JP2021041573A - Label issuing device, label issuing system and label issuing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To surely perform history management of label issuance.SOLUTION: A label issuing device 10 comprises: merchandise information acquiring means that acquires merchandise information; authenticating means that authenticates a person in charge by biometric authentication and specifies identification information on the person; issuing means that performs printing of a label on the basis of the merchandise information acquired by the merchandise information acquiring means. When the merchandise information acquiring means acquires the merchandise information or the label is replaced, the authenticating means authenticates the person in charge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a label issuing device, a label issuing system, and a label issuing method.

At sites that handle fresh foods and delicatessen foods, the product label is printed with the processing date, manufacturing date, expiration date, expiration date, etc., product name, additives, and price. If the label attached is incorrect, quality problems may occur, and the product cannot be sold. Therefore, convenience vendors such as cooked rice and cooked sweet bread manufacturing factories check the printed contents of the product sticking label and visually check the label before issuing it using a label check sheet or the like.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism for managing the printing history of food label issuance.
In Patent Document 2, in a label issuance information management system in which a plurality of label printers are connected, a label issuance management device that receives a download request for information on label issuance checks whether the label printer is a management target label printer. It is disclosed to do.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-66634 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-67279

However, since human error is not eliminated, the operation for performing a strict check is insufficient.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reliably manage the history of label issuance.

In order to achieve the above object, the label issuing device according to the present invention includes a product information acquisition means for acquiring product information, an authentication means for authenticating by bioauthentication and identifying the identification information of the person in charge, and the product information acquisition means. When the product information is acquired by the product information acquisition means or when the label is exchanged, the person in charge is provided with the issuing means for printing the label based on the product information acquired in the above authentication means. It is characterized by authenticating. ..

The label issuing device according to the present invention can also be configured as an invention related to a method or system having a similar configuration.

It is external perspective view of the label issuing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged perspective view of the authentication part included in the label issuing apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which showed the function which the label issuing apparatus has. An example of a table stored in the person in charge information storage unit included in the label issuing device, the first table in which the biometric authentication data ID and the biometric authentication data are associated with each other, and (b) the biometric authentication data ID. This is a second table in which information about the person in charge is associated with each other. This is an example of the issuing mode screen displayed on the display unit included in the label issuing device. It is a processing flow diagram which showed the flow of the person in charge authentication processing executed by the label issuing apparatus. It is a processing flow diagram which showed the flow of the label determination processing executed by the label issuing apparatus. It is an example of the screen displayed on the display unit, and is (a) a screen for prompting the issuance of a test label and (b) a screen for prompting the imaging of the test label. It is a processing flow diagram which showed the flow at the time of label roll exchange executed by the said label issuing apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of the label issuing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged perspective view of the authentication part which the label issuing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention has. It is external perspective view of the label issuing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the issuance check table used for the conventional label determination.

Hereinafter, the label issuing device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

● Label issuing device 10
As shown in FIG. 1, the label issuing device 10 is a device that prints a label and attaches it to a product. The label issuing device 10 mainly includes a transport table 101, an upper label printing sticking section 121a, a lower label printing sticking section 121b, an input / output section 106, an imaging section 132, and an authentication section 133.

The transport table 101 is a table provided with a transport mechanism such as a conveyor for transporting products. An arm 120 is erected on the side portion of the transport base 101, and an upper label printing sticking portion 121a is arranged on the arm 120 via a bracket above the transport mechanism.
The upper label printing sticking unit 121a is a mechanism for printing a label and sticking the printed label on the upper surface of the product on the transport table 101. Further, the lower label printing sticking portion 121b is a mechanism that is housed under the transport table 101, prints a label, and sticks the printed label on the bottom surface of the product on the transport table 101.

The upper label printing sticking section 121a and the lower label printing sticking section 121b have a label supply section 102, a feed section 103, a printing section 104, and a sticking section 105, respectively. In the upper label printing sticking portion 121a, the label supplying portion 102, the feed portion 103, and the printing portion 104 are housed in the box-shaped case 1211a, and the sticking portion 105 is a box-shaped case 1212a attached to the side portion of the case 1211a. It is housed inside. In addition, in FIG. 1, the case which the lower label printing sticking part 121b has is omitted.

The label supply unit 102 is a function of holding the label roll 100 so that it can be sent to the printing unit 104. In the label supply unit 102, a label roll 100 wound in a roll shape is rotatably set in a roll set (label roll loading unit). The label roll 100 is a roll of label paper on which labels are temporarily attached at regular intervals on a long strip-shaped mount. The label has an adhesive surface to which an adhesive material is attached on one side and a printed surface on which the other side is printed, and the adhesive surface is detachably adhered to a mount. The label may be a label without a mount (learnerless label) that does not have a mount and is used by cutting continuous paper according to the amount of printing. In this case, the upper label printing sticking section 121a and the lower label printing sticking section 121b further include a cutter section that cuts the printed label paper to a predetermined length to form a sheet-fed label and sends it to the sticking section 105.

The feed unit 103 is a roller that is driven and rotated by a motor, pulls out the label paper from the label roll 100, and sends the pulled out label paper to the printing unit 104 via a predetermined transport path.

