JP2012175444A - Verification apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a print information read time or paper sheets from being wasted and to improve work efficiency by raising a caution in the case where dust adherent to a scanner disturbs a verifying operation in a verification apparatus which reads and verifies print information such as a barcode.SOLUTION: A verification apparatus includes a conveying unit which conveys a paper sheet in a first direction, a reading unit which scans a read target in a second direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction to optically read an image of the read target through a protection glass, and a control unit in which, it is determined whether or not the dust is adherent to the protection glass within a designated scan range, when the dust is adherent within the scan range, a display section or a caution sound generating section is controlled to raise a caution about adhesion of the dust and, when the dust is not adherent within the scan range, print information is verified by controlling the reading unit so as to read an image of the print information within the designated scan range.

Description

  The present invention relates to a verification device that verifies print information by reading print information such as barcodes and characters printed on a print medium.

  In a printer that prints printing information such as barcodes and characters on labels and tags, as a print medium (hereinafter also referred to as “paper”), for example, a predetermined length on a long strip (separator) A label continuum in which labels are temporarily attached at a predetermined interval or a strip-shaped sheet for tag production is used. In addition, in order to verify whether or not the print information is correctly printed on the paper, a verification device that reads the print information printed on the paper using a scanner and verifies the print information is used. Furthermore, printers equipped with such a verification device are also known.

  When reading print information printed on paper in a conventional verification device, if dust adheres to the scanner, a reading error occurs and a message indicating that the print information cannot be read is displayed on the display unit. An error warning was made. However, if the error warning is performed after the print information is read, the print information reading time is wasted. Further, since the cause of the reading error is unknown, there is also a problem that the printing is judged to be defective by the printer and the paper is discarded.

  As a related technique, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 is arranged at a position facing the image reading unit, a conveying unit that conveys the document, an image reading unit that reads an image of the document being conveyed by the conveying unit through the contact glass, and the like. An image reading unit having a platen roller and a determination unit for determining the presence or absence of dust adhering to the contact glass based on image data read by the image reading unit in a state where no document exists at the reading position of the image reading unit. An apparatus is disclosed.

  The image reading apparatus of Patent Document 1 reads an image for one line by a reading sensor without conveying an original, or an image for one line when no original exists at a reading position during conveyance of the original. Read data. Based on this image data, the dust detector detects the presence or absence of dust. If it is detected that there is dust, rotate the platen roller to stop it at a different rotation angle, and detect dust again, so that the detected dust is dust attached to the contact glass, or It is determined whether the dust is attached to the platen roller. If it is determined that the contact glass is dirty, a notification that an error has occurred in the external control device or an error display can be displayed on the display unit of the image reading device in order to prompt the user to clean the contact glass. .

  However, in a verification device such as a barcode, when the width of a sheet, a barcode, or the like is narrow, the entire range of images that can be scanned by the scanner is not always used in the verification of the barcode. Even in such a case, if dust is detected in a range other than the reading range such as a barcode and an error warning is issued, the operator performs unnecessary cleaning.

JP 2009-194737 A (Claim 1, paragraphs 0023-0024)

  Therefore, in view of the above points, the present invention verifies that dust is attached to a scanner in a verification apparatus that verifies print information by reading print information such as barcodes and characters printed on a print medium. The purpose is to improve the reliability of verification of print information by issuing a warning when it hinders operation, to prevent waste of print information reading time and print media, and to increase the work efficiency of the operator .

  In order to solve the above problems, a verification apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a verification apparatus that verifies print information by reading print information printed on a print medium, and prints on which the print information is printed. By scanning the reading target in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and a transport unit that transports the medium in the first direction, an image of the reading target is optically read and output through the protective glass. By controlling the reading unit that generates a signal and the reading unit so as to read an image through the protective glass, based on the output signal of the reading unit, dust is collected on the protective glass in the scan range specified according to the internal setting information. If it is determined whether or not dust has adhered within the scan range, the display unit or warning sound generator is controlled so as to issue a dust adhesion warning and within the scan range. If it is determined that no smear has adhered, the reading unit is controlled so as to read the image of the print information printed on the printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit within the designated scanning range. And a control unit that verifies print information based on the output signal.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, even if dust is attached to the protective glass, it is determined whether or not dust is attached within a specified scan range according to the internal setting information. By providing a warning when dust adheres to the verification operation, it improves the reliability of print information verification, prevents print information reading time and paper waste, Work efficiency can be increased.

