JP2002225384A - Card printer and method for printing card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a card printer in which print efficiency can be enhanced significantly. SOLUTION: When printing is started following to end of printing in a card printer for printing an image based on a print signal onto a card material by pressing a head against a platen through the card material, the head pressed against the platen through the card material is separated from the platen to keep a specified interval and the card material is carried to be positioned with respect to the platen while being headed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card printing apparatus and a card printing method, and more particularly, to a card printing apparatus and a card printing method for printing a color image on one or both sides of a card material made of a plastic material. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a thermal transfer type card printer of this type, various dyes applied to an ink ribbon are printed in a predetermined manner by pressing a thermal transfer head against a platen via an ink ribbon and a card material. A color image is printed on the surface of the card material by thermal transfer to the surface of the card material based on the signal.

[0003]

In such a card printer, an identification card (hereinafter referred to as an ID (identi?
fication) card is applied, the ID stripe has a practically sufficient thickness to secure security in order to protect the magnetic stripe or IC memory on which identification information is recorded from the external environment. It has been made to be.

On the other hand, in this card printer, when applying an amusement photo card as an object to be printed, it is more important to improve the storage capacity of the card itself and to reduce the cost than to ensure security. It is very strongly required to reduce the thickness of the photo card to about 0.25 [mm].

However, immediately after printing on one or both sides of such a photo card, the photo card in a heated state is rolled up. As a result, the rolled up portion is caught in the conveyance path, and congestion during conveyance is caused. There has been a problem that the frequency of causing so-called jamming increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose a card printing apparatus and a card printing method capable of significantly improving printing efficiency.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a card printing apparatus for printing an image based on a print signal on a card material while pressing the head against a platen via the card material. A head moving means for moving the head closer to or away from the platen, and a control means for controlling the head moving means are provided.
Immediately after printing, the head moving means is controlled so as to be positioned at a predetermined guide position corresponding to the thickness of the card material closer to the platen than a predetermined standby position.

As a result, in the card printing apparatus, it is possible to prevent the heating of the card material immediately after printing from occurring, and as a result, the wound portion of the card material is caught in the transport path. It is possible to prevent traffic congestion from occurring on the transport path.

In the present invention, a first step of printing an image based on a print signal on the card material while the head is pressed against the platen via the card material, and immediately after printing, the platen is moved from a predetermined standby position to a predetermined standby position. And a second step of positioning the head at a predetermined guide position according to the thickness of the card material close to.

[0010] As a result, in this card printing method, it is possible to prevent the card material in a heated state immediately after printing from being rolled up. As a result, the rolled-up portion of the card material is caught in the transport path. It is possible to prevent traffic congestion from occurring on the transport path. [Detailed description of the invention]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall Configuration of Card Printer In FIG. 1, 1 indicates a card printer as a whole.
Cleaning roller 3A from card insertion slot 2A of housing 2
And 3B, the card material 4 inserted can be transported by the card transport unit 5 to the rotary transport unit 6 along the transport path CR.

In this embodiment, the card material 4 is a so-called ISO (International Organization for St.
A magnetic stripe is formed along the longitudinal direction on one edge of the card material 4 and an IC (Integrated Circuit) memory is provided at a predetermined position on the other end of the card material 4. Is buried.

The card transport section 5 actually comprises a first transport section 5A and a second transport section 5B disposed before and after the transport path CR via a platen 7, and the first transport section 5A and the second transport section 5B. A pair of transport rollers 8A to 11A, 8
B to 11B are rotatably supported at predetermined intervals along the transport path CR.

The upper conveying rollers 8A to 11A
Are rotated in the same direction in conjunction with each other in response to the rotation of a drive motor (not shown).
To 11B are in contact with and pressed against the corresponding upper conveying rollers 8A to 11A.
The card material 4 inserted between the upper transport rollers 8A to 11A and the lower transport rollers 8B to 11B is rotated by the rotation of the upper transport rollers 8A to 11A. Accordingly, it can be freely conveyed in the left-right direction along the conveyance path CR.

A color image printing section 12 is provided above the card transport section 5 at a predetermined position facing the platen 7. In the color image printing unit 12, the head holding mechanism unit 14 including the head unit 13 extends in the direction in which the thermal transfer head 15 supported at the tip of the head unit 13 is pressed against the platen 7, or separates from the platen 7. It has been made to shorten in the direction to do.

In the printing mode, the color image printing unit 12
The head holding mechanism 14 is driven to transfer the thermal transfer head 15 to the platen 7 via the roll-shaped ink ribbon 18 supported by the supply reel 16 and the take-up reel 17 and the card material 4 positioned on the platen 7. After the pressing, the thermal transfer head 15 generates heat based on a predetermined print signal in this state, so that the ink of the ink ribbon 18 can be thermally transferred to one surface of the card material 4.

In this case, the roll-shaped ink ribbon 18 is stored in a ribbon cassette 19, and the ribbon cassette 19 is printed with a color image through a cassette insertion opening (not shown) formed on the side surface of the housing 2. Part 12 and platen 7
It is designed to be removably loaded between them.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink ribbon 18 is applied to each of the color dyes of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K, each of which is applied with a predetermined length as a dye for one card material 4. Subsequently, a film-like sheet L is provided. Further, a predetermined mark (not shown) is applied to the top position of each page of the ink ribbon 18, and the mark is marked by an optical sensor (not shown) provided on the traveling path of the ink ribbon 18. The detection allows the cue of the ink ribbon 18 to be performed.

The supply reel 16 is provided with a torque limiter (not shown) for applying a predetermined torque during rotation, so as to always apply back tension to the ink ribbon 18. Further supply reel 16
An optical sensor (not shown) for detecting the winding diameter is arranged near the printer, and the winding state of the winding reel 17 can be controlled by detecting the tension of the ink ribbon 18.

The transport path CR in the second transport section 5B
A magnetic recording / reproducing unit 20 is provided on the right of the magnetic recording / reproducing unit 20. The magnetic head 21 is exposed on the transport path CR only during recording / reproduction, and is brought into contact with the upper transport roller 10A along with the lower transport roller 10B. The magnetic head 21 is concealed from the transport path CR except during recording and reproduction.

