Printer

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention is a printing device for printing various information such as images and characters on a recording medium such as a card. In particular, the printing method is switched according to the characteristics of the recording medium or the information to be printed, and the above various information can be printed. It relates to a printing device capable of printing.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, when creating a card-shaped recording medium such as a credit card, a cash card, a license card, or an ID card, the desired image / character is recorded on the recording medium by thermal transfer with a thermal head via a thermal transfer film. A thermal transfer type printing device is used. As an example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-131930 discloses a direct transfer type printing apparatus that directly transfers images, characters, and the like to a recording medium via a thermal transfer film. In this manner, by using the thermal sublimation ink, since it is excellent in gradation expression due to the ink characteristics it has the advantage that high quality images can be obtained of the on the surface of the recording medium on which an image or the like is transferred Since a receiving layer that receives this ink is essential, the recording medium is limited, or it is necessary to form a receiving layer on the surface of the recording medium.

【0003】

Generally, a polyvinyl chloride card (so-called PVC card) is often used as a recording medium capable of accepting heat sublimation ink. However, when an unnecessary PVC card is incinerated, a pollutant is generated. Recently, switching to polyethylene terephthalate cards (so-called PET cards) and the like is being considered. However, since this PET card is made of a crystalline material, not only is it difficult to transfer by thermal sublimation, but it is also difficult to form embossing. Therefore, when it is necessary to form embossing on a recording medium, conventional methods are used for the time being. I have no choice but to use a PVC card.

【0004】

Further, in a card-shaped recording medium of a type in which an IC chip or an antenna is embedded, such as an IC card whose range of use is expanding in recent years, the surface is uneven due to these elements embedded inside, so that the uneven surface is described above. It has also been pointed out that there are drawbacks such as hindering image transfer to.

【0005】

As a thermal transfer type printing device that solves the above-mentioned problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-332742 describes a so-called indirect transfer method in which an image is once transferred to an intermediate transfer medium and then the image is retransferred to a transfer target. The technology of the printing apparatus is disclosed. According to this method, it is possible to improve the problems such as the limitation of the recording medium related to the receiving layer and the defect at the time of image transfer to the uneven surface of the recording medium surface, which are the drawbacks of the direct transfer method, and further. There are advantages such as that full-scale printing on a card-shaped recording medium can be easily performed as compared with the direct transfer method.

【0006】

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-58125 describes a configuration in which ink is transferred to an intermediate transfer film by a thermal head to form an image, and then the ink image is re-transferred to the surface of a recording paper by a heating roller. A thermal transfer printing apparatus for printing on both the front and back surfaces of a recording paper is disclosed in combination with a configuration in which ink is transferred to the back surface of the recording paper by a thermal head different from the above.

【0007】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, since the indirect transfer method requires the use of an intermediate transfer medium, the running cost is higher than that of the direct transfer method, and the processing time required for printing is extra. Even if the front side requires full-page printing, the back side often prints and displays precautions for using the card, so there are few cases where full-page printing is required, and both types have advantages and disadvantages. Further, in the technique of JP-A-8-58125, since a plurality of thermal heads and ink films are provided, the size of the printing apparatus becomes large, and the cost is inevitably high.

【0008】

Therefore, in addition to the material of the recording medium such as PVC and PET, the surface shape and characteristics of the recording medium including the presence or absence of embossing and IC elements, information on printing such as whether full printing on the recording medium is required, etc. If a printing device capable of printing an image or the like on a recording medium by switching the printing method between a direct transfer method and an indirect transfer method according to various purposes is obtained, it is possible to print with the optimum printing method for the recording medium. At the same time, it is possible to reduce the running cost associated with printing. In addition, if the members required for the printing process are centrally arranged in the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method, and if some of the members are shared, the cost can be reduced without increasing the size of the entire printing apparatus. It is considered that such a printing device will become widespread because it becomes possible to realize the printing device.

【0009】

In view of the above case, the present invention provides a low-cost printing apparatus capable of switching between a direct transfer method and an indirect transfer method for printing without increasing the size of the entire apparatus, and also provides a direct transfer method and an indirect transfer method. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of forming a high-quality image in both cases.

【0010】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problems, the first aspect of the present invention is to use a first printing means for forming the ink of the first thermal transfer sheet as an image on a recording medium and an intermediate transfer medium for temporarily holding an image. A second printing means for forming the ink of the second thermal transfer sheet as an image, a transfer means for transferring the image of the intermediate transfer medium to the recording medium, a first supply spool for supplying the first thermal transfer sheet, and a first A second supply spool for supplying the second thermal transfer sheet, a thermal transfer sheet supply spool shaft capable of loading the first and second supply spools, a first take-up spool for winding the first thermal transfer sheet, and a first A second take-up spool for winding the thermal transfer sheet of 2, a thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft capable of loading the first and second take-up spools, and a spool shaft rotating means for rotationally driving the thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft. And, each of the thermal transfer sheet supply spool shaft and the thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft is formed by a single spool shaft, and a second thermal transfer that rotates the second take-up spool by the spool shaft rotating means. The rotation speed of the thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft during sheet winding is greater than the rotational speed of the thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft during winding of the first thermal transfer sheet that rotates the first take-up spool. It is a summary.

【0011】

According to this aspect, the first printing means can be used for direct transfer to the recording medium, and the second printing means and transfer means can be used for indirect transfer to the recording medium. It is possible to switch between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method for printing, and to load the first supply spool that supplies the first thermal transfer sheet and the second supply spool that supplies the second thermal transfer sheet. Thermal transfer sheet supply spool shaft, thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft capable of loading a first take-up spool for winding the first thermal transfer sheet and a second take-up spool for winding the second thermal transfer sheet, Since each of these thermal transfer sheet supply spool shafts and thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shafts is formed by a single spool shaft, it is possible to standardize the members and reduce the cost without increasing the size of the entire device. A printing device can be obtained, and a spool shaft rotating means for rotationally driving the thermal transfer sheet winding spool shaft is provided, and the thermal transfer sheet winding at the time of winding the second thermal transfer sheet for rotating the second winding spool is provided. Since the rotation speed of the spool shaft is higher than the rotation speed of the thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft at the time of winding the first thermal transfer sheet that rotates the first take-up spool, it is suitable for recording media and intermediate transfer media. The thermal transfer sheet can be conveyed at a high speed to form a high-quality image by the printing means.

【0012】

A second aspect of the present invention is a first printing means for forming the ink of the first thermal transfer sheet on the recording medium as an image, and a second thermal transfer sheet on the intermediate transfer medium for temporarily holding the image. A second printing means for forming ink as an image, a transfer means for transferring an image of an intermediate transfer medium to the recording medium, a first supply spool for supplying a first thermal transfer sheet, and a second thermal transfer sheet. The second supply spool to be supplied, the first take-up spool for winding the first thermal transfer sheet, the second take-up spool for winding the second thermal transfer sheet, and the first and second thermal transfer sheets. The thermal transfer sheet transporting means for transporting is provided, and the first supply spool and the second supply spool are composed of a single supply spool, and the first take-up spool and the second take-up spool are It is composed of a single take-up spool, the first and second thermal transfer sheets are composed of the same sheet, and further, the transfer of the second thermal transfer sheet at the time of image formation to the intermediate transfer medium by the second printing means. The gist is that the thermal transfer sheet transport means is driven so that the speed is higher than the transport speed of the first thermal transfer sheet at the time of forming an image on a recording medium by the first printing means.

【0013】

According to this aspect, the first printing means can be used for direct transfer to the recording medium, and the second printing means and transfer means can be used for indirect transfer to the recording medium. It is possible to switch between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method for printing, and the first supply spool that supplies the first thermal transfer sheet and the second supply spool that supplies the second thermal transfer sheet are single. The first take-up spool that winds up the first thermal transfer sheet and the second take-up spool that winds up the second thermal transfer sheet are composed of a single take-up spool. Since the first and second thermal transfer sheets are composed of the same sheet, the members can be standardized, a low-cost printing device can be obtained without increasing the size of the entire device, and the first and second sheets can be obtained. It has a thermal transfer sheet transporting means for transporting the thermal transfer sheet, and the transport speed of the second thermal transfer sheet at the time of image formation on the intermediate transfer medium by the second printing means is such that the image is formed on the recording medium by the first printing means. Since the thermal transfer sheet transporting means is driven so as to be higher than the transport speed of the first thermal transfer sheet at the time, the thermal transfer sheet is transported at a speed suitable for the recording medium and the intermediate transfer medium, and the printing means achieves higher image quality. An image can be formed.

