Image recording device and image determination method

Abstract

To provide an image recording device of a thermal transfer system capable of suppressing enlargement of a device caused by a reading unit for image determination, and an image determination method.SOLUTION: A printer 100 comprises, in a housing 1: a thermal head 25; a ribbon feed unit 21 that feeds an ink ribbon having a thermofusible ink layer to the thermal head 25; a ribbon winding unit 22 that winds the ink ribbon; a medium feed unit 23 that conveys a mount to which a label is temporarily attached to the thermal head 25; a platen roller 24 that holds the ink ribbon and the mount with the thermal head 25 at an opposite position opposite to the thermal head 25; and a ribbon reading unit 26 that optically reads the ink ribbon at a first reading position downstream of the opposite position in a ribbon conveying direction for conveying the ink ribbon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image determination method.

Background Art

[0002] In the thermal transfer type printer described in Patent Document 1, a label or the like is conveyed from a media hanger to a head assembly, and an ink ribbon is conveyed from a ribbon supply spindle to the head assembly. In the printer, a print head included in the head assembly generates heat under the control of a controller based on image data. Thereby, an ink image is transferred from the ink ribbon to the label. When the printer is set to the tear-off mode, the label (i.e., the printed matter) on which the ink image is recorded is discharged from an opening formed in the housing of the printer. When the printer is set to the rewind mode, the printed matter is wound up by a rewinding spindle mounted in the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a need to add an image determination device to a thermal transfer type printer. The image determination device is a device that determines an image in a printed matter and includes a reading unit and a controller. The reading unit is a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or the like, optically reads an image in the printed matter, and outputs data indicating a reading result. The controller inspects an image based on the output data of the reading unit.

[0005] Generally, the print head is located near the opening inside the casing. Therefore, when adding an image inspection device to a printer, the reading unit is mounted outside the casing, near the opening. However, mounting the reading unit outside the casing increases the overall size of the device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to provide a thermal transfer type image recording device and an image determination method that can suppress the increase in size of the device due to the reading unit for image determination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The image recording device according to the present invention comprises a housing, a thermal head located inside the housing, a first supply unit located inside the housing that supplies an ink ribbon having a heat-meltable ink layer to the thermal head, a first winding unit located inside the housing that winds up the ink ribbon, a transport unit that transports a medium to the thermal head, a platen located inside the housing that holds the ink ribbon and the medium between itself and the thermal head at a position facing the thermal head, and a first reading unit located inside the housing that optically reads the ink ribbon at a first reading position downstream from the position facing the thermal head in a first direction in which the ink ribbon is transported.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the ink on the ink ribbon is transferred to the medium by the thermal head at the opposing position. As a result, an image identical in shape to the image on the medium is formed on the ink ribbon after it has passed the opposing position. The first reading unit reads the image on the ink ribbon. Furthermore, since the first reading unit is mounted inside the housing, the size of the image recording device is suppressed.

[0009] (2) The ink ribbon further comprises a substrate that supports the ink layer and is translucent. The first reading unit comprises a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element facing the substrate of the ink ribbon at the first reading position, and a reflective member facing the ink layer of the ink ribbon at the first reading position.

[0010] With the above configuration, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are not in contact with the ink layer, so the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are not contaminated with ink.

[0011] (3) The image recording device further comprises a second reading unit that optically reads the medium at a second reading position upstream of the opposing position in the second direction in which the medium is transported.

[0012] (4) The image recording device further comprises a controller. The controller determines the state of the medium based on the reading data indicating the result of the second reading unit reading the medium.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the state of the media is determined, resulting in the output of high-quality printed materials.

[0014] (5) The image recording device further comprises a controller. The controller determines the positional relationship between the first image formed by ink transferred from the ink ribbon at the opposing position on the medium and the second image pre-recorded on the medium, based on the first reading data indicating the result read by the first reading unit and the second reading data indicating the result read by the second reading unit on the medium.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the positional relationship between the first and second images is determined, resulting in the output of high-quality printed materials.

[0016] (6) The image recording device further comprises a controller. The controller determines the state of the image recorded on the medium based on the second reading data indicating the result of the second reading unit reading the medium, and determines the positional relationship between the first image formed by the ink transferred from the ink ribbon at the opposing position on the medium and the second image pre-recorded on the medium based on the first reading data indicating the result of the first reading unit reading the medium and the second reading data indicating the result of the second reading unit reading the medium.

[0017] (7) In the housing, the ink ribbon is transported along the first transport path. In the housing, the medium is transported along the second transport path. The second reading unit has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element located on the side opposite to the side of the second transport path where the first supply unit and the first transport path are located, and a reflective member located on the side of the second transport path.

[0018] With the above configuration, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element do not come into contact with the ink layer of the ink ribbon, so the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element do not get contaminated with ink.

[0019] (8) The housing has an outlet. The transport unit discharges the medium from the outlet to the outside of the housing.

[0020] (9) The image recording device further comprises a second winding unit located inside the housing and winding the medium downstream of the opposing position in the second direction in which the medium is transported.

[0021] With the above configuration, since the first reading unit does not read the medium downstream of the opposing position, the transport path for the medium from the opposing position to the second winding unit does not become complicated.

[0022] (10) The transport unit transports a long medium having a base material and a plurality of transfer materials arranged in the longitudinal direction of the medium on the base material. The image recording device further includes a separation member that separates the transfer materials from the base material at a separation position downstream of the opposing position in a second direction in which the medium is transported, and a second winding unit located inside the housing that winds up the base material downstream of the separation position in the second direction.