It is the schematic which shows the printing / verification system using the verification apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of verification of a series of labels issued continuously. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the detailed internal structure of the verification apparatus shown in FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the scanner part in the verification apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control part in the verification apparatus shown in FIG. 3 with the peripheral part. It is a figure which shows the case where the edge part of a thermal head is used in order to print a barcode on a narrow paper. It is a figure which shows the case where the center part of a thermal head is used in order to print a barcode on paper with a narrow width | variety. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the verification apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the condition where a scanner part reads a barcode in the state which refuse adhered to the protective glass. It is a figure which shows the condition where a scanner part reads a barcode in the state which refuse adhered to the protective glass.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the same component and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a printing / verification system using a verification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This printing / verification system includes a printer 10 and a verification device 20. The printer 10 prints printing information such as a barcode and characters on a label temporarily attached to the mount or a sheet such as a strip-shaped sheet for tag manufacture. The verification device 20 reads the print information printed on the paper and verifies the print information. It is also possible to connect the printer 10 or the verification device 20 to a personal computer 30 serving as a host.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the verification device 20 is not integrated with the printer 10, the installation location is arbitrary. Even when a plurality of types of printers 10 are used, it is possible to verify print information printed on a print medium by the printers 10 using a single verification device 20. Alternatively, the verification device 20 may be configured integrally with the printer 10.

  In the following, a case where a label temporarily attached to a mount is used as the paper 1 and a barcode is printed on the label will be described as an example. In the printer 10, the paper 1 is rotatably supported on a paper supply shaft 11 provided in a housing of the printer 10 as roll paper wound in a roll shape. The paper 1 drawn out from the paper supply shaft 11 is supplied between the platen roller 12 and the thermal head 13 and is conveyed by the rotation of the platen roller 12.

  As the label, for example, thermal paper that develops a specific color (such as black or red) when a certain temperature region is reached is used. By supplying an electrical signal based on the print data to the thermal head 13, the heating element of the thermal head 13 generates heat, and a barcode is printed on the label. The printed paper 1 is discharged to the outside from a paper discharge port formed in the housing of the printer 10. The paper 1 discharged from the printer 10 may be directly inserted into the verification device 20 or may be inserted into the verification device 20 after being cut once.

  The verification device 20 includes a transport unit including an upstream transport unit 21, an intermediate transport unit 22, and a downstream transport unit 23 having a plurality of transport rollers, and a barcode printed on the paper 1 transported by the transport unit. A scanner unit 24 that generates an output signal, a marking unit 25 that stamps a label in which a verification error has occurred, and a control unit 26 that controls the operation of each unit of the verification device 20.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a verification example of a series of labels issued continuously. The sheet 1 is configured by temporarily attaching eight labels 3 to a mount 2 so as to be peeled off. The transport unit transports the paper 1 in the first direction (X-axis direction). The scanner unit 24 scans the object to be read in a second direction (Y-axis direction) substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and thereby the eight printed on the eight labels 3 through the protective glass. Barcode 4 images are sequentially read to generate an output signal. These barcodes 4 have a barcode number No. 1-8 shall be attached | subjected.

  The control unit 26 shown in FIG. 1 generates image data representing an image of the read barcode based on the output signal of the scanner unit 24, and the content of the read barcode (based on the image data ( The barcode 4 printed on the label 3 is verified by generating read data representing numbers and characters) and comparing the read data with reference data representing the content of the barcode to be originally printed.

  When a verification error occurs (when the scanner unit 24 cannot read the barcode or the verification result is NG), the control unit 26 prints the barcode where the verification error has occurred. The marking unit 25 is controlled so as to stamp the label. As a result, the marking unit 25 impresses the “unusable” stamp 5 on the label on which the barcode (barcode number No. 2) in which the verification error has occurred is printed.

  Here, when the barcode printed on the label 3 is read, if dust adheres to the protective glass of the scanner unit 24, a reading error occurs and an error warning is given. However, if the error warning is performed after the barcode is read, the barcode reading time is wasted. In addition, since the cause of the reading error is unknown, there is also a problem that the label is discarded because it is determined that printing by the printer is defective.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 26 illustrated in FIG. 1 controls the scanner unit 24 so as to read an image through the protective glass when the verification apparatus is powered on, thereby the scanner unit 24. On the basis of the output signal, it is determined whether dust is attached to the protective glass in the scan range designated according to the internal setting information (verification target information, operation setting contents of the verification device, etc.).

