JP5095838B2 - Label printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label printer that includes two printing units, performs printing on a label temporarily attached to a mount in each printing unit, and peels off and issues the printed label.

  Conventionally, in a store such as a supermarket, a label on which information such as a product name, a selling price, and a weight is printed using a label printer and is attached to a product or a shelf label. As an example of a label printer, a microcomputer, a first printer unit connected to the microcomputer via a first printer interface (“first printer engine” in Patent Document 1), and a microcomputer connected via a second printer interface A second printer unit is provided, and by causing the microcomputer to drive and control one or both of the printer units according to a specified operation from the keyboard or touch panel, the label can be printed from either printer unit. (For example, Patent Document 1).

  In the label issuing machine described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to efficiently print and issue labels by simultaneously driving and controlling two print heads. However, since a large amount of power is consumed in the print head, it is necessary to use a large power source or newly provide a power source in order to drive the label issuing machine.

  Here, in the label printer described in Patent Document 1, a switch circuit is provided between the microcomputer and each printer interface, and the output destination of the control signal output from the microcomputer is switched by the switch circuit, and either printer is used. It is also conceivable to reduce power consumption by driving only the print head of the unit. However, in this case, no operation is performed in the other printer unit while one printer unit is being driven, and the label cannot be printed efficiently even though two printer units are provided. .

  An object of the present invention is to efficiently issue and print labels while suppressing power consumption in a label printer that includes two printing units and can print and issue labels from two locations.

The label printer of the present invention has printed the first and second printing units, the first and image memories, and the label issuing port of the first printing unit in a state where image data is stored in the image memory. If it is determined that the label has been removed, the unprinted label is positioned at the printing position, and immediately after the printing of the second printing unit is completed, the printing of the first printing unit is performed on the image data stored in the image memory. Starts printing, and prints for one label. If it is determined that the printed label has been removed from the label issuing port of the second printing unit in a state where image data is stored in the image memory, no printing is performed. positioning the label printing position, after completion of printing of the first print unit, immediately printing the the image data stored in the image memory by starting the printing of the second print unit 1 label content And a control unit for controlling the Migihitsuji.

According to the present invention, when it is determined that the printed label has been removed from the label issuing port of the first printing unit while the image data is stored in the image memory, the unprinted label is positioned at the printing position, Immediately after the printing of the second printing section, the first printing section starts printing the image data stored in the image memory, and one label is printed, and the image data is stored in the image memory. When it is determined that the printed label has been removed from the label issuing port of the second printing unit, the unprinted label is positioned at the printing position and immediately stored in the image memory after the printing of the first printing unit is completed. In a label printer that has two printing sections and can print and issue labels from two locations since it starts printing the second printing section for image data and prints one label. While suppressing the power consumption, the label can be efficiently printed issued by shortening the time required for issuing the operation of the label.

1 is an external perspective view of a label printer. It is a schematic longitudinal side view of a 1st mechanical unit. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a label printer. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the label issuing process performed about a 1st mechanical unit. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the label issuing process performed about a 2nd mechanical unit. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement of a thermal head (a 1st thermal head, a 2nd thermal head) and a conveyance mechanism (a 1st conveyance mechanism, a 2nd conveyance mechanism) when a printed label is printed and issued in a label printer.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the label printer 101. The label printer 101 includes a housing 102 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An operation panel 103 and a liquid crystal display 104 as a display unit are provided on the upper surface of the housing 102. An opening is formed on the front side of the housing 102, and a first mechanical unit 105 serving as a printing unit located on the right side and a second mechanical unit 105a serving as a printing unit located on the left side are formed therein. Stored side by side. A front panel 106 is attached to the front side of both the first mechanical unit 105 and the second mechanical unit 105a. The front panel 106 has a label issuing port 107 formed on the upper side and a handle 108 on the lower side. A pair of rails 125 (see FIG. 2) extending horizontally from the opening to the back side are provided below the inside of the housing 102, and slidably support the first mechanical unit 105 and the second mechanical unit 105a. ing. For this reason, the operator can hold the handle 108 of the front panel 106 and pull out or store the first mechanical unit 105 and the second mechanical unit 105a from the housing 102.

