JP2003276252A - Label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label printer capable of limiting the correction range of the processing date, distinguishing a label with the processing data corrected, and preventing malicious alteration of the processing data. <P>SOLUTION: In the case an input from an operation part 3 requires setting of a correction limiting mode, an editing part 21 inquires of an operator on a display part 2 whether or not a correction preventing mode is to be set (step A3). In the case an input from the operation part 3 requires setting of the correction preventing mode, the correction preventing mode (a mode incapable of altering the processing data) is set (step A4). In the case an input not requiring setting of the correction preventing mode is provided from the operation part 3 in the step A3, a limited correction mode (the processing date can be altered only in a preset range, for example, in a range of ±1 day) is set (step A5). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label printer which prints on a label, and more particularly to a label printer which has a calendar function and carries out printing including date information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a label printer that prints the processing (manufacturing) date, expiration date, price, etc. of food on a label, date information such as processing date, expiration date, etc. is recorded based on the calendar function. It is printed. Usually, since the label is printed when the processing is completed, the date when printing is set by the calendar function as the processing date. However, a label may be printed in advance on the day before the arrival date or the like based on the advance arrival information or the like. In this case, the processing date can be corrected regardless of the calendar function. In addition, the time of the calendar function can be freely adjusted, and the machining date can be corrected by changing the time of the calendar function.

[0003]

However, in the prior art, anyone can freely correct the processing date, and the label printed with the processing date corrected or the label without correction can be corrected. Since it is not possible to determine whether or not the printed label is visually checked, there is a possibility that malicious processing such as the processing date and the expiration date may be falsified.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to limit the correction range of the processing date and print the corrected processing date. The point is to provide a label printer capable of discriminating whether or not it is a label and preventing malicious manipulation of the date of processing.

[0005]

The present invention has the following constitution in order to solve the above problems. A gist of the invention according to claim 1 is a label printer having a calendar function, wherein only a correction within a predetermined range from the date information based on the calendar function is accepted as correction date information. Date information receiving means, editing means for creating print data including the correction date information received by the correction date information receiving means, and printing for printing the print data created by the editing means on a label A label printer comprising a control means. Further, the gist of the invention of claim 2 is that the print data including the corrected date information is printed in a font different from the font used when the date information based on the calendar function is not corrected. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein The gist of the invention according to claim 3 is that the editing means creates the print data including date information based on the calendar function together with the correction date information. It exists in the label printer described. Further, the gist of the invention according to claim 4 is that the editing means creates the print data including information indicating a correction range together with the correction date information. It exists in the label printer described in. Claim 5
The gist of the described invention is characterized in that the correction date information receiving means also accepts corrections outside the predetermined range as the correction date information by inputting a code registered in advance. The label printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an external appearance of an embodiment of a label printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a structure of a printing mechanism of an embodiment of a label printer according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention.

In the label printer 1 of the present embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, a display section 2 made of an LED, an operation section 3 made of a keyboard, a label issuing port 4 for ejecting a label, and a power source are turned on and off. A power switch 5 is provided.

An operation screen for the operator is displayed on the display unit 2. In addition, the operation unit 3 has a number input function for inputting numbers such as date, price, etc., and a character input function for inputting characters such as product names, and instructs the start of mode setting. It has a function key for performing various instructions such as a function key, a function key for instructing correction of the date, a function key for instructing printing, and the like.

A printing mechanism 6 is provided inside the label printer main body 1. The printing mechanism 6 refers to FIG. The label-like label continuum 7 obtained by winding the label-like label continuum 10 formed into a roll shape is rotatably held, and the label-like label continuum 10 is supplied from the roll-like label continuum 7.
Is transferred by rotation of the platen 12, print data is printed on the label 9 between the thermal head 11 and the platen 12, and the printed label 9 is peeled from the strip mount 8 by the peeling pin 13, and the peeled label 9 is peeled off. Are ejected from the label issuing port 4.

Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit 20 of the label printer 1 of the present embodiment has an editing unit 21 and a clock unit 22.
A date / time setting unit 23, a font storage unit 24, and a print control unit 25.

The editing unit 21 sets a correction restriction mode in response to an input from the operation unit 3, a function of receiving the corrected processing date as a correction date, and a print for printing on the label 9. It has a function of creating data and a function of displaying an operation screen for the operator on the display unit 2.

The clock unit 22 has a calendar function and counts the date and time. The correction of the date and time counted by the clock unit 22 is prohibited or strictly limited, and the operator cannot correct the correction. The correction of the date and time in the clock unit 22 is configured so that the correction cannot be performed without input of the code managed by only the serviceman of the manufacturer, for example.

The correction date received by the editing unit 21 is set in the date / time setting unit 23. When the correction date is set in the date / time setting unit 23, the correction date is set as the processing date. The date is printed on the label 9.

The font storage unit 24 stores at least two kinds of fonts, a font used when the processing date is not corrected and a font used when the processing date is corrected. ing.

