JP7173534B2 - printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to printing devices.

A label printer prints on a label portion of a label roll, and is used by separating or peeling off the label portion. In label printers, problems occur when printing is faint or disappears due to poor printing or the like, making it unreadable. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an inspection device that prints a label image and detects printing defects (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-151129 A

Conventional apparatuses are provided with an inspection unit for inspecting label images, but the reading environment is not taken into consideration, making it difficult to perform accurate verification under a stable reading environment.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of performing accurate verification.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes: printing means for printing on a medium; reading means for reading a print result of the printed medium; a transport path along which a medium is transported; and support means for displaceably supporting the transport path so that the distance between the transport path and the reading means is constant when the reading means approaches the transport path . , is provided.

According to the above configuration, accurate verification can be performed.

In the above-described configuration, fixing means may be provided on the same side as the reading means and set to keep the distance between the conveying path and the reading means constant when two or more points on the conveying path are pressed. .

According to the above configuration, accurate verification can be performed.

In the above configuration, a regulating means for regulating conveyance of the medium may be provided on the transport path side of the reading surface of the reading means and on the reading means side of the contact surface of the transport path.

According to the above configuration, accurate verification can be performed.

In the above configuration, the reading means may be surrounded on all sides by the fixing means and the restricting means.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the incidence of light on the reading means and the leakage of light from the reading means.

In the above configuration, there is provided a comparison means for comparing the print result read by the reading means with a printing reference for comparison with the print result, wherein the reading means compares the medium being printed by the printing means. The printed result may be read.

According to the above configuration, printing defects can be verified based on flexible settings.

In the above configuration, output means for outputting a comparison result by the comparison means is provided, and the output means outputs a print result in which the comparison result does not satisfy the criteria when the comparison result does not satisfy the criteria. can be

According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily understand the content of the printing failure.

In the above printing apparatus, when the comparison result by the comparison means does not satisfy the standard, the stop setting for stopping printing, and the information of the medium whose comparison result does not satisfy the standard after continuing printing. A setting switching means for switching between the stored settings and the stored settings may be provided.

According to the above configuration, printing defects can be verified based on flexible settings.

As described above, accurate verification can be performed.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a closed state of a label printer according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a label printer according to an embodiment in an open state; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a label printer according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a label detection sensor in the label printer according to the embodiment; FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the vicinity of the outlet of the label printer according to the embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a label printer according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the control device; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print result according to print information; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a label before printing of print characters according to print information; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a scan area is set in print information; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a verification area is set in print information; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relative positional relationship between a scan area and a verification area; 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display device 15; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display device 15; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display device 15; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the control device; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the control device; 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display device 15; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display device 15; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display device 15; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display device 15; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the control device; 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on a display device 15; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the closed state of the label printer according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the open state, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the label printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the label detection sensor in the label printer according to the embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an exploded view near the discharge port of the label printer according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the label printer 1 has a housing 10. As shown in FIG. The label printer 1 includes an upper unit 11 and a lower unit 12. One end piece (rear lower end piece) of the upper housing portion 10A in the upper unit 11 and one end piece (rear upper end piece) of the lower housing portion 10B in the lower unit 12. are connected by a hinge mechanism (not shown). Therefore, in front of the housing 10, the upper unit 11 can be vertically moved with respect to the lower unit 12, and the housing 10 can be in the closed state shown in FIG. 1 and the open state shown in FIG.

The lower unit 12 has a locking mechanism (not shown), and the upper unit 11 has a pawl locked by the locking mechanism. By locking the claws provided on the upper unit 11 to the lower unit 12 locking mechanism, the upper unit 11 is restrained by the lower unit 12 and the label printer 1 is closed. Further, by unlocking the lock mechanism, the upper unit 11 is released from the lower unit 12 and the label printer 1 is opened.

A body key 14 and a display device 15 are provided on the upper surface of the upper unit 11 . The main body key 14 is provided with a plurality of keys (buttons). By depressing each key of the main body keys 14, the label printer 1 can be appropriately operated. For example, a power key 14A, an operation start key 14B, a start key 14C, and the like are provided on the front left side of the main body keys 14 . By pressing the power key 14A, the power of the label printer 1 can be switched between ON and OFF. Further, by pressing the operation start key 14B, setting of label printing (label issuing) is started. Label printing is started by pressing the start key 14C. Instead of or in addition to the operation start key 14B and the start key 14C, keys having functions equivalent to those of the operation start key 14B and the start key 14C may be displayed on the display device 15 .

The display device 15 has a structure in which a touch panel is laminated on a liquid crystal display device, so that display and input can be performed on the same surface. For example, by touching a preview image (print image) displayed on a liquid crystal display, the touch panel can designate information corresponding to the touched position in the preview image.

As shown in FIG. 2, a roll storage section 16 is provided inside the lower unit 12 . The roll storage section 16 is provided with a label holder 17A and a label holder 17B. A label roll LR is accommodated in the roll accommodating portion 16 as shown in FIG. The label roll LR is configured by detachably attaching label paper (label) to a long band-shaped backing paper at regular intervals and winding the label paper into a roll shape. The label roll LR is set on the label holder 17A and supported by the label holder 17B during label printing. A label sheet LS is fed forward from the label roll LR wound in a roll shape. In the following description, the front side to which the label sheet LS is delivered is sometimes referred to as the downstream side.

A printing unit 18 serving as printing means is provided on the downstream side of the roll storage unit 16 . The printing unit 18 includes a thermal head (printing head) 18A and a platen roller 18B. The thermal head 18A is provided in the upper unit 11, the platen roller 18B is provided in the lower unit 12, and the thermal head 18A and the platen roller 18B are arranged to face each other. Since the thermal head 18A is arranged above the label sheet LS, a plurality of labels (medium) are attached to the upper surface of the label sheet LS. Content is printed. The platen roller 18B is rotated by a stepping motor (driving motor) 18C (see FIG. 6) to guide the label sheet LS forward. The label sheet LS is sent out between the thermal head 18A and the platen roller 18B.

A label detection sensor 19 is provided downstream of the printing unit 18 . A label detection sensor 19 is provided in the upper unit 11 . The label detection sensor 19 is arranged on the upper surface side of the label sheet LS, and serves as reading means for reading the print result of the printed label attached to the upper surface of the label sheet LS.

As also shown in FIG. 4, the label detection sensor 19 includes a line sensor 19A. The line sensor 19A has an elongated shape and is arranged so that its longitudinal direction faces a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the label sheet LS. Hereinafter, the conveying direction of the label sheet LS under the line sensor 19A is sometimes referred to as the "y direction", and the direction orthogonal to the "y direction" on the label sheet LS is sometimes referred to as the "x direction". The line sensor 19A is, for example, a line sensor having an image sensor in which photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a line, and can obtain a one-dimensional image.

A left bracket 19B and a right bracket 19C are fixed to the left and right ends of the line sensor 19A, respectively, and the line sensor 19A is attached to the upper unit 11 of the housing 10 via the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C, respectively. ing. Furthermore, an upstream presser shaft 19D and a downstream presser shaft 19E are provided upstream and downstream of the line sensor 19A, respectively. Both the upstream presser shaft 19D and the downstream presser shaft 19E are elongated (cylindrical) with a circular cross section, and both ends thereof are attached to the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C, respectively. arranged in parallel. The left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C are provided on the same side (upper side) as the line sensor 19A.

As shown in FIG. 5, the left bracket 19B has a plate-like shape with both ends of the lower end piece being curved, and the straight portion thereof is arranged substantially parallel to the conveyed label sheet LS. has been The right bracket 19C also has the same shape as the left bracket 19B. The lower ends of the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C protrude slightly, for example, about 5 mm toward the label sheet LS than the lower ends of the upstream presser shaft 19D and the downstream presser shaft 19E. The line sensor 19A is surrounded on all four sides by these left bracket 19B, right bracket 19C, upstream presser shaft 19D and downstream presser shaft 19E.

A cutter 20 is provided downstream of the label detection sensor 19 . The cutter 20 is fixed to the upper part of the housing 10 . The label sheet LSR is cut by the cutter 20 when an operator holds the leading edge of the label sheet LS by hand and pulls the label sheet LS while pressing the middle portion of the label sheet LS against the cutter 20 .

At the downstream side of the platen roller 18B in the lower unit 12, a sliding plate 21 is provided at a position facing the label detection sensor 19 as a conveying path along which the label attached to the label sheet LS is conveyed. At the front end of the lower unit 12 of the housing 10, a guide protrusion 22 for guiding the movement of the label attached to the label sheet LS is formed. is set. The sliding plate 21 is made of a metal having a small frictional force, such as stainless steel, but it may be made of another material such as resin. Moreover, the shape of the sliding plate 21 may be any shape, and in this example, the surface shape is a smooth surface, but other shapes are also possible. For example, it may have a shape in which a plurality of grooves are formed with substantially uniform widths along the y direction.

