JP2006272760A - Printing/processing system, printer, processing apparatus, printing/processing apparatus, method for controlling printing/processing system, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing/processing system or the like which can carry out printing processing based on information inputted/edited beforehand, and working processing in different processes each other. <P>SOLUTION: A label forming apparatus 1 comprises an Indican ink character printing part 10 which prints Indian ink characters P on a tape T and a Braille embossing part 20 which embosses Braille points B on the printed tape T. The Indian ink character printing part 10 comprises an inputting means 110 which inputs printing information for carrying out printing, and emboss processing information for making the Braille embossing part 20 carry out emboss processing; and a printing means 120 which prints on the tape T printing data obtained by developing the printing information, and an emboss indication code C1 which shows contents of emboss processing on the basis of an input by the inputting means 110. The Braille embossing part 20 comprises a reading means 210 which reads the emboss indication code C1 printed on the tape T, and an embossing means 230 which carries out emboss processing on the basis of the read emboss indication code C1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing / processing system having a printing processing mechanism for printing on a processing sheet, a processing mechanism for processing a printed processing sheet, and a printing apparatus applied to the printing / processing system, The present invention relates to a processing apparatus, a printing / processing apparatus, a printing / processing system control method, a program, and a recording medium.

Conventionally, braille that can be recognized by a visually impaired person and ink characters that can be viewed by a sighted person who does not have a visual impairment (referred to normal print characters as opposed to Braille) are placed on the same forming medium. An apparatus for creating a Braille label or a Braille receipt that can be recognized by both sighted persons is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-182158 A (FIG. 5 etc.)

  This type of device generally inputs and edits printing information for printing ink characters and imprinting information for imprinting Braille characters, and printing and Braille printing based on those information. Stamping is performed as a series of steps. Therefore, it is not possible to use such a method that once the ink-character printing is completed, the label production is temporarily interrupted (the power is turned off) and the braille is stamped later. Also, when trying to create a plurality of braille labels having different contents, it is not possible to create a plurality of labels that have been printed with ink before printing and then stamping a plurality of ink-printed labels.

  Of course, by design change, only print information is entered to create a print label printed with ink characters, and later, the stamp information is entered, and the Braille stamp is printed on the previously created print character label. If it is configured so that it can be used as described above, it is possible to input and edit only print information and stamp information as described above, and if each process is performed, which braille label will eventually be There is a problem that it is difficult to understand how it is completed. In addition, if the contents of ink-printing and the contents of braille printing are the same, it is possible to perform ink-character printing and braille printing based on the same information. In the above method performed in a separate process, it is necessary to input information separately, which is rather troublesome.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention inputs and edits in advance print information for printing and processing information for executing processing such as Braille embossing, and includes these information. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing / processing system, a printing apparatus, a processing apparatus, a printing / processing apparatus, a control method for the printing / processing system, a program, and a recording medium capable of executing a printing process and a processing process based on separate processes. .

  The printing / processing system of the present invention is a printing / processing system having a print processing mechanism that performs printing on a processing sheet and a processing processing mechanism that performs processing on a printed processing sheet. Input means for inputting print information for printing and processing information for causing the processing mechanism to execute processing, print data developed based on the input by the input means, and processing data A processing unit that prints processing instruction data indicating processing contents on a processing sheet, and the processing mechanism is based on the reading unit that reads the processing instruction data printed on the processing sheet and the read processing instruction data And a processing means for performing processing.

  The printing / processing system control method of the present invention is a printing / processing system control method for performing printing processing for printing on a processing sheet and processing processing for processing the processing sheet. Print processing information for performing processing and processing information for performing processing, printing data obtained by expanding the acquired printing information, and processing instruction data indicating processing content of processing processing are printed on the processing sheet. And a step of reading processing instruction data printed on the processing sheet, and a step of performing processing based on the read processing instruction data.

According to these configurations, the print processing mechanism prints the processing instruction data indicating the content of the processing processing to be executed by the processing processing mechanism on the processing sheet together with the print data based on the input print information. The processing can be executed based on the result of reading the processing instruction data. That is, there is no need for means for storing print information and processing information that have been input and edited in advance, and processing based on these is performed separately for the print processing mechanism and the processing mechanism. Can be executed. The “separate process” refers to neither a permutation process in which the printing process and the processing process are performed in a permutation, nor a parallel process in which the printing process and the processing process are performed in parallel.
In addition, since the processing mechanism reads the processing specific data that has been printed and refers to the storage device to perform the processing, the print processing and the processing based on the print information and the processing information that are simultaneously input are surely performed. Can do. That is, there is no problem that the contents of the printing process and the processing process do not match, and a product desired by the user can be obtained.
Further, since the two processes can be executed in separate steps, problems such as a complicated mechanism and an increase in the size of the apparatus that cannot be avoided in an apparatus that processes the two processes in a permutation or in parallel can be solved. The print information and the processing information may not be input separately, but only one piece of information common to both may be input.

  In this case, the processing mechanism further includes control information storage means for storing a plurality of control information which is a control program and / or control data for performing various processing processes, and the processing instruction data is stored in the storage means. It is data for designating the above control information, and it is preferable that the processing means performs the processing based on the control information specified by the processing instruction data.

  According to this configuration, the information indicating the content of the processing process need only include information for designating one or more pieces of control information from the storage means. Therefore, the control information itself does not need to be included in the processing instruction data. It is possible to make simple data such as printing a designation number (number) for designating control information as processing instruction data. This also simplifies the configuration of the reading means and prevents malfunction due to erroneous recognition.

  In these cases, the processing instruction data is preferably an optically readable code.

  According to this configuration, a two-dimensional code, a barcode, a code string composed of a plurality of symbols and characters, and the like can be used as the processing instruction data. As the two-dimensional code, QR code, Maxi code, Veri code, data matrix, PDF417, and the like can be used.

  In these cases, the processing sheet has an information forming layer on which printing is performed and a release paper layer laminated on the back side thereof, and the printing processing mechanism is close to the leading end or the trailing end in the feeding direction of the processing sheet. It is preferable to further include a half-cut unit that forms a non-printing area in which print data is not printed by half-cutting the adjacent information forming layer in the width direction, and the printing unit preferably prints the processing instruction data in the non-printing area. .

  According to this configuration, since the processing instruction data is printed in the non-printing area partitioned by the half-cut, the product is not affected, for example, the visibility of the area where the printing data is printed is impaired. Moreover, it becomes easy to peel a release paper layer from an information formation layer by giving a half cut.

  In these cases, it is preferable that the processing means performs braille embossing processing and / or cut-out character forming processing on the processing sheet as processing processing.

  According to this configuration, the present invention can be applied when printing (ink-printing), braille embossing processing and / or cut-out character forming processing is performed on a processing sheet. Note that cutting refers to processing including full cut and half cut of a processing sheet in addition to the formation of cutout characters (including symbols and figures).

