JP5757743B2 - Verification device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a verification device that verifies print information by reading print information such as barcodes and characters printed on a print medium.

  In a printer that prints printing information such as barcodes and characters on labels and tags, as a print medium (hereinafter also referred to as “paper”), for example, a predetermined length on a long strip (separator) A label continuum in which labels are temporarily attached at a predetermined interval or a strip-shaped sheet for tag production is used. Further, in order to verify whether or not the print information has been correctly printed on the paper, a printer having a verification device that reads the print information printed on the paper using a scanner and verifies the print information is also known. Yes.

  However, when the verification device is integrated with the printer, there is a problem that the entire device becomes large. In addition, since the verification device integrated with the printer is dedicated to the printer, it has poor versatility. When a verification device is provided for each printer, the cost of the device increases. Therefore, a stand-alone type verification device independent of the printer is desired.

  When verification processing such as barcodes printed on paper is performed using a stand-alone type verification device, the internal settings information of the verification device (verification target information, operation setting contents of the verification device, etc.) It is necessary to operate and set, or connect a personal computer to the verification device and set using a dedicated tool. Also, when changing the type of paper to be verified, it is necessary to reset the internal setting information of the verification device. Further, when using a plurality of verification devices, it is necessary to perform the above setting operation for all of the verification devices.

  However, the operation of setting the internal setting information by operating the verification device is complicated, and it is difficult to check the set contents. On the other hand, in order to connect a personal computer to the verification device and set the internal setting information, to prepare a personal computer at the location where the verification device is installed, or to install a dedicated tool on the personal computer , Costly and expensive. In particular, when changing the type of paper when using multiple verification devices, it is necessary to repeat the above setting work for the number of verification devices. There is a problem that it takes time.

  As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus (printer) for the purpose of eliminating a troublesome input operation from a panel device when performing mode setting. In Patent Document 1, the printer prints the format of the mode setting sheet on paper according to an external instruction, and the user performs marking on the items to be set on the mode setting sheet on which the format is printed, the selection menu, and the like. After that, the mode setting sheet is read by the scanner. Thereby, image data for mode setting from the scanner is input to the printer controller, and the internal CPU analyzes the contents entered in the mode setting sheet, and automatically sets the mode according to the result.

  However, according to Patent Document 1, in order to set the printer mode, the user gives an instruction to the printer to print the format of the mode setting sheet on paper, and the mode setting sheet on which the format is printed It is necessary to perform the work of marking and the work of reading the mode setting sheet by the scanner.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-112064 (abstract)

  Accordingly, in view of the above points, the present invention further simplifies internal setting information in a stand-alone type verification device that verifies print information by reading print information such as barcodes and characters printed on a print medium. The purpose is to be able to set.

In order to solve the above problems, a verification apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is a verification apparatus that operates according to internal setting information, reads print information printed on a print medium, and verifies print information. A transport unit that transports a print medium on which print information is printed, a reading unit that optically reads the print information printed on the print medium transported by the transport unit and generates an output signal, and the internal setting information Reading the internal setting information from a portable external storage medium to store, or receiving the internal setting information from an infrared communication terminal having a storage unit for storing the internal setting information, based on the internal setting information, at least Controls the conveyance of the print medium in the conveyance unit, generates read data representing the content of the read print information based on the output signal of the reading unit, and generates the read data. The data, by comparing the reference data representative of the contents of the print information to be printed originally further comprising: a controller for verifying the printing information printed on the printing medium, an external connection terminal connected to an external printer The control unit includes setting whether to enable or disable a signal transmitted or received via the external connection terminal according to the internal setting information .

  According to one aspect of the present invention, in a stand-alone type verification device, the internal setting information is read from a portable external storage medium or the internal setting information is received from an infrared communication terminal. Since the setting information setting work is completed, the internal setting information can be set very easily. As a result, work errors are reduced and the time required for work is shortened.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a printing / verification system using a verification apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the condition which sets internal setting information to several verification apparatus using one memory card. It is a figure which shows the example of verification of a series of labels issued continuously. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the detailed internal structure of the verification apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a case where an end portion of a thermal head is used for printing print information on a narrow width paper, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the center of the thermal head for printing the print information on a narrow width paper. It is a figure which shows the case where a part is used. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control part of the verification apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention with the periphery part. It is a figure which shows the example of the some mode stored in a memory card. It is the schematic which shows the printing / verification system using the verification apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control part of the verification apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention with the peripheral part.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the same component and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a printing / verification system using a verification apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This printing / verification system includes a printer 10 and a verification device 20. The printer 10 prints printing information such as a barcode and characters on a label temporarily attached to the mount or a sheet such as a strip-shaped sheet for tag manufacture. The verification device 20 can set internal setting information using the memory card 28, and verifies the print information by reading the print information printed on the paper. Note that a personal computer 30 may be used to store the internal setting information of the verification device 20 in the memory card 28.

