JPH10202989A - Electronic stamp and control system for electronic stamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic stamp enhancing the reliability for the stamp sealed by a person himself and also provide a system for controlling easily the operation state of the electronic stamp. SOLUTION: An electronic stamp is provided with a control means 2 having a storage section 1 for storing a seal image data and a printing means 3 for printing the image of seal corresponding to the seal image data output from the control means 2. A control system is provided with the control means 2 having a storing section 1 storing a seal image data, a plurality of electronic stamps for a printing means 3 for printing the image of seals corresponding to the seal image data output from the control means 2 and a host computer connected with respective electronic stamps through a communication means, and the host computer is provided with data files corresponding to respective electronic stamps, and the data of the state of use of respective electronic stamps are stored in the data files.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic stamp and a system for managing the use state of the electronic stamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a stamp is formed by forming characters on a surface formed of rubber or the like into a convex shape with mirror characters. In general, it is used as a mark indicating approval of documents and the like.

[0003] There are stamps of this type that can imprint a date and time. In general, a mechanical stamp that combines a belt-type stamp and a roller that is manually turned is widely used. However, since it is complicated to adjust the date and time in the manual type, it is necessary to provide a printing belt rotated by a motor and control the motor as described in JP-A-63-233879. Date and time are automatically updated. In this way, there is an advantage that a human error is unlikely to occur in a stamp in which updating of date and time is automated.

By the way, this type of stamp is used exclusively for business use, but from such a viewpoint, the conventional stamp has some problems. First of all, conventionally, since letters and the like are formed by the unevenness of rubber, it has to be made to order, and a considerable period is required from order receipt to delivery of the product.

[0005] Second, since it is impossible to determine from the seal image whether or not the seal is made by the person himself, there may be a case where the reliability of the seal is questioned. Third,
One stamp can print only one type of imprint, so that only one type of stamp must be provided. This is inconvenient to carry and
There is a problem that when carrying out various kinds of seals, it is necessary to frequently change the holding.

Fourth, since the date and time can be easily changed in the prior art, there may be a case where the reliability of the imprint date and time is questioned. Fifth, since there is no function of recording the number of times of imprinting, there is a problem that this must be artificially recorded.

[0007]

As described above, the conventional stamp has insufficient reliability and usability of the stamp.

The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a stamp capable of setting an imprint in a short time. It is another technical object of the present invention to provide a stamp with improved reliability that the seal is made by the person. It is another technical object of the present invention to provide a stamp capable of imprinting various imprints with one stamp. Further, it is a technical object to provide a stamp with improved reliability of the stamp date and time. Another technical object is to provide an electronic stamp capable of outputting the number of times of imprinting to the outside.

[0009] It is another technical object of the present invention to provide an electronic stamp management system capable of easily grasping the use state of the electronic stamp.

[0010]

The present invention is configured as follows to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

That is, the electronic stamp of the present invention comprises a control means 2 having a storage unit 1 for storing imprint data, and a printing means 3 for printing an imprint corresponding to the imprint data output from the control means 2. ing.

The control means 2 has a timer section 23 for outputting time data, and the printing means 3 can be configured to print an imprint including time data. Further, the storage unit 1 may be configured to store a plurality of types of imprint data, and to output imprint data specified externally to the printing unit 3.

The control means 2 has a counter section 4 for measuring the number of times of printing by the printing means 3, and the printing means 3 can be configured to print imprints including data on the number of times of printing.

Further, the control means 2 has a counter section 4 for counting the number of times of printing for each imprint data, and the printing means 3 prints an imprint including the number of times of printing for each imprint data. Can also.

The counter unit 4 includes a printing unit 3.
Can be configured to further store the time at which the is activated. The counter unit 4 may include an output unit that outputs the stored data to the outside.

The printing means 3 may print the imprint including the same print number data repeatedly a specified number of times. The storage unit 1 stores the identifier of the user, and the control unit 2 stores the input identifier in the storage unit 1
The imprint data can be output to the printing means 3 only when the identifier matches the identifier stored in the printing means 3.

