Abstract:
An image forming apparatus includes: a setting part that sets image data; an image forming part that forms an image based on the image data on a base member of a recording material; a groove forming part having an opposing member mounted on a portion facing the base member of having an image, the groove forming part urging a projecting part against the recording material to form a groove in the base member; an acquisition part that acquires a type of the opposing member; a storage part that stores a content of the image data and the type of the opposing member in an associated manner; and a control part that controls an image forming operation, on the basis of the association between the content of the image data and the type of the opposing member stored in the storage part in an associated manner.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 15/133,659 filed Apr. 20, 2016, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-247197 filed Dec. 18, 2015. The disclosures of the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: a setting part that sets image data; an image forming part that forms an image based on the image data on a base member of a recording material formed by attaching the base member to a backing sheet; a groove forming part having an opposing member mounted on a portion facing the base member of the recording material that has an image formed by the image forming part, the groove forming part urging a projecting part formed on the opposing member against the recording material to form a groove in the base member; an acquisition part that acquires a type of the opposing member mounted on the groove forming part; a storage part that stores a content of the image data and the type of the opposing member in an associated manner; and a control part that controls an image forming operation performed by the image forming part, on the basis of the association between the content of the image data and the type of the opposing member stored in the storage part in an associated manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  shows the overall configuration of a label printer according to this exemplary embodiment; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows the configuration of a stamping unit provided in the label printer; 
           [0007]      FIGS. 3A to 3C  show configuration examples of a die plate used in the stamping unit; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows the configuration of a label base used in the label printer; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  show configuration examples of a label-forming image used in the image forming unit; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 6A to 6C  show configuration examples of a multi-label sheet obtained by using the label printer. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a control system of the label printer; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 8A to 8C  are diagrams for explaining a process of producing a third multi-label sheet by using the label printer; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 9A to 9C  are diagrams for explaining the process of producing the third multi-label sheet by using the label printer, as continued from  FIGS. 8A to 8C ; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 10A to 100  show configuration examples of an inspection image; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  shows a configuration example of a label information table; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart of the process of determining if execution of label printing in the label printer is allowed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. 
       Configuration of Label Printer 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  shows the overall configuration of a label printer  1  according to this exemplary embodiment. 
         [0019]    The label printer  1  includes a feeding unit  10 , an image forming unit  20 , a laminating unit  30 , a stamping unit  40 , a separating unit  50 , an image capturing unit  60 , a defective-label peel-off unit  70 , and a winding unit  80 . The label printer  1  also includes a first buffer  91 , a second buffer  92 , and a third buffer  93 . Furthermore, the label printer  1  includes a controller  100  and an instruction receiving unit  110 . 
         [0020]    The feeding unit  10  supports a roll of a label base  200 , from which a multi-label sheet  300  is formed by the label printer  1 . The feeding unit  10  feeds the label base  200  to the image forming unit  20  by rotating the base material roll counterclockwise in  FIG. 1 . In this example, the label base  200  is supported by the feeding unit  10  such that an image forming surface thereof faces outside. 
         [0021]    The image forming unit  20 , serving as an example image forming part, forms print images  240  on one side (i.e., the image forming surface or the front surface) of the label base  200  sent from the feeding unit  10 . The method for forming the print images  240  on the image forming unit  20  may be either forme-based printing, which uses formes, or formeless printing, which does not use formes. However, the detail of the print images  240  may be easily changed in the formeless printing, which does not use formes, as there is no need to prepare formes, compared with the forme-based printing, which uses formes. Furthermore, when formeless printing is employed to form print images  240  in the image forming unit  20 , either an electrophotographic system or a system other than the electrophotographic system (for example, an ink jet method) may be used. In this exemplary embodiment, an electrophotographic system for forming a full-color image by using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners is employed to form print images  240  in the image forming unit  20 . However, the print images  240  do not need to be full-color images, but may be monochrome images. 
         [0022]    The laminating unit  30  attaches a laminate film  250  that is transparent in the visible range to the surface of the label base  200  on which the print images  240  are formed, after the label base  200  has passed through the image forming unit  20 . The laminate film  250  in this exemplary embodiment is formed by providing an adhesive layer on one side of a plastic film that is transparent in the visible range. 
