JP6913556B2 - Inspection system, inspection method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inspection system and an inspection method.

Conventionally, there is known a printer configured to accept the number of printed media such as labels issued by a user and print the accepted number of printed media (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-284955

By the way, in a specific field, for example, in the medical field, the printed content of a label (printing medium) attached to a packaging of a medical product or the like is required to have strict accuracy. Therefore, it is customary to inspect whether the printed content of the label is appropriate. In such a case, even if the user specifies the number of issued labels as in the conventional case, it is not always possible to obtain a desired number of labels that have passed the inspection. On the other hand, it is complicated to individually inspect the issued labels one by one with an inspection machine.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily obtain a predetermined number of labels that have passed the inspection.

One aspect of the present invention is an inspection system including a printing unit and an inspection unit.
A reception unit that accepts the user's input of the number of sheets that have passed the inspection of the print medium,
A control unit that controls the printing unit so as to stop the transfer of the printing medium when the number of printing media printed by the printing unit that has passed the inspection by the inspection unit reaches the number of sheets that have passed the inspection. When,
It is an inspection system equipped with.
The control unit controls the printing unit so as to stop the transportation of the printing medium when the printing medium printed by the printing unit does not pass the inspection by the inspection unit.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a user can easily obtain a predetermined number of labels that have passed the inspection.

It is a system block diagram of the inspection system and the issuing system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the continuous paper used in the inspection system and the issuing system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the inspection system which concerns on embodiment. 4A and 4B are screen examples displayed by the inspection system according to the embodiment, respectively. 5A and 5B are screen examples displayed by the inspection system according to the embodiment, respectively. 6A and 6B are screen examples displayed by the inspection system according to the embodiment, respectively. 7A and 7B are screen examples displayed by the inspection system according to the embodiment, respectively. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the preparation mode in the inspection system of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing of the inspection mode in the inspection system of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing of the inspection mode in the inspection system of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the processing of the inspection mode in the inspection system of embodiment. It is a screen example displayed by the modification of the inspection system which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a sticking machine for sticking a label to an adherend, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a configuration example excluding an NG label.

(1) Inspection System (1-1) System Outline Hereinafter, the inspection systems 1A and 1B and the issuing system 1C, which are one embodiments of the inspection system of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1A is a system configuration diagram of the inspection system 1A according to the embodiment. FIG. 1B is a system configuration diagram of the inspection system 1B according to the embodiment. FIG. 1C is a system configuration diagram of the issuing system 1C. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of continuous paper CP used in the inspection systems 1A and 1B and the issuing system 1C according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the inspection systems 1A and 1B and the issuing system 1C according to the embodiment.

As will be described later, the information processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment stores a program for performing processing according to a system selected by the user from the inspection systems 1A and 1B and the issuing system 1C.
As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection system 1A includes an information processing device 2, a printer 3, a camera inspection device 4, and a winder 6. The inspection system 1B includes an information processing device 2, a printer 3, a bar code inspection device 5, and a winder 6. The issuing system 1C includes an information processing device 2, a printer 3, and a winder 6. The winder 6 is configured to wind the continuous paper CP that has passed through the camera inspection device 4 or the bar code inspection device 5 or the continuous paper CP ejected from the printer 3 in a roll shape.
In the present embodiment, the printer 3 is an example of a printing unit, and the camera inspection device 4 and the bar code inspection device 5 are examples of an inspection unit, respectively. The information processing device 2 is an example of a control unit.
The issuing system 1C does not have an inspection function, and only prints and issues a label in response to a user's request.

As shown in FIG. 2, the continuous paper CP includes a strip-shaped mount PM and a plurality of labels PL temporarily attached to the mount PM at predetermined intervals. The continuous paper CP is housed in the state of roll paper wound in a roll shape in the printer 3, and is drawn out from the roll paper when printing is performed.
The label PL (an example of a printing medium) is affixed to the packaging of a pharmaceutical product (an adherend PG described later), and the printed content is required to have strict accuracy. Therefore, in the inspection systems 1A and 1B, an inspection device (that is, a camera inspection device 4 and a bar code inspection device 5) that inspects immediately before performing an inspection (inspection mode described later) as to whether or not the printed content of the label PL is appropriate. ) Is functioning normally (preparation mode described later) is performed.

The inspection system 1B inspects the printed label by the bar code inspection device 5. In the inspection performed by the barcode inspection device 5, whether or not the barcode included in the printed content of the label can be read (that is, whether or not the data contained in the read barcode can be extracted) and whether or not the data is normal. Whether or not it is the data of.