The magnetic recording / reproducing unit 20 records information based on a predetermined recording signal on a magnetic stripe (not shown) formed on one surface of the card material 4 with the magnetic head 21 exposed, By reproducing the information, it is possible to determine whether or not a recording error exists in the magnetic stripe.

Photointerrupter-type optical sensors 22, 23 and 24 are provided at the front and rear stages of the first transport unit 5A and at the front stage of the second transport unit 5B, respectively, and are respectively sent along the transport path CR. The presence or absence of the incoming card material 4 can be detected.

A card thickness detecting section 40 having a pair of rolls 40A and 40B, one of which is a pressure sensor, is provided at a stage preceding the first conveying section 5A, and a card material sent along the conveying path CR is provided. The thickness of the card material 4 can be detected based on the pressing force of one of the rolls 40A while inserting the card material 4 between the rolls.

Further, at the subsequent stage of the second transport section 5B, a rotary transport section 30 is provided along the transport path CR. In the rotary transport section 30, a rotation mechanism section 31 is supported rotatably about a rotation shaft 32 in a direction indicated by an arrow r or in a direction opposite thereto. The first flipper rollers 33A and 33B and the second flipper rollers 34A and 34B are rotatably supported by the rotation mechanism 31 while maintaining a symmetrical positional relationship with each other via a rotation shaft 32. I have.

The flipper rollers 33A and 34A at one end rotate in the same direction in conjunction with each other according to the rotation of a drive motor (not shown), and the flipper rollers 33B and 34B at the other end are Each of the flipper rollers 33A and 34A is pressed against the corresponding one of the flipper rollers 33A and 34A.
The card material 4 inserted between the first flipper rollers 33A and 33B and / or between the second flipper rollers 34A and 34B is rotated in the opposite direction in accordance with the rotation of A. 3
The paper is sent out before and after the transport path CR according to the rotation of 4A.

As described above, the rotary transport unit 30 holds the card material 4 fed from the second transport unit 5B in the direction indicated by the arrow r or in the opposite direction, as necessary, in a state where the card material 4 is sandwiched by the rotary mechanism unit 30. After being rotated by a predetermined angle and positioned, the card material 4 can be sent out in the determined predetermined direction.

An IC recording / reproducing section 35 is provided near the rotary transport section 30. When the card material 4 sent out from the rotary transport section 30 is inserted into an insertion slot 35A of the IC recording / reproducing section 35, the card is read. I provided on the other surface of the material 4
Each terminal of the C memory (not shown) comes into contact with an interface connector (not shown). As a result, after recording information based on a predetermined recording signal, the IC recording / reproducing unit 35 can determine whether or not a recording error exists in the IC memory by reproducing the information. I have.

A defective card tray 36 is provided in the vicinity of the rotary transport section 30. The rotary transport section 30 is provided when the magnetic recording / reproducing section 20 and the IC recording / reproducing section 35 determine that a recording error exists. The card material 4 having the recording error is sent to the defective card tray 36 through the carry-in port 36A, and if it is determined that the recording error does not exist, the card having no recording error is sent. The material 4 is sent out to a card tray (not shown) provided outside via a card outlet 2B on the end face of the housing 2.

The first flipper rollers 33A and 33
A first optical sensor 37 and a second optical sensor 38 of a photo-interrupter type are provided on the outside of B and on the outside of the second flipper rollers 34A and 34B (that is, on both sides on the centrifugal side of the rotating shaft 32), respectively. Each transport path CR
The presence or absence of the card material 4 sent along the line can be detected.

Incidentally, in the card printer 1, the card transport unit 5, the rotary transport unit 30, the color image printing unit 1
2. The magnetic recording / reproducing unit 20 and the IC recording / reproducing unit 35 are each driven to a predetermined state under the control of a host computer (not shown) as control means.

(2) Structure of the Head Holding Mechanism As shown in FIG. 3, the head holding mechanism 14 of the color image printing unit 12 is fixedly supported by a support plate (not shown) in the housing 2. One end of the support member 51 is rotatably mounted about the shaft 50 in a direction indicated by an arrow a or in a direction opposite thereto, and a rear end of the head unit 13 is attached to the other end of the support member 51 by a support shaft 52. Arrow b around
It is rotatably supported in the direction shown by or in the opposite direction.

The head unit 13 includes a support member 51
A coil spring 53 is attached between the support member 51 and the support member 51, which is pressed against the support member 51 in the direction indicated by the arrow b around the support shaft 52 in response to the bias of the coil spring 53. As a result, the head unit 13 is integrated with the support member 51 so that the arrow a
It is designed to be able to rotate in the direction shown by or in the opposite direction.

In the vicinity of the fixed shaft 50, one corner of a substantially triangular lever member 55 about the fixed shaft 54 supported by a support plate in the housing 2 as a center of rotation or a direction indicated by an arrow c, or It is attached to be rotatable in the opposite direction.

At the other corner of the lever member 55, the connecting member 5
6 is rotatably connected about the connecting shaft 57 in the direction indicated by the arrow d or in the opposite direction, and the other end of the connecting member 56 is connected to the other end of the supporting member 51 and the supporting shaft 52.
Are connected so as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by an arrow b or in the opposite direction.

As described above, in the head holding mechanism 14, a link mechanism including the support member 51, the connecting member 56, and the lever member 55 is formed using the fixed shafts 50 and 54 as fixed links.

In the vicinity of the fixed shaft 54, a head drive shaft 58 supported by a support plate in the housing 2 is used as a cam shaft.
The front cam 59 is rotatably fixed and supported in a direction indicated by an arrow e or in a direction opposite thereto.

As shown in FIG. 4, a shaft hole 59A for supporting the head drive shaft 58 is formed at the center of one side surface of the front cam 59, and is symmetrical around the shaft hole 59A. A cam groove 59B having a mold shape is formed.

A pin 60 projecting from the other corner of the lever member 55 is separably engaged with the cam groove 59B of the front cam 59, and the front cam 59 is rotated with the rotation of the head drive shaft 58. Is rotated, the pin 60 slides along the cam groove 59B, so that the lever member 55
Can be swung around the center in the direction indicated by arrow c or in the opposite direction.

