JP2002007549A - Label generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a unique label to be stuck on a commodity without using a negative of photographs or various entry forms by sending image data and message data by using communications. SOLUTION: Data of an image and a message which constitute the label to be stuck on the surface of the commodity are received and a label sample is generated on the basis of the received data and sent to the orderer to let the orderer to confirm the label sample so that the label unique to the orderer is made.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for producing labels to be affixed to various products, and particularly to a gift, which is given to a gift by a gift giver using communication via the Internet or the like. The present invention relates to a label creation system for creating a unique label.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the case of a gift product, the message is transmitted by a method such as enclosing a paper on which the message of the giver is printed in the packaging of the product. Such a message is generally composed only of sentences, and none of them has a photograph or the like. In addition, in recent New Year's cards, both photos and messages are printed, but in this case, select the negative of the photo in advance, fill in the message text on the order form, and write both the negative and the text To make a New Year's card with both photos and messages printed.

In this case, both a photograph and a message can be printed. However, since a negative of the photograph is used, it takes a certain amount of time to create, and it is impossible to see a sample of the finished product, There is a problem that it takes a long time to create a sample. In addition, when ordering, it is necessary to hand over an order form filled with negatives and message texts to the creator, which is troublesome. Furthermore, in recent years, digital cameras have become very popular, and it has become more common to hold images using electronic data rather than negatives of photographs.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an orderer to transmit a message composed of image data composed of electronic data and text data composed of character data as a basis for creating a label to be affixed to a gift or the like via the Internet or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a label creation system that can easily and quickly create a unique label using the image data and the character data by using the system.

[0005]

In order to achieve such an object, a label producing system according to claim 1 receives various data constituting a label produced by an orderer and attached to the surface of a product. Label data receiving means, a label sample transmitting means for transmitting a label sample created based on various received data to the orderer, and a confirming means for obtaining confirmation of the orderer for the label sample. .

The label producing system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the label producing system according to the first aspect, wherein a label sample data storing means for storing the label sample by attaching a unique number to the label sample, Input means for prompting the input of the unique number, and a search means for searching for a label sample corresponding to the unique number input to the input means,
The label sample transmitting means transmits the label sample searched by the search means to the orderer.

The label producing system according to the third aspect of the present invention provides a label data receiving means for receiving various data constituting a label produced by an orderer and affixed to a surface of a product, and a label data receiving means for receiving the various data. Label sample transmitting means for transmitting the label sample created to the orderer to the orderer, confirmation means for obtaining confirmation of the orderer with respect to the label sample, label producing means for producing the label confirmed by the confirmation means, Label attaching means for attaching the label to a product designated by the orderer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the label producing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the product to which the label is affixed is tea or black tea. The label is affixed to the packaged surface.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the label producing system according to the fourth aspect, wherein the packaging is performed by vacuum packing or a deoxidizer placed in the packaging bag. Is formed in a sheet shape having a reduced thickness so that the sheet can be stored in an envelope.

[0010] According to the present invention, since the orderer transmits an image and a message using communication such as the Internet, a label desired to be attached to a product can be created.
Unlike the past, it eliminates the need for photo negatives and various entry forms, makes it possible to order labels from home, and allows confirmation of labels by communication, making it possible to create extremely convenient original labels. It can provide a label production system that can do it.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, tea or black tea is assumed as a product, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 shows a communication network for implementing the present invention;
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing control devices, in which a label orderer connects to the Internet via a modem 3 from a personal computer 1 installed at home or the like. The server computer 5 connected to the Internet serves as a window for receiving orders of the orderer in the label creation system.
The server computer 5 has a received data storage DB for storing various data sent from the orderer described below.
(Database) 10, a sample data storage DB8 for storing label sample data, and a label sample (including finished product) data storage DB12 created for each orderer are connected. The server computer 5 and these DBs 10 and 12 are connected to the label printing control means 7,
The label printing control means 7 controls the label printing means 9 based on the data of these various DBs and prints the label 15.

The label printing means 9 is a high-performance printer capable of printing pictures, characters, and the like printed on the label 15 with high image quality. The label 15 printed by the label printing means 9 is, as shown in FIG.
Of the packaging bag 100, which is formed into a thin sheet so that the size of the packaging bag 100 can be stored in the envelope 200). The packaging bag 100 formed in a sheet shape is, for example, 230 mm long and 110 mm wide.
It is 5mm to 20mm thick.