[0023] With the above configuration, since the first reading unit does not read the medium downstream in the second direction from the opposing position, the transport path of the medium from the opposing position through the separation position to the second winding unit does not become complicated.

[0024] (11) The image determination method of the present invention selectively transfers ink from an ink ribbon having a heat-fusible ink layer to a medium by a thermal head, optically reads the ink ribbon after transfer by a first reading unit to generate first reading data, and determines the state of the image recorded on the medium based on the first reading data.

[0025] (12) The image determination method optically reads the medium before transfer by a second reading unit to generate second reading data, and determines the state of the medium based on the second reading data.

[0026] (13) The image determination method optically reads the medium before transfer by a second reading unit to generate second reading data, and determines the positional relationship between a first image formed by the ink transferred by the thermal head on the medium and a second image pre-recorded on the medium based on the first reading data and the second reading data.

[0027] (14) The image determination method optically reads the medium before transfer by a second reading unit to generate second reading data, determines the state of the medium based on the second reading data, and determines the positional relationship between a first image formed by the ink transferred by the thermal head on the medium and a second image pre-recorded on the medium based on the first reading data and the second reading data.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermal transfer type image recording apparatus and an image determination method that can suppress an increase in the size of the apparatus due to a reading unit for image determination.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] (A) is an external perspective view of the printer 100, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer 100. [Figure 2] (A) is a perspective view showing the ribbon roll 211, and (B) is a perspective view showing the medium roll 231. [Figure 3](A) is a schematic diagram showing the ribbon reading unit 26, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing the media reading unit 27. [Figure 4] (A) and (B) are schematic diagrams showing rotary encoders 31 and 32. [Figure 5] Block diagram of printer 100. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing the first part of the image recording process. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing the latter half of the image recording process. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing the relationship between various reflected light quantities and thresholds. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of printer 100 in a modified example. [Figure 10] A schematic diagram showing a modified media reading unit 27. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The following describes in detail a printer 100 (an example of an image recording device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and the embodiment can be appropriately modified without altering the gist of the present invention.

[0031] In this embodiment, the direction of movement is expressed as the movement from the starting point to the ending point of the arrow, and the direction of travel along the line connecting the starting point and the ending point of the arrow is expressed as the direction. The vertical direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the printer 100 is installed for use (the state in Figure 1(A)). The front-to-back direction 8 is defined with the side of the printer 100 where the output port 121 is located as the front. The left-to-right direction 9 is defined when viewing the printer 100 from the front.

[0032] [Printer 100 enclosure 1] As shown in Figure 1(A), in the printer 100, the housing 1 is substantially rectangular in shape and partitions the internal space 11 of the printer 100 from the outside. The housing 1 consists of a case 12 and a cover 13. An outlet 121 is formed in the front wall 122 of the case 12. The outlet 121 is a rectangular through-hole that is elongated from left to right. A hinge 124 is attached to the upper wall 123 of the case 12, connecting the cover 13 to the case 12. The cover 13 rotates between a closed position P11 and an open position P12 in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 125 of the hinge 124. The rotation axis 125 is parallel to the front-rear direction 8. In the closed position P11, the cover 13 closes the right side of the case 12, and in the open position P12, the cover 13 opens the right side of the case 12.

[0033] [Internal configuration of printer 100] As shown in Figure 1(A), the internal space 11 is divided into a right space 111 and a left space 110 by a partition wall 14. As shown in Figure 1(B), the printer 100 has as its main components a ribbon supply unit 21, a ribbon winding unit 22, a media supply unit 23, a platen roller 24, a thermal head 25, a ribbon reading unit 26, and a media reading unit 27 in the right space 111. When the cover 13 is in the open position P12 (see Figure 1(A)), the user can access the main components.

[0034] [Ribbon supply unit 21, ribbon winding unit 22, media supply unit 23] The ribbon supply unit 21, the ribbon winding unit 22, and the media supply unit 23 are all spindles. Each spindle is supported by a partition wall 14 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the left-right direction 9, and extends in the left-right direction 9.

[0035] [Ribbon supply unit 21 (an example of the first supply unit), ribbon roll 211] The ribbon supply unit 21 is located approximately in the center of the right space 111 in the front-to-back direction 8, and near the upper end of the right space 111 in the up-to-down direction 7. The ribbon supply unit 21 rotatably supports the ribbon roll 211.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2(A), the ribbon roll 211 has an ink ribbon 212 wound around the outer circumference of a core tube 213. The ink ribbon 212 has a base layer 214 (an example of a substrate) and an ink layer 215. The width of the ink ribbon 212 is predetermined. The base layer 214 is a long film made of a translucent material (such as PET). The ink layer 215 is formed on the outer main surface of the base layer 214 with a heat-meltable ink. The ink contains a black colorant and a wax that is solid at room temperature and melts at high temperatures. The ink may contain a semi-resin or resin instead of wax. A back coat layer 216 made of a translucent material (such as acrylic or silicone) is formed on the inner main surface of the base layer 214.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1(B), the ink ribbon 212 is positioned in the left-right direction 9 when the core tube 213 is attached to the ribbon supply unit 21. In this embodiment, the left end position of the ink ribbon 212 is set as the "reference position" in the printer 100. The ribbon roll 211, when attached to the ribbon supply unit 21, becomes rotatable clockwise in a plan view from the right. The ink ribbon 212 is fed forward and downward from a position near the bottom of the ribbon roll 211. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the term "ribbon roll 211" refers to "the ribbon roll 211 attached to the ribbon supply unit 21".

[0038] [Ribbon winding section 22 (an example of the first winding section)] The ribbon winding unit 22 is located in front of the ribbon supply unit 21 in the right space 111 and winds up the used ink ribbon 212.

