WO2017101271A1

WO2017101271A1 - Label applying device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2017101271A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/084803
Authority: WO
Inventors: 宁洪志; 田龙; 王涛
Original assignee: 同方威视技术股份有限公司
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2016-06-03
Publication date: 2017-06-22
Also published as: BR112017025134A2; CN105501595A; KR102210368B1; AR106173A1; KR20180008671A; BR112017025134B1; CN105501595B

Abstract

A label applying device (10) and method. The label applying device (10) for security check is used for applying a label (30) to a moving article (20), and comprises: a control part (130) used for obtaining a parameter related to an article (20) and determining, according to the parameter, a preset position and a preset time for applying a label (30) to the article (20); a label applying part (110) used for applying the label (30) to the preset position on the article (20) when the article (20) passes by the label applying device (10) at the preset time, wherein the label applying part (110) comprises one or more application executing parts (112) which separately have an application executable range; and a driving component (120) used for driving an application executing part (112) to approach the article (20) at the preset time such that the application executing part (112) can apply the label (30) to the article (20) and for driving the application executing part (112) to move away from the article (20) after applying the label (30) to the article (20) so as not to impede the motion of the article (20).

Description

Label applying device and method

Technical field

The invention relates to the field of label processing. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for applying a label for security inspection to an article.

Background technique

Usually, airport arrivals (eg, baggage, cargo, etc.) need to undergo a security check after exiting the cabin, and different types of labels are attached to the items according to the inspection results, so as to identify the labels of each item in the customs detection area. Items that need to be checked out of the box. To do this, the label needs to be firmly attached to the article to prevent the label from falling or being intentionally or unintentionally torn off as it circulates. Otherwise, in the absence of a label, unsafe items may be missed in the inspection area, posing a public safety hazard.

The shape, size and material of the airport arrival items are not uniform and may vary widely. After the items are transferred to the article conveyor, the placement of the items on the conveyor belt is not uniform, and the items may roll, slide, and possibly cause adjacent items to be stacked together during transport. In addition, in the case of a large passenger flow, the speed of the article conveyor belt is also faster (for example, 0.68 m/s). These factors all contribute to the difficulty of mechanized labeling of items in operation. Currently, in order to ensure that the label can be effectively attached to the item, it is usually manually pasted onto the item by the staff member after printing the corresponding label. However, this manual label pasting method is inefficient and requires a lot of human resources.

In the process of manually affixing the label, the worker needs to first remove the item from the conveyor belt and then put the item back on the conveyor belt after the label is affixed. This type of treatment will lengthen the time it takes for the passenger to pick up the item after the item arrives in port.

To this end, there is a need for an apparatus and method that can automatically affix a label to an item without interfering with the automatic transfer of the item.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, system and method that can automatically affix a label to an item. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, system and method that can efficiently affix a label to an item. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, system and method that enable label attachment according to articles of different specifications.

One aspect of the present invention provides a label application device for security inspection for applying a label to an item, wherein the item is in a motion state. The label applying device includes: a control portion for acquiring a parameter related to the item, and determining a predetermined position and a predetermined time for applying the label on the item according to the parameter; and a label applying portion for applying the label through the label at the predetermined time The device applies a label to a predetermined position of the article, the label application portion includes one or more application execution members, the application execution member has an applicable range, and a drive assembly for driving the application execution member to approach the article for a predetermined time to cause the execution to be performed The component is capable of applying a label to the article, and the drive component is configured to drive the application of the actuator away from the article after the label is applied to the article so as not to interfere with movement of the article.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive assembly is also operative to drive the application of the actuator to vary the range of application of the actuator.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the application actuator member can be driven by the drive assembly to reciprocate in a linear direction to effect application of the label to the article.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the application actuator member can be driven by the drive assembly to reciprocate about a pivot point of the application actuator to effect application of the label to the article.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the application actuator is telescopic, and the drive assembly is further configured to be capable of driving the application of the actuator for telescoping. The control portion is further configured to: when it is determined that the application execution member is unable to apply the label to the article within the applicable range, the control drive assembly drives the application execution member to expand and contract to change the applicable range of the application execution member.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive assembly is further configured to be capable of driving the application of the actuator member to translate in a translational plane that is parallel to the direction of travel of the article. The control portion is further configured to: when it is determined that the application execution member is unable to apply the label to the article within the applicable range, the control drive assembly drives the application execution member to translate in the translation plane to change the applicable range of the application execution member.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive assembly is further configured to be capable of driving the application actuator to translate in a translational direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the article in a translational plane parallel to the direction of travel of the article. The control portion is further configured to: when it is determined that the application execution member is unable to apply the label to the article within the applicable range, the control drive assembly drives the application execution member to translate in the translational direction in the translational plane to change the applicable application of the application execution member range.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the parameters include: item size, material of the item, speed of movement of the item, position of the item on the item carrying device, spacing between the items, type of label, arrival time of the item, and any combination of the above .

