JP2020001209A - Inspection system and inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to get the inspected label in a shorter time than before when an 100% inspection is performed on the printed contents of a printed label.SOLUTION: An inspection system comprises a printer having a storage unit for storing printing information including the content to be printed on each of a plurality of printing media, and a printing unit for printing the printing information stored by the storage unit on printing media and an inspection device for inspecting the pass/fail of the printed result for each of the printing media printed by the printer. The inspection device outputs a printing instruction for the (N+M)th print medium to said printer when a pass/fail inspection result for the Nth print medium among the plurality of print media is obtained, then the printer prints on the (N + M)th print medium after receiving the print instruction from the inspection device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection system and an inspection method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a printer configured to receive the number of print media, such as labels, issued by a user and print the print media of the received number of prints (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-284955 A

By the way, in a specific field, for example, a medical field, the printing content of a label (printing medium) affixed to the packaging of pharmaceuticals or the like requires strict accuracy. For this reason, it is customary to perform a 100% inspection on the printed label as to whether there is any defect in the printed content of the label.
However, printing labels one by one and performing 100% inspection on the printed labels takes time, and there is a problem in that it is not possible to obtain inspected labels in a short time. The amount of information to be printed on the label tends to increase in the future, and this problem may become more apparent.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to obtain an inspected label in a shorter time than in the past when performing a 100% inspection on the printed content of a printed label.

  One embodiment of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores printing information including contents to be printed on each of a plurality of printing media, and a printing unit that prints the printing information stored by the storage unit on the printing medium. A printer, and an inspection device for inspecting the pass / fail of a print result for each print medium printed by the printer, wherein the inspection device determines whether the pass / fail inspection result for the Nth print medium among the plurality of print media is satisfied. If obtained, the printing on the (N + M) th printing medium is output to the printer, and the printer prints on the (N + M) th printing medium after receiving the printing instruction from the checking device. is there.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a 100% inspection is performed on the printed content of a printed label, the inspected label can be obtained in a shorter time than before.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an inspection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of continuous paper used in the inspection system according to the embodiment. Each of FIGS. 3A to 3D is a diagram illustrating an example of an NG label. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary imaging device (open state) used in the inspection system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the imaging device of FIG. 4. It is a block diagram of an inspection system concerning an embodiment. It is a figure showing the example of a screen displayed by the inspection system concerning an embodiment. 8A and 8B are diagrams each showing an example of a screen displayed by the inspection system according to the embodiment. 9A and 9B are diagrams each showing an example of a screen displayed by the inspection system according to the embodiment. 5 is a sequence chart of the inspection system according to the embodiment. 5 is a sequence chart of the inspection system according to the embodiment. Each of FIGS. 12A to 12D is a diagram showing a state in which the NG stamp is imprinted on the NG label, and corresponds to FIGS. 3A to 3D, respectively. It is a figure explaining the composition of the stamp concerning the modification of an embodiment. FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are diagrams each showing a seal imprint of a stamp according to a modification of the embodiment. FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are diagrams each showing a seal imprint of a stamp according to a modification of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an inspection system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) System Overview Hereinafter, an inspection system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an inspection system 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the continuous paper CP used in the inspection system 1 according to the embodiment. Each of FIGS. 3A to 3D is a diagram illustrating an example of an NG label.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the inspection system 1 includes a management device 2 (an example of an information processing device), a printer 3, an imaging device 4, an inspection processing device 5, and a winding device 6. The management device 2 and the printer 3 are connected by a wiring C1. The management device 2 and the inspection processing device 5 are connected by a wiring C2. The imaging device 4 and the inspection processing device 5 are connected by a wiring C3. The printer 3 and the imaging device 4 are connected by a wiring C4. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a case where each device communicates by wire, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the communication of each unit may be performed wirelessly.
The printer 3 and the imaging device 4 are mounted on a table 100 having a rail 100a. The imaging device 4 can move back and forth on the rail 100a, and can be fixedly arranged at an appropriate position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the continuous paper CP includes a band-shaped backing paper PM, and a plurality of labels PL temporarily attached to the backing paper PM at predetermined intervals. The continuous paper CP is accommodated in the printer 3 in a state of roll paper wound in a roll shape, and is pulled out from the roll paper when printing is performed. It should be noted that the fact that the print medium is accommodated in a roll paper state is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.
The label PL (an example of a printing medium) is affixed to, for example, a package of a medicine, and the printed content requires strict accuracy. For this reason, in the inspection system 1, immediately before performing an inspection as to whether or not the print content of the label PL is appropriate (inspection in an inspection mode described later), an inspection is performed to determine whether or not the inspection device that performs the inspection is functioning normally. (Inspection in a preparation mode described later) is performed.

In the inspection system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the printer 3 prints and issues the label PL. The issued label PL is transported to the imaging device 4. In the imaging device 4, image data of the print content of the label PL is generated and transmitted to the inspection processing device 5. The inspection processing device 5 inspects the print content of the label based on the image data.
That is, in the inspection system 1, the inspection of the printed label is performed by the imaging device 4 and the inspection processing device 5. In the present embodiment, the imaging device 4 and the inspection processing device 5 constitute an example of an inspection device.