The inspection system 1A inspects the printed label by the camera inspection device 4. The inspection performed by the camera inspection device 4 includes the above inspection performed by the bar code inspection device 5 when the printed content of the label includes a barcode. Further, the inspection performed by the camera inspection device 4 is an inspection of whether or not the characters included in the printed contents can be recognized, and the printed contents (for example, the "product name", "expiration date", and "serial number" in FIG. 2). ) Includes matching to the canonical data. The inspection performed by the camera inspection device 4 includes an inspection for the presence or absence of the label PL on the mount PM and an inspection for the presence or absence of printing of the label PL.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an outline of the components included in the inspection systems 1A and 1B and the issuing system 1C will be described.
For convenience, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of all the systems of the inspection systems 1A and 1B and the issuing system 1C, and each system includes all the components included in FIG. I'm not. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, in FIG. 3, the inspection system 1A includes only the information processing device 2, the printer 3, and the camera inspection device 4, and the inspection system 1B includes the information processing device 2, the printer 3, and the bar code inspection. Only the device 5 is included, and the issuing system 1C includes only the information processing device 2 and the printer 3.

(1-2) Information processing device 2
As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation input unit 23 (an example of a reception unit), a display unit 24, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 25. The communication interface 25 communicates with at least one of the printer 3, the camera inspection device 4, and the bar code inspection device 5.
The information processing device 2 is, for example, a device such as a personal computer or a tablet computer.

The control unit 21 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and controls the entire information processing device 2. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 21 loads and executes the inspection program recorded in the storage unit 22. The processing performed by executing the inspection program includes, for example, the following processing.

(i) Search the database for the label to be printed according to the user operation.
(ii) Determine the print content to be printed on the label according to the user operation.
(iii) To generate print information that specifies the print content and label layout.
(iv) Sending a print request including print information to the printer 3.
(v) Control to print the label of the number of inspection OK sheets (described later)
(vi) Receive the inspection result from the camera inspection device 4 or the barcode inspection device 5.
(vii) Display the inspection result on the display unit 24.
(viii) Record the inspection history (described later) in the storage unit 22.

The display unit 24 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel having a touch input function, and displays the execution result of the inspection program. In this case, the touch input function of the display unit 24 constitutes a part of the operation input unit 23.
The communication interface 25 communicates with at least one of the printer 3, the camera inspection device 4, and the bar code inspection device 5.

The storage unit 22 is a non-volatile memory, and may be an SSD (Solid State Drive) such as a flash memory. In addition to the above inspection program, the storage unit 22 stores a database of labels. The label database is data in which each record includes fields of "item code", "item name", "label name", and "label layout", and each record is information for specifying a label to be inspected.
The storage unit 22 further stores the inspection history database. The inspection history database is a database in which the history of inspections performed by the user is recorded. For example, for each record, "login user name", "inspection date and time", "inspection method" (either camera inspection or bar code inspection). ), Includes data for each field of "Inspection Results".

(1-3) Printer 3
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 3 includes a control unit 31, a transport unit 32, a printing unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 35. The communication interface 35 communicates with the information processing device 2. The printer 3 contains a roll of paper on which continuous paper CP is wound.
The printer 3 may be a stationary printer or a portable printer.

The control unit 31 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and controls the entire printer 3. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 31 realizes various functions by loading and executing the firmware recorded in the storage unit 34. For example, the control unit 31 generates print data based on the print information received from the information processing device 2, controls the transfer unit 32 and the print unit 33 for printing, and the like.

The storage unit 34 is a non-volatile memory, and may be an SSD such as a flash memory. In addition to the firmware described above, the storage unit 34 records data in various formats corresponding to the label layout included in the printing information transmitted from the information processing device 2.

The transport unit 32 includes a platen roller (not shown), a motor drive circuit, and a stepping motor, and transports continuous paper in the printer 3. For example, based on the transfer request by the control unit 31, the motor drive circuit drives a stepping motor that controls the rotation of the platen roller to transfer continuous paper.

When printing on the label PL based on the print data, the control unit 31 reads data in a format corresponding to the label layout from the storage unit 34. The control unit 31 generates print data by embedding character information and / or a barcode included in the print information in the read data, and sequentially prints line data, which is data for each line of print data, in the print unit 33. Send to.
The printing unit 33 includes a thermal head and a head drive circuit (not shown). The thermal head sandwiches continuous paper with the platen roller. Based on the line data sequentially transmitted by the control unit 31, the head drive circuit prints by passing a current through each heat generating element of the thermal head (heating) or preventing it from flowing (heating is not generated). I do.

(1-4) Camera inspection device 4
As shown in FIG. 3, the camera inspection device 4 includes a control unit 41, an image processing unit 42, a light source 43, a storage unit 44, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 45.
The camera inspection device 4 inspects each label of the continuous paper ejected from the printer 3, and "inspection OK" (inspection passed), "inspection NG" (inspection failed), "no label", " The inspection result of "no printing" is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2.