The printing unit 104 includes a thermal head and a pressing roller arranged at a position facing the thermal head. The thermal head prints on the label on the label paper sent out by the drive rotation of the rollers and the presser rollers constituting the feed unit 103. The thermal head prints by selectively heating the heating element. Printing is performed while the data for one dot line supplied from the shift register is moved by the presser roller for each dot line on the label paper. The printing unit 104 is an example of issuing means.
A stepping motor can be adopted as the drive unit of the presser roller for moving the label roll 100 and the roller constituting the feed unit 103.

The sticking portion 105 attracts the label to the printed surface of the label peeled off from the mount to hold the label, and presses the held label against the sticking object such as a product from the adhesive surface to stick the label to the sticking object. .. The sticking portion 105 includes an air cylinder, a support member that moves up and down by the driving force of the air cylinder, a plurality of rod-shaped label crimping members suspended from the support member, a label holding face plate that attracts and holds the label, and the like. Have. An exhaust device (fan) that sucks out the air inside the case is attached to the case in which the sticking portion 105 is housed (the case 1212a in the upper label printing sticking portion 121a), so that the through hole opened in the label holding face plate is negative. It is configured so that pressure is generated and adsorption force acts. This suction force acts as an auxiliary suction force for sucking and holding the printed label paper on the lower surface of the label holding face plate, in addition to the suction means provided on the label crimping member.

The upper label printing and pasting unit 121a and the lower label printing and pasting unit 121b may have a label detection sensor that appropriately detects the transmitted label. In this case, whether or not to issue the next label may be determined according to the label detection result, and operations such as driving and stopping of the printing unit 104 may be controlled.

Further, the upper label printing sticking section 121a and the lower label printing sticking section 121b may have a paper detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of label paper supplied to the printing section 104. The paper detection sensor is arranged between the presser roller and the roller constituting the feed unit 103. The paper detection sensor has a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, one of which is arranged on the upper side of the label paper and the other of which is arranged on the lower side of the label paper, and detects the presence or absence of paper based on the light intensity received by the light receiving unit. .. The drive of the thermal head and the presser roller is controlled based on the output signal of the paper detection sensor.

The input / output unit 106 is a device in which a person in charge inputs / outputs information to / from the label issuing device 10. The input / output unit 106 is supported by an arm 120 that stands up to the side of the transport table 101. The input / output unit 106 is configured by disposing a key operation unit 106b for input below the display unit 106a, but may be a touch panel display. The input / output unit 106 may have a configuration capable of reading a barcode, such as the barcode scanner 140 shown in FIG. The input / output unit 106 can acquire product information such as information on the product to which the label to be issued is attached, the content to be printed on the label, the position where the label is attached, the number of labels to be issued, the delivery service using the label, and the like. Further, the input / output unit 106 displays the input contents and the work status.

The input / output unit 106 receives an instruction to print a test label or a product sticking label. Details of the information input / output by the input / output unit 106 will be described later.

The imaging unit 132 is a device for acquiring information used for authentication of a person in charge and determination of a label, and is, for example, a camera. The imaging unit 132 includes a left camera 132a arranged on the left side and a right camera 132b arranged on the right side. The imaging unit 132 acquires an image of quality that can be used for iris recognition by capturing the left eye of the person facing the other person with the left camera 132a and the right eye with the right camera 132b.

In addition, the image pickup unit 132 takes an image of the label and acquires an image that can be used for determining the test label.

The authentication unit 133 is a device that authenticates the person in charge of inputting product information and determines the issued label. The authentication unit 133 may include a second input / output unit 131 for inputting / outputting information related to the authentication and determination of the authentication unit 133. The second input / output unit 131 is, for example, a touch panel display. The authentication function of the person in charge by the authentication unit 133 is realized by the authentication processing unit and the comparison unit, which will be described later. The label determination function by the authentication unit 133 is realized by the determination processing unit described later.

In the present embodiment, the housing of the authentication unit 133 is arranged above the input / output unit 106 of the label issuing device 10, but the label issuing device according to the present invention shown in FIG. 11 is different. The label issuing device 10 may include the function of the authentication unit 133 as in the embodiment of the above. In this embodiment, the authentication unit 133 is hardware-incorporated in the label issuing device 10, and the left camera 232a and the right camera 232b constituting the imaging unit 232 project toward the upper side (upper end) of the display unit 106a, respectively. There is. In such a configuration, the input / output unit 106 of the label issuing device 10 includes the function of the second input / output unit 131. Further, the imaging unit 232 may be attached so that the angle can be adjusted in order to photograph the iris of the operator. As the method of angle adjustment, when the identification information of the person in charge is input or selected, the angle may be automatically adjusted to the angle adjusted in advance by the person in charge, or the angle may be automatically adjusted by the physical information. .. Further, if the error adjustment due to the individual difference for each device is also performed for each device, it is not necessary for each person in charge to perform the error adjustment, which is excellent in convenience. In addition, the imaging unit 232 can be arranged at an arbitrary position. For example, the imaging unit 232 may be arranged between the display unit 106a and the key operation unit 106b, or may be configured to hang from the peripheral configuration of the display unit 106a, the arm 120, or the like. Further, the imaging unit 232 may be a wireless camera capable of communicating with the label issuing device. According to this configuration, the position and angle of the imaging unit 232 can be freely changed, so that it is easy to take a picture regardless of whether the person in charge is taking a picture or the label is taking a picture.

As shown in FIG. 12, the label issuing device 310 according to still another embodiment of the present invention is a device that does not have a sticking function and issues a label for manual sticking by an operator with a mount. You may.