A sponge member 23 is provided between the sliding plate 21 and the guide protrusion 22 . Two sponge members 23 are provided between the sliding plate 21 and the guide protrusion 22, and the two sponge members 23 are spaced apart in the x direction. Also, the sliding plate 21 and the guide protrusion 22 are arranged to face the label detection sensor 19 . The sponge member 23 is arranged in a crushed state between the gliding plate 21 and the guide protrusion 22 . The sponge member 23 is expandable, and when the sponge member 23 expands, the sliding plate 21 displaces the sliding plate 21 while applying a reaction force to the guide protrusion 22 and urging it toward the label detection sensor 19 side. support possible.

When the upper unit 11 and the lower unit 12 of the label printer 1 are closed, the linear portions at the lower ends of the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C of the label detection sensor 19 both come into contact with the sliding plate 21. FIG. For example, when the straight portion of the lower end of the left bracket 19B pushes down the left end of the sliding plate 21, the right end of the plate-shaped sliding plate 21 is acted on by the pressing force and lifted up to come into contact with the right bracket 19C. The bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C function as fixing means, and as a result, the sliding plate 21 is fixed by the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C. That is, since the label contact surface of the sliding plate 21 is displaceably supported by the sponge member 23, the point of contact between the left bracket 19B and the sliding plate 21 is the point of emphasis, and the point of contact between the right bracket 19C and the sliding plate 21 is This principle works as a point of action and realizes the above fixation. Instead of or in addition to the sponge member 23, another elastic body such as a spring or rubber may be provided.

The left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C are arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the line sensor 19A. Therefore, when the label sheet LS is conveyed on the sliding plate 21, the label sheet LS is conveyed between the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C. Therefore, the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C are positioned so as not to interfere with the transport of the label sheet LS. When the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C are arranged at a position that does not interfere with the conveyance of the label sheet LS, they can be arranged at another position, for example, the label sheets LS are conveyed side by side in two rows, and the single line sensor 19A is detected. , the bracket may be provided at the center of the line sensor 19A in the longitudinal direction.

When the upper unit 11 and the lower unit 12 of the label printer 1 are opened, the linear portions at the lower ends of the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C are separated from the sliding plate 21. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the sliding plate 21 is released from the pressing force of the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C, and is moved toward the label detection sensor 19 by the biasing force of the sponge member 23. As shown in FIG. Also, the sponge member 23 changes from the crushed state to the expanded state.

Further, due to the contact of the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C with the sliding plate 21, a small gap of about 5 mm is formed between the upstream side pressing shaft 19D and the downstream side pressing shaft 19E and the sliding plate 21. It is formed. For this reason, the upstream presser shaft 19D and the downstream presser shaft 19E are located closer to the gliding plate 21 than the reading surface of the line sensor 19A and closer to the line sensor 19A than the contact surface of the gliding plate 21. It serves as a regulating means for regulating the conveyance of the conveyed label sheet LS.

A discharge port 24 is provided further downstream of the cutter 20 . The discharge port 24 is provided at the forefront of the housing 10, and is an opening for discharging the label sheet LS in the housing 10 from the inside of the housing to the outside. The discharge port 24 is provided by cutting out a front lower end piece of the upper unit 11 and a front upper end piece of the lower unit 12 . The label detection sensor 19 is arranged between the printing section 18 and the discharge port 24 .

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control device 30 of the label printer according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6 , the control device 30 of the label printer 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31 , a flash memory 32 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33 , a display/operation section 34 and an interface circuit 35 . The controller 30 is connected to the thermal head 18A, the stepping motor 18C and the label detection sensor 19 via an interface circuit 35. FIG.

The CPU 31 is a central processing unit, and reads and executes programs stored in the flash memory 32 to centrally control the operation of the label printer 1 .
The flash memory 32 is an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 31 and stores various information used by the CPU 31 including programs.

A RAM 33 is a main storage device of the CPU 31 . The RAM 33 is a work area for temporarily calling and processing data, and includes a dot development area for developing print data into dot data, and one format data for calling and storing one format data from a label format file. There are a calling format area, a calling product area for calling and storing product data, and the like. In addition, the RAM 33 stores a label format file in which a printing format for label printing is set, a product file (printing information) in which various product data for label printing is set, and the like. It is backed up by a battery to hold the

The CPU 31 stores a scanned image (raw data read by the label detection sensor 19), binarized data of the print result generated from the scanned image (information in which binary data is stored as a numerical value), print information and scan information, which will be described later. (information such as matching rate and blurring rate), and logs for these information (printing date and time, printer number, product name and format name to be printed, etc.) are stored.

The display/operation unit 34 includes the main body keys 14 and the display device 15 . The display/operation unit 34 displays various information on the display device 15 for the operator of the label printer 1 or the like. The display/operation unit 34 receives input operations and the like of the operator of the label printer 1 on the main body keys 14 and the display device 15 .

The label printer 1 is a print verification machine that includes a printing device 40 and a verification device 50, and is capable of both label printing and verification of printed results. The printing device 40 includes a printing unit 18 (a thermal head 18A, a platen roller 18B, a stepping motor 18C) connected to the CPU 31 and the like via an interface circuit 35, a control device 30 and the like. The verification device 50 comprises a label detection sensor 19 and a control device 30 . The control device 30 controls the printing device 40 and the verification device 50 together, but a control device that controls the printing device 40 and the verification device 50 may be provided.

The printing device 40 prints characters (hereinafter referred to as “printing characters”) based on the printing information set by the control device 30 on the label 100 . In addition to characters, printed characters include graphics and symbols. When verifying the print result, the print information is stored in the RAM 33 as binary data, and serves as a print reference and reference information for comparison with the print result.

While the printing device 40 is printing, the verification device 50 reads the printed characters printed on the label 100 by the label detection sensor 19, generates a scanned image by performing image processing in the CPU 31, and generates a scanned image according to the scanned image. generate scan information. For example, the verification device 50 compares the generated scan information with the print information after correcting the generated scan information in the CPU 31 serving as a comparison unit to determine whether there is a print abnormality. The verification device 50 causes the display device 15 to display error occurrence information and an error image as the comparison result when it is determined that there is a printing abnormality as a result of the comparison by the CPU. The display device 15, which displays the error occurrence information and the error image, serves as output means for outputting the comparison results of the comparison means.

Next, the flow from printing to verification in the label printer 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart. In the label printer 1, print information is generated based on the format data and product data and stored in the RAM 33 as a pre-printing step. A plurality of pieces of print information are stored in the RAM 33, and each piece of print information is given a title representing the print information. When generating print information, the control device 30 in the label printer 1 can set a scan area and a verification area (comparison range) for verifying the print result on the print information in the CPU 31 serving as a setting unit. be. When printing based on the print information, the label printer 1 selects one print information from the print information stored in the RAM 33 . After that, print characters and the like according to the selected print information are printed, and the print result is verified along with the label printing.

In the following description, first, the procedure from generation to storage of print information will be described using FIG. 7 and the like, and then the procedure for label printing and printing result verification will be described using FIGS. 16 and 17 and the like. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 may be performed immediately before the processing shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is executed, or may be performed at a time different from the processing shown in FIGS. good too.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the control device. In the process shown in FIG. 7, print information is generated and the scan area and verification area are set.
Step S101: The control device 30 generates print information. In the CPU 31 , the control device 30 calls up the product format data from the RAM 33 and receives the operation of the display/operation unit 34 to generate print information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a print result according to print information. As shown in FIG. 8, as the print information, information is generated according to the content of characters such as product descriptions to be printed on the label 100 . In addition, preprinted characters (hereinafter referred to as “preprinted characters”) are printed on the label 100 before printing is performed by the label printer 1 . Note that the pre-printed characters include graphics and symbols in addition to characters.

FIG. 8 shows printed characters and pre-printed characters. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a label before printing of print characters according to print information. As shown in FIG. 9, the pre-printed characters are "Catering XX" displayed on the left and right sides of the label 100, a telephone number, "raw materials" displayed in the center of the label 100, and displayed at the bottom of the label 100. This is a character printed on the label 100 in advance, such as a cautionary note. Of the characters shown in FIG. 8, characters other than the pre-printed characters shown in FIG. 9 are printed characters.

Step S102: The control device 30 sets the scan area. The scan area is an area for mainly checking the installation status of the label detection sensor 19 with respect to the label to be printed, for example, deviation or inclination of the print result based on the print information. Misalignment with respect to the print result includes, for example, misalignment along the x direction and misalignment along the y direction. It is preferable that the scan area contains as much character information as possible. However, it is preferable that the character information here includes only characters printed by the printing device 40 and does not include pre-printed characters. Therefore, in the scan area, an area that contains many printed characters and does not contain preprinted characters is set.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a scan area is set in print information. FIG. 10 shows a state in which four scan areas from the first scan area SA1 to the fourth scan area SA4 are set. Among these, the first scan area SA1 is set to an area including the product name "Korakumaku no Uchi Bento". The second scan area SA2 is set to an area containing the product price, manufacturing date, expiration date, and bar code. The third scan area SA3 is set in the area where raw materials are listed. The fourth scan area SA4 is set as an area including a recycle identification mark. None of these first to fourth scan areas SA1 to SA4 contain preprinted characters.

