JP4961809B2 - Printing apparatus, publisher and printing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a publisher, and a printing method for printing information related to recording information on a label surface of an optical disc.

In recent years, with the spread of personal computers and the improvement of the performance of peripheral devices, much information has been replaced with electronic information. Therefore, in place of a conventionally used recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a compact and large-capacity recording medium is a CD (Compa
Optical disks such as ct Disk) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) are widely used in various fields.

In particular, optical discs can record and store large-capacity image information, etc. in addition to character information, etc. due to their large capacity. It is suitable for sequentially storing and storing information and printing and managing information related to data stored on the label surface of the optical disk. For this reason, it is used to store a huge amount of image information taken for each patient even in the medical field.

By the way, regarding the printing of information on an optical disc, since the optical disc has a predetermined thickness due to its structure, it is generally not possible to use a single sheet paper conveyance path as used in a printing apparatus. Stored in a tray. However, if the position of the optical disk in the tray is not detected, there is a problem that the printing position is shifted during printing due to variations in the accuracy of parts of the optical disk itself. Therefore, a technique is known in which detection marks are provided at a plurality of positions on the tray to calculate the position of the optical disk on the tray (for example, Patent Document 1).
reference. ).
JP 2004-42372 A

However, in the above prior art, although the position of the optical disc can be grasped in relation to the tray, since the orientation of the optical disc in the state mounted on the tray cannot be specified,
When information is printed again on the label side of an optical disc that has been printed on the label surface, the information printed earlier and the information printed later may overlap, resulting in a problem that the printed information cannot be read. There is sex.

In addition, since the print area on the label surface of the optical disk is limited, when printing is performed with a fixed print format, the recording area of the print area is not sufficient even though the recording capacity of the optical disk still remains. There may be a case where recording of information on the optical disc has to be abandoned because the remaining amount is small.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is a printing apparatus, a publisher, and a printing device that can make maximum use of the recording capacity of an optical disk and record print information at a print position desired by a user without overlapping. It aims to provide a method.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following matters.
(1) The present invention is a printing apparatus for printing on a label surface of an optical disk, and a reference position mark printing means for printing a reference position mark including specific information of the optical disk on the label surface (for example, the reference position in FIG. 1). Corresponding to the information printing section 3), a reference position mark detecting means for detecting the reference position mark (for example, corresponding to the reference position detecting section 4 in FIG. 1), and the reference position mark detected by the reference position mark detecting means. Optical disc information reading means for reading out the unique information of the optical disc, storage means for storing the unique information of the optical disc and print history information including print information on the label surface of the optical disc, and the detected reference Position information acquisition means (for example, corresponding to the control unit 10 in FIG. 1) for specifying the position of the position mark, and the specified reference position mark Based on the location and the specific information of the optical disc and the print history information, and the print position determining means for determining a printing position for printing on the label surface (e.g., corresponding to a printing position determining unit 5 in FIG. 1), the determined Printing means for printing predetermined information at the printed position, and print information erasing means for printing a predetermined color at the determined printing position and erasing the printed information printed on the label surface (for example, FIG. 1). The print history information includes predetermined print area information, printed area information, and print scheduled area information to be printed, and the print area information and the print information. Calculating means for calculating unprinted area information from the completed area information, and comparing means for comparing the calculated unprinted area information with the scheduled print area information. When the unprinted area is smaller than the print scheduled area, the print position determining means determines a print position including the printed area of the label surface, and the print information erasing means sets a predetermined color to the print position. Printing and erasing the printed print information, changing the print format for the print information printed in the printed area and the print information printed in the unprinted area or the print format related to the font size, and reprinting Has been proposed.

According to this invention, the reference position mark printing means prints the reference position mark on the label surface of the optical disc, and the reference position mark detection means detects the reference position mark. Then, the position information acquisition means specifies the detected position of the reference position mark, and based on the position of the reference position mark specified by the print position determination means, determines the print position to be printed on the label surface of the optical disc and prints The information erasing unit prints a predetermined color at the determined printing position.
Accordingly, since the print area is accurately detected and the already printed information is erased once, the recording capacity of the optical disk can be maximized to record the information.

According to the present invention, the reference position mark printing means prints a reference position mark including unique information for each optical disc, and the optical disc information reading means reads out and prints the unique information of the optical disc from the detected reference position mark. The printing position to be printed on the label surface of the optical disk is determined based on the position of the reference position mark specified by the position determining means, the unique information of the optical disk stored in the storage means, and the printing history information, and the printing determined by the printing means Predetermined information is printed at the position.
Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the print area, erase the already printed information, and then record the information by using the recording capacity of the optical disk to the maximum in order to print the information again. There is an effect.