The image processing unit 42 includes, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type image sensor. The light emitted from the light source 43 irradiates the label PL, and the reflected light is imaged by the image sensor. The image sensor converts the reflected light into an electric signal indicating the intensity of the light. The image processing unit 42 sends the electric signal to the control unit 41.
The control unit 41 converts the electric signal into digital image data, extracts (cut out) character information from the image data in character units, and performs character recognition processing. At that time, if the character cannot be recognized due to missing characters or overlapping lines on the characters, it is judged that the inspection has failed. The control unit 41 further performs a process of cutting out a barcode from the image data and extracting data from the cut out barcode.
The control unit 41 determines whether or not the character recognized from the image data and the barcode extracted from the barcode are regular data. In making this determination, the control unit 41 receives verification data (regular character data and regular data to be extracted from the barcode) from the information processing device 2 in advance via the communication interface 45 and stores the storage unit 41. Record at 44. The control unit 41 reads the verification data from the storage unit 44 when making the above determination, and collates the read verification data with the characters recognized from the image data and the barcode extracted from the barcode. Do it.

The control unit 41 also determines the presence / absence of a label and the presence / absence of printing based on the image data. In determining the presence / absence of the label, the control unit 41 determines the presence / absence of the edge of the label on the mount based on the image data. Further, the control unit 41 determines that the label is not printed when the characters and the barcode cannot be cut out from the image data.
The control unit 41 transmits the inspection result of any one of "inspection OK", "inspection NG", "no label", and "no printing" to the information processing apparatus 2 via the communication interface 55.

(1-5) Bar code inspection device 5
As shown in FIG. 3, the barcode inspection device 5 includes a control unit 51, an image processing unit 52, a light source 53, a storage unit 54, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 55.
The barcode inspection device 5 inspects each label of the continuous paper ejected from the printer 3, and has an inspection result of either "inspection OK" (inspection passed) or "inspection NG" (inspection failed). Is transmitted to the information processing device 2.
The image processing unit 52 includes, for example, a CCD type image sensor. The light emitted from the light source 53 irradiates the barcode printed on the label PL, and the reflected light is imaged by the image sensor. The image sensor converts the reflected light into an electric signal indicating the intensity of the light. The image processing unit 52 sends the electric signal to the control unit 51.

The control unit 51 determines whether or not data can be extracted from the electric signal (that is, whether or not a barcode can be read). For example, if the barcode is missing, data will not be extracted from the barcode.
When the control unit 51 can extract the data from the electric signal, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the extracted data is regular data. In order to determine whether or not the extracted data is legitimate data, the control unit 51 previously inputs verification data (regular data to be extracted from the barcode) from the information processing apparatus 2 to the communication interface 55. It is received in advance via the above and recorded in the storage unit 54. The control unit 51 reads the verification data from the storage unit 54 when making the above determination, and collates the read verification data with the extracted data.
The control unit 51 transmits a determination result (either “inspection OK” or “inspection NG”) to the information processing apparatus 2 as an inspection result via the communication interface 55. If the data can be extracted from the barcode and the data is legitimate data, the judgment result is "inspection OK", and even if the data cannot be extracted from the barcode or can be extracted. If the data is not legitimate data, it will be the judgment result of "inspection NG".

(2) Example of screen displayed in the inspection system Next, in the inspection system 1A, see FIGS. 4 to 7 for an example of the screen displayed on the display unit 24 when the inspection program of the information processing device 2 is executed. I will explain. The difference between the screen examples in the inspection system 1B will be described later.
FIG. 4A shows a screen G1 displayed after the user activates the information processing device 2 to execute the inspection program and the user logs in. The screen G1 includes a login user display area 101, an inspection target label search area 102, and a label search result display area 103. The login user display area 101 is an area (in the illustrated example, a login user: Takeru Sato) for displaying a login user (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “user”).

The screen G1 is provided with a pull-down menu pm1 so that the user can select one of the options of "camera inspection device", "bar code verification", and "label issuance" depending on the system. .. That is, the user selects "camera inspection device" when using the inspection system 1A, selects "bar code matching" when using the inspection system 1B, and selects "bar code matching" when using the issuing system 1C. Select "Publish Label". As shown in the screen G2 of FIG. 4B, it is assumed here that the “camera inspection device” is selected.

The inspection target label search area 102 is an area for the user to search the inspection target label from the database by using at least one of the item code, the item name, the label name, and the label layout as a key. For example, when "JY01" is specified as the item code and the button b1 ("search") is operated, a list of all labels whose item code is "JY01" is displayed in the label search result display area 103. The data for one line of the label search result display area 103 corresponds to the data for one record recorded in the database. Button b2 (“selection”) is a button for selecting any label from the list of labels displayed in the label search result display area 103. When the button b2 (“selection”) is operated, the screen G3 shown in FIG. 5A is displayed.

The screen G3 includes a print target label display area 104, a user input area 105, and a preview display area 107. Information on the label selected on the screen G2 is displayed in the print target label display area 104. The user input area 105 is an area for the user to input additional information to be printed on the label via the operation input unit 23 of the information processing device 2. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the date of manufacture is used. Includes information on each item such as expiration date, serial number, serial number start value, and number of inspection OK sheets.
Here, the serial number start value is a continuous number (serial number) printed on the plurality of labels when printing the plurality of labels. It is not essential to print the serial number start value, but since a unique ID is attached to each label, counterfeiting is prevented.
The number of OK inspections is an example of the number of passing inspections, and means the number of labels that have passed the inspection of the camera inspection apparatus 4 among the printed labels.
The data included in the print target label display area 104 and / or the user input area 105 corresponds to the above-mentioned verification data which is the basis of the inspection result by the camera inspection device 4.

