CN111683817B - Ink ribbon color judging device, printing device, ink ribbon color judging method - Google Patents
Ink ribbon color judging device, printing device, ink ribbon color judging method Download PDFInfo
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- CN111683817B CN111683817B CN201980012114.9A CN201980012114A CN111683817B CN 111683817 B CN111683817 B CN 111683817B CN 201980012114 A CN201980012114 A CN 201980012114A CN 111683817 B CN111683817 B CN 111683817B
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J17/00—Mechanisms for manipulating page-width impression-transfer material, e.g. carbon paper
- B41J17/32—Detachable carriers or holders for impression-transfer material mechanism
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J17/00—Mechanisms for manipulating page-width impression-transfer material, e.g. carbon paper
- B41J17/36—Alarms, indicators, or feed-disabling devices responsible to material breakage or exhaustion
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
- B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
- B41J2/325—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J35/00—Other apparatus or arrangements associated with, or incorporated in, ink-ribbon mechanisms
- B41J35/16—Multicolour arrangements
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
- G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
- G01J3/46—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters
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- Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Impression-Transfer Materials And Handling Thereof (AREA)
- Electronic Switches (AREA)
- Spectrometry And Color Measurement (AREA)
- Thermal Transfer Or Thermal Recording In General (AREA)
Abstract
本发明提供高精度判定墨带颜色的墨带颜色判定装置及方法和具备颜色判定装置的印刷装置。颜色判定装置控制部(1)控制发光元件(30)发光输出，接收透过墨带(61)的叠印层(OP)的来自发光元件(30)光的受光元件(31R)(31G)(31B)中任一特定受光元件输出信号达到规定值，特定受光元件输出信号达到规定值时，求出并存储特定受光元件输出信号和特定受光元件以外的受光元件输出信号之比。控制部(1)基于该比修正对接收从发光元件(30)发出并透过墨带(61)的光的受光元件(31R)(31G)(31B)各自输出信号的特定受光元件外的受光元件输出信号，基于修正后的输出信号和特定受光元件输出信号判定墨带颜色。
The present invention provides an ink ribbon color judging device and method for judging the color of an ink ribbon with high accuracy, and a printing device provided with the color judging device. The control unit (1) of the color determination device controls the light-emitting output of the light-emitting element (30), and the light-receiving elements (31R) (31G) (31B) receive the light from the light-emitting element (30) transmitted through the overprint layer (OP) of the ink ribbon (61). ), the output signal of the specific light-receiving element reaches a predetermined value, and when the output signal of the specific light-receiving element reaches the predetermined value, the ratio of the output signal of the specific light-receiving element to the output signal of the light-receiving element other than the specific light-receiving element is obtained and stored. The control unit (1) corrects the light reception outside the specific light receiving element for the respective output signals of the light receiving elements (31R) (31G) (31B) that receive the light emitted from the light emitting element (30) and transmitted through the ink ribbon (61) based on the ratio The element output signal is used to determine the color of the ink ribbon based on the corrected output signal and the output signal of the specific light-receiving element.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints by transferring ink applied to an ink ribbon onto a printing medium, an ink ribbon color determination apparatus used in the printing apparatus, and an ink ribbon color determination method.
Background
A thermal transfer type printing apparatus is known in which an ink ribbon is heated by a thermal head to transfer ink applied to the ink ribbon to a printing medium and perform printing (for example, see patent document 1). The printing apparatus described in patent document 1 is provided with a color determination unit that determines the color of the ink ribbon. The color determination unit includes a light emitting element that emits red light, a light emitting element that emits green light, a light emitting element that emits blue light, at least one light receiving element that receives light emitted from the three light emitting elements via the ink ribbon, and a detection unit that detects the color and the colorless and transparent portion of the ink ribbon based on an output signal of the light receiving element. The detection unit compares the output signal of the light receiving element with color reference data measured and stored in advance, and detects the color of the ink ribbon based on the comparison result.
Documents of the prior art
Patent document
Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2002-002045
Disclosure of Invention
Technical problem to be solved by the invention
For example, a configuration in which a plurality of light receiving elements for the color determination section are present is assumed. In this configuration, if the usage environment of the printing apparatus, the characteristics of the ink ribbon used, or the optical path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element changes, the output of the plurality of light receiving elements may vary. If such a deviation exists, there is a possibility that the color of the ink ribbon is erroneously detected.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ink ribbon color determination device and method capable of determining the color of an ink ribbon with high accuracy, and a printing apparatus provided with the color determination device.
