JPS61259937A - Thermal label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Application of the Invention) The present invention relates to a thermal label printer capable of inputting and outputting data to and from an external device, and particularly relates to a thermal label printer that is capable of inputting and outputting data to and from an external device, and in particular, is capable of inputting and transmitting data and issuing labels. The present invention relates to a thermal label printer useful in various fields, in which a terminal unit and a terminal unit are detachable from each other.

(Prior Art) Various portable data input and transmission devices called data collectors, data terminals, etc. have been developed. These devices have data readers such as pen scanners that scan barcodes, temporarily store the read data, and print it out on regular paper using a small printer for confirmation or for backup purposes.

It transmits input data to a host computer or the like for various processing.

However, these data devices can only be used for confirmation and backup purposes by simply printing the read data or data input from the host computer on regular paper.
It lacks the ability to display this data again and display it on products or articles, and its fields of use are also limited.

Furthermore, depending on how these devices are used, the data input location and the label issue location are often different, and there is also the problem that the printer portion gets in the way of data entry work. In other words, since data terminals are often used outside the office in warehouses or outdoors, they are required to be drop resistant, moisture resistant, and moisture resistant, so they must be manufactured more solidly than general office equipment. The weight inevitably increases,
It is inconvenient for a worker to carry a heavy printer when not printing directly.

Furthermore, if the label size (especially the size in the width direction) differs depending on how the printer is used, the print head and other mechanical parts will differ depending on the label size, so users may have to purchase two or more types of printers. There was a need for a solution from an economic perspective as well.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to be able to input and process various data and transmit it to external equipment such as a host computer, as well as to transfer necessary information to a thermal label. This enables a wide range of uses by printing on the top of the label and labeling products, article files, etc., and also enables use in situations where the data input location and label issue location are different, or the issue label size is different. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a thermal label printer that can also be used.

(Summary of the Invention) That is, the present invention is equipped with an input means using a pen scanner or a keyboard, a means for storing these data, and a means for transmitting the data to a personal computer or host computer, etc., and enables necessary data to be written on a thermal label. Can be printed,
This thermal label printer can be peeled off and affixed to a desired article or location, and the label printer unit can be attached and detached separately from the data terminal unit, making it an unprecedentedly usable thermal label printer.

(Example) Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermal printer 1 according to the present invention, and the main body of the device, which is configured as a desktop type, consists of a data terminal unit 2a and a label printer unit 2b. These units 7) 2a and 2b have planar bottom portions 3a and 3b, respectively, which can be stored on any arbitrary stand.

On the upper surface of the terminal unit 2a, there are a numeric keypad 4 and various functions for inputting data and commands.
5 is arranged, and a display 7 such as a liquid crystal is provided above the keyboard 6 as data display means. Further, a power switch 8 is provided on the side surface. A pair of left and right opening/closing knobs 9 are provided on the side surface of the printer 22) 2b. Further, a holding member 10 for a thermal label roll R, in which a thermal label T is wound into a roll, is provided on the upper surface, and the printed and peeled label pieces are discharged from the front.

Furthermore, a connection section 12 for the pen scanner 11 and a charging connection section 13 for a battery 27, which will be described later, are provided at the front of the terminal unit 2a.

Incidentally, reference numeral 14 denotes a discharge hole for the mount S, which is formed at the rear lower part of the printer 22) 2b as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG.

The pen scanner 11 (FIG. 1) can be used to read barcodes B such as product codes on shelf labels F and input data into the printer 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 22) 2a and the printer unit 2b are constructed separately, and the terminal 22) 2a is constructed separately between a pair of fixing yokes 40 formed in front of the 22) 2a. unit) 2h is held in place and is removable.

Specifically, steel poles 41 for pivoting and steel poles 42.4 for angle variable fixation are installed on the left and right sides of Units 2b.
3.44. A pair of upper limit stoppers 45 and a pair of lower limit stoppers 46 are provided.

The steel poles 42, 43, 44 are biased outwardly by a spring (not shown) that biases them from the inside to the outside so that they can extend and retract. 48. They can be retractably engaged with the variable angle fixing holes 49, respectively. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the yoke 40 is in contact with the lower limit stopper 46 and the steel pole 44 is engaged with the fixing hole 49, and in the state shown in FIG. comes into contact with
The steel ball 42 is in a state engaged with the fixing hole 49. Note that the reference numeral 50 is a connector for electrically connecting the units 2a and 2b.