         [0023]    The stamping unit  40 , serving as an example groove forming part, forms, by die cutting, grooves  260  (see  FIG. 9 ) in the label base  200  (i.e., the laminated member composed of the label base  200 , the print images  240 , and the laminate film  250 ) having the print images  240  formed by the image forming unit  20  and having the laminate film  250  attached by the laminating unit  30 , from the side to which the laminate film  250  is attached. At this time, the grooves  260  are formed so as to penetrate through the laminate film  250  but not the label base  200 . As a result of forming the grooves  260 , the laminated member that has passed through the stamping unit  40  is structurally separated into the multi-label sheet  300 , which includes multiple labels  270  (see  FIG. 6 ), and a waste label  280 , but they are maintained in an integrated state by the label base  200 . 
         [0024]    The separating unit  50 , serving as an example removing part, separates, into the multi-label sheet  300  and the waste label  280 , the laminated member having the grooves  260  (see  FIG. 9 ) formed as the laminated member passes through the stamping unit  40 . The separating unit  50  winds and stores the separated waste label  280 . 
         [0025]    The image capturing unit  60 , serving as an example image capturing part, captures an image of the side of the multi-label sheet  300 , separated from the laminated member as it passes through the separating unit  50 , having the laminate film  250  (i.e., the side having the print images  240 ). The image capturing unit  60  is formed of a digital camera that uses a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary MOS (CMOS) image sensor. The image captured by the image capturing unit  60  is used by the controller  100  to inspect the products (the labels  270 , see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0026]    The defective-label peel-off unit  70 , serving as an example peel off part, peels off (removes), from the multi-label sheet  300  that has passed through the image capturing unit  60 , the labels  270  (see  FIG. 6 ) that have been determined to be defective, on the basis of the result of the inspection performed by the controller  100  using the image of the multi-label sheet  300  captured by the image capturing unit  60 . 
         [0027]    The winding unit  80  winds, in a roll, the multi-label sheet  300 , from which the labels  270  (see  FIG. 6 ) that have been determined to be defective are peeled off by the defective-label peel-off unit  70 , and supports the multi-label sheet  300  as a product roller. In this example, the multi-label sheet  300  is supported by the winding unit  80  such that the labels  270  faces outside. 
         [0028]    The first buffer  91 , located between the feeding unit  10  and the image forming unit  20 , functions as a buffer for absorbing the difference in transportation speed of the label base  200  between the feeding unit  10  and the image forming unit  20 , while suppressing loosening of the label base  200 . The second buffer  92 , located between the laminating unit  30  and the stamping unit  40 , functions as a buffer for absorbing the difference in transportation speed of the label base  200  between the laminating unit  30  and the stamping unit  40 , while suppressing loosening of the label base  200 . The third buffer  93 , located between the stamping unit  40  and the separating unit  50 , functions as a buffer for absorbing the difference in transportation speed of the label base  200  between the stamping unit  40  and the separating unit  50 , while suppressing loosening of the label base  200 . 
         [0029]    The controller  100 , serving as an example acquisition part, control part, and determination part, controls the operation of the components of the label printer  1 . The instruction receiving unit  110 , serving as an example setting part, receives instructions from a user, with respect to the operation of the label printer  1 . 
       Configuration of Stamping Unit 
       [0030]      FIG. 2  shows the configuration of a stamping unit  40  provided in the label printer  1 . 
         [0031]    The stamping unit  40  according to this exemplary embodiment includes a first roller  41  disposed so as to face the laminate film  250  of the laminated member, which is composed of the label base  200 , the print images  240  (see  FIG. 1 ), and the laminate film  250 , and a second roller  42  is disposed so as to face the label base  200  (i.e., the second roller  42  faces the first roller  41  with the laminated member therebetween). In the stamping unit  40 , in a state without the laminated member or a die plate  43  (described below), the first roller  41  and the second roller  42  are in contact with each other with a predetermined pressure. The first roller  41  and the second roller  42  are rotationally driven clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0032]    In the stamping unit  40 , the outer circumferential surface of the first roller  41 , which faces the laminate film  250  constituting the laminated member, is provided with the die plate  43 , serving as an example opposing member, to form the grooves  260  (see  FIG. 9 ) in the laminated member. In this exemplary embodiment, a magnet is provided inside the first roller  41 . The die plate  43 , which is formed of a magnetic material, is attracted to the first roller  41  due to a magnetic force and is fixed to the first roller  41 . With this label printer  1 , multiple types of multi-label sheet  300 , which vary in the detail of the print images  240  and in the cutting shape of the labels  270 , may be produced, and thus, the die plate  43  to be attached to the first roller  41  is replaced according to the type of the multi-label sheet  300  to be formed by the label printer  1 . Hence, in this exemplary embodiment, there are multiple die plates  43 . 
