JP2015193113A - Information management system and label producing device of information management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information management system that can perform, using low-cost printing medium units and a low-cost structure, information management for the printing medium units individually and can perform information management for sold printing medium units individually as well.SOLUTION: The information management system comprises: a code reading device 26 that reads a commodity code of a package P; an information management server 2 that receives a reading result by the code reading device 26, allocates a specific ID to a tape cartridge C, the commodity code of which is read, so as to perform information management for the tape cartridge C; a label producing device 26 that produces an adhesive label that is printed with the allocated specific ID and adhered to the tape cartridge C; and an information acquiring device 26 that reads the specific ID of the adhesive label and acquires, from the information management server 2, the specific information of the tape cartridge C to which the read specific ID is allocated.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information management system for managing information of individual print medium units used in a printing apparatus and a label creating apparatus for the information management system.

  Conventionally, as this kind of information management system, a base cartridge and a print tape cartridge containing a base tape and a cover film, and a label creation in which a base cartridge and a print tape cartridge are mounted and a tag label is created by the base tape and the cover film A device including an apparatus (wireless tag information communication unit) and an information server that holds information about a base cartridge and a print tape cartridge is described. The base cartridge and the print tape cartridge are each provided with a RFID circuit element that stores a unique ID number. The label producing device reads the ID number from the RFID circuit element, and the information server uses the ID number. To read information on the base cartridge and the print tape cartridge. Thereby, the label producing apparatus can acquire the attribute information and remaining amount information of the base tape of each base cartridge, the attribute information and remaining amount information of the cover film of each printing tape cartridge, and the like.

JP-A-2005-280224

  However, in the conventional information management system described above, the cartridge (base cartridge and print tape cartridge) has the RFID circuit element mounted thereon, and it is necessary to write the ID number in the RFID circuit element in the manufacturing process. For this reason, there is a problem that the production efficiency is lowered and the cartridge becomes expensive. In addition, since it is necessary to write the ID number in the RFID circuit element before selling the cartridge, there is also a problem that information management cannot be performed on the already sold cartridge. Furthermore, since it is necessary to provide the label producing apparatus with an antenna for reading the ID number from the RFID circuit element, there is a problem that the label producing apparatus itself becomes expensive.

  The present invention can manage information of each print medium unit using an inexpensive print medium unit and an inexpensive configuration, and can also manage information of each print medium unit even for a sold print medium unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information management system and a label creation device for the information management system.

  An information management system according to the present invention is an information management system for managing information of individual print medium units used in a printing apparatus, and reads a product code formed on a print medium unit or a package of the print medium unit. A unique ID is assigned to the print medium unit that has read the product code in response to the reading result of the apparatus and the code reader, and an information management server that manages information of the print medium unit by the unique ID, and the print medium unit An information management server that prints a unique ID to create a label that is attached to the print medium unit, reads the unique ID printed on the label, and information on the print medium unit to which the read unique ID is assigned And an information acquisition device for acquiring from .

  In this case, it is preferable that the information management server manages the remaining amount information of the printing medium provided in the printing medium unit and / or the remaining usage period information of the printing medium.

  The information management server also includes print medium size information, ground color information, material information, thickness information, pattern information and gloss information, and ink ribbon dimension information and color obtained from the read result in the print medium unit. It is preferable to manage at least one piece of information.

  The label producing apparatus of the present invention is an information management system label producing apparatus for managing information of individual print medium units used in a printing apparatus by a unique ID, and is formed on a print medium unit or a print medium unit package. A code reading unit that reads the product code, and a unique ID assigned to the print medium unit by the information management server in response to the reading result of the code reading unit, and a label attached to the print medium unit And a label creating unit to be created.

  According to these configurations, the information management server newly assigns a unique ID to the print medium unit, and the label creation device prints the newly assigned unique ID and attaches the label (hereinafter, referred to as the print medium unit). In this configuration, the printing medium unit information can be obtained from the information management server by reading the unique ID of the created and attached mounting label. Thus, it is not necessary to use the RFID circuit element, and it is not necessary to assign a unique ID or create / attach a mounting label in the manufacturing process, so that the print medium unit can be made inexpensive. In addition, since the information is acquired from the information management server by reading the unique ID printed on the mounting label, the information acquisition device (information acquisition unit) can be made inexpensive. Furthermore, since a unique ID can be assigned and a mounting label can be created and attached after sales, information management can also be performed for print medium units that have already been sold. Furthermore, since the information management server receives the product code reading result and assigns the unique ID, the information obtained based on the product code is associated with the unique ID when assigning the unique ID. Can be remembered. The “printing medium” referred to here indicates an object to be printed by the printing apparatus.

  In the information management system described above, it is preferable that the label producing apparatus prints the unique ID as a code image.

  According to this configuration, since the unique ID can be easily read, the information acquisition device (information acquisition unit) can be made cheaper.

  The label producing apparatus is preferably a printing apparatus using a print medium unit.

  According to this configuration, by using the printing apparatus as a label creating apparatus for creating a mounting label, it is not necessary to provide a separate label creating apparatus, and the information management system can be simplified.

  Further, the label producing device preferably includes a code reading device.

  According to this configuration, since the label producing device includes the code reading device, it is not necessary to provide a separate code reading device, and the information management system can be made simpler.

  On the other hand, the print medium unit is preferably a tape cartridge containing a print tape and an ink ribbon.