The above-mentioned mechanical connection/attachment/detachment φ angle variable mechanism is not limited to the one shown in the figure, as it can adopt a mechanism using any parts such as screws, cams, leaf springs, links, etc. as necessary.

Next, the internal structure of the printer 1 will be explained based on FIG.

The thermal label T fed out by the holding member 10 of the label roll R provided on the printer unit 2b passes through the position detection sensor 15 and the guide roll 17 of the upper label pressing member 16.

It is fed out into the label passage 18.

As shown in FIG. 3, the thermal label T has a structure in which label pieces with adhesive are successively temporarily attached onto a mount S coated with a release agent. On one side of this thermal label T, barcode B such as product code or manufacturer code and other information I such as department code or price are printed. A detection hole is drilled for detection. Incidentally, this detection hole is also used for transfer by the transfer roller 19 (FIG. 2).

Returning to FIG. 2, the thermal label T is transferred to the transfer roller 19.
passing through and reaching the thermal head 20 and platen 21,
The label piece is turned around at the platen 21 and peeled off, and while being guided by the guide roller 23 of the lower label presser 22, only the backing paper S engages with the transfer roller 19 again, and the backing paper S is discharged from the discharge hole 14 to the outside of the unit 2b. be done. In addition, as a label peeling means, a turning pin P (imaginary line in the figure) may be provided in front of the platen 21, and the backing paper S may be hooked thereon and rotated to turn and peel off the label piece.

When loading the label T, by operating the knob 9, the platen 21 and the lower label holding member 22
The bottom cover 24 portion having the bottom cover 24 is rotated downwardly and opened about the pivot 25, so that the label T can be loaded. (Virtual line in the figure,
Note that the mechanism for opening and closing the bottom cover 24 using the knob 9 can be any conventional mechanism, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. ) Further, the transfer roller 19 is driven and rotated by the step rotation of the stepping motor M, and is used to transfer the label T in a predetermined direction for printing and transfer.

A control circuit 26 is provided in the terminal unit 2a as an electrical control means, and this control circuit 26 includes a battery 27, an interface 28 for data input/output with external equipment, and a ROM for communication and various controls. A data storage circuit 3 consisting of a program storage circuit 29 and a RAM.
0 and the keyboard 6, as well as the display 7 and the sensor 15.0 via the aforementioned connector 50. The thermal head 20 and stepping motor M are connected to each other and controlled by a control circuit 26.

Note that the battery 27 is rechargeable and can be connected to an external charger 31 through the connection part 13.

FIG. 4 shows a connection configuration for outputting or inputting data from the thermal label printer 1 to the personal computer 32. That is, the connection cable 33 is connected to the personal computer 32 so that data can be transmitted from the connecting part 2 to the external personal computer 32.

In addition, FIG. 5 shows a large host computer 3 using an acoustic coupler 34 via a telephone 35 and wirelessly or by wire 36.
7 and printer l are connected.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail by taking as an example the case of ordering replenishment of products at a supermarket or the like.

A person in charge of ordering replenishment at a supermarket carries this printer 1 and a pen scanner 11, and uses the pen scanner 1 to check shelf labels F on product display shelves.
1 to scan the product, enter the product code, etc., and enter the required replenishment order quantity using the numeric keypad 4. The contents of the input data can be confirmed by the display on the display 7.

Then, move to the next shelf and input the product code and replenishment order quantity in the same way. However, if you do not want to issue a label immediately after inputting data, you can remove the printer unit 2b and carry only the terminal unit 2a, reducing the overall weight and reducing the burden of carrying around for a relatively long time to input data. is reduced.

The input data is temporarily stored in the data storage means 30, and when the replenishment input operation is completed, the data is transferred from the main body 1 to the personal computer 32 or host computer 37 via the interface 28, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Furthermore, it is transmitted from the connection section 12.

Furthermore, after the replenishment order data transmission process is completed, the terminal unit 2
A printer 2) 2b is connected to the printer 1, and the printer 1 can print a required label. That is, the memory circuit 30 stores the product code, number, etc. necessary for issuing, so when the print PR of the function keys 5 is pressed, the thermal label T is transferred by the rotation of the transfer roller 19 according to the print pattern. Any barcode B etc. can be printed on the label piece using the thermal head 20, and the label piece is peeled off from the backing paper S by turning only the backing paper S on the platen 21).
Since it is discharged to the outside of 2b, it can be picked up with a finger and attached to a product (not shown).

