JPH0298474A - Thermal transfer recorder and facsimile device using the recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to control the ratio of feed velocity of an ink sheet to that of a recording medium in accordance with image data by determining the velocity of the ink sheet relative to the recording medium according to the characteristics of the image data, and controlling an ink sheet-feeding means based on the relative velocity. CONSTITUTION:When a recording paper-feeding motor 1 is excited by one step, a recording paper 11 is fed in a direction (a) by a length L. On the other hand, when an ink sheet-feeding motor is excited by one step, an ink sheet 14 is fed by L/n. When image data is received in a fine mode, the value of n is set at to be a2, whereas when the data is received in a standard mode, the value of n is set to be a3. Based on the determined value of n, a table for determining the number of exciting steps for the ink sheet-feeding motor, an exciting phase for the motor and the like is formed, thereby obtaining a rotating speed of the ink sheet-feeding motor according to the value of n. Because the relative velocity ratio, n, of the recording medium to the ink sheet can be controlled, wrinkling of the ink sheet or the like can be prevented, and recording quality of an original image or received image data can be enhanced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording device that records an image on a recording medium by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, and a facsimile machine using the device. It is something.

[Prior Art] Generally, a thermal transfer printer uses an ink sheet in which a base film is coated with heat-melting (thermally sublimable) ink, and a thermal head selectively heats the ink sheet in accordance with an image signal. Images are recorded by transferring melted (sublimated) ink onto recording paper. Generally, this ink sheet is one in which the ink is completely transferred to the recording paper by one image recording (so-called one-time sheet), so after recording one character or one line, the recorded length is It was necessary to transport the ink sheet by the amount corresponding to the amount of the ink sheet, and to bring the unused portion of the ink sheet to the next recording position without fail. For this reason, the amount of ink sheets used increases, and the running cost of thermal transfer printers tends to be higher than that of ordinary thermal printers that record on thermal paper.

In order to solve these problems, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-83
471, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-201686, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-58917, thermal transfer printers have been proposed in which recording paper and ink sheets are conveyed at different speeds.

The present invention is a further development of the invention described in the above publication.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] An ink sheet (so-called multi-print sheet) capable of recording an image a plurality of times (n) is known, and if this ink sheet is used, the recording length can be continuously recorded. When recording images, the transport length of the ink sheet transported after each image recording or during image recording is set to be smaller than that length (L/n
:n>1) L/ can be recorded. This results in
The ink sheet usage efficiency is n times higher than that of the conventional method, and it is expected that the running costs of thermal transfer printers will be reduced. below,
This recording method is called multiprint.

In such a multi-printing method, where Vp is the conveyance speed of the recording paper and V is the conveyance speed of the ink sheet, the following relationship holds true: Vp ''n ・V+ (n > 1).The value of n is closely related to the image recording quality, so it may be necessary to change it depending on the recording speed, etc. This is especially true for facsimile machines, etc.
In cases where both constant-speed recording during copying and intermittent recording during recording of received images are performed, the above-mentioned value of n may be changed to prevent wrinkles from occurring on the ink sheet. It was desired to do so.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and corresponds to image information by determining the transport speed ratio (
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer recording device capable of adjusting n) and a facsimile device using the device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the thermal transfer recording device records an image on the recording medium by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, and includes a conveying means for conveying the ink sheet, and a conveying means for conveying the ink sheet, and a conveying means for conveying the ink sheet, and a The apparatus includes determining means for determining the relative speed of the ink sheet with respect to the recording medium, and control means for controlling the conveying means based on the relative speed determined by the determining means.

Further, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is a facsimile machine using a thermal transfer recording device that records an image on the recording medium by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, and includes image input means for photoelectrically reading and inputting an original image. , a transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving image signals, a conveying means for conveying the ink sheet, and a relative speed of the ink sheet with respect to the recording medium is determined in accordance with image information from the transmitting/receiving means or the image input means. It has a determining means, and a control means for controlling the conveying means based on the relative speed determined by the determining means.

