JP2011230510A - Label issuing apparatus and control program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a feed process on a desired printer without having to be aware of which printer the feed process should be performed on.
According to one embodiment, a label issuing device includes first and second printer units arranged side by side that can be pulled out from a main body, detects the pull-out of each unit from the main body, and identifies one of the detected ones. Information is stored in the storage means. And a display means for displaying the first and second areas whose display modes change depending on whether or not the identification information of the first and second printer units is stored side by side in the same manner as the positional relationship of each unit, When the feeding of the label to the transport path for each unit is instructed, the unit to be fed is determined based on the identification information stored in the storage means, and the label is fed to the transport path of the unit to the predetermined position. set.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a label issuing apparatus that includes a plurality of printer units and selectively uses these to print predetermined information on a label and a control program therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a label issuing apparatus that includes a plurality of printer units each having a label set therein, and selectively switches these to print and issue information on the label. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
When performing label issuance processing after a label is replenished to the printer unit provided in the label issuing device or the printer unit is pulled out from the main body, the label is set at a standby position on a preset conveyance path. A paper feed process is executed.

JP 2000-20829 A

  After the label is set on the printer unit provided in the label issuing device, when the label is fed onto the conveyance path, the feed key assigned to each of the plurality of printer units must be operated. Therefore, the operator needs to store the printer unit that has been replenished with the label or pulled out from the main body, and has to operate the feed key.

  Further, in the label issuing device in which the feed key is displayed on the touch panel type display, an operation for switching the screen may be required in order to select a printer unit to be subjected to the feed processing, and the processing is complicated. .

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to feed a desired printer unit without having to be aware of which printer unit the operator should feed. Is to provide a label issuing device and a control program thereof.

  The label issuing device according to one aspect of the present invention can draw out the first and second printer units that print predetermined information on a label conveyed along a conveyance path, and the first and second printer units arranged side by side. Of the first and second printer units from the main body, and the detection means detects the drawer from the main body among the first and second printer units. Storage means for storing one of the identification information, a first area in which a display mode changes depending on whether or not the identification information of the first printer unit is stored in the storage means, and the storage means The second area in which the display mode changes depending on whether the identification information of the second printer unit is stored in the second area or not is the first and first areas. Similar to the positional relationship of the printer unit, display means arranged side by side, instruction means for instructing the feeding of the label to the transport path for the first and second printer units, and the first and second printer units One of the feed execution targets is determined based on the identification information stored in the storage unit, and a label is fed to the determined one conveyance path in response to receiving an instruction from the instruction unit. And an execution means for setting at a predetermined position.

  According to the present invention in which such a measure is taken, a label issuing apparatus capable of executing a feed process for a desired printer unit without needing to be aware of which printer unit the operator should perform the feed process, and a control program therefor Can be provided.

1 is an external perspective view of a label issuing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a printing mechanism of a printer unit in the same embodiment. The block diagram which shows the control circuit of the label issuing apparatus in the same embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part in the embodiment. The flowchart of the process which CPU performs in the same embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a label issuing device 1 having two printer units in the main body.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the label issuing device 1. A main body 2 includes an operation unit 3, a display unit 4, a first printer unit 5, a second printer unit 6, a weight measuring instrument 7, and a power switch 8. The operation unit 3 includes various operation keys for operating the label issuing device 1. The display unit 4 is a touch panel display in which a touch panel is laid on a display screen, displays various types of information according to a processing scene, and accepts a touch operation by a user. The first printer unit 5 and the second printer unit 6 include a printing mechanism inside, and discharge labels as printing results from the discharge ports 5a and 6a. The first printer unit 5 and the second printer unit 6 are slidably accommodated in the main body 2 via rails (not shown), and can be pulled out in the front direction of the label issuing device 1. The weight measuring device 7 measures the weight of the article placed on the upper surface. The power switch 8 is a switch for switching on / off the power supply from the commercial AC power source to the label issuing device 1.