(3) In the printing apparatus according to (1), when the reference position mark detection unit does not detect the reference position mark on the label surface, the reference position mark printing unit determines the predetermined label surface. The printing apparatus is characterized in that the reference position mark is printed at the position.

According to the present invention, the reference position mark detecting means first prints the reference position mark at a predetermined position on the label surface of the optical disk when information is printed on the label surface of the optical disk.
Therefore, in the second and subsequent information printing, the information printing position can be determined based on this reference position mark, so that information is printed at a position designated by the user without overlapping a plurality of information. There is an effect that can be.

(4) In the printing apparatus according to (1), the position information acquisition unit includes a transport mechanism that transports the optical disc and the reference position mark detection unit, and is substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical disc. A carriage mechanism that moves in a direction, and the position of the reference position mark is specified from the amount of movement of the transport mechanism and the carriage mechanism when the reference position mark is detected by the reference position mark detection means. A printing apparatus is proposed.

According to the present invention, the position information acquisition means specifies the position of the reference position mark from the movement amount of the transport mechanism and the carriage mechanism when the reference position mark detection means detects the reference position mark.
Therefore, by using the conventional mechanism, the position of the reference position mark can be accurately specified by a simple method.

(5) In the printing apparatus according to (4), the print position determination unit prints a print range and prints on the label surface based on the position of the reference position mark specified by the position information acquisition unit. A printing apparatus is proposed that calculates an angle and determines a printing position of the predetermined information.

According to this invention, the printing position determining means calculates the printing range and printing angle of the information to be printed on the label surface of the optical disk based on the position of the reference position mark specified by the position information acquiring means, and Determine the print position.
Therefore, in order to calculate the print range and the print angle of the information to be printed geometrically from the movement amounts of the transport mechanism and the carriage mechanism, the information is printed at a position designated by the user without overlapping a plurality of information. There is an effect that can be.

(6) In the printing apparatus according to (2), the print history information includes predetermined print area information, printed area information, and scheduled print area information to be printed. A calculation unit (for example, corresponding to the control unit 10 in FIG. 1) that calculates unprinted area information based on the printed area information, and a comparison unit that compares the calculated unprinted area information with the scheduled print area information ( For example, when the unprinted area is smaller than the scheduled printing area based on the comparison result of the comparison unit 8 in FIG. 1 and the comparison unit, the print position determination unit performs printing including the printed area of the label surface. A printing apparatus is proposed in which a position is determined and a predetermined color is printed at the printing position by the print information erasing means.

According to the present invention, the print history information includes predetermined print area information and printed area information, and scheduled print area information to be printed, and the calculation unit performs unprinting based on the print area information and the printed area information. The area information is calculated, and the comparison unit compares the calculated unprinted area information with the scheduled print area information. From the comparison result, when the unprinted area is smaller than the planned print area, the print position determining unit The printing position including the printed area of the label surface is determined, and a predetermined color is printed at the printing position by the printing information erasing means.
Therefore, if the print area is detected accurately and the remaining print area is not enough, the already printed information is erased once, and then the information is printed again to maximize the recording capacity of the optical disk. There is an effect that information can be recorded with limited use.

(8) The present invention proposes the printing apparatus according to (1), wherein the reference position mark printing unit prints the reference position mark with ink having low visibility.

According to this invention, the reference position mark is printed with the low visibility ink. Therefore, even if the reference position mark is printed on the label surface of the optical disk, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an optical disk that does not give the user an unpleasant feeling or discomfort.

(9) The present invention proposes a printing apparatus according to (1), wherein the reference position mark is formed by a symbol image.

According to the present invention, since the reference position mark is formed by the symbol image, there is an effect that the unique print format information corresponding to the use of each optical disk can be incorporated in a small space.

(10) The present invention includes a recording unit that optically records, rewrites, or deletes recording information on the optical disc, and a printing apparatus described in (1) to (9). A publisher (for example, equivalent to the publisher 100 in FIG. 5) is proposed.

According to this invention, while performing an optical information recording operation on a plurality of optical disks,
In publishers that print information on recorded information on the label side of an optical disc, even if information recording is performed multiple times on one optical disc and additional printing cannot be performed,
Since the already printed information is reprinted by changing the print format, the necessary information can be printed at a position designated by the user.