  The verification device 20 is a stand-alone type verification device that is not integrated with the printer 10 and is not connected to the personal computer 30, and the installation location is arbitrary. Even when a plurality of types of printers 10 are used, it is possible to verify print information printed on a print medium by the printers 10 using a single verification device 20.

  In the following, a case where a label temporarily attached to a mount is used as the paper 1 and a barcode is printed on the label will be described as an example. In the printer 10, the paper 1 is rotatably supported on a paper supply shaft 11 provided in a housing of the printer 10 as roll paper wound in a roll shape. The paper 1 drawn out from the paper supply shaft 11 is supplied between the platen roller 12 and the thermal head 13 and is conveyed by the rotation of the platen roller 12.

  As the label, for example, thermal paper that develops a specific color (such as black or red) when a certain temperature region is reached is used. By supplying an electrical signal based on the print data to the thermal head 13, the heating element of the thermal head 13 generates heat, and a barcode is printed on the label. The printed paper 1 is discharged to the outside from a paper discharge port formed in the housing of the printer 10. The paper 1 discharged from the printer 10 may be directly inserted into the verification device 20 or may be inserted into the verification device 20 after being cut once.

  The verification device 20 includes a transport unit including an upstream transport unit 21, an intermediate transport unit 22, and a downstream transport unit 23 having a plurality of transport rollers, and a barcode printed on the paper 1 transported by the transport unit. A scanner unit 24 that optically reads an image and generates an output signal, a marking unit 25 that stamps a label in which a verification error has occurred, a control unit 26 that controls the operation of each unit of the verification device 20, and a portable external device And a memory card slot 27 into which a memory card 28 as a storage medium is inserted (inserted). The verification device 20 may further include an external connection terminal (Ext terminal) connected to the external connection terminal of the printer 10 via a cable.

  The memory card slot 27 outputs a detection signal indicating whether or not the memory card 28 is inserted to the control unit 26. As the memory card 28, an SD card belonging to a flash memory can be used. Alternatively, an external storage medium such as a USB memory, flexible disk, MO, MT, CD-R / W, DVD-R / W, or DVD-RAM may be used instead of the memory card 28. When these external storage media are used, a slot portion into which these external storage media are mounted (inserted) is provided.

  The memory card 28 stores internal setting information of the verification device 20 (verification target information, operation setting contents of the verification device, etc.). The internal setting information may be set using the verification device 20 and written to the memory card 28 from the verification device 20, or set using the personal computer 30 and written to the memory card 28 from the personal computer 30. May be. Preferably, the memory card 28 stores a plurality of types of internal setting information. When the internal setting information is stored in the memory card 28, the internal setting information can be set (reset) in the verification device 20 by using the memory card 28.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which internal setting information is set in a plurality of verification devices using one memory card. By sequentially inserting one memory card 28 into the memory card slots 27 of the plurality of verification devices 20, common internal setting information can be set for the plurality of verification devices 20. Alternatively, when a plurality of types of internal setting information are stored in the memory card 28, different types of internal setting information can be set in the plurality of verification devices 20.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, when the memory card 28 is inserted into the memory card slot 27, the control unit 26 reads the internal setting information from the memory card 28 in response to the detection signal output from the memory card slot 27. Each unit is controlled in accordance with the read internal setting information. Alternatively, an instruction to read the internal setting information from the memory card 28 may be given by the user. When a plurality of types of internal setting information are stored in the memory card 28, the user instructs which internal setting information to select. Under the control of the control unit 26, the transport unit transports the paper 1.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a verification example of a series of labels issued continuously. The sheet 1 is configured by temporarily attaching eight labels 3 to a mount 2 so as to be peeled off. The scanner unit 24 sequentially reads the eight barcodes 4 printed on each of the eight labels 3 and generates an output signal. These barcodes 4 have a barcode number No. 1-8 shall be attached | subjected.

  The control unit 26 shown in FIG. 1 generates image data representing an image of the read barcode based on the output signal of the scanner unit 24, and the content of the read barcode (based on the image data ( The barcode 4 printed on the label 3 is verified by generating read data representing numbers and characters) and comparing the read data with reference data representing the content of the barcode to be originally printed.

