JPH0825712A - Method and apparatus for preparing label - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a method and an apparatus for preparing a label capable of feeding quickly simply a number of kinds of labels without necessity for keeping printed label. CONSTITUTION:A label data to be displayed on a label is preliminarily registered in a file. When necessary, the label data is taken out from the file to carry out printing on the label. A label data preparing part 11 in which a label data is prepared, a label data control part 12 which controls by filing the prepared label data, a label printing sheet preparing part 13 in which the label data is taken out from the label data control part 12 to prepare a label printing pattern, and a label printing part 14 in which printing is carried out on the label by using the prepared printing pattern, are provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label producing method and a label producing apparatus for automatically producing a label attached to an article such as a floppy disk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When shipping a medium product in which programs and data are written in a storage medium such as a floppy disk, a label printed with data such as a company name, content display, creation date, serial number is attached to each product. Work is done. In this case, if there are many types of media products, labels of only those types must be prepared or printed each time.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a conventional label sticking method, in which 1 is an automatic label sticking apparatus, 2-1 to 2-.
3 is a different type of medium product, 3-1 to 3-3 are different labels prepared corresponding to each type of medium product, and 4 is a medium product for which the label application has been completed. Labels are attached to media products by type, for example, media product 2
For -1, the label 3-1 is selected and supplied to the automatic label sticking apparatus 1.

FIG. 12 shows the labels 3-1 to 3-3 of FIG.
Of the same type, in which a large number of printed labels of the same type are stuck on the mounts 5-1 to 5-3, and when fed to the automatic label sticking apparatus 1, the labels are peeled off one by one. And is attached to the media product.

In the conventional example as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, if there are many kinds of media products, even if the product quantity is at least the printed label for that purpose must be prepared on a mount basis, the burden of storage is increased. It is large, and it is necessary to take out an appropriate label mount for each type of medium product and set it in the automatic label sticking device, which takes time and error may occur.

There has also been a method of creating a label by printing the contents according to the type immediately before the work of attaching the label to the medium product, but many processes are required from the input of label data to the printing on the label. It requires man-hours, is time-consuming and troublesome, and is not efficient.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a label producing method and a label producing apparatus which can supply various kinds of labels quickly and easily without the need to store printed labels.

[0008]

According to the present invention, arbitrary label data is created and registered in a file, and when necessary, the label data is taken out from the file for label printing.

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the present invention shown in an exemplary manner. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a label data creation unit, which inputs and edits character data, graphic data, image data, etc. to be printed on a label to create label data. Note that only the fixed pattern portion is created here, and variable data such as the date and time and serial number may be generated internally and added later.

A label data management unit 12 stores the label data created by the label data creation unit 11 in a file 12a and manages management information such as a product name as an index in a searchable manner.

Reference numeral 13 is a label print pattern creating section, which is a file 1 of the label data managing section 12 in response to an instruction.
Target label data is taken out from 2a, a label printing image is generated, and a label printing pattern serving as an original plate such as a printing sheet for transfer printing is created.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a label printing section, which prints on the label paper attached to the label mount, using the label printing pattern created by the label printing pattern creating section 13. Reference numeral 15 denotes a label sticking unit, which peels the printed label from the label mount and sticks it to the target article. A sticky adhesive is applied to the back surface of the label.

[0013]

In the present invention, the creation and printing of the label data are separated, and the label data can be created at any time and stored in the file, and any label data stored in the file can be set as desired. Can be taken out and used for printing. Since the label data is stored in the file in digital format, a large number of label data can be managed compactly.

Further, as for the label data, since only the fixed data portion can be stored in the file and the variable data portion such as the date and time and the serial number can be separately generated and added, the label data for the number of labels to be actually produced can be provided. Label data can be managed efficiently without having to store it in a file.

In the label printing, after the label data is developed into a label printing pattern, it is printed on a transfer paper to prepare an ink permeable printing sheet, and the label printing can be performed using this printing sheet. Label printing can also be performed directly by inkjet based on the pattern. When a print sheet is used, the print sheet can be created in advance, so that it is possible to substantially reduce the printing time.

[0016]

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a processing / control system of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a label data creation unit, which has a data input function for character data, graphic data, image data and the like and an editing function, and enables an operator to create label data in an interactive manner.
In this embodiment, only the fixed data part is created and the variable data part is added later.

Reference numeral 12 is a label data management unit, which manages the created label data in a file 12a, registers it,
It has functions such as delete, update, and search. When the label data includes image data, the data can be compressed.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a label print pattern creating unit which creates label print patterns by expanding the label data extracted from the file 12a into raster patterns that can be printed out.

Reference numeral 14 is a label printing section, which in this embodiment performs label printing by silk screen printing. Reference numeral 15 denotes a label sticking unit, which automatically sticks the printed label to the medium product (floppy).

