JP2021059071A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To perform printing suitable for a kind of a set sheet.SOLUTION: A printing device comprises: memorizing means 42 that memorizes merchandise information; printing means D that prints the merchandise information on a sheet 4; reading means B that reads out surface information M printed on the surface of the sheet 4; specifying means that specifies a kind of the sheet 4 on the basis of the surface information M; determining means that determines whether execution of printing of the merchandise information by the printing means D is proprietary or not, on the basis of the specified kind of the sheet 4; and notifying means that notifies a user of a determined result by the determining means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus including a label printer or the like capable of multicolor printing.

Conventionally, in this type of invention, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a thermal paper having a unique color-developing characteristic is used, and the temperature of a heating element of a thermal head for heating the thermal paper is controlled to control the thermal paper. There is a multicolor printing thermal printer that prints a plurality of different colors at a plurality of places of the above and cuts the printed thermal paper into appropriate dimensions to form a label.
According to such a multicolor printing thermal printer, labels having a plurality of different color areas are easily noticed by the customer, so that useful information such as product discounts and special prices can be effectively displayed to the customer. Can be done.

JP-A-2002-347269

However, if an operator or the like mistakenly sets paper with different color development characteristics, the expected color printing result may not be obtained.

In view of such problems, the present invention has the following configurations.
A storage means for storing product information, a printing means for printing the product information on paper, a reading means for reading the surface information applied to the surface of the paper, and identification for specifying the type of paper based on the surface information. The means, a determination means for determining whether or not the printing means can print the product information based on the specified type of paper, and a notification means for notifying the determination result by the determination means are provided. A printing device characterized by.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the printing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic which shows the internal structure of the printing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the printing apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining operation of a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the paper identification routine. It is a flowchart explaining the paper confirmation routine. It is a flowchart explaining the printability determination routine. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of power-on. It is a figure which shows an example of the paper type confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the product information selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the product information selection screen with different display styles, and the highlighting is expressed by hatching. It is a figure which shows an example of the determination result by the determination means. It is a figure which shows an example of the issuing screen (print image), (a) shows the case where the color information is not changed, and (b) shows the case where the color information is changed. It is a figure which shows an example of an editing operation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the function setting screen. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the data structure of a product file. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the data structure of a label format file. This is a data table showing the relationship between the control temperature and the type of paper (color development). It is a top view which shows an example of the paper on which the paper determination information was printed. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for manually inputting a paper type. It is a figure which shows an example of the form registration screen. It is a flowchart explaining another example of a paper specifying routine.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals in different figures indicate substantially the same configuration, and duplicate description will be omitted as appropriate.

The printing device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a case 2 and a cover body 3 for opening and closing the opening of the case 2, and constitutes a label printer (label issuing device) that can be installed on a table. The printing device 1 displays a finished print image (FIG. 13) printed on the paper 4 on the first display unit 21 before starting printing on the paper 4.

The case 2 is formed in a hollow box shape having an opening 2a at the upper end, and displays a power switch 17 for turning on / off the printing device 1, a power lamp 18 for displaying the energized state, an error code, and the like on the front surface thereof. The second display unit 19 is exposed (see FIG. 1).
On the upper end side of the front surface of the case 2, a delivery port 13 for ejecting the printed paper 4 (label), a label receiver 14 for receiving the ejected paper 4, and the like are provided.
Further, in the case 2, an installation portion A, a reading means B, rollers 11a, 11b, etc., which will be described later, are provided (see FIG. 2), and a battery that can be charged by an external power source (not shown) at an appropriate place. Is provided.

The cover body 3 is a hollow box-shaped member having an opening at the bottom, and covers the opening 2a of the case 2. The cover body 3 is supported on the rear end side of the case 2 so as to rotate at a support shaft (not shown) on the rear end side. That is, the case 2 and the cover body 3 constitute a clam shell drop type case in which the opening 2a of the case 2 is opened and closed by the cover body 3 (see FIG. 2).

The opening and closing of the cover body 3 is performed by operating the opening / closing lever 9 at the front end of the cover body 3. That is, when replacing the paper 4 (thermal paper), the opening / closing lever 9 is operated to rotate the cover body 3 upward to open the opening 2a of the case 2. Then, the paper 4 is set in the installation portion A inside the case 2, and the cover body 3 is closed with the tip of the paper 4 pulled out toward the delivery port 13. As a result, the front end side of the paper 4 is located between the thermal head 31 and the platen roller 11a. Further, the closed state of the cover body 3 is detected by a sensor (for example, a limit switch) (not shown), and the detection signal is input to the control unit F described later. When the control unit F detects the closed state of the cover body 3, it considers that the paper 4 is set. Therefore, the operator can easily set the paper 4.

Further, on the upper surface of the cover body 3, a first display unit 21 for displaying various information such as the operation of the printing device 1 and the issuing status of the label is exposed and fixed (see FIG. 1). A thermal head 31 (printing portion) is provided on the lower side of the cover body 3 at a position where it meets the platen roller 11a (see FIG. 2).

Then, in the case 2 and the cover body 3, the installation unit A for setting the paper 4 in a detachable manner, the transport unit C that transports the paper 4 and sends it out from the delivery port, and the transport unit C convey the paper 4. A printing means D that prints on the paper 4, a reading means B that reads the surface information M applied to the surface of the paper 4, a cutting unit E that cuts the paper 4 printed by the printing means D, and a conveying unit C. , The printing means D, and the control unit F that controls the cut unit E and the like are configured.

Paper 4 is a roll of heat-sensitive paper that is continuous in a long strip shape. This type of paper is selected and used by the operator.
Here, according to an example of the present embodiment, the above-mentioned type is a unique color development characteristic (printable color) of the paper 4 (thermal paper). That is, some paper 4s have unique printable colors such as red and black, blue and black, gold and red, or yellow and red and gold. The selected and set paper 4 is printed in a printable color according to the heat generation temperature of the thermal head 31. In the following description, the printable color may be expressed as a label color.
According to the present embodiment, the paper 4 is a mount-less paper having an adhesive layer on one side and a printing surface on the other side, but as another example, it may be a thermal paper with a mount. Is.