Technical scheme for solving technical problem
An ink ribbon color determination device according to the present invention includes: a light emitting element; a plurality of light receiving elements that receive light of a plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting element and transmitted through the ink ribbon, respectively; a color determination section that determines a color of the ink ribbon based on output signals of the plurality of light receiving elements, respectively; a light emission control unit that controls a light emission output of the light emitting element so that an output signal of a specific light receiving element that is any one of the plurality of light receiving elements that receive light from the light emitting element that has passed through a transparent layer that can pass light in the plurality of wavelength ranges in the ink ribbon reaches a predetermined value before the determination by the color determination unit; and a calculation unit that obtains and stores a ratio between an output signal of the specific light receiving element and output signals of the light receiving elements other than the specific light receiving element in a state where the output signal of the specific light receiving element reaches the predetermined value, wherein the color determination unit corrects the output signal of the light receiving elements other than the specific light receiving element among the plurality of light receiving elements based on the ratio, and determines the color of the ink ribbon based on the corrected output signal and the output signal of the specific light receiving element.
The printing device of the present invention comprises: the ink ribbon color determination device; a main body portion to which the ink ribbon is detachably attached; and a thermal head provided to the main body portion.
An ink ribbon color determination method according to the present invention includes: a color determination step of determining a color of an ink ribbon based on respective output signals of a plurality of light receiving elements that respectively receive light emitted from a light emitting element and transmitted through a plurality of wavelength ranges of the ink ribbon; a light emission control step of controlling, before the color determination step, a light emission output of the light emitting element so that an output signal of a specific light receiving element that is any one of the plurality of light receiving elements that receive light from the light emitting element that has passed through a transparent layer that is capable of passing light in the plurality of wavelength ranges in the ink ribbon reaches a predetermined value; and a calculation step of obtaining and storing a ratio between an output signal of the specific light receiving element and output signals of the light receiving elements other than the specific light receiving element in a state where the output signal of the specific light receiving element reaches the predetermined value, wherein in the color determination step, the output signal of the light receiving elements other than the specific light receiving element among the plurality of light receiving elements is corrected based on the ratio, and the color of the ink ribbon is determined based on the corrected output signal and the output signal of the specific light receiving element.
Effects of the invention
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ink ribbon color determination device and method capable of determining the color of an ink ribbon with high accuracy, and a printing apparatus provided with the color determination device.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a thermal transfer printer 100 as an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the thermal transfer printer 100 shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of an ink ribbon 61 accommodated in the ink cartridge 60 shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a detailed structure of the light-emitting/receiving unit 3 shown in fig. 1 and 2.
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the control unit 1 shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the correction mode performed by the control unit 1 shown in fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the print mode performed by the control unit 1 shown in fig. 5.
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of the light-emitting/receiving unit 3 in the thermal transfer printer 100 shown in fig. 1.
Detailed Description
(schematic configuration of printing apparatus)
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a thermal transfer printer 100 as an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. The thermal transfer printer 100 includes a main body 10 and an ink cartridge 60 that houses an ink ribbon 61 and is detachably provided in the main body 10.
The main body 10 includes: a control unit 1 that collectively controls the whole, an ink ribbon drive mechanism 2 that performs unwinding and winding of an ink ribbon 61, a light-emitting/receiving unit 3 that determines the color of the ink ribbon 61, a card conveyance mechanism 4 that conveys a printing medium such as a plastic card 40 (see fig. 2), and a thermal head 5 that transfers an ink layer of the ink ribbon 61 to the plastic card 40.
The control unit 1 includes various processors that execute programs and perform processing, a RAM (random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The various processors include a CPU (Central processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or other special-purpose circuits having a Circuit configuration specifically designed to execute a Specific process, such as a Programmable Logic Device (PLD) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which are general-purpose processors that execute programs and perform various processes, and which can change the Circuit configuration after manufacture. More specifically, these various processors have a circuit structure in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined. The control unit 1 may be constituted by one of various processors, or may be constituted by a combination of two or more processors of the same kind or different kinds (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA).
