Laser marker

Abstract

To improve the convenience of a laser marker for marking information having continuity to parts produced in series across dates.SOLUTION: A laser marker that performs a marking process on an object using a laser includes a time hold determination unit that sets previous day information including a date previous to a current date in a predetermined register when a time hold period indicating a period from a first time to a second time is set and a current time is within the time hold period, a date and time reference determination unit that outputs the previous day information as reference information when the previous day information is set in the register, and a processing unit that performs the marking process on the object based on the reference information output from the date and time reference determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laser marker. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a factory production line, it may be desirable to print the same printed information consisting of characters, symbols, figures, etc. on parts produced in one continuous run. By printing the same printed information for each predetermined number of produced parts (hereinafter referred to as a "lot") in this way, production history, such as when the parts were produced, can be easily identified from the printed information. For example, when dealing with a complaint due to a malfunction after shipment, the extent of the impact can be grasped and the cause of the malfunction can be quickly investigated, thereby reducing management costs. Conventionally, each time a production line was started up, an operator would input printed information associated with each lot using input means, and the same printed information would be printed for each group of parts in that lot.

[0003] However, with the conventional printing devices described above, workers had to input printing information each time the production line was started up, which meant that they sometimes forgot to input the printing information or continued operating the production line with incorrect printing information input. For parts produced in this way, it was not possible to accurately grasp the production history based on the printed information, making it impossible to effectively reduce management costs.

[0004] To solve this problem, there is a printing device that has a built-in system clock that counts the current date and time, reads date and time data from the system clock, and prints the corresponding printing information. With this configuration, if the printing information is set in advance in association with the date, the printing information printed on the production parts is automatically updated every time the date on the system clock changes, which reduces input forgetting and input errors compared to the above-mentioned printing device that requires an operator to input data every time the production line is started up.

[0005] Incidentally, there are cases where parts produced in one lot are produced across midnight, when the date changes. In such cases, the parts produced after midnight will be printed with the information corresponding to the next date. Usually, it is often desirable to print the same information on a group of parts produced during one continuous run to manage them all together. In such cases, parts produced beyond the date must also be printed with the information corresponding to the previous day's date, otherwise management will become complicated and accurate production management will not be possible. One option would be to reset the system clock to the time it was paused, but because the system clock is an important element that controls the entire system, it is not advisable to change it indiscriminately.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, Patent Document 1 discloses that a printing device reads date and time data relating to at least the date or time from a system clock that counts the current date and time, and prints printing information corresponding to the date and time data on an object to be printed, and that when a control signal is received from outside, a storage means is provided that stores the current date and time data from the system clock or pre-set printing information data associated with the date and time data, and when the printing device receives the control signal, it thereafter prints printing information based on the date and time data or printing information data stored in the storage means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-39790 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The printing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to store the current date and time data from the system clock in storage means when it receives an external control signal. In other words, because the printing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires external control, there is room for improvement in terms of operational reliability and / or user convenience.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that improves the convenience and / or operational reliability of a laser marker that marks information that provides continuity on parts that are produced in series across dates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present disclosure provides a laser marker that uses a laser to perform marking processing on an object, the laser marker comprising: a time hold determination unit that sets a time hold period indicating the period from a first time to a second time, and when the current time is within the time hold period, sets previous day information including a date that is the day before the current date in a specified register; a date and time reference determination unit that outputs the previous day information as reference information when the previous day information is set in the register; and a processing unit that performs the marking processing on the object based on the reference information output from the date and time reference determination unit.

[0011] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the convenience and / or operational reliability of a laser marker that marks information that provides continuity on parts that are produced in series across dates. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a laser marker according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a first time-hold determination circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by a date and time reference determination circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed when a laser marker according to an embodiment of the present invention is started up. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0015] Furthermore, the terms "unit," "device," and "circuit" used in the embodiments are not limited to physical components that are mechanically realized by hardware, but also include components whose functions are realized by software such as programs. Furthermore, the functions of one component may be realized by two or more physical components, or the functions of two or more components may be realized by, for example, one physical component.

[0016] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a laser marker 10 according to this embodiment.

[0017] The laser marker 10 irradiates a part made of resin or metal (hereinafter referred to as the target object) with laser light, thereby altering the surface condition of the target object and performing a process (marking process) in which various patterns (printing patterns) such as letters, symbols, two-dimensional codes, or figures are marked (printed).