The surface of the paper 4 is provided with surface information M for identifying the type (printable color).
The surface information M can be a plurality of through holes provided in the paper 4, printed marks, designs, barcodes, QR codes (registered trademarks), and the like, and the number, arrangement pattern, and the like. The type of paper 4 and other features are expressed by the shape, code, and the like.

The installation portion A is located on the rear side in the case 2 and supports the roll-shaped paper 4 in a rotatable and removable manner. The specific configuration of the installation portion A may be a mode in which the core portion of the paper 4 is rotatably supported, a mode in which the periphery of the paper 4 is rotatably received, and the like.

The transport unit C is composed of one or more rollers 11a and 11b (two according to the illustrated example) in contact with the feeding portion of the paper 4, and is rotated by a drive source (for example, a stepping motor or the like) (not shown) to move the paper 4 forward. Pay out to. According to the illustrated example, one roller 11a on the front side functions as a platen roller that performs printing in cooperation with the printing means D described later.
The modes of the rollers 11a and 11b are not limited to the illustrated examples, and may be, for example, a mode in which a pair of rollers sandwiching the paper 4 is used, a mode in which a single roller or three or more rollers are appropriately combined, and the like. is there.

The printing means D has a thermal head 31 (printing unit) that generates heat at a plurality of set temperatures, and the paper 4 is sandwiched between the thermal head 31 and the platen roller 11a to be conveyed and heated to perform printing. The temperature of the thermal head 31 is controlled so as to generate heat at a plurality of different temperatures in response to a command from the control unit F.
Therefore, according to the printing means D, a specific color is printed on the surface of the paper 4 transported by the transport unit C according to the unique color development characteristics of the paper 4 and the heat generation temperature of the thermal head 31.

The reading means B is a means for scanning the surface information M provided on the surface of the paper 4. As the reading means B, for example, an optical sensor such as a camera module, a scanner module, or a line sensor camera is used.
In addition to reading the surface information M, the reading means B is also used for checking printing defects (for example, expiration date, chipping or bleeding in barcode printing) of a printed label during printing.
Further, the printed content read by the reading means B is stored in the storage means 42 and displayed on the screen of the first display unit 21. As a result, it is possible to highlight the defective part on the screen when a printing defect occurs and raise the recognition to the operator.
Here, the highlighting is, for example, a display in which the occurrence points (defective parts) such as chips and bleeding are surrounded by a frame such as a circle or a square in the printed contents read by the reading means B, or only the defective parts. A display in which the color is changed, a display in which the line width is thicker than usual only for the defective part, or other special display may be used.
In this way, since the reading result by the reading means B can be stored and the printed content can be reproduced on the screen based on the reading result, the post-confirmation can be facilitated.

The cutting portion E is a well-known device that cuts a predetermined amount of paper 4 fed by the printing means D by the operation of the upper and lower blades, and is provided between the printing means D and the delivery port 13. The paper 4 cut by the cut portion E is issued from the delivery port 13 as a sheet-fed label, and is held by the label receiver 14 outside the delivery port 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printing means D, the reading means B, and the cutting unit E having the above configuration are close to each other in the vicinity of the delivery port 13 from the viewpoint of improving the printing and discharging ability of the printing device 1. To ensure that printing, reading and cutting are performed at approximately the same time.

The control unit F is an electronic circuit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), various input / output devices, and the like, and is arranged in, for example, the case 2 or the cover body 3.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit F includes the above-mentioned reading means B, conveying unit C, printing means D, cutting unit E, storage means 42 such as a flash memory, RAM 43, and first display unit 21. , The second display unit 19, the speaker 20, the detection means 48, the communication unit 44, and the like are electrically connected.
The control unit F is a printing means D that prints product information on the paper 4 by executing a control program read from the storage means 42, and a reading means and a surface that reads the surface information M applied to the surface of the paper 4. Specific means for specifying the type of paper 4 based on the information M, a determination means for determining whether or not printing of product information by the printing means D can be executed based on the specified type of paper 4, and determination results by the determination means. Realize functions such as notification means for notification.

The storage means 42 is a well-known storage device such as a flash memory, a hard disk, or an SSD, and stores a control program, various data, and the like.
The storage means 42 stores the product information for printing on the paper 4 as a product file 43a (see FIG. 16), a label format file 43b (see FIG. 17), and the like.

The RAM 43 is a storage device for writing and recalling data. The RAM 43 has a work area for temporarily calling and processing data, a dot expanding area for expanding print data into dot data, and a calling product for recalling and storing product data from the product file 43a. An area, a call format area for calling and storing one format data from the label format file 43b, and the like are provided, and the stored data is battery-backed so as to be retained even after the power is turned off.

The product file 43a is data for setting various product data for label printing (see FIG. 16). Further, the label format file 43b is data for setting the label printing format (see FIG. 17), and is associated with the product file 43a.
The product file 43a and the label format file 43b are not limited to the illustrated examples, and appropriate ones may be used depending on the mode of the paper 4, the control mode by the control unit F, and the like.

The first display unit 21 is a device capable of touch operation and color display, and is composed of, for example, a touch panel display provided with a color liquid crystal display or the like.
The first display unit 21 is fixed so as to be exposed on the upper surface of the cover body 3 and functions as an input device for operating the printing device 1 and a display device for displaying the operating state of the printing device 1. Then, the first display unit 21 displays various menu screens and data, the number of labels to be issued, a numeric keypad for designating various numerical values, information on the printing device 1, and the like on the liquid crystal screen.

The second display unit 19 is a relatively small two-digit 7-segment display, and is fixed so as to be exposed on the front surface of the case 2 as illustrated in FIG. The second display unit 19 appropriately displays a notification code, a warning code, an error code, or the like according to an operating state, a failure, or the like of the printing device 1.

The speaker 20 is provided in the case 2 (not shown), and together with the display of the second display unit 19, emits a notification sound, a warning sound, or the like, or emits an operation notification sound or the like when various operations are performed. It emits as appropriate.

The detection means 48 is a sensor (not shown) provided in the case 2 or the cover body 3 and detects various states of the printing device 1 (for example, the remaining amount of the paper 4 and the temperature and state of the thermal head 31). ..