The inspection performed by the imaging device 4 and the inspection processing device 5 determines whether the printing result printed on the label PL satisfies a predetermined condition. Specifically, it is checked whether or not the characters included in the print content are recognizable, and the print content (for example, “article name”, “expiration date”, and “serial number” in FIG. 2) is identical to the regular data. Includes matching. Further, the inspections performed by the imaging device 4 and the inspection processing device 5 include an inspection of the presence or absence of the label PL on the backing paper PM and an inspection of whether there is an abnormality such as the presence or absence of printing of the label PL.
The inspection processing device 5 notifies the management device 2 of the inspection result. The winder 6 is configured to wind the continuous paper CP that has passed through the imaging device 4 into a roll.

3A to 3D show examples of different types of NG labels corresponding to the regular labels (also referred to as “OK labels”) shown in FIG. The NG label means a label whose print content is not appropriate (that is, a label that fails the inspection).
Specifically, FIG. 3A is an example of an NG label caused by an error in the product name (the location indicated by the defect d1; more correctly, “drug A # 03”). FIG. 3B is an example of an NG label due to an error in the expiration date (a location indicated by the defect d2; more correctly, “2018/8/15”). FIG. 3C is an example of an NG label caused by a state where a part of a barcode is missing (a location indicated by a defect d3). FIG. 3D is an example of an NG label caused by an abnormal symbol or mark being added to a part of a barcode (a location indicated by a defect d4).
In the inspection system 1 of the present embodiment, each of the NG labels in FIGS. 3A to 3D is inspected by the imaging device 4 and the inspection processing device 5 and determined as “inspection NG” (described later).

(2) Configuration of Imaging Apparatus 4 Next, the configuration of the imaging apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary imaging device 4 used in the inspection system 1 according to the embodiment in an open state. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the imaging device 4 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the imaging device 4 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and includes an upper housing 40U and a lower housing 40L. As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging device 4 is operated with the upper housing 40U and the lower housing 40L closed. In this state, a receiving port 410 for receiving the continuous paper CP discharged from the printer 3 and a continuous paper discharged from the imaging device 4 toward the winder 6 are provided between the upper housing 40U and the lower housing 40L. A CP outlet 411 is formed.

The lower housing 40L includes drive rollers 401F and 401R for transporting the continuous paper CP in the direction from the receiving port 410 to the discharge port 411 inside the imaging device 4, and a driven roller 402F that is driven to rotate with respect to each drive roller. , 402R. The drive rollers 401F and 401R are connected to a gear mechanism (not shown) for transmitting the rotation of the motor 47. The imaging unit 405 is disposed between the drive rollers 401F and 401R on the upper housing 40U side so as to face the print surface of the label PL.
Since the drive rollers 401F and 401R are arranged before and after the imaging unit 405 in the transport path of the continuous paper CP, the continuous paper CP is transported in a stable state, and a stable image can be obtained.

In the transport path of the continuous paper CP, an imprint portion 45 is provided downstream of the position of the imaging unit 405. The stamping section 45 includes a stamp 451 and a stamp driving section 452, and is arranged on the upper housing 40U so as to face the printing surface of the label PL.
In the present embodiment, the stamp 451 is a rubber seal for indicating that the inspection by the inspection processing device 5 has failed, and is detachable (hereinafter, also referred to as “NG stamp”). The stamp 451 is configured to be movable in a horizontal direction (a direction parallel to the printing surface of the label PL) and a vertical direction (a direction orthogonal to the printing surface) by the stamp driving unit 452.

  The circuit board 407 is disposed on the upper housing 40U. A control unit 41, a storage unit 42, and the like, which will be described later, are mounted on the circuit board 407. In FIG. 5, a dotted line conceptually shows that the circuit board 407 and each part are electrically connected.

(3) Electrical Configuration of Each Unit Included in Inspection System 1 Next, an electrical configuration of each unit included in the inspection system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

(3-1) Management device 2
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the management device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation input unit 23, a display unit 24, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 25. The communication interface 25 communicates with each of the printer 3 and the inspection processing device 5.
The management device 2 is, for example, a device such as a personal computer and a tablet computer.

  The control unit 21 mainly includes a microprocessor, and controls the entire management device 2. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 21 loads and executes the management program recorded in the storage unit 22. The processing performed by executing the management program includes, for example, the following processing (a-1) to (a-6).

(a-1) Search labels in the database for labels to be printed according to user operations
(a-2) To determine the print content to be printed on the label according to the user operation
(a-3) To generate print information that specifies print content and label layout
(a-4) Send printing information to be printed on each label to the printer 3
(a-5) Receiving inspection results from inspection processing device 5
(a-6) Displaying the inspection result on the display unit 24

The display unit 24 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel having a touch input function, and displays an execution result of the management program. In this case, the touch input function of the display unit 24 forms a part of the operation input unit 23.
The communication interface 25 communicates with at least one of the printer 3 and the inspection processing device 5.

