JPH02281390A - Identification medium issuing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the identification medium issuing time and to miniaturize a device by cutting out many identification medium sheets from the carried continuous slip form, carrying prescribed identification information along its lateral direction with respect to the cut identification medium sheet and printing it. CONSTITUTION:In a tag issuing device 1, the sheet P0 in the form of continuous slip stored in a housing case 3 is inserted from an insertion port 11 in a printing unit 6 and sheet setting is command by an operating part 10. The sheet P0 is carried along the lateral direction of each tag P by a carrying means 50, and then, the tip part of the sheet P0 is detected by the cutting sensor 17 of a cutting means 50 and set. In a stage that setting is ended, the sheet P0 is cut by a ticket issuing command from the operating part 10 or the outside, and a tag P being in a state that the surface is printed is carried in a state overlapped with a thermal transfer ribbon 28 between a platen roll 26 and the thermal head 27 of a printing means 70. Subsequently, after prescribed time elapses following cutting, a printing operation is executed in the lateral direction of the tag P, that is, in the sub-scanning direction, and prescribed identification information is printed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Purpose of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an identification medium issuing device, and more specifically, the present invention relates to an identification medium issuing device, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an identification medium issuing device that is attached to a portable object such as airline baggage for identification of an individual owner. The present invention relates to an identification medium issuing device that issues identification media such as shipping tags.

(Prior Art) An overview of a tag issuing device, which is one of the conventional examples of this type of device, will be explained with reference to FIG.

The tag issuing device 200 shown in the figure gradually feeds out a tape-shaped paper 202 wound on a reel 201, prints identification information such as a tag number along the longitudinal direction of the paper 202 by a printer 203, and then prints identification information such as a tag number. The gluing unit 204 applies glue to a predetermined position on the paper, and the cutter 205 cuts the paper 202 into predetermined dimensions, and each cut paper is issued as a tag 202a.

However, in the case of the conventional apparatus 200 described above, since a tape-shaped paper 202 is used, it is necessary to apply glue to this paper 202 by the gluing unit 204, and the printing direction of the printer 203 is also in the longitudinal direction of the paper 202. Therefore, there is a problem in that it takes a long time to issue the tag 202a.

Further, in the case of the conventional apparatus 200 described above, the tape-shaped paper 202 is used, which leads to an increase in the size of the conveyance path, and the paper 202 is cut by the cutter 205 after printing the identification information.
There are problems such as requiring strict means for setting the cutting position.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an identification medium issuing device that can shorten the issuing time of an identification medium and simplify the device configuration. That is.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The identification medium issuing device of the present invention includes a storage means for storing identification medium paper in the form of continuous forms, and a storage means for storing identification medium sheets in the form of continuous forms. A conveyance means that takes in the identification medium paper with the width direction of each identification medium paper being the conveyance direction and conveys it toward a discharge port provided in this device, and a large number of continuous forms of forms that are conveyed by this conveyance means. The apparatus includes a cutting means for cutting the identification medium paper, and a printing means for conveying and printing predetermined identification information along the width direction of the identification medium paper cut by the cutting means.

(for production) The operation of the apparatus having the above configuration will be explained below.

The conveyance means in this device takes in a large number of continuous forms of identification medium paper from the storage means with the short side direction of each identification medium paper being the conveyance direction, and directs the taken continuous forms towards the discharge port. and transport it.

The cutting means cuts the boundary portion of the continuous form material conveyed by the conveying means.

Further, the printing means prints predetermined identification information along the width direction of a large number of identification medium sheets, and uses the sheets as identification media.

(Example) The present invention will be explained in detail below.

1 to 3 show a tag issuing device 1 for baggage, which is an example of an identification medium issuing device according to the present embodiment.

This tag issuing device 1 has a casing IA having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and an open front side, and a door 2 is attached to the front of the casing IA so as to be openable and closable.

In the lower part of the interior of the housing IA, there is a paper (identification medium paper) Po for a tag P as an identification medium, which will be described later, in the form of a continuous form, that is, a paper P.

