Patent Application
20180260168
The present invention relates to labeling systems, and in particular, to systems for applying labels to specific areas of packages or boxes.
Typically, products stored in cartons or boxes are identified by a label on the outside of the carton or box. Identifying information may also be printed directly onto the carton with inkjet or any other suitable printing technology. The label may have optically readable information, such as a UPC barcode. These labels allow optical readers using a laser beam to scan the information contained thereon, such as description, price, date packaged, or any other usable data. One disadvantage of optically readable labels is that the optical reader and the label must be within a specific spatial relationship to each other, such as within a line of sight or along a perpendicular scan direction, or is limited in range by the optical reader.
A more recent type of label uses RFID or Radio Frequency Identification tags to store information. RFID uses radio frequency signals to acquire the data from the data within range of an RFID reader. RFID transponders or tags, either active or passive, are typically used with the RFID reader to read information from the RFID tag embedded in a label. RFID tags and labels can be obtained through companies such as Alien Technology Corporation of Morgan Hill, Calif.
One advantage of RFID labels is that line of sight is no longer required to read the label. This is a significant advantage since with barcodes, anything blocking the laser beam from the barcode would prevent the barcode from being read. Using radio frequencies allows RFID labels to be read through solid objects located between the RFID label and the RFID reader.
With either type of label, there may be optimal or more desirable locations on a carton, box, or package to attach the label. For example, for a decorative box to be used at a store for purchase by consumers, it may be desirable to place the label discretely on a corner so that more of the box can be used for visuals. For a carton used in a warehouse, it may be desirable to place the label near the center of the carton for ease of reading, since aesthetics would not be as important as for the store box.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,788, discloses a label application device that could be set for specific X, Y, and Z coordinates to allow for label placements for different size boxes. Thus, as the size, shape and dimensions of boxes changed, the specific X, Y, and Z coordinates remained absolute. However, this method for placing a label on a box does not easily allow different label placements for boxes of various skew angles or where a box is placed not in perfect alignment of the axes.
Thus, instead of altering the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the label, the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the box may need to be manipulated.
Accordingly, there is a need for label application systems that can apply labels onto packages that overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art as discussed above. One object of the invention is to provide a solution that can eliminate the need to reposition the (skewed) box to align perfectly with the x, y and z axes for the 3 dimension label printer to function properly and to be able to print the label that is aligned to edges thus saving time in aligning the boxes before affixing the label.
According to one aspect of the invention, coordinate data, such as x, y, z coordinates, is first sent to a printer system, which identifies coordinates where a label is to be placed or applied on a package. The coordinate data can be sent as part of the data stream carrying the printing or encoding information for the label and can be from any third party software such as any warehouse management software, label printing software, SAP Drivers, or any database drivers. When the printer system receives this data stream, the printer system, such as through a controller, will move and/or rotate independent motors (e.g., x, y, and/or z axis motors) in the appropriate directions to position the applicator or package in the desired position. For example, the independent motors may be moved and/or rotated in appropriate directions until the skew angle of the package is determined to be within an acceptable approach to zero. This can be done while the printer system is printing or encoding the label. Once each motor has been moved to its destination position, signals are sent back to the controller reporting the position. Once all three motors are ready, the printer system sends an apply signal to the applicator, which applies the label at the desired location on the package.
As a result, labels can be easily and quickly placed anywhere on a package. For example, two consecutive labels can be placed at the same relative position on different sized packages or at different positions on the same sized packages. This enables labels to be applied to locations most desirable for a certain package and use.
In one aspect, a invention is disclosed where a printer system, comprising: a print and apply device configured to print or encode a label and apply the label to a package, wherein the device has a printer/encoder portion and an applicator portion; a first motor to move the print and apply device in an X-direction; a second motor to move the print and apply device in a Y-direction; a third motor to move the print and apply device in a Z-direction; a first supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the X-axis; a second supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the Y-axis; a third supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the Z-axis; a camera for determining if said package is within field of view; a sensor for detecting skew angle of said package; a controller coupled to the print and apply device and having a single interface configured to receive a single data stream comprising label data and positioning data from a single data stream; and a command parser configured to receive the single data stream and parse label data to the printer/encoder portion and positioning data to the applicator portion. In one embodiment, the controller is integral with the print and apply device. In one embodiment, the data stream is received from a host device. In one embodiment, the package can be of any size. In one embodiment, further comprising a conveyor to move the package across the print and apply device. In one embodiment, the print and apply device is located above the package. In one embodiment, the print and apply device is located along a side of the package. In one embodiment, the positioning data comprises a first distance from a leading edge of the package. In one embodiment, the positioning data comprises a second distance from a side edge of the package. In one embodiment, the label is a barcode label.