  The storage unit 22 is a nonvolatile memory, and may be, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) such as a flash memory. The storage unit 22 stores a label database in addition to the management program. In the label database, each record is data including fields of “item code”, “item name”, “label name”, and “label layout”, and each record is information for specifying a label to be inspected.

(3-2) Printer 3
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 3 includes a control unit 31, a transport unit 32, a printing unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 35. The communication interface 35 communicates with the management device 2 and the imaging device 4. The printer 3 contains roll paper on which the continuous paper CP is wound.
The printer 3 may be a stationary printer or a portable printer.

  The control unit 31 mainly includes a microprocessor, and controls the entire printer 3. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 31 implements various functions by loading and executing firmware recorded in the storage unit 34. For example, the control unit 31 generates print data based on the print information received from the management device 2 and controls the transport unit 32 and the print unit 33 for printing.

  The storage unit 34 is a non-volatile memory, and may be, for example, an SSD such as a flash memory. In the storage unit 34, in addition to the above-described firmware, various types of data corresponding to the label layout included in the print information transmitted from the management device 2 are recorded.

  In the printer 3 of the present embodiment, when printing a predetermined number of labels, the control unit 31 preferably receives the printing information corresponding to all the labels to be printed, collectively from the management device 2, and stores the printing information. It is stored in the unit 34. Then, the control unit 31 receives a label issuance instruction (an example of a print instruction) for each label from the imaging device 4 and performs printing and issuance.

  The transport unit 32 includes a platen roller (not shown), a motor drive circuit, and a stepping motor, and transports continuous paper in the printer 3. For example, based on a transport request from the control unit 31, the motor drive circuit drives a stepping motor that controls the rotation of the platen roller to transport the continuous paper.

When printing on the label PL based on the print data, the control unit 31 reads data in a format corresponding to the label layout from the storage unit 34. The control unit 31 generates print data by embedding character information and / or a barcode included in the print information in the read data, and sequentially prints line data, which is data for each line of the print data, in the print unit 33. Send to
The printing unit 33 includes a thermal head and a head drive circuit (not shown). The thermal head sandwiches the continuous paper with the platen roller. The head drive circuit performs printing by selectively supplying a current to each heating element of the thermal head based on line data sequentially transmitted by the control unit 31.

(3-3) Imaging device 4
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the imaging device 4 (an example of an image acquisition unit) includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, an optical mechanism 43, an image sensor 44, a stamp unit 45, a motor 47, and a communication interface (communication I / O). F) 48 is provided.

The imaging device 4 has a function of receiving the continuous paper CP issued from the printer 3, obtaining an image of the printing surface of each label PL included in the continuous paper CP, and sequentially transmitting the image data to the inspection processing device 5. . When receiving a seal instruction from the inspection processing device 5 for a specific label, the imaging device 4 has a function of stamping the label.
The control unit 41 is mainly configured by a microprocessor, and controls the entire imaging device 4 to realize each of the above functions.
For example, when acquiring the image of each label PL, the control unit 41 controls so that the position of the gap between the adjacent labels PL and the position of the image sensor 44 are matched, and then the acquisition of the image is started. When acquiring the image data of each label PL from the image sensor 44, the control unit 41 sequentially transmits the image data to the inspection processing device 5 via the communication interface 48.
When receiving the stamping instruction from the inspection processing device 5, the control unit 41 provides the stamp driving unit 452 with a stamping instruction including information on a position to be stamped on the label PL (referred to as “stamping position information”).
When receiving the label issuing instruction from the inspection processing device 5, the control unit 41 transmits the label issuing instruction to the printer 3.

The optical mechanism 43 includes a light source and one or more optical lenses. The optical mechanism 43 is configured such that the light emitted from the light source irradiates the printing surface of the label PL, and the reflected light forms an image on the image sensor 44.
The image sensor 44 is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type line sensor or area sensor. The image sensor 44 is preferably a line sensor in that a high-resolution image can be obtained. Further, the stamp 451 (described later) must be arranged at a position outside the range of the viewing angle of the image sensor. However, since the line sensor has a relatively narrow viewing angle, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the stamp 451 can be increased. There is also the advantage of being able to do it. In addition, if the line sensor is used to adjust the viewing angle and resolution according to the label size (longitudinal direction and width direction), there is no need to adjust the viewing angle and resolution particularly in the longitudinal direction (transfer direction of the label PL), and there is no limitation. There is also an advantage.
The image sensor 44 converts the reflected light into an electric signal representing the intensity of light.

The stamp 45 includes a stamp 451 and a stamp driving unit 452, as shown in FIG. When receiving the stamping instruction including the stamping position information from the control unit 41, the stamping unit 45 drives the stamp driving unit 452 to stamp the label PL on the continuous paper CP with the stamp 451.
The stamp drive unit 452 moves the stamp 451 in the horizontal direction (that is, the direction parallel to the printing surface of the label PL) and moves the stamp 451 in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the printing surface) based on the stamp position information. Let it.
The driving method of the stamp driving unit 452 may be any method as long as the stamp 451 can be moved to an arbitrary position in the horizontal direction and the stamp 451 can be moved in the vertical direction. The stamp position information may be defined by polar coordinates with a predetermined position as the origin. For example, the stamp driving unit 452 may include a control device and a servomotor for positioning the stamp 451 at a desired position in the horizontal direction.

