JP4611164B2 - Printer and print control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention particularly relates to a printer and a print control method that do not waste the first display label.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a printing apparatus (printer) that uses both a transmissive sensor and a reflective sensor to perform a printing process from a label printing start position regardless of the positional relationship of labels (display labels). (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
According to this printing device, the type of paper that can be used for each model (the label is temporarily attached to the mount) is determined. The label is to be positioned at the start position. In other words, on the paper on which the label is temporarily attached to the mount, a mark for detecting the label position is provided at a position corresponding to the leading end (front end) of the label on the back side of the mount (the end in the direction in which the label is conveyed). Some are printed, and some are printed at a position corresponding to the end (rear end) of the label on the back side of the mount. Also, some printing devices have the front end (front end) of the label on the back side of the mount. There are models that use paper on which a mark is printed at a position corresponding to, and models that use paper on which a mark is printed at a position corresponding to the end (rear edge) of the label on the back of the mount. For this reason, depending on the model of the printing apparatus, paper suitable for that model is used. If the type of paper is different, the printing start position when the printing process is performed on the label is shifted. Therefore, the print start position is automatically moved and adjusted according to the positional relationship between the position where the mark is printed and the label.
However, in Patent Document 1, one or more labels on a sheet are transported in the transport direction (forward) in order to determine the position of the label based on the portion of the mount only between the labels, the so-called gap and the mark. There is a problem that the first sheet is wasted.
In particular, the label is handled in the same way as a cash voucher. In order to prevent unauthorized issuance and unauthorized use, and to avoid wasting high-priced labels, development of a printing device (printer) that can reliably print from the first sheet is desired.
JP 2005-178303 A

The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a printer and a print control method capable of reliably printing from the first sheet.

The printer according to claim 1 is a printer that performs printing on a display label that is temporarily attached to a belt-like mount at regular intervals and has a cut area for identifying a set area at the start of printing. A printing means for printing a display label; a conveying means for conveying the mount and the display label; and a first detection means for detecting a portion of the mount only between the ends of the two adjacent display labels. , Second detection means for detecting identification marks printed at equal intervals on the mount at an appropriate distance from the end of the display label, detection results by the first detection means, and the second detection means Control means for controlling the conveying means according to the detection result by, and at the start of printing, according to the notch part, the display label is fed to the set direction at the start of printing and then fed in the conveying direction, The identification mark is detected by the second detection means via the control means and stopped. Further, the conveyance means is turned to a feed in the reverse conveyance direction, and the first detection means detects only the mount. And the received data is printed on the first display label by the printing means, and only the mount between the first display label and the next display label is printed by the first detection means. detect and you control means controls to stop.
Also, the control means, when the subsequent second sheet printing, can be made to control the position of the label by detection of only the backing by the first detecting means.
Further, the print control method according to the second invention is a print control for performing printing on a display label temporarily attached to a belt-like mount and formed with a cut area for identifying a set area at the start of printing. A method for detecting a portion of the mount only between a printing unit that prints the display label, a transport unit that transports the mount and the display label, and two end portions of the display label that are adjacent to each other. A first detection means; a second detection means for detecting identification marks printed at equal intervals on the mount, the position being appropriately separated from the end of the display label; and a detection result by the first detection means; A control unit that controls the conveying unit according to a detection result of the second detection unit; and a cutting unit. When starting printing, the display label is aligned with a set area at the start of printing according to the cutting unit. Life When feeding in the feeding direction, the identification mark is detected and stopped by the second detecting means via the control means, and then the conveying means is changed to feed in the reverse conveying direction, and the first detecting means mounts the mount. When the data is detected and the data after online recognition is received, the printing means conveys the first display label while printing, and the first detection means displays the next second sheet. When only the portion of the mount between the labels is detected, the portion of the mount only is positioned at the cutting portion and stopped.

The printer according to the present invention includes a first detection unit that detects only the mount and a second detection unit that detects the identification mark, and feeds the display label in the transport direction in accordance with the set area at the start of printing. The identification mark is detected, turned in the reverse conveyance direction, the first detection means detects and stops only the mount, and further receives online data, so it can be printed reliably from the first display label. effective.
In addition, since the printing control method according to the present invention detects the portion of the mount alone and then stops after positioning the portion of the mount alone at the cutting portion, the first display label is issued without waste, and the display label is displayed. This has the effect of preventing unauthorized use.