  In these cases, it is preferable that the print processing mechanism and the processing mechanism are each a single device.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of each device and improve versatility.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention functions as a print processing mechanism in the printing / processing system described in any one of the above items.

  According to this configuration, the print data and the processing instruction data are printed on the processing sheet based on the input print information and processing processing information, so that the processing processing mechanism can execute the processing processing later. Can do.

  The processing apparatus of the present invention functions as a processing mechanism in the printing / processing system described in any one of the above.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to execute the processing without reading information by reading the processing instruction data printed on the processing sheet.

  A printing / processing apparatus according to the present invention includes the printing processing mechanism, the processing processing mechanism, and a storage device in the printing / processing system according to any one of the above-described items, in one housing.

  According to this configuration, the printing process and the processing process can be performed with one apparatus. Moreover, these printing processes and processing processes can be executed in separate steps rather than continuously.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute each step in the control method of the printing / processing system described above.

  The recording medium of the present invention records the program described above and is readable by a computer.

  By executing this program, processing based on these information can be performed as a print processing mechanism without requiring means for storing print information and processing information that have been input and edited in advance. Each of the processing mechanisms can be executed in a separate process.

  Hereinafter, a printing / processing system, a printing apparatus, a processing apparatus, a printing / processing apparatus, a printing / processing system control method, a program, and a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention provides a printing / processing system having a print processing mechanism and a processing mechanism, without requiring a means for storing print information and processing information that have been input and edited in advance, and the like. The printing process and the processing process on the processing sheet based on these pieces of information can be executed in separate steps. Therefore, taking a case where Braille embossing processing is performed as an example of processing, the printing / processing system of the present invention is divided into Braille that can be recognized by a visually impaired person and ink characters that can be viewed by a sighted person who does not have visual impairment. Is applied to a label producing apparatus for producing braille labels arranged on the same tape.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a label producing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the label producing apparatus 1 includes an ink character printing unit 10 (printing processing mechanism) that performs printing on a tape T (processing sheet), and a braille stamp that performs braille stamping on the printed tape T. Part 20 (processing mechanism). The ink character printing unit 10 includes, as main parts, an input unit 110 that inputs information for performing a printing process and a stamping process, and a printing unit 120 that performs printing on the tape T based on an input by the input unit 110. I have.

  The input unit 110 inputs printing information for printing the ink letter P on the tape T and stamping processing information for causing the braille stamping unit 20 to perform stamping processing. For example, as shown in the drawing, when printing the ink letter P “Ayu” and creating a tape T (Braille label L2) in which Braille B (a Braille pattern based on Braille information [Aiu]) is printed, the print information and As stamping process information (as information common to both), the character information “That” is input. It should be noted that the print information and the stamping process information can be input different information instead of the same information.

  In addition, the printing unit 120 prints the printing information input by the input unit 110 as bitmap data (ink-character P “Ayame”), as well as a marking instruction code C1 (processing) indicating the processing content of the marking process. (Instruction data) is printed. Then, after printing, the tape T is cut into a predetermined length to create the ink letter label L1. Here, the “processing content of the time stamping process” means a control program and / or control data generated based on the time stamping process information input by the input unit 110 (hereinafter simply referred to as “time stamping process data”). In the Braille stamping unit 20, the stamping process is performed based on the stamping process data.

  Note that the “stamping processing data” includes data relating to braille data indicating each braille B, braille position in the tape width direction, margins, and the like. However, when the stamping position cannot be selected depending on the width of the tape T or the configuration of the Braille stamping unit 20, information regarding the Braille position is not necessary. In addition, the Braille data indicating each Braille B is not image data (bitmap data) representing a Braille pattern, but 1/0 representing the marking / non-stamping of a plurality of marking points constituting the Braille B by 1 bit. It is preferable to use 1-byte data (in the case of 6 braille, the first and last bits are not used). According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of data included in the stamping process data.

  Further, the “stamping instruction code C1” refers to a coding process content of the stamping process. Since the processing content includes a control program as described above, a two-dimensional code having a relatively large storage capacity is used. .

  On the other hand, the braille stamping unit 20 reads the stamping instruction code C1 printed on the tape T in the ink character printing unit 10, and the stamping process for performing the stamping process based on the read stamping instruction code C1. Means 230 is provided as a main part. The reading unit 210 includes a reflective image sensor (code reading sensor 92, see FIG. 5) that optically reads an imaging target (two-dimensional code), and a decoder (not shown) that decodes the reading result of the image sensor. It consists of.

  Further, the stamping means 230 stamps Braille B on the tape T based on the decoding result by the decoder. Here, the “decode result” refers to the processing content of the above-described stamping process, that is, the stamping process data. The tape T on which the braille B is engraved becomes the braille label L2 which is the final product.

  In the above example, a two-dimensional code is used as the marking instruction code C1, but a mark or image in which information is encoded (encoded) in accordance with an arbitrary symbol code system (symbolism) can be used instead. Is possible. In addition to the exemplified QR code, a Maxi code, a Veri code, a data matrix, PDF417, or the like can be used as the two-dimensional code.

  Next, the apparatus configuration of the label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is an external perspective view of the label producing apparatus 1 in a closed state, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the label producing apparatus 1 in an open state. As shown in both drawings, the label producing apparatus 1 has an outer case formed by an apparatus case 2 having a hand-held portion 13, and the apparatus case 2 is integrally formed by a front case 2a and a rear case 2b. The front case 2a has printing means 120 and performs ink-character printing on the tape T fed out from the tape cartridge C. Further, the rear case 2b has a Braille stamping portion 20, and performs Braille stamping by manually inserting the tape T.

  A keyboard 3 that functions as the input means 110 (see FIG. 1) is disposed on the front upper surface of the front case 2a, and an open / close lid 21 is attached to the rear upper surface. The opening / closing lid 21 is formed with a display 4 having a rectangular shape, and a cartridge mounting portion 6 (printing means 120, see FIG. 1) for mounting the tape cartridge C on the left side is recessed. The tape cartridge C is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the opening / closing lid 21 being opened by pressing the lid opening button 14.

  A power supply port 11 for power supply and a connection port 12 for connecting to an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer are formed on the right side of the front case 2a. By connecting an external device, ink-character printing or braille printing can be performed based on printing information or stamping processing information generated by the external device.

  Further, a printing tape discharge port 22 is formed on the left side of the front case 2 to communicate the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the outside. The tape T fed from the printing means 120 is cut into the printing tape discharge port 22. A full cutter 162 and a half cutter 164 (both see FIG. 5) are facing. The full cutter 162 fully cuts the printed portion of the tape T after printing, and the tape T after ink character printing is discharged from the printing tape discharge port 22 by the full cut. The half cutter 164 cuts only one of the two layers (described later) constituting the tape in the tape width direction.