As described above, in the head holding mechanism 14, not only the link mechanism as described above, but also the head drive shaft 58 as the cam shaft, and the front cam 59 and the connecting member 55
Are also formed as a driving mechanism and a follower, respectively.

At this time, the cam groove 59B of the front cam 59 is formed to be symmetrical left and right, so that the front cam 59 rotates only in the direction indicated by the arrow e or in the opposite direction. Also, the link mechanism swings and the head unit 13 reciprocates between the home position and the position facing the platen 7. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the thermal transfer head 15 from colliding with the platen 7 and causing a failure due to the overrun of the link mechanism.

A pair of guide members (not shown) are fixed to the bearings on both sides of the platen 7, and guide grooves 62 A for position regulation are formed in each of the guide portions on both ends of the head unit 13. Positioning pin 13
A is formed corresponding to A. As a result, the head unit 13 is moved away from the support member 51 by the support shaft 52.
, While rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow b or in the direction opposite thereto while regulating the position in the parallel direction indicated by the arrow f with respect to the platen 7.

In addition to the above configuration, in the card printer 1, the head holding mechanism 14 of the color image printing unit 12 has a head position sensor 41 near the front cam 59.
(FIG. 1) is provided so that the rotational position of the front cam 59 can be sequentially detected. Color image printing unit 12
Is based on the detection result by the head position sensor 41,
The elevating state of the head unit 13 can be controlled as needed.

The color image printing section 12 includes the first transport section 5
A based on the detection result by the card thickness detection unit 40 provided at the previous stage of
It is determined whether the card material is a standard card material 4 or a thin card material 45 described later, and the control mode of the head holding mechanism 14 is switched according to the result of the determination.

Here, actually, in the head holding mechanism 14,
At the initial stage in FIG. 3, the pin 60 attached to the corner of the lever member 55 is positioned at the initial position A1 (FIG. 4) of the cam groove 59B of the front cam 59, and the head unit 13 is moved relative to the platen 7. (Hereinafter, this state is referred to as an initial state).

Subsequently, in the printing mode, the head holding mechanism 14 rotates the front cam 59 in the direction indicated by the arrow e with the head drive shaft 58 as the cam shaft in response to the driving of the head motor (not shown). A pin 60 provided at the corner of the lever member 55 slides along the cam groove 59B formed in the front cam 59 from the initial position A1 to the intermediate positions A2 to A3 (FIG. 4). As a result, the lever member 55 rotates about the fixed shaft 54 in the direction indicated by the arrow c, and the connecting member 5
6, the support member 51 also rotates about the fixed shaft 50 in the direction indicated by the arrow a.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the head unit 13 rotates in the direction shown by the arrow a in proximity to the platen 7 in response to the rotation of the support member 51 about the fixed shaft 50. However, it is positioned in a slightly floating state with respect to the platen 7 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a standby state).

At this time, the ink ribbon 18 (FIG. 1) is pressed against the thermal transfer head 15 of the head unit 13, and in this standby state, the supply reel 16 and the take-up reel 17 remove the slack of the ink ribbon 18 and perform 1 Find the beginning of the page.

Subsequently, when the front cam 59 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow e in response to the driving of the head motor (not shown), the head holding mechanism 14 rotates the pin 60 along the cam groove 59B of the front cam 59. In addition to sliding from the intermediate positions A2 to A3, the positioning pins 13A formed on both ends of the head unit 13 also slide in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow f along the guide grooves 62A for position control.

When the pin 60 reaches the printing position A3 to A4 of the cam groove 59B, the head holding mechanism 14 stops driving the head motor (not shown), and the positioning pin 13A moves along the guide groove 62A. As shown in FIG. 6, the thermal transfer head 15 supported at the tip of the head unit 13 is pressed against the platen 7 via the ink ribbon 18 because the position is regulated at a predetermined position in the guide groove 62A while the position is regulated. (Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a printing state).

In this printing state, the card material 4 moves the card material 4 along the conveyance path CR by the card transfer section 5.
5 and the platen 7, the head holding mechanism 14 applies a predetermined printing to one surface of the card material 4 that moves while being pressed against the thermal transfer head 15 on the transport path CR in synchronization with the rotation of the platen 7. By thermally transferring a dye of a predetermined color based on the signal, an area corresponding to the predetermined color in a desired color image is printed.

Thereafter, after a predetermined color is printed over the entire surface of the card material 4, the head holding mechanism 14 drives a head motor (not shown) to move the front cam 59 to the head drive shaft 58. When the cam shaft is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow e, the pin 60 slides from the printing positions A3 to A4 along the cam groove 59B of the front cam 59, and the positioning pin 13A also moves along the guide groove 62A of the guide member. Slides in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow f.

After the pin 60 slides to the original initial position A1 through the intermediate positions A4 to A5 of the cam groove 59B, when the driving of the head motor (not shown) is stopped, the head unit 13 is returned to the initial state. It is.

Further, in the case of this embodiment, the head holding mechanism 14 drives the head motor (not shown) to move the front cam 59 to the head drive shaft 5 after printing is completed, if necessary.
While rotating 8 as a cam shaft in the direction shown by arrow e,
When the interval between the thermal transfer head 15 supported on the tip of the head unit 13 and the platen 7 becomes a predetermined distance (for example, 1 mm) from the printing state (hereinafter, referred to as a guide state), the head holding mechanism section 14 stops the driving of the head motor (not shown) so that the pin 60
It stops so as to be positioned at an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as a guide position) between the intermediate positions A4 to A5 of 9B.

In the guide state, when the card material 4 is very thin like a photo card, the card material 4 is curled up by heating immediately after printing. Until it is positioned again along the transport path CR in the crawling state with respect to the platen 7, the rolled-up portion is pressed between the thermal transfer head 15 and the platen 7 so as to be substantially flat without being curved. Can be kept in condition.