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the thermal transfer printer 100 shown in fig. 1. The thermal transfer printer 100 includes two conveyance rollers 41, a pinch roller 42 disposed to face each of the two conveyance rollers 41, and a platen roller 43 disposed to face the thermal head 5 positioned between the two pinch rollers 42 as the card conveyance mechanism 4 shown in fig. 1. The conveying roller 41 is driven by the control of the control unit 1 shown in fig. 1.
The thermal transfer printer 100 includes, as the ink ribbon drive mechanism 2 shown in fig. 1, a unwinding roller 21 for driving a unwinding reel 63 included in an ink cartridge 60 attached to the main body 10, and a winding roller 22 for driving a winding reel 64 included in the ink cartridge 60 attached to the main body 10. As shown in fig. 2, in a state where the ink cartridge 60 is attached to the main body portion 10, the ink ribbon 61 is disposed between the thermal head 5 and the platen roller 43. The unwinding roller 21 and the winding roller 22 are driven by the control of the control section 1 shown in fig. 1.
As shown in fig. 2, the light-emitting/receiving unit 3 of the main body portion 10 is disposed opposite to the surface of the ink ribbon 61 opposite to the surface of the thermal head 5 side in the middle of the route through which the ink ribbon 61 passes from the unwinding reel 63 side of the ink ribbon 61 toward the thermal head 5. A prism 62 described later is disposed at a position facing the light receiving unit 3 through the ink ribbon 61. The prism 62 is built in the ink cartridge 60.
(Structure of ink ribbon)
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of an ink ribbon 61 accommodated in the ink cartridge 60 shown in fig. 1. In the example of fig. 3, the ink ribbon 61 includes a superimposed layer OP for protecting the photosensitive surface, in addition to a yellow ink layer Y, a magenta ink layer M, a cyan ink layer C, and a black ink layer (black layer) K, and these five layers are repeatedly arranged in the longitudinal direction. In the ink ribbon 61, the left side in fig. 3 is the take-up reel 64 side, and the right side in fig. 3 is the unwinding reel 63 side.
The overprint layer OP is a layer that can transmit light in the red (R) wavelength range (first wavelength range) (hereinafter, referred to as R light), light in the green (G) wavelength range (second wavelength range) (hereinafter, referred to as G light), and light in the blue (B) wavelength range (third wavelength range) (hereinafter, referred to as B light), and is a layer that is transparent to light in the visible range. That is, the superimposed layer OP is counted as one color that is colorless and transparent, and the ink ribbon 61 is constituted by ink layers of five colors in total. The overprint layer OP constitutes a transparent layer.
(Structure of light-emitting receiving Unit)
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a detailed structure of the light-emitting/receiving unit 3 shown in fig. 1 and 2. As shown in fig. 4, the light-emitting/receiving unit 3 includes a light-emitting element 30, a driver 30d for driving the light-emitting element 30, a light-receiving element 31R, a light-receiving element 31G, a light-receiving element 31B, AD converter 32R, AD G, and an AD converter 32B. Further, in order to detect the boundaries of the five-color ink layers of the ink ribbon 61 shown in fig. 3, two light-emitting and receiving units 3 are provided along the conveyance direction of the ink ribbon 6.
The Light Emitting element 30 emits Light including R Light, G Light, and B Light, specifically white Light, and is composed of a semiconductor Light Emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode). The driver 30d of the light emitting element 30 drives the light emitting element 30 according to the instruction of the control section 1 shown in fig. 1. The light emitting element 30 adjusts the light emission direction so that the emitted white light is incident on the prism 62 through the ink ribbon 61.
The prism 62 provided in the ink cartridge 60 is an optical member for allowing light emitted from the light emitting element 30 and transmitted through the ink ribbon 61 to enter the light receiving elements 31R, 31G, and 31B through the ink ribbon 61. In addition, a mirror may be used instead of the prism 62.
The light receiving element 31R has sensitivity to R light, and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of received R light. The light receiving element 31R is formed of, for example, a photodiode sensitive to R light, a photodiode sensitive to a visible region, a component in which a color filter that transmits R light is combined, or the like. The output signal of the light receiving element 31R is digitally converted by the AD converter 32R and input to the control unit 1.
The light receiving element 31G has sensitivity to G light and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of light of the received G light. The light receiving element 31G is composed of, for example, a photodiode sensitive to G light, a photodiode sensitive to a visible region, and a color filter transmitting G light. The output signal of the light receiving element 31G is digitally converted by the AD converter 32G and input to the control unit 1.