  When a verification error occurs (when the scanner unit 24 cannot read the barcode or the verification result is NG), the control unit 26 prints the barcode where the verification error has occurred. The marking unit 25 is controlled so as to stamp the label. As a result, the marking unit 25 impresses the “unusable” stamp 5 on the label on which the barcode (barcode number No. 2) in which the verification error has occurred is printed.

  FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a detailed internal structure of the verification apparatus shown in FIG. In addition to the upstream conveyance unit 21 to the memory card slot 27 described above, the verification device 20 includes a warning sound generation unit 29, an insertion unit 40, an insertion sensor 51, a lower conveyance guide plate 52, and an upper conveyance. A guide plate 53, an upstream side movement detection unit 54, a downstream side movement detection unit 55, a label position detection unit 56, a motor 57, an encoder 58, a belt 59, a display unit 73, and an operation unit 74 are provided. Contains. Here, the insertion unit 40, the upstream side conveyance unit 21 to the downstream side conveyance unit 23, and the insertion sensor 51 to the belt 59 constitute a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet.

  The insertion unit 40 includes an insertion guide 41, an insertion sensor 42, a motor 43, belts 44 and 46, a rotation roller 45, conveyance rollers 47 and 49, a conveyance belt 48, and a guide roller 50. . The insertion guide 41 is a portion that guides the paper when the paper printed by the printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the verification device 20. The insertion guide 41 controls the width of the paper in order to regulate the position in the width direction of the paper. It includes a paper guide 41a that can move in the direction.

  The insertion sensor 42 is provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the insertion guide 41, detects the inserted paper, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 26. When a sheet is inserted into the insertion unit 40, the control unit 26 drives the motor 43 to rotate the rotation shaft 43a. The rotation of the rotating shaft 43 a is transmitted to the rotating roller 45 via the belt 44 and further transmitted to the transport roller 47 via the belt 46. As a result, the transport belt 48 connecting the transport rollers 47 and 49 is sent, so that the paper inserted into the insertion portion 40 is sandwiched and transported between the transport belt 48 and the guide roller 50.

  The insertion sensor 51 is provided in the immediate vicinity of the insertion unit 40 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, detects the conveyed sheet, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 26. When receiving the detection signal from the insertion sensor 51, the control unit 26 controls the motor 57 that drives the upstream side conveyance unit 21 to the downstream side conveyance unit 23 so as to convey the sheet.

  The width of the paper (label and mount) varies, and considering the case where narrow paper is used, each of the insertion sensor 42 and the insertion sensor 51 is arranged at a plurality of positions along the width direction of the paper. A plurality of sensors may be included. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the verification device 20 includes an end sensor 42 a and a center sensor 42 b as the insertion sensor 42, and an end sensor 51 a and a center sensor 51 b as the insertion sensor 51. May be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the end portion of the thermal head 13 of the printer 10 is used to print print information on a narrow-width sheet, the end sensor 42a disposed at the end portion in the width direction. And 51a are used. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the central portion of the thermal head 13 of the printer 10 is used to print the print information on a narrow paper, the central portion arranged at the central portion in the width direction. Sensors 42b and 51b are used.

  The internal setting information of the verification device 20 includes, as verification target information, at least one of information on the paper size (width), information on the paper position, and information on the print information reading position on the paper. Yes. For example, when the paper width is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 26 selects the output signals of the end sensors 42a and 51a when the print information reading position is closer to the end, and reads the print information. When the position is closer to the center, the output signals of the center sensors 42b and 51b may be selected. On the other hand, when the paper width is smaller than the predetermined value, the control unit 26 selects the output signals of the edge sensors 42a and 51a when the paper position is closer to the edge, and the paper position is at the center. The output signals of the center sensors 42b and 51b may be selected in the case of deviation.

  Referring to FIG. 4 again, the lower transport guide plate 52 is formed with a plurality of transport openings and a plurality of detection openings. The plurality of transport rollers 21 a of the upstream transport unit 21, the plurality of transport rollers 22 a of the intermediate transport unit 22, and the plurality of transport rollers 23 a of the downstream transport unit 23 pass through the plurality of transport openings and the lower transport guide plate 52. Projecting upward. The plurality of detection rollers 54 a of the upstream movement detection unit 54 and the plurality of detection rollers 55 a of the downstream movement detection unit 55 protrude above the lower conveyance guide plate 52 through a plurality of detection openings.

