Patent Publication Number: US-2010107561-A1

Title: Sensor Detecting Sensitivity Setting Apparatus, Print Apparatus, Wrapping System, Sensor Detecting Sensitivity Setting Method, and Program

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a sensor detecting sensitivity setting apparatus that sets the sensitivity for sensor detection, a print apparatus that prints print information on a print medium, a wrapping system that warps a product with the print medium, a sensor detecting sensitivity setting method of setting a setting value for sensor detecting sensitivity, and a program. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A mark sensor that detects a mark formed on a detection object, such as a film or paper, is widespread. The mark sensor, for example, which comprises an optical sensor, irradiates light to the detection object and detects the mark in response to the volume of light incident into the optical sensor exceeding a predetermined threshold (detecting sensitivity). 
     This mark sensor is, for example, used in an automated wrapping facility to detect a register mark printed on a print medium (see, e.g., Patent Literature 1). This automated wrapping facility, in response to the detection of the register mark, feeds the print medium (wrapping material), such as a wrapping film, to a print device. Then, using the print device, this automated wrapping facility prints, on the wrapping material, the manufactured date, expiry date, manufacturing site-unique symbol, and the like of the product. The automated wrapping facility subsequently cuts, at the register mark position, the wrapping material on which the print information is printed and packs and wraps the product. 
     In the standard setting of the detecting sensitivity of the mark sensor, for example, a value (threshold) is set for the situation where a black register mark is printed on a transparent film. Here, as a print medium (wrapping material) for wrapping the product, various kinds of print mediums, such as a transparent or semi-transparent films and papers, are used. A variety of colors are used as well, and the color of the register mark is not limited to black. Therefore, the mark sensor could not detect the register mark in some cases in the standard setting. In such cases, the user of the mark sensor needed to manually adjust the detecting sensitivity of the mark sensor.
     Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application KOKAI Publication No. 2004-358767   

     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
     However, for manual adjustment of the mark sensor detecting sensitivity by the mark sensor user, the user must change the setting every time the type of the print medium, the color of the register mark, or the like is changed. Also, the mark sensor user eventually makes a mistake in setting the detecting sensitivity when the setting is manually constructed. 
     The present invention is made in view of the above situation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor detecting sensitivity setting apparatus, a print apparatus, a wrapping system, a sensor detecting sensitivity setting method, and a program for streamlining the setting of the detecting sensitivity of the register mark sensor. 
     Means for Solving the Problem 
     To achieve the above object, a sensor detecting sensitivity setting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a product information acquiring section that acquires product information identifying a product to be wrapped with a print medium; a setting information acquiring section that acquires setting information indicating sensor detecting sensitivity for detecting a mark printed on the print medium based on the product information acquired by the product information acquiring section; and a sensor setting section that sets the sensor detecting sensitivity according to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquiring section. 
     The product information acquiring section may comprise a detecting section that detects product information printed on the print medium. 
     A storage section that stores the product information and the setting information in association with each other may be comprised, so that the setting information acquiring section can read out the setting information associated with the product information acquired by the product information acquiring section out from the storage section in order to acquire the setting information. 
     A medium type information storage section that stores medium type information, which indicates a type of the print medium, and the product information in association with each other, and a setting information storage section that stores the medium type information and the setting information in association with each other may be comprised, so that the setting information acquiring section can read out, from the medium type information storage section, the medium type information associated with the product information acquired by the product information acquiring section, and can read out, from the setting information storage section, the setting information corresponding to the medium type information thus read out in order to acquire the setting information. 
     A print apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: a sensor that detects a mark printed on a print medium wrapping a product; the sensor detecting sensitivity setting device according to the first aspect of the present invention that sets the sensor detecting sensitivity; a print information storage section that stores the product information and predetermined print information in association with each other; and a print section that reads out, from the print information storage section, the print information associated with the product information acquired by the product information acquiring section and prints the print information on the print medium in response to the mark being detected by the sensor. 