[0018] For example, when managing production lots, there are cases where a unique code such as a character string is used, and cases where a date code such as the manufacturing date is used. When using a unique code such as a character string, the person handling the product can freely set the management data, but the correspondence between the actual manufacturing date and the character string, and the setting of the character string itself, are complicated, and there is also the concern of human error such as input errors when linking. In contrast, when using a date code such as the manufacturing date, while the code can be generated automatically based on the system clock, etc., processing is required to prevent the code from being mismatched with a different production lot when spanning dates.

[0019] Therefore, in this embodiment, we will describe a laser marker 10 that, when performing marking processing based on a date code, will not result in a different production lot even if an abnormal situation (such as a momentary power outage) occurs when crossing over dates.

[0020] 1, the laser marker 10 according to this embodiment includes a processing unit 11, a nonvolatile memory unit 12, an RTC (Real-Time Clock) circuit 13, and an FPGA unit 20. Note that in this embodiment, explanations of the optical system components and power supply components used when marking an object with laser light, such as a laser light source, a galvanometer scanner, and a main power supply, are omitted, but the laser marker 10 according to this embodiment may include these well-known optical system components and power supply components.

[0021] The processing unit 11 executes processing (for example, a program) to realize the functions of the laser marker 10. The processing unit 11 may be interpreted as a processor, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), a control circuit, etc. Details of the processing performed by the processing unit 11 will be explained as appropriate.

[0022] The nonvolatile storage unit 12 is configured with a storage medium that can retain information even when the main power supply of the laser marker 10 is turned off. The nonvolatile storage unit 12 is configured with, for example, a flash memory.

[0023] The RTC circuit 13 counts and outputs the current date and time. The RTC circuit 13 continues to operate using an internal battery even when the main power supply is turned off.

[0024] The FPGA unit 20 is a circuit for managing and controlling the time hold period according to this embodiment. The time hold period will be described later.

[0025] 1, the FPGA unit 20 has an internal clock register 21, a first time-hold determination circuit 22, a first time-hold register 23, a second time-hold register 24, and a date and time reference determination circuit 25. Note that the first time-hold register 23 may be read as a first register, and the second time-hold register 24 may be read as a second register.

[0026] The current date and time output from the RTC circuit 13 are set in the internal clock register 21. For example, the internal clock register 21 may be updated with the current date and time by an interrupt every second. However, the internal clock register 21 may also be updated at intervals longer than one second (for example, at intervals of 10 seconds or one minute).

[0027] A first time hold period may be set in the first time hold determination circuit 22. The term "first time hold" may be interpreted as an internally controlled time hold or an automatically controlled time hold. The first time hold period is a period in which a start time (first time) and an end time (second time) are set, for example, from "0:00" to "7:00," and may be arbitrarily set by the user. Alternatively, the start time (first time) may be fixed at midnight, and the user may be able to arbitrarily set the end time (second time). Alternatively, the user may be able to set the end time (second time) between "0:00" and "12:00."

[0028] Note that the method for setting the first time hold period is not limited to this. For example, the first time hold period may be set to an activation period such as "7 hours." In this case, the first time hold period is from midnight when the date changes to seven hours (activation period). Alternatively, the first time hold period may be set to a release time such as "7:00." In this case, the first time hold period is from "midnight" when the date changes to "7:00" (release time). Alternatively, the first time hold period may be set to a countdown time such as "31:00." In this case, the first time hold period is from "24:00" (i.e., "midnight") when the date changes to "31:00" (i.e., "7:00") (countdown time). Furthermore, the first time hold period may be set within the morning (from "midnight" to "12:00"). Alternatively, the time hold period may be set within a predetermined time period in the morning (for example, from "midnight" to "9:00"). This is effective, for example, when you want to keep the same production lot even before the start of business (or the start of work) the next day, that is, when the same day's work is repeated during the night shift or batch processing.

[0029] Furthermore, the period that the user can set as the first time hold period may be predetermined, for example, from "0:00" to "12:00." In this case, if the user inputs a start time and an end time that are outside the period that can be set as the first time hold period, the first time hold determination circuit 22 may invalidate the input start time and end time (or may not accept the input). Furthermore, if a start time and an end time that are outside the settable period are input in this way, the laser marker 10 may output to the external PLC 50, for example, an alert indicating that the input values ​​are outside the settable range, or an alert indicating the settable period and urging the user to input a value within the settable period.