A storage box 3 is arranged as a storage means for accommodating continuous forms with perforations as boundaries at predetermined intervals.

Further, although not shown, a power supply unit 8 that outputs a DC voltage is arranged on the back side of the storage box 3.

Further, in the lower frame of the housing IA, a ticket issuing counter 4 for counting the number of issued tags P is disposed on the right side when viewed from the front, and on the left side, a ticket issuing counter 4 for counting the number of issued tags P is placed.
A power switch 5 for turning off is arranged.

On the other hand, above the storage box 3, a printing unit 6, the details of which will be described later, is attached via a slider rail 9 so as to be retractable from the housing IA.

A discharge lower for discharging the tag P is provided at the top of the printing unit 6.

Further, on the back side of the printing unit 6, there is shown the image shown in FIG.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, a control circuit unit is arranged.

The door 2 is attached to the casing IA by a hinge, and by changing the mounting position of the hinge, it can be attached to either the left or right side frame of the casing IA, so that it can be opened and closed in either the left or right direction. ing.

The power supply unit 8 is connected to an independent commercial AC power source, but the DC power supply to the tag issuing device 1 is controlled by a remote signal from a separately provided input device.

On the front of the printing unit 6, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG.

An operation key part 10a for sending command signals such as paper ejection, local, reset, etc., and a display part 10b consisting of a group of lamps indicating jam, ribbon cut, paper cut, online, operation picture, power supply, and other abnormalities. An operating section 10 consisting of the following is provided.

Also, directly below this operation section 10 is a sheet of paper P. An insertion port 11 for insertion is provided. Paper sheets P are placed on both sides of this insertion slot 11. Width regulation guides 12a and 12b that regulate the width of
is provided.

Next, the internal structure of the printing unit 6 will be explained with reference to FIG.

Inside this printing unit 6, paper P is stored. , a conveying means 50 for conveying the tag P, and a sheet P conveyed by the conveying means 50. and each paper P cut by the cutting means 60. The tag number in the form described below.

Printing means 70 for printing identification information such as purpose, place name, flight number, etc.
is built-in.

The conveyance means 50 is a conveyance guide plate 18a that forms a conveyance path from the insertion opening 11 to the discharge lower.

18b, 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b.

21, a first sensor 13 consisting of a light emitting element 13a and a light receiving element 13b forming an optical path that intersects the transport path between the transport guide plates 18a and 18b, and the transport guide plates 18a and 18.
b and the conveyance guide plate 19a.

A pair of first conveyance rollers 14a, 14b provided at the boundary with the conveyance guide plate 19b, and a pair of second conveyance rollers 15a provided at the boundary between the conveyance guide plates 20a, 20b and the conveyance guide plate 21.

15b, and a pair of discharge rollers 37a and 37b provided near the discharge lower.

The first conveyance rollers 14a, 14b are connected to a roller motor 22 fixedly arranged inside the printing unit 6 via a timing belt (not shown).

Further, although not shown, a timing pulley with a built-in one-way clutch is attached to the shafts of the first conveyance rollers 14a and 14b, and this timing pulley is used to convey the paper P. When rotating in the conveyance direction, the first conveyance roller 14 idles.
a and 14b are designed not to rotate.

On the other hand, when the timing pulley reverses, the one-way clutch engages with the shafts of the first conveyance rollers 14a, 14b, and the first conveyance roller 14a.

14b is rotatably driven.

Further, although not shown, power transmission between the first conveyance rollers 14a, 14b and the second conveyance rollers 15a, 15b is performed via a chain.

The chain wheels attached to the shafts of the first transport rollers 14a and 14b are equipped with spring clutches (not shown), and when the stopper of the spring clutch is released and the wheels are rotated in the paper transport direction, the first transport is stopped. The rollers 14a and 14b are rotatable, and the wheels idle when the stopper is applied.