  The printing mechanism 50 of the first printer unit 5 and the second printer unit 6 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the printing mechanism of the first printer unit 5. The print medium 53 used in the label issuing device 1 includes labels arranged at regular intervals on a base paper, which is continuous paper, via an adhesive layer. The print medium 53 is wound around the winding core in a roll shape and stored in the rear portion of the first printer unit 5.

  The first printer unit 5 includes a thermal head 51, a platen roller 52 that is opposed to the head 51 and can rotate forward and backward, a conveyance path 54 that conveys the print medium 53, a conveyance roller 55 that conveys the print medium 53, printing A cutter 56 for separating the print medium 53 that has been completed, a peeling plate 57 disposed opposite to the cutter 56, a label end sensor 58-1 for detecting the rear end of the label on the mount of the print medium 53, and printing on the label A peeling sensor 59-1 for detecting whether or not the completed printing medium 53 has been removed from the issuing port 5a is provided.

  The thermal head 51 includes heating elements arranged in a line, and heats the heating elements to perform printing on a label conveyed to a position facing the platen roller. The conveyance roller 55 includes a driving roller 55 a and a driven roller 55 b that can rotate forward and backward, and conveys the print medium 53 in the opposite position direction of the thermal head 51 and the platen roller 52 and in the opposite direction. The label end sensor 58-1 includes a light emitter 58-1a and a light receiver 58-1b, and prints based on the transmittance when the light receiver 58-1b receives the light emitted from the light emitter 58-1a. The boundary between the label portion of the medium 53 and the portion of the mount only is detected. The peel sensor 59-1 includes a light emitter 59-1a and a light receiver 59-1b, and prints based on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitter 59-1a is received by the light receiver 59-1b. It is detected whether the used print medium 53 has been removed from the issuing port 5a.

  When the first printer unit 5 issues a label, it is necessary to perform a feed process for transporting the print medium 53 to the print standby position on the transport path 54 in advance. For example, the print standby position is set to a position where the print medium 53 is conveyed by a predetermined number of steps by the conveyance roller 55 from the detection position of the label end sensor 58-1 on the conveyance path 54.

  Note that the printing mechanism of the second printer unit 6 has the same configuration as that of the first printer unit 5, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the control circuit of the label issuing device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the control circuit of the label issuing device 1. The control circuit has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a clock unit 13, a sensor controller 14, an input controller 15, and a display for a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 that functions as a control center. The controller 16, the first printer controller 17, the second printer controller 18, and the weight measuring device controller 19 are connected via a bus line 20 such as an address bus or a data bus.

  The sensor controller 14 includes drawer sensors 21-1, 22-2, the label end sensors 58-1, 58-2, jam sensors 22-1 and 222-2, the peel sensors 59-1 and 59-2, the head. The sensors such as the up sensors 23-1, 23-2 are connected, the touch panel sensor 4a of the operation unit 3 and the display unit 4 is connected to the input controller 15, the display 4b of the display unit 4 is connected to the display controller 16, The first printer unit 5 is connected to one printer controller 17, the second printer unit 6 is connected to the second printer controller 18, and the weight measuring device 7 is connected to the weight measuring device controller 19.

  The ROM 11 stores fixed data such as an operation program of the label issuing device 1. The RAM 12 forms a working storage area such as a holding area 12a which is a storage means used in processing described later. The clock unit 13 measures the system time. The input controller 15 detects a signal output when a feed key 3a or a numeric key that is a feed command unit provided in the operation unit 3 is pressed, and notifies the CPU 10 of the pressed operation key. The display controller 16 displays various types of information on the display 4b in accordance with instructions from the CPU 10. The first printer controller 17 controls the first printer unit 5 in response to a command from the CPU 10 and prints and issues predetermined information on the printing surface of the label. The second printer controller 18 controls the second printer unit 6 in response to a command from the CPU 10 and prints and issues predetermined information on the printing surface of the label.

  Each sensor connected to the sensor controller 14 detects the occurrence of a predetermined event related to the first printer unit 5 or the second printer unit 6, and outputs the detection result to the sensor controller 14. The sensor controller 14 determines whether or not an error has occurred based on the output from each sensor, and notifies the CPU 10 of the result.

