JP2011096282A - Label preparing method, printer control device, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prepare a label on which a plurality of pieces of continuous data are printed using a label printer. <P>SOLUTION: When printing data on a label using a label printer, the plurality of pieces of continuous data to be printed on one label on which a cut is made according to a printing format are prepared (step 509), and the label printer is made to recognize the two or more pieces of data as one piece of data to be printed on one label (step 515). Thus, the label printer can be made to print the plurality of pieces of continuous data on one label. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a label creation method, a printer control device, a program, and a recording medium, and more specifically, a label creation method for creating a label on which information is printed using a label printer, a printer control device for controlling the label printer, The present invention relates to a program used for the printer control apparatus and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  At present, barcodes are used in various industrial fields and are indispensable for the management of products. Then, barcode paper (hereinafter abbreviated as “barcode paper”) is commercially available from paper manufacturers and label manufacturers. Label printers for printing barcodes on barcode paper are also commercially available.

  The bar code paper is obtained by attaching a plurality of labels to a mount. As shown in FIG. 16 as an example, a gap of 2 to 5 mm is provided between the labels.

  A general label printer includes a sensor for detecting the gap (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  By the way, a printed circuit board used for an electric product or the like is one product, and a label printed with a barcode indicating a serial number of the product is attached to each printed circuit board.

  In recent years, the size of printed circuit boards has been reduced in accordance with demands for downsizing electrical products and the like. Along with this, the label area on the printed circuit board is also shrinking. At present, labels having a size of about 25 mm (width) × 4 mm (length) are required.

  However, in the label printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, the minimum label length is 6 mm to detect the gap correctly. Therefore, even if the barcode is small, the number of barcodes that can be printed on one barcode sheet cannot be increased, and there is a disadvantage that there is a lot of waste.

  The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and a first object thereof is to provide a label producing method capable of producing a label on which a plurality of continuous data is printed.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide a printer control apparatus capable of causing a label printer to print a plurality of continuous data on one label.

  A third object of the present invention is a program that is executed by a printer control apparatus and allows a label printer to print a plurality of continuous data on one label, and a record in which the program is recorded. To provide a medium.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a label is produced by printing information using a label printer on a plurality of labels that are cut in accordance with a print format, and a paper that is attached to a mount with a gap. A method of causing the label printer to recognize a plurality of continuous data as one data to be printed on one label, and the plurality of data in the row direction, the feed direction of the mount. Creating a label including a step in which the orthogonal direction is a row direction and numbers are continuously printed in one column of the label in the feed direction, and subsequent numbers are printed in the other column in the feed direction. Is the method.

  According to this, since the label printer recognizes a plurality of continuous data as one data to be printed on one label, it is possible to create a label on which a plurality of continuous data is printed. It becomes.

  In this case, the plurality of data may be arranged in at least one of a row direction which is a label feeding direction and a column direction orthogonal to the row direction.

  In this case, when the plurality of data are arranged in the row direction and the column direction, the numbers of the plurality of data may be consecutive in the row direction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer control apparatus for controlling a label printer that prints information on a paper that is provided with a plurality of gaps and is provided with a gap and is attached to a mount. A creating means for creating a plurality of continuous data printed on one label, a recognition means for causing the label printer to recognize the plurality of data as one data printed on one label, A plurality of data, in which the mounting direction of the mount is a column direction, a direction orthogonal to the column direction is a row direction, a number is consecutive in one column of the label in the feeding direction, and the subsequent numbers are in other columns And a printing control unit that prints continuously in the feeding direction.

  According to this, a plurality of continuous data to be printed on one label is created by the creating means, and the plurality of data is recognized by the label printer as one data to be printed on one label by the recognition means. . Therefore, it is possible to cause the label printer to print a plurality of continuous data on one label.

  In this case, the creating means may arrange the plurality of data in at least one of a row direction which is a label feeding direction and a column direction orthogonal to the row direction.

  In this case, if the plurality of data are arranged in the row direction and the column direction, the numbers of the plurality of data can be assumed to be continuous in the row direction. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer control apparatus for controlling a label printer that prints information on a sheet that is provided with a plurality of gaps and is provided with a gap and is attached to a mount. And a procedure for causing the label printer to recognize a plurality of continuous data as one data to be printed on one label, and the plurality of data in the row direction of the mount, A procedure in which the direction orthogonal to the direction is the row direction, and printing is performed so that the number is continuous toward the feeding direction in one column of the label, and the subsequent number is continuous toward the feeding direction in the other column. A program to be executed by a printer control apparatus.