The communication unit 44 is a communication module (not shown) provided in the case 2 or the cover body 3, and for example, performs data communication with a host computer (not shown) in response to a command from the communication unit 44.

The printing device 1 is connected to an external device such as a computer or another printing device (not shown) so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wired or wireless network line. Therefore, some of the processes and functions by the control unit F, such as storing data such as the product file 43a and the label format file 43b in the storage device of the external device and using the data, or executing the control program by the external device. Can be provided to the external device.

Next, with respect to the printing apparatus 1 having the above configuration, characteristic processing and the like by the control unit F will be described in detail (see FIG. 1).
First, the control unit F starts an operation in response to a predetermined trigger signal, for example, and executes a paper identification routine (step S1).
The trigger signal is, for example, a signal detected by a sensor (not shown) that the setting of the paper 4 is completed, a signal detected by a sensor (not shown) that the cover body 3 has changed from the open state to the closed state, or a power supply. It can be a signal or the like when the switch 17 is operated.

In the paper specifying routine (step S1), the control unit F specifies the type (printable color) of the paper 4 according to the result of reading the surface information M by the reading means B.

More specifically, the control unit F searches for and reads the surface information M of the paper 4 by the reading means B while transporting the paper 4 by the transport unit C (FIG. 5, step S10).

Next, the control unit F determines whether or not the surface information M has been read (step S11), proceeds to step S12 if the surface information M is read, and if the surface information M cannot be read, step S13. Proceed to processing.

In step S12, the control unit F functions as a specific means for specifying the type of the paper 4 according to the surface information M.
For example, if the surface information M such as marking or QR code (registered trademark) indicates thermal paper capable of developing colors in red and black, the control unit F can develop colors in red and black of the type 4 of the paper. Identify as thermal paper.

Further, in step S13, the printing means D prints the predetermined paper determination information N on the paper 4.

Here, the paper determination information N is printing that develops different colors depending on the type of paper 4, and according to a preferable example of the present embodiment, the heat generation temperature of the thermal head 31 is set to a specific temperature. It is a print to be printed.
The relationship between the heat generation temperature of the thermal head 31, the type of paper, and the color development is as shown in the table shown in FIG.
That is, for example, when printing is performed on the paper 4 whose printable color is blue / black at a color development temperature of 40 ° C., the paper determination information N printed on the surface of the paper 4 is colored blue.
This table is stored in the storage means 42 as a paper discrimination data table T for discriminating the paper type (gold / black paper, blue / black paper, etc.) according to the type of color development (gold color development, black color development, etc.). It is remembered.

In a preferred example of this embodiment, in step S13, the heat generation temperature of the thermal head 31 is changed stepwise at predetermined temperature intervals, and a plurality of areas are spread over the entire width on the tip side of the paper 4 to be fed. The paper determination information N having a gradation pattern is printed (see FIG. 19).
The characters "10 to 130 (° C.)" in FIG. 19 may be printed on the paper 4 so as to correspond to each area constituting the gradation pattern.

The paper determination information N in the illustrated example is obtained by raising the heat generation temperature of the thermal head 31 by 10 ° C. each time the blue / black paper is set and the paper 4 is fed out by a predetermined amount, and is on the front end side of the paper 4. Area E1 at 10 ° C is extremely light blue, changes to dark blue toward the rear, becomes normal blue at area E2 at 40 ° C in the middle of paper 4, becomes darker toward the rear, and approaches black. In area E3 at 130 ° C, it becomes almost pure black.

In the next step S14, the reading means B reads the printed paper determination information N as surface information for paper determination.
More specifically, the control unit F reads at least one area of the paper determination information N by the reading means B.

Then, in step S15, the control unit F functions as a specific means for characterizing the type of the paper 4 based on the result of analyzing the color of the paper determination information N.
That is, the control unit F reads the color of a single or a plurality of areas of the paper determination information N by the reading means B, and specifies the printable color as the type of the paper 4 according to the reading result.
For example, if the heat generation temperature of the thermal head 31 is set to 40 ° C and the area of 40 ° C in the paper determination information N is read by the reading means B and is blue, the paper determination data table T (see FIG. 18) shows. , The paper 4 can be identified as a blue / black paper.
Further, even when the heat generation temperature of the thermal head 31 is set to 110 ° C and the area of 110 ° C in the paper determination information N is read by the reading means B and is black, the paper determination data table T (see FIG. 18). Therefore, it can be specified that the paper 4 is a paper for blue / black.

The specific means identifies the printable color of the paper 4 based on the color of a single area in the paper determination information N, and the printable color of the paper 4 based on the color of a plurality of areas in the paper determination information N. It is possible to specify the printable color of the paper 4 based on the color change pattern in the paper determination information N.

As another example of the paper determination information N, a mode in which the paper is printed on a part of the width of the paper 4, a mode in which the types of heat generation temperature are reduced from the illustrated example, and a single heat generation temperature are printed. It can be an aspect or the like.

Further, as another example of the paper determination information N, the color information may include only a specific temperature zone in which the characteristics are biased.
That is, in a particularly characteristic temperature zone, for example, a high temperature zone of 100 to 130 ° C., all the labels only develop black color, and it is difficult to make the conditions for specifying the label. On the other hand, in the low temperature range of 40 to 60 ° C., it is possible to develop a label-specific color such as red, gold, and blue that is easy to distinguish, so that it is easy to set the label specific condition.
Therefore, if the paper determination information N is set only in a specific temperature zone (for example, a low temperature zone of 40 to 60 ° C.) in which the characteristics are biased, the print range of the paper determination information N can be reduced to the minimum necessary area. It is possible to reduce the cost without printing wasteful paper, and the narrow confirmation range contributes to shortening the confirmation time.

After the step S12 or the step S15, the process proceeds to step S2 (see FIG. 4).

In step S2 (paper confirmation routine), notification is performed according to the type of paper 4 recognized in the previous step, and after this notification, a predetermined input operation for confirming the type of paper 4 is requested, and this input operation is performed. Predetermined processing is performed according to (see FIG. 6).

More specifically, first, as step S21, the control unit F displays a paper type confirmation screen 40 (see FIG. 9) for confirming the type of paper 4 recognized in the previous step on the first display unit 21. indicate.
The paper type confirmation screen 40 displays a display for confirming the label color (printable color) of the paper 4 (according to the illustrated example, "Are you sure the label color is red / black?") And a response to this display. It consists of a button (“YES” and “NO” according to the illustrated example) display.