  According to this configuration, information management can be performed not only on the information on the print tape that is the print medium but also on the information on the ink ribbon.

It is a system configuration figure showing an information management system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which showed the tape cartridge. It is the block diagram which showed the information management system of 1st Embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed the code reading part periphery in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which showed the code reading part periphery in 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the edit screen. It is the flowchart which showed the information management registration operation | movement by the information management system of 1st Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the label production operation | movement by the information management system of 1st Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the information management system of 2nd Embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed the code reading part periphery in 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the information management registration operation | movement by the information management system of 2nd Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the information management system of 3rd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the label production operation | movement by the information management system of 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which showed the code reading part periphery in the modification of 1st Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an information management system and a label creation apparatus of the information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this information management system, a unique ID is assigned to each tape cartridge (print medium unit) used in the tape printer, and information management of each tape cartridge is performed using the unique ID.

[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the information management system SY includes a tape printing system 1 that uses a tape cartridge C and an information management server 2 that manages information on the tape cartridge C. In the present embodiment, the information management system SY is illustrated as having a plurality of tape printing systems 1. Each tape printing system 1 and the information management server 2 are connected via a network NW and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

  Each tape printing system 1 has a function of applying an information management application for the tape cartridge C to the information management server 2 and a function of applying an information provision application for the tape cartridge C to the information management server 2. That is, each tape printing system 1 reads the product code printed on the package P (packaging box) of the tape cartridge C, and sends the read product code (distribution information, for example, JAN code) to the information management server 2. Apply for information management of the tape cartridge C. Then, it receives the unique ID assigned to the applied tape cartridge C from the information management server 2, prints the received unique ID, and labels the tape cartridge C (hereinafter referred to as a pasted label L). create. Each tape printing system 1 reads the unique ID of the sticking label L attached to the tape cartridge C and transmits the read unique ID to the information management server 2 to apply for information provision on the tape cartridge C.

  In response to the information management application from each tape printing system 1, the information management server 2 assigns a unique ID to the applied tape cartridge C and transmits the assigned unique ID to the requesting tape printing system 1. Also, the information management server 2 manages the unique information of the tape cartridge C by the unique ID, receives the information provision application from the tape printing system 1, and sends the tape cartridge to the tape printing system 1 for which the application has been made. Providing C specific information.

  Here, before the details of the tape printing system 1 and the information management server 2 are described, the tape cartridge C that is an object of information management will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, a tape cartridge C includes a tape reel 11 around which a printing tape (printing medium) T is wound, a ribbon reel 12 around which an ink ribbon R is wound, and a cartridge case 13 that accommodates these. And have. That is, the tape cartridge C contains the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R as consumables. A plurality of types of tape cartridges C are prepared in which the color, gloss, pattern, width, thickness, material, color, width, and the like of the ink ribbon R are different.

  Further, the cartridge case 13 is provided with a label affixing region 16 for affixing the affixed label L, and a guide protrusion 17 that faces the label affixing region 16 and serves as a positioning when the affixed label L is affixed. Yes. When affixing the affixed label L to the tape cartridge C, the affixed label L is affixed to the label affixing region 16 while positioning one end of the affixed label L with the guide protrusion 17. The tape cartridge C after affixing the affixing label L is shown in FIG.

  Next, the configuration of the tape printing system 1 and the information management server 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. In FIG. 3, only one tape printing system 1 is shown, and the other tape printing systems 1 are not shown. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information management server 2 includes a server communication unit 21, a server storage unit 22, and a server control unit 23.

  The server communication unit 21 communicates with the tape printing system 1. The server storage unit 22 stores a product information database DB1 and a unique information database DB2.

  The product information database DB1 is a database for managing product information of each tape cartridge C. The product information database DB1 stores a product code and product information of the tape cartridge C indicated by the product code in association with each other. Product information includes tape color information (ground color information), tape gloss information (gloss information), tape pattern information (pattern information), initial tape length information, tape width information, tape material information (material information), tape thickness information. (Thickness information), cut characteristic information, ribbon color information (color information of the ink ribbon R), ribbon initial length information (dimension information of the ink ribbon R), printing condition information, and media classification information are included. Note that “print medium dimension information” is tape initial length information and tape width information.

  The tape color information is information relating to the color (ground color) of the printing surface of the printing tape T. The tape gloss information is information relating to the gloss of the printing surface of the printing tape T. The tape pattern information is information related to the pattern (background pattern, picture, etc.) of the printing surface of the printing tape T, and information related to the presence / absence of the pattern, the name of the pattern, the pattern image data, the presence / absence of tiling (so-called pattern repeat), etc. It is.

  The initial tape length information is information on the length of the print tape T accommodated in the tape cartridge C before use, that is, the initial tape length of the print tape T. The tape material information is information regarding the material of the printing tape T. The tape thickness information is information related to the thickness of the printing tape T.

  The cut characteristic information is information indicating the cut characteristic, that is, the suitability of cutting the printing tape T. The ribbon color information is information relating to the color of the ink ribbon R. The ribbon initial length information is information regarding the length of the ink ribbon R accommodated in the tape cartridge C before use, that is, the ribbon initial length of the ink ribbon R.

  The print condition information includes a print density limit value corresponding to the material of the print tape T (a heat generation temperature of the print head), a print speed limit value, and a print density corresponding to the combination of the print tape T and the ink ribbon R. Information such as characteristic values is included. The media classification information includes information such as whether or not the printing tape T has release paper and whether or not the printing tape T is a die-cut label tape.