A printer system, comprising: a print and apply device configured to print or encode a label and apply the label to a package, wherein the device has a printer/encoder portion and an applicator portion; a first motor to move the package in an X-direction; a second motor to move the package in a Y-direction; a third motor to move the package in a Z-direction; a first supplemental motor to rotate the package along the X-axis; a second supplemental motor to rotate the package along the Y-axis; a third supplemental motor to rotate the package along the Z-axis; a camera for determining if said package is within field of view; a sensor for detecting skew angle of said package; a controller coupled to the print and apply device and having a single interface configured to receive a single data stream comprising label data and positioning data from a single data stream; and a command parser configured to receive the single data stream and parse label data to the printer/encoder portion and positioning data to the applicator portion. In one embodiment, the controller is integral with the print and apply device. In one embodiment, the data stream is received from a host device. In one embodiment, the package can be of any size. In one embodiment, the invention comprising a conveyor to move the package across the print and apply device. In one embodiment the print and apply device is located above the package. In one embodiment, the print and apply device is located along a side of the package. In one embodiment, the positioning data comprises a first distance from a leading edge of the package. In one embodiment, the positioning data comprises a second distance from a side edge of the package. In one embodiment, the label is a barcode label.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a printer system is disclosed, comprising: a print and apply device configured to print or encode a label and apply the label to a package, wherein the device has a printer or encoder portion and an applicator portion; a first motor to move the print and apply device in an X-direction; a second motor to move the print and apply device in a Y-direction; a third motor to move the print and apply device in a Z-direction; a controller coupled to the print and apply device and having a single interface configured to receive a first single data stream comprising label data from the first single data stream; and a command parser configured to receive the first single data stream and parse the label data to the printer/encoder; the controller is further configured to receive a second single data stream comprising positioning data from the second single data stream; and the command parser configured to receive the second single data stream and parse the positioning data to the applicator portion. In another embodiment, the system is further comprised of a first server hosting and delivering the first single data stream. In another embodiment, the system is further comprised of a second server hosting and delivering the second single data stream. In yet another aspect of the invention, a printer system is disclosed, comprising: a print and apply device configured to print or encode a label and apply the label to a package, wherein the device has a printer/encoder portion and an applicator portion; a first motor to move the print and apply device in an X-direction;a second motor to move the print and apply device in a Y-direction; a third motor to move the print and apply device in a Z-direction; a first supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the X-axis; a second supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the Y-axis; a third supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the Z-axis; a camera for determining if the package is within field of view;a sensor for detecting skew angle of the package; a controller coupled to the print and apply device and having a single interface configured to receive a first single data stream comprising label data from the first single data stream; and a command parser configured to receive the first single data stream and parse the label data to the printer/encoder; the controller is further configured to receive a second single data stream comprising positioning data from the second single data stream; and the command parser configured to receive the second single data stream and parse the positioning data to the applicator portion. In another embodiment, the system is further comprised of a first server hosting and delivering the first single data stream. In another embodiment the system is further comprised of a second server hosting and delivering the second single data stream. In yet another aspect of the invention, a printer system, comprising: a first print and apply device configured to print or encode a label and apply one or more label to one or more packages, wherein the device has a printer/encoder portion and an applicator portion; a first motor to move the print and apply device in an X-direction; a second motor to move the print and apply device in a Y-direction; third motor to move the print and apply device in a Z-direction; a second print and apply device configured to print or encode a second label and apply the one or more label to the one or more package, wherein the device has a printer/encoder portion and an applicator portion; a first motor to move the print and apply device in an X-direction; a second motor to move the print and apply device in a Y-direction; a third motor to move the print and apply device in a Z-direction; a switching device that delivers the one or more packages to the first or second print and apply device on request; a controller coupled to the print and apply device and having a single interface configured to receive a first single data stream comprising label data from the first single data stream; and a command parser configured to receive the first single data stream and parse the label data to the printer/encoder; the controller is further configured to receive a second single data stream comprising positioning data from the second single data stream; and the command parser configured to receive the second single data stream and parse the positioning data to the applicator portion. In another embodiment, the system is further