A preferable example of the paper type confirmation screen 40 is an image composed of colors (for example, red / black) indicating the color development characteristics (printable colors) of the paper 4.
As another example, in addition to the display of the paper type confirmation screen 40, the type of the paper 4 can be confirmed by the voice emitted from the speaker 20, or the paper 4 can be confirmed only by the voice without displaying the paper type confirmation screen 40. It is also possible to check the type.

Next, the control unit F determines which of “YES” and “NO” is touch-operated (step 22), and if “YES” is touch-operated, step S3 (printability determination routine, FIG. 4), otherwise proceed to step 23 (see FIG. 6).
In step 23, the work of reconfirming the type of the paper 4 (for example, an operation such as resetting the paper 4) is requested by the display on the first display unit 21, voice, or the like, and the process is performed in step S1 (for example). Return to the paper identification routine).
If the specific certainty of the paper 4 is high in the previous step, the paper confirmation routine (step S2) can be omitted.

In the next step S3 (FIG. 4), the product information to be printed on the paper 4 is selected, and the printability determination routine for determining the printability is executed.

In this printability determination routine, first, the product information selection screen 62 or 67 is displayed on the first display unit 21 (FIG. 7, step S31).

As shown in FIG. 10, the product information selection screen 62 can touch-operate the print images 51a to 51f of a plurality of types of product information displayed in a list, the page conversion button 64, the display mode switching buttons 68, 69, and the like, respectively. It is displayed in.
In FIGS. 10 to 13, reference numeral 62a indicates the type (printable color) of the paper 4 specified by the paper specifying routine or the like.

The print images 51a to 51f of the plurality of types of product information are images formed based on the data of the product file 43a and the label format file 43b stored in the storage means 42 or the like, respectively.

The page conversion button 64 is composed of a plurality of types of number buttons and arrow buttons, and when a touch operation is selectively performed, the page is switched to display a print image of product information that could not be displayed on one screen. ..

When the display mode switching buttons 68 and 69 are selectively touch-operated, the display mode switching buttons 68 and 69 switch the product information selection screens 62 and 67 of a plurality of types (two types according to the illustrated example) according to the selection.
That is, for example, when the display mode switching button 69 is touch-operated, one of the displayed product information selection screens 62 transitions to the other product information selection screen 67 (see FIG. 11).

As shown in FIG. 11, the product information selection screen 67 of another display mode includes a printed image 51b of a single product information enlarged and displayed, a plurality of types of product information selection buttons 65a to 65e, and selected products. It is a screen having a decision button 66 for determining information and the above-mentioned display mode switching buttons 68, 69, etc., and displays the enlarged print image 51b of the product information in a touch-inoperable manner, and other Each of the buttons is displayed so that it can be touch-operated.

The plurality of types of product information selection buttons 65a to 65e are images associated with the product information of the product file 43a stored in the storage means 42, respectively.
The control unit F has the product information associated with the selection button when a specific button (the button indicated by the reference numeral 65b according to the illustrated example) is touch-operated among the plurality of types of product information selection buttons 65a to 65e. (Refer to FIG. 11), the print image (label image of the “Torimeshi Bento” indicated by reference numeral 51b according to the illustrated example) is enlarged and displayed.

Since the selected print image is enlarged and displayed in this way, the operator can easily check the print image in detail with a relatively large image.

While the product information selection screen 62 or 67 is being displayed, the control unit F determines whether or not the product information to be printed is determined (step S32).
That is, for example, when any of the print images 51a to 51f of the product information is touch-operated while the product information selection screen 62 (see FIG. 10) is being displayed, the control unit F touches the print image 51a to 51f. The product information of the printed image is determined as the print target.
Further, when the decision button 66 is touch-operated while the print image 51b of the specific product information is enlarged and displayed on the product information selection screen 67 (see FIG. 11), the control unit F presses the touch-operated print image. The product information of is decided to be printed.

Next, in step S33 (see FIG. 7), the control unit F controls the paper 4 based on the type of the paper 4 specified in the previous paper specifying routine and the product information to be printed in the previous step. It functions as a determination means for determining whether or not to print product information based on the type.
More specifically, in step S33, the control unit F includes the printable color of the paper 4 specified in the paper specifying routine in the color information of the product information to be printed in the previous step. It is determined whether or not the color information is included, and if the color information is included, it is determined that printing can be executed, and if the color information is not included, it is determined that printing cannot be executed.

For example, if the red / black paper 4 is specified in the previous step and "Torimeshi Bento" is selected as the print target as the product information, the label print image of "Torimeshi Bento" is black. Since red is included (see FIGS. 16 to 17), it is judged that printing can be executed. If color information such as label printing image gold of "rice lunch box" is included, it is judged that printing cannot be executed.

Then, if it is determined that printing can be executed, the control unit F shifts the process to the next step S33a, and if not, proceeds to the process to step S35.

In step S33a, a print image 51b (see FIG. 13A) of data to be actually printed is created for the product information (“rice lunch box” according to the illustrated example) determined to be printed in the previous step. Then, after that, the process proceeds to the print image display routine (FIG. 4, step S4).

Further, in step S35 (see FIG. 7), the control unit F functions as a prohibiting means for prohibiting printing of product information based on the determination result of the previous step 33 that printing is not possible.
More specifically, according to step S35, the control unit F superimposes the print prohibition screen 100 on the product information selection screen 62 or the product information selection screen 67 displayed in step S31. (See FIG. 12), it functions as a notification means for notifying the determination result, a prohibition means for prohibiting printing of product information, and the like.

The print prohibition screen 100 illustrated in FIG. 12 displays "blue paper is set" for product information that does not include blue information as a notification of the determination result that printing is not possible (notification). means).

It should be noted that this notification can be a voice notification, a lamp lighting or blinking, or the like. The timing of this notification may be the time when the relationship between the type of the loaded paper 4 and the product information is specified.
Further, as another example of the display, it is possible to use an expression other than the illustrated example, such as "printing is not possible" or "red cannot be colored."

