JP2001001426A - Device and method for manufacturing label - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the erroneous recognition of label recording images and marks for detecting the die-cutting timing. SOLUTION: When respective labels are recorded in a label manufacturing method, marks 205 are recorded correspondingly to respective labels outside a recording area of label images 301 of a recording medium 106, and when the die cutting is carried out, the marks 205 are detected and the die-cutting timing result on a range α on which the label images are recorded is nullified and only marks 205 are detected correctly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label manufacturing apparatus and a label manufacturing method, and more particularly, to a label manufacturing apparatus and a label manufacturing method capable of continuously manufacturing labels using roll-shaped paper or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When manufacturing a large number of labels having the same shape,
2. Description of the Related Art Labels are manufactured using a label manufacturing apparatus including a label printer that records labels and a die cutter that cuts out the recorded labels.

[0003] In the label cutting process in such a label manufacturing apparatus, a timing detection mark recorded in front of the label recording area in the transport direction corresponding to each label is read in a non-contact manner. The rotation is performed by rotating a die-cut roll on which a cutter blade is attached in accordance with timing detected by an optical sensor or the like.

Further, in such an apparatus, when a mark for detecting timing is not detected by a sensor within a predetermined time, it is determined that a transport abnormality has occurred due to some cause.

[0005]

However, when the mark is detected by the sensor as described above and the timing of the die-cutting process is taken, the recorded image of the label includes a pattern similar to the mark for timing detection. In this case, there is a case where the pattern is erroneously recognized as a mark and the die is cut at an erroneous position.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of such a label image that is easily misrecognized. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a state where a mark 206 for timing detection and a label image 301 are recorded on the recording medium 106.
(B) shows a state in which this label has been correctly die-cut.

However, as shown in the figure, the lower left portion of each label image 301 includes a fill pattern similar to the mark 205, and is easily misidentified as a timing detection mark. FIG. 1C shows a state in which the lower left portion of the label image 301 is erroneously recognized as a mark and the stamp is cut out.

If the mold is cut out at an incorrect position as shown in FIG. 1 (c), it cannot be used as a label. Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture the same label again, and it becomes impossible to efficiently manufacture a label. In other words, the portion cut off at the wrong position is discarded, and a recording medium such as a recording medium and ink is wasted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and prevents erroneous recognition between a recorded image of a label and a mark for detecting a die-cutting timing, and always performs die-cutting at a correct position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a label manufacturing apparatus and a label manufacturing method that enable the above.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a first label manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a long recording medium and a recording means for recording on the long recording medium. A label manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a label by using the label manufacturing apparatus, wherein the label-related information is created by a user's selection and input, and the created information is converted into data related to a record. Die-cutting means for die-cutting the recording medium, wherein the recording means, when recording the label based on the data relating to the recording, outside the recording area of the label in the transport direction of the recording medium. In addition, a mark is recorded corresponding to each label, the die-cutting means includes a detecting means for detecting the mark, and the die cutting in accordance with a detection timing of the detecting means. A timing control means for controlling the timing of, and range restriction means for disabling the output of said detecting means corresponding to a predetermined range.

In order to achieve the above object, a second label manufacturing apparatus of the present invention manufactures a label using a long recording medium and recording means for performing recording on the long recording medium. A label manufacturing apparatus, wherein the label-related information is created by a user's selection and input, a label data creating unit that converts the created information into data related to recording, and the recording medium on which recording is performed by the recording unit. Die-cutting means for cutting out the mold, wherein the recording means, when recording the label based on the data relating to the recording, outside the recording area of the label of the recording medium, a mark corresponding to each label. Wherein the die-cutting means comprises: detecting means for detecting the mark; and a timing control means for controlling the timing of the die cutting in accordance with the detection timing of the detecting means. And a control unit, the mark comprises a plurality of patterns to output a stepped signal to said detecting means.

Further, a first label manufacturing method of the present invention for achieving the above object is a label manufacturing method for manufacturing a label using a long recording medium, and relates to the label by a user's selection and input. A label data creating step of creating information and converting the created information to data relating to recording, a recording step of performing recording with a recording head based on the data relating to the recording while transporting the recording medium, and A die cutting step of die-cutting the recording medium on which the recording has been performed, and the recording step includes, when recording the label based on data relating to the recording, the label being moved in the transport direction of the recording medium. Outside the recording area, a mark is recorded corresponding to each label, the die cutting step is a detection step of detecting the mark, A timing control step of controlling the timing of the die-cut in accordance with the detection timing of the detection step and a range restriction step for invalidating the detection result within a predetermined range.

A second label manufacturing method according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a label manufacturing method for manufacturing a label using a long recording medium, wherein information on the label is selected and input by a user. A label data creating step of creating and converting the created information into data relating to recording, a recording step of performing recording by a recording head based on the data relating to the recording while transporting the recording medium, and recording by the recording step. Die-cutting step of die-cutting the recording medium performed, the recording step, when recording the label based on the data related to the recording, outside the recording area of the label of the recording medium, A mark is recorded corresponding to each label, and the die cutting step includes a detecting step of detecting the mark, and a detecting time of the detecting step. Has a timing control step of controlling the timing of the die-cut in accordance with the grayed, the mark comprises a plurality of patterns to output a stepped signal upon said detection.

That is, in the first label manufacturing apparatus and the first label manufacturing method, when each label is recorded, a mark corresponding to each label is recorded outside the label recording area of the recording medium. When die cutting, this mark is detected, the timing of die cutting is controlled according to the detection timing, and the detection result within a predetermined range such as the range where the label image is recorded is invalidated and only the mark is correctly detected. I do.

Thus, even if a pattern similar to a mark is included in the label image, it is possible to prevent the pattern from being erroneously recognized as a mark and erroneously performing a die cut process at a wrong position. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently manufacture the label and prevent waste of the recording medium such as the recording medium and the ink.

Further, in the second label manufacturing apparatus and the second label manufacturing method, when recording each label,
A mark including a plurality of patterns for outputting a step-like signal at the time of detection corresponding to each label is recorded outside the label recording area of the recording medium, and when the die is cut, the mark is detected and the mark is detected. The die-cutting timing is controlled according to the timing.

Thus, even when a transport error occurs, erroneous recognition of the mark and the label image can be prevented, and the die cut process can be prevented from being performed at an incorrect position. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently manufacture the label and prevent waste of the recording medium such as the recording medium and the ink.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the label manufacturing apparatus of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment of the label manufacturing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the label manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, a host computer 101 for creating a label image and A label printer 102 for recording a label image on a sheet of paper,
It consists of three devices, die cutter 103, which cuts out each sheet.

The host computer 101 and the label printer 102 are connected by a cable 104, and can transmit and receive data to and from each other. On the other hand, the label printer 102 and the die cutter 103 are connected by a cable 105, and can transmit and receive data to and from each other by serial communication.

The recording medium 106, which is plain continuous paper, is supplied to the label printer 102 in the form of a roll, and a label image including characters and images created by a user via the host computer 101 is transferred to the label printer 102.
Recorded by The recording medium 106 on which the label image is recorded is supplied to the die cutter 103, where die cutting is performed to the designated label size, and the labels are cut out one by one.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining creation of a label image by the host computer 101 according to the present embodiment.

The host computer 101 is provided with a keyboard 4 as a means for the user to make various inputs regarding labels.
01, a mouse 402 as a pointing device, a processing unit 420 such as a CPU for processing input data to create a label image, various windows for input, and a label image 30 for the created label image 30.
And a CRT 404 for displaying the number 1.

Further, an interface having a function of transmitting print data and various setting items corresponding to the label image 301 to the label printer 102 and a function of receiving data from the label printer 102 is provided.

The host computer 101 displays several windows as a user interface on the CRT 404.
Can be displayed. In the illustrated example, three windows are displayed on the screen, a window 301 for displaying a label image, a window 405 for inputting a label size, and a window 411 for specifying the number of recordings.

The window 301 has a keyboard 401.
And a rectangle 406, a line 407, a character 408, a barcode 409, image data 410, and the like input and specified by the mouse 402 are displayed according to the size input in the window 405, and the user checks the label layout. While creating a label image. Each of the above input data can specify a size and an angle.

Further, information such as the number of recordings specified by the window 411 and partial data variable information (not shown) such as a serial number can be added, and these information are transmitted to the label printer 102 as recording data.

The label image 301 is displayed in full color on the CRT 404, and the processing unit 420 converts the full color image into black, cyan, magenta, and yellow colors, which are the colors of the recording material (ink) used in the label printer 102. The print data is divided into recording data,
Send to 2.

FIG. 4 shows a label printer 10 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the structure and operation of No. 2;

The label printer 102 has a transmitting / receiving unit (not shown) for transmitting / receiving data to / from the host computer 101, a transmitting / receiving unit (not shown) for transmitting / receiving data to / from the die cutter 103, and a memory (not shown) for temporarily storing recording data. (Not shown), a paper feed unit 501, a transport unit 502, a recording unit 5
03.

The recording medium 106, which is plain continuous paper supplied to the paper supply unit 501 in the form of a roll, includes a mount and a label, and the label is adhered to the entire mount.

The recording medium 106 is pulled out of the paper supply unit 501 by the transport unit 502, is transported and supplied into the main body of the label printer 102, and the recording unit 503 located above the transport unit.
Is continuously recorded on the label surface. After the recorded recording medium 106 is discharged from the label printer 102, the recording medium 106 is temporarily slackened between the label printer 102 and the die cutter 103 and sent to the die cutter 103.

FIG. 5 shows a label printer 10 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a second paper supply unit 501. The paper feeding unit 501 includes a guide 601 that prevents a portion pulled out from the recording medium 106 supplied in a roll form from skewing, and the recording medium 106 is positioned inside the label printer 102 while the positions of both ends are regulated by the guide 601. Supplied to

FIG. 6 shows a label printer 10 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a second recording unit 503. The recording medium 106 supplied from the paper supply unit 501 is
The label is continuously printed by ink ejected from the print head 701 after being transported to the print head 03.

The recording section 503 has four ink jet recording heads 701 for ejecting black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, and each recording head is supplied with a corresponding ink from a corresponding ink tank. You.

Each recording head is a so-called full line type recording head, and has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets. These nozzles move in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium 106. The recording area is arranged so as to cover the entire width.

When the recording medium 106 transported by the transport unit 302 passes through the recording unit 303, each recording head discharges ink based on the recording data for each color, and adds the ink discharged from the four recording heads. The label is recorded in full color by color mixing or the like. When recording labels, a mark 205 used for alignment by the die cutter 103 is also recorded for each label.

The print data is print data for each color transmitted from the host computer 101 and is temporarily stored in a memory inside the label printer 102 until printing is completed.

The label printer 102 includes a die cutter 1
From the transmitting / receiving unit to the die cutter 103, information such as status information on the operation state of the label printer, the size of the recorded label, and the number of labels is transmitted to the die cutter 103. The transmitting and receiving unit also receives status information and the like regarding the operating state of the die cutter transmitted from the die cutter 103.

As will be described in detail later, the label printer 102 and the die cutter 103 transmit and receive status information regarding the operating state to each other, and perform synchronous control so that only one of them does not operate.

For example, the label printer 102 is capable of recording when the die cutter 103 is in operation or in an operable state, and is capable of recording on the label printer 102 such as when recording data is transmitted from the host computer 101. If they are complete, record.

If the die cutter 103 is not operating or becomes inoperable during the printing operation of the label printer 102, the label printer 102 suspends the printing operation and waits until the die cutter 103 becomes operable. When the die cutter 103 becomes operable, the label printer 102 automatically restarts the recording operation.

FIG. 7 shows a die cutter 103 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the structure and operation of the device.

The die cutter 103 is used for the label printer 1
02, a transmission / reception unit (not shown) for transmitting / receiving data to / from the recording medium 1
Bonding section 8 for bonding 06 and laminated film 801
02, a die cut section 203 for cutting out a label from the recording medium 106, a peeling section 804 for peeling off the label and unnecessary waste, a label winding section 805 for winding the peeled label, and a waste winding section 806 for winding the waste. , Operation panel 8 as user interface
07.

The recording medium 106 on which the label is recorded by the label printer 102 is adhered to the laminating film 801 by the adhesive section 802, sent to the die cut section 803, and cut out while leaving the backing paper in the designated size. The recording medium 106 from which the label has been cut is placed in the peeling section 804
Then, the label is separated into a label and unnecessary waste, and is wound by the label winding unit 805 and the waste winding unit 806, respectively.

The transmission / reception unit with the label printer transmits status information relating to the operation state of the die cutter 103 to the label printer 102. The die cutter 103 receives status information of the label printer 102, information on the size of the label being recorded, the number of recordings, and the like transmitted from the label printer 102, and the die cutter 103 operates according to the information.

When the start of the operation of the die cutter 103 is instructed via the operation panel 807, the die cutter 103 transmits an operable status to the label printer 102. The label printer 102 starts a printing operation based on the print data sent from the host computer 101, and sends a status of printing to the die cutter 103. The die cutter 103 that has received the recording status starts the die cutting operation.

When the operation stop of the die cutter 103 is instructed via the operation panel 807, or when an abnormality occurs inside the die cutter and the die cutter 103 is stopped in an emergency, the die cutter 103 operates the label printer 102. Send outage status. Upon receiving the operation stop, the label printer 102 interrupts the recording and transmits the status of the conveyance stop. The die cutter 103 that has received the conveyance stop stops the operation. In this way,
The label printer 102 and the die cutter 103 operate in synchronization.

FIG. 8 shows the bonding portion 80 of the die cutter 103.
2 is a diagram for explaining the operation in FIG.

The bonding section 802 includes the recording medium 106 recorded by the label printer 102 and the laminate film 801 supplied in a roll form to protect the label recording surface.
It is passed between two pressure rollers 901, and at this time, both are pressed by applying an appropriate pressure to be pressed. The two pressure rollers are attached so that the interval between them can be changed according to the thickness and material of the recording medium 106 and the laminate film 801.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the die cutting section 203 of the die cutter 103.

The die cutting section 203 includes a cutter blade 201.
Roll 202, anvil roll 206, and mark 205 recorded on recording medium 106
And a transport device (not shown) for transporting the recording medium 106.

Here, the cutter blade 201 is detachably attached to the die cut roll 202, and can be exchanged appropriately according to the type of label. It is configured.

FIG. 10 shows the peeling portion 8 of the die cutter 103.
It is a figure for explaining operation in 04.

The recording medium 106 die-cut by the die-cutting unit 203 is sent to a peeling unit 804, where the recording medium 106 is peeled into a label as a product and remaining unnecessary waste portions. It is wound in a roll shape by the take-up section 806.

FIG. 11 shows a recording medium 1 according to this embodiment.
It is a figure for explaining a change of a state until label 06 is manufactured.

FIG. 11A shows a state before processing, which is supplied to the paper supply unit 501 of the label printer 102 in a roll form, and the recording medium 106 is plain continuous paper.

FIG. 11B shows a state after recording is performed by the recording unit 503 of the label printer 102. The mark 205 used as the die cut timing is continuously recorded on the recording medium 106 together with the label. Have been.

FIG. 11C shows a state after die cutting is performed by the die cutting section 203 of the die cutter 103, and each label portion of the recording medium 106 is cut out.

FIG. 11D shows a state in which the separation is performed at the peeling section 804 of the die cutter 103 and the final product is obtained. Has been removed from.

Next, referring to FIG. 12, the host computer 101 and the label printer 10 in the present embodiment will be described.
2 and transmission and reception between the die cutters 103 will be described.

First, data indicated by reference numeral 1201 in the figure as information relating to a label created and designated by the user in the host computer 101, ie, the label size, the number of prints, and the print data are stored in the label printer 102
Sent to.

When the label printer 102 receives the data 1201 from the host computer 101 when it is activated and operable, it becomes recordable,
The data indicated by reference numeral 1202 in the drawing, that is, the label size, the number of prints, and the label printer status (recordable) are transmitted to the die cutter 103.

The die cutter 103 receives the data 1202 from the label printer 102 after being activated, and when the user instructs the operation on the operation panel 807,
A die cutter status 1203 indicating operability is transmitted to the label printer 102.

The label printer 102 includes a die cutter 1
Upon receiving the die cutter status 1203 transmitted from the printer 03, the printing operation is started, and the label printer status 1204 indicating that printing is in progress is transmitted to the die cutter 103. Upon receiving the label printer status 1204, the die cutter 103 performs die cutting each time the mark 205 recorded on the recording medium 106 is detected.

Here, when the user instructs to stop using the operation panel 807 of the die cutter 103 for some reason such as a problem with the die cutter 103, the die cutter 103 changes the die cutter status 1205 indicating that the die cutter 103 is stopped. The data is transmitted to the label printer 102.

Upon receiving the die cutter status 1205 transmitted from the die cutter 103, the label printer 102 interrupts the recording operation and transmits a label printer status 1206 indicating that the printer is stopped to the die cutter 103. By receiving the label printer status 1206 transmitted from the label printer 102, the die cutter 103 can know that the label printer 102 has also stopped synchronously.

When the die cutter 103 starts operating again, the die cutter 1 is operated in the same manner as described above.
03, the die cutter status 1203 is transmitted to the label printer 102. When the label printer 102 receives the die cutter status 1203 transmitted from the die cutter 103, the label printer 102 starts a recording operation and changes the label printer status 1204 indicating that recording is in progress. The data is transmitted to the die cutter 103.

Here, the case where the die cutter 103 is stopped by the user's instruction has been described. However, when it is necessary to stop the label printer 102, the label printer status 1206 indicating that the label printer 102 is stopped is first displayed. The die cutter 103, which has been transmitted to the die cutter 103 and has received this signal, suspends the operation and the die cutter status 120 indicating that it is stopped.
5 is transmitted to the label printer 102.

In addition to the above description, when one of the label printer 102 and the die cutter 103 is stopped, the stopped status is transmitted to the other, and the other is stopped by receiving the status.

Hereinafter, in this embodiment, how to prevent erroneous recognition of the pattern recorded on the label and the mark for detecting the die-cutting timing will be described.

FIG. 13 shows a die cutter 10 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to the third die cutting unit 203, and FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a control method in the die cutting unit 203.

When the label manufacturing apparatus is started up and the label printer 102 starts recording a label image, the die cutter 103 also starts transporting the recording medium 106 in synchronization (step S1301). At this time, the output signal of the sensor 204 is made valid to turn on the detection function of the mark 205 (step S1302).

In this state, the recording medium is conveyed and the mark 205 is detected by the sensor 204 (step S1).
303), when the sensor 204 detects the mark 205,
The output signal of the sensor 204 is invalidated to turn off the mark detection function of the sensor 204 (step S130).
4).

At the same time, the die cut roll 202 and the anvil roll 206 are rotated, and the laminate film 801 on the recording medium 106 and the label portion other than the mount of the recording medium 106 are cut out in the shape of the cutter blade 201.
Die-cut processing is performed (step S1405).

A counter indicating the number of times the die cutting process has been performed is incremented, and it is determined whether the die cutting process has been completed for the designated number of sheets transmitted from the label printer 102 (step S1306). If the specified number has not been reached, the recording medium 106 is conveyed by the label length size α (step S1307), the process returns to step S1302, and the same processing is repeated until the specified number is reached.

If the specified number of sheets has been reached in step S1306, the conveyance of the sheets is stopped (step S1308), and the processing of the die cutter 103 ends.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining the label length size α when the mark detection function is turned off. As shown in the drawing, the length α corresponds to the length of the recording area of the label image in the transport direction of the recording medium 106, and is a length obtained by subtracting the width of the mark 205 from the distance between the labels.

The data having the length α is input by the label size input unit 205 of the host computer 101, transmitted to the label printer 102 via the cable 104, and further transmitted to the die cutter 1 via the cable 105.
03 is sent.

Note that the length α for turning off the mark detection function does not necessarily have to be equal to the length of the recording area of the label image in the transport direction, and there is a pattern in the recorded label image that is easily misidentified as the mark 205. In some cases, the sensor 204
If the detection function is turned off, the same effect can be obtained. In this case, it is effective that the user can input the length α or the range in which the detection function is valid. The label printer 102 includes an operation panel, and the label length size input from the operation panel is used. α may be transmitted from the label printer 102 to the die cutter 103 via the cable 105. Further, the operation panel 80 of the die cutter 103
7, the label length size α may be inputtable.

As described above, in this embodiment, the sensor 20
By invalidating the function of detecting the mark 205 by the label image 4 in the label image recording area, the label image 3
Even if there is a pattern similar to the mark 205 in 01, only the mark 205 can be correctly detected, thereby preventing the die cut processing from being performed at an incorrect position. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently manufacture the label and prevent waste of the recording medium such as the recording medium and the ink.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The first embodiment disables the mark detection function in the label image recording area,
The second embodiment prevents the mark and the label image recorded on the label paper from being erroneously recognized. However, in the second embodiment, the mark is formed by a special pattern not used for the label image, and This prevents misrecognition of the mark.

FIG. 15 shows a first example of the mark 205 according to the present embodiment, and the mark K1 recorded with black ink.
501, a mark C1502 recorded with cyan ink,
The mark Y1503 to be printed with yellow ink is composed of three band-shaped patterns juxtaposed in the recording medium conveyance direction.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a method of detecting the mark 205 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a reflection type photo interrupter is used as the sensor 204. Since the optical reflectance differs for each color of the mark 205 shown in FIG.
The output voltage level of 04 changes according to the reflectance.

That is, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 16, when the mark 205 passes under the sensor 204, the mark 2
Since 05 is formed from three types of patterns having different colors, the voltage level of the sensor 204 changes in three steps in a stepwise manner. Accordingly, it is determined that the mark 205 has been detected only when the voltage level of the sensor 204 changes in three steps in a stepwise manner.

In this manner, since such a three-color pattern does not normally exist in a portion recorded as a label image, it is possible to prevent a mark and a pattern recorded as a label image from being erroneously recognized. .

The present embodiment is particularly effective in the case where it is difficult to accurately measure the length α of the recording medium 106 in the transport direction in the first embodiment or when a transport error occurs, even when the mark and the label image are printed. This is effective because it is possible to prevent erroneous recognition of "."

FIG. 17 shows a second example of the mark 205 according to the present embodiment. The mark 205 is a mark K1;
1, the mark K2; 1702, and the mark K3; 1703 are composed of three band-shaped monochrome patterns having different recording densities arranged in the recording medium conveyance direction.

When the mark 205 shown in FIG. 17 passes under the sensor 204, a signal which changes in three steps in the same stepwise manner as shown at the bottom of FIG. Can be Therefore, only when the voltage level of the sensor 204 changes in three steps in a stepwise manner as described above, it is determined that the mark 205 has been detected. Since the pattern does not exist, it is possible to prevent the mark and the pattern recorded as the label image from being erroneously recognized.

As described above, as an example of the mark 205 of the present embodiment, a mark composed of three-color patterns and a mark composed of three-stage monochrome patterns having different recording densities have been described. The mark 205 in the form is not limited to these, but may be a combination of two colors or two or more patterns.

Further, the mark 205 of the present embodiment is located at a position other than between the label image recording areas in the transport direction of the recording medium 106, for example, the upper or lower side edge portion of the recording medium 106 in the drawing. May be recorded.

The first and second embodiments may be implemented independently of each other.
The embodiments can be implemented in combination or simultaneously. In this way, it is possible to prevent the label image from being erroneously recognized as a mark even in various cases such as when a transport error occurs.

The above-described embodiment is particularly provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection even in an ink jet recording system. By using a method in which a change in the state of the ink is caused by energy, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical structure and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling to the electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid.

The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

[0098] The configuration of the recording head is not limited to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications. A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording section, the length is determined by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition to the cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, the recording head is electrically connected to the apparatus main body by being mounted on the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head, which enables a simple connection and supply of ink from the apparatus main body, may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the configuration of the printing section described above, since the printing operation can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. It is also effective to provide a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection that is different from printing, in order to perform stable printing.

In the embodiments described above, the description is made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid. However, even if the ink solidifies at room temperature or lower, it is possible to use an ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature. Or, in the ink jet method, generally, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range.
It is sufficient that the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent a temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used.

In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5
No. 6,847, or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-71260, in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It may be. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. By executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowchart (shown in FIG. 13).

[0109]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent erroneous recognition of a mark and a label image, thereby preventing a die cut process from being performed at an incorrect position. Therefore, there is an effect that the label can be manufactured efficiently and the recording medium such as the recording medium and the ink can be prevented from being wasted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of erroneously recognizing a die cut position in a conventional label manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an embodiment of a label manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining processing in the host computer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the label printer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of a paper feeding unit of the label printer of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of a recording unit of the label printer of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the configuration and operation of the die cutter of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a configuration and an operation of a bonding portion of the die cutter of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the configuration and operation of a die cutting section of the die cutter of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the configuration and operation of a peeling section of the die cutter of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state of each part of the recording medium.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a communication procedure among the host computer, the label printer, and the die cutter of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a die cutting process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a label length size α according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a mark according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a diagram illustrating a method for detecting the mark in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a mark according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 host computer 102 label printer 103 die cutter 104, 105 cable 106 recording medium 201 cutter blade 202 die cut roll 203 die cut part 204 sensor 205 mark 206 anvil roll 301 label image 401 keyboard 402 mouse 403 label image 404 CRT 411 recording Designation of the number of sheets 501 Paper feeding section 502 Transport section 503 Recording section 601 Guide 701 Recording head 801 Laminating film 802 Adhesion section 804 Peeling section 805 Label winding section 806 Scrap winding section 807 Operation panel 901 Pressure roller 1501 Mark K 1502 Mark C 1503 mark Y 1701 mark K1 1702 mark K2 1703 mark K3

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court ゛ (Reference) G09F 3/00 B41J 3/04 101Z (72) Inventor Moritaku Inaba 5540-11 Canon, Mizuokaido-shi, Ibaraki Canon Within Aptex Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kohei Ishikawa 5540-11 Sakate-cho, Mizukaido-shi, Ibaraki Within Canon Aptex Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahide Hasegawa 5540-11 Sakate-cho, Mizukaido-shi, Ibaraki Canon Aptex Co., Ltd. Terms (reference) 2C056 FA03 FA13 FB01 2C087 AA07 AA15 BB01 BB10 CA03 CB07 DA16 3C024 FF02 3E075 AA23 AA28 BA83 CA02 DB02 DB07 DB12 DB32 EA01 GA02

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A label manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a label using a long recording medium and recording means for performing recording on the long recording medium, wherein the label is manufactured by a user according to selection and input. Label information creating means for creating information, converting the created information into data relating to recording, and die cutting means for die-cutting the recording medium recorded by the recording means, wherein the recording means, When recording the label based on the data relating to the recording, a mark is recorded corresponding to each label, outside the recording area of the label in the transport direction of the recording medium, and the die cut unit detects the mark. Detecting means for controlling the timing of the die release according to the detection timing of the detecting means; Label manufacturing apparatus characterized by having a range restriction means for disabling the output of the detection means. 2. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is a recording area of the label. 3. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information on the label includes the predetermined range. 4. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit includes an operation panel, and the user inputs the predetermined range via the operation panel. 5. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the die cutting means includes an operation panel, and the user inputs the predetermined range via the operation panel. 6. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the label data creating unit is a computer having a keyboard and a display unit. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit includes a full line type recording head having a recording area corresponding to a width of a recording area of the recording medium. A label manufacturing apparatus according to the item. 8. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means has an ink jet recording head for performing recording by discharging ink. 9. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink by using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. Item 9. The label manufacturing apparatus according to Item 8. 10. A label manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a label using a long recording medium and recording means for performing recording on the long recording medium, wherein the label is manufactured by a user according to selection and input. Label information creating means for creating information, converting the created information into data relating to recording, and die cutting means for die-cutting the recording medium recorded by the recording means, wherein the recording means, When recording the label based on the data relating to the recording, a mark is recorded corresponding to each label, outside the recording area of the label on the recording medium, wherein the die cutting means detects the mark. And timing control means for controlling the timing of the die release in accordance with the detection timing of the detection means. Label manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of patterns to output a stepped signal. 11. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the detection unit detects the mark using an optical reflectance, and the plurality of patterns have different optical reflectances. 12. The recording means has a plurality of recording heads, each of which performs full-color recording using a recording material of a different color, and the plurality of patterns are respectively recorded in different colors. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein
Or the label manufacturing apparatus according to 11. 13. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of patterns are recorded at different recording densities. 14. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said label data creating means is a computer having a keyboard and a display means. 15. A recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said recording means includes a full-line type recording head having a recording area corresponding to a width of a recording area of said recording medium.
15. The label manufacturing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 14. 16. The label manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said recording means has an ink jet recording head for performing recording by discharging ink. 17. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink by using thermal energy and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. Item 17. The label manufacturing apparatus according to Item 16. 18. A label manufacturing method for manufacturing a label using a long recording medium, wherein the label-related information is created by a user's selection and input, and the created information is converted into recording-related data. A data creation step, a recording step of performing recording by a recording head based on data relating to the recording while transporting the recording medium, and a die cutting step of die-cutting the recording medium on which recording has been performed in the recording step. The recording step, when recording the label based on the data regarding the recording, outside the recording area of the label in the transport direction of the recording medium, record a mark corresponding to each label, The die cutting step includes a detecting step of detecting the mark, and the die cutting die according to the detection timing of the detecting step. Label manufacturing method characterized by comprising: a timing control step for controlling the ring, and a range restriction step for invalidating the detection result within a predetermined range. 19. The label manufacturing method according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined range is a recording area of the label. 20. The label manufacturing method according to claim 18, wherein the information on the label includes the predetermined range. 21. The label manufacturing method according to claim 18, further comprising a step of a user inputting the predetermined range via an operation panel. 22. A label manufacturing method for manufacturing a label using a long recording medium, wherein the label-related information is created by a user's selection and input, and the created information is converted into recording-related data. A data creation step, a recording step of performing recording by a recording head based on data relating to the recording while transporting the recording medium, and a die cutting step of die-cutting the recording medium on which recording has been performed in the recording step. The recording step, when recording the label based on the data related to the recording, outside the recording area of the label of the recording medium, record a mark corresponding to each label, the die cutting step Controls the detection step of detecting the mark, and the timing of the die cutting according to the detection timing of the detection step Has a timing control step, the mark is a label manufacturing method characterized by including a plurality of patterns to output a stepped signal upon said detection. 23. The label manufacturing method according to claim 22, wherein the detecting step detects the mark using an optical reflectance, and the plurality of patterns have different optical reflectances. 24. The recording process according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of recording heads each using a recording material of a different color perform full-color recording, and the plurality of patterns are recorded in different colors. Or the label production method according to 23. 25. The label manufacturing method according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of patterns are respectively recorded at different recording densities.