     A wrapping system according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: a sensor that detects a mark printed on a print medium wrapping a product; the sensor detecting sensitivity setting device according to the first aspect of the present invention that sets the sensor detecting sensitivity; a printing information storage section that stores the product information and predetermined print information in association with each other; a print section that reads out, from the print information storage section, the print information associated with the product information acquired by the product information acquiring section and prints the print information on the print medium in response to the mark being detected by the sensor; and a wrapping section that wraps the product with the print medium on which the print information is printed by the print section. 
     A sensor detecting sensitivity setting method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises: a product information acquiring step of acquiring product information identifying a product to be wrapped with a print medium; a setting information acquiring step of acquiring setting information indicating a sensor detecting sensitivity for detecting a mark printed on the print medium based on the product information acquired in the product information acquiring step; and a sensor setting step of setting the sensor detecting sensitivity according to the setting information acquired in the setting information acquiring step. 
     A program according to a fifth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to perform: a product information acquiring step of acquiring product information identifying a product to be wrapped with a print medium; a setting information acquiring step of acquiring setting information indicating a sensor detecting sensitivity for detecting a mark printed on the print medium based on the product information acquired in the product information acquiring step; and a sensor setting step of setting the sensor detecting sensitivity according to the setting information acquired in the setting information acquiring step. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the present invention, a sensor detecting sensitivity setting apparatus, a print apparatus, a wrapping system, a sensor detecting sensitivity setting method, and a program for streamlining the setting of the detecting sensitivity of the register mark sensor can be provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of the automated wrapping system according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of the product information file according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 3  is an external view of the print unit and register mark sensor according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the registered mark sensor according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 5A  is an external view of the register mark sensor according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 5B  is an external view of the setting information display unit of the register mark sensor according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating one example of the setting information file according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of the control process of the automated wrapping system according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the sensor setting process according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of the print process according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of the sensor control process according to embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 11  is a configuration diagram of the automated wrapping system according to embodiment 2. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating one example of the medium type information file according to embodiment 2. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of the sensor setting process according to embodiment 2. 
         FIG. 14A  is a diagram of the unupdated product information file according to embodiment 2. 
         FIG. 14B  is a diagram of the updated product information file according to embodiment 2. 
         FIG. 15A  is an external view of a register mark sensor whose sensitivity setting can be manually constructed. 
         FIG. 15B  is an external view of the setting information display unit of the register mark sensor whose sensitivity setting can be manually changed. 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram of the setting information file for setting the light source. 
     
    
    
     EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  CPU 
           20  storage unit 
           21  wrapping system control program 
           23  product information file 
           25  medium type information file 
           50  display unit 
           60  operation unit 
           70  reading apparatus control unit 
           80  sensor control unit 
           100  controller 
           110  bar code reader 
           120  registered mark sensor 
           121  control unit 
           123  storage unit 
           1231  sensor control program 
           1233  setting information file 
           125  transmitting/receiving unit 
           127  setting information display unit 
           129  detecting unit 
           131  operation unit 
           150  print unit 
           160  wrapping unit 
           200  automated wrapping system 
         F wrapping material 
         M registered mark 
         P print information 
         R feed roll 
       
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Embodiment 1 
     The text to follow explains an automated wrapping system  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention by referring to  FIG. 1 . 
     The automated wrapping system  200  is a system that prints print information (e.g., expiry date, and so forth) on a print medium (i.e., wrapping material) that wraps the product and wraps it with the wrapping material on which the print information is printed. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , this automated wrapping system  200  comprises a controller  100 , a bar code reader  110 , a registered mark sensor  120 , a print unit  150 , and a wrapping unit  160 . 
     The controller  100  is a device that controls the automated wrapping system  200 . The controller  100  comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  10 , a storage unit  20 , a display unit  50 , an operation unit  60 , a reading apparatus control unit  70 , and a sensor control unit  80 . 
     The CPU  10  reads out and executes a control program for controlling a wrapping system stored in the storage unit  20 . 
