JP2501464B2 - Label printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention is used in the distribution industry such as the supermarket.
The present invention relates to a label printer used for printing product management data such as product name, weight and price on a label attached to a product.

[Prior Art] Generally, this type of printer uses a label roll in which label sheets are attached at regular intervals on a mount. When printing on the label paper, for example, a transmission sensor is arranged in the conveyance path of the label roll, and the detection level of the transmission sensor is compared with a preset threshold value to determine the gap between the label papers. Is detected, and the print position on each label sheet is determined based on the position of this gap. However, when a transmission sensor is used, its detection level varies widely from label roll to label label.
The gap detection threshold must be set each time each label roll is set.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, a mode for automatically setting a threshold value for gap detection is provided, and a change in the detection level of the transmission sensor is monitored at the time of initial feeding after setting the label roll to detect the change as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The position G is recognized as a gap, and a value obtained by adding a constant value Δx to the detection level V _A on the label sheet 1 in the changing direction of the detection level at this time is set as a threshold value Vref.
The position of the gap 1a was detected using ef. Reference numeral 2 in the figure is a mount to which the label paper 1 is attached.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such a conventional printer, the label paper 1
There is no problem if the label is plain, but if the label sheet 1 has the pre-printing section 1a as shown in FIG. 5, the detection level of the pre-printing section 1b changes depending on the initial position of the label sheet 1 with respect to the transmission sensor. There was a problem that was mistakenly recognized as the gap 1a. For example, when the initial position of the label roll with respect to the position S of the transmission sensor is the position shown in FIG. 5 (a), the change in the detection level due to the gap 1a is detected first, so the gap 1a can be correctly recognized. When the initial position of the label roll with respect to the installation position S of the sensor is the position shown in FIG. 5 (a), the change in the detection level by the pre-printing unit 1b is detected first, so this change in the detection level is detected. It is mistakenly recognized as the gap 1a.
Then, when the threshold value Vref is calculated, the constant value Δx is subtracted in the changing direction of the detection level, and as a result, the threshold value Vref is erroneously set.

Therefore, the present invention pays attention to this point and provides a label printer which can always accurately set the threshold value for gap detection even when the label paper has a pre-printing portion.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The present invention uses a label roll in which label sheets are arranged at regular intervals on a backing sheet, and during the feeding of the label roll, a transmission sensor disposed in the feed path is used between the label sheets. In a label printer that detects a gap and determines the print position on each label sheet based on the detected position of the gap, a manual setting mode designating means for designating and inputting a manual setting mode of a threshold value for gap detection, With a threshold manual setting control means, when the threshold manual setting mode is designated by the manual setting mode designating means, the threshold manual setting control means enables manual feeding of the label roll, In addition, when the threshold level setting instruction is input in this state, the detection level of the transmission sensor is input and a predetermined value is set to this detection level. A constant level is calculated, and the calculated value is stored as the threshold value for gap detection.

[Operation] As a result, according to the present invention, if the manual setting mode is designated by the manual setting mode designating means, the label roll can be manually fed, so that the service person or the user's operator manually feeds the label roll. Then, it becomes possible to make the plain part of the label face the transmission sensor. In this state, if a threshold level setting instruction is input with the keyboard, for example, the detection level of the transmission sensor at this time, that is, the plain part of the label paper A fixed value is added to the detection level in and the calculation result is set as the threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to always set the threshold value for gap detection accurately, even if the label sheet has the pre-printing section.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. This printer is
Roll feed mechanism for feeding label rolls
11, a printing unit 12 including, for example, a thermal recording head, and a printing control unit 13 that drives and controls the printing unit 12.
Then, the roll feed mechanism 11 feeds the label roll and guides it to the printing unit 12, and the printing unit 12 prints the product management data on each label paper 1. Further, this label printer is provided with a transmission sensor 14 in the feed path of the label roll, and a detection signal of the transmission sensor 14 is converted into a digital signal by an analog / digital (A / D) converter 15 and controlled. Leads to Part 10. Then, based on the detection signal, the control unit 10 causes each label sheet 1
The gap 1a between them is detected, and each label sheet 1 is positioned with respect to the printing portion 1 from that position. Reference numeral 16 is a memory for storing product management data and the like, and 17 is a communication control unit for exchanging control data with, for example, a personal computer.