(11) In the present invention, when the recording information is optically recorded on the optical disk for the first time with respect to the publisher of (10), the reference position mark printing unit of the printing apparatus places the recording information at a predetermined position on the label surface. A publisher has been proposed that prints a reference position mark.

According to this invention, when information is optically recorded on the optical disk for the first time, the reference position mark is printed at a predetermined position on the label surface of the optical disk by the reference position mark printing means of the printing apparatus.
Therefore, in the printing of information executed at the time of the second and subsequent information recording, the print position of the information can be determined based on the reference position mark, so that a plurality of pieces of information do not overlap each other. There is an effect that information can be printed at a designated position.

(12) The present invention is a printing method in a printing apparatus for printing on a label surface of an optical disc, and a first step of determining whether or not recording information is optically recorded on the optical disc for the first time ( For example, when it is the first time that the recording information is recorded on the optical disc, a second step of printing a reference position mark and predetermined information at a predetermined position on the label surface (corresponding to step S201 in FIG. 6). For example, if it is not the first time that the recording information is recorded on the optical disc, a third position for detecting and specifying the position of the reference position mark printed on the label surface is equivalent to steps S202 and S203 in FIG. In step (for example, equivalent to step S205 in FIG. 6) and in the third step, the print area information and the printed area information are not used. A fourth step (for example, corresponding to step S204 in FIG. 6) for calculating the printing area information, and a fifth step for comparing the unprinted area information calculated in the fourth step with the scheduled printing area information. (For example, corresponding to step S204 in FIG. 6) and the comparison result in the fifth step, when it is determined that the unprinted area is smaller than the print scheduled area, the label is determined based on the position of the specified reference position mark. A sixth step (for example, corresponding to step S207 in FIG. 6) of determining a printing position including a printed area of the surface, printing a predetermined color at the printing position, and erasing print information printed on the label surface and), the printing interval or font size of print information to be printed on the printing information printed on the printed area and the unprinted area A seventh step of re-printing by changing the print format (e.g., corresponding to step S208, S205, S206 in FIG. 6) and, from the comparison result in the fifth step, than unprinted areas scheduled print area When it is determined that the print position is larger, an eighth step (for example, corresponding to steps S205 and S206 in FIG. 6) is performed, in which a print position is determined from the position of the specified reference position mark and predetermined information is printed at the print position; A printing method characterized by comprising:

According to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the recording information is optically recorded on the optical disc for the first time. When the recording information is recorded on the optical disc for the first time, the optical disc is positioned at a predetermined position on the label surface of the optical disc. A reference position mark and predetermined information are printed. On the other hand, if it is not the first time to record the recording information on the optical disc, the position of the reference position mark printed on the label surface of the optical disc is detected and specified, and the unprinted area information is determined by the print area information and the printed area information. And the calculated unprinted area information is compared with the scheduled print area information. Then, from the comparison result, when it is determined that the unprinted area is smaller than the scheduled print area, the print position including the printed area on the label surface of the optical disc is determined from the position of the specified reference position mark, and a predetermined color is determined. Is printed at the printing position, and predetermined information is printed at the printing position. On the other hand, when it is determined from the comparison result that the unprinted area is larger than the printing scheduled area, the printing position is determined from the position of the specified reference position mark, and predetermined information is printed at the printing position.
Therefore, when additional information is printed, even if there is no empty area in the print area, the already printed area is accurately detected, the already printed information is erased once, the print format is changed, and printing is performed again. Therefore, there is an effect that information can be recorded using the recording capacity of the optical disc to the maximum.

(13) The present invention is a printing method in a printing apparatus for printing on a label surface of an optical disc, and a first step of detecting whether a reference position mark is printed on the label surface (for example, step S101 in FIG. 1). And a second step (for example, equivalent to steps S102 and S103 in FIG. 1) of printing the reference position mark and predetermined information at a predetermined position on the label surface when the reference position mark is not detected. In the third step of identifying the position of the reference position mark printed on the label surface when the reference position mark is detected (for example, corresponding to step S105 in FIG. 1), in the third step, A fourth step of calculating unprinted area information from the print area information and the printed area information (for example, in step S104 of FIG. ), The fifth step (for example, corresponding to step S104 in FIG. 1) for comparing the unprinted area information calculated in the fourth step and the scheduled printing area information, and the comparison in the fifth step From the result, when it is determined that the unprinted area is smaller than the scheduled print area, the print position including the printed area of the label surface is determined from the position of the specified reference position mark, and the predetermined color is set to the print position. A sixth step (e.g., corresponding to step S107 in FIG. 1) of printing on the label surface and printing information printed on the printed area and printing on the unprinted area a seventh step for change the print format for printing spacing or font size reprinting of the printing information (e.g., in Figure 1 scan If the unprinted area is determined to be larger than the scheduled print area based on the comparison result in the fifth step, the printing position is determined from the specified position of the reference position mark. An eighth step (for example, corresponding to steps S105 and S106 in FIG. 1) for printing predetermined information at the printing position is proposed.

