JPS61192568A - Weighing printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to perform printing in such a state that the developed color of a label is partially changed in distinction from a part desired to be emphasized, by providing a plurality of printing buffers for inputting printing data to a thermal head and appropriately selecting input. CONSTITUTION:Rectangular labels 1 are adhered to long base paper 2 at equal intervals and this base paper 2 is wound in a roll form to be held to a label supply part 3. The base paper 2 is bent at the part of a label release plate 6 through a platen 5 driven by a roller 7 and taken up by a take-up shaft 9. A thermal head 10 is provided on the platen 5. The label 1 has two color forming layers formed to the surface thereof and the ground thereof having two-color forming temp. characteristics is white and the label 1 develops two colors by the magnitude of heat energy applied to the label 1 and, when the current to the heat generating element of the thermal head 10 is made constant, the label 1 develops a basic black color when a current supply time is short and temp. is low and develops a different red color when a current supply time is long and temp. is high.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a weighing printing device that prints printed content including weighing data on a label using a thermal head.

2. Description of the Related Art In general, using a thermal head as a printing means in a label printer or the like has various advantages such as being able to obtain a free printing pattern and being able to print a clear bar code.

However, since the printing color of the label is constant over the entire label, if there is a part of the printed information that needs to be emphasized, that part is surrounded by a line or printed in particularly bold letters. Although it is possible to achieve this goal to some extent by means of such means, it is only noticeable if one looks carefully; it is not something that can be seen with the naked eye.

In this regard, although it is easy to achieve the above-mentioned objective by performing multicolor printing, this requires two or more thermal heads and the structure of the printing mechanism becomes complicated.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to obtain a weighing printing device that can display extremely clearly when there is a part of printed information that is to be emphasized by changing the printing color of that part to be different from the normal one. With the goal.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a label 1 having two-color coloring temperature characteristics,
A thermal head 10 equipped with a large number of heating elements 35 that prints over the entire width of the label 1 in contact with the label 1 moving in one direction is provided, and the heating elements 3 of the thermal head 10
At least two print buffers 27 and 28 are provided to provide print data for controlling energization to the label 1, and when printing by the heating element 35 of the thermal head 1o on the label 1, basic color development for general print data is at a low temperature and specific print data is provided. An energization time control circuit 37 that sets different color development at a high temperature and varies the energization time of the constant current to the heating element 35 when these print buffers 27 and 28 are selected.
A configuration is adopted in which characters 12 such as processing date and per 100 g are pre-printed on the label 1 in brightness-contrasting colors in which the different colors for this specific print data are conspicuous.

If the color of the different color for the action-specific printing data is, for example, red, then by setting the pre-print color for label 1 to a contrasting color in brightness, for example, blue, the different color in the printing state for label 1 will be extremely different. This makes it stand out and allows specific information to be emphasized and expressed.

Example An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, rectangular labels 1 are pasted on a long mount 2 at equal intervals, and the mount 2 is wound into a roll and held in the label supply section 3. . The mount 2 passes through a platen 5 driven by a pulse motor 4, is bent at a label peeling plate 6, passes through a roller 7, and is wound onto a winding shaft 9 driven by a winding motor 8. Further, a thermal head 10 is provided on the platen 5.

Further, the label 1 peeled off by the label peeling plate 6 has a label detector 11 that operates photoelectrically detecting the passing timing of its leading edge and also detecting its presence or absence.

Here, an example of the contents printed on the label 1 is shown in FIG. Label 1 shows the processing date and effective date.

Code, product number, per 100g (yen), content (g).

Unique information 12 such as store name 1 division line and price (yen) are printed in advance (pre-printed). And thermal head 1
By o, product name 131 date 14. Barcode15. Data 16. Specific information 17 such as "Advertisement item" will be printed, but this specific information 17 marked as "Advertisement item" is the part to be emphasized in this embodiment, and the other printed parts will be explained later. Different colors are produced depending on the means used. Specifically, this label 1 has two coloring layers on its surface and has a white background with two-color coloring temperature characteristics, and the upper layer is for basic coloring such as black,
The lower layer is used for different colors such as red for emphasis. In other words, the label 1 develops two colors depending on the amount of thermal energy applied to the label 1, and the thermal head 1
When the current to the heating element o is constant, label 1
When the current is applied for a short time at a low temperature, the basic color is black, and when the current is applied for a long time at a high temperature, a red color is developed.

Next, the electric circuit configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. First, a print controller 20 is provided which operates based on print commands and label detection signals. Further, the scale 21 is connected to the input sides of two AND gates 22 and 23, and the controller 20 is connected directly or via an inverter 24 to the other input side of these AND gates 22 and 23.

A first print buffer 27 and a second print buffer 28 are connected to the output sides of these AND gates 22, 23 via character generator conversion circuits 25, 26, respectively. These print buffers 27 and 28 contain an X address and a Y address.

