Label paper and label printer

Abstract

The invention discloses label paper and a label printer. In the embodiment, the label paper is provided with a detected part, and the detected part is used for representing label paper information and can be detected by a sensor of a label printer to identify the label paper; wherein the detected part is at least one of a convex part, a concave part, a conductive part and a magnetic part which are formed on the label paper. The label printer comprises a shell, a paper feeding mechanism, a cutter, a printing head and an identification unit, the shell is provided with a paper bin, and the label paper is contained in the paper bin; the identification unit comprises a sensor arranged on a label paper conveying path, the sensor is used for detecting a detected part of the label paper, and the identification unit identifies the label paper based on an output signal of the sensor. The label paper is identified based on the detected part of the label paper instead of a chip, so that the label paper has the advantages that the cost is low and the label paper is not easy to counterfeit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a label paper and a label printer using the label paper. Background Art

[0002] Label printers are small and easy to carry, and have been widely used in people's daily lives. The label paper of label printers is generally thermal paper. A heating element is installed on the print head of the printer. The print head contacts the label paper and heats it, so that the required pattern and / or text can be printed on the label paper.

[0003] When in use, the label printer needs to first detect whether there is a lack of label paper, and identify the type / specification of the label paper, printable volume, size, operating temperature and other related information. In the prior art, a chip that records label paper information is usually added to the label paper, and the control module of the printer identifies the label paper by reading the label paper information recorded in the chip. This has the following problems: first, the use of chips to identify label paper leads to high costs; second, the chip is easily reused by illegal merchants, who may remove the chip from the original label paper and install it on counterfeit label paper, thereby damaging the interests of consumers. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide a label paper with a non-chip type detection portion and a label printer using the label paper.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned main purpose, the first aspect of the present invention discloses a label paper, on which a detected portion is provided, the detected portion is used to represent the label paper information and can be detected by a sensor of a label printer to identify the label paper; wherein the detected portion is at least one of a raised portion, a recessed portion, a conductive portion and a magnetic portion formed on the label paper.

[0006] Furthermore, the label paper is a roll label paper.

[0007] Furthermore, the detected portion is arranged at the starting section of the roll label paper.

[0008] Furthermore, the number of the detected parts may be one or more, and the shapes and sizes of the multiple detected parts may be the same or different.

[0009] Further, the conductive portion is embedded in the label paper and exposed from both surfaces of the label paper.

[0010] Furthermore, the raised portion and / or the recessed portion and the label paper have an integrally formed structure.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned main purpose, the second aspect of the present invention discloses a label printer, including a shell, a paper feeding mechanism, a cutter, a print head and an identification unit, the shell is provided with a paper bin, and the paper bin is filled with any one of the aforementioned label papers; the identification unit includes a sensor arranged on the label paper conveying path, the sensor is used to detect the detected part of the label paper, and the identification unit identifies the label paper based on the output signal of the sensor.

[0012] Furthermore, the paper feeding mechanism comprises a paper feeding roller, and the sensor is located between the paper feeding roller and the cutter on the label paper conveying path.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the shell includes a main shell and a cover body, the paper bin and the paper feeding mechanism are arranged on the main shell, and the print head is arranged on the cover body; the cover body is rotatably connected to the main shell and can rotate between a first position of opening the paper bin and a second position of closing the paper bin.

[0014] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the main housing has a paper feeding surface arranged opposite to the cover body, and a label paper conveying path is formed between the paper feeding surface and the cover body.

[0015] The technical solution of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] First, the label paper uses at least one of a raised portion, a recessed portion, a conductive portion and a magnetic portion as the detected portion, and the identification unit identifies the label paper based on the detection of the detected portion by the sensor. There is no need to set a chip on the label paper, which has the advantage of low cost.

[0017] Secondly, the detected portion is formed by changing the local shape or material of the label paper itself. Such detected portion cannot be peeled off from the label paper alone and reused, so as to avoid counterfeiting of the label paper.

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the label printer in the embodiment when the cover is closed;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the label printer in the embodiment when the cover is open and no label paper is loaded;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the label printer in the embodiment when the cover is opened and label paper is loaded;

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the label paper in Example 1;

[0023] Figure 5 is a principle diagram of label paper detection in Example 1;

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of label paper detection principle of embodiment 2;

[0025] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of label paper embodiments with protrusions of different shapes / arrangements;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the label paper detection principle of Example 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the following description, many specific details are explained in conjunction with the embodiments to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, it should be understood that the following embodiments and detailed descriptions are only for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the label printer of the embodiment includes a housing 1, a paper feeding mechanism 2, a print head 3 and label paper 4; wherein a paper bin 5 for accommodating label paper is provided in the housing 1, and the label paper 4 is arranged in the paper bin 5. Specifically, the housing 1 includes a main housing 11, a cover 12 and a label outlet 13, the paper bin 5 and the paper feeding mechanism 2 are arranged on the main housing 11, and the print head 3 is arranged on the cover 12. The main housing 11 has a paper feeding surface 14 arranged opposite to the cover 12, and the paper feeding surface 14 extends from the opening of the paper bin 5 to the label outlet 13. Preferably, the paper feeding surface 14 and the paper bin 5 have an integrally formed structure.