The motor 47 is an actuator for rotationally driving the drive rollers 401F and 401R. The rotation speed of the motor 47 is controlled by the control unit 41.
The communication interface 48 communicates with at least one of the printer 3 and the inspection processing device 5.

(3-4) Inspection processing device 5
As shown in FIG. 6, the inspection processing device 5 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, an operation input unit 53, a display unit 54, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 55. The storage unit 52 is a nonvolatile memory, for example, an SSD such as a flash memory. The communication interface 55 communicates with at least one of the management device 2 and the imaging device 4.

The inspection processing device 5 performs an inspection based on the image data of each label transmitted from the imaging device 4, and “inspection OK” (inspection passed), “inspection NG” (inspection failed), “no label”, “ One of the inspection results of “no printing” is transmitted to the management device 2.
The inspection processing device 5 is, for example, a device such as a personal computer and a tablet computer.

The control unit 51 is mainly configured by a microprocessor, and controls the entire inspection processing device 5 to inspect each label. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 51 loads and executes the inspection program recorded in the storage unit 52.
The display unit 54 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel having a touch input function, and displays an execution result of the inspection program. In this case, the touch input function of the display unit 54 forms a part of the operation input unit 53.
The processing performed by executing the inspection program includes, for example, the following processing (b-1) to (b-4).

(b-1) Inspection of each label based on image data obtained from the imaging device 4
(b-2) Sending the inspection result of each label to the management device 2
(b-3) When the inspection result of the label is “inspection NG”, transmitting an imprint instruction for imprinting an NG stamp on the label to the imaging device 4.
(b-4) sending a label issuing instruction for issuing a new label to the printer 3 via the imaging device 4

The processing (b-1) and the processing (b-2) are specifically performed as follows.
The control unit 51 extracts (cuts out) character information from the image data of each label in units of one character, and performs a character recognition process. At this time, if the character cannot be recognized due to a missing character or a line overlapping the character, the inspection is determined to have failed. In addition, the control unit 51 may recognize the printed ruled line, frame line, and the like, and may determine that the inspection has failed if there is any fading or broken line. The control unit 51 further performs a process of cutting out a barcode from the image data and extracting data from the cutout barcode.
The control unit 51 determines whether the character recognized from the image data and the barcode extracted from the barcode are legitimate data (that is, determines whether the print result is acceptable or not). The control unit 51 is an example of a determination unit. In performing this determination, the control unit 51 previously receives verification data (regular character data and regular data to be extracted from a barcode) from the management device 2 via the communication interface 55 and stores the verification data. To record. The control unit 51 reads the verification data from the storage unit 52 when making the above determination, and checks the read verification data against the characters recognized from the image data and the barcode extracted from the barcode. Do.

The control unit 51 also determines whether or not there is a label and whether or not there is printing based on the image data. In determining the presence / absence of the label, the control unit 51 determines the presence / absence of the edge of the label on the mount based on the image data. Further, when characters and barcodes cannot be cut out from the image data, the control unit 51 determines that the label is not printed.
The control unit 51 transmits one of the inspection results of “inspection OK”, “inspection NG”, “no label”, and “no printing” to the management device 2 via the communication interface 55.

The process (b-3) is specifically performed as follows.
When the inspection result of the label is “inspection NG”, the control unit 51 determines the position of the label that has failed the inspection as the stamping position information that is referred to when the image pickup device 4 stamps the NG stamp. Identify. The control unit 51 is an example of a position specifying unit and a specifying unit. The stamp position information is specified based on the reference position of the label (for example, any one of the four corners).
The imprint position information is, for example, information on a position on a label that is determined not to match as a result of comparing verification data with a character recognized from image data and a barcode extracted from a barcode. is there. In the case of a barcode, when the code is abnormal (for example, when the height of the barcode, the left and right margin amounts do not satisfy the standards), the abnormal position is specified as the stamp position information.
The control unit 51 transmits a seal instruction including the seal position information to the imaging device 4 via the communication interface 55.

In the above process (b-4), when the inspection result of the N-th label is obtained, the control unit 51 transmits a label issuing instruction for the (N + M) -th label to the printer 3 via the imaging device 4.
Preferably, the control unit 51 transmits a label issuing instruction for the (N + M) th label to the printer 3 via the imaging device 4 only when the inspection result of the Nth label is “Inspection OK”. In other words, when the inspection result of the N-th label is “inspection NG”, the control unit 51 prevents the label issuing instruction for the (N + M) -th label from being transmitted to the printer 3. Accordingly, the conveyance of the continuous paper CP by the printer 3 is stopped, so that the user can visually check the label that has failed the inspection, or can immediately remove the label that has failed the inspection. . In other words, even if the error (fail) can be recognized on the screen of the inspection system or on the patrol lamp, it is difficult to know which label is the inspection NG label depending on the inspection speed or the transport speed, but if the NG stamp is imprinted, , Which label is the inspection NG label can be easily grasped.

