JP4589831B2 - Label printer and label continuum - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label printer and a label continuum for printing on a label temporarily attached to a belt-like mount at intervals, and in particular, a label printer and a label for detecting a label end using information stored in an RFID label Concerning the continuum.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), merchandise management is performed by attaching an RFID label with a built-in RFID to a merchandise. The RFID label is printed using a label printer. Since various information can be stored in the RFID label, it is related to the total number of RFIDs and the number of sheets from the downstream side in the feed direction. A label printer that stores label number information and detects a label end using label number information stored in an RFID has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

However, in the prior art, since the label end is detected using the label number information stored in the RFID label, the label end cannot be detected when a normal label without a built-in RFID is used. There was a problem that.
JP 2004-245870 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to incorporate a RFID in spite of a configuration for detecting a label end using information stored in the RFID label. The present invention provides a label printer and a label continuum that can detect a label end even when a normal label that is not used is used.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration.
The gist of the invention described in claim 1 is that the RFID label continuous body in which the RFID label in which the RFID is incorporated is temporarily attached to the belt-like mount is wound around the winding core in a roll shape around the winding core. A label printer that is loaded, pulls out the RFID label continuum from the paper supply means, conveys it to a printing means, and prints on the RFID label by the printing means, between the paper supply means and the printing means And the information communication means for reading the end information stored in the RFID of the final RFID label drawn out from the paper supply means in a non-contact manner, and the end information is read by the information communication means, A remaining number calculating means for calculating a remaining number based on a pitch of the RFID label and an arrangement of the information communication means, and the remaining number Switching between a label end notifying unit for notifying a label end after printing the remaining number of sheets calculated by the calculating unit, an RFID label mode using the RFID label, and a normal label mode using a normal label in which the RFID is not incorporated. Mode switching means, and in the normal label mode, the remaining number calculating means has a range in which the distance from the leading end on the upstream side of the final normal label is one to two times the label pitch size. by attached within, it consists in a label printer, characterized in that to calculate the remaining number one less than the RFID label mode.
The gist of the invention according to claim 2 is that the mode switching means for switching determines whether or not communication is possible between the RFID label or the normal label and the information communication means. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein when the communication is impossible in the label mode, the mode is switched to the normal label mode.
The gist of the invention described in claim 3 is that a normal label not incorporating RFID is temporarily attached to the belt-like mount at intervals, wound around the winding core in a roll shape, and provided with a reader / writer that reads the RFID. A label continuous body for a label printer, wherein the RFID in which end information is stored is attached to an end tape that fixes a belt-like mount to a winding core, and the RFID mounting position is upstream of the final normal label. The label continuum is characterized in that the distance from the tip of the label is in the range of one to twice the label pitch size .

  The label printer of the present invention includes an information communication unit that reads end information stored in the RFID of the final RFID label pulled out from the paper supply unit, and an RFID label when the end information is read by the information communication unit. A remaining number calculating means for calculating the remaining number based on the pitch of the information communication means, a label end notifying means for notifying the label end after printing the remaining number calculated by the remaining number calculating means, and an RFID label. A mode switching means for switching between an RFID label mode to be used and a normal label mode using a normal label without a built-in RFID, and the remaining number calculating means has one sheet remaining less than the RFID label mode in the normal label mode. By configuring the number of sheets to calculate, Even though the label end is detected using the information stored in the RFID label by using the label continuous body in which the RFID storing the end information is attached to the fixing tape to be fixed, the RFID end is detected. Even when a normal label without a built-in is used, it is possible to detect the label end.

  Further, in the label printer of the present invention, the mode switching means for switching determines whether or not communication is possible between the RFID label or the normal label and the information communication means, and if communication is possible, the RFID label mode cannot be communicated. In some cases, each mode is switched to the normal label mode, so that the mode can be automatically switched and the operation time can be reduced.

  In addition, the label continuum of the present invention is attached to the RFID in which end information is stored within the range of 1P to 2P from the end of the final normal label of the end stop tape that fixes the belt-like mount to the winding core. With this configuration, in the label printer of the present invention, in the normal label mode, the remaining number of sheets up to the final normal label is accurately calculated by calculating the remaining number of sheets one less than that in the RFID label mode. It is possible to reliably print even normal labels.