After inputting the information of each item in the user input area 105, by operating the button b3 (“preview”), the preview display area 107 has a label matching the contents of the print target label display area 104 and the user input area 105. Preview is displayed. Button b5 (“return”) is a button for returning to the screen G2. By operating the button b4 (“label issuance”), the print content of the label is confirmed, and the screen G4 of FIG. 5B is displayed.

The screen G4 is a screen displayed in the preparation mode. Button groups b11 to b16 are displayed on the screen G4. In the preparation mode, of the button groups b11 to b16, the button b11 (“inspection of one sheet”), the button b12 (“ready”), and the button b16 (“inspection completed”) are enabled. Other buttons are disabled.
The button b11 (“single piece inspection”) is a button for instructing to inspect whether or not the camera inspection device 4 is functioning normally. Button b11 (“one-sheet inspection”) is an example of an operation target for receiving an operation input (example of a first operation input) for starting execution of a process in the preparation mode.
The button b12 (“ready”) is a button for completing the inspection of whether or not the camera inspection device 4 is functioning normally and shifting to the inspection mode described later. Button b12 (“preparation completed”) is an example of an operation target for receiving an operation input (example of a third operation input) for ending the process of the preparation mode.
Button b16 (“inspection finished”) is a button for ending the inspection itself and returning to the login screen (not shown).

In the preparation mode, the user generates an NG label and inspects it by overwriting the printed surface of the printed and uninspected label with, for example, a pen. In addition, the user visually confirms the printed contents of the printed and uninspected label and inspects the OK label which is judged to be OK. When the inspection result for the NG label by the camera inspection device 4 is "inspection NG" and the inspection result for the OK label by the camera inspection device 4 is "inspection OK", the camera inspection device 4 is functioning normally. Can be judged.
The printed and uninspected label is a label located in the area AR (between the printer 3 and the camera inspection device 4) of FIG. The user can generate an NG label by overwriting the label located in the area AR with, for example, a pen.

When the button b11 (“inspection of one sheet”) is operated on the screen G4, the continuous paper CP is conveyed so that the label for one sheet can be inspected, and the label for one sheet is inspected. After that, for example, the screen G5 is displayed. On the screen G5, the inspection result of one label (that is, the first label) is displayed in the inspection result display area 108. On the screen G4, the result of the inspection of the first label is "inspection OK", indicating the case where the camera inspection device 4 functions normally.
When the button b11 (“inspection of one sheet”) is operated on the screen G5, the label of one sheet is further inspected, and as shown in the screen G6, the label of the one sheet (that is, the second sheet) is inspected. The result is displayed. On the screen G6, the result of the inspection of the second label is "inspection NG", indicating the case where the camera inspection device 4 functions normally.

When the user confirms that the camera inspection device 4 is functioning normally, the user operates the button b12 (“ready”) on the screen G6. Then, the preparation mode ends and the mode shifts to the inspection mode.
The screen G7 of FIG. 7A is the screen that is first displayed in the inspection mode. In the inspection mode, of the button groups b11 to b16, button b13 (“continuous inspection”), button b14 (“pause”), and button b16 (“inspection completed”) are enabled, and others. Button is disabled.
Button b13 (“continuous inspection”) instructs the labels to be continuously printed until the number of labels that have passed the inspection reaches the number of inspection OK sheets entered by the user on the screen G3 (see FIG. 5A). Button for. Button b13 (“continuous inspection”) is an example of an operation target for accepting an operation input (example of a second operation input) for starting execution of an inspection mode process.
Button b14 (“pause”) is a button for instructing to temporarily stop printing and transporting while continuously printing on the label in the inspection mode.

An example of displaying the screen after operating the button b13 (“continuous inspection”) on the screen G7 is the screen G8 shown in FIG. 7B. When the number of labels that have passed the inspection reaches the number of inspection OK sheets, printing and transportation are completed, and as illustrated in the inspection result display area 108 of the screen G8, "inspection OK", "inspection NG", and "no label". , And "No printing", the number of labels corresponding to each inspection result is displayed.
As shown on screen G8, when the number of labels that have passed the inspection reaches the number of OK inspections, only button b15 (“blank feed”) and button b16 (“inspection completed”) are valid, and the other buttons are invalid. Become. Button b15 (“blank feed”) is a feed button. Button b15 (“blank feed”) is provided to feed printed but uninspected labels.

(3) Processing of Inspection Program Next, the processing of the inspection program of the inspection system 1A will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the preparation mode in the inspection system 1A of the present embodiment. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing of the inspection mode in the inspection system 1A of the present embodiment, respectively.
The flowcharts of FIGS. 8 to 10 are processes performed by executing an inspection program in the control unit 21 of the information processing apparatus 2.

