JPH0632005A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively use a core space to downsize an apparatus by providing an operation-informing crevice so that the core of a roll paper is fitted in a roll paper-receiving means and the device is placed in the core when the roll paper is received by the roll paper-receiving means. CONSTITUTION:When a roll paper P is received by and stored in a roll paper- receiving recess 35a in a space formed on the recess 35a, a buzzer 20 for sounding at the time of succeeding in reading a bar code is mounted on the side wall of a lower frame 32 so as to be placed in the core R of the roll paper P. Accordingly, the space of the core R of the roll paper P is used effectively and an apparatus can be downsized further. Also, because the apparatus can be downsized even if the diameter of the core R of the roll paper P is not made small, neither rolling occurs in the roll paper P nor label is separated so that label printing is not hindered. As shown by a dotted line, the frequency of the informing sound of the buzzer 20 is set so as to be resonant within the core R of the hollow cylinder-shaped roll paper P.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer for printing optical identification codes such as bar codes, and more particularly to miniaturization of the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A management system using a bar code has rapidly spread around the distribution field and has come to be used in various fields. Accordingly, the needs for bar code readers and bar code printers are diversified, and it is desired to meet those needs.

Particularly, most of the bar code printers are large stationary type machines, and there has been a demand for miniaturization thereof. In order to respond to this, conventionally, there has been proposed a small printer that operates on a battery so that the printer can be handled with one hand. In such a bar code printer, a label on which a bar code is printed is stored with roll paper wound around a hollow cylindrical core,
A bar code is printed on the surface of the label by a printer head such as a thermal head while sequentially feeding the roll paper.

[0004]

In order to improve the operability of the printer, there is a demand for further downsizing of the device. Therefore, it is conceivable to reduce the core diameter of the roll paper to cope with further downsizing, but if the core diameter of the roll paper is too small, the roll paper will have a curl. As a result, there arises a problem that the paper feeding is hindered and the label is easily peeled off during the paper feeding.

Therefore, in order to avoid the above problem, a certain core diameter is inevitably required, and the core space becomes a waste space, which is an obstacle to further downsizing of the apparatus. In view of the above, the present invention aims to effectively utilize the core space,
An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can contribute to further downsizing of the device.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a roll paper accommodating means for accommodating roll paper wound around a hollow cylindrical core, and a roll paper accommodating in the roll paper accommodating means. The paper feed means for sending out to the outside of the apparatus main body, the printing means for printing the optical identification code or the like on the roll paper fed by the paper feed means, and the informing means for informing the predetermined operation, the informing means, It is provided in the roll paper storage means so that when the roll paper is stored in the storage means, the core of the roll paper is fitted and positioned inside the core.

[0007]

In the above means for solving the problems, the notifying means for notifying the predetermined operation is provided in the roll paper storing means.
When the roll paper is stored in the storage means, the core of the roll paper is fitted so as to be positioned inside the core, which contributes to the further miniaturization of the device while effectively utilizing the core space. it can.

Further, by effectively utilizing the core space of the roll paper as described above, the roll paper can be downsized without reducing the core diameter of the roll paper. Does not come off. Therefore, the label printing is not hindered.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 3 is a plan view of a bar code printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a left side view thereof, FIG. 5 is a bottom view thereof, FIG. 6 is a front view thereof, and FIG. 7 is a rear view thereof. Is. The overall configuration of the bar code printer of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The bar code printer of this embodiment comprises a scanner unit 1 for reading a bar code, a printer unit 2 for printing a bar code, and a control unit 3 for controlling the driving of the scanner unit 1 and the printer unit 2. These units 1, 2, and 3 are integrated so that they can be handheld. The scanner unit 1
The control unit 3 is sandwiched between the printer unit 2 and the printer unit 2, and the control unit 3 is detachably attached. Then, the scanner unit 1 is internally provided with a CCD scanner for reading a barcode, and as shown in FIG. 7, a transparent reading window 5 is formed so that the CCD scanner can read the barcode.

The printer unit 2 is detachably attached to the control unit 3. The printer unit 2 is internally provided with a thermal head or the like for recording a bar code or the like as described later. Further, on the front surface of the printer unit 2, as shown in FIG. 6, a paper discharge port 7 for discharging the roll paper on which the barcode and the like are recorded to the outside.
Are formed.