  According to this, when the program of the present invention is loaded into a predetermined memory and its head address is set in the program counter, the printer control device can print a plurality of continuous data on one label. As a label printer. That is, according to the program of the present invention, it is possible to cause the printer control apparatus to execute the label producing method of the present invention, thereby allowing the label printer to print a plurality of continuous data on one label. It becomes.

  From the fourth viewpoint, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded.

  According to this, since the program of the present invention is recorded, it is possible to cause the label printer to print a plurality of continuous data on one label by causing the computer to execute the program.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a personal computer as a printer control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating production management information. It is a figure for demonstrating model information. It is a figure for demonstrating the printing format in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating paper information. 3 is a flowchart (part 1) for explaining a barcode printing process in the personal computer of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a flowchart (part 2) for explaining the barcode printing process in the personal computer of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a first diagram for explaining a barcode printing process; FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating a barcode printing process. FIG. 10 is a third diagram for explaining the barcode printing process; FIG. 10 is a fourth diagram illustrating a barcode printing process. It is a figure for demonstrating a data storage area. It is a figure for demonstrating the data stored in the data storage area. It is a figure for demonstrating a printing result. It is a figure for demonstrating the difference in a barcode unit price. It is a figure for demonstrating a paper.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “personal computer”) 100 as a printer control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  A personal computer 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 102, a flash ROM 104, a RAM 106, an input device 108, a display device 110, an interface 120, and the like.

  The flash ROM 104 is composed of a program area and a data area. In the program area, a plurality of programs including a program according to the present invention described in codes readable by the CPU 102 are stored. The data area stores production management information, model information, paper information, print history information, and the like.

  As an example, the production management information includes a production month, a lot number of a lot produced in the production month, a part number of a model produced in the lot, and the number of units produced.

  As an example, the model information includes a part number, a print format, a color, a paper type, and a final number as shown in FIG. Note that the printing format indicates how to arrange barcodes when printing a plurality of barcodes on one label. For example, 5 × 2 means to arrange in 5 rows and 2 columns as shown in FIG. 4 as an example, and descending order means from the first row of the first column to the fifth row of the first column. This means that the number increases, and then the number increases from the first row in the second column to the fifth row in the second column. Here, the column direction is a label feeding direction, and the row direction is a direction orthogonal to the column direction.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, the sheet information includes a label size (width, length) that is the size of one label and a label array that is the number of labels in the width direction. Here, it is assumed that roll-shaped paper is used. Each label is preliminarily provided with a cut according to the print format so that the printed barcode can be peeled off from the mount.

  The display device 110 includes a display unit (not shown) using, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and displays various information instructed by the CPU 102.

  The input device 108 includes input means (not shown) such as a keyboard, for example, and notifies the CPU 102 of various information input by the user.

  The interface 120 is a communication interface for performing bidirectional communication with the printing apparatus.

  The CPU 102 controls the operation of each unit in accordance with the program stored in the flash ROM 104 and stores data necessary for control in the RAM 106.

  In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that three printing apparatuses (p1, p2, p3) as a label printer and a barcode scanner bs are connected to the personal computer 100 via the interface 120.

  Next, the operation of the personal computer 100 when an operator inputs a label creation request via the input device 108 will be described with reference to FIGS. The flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 correspond to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 102. When a label creation request is received from the input device 108, the start address of a program (hereinafter referred to as “label creation processing program”) stored in the flash ROM 104 corresponding to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 is set in the program counter of the CPU 102. The label creation process starts. Here, as an example, it is assumed that a bar code with a continuous number is printed.

  In the first step 401, information on the connected printing device is acquired. Specifically, the name and connection port of each printing apparatus are acquired.

  In the next step 403, each printing apparatus is initialized. Note that nothing is done for a printing apparatus that does not require initialization.

  In the next step 405, an input screen such as print information is displayed via the display device 110. Here, as shown in FIG. 8 as an example, a lot number, a part number, a start number, the number of sheets, and a print format can be input.

  In the next step 407, it is determined whether or not a lot number has been input. Specifically, when an alphanumeric character having a predetermined number of digits is input in the lot number input field, the determination here is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 409.

  In this step 409, the production management information (see FIG. 2) is searched by using the inputted lot number as a key, and the part number and the number of production corresponding to the inputted lot number are obtained. The part number and production number acquired here are displayed via the display device 110 as shown in FIG. 9 as an example. The production number is displayed in the number column. In the following, the number of sheets indicates the number of barcodes required.

  In the next step 411, the model information (see FIG. 3) is searched using the part number as a key, and the print format, color, paper type, and final number corresponding to the part number are obtained. The final number acquired here is incremented by 1 and displayed as a start number via the display device 110 as shown in FIG. 10 as an example.