(3-1) Preparation mode (Fig. 8)
First, the control unit 21 sets the mode to the preparation mode (example of the first mode) (step S10), and displays the display unit 24 so as to display the preparation mode (for example, the display of the screen G4 of FIG. 5B). Control (step S12). In the set of preparation modes, the variables i, j, k, and m described later are initialized (all are set to "0").

As illustrated on the screen G4 of FIG. 5B, the control unit 21 displays the button b11 (“single sheet inspection”) and the button b12 (“prepared”) when the button b11 (“single sheet inspection”) is displayed. It is preferable to control the display unit 24 so that the operation input for the button b13 (“continuous inspection”) cannot be accepted (that is, invalid) until the operation input for the button b13 is received. That is, the control unit 21 may prohibit the selection of the inspection mode when the preparation mode processing (that is, the processing associated with the operation of the button b11 (“single sheet inspection”)) has never been executed. preferable. This ensures that the preparation mode processing is executed prior to the execution of the inspection mode processing.
If the preparation mode process has never been executed, the inspection mode selection is prohibited only when the button is enabled / disabled as shown in the screen G4 of FIG. 5B. I can't. For example, all the buttons may be enabled, but if the operation input for the button b11 (“single sheet inspection”) has never been accepted, the operation for the button b13 (“continuous inspection”) is continuous. The user may be notified by another screen and / or voice that the inspection cannot be performed.

The user's operation in step S14 corresponds to any operation of button b11 (“one-sheet inspection”), button b12 (“ready”), or button b16 (“inspection completed”) on the screen G4 of FIG. 5B. .. When the user's operation is "inspection completed" (S14: "inspection completed"), all the processes are completed. When the user's operation is "ready" (S14: "ready"), the preparation mode is completed and the mode shifts to the inspection mode (step S40 in FIG. 9).
When the user's operation is "one-sheet inspection" (S14: "one-sheet inspection"), processing (S16 to S28) for inspecting whether or not the camera inspection device 4 is functioning normally is performed. Is done.

In the screen G4 of FIG. 5B, the button b12 (“preparation completed”) is enabled before the operation input for the button b11 (“single sheet inspection”) is accepted. Unlike this, the control unit 21 cannot accept the operation input for the button b12 (“ready”) until the operation input for the button b11 (“single sheet inspection”) is accepted (that is, the button b12 (“1 sheet inspection”). "Ready") may be invalidated). This ensures that the preparation mode processing is executed prior to the execution of the inspection mode processing.

Specifically, the control unit 21 first transmits an instruction to convey and print one label to the printer 3, and then transmits an instruction to inspect one label to the camera inspection device 4 (). Step S16). In response to the instruction, the printer 3 prints one label, and the camera inspection device 4 inspects the printed label. The camera inspection device 4 transmits the inspection result to the information processing device 2. When the control unit 21 of the information processing device 2 receives the inspection result from the camera inspection device 4 (step S18: YES), the control unit 21 performs processing according to the inspection result (step S20).

In steps S22 to S28, the variables i, j, k, and m are as follows. That is, the variable i corresponds to the total number of labels whose inspection result is "inspection OK". The variable j corresponds to the total number of labels whose inspection result is "inspection NG". The variable k corresponds to the total number of labels whose inspection result is "unlabeled". The variable m corresponds to the total number of labels whose inspection result is "no printing".
If the inspection result is "inspection OK" in step 20, the variable i is incremented (step S22). If the inspection result is "inspection NG" in step 20, the variable j is incremented (step S24). If the inspection result is "unlabeled" in step 20, the variable k is incremented (step S26). If the inspection result is "no printing" in step 20, the variable m is incremented (step S28).
As illustrated in the screen G5 of FIG. 6A, the control unit 21 displays the result of incrementing any of the variables i, j, k, and m in the inspection result display area 108.

After that, the process returns to step S12 and waits for the next user's operation. When the user's operation is "single sheet inspection", the processes of S16 to S28 are performed again, and any of the variables i, j, k, and m is incremented.

(3-2) Inspection mode (Figs. 9 and 10)
As described above, when the operation of the user in step S14 of FIG. 8 is "ready", the mode shifts to the inspection mode. In that case, the control unit 21 records the inspection result in the preparation mode in the inspection history database.
Next, the control unit 21 controls the display unit 24 so as to set the mode to the inspection mode (example of the second mode) (step S40) and display the inspection mode (for example, the display of the screen G7 of FIG. 7A). (Step S42). In the set of inspection modes, the variables I, J, K, and M, which will be described later, are initialized (all set to "0").
The user operation in step S44 corresponds to any operation of button b13 (“continuous inspection”), button b14 (“pause”), or button b16 (“inspection completed”) on the screen G7 of FIG. 7A. , The processing for the operation of the button b14 (“pause”) will be described later.
When the user's operation is "inspection completed" (S44: "operation completed"), all the processes are completed. When the user's operation is "continuous inspection" (S44: "continuous inspection"), the camera inspection device 4 inspects whether or not a predetermined print content is printed on the label by the printer 3 (S46 to S60) is performed.