As described above, in the color image printing section 12, when the detection result by the card thickness detecting section 40 indicates the card material 4 according to the ISO standard, the rotational position of the front cam 59 in the head holding mechanism section 14 is used as the head position. While being sequentially detected by the sensor 41, the elevating state of the head unit 13 is set so that the thermal transfer head 15 shifts in the order of the initial state, the standby state, and the printing state from the start of printing to the end of printing for each printing. Control.

At this time, at the start of the printing process, when the card material 4 is first positioned in the cueing state with respect to the platen 7, the color image printing unit 12 shifts the thermal transfer head 15 from the initial state to the standby state. After cueing the ink ribbon 18, the thermal transfer head 15 is shifted to a printing state, and the card material is pressed against the card material 4 conveyed on the conveyance path CR in synchronization with the rotation of the platen 7. 4
Print on one side.

After the printing process is completed, when the printing process is to be performed subsequently, the color image printing unit 12 moves the thermal transfer head 15 from the printing state to the standby state, and then moves the ink ribbon 18 to the platen 7. The card transport unit 5 transports the card material 4 so as to position the card material 4 in the cueing state with respect to the platen 7.

On the other hand, in the color image printing section 12, when the detection result by the card thickness detecting section 40 indicates the thin card material 45, the rotational position of the front cam 59 in the head holding mechanism section 14 is determined by the head position sensor 41. While detecting sequentially, the elevating state of the head unit 13 is controlled so as to shift in the order of the initial state, the standby state, the printing state, and the guide state from printing start to printing end for each print.

At this time, at the start of the printing process, when the card material 4 is first positioned in the cueing state with respect to the platen 7, the color image printing unit 12 shifts the thermal transfer head 15 from the initial state to the standby state. After cueing the ink ribbon 18, the thermal transfer head 15 is shifted to a printing state, and the card material is pressed against the card material 4 conveyed on the conveyance path CR in synchronization with the rotation of the platen 7. 4
Print on one side.

After completion of the printing process, when performing the printing process subsequently, the color image printing unit 12 shifts the thermal transfer head 15 from the printing state to the guide state, and then moves the ink ribbon 18 to the platen 7. The card transport unit 5 transports the card material 4 so as to position the card material 4 in the cueing state with respect to the platen 7.

[0062] (3) color print process 7 the image printing section shows a circuit configuration of a color image printing unit 12, when the host computer (not shown) is a predetermined print data D _P is supplied, the memory controller 70 Is the CPU 71
, The print data D _CP is converted into color print data D _PY (yellow Y), D _PM (magenta M), D _PC (cyan C), D _PK (black K), and laminate data corresponding to each color. write D _PL (film-like sheet L) as one sign screen at the frame memory 72-76 corresponding respectively.

Next, the memory controller 70
After reading the color print data D _PY , D _PM , D _PC, and D _PK laminate data D _PL from each of the frame memories 72 to 76 at a predetermined timing,
The color print data D _PY , D _PM , and D _PC are sent to the color adjustment units 77 to 79, respectively, and the color print data D _PK and the laminate data D _PL are sent to one input terminal of the selector 80.

The color adjustment units 77 to 79 are provided with a color conversion table (not shown) having standard printing characteristics for each color, so that an adjustment curve set for each color before and after the color matching processing is set. After performing the color adjustment according to each, the obtained color print data D _PY1 , D _PM1
And D _PC1 to the masking section 81.

[0065] The masking unit 81, after isolating unnecessary data of the color print data D _PY1, D _PM1 and D _PC1 supplied, resulting color print data D _PY2, D _PM2 and D _{PC 2} a The signal is sent to the other two input terminals of the selector 80.

The selector 80 _converts the data sequentially selected from the given color print data D _PY2 , D _PM2 , D _PC and D _PK and the laminate data D _PL as necessary under the control of the CPU 71 as necessary. 82. The gamma correction unit 82 performs density energization time conversion based on a predetermined thermal correction coefficient set based on the control of the CPU 71, and then supplies the resulting print image data D _T to the thermal transfer head controller 83.

[0067] The thermal transfer head controller 83 is provided in the head unit 13, after converting the print image data D _T into a current signal D _I, which thermal head 1
Give 5 This result is a thermal transfer head 15, a plurality of heating resistors provided on the head surface (not shown) generates heat respectively according to the current signal D _I. Thus the color image printing unit 12, thermal head 1 based on the print data D _P
The head face 5 can be exothermic, a desired color image can be printed on one side or the other surface of the card member 4 in accordance with the print data D _P based on the heat generation.

The CPU 71 can control the driving of a head motor (not shown) to move the thermal transfer controller 83 in the head unit 13 so as to approach or separate from the platen 7 (FIG. 3). The CPU 71 transmits a control command to be transmitted to each of the above-described circuits via a bus 84.

(4) Information Recording and Printing Processing Procedures by Card Printer The host computer in the card printer 1 is shown in FIGS.
By executing the printing process procedure RT1 shown in FIG. 10, predetermined information is recorded on magnetic stripes and IC memories respectively formed on one surface and the other surface of the ISO standard card material 4 as necessary, or A desired color image is printed on one or both sides of the card material 4.

First, when the power is set to the ON state, the host computer enters the printing processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. 8 from step SP0, and in the following step SP1,
After the card material 4 is supplied from the color image printing unit 12,
If detected by the optical sensor 22 at the previous stage of the first transport unit 5A, it is determined in step SP2 whether or not predetermined information is magnetically recorded on a magnetic stripe formed on one surface of the card material 4.

If a positive result is obtained in step SP2, the host computer proceeds to step SP3 to move the card material 4 from the first transport unit 5A to the platen 7 along the transport path CR in the direction indicated by the arrow a. Through the second transport unit 5B.

Subsequently, when the card material 4 is detected by the optical sensor 24 provided before the second transport section 5B,
The host computer proceeds to step SP4 and positions the card material 4 so that the card material 4 is located in the cue state with respect to the magnetic recording / reproducing unit 20. Then, the host computer exposes the magnetic head 21 on the transport path CR, and Left transport roller 1
It is pressed against 0A.

Subsequently, the host computer proceeds to step S
At step P5, the card material 4 is sequentially inserted between the transport roller 10A and the magnetic head 21 in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 10A, and the magnetic recording / reproducing unit 20 is controlled to sequentially slide the card material 4 into contact with the magnetic head 21. After recording predetermined information on the magnetic stripe, the information is reproduced.