  In addition or alternatively, the control unit 26 controls the scanner unit 24 to read an image through the protective glass before one bar code is read and before the next bar code is read. By doing so, it may be determined whether dust is attached to the protective glass in the scan range designated in accordance with the internal setting information for the next barcode.

  When the control unit 26 determines that dust is attached within the scan range, the control unit 26 controls the display unit or the warning sound generation unit so as to issue a dust adhesion warning, and the dust is attached within the scan range. If it is determined that there is not, an output signal from the scanner unit 24 is controlled by controlling the scanner unit 24 so that the image of the barcode 4 printed on the label 3 conveyed by the conveyance unit is read in the designated scan range. Based on the above, the barcode 4 is verified.

  FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a detailed internal structure of the verification apparatus shown in FIG. In addition to the upstream conveyance unit 21 to the control unit 26 described above, the verification device 20 includes a warning sound generation unit 27, an insertion unit 40, a lower conveyance guide plate 51, an upper conveyance guide plate 52, and an insertion. A sensor 53, an upstream side movement detection unit 54, a downstream side movement detection unit 55, a label position detection unit 56, a motor 57, an encoder 58, a belt 59, a display unit 73, and an operation unit 74 are included. It is out. Here, the insertion unit 40, the upstream conveyance unit 21 to the downstream conveyance unit 23, and the lower conveyance guide plate 51 to the belt 59 constitute a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet.

  The insertion unit 40 includes an insertion guide 41, an insertion sensor 42, a motor 43, belts 44 and 46, a rotation roller 45, conveyance rollers 47 and 49, a conveyance belt 48, and a guide roller 50. . The insertion guide 41 is a part that guides the sheet when the sheet printed by the printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the verification device 20. It includes a paper guide 41a that can move in the direction.

  The insertion sensor 42 is provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the insertion guide 41, detects the inserted paper, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 26. When a sheet is inserted into the insertion unit 40, the control unit 26 controls the motor 43 to rotate the rotation shaft 43a. The rotation of the rotating shaft 43 a is transmitted to the rotating roller 45 via the belt 44 and further transmitted to the transport roller 47 via the belt 46. As a result, the transport belt 48 connecting the transport rollers 47 and 49 is sent, so that the paper inserted into the insertion portion 40 is sandwiched and transported between the transport belt 48 and the guide roller 50.

  The sheet conveyed by the insertion unit 40 is inserted between the lower conveyance guide plate 51 and the upper conveyance guide plate 52. The insertion sensor 53 is provided in the immediate vicinity of the insertion unit 40 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, detects the conveyed paper, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 26. When receiving the detection signal from the insertion sensor 53, the control unit 26 controls the motor 57 that drives the upstream transport unit 21 to the downstream transport unit 23 so as to transport the paper.

  The lower conveyance guide plate 51 has a plurality of conveyance openings and a plurality of detection openings. The plurality of transport rollers 21 a of the upstream transport unit 21, the plurality of transport rollers 22 a of the intermediate transport unit 22, and the plurality of transport rollers 23 a of the downstream transport unit 23 pass through the plurality of transport openings, and the lower transport guide plate 51. Projecting upward. The plurality of detection rollers 54a of the upstream side movement detection unit 54 and the plurality of detection rollers 55a of the downstream side movement detection unit 55 protrude above the lower conveyance guide plate 51 through a plurality of detection openings.

  The upper conveyance guide plate 52 is also formed with a plurality of conveyance openings and a plurality of detection openings. The plurality of transport rollers 21b of the upstream transport unit 21, the plurality of transport rollers 22b of the intermediate transport unit 22, and the plurality of transport rollers 23b of the downstream transport unit 23 are connected to the upper transport guide plate 52 through a plurality of transport openings. It protrudes downward. Further, the plurality of detection rollers 54b of the upstream side movement detection unit 54 and the plurality of detection rollers 55b of the downstream side movement detection unit 55 protrude below the upper conveyance guide plate 52 through a plurality of detection openings.

  The transport roller 21a and the transport roller 21b are disposed so as to face each other and contact each other. Similarly, the transport roller 22a and the transport roller 22b are disposed so as to be opposed to each other, and the transport roller 23a and the transport roller 23b are disposed so as to be opposed to each other.

  The transport rollers 21a to 23a are driven by a motor 57 via a belt, a torque limiter, and an idle gear (not shown). These components also constitute a transport unit. When the paper discharged from the printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is directly inserted into the verification device 20, the torque limiter adjusts the paper transport speed in the verification device 20 to the paper discharge speed from the printer 10. This is to limit the tension applied to.