    Hereinafter, the printer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an embodiment of a printer 50 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a display label 2 to be described later is temporarily attached to the mount 1 at regular intervals, and a medium supply unit 4 that supplies a wound continuous body 3 and a continuous supply supplied from the medium supply unit 4. A transmission sensor 5 and a reflection sensor 6 for detecting the printing start position of the display label 2 of the body 3, a printing unit 7 for performing a printing process on the display label 2, and a casing (not shown) on the downstream side of the printing unit 7. The cutting blade 8 is formed as a cutting portion, and a control portion 9 for controlling the respective portions.

The transmission sensor 5 as the first detection unit and the reflection sensor 6 as the second detection unit are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction of the continuous body 3. The transmission sensor 5 includes a light emitting unit 5a that emits predetermined light and a light receiving unit 5b that receives the light, and the light emitting unit 5a and the light receiving unit 5b are arranged at positions facing each other with the continuum 3 interposed therebetween. Thus, only the mount 1 between the display labels 2 of the continuum 3 described later, that is, a so-called “gap portion” is detected. The reflection sensor 6 includes a light emitting unit 6 a that emits predetermined light and a light receiving unit 6 b that receives the light, and the light emitting unit 6 a and the light receiving unit 6 b are disposed on the mount 1 side of the continuum 3. Thus, an “identification mark” on the back surface of the mount 1 of the continuum 3 to be described later is detected. In the example of FIG. 1, the transmission sensor 5 and the reflection sensor 6 are shifted in the transport direction for convenience of explanation.
The printing unit 7 includes a thermal head 10 and a platen 11 that presses the continuous body 3 between the thermal head 10, and the continuous body 3 is transported in the transport direction (arrow F direction) or transported by the rotation of the platen 11. It conveys or feeds in the reverse direction (arrow B direction). Reference numeral 18 denotes a stepping motor, and the rotation of the stepping motor 18 is transmitted to the platen 11 via a gear 26.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the embodiment of FIG. As shown in the figure, the control unit 9 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (read only memory) 13, and a CPU (central processing unit) 12 that controls each unit, and the CPU 12 performs various processes. A random access memory (RAM) 14 that stores various data necessary for execution, a stepping motor 18 that drives the platen 11 that transports the continuum 3, a motor control unit 19 that controls the stepping motor 18, The print control unit 20 that controls the thermal head 10 that performs printing on the display label 2 of the continuum 3 and the transmission sensor 5 and the reflection sensor 6 are controlled, and the signals output from the sensors 5 and 6 are converted into digital data. Converted and provided to the CPU 12 as position detection data Sensor control unit 21, a display 15 made up of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that makes it possible to recognize an operating state, a stopped state, and the like, and control signals corresponding to various information to be displayed on the display 15 Is supplied to the display 15 to control the display 15, the interface unit 17 to which an external device such as a PC (personal computer) 16 is connected, the interface unit 17 is controlled, and the interface 17 unit An external interface control unit 23 that transmits / receives data to / from an external device that is connected via a battery, and a battery 24 that supplies power to each unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying “abandoned vehicle recognition mark” as the display label 2 and shows a continuous body 3 in which the display label 2 is connected.
As shown in the figure, the continuum 3 includes a mount 1 and a display label 2 slightly smaller than the mount 1, and the display label 2 is continuous in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3). It is connected. Between the display labels 2, there is a so-called gap portion 30, which is only the mount 1. The display label 2 is partitioned and formed so as to be separable into the first display label 2a and the second display label 2b by the slit S1.
Further, the first display label 2a is formed with cut portions 34 for identifying a set area at both right and left ends that are appropriately separated from the upper end portion (the upper end portion in FIG. 3). The space becomes a set area P when setting the display label 2 (continuous body 3) at the start of printing, which will be described later. Further, on the surface of the first display label 2a, a hatched portion is printed in yellow so as to make it easy to call attention, and a “parking violation” character 31, a parking prohibition mark 32, and the like are preprinted. An area following a white part other than yellow (shaded part) and an item heading character such as “(mark number)” or “(registration (vehicle) number)” is a variable information print area 33 described later. It has become.
The second display label 2b prints variable information similar to that of the first display label 2a as a record.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the continuum 3 viewed from the back surface (the surface on which the display label 2 is not temporarily attached) of the mount 1. The mount 1 has slits S2 and perforations M formed vertically and horizontally, and the mount 1 is partitioned and formed into a plurality of “separation portions” by the slits S2 and the perforations M. Then, when the “separation part” of the mount 1 is selectively peeled along the slits S and perforations M, an adhesive layer (not shown) is exposed. Note that the slit S2 and the perforation M on the back surface of the mount 1 are not main parts in the present embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
Reference numeral 35 denotes an identification mark provided for detection of the position when printing on the display label 2. The identification mark 35 is provided at a position appropriately separated from the upper end of the display label 2. ing.

