JP6815725B2 - Printing equipment, pasting equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device and a pasting device.

Wireless tags are used as security tags for toll tickets, tickets, entry / exit management, and labels for preventing shoplifting of products. In this tag, electromagnetic waves are transmitted from the transmitting / receiving device to the wireless tag, and the electromagnetic waves output from the wireless tag are received by the transmitting / receiving device.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus for manufacturing a label provided with a tag.

Japanese Patent No. 4040311

For example, when printing on a label with a tag, the head pressure of the print head becomes non-uniform due to the influence of steps such as the antenna portion of the thick tag and the LC resonance circuit, and the printing becomes shaded. Problems such as print omission may occur.

For example, in the manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, after printing on a label, a data carrier sheet (including a tag) is superimposed and adhered to the printed label, so that the label is attached. When printing on a label, this manufacturing apparatus cannot be adopted.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of printing neatly on a label provided with a thick tag on the back surface side and reducing printing defects. And.

The printing apparatus of the present invention has at least the following configurations.
A printing device that issues labels with security tags.
A storage means for storing the location information of security tags on the label format,
A discriminating means for discriminating the overlap between the stepped portion of the security tag and the printed item based on the position information of the security tag and the position of the printed item.
When it is determined by the determination means that the print items overlap and the position of the print item can be corrected , the print position of the print item overlapping the step portion of the security tag is set within the area where the security tag is located and / or outside the area. in, have a correction means for correcting the shift in the position other than the step portion,
The correction means is characterized in that it does not correct the position of characters of a print item in a portion within the area of the security tag that does not overlap the step portion .

Further, the affixing device of the present invention is characterized in that a label printed from the printing device according to the above invention is affixed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that prints neatly on a label provided with a thick tag on the back surface side and reduces printing defects.

The schematic diagram which shows an example of the printing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the label paper with a tag before printing. An exploded perspective view of the tagged label paper before printing. The figure which shows an example of the functional block of the printing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. A diagram showing an example of a print format stored in a printing device, (a) a diagram showing an example of a label format (information), and (b) a diagram showing an example of a product file. A conceptual diagram showing an example of a label format. The figure which shows an example of the label which has a label printing defect before printing position correction. The figure which shows an example of the label after printing position correction. The flowchart of operation of the printing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. A diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a diagram showing an example of a label on which a tag is arranged, (b) is a print image diagram before printing position correction, (c). ) Is a print image diagram after the print position correction for each character.

The printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention issues a label with a security tag. This printing device includes a storage means for storing the security tag attachment position information on the label format, a determination means for determining the overlap between the security tag and the print item based on the position of the security tag and the position of the print item, and a determination means. It has a correction means for correcting the position of the print item when it is determined by the determination means that the security tag and the print item overlap.
Further, in the present embodiment, the printing device includes a notification means for notifying when the security tag and the print item are determined to overlap by the determination means.

Hereinafter, the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the contents shown in the illustration. In the following description of each figure, parts common to the parts already described are designated by the same reference numerals, and some duplicate explanations will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention pulls out a mount D to which a label L, which is a heat-sensitive paper, is attached from a label roll 2, and a thermal head and a stepping motor as a printing unit 3. The label L is sandwiched between the platen roller 19 driven by 18 and the like, and the label L is heated according to the printing item to print on the label L, and the label L is issued. The mount D is collected by the collection roll unit 17.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the label L has a heat-sensitive color-developing surface as a printing surface on the front surface side, an adhesive layer Ln is provided on the back surface side, and a tag T () is provided between the printing surface portion and the adhesive layer Ln. Security tags) are provided, and they are attached to the non-adhesive surface Da of the mount D.

The tag T is, for example, a wireless tag, and is used as a security tag in the present embodiment. The tag T includes, for example, an antenna portion made of a metal material, an LC circuit, or the like, and if necessary, an IC chip or the like. This tag T has a thickness, and this thickness may contribute to printing defects during printing.

An example of the tag T will be described. For example, an electromagnetic wave having a predetermined frequency is transmitted from a wireless transmitter / receiver (not shown) to the tag T, and an electromagnetic wave out of phase radiated from the resonating tag T is received by the wireless transmitter / receiver (not shown), and the tag T is received. Is detected.

When the tag T includes an IC chip, predetermined data, programs, and the like are stored in the IC chip. The tag T is configured to enable data communication with a wireless communication device (not shown) via an antenna unit.