  In the next step 413, the paper information (see FIG. 5) is searched using the paper type as a key, and the label size, the number of rows and the number of columns corresponding to the paper type are obtained.

  In the next step 415, the process waits for the “OK” button to be pressed. Note that the start number and the number of sheets can be changed. If the “OK” button is pressed, the determination here is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 417.

  In step 417, the printing device is determined according to the type of paper, printing color, and the like. Here, one of the three printing devices is selected.

  In the next step 419, as shown in FIG. 11 as an example, a screen that prompts the user to set the paper in the printing device is displayed via the display device 110.

  In the next step 421, the process waits for the “print start” button to be pressed. If the “return” button is pressed before the “print start” button, the display before the “OK” button is pressed is restored. When the “print start” button is pressed, the determination here is affirmed, and the routine proceeds to step 423.

  In step 423, the paper information is output to the printing apparatus. Then, the process proceeds to step 501.

  In this step 501, as shown in FIG. 12 as an example, a data storage area of a two-dimensional array is secured in the RAM 106 in accordance with the print format. Here, the data storage area is indicated by data (i, j), where i is a column and j is a stage.

  In the next step 503, the start number is set in the variable m indicating the print number.

  In the next step 505, an initial value 0 is set in a counter n indicating the number of bar codes printed.

  In the next step 507, the data storage area of the two-dimensional array is initialized. Here, data (for example, null data) that is not converted into a barcode is stored in each data storage area.

  In the next step 509, as shown in FIG. 13 as an example, print data is stored in a data storage area of a two-dimensional array. Here, m is stored in data (1,1), m + 1 is stored in data (1,2), m + 2 is stored in data (1,3), and m + 3 is stored in data (1,4). , Data (1,5) stores m + 4, data (2,1) stores m + 5, data (2,2) stores m + 6, data (2,3) stores m + 7, data M + 8 is stored in (2,4), and m + 9 is stored in data (2,5).

  In the next step 513, position information with respect to the reference position of the label on which the print data is printed is acquired based on the characteristics of the selected printing device, the label size, the label arrangement, and the like.

  In the next step 514, print information including print data and the position information is generated.

  In the next step 515, the print information is output to the selected printing device. At this time, each print data stored in the data storage area is output in units of one word in a dedicated term in accordance with a command of the connected printing apparatus. That is, each print data stored in the data storage area is recognized by the printing device as print data printed on one label. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 14 as an example, a plurality of barcodes are printed on one label.

  In the next step 517, the number of printed sheets which is the number of barcodes printed on m is added.

  In the next step 519, the number of printed sheets is added to n.

  In the next step 521, it is determined whether or not the value of n is less than the designated number. If the value of n is less than the designated number, the determination here is affirmed and the processing returns to step 507. On the other hand, if the value of n is not less than the designated number, the determination here is denied and the routine proceeds to step 523.

  In step 523, it is determined whether or not a bar code is included in the print data. If the print data includes a bar code, the determination here is affirmed, and the routine proceeds to step 525.

  In this step 525, the operator is instructed to read the first barcode and the last barcode using the barcode scanner bs.

  In the next step 527, the first bar code and the last bar code are collated, and it is determined whether the data has been read normally and whether there is no number skip or number overlap. If it is read normally and there is no skipping or number duplication, the determination here is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 529.

  In this step 529, the final number in the model information is updated to the current value of m.

  In the next step 533, a lot number, a part number, the number of sheets, a final number, a printing state, a printing date, an operator name, and the like are added to the printing history information. Then, the label creation process ends.

  In step 527, if the barcode is not read normally, or if there is a skipped number or an overlapping number, the determination here is denied, and the process proceeds to step 531. In step 531, for example, a message “This label cannot be used. Please discard” is displayed on the display device 110, and the operator is notified of the disposal of the label. Then, the process proceeds to step 533.

  In step 523, if the print data does not include a barcode, the determination here is denied and the routine proceeds to step 529.

  As is clear from the above description, in the personal computer 100 according to the present embodiment, the creation unit and the recognition unit are realized by the CPU 102 and the program executed by the CPU 102, respectively. It should be noted that at least a part of each means realized by processing according to the program by the CPU 102 may be configured by hardware, or all may be configured by hardware.

  In the present embodiment, the program according to the present invention is executed by the program corresponding to FIG. 7 among the programs recorded in the program area of the flash ROM 104 as the recording medium.

  And the label production which concerns on this invention is implemented by the said label production process.