According to the present invention, it is detected whether the reference position mark is printed on the label surface of the optical disc, and if the reference position mark is not detected, the reference position mark and predetermined information are printed at a predetermined position on the label surface of the optical disc. . On the other hand, when the reference position mark is detected, the position of the reference position mark printed on the label surface of the optical disc is specified, and the unprinted area information is calculated from the print area information and the printed area information. If the unprinted area information is compared with the scheduled print area information and it is determined from the comparison result that the unprinted area is smaller than the planned print area, the label surface of the optical disk is determined based on the position of the specified reference position mark. A print position including a printed area is determined, a predetermined color is printed at the print position, and predetermined information is printed at the print position. On the other hand, when it is determined from the comparison result that the unprinted area is larger than the printing scheduled area, the printing position is determined from the position of the specified reference position mark, and predetermined information is printed at the printing position.
Therefore, when additional information is printed, even if there is no empty area in the print area, the already printed area is accurately detected, the already printed information is erased once, the print format is changed, and printing is performed again. Therefore, there is an effect that information can be recorded using the recording capacity of the optical disc to the maximum.

Hereinafter, a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Note that the constituent elements in the present embodiment can be appropriately replaced with existing constituent elements and the like, and various variations including combinations with other existing constituent elements are possible. Therefore, the description of the present embodiment does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

<Configuration of printing device>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment includes a print information input unit 1, an information print unit 2, a reference position information print unit 3, a reference position detection unit 4, and a print position determination unit 5. And an optical disk information reading unit 6, a storage unit 7, a comparison unit 8, a print information erasing unit 9, and a control unit 10.

The print information input unit 1 inputs information such as print data to be printed on the label surface of the optical disc from a user terminal connected via a network (not shown).

When the reference position mark is not detected by the reference position detection unit 4, the information printing unit 2 prints the print data input in the print information input unit 1 at a print position according to a predetermined print format, If the reference position mark is detected by the reference position detection unit 4 and the remaining print area is smaller than the print required area, the changed print output from the control unit 10 after erasing the already printed information Reprint the information according to the format.

If the reference position mark is not detected by the reference position detector 4, the reference position information printing unit 3 prints the reference position mark including the specific information of each optical disc in accordance with a predetermined print format. Print in position.

Here, the reference position mark is detected by an optical sensor such as a photosensor. The reference position mark is formed by a symbol image. However, as long as a large amount of information can be included in a small space, for example, a bar code, a QR code, or the like may be used. Good. The barcode is detected by a photo sensor and the information is decoded and recognized by a CPU or the like. In the case of a two-dimensional code such as a QR code, the reference position mark is a CCD.
Are detected by an area sensor, and the information is decoded and recognized by image processing by a CPU or the like. The reference position mark is translucent and cannot be visually recognized by the naked eye, and may be printed with so-called stealth ink. Note that stealth ink has a property of coloring when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Therefore, in order to detect a reference position mark printed using stealth ink, a lamp that irradiates ultraviolet rays and a sensor that can detect ultraviolet rays are used. In this case, a filter that transmits only ultraviolet rays may be used as the sensor.

The reference position detection unit 4 is provided on a carriage that moves in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the optical disk, and detects a reference position mark printed on the label surface of the optical disk before the additional printing operation.

The print position determination unit 5 geometrically performs print data for reprinting based on the movement amount in the transport direction of the optical disk and the movement amount on the carriage when the reference position detection unit 4 detects the reference position mark. The printing position and the printing angle are calculated. Details of the printing position and printing angle calculation method will be described later.

The optical disk information reading unit 6 reads unique information of each optical disk from the reference position mark.
In the present embodiment, the optical disc information reading unit 6 is provided separately, but the reference position detection unit 4 may also have the function.

The storage unit 7 stores a data table for storing the unique information of the optical disc and the print history of information printed in the past in association with each other.