The stopper is operated by a solenoid.

The conveyance guide plates 19a and 19b and the conveyance guide plate 20
A and 20b form a gap into which a cutter 16, which will be described later, enters.

Conveyance guide plates 19a, 19b, 20a,
Among the conveyor guide plates 20b, one end of each of the conveyance guide plates 19a and 20a is rotatably supported, and the conveyance guide plates 19a and 20a are rotatably supported. Paper P when cutting
It is designed to rotate according to the deflection of a.

The transport guide plate 19a is provided with a locking mechanism (not shown), and the transport guide plate 19a is provided with a locking mechanism (not shown).
When it is necessary to open 9a, the locking mechanism is released. Therefore, when paper Po is cut, paper P. Only the conveyance guide plate 20a rotates in accordance with the deflection of the conveyance guide plate 20a.

Further, the conveyance guide plate 19a is urged in the opening direction by a spring (not shown), and the conveyance guide plate 20a is urged in the closing direction by a spring (not shown).

The carry-out rollers 37a and 37b are connected to a discharge roller motor 38 by a chain, and are driven by the discharge roller motor 38.

Further, a second sensor 39 including a light emitting element 39a and a light receiving element 39b is provided near the discharge rollers 37a and 37b.

Further, although not shown, the discharge rollers 37a and 37b have a built-in one-way clutch so that the discharge rollers 37a and 37b can freely rotate in the direction in which the tag P is discharged. Furthermore, a pair of discharge rollers 37a
, 37b, so that the tag P in the middle of printing smoothly enters between the discharge rollers 37a and 37b.

Here's the first one. Second conveyance rollers 14a, 14b
*15 a, 15 b * Plantain roller 26.
Considering the positional relationship between the discharge rollers 37a and 37b, the distance between the first conveyance rollers 14a and 14b and the second conveyance rollers 15a and 15b is a value smaller than the length of two tags P in the transverse direction. It is set.

Moreover, between the second conveyance rollers 15a, 15b and the platen roller 26, and between the platen roller 26 and the carry-out roller 37,
The distance between the tags a and 37b is set to a value smaller than the length of one tag P in the lateral direction.

Furthermore, the cutting sensor 17 is disposed at a distance from the position of the cutter 16 that is greater than the length of one tag P in the transverse direction and smaller than the length of two tags P.

With this configuration, the paper P.

At the final stage after being cut one after another, a piece of paper P corresponding to one tag P is placed in front of the cutter 16. will remain.

And the last paper P. is conveyed to the thermal head 27 side, and the cutting sensor 17 detects the paper P. When it is detected that there is no conveyance roller 1, the first and second conveyance rollers 1 are moved under the control of the CPU 102.
4a, 14b, 15a.

15b is reversed, and the last sheet P. is returned to the insertion slot 11.

The cutting means 60 is connected to the conveyance guide plate 19a119b.
a plate-shaped cutter 16 with a V-shaped cutting edge facing the gap between the two; a cutter drive unit 61 that drives the cutter 16;
Paper P to be cut by the cutter 16. A cutting sensor 1 consisting of a light emitting element 17a1 and a light receiving element 17b detecting the position of
7.

The cutter drive unit 61 includes a slide guide (not shown) that linearly guides the cutter 16 toward the conveyance path, a tension spring 23 that urges the cutter 16 away from the conveyance path, and this tension spring. 23 and a cutter motor 24 having an eccentric cam 25 attached to the drive shaft, and by starting the cutter motor 24 with the eccentric cam 25 engaged with the cutter 16, the cutter 16 is linearly displaced from the position shown in FIG. 3 to a position penetrating the conveyance path.

The printing means 70 includes a platen roller 26 and a thermal head 27 that are arranged facing each other in a pressed state facing the conveyance path, and a thermal transfer ribbon 28 that passes between the platen roller 26 and the thermal head 27.