         [0033]    The stamping unit  40  according to this exemplary embodiment further includes an image reading part  44  disposed so as to face the outer circumferential surface of the first roller  41  to read an image of the outer circumferential surface of the first roller  41  and an image of the die plate  43  mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the first roller  41 . The image reading part  44 , serving as an example reading device, is formed of a digital camera that uses, for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. 
       Configuration of Die Plate 
       [0034]      FIGS. 3A to 3C  show configuration examples of the die plate  43  used in the stamping unit  40 .  FIG. 3A  shows a first die plate  431 ,  FIG. 3B  shows a second die plate  432  having a different shape from the first die plate  431 , and  FIG. 3C  shows a third die plate  433  having a different shape from the first die plate  431  and the second die plate  432 . 
         [0035]    In  FIGS. 3A to 3C , the first die plate  431  to the third die plate  433  each include a flat part  43   a  formed of a rectangular metal plate (for example, a stainless steel plate), and projecting parts  43   b  projected from the flat part  43   a  toward the near side of the drawing, at portions corresponding to the positions of the grooves  260  (see  FIG. 9 ). The first die plate  431  to the third die plate  433  each include a character image  43   c , which is an image representing an ID (die plate ID) of its own in characters (in this example, an alphabet letter and Arabic numerals), and an identification image  43   d , which is a code (in this example, a barcode) representing the same die plate ID as the character image  43   c . The character image  43   c  and the identification image  43   d  may be formed either by providing grooves and projections, as the projecting parts  43   b , or by printing. 
         [0036]    In this example, when it is assumed that the clockwise direction of the first roller  41  in  FIG. 2  is a second scanning direction SS and that the direction in which the shaft of the first roller  41  extends is a first scanning direction FS, the projecting parts  43   b  in each of the first die plate  431  to the third die plate  433  are configured such that two dies having the same shape are disposed side-by-side in the second scanning direction SS. Furthermore, in each of the first die plate  431  to the third die plate  433 , the character image  43   c  and the identification image  43   d  are disposed at a position shifted from the projecting parts  43   b  in the first scanning direction FS (i.e., toward the end). Furthermore, in each of the first die plate  431  to the third die plate  433 , the character image  43   c  and the identification image  43   d  are arranged side-by-side in the second scanning direction SS. 
         [0037]    The first die plate  431  shown in  FIG. 3A  has two rectangular projecting parts  43   b . The die plate ID of the first die plate  431  is “D001”, as shown by the character image  43   c  in  FIG. 3A , and the identification image  43   d  of the first die plate  431  contains this die plate ID, “D001”. 
         [0038]    The second die plate  432  shown in  FIG. 3B  has two hexagonal projecting parts  43   b . The die plate ID of the second die plate  432  is “D002”, as shown by the character image  43   c  in  FIG. 3B , and the identification image  43   d  of the second die plate  432  contains this die plate ID, “D002”. 
         [0039]    Furthermore, the third die plate  433  shown in  FIG. 3C  has two projecting parts  43   b  having a square shape with rounded corners (hereinbelow, this shape may be referred to as, simply, “a square shape”). The die plate ID of the third die plate  433  is “D003”, as shown by the character image  43   c  in  FIG. 3C , and the identification image  43   d  of the third die plate  433  contains this die plate ID, “D003”. 
       Configuration of Label Base 
       [0040]      FIG. 4  shows the configuration of the label base  200  used in the label printer  1 . As described above, the label base  200 , serving as an example recording material, is wound on the feeding unit  10  and is used as the raw material when the multi-label sheet  300  is formed in the label printer  1 . The label base  200  has such a belt shape that the length in the second scanning direction SS is larger than the length in the first scanning direction FS. 
         [0041]    The label base  200  according to this exemplary embodiment includes a separator  210 , serving as an example backing sheet; an adhesive layer  220  having adhesion and formed on one side (in  FIG. 4 , the top surface) of the separator  210 ; and a base member  230  disposed on the adhesive layer  220 . The print images  240  are formed on and the laminate film  250  is stacked on the base member  230 . In other words, the label base  200  according to this exemplary embodiment has a configuration in which the separator  210  and the base member  230  are joined together by the adhesive layer  220 . In the label base  200 , the base member  230  may be peeled off from the separator  210 , and when the base member  230  is peeled off from the separator  210 , the adhesive layer  220  adheres to the base member  230  (the adhesive layer  220  is less likely to adhere to the separator  210 ). 