     The storage unit  20  comprises, e.g., a memory—such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a flash memory-, a magnetic disk, and the like. The storage unit  20  memorizes a wrapping system control program  21  and product information file  23 . 
     The wrapping system control program  21  is a program that performs overall control of the automated wrapping system  200 . 
     The product information file  23  is a file that stores various types of information on products wrapped by the automated wrapping system  200 .  FIG. 2  illustrates components of the product information file  23 . As shown in this figure, in the product information file  23 , such as a product name  233 , a wrapping material type  235 , a wrapping material pitch  237 , and a registered mark setting  239 , all of which are associated with a bar code number  231  (product information) indicating a product to be wrapped, are stored. Data stored in the product information file  23  can be updated, added or deleted by means of operating the operation unit  60  by the user, downloading from a server connected to a network (not illustrated), reading out from a storage medium (not illustrated). 
     The bar code number  231  is information (product information) for identifying the product to be wrapped. It is read out by the bar code reader  110  and input to the controller  100 . Otherwise, it is input to the controller  100  by the user&#39;s operation of the operation unit  60 . 
     The product name  233  is the name of the product to be wrapped. Also, the product information file  23  stores types of information, such as the product name  233 , an expiry date, production site-unique number, manufacturing number, and manufacturing date, all of which are associated with the product information (not illustrated). These types of information, including the product name  233 , are print information to be printed on a print medium. 
     The wrapping material type  235  is information indicating types of print medium (wrapping material) that wraps a product, such as the material the wrapping material is made of and the thickness thereof The materials of the wrapping material include PP (PolyPropylene), paper PE (PolyEster), PET (PolyEthylene Telephthalate), nylon (Registered Trademark), PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol), PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride), cellophane, a composite material such as a coextrusion film, a deposited material made by means of aluminum deposition or the like. The thickness is presented in the unit of, e.g., “μm”. For example, when polypropylene with a thickness of 35 μm is used as a wrapping material, the wrapping material type is “PP35 μm”. 
     The wrapping material pitch  237  indicates the size of the wrapping material adjusted to the size of the product to be wrapped. 
     The registered mark setting  239  is information indicating the setting (setting information) of the detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120 . The setting of the detecting sensitivity corresponding to the setting information is stored in the storage unit in the registered mark sensor  120 . 
     For example, when the bar code number “4974289012343” is read by the bar code reader  110 , “Ampan (smashed sweet bread)”, “PP30 μm”, “230 mm”, and “type 3” are read out as the product to be wrapped, the wrapping material type, the wrapping pitch, and the registered mark setting, respectively. The wrapping material that packs the product corresponding to this bar code number is polypropylene with a thickness of 30 μm. The wrapping material is printed with print information such as “Ampan”. The wrapping material is cut to a size of 230 mm. The detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor is set to a setting corresponding to “type 3”. 
     The bar code reader  110  is, via a communication cable, connected to the reading apparatus control unit  70 . When the bar code corresponding to a product is already printed on the wrapping material, the user can carry the bar code reader  110  anywhere within reach of the connection cable and have the bar code reader  110  read the bar code printed on the wrapping material. 
     It is a matter of course that the bar code reader  110  may be installed at a position where the bar code printed on the wrapping material can be read in the automated wrapping system  200 . 
     The display unit  50  illustrated in  FIG. 1  displays, under control of the CPU  10 , the operation screen of the controller  100 , data stored in the product information file  23 , the running status of the registered mark sensor  120 , the print unit  150 , or the like. 
     The operation unit  60  includes a keyboard, a mouse, a press button, and so forth. The operation unit  60  is used when the user operates the controller  100 , inputs data into the product information file  23 , or performs addition, update, or deletion of data stored in these files. 
     Under control of the CPU  10 , the reading apparatus control unit  70  transmits, to the bar code reader  110 , information indicating various types of settings. Also, the reading apparatus control unit  70  receives product information (the bar code number  231 ) that has been read by the bar code reader  110 . 