  In FIG. 1, a device disposed adjacent to the front surface of the label printer 101 is a weighing device 109. The weighing device 109 includes a flat main body device 110 and a weighing pan 111 attached to the upper surface of the main body device 110. The main unit 110 has a function of weighing the item placed on the weighing pan 111 and outputting the weighing data. The label printer 101 and the weighing device 109 are electrically connected. The weighing data output from the weighing device 109 is input to the label printer 101.

  In FIG. 1, in the first mechanical unit 105 located on the right side, the printed label 116 is waiting in a state where the printed label 116 protrudes to the front side of the label printer 101 through the label issuing port 107, and the second mechanical unit located on the left side. The unit 105a shows a state where it is removed from the label issuing port 107. The operator can take out the printed label 116 waiting in a state of being pushed out from the label issuing port 107 and affix it to a product or a shelf label. Since the label printer 101 has two label issuing ports 107, the operator can take out the printed label 116 from any of the label issuing ports 107.

When the printed label 116 is removed, the first mechanical unit 105 and the second mechanical unit 105a
(1) When the transport mechanism 127 (see FIG. 2) is driven, the label paper 112 (see FIG. 2) back-feeds along the guide path 121 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the unprinted label 113 (see FIG. 2). 2) is positioned at a predetermined printing position PP (see FIG. 2),
(2) Printing is performed on the label 113 from the thermal head 126 in a state where the unprinted label 113 is positioned at the printing position PP.
(3) A new printed label 116 generated by printing is transported toward the label issuing port 107 by driving the transport mechanism 127, and is peeled off by the peeling mechanism 122 (see FIG. 2) during the transport. Thus, the operation of pressing out from the label issuing port 107 is performed, and the printed label 116 is peeled and issued. The label paper 112 is back-fed before printing on the unprinted label 113 by transporting the printed label 116 to the label issuing port 107 so that the printed label 116 is adjacent to the printed label 116 and then printed. This is because the unprinted label 113 for which printing is performed is positioned at a position different from the print position PP on the downstream side of the guide path 121 with respect to the print position PP.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal side view of the first mechanical unit 105. The label paper 112 used in the label printer 101 is obtained by temporarily attaching a plurality of labels 113 to a long mount 114 in a row and winding the paper around a paper tube 115 in a roll. As the label 113, a heat-sensitive label that develops color when heated is used. As a matter of course, the plurality of labels 113 included in the label paper 112 are all unprinted.

  The first mechanical unit 105 includes a paper holding shaft 117 as a paper holding unit for holding the label paper 112, a platen 118, a mount winding shaft 119 for winding the mount 114 included in the label paper 112, and a peeling mechanism 122. I have. When the first mechanical unit 105 is pulled out from the housing 102, these parts are exposed to the outside. Among these parts, the sheet holding shaft 117, the platen 118, and the mount winding shaft 119 are attached to the side wall 120 of the first mechanical unit 105 in a cantilever state. Then, the sheet holding shaft 117, the platen 118, and the mount winding shaft 119 pass the guide path 121 of the label sheet 112 from the sheet holding shaft 117 through the platen 118 to the mount winding shaft 119 into the first mechanical unit 105. Form. Here, the peeling mechanism 122 is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream side of the platen 118 in the guide path 121, and bends only the mount 114 of the label sheet 112 conveyed along the guide path 121 at an acute angle in a direction to separate from the label 113. . A printed label 116 on which printing has been performed by a thermal head 126 (described later) by this peeling mechanism 122 is peeled off from the mount 114, and the label issuing port 107 located downstream of the guide path 121 with respect to the thermal head 126. The label issuing port 107 approaches the front side of the label printer 101. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the printed label 116 is peeled off from the mount 114 and protrudes from the label issuing port 107 to the front side of the label printer 101. On the other hand, the mount 114 is guided to the mount take-up shaft 119 after being bent by the peeling mechanism 122 and is taken up by the mount take-up shaft 119. Therefore, the peeling mechanism 122 and the mount winding shaft 119 are positioned at positions where the mount winding shaft 119 winds the mount 114 and bends the mount 114 at an acute angle at the portion of the peeling mechanism 122.