  On the keyboard 3, a character key group 3a and a function key group 3b for designating various operation modes are arranged. The character key group 3a is used for inputting print information and stamping process information, and has a full key configuration based on the JIS layout. Further, the function key group 3b includes an execution key for executing ink-printing and / or braille printing, a “feed start” key for instructing start of feeding of the tape T in the braille stamping unit 20, and manual braille printing. In addition to a “stamping start” key for engraving, a “mode selection” key for selecting a processing mode for performing ink character printing and / or braille stamping is included.

  With the “mode selection” key, it is possible to select a first processing mode in which ink character printing and braille printing are performed, and a second processing mode in which only ink character printing is performed, and the second processing mode is selected. In such a case, the printing instruction code C1 (see FIG. 1) including information related to the processing content of the printing process is not printed. In the present embodiment, the case where the first processing mode is set will be mainly described.

  The display 4 can display display image data of 192 dots × 80 dots inside a rectangular shape of about 12 cm in the horizontal direction (X direction) × 5 cm in the vertical direction (Y direction), and the user can display information from the keyboard 3. It is used when inputting and confirming an image of a product (ink-character label L1 or Braille label L2) or editing input information. Various errors and messages (instruction contents) are displayed and notified to the user.

  The cartridge mounting unit 6 includes a head unit 15 in which a print head 7 composed of a thermal head is built in a head cover 15a, a platen drive shaft 16 facing the print head 7, and a winding drive for winding an ink ribbon R described later. A shaft 23 and a positioning projection 24 of the tape reel 17 described later are provided. A print feed motor 121 (see FIG. 5) for rotating the platen drive shaft 16 and the take-up drive shaft 23 is incorporated below the cartridge mounting portion 6.

  The tape cartridge C is configured to accommodate a tape reel 17 wound with a tape T having a certain width at the upper center portion inside the cartridge case 51 and a ribbon reel 25 wound with an ink ribbon R at the lower right portion. The tape T and the ink ribbon R have the same width. A through hole 55 for inserting into the head cover 15a that covers the head unit 15 is formed in the lower left part of the tape reel 17, and the platen drive shaft corresponds to a portion where the tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap. A platen roller 53 that is fitted to 16 and rotated is disposed. On the other hand, a ribbon take-up reel 54 is arranged in the vicinity of the ribbon reel 25, and the ink ribbon R fed out from the ribbon reel 25 is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 54 arranged so as to go around the head cover 15a. It is like that.

  The tape T is composed of a base sheet (information forming layer) Ta having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the back surface, and a release paper (release paper layer) Tb attached to the base sheet with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. . The base sheet Ta is composed of an image receiving layer with improved fixability of ink thermally transferred from an ink ribbon and a film made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from the front side. And a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive. On the other hand, the release paper Tb is used to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the adhesive layer until the base sheet Ta is used as a label, and is composed of high-quality paper or the like whose surface is siliconized. ing. In addition, said "half cut" cuts only base material sheet Ta in the tape width direction among laminated base material sheet Ta and release paper Tb, in order to make it easy to exfoliate release paper Tb. .

  In addition, a plurality of types of tape T having different tape types (tape width, tape color, ink ink color, tape material, etc.) are prepared, and a plurality of holes (not shown) indicating this type are cartridges. It is provided on the back surface of the case 51. A plurality of tape identification sensors (microswitches) 171 (see FIG. 5) for detecting these are provided on the cartridge mounting portion 6 corresponding to the plurality of holes, and the state of the tape identification sensor 171 is detected. Thus, the tape type can be determined. In this embodiment, three types of tape width 24 mm (tape T1), tape width 18 mm (tape T2), and tape width 12 mm (tape T3) will be described as examples (see FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, the rear case 2b incorporates an assembly (braille stamping portion 20) for performing Braille stamping therein, and its upper surface is opened in a cross shape so that the braille stamping portion 20 is exposed. In addition, a cutting tape insertion port 31 into which the user manually inserts the tape T is formed at the right part of the notch opening 30 and the braided tape T is discharged at the left part. A stamping tape discharge port 32 is formed.

  The braille stamping unit 20 includes a stamping unit 80 that performs braille stamping with three stamping pins 41 driven by a solenoid 47 (see FIG. 5), and a tape T inserted into the stamping tape insertion slot 31. Tape that has a tape feeding mechanism 60 that feeds toward the stamping tape discharge port 32 and a tape traveling path 70 that transports the tape T, and that is fed along the tape traveling path 70 by driving the tape feeding mechanism 60 Braille B is formed by selectively driving the three stamping pins 41 with respect to T by the stamping unit 80.

  The tape feeding mechanism 60 includes a feeding roller 61 that can rotate forward and backward, a support member 62 that supports the feeding roller 61 on the apparatus frame 65, and a stamping feeding motor 151 (see FIG. 5) to be described later. Reference numeral 61 denotes an annular groove that diverges the interference of the three vertical marking points (arranged so as not to interfere with each other) in the upper and lower portions in the width direction of the tape running path 70 so as not to crush the formed Braille B 63 (see FIG. 4) is formed.

  Further, the stamping unit 80 is disposed on the back side of the tape T and includes a stamping member (stamping head) in which the three stamping pins 41 are incorporated, and the stamping member sandwiching the tape T. And a stamp receiving member provided at a position opposed to the tape, and is fixedly disposed at a lower end portion in the width direction of the tape running path 70. Therefore, when performing Braille stamping on the tape T1 having the maximum width (24 mm), Braille stamping is performed on the lower half portion in the width direction of the tape T1 (see FIG. 4).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the tape feeding in the braille stamping unit 20 and the reading operation of the stamp instruction code C1 will be described. As described above, the Braille stamping portion 20 is formed along the stamping unit 80 that forms the stamping convex portion on the tape T by the stamping pin 41, the tape traveling path 70 on which the tape T is conveyed, and the tape traveling path 70. In addition to the tape feeding mechanism 60 that transports the tape T, guide members 71 and 72 that guide the transport of the tape T, a transmission-type front end detection sensor 91 that detects the front end of the tape T, and the reading of the marking instruction code C1 And a code reading sensor 92 for performing the above.

  By the way, as described above, in the ink character printing unit 10, in order to easily peel the release paper Tb, a half-cut process is performed on the tip of the tape. Are divided into a non-printing area (discarding margin) and a printing area on the rear end side of the tape. The “non-printing area” refers to an area where the ink letter P (print data) is not printed, and the “printing area” refers to an area to be printed with the ink letter P (an area used as a label). ). In the “non-printing area”, the length L0 in the tape feeding direction is constant regardless of the tape width, and the marking instruction code C1 is printed at a predetermined position in the tape feeding direction and the tape width direction. That is, in the figure, only the marking instruction code C1 printed on T3 is shown, but the other tape T2 and tape T3 are also printed with the same size marking instruction code C1 at the same position and fixed. Reading can be performed by the arrangement code reading sensor 92 (in the case of the tapes T1 and T2, the marking instruction code C1 is printed on the lower half of the drawing). Further, the marking instruction code C1 is printed in the non-printing area, so that the visibility of the printing area is not impaired.