comprised of a first server hosting and delivering the first single data stream. In another embodiment, the system is further comprised of a second server hosting and delivering the second single data stream. In another embodiment, a printer system, comprising a first print and apply device configured to print or encode one or more label and apply the label to one or more package; wherein the first print and apply device has a printer/encoder portion and an applicator portion; a first motor to move the print and apply device in an X-direction;a second motor to move the print and apply device in a Y-direction; a third motor to move the print and apply device in a Z-direction; a first supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the X-axis; a second supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the Y-axis; a third supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the Z-axis; a camera for determining if the package is within field of view; a sensor for detecting skew angle of the package; a second print and apply device configured to print or encode the one or more label and apply the label to the one or more package; wherein the second print and apply device has a printer/encoder portion and an applicator portion; a first motor to move the print and apply device in an X-direction; a second motor to move the print and apply device in a Y-direction; a third motor to move the print and apply device in a Z-direction; a first supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the X-axis; a second supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the Y-axis; a third supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the Z-axis; a camera for determining if the package is within field of view; a sensor for detecting skew angle of the package; a switching device that delivers the one or more packages to the first or second print and apply device on request; a controller coupled to the print and apply device and having a single interface configured to receive a first single data stream comprising label data from the first single data stream; and a command parser configured to receive the first single data stream and parse the label data to the printer/encoder; the controller is further configured to receive a second single data stream comprising positioning data from the second single data stream; and the command parser configured to receive the second single data stream and parse the positioning data to the applicator portion. In another embodiment, the system is further comprised of a first server hosting and delivering the first single data stream. In another embodiment, the system is further comprised of a second server hosting and delivering the second single data stream.
This invention will be more fully understood in conjunction with the following detailed description taken together with the following drawings.
Use of the same or similar reference numbers in different figures indicates same or like elements.
Typically, each manufacturer uses a unique and specific language or software interface, such as PGL (Printronix Graphics Language used and supported by Printronix of Irvine, Calif), ZPL (Zebra Programming Language used and supported by Zebra Technologies of Illinois), and IPL (Intermec Programming Language used and supported by Intermec of Washington). Other manufacturers with specific languages include TEC and Sato.
Print and apply machine 102 may include a printer data control section that receives the data stream and a printer engine control section for printing the label, as is known in the art. The printer engine control section manages the printer components (e.g., the print head, ribbon motors, platen motor and roller, sensors, etc.) to cause a printed image to be created on the label, based on the received image data.
Print and apply machine 102 is coupled to an X-motor 104, a Y-motor 106, and a Z-motor 108. X-motor enables print and apply machine 102 to move in the X-direction, as shown, such as by driving mechanisms or the machine itself. Similarly, Y-motor 106 and Z-motor 108 enable print and apply machine 102 to move in the Y-direction and Z-direction, respectively, as shown. With three degrees of freedom, printer system 100 is capable of applying a label 110, tag, or other article anywhere on a carton 112 or package, where carton 112 can be different sizes and heights. Details of an application process will be discussed below.
Print and apply machine 102 can include a thermal printer or any other suitable printer. The printer prints the optical information on labels as they pass through the print station. The labels may be in a roll and the roll unwound to expose each label to the print head for printing. “Suitable” printers may also include RFID devices that encode and/or write information onto an RFID tag or label. After the label is printed and/or encoded, an applicator section of machine 102 applies label 110 to carton 112. Print and apply machines are known in the art, such as available through Label-Aire, Weber, and Diagraph RFID labels may also be encoded after being applied to carton 112.
A conveyer system 114 moves cartons 110, which can be packages, boxes, or any other items on which label 11 is to be attached. As each carton 112 passes by the applicator section of machine 102, label 110 with printed barcode or encoded RFID information is attached. Note that barcode, as used herein, may refer to any optically readable format and is not limited to barcodes. Cartons 112 can then be moved along conveyer system 114 for sorting or any other suitable processing.
As discussed above, label 110 can also be encoded with RFID information, such as from a data stream. Note that print and apply machine 102 is labeled as a unitary device. However, depending on the system and/or required function, machine 102 can be separated into two or more devices, such as for printing, encoding, applying, etc. In one embodiment, the existing information is obtained from a data stream transmitted by a host computer (not shown). The data stream can include commands, information, or instructions for printing or encoding information on a label. Print and apply machine 102 can then process the necessary signal components and use the information to print and/or encode a label.