  The paper holding shaft 117 is a pipe-like member, is supported horizontally in a cantilevered state on the side wall 120, and can hold the label paper 112 with the paper tube 115 inserted. The end surface 123 facing the opposite side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 2) rather than the side wall 120 side (the back side of the paper in FIG. 2) of the label paper 112 held in this way is pressed by the paper pressing mechanism 124. ing. The paper pressing mechanism 124 regulates the movement of the label paper 112 in the width direction (axial direction of the paper holding shaft 117) by pressing the end surface 123 of the label paper 112, and when the paper pressing mechanism 124 is pulled out along the guide path 121. The skew of the label paper 112 is prevented.

  The platen 118 is disposed on the lower side with respect to the guide route 121. The platen 118 rotates by receiving a driving force from a PM motor 130 (see FIG. 3) that rotates in both forward and reverse directions through a gear train (not shown), and applies a conveying force to the label paper 112 on the guide path 121. Then, the label sheet 112 held on the sheet holding shaft 117 is pulled out along the guide path 121. As described above, the platen 118 and the gear train function as a transport mechanism 127 that transports the label paper 112 along the guide path 121.

  The mount winding shaft 119 is rotated by receiving a driving force from a DC motor 131 (see FIG. 3) via a gear train (not shown) arranged on the back side of the side wall 120, and passes through the peeling mechanism 122. Of the label paper 112, only the mount 114 is taken up. These mount winding shafts 119 and gear trains also function as the transport mechanism 127 described above.

  A thermal head 126 as a print head and a sensor 128 are disposed above the housing 102. The thermal head 126 is a line-type thermal print head, and is attached at a position facing the platen 118 when the first mechanical unit 105 is housed in the housing 102. In response to a control signal output from the thermal head control circuit 207 (see FIG. 3), the thermal head 126 drives the heating elements (not shown) provided in a row on the thermal head 126 to generate heat, and guide paths Printing is performed on an unprinted label 113 of the label sheet 112 guided and conveyed 121. The print position PP is determined in the guide path 121 by the position where the thermal head 126 is disposed.

  The sensor 128 senses the presence / absence of the printed label 116 positioned at the label issuing port 107. The electric signal output from the sensor 128 functions as a sensing result, and is input to the microcomputer 201 (see FIG. 3) as the main control unit via the sensor input circuit. As an example, the sensor 128 is a reflective optical sensor that includes a light projecting element and a light receiving element that are disposed on the front side of the label printer 101 with respect to the thermal head 126. In this case, the light projecting element emits detection light toward the printed label 116 which is conveyed along the guide path 121 and positioned at the label issuing port 107 and protrudes from the label issuing port 107. An electric signal corresponding to the light receiving state of the detection light reflected by the printed label 116 is output.

  The first mechanical unit 105 located on the right side when viewed from the front side of the label printer 101 has been described above with reference to FIG. The other second mechanical unit 105a has the same structure as the first mechanical unit 105. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a prefix “first” is attached to each part of the first mechanical unit 105. Further, the prefix “second” is added to each part such as the thermal head and the platen provided in the second mechanical unit 105a, and “a” is added to the end of the code.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the label printer 101. The label printer 101 includes a microcomputer 201 as a main control unit that includes a CPU 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, and an ASIC 205. The CPU 202 executes arithmetic processing. The ROM 203 stores fixed data. The RAM 204 stores variable data in a rewritable manner and is used as a work area for various processes performed by the microcomputer 201. The ASIC 205 is an integrated circuit designed so that the CPU 202 can execute various processes including a label issuing process (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The microcomputer 201 of the present embodiment configured as described above can be executed in parallel while switching a plurality of processes. For this reason, the microcomputer 201 performs in parallel the label issuing process (see FIG. 4) performed on the first mechanical unit 105 and the label issuing process (see FIG. 5) performed on the second mechanical unit 105a. be able to.

  The microcomputer 201 includes a thermal head power circuit 206, a thermal head control circuit 207 as a head control circuit, a switch circuit 208, a first PM motor driver 210, a first DC motor driver 211, a second PM motor driver 210a, a second DC motor driver 211a, The first sensor input circuit 215 and the second sensor input circuit 215a are connected to each other.