The print control unit 25 drives the platen drive unit 15 for rotating the platen 12 based on the print data from the editing unit 21 and controls the print head 11 to print on the label 9.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the mode setting operation of the embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 explains the date correction operation of the embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart for the purpose, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of labels printed at the time of date correction in the embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention.

First, the mode setting operation for setting the date correction condition will be described. When the function key of the operation unit 3 for instructing the start of mode setting is pressed, a mode set start signal is transmitted from the operation unit 3 to the editing unit 21. Upon receiving the mode set start signal, the editing unit 21 asks the operator on the display unit 2 whether or not to set the correction limiting mode (step A1), and an input indicating that the correction limiting mode is not set is made from the operation unit 3. If so, the normal mode (mode in which the processing date can be freely changed) is set (step A2), and the mode setting operation is completed.

When an input indicating that the correction restriction mode is set is made from the operation unit 3 in step A1, the editing unit 21 asks the operator on the display unit 2 whether to set the non-correction mode ( In step A3), when an input indicating that the uncorrectable mode is set is made from the operation unit 3, the uncorrectable mode (the mode in which the processing date cannot be changed) is set (step A4).

In step A3, when an input indicating that the non-correction mode is not set is made from the operation unit 3, the limited correction mode (change of the processing date is within a predetermined range, for example, within ± 24 hours). A mode that can be performed only) is set (step A5).

When the non-correction mode or the limited correction mode is set, the operation section 3 requests the input of a code (four-digit alphanumeric characters etc.) for canceling each mode on the display section 2, and the operation is performed. The cipher code input from the unit 3 is registered (step A6), and the mode setting operation ends.

Next, a description will be given of the date correction operation when printing on the label 9. First, when the power switch 5 is turned on, the label printer 1 is initialized (step B1). When the label printer 1 is initialized, various information input for previous printing on the label 9 is erased.

Next, when the function key of the operation unit 3 for instructing the date change of the processing date is depressed (step B
2), a date change instruction signal is transmitted from the operation unit 3 to the editing unit 21. Editing unit 21 that has received the date change instruction signal
Judges whether or not the normal mode is set (step B3), and if the normal mode is set, the correction of the date is freely accepted from the operation unit 3 (step B4) and is input. The corrected date is set in the date setting section 23, and print data having the set corrected date as the processing date is created (step B5). Editorial department 21
When the print data is created with the correction date as the processing date in step B5, a font different from the font of the print data when the processing date is not corrected is created (step B14).

If the normal mode is not set in step B3, the editing section 21 determines whether or not the limited correction mode is set (step B6). If the limited correction mode is set, Judges whether or not the cipher for inputting the limited correction mode is input (step B7), and judges whether or not the inputted cipher matches the registered cipher (step B8). Is input and the input cipher matches the registered cipher, the limited correction mode that has been set is released and the process proceeds to step B4.

If there is no cipher input in step B7 and if the cipher input in step B8 does not match the registered cipher, the limited correction mode is in the set state. A predetermined range from the current date counted by the part 3 to the clock part 22,
For example, only correction of ± 24 hours is accepted (step B
9) The input correction date is set in the date setting unit 23, and print data having the set correction date as the processing date is created (step B5). When creating the print data with the correction date as the processing date in step B5, the editing unit 21 creates a font different from the font of the print data when the processing date is not corrected. (Step B14). Note that the range of correction accepted in step B9 is determined within a range that has little influence on food even if the date of processing, the expiration date, etc. are corrected, and thus the correction of only the range having little influence on food is accepted. Thus, it is possible to correct the current time without malicious intent, for example, when the current date counted by the clock unit 22 is deviated.

If the limited correction mode is not set in step B6, the editing unit 21 determines that the correction impossible mode is set, and determines whether or not a code for canceling the correction impossible mode is input (step B10). ) And whether or not the input cipher matches the registered cipher and (step B11), the cipher is input and the inputted cipher matches the registered cipher. , Release the non-correctable mode that has been set, and
Up to 4.

If no cipher is input in step B10 and if the cipher input in step B11 does not match the registered cipher, the uncorrectable mode is set, so The correction of the date is not accepted (step B12), and the print data having the current date counted by the clock unit 22 as the processing date is created (step B13).

Next, the editing unit 21 accepts information such as the product name other than the processing date, the number of days until the expiry date, and the number of printed sheets (step B15), and completes the print data for printing on the label 9. , The completed print data to the print control unit 2
Send to 5.

