JP2007072680A - Label printer system and label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve work efficiency of label issuance while reducing cost concerning a thermal head. <P>SOLUTION: A label printer 10 checks disconnection of a thermal head 1, detects the number of disconnections of disconnected heating elements among a plurality of heating elements, and transmits, to a host computer 22, information including information of the number of disconnections which indicates the detected number of disconnections. When the host computer 22 receives information that the transmitted information is received, the host computer 22 determines whether the number of disconnections included in this information increases than the number of disconnections stored in a RAM 13 or not, and displays to a display part and updates the number of disconnections stored in the RAM13 to the number of disconnections transmitted from the label printer 10 when the host computer determines that the number of disconnections increases. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a label printer system and a label printer for printing information necessary for a label.

  Some label printers print on a label by causing a plurality of heating elements of a thermal head to generate heat according to printing information. The heating element of the thermal head may be disconnected, and if it is disconnected, printing cannot be performed properly. In this way, when characters are printed even if the heating element is disconnected and printing is not performed properly, it is possible for the operator to read the identification code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code. Cannot be read accurately, and may be recognized as incorrect data. For this reason, the label printer has a function of checking for disconnection of the heating element of the thermal head.

A thermal head printer that detects disconnection of a heating element in a thermal head, counts the number of disconnected heating elements, and outputs an error signal when the number of disconnections exceeds a predetermined set value is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP2002-337378

In the function of checking the disconnection of the heating element of the label printer described above, only the information that the disconnection has occurred is notified to the host computer. When priority is given to print quality, it is desirable to replace the thermal head if one of the heating elements of the thermal head is disconnected. Therefore, it is only necessary to notify the information that the thermal head has been disconnected, but this is costly.
Therefore, when a disconnection occurs in the heating element of the thermal head, the operator visually checks whether the disconnected part affects printing, and the disconnected part is a bar code or a two-dimensional code. If the printing part of the identification code read by the machine or the printing part that requires high print quality is replaced, the thermal head is replaced, and it is acceptable even if the printing part has a part other than the printing part of the identification code or some disconnection. In such a printing part, the cost burden can be suppressed by continuing printing without replacing the thermal head.

  However, if printing is continued with the thermal head heating element disconnected when the function for checking disconnection is enabled, the disconnection information is notified to the host computer each time the disconnection is checked. In this case, the worker needs to respond every time the disconnection check is notified, and the work efficiency is lowered. For this reason, in many cases, printing is continued with the function for checking the disconnection disabled, but if a new disconnection occurs in the heating element of the thermal head, the printed part of the identification code or the There is a possibility that a large number of labels may be printed in a state in which a print portion requiring high print quality is disconnected. For this reason, the operator must always check the printed label.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a label printer system and a label printer that can reduce the cost of a thermal head and improve the work efficiency of label issuance.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label printer that prints a label by heating a heating element selected from a plurality of heating elements of a thermal head according to information necessary for printing, and a host computer that is communicably connected to the label printer In this label printer system, the label printer checks the thermal head for disconnection, detects the number of disconnected heating elements among a plurality of heating elements, and includes information including the number of disconnections indicating the detected number of disconnections. When the host computer receives the information for receiving the transmitted information, the number of disconnections indicated by the number of disconnections included in the information is stored in the disconnection number storage means. Judgment is made whether or not the number of disconnections has increased, and if it is determined that the number of disconnections has increased, the content indicating that the number of disconnections has increased is displayed. Also it is intended to update the disconnection number information included in the transmitted disconnection number information stored in the disconnection count information storage means by the information transmitting unit information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a label printer for printing a label by heating a heating element selected from a plurality of heating elements of a thermal head according to information required for printing, the thermal head is checked for disconnection and the plurality of heating elements. Whether or not the number of disconnections of the heating element that has been disconnected is detected, and when this number of disconnections is detected, whether the number of disconnections is greater than the number of disconnections indicated by the number of disconnections stored in the disconnection number information storage means If it is determined that the number of disconnections has increased, the disconnection number information stored in the disconnection number information storage means is updated, and information indicating whether the number of disconnections has increased is transmitted to the external device via the communication means. It is sent for display.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a label printer system and a label printer that can reduce the cost of the thermal head and improve the work efficiency of label issuing.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of the label printer 10. The label printer 10 has a thermal head 1 and a platen roller 2. The thermal head 1 and the platen roller 2 are disposed so as to sandwich a paper conveyance path 3 that is a conveyance path for conveying the continuous paper S. The thermal head 1 is rotatably supported at one end and the platen roller 2 at the other end. It is urged by an urging member (not shown) so as to come into pressure contact with the roller 2. An ink ribbon R is applied to the thermal head 1. The ink ribbon R is supported in a state where both ends are wound up by two ribbon cores 4 and 5. The ribbon core 4 is wound around the unused side of the ink ribbon R, and the ribbon core 5 is wound around the used side of the ink ribbon R.