The thermal transfer ribbon 28 is in the form of a tape, and a supply reel 29a on which the thermal transfer ribbon 28 before use is wound is arranged before the thermal head 27, and a supply reel 29a on which the thermal transfer ribbon 28 after use is wound on the downstream side of the thermal head 27. A take-up reel 29b is arranged.

Although not shown, a timing pulley and a chain wheel are attached to the shaft of the platen roller 26, and a timing pulley and a pulley attached to a platen motor (pulse motor) 33 disposed near the roller motor 22 are attached to the shaft of the platen roller 26. A timing belt (not shown) is stretched.

Further, a chain (not shown) is stretched between the chain wheel attached to the platen roller 26 and the chain wheel attached to the shaft of the take-up reel 29b.

Furthermore, a friction plate (not shown) is pressed into contact with the take-up reel 29b.

That is, the platen roller 26 and the take-up reel 29b are
They are driven by the same platen motor 33, and the thermal transfer ribbon 28 is wound up by a take-up reel 29b by the amount fed by the platen roller 26.

A ribbon sensor 34 consisting of a light emitting element 34a and a light receiving element 34b is arranged between the supply reel 29a and the thermal head 27, and the ribbon sensor 34 detects the presence or absence of the thermal transfer ribbon 28.

Further, a ribbon cutting sensor 36 consisting of a light emitting element 36a and a light receiving element 36b is arranged between the thermal head 27 and the take-up reel 29b.
6 detects the cutting state of the thermal transfer ribbon 28.

In FIG. 3, 30 is a peeling roller that separates the tag P from the thermal transfer ribbon 28, and 31 and 32 are guide rollers for the thermal transfer ribbon 28.

Here, the paper P. and the shape of the tag P will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b).

Paper P. The individual unprinted tags P forming the fourth
As shown in Figure (b), it has two layers of upper paper PL + lower paper P2 in the form of a belt, and both ends of the upper paper P□ and lower paper P2 are strongly adhered with adhesive 80, and then is coated with glue 81 which functions as a mounting part for attaching it to the baggage as a form object.

Then, the above-mentioned tag P is perforated at the border of each ticket piece to form a continuous form, and as shown in FIG. Storage box 3
It is designed to be accommodated in

Moreover, the paper P. Each tag P forming the rectangular shape,
That is, when the dimension in the transversal direction is L L + the dimension in the transversal direction is L2, it is formed such that the relationship is Ll - L2, and it is conveyed along the transversal direction.

Next, the overall configuration of a tag processing system including the tag issuing device 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

This tag processing system includes a ticketing/check-in counter and a baggage counter.

The ticket issuing/check-in counter is equipped with the tag issuing device 1.
A terminal computer 90 having a terminal computer main body, a keyboard, and a display section is arranged.

In addition, at the baggage counter, the baggage tag issuing device 1.
Terminal computer 90 and tag P similar to those described above
A ticket reader 91 is arranged to read the identification information.

Each terminal computer 90 has a line 92a,
It is connected to a host computer 95 via 92b.

Next, the control system of the tag issuing device 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

This tag issuing device 1 includes a program memory 101 that stores a program for controlling the entire device, and a CPU 10 that controls the entire device based on the program.
The control means 100 is provided with a control means 100 consisting of 2.

The CPU 102 includes the operation section 10. An interface 103 for transmitting information between the ticket issuing counter 4 and the terminal computer 90 is connected to each.

The CPU 102 includes a first sensor 13 . Roller motor 22. Ejection roller motor 38
and a second sensor 39 are connected to each other.

Further, the cutter motor 27 of the cutting means 60 and the cutting sensor 17 are connected to the CPU 102 .

Furthermore, the CPU 102 includes a storage means 1, which will be described in detail later.
10 is connected to the platen motor 33 . of the printing means 70 . A head control section 27a that controls the thermal head 27, a ribbon sensor 34, and a ribbon cutting sensor 36 are connected.

