JP2007144956A - Label with release paper and label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable printing by avoiding a printed point in an individual piece of a label even when there is the printed point. <P>SOLUTION: A bar code including position information which shows the printing point printed to the individual piece of the label is read and compared with position information corresponding to a printing prohibition area included in printing layout information, thereby carrying out printing control. Such processing of printing control is carried out that the printing layout information is output and printed as it is when the position information showing the preserved printing point and the position information included in the printing layout information agree with each other, and that the printing layout information is inversion-output and printed when the information do not agree with each other. Accordingly, even when there is the printed point in the individual piece of the label, printing can be carried out by avoiding such a point. A situation that the printing layout information is printed overlapping a printed information area can be surely avoided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a label with release paper and a label printer that performs printing on a label individual.

  Specifically, by printing position information indicating the printing location printed in advance on each label individual as barcode information on one surface of the release paper, this barcode information is printed with respect to the print layout information on the label. It can be used as information.

  Also, from the barcode information printed on the label with release paper, the position information indicating the print location printed in advance on the label individual is acquired, and the position indicating the print prohibition area included in the print layout information on the label By performing the printing control on the label by collating the information, the printing process can be correctly performed even if the preprinted portion exists in the label individual.

  Starting with labels for various products, labeling of products at supermarkets and other food departments, shipping slips, in-stock slips, parts labels at product manufacturers, etc. The printer to play an active part.

  As a label used in this label printer, a label with release paper is usually used. FIG. 7 shows an example of the label 10 with release paper. This is a plurality of sheets with a predetermined interval (label interval) W in a row on one surface, for example, the surface of the strip-like release paper (mounting paper) 12. The label individual 14 is affixed.

  The label individual 14 includes a part in which predetermined information is printed in advance and a part in which nothing is printed. The predetermined information printed in advance is individual identification information. As individual identification information, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, information on the provider side of the product such as a corporation name (manufacturer, seller, etc.) of the product, its address, and a telephone number can be considered.

  The print position of the individual identification information may be a part of the lower side of the label individual 14 as shown in FIG. 8A or a part of the upper side as shown in FIG. 8B. Accordingly, a portion (area) 14b other than the printing portion (printing area) 14a of the label individual 14 is an area (printing area) 14b where printing is possible.

  The position information printed in the print area 14a is normally printed so that it can be read from the left side, as shown by “...” In FIGS. In the print area 14b, information (print layout information) about the product such as the product name, raw material name, and expiration date of the packed product is printed.

  The print layout information can be input using the operation keys provided in the label printer. However, since the input information is limited, it is usually created using a terminal device such as a personal computer.

An example of creating print layout information is shown in FIGS. 9A and 10A.
When a layout for printing on the label individual 14 is created, the position of the print area 14a shown in FIG. FIG. 9A is a layout example in the case where the print area 14a exists on the lower side of the label individual 14, and FIG.

  A contour 60 corresponding to the size of the label individual 14 is displayed on the monitor screen S of the personal computer, and in the case of FIG. 9A, the area 62 below the contour 60 is set as a print prohibition area, and in the case of FIG. 10A. The upper partial area 62 is secured as a print prohibition area.

  The print prohibition area 62 corresponds to the print area 14 a of the label individual 14, and the other area 64 is secured as a print area, and necessary print information (print layout information) is input so as to fit in the print area 64. . The input print layout information is stored in the terminal device or stored in an external memory. The generated print layout information can be transmitted to the label printer as it is and stored in the label printer, or the print layout information can be stored by attaching an external memory to the label printer.

  When printing on a label object using the created print layout information, it is necessary to consider the print area 14a printed on the label object.