  The drawer sensor 21-1 outputs a signal when the first printer unit 5 is pulled out from the main body 2, and the drawer sensor 21-2 outputs a signal when the second printer unit 6 is pulled out from the main body 2. To do. Upon receiving this signal, the sensor controller 14 notifies the CPU 10 of the withdrawal of the first printer unit 5 or the second printer unit 6 from the main body 2.

  As described above, the label end sensors 58-1 and 58-2 output a signal when the rear end of the label is detected. If the sensor controller 14 does not receive this signal even if the printing medium 53 is conveyed by a considerable distance, it determines that the paper has run out, and the CPU 10 reports a paper out error in the first printer unit 5 or the second printer unit 6. Notify

  As described above, the peeling sensor 59-1 outputs a signal when the print medium 53 is detected at the detection position near the issuing port 5a, and the peeling sensor 59-2 is printed at the detection position near the issuing port 6a. A signal is output when 53 is detected. When the sensor controller 14 receives this signal for a predetermined time or longer, the sensor controller 14 notifies the CPU 10 of an error in forgetting to remove the label of the first printer unit 5 or the second printer unit 6, assuming that the printing medium 53 has been forgotten.

  The jam sensor 22-1 outputs a signal when a jam occurs in the first printer unit 5, and the jam sensor 22-2 outputs a signal when a jam occurs in the second printer unit 6. Upon receiving this signal, the sensor controller 14 notifies the CPU 10 of a jam error of the first printer unit 5 or the second printer unit 6.

  The head-up sensor 23-1 outputs a signal when the thermal head 51 provided in the first printer unit is separated from the platen roller 52, and the head-up sensor 23-2 is provided by the thermal head provided in the second printer unit. Outputs a signal when separated from the roller. Upon receiving this signal, the sensor controller 14 notifies the CPU 10 of the head up of the first printer unit 5 or the second printer unit 6.

  In addition, when it is determined that a predetermined event such as an error has occurred based on the outputs of various sensors connected to the sensor controller 14, the CPU 10 is notified of this. The sensor controller 14 and each sensor connected to the sensor controller 14 constitute a detection unit.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 4. In addition to displaying information necessary for various operations, the screen 60 is provided with a display field 61 for a printer unit to be subjected to feed processing when the feed key 3a is operated. In the display column 61 that is a display means, an area 62 that is actively displayed when the first printer unit 5 is a target of feed processing, and a case where the second printer unit 6 is a target of feed processing. An area 63 that is actively displayed is provided. In the example of the screen 60, the area 63 is displayed actively, and the area 62 is displayed in gray (hatched in FIG. 4). When the feed key 3a is operated in such a state, the feed process of the second printer unit 6 is performed.

  The printer unit to be subjected to the feed process is determined based on identification information for identifying each printer unit set in the holding area 12 a formed in the RAM 12. In the present embodiment, when “0” is set in the holding area 12a, it is assumed that the first printer unit 5 is an object of feed processing. On the other hand, when “1” is set, it is assumed that the second printer unit 6 is the target of the feed process. The value set in the holding area 12a can be changed by a touch operation on the screen 60, an operation on the operation unit 3, or a process described later that is executed when an error occurs.

Next, the operation of the label issuing device 1 will be described.
In addition to known processing such as label issuing processing, the CPU 10 executes processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 when receiving an error notification from the sensor controller 14. This process is executed based on the operation program stored in the ROM 11.

  First, the CPU 10 determines whether an error or the like related to either the first printer unit 5 or the second printer unit 6 has occurred based on the output from the sensor controller 14 (ST1).

  If it is determined that the error is related to the first printer unit 5 (Yes in ST1), “0” is set in the holding area 12a formed in the RAM 12 (ST2). On the other hand, if it is determined that the error is not related to the first printer unit 6, in other words, if it is determined that the error is related to the second printer unit 6 (No in ST 1), “1” is set in the holding area 12 a. (ST3).