  The upper conveyance guide plate 53 is also formed with a plurality of conveyance openings and a plurality of detection openings. The plurality of transport rollers 21b of the upstream transport unit 21, the plurality of transport rollers 22b of the intermediate transport unit 22, and the plurality of transport rollers 23b of the downstream transport unit 23 are connected to the upper transport guide plate 53 through a plurality of transport openings. It protrudes downward. Further, the plurality of detection rollers 54b of the upstream side movement detection unit 54 and the plurality of detection rollers 55b of the downstream side movement detection unit 55 protrude below the upper conveyance guide plate 53 through a plurality of detection openings.

  The transport roller 21a and the transport roller 21b are disposed so as to face each other and contact each other. Similarly, the transport roller 22a and the transport roller 22b are disposed so as to be opposed to each other, and the transport roller 23a and the transport roller 23b are disposed so as to be opposed to each other.

  The transport rollers 21a to 23a are driven by a motor 57 via a belt, a torque limiter, and an idle gear (not shown). These components also constitute a transport unit. When the paper discharged from the printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is directly inserted into the verification device 20, the torque limiter is used to adjust the paper conveyance speed in the verification device 20 to the paper conveyance speed in the printer 10. This tension is limited.

  When transporting the paper inserted from the insertion unit 40, first, in the upstream transport unit 21, the transport roller 21a contacts the paper from below in the figure, and the transport roller 21b contacts the paper from above in the figure. The transport roller 21a rotates in response to the driving force of the motor 57, thereby transporting the paper in the downstream direction (left direction in FIG. 4).

  The intermediate transport unit 22 is downstream in the transport direction with respect to the upstream transport unit 21 and is downstream in the transport direction at a position where the scanner unit 24 reads the print information printed on the sheet (position indicated by arrow A in FIG. 4). It is provided in the vicinity on the side. In the intermediate transport unit 22, the transport roller 22 a contacts the paper from below in the figure, the transport roller 22 b contacts the paper from the top in the figure, and the transport roller 22 a rotates by receiving the driving force of the motor 57. The paper is conveyed in the downstream direction. By providing the intermediate conveyance unit 22 at such a position, the flatness of the sheet at the position indicated by the arrow A can be improved, and the printing information can be read with high accuracy by the scanner unit 24.

  The downstream transport unit 23 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the intermediate transport unit 22 and on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the marking unit 25. In the downstream side conveyance unit 23, the conveyance roller 23a contacts the sheet from the lower side in the figure, the conveyance roller 23b contacts the sheet from the upper side in the figure, and the conveyance roller 23a rotates by receiving the driving force of the motor 57. The sheet is conveyed in the downstream direction. By providing the downstream side conveyance unit 23 at such a position, it is possible to improve the flatness of the sheet at the marking position and perform the marking well.

  The upstream side movement detection unit 54 is disposed closest to the upstream side conveyance unit 21 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and includes detection rollers 54a and 54b and a pulley 54c. The downstream side movement detection unit 55 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the downstream side conveyance unit 23 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and includes detection rollers 55a and 55b and a pulley 55c. The encoder 58 includes a pulley 58c.

  In the upstream side movement detection unit 54, the detection roller 54a contacts the paper from the lower side in the figure, and the detection roller 54b contacts the paper from the upper side in the figure, so that the detection rollers 54a and 54b rotate when the paper is conveyed. To do. Similarly, in the downstream side movement detection unit 55, when the detection roller 55a contacts the sheet from the lower side in the figure and the detection roller 55b contacts the sheet from the upper side in the figure, the detection roller 55a and the detection roller 55a and 55b rotates.

  A belt 59 is hung on the pulleys 54c, 55c, and 58c. Therefore, when at least one of the pulleys 54c and 55c rotates, the rotation propagates to the pulley 58c. The encoder 58 is a rotary encoder, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 26 based on the rotation of the pulley 58c.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the paper discharged from the printer 10 is directly inserted into the verification device 20, it is desirable to match the paper conveyance speed in the verification device 20 with the paper conveyance speed in the printer 10. On the other hand, when the paper discharged from the printer 10 is once cut and then inserted into the verification device 20, the paper conveyance speed in the verification device 20 can be determined regardless of the paper conveyance speed in the printer 10. Yes (self-propelled).

