JPH0729465B2 - Color printer - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color printer, and more particularly to a color printer having an ink ribbon of a predetermined color and performing transfer printing by a line sequential method.

[Conventional technology]

In general, a thermal transfer and electric transfer type color printer includes an ink ribbon in which color (usually yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) ink layers are arranged in series and periodically. Then, for each color of the ink ribbon, for example, print data for one line is received each time, and thereafter, transfer printing for one line is performed. Therefore, one section of each color of the ink ribbon goes around and color printing for one line is performed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above-described conventional technique, ribbon feeding for one line is performed even when there is little or no printed portion in the data for one line captured for each color. For this reason, there is a problem in that the ink ribbon is used up with a lot of unused portions left, resulting in a lot of waste.

[Object of the Invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a color printer capable of reducing the unused portion of an ink ribbon for color printing and eliminating the waste as much as possible. To that end.

[Means for solving problems]

In the present invention, ink layers of different colors are periodically arranged, and a section of each ink layer is formed to have a length capable of transferring and printing the print data of "m" lines (m is a positive integer). And an ink ribbon, a print head for transferring each ink layer of the ink ribbon to an object to be printed, and a control unit for controlling line-sequential transfer printing by the print head and the ink ribbon. Further, it is provided with a temporary storage unit capable of temporarily storing print data of each color corresponding to each color of the ink ribbon for each “n” rows (n> m, and n is a positive integer). . The control unit reads out the print data stored in the temporary storage unit to instruct transfer printing, and at this time, if there is no print data, temporarily stops the ribbon feeding of the ink ribbon and Print control means for retracting the print head, and when color printing is performed by the print control means, print data of each color stored in the temporary storage means can be printed by a section of each ink layer of the ink ribbon. A configuration is adopted that includes a print start point control unit that determines the range and indicates the print start point of the temporary storage unit for the next time.

Example of Invention

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a host device 2 such as a computer.
From the above, the color print data of the dot image is output to the color printer 4 to which the present invention is applied.

The color printer 4 includes a control unit 6 that performs overall control. This control unit 6 is a central processing unit (hereinafter simply referred to as "CP
The read / write memory (hereinafter referred to as “RAM”) 12, the read-only memory (hereinafter simply referred to as “ROM”) 10, and the read / write memory (hereinafter simply referred to as “RAM”) 12.

As shown in the figure, the control unit 6 includes an interface circuit 14 for interfacing with the higher-level device 2 and a reception buffer for storing print data input from the higher-level position 2 via the interface circuit 14 under the control of the CPU 8. Equipped with 16 and.

The control unit 6 is equipped with a temporary storage means 18 for reading out and temporarily storing a predetermined amount of print data stored in the reception buffer 16. This temporary storage means 18
Is a dot image buffer 18A ₁ , 18A ₂ , 18A ₃ , 18B ₁ , 18B ₂ , 18 for three lines (n = 3) for each of the four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) described later.
It is composed of B ₃ , 18C ₁ , 18C ₂ , 18C ₃ and 18D ₁ , 18D ₂ , 18D ₃ . These dot image buffers 18A, 18B,
Storage control for 18C and 18D is performed by the control of the CPU 8.

Here, the reception buffer 16 and each of the dot image buffers 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D are specifically configured by RAM.

The control unit 6 is further equipped with a print head 22 for transfer via a head drive circuit 20, and a motor unit 26 for carrying a carriage and paper via a motor drive circuit 24.

The print head 22 and the paper 27 to be printed (see FIG. 5)
An ink ribbon 28 for color printing (see FIG. 2) is inserted between and. Here, the ink ribbon 28 is formed by sequentially and periodically applying wax-based ink layers of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black on a base such as polyester. In the present embodiment, each of these four color ink layers corresponds to one line of printing by the printer [m = 1].
It has a length that can cover (actually slightly longer than one line with a margin).

By the way, the control unit 6 is configured as shown in FIG. 3 in terms of its function. That is, the control unit 6 has a main control means 6A, a print control means 6B, and a print start point control means 6C. Of these, the main control means 6A has a function of integrally controlling the input / output of print data, the motor drive circuit 24, and others. The print control means 6B is a temporary storage means 18
The print data stored in is read out and transferred and printed. At this time, if the print data is "absent" (all the data is zero) (refer to a portion A'other than the hatched portion in FIG. 4), Specifically, it has a function of stopping the ribbon feeding of the ink ribbon 28 and retracting the print head 22. Here, the print control means 6B is set not to stop the ribbon feeding of the ink ribbon 28 and to retract the print head 22 when the length of the print data “absent” portion is shorter than a predetermined value. . This eliminates unnecessary operations that are not necessary. The print start point control means 6C calculates the consumption amount (length) of each ink layer portion of the ink ribbon 28 that is substantially necessary for printing from the data on each dot image buffer 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D. It has a function of judging and instructing the print start point for the second and subsequent times.