● Functional unit As shown in FIG. 3, the label issuing device 10 includes a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing information processing, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. A storage device is provided, whereby at least a person in charge information storage unit, a product information storage unit, a reference image storage unit, and a history information storage unit are provided as software resources in the storage device. Further, the label issuing device 10 includes at least an input / output control unit, an imaging control unit, an authentication processing unit, a person in charge information registration unit, a comparison unit, a print control unit, a determination processing unit, and a history information registration unit as software resources.

The person in charge information storage unit is a storage unit in which the identification information of the person in charge of inputting the product information and the biometric authentication information of the person in charge are stored in association with each other. As shown in FIG. 4A, the person in charge information storage unit stores a first table in which the biometric authentication data ID and the biometric authentication data are associated with each other. The biometric authentication data ID is defined for each person in charge and is information that can identify the person in charge. That is, the biometric authentication data ID is an example of the identification information of the person in charge. The biometric data is an example of biometric information of the person in charge.

The biometric authentication information is a physical feature of the person in charge, and is information including feature points for collating with an image captured by the imaging unit 132. The biometric authentication information is digital information represented by "0" and "1" in the figure. The biometric authentication information is, for example, information related to iris recognition, and may be, for example, a template that can be used for pattern recognition of an iris pattern, or may be a histogram of shade values of the iris pattern. According to the configuration that uses iris recognition as the biometric authentication method, even workers wearing hats, masks, and gloves can be authenticated without removing them during work in the factory, so it takes time to put on and take off. In addition, hygiene is guaranteed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the person in charge information storage unit stores a second table in which the biometric authentication data ID and the person in charge information regarding the person in charge are associated with each other. The person in charge information is, for example, the name of the person in charge, and may include the person in charge ID determined for each person in charge in addition to the biometric authentication data ID. The person in charge ID is another example of the identification information of the person in charge. In addition, the second table may also include information on authority such as whether the person in charge is an "administrator" who has the authority to register product information or a "worker" who does not have the authority to register. Good.

Further, the second table may store a password that the person in charge inputs in place of the biometric authentication when the biometric authentication device fails. In this case, in the label issuing device 10, the person in charge can be authenticated by entering a password instead of biometric authentication. In terms of managing the label issuance history, it is recorded that the person in charge is authenticated by entering a password instead of biometric authentication. Further, in order to further enhance security, biometric authentication and password input may be required at the same time. The mode of person-in-charge authentication may be realized by allowing the administrator to change the settings of the label issuing system.

In the present embodiment, the first table and the second table are linked to each other by the biometric authentication data ID, and the person in charge can be identified from the biometric authentication data and the person in charge information can be called. The person in charge information storage unit may store the person in charge information and the biometric authentication information of the person in charge in one table.

The product information storage unit is a storage unit in which the information of the label to be issued and the information of the product to which the label is attached are stored in association with each other. The label information includes information such as the content printed on the label, the position where the label is attached, the number of labels issued, and the delivery service that uses the label. The label sticking position may include information on whether to stick the label on the upper surface or the bottom surface of the product, and the position on the predetermined surface. The product information is, for example, the product number or product name of the product.

The reference image storage unit is a storage unit that stores a reference image for image determination, which is compared with an image of a label acquired by the imaging unit 132. In the reference image, the date display such as the manufacturing date or the expiration date may be blank, and the date may be incorporated based on the input product information. Further, in each display other than the date display, it may be possible to incorporate the product information based on the input product information.

The history information storage unit is a storage unit that stores history information, that is, the issuance history of the person in charge authenticated by the authentication unit 133 and the determined label. In the history information, the authentication time, the identification information of the person in charge, the product information registered by the person in charge, the imaging result of the label printed based on the product information, and the judgment result of the label are associated with each other. .. Further, the history information may include information on what kind of input format is input for each item of the product information.

The input / output control unit is a functional unit that acquires information input via the key operation unit 106b of the input / output unit 106 and displays necessary information on the display unit 106a. The input / output control unit acquires information about the product, that is, product information. The product information is, for example, information such as identification information of the product to which the label to be issued is attached, the content printed on the label, the position where the label is attached, the number of labels issued, the delivery service using the label, the delivery destination, and the like. The product identification information is, for example, the product number of the product. The contents printed on the label include information such as the date and time of manufacture, the date and time of processing, the date and time of expiration date, the product name, and the components of the product. In addition, the input / output control unit acquires at least the identification information of the person in charge of inputting the product information. That is, in step S101 of the person in charge authentication process (see FIG. 6) described later, for example, the person in charge ID for identifying the person in charge is input by the person in charge himself / herself. Further, the input / output control unit may acquire each information by a bar code reading function or an information receiving function by NFC (Near Field Communication).

As shown in FIG. 5, the input / output control unit displays the issue mode screen on the display unit 106a. On the issue mode screen, a product information display field 201 on which product information is displayed, a device information display field 202, a label sticking surface designation field 203, a product information input button 204, a mode transition button 205, and the like are arranged.

The product information display column 201 is a column in which product information is displayed. In the product information display field 201, a product name, a delivery service, a chain code, an expiration date, a manufacturing date, a barcode number, a price, and the like are displayed.