  In such a label printer 10, the continuous paper S is transported through the paper transport path 3 by rotating the platen roller 2 while being sandwiched between the thermal head 1 and the platen roller 2, and while being transported, Printing is performed by the head 1. The thermal head 1 has a plurality of heating elements arranged in the width direction of the continuous paper S. By heating an appropriate one of these heating elements, the ink applied to the ink ribbon R is melted, The melted ink is transferred onto the continuous paper S, whereby printing is performed on the continuous paper S.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection of each part provided in the label printer 10. The label printer 10 includes a CPU 11 that executes various arithmetic processes and centrally controls each unit, and a ROM 12 and a RAM 13 are connected to the CPU 11 via a system bus 14. The ROM 12 is a medium that stores an operation program of the label printer 10, and the CPU 11 controls each unit according to the operation program. In this operation program, for example, a program for performing a disconnection check process described later is stored. The RAM 13 temporarily stores various variable information. A part of the RAM 13 is used as various counters and a drawing memory. For example, the counter counts the number of disconnections, which is the number of heat generating elements that are disconnected from among the plurality of heat generating elements of the thermal head 1. In the drawing memory, image data to be printed on the continuous paper S is drawn based on the program and various data stored in the ROM 12.

  The CPU 11 is also connected to a motor driver 18 that rotationally drives the thermal head 1, various sensors 15, a stepping motor 16, and a ribbon DC motor 17. The stepping motor 16 is a drive source that drives the platen roller 2. The ribbon DC motor 17 rotates the ribbon cores 4 and 5 to convey the ink ribbon R.

  The thermal head 1 is connected to the CPU 11 via a head control circuit 19 and a disconnection check circuit 20. The head control circuit 19 and the disconnection check circuit 20 are connected to each other. The disconnection check circuit 20 is used to check whether or not the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 1 are disconnected.

  The CPU 11 further includes an A / D converter 21 that converts the analog data into a digital value when the analog data is taken in, a communication I / F 23 that is a communication means for connecting to an external device such as the host computer 22, and the like. A display controller 25 that controls a display 24 that displays various information such as printing status is connected.

  For example, when a label print issuance request is transmitted to the CPU 11, the CPU 11 divides the image to be printed into one line of binary data according to a program stored in the ROM 12, and this binary data is stored in the RAM 13. Write to the drawing memory provided in the partial area. The binary data is transferred to the head control circuit 19 at a predetermined timing. The head control circuit 19 causes a predetermined heating element of the thermal head 1 to generate heat based on the transferred binary data.

Next, disconnection check processing of the thermal head 1 of the label printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main part of the disconnection check process.
The CPU 11 determines whether or not to perform a disconnection check (ST101). The disconnection check is performed, for example, before printing a label when receiving an instruction to print a large number of labels. For this reason, whether or not to perform the disconnection check is determined based on, for example, whether or not an instruction for printing a label for mass printing has been issued.

  If it is determined that the disconnection check is not executed (NO in ST101), the CPU 11 ends the process, and if it is determined that the disconnection check is executed (TES in ST101), the CPU 11 generates heat from one of the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 1. It is checked whether or not the body is disconnected (ST102). This disconnection check is checked using the disconnection check circuit 20.

  When the disconnection check is performed in this way, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the checked heating element is disconnected based on the result of the disconnection check (ST103). If it is determined that the checked heating element is disconnected (YES in ST103), the number of disconnections stored in the counter created in RAM 13 is incremented (ST104). If it is determined that the checked heating element is not disconnected (NO in ST103), the CPU 11 passes the process of incrementing the number of disconnections.