     The sensor control unit  80  transmits, under control of the CPU  10 , setting information (the registered mark setting  239 ) to the registered mark sensor  120 . Also, the sensor control unit  80  receives, from the registered mark sensor  120 , a detection signal indicating that the registered mark has been detected. 
     By virtue of the aforementioned features, the controller  100  acquires, based on product information (the bar code number  231 ) received from the bar code reader  110 , the setting information (the registered mark setting  239 ) on the registered mark sensor  120  and transmits the acquired setting information to the registered mark sensor  120 . Also, the controller  100  acquires a detection signal of the registered mark from the registered mark sensor  120  and performs overall control of the automated wrapping system  200 . 
     The bar code reader  110  is, via a communication cable or the like, connected to the controller  100 . The bar code reader  110  scans the bar code printed on the print medium and reads the product information (a bar code number) indicated by the scanned bar code. Also, the bar code reader  110  transmits the read product information to the controller  100 . 
     The registered mark sensor  120  is, via a communication cable or the like, connected to the controller  100 . 
     The registered mark sensor  120  has, e.g., a light-source of three colors—red, green, and blue—in a light-emitting unit thereof and emits therefrom spotlight, whose color is selected to fit the colors of the detection object (a print medium) and the mark. 
     The registered mark sensor  120  irradiates, e.g., spotlight emitted from the light source selected for the detection object (print medium) and, as incident light detected by an optical sensor or the like exceeds the threshold, detects a mark printed on the print medium. 
     The registered mark sensor  120  sets, to a maximum value (white value), the basic color which has a peak in the wavelength spectrum emitted by the light-emitting unit (a light-emitting diode or a tungsten lamp of red, green, and blue monochromatic lights made to have spectral selectivity using an optical filter). It also sets, to a minimum value (black value), the color of the detection mark complementary to the foregoing color. Based on these values, the registered mark sensor  120  converts the brightness difference, that is, gray color value (grayscale), into an electric signal. The registered mark sensor  120  determines whether or not a mark exists based on the detected electric signal. 
       FIG. 3  is an external view of the registered mark sensor  120  and the print unit  150 . By referring to this figure, the text to follow explains how to use the registered mark sensor  120  in the automated wrapping system  200 . As illustrated in the figure, the print unit  150  is supplied with a print medium (a wrapping material F) which wraps the product using a feed roll R. A registered mark M is printed at a predetermined interval on this wrapping material F. This registered mark M indicates a unit of the wrapping material F. In the automated wrapping system  200 , the registered mark sensor  120  is used to detect the registered mark M. 
     Disposed between a platen roller  151  and a driven roller  152  is the print medium (a wrapping material F). More specifically, the driven roller  152  is in contact with the surface of the print medium (the wrapping material F). The driven roller  152  rotates as the print medium (the wrapping material F) is fed, and the number of rotations (more specifically, the distance by which the print medium has been fed) is detected by an encoder (not illustrated). 
     After the registered mark M is detected, upon feeding of the print medium (the wrapping material F) by a predetermined distance, the print unit  150  prints print information P, such as a product name and an expiry date, on the wrapping material F. After printing, the wrapping unit  160  cuts the wrapping material F, on which the print information P is printed, at the registered mark M and wrap the product therewith. 
     The text to follow explains the structure of the registered mark sensor  120 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of the registered mark sensor  120 , and  FIG. 5A  illustrates an external view of the registered mark sensor  120 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the registered mark sensor  120  consists of a control unit  121 , a storage unit  123 , a transmitting/receiving unit  125 , a setting information display unit  127 , and a detecting unit  129 . 
     The control unit  121  includes CPU and memories, such as ROM and RAM, and performs overall control of the registered mark sensor  120 . More specifically, the control unit  121  reads out from the storage unit  123  a program for controlling the registered mark sensor  120  and executes the program. 
     The storage unit  123  includes nonvolatile memories, such as a flash memory and a ROM and stores a sensor control program  1231  for controlling the registered mark sensor  120 , a setting information file  1233 , and a standard setting. The standard setting is a default value of the detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120 . For example, this value corresponds to a situation where a black registered mark is printed on a print medium of transparent film. 