The device information display field 202 is a field in which information about the label issuing device 10 is displayed. In the device information display field 202, the current time, identification information of the label issuing device 10, the current state of the label issuing device 10, and the like are displayed. In addition, the approximate remaining amount of the label may be displayed. The number of remaining labels can be specified by storing the number of labels at the time of new replacement in the label identification information according to the label size. In the case of linerless labels, the remaining length is calculated by subtracting the print amount (length) from the label length, and the remaining number of printable sheets is calculated based on the print amount of the product currently being issued. Can be done. In addition, the remaining number of issued sheets can be calculated based on the label size. By doing so, the label replacement time can be known in advance, and it is possible to notify at a predetermined timing. That is, the label replacement work can be performed smoothly.

The notification regarding the label exchange time may display a message in a manner that does not interfere with the operation during label issuance. For example, the "OK" button may be popped up so as not to interfere with the label operation, or the label may be erased in a predetermined time. A light emitting device such as Patrite (registered trademark) may be attached, and notification may be given by the light emitted from the light emitting device. Further, when the light emitting device has a configuration capable of emitting light in multiple colors, it is also possible to notify in stages by color. In this way, according to the label issuing system 1, data such as the number of labels that can be issued can be managed together with the operation status of each device. By doing so, if the remaining number of sheets that can be issued is insufficient for the specified number, such as when switching products, the label roll can be replaced or the label roll can be prepared in advance. That is, the line down time can be minimized.

In the label sticking surface designation field 203, an instruction as to whether to stick the label on the upper surface, the lower surface, or both sides of the product is input. The label affixing surface designation field 203 includes an upper surface affixing button 203a instructing the label to be affixed to the upper surface and a lower surface affixing button 203b instructing the label to be affixed to the lower surface. Further, the size of the label to be attached and the like can be specified by the upper surface affixing button 203a and the lower surface affixing button 203b.

The product information input button 204 is a button for inputting information displayed in the product information display field 201, and in the present embodiment, there are four buttons of "addition", "price", "date", and "product information". It is composed of. When you press or tap each button, the screen changes or a pop-up is displayed on the screen. The mode transition button 205 is a button that transitions to an operation other than inputting product information. For example, an instruction such as a transition to a product image display screen, a transition to a label issuing screen, label adjustment, and cancellation of work. Is possible.

The input / output control unit may accept input in a different manner for each product information. The input / output control unit may acquire, for example, a part or all of the information by reading the calling barcode described in the label issuance instruction with the barcode scanner 140 (see FIG. 2). .. The call bar code incorporates at least a number that is a combination of the delivery service number and the product call number.

Further, the information acquired by the input / output control unit may be input for each item by the person in charge. For example, the information on the manufacturing date, the processing date, and the expiration date and time may be directly input or may be selected input from the calendar. Further, at this time, even if the DB is stored in which the date and time and the production instruction quantity of the day are associated with each other and stored, an error is notified when all the production quantities of the production date have been manufactured. Good. In addition, the manufacturing date and the delivery flight schedule may be associated and stored, and the manufacturing date-delivery service DB may be referred to, and if the delivery service is not set on the manufacturing date, an error may be notified. ..
The delivery service may be directly input, or may be configured to display the type of delivery service in advance and then selectively input by pull-down or the like. By referring to the manufacturing date-delivery service DB, the delivery service for which the manufacturing date is not set may be hidden, or the display mode may be changed such as grayed out. For the product identification information, the product number may be directly entered.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image pickup control unit is a functional unit that controls the image pickup unit 132 to take an image of a subject. The subject is the iris and label of the person in charge. According to the configuration in which the image pickup control unit and the image pickup unit 132 are used for both biometric authentication and label determination of the person in charge, the person in charge can be reliably authenticated and the label determination can be performed with a small number of parts. The image pickup control unit may control the settings of the image pickup unit 132 so as to be different from each other depending on whether the person in charge is imaged or the label is imaged. Considering that a large amount of the imaging result of the label is stored for a long period of time, the label may be imaged with a smaller number of pixels than the image of the person in charge.

The authentication processing unit collates the image of the iris of the person in charge acquired by the imaging unit 132 with the biometric authentication information stored in the person in charge information storage unit by biometric authentication technology, and authenticates the person in charge. It is a functional unit that identifies a person and acquires the identification information of the person in charge. If the person in charge to be imaged is not stored in the person in charge information storage unit, the authentication processing unit cannot identify the person in charge. If the person in charge identification information cannot be obtained even by referring to the person in charge information storage unit, the authentication processing unit notifies the person in charge to that effect. At this time, the authentication processing unit may prohibit the printing unit 104 from issuing the label.

The person in charge information registration unit is a functional unit that registers the identification information of the person in charge in the authentication information storage unit in association with the biometric authentication information when the authentication processing unit cannot acquire the identification information of the person in charge. According to this configuration, history management can be reliably performed even for label determination by a person in charge who could not be authenticated. At this time, the person in charge information registration unit may automatically register the person in charge information and the biometric authentication information, or a second pop-up that receives an instruction as to whether or not to register via the input / output control unit. It may be displayed on the input / output unit 131 or the like.

The comparison unit is a functional unit that compares the identification information of the person in charge acquired by the input / output control unit with the identification information of the person in charge specified by the authentication processing unit. When the input identification information of the person in charge and the identification information of the person in charge specified by the authentication processing unit do not match, the comparison unit prohibits the printing unit 104 from printing the label. The label for which printing is prohibited here may be a test label or a product sticking label. According to this configuration, the history of the person in charge of performing the label determination can be reliably managed.