[0039] [Media supply unit 23, media roll 231] The media supply unit 23 (an example of a transport unit) is located in the right space 111 behind and below the ribbon supply unit 21. The media supply unit 23 rotatably supports the media roll 231 (an example of a media).

[0040] As shown in Figure 2(B), the media roll 231 is a die-cut label roll and comprises a media 230 and a core tube 232. The media 230 has a backing sheet 233 (an example of a base material) and a plurality of labels 234. The media 230 is a continuous paper made of a translucent material and is wound around the core tube 232. The width of the media 230 is narrower than the width of the ink ribbon 212. Each label 234 (an example of a transfer material) is temporarily attached to the outer main surface of the backing sheet 233 and is arranged along the longitudinal direction 235 of the backing sheet 233. Each label 234 is the same approximately rectangular shape and has a white colored printing surface. A rectangular frame 236 (an example of the second image) is pre-recorded in black on the printing surface. Each frame 236 is the same shape and is recorded at the same position on the outer main surface of each label 234.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1(B), the core tube 232 is mounted on the media supply unit 23. This aligns the left end of the backing sheet 233 with the reference position, and the core tube 232 becomes rotatable counterclockwise when viewed from the right. The backing sheet 233 is fed forward and downward from a position near the top of the media roll 231.

[0042] [Platen Roller 24] The platen roller 24 (an example of a platen) is supported by the partition wall 14 so as to be rotatable within the right space 111 around a rotation axis parallel to the left-right direction 9, and extends in the left-right direction 9. The platen roller 24 is located immediately behind the discharge port 121 and in front of the ribbon winding section 22 in the front-rear direction 8. The platen roller 24 is located below the ribbon supply section 21 in the up-down direction 7.

[0043] [Thermal Head 25] The thermal head 25 is supported by the partition wall 14 and is located directly above the platen roller 24. The thermal head 25 has multiple heating elements. The multiple heating elements are arranged within a range corresponding to the left-right width of the ribbon roll 211 from the reference position (hereinafter also referred to as the "recordable range"). Each heating element faces the outer surface of the platen roller 24 from above. Hereinafter, the position where each heating element faces the platen roller 24 will be referred to as the "facing region P21".

[0044] [Ribbon transport path 29, media transport path 30] The ink ribbon 212 is unwound from the ribbon roll 211 and wound onto the guide roller 281 from below. The ink ribbon 212 extends forward from the guide roller 281 and is held between the thermal head 25 and the platen roller 24 in the opposing region P21. The ink ribbon 212 extends linearly from the opposing region P21 toward the guide roller 282. The ink ribbon 212 is wound onto the guide roller 282 from the front and wound onto the ribbon winding section 22.

[0045] The medium 230 is unwound from the medium roll 231 and wound onto the guide rollers 283 and 284 from below. The medium 230 extends linearly between the guide roller 284 and the opposing region P21, passing beneath the ink ribbon 212 in the opposing region P21, where it is held between the thermal head 25 and the platen roller 24. After passing through the opposing region P21, the medium 230 is discharged from the discharge port 121.

[0046] Hereinafter, the spaces through which the ink ribbon 212 and the media 230 pass will be referred to as the "ribbon transport path 29" and the "media transport path 30," respectively. The direction from the opposing area P21 to the guide roller 282 will be referred to as the "ribbon transport direction 291" (an example of the first direction). The ribbon transport path 29 (an example of the first transport path) and the media transport path 30 (an example of the second transport path) pass through the recordable range in the left-right direction 9. In the ribbon transport path 29, a ribbon reading area P22 (an example of the first reading position) is predetermined at a position immediately downstream of the opposing area P21. The direction from the guide roller 284 to the opposing area P21 will be referred to as the "media transport direction 301" (an example of the second direction). In the media transport path 30, a media reading area P23 (an example of the second reading position) is predetermined between the guide roller 284 and the opposing area P21. The ribbon reading area P22 and the media reading area P23 are elongated lines in the left-right direction.

[0047] [Ribbon reading unit 26] As shown in Figure 1(B), the ribbon reading unit 26 (an example of the first reading unit) includes a CIS (contact image sensor) 261 and a reflective member 262. The CIS 261 and the reflective member 262 are supported by a partition wall 14 in the right space 111 and extend in the left-right direction 9. The CIS 261 is located immediately behind the ribbon reading area P22. The reflective member 262 is located immediately in front of the ribbon reading area P22 and faces the CIS 261 with a small gap between them. The ink ribbon 212 passes through the gap. At this time, the back coat layer 216 (see Figure 2(A)) is facing the CIS 261. Therefore, it is difficult for the ink from the ink ribbon 212 to adhere to the CIS 261.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3(A), the CIS261 has as its main components a plurality of LEDs (i.e., light-emitting elements) 263, a plurality of PDs (i.e., photodetectors) 264, and a plurality of rod lenses 265. Each of the main components is arranged within the recordable range in the left-right direction 9. The optical axis of each LED 263 is directed toward the ribbon reading area P22. The plurality of PDs 264 are located away from the ribbon reading area P22 in the separation direction 266. The separation direction 266 is the direction of the normal to the ribbon transport path 29, which starts at the ribbon reading area P22, when viewed from the left-right direction 9. The rod lenses 265 are refractive index distributed type lenses and are located between the ribbon reading area P22 and the plurality of PDs 264. The optical axes of the PDs 264 and the rod lenses 265 are aligned along the separation direction 266.

[0049] The reflective member 262 has a white main surface. The main surface is elongated rectangular in shape and extends in the left-right direction 9 along the ribbon reading area P22, directly in front of the ribbon reading area P22.

[0050] [Media reading unit 27] As shown in Figure 1(B), the media reading unit 27 (an example of the second reading unit) includes a CIS 271 and a reference member 272. The CIS 271 and the reference member 272 are supported by a partition wall 14 in the right space 111 and extend in the left-right direction 9. The CIS 271 is located directly above the media reading area P23 and is positioned below the ink ribbon 212 on the ribbon transport path 29. The reference member 272 is located directly below the media reading area P23 and faces the CIS 271 with a small gap between them. The reference member 272 has a white main surface and functions as a white reference plate.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3(B), the CIS271 has a plurality of LEDs 273, a plurality of PDs 274, and a plurality of rod lenses 275. The LEDs 273, PDs 274, and rod lenses 275 differ from the LEDs 263, PDs 264, and rod lenses 265 in the following respects: Each optical axis of the LEDs 273 is directed toward the media reading area P23. Each PD 274 is separated from the media reading area P23 in a direction 276 away from it. The direction 276 away from it is the direction of the normal to the media transport path 30, which starts from the media reading area P23. The rod lenses 275 are located between the media reading area P23 and the plurality of PDs 274. The optical axes of the PDs 274 and rod lenses 275 are aligned with the direction 276 away from them.

[0052] [Rotary encoders 31, 32] As shown in Figure 4, the printer 100 is equipped with rotary encoders 31 and 32. In the rotary encoder 31, the disk 311 rotates coaxially with the rotation axis of the ribbon supply unit 21. The disk 311 has a scale formed on it in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis, consisting of a light-transmitting portion and a light-blocking portion. The photointerrupter 312 optically reads this scale and outputs a pulse signal (hereinafter also referred to as the "ribbon pulse signal") indicating the reading result.

[0053] In the rotary encoder 32, the disk 321 has the same scale as the disk 311 and rotates coaxially with the media supply unit 23. The photointerrupter 322 reads the scale on the disk 321, similar to the photointerrupter 312, and outputs a pulse signal (hereinafter also referred to as the "media pulse signal") indicating the reading result. Note that the frame 236 is not shown in Figure 4(B).

[0054] [Various motors, controllers 36] As shown in Figure 5, the printer 100 includes a ribbon feeding motor 33, a ribbon winding motor 34, a media transport motor 35, and a controller 36.

[0055] The ribbon feeding motor 33 and the ribbon winding motor 34 are DC motors, etc., and generate power to rotate the ribbon supply unit 21 and the ribbon winding unit 22, respectively. The medium transport motor 35 is a DC motor, etc., and generates power to rotate the medium supply unit 23 and the platen roller 24.

[0056] The controller 36 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, and ASIC. The CPU executes the control program stored in ROM, using RAM as a workspace. The controller 36 generates control signals to rotate the ribbon feeding motor 33, ribbon winding motor 34, and media transport motor 35 in the image recording process shown in Figures 6 and 7, and transmits them to the drivers 37, 38, and 39.

[0057] [Printer 100 Operation] The operation of printer 100 is described below. The user of printer 100 loads the ribbon roll 211 and media roll 231 into the ribbon supply unit 21 and media supply unit 23, respectively, as shown in Figure 1(B). The user passes the ink ribbon 212 through the ribbon transport path 29 and the media 230 through the media transport path 30.

[0058] The printer 100 waits for image data to be transmitted from a PC or the like. The image data shows a monochrome image of a barcode with a roughly rectangular shape. The monochrome image is recorded by the printer 100 within frame 236 (see Figure 2(B)). The image data includes grayscale values ​​for each pixel position. The pixel position is indicated by coordinate values ​​in the media transport direction 301 and coordinate values ​​in the left-right direction 9. The coordinate values ​​in the media transport direction 301 are zero at the leading edge position of the label 234, and the coordinate values ​​in the left-right direction 9 are zero at the reference position.

[0059] The controller 36 starts executing image recording processing in response to the reception of image data. In S101 of Figure 6, the ribbon reading unit 26 and the media reading unit 27 begin periodically outputting ribbon reading data (an example of first reading data) and media reading data (an example of second reading data) to the controller 36. The rotary encoders 31 and 32 begin outputting ribbon pulse signals and media pulse signals.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3(A), in the ribbon reading unit 26, multiple LEDs 263 emit linear light of a predetermined intensity into the ribbon reading area P22. The linear light is reflected by the reflective member 262 and incident on multiple PDs 264 via the rod lens 265. The multiple PDs 264 periodically output data indicating the amount of light incident on them (i.e., the amount of light reflected by the reflective member 262). The CIS 261 sequentially transmits the data from each PD 264 as ribbon reading data to the controller 36. The media reading unit 27 (see Figure 3(B)) operates in the same manner as the ribbon reading unit 26 to transmit media reading data to the controller 36.

[0061] In S102 of Figure 6, the controller 36 determines the presence or absence of the medium 230 using sensors (not shown) provided in the medium supply unit 23, etc., and tip detection sensors (not shown) provided downstream of the medium supply unit 23. If it determines that there is no medium 230 (No in S102), it executes S103, assuming that the medium 230 is not in the medium transport path 30. If the controller 36 determines that there is medium 230 (Yes in S102), it executes S104.

[0062] In S103, the controller 36 performs notification processing (without media) to the user. In notification processing (without media), the controller 36 displays a message on the display (not shown) prompting the user to set the media 230 onto the media transport path 30. In notification processing (without media), an audio message with the same content may be output from the speaker (not shown). After executing S103, the controller 36 terminates the image recording process.

[0063] In S104, the controller 36 initializes the values ​​of the media encoder amount and the ribbon encoder amount, respectively, and starts counting the media encoder amount and the ribbon encoder amount. The media encoder amount and the ribbon encoder amount are the number of pulses contained in the media pulse signal and the ribbon pulse signal.

[0064] In S105, the controller 36 initiates the rotation of the medium supply unit 23 and platen roller 24, and the rotation of the ribbon supply unit 21 and ribbon winding unit 22, based on a control signal. As a result, the medium 230 is transported downstream of the medium transport path 30 at a constant speed, and the ink ribbon 212 is transported downstream of the ribbon transport path 29 at the same speed as the medium 230.

[0065] After the execution of S105, the controller 36 transitions to S106 in accordance with the fact that the light intensity indicated by the media reading data for the most recent two lines satisfies the first condition. As shown in Figure 8, L11 is the amount of light incident on each PD274 when linear light is incident on the white portion of the label 234 and reflected from the white portion. L12 is the amount of light incident on each PD274 when linear light is incident on, for example, the backing paper 233. In Figure 8, the amount of light reflected from the backing paper 233 is exemplified in section L233 in the left-right direction 9, and the amount of light reflected from the white portion of the label 234 is exemplified in section L234 in the left-right direction 9. The light intensity L11 and L12 are experimental values. The first condition is that the leading edge of the label 234 is in the media reading area P23, and more specifically, the most recent media reading data shows a light intensity of threshold T12 or higher, and the light intensity indicated by the media reading data immediately preceding it is below threshold T12. The threshold T12 is a value close to the light intensity L12 within the range between light intensity L11 and L12 (see Figure 8).

[0066] In S106, the controller 36 stores the media read data from the media reading unit 27 in RAM as data to be processed.

[0067] In S107, the controller 36 determines whether the light intensity indicated by the media reading data for the two most recent lines satisfies the second condition. The second condition is that the trailing edge of the label 234 is in the media reading area P23, and more specifically, the light intensity indicated by the most recent media reading data is below the threshold T12 (see Figure 8), and the media reading data immediately preceding it shows a light intensity of T12 or greater. If the controller 36 determines that the second condition is met (Yes in S107), it executes S108. If the controller 36 determines that the second condition is not met (No in S107), it executes S106.

[0068] At the time of execution of S108, the RAM stores media read data read from one label 234.

[0069] In S108, the controller 36 calculates a moving average value in the left-right direction 9 for each light intensity value contained in the media read data in RAM. Then, the controller 36 selects a moving average value that is less than or equal to the threshold T14. As shown in Figure 8, linear light is reflected at the frame 236 on the label 234, and the amount of light incident on each PD274 is a light intensity L13, which is less than the light intensity L12. The light intensity L13 is almost zero. In Figure 8, the amount of reflected light at the frame 236 is exemplified in the interval L236 in the left-right direction 9. The threshold T14 is slightly greater than the light intensity L13.

[0070] In S109, the controller 36 determines whether there is a region (hereinafter also referred to as the "frame region") in which a predetermined number of pixels with a moving average value less than or equal to the threshold T14 are consecutive in the left-right direction 9. Depending on whether the controller determines that a frame region exists (Yes in S109), the controller 36 executes S110. Depending on whether the controller determines that there is no frame region (No in S109), the controller 36 executes S111.

[0071] In S110, the controller 36 stores the set of pixel positions that were determined to be a frame area in S109 as frame data in RAM.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8, the color of the stain 237 is lighter than that of the frame 236, so the amount of light reflected by the stain on the label 234 and incident on each PD 274 is less than the light intensity L12 and greater than the light intensity L13. In Figure 8, the amount of light reflected by the stain 237 is exemplified in section L237 in the left-right direction 9.

[0073] In S111, the controller 36 determines whether or not there is a dirty area. In a dirty area, the condition is met that a predetermined number of pixels with a moving average value between threshold T13 and threshold T14 are consecutive in the left-right direction 9. The threshold T13 is slightly smaller than the light intensity L12. If it is determined that there is a dirty area (Yes in S111), the controller 36 executes S112.

[0074] In S112, the controller 36 stores the collection of pixel positions within the contaminated area as contaminated data in RAM.

[0075] After executing S112, or after determining that there are no contaminated areas (No in S111), the system transitions to S113 in Figure 7, depending on whether the third condition is met. The third condition is the condition for starting the recording of a monochrome image. In detail, the controller 36 determines the current diameter of the media roll 231 using a known method. Next, the controller 36 determines the transport distance of the label 234 along the media transport path 30 from the current media encoder amount and the current diameter of the media roll 231. The controller 36 obtains the minimum coordinate value of the pixel positions constituting the image data in the media transport direction 301 as the distance between the leading edge of the label 234 and the leading edge of the monochrome image. After the leading edge of the label 234 reaches the opposing region P21, the controller 36 determines that the third condition is met when the transport distance of the label 234 matches the distance between the leading edges.

[0076] In S113, the controller 36 selectively heats the heating element of the thermal head 25 based on the image data. As a result, ink is transferred from the ink layer 215 of the ink ribbon 212 to the label 224. Consequently, a monochrome image (an example of the first image) is recorded on the label 224. On the ink ribbon 212, an image is formed in which the black and white are inverted from the monochrome image (hereinafter also referred to as the "inverted image").

[0077] After the execution of S113, the controller 36 transitions to S114 if the fourth condition is met. The fourth condition is that after the leading edge of the label 234 reaches the opposing region P21, the transport distance of the ink ribbon 212 matches the distance between regions. The distance between regions is the distance along the ribbon transport path 29 from the opposing region P21 to the ribbon reading region P22. Specifically, the current diameter of the ribbon roll 211 is determined. The transport distance of the ink ribbon 222 is determined based on the current ribbon encoder amount and the current diameter of the ribbon roll 211.