  Of the tapes T1, T2 and T3, the tape T1 having the maximum tape width is guided by the upper and lower guides 71 and 72, and the tapes T2 and T3 having other tape widths are guided only by the lower guide member 71. . For example, when the tape T3 having the minimum tape width is used, the user can insert the tape T3 (ink label L1) along the lower guide member 71 until the tip of the tape T3 reaches the tape feed mechanism 60 (feed roller 61). Insert it by hand). Then, by pressing the “feed start” key on the keyboard 3, the tape feeding mechanism 60 starts feeding the tape T 3, and the leading edge detection sensor 91 detects the leading edge of the tape. When the leading edge of the tape T is detected, the code reading sensor 92 reads (detects) the marking instruction code C1.

  The marking instruction code C1 is read by a predetermined length (for example, a length L3 in the tape feed direction from the leading end of the tape to the rear end of the marking instruction code C1, and a leading end detection sensor). This is performed along with the tape feed (tape feed in the forward direction) of the length obtained by adding the length L4 between 91 and the code reading sensor 92 to the length obtained by adding a predetermined length in consideration of the detection error. Note that the length of the front margin from the leading edge of the tape to the first marking row (stamping start position) is L3 and L4 in the length L1 between the marking unit 80 (the marking pin 41) and the leading edge detection sensor 91. (However, due to the positional relationship of the feed roller 61, the front margin length is set to be longer than the length L2 between the stamping unit 80 and the feed roller 61). The tape T is fed back by rotating the feed roller 61 in the reverse direction. When the tape is fed to an appropriate position, stamping and tape feeding in the forward direction are started. Braille stamping and tape feeding are based on the detection result of the stamping portion rotation speed sensor 173 (see FIG. 5) that detects the rotation of the stamping feed motor 151 that drives the tape feeding mechanism 60, and stamping processing data. Execute.

  Further, after the stamping is completed, the tape feed mechanism 60 feeds the trailing margin (the length from the last stamp row (the stamping end position) to the trailing edge of the tape) to remove the stamping tape. The tape T (braille label L2) is discharged from the outlet 32. The start of the stamping by the stamping unit 80 is not triggered by the detection of the leading edge of the tape by the leading edge detection sensor 91 but manually started by the user pressing the “stamping” key on the keyboard 3. Is also possible.

  Next, the control configuration of the label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The label producing apparatus 1 includes a keyboard 3 (input unit 110, see FIG. 1) and a display 4, and includes an operation unit 150 that manages a user interface such as information input by a user and display of various information, a tape cartridge C, and a print head 7. And a printing unit 120 having a print feed motor 121 and printing print data in which printing information is developed on the tape T while conveying the tape T and the ink ribbon R, a full cutter 162 and a half cutter 164 (half cut unit), In addition, there are a full cutter motor 161 and a half cutter motor 163 (half cut means) for driving them, a cutting means 160 for cutting the printed tape T to a predetermined length, a solenoid 47, a stamping pin 41, and a punch. It has a feed motor 151 and transports the tape T while feeding it. An engraving means 230 for engraving engraving process data based on engraving process information on the tape T, a tape identification sensor 171 for detecting the type of the tape T (tape cartridge C), and the Braille embossing unit 20 A tip detection sensor 91 for detecting the tip, a code reading sensor 92 (reading means 210, see FIG. 1) for reading the marking instruction code C1 printed on the tape T in the Braille stamping section 20, and the rotational speed of the print feed motor 121 A printing unit rotation speed sensor 172 that detects the rotation speed, and a printing unit rotation speed sensor 173 that detects the rotation speed of the stamping feed motor 151. The detection unit 170 performs various detections, the display driver 181, the head driver 182, and the printing. Feed motor driver 183, cutter motor drivers 184 and 185, stamp driver 186 and stamp feed Has Tadoraiba 187, a driving unit 180 for driving each unit, is connected to each unit, a control unit 190 for controlling the entire label forming apparatus 1 is composed of a.

  The control means 190 includes a CPU 191, a ROM 192, a RAM 193 and an input / output control device (hereinafter referred to as “IOC: Input Output Controller”) 194, which are connected to each other by an internal bus 195. The ROM 192 prints ink characters in addition to print processing and stamping processing, and a control program block 192a that stores various control programs for control by the CPU 191 such as data for ink-printing the marking instruction code C1. And a control data block 192b for storing various control data such as character font data for use and Braille pattern data for performing Braille embossing.

  The RAM 193 includes various work area blocks 193a used as flags and the like, a print data block 193b for storing generated print data (bitmap data), and stamp processing data for storing the generated stamp processing data. Block 193c, stamping instruction code block 193d for storing bitmap data for printing the stamping instruction code C1, and a decoding result for storing a decoding result (stamping processing data) of data read by the code reading sensor 92 Block 193e and used as a work area for control processing. The RAM 193 is always backed up so that the stored data is retained even when the power is turned off.

  In the IOC 194, a logic circuit that complements the function of the CPU 191 and handles interface signals with various peripheral circuits is configured and configured by a gate array, a custom LSI, or the like. As a result, the IOC 194 receives the input data and control data from the keyboard 3 as they are or processes them and imports them into the internal bus 195, and in conjunction with the CPU 191, the data and control signals output from the CPU 191 to the internal bus 195 are directly received. Alternatively, it is processed and output to the driving means 180.

  And CPU191 inputs the various signals and data from each means in the label production apparatus 1 via IOC194 according to the control program in ROM192 by said structure. Also, various data and data in the RAM 193 are processed based on the various signals and data that are input, and various signals and data are output to each means in the label producing apparatus 1 via the IOC 194, thereby performing printing processing and stamping processing. Control and so on.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the printing process and the stamping process mainly executed by the CPU 191 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the printing process, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the stamping process. As shown in FIG. 6, in the printing process, first, when information is input from the keyboard 3 (S11), an image of the braille label L2 (see FIG. 1) that is finally created on the display 4 based on this information. Is displayed (preview display, S12). Then, when the user confirms the preview display, edits the information as appropriate, and confirms the information input (when an instruction for creating the braille label L2 is given by the keyboard 3 (execution instruction for the first processing mode)) The input information is divided into printing information for ink-character printing and marking processing information for braille printing (S13). In addition, when switching between the printing mode and the stamping mode and inputting information separately, S13 can be omitted.