By the way, the label printer of the present embodiment has a key input unit 18
, A key switch (SW1) 18a for specifying the manual setting mode of the threshold for gap detection, and a setting key (SW2) for inputting the threshold setting instruction in the state where the manual setting mode is specified. 18b and respectively. Also,
The control unit 10 has, for example, a microcomputer, and is provided with a threshold automatic setting control unit 10a and a threshold manual setting control unit 10b in addition to various control units related to label feeding and printing. . Of these, the threshold automatic setting control means 10a, when a new label roll is set, automatically feeds this label roll and inputs the detection signal of the transmission sensor 14 at this time, Gap 1a at the first level change point
Recognize as. Then, a constant value Δx is added in the level change direction of the detection signal when the gap 1a is recognized, and the calculated value is used as the threshold value for gap detection. On the other hand, the threshold manual setting control means 10b
Is the roll feed mechanism when the threshold manual setting mode is specified by the key switch 18a of the key input unit 18.
11 is set to a non-operating state so that the label roll can be manually fed. Then, when the threshold value setting key 18b is pressed by the key input unit 18 in the state where the plain portion of the label sheet 1 is manually aligned with the transmission sensor 14, the detection signal of the transmission sensor S at this time is input. Then, a constant value Δx is added to the detection level, and this calculated value is used as a threshold value for gap detection.

Next, the operation of the label printer configured as described above will be described according to the control procedure of the control unit 10. When the label roll is not set, the control unit 10 repeatedly monitors the designation operation of the automatic setting mode and the designation operation of the manual setting mode in steps 3a and 3b as shown in FIG. 3 (a).

In this state, for example, if a service person or a user's operator operates a key switch (not shown) for specifying the automatic setting mode of the key input unit 18, the control unit 10 determines that the threshold automatic setting mode is specified. After the judgment, the control in the automatic setting mode is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the threshold value setting mode flag is first set to "automatic" in step 3h. Then, when the label roll is set at a predetermined position of the printer by the service person or the user, the control unit 10 drives the roll feed mechanism 1 in step 3i to start the initial feed of the label roll, and In parallel with this, in step 3j, the detection signal of the transmission sensor 14 is input via the A / D converter 15. Then, in step 3k, the level change of the detection signal of the transmission sensor 14 is monitored, the first level change is regarded as the level change due to the gap 1a, and the process proceeds to step 3l, where the direction of change of the detection level is determined. And step 3m
The threshold value Vref is obtained by adding a constant value Δx to the detection level V _A in the plain portion of the label sheet 1 in the changing direction of the detection level, and this threshold value Vref is used for gap detection in the control unit 10 in step 3n. Store in the register inside. Then, thereafter, in the print mode, the position of the gap 1a between the label sheets 1 can be detected by comparing the detection signal level of the transmission sensor 14 with this threshold value Vref, and based on the detected position of the gap 1a. Thus, the print position on each label sheet 1 can be found. Although the automatic setting mode as described above is applicable only when the label paper 1 is plain, the threshold value can be set by a simple operation of setting the label roll.

