JPWO2020121383A1 - Label printing device, light projection amount setting method and threshold setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

A label printing device that can reduce the time and effort of the operator when replacing continuous paper. In the label printing device (2), the optical sensor (22) includes a floodlight (22T) that emits light and a light receiver (22R) that receives the light projected from the floodlight (22T). The control unit (24) sets the amount of light projected by the floodlight (22T) to the amount of light projected FL1 in a state where there is no continuous paper (CP) between the floodlight (22T) and the receiver (22R), and the amount of light projected FL1. When detecting the presence of continuous paper (CP) between the floodlight (22T) and the light receiver (22R) using When it is set and the mount portion is detected between the floodlight (22T) and the light receiver (22R) using the light projection amount FL2, the light projection amount of the floodlight (22T) is set to be larger than the light projection amount FL1. In addition, the light projection amount FL3 is set to be smaller than the light projection amount FL2.

Description

The disclosed technique relates to a label printing device, a light projection amount setting method, and a threshold value setting method.

A continuous paper formed from a long mount and a plurality of labels affixed to the mount at regular intervals is targeted for printing, and while the continuous paper is conveyed, it is applied to each of the plurality of labels affixed to the mount. A "label printing device" that prints is known. Since labels are attached to the mount at regular intervals on the continuous paper to be printed, the continuous paper has a mount but no label (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "mount portion"). , There is a part where both the mount and the label exist (hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "label part"). The label printing device is used, for example, to print a patient name or the like on a label attached to a blood collection tube used in a medical institution.

Further, since printing on the label is performed by the print head, when printing on the label is started, the tip of the label is positioned at the position where the print head is arranged (hereinafter, "print head arrangement") as the continuous paper is conveyed. It is necessary to adjust to the "position"). The light transmittance in the mount portion (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "mount portion transmittance") when light is projected from the upper surface or the lower surface of the continuous paper with respect to the continuous paper is the light transmittance in the label portion. (In the following, it may be referred to as "label partial transmittance"). In addition, labels are attached to the mount at regular intervals. Therefore, when a transmissive photosensor is used and the amount of light received from the photodetector in the photodetector is within a predetermined range, the transmissive optical sensor is arranged on the mount portion of the continuous paper to be conveyed. The mount portion on the continuous paper can be detected by determining that the sensor is in the position (hereinafter, may be referred to as “optical sensor arrangement position”). Then, when the backing sheet portion is detected by using the transmissive optical sensor arranged at a predetermined distance from the print head, the continuous paper transfer is stopped, so that the tip of the label can be aligned with the print head arrangement position.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-063843 JP-A-2010-202307

Since there are various types of continuous paper set in the label printing device, the transmittance of the backing sheet portion differs for each continuous paper. Therefore, if the amount of light emitted from the projector of the transmissive optical sensor is kept constant regardless of the type of continuous paper, the amount of light received by the receiver at the mount portion changes according to the type of continuous paper. Resulting in. Therefore, even though the continuous paper set in the label printing device that detects the mount portion based on the amount of light received by the receiver is replaced with a different type as described above, the light from the floodlight If the amount of light projected is kept constant regardless of the type of continuous paper, the mount part may not be detected correctly. Therefore, every time the continuous paper is replaced, the operator sets the initial setting before starting printing of the label so that the amount of light received from the mount is constant regardless of the type of continuous paper. The amount of light projected was adjusted manually. Such manual adjustment of the amount of light projected by the operator is a laborious task for the operator. On the other hand, if the amount of light projected is not adjusted according to the type of continuous paper, the mount portion may not be detected correctly.

The disclosed technique has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to reduce the time and effort of the operator when exchanging continuous paper.

In the first aspect of the disclosure, the label printing apparatus includes a transport unit, a print head, an optical sensor, and a control unit. The transport unit transports continuous paper. The continuous paper is formed of a long mount and a plurality of labels attached to the mount at regular intervals, and the first portion in which the mount is present but the label is not present, the mount, and the mount and the above. It has a second part where both labels are present. The print head prints on each of the plurality of labels. The optical sensor includes a floodlight that emits light and a receiver that receives the light projected from the floodlight. The control unit sets the amount of light projected by the floodlight to the first amount of light projected in a state where the continuous paper does not exist between the floodlight and the receiver. Further, when the control unit detects that the continuous paper exists between the floodlight and the receiver by using the first floodlight amount, the control unit sets the floodlight amount to be larger than the first floodlight amount. Set to the second light emission amount. Further, when the control unit detects that the first portion exists between the floodlight and the light receiver by using the second floodlight amount, the control unit increases the floodlight amount to be larger than the first floodlight amount. And, the third light emission amount is set to be smaller than the second light projection amount.

Further, in the second aspect of the disclosure, the label printing device includes a transport unit, a print head, an optical sensor, and a control unit. The transport unit transports continuous paper. The continuous paper is formed of a long mount and a plurality of labels attached to the mount at regular intervals, and the first portion in which the mount is present but the label is not present, the mount, and the mount and the above. It has a second part where both labels are present. The print head prints on each of the plurality of labels. The optical sensor includes a floodlight that emits light and a receiver that receives the light projected from the floodlight. The control unit is a first threshold value for the amount of light received by the receiver in a state where the continuous paper does not exist between the floodlight and the receiver, and the control unit is the same as the floodlight regardless of the type of the continuous paper. The first threshold value used for determining whether or not the continuous paper exists between the receiver and the receiver is set. Further, when the control unit detects that the continuous paper is present between the floodlight and the light receiver by using the first threshold value, the control unit is a second threshold value for the light receiving amount and is the first threshold value. The second threshold, which is smaller than one threshold and is used to determine whether the first part or the second part exists between the floodlight and the receiver regardless of the type of continuous paper. To set. Further, when the control unit detects that the first portion exists between the floodlight and the receiver by using the second threshold value, the control unit replaces the first threshold with the floodlight and the receiver. The amount of first light received by the receiver when the continuous paper is not present between the device and the second light received by the receiver when the first portion is present between the floodlight and the receiver. The average value with the amount is set as a third threshold value used for determining whether or not the continuous paper exists between the floodlight and the receiver. Further, when the control unit detects that the first portion exists between the floodlight and the light receiver by using the second threshold value, the second light receiving amount is replaced with the second threshold value. And the average value of the third light receiving amount in the light receiver when the second part is present between the floodlight and the light receiver, the first part or the light receiver between the floodlight and the light receiver. It is set as a fourth threshold value used to determine which of the second parts exists.