  The unique information database DB2 is a database for managing information on each tape cartridge C. The unique information database DB2 stores a unique ID indicating each tape cartridge C and unique information of each tape cartridge C in association with each other. Specific information includes the tape color information, tape gloss information, tape pattern information, tape initial length information, tape width information, tape material information, tape thickness information, cut characteristic information, ribbon color information, ribbon initial length information, and printing conditions. In addition to information and media classification information, tape remaining amount information (remaining amount information) and ribbon remaining amount information are included.

  The remaining tape information is information relating to the remaining length of the printing tape T (hereinafter referred to as remaining tape). The ribbon remaining amount information is information relating to the remaining length of the ink ribbon R (hereinafter, the remaining amount of ribbon).

  When the server communication unit 21 receives the product ID from the tape printing system 1 by the server communication unit 21 and receives an information management application for the tape cartridge C, the server control unit 23 newly generates a unique ID to be assigned to the tape cartridge C. Based on the received product ID, product information associated with the product ID is extracted from the product information database DB1, and the unique information based on the extracted product information is associated with the generated unique ID in the unique information database DB2. Register (record). In other words, while recording each piece of information of the extracted product information as each piece of unique information, the initial tape length information in the extracted product information is recorded as an initial value of the remaining tape information, The ribbon initial length information is recorded as the initial value of the ribbon remaining amount information.

  Further, the server control unit 23 receives the usage amount information of the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R from the tape printing system 1 through the server communication unit 21, and receives the tape usage amount information on the specific information database DB2 And update the remaining ribbon information.

  Furthermore, when the server control unit 23 receives the unique ID from the tape printing system 1 by the server communication unit 21 and receives the information provision application for the tape cartridge C, the server control unit 23 reads the unique information database DB2 based on the received unique ID. The unique information of the tape cartridge C associated with the unique ID is extracted. Then, the server communication unit 21 transmits the extracted unique information of the tape cartridge C to the tape printing system 1.

  Next, the tape printing system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, each tape printing system 1 includes a tape printing device (printing device) 26 that mounts a tape cartridge C and prints on a printing tape T, and a host computer 27 connected to the tape printing device 26. It is equipped with. In the example of FIG. 1, the tape printer 26 and the host computer 27 are connected by wire, but the tape printer 26 and the host computer 27 may be connected wirelessly.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tape printer 26 includes a cartridge mounting unit 31, a printing unit 32, a cutting unit 33, a code reading unit 34, a device communication unit 35, and a device control unit 36. Yes. In the present embodiment, the tape printer 26 is also used as a label producing device for producing the attached label L, and a code reading device for reading a product code is incorporated in the tape printing device 26. The “information acquisition device” includes a tape printer 26 and a host computer 27.

  The cartridge mounting unit 31 mounts the tape cartridge C in a detachable manner.

  The printing unit 32 has a thermal printing head, and the ink ribbon R is thermally transferred by the print head to the fed printing tape T while feeding the printing tape T from the tape cartridge C loaded in the cartridge loading unit 31 and feeding it. Then, printing is performed on the printing tape T. The cutting unit 33 cuts the printing tape T. In the tape printer 26, the printing unit 32 performs a printing process on the printing tape T, and the cutting unit 33 cuts the processed portion of the printing tape T to create a label. The tape printer 26 creates a sticker label L on which the unique ID is printed, and creates a label desired by the user based on print data from the host computer 27. In other words, the “label creation unit” includes a printing unit 32 and a cutting unit 33.

  The code reading unit 34 reads the product code printed (formed) on the package P of the tape cartridge C and also reads the unique ID of the attached label L attached to the tape cartridge C. The product code and the unique ID are both printed as two-dimensional codes (code images) A1 and A2, and the code reading unit 34 optically reads the two-dimensional codes A1 and A2 to obtain the product code and the unique ID. The unique ID is read. Here, the two-dimensional code of the product code printed on the package P is called a package two-dimensional code A1, and the two-dimensional code of the unique ID printed on the sticking label L is called a label two-dimensional code A2. Here, the configuration of the code reading unit 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, a part of the device case of the tape printer 26 is shown in a transparent manner.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge mounting portion 31 is provided inside the tape printer 26, and a box setting portion 38 for setting the package P of the tape cartridge C is provided outside (upper side) of the tape printer 26. It has been. A code reading unit 34 is disposed between the cartridge mounting unit 31 and the box setting unit 38.

  The box setting section 38 has a box setting area 41 for setting the surface on which the package two-dimensional code A1 of the package P is printed, and a box guide convex section 42 for facing the box setting area 41 and positioning one end of the package P. , A positioning pin 43 for positioning the package P in the pin receiving hole Pa by engaging with the pin receiving hole Pa (see FIG. 5A) of the package P, and a box reading opened on the box setting area 41 And a window 44. When the package P is set, the surface on which the package two-dimensional code A1 of the package P is printed while positioning one end of the package P with the box guide convex portion 42 and the pin receiving hole Pa of the package P with the positioning pin 43 Is set in the box setting area 41 (see FIG. 5A).

  The code reading unit 34 includes an area sensor 51, an imaging lens 52, a reflecting mirror 53, a direction switching unit 54, an illumination unit 55, and an image processing unit (not shown).

  The area sensor 51 receives the reflected light of the reading target (two-dimensional code A1, A2) through the imaging lens 52 and the reflecting mirror 53, and acquires a captured image. The imaging lens 52 condenses the light from the reflecting mirror 53 (the reflected light of the two-dimensional codes A1 and A2) on the area sensor 51.