The controller 20 is connected via each clock line.

Next, the second print buffer 28 is connected to the shift register 30 of the thermal head 10 via the -OR gate 29.
It is connected to the. On the other hand, the negative print buffer 2
7 is C-C0NT from the printing controller 1-roller 20
(Color control 1 to roll) are connected to the input side of an AND gate 31, and this AND gate 31 is connected to the OR gate 29.

Here, the internal structure of the thermal head 10 will be explained. First, the data in the print buffers 27 and 28 is inputted one bit at a time to the shift register 30 by the clock (CLK), and the contents of the shift register 3o are input to the shift register 30 bit by bit by the latch circuit connected in parallel for each bit. 32 at once. This latch circuit 32 is connected to an AND gate 36 that controls the energization of each of the heating elements 35 commonly connected to a power source 34 via a large number of AND gates 33 . These AND gates 36 are opened by an enable signal (ENB).

Further, a timer 37 serving as an energization time control circuit is connected to the print controller 20. This timer 37
is started at the T signal.

The time T2 is regulated. This T2 is a time during which the contents of the first print buffer 27 and the second print buffer 28 are simultaneously printed, as will be described later.

A variable resistor 38 is connected to the timer 37, so that the timer 37 can be adjusted for 12 hours.

Further, a motor driver 39 connected to the pulse motor 4 is connected to the print controller 20,
This controls the feeding of the label 1.

In such a configuration, the strobe signal STB and the enable signal ENB are generated at the timing of the rising edge of T1 and the rising edge of T2, respectively. Now, the period of T is label 1
The pulse motor 4 is driven every T0 to feed the label 1 by one line. Here, "-line printing" does not mean one line of characters, but one line of dots.

Then, T2 is regulated by the timer 36, and the T1 period is divided into two periods: a time at T2 and a time at (T knee T2). Here, it is assumed that the output of the timer 36 becomes H level 72 hours after T4 is output.

Now, the printing operation will be described below, with the first print buffer 27 being referred to as ``2 memory'' and the second print buffer 28 being referred to as 0 memory. As for the contents stored in each memory, the X address indicates the address of each row, and the Y address indicates the address of each row. Therefore, X
0, l, 2 for each address. ..., Y, and Y print contents exist.

Therefore, explanation will be given based on the timing chart of FIG. In the illustrated example, the process begins with the memory printing part of the N data. In this part, based on T1
The STB signal and the ENB signal start energizing the heating element 35 based on the data that has already been input to the shift register 3o, and since T2 is still at the L level, the C-C0NT signal is also at the L level. No output is provided to the thermal head 10.

Therefore, at this time, the data input to the thermal head 10 is only the contents of the memory, and the contents actually printed are based on the data input immediately before.

Then, after 18 hours have elapsed, the contents of the (1) memory that had been input to the shift register 3o are input to the latch circuit 32, and the heating element 35 is energized.

Therefore, at this time, the contents of ■memory that were input last time are printed. Also, since T2 is at H level, C-C
The 0NT signal is also at the H level, and data from both the ■memory and the ■memory are input to the shift register 30 of the thermal head 10.

In this way, label 1 is fed one line at a cycle of T1.
The combined content of 0■ memory and the content of only memory are alternately received and printed in sequence during the time zone divided into (T□-Tyo) time and 12 hours. It works like this. Therefore.

■The contents of the general print data stored in the memory have a short energization time of only T2 and are low temperature, so product name 13
etc. are printed in the basic color of black.

On the other hand, only the specific information 17 section whose memory content is "advertisement item" has the heating element 35 energized for a long time, T□, due to the high temperature.
The specific information 17 is printed in a different color such as red, and the specific information 17 can be distinguished very clearly.

The above explanation is about the operation in a print line including a portion that is colored in a different color, such as the specific information 17, and in this embodiment,
The printing time for printing lines such as bar code parts that do not include parts that produce different colors is to be shortened. This is shown in the second one-line printed portion in FIG. In other words, among the 0■memories, no data is stored in the ■memory for specific information 17;
This is the case when data is stored only in memory. In this case, even if the T1 time has not elapsed, the power is turned on for 12 minutes, which is the time required to print product name 13, etc., and when the time for black basic color printing has elapsed, the next line is printed. 1 pulse is output. As a result, specific information 17
Since the time required for printing in the portion of the printing line that does not have a mark is shortened, the label issuing time can be shortened as a whole, and the label can be issued efficiently.

In other words, in this embodiment, the energization time, that is, the printing time, is extended only for printing lines that require different color printing.