The label L to which the tag T is attached is not limited to a label having a heat-sensitive color-developing surface, and for example, a label that does not have a heat-sensitive color-developing surface and is thermally transferred via an ink ribbon. It may be a label printed by applying ink. Further, the label L may be a mountless label.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 10 (CPU), a flash memory 11 and RAM 12 as storage units, an operation unit 13 (operation input unit), and a display unit 14. It has a communication unit 15, an interface 16, a printing unit 3 such as a thermal head, a stepping motor 18, a detection unit 21, and the like. The control unit 10 (CPU), flash memory 11, RAM 12, operation unit 13, display unit 14, communication unit 15, interface 16, and detection unit 21 are connected by a transmission line 20 (bus) or the like so that data can be transmitted. There is.

The control unit 10 is a central processing unit that executes a program such as a control program on the flash memory 11 and controls the operation of the printing device 100.

The flash memory 11 is a read-only memory that stores a control program, control data, and the like of the printing device 100.

The RAM 12 has a work area for temporarily recalling (reading) data for processing. The work area of the RAM 12 includes a dot expansion area that expands print data into dot data, a call format area that calls and stores one format data from a format file, a call product data area that calls and stores product data, and the like.
Further, in the RAM 12, a label format in which a format for label printing is defined (see FIGS. 5A and 6) and a product file in which various product data for label printing are defined (FIG. 5B). ), Font files (character generators), etc. are stored. Further, the RAM 12 stores the position information of the security tag on the label format. Further, the RAM 12 is backed up by a battery so that the product file, the format file, and the like can be held even when the power is turned off.

Further, the RAM 12 stores the print data indicating the print contents on the label, the label format defining the print position, the label length, and the like in association with each other.

The operation input unit (operation unit 13) is an input device for operating the printing device. Further, the printing device may have, for example, a touch panel in which the operation unit 13 and the display unit 14 are integrally configured.

The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays various menu screens and data.
The communication unit 15 communicates with a host computer or the like as a higher-level management device. The interface 16 inputs and outputs data between the control unit 10 and the like and each drive unit, the motor, and the like.

The printing unit 3 such as the thermal head prints on the label based on the command of the control unit 10. The stepping motor 18 rotationally drives the platen roller 19 and the like so that the label is conveyed to a predetermined printing position or heating position based on a command from the control unit 10.

The detection unit 21 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port of the housing of the printing apparatus. The detection unit 21 detects whether or not the label printed on the discharge port remains. If the label remains in the outlet, the control unit suppresses the printing process.

Further, when the control unit 10 of the printing device detects that the label 6 does not remain in the discharge port 23 by the detection unit 21, the print data stored in the storage unit (flash memory 11, RAM 12, etc.) is stored according to the print format. The thermal head as the printing unit 3 enables printing processing.

The control unit 10 realizes the function according to the present invention in the printing device 100, which is a computer, by executing the control program. The control unit 10 includes a discrimination unit 101, a correction unit 102, a notification unit 103, and the like.

The determination unit 101 determines the overlap between the security tag and the print item based on the position information of the security tag T and the position of the print item.
Further, the determination unit 101 may determine the overlap between the step portion (edge portion) of the security tag and the print item based on the position information of the security tag T and the position of the print item.

When the determination unit 101 determines that the security tag and the print item overlap, the correction unit 102 performs a process of correcting the position of the print item. Further, the correction unit 102 may perform a process of correcting the position of the print item when the determination unit 101 determines that the step portion (edge portion) of the security tag overlaps with the print item.

When the determination unit 101 determines that the security tag and the print item overlap, the notification unit 103 performs a process of notifying that fact. Further, when the determination unit 101 determines that the step portion (edge portion) of the security tag overlaps with the print item, the notification unit 103 may perform a process of notifying that fact.
Further, when the determination unit 101 determines that the security tag and the print item overlap, and the correction unit 102 cannot correct the position of the print item, the notification unit 103 performs a process of notifying that fact.
Further, when the determination unit 101 determines that the step portion (edge portion) of the security tag overlaps with the print item, and the correction unit 102 cannot correct the position of the print item, the notification unit 103 does so. You may perform the process of notifying.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a product number, a product name, a price, a label format number (NO), and the like are associated and stored in the product file.

For the label format, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the size of the tagged label (vertical and horizontal dimensions), the gap between the tagged label and the tagged label, and the gap between the tagged labels are used for each label format NO. The type of security tag, the position information to which the security tag is attached, the printable area, the non-printable area, etc. are associated and stored.

On the setting screen of the printing device, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the label format can be displayed. For example, the position information of the type A tag T attached to the label L is defined in (XA, YA) when the upper left of the label L is set as the reference point (0,0) as shown in FIG. Has been done.