Step S103: The control device 30 sets the verification area. The verification area is an area for dividing a range that mainly includes characters that cannot be read due to chipping or blurring (hereinafter referred to as "unreadable characters"). A verification area is set based on the importance of characters included in the verification area, the proximity of those characters, and the like. Similar to the scan area, the verification area includes a plurality of characters and the like. Also, the verification area is set within the scan area. The verification area may be set at a position outside the scan area.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a verification area is set in print information. FIG. 11 shows a state in which ten verification areas from a first verification area VA1 to a tenth verification area VA10 are set. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relative positional relationship between the scan area and the verification area. As shown in FIG. 12, the first scan area SA1 includes one verification area of the first verification area VA1. The second scan area SA2 includes five verification areas, a second verification area VA2 to a sixth verification area VA6. The third scan area SA3 includes one verification area of the seventh verification area VA7. The fourth scan area SA4 includes four verification areas, an eighth verification area VA8 to a tenth verification area VA10.

Setting of the scan area and the verification area is performed by an operator's operation. In setting the scan area and the verification area, the control device 30 causes the display device 15 to display an image shown in FIG. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing examples of display on the display device 15. FIG. In the image displayed on the display device 15 shown in FIG. 13, each key for assisting in creating a frame or figure on the screen is displayed. The operator sets the scan area and verification area by operating these keys and the main body keys 14 . As shown in FIG. 14, the results of setting the scan area SA and the verification area VA are displayed on the display device 15. FIG.

For example, when the "issuance condition..." key is pressed in setting the scan area SA, the display of "issuance condition setting" is expanded as shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display device 15. As shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the entire “issue condition setting” is illustrated, but the display device 15 actually displays a part of it. In this example, 6 scan areas can be set. For example, “scan area 1 upper left X coordinate (lower left starting point)”, “scan area 1 upper left Y coordinate (lower left starting point)”, “scan area 1 lower right X coordinate (lower left starting point)”, “scan area 1 right By selecting the numerical value of each item of "Lower Y coordinate (lower left starting point)", the scan area SA shown in FIG. 14 is displayed.

As for the setting of the verification area VA, similarly, each coordinate value for setting the verification area can be selected in the display of the issue condition setting, and the verification area VA can be set by selecting these coordinate values. In this example, the scan area and the verification area can be set by operating the keys displayed on the display device 15, but they may be set by other methods. For example, print characters based on print information are displayed on the display device 15, and based on these print characters, a line drawing (partition line) is drawn on the display device 15 using a mouse or the like, thereby setting a scan area or a verification area. Alternatively, the scan area and verification area may be set by operating the main body keys 14 .

Step S104: After setting the scan area in step S102 and setting the verification area in step S103, the control device 30 stores the print information generated in step S101 together with information corresponding to the scan area and verification area. (Step S104). Thus, the control device 30 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

Next, a procedure for verifying label printing and printing results will be described. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the control device. FIG. 16 shows the process of making various settings before printing of print information on the label 100 is started.

Step S201: The control device 30 starts label printing setting when the operator operates the operation start key 14B of the main body keys 14. FIG.
Step S202: The control device 30 selects print information based on the display/operation unit 34 (main body keys 14 and display device 15) operated by the operator. For example, when selecting print information, the control device 30 displays a plurality of title keys representing titles added to the print information on the display device 15 . When the operator presses one of a plurality of title keys displayed on the display device 15, the control device 30 selects print information corresponding to the pressed title key.

Step S203: The control device 30 sets the number of prints based on the operator's display/operation section 34 (main body keys 14 and display device 15). For example, when setting the number of prints, the control device 30 displays a number setting key indicating the number of prints on the display device 15 . When the operator presses a plurality of number setting keys displayed on the display device 15, the control device 30 sets the number of prints according to the pressed number of sheets. The selection of print information and the setting of the number of prints may be performed by operating the main body keys 14 .
Step S<b>204 : After selecting the print information and setting the number of prints, the control device 30 reads out the selected print information from the RAM 33 .

Step S205: The control device 30 determines whether or not to set an abnormality determination reference value. When determining to set the abnormality determination reference value (step S205: YES), the control device 30 proceeds to step S206, and when determining not to set the abnormality determination reference value (step S205: NO), the control device 30 The process proceeds to step S208.

The abnormality determination reference value is a ratio that serves as a reference (printing reference) for the verification device 50 to determine that printing is abnormal. In determining print abnormality, the control device 30 compares the print information and the scan information, and calculates the match rate in the verification area VA. When there is a verification area in which the matching rate is less than the abnormality determination reference value, it is determined that there is a printing abnormality in the print result captured as the scanned image.

The abnormality determination reference value may differ depending on the contents of the print information. For example, it is required to suppress the occurrence of printing errors with high precision for highly important descriptions such as the date of manufacture, expiration date, and raw materials of food. Also, for descriptions of low importance, such as product names and recycling identification marks, very high accuracy is not required in judging printing abnormalities. Therefore, the control device 30 sets the abnormality determination reference value.

The abnormality determination reference value is set for each verification area, and may be a different abnormality determination reference value for each verification area. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , a high match rate is set in the third verification area VA3, fourth verification area VA4, and seventh verification area VA7 in which the date of manufacture, expiration date, and ingredients of the food are described, A relatively low match rate can be set in the first verification area VA1 and the eighth verification area VA8 in which the product name and recycling identification mark are written. To reduce the amount of processing in the control device 30 and contribute to the improvement of the processing speed without lowering the accuracy of verification for important verification areas by setting a low match rate for verification areas of low importance. can be done. The abnormality determination reference value is a reference value for the matching rate of print information and scan information when determining a printing abnormality. there is The bleeding abnormality determination value is a reference value for the bleeding rate of print information and scan information when determining printing abnormality, and is a predetermined value. Note that the bleeding abnormality determination value may also be set by the control device 30 . Also, the abnormality determination reference value may be stored in the RAM 33 as a predetermined value.

Step S206: When setting an abnormality determination reference value (step S205: YES), the control device 30 displays and presents an error index sample image SG as a reference image on the display device 15, as shown in FIG. The control device 30 displays an image as the error index sample image SG. The control device 30 may display information other than the image instead of or in addition to the error index sample image SG. For example, the display of print information within the verification area surrounded by the dots set may be changed.

The display device 15 serves as presentation means capable of presenting the reference image. In addition, the control device 30 displays an abnormality determination reference value setting screen BS on the display device 15 together with the error index sample image SG. In the abnormality determination reference value setting screen BS, a title of "PRINT VERIFICATION" is displayed, characters of "PRINT VERIFICATION" are written, and a check box is displayed on the left side thereof. In addition, characters of "level 1 to 100" are displayed, and a numerical value selection column is displayed on the right side thereof.

The display device 15 displays a verification area in which abnormality determination reference values are set. The verification area for which the abnormality determination reference value is set is indicated by dots at its four corners, and is displayed with a different background color from the other display. The example shown in FIG. 18 shows a state in which the abnormality determination reference value is set for the verification area in which the raw material names are listed on the right side of the "raw material name" column.

The display device 15 displays the error index sample image SG corresponding to the abnormality determination reference value. The error index sample image SG is changed by adjusting the abnormality determination reference value according to the operation of the abnormality determination reference value setting screen BS. As the error index sample image SG, an image with a larger defect is displayed as the abnormality determination reference value is lower. The display device 15 displays the error index sample image SG at a position avoiding the verification area where the abnormality determination reference value is set.

The display device 15 can collectively display a plurality of error index sample images SG corresponding to different abnormality determination reference values. When displaying an error index sample image SG corresponding to a different abnormality determination reference value, instead of or in addition to setting the abnormality determination reference value on the abnormality determination reference value setting screen BS, the error index sample image SG is pressed. By doing so, the abnormality determination reference value may be selected and set. In this case, the display device 15 serves as selection means for selecting one reference image from the plurality of presented reference images.

The control device 30 verifies the print result when the operator performs an operation to put a check in the check box. If the abnormality determination reference value is not set in step S205 (step S205: NO), the control device 30 sets a predetermined abnormality determination reference value or a default abnormality determination reference value.

Step S207: The control device 30 sets the abnormality determination reference value. The control device 30 selects and sets any numerical value from levels 1 to 100 as the abnormality determination reference value according to the operator's operation. The level set here becomes the abnormality determination reference value. For example, if level 90 is set, printing abnormality is determined when the matching rate is less than 90%.

Step S208: The control device 30 determines the abnormal print stop number. The print error stop number is a reference number for stopping printing, and is the number of labels for which the verification device 50 has detected a print error. For example, if the number of labels for which printing failure is stopped is set to 5, printing by the printing device 40 is stopped when the number of labels for which printing failure is detected by the verification device 50 reaches 5. The control device 30 displays on the display device 15 an abnormally stopped number of sheets setting key indicating the number of abnormally stopped printing sheets. When the operator presses the abnormal stop number setting key displayed on the display device 15, the control device 30 sets the print error stop number according to the pressed number.