  The reflecting mirror 53 reflects the reflected light of the two-dimensional codes A1 and A2 to be read at a substantially right angle and guides it to the imaging lens 52. The direction switching means 54 rotates the reflecting mirror 53 to change the direction of the reflecting mirror 53 toward the box setting portion 38 (see FIG. 5A) and toward the cartridge mounting portion 31 (see FIG. 5B). ). In a state where the direction of the reflecting mirror 53 is switched to the box setting unit 38 side by the direction switching means 54, the reflecting mirror 53 reads the reflected light of the package two-dimensional code A1 printed on the package P in the box reading. The light is received through the window 44, reflected and guided to the imaging lens 52. On the other hand, in a state where the direction of the reflecting mirror 53 is switched to the cartridge mounting portion 31 side by the direction switching means 54, the reflecting mirror 53 reflects the reflected light of the label two-dimensional code A2 printed on the attached label L. The light is received through a reading window 31 a formed in the cartridge mounting portion 31, reflected and guided to the imaging lens 52. In this way, the reading object of the code reading unit 34 can be switched by the direction switching means 54.

  The illumination means 55 is comprised by LED (Light Emitting Diode), EL (Electroluminescence), etc., and performs the illumination at the time of reading of the two-dimensional code A1 and A2. The illumination means 55 is attached to the reflecting mirror 53 by an attachment member (not shown), and is configured to rotate together with the reflecting mirror 53 by the direction switching means 54.

  The image processing unit 56 performs image processing on the captured image and acquires information included in the two-dimensional codes A1 and A2. That is, the product code is acquired from the package two-dimensional code A1 printed on the package P, and the unique ID is acquired from the label two-dimensional code A2 printed on the attached label L.

  In the reading operation of the product code, the orientation switching means 54 switches the direction of the reflecting mirror 53 toward the box setting unit 38 side with the package P set in the box setting unit 38 by the user. Then, the illumination means 55 is turned on (lit), and the package two-dimensional code A1 of the package P is read. Thereafter, the illumination means 55 is turned off (extinguishes), and the reading operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, in the unique ID reading operation, the orientation switching unit 54 switches the direction of the reflecting mirror 53 to the direction of the cartridge mounting unit 31 with the tape cartridge C mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 31 by the user. Then, the illumination means 55 is turned on (lit), and the label two-dimensional code A2 of the attached label L is read. Thereafter, the illumination means 55 is turned off (extinguishes), and the reading operation is terminated.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the device communication unit 35 communicates with the host computer 27. Specifically, the apparatus communication unit 35 receives a product code reading instruction from the host computer 27 and transmits the product code to the host computer 27. In addition, the device communication unit 35 receives a unique ID reading instruction from the host computer 27 and transmits the unique ID to the host computer 27.

  The device control unit 36 controls label creation processing by the printing unit 32 and the cutting unit 33, reading processing by the code reading unit 34, and communication processing by the device communication unit 35.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the host computer 27 includes an input unit 63 having a keyboard 61, a mouse 62, and the like, and a display unit 65 having a display 64 and the like. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the host communication unit 66, the host storage unit 67, and the host control unit 68 are provided.

  The host communication unit 66 communicates with the tape printer 26 and communicates with the information management server 2. Specifically, the host communication unit 66 transmits a product code reading instruction to the tape printer 26 and receives the product code from the tape printer 26. In addition, the host communication unit 66 transmits a product code to the information management server 2 and receives a unique ID from the information management server 2. Further, the host communication unit 66 transmits a unique ID reading instruction to the tape printer 26 and receives the unique ID from the tape printer 26. Furthermore, the host communication unit 66 transmits the unique ID to the information management server 2 and receives the unique information of the tape cartridge C from the information management server 2.

  The host storage unit 67 stores a dedicated application AP. The dedicated application AP is an application for displaying the edit screen G (see FIG. 6) described later on the display unit 65 and creating print data based on text input from the user on the edit screen G.

  The host control unit 68 controls display processing of the edit screen G by the display unit 65, communication processing by the host communication unit 66, and print data generation processing in accordance with the dedicated application AP. The host control unit 68 receives the unique ID from the information management server 2 through the host communication unit 66, and generates print data (print data of the label two-dimensional code A2) for creating the attached label L based on the received unique ID. To do. Further, the host control unit 68 receives the unique information of the tape cartridge C from the information management server 2 by the host communication unit 66 and displays the editing screen G based on the received unique information of the tape cartridge C. Then, based on the text input on the edit screen G, print data for creating a label desired by the user is generated.

  Here, the editing screen G displayed on the host computer 27 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the editing screen G has a preview display area 71, a cartridge information display area 72, and a text editing area 73 in order from the top.

  The text editing area 73 is an area for the user to input and edit text to be printed. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the user inputs “Insatsu character” using the input unit 63.

  The cartridge information display area 72 is an area for displaying unique information of the tape cartridge C acquired from the information management server 2. In the cartridge information display area 72, remaining tape information (“tape length”), remaining ribbon information (“ribbon length”), tape material information and cut characteristic information (“tape type”), and tape thickness Information (tape thickness) is displayed. In the cartridge information display area 72, a bar meter B1 indicating the ratio of the remaining tape amount is displayed adjacent to the tape remaining amount information, and a bar meter indicating the ratio of the remaining ribbon amount is adjacent to the ribbon remaining amount information. B2 is displayed. The ratio of the remaining tape amount is calculated based on the remaining tape amount information and the initial tape length information, and the remaining ribbon ratio is calculated based on the remaining ribbon amount information and the initial ribbon length information.