For example, the non-printable area NPA1 is an area where the tag T having a substantially O shape is arranged. Further, since the print head pressure becomes non-uniform up to a region separated by a predetermined distance (for example, several mm) from the edge portion of the tag T, the non-printable region NPA1 may be used.

The printable area PA1 is an area other than the non-printable area NPA1 of the tag T on the print surface of the label. Further, the area inside the tag T having a substantially O shape may be used as the printable area PA1.

Further, as the label format, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the area F1 where the product name information is printed, the area F2 where the weight information is printed, the area F3 where the price information is printed, and the code information are printed. Area F4, area F5 on which expiration date information is printed, area F6 on which processing date information is printed, area F7 on which store name information is printed, and the like are defined.

As shown in FIG. 7, for example, assuming that the printing apparatus simply prints without correcting the print position based on the label format information and the print data, the edge portion of the tag T is simulated. It is possible to display on the display unit that printing failure NG occurs due to such factors.

The correction unit corrects the position of the print item when the determination unit determines that the step portion (edge portion) of the security tag T and the print item overlap based on the position information of the security tag T and the position of the print item. Perform processing. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit can display the print image after correcting the print position on the display unit. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 8, since the print position of the product name information overlaps with the edge portion of the tag T, the correction unit shifts the print position to the lower side of FIG. 8 by a predetermined distance. went. The correction process of the correction unit is automatically performed.
Further, as the process of correcting the position of the print item by the correction unit, in order to avoid the edge portion of the tag, for example, the print position is moved from the non-printable area to the printable area, the print interval is set wide, and the area F1 It can be mentioned that the arrangement of ~ F7 is changed.

Further, in the fine adjustment of the print position, for example, the operator of the printing device can perform a desired print setting by operating the operation input unit while looking at the print image displayed on the display unit.

Next, an example of the operation of the printing device will be described.
In step ST11 shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 10 performs a process of reading product information and the like from the storage unit.

In step ST12, the control unit 10 performs a process of reading the print format (label format) from the storage unit.

In step ST13, the control unit 10 sets the tag T. Specifically, for example, the operator operates the operation unit 13, and the control unit 10 sets the tag type and position, the label type, and the like on the setting screen.

In step ST14, the control unit 10 performs a process of setting a print image (see, for example, FIG. 6).

In step ST15, the determination unit 101 of the control unit 10 determines the overlap between the security tag and the print item, proceeds to the process of step ST17 when it is determined that they overlap, and if they do not overlap, the normal printing of step ST16. Perform processing. The determination unit 101 of the control unit 10 determines the overlap between the step portion (edge portion) of the security tag and the print item, and if it is determined that they overlap, the process proceeds to step ST17, and if they do not overlap, the step The normal printing process of ST16 may be performed.

In step ST17, the notification unit 103 of the control unit 10 performs a process of notifying the overlap. Examples of the notification process include displaying the fact on the display unit and notifying the fact by the sounding unit.

In step ST18, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the position correction of the print item is possible, and if it is not possible, performs a process of notifying the fact (step ST21), and proceeds to the process of step ST14. If the control unit 10 determines that the position correction of the print item is not possible, the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step ST19.

In step ST19, the correction unit 102 of the control unit 10 performs a process of correcting the position of the print item. Specifically, the correction unit 102 performs correction processing such as moving the print position from the non-printable area to the printable area in order to avoid the tag or the edge portion of the tag (for example, FIG. 8).

In step ST20, the control unit 10 performs a printing process based on the correction process performed by the correction unit.

As described above, the printing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention issues a label having a tag (wireless tag) such as a security tag. The printing device 100 is based on a storage means (flash memory 11 or RAM 12 as a storage unit, etc.) for storing the position information of the security tag on the label format, the position information of the security tag, and the position of the print item. The discriminating means (discrimination unit 101) for discriminating the overlap of the print items and the correction means (correction unit 102) for correcting the position of the print items when the discriminating means (discrimination unit 101) determines that they overlap. Have.
That is, since the correction unit 102 corrects the position of the print item and the thermal head of the print unit 3 prints based on the corrected print item, it is possible to prevent printing defects in the security tag and to print cleanly. It can be performed.

Further, in the printing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when it is determined that the security tag and the print item overlap, the notification unit 103 notifies the fact by a display unit, a sound generation unit (not shown), or the like. The person can recognize that the step portion (edge portion) of the security tag overlaps with the print item, and can stop printing or reset the print image before printing.