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the checked heating element is the final heating element (ST105). That is, it is determined whether the disconnection check of the final heating element among the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 1 has been completed. If it is determined that it is not the final heating element (NO in ST105), the CPU 11 shifts the heating element that is the subject of the disconnection check to the next heating element (ST106), and returns to the processing of step ST102. By repeating the above-described processing (ST102 to ST106, disconnection number detecting means), a disconnection check is performed on all of the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 1, and the number of disconnections is stored in the counter of the RAM 13.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the final heating element (YES in ST105), the CPU 11 transmits the disconnection number information indicating the number of disconnections together with the disconnection information indicating that some of the heating elements of the thermal head 1 are disconnected. (ST107). The disconnection information and the disconnection number information can be obtained by referring to the counter of the RAM 13. When the disconnection information and the disconnection number information are set in the transmission status in this way, the CPU 11 transmits the disconnection information and the disconnection number information as the status to the host computer 22 via the communication I / F 23 (ST108, information transmission means).

  Next, processing when the host computer 22 receives disconnection information and disconnection number information from the label printer 10 will be described. It should be noted that the memory, not shown, of the host computer 22 has the same configuration as the conventional one, such as a CPU, a memory, and a display unit, except that an area (disconnection number information storage means) for storing the disconnection number information is provided. Therefore, the description is omitted, and the processing according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main part of processing executed by the host computer 22 when the disconnection information and the disconnection number information are received as the status from the label printer 10.

  When the status, that is, disconnection information and disconnection number information is received from the label printer 10 (ST111, receiving means), the host computer 22 stores the disconnection number of the heating element indicated by the received disconnection number information in a memory (not shown). It is determined whether or not the number of heating element disconnections indicated by the number information has increased (ST112, determination means). If it is determined that the number of disconnections has not increased (NO in ST112), the host computer 22 terminates the process, but if it is determined that the number of disconnections has increased (YES in ST112), the host computer 22 displays a display unit (not shown). The contents indicating that the number of disconnections of the thermal head 1 has increased are displayed (ST113, display means). When displaying that the number of disconnections of the thermal head 1 has increased in this way, the host computer 22 updates the disconnection number information by overwriting the disconnection number information received in step ST111 on the disconnection number information in the memory (not shown) (ST114, Disconnection number information update means). Then, it is determined whether or not an instruction to erase the display of the content indicating that the number of disconnections has been received (ST115). When the instruction is received (YES in ST115), the host computer 22 ends the process.

  Next, the operation of the label printer system including the label printer 10 and the host computer 22 configured as described above will be described. An operator operates the host computer 22 to transmit an instruction to print a large number of labels, such as 100 sheets, to the label printer 10. Then, the label printer 10 performs a disconnection check of the thermal head 1. When the heating element of the thermal head 1 is disconnected, disconnection information and disconnection number information are transmitted to the host computer 22. In the host computer 22, when the number of breaks indicated by the number of breaks transmitted from the label printer 10 is greater than the number of breaks stored in a memory (not shown), the display unit displays a content indicating the increase in the number of breaks. The number of disconnections stored in the memory is updated. Thus, when a display in which the number of breaks of the heating element is newly increased is displayed, the operator needs to print an identification code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code or high-quality printing before printing the label. Check if there is a break in a part. For example, the operator prints one label and visually confirms the label. FIG. 5 is an example of printing when a label is printed by the thermal head 1 having a plurality of disconnected heating elements. As shown in FIG. 5, the label has four broken portions. When the label is printed with the thermal head 1, the operator replaces the thermal head 1 because the portion of the identification code is disconnected. If the identification code portion or the portion corresponding to the case where high-quality printing is necessary is not disconnected, 100 labels are printed again without replacing the thermal head 1.

  On the other hand, if the number of breaks indicated by the number of breaks transmitted from the label printer 10 is not greater than the number of breaks stored in the memory, a message to that effect is displayed even if the heating element of the thermal head 1 is broken. Instead, the label is printed as it is.

  Accordingly, when the thermal head 1 is checked for disconnection when issuing a large number of labels, the operator recognizes that the disconnection has occurred only when a newly disconnected heating element is generated in the thermal head 1. Can do. Therefore, whether or not the label printing is affected only when a newly disconnected heating element is generated, as compared to checking whether or not the label printing is affected every time the disconnection check is performed. Therefore, the working efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, since the operator can recognize that a new breakage of the heating element has occurred in the thermal head 1, for example, when a new breakage of the heating element occurs, one label is printed and the broken heat generation is generated. If the body does not correspond to the print portion that must be printed with high quality, it is possible to select to print the label without replacing the thermal head 1. Therefore, the cost for the thermal head 1 of the label printer 10 can be reduced as compared with the case where the thermal head 1 is replaced every time the heating element is disconnected.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the RAM 13 has an area for storing the disconnection number information of the label printer 10 (disconnection number information storage means), and the number of disconnections of the heating element of the thermal head 1 is increased in the disconnection check. Since the process for determining whether or not the process has been executed is different from that of the first embodiment, the disconnection check process performed by the label printer 10 will be described in detail below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, the disconnection check process executed by the CPU 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main part of the disconnection check process. Note that the processing of steps ST201 to ST206 is the same as that of steps ST101 to ST106 described with reference to FIG.