  Since the label individual 14 has various sizes, shapes, and the like, the inclination of the label individual 14 is detected so that the different label individual 14 can always be printed correctly, and the label individual 14 is printed with the inclination corrected. Such a label printer is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In this case, since the turning station is controlled and automatically corrected so that the inclination of the label individual of the non-standard size is matched with the printing means, the position information of the printing area is not taken into consideration.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-144470

  By the way, as a sticking direction of the label individual 14 stuck on the release paper 12, FIG. 9B, C or FIG. 10B, C can be considered. When the print layout information is created as shown in FIG. 9A, the label individual 14 is separated from the release paper 12 so that the print area 14a is located on the lower side (the side following the label running direction) as shown in FIG. 9B. The case where the print area 14a is attached to the upper side (the side preceding the label running direction) as shown in FIG. 9C can be considered.

  When the print layout information is created as shown in FIG. 10A, the label individual 14 is arranged so that the print area 14a is positioned on the upper side as shown in FIG. 10B, and the print area 14a as shown in FIG. 10C. It can be considered that they are arranged so as to be on the lower side.

  Therefore, for example, when printing layout information is printed on the label 10 with release paper such that the label individual 14 is attached to the release paper 12 so that the print area 14a is on the lower side as shown in FIG. 9B. If the print layout information created by the terminal device is output and printed as it is, the print layout information can be printed without overlapping the print area 14a.

  However, in the case shown in FIG. 9C, if the print layout information is output and printed as it is, the print layout information is printed in a state where the print layout information overlaps the information printed in the print area 14a. In this case, the print layout information must be reversed and printed.

  Similarly, in the case of FIG. 10B, even if the print layout information is output and printed as it is, the print layout information can be printed without overlapping the print area 14a because of the relationship with FIG. 10A.

  In the case as shown in FIG. 10C, if the print layout information is output and printed as it is, the print layout information is printed in a state where it overlaps the information printed in the print area 14a. Therefore, even in this case, the print layout information must be reversed and printed.

  In Patent Document 1, since the print position on the label individual is not detected, the print processing is started as it is when the inclination of the label is corrected, so that the print layout information is printed over the print area. There is a risk of being.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and in particular, barcode information including position information indicating a printing location printed on a label individual is printed on one surface of a release sheet. In addition, it is possible to ensure duplicate printing by determining whether to perform reverse printing from the position information indicating the print location in the read barcode information and the position information indicating the print prohibited area included in the print layout information. It can be avoided.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a label with a release paper according to the present invention described in claim 1 is a label individual attached to one surface of a release paper,
Having a barcode printed on the other side of the release paper and indicating the relevant information of the label individual,
The related information includes position information indicating a printing location printed on the label individual.

Further, the label printer according to the present invention described in claim 2 is a barcode sensor that reads a barcode printed on one surface of a release paper for label;
A print information control unit that collates position information indicating a print location printed on the label individual included in the read barcode and position information indicating a print prohibition area included in the print layout information;
The collation result of the position information indicating the print location is used as print control information for label print information.

  In this invention, a plurality of individual labels are adhered to one surface (for example, the front surface) of the release paper at a predetermined interval. On the other side (back side), barcodes are printed at predetermined intervals. The bar code information is various information related to the label, such as the size of the label, the type of label paper, and the print density. Further, this bar code information includes position information indicating the printing location printed on the label individual. The position information indicating the print location is used as control information for whether the print layout information should be output as it is and printed or reversed.

  In the label printer, the print layout information is stored in the memory of the label printer. The print layout information includes position information indicating whether the print prohibition area is on the upper side or the lower side of the label object when the print prohibition area is set at the time of layout.

  The label printer is provided with a bar code sensor. The barcode information is read by the barcode sensor, and the position information indicating the printing location of the label individual is stored among the read barcode information. The position information indicating the print location is position information with respect to the label individual (for example, binary information representing the upper side or the lower side).

  A collation process is performed between the position information indicating the stored print location and the position information included in the print layout information. If they match, the print layout information is output as it is and printed. If they do not match, the print layout information is inverted and printed. By automatically performing this print control process, it is possible to avoid a situation in which print layout information is printed over the printed information area.

  The present invention provides a label with release paper on which a barcode having information indicating a printing location printed on a label individual is printed on one surface of the release paper. In addition, a label printer that performs print control by reading a barcode including information indicating a print location printed on a label individual and collating with position information corresponding to a print prohibited area included in print layout information. provide.