According to the disclosed aspect, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the operator when exchanging the continuous paper.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the blood collection tube preparation device of Example 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the blood collection tube preparation device of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the blood collection tube preparation device of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a common configuration of the automatic printing device and the hand-pasted printing device of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the continuous paper of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the label printing device of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart provided for explaining a processing example of the label printing apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the label printing device of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the label printing device of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the label printing device of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the label printing device of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example of the label printing apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the label printing device of the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example of the label printing apparatus of the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the label printing device of the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the label printing device of the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram provided for explaining an operation example of the label printing device of the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, examples of the label printing device, the light projection amount setting method, and the threshold value setting method disclosed in the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that this embodiment does not limit the label printing device, the light projection amount setting method, and the threshold value setting method disclosed in the present application. Further, in the examples, the same components and the steps for performing the same processing are designated by the same reference numerals.

[Example 1]
<Appearance of blood collection tube preparation device>
1 and 2 are views showing an example of the appearance of the blood collection tube preparation device of the first embodiment. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the blood collection tube preparation device 1 has covers CV1, CV2, and CV3 that can be opened and closed. FIG. 1 shows the appearance when the covers CV1, CV2, and CV3 are closed, and FIG. 2 shows the appearance when the covers CV1, CV2, and CV3 are opened.

<Structure of blood collection tube preparation device>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the blood collection tube preparation device of the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the blood collection tube preparation device 1 includes a label printing device 2, a blood collection tube supply unit SU1 to SU6, a blood collection tube manipulation unit EJ1 to EJ6, a blood collection tube transport unit 11, and a blood collection tube guides 12 and 14. The label winding portion 13, the take-out tray 15, and the label cutter 16 are provided. A plurality of blood collection tube BCs can be stored in each of the blood collection tube supply units SU1 to SU6. Each of the blood collection tube control units EJ1 to EJ6 is provided at the lowermost supply port of each of the blood collection tube supply units SU1 to SU6. Each of the blood collection tube ejection parts EJ1 to EJ6 is provided with a recess in which the blood collection tube BC is fitted. It falls to 11. In the following, the blood collection tube supply units SU1 to SU6 may be collectively referred to as the “blood collection tube supply unit SU”, and the blood collection tube manipulation units EJ1 to EJ6 may be collectively referred to as the “vascular collection operation unit EJ”.

Further, in FIG. 3, the label printing device 2 includes a control unit 24, a storage unit 25, rollers RO1 to RO10, optical sensors 22-1, 22-2, and printing heads 23-1, 23-2. Have. The optical sensor 22-1 is a transmissive optical sensor having a photodetector 22-1T and a photodetector 22-1R, and the photosensor 22-2 is a transmissive photosensor having a photodetector 22-2T and a photodetector 22-2R. It is a type optical sensor.

The control unit 24 is realized as hardware, for example, by a processor. Examples of processors include CPUs (Central Processing Units), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and the like. Further, the control unit 24 may be realized by an LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit) including a processor and peripheral circuits.

The storage unit 25 is realized as hardware, for example, by a memory. Examples of the memory include RAM (Random Access Memory) such as SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and flash memory.

The label printing device 2 includes an "automatic printing device" that automatically winds the printed label around the blood collection tube BC, and a "hand-pasted printing device" that discharges the printed label as it is as a label for hand-pasting. In the label printing device 2, the automatic printing device includes rollers RO1 to RO7, an optical sensor 22-1, and a printing head 23-1, and the hand-pasted printing device includes rollers RO8 to RO10 and an optical sensor 22-. 2 and the print head 23-2. The operator sets the continuous paper CP1 in the roller RO1 and sets the continuous paper CP2 in the roller RO8. Hereinafter, continuous paper CP1 and CP2 may be collectively referred to as "continuous paper CP". Further, in the following, the optical sensors 22-1, 22-2 may be generically referred to as "optical sensor 22", and the print heads 23-1 and 23-2 may be generically referred to as "print head 23". Further, the floodlights 22-1T and 22-2T may be collectively referred to as a "floodlighter 22T", and the receivers 22-1R and 22-2R may be collectively referred to as a "receiver 22R". In FIG. 3, the floodlight 22T is arranged on the upper surface side of the continuous paper CP and the receiver 22R is arranged on the lower surface side of the continuous paper CP. However, the floodlight 22T is arranged on the lower surface side of the continuous paper CP and the continuous paper CP is arranged. The receiver 22R may be arranged on the upper surface side of the above.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a common configuration of the automatic printing device and the hand-pasted printing device of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the roll-shaped continuous paper CP is set on the rollers RO1 and RO8. In the optical sensor 22, the projector 22T and the receiver 22R are arranged so as to sandwich the continuously paper CP to be conveyed from above and below, and the light is projected from the projector 22T and transmitted through the continuous paper CP by the receiver 22R. Received light. Further, the print head 23 is arranged at a position at a predetermined distance D1 from the optical sensor 22.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the continuous paper of the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, the continuous paper CP is formed of a long mount MU and a plurality of labels LB having a width W attached to the mount MU at regular intervals IV, and the continuous paper CP includes a mount portion and labels. There is a part.

<Operation of blood collection tube preparation device>
Hereinafter, the operation when the automatic printing device is used and the operation when the hand-pasted printing device is used will be described separately.

<Operation of blood collection tube preparation device when automatic printing device is used>
First, among the blood collection tube supply units SU1 to SU6, the blood collection tube control unit EJ provided in the blood collection tube supply unit SU designated by the operator feeds out the blood collection tube BC from the blood collection tube supply unit SU to carry the blood collection tube. Drop to 11.

The blood collection tube transport unit 11 on which the blood collection tube BC is placed moves to the top of the blood collection tube guide 12 and drops the blood collection tube BC onto the blood collection tube guide 12. The blood collection tube BC that has fallen on the blood collection tube guide 12 rolls down the blood collection tube guide 12 and is set on the label winding portion 13.

The label wrapping unit 13 attaches the label printed by the print head 23-1 while winding it around the blood collection tube BC, and discharges the blood collection tube BC after the label is attached toward the blood collection tube guide 14. The blood collection tube BC released toward the blood collection tube guide 14 rolls down the blood collection tube guide 14 and falls on the take-out tray 15, and is discharged to the take-out tray 15.

<Operation of blood collection tube preparation device when hand-pasted printing device is used>
The label cutter 16 cuts the labels printed by the print head 23-2 one by one. The cut label is discharged to the take-out tray 15 as a label for manual sticking.

<Structure of label printing device>
As described above, in the label printing device 2, the automatic printing device and the hand-pasted printing device have a common configuration as shown in FIG. 4, and therefore, in the following, the automatic printing device and the hand-pasted printing device are referred to as “label printing”. It will be generically referred to as “device 2”.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the label printing device of the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the label printing device 2 includes a continuous paper transport unit 21, an optical sensor 22, a print head 23, a control unit 24, and a storage unit 25. The optical sensor 22 has a floodlight 22T and a light receiver 22R.