When the information to be additionally printed is input, the comparison unit 8 refers to the data table stored in the storage unit 7, detects the remaining print area based on the print history, and prints the print area and the print area. Compare the required area.

When the print information erasure unit 9 determines from the comparison result of the comparison unit 8 that the remaining print area is smaller than the area necessary for printing, the print information erasing unit 9 and the position information of the reference position mark detected by the reference position detection unit 4 Based on a predetermined print format, an already printed area is detected, and information is erased by applying a single color ink to this area.

The control unit 10 controls the function by a control program that controls the function of the entire printing apparatus 50 stored in a storage unit (not shown), and includes a memory and a CPU (Central).
l Processing Unit), a program for realizing the function of the computer system may be loaded into a memory and executed, or may be realized by dedicated hardware.

In the present embodiment, when the reference position mark is not detected by the reference position detection unit 4, the print data input from the print information input unit 1 is designated by the print format stored in the storage unit (not shown). The information printing unit 2 is instructed to print at the position, and the reference position information printing unit 3 is instructed to print the reference position mark in accordance with a predetermined print format.

Further, when it is determined that the remaining print area is smaller than the print necessary area when the information to be additionally printed is input, the print information erasing unit 9 is operated to erase the already printed information and print. Change the format. Then, the print position determination unit 5 is operated to calculate the print position and the print angle of the data to be reprinted, and information on the reprint operation at the calculated print position is obtained according to the changed print format. The printing unit 2 is caused to execute.

In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the printing apparatus 50 has the function of calculating the printing area and the printing position and printing angle of information to be reprinted has been described. However, from the printing apparatus 50 side, the reference position detection unit 4 Outputs the movement amount of the optical disk in the conveyance direction and the movement amount on the carriage when the reference position mark is detected to the terminal side, and the terminal side prints the position information of the already printed area and the printing position for additional printing and the printing The angle may be calculated, and the print position of each character, number, or the like constituting the print data when reprinting is performed may be individually output to the printing apparatus 50. Each movement amount may be obtained from the number of steps in the case of a step motor, or from the number of detected pulses in the case of a servo motor.

<Processing operation of printing device>
Next, the processing operation of the printing apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, taking as an example the case where medical examination data of a patient is recorded and stored on an optical disk.
In this example, a case will be described in which the orientation of the optical disc at the first printing is the same as the orientation of the optical disc at the second and subsequent printings.

First, when examination data at the time of the first examination of a patient is optically recorded on the optical disc, the optical disc on which the information is recorded is supplied to the printing apparatus 50. At this time, the print information input unit 1 of the printing apparatus 50 has print data to be printed on the label surface of the optical disc (first examination date and time “(1) 2006 / × / x” and “xxx-like examination” in FIG. 3A). Character information of “data” is input.

Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the reference position detection unit 4 has detected a reference position mark (step S101).

As a result of the determination, when the control unit 10 determines that the reference position detection unit 4 has not detected the reference position mark (“NO” in step S101), the print data input by the control unit 10 in the print information input unit 1 is used. As shown in FIG. 3A, the information printing unit 2 outputs the print data (“XX-like examination data” and “(1) 2006 / × / ×” in FIG. 3A).
”) Is printed at a predetermined position (print position shown in FIG. 3A) determined by the print format (step S102).

Further, the control unit 10 outputs the printing position information of the reference position mark to the reference position information printing unit 3 in accordance with the printing format, and based on the printing position information input by the reference position information printing unit 3, FIG. ) Prints a reference position mark including the print format information (bar code at the lower part of the label surface of the optical disk shown in FIG. 3A) at the print position shown in FIG.
103).

On the other hand, when print data to be additionally printed is input in step S101, that is,
When examination data at the time of re-examination is additionally recorded on the optical disc (“YES” in step S101)
), The comparison unit 8 refers to the data table stored in the storage unit 7, and based on the print history, the remaining print area (FIG. Area ") and a comparison between the print area and the area required for printing (step S104).
).

As a result of the comparison, when the control unit 10 determines that an area necessary for printing remains (“YES” in step S104), the reference position detection unit 4 is operated to detect the reference position mark. Then, the print position determination unit 5 is operated to print the print position and the print angle of the print data to be additionally printed from the position information of the detected reference position mark and a predetermined print format (FIGS. 3A and 3B). In this example, 0 degree) is determined (step S105), and the information printing unit 2
Print data to be additionally printed at the determined printing position at the determined printing angle (“(2) in FIG. 3B)
2006 / X / O ") is printed (step S106).