The setting of the print abnormal stop number can be performed by operating the screen displayed on the display device 15 shown in FIG. 19, for example. The number of abnormal print stop sheets can be set by inputting the numerical value of the "upper limit number of errors for batch notification" on the screen shown in FIG. The setting of the print abnormal stop number may be performed by input using the main body keys 14 .

The flowchart shown in FIG. 16 advances to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 17 shows the process of printing the print information on the label 100 and verifying the print result.

Step S211: The controller 30 starts label printing when the operator operates the start key 14C of the main body keys 14. FIG.
Step S212: When starting label printing, the controller 30 operates the stepping motor 18C to push the label sheet LS forward.
Step S213: The control device 30 instructs the printing unit 18 of the printing device 40 to apply the read print information to the label provided on the upper surface of the label sheet LS that has reached between the thermal head 18A and the platen roller 18B. The corresponding content is printed.

Step S214: The control device 30 causes the label detection sensor 19 of the verification device 50 to scan (read) the print result of the print information printed on the label. The label detection sensor 19 transmits a scanned image obtained by scanning to the control device 30 .
Step S215: The control device 30 causes the CPU 31 to store the transmitted scanned image in the RAM 33. FIG. The CPU 31 converts the scanned image into binarized data to generate scan information and stores it in the RAM 33 .
Step S216: The control device 30 performs error determination. Error determination is performed while label printing is being performed, and error determination is performed for the entire printed label. If there is a verification area in which printing abnormality is found, the control device 30 causes the RAM 33 to store abnormal printing information for that verification area. Error determination is performed by comparing scan information (correction information obtained by correcting scan information) obtained by converting a scanned image into binary data and print information. The comparison between the scan information and the print information is executed each time a scan image is read and stored as scan information (binarized data). The error determination procedure will be described later in detail.

Step S217: It is determined whether or not there is an abnormality based on the presence or absence of abnormal print information as a result of the error determination. Specifically, it is determined whether or not there is a verification area in which printing abnormality is observed. If there is no verification area where printing abnormality is found (step S217: NO), the control device 30 proceeds to step S218, and if there is a verification area where printing abnormality is found (step S217: YES), the control device 30 proceeds to step S219.
Step S218: The control device 30 determines whether or not the number of printed labels has reached the number of printed labels set in step S203. When it is determined that the number of printed labels has not reached the set number of printed labels (step S218: NO), the control device 30 returns to step S213 and determines that the number of printed labels has reached the set number of printed labels. If so (step S218: YES), the control device 30 proceeds to step S221.

Step S219: Since it is determined in step S217 that there is a printing error, the control device 30 adds error information to the scan information obtained in step S215 and stores it. A scanned image corresponding to scan information to which error information is added becomes an error image.
Step S220: The controller 30 counts the number of labels with printing errors, and determines whether or not the number of labels with printing errors has reached the print error stop number set in step S208. When the control device 30 determines that the number of labels with printing errors has reached the number of labels with printing errors (step S220: NO), the process proceeds to step S221, and the number of labels with printing errors reaches the number of labels with printing errors. (step S220: NO), the process proceeds to step S220.

Step S221: Since the number of labels to be printed has reached the set number of prints or the number of labels with printing errors has reached the number of labels to stop printing, the controller 30 determines whether the planned number of labels has been printed or not. Label printing ends when the number of abnormal labels reaches the specified number. When label printing ends, the operation of the stepping motor 18C is stopped.
Step S222: It is determined whether or not the plurality of pieces of scan information stored in the RAM 33 include scan information with error information. If the control device 30 determines that the scan information with error information is included (step S221: YES), the control device 30 proceeds to step S223 and determines that the scan information with error information is not included. If so (step S221: NO), the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 is terminated.

Step S223: The control device 30 causes the display device 15 to display an error image corresponding to the scan information to which the error information is added. Note that the control device 30 causes the RAM 33 to store the scanned image with the error information as an error image. When there are a plurality of error images, the operator operates a switching button (not shown) displayed on the display device 15 to sequentially switch and display the error images. Even if the error determination indicates that the print is abnormal, it may be recognized visually that there is no unreadable character even though the print is abnormal. In consideration of such a case, the control device 30 displays an error image on the display device 15. FIG. Also, when a large number of labels, for example, 100 labels, are printed, even if there is a label with a printing error, it takes time and effort to find the label with the printing error from among the 100 labels. However, by displaying the error image, it is possible to easily confirm the printing degree (defectiveness) of characters by the error image.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display device 15. As shown in FIG. FIG. 20 shows a screen displayed on the display device 15 after label printing is completed in step S221. After label printing is completed, the printer queue is displayed on the display device 15 . The printer queue has a "queue" tab and an "error notification" tab. When the "error notification" tab is pressed, the error notification shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. The error notification displays the details of the error and how to deal with it.

In the example shown in FIG. 20, "print verification error" is displayed as the content of the error notification. Therefore, when label printing is completed, it indicates that a printing error has occurred in one of the labels. Also, as a countermeasure, the message "A print verification error has occurred on the label two labels before. Please check the print status. Number of print verification errors: 1 time" is displayed. The number of printing verification errors indicates the number of labels for which printing errors occurred.

In this way, as a countermeasure, information about the label on which the printing error has occurred is notified. Therefore, it is possible to easily identify the label in which the printing abnormality has occurred. In particular, when a large number of labels, for example, about 10,000 labels are printed, it is difficult to visually identify labels with printing errors. Can be identified easily and quickly. Also, as the number of print verification errors, the number of labels for which printing errors have occurred is notified. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult to miss a label with a printing error.

Further, conventionally, every time an error occurs, the operator cannot leave the printing apparatus during the printing operation because the error cannot be judged or dealt with unless the printing is interrupted. In this respect, by storing the error images in the RAM 33, it is possible to confirm only the error images among the scanned images after printing of all the set number of sheets is completed. For example, even if there is a printing abnormality, the degree of the printing abnormality may be low and within an allowable range. Since it is possible to deal with the problem assuming that there is no printing error, the operator can visually check the suitability of the printing after all the printing of the set number of sheets is completed. Therefore, the operator does not need to be attached to the label printer 1 during printing, and printing efficiency can be improved more than ever before.

Furthermore, it is possible to specify the position of the error image, specifically, what scan image is the error image. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need for verification work when performing other work such as labeling work using the issued label sheet LS. In addition to displaying the number of errors and error positions on the display device 15, the contents of the error may be printed as an error information label at the end of the print instruction. As one of operations, a printed label roll can be created by rewinding the printed label as it is with another winding device (not shown). If error information is printed as a label at the top of the printed label roll, the status of the label roll can be checked at a glance, making management easier.

More specifically, at the top of the label roll with print as error information, product information, date and time of printing, number of prints, number of errors, and error position are displayed as error information. In addition, the information printed in characters on the error information label can also be printed with identification information such as a barcode so that it can be read by a labeling device equipped with a handy scanner or the like to obtain the error information. can.

Furthermore, an image confirmation button BT10 is displayed on the display device after label printing is completed. The image confirmation button BT10 is displayed in an active state when there is a label with a printing error, and the error image shown in FIG. 21 is displayed when the operator presses the button. Further, when there is no label for which a printing error has occurred, the image confirmation button BT10 is displayed but not displayed as active, and the image displayed on the display device 15 even if the operator presses the image confirmation button BT10. There is no change in

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display device 15. As shown in FIG. FIG. 21 shows an error screen displayed on the display device 15 after the operator presses the image confirmation button BT10 on the screen of the display device 15 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, the error screen displays a scanned image of the label in which the printing error occurred. The example shown in FIG. 21 shows an example in which the matching rate is low in the verification area in which the raw material names are listed on the right side of the "raw material name" column, and printing abnormality (missing) occurs. In this example, part of the characters for "wheat" in the indication of "wheat flour" in the raw material name is missing, making it difficult to read. For this reason, the coincidence rate in that column is lower than the abnormality determination reference value, and it is determined that printing is abnormal. By displaying the error screen in this way, the operator can visually confirm the print abnormality.

It should be noted that the display of the "countermeasure" may be a more detailed display. For example, if there is a common verification area in which the matching rate is lower than the abnormality determination reference value, there is a possibility that foreign matter such as dust is attached to the printing unit 18 . In this case, specific advice may be given as to how to deal with the problem, such as "There is a possibility that dust is attached to the thermal head or platen roller. Please remove it."

Step S224: The control device 30 executes error information correspondence adjustment. Error information adjustment is processing for adjusting the settings of the printing device 40 according to error information. For example, when there are many printing errors due to a high bleeding rate, the control device 30 adjusts the print density to be low, or when there are many printing errors due to missing characters. is adjusted to increase the print density.
Step S225: The control device 30 displays the adjustment information regarding the installation status of the label printer 1 together with the error image when the adjustment corresponding to the error information is performed. As the display of the adjustment information, the content of the adjustment performed by the control device 30 is displayed. For example, when the bleeding rate is high and the print density is lightened, information such as "The print density is dark, so it has been lightened" is displayed. . The installation status of the label printer 1 includes the installation status of the printing device 40 and the installation status of the verification device 50 . In addition to the print density, the installation conditions include the distance and inclination of the printing unit 18 (the thermal head 18A and the platen roller 18B) with respect to the label attached to the label sheet LS, and the label detection sensor for the label attached to the label sheet LS. 19, particularly the distance and inclination of the line sensor 19A. After that, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 ends.