In addition, the print prohibition screen 100 displays "Please set the red paper to print the rice lunch box" as a notification prompting the use of other paper based on the determination result. This display can also be changed to an expression other than the illustrated example.

Further, the print prohibition screen 100 can be touch-operated with two buttons having the characters "replace paper" and "print in blue" as operation buttons for canceling the print prohibition state by the prohibition means. Display on.
The characters of the two buttons can be represented by expressions other than those shown in the illustrated examples. For example, "printing in blue" may be "printing as it is" or the like.

In the next step S36 (see FIG. 7), the print prohibition state by the prohibition means is released when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
Specifically, in this step S36, one of the "replace paper" and "print in blue (print as it is)" button is touched on the print prohibition screen 100 superimposed in the previous step. When the operation is performed, the display of the print prohibition screen 100 is canceled and the process corresponding to each button is executed.

For example, when the "replace paper" button is touch-operated, in the next step S37, the operator or the like is requested to replace the paper 4, and the replacement work is waited for to be completed.
This request may be made by displaying characters on the first display unit 21, transmitting voice by the speaker 20, or the like.

Further, for example, when the "print in blue" button is touch-operated, the process proceeds to step S36a.
The above-mentioned "print in blue" can be changed to "print as it is". In this case, in the next step, a button for selecting another printing method, such as "print in blue instead of red" or "print in black instead of red", is displayed in a touch-operable manner, and the touch is performed. The color to be actually printed may be determined according to the selection result by the operation.

In the next step S36a, the color information of the product information (“Torimeshi Bento” according to the illustrated example) determined as the print target in the previous step is changed to the printable color of the set paper, and the print image is printed. 51b'(see FIG. 13B) is created.
More specifically, the control unit F calls the data for printing from the product file 43a and the label format file 43b, and prints the color information data on the set paper. Change to a possible color. According to the illustrated example, for the label format file 43b (see FIG. 17) corresponding to the “rice lunch box” (# 2), the print color of the expiration date “18/2/9/9:10” is set to “red”. Change from "" to "blue".

Then, after that, the process proceeds to the print image display routine (FIG. 4, step S4).

In the print image display routine (step S4), the operation screen 50 shown in (a) or (b) of FIG. 13 is displayed on the first display unit 21.
The operation screen 50 has a plurality of display areas such as an image display area 51, a numeric keypad display area 52, a status display area 53, and an operation button display area 54.

The image display area 51 is an area for displaying the finished print image 51b or 51b'of the label issued by the printing device 1.

For example, when it is determined in step S33 that printing is possible, the print image 51b created in step S33a is displayed on the first display unit 21 (see FIG. 13A).
The printable color of the paper 4 corresponds to the color information of the label format file 43b corresponding to the product information in the print image 51b. According to the illustrated example, "18/2 /" indicating the date and time of the expiration date is shown. 9/9:10 "is displayed in red.

If it is determined in the previous step S36 that "print in blue (print as it is)", the print image 51b'created in the previous step S36a is displayed on the first display unit 21. (See FIG. 13 (b)).
In this print image 51b', the color information of the label format file 43b corresponding to the product information has been changed, and according to the illustrated example, "18/2/9/9:10" indicating the date and time of the expiration date is blue. In addition to displaying, a mark X (“!” According to the illustrated example) indicating that the color information has been changed is displayed in the vicinity of this date and time.

The mark X is for calling attention, is not actually printed, and is only displayed on the operation screen 50.
The mark X can be a symbol, a pattern, a character, or the like other than the illustrated example. Further, the mark X may be displayed at a place other than the illustrated example, for example, in the vicinity of the display 62a indicated by the type of paper 4.

Therefore, the operator of the printing device 1 can easily confirm the image of the label actually issued by the printing device 1 by visually observing the image display area 51 of the first display unit 21.

Further, in the operation screen 50 shown in FIG. 13, the numeric keypad display area 52 is an area for displaying the numeric keypad for inputting the number of issued labels or the like displayed in the image display area 51 by touch operation.
The numeric keypad image in the numeric keypad display area 52 is also used when a numerical value is specified on a screen for setting the printing device 1 (for example, the function setting screen 82 shown in FIG. 15).

In the status display area 53, the current operating state of the printing device 1 is displayed by an image including the designated number display unit 56, the issued number display unit 57, and the status bar display unit 58.

That is, when the number of labels to be issued is specified by the touch operation of the numeric keypad display area 52, the control unit F displays the number of labels on the designated number display unit 56. In addition, the number of issued labels is displayed on the issued number display unit 57 by operating the issue button 91, which will be described later.
According to the illustrated example, the designated number display unit 56 and the issued number display unit 57 are displayed as fractions, but as another example, a mode in which only the issued number display unit 57 is displayed or a display other than the illustrated example is displayed. It can be an embodiment.

The status bar display unit 58 is an image that visually displays the issuance status of the label by the status bar 53a having an appropriate width. According to the illustrated example, the designated number display unit 56 and the issued number display unit 57 It is displayed in a ring around it. The status bar display unit 58 changes the display mode according to the number of sheets displayed on the issued number display unit 57.
That is, according to the illustrated example, the control unit F increases the area of the status bar display unit 58 in a ring shape and changes the color of the status bar display unit 58 each time a label is issued.

For example, when the designated number of labels specified in the numeric keypad display area 52 is 12, the display of the designated number display unit 56 is "12". Then, when the operator of the printing device 1 operates the issue button 91 to issue one label, the display of the issued number display unit 57 becomes "1", and the status bar 53a has an area equivalent to an angle of 30 degrees. At the same time, it changes its color.
Then, when 12 labels are issued, the status bar display unit 58 has an area corresponding to an angle of 360 degrees and changes its color. Therefore, the operator can easily visually recognize the issuing status according to the number of labels actually issued with respect to the specified number of labels specified in the numeric keypad display area 52.

Further, as a particularly preferable embodiment, the control unit F notifies the printing status of the paper 4 in association with the type (color development characteristic) of the paper 4.
Specifically, the control unit F converts a plurality of colors showing the color development characteristics of the paper 4 as the color change of the status bar 53a described above every predetermined time. For example, when the colors indicating the color development characteristics are red and black, the status bar 53a is made to blink red and black to change the colors.