【0014】

Further, a third aspect of the present invention is a first printing means for forming the ink of the first thermal transfer sheet as an image on a recording medium, and a second thermal transfer sheet on an intermediate transfer medium for temporarily holding an image. A second printing means for forming ink as an image, a transfer means for transferring an image of an intermediate transfer medium to the recording medium, a first supply spool for supplying a first thermal transfer sheet, and a second thermal transfer sheet. The second supply spool to be supplied, the first take-up spool for winding the first thermal transfer sheet, the second take-up spool for winding the second thermal transfer sheet, and the first and second printing means. It is equipped with a thermal energy control means for controlling, and the first supply spool and the second supply spool are composed of a single supply spool, and the first take-up spool and the second take-up spool are It is composed of a single take-up spool, the first and second thermal transfer sheets are composed of the same sheet, and the thermal energy control means is the first when the image is formed on the recording medium by the first printing means. The thermal energy given to the first thermal transfer sheet by the printing means is controlled to be larger than the thermal energy given to the second thermal transfer sheet by the second printing means at the time of forming an image on the recording medium by the second printing means. The gist is to do.

【0015】

According to this aspect, the first printing means can be used for direct transfer to the recording medium, and the second printing means and transfer means can be used for indirect transfer to the recording medium. It is possible to switch between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method for printing, and the first supply spool that supplies the first thermal transfer sheet and the second supply spool that supplies the second thermal transfer sheet are single. The first take-up spool for winding the first thermal transfer sheet and the second take-up spool for winding the second thermal transfer sheet are composed of a single take-up spool. Since the first and second thermal transfer sheets are composed of the same sheet, the members can be standardized, a low-cost printing device can be obtained without increasing the size of the entire device, and the first and second sheets can be obtained. It has a thermal energy control means for controlling the printing means, and the thermal energy control means gives the thermal energy given to the first thermal transfer sheet by the first printing means at the time of forming an image on a recording medium by the first printing means. The second printing means is controlled to be larger than the thermal energy given to the second thermal transfer sheet at the time of forming an image on the recording medium by the second printing means, which is suitable for forming an image on the recording medium and the intermediate transfer medium. Since a large amount of heat energy is supplied to the first and second transfer sheets, a high-quality image can be obtained.

【0016】

When the first and second thermal transfer sheets are composed of the same sheet, as such a thermal transfer sheet, for example, a plurality of ink layer regions and a single adhesive layer region are arranged in a surface-sequential manner. Can be used.

【0017】

Further, if the printing elements of the first and second printing means are composed of the same printing elements, the members can be shared, so that a low-cost printing device can be obtained.

【0018】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a printing apparatus capable of direct transfer and indirect transfer will be described with reference to the drawings.

【0019】

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 of the present embodiment is a third card transport path serving as a card transport path for recording information on a card C as a recording medium in a housing 2 serving as a housing. Road P₃, The first card transport path P, which is the card transport path for forming (printing) an image directly on the card C by the transfer method.₁The second card transfer path P, which serves as a card transfer path for transferring an image temporarily held on the intermediate transfer sheet F as an intermediate transfer medium to the card C by an indirect transfer method.₂have. 2nd card transport path P₂And 3rd card transport path P₃Are arranged approximately horizontally, and the first card transport path P₁Are arranged approximately vertically. 2nd card transport path P₂Is the 3rd card transport path P₃Third card transport path P on the upper side (arrow U side in Fig. 1)₃2nd card transport path P₂And 3rd card transport path P₃And 1st card transport path P₁Is the intersection X₁And X₂They intersect each other in a substantially orthogonal manner. The first card transport path P₁The intermediate transfer sheet F, which will be described later, is arranged on one side, and the thermal transfer sheet R, which will be described later, is arranged on the other side.

【0020】

3rd card transport path P₃On the top, blank cards C (before magnetic recording and printing) are separated one by one and the third card transport path P₃Cleaner 4 that cleans the surface of the blank card C on the downstream side of the card supply unit 3 and the card supply unit 3, and the intersection X on the downstream side of the cleaner 4.₂The first card transport path P is rotated or inverted while holding the card C around the center of rotation.₁A magnet formed on the second reversing section 5 capable of orthogonally switching the transport path of the card C in the direction, and on the downstream side of the second reversing section 5, for example, on the card surface (back surface) seen in a credit card or the like. Information recording units 8 that perform processing such as writing data to and reading data from the stripe are provided.

【0021】

The card supply unit 3 has a card stacker for accommodating a plurality of blank cards C in a stacked manner. Card stacker 3rd card transport path P₃A stacker side plate 32 having an opening slot that allows the passage of only one card C is arranged at a position facing the card stacker, and a plurality of stacker side plates 32 that are stacked and housed in the card stacker by rotating are arranged at the bottom of the card stacker. The blank card C located at the bottom of the blank cards C of the third card transport path P one by one.₃The kick roller 31 to be sent out to is pressure-welded.

【0022】

Cleaner 4 is the 3rd card transport path P₃It has a cleaning roller 34 such as a rubber material whose surface is coated with an adhesive substance and a pressure welding roller 35 which presses against the cleaning roller 34.

【0023】

The information recording unit 8 magnetically records information on the magnetic stripe and writes information such as a magnetic decoder for reading and verifying the recorded magnetic information (matching the recorded magnetic information with the magnetic information to be recorded). A blank card C is sent and received from the read head 41, the IC contact 42 for accessing the data electrically recorded on the IC card, and the second inversion unit 5, and the magnetic data is written to the magnetic stripe and the information is written at the time of reading. The card C is conveyed in the direction of the arrow L in FIG. 1 to the reading head 41 and the IC contact 42 for accessing the data electrically recorded on the IC card, and the information writing / reading head 41 and / or the IC It has a plurality of pairs of rollers capable of forward and reverse rotation, which convey the recorded card C in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 1 and send it to the second reversing unit 5 after the recording at the contact 42 is completed.

【0024】

1st card transport path P₁Above, the intersection X₁The first card transport path P is rotated or inverted while holding the card C around the center of rotation.₁And the second card transport path P₂The first reversing section 6 for selectively switching the transport path is arranged in any of the above. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 (A), the intersection X₂Second inversion part 5 placed above and intersection X₁It has the same configuration as the first reversing unit 6 arranged above, and has a configuration of rotating or reversing in synchronization with a drive unit (not shown).

【0025】

The second reversing part 5 and the first reversing part 6 rotatably support the pinch rollers 38 and 39, which are paired with each other so as to hold the magnetically recorded card C, and the intersection X.₁Or X₂It has a rotating frame 40 that rotates or reverses around. One of these pinch rollers 38 and 39 is a driving roller and the other is a driven roller. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the pinch rollers 38 and 39 have the third card transport path P when the rotating frame 40 is horizontal.₃(In the case of the second reversing part 5) or the second card transport path P₂(In the case of the first reversing part 6), they are pressed against each other, and as shown in FIG. 2 (A) (and the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 1), the first card transport path P is in the vertical state.₁Press each other across. The third card transport path P₃Before and after the second reversing part 5 on the top, and the first card transport path P₁Between the second reversing section 5 and the first reversing section 6 above, between the first reversing section 6 and the image forming section 9 described later, and further, the second card transport path P.₂An integrated transmission sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence of the card C is arranged between the first reversing unit 6 in the above section 6 and the horizontal transport roller pair 11 described later.

【0026】

If the rotating frame 40 is rotated or inverted while the card C is sandwiched between the pinch rollers 38 and 39, the pinch rollers 38 and 39 will also rotate together to displace the card C. The rotation or reversal operation of the first reversing unit 6 is driven independently of the rotation or reversing of the rotating frame 40 and the rotation of the pinch rollers 38 and 39. An integrated transmission sensor (combination with a slit plate) (not shown) is provided to detect the rotation angle of the rotating frame 40, and a pinch roller is used to determine the rotation direction of the pinch rollers 38 and 39. Since an integrated transmission sensor (combination with a half moon plate) (not shown) is provided to detect the position of either 38 or 39, the rotation angle of the rotating frame 40 can be set arbitrarily and a pinch is provided. The transport direction of the card C can be controlled by the rollers 38 and 39.

【0027】

As shown in FIG. 3, the first card transport path P₁On the downstream side of the first reversing section 6 (arrow U side in FIG. 3), an image forming section that forms an image on the card C or an intermediate transfer sheet described later using thermal transfer ink according to image information such as images and characters. 9 are placed. The image forming unit 9 adopts the configuration of a thermal transfer printer, and has a platen roller 21 that supports the card C when printing on one side of the card C and a thermal head 20 that is arranged so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the platen roller 21. Have. A thermal transfer sheet R is interposed between the platen roller 21 and the thermal head 20.