(4) Example of Screen Displayed in Inspection System Next, in the inspection system 1, an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24 when the inspection program of the management device 2 is executed will be described with reference to FIGS. Will be explained.
FIG. 7 shows a screen G1 displayed after the user starts the management device 2 to execute the inspection program and logs in the user. The screen G1 includes a login user display area 101, an inspection target label search area 102, and a label search result display area 103. The login user display area 101 is an area for displaying a login user (hereinafter, simply referred to as “user”) (in the illustrated example, login user: T.SATO).

  The inspection target label search area 102 is an area for a user to search an inspection target label from a database using at least one of an item code, an item name, a label name, and a label layout as a key. For example, when “JY01” is specified as the item code and the button b1 (“search”) is operated, a list of all labels whose item code is “JY01” is displayed in the label search result display area 103. One line of data in the label search result display area 103 corresponds to one record of data recorded in the database. The button b2 (“select”) is a button for selecting any label from a list of labels displayed in the label search result display area 103. When the button b2 (“select”) is operated, a screen G2 shown in FIG. 8A is displayed.

The screen G2 includes a print target label display area 104, a user input area 105, and a preview display area 107. In the print target label display area 104, information on the label selected on the screen G1 is displayed. The user input area 105 is an area for the user to input additional information to be printed on the label via the operation input unit 23 of the management device 2, and in the example shown in FIG. It includes information on each item such as a term, a serial number, a serial number start value, and the number of inspection OK sheets.
Here, the serial number start value is a continuous number (serial number) printed on a plurality of labels when printing a plurality of labels. It is not essential to print the serial number start value, but since a unique ID is added to each label, forgery is prevented.
The inspection OK number means the number of labels that have passed the inspection of the inspection processing device 5 among the printed labels.
The data included in the print target label display area 104 and / or the user input area 105 corresponds to the above-described verification data that is the basis of the inspection result by the inspection processing device 5.

  After inputting the information of each item in the user input area 105, by operating the button b3 (“preview”), a label matching the contents of the print target label display area 104 and the user input area 105 is displayed in the preview display area 107. Is displayed. The button b5 ("return") is a button for returning to the screen G1. By operating the button b4 (“label issue”), the print content of the label is determined, and the screen G3 of FIG. 8B is displayed.

The screen G3 is a screen displayed in the preparation mode. Button groups b11 to b16 are displayed on the screen G3. In the case of the preparation mode, among the button groups b11 to b16, the button b11 (“single inspection”), the button b12 (“preparation completed”), and the button b16 (“examination end”) are valid, Other buttons are disabled.
The button b11 (“single-sheet inspection”) is a button for instructing to inspect whether the imaging device 4 and the inspection processing device 5 are functioning normally. The button b11 (“single-sheet inspection”) is an example of an operation target for receiving an operation input for starting execution of the preparation mode processing.
The button b12 (“preparation completed”) is a button for completing the inspection as to whether the imaging device 4 and the inspection processing device 5 are functioning normally, and shifting to an inspection mode described later. The button b12 (“preparation completed”) is an example of an operation target for receiving an operation input for ending the preparation mode processing.
The button b16 (“examination end”) is a button for ending the inspection itself and returning to a login screen (not shown).

  In the preparation mode, the user generates and inspects an NG label by overwriting, for example, with a pen on a printed surface of a printed and uninspected label. Further, the user visually checks the printed contents of the printed and uninspected label, and inspects the OK label determined to be OK. When the inspection result of the NG label by the imaging device 4 is “inspection NG” and the inspection result of the OK processing by the inspection processing device 5 is “inspection OK”, the imaging device 4 and the inspection processing device 5 function normally. Can be determined to be.

When confirming that the imaging device 4 is functioning normally, the user operates the button b12 (“preparation completed”) on the screen G3. Then, the preparation mode ends and the mode shifts to the inspection mode.
Screen G4 in FIG. 9A is a screen displayed first in the inspection mode. In the case of the inspection mode, among the button groups b11 to b16, the button b13 (“continuous inspection”), the button b14 (“pause”), and the button b16 (“inspection end”) are valid, and Button is disabled.
The button b13 (“continuous inspection”) instructs continuous printing on the labels until the number of labels that have passed the inspection reaches the number of inspection OK sheets input by the user on the screen G2 (see FIG. 8A). Button.
The button b14 (“pause”) is a button for instructing to temporarily stop printing and transporting while printing on the label continuously in the inspection mode.

A screen G5 shown in FIG. 9B is a display example of the screen after the button b13 (“continuous inspection”) is operated on the screen G4. When the number of labels that have passed the inspection reaches the number of OK inspections, printing and conveyance are completed, and as illustrated in the inspection result display area 108 on the screen G5, “Inspection OK”, “Inspection NG”, “No label” And the number of labels corresponding to the inspection results of "no printing" are displayed.
As shown in the screen G5, when the number of labels that pass the inspection reaches the number of inspection OK, only the button b15 (“blank sheet feed”) and the button b16 (“end of inspection”) become valid, and the other buttons become invalid. Become. The button b15 (“blank page feed”) is a feed button. The button b15 (“blank paper feed”) is provided to feed a label that has been printed but has not been inspected.