Further, as another preferred embodiment, the color of the status bar 53a may be changed stepwise according to the number of issued sheets with respect to the designated number of sheets.
Further, as another example, in addition to or by replacing the display by the status bar 53a, the remaining number of sheets and the remaining time until the end of printing may be displayed.
The status bar 53a can be in a mode other than the illustrated example, such as a band shape or a plurality of graphic displays.

According to the above configuration, the operator of the printing device 1 can visually confirm the label issuance status while re-recognizing the color used for the label by visually observing the status display area 53. ..

Further, in the operation button display area 54, the selection button 61, the edit button 71, the function setting button 81, the issue button 91, and the like are displayed as touch-operable operation buttons (see FIG. 13).

Then, when any of the operation buttons is touch-operated, the control unit F performs a process associated with the operation button (step S5).

More specifically, when the selection button 61 is touch-operated, the control unit F displays the product information selection screen 62 (see FIG. 10) described above on the display operation screen 50.
Further, when the edit button 71 is touch-operated, the control unit F transitions the displayed operation screen 50 to the edit operation screen 72 shown in FIG.
Further, when the function setting button 81 is touch-operated, the control unit F transitions the displayed operation screen 50 to the function setting screen 82 shown in FIG.

Further, when the issue button 91 (see FIG. 13) is touch-operated, the control unit F issues a label of the print image being displayed in the image display area 51, and each time the issue is issued, the output number display unit 57 issues a label. The number to be displayed is added, and the area of the status bar 53a is increased in a ring shape.

To explain in detail the issuance of the label, the control unit F prints the print image on the paper 4 conveyed by the conveying unit C, checks for printing defects by the reading means B, and checks the printing defect by the cutting unit E. To create a label of a predetermined length.
The printing state check is, for example, a check for the expiration date and whether or not there is a printing defect such as chipping or bleeding in the barcode printing. Since the control unit F stores the positive information of the product information in advance, the correct information is compared with the read scan information to calculate the matching rate, and if the matching rate satisfies a predetermined standard, the product is considered as a non-defective product. Judgment is made, and if it falls below the standard, it is judged as a defective product. When a defective product is determined, the result of the defective product determination (specifically, the defective part at the time of defect, the matching rate, etc.) is memorized and notified by voice transmission, image display, communication, etc. , Perform the process of discharging the defective product label.

When none of the selection button 61, the edit button 71, the function setting button 81, and the issue button 91 is touch-operated, for example, the operation screen 50 is hidden after a lapse of a predetermined time to save power, and the operation screen is displayed. When 50 is retouched, the operation screen 50 is redisplayed.

The editing operation screen 72 (see FIG. 14) is a screen having an editing image 73 in which a print image of a label is displayed as an editable image, and an editing operation button 76 for editing the edited image 73.
The control unit F displays the print image of the label as an editable edited image 73 having a plurality of print items 73a to 73g.

The edited image 73 displays a plurality of print items 73a to 73g, and among the plurality of print items, some print items are editable and some other print items are not editable.
For the editable print items, for example, decorations such as underline and thick line, character font, character size (height and length), color, and the like can be changed manually.
Each print item is associated with data in the product file 43a (see FIG. 16).
The number of these print items can be increased or decreased according to the edited image 73 or according to an arbitrary setting.

Among the plurality of print items described above, some of the print items are set to be editable or non-editable by the format data associated with the format number of the label format file 43b (FIG. 17).
For example, the "Torimeshi Bento" of the print item 73a is set to be editable by the format data (see FIG. 17) associated with the format number # 2, and is set to be editable by the operation of the edit operation button 76 or the like. It is possible to change the name of "bento" to "toridon" or change the font.
Further, the "expiration date" of the print item 73b is set to be non-editable by the format data (see FIG. 17) associated with the format number # 2, and the character "expiration date" is changed to another character. Can not do it.

Further, the print item 73c can display the date and time automatically calculated by the control unit F based on the print item 73e.
Then, the print item 73e can display the date and time automatically obtained by the control unit F by a function such as a calendar clock.

Further, the print item 73c is set to red according to the format data (see FIG. 17) associated with the format number # 2. This setting may be, for example, a mode in which the control unit F automatically sets in step S1 (see FIG. 4) described above. In this embodiment, when the control unit F recognizes the printable color of the paper 4 in step S1, the color color included in the printable color (red according to the illustrated example) is used as the color of the print item 73c. Set automatically.

As described above, the reason for setting only the date and time of the print item 73c in red without setting the (character of "expiration date") of the print item 73b in red is the display information regarding the expiration date. This is because the information that needs to be particularly notified to the customer who is a consumer is the date and time.
As another example, it is also possible to set the characters "expiration date" of the print item 73b in red along with the date and time of the print item 73c to emphasize and display the entire lines. ..
Another reason for displaying red as described above is, for example, when selling a product whose expiration date is approaching at a discount, the customer who is a consumer is urged to confirm the information regarding the expiration date. This is to notify that the product is being discounted.

The colors to be set have been described as black as the basic setting and red as the emphasized color, but other colors may be used as long as the basic setting color and the emphasized color can be distinguished. For example, the basic setting color may be red or other colors. Any color may be used, and the color to be emphasized may be black or any other color.

The function setting screen 82 (see FIG. 15) is a screen for making various settings related to the printing device 1, and includes "continuous number setting", "date and time setting", "network setting", "maintenance", "file management", and so on. It consists of the display of touch-operable buttons such as "system information". Then, the control unit F executes the process associated with each button according to the button selected by the touch operation.

Further, the control unit F has the type of paper 4 recognized at that time and the processing state (for example, operation screen 50, product information selection screen 62, product information selection screen) at an appropriate timing during the various processes described above. 67, various screens such as the editing operation screen 72, the number of issued labels, etc.) are stored in the storage means 42, and a battery backup process is performed.
The timing at which the storage is performed includes, for example, the timing at which one label is issued, the timing at which the screen switching operation is performed, the timing at which the editing operation is performed, the timing at a preset time interval, and the like. It is possible to

Then, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the control unit F sensed that during the various processes described above, the power was turned off and then turned on again by a signal in the electronic circuit constituting the control unit F. In the case (step S41), the type and processing state of the paper 4 stored in the storage means 42 are called (step S42), the called type is regarded as the type of the paper 4 currently set in the installation unit A, and the call is made. Resumes the processing status.