  As described above, according to the personal computer 100 according to the present embodiment, when a barcode is printed on a label using the printing apparatus, a plurality of continuous print data to be printed on one label is created. Is recognized by the printer as one piece of print data printed on one label. Therefore, it is possible to print a plurality of continuous barcodes on one label on the printing apparatus.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 15, the barcode unit price can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional case (printing format is 1 × 1).

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the numbers of the plurality of barcodes are continuous in the column direction, when the barcode is attached to the product, 5 to 6 sheets in the column direction are mounted at once with tweezers or the like. It can be peeled off and attached to the product in order from the top. Thereby, the process of checking the barcode number when attaching the barcode to the product and the process of making the barcode number continuous in advance become unnecessary, and the work process can be simplified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the printer control device is a personal computer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be a device specialized for printer control.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the printer control device and the printer are separate has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer control device and the printer may be integrated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the barcode is arranged in both the row direction and the column direction has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the barcode may be arranged in either the row direction or the column direction. good.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where a barcode and a number were printed, it is not restricted to this, For example, one of a barcode and a number may be sufficient.

  In the above embodiment, the program according to the present invention is recorded in the flash ROM 104, but is recorded in another recording medium (CD, magneto-optical disk, DVD, memory card, USB memory, flexible disk, etc.). May be. In this case, the program according to the present invention is loaded into the flash ROM 104 via the playback device (or dedicated interface) corresponding to each recording medium. Further, the program according to the present invention may be transferred to the flash ROM 104 via a network (LAN, intranet, Internet, etc.). In short, the program according to the present invention may be loaded into the flash ROM 104.

  As described above, the label producing method of the present invention is suitable for producing a label on which a plurality of continuous data is printed. The printer control apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for printing a plurality of continuous data on one label with respect to a label printer. In addition, the program and the recording medium of the present invention are suitable for causing the printer control device to print a plurality of pieces of data continuous on one label to the label printer.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Personal computer (printer control apparatus), 102 ... CPU (preparation means, recognition means), 104 ... Flash ROM (recording medium), p1 ... Printing apparatus (label printer), p2 ... Printing apparatus (label printer), p3 ... Printing Device (label printer).

JP-A-9-267523

Claims (8)

A label producing method for printing information using a label printer on a plurality of labels that are cut in accordance with a printing format, a paper that is pasted on a mount with a gap,
A step of causing the label printer to recognize a plurality of continuous data as one data to be printed on one label;
In the plurality of data, the feed direction of the mount is the column direction, the direction orthogonal to the row direction is the row direction, numbers are consecutive in the feed direction in one column of labels, and the subsequent numbers are other columns. And a step of printing so as to be continuous in the feed direction.   2. The label producing method according to claim 1, wherein, in the step of causing the label printer to recognize, when an operator inputs a part number, the label size corresponding to the part number and the print format are retrieved and displayed. . A plurality of barcodes are printed in the printing format, and instructing an operator to read the first printed barcode and the last printed barcode with a barcode scanner;
The label production according to claim 1, further comprising: determining whether or not the barcode information read by the barcode scanner is normal and notifying an operator of the determination result. Method. A printer control device that controls a label printer that prints information on a sheet that is affixed to a mount with a plurality of labels that are cut in accordance with a print format,
Creating means for creating a plurality of continuous data printed on one label;
Recognition means for causing the label printer to recognize the plurality of data as one data to be printed on one label;
In the plurality of data, the feed direction of the mount is the column direction, the direction orthogonal to the row direction is the row direction, numbers are consecutive in the feed direction in one column of labels, and the subsequent numbers are other columns. And a printing control means for printing continuously in the feed direction.   5. The printer control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the operator inputs a part number, the recognizing unit searches and displays the label size and the print format corresponding to the part number. A plurality of barcodes are printed in the printing format, the instruction means for instructing the operator to read the first printed barcode and the last printed barcode with a barcode scanner;
6. The printer according to claim 4, further comprising notification means for determining whether or not the barcode information read by the barcode scanner is normal and notifying an operator of the determination result. Control device. A program used in a printer control device that controls a label printer that prints information on a sheet that is provided with a gap and is attached to a mount with a plurality of labels that are cut according to a printing format,
A procedure for causing the label printer to recognize a plurality of continuous data as one data to be printed on one label;
In the plurality of data, the feed direction of the mount is the column direction, the direction orthogonal to the row direction is the row direction, numbers are consecutive in the feed direction in one column of labels, and the subsequent numbers are other columns. And a program for causing the printer control device to execute a procedure for continuously printing in the feed direction.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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