JPH04275172A - Label receipt printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize a label receipt printer automatically changed over to a label issuing operation mode and a receipt issuing operation mode in a simple structure only by replacing label paper and receipt paper without requiring the change-over operation with a switch. CONSTITUTION:A paper discriminating means 7 constituted so that the kind of paper is discriminated by comparing the detection output of a transmission type end sensor 6 detecting the terminal part of label paper or receipt paper with a preset threshold value.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label receipt printer that issues labels and receipts by exchanging label paper and receipt paper as desired and printing a predetermined image.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, label receipt printers that can issue labels and receipts with one printer are in practical use. Such a label receipt printer has a structure in which an end sensor consisting of a transmissive photo sensor with a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged facing each other is installed on the paper conveyance path on which label paper and receipt paper made of continuous paper are conveyed. This end sensor detects the end of the label paper or receipt paper being conveyed on the paper conveyance path and controls the operations of the printing mechanism, conveyance mechanism, etc.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The above-mentioned label receipt printer can freely issue labels and receipts, but it is difficult to distinguish between label paper and receipt paper when issuing labels and when issuing receipts. At the same time, it is necessary to change the operating mode using a predetermined operation. Therefore, the operation mode of such a label receipt printer can be switched in the initial settings, by keyboard operation input, or by operating a dedicated switch installed on the paper cassette or the device itself. is being carried out.

However, switching the operating mode using the above-mentioned means requires a switching operation using a switch or the like, and if the switching operation is forgotten, a malfunction may occur, which is undesirable.

[0005] Note that the above-mentioned label receipt printer uses receipt paper to print PLU (Price
Look Up), total report for each item, PL
Some devices are equipped with a report function that issues a report listing U settings, a report for checking one-touch key settings, and a report sorting products by sales volume. However, such reports have a large amount of printed content and cannot be printed on labels on label sheets, so they are issued on receipt paper, and labels to be attached to products can only be issued on label paper. Therefore, in conventional label receipt printers, since the task of switching from label printing to receipt printing is complicated as described above, the report function that allows sales operations to be managed at a high level tends not to be fully utilized.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A transmissive photo sensor that forms a paper conveyance path through which label paper and receipt paper each made of continuous paper is conveyed, and that a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged facing each other on this paper conveyance path. In a label receipt printer, an end sensor is provided, and the end sensor detects the end of label paper or receipt paper conveyed on a paper conveyance path. A paper identification means is provided for comparing label paper and receipt paper.

[0007]

[Operation] The paper identification means compares the detection output of the end sensor with a preset threshold value to identify label paper and receipt paper, allowing you to easily replace label paper and receipt paper by simply switching the label paper and receipt paper. The operation mode is automatically switched between label issuing and receipt issuing without requiring any switching operation.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A label receipt printer of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings. In this embodiment, the label receipt printer is formed as an electronic price scale 1. First, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in this electronic price scale 1, a stepping motor 3 that drives a feed roller (not shown) and a thermal head 4 are connected to a printer controller 2, and an A/DC (Analog /Digital
An end sensor 6 is connected via a converter 5, and the end sensor 6 and the thermal head 4 are each provided at a predetermined position on a paper transport path (not shown). In addition, a main CPU (Central Process) connected to the printer controller 2
Ssing Unit) 7 includes a keyboard 8, a display 9, a weighing unit 10, and a ROM (Read Only).
Memory) 11, RAM (Random A
Access Memory) 12, etc. are connected.

[0009] In this electronic price scale 1, as illustrated in FIG.
2 and the transmitted light intensity R3 when there is no paper,
Threshold A=R1+(R2-R1)/2 and B=R2+(R3
-R2)/2 are recorded in advance in the ROM 11 or the like, and the paper identification means compares these threshold values A and B with the detection output of the end sensor 6 to identify label paper and receipt paper. It is formed in the main CPU 7.

With this configuration, the electronic price scale 1 can perform various sales operations by inputting operations on the keyboard 8 and weighing products (not shown) using the weighing section 10, and can also handle receipt paper, etc. Labels and receipts can be issued by setting label paper (both not shown) and printing an image using the thermal head 4.

[0011] In this electronic fare scale 1, as illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the main CPU 7 is normally on standby for request input by operating the keyboard 8, etc., as in the conventional electronic fare scale. When an input is detected, it is determined whether it is a paper discrimination request. This determination can be made, for example, when one of receipt paper and label paper is set and fed and the presence of that paper is detected by the end sensor 6, it is determined that it is a paper discrimination request. If the print mode is set to one of receipt issuing and label issuing after setting one of them, it is determined that it is a paper discrimination request. Therefore, when a paper discrimination request is detected as described above, the transmitted light intensity r of the paper detected by the end sensor 6 is compared with the threshold value B, and a paper error where B<r is detected, and B<r is detected. If r is not the case, the transmitted light intensity r and the threshold value A are compared. Therefore, when A<r, it is detected that label paper is set, and when A<r, it is detected that receipt paper is set. Therefore, since the operation mode is automatically switched based on these detection results, when a print request corresponding to each paper is inputted by operating the keyboard 8, a label or a report is issued.

[0012] By doing this, this electronic fare scale 1
Now, simply by exchanging label paper and receipt paper, the operating mode automatically switches between label issuing and receipt issuing, and there is no need for switching operations using switches, etc., contributing to improved work efficiency. This also prevents malfunctions from occurring. And, in this electronic fare scale 1,
As mentioned above, since it is extremely easy to switch the printing operation mode, the report function that uses receipt paper will be well utilized, and it will also contribute to the management of advanced sales operations. Can be done. Furthermore, since the above-mentioned control is performed using the conventional end sensor 6, the structure of the device is simple and production is good.

[0013]

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention forms a paper conveyance path through which label paper and receipt paper each made of continuous paper is conveyed, and a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are disposed facing each other on this paper conveyance path. In a label receipt printer that is equipped with an end sensor consisting of a photo sensor of the type, and which detects the end of label paper or receipt paper conveyed on a paper conveyance path, the detection output of the end sensor and the preset By providing a paper identification means that identifies label paper and receipt paper by comparing them with a threshold value, the operation mode can be automatically changed between label issuing and receipt issuing by simply exchanging label paper and receipt paper. Since it does not require switching operations using switches, etc., it can contribute to improving work efficiency and prevent malfunctions.Furthermore, as mentioned above, it is extremely easy to switch the operating mode, so it is easy to use receipt paper. The report functions used can also be effectively utilized, contributing to the management of advanced sales operations.Furthermore, such control is performed using conventional end sensors, making it possible to utilize conventional end sensors. Since it is not necessary to provide a switch for changing the operation mode unlike the device, the structure of the device is simple and the productivity is good.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual explanatory diagram showing a threshold setting structure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart.

[Explanation of symbols]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Forming a paper conveyance path through which label paper or receipt paper each made of continuous paper is conveyed, and providing a printing mechanism on this paper conveyance path for printing a predetermined image on the label paper or receipt paper, An end sensor consisting of a transmissive photo sensor in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged facing each other is provided on the paper transport path, and the end sensor detects the end of the label paper or receipt paper being transported on the paper transport path. 1. A label receipt printer according to claim 1, further comprising a paper identifying means for comparing a detection output of the end sensor with a preset threshold value to discriminate between label paper and receipt paper.