  The internal setting information of the verification device 20 includes conveyance speed setting information related to whether or not the printer is allowed to follow the paper conveyance speed as the operation setting contents of the verification device. The control unit 26 adjusts the paper conveyance speed in the conveyance unit according to the conveyance speed setting information. Accordingly, when the paper discharged from the printer is directly inserted into the verification device 20, the paper transport speed is made to follow the printer, and when the paper once cut is inserted into the verification device 20, the paper is Can be automatically or manually set according to the time required for verifying the print information.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when the verification device 20 is connected to the printer 10 using an external connection terminal (Ext terminal), the printer 10 starts a conveyance start signal for starting conveyance of the paper in the verification device 20. May be transmitted to the verification device 20, and the control unit 26 that has received the conveyance start signal via the external connection terminal may control the conveyance unit to start conveyance of the sheet. Thereby, the conveyance of the paper in the verification device 20 can be started in synchronization with the timing when the paper is output from the printer 10.

  Alternatively, the control unit 26 of the verification device 20 controls the paper conveyance speed in the printer 10 by transmitting a conveyance speed control signal for controlling the paper conveyance speed in the printer 10 to the printer 10 via the external connection terminal. May be. Thereby, even when it takes time to verify the print information in the verification device 20, the sheet conveyance speed in the printer 10 can be reduced accordingly. When the scanner unit 24 cannot read the print information, the control unit 26 transmits a printer stop signal for stopping the operation of the printer 10 to the printer 10 via the external connection terminal. The operation of the printer 10 may be stopped.

  The internal setting information of the verification device 20 includes, as operation setting contents of the verification device, a conveyance speed control signal or a printer stop signal transmitted via the external connection terminal, a conveyance start signal received via the external connection terminal, or the like The external connection terminal setting information regarding whether to enable or disable each of these is included. The control unit 26 sets whether to enable or disable a signal transmitted or received via the external connection terminal according to the external connection terminal information.

  The label position detection unit 56 preferably includes both a reflection type photosensor and a transmission type photosensor. The reflective optical sensor detects a position detection mark (eye mark) printed corresponding to the label position on at least one surface of the paper, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 26. The transmissive optical sensor detects a difference in light transmittance between a region where a label exists and a region where no label exists on the paper, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 26.

  When the reflection type photosensor is used, the lower sensor 56a or the upper sensor 56b is configured by a reflection type photosensor. On the other hand, when a transmissive photosensor is used, the lower sensor 56a is configured by a light emitting unit or a light receiving unit of the transmissive photosensor, and the upper sensor 56b is configured by a light receiving unit or a light emitting unit of the transmissive photosensor. The

  The internal setting information of the verification device 20 includes sensor setting information regarding whether to use a reflective optical sensor or a transmissive optical sensor as the operation setting content of the verification device. The control unit 26 selects one of the reflection type optical sensor and the transmission type optical sensor according to the sensor setting information, and controls the conveyance of the print medium in the conveyance unit based on the output signal of the selected sensor.

  The scanner unit 24 is a reading unit that optically reads a barcode printed on a sheet and generates an output signal by scanning the conveyed sheet. For example, the scanner unit 24 includes an illumination unit and an optical sensor unit. The optical sensor unit reads a barcode printed on a sheet illuminated by the illumination unit, and generates an output signal. As the optical sensor unit, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional CCD image sensor can be used. An output signal generated by the scanner unit 24 is output to the control unit 26.

  The marking unit 25 is a stamping unit that stamps a label on which a barcode on which a verification error has occurred is printed under the control of the control unit 26. If the scanner unit 24 cannot read the barcode or if the barcode read by the scanner unit 24 is different from the barcode to be printed, the barcode is printed. A label such as “impossible” or “NG” is applied to the label. The marking unit 25 may perform marking using a laser or an ink jet, or may perform marking by cutting out a part of a sheet or opening a hole.

  Further, when a verification error occurs and / or an operation error occurs, the control unit 26 may cause the warning sound generating unit 29 to generate a warning sound (buzzer sound). The internal setting information of the verification device 20 includes warning sound volume setting information related to the volume of the warning sound generated by the warning sound generation unit 29 as the operation setting content of the verification device. The control unit 26 adjusts the volume of the warning sound generated by the warning sound generation unit 29 according to the warning sound volume setting information.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control unit of the verification apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention together with its peripheral units. As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 26 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 60, a ROM (read only memory) 61, a flash RAM (random access memory) 62, a paper detection control circuit 63, , Pitch detection control circuit 64, drive control circuit 65, encoder control circuit 66, interface (IF) 67, setting unit 68, scan control circuit 69, verification unit 70, marking control circuit 71, audio Circuit 72. These are connected to each other via a bus line.