On the other hand, as a result of the comparison, when the control unit 10 determines that an area necessary for printing is not left (“NO” in step S104), the print information erasing unit 9 is operated to print the print data area (FIG. 3). (B) (dotted line square part) is specified, and already printed information is deleted (step S107).

Next, the control unit 10 changes the print format related to the print interval between print information and the font size of characters and numbers, and operates the reference position detection unit 4 to detect the reference position mark. Then, the print position determination unit 5 is operated to determine the print position and print angle of the print data to be reprinted from the detected position information of the reference position mark and the changed print format (step S105), and the information printing unit 2 However, all the print data including the print data printed in the past at the determined print position and the print data to be additionally printed are reprinted (step S106).

Next, a method for calculating the printing position and the printing angle when the orientation of the optical disc at the first printing and the orientation of the optical disc at the second and subsequent printings are different will be described with reference to FIG.

The printing apparatus 50 includes a transport mechanism that transports an optical disk (not shown) and a carriage mechanism that moves a sensor that detects a reference position mark in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the optical disk. The reference position mark is detected by moving the sensor in the horizontal direction in FIG. 4 (carriage movement direction in the figure) by the carriage mechanism and moving the optical disk in the upward direction from the bottom of FIG. 4 (in the conveyance direction in the figure) by the conveyance mechanism. Move and do.

At this time, if the base point of the carriage mechanism is the line segment A in FIG. 4 and the base point of the transport mechanism is the line segment B, and the reference position mark is at the position shown in FIG. Assuming that the amount of movement in the optical disc transport direction until detection is L ₁ , the amount of movement in the carriage movement direction is L ₂ , and the radius of the optical disc is R, as shown in FIG. 4, L ₁ -R and L
_{From the 2-} R value, θ in the figure, which is an inclination angle at the time of printing on the optical disk, is obtained by a trigonometric function. The value of θ corresponds to the printing angle, as can be seen from FIG.

Further, since the print data area on the label surface of the optical disc, the interval between print data, the font size of characters and numbers, etc. are determined from the extracted print format information, if the above print angle is known, the print data area It is possible to calculate the position, the print position of the print data, the angle of the print head, the print timing of the characters constituting the print data, and the like.
Further, by using the above method, it is possible to specify an already printed area.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when additional information is printed, even if there is no empty area in the print area, the already printed area is accurately detected, and the already printed information is erased once,
Since the printing format is changed and printing is performed again, information can be recorded using the recording capacity of the optical disk to the maximum.

<Application example>
Next, the case where the printing apparatus 50 according to the embodiment is applied to a publisher will be described with reference to FIG.

<Publisher configuration>
As shown in FIG. 5, the publisher 100 according to this application example includes a storage area 11 before label printing, a storage area 20 after label printing, an arm 30, a DVD drive 40, and a printing apparatus 50. . Note that the configuration and functions of the printing apparatus 50 are the same as those in the above embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

The storage area 11 before label printing is an area for storing an optical disk before label printing for recording information. The storage area 20 after label printing is optically written by the DVD drive 40, and thereafter This is an area for storing an optical disk having predetermined print data printed on the label surface of the optical disk.

The arm 30 records information and prints an optical disk for printing related information on the recorded information on the label surface from the pre-label printing storage area 11 to the DVD drive 40 and the DVD drive 40.
This is a transport mechanism that transports from the printing device 50 to the storage area 20 after label printing.

The DVD drive 40 is a recording device that optically records information on an optical disk, and includes a rotating mechanism that rotates the optical disk, an optical pickup that optically records information, and the like.

<General Publisher Operations>
A publisher is generally used by a plurality of terminals connected via a network. Therefore, using a dedicated application from the terminal, it is possible to specify the printing position in addition to the operating conditions (print format setting).

In the basic operation of the publisher, first, the arm 30 moves to the pre-label printing storage area 11 and picks up an optical disk on which information is recorded. The arm 30 moves the picked up optical disk to a tray (not shown) of the DVD drive 40. The optical disk placed on the tray is conveyed into the DVD drive 40 and optical information recording is performed.

When the arm 30 picks up the optical disk on which information is recorded, the arm 30 moves it to the printing apparatus 50. In addition, when the information recording to the optical disk is the second time or later, at this time,
There is a possibility that the orientation of the optical disk becomes indefinite.