[0030] Next, the processing of the first time-hold decision circuit 22 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the first time-hold decision circuit 22 according to this embodiment.

[0031] The first time hold determination circuit 22 determines whether or not the first time hold period has been set (S101).

[0032] If the first time hold period is not set (S101: NO), the first time hold determination circuit 22 advances the process to step S104.

[0033] If the first time hold period is set (S101: YES), the first time hold determination circuit 22 determines whether the current time among the current date and time obtained from the internal clock register 21 is within the first time hold period (S102).

[0034] If the current time acquired from the internal clock register 21 is within the first time hold period (S12: YES), the first time hold determination circuit 22 sets previous day information, including the date of the day before the current date, in the first time hold register 23 (S103). For example, if the current date and time are "March 7, 2024, 1:23:45," the first time hold determination circuit 22 sets previous day information, "March 6, 2024, 23:59:59," in the first time hold register 23. Note that the previous day information only needs to include the date of the previous day, and the time is not limited to "23:59:59." For example, the previous day information may be expressed as the date of the previous day and the time obtained by adding the current time to midnight, such as "March 6, 2024, 25:23:45." Then, the process returns to the initial processing.

[0035] If the current time of the current date and time acquired from the internal clock register is outside the first time hold period (S102: NO), the first time hold determination circuit 22 sets the first time hold register 23 to a NULL value or a predetermined value indicating that the current time is outside the first time hold period (S104). Note that setting the NULL value in the first time hold register 23 may mean clearing the value already set in the first time hold register 23. Also, the NULL value set in the first time hold register 23 or the predetermined value indicating that the current time is outside the first time hold period may be interpreted as an invalidation flag for the first time hold period. Then, the process returns to the initial processing.

[0036] Returning to Fig. 1, when the first time hold determination circuit 22 sets the previous day information, the first time hold register 23 holds the previous day information. When the first time hold determination circuit 22 sets a default value, the first time hold register 23 holds the default value.

[0037] When the second timehold register 24 receives a control signal with a hold-on instruction from an external PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 50, it acquires the current date and time from the internal clock register 21 and stores the acquired current date and time as the second timehold date and time. Furthermore, when the second timehold register 24 receives a control signal with a hold-off instruction from the external PLC, it stores a default value. This default value indicates that the second timehold period is invalid. Therefore, the default value may be interpreted as a disable flag for the second timehold period. Furthermore, the second timehold may be interpreted as an externally controlled timehold.

[0038] The external PLC 50 can send and receive information to and from the laser marker 10 via a predetermined communication network (e.g., wired LAN, wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), USB cable, etc.). A user may be able to set up, operate, and check the operation of the laser marker through the external PLC 50. The external PLC 50 may be configured as a dedicated device, or may be configured as, for example, a PC, tablet terminal, smartphone, etc.

[0039] The laser marker 10 may be configured not to have a function related to the second time hold period. In other words, this embodiment may be configured not to include the external PLC 50 and the second time hold register 24.

[0040] The date and time reference and determination circuit 25 refers to the first time hold register 23, the second time hold register 24, and the internal clock register 21, and outputs to the processing unit 11 those that meet the conditions as reference information.

[0041] Next, the processing of the date and time reference and determination circuit 25 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the date and time reference and determination circuit 25 according to this embodiment.

[0042] The date and time reference and determination circuit 25 determines whether or not the previous day's information is set in the first time hold register 23 (S201).

[0043] If the previous day information is set in the first time hold register 23 (S201: YES), the date and time reference determination circuit 25 outputs the previous day information to the processing unit 11 as reference information (S202), and the process returns to the initial process.

[0044] If the previous day information is not set in the first time hold register 23 (i.e., if the default value is set in the first time hold register 23) (S201: NO), the date and time reference determination circuit 25 determines whether the second time hold date and time is set in the second time hold register 24 (S203).

[0045] If the second timehold date and time is set in the second timehold register 24 (S203: YES), the date and time reference determination circuit 25 outputs the second timehold date and time as reference information to the processing unit 11 (S204) and returns to the initial processing.