  The thermal head power supply circuit 206 is a circuit that supplies power to the first thermal head 126 and the second thermal head 126a. The thermal head control circuit 207 is a circuit configured to control both the first thermal head 126 and the second thermal head 126a. The switch circuit 208 receives a control signal such as an enable signal from the microcomputer 201, so that the power supply destination of the thermal head power supply circuit 206 and the control target of the thermal head control circuit 207 are controlled by the first thermal head 126 and the second thermal head. 126a is a circuit that selectively selects any one of 126a. As the switch circuit 208, a gate IC for COMS or TTL can be adopted when a CMOS level signal is used as a control signal, and an analog switch is adopted when an analog signal is used as a control signal. be able to. That is, as the switch circuit 208, one according to the level of the control signal output from the microcomputer 201 is employed.

  The first PM motor driver 210 is a circuit that controls the first PM motor 130 provided in the first mechanical unit 105. The first DC motor driver 211 is a circuit that controls the first DC motor 131 provided in the first mechanical unit 105. That is, the first PM motor driver 210 and the first DC motor driver 211 constitute the first motor driver 214 and are the first PM motor 130 and the first DC motor that are the drive sources of the first transport mechanism 127 provided in the first mechanical unit 105. 131 is controlled.

  The second PM motor driver 210a is a circuit that controls the second PM motor 130a provided in the second mechanical unit 105a. The second DC motor driver 211a is a circuit that controls the second DC motor 131a provided in the second mechanical unit 105a. That is, the second PM motor driver 210a and the second DC motor driver 211a constitute the second motor driver 214a, and the second PM motor 130a and the second DC motor, which are driving sources of the second transport mechanism 127a provided in the second mechanical unit 105a. 131a is controlled.

  The first sensor input circuit 215 outputs a digital signal corresponding to the electrical signal output from the first sensor 128 provided in the first mechanical unit 105 to the microcomputer 201. Based on this digital signal, the microcomputer 201 determines whether the printed label 116 has been removed from the first label issuing port 107. The second sensor input circuit 215a outputs a digital signal corresponding to the electrical signal output from the second sensor 128a included in the second mechanical unit 105a to the microcomputer 201. The microcomputer 201 determines whether or not the printed label 116 has been removed from the second label issuing port 107a based on the digital signal.

  The microcomputer 201 is also connected to the image memory 217 and the communication interface 218. The communication interface 218 implements data communication between the label printer 101 and an information processing device such as the weighing device 109 (see FIG. 1) connected thereto. The microcomputer 201 performs processing for converting the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus such as the weighing device 109 into image data, developing the image data in the image memory 217, and storing the image data. An example of the print data is the weighing data of the item placed on the weighing pan 111 output from the main body device 110 of the weighing device 109.

  By the way, the label printer 101 of the present embodiment includes two thermal heads 126 (first thermal head 126 and second thermal head 126a), and there is one thermal head control circuit 207 for driving them. Only have. Therefore, in the label printer 101 according to the present embodiment, the microcomputer 201 controls the switch circuit 208 and switches the output destination of the control signal output from the thermal head control circuit 207, whereby each thermal head 126 (first thermal head 126). The head 126 and the second thermal head 126a) are alternatively driven, and the printed label 116 can be printed and issued from any of the mechanical units (the first mechanical unit 105 and the second mechanical unit 105a). What is important here is the timing of the printing operation for the unprinted label 113 in each mechanical unit (first mechanical unit 105, second mechanical unit 105a). That is, in the label printer 101 of the present embodiment, as described above, when the printed label 116 is peeled off and positioned at the label issuing port 107, the next printing is performed next to the printed label 116. Label 113 is positioned at a position different from the print position PP. Therefore, in order to print and issue the printed label 116 in each mechanical unit (the first mechanical unit 105 and the second mechanical unit 105a), the thermal head 126 (the first thermal head 126 and the second thermal head 126a). Prior to the printing process for the unprinted label 113 by driving, a process for positioning the unprinted label 113 at the printing position PP must be executed. In this regard, in the label printer 101 of the present embodiment, the label issuing process (FIGS. 4 and 5) described below is performed, so that the printed label 116 is efficiently printed and issued.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of label issuing processing performed for the first mechanical unit 105. The label issuing process shown in FIG. 4 is configured by performing a label positioning process (steps S101 to S102) and a print issuing process (steps S103 to 105) in succession. The microcomputer 201 determines whether or not the printed label 116 positioned at the first label issuing port 107 has been removed based on the sensing result of the first sensor 128 while the image data is stored in the image memory 217. (Step S101). If it is determined that the printed label 116 has been removed (Y in step S101), the microcomputer 201 controls the first motor driver 214 to drive the first PM motor 130 and the first DC motor 131, and thereby the first label sheet. A process of positioning the unprinted label 113 on the most downstream side of 112 at the print position PP on the first guide path 121 is performed (step S102). More specifically, in step S102, the microcomputer 201 controls the first motor driver 214 to back-feed the first label paper 112 in the upstream direction of the first guide path 121 and print the unprinted label 113. A process of driving the first PM motor 130 and the first DC motor 131 so as to be positioned at the position PP is performed.