  When transporting the paper inserted from the insertion unit 40, first, in the upstream transport unit 21, the transport roller 21a contacts the paper from below in the figure, and the transport roller 21b contacts the paper from above in the figure. In response to the driving force of the motor 57, the transport roller 21a rotates to transport the paper in the downstream direction (left direction in FIG. 3).

  The intermediate transport unit 22 is downstream in the transport direction with respect to the upstream transport unit 21 and is downstream in the transport direction from the position where the scanner unit 24 reads the print information printed on the sheet (the position indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 3). It is provided in the vicinity on the side. In the intermediate transport unit 22, the transport roller 22 a contacts the paper from below in the figure, the transport roller 22 b contacts the paper from the top in the figure, and the transport roller 22 a rotates by receiving the driving force of the motor 57. The paper is conveyed in the downstream direction. By providing the intermediate conveyance unit 22 at such a position, the flatness of the sheet at the position indicated by the arrow A can be improved, and the printing information can be read with high accuracy by the scanner unit 24.

  The downstream transport unit 23 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the intermediate transport unit 22 and on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the marking unit 25. In the downstream side conveyance unit 23, the conveyance roller 23a contacts the sheet from the lower side in the figure, the conveyance roller 23b contacts the sheet from the upper side in the figure, and the conveyance roller 23a rotates by receiving the driving force of the motor 57. The sheet is conveyed in the downstream direction. By providing the downstream side conveyance unit 23 at such a position, it is possible to improve the flatness of the sheet at the marking position and perform the marking well.

  The upstream side movement detection unit 54 is disposed closest to the upstream side conveyance unit 21 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and includes detection rollers 54a and 54b and a pulley 54c. The downstream side movement detection unit 55 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the intermediate conveyance unit 22 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and includes detection rollers 55a and 55b and a pulley 55c. The encoder 58 includes a pulley 58c.

  In the upstream side movement detection unit 54, the detection roller 54a contacts the paper from the lower side in the figure, and the detection roller 54b contacts the paper from the upper side in the figure, so that the detection rollers 54a and 54b rotate when the paper is conveyed. To do. Similarly, in the downstream side movement detection unit 55, when the detection roller 55a contacts the sheet from the lower side in the figure and the detection roller 55b contacts the sheet from the upper side in the figure, the detection roller 55a and the detection roller 55a and 55b rotates.

  A belt 59 is hung on the pulleys 54c, 55c, and 58c. Therefore, when at least one of the pulleys 54c and 55c rotates, the rotation propagates to the pulley 58c. The encoder 58 is a rotary encoder, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 26 based on the rotation of the pulley 58c.

  The label position detection unit 56 preferably includes both a reflection type photosensor and a transmission type photosensor. The reflective optical sensor detects a position detection mark (eye mark) printed corresponding to the label position on at least one surface of the paper, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 26. The transmissive optical sensor detects a difference in light transmittance between a region where a label exists and a region where no label exists on the paper, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 26.

  When the reflection type photosensor is used, the lower sensor 56a or the upper sensor 56b is configured by a reflection type photosensor. On the other hand, when a transmissive photosensor is used, the lower sensor 56a is configured by a light emitting unit or a light receiving unit of the transmissive photosensor, and the upper sensor 56b is configured by a light receiving unit or a light emitting unit of the transmissive photosensor. The

  The scanner unit 24 is a reading unit that optically reads a barcode printed on a sheet and generates an output signal by scanning the conveyed sheet. For example, the scanner unit 24 includes an illumination unit and an optical sensor unit. The optical sensor unit reads a barcode printed on a sheet illuminated by the illumination unit, and generates an output signal. An image sensor such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor can be used as the optical sensor unit. An output signal generated by the scanner unit 24 is output to the control unit 26.

  The marking unit 25 is a stamping unit that stamps a label on which a barcode on which a verification error has occurred is printed under the control of the control unit 26. If the scanner unit 24 cannot read the barcode or if the barcode read by the scanner unit 24 is different from the barcode to be printed, the barcode is printed. A label such as “impossible” or “NG” is applied to the label. The marking unit 25 may perform marking using a laser or an ink jet, or may perform marking by cutting out a part of a sheet or opening a hole.

  Furthermore, when it is determined that dust is attached within the scanning range of the scanner unit 24, when a verification error occurs, or when an operation error occurs, the control unit 26 outputs a warning sound generation unit 27. A warning sound (message or buzzer sound) may be generated.