[0046] If the second time hold date and time is not set in the second time hold register 24 (i.e., if a default value is set in the second time hold register 24) (S203: YES), the date and time reference determination circuit 25 outputs the current date and time set in the internal clock register 21 to the processing unit 11 as reference information (S205), and returns to the initial processing.

[0047] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 1, the processing unit 11 generates marking information based on the reference information output from the date and time reference and determination circuit 25. The marking information is, for example, a character string listing the dates and times included in the reference information, or information including a serial number determined based on the dates and times. The processing unit 11 then controls a laser light source, a galvanometer scanner, etc. to mark the target object with the content of the marking information.

[0048] For example, when previous day information is acquired as reference information, the processing unit 11 generates marking information based on the previous day information. For example, when a user sets "00:00" to "7:00" as the first time hold period and performs marking processing on a production lot for "March 6, 2024" at the current date and time, "March 7, 2024, 1:23:45," marking processing can be performed using marking information generated based on "March 6, 2024, 23:59:59" (i.e., the previous day, "March 6") set as the previous day information. In other words, marking processing can be performed on a production lot that spans dates using marking information that has continuity and does not span dates.

[0049] For example, when the second time hold date and time is acquired as reference information, the processing unit 11 generates marking information based on the second time hold date and time. For example, if a user sends a hold-on instruction via the external PLC 50 at "March 6, 2024, 21:00:00" and performs marking processing on a production lot for "March 6, 2024" at the current date and time, "March 7, 2024, 1:23:45," marking processing can be performed using marking information generated based on "March 6, 2024, 21:00:00" set as the second time hold date and time (i.e., for the previous day, "March 6"). In other words, marking processing can be performed on a production lot that spans dates using marking information that has continuity and does not span dates.

[0050] For example, the laser marker 10 may be configured in advance to prioritize the first time hold function over the second time hold function, and the system may be configured with the external PLC 50 connected. The setting to prioritize the first time hold function may be built into the laser marker 10 during manufacturing, or the user may be able to set whether the first time hold or the second time hold is to be prioritized. When the first time hold function is prioritized, the processing unit 11 performs hold processing based on the set first time hold period. Even if an external control signal is input from the external PLC 50, the first time hold function takes priority, so the external control signal does not need to be enabled. On the other hand, if the first time hold function is not set or the set first time hold period is cleared, the second time hold function may be enabled if an external control signal is input from the external PLC 50.

[0051] For example, the date and time reference and determination circuit 25 of the laser marker 10 may be provided with a means for selecting (setting) the first time hold function or the second time hold function. In this case, the user can set the date and time reference and determination circuit 25 to select either the first time hold function (internal control) or the second time hold function (external control) depending on the production lot, and then use (enable) the selected time hold function to perform marking processing.

[0052] For example, when the current date and time are acquired as reference information, the processing unit 11 generates marking information based on the current date and time. When marking is to be performed on the current date and time, "March 7, 2024, 13:00:00," marking can be performed using marking information generated based on "March 7, 2024, 13:00:00."

[0053] Here, consider a case where a first time hold period is set in the first time hold register 23, and a momentary power outage occurs at, for example, "March 7, 2024, 1:23:00," causing the laser marker 10 to restart. In this case, because the first time hold determination circuit 22 and the first time hold register 23 of the FPGA unit 20 are configured with volatile memory, the first time hold period set in the first time hold determination circuit 22 and the previous day information set in the first time hold register 23 before the power outage are erased by the power outage. Therefore, for example, if marking processing is to be performed at "March 7, 2024, 1:23:45" after restart, nothing is set in the first time hold register 23, and the date and time reference determination circuit 25 outputs the current date and time, "March 7, 2024, 1:23:45," to the processing unit 11. Therefore, if a power outage had not occurred, marking processing would have been performed on a production lot that straddles dates as if the date did not straddle, but due to the power outage, marking processing that straddles dates is performed on the production lot that straddles dates. Such abnormal situations are not limited to power outages, but can also occur, for example, when the laser marker 10 is restarted for some reason. Therefore, as will be explained below, the laser marker 10 according to this embodiment is configured and performs processing that maintains the validity of the setting of the first time hold period even when such an abnormal situation occurs.

[0054] When a first time hold period is set by the user, the processing unit 11 sets the first time hold period in the first time hold determination circuit 22 and stores it in the nonvolatile storage unit 12. Then, when the laser marker 10 is started up, it executes the following process shown in Fig. 4.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of startup of the laser marker 10 according to this embodiment.