Specifically, the control unit 21 first gives a continuous inspection instruction (step S46). That is, the control unit 21 transmits an instruction to continuously convey and print the label to the printer 3, and transmits an instruction to inspect the label discharged from the printer 3 and conveyed to the camera inspection device 4. do. In response to the instruction, the printer 3 continuously prints labels, and the camera inspection device 4 inspects the printed labels in order. The camera inspection device 4 sequentially transmits the inspection results to the information processing device 2. When the control unit 21 of the information processing device 2 receives the inspection result from the camera inspection device 4 (step S48: YES), the control unit 21 performs processing according to the inspection result (step S50).

In steps S52 to S58, the variables I, J, K, and M are as follows. That is, the variable I corresponds to the total number of labels whose inspection result is "inspection OK". The variable J corresponds to the total number of labels whose inspection result is "inspection NG". The variable K corresponds to the total number of labels whose inspection result is "unlabeled". The variable M corresponds to the total number of labels whose inspection result is "no printing".
If the inspection result is "inspection OK" in step S50, the variable I is incremented (step S52). If the inspection result is "inspection NG" in step S50, the variable J is incremented (step S54). If the inspection result is "unlabeled" in step S50, the variable K is incremented (step S56). If the inspection result is "no print" in step S50, the variable M is incremented (step S58).

In the processes of steps S48 to S58, the value of the variable I indicating the total number of labels whose inspection result is "inspection OK" is input in the number of inspection OK sheets previously input by the user (in the user input area 105 of the screen G3 of FIG. 5A). This is repeated until the number of sheets is reached (step S60). When the operation of the button b14 (“pause”) is performed during the processing of steps S48 to S58, the control unit 21 pauses the processing and waits for the operation input of the user who resumes the processing. The process is restarted according to the operation input.
When the variable I matches the number of inspection OK sheets (step S60: YES), the control unit 21 transmits an instruction to the printer 3 to finish printing and stop the transfer (step S62). That is, the control unit 21 controls the printer 3 so that the label transfer is stopped when the number of labels that have passed the inspection by the camera inspection device 4 reaches the number of inspection OK sheets. Next, the control unit 21 records the inspection result in the inspection mode in the inspection history database.
After the end of step S62, the process returns to step S42, and the control unit 21 displays the values of the variables I, J, K, and M in the corresponding items of the inspection result display area 108, as illustrated in the screen G8 of FIG. 7B. And control so that the button b15 (“blank feed”) is enabled and displayed.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 2 is printed by the printer 3 and inspected by the camera inspection device 4 when the number of labels that have passed the inspection by the camera inspection device 4 reaches the number of inspection OK sheets. If there is a label that has not been completed, control is performed to inspect the label.
Specifically, when the button b15 (“blank feed”) is operated on the screen G8 of FIG. 7B (S44: “blank feed”), the process shown in FIG. 10 is executed.
That is, the control unit 21 of the information processing apparatus 2 transmits an instruction to convey a fixed amount of continuous paper (for example, an amount corresponding to the length of one label) to the printer 3 (step S62a). As a result, the printer 3 only conveys continuous paper. The processes of steps S64 to S74 are the same as the processes of steps S48 to S58 of FIG. 9, respectively. The processes of steps S62a to S74 are repeated until the total amount of transport after the button b15 (“blank sheet feed”) is operated becomes a predetermined value or more (step S76: NO). The total amount of transportation may be appropriately determined according to the length of the region (region AR in FIG. 1) between the printer 3 and the camera inspection device 4.
When the total amount of transport exceeds a predetermined value (step S76: YES), the process returns to step S44.
It is not essential to perform a blank feed, but by performing a blank feed after performing a continuous inspection, it is possible to avoid wasting printed and uninspected labels.

The screen example displayed in the inspection system 1A and the processing of the inspection program executed in the inspection system 1A have been described in detail above, but the inspection system 1B differs from the inspection system 1A in the following points.
-By selecting "bar code verification" in the pull-down menu pm1 of FIG. 4A, the display corresponding to the inspection system 1B is performed.
-The bar code inspection device 5 transmits the inspection result of either "inspection OK" or "inspection NG" to the information processing apparatus 2. Correspondingly, the flowchart of FIG. 8 does not use the variables k and m, and the flowchart of FIG. 9 does not use the variables K and M.
In the inspection result display area 108 of the screens G4 (FIG. 5B) to G8 (FIG. 7B), the total number of labels is displayed only when the inspection results are "inspection OK" and "inspection NG".

By selecting "Label issuance" in the pull-down menu pm1 of FIG. 4A, a screen corresponding to the issuance system 1C is displayed. The screen is provided with an item of "number of issued sheets" in place of the item of "number of sheets of inspection OK" in the user input area 105 with respect to the screen G3 of FIG. 5A. By inputting the number of sheets desired by the user as the information of the item of "number of issued sheets" and operating the button b4 ("issue label"), the printer 3 prints the number of labels of the input number of sheets. However, the printed label is not inspected.

As described above, in the inspection systems 1A and 1B according to the present embodiment, processing in either the preparation mode (example of the first mode) or the inspection mode (example of the second mode) is performed based on the selection result of the user. 2 is provided with an information processing device 2 that controls so as to execute. The preparation mode is a process of inspecting whether or not the camera inspection device 4 or the bar code inspection device 5 is functioning normally. The inspection mode is a process in which the camera inspection device 4 or the bar code inspection device 5 inspects whether or not a predetermined print content is printed on the label by the printer 3. Therefore, according to the inspection system according to the present embodiment, before inspecting the printed contents printed on the label, the work of confirming that the camera inspection device 4 or the bar code inspection device 5 is functioning normally is performed. It is possible to prevent the user from forgetting that.

Further, in the inspection systems 1A and 1B according to the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 2 can inspect the number of labels printed by the printer 3 that have passed the inspection by the camera inspection apparatus 4 or the bar code inspection apparatus 5. When the number of sheets is reached, the printer 3 is controlled so as to stop the transfer of labels. If the user specifies the number of prints and the number of inspections, it is not always possible to obtain a desired number of labels that have passed the inspection. However, in the present embodiment, since printing and inspection are continued until the number of inspection OK sheets specified in advance by the user is reached, the label of the inspection OK number can be obtained by the user with an easy setting operation.

(4) Modified Examples of Embodiments Hereinafter, some modified examples of the above-described embodiments will be described.

(4-1) Modification 1
In the first modification, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 2 stops the transfer of the label when the label printed by the printer 3 does not pass the inspection by the camera inspection device 4. To control. That is, even before the number of labels that have passed the inspection by the camera inspection device 4 reaches the number of inspection OK sheets, if an inspection result other than "inspection OK" is obtained, the label transport is stopped. As a result, the user can immediately check the NG label.

The process of this modification 1 is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a modification of the inspection mode processing in the inspection system 1A, and only the processing following S50 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is shown.
In FIG. 11, when the inspection result received from the camera inspection device 4 is other than “inspection OK”, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 2 transmits a transport stop instruction to the printer 3 (step S59a), and at the same time, The display unit 24 is controlled so as to perform an NG notification display (not shown) (step S59b). The NG notification display includes, for example, a button indicating "cancellation of issuance" and a button indicating "restart". Then, when the button indicating "restart" is operated (step S59c: YES), the process proceeds to step S60 and returns to the continuous inspection process.

(4-2) Modification 2
In the above-described embodiment, the inspection mode processing is started after the preparation mode processing is completed, but this is not the case. By executing the inspection program, the user may be configured to selectively execute either the preparation mode or the inspection mode.
In this modification, an example of a screen displayed after the label to be inspected is determined is shown in screen G9 of FIG. The screen G9 is provided with a button b21 (“preparation”) for selecting a process in the preparation mode and a button b22 (“inspection”) for selecting a process in the inspection mode. Then, when the button b21 (“preparation”) is operated, for example, the screen G4 in FIG. 5B is advanced, and when the button b22 (“inspection”) is operated, the screen G7 in FIG. Is controlled by.
Even if the user is configured to selectively execute either the preparation mode or the inspection mode, the camera inspection device 4 functions normally before inspecting the printed contents printed on the label. It is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to perform the work of confirming that the information is correct.

(4-3) Modification 3
This modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a sticking machine 81 for sticking the label PL to the adherend PG, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a configuration example excluding the NG label.
In this modification, instead of the winder 6, a sticking machine 81 (an example of a sticking portion) for sticking the label PL to the adherend PG is provided, and the label PL that has passed the inspection by the camera inspection device 4 is the sticking machine 81. It is attached to the adherend PG. The sticking machine 81 is connected to the information processing device 2, and based on the instruction from the information processing device 2, the operation of sticking the label PL to the adherend PG or the label PL is excluded without being stuck to the adherend PG. Do the action.

Referring to FIG. 13A, a peeling member 71 is provided downstream of the camera inspection device 4, and peels the label PL from the continuous paper conveyed from the camera inspection device 4.
The adherend PG is transported by the belt conveyor 82, and the affixing machine 81 is installed on the belt conveyor 82. The sticking machine 81 includes an air cylinder that moves the suction surface for sucking the label PL vertically and horizontally. The sticking machine 81 moves the air cylinder directly above the adherend PG on the belt conveyor 82 in a state where the printed surface of the label PL peeled by the peeling member 71 is attracted to the suction surface by the air cylinder, and then the sticking machine 81 moves the label PL directly above the adherend PG on the belt conveyor 82. The label PL is attached to the adherend PG by moving the air cylinder downward.

