermore, the heat generation control circuit constituting the heat generation area control means 8 is provided with
Each output terminal is connected.

1 to C8 for each heat generation control circuit including the shift register,
They are cascade-connected in multiple stages, and are supplied with a serial recording information signal S1 from a control device (not shown) via a data input terminal DI. The heating element generates heat for an appropriate period of time.

Note that the frame 9a has a clock terminal C for supplying a clock signal for driving 1 to 1 to each heat generation control circuit.
A power supply terminal VCC1 for supplying a K%Mi source and a ground terminal GND for grounding are provided, and each is commonly connected to each heat generation control circuit.

In addition, a divided head 2 including heating element blocks H1 to H11
A to 2e are provided on the insulating substrate 2 and are electrically isolated from each other.

The movable head 9 is fixed to a drive belt 161 wound around a drive pulley 14.151ζ, and the drive belt is connected to a pulse motor 18 via a transmission pulley 17.

Thus, the movable head 9 is driven by the pulse motor 18 and can be moved intermittently to the left in the figure by a distance l along the recording line IL.

Then, at the completion of one cycle of heat generation scanning, which will be described later,
The movable head 9 is driven by a return mechanism (not shown) and can quickly return to the right in the figure.

On the other hand, the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is supported so as to be able to run along a running line obliquely intersecting the recording line R, and is driven by an appropriate ribbon driving means (not shown) to print color sections Y, M, and so on.
The heat generating area N1, N2, N3, . . . formed by the distance of C... and the heating element block H1-1 (,...
It is possible to travel intermittently to the right in the figure by the difference in distance j (L-t-Al).

The intermittent running of the heat-sensitive infringing pad 60 is performed every time one heating scan is completed while maintaining synchronization with the intermittent movement i of the movable head 9 along the recording line R.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, a series of traveling steps for transfer will be described as follows.

First, when starting a recording operation, the relative positional relationship between the exothermic ink ribbon 6 and the movable head 9 is set in advance, and the first and fourth (as shown in Al, for example, one exothermic block H1 to H8) If positioning is performed so that the starting areas 81 to N corresponding to , are also included in the color section Y, only yellow is transferred in the first heating scan.

At this time, the heat generating area i1 jj means 8 separately and simultaneously supplies the recording information signal SR to each heat generating block "is"@, N3, . . . hand,
Linear heat generating areas N1 and N with a distance l on the recording line R
2, N3, . . . are controlled so that they can generate heat all at once.

In such a first running step, the heat generation control circuit rel
- Generates heat in response to the llJ and rOJ conditions of each bit of the recording signal S1 supplied to the control circuit IeL-re. Heating element block H corresponding to 16 sections Y
Among the heat generating elements 1 to H3, only those that should generate heat receive a heat generation command pulse of "0" for an appropriate period.

Then, the heating element disposed between the output terminal of the heating control circuit f (1'1~s) that outputs rOJ and the power supply line P selectively generates heat.

After all, in the first running step, the heat generation possible region N1,
N2, N3, . . . are included in the color interval Y, while one heat generating area N! , N2, N3, . . . , areas other than the heating element blocks E(,, N2, H, . . .
・There is no heat generation because there is no.

Next, when the first traveling step is completed, FIG.
As shown in , it is possible! 7 head 9 distance I++! it
The heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is moved to the left by a distance Δl, and in synchronization with this movement, the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is moved to the right by a distance Δl, and a transition is made to the second running step.

In this step, the state of each bit of the recording information signal Sl is set in the heat generation control circuit so that each of the five output terminals is in the output state of "1". For this reason, each yA thermal ear F block Ml-H.

Transfer is not performed because one heating command pulse is not supplied to the target.

That is, in the second running process, heat generation possible regions N1, N
Even though the colors 2, N3, . . . are included in the color zones r and f, the transfer is stopped.

This means that even if the heat generation constant strain is exceeded in the second running process 1ζ, as far as the problem caused by the heat generation area exceeding the boundary line of the color section is concerned, there will be no inconvenience of separate installation. , by unifying the order of the four color layers transferred onto the recording paper 3, we aim to reproduce the color ζ more faithfully.
This is because the heat generation scan in the 0th step was not performed.

In this manner, when the second running step is completed, the head 9 is moved in the same manner as after the first running step, and the heat-sensitive ink head 6 is simultaneously run to print one ink 6.
As shown in Figure +e+, the heat generating area N1. N2,
N3, . . . are included in color ward city C. However, this step is also selected as a transfer pause step for the same reason as the second traveling step.

In the subsequent fourth traveling step, as shown in FIG. 6 fDl,
The heat generating area N, , N, , N3,... is,
The movable head 9 moves as shown in FIG. 1, and the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 simultaneously runs, and then yellow is transferred as in the first running process.

From then on, similar operations are repeated until the
1 through the 18th running steps corresponding to 1 completes 1 cycle of heat generation scanning, and during the 1 cycle of heat generation scanning, each color section Y,
When any one of the heat-generating regions N1, N, , N3, .