  Then, print data is generated based on the print information and is temporarily stored in the print data block 193b, and also, the stamp processing data is generated based on the stamp processing information, and is temporarily stored in the stamp processing data block 193c. To store. Further, the stamping process data in the stamping process data block 193c is converted into a two-dimensional code to generate bitmap data for printing the stamping instruction code C1, and temporarily stored in the stamping instruction code block 193d. (S14).

  When the generation and storage of the data is finished, the print feed motor 121 starts to be driven, and the print head 7 is driven in accordance with the detection result of the print unit rotational speed sensor 172, whereby the print data in the print data block 193b. Ink printing is performed based on (S15). At this time, the printing instruction code C1 is printed together with the print data. Thereafter, by feeding the tape for the rear margin based on the print data, the rear end portion of the tape is cut by the full cutter 162 (S16), and the tape T (ink character label L1) is discharged from the print tape discharge port 22 (S17). ).

  Next, the stamping process will be described with reference to FIG. When the tape T (ink-shaped label L1) cut into strips by manual insertion by the user is inserted into the stamping tape insertion slot 31 (S21), stamping is performed based on the detection result of the stamping portion rotation speed sensor 173. The tape is fed by driving the feed motor 151, and the marking instruction code C1 is read by the code reading sensor 92 (S22). Further, the reading result is decoded (S23), and the stamping process data as the decoding result is temporarily stored in the decoding result block 193d as the work area (S24). Then, the braille stamping is performed by driving the solenoid 47 based on the stamping processing data (S25), and after the stamping, the tape is fed by the trailing margin based on the stamping processing data, thereby stamping. The tape T (braille label L2) is discharged from the tape discharge port 32 (S26).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ink character printing unit 10 provides the printing instruction code C1 indicating the content of the printing process to be executed by the Braille stamping unit 20 together with the print data based on the input print information. In order to print on the tape T, the braille stamping unit 20 can execute a stamping process based on the reading result of the stamping instruction code C1. That is, two processes can be executed by one apparatus, and means for storing printing information and processing information that have been input and edited in advance are not required. Based on this, the ink character printing unit 10 and the braille stamping unit 20 can be executed in separate processes. Therefore, when printing of ink characters is completed, it is possible to interrupt the label creation (turn off the power) and perform braille stamping later, and create multiple braille labels with different contents. In this case, it is also possible to create a plurality of ink character labels L1 that have been previously printed with ink characters, and then stamp the plural ink character labels L1 to create a braille label L2.

  In addition, by making it possible to execute the processing of FIG. 6 and the processing of FIG. 7 in separate steps, the complexity of the mechanism and the inconvenience that are unavoidable with an apparatus that processes two processes in a permutation or in parallel are eliminated. Can do. For example, if the label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a configuration that does not print the marking instruction code C1 in the ink character printing unit 10, the printing process and the stamping process are processed in a permutation, and the printing process It is a premise that the stamping process is continuously performed. However, if the label to be inserted into the braille marking unit 20 is wrong (if a label other than the ink label created immediately before is inserted), the contents of the printed ink and the contents of the braille stamp do not match. Will be created. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the printing instruction code C1 is printed, and printing is performed based on the reading result of the printing instruction code C1, so that the Braille label L2 as desired by the user can be created. it can.

  In addition, since the marking instruction code C1 is printed in a non-printing area that is partitioned by half-cutting, it does not affect the product such as impairing the visibility of the area where the print data is printed. Moreover, it becomes easy to peel release paper Tb from the base material sheet Ta by giving a half cut.

  In the above example, information is input from the keyboard 3 (S11 in FIG. 6), and based on this, a preview is displayed on the display 4 (S12). However, the connection port 12 (see FIG. 2) is used. Information may be input by a personal computer (hereinafter, simply referred to as “PC”) connected via the PC, and a preview display may be displayed on the display screen D of the PC. That is, a PC keyboard and mouse (both not shown) may be used as the input means 110 (see FIG. 1) of the ink character printing unit 10. The PC used in this example is preinstalled with support software (application) for creating the layout of the ink label L1 and the braille label L2, and a driver for controlling the label creating apparatus 1. Shall.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, an image TI (hereinafter referred to as “tape image”) of the print area of the tape T is displayed on the display screen D, and the ink indicating the print content is displayed on the tape image TI. A character object Op and a braille object Ob indicating the contents of the marking are arranged. Then, it is preferable that the user creates a layout of the braille label L2 by moving and arranging the objects Op and Ob, and the PC generates print data and stamping process data based on the layout. That is, the PC generates print data based on the contents and arrangement of the ink character object Op, and also generates engraving process data based on the contents and arrangement of the braille object Ob, and performs cable (not shown) or connection. It transmits to the label producing apparatus 1 through the mouth 12. The label producing apparatus 1 stores and expands the received data in a predetermined work area, and performs printing based on the data. In addition, when text can be directly input on the tape image TI, the print data includes not only the ink character object Op but also data based on the contents and position of the directly input text.

  Thus, by inputting and displaying information by the PC, the operability is improved and the input unit 110 (keyboard 3) and the display 4 can be omitted from the label producing apparatus 1, and the configuration of the label producing apparatus 1 is simplified. Can be

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the above embodiment, the control program and / or control data (hereinafter referred to as “control information”) indicating the processing content of the stamping process is included in the stamping instruction code C1 (two-dimensional code). In the present embodiment, several pieces of control information for performing predetermined braille embossing are stored in advance in a memory such as a ROM, and the embedding instruction code C2 (bar code) includes specific control information. Include only data for specifying. Therefore, the description will focus on the differences from the above embodiment. In addition, components that perform the same function and processing are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the label producing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the Braille stamping unit 20 includes a control information storage unit 220 that stores a plurality of control information for performing various stamping processes in addition to the reading unit 210 and the stamping unit 230. In the ink character printing unit 10, ink characters are printed by the printing unit 120 and a printing instruction code C <b> 2 is printed. The printing instruction code C <b> 2 includes a specific control from the control information storage unit 220. Information for designating information (hereinafter referred to as “designated number”) is included.

