JP2008080598A - Braille printing device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device by which high-quality Braille can be printed without occupying a large place or space. <P>SOLUTION: In an inkjet printing device in which the Braille is printed with an ink containing a photo-curing component in a predetermined printing area of a printing media to keep Braille printing repeated by moving the printing media by a predetermined moving distance, the inkjet printing device is characterized by that ultraviolet ray irradiates the predetermined printing area where the Braille was printed last time simultaneously when the Braille is printed in the predetermined printing area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing braille by an inkjet printing method, and a method thereof.

Conventionally, Braille printing has been performed using a printing apparatus.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for forming Braille by irradiating ultraviolet rays after printing Braille with ultraviolet curable ink using an inkjet printer.
(Prior art 1)
JP 2000-52602 A (2-3 pages)

By the way, in the prior art 1, since the ultraviolet irradiation device is externally connected to the ink jet printer, after the print medium on which the braille is printed is discharged from the ink jet printer, the ink is irradiated by the ultraviolet light. It is cured. For this reason, it takes time to print and cure the braille. During that time, the ink penetrates into the print medium, the ink swells up, and the braille height decreases. There was a problem that the completed Braille was difficult to read.
Further, since the ultraviolet irradiation device is externally attached to the ink jet printer, there is a disadvantage that it occupies extra space and space.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such conventional techniques, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of printing high-quality Braille without taking up space and space.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. That is, the invention of claim 1 is an ink jet printing apparatus that prints ink containing a photocuring component on a printing medium,
Storage means for storing Braille edit data including Braille code data, Braille font data in which code data and shape data are associated, and Braille edit data for printing a predetermined print area from the stored Braille edit data Is selected, shape data corresponding to the Braille code data is extracted by referring to the code data of the Braille font data using the Braille code data of the selected Braille edit data, and Braille print data is created Braille print data creating means, printing means for printing ink using Braille print data, ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating ultraviolet rays, and print medium moving means for moving the print medium by a predetermined movement distance. In addition, when the printing means prints a predetermined printing area, at the same time, the ultraviolet irradiation means, in the predetermined printing area printed last time, Irradiating the outside line, it is an inkjet printing apparatus according to claim.

Thus, when printing Braille, the braille printed last time can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays and cured. The Braille printed this time is cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays when the printing medium is moved by a predetermined distance and the next Braille is printed.

The invention of claim 2 is an ink jet printing apparatus that prints ink containing a photocuring component on a print medium, Braille editing data including Braille code data, Braille font data in which code data and shape data are associated, Storage means for storing the selected braille editing data for printing a predetermined print area from the stored braille editing data, and using the braille code data of the selected braille editing data, By referring to the code data, the shape data corresponding to the Braille code data is extracted, the Braille print data creating means for creating the Braille print data, and the Braille print data are used to print the ink and the printed data. Printing ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating the ink with ultraviolet light, and printing medium moving means for moving the printing medium by a predetermined moving distance. Inkjet printing apparatus.

Immediately after the printing means prints the braille, the ultraviolet irradiation means can irradiate the ultraviolet rays to cure the braille.

The invention of claim 3 is an ink-jet printing method using Braille editing data including Braille code data, and Braille font data in which Braille code data and shape data are associated with each other. Braille editing data, selecting Braille font data, referring to Braille font data, selecting Braille shape data, and creating Braille print data, and using the Braille print data, a predetermined print area ink At the same time, the print irradiation step of irradiating the predetermined print area printed last time with ultraviolet rays and the print medium movement step of moving the print medium by a predetermined movement distance are performed. An inkjet printing method characterized by the above.

The invention of claim 4 is an ink jet printing method using Braille editing data including Braille code data, and Braille font data in which Braille code data and shape data are associated with each other. Select the braille editing data, refer to the braille font data, select the braille shape data, create the braille print data, and use the braille print data to create a predetermined print area. A printing irradiation step of printing ink and irradiating the printed ink with ultraviolet rays, and a printing medium moving step of moving the printing medium by a predetermined moving distance, Inkjet printing method.

The invention of claim 5 is a computer program that causes a computer to operate as the ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 by being incorporated in the computer.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to the fifth aspect is recorded.

According to the present invention, the ink jet printing apparatus is capable of printing Braille having a normal size, a solid shape, and easy to read.

