JP2005047087A - Label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label printer which can change a printing format by a simple operation and by a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: The label printer prints to labels in accordance with a predetermined printing format by feeding by a predetermined amount a label paper with the labels temporarily attached at predetermined intervals on a mount. The label printer has a storage means for storing the printing format for every label length, a label length detecting means for detecting the label length, and a selecting means for selecting the predetermined printing format from the storage means on the basis of the label length detected by the label length detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a label printer that prints various data such as a product name on a label or the like attached to a product.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a label printer that prints predetermined items on a label, it is necessary to determine in advance the printing position on the label, the size of characters, and the like so that product names, prices, barcodes, and the like do not overlap.
Also, in label printers that can handle a wide variety of labels, the printing position of the product name and the like differs depending on the label size, so the printing position, character size, etc. are defined according to the label size. The print format needs to be changed.
[0003]
As a method for changing the print format, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a method in which an operator appropriately selects and operates a preset print format can be considered.
Further, in a label printer that sets a cassette filled with a label paper roll in a printing apparatus, a method for selecting a printing format based on information transmitted by the printing apparatus by transmitting a label size or the like from the cassette to the printing apparatus. Are known.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-44522
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the above-mentioned operator makes an appropriate selection, there is a problem that the operation of reselecting the print format is required every time the label sheet is changed, and the operation becomes complicated. In addition, in a cassette type label printer that fills a cassette with a label paper roll and sets the cassette in a printing apparatus, it is necessary to provide the cassette with a function of transmitting the label type and the like, and the apparatus structure becomes complicated. There was a problem.
[0006]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a label printer capable of changing a print format with a simple operation and a simple configuration.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0007]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a label printer that feeds a predetermined amount of label paper temporarily attached to a mount at predetermined intervals and prints on the label according to a predetermined print format. Storage means for storing the print format for each label length, label length detection means for detecting the label length, and selecting the predetermined print format from the storage means based on the label length detected by the label length detection means And a selection means.
[0008]
The label printer according to claim 2 is the label printer according to claim 1, wherein the label length detection means includes a label detection means for detecting a label temporarily attached to a mount, and It comprises a time measuring means for measuring the time for which the label detected by the label detecting means passes through a predetermined position, and a calculating means for calculating the label length from the time measured and the feed speed of the label paper. To do.
[0009]
Further, in the label printer according to claim 3, in the label printer according to claim 1 or 2, the storage means stores the print format and product data in association with each other. It is characterized by.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a printing mechanism of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In this figure, the label paper roll 4 is one in which the label paper 8 is wound. As shown in FIG. 5, the label paper 8 is temporarily and temporarily attached with labels 32 to the mount 31 at regular intervals. Here, in this embodiment, the label length is “L”, and the interval (gap) between the labels is “G”.
[0011]
The label paper roll 4 as described above is rotatably mounted on the roll set shaft 6, and the label paper roll 4 is fixed to the roll set shaft 6 by fitting the presser plate 5 to the roll set shaft 6. .
The label paper 8 fed out from the label paper roll 4 passes through the lower end of the paper guide 9, passes through the gap sensor 10, passes through the dispenser 11 downstream of the platen roller 12, and is guided to the printing unit 13.
[0012]
In the printing unit 13, the print head 1 prints on the label 32 while pressing the label paper 8 against the platen roller 12. Thereafter, the label paper 8 is bent at an acute angle at the tip of the platen roller 12, the label 32 is peeled off from the mount 31, the label 32 is discharged to the outside, and the mount 31 is taken up by the take-up shaft 7. .
The lever 2 is a lever for raising the print head 1 upward when setting the label paper 8 in the mechanism.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the gap sensor 10 includes a light emitting element 101, a light receiving element 102 that is disposed so as to face the light emitting element 101, and that receives light emitted from the light emitting element 101 via the label paper 8. It comprises a label detection unit 103 that detects the presence or absence of the label 32 according to the level (luminance) of the received light. Further, the label paper 8 passes between the light emitting element 101 and the light receiving element 102.
Specifically, the label detection unit 103 determines that “there is a label” when the luminous intensity of the transmitted light received by the light receiving element 102 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, and when the luminous intensity of the transmitted light is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, It is determined that “there is no label”, that is, the portion (gap G) of only the mount 31 without the label 32. And the judgment result is transmitted to CPU41 mentioned later as an electric signal.
For example, “1” of the digital signal is transmitted when “with label”, and “0” is transmitted when “without label”.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the label printer.
The display operation unit 21 has a structure in which a touch panel is laminated on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display. The operator can select a product name or the like to be printed by operating the touch panel, and can also set a product name or the like.
The numeric keypad 22 includes a product number key, a numeric key, a label feed key, a clear key, an issue key, and the like.
Furthermore, the label printer is provided with a power switch 23, a memory card insertion slot 24, a label issuing slot 25, and the like, and the memory card inserted into the memory card insertion slot 24 stores product data, print format, and the like. Some of them are stored and other history data is stored.
When the operator wants to issue a label, the operator selects a product for which the label is to be issued from the display operation unit 21, and further inputs the number of labels to be printed from the numeric key and the issue key, so that the content of the product can be changed. A predetermined number of printed labels can be issued.