Next, the overall operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, the color printer 4 sends print dot data for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black to the higher-level device 2
From the control unit 6 via the receiving buffer 16 and each of the three lines is received by the dot image buffer.
Store in 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D respectively. In this case, the stored data is as shown in FIG. 4, for example. FIG. 4 illustrates the case of “yellow” corresponding to FIG. 5 (a). In FIG. 4, the print data is stored only in the shaded portion A, and the print data is "absent" in the other portion A '.

Therefore, for example, for "yellow", the print start point control means 6C is a dot image buffer for three lines.
The actual print data amount for yellow stored in 18A ₁ , 18A ₂ and 18A ₃ is calculated. Then, it is determined whether or not this can be printed by the yellow ink layer portion 28 _Y of one section of the ink ribbon 28.

This determination is also performed before printing on the ink layer portions 28 _M , 28 _C and 28 _B of each color.

Then, assuming that the print data amount accumulated for three lines for each color (hereinafter, simply referred to as “integrated print data amount”) is determined by each ink layer portion 28 _Y , 28 _M , 28 _C , 28 _{B of} one section. It is supposed to be printable. This case will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

Print control means 6B, first the first line of printing to "yellow" performed by reading from the dot image buffer 18A ₁ (see FIG. 5 (a)). At this time, when there is no print data for a predetermined length or more, the ribbon feeding of the ink ribbon 28 is stopped, the print head 22 is retracted, and the ink ribbon 28 is not consumed. When the printing of the first line is completed, "line feed" LF and "carriage return" CR are performed based on the instruction of the main control means 6A, and similarly, the printing of "yellow" of the second line is performed. (Refer to the same figure (a)). After that, "line feed" LF and "carriage return" CR are performed, and similarly, printing for "yellow" on the third line is performed (see (a) of the same figure).

Next, a "carriage return" CR and a "reverse line feed for two lines" are performed to align the print head 22 with the initial print position, and the ink ribbon 28 is aligned with the next magenta. Then, in accordance with an instruction from the print control means 6B, "magenta" for three lines is printed in the same manner as for "yellow" (see (b) in the figure). After that, "cyan" and "black" are similarly printed through the "carriage return" CR and the "reverse line feed for two lines" (see (c) and (d) of the same figure).

When this is completed, the main control means 6A instructs "carriage return" CR and "line feed" LF, and
The print data of the third line for the second time is fetched for each color, and the above control is repeated.

On the other hand, a case where it is determined in the above control that the integrated print data amount is larger than the data amount that can be printed in the ink layer portion of one section will be described in detail below.

First, consider a case where three lines can be printed in the ink layer portion of two sections. In this case, the maximum value of the integrated print data amount for each color can be printed in the ink layer portions of the two sections.

Print control means 6B is performed first by reading the printing of the first line for the "yellow" dot image buffer 18A _1. At this time, when there is no print data for a predetermined length or more, the ribbon feeding of the ink ribbon 28 is stopped, the print head 22 is retracted, and the ink ribbon 28 is not consumed. When the printing of the first line is completed, "line feed" LF and "carriage return" CR are performed based on the instruction of the main control means 6A. In printing the second line, printing is performed with the remaining ribbon in one section. At this time, there are cases where the second line can be printed with the remaining ribbon in one section and cases where the second line cannot be printed with the remaining ribbon in the first section.

When printing can be performed with the remaining ribbon of one section, the second line is printed, and it is recognized that the printing of the second line has been completed.

If printing cannot be performed with the remaining ribbon in one section, printing is performed up to the end of the ribbon in one section, and the print start point control means 6C stores the print end point indicating how far the dot image buffer on the second line has printed. To do.

In any of the above cases, "carriage return" CR and "reverse line feed for one line" are then performed to align the print head 22 with the print initial position and align the ink ribbon 28 with the next magenta. Then, in accordance with an instruction from the print control means 6B, two lines of "magenta" are printed as in the case of "yellow". After that, similarly, two lines of "cyan" and "black" are printed, respectively.