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the label applying device further includes: a label detecting portion for detecting whether the label is successfully applied to the article.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the label detecting portion includes a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure value generated between the label applying portion and the article and applying the detected pressure value while the label applying portion applies the label to the article Transfer to the control unit. The control portion is configured to: compare the pressure value with the pressure threshold; determine that the label was successfully applied when the pressure value is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold; and determine that the label was not successfully applied when the pressure value is less than the pressure threshold.

Another aspect of the invention provides a label application system for security inspection for applying a label to an item, wherein the item is in a motion state. The label processing system comprises: one or more label application devices according to the invention; a label output device for receiving label parameters and making labels according to the label parameters; and a label transport device for transferring the finished labels from the label output device To the label application device; and application control means for controlling the operation of the label application device, the label output device, and the label transport device.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more label application devices are arranged along the path of travel of the article to enable application of the label to the article from any of the following directions of the article: top, bottom, left, right, front , rear and any combination of the above. The application control device is also configured to determine a direction in which the label is applied to the item, and to select a label application device for applying a label to the item from one or more label application devices.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the label application system further comprises: label detecting means for detecting whether the label is successfully applied to the item. When the label detecting device detects that the label has not been successfully applied to the article, the application control device controls the label disposed along the traveling path of the article. The device re-applies the label to the item.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the application control device is connected to the label application device, the label output device, the label transport device and the label detecting device via a network.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article handling system for transporting an item and applying a label to the item. The item handling system includes: a label application system in accordance with the present invention; an item transport system for transporting items along a predetermined path.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the article processing system further includes an item tracking system for identifying and tracking the item.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of applying a label for security inspection using a label applying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes: obtaining a parameter related to an item in a moving state, and determining a predetermined position and a predetermined time for applying the label on the item according to the parameter; driving the application of the label applying device at a predetermined time when the item passes the label applying area The execution member approaches the item such that the application execution member is capable of applying the label to the predetermined position of the item; and after the label is applied to the item, the actuation application member is driven away from the item to not interfere with movement of the item.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises changing the applicable range of the application of the actuator prior to applying the label.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, during application of the label to the article, the drive application actuator is reciprocated in a linear direction to effect application of the label to the article.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, during application of the label to the article, the application of the actuator is reciprocally oscillated about the pivot point of the application actuator to effect application of the label to the article.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the application actuator is telescopic. The method further includes driving the application execution member to expand and contract to determine an applicable range of the application execution member when it is determined that the application execution member is unable to apply the label to the article within the applicable range.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises: controlling the drive assembly to drive the application member in a translational plane parallel to the direction of travel of the article upon determining that the application actuation member is unable to apply the label to the article within the applicable range Translation is performed to vary the applicable range of application of the actuator.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is not possible to determine that the application of the actuator is within the applicable range When the label is applied to the article, the control drive assembly drives the application member to translate in a translational plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the article in a translational plane parallel to the direction of travel of the article to change the applicable range of application of the actuator.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises detecting whether the tag was successfully applied to the article, wherein the tag is re-applied to the article upon detecting that the tag has not been successfully applied to the article.

With the label applying apparatus, system and method according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically apply a label to an item during conveyance of an item (e.g., baggage, cargo, etc.). For example, when applied to the processing of airport arrivals, articles of different specifications are quickly transported on the conveyor belt, and the labels can be accurately attached to the suitable attachment portions of the respective articles. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently apply the label to the article efficiently without affecting the normal conveyance of the article. This can greatly reduce the labor intensity of the staff and reduce the labor cost required.

Further, with the label applying apparatus, system and method according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately affix the corresponding label to each item during the operation of a large number of articles of different specifications without causing damage to the apparatus itself. For example, when handling a large number of arrivals, the position of the items on the conveyor belt is not uniform, and adjacent items may be close to each other or stacked. According to the label applying apparatus, system and method of the present invention, it is possible to determine in advance whether the current state of the device can successfully paste the label to the corresponding item, and if not, it can be automatically adjusted to a position suitable for pasting the label, thereby making it possible to target the item at a different position. From the adaptive label. In addition, according to the label applying device, system and method of the present invention, it is also possible to determine which actuator is used for attaching the label to different articles according to the distance between adjacent articles, so that subsequent items can be prevented from colliding into the unreset. The device is malfunctioning due to the execution of the device.

DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic view of a label applying device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

2A-2C are diagrams showing a ram type actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention. intention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a stamping type performing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4A-4C are schematic views showing a swing type actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a swing type actuator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a telescopic actuator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a translating actuator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a label processing system and an item processing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flow chart of a label application method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following detailed description and the annexed drawings are intended to illustrate the embodiments of the invention

1 is a schematic view of a label applying device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The label application device 1 is for applying a label to an item that is in a traveling or stationary state. The label applying device 10 has a label application area. For example, the label application device 10 can apply the label 30 to the item 20 as it passes through the label application area. Preferably, the label application device 10 can apply a label to the article 20 during the uninterrupted movement of the article 20. The item 20 can be carried by the item carrying device and moved by the item carrying device. The article carrying device includes, for example, a conveyor belt or the like which will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the label application device 10 can include an execution device 110, a drive device 120, and a control device 130. Execution device 110 may include one or more execution components 112. Each of the actuators 112 can include an application portion 114. The application portion 114 is capable of receiving the label 30 and applying the label 30 to the item 20.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the label 30 may comprise an adhesive label. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The invention may also employ various other types of labels suitable for application to articles, particularly for application to articles. According to an embodiment of the invention, the tag 30 may comprise Identification information of the item to which the label is applied. For example, for an item, various labels suitable for application (eg, pasting) to the item may include a barcode, a two-dimensional code, a radio frequency identification (RFID) mark, a magnetic mark, an odor mark, a fluorescent mark, and the like.

The driving device 120 is used to drive the executing device 110 to perform various movements to implement a label applying operation.

The control device 130 is used to control the operations of the execution device 110 and the drive device 120. Specifically, control device 130 determines the location and time at which tag 30 is applied to item 20. According to one embodiment of the invention, control device 130 may obtain parameters related to item 20. For example, the above parameters may include the shape of the item, the size of the item, the speed of the item, the position of the item on the item carrying device (eg, the conveyor belt detailed below), the time the item reached the label application area, the type of label applied, and the like. The above parameters can be received by the external device or detected by the tag applying device 10. Based on the above parameters, the control device 130 can determine the location (predetermined position) on the article 20 that is suitable for performing the application of the tag by the component 112 and the time (predetermined time) suitable for the execution of the tag applied to the article 20 by the component 112.

During the label application process, the control device 130 determines the predetermined position and predetermined time at which the label is applied. The control device 130 controls the drive device 120 to drive the execution member 112 at a predetermined time such that the execution member 112 applies the tag 30 to a predetermined position on the article 20.

According to one embodiment, the control device 130 controls the drive device 120 such that the application portion 114 of the actuator 112 gradually approaches the article 20. Driven by the drive unit 120, the application portion 114 contacts the article 20 through the label 30 at a predetermined time (i.e., the application portion 114 causes the label 30 to contact the article 20). Thereafter, the application portion 114 is gradually moved away from the article 20 under the driving of the driving device 120. In the case where a label is applied to the moving article 20, the application portion 114 away from the article 20 can prevent the label applying device 10 from interfering with the continued movement of the article 20.

Label application device 10 may also optionally include detection device 140, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The detecting device 140 is for detecting whether the tag has been successfully applied to the article. For example, the detection device 140 can include a pressure sensor 142. According to one embodiment, the pressure sensor 142 may be disposed on the application portion 114. For example, during application of the portion 114 to the label 30 to the article 20, when the application portion 114 contacts the article 20 through the label 30, pressure is created between the application portion 114 and the article 20. At this time, the pressure sensor 142 will detect the application portion 114. The pressure between the item 20 and the item 20 is transmitted to the control device 130. A pressure threshold may be stored in advance in the control device 130, and the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 142 is compared with the pressure threshold. When the detected pressure is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold, control device 130 determines that tag 30 has been successfully applied to item 20. Otherwise, when the detected pressure is less than the pressure threshold, the control device 130 determines that the tag 30 has not been successfully applied to the article 20. For the case where the label is not successfully applied, the label application operation can be re-executed, which will be described later.

Alternatively or in the alternative, the detection device 140 may also include other types of detection components. According to an embodiment, the detecting device 140 may include an image detecting component. For example, the image detecting section may take an image of the article 20 after applying the tag and transmit the captured image to the control device 130. According to one embodiment, the control device 130 can determine whether the tag 30 was successfully applied to the article 20 by identifying whether the tag 30 is present in the captured image. According to another embodiment, the sample image may be pre-stored in the control device 130, and the image captured by the image detecting component is matched with the sample image to determine whether the tag 30 is successfully applied to the article 20. According to another embodiment, it is also possible to determine whether the tag 30 is successfully applied to the article 20 by manually analyzing the image taken by the image detecting component.