The storage unit 1 may be configured so that the imprint data cannot be reset after the initial setting. Also, the timer section 23 can be configured so that the time data cannot be reset after the initial setting.

The printing means 3 can be constituted by an ink jet printer or a thermal transfer printer.
Further, a plurality of electronic stamps having a control unit 2 having a storage unit 1 storing imprint data, a printing unit 3 for printing an imprint corresponding to the imprint data output from the control unit 2, and communication with each electronic stamp And a host computer connected via the means, the host computer having a data file corresponding to each electronic stamp, storing data on the use state of each electronic stamp in this data file, and It can be a management system.

Each electronic stamp in the electronic stamp management system has a storage unit for storing the identifier of the user and the time or the number of times the electronic stamp has been used. The performed time or number of times may be stored in a data file corresponding to the identifier.

The main components of the present invention will be described in more detail. [Storage unit 1] As the storage unit 1, a ROM (READ ONRY MEMO
RY) and RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY) can be used. The ROM is suitable for a case where a fixed form sentence or a fixed form outline of a stamp is stored in advance, and this is selected and used. On the other hand, the RAM is suitable for a meeting where the contents are stored after ordering a stamp, such as a name. Alternatively, the storage unit 1 may be configured to include a PROM, and data such as a name may be input to the PROM using a rom writer at a stamp shop or the like.

Note that the storage unit 1 can store user ID information,
It can be configured to collate with the D information and output the character data to the printing means only when the ID information matches. The ID information may be in various forms such as pressing a plurality of buttons in a predetermined order in addition to the number. [Control Means 2] The control means 2 includes a microprocessor for outputting data in the storage unit 1 as character information and graphic information, a ROM storing a program for the microprocessor, and a ROM.
AM. [Printing Means 3] The printing means 3 has a function equivalent to that of a printer, and performs printing by an ink jet system or a thermal transfer system.

In the ink jet type, pressure is applied to ink,
Printing is performed by jetting from a nozzle.For example, a method of applying pressure to ink by arranging a piezoelectric element in the ink path and energizing this piezoelectric element, or heating the ink path to generate bubbles and ink Pressure is increased.

In the thermal transfer method, the back surface of the film is heated while the surface of the ink applied to the film is pressed against paper or the like, and the ink is transferred and printed.
In either method, the print head can perform two-dimensional printing by moving an array of elements in a line at right angles to the arrangement direction. [Timer unit 23] The timer unit 23 has a function of a real-time clock, and automatically counts the time based on the date, month, day, hour, and minute input by initialization. In addition, calendar information for a predetermined period may be input to the timer unit 23 at the time of initial setting. [Counter unit 4] The counter unit 4 has a function of counting the number of input pulses, and each time an operation signal of the printing unit 3 is input from the microcomputer of the control unit 2,
The count is incremented by one. Further, the counter unit 4 may have a function of storing the time at which the operation signal of the printing unit 3 is output from the microcomputer. The counter unit 4 can include an output unit that outputs the stored operation history data of the printing unit 3 to the outside.

The timer section 23, the storage section 1, or the counter section 4 can prevent data from being changed after the initial setting, thereby preventing improper use of the stamp.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an electronic stamp and an electronic stamp management system according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an electronic stamp.
Control means 2 including storage unit 1 storing imprint data
And printing means 3 for printing characters or graphics corresponding to the imprint data from the control means 2.

The control means 2 comprises a microcomputer 2
The microcomputer 21 has a fixed data memory (storage unit 1) 22 for operating the microcomputer 21 and a timer unit for providing calendar information and time information to the microcomputer 21. A clock IC 23 and an LCD (LIQUID CRISTAL) for displaying the operation state of the microcomputer 21
A display 24, operation keys 25 for giving commands to the microcomputer 21, and a print data memory (storage unit 1) 27 for storing imprint data are connected to the display 24, respectively. The storage unit 1 has an SRAM (STATIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMOR).
Y) or PROM (for example, ONE TIME PROM).