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a label printer according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a form of a label used in an embodiment of a label printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit illustrated in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the printer 100 according to the present embodiment includes a platen roller 1 and a thermal head 2 having a heating element formed on a surface facing the platen roller 1, and a plurality of labels 3 are belt-shaped. The label continuous body 5 temporarily attached to the mount 4 is nipped and conveyed between the platen roller 1 and the thermal head 2, and the heat generating body of the thermal head 2 is selectively heated, thereby causing the label 3 to develop heat sensitive color. It is configured to print desired characters, barcodes, and the like. Note that the thermal transfer ribbon and the label continuous body 5 may be sandwiched and conveyed between the platen roller 1 and the thermal head 2, and the ink of the thermal transfer ribbon may be transferred to the label 3 for printing.

  As a form of the label 3 used in the printer 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, a label 3 having a built-in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) 6 (hereinafter referred to as an RFID label 3a). As shown in FIG. 2B, there is a normal label 3 (hereinafter referred to as a normal label 3b) in which the RFID 6 is not incorporated, and both the RFID label 3a and the normal label 3b have a belt-like mount 4 Is used as the label continuous body 5 temporarily attached to the paper supply unit 8 and loaded into the paper supply unit 8 while being wound around the winding core 7 in a roll shape. The winding start of the label continuous body 5 is fixed to the winding core 7 with an end stop tape 9. In the case of the normal label 3b, as shown in FIG. 2B, the RFID 6 is attached to the end stop tape 9, and the label pitch of the normal label 3b temporarily attached to the belt-like mount 4 is P. The RFID 6 is attached so that the distance from the tip of the final normal label 3b is in the range of 1P to 2P. Note that an RFID is a tag that includes an antenna and an IC chip and is capable of wireless (non-contact) information communication using radio waves. Other names such as a non-contact IC tag, a wireless IC tag, and a non-contact IC are used. In the present invention, it is expressed as a representative RFID.

  Various attribute information related to printing can be stored in the RFID 6 built in the RFID label 3a, but the RFID 6 of the final RFID label 3a (the RFID label 3a at the beginning of winding on the core 7) is stored. Stores at least end information indicating the final RFID label 3a. In the case of the normal label 3b, various attribute information can also be stored in the RFID 6 attached to the end stop tape 9, but at least end information is stored.

  On the back side of the label continuous body 5 conveyed between the platen roller 1 and the thermal head 2, an eye mark (black rectangular mark) formed by printing or the like on the back surface of the label continuous body 5 is detected. A sensor 10 that outputs an eye mark detection signal is provided. The eye mark detection signal is input from the sensor 10 to the control unit 20, and the control unit 20 drives the thermal head 2 and the drive motor 11 that rotationally drives the platen roller 1 at a printing timing based on the eye mark detection signal. Control and print.

  An RFID 6 built in the RFID label 3a and an RFID 6 attached to an end stop tape 9 are provided on the back side of the label continuous body 5 conveyed between the platen roller 1 and the thermal head 2 from the paper supply unit 8. Is provided. The reader / writer 12 transmits a calling radio wave having a fixed frequency to the RFID 6 composed of an antenna and an IC chip, and reads information stored in the RFID 6 (IC chip memory) in a contactless manner, and the RFID 6 (IC chip). And a function for writing information in a non-contact manner.

  A host 40 such as a personal computer is connected to the control unit 20 via an external interface (external I / F) 30, and various data and data are exchanged with the host 40 connected to the outside via the external I / F 30. Commands can be sent and received. Further, the control unit 20 includes an input unit 50 for inputting various data and commands, and a display unit 60 for displaying input data and various information input from the input unit 50 as an interface (I / F). The input data input from the input unit 50 is connected to the control unit 20 via the I / F 31 and the display data corresponding to various information displayed on the display unit 60 is the I / F 31. It is supplied from the control unit 20 via.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit 20 operates in accordance with a ROM (read only memory) 21 that stores a predetermined control program and font data, and a control program stored in the ROM 21 and controls each unit. processing unit) 22, a random access memory (RAM) 23 for storing various data necessary for the operation of the CPU 22, and a conveyance signal for supplying a drive signal such as a pulse signal to the drive motor 11 and rotating the drive motor 11. A control unit 24, a print control unit 25 that causes the thermal head 2 to perform a printing operation based on an instruction from the CPU 22, and an eye mark detection signal received from the sensor 10 under the control of the CPU 22, and converted into digital data. And a label detector 26 that supplies the CPU 22 with a pitch signal and a flash that does not lose its contents even when the power is turned off. And a print status storage unit 27 such as a memory.