     The setting information file  1233  stores a plurality of pairs of settings of the registered mark sensor  120 .  FIG. 6  presents an example of the setting information file  1231  As shown in the figure, the setting information file  1233  stores a detecting sensitivity setting  1233   b  of the registered mark sensor  120 , which corresponds to the registered mark setting  1233   a.    
     The registered mark setting  1233   a  is information (setting information) indicating the detecting sensitivity setting of the registered mark sensor  120 , which is received from the controller  100 . 
     The detecting sensitivity setting  1233   b  of the registered mark sensor  120  indicates a threshold of the incident light volume where the registered mark sensor  120  detects the mark. For example, the range of this setting is 0-100. 
     For example, when “Type 3” is received from the controller  100  as setting information (registered mark setting), the detecting sensitivity setting of the registered mark sensor  120  is “9”. 
     A light emitting unit (not illustrated) of the registered mark sensor  120  automatically selects, from among three color light sources (red/green/blue), a light source optimum for ensuring contrast. 
     Under control of the control unit  121 , the transmitting/receiving unit  125  illustrated in  FIG. 4  receives setting information from the controller  100 . Also, the transmitting/receiving unit  125  sends a detection signal of the registered mark to the controller  100 . 
     Under control of the control unit  121 , the setting information display unit  127  displays a part of the current detecting sensitivity setting  1233   b  of the registered mark sensor  120 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the setting information display unit  127  is disposed on the upper portion of registered mark sensor  120 . The detecting sensitivity setting is displayed by digital means, as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . 
     The detecting unit  129  includes an optical sensor and so forth, and sets the detecting sensitivity upon receipt of information indicating the detecting sensitivity setting of the registered mark sensor  120  from the control unit  121 . Also, under control of the control unit  121 , the detecting unit  129  detects the registered mark M printed on the wrapping material F and sends a detection signal. 
     By the above feature, the registered mark sensor  120  sets the detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120  according to the setting information received from the controller  100 . Also, upon detection of the registered mark M printed on the wrapping material F, the registered mark sensor  120  sends a detection signal of the registered mark M to the controller  100 . 
     The print unit  150 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , comprises, e.g., an inkjet printer. From the controller  100 , the print unit  150  receives a control signal instructing printing and the like and print information on product name, expiry date and the like. Upon receipt of the control signal, the print unit  150  prints the print information on the wrapping material F. 
     Under control of the controller  100 , the wrapping unit  160  cuts the wrapping material F, on which the print information is printed, at the position of the registered mark M. The wrapping unit  160  wraps a product corresponding to the product information with the wrapping material F which has been cut. 
     By the above feature, the automated wrapping system  200  sets the detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120  based on the product information detected by the bar code reader  110 . Next, the automated wrapping system  200  prints the print information on a wrapping material, in response to detection of the registered mark M printed on the wrapping material F. The automated wrapping system  200  cuts the wrapping material F, on which the print information is printed, at the position of the registered mark M and wraps the product therewith. 
     The text to follow explains the operation of the controller  100  with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9 . As soon as the power is turned on, the CPU  10  reads out the wrapping system control program  21  from the storage unit  20  for execution thereof. When receiving the product information (barcode number) from the bar code reader  110  or the product information is input by user operation of the operation unit  60  (step S 1 : YES), in the course of execution of the wrapping system control program  21 , the CPU  10  performs the sensor setting process (step S 10 ) and then the printing process (step S 50 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . When not receiving the product information (barcode number) from the bar code reader  110  and the product information is not input by user operation of the operation unit  60  (step S 1 : NO), the CPU  10  terminates the wrapping system control program  21 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a flowchart of the sensor setting process (step S 10 ). The CPU  10  reads out, from the product information file  23 , the registered mark setting  239  corresponding to the acquired product information (step S 15 ). In turn, the CPU  10  controls the sensor control unit  80  so that it sends the read registered mark setting  239  to the registered mark sensor  120  (step S 20 ). 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flowchart of the printing process (step S 50 ) executed after step S 20 . The CPU  10  determines whether the detection signal has been received from the registered mark sensor  120  (step S 55 ). Upon determination that the detection signal has been received (step S 55 : YES), the CPU  10  reads out the print information on the product name  233 , and so forth which corresponds to the product information  231 , and the CPU  10  sends it to the print unit  150  (step S 60 ). Then, the CPU  10  sends a control signal to instruct the print unit  150  to print the print information at a predetermined printing position (step S 65 ). After step S 65 , the CPU  10  returns to step S 55 . Upon determination that the detection signal has not been received (step S 55 : NO), the CPU  10  ends the printing process. 