For example, when the power switch 17 is turned on after the power switch 17 is turned off while the label is being issued on the operation screen 50, the control unit F determines the type of paper 4 and the operation screen 50 information before the power is turned off. , And the number of issued labels, etc. are called from the storage means 42, and based on the called information, the operation screen 50 (including the print image) in the state before the power is turned off is reproduced and displayed, and the label is issued. To resume.

Therefore, according to the printing device 1 having the above configuration, it is possible to visually confirm the print image of the product information according to the type (printable color, etc.) of the paper 4 (thermal paper) before actually printing. It is possible to prevent the actual finish from being different from the printed image, and it is possible to perform appropriate printing according to the type of the loaded paper 4.
In addition, various settings of the printing device 1 and operations such as printing image editing can be performed quickly and efficiently.
<About deformation examples>

According to the above embodiment, as a first step, a process of reading the surface information M of the paper 4 by the reading means B (step S10) is performed, but as another example, specific color information (step S10) is added to the product information to be printed. For example, it is possible to prevent the reading means B from reading the surface information M of the paper 4 when the color information other than black) is not included.
More specifically, in this other example, before the process of reading the surface information M (step S10), for example, the processes of steps 31 and 32 (see FIG. 7) are executed to print the product information to be printed. Determine (print image).
Then, it is determined whether or not specific color information (for example, color information other than black such as red and blue) is included in the label format file 43b corresponding to the determined product information, and the color information is included. If so, the steps SS10 and S11 are executed, and if the color information is not included, the execution of the steps SS10 and S11 is omitted and the process jumps to the step S13.
Therefore, according to this other example, when the product information does not include specific color information, the control of the reading means B for reading the surface information M and the transport for transporting the paper 4 for reading the surface information M. A series of processes for searching for and reading the surface information M, such as control of the part C, can be omitted, and the processing speed as a whole can be improved.

Further, according to the above embodiment, in step S31 for displaying the product information selection screen 62 or 67, all the print images 51a to 51f are displayed regardless of the printable color of the loaded paper 4. However, as another example, the print image to be printed may be specified according to the printable color of the paper 4.
That is, in this other example, among all the print images 51a to 51f, only the print image having the color information corresponding to the printable color of the loaded paper 4 is displayed on the product information selection screen 62 or 67, and the other Do not display the print image. Alternatively, all the print images 51a to 51f are displayed, only the print images having the color information corresponding to the printable colors of the paper 4 are displayed in a touch-operable manner, and the other print images are displayed as masks that cannot be touch-operated. ..
Therefore, according to this other example, it is possible to effectively prevent the product information having the color information corresponding to the printable color of the loaded paper 4 from being printed.

Further, according to the above embodiment, in the paper specifying routine (step S1), the type of the paper 4 is recognized according to the detection signal by the reading means B, but as another example, the type of the paper 4 is used. A manual input means for manual input may be provided, and the control unit F may recognize the type of paper 4 in response to an operation on the manual input means.
More specifically, for example, the control unit F displays the paper type input screen 90 shown in FIG. 20 on the first display unit 21 as a manual input means to be replaced or used in combination with the reading means B in the paper specifying routine. And ask for the manual entry of the label color.
On the paper type input screen 90, characters requesting the selection of a unique label color (printable color) of the paper 4 (for example, "Please select a label color") and a plurality of types of label colors (for example, "" A touch-inputtable button 91 indicating "red-black", "blue-black", and "gold-red") is displayed.
The control unit F recognizes that the label color corresponding to the touch-input button 91 is the label color of the paper 4 set in the installation unit A.
Therefore, according to this aspect, the type of paper 4 can be manually recognized by the control unit F.
In a particularly preferable embodiment, when the control unit F detects a detection failure by the reading means B (for example, a failure of the reading means B, a setting failure of the paper 4, etc.) by a sensor (not shown), the paper identification routine is subjected to The process using the reading means B may be switched to the process using the manual input means.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the paper 4 is a roll-shaped heat-sensitive paper without a mount, and the type thereof is a color development characteristic (printable color). As another example, the paper 4 is a paper other than the roll-shaped paper. It is possible to make the above-mentioned aspect or an aspect in which the above-mentioned type is other than the color-developing characteristics.
That is, as another example, the paper 4 may be a paper with a mount or a paper cut in advance in a sheet-like shape.
Further, as another example, the type may be the width and thickness of the paper 4, the quality of the paper, and the like. In this case, the width of the paper 4 and the width of the paper 4 are displayed on the first display unit 21. An image that evokes the characteristics such as thickness and paper quality is displayed.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the surface information M of the paper 4 is read by the reading means B, but as another example, the type of the paper 4 is set to the paper width, and the width is set by a contact or non-contact sensor. It is also possible to use a mode of sensing, a mode in which an IC chip storing information of the type is mounted in advance on the paper 4, and a mode in which the IC chip is read by a sensor.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the first display unit 21 is a touch panel display, but as another example of the first display unit 21, a display that cannot be touch-operated is used, and a touch panel or the like is separately provided. It is also possible.

Further, as a preferable configuration to be added to the above embodiment, the control unit F detects a head cut (thermal head failure) and a paper 4 piece (paper 4 wear) by a sensor, and shows the detection state, but the image is displayed on the paper 4. The first display unit 21 may be displayed in a different color depending on the printable color of the paper. Further, the control unit F sets a color printing unit (for example, a first printing unit and a second printing unit of different colors) according to the printable color of the paper 4 as an image indicating the detection state. Then, this printing unit may be printed on the paper 4.

Further, as a preferable configuration to be added to the above embodiment, the control unit F sets the background color of the first display unit 21 (for example, the color around the print image 51b) to a color corresponding to the printable color of the paper 4. You may try to do it.

Further, as a preferable configuration added to the above embodiment, the control unit F may print the stamp, the seal, the company stamp, etc. on the paper 4 by printing by the printing means D.