  The ROM 61 stores software (control program) for causing the CPU 60 to perform various processes. The CPU 60 controls the paper detection control circuit 63 to the audio circuit 72 according to a control program stored in the ROM 61. The flash RAM 62 stores reference data representing the contents of print information that should be printed. The reference data is stored in advance in the flash RAM 62 by using a portable external storage medium such as a memory card, USB memory, flexible disk, MO, MT, CD-R / W, DVD-R / W, or DVD-RAM. Stored in

  The sheet detection control circuit 63 controls the insertion sensor 42 so as to detect whether or not a sheet has been inserted into the insertion unit 40, and also detects whether or not a sheet has been inserted into the verification apparatus main body. 51 is controlled. The pitch detection control circuit 64 also detects the position of the label temporarily attached to the mount (in the longitudinal direction of the sheet) based on the detection signal output from the label position detection unit 56 in the operation mode using the label position information. Position), and the distance from the detection of the label by the label position detection unit 56 to the detection of the next label is obtained as the label pitch.

  The drive control circuit 65 controls the motor 43 so as to convey the sheet when the sheet is inserted into the insertion unit 40, and conveys the sheet when the sheet is inserted into the verification apparatus main body. The motor 57 is controlled. The encoder control circuit 66 obtains the sheet movement amount or the conveyance speed based on the detection signal output from the encoder 58. The sheet moving amount or the conveyance speed obtained by the encoder control circuit 66 may be fed back to the control of the motors 43 and 57 by the drive control circuit 65.

  The CPU 60 is connected to the display unit 73 and the operation unit 74 via the interface 67. The display unit 73 displays, for example, a liquid crystal panel that displays an operation message or the like based on a signal supplied from the CPU 60, a light-emitting diode that displays that a barcode is being read, and that a verification error has occurred. And a light emitting diode.

  Further, the operation unit 74 includes, for example, an operation key such as a start key used for operating the verification device, an internal setting information setting key used for setting internal setting information, and the set internal setting information. When an internal setting information storage key used for giving an instruction to write to the memory card 28 and a plurality of types of internal setting information are stored in the memory card 28, one type of internal setting information is selected from them. And an internal setting information selection key used for the purpose.

  The setting unit 68 writes the internal setting information set using the operation unit 74 to the flash RAM 62 and / or the memory card 28. The setting unit 68 reads internal setting information from the flash RAM 62 or the memory card 28. When the memory card 28 is inserted in the memory card slot 27, the internal setting information read from the memory card 28 has priority. The CPU 60 controls each unit of the verification device 20 according to the internal setting information. Here, when a plurality of types of internal setting information are stored in the memory card 28, a plurality of modes may be set by combining the verification target information, the operation setting contents of the verification device, and the like.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of modes stored in the memory card. In this example, mode 1, mode 2,... Are set according to the combination of verification target information, operation setting contents of the verification device, and the like.

  Referring to FIG. 6 again, the scan control circuit 69 controls the scanner unit 24 to perform a barcode reading operation when a sheet is conveyed. In particular, the scan control circuit 69 performs the barcode reading operation in a range (a range in the longitudinal direction of the paper) corresponding to the label position obtained by the pitch detection control circuit 64 in the operation mode using the label position information. The scanner unit 24 is controlled to perform. Further, the scan control circuit 69 performs the barcode reading operation in the range corresponding to the verification target information read by the setting unit 68 (the range in the paper width direction) in the operation mode using the verification target information. The scanner unit 24 is controlled. Thereby, the barcode verification operation can be performed efficiently.

  The verification unit 70 generates image data representing an image of the read barcode based on the output signal of the scanner unit 24, and based on the image data, the contents (numbers and characters) of the read barcode are displayed. Generate read data to represent. At that time, the verification unit 70 determines whether or not the scanner unit 24 can read the barcode. Further, the verification unit 70 verifies the barcode printed on the label by comparing the generated read data with reference data representing the content of the barcode to be originally printed stored in the flash RAM 62. .

  The marking control circuit 71 controls the marking unit 25 so as to stamp a label on which a barcode on which a verification error has occurred is printed. Thereby, the marking unit 25 performs a stamp such as “impossible” or “NG” on the label on which the barcode on which the verification error has occurred is printed. The sound circuit 72 causes the warning sound generation unit 29 to generate a warning sound when a verification error occurs and / or an operation error occurs.

Next, an operation example of the verification apparatus shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the operator operates the power switch of the verification device 20 to turn on the verification device 20. Based on the detection signal output from the memory card slot 27, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the memory card 28 is inserted in the memory card slot 27.

  When the memory card 28 is attached, the setting unit 68 reads out a plurality of modes corresponding to a plurality of types of internal setting information from the memory card 28, thereby displaying “mode 1” on the liquid crystal panel of the display unit 73. , “Mode 2”,... Are displayed. The operator can select one of these modes by operating the internal setting information selection key.