The storage means 110 stores information on various character fonts, and stores information on various character fonts in a character font memory 111. A custom character memory 112 for registering custom characters, a reception buffer 113 for storing received information. It is equipped with a ticket face print data buffer 114 for editing the face of the tag P.

FIG. 7 shows the host computer 91. From the terminal computer 90 to the CPU 1 via the interface 103
This shows the content of the identification information for the tag P sent to 02.

The identification information includes a kanji code 121 indicating the final destination;
The three-letter letter code 122 indicates the final destination. The carrier code and flight number indicating the first section 123, the carrier code and flight number indicating the second section 124, the third section
Carrier code and flight number indicating section 125, 3-letter code indicating first connecting point 126, 3-letter code indicating second connecting point 127, carrier number 128 indicating the tag number. Reversal presence/absence 129 indicating whether or not to reverse printing in a specific area
, class 130 for shading printing in a specific area
．． It includes information such as 131 character fonts such as Gothic typeface and Mincho typeface, and 132 number of sections.

FIGS. 8(b) to 8(d) show the format of the face of the tag P corresponding to the identification information.

FIG. 8(b) shows the case where the identification information is printed on the tag P in black and white reversed, Gothic font (shown in bold), Mincho font, and shaded.

FIG. 4(c) shows a case where the same identification information as FIG. 4(b) is printed, but the difference is that there is no shading.

Further, FIG. 10(d) shows a case where black and white inversion is further eliminated than in the case of FIG. 6(c).

FIG. 8(a) shows the color arrangement of a wide, multicolored thermal transfer ribbon 28.

This thermal transfer ribbon 28 has a configuration in which three colors, black, blue, and red, are arranged along the feeding direction (the transversal direction of the tag P) in the manner shown in FIG. It becomes.

Incidentally, a part of the tag P is used as a passenger slip, and the other part is used as a verification piece.

Next, the operation of the tag issuing device 1 having the above configuration will be explained, focusing mainly on the operation of issuing the tag P.

As shown in FIG. 1, the leading end of the paper P0 in the form of a continuous form stored in the storage box 3 is inserted through the insertion opening 11 in the printing unit 6, and the paper set button on the operation section 10 is pressed. Then, the first sensor 13 detects the paper P. is detected and a detection signal is sent to the CPU 102.

As a result, the spring clutch solenoids attached to the shafts of the first conveyance rollers 14a and 14b are energized under the control of the CPU 102, and the stoppers are released.

Further, under the control of the CPU 102, a roller motor 22
starts, and this causes paper P. is the first conveyance roller 14
a and 14b, each tag P is conveyed along the transverse direction, and eventually the paper P. The tip of the cutting sensor 17 reaches the position of the cutting sensor 17.

In this state, the paper P is detected by the cutting sensor 17. The detection signal of C
It is sent to the PU 102, and the CPU 102 controls the roller motor 2.
2 on paper P. The cutter 16 is driven until the perforation, which is the boundary of the cutter 16, is located at a position corresponding to the cutter 16. In this state, the CPU
The solenoid is de-energized under the control of 102;
The stopper works and the chain wheels become idle.

Through the above operations, the paper P. The set ends.

The cutting sensor 17 is configured of two pieces and detects both ends of the paper P in the width direction (longitudinal direction of each tag P), for example, the paper P. When the paper P is fed in an oblique arrangement, the roller motor 22 is driven in reverse for a certain period of time by utilizing the detection time difference between the two cutting sensors 17. It is also possible to return it to the insertion port 11.

When the setting of the paper P0 described above is completed, the operator of this device 1 sends a ticket issuing signal to the CPU 102 by pressing the trial button on the operation unit 10 or by using an external input device (not shown).

As a result, the cutter motor 24 is driven under the control of the CPU 102, and the eccentric cam 16 rotates to cut the cutter 1.
6 penetrates the gap in the conveyance path, and the paper P. Cut the perforations. Thereafter, the cutter 16 returns to its initial position by one rotation of the cutter motor 24.

One rotation of the cutter motor 24 is performed under the control of the CPU 102 based on a detection signal from a rotation sensor (not shown).