  When the CPU 22 receives the print data transmitted from the host 40 via the external I / F 30, the CPU 22 reads out font data corresponding to the character code included in the received print data from the ROM 21, and prints transmitted from the host 40. Bitmap image data corresponding to the data is developed in the drawing area of the RAM 23.

  The CPU 22 instructs the print control unit 25 to print the bitmap image data developed in the drawing area of the RAM 23 and instructs the transport control unit 24 to transport the continuous label body 5 in the transport direction.

  Based on an instruction from the CPU 22, the print control unit 25 supplies a control signal to the thermal head 2 corresponding to the bitmap image data developed in the drawing area of the RAM 23 to perform a printing process. Further, the transport control unit 24 supplies a predetermined drive signal to the drive motor 11 based on an instruction from the CPU 22 to rotate the drive motor 11. As a result, the print data is printed on the label 3 temporarily attached to the label continuous body 5.

Next, the operation at the time of label end detection in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of detecting the label end when the RFID label is loaded in the embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the label printer according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the calculation operation | movement of the remaining number of printed sheets performed at the time of label end detection in a form.

  When a new label continuum 5 is loaded in the paper supply unit 8, that is, when the label is exchanged (step A 1), the CPU 22 performs the first printing of the label 3 and the reader / writer 12. It is determined whether or not the first label 3 to be printed is the RFID label 3a (step A2). If communication is possible, the RFID label mode is set (step A3). If the communication is impossible, it is determined that the normal label 3b is loaded, and the normal label mode is set (step A4). In this embodiment, the label type is determined based on whether or not communication with the label 3 to be printed first is possible, and the RFID label mode and the normal label mode are switched. The RFID label mode and the normal label mode may be switched by the input of, and the type information indicating the label type is recorded on the core 7 around which the label continuous body 5 is wound, and the type information is read. Thus, the label type may be determined.

  In the RFID label mode, the CPU 22 monitors the detection of end information from the RFID 6 of the RFID label 3a by the reader / writer 12 (step A5), and the final RFID label 3a (the RFID label 3a at the start of winding on the winding core 7). When the end information stored in the RFID 6 is read by the reader / writer 12, the end information stored in the RFID 6 of the final RFID label 3a (the RFID label 3a at the start of winding on the core 7) is read by the reader / writer 12. Is deleted (step A6), and a message indicating the near label end is displayed on the display unit 60 to notify the user of the near label end (step A7), and the remaining number of prints is calculated (step A8). The calculated remaining number is displayed on the display unit 60. In Rukoto notifies the remaining number of printed sheets to the user (step A9). For the calculation of the remaining number of prints in the RFID label mode, referring to FIG. 5A, how many RFID labels 3a exist at the distance H from the tip A of the RFID label 3a to be printed next to the reading position B of the reader / writer 12. The distance H is divided by the label pitch P, and 1 is added to the calculated value to calculate the remaining number of prints. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5A, when the distance H is divided by the label pitch P, it becomes 2.5, and the distance from the leading end A of the RFID label 3a to be printed next to the reading position B of the reader / writer 12 It is required that two RFID labels 3a exist in H, and three sheets obtained by adding one of the final RFID labels 3a whose end information has been read by the reader / writer 12 to the two obtained sheets are the remaining number of printed sheets. Calculated. The label pitch P may be stored in the RFID 6 of the RFID label 3a, or the latest label feed amount may be stored.