(Example)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an inkjet printing apparatus 100 in which a printing unit and an ultraviolet irradiation unit are integrated. The inkjet printing apparatus 100 includes a printing unit 130. The printing unit 130 is configured integrally with the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150. The printing unit 130 moves parallel to the print medium 300.
The inkjet printing apparatus 100 moves the print medium 300 in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the printing unit 130 while maintaining a distance from the printing unit 130.

The printing unit 130 prints Braille by ejecting ink containing a photocurable component onto the printing medium 300.

The ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 includes, for example, a metal halide lamp. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 irradiates the ink including the photocurable component printed on the print medium 300 with ultraviolet rays.

The printing unit control wiring 180a receives a control signal for moving the printing unit 130, a control signal for ejecting ink from the printing unit 130, a control signal for controlling the ultraviolet irradiation of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150, and the like. , Supplied to the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150.

The photocuring component of the ink is composed of a photopolymerization initiator and an acrylate monomer.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rough processing flow of the inkjet printing apparatus 100 in which the printing unit and the ultraviolet irradiation unit are integrated.

The ink jet printing apparatus 100 receives Braille editing data from a Braille editing apparatus (not shown) and holds it. (FIG. 2 (1)).

The inkjet printing apparatus 100 selects braille editing data in a predetermined printing area (for example, one line) from the held braille editing data, and creates braille printing data by referring to the braille font data (same as above). (2)).

The inkjet printing apparatus 100 generates a control signal for moving the printing unit 130 and a control signal for ejecting ink in accordance with the created braille printing data, and supplies the control signal to the printing unit 180 to move the printing unit 130. Then, ink is ejected to print one line of braille on the print medium 300 ((3)).
At this time, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 moves together with the printing unit 130 and irradiates the braille ink for one line printed by the printing unit 130 last time with ultraviolet rays to cure the ink (same as above). (4)).

When the braille editing data for one line is a line feed only, the printing unit 130 (= ultraviolet irradiation unit) is moved by one line without printing, and the ultraviolet ray is irradiated to print one line printed last time. Cure the braille ink in minutes.

The inkjet printing apparatus 100 moves the print medium 300 by one line ((5)).

Since the print medium is moved by one line, the braille printed this time (current line) is irradiated with ultraviolet rays when the braille of the next line is printed.

The inkjet printing apparatus 100 returns to (1). However, when printing of the braille editing data is finished, the printing unit 130 is moved by one line without printing, and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 irradiates ultraviolet rays, and the last printed one line. Cure the Braille ink. Thereafter, the print medium 300 is discharged ((6)).

Braille may be printed in two or more lines by one movement of the printing unit. Conversely, one line of braille may be printed by a plurality of movements of the printing unit.

As described above, when the printing unit 130 prints Braille, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 can irradiate the Braille printed last time with ultraviolet rays, so that the Braille is cured without taking time from printing. It is possible to make it.

Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to prevent the ink from penetrating into the print medium and to create a legible Braille.
Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the rise of the ink from collapsing and prevent the braille height from being lowered, and to produce an easy-to-read braille.

FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of the inkjet printing apparatus 100 and the braille editing apparatus 300 in which the printing unit and the ultraviolet irradiation unit are integrated.

The inkjet printing apparatus 100 includes a Braille editing data receiving unit 110, a Braille print data creating unit 120, a printing unit 130, an ultraviolet irradiation unit 150, a print medium moving unit 140, and a storage unit 190.
The storage unit 190 stores braille editing data 193 and braille font data 191.

Braille font data 191 is data in which code data and shape data are associated with each other.
The Braille editing data 193 is data including Braille code data.

The Braille edit data receiving means 110 receives the Braille edit data 193 and stores it in the storage means 190.

The braille print data creation means 120 selects the braille edit data 193 for printing a predetermined print area from the stored braille edit data 193, and uses the braille code data of the selected braille edit data. With reference to the code data of the font data 191, shape data corresponding to the Braille code data is extracted to create Braille print data.
The printing unit 130 prints the Braille on the print medium 300 by ejecting ink using the Braille print data.
The ultraviolet irradiation means 150 irradiates ultraviolet rays.

The print medium moving unit 140 moves the print medium 300 by a predetermined movement distance.

Braille editing data receiving means 110, Braille print data creating means 120, printing means 130, ultraviolet irradiation means 150, and print medium moving means 140 are computer programs. Braille font data 191 is data readable by a computer program.
The storage unit 190 is a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed procedure of ink curing. From the braille editing data held in the storage means 190, the braille editing data for one line is selected, the braille font data 191 is referenced, the braille shape data corresponding to the braille code is selected, and this is used. Using this, Braille print data for one line is created (FIG. 4 (1)).