In one embodiment, the data stream also contains information about where label 110 should be placed on carton 112. Along with EPC (Electronic Product Code) data, the data stream may also include location information on the carton. For example, this information may be the distance from the leading edge (or relative front) of the carton (X-direction in
The coordinate information, as discussed above, can be sent from a host computer incorporating any third party software such as any warehouse management software, label printing software, SAP drivers, or any database drivers. If the coordinate information is sent with the data stream, the printer system may print/encode the labels and position print and apply machine 102 at the same time, resulting in increased throughput. Once printer system 100 receives an indication, such as through confirmation signals, that both the label is ready and the applicator is properly position, print and apply machine 102 can be brought down (in the Z-direction) to apply the label. Note that the origination of print and apply machine 102 may be positioned at different locations relative to carton 112. For example, if it is desirable to apply labels to one of the sides of carton 112, print and apply machine 102 may be placed along that particular side.
In one embodiment, a command parser is used to route the appropriate data to the appropriate destinations. When a data stream that includes both label data and positioning data is received, the command parser may first identify the specific commands for label printing/encoding and the specific data for applicator placement. The command parser then separates the two, and routes the label data to the printer/encoder portion of the system and routes the positioning information to the applicator portion of the system.
Referring back to
In one embodiment, GPIO module 212 can be driven by any internal printing, encoding or verification event or by external events. Through mappings, GPIO module 212 can generate output events to drive external devices or to control printer internal activities, resulting in more effective management of functions.
Next at step 408, in response to the position information transmitted in step 404, the individual motors are moved into the desired positions. Similarly, at step 410, the printer/encoder portion of the printer system prints or encodes labels according to the EPC data received in step 406. This can be done at the same time as the motor movement of step 408. At step 412, the system determines whether the motors are ready, i.e., in the proper position for label application. In one embodiment, this determination is made by checking to see if the system receives a signal from a motor indicating that it is in the proper position. Once the system receives such a signal from each motor, then the system determines that the motors are ready. At step 414, the system determines whether the label is ready, e.g., when printing or encoding is completed. This step may take place at the same time as step 412 or before or after.
When the motors are ready (as determined in step 412) and the label is ready (as determined in step 414), the system applies the label in step 416. In one embodiment, when the label is ready to be applied, a signal is sent to the system for application of the label on the carton. Because the system has independent motors to move the applicator portion anywhere over the carton, the label can be applied anywhere on the carton. Furthermore, because the system has a single integrated controller, both the label printing/encoding information and the label positioning information can be sent to a single interface, in a single data stream. This results in a simple, easy to integrate system that enhances throughput, since label printing and applicator placement can be performed at the same time.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely meant to be illustrative and not limiting. It will thus be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
The printer system 700 is coupled to an X-motor 704, a Y-motor 706, a Z-motor 708, a supplemental X-motor 728, a supplemental Y-motor 726, and a supplemental Z-motor 730. X-motor 604 enables package 612 to move in the X-direction, as shown, such as by driving mechanisms or the machine itself. A camera 720 comprising a sensor 722 converts the optical image of the package 712 to an electrical file. A rotation actuator mechanism rotates the camera 720 in an appropriate direction to align the sensor 722 with the package 712. When samples of the image are taken, the skew angle determined by a computer algorithm. The camera 720 continues to be moved in the appropriate direction until the skew angle is determined to be within an acceptable approach to zero. At that time camera 720 motion is stopped. The controller 724 then receives a single data stream comprising label data and positioning data. In response to the position information transmission, the supplemental motors 726, 728, 730 are moved into the desired positions such that a first motor 704 and a first supplemental motor 728 moves along the X-direction and rotates the package 712 along the X-direction axis; a second motor 706 and a second supplemental motor 726 moves along the Y-direction and then rotates the package 712 along the Y-direction axis; and a third motor 708 moves along the Z-direction axis and a third supplemental motor 730 rotates the package 712 along the Z-direction axis. With three degrees of freedom, printer system 700 is capable of applying a label, tag, or other article anywhere on a package 712, where the package can be positioned at different angles. Once printer system 700 receives an indication, such as through confirmation signals, that both the label is ready and the print and apply machine 702 is properly positioned, print and apply machine 702 can be brought down (in the x-axis direction) to apply the label.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15095084 | Apr 2016 | US |
| Child | 15919238 | US |