     As a result of the above process, the controller  100  sends the registered mark sensor  120  setting information corresponding to the product information received from the bar code reader  110  (step S 20 ). Next, in response to the detection signal of the registered mark (step S 55 : YES), the controller  100  sends the print information corresponding to the product information to the print unit  150  (step S 60 ), and the controller  100  sends control information to instruct performance of printing to the print unit  150  (step S 65 ). 
     The text to follow explains the operation of the registered mark sensor  120 . As the power is turned on, the control unit  121  reads out the sensor control program  1231  from the storage unit  123  and executes the program at each lapse of a predetermined time period.  FIG. 10  illustrates a flowchart of the sensor control process of the sensor control program  1231 . 
     The control unit  121  determines whether the registered mark setting (setting information) has been received from the controller  100  (step S 110 ). Upon determination that the registered mark setting has been received (step S 110 : YES), the control unit  121  reads out, from the setting information file  1233 , the detecting sensitivity setting  1233   b  of the registered mark corresponding to the received registered mark setting. The control unit  121  sends the read out value to the detecting unit  129  and sets the detecting unit  129  to the detecting sensitivity (step S 120 ). Upon determination that the setting information has not been received (step S 110 : NO), the control unit  121  reads out, from the storage unit  123 , the default value of the detecting sensitivity—in other words, the standard setting—of the registered mark sensor  120 . The control unit  121  sends the read out standard setting to the detecting unit  129  and sets the detecting unit  129  to the detecting sensitivity (step S 130 ). After step S 120  or S 130 , the control unit  121  determines whether the incident light has exceeded the threshold (detecting sensitivity setting), in other words, whether the detecting unit  129  has detected the registered mark (step S 140 ). Upon determination that the detecting unit  129  has detected the registered mark (step S 140 : YES), the control unit  121  controls the transmitting/receiving unit  125  so that it sends the detection signal of the registered mark to the controller  100  (step S 150 ). Then the control unit  121  terminates the sensor control process. Upon determination that the detecting unit  129  has not detected the registered mark (step S 140 : NO), the control unit  121  terminates the sensor control process. 
     By the above process, the registered mark sensor  120  sets the detecting sensitivity corresponding to the setting information received from the controller  100  (step S 120 ). In response to detection of the registered mark, the registered mark sensor  120  sends the detection signal to the controller  100  (step S 150 ). 
     The automated wrapping system  200  according this embodiment obviates the need for manually adjusting the detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120 . Optimum settings can be constructed simply by reading the bar code using the bar code reader  110 . Since the automated wrapping system  200  is free from mistakes caused by manual operation, the settings of the detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120  can be effortlessly constructed. 
     Embodiment 2 
     According to embodiment 1, the setting information (the registered mark setting  239 ) was searched/compiled based on the product information (the bar code number  231 ). However, it can be searched/compiled based on the medium type information (the wrapping material type), which indicates the print medium type. The automated wrapping system  200  according to embodiment 2 searches/compiles setting information based on the product information (the bar code number  231 ) or the medium type information (the wrapping material type), which indicates the print medium type. 