A variable data generator 16 adds variable data such as date and serial number to the label data extracted from the file 12a. Reference numeral 17 denotes a label print sheet forming unit, which optically or thermally prints the label print pattern formed by the label print pattern forming unit 13 onto the label print sheet to form an ink-permeable master plate.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a medium product to be labeled, which is supplied to the labeling unit 15 one by one. FIG.
It is an external view of an apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 3, 14
Is a label printing section, 15 is a label sticking section, and 17 is a label printing sheet creating section, which are the same as those shown in FIG. Reference numeral 20 denotes a label data creation host, which accommodates the label data creation unit 11, the file data management unit 12, the label print pattern creation unit 13 and the like shown in FIG. It also has control and management functions for the entire device.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a label printing mechanism section, which includes a label printing section 14, a label sticking section 15, and a label printing sheet creating section 17. An apparatus control unit 22 has a control function for the label printing mechanism unit 21.

Reference numeral 23 is a work stocker section, on which medium products to be attached with labels are stacked, and the medium products are drawn out one by one from an outlet provided at the bottom and supplied to the label printing mechanism section 21.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a work storage unit, in which the label-attached medium products are stored one by one from the entrance provided at the bottom. Reference numeral 25 denotes a printing sheet supply roll that supplies a printing sheet formed from a printing original plate, and the printing sheet is made of a material whose ink permeability can be controlled by light or heat.

A label mount supply roll 26 supplies the label mount to the label print sheet forming section 17 and the label print section 14. A label peeling unit 27 peels the label from the label mount by folding back the label mount.

Reference numeral 28 is a label mount roll that winds the label onto the peeled mount. The operation of the embodiment apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The operator creates label data using the label data creation host 20 of FIG. 3 at a convenient time and registers it in the file 12a of FIG. The operator takes out the intended label data from the file 12a when the label printing is necessary, and
The label print pattern creation unit 13 and the variable data generation unit 16 of FIG. 2 are activated, and the label data (fixed data portion) extracted from the file 12a and the variable data generation unit 16 are activated.
The variable data portion output from the above is combined and supplied to the label print pattern creation unit 13.

The label print pattern creating section 13 develops the input data into a dot pattern in a raster format and supplies it to the label print sheet creating section 17 of FIG. The label print sheet creating unit 17 prints a label print pattern of a dot pattern on the print sheet supplied from the print sheet supply roll 25. The label printing sheet having the label printing pattern printed thereon is transferred to the position of the label printing unit 14, where the label on the label mounting sheet supplied from the label mounting sheet supply roll 26 is printed.

At the position of the label printing unit 14, the feeding is controlled so that the label on the label mount and the label printing pattern formed on the label printing sheet match, and the label printing unit 14 moves the ink roller over the label printing sheet. By rolling it, an ink image according to the label printing image is formed on the label surface and printed.

The label mount on which the printed label is placed is then transferred to the label peeling unit 27, where the label is separated from the label mount, and in the label applying unit 15, on the medium product transferred from the work stocker unit 23. Affixed to. Media products labeled in this way
The label mount is stored in the work storage unit 24, and the label mount is wound on the label mount winding roll 28.

The printing of the label printing pattern on the label printing sheet, that is, the production of the printing original plate needs to be performed at least every time the label printing pattern is different. For example, even if the label data extracted from the file 12a is unchanged, if the variable data is different, a label print pattern is created and printed on the label print sheet. Therefore, when serial numbers are printed, label printing patterns are created for the number of media products, that is, the number of labels.
Baking is performed. On the other hand, if the label printing patterns are the same, a large number of labels can be printed with one label printing sheet. However, it is also possible to print onto the label printing sheet by the number of labels.

The label printing sheet on which the label printing pattern is printed may not be used immediately for printing but may be stored once and supplied to the apparatus to print the label when necessary.

Next, details of the apparatus of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 exemplifies the display screen of the label data creation host 20 of FIG. 3, and the operator creates the character data of the label on the screen by the input operation from the keyboard. Logos and marks with special designs can be used by registering patterns in advance.

FIG. 5 shows a method of incorporating an image such as a figure or a landscape having a special pattern into the label data when the label data is created. FIG. 5A shows a method of reading an image of an original using an image scanner, and FIG.
Is a method of capturing a scene by capturing a landscape using a video camera. In either case, the image data takes the form of a raster-type video signal, is input to the label data creation host (specifically, the label data creation unit 11 in FIG. 2), is binarized, and is combined with the character data. Edited.

FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the label print sheet creating section 17 for printing the label print pattern on the label print sheet in FIG. In the figure, 29 is a liquid crystal display,
Reference numeral 30 is a light emitting source, and 31 is a label printing sheet. The label print pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display 29, and the label print pattern is printed on the label print sheet 31 by the light emitted from the light emitting source 30 and transmitted through the liquid crystal display 29. As a result, only the portion of the label printing pattern becomes light transmissive, and it can be used as a positive master plate.