That is, the first, fourth, seventh, and first O running steps (fifth
In the figure (A1. [Dl, (G), (J)), the yellow color section Y is the target of transfer, and the 5th, 8th, 11th, and 14th running steps (Fig. 5 ( El, concave, shout, mu)
), the magenta color section M is the target of transfer, and furthermore, the 9th, 12th, 15th, and 18th running steps (
In FIG. 5 fl), Ll, +(Jl, (R)), the cyan color section C is the target of transfer. The heat generation period in the heat generation possible area for transfer of each color section Y%M, .

Other steps, i.e. second, third . 6th, 13th, 1st
6. 17th running process (Figure 5 +B+, +t, 'l,
tFl, (P), fQl) is the step of transcriptional pausing.

(If one cycle of heating scanning is completed, on the recording paper 3 directly below the recording line, the characters, figures, etc. expressed in yellow, magenta, and cyan colors will overlap). In preparation for the first heat-generating scanning cycle, the recording paper 3 is sent upward by one pitch.During the heat-generating operation in each running process during that time, the heat-generating area N11 is
As the movable head moves, N2, N3, . C
Only when it occupies a position included in any of the above, it selectively becomes a heat generating state or a non-heat generating state depending on the recording information signal S1.

Therefore, when focusing on one heat-generating area included in one color interval, there is a difference between both end surfaces of the heat-generating area that generates heat in response to the recording information signal Sl and the boundary line of the color interval that includes the heat-generating area. A distance Δ column clearance area is formed between them, and this area is always kept in a non-heat-generating state.

In addition, the distance of the color interval 411 [, and the distance of the heat generating area 1
In this embodiment, the ratio is set to 4:3, but the ratio is of course not limited to this.
During the heat generation scan of the cycle, only one dent is sufficient, so
By choosing the number of travel steps appropriately, any ratio can be achieved.

As described above, according to the present invention, each color section of the ink ribbon, which is divided by the upper distance of the f&maturing ink ribbon, is intermittently run by a distance Δl for each running step during one cycle of heat generation scanning. , out of the i number of heat generating areas that are fixedly and intermittently arranged on the recording line and divided into distances l each smaller than the distance, those occupying positions that are included in each color section. By configuring to selectively generate heat according to the recording information signal S1 during the heat generation scan in each running process, both end surfaces of the heat generating cylinder A and H area generate heat at positions included in each color section. Since it is possible to form a clearance in a non-heat-generating state between the boundary lines of the color section including the heat-generating area and the adjacent color sections, it is possible to form a clearance in a non-heat-generating state. Even if there is a change in the stationary position of the color interval boundary line due to inaccurate determination or expansion/contraction of the ribbon, the heat generating area may protrude into the adjacent 6 areas and transfer an undesired color. There's nothing to do (1)
, It has the effect of forcing you to draw letters, figures, etc. in vivid colors.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 and 2 relate to the prior art;
The figure is a perspective explanatory view showing the configuration, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the main parts. 3 to 6 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view showing the schematic configuration thereof;
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of the movable head, which is the main part thereof, FIG. 5 is a side view of the movable head, and FIG. ■...Heating element group 2...Heating head 3...2 Recording medium (paper) 4...Paper feeding means 5...Feed Roller 6... Heat-sensitive ink ribbon 7... Ribbon driving means, l8... Capable head area control means 9
...Movable head 10...First fixed frame 11...Second fixed body

Claims (1)

[Claims] A heating head 2 having a heating element group 1 arranged in a straight line to form a recording line R and capable of generating heat in response to a recording information signal S_1; , a recording medium 3 whose recording surface is movably supported in a direction substantially orthogonal to the recording line R; a heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 in which M and C are arranged in sequence; a ribbon driving means 7 for causing the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 to run along a ribbon running line obliquely intersecting the recording line R; and a recording line R. The heat generating element group 1 of the heat generating head 2 is divided and arranged so that the heat generating element blocks extend over a constant distance l along Heat generating areas N_1, N_2,
Heating element blocks H_1, H_2, as N_3,...
H_3, ... and heating element blocks H_1, H_2, H_
3. Heat generating block driving means 9, 9a, 14, 15, 17, 18 for integrally moving the heat generating block along the recording line R while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the Each time, the color interval Y on the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6,
a heat generating area control means 8 for selectively supplying a recording information signal S_1 to a heat generating element block as a heat generating area occupying a position included in M and C; , the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6 is intermittently driven to run by a distance Δl, which is the difference between the distance L of the color section on the ribbon and the distance l of the heat-generating block, every time the heat-generating scan is performed; Body block driving means 9, 9a, 14, 1
5, 17, and 18 are heating element blocks H each time a heating scan is performed.
_1, H_2, H_3, . . . are driven to intermittently move the heating element block by a distance l in a direction opposite to the running direction of the heat-sensitive ink ribbon 6.