  Next, every time the print data transmitted from the host 40 is printed, the CPU 22 decrements the remaining number displayed on the display unit 60, and the number of print data transmitted from the host 40 reaches the remaining number of prints. (Step A10), and when the print data transmitted from the host 40 reaches the remaining number of prints, a message notifying the label end is displayed on the display unit 60 to notify the user of the label end. (Step A11). Note that the remaining number of printed sheets, the near label end, and the notification to the user of the label end may be sent by a lamp such as an LED or a voice.

  If there is unprinted data already received from the host 40 when the label end is notified, the CPU 22 processes to print from the unprinted data after label replacement. In this case, when it is determined in step A2 after the label replacement that the label 3 to be printed first is not the RFID label 3a, that is, the label 3 to be printed first is the normal label 3b. The display unit 60 may be configured to notify the user of the label type change by displaying a message informing that the label type has been changed.

  When the normal label mode is set, the CPU 22 stores the number of prints of the print data transmitted from the host 40 in the print status storage unit 27 as the number of prints, and if the print data includes a serial number, After the label replacement, the serial number included in the first printed print data is stored in the print status storage unit 27 as the initial serial number, and the serial number included in the most recently printed print data is stored in the print status storage unit 27 as the final serial number. (Step A12).

  In the normal label mode, the CPU 22 monitors the detection of end information from the RFID 6 attached to the end stop tape 9 by the reader / writer 12 (step A13) and stores it in the RFID 6 attached to the end stop tape 9. When the read end information is read by the reader / writer 12, the CPU 22 notifies the user of the near label end by displaying a message informing the near label end on the display unit 60 (step A14) and the remaining number of prints. Is calculated (step A15), and the calculated remaining number of sheets is displayed on the display unit 60 to notify the user of the remaining number of printed sheets (step A16). For the calculation of the remaining number of prints in the normal label mode, referring to FIG. 5 (b), how many normal labels 3b exist at the distance H from the leading end A of the normal label 3b to be printed next to the reading position B of the reader / writer 12. Is determined by dividing the distance H by the label pitch P, and the calculated value is set as the remaining number of prints. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5B, when the distance H is divided by the label pitch P, it becomes 2.5, and the distance from the leading end A of the RFID label 3a to be printed next to the reading position B of the reader / writer 12 It is required that two RFID labels 3 a exist in H, and further, the portion of the RFID 6 from which the end information is read by the reader / writer 12 is the end stop tape 9, so that the obtained two sheets are the remaining number of prints. Calculated. In the case of the normal label 3b used in this embodiment, since the RFID 6 is attached within the range of 1P to 2P from the tip of the final normal label 3b, The remaining number is accurately calculated. Further, the label pitch P may be stored in the RFID 6 attached to the end stop tape 9, or the latest label feed amount may be stored.

  The CPU 22 adds the remaining number calculated in step A15 to the number of printed sheets and the final serial number stored in the printing status storage unit 27, and the added number of printed sheets and final serial number and the initial serial number are added to the reader / writer 12. Is written to the RFID 6 attached to the end stop tape 9 (step A17), and the stored contents (number of printed sheets, initial serial number and final serial number) are erased (step A18). The number of printed sheets and the initial serial number and the final serial number written on the RFID 6 attached to the end stop tape 9 are, for example, when the printed normal label 3b is wound in the state of the label continuous body 5 and used. It can be used for confirming the number and serial number of the wound normal label 3b.

  Next, every time the print data transmitted from the host 40 is printed, the CPU 22 decrements the remaining number displayed on the display unit 60, and the number of print data transmitted from the host 40 reaches the remaining number of prints. (Step A10), and when the print data transmitted from the host 40 reaches the remaining number of prints, a message notifying the label end is displayed on the display unit 60 to notify the user of the label end. (Step A11).