Further, the microcomputer 21 is connected to a counter section 4 for counting the number of operations of the printing means 3 and storing the operation time of the printing means 3.
The control means 2 having these configurations is driven by a control battery 26. The control battery 26 is a primary battery and has a life of about 3 to 4 years. This is determined according to the capacity of the internal calendar.

Printing means 3 connected to said control means 2
Is a print control IC 31 connected to the microcomputer 21 and the print data memory 27 of the control means 2, and a print head 3 driven by a signal from the print control IC 31.
2 and a photo interrupter 33 for detecting the position of the print head 32. A printing battery 34 is connected to the printing control IC 31 and the printing head 32.
The printing battery 34 is a secondary battery such as a nickel cadmium, nickel hydride or lithium battery, and can be charged by attaching the electronic stamp body 10 to a charging stand 80 shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the electronic stamp main body 10. The electronic stamp main body 10 has a square pillar shape as a whole.
The operation keys 25, the LCD display 24, and the count setting switch 42 are exposed on the side surface.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show the internal structure of the electronic stamp main body 10.
There is provided an ink jet type print head 32 supported by. An ink cartridge 41 is provided near the print head 32 so that ink is supplied to the print head 32.

A stamping knob 43 is provided on the head of the electronic stamp main body 10, and a rack gear 44 is formed integrally with the stamping knob 43. A head acceleration gear 45 meshes with the rack gear 44, and the stamping knob 43
The head acceleration gear 45 is configured to rotate with the pressing of the head. The head acceleration gear 45 meshes with the screw rod 40 via a transmission gear 47. The screw rod 40 meshes with the print head 32.

Accordingly, the print head 32 operates to move in the horizontal direction with the pressing of the stamping knob 43. A coil spring 46 is provided between the stamping knob 43 and the electronic stamp main body 10, and the stamping knob 43 is always urged in the direction of arrow F. Further, a timing strobe 48 is provided integrally with the head acceleration gear 45 so as to interrupt the signal of the photo interrupter 33. Thus, the position of the print head 32 is input to the control means 2.

Further, a switch frame 51 is provided at the bottom of the electronic stamp main body 10, and a print switch 49 provided at the tip of the stamping knob 43 is pressed via a leaf spring 50.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the electronic stamp main body 10 is set up perpendicularly to the surface to be stamped. Then, the stamp knob 43 is depressed (step 101). Then, the print switch 49 is pressed, and the control means 2 and the printing means 3 enter a printing standby state. Further, when the stamping knob 43 is pressed down by 1 mm or more, the screw rod 40 starts rotating (step 10).
2), the horizontal movement of the print head 32 is started (step 103). At this time, the timing strobe 48 rotates, and a synchronizing signal corresponding to the horizontal movement amount of the print head 32 is output from the photo interrupter 33. Along with this, print data is sequentially output from the control means 2, and ink is ejected from the print head 32, so that an imprint is printed on the surface to be stamped.

When the stamping knob 43 is completely depressed, the print head 32 also moves to the end (step 104), and the stamping is completed (step 105). Here, if necessary, the data is updated (step 106), and the process ends.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 7, the seal 100 containing the time and the examination number is stamped. In addition,
The inspection number of the seal 100 is moved up for each seal. Depending on the importance of the stamp, it is possible to use a function that only a specific person can stamp. This is because ID information is stored in the storage unit 1 in advance, and unless the same information as the ID information is input by operating the operation key 25,
This is a function in which the control means 2 does not operate. This can prevent unauthorized use by a third party.

The type of the seal can be changed by operating the operation key 25. For example, the type of the seal can be changed according to the use such as a seal, an approval mark, a confirmation mark, and a fax. At that time, the date, time, and number can be automatically stamped, and whether or not one or all of the items can be printed can be set. However,
Dates and counters cannot be changed.