[0056] The processing unit 11 acquires the current date and time (initial date and time) from the RTC circuit 13 (S301).

[0057] The processing unit 11 sets the initial date and time acquired in step S301 in the internal clock register 21 (S302).

[0058] The processing unit 11 determines whether or not the first time hold period is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 12 (S303).

[0059] If the first time hold period is not stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 12 (S303: NO), the processing unit 11 ends this process.

[0060] If the first time hold period is stored in the non-volatile memory unit 12 (S303: YES), the processing unit 11 sets the first time hold period acquired from the non-volatile memory unit 12 in the first time hold judgment circuit 22 (S304) and terminates this processing.

[0061] As a result, the first time hold period before restart is reset in the first time hold determination circuit 22, so even if an abnormal situation occurs and the laser marker 10 is restarted, the determination in step S101 shown in Fig. 2 will be YES, and the validity of the setting of the first time hold period will be maintained. Therefore, for example, if marking processing is being performed on a production lot that spans dates as if the date did not span, even if an abnormal situation occurs after the date span and the laser marker 10 is restarted, marking processing can be continued as if the date did not span.

[0062] Summary of the Disclosure The above description of the first embodiment discloses the following techniques.

[0063] <Technology 1> In this embodiment, a laser marker (10) that performs marking processing on an object using a laser comprises: a time hold determination unit (e.g., a first time hold determination circuit 22) that sets, when a time hold period indicating the period from a first time to a second time and the current time is within the time hold period, previous day information including a date that is earlier than the current date in a specified register (e.g., a first time hold register 23); a date and time reference determination unit (e.g., a date and time reference determination circuit 25) that outputs the previous day information as reference information when the previous day information is set in the register; and a processing unit (11) that performs the marking processing on the object based on the reference information output from the date and time reference determination unit. This allows the user to set a time hold period and perform marking processing on a production lot that spans multiple dates as if it were not spanning multiple dates. In other words, the user can use the time hold function more easily.

[0064] <Technology 2> The laser marker described in Technology 1 further includes a nonvolatile storage unit (12), and the processing unit stores the time hold period set in the time hold determination unit in the nonvolatile storage unit. This makes it possible to prevent the time hold period set in the time hold determination section from being erased when the laser marker is restarted.

[0065] <Technology 3> In the laser marker described in Technique 2, when the time hold period is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit at the time of startup, the processing unit sets the time hold period in the time hold determination unit. As a result, when the laser marker is restarted, the time hold period set in the time hold determination unit before the restart is restored. Therefore, for example, if marking processing is being performed on a production lot that spans dates as if the date did not span, even if the laser marker is restarted after the date span, marking processing can be continued as if the date did not span. In other words, the reliability of the laser marker's operation can be improved.

[0066] <Technology 4> In the laser marker described in any one of Techniques 1 to 3, if the previous day's information is not set in the register, the date and time reference determination unit outputs the current date and time to the processing unit as the reference information. This allows the date and time reference determination unit to output the current date and time as reference information to the processing unit when the current time is outside the time hold period.

[0067] <Technology 5> In the laser marker according to any one of the first to fourth techniques, the first time in the time hold period is fixed to midnight or a predetermined time. This eliminates the need to set the first time.

[0068] <Technology 6> In the laser marker according to any one of techniques 1 to 5, the previous day information includes the time obtained by adding the current time to 24:00 in addition to the date of the previous day. This allows marking to be done based on the 24-hour notation without spanning the date.

[0069] <Technology 7> In the laser marker according to any one of the first to sixth techniques, the second time in the time hold period can be set up to 12 o'clock. This allows marking processing to be performed up until mid-morning (12:00) without spanning the date.

[0070] <Technology 8> In the laser marker described in any one of techniques 1 to 7, if the current time is outside the time hold period, the time hold determination unit sets a NULL value or a predetermined value indicating that the current time is outside the time hold period in the register (e.g., first time hold register 23). This allows the date reference determination unit to refer to the register and recognize that the current time is outside the time hold period.

[0071] <Technology 9> In the laser marker described in any one of Techniques 1 to 8, if a setting outside of a predetermined settable time hold period is input, the time hold determination unit invalidates the input setting. This makes it possible to prevent a setting that is outside the settable time hold period from being set by the user.