The print control unit 25 drives the platen drive unit 15 for rotating the platen 12 based on the print data received from the editing unit 21 and controls the print head 11 to control the processing date, expiration date, Print data including a product name, price, etc. is printed on the label 9. Needless to say, not only the date but also the time can be printed on the label 9 such as the date of processing and the expiration date.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to determine that the correction of the processing date has been made by changing the font printed on the label 9, but as shown in FIG. 6 (a),
By printing the date on which the label 9 is printed, it may be possible to determine that the processing date has been corrected. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the difference between the corrected date and the date on which the label 9 is printed (the corrected date set in the date setting section 23 and the clock section 22). (Difference between the date and the date) and the date on which the label 9 is printed, as shown in FIG. 6C. You may make it print the mark which shows the difference with. 6 (b), (c) ±
Represents the direction of correction (indicating whether the date has been advanced or delayed), and the number represents the corrected time.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fact that the correction of the processing date is carried out is grasped by the printed label 9, but the printing data when the processing date is corrected is obtained. The correction of the processing date may be grasped by providing a storage means for storing the printed date as a pair.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the non-correctable mode in which the correction of the machining date is not permitted or the limited correction mode in which the correction of the machining date is permitted only within a predetermined range is set. By being configured so that it can be set, the correction range of the processing date can be limited, so that it is possible to prevent tampering with a malicious processing date, expiration date, and the like.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the processing date is corrected, the font is changed and the label 9 is printed so that the processing date is corrected. Since it is possible to determine whether or not the label 9 is printed, it is possible to prevent tampering with a malicious processing date, expiration date, and the like.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the processing date is corrected, the date printed on the label 9 or the corrected date and the printed date are displayed. By configuring to print the difference, it is possible to determine whether or not the label 9 is printed by correcting the processing date, and it is possible to grasp the range of the correction. This has the effect of preventing tampering with the product, the expiration date, and the like.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when setting the non-correctable mode or the limited correction mode, the cipher is registered, and the non-correctable mode or the limited correction mode set by the input of the registered cipher is released. By being configured so that it can be managed by the administrator according to the situation, it is possible to prevent tampering with malicious processing dates and expiration dates. .

Further, according to the present embodiment, in the limited correction mode, the correction is accepted only in the range where the processing date, the expiration date, etc. are corrected but the influence on the food is small, for example, the time range. There is an effect that the current time can be corrected without malicious intent, for example, when the current date counted by the clock unit is deviated.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is obvious that the embodiments can be modified appropriately within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, the number, position, shape, etc. of the above-mentioned constituent members are not limited to those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the number, position, shape, etc. suitable for carrying out the present invention can be adopted. In addition, in each figure, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0038]

As described above, the label printer of the present invention is configured so that it can set the non-correction mode in which the correction of the processing date is not permitted or the limited correction mode in which the correction of the processing date is permitted within a predetermined range. By doing so, the correction range of the processing date can be limited, so that it is possible to prevent tampering with a malicious processing date, expiration date, and the like.

Further, in the label printer of the present invention, when the processing date is corrected, the font is changed and the label is printed to correct the processing date. Since it is possible to determine whether or not the label is a printed label, it is possible to prevent tampering with a malicious processing date, expiration date, and the like.

Furthermore, in the label printer of the present invention, when the date of processing is corrected, the date printed on the label or the difference between the date of correction and the date printed is printed. By configuring to print, it is possible to determine whether the label was printed after correcting the processing date, and it is possible to grasp the range of correction, so it is possible to identify the processing date and expiration date with malicious intent. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent tampering with etc.

Further, the label printer of the present invention can register the code when setting the non-correction mode or the limited correction mode, and can cancel the non-correction mode or the limited correction mode set by the input of the registered code. With such a configuration, it is possible to manage the date and time according to the situation by the administrator, and it is possible to prevent tampering with the malicious processing date and expiration date.

Further, in the limited correction mode, the label printer of the present invention accepts correction only in a range that has little influence on food even if the processing date, the expiration date, etc. are corrected, for example, only the time range. There is an effect that the current time can be corrected without malicious intent, for example, when the current date counted by the clock unit is deviated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the external appearance of an embodiment of a label printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a printing mechanism of the embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit in the embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a mode setting operation of the embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the date correction operation of the embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a label printed at the time of date correction in the embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Label printer 2 Display 3 operation part 4 Label issue port 5 power switch 6 Printing mechanism 7 Rolled label continuum 8 strip mount 9 labels 10 Label continuum 11 thermal head 12 Platen 13 peeling pin 20 Control unit 21 editorial department 22 Clock department 23 Date setting section 24 font storage 25 Print control unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A label printer having a calendar function, comprising: correction date information receiving means for receiving only correction within a predetermined range from the date information based on the calendar function as correction date information. An edit means for creating print data including the correction date information received by the correction date information receiving means; and a print control means for printing the print data created by the editing means on a label. A label printer characterized by: 2. The print data including the correction date information is printed in a font different from a font used when the date information correction based on the calendar function is not performed. The label printer according to claim 1. 3. The editing device creates the print data including date information based on the calendar function together with the correction date information.
Label printer as described. 4. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit creates the print data including the correction date information and information indicating a correction range. 5. The correction date information receiving means receives a correction outside the predetermined range as the correction date information by inputting a code registered in advance. The label printer according to any one of 1 to 4.