The label 15 may be of a type in which the printed paper has a seal on the back from the beginning,
It may be made of ordinary paper, and an adhesive such as glue may be applied to the back surface and attached to the surface of the product packaging. Since there are a plurality of types of products 17, the products 17 designated by the orderer in correspondence with the labels are prepared based on the data stored in the reception data storage DB 10.

The goods to which the label 15 has been attached are subsequently stored in the shipping processing means 19 in an envelope or a gift box necessary for shipping, and a destination label is created from the received data storage DB 10 based on the shipping destination data. Attached and sent out by transportation such as mail or courier. At this time, a transportation method designated by the orderer is also selected based on the data in the reception data storage DB 10.

Next, a series of flow in the creation of the orderer's unique label is described by sending a signal from the server computer 5 shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIGS. This will be described with reference to the screen display displayed on the computer 1 screen.

An orderer who wants to purchase a product with a unique label connects to the server computer 5 through the Internet using the personal computer 1.
When the connection is established, the initial screen T0 data is transferred from the server 5 to the personal computer 1 in step ST1 in FIG.

The initial screen T0 is a screen for requesting display of a label sample as shown in FIG. If you are ordering your own label for the first time, this screen allows the orderer to see different types of samples. For example, when the orderer operates (clicks) the button 21 of “Sample 1” on this screen, the signal is sent from the personal computer 1 to the server 5, and the server 5 transmits the sample data of the type requested. Personal computer 1
Send to. The data of this sample is selected from a large number of samples stored in the sample data DB 8 according to the type of the clicked sample.

More specifically, four types of samples can be selected on the initial screen T0, and explanations are given on the screen corresponding to each of them, and four buttons 21-24 are displayed on the screen. Is done. Button 2 of "Sample 1"
When 1 is operated, the determination of the presence of the sample request is Yes in step ST2 of FIG. 2, a sample image corresponding to the operated button type is selected, and data of a sample screen T1 display including this sample image is formed. The data is transferred from the server 5 to the personal computer 1.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the sample screen T1. In this example, a label sample 27 of a greeting during the hot summer and a move is displayed. In addition, it may be possible to sequentially select and confirm samples within the type of the sample 1 from this screen.

Next, a description will be given of a screen on which the orderer actually transmits data on which label creation is based. When there is no need to see the sample or after checking various samples, the orderer who wishes to create a label can press the “OK” button 25 on the initial screen T0 shown in FIG. 4 or the “OK” button on the sample screen T1 in FIG. Operate 29.
This operation is determined in steps ST4 and ST5 in FIG. 2, and the data on the next label order screen T2 is transferred from the server 5 to the personal computer 1 (step ST7). When the “Back” button 30 is operated on the sample screen T1 of FIG.
Step S6 of displaying the initial screen T0, which is determined in T6
Return to T1.

The label order screen T2 has a format shown in FIG. 6 and includes a text selection column 32 for selecting text, a unique text input column 33 for creating and transmitting a unique text, and an image file (data ) An input field 34 and an orderer's mail address input field 35 for returning a label sample created based on the above data. Currently, there are various types of image data,
Desirably, a file in a format that has been subjected to high compression processing, which reduces the communication load, is desirable.

After inputting desired data in each of these fields, the orderer operates the "Send" button 37. Submit button 3
When the server 5 receives the operation result of 7, the server 5
The text data selected in the text selection column 32 sent from the orderer or the text (character) data input in the unique text input column 33 and the image file input column 34
Is stored in the received data storage DB 10 (step ST9).

Subsequently, a label sample is created based on the sent text data and image data (step ST).
10). The creation of the label may be performed automatically using a computer, but it is desirable that the skilled person performs the fine correction and final confirmation. When the label sample is completed, the display of the label sample T3 (step ST15) is performed. At this time, it is possible to attach a label sample directly to the orderer's e-mail address and send it.However, since various data such as the destination of the product and the selection of the product type are required, It is desirable to post it, and a case where this method is adopted will be described.

In this method, in order to prevent a third party other than the orderer from seeing the label sample, it is necessary to input a password in order to enter a page displaying the label sample. For this reason, after the label sample is completed, a homepage address for posting the label sample and password data are sent to the orderer by e-mail. This password is automatically created in the server 5, is associated with the label sample data, and stores the label sample data D
It is stored in B12. At this time, the mail address data of the orderer input on the label order screen T2 in FIG. 6 is also transferred from the received data storage DB 10 to the label sample data storage DB 12, and stored in association with the label sample data.

