FR2488188A1 - Printer for label giving weight, rate price and name - esp. for food items, and has CPU and two memories to control printing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The label printer adopts dot print processing which includes heat- sensitive type, ink jet type, electro-static recording type, electrophotographic type, wire dot type or the like. Of these, the heat sensitive type is the most suitable for the label printer. An input unit (3) comprises a ten-numeral key, a function key or the like and is operated to input item codes or item keywords, A printing unit (4) is heat-sensitive printer and prints characters designated at the item column (2a). The printing unit (4) is provided with a print head. The print head composed of a number of heating elements (230 heating elements in this embodiment) arranged in a lateral line, is transferred in the longitudinal direction at 16 steps. A first memory (7) is ROM (read only memory) where a number of character patterns are previously stored. In this embodiment, one character or symbols is displayed by character pattern composed of 16 x 16 bits. Various characters or symbols are assigned to article name keyboards. Numerals starting from 1000 are assigned to Chinese characters.

Description

 The present invention relates to a label printer. It relates more precisely to such a printer intended for printing the name of an article with other data such as the weight, the unit price or rate, the price, the preparation date, the expiry date, the tare, the article number and a stick code on a label which must be placed on packaged or unwrapped products, the printer also allowing the marking of the only name of the article; such a printer can be used in cooperation with electronic scales, for example analog or digital scales or a price indicator scale and a packaging machine with price indication, in supermarkets; the printer can also be used separately.

 The printing system of conventional label printers is of the typing type in which printing is carried out by striking a printing surface using a magnet, a hammer or the like. When characters from an article name are placed on a label using such printers, separate printing devices such as rubber stamps should be used, for example in printers having different characters. Such printers therefore have drawbacks because (1) when selling items corresponding to a new name, you must use a new rubber stamp, (2) you can get your hands dirty with ink, and ( 3) an ink reserve is required and the maintenance work in condition is inconvenient.

 Various point and pointless printers have recently been developed, so that the abovementioned drawbacks are eliminated, these printers having advantages in that the treatment is simple, the maintenance is hardly annoying, and any characters or symbols can be printed.

 Conventional label printers have a price, unit price, item price display area, but do not have an item name display area.

 In conventional label printers, the ~ date of preparation of the articles as well as an effective or expiry date (consumption time in the case of certain foods), must be printed by prior adjustment of the date to the using corresponding dial switches.

The date setting must be renewed every day. If this renewal is accidentally forgotten, it may happen that really fresh articles give the buyer the impression of being old, in a completely unfavorable way.

 In conventional label printers, use has been made of apparatuses of the heat-sensitive type, with electric discharge, with dots formed by metallic wires, inkjet or the like, allowing the drawing of characters or symbols to using a certain number of points. When printing is performed on a label using these printers, the characters, numbers, symbols or bar codes that are required are printed as the print head and label move one by one. relative to the other, the label moving for example longitudinally relative to the printhead disposed laterally. When a printhead, for example intended to place a bar code on a label, does not work, the omission of printing in a corresponding part can cause a code designation corresponding to other information. This erroneous operation of a print head cannot be easily determined. In the case of the stick code, for example, the erroneous operation cannot be determined until the values read in a device for reading this code have been compared.

 When checking the operation of each printhead, all the printheads are ordered simultaneously and printing is performed over the entire surface of the label. When a printing omission exists in any part during the above operation, the part corresponding to the omission keeps the original color of the paper, so that an erroneous operation of a head is determined. When the above method of verification is used in printers such as a thermal printer having a number of printheads aligned laterally however, as the heating capacity is set to a nominal value corresponding to a part of the totality of the heads printing (for example half) so that the printer is space-saving, the use of the particular capacity necessary for verification requires the production of a larger printer.

 In the case of conventional label printers, an incorporated control system is generally provided with an accumulation memory in which the data of weight, price, numbers or the like of the articles are added and accumulated by elements of item information.

 In such label printers, however, when a label is not properly held in a label holder, due to improper operation of a label feeder or when the operation of data entry corresponds to the wrong article code, the label is printed and at the