【0028】

The forward / backward movement of the thermal head 20 with respect to the platen roller 21 is centered on a holder (not shown) that holds the thermal head 20 detachably, a driven roller 22 fixed to this holder, and a cam shaft 24 that is in contact with the driven roller 22. By an advancing / retreating drive unit having a non-circular thermal head advancing / retreating cam 23 that rotates in either direction (arrow A in FIG. 3 or the opposite direction) and a spring (not shown) that presses the holder against the thermal head advancing / retreating cam 23. Will be executed.

【0029】

As shown in FIG. 7 (A), the thermal transfer sheet R has a width slightly longer than the longitudinal length of the card C on the film, for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk ( Black) ink is applied in order, and next to Bk (black), it has a strip-like shape in which the protective layer region T that protects the surface of the card C on which the image is formed is repeated in a surface-sequential manner. .. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (C), the thermal transfer sheet R has a width slightly longer than the longitudinal length of the card C on the film, for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) ink is applied in order, and next to Bk (black), the adhesive layer Hs that adheres the image to the surface of the card C may be repeatedly arranged in a surface-sequential manner, but this thermal transfer sheet The adhesive layer Hs in R is particularly applied to cards made of materials such as polycarbonate that do not easily accept ink. In FIG. 7 (C), the adhesive layer Hs is placed next to the ink layer region of Bk (black), but it is before Bk (black) and next to C (cyan), that is, C (cyan). ) And Bk (black) may be configured to be provided between the ink layer regions.

【0030】

As shown in FIG. 3, the thermal transfer sheet R is supplied from a thermal transfer sheet supply unit 14 provided with a supply spool shaft for loading a supply spool in which the thermal transfer sheet R is wound in a roll shape, and is supplied by a plurality of guide rollers 53 and the above-described guide rollers 53. Guided by a guide plate 25 fixed to a holder (not shown), the thermal transfer sheet R is wound into a roll by being driven together with the rotational drive of the winding roller pair 57 while bringing the entire surface into contact with the tip of the thermal head 20. Take-up to load the spool The take-up sheet is taken up by the take-up section 15 provided with the spool shaft. The thermal transfer sheet supply unit 14 and the thermal transfer sheet winding unit 15 are arranged at positions on both sides of the thermal head 20, and the central portions are respectively loaded on the spool shaft. Further, the image forming unit 9 has a light emitting element S for detecting the positioning mark of the thermal transfer sheet R or the position of Bk of the thermal transfer sheet R as described later.₃And light receiving element S₄Is arranged between the two guide rollers 53 arranged between the thermal transfer sheet supply unit 14 and the thermal head 20 so as to be orthogonal to the thermal transfer sheet R in a separated state.

【0031】

A gear (not shown) is coaxially fitted to the drive-side roller shaft of the take-up roller pair 57, and this gear is meshed with a gear having a clock plate (not shown) coaxially. Further, in the vicinity of the clock plate (not shown), an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotation of the clock plate (not shown) is arranged in order to control the winding amount of the thermal transfer sheet R.

【0032】

The printing position (heating position) Sr of the thermal head 20 via the thermal transfer sheet R with respect to the card C is the peripheral portion of the platen roller 21 and is the first card transport path P.₁Corresponds to the part in contact with (see also Fig. 5). On both sides of the image forming unit 9, the card C is rotated synchronously so as to move in the direction of the arrow U or the arrow D in FIG. 3 with respect to the printing position Sr, and the capstan roller 74 and the capstan roller 74 having a constant rotation speed are capstan. The roller pair composed of the pinch roller 75 that presses against the stun roller 74 and the roller pair composed of the capstan roller 78 and the pinch roller 79 are the first card transport path P.₁It is arranged so as to sandwich.

【0033】

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, when forming an image on the card C by indirect transfer, the intermediate transfer sheet F is hung on the platen roller 21. As shown in FIG. 7B, the intermediate transfer sheet F protects the surfaces of the base film Fa, the back coat layer Fb formed on the back side of the base film Fa, the receiving layer Fe that receives ink, and the receiving layer Fe. The peeling layer Fc, which is formed on the surface side of the overcoat layer Fd and the base film Fa and promotes peeling from the base film Fa by integrating the overcoat layer Fd and the receiving layer Fe by heating, is a back coat layer Fb from the lower side. The base film Fa, the release layer Fc, the overcoat layer Fd, and the receiving layer Fe are laminated in this order. The intermediate transfer sheet F is hung so that the receiving layer Fe side faces the thermal transfer sheet R and the back coat layer Fb side abuts on the platen roller 21. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the image forming unit 9 has a light emitting element S for detecting the positioning mark of the intermediate transfer sheet F.₁And light receiving element S₂Is arranged between the platen roller 21 and the guide roller 91 so as to be orthogonal to the intermediate transfer sheet F in a separated state.

【0034】

As shown in FIG. 4, the second card transport path P₂Above, on the downstream side (arrow L side) of the first reversing portion 6, the horizontal transport roller pair 11 that transports the card C in the horizontal direction, and the image formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F by the image forming portion 9 are displayed on the card C. A horizontal transfer unit 12 having a transfer roller pair, which has a plurality of transfer roller pairs and transports the card C to the arrow L side in FIG. 4, and discharges the card C to the outside of the housing 2. They are arranged in order.

【0035】

The transfer unit 10 has a platen roller 50 that supports the card C during transfer of the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H described later to the card C, and a heat roller 45 that is arranged so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the platen roller 50. ing. The heat roller 45 has a built-in heat generating lamp 46 for heating the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H. An intermediate transfer sheet F or a hologram sheet H is interposed between the platen roller 50 and the heat roller 45.

【0036】

The forward / backward movement of the heat roller 45 with respect to the platen roller 50 is centered on the holder 49 that holds the heat roller 45 detachably, the driven roller 43 fixed to the holder 49, and the cam shaft 52 that is in contact with the driven roller 43. By an elevating drive unit having a non-circular heat roller elevating cam 51 that rotates in a direction (direction of arrow B in FIG. 4) and a spring (not shown) that is built in the holder 49 and presses the upper surface of the holder 49 against the heat roller elevating cam 51. Will be executed.

【0037】

The intermediate transfer sheet F is supplied from the intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 16 in which the intermediate transfer sheet F is wound in a roll shape, and is supplied with a transfer roller 58, a guide roller 60 and a platen roller 21, a guide roller 91, and a pinch roller with a driven roller 59. Transfer by being guided by a guide plate 47 or the like arranged on both sides of the back tension roller 88, guide rollers 92, 44, and heat roller 45 that apply reverse tension to the intermediate transfer sheet F together with 89 and fixed to the frame constituting the transfer unit 10. Second card transport path P, sometimes via card C₂It is sandwiched between the platen roller 50 and the heat roller 45 above, and is wound around the intermediate transfer sheet winding section 17 that winds the intermediate transfer sheet F in a roll shape. In addition, the transfer unit 10 has a second card transfer path P.₂2nd card transport path P₂A transport roller pair 48 capable of transporting in the direction of arrow L in FIG. 4 above is arranged on the downstream side of the horizontal transport roller pair 11 and on the upstream side of the platen roller 50. The transfer unit 10 has a light emitting element S for detecting a positioning mark on the intermediate transfer sheet F.₅And light receiving element S₆However, it is arranged so as to straddle the intermediate transfer sheet F between the guide roller 44 and the guide plate 47.

【0038】

As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 2 and the first card transport path P shown in FIG.₁And the second card transport path P₂In the region defined by, a drive mechanism using pulse motors M1 and M2 capable of forward and reverse rotation as a drive power source is arranged. A timing pulley (hereinafter, simply referred to as a pulley) 61 is fitted to the motor shaft of the pulse motor M1, and an endless timing belt (hereinafter, simply referred to as a belt) 62 is wound around the pulley 63. There is. A pulley 64 having a diameter smaller than that of the pulley 63 is fitted to the shaft of the pulley 63.

【0039】

A belt 65 is wound around the pulley 64 with the pulley 66. An electromagnetic clutch 67 is fitted to the shaft of the pulley 66. The electromagnetic clutch 67 connects the rotational driving force of the pulley 66 to the pulley 68 fitted to the shaft of the electromagnetic clutch 67 only when the thermal head 20 is directly printed and when the card C is conveyed during the direct printing. A pulley 70 is coaxially fitted to the platen roller 21, and a belt 69 is wound around the pulley 68 and the pulley 70. Further, a gear 71 having a diameter larger than that of the platen roller 21 is fitted on the same axis as the platen roller 21. Gears 72 and 76 are meshed with the gear 71. The gear 72 meshes with a gear 73 having a capstan roller 74 coaxially in contact with the pinch roller 75, and the gear 76 meshes with a gear 77 having a capstan roller 78 coaxially in contact with the pinch roller 79. There is.