The automatic printing device has a motor MT1 (not shown) that rotates rollers RO1 to RO7 (FIG. 3). In the automatic printing apparatus, the rollers RO1 to RO7 and the motor MT1 correspond to the continuous paper transport unit 21. In the automatic printing device, the continuous paper CP1 set in the roller RO1 is conveyed in the + X direction through the roller RO2, the optical sensor 22-1, the print head 23-1, and the roller RO3, and the positions of the rollers RO4 and RO5 (labels). The transport direction is reversed in the −X direction at the position of the winding portion 13), passes through the roller RO6, is wound around the roller RO7, and is collected. Therefore, the rollers RO1, RO3, RO6 rotate counterclockwise, and the rollers RO2, RO4, RO5, RO7 rotate clockwise. Only the mount MU after the label LB has been peeled off is wound around the roller RO7 and collected. When the control unit 24 drives the motor MT1, the rollers RO1 to RO7 rotate and the continuous paper CP1 is conveyed.

The hand-pasted printing device has a motor MT2 (not shown) that rotates rollers RO8 to RO10 (FIG. 3). In the hand-pasted printing device, the rollers RO8 to RO10 and the motor MT2 correspond to the continuous paper transport section 21. In the hand-pasted printing device, the continuous paper CP2 set in the roller RO8 is conveyed to the take-out tray 15 in the + X direction through the roller RO9, the optical sensor 22-2, the print head 23-2, and the roller RO10. Therefore, the rollers RO8 and RO10 rotate counterclockwise, and the rollers RO9 rotate clockwise. When the control unit 24 drives the motor MT2, the rollers RO8 to RO10 rotate and the continuous paper CP2 is conveyed.

Hereinafter, the motors MT1 and MT2 may be collectively referred to as "motor MT".

<Processing and operation of label printing device>
7 and 12 are flowcharts for explaining a processing example of the label printing device of the first embodiment, and FIGS. 8 to 11 and 13 are diagrams for explaining an operation example of the label printing device of the first embodiment. 7 and 8 to 11 show the processing and operation related to the initial setting when a new continuous paper CP is set in the label printing device 2 (that is, when the continuous paper CP is replaced), and FIGS. Indicates the processing / operation at the time of printing the label LB. Hereinafter, the processing / operation at the time of replacing the continuous paper CP and the processing / operation at the time of printing the label LB will be described separately.

<Processing and operation when replacing continuous paper CP (Figs. 7, 8 to 11)>
Here, in the graphs G1, G2, and G3 shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, the portion described as "label" is the receiver 22R when the label portion exists between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R. The part marked "mount" indicates the amount of light received by the receiver 22R when the mount portion exists between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R, and is described as "no continuous paper". The marked portion indicates the amount of light received by the receiver 22R when the continuous paper CP does not exist between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R. Further, the control unit 24 can set the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T from the minimum level 0 to the maximum level 255, and the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T when there is no continuous paper CP between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R. When is level 0, the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is also level 0, and when the amount of light projected by the projector 22T is level 255, the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is also level 255. Further, since the output voltage of the light receiver 22R increases in proportion to the level of the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R, the output voltage 0V to 5V of the light receiver 22R on the vertical axis of FIGS. It corresponds to the level 0 to 255 of the light receiving amount at 22R.

In FIG. 7, in step S101, the control unit 24 sets the light projection amount of the floodlight 22T to the light projection amount FL1 in a state where the continuous paper CP does not exist between the floodlight 22T and the light receiver 22R. In step S101, the control unit 24 sets the light projection amount in which the light reception amount at the light receiver 22R changes as shown in the graph G1 shown in FIG. 9 as the light projection amount FL1. That is, in step S101, regardless of the type of continuous paper CP, the control unit 24 sets the amount of light received by the receiver 22R to the threshold value TH1 or more when the continuous paper CP does not exist between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. In addition, a relatively small amount of light projected is set as the amount of light projected FL1 so that the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R when the continuous paper CP exists between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R is less than the threshold value TH1. The threshold value TH1 is a threshold value of the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R, and is a threshold value used for determining whether or not a continuous paper CP exists between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R. The threshold value TH1 is stored in the storage unit 25 in advance, and is set to, for example, 3V. When the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is less than the threshold value TH1, the control unit 24 determines that a continuous paper CP exists between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R (there is continuous paper), and the receiver 22R determines that there is a continuous paper CP. When the amount of received light exceeds the threshold value TH1, it is determined that there is no continuous paper CP between the floodlight 22T and the light receiver 22R (no continuous paper). Therefore, the control unit 24 sets the light projection amount FL1 in which the light receiving amount in the light receiving receiver 22R changes as shown in the graph G1, so that the continuous paper CP set in the label printing device 2 can be of any kind. Also, regardless of the type of continuous paper CP, it is possible to determine whether or not the continuous paper CP exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R based on the threshold value TH1. However, when the control unit 24 sets the light projection amount FL1 in which the light reception amount at the light receiver 22R changes as shown in the graph G1, the mount portion or the label portion exists between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R. It becomes difficult to determine which of these is. That is, the light emitting amount FL1 in which the light receiving amount in the light receiving device 22R changes as shown in the graph G1 makes it possible to reliably determine whether or not the continuous paper CP exists between the light receiving device 22T and the light receiving device 22R. Is.

With the amount of light projected set to the amount of light projected FL1, as shown at time t11 in FIG. 8, the operator moves the tip of the continuous paper CP set in the label printing device 2 toward the optical sensor 22 in the + X direction (continuously). Insert it by hand in the transport direction of the paper CP). When the positional relationship between the continuous paper CP and the optical sensor 22 is at time t11, the amount of light received by the receiver 22R with respect to the amount of projected light FL1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 (FIG. 9).

Returning to FIG. 7, in step S103, the control unit 24 measures the amount of light received by the receiver 22R, and based on the measured amount of light received and the threshold value TH1, the amount of light received is changed from “no continuous paper” to “no continuous paper”. It is determined whether or not the state has changed to the state of "with continuous paper" (Fig. 9). The control unit 24 repeats the process of step S103 until the amount of received light changes from the state of "without continuous paper" to the state of "with continuous paper" (step S103: No). Then, the control unit 103 determines that the continuous paper CP has changed from "none" to "yes" when the amount of received light that was above the threshold TH1 decreases and becomes less than the threshold TH1 (step S103: Yes). .. Therefore, when the control unit 103 determines that the continuous paper CP has changed from "none" to "yes", the positional relationship between the continuous paper CP and the optical sensor 22 is at time t12 in FIG. The tip of the CP is located between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R.