(5) Operation of Inspection System 1 Next, an operation of the inspection system 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a sequence chart of the inspection system 1 according to the embodiment, and shows processing in the case of inspection OK. FIG. 11 is a sequence chart of the inspection system 1 according to the embodiment, and shows processing in the case of inspection NG. Each of FIGS. 12A to 12D is a diagram illustrating a state in which an NG stamp is imprinted on the NG label, and corresponds to FIGS. 3A to 3D, respectively. Note that the example of FIG. 10 illustrates processing for the Nth and subsequent labels.

(5-1) Processing in case of inspection OK (FIG. 10)
The processing after step S2 in FIG. 10 is performed, for example, by operating the button b13 (“continuous inspection”) on the screen G4 (see FIG. 9A) as a trigger.
When issuing a predetermined number of labels (that is, a predetermined number of inspection OK labels), the management device 2 first transmits the printing information of the predetermined number of labels to the printer 3 (step S2). Upon receiving the printing information of the predetermined number of labels from the management device 2, the printer 3 stores the printing information in the storage unit 34 (Step S4).
Next, an inspection start request is transmitted from the management device 2 to the inspection processing device 5 (step S6), and the inspection processing device 5 returns an ACK signal to the management device 2 in response to the request (step S8). Ready to issue labels.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the management apparatus 2 transmits the printing information to the printer 3 and then transmits the inspection start request to the inspection processing apparatus 5, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The management device 2 may transmit the print information to the printer 3 after transmitting the test start request to the test processing device 5.

The imaging device 4 transmits a label issuing instruction for the N-th label to the printer 3 (Step S10). Upon receiving the label issuing instruction, the printer 3 reads the printing information for the N-th label from the storage unit 34, generates print data, prints and issues the N-th label (Step S12). When the issuance of the Nth label is completed, the printer 3 transmits a label issuance completion message to the inspection processing device 5 (step S14).
The issued N-th label is conveyed to the imaging device 4. The imaging device 4 acquires the image data of the print surface of the conveyed label, and transmits the image data to the inspection processing device 5 (Step S16).

The inspection processing device 5 executes the inspection of the N-th label based on the image data received in Step S16 (Step S18), and transmits the inspection result to the management device 2 (Step S20). Here, it is assumed that the inspection result is “inspection OK”.
When receiving the inspection result, the management device 2 performs a tallying process on the inspection result (step S22). The counting process is a process of integrating the numbers of the inspection results of “inspection OK”, “inspection NG”, “no label”, and “no printing”. Note that the final result of the tallying process is displayed in an inspection result display area 108 (see FIG. 9B) on the screen of the inspection processing device 5.

After transmitting the inspection result of the Nth label to the management device 2, the inspection processing device 5 transmits a label issuing instruction for the (N + M) th label to the printer 3 via the imaging device 4 (Steps S23 and S23). Step S10). The processing of steps S10 to S23 is also performed for the subsequent labels.
Thereafter, the processes of steps S10 to S23 are repeatedly performed until the number of “inspection OK” labels totaled in the management device 2 reaches a predetermined number of inspection OK. At this time, in the inspection system 1 of the present embodiment, the inspection processing apparatus 5 is configured to instruct the printer 3 to issue a label issuance instruction for the (N + M) th label when an inspection result for the Nth label is obtained. Issuance of each label is performed promptly.
Note that M is an integer of 1 or more, and is a number based on the label pitch or the like of the label passing between the printer 3 and the imaging device 4. Specifically, since a plurality of labels may be present on the transport path between the printer 3 and the imaging device 4 shown in FIG. 1, the number of one or more print media present on the transport path is determined based on the N-th. M, and causes the printer 3 to execute printing on the (N + M) th label.

  Conventionally, when the Nth inspection result is obtained, the management device 2 transmits the (N + 1) th print information to the printer 3, and the printer 3 generates, prints and issues the (N + 1) th print data. It took much time between issuing the Nth label and the (N + 1) th label. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the printing information of the label to be printed is stored in the printer 3, and the inspection processing device 5 issues a label issuing instruction to the printer 3 via the imaging device 4 immediately after the inspection is completed. Was sent. Therefore, the time between issuing the N-th label and the (N + M) -th label can be shortened as compared with the related art, so that there is an advantage that the time required to issue a predetermined number of inspection OK labels can be reduced. .

  In the present embodiment, the case where the management apparatus 2 collectively transmits the printing information corresponding to the label to be printed to the printer 3 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The management device 2 may divide and transmit the printing information corresponding to the label to be printed to the printer 3.