  As a subsequent process, the microcomputer 201 waits for the process while controlling the thermal head control circuit 207 to drive the second thermal head 126a and waits for the end of the control (Y in step S103), and then the thermal head. If the control circuit 207 is not controlled and the second thermal head 126a is not driven (N in step S103), the control signal of the thermal head control circuit 207 is input to the first thermal head 126 immediately. The switch circuit 208 is controlled to switch the output destination of the control signal of the thermal head control circuit 207 (step S104). In step S <b> 104, the microcomputer 201 inputs a control signal such as an enable signal to the switch circuit 208 to switch the output destination of the control signal.

  As a subsequent process, the microcomputer 201 controls the thermal head control circuit 207 to output a control signal to the first thermal head 126 (step S105). In step S105, the microcomputer 201 outputs data line by line from the image data stored in the image memory 217 to the thermal head control circuit 207, and generates a thermal head heating element corresponding to the dot pattern of each line (FIG. The thermal head control circuit 207 is controlled to output a control signal for driving the heat generation (not shown). Further, the microcomputer 201 controls the first motor driver 214 so as to convey the label 113 on which the printing is performed to the downstream side of the first guide path 121 while performing control on the thermal head control circuit 207. The microcomputer 201 controls the thermal head control circuit 207 to perform printing for one label, and then controls the first motor driver 214 to drive the PM motor 130 and the DC motor 131 to peel off the printed label 116. By separating by the mechanism 122 and positioning it at a position where it protrudes from the first label issuing port 107 to the front side of the label printer 101, the process of step S105 is completed, and a series of label issuing processes are completed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of label issuing processing performed for the second mechanical unit 105a. The label issuing process shown in FIG. 5 is also configured by performing a label positioning process (steps S201 to S202) and a print issuing process (steps S203 to 205) in succession. The microcomputer 201 determines whether or not the printed label 116 positioned at the second label issuing port 107a has been removed based on the sensing result of the second sensor 128a while the image data is stored in the image memory 217. (Step S201). If it is determined that the printed label 116 has been removed (Y in step S201), the microcomputer 201 controls the second motor driver 214a to drive the second PM motor 130a and the second DC motor 131a, and thereby the second label sheet. A process of positioning the unprinted label 113 on the most downstream side of 112a at the print position PP on the second guide path 121a is performed (step S202). More specifically, in step S202, the microcomputer 201 controls the second motor driver 214a to back-feed the second label sheet 112a in the upstream direction of the second guide path 121a and print this unprinted label 113. A process of driving the second PM motor 130a and the second DC motor 131a so as to be positioned at the position PP is performed.

  As a subsequent process, the microcomputer 201 controls the thermal head control circuit 207 to drive the first thermal head 126, waits for the process, and waits for the end of the control (Y in step S203). When the control circuit 207 is not controlled and the first thermal head 126 is not driven (N in step S203), the control signal of the thermal head control circuit 207 is input to the second thermal head 126a immediately. The switch circuit 208 is controlled to switch the output destination of the control signal of the thermal head control circuit 207 (step S204). In step S <b> 204, the microcomputer 201 switches the output destination of the control signal by inputting a control signal such as an enable signal to the switch circuit 208.