[Operation] In the above configuration, the relative speed of the ink sheet with respect to the recording medium is determined in accordance with the characteristics of the image information. Then, based on the determined relative speed, the conveying means for conveying the ink sheet is controlled.

Further, a facsimile apparatus according to another invention determines the relative speed of the ink sheet with respect to the recording medium in response to image information from the transmitting/receiving means or the image inputting means. and,
Based on this determined relative speed, the conveying means for conveying the ink sheet is controlled.

[Examples] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Explain in detail.

[Description of facsimile device (FIGS. 1 and 2)] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when a thermal transfer printer using an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a facsimile device;
FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view of this facsimile machine.

First, the schematic configuration will be explained based on FIG. 1.

In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a reading unit that photoelectrically reads an original and outputs it as a digital image signal to a control unit 101, and is equipped with an original conveyance motor, a COD image sensor, and the like. 101 is a control unit that controls the entire facsimile machine;
The image data from the reading unit 100 is encoded and sent to the modem 1.
06, transmitted via the NCU 107. Further, at the time of reception, the received encoded image data is decoded and converted into image data, and outputted to a recording section including a thermal head 13 and the like to reproduce the image data. The control unit 101 is a ROM
A CPU 113 that controls the entire device by outputting various control signals according to a control program stored in the CPU 114;
R stores 113 control programs and various data.
It includes an OM 114, a RAM 115 for temporarily storing various data as a work area for the CPU 113, and the like.

Reference numeral 103 denotes an operation unit including various function instruction keys such as transmission start and telephone number input keys, and switch 103a is a switch operated by the operator to instruct the type of ink sheet to be used. When the switch 103a is on, it indicates that an ink sheet for multi-printing is loaded, and when it is off, it indicates that a normal one-time ink sheet is loaded. Reference numeral 104 is a display section that is normally provided in the operation section 103 and displays various functions, the status of the device, and the like. In addition, 106 is a modem (modulator/demodulator), 10
7 is a network control unit (NCU).

Before explaining the configuration of the recording section, the explanation will first be made based on the side sectional view of the facsimile machine shown in FIG. Note that parts common to FIG. 1 are indicated by the same figure numbers.

In the figure, 10 indicates recording paper 11, which is plain paper, as a core 10.
A is a roll of paper wound into a roll. The roll paper 10 is rotatably housed in the apparatus so that the recording paper 11 can be supplied to the thermal head 13 by rotation of the platen roller 12 in the direction of the arrow. Note that 10b is a roll paper loading section, in which the roll paper 10 is removably loaded. Furthermore, 12 is a platen roller,
While conveying the recording paper 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow, the ink sheet 14 is
It also presses the recording paper 11. Thermal head 1
The recording paper 11, on which the image has been recorded due to the heat generated by Step 3, is transferred to the ejection roller 16 by further rotation of the platen roller 12.
The sheet is conveyed in directions a and 16b, and when the image recording for one page is completed, the sheet is cut into pages by the engagement of the cutters 15a and 15b.

17 is an ink sheet supply roll that winds the ink sheet 14. Reference numeral 18 denotes an ink sheet winding roll, which is driven by the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 to wind up the ink sheet and transfer the ink sheet 14 to the recording paper 11.
It is conveyed in the opposite direction, that is, in the direction of arrow a. Note that the ink sheet supply roll 17 and the ink sheet take-up roll 18 are removably loaded into an ink sheet loading section 70 within the main body of the apparatus. Furthermore, 19 is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the ink sheet 14 and the conveying speed of the ink sheet 14. Also, 20 is ink sheet 1
An ink sheet sensor 21 is a spring that presses the thermal head 13 against the platen roller 12 via the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14. Further, 22 is a recording paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper.

Next, the configuration of the reading section 100 will be explained.

In the figure, 30 is a light source that illuminates the original 32;
The light reflected by CCD sensor 2 is input to CCD sensor 31 through an optical system (mirror 50, 51, lens 52) and converted into an electrical signal. The document 32 is conveyed by conveyance rollers 53, 54, 55, 56 driven by a document conveyance motor (not shown).
Accordingly, the document 32 is transported in accordance with the reading speed of the document 32.