Then perform a "carriage return" CR and print head
22 is aligned with the initial position of the second row, and the ink ribbon 28 is aligned with the yellow of the second section. At this time, the data in the dot image buffers 18A ₁ and 18A ₂ has either been printed or has been printed halfway through 18A ₂ . So if data 18A ₂ printing is finished, in order to print the data of the 18A _3, perform "line feed" LF, to print the data of the 18A _3. When the printing of the data of 18A ₂ is completed halfway, the print start point control means 6C stores the print end point of 18A ₂ and positions the print head so that printing is performed from that point onward. ,
After that, the remaining data of 18A ₂ is printed. After the printing of the remaining data of 18A ₂ is completed, the ribbon feed of the ink ribbon 28 is stopped, the print head 22 is retracted, "carriage return" CR and "line feed" LF are performed, and then on the 3rd line.
Prints 18A ₃ data. Beforehand 18A ₁ , 18A ₂ , 18A ₃
Since it is known that the integrated print data amount of 2 can be printed by the ribbon of two sections, the data of 18A ₃ can be printed by the remaining ribbon of the second section.

In any of the above cases, after printing the third line, perform "carriage return" CR and "reverse line feed for one line",
The print head 22 is aligned with the print initial position of the second line, and the ink ribbon 28 is aligned with the next magenta. After that, the same operation is performed for each color of magenta, cyan, and black, and finally, printing of three lines is performed using two sections of ribbons of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

If you need at least one 3-section ribbon for the total print data volume of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black,
Since three sections of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black ribbons are required, normal control is performed to print one line of each color with one section of ribbon of each color.

Dot image data 18A ₁ to 18 for the new 3 lines of print data after the printing of all the colors of the previous 3 lines is completed.
_{A 3, 18B 1 ~18B 3,} 18C 1 ~18C 3, 18D 3 are written into ~18D _3.

The method according to the present embodiment and the method according to the related art will be compared from the viewpoint of the amount of consumption of the ink ribbon 28. In the present embodiment, when performing color printing for "3 lines", due to variations in print data, for each color of "yellow", "magenta", "cyan", and "black",
There are three modes in which "1 line (= total of 1 section of each color)" is consumed, "2 lines" are consumed, and "3 lines" are consumed. On the other hand, in the conventional technique, when performing the color printing of "3 lines", the "3 lines" is always required.
Ink ribbon for "row" is consumed. This includes a considerable amount of what is consumed unused. In such a case, in the present embodiment, "1
Only "row" or "two lines" of ink ribbon are consumed. Therefore, as compared with the method according to the related art, there is an advantage that wasteful consumption of the ink ribbon 28 can be significantly eliminated.

In the above-described embodiment, the dot image buffer of "3 lines" (n = 3) is provided for each color, but the present invention is not limited to this, and "2 lines", It may have a buffer of "4 lines" or more. Further, the length of one section of the ink layer portion of the ink ribbon is not necessarily required to be one line (m = 1) and can be applied.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention is configured as described above, and is “n” (n>m; where m and n are positive with respect to the length of “m” lines of the ink layer of each color of the ink ribbon. (Integer) lines of print data are continuously printed as a group for each color, and consumption of the ink ribbon is stopped in a portion where there is no print data. Therefore, it is possible to provide an unprecedented excellent color printer in which wasteful consumption of the ink ribbon is significantly suppressed as compared with the conventional example, the ink ribbon can be effectively used, and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an ink ribbon according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a dot image.・
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the presence or absence of print data in the buffer, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing procedure for each color of the ink ribbon and an example of printing. 4 ... Color printer, 6 ... control unit, 6B ... printing control means, 6C ... printing start point control means, 18 ... temporary storage means, 22 ... printing head, 28 ... ink ribbon.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Ink layers of different colors are periodically arranged, and one section of each ink layer is formed to have a length capable of transferring print data of "m" lines (m is a positive integer). Printer including a formed ink ribbon, a print head that transfers each ink layer of the ink ribbon to a print target, and a control unit that controls line-sequential transfer printing by the print head and the ink ribbon The temporary storage means is capable of temporarily storing print data of each color corresponding to each color of the ink ribbon for each “n” rows (n> m, and n is a positive integer), The control unit reads out the print data stored in the temporary storage means to instruct the transfer printing, and at this time, if there is no print data, the ribbon feeding of the ink ribbon is temporarily stopped and the printing is performed. A print control unit for retracting the head, and a printable range for one color section of each ink layer of the ink ribbon with respect to print data of each color stored in the temporary storage unit when performing color printing by the print control unit. And a print start point control means for instructing the print start point of the temporary storage means for the next time.