JP2016047638A - Label issuing device and label issuing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label issuing device capable of surely printing specific information to be printed on a label.SOLUTION: When print data associated with the identification information of a label scheduled to be issued is printed on a label R located at the head of a label continuous body PR, the label R located at the head is transferred to the reading position of a scanner 20, and identification information stored in the identification part of the label R is read by the scanner 20. When the read identification information matches the identification information of the label R scheduled to be issued, the label R located at the head is transferred to a printing part P, and print data associated with the identification information of the label R scheduled to be issued is printed on the label R located at the head.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for surely printing specific information on a label to be printed.

  Assign unique identification information (serial number, lot number, slip number, etc.) to each management target such as products and packages, and attach or attach a label with identification information to the management target. It is common practice to manage things.

  Depending on the mode of management, you may want to print information (specifications, manufacturing date, inspection date, address, etc.) associated with the identification information on the label on which the identification information is written. From the viewpoint of preventing counterfeiting, it is required to reliably print information associated with identification information on a label on which the identification information is described.

  Patent Document 1 is known as a technique for confirming whether printing has been performed reliably. According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, information (barcode) printed on a label is read by a scanner, and the information to be printed is verified by collating the information to be printed with the read information. A check is made to see if the label is printed correctly.

JP 2000-238390 A

  However, with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, even though the identity between the information to be printed and the printed information can be confirmed, the information to be printed is printed on the label on which the information is to be printed. I can't confirm until.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a label issuing device capable of reliably printing specific information on a label on which the information is to be printed.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label issuing device for printing on a label continuum configured by connecting a plurality of labels, each of the plurality of labels having an identification unit storing identification information. The label issuing device is arranged downstream of the printing unit for printing the label continuum, the transfer unit for transferring the label continuum, and reads the identification information stored in the identification unit. When the print data related to the identification information of the possible scanner and the label to be issued is printed on the label positioned at the head of the label continuum, the label positioned at the head is read by the transfer unit by the transfer unit. The identification information stored in the identification unit of the label located at the head is read by the scanner, and the read identification information is scheduled to be issued If the label identification information coincides with the label, the label located at the head is reversely transported to the print section by the transport section, and the print data related to the identification information of the label to be issued is located at the head. And a control means configured to print on the label to be printed by the printing unit.

  According to the above aspect, since the printing is performed after confirming that the identification information of the label located at the head matches the identification information of the label to be issued, the label is associated with the identification information of the label to be issued. It is possible to reliably print the print data on the label to be printed.

  In addition, by arranging the scanner downstream of the printing unit, the identification information of the label located at the head can be read even if the scanner is arranged at a position away from the printing unit, and the degree of freedom of installation of the scanner is increased. There are advantages.

It is a schematic block diagram of the label issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of a label continuum. It is the flowchart which showed the processing content of the management computer. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of a print controller. It is the figure which showed a mode that a label was issued. It is a partial modification of embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a label issuing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The label issuing device 100 includes a printing device 10 that transfers and prints a label R (label continuous body RR), a scanner 20 that reads identification information from the label R, a management of the label R to be issued, and the printing device 10 and the scanner 20. It is comprised with the management computer 30 which performs control.

  The printing device 10 is a device that heats the label R on the label continuum RR and prints desired characters, figures, and the like on the label R. As shown in FIG. 2, the label continuum RR is formed by connecting a plurality of labels R. In this example, the label R made of thermal paper is attached to the belt-like mount M so as to be peeled at equal intervals. Roll label. Each label R has an identification unit ID. In this example, the identification unit ID is a two-dimensional code printed in advance on each label R by a printing device different from the printing device 10. In addition, identification information such as a serial number, a lot number, and a slip number is stored.

  Similar to a general thermal printer, the printing apparatus 10 includes a supply shaft 11 on which a roll of the label continuous body RR is set, a guide roller 12 that guides the label continuous body RR, and a label R on the label continuous body RR. A thermal head 13 that prints on the head, a head unit 14 that holds the thermal head 13, a platen roller 15 that presses the label continuum RR against the thermal head 13 and transfers the label continuum RR, and drives the platen roller 15. A drive motor 16, a cutter 17 that cuts the label continuum RR, a label position sensor 18 that detects the position of the label continuum RR, and a print controller 19 that controls the thermal head 13, the drive motor 16, and the cutter 17 are provided. .