Next, the print positioning control of the continuous body 3 (display label 2) in the printer 50 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
This figure is an explanatory view of the continuum 3 in a state in which the display label 2 is continuously formed on the mount 1 as viewed from the mount 1 side. For convenience of explanation, the above-described slit S2 and perforation M formed on the back surface of the mount 1 are omitted.

5A, the continuous body 3 is attached to the medium supply unit 4, and the set area P of the first display label 2X of the continuous body 3, that is, the upper end portion of the display label 2 (the left end portion in FIG. 5). And the area formed between the cut portion 34 is positioned at the position of the cutting blade 8 which is the paper cutting position C, and after positioning, an unillustrated FEED (feed) key is pressed. By pressing the FEED key, the continuous body 3 pressed between the thermal head 10 and the platen 11 is fed in the transport direction (the arrow F direction) by the rotation of the platen 11.

When the identification mark 35 on the back surface of the mount 1 of the continuum 3 reaches the position of the reflection sensor 6 (sensor position S) as the second detection means during the feed conveyance, the identification mark 35 is detected by the sensor 6 and stops. (See FIG. 5 (b)).

Next, the rotation of the platen 11 is turned in the reverse direction of conveyance (direction indicated by arrow B), and the leading end portion (left end portion in FIG. 5) of the top (first sheet) display label 2X is the first detecting means. When detected by the transmission sensor 5 (see FIG. 5C), it is recognized as a print start position. That is, when the display label 2 is detected after the transmission sensor 5 detects only the portion of the mount 1 (gap portion 30), the “print start position” is recognized. When 2X reaches the print start position, the printer 50 enters an online state, receives print data (not shown) via the PC 16, and this time the continuum 3 is moved in the downstream conveyance direction (direction indicated by arrow F). Received data (not shown) received earlier while being conveyed is sent to the thermal head 10 via the print controller 20 and printed on the display label 2. Printing continues until the printing of the received data for one case is completed (see FIG. 5D), and after the printing is finished, the gap 30 between the next (second sheet) display label 2Y and the paper It is conveyed in the conveyance direction (arrow F direction) until it reaches the cutting position C, that is, the position of the cutting blade 8 (see FIG. 5E).
The continuous body 3 in which the gap portion 30 is positioned at the position of the cutting blade 8 is cut as one display label 2 by the operator's hand.
When the first display label 2X is cut, the continuous body 3 is transported in the transport reverse direction (arrow B direction), and the tip of the next second display label 2Y is detected by the transmission sensor 5. (See FIG. 5C). Thereafter, the steps (d), (e), and (c) are repeated.
Note that after the first display label 2X is cut off, the identification mark 35 is not detected by the reflection sensor 6, but only the gap portion 30 is detected by the transmission sensor 5 for positioning.

Next, the display label 2 on which variable information is printed by the printer 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
The display label 2 is for printing variable information such as a violation status on the road or the like, and the variable information is printed in the variable information printing area 33 of the display label 2 before printing in FIG. It is printed. That is, as shown in the figure, the first display label 2a is encoded with a mark number 25a that is a unique number of the issued display label 2, a registration (vehicle) number 25b, the mark number 25a, and the like. The bar code 25c, jurisdiction police signature 25d, handler 25e, telephone number 25f, violation information 25g (date / time / location / mode), etc. are printed, and the issuer's credit is the second Variable information similar to the mark number 25a, registration (vehicle) number 25b, and violation status 25g is printed on the display label 2b.