         [0042]    The separator  210  includes a peel-off base sheet  210   a , serving as a base, and a peel-off material  210   b  disposed on one side (in  FIG. 4 , the top surface) of the peel-off base sheet  210   a . The adhesive layer  220  adheres to the peel-off base sheet  210   a . The peel-off base sheet  210   a  is formed of paper or the like that is strong enough to withstand the transportation in the image forming unit  20  or the like. On the other hand, in the label base  200 , the peel-off material  210   b  is formed of an organic material or the like that has lower adhesion to the adhesive layer  220  than to the peel-off base sheet  210   a  and that has lower adhesion to the adhesive layer  220  than the adhesion between the adhesive layer  220  and the base member  230 . 
         [0043]    Furthermore, in the label base  200 , the adhesive layer  220  is formed of an organic material or the like that has higher adhesion to the base member  230  than to the peel-off material  210   b  and that adheres to various materials (metal, wood, plastic, etc.). 
         [0044]    The base member  230 , on which the print images  240  are formed and the laminate film  250  is stacked, is formed of paper or the like. The color of the base member  230  is determined according to the client&#39;s request, and it may be either an achromatic color, such as white, or a monochromatic color other than the achromatic color. However, it is desirable that the color of the separator  210  (peel-off material  210   b ) and the color of the base member  230  be different, from the standpoint of the convenience of inspection performed on the basis of the image captured by the image capturing unit  60 . 
       Configuration of Label-Forming Image 
       [0045]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  show configuration examples of a label-forming image used in the image forming unit  20 .  FIG. 5A  shows a first label-forming image  21 ,  FIG. 5B  shows a second label-forming image  22  having different details from the first label-forming image  21 , and  FIG. 5C  shows a third label-forming image  23  having different details from the first label-forming image  21  and the second label-forming image  22 . 
         [0046]    The image forming unit  20  according to this exemplary embodiment is a so-called page printer, which executes an image forming operation according to image data in which images are laid out on a page basis. Hence, the first label-forming image  21  to the third label-forming image  23  according to this exemplary embodiment each include ten print images  240  arranged in the second scanning direction SS, when formed on a sheet of A3 size (297 mm×420 mm) in portrait orientation. 
         [0047]    In the first label-forming image  21  shown in  FIG. 5A , ten first print images  241  (print images  240 ), each formed of a character image “1234”, are arranged in the second scanning direction SS. In the second label-forming image  22  shown in  FIG. 5B , ten second print images  242  (print images  240 ), each formed of a character image “AB”, are arranged in the second scanning direction SS. Furthermore, in the third label-forming image  23  shown in  FIG. 5C , ten third print images  243  (print images  240 ), each formed of a character image “a”, are arranged in the second scanning direction SS. In this example, although the case where the first label-forming image  21  to the third label-forming image  23  each include ten print images has been described, the number of the print images forming one label-forming image may vary according to the size or the like of the labels  270  to be formed (see  FIG. 6 ). Furthermore, in this example, although the first label-forming image  21  to the third label-forming image  23  each include ten print images  240  (first print images  241 , second print images  242 , or third print images  243 ), the configuration is not limited thereto, and each label-forming image may include, for example, a mark image used for positioning in the stamping unit  40 . In other words, an image may be formed in the region other than the region constituting the labels  270  (see  FIG. 6 ), that is, in the region constituting the waste label  280 . In this exemplary embodiment, the data of the print images  240  (the first print images  241 , the second print images  242 , or the third print images  243 ) correspond to the image data. 
       Configuration of Multi-Label Sheet 
       [0048]      FIGS. 6A to 6C  show configuration examples of a multi-label sheet  300  obtained by using the label printer  1 .  FIG. 6A  shows a first multi-label sheet  301 ,  FIG. 6B  shows a second multi-label sheet  302  different from the first multi-label sheet  301 , and  FIG. 6C  shows a third multi-label sheet  303  having different details from the first multi-label sheet  301  and the second multi-label sheet  302 . 
         [0049]    The first multi-label sheet  301  shown in  FIG. 6A  is obtained by forming, in the image forming unit  20 , multiple first print images  241  on the label base  200 , using the first label-forming image  21  shown in  FIG. 5A , and then die-cutting, in the stamping unit  40 , the label base  200 , using the first die plate  431  shown in  FIG. 3A . The first multi-label sheet  301  has multiple rectangular labels  270 , each having the first print image  241 , arranged on the separator  210 , in the second scanning direction SS. 