At this time, when the magnetic recording / reproducing section 20 starts magnetic recording on the card material 4, the host computer controls the rotating / conveying section 30 to move the rotating mechanism section 31 to an arrow r.
By rotating the card material 4 gradually along the transport path CR during the magnetic recording by rotating the card material 4 by a predetermined angle in the direction indicated by
Of the second flipper rollers 33A and 33B or the second flipper rollers 34A and 34B. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent the recording material recorded on the card material 4 from being jittered due to the contact of the card material 4 with each roller during the magnetic recording.

Next, the host computer proceeds to step S
After proceeding to P6 to determine whether or not a recording error exists in the card material 4, the process proceeds to step SP7 only when a positive result is obtained.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP2, the card printer 1 proceeds to step SP7 without performing magnetic recording processing on the card material 4.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP6, this means that the card material 4 is defective, and the host computer then proceeds to step S6.
Proceeding to P8 (FIG. 9), the rotary transport unit 30 is controlled to
After the rotation mechanism unit 31 is positioned at a position where the flipper rollers 33A and 33B and the second flipper rollers 34A and 34B are arranged along the direction indicated by the arrow a (hereinafter referred to as a transport reference position), The magnetic recording / reproducing unit 20 is controlled to make the magnetic head 21 exposed on the transport path CR invisible so as to be off the transport path CR.

Subsequently, when the card material 4 sent from the card transport section 5 is detected by the first optical sensor 37,
The host computer controls the rotary transport unit 30 to rotate the first flipper roller 33A and the second flipper roller 34A at one end, thereby sandwiching the card material 4 between the first flipper rollers 33A and 33B. While the second flipper rollers 34A and 34B
Send in between.

Thereafter, the card material 4 is transferred to the second optical sensor 38.
Is detected by the host computer, the host computer controls the rotary conveyance unit 30 to control the first flipper roller 33 on one end side.
A and the rotation of the second flipper roller 34A are stopped so that the card material 4 is removed from the first flipper roller 33A.
And 33B and the second flipper rollers 34A and 34B
Let it be sandwiched between.

Next, the host computer proceeds to step S
In P9, the control unit controls the rotary transport unit 30 to rotate the rotation mechanism unit 31 at the transport reference position by a predetermined angle in the direction indicated by the arrow r, and moves the card material 4 to a position corresponding to the transport entrance 36A of the defective card tray 36. (Hereinafter, referred to as a defective card ejection position).

Thereafter, the host computer proceeds to step S
Proceeding to P10, the first flipper roller 33A on one end side
After rotating the second flipper roller 34A to feed the card material 4 into the carry-in entrance 36A of the defective card tray 36, the process proceeds to step SP11 (FIG. 8), and the printing process procedure RT1 is completed.

In the following step SP7, the host computer determines whether or not to record predetermined information in the IC memory provided on the other side of the card material 4. If a positive result is obtained in step SP7, the host computer proceeds to step SP12 to control the rotary transport unit 30 to position the rotation mechanism unit 31 at the transport reference position, and then controls the magnetic recording / reproducing unit 20. The magnetic head 21 exposed on the transport path CR is concealed so as to be off the transport path CR.

Subsequently, when the card material 4 sent out from the card transport section 5 is detected by the first optical sensor 37,
The host computer controls the rotary transport unit 30 to rotate the first flipper roller 33A and the second flipper roller 34A until the second optical sensor 38 detects the card material 4 in the same manner as described above. Is sandwiched between the first flipper rollers 33A and 33B and between the second flipper rollers 34A and 34B.

Next, the host computer proceeds to step S
In P13, the control unit controls the rotary transport unit 30 to rotate the rotation mechanism unit 31 at the transport reference position by a predetermined angle in the direction indicated by the arrow r, so that the card material 4 corresponds to the insertion port 35A of the IC recording / reproducing unit 35. Position (hereinafter referred to as an IC recording / reproducing position).

Thereafter, the host computer proceeds to step S
Proceeding to P14, the first flipper roller 33A on one end side
After inserting the card material 4 into the insertion opening 35A of the IC recording / reproducing unit 35 while rotating and driving the second flipper roller 34A to move the card material 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow c, step S
Proceeding to P15, the card material 4 is positioned with respect to the IC recording / reproducing unit 35 so as to be in the cueing state.

Next, the card printer 1 proceeds to step SP16 shown in FIG. 9, and controls the IC recording / reproducing unit 35 to connect an interface connector (not shown) to each terminal of the IC memory provided on one surface of the card material 4. After contacting and recording information based on a predetermined recording signal set in advance,
The information is reproduced.

Next, the host computer proceeds to step S
After proceeding to P17 to determine whether or not a recording error exists in the card material 4, the process proceeds to step SP18 only when a positive result is obtained.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP17, this indicates that the card material 4 is defective. At this time, the host computer proceeds to step SP8 and controls the rotary transport unit 30 to control the rotary transport unit 30. First flipper roller 33A and second flipper roller 3 at one end
After the card material 4 is pulled out in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow c by rotating 4A, the process proceeds to step SP9 to rotate the rotation mechanism 31 at the IC recording / reproducing position by a predetermined angle in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow r. Rotate to position the defective card.

Thereafter, the host computer proceeds to step S
Proceeding to P10, the first flipper roller 33A on one end side
Then, the card material 4 is discharged into the carry-in entrance 36A of the defective card tray 36 while the card material 4 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow b by rotating and driving the second flipper roller 34A.
Proceeding to P11, the printing process procedure RT1 ends.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP7, the host computer proceeds to step SP18 without performing IC recording processing on the card material 4.
Proceed to.

In the following step SP18, the host computer determines whether or not to print on one side of the card material 4. If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP18, the host computer proceeds to step SP19 to control the rotating / conveying unit 30 to rotate the first flipper roller 33A and the second flipper roller 34A at one end, thereby causing the card material to rotate. 4 is pulled out in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow c, and the process proceeds to step SP20, in which the rotation mechanism 31 at the IC recording / reproducing position is rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow r to return the original transport reference. Position in position.