  When CPU 11 determines that the checked heating element is the final heating element (YES in ST205), CPU 11 reads the disconnection number information stored in RAM 13 (ST207). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the number of disconnection of the heating element obtained by performing the disconnection check is greater than the number of disconnection of the heating element indicated by the disconnection number information read from the RAM 13 (ST208, determination means). If it is determined that the number of disconnections has increased (YES in ST208), the CPU 11 overwrites the number of disconnections stored in the RAM 13 with the number of disconnections of the heating element obtained by the disconnection check, and updates the number of disconnections. (ST209, disconnection number information update means). Then, the CPU 11 sets disconnection number increase information indicating that the number of disconnections of the heating element of the thermal head 1 has increased in the transmission status (ST210). On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of disconnections has not increased (NO in ST208), CPU 11 sets the disconnection number increase non-information indicating that the number of disconnections of the heating element of thermal head 1 has not increased in the transmission status (ST211). ). Then, the CPU 11 transmits the disconnection number increase information or the disconnection number increase non-information set in the transmission status to the host computer 22 (ST212, transmission means).

  As described above, the host computer 22 can determine whether or not the number of disconnections of the heating element of the thermal head 1 has increased, based on the disconnection number increase information or the disconnection number increase information transmitted from the label printer 10. Thus, the host computer 22 can acquire information indicating whether or not the number of disconnections of the heating element has increased, and can display an increase in the number of disconnections on the display unit based on the acquired information. The same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage, and is disclosed in the embodiment. Various inventions can be modified by appropriately combining a plurality of components.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of a label printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the electrical connection of each part with which the label printer in the said 1st Embodiment is provided. The flowchart which shows the principal part of the disconnection check process in the said 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the principal part of the process performed with the host computer in the said 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of label printing in the same 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the principal part of the disconnection check process in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Label printer, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 19 ... Disconnection check circuit, 22 ... Host computer

Claims (2)

In a label printer system comprising a label printer that heats a heating element selected from a plurality of heating elements of a thermal head in accordance with information required for printing and prints a label, and a host computer that is communicably connected to the label printer ,
The label printer is configured to perform a disconnection check of the thermal head and detect the number of disconnections of the heat generating element that is disconnected among the plurality of heat generating elements;
Comprising information transmitting means for transmitting information including the number of breaks indicating the number of breaks detected by the number of breaks detecting means to the host computer,
The host computer includes receiving means for receiving the information transmitted by the information transmitting means;
Disconnection number information storage means for storing the disconnection number information;
When the information is received by the receiving means, it is determined whether or not the number of breaks indicated by the break number information included in the information is greater than the number of breaks indicated by the break number information stored in the break number storage means A judgment means to
If the determination means determines that the number of disconnections has increased, display means for displaying content indicating that the number of disconnections has increased;
When the determination means determines that the number of disconnections has increased, the disconnection number information update is performed to update the disconnection number information stored in the disconnection number information storage means to the disconnection number information included in the information transmitted by the information transmission means. And a label printer system. In a label printer that prints a label by heating a heating element selected from a plurality of heating elements of a thermal head according to information necessary for printing,
A communication means for communicating with an external device;
A disconnection number detecting means for performing a disconnection check of the thermal head and detecting a disconnection number of the disconnected heating element among the plurality of heating elements;
Disconnection number information storage means for storing disconnection number information indicating the number of disconnections;
When the disconnection number information detecting means detects the number of disconnections of the heating element, it is determined whether or not the disconnection number is greater than the disconnection number indicated by the disconnection number information stored in the disconnection number information storage means. Judgment means,
When the determination means determines that the number of disconnections has increased, the number of disconnections information stored in the disconnection number information storage means is updated to the disconnection number information indicating the number of disconnections detected by the disconnection number detection means. Update means;
Transmission means for transmitting information indicating whether or not the number of disconnections has increased when the number of disconnections is updated by the disconnection number update means for displaying on the external device via the communication means, Label printer.

Images