Note that 57 is a document loading table, and the plurality of documents 32 stacked on this loading table 57 are separated one by one by the cooperation of the conveying roller 54 and the pressing separation piece 58, and then transferred to the reading section 100. transported to.

A control board 41 constitutes the main part of the control section 101, and various control signals are output from this control board 41 to each part of the apparatus. Further, 106 is a modem board unit, 107 is N
This is a CU board unit.

FIG. 1 shows a recording paper 11 and an ink sheet 1 in the recording section.
4 is shown in detail.

In FIG. 1, the thermal head 13 is a line head that inputs one line of serial recording data, latch signals, etc. from the control unit 101 via a signal line 43, and
Recording of one line is performed by dividing heating elements each consisting of a line's worth of heating resistors into a plurality of blocks and driving them. 46 is the thermal head 13 from the control unit 101.
This is a drive circuit that inputs a drive signal and outputs a strobe signal 44 that drives the thermal head 13 in units of blocks. Reference numerals 48 and 49 designate motor drive circuits for rotationally driving the corresponding recording paper conveyance motor 24 and ink sheet conveyance motor 25, respectively. Further, 26.27 is a transmission gear that transmits the rotation of the recording paper conveyance motor 24 to the platen roller 12, and 28.29 is the ink sheet conveyance motor 2.
This is a transmission gear that transmits the rotation of No. 5 to the take-up roll 18.

Recording paper conveyance motor 24 and ink sheet conveyance motor 2
Although 5 is a stepping motor in this embodiment, it is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a DC motor.

By reversing the conveyance directions of the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 in this manner, images are sequentially recorded in the longitudinal direction of the recording paper 11 (direction of arrow a, opposite direction to the conveyance direction of the recording paper 11). and the conveyance direction of the ink sheet match. Here, the conveyance speed of the recording paper 11 is Vp''
n-Vt (Vt is the conveyance speed of the ink sheet 14,
- indicates that the conveyance direction of the recording paper 11 is different from the conveyance direction of the ink sheet 14), the relative velocity VPI between the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 as seen from the thermal head 13 is VPI=VP Vl = ( 1+ 1/
n) Vp, and the relative speed is equal to or higher than VP, that is, the relative speed vPI (= (1-1
/n)Vp).

Now, in FIG. 1, the gear ratio of transmission gears 26 and 27,
It is assumed that the transmission gears 28 and 29 have the same gear ratio.

Both the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 and the recording paper conveyance motor 24 are stepping motors, and the minimum step angle of the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 is 1/m of the minimum step angle of the recording paper conveyance motor 24 (m> 1).

Here, when the recording paper conveyance motor 24 is excited by one step, the recording paper 11 is conveyed by a length "L" in the direction a. On the other hand, when the ink sheet conveying motor 25 is excited by one step, the ink sheet 14 becomes L/n'.
will be transported only. Here, the reason why the conveyance length of the ink sheet 14 is not L/m is because the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 drives the rotating shaft of the ink sheet take-up roll 18. This is because it varies depending on the amount of winding of the ink sheet 14. Note that when the diameter of the take-up roll 18 increases and the amount of conveyance of the ink sheet 14 per one step excitation of the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 increases, the ink sheet conveyance motor 25 is further driven by microstep driving or the like. By controlling the rotation at a small step angle, the conveyance amount of the ink sheet 14 can be controlled.

[Description of Recording Operation (FIGS. 1 to 3)] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the recording process in the facsimile machine of the embodiment. A control program for the CPU 113 that executes this process is stored in the ROM 114 of the control unit 101. ing.