Returning to FIG. 7, when the control unit 24 determines that the continuous paper CP has changed from “none” to “yes” (step S103: Yes), in step S105, the motor MT is started to be driven and the continuous paper CP is conveyed. To start.

After the start of conveying the continuous paper CP, then in step S107, as shown at time t13 in FIG. 8, the control unit 24 determines that the continuous paper CP has changed from “none” to “yes”, and the predetermined amount is determined from time t12. The continuous paper CP is conveyed only by L1. Then, after transporting the continuous paper CP by a predetermined amount L1, the control unit 24 temporarily stops the transport of the continuous paper CP in the state shown at time t13 in FIG. 8 in step S109.

Next, in step S111, the control unit 24 sets the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T to the amount of light projected FL2, which is larger than the amount of light projected FL1 set in step S101. That is, when the control unit 24 detects that the continuous paper CP exists between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R by using the light projection amount FL1 set in step S101 (step S103: Yes). The amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T is changed from the amount of light projected FL1 to the amount of light projected FL2 (FL1 <FL2). In step S111, the control unit 24 sets the light projection amount in which the light reception amount at the light receiver 22R changes as shown in the graph G2 shown in FIG. 10 as the light projection amount FL2. That is, in step S111, the control unit 24 sets the threshold value TH1 (FIG. 9) A relatively large amount of light projected so that the threshold value TH2 or more is smaller and the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is less than the threshold value TH2 when the label portion exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. It is set as the floodlight amount FL2. The threshold value TH2 is a threshold value of the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R, and is a threshold value used for determining whether a mount portion or a label portion exists between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R. The threshold value TH2 is stored in the storage unit 25 in advance, and is set to, for example, 1.3V. When the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is less than the threshold value TH2, the control unit 24 determines that there is a label portion between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R (with a label), and the amount of light received by the receiver 22R. When is equal to or higher than the threshold value TH2, it is determined that a mount portion exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R (no label). Therefore, the control unit 24 sets the light projection amount FL2 in which the light receiving amount in the light receiving device 22R changes as shown in the graph G2, so that the continuous paper CP set in the label printing device 2 can be of any kind. Also, regardless of the type of continuous paper CP, it is possible to determine whether the label portion or the mount portion exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R based on the threshold value TH2. However, when the control unit 24 sets the light projection amount FL2 in which the light reception amount at the light receiver 22R changes as shown in the graph G2, whether or not there is a continuous paper CP between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R. It becomes difficult to judge. That is, the light emitting amount FL2 in which the light receiving amount in the light receiving device 22R changes as shown in the graph G2 ensures that the portion existing between the light receiving device 22T and the light receiving device 22R is a label portion or a mount portion. It is the amount of light that can be judged.

Returning to FIG. 7, the control unit 24 resumes the transport of the continuous paper CP in step S113 after setting the floodlight amount of the floodlight 22T to the floodlight amount FL2, and transports the continuous paper CP in step S115.

Next, in step S117, the control unit 24 measures the amount of light received by the receiver 22R, and based on the measured amount of light received and the threshold value TH2, the amount of light received is changed from a state of "with label" to a state of "without label". It is determined whether or not the change is shown in FIG. 10, that is, whether or not the portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R has changed from the label portion to the mount portion. The control unit 24 repeats the processes of steps S115 and S117 until the amount of received light changes from the "labeled" state to the "unlabeled" state (step S117: No). Then, when the amount of received light received below the threshold value TH2 increases and becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value TH2, the control unit 103 changes the portion existing between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R from the label portion to the mount portion. (Step S117: Yes), and in step S119, the transfer of the continuous paper CP is stopped. Therefore, when the transport of the continuous paper CP is stopped in step S119, the positional relationship between the continuous paper CP and the optical sensor 22 is in the state of time t14 in FIG. Located in between.

Next, in step S121, the control unit 24 sets the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T in step S101 in a state where the mount portion exists between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R (at time t14 in FIG. 8). The light projection amount FL3 is set to be larger than the light projection amount FL1 and smaller than the light projection amount FL2 set in step S111. In step S121, the control unit 24 sets the amount of light emitted by the receiver 22R to change as shown in the graph G3 shown in FIG. 11, for example, a mount portion exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. The amount of light projected so that the output voltage of the receiver 24R in this state becomes 2.5 V is set as the amount of light projected FL3. When the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T is set to the amount of floodlight FL3, the amount of light received by the receiver 22R when there is no continuous paper CP between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R becomes a threshold value TH1 or more, and the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22T The amount of light received by the receiver 22R when the mount portion exists between the receiver 22R is equal to or more than the threshold TH2 and less than the threshold TH1, and the receiver when the label portion exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. The amount of light received at 22R is less than the threshold TH2. That is, by setting the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T to the amount of light projected FL3, the control unit 24 (1) detects whether or not there is a continuous paper CP between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R, and (2) It is possible to detect both the mount portion and the label portion of the portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R.

For example, the control unit 24 sets the light projection amount FL3 as follows. That is, as the first process, the control unit 24 sets the initial value of the light projection amount candidate LO to the minimum level 0, while the initial value of the light projection amount candidate HI is set to the maximum level 255. Next, as a second process, the control unit 24 sets the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T to the average value of the floodlight candidate LO and the floodlight candidate HI, and measures the output voltage of the receiver 22R. Next, as a third process, when the measured output voltage is less than 2.5 V, the control unit 24 updates the floodlight candidate LO with the average value set in the second process, while the measured output voltage. When is 2.5 V or more, the light projection amount candidate HI is updated with the average value set in the second process. Then, the control unit 24 repeats the above-mentioned second process and the third process, and determines the light emission amount candidate HI when the absolute value of the difference between the light emission amount candidate LO and the light emission amount candidate HI becomes 1 or less. The amount of light projected is set to FL3.

<Processing and operation when printing label LB (Figs. 12 and 13)>
At the time of printing the label LB, the control unit 24 prints the label LB using the light projection amount FL3 set in step S121 (FIG. 7). That is, when the process shown in FIG. 12 is performed, the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T is set to the amount of light projected FL3.

In FIG. 12, in step S201, the control unit 24 resets the counter n to 0.

Next, the control unit 24 starts conveying the continuous paper CP in step S203, and conveys the continuous paper CP in step S205.