Next, the roller motor 22 is driven again under the control of the CPU 102, and the second conveyance roller 15a is moved.

15b sends the paper P0 after the above-described cutting operation to the thermal head 27.

When the trailing edge of the paper P0 passes the position of the cutting sensor 17, a detection signal is sent from the leading edge sensor 17 to the CPU 102, whereby the platen motor 33 is started under the control of the CPU 102, and the platen roller 26 is rotated. At the same time, the thermal transfer ribbon 28 is wound up by the take-up reel 29b. Through this operation, the unprinted tag P is conveyed between the platen roller 26 and the thermal head 27 in a state overlapping with the thermal transfer ribbon 28.

Further, after a certain period of time has passed since receiving the detection signal from the cutting sensor 17, the CPU 102 controls the head control section 27a.
Sends an energization command to. As a result, the thermal head 27 becomes energized, and the ink on the thermal transfer ribbon 28 is melted and printed on the tag P as shown in FIG. 8(b).

Identification information in patterns as shown in (c) and (d) is printed. This becomes a tag for ticketing.

Further, after a certain period of time has elapsed, the CPU 102 excites the solenoid of the spring clutch, releases the stopper, and then rotates the roller motor 22 to remove the following paper P. is transported to the same cutting position as described above.

Incidentally, the above-mentioned period after the elapse of a certain period of time refers to the time until the rear end of the tag P comes off the second transport rollers 15a, 15b, and the tag P is separated from the plantain roller 26, the second transport roller 15a, 15b, the conveyance speed is the same as that of the plantain roller 26 and the second conveyance rollers 15a, 15b, and the next sheet P is conveyed. The speed at which the label P is transported to the cutting position is set to be faster than the speed at which the tag P is transported by the platen roller 26.

On the other hand, the printing operation on the tag P by the thermal head 27 described above is performed in the short direction of the tag P, that is, as shown in FIG. 8(b).
When the printing operation is completed and the printing end position of the tag P reaches the peeling roller 30, the discharge roller motor 3 is activated under the control of the CPU 102.
8 is started, the discharge rollers 37a and 37b rotate to discharge the tag P to the discharge lower.

At this time, the second sensor 39 detects the discharge of the tag P and sends a detection signal to the CPU 102. As a result, CPU1
02 sends a signal indicating ticket issuing to the ticket issuing counter 4, and performs control to add +1 to the number of tickets issued by the ticket issuing counter 4.

With the above operations, the ticketing operation of the tag P is completed.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above (
Various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention described in detail above, with the above configuration, it is possible to provide an identification medium issuing device that can shorten the issuing time of an identification medium and simplify the size of the device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the embodiment of the present invention with the lid open;
The figure is an explanatory view showing both the lid open state and the enlarged state of the operating section of the device, FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the printing unit of the device, and FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the paper used in the device. 4(b) is an explanatory diagram of a tag (unprinted) issued by the device, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a tag processing system including the device, and FIG. 6 is a control system of the device. A block diagram, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of identification information in the device, FIG. 8(a) is an abbreviated plan view of the thermal transfer ribbon, and FIG. 8(b)
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an outline of the conventional device. 1... Tag issuing device, 3... Storage box, 10...
Operation unit, 50... Conveying means, 60... Cutting means, 70... Printing means, P... Tag,
Po...Paper. Agent: Masayoshi Misawa, patent attorney. (a) (b) Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A storage means for accommodating identification medium sheets in the form of continuous forms, and a plurality of identification medium sheets in the form of continuous forms from the storage means, with the transverse direction of each identification medium sheet being the transport direction. a conveying means for taking in the paper in a state and conveying it toward a discharge port provided in this device; a cutting means for cutting a large number of identification media sheets in the form of continuous forms conveyed by this conveying means; 1. An identification medium issuing device comprising: printing means for conveying and printing predetermined identification information on identification medium paper along its transverse direction.