  The preview display area 71 is an area for displaying the print preview image 78. In the preview display area 71, a print preview image 78 is displayed based on the unique information of the tape cartridge C acquired from the information management server 2. Specifically, the character color of the print preview image 78 is displayed in a color based on the ribbon color information. Further, the tape width of the print preview image 78 is displayed in a width based on the tape width information. Further, the color, gloss, and pattern of the print surface of the print tape T of the print preview image 78 are displayed in color, gloss, and pattern based on the tape color information, tape gloss information, and tape pattern information. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a print preview image 78 when the print surface is colored and the print surface has no gloss or pattern. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a print preview image 78 when the print surface is colored, the print surface is glossy and has no pattern. FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a print preview image 78 when the print surface has no gloss and has a pattern.

  Next, an information management registration operation by the information management system SY will be described with reference to FIG. In this information management registration operation, the host computer 27 causes the tape printer 26 to read the product code of the package P and transmits the read product code to make an information management application. In response, the application object tape cartridge C is registered as an information management target. In this information management registration operation, the tape cartridge C to be applied is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 31 of the tape printer 26, and the package P of the tape cartridge C is set in the box setting unit 38 of the tape printer 26. It shall be performed in the state.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the host computer 27 transmits a product code reading instruction to the tape printer 26 (S1). On the other hand, the tape printer 26 receives the reading instruction from the host computer 27 and reads the product code of the package P by the code reading unit 34 (S2). Thereafter, the device communication unit 35 transmits the read product code (read result) to the host computer 27 (S3).

  In response to this, the host computer 27 receives the product code from the tape printer 26 through the host communication unit 66 (S4), and transmits the received product code to the information management server 2 (S5). Thereby, an information management application for the tape cartridge C is made.

  On the other hand, the information management server 2 receives the product code from the host computer 27 through the server communication unit 21 (S6), and receives it to generate a unique ID to be assigned to the tape cartridge C to be applied (S7). ). Thereafter, the product information associated with the received product code is extracted from the product information database DB1 (S8), and the unique information based on the extracted product information is registered in the unique information database DB2 in association with the generated unique ID (S9). ). As a result, the application target tape cartridge C is registered as an information management target. When the unique ID and the unique information are registered in the unique information database DB2, the server communication unit 21 transmits the unique ID to the host computer 27 (S10).

  On the other hand, the host computer 27 receives the unique ID from the information management server 2 by the host communication unit 66 (S11), and generates print data for printing the label two-dimensional code A2 of the unique ID (S11). S12). Thereafter, the print data of the generated label two-dimensional code A2 is transmitted to the tape printer 26 by the host communication unit 66 (S13). The tape printer 26 receives the printing data of the label two-dimensional code A2 from the host computer 27 through the device communication unit 35 (S14), and the printing unit 32 and the cutting unit 33 apply the printing data based on the received printing data. A label L is created (S15). That is, the unique ID is printed on the printing tape T as the label two-dimensional code A2, and the attached label L is created. When the affixed label L is created, the device communication unit 35 transmits a label creation completion notice to the host computer 27 (S16).

  On the other hand, the host computer 27 receives a label creation completion notification from the tape printer 26 via the host communication unit 66 (S17), and the printing tape T and ink ribbon R used for creating the attached label L are displayed. The usage amount information indicating the usage amount is transmitted to the information management server 2 together with the unique ID (S18).

  On the other hand, the information management server 2 receives the usage information and the unique ID from the host computer 27 by the server communication unit 21 (S19), and based on the received usage information and the unique ID, the unique information database DB2 The tape remaining amount information and ribbon remaining amount information are updated (S20). That is, the tape remaining amount information of the unique information associated with the received unique ID is updated by subtracting based on the received usage information of the print tape T, and the ribbon remaining amount information of the unique information is updated with the received ink. Subtraction is updated based on the usage amount information of the ribbon R.

  On the other hand, the host computer 27 displays on the display unit 65 that the sticking label L is stuck on the tape cartridge C (S21). Thereby, the information management registration operation is completed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the label creation operation by the information management system SY will be described. In this label creation operation, a user-desired label is created using the tape cartridge C registered in the information management registration operation. This label producing operation is performed in a state in which the sticking label L is stuck on the registered tape cartridge C and the tape cartridge C is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 31.

  As shown in FIG. 8, first, the host computer 27 transmits a unique ID reading instruction to the tape printer 26 (S31). In response to this, the tape printer 26 receives the reading instruction from the host computer 27 and reads the unique ID of the label L attached to the tape cartridge C by the code reading unit 34 (S32). Thereafter, the device communication unit 35 transmits the read unique ID to the host computer 27 (S33).

  In response to this, the host computer 27 receives the unique ID from the tape printer 26 via the host communication unit 66 (S34), and transmits the received unique ID to the information management server 2 (S35). Thus, an application for providing information on the tape cartridge C is made.

  On the other hand, the information management server 2 receives the unique ID from the host computer 27 by the server communication unit 21 (S36), and the unique information of the tape cartridge C associated with the received unique ID from the unique information database DB2. Is extracted (S37). Thereafter, the server communication unit 21 transmits the extracted unique information of the tape cartridge C to the host computer 27 (S38).