【0040】

Further, another belt 81 is wound around the pulley 64, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the pulley 82. A gear 83 that meshes with the gear 84 is fitted to the shaft of the pulley 82. A gear 85 having a diameter smaller than that of the gear 84 is fitted on the shaft of the gear 84, and the gear 85 meshes with the gear 86. A torque limiter 87 is fitted on the shaft of the gear 86, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the back tension roller 88 via the torque limiter 87. A pinch roller 89 is pressure-welded to the back tension roller 88. A clock plate 90 is fitted coaxially with the back tension roller 88. As will be described later, when the intermediate transfer sheet F is fed in the forward and reverse directions, the back tension roller 88 rotates in synchronization with the intermediate transfer sheet F. In the vicinity of the clock plate 90, an integrated transmission sensor S that detects the rotation amount of the clock plate 90 in order to control the feed amount of the intermediate transfer film F.₇Are arranged.

【0041】

On the other hand, a pulley 93 is fitted on the motor shaft of the pulse motor M2, and a belt 94 is wound around the pulley 95. A gear 96 is fitted to the shaft of the pulley 95.

【0042】

The gear 96 meshes with a one-way gear 97 fitted to a shaft in which the drive from the gear 96 is transmitted counterclockwise and becomes free (idle) in the clockwise direction. A gear 98 and a pulley 99 are fitted on the shaft of the one-way gear 97, and the gear 98 meshes with the one-way gear 101 which is free in the clockwise direction and locked in the counterclockwise direction. A belt 102 is wound around the pulley 99 with the pulley 103. A gear 104 is fitted to the shaft of the pulley 103, and the gear 104 meshes with the gear 105. A torque limiter 106 is fitted on the shaft of the gear 105, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the gear 107 via the torque limiter 106. A clock plate 108 is fitted on the same axis as the gear 107. The gear 107 meshes with the gear 109 fitted to the take-up spool shaft 110 for winding the intermediate transfer sheet F. In the vicinity of the clock plate 108, the amount of rotation of the take-up spool shaft 110 is detected via the rotation of the clock plate 108, and the rotation of the take-up spool shaft 110 is detected to detect the take-up of the intermediate transfer sheet F. Integrated transmission sensor S₈Are arranged.

【0043】

Further, the gear 96 meshes with the one-way gear 111 fitted to the shaft on the opposite side of the one-way gear 97, in which the drive from the gear 96 is transmitted clockwise and becomes free in the counterclockwise direction. A gear 112 and a pulley 113 are fitted to the shaft of the one-way gear 111, and the gear 112 meshes with the one-way gear 114 which is free counterclockwise and locked clockwise. A belt 115 is wound around the pulley 113 between the pulley 116 and the pulley 125. A tension roller 126 is arranged between the pulley 116 and the pulley 125 connected by the belt 115 so that the belt 115 maintains a constant tension. A gear 117 is fitted to the shaft of the pulley 116, and the gear 117 meshes with the gear 118. A torque limiter 119 is fitted on the shaft of the gear 118, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the gear 123 via the torque limiter 119. A clock plate 121 is fitted coaxially with the gear 123. The gear 123 meshes with the gear 124 fitted to the supply spool shaft 120 for supplying the intermediate transfer sheet F. In the vicinity of the clock plate 121, an integrated transmission sensor S that detects the delivery of the intermediate transfer sheet F by detecting the rotation of the supply spool shaft 120 via the rotation of the clock plate 121.₉Are arranged. The supply spool shaft 120 is loaded with the intermediate transfer sheet supply section 16 or the hologram sheet supply section 29, and the take-up spool shaft 110 is loaded with the intermediate transfer sheet take-up section 17 or the hologram sheet take-up section 30.

【0044】

On the other hand, the drive from the pulley 113 is also transmitted to the pulley 125 via the belt 115. A gear 127 is fitted to the shaft of the pulley 125, and the gear 127 meshes with the gear 128. Further, the drive is transmitted to the gear 130 via the gear 129 arranged coaxially with the gear 128. An electromagnetic clutch 131 is fitted to the shaft of the gear 130. The electromagnetic clutch 131 linearly drives the gear 130 via the gear 132 fitted to the shaft of the electromagnetic clutch 131 only when the intermediate transfer sheet F that forms an image on the intermediate transfer sheet F of the thermal head 20 is rewound (Rv). Connect the force to gear 133. A torque limiter 134 is fitted on the shaft of the gear 133, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the transport roller 58 that conveys the intermediate transfer F via the torque limiter 134. The transfer speed of the intermediate transfer sheet F by the supply spool shaft 120, the platen roller 21 and the transfer roller 58 when the electromagnetic clutch 131 is driven and connected is in the relationship of supply spool shaft 120> transfer roller 58> platen 21, and the torque. Regarding management, it is set so that platen 21> transfer roller 58> supply spool shaft 120.

【0045】

Feeding (Fw) and rewinding (Rv) of the intermediate transfer sheet F are mainly performed by switching the rotation direction of the pulse motor M2, and to the intermediate transfer sheet F performed in the rewinding (Rv) operation of the intermediate transfer sheet F. At the time of forming the image, the transfer speed of the intermediate transfer sheet F by the supply spool shaft 120, the platen roller 21 and the back tension roller 88 has a relationship of supply spool shaft 120> platen roller 21> back tension roller 88. Therefore, as will be described later, when the intermediate transfer sheet F is fed away from the thermal head 20, the drive is disconnected by the electromagnetic clutch 67 in order to prevent the intermediate transfer sheet F from loosening. The transport direction of the intermediate transfer sheet F at this time is the feed direction from the supply spool shaft 120 to the back tension roller 88.

【0046】

As shown in FIG. 6, the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can manually mount the hologram sheet H instead of the intermediate transfer sheet F. In this case, the roll-shaped intermediate transfer sheet supply section 16 and the intermediate transfer sheet take-up section 17 are removed from the supply spool shaft 120 and the take-up spool shaft 110, respectively, and the supply spool shaft 120 and the take-up spool shaft 110 are respectively removed. The roll-shaped hologram sheet supply unit 29 and the hologram sheet winding unit 30 are loaded and the hologram sheet H is hung. The hologram sheet H has the same layer structure as the intermediate transfer sheet F shown in FIG. 7 (B), except that it has a hologram layer in which a hologram is formed in advance instead of the receiving layer. ing.

【0047】

As shown in FIG. 1, the second card transport path P of the housing 2₂On the extension line in the direction of the arrow L, a discharge port 27 for discharging the card C, which has been processed such as printing, to the outside of the housing 2 is formed. On the lower side of the discharge port 27, a stacker 13 for stacking and stocking cards C is detachably attached to the housing 2. An integrated transmission sensor (not shown) is arranged between the horizontal transport unit 12 and the discharge port 27. Further, the defective card C in which the data writing defect in the information recording unit 8 was found to be defective, and the defective card C in which the defect occurred in the image forming unit 9 and the transfer unit 10 are referred to as the arrow D in FIG. An eject port 28 is formed which is rotated in the inclined direction, which is an intermediate position of R, to eject the defective card on the lower side in the inclined direction. A defective card holder or the like that temporarily holds the defective card C may be attached to the eject port 28.

【0048】

Further, the printing device 1 includes a power supply unit 18 that converts a commercial AC power source into a DC power source that can drive / operate each mechanism unit and a control unit, and a control unit that controls the operation of the entire printing device 1. Has 19. Further, the printing device 1 has a touch panel (not shown) on the upper part of the housing 2 that displays the status of the printing device 1 according to the information from the control unit 19 and can instruct the control unit 19 to operate the operation command by the operation of the operator. doing.

【0049】

The control unit 19 includes a CPU block that performs control processing of the printing device 1. The CPU block is composed of a CPU that operates with a high-speed clock as a central processing unit, a ROM that stores the control operation of the printing device 1, a RAM that works as a work area of the CPU, and an internal bus that connects them.

【0050】

An external bus is connected to the CPU block. The external bus includes a touch panel display operation control unit that controls touch panel displays and operation commands, a sensor control unit that controls signals from various sensors, a motor driver that sends drive pulses to each motor, and actuators that control electromagnetic clutches. A control unit, a thermal head control unit that controls the thermal energy of the thermal head 20, an external input / output interface that communicates between an external computer and the printing device 1, a RAM that stores image information to be printed on the card C, and the like are connected. ing. Touch panel display The operation control unit, sensor control unit, actuator control unit, and thermal head control unit are the touch panel and sensor S, respectively.₁~ S₉It is connected to a sensor including, a motor driver including a motor driver of motors M1 and M2, an electromagnetic clutch 67, and a thermal head 20.