  In order to detect dust adhering to the protective glass of the scanner unit 24, the upper surface of the lower conveyance guide plate 51 is made of stainless steel or the like having high light reflectivity, and a sheet of paper is placed on the lower conveyance guide plate 51. When the image is read through the protective glass with no inserted, and there is an area (pixel) whose brightness is lower than the predetermined value in the read image, it is determined that dust is attached to the area You may do it. This is because the area where dust is attached becomes a shadow, and the luminance is lower than that of other areas. However, if dust adheres to the lower conveyance guide plate 51, there is a possibility that the dust cannot be distinguished from dust attached to the protective glass. In addition, in a state where a sheet is inserted on the lower conveyance guide plate 51, it is difficult to distinguish between the printed content and the shape of the dust, and it may be difficult to detect the dust. Therefore, the following configuration may be used.

  FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a configuration example of the scanner unit in the verification apparatus shown in FIG. The scanner unit 24 is disposed at a position away from the lower conveyance guide plate 51 by a predetermined distance. An opening is formed below the casing 81 of the scanner unit 24, and a protective glass 82 is attached to the opening.

  Inside the housing 81, an illumination unit 83 that irradiates light, a light sensor unit 87 that detects light, and a second light that is emitted from the illumination unit 83 and reflected at the position of the protective glass 82 (or the position of dust). The first light and the second light emitted from the illumination unit 83 and reflected at the position of the lower conveyance guide plate 51 (or the position of the paper 1) are collected on the detection surface of the optical sensor unit 87. A system is provided. For example, the illumination unit 82 includes a light source such as an LED (light emitting diode), and the optical sensor unit 87 includes a one-dimensional CCD image sensor.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the optical system includes folding mirrors 84 and 85 and a lens 86. The folding mirror (high reflection mirror) 84 reflects the first light irradiated from the illumination unit 82 and reflected at the position of the protective glass 82 toward the lens 86. The folding mirror (half mirror) 85 reflects the second light emitted from the illumination unit 82 and reflected at the position of the lower conveyance guide plate 51 toward the lens 86 and the light reflected by the folding mirror 84. Transparent.

  The lens 86 is configured by, for example, a cylindrical lens, and condenses the first and second lights reflected by the folding mirrors 84 and 85, respectively, on the detection surface of the optical sensor unit 87. The folding mirrors 84 and 85 may be concave mirrors, and the folding mirrors 84 and 85 may also function as the lens 86.

  Here, the optical path length until the light reflected at the position of the sheet 1 enters the lens 86 is the sum of the distance D1a and the distance D1b. In this case, the light emitted from the position of the sheet 1 is an optical sensor. The focal length of the lens 86 and the position of the optical sensor unit 87 are determined so as to focus on the detection surface of the unit 87. On the other hand, the optical path length until the light reflected at the position of the protective glass 82 enters the lens 86 is the sum of the distance D2a and the distance D2b. Since the light emitted from the light does not focus on the detection surface of the optical sensor unit 87, an image of dust adhering to the protective glass 82 is blurred. More preferably, the distance (D2a + D2b) has an error of about 10% to about 30% with respect to the distance (D1a + D1b).

  The optical sensor 87 reads both the image of the lower conveyance guide plate 51 (or the image of the paper 1) and the dust image attached to the protective glass 82, but the dust image is blurred. If there is an image with a blurred contrast, the control unit 26 shown in FIG. 3 determines that the image is a dust image. Note that contrast generally refers to a difference in visual characteristics that allows a certain object of interest to be distinguished from other backgrounds. In determining whether or not the contrast is blurred, for example, when the luminance difference ΔB between adjacent pixels satisfies B1 <ΔB <B2 (B1 and B2 are constants), it is determined that the contrast is blurred. .

  In the above, the example using the two folding mirrors 84 and 85 has been described. However, by providing the actuator 88, one folding mirror (high reflection mirror) may be moved between two positions. In that case, in order for the control unit 26 shown in FIG. 3 to detect whether or not dust is attached to the protective glass 82, the folding mirror is arranged at the first position (the position of the folding mirror 84). Thus, the actuator 88 is controlled so that the folding mirror is disposed at the second position (the position of the folding mirror 85) in order to read the barcode printed on the paper 1.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control unit in the verification apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 26 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 60, a ROM (read only memory) 61, a flash RAM (random access memory) 62, a paper detection control circuit 63, and the like. , Pitch detection control circuit 64, drive control circuit 65, encoder control circuit 66, interface (IF) 67, setting unit 68, scan control circuit 69, verification unit 70, marking control circuit 71, audio Circuit 72. These are connected to each other via a bus line.