  According to this, when the position information indicating the saved print location and the position information included in the print layout information match, if they match, the print layout information is output as it is and printed. In this case, by performing a print control process in which the print layout information is reversed and printed, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the print layout information is printed over the printed information area. Since print control processing is also performed automatically, human error can be avoided.

  Next, an embodiment of a label with a release paper and a label printer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a main part of a label printer 20 according to the present invention. 4 and 5 show an example of a main part of the label with release paper 10 according to the present invention. First, the label 10 with release paper will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  The label 10 with release paper is composed of a release paper 12 and a plurality of individual labels 14 attached to the front surface 12a in this example of one surface. The release paper 12 is a mount having a strip shape, and a translucent film is used in this example.

  The label individual 14 is thermal paper, and several types of thermal paper having different quality are prepared. This includes high-quality thermal paper, glossy thermal paper, thermal transfer art paper, and the like. This label individual 14 to which the double-sided adhesive is applied is adhered to the release paper 12. The label individual 14 is generated by being punched. Accordingly, the individual labels 14 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the release paper 12 with a constant interval W.

  Individual information is printed in advance on a part of the label individual 14. In the case of FIG. 4A, a predetermined area below the label individual 14 is a print area 14a. Predetermined information is printed in the print area 14a. This predetermined information printed in advance is individual identification information. As the individual identification information, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 8, information on the provider side of the product such as the corporation name of the product provider (manufacturer, distributor, etc.), its address, and telephone number is considered. It is done. The information printed in the print area 14a is normally printed so that it can be read from the left side, as shown by “...” (For example, ABC store) in FIGS.

  An area 14b other than the print area 14a is a print area. In the print area 14b, information (print layout information) related to the product such as the product name, raw material name, and expiration date of the packed product is printed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, a barcode 82 is printed at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the release paper 12 at the substantially central portion of the other surface (back surface) 12 b of the release paper 12. There are a large number of barcodes 82 showing the same contents from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the release paper 12.

  In this example, the identification information 80 is printed prior to the barcode 82. The identification information 80 is used as a mark for recognizing the presence of the barcode 82 in advance. As the identification information 80, a specific figure, character, symbol, or the like can be used. In some cases, a logo or the like that can identify the provider (manufacturer or distributor) of the label 10 with release paper can be used, and in this case, as a mark indicating that the label 10 with release paper is genuine. Will also work.

  The barcode 82 may be a one-dimensional barcode in which rod-shaped marks are arranged, a two-dimensional barcode (two-dimensional code), or the like. A one-dimensional barcode is sufficient when the amount of information is small. The bar code 82 stores various binarized information. For example, the various information is information such as the size of the label individual, the type of label paper, and the number of labels. In addition to these pieces of information, information (position information) indicating the print location (print area 14a) printed on the label individual 14 is included.

  This position information is information for distinguishing whether the print area 14a is present above or below the label individual 14. Therefore, it can be handled as simple binary information. For example, “00” can be used as the position information when the print area 14a exists on the upper side, and “11” can be used when the print area 14a is on the lower side.

  FIG. 5 shows another example of the label 10 with release paper. The only difference from FIG. 4 is the position of the print area 14a, and the print area 14a in this case is a predetermined area above the label individual 14 as shown in FIG. 5A. Even in this example, the identification information 80 and the barcode 82 are printed at predetermined intervals on the back surface 12b of the release paper 12.

  Predetermined information is printed using the label 10 with release paper configured as described above.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an essential part showing an example of a label printer 20 according to the present invention, which has a print control function for a label 10 with release paper.

  In FIG. 1, a platen roller 24 is driven by a motor, in this example, a stepping motor 22, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a predetermined amount is applied to the label 10 with release paper pressed against the platen roller 24. A traveling force is applied in the direction a at a predetermined speed. The release paper-attached label 10 is sequentially fed by a stepping motor 22 by one pitch.