The light receiving element 31B has sensitivity to B light, and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of received B light. The light receiving element 31B is composed of, for example, a photodiode sensitive to B light, a photodiode sensitive to a visible region, and a color filter transmitting B light. The output signal of the light receiving element 31B is digitally converted by the AD converter 32B and input to the control unit 1.
The white light emitted from the light emitting element 30 passes through the ink ribbon 61, enters the prism 62, is reflected thereon, returns to the ink ribbon 61, passes through the ink ribbon 61, and enters the light receiving elements 31R, 31G, and 31B. In this way, the light-emitting/receiving unit 3 is configured such that, in a state where the ink cartridge 60 is attached to the main body 10, white light emitted from the light-emitting element 30 passes through the ink ribbon 61 twice and then enters the light-receiving elements 31R, 31G, and 31B.
Even if the kind of the ink layer through which light passes is the same, the levels of the output signals output from the light receiving elements 31R, 31G, and 31B in the state where a predetermined amount of light is emitted from the light emitting element 30 are not constant due to individual differences of the prisms 62 in the ink cartridge 60, tolerances of the mounting positions, or individual differences and kinds of the ink ribbon 61. Therefore, the thermal transfer printer 100 is equipped with a print mode for printing by transferring the ink layer of the ink ribbon 61 to the plastic card 40 by the thermal head 5, and a correction mode for adjusting the output of the light receiving elements 31R, 31G, and 31B. The thermal transfer printer 100 enters the print mode after being calibrated in the calibration mode. This correction is performed, for example, when the ink cartridge 60 is replaced or when an initialization operation is performed.
(function block of control section)
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the control unit 1 shown in fig. 1. The control unit 1 functions as a light emission control unit 11, an arithmetic unit 12, a color determination unit 13, and a drive unit 14 in cooperation with each unit by executing a program stored in the ROM by a processor. The ink ribbon color determination device is configured by the control unit 1 and the light receiving unit 3, which function as the light emission control unit 11, the arithmetic unit 12, the color determination unit 13, and the drive unit 14.
In both the print mode and the correction mode, the light emission control section 11 controls the light emission of the light emitting element 30.
The color determination unit 13 is a function effective in the print mode, and determines the color of the ink ribbon 61 (the type of the ink layer located above the light-emitting/receiving unit 3) based on the output signals of the light-receiving element 31R, the light-receiving element 31G, and the light-receiving element 31B in the state where light is emitted from the light-emitting element 30 (the values obtained by digital conversion performed by the AD converter 32R, AD converter 32G and the AD converter 32B, the same applies hereinafter) under the control of the light-emission control unit 11.
The driving unit 14 is a function effective in the calibration mode, and determines whether or not the layer of the ink ribbon 61 on the light-emitting-and-receiving unit 3 located on the reel 63 side is the black ink layer K based on the output signals of the light-receiving element 31R, the light-receiving element 31G, and the light-receiving element 31B obtained in the state where light is emitted from the light-emitting element 30 by the control of the light-emission control unit 11. The drive unit 14 determines that the ink ribbon 61 is sent out after determining the black ink layer K until determining that the layer of the ink ribbon 61 located above the light-emitting and receiving unit 3 on the reel 63 side is not the black ink layer K. Then, the driving unit 14 stops the ribbon driving mechanism 2 in a state in which a predetermined amount of the ink ribbon 61 is sent at a timing when it is determined that the layer of the ink ribbon 61 located above the light-emitting and receiving unit 3 is not the black ink layer K. By such processing, the overprint layer OP moves over the two light-emitting-receiving units 3.
Under the control of the driving unit 14, the light emission control unit 11 controls the light emission output of the light emitting element 30 so that the output signal of a specific light receiving element, which is any one of the light receiving element 31R, the light receiving element 31G, and the light receiving element 31B that receives the light from the light emitting element 30 transmitted through the superimposed layer OP, reaches a predetermined value in a state where the superimposed layer OP is disposed above the light emitting and receiving cell 3.
The arithmetic unit 12 is a function effective in the calibration mode, and when the output signal of the specific light receiving element reaches the predetermined value, the arithmetic unit calculates the ratio between the output signal of the specific light receiving element and the output signals of the two light receiving elements other than the specific light receiving element, and stores the ratio in the ROM.