Next, in step S207, the control unit 24 measures the amount of light received by the receiver 22R, and the continuous paper CP is changed from “yes” to “no” based on the measured amount of light received and the threshold value TH1 (FIG. 11). Determine if it has become. The control unit 103 determines that the continuous paper CP has run out of paper when the amount of received light received below the threshold value TH1 increases and becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value TH1 (step S207: Yes), and continuously in step S209. Outputs an error message notifying the operator that the paper CP has run out of paper. The error message output from the control unit 24 is displayed on, for example, a touch panel (not shown) included in the blood collection tube preparation device 1. Upon output of the error message, the control unit 24 ends the printing process of the label LB.

On the other hand, when the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is maintained below the threshold value TH1 (step S207: No), in step S211 the control unit 24 measures and measures the amount of light received by the receiver 22R. Based on the received light amount and the threshold value TH2 (FIG. 11), it is determined whether or not the portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R has changed from the label portion to the mount portion. The control unit 24 repeats the processes of steps S205, S207, and S211 until the portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R changes from the label portion to the mount portion (step S211: No). Then, when the amount of received light received below the threshold value TH2 increases and becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value TH2, the control unit 103 changes the portion existing between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R from the label portion to the mount portion. (Step S211: Yes), and in step S213, the continuous paper CP is temporarily stopped. Therefore, when the transport of the continuous paper CP is temporarily stopped in step S213, the positional relationship between the continuous paper CP and the optical sensor 22 is in the state shown in FIG. 13, and the mount portion is between the floodlight 22T and the photodetector 22R. Located in.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in the label printing device 2, the print head 23 is arranged at a position of a predetermined distance D1 from the optical sensor 22, and the distance D1 is, for example, the width W or less of the label LB, preferably. The distance D1 is the same as the width W of the label LB. For example, when the distance D1 is the same as the width W, the tip of the label LB coincides with the arrangement position of the print head 23 as shown in FIG. 13 when the continuous paper CP is temporarily stopped in step S213. ..

Next, in step S215, the control unit 24 starts printing on the label LB by the print head 23.

After the printing is completed, in step S217, the control unit 24 increments the counter n.

Next, in step S219, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the counter n has reached the number of prints (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "designated prints") N designated by the operator. For example, the operator can specify the number of printed sheets N of the label LB by using the touch panel (not shown) included in the blood collection tube preparation device 1.

When the counter n reaches the designated number of prints N (step S219: Yes), the control unit 24 ends the label LB printing process. On the other hand, when the counter n is less than the designated number of prints N (step S219: No), in step S221, the control unit 24 restarts the transfer of the continuous paper CP. After resuming the transfer of the continuous paper CP, the process returns to step S205.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the label printing device 2 includes a continuous paper conveying unit 21, a printing head 23, an optical sensor 22, and a control unit 24. The continuous paper transport unit 21 transports the continuous paper CP. The continuous paper CP is formed of a long mount MU and a plurality of labels LB affixed to the mount MU at regular intervals IV, and has a mount portion and a label portion. The print head 23 prints on each of the plurality of labels LB. The optical sensor 22 includes a floodlight 22T that projects light and a light receiver 22R that receives the light projected from the floodlight 22T. The control unit 24 sets the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T to the amount of light projected FL1 in a state where the continuous paper CP does not exist between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. Further, when the control unit 24 detects that the continuous paper CP exists between the floodlight 22T and the light receiver 22R by using the light projection amount FL1, the light projection amount of the floodlight 22T is set to be larger than the light projection amount FL1. Set to FL2. Further, when the control unit 24 detects that the mount portion exists between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R by using the light projection amount FL2, the light projection amount of the floodlight 22T is larger than that of the light projection amount FL1 and The amount of light projected FL3 is set to be smaller than the amount of light projected FL2.

By doing so, when the threshold value for the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is fixed, the amount of light projected by the projector 22T can be automatically adjusted to an appropriate amount FL3 according to the type of continuous paper CP. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the operator when exchanging the continuous paper CP.

Further, in the first embodiment, regardless of the type of the continuous paper CP, the control unit 24 sets the amount of light received by the receiver 22R to the threshold value TH1 or more when the continuous paper CP does not exist between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. Moreover, when the continuous paper CP is present between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R, the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is set to be less than the threshold value TH1 as the amount of light projected FL1.

By doing so, in the process of finally adjusting the floodlight amount of the floodlight 22T to an appropriate floodlight amount FL3, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not there is a continuous paper CP between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R. Can be done.

Further, in the first embodiment, regardless of the type of continuous paper CP, the control unit 24 has a threshold value TH2 (TH2 < The amount of light projected when the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R is less than the threshold value TH2 when TH1) or more and the label portion exists between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R is set as the light projecting amount FL2.

By doing so, in the process of finally adjusting the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T to an appropriate amount of light projected FL3, whether the portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R is a label portion or a mount portion. Can be reliably determined.

Further, in the first embodiment, the control unit 24 is a continuous paper transport unit in response to the increase in the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R of the light projected by the light projector 22T at the light projection amount FL3 from less than the threshold value TH2 to the threshold value TH2 or more. The continuous paper CP is stopped by 21 and printing on the label LB by the print head 23 is started.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent printing on the mount MU and reliably print on the label LB.

Further, in the first embodiment, the control unit 24 runs out of the continuous paper CP when the light received by the light receiver 22R of the light projected by the floodlight 22T at the light flooding amount FL3 increases from less than the threshold value TH1 to more than the threshold value TH1. Is determined to have occurred.

By doing so, it is possible to reliably detect the paper shortage of the continuous paper CP.

The first embodiment has been described above.

[Example 2]
In Example 1, a case where the light projection amount is set while the threshold value of the light reception amount is kept constant has been described. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a case where the threshold value of the received light amount is set until the light projected amount is kept constant will be described. Hereinafter, the points different from those of the first embodiment will be described.

<Processing and operation of label printing device>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example of the label printing device of the second embodiment, and FIGS. 15 to 17 are diagrams for explaining an operation example of the label printing device of the second embodiment. 14 to 17 show processes and operations related to the initial setting when a new continuous paper CP is set in the label printing device 2 (that is, when the continuous paper CP is replaced). Hereinafter, the processing / operation at the time of replacing the continuous paper CP and the processing / operation at the time of printing the label LB will be described separately.

<Processing and operation when replacing continuous paper CP (Figs. 14 to 17)>
Here, in the graphs G4 shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17, the portion indicated by "label" indicates the amount of light received by the receiver 22R when the label portion exists between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R. The part marked "mount" indicates the amount of light received by the receiver 22R when the mount portion exists between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R, and the part marked "no continuous paper" indicates the amount of light received by the receiver 22R. The amount of light received by the light receiver 22R when the continuous paper CP does not exist between the floodlight 22T and the light receiver 22R is shown.