【0051】

(Operation) Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the RAM stores the image information received from the external computer via the external input / output interface, and either or both of the direct transfer and / or the indirect transfer is performed on the card C. Print information such as whether to perform transfer on one side or both sides in that case, which image information is used in that case, and whether to overcoat with hologram sheet H when performing direct transfer, on a magnetic stripe or IC chip. It is assumed that the recording information for writing and the recording / printing information such as the dimensions of the card C have already been input from the touch panel or the external computer. Hereinafter, (1) the operation of the printing device 1 when the operator desires to print on both sides of the card C by direct transfer and perform hologram processing only on the front side (the side on which the magnetic stripe is not formed). And (2) the operation of the printing device 1 when the operator desires to print on the back side of the card C by the direct transfer method and print on the front side by the indirect transfer method. Let's take an example.

【0052】

(1) Operation in double-sided direct transfer (front side hologram processing) First, the CPU of the control unit 19 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the CPU) uses the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H for one screen or more in the initialization operation. Winding, light receiving sensor S in this winding operation₂When the ribbon position detection mark is detected, it is determined that the intermediate transfer sheet R is attached, and the light receiving sensor S₂If does not detect the ribbon position detection mark, it is determined that the hologram sheet H is attached. Further, when either of the spool shaft 110 and the spool shaft 120 performs a winding operation, the drive is cut off by the action of a clutch (not shown), so that the sensor S₈, Or sensor S₉It is possible to detect the case where the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H is not attached or the case where the hologram sheet H is broken. After this determination is completed, the ribbon type determination is completed by rewinding the above one screen or more.

【0053】

In the state shown in FIG. 4, the light receiving sensor S₆The presence of the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H is detected by the detection signal of (it is detected that either sheet is loaded and not cut), and the light receiving sensor S₂Since the presence of the intermediate transfer sheet F is detected by the above, it is determined that the hologram processing cannot be performed. When the impossibility is determined, the intermediate transfer sheet F is displayed on the touch panel so as to replace the hologram sheet H, and the process waits until the opening / closing door (not shown) is opened / closed once, and then the determination is made again after the opening / closing door is opened / closed. The light receiving sensor S₆When neither the presence of the intermediate transfer sheet F nor the hologram sheet H is detected, the touch panel indicates that the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H has been cut or not loaded, and the opening / closing door (not shown) is opened / closed once. After opening and closing, the presence of the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H is detected. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 6, the light receiving sensor S₆The presence of the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H is detected by the light receiving sensor S.₂Since it is detected that it is not the intermediate transfer sheet F (it is the hologram sheet H), it is determined that the hologram processing is possible.

【0054】

When hologram processing is possible, the third card transport path P₃Operate the card supply unit 3, the cleaner 4, and the second reversing unit 5 arranged above. As a result, the blank card C of the card supply unit 3 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow L in FIG. That is, when the kick roller 31 of the card supply unit 3 rotates, the blank card C at the bottom of the card stacker becomes the third card transport path P.₃With an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) that is sent out, the cleaning roller 34 of the cleaner 4 cleans both sides of the blank card C, and the tip of the blank card C is placed between the second reversing part 5 and the cleaner 4. When detected, the kick roller 31 of the card supply unit 3 stops rotating. The blank card C is stopped after being conveyed by a predetermined number of pulses from the integrated sensor to the second reversing unit 5, and the second reversing unit 5 in the horizontal state holds the blank card C (see FIG. 1).

【0055】

Subsequently, the recorded information is sent to the information recording unit 8, and the blank card C is exchanged between the second reversing unit 5 and the information recording unit 8. The information recording unit 8 starts rotational driving of a plurality of transport rollers in the direction in which the blank card C is carried in by a command from the CPU. The CPU sends the card C to the information recording unit 8 according to the signal from the integrated transmission sensor (not shown) arranged between the second inversion unit 5 and the information recording unit 8, and the pinch roller 38 of the second inversion unit 5 is sent. , 39 to stop the rotation operation. The information recording unit 8 performs processing such as writing magnetic data and / or IC data based on the recorded information sent from the control unit 19 to the blank card C. The CPU receives verification information as to whether or not a write failure has occurred from the information recording unit 8, and rotationally drives the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the second inversion unit 5 in the receiving direction of the card C to the information recording unit 8. And issue a card C ejection command. The CPU stops the rotational operation of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the second reversing unit 5 according to a signal from an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) arranged between the second reversing unit 5 and the information recording unit 8. The blank card C is stopped after being conveyed by a predetermined number of pulses from the integrated sensor to the second reversing unit 5, and the second reversing unit 5 in the horizontal state holds the blank card C (see FIG. 1). When the verification information obtained from the information recording unit 8 is defective in writing, the second reversing unit 5 is rotated in the tilting direction, which is an intermediate position between the arrows D and R in FIG. 1, and the defective card is moved downward in the tilting direction described above. The pinch rollers 38 and 39 are rotationally driven toward the eject port 28 arranged in the above.

【0056】

On the other hand, when the verification information received from the information recording unit 8 is good for writing (when it is not bad for writing), the CPU rotates the second inversion unit 5 (along with the first inversion unit 6) by 90 ° (FIG. 2 (A)). )reference). Subsequently, the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the second reversing section 5 are rotationally driven so as to convey the card C in the direction of the arrow U in FIG. 1, and the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the first reversing section 6 are also rotationally driven in the same manner. As a result, the card C is exchanged between the second reversing unit 5 and the first reversing unit 6 (state of FIG. 2A). In the CPU, after the integrated transmission sensor (not shown) disposed between the second inversion unit 5 and the first inversion unit 6 detects the card C and conveys a predetermined pulse, the first inversion unit 6 and the second inversion unit 6 Stop the rotational drive of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of 5. When the card C is sandwiched between the first reversing portions 6 (the state shown in FIG. 3), the CPU starts the rotary drive of the pulse motor M1 to the motor driver of the pulse motor M1 and connects the electromagnetic clutch 67. As a result, the platen roller 21, the capstan roller 74, and the capstan roller 78 are started to be rotationally driven.

【0057】

During this time, the thermal head 20 is at a position separated from the platen roller 21 (see FIG. 3), and the thermal transfer sheet R is fed by a predetermined distance until, for example, the start end of Y (yellow) becomes the position of the printing position Sr. .. Such control is, for example, the light receiving sensor S.₄Detects the rear end of Bk (black) of the thermal transfer sheet R, and determines the distance from the rear end of Bk (black), whose width is predetermined on the thermal transfer sheet R, to the start end of Y (yellow). It can be executed by detecting the rotation of a clock plate (not shown) arranged in the vicinity of the take-up roller pair 57 with an integrated transmission sensor (not shown).

【0058】

The pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the first reversing section 6 rotate when the rear end of the card C is detected by an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) arranged between the first reversing section 6 and the image forming section 9. Stop. The card C inserted into the image forming unit 9 is the first card transport path P.₁The upper part is conveyed in the direction of arrow U in FIG. 3 by the first reversing portion 6, the capstan roller 78, and the pinch roller 79. The CPU detects the tip of the card C with an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) arranged between the capstan roller 78 and the thermal head 20, and then transports the card C for a predetermined pulse to the printing start position in the direction of the arrow U. Then, the card C is conveyed to the printing position, and the rotational operation of the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 is started. At this point, the card C is supported by the platen roller 21 on the back surface side by the rotational operation of the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, and the front surface side is pressed against the thermal head 20 via the thermal transfer sheet R.

【0059】

The CPU converts the print data for each YMC into thermal energy according to the image information in advance, and the thermal head 20 adds the heating information in which the image formation target adds a predetermined coefficient depending on the type of card C and the intermediate transfer sheet R to the thermal energy. Is sent to. Each element of the thermal head 20 is heated according to this heating information. The platen roller 21 is rotated counterclockwise by the drive of the pulse motor M1, the thermal transfer sheet R is wound around the thermal transfer sheet winding section 15 in synchronization, and a Y (yellow) image is formed by direct transfer on the card C ( Printing) is performed.