As described above, after the stamp is used, the stamp body 10 is inserted into the charger 80 to perform charging.
The charger 80 is provided with a terminal 83 for inputting data from the counter unit 4. The output unit of the counter unit 4 and the terminal 83 are constituted by, for example, an infrared transmitting / receiving device, and the number of times of imprinting, date and time data of imprinting, and the like are transmitted to the host computer 70 via the charger 80. Thereby, it is possible to easily manage the data relating to the seals from the plurality of stamp bodies 10 one by one.
The host computer 70 is provided with each stamp body 10
It has a data file for each identifier or for a plurality of identifiers (ID numbers) set in the single stamp body 10, so that the data of the stamping operation state can be stored for each identifier.

Although the operation of moving up the number every time the seal is performed has been described above, for example, there is a case where it is desired to seal many documents with the same number such as a contract document. , The number advance can be stopped. Further, the number may be increased by a specified number of times.

In addition to the ID of the user, in addition to the ID number, the user's fingerprint is registered in the storage unit 1 of the control means 2, the fingerprint is collated every time the stamp is used, and the operation of the stamp is permitted. You may do so.

[0042]

According to the present invention, an arbitrary imprint can be obtained only by rewriting the contents of the storage unit, so that the product can be delivered in a short time. Furthermore, since various types of imprints can be selected and stamped, various types of imprints can be performed by a single product.

Further, since the identifier inputted from the outside is compared with the internal identifier and the character data or the like is outputted to the printing means only when the identifier matches, the seal is made by the person himself / herself. You can increase the reliability that you have.

Further, since the sealing date and time, the sealing number and the like once set cannot be changed, the reliability of the sealing contents is improved. Further, since the number and time of stamping can be recorded, accurate business records can be recorded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic stamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an electronic stamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an electronic stamp according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation process of the electronic stamp according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an operation process of the electronic stamp according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic stamp according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an actual imprint for explaining the operation of the electronic stamp according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electronic stamp management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Storage part 2 Control means 3 Printing means 4 Counter part 23 Timer part

Claims (15)

[Claims] An electronic stamp comprising: a control unit having a storage unit storing imprint data; and a printing unit for printing an imprint corresponding to the imprint data output from the control unit. 2. The electronic stamp according to claim 1, wherein said control means has a timer section for outputting time data, and said printing means prints an imprint including time data. 3. The electronic stamp according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of types of imprint data, and outputs designated imprint data to the printing unit. . 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means has a counter for counting the number of times of printing by said printing means, and said printing means prints an imprint including data on the number of times of printing.
4. The electronic stamp according to any one of items 1 to 3. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means has a counter for counting the number of times of printing for each of the imprint data, and said printing means prints an imprint including the number of times of printing for each of the imprint data. Electronic stamp according to 3. 6. The electronic stamp according to claim 4, wherein said counter further stores a time at which said printing means operates. 7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said counter section has an output section for outputting stored data to the outside.
7. The electronic stamp according to any one of items 6 to 6. 8. The electronic stamp according to claim 4, wherein said printing means repeatedly prints the imprint including the same print count data a specified number of times. 9. The storage unit stores a user identifier, and the control unit outputs imprint data to the printing unit only when the input identifier matches the identifier stored in the storage unit. The electronic stamp according to claim 1, wherein: 10. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the imprint data cannot be reset after the initial setting.
9. The electronic stamp according to any one of 9 above. 11. The data processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the timer section is configured so that data cannot be reset after initial setting.
9. The electronic stamp according to any one of 9 above. 12. An electronic stamp according to claim 1, wherein said printing means is an ink jet printer. 13. An electronic stamp according to claim 1, wherein said printing means is a thermal transfer printer. 14. A plurality of electronic stamps having control means having a storage unit storing imprint data, printing means for printing imprints corresponding to the imprint data output from the control means, and communication means for each electronic stamp. And a host computer connected to the electronic device via a host computer, wherein the host computer has a data file corresponding to each electronic stamp, and stores data on the use state of each electronic stamp in the data file. Electronic stamp management system. 15. Each of the electronic stamps has a storage unit for storing a user identifier and a time or the number of times the electronic stamp is used, and the host computer stores the time or the number of times each electronic stamp is used. 15. The electronic stamp management system according to claim 14, wherein the electronic stamp is stored in a data file corresponding to the identifier.