The print control unit is a functional unit that extracts information to be printed on the label from the input product information, incorporates it into the label data, and then controls the print unit 104 to perform printing.

The determination processing unit is a functional unit that collates the label image acquired by the imaging unit 132 with the reference image and determines whether the print information of the label is correct or not. The correctness of the print information includes not only the content itself but also the suitability of the print state such as faint ink. In the collation between the label image and the reference image, for example, the similarity may be determined after binarizing each image. Further, the similarity may be determined by taking a difference for each pixel and calculating the mean square error or the sum of the absolute values of the errors. The similarity may be determined by calculating the correlation function between the reference image and the label image. In this case, the threshold value of the similarity is stored in advance, but the threshold value may be different for each type of label, for example, may be different depending on the size of characters. Character information may be extracted by OCR technology and combined with a configuration for determining whether the printed contents match. When it is determined that the label image and the reference image are different, the determination processing unit prohibits the printing unit 104 from printing the label. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to visually check the label, the working time can be shortened, and high judgment accuracy can be ensured by the judgment by the machine.

The history information registration unit is a storage unit that registers history information in the history information storage unit. According to this configuration, the person in charge of the label determination, the label printing result, and the label determination result are integrally managed, so that the label determination history can be reliably managed. Further, since the image of the test label can be saved instead of the conventional storage of the test label, it is easy to manage. Furthermore, if the history information includes information on what input format was input for each item of product information, it is possible to know what kind of operation caused the input error, which is the cause of the input error. It is possible to carry out investigations in detail.

● Flow of Person in Person Authentication Process As shown in FIG. 6, first, in the label issuing device 10, the identification information of the person in charge is input from the input / output unit 106 by the input of the person in charge himself (step S101). At this time, the identification information may be input manually, or may be in a barcode reading or an input format using NFC technology.

When the identification information of the person in charge is input, the image pickup unit 132 captures the iris image of the person in charge (step S102). At that time, the display unit may display a screen in which the operation can be visually grasped by illustrations, messages, images, etc., instead of the operation screen, or a part or duplication of the operation screen. May be displayed. The screen may be automatically erased when the imaging process is completed accurately, or may be erased by pressing an area such as an "OK" button on the screen. Even when the button is displayed, the screen may be erased when the imaging process is completed. By doing so, anyone can easily perform the authentication operation of the person in charge even if the skill level such as supporters from other lines or newcomers is insufficient. You may change the message according to your skill level. For example, in the case of an administrator or a dedicated operator of a label issuing device, it is only necessary to display a message in a display field such as an error display on the screen.

Next, it is determined whether or not the biometric authentication data associated with the identification information input in step S101 is stored (step S103). When the biometric authentication data is stored, whether or not the identification information of the person in charge input in step S101 and the identification information of the person in charge identified from the iris image taken in step S102 match. Compare (S104). If the above-mentioned biometric authentication data match, the state transitions to the state of accepting the input of product information (step S107). Specifically, the issuing mode screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 106a.

In step S103, if there is no biometric authentication data associated with the identification information input in step S101, the person in charge is a new person in charge, and the person in charge information registration unit performs biometric authentication obtained from the image of the iris. The information is associated with the input identification information of the person in charge and registered in the person in charge information storage unit (step S106). At this time, before registration, a display for accepting selection of whether or not to perform registration may be displayed on the display unit 106a. Following the registration of the person in charge, the process proceeds to step S107. Further, when newly registering, it is sufficient to prompt the administrator to input the authority and control the registration of the person in charge information due to the invalid iris information.

In step S104, when the input identification information of the person in charge and the identification information of the person in charge specified from the iris image do not match, the state does not transition to the state of accepting the input of the product information (the input of the product information is prohibited). ), Notify the person in charge to that effect as appropriate (step 105).

A series of processes related to the authentication of the person in charge may be performed at different timings. For example, the series of processes may be performed after the product information acquisition process and before the label issuing process. Further, the series of processes may be performed after the label is determined, which is performed after the label issuing process. Further, at the time of imaging the label performed in the label determination, the label image and the iris image may be acquired at the same time by one imaging. That is, the image pickup unit 132 may be controlled at a wide angle so that the label and the iris are included in the same image data. For example, the person in charge raises a label below or above both eyes to perform imaging. According to this configuration, it is possible to acquire an image necessary for authentication of a person in charge and determination of a label by one imaging.

● Issuance Check Table Here, an example of the issuance check table 41 used for the conventional label determination will be described with reference to FIG. The issuance checklist 41 has a role of an instruction sheet indicating the contents of the label to be issued and a role of attaching a test label issued based on the instruction contents and storing the label. In the issuance checklist 41, as information as instructions, a delivery destination display column 42 indicating the store to which the product with the label is delivered, a delivery date / time display column 43 indicating the delivery date / time of the product, and a product are shown at the top. It has a product name display field 44 indicating a name and a product call number. The delivery date and time is indicated by the delivery date and the delivery service. In addition, a calling barcode 45 incorporating at least a number obtained by combining a delivery service number and a product calling number is described for each product.