(explanation of operation in calibration mode)
Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the correction mode performed by the control unit 1 shown in fig. 5. First, the light emission control unit 11 instructs the driver 30d to emit light from the light emitting element 30 (step S11). The light emission output of the light emitting element 30 at this time is set to a predetermined first light emission output. In the processing of step S11, the light emitted from the light emitting element 30 passes through the ink ribbon 61 twice, enters the light receiving element 31R, the light receiving element 31G, and the light receiving element 31B, and the output signals from the light receiving element 31R, the light receiving element 31G, and the light receiving element 31B are input to the control unit 1.
Next, the driving unit 14 acquires output signals from the light receiving element 31R, the light receiving element 31G, and the light receiving element 31B (step S12), and determines whether or not the black ink layer K is positioned above the light receiving and emitting unit 3 based on these three output signals (step S13).
In a state where the black ink layer K is above the light receiving unit 3, light from the light emitting element 30 is hardly incident on each of the light receiving element 31R, the light receiving element 31G, and the light receiving element 31B. Therefore, for example, the driving unit 14 determines whether or not the output signals of the light receiving element 31R, the light receiving element 31G, and the light receiving element 31B are equal to or less than a predetermined minimum threshold value, and determines that the ink layer K is a black ink layer when the output signals are equal to or less than the threshold value.
The process of step S13 is executed without adjusting the outputs of the light-receiving elements 31R, 31G, and 31B. However, this determination can be sufficiently made for the black ink layer K in which the output of the light receiving element is very small even in a state where output adjustment is not performed.
If it is determined in step S13 that the ink sheet is not the black ink layer K (no in step S13), the drive unit 14 controls the ink ribbon drive mechanism 2 to send the ink ribbon 61 (step S14). After that, the process returns to step S11. If it is determined in step S13 that the ink layer K is the black ink layer K (step S13: yes), the driving unit 14 controls the ink ribbon driving mechanism 2 to send the ink ribbon 61 to the position determined not to be the black ink layer K as described above, and obtains a state in which the superimposed layer OP is positioned above the light-emitting and receiving unit 3 (step S15). In step S15, after the drive unit 14 sends the ink ribbon 61 to a position where it is determined that the ink ribbon is not the black ink layer K, the ink ribbon 61 is sent until the superimposed layer OP is positioned above the two light-emitting/receiving units 3.
After step S15, light emission controller 11 instructs driver 30d to emit light from light emitting element 30 (step S16). The light emission output of the light emitting element 30 at this time is set to, for example, the first light emission output described above. Next, the light emission control unit 11 acquires an output signal of the light receiving element 31R (hereinafter, referred to as a signal Sr), an output signal of the light receiving element 31G (hereinafter, referred to as a signal Sg), and an output signal of the light receiving element 31B (hereinafter, referred to as a signal Sb).
When the determination at step S18 is yes, arithmetic unit 12 sets signal Sb, which is the largest signal among signals Sr, Sg, and Sb, as a reference value, and obtains ratio BRr of signal Sr to the reference value by equation (1) below. The computing unit 12 obtains a ratio BGr of the signal Sg to the reference value by the following equation (2). The arithmetic unit 12 stores these ratios BRr and BGr in the ROM (step S20). By the above operation, the correction mode is ended.
Ratio BRr Sr/Sb (1)
Ratio BGr Sg/Sb (2)
(instruction of operation in printing mode)
Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the print mode performed by the control unit 1 shown in fig. 5. First, when the determination of step S18 in fig. 6 is yes, light emission control unit 11 emits light from light emitting element 30 with a light emission output to driver 30d (step S21).
Next, the color determination unit 13 acquires the output signal (signal Sr) of the light-receiving element 31R, the output signal (signal Sg) of the light-receiving element 31G, and the output signal (signal Sb) of the light-receiving element 31B (step S22). Then, the color determination section 13 corrects the acquired signal Sr, for example, according to the following equation (3) based on the ratio BRr stored in the ROM in the correction mode. The color determination unit 13 corrects the acquired signal Sg according to, for example, the following equation (4) based on the ratio BGr stored in the ROM in the correction mode (step S23).
Corrected signal Sr ═ signal Sr × (1/BRr) (3)
Corrected signal Sg ═ signal Sg × (1/BGr) (4)
Next, the color determination section 13 determines whether or not the corrected signal Sr is 0.5 times or more the reference value Bref corresponding to the light receiving element 31B, the corrected signal Sg is 0.5 times or more the reference value Bref, and the signal Sb is 0.5 times or more the reference value Bref (step S24). 0.5 times the reference value Bref constitutes a threshold value.