Next, a specific structure of a label applying device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. 2A-2C are schematic views showing an application portion 114 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2A-2C, the actuator 110 employs a stamping method to apply the label.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the actuator component 112 includes an application portion 114 and a connection portion 116. The connecting portion 116 is coupled to the driving device 120 to be driven to move in a straight line. The applying portion 114 is coupled to the connecting portion 116 for applying the label to the article under the driving of the connecting portion 116. According to one embodiment, the application portion 114 is coupled to one end of the connection portion 116. During operation, the drive unit 120 is capable of driving the connecting portion 116 to reciprocate in a linear direction such that the application portion 114 coupled to the connecting portion 116 is capable of applying a label to the passing item and thereafter enabling the applying portion 114 to exit the item. Preferably, the connecting portion 116 and the applying portion 114 are capable of being reciprocated in a straight line in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the article 20.

According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the connecting portion 116 can be driven along a vertical square Reciprocate to A. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the article 20 is horizontally moved through the label applying device 10 in the direction B inward of the vertical paper, the connecting portion 116 can be driven by the driving device 120 to move downward in the vertical direction A to drive the applying portion 114. Move down and apply the label 30 to the item 20 (eg, on the upper surface of the item 20). As shown in FIG. 2C, after the label 30 is applied, the connecting portion 116 can be driven by the driving device 120 to move upward in the vertical direction A to drive the applying portion 114 away from the article 20, and the article 20 continues to move.

The structure of the actuator 110 is described above by taking the downward movement of the actuator member 112 in the vertical direction (i.e., applying the label 30 to the upper surface of the article 20). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that for the stamped actuator 110, the direction of stamping is not limited to being vertically downward, but any orientation suitable for applying a label to the article may be employed as desired. According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuator component 112 can be configured to be stamped in any direction to apply a label to any of a plurality of surfaces of the article 20 (eg, upper surface, lower surface, side surface, front surface, rear surface) Wait). For example, FIG. 3 shows another example of a stamped actuator 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting portion 116 and the applying portion 114 can be reciprocated in the horizontal direction C by the driving device 120 to apply the label 30 to the side surface of the article 20.

Further, according to the present invention, the label applying device 10 may be configured such that the direction in which the connecting portion 116 and the applying portion 114 reciprocate in a straight line is not perpendicular to the traveling direction of the article as long as the applying portion 114 can be applied to apply the label 30 to the article 20. Just fine.

Next, a specific structure of a label applying device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. 4A-4C are schematic views showing an application portion 114 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4A-4C, the actuator 110 applies a wobble to apply the label.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the actuator member 112 includes an application portion 114, a connection portion 116, and a pivot portion 118. The connecting portion 116 is coupled to the pivoting portion 118 to be driven to rotate about the pivoting portion 118. The applying portion 114 is coupled to the connecting portion 116 for applying the label to the article under the driving of the connecting portion 116. According to one embodiment, the application portion 114 is coupled to one end of the connection portion 116 and the pivot portion 118 is coupled to the other end of the connection portion 116. During operation, the drive unit 120 is capable of driving the connecting portion 116 to reciprocate about the pivot portion 118 such that the application portion 114 coupled to the connecting portion 116 can apply the label 30 to the passing item. 20 and thereafter the application portion 114 can be caused to leave the article 20.

According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the connecting portion 116 can be reciprocated by the drive about the pivoting portion 118 in the circumferential direction C. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the article 20 is horizontally moved through the label applying device 10 in the vertical paper direction B, the connecting portion 116 can be driven by the driving device 120 to swing downward about the pivot portion 118 in the circumferential direction C to drive the application. The portion 114 swings downward and applies the label 30 to the article 20 (e.g., on the upper surface of the article 20). As shown in FIG. 4C, after the label 30 is applied, the connecting portion 116 can be driven by the driving device 120 to swing upward in the circumferential direction C about the pivoting portion 118 to drive the applying portion 114 away from the article 20, and the article 20 continues to move.

The structure of the actuator 110 is described above by taking the downward movement of the actuator member 112 in the circumferential direction (i.e., applying the label 30 to the upper surface of the article 20). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that for the oscillating actuator 110, the direction of oscillation is not limited to being downward in the circumferential direction, but any direction suitable for applying a label to the article may be employed as desired. According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuator member 112 may be configured to swing in any direction to apply a label to any of a plurality of surfaces of the article 20 (eg, upper surface, lower surface, side surface, front surface, rear surface) Wait). For example, FIG. 5 shows another example of the swinging actuator 110. As shown in FIG. 5, the article 20 is moved in the direction B, and the connecting portion 116 and the applying portion 114 can be driven to reciprocate in the circumferential direction C around the pivot portion 118 by the driving device 120 to apply the label 30 to the side surface of the article 20.