A label affixing column 46 is formed from the center to the bottom of the issuance checklist 41. The label affixing column 46 has two upper and lower tiers, and "work start" is printed on the upper tier and "work end" is printed on the lower tier. Further, the label affixing column 46 is divided for each product, and in this example, one label at the time of "work start" and one label at the time of "work end" can be affixed to each of the four types of products. It has become like. In the upper row of the second row from the left, a test label 40L, which is a label to be affixed to potato salad and is printed and checked at the start of work, is affixed. In the conventional label determination, the operator or the administrator thereof visually checks the test label 40L and attaches it to the issuance check table 41 as in this example for management. After confirming that the test label 40L is correctly printed, the operator operates a conventional label issuing device to start printing and affixing the label to be attached to the product.

● Flow of label determination process Return to the description of the label issuing device 10 according to the present invention. After inputting the product information in step S107, the person in charge causes the label issuing device 10 to print the test label. This process is an example of "test printing". Further, the issuing means for performing test printing is an example of the first issuing means. After issuing the test label, the label issuing device 10 automatically performs the label determination process or by an arbitrary operation of the person in charge. As shown in FIG. 8A, the display unit 106a may display a display prompting the person in charge to issue a test label after receiving the product information in step S107. The person in charge issues a test label by pressing the execute button on the display unit 106a. In addition, a label printing and pasting unit (labeler) that issues a test label may be selectable on the screen.

With reference to FIG. 7, a series of processing flows related to label determination before starting issuance of a product label will be described. As shown in the figure, first, the label issuing device 10 acquires an image of the test label by the imaging unit 132 (step S110). In step S110, as shown in FIG. 8B, the display unit 106a may display a display prompting the operator to take an image of the test label. For example, after displaying the image acquired by the imaging unit 132 on the display unit 106a in substantially real time, four L-shaped marks for dividing the recommended shooting position of the label are superimposed and displayed. Please take a picture with the label inside the frame. " After confirming that the image on the label is within the recommended shooting position, the operator presses the image pickup button to image the test label.

Next, the determination processing unit collates the image of the test label with the reference image (step S111), and determines whether or not the test label is printed correctly (step S112). When the label is printed correctly, the determination processing unit permits the issuance of the label (step S113), and the history information registration unit determines the person in charge of the label determination, the label printing result, and the label determination result. It is saved in the history information storage unit (step S114). The label performed after the test printing is a label for attaching a product that is actually attached to a product or the like, and the issuing means of the label is an example of the second issuing means. The first and second issuing means may be realized by the same hardware configuration. If it is determined in step S112 that the label printing is incorrect, the determination processing unit prohibits the issuance of the label (step S115).

The label determination process is performed not only before the start of issuance of the above-mentioned product label, but also after the label roll is exchanged during the issuance of the product label and after the issuance of a series of product labels.

FIG. 9 shows a series of processes related to the person in charge authentication and the label determination process when the label issuance process is restarted after the label roll exchange. The same reference numerals are given to the same steps as those in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As shown in FIG. 9, if the input identification information of the person in charge and the identification information of the person in charge identified from the iris image do not match in step S104, label issuance is prohibited (step S126). When the input identification information of the person in charge and the identification information of the person in charge identified from the iris image match, the process proceeds to the step (step S110) of acquiring the image of the test label.
After the product label is issued, in step S113, instead of permitting the label issuance, it is determined that the product label was correctly issued immediately before. Further, in step S114, instead of prohibiting the issuance of the label, it is determined that the product label has not been issued correctly, and the display unit 106a notifies the result. Further, if it can be determined that the label is correct by another method such as visual recognition by the administrator after the notification by the display unit 106a, the issuance of the label may be permitted. At that time, in the case of confirmation by an administrator or another worker by a method different from the image determination by the label image, for example, by visual inspection, the information of the administrator and other workers is also recorded as history information.

At the start of the label issuing operation, the label issuing device 10 can perform a calling operation of the issuing instruction input at another time point or acquired through the network NW or the like. For example, the input work can be omitted by calling the history of issuing labels having contents close to the past. In addition, as a label issuing operation, in addition to performing based on the predicted number of sheets before the predetermined time of each delivery flight before the order is confirmed, if the number of orders exceeds the predicted number, additional issuance of the difference from the predicted number is issued after the order is confirmed. May be done. In this case, the same label as the product whose label issuance has been completed in the past will be issued. In any case, it is necessary to judge whether the label has been issued correctly, and further, it is necessary to surely manage the information of the person in charge who confirmed the label. Even in the case of such additional issuance, even if the person in charge is not changed, the process is started from the authentication of the person in charge (S101), the image judgment of the test label (S112), and the storage of the history information. (S114) is performed. At this time, instead of step S107 in FIG. 6, after accepting the previously input calling operation of the issuance instruction, the process proceeds to the image acquisition (S110) of the test label of FIG.

Further, the label issuing device 10 may be able to perform maintenance mode operations and the like in addition to the actual label issuing operation. Even in such a case, a series of processes related to the above-mentioned person in charge authentication may be performed. In this case, in step S107, the transition to the maintenance mode is performed instead of accepting the input of the product information. A series of processes related to the person in charge authentication may be performed based on the pressing of the mode transition button 205.

In addition, the operation to authenticate the person in charge by biometric authentication is performed when it is necessary to identify the person in charge in the operation regardless of the label issuance history, and it is not required in other operations, so that the whole operation is smooth. The person in charge information can be managed reliably while doing the same. For example, this authentication method is not limited to the label issuing device. Metal detectors, X-ray inspection machines, etc. may require input of person in charge identification information and biometric authentication when switching inspection sensitivities (switching by item or identification management based on inspection sensitivity). .. The same applies when changing the inspection sensitivity. In addition, when changing setting items such as the stretch amount and cut amount of the film of the packaging machine, the cutting timing, etc. that cause problems in the packaging finish, even if the person in charge identification information and biometric authentication are required. Good. For example, it is not necessary to request the person in charge identification information and biometric authentication each time the film is exchanged. The necessity of the request may be associated with the operation content and administrator authority.