(5-2) Processing in case of inspection NG (FIG. 11)
In FIG. 11, the processing in steps S2 to S18 is the same as that in steps S2 to S18 in FIG.
In step S18, the inspection processing device 5 executes a label inspection based on the image data received in step S16 (step S18), and transmits an inspection result to the management device 2 (step S20a). Here, it is assumed that the inspection result is “inspection NG”. When receiving the test result, the management device 2 performs the tallying process so that the test result adds one to the number of “test NG”.

  The inspection processing device 5 specifies the position that caused the inspection failure in step S18 as the stamping position information, and transmits a stamping instruction including the stamping position information to the imaging device 4 (step S24). Upon receiving the stamping instruction, the imaging device 4 performs stamping by moving the stamp 451 (NG stamp) to the position on the printing surface of the label corresponding to the stamping position information included in the stamping instruction (step S26).

  As shown in FIG. 12A, in the example of an NG label caused by an error in the product name, an NG stamp is stamped on the part of the product name determined to be incorrect. As shown in FIG. 12B, in the example of the NG label caused by the error in the expiration date, an NG stamp is stamped on the portion of the expiration date determined to be incorrect. As shown in FIG. 12C, in the example of the NG label caused by the lack of the barcode, an NG stamp is stamped on the barcode portion determined to be missing. As shown in FIG. 12D, in the example of the NG label caused by the addition of an abnormal symbol or mark or the like to the bar code, the bar code determined to have the abnormal symbol or mark or the like is added. The part is stamped with an NG stamp.

  By imprinting on the NG label, the user can immediately recognize that the label is an NG label. Therefore, in situations where the quality of the label is strictly controlled, such as when the label is affixed to the drug product itself (that is, the drug in a packaged state), the situation where the NG label is used incorrectly is considered. It can be reliably prevented.

Further, in the inspection system 1 of the present embodiment, since the NG stamp is stamped at the position that caused the inspection failure (that is, the defective portion of the print content), the user immediately recognizes the cause of the inspection failure. There is an advantage that it becomes possible. Therefore, the user can easily take measures for the cause of the inspection failure.
In the example shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that a label issuance instruction is not transmitted to the printer 3 and the conveyance of the label is stopped after the stamping process is performed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. By executing the one-sheet inspection by the management device 2, the NG label may be transported and taken out while inspecting the label following the NG label.

(6) Modified Example of Embodiment Hereinafter, a modified example of stamping in the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a stamp according to a modification of the present embodiment. FIGS. 14A and 14B and FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams showing the imprint of a stamp according to a modification of the present embodiment.

(6-1) Modification 1 (FIG. 13)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the single stamp 451 is provided in the stamping unit 45 of the imaging device 4 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and two or more stamps may be provided.
Modification Example 1 shown in FIG. 13 is an example in which the stamping portion 45 has two stamps 4511 and 4512. FIG. 13 shows an example of the arrangement of two stamps 4511 and 4512 when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the printing surface of the label PL to be stamped in the stamping section 45 of the imaging device 4.
In the example shown in FIG. 13, a stamp 4511 is assigned to a defect in the area A1 substantially in the left half of the label PL, and a stamp 4512 is assigned to a defect in the area almost right in the label PL. That is, when the stamping position information included in the stamping instruction transmitted from the inspection processing device 5 corresponds to the position in the area A1, the control unit 41 of the imaging device 4 moves the stamp 4511 in the horizontal direction to stamp. It controls the stamp driving unit 452. On the other hand, when the stamping position information included in the stamping instruction transmitted from the inspection processing device 5 corresponds to the position in the area A2, the control unit 41 of the imaging device 4 moves the stamp 4512 in the horizontal direction to stamp. It controls the stamp driving unit 452. Thereby, the stamping process can be completed in a shorter time than when a single stamp is provided.

Further, the assignment of the plurality of stamps is not limited to the assignment to the left and right (or top and bottom) areas shown in FIG. 13, but may be assigned based on other criteria.
For example, a plurality of stamps may be assigned to each area in which the search key (item code, item name, etc.) shown in the inspection target label search area 102 in FIG. 7 is displayed. In this case, a different stamp is assigned to each of the item code and the item name on the label, and when there is a defect in the content of the item code, the stamp is stamped by the stamp assigned to the item code.
Each of a plurality of stamps may be assigned according to the number of combinations of the respective search keys and the contents of the search keys shown in the inspection target label search area 102 in FIG. Alternatively, two or more stamps may be assigned according to the inspection content such as “blurring of the ruled line” or “displacement of the printing position” or the inspection target item.
That is, in the present modification, two or more stamps assigned by the information related to rejection are provided, and the stamp is performed by using the stamp assigned by the information related to rejection among the two or more stamps. Is also good. Here, the “information related to rejection” is, for example, information such as a defect item (the item code or the like) and inspection contents.
Note that the number of stamps provided in the stamping section 45 is not limited to two, and may be an arbitrary number of three or more.