Subsequently, in step SP21, the host computer moves the card material 4 from the second transport section 5B to the first transport section via the platen 7 along the transport path CR in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow a. After the card material 4 has been sent to the platen 7, when the optical sensor 23 provided at the subsequent stage of the first transport unit 5A detects that the card material 4 has passed, the card material 4 is provided at a position facing the platen 7. Positioning is performed with respect to the color image printing unit 12 so as to be in a cueing state.

In the next step SP23, the host computer operates the thermal transfer head 1 in the color image printing section 12.
After positioning the printer 5 in the standby state, the process proceeds to step SP24, where the drive of the supply reel 16 and the take-up reel 17 is controlled to remove the slack of the ink ribbon 18 and to locate the leading position of one page.

Then, in step SP25, the host computer detects the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 18 and sets a ribbon motor driving condition for controlling the winding state while applying tension to the ink ribbon 18, and then sets Proceeding to step SP26, the thermal transfer head 15
Is moved downward so as to be in a printing state.

Subsequently, the host computer proceeds to step S
While the winding of the ink ribbon 18 is started in P27, the process proceeds to step SP28 shown in FIG.
To rotate. In this state, the host computer proceeds to step SP29,
After starting printing of an area corresponding to one color (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C or black K) based on predetermined printing data, or starting transfer of the film-like sheet L, the second transport unit 5B Sensor 2 provided before the stage
If it is detected that the card material 4 has passed through by 4, the printing or transfer is terminated in step SP30.

Thereafter, the host computer proceeds to step S
By driving the mechanical controllers 50 to 59 in P31 to rotate the front cam 59 in the direction shown by the arrow e, the ink ribbon 18 is peeled off from the card material 4 while the head unit 13 in the printing state is raised, After proceeding to step SP32 to return the thermal transfer head 15 to the standby state, proceeding to step SP33, the supply reel 16 and the take-up reel 17 are driven to remove the slack of the ink ribbon 18.

Thereafter, the host computer proceeds to step S
After proceeding to P34 to determine whether printing or transfer is completed, the process proceeds to step SP18 only when a positive result is obtained.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP34, the host computer proceeds to step SP36.
To the first transport unit 5A while sending the card material 4 back through the second transport unit 5B and the first transport unit 5A sequentially in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow a along the transport path CR. The card material 4 is provided by an optical sensor 23 provided at the subsequent stage.
When it is detected that has passed, step SP37
Then, the card material 4 is positioned with respect to the color image printing unit 12 so as to be located again.

Subsequently, the host computer proceeds to step S
Proceeding to P38, the supply reel 16 and the take-up reel 17 are rotated so that the ink ribbon 18 travels by a predetermined length to find a subsequent color dye or a film-like sheet. By controlling the card transport unit 5 and the color image printing unit 12 by returning to
The printing process up to step SP33 is performed again as described above, and the same process is repeated until a positive result is obtained in step SP34.

When a positive result is obtained in step SP34, this means that all the color images are printed on one surface of the card material 4 and the film sheet L is laminated on the one surface. At this time, the host computer proceeds to step SP35, and determines whether or not the other surface of the card material 4 is to be printed.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP35, the host computer proceeds directly to step SP39 to transfer the card material 4 on which only the desired color image has been printed on one side from the card transport section 5 along the transport path CR. It is sent out in the direction indicated by arrow a.

Thereafter, when the card material 4 is sent to the rotation mechanism 31 at the transport reference position in the rotary transport section 30, the host computer sends the first flipper roller 33A and the second flipper roller 33A at one end of the rotation mechanism 31. 2 flipper roller 34A
By rotating the card material 4 as it is
After the card is ejected from the card ejection port 2B formed on the end face, the process proceeds to step SP11, and the printing processing procedure RT1 is completed.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP35, the host computer returns to step SP19 and sends out the card material 4 from the card transport section 5 along the transport path CR in the direction indicated by the arrow a. And the first flipper rollers 33A and 33B in the rotation mechanism 31 at the transport reference position by controlling the rotary transporter 30.
The card material 4 is held between the second flipper rollers 34A and 34B.

Next, the host computer proceeds to step S
Proceeding to P20, control the rotary transport unit 30 to rotate the rotary mechanism unit 31 at the transport reference position in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow r.
Rotate the card material 180 by 180 degrees and move the card material 4
(Hereinafter, referred to as a reverse transport reference position), the process proceeds to step SP21, and the first flipper roller 33A and the second flipper roller 34A at one end are rotationally driven. The card material 4 is sent out to the card transport unit 5 while moving the card material 4 in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow a.

After that, the host computer controls the card transport section 5 and the color image printing section 12 to execute step SP.
By executing the printing process similar to the above from step 22 to step SP34, it is possible to print a color image based on predetermined printing data on the other surface of the card material 4 and transfer the film-shaped sheet L.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP35 in this way, this means that a desired color image has been printed on both sides of the card material 4, and the host computer directly proceeds to step SP39.
The card mechanism 4 on which the desired color image is printed on both sides is sent out from the card transport section 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow a along the transport path CR in the same manner as described above, and the rotation mechanism section 31 is at the transport reference position. Through the card outlet 2B formed on the end face of the housing 2 through the
The program proceeds to step 11 to end the print processing procedure RT1.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP18, the host computer proceeds to step SP39 without performing printing processing on the card material 4.
After the card is ejected from the card ejection port 2B formed on the end face of the housing 2 in the same manner as described above, the program proceeds to step SP11 to end the printing processing procedure RT1.

(5) Printing Procedure for Thin Card Material by Card Printer In this card printer 1, in addition to the above-described card material 4, it is applied as an amusement photo card (hereinafter referred to as a thin card material) 45. It is made to be able to do. The material and the size of the thin card material 45 are the same as those of the ISO standard card material 4 described above.
The magnetic stripe and the IC memory are not formed, and the thickness is reduced to about 0.25 [mm].

The host computer in the card printer 1 prints a desired color image on one side or both sides of the thin card material 45 by executing the print processing procedure RT2 shown in FIGS.