  Next, when a message “Please pass the label” is displayed on the liquid crystal panel, the operator inserts a sheet of paper (a label on which the label is temporarily attached) into the verification device 20 and presses the start key. As a result, the CPU 60 starts the verification operation of the verification device 20 in accordance with the selected mode.

  First, the sheet detection control circuit 63 determines whether a sheet has been inserted into the insertion unit 40 based on the detection signal output from the insertion sensor 42. When the sheet is inserted into the insertion unit 40, the drive control circuit 65 drives the motor 43 so that the sheet is conveyed by the conveying belt 48. Further, the sheet detection control circuit 63 determines whether or not a sheet has been inserted into the verification apparatus main body based on the detection signal output from the insertion sensor 51. When the sheet is inserted into the verification apparatus main body, the drive control circuit 65 drives the motor 57 so as to convey the sheet by the upstream side conveyance unit 21 to the downstream side conveyance unit 23.

  The CPU 60 is based on the label position and pitch obtained by the pitch detection control circuit 64, the sheet movement amount or conveyance speed obtained by the encoder control circuit 66, and the verification target information read by the setting unit 68. To determine the range of barcode reading operation. In accordance with this, the scan control circuit 69 causes the scanner unit 24 to start scanning the label.

  The verification unit 70 generates image data representing an image of the read barcode based on the output signal of the scanner unit 24, and further, based on the image data, the contents of the read barcode (numbers and characters). ) Is generated. At that time, the verification unit 70 determines whether or not the scanner unit 24 can read the barcode.

  When the scanner unit 24 can read the barcode, the verification unit 70 prints the printed data on the label by comparing the generated read data with reference data representing the content of the barcode to be originally printed. Verify the barcode. Further, the verification unit 70 saves verification data regarding the verified barcode in a verification file stored in the flash RAM 62. The verification data includes, for example, the barcode number, the verification result (OK or NG), the content of the barcode (numbers and characters), and the grade of the barcode image. The barcode image grade is, for example, an evaluation of the clarity of a barcode image in five stages.

  The marking control circuit 71 controls the marking unit 25 to perform imprinting such as “impossible” or “NG” on the label on which the barcode on which the verification error has occurred is printed. Based on the detection signal output from the label position detection unit 56, the CPU 60 determines whether there is a label to be verified next. Next, when there is a label to be verified, the above verification operation is repeated. On the other hand, when the verification of the barcode printed on the series of labels temporarily attached to the mount is completed and there is no label to be verified next, the sheet is ejected and the process ends.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention, in the stand-alone type verification device, the internal setting information of the verification device can be more easily set by reading the internal setting information from a portable external storage medium. be able to.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a printing / verification system using the verification apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the printing / verification system includes a printer 10, a verification device 20a, and an infrared communication terminal (remote controller) 90. The verification device 20a according to the second embodiment is different from the verification device 20 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like in that an infrared communication unit 81 is provided instead of the memory card slot 27. This is the same as the verification apparatus 20 in the first embodiment. The infrared communication terminal 90 performs infrared communication with the infrared communication unit 81 of the verification device 20a. The printer 10 may be provided with an infrared communication unit so that the infrared communication terminal 90 can control the printer 10.

  The infrared communication terminal 90 includes an infrared communication unit 91, a control unit 92, a storage unit 93, a display unit 94, and an operation unit 95. The storage unit 93 stores internal setting information (verification target information, operation setting contents of the verification device, and the like) of the verification device 20a. The internal setting information is set using the operation unit of the verification device 20a, and is transmitted from the infrared communication unit 81 of the verification device 20a to the infrared communication unit 91 of the infrared communication terminal 90, so that the control unit 92 stores it in the storage unit 93. Alternatively, the setting may be performed using the operation unit 95 of the infrared communication terminal 90, and the control unit 92 may store the information in the storage unit 93. Preferably, the storage unit 93 stores a plurality of types of internal setting information.

  When the internal setting information is stored in the storage unit 93, the internal setting information is transmitted from the infrared communication unit 91 of the infrared communication terminal 90 to the infrared communication unit 81 of the verification device 20 a, so that the internal setting information is stored in the verification device 20 a. Information can be set. Here, when a plurality of types of internal setting information (for example, mode 1, mode 2,... Shown in FIG. 7) is stored in the storage unit 93, any internal setting information is transmitted to the verification device 20a. The operator chooses whether or not to do so.