The printing device 50 prints predetermined print data. Then, the optical disk that has finished printing is picked up again by the arm 30 and conveyed to the storage area 20 after label printing.

<Printing operation at publisher>
Next, the printing operation at the publisher will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6.

First, when examination data at the time of the first examination of a patient is optically recorded on the optical disc, the optical disc on which the information is recorded is supplied to the printing apparatus 50. At this time, the print information input unit 1 of the printing apparatus 50 has print data to be printed on the label surface of the optical disc (first examination date and time “(1) 2006 / × / x” and “xxx-like examination” in FIG. 3A). Character information of “data” is input.

Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not recording of information on the optical disc is the first time (
Step S201).

As a result of the determination, if the control unit 10 determines that the recording of information on the optical disc this time is the first time (“YES” in step S201), the print data input by the control unit 10 in the print information input unit 1 is printed as information. As shown in FIG. 3A, the information printing unit 2 outputs the print data (“XX-like examination data” in FIG. 3A and “(1) 2006 / × / ×”).
”) Is printed at a predetermined position (print position shown in FIG. 3A) determined by the print format (step S202).

Further, the control unit 10 outputs the printing position information of the reference position mark to the reference position information printing unit 3 in accordance with the printing format, and based on the printing position information input by the reference position information printing unit 3, FIG. ) Prints a reference position mark including the print format information (bar code at the lower part of the label surface of the optical disk shown in FIG. 3A) at the print position shown in FIG.
203).

On the other hand, in step S201, when the control unit 10 determines that the recording of information on the optical disc is not the first time ("NO" in step S201), the comparison unit 8 stores the data table stored in the storage unit 7. Referring to the print history, the remaining print area (FIG. 3B, “unprinted data area” in the shaded area) is detected, and the print area is compared with the area necessary for printing. (Step S204).

As a result of the comparison, when the control unit 10 determines that an area necessary for printing is left (“YES” in step S204), the reference position detection unit 4 is operated to detect the reference position mark. Then, the print position determination unit 5 is operated to print the print position and the print angle of the print data to be additionally printed from the position information of the detected reference position mark and a predetermined print format (FIGS. 3A and 3B). In this example, 0 degree) is determined (step S205), and the information printing unit 2
Print data to be additionally printed at the determined printing position at the determined printing angle (“(2) in FIG. 3B)
2006 / X / O ") is printed (step S206).

On the other hand, as a result of the comparison, when the control unit 10 determines that an area necessary for printing is not left (“NO” in step S204), the print information erasing unit 9 is operated to print the print data area (FIG. 3). (B) is specified, and already printed information is erased (step S207).

Next, the control unit 10 changes the print format related to the print interval between print information and the font size of characters and numbers, and operates the reference position detection unit 4 to detect the reference position mark. Then, the printing position determination unit 5 is operated to determine the printing position and printing angle of the print data to be reprinted from the detected position information of the reference position mark and the changed printing format (step S205), and the information printing unit 2 However, all the print data including the print data printed in the past at the determined print position and the print data to be additionally printed are reprinted (step S206).

Therefore, if the printing apparatus 50 of the above embodiment is applied to a publisher, when additional information is printed, even if there is no empty area in the print area, the already-printed area is accurately detected,
To erase the information already printed, change the print format and print again,
Information can be recorded on a large number of optical disks by utilizing the recording capacity to the maximum.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a block diagram of the printing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. 4 is an operation flow of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated printing of the information on an optical disk. It is a figure showing the printing position and printing angle in the additional printing to an optical disk. It is a block diagram of the publisher which concerns on an application example. It is a flow which shows the printing operation in the publisher which concerns on an application example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Print information input part, 2 ... Information printing part (printing means), 3 ... Reference position information printing part (reference position mark printing means), 4 ... Reference position detection part (reference position mark) Detection means)
5... Print position determining section (print position determining means), 6... Optical disk information reading section (optical disk information reading means 9, 7... Storage section (storage means), 8. ... Print information erasure unit (print information erasure unit), 10 ... Control unit (position information acquisition unit, print format generation unit, print format change unit), 11 ... storage area before label printing, 20
... Storage area after label printing, 30 ... Arm, 40 ... DVD drive, 50
... Printer, 100 ... Publisher

Claims (10)