The upper surface of the control unit 3 is shown in FIG.
As described above, the liquid crystal display panel 8 and the keyboard 9 are provided. On the keyboard 9, there are arranged a power key, a ten-key for manually inputting a code number to be printed, a scanner key as a mode selecting means, a stop key, a registration issue key, a date setting key and the like. On the other hand, on the bottom surface of the control unit 3, as shown in FIGS.
A lid 11 for detachably closing a recess (not shown) that houses the battery pack is detachably attached.

Next, the electrical construction of the control unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the barcode label printer. In the control unit 3, C shown in FIG.
A MOS 8-bit CPU 12, a RAM 13, a clock / calendar circuit 14, a voltage drop detection circuit 15, a scanner control unit 16 for controlling the driving of the CCD scanner 4 incorporated in the scanner unit 1, a printer head 6 incorporated in the printer unit 2, and the like. A printer control unit 17 that controls driving, a keyboard control unit 18 that processes an input signal from the keyboard 9, a liquid crystal control unit 19 that controls driving of the liquid crystal display panel 8 based on display information input from the keyboard 9, and a buzzer described later. A buzzer control unit 21 that controls the drive of the battery pack 20 and a power supply control unit 22 that controls the consumption of the battery pack 10 are provided. The clock / calendar circuit 14 is used to display the date and time on the liquid crystal display panel 8 or to print by the printer head 6 according to the user's request.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of the printer unit, and FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the same. Next, a detailed internal configuration of the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 30 denotes a printer unit main body, and the printer unit main body 30 has a lower frame 32 for accommodating the roll paper P and the platen roller 31, and a horizontal axis 33 for the lower frame 32, as shown in FIG. And a top frame 34 that accommodates the printer head 6 and is rotatably mounted vertically.

The lower frame 32 has a concave portion 35a having an arc-shaped cross section for receiving a roll paper P on which a label on which a bar code is printed is wound around a hollow cylindrical core R, and the concave portion 35a.
And a recessed portion 35b having an arc-shaped cross section for receiving the platen roller 31 following the inclined partition plate 35. The recess 35b that receives the platen roller 31 is
The platen roller 31 is arranged near the paper discharge port 7.
Half of the recess is accommodated in the recess 35b and is rotatably supported by the side wall of the lower frame 32 via a bearing 50, as shown in FIG.

The recess 35a for receiving the roll paper P is arranged behind the recess 35b for receiving the platen roller as shown in FIG. The buzzer 20 is attached to the side wall of the lower frame 32 so as to be positioned inside the core R of the roll paper P when the roll paper P is received by the recess 35a and stored. Further, a buzzer cover 36 having a substantially semi-circular cross section, which rotatably supports the contained roll paper P, is provided in the space above the recess 35 a so as to project inward from the side wall of the lower frame 32. . Buzzer cover 3
As shown in FIG. 1, the leading end portion 36a of 6 is formed in a tapered thin shape in order to facilitate replacement of the roll paper P.

The buzzer 20 informs the user when the CPU 12 has successfully read the bar code, for example. A motor M is arranged below the partition plate 35 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a drive pulley 38 that rotates in synchronization with the motor shaft 37 is attached to the end of the motor shaft 37 of the motor M, and the roller shaft 31a of the platen roller 31 is connected to the roller shaft 31a. A driven pulley 39 that rotates in synchronization is mounted. And
An endless pulley belt 40 is wound around the drive pulley 38 and the driven pulley 39.

The printer head 6 is arranged above the platen roller 31 as shown in FIG. In the printer unit 2, the motor M is driven to drive the drive pulley 38.
When is rotated counterclockwise, the driving force is transmitted to the driven pulley 39 via the pulley belt 40 as shown in FIG. 2, so that the platen roller 31 rotates counterclockwise.
As a result, the roll paper P is fed in the L direction shown in FIG. At this time, a predetermined bar code or the like is recorded on the roll paper P by the printer head 6 above the platen roller 31, and the printed roll paper P is discharged from the discharge port 7 to the outside of the unit main body 30. Since the roll paper P is a label that can be peeled off from a mount that is divided into predetermined shapes, the roll paper P on which a barcode or the like is recorded can be peeled off for each label and used.

A motor M is used instead of the paper feeding mechanism.
The platen roller 31 and the platen roller 31 may be connected by a gear mechanism. Here, with reference to FIG. 8, a series of operations of reading by the scanner, inputting numbers by the ten-key pad, and printing in the barcode label printer will be described.