The reference value Bref is set to the value of the signal Sb when the determination in step S18 of the correction mode is yes.
If the determination at step S24 is yes, the color determination section 13 determines that the type of the ink layer located above the light-emitting-receiving unit 3 is the overprint layer OP (step S25). On the other hand, when the determination at step S24 is no, the color determination unit 13 determines whether the corrected signal Sr is 0.1 times or less the reference value Bref, whether the corrected signal Sg is 0.1 times or less the reference value Bref, and whether the signal Sb is 0.1 times or less the reference value Bref (step S26). 0.1 times the reference value Bref constitutes a threshold value.
If the determination at step S26 is yes, the color determination unit 13 determines that the type of the ink layer located above the light-emitting and receiving unit 3 is the black ink layer K (step S27). On the other hand, when the determination at step S26 is no, the color determination unit 13 determines whether or not the signal Sb is the minimum among the corrected signal Sr, the corrected signal Sg, and the signal Sb (step S28).
When the color determination unit 13 determines that the signal Sb is the minimum (yes in step S28), it determines that the type of the ink layer located above the light-emitting/receiving unit 3 is the yellow ink layer Y (step S29). On the other hand, when determining that the signal Sb is not the minimum (no in step S28), the color determination unit 13 determines whether or not the signal Sr after the correction, the signal Sg after the correction, and the signal Sg in the signal Sb are the minimum (step S30).
When determining that the signal Sg is the minimum (yes in step S30), the color determination unit 13 determines that the type of the ink layer located above the light-emitting and receiving unit 3 is the magenta ink layer M (step S31). On the other hand, when the color determination unit 13 determines that the signal Sg is not the minimum (no in step S30), it determines that the type of the ink layer located above the light-emitting and receiving unit 3 is the cyan ink layer C (step S32).
(Effect of the thermal transfer Printer of the embodiment)
As described above, according to the thermal transfer printer 100, in the correction mode, the ratio BRr and the ratio BGr are stored in the ROM, and when the color determination unit 13 performs the color determination, the output signal of the light-receiving element 31R is corrected by the ratio BRr, the output signal of the light-receiving element 31G is corrected by the ratio BGr, and the color determination is performed based on the corrected signals. Therefore, even when the output characteristics of the light receiving elements 31R, 31G, and 31B vary due to individual differences or mounting tolerances of the prisms 62 included in the ink cartridges 60, individual differences or types of the ink ribbons 61, or the air temperature in the place where the thermal transfer printer 100 is used, it is possible to accurately determine the color of the ink ribbons 61 while compensating for the variations.
The thermal transfer printer 100 is configured such that light emitted from the light emitting element 30 passes through the ink ribbon 61 twice and reaches the light receiving element. Therefore, variations in the output characteristics of the light receiving element due to variations in the path of the light, individual differences in the ink ribbon 61, and the like are likely to occur. Therefore, the above-described signal correction is particularly effective. Further, since the prism 62 or the mirror is built in the ink cartridge 60, if the ink cartridge 60 is replaced, the output characteristics of the light receiving element are likely to change. Therefore, the above-described signal correction is particularly effective.
In addition, according to the thermal transfer printer 100, in the calibration mode, the superimposed layer OP can be automatically and accurately moved to above the light-emitting-and-receiving unit 3. Therefore, the correction processing can be performed with high accuracy. Further, since the movement is performed automatically, for example, it is not necessary for a person to manually perform an operation such as starting correction processing after the ink ribbon 61 is sent, and convenience can be improved.
As shown in fig. 7, according to the thermal transfer printer 100, the superimposed layer OP and the black ink layer K are determined by comparing the corrected signals Sr and Sg and the signal Sb with the threshold value, and when neither the superimposed layer OP nor the black ink layer K is present, the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, and the cyan ink layer C can be determined only by determining the magnitude relationship between the corrected signals Sr and Sg and the signal Sb. Therefore, the processing load of the control unit 1 required for color determination can be reduced.