[0078] In S114, the controller 36 stores the ribbon reading data from the ribbon reading unit 26 in RAM as data to be processed.

[0079] After the execution of S114, the controller 36 transitions to S115 if the fifth condition is met. The fifth condition is that after the execution of S114, the ink ribbon 212 is transported by the dimension of the label 234 in the medium transport direction 301.

[0080] When the system transitions to S115, the RAM records ribbon reading data corresponding to one label 234, which represents the reading of one inverted image.

[0081] In steps S115 to S123, the controller 36 determines the quality of the monochrome image recorded on the label 234 based on the ribbon read data and / or media read data in RAM.

[0082] In S115, the controller 36 detects the pixel positions of feature points in the inverted image from the ribbon read data in RAM. Feature points are the four vertices of the roughly rectangular inverted image.

[0083] In S116, the controller 36 identifies the light intensity at the image location enclosed by the four feature points from the ribbon read data in RAM. The controller 36 further converts each identified light intensity into a grayscale value. Specifically, light intensity above a predetermined reference value is converted into a black grayscale value, and light intensity below the reference level is converted into a white grayscale value.

[0084] In S117, the controller 36 compares the grayscale value of the ribbon-read data in RAM with the grayscale value of the image data for each pixel position to determine whether or not there are defects (dead pixels) in the monochrome image recorded on label 234. If the controller 36 determines that no defects have occurred (No in S117), it executes S118. If the controller 36 determines that defects have occurred (Yes in S117), it executes S121.

[0085] In S118, the controller 36 determines whether the pixel position enclosed by the four feature points in the ribbon-read data in RAM overlaps with the pixel position that constitutes the frame data or dirt data. If the controller 36 determines that there is no overlap (No in S118), it executes S119. If the controller 36 determines that there is an overlap (Yes in S118), it executes S122.

[0086] If no wrinkles occur in the ink ribbon 212 in the ribbon transport path 29, the difference in light intensity between two adjacent pixels in the inverted image is zero or light intensity L11. On the other hand, in areas with wrinkles, the difference in light intensity between two adjacent pixels in the inverted image is greater than zero and less than the maximum value.

[0087] In S119, the controller 36 determines whether the difference in light intensity between adjacent pixel positions in each ribbon-read data in RAM is within the light intensity range from the lower limit L21 to the upper limit L22. The lower limit L21 is a value slightly greater than zero, and the upper limit L22 is a value slightly less than the light intensity L11. If the controller 36 determines that it is not within the light intensity range (No in S119), it determines that the monochrome image on the label 234 is in good condition. If there are other monochrome images to record (Yes in S120), the controller 36 continues the image recording process; if there are no other monochrome images to record (No in S120), it terminates the image recording process. After the image recording process is completed, the user tears off the label 234, along with the medium 230, from the outlet 121 of the housing 1. If the controller 36 determines that it is within the light intensity range (Yes in S119), it executes S123.

[0088] In S121, S122, and S123, the controller 36 performs notification processing (defect), notification processing (duplication), and notification processing (wrinkle) to the user. In notification processing (defect), the controller 36 outputs a message from a display or speaker (not shown) indicating that a defect has occurred in the monochrome image recorded on the label 234. In notification processing (duplication), a message is output from the display or the like indicating that the monochrome image recorded on the label 234 is overlapping with the frame 236 or dirt, and in notification processing (wrinkle), a message is output from the display or the like indicating that wrinkles have occurred in the ink ribbon 212, which differs from notification processing (defect).

[0089] [Effects and Effects of the Embodiment] In the printer 100, the thermal head 25 transfers ink to the label 234. As a result, an inverted image identical in shape to the monochrome image recorded on the label 234 is formed on the ink ribbon 212 after it has passed through the opposing area P21. The ribbon reading unit 26 transmits ribbon reading data based on the inverted image formed on the ink ribbon 212 to the controller 36. Since the ribbon reading unit 26 is mounted inside the housing 1, the size of the printer 100 is kept from increasing.

[0090] In printer 100, the ink ribbon 212 carries the ink layer 215 on the base layer 214 and passes through the gap between the CIS 261 and the reflective member 262. At this time, the ink layer 215 is facing the reflective member 262, and the CIS 261 is not in contact with the ink layer 215 and is therefore not soiled with ink.

[0091] In the image recording process shown in Figures 6 and 7, from step S115 onwards, the quality of the monochrome image recorded on label 234 is determined, resulting in the output of a high-quality printed document.

[0092] [Differentiation] As shown in Figure 9(A), the printer 100 may further include a media winding unit 41 (an example of a second winding unit) in the right space 111, compared to the configuration in Figure 1(B). The media winding unit 41 is located below the platen roller 24 and the media reading unit 27, and in front of the media supply unit 23. The media winding unit 41 rotates using power generated by the media transport motor 35 and winds up the printed material at a position downstream of the opposing region P21 in the media transport path 30. The printed material is a backing sheet 233 on which labels 234 with images recorded are arranged. The media winding unit 41 can be removed from the housing 1.

[0093] As shown in Figure 9(B), the printer 100 may further include a separation member 42 compared to the configuration in Figure 9(A). The separation member 42 separates the labels 234 from the backing paper 233 that has been transported downstream from the opposing region P21 at a separation position between the opposing region P21 and the discharge port 121 in the media transport path 30. The labels 234 are discharged from the discharge port 121, and the backing paper 233 is transported toward the media winding section 41. The separation member 42 can be removed from the housing 1.