When the user presses the power key on the keyboard 9, a message such as "Please enter a number" is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 8. First, when the user reads the bar code attached to the physical distribution product, the scanner key of the keyboard 9 is pressed and the scanner unit 1 is applied to the bar code attached to the physical distribution product, and the scanner 4 in the scanner unit 1 is read. This is read and the content is temporarily stored in the RAM 13 in the control unit 3. The information temporarily stored in the RAM 13 is input to the CPU 12 and decoded, and if the decoding is successful within the reading time, the buzzer controller 21 drives the buzzer 20 to ring. The decoded contents are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 8 by the liquid crystal control unit 19.

On the other hand, when the user wants to input the contents of the bar code, without pressing the scanner key of the keyboard 9,
Operate the numeric keypad. Then, the data representing the operated number is temporarily stored in the RAM 13 through the CPU 12, and when the registration issue key of the keyboard 9 is pressed, this data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 8 via the liquid crystal control unit 19. Further, the data temporarily stored in the RAM 13 is decoded by the CPU 12, a bar code image signal corresponding to the decoding result is output, and temporarily stored in the RAM 13.

Then, a message such as "Please input the number of sheets" is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 8. When the user inputs the number of sheets using the ten-key pad and presses the registration issue key, the contents temporarily stored in the RAM 13 are sent to the printer head 6 in the printer unit 2 via the printer control unit 17. Then, the printer head 6 prints the bar code on the label attached to the roll paper P based on the signal sent via the printer control unit 17.

In the above structure, the buzzer 20 that sounds when the barcode is successfully read is in the space formed on the roll paper receiving recess 35a, and the roll paper P is received by the recess 35a. It is attached to the side wall of the lower frame 32 so as to be positioned inside the core R of the roll paper P when it is housed so as to be stored. Therefore, the space of the core R of the roll paper P is effectively used, which can contribute to further downsizing of the apparatus. Further, by effectively utilizing the space of the core R of the roll paper P in this way, the core R of the roll paper P can be downsized without reducing the diameter of the core R, so that the roll paper P may have a curl. And the label will not come off. Therefore, the label printing is not hindered.

Further, the frequency of the notification sound is set so that the notification sound of the buzzer 20 resonates in the core R of the hollow cylindrical roll paper P as shown by the dotted line in FIG. By setting the diameter and length, the alarm sound can be made louder than the conventional one. Therefore, it becomes suitable for use in a distribution center where noise is severe. Further, since the buzzer cover 36 that covers the buzzer 20 is formed in a semicircular arc shape in cross section, and the tip end portion 36a is formed in a tapered thin shape, the buzzer 20
The roll paper P can be easily replaced even when the roll paper P is present at the above position.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that many changes or modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the scanner unit 1, the printer unit 2 and the control unit 3 are integrated is described. However, in addition to this, when the printer unit 2 is used alone, the present invention is applied. You may apply.

Further, an adapter may be provided at an appropriate position of the control unit 3 so that an electronic notebook or a pocket computer can be connected via this adapter. Further, the buzzer 20 may be configured to notify various operations such as notification of the end of recording in addition to the above operation. Further, a lamp is used instead of the buzzer 20 as the notification means, and the roll paper P is housed in the space defined by the recess 35a for accommodating the roll paper. At this time, it may be attached to the side wall of the lower frame 32 so as to be positioned inside the core R of the roll paper P so that a predetermined operation can be confirmed from the side.

[0027]

As is apparent from the above description, in the present invention, the notifying means for notifying a predetermined operation is provided in the roll paper storage means, and when the roll paper is stored in the storage means, Since it is provided so as to be located inside the core of the roll paper, it is possible to contribute to further miniaturization of the device while effectively utilizing the core space.

Further, by effectively utilizing the core space of the roll paper as described above, the roll paper can be downsized without reducing the core diameter of the roll paper. Does not come off. Therefore, the label printing is not hindered.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of a printer unit of a barcode printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a barcode printer.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the same.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the same.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a barcode printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Printer unit P Roll paper R Core M Motor 6 Printer head 20 Buzzer 31 Platen roller 32 Lower frame 35 Partition plate 35a Recess 36 Buzzer cover 38 Drive pulley 39 Driven pulley 40 Pulley belt

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location B41J 29/48 C 8804-2C // B41J 3/01 B65H 16/06 B 7030-3F

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A roll paper storage means for storing roll paper wound around a hollow cylindrical core, a paper feed means for feeding the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage means out of the apparatus main body, and the paper. The roll paper sent by the feeding means is provided with a printing means for printing an optical identification code and the like, and a notifying means for notifying a predetermined operation, and the notifying means is in the roll paper storing means, A printer, wherein a core of roll paper is fitted into the core when the paper is stored in the storage means and is located inside the core.