Further, according to the present invention, the label applying device 10 may be configured such that the plane through which the connecting portion 116 and the applying portion 114 reciprocally oscillate in the circumferential direction is perpendicular, parallel or at an arbitrary angle to the traveling direction of the article as long as the applying portion 114 can be driven The label 30 can be applied to the article 20.

According to the present invention, the label application device 10 can also be configured such that the applicable range of the execution member 112 of the execution device 110 can be changed. Herein, the applicable range of the execution member 112 indicates that the execution member 112 (particularly the application portion 114) is driven in the current state (i.e., without changing the size and relative position of each portion of the execution member 112). The range that can be passed when performing an application operation.

In the following, the applicable range of the actuators is described in detail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An example of making changes. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an execution component 112 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the actuator member 112 changes the range that can be applied in a telescopic manner.

As shown in FIG. 6, the actuator member 112 includes an application portion 114 and a connection portion 116. The connecting portion 116 includes a first section 116A and a second section 116B. The drive device 120 is also configured to be capable of driving the first section 116A and the second section 116B to produce relative movement such that the overall length of the connecting portion 116 can be varied. As shown in FIG. 6, the length of the connecting portion 116 can be increased or decreased along the direction D when the first segment 116A and the second segment 116B are driven to move relative to each other. Before performing the applying operation, the control device 130 controls the driving device 120 to drive the first section 116A and the second section 116B to change the length of the connecting portion 116 by the relative movement of the first section 116A and the second section 116B. . At this time, the position of the application portion 114 connected to the connection portion 116 can also be changed accordingly. Thereafter, the driving unit 120 is driven by the driving device 120 to perform an applying operation under the control of the control device 130. Other configurations and operations of the execution unit 112 are referred to the above embodiments, and are not described herein again.

The above-described execution device 110 changes the applicable range in a telescopic manner before performing an applying operation. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the actuator device 110 can also be configured to change the applicable range in a telescopic manner during the execution of the application operation.

Furthermore, the connecting portion 116 described above achieves expansion and contraction by the relative movement of the two sections. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the connecting portion 116 can include more than two segments to effect expansion and contraction of the connecting portion 116 by relative movement between the various segments.

Next, an example of changing the applicable range of the execution member will be described in detail according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an execution component 112 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the actuator 112 changes the applicable range in a translational manner.

As shown in FIG. 7, the label application device 10 can also include a translating assembly 150. According to one embodiment, the translation assembly 150 can include a sliding track 152 and a sliding bracket 154. The actuator member 112 is coupled to the sliding bracket 154. The sliding bracket 154 is used to carry the actuator member 112 and slide along the sliding rail 152. The drive device 120 is also configured to be able to drive the slide bracket 154 to slide along the slide rail 152, thereby causing the actuator member 112 coupled to the slide bracket 154 to translate. As shown in FIG. 7, when the slide bracket 154 is driven to slide along the slide rail 152, the actuator member 112 translates in the direction E. Before performing the applying operation, the control device 130 controls the driving device 120 to drive the slide bracket 154 to slide along the slide rail 152, thereby causing the actuator member 112 connected to the slide bracket 154 to translate. At this time, the position of the applying portion 114 of the actuator member 112 can also be changed accordingly. Thereafter, the driving unit 120 is driven by the driving device 120 to perform an applying operation under the control of the control device 130. Other configurations and operations of the execution unit 112 are referred to the above embodiments, and are not described herein again.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the execution device 110 may be configured such that the actuator member 112 can translate in any direction as long as the application of the label to the article 20 by the application portion 114 is achieved and does not affect the travel of the article 20. Preferably, the execution device 110 can be configured such that the actuator member 112 can translate in a plane parallel to the direction of travel of the article 20. More preferably, the actuator device 110 can be configured such that the actuator member 112 can translate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the article in a plane parallel to the direction of travel of the article 20, as shown in FIG.

The above described execution device 110 changes the applicable range in a translational manner prior to performing an application operation. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the actuator device 110 can also be configured to vary the applicable range in a translational manner during the execution of the application operation.

The actuator 110 is described above to translate the actuator member 112 in a one-dimensional direction. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the actuator 110 can also be configured to translate the actuator 112 in a two dimensional direction to change its applicable range.