A printing device for printing on a label surface of an optical disc,
A reference position mark printing means for printing a reference position mark including unique information of the optical disc on the label surface;
Reference position mark detection means for detecting the reference position mark;
Optical disc information reading means for reading out unique information of the optical disc from the reference position mark detected by the reference position mark detection means;
Storage means for storing the unique information of the optical disc and the print history information including the print information on the label surface of the optical disc in association with each other;
Position information acquisition means for specifying the position of the detected reference position mark;
Print position determining means for determining a print position for printing on the label surface based on the position of the identified reference position mark, the unique information of the optical disc, and the print history information ;
Printing means for printing predetermined information at the determined printing position;
Print information erasing means for erasing print information printed on the label surface by printing a predetermined color at the determined printing position ,
The print history information has predetermined print area information and printed area information, and print scheduled area information to be printed.
Calculating means for calculating unprinted area information from the printed area information and the printed area information;
Comparing means for comparing the calculated unprinted area information with the scheduled print area information,
From the comparison result of the comparison means, when the unprinted area is smaller than the print scheduled area, the print position determination means determines the print position including the printed area of the label surface,
A printing interval of printing information printed in the printed area and printing information printed in the unprinted area by printing a predetermined color at the printing position by the printing information erasing unit and erasing the printed printing information. Alternatively , a printing apparatus that reprints after changing a print format related to a font size .   The reference position mark detection means prints the reference position mark at a predetermined position on the label surface by the reference position mark printing means when the reference position mark is not detected on the label surface. The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The position information acquisition unit includes a transport mechanism that transports the optical disc, and a carriage mechanism that carries the reference position mark detection unit and moves in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical disc,
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position of the reference position mark is specified from a movement amount of the transport mechanism and the carriage mechanism when the reference position mark is detected by the reference position mark detection unit. . The printing position determination unit calculates a printing range and a printing angle to be printed on the label surface based on the position of the reference position mark specified by the position information acquisition unit, and determines the printing position of the predetermined information. The printing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein:   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference position mark printing unit prints the reference position mark with ink having low visibility.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference position mark is formed by a symbol image. A publishing machine comprising: a recording unit that optically records, rewrites, or deletes recording information on the optical disc; and the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . When recording the record information first optically to the optical disc, by the reference position mark printing means of the printing apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein the printing the reference position mark at a predetermined position of the label surface The publisher described in 1. A printing method in a printing apparatus for printing on a label surface of an optical disc,
A first step of determining whether or not recording information is optically recorded on the optical disc for the first time;
If it is the first time to record the recording information on the optical disc, a second step of printing a reference position mark and predetermined information at a predetermined position on the label surface;
If it is not the first time to record the record information on the optical disc, a third step of detecting and specifying the position of the reference position mark printed on the label surface;
A fourth step of calculating unprinted area information from print area information and printed area information in the third step;
A fifth step of comparing the unprinted area information calculated in the fourth step with the scheduled print area information;
From the comparison result in the fifth step, when it is determined that the unprinted area is smaller than the scheduled print area, the printing position including the printed area of the label surface is determined from the position of the specified reference position mark, A sixth step of printing a predetermined color at the printing position and erasing print information printed on the label surface ;
A seventh step of reprinting by changing a print format related to a print interval or a font size of print information printed in the printed area and print information printed in the unprinted area ;
If it is determined from the comparison result in the fifth step that the unprinted area is larger than the printing scheduled area, the printing position is determined from the position of the specified reference position mark, and predetermined information is printed at the printing position. An eighth step;
A printing method characterized by comprising: A printing method in a printing apparatus for printing on a label surface of an optical disc,
A first step of detecting whether a reference position mark is printed on the label surface;
If the reference position mark is not detected, a second step of printing the reference position mark and predetermined information at a predetermined position on the label surface;
A third step of identifying a position of the reference position mark printed on the label surface when the reference position mark is detected;
A fourth step of calculating unprinted area information from print area information and printed area information in the third step;
A fifth step of comparing the unprinted area information calculated in the fourth step with the scheduled print area information;
From the comparison result in the fifth step, when it is determined that the unprinted area is smaller than the scheduled print area, the printing position including the printed area of the label surface is determined from the position of the specified reference position mark, A sixth step of printing a predetermined color at the printing position and erasing print information printed on the label surface ;
A seventh step of reprinting by changing a print format related to a print interval or a font size of print information printed in the printed area and print information printed in the unprinted area ;
If it is determined from the comparison result in the fifth step that the unprinted area is larger than the printing scheduled area, the printing position is determined from the position of the specified reference position mark, and predetermined information is printed at the printing position. An eighth step;
A printing method characterized by comprising:

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