  On the other hand, the host computer 27 receives the unique information of the tape cartridge C from the information management server 2 by the host communication unit 66 (S39), and refers to the remaining tape information and remaining ribbon information in the unique information. Then, it is determined whether the remaining tape amount and the remaining ribbon amount are 0 (zero) (S40). If the remaining tape amount or remaining ribbon amount is 0 (S40; Yes), the host computer 27 displays on the display unit 65 that there is no remaining amount of the print tape T or ink ribbon R (S30). . As a result, the label producing operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the remaining tape amount and remaining ribbon amount are not 0 (S40; No), the host computer 27 displays the editing screen G on the display unit 65 based on the received unique information (S42). . Thereafter, the process shifts to a text input waiting state by the user (S43).

  When text is input on the editing screen G by the input unit 63 (when input is completed) (S43; Yes), print data is generated based on the input text (S44). Thereafter, the generated print data is transmitted to the tape printer 26 by the host communication unit 66 (S45).

  On the other hand, the tape printer 26 receives print data from the host computer 27 through the device communication unit 35 (S46), and creates a label based on the print data through the print unit 32 and the cutting unit 33 (S47). ). Although not shown, in the step S47, the usage amount of the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R used for label production exceeds the remaining tape amount and remaining ribbon amount of the remaining tape information and remaining ribbon information. If so, cancel the label creation.

  When the label is created, the device communication unit 35 transmits a label creation completion notice to the host computer 27 (S48). On the other hand, the host computer 27 receives a label creation completion notification from the tape printer 26 by the host communication unit 66 (S49), and determines the usage amount of the print tape T and the ink ribbon R used in the label creation. The usage information shown is transmitted to the information management server 2 together with the unique ID (S50). On the other hand, the information management server 2 receives the usage information and the unique ID from the host computer 27 by the server communication unit 21 (S51), and based on the received usage information and the unique ID, the unique information database DB2 The tape remaining amount information and ribbon remaining amount information are updated (S52). As a result, the label producing operation is terminated.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described regarding the information management system SY of the second embodiment. The information management system SY of the second embodiment has a configuration in which the product code (package two-dimensional code A1) printed on the package P is read on the host computer 27 side.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the information management system SY of the second embodiment, the host computer 27 includes an imaging camera 81 and a camera image processing unit 82 in addition to the units illustrated in FIG. 3. The imaging camera 81 captures the package two-dimensional code A1 printed on the package P, and the camera image processing unit 82 performs image processing on the captured image to obtain a product code included in the package two-dimensional code A1. . As described above, in the second embodiment, the host computer 27 includes the imaging camera 81 and the camera image processing unit 82, so that the host computer 27 functions as a code reading device that reads a product code.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, in the tape printer 26, the product code is not read, and therefore the box setting unit 38 and the direction switching means 54 of the code reading unit 34 are omitted. That is, the direction of the reflecting mirror 53 is fixed toward the cartridge mounting portion 31 side.

  Next, an information management registration operation by the information management system SY of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, first, the host computer 27 reads the product code of the package P using the imaging camera 81 and the camera image processing unit 82 (S61). Thereafter, the host communication unit 66 transmits the read product code to the information management server 2 (S62).

  On the other hand, the information management server 2 receives the product code from the host computer 27 through the server communication unit 21 (S63). Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, unique ID generation (S64), product information extraction (S65), and unique ID and unique information registration (S66) are performed. When the unique ID and the unique information are registered in the unique information database DB2, the server communication unit 21 transmits the unique ID to the host computer 27 (S67).

  On the other hand, the host computer 27 receives the unique ID from the information management server 2 by the host communication unit 66 (S68), and generates print data for printing the label two-dimensional code A2 of the unique ID (S68). S69). Thereafter, the print data of the generated label two-dimensional code A2 is transmitted to the tape printer 26 by the host communication unit 66 (S70). On the other hand, the tape printer 26 receives the print data of the label two-dimensional code A2 from the host computer 27 by the device communication unit 35 (S71), and the print data is received by the printing unit 32 and the cutting unit 33. Based on this, a sticking label L is created (S72). After creating the affixed label L, the device communication unit 35 transmits a label creation completion notification to the host computer 27 (S73).

  In response to this, the host computer 27 receives a label creation completion notification from the tape printer 26 via the host communication unit 66 (S74), and the printing tape T and ink ribbon R used for creating the attached label L are displayed. The usage amount information indicating the usage amount is transmitted to the information management server 2 together with the unique ID (75). On the other hand, the information management server 2 receives the usage information and the unique ID from the host computer 27 by the server communication unit 21 (S76), and based on the received usage information and the unique ID, the unique information database DB2 The tape remaining amount information and ribbon remaining amount information are updated (S77).

  On the other hand, the host computer 27 displays on the display unit 65 that the sticking label L is stuck on the tape cartridge C (S78). Thereby, the information management registration operation is completed.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, only the part which is different from 2nd Embodiment about the information management system SY concerning 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated. In the information management system SY of the third embodiment, in addition to reading the product code (package two-dimensional code A1), the host computer 27 side also reads the unique ID (label two-dimensional code A2) printed on the attached label L. It has the structure performed by.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the information management system SY of the third embodiment has a configuration in which the code reading unit 34 is omitted in the tape printer 26. Further, in the host computer 27, the imaging two-dimensional code A2 printed on the attached label L is imaged by the imaging camera 81, the image processing is performed on the captured image by the camera image processing unit 82, and the label two-dimensional code A2 is obtained. The unique ID included in is acquired. That is, the imaging camera 81 and the camera image processing unit 82 are configured to be able to read the product code of the package P and the unique ID of the attached label L. In the third embodiment, the “information acquisition device” is configured by the host computer 27.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the label creation operation by the information management system SY of the third embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, first, the host computer 27 reads the unique ID of the label L attached to the tape cartridge C using the imaging camera 81 and the camera image processing unit 82 (S81). After that, the host communication unit 66 transmits the read unique ID to the information management server 2 (S82).