The specific embodiment in which the applicable range is changed in a translational manner is described above by taking a sliding rail and a sliding bracket as an example. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can employ any manner that enables the translation of the component to be performed, such as a rack and pinion, a roller belt, and the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the applicable range of the change execution member 112 can be controlled by the control device 130. Before the label applying device 10 performs the applying operation, the control device 130 determines whether the executing member 112 can apply the label 30 to the traveling article 20 within the currently applicable range. For example, the control device 130 is based on parameters related to the item 20 (the shape of the item, the size of the item, the speed of the item, the position of the item on the item carrying device (eg, the conveyor belt detailed below), the time at which the item reaches the label application area, The type of label applied, etc.) is judged. It is determined that the execution member 112 cannot apply the label 30 to the line within the currently applicable range. Upon entering the item 20, the control device 130 controls the drive unit 120 to drive the actuator unit 112 to change the applicable range.

A label processing system and an article processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a label processing system and an item handling system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The article processing system according to the present invention includes a label processing system 1 and an article delivery system 2.

The article transport system 2 is used to transport the article 20 past the label application device 10. According to one embodiment, the item delivery system 2 includes one or more conveyor belts 210. For example, one or more items 20 are loaded onto the conveyor belt 210. During operation of the conveyor belt 210, the articles 20 on the conveyor belt are moved along the direction of travel of the conveyor belt 210. When the article 20 passes the label application device 10, the label application device 10 applies the label 30 to the article 20.

As shown in FIG. 8, the label processing system 1 includes a label application device 10, a label output device 40, a label transport device 50, and a control system 60.

The label processing system 1 can include one or more label application devices 10. According to an embodiment of the invention, each label application device 10 can be arranged along a conveyor belt 210 of the article transport system 2. The specific configuration and operation of the label applying device 10 are referred to above, and are not described herein again.

The tag output device 40 is used to make and output the tag 30 according to the article 20 (e.g., baggage, cargo, etc.) to which the tag is to be applied. According to one embodiment, the label output device 40 includes a label printer. In this case, the tag output device 40 determines information that needs to be written into the tag 30 based on the parameters of the article (eg, information of the passenger to which the article belongs, scanned image number and/or data of the article, etc.). Thereafter, the tag output device 40 outputs (for example, prints out) the article 20 containing the above information. The embodiment of the label output device 40 is described above with a label printer as an example, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the label output device 40 can employ other embodiments capable of outputting the label 30.

The label transfer device 50 is for transferring the label output from the label output device 40 to the label applying device 10. For example, the label transport device 50 is constructed and arranged to receive the label 30 printed from the label output device 40 and to transfer the label 30 to the application portion 114 of the label application device 10.

Control system 60 is used to control the operation of various portions of item delivery system 2. According to this issue The operation of the various components of the label application device 10 described above may also be controlled, in part or in whole, by the control system 60. Alternatively, the label application device 10 may be directly controlled by the control system 60 of the label processing system 1 without providing a separate control device (such as the control device 120 described above).

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, control system 60 can be communicatively coupled to other portions of label processing system 1, such as label application device 10, label output device 40, label transport device 50, control system 60, and item tracking device 70 (described below) )Wait. For example, control system 60 can be coupled to tag application device 10, tag output device 40, tag transfer device 50, control system 60, item tracking device 70, and the like via a network, such as a wired network or a wireless network. In this case, the control system 60 can communicate control commands, operation information, and the like to the corresponding device through the network, and each device can also transmit the sensed parameters, the operation execution status, and the like to the control system 60 through the network. Further, the respective devices of the tag processing system 1 can also be connected through a network.

Optionally, the label processing system 1 further includes an item tracking device 70. The item tracking device 70 is used to track and locate each item 20. According to an embodiment of the invention, the item tracking device 70 may comprise a detection device arranged along the conveyor belt 210 of the item transport system 2. The detection device of the item tracking device 70 may include various detection devices such as a raster, a light eye, an ultrasound, an image, a video, and the like.

Alternatively, the item delivery system 2 according to the present invention may further include a detection device (such as the detection device 140 described above) to determine whether the label was successfully applied to the item. According to one embodiment, the item delivery system 2 can be configured to relabel the item if it is determined that the label was not successfully applied to the item. For example, in the case where the article transport system 2 includes a plurality of label applying devices 10, if it is determined by the detecting device that a label applying device 10 fails to successfully apply the label 30 to the article 20, the article transport system 2 can utilize the travel along the article. Subsequent label application device 10 of the path arrangement re-labels the item 20.

According to another embodiment, in the case where the label applying device 10 of the article conveying system 2 includes a plurality of executing members 112, if it is determined by the detecting device that an executing member 112 fails to successfully apply the label 30 to the article 20, the article is conveyed. The system 2 can reapply the article 20 with subsequent execution components 112 arranged along the path of travel of the item.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be used alone or in combination with the two methods described above for reapplying labels.

With the article processing system and label processing system of the present invention, it is possible to automatically output a label and automatically apply the label to the item according to the parameters of the item during the transfer of the item (e.g., baggage, cargo, etc.). Therefore, it is possible to efficiently apply a label to an item without affecting the normal conveyance of the item.