【0060】

When the image formation by Y (yellow) is completed, the CPU further rotates the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG. 3 to retract the thermal head 20 from the card C. After the thermal head 20 is retracted, the reverse drive of the pulse motor M1 is started. As a result, the platen roller 21, the capstan roller 74, the pinch roller 75, the capstan roller 78, and the pinch roller 79 are reversed, and the card C is conveyed in the direction of arrow D in FIG. The CPU stops the reverse drive of the pulse motor M1 after the tip of the card C passes through an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) arranged between the capstan roller 78 and the thermal head 20 and a predetermined pulse is conveyed. .. The CPU uses an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) placed between the capstan roller 78 and the thermal head 20 to drive the pulse motor M1 in the forward direction to print the next dye M (magenta) on the card C. After detecting the tip, the card C for a predetermined pulse to the printing start position is conveyed in the direction of the arrow U. During this time, the CPU sends a small amount of the thermal transfer sheet R until the tip of the next M (magenta) is located at the print position Sr. Then, by further rotating the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 in the direction of arrow A, the thermal head 20 is pressed against the card C via the thermal transfer sheet R, and the thermal head 20 superimposes the thermal head 20 on the card C in Y (yellow) to M (yellow). Form an image of magenta). The CPU repeats the above processes in sequence to form an image superimposed on the surface side of the card C with YMC ink.

【0061】

When the image formation on the front surface side of the card C is completed, the CPU further rotates the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG. 3 to retract the thermal head 20 from the card C. After the thermal head 20 is retracted, the pinch rollers 38 and 39 are rotationally driven, and then the reverse drive of the pulse motor M1 is started to cause the platen roller 21, the capstan roller 74, the pinch roller 75 and the capstan roller 78, and the pinch roller 79. By reversing, the card C is conveyed in the direction of arrow D in FIG. With the card C sandwiched by the first reversing unit 6, the reversing drive of the pulse motor M1 and the connection of the electromagnetic clutch 67 are stopped, and the rotational driving of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 is stopped (state in FIG. 3).

【0062】

Next, the CPU inverts (rotates 180 °) the first inversion section 6 together with the second inversion section 5 (see FIG. 2 (B)). Card C is the first card transport path P due to this reversal.₁The front and back sides are opposite to each other. The CPU causes the back side of the card C to form an image in the same manner as described above. For printing on the back side of card C, one color of Bk (black) is generally specified. In such a case, an image is formed only by Bk (black) in the same manner as above, and an image by YMC is used. No formation takes place. In the CPU, the image formation on the back surface side of the card C is completed, and the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the first reversing part 6 are stopped while holding the card C, and the first reversing part 6 is changed to the second reversing part. Rotate 90 ° with 5 (see Figure 6). As a result, the card C becomes the second card transport path P.₂It will be located on the top, and the hologram processing can be started.

【0063】

The CPU rotationally drives a plurality of roller pairs of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the first reversing unit 6, the horizontal transfer roller pair 11, the transfer roller pair 48, and the horizontal transfer unit 12, and drives the card C to the second card transfer path P.₂Transport the top in the direction of arrow L in Fig. 6. When the CPU detects the rear end of the card C with an integrated sensor (not shown) arranged between the first reversing unit 6 and the horizontal transport unit 12, the rotation operation of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 is stopped, which is not shown. By transporting the card C by a predetermined pulse amount from the body type transmission sensor to the heat roller 45, the tip of the card C is positioned at a position where it abuts on the heat roller 45. Next, the heat roller elevating cam 51 is rotated in the direction of arrow B. As a result, the heat roller 45 shifts from a state in which it is separated from the platen roller 50 in advance to a state in which it comes into contact with the platen roller 50. The heat generating lamp 46 in the heat roller 45 is lit in advance and has reached a predetermined transfer temperature.

【0064】

At this point, the front end of the card C is supported by the platen roller 50 on the back surface side and pressed against the heat roller 45 on the front surface side via the hologram sheet H. The card C is supported by a platen roller 50 whose back surface rotates counterclockwise, and its front surface side is pressed against the heat roller 45 via the hologram sheet H and is conveyed in the direction of arrow L in FIG. The peeling layer of the hologram sheet H is peeled from the base film by the heat of the heat generating lamp 46, and the hologram layer and the overcoat layer are integrally transferred to the surface of the card C. The hologram sheet H can be wound around the hologram sheet winding unit 30 in synchronization with the transfer of the hologram layer and the overcoat layer.

【0065】

When the transfer of the hologram sheet H to the surface side of the card C is completed according to the size of the card C, the CPU stops the rotational drive of the pulse motor M2 in the feed direction and moves the heat roller elevating cam 51 in the arrow B direction. Rotate it again to retract the heat roller 45 with respect to the platen roller 50. The card C passes through the horizontal transport section 12, passes through the discharge port 27, and is discharged to the stacker 13. When the CPU receives a signal from an integrated transmission sensor (not shown) arranged between the horizontal transfer unit 12 and the discharge port 27, a predetermined time later, the second card transfer path P₂The upper roller drive is stopped, and the number of processed cards and the completion of processing are displayed on the touch panel.

【0066】

(2) Operation in backside direct transfer and front side indirect transfer The CPU first receives the light receiving sensor S as in the case of double-sided direct transfer.₂, S₆Detection signal and sensor S₈, Sensor S₉It is determined whether or not the intermediate transfer sheet F exists based on the detection signal of, and if it is negative, it is displayed on the touch panel to replace the intermediate transfer sheet F and waits until the opening / closing door is opened / closed once. In the case of affirmative judgment, after image formation is performed by direct transfer to the back surface side of the card C as described above, the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the first reversing portion 6 are stopped while holding the card C. The first reversing part 6 is rotated 90 ° together with the second reversing part 5 (state in FIG. 4). When forming an image by both direct transfer and indirect transfer, the intermediate transfer sheet F is hung on the platen roller 21 and the back tension roller 88, and the card C is conveyed to the back surface of the card C when the image is formed. The pulse motors M1 and M2 are rotationally driven so that the direction and the transport direction of the intermediate transfer sheet F at the time of image formation on the intermediate transfer sheet F are the same, but the intermediate transfer sheet F at the printing position Sr. The transport speed of card C is higher than the transport speed of card C. This also applies to the thermal transfer sheet R having an ink layer for image formation, and the thermal transfer sheet R is driven together with the rotational drive of the take-up roller pair 57 and the take-up roller pair 57 as a means of transporting the thermal transfer sheet R. The take-up roller pair 57 and the thermal transfer so that the transfer speed of the thermal transfer sheet R by the take-up unit 15 is higher when the image is formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F than when the image is formed on the card C. The sheet winding unit 15 is rotationally driven. In this way, in order to make the transfer speed of the thermal transfer sheet R different, the rotation speed of the take-up spool shaft for loading the spool on the take-up side in which the thermal transfer sheet R is wound in a roll shape together with the take-up roller pair 57 is set. The image is rotated so as to be larger when the image is formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F than when the image is formed on the card C. In this embodiment, a DC motor (not shown) is used as a drive source for rotating the take-up roller pair 57 and the take-up spool shaft.

【0067】

Next, the CPU heats the ink of the thermal transfer sheet R with the thermal head 20 to form an image on the receiving layer Fe of the intermediate transfer sheet F. At the time of image formation, the pulse motor M1 is rotated to rotate the platen roller 21 counterclockwise, and the pulse motor M2 is rotated to wind the intermediate transfer sheet F around the intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 16 and synchronously rotate the thermal transfer sheet. This is performed by winding R around the thermal transfer sheet winding unit 15. That is, the CPU is the light receiving sensor S₂The clock plate 90 connected to the back tension roller 88 that recognizes the positioning mark provided on the intermediate transfer sheet F and always reverses forward and reverse with the feed and return of the intermediate transfer sheet F. Integrated transmission sensor S for the amount of rotation₇The intermediate transfer sheet F is transported by a predetermined distance to the printing start position. The thermal head 20 is located at a position separated from the platen roller 21, and as described above, the thermal transfer sheet R is fed by a predetermined distance until, for example, the start end of Y (yellow) becomes the position of the printing position Sr. When the start end of Y (yellow) reaches the print position Sr, the CPU rotates the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4 to transfer the thermal head 20 to the platen roller 21 via the thermal transfer sheet R. It is pressed, and at the same time, the pulse motor M1 and the pulse motor M2 are rotated in the rewind (Rv) direction. As a result, a Y (yellow) image is formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F.

【0068】

When the CPU finishes forming the Y (yellow) image on the intermediate transfer sheet F, the CPU rotates the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23, retracts the thermal head 20 with respect to the platen roller 21, and causes the pulse motors M1 and M2 to move. By rotating in the feed (Fw) direction, the take-up spool shaft 110 is rotated counterclockwise, and the positioning mark provided on the intermediate transfer sheet F is the light receiving sensor S.₂Wind up until it passes. Next, as with Y (yellow), the light receiving sensor S₂The clock plate 90 connected to the back tension roller 88 that recognizes the positioning mark provided on the intermediate transfer sheet F and always reverses forward and reverse with the feed and return of the intermediate transfer sheet F. Integrated transmission sensor S for the amount of rotation₇The intermediate transfer sheet F is transported by a predetermined distance to the printing start position. Send a small amount of thermal transfer sheet R until the tip of the next M (magenta) is located at the printing position Sr. Then, as in the case of Y (yellow), the thermal head advance / retreat cam 23 is rotated again to press the thermal head 20 against the receiving layer Fe of the thermal transfer sheet R, and the image of M (magenta) is superimposed on Y (yellow). Let the formation take place. The CPU repeats the above processes in sequence to form an image superimposed on the intermediate transfer sheet F with a dye of YMC, and then retracts the thermal head 20 to the platen roller 21.