         [0050]    The second multi-label sheet  302  shown in  FIG. 6B  is obtained by forming, in the image forming unit  20 , multiple second print images  242  on the label base  200 , using the second label-forming image  22  shown in  FIG. 5B , and then die-cutting, in the stamping unit  40 , the label base  200 , using the second die plate  432  shown in  FIG. 3B . The second multi-label sheet  302  has multiple hexagonal labels  270 , each having the second print image  242 , arranged on the separator  210 , in the second scanning direction SS. 
         [0051]    The third multi-label sheet  303  shown in  FIG. 6C  is obtained by forming, in the image forming unit  20 , multiple third print images  243  on the label base  200 , using the third label-forming image  23  shown in  FIG. 5C , and then die cutting, in the stamping unit  40 , the label base  200 , using third die plate  433  shown in  FIG. 3C . The third multi-label sheet  303  has multiple square labels  270 , each having the third print image  243 , arranged on the separator  210 , in the second scanning direction SS. 
       Configuration of Control System 
       [0052]      FIG. 7  is a diagram for explaining a control system of the label printer  1 . 
         [0053]    The controller  100  according to this exemplary embodiment includes a central processing unit (CPU)  101 ; a read-only memory (ROM)  102  that stores programs executed by the CPU  101 , data used when the programs are executed, etc.; a random-access memory (RAM)  103  that stores data temporarily generated when the programs are executed, etc.; and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)  104  that stores data used when the programs are executed, is capable of rewriting the content of the data, and is capable of maintaining the stored content without needing a power supply. In this exemplary embodiment, the EEPROM  104  functions as an example storage part. 
         [0054]    Information related to various instructions, received from a user, is input to the controller  100 , via the instruction receiving unit  110 . Read image data read by the image reading part  44 , which is provided in the stamping unit  40 , is input to the controller  100 . Furthermore, captured image data captured by the image capturing unit  60  is input to the controller  100 . 
         [0055]    On the other hand, the controller  100  outputs control signals to each of the feeding unit  10 , the image forming unit  20 , the laminating unit  30 , the stamping unit  40 , and the separating unit  50 . The controller  100  also outputs control signals to each of the defective-label peel-off unit  70 , the winding unit  80 , the first buffer  91 , the second buffer  92 , and the third buffer  93 . 
       Process of Producing Multi-Label Sheet 
       [0056]    A process of producing the multi-label sheet  300  by using the label printer  1  shown in  FIG. 1  will be described. 
         [0057]    The label base  200  is fed from the feeding unit  10  to the image forming unit  20 , via the first buffer  91 . The image forming unit  20  forms print images  240  based on a label-forming image, on the base member  230  of the label base  200 . 
         [0058]    The label base  200  having the print images  240  formed thereon is fed from the image forming unit  20  to the laminating unit  30 . The laminating unit  30  attaches a laminate film  250  to the base member  230  of the label base  200 , on which the print images  240  have been formed. 
         [0059]    The label base  200  (the laminated member including the print images  240 ) to which the laminate film  250  has been attached is fed to the stamping unit  40  via the second buffer  92 . The stamping unit  40  forms grooves  260  (see  FIG. 9 ) in the laminated member, using the die plate  43  mounted on the first roller  41 . 
         [0060]    The laminated member provided with the grooves  260  is fed to the separating unit  50  via the third buffer  93 . The separating unit  50  peels off a waste label  280  from the laminated member, using the grooves  260  as boundaries, thereby separating the laminated member into a multi-label sheet  300  and the waste label  280 . The separating unit  50  winds the waste label  280  separated from the multi-label sheet  300 . The thus-wound waste label  280  will be discarded. 
         [0061]    The multi-label sheet  300  separated from the waste label  280  is fed to the image capturing unit  60 . The image capturing unit  60  captures an image of the surface of the multi-label sheet  300  on which the print images  240  are formed (i.e., the surface on which the labels  270  are formed). 
         [0062]    The multi-label sheet  300  after passing through the image capturing unit  60  is fed to the defective-label peel-off unit  70 . The defective-label peel-off unit  70  peels off (removes), from the multi-label sheet  300 , labels  270  that have been determined to be defective, on the basis of the result of the inspection performed by the controller  100  using the captured image data obtained by the image capturing unit  60  capturing the image of the multi-label sheet  300 . 
         [0063]    The multi-label sheet  300  after passing through the defective-label peel-off unit  70  is fed to the winding unit  80 . The winding unit  80  winds, in a roll, the multi-label sheet  300  fed thereto. 