This process is started when image recording is instructed by facsimile image reception or copying operation. First, in step S1, it is determined whether the image is recorded by copying or by receiving a facsimile image, and if it is copying, the process advances to step S2. That is, either a copy mode in which an image corresponding to the original image read by the reading unit 100 is recorded on the recording paper 11, or a reception mode in which an image corresponding to the original image transmitted from another facsimile device is recorded on the recording paper 11. Determine. Furthermore, in step S2, it is determined whether recording is in fine mode (3.5 mm in the sub-scanning direction), and if it is fine mode, the process advances to step S3, and the value of n is set to "
ao”. Also, in step S2, set the standard mode (
3.85 mm per sub-scanning direction), step S4
Proceed to and set the value of n to "al". Here, whether the mode is fine mode or standard mode can be determined based on a control signal sent from the transmitting terminal in a pre-procedure before receiving the image signal.

Further, when an image is received in step S1, the process advances to step S5 to check whether the mode is fine mode or standard mode. and,
If it is the fine mode, the process advances to step S6 and the value of n is set to "a2".

On the other hand, if it is the standard mode in step S5, the process advances to step S7 and the value of n is set to "a3". In this way, when the value of n is determined, the process proceeds to step S8, and based on the set value of n, a table is created to determine the number of excitation steps, excitation phase, etc. of the ink sheet conveyance motor 25, and n
The rotational speed of the ink sheet conveying motor 25 is set according to the value. As described above, in this embodiment, the value of n is determined based on the image recording density or the image recording cycle, but the value of n is not limited to this. , photo original or text original), etc. and step S
The process advances to step 9 to proceed to an image recording operation to be described later. In addition,
In the case of a received image, the type of image information to be recorded can be confirmed in the pre-step of the control procedure as described above, but in the copy mode, the type of image information to be recorded is instructed by a switch (not shown) or the like.

Step S9: 1 line of image data is transferred to the thermal head 13. When the transfer of the recording data for 1 line is completed, a latch signal is output in step S10, and the image data for 1 line is latched in the thermal head 13. Next, in step Sll, the table created in step S8 is referred to, and the ink sheet conveying motor 2 is
5, the ink sheet 14 is moved by (1/n) lines,
Convey in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Then, step S12
The recording paper transport motor 24 is driven to transport the recording paper 11 by one line in the direction indicated by the arrow. Note that this one line corresponds to the length of one dot recorded by the thermal head 13.

Next, the process proceeds to step S13, where the thermal head 13 is energized to generate heat, and when one line of image recording is completed, the process proceeds to step S14.In step S14, it is checked whether or not one page of image recording has been completed. Step S1
Proceed to step 5 and transfer the image data of the next line to thermal head 1.
3 and return to step SIO.

When the image recording of one page is completed in step S14, the process advances to step S16, and a predetermined amount of the recording paper 11 is transferred to the paper ejection roller lea,
16b direction. Then, in step S17, the cutters 15a and 15b are driven and engaged to cut the recording paper 11 into pages.Next, in step S18, the recording paper 11 is cut into page units.
The thermal head 13 and the cutter 15 are moved back by a distance corresponding to the distance between them, and the image recording process for one page is completed.

In addition, in the series of cutting processing of the recording paper 11 in steps S16 to S18, the ink sheet 14 when conveying the recording paper 11 is moved at a speed of V as in the case of image recording.
, /n, the recording paper 11 may be conveyed in the opposite direction,
Further, the value of n may be made larger than that at the time of image recording. Furthermore, the platen roller 12 moves in the same manner as the recording paper 11.
Alternatively, the ink sheet 14 may be kept stationary.

[Explanation of Recording Principle (FIG. 4)] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image recording state when an image is recorded with the conveyance directions of the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 reversed in this embodiment.

As shown, a recording paper 11 and an ink sheet 14 are held between a platen roller 12 and a thermal head 13, and the thermal head 13 is pressed against the platen roller 12 with a predetermined pressure by a spring 21. Here, the recording paper 11 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow at a speed of 2 by the rotation of the platen roller 12. On the other hand, the ink sheet 14
is transported in the direction of arrow a at a speed of 1 by the rotation of the ink sheet transport 25.

Now, when the heating resistor 132 of the thermal head 13 is energized and heated, the portion of the ink sheet 14 shown by the hatched portion 81 is heated. Here, 14a is ink sheet 1
Reference numeral 4 indicates a base film, and reference numeral 14b indicates an ink layer of the ink sheet 14.