  FIG. 10 shows information stored in the control information storage unit 220. Here, the contents of the control information stored in association with the marking instruction code C2 are simply shown in a table format by extracting only the information related to the braille translation information and the front margin. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the marking instruction code C1 is a designated number “001”, the Braille stamping unit 20 replaces the Braille B based on the braille translation information [Aiu] with the front margin (first The tape feed length up to the stamping line) is “normal”. When the marking instruction code C2 is the designated number “002”, the Braille stamping unit 20 stamps the Braille B based on the braille translation information [Kakiku] with the leading margin “large”. In this way, by storing control information for performing several stamping processes in advance in the control information storage means 220, it is not necessary to include the control information itself in the stamping instruction code C2. The data capacity of the code C2 can be reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, not a two-dimensional code but a bar code with a small storage capacity is used as the marking instruction code C2. Also, in the figure, the ink letter P “Ayu” and Braille B (Braille information [Aiu]) overlap (when the leading margins of the ink letter P and Braille B are both set to “normal”) ), But if the front margin of Braille B is set to “large”, it is somewhat from the rear end side than the figure (for example, from the position overlapping the ink letter P “I”) ) Stamping will be started. In this way, when the leading margin of Braille B is set to “large”, Braille B cannot be accommodated with the tape length shown in the figure, so that the trailing margin of the ink character label L1 is set to be long. Thus, the ink letter label L1 is created.

  On the other hand, FIG. 10B shows a table when the control information is finely divided. For example, when the marking instruction code C2 is the designated number “01, 05”, the Braille stamping unit 20 stamps the Braille based on the braille translation information [Aiu] with the front margin “normal”. When the marking instruction code C2 is the designated number “01,06”, the Braille stamping unit 20 stamps the Braille based on the braille translation information [Aiu] with the leading margin “large”. As described above, if the table is stored in the format as shown in FIG. 5B, even if the storage capacity of the control information storage means 220 is small, various stamping processes can be performed by combining the stamp instruction code C1. Can be executed.

  In the case of this embodiment, it is preferable that the input unit 110 of the ink character printing unit 10 inputs the engraving process information by designating a number from control information (see FIG. 10) prepared in advance. . That is, for example, when using the table of FIG. 9A, when the number “001” is input as the stamping process information by the input unit 110, the printing unit 120 displays the stamping instruction code C1 encoded with the number “001”. Print. When the reading means 210 reads the time stamp instruction code C1, the braille stamping section 20 refers to the control information storage means 220 based on the decoding result “001”, and the time stamping means 230 causes the braille information The braille based on [Aiu] is imprinted with “normal” in the front margin. That is, according to this example, when a limited Braille pattern is always used, there is an advantage that input is easy and the amount of data stored in the control information storage unit 220 is small.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information indicating the content of the embossing process only needs to be information for designating one or more pieces of control information from the control information storage unit 220. Therefore, the control information itself Can be included in the marking instruction code C1, and a simple code can be used as the marking instruction code C1. As a result, the configuration of the reading unit 210 can be simplified, and malfunction due to erroneous recognition can be prevented.

  Also in this embodiment, a PC may be used as the input unit 110 of the ink character printing unit 10. In this case, a storage device (not shown) in the PC may be used as the control information storage unit 220. That is, in this case, the braille stamping unit 20 transmits the reading result of the reading unit 210 to the PC, and the PC reads the control information read by referring to the storage device (control information storage unit 220) to the label producing device 1 (Braille). The Braille stamping is executed by transmitting to the stamping unit 20). According to this structure, the apparatus structure of the braille stamping part 20 can be simplified.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the above-described embodiment, the single character printing unit 10 and the Braille stamping unit 20 are provided in one casing (the device case 2, see FIG. 2) such as the label producing device 1. The form differs in that it is a separate device. Therefore, the label production system SY3 configured by these two devices will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the label producing system SY3 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the label creating system SY3 of the present embodiment includes an ink character printing apparatus 100 including an input unit 110 and a printing unit 120, and a Braille stamping apparatus 200 including a reading unit 210 and a stamping unit 230. It consists of. The ink character printing apparatus 100 corresponds to the front case 2a shown in FIG. 2, and the Braille stamping apparatus 200 corresponds to the rear case 2b shown in FIG. Therefore, the description of the device configuration is omitted.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, by using a single device, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of each device and increase the versatility of each device. That is, a user who normally only prints ink characters can purchase only the ink character printing device 100 and borrow the Braille stamping device 200 from another user only when he wants to create the Braille label L2. In addition, when performing Braille embossing, it is not necessary to perform complicated operations, and it is only necessary to insert the tape T into the embossing insertion slot 31 (see FIG. 2). be able to.

  The Braille stamping apparatus 200 is not a simple configuration including only the reading unit 210 and the stamping unit 230, but may include the input unit 110 so that the Braille stamping process can be performed by itself. Further, the braille stamping apparatus 200 may be provided with a display means so that the stamping result can be previewed based on the reading result of the stamping instruction code C1. Further, it may be configured such that the user can select whether or not to actually perform the stamping process according to the confirmation result of the preview display.

  Further, as shown in the second embodiment, the braille stamping apparatus 200 includes the control information storage unit 220, and performs the stamping process by referring to the table based on the designated number included in the stamping instruction code C1. You may do it. Furthermore, the configuration of the ink character printing apparatus 100 may be simplified by using a PC as the input unit 110.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the above embodiment, the Braille stamping process is performed after the ink character printing process. However, the present embodiment is different in that a cut character forming process is performed instead of the Braille stamping process. Therefore, a label creation system SY4 configured by the ink character printing apparatus 100 and the cutting apparatus 500 that performs cut-out character forming processing will be described focusing on differences from the third embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the label creation system SY4 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the label producing system SY4 of the present embodiment includes an ink character printing apparatus 100 including an input unit 110 and a printing unit 120, and a cutting apparatus 500 including a reading unit 510 and a cutting unit 520. . The input means 110 of the ink character printing apparatus 100 inputs print information for printing the ink letter P on the tape T in the printing means 120 and cutting process information for causing the cutting apparatus 500 to execute a cut character forming process. . For example, as shown in the figure, a label L3 (hereinafter referred to as a “cutting label”) in which an ink letter “A” is printed and an area surrounding the three ink letters P is cut out (formation of a cut letter CT) is used. When the user wants to form the text, the character information “Ayu” is input as the print information, and the outer frame “circled frame” is set as the cutting processing information.

  In addition to the print data based on the print information input by the input unit 110, the printing unit 120 prints a cutting instruction code C3 (two-dimensional code) indicating the processing content of the cut-out character forming process. Here, the “processing contents of the cut-out character forming process” refers to a control program and / or control data (hereinafter simply referred to as “cutting process data”) generated based on the cutting process information input by the input unit 110. In other words, the cutting apparatus 500 performs the cut character forming process based on the cutting process data. The “cutting process data” includes data indicating the shape, number, and position of the cutout character CT. Similarly to the first embodiment, the ink-printing apparatus 100 performs a half-cut process (see FIG. 4) for dividing the non-printing area and the printing area during printing by the printing unit 120, and after printing, The ink character label L1 is created by performing a full cut.

  On the other hand, the cutting device 500 includes a reading unit 510 that reads the cutting instruction code C3 printed on the tape T (ink character label L1) in the ink character printing device 100, and a cutting unit 520 that forms the cut character CT. It is provided as a main part.