         [0064]    The multi-label sheet  300  formed of the label base  200  is produced in this way. 
       Example Process of Producing Multi-Label Sheet 
       [0065]    Next, an example process of producing the multi-label sheet  300  described above will be described. Herein, a case of producing the third multi-label sheet  303 , shown in  FIG. 6C , serving as the multi-label sheet  300 , will be described. Hence, in this example, after multiple third print images  243 , shown in  FIG. 5C , are formed, in the image forming unit  20 , on the label base  200 , serving as the raw material, using the third label-forming image  23 , the label base  200  is cut with the third die plate  433 , shown in  FIG. 3C , in the stamping unit  40 . 
         [0066]      FIGS. 8A to 8C and 9A to 9C  are diagrams for explaining a process of producing the third multi-label sheet  303  by using the label printer  1 . In  FIGS. 8A to 8C  and  FIGS. 9A to 9C , the upper diagrams show top views of the label base  200 , and the third multi-label sheet  303  and the waste label  280 , which are obtained from the label base  200 , and the lower diagrams show sectional views thereof. 
         [0067]      FIG. 8A  shows the label base  200  wound on the feeding unit  10 . As described above, the label base  200  according to this exemplary embodiment is formed of the separator  210 , the adhesive layer  220 , and the base member  230  stacked in this order from the bottom. 
         [0068]      FIG. 8B  shows the label base  200  having the third print images  243  formed thereon by the image forming unit  20 . In this example, multiple third print images  243  based on the third label-forming image  23  are formed on the base member  230  of the label base  200  so as to be arranged in the second scanning direction SS. 
         [0069]      FIG. 8C  shows the label base  200  having the laminate film  250  attached thereto by the laminating unit  30  (i.e., the laminated member composed of the label base  200 , the third print images  243 , and the laminate film  250 ). In this example, the laminate film  250  is attached to the base member  230  of the label base  200  and the multiple third print images  243  formed on the base member  230 . Because the laminate film  250  in this exemplary embodiment is transparent in the visible range, in the laminated member shown in  FIG. 8C , the multiple third print images  243  may be seen through the laminate film  250 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 9A  shows the label base  200  (the laminated member composed of the label base  200 , the third print images  243 , and the laminate film  250 ) having grooves  260  formed by the stamping unit  40 . In this example, the grooves  260  that penetrate through the laminate film  250 , the base member  230 , and the adhesive layer  220  but not the separator  210  are formed in the laminated member, using the projecting parts  43   b  of the third die plate  433  attached to the first roller  41 . By positioning the laminated member before forming the grooves  260 , endless grooves  260  (in the shape of a square with rounded corners) are formed in the laminated member so as to enclose the third print images  243 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 9B  shows the third multi-label sheet  303  obtained by separating, by the separating unit  50 , the laminated member shown in  FIG. 9A . In this example, using the grooves  260  as boundaries, a portion of the laminate member composed of the laminate film  250 , the base member  230 , and the adhesive layer  220 , the portion outside the third print images  243 , is separated, as the waste label  280 , from the laminated member. As a result, the third multi-label sheet  303  includes the separator  210  and the multiple labels  270  arranged side-by-side, in the second scanning direction SS, on the separator  210 . Each of the multiple labels  270  constituting the third multi-label sheet  303  includes the adhesive layer  220  on the separator  210 , the base member  230  on the adhesive layer  220 , the third print image  243  on the base member  230 , and the laminate film  250  on the base member  230  and on the third print images  243 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 9C  shows the waste label  280  obtained by separating, by the separating unit  50 , the laminated member shown in  FIG. 9A . This waste label  280  includes the adhesive layer  220 , the base member  230  on the adhesive layer  220 , and the laminate film  250  on the base member  230 . The waste label  280  has through-holes at positions corresponding to the positions of the labels  270  and has a continuous shape extending in the second scanning direction SS. 
       [Determining if Execution of Label Printing is Allowed] 
       [0073]    As described above, the label printer  1  according to this exemplary embodiment has, for the purpose of manufacturing multiple types of multi-label sheets  300  (for example, the first multi-label sheet  301  to the third multi-label sheet  303 ), multiple label-forming images (print images  240 ) to be used in the image forming unit  20  and multiple die plates  43  to be used in the stamping unit  40 . However, for example, when producing the third multi-label sheet  303 , if the third print images  243 , which are formed of the character “α”, are not formed by using the third label-forming image  23 , and if the grooves  260  in the shape of a square with rounded corners are not formed by using the third die plate  433 , a multi-label sheet  300  different from the third multi-label sheet  303  (i.e., a multi-label sheet  300  having different details of the print images  240  of the labels  270  and/or a different shape of the labels  270 ) will be obtained. 