The orderer accesses the homepage of the address specified in the mail using the orderer's personal computer 1. This page is a password confirmation screen T7 as shown in FIG. On this screen, the orderer can call up the label sample display screen T3 as shown in FIG. 8 by inputting the password sent by e-mail. That is, the server 5
Searches for whether the password sent from the orderer in step ST11 matches any of the passwords stored in the label sample data storage DB 12, and if the password matches, searches for a label sample corresponding to the password. Is extracted from the label sample data storage DB 12, the screen data taken into the label sample display screen T3 is formed, and transmitted to the orderer. If the password does not match, that is, if there is no password in the label sample data storage DB 12 that matches the transmitted password, the server 5 sends data for displaying an error screen (not shown) to the personal computer 1. Send (Step 1
2).

The label sample display screen T3 in FIG. 8 shows an example in which a label is formed by combining a photograph 40 designated by the orderer and a message 42 of a Christmas and New Year greeting. On this screen, the orderer operates the “OK” button 44 if he understands with the displayed label sample. If the label sample is desired to be corrected, the orderer operates the “Back” button 46 (step ST1).
7), the screen is shifted to a correction point input screen (not shown) (step S)
T18), enter the instruction of the corrected part and transmit it to the server 5. A label sample is created again based on the data of the correction location instruction (step ST10).

On the other hand, when the orderer acknowledges the displayed label sample and operates the "OK" button 44, the server 5 receives the data and proceeds from step ST16 to step ST20 to display the order content display screen. The display data of T4 is transmitted to the orderer's personal computer 1 (step ST20). Order content display screen T4
Is shown in FIG. On this screen, first,
An input field 50 is provided for selecting the type of product, that is, the type of tea, and for inputting the number. Then, the form of packaging of the product, an alternative selection box 51 for enclosing in an envelope or a cosmetic box, a description field 52 for a label creation fee and a shipping fee, and a payment method selection field 5
3. A delivery destination input field 55 is provided. The orderer inputs these various input fields, and finally, an “OK” button 5
The data input by operating 7 is transmitted to the server 5.
However, in the case where the individual products are desired to be delivered to different shipping destinations in the shipping destination input field 55, the "individual shipping desired" button 56 on the screen is operated, and then the shipping destination is input on the next page. Will do. On the server 5 side, an “OK” button 5 is displayed on the order content display screen T4.
7 (step ST2)
1) and these various data are stored in the label sample data storage DB
12 is stored in association with the label sample data and the password data (step ST22).

On the other hand, if the "individual shipping request" button 56 is operated, this is determined in step ST25, and the transmitted data is stored in the same manner as in step ST22 (step ST26). However, as described above, in this case, since the destination data is not sent, the display data of the individual destination input screen T5 is subsequently transmitted from the server 5 to the personal computer 1. The individual destination address input screen T5 has a form as shown in FIG. In this case, since the shipping destination differs for each product, it is necessary to input the destination for each product. In the figure, three new teas 1 and three new teas 2 are displayed on the previous order content display screen T4.
This is a screen in the case of ordering a total of nine products, three pieces of tea and three pieces of tea 1. That is, on this screen T5, the number of shipping destination input columns 60 corresponding to the product type (gift type) specified in the previous order content display screen T4 and the number of each product are displayed in accordance with the display of the product type. Is done. For this reason, the orderer inputs the shipping address for each product on this screen.

In this example, there are only nine outgoing merchandise items, which is a small number. In general, in the case of gifts, a large number of merchandise items are often ordered. In this case, the number of the shipping destination input fields 60 on the screen becomes extremely large, and the inputting is troublesome and time-consuming.
In order to avoid such work, the destination data can be transmitted as a file in the destination file transmission column 62. However, in this method, there is no problem if there is only one type of product, but when ordering multiple types of products, it is necessary to attach data specifying the destination for each product type for identification. Because
The notice 64 indicates that fact.

Finally, a field 65 for inputting the orderer's address is provided. After completing these inputs, the orderer operates the “OK” button 66 at the end of the individual shipping destination screen T5. When the “OK” button 66 is clicked, various data such as the delivery destination input on this screen is transmitted from the orderer's home computer 1 to the server 5. The server 5 determines the operation of the "OK" button 66 (step ST30), and stores the transmitted various data in the received data storage DB 10 in association with the previously determined label sample (step ST31).