Further, in the above embodiment, the printing device 1 is a thermal printer, but as another example, the printing device 1 can be configured as an inkjet printer.
When the printing apparatus 1 is configured as an inkjet printer, for example, different single or a plurality of inks are applied, the applied inks are read by the reading means B, and it is normal depending on whether or not the target color development is reproduced. It is possible to determine the type of set paper 4 such as the distinction between paper and photo paper.

Further, in the above embodiment, as a particularly preferable example, continuous paper (rolled and continuous medium such as a label) is used for the paper 4 to be printed, but as another example, a single sheet (a single sheet (rolled and continuous medium such as a label)) is used for the paper 4 to be printed. It is also possible to use copy paper, etc.).
However, when paper 4 is used as a single sheet, it is not always the case that the plurality of set sheets (paper 4) are of the same type, so each time the sheet is fed, reading is performed to specify the type of paper. There is a need to.
On the other hand, when the paper 4 is continuous paper as in the above embodiment, since it is premised that the same type of paper 4 is continuous, the paper is read only once to specify the type. Then, the subsequent paper identification work is unnecessary. That is, when continuous paper is used for the paper 4 as in the above embodiment, the frequency of control for specifying the paper can be reduced and the reliability of the paper specifying result can be improved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the paper 4 is used as thermal paper, but the printing apparatus according to the present invention can handle, for example, paper, labels (with or without mount), film, and the like as paper. For example, a synthetic resin film or the like does not develop color in the medium itself, but can be printed by adopting a thermal transfer method structure using a ribbon as the printing means.

Further, in the above embodiment, the type of paper 4 is determined using the paper discrimination data table T stored in advance, but in another embodiment, paper discrimination is performed by an operation by an operator or the like or communication with a server computer. It is also possible to add the data in the data table T. Hereinafter, this aspect will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, steps S13 to S15 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 are replaced with steps S51 to S56 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22. The same applies to steps S10 to 12.

In step S51, the control unit F displays the above-mentioned gradation pattern-shaped paper determination information N and the temperature display corresponding to each area on the loaded paper 4 (“10 to 130 (° C.)” according to the illustrated example). And print.

In the next step S52, the control unit F reads the paper determination information N and the temperature display printed on the paper 4 by the reading means B, and displays the paper registration screen 110 including the read data on the first display unit 21. Display on.

As shown in FIG. 21, the paper registration screen 110 displays the data (gradation pattern and temperature display) read by the reading means B as a color selection button 111 capable of selecting a color development point by a touch operation, and also displays the color development point. The sentence 112 prompting the selection and the selection of the color name is displayed.

The color selection button 111 displays a plurality of areas constituting the gradation pattern as buttons that can be touch-operated.
In one example of FIG. 21, only the "black" area is displayed as a touch-inoperable display, and the area other than "black" is displayed as a touch-operable button.

Next, in step S53, it waits for any area of the color selection button 111 to be touch-operated.
When the color development point is selected by the touch operation in any area of the color selection button 111, the control unit F inputs the color development point and the color name of the point on the paper registration screen 110. The text 113 prompting the user is displayed, and the color name input button 114 is displayed (step S54).

Then, the control unit F waits for the input of the color name (step S55), and when the color name is input by the color name input button 114, highlights the color name and then proceeds to the next step S56.

According to an example of FIG. 21, the color name input button 114 is a hanging curtain display in which a plurality of characters such as “purple” and “orange” can be selectively touch-operated. FIG. 21 shows a state in which “yellow” is selected and highlighted.
The color name input button 114 may have a mode other than the illustrated example as long as the color name can be input.

In step S56, the color development point selected by the touch operation of the operator is included in the color development type (color development name), and the paper type (printable color) is specified. Then, information such as these color development names and printable colors is written in the paper discrimination data table T.

According to the illustrated example, the area corresponding to 40 ° C. in the color selection button 111 is selected as the color development point, and the color development name corresponding to this color development point is referred to as “yellow color development”.
Then, the control unit F identifies the type of paper as "yellow / black paper" based on the color development name "yellow color development" and the fixed color development name "black color development" corresponding to 130 ° C., and these information. Is written in the paper discrimination data table T (see the two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 18). As another example, the paper type may be manually input.

After that, the control unit F shifts the process to the above-mentioned paper confirmation routine.

Therefore, according to this aspect, the operator can set an arbitrary color as a color used for printing. That is, for example, if the operator selects a light yellow color development point from the gradation pattern and inputs the color name, the actual printing can be performed with this light yellow color.

In the example shown in FIG. 21, one kind of color other than "black" can be selected, but as another example, two or more kinds of colors other than "black" can be selected, or "black" can be selected. It is also possible to make it possible to select a plurality of types of colors including.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

1: Printing device 2: Case 3: Cover body 4: Paper 13: Outlet 21: First display unit 31: Thermal head 40: Paper type confirmation screen 42: Storage means 50: Operation screen 51: Image display area 51a ~ 51f: Print image (product information)
53: Status display area 54: Operation button display area 62, 67: Product information selection screen 72: Editing operation screen 73: Editing image 90: Paper type input screen (manual input means)
A: Installation unit B: Reading means C: Conveying unit D: Printing means E: Cutting unit F: Control unit M: Surface information

Claims (7)

A storage means for storing product information and
A printing means for printing the product information on paper and
A reading means for reading the surface information applied to the surface of the paper, and
Specific means for identifying the type of paper based on the surface information, and
A determination means for determining whether or not the printing of the product information can be executed by the printing means based on the specified paper type.
A notification means for notifying the determination result by the determination means, and
A printing apparatus comprising. The determination means generates a determination result based on the type of the paper and the product information to be printed by the printing means.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification means notifies based on the determination result to encourage the use of another paper. When the surface information cannot be read by the reading means, the printing means prints predetermined paper determination information on the paper.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reading means reads the paper determination information printed by the printing means as the surface information. The paper determination information is printing that develops different colors depending on the type of the paper.
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specific means specifies the type of the paper according to the color development of the paper determination information read by the reading means. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a prohibiting means for prohibiting printing of the product information based on the determination result. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing prohibited state by the prohibited means is released when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The specifying means specifies the color development characteristics of the paper as the type of the paper, and
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the product information does not include specific color information, the surface information is not read by the reading means.

Images