  The head unit 14 is configured to be swingable about a swing shaft 14s, and has a closed position (solid line) where the label continuous body RR is sandwiched between the thermal head 13 and the platen roller 15 to form the printing portion P. The open position (broken line) where the thermal head 13 is separated from the label continuum RR and the platen roller 15 can be switched.

  When the thermal head 13 is energized while the head unit 14 is in the closed position, the label R on the label continuum RR is heated by the thermal head 13, and the label R self-colors, whereby desired characters, figures, etc. are labeled R Is printed. Further, when the platen roller 15 is rotated by the drive motor 16 in the same state, the label continuous body RR can be transferred upstream or downstream. In the following description, transferring the label continuous body RR downstream is simply expressed as “transfer”, and transferring upstream is expressed as “reverse transfer”.

  The label position sensor 18 is a reflective photoelectric sensor that detects a position detection eye mark printed in advance at a predetermined interval on the back surface of the label continuum RR. The label position sensor 18 is used to detect the position of the label R relative to the thermal head 13, the cutter 17, and the scanner 20, particularly the position of the label R positioned at the head of the label continuum RR.

  A thermal head 13, a drive motor 16, a cutter 17, a label position sensor 18, and a management computer 30 are connected to the print controller 19. When the print controller 19 receives print data from the management computer 30, the print controller 19 controls the thermal head 13, the drive motor 16 and the cutter 17 to print on the label R located at the head of the label continuous body RR and to label the label R. Cut and separate from the continuous body RR and issue printed labels R one by one.

  The scanner 20 includes a camera 21 and an image processing unit 22 and is disposed downstream of the printing unit P of the printing apparatus 10. In this example, the scanner 20 is a general-purpose scanner independent of the printing apparatus 10 and is disposed outside the casing of the printing apparatus 10.

  The camera 21 is a CCD camera or a CMOS camera. When the scanner 20 receives a scan instruction from the management computer 30, the camera 21 captures the identification part ID of the label R arranged in front of the camera 21. Then, the scanner 20 automatically recognizes the identification unit ID included in the photographed image by the image processing unit 22, reads the identification information stored in the identification unit ID, and transmits the read identification information to the management computer 30. To do.

  The management computer 30 is a computer that manages the label R to be issued. The management computer 30 has a list in which the identification information of the label R to be issued is listed and print data (specifications, manufacturing date, inspection date, address, etc.) associated with each identification information. Print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 10 so that printing is performed in order from R.

  At this time, in order to prevent erroneous issuance, forgery, etc. of the label R, the management computer 30 will make sure that the print data associated with the identification information is printed on the label R on which the identification information is written. The identification information stored in the identification part ID of the label R to be printed (the label R located at the head of the label continuum RR) is read by the scanner 20, and the read identification information is compared with the identification information of the label R to be issued I do.

  The management computer 30 transmits the print data associated with the identification information to the printing device 10 only when it is confirmed that the label R to be printed is the label R to be issued, so that printing is performed. To.

  The specific operation of the label issuing apparatus 100 will be further described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 3 shows the processing contents of the management computer 30.

  According to this, the management computer 30 determines whether or not there is a label issue request, and waits until it determines that there is a label issue request (step S11). A label issuance request is received when an operator presses a specific key of the management computer 30 or the printing apparatus 10 or when an issuance button displayed on the screen of the management computer 30 is clicked. It is judged as “Yes” in such a case.

  When determining that there is a label issue request, the management computer 30 acquires the identification information of the label R to be issued from the list, and advances the process from step S11 to step S12.

  In step S12, the management computer 30 reads the identification information of the label R located at the head of the label continuum RR. Specifically, the management computer 30 transmits a scan instruction to the scanner 20 to cause the scanner 20 to read the identification information of the label R positioned at the head of the label continuum RR, and receives the result from the scanner 20.

  As will be described later, when the label R issuance is completed, the label R, which will be positioned next to the head of the label continuum RR, is transferred to the reading position of the scanner 20, so that in step S12, the label continuum RR is renewed. However, it may be configured that the label R positioned at the head of the label continuum RR is transferred to the reading position of the scanner 20 after it is determined that there is a label issue request.

  In step S13, the management computer 30 determines whether the identification information of the label R located at the head of the label continuum RR matches the identification information of the label R to be issued. If the two match, the management computer 30 advances the process from step S13 to step S14, and transmits the print data associated with the identification information of the label R to be issued to the print controller 19 of the printing apparatus 10 for processing. Is returned to step S11.