With the above series of operations by the orderer, all the data relating to the ordered items are collected on the server 5, ie, the gift sales company side. Then, in order to confirm whether there is any error in the data from the orderer input so far, the data for displaying the final order confirmation screen T6 of the input various data is transmitted from the server 5 to the personal computer 1. Sent (step ST4
0).

The main purpose of the final order confirmation screen T6 is to have the orderer confirm the fee. Examples of this screen T6 are shown in FIGS. FIG. 11 shows a display in the case of specifying individual shipping, and FIG. 12 shows a display in the case of batch shipping. In each case, 10 new teas 1, 5 fresh teas 2, and 90 black teas 1 are ordered as commodities. As the packaging, an envelope is selected in FIG. 11, and a decorative box is selected in FIG. In each case, the total number of products is 100 or more, so the label creation fee is free, and the shipping cost is free for batch shipping in FIG. 11 and 200 per mail for individual shipping in FIG.
The shipping charges for the yen are calculated, and the total charges are displayed for each.

In the final order confirmation screen T6 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the "OK" button 70 at the end of the screen is clicked, the server 5 receives the information on the sales company side and receives a step. The process proceeds from ST45 to a label creation process. The label making process is
After the final confirmation of the orderer, the label print control means 7 calls the label data stored in the label sample (including finished product) data storage DB 10 and briefly stores the received data, as briefly described first. The number of goods ordered by the orderer who ordered the label is read from a DB (database) 6, and the label data to be printed by the label printing means 9 and the number of the labels are input to the label printing means 9. The label printing means 9 prints and outputs the number of labels 15 corresponding to the number of requested products.

Subsequently, the label 15 is affixed to the surface of a vacuum packaging bag for tea or black tea, which is the product 17. The packaging of the tea or black tea is, for example, a vacuum pack packaging in which the air is evacuated after the tea or black tea leaves are stored in a bag made of a laminated film of aluminum / polyethylene / polyester / nylon. The package after vacuum packing is formed in a size that can be easily stored in a normal mail envelope, that is, a thin rectangular plate (sheet shape). For this reason, it can be stored in a normal mail envelope without difficulty.

Next, it is desirable that the label created before can be reused when the orderer who places the order once again places an order, and a configuration that enables such reuse will be described. Label samples that have been ordered are saved as label samples D
The data is stored in B12 (storage is, for example, a magneto-optical disk). This sample label contains data about the orderer, name,
The password used to confirm the label sample described above is stored in association with the address and the mail address.

Therefore, when the orderer wants to reuse a label created in the past, the password input screen T shown in FIG.
7, and a password is entered on this screen to call up the screen of the label sample T3 shown in FIG. Thereafter, similarly to the first order, the process shifts from step ST15 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 to the order content display screen T4 of step ST20, and an order using the same label is performed.

The label sample storage DB 12 is constituted by a storage device such as a hard disk. However, with the recent increase in storage capacity of a storage device such as a hard disk, a considerable amount of data including large images including images is stored. It is becoming possible. In order to respond to the orderer's reuse,
Label samples should be retained for several years. For this reason, it is considered appropriate to delete the label sample data if there is no next order even if 3-5 years have passed since the previous order.

Further, in this embodiment, since a password is required to specify the label sample, only the orderer can see the label sample. It is also possible to protect the copyright of the orderer.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The operation of this embodiment will be described collectively with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. First, the orderer uses the personal computer 1 at home or the like to connect to the homepage of the merchandise sales company, and transmits image data and message data desired to be printed on the label. On the sales company side, the transmission data is received by the label data receiving means 80 and stored in the data storage means 81. Then, a label sample is created by the label sample creating means 82 based on the stored data. The created label sample data is stored in the label sample data storage unit 83. At this time, a unique number (password) for showing the label sample only to the orderer is also stored. At this stage, the transmitting company 85 transmits the unique number from the sales company to the orderer. After obtaining the password, the orderer transmits the password to the sales company to confirm the label sample.

This password is received by the input means 86 of the sales company, and the password input by the search means 87 and the unique number (password) stored in the label sample data storage means 83 are searched and matched. If the unique number exists, the label sample with the unique number is taken out from the label sample data storage means 83 and sent from the label sample transmitting means 88 to the personal computer 1 of the orderer. Here, the orderer confirms the contents of the sent label sample, and sends a confirmation signal to the sales company if there is no change from the sample. The sales company determines that the orderer has confirmed by the confirmation means 90 based on the confirmation signal, and issues an instruction to start label production to the label production means 91.