【0069】

Since the intermediate transfer sheet F and the card C have different characteristics such as heat capacity, the heat given to the thermal transfer sheet R by the thermal head 20 when the thermal head control unit of the control unit 19 forms an image on the intermediate transfer sheet F. The energy is controlled to be smaller than the thermal energy given to the thermal transfer sheet R by the thermal head 20 during direct transfer to card C (greater during direct transfer to card C), and such thermal energy is controlled. The calculation is performed by changing the above-mentioned coefficient to thermal energy.

【0070】

Next, the CPU rotates the pulse motors M1 and M2 in the feed (Fw) direction, and the integrated transmission sensor S reaches the position of the heat roller 45, which is previously separated from the platen roller 50.₇The intermediate transfer sheet F is conveyed according to the amount of rotation of the clock plate 90 detected by. During this transfer, the light receiving sensor S₆By monitoring, the positioning mark of the intermediate transfer sheet is detected, and at this point, the transfer amount can be set again, and the transfer accuracy is improved. During this time, the CPU rotates a plurality of roller pairs of the pinch rollers 38 and 39 of the first reversing section 6, the horizontal transfer roller pair 11, the transfer roller pair 48, and the horizontal transfer unit 12 as in the case of the double-sided direct transfer described above. Drive the card C to the second card transport path P₂Transport the top in the direction of arrow L in Fig. 4.

【0071】

When the tip of the card C reaches the position where the tip of the card C comes into contact with the heat roller 45, the CPU rotates the heat roller elevating cam 51 in the direction of arrow B to separate the heat roller 45 from the platen roller 50. The rotation operation of the heat roller elevating cam 51 is stopped by shifting to the state of contacting 50. At this point, the front end of the card C is supported by the platen roller 50 on the back surface side and pressed against the heat roller 45 on the front surface side via the intermediate transfer sheet F. The CPU drives the pulse motor M2 to rotate in the feed (Fw) direction. The card C is supported by a platen roller 50 whose back surface rotates counterclockwise, and its front surface side is pressed against the heat roller 45 via the intermediate transfer sheet F and is conveyed in the direction of arrow L in FIG. The peeling layer Fc of the intermediate transfer sheet F is peeled from the base film Fa by the heat of the heat generating lamp 46, and the receiving layer Fe on which an image is formed on the surface of the card C and the overcoat layer Fd are integrally transferred. In synchronization with this transfer, the intermediate transfer sheet F is wound around the intermediate transfer sheet winding section 17.

【0072】

When the transfer of the intermediate transfer sheet F to the surface side of the card C is completed according to the size of the card C, the CPU stops the rotational drive of the pulse motors M1 and M2 in the feed direction and rotates the heat roller elevating cam 51 again. The heat roller 45 is retracted with respect to the platen roller 50. The card C passes through the horizontal transport section 12, passes through the discharge port 27, and is discharged to the stacker 13.

【0073】

(Action, etc.) Next, the action, etc. of the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

【0074】

Since the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has an image forming unit 9 for forming an image on the card C or the intermediate transfer sheet F and a transfer unit 10 for transferring the image formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F to the card C. , Direct transfer and indirect transfer can be switched for printing. Further, the printing apparatus 1 can cover the card C on which the image directly transferred by the transfer unit 10 is formed with the hologram sheet H. For this reason, the operator has various factors such as the material of the card C such as PVC and PET, the surface shape and characteristics of the card C including the presence or absence of embossing and IC elements, and whether full printing on the card C is required. Depending on the information related to printing and various purposes, it is possible to switch between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method for printing, and it is possible to reduce the running cost associated with printing the card C.

【0075】

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the image formation on the card C and the image formation on the intermediate transfer sheet F are performed by the single thermal head 20 and the single thermal transfer sheet R, and the indirect transfer sheet F to the card C and the like. The transfer of the hologram sheet H is performed by a single heat roller 45. Further, the platen roller 21 arranged to face the thermal head 20 and the platen roller 50 arranged to face the heat roller 45 are indirectly transferred to the card C when forming an image on the card C or the intermediate transfer sheet F. It is commonly used when transferring the sheet F or the hologram sheet H. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1, since the members are standardized by direct transfer, indirect transfer, and overcoating, the cost can be reduced without increasing the size of the printing apparatus 1.

【0076】

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 16 for supplying the intermediate transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet supply unit 29 for supplying the hologram sheet H are loaded using a common supply spool shaft 120, and are intermediate. Since the intermediate sheet winding section 17 for winding the transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet winding section 30 for winding the hologram sheet H are loaded using the common winding spool shaft 110, the intermediate transfer sheet is loaded. The supply mechanism of F and the hologram sheet H, and the winding mechanism of the intermediate transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet H can be used in common, and the size of the printing device 1 is small because these mechanisms are not provided in duplicate. Can be achieved.

【0077】

Further, in the printing device 1, since the take-up spool shaft 110 and the supply spool shaft 120 are rotated by the pulse motor M2, the cost of the printing device 1 can be reduced by standardizing the drive unit. In addition, the pulse motor M1 conveys the intermediate transfer sheet F in the transfer path of the intermediate transfer sheet F, and the card C is conveyed, and the electromagnetic clutch 67 prevents the intermediate transfer sheet F from loosening. It is possible to form an image by superimposing the YMC three colors on the intermediate transfer sheet F, and it is not necessary to separately provide a transport drive unit in the vicinity of the image forming unit 9 of the card C. Therefore, the cost of the printing apparatus 1 can be further reduced. Moreover, the pulse motors M1 and M2 are motors capable of forward and reverse rotation, and the integrated transmission sensor S that detects the feed amount and return amount of the intermediate transfer sheet F as the rotation amount in the transport path of the intermediate transfer sheet F.₇Since it is detected by, there is no color shift even if each color of Y, M, and C is overprinted and printed.

【0078】

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the thermal head control unit of the control unit 19 transfers the thermal energy given to the thermal transfer sheet R by the thermal head 20 when the image is formed on the card C by the thermal head 20 when the image is formed on the intermediate transfer sheet F. The heat energy given to the sheet R is controlled to be larger than the heat energy given to the sheet R, and the actuator control unit of the control unit 19 transfers the intermediate transfer sheet F to the intermediate transfer sheet F at the time of image formation by the configuration of the drive mechanism shown in FIG. The speed is set to be higher than the transfer speed of the card C when forming an image on the card C, and the transfer speed of the thermal transfer sheet R when forming an image on the intermediate transfer sheet F by the thermal head 20 is set when the image is formed on the card C. Since the transfer speed is higher than that of the thermal transfer sheet R, a high-quality image can be obtained without deteriorating the processing capacity such as printing, regardless of the difference in characteristics such as the thermal capacity of the card C and the intermediate transfer sheet F.

【0079】

Furthermore, in the printing apparatus 1, the transport direction of the card C when forming an image on the back surface of the card C and the transport direction of the intermediate transfer sheet F when forming an image on the intermediate transfer sheet F are set to be the same direction. Since the pulse motors M1 and M2 are rotationally driven, the capstan rollers 74, 78, etc. that convey the card C in the vicinity of the image forming unit 9 can be placed close to the platen roller 50 in a compact manner. The size of the forming portion 9 can be reduced.

【0080】

Further, in the printing device 1, the image forming unit 9 is connected to the first card transport path P.₁The transfer unit 10 is placed on the second card transport path P.₂Since it is arranged at a position where it intersects with the top, the entire printing device 1 does not become an elongated rectangular parallelepiped, and it is possible to achieve compactness while having a degree of freedom in design.

【0081】

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the first card transport path P₁And 2nd card transport path P₂Intersection X with₁The first reversing part 6 for rotating or reversing the card C is arranged in the first card transport path P.₁And 3rd card transport path P₃Intersection X with₂Since the second reversing section 5 for rotating or reversing the card C is arranged, the transport direction of the card C can be switched by these reversing sections, so that the transport path of the card C of the entire printing device 1 can be made compact. It can be stored in a nice space.