Note that the label printer 1 displays an instruction to adjust the installation status of the label printer 1 according to the error information adjustment on the display device 15 without executing the error information adjustment, or outputs a voice from a speaker (not shown). You can also output In this case, the operator who received the adjustment instruction can adjust the label printer 1 .

Next, the error determination process executed in step S216 will be described. FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the control device. FIG. 22 shows the procedure for error determination.
Step S301: The control device 30 compares the print information and the scan information within the range included in the scan area set in step S102. When comparing print information and scan information, the scan area may be divided into meshes and the presence or absence of printing within the divided areas may be compared. A direct comparison may be made. When a plurality of scan areas are set in the scan image, the print information and the scan information in the scan areas are compared collectively for the plurality of scan areas. Note that the print information and the scan information may be compared for each individual scan area.

Step S302: The control device 30 corrects the scan information and generates correction information based on the comparison result between the print information and the scan information in the scan area. The control device 30 compares the print information, which is the reference information, with the scan information based on the scan image obtained by reading the print content with the label detection sensor 19, and outputs the print result corresponding to the print information and the label detection sensor 19. Calculate the deviation and tilt from the scanned image based on the actual print result read in . From the stage before reading the scanned image of the entire label, the control device 30 obtains from the image based on the print information and the scanned image based on the scan information based on a part of the scanned image and the print information according to the scan information. Correction information is generated by obtaining the deviation from the print result and the inclination. At this time, if there is correction information in the middle of generation, the correction information is updated.

For example, when the transport direction of the label sheet LS and the positional relationship between the print unit 18 (mainly the thermal head 18A) and the print unit 18 (mainly the thermal head 18A) are in a specified positional relationship, there is no shift or inclination between the image obtained from the print information and the scanned image. Although it does not occur, for example, if the transport position of the label sheet LS is shifted in the x direction or the y direction, or if the transport speed of the label sheet LS is different from the set speed, the scanned image will be misaligned. end up Further, if the thermal head 18A is tilted around the axis orthogonal to the surface on which the label faces, the scanned image will be tilted. Further, if the thermal head 18A is tilted around the conveying direction of the label sheet LS, the print result will have a difference in print density between the left and right positions of the label sheet LS in the conveying direction. Differences between the image obtained from the printed information and the scanned image due to the density difference between the printed information and the scanned image may also be considered. The control device 30 corrects deviation and skew of the scan information by comparing the print information and the scan information in step S301. Although many characters are included in the scan area, an area is set in the scan area that does not include pre-printed characters pre-printed on the label attached to the label sheet LS. Even if the thermal head 18A is misaligned or tilted, the preprinted characters are not affected by the misalignment or tilt. Therefore, when detecting the misalignment or tilt of the scanned image, there is a high possibility that the preprinted characters become noise. . In this respect, since the preprinted characters are not included in the scan area, it is possible to reduce or eliminate noise when detecting deviation and tilt of the scanned image.

Step S304: The control device 30 determines whether the scanning of the entire range of one label has been completed. If it is determined that scanning of the entire range of one label has not been completed (step S304: NO), the control device 30 returns to step S301 to generate (update) correction information. If it is determined that the scanning of the entire range of one label has been completed (step S304: YES), the control device 30 proceeds to step S304.

Step S304: After generating the correction information, the control device 30 compares the print information and the correction information in one verification area. When comparing the print information and the correction information, for example, the verification area may be divided into meshes, and the print information and the correction information may be compared based on the presence or absence of printing in the divided regions. The printed information and the scanned information themselves may be directly compared within the same. Alternatively, pattern matching may be used to compare the print information and the correction information.

The control device 30 compares the print information and the correction information, and calculates the match rate between the print information and the correction information. The rate of matching between print information and correction information is the ratio of the actually printed area to the area set for printing as print information. It is obtained as correction information obtained by correction. For example, when the verification area is divided into meshes and the matching rate is calculated, the control device 30 divides the area to be printed as print information among the divided areas into the actual printed area. Calculate the match rate based on the number.

For example, in the print information, there are 1258 areas to be printed in a verification area divided into thousands of areas. If 1229 areas are actually printed, the match rate between the print information and the correction information in the verification area is calculated as 97.7% by the following equation (1).
(1229/1258) x 100 = 97.7 (%) (1)

Further, the control device 30 compares the print information and the correction information to calculate the bleeding rate of the correction information. The bleeding rate of the correction information is the percentage of the range that is actually increased as the printed result with respect to the area set as the area to be printed as the print information. For example, when the control device 30 divides the verification area into meshes and calculates the bleeding rate, the number of areas to be printed as print information among the divided areas and the number of areas to be printed as the print information and the correction information Also, the bleeding rate is calculated based on the number of areas actually printed.

For example, in the print information, in the verification area divided into thousands of areas, if there are 1263 areas to be printed and the number of actually printed areas is 1301, The bleeding rate of the correction information is calculated to be 3.8% by the following formula (2).
{(1301−1263)/1263}×100=3.8(%) (2)

Step S305: As a result of the comparison in step S303, the control device 30 determines whether or not the match rate between the print information and the correction information is smaller than the abnormality determination reference value set in step S205 or the like. If the control device 30 determines that the matching rate between the print information and the correction information is smaller than the abnormality determination reference value (step S305: YES), the control device 30 proceeds to step S306, where the matching rate between the print information and the correction information is higher than the abnormality determination reference value. If it is determined that it is not smaller (step S305: NO), the process proceeds to step S307.

Step S306: The control device 30 determines that the matching rate of the print information and the correction information is smaller than the abnormality determination reference value in the verification area, and the characters included in the print result are missing. Determined as an area that may not be read accurately. The control device 30 stores abnormal print information in the RAM 33 as a verification area in which a printing abnormality is found, in a verification area in which the matching rate between the print information and the correction information is determined to be smaller than the abnormality determination reference value. It should be noted that abnormal print information is not stored for verification areas in which it is determined that the matching rate between print information and correction information is not smaller than the abnormality determination reference value.

Step S307: As a result of the comparison in step S303, the control device 30 determines whether or not the bleeding rate of the correction information is greater than the bleeding abnormality determination value. If the control device 30 determines that the bleeding rate of the correction information is greater than the bleeding abnormality determination value (step S307: YES), the control device 30 proceeds to step S307, and determines that the bleeding rate of the correction information is not smaller than the bleeding abnormality determination value. (Step S307: NO), and proceeds to step S308.

Step S308: The controller 30 determines that the blurring rate of the correction information is greater than the blurring abnormality determination value, and the characters included in the printed result are blurred, and the characters included in the printed result cannot be read accurately. Determined as possible area. The control device 30 causes the RAM 33 to store abnormal printing information in the verification area in which the bleeding rate of the correction information is determined to be greater than the bleeding abnormality determination value as the verification area in which the printing abnormality is observed. It should be noted that abnormal print information is not stored for a verification area in which it is determined that the bleeding rate of correction information is not greater than the bleeding abnormality determination value.

Step S309: The control device 30 determines whether or not there is an uncompared verification area in which the print information and the correction information have not been compared. If it is determined that there is an uncompared verification area (step S309: NO ), the control device 30 returns to step S303 and compares the print information in the uncompared verification area with the correction information. If it is determined that there is no uncompared verification area (step S309: YES ), the control device 30 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. do.

Further, in the label printer 1, the printing work can be performed after performing the self-check and the alignment work. The self-checking and alignment work are executed in a stage prior to the work such as the generation of print information, and can be executed, for example, when the label printer 1 is introduced and inspected. The self-check and alignment work will be described below.

When performing self-checking and alignment work, the printing unit 18 prints a predetermined print pattern specialized for correction of misalignment and inclination on the label, and the printed image is read by the label detection sensor 19, and the image obtained is performs self-check and alignment work. The print pattern here is, for example, six black rectangles of the same shape arranged horizontally in a row. Black rectangles of the same shape are arranged behind the rectangles at both ends, and black rectangles of the same shape are arranged at positions that are greatly shifted rearward toward the inner side. In this way, a printing pattern is formed by arranging a plurality of rectangles in a half-moon shape. The formed print pattern is as shown in FIG. 23 as a print result.

The main confirmation items of the self-check are whether the thermal head 18A is printing correctly and whether the line sensor 19A is reading correctly. In the self-check, the print pattern printed by the printing unit 18 is detected by the label detection sensor 19, and the print ratio in each rectangular area is detected. Here, when the detection rate is a predetermined rate or more, for example, 95% or more, no error occurs in the self-check, and when it exceeds 95%, the occurrence of an error is detected in the self-check. If an error is detected in the self-check, the image of the print pattern and the fact that the error has occurred are displayed on the display device 15 together with the date and time of execution and the print verification ID. The print pattern is a positional reference image that serves as a reference for the positional relationship between the printing unit 18 and the label detection sensor 19 .