  On the other hand, if they do not match, the management computer 30 advances the process from step S13 to step S15, issues an error, and terminates the process without printing on the label R. The error notification mode is such that a message or image is displayed on the display of the management computer 30 or the printing apparatus 10, and a lamp provided on the casing of the printing apparatus 10 is turned on or blinked. It may be in various modes such as generating a sound or a warning sound.

  FIG. 4 shows the processing contents of the print controller 19.

  According to this, the print controller 19 determines whether print data has been received from the management computer 30, and waits until the print data is received (step S21). As described above, the print data is data associated with the identification information of the label R to be issued, and the identification information of the label R located at the head of the label continuum RR matches the identification information of the label R to be issued. Only from the management computer 30 to the print controller 19. If it is determined that the print data has been received from the management computer 30, the print controller 19 advances the process from step S21 to step S22.

  In step S <b> 22, the print controller 19 reversely rotates the platen roller 15 to reversely transfer the label R located at the head of the label continuous body RR to the printing unit P.

  In step S23, the print controller 19 energizes the thermal head 13 according to the print data and rotates the platen roller 15 by the drive motor 16 to transfer the label continuum RR, and the label positioned at the head of the label continuum RR. Print the received print data on R.

  In step S <b> 24, the print controller 19 rotates the platen roller 15 by the drive motor 16 to move the boundary between the label R positioned at the head of the label continuum RR and the label R positioned next to the position of the cutter 17. Let

  In step S25, the print controller 19 operates the cutter 17 to separate the label R located at the head of the label continuum RR from the label continuum RR, and the label R located at the head of the label continuum RR is a single label. Issue as R.

  In step S26, the print controller 19 further rotates the platen roller 15 by the drive motor 16 to transfer the label R, which is newly positioned at the head of the label continuous body RR, to the reading position of the scanner 20, and performs processing. Return to step S21.

  FIG. 5 shows a state where the label R is issued by the label issuing device 100. In FIG. 5, each label R is numbered [1] to [5] in order from the top so that it is easy to see how the label continuum RR is transferred.

  When there is a request for issuing label R, first, identification information of label R (label R of number [1]) positioned at the head of label continuum RR is read by scanner 20, and the read identification information and the issuance schedule are issued. The identification information of label R is collated (state A).

  If the two match, the label continuum RR is reversely transferred (state A → state B), and the label R located at the head of the label continuum RR is placed on the printing portion P (state B).

  Then, the print data associated with the identification information of the label R to be issued is printed on the label R located at the head of the label continuum RR (state B → state C), and when printing is completed, the print data is placed at the head of the label continuum RR. The boundary portion between the label R and the next label R is transferred to the position of the cutter 17 (state C → state D), and the label R located at the head of the label continuous body RR is cut and separated by the cutter 17 ( State D).

  Then, the label R (the label R with the number [2]) newly positioned at the head of the label continuum RR is transferred to the reading position of the scanner 20 (state D → state E).

  The label issuing device 100 repeats the operations of the state (A) to the state (E) every time one label R is issued.

  From the viewpoint of preventing forgery of the label, if the head unit 14 is moved to the open position during the above-described operation, the label R to be printed may be replaced during or after printing. The label R to be issued is preferably prohibited from being issued.

  Then, the effect by this embodiment is demonstrated.

  According to this embodiment, when printing data related to the identification information of the label R to be issued is printed on the label R positioned at the head of the label continuum RR, the label R positioned at the head reaches the reading position of the scanner 20. The identification information stored in the identification unit ID of the transported label R located at the head is read by the scanner 20.

  Then, when the read identification information matches the identification information of the label R scheduled to be issued, the label R located at the head is reversely transferred to the printing unit P, and the printing related to the identification information of the label R scheduled to be issued Data is printed on the label R located at the head.

  According to this process, printing is performed after confirming that the identification information of the label R positioned at the head matches the identification information of the label R scheduled to be issued. The associated print data can be reliably printed on the label R to be printed, that is, the label R in which the identification information identical to the identification information of the label R to be issued is stored in the identification unit ID. is there.

  Further, since the scanner 20 is arranged downstream of the printing unit P, it is necessary to transfer the label R to the reading position of the scanner 20 and reversely transfer the label R to the printing unit P. Even if the scanner 20 is arranged at a position away from the printing part P, the identification information of the label R located at the head can be read, and there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of installation of the scanner 20 is increased.