[0015]
Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the label printer. In FIG. 4, parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each part of the circuit. Specifically, the CPU 41 performs input processing for processing various input data such as input data input from the display operation unit 21, display processing for outputting various information to the display operation unit 21, and contents of various files described later. A setting process for setting, a print data creating process for creating print data, a print process for controlling the printing operation of the printing unit 13, and the like are performed.
[0016]
Reference numeral 42 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory), which includes the above-described various programs for processing control of the CPU 41, that is, an input processing program, a printing processing program, a display processing program, a setting processing program, a printing data creation processing program, and the like. Stored. As the ROM, it is preferable to use a flash memory, which eliminates the troublesome work of removing the old ROM from the socket and replacing it with a new ROM.
[0017]
Reference numeral 43 denotes a RAM (Random Access Memory), which stores various information used when the CPU 41 performs various processes, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Specifically, a working area in which flags, registers, and the like are set, a storage area for font files, print format files, product files, and the like are provided. The storage area is backed up by a battery so that the contents of various files are not lost even when the power of the label printer is turned off. It is preferable to use an SRAM card for the RAM 43, so that data can be easily transferred.
[0018]
Next, each file stored in the RAM 43, particularly the print format file, will be described in detail.
The print format specifies the presence / absence of printing on a label, the printing position, the size of printing, etc. for each print data such as product name, price, and date. That is, even if there is print data, if the print format is not correct, the predetermined print data is not printed correctly on the label.
[0019]
6A and 6B are conceptual diagrams showing the print format on the label 32. FIG. Depending on the size of the label 32, matters to be printed, character size, printing position, and the like are different. An arbitrary print format can be created by the display operation unit 21.
[0020]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents stored in the print format file.
As shown in FIG. 7, the print format file is an area for storing a plurality of print formats, and the plurality of defined print formats are identified by the label length L.
Specifically, the print format includes items to be printed and data (start X, start Y, vertical width, horizontal width, size) specifying details of the print area of each item, and the label length using the format. L and the like.
Here, “start X” is a value indicating the base point in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the label paper 8 at the time of printing (that is, the X coordinate of the print start position of the print area) in dot units for the print area of the corresponding item. It is. “Start Y” is a value indicating the base point in the traveling direction (that is, the Y coordinate of the print start position of the print area) in dot units for the print area of the corresponding item. “Vertical width” is the number of dots in the Y coordinate direction of the print area of the corresponding item, and “Horizontal width” is the number of dots in the X coordinate direction of the print area of the corresponding item. A predetermined size can be selected from 1 to 5.
[0021]
FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the contents stored in the product file. As shown in FIG. 8, the product file is a file in which product data including a product number, JAN code, product name, producer, product type, format number, etc. is stored for each product, and the product number is designated. The product data that is information about the product is read out.
The barcode system is not limited to the JAN code, and other barcode systems such as a code 39 and a two-dimensional barcode may be used.
The format number is associated with the print format shown in FIG. 7, and the product data of the corresponding format number can be read when the print format is read.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the label printer having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
First, when the operator sets the label paper roll 4 on the roll set shaft 6 and then presses the label feed key provided on the numeric keypad 22, this key input signal is transmitted to the CPU 41.
When the CPU 41 receives the signal, it rotates the platen roller 12 by driving a stepping motor (not shown) in the normal direction to feed the label paper 8 in the forward feed direction.
When the label paper 8 is fed, the label paper 8 passes between the light emitting element 101 and the light receiving element 102 of the gap sensor 10, whereby the presence or absence of the label is detected by the label detection unit 103, and the detection result is sent to the CPU 41. Sent.
[0023]
For example, before the label paper 8 is fed, if the portion of the mount only (gap G) is at the position of the gap sensor 10, a signal indicating “no label” is transmitted from the gap sensor 10 to the CPU 41 (step S1). NO).
Subsequently, when the leading end of the label 32 reaches the position of the gap sensor 10 by feeding the label paper 8, the electrical signal from the gap sensor 10 changes from “no label” to “with label”.
[0024]
When the signal changes from “without label” to “with label” (YES in step S1), CPU 41 starts timer 44 (step S2). Further, when the label paper 8 is fed and the label 32 finishes passing between the gap sensors 10, the electrical signal from the gap sensor 10 changes from “with label” to “without label”.
When the electrical signal changes from “with label” to “without label” (YES in step S3), CPU 41 stops timer 44 (step S4). As a result, the time taken for one label 32 to pass between the gap sensors 10 is counted.
Next, the CPU 41 calculates the label length L by multiplying the time measured by the timer 44 by the feed speed (step S5).
That is, since the feed speed is set to be constant, the label length L can be calculated by multiplying the set value by the time required for the label 32 to pass between the gap sensors 10. it can.
[0025]
When the label length L is calculated, the print format associated with the calculated label length L is read from the print format file (step S6), and the product data identified by the same format number as the read print format. Is read from the product file (step S7). Then, the read print format and product data are written in the print buffer memory on the RAM 43 as print data (step S8).