As described above, when the first detection means for detecting only the mount and the second detection means for detecting the identification mark are provided, and the display label is fed in the transport direction in accordance with the set area at the start of printing, the identification mark Further, the sheet is turned in the reverse direction of the conveyance, and the first detection means detects and stops only the mount, so that the first display label can be surely printed.

In addition, after detecting only the mount, the received data is printed on the first display label by the printing means, and only the mount between the next display label and the next display label is printed by the first detection means. Since the portion is positioned and stopped at the cutting portion, the first display label is issued without waste and is not illegally used.

It should be noted that the configuration and operation of the above-described embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a display label printed by a printer before printing. It is the schematic explanatory drawing which looked at the display label of FIG. 3 from the back side of the mount. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating display label printing positioning control in the printer 50. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a display label after variable information is printed by the printer.

Explanation of symbols

P Set area F Conveying direction B Conveying reverse direction S, S1, S2 Slit M Perforation 50 Printer 1 Mount 2, 2a, 2b Display label 3 Continuum 4 Medium supply unit 5, 5a, 5b Transmission sensor 6, 6a, 6b Reflection Sensor 7 Printing means 8 Cutting part (cutting blade)
9 Control Unit 10 Thermal Head 11 Platen 12 CPU
13 ROM
14 RAM
15 Indicator (LED)
16 PC (personal computer)
17 interface unit 18 stepping motor 19 motor control unit 20 print control unit 21 sensor control unit 22 display control unit 23 external interface control unit 24 battery 25a mark number 25b vehicle number 25c bar code 25d jurisdiction police signature 25e handler 25f joint number 25g Violation situation 26 Gear 30 Gap part 31 Character 32 Parking prohibition mark 33 Print area 34 Cut part 35 Identification mark

Claims (3)

A printer that prints on a display label that is temporarily attached to a belt-like mount at regular intervals and has a cut area for identifying a set area at the start of printing,
Printing means for printing on the display label;
Conveying means for conveying the mount and the display label;
First detecting means for detecting a portion of only the mount between the end portions of two display labels adjacent to each other;
Second detection means for detecting identification marks printed at equal intervals on the mount at an appropriate distance from the end of the display label;
Control means for controlling the conveying means according to the detection result by the first detection means and the detection result by the second detection means,
At the start of printing, when the display label is fed in the transport direction according to the set area at the start of printing in accordance with the cut portion, the identification mark is detected by the second detection means via the control means and stopped.
Furthermore, the conveying means is turned to feed in the opposite direction of conveyance, and the first detecting means detects and stops only the mount , and
The received data is printed on the first display label by the printing means,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first detecting means detects and stops only a portion of the mount between the second display label and the next display label . 2. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the position of the display label by detecting only the mount by the first detection unit during the second and subsequent printing. A printing control method for printing on a display label temporarily attached to a belt-like mount at regular intervals and having a cut area for identifying a set area at the start of printing,
Printing means for printing on the display label;
Conveying means for conveying the mount and the display label;
First detecting means for detecting a portion of only the mount between the end portions of two display labels adjacent to each other;
Second detection means for detecting identification marks printed at equal intervals on the mount at an appropriate distance from the end of the display label;
Control means for controlling the conveying means according to the detection result by the first detection means and the detection result by the second detection means;
A cutting portion, and
At the start of printing, when the display label is fed in the transport direction according to the set area at the start of printing in accordance with the cut portion, the identification mark is detected by the second detection means via the control means and stopped.
Next, the conveying means is turned to feed in the opposite direction of conveyance, and the first detecting means detects only the portion of the mount , and
When the data is received after online recognition, it is transported while printing on the first display label by the printing means ,
When the first detection means detects a portion of the mount only between the next second display label,
A printing control method characterized by positioning and stopping only a portion of a mount on the cutting portion.

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