[0094] According to the above configuration, the ribbon reading unit 26 reads the inverted image formed on the ink ribbon 212 being transported on the ribbon transport path 29 as an image for determining the quality of the printed material. In other words, the ribbon reading unit 26 does not read the monochrome image downstream of the opposing region P21 in the media transport path 30. Therefore, even when the media winding unit 41 and the separation member 42 are attached, the portion of the media transport path 30 downstream of the opposing region P21 does not become complicated.

[0095] [Other variations] In this embodiment, the ribbon supply unit 21 rotates due to power from the ribbon feeding motor 33, and the ink ribbon 212 is supplied to the ribbon transport path 29 by being unwound from the ribbon supply unit 21. However, the ribbon supply unit 21 does not necessarily need to be powered by the motor. In this case, the ink ribbon 212 is supplied to the ribbon transport path 29 by being pulled out from the ribbon supply unit 21 by the rotating ribbon winding unit 22. In other words, there are two ways to supply the ink ribbon 212 to the ribbon transport path 29: unwound from the ribbon supply unit 21, or pulled out by the ribbon winding unit 22.

[0096] In this embodiment, the ribbon reading unit 26 and the media reading unit 27 are each equipped with CIS261 and 271 (see Figure 3), where CIS261 and 271 are so-called reflective optical sensors. However, the ribbon reading unit 26 and the media reading unit 27 are not limited to this, and may be equipped with so-called transmissive optical sensors. In this case, the ribbon reading unit 26 and the media reading unit 27 do not include a reflective member 262 and a reference member 272.

[0097] In this embodiment, the ribbon reading data was a collection of data indicating the amount of light incident on each PD26. However, it is not limited to this; if the ribbon reading unit 26 is equipped with an image processing IC, this image processing IC may generate image data showing an inverted image based on the data from each PD26 and transmit it to the controller 36 as ribbon reading data. The same applies to media reading data.

[0098] In the image recording process of the embodiment (Figures 6 and 7), if a frame area exists, frame data is stored in RAM by S108 to S110, and dirt data is stored in RAM by S111 and S112. However, it is also acceptable for only one of S108 to S110 or S111 and S112 to be executed.

[0099] In this embodiment, CIS261 was equipped with multiple LEDs 263 as a light source. However, the light source is not limited to this, and may consist of a halogen lamp extending in the left-right direction 9. Alternatively, the light source may consist of at least one LED and a light guide extending in the left-right direction 9. The same applies to CIS271.

[0100] In this embodiment, the media roll 231 was a die-cut label. However, it is not limited to this, and the media roll 231 may have a continuous sheet of paper instead of multiple labels 234. The media roll 231 may be coreless, that is, it does not have a core tube 232. The media roll 231 may be continuous paper such as that used for receipts.

[0101] In this embodiment, the printer 100 recorded images on a media roll 231. However, it is not limited to this, and the printer 100 may also record images on phonefold paper.

[0102] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3(B), the CIS 271 was located directly above the media reading area P23, and the reference member 272 was located directly below the media reading area P23. However, the configuration is not limited to this; as shown in Figure 10, the CIS 271 may be located directly below the media reading area P23, and the reference member 272 may be located directly above the media reading area P23. In this case, the CIS 271 does not come into contact with the ink layer 215 of the ink ribbon 212, and therefore does not get contaminated with ink.

[0103] In this embodiment, the ink ribbon 212 and the medium 230 were transported synchronously in S105. However, the ink ribbon 212 may be transported only while the ink is transferred to the label 224 in S114. In this case, based on the medium encoder amount and the ribbon encoder amount, the controller 36 needs to store the medium read data read from one label 234 in RAM, and the ribbon read data corresponding to one label 234, which reads one inverted image, in RAM.

[0104] In this embodiment, the medium 230 was transported at a constant speed in S105. Specifically, the printer 100 transported the medium 230 at a constant speed while performing continuous printing on multiple labels 234 in S113. However, the controller 36 is not limited to this, and may intermittently repeat transporting the medium 230 in the medium transport direction 301 (i.e., "forward transport") and transporting it in the opposite direction of the medium transport direction 301 (i.e., "reverse transport"). In this case, the controller 36 may, for example, print on multiple labels 234 one by one in sequence. "Transportation" in S105 includes such intermittent transport that repeats forward and reverse transport. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 100... Printer (image recording device) 1. Cabinet 121...Discharge port 21. Ribbon Supply Department (1st Supply Department) 211... Ribbon Roll 212... Ink Ribbon 214...Base layer (substrate) 215... Ink layer 22. Ribbon winding section (first winding section) 23. Media Supply Department (Transportation Department) 231... Media Roll 233... Cardboard (base material) 234... Label (transfer material) 236...frame 24. Platen roller (platen, conveying section) 25...Thermal head 26. Ribbon reading unit (first reading unit) 27. Media reading unit (second reading unit) 261,271...CIS (Light-emitting and light-receiving elements) 262... Reflective material 272...Standard component 29. Ribbon transport path (first transport path) 30... Media transport path (second transport path) 301... Suitable for media transport (second direction) 36. Controller P21...Opposing area (opposing position) P22... Ribbon reading area (first reading position) P23... Media reading area (second reading position)

Claims

1. The casing and The thermal head located inside the above-mentioned housing, A first supply unit located within the above-mentioned housing supplies an ink ribbon having a heat-meltable ink layer to the thermal head, Located within the above-mentioned housing is a first winding unit for winding the ink ribbon, A transport unit that transports the medium to the thermal head, A platen located within the above-mentioned housing, which is positioned opposite the thermal head and sandwiches the ink ribbon and media between itself and the thermal head, A first reading unit located within the above-mentioned housing optically reads the ink ribbon at a first reading position downstream from the above-mentioned opposing position in the first direction in which the ink ribbon is transported, A second reading unit optically reads the medium at a second reading position upstream of the above-mentioned opposing position in the second direction in which the medium is transported, Equipped with a controller, The controller is an image recording device that determines the positional relationship between a first image formed by ink transferred from an ink ribbon to a medium at the opposing position and a second image pre-recorded on the medium, based on first reading data indicating the result read by the first reading unit and second reading data indicating the result read by the second reading unit.