  On the other hand, the information management server 2 receives the unique ID from the host computer 27 by the server communication unit 21 (S83), and the unique information of the tape cartridge C associated with the received unique ID from the unique information database DB2. Is extracted (S84). Thereafter, the server communication unit 21 transmits the extracted unique information of the tape cartridge C to the host computer 27 (S85).

  On the other hand, the host computer 27 receives the unique information of the tape cartridge C from the information management server 2 by the host communication unit 66 (S86), and refers to the remaining tape information and remaining ribbon information in the unique information. Then, it is determined whether the remaining tape amount and the remaining ribbon amount are not 0 (zero) (S87). If the remaining tape amount or remaining ribbon amount is 0 (S87; No), the display unit 65 displays that there is no remaining amount of the print tape T or ink ribbon R (S88). As a result, the label producing operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the remaining tape amount and the remaining ribbon amount are not 0 (S87; Yes), the editing screen G is displayed on the display unit 65 based on the unique information of the tape cartridge C (S89). Thereafter, the process shifts to a text input waiting state by the user (S90).

  When text is input on the editing screen G by the input unit 63 (S90; Yes), print data is generated based on the input text (S91). Thereafter, the generated print data is transmitted to the tape printer 26 by the host communication unit 66 (S92).

  On the other hand, the tape printer 26 receives print data from the host computer 27 through the device communication unit 35 (S93), and creates a label based on the print data through the print unit 32 and the cutting unit 33 (S94). . When the label is created, the device communication unit 35 transmits a label creation completion notice to the host computer 27 (S95).

  In response to this, the host computer 27 receives a label creation completion notification from the tape printer 26 via the host communication unit 66 (S96). When the completion notification is received, the host communication unit 66 transmits usage amount information indicating the usage amount of the printing tape T and the ink ribbon R used for label creation together with the unique ID to the information management server 2 (S97). .

  On the other hand, the information management server 2 receives the usage information and the unique ID from the tape printer 26 by the server communication unit 21 (S98), and based on the received usage information and the unique ID, the unique information database DB2 tape remaining amount information and ribbon remaining amount information are updated (S99). As a result, the label producing operation is terminated.

  According to the configuration of each of the embodiments described above, it is not necessary to use the RFID circuit element, and it is not necessary to assign a unique ID and to create and attach the sticking label L in the manufacturing process. Can be. Moreover, since the unique ID printed on the label L is read and the unique information of the tape cartridge C is obtained from the information management server 2, the information acquisition device (tape printer 26 or host computer 27) can be made inexpensive. can do. Furthermore, since the unique ID can be assigned and the sticking label L can be created and pasted after the sales, information management can be performed for the tape cartridge C that has already been sold. Furthermore, since the information management server 2 receives the product code reading result and assigns the unique ID, the product information obtained based on the product code is assigned to the unique ID when the unique ID is assigned. It can be stored in association.

  Further, since the tape remaining amount information and the ribbon remaining amount information are managed on the information management server 2 and these pieces of information are shared by the plurality of tape printing systems 1, the tape used in an arbitrary tape printer 26 is used. Even in a case where the cartridge C is used in another tape printer 26, the remaining tape amount and the remaining ribbon amount can be accurately obtained. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a label creation error due to the print tape running out or the ink ribbon running out, or damage to the tape printing apparatus 26.

  Furthermore, since the unique ID can be easily read by printing the unique ID as the label two-dimensional code A2, the information acquisition apparatus can be made more inexpensive.

  Furthermore, by using the tape printer 26 as a label producing device for producing the attached label L, it is not necessary to provide a separate label producing device, and the information management system SY can be simplified.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, since the code reading device (code reading unit 34) is incorporated in the tape printer 26, it is not necessary to provide a separate code reading device, and the information management system SY Can be made simpler.