The ink in the ink layer 81 is heated by energizing the heating resistor 132 and melts, and a portion of the ink layer 82 is transferred onto the recording paper 11 . The ink layer portion 82 to be transferred corresponds to approximately 1/n of the ink layer indicated by 81.

At the time of this transfer, at the boundary line 83 of the ink layer 14b,
It is necessary to generate a cutting force against the ink and transfer only the ink layer portion indicated by 82 onto the recording paper 11. However, this shearing force varies depending on the temperature of the ink layer, and the higher the temperature of the ink layer, the smaller the shearing force (tends to become).Therefore, if the heating time of the ink sheet 14 is shortened, the shearing force within the ink layer increases. Therefore, by increasing the relative speed between the ink sheet 14 and the recording paper 11, the ink layer to be transferred can be reliably peeled off from the ink sheet 14.

According to this embodiment, since the heating time of the thermal head 13 in a facsimile device is as short as about 0.6 ms, by making the conveying direction of the ink sheet 14 and the conveying direction of the recording paper 11 opposite to each other (opposed to each other), Ink sheet 1
4 and the recording paper 11 is further increased.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the recording paper 11 and the ink sheet 14 are conveyed in opposite directions during recording has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Applicable.

[Description of Ink Sheet (Fig. 5)] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ink sheet used for multi-printing in this embodiment, and here it is composed of four layers.

First, the second M is a base film that serves as a support for the ink sheet 14. In the case of multi-printing, thermal energy is applied to the same location many times, so aromatic polyamide films and capacitor paper with high heat resistance are advantageous, but conventional polyester films can also be used. Considering the role of a medium, it is advantageous for the thickness of these materials to be as thin as possible in terms of printing quality, but from the viewpoint of strength, it is desirable that the thickness be 3 to 8 μm.

The third layer is an ink layer containing an amount of ink that can be transferred n times onto a recording paper (recording sheet).

This component mainly consists of resin such as EVA as an adhesive, carbon black and nigrosine dye for coloring, carnauba wax and paraffin wax as binding materials, and is designed to withstand n times of use in the same place. It is blended. The coating amount is preferably 4 to 8 g/m'', but the sensitivity and density vary depending on the coating amount, and can be arbitrarily selected.

The fourth layer is a top coating layer for preventing pressure transfer of the third layer ink onto the recording paper in areas where printing is not performed, and is made of transparent wax or the like. As a result, only the transparent fourth calendar is pressure-transferred, and it is possible to prevent background smudges on the recording paper. The first layer is the thermal head 13
This is a heat-resistant coating layer that protects the second layer base film from heat. This is suitable for multi-printing where n942 worth of thermal energy may be applied to the same location (when black information is continuous), but whether or not to use it can be selected as appropriate. It is also effective for base films with relatively low heat resistance, such as polyester films.

Note that the structure of the ink sheet 14 is not limited to this embodiment, and may be composed of, for example, a base layer and a porous ink-retaining layer containing ink provided on one side of the base layer. A heat-resistant ink layer having a microporous network structure may be provided on top of the ink layer, and the ink may be contained in the ink layer.The material of the base film may be, for example, polyamide, polyethylene,
It may be a film or paper made of polyester, polyvinyl chloride, triacetyl cellulose, nylon, etc. Furthermore, although a heat-resistant coating layer is not necessarily required,
The material may be, for example, silicone resin, epoxy resin, fluorine resin, nitrocellulose, or the like.

An example of an ink sheet containing a heat sublimable ink is a base material made of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, aromatic polyamide film, etc., and spacer particles made of guanamine-based resin and fluorine-based resin. An example is an ink sheet provided with a coloring material layer containing a dye.

Further, the heating method is not limited to the thermal head method using the above-mentioned thermal head, and for example, an energization method or a laser transfer method may be used.

Further, although this embodiment has been described in the case of a full-line type, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly implemented in a so-called serial type.