  On the other hand, when the scanner 20 is arranged upstream of the printing portion P, the label R positioned at the head does not fall off from the printing portion P (the state in which the label R is held between the thermal head 13 and the platen roller 15 can be maintained. Since the label R can only be reversely transferred within the range (range), it is necessary to arrange the scanner 20 in the immediate vicinity of the printing portion P, and the degree of freedom of installation of the scanner 20 as in this embodiment cannot be expected.

  Furthermore, according to this configuration, the scanner 20 can be disposed outside the casing of the printing apparatus 10, and the printing apparatus 10 and the scanner 20 can be configured as separate apparatuses. This means that the label issuing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can be configured by combining a general-purpose printing apparatus and a general-purpose scanner. Compared with the case where the scanner 20 is incorporated in the printing apparatus 10, the label issuing apparatus 100. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the above embodiment is merely one example of application of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is limited to the specific configuration of the above embodiment. is not.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a set of a printing apparatus 10 and a scanner 20 is connected to a plurality of management computers 30 via a LAN, and each prints on a label R positioned at the head of a plurality of continuous label bodies RR. In this case, in addition to the read identification information and the identification information of the label R to be issued matching, the fact that the read identification information matches each other may be added as a condition for printing. .

  By adding such a condition, when there are a plurality of labels R corresponding to specific identification information and it is necessary to print the print data associated with the specific identification information on each label R, it is ensured as such. Can be printed.

  Further, the identification information of the label R to be issued is acquired from the list. However, if the identification information is a serial number such as a serial number, the management computer 30 may automatically generate the identification information.

  Moreover, although the roll label which stuck the some label R on the strip | belt-shaped mount M so that peeling is possible is used as label continuous body RR, label continuous body RR is not limited to this, The surface is a peeling surface and a back surface It may be a linerless label (roll label without mount) which is an adhesive surface.

  The label R may be a label that does not have an adhesive surface. In this case, the label continuous body RR is roll paper or fanfold paper that does not have an adhesive surface.

  In addition, a two-dimensional code is used as the identification unit ID, but the identification unit ID is not limited to this, and a one-dimensional code (barcode), an identification code that expresses information using a color array, an RF tag, or the like It may be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus 11 Supply shaft 12 Guide roller 13 Thermal head (printing part)
14 Head unit 15 Platen roller (printing unit, transfer unit)
16 Drive motor 17 Cutter 18 Label position sensor 19 Print controller (control means)
20 Scanner 21 Camera 22 Image Processing Unit 30 Management Computer (Control Unit)
100 Label issuing device ID identification part P printing part R label M mount RR label continuum

Claims (5)

A label issuing device that prints on a continuous label composed of a plurality of labels,
Each of the plurality of labels has an identification unit storing identification information,
The label issuing device
A printing unit for printing on the label continuum;
A transfer unit for transferring the label continuum;
A scanner that is arranged downstream of the printing unit and capable of reading the identification information stored in the identification unit;
When printing the print data related to the identification information of the label to be issued on the label positioned at the head of the label continuum, the label positioned at the head is transferred to the reading position of the scanner by the transfer unit, The identification information stored in the identification unit of the label located at the head is read by the scanner, and the label located at the head when the read identification information matches the identification information of the label to be issued Control means configured to reversely transfer the print data to the print unit by the transfer unit and print the print data related to the identification information of the label to be issued on the label located at the head by the print unit; ,
A label issuing device comprising: The label issuing device according to claim 1,
The printing unit and the transfer unit are arranged in the same housing,
The scanner is disposed outside the housing;
A label issuing device. The label issuing device according to claim 1 or 2,
A plurality of sets of the label continuum, the printing unit, the transfer unit and the scanner;
The control means includes
When the identification information read by each scanner coincides with the identification information of the label to be issued, the label positioned at the head of each label continuum is transferred to each transfer unit. The print data related to the identification information of the label to be issued is printed on a label located at the head of each label continuum by each print unit.
A label issuing device. A label issuing method for printing print data related to identification information of a label to be issued on a label positioned at the head of a label continuum configured by connecting a plurality of labels,
Transfer the label located at the head to the reading position of the scanner arranged downstream of the printing unit,
The identification information stored in the identification part of the label located at the head is read by the scanner,
When the read identification information matches the identification information of the label to be issued, the label located at the head is reversely transferred to the printing unit and related to the identification information of the label to be issued Printing the print data on the label located at the head by the printing unit;
A label issuing method characterized by including: The label issuing method according to claim 4,
There are a plurality of the label continuums,
The printing is performed when the identification information read from the label identification unit located at the head of each label continuum matches each other and matches the identification information of the label to be issued,
A label issuing method characterized by the above.

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