       FIG. 11  is a configuration diagram of the automated wrapping system  200   a  according to embodiment 2. As illustrated in this figure, the automated wrapping system  200   a  is identical to the automated wrapping system  200  according to embodiment 1 except that the former uses the wrapping system control program  21   a  instead of the wrapping system control program  21  and that a medium type information file  25  is additionally stored in the storage unit  20  of the former. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an example of the medium type information file  25  according to this embodiment. As illustrated in the figure, the medium type information file  25  stores a registered mark setting  253  in association with a wrapping material type  251 . When the registered mark setting  239  corresponding to the bar code number  231  (product information) is missing in the product information file  23 , the registered mark setting  253  is read out from the medium type information file  25  based on the wrapping material type  235  (the wrapping material type  251 ) corresponding to the bar code number  231  (product information). 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a flowchart of the sensor setting process (step S 10   a ) performed by the wrapping system control program  21   a  according to this embodiment. The sensor setting process according to embodiment 2 is identical to that according to embodiment 1 except steps S 11 - 14 , which are added to the former. 
     After the sensor setting process according to embodiment 2 starts, the CPU  10  first determines whether or not the registered mark setting  239  corresponding to the bar code number  231  is stored in the product information file  23  (step S 11 ). Upon determination that the registered mark setting  239  corresponding to the bar code number  231  is not stored in the product information file  23  (step S 11 : NO), the CPU  10  reads out the wrapping material type  235 , which corresponds to the bar code number  231 . Then the CPU  10  determines whether the registered mark setting  253  corresponding to the read wrapping material type  235  (wrapping material type  251 ) is stored in the medium type information file  25  (step S 12 ). 
     Upon determination that the registered mark setting  253  corresponding to the wrapping material type  251  is stored (step S 12 : YES), the CPU  10  reads out the registered mark setting  253  corresponding to the wrapping material type  251  from the medium type information file  25 . Then the CPU  10  stores the read out registered mark setting  253  in the product information file  23  as the registered mark setting  239  corresponding to the bar code number  231  (step S 13 ). 
     Upon determination that the registered mark setting  253  corresponding to the wrapping material type  251  is not stored (step S 12 : NO), the CPU  10  acquires, from the medium type information file  25 , the wrapping material type  251  similar to the wrapping material type  235  corresponding to the bar code number  231  and reads out the registered mark setting  253  corresponding to the acquired wrapping material type  251 . For example, as in the case of “paper PE 50 μm”, whose front characters match with those of “paper PE 55 μm”, the CPU  10  searches the wrapping material type  251 , whose front characters match with those of the wrapping material type  235 , in the medium type information file  25  so that the CPU  10  acquires the wrapping material type  251 , which is similar to the wrapping material type  235 . The CPU  10  reads out the registered mark setting  253  corresponding to the acquired wrapping material type  251 . Then the CPU  10  stores the read out registered mark setting  253  in the product information file  23  as the registered mark setting  239  corresponding to the bar code number  231  (step S 14 ). 
     Upon determination that the registered mark setting  239  corresponding to the bar code number  231  is stored (step S 11 : YES) or after performing steps S 13  and S 14 , the CPU  10  performs step S 15 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 14A , when “4974289012948” (corresponding product name is “melon bread”) is received as the bar code number  231 , it is determined that, as shown in  239   a,  the registered mark setting  239  corresponding to the registered mark setting  251  is not stored (step S 11 : NO). In this case, the CPU  10  reads out “paper PE 55 μm”, which is of the wrapping material type  235  corresponding to the acquired bar code number  231 . Then the CPU  10  determines whether or not the registered mark setting  251  corresponding to this “paper PE 55 μm” is stored in the medium type information file  25  (step S 12 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the registered mark setting  253  corresponding to “paper PE 55 μm” is not stored in the medium type information file  25  (step S 12 : NO). In this case, the CPU  10  uses a publically known method to acquire “paper PE 50 μm”, which is similar to (whose front characters match with those of) “paper PE 55 μm”, and reads out “type 5”, which is an equivalent of the registered mark setting  253  corresponding to the acquired wrapping material type  251 . Also, as shown in  239   a  of  FIG. 14B , the CPU  10  updates the registered mark setting  239  corresponding to the acquired bar code number  231  by “type 5” (step S 14 ). 