  If there is unprinted data already received from the host 40 when the label end is notified, the CPU 22 processes to print from the unprinted data after label replacement. In this case, if it is determined in step A2 after the label exchange that the label 3 to be printed first is the RFID label 3a, a message notifying that the label type has been changed is displayed on the display unit 60. It is good to comprise so that a change of label classification may be notified to a user by displaying.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the reader / writer 12 that reads the end information stored in the RFID 6 of the final RFID label 3a pulled out from the paper supply unit 8 in a non-contact manner and the reader / writer 12 When the end information is read, the CPU 22 calculates the remaining number based on the pitch of the RFID label 3a and the arrangement of the reader / writer 12, notifies the label end after printing the remaining number, and in the normal label mode, the RFID label Since the remaining number of sheets is calculated by one less than the mode, the label continuous body 5 to which the RFID 6 storing the end information is attached to the end tape 9 for fixing the belt-like mount 4 to the winding core 7 is provided. By using this, the label end is detected using the information stored in the RFID label 3a. Nevertheless, even when the normal label 3b without the built-in RFID 6 is used, the label end can be detected, and furthermore, the printing is erroneously performed on the end tape 9 to which the RFID 6 is attached. There is an effect that there is nothing.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the communication between the RFID label 3a or the normal label 3b and the reader / writer 12 is possible. If the communication is possible, the CPU 22 cannot enter the RFID label mode. In some cases, each mode is switched to the normal label mode, so that the mode can be automatically switched and the operation time can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the normal label 3b is temporarily attached to the belt-like mount 4 with an interval, and the belt-like mount 4 is wound around the winding core 7 in the form of a roll. In the printer 100, the end stopper tape 9 to be fixed to the end of the final normal label 3b is within the range of 1P to 2P and the RFID 6 storing end information is attached. In the normal label mode, the remaining number of sheets is calculated by one less than in the RFID label mode, so that the remaining number of sheets up to the final normal label 3b is accurately calculated, and the final normal label 3b can be printed reliably. There is an effect.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that the embodiments can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for implementing the present invention. In each figure, the same numerals are given to the same component.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of embodiment of the label printer which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the form of the label used for embodiment of the label printer which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of label end detection in case RFID label is loaded in embodiment of the label printer which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the calculation operation | movement of the remaining number of printed sheets performed at the time of label end detection in embodiment of the label printer which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Platen Roller 2 Thermal Head 3 Label 3a RFID Label 3b Normal Label 4 Band Mount 5 Label Continuum 6 RFID
7 Winding Core 8 Paper Supply Unit 9 End Stop Tape 10 Sensor 11 Drive Motor 12 Reader / Writer (Information Communication Unit)
20 Control unit 21 ROM
22 CPU (remaining number calculation means, mode switching means)
23 RAM
24 Conveyance control unit 25 Print control unit 26 Label detection unit 27 Print status storage unit 30 External interface (external I / F)
31 Interface (I / F)
40 host 50 input unit 60 display unit (label end notification means)
100 printer

Claims (3)

An RFID label continuous body in which an RFID label with a built-in RFID is temporarily attached to a belt-like mount is placed on a paper supply means in a state of being wound in a roll around a core, and the RFID is supplied from the paper supply means to the RFID. A label printer that pulls out a label continuum, conveys it to a printing unit, and prints on the RFID label by the printing unit, and is disposed between the paper supply unit and the printing unit, and is pulled out from the paper supply unit. Information communication means for reading the end information stored in the RFID of the final RFID label in a contactless manner, and when the end information is read by the information communication means, the pitch of the RFID label and the information communication means The remaining number calculating means for calculating the remaining number of sheets based on the arrangement of the number and the remaining number calculating means Label end notifying means for notifying the label end after printing the number of copies, and mode switching means for switching between an RFID label mode using the RFID label and a normal label mode using a normal label without a built-in RFID. In the normal label mode, the remaining number calculating means is attached so that the distance from the upstream end of the final normal label is one to twice the label pitch size. Thus , the remaining number of sheets is calculated by one sheet less than the RFID label mode. The switching mode switching means determines whether or not communication is possible between the RFID label or the normal label and the information communication means. If communication is possible, the RFID label mode is entered. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the label printer is switched to the normal label mode. A label continuous body for a label printer provided with a reader / writer, in which a normal label without a built-in RFID is temporarily attached to a belt-like mount with an interval, wound around a winding core in a roll shape, and reads the RFID , end information to end fastening tape for fixing the winding core a backing strip is the RFID stored is mounted, the mounting position of the RFID, the distance from the upstream side of the distal end of the final of the ordinary label is a label pitch size one Label continuum characterized by being in the range of double to double .

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