  A print head (in this example, a thermal head in the form of a line) 26 is pressed against the platen roller 24 via a label 10 with release paper. By supplying print layout information to the print head 26, the layout information is converted into the label individual 14. Is printed.

  The detecting means 30 for the label individual 14 is arranged at a position preceding the print head 26 by a predetermined distance L. As the label detection means 30, a transmission type detection means is used. Therefore, as shown in the figure, a light emitting element (light emitting diode or the like) 30a is disposed on one side of the label 10 with release paper, and a light receiving element (light receiving diode) 30b is disposed on the other side to detect the label unit 14 detection means 30. Is configured. The sticking position of the label individual 14 is detected from the difference in transmittance.

  A bar code sensor 34 is disposed at a position close to the detection means 30 and preceding the detection means 30. The bar code sensor 34 is disposed on the back surface 12 b side of the release paper 12 with a predetermined gap from the release paper 12. Therefore, a reflection type sensor is used for the bar code sensor 34. A reflection type sensor in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are accommodated in the same housing is used, and bar code information is read from the difference in reflectance. When the barcode 82 used for the release paper 12 is a two-dimensional barcode, a scanner is used as the detection means 30.

  Since the barcode 82 or the like is printed on the back surface 12b of the label 12 with release paper, the barcode sensor 34 is positioned so that it can sense the vicinity of the central portion of the barcode 82 as shown in FIG. (Near the center) On the other hand, the detection means 30 (30a, 30b) is arranged at a position where only the label individual 14 can be sensed without sensing the barcode 82 and the print area 14a. For example, it is arranged near the right end of the label individual 14. Therefore, the print area 14a is provided slightly to the left. The bar code sensor 34 can also be arranged at a position following the detection means 30.

  The label printer 20 is provided with a cutter means 32 for cutting the release paper-attached label 10, more specifically the release paper 12, on the outlet side of the print head 26. The cutter means 32 has an upper blade 32a and a lower blade 32b arranged so as to sandwich the label 10 with the release paper, and either or both of the upper blade 32a and the lower blade 32b are moved up and down to remove the release paper 12. Cutting processing is performed.

  A series of printing processes on the label 10 with release paper described above is performed under the control of the data processing unit 40. The data processing unit 40 is a computer, and includes a CPU 42 that controls the entire label printer 20, a memory unit (ROM) 44 that stores a control program necessary for printing processing, and a working memory unit ( RAM) 45 and the like constitute the data processing unit 40. In the data processing unit 40, a process for controlling the printing position is also performed during the above-described printing process.

  Further, the sensor output obtained by the light receiving element 30b is supplied to the IV conversion unit 46 and subjected to current-voltage conversion, and then binarized by the binarization processing unit 48 provided in the data processing unit 40. Similarly, an IV conversion unit 47 for the sensor output acquired by the barcode sensor 34 is also provided, and binarization processing is performed by a binarization processing unit 49 provided in the data processing unit 40.

  The print data generated by the data processing unit 40 is supplied to the print head 26 via the print data output unit 50. At this time, the data processing unit 40 generates a drive signal (line drive signal) for the stepping motor 22, and the platen roller 24 is rotationally driven in synchronization with this drive signal to perform printing processing line by line. A cutter processing signal for the label 10 with release paper is also generated by the data processing unit 40, but details thereof are omitted.

  The data processing unit 40 includes an input unit (keyboard) 52 for inputting print data and the like, a display unit (LCD or the like) 54 for displaying the input print data, a memory means 56 for storing the input print data, etc. Warning means 58 such as a lamp and a buzzer used at the time of the above are associated. The memory means 56 can use removable memory means such as a memory flash or a card-like memory element. When the removable memory means is used as the memory means 56, the memory information can also be used as print information. In this example, the data processing unit 40 is further provided with a USB terminal 72, which exchanges information with the terminal device 70 that creates print layout information.