In this modification, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 2 receives the label PL printed by the printer 3 and inspected by the camera inspection device 4 that has passed the inspection by the camera inspection device 4. The affixing machine 81 is controlled so that the label PL, which is affixed to the kimono PG and does not pass the inspection by the camera inspection device 4, is not affixed to the adherend PG. The control unit 21 determines the content of the instruction to be transmitted to the affixing machine 81 based on the inspection result of each label PL received from the camera inspection device 4.
As shown in FIG. 13B, the sticking machine 81 receives an instruction from the information processing device 2 and sticks the label PL to the adherend PG on the belt conveyor 82 when the label PL is an OK label. When the label PL is not an OK label in response to an instruction from the information processing device 2, the sticking machine 81 drops the label PL onto a tray 83 installed near the belt conveyor 82 and removes (collects) the label PL. do.
According to this modification, only the label PL judged to be acceptable can be automatically attached to the adherend PG.

Although one embodiment of the printer, the inspection system, the inspection method, and the inspection apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Further, the above-described embodiment can be improved or modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the inspection system 1A including the camera inspection device 4 has been described in detail, but the individual technical matters described for the inspection system 1A also apply to the inspection system 1B including the barcode inspection device 5. Applicable.

In the above-described embodiment, the camera inspection device 4 and the bar code inspection device 5 transmit the inspection result to the information processing device 2, but the configuration is not limited to this. The camera inspection device and / or the barcode inspection device transmits the digital signal obtained from the image sensor to the information processing device 2, and the control unit 21 of the information processing device 2 outputs an inspection result based on the digital signal. It may be configured. In that case, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 2 is an example of the control unit and the inspection unit.

In the above-described embodiment, the case of inspecting one label (an example of a predetermined number of labels) when the process of the preparation mode is executed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the preparation mode, it may be configured to continuously inspect two or more predetermined number of labels.

1A, 1B ... Inspection system 1C ... Issuing system 2 ... Information processing device 21 ... Control unit 22 ... Storage unit 23 ... Operation input unit 24 ... Display unit 25 ... Communication interface 3 ... Printer 31 ... Control unit 32 ... Transport unit 33 ... Printing Unit 34 ... Storage unit 35 ... Communication interface 4 ... Camera inspection device 41 ... Control unit 42 ... Image processing unit 43 ... Light source 44 ... Storage unit 45 ... Communication interface 5 ... Bar code inspection device 51 ... Control unit 52 ... Image processing unit 53 ... Light source 54 ... Storage unit 55 ... Communication interface 6 ... Winding machine 71 ... Peeling member 81 ... Pasting machine 82 ... Belt conveyor 83 ... Tray G1 to G9 ... Screen b1 to b5, b11 to b16, b21, b22 ... Button pm1 ... Pull-down menu 101 ... Login user display area 102 ... Inspection target label search area 103 ... Label search result display area 104 ... Print target label display area 105 ... User input area 106 ... Failure presence / absence display area 107 ... Preview display area 108 ... Inspection result display Area PL ... Label PLn ... Serial number PM ... Mount CP ... Continuous paper PG ... Adhesive

Claims (4)

An inspection system that includes a printing section and an inspection section.
A reception unit that accepts the user's input of the number of sheets that have passed the inspection of the print medium,
A control unit that controls the printing unit so as to stop the transfer of the printing medium when the number of printing media printed by the printing unit that has passed the inspection by the inspection unit reaches the number of sheets that have passed the inspection. When,
Equipped with a,
The control unit controls the printing unit so as to stop the transportation of the printing medium when the printing medium printed by the printing unit does not pass the inspection by the inspection unit.
Inspection system. An inspection system that includes a printing section and an inspection section.
A reception unit that accepts the user's input of the number of sheets that have passed the inspection of the print medium,
A control unit that controls the printing unit so as to stop the transfer of the printing medium when the number of printing media printed by the printing unit that has passed the inspection by the inspection unit reaches the number of sheets that have passed the inspection. When,
With
In the control unit, when the number of print media that have passed the inspection by the inspection unit reaches the number of sheets that have passed the inspection, there is a print medium that has been printed by the print unit and the inspection by the inspection unit has not been completed. If so, control the print medium to be inspected.
Inspection system. An inspection system that includes a printing section and an inspection section.
A reception unit that accepts the user's input of the number of sheets that have passed the inspection of the print medium,
A control unit that controls the printing unit so as to stop the transfer of the printing medium when the number of printing media printed by the printing unit that has passed the inspection by the inspection unit reaches the number of sheets that have passed the inspection. When,
Equipped with a sticking part to stick the print medium to the adherend
Among the print media printed by the print unit and inspected by the inspection unit, the control unit attaches a print medium that has passed the inspection by the inspection unit to the adherend and performs the inspection by the inspection unit. Control the affixed portion so that a print medium that does not pass is not affixed to the adherend.
Inspection system. This is a printing medium inspection method that uses a printing unit and an inspection unit.
Accepts the user's input of the number of sheets that have passed the inspection of the print medium,
The inspection unit inspects the print medium printed by the printing unit, and the inspection unit inspects the print medium.
When the number of print media that have passed the inspection by the inspection unit reaches the number of print media that have passed the inspection, the print unit is controlled so as to stop the transportation of the print media .
When the print medium printed by the print unit does not pass the inspection by the inspection unit, the print unit is controlled so as to stop the transportation of the print medium.
Inspection methods.

Images