[0072] <Technology 10> In the laser marker described in any one of Techniques 1 to 9, the specified register is a first register (e.g., first time hold register 23), and the laser marker further includes a second register (e.g., second time hold register 24) in which a time hold date and time indicating a past date and time is set based on an external instruction, and the date and time reference determination unit outputs the previous day information to the processing unit as the reference information when the previous day information is set in the first register, outputs the time hold date and time to the processing unit as the reference information when the previous day information is not set in the register and the time hold date and time is set in the second register, and outputs the current date and time to the processing unit as the reference information when the previous day information is not set in the first register and the time hold date and time is not set in the second register. This allows the time hold period and time hold date and time to be set, and the date and time reference determination unit can output reference information in the order of priority of the time hold period, time hold date and time, and the current date and time, thereby providing the user with a variety of time hold functions.

[0073] <Technology 11> In the laser marker described in any one of Techniques 1 to 9, the specified register is a first register (e.g., first time hold register 23), and the laser marker further includes a second register (e.g., second time hold register 24) in which a time hold date and time indicating a past date and time is set based on an external instruction, and the date and time reference determination unit outputs the previous day information of the first register to the processing unit as the reference information when use of the first register is selected, and outputs the time hold date and time of the second register to the processing unit as the reference information when use of the second register is selected. This allows the user to select whether to use a time hold period set inside the laser marker or to use a time hold date and time that can be specified externally.

[0074] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] The technology disclosed herein is useful for laser markers that mark parts with manufacturing dates and times, serial numbers, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10 Laser Marker 11 Processing section 12 Non-volatile memory unit 13 RTC circuit 20 FPGA Department 21 Internal clock register 22 First time hold judgment circuit 23 First Time Hold Register 24 Second Time Hold Register 25 Date and time reference judgment circuit 50 External PLC

Claims

1. A laser marker that performs marking processing on an object using a laser, a time hold determination unit that sets, in a predetermined register, previous day information including a date that is earlier than the current date, when a time hold period indicating a period from a first time to a second time is set and the current time is within the time hold period; a date and time reference determination unit that outputs the previous day information as reference information when the previous day information is set in the register; a processing unit that performs the marking process on the object based on the reference information output from the date and time reference determination unit, Laser marker.

2. Further comprising a nonvolatile storage unit, the processing unit stores the time hold period set in the time hold determination unit in the nonvolatile storage unit; The laser marker according to claim 1 .

3. When the time hold period is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit at the time of startup, the processing unit sets the time hold period in the time hold determination unit. The laser marker according to claim 2.

4. When the previous day information is not set in the register, the date and time reference determination unit outputs the current date and time to the processing unit as the reference information. The laser marker according to claim 1 .

5. During the time hold period, the first time is fixed to 0:00 or a predetermined time. The laser marker according to claim 1 .

6. The previous day information includes, in addition to the date of the previous day, a time obtained by adding the current time to 24 hours. The laser marker according to claim 1 .

7. During the time hold period, the second time can be set between 0:00 and 12:

00. The laser marker according to claim 1 .

8. When the current time is outside the time hold period, the time hold determination unit sets a NULL value or a predetermined value indicating that the current time is outside the time hold period in the register. The laser marker according to claim 1 .

9. the time hold determination unit invalidates the input setting when a setting outside a predetermined settable time hold period is input; The laser marker according to claim 1 .

10. The predetermined register is a first register, a second register in which a time hold date and time indicating a past date and time is set based on an external instruction; The date and time reference determination unit If the previous day information is set in the first register, the previous day information is output to the processing unit as the reference information; If the previous day information is not set in the first register and the time hold date and time is set in the second register, output the time hold date and time as the reference information to the processing unit; If the previous day information is not set in the first register and the time hold date and time is not set in the second register, outputting the current date and time to the processing unit as the reference information. The laser marker according to claim 1 .

11. The predetermined register is a first register, a second register in which a time hold date and time indicating a past date and time is set based on an external instruction; The date and time reference determination unit When the use of the first register is selected, the information of the previous day in the first register is output to the processing unit as the reference information; When the use of the second register is selected, the time hold date and time of the second register is output to the processing unit as the reference information. The laser marker according to claim 1 .

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