  The reading means 510 includes a code reading sensor 506 (see FIG. 13) and a decoder (not shown). Further, the cutting unit 520 forms a cut character CT on the tape T based on the reading result of the reading unit 510 (decoding result of the cutting instruction code C3). The cut-out character CT is formed by half-cutting the outline of the cut-out character region (cutting only the base material sheet Ta out of the laminated base material sheet Ta and release paper Tb, see FIG. 3). Then, the tape T on which the cut-out character CT is formed becomes a cutting label L3 which is a final product.

  Here, the apparatus configuration of the cutting apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIG. Since the ink character printing apparatus 100 corresponds to the front case 2a shown in FIG. 2 as in the third embodiment, the description of the apparatus configuration is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a cutting apparatus 500 includes an apparatus case 501 that constitutes the outline of the apparatus, a cutting mechanism 540 (cutting means 520) that performs an outline cut on the tape T introduced into the apparatus case 501, and an apparatus. A cutting feed mechanism 550 for feeding the tape T forward and backward along a tape running path 502 extending horizontally in the case 501 and a paper feed mechanism 560 for introducing the manually fed tape T into the tape running path 502 are provided. In addition, a code reading sensor 506 (reading means 510) disposed so as to face the tape running path 502 between the cutting feed mechanism 550 and the paper feed mechanism 560, and the vicinity of the downstream side of the main feed roller 551 of the cutting feed mechanism 550. A front-end detection sensor 507 disposed on the control unit and a control unit that performs overall control of each of the mechanisms described above. La 570 (control means), and a.

  An insertion port 581 for receiving the manually inserted tape T is formed at one end of the device case 501, and the paper feed mechanism 560 faces the insertion port 581 from the inside of the device case 501. In addition, a retraction port 582 is formed at one end of the device case 501 located immediately below the insertion port 581 so as to face the upstream end of the tape running path 502, and further at the other end of the device case 501. Is formed with a discharge port 583 so as to face the downstream end of the tape running path 502. After the tape T fed from the insertion port 581 is introduced into the tape travel path 502 by the paper feed mechanism 560, the forward / reverse feed of the cutting feed mechanism 550 and the cutting operation of the cutting mechanism 540 are performed on the tape travel path 502. By the cooperation, an outline cut of a desired shape (cutout character CT) is performed. In the forward / reverse feeding of the cutting mechanism 540, the tape T is temporarily discharged from the apparatus case 501 through the retracting port 582.

  The paper feed mechanism 560 drives an introduction plate 561 extending obliquely downward from the insertion port 581 toward the tape traveling path 502, a paper feed roller 562 disposed above the introduction plate 561, and the paper feed roller 562. A paper feed motor 563. When the user performs a predetermined starting operation after inserting the tape T from the insertion port 581 along the introduction plate 561 (manual feed), the paper feed roller 562 is rotated by the paper feed motor 563 and the tape T is moved to the tape running path 502. I will send it to. When the leading end of the tape T reaches the position of the code reading sensor 506, the code reading sensor 506 reads the cutting instruction code C3 printed on the tape T, and at the same time, the cutting feed mechanism 550 starts driving, and the tape T Is delivered from the paper feed mechanism 560 to the cutting feed mechanism 550.

  The cutting feed mechanism 550 includes a main feed roller 551 disposed on the upstream side of the cutting mechanism 540, a sub-feed roller 552 disposed on the downstream side of the cutting mechanism 540, and a feed motor that drives the rollers 551 and 552 to rotate forward and backward. 553 and a power transmission mechanism 554 that transmits the rotational power of the feed motor 553 to both rollers 551 and 552. The main feed roller 551 controls the forward / reverse feed amount of the tape T, and the sub-feed roller 552 is slip-rotated (the feed amount is large in the forward feed and the feed amount is small in the reverse feed), and is stretched on the tape T being fed. To function. The tip of the tape T delivered from the paper feed mechanism 560 to the main feed roller 551 is detected by the tip detection sensor 507 located on the downstream side of the main feed roller 551, and the feed amount of the tape T is determined based on this. It is controlled with high accuracy. In synchronism with the cutting feed mechanism 550, the cutting mechanism 540 performs a reciprocating cutting operation.

  The cutting mechanism 540 has a cutting tool 541 having a slant blade rotating around the vertical axis at the tip, a tool carriage 542 that holds the cutting tool 541, and the cutting tool 541 goes straight to the tape travel path 502 via the tool carriage 542. A timing belt 543 that reciprocates in the direction, and a carriage motor 544 that causes the timing belt 543 to travel forward and reverse, and an up / down mechanism 545 that raises and lowers the cutting tool 541 via these components, and an up / down mechanism 545. And an up / down motor 546 for driving the motor.

  The timing bit 543 is moved forward and backward by the carriage motor 544, and the cutting bit 541 is reciprocated via the bite carriage 542 fixed to the timing belt 543, whereby the cutting bit 541 performs a reciprocating cutting operation, and the cutting feed is sent thereto. By synchronizing the forward / reverse feeding of the tape T by the mechanism 550, the cut out character CT is cut out in outline. In addition, the up / down motor 546 is driven at the start position and the end position of the outline cut to raise and lower the cutting tool 541.

  As described above, an outline cut of the cut-out character CT having a desired shape is performed by forward / reverse feeding of the tape T by the cutting feed mechanism 550 and reciprocation of the cutting tool 541 by the cutting mechanism 540. Information on the shape and position of the cutout character CT is read from the cutting instruction code C3 printed on the tape T. That is, the cutting instruction code C3 is read by the code reading sensor 506, and the cutting operation is performed based on the cutting processing data that is the decoding result.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even when the cut-out character CT formation process is performed after the print process, the ink-character printing apparatus 100 and the cutting apparatus 500 can communicate with each other, or the input cutting process information is included. Ink printing apparatus 100 and cutting apparatus 500 perform processing based on print information and cutting process information that have been input and edited in advance without requiring a special mechanism for storing cutting process data based thereon. And the cutting label L3 can be created by executing them in separate steps.

  In the present embodiment, the ink printing apparatus 100 performs the half-cut process for partitioning the non-printing area and the printing area. However, the cutting mechanism 540 (cutting unit 520) of the cutting apparatus 500 is used. Then, a half cut may be applied.

  In the present embodiment, the ink character printing apparatus 100 and the cutting apparatus 500 are separate apparatuses. However, the same apparatus may be used as in the first embodiment. Further, the ink character printing apparatus 100 may be connected to a PC (not shown), and the PC may function as the input unit 110 or may function as a preview display unit (see FIG. 8) for confirming the product. Further, as in the second embodiment, a plurality of control information is stored in the cutting apparatus 500, and only the data specifying one or more control information from among the plurality of control information is included in the cutting instruction code C3. May be included.