First, when the power is turned on, the host computer enters the printing processing procedure RT2 shown in FIG. 11 from step SP40. In the following step SP41, the thin card material 45 is inserted into the card insertion slot 2 on the end face of the housing 2.
When the optical card 22 is inserted into the thin card member 45 and is detected by the optical sensor 22 at the preceding stage of the first transport unit 5A, it is determined in step SP42 whether or not printing is to be performed on one surface of the thin card member 45.

If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP42, the host computer proceeds to step SP43.
The card material is sent from the first transport unit 5A to the second transport unit 5B via the platen 7 along the transport path CR in the direction indicated by the arrow a.

Subsequently, when the thin card member 45 is detected by the optical sensor 24 provided at the front stage of the second transport section 5B, the host computer proceeds to step SP44, and moves the thin card member 45 to the position facing the platen 7. Is positioned so as to be in the cueing state with respect to the color image printing unit 12 provided in the printer.

In the next step SP45, the host computer operates the thermal transfer head 1 in the color image printing section 12.
After positioning the printer 5 in the standby state, the process proceeds to step SP46, in which the supply reel 16 and the take-up reel 17 are drive-controlled to remove the slack of the ink ribbon 18 and to search for the head position of one page.

After that, in step SP47, the host computer detects the winding diameter of the ink ribbon 18 and sets the ribbon motor driving conditions for controlling the winding state while applying tension to the ink ribbon 18, and then sets Proceeding to step SP48, the thermal transfer head 15
Is moved downward so as to be in a printing state.

Subsequently, the host computer proceeds to step S
While the winding of the ink ribbon 18 is started in P49, the process proceeds to step SP50 shown in FIG.
To rotate. In this state, the host computer proceeds to step SP51, and places one color (yellow Y, yellow Y,
After printing of an area corresponding to magenta M, cyan C, or black K) is started, or transfer of the film-like sheet L is started, the thin card material is provided by the optical sensor 24 provided at the front stage of the second transport unit 5B. If it is detected that 45 has passed, the printing or transfer is ended in step SP52.

Thereafter, the host computer proceeds to step S
By driving the mechanical controllers 50 to 59 in P53 to rotate the front cam 59 in the direction shown by the arrow e, the ink ribbon 18 is peeled off from the thin card material 45 while the head unit 13 in the printing state is raised. Then, the process proceeds to step SP54 to shift the thermal transfer head 15 to the guide state, and then proceeds to step SP55 to drive the supply reel 16 and the take-up reel 17 to remove the slack of the ink ribbon 18.

Thereafter, the host computer proceeds to step S
After proceeding to P56 to determine whether printing or transfer is completed, the process proceeds to step SP57 only when a positive result is obtained.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP56, the host computer proceeds to step SP58.
, While keeping the thermal transfer head 15 in the guide state,
While sending back the thin card material 45 in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow a along the transport path CR via the second transport section 5B and the first transport section 5A sequentially, the subsequent stage of the first transport section 5A When it is detected that the thin card material 45 has passed through the optical sensor 23 provided in the
Proceeding to 59, the thin card material 45 is positioned with respect to the color image printing unit 12 so as to be in the cue state again.

Subsequently, the host computer proceeds to step S
Proceeding to P60, the supply reel 16 and the take-up reel 17 are rotated so that the ink ribbon 18 travels by a predetermined length to find the next color dye or film-like sheet. Returning to FIG. 11, by controlling the card transport unit 5 and the color image printing unit 12, the printing process up to step SP55 is performed again as described above, and the same process is performed until a positive result is obtained in step SP56. repeat.

When a positive result is obtained in step SP56, this means that all the color images are printed on one surface of the thin card material 45 and the film sheet L is laminated on the one surface. At this time, the host computer proceeds to step SP57
Then, it is determined whether or not the other surface of the thin card material 45 is to be printed.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP57, the host computer proceeds to step SP61 and transfers the thin card material 45 on which a desired color image is printed on only one side from the card transport section 5 to the transport path CR.
In the direction indicated by arrow a.

Thereafter, when the thin card material 45 is sent to the rotating mechanism 31 at the transport reference position in the rotary transporting unit 30, the host computer transmits the first flipper roller 33A and the first flipper roller 33A at one end of the rotating mechanism 31. By rotating the second flipper roller 34A, the thin card material 45 is discharged from the card discharge port 2B formed on the end face of the housing 2 as it is, and the process proceeds to step SP62 to end the printing process procedure RT2.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP57, the host computer proceeds to step SP63, in which the thin card material 45 is transferred from the card transport section 5 to the transport path while the thermal transfer head 15 is in the guide state. Along with sending out in the direction indicated by arrow a along the CR,
By controlling the rotary transport unit 30, the thin card member 454 is sandwiched between the first flipper rollers 33A and 33B and between the second flipper rollers 34A and 34B in the rotation mechanism unit 31 at the transport reference position.

Next, the host computer proceeds to step S
Proceeding to P64, the rotary transport unit 30 is controlled to rotate the rotary mechanism unit 31 at the transport reference position in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow r.
Turn the thin card material 45 by rotating it 180 degrees
Position corresponding to the second transfer section 5B (reverse transfer reference position)
After returning to step SP43 (FIG. 11), the first flipper roller 33A and the second flipper roller 34A at one end are driven to rotate to reduce the thickness of the thin card material 45.
Is sent to the card transport unit 5 while being moved in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow a.

After that, the host computer controls the card transport section 5 and the color image printing section 12 to execute step SP.
By executing the printing process similar to the above from step 44 to step SP56, it is possible to print a color image based on predetermined printing data on the other surface of the thin card material 45 and transfer the film-shaped sheet L.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP57 in this manner, this means that a desired color image has been printed on both sides of the thin card material 45, and the host computer directly proceeds to step SP61 at this time. And the rotation mechanism unit at the transport reference position while sending out the thin card material 45 having the desired color image printed on both sides from the card transport unit 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow a along the transport path CR in the same manner as described above. After the card is discharged from the card discharge port 2B formed on the end face of the housing 2 as it is via the base 31, the flow proceeds to step SP62 to perform the printing processing procedure RT2.
To end.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP42 (FIG. 11), the host computer proceeds directly to step SP61 without performing printing processing on the thin card material 45, and proceeds to step SP61 in the same manner as described above. After the card is discharged from the card discharge port 2B formed in
Proceeding to P62, the printing process procedure RT2 ends.