【0082】

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the first reversing section 6 is the first card transport path P.₁, 2nd card transport path P₂Card C is sent to the first card transport path P₁, 2nd card transport path P₂The card C is exchanged between the two, and the second reversing unit 5 exchanges the recording medium with the information recording unit 8 that performs recording processing on the card C, and the first reversing unit 6 and the second Since the reversing portions 5 are connected in the vertical direction, the recording medium can be conveyed in a compact space without deteriorating the conveying performance. Further, since the image forming unit 9 is arranged above the first inversion unit 6, the transfer unit 10 is arranged on the side, and the information recording unit 8 is arranged below the transfer unit 10, the printing apparatus 1 can be used. The components can be rationally arranged.

【0083】

Further, in the printing apparatus 1, the second card transport path P₂Since the discharge port 27 is provided at the end of the printing device 1, the card C can be discharged as it is after the intermediate transfer sheet F or the hologram sheet H is transferred to the card C by the transfer unit 10. Can be shortened. In addition, an eject port 28 for ejecting the card C in which the writing defect is detected in the information recording unit 8 is provided, and the card C in which the writing defect is detected is rotated in the second reversing unit 5 to be ejected from the eject port 28. Therefore, the transport path for transporting the card C for which the writing defect is detected by the information recording unit 8 to the outside becomes unnecessary, and the printing device 1 can be made compact.

【0084】

In the printing device 1 of the present embodiment, a magnetic encoder for recording and a contact type IC writer / reader are illustrated in the information recording unit 8, but for example, if the recording target is a non-contact type IC card, the inside of the card is included. A non-contact type antenna for electrically writing or reading to the IC chip may be used. Further, in order to selectively perform magnetic recording and electrical recording, an IC writer or the like may be arranged between the second reversing section 6 and the eject port 28, and another reversing section may be provided. 2 It may be arranged between the inversion unit and the information recording unit 8, and two types of information recording units may be arranged at an angle of 90 °. By the way, in the case of a magnetic encoder, information writing is usually performed by one-pass or multiple-pass reciprocating transfer to the information writing / reading head in processing such as magnetic data writing and verification. This can be done by rotating or reversely driving a plurality of transport rollers in the information recording unit.

【0085】

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the first reversing part 6 and the second reversing part 5 are rotated or reversed in synchronization (interlocking) is shown, but these reversing parts may be rotated or reversed separately. Good. Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the rotary frame 40 and the pinch rollers 38 and 39 are driven independently is shown, but in order to prevent the card C from being displaced, a pinch is performed when the rotary frame 40 is rotated or inverted. The rollers 38 and 39 may be reversed by the same amount of angular rotation.

【0086】

Further, in the present embodiment, the first card transport path P₁2 is formed in a substantially vertical direction to dispose the image forming portion 9, and the second card transport path P₂Is shown in an example in which the transfer unit 10 is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction.₁2nd card transport path P in almost horizontal direction₂May be formed in a substantially vertical direction. In this case, it is only necessary to slightly change the arrangement of the first inversion part 6 and the second inversion part 5, and the image forming part 9 and the transfer part 10 are separated from each other at an angle of 90 °. A printing device having the same effect can be obtained.

【0087】

Further, in the present embodiment, the hologram sheet H is illustrated as the sheet for covering the card C, but instead of the hologram sheet H, a coat film that does not have a hologram and simply covers the card C may be used. The reason for covering with the hologram sheet H is to enhance the security of the card C by forming a hologram on the surface of the card C. Even with such a coated film, the receiving layer directly formed on the card C is covered with the hologram sheet. It can be protected in the same way as H.

【0088】

Further, in the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, an example of manually exchanging the intermediate transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet H has been shown, but by a known technique, these are electrically switched on the same axis. You may. In this case, the intermediate transfer sheet winding unit 17, the hologram sheet winding unit 30, the intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 16, and the hologram sheet supply unit 29 are arranged coaxially with the take-up spool shaft 110 and the supply spool shaft 120, respectively. Alternatively, the intermediate transfer sheet winding section 17 and the hologram sheet winding section 30 are arranged only on the same axis as the take-up spool shaft 110, and the intermediate transfer sheet supply section 16 and the hologram sheet supply section 29 are separate. The intermediate transfer sheet supply unit 16 and the hologram sheet supply unit 29 are arranged only on the same axis as the spool shaft, or conversely, the intermediate transfer sheet winding unit 17 and the hologram sheet winding unit 30 are separate. It may be a spool shaft.

【0089】

Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the card C is positioned by the integrated transmission sensor in the case of double-sided direct transfer to form an image by superimposing three colors, but as in the case of the indirect transfer described above, for example, A clock plate may be arranged on the capstan roller 78 so that the amount of rotation thereof is detected by an integrated transmission sensor.

【0090】

Further, in the present embodiment, in the case of double-sided direct printing, the front side of the card C is printed first, but the back side may be printed first. Further, in the present embodiment, the example in which the intermediate transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet H are not overcoated in the above two operations is not mentioned, but if the intermediate transfer sheet F and the hologram sheet H are discharged as they are without being heat-treated by the transfer unit 10, there is no overcoat. It goes without saying that the card C can be ejected. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second card transport path P₂An example of rotating the upper roller pair only in the direction of arrow L in Fig. 1 is shown, but if it is possible to carry it in the direction of arrow R, printing is performed directly on the surface side of card C, and then a hologram sheet is placed on it. It may be covered with H, fed back in the direction of arrow R, printed directly on the back side, and discharged. Similarly, when direct transfer and indirect transfer are performed, the above operation shows an example in which indirect transfer is performed later, but direct transfer may be performed after indirect transfer.

【0091】

Then, in the present embodiment, an example in which the information recording unit 8 is built in the printing device 1 is shown, but as shown in FIG. 8, information recording on the card C needs to be performed or recorded outside the printing device 1. In the case of a card that does not have to be printed, the second reversing section 5 and the information recording section 8 are printed by arranging the cleaner 4 on the upstream side of the first reversing section 6 and the card supply section 3 on the upstream side. Since it is not necessary to dispose of it in the apparatus, such an arrangement example can be taken as an option of the printing apparatus 1, and the second reversing unit 5 and the information recording unit 8 are omitted to reduce the size of the printing apparatus. You may do it.

【0092】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first printing means can be used for direct transfer to the recording medium, and the second printing means and transfer means can be used for indirect transfer to the recording medium. Therefore, when printing on a recording medium, the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method can be switched for printing, and the first supply spool and the second thermal transfer sheet for supplying the first thermal transfer sheet can be used. A thermal transfer sheet supply spool shaft capable of loading the second supply spool to be supplied, and a first take-up spool for winding the first thermal transfer sheet and a second take-up spool for winding the second thermal transfer sheet. It has a loadable thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft, and each of the thermal transfer sheet supply spool shaft and the thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft is formed by a single spool shaft, so that the members can be standardized. A low-cost printing device can be obtained without increasing the size of the entire device, and there is a spool shaft rotating means for rotationally driving the thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft, and a second take-up spool is rotated. Since the rotation speed of the thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft when winding the thermal transfer sheet is higher than the rotational speed of the thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft when winding the first thermal transfer sheet that rotates the first take-up spool. It is possible to obtain the effect that the thermal transfer sheet can be conveyed to the recording medium and the intermediate transfer medium at a suitable speed to form a high-quality image by the printing means.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a connected state between the second reversing part and the first reversing part of the printing apparatus of the embodiment, (A) is a vertical state in card transfer, and (B) is a state after synchronous reversal. Indicates a vertical state.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vicinity of an image forming portion when direct printing and hologram processing are performed by the printing apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment in which direct printing and indirect printing are performed.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a transfer mechanism of an intermediate transfer sheet and a card transfer mechanism in the vicinity of an image forming portion of the printing apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment in which hologram processing is performed.

7A and 7B are explanatory views of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer sheet, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7C are front views schematically showing a thermal transfer sheet, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an intermediate transfer sheet. ..

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of another aspect of the printing apparatus to which the present invention is applicable.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Printing device 9 Image forming unit (first printing means, second printing means) 10 Transfer unit (transfer means) 14 Thermal transfer sheet supply unit (first and second supply spools) 15 Thermal transfer sheet winding unit (first) And 2nd take-up spool, thermal transfer sheet take-up spool shaft, part of thermal transfer sheet transfer means) 19 Control unit (thermal energy control means) 20 Thermal head (printing element) 21 Platen roller 45 Heat roller (transfer means) 57 Winding roller pair (part of thermal transfer sheet transfer means) C card (recording medium) F intermediate transfer sheet (intermediate transfer medium) R thermal transfer sheet (first thermal transfer sheet, second thermal transfer sheet)