A label application and article processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 9 shows a flow chart of a label application method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The method utilizes the label application device 10 in accordance with the present invention to apply a label 30 to an article 20 in an operational state.

As shown in FIG. 9, at step S101, the position and time at which the tag 30 is applied on the article 20 is determined. According to one embodiment of the invention, parameters related to the item 20 can be obtained. For example, the above parameters may include the shape of the item, the size of the item, the speed of the item, the position of the item on the item carrying device (eg, a conveyor belt), the time the item reached the label application area, the type of label applied, and the like. The above parameters can be received by the external device or detected by the tag applying device 10. Based on the above parameters, a position (predetermined position) on the article 20 suitable for performing the application of the tag by the component 112 and a time (predetermined time) suitable for the execution of the tag applied to the article 20 by the component 112 are determined.

At step S102, the tag 30 is applied to the article 20 as it passes the tag application device 10 at a predetermined time. Specifically, the application portion 114 of the actuation member 112 can be driven to gradually approach the article 20 and contact the article 20 through the tag 30 at a predetermined time. Thereafter, the drive applying portion 114 is gradually moved away from the article 20 to prevent the tag applying device 10 from interfering with the continued movement of the article 20.

Alternatively, the label applying method according to the present invention may further include determining whether it is necessary to change the applicable range of the execution unit 112 of the actuator 110. At step S103, it is judged whether or not the execution member 112 can apply the tag 30 to the traveling article 20 within the currently applicable range. For example, depending on the parameters associated with the item 20 (the shape of the item, the size of the item, the speed of the item, the position of the item on the item carrying device (eg, a conveyor belt), the item arrives at the label application area The time, the type of label applied, etc.) are judged.

In step S104, when it is judged that the execution member 112 cannot apply the tag 30 to the traveling article 20 within the currently applicable range, the execution member 112 is driven to change its applicable range. The operation of changing the applicable range of the execution portion 112 by the label applying device 10 according to the present invention is referred to the above embodiment, and will not be described herein.

When it is judged that the execution member 112 can apply the tag 30 to the traveling article 20 within the currently applicable range, the process goes to step S102 to continue the operation.

Alternatively, the label applying method according to the present invention may further include detecting whether the label 30 is successfully applied to the article 20 after the step of applying the label. According to one embodiment, in the process of applying the label 30 to the article 20, in step S105, when the application portion 114 contacts the article 20 through the label 30, it is detected that pressure is generated between the application portion 114 and the article 20. According to one embodiment, the pressure threshold can be preset. In this case, the detected pressure is compared to the pressure threshold. When the detected pressure is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold, it is determined that the tag 30 has been successfully applied to the article 20. Otherwise, when the detected pressure is less than the pressure threshold, it is determined that the tag 30 has not been successfully applied to the article 20. For the case where the label is not successfully applied, the label application operation can be re-executed.

With the label application method according to the present invention, the label can be automatically applied to the article during the conveyance of the article (e.g., baggage, cargo, etc.). Therefore, it is possible to efficiently apply a label to an item without affecting the normal conveyance of the item.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the construction and method of the embodiments described above. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalents. In addition, while the various elements and method steps of the disclosed invention are shown in various exemplary combinations and configurations, other combinations including more and fewer elements or methods are also within the scope of the invention. .

Claims

A label applying device for security inspection for applying a label to an article, wherein the article is in a moving state, the label applying device comprising:

a control unit, configured to acquire a parameter related to the item, and determine a predetermined position and a predetermined time for applying the label on the item according to the parameter;

a label applying portion for applying the label to the predetermined position of the article when the article passes the label applying device at the predetermined time, the label applying portion including one or a plurality of application execution members having an applicable range; and

a drive assembly for driving the application execution member to the article at the predetermined time to enable the application execution member to apply the label to the article, and the drive assembly is for Driving the application execution member away from the article after the label is applied to the article does not interfere with movement of the article.
The label applying device according to claim 1, wherein

The drive assembly is also for driving the application actuator to change the applicable range of the application actuator.
The label applying device according to claim 2, wherein

The application execution member can be driven by the drive assembly to reciprocate in a linear direction to effect application of the label to the article.
The label applying device according to claim 2, wherein

The application-executing member is drivable by the drive assembly to reciprocate about a pivot point of the application-executing member to effect application of the label to the article.
A label applying device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein

The application execution member is telescopic, and the drive assembly is further configured to be capable of driving the application execution member to expand and contract;

The control portion is further configured to: when determining that the application execution member is unable to apply a label to the article within the applicable range, controlling the drive assembly to drive the application execution member to expand and contract to change The applicable range of application of the actuator is described.
A label applying device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein

The drive assembly is further configured to be capable of driving the application execution member to translate in a translational plane that is parallel to a direction of travel of the article;

The control portion is further configured to control the drive assembly to drive the application execution member in the translation plane when it is determined that the application execution member is unable to apply a label to the article within the applicable range Translation is performed to vary the applicable range of the application actuator.
A label applying device according to claim 6, wherein

The drive assembly is further configured to be capable of driving the application execution member to translate in a translational plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the article in a translational plane parallel to the direction of travel of the article;

The control portion is further configured to control the drive assembly to drive the application execution member in the translation plane when it is determined that the application execution member is unable to apply a label to the article within the applicable range Translation is performed along the translational direction to change the applicable range of the application-executing component.
The label applying device according to claim 1, wherein

The parameters include: item size, item material, item speed, item position on the item carrier, spacing between items, label type, item arrival time, and any combination of the above.
The label applying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

A label detecting portion for detecting whether the label is successfully applied to the article.
The label applying device according to claim 9, wherein

The label detecting portion includes a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure value generated between the label applying portion and the article while the label applying portion applies the label to the article And transmitting the detected pressure value to the control unit, wherein

The control unit is configured to:

Comparing the pressure value to a pressure threshold;

Determining that the label was successfully applied when the pressure value is greater than or equal to the pressure threshold Plus; and

When the pressure value is less than the pressure threshold, it is determined that the label has not been successfully applied.
A label application system for security inspection for applying a label to an item, wherein the item is in a motion state, the label processing system comprising:

One or more label applying devices according to any one of claims 1 to 10;

a label output device, the label output device configured to receive a label parameter and make a label according to the label parameter;

a label transfer device for transferring the manufactured label from the label output device to the label application device; and

A control device is applied for controlling the operation of the label application device, the label output device, and the label transport device.
The label applying system according to claim 11, wherein

The one or more label application devices are arranged along the travel path of the article to enable application of the label to the article from any of the following directions of the article: top, bottom, left, right , front, rear and any combination of the above, and

The application control device is further configured to determine a direction in which the label is applied to the item, and select a label application device for applying a label to the item from the one or more label application devices.
The label application system of claim 12, further comprising:

a label detecting device for detecting whether the label is successfully applied to the article, wherein

When the label detecting device detects that the label is not successfully applied to the article, the application control device controls the label applying device disposed along the traveling path of the article to reapply the label to the article .
The label applying system according to claim 13, wherein

The application control device is connected to the label application device, the label output device, the label transport device, and the label detecting device via a network.
An item handling system for transporting an item and applying a label to the item, the item handling system comprising:

A label application system according to any one of claims 11 to 14;

An item transport system for transporting the item along a predetermined path.
The article processing system of claim 15 further comprising:

An item tracking system for identifying and tracking the item.
A method of applying a label for security inspection using the label application device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising:

Obtaining parameters related to the item in motion and determining a predetermined location and a predetermined time for applying the label on the item based on the parameter;

When the article passes the label application area, the application execution component of the label application device is driven to approach the article at the predetermined time to enable the application execution component to apply the label to the predetermined item of the article Location;

After the label is applied to the article, the application actuator is driven away from the article to not interfere with movement of the article.
The method of claim 17 further comprising:

The applicable range of application of the application member is changed prior to application of the label.
The method of claim 18, wherein

In applying the label to the article, the application actuator is driven to reciprocate in a linear direction to effect application of the label to the article.
The method of claim 18, wherein

During application of the label to the article, the application actuator is driven to reciprocate about a pivot point of the application actuator to effect application of the label to the article.
The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the application execution component is expandable and expandable, and the method further comprises:

When it is judged that the application execution member cannot apply the label to the article within the applicable range, the application execution member is driven to expand and contract to change the applicable range of the application execution member.
The method of claim 19 or 20, further comprising:

Controlling the drive assembly to drive the application of the application member during travel with the article upon determining that the application execution member is unable to apply a label to the article within the applicable range Translation is performed in a translational plane parallel to the direction to vary the applicable range of the application-executing component.
The method of claim 22, wherein

Controlling the drive assembly to drive the application execution member in a translational plane parallel to the direction of travel of the article upon determining that the application execution member is unable to apply a label to the article within the applicable range A translational direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the article is translated to vary the applicable range of the application-executing component.
The method of claim 17, wherein

The parameters include: item size, item material, item speed, item position on the item carrier, spacing between items, label type, item arrival time, and any combination of the above.
The method of claim 17 further comprising:

Detecting whether the tag was successfully applied to the article, wherein upon detecting that the tag was not successfully applied to the article, relabeling the article.