(modification example)
As shown in fig. 8, the light-emitting/receiving unit 3 may be configured such that the light-receiving elements 31R, 31G, and 31B are disposed on one surface side of the ink ribbon 61 and the light-emitting element 30 is disposed on the other surface side of the ink ribbon 61. Even with this configuration, the output characteristics of the light receiving elements 31R, 31G, and 31B may change due to individual differences or differences in the type of the ink ribbon 61, and therefore, the above-described signal correction is effective. Further, although the thermal transfer printer 100 described so far has a configuration including three light receiving elements, the color of the ink ribbon 61 may be determined using two, four, or more light receiving elements depending on the number of colors included in the ink ribbon 61.
In the above description, the driving unit 14 automatically moves the superimposed layer OP above the light-emitting/receiving unit 3, but this operation may be manually performed.
As described above, the following matters are disclosed in the present specification:
(1)
the ink ribbon color determination device includes: a light emitting element; a plurality of light receiving elements that receive light of a plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting element and transmitted through the ink ribbon, respectively; a color determination unit that determines a color of the ink ribbon based on output signals of the plurality of light receiving elements; a light emission control unit that controls a light emission output of the light emitting element before the determination by the color determination unit so that an output signal of a specific light receiving element that is any one of the plurality of light receiving elements that receives light from the light emitting element that has passed through a transparent layer that can pass light in the plurality of wavelength ranges in the ink ribbon reaches a predetermined value; and a calculation unit that obtains and stores a ratio between an output signal of the specific light receiving element and output signals of the light receiving elements other than the specific light receiving element in a state where the output signal of the specific light receiving element reaches the predetermined value, wherein the color determination unit corrects the output signal of the light receiving element other than the specific light receiving element among the plurality of light receiving elements based on the ratio, and determines the color of the ink ribbon based on the corrected output signal and the output signal of the specific light receiving element.
According to the configuration of (1), the output signals of the light receiving elements other than the specific light receiving element are corrected by the ratio obtained by the calculation unit, and the color of the ink ribbon is determined based on the corrected output signals. Therefore, the color of the ink ribbon can be determined with high accuracy without being affected by the apparatus configuration of the printing apparatus or the use environment.
(2)
In the ink ribbon color determination device described in (1), the plurality of light receiving elements receive light that is emitted from the light emitting element and that passes through the ink ribbon twice.
Since the output characteristics of the light receiving element are likely to change depending on the difference in ink ribbon, the effect of improving the color determination accuracy is particularly significant with the configuration of (2).
(3)
In the ink ribbon color determination device described in (2), the light emitting element and the plurality of light receiving elements are disposed on one surface side of the ink ribbon, and an optical member that reflects light emitted from the light emitting element and transmitted through the ink ribbon to the other surface side of the ink ribbon is disposed on the other surface side of the ink ribbon.
Since the output characteristics of the light receiving element are likely to change depending on the difference in ink ribbon or optical member, the effect of improving the color determination accuracy is particularly remarkable with the configuration of (3). Further, since the light emitting element and the light receiving element are disposed on one surface side of the ink ribbon, the apparatus can be simply configured, and handling of the ink ribbon (cartridge) becomes easy.
(4)
In the ink ribbon color determination device described in (3), the optical component is incorporated in a cartridge that houses the ink ribbon.
Since the output characteristics of the light receiving element are likely to vary from one cell to another, the effect of improving the color determination accuracy is particularly significant according to the configuration of (4).
(5)
The ink ribbon color determination device described in any one of (1) to (4) includes a drive unit that determines a black layer included in the ink ribbon based on an output signal of each of the plurality of light receiving elements obtained in a state where light is emitted from the light emitting element, transmits the ink ribbon until it is determined that the ink ribbon is not the black layer after it is determined that the black layer is determined, and moves the transparent layer to a position where light from the light emitting element can enter.
According to the configuration of (5), since the transparent layer can be automatically and accurately moved to a position where light from the light emitting element can be incident, the correction accuracy of the output signal can be improved. Further, even when the printing apparatus is used, correction can be performed at any timing.
(6)
In the ink ribbon color determination device described in any one of (1) to (5), the color determination unit determines whether the layer of the ink ribbon that transmits the light from the light emitting element is the transparent layer or the black layer by comparing the output signal after the correction and the output signal of the specific light receiving element with a threshold value, and determines the color of the layer of the ink ribbon based on a magnitude relationship between the output signal after the correction and the output signal of the specific light receiving element when the layer is neither the transparent layer nor the black layer.