  The display unit 94 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel that displays an operation message or the like based on a signal supplied from the control unit 92. The operation unit 95 also includes, for example, an operation key such as a start key used for operating the verification device 20a, an internal setting information setting key used for setting internal setting information, and set internal setting information. An internal setting information storage key used to give an instruction to store the information in the storage unit 93, an internal setting information transmission key used to give an instruction to read the internal setting information from the storage unit 93 and transmit it to the verification device 20a, When a plurality of types of internal setting information are stored in the storage unit 93, an internal setting information selection key used for selecting one type of internal setting information from among them is included.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control unit of the verification apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention together with its peripheral units. The setting unit 68 writes the internal setting information set using the operation unit 74 to the flash RAM 62 and / or transmits the internal setting information to the infrared communication terminal 90 via the infrared communication unit 81. The setting unit 68 reads the internal setting information from the flash RAM 62 or receives the internal setting information from the infrared communication terminal 90 via the infrared communication unit 81. When the verification device 20a receives the internal setting information from the infrared communication terminal 90 after the power is turned on, the internal setting information received from the infrared communication terminal 90 has priority. The CPU 60 controls each unit of the verification device 20a according to the internal setting information.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, in the stand-alone type verification device, the internal setting information of the verification device can be set more easily by receiving the internal setting information from the infrared communication terminal having the storage unit. Can be.

1 ... paper,
2 ... Mount,
3 ... label,
4 ... Barcode,
5 ... Stamp
10 ... Printer,
11 ... paper supply shaft,
12 ... Platen roller,
13 ... Thermal head,
20, 20a ... verification device,
21 ... Upstream conveying section,
21a to 23a, 21b to 23b ... transport rollers,
22: Intermediate transport section,
23 ... Downstream conveying section,
24. Scanner part,
25. Marking part,
26: control unit,
27 ... Memory card slot,
28 ... Memory card,
29 ... warning sound generator,
30 ... Personal computer,
42 ... Insertion sensor,
42a ... end sensor,
42b ... center sensor,
43 ... motor,
51 ... Insertion sensor,
51a ... end sensor,
51b ... Center sensor,
56: Label position detection unit,
56a ... lower sensor,
56b ... Upper sensor,
60 ... CPU,
61 ... ROM,
62: Flash RAM,
63: Paper detection control circuit,
64... Pitch detection control circuit,
65 ... drive control circuit,
66. Encoder control circuit,
67… Interface,
68. Setting section,
69 ... scan control circuit,
70 ... verification section,
71 ... marking control circuit,
72. Audio circuit,
73 ... display section,
74 ... operation unit,
81. Infrared communication unit,
90 ... infrared communication terminal,
91 ... Infrared communication part,
92 ... control unit,
93. Storage unit,
94 ... display section,
95: Operation unit

Claims (5)

A verification device that operates according to internal setting information, reads print information printed on a print medium, and verifies the print information.
A transport unit that transports a print medium on which print information is printed;
A reading unit that optically reads print information printed on a print medium conveyed by the conveyance unit to generate an output signal;
The internal setting information is read from a portable external storage medium that stores the internal setting information, or the internal setting information is received from an infrared communication terminal having a storage unit that stores the internal setting information. The control unit controls at least the conveyance of the print medium in the conveyance unit, generates read data representing the content of the read print information based on the output signal of the reading unit, and originally prints the read data. A control unit for verifying the print information printed on the print medium by comparing with reference data representing the content of the print information to be printed;
Further comprising an external connection pin which is connected to an external printer,
The verification device , wherein the control unit sets whether to enable or disable a signal transmitted or received via the external connection terminal according to the internal setting information . A reflection type optical sensor and a transmission type optical sensor for detecting the position of the label temporarily attached to the mount as a printing medium;
Wherein said control unit is based on one of the output signal of said reflective optical sensor and the transmissive optical sensor that has been selected in accordance with the internal setting information, controls the transport of the print medium in the transport unit, it The verification device according to claim 1.
The verification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adjusts a conveyance speed of the print medium in the conveyance unit according to the internal setting information. Further comprising an operation unit used to set the internal setting information;
Wherein the control unit is, according to an instruction that is input by using the operation unit, according to claim 1-3 Neu deviation for writing internal setting information set using the operation unit to the external storage medium, it is characterized by The verification device according to claim 1. Said internal setting information, and information about the size of the print medium, and the information about the position of the print medium, according to claim 1 comprising at least one of the information about the reading position of the print information in the print medium, characterized in that verification device according to any one of 1-4.

Images