In the alignment detection, the scanned image obtained by reading the print pattern executed when performing the self-check is divided into a plurality of equal parts, for example, into 6 equal parts in the direction along the conveying direction (y direction) of the label sheet LS. Set the 1st to 6th areas. In each of these 1st to 6th areas, the x-direction and y-direction shifts, inclinations, coincidence rates, and blurring rates of the print pattern are obtained. Then, when the deviation of the print pattern in the x-direction and the y-direction and the inclination angle are within a preset allowable range, and the matching rate and the bleeding rate are respectively less than the abnormality determination reference value and the bleeding abnormality determination value, the position Alignment is completed. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display device 15. As shown in FIG. The alignment result is displayed on the display device 15 together with the scanned image, as shown in FIG.

For example, as a result of the verification, the match rate in the first area is 100%, and as it progresses from the second area to the third area, the match rate linearly increases to 98, 96, 94, 92, and 90 for each area. , it can be determined that the first area side is attached at the correct position and the sixth area side is not attached correctly. In such a case, for example, a warning may be displayed on the display device 15 saying, "There is a possibility that the right end of the thermal pad or line sensor is misaligned." It is possible to notify the content of the abnormality assumed based on. Alternatively, since there is a possibility that label conveyance meanders due to an incorrect relationship (referred to as head pressure) between the thermal head 18A and the platen roller 18B, a warning message "Incorrect head pressure" may be issued. can be

Moreover, not only the relative parallelism between the thermal pad 18A and the line sensor 19A, but also the relative parallelism between the line sensor and the conveying surface (sliding plate) can be measured. For example, as a result of the verification, the match rate in the first area is 100%, and as it progresses from the second area to the third area, the match rate linearly increases to 98, 96, 94, 92, and 90 for each area. is falling, it is predicted that the line sensor 19A and the sliding plate 21A are not in parallel contact. In such a case, a warning message such as "Is the line sensor installed at an angle?" or "Is there any foreign object between the line sensor and the sliding plate?" . As described above, the installation state of each mechanism can be detected from the results of the self-check and alignment check, so it is possible to reduce the working time of workers in each process such as manufacturing, installation, parts replacement, and inspection. can.

The display device 15 displays the matching rate and blurring rate in the first area (area 1) to the sixth area (area 6) as well as the scanned image as the alignment result. In the scanned image shown in FIG. 23, partition lines that partition the first area (area 1) to the sixth area (area 6) are shown as imaginary lines. In addition, three types of button images, "print image", "binary image", and "scan image", are displayed as the alignment results. Transformed image” and “scanned image” are displayed on the display device 15 .

In addition, when the matching rate or the bleeding rate is less than the abnormality judgment reference value or the bleeding abnormality judgment value, it is assumed that an error has occurred, and a message indicating the details of the error and how to deal with it is displayed, or the area where the error has occurred is displayed. Change the display color of the rate and blur rate. From these displays, it is possible to measure the relative positional relationship between the printing section 18 and the label detection sensor 19, especially the parallelism between the printing section (thermal head 18A and platen roller 18B) and the label detection sensor 19 (line sensor 19A). The print pattern is printed to measure the relative positional relationship between the print section 18 and the label detection sensor 19 .

By executing the self-check and alignment in this way, it is possible to roughly set the label printer 1 . Therefore, it is possible to accurately and easily perform the generation and storage of print information and the verification of the printed result of the label to be executed later.

As described above, in the example of the label printer 1 described above, the printing unit 18 prints the content corresponding to the print information on the label attached to the label sheet LS, and the label detection sensor 19 prints on the label. Read the print result as a scanned image. After converting the scanned image into scan information, the label printer 1 corrects the scan information to generate correction information, compares the correction information and the print information, and obtains the matching rate and the blurring rate of both. Detecting print anomalies based on rate. Therefore, since printing is performed by the printing device 40 and verification is performed by the verification device 50, countermeasures can be taken in the event that a printing error occurs before the printing of subsequent labels proceeds. Therefore, printing abnormality verification can be performed based on flexible settings.

Also, the label detection sensor 19 reads the print result by the line sensor 19A. For this reason, the label detection sensor 19 can detect not only the density of printing but also missing or bleeding of printing. In many cases, print density variations occur with similar tendencies in a plurality of print results, so the line sensor 19A can detect the print density density. In addition, in a specific label, when a printing error occurs in which a part of the printed result is missing due to inclusion of a foreign substance, etc., the printing error occurs with a tendency different from that of other labels. Therefore, it is possible to detect a printing error that occurs in a specific label.

Specifically, in the print information in which five verification areas with the same area are set, the matching rate in each verification area on the label was about 85% to 90%, and the printing abnormality was detected. In this case, it can be assumed that the print density is low. In this case, it determines that "the print density setting is low", adjusts the print density to make it thicker, applies feedback to increase the density setting, or issues a notification that the print density is low before printing. Abnormalities can be resolved.

In addition, if the matching rate is 99 to 100% in the four verification areas, and the matching rate is 70% in the remaining one area, there is a problem with the density setting in the case of lack of printing. Rather, it is thought that the irregularity occurred only in the verification area with a low matching rate. Most of the causes of print defects are not density settings and other factors but disturbance factors. For example, if dust is caught between the thermal head 18A and the label sheet LS, the heat of the head is not transmitted to the label attached to the label sheet LS. Occasionally, print defects occur. Therefore, unlike when an abnormality in print density is detected, for example, a notification such as "There is a possibility that dust is attached to the thermal head or platen roller. Please remove it." In this way, by urging the operator to take action, it is possible to resolve the printing abnormality.

Also, even when a plurality of verification areas are set, if the determination value for determining printing abnormality, for example, the abnormality determination reference value related to the matching rate or the bleeding abnormality determination value related to the bleeding rate is common to each verification area, the determination Setting a high value increases the time and load required for verification. On the other hand, if the judgment value is low, the verification of important verification portions may be insufficient. Therefore, in the above example, different determination values can be individually set for a plurality of verification areas. For this reason, it is possible to set judgment values according to the degree of importance. High judgment values are set for areas with high importance in printing results, and low judgment values are adjusted for areas with low importance in printing results. By setting it as such, it is possible to sufficiently verify the important part and reduce the time and load required for the verification.

In addition, even if the judgment value can be adjusted for each verification area, it is difficult for the operator to recognize how much the actual judgment value (abnormality judgment reference value or blurring abnormality judgment value) is enough for sufficient verification. There is Here, it is conceivable to set the judgment value once and perform actual test printing, but in this case, there is a problem of wasting time and labels.

Therefore, in the above example, the error index sample image SG shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on the display device 15 when adjusting and setting the determination value. Therefore, since the operator can adjust and set the judgment value while viewing a specific image, it is not necessary to repeat test printing while changing the judgment value. can be adjusted and set.

In addition, as the error index sample image SG, the printed image of the verification area when determining the judgment value (for example, "Plamark") is processed, and the image of the printed image when the matching rate is 〇〇% It may be displayed so that it can be selected for each matching rate. In this case, the judgment value may be determined by selecting an error index sample image SG from among a plurality of error index sample images SG. In this case, an example of a decrease in matching rate due to density or an example of a decrease in matching rate due to print defects may be simulated, converted into sample images, and presented as error index sample images SG. Furthermore, as an example of presenting the simulation in real time, a scroll bar may be displayed together with the target print image, and by scrolling this bar, the image may be varied to allow the operator to search for the determination value desired. If no processing is applied, an example image (a representative logo mark, an image of the entire label, etc.) may be stored in advance and presented.

Also, in the above example, the verification device 50 is provided inside the housing 10 . Therefore, the verification result (the comparison result of the scan information and the print information) by the verification device 50 can be executed while the label attached to the label sheet LS is being printed. Therefore, even if a printing error is detected, it is possible to take early measures, so that flexible settings can be made. As a result, print abnormality verification can be performed based on flexible settings. Also, the label detection sensor 19 of the verification device 50 is provided between the printing unit 18 and the discharge port 24 . Therefore, it is possible to verify the printing result of the label immediately after printing by the printing unit 18, so that it is possible to quickly respond to the detection of printing abnormality.

Further, in the above example, when the scan information is corrected for misalignment and tilt, if there is a misalignment in the positional relationship between the printing unit 18 and the label detection sensor 19, or a difference in angle, it is attempted to print as print information. Misalignment or inclination occurs between the printed content and the printed content actually printed on the label. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain an accurate comparison result even if the print information and the scan information are compared. In this regard, in the above example, the print information, which is the reference information, and the scan information based on the scanned image in which the print content is read are compared, and the print result based on the print information and the actual print read by the label detection sensor 19 are compared. Based on the result, the deviation from the scanned image and the tilt are calculated. Since correction is performed according to this shift and tilt, it is possible to adjust the shift and tilt between the print content to be printed as print information and the print content actually printed on the label. Therefore, by performing correction to eliminate deviations in the positional relationship and differences in angle between the print content to be printed as print information and the print content actually printed on the label, the printing unit 18 and the label detection sensor are corrected. It is possible to easily adjust printing misalignment based on the positional relationship of 19.