According to the configuration of (6), in the case where the layer is not the transparent layer nor the black layer, the color of the ink ribbon layer is determined based on the magnitude relationship between the corrected output signal and the output signal of the specific light receiving element, so that the amount of calculation required for color determination can be reduced. In addition, the device is not easily affected by the structure of the device, the environment in which the device is used, and the like.
(7)
The printing device is provided with: (1) the ink ribbon color determination device according to any one of (1) to (6); a main body portion to which the ink ribbon is detachably attached; and a thermal head provided to the main body portion.
According to the configuration of (7), since the color of the ink ribbon can be determined with high accuracy, the print quality can be improved.
(8)
The ink ribbon color determination method includes: a color determination step of determining a color of an ink ribbon based on respective output signals of a plurality of light receiving elements that respectively receive light emitted from a light emitting element and transmitted through a plurality of wavelength ranges of the ink ribbon; a light emission control step of controlling, before the color determination step, a light emission output of the light emitting element so that an output signal of a specific light receiving element that is any one of the plurality of light receiving elements that receive light from the light emitting element that has passed through a transparent layer that is capable of passing light in the plurality of wavelength ranges in the ink ribbon reaches a predetermined value; and a calculation step of obtaining and storing a ratio between an output signal of the specific light receiving element and output signals of the light receiving elements other than the specific light receiving element in a state where the output signal of the specific light receiving element reaches the predetermined value, wherein in the color determination step, the output signals of the light receiving elements other than the specific light receiving element among the plurality of light receiving elements are corrected based on the ratio, and the color of the ink ribbon is determined based on the corrected output signals and the output signal of the specific light receiving element.
(9)
The ink ribbon color determination method described in (8) includes a driving step of determining a black layer included in the ink ribbon based on an output signal of each of the plurality of light receiving elements obtained in a state where light is emitted from the light emitting element before the light emission control step, and after determining that the black layer is present, transmitting the ink ribbon until it is determined that the black layer is not present, and moving the transparent layer to a position where light from the light emitting element can enter.
(10)
In the ink ribbon color determination method described in (8) or (9), in the color determination step, it is determined whether the layer of the ink ribbon that transmits the light from the light emitting element is the transparent layer or the black layer by comparing the output signal after the correction and the output signal of the specific light receiving element with a threshold value, and in a case where the layer is neither the transparent layer nor the black layer, the color of the ink ribbon layer is determined based on a magnitude relationship between the output signal after the correction and the output signal of the specific light receiving element.
Description of the reference symbols
100 … thermal transfer type printer; 1 … control section; 11 … a light emission control unit; 12 … calculation unit; 13 … color determination unit; 14 … a drive part; 2 … ribbon drive mechanism; 21 … roll for unwinding; 22 … take-up roll; 3 … light emitting and receiving unit; 30 … light emitting element; a 30d … driver; 31R, 31G, 31B … light-receiving elements; 32R, 32G, 32B … AD converters; 4 … card transport mechanism; … 40 … Plastic card; 41 … conveying roller; 42 … pinch rolls; 43 … impression roller; 5 … thermal head; 10 … a body portion; 60 … ink cartridges; 62 … prism; 63 … unwinding the reel; 64 … take-up reel; 61 … ink ribbon; a K … black ink layer; OP … overprint layer; y … yellow ink layer; an M … magenta ink layer; c … cyan ink layer.
Claims (11)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2018-022417 | 2018-02-09 | ||
| JP2018022417A JP7011482B2 (en) | 2018-02-09 | 2018-02-09 | Ink ribbon color determination device, printing device, ink ribbon color determination method |
| PCT/JP2019/003621 WO2019155991A1 (en) | 2018-02-09 | 2019-02-01 | Ink ribbon color determining device, printing device, and ink ribbon color determining method |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN111683817A CN111683817A (en) | 2020-09-18 |
| CN111683817B true CN111683817B (en) | 2022-02-11 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201980012114.9A Active CN111683817B (en) | 2018-02-09 | 2019-02-01 | Ink ribbon color judging device, printing device, ink ribbon color judging method |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP7011482B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN111683817B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2019155991A1 (en) |
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| JPH03150186A (en) * | 1989-11-07 | 1991-06-26 | Canon Inc | Recorder and ink color discriminator |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2019136945A (en) | 2019-08-22 |
| CN111683817A (en) | 2020-09-18 |
| WO2019155991A1 (en) | 2019-08-15 |
| JP7011482B2 (en) | 2022-01-26 |
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