Further, the recording medium is not limited to recording paper, and may include cloth, plastic sheets, etc. as long as it is made of a material that allows ink transfer. In addition, the ink sheet is not limited to the roll configuration shown in the embodiment, and for example, the so-called ink sheet is a so-called ink sheet in which the ink sheet is built in a casing that is removable to the main body of the recording apparatus, and the casing is removable from the main body of the recording apparatus. It may be of a cassette type or the like.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the conveyance speed of the ink sheet relative to the recording paper can be changed as appropriate depending on the recording state or the type and characteristics of the image data to be recorded. As a result, when recording at a constant speed or intermittently in a facsimile machine, for example,
Alternatively, since the relative speed between the ink sheet and the recording paper can be changed in accordance with the display mode, fine mode, etc., it is possible to prevent wrinkles in the ink sheet and deterioration of image recording quality.

Furthermore, although this embodiment has been explained in the case of a facsimile machine, the present invention is of course not limited to this. For example, the thermal transfer recording device of the present invention can also be used in a word processor, a typewriter, a copying machine, etc. Applicable.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the transport speed ratio (n) between the ink sheet and the recording medium can be adjusted in accordance with the image information, so wrinkles and the like on the ink sheet can be adjusted. This has the effect of preventing the occurrence and improving recording quality.

In addition, in the case of facsimile machines, the transport speed ratio (n) between the ink sheet and the recording medium can be adjusted depending on the characteristics and type of image information to be recorded, so wrinkles etc. of the ink sheet may occur. This has the effect of improving the recording quality of original images and received images.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment and the configuration of a conveyance drive system for recording paper and ink sheets. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a mechanical part of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the recording process in the facsimile machine of this example, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the ink sheet and the state of the recording paper and ink sheet during recording, and Figure 5 is the ink sheet used in this example. FIG. In the figure, 10... Rolled recording paper, 10b... Roll paper loading section, 11... Recording paper, 12... Platen roller, 13... Thermal head, 14... Ink sheet, 15 ... cutter, 16 ... discharge roller, 17.
... Ink sheet supply roll, 18... Ink sheet take-up roll, 19... Ink sheet sensor, 20...
・Ink sheet presence/absence sensor, 21... Spring, 2
2... Recording paper presence/absence sensor, 24... Recording paper conveyance motor, 25... Ink sheet conveyance motor, 44...
・Strobe signal, 48.49...Motor drive circuit,
70... Ink sheet loading section, 100... Reading section,
101...control unit, 103...operation unit, 104...
・Display section, 106...modem, 107...NCU,
113...CPU, 114...ROM, 115...
-RAM, 132...A heating resistor. Patent applicant: Canon Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney: Igen Otsuka°'' (-1 person) No. 3B
figure

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A thermal transfer recording device that records an image on the recording medium by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium, the apparatus comprising: a conveyance means for conveying the ink sheet; and a conveyance means corresponding to image information. A thermal transfer recording apparatus comprising: a determining means for determining a relative speed of the ink sheet with respect to the recording medium; and a controlling means for controlling the conveying means based on the relative speed determined by the determining means. (2) The thermal transfer recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance speed of the ink sheet is set to 1/n (n>1) with respect to the conveyance speed of the recording medium. (3) The relative speed determined by the determining means is changed by changing the rotational speed of an ink sheet conveyance motor for conveying the ink sheet. The thermal transfer recording device according to item 1. (4) A facsimile machine using a thermal transfer recording device that transfers ink contained in an ink sheet to a recording medium and records an image on the recording medium, and an image input means that photoelectrically reads and inputs a document image. a transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving image signals; a conveying means for conveying the ink sheet; and determining a relative speed of the ink sheet with respect to the recording medium in response to image information from the transmitting/receiving means or the image input means. A facsimile apparatus comprising: determining means for determining the conveying means; and controlling means for controlling the conveying means based on the relative speed determined by the determining means. (5) The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the conveyance speed of the ink sheet is set to 1/n (n>1) of the conveyance speed of the recording medium. (6) The relative speed determined by the determining means is changed by changing the rotational speed of an ink sheet transport motor for transporting the ink sheet. The facsimile machine according to item 4.