2. Housing and The thermal head located inside the above-mentioned housing, A first supply unit located within the above-mentioned housing supplies an ink ribbon having a heat-meltable ink layer to the thermal head, Located within the above-mentioned housing is a first winding unit for winding the ink ribbon, A transport unit that transports the medium to the thermal head, A platen located within the above-mentioned housing, which is positioned opposite the thermal head and sandwiches the ink ribbon and media between itself and the thermal head, A first reading unit located within the above-mentioned housing optically reads the ink ribbon at a first reading position downstream from the above-mentioned opposing position in the first direction in which the ink ribbon is transported, A second reading unit optically reads the medium at a second reading position upstream of the above-mentioned opposing position in the second direction in which the medium is transported, Equipped with a controller, The above controller is Based on the second reading data, which shows the result of the second reading unit reading the medium, the state of the image recorded on the medium is determined. An image recording device that determines the positional relationship between a first image formed by ink transferred from an ink ribbon to a medium at the opposing position and a second image pre-recorded on the medium, based on first reading data indicating the result read by the first reading unit and second reading data indicating the result read by the second reading unit.

3. The above ink ribbon further comprises a substrate that supports the above ink layer and is translucent, The above-mentioned first reading unit is, A light-emitting element and a light-receiving element facing the substrate of the ink ribbon at the first reading position described above, The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reflective member facing the ink layer of the ink ribbon at the first reading position described above.

4. The image recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller determines the state of the medium based on the reading data indicating the result of the second reading unit reading the medium.

5. In the above enclosure, the ink ribbon is transported along the first transport path. In the above enclosure, the medium is transported along the second transport path. The above-mentioned second reading unit is, A light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are located on the side opposite to the side on which the first supply unit and the first transport path are located relative to the second transport path. The image recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflective member located on one side of the second transport path.

6. The above housing has an outlet, The transport unit discharges the medium from the discharge port to the outside of the housing as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a second winding unit located within the above-mentioned housing and winding the medium downstream from the above-mentioned opposing position in the second direction in which the medium is transported.

8. The above transport unit transports a long medium having a base material and a plurality of transfer materials arranged in the longitudinal direction of the medium on the base material. A separation member that separates the material to be transferred from the base material at a separation position downstream of the above-mentioned opposing position in the second direction in which the medium is transported, The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a second winding unit located within the above-mentioned housing and winding the substrate downstream of the above-mentioned separation position in the second direction.

9. Housing and The thermal head located inside the above-mentioned housing, A first supply unit located within the above-mentioned housing supplies an ink ribbon having a heat-meltable ink layer to the thermal head, Located within the above-mentioned housing is a first winding unit for winding the ink ribbon, A transport unit that transports the medium to the thermal head, A platen located within the above-mentioned housing, which is positioned opposite the thermal head and sandwiches the ink ribbon and media between itself and the thermal head, The enclosure includes a first reading unit located within the above-mentioned housing, which optically reads the ink ribbon at a first reading position downstream from the above-mentioned opposing position in the first direction in which the ink ribbon is transported. The above transport unit transports a long medium having a base material and a plurality of transfer materials arranged in the longitudinal direction of the medium on the base material. A separation member that separates the material to be transferred from the base material at a separation position downstream of the above-mentioned opposing position in the second direction in which the medium is transported, An image recording device further comprising a second winding section located within the above-mentioned housing and winding the substrate downstream of the above-mentioned separation position in the second direction.

10. The ink ribbon further comprises a substrate that supports the ink layer and is translucent, The above-mentioned first reading unit is, A light-emitting element and a light-receiving element facing the substrate of the ink ribbon at the first reading position described above, The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a reflective member facing the ink layer of the ink ribbon at the first reading position described above.

11. The image recording apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a second reading unit that optically reads the medium at a second reading position upstream of the opposing position in a second direction in which the medium is transported.

12. Further comprising a controller, The image recording device according to claim 11, wherein the controller determines the state of the medium based on the reading data indicating the result of the second reading unit reading the medium.

13. A thermal head selectively transfers ink from an ink ribbon having a heat-meltable ink layer to a medium. The ink ribbon after transfer is optically read by the first reading unit to generate the first reading data. The second reading unit optically reads the medium before transfer to generate second reading data. Based on the above first read data, the state of the image recorded on the medium is determined. An image determination method for determining the positional relationship between a first image formed by ink transferred to a medium by the thermal head and a second image pre-recorded on the medium, based on the first and second read data described above.

14. A thermal head selectively transfers ink from an ink ribbon having a heat-meltable ink layer to a medium, The ink ribbon after transfer is optically read by the first reading unit to generate the first reading data. The second reading unit optically reads the medium before transfer to generate second reading data. Based on the above first read data, the state of the image recorded on the medium is determined. Based on the second reading data described above, the state of the medium is determined. An image determination method for determining the positional relationship between a first image formed by ink transferred to a medium by the thermal head and a second image pre-recorded on the medium, based on the first and second read data described above.

Images