(6-2) Modification 2 (FIG. 14)
The example of the NG label shown in each of FIGS. 12A to 12D shows the case where there is one defective portion (failed portion), but there may be two or more defective portions in one label. . In such a case, the stamping instruction transmitted from the inspection processing device 5 includes two or more stamping position information.
When receiving the stamping instruction including two or more stamping position information, the imaging device 4 stamps two or more NG stamps at the stamping positions corresponding to the two or more stamping position information as illustrated in FIG. 14A. You may. In this case, two or more different stamps may be provided to be stamped at different stamp positions, or a single stamp may be stamped at two or more stamp positions (two or more stamps using the same stamp). Stamping).
Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 14B, the imaging device 4 may stamp an NG stamp on a blank area (a part of the print surface that is not printed) of the label PL. By imprinting the NG stamp on the blank area, it is possible to avoid a complicated imprint due to two or more NG stamps. In addition, an NG stamp can be stamped in advance in the margin area according to the number of defects. Even in the case of one defect, the margin area may be stamped in place of the defective part (rejected part).
When the stamping instruction includes a predetermined number or more of stamping position information, it is preferable to stamp the margin area. Here, the value of the predetermined number may be set as appropriate, but can be set from the viewpoint of whether or not imprinting with a plurality of NG stamps is complicated.

(6-3) Modification 3 (FIG. 15)
In this modified example, as in Modified Example 1, two or more stamps are provided in the stamping portion 45 of the imaging device 4. The first stamp of the two or more stamps is stamped on the basis of the stamping position information included in the stamping instruction transmitted from the inspection processing device 5, similarly to the stamp 451.
In the present modification, the second stamp of the two or more stamps is stamped on the margin area of the label PL. The content of the second stamp (that is, the seal) is, for example, information associated with a defect or an inspection. As an example, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the information may be information for specifying a user (for example, an inspector). In the example of FIG. 15A, the imprint of the second stamp is the name of the user (“Sato”), and in the example of FIG. 15B, the imprint of the stamp is the first alphabet of the user name (“S”). Thereby, the NG label and the user can be linked.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Further, the above-described embodiment can be variously improved and changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the management device 2 and the inspection processing device 5 are separately provided, but may be integrally configured. In the above-described embodiment, the imaging device 4 and the inspection processing device 5 are separately provided, but may be integrally configured.
In the present embodiment, the case where the mark of the stamp to be imprinted on the defective portion on the label is “NG” is not limited thereto. The imprint of the stamp can be appropriately set, and may be, for example, information for specifying a user (for example, an inspector) as described above.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inspection system, 2 ... Management device, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Storage part, 23 ... Operation input part, 24 ... Display part, 25 ... Communication interface, 3 ... Printer, 31 ... Control part, 32 ... Transport part, 33 printing unit, 34 storage unit, 35 communication interface, 4 imaging device, 40U upper housing, 40L lower housing, 401F, 401R drive roller, 402F, 402R driven roller, 405 imaging Unit, 407: circuit board, 410: reception port, 411: discharge port, 41: control section, 42: storage section, 43: optical mechanism, 44: image sensor, 45: stamping section, 451: stamp, 452: stamp drive Unit, 47 motor, 48 communication interface, 5 inspection processing device, 51 control unit, 52 storage unit, 53 operation input unit, 54 display unit, 55 communication interface, ... winding machine, C1-C4 ... wiring, G1-G7 ... screen, b1-b5, b11-b16 ... buttons, 100 ... stand, 100a ... rail, 101 ... login user display area, 102 ... inspection target label search area, 103: label search result display area, 104: print target label display area, 105: user input area, 106: failure display area, 107: preview display area, 108: inspection result display area, PL: label, PLn: serial number , PM: Mount, CP: Continuous paper

Claims (5)

A storage unit that stores printing information including the content to be printed on each of the plurality of printing media, and a printing unit that prints the printing information stored by the storage unit on the printing medium,
An inspection device for inspecting the pass / fail of a print result for each print medium printed by the printer,
With
The inspection device outputs a print instruction to the (N + M) th print medium to the printer when a pass / fail test result for the Nth print medium among the plurality of print media is obtained.
The printer prints on the (N + M) th print medium after receiving the print instruction from the inspection device;
Inspection system. The inspection device issues an issuance instruction to the (N + M) th print medium when the inspection result for the Nth print medium is passed;
The inspection system according to claim 1. The inspection device has a stamp arranged to face a print surface of the print medium, and when an inspection result for the N-th print medium is unacceptable, the stamp is performed on the print surface of the print medium. Stamp with a stamp,
The inspection system according to claim 1. An information processing device capable of communicating with the printer and having the printing information,
The printer receives the print information for a predetermined number of the print media from the information processing device and stores the print information in the storage unit,
The inspection system according to claim 1. The information processing device transmits, to the printer, printing information including the content to be printed on each of the plurality of printing media,
The printer receives and records the printing information,
An inspection device for inspecting whether or not the print result on the Nth print medium among the plurality of print media is acceptable;
When a pass / fail inspection result for the Nth print medium is obtained, the inspection apparatus outputs a print instruction for the (N + M) th print medium to the printer;
The printer prints on the (N + M) th print medium after receiving the print instruction from the inspection device;
Inspection methods.

Images