  As a subsequent process, the microcomputer 201 controls the thermal head control circuit 207 to output a control signal to the second thermal head 126a (step S205). In the process of step S205, the microcomputer 201 controls the second motor driver 214a while controlling the thermal head control circuit 207 and controls the label 113 downstream of the second guide path 121a as in step S105 of FIG. The process of step S205 is performed by separating the printed label 116 by the peeling mechanism 122 after the printing for one label is completed, and positioning it at a position where it protrudes from the second label issuing port 107a to the front side of the label printer 101. Is completed, and a series of label issuing processes is completed.

  In the label printer 101 according to the present embodiment, the control signal output from the thermal head control circuit 207 is obtained by switching the switch circuit 208 by performing the label issuing process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. 126 and the second thermal head 126a are not transmitted simultaneously, but are transmitted only to either the first thermal head 126 or the second thermal head 126a. For this reason, in the label printer 101 of the present embodiment, both the first thermal head 126 and the second thermal head 126a are not driven at the same time, so that power consumption is suppressed.

  Further, in the label printer 101 according to the present embodiment, the label issuing process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is performed, so that the label sheet 112 ( The transport operation of the first label paper 112 and the second label paper 112a) is performed regardless of the driving state of the thermal head of the other mechanical unit. This is because the label printer 101 of the present embodiment has a first motor driver 214 for driving the first PM motor 130 and the first DC motor 131 provided in the first mechanical unit 105, and a second PM motor provided in the second mechanical unit 105a. 130a and the second motor driver 214a for driving the second DC motor 131a are provided separately from the thermal head control circuit 207 without passing through the switch circuit 208, and the microcomputer 201 is in a state of the switch circuit 208. This is because the first PM motor 130 and the first DC motor 131 can be controlled regardless.

  In the label printer 101 of this embodiment, the label issuing process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is performed, and the printed label 116 is removed in one mechanical unit, and the unprinted label 113 is stored in the mechanical unit. After being positioned at the print position PP on the guide route 121 (step S102, step S202), the driving state of the other thermal head is determined (step S103, step S203). If the printing operation is finished in the other mechanical unit and the other thermal head is not driven, the label printer 101 immediately prints on the unprinted label 113 positioned at the printing position PP (step S103). N, N in step S203. If the printing operation is performed in the mechanical unit and the other thermal head is driven, printing is performed on the unprinted label 113 positioned at the printing position PP immediately after the end of the driving (in step S103). Y, Y of step S203). This point will be described based on a time chart (FIG. 6) shown below.

  FIG. 6 shows the thermal head 126 (first thermal head 126, second thermal head 126a) and the transport mechanism 127 (first transport mechanism 127, second transport mechanism) when the printed label 116 is issued by the label printer 101. 127a) is a timing chart showing the operation with. In FIG. 6, the state in which the removal of the printed label 116 from the label issuing port 107 (label issuing port 107, second label issuing port 107a) is sensed is denoted by S, and an unprinted label 113 is printed following this sensing. The state in which the transport mechanism 127 (first transport mechanism 127, second transport mechanism 127a) is back-feed driven so as to be positioned at the position PP is denoted by BF, and the thermal head 126 (first thermal head 126, second thermal head 126a). The state in which is driven is indicated by symbol P, respectively.

  Assume that at the timing shown in FIG. 6, the operator takes out the printed label 116 that protrudes from the first label issuing port 107 of the first mechanical unit 105 or the second label issuing port 107a of the second mechanical unit 105a. First, the printed label 116 is taken out from the second label issuing port 107a of the second mechanical unit 105a (time point T1), and the unprinted label 113 is positioned at the print position PP in the second mechanical unit 105a (time point). In T2), the first thermal head 126 is still being driven. In the second mechanical unit 105a, the operation is stopped until time T3 when the driving of the first thermal head 126 is completed. Then, when the driving of the first thermal head 126 is finished and the printed label 116 is pushed out to the first label issuing port 107 and the printing operation is finished in the first mechanical unit 105 (time point T3), the second mechanical unit 105a. Then, the second thermal head 126a is immediately driven to perform a printing operation on the unprinted label 113. Here, when the operator takes out the printed label 116 immediately after the printed label 116 is pushed out from the first label issuing port 107 (time T4), the first mechanical unit 105 causes the first label issuing port 107 to be removed. The sensing S for taking out the printed label 116 at, and the back feed drive BF of the transport mechanism 127 for positioning the unprinted label 113 at the printing position PP are continuously performed, and the printing operation P of the second thermal head 126a is performed. Immediately after the end, the first mechanical unit 105 starts the printing operation P for the unprinted label 113 (time T5). As described above, as indicated by reference numeral Z1 in FIG. 6, when the operator sequentially takes out printed labels 116 to be printed and issued from the label printer 101, the first label issuing port 107 and the second label issuing port 107a are used. The printed labels 116 are alternately approaching. If the printed label 116 is taken out in such a procedure, the operator can stick the printed label 116 to the product or the shelf label one after another very efficiently.