● Label Issuing System As shown in FIG. 10, the label issuing device 10a may be connected to the management terminal 20 by a network NW, and may form the label issuing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention together with the management terminal 20. The label issuing device 10a is a device having the same hardware configuration as the label issuing device 10 described above and having a part of functions related to software. That is, the above-mentioned software resources possessed by the label issuing device 10 can be distributed or aggregated in the management terminal 20 by an appropriate design, and the hardware resources are also configured as a physically integrated device or a separate device. You can also do it. The management terminal 20 may be a centralized higher-level device or controller, or may have a configuration of an external server connected by a predetermined network.

Further, the label issuing system 1 may be connected to a plurality of label issuing devices via a network NW, and a plurality of label issuing devices may be managed by one management terminal 20. The label issuing device 310a has the same hardware configuration as the label issuing device 310 (see FIG. 12) described above, does not have a label affixing function, and includes some of the functions related to software. Further, the label issuing device 410a is, for example, a desktop labeler installed on a desktop for label printing.

According to such a configuration, the test label 40L can be managed as an image and confirmed on the screen. Further, it is not necessary to attach the test label 40L to the issuance checklist 41, and it is sufficient to print only the necessary ones, so that the consumption of paper can be suppressed. According to the configuration in which a plurality of label issuing devices are connected to one management terminal 20, the test labels issued by the plurality of label issuing devices can be centrally managed and confirmed by the management terminal 20. It is also possible to check the face of the worker by taking a picture of the face of the worker when shooting the iris.

According to the configuration in which the label is attached to the product, it is possible to acquire an image showing the product's pasting status together and confirm whether the labeling is performed correctly by using the image recognition technology. .. The specific processing of image recognition may be the same as the label determination processing, or may be different from each other. The threshold value of the similarity for determining the placement status may be different from the label determination process. Moreover, since these information are stored as historical data, it is easy to search. The search can be performed based on the chain (customer, delivery destination), delivery service, product call number, barcode, identification information of the label issuing device printed with the test label, the manufacturing date of the product, and the like.

● Summary of Embodiments The present invention relates to a label issuing device, a label issuing system, and a label issuing method.

At sites that handle fresh foods and delicatessen foods, the product label is printed with the processing date, manufacturing date, expiration date, expiration date, etc., product name, additives, and price. If the label attached is incorrect, quality problems may occur, and the product cannot be sold. Therefore, convenience vendors such as cooked rice and cooked sweet bread manufacturing factories check the printed contents of the product sticking label and visually check the label before issuing it using a label check sheet or the like.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-66634 discloses a mechanism for managing the printing history of food label issuance.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-67279, in a label issuance information management system in which a plurality of label printers are connected, a label issuance management device that receives a download request for information related to label issuance is a label printer managed by the label printer. It is disclosed to check if there is.

However, since human error is not eliminated, the operation for performing a strict check is insufficient.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reliably manage the history of label issuance.

In order to achieve the above object, the label issuing device according to the present invention includes a product information acquisition means for acquiring product information, an authentication means for authenticating by bioauthentication and identifying the identification information of the person in charge, and the product information acquisition means. When the product information is acquired by the product information acquisition means or when the label is exchanged, the person in charge is provided with the issuing means for printing the label based on the product information acquired in the above authentication means. It is characterized by authenticating.

The person in charge acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the person in charge of inputting the product information, the identification information of the person in charge acquired by the person in charge acquisition means, and the identification information of the person in charge specified by the authentication means. When the identification information acquired by the person in charge acquisition means and the identification information of the person in charge specified by the authentication means do not match, the comparison means is issued. Printing of the label by means may be prohibited.

The person in charge information storage means in which the identification information of the person in charge and the biometric information of the person in charge are stored in association with each other, and the person in charge even if the authentication means refers to the person in charge information storage means. When the identification information of the person cannot be specified, the person in charge information registration means for registering the identification information of the person in charge acquired by the person in charge acquisition means in the person in charge information storage means together with the biometric authentication information of the person in charge. , May be further provided.

The biometric authentication may be further provided with an imaging means, and the biometric authentication may be an iris authentication performed by imaging the iris of the person in charge by the imaging means.

It may be provided with the history information registration means which stores the identification information of the person in charge, the product information, and the label information printed by the issuing means in association with each other in the history information storage means.

The imaging means captures a label issued by the issuing means, compares the label image with a reference image prepared in advance corresponding to the label, and determines whether or not the print information of the label is correct or not. The determination means may be further provided.

When it is determined that the label image and the reference image are different from each other, the determination means may prohibit printing of the label by the issuing means.

In order to achieve the above object, the label issuing method according to another viewpoint of the present invention includes a product information acquisition step for acquiring product information and authentication for authenticating the person in charge by bioauthentication and identifying the identification information of the person in charge. When acquiring product information by the product information acquisition means or exchanging the label, including a step and an issuing step of printing a label based on the product information acquired in the product information acquisition step. In addition, the person in charge is authenticated in the authentication step.