         [0074]    Furthermore, in the label printer  1  according to this exemplary embodiment, images of the multiple labels  270  on the multi-label sheet  300 , obtained by removing the waste label  280  from the laminated member, are captured with the image capturing unit  60  and are compared with a target image (referred to as an “inspection image”) for these labels  270 , and the controller  100  determines, on the basis of the result of comparison, if the labels  270  are defective (if the labels  270  are to be peeled off in the defective-label peel-off unit  70 ). However, for example, when producing the third multi-label sheet  303 , if the structure (the detail of the images and the shape) of the labels  270  constituting the third multi-label sheet  303  does not match the structure of the inspection image, non-defective labels  270  are to be peeled off in the defective-label peel-off unit  70 . 
         [0075]    Hence, in the label printer  1  according to this exemplary embodiment, when producing the multi-label sheet  300 , the information on the die plate  43  mounted on the first roller  41  of the stamping unit  40  is acquired, and, if the die plate  43  that is assumed to be used is not mounted, the production of the multi-label sheet  300  is prohibited. Furthermore, in the label printer  1  according to this exemplary embodiment, when producing the multi-label sheet  300 , an inspection image corresponding to the labels  270  to be subsequently produced is prepared. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 10A to 10C  show configuration examples of an inspection image, serving as an example reference image.  FIG. 10A  shows a first inspection image  61  to be used for inspecting the first multi-label sheet  301  shown in  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 10B  shows a second inspection image  62  to be used for inspecting the second multi-label sheet  302  shown in  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 10C  shows a third inspection image  63  to be used for inspecting the third multi-label sheet  303  shown in  FIG. 6C . 
         [0077]    In the first inspection image  61  shown in  FIG. 10A , a character image “1234” corresponding to the first print images  241  is disposed at the center of a rectangular surface corresponding to the projecting part  43   b  of the first die plate  431 . In the second inspection image  62  shown in  FIG. 10B , a character image “AB” corresponding to the second print images  242  is disposed at the center of a hexagonal surface corresponding to the projecting part  43   b  of the second die plate  432 . In the third inspection image  63  shown in  FIG. 10C , a character image “α” corresponding to the third print images  243  is disposed at the center of a square surface corresponding to the projecting parts  43   b  of the third die plate  433 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 11  shows a configuration example of a label information table registered in the label printer  1  in advance by a user. The label information table is stored in the EEPROM  104  (see  FIG. 7 ) provided in the controller  100 . 
         [0079]    The label information table shown in  FIG. 11  contains label IDs given to the respective multi-label sheets  300  to be produced, print image IDs given to the respective label-forming images, die plate IDs given to the respective die plates  43 , inspection image IDs given to the respective inspection images, and the uses of the respective multi-label sheets  300 , which are associated with one another. 
         [0080]    The label information table shown in  FIG. 11  contains three label IDs. Although this example shows a case where three label IDs are registered, the number of label IDs may be less than three or more than three. 
         [0081]    For the label ID “L001 (first multi-label sheet  301 )”, the print image ID is set to “P001 (first label-forming image  21 )”, the die plate ID is set to “D001 (first die plate  431 )”, the inspection image ID is set to “I001 (first inspection image  61 )”, and the use is set to “product X”. 
         [0082]    For the label ID “L002 (second label)”, the print image ID is set to “P002 (second label-forming image  22 ), the die plate ID is set to “D002 (second die plate  432 )”, the inspection image ID is set to “I002 (second inspection image  62 )”, and the use is set to “product Y”. 
         [0083]    Furthermore, for the label ID “L003 (third label)”, the print image ID is set to “P003 (third label-forming image  23 )”, the die plate ID is set to “D003 (third die plate  433 )”, the inspection image ID is set to “I003 (third inspection image  63 )”, and the use is set to “product Z”. 
         [0084]    The label-forming image (herein, the first label-forming image  21  to the third label-forming image  23 ) data associated with the respective print image IDs and the inspection image (herein, the first inspection image  61  to the third inspection image  63 ) data associated with the respective inspection image IDs are stored in the EEPROM  104  (see  FIG. 7 ) provided in the controller  100 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart of the process of determining if execution of label printing in the label printer  1  is allowed. 