In addition, in implementation, adjust the variable resistor 38 as appropriate to achieve 1
Change 2 hours. This is adjusted as appropriate depending on the properties of the paper of the label 1, etc.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the color of the specific information 17 printed in different colors on the label 1 and the processing date, effective date, code, product number, 1 pre-printed on the label 1, etc.
The relationship between the printing color of the unique information 12 such as per 00g (yen), content amount (g), store name, dividing line, etc. is unique, and in order to make the specific information 17 printed in red stand out, the pre-printing color is changed to this red. This is done in a color that contrasts in brightness with the color, specifically blue. In Figure 1, to express this, the black part after each code is (BK), and the red part is (BK).
R), the blue part is indicated with the subscript (B).

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the specific information 17 is printed on the label 1 in an extremely conspicuous and emphasized state, so that the 1-emphasized message can be accurately expressed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the specific information 17 for the "advertisement item" is made to appear in a unique red color.

It may be possible to select whether or not to print in a different color for each item of various print groups (unique information 12) determined by pre-printing on the label 1, and to print in a selective combination. For printing in various different colors, enter the product name in the flag memory using the keyboard or flag setting command.

Double auxiliary characters (for example, advertising items), flag to select whether to print in red or black in the price field (for example, red = 1)
, black=0) are stored in the print buffer 27.2.
When creating memory data No. 8, black data may be created in the print buffer 27 and red data may be created in the print buffer 28 in accordance with this selection flag.

By the way, further improvements have been made in this embodiment. In other words, the amount (price) calculated by (weight) x (unit price) based on the weight when printing and issuing a message such as "advertisement item" on a pre-printed label 1 with emphasized printed characters. It is also preferable to emphasize Particularly, in the case where the 1-emphasis message is an "advertisement item" as in this embodiment, the unit price is set low, so it is more preferable to emphasize the unit price. Regarding this point, in this embodiment, the price (or unit price) 16 is printed in black by low temperature like other general print data, but the price 16 printing position of the pre-printed fixed information 12 is Fixed information 18 such as the price (in yen) and frame lines around the area is pre-printed in red (more specifically, the price (in yen) is written in red with white text). In other words, the color contrasts in brightness with the black color of the price 16, and the surrounding fixed information 18 is highlighted in red, thereby drawing the customer's attention to the price 16.

In the end, even if it is black, the price of 16 will stand out. Moreover, since the price 16 itself is printed in black, it provides a good image.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention provides a plurality of print buffers for inputting print data to the thermal head.

By appropriately selecting input from these print buffers, you can easily change the energization time to the heating element for specific information in the print information, and by doing so, you can partially change the color of the label to emphasize it. It is possible to distinguish parts and print them, and in this case, since the label is pre-printed in a color that contrasts in brightness with the different color, it is possible to make the specific information part extremely noticeable on the label. Furthermore, if the specific information is a message such as "advertisement item", the pre-printing of the surrounding area such as the price printed using the basic coloring is done in a color that contrasts in brightness with the basic coloring. This allows the printing of prices, etc. to be emphasized.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1 is a plan view of the label, Fig. 2 is a side view showing a part of the mechanism, Fig. 3 is a block diagram, and Fig. 4 is a timing chart. . l... Label, 10... Thermal head, 12...
・Fixed information (pre-printed content), 13-16... General information, 17... Specific information (emphasized printed content), 18...
Fixed information (pre-print content), 27.28...Print buffer, 35...Heating element, 37...Timer (energization time control circuit)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A label having one or two color development temperature characteristics is provided, a thermal head is provided with a large number of heating elements for printing over the entire width of the label in contact with the label moving in one direction, At least two print buffers are provided that provide print data for controlling energization to the heating element of the thermal head, and the basic color development for general print data is specified at a low temperature for printing by the heating element of the thermal head on the label. An energization time control circuit is provided to set different color development for print data at a high temperature and to vary the duration of constant current energization to the heating element when these print buffers are selected. 100g
A weighing printing device characterized by pre-printing characters such as winning numbers, etc. 2. A label having two-color color development temperature characteristics is provided, and a thermal head is provided that is provided with a large number of heating elements for printing over the entire width of the label in contact with the label moving in one direction, and At least two print buffers are provided that provide print data for controlling energization to the elements, and basic color development for general print data is at a low temperature for printing by the heating element of the thermal head on the label, such as "advertisement item", " energization time control that sets different colors for specific print data of messages such as "Special Sale Items" to be at high temperatures and varies the energization time of the constant current to the heat generating element when these print buffers are selected; A circuit is installed to pre-print text such as the date of processing and per 100g on the label using a contrasting brightness color that makes different colors for this specific print data stand out, and also prints (weight) x based on the measurement.
(Unit price) or the characters such as the price, etc. around the data printing position based on the basic coloring of the unit price are pre-printed on the label in a color that contrasts in brightness with the data printing color based on the basic coloring. Characteristic measurement printing device.