  In contrast, as indicated by reference numeral Z2 in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the operator takes out the printed label 116 in a row only from one of the label issuing ports 107. In this case, no operation is performed in the other mechanical unit. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the printed label 116 is taken out from the second label issuing port 107a (time T6), and then the unprinted label 113 is positioned at the print position PP (time T7). Immediately, the second mechanical unit 105a performs printing on the unprinted label 113. If the printed label 116 is removed from the first label issuing port 107 of the other first mechanical unit 105 during this printing (time T9), the first mechanical unit 105 uses the second thermal head 126a. The driving of the first thermal head 126 is performed at the timing when the driving of (1) is completed (time T10).

  As described above, in the label printer 101 of the present embodiment, the switch circuit 208 is provided to selectively switch the output destination of the control signal of the thermal head control circuit 207, so that the first thermal head 126 and the second thermal head 126 are switched. The head 126a is not driven at the same time, the maximum value of the power consumed by the label printer 101 is reduced, and it is not necessary to increase the power supply mounted on the label printer 101, and it is also necessary to secure a new power supply. Absent.

  In the label printer 101 of the present embodiment, a motor driver (not shown) that drives the PM motor 130 and the DC motor 131 of each mechanical unit (first mechanical unit 105, second mechanical unit 105a) separately from the thermal head control circuit 207. By providing the first motor driver 214 and the second motor driver 214a), the unprinted label 113 can be positioned at the print position PP regardless of the driving state of the thermal head of one of the mechanical units. The time required can be shortened and the printed label 116 can be printed and issued efficiently.

  Further, in the label printer 101 according to the present embodiment, the operation of positioning the unprinted label 113 to the print position PP and the print operation are performed in the mechanical unit from which the printed label 116 has been removed first. Since the operation is performed at the end of the printing operation for the unprinted label 113 in the other mechanical unit, the operator issues the two label issuing ports 107 (the first label issuing port 107 and the second label issuing port 107a). By alternately taking out the printed label 116, the first mechanical unit 105 and the second mechanical unit 105a are continuously driven alternately, increasing the printing efficiency of the printed label 116 and improving the efficiency of labeling work. be able to.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Label printer, 105 ... 1st mechanical unit (printing part), 105a ... 2nd mechanical unit (printing part), 107 ... Label issuing port, 112 ... Label paper, 113 ... Unprinted label, 114 ... Mount, 116 ... Printed label, 121 ... guide path, 122 ... peeling mechanism, 126 ... thermal head (printing head), 127 ... conveying mechanism, 128 ... sensor, 130 ... PM motor (conveying motor), 131 ... DC motor (conveying motor) ), 201..., Microcomputer (main control unit), 207... Thermal head control circuit (head control circuit), 208... Switch circuit, 214... First motor driver, 214 a.

JP 2000-020829 (paragraph numbers 0016, 0025, FIG. 1 and FIG. 7)

Claims (2)

First and second printing sections;
Image memory,
When it is determined that the printed label has been removed from the label issuing port of the first printing unit while the image data is stored in the image memory, the unprinted label is positioned at the printing position, and the second printing is performed. Immediately after the printing of the image is completed, the image data stored in the image memory starts to be printed by the first printing unit to print one label, and the image data is stored in the image memory. When it is determined that the printed label has been removed from the label issuing port of the second printing unit, the unprinted label is positioned at the printing position, and immediately after the printing of the first printing unit is completed, the image memory stores A control unit that controls printing of one label by starting printing of the second printing unit with respect to stored image data;
Label printer with.   The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls to drive a printing unit from which a printed label has been removed first.

Images