[0029] A label paper conveying path connecting the label outlet 13 and the paper bin 5 is formed between the paper feeding surface 14 and the cover body 12. The paper feeding mechanism 2 includes a paper feeding roller 21 arranged on the label paper conveying path and a driving mechanism (not visible in the figure) for driving the paper feeding roller 21 to rotate. The setting of the driving mechanism can refer to the prior art and will not be repeated here. Among them, the paper feeding roller 21 and the print head 3 are arranged opposite to each other and are respectively located on opposite sides of the label paper 4; when working, the print head 3 can apply elastic pressure to the label paper 4 to complete the printing operation, and make the label paper 4 elastically contact with the paper feeding roller 21. When the paper feeding roller 21 rotates, the label paper 4 in the paper bin 5 can be conveyed toward the label outlet 13.

[0030] In the embodiment, the print head 3 is pressed against the label paper 4 and is in elastic contact with the label paper 4, which can not only hold the label paper 4 but also prevent the label paper 4 from being damaged due to hard contact during transportation; in addition, the elastic contact allows the print head 3 to adjust and adapt to label papers 4 of different thicknesses.

[0031] Furthermore, a cutter 7 is provided on the main housing 11, and the cutter 7 is located on the downstream side of the paper feeding roller 21 in the label paper feeding direction. The cutter 7 is used to cut the printed labels to obtain finished labels. Figure 1 The first position of the closed paper bin as shown and Figure 2 When the cover 12 is in the open position, the opening of the paper bin 5 is exposed from the main housing 11, and the user can place label paper 4, which is generally a roll, into the paper bin 5. After the label paper 4 is loaded into the paper bin 5, the label printer first needs to identify the label paper 4 before printing.

[0032] In order to identify the information of the label paper 4, the label printer of the embodiment is equipped with an identification unit, which includes a sensor 6 arranged on the label paper conveying path. The sensor 6 can be located on the downstream side of the print head 3 and the paper feed roller 21 in the label paper conveying direction; optionally, the sensor 6 can also be located on the upstream side of the print head 3 and the paper feed roller 21, which is designed according to actual needs. Preferably, the sensor 6 is located between the paper feed roller 21 and the cutter 7 on the label paper conveying path.

[0033] Correspondingly, the label paper 4 itself is formed with a detected portion, which can be set at the starting section of the label paper 4 to represent the label paper information and can be detected by the sensor 6 of the label printer to identify the label paper. Among them, the detected portion 41 can be formed by a change in the local shape or material of the label paper 4 itself, and the identification unit identifies the label paper based on the detection of the detected portion 41 by the sensor 6, which is described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiment.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] like Figure 4 and 5 As shown, in Embodiment 1, the detected portion is a strip-shaped raised portion 4a formed on the surface of the label paper 4, and the number of the raised portions 4a can be one or more (for example, two as shown in the figure). The plurality of raised portions 4a can be formed by varying the thickness of the label paper 4 at intervals in the length direction of the label paper 4.

[0036] Sensor 6 can adopt a capacitive sensor. When the label paper 4 is transported along the M direction, as the protrusion 4a passes between the two electrodes 6a of the sensor 6, the capacitive charge of the sensor 6 will change, and the output signal of the sensor 6 will also change. The recognition unit can identify the relevant information of the label paper according to the signal change of the sensor 6.

[0037] It should be noted that the sensor 6 used in Example 1 is not limited to a capacitive sensor, and for example, a pressure sensor or a distance sensor may also be used. When the protrusion 4a contacts the pressure sensor, the detection portion of the sensor is pushed, and the detection portion is reset after the protrusion 4a passes through the sensor, and the output signal of the pressure sensor changes, so that the recognition unit can recognize the label paper; when the protrusion 4a passes through the distance sensor, the distance between the label paper 4 and the distance sensor changes, and the output signal of the distance sensor changes accordingly, so that the recognition unit can recognize the label paper.

[0038] Example 2

[0039] like Figure 6 As shown, the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that one of the two strip-shaped protrusions 4 a has a relatively wide width, and the other has a relatively narrow width, so that the sensor 6 generates an output signal different from that of the first embodiment.

[0040] In the present invention, when the size / size of the protrusion 4a, the spacing between multiple protrusions 4a, etc. changes, the sensor 6 will generate different output signals (such as the duration and interval changes of high and low levels). According to the different output signals, the identification unit can distinguish label papers 4 of different specifications / models.

[0041] As a variation of the above embodiment, the detected portion may also be a recessed portion formed on the surface of the label paper 4, or a combination of a recessed portion and a raised portion may be used as the detected portion.

[0042] In the present invention, the shapes of the concave portion and the convex portion as the detected portion may not be limited. For example, the convex portion 4a in the shape of a triangle, a circle, a hexagon, etc. may also be used (see Figure 7 ). Preferably, the recessed portion and the raised portion have an integrally formed structure with the label paper; for example, the recessed portion and the raised portion can be obtained by embossing the label paper 4, in which case a raised portion is formed on one side of the label paper 4 and a recessed portion is formed on the other side.

[0043] Furthermore, there is no limitation on the positions of the protrusions and depressions as the detected parts on the label paper 4 , as long as they can be detected by the sensor 6 . In specific applications, the design can be made according to the installation position of the sensor 6 .

[0044] Example 3

[0045] The detected portion can be formed by changing the material of the label paper 4 at intervals in the length direction of the label paper 4. Figure 8As shown, the label paper 4 has multiple (for example, two as shown in the figure) conductive parts 4c made of conductive material, the conductive parts 4c are embedded in the label paper 4 and exposed from two surfaces of the label paper 4, and between the conductive parts 4c are non-conductive parts 4d made of non-conductive material, and the conductive parts 4c and the non-conductive parts 4d are alternately arranged in the length direction of the label paper 4.

[0046] The sensor 6 can be an inductive sensor 6c. When the label paper 4 is transported along the M direction, the alternating arrangement of the conductive part 4c and the non-conductive part 4d causes the output signal of the sensor 6 to change. The identification unit can identify the relevant information of the label paper based on the signal change of the sensor 6.

[0047] In the present invention, when the size / dimension of the conductive part 4c, the spacing between multiple conductive parts 4c, etc. change, the frequency and duration of the power on and off of the sensor 6 will change accordingly, and the sensor 6 will generate different output signals. According to the different output signals, the identification unit can distinguish label papers 4 of different specifications / models.

[0048] As a variation of embodiment 3, the detected portion is a magnetic portion arranged on the label paper, and the magnetic portion is made of a magnetic material. There may be one or more magnetic portions, and the shapes and / or sizes of the multiple magnetic portions may be the same or different.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described above through embodiments, it should be understood that the above embodiments are only used to exemplarily describe the feasible implementation schemes of the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. That is, any substitution or change made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the present invention should also be covered by the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A label paper, characterized in that: The label paper is provided with a detected portion, which is used to represent the label paper information and can be detected by a sensor of a label printer to identify the label paper; wherein the detected portion is at least one of a raised portion, a recessed portion, a conductive portion and a magnetic portion formed on the label paper.

2. The label paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The label paper is a roll label paper.

3. The label paper according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detected portion is arranged at the starting section of the roll label paper.

4. The label paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the detected parts is one or more, and the shapes and sizes of the multiple detected parts can be the same or different.

5. The label paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive portion is embedded in the label paper and exposed from both surfaces of the label paper.

6. The label paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The raised portion and / or the recessed portion and the label paper have an integrally formed structure.

7. A label printer, comprising a housing, a paper feeding mechanism, a cutter, a print head and an identification unit, wherein the housing is provided with a paper bin, and characterized in that: The paper bin contains the label paper as described in any one of claims 1-6, and the identification unit includes a sensor arranged on the label paper conveying path, the sensor is used to detect the detected part of the label paper, and the identification unit identifies the label paper based on the output signal of the sensor.

8. The label printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The paper feeding mechanism comprises a paper feeding roller, and the sensor is located between the paper feeding roller and the cutter on the label paper conveying path.

9. The label printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The shell includes a main shell and a cover body, the paper bin and the paper feeding mechanism are arranged on the main shell, and the print head is arranged on the cover body; the cover body is rotatably connected to the main shell and can rotate between a first position of opening the paper bin and a second position of closing the paper bin.

10. The label printer according to claim 9, characterized in that: The main housing has a paper feeding surface arranged opposite to the cover body, and the label paper conveying path is formed between the paper feeding surface and the cover body.

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