  The ROM 61 stores software (control program) for causing the CPU 60 to perform various processes. The CPU 60 controls the paper detection control circuit 63 to the audio circuit 72 according to a control program stored in the ROM 61. The flash RAM 62 serving as a storage unit stores reference data representing the contents of print information that should be printed.

  The reference data is stored in advance in the flash RAM 62 by using a portable external storage medium such as a memory card, USB memory, flexible disk, MO, MT, CD-R / W, DVD-R / W, or DVD-RAM. Stored in Alternatively, the reference data may be stored in the flash RAM 62 via the interface 67 from the personal computer 30.

  The sheet detection control circuit 63 controls the insertion sensor 42 so as to detect whether or not a sheet has been inserted into the insertion unit 40, and also detects whether or not a sheet has been inserted into the verification apparatus main body. 53 is controlled. The pitch detection control circuit 64 obtains the position of the label temporarily attached to the mount (position in the longitudinal direction of the paper) based on the detection signal output from the label position detection unit 56, and the label position detection unit 56 The distance from the detection of a label to the detection of the next label is obtained as the label pitch.

  The drive control circuit 65 controls the motor 43 so as to convey the sheet when the sheet is inserted into the insertion unit 40, and conveys the sheet when the sheet is inserted into the verification apparatus main body. The motor 57 is controlled. The encoder control circuit 66 obtains the sheet movement amount or the conveyance speed based on the detection signal output from the encoder 58. The sheet moving amount or the conveyance speed obtained by the encoder control circuit 66 may be fed back to the control of the motors 43 and 57 by the drive control circuit 65.

  The CPU 60 is connected to the display unit 73 and the operation unit 74 via the interface 67. The display unit 73 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel that displays an operation message or the like based on a signal supplied from the CPU 60, a light emitting diode that displays that a barcode is being read, and a dust within a scan range of the scanner unit 24. A light-emitting diode that indicates that a sticking error has occurred, and a light-emitting diode that indicates that a verification error has occurred. The operation unit 74 includes, for example, operation keys such as a start key used for operating the verification device 20 and an internal setting information setting key used for setting internal setting information.

  The setting unit 68 stores the internal setting information set using the operation unit 74 or the personal computer 30 in the flash RAM 62. The setting unit 68 reads internal setting information from the flash RAM 62. The CPU 60 controls each unit of the verification device 20 according to the internal setting information.

  Alternatively, the verification device 20 may actually read some barcodes and set the internal setting information based on the result. For example, in the scan range setting mode, the scan control circuit 69 controls the scanner unit 24 so as to read the barcode printed on the paper transported by the transport unit in the maximum scan range. The CPU 60 detects a scan range corresponding to the barcode printed on the paper based on the output signal of the scanner unit 24, and stores the detected scan range in the flash RAM 62 as internal setting information.

  In the verification mode, the scan control circuit 69 controls the scanner unit 24 to perform a barcode reading operation when a sheet is conveyed. In particular, the scan control circuit 69 controls the scanner unit 24 so that the barcode reading operation is performed in the reading range designated by the CPU 60. Thereby, the barcode verification operation can be performed efficiently.

  The verification unit 70 generates image data representing an image of the read barcode based on the output signal of the scanner unit 24, and based on the image data, the contents (numbers and characters) of the read barcode are displayed. Generate read data to represent. At that time, the verification unit 70 determines whether or not the scanner unit 24 can read the barcode. Further, the verification unit 70 verifies the barcode printed on the label by comparing the generated read data with reference data representing the content of the barcode to be originally printed stored in the flash RAM 62. .

  The marking control circuit 71 controls the marking unit 25 so as to stamp a label on which a barcode on which a verification error has occurred is printed. Thereby, the marking unit 25 performs a stamp such as “impossible” or “NG” on the label on which the barcode on which the verification error has occurred is printed. When the sound circuit 72 determines that dust is attached within the scanning range of the scanner unit 24, when a verification error occurs, or when an operation error occurs, the sound circuit 72 sends a warning sound to the warning sound generation unit 27. Is generated.

  In the printing / verification system shown in FIG. 1, the width of paper (label and mount) used varies, and as shown in FIG. 6A, the thermal head 13 of the printer 10 is used to print barcodes on narrow paper. In the case of using the end portion, the CPU 60 may designate the scan range SR1 closer to the end portion as the scan range of the optical sensor portion 87 according to the internal setting information. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the central portion of the thermal head 13 of the printer 10 is used to print a barcode on a narrow paper, the CPU 60 sets an internal setting as a scan range of the optical sensor portion 87. The scan range SR2 closer to the center may be designated according to the information.