Thus, the label creating means 91 starts creating a label based on the label sample data stored in the label sample data storing means 83. As a result, the created label is attached to the product ordered by the orderer by the label attaching means 92. It should be noted that, in contrast to the functional block diagram of FIG. 13 and the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, the data storage means 81 is in the received data storage DB 10 and the label sample data storage means 83 is in the label sample data storage DB 1.
2, a label data receiving unit 80, a transmitting unit 85, an input unit 86, a searching unit 87, a label sample transmitting unit 88, and a confirming unit 90 correspond to the server computer 5, and the label creating unit 91 includes the label print controlling unit 7, This corresponds to the label printing means 9.

All communications between the orderer and the sales company are performed via the Internet, but only the transmission of the unique number sent from the transmitting means 85 to the orderer when notifying of the completion of the label sample is performed. It is sent to the orderer's e-mail address, and all other communications are made on the sales company's website. The transmission of the unique number sent at the time of notification of completion of the label sample may be performed by facsimile.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, a label data receiving means for receiving various data constituting a label created by an orderer and affixed to the surface of a product, and a method for receiving the received various data. Label sample transmission means for transmitting the original label sample to the orderer, and a confirmation means for obtaining the orderer's confirmation for the label sample,
The orderer can create an original label by transmitting an image and a message using communication such as the Internet, and can order a label from home, thereby providing an extremely convenient original label creation system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a label producing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart for explaining the operation of the system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart following the flowchart shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a display example of an initial screen used in the system.

FIG. 5 is a display example of a label sample screen used in the system.

FIG. 6 is a display example of a label order screen used in the system.

FIG. 7 is a display example of a password input screen used in the system.

FIG. 8 is a display example of a label sample screen used in the system. .

FIG. 9 is a display example of an order content screen used in the system.

FIG. 10 is a display example of an individual shipping address input screen used in the system.

FIG. 11 is a display example of a final order confirmation screen used in the system.

FIG. 12 is another display example of a final order confirmation screen used in the system.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram for explaining the operation of the system.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a state before the packaged tea or black tea is put in an envelope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Personal computer, 5 ... Server, 7 ... Label printing control means, 8 ... Label sample database, 9 ... Label printing means, 10 ... Received data storage database, 12 ... Label sample storage database, 15 ... Label, 17 ... Product ( 19: shipping processing means 80: label data receiving means, 83: label sample data storing means, 86: input means, 87: searching means, 88: label sample transmitting means, 90: confirmation means, 91: label Creation means, 92 ... Label sticking means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // B31D 1/02 B31D 1/02 A B65C 9/46 B65C 9/46 F term (Reference) 3E035 AA20 AB01 BA08 BC02 BD02 3E075 BA83 GA07 3E095 AA13 BA01 CA02 DA63 DA65 DA69 DA72 DA74 DA76 FA17 FA30 5B049 BB11 CC03 CC05 CC08 DD01 DD05 EE05 EE07 FF02 FF03 FF04 FF09 GG04 GG07

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A label data receiving means for receiving various data constituting a label created by an orderer and affixed to the surface of a product, and a label sample created based on the received various data is provided to the orderer. A label production system comprising: a label sample transmitting means for transmitting the label sample to the user; 2. A label sample data storage unit for assigning and storing a unique number to the label sample, an input unit for prompting an orderer to input the unique number, and a unique unit input to the input unit. 2. A label producing system according to claim 1, further comprising a search unit for searching for a label sample corresponding to the number, wherein said label sample transmitting unit transmits the label sample searched by said searching unit to an orderer. . 3. A label data receiving means for receiving various data constituting a label created by an orderer and affixed to the surface of a product, and a label sample created on the basis of the received various data is provided to the orderer. Label sample transmitting means for transmitting to the label sample, confirmation means for obtaining the orderer's confirmation of the label sample, label producing means for producing the label confirmed by this confirming means, and goods designated by the orderer for the produced label And a label attaching means for attaching the label to the label. 4. The product to which the label is affixed is tea or black tea, and the label is affixed to the surface of the packaged tea or black tea. Labeling system described. 5. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the packaging is formed into a sheet with a thickness reduced by a vacuum pack packaging or an oxygen scavenger placed in the packaging bag so that the size of the packaging bag can be stored in an envelope. The label producing system according to claim 4, wherein: