JP2001088393A - Label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print printing data edited in response to a shape of a label on the label. SOLUTION: A position detecting sensor 9 has light emitting units 30-1 to 30-7 each for emitting a light, and photodetectors 31-1 to 31-7 each for detecting light emitted from each of the units 30-1 to 30-7, each of which outputs an electric signal corresponding to an amount of the detected light. A shape of a label 1 conveyed between the units 30-1 to 30-7 and the photodetector 31-1 to 31-7 is recognized based on a time series change of the signal and printing data edited based on a printing format corresponding to the shape of the label 1 is printed on the label 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label printer, and more particularly to a label printer that edits print data in accordance with the shape of a label and prints characters and graphics corresponding to the print data on the label.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, since each label on a temporary attachment (backing sheet) on which a plurality of labels are releasably attached has the same shape, the printing position of the print data to be printed on the label is initially set. , And then printing is performed on each label. Therefore, when a plurality of labels having different shapes are removably attached to the backing paper and printing is performed on the labels having different shapes, it is necessary to specify a printing position for each label.

[0003]

As described above, since the printing position must be specified for each label, each label of the label continuum in which the labels having different shapes are randomly attached to the temporary attachment (backing paper). In the case where predetermined print data is printed, the operation becomes complicated.

[0004] Further, since the conventional label printer does not have a function of identifying the shape and type of the label, each label of the label continuum in which a label having a different shape is stuck to the temporary body is attached to each label. There was a problem that the print data could not be edited and printed according to the situation.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and is capable of identifying the shape of a label and printing characters and graphics corresponding to print data on the label in a format corresponding to the shape of the label. Is to do so.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label printer for printing at least one of a character and a figure corresponding to predetermined print data on a label, wherein the label printer stores print data. Data storage means, recognition means for recognizing the shape of the label, editing means for editing the print data according to the recognized label shape, and printing means for printing the print data edited by the editing means on the label. It is characterized by having. Also,
Print format storage means for storing a print format according to the shape of the label is further provided, and the edit means edits print data to be printed on the label based on the print format corresponding to the label stored in the print format storage means. You can make it. In addition, the recognition means receives the transmitted light transmitted through the label and the backing on which the label is attached, or the reflected light reflected on the backing and the label with a plurality of light receiving units arranged in a straight line, Based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit,
The shape of the label can be recognized. In addition, the recognition unit may include a light emitting unit that forms a pair with each light receiving unit, and each light receiving unit may detect light with a predetermined time difference so as to avoid interference light from a neighboring light emitting unit that is not a pair. Can be In the label printer according to the present invention, the print data storage means stores the print data, the recognition means recognizes the shape of the label, the editing means edits the print data according to the label shape, and the printing means edits the print data. The print data edited by the means is printed on a label.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a label printer to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the label printer includes a control unit 10 that controls each unit, a print head 5 that prints on the label 1, and a stepping motor (hereinafter, simply referred to as a motor) that is driven under the control of the control unit 10. 7) and a backing sheet (temporary adhering body) 2 and a backing sheet 2 which are rotated by the rotational force of a motor 7 transmitted via a belt 8 and constitute a label continuous body 3 set on a supply shaft 4 described later. A platen roller 6 that conveys the releasably attached label 1 and presses the label 1 against a print head 5;
A supply shaft 4 rotatably supporting a plurality of light-emitting portions for emitting predetermined light, and receiving light emitted from each light-emitting portion;
It comprises a plurality of light receiving units corresponding to each light emitting unit that outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of light received (or the intensity of the received light). Each light emitting unit and each light receiving unit are sandwiched between the mount 2 and the label 1. Place, label 1 and gap (label 1 and label 1
And a position detection sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as a sensor as appropriate) 9 for detecting the portion of the mount only between them based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit (or the intensity of the received light).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the control unit 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 includes a ROM (read only memory) 12 for storing a predetermined control program,
The CPU (central pro) operates according to a control program stored in the ROM 12 and controls each unit.
and a RAM (random access memory) for storing various data and print images necessary for the operation of the CPU 11.
y) 13, a motor control unit 1 that supplies a pulse signal to the stepping motor 7 and rotates the stepping motor 7
And a control signal corresponding to print data such as characters, figures, and bar codes to be printed, which is supplied from the CPU 11 based on the print image stored in the RAM 13 and supplied to the print head 5 for printing. A print control unit 15 for performing operations, a sensor control unit 16 for controlling the light emitting unit of the sensor 9 to emit light, receive an electric signal output from the light receiving unit, and supply the received electric signal to the CPU 11 under the control of the CPU 11; Input section 18 for inputting various data
And a monitor 19 for displaying input data from the input unit 18 and various information. Input data input from the input unit 18 is transmitted to the C
Display data corresponding to various types of information supplied to the PU 11 and displayed on the monitor 19 is supplied from the CPU 11 via the interface 20. Also,
Data can be transmitted / received to / from an externally connected device such as a computer via the external interface 17. The format memory 21 stores print data to be printed on label 1 in label 1.
The print format for editing according to the shape of the image is stored.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the position detection sensor 9 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the position detecting sensor 9 includes light emitting units 30-1 to 30-7 (hereinafter, referred to as light emitting units 30-1 to 30-7).
When it is not necessary to particularly distinguish the light emitting units 30-1 to 30-7, the light emitting units 30-1 to 30-7 are simply described as appropriate), and the light receiving units 31-1 to 3-3 corresponding to the light emitting units 30-1 to 30-7.
1-7 (hereinafter, when it is not necessary to particularly distinguish the light receiving units 31-1 to 31-7, the light receiving units 31-1 to 31-7 are simply referred to as light receiving units 31 as appropriate).

For example, the light receiving section 31-1 is provided with a light emitting section 30-
1, and outputs an electric signal of a voltage corresponding to the received light amount. Also,
The light receiving section 31-2 receives the light emitted from the light emitting section 30-2 and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the received light amount. Similarly, the light receiving unit 31-3 is a light emitting unit 3
The light emitted from the light emitting unit 30-4 is received, and the light receiving unit 31-4 receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 30-4.
5 receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 30-5, the light receiving unit 31-6 receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 30-6,
The light receiving section 31-7 receives the light emitted from the light emitting section 30-7 and outputs an electric signal of a voltage corresponding to the amount of received light.

The light emitting units 30-1 to 30-7 and the light receiving units 31-1 to 31-7 of the position detecting sensor 9 are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the label 1 is provided so as to intersect perpendicularly with a straight line parallel to the direction in which the label 1 is transported and to be arranged on a straight line parallel to the mount 2. Therefore, when the label 1 is transported in the transport direction, the voltage values of the electric signals output from the light receiving units 31-1 to 31-7 are taken in at predetermined time intervals, and their time-series changes are examined. 1
Can be recognized.

The light emitting section 30 and the light receiving section 31 (for example, the light emitting section 30-1 and the light receiving section 31-
1, the light-emitting unit 30-2 and the light-receiving unit 30-2 form a set), so that each set forms a light-emitting unit at a predetermined time interval so as not to receive interference from other sets. Light from 30 is detected.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
An operation when the control unit 10 recognizes the shape of the label 1 will be described. Now, the voltage value of each electric signal output from the light receiving units 31-1 to 31-7 is equal to the time t1, t2, t
It is assumed that the results shown in FIG. 6 are obtained at 3, 3, t5, t6, and t7. In FIG. 6, "O" indicates
The voltage value of the electric signal indicates that the voltage value is smaller than the predetermined reference value, and “x” indicates that the voltage value of the electric signal is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference value.

That is, at time t1, the light receiving section 31-4
Only the voltage value of the electric signal output from the light receiving section 31-1, 31-2, 31- is smaller than the predetermined reference value.
The voltage values of the electric signals output from 3, 31-5, 31-6, and 31-7 are each equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, and at time t2, output from light receiving units 31-3, 31-4, and 31-5. The voltage value of each of the obtained electric signals is smaller than a predetermined reference value, and the light receiving units 31-1, 31-2, 31-6,
The voltage value of each electric signal output from 31-7 is equal to or more than a predetermined reference value, and at times t3 to t6,
If the voltage value of each electric signal output from the light receiving units 31-2 to 31-6 is smaller than a predetermined reference value,
The voltage value of each electric signal output from 1-1, 31-7 becomes equal to or more than a predetermined reference value, and at time t7,
It is assumed that the voltage value of each electric signal output from each of the light receiving units 31-1 to 31-7 is equal to or more than a predetermined reference value.

In this case, in step S1, data corresponding to each electric signal output from the light receiving units 31-1 to 31-7 is supplied to the CPU 11 via the sensor control unit 16. Then, in step S2, the CPU 1
1 performs a pattern recognition process based on data corresponding to these electric signals in accordance with a pattern recognition program stored in the ROM 13, and changes the shape of the label 1 to that shown in FIG.
The shape is recognized as shown in FIG.

In step S2, when the CPU 11 recognizes that the shape of the label 1 is as shown in FIG. 7, the process proceeds to step S3, in which the CPU 11
Reads from the format memory 21 a print format used when printing print data on a label 1 having a shape as shown in FIG. This print format includes, for example, the print direction, the number of printable lines, the position (coordinates) of each line, the number of characters that can be printed for each line, the size of characters, and the like. It is created and stored in the format memory 21.

Now, in step S2, the CPU 11
Then, the label 1 is recognized to have a shape as shown in FIG. 7, and then in step S4, according to the print format corresponding to the shape as shown in FIG. The print data is edited.

Then, the process proceeds to step S5, where
The print data edited in step 4, specifically, data representing the position (coordinates) of each line, print data to be printed on each line, print data including the size of characters, etc.
5 is supplied. The print control unit 15 controls the print head 5 based on the print data supplied from the CPU 11. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG.
The characters and barcodes corresponding to the print data are printed on the label 1 in a print format according to the shape of the label 1.

The label 1 can be of various shapes depending on the product. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a strawberry shape, an apple shape, or an eggplant shape can be used. Etc. can be printed.

The position detection sensor 9 used in the above-described embodiment receives light emitted from the light emitting units 30-1 through 30-7 and transmitted through the backing sheet 2 or the backing sheet 2 and the label 1 in each light receiving unit 31. Although it is configured as a so-called transmission type sensor that receives light at -1 to 31-7, light emitted from the light emitting units 30-1 to 30-7 and reflected by the mount 2 or the label 1 is received by the light receiving unit 31-31. It is also possible to configure as a so-called reflection type sensor that receives light at 1 to 31-7.

Further, in the above embodiment, the position detecting sensor 9 is provided with seven light receiving units 31-1 to 31-7 and seven light emitting units 30-1 to 30-7, respectively. It is not limited.

Further, the shape of the label 1 used in the above embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0023]

As described above, according to the label printer of the present invention, the print data storing means stores the print data, the recognizing means recognizes the shape of the label, and the editing means relies on the shape of the label. Since the print data is edited and the print means prints the print data edited by the edit means on the label, the label shape is identified, and the character corresponding to the print data is printed on the label in a format according to the label shape. And figures can be printed. Therefore, even when labels of various shapes are attached to the mount, printing can be performed in a print format corresponding to each label.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of a label printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of a control unit 10 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a position detection sensor 9;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the position detection sensor 9 and the label 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit 11;

FIG. 6 shows each of the light receiving sections 31-1 to 31 of the position detection sensor 9.
It is a figure which shows the time-sequential change of the electric signal output from -7.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of a recognized label 1;

8 is a diagram showing an example in which characters and figures corresponding to print data are printed on a label 1 having the shape shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the shape of the label 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 label 2 backing paper (temporary body) 3 continuous label body 4 supply shaft 5 print head 6 platen roller 7 stepping motor 8 belt 9 position detection sensor 10 control unit 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 motor control unit 15 print control unit 16 sensor Control unit 17 External interface unit 18 Input unit 19 Monitor 20 Interface 21 Format memory 30-1 to 30-7 Light emitting unit 31-1 to 31-7 Light receiving unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A label printer for printing at least one of characters and graphics corresponding to predetermined print data on a label, a print data storage means for storing the print data, and a recognition device for recognizing a shape of the label. Means, editing means for editing the print data according to the shape of the label recognized by the recognition means, and printing means for printing the print data edited by the editing means on the label. A label printer characterized by the following. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a print format storage unit configured to store a print format corresponding to a shape of the label, wherein the editing unit is configured to store the print format based on the print format corresponding to the label stored in the print format storage unit. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein print data to be printed on the label is edited. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recognizing unit is configured to transmit the transmitted light transmitted through the label and the mount on which the label is affixed, or the reflected light reflected on the mount and the label to a plurality of lines arranged in a straight line. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the light is received by the light receiving units, and the shape of the label is recognized based on the intensity of the light received by each light receiving unit. 4. The recognizing means includes a light emitting unit paired with each light receiving unit, and each light receiving unit is provided with a predetermined time difference so as to avoid interference light from a neighboring light emitting unit which is not a pair. The label printer according to claim 3, wherein the detection is performed.