  In this embodiment, the inserted tape T is fed so as to face the sheet feeding roller 562, the code reading sensor 506, the main feed roller 551, and the leading end detection sensor 507 in this order. The code reading sensor 506 may be disposed downstream of the tip detection sensor 507 as shown in FIG. Conversely, a paper feed roller 562 may be provided in the tape running path 70 of the braille stamping unit 20 shown in the first embodiment, and the code reading operation and the feeding operation may be performed in the order shown in this embodiment. .

  Further, the cutting device 500 can form various cutout characters CT other than the cutout characters CT of the outer frame (round frame) formed on the cutting label L3 shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), an enclosing frame for each character may be set as cutting process information by the input means 110, and the enclosing frame may be used as a cut-out character CT. Information input for forming the cut-out character CT can be performed by, for example, setting “enclosed frame by cut-out character” as one of the character decorations.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, the print information is input so as to print the black square as many as the number of characters as the ink letter P, and the cutting process is performed so as to cut out the characters in accordance with the positions of the black squares. Information may be entered. In this case, it is possible to input information by setting, for example, “black ink cutout” of character decoration. If it is desired to cut out the character without printing the ink letter P, for example, “character cutout” is set, and the ink character printing apparatus 100 prints only the cutting instruction code C3 and has a predetermined length. A blank label is created, and then the cut-out character CT is formed in the cutting device 500.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5C, the print information is input so as to print the character background pattern as the ink character P, and the cutting process information is input so as to form the cut character CT of a predetermined mark thereon. You may do it. In this case, for example, information can be input by setting “background pattern printing” of the ink letter P in the printing mode, switching to the cutting mode, and setting “cutting out a character (mark)”.

  In the above-described four embodiments, stamping / cutting instruction codes C1, C2, and C3 (two-dimensional codes and bar codes) are printed on the tape as data indicating the processing contents of the stamping process and the cut-out character forming process. However, not only the code but also a code string or a mark made up of a plurality of symbols and characters (text) may be printed, that is, only a designated number for designating the processing as in the second embodiment. If the data should be included, the number (number) itself may be printed in the non-printing area. Further, in the case of Braille embossing, text data (for example, “Aiu”) indicating the braille translation information may be printed. In the case of the cut-out character forming process, numerical values indicating the shape and size of the cut-out character CT. May be printed. That is, any form may be used as long as the processing apparatus can determine the processing content.

  Moreover, you may provide each part (each function) of said label production system SY3, SY4, the label production apparatus 1, the ink printing apparatus 100, the braille marking apparatus 200, or the cutting apparatus 500 as a program. The program may be provided by being stored in a recording medium (not shown). As the recording medium, a CD-ROM, a flash ROM, a memory card (compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, memory stick, etc.), a compact disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital versatile disk, a flexible disk, and the like can be used.

  In addition, the system configuration of the label production system SY, the device configuration of each device, the type of information forming medium, the processing steps, and the like can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention, regardless of the above-described embodiments. It is. In addition to printing braille and cutout characters, for example, when printing in a plurality of colors, the first printing device and the second printing device are used as the first printing device, and the contents of the printing process of the second printing device are used as the first printing device. It is also possible to use such as printing as a processing instruction code. That is, the present invention can be applied to any system or apparatus that performs some processing after printing on the same information forming medium.

  Further, the processing after the printing process is not limited to one, and a plurality of types of processing can be performed. In this case, processing data for performing a plurality of processes may be included in one processing instruction code, or a plurality of processing instruction codes may be printed for each process.

It is a functional block diagram of the label production apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view of the closed state of a label production apparatus. It is an external appearance perspective view of the label production apparatus in the open cover state. It is a figure explaining the tape feeding in a braille stamping part, and the reading operation | movement of a stamping instruction code. It is a control block diagram of a label production apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process in a label production apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the stamping process in a label production apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display in the case of inputting information with a personal computer. It is a functional block diagram of the label production apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the control information storage means of 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the label production system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the label production system which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is an internal block diagram of a cutting apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a cutting label production result.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Label production apparatus, 10: Black character printing part, 20: Braille stamping part, 100: Black character printing apparatus, 200: Braille stamping apparatus, 110: Input means, 120: Printing means, 210: Reading means, 220 : Control information storage means, 230: Cutting means, 500: Cutting device, 510: Reading means, 520: Cutting means, B: Braille, CT: Cutout characters, C1, C2: Stamping instruction code, C3: Cutting instruction code , Ob: Braille object, Op: Ink character object, P: Ink character, SY: Label creation system, T: Tape, TI: Tape image

Claims (12)

A print processing mechanism for printing on the processing sheet;
A processing mechanism for processing the printed processing sheet, and a printing / processing system comprising:
The print processing mechanism includes:
Input means for inputting print information for performing the printing, and processing information for causing the processing mechanism to execute processing;
Printing means for printing on the processing sheet print data obtained by expanding the print information based on an input by the input means, and processing instruction data indicating the processing content of the processing,
The processing mechanism is:
Reading means for reading the processing instruction data printed on the processing sheet;
A printing / processing system comprising: processing means for performing processing based on the read processing instruction data. The processing mechanism is:
Control information storage means for storing a plurality of control information which is a control program and / or control data for performing various machining processes,
The processing instruction data is data for designating one or more of the control information from the storage means,
The printing / processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs the processing based on the control information specified by the processing instruction data.   The printing / processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processing instruction data is an optically readable code. The treatment sheet has an information forming layer on which the printing is performed, and a release paper layer laminated on the back side thereof,
The print processing mechanism includes:
Half-cut means for forming a non-printing area that does not print the print data by half-cutting the information forming layer near the leading edge or the trailing edge in the feeding direction of the processing sheet in the width direction;
The printing / processing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the processing instruction data in the non-printing area.   5. The printing / processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs a braille embossing process and / or a cut-out character forming process on the processing sheet as the processing process. 6.   The printing / processing system according to claim 1, wherein the print processing mechanism and the processing mechanism are each a single device.   A printing apparatus that functions as the print processing mechanism in the printing / processing system according to claim 1.   A processing apparatus that functions as the processing mechanism in the printing / processing system according to claim 1.   6. A printing / processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing processing mechanism and the processing mechanism in the printing / processing system according to claim 1 are provided in one casing. A printing / processing system control method that performs a printing process for printing on a processing sheet and a processing process for processing the processing sheet,
Obtaining printing information for performing the printing process, and processing information for performing the processing;
Printing the print data obtained by expanding the acquired print information and the processing instruction data indicating the processing content of the processing on the processing sheet;
Reading the processing instruction data printed on the processing sheet;
And a step of performing processing based on the read processing instruction data. A control method for a printing / processing system, comprising:   The program for making a computer perform each step in the control method of the printing / processing system of Claim 10.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 11.

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