  The internal setting information of the verification device 20 includes at least one of information relating to the paper size, information relating to the paper position, and information relating to the reading position of the print information on the paper. Alternatively, when the information regarding the position of the sheet or the information regarding the reading position of the printing information represents the position of the sheet or the reading position of the printing information with a numerical value, the CPU 60 may specify the reading range according to the numerical value. .

  Next, an operation example of the verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the operator operates the power switch of the verification device 20 to turn on the verification device 20. In step S <b> 1, the CPU 60 controls the scanner unit 24 to read an image through the protective glass 82 in the maximum scanning range after the initialization of each unit and before the sheet 1 is inserted. The scanner unit 24 scans the lower conveyance guide plate 51 through the protective glass 82 to read an image through the protective glass 82 and generate an output signal.

  In step S <b> 2, the CPU 60 extracts information related to contrast (for example, a luminance difference between adjacent pixels) from the image read by the scanner unit 24 based on the output signal of the scanner unit 24. In step S <b> 3, the CPU 60 determines whether dust is attached to the protective glass 82 based on the extracted information regarding contrast. If it is determined that dust is attached to the protective glass 82, the process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined that dust is not attached to the protective glass 82, the process proceeds to step S9. To do.

  In step S <b> 4, the CPU 60 extracts the dust position (dust pattern) in the maximum scan range from the image read by the scanner unit 24 and stores it in the flash RAM 62. In step S5, the CPU 60 reads internal setting information (verification target information, operation setting contents of the verification apparatus, etc.) from the flash RAM 62, and designates a scan range according to the internal setting information.

  In step S6, the CPU 60 compares the designated scan range with the extracted dust pattern. In step S7, the CPU 60 determines whether dust exists within the scan range. When it is determined that dust is present within the scan range, the process proceeds to step S8, and the CPU 60 warns the operator that dust is attached to the protective glass 82 of the scanner unit 24. The display unit 73 is controlled to display dust adhesion, or the warning sound generation unit 27 is controlled to generate a dust adhesion warning sound. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no dust within the scan range, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, when the CPU 60 displays a message “Please pass the label” on the display unit 73, the operator inserts a sheet (mounting paper with a label temporarily attached) into the verification apparatus 20, and presses the start key. As a result, the CPU 60 starts the verification operation of the verification device 20.

  First, the sheet detection control circuit 63 determines whether a sheet has been inserted into the insertion unit 40 based on the detection signal output from the insertion sensor 42. When the sheet is inserted into the insertion unit 40, the drive control circuit 65 drives the motor 43 so that the sheet is conveyed by the conveying belt 48. Further, the sheet detection control circuit 63 determines whether or not a sheet has been inserted into the verification apparatus main body based on the detection signal output from the insertion sensor 53. When the sheet is inserted into the verification apparatus main body, the drive control circuit 65 drives the motor 57 so as to convey the sheet by the upstream side conveyance unit 21 to the downstream side conveyance unit 23.

  The CPU 60 is based on the label position and pitch obtained by the pitch detection control circuit 64, the sheet movement amount or conveyance speed obtained by the encoder control circuit 66, and the internal setting information read by the setting unit 68. The reading range for performing the barcode reading operation is designated. Accordingly, the scan control circuit 69 causes the scanner unit 24 to scan the label in the designated reading range, so that the scanner unit 24 reads the barcode.

  The verification unit 70 generates image data representing an image of the read barcode based on the output signal of the scanner unit 24, and further, based on the image data, the contents of the read barcode (numbers and characters). ) Is generated. At that time, the verification unit 70 determines whether or not the scanner unit 24 can read the barcode.

  When the scanner unit 24 can read the barcode, the verification unit 70 prints the printed data on the label by comparing the generated read data with reference data representing the content of the barcode to be originally printed. Verify the barcode. Further, the verification unit 70 saves verification data regarding the verified barcode in a verification file stored in the flash RAM 62. The verification data includes, for example, the barcode number, the verification result (OK or NG), the content of the barcode (numbers and characters), and the grade of the barcode image. The barcode image grade is, for example, an evaluation of the clarity of a barcode image in five stages.

  The marking control circuit 71 controls the marking unit 25 to perform imprinting such as “impossible” or “NG” on the label on which the barcode on which the verification error has occurred is printed. Based on the detection signal output from the label position detection unit 56, the CPU 60 determines whether there is a label to be verified next. Next, when there is a label to be verified, the above verification operation is repeated. On the other hand, when the verification of the barcode printed on the series of labels temporarily attached to the mount is completed and there is no label to be verified next, the sheet is ejected and the process ends.

  FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are diagrams illustrating a situation where the scanner unit reads a barcode with dust attached to the protective glass. The CPU 60 is based on the label position and pitch obtained by the pitch detection control circuit 64, the sheet movement amount or conveyance speed obtained by the encoder control circuit 66, and the internal setting information read by the setting unit 68. Thus, the reading range in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the paper is designated. Further, the CPU 60 designates a reading range (scanning range) in the paper width direction (Y-axis direction) according to the internal setting information read by the setting unit 68. 8A and 8B show the reading ranges of the barcodes 91 to 94, respectively. The reading range is set, for example, so as to exceed the area where the barcode is printed by about 5 mm in each direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, dust adheres to different positions of the protective glass 82 of the scanner unit. In the situation shown in FIG. 8A, the scan range specified for the barcodes 91 to 94 does not overlap with the dust existing range in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the barcodes 91 to 94 are read regardless of the presence of dust. On the other hand, in the situation shown in FIG. 8B, the scan range specified for the barcodes 91 and 92 overlaps the dust existing range in the Y-axis direction. In this case, a dust adhesion warning is issued. In this manner, since the dust adhesion warning is performed according to the scan range designated according to the internal setting information, the operator does not need to perform unnecessary cleaning.

1 ... paper,
2 ... Mount,
3 ... label,
4 ... Barcode,
5 ... Stamp
10 ... Printer,
11 ... paper supply shaft,
12 ... Platen roller,
13 ... Thermal head,
20 ... verification device,
21 ... Upstream conveying section,
22: Intermediate transport section,
23 ... Downstream conveying section,
24. Scanner part,
25. Marking part,
26: control unit,
27. Warning sound generator,
42 ... Insertion sensor,
53 ... Insertion sensor,
56: Label position detection unit,
60 ... CPU,
61 ... ROM,
62: Flash RAM,
63: Paper detection control circuit,
64... Pitch detection control circuit,
65 ... drive control circuit,
66. Encoder control circuit,
67… Interface,
68. Setting section,
69 ... scan control circuit,
70 ... verification section,
71 ... marking control circuit,
72. Audio circuit,
73 ... display section,
74 ... operation unit,
81 ... Case,
82: Illumination part,
82 ... protective glass,
83. Illumination part,
84, 85 ... folding mirror,
86 ... Lens,
87 ... Light sensor part,
88 ... Actuator,
91-94 ... Barcode

Claims (5)

A verification device that verifies print information by reading print information printed on a print medium,
A transport unit that transports a print medium on which print information is printed in a first direction;
A reading unit that optically reads the image of the reading target through a protective glass to generate an output signal by scanning the reading target in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction;
By controlling the reading unit to read an image through the protective glass, whether dust is attached to the protective glass in the scan range designated according to the internal setting information based on the output signal of the reading unit If it is determined that there is dust within the scan range, the display unit or warning sound generator is controlled so that a dust adhesion warning is issued, and the dust adheres within the scan range. If it is determined that the image is not printed, the output of the reading unit is controlled by controlling the reading unit so as to read the image of the print information printed on the print medium conveyed by the conveying unit within a specified scan range. A control unit for verifying print information based on the signal;
A verification apparatus comprising: The reading unit is
An illumination unit that emits light;
A light sensor for detecting light;
First light emitted from the illumination unit and reflected at the position of the protective glass, and second light emitted from the illumination unit and reflected at the position of the lower conveyance guide plate of the print medium, An optical system for condensing on the detection surface of the photosensor unit;
The verification apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The controller reads an image through the protective glass when the verification device is turned on and / or after one print information is read and before the next print information is read. The verification device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is controlled as described above to determine whether dust is attached to the protective glass in a scan range designated according to internal setting information.   In the scan range setting mode, the control unit controls the reading unit so as to read the print information printed on the print medium conveyed by the conveyance unit in the maximum scan range, and thereby the output signal of the reading unit The scan range corresponding to the print information printed on the print medium is set based on the information, and the set scan range is stored in the storage unit as internal setting information. Verification device. It further comprises an operation unit used for setting internal setting information,
The scanning unit scans the reading unit according to internal setting information including at least one of information on the size of the printing medium, information on the position of the printing medium, and information on the reading position of the printing information on the printing medium. The verification device according to claim 1, wherein the verification device is designated.

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