FIG. 7A shows another specific example of the label print sheet forming section 17, which is a thermal printer head 32.
The label printing pattern is printed on the label printing sheet 31 using. As shown in FIG. 7B, the thermal printer head 32 performs a shuttle movement in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the label print sheet 31 and raster scans to form a label print pattern.

FIG. 8 shows a specific example of the label printing section 14 of FIG. In this example, one ink roller is used. When the label 3 and the label printing sheet 33 are overlapped with each other, the ink roller 34 is rolled in a necessary range on the label 3 and reciprocates. In this case, one label is printed for each of the forward movement and the backward movement, which is efficient. This reciprocating motion of the ink roller 34 is performed by attaching the ink roller 34 to one end of the arm 35 and using the other end 36 as a fulcrum.
This can be realized by connecting the eccentric position of the rotation shaft of the motor 37 and the intermediate point of the arm 35 with the link lever 38, and swinging the arm 35 by the rotation of the motor 37. The arm 35 is made elastic by a spring so that the ink roller 34 can follow the flat surface of the label 3.

FIG. 9 shows another specific example of the label printing section 14 of FIG. Although the illustrated example has four ink rollers, any number of ink rollers can be provided. Figure 9
In the figure, four arms 39-1 to 39-4 are radially attached to the rotary shaft of the motor 37, and ink rollers 34-1 to 34-4 are respectively provided at the tips of the arms. Here again, each arm is made expandable and contractable similarly to the arm 35 of FIG. The motor 37 rotates 90 degrees to print one label and rotates 360 degrees to continuously print four labels. Further, by appropriately using each roller of FIG. 9 for four colors such as black, blue, red, and yellow, it is possible to print a label of four colors.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flow of the device controller 22 of FIG. When counting the number of sheets of the counter giving the serial number of the medium product by the count-up method, the flow on the left side is followed, and when the count-down method is performed, the flow on the right side is followed. The operation will be described below with reference to the configuration of FIG. In the case of the count-up method, first the counter is cleared to 0 and the work stocker unit 23
Then, one medium product is supplied, the counter is incremented by 1, and the serial number "0001" is generated. Next, execute label printing,
After attaching a label to this medium product, the work storage unit 24
Store media products in. The above operation is repeated for the designated number of sheets. In the case of the countdown method, first, the counter is set to the specified number, and each time one medium product is supplied, printing is executed using the current counter value as the serial number, then the counter is decremented by -1, and the operation to eject the media product is performed. , Repeat until the counter reaches 0.

After the operations of and are completed, the next label printing (or label pasting) request is checked, and if there is request data, it is executed, and if there is no request data, the processing ends.

[0040]

According to the present invention, a label attached to an article does not need to be stored in advance only for the type of label, and can be easily created when label application is required. Even the file management of label data can be processed by a computer, so it is possible to easily create various label printing patterns.
It is easy to modify or delete the label data in the file,
It is possible to improve the reliability of the label data and reduce the work load.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a processing / control system of the device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of label data on a display screen.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an image input method.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of a print sheet creation unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another specific example of the print sheet creation unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of a label printing unit.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of another specific example of the label printing unit.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of control of the device control unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a conventional label sticking method.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a label supply form in an example of a conventional label sticking method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Label Data Creation Section 12 Label Data Management Section 12a File 13 Label Printing Pattern Creation Section 14 Label Printing Section 15 Label Sticking Section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A label producing method, wherein label data to be displayed on a label is registered in a file in advance, and the label data is taken out from the file when necessary to perform label printing. 2. The label creating method according to claim 1, wherein a label printing pattern is created from the label data and the label printing is performed. 3. A label data creation unit for creating label data, a label data management unit for file management of the created label data, and a label printing pattern for taking out label data from the label data management unit and creating a label printing pattern. A label producing apparatus comprising: a producing unit; and a label printing unit that prints on a label using the produced label printing pattern. 4. The label creating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the label data creating unit has a means for editing character data and graphic data. 5. The label producing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the label data producing section has an image input means. 6. The label printing unit according to claim 3, wherein the label printing unit has a plurality of ink rollers attached to each tip of the radial arm, and the plurality of ink rollers are used so as to sequentially print different labels. A label producing device characterized by rotating an arm. 7. The label printing unit according to claim 3, wherein the label printing unit has a plurality of ink rollers attached to each tip of a radial arm, and the plurality of ink rollers apply inks of a plurality of different colors. A label producing apparatus characterized by performing label printing in an arbitrary color by rotating an arm. 8. The label producing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a label attaching section for automatically attaching a label printed by the label printing section to an object.