The printing unit 130 prints the Braille 300a by ejecting ink using the Braille printing data while moving the printing unit 130 ((2)).
At this time, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 moves integrally with the printing unit 130 and irradiates the ink of the Braille 300b printed by the printing unit 130 last time with ultraviolet rays to cure the ink ((3) ).

The print medium 300 is moved by a predetermined movement amount (= line feed for one line), and the process returns to (1) ((4)).

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining how to form braille from ink.
The ink ejecting unit of the printing unit 130 ejects ink. The ejected ink reaches the print medium 300 to form a braille 300a having a predetermined size and height.

As described so far, the arrangement positional relationship between the printing unit 130 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 is aligned and integrated at right angles to the moving direction of the printing unit.
However, the arrangement positional relationship between the printing unit 130 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 may be integrated in parallel with the moving direction of the printing unit. At this time, immediately after the printing unit 130 prints the Braille, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 irradiates the ultraviolet to cure the Braille. If the printing unit 130 moves back and forth to print Braille, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 is provided before and after the movement direction of the printing unit, and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 150 corresponding to the rear of the printing unit 130 moves in the ultraviolet direction. May be irradiated.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the ink jet printing apparatus has a normal size, can be printed in a legible Braille with a solid shape.

Overview of inkjet printing device with integrated printing unit and UV irradiation unit Rough process flow of inkjet printing device with integrated printing unit and UV irradiation unit Configuration diagram of inkjet printing device with integrated printing unit and ultraviolet irradiation unit Detailed procedures for ink curing Illustration to form braille from ink

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Inkjet printer 110 Braille edit data reception means 120 Braille print data preparation means 130 Printing means, printing part 150 Ultraviolet irradiation means, ultraviolet irradiation part 140 Print medium moving means 180a Printing part control wiring 190 Storage means 191 Braille font data 193 Braille Edit data 300 Print media 300a Braille

Claims (6)

An inkjet printing apparatus that prints an ink containing a photocurable component on a print medium,
Storage means for storing braille editing data including braille code data, and braille font data in which the code data and the shape data are associated with each other;
From the stored braille editing data, select braille editing data for printing a predetermined print area, and using the braille code data of the selected braille editing data, refer to the code data of the braille font data, Extracting the shape data corresponding to the braille code data and creating the braille print data;
Printing means for printing ink using Braille print data; and
Ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating ultraviolet rays;
A print medium moving means for moving the print medium by a predetermined movement distance;
With
When the printing unit prints a predetermined printing area, the ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates the predetermined printing area printed last time with ultraviolet rays.
An ink jet printing apparatus. An inkjet printing apparatus that prints an ink containing a photocurable component on a print medium,
Storage means for storing braille editing data including braille code data, and braille font data in which the code data and the shape data are associated with each other;
From the stored braille editing data, select braille editing data for printing a predetermined print area, and using the braille code data of the selected braille editing data, refer to the code data of the braille font data, Extracting the shape data corresponding to the braille code data and creating the braille print data;
Printing ultraviolet irradiation means for printing ink using braille printing data and irradiating the printed ink with ultraviolet rays;
A print medium moving means for moving the print medium by a predetermined movement distance;
An ink jet printing apparatus. Braille edit data including Braille code data,
Braille font data that associates Braille code data with shape data,
An ink jet printing method using
Braille print data creation step for selecting Braille edit data for a predetermined print area from Braille edit data, referring to Braille font data, selecting Braille shape data, and creating Braille print data;
When printing a predetermined printing area ink using the Braille printing data, simultaneously, a printing irradiation step of irradiating the predetermined printing area printed last time with ultraviolet rays,
A print medium moving step for moving the print medium by a predetermined moving distance;
An ink-jet printing method comprising: Braille edit data including Braille code data,
Braille font data that associates Braille code data with shape data,
An ink jet printing method using
Braille print data creation step for selecting Braille edit data for a predetermined print area from Braille edit data, referring to Braille font data, selecting Braille shape data, and creating Braille print data;
Using the braille print data, printing ink on a predetermined printing area, and printing irradiation step of irradiating the printed ink with ultraviolet rays,
A print medium moving step for moving the print medium by a predetermined moving distance;
An ink-jet printing method comprising:
A computer program that causes a computer to operate as the ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 by being incorporated in the computer. A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 5 is recorded.

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