In addition, when there is a small deviation or skew between the print content to be printed as print information and the print content actually printed on the label, the deviation or skew can be eliminated by arithmetic processing such as correction. If the deviation or inclination is large, it is difficult to eliminate the deviation or inclination by calculation, and it may be preferable to adjust the positional relationship between the printing unit 18 and the label detection sensor 19 . Therefore, in the above example, the display device 15 displays an instruction to adjust the installation status of the label printer 1, particularly the label detection sensor 19, so that the operator or the like can adjust the positional relationship between the printing unit 18 and the label detection sensor 19. can be done. Therefore, by performing correction to eliminate deviations in the positional relationship and differences in angle between the print content to be printed as print information and the print content actually printed on the label, the printing unit 18 and the label detection sensor are corrected. It is possible to easily adjust printing misalignment based on the positional relationship of 19.

Also, when verifying printing errors, each time a scanned image is read by the label detection sensor 19, corrections are made based on print information and scan information. In the subsequent alignment work, a print pattern specialized for correction is used.

Ideally, the printing unit 18 (thermal head 18A) and the label detection sensor 19 (line sensor 19A) are perfectly parallel (0° relationship). If the 0° relationship is lost, even if the print is done correctly, it will be detected as slanted, which increases the possibility of being judged as a printing error. As a function to absorb such installation (assembly) errors, during the manufacture/installation of the printer (when assembled for the first time) and during inspection such as parts replacement (printing unit 18 (thermal head 18A) or label detection sensor 19 ( When replacing the line sensor 19A), a test is performed to check the relationship between the printing unit 18 (thermal head 18A) and the label detection sensor 19 (line sensor 19A).

The content of the test is performed by printing a print pattern (test pattern) preset and stored in the control device 30 on a label and reading the printed print pattern by the label detection sensor 19 . For example, a print pattern in which six bars of the same size are arranged at equal intervals is printed on a label by the printing unit 18 and read by the label detection sensor 19 at the same time. If the direction in which the label is read (the direction in which the line sensor 19A extends is not exactly 90° with respect to the conveying direction (y direction), there is a possibility that either the thermal head 18A or the line sensor 19A is tilted. Therefore, the tilt correction is performed on the scan information based on the detected tilt angle.Specifically, as a result of comparing the print information and the scan information, it was detected that the print information is tilted by 1° to the right. In this case, the subsequent detection result is corrected by tilting it to the left by 1°.This makes it possible to absorb the installation, which is difficult to adjust, by controlling the number of people during printer manufacturing or parts replacement.

Further, in the above example, a sliding plate 21 is provided at a position facing the label detection sensor 19 as a conveying path along which the label attached to the label sheet LS is conveyed. The sliding plate 21 is biased toward the label detection sensor 19 by a sponge member 23, and the sponge member 23 supports the sliding plate 21 so that the contact surface of the sliding plate 21 can be displaced. If there is no urging means such as the sponge member 23, the distance between the label sheet LS and the label detection sensor 19 may differ between the upstream side and the downstream side of the label detection sensor 19. FIG. In this regard, the contact surface of the sliding plate 21 displaceably supported by the sponge member 23 is fixed by the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C, so that the label sheet LS conveyed on the sliding plate 21 and the label detection are detected. The distance (parallel state) to the sensor 19 can be kept constant. Therefore, accurate verification can be performed based on the detection result of the label detection sensor 19 .

The left and right ends of the line sensor 19A in the label detection sensor 19 are fixed to the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C, respectively, and the positional relationship between the line sensor 19A and the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C is constant. there is Further, when the label printer 1 is in the open state, the sponge member 23 is in an expanded state, so the sliding plate 21 is positioned higher (in the direction of the label detection sensor 19) than when the label printer 1 is in the closed state. is doing. When the upper unit 11 is pushed down to close the label printer 1 when the label printer 1 is in the open state, the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C apply a pushing force (pressing force) to the sliding plate 21. . The sponge member 23 is crushed by the pressing force of the left bracket 19B or the right bracket 19C, and functions as a fulcrum when one end of the sliding plate 21 is pushed up by the principle of leverage. Therefore, the other end of the pushed-up sliding plate 21 can press both ends of the sliding plate 21 displaceably supported by the left bracket 19B or the right bracket 19C and fix it. Therefore, an unbalanced state in which only one of the left bracket 19B or the right bracket 19C is in contact with the sliding plate 21 is suppressed, and the distance between the label attached to the label sheet LS and the label detection sensor 19 is kept constant. can keep.

The label detection sensor 19 also includes an upstream presser shaft 19D and a downstream presser shaft 19E provided upstream and downstream of the line sensor 19A, respectively. Further, the lower ends of the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C protrude toward the label sheet LS by about 5 mm, for example, slightly more than the lower ends of the upstream presser shaft 19D and the downstream presser shaft 19E. Therefore, when the label printer 1 is closed and the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C press and fix the sliding plate 21, a slight gap is formed between the upstream side pressing shaft 19D and the downstream side pressing shaft 19E and the sliding plate 21. is formed. The label sheet LS conveyed by the slide plate 21 passes between the slide plate 21 and the upstream presser shaft 19D and the downstream presser shaft 19E. At this time, the upstream-side presser shaft 19D and the downstream-side presser shaft 19E restrict the transport of the label sheet LS, thereby suppressing flapping in the vertical direction. Therefore, since the distance between the line sensor 19A and the label sheet LS can be kept constant, accurate verification can be performed based on the detection result of the label detection sensor 19. FIG.

The left bracket 19B, right bracket 19C, upstream presser shaft 19D, and downstream presser shaft 19E surround the line sensor 19A of the label detection sensor 19, forming a so-called reading room. Therefore, it is possible to block the light from the outside to the line sensor 19A, suppress the incidence of light to the line sensor, and maintain a constant reading environment. Therefore, for example, when the line sensor 19A optically reads printed content, misreading due to light from the outside can be suppressed. Further, by forming the reading chamber, it is possible to suppress leakage of light from the line sensor 19A when the line sensor 19A emits light to read the printed content. In addition to the label detection sensor 19, the label printer 1 includes many sensors that utilize light reception. Therefore, by suppressing the leakage of light from the line sensor 19A, the influence on these sensors can be reduced. or can be lost. Further, since the reading room can be formed simply by closing the upper unit 11 and closing the label printer 1, the reading environment for the line sensor 19A can be easily stabilized.

[Benefits of integrated scanner and printer]
As an advantage of the above-described label printer 1, the printing unit (printing device 40) and the reading unit (verification device 50) are provided integrally and close to each other. ) have the following advantages. The printing device 40 prints with the thermal head 18A while conveying the label sheet LS with the platen roller 18B. Since the printed results can be sequentially scanned by the label detection sensor 19 (line sensor 19A) using this conveyance as it is, a conveyor or the like required in the case of a separate type in which the verification device 50 is provided outside the printing device 40 is eliminated. There is no need to install a separate carrier.

In addition, since the printing unit 18 and the reading unit (label detection sensor 19) are close to each other, wasteful printing between them can be suppressed. Specifically, when there is a separation of 10 labels between the printing unit 18 and the reading unit (label detection sensor 19), even if abnormal printing continues from the 11th label, the abnormal printing is detected. It can be detected when the 11th sheet reaches the reading unit, and at that time the 21st label is printed, and the 11th to 21st abnormal labels are printed in vain. It will be. Furthermore, after printing by the printing unit 18, there is a risk that a label with no problem in printing will be judged as above due to dust or other dust adhering during transportation to the reading unit (label detection sensor 19). be. In this regard, the above problem can be reduced because the positional relationship is such that printing can be performed on the upstream side of the same medium (label) and the printed content can be read on the downstream side.

In addition, when the reading environment is outside the printing apparatus 40, the reading quality is likely to be affected by external disturbances (fluorescent lights, sunlight, shadows of people in the facility) and the like, resulting in deterioration in reading quality. In this regard, the label printer 1 can eliminate these disturbance factors by providing a reading environment (reading room) in the printing device 40 .

In the above example, as an example of displaceably supporting the sliding plate 21, an example in which this principle works using the sponge member 23 has been described, but the supporting method is not limited to this. Even in the above method of pressing the sponge member 23, when the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C are in contact with the sliding plate 21 at the same time, the principle of leverage does not occur, and the sponge member 23 simply sinks downward. Only the displacement that causes the Further, the structure may be such that when the cover is closed, the sliding plate 21 is lifted toward the label detection sensor 19 and comes into contact with the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C. Alternatively, it may be lifted toward the label detection sensor 19 by electrical control of a motor or solenoid.

In the above example, the fixing means presses the sliding plate 21, thereby fixing the sliding plate 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the left bracket 19B and the right bracket 19C are made of magnets. If the sliding plate 21 is made of a material that is attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet, the contact surface of the sliding plate 21 that has been displaceably supported may be fixed by the magnetic force of the magnet. Any method may be adopted as long as the sliding plate supported displaceably is fixed at a certain distance by some mechanism, electricity, magnetism, or the like.