(6) Operation and Effect of the Present Embodiment In the above configuration, the card printer 1 starts the printing process when the thin card material 45 is positioned in the crawling state with respect to the platen 7. After the thermal transfer head 15 is shifted from the initial state to the standby state and the cue of the ink ribbon 18 is performed, the thermal transfer head 15 is shifted to the printing state.

Subsequently, the card printer 1 heats the thermal transfer head 15 in the printing state, and
Is transported along the transport path CR, thereby performing printing on one surface of the thin card material 45.

When printing is to be performed after the completion of the printing, the card printer 1 moves the thermal transfer head 15 from the printing state to the guide state, and then runs the ink ribbon 18 so as to head to the platen 7. Along with
The card material 4 is transported to the platen 7 so as to be positioned in a cue state.

At this time, the thin card material 45 is sandwiched between the thermal transfer head and the platen from the top immediately after printing, so that it is possible to prevent winding up due to the heating state immediately after printing. it can. As a result,
Since the winding portion of the thin card material 45 is caught in the transport path CR, traffic jam (so-called jamming) on the transport path can be avoided beforehand.

According to the above configuration, in the card printer 1, when printing the thin card material 45, the thermal transfer head 15 is positioned immediately after the printing in the guide state closer to the platen 7 than in the standby state. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the thin card material 45 in a heated state from being rolled up immediately after printing, and as a result, the rolled portion of the thin card material 45 is caught in the transport path CR, whereby the transport path It is possible to avoid the occurrence of traffic congestion in the CR beforehand, and thus to realize the card printer 1 which can greatly improve the printing efficiency.

(7) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the head moving means for moving the thermal transfer head 15 toward or away from the platen 7 is provided by the color image printing section 12 (head holding mechanism section 14). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. If the thermal transfer head 15 can be positioned in the guide state closer to the platen 7 than in the standby state immediately after printing, various other configurations are possible. The present invention can be widely applied to head moving means composed of In the above-described embodiment, the interval between the thermal transfer head 15 in the guide state and the platen 7 is set to 1 [mm]. What is necessary is just to set at intervals which do not cause curling immediately after printing of the material 45.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a pair of rollers 40A, 40A, one of which is a pressure sensor, is used as detecting means for detecting the thickness of the card material 4, 45.
The case where the card thickness detection unit 40 having B is applied has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, if the thickness of the card material conveyed along the conveyance path CR can be detected, In addition, the present invention can be widely applied to detection means having various configurations.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the card material 4 of the ISO standard is applied as the card material has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and JIS (Japan)
Industrial Standard) card materials may be used, and the present invention can be widely applied to various card materials having no IC memory and / or magnetic stripe.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the thin card material 45 made of an amusement photo card is applied as the card material. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the JIS (Japan Industrial Standar)
d) It is also possible to use a card material having the same material and size as the standard card material and having a thickness as thin as about 0.25 [mm].

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the thermal transfer type card printer 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the point is that the head (in this embodiment, The present invention can be widely applied to various card printing apparatuses as long as the card printing apparatus performs printing by pressing the thermal transfer head 15) against the platen 7.

[0138]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a card printing apparatus for printing an image based on a print signal on a card material while pressing the head against the platen via the card material, the head is moved to the platen. Providing a head moving means for approaching or moving away from the head, and a control means for controlling the head moving means, the control means comprising, immediately after printing, a predetermined guide position corresponding to the thickness of the card material closer to the platen than a predetermined standby position By controlling the head moving means so as to position the card material, it is possible to prevent the card material in the heated state immediately after printing from being curled up. Card stamps that can prevent traffic jams from occurring in the transport path by being caught in the transport path, and thus can significantly improve printing efficiency The apparatus can be realized.

Further, according to the present invention, the first step of printing an image based on a print signal on the card material while pressing the head against the platen via the card material, and immediately after printing, from the predetermined standby position. The second step of positioning the head at a predetermined guide position in accordance with the thickness of the card material close to the platen is also provided to prevent the heated card material from winding up immediately after printing. As a result, it is possible to prevent the congestion from occurring in the transport path due to the winding portion of the card material being caught in the transport path, and thus the printing efficiency can be significantly improved. A printing method can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a configuration of a card printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink ribbon.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating a configuration of a head holding mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the shape of the front cam shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a standby state of the head unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a printing state of the head unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a printing state of the head unit.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a color image printing unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a print processing procedure RT1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a print processing procedure RT1.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a print processing procedure RT1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a print processing procedure RT2.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a print processing procedure RT2.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Card Punt Rita, 4 Card Material, 5 Card Transport Unit, 7 Platen, 12 Color Image Printing Unit,
15: thermal transfer head, 30: rotary transport section, 40:
Card thickness detecting section 41 41 Head position sensor 45
… Thin card material, CR …… Conveyance path.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A card printing apparatus for printing an image based on a print signal on a card material while pressing the head against the platen via the card material, wherein the head moving means moves the head toward or away from the platen. Control means for controlling the head moving means, wherein the control means, immediately after the printing, is positioned at a predetermined guide position corresponding to a thickness of the card material closer to the platen than a predetermined standby position. A card printing apparatus which controls the head moving means as described above. A detecting means for detecting a thickness of the card material, wherein when the detecting means detects that the thickness of the card material is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control means controls the standby immediately after the printing. The card printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head moving means is controlled so as to be located at a position. 3. A first step of printing an image based on a print signal on the card material while the head is pressed against the platen via the card material, immediately after the printing, closer to the platen than a predetermined standby position. A second step of positioning the head at a predetermined guide position according to the thickness of the card material. 4. In the first step, the thickness of the card material is detected, and in the second step, when the thickness of the card material is detected to be equal to or more than a predetermined value, the thickness of the card material is determined immediately after the printing. 4. The head according to claim 3, wherein the head is located at a standby position.
The card printing method described in 1.