Therefore, at this time, labels can be issued simply by pressing the issue switch button PR, without manually inputting the product code, quantity, etc., as in the past. If necessary, the pasting can be done by installing a roller 38 in front of the platen 21 (
(phantom line in Fig. 2), it is also possible to easily paste a large amount of labels. At this time, as shown in Figure 7, unit) 2a
By changing the angular relationship between and 2b, the workability of pasting can be improved by gripping and operating the unit 1-2a.

In the present invention, it is also possible to simplify one mechanism by providing only a reader such as the previously described pen scanner or touch scanner as the data input means instead of a keyboard, or by omitting the display means. In this case, the input connection part may be provided separately in addition to the connection part 12 described above.
Handle (not shown) at any position on the bottom of a or 2b
etc. may be provided in a removable or fixed manner.

Although an example in which the present invention is used when ordering product replenishment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this case, and data input/output of various products, articles, or information can be performed using a pen scanner, keyboard, or other data input/output means. In addition to transmitting this to the central computer, it also receives data from the central computer and issues labels based on this data.By issuing labels based on the exchange of various data, many wide-ranging applications are possible. It can be applied to various fields and can find unprecedented use cases.

For example, in addition to inventory management at retail stores, data file management at offices, labeling of blood cards or test tubes at blood centers, pasting of barcodes on medical records, medical certificates, etc. at medical services, or processes at factories. It can also be widely used for management, parts and inventory management, etc. Furthermore, it can also be applied to the issuing of confirmation labels at the time of arrival and shipment of cargo in the transportation industry, data management and label issuance of external businesses such as department stores and supermarkets, customer management, etc.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, labels can be issued in accordance with data input/output, so that information can be used in various ways by issuing necessary data on labels, which was previously impossible. It can be displayed on products, articles, files, and many other things, and it can also be used for data display and data management at a later date, and even when the input and output locations are different, the terminal unit 2a and printer unit) Work efficiency is improved by attaching and detaching the printer unit 2b, and even if the label size is different, if the printer unit 2b is prepared according to the label size, it is possible to use the printer unit 2b.
It can be easily fixed by replacing only the parts. Furthermore, functions can be further expanded by providing various function keys according to data input/output.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the internal structure, and Fig. 3 is an explanatory view of a thermal label.
Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the connection between the printer and the personal computer, Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the connection between the printer and the host computer, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the data terminal unit 2a and the label printer unit 2b separated. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of both units 2a, 2b integrated and transformed into a different angle from that of FIG. In the figure, 1.-Thermal label printer 2ae e-data terminal unit 2b--Label printer unit 3a, 3b...Bottom part 4.Numeric keypad 5.Function key 60.Keyboard 7th display 8..Power switch 9.. Opening/closing knob 10...
Label holding member 11-・Ben scanner 12, 13...
Connection part 14, Φ discharge hole 15, label position detection sensor 16, upper label pressing member 17, 23, guide roller 1811, label passage 19@Φ transfer roller 201
Thermal head 211 platen 22 - lower label holding member 24 - bottom cover 25 - fist axis 26Φ - control circuit 27 - battery 2811 - interface 29 - program storage circuit 30 - data storage circuit 31 - charger 32 - - Personal computer 33... Connection cable 34 - Acoustic coupler 35 - Red telephone 36... Wired or wireless 370 Host computer 3811 Sticking roller 40 - Yoke 41... Steel pole for pivot 42,
43, 44... Steel ball for fixing variable angle 45... Upper limit stopper 46, Lower limit stopper 47... Guide groove 48... Hole for pivot 49... 50th hole for fixing angle variable... Connector B... Bar code D.・Position detection thank you F・・Shelf label I・・Information L・Checking bell piece M−・Stepping motor P・・Turning bin R・・Thermal label roll S1111 mount TI+
11 thermal label

Claims (1)

[Claims] A printer main body having a path for thermal labels with thermal paper temporarily attached to a mount, a holding member for a thermal label roll, a thermal label position detection means, a thermal label feeding means, and a thermal label fed out by the feeding means. A label printer unit having a thermal printing means for performing thermal printing thereon, a label peeling member, a data storage means, a program storage means, an input/output means for external equipment, and a control means for controlling each of the above means. A thermal label printer that is detachably equipped with a data terminal unit having electrical and mechanical connection means.