     By the above process, even when the setting information (registered mark setting  239 ) corresponding to the product information (bar code number  231 ) is not stored in the storage unit  20 , the controller  100  can acquire the setting information (the registered mark setting  239 ) based on the medium type information (the wrapping material type  235 ) corresponding to the product information (the bar code number  231 ). Therefore, even upon receipt of the bar code number  231 , for which registered mark setting  239  has not been constructed, the detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120  does not need to be set manually. The detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120  can be readily set. 
     In embodiment 1, the setting information (the registered mark setting  239 ) is acquired based on the product information (the bar code number  231 ). Also, in embodiment 2, the setting information (the registered mark setting  239 ) is acquired based on the product information (the bar code number  231 ) or the medium type information (the wrapping material type  235 ). However, the setting information may be acquired based on other types of information, such as the product name  233  and manufacturer&#39;s serial number. 
     In embodiment 2, a wrapping material type similar to another wrapping material type is searched based on front character match. Other search methods, such as longest match, may be used as well. Also, the setting information can be obtained using an equation for producing setting information based on the material and thickness of the wrapping material, and so forth. 
     When the setting information is acquired from the medium type information in steps S 13  and S 14  of  FIG. 13 , only sending of setting information may be executed without updating the product information file  23 . Instead of determining whether the setting information corresponding to the product information is in the product information file (step S 11 ), the process may be performed only to search/compile medium type information corresponding to the product information and to search/compile setting information corresponding to medium type information identical or similar to the searched/compiled medium type information (steps S 12  to S 15 ). 
     Also, it is a matter of course that the controller  100  may be set so that the detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120  can be manually set. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 15A , the operation unit  131  is added to the registered mark sensor  120 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15B , the user may set the setting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120  by operating this operation unit  131 . 
     In addition, the product information file  23  may be set to be updated by writing the user-set detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120  to the registered mark setting  239  in the product information file  23 . 
     Parameters of the registered mark sensor  120 , other than the detecting sensitivity, may be set. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , a “light source”  1233   c  may be associated with the registered mark setting  1233   a  and stored in the setting information file  1233  to set the type of a light source which projects light from the registered mark sensor  120  to the print medium. For example, when any one of red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes is selected as a light source, “R”, “G”, or “B”, which is associated with the selected light-emitting diode is stored in the “light source”  1233   c.  When two are selected from among the red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes, “RG”, “GB”, or “BR” is stored in the “light source”  1233   c.  To select all of the red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes as a light source, “RGB” is stored in the “light source”  1233   c.    
     According to the above embodiment, the controller  100  is configured to send information indicating the setting of the detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120  (“type 3” and so forth) to the registered mark sensor  120 . The controller  100  may comprise the setting information file  1233  illustrated in  FIG. 6  and send the setting of the detecting sensitivity of the registered mark sensor  120 , such as “7”, directly to the registered mark sensor  120 . 
     The controller  100  may be achieved by an ordinary computer system, instead of depending on a dedicated system. For example, a program to execute the above process for use by a computer capable of accepting input of the product information may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like) for distribution thereof. The controller  100  performing the above process may be constituted by installing the program in a computer system. 
     Moreover, the program may be stored in a server of a communication network, such as the Internet, so that the controller  100  can be constituted by downloading the program to an ordinary computer system. The program may be distributed to an ordinary computer from a server via the network. 
     When achieving the above features through separate use of the OS (Operating System) and an application or through cooperation therebetween, only the application may be stored in a storage medium or a storage device. 
     Embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, various modifications and combination of the embodiments that are necessitated by design considerations and other factors should be construed to fall within the scope of the invention recited in the claims and specific examples described in the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention. 
     Also, the present invention based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-153124, which was filed on Jun. 8, 2007. The specification, claims, and drawings thereof are herein incorporated by reference. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention is applicable to a print device as well as to an automated wrapping facility comprising the same.