[0026]
For example, if the label length L calculated in step S5 is 55 (mm), the CPU 41 reads the print format of format number 1 (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, the product data identified by the same format number, ie, format number 1, is read from the product file (see FIG. 8). The read data is written as print data on the print buffer memory of the RAM 43.
Thereby, even if an operator does not perform a special operation, a print format and product data suitable for the label length L are automatically set as print data.
[0027]
On the other hand, the CPU 41 performs stepping motor drive stop processing in parallel with the label length L calculation processing described above. That is, when the signal from the gap sensor 10 changes from “with label” to “without label”, the CPU 41 determines that one label 32 has been issued, and stops driving the stepping motor. As a result, when one label 32 is issued, the feeding of the label paper 8 is stopped, and the next label 32 stands by at a predetermined position.
As described above, in the present label printer, not only can the print format suitable for the label length L be automatically set, but also the mount-only portion (gap G) can be detected. By stopping the feed, the label standby position for starting the next label printing can be accurately controlled.
[0028]
When the operator issues a label issuance instruction from the display operation unit 21, the instruction information is transmitted from the display operation unit 21 to the CPU 41, and the CPU 41 prints the print data written in the print buffer memory of the RAM 43. By outputting to the unit 13, label printing is performed on the waiting label 32. As a result, a label 32 on which a predetermined matter (for example, product data) is printed is issued from the label issuing port 25 in accordance with a print format suitable for the label length L.
[0029]
As described above, since there is a one-to-one relationship between the label length and the print format, the corresponding print format can be easily read out by calculating the label length. That is, the present invention relates only to a label printer in which only one print format corresponds to one label length, and the present invention is applied to a label printer in which a plurality of print formats correspond to the same label length. is not.
And, although it does not specify the number of types of label length that can be used, for example, only two types of labels with different label lengths are required, for example, a label attached to a product and a label attached to a box for packing the product. This is also effective for people who are not familiar with label printer operations, such as small-scale farmers, fishermen, or small-scale factories, because there is no need to select a print format.
Further, in the retail industry as well as the above-mentioned industries, when the lengths of labels to be used are different and there are a plurality of types, it is similarly effective.
[0030]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the CPU 41 receives the signal “with label” or “without label” from the label detection unit 103 and detects the label length has been described. The function may be given to the label detection unit 103. That is, the label detection unit 103 may perform the processing from step S1 to step S5 shown in FIG. 9 and transmit the detected label length L to the CPU 41.
In the printing mechanism shown in FIG. 1, the drive motor for the platen roller 12 and the drive motor for the winding shaft 7 may be made common.
Moreover, although the case where the label paper roll 4 is directly set on the apparatus main body has been described, a label cassette may be used.
The present invention can also be applied to a label printer having a weighing function. Moreover, you may combine the label printer of this invention with a packaging machine. Further, the label printer of the present invention may be combined with an automatic label applicator for automatically applying a label to a product being conveyed.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there is a function of detecting the label length, and since the print format is stored for each label length in the storage means, a print format suitable for each label length is provided. It can be automatically selected and set as print data. Thereby, the troublesomeness that the operator selects the print format each time the label sheet is changed can be eliminated.
Further, according to the present invention, since the print format corresponding to the label length is automatically selected, it is necessary to transmit the label type from the cassette side to the apparatus main body side even when using a label paper cassette. The configuration of the entire apparatus can be simplified.
Further, according to the present invention, since the product data is associated with the print format, the product data can be read out together with the print format, and an operation for newly calling the product data becomes unnecessary, thereby further improving the operability. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a printing mechanism of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a gap sensor.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the label printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example of label paper.
6 is a conceptual diagram showing a print format on a label 32. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents stored in a print format file.
FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of contents stored in a product file.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the label printer according to the embodiment of the invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 print head, 2 lever, 4 label paper roll, 5 presser plate, 6 roll set shaft, 7 take-up shaft, 8 label paper, 9 paper guide, 10 gap sensor (label detection means), 11 dispenser, 12 platen roller, 13 Printing section, 21 Display operation section, 22 Numeric keypad, 23 Power switch, 24 Memory card insertion slot, 25 Label issuing slot, 31 Mount, 32 Label, 41 CPU (Label length detection means, selection means, calculation means), 42 ROM 43 RAM (storage means) 44 Timer (time measuring means) 101 Light emitting element 102 Light receiving element 103 Label detection unit

Claims (3)

In a label printer that feeds a predetermined amount of label paper temporarily attached to a mount at predetermined intervals, and prints the label according to a predetermined printing format,
Storage means for storing the print format for each label length;
Label length detecting means for detecting the label length;
A label printer comprising: selection means for selecting the predetermined print format from the storage means based on the label length detected by the label length detection means. The label length detection means includes
Label detection means for detecting a label temporarily attached to the mount,
Time measuring means for measuring the time for which the label detected by the label detecting means passes a predetermined position;
The label printer according to claim 1, further comprising a calculating unit that calculates a label length from the measured time and the feeding speed of the label paper. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the print format and product data in association with each other.

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