Further, in the printing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the notification means (notification unit 103) is determined to overlap by the determination unit 101, and the correction unit 102 cannot correct the position of the print item. Since the notification unit notifies to that effect, printing can be stopped or the print image can be reset before printing.

Further, as described above, the discriminating means (discriminating unit 101) of the printing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may discriminate between the stepped portion (edge portion) of the security tag and the overlap of the printed items. That is, when the edge portion of the security tag and the print item overlap, the correction process or the notification process is performed by the correction unit, and when the print item overlaps with the portion other than the edge portion of the tag, the correction process or the notification process is performed. Assuming that printing defects do not occur, the printable area is widened by not performing correction processing or notification processing. In addition, the printing device 100 can prevent printing defects at the stepped portion (edge portion) of the security tag, and can perform clean printing.

Further, it is possible to provide a sticking device for sticking a label printed from the printing device according to the embodiment of the present invention described above to a sticking object (commodity, article, etc.). That is, the sticking device can stick a clearly printed label with a security tag to the sticky object.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and there are design changes and the like within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Even included in the present invention.
In addition, the embodiments shown in the above figures can be combined with each other as long as there is no particular contradiction or problem in the purpose and configuration thereof.
Further, the description contents of each figure can be independent embodiments, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to one embodiment in which each figure is combined.

In the above-described embodiment, the thermal label (thermal paper) drawn out from the label roll with the mount to which the security tag is attached is printed by the thermal head (printing unit), but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Absent. For example, the printing device may print on a mountless label.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 10A, in the label L with the tag T, when the print image before the print position correction overlaps the step portion (edge portion) of the tag T and the character position ( 10 (b)), the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may correct the printing position on a character-by-character basis (see FIG. 10 (c)). Specifically, the printing device determines the printing position of the character overlapping the step portion (edge portion) and, if necessary, the printing position of the character in the vicinity of the overlapping character so as to avoid the step portion (edge portion) of the tag T. , The correction process for shifting in the arrangement direction of the character strings may be performed. That is, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus capable of printing cleanly on a label and reducing printing defects, although the distance between the position-corrected characters and the other characters is slightly increased or decreased by this correction processing. it can.

In addition, the notification process and the correction process of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may be performed as follows.
1. 1. When the label format is set, the control unit of the printing device performs notification processing and correction processing for each character or frame of print items.
2. 2. The label format is set in advance, and when specific product data is called from a storage unit or the like, the control unit of the printing device performs correction processing and notification processing on the characters to be actually printed.
Further, even if the control unit of the printing device performs print position correction processing or notification processing based on the outline of the print item, the character unit, any of the characters to be specifically printed, or a combination of two or more. Good. In this case, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus capable of performing clean printing by further reducing printing defects.

When creating a print image, the control unit of the printing device emphasizes the overlapped portion when the security tag (or the step portion (edge portion) of the security tag) and the print item overlap with each other. You may perform the process of displaying in. Examples of the highlighting process include displaying the overlapping portion with a conspicuous color (color different from other portions, etc.), blinking display, and the like.

10 ... Control unit (CPU)
11 ... Flash memory (storage unit)
12 ... RAM (storage unit)
14 ... Display unit 100 ... Printing device 101 ... Discrimination unit (discrimination means)
102 ... Correction unit (correction means)
103 ... Notification unit (notification means)

Claims (5)

A printing device that issues labels with security tags.
A storage means for storing the location information of security tags on the label format,
A discriminating means for discriminating the overlap between the stepped portion of the security tag and the printed item based on the position information of the security tag and the position of the printed item.
When it is determined by the determination means that the print items overlap and the position of the print item can be corrected , the print position of the print item overlapping the step portion of the security tag is set within the area where the security tag is located and / or outside the area. in, have a correction means for correcting the shift in the position other than the step portion,
The printing device is characterized in that the correction means does not correct the position of characters of a print item in a portion within the area of the security tag that does not overlap the step portion . When the correction means determines that the characters overlap with each other, the correction means determines the print position of the characters in the print items that overlap the step portion of the security tag, or the characters in the overlapping print items and the vicinity of the characters. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the printing position of characters is corrected to shift to a position other than the step portion in character units . The security tag has at least an antenna portion or an LC circuit.
The correction means is characterized in that, when it is determined by the determination means that it overlaps, the printing position of the print item overlapping the step portion of the antenna portion or the LC circuit is shifted to a position other than the step portion. The printing apparatus according to claim 1. Any of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the determination means determines that they overlap and the correction means cannot correct the position of the print item, the determination means has a notification means for notifying the fact. The printing device described in Crab. A sticking device for sticking a label printed from the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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