  The print layout information is information in which information to be printed is laid out in the print area 14b. In this, the print prohibition area 62 as shown in FIG. 9A or FIG. Also included is position information indicating whether or not This position information is binary information similar to the position information of the print area 14a printed on the label individual 14, and is input as a part of the print layout information. Similarly to the position information of the print area 14a, “00” is addressed as the position information when the upper side is the print prohibition area 62, and “11” is addressed as the position information when the upper side is the lower side. The print layout information is stored in the memory means 56.

  Thus, in the data processing unit 40 having the CPU configuration, binarization processing, end face detection processing of the label individual 14, label running control processing, label printing control processing, and the like are executed.

  As described above, since the relationship between the print prohibition area 62 when the print information is laid out and the print area 14a in the actual label individual 14 is not fixed, the determination of where the print area 14a is, A corresponding print layout information inversion process is performed. This print control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, first, position information corresponding to the print prohibition area 62 on the layout in the label 10 to be printed is read and stored (step 90). Next, the barcode 82 is read during the print preparation period, and the position information corresponding to the print area 14a of the label individual 14 is extracted from the read barcode information and stored (steps 91 and 92). Information for performing print control is acquired during the print preparation period, and when the print preparation period elapses, a process of returning the label with release paper 10 to the original position is performed, and the print mode is set to a standby state.

  During the print preparation period, the position information corresponding to the print prohibition area and the position information corresponding to the print area 14a are collated (step 93). If the position information matches as a result of the collation processing, the print layout information is printed as it is in the print area 14b of the label individual 14 at the stage when the print mode is started (steps 94 and 95). The relationship between FIGS. 9A and 9B or the relationship between FIGS. 10A and 10B corresponds to this.

  On the other hand, when the position information does not match, the print layout information is reversed and printed in the print area 14b. The relationship between FIGS. 9A and 9C or FIGS. 10A and 10C corresponds to this. Therefore, even if the print area 14a exists, the print layout information can be correctly printed on the print area 14b, and the overwriting on the print area 14a can be reliably avoided.

  When the printing process is completed, it is determined whether the printing process on the label individual 14 is finished. If the printing process is to be continued, the printing on the label individual 14 is continued in the print control mode selected in step 95 or 96 (step 97). , 98). The operation of the end button is checked to confirm the intention to end the printing process, or when the end of the printing process on the final label individual 14 is found, the printing control process is ended (step 97).

  The above-described embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to label printers used in the logistics industry, product manufacturers, supermarkets, and the like.

It is a systematic diagram of the principal part showing an example of a label printer according to the present invention. It is a side view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between a print head and a label detection means. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between a print head and a label detection means. It is a figure of the front and back which shows the structural example of the label with a release paper which concerns on this invention (the 1). It is a figure of the front and back which shows the structural example of the label with release paper which concerns on this invention (the 2). 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print control process. It is a figure which shows the prior art example of a label with a release paper. It is a figure which shows the example of printing to a label individual. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a layout of print information and a label individual (part 1). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a layout of print information and a label individual (part 2).

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Label with release paper, 12 ... Release paper, 14 ... Label individual, 12a ... Front surface, 12b ... Back surface, 14a ... Print area, 14b ... Print area, 20 ... Label printer, 22 ... Stepping motor, 26 ... Print head, 30 ... Label detection means, 34 ... Bar code sensor, 40 ... Data processing unit, 42 ... CPU, W ... Label interval, 80 ... Identification information, 82 ... Bar code, 62 ... Print prohibited area

Claims (3)

An individual label attached to one surface of the release paper;
Having a barcode printed on the other side of the release paper and indicating the relevant information of the label individual,
The label with release paper, wherein the related information includes information indicating a printing location printed on the label individual. A barcode sensor that reads a barcode printed on one side of the label release paper;
A print information control unit that collates position information indicating a print location printed on the label individual included in the read barcode and position information indicating a print prohibition area included in the print layout information;
A label printer, wherein the position information collation result is used as print control information for label print information. 3. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein when the collation results of the position information are different, the entire print layout information of the label is reversed and printed.

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