In FIG. 14, in step S301, the control unit 24 sets the light projection amount of the floodlight 22T to a predetermined light projection amount FL4 in a state where the continuous paper CP does not exist between the floodlight 22T and the light receiver 22R, and then receives light. The threshold value TH3 for the amount of light received by the device 22R is set. In step S301, the control unit 24 sets the threshold value TH3 after setting a predetermined light projection amount FL4 in which the light reception amount at the light receiver 22R changes as shown in the graph G4 shown in FIG. That is, in step S301, the control unit 24 receives the receiver 22R when there is no continuous paper CP between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R under the predetermined light projection amount FL4, regardless of the type of the continuous paper CP. A relatively large threshold value such that the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R is less than the threshold value TH3 when the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is equal to or more than the threshold value TH3 and the continuous paper CP is present between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. Is set as the threshold value TH3. The threshold value TH3 is a threshold value used for determining whether or not a continuous paper CP exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. When the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is less than the threshold value TH3, the control unit 24 determines that a continuous paper CP exists between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R (there is continuous paper), and the receiver 22R determines that there is a continuous paper CP. When the amount of received light exceeds the threshold value TH3, it is determined that there is no continuous paper CP between the floodlight 22T and the light receiver 22R (no continuous paper). Therefore, the control unit 24 sets the threshold value TH3 after setting the light projection amount FL4 in which the light receiving amount in the receiver 22R changes as shown in the graph G4, so that the continuous paper CP set in the label printing device 2 can be set. Regardless of the type of continuous paper CP, it is possible to determine whether or not a continuous paper CP exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R based on the threshold value TH3. However, when the threshold value TH3 is set, it becomes difficult for the control unit 24 to determine whether the mount portion or the label portion exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. That is, the threshold value TH3 is a threshold value that makes it possible to reliably determine whether or not the continuous paper CP exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R.

With the threshold TH3 set, as shown at time t11 in FIG. 8, the operator moves the tip of the continuous paper CP set in the label printing device 2 toward the optical sensor 22 in the + X direction (conveyance of the continuous paper CP). Insert it by hand in the direction). When the positional relationship between the continuous paper CP and the optical sensor 22 is at time t11, the amount of light received by the receiver 22R with respect to the amount of light projected FL4 is the threshold value TH3 or more (FIG. 15).

Returning to FIG. 14, in step S103, the control unit 24 measures the amount of light received by the receiver 22R, and based on the measured amount of light received and the threshold value TH3, the amount of light received is changed from the state of “without continuous paper” to “No continuous paper”. It is determined whether or not the state has changed to the state of "with continuous paper" (FIG. 15). The control unit 24 repeats the process of step S103 until the amount of received light changes from the state of "without continuous paper" to the state of "with continuous paper" (step S103: No). Then, the control unit 103 determines that the continuous paper CP has changed from "none" to "yes" when the amount of received light received at the threshold TH3 or higher decreases and becomes less than the threshold TH3 (step S103: Yes). .. Therefore, when the control unit 103 determines that the continuous paper CP has changed from "none" to "yes", the positional relationship between the continuous paper CP and the optical sensor 22 is at time t12 in FIG. The tip of the CP is located between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R.

Since the processes of steps S105 to S109 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S303, the control unit 24 sets a threshold value TH4 (TH4 <TH3) with respect to the amount of light received by the receiver 22R, as shown in FIG. 16, while maintaining the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T at the predetermined amount of light projected FL4. .. That is, when the control unit 24 detects that the continuous paper CP exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R using the threshold value TH3 set in step S301 (step S103: Yes), the threshold value Set TH4. In step S303, the control unit 24 receives light from the light receiver 22R when a mount portion exists between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R under a predetermined light projection amount FL4 regardless of the type of continuous paper CP. The amount is less than the threshold TH4 (FIG. 15), which is smaller than the threshold TH3 (FIG. 15), and the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is less than the threshold TH4 when the label portion is present between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R. , A relatively small threshold is set as the threshold TH4. The threshold value TH4 is a threshold value used for determining whether a mount portion or a label portion exists between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R. When the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is less than the threshold value TH4, the control unit 24 determines that there is a label portion between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R (with a label), and determines that the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is less than the threshold value TH4. When is equal to or higher than the threshold value TH4, it is determined that the mount portion exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R (no label). Therefore, the control unit 24 sets the threshold value TH4 after setting the light projection amount FL4 in which the light receiving amount in the receiver 22R changes as shown in the graph G4, so that the continuous paper CP set in the label printing device 2 can be set. Regardless of the type of continuous paper CP, it is determined whether the label portion or the mount portion exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R based on the threshold value TH4. You can judge. However, when the threshold value TH4 is set, it becomes difficult for the control unit 24 to determine whether or not the continuous paper CP exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. That is, the threshold value TH4 is a threshold value that makes it possible to reliably determine whether the portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R is a label portion or a mount portion.

Returning to FIG. 14, after setting the threshold value TH4, the control unit 24 restarts the transfer of the continuous paper CP in step S113, and transfers the continuous paper CP in step S115.

Next, in step S117, the control unit 24 measures the amount of light received by the receiver 22R, and based on the measured amount of light received and the threshold value TH4, the amount of light received is changed from a state of "with label" to a state of "without label". It is determined whether or not the change is shown in FIG. 16, that is, whether or not the portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R has changed from the label portion to the mount portion. The control unit 24 repeats the processes of steps S115 and S117 until the amount of received light changes from the "labeled" state to the "unlabeled" state (step S117: No). Then, when the amount of received light received below the threshold value TH4 increases and becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value TH4, the control unit 103 changes the portion existing between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R from the label portion to the mount portion. (Step S117: Yes), and in step S119, the transfer of the continuous paper CP is stopped. Therefore, when the transport of the continuous paper CP is stopped in step S119, the positional relationship between the continuous paper CP and the optical sensor 22 is in the state of time t14 in FIG. Located in between.

Since the process of step S119 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S305, the control unit 24 maintains the light projection amount of the floodlight 22T at a predetermined light projection amount FL4 in a state where the mount portion exists between the floodlight 22T and the light receiver 22R (at the state of time t14 in FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 17, instead of the threshold values TH3 and TH4, the threshold values TH5 and TH6 with respect to the amount of light received by the receiver 22R are set. The threshold value TH5 is a threshold value used for determining whether or not a continuous paper CP exists between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R, and the threshold value TH6 is a portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R. Is a threshold value used to determine whether it is a mount portion or a label portion. For example, the control unit 24 determines the amount of light received when the continuous paper CP does not exist between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R and the amount of light received that changes as shown in the graph G4 under the predetermined amount of light FL4. The average value of the amount of light received when the mount portion exists between the light receiver 22R and the light receiving amount is set as the threshold value TH5. Further, for example, the control unit 24 has a light receiving amount that changes as shown in the graph G4 under a predetermined light flooding amount FL4, a light receiving amount when a mount portion exists between the light projector 22T and the light receiving device 22R, and a light receiving amount 22T. The average value of the amount of light received when the label portion exists between the light receiver 22R and the light receiving amount is set as the threshold value TH6. By setting the threshold values TH5 and TH6 as the threshold value of the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R, when the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T is within the predetermined amount of light projected FL4, the continuous paper CP between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R The amount of light received by the light receiver 22R in the absence of the light receiver 22R is the threshold value TH5 or more, and the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R when the mount portion is present between the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R is the threshold value TH6 or more and less than the threshold value TH5. Therefore, the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R when the label portion exists between the floodlight 22T and the light receiver 22R is less than the threshold value TH6. That is, by setting the threshold values TH5 and TH6, the control unit 24 detects (1) whether or not the continuous paper CP exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R, as in the first embodiment. And (2) both detection of whether the portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R is the mount portion or the label portion can be detected.

<Processing and operation when printing label LB (Figs. 12 and 13)>
When printing the label LB, the control unit 24 prints the label LB using the threshold values TH5 and TH6 (FIG. 17) set in step S305 (FIG. 14). Further, when the process shown in FIG. 12 is performed, the light projection amount of the floodlight 22T is set to a predetermined light projection amount FL4.

In FIG. 12, the processes of steps S201 to S205 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, in step S207, the control unit 24 measures the amount of light received by the receiver 22R, and the continuous paper CP is changed from “yes” to “no” based on the measured amount of light received and the threshold value TH5 (FIG. 17). Determine if it has become. The control unit 103 determines that the continuous paper CP has run out of paper when the amount of received light received below the threshold value TH5 increases and becomes the threshold value TH5 or more (step S207: Yes), and continuously in step S209. Outputs an error message notifying the operator that the paper CP has run out of paper. The error message output from the control unit 24 is displayed on, for example, a touch panel (not shown) included in the blood collection tube preparation device 1. Upon output of the error message, the control unit 24 ends the printing process of the label LB.

On the other hand, when the amount of light received by the receiver 22R is maintained below the threshold value TH5 (step S207: No), in step S211 the control unit 24 measures and measures the amount of light received by the receiver 22R. Based on the received light amount and the threshold value TH6 (FIG. 17), it is determined whether or not the portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R has changed from the label portion to the mount portion. The control unit 24 repeats the processes of steps S205, S207, and S211 until the portion existing between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R changes from the label portion to the mount portion (step S211: No). Then, when the amount of received light received below the threshold value TH6 increases and becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value TH6, the control unit 103 changes the portion existing between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R from the label portion to the mount portion. (Step S211: Yes), and in step S213, the continuous paper CP is temporarily stopped. Therefore, when the transport of the continuous paper CP is temporarily stopped in step S213, the positional relationship between the continuous paper CP and the optical sensor 22 is in the state shown in FIG. 13, and the mount portion is between the floodlight 22T and the photodetector 22R. To position.

The processing of steps S215 to S221 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the label printing device 2 includes a continuous paper conveying unit 21, a printing head 23, an optical sensor 22, and a control unit 24. The continuous paper transport unit 21 transports the continuous paper CP. The continuous paper CP is formed of a long mount MU and a plurality of labels LB affixed to the mount MU at regular intervals IV, and has a mount portion and a label portion. The print head 23 prints on each of the plurality of labels LB. The optical sensor 22 includes a floodlight 22T that projects light and a light receiver 22R that receives the light projected from the floodlight 22T. The control unit 24 sets the threshold value TH3 in a state where the continuous paper CP does not exist between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R. Further, the control unit 24 sets the threshold value TH4 when detecting that the continuous paper CP exists between the projector 22T and the receiver 22R by using the threshold value TH3. Further, when the control unit 24 uses the threshold value TH4 to detect that the mount portion exists between the floodlight 22T and the light receiver 22R, the control unit 24 replaces the threshold value TH3 with the light projector 22T and the light receiver 22R. The average value of the amount of light received when the continuous paper CP does not exist and the amount of light received when the mount portion exists between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R is set as the threshold value TH5, and the floodlight is replaced with the threshold value TH4. The average value of the amount of light received when the mount portion is present between the 22T and the receiver 22R and the amount of light received when the label portion is present between the floodlight 22T and the receiver 22R is set as the threshold value TH6.

By doing so, when the amount of light projected by the floodlight 22T is fixed, the threshold value for the amount of light received by the light receiver 22R is automatically adjusted to appropriate thresholds TH5 and TH6 according to the type of continuous paper CP. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the operator when exchanging the continuous paper CP.

Further, in the second embodiment, the control unit 24 stops the continuous paper CP transfer by the continuous paper transfer unit 21 and prints as the amount of light received by the receiver 22R increases from less than the threshold value TH6 to the threshold value TH6 or more. Printing on the label LB by the head 23 is started.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent printing on the mount MU and reliably print on the label LB.

Further, in the second embodiment, the control unit 24 determines that the continuous paper CP has run out of paper when the amount of light received by the receiver 22R increases from less than the threshold value TH5 to more than the threshold value TH5.

By doing so, it is possible to reliably detect the paper shortage of the continuous paper CP.

The second embodiment has been described above.

[Example 3]
All or part of each process in the above description in the control unit 24 may be realized by causing a processor included in the label printing device 2 to execute a program corresponding to each process. For example, the program corresponding to each process in the above description may be stored in the memory, and the program may be read from the memory by the processor and executed. Further, the program is stored in a program server connected to the label printing device 2 via an arbitrary network, downloaded from the program server to the label printing device 2 and executed, or a record that can be read by the label printing device 2. It may be stored in a medium, read from the recording medium, and executed. Recording media that can be read by the label printing device 2 include, for example, memory cards, USB memory, SD cards, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and Blu-ray (registered trademark) disks. Carrying storage media is included. The program is a data processing method described in an arbitrary language or an arbitrary description method, and may be in any format such as source code or binary code. In addition, the program is not necessarily limited to a single program, but is distributed as multiple modules or multiple libraries, or cooperates with a separate program represented by the OS to achieve its function. Including things.

The specific form of dispersion / integration of the blood collection tube preparation device 1 and the label printing device 2 is not limited to the one shown in the drawing, and all or part of the blood collection tube preparation device 1 and the label printing device 2 can be added according to various additions and the like. , Or, depending on the functional load, it can be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in any unit.

2 Label printing device 21 Continuous paper carrier 22 Optical sensor 22T Floodlight 22R Receiver 23 Printing head 24 Control unit 25 Storage unit

Claims (10)

A first portion formed of a long mount and a plurality of labels attached to the mount at regular intervals, and the mount is present but the label is not present, and both the mount and the label are present. A transport unit for transporting continuous paper having a second portion,
A print head that prints on each of the plurality of labels,
An optical sensor having a floodlight that emits light and a receiver that receives the light projected from the floodlight.
In a state where the continuous paper does not exist between the floodlight and the receiver, the floodlight amount of the floodlight is set to the first floodlight amount.
When the continuous paper is detected between the floodlight and the receiver by using the first floodlight, the floodlight is set to a second floodlight larger than the first floodlight. ,
When it is detected that the first portion exists between the projector and the receiver by using the second projection amount, the projection amount is made larger than the first projection amount and the second projection amount. A control unit that sets the third light emission amount smaller than the light amount,
A label printing device comprising. In the control unit, regardless of the type of the continuous paper, the amount of light received by the receiver when the continuous paper does not exist between the floodlight and the receiver is between the floodlight and the receiver. The first threshold value is equal to or higher than the first threshold value used for determining whether or not the continuous paper is present, and the amount of light received when the continuous paper is present between the floodlight and the receiver is the first threshold value. The amount of light projected to be less than is set as the first amount of light projected.
The label printing device according to claim 1. Regardless of the type of continuous paper, the control unit has a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value when the first portion is present between the floodlight and the receiver. It is equal to or higher than the second threshold value used for determining whether the first portion or the second portion exists between the floodlight and the receiver, and is between the floodlight and the receiver. The amount of light projected when the amount of received light when the second portion is present is less than the second threshold value is set as the amount of second light projected.
The label printing device according to claim 2. The control unit conveys the light projected by the floodlight at the third floodlight in response to an increase in the amount of light received by the receiver from less than the second threshold value to more than or equal to the second threshold value. Stops the transport of the continuous paper by the unit and starts printing on the label by the print head.
The label printing device according to claim 3. The control unit receives the light emitted by the floodlight at the third floodlight when the light received by the receiver increases from less than the first threshold value to more than or equal to the first threshold value. Judge that the paper has run out,
The label printing device according to claim 3. A first portion formed of a long mount and a plurality of labels attached to the mount at regular intervals, and the mount is present but the label is not present, and both the mount and the label are present. A transport unit for transporting continuous paper having a second portion,
A print head that prints on each of the plurality of labels,
An optical sensor having a floodlight that emits light and a receiver that receives the light projected from the floodlight.
It is a method of setting the amount of light projected in a label printing device provided with
In a state where the continuous paper does not exist between the floodlight and the receiver, the floodlight amount of the floodlight is set to the first floodlight amount.
When the continuous paper is detected between the floodlight and the receiver by using the first floodlight, the floodlight is set to a second floodlight larger than the first floodlight. ,
When it is detected that the first portion exists between the projector and the receiver by using the second projection amount, the projection amount is made larger than the first projection amount and the second projection amount. Set to a third light intensity smaller than the light amount,
How to set the amount of light emission. A first portion formed of a long mount and a plurality of labels attached to the mount at regular intervals, and the mount is present but the label is not present, and both the mount and the label are present. A transport unit for transporting continuous paper having a second portion,
A print head that prints on each of the plurality of labels,
An optical sensor having a floodlight that emits light and a receiver that receives the light projected from the floodlight.
In a state where the continuous paper does not exist between the floodlight and the receiver, it is the first threshold value for the amount of light received by the receiver, and the floodlight and the receiver are used regardless of the type of the continuous paper. The first threshold used to determine if there is a continuous sheet of paper in between is set.
When it is detected that the continuous paper exists between the floodlight and the light receiver by using the first threshold value, it is a second threshold value with respect to the received light amount, which is smaller than the first threshold value and is smaller than the first threshold value. Regardless of the type of continuous paper, the second threshold value used for determining whether the first portion or the second portion exists between the floodlight and the receiver is set.
When the first threshold is used to detect the presence of the first portion between the floodlight and the receiver, instead of the first threshold, the continuity between the floodlight and the receiver. The average value of the first light receiving amount at the receiver when there is no paper and the second light receiving amount at the receiver when the first portion is present between the floodlight and the receiver. It is set as a third threshold value used for determining whether or not the continuous paper exists between the floodlight and the receiver, and instead of the second threshold value, the second light receiving amount and the floodlight are used. The average value of the third light receiving amount in the receiver when the second portion is present between the receiver and the receiver, and the first portion or the second portion between the floodlight and the receiver. A control unit set as a fourth threshold value used to determine which of the above exists, and
A label printing device comprising. The control unit stops the continuous paper transfer by the transfer unit in response to the increase in the amount of light received by the receiver from less than the fourth threshold value to the fourth threshold value or more, and the print head stops the transfer of the continuous paper. Start printing on the label,
The label printing device according to claim 7. The control unit determines that the continuous paper has run out when the amount of light received by the receiver increases from less than the third threshold value to more than or equal to the third threshold value.
The label printing device according to claim 7. A first portion formed of a long mount and a plurality of labels attached to the mount at regular intervals, and the mount is present but the label is not present, and both the mount and the label are present. A transport unit for transporting continuous paper having a second portion,
A print head that prints on each of the plurality of labels,
An optical sensor having a floodlight that emits light and a receiver that receives the light projected from the floodlight.
It is a threshold value setting method in a label printing apparatus provided with.
In a state where the continuous paper does not exist between the floodlight and the receiver, it is the first threshold value for the amount of light received by the receiver, and the floodlight and the receiver are used regardless of the type of the continuous paper. The first threshold used to determine if there is a continuous sheet of paper in between is set.
When it is detected that the continuous paper exists between the floodlight and the light receiver by using the first threshold value, it is a second threshold value with respect to the received light amount, which is smaller than the first threshold value and is smaller than the first threshold value. Regardless of the type of continuous paper, the second threshold value used for determining whether the first portion or the second portion exists between the floodlight and the receiver is set.
When the first threshold is used to detect the presence of the first portion between the floodlight and the receiver, instead of the first threshold, the continuity between the floodlight and the receiver. The average value of the first light receiving amount at the receiver when there is no paper and the second light receiving amount at the receiver when the first portion is present between the floodlight and the receiver. It is set as a third threshold value used for determining whether or not the continuous paper exists between the floodlight and the receiver, and instead of the second threshold value, the second light receiving amount and the floodlight are used. The average value of the third light receiving amount in the receiver when the second portion is present between the receiver and the receiver, and the first portion or the second portion between the floodlight and the receiver. Set as the fourth threshold used to determine which of
Threshold setting method.

Images