  After setting “0” or “1” in the holding area 12a, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the operation unit 3 or the touch panel sensor 4a is operated (ST4). This process is continued until the operation unit 3 or the touch panel sensor 4a is operated (No in ST4). When it is determined that the operation unit 3 or the touch panel sensor 4a has been operated (Yes in ST4), it is determined whether or not the operated key is the feed key 3a (ST5). If it is determined that the operated key is not the feed key 3a (No in ST5), a process corresponding to the operated key is executed (ST6).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the operated key is the feed key 3a (Yes in ST5), it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the holding area 12a (ST7). If “0” is set in the holding area 12a (Yes in ST7), the first printer controller 17 is instructed to perform feed processing (ST8). Upon receiving this command, the first printer controller 17 drives the transport roller 55 of the first printer unit 5 to transport the print medium 53 along the transport path 54, and the leading end of the label to be printed next is the transport path. 54 is set so as to be positioned at the print standby position set on 54.

  On the other hand, when “0” is not set in the holding area 12a, in other words, when “1” is set (No in ST7), the second printer controller 18 is instructed to perform feed processing (ST9). . Upon receiving this command, the second printer controller 18 drives the transport roller of the second printer unit 6 to transport the print medium 53 along the transport path, and sets the leading end of the label to be printed next on the transport path. To be positioned at the print standby position.

  Thus, after the feed process of the first printer unit 5 or the second printer unit 6 is executed, the CPU 10 ends the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. Note that the processes of ST8 and ST9 constitute feed execution means.

  As described above, when the label issuing apparatus 1 detects the occurrence of a predetermined event such as an error or the withdrawal of the printer unit from the main body 2, the identification information of the printer unit in which the event has occurred is stored in the holding area 12a. To do. When the feed process is instructed, the feed process is performed by automatically specifying which of the first printer unit 5 and the second printer unit 6 should be processed with reference to the holding area 12a. With this configuration, the operator does not need to operate the operation unit 3 or the like to specify a printer unit to be subjected to feed processing, and the operation becomes very simple.

  Further, as shown on the screen 60, the display unit 4 displays which of the first printer unit 5 and the second printer unit 6 is the target of the feed process, so that the printer unit in which the feed process is executed Can be accurately grasped visually. Accordingly, for example, even when the first printer unit 5 and the second printer unit 6 run out of paper and the print medium 53 is replenished to only one of them, the printer unit that replenishes the print medium 53 is used. And the current feed processing target printer unit can be corrected by a touch operation on the display unit 4 or an operation on the operation unit 3.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment as it is, In an implementation stage, in the range which does not deviate from the summary, each component can be deform | transformed and embodied suitably.

  For example, the sensor connected to the sensor controller 14 is not limited to the above, and other sensors, switches, and the like may be connected. Even in this case, the sensor controller 14 determines an error based on the output from the sensor or the switch, and notifies the CPU 10 of the same effect.

  Moreover, although the case where this invention was applied to the label issuing apparatus 1 provided with the printer unit which is a thermal printer was demonstrated in the said embodiment, with respect to the label issuing apparatus provided with the inkjet printer and the laser printer as a printer unit. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied.

  Further, the number of printer units provided in the label issuing device 1 is not limited to two, and may be more than one. Even in this case, identification information that can identify each printer unit in which an error has occurred is stored in the holding area 12a, and the printer unit specified by the information stored in the holding area 12a when the feed key 3a is operated. If the feed process is performed on the above, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from the overall components shown in the embodiment.

  The invention described in the scope of claims at the beginning of the filing of the present application is appended below.

[1] In a label issuing apparatus that includes a plurality of printer units that print predetermined information on a label conveyed along a conveyance path, and uses the plurality of printer units for switching to issue a label, the predetermined unit related to the printer unit Detecting means for detecting the occurrence of the event, storage means for storing the identification information of the printer unit in which the occurrence of the predetermined event is detected by the detecting means, and feeding of the label to the transport path for the printer unit A feed instructing unit for instructing and feeding a label to the transport path of the printer unit specified by the identification information stored in the storage unit in response to receiving an instruction from the feed instructing unit A label issuing device comprising: a feed execution means for setting.