  In the first embodiment, the code reading unit 34 is configured to switch the reading target by driving the direction switching unit 54. However, the code reading unit 34 uses the force when the package P is set. Thus, a configuration having a structure for switching a reading target may be used.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the code reading unit 34 replaces the direction switching unit 54 with the mirror push rod 91 having the positioning pin 43 attached to the tip, and the reflecting mirror 53 by the force from the mirror push rod 91. A rotation means 92 that rotates to a retreat position and a “spindle winding” spring 93 that urges the rotation means 92 to rotate are provided. In addition, when the box setting unit 38 is provided in front of the area sensor 51 and the imaging lens 52 and the reflecting mirror 53 is rotated to the retracted position, the reflected light of the package two-dimensional code A1 of the package P is applied to the imaging lens 52. To be guided. In such a configuration, when the package two-dimensional code A1 (product code) of the package P is read, the positioning pin 43 is pushed by the package P along with the setting of the package P, and the force is applied via the mirror push rod 91. The light is transmitted to the rotating means 92 and the reflecting mirror 53 is rotated to the retracted position. As a result, the reflected light of the package two-dimensional code A1 of the package P is guided to the imaging lens 52, and the package two-dimensional code A1 of the package P can be read. On the other hand, when reading the label two-dimensional code A2 (unique ID) of the sticking label L, the rotating means 92 is rotated by the urging force of the “spiral winding” spring 93, and the reflecting mirror 53 is rotated to the initial position. As a result, the reflecting mirror 53 vertically reflects the reflected light of the label two-dimensional code A2 of the attached label L and guides it to the imaging lens 52 so that the label two-dimensional code A2 of the attached label L can be read.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the information management server 2 uses the tape color information, tape gloss information, tape pattern information, tape initial length information, tape width information, tape material information, tape thickness as unique information of the tape cartridge C. Information, cut characteristic information, ribbon color information, ribbon initial length information, printing condition information, media classification information, tape remaining amount information and ribbon remaining amount information are stored and managed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, in addition to these pieces of information, color gamut information that defines the color gamut of the color information on the printing tape T, color gamut information that defines the color gamut of the ribbon color information, and the color information and the dot size of the printer. It may be configured to manage an ICC profile for color management combining ink shades.

  The information management server 2 may be configured to store and manage remaining usage period information regarding the remaining usage period of the print tape T in addition to the above information as unique information of the tape cartridge C. The printing tape T has a certain period from the use start date as a usable period (effective period). For example, the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer of the printing tape T deteriorates with time from the use start date, and cannot be used by being pasted when the usable expiration date is exceeded. The remaining usage period here indicates the remaining usable period. In such a case, information on the start date of use is transmitted from the tape printer 26 or the host computer 27 to the information management server 2, and based on the information on the start date of use and information on the usable period obtained from the product code. , Manage remaining usage information.

  Furthermore, the configuration may be such that the user can add arbitrary information to the unique information of the tape cartridge C managed by the information management server 2. That is, the information management server 2 may be configured to store and manage additional information input or selected by the user in addition to the above information.

  In each of the above embodiments, the unique ID is printed as a two-dimensional code (label two-dimensional code A2). However, the unique ID may be printed as a barcode. In addition, the unique ID may be printed as a character string.

  In each of the above embodiments, the product code is printed as a two-dimensional code (package two-dimensional code A1). However, the product code may be printed as a barcode. Eventually, the product code may be printed in a character string.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the product code (package two-dimensional code A1) is printed on the package P of the tape cartridge C, and this is read to apply for information management. The product code may be printed (formed), and this may be read to apply for information management.

  In each of the above embodiments, the tape printer 26 is also used as a label creation device for creating the attached label L. However, a label that produces only the attached label L separately from the tape printer 26. A configuration in which a creation apparatus is newly provided may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the unique information of the tape cartridge C acquired from the information management server 2 is used for determining the remaining amount of the print tape T and the ink ribbon R and displaying the edit screen G. However, the configuration may be such that the acquired unique information of the tape cartridge C is used for the print setting of the tape printer 26.

  Furthermore, in each said embodiment, although the sticking label L which can be affixed on the tape cartridge C was created as a label which printed unique ID, if it is an attachment label by which unique ID is printed and attached to the tape cartridge C, This is not a limitation. For example, an arrangement may be made in which a unique tag is printed and an attachment tag that can be attached to the tape cartridge C is created.

  Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the information management of the tape cartridge C. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the information management of the print medium unit used in the printing apparatus is performed. For example, the present invention may be applied to information management of a roll paper unit having roll paper. In such a case, the sticking label is attached to the shaft portion (shaft bar) of the roll paper or the frame portion that supports the shaft portion.

  2: information management server, 26: tape printer, 27: host computer, 32: printing unit, 33: cutting unit, 34: code reading unit, 35: device communication unit, 66: host communication unit, 81: imaging camera, 82: Camera image processing unit, C: Tape cartridge, L: Label attached, P: Package, R: Ink ribbon, SY: Information management system, T: Printing tape

Claims (8)

An information management system for managing information of individual print medium units used in a printing apparatus,
A code reader for reading a product code formed on a package of the print medium unit or the print medium unit;
An information management server that receives a reading result by the code reader and assigns a unique ID to the print medium unit that has read the product code, and performs information management of the print medium unit by the unique ID;
A label producing device for producing a label attached to the print medium unit by printing the unique ID assigned to the print medium unit;
An information management system comprising: an information acquisition device that reads the unique ID printed on the label and obtains information of a print medium unit to which the read unique ID is assigned from the information management server. system.   The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the information management server manages remaining amount information of a print medium provided in the print medium unit and / or remaining usage period information of the print medium.   The information management server includes dimension information, background color information, material information, thickness information, pattern information and gloss information, and ink ribbon dimension information obtained from the reading result in the print medium unit. The information management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the color information is managed.   The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the label creating apparatus prints the unique ID as a code image.   The information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the label producing device is the printing device in which the print medium unit is used.   The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the label creating device includes the code reading device.   The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the print medium unit is a tape cartridge containing a print tape and an ink ribbon. A label creation device of an information management system for managing information of individual print medium units used in a printing device by a unique ID,
A code reading unit for reading a product code formed on a package of the print medium unit or the print medium unit;
A label creating unit that receives the result of reading by the code reading unit and prints the unique ID assigned to the print medium unit by the information management server in a readable manner, and creates a label attached to the print medium unit; An information management system label creating apparatus comprising:

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