On the other hand, in order to manually set the threshold value, a service person or a user
When 18a is operated, the control unit 10 detects this in step 3b and moves to step 3c, in which the threshold setting mode flag is first set to "manual" and the roll feed mechanism is set.
Set 11 to inactive state. Therefore, the label roll can be manually fed freely. In this state, the service person or the user's operator manually feeds the label roll, thereby positioning the label sheet 1 so that the plain portion of the label sheet 1 faces the transmission sensor 14 as shown by S in FIG. Then, when this positioning is completed, the setting key 18b of the key input unit 18 is operated. Then, the control unit 10 detects the operation of the setting key 18b in step 3d and shifts to step 3e. In step 3e, the transmission sensor 14
The detection signal of is input through the A / d converter 15. Then
The detection level V _A in the plain portion of the label sheet 1 is obtained. Then, the control unit 10 determines this detection level V _{A in} step 3f.
Is added with a constant value Δx set in advance, and this calculated value is used as a gap detection threshold value Vref in step 3g.
Store in the register inside. Thus, the threshold is manually set.

Then, if the printing mode is set by the key input unit 18 after the threshold value is set, the gap 1a between the label papers 1 is detected based on the threshold value, and each label paper 1 is detected.
The print position of is cued.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, as the mode for setting the threshold value for gap detection, the pre-printing unit 1b is provided by providing the manual setting mode in addition to the automatic setting mode conventionally used. Even in the case of the label paper 1 having the above, it becomes possible to accurately set the threshold value by selecting the manual setting mode, and thus it is possible to always perform accurate printing. Also, by using the automatic setting mode together, it is possible to set the threshold value for the plain label paper 1 without the pre-printing section 1b by using the automatic setting mode as in the conventional case, which makes it efficient and easy. You can set the threshold value.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the roll feed mechanism is provided with a knob for manual adjustment, and the transmission sensor 14 is operated by rotating this knob.
The label sheet 1 may be positioned with respect to. This makes it possible to set the initial position of the label paper more easily and accurately. Further, a mark or the like indicating the installation position of the transmission sensor may be displayed on the outer wall portion of the printer casing, and the label paper may be positioned on this mark. Further, the automatic setting mode may be set when the mode specifying operation is not performed, and the manual setting mode may be set only when the mode specifying operation is performed, or vice versa. You may. The manual setting mode and the automatic setting mode may be designated by an external control device such as a personal computer. Other,
The control procedure and control contents of the control unit, the shape of the label paper, the form of the pre-printing unit, and the like can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is provided with a manual setting mode designating means for designating and inputting a manual setting mode of the gap detection threshold value and a threshold value manual setting control means. When the manual threshold setting mode is designated by the manual setting mode designating means, the manual feed of the label roll is enabled by the manual threshold setting control means, and the threshold level setting instruction is given in this state. Is input, the detection level of the transmission sensor is input, a predetermined constant level is calculated for this detection level, and this calculated value is stored as the threshold value for the gap detection. Even if there is a pre-printing section in
It is possible to provide a label printer that can always accurately set a threshold value for gap detection.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram used for explaining the operation of the printer, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure and control contents of a control unit. 4 and 5 are views for explaining a conventional label printer. 1 ... Label paper, 1a ... Gap, 1b ... Pre-printing section, 2 ... Mount, 10 ... Control section, 10a ... Threshold automatic setting control means, 10b ... Threshold manual setting control means , 11
...... Roll feed mechanism, 12 ...... Printing section, 13 ...... Printing section control section, 14 ...... Transmission sensor, 15 ...... Analog / digital (A / D) converter, 16 ...... Memory, 17 ...... Communication control Part, 1
8: Key input section, 18a: Key switch for specifying the manual setting mode, 18b: Setting key, Vref: Threshold value.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A label roll in which label sheets are arranged at regular intervals on a mount, a gap between label sheets is detected by a transmission sensor disposed in the feed path during feeding of the label roll. In a label printer that determines the print position on each label sheet based on the detection position, a means for specifying a manual setting mode of a threshold value for gap detection and a threshold means setting mode are specified by this means. In the case where the label roll is manually fed and a threshold level setting instruction is input in this state, the detection level of the transmission sensor is input and a predetermined constant level is calculated for this detection level. A label pre-setting means for storing a calculated value as the threshold value for gap detection. Data.