Also, in the above example, an example in which the preprinted characters are excluded from the scan area and set is described. may be specified.

Also, in the above example, the print object of the label printer 1 is a label with a backing sheet, but it may be another print object. For example, the object to be printed may be a receipt, a linerless label, a sheet of plain paper, or the like. Also, as a printing method, a thermal method in which the medium develops color is used, but other methods may be used, such as a thermal transfer method using an ink ribbon, an inkjet method for applying ink, a laser printer method, and the like. may Similar verification can be achieved with these printing methods.

In the above example, the operator operates the display/operation unit 34 to instruct printing, but other methods may be used. For example, a method of instructing printing or making a print reservation to a printing device via a network. It's okay. Also, a printing apparatus that receives information such as the type of product to be printed, the type of format, the number of prints, and the printing time from another apparatus can execute printing based on the content. In this case, since there are many cases where the operator is not nearby, control may be executed to ignore the abnormally stopped number of sheets.

Also, various print results and histories may be managed by another device within the printing device or through a network. In this case, even if there is a problem with the printed content in the distribution stage, the results are used as information to distinguish whether the problem was in the printing itself after printing or the problem occurred in the distribution stage after printing. can do. Also, similar information may be managed on a host device connected to a network or on the cloud.

Also, in the above example, image images are used as sample images, but other samples may be used. For example, specific character strings may be arranged and displayed by font size so that the operator can determine (select) an acceptable font size and an abnormality determination reference value.

Further, when missing or blurring of printing is detected, backfeed may be performed so that information indicating the printing abnormality can be additionally printed on the abnormal label. For example, a cross mark may be printed on the entire label, or the word "defective" may be additionally printed at a recognizable position. As a result, the operator can easily identify the abnormal label when checking after the fact.

In addition, when a lack of printing is detected, back feed may be performed, and additional printing may be performed to compensate for the lack of print. Alternatively, the entire information may be additionally printed instead of the missing portion. This can reduce the number of abnormal labels. Further, the label on which additional printing has been performed may be read again to determine whether or not there is an abnormality. In this manner, the number of retries for supplemental printing may be set in advance.

Also, when using a pre-printed medium, it is necessary to avoid such pre-printed characters. Therefore, when using a new preprinted medium on which such preprinted characters are applied, the medium is set in the printing apparatus, and the preprinted characters on the medium are scanned by the line sensor 19A. By displaying the read pre-printed characters when displaying the label format, the operator can arrange various print items while avoiding the pre-printed characters when creating the label format of the label. good.

Similarly, the scan area and the verification area may be set so as to avoid preprinted characters. Also, a portion with pre-printed characters may be automatically set as a prohibited area, and an error may be notified when the layout of the previous print item, the scan area, or the verification area overlaps with the prohibited area. In this case, by notifying the user of the error, it is possible to encourage avoidance of a situation where the layout of the print items, etc., overlaps the prohibited area. As a result, it is possible to prevent a human error in which pre-printed characters and printed items overlap.

A program for realizing the functions (all or part) of the label printer 1 described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be read and executed by a computer system. good. It should be noted that the "computer system" referred to here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible discs, magneto-optical discs, ROMs and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard discs incorporated in computer systems. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" means a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that acts as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. , includes those that hold the program for a certain period of time. Further, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing this program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in a transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. Further, the program may be for realizing part of the functions described above. Further, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

With respect to the above description, the following notes are disclosed.
(Appendix A1)
In order to solve the above-described problems, a verification apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes reading means for reading a print result of a printed medium; and a printing reference, output means for outputting a result of comparison by the comparing means, and setting means for setting a range of comparison by the comparing means on the printing reference. do.
According to the above configuration, printing abnormality verification can be performed based on flexible settings.
(Appendix A2)
In the above verification apparatus, the setting means may be capable of setting a plurality of comparison ranges on the printing standard, and setting different printing standards for each of the plurality of comparison ranges.
According to the above configuration, printing abnormality verification can be performed based on flexible settings.
(Appendix A3)
The verification apparatus may further include presenting means for presenting a reference image according to the printing standard.
According to the above configuration, printing abnormality verification can be performed based on flexible settings.
(Appendix A4)
In the above verification apparatus, the presentation means can present reference images according to different printing standards, and may include selection means for selecting one reference image from among the plurality of presented reference images.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily select the printing reference.
(Appendix A5)
In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-described verification device, printing means for printing on a body, and a discharge port for discharging the printed medium, A reading unit is arranged between the printing unit and the discharge port.
According to the above configuration, printing abnormality verification can be performed based on flexible settings.

(Appendix B1)
In order to solve the above-described problems, a verification apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes reading means for reading a print result of a printed medium; and an output means for outputting a result of comparison by the comparison means.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily adjust the positional relationship between the printing unit and the verification unit.
(Appendix B2)
In the verification device described above, the setting means may output an instruction to adjust the installation status of the verification device.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily adjust the positional relationship between the printing unit and the verification unit.
(Appendix B3)
In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-described verification device, printing means for printing on a body, and a discharge port for discharging the printed medium, A reading unit is arranged between the printing unit and the discharge port.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily adjust the positional relationship between the printing unit and the verification unit.
(Appendix B4)
The printing apparatus may print a position reference image that serves as a reference for the positional relationship between the printing means and the reading means.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily adjust the positional relationship between the printing unit and the verification unit.

(Appendix C1)
In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes: printing means for printing on a medium; reading means for reading a print result of the printed medium; It is characterized by comprising a transport path along which a medium is transported, and support means for displaceably supporting a contact surface of the transport path.
According to the above configuration, accurate verification can be performed.
(Appendix C2)
In the above configuration, fixing means may be provided on the same side as the reading means, contact the conveying path, and fix the contact surface so that the contact surface cannot be displaced.
According to the above configuration, accurate verification can be performed.
(Appendix C3)
In the above configuration, a regulating means for regulating conveyance of the medium may be provided on the transport path side of the reading surface of the reading means and on the reading means side of the contact surface of the transport path.
According to the above configuration, accurate verification can be performed.
(Appendix C4)
In the above configuration, the reading means may be surrounded on all sides by the fixing means and the restricting means.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the incidence of light on the reading means and the leakage of light from the reading means.
(Appendix C5)
In the above configuration, there is provided a comparison means for comparing the print result read by the reading means with a printing reference for comparison with the print result, wherein the reading means compares the medium being printed by the printing means. The printed result may be read.
According to the above configuration, printing abnormality verification can be performed based on flexible settings.
(Appendix C6)
In the above configuration, output means for outputting a comparison result by the comparison means is provided, and the output means outputs a print result in which the comparison result does not satisfy the criteria when the comparison result does not satisfy the criteria. can be
According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily understand the content of the print abnormality.
(Appendix C7)
In the above printing apparatus, when the comparison result by the comparison means does not satisfy the standard, the stop setting for stopping printing, and the information of the medium whose comparison result does not satisfy the standard after continuing printing. A setting switching means for switching between the stored settings and the stored settings may be provided.
According to the above configuration, printing abnormality verification can be performed based on flexible settings.

Reference Signs List 1 label printer 10 housing 11 upper unit 12 lower unit 14 main body key 15 display device 18 printing unit 18A thermal head 18B platen roller 18C stepping motor (driving motor)
Reference numerals 19: Label detection sensor 19A: Line sensor 19B: Left bracket 19C: Right bracket 19D: Upstream presser shaft 19E: Downstream presser shaft 20: Cutter 21: Slide plate 22: Guidance projection 23: Sponge member 24: Discharge port 30... Control device 31... CPU
32 Flash memory 33 RAM
34 Display/operation unit 35 Interface circuit 40 Printing device 50 Verification device LR Label roll LS Label sheet SA (SA1 to SA4) Scan area SG Error index sample image VA (VA1 to VA10) Verification area

Claims (7)

printing means for printing on a medium;
reading means for reading the print result of the printed medium;
a transport path along which the medium is transported at a position facing the reading means;
support means for displaceably supporting the transport path so that the distance between the transport path and the reading means is constant when the reading means approaches the transport path ;
A printing device comprising: 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means provided on the same side as said reading means, and for fixing a distance between said conveying path and said reading means when at least two points on said conveying path are pressed . A regulating means for regulating conveyance of the medium is provided on the transport path side of the reading surface of the reading means and on the reading means side of the contact surface of the transport path,
3. A printing device according to claim 2. The reading means is surrounded on all sides by the fixing means and the restricting means,
4. A printing device according to claim 3. a comparison means for comparing the print result read by the reading means and a print reference for comparison with the print result;
The reading means reads a print result of the medium being printed by the printing means,
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4. An output means for outputting a comparison result by the comparison means,
When the comparison result does not satisfy the criteria, the output means outputs a print result in which the comparison results do not satisfy the criteria.
6. A printing device according to claim 5. a stop setting for stopping printing when the comparison result by the comparing means does not satisfy the standard; and a storage setting for continuing printing and storing information of the medium for which the comparison result does not satisfy the standard. , comprising a setting switching means for switching between
7. The printing device according to claim 5 or 6.

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