         [0086]    In this processing, first, the controller  100  receives a job instruction from a user via the instruction receiving unit  110  (step S 10 ). Although the job instruction may include, for example, the label ID, the use may be included, instead of the label ID. 
         [0087]    Next, the controller  100  extracts the label ID (or the use) from the job instruction received in step S 10  and reads out the job information (the print image ID, the die plate ID, and the inspection image ID) associated with the extracted label ID from the label information table (see  FIG. 11 ) that is read out from the EEPROM  104  (step S 20 ). 
         [0088]    Subsequently, the controller  100  determines if the identification image  43   d  provided on the die plate  43  was acquired, from the image captured by the image capturing unit  60  (step S 30 ). When it is determined to be NO in step S 30 , step S 30  is repeated. 
         [0089]    When it is determined to be YES in step S 30 , the controller  100  extracts the die plate ID embedded in the identification image  43   d  acquired in step S 30  and determines if the extracted die plate ID and the die plate ID read out in step S 20  match (step S 40 ). 
         [0090]    When it is determined to be YES in step S 40 , that is, when the die plate IDs match, the controller  100  outputs, to the image forming unit  20 , the label-forming image data associated with the print image ID read out in step S 20  (step S 50 ). 
         [0091]    Then, the controller  100  sets the inspection image data associated with the inspection image ID, which was read out in step S 20 , in the controller  100  (step S 60 ). 
         [0092]    Note that step S 50  and step S 60  may be performed reversely or simultaneously. 
         [0093]    Then, the controller  100  determines if a job execution instruction from the user is received via the instruction receiving unit  110  (step S 70 ). When it is determined to be NO in step S 70 , step S 70  is repeated. 
         [0094]    When it is determined to be YES in step S 70 , the controller  100  executes a job for producing the intended multi-label sheet  300  by using the label printer  1 , thus completing the processing (step S 80 ). 
         [0095]    Note that, when it is determined to be NO in step S 40 , the controller  100  outputs, to a display device (not shown) provided in the label printer  1 , an error message informing mismatch between the die plate IDs, that is, an error message informing that the die plate  43  matching the shape of the labels  270  to be produced is not mounted on the first roller  41  of the stamping unit  40  (step S 90 ) and continues processing from step S 30 . This error message displayed on the display device (not shown) informs the user of a fact that a wrong die plate  43  is attached to the first roller  41  of the stamping unit  40 . The error message does not need to be displayed in the form of an image, but may be output in the form of voice. In this case, instead of the error message, an error sound may be output. 
         [0096]    When the die plate  43  is not mounted on the first roller  41  of the stamping unit  40 , a decision of NO is made in step S 30 , and hence, it is impossible to start production of the multi-label sheet  300  (the label production is prohibited). Furthermore, when a die plate  43  different from the die plate  43  that is assumed to be used is mounted on the first roller  41  of the stamping unit  40  (i.e., when the die plate IDs do not match), a decision of NO is made in step S 40 . Also in this case, it is impossible to start production of the multi-label sheet  300  (the label production is prohibited). 
         [0097]    In this example, the actually obtained labels  270  are inspected using the inspection image associated with the detail of the multi-label sheet  300  to be produced. Hence, situations in which non-defective labels  270  that are erroneously determined to be defective are peeled off from the multi-label sheet  300  by the defective-label peel-off unit  70 , due to the use of an inspection image different from the labels  270  to be produced, are reduced. 
       Other Configurations 
       [0098]    In this exemplary embodiment, although the identification image  43   d  of the die plate  43  mounted on the first roller  41  is read with the image reading part  44  in the stamping unit  40 , the configuration is not limited thereto, and the character image  43   c  of the die plate  43  may be read. 
         [0099]    In this exemplary embodiment, although the image reading part  44  is disposed at a fixed position so as to face the first roller  41  (and the die plate  43  mounted on the first roller) in the stamping unit  40 , the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, a so-called handy scanner, which is a scanner held by a user&#39;s hand, may be used as the image reading part  44 . If the configuration of this exemplary embodiment is employed, it is difficult to read the die plate  43  that is not mounted on the first roller  41 . However, the occurrence of erroneous detection will be reduced. 
         [0100]    Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, although the die plate ID of the die plate  43  is acquired from the read image data obtained by reading, with the image reading part  44 , the identification image  43   d  of the die plate  43  mounted on the first roller  41  of the stamping unit  40 , the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the die plate  43  may have a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag having a die plate ID embedded therein, and the die plate ID may be acquired from the RFID tag. 
         [0101]    The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.