In order to achieve the above object, the label issuing system according to still another aspect of the present invention is a label issuing system including a label issuing device and a management terminal for managing the label issuing device, and acquires product information. Product information acquisition means to be used, authentication means for authenticating the person in charge by biometric authentication and identifying the identification information of the person in charge, and issuing means for printing a label based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means. And, when the product information is acquired by the product information acquisition means, or when the label is exchanged, the person in charge is authenticated by the authentication means.

In order to achieve the above object, the label issuing device according to still another viewpoint of the present invention authenticates the product information acquisition means for acquiring the product information and the person in charge of inputting the product information by biometric authentication, and the person in charge of the label issuing device. Based on the authentication means for specifying the identification information, the first issuing means for test-printing the label based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means, and the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means. It is characterized by comprising a second issuing means for printing a label.

The person in charge acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the person in charge of inputting the product information, the identification information of the person in charge acquired by the person in charge acquisition means, and the identification information of the person in charge specified by the authentication means. When the identification information acquired by the person in charge acquisition means and the identification information of the person in charge specified by the authentication means do not match, the comparison means is further provided. Printing of the label by the issuing means of 2 may be prohibited.

In order to achieve the above object, the label issuing system according to still another aspect of the present invention is a label issuing system including a label issuing device and a management terminal for managing the label issuing device, and acquires product information. The product information acquisition means to be used, the authentication means for authenticating the person in charge by biometric authentication and the identification information of the person in charge, and the test printing of the label based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means. It is characterized by including the first issuing means and the second issuing means for printing a label based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means.

According to the label issuing device, the label issuing method, and the label issuing system according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably manage the label issuing history.

1 Label issuing system 10 Label issuing device 104 Printing unit 132 Imaging unit 133 Authentication unit

Claims (12)

Product information acquisition means for acquiring product information,
Authentication means that authenticates by biometric authentication and identifies the identification information of the person in charge,
It is provided with an issuing means for printing a label based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means.
A label issuing device characterized in that the person in charge is authenticated by the authentication means when the product information is acquired by the product information acquisition means or when the label is exchanged.
The person in charge acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the person in charge of inputting the product information, and
A comparison means for comparing the identification information of the person in charge acquired by the person in charge acquisition means with the identification information of the person in charge specified by the authentication means.
With more
The comparison means prohibits printing of a label by the issuing means when the identification information acquired by the person in charge acquisition means and the identification information of the person in charge specified by the authentication means do not match.
The label issuing device according to claim 1. A person in charge information storage means in which the identification information of the person in charge and the biometric authentication information of the person in charge are stored in association with each other.
When the authentication means cannot identify the identification information of the person in charge even if the person in charge information storage means is referred to, the identification information of the person in charge acquired by the person in charge acquisition means is biometrically authenticated by the person in charge. Along with the information, the person in charge information registration means to be registered in the person in charge information storage means and
Further prepare,
The label issuing device according to claim 2. The biometric authentication is further provided with an imaging means, and the biometric authentication is an iris authentication performed by imaging the iris of a person in charge by the imaging means.
The label issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A claim characterized in that the identification information of the person in charge, the product information, and the history information registration means for storing the product information and the label information printed by the issuing means in the history information storage means in association with each other are provided. The label issuing device according to any one of 1 to 4. The imaging means captures a label issued by the issuing means, compares the label image with a reference image prepared in advance corresponding to the label, and determines whether or not the print information of the label is correct or not. Further equipped with a judgment means,
The label issuing device according to claim 5. When it is determined that the label image and the reference image are different from each other, the determination means prohibits printing of the label by the issuing means.
The label issuing device according to claim 6. Product information acquisition step to acquire product information and
An authentication step that authenticates the person in charge by biometric authentication and identifies the identification information of the person in charge,
An issuing step of printing a label based on the product information acquired in the product information acquisition step, and
Including
When the product information is acquired by the product information acquisition step, or when the label is exchanged, the person in charge is authenticated in the authentication step.
Label issuance method. Label issuing device and
A management terminal that manages the label issuing device and
It is a label issuing system equipped with
Product information acquisition means for acquiring product information,
Authentication means that authenticates the person in charge by biometric authentication and identifies the identification information of the person in charge,
An issuing means that prints a label based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means, and
When the product information is acquired by the product information acquisition means, or when the label is exchanged, the person in charge is authenticated by the authentication means.
It is characterized by having
Label issuing system. Product information acquisition means for acquiring product information,
Authentication means that authenticates the person in charge of inputting product information by biometric authentication and identifies the identification information of the person in charge,
A first issuing means for test printing a label based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means, and
A second issuing means that prints a label based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means, and
It is characterized by having
Label issuing device. The person in charge acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the person in charge of inputting the product information, and
A comparison means for comparing the identification information of the person in charge acquired by the person in charge acquisition means with the identification information of the person in charge specified by the authentication means.
With more
When the identification information acquired by the person in charge acquisition means and the identification information of the person in charge specified by the authentication means do not match, the comparison means has the first issuing means and the second issuing means. Prohibit printing of labels by either of
11. The label issuing device according to claim 11.
Label issuing device and
A management terminal that manages the label issuing device and
It is a label issuing system equipped with
Product information acquisition means for acquiring product information,
Authentication means that authenticates the person in charge by biometric authentication and identifies the identification information of the person in charge,
A first issuing means for test printing a label based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means, and
A second issuing means that prints a label based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means, and
It is characterized by having
Label issuing system.

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