[2] The label issuing device according to [1], wherein the detection unit detects an error related to the printer unit as an event related to the printer unit.

[3] The label issuing apparatus according to [1], wherein the detection unit detects the pull-out of the printer unit from the main body of the label issuing apparatus as an event relating to the printer unit.

[4] Any one of the above [1] to [3], further comprising display means for displaying the printer unit specified from the information stored in the storage means in an identifiable manner. Label issuing device described in 1.

[5] A control program for a label issuing apparatus that includes a plurality of printer units that print predetermined information on a label that is conveyed along a conveyance path, and that is used to issue a label by switching the plurality of printer units. A detection function for detecting occurrence of a predetermined event relating to the printer unit in the printer unit; a storage function for storing identification information of the printer unit in which the occurrence of the predetermined event is detected by the detection function; and the printer A feed instruction function for instructing a unit to feed a label to the conveyance path, and the printer unit specified by the identification information stored by the storage function in response to receiving an instruction by the feed instruction function; Realizes a feed execution function that feeds labels to the transport path and sets them at specified positions. Control program for causing.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Label issuing apparatus, 2 ... Main body, 3 ... Operation part, 3a ... Feed key, 5, 6 ... Printer unit, 10 ... CPU, 12a ... Holding area, 14 ... Sensor controller, 50 ... Printing mechanism, 60 ... Screen

Claims (5)

First and second printer units for printing predetermined information on a label conveyed along a conveyance path;
A main body for accommodating the first and second printer units side by side so as to be drawable;
Detecting means for detecting drawing of the first and second printer units from the main body;
Storage means for storing the identification information of one of the first and second printer units detected from the main body by the detection means;
A first area where the display mode changes depending on whether the identification information of the first printer unit is stored in the storage means or not, and the identification information of the second printer unit is stored in the storage means. Display means for displaying the second area in which the display mode changes depending on whether or not it is displayed side by side in the same manner as the positional relationship of the first and second printer units;
Instruction means for instructing the first and second printer units to feed labels to the transport path;
Of the first and second printer units, one of the feed execution targets is determined based on the identification information stored in the storage unit, and is determined in response to receiving an instruction from the instruction unit Execution means for feeding a label to one of the conveyance paths and setting the label at a predetermined position;
A label issuing device comprising:   2. The label issuing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a changing unit that receives a user operation and changes the identification information stored in the storage unit to the identification information of another printer unit. The display means has a touch panel laid on a display screen,
The label according to claim 2, wherein the changing unit changes the identification information stored in the storage unit to identification information of another printer unit based on a touch operation on the display screen of the display unit. Issuing device. A label issuing apparatus comprising first and second printer units that print predetermined information on a label conveyed along a conveyance path, and a main body that accommodates the first and second printer units side by side so that they can be pulled out. Control program
In the label issuing device,
A detection function for detecting the drawing of the first and second printer units from the main body;
A storage function for storing identification information of one of the first and second printer units that has been detected to be pulled out from the main body by the detection function;
A first area in which the display mode changes depending on whether or not the identification information of the first printer unit is stored by this storage function, and the identification information of the second printer unit is stored by the storage function. A display function for displaying on a predetermined display means a second area in which the display area changes depending on whether or not the display area is arranged side by side as in the positional relationship of the first and second printer units;
An instruction function for instructing the first and second printer units to feed labels to the transport path;
One of the first and second printer units that is the execution target of the feed is determined based on the identification information stored by the storage function, and is determined in response to receiving an instruction from the instruction function An execution function for feeding a label to one of the conveyance paths and setting the label at a predetermined position;
Control program to realize. In the label issuing device,
A change function for accepting a user operation by a predetermined operation means and changing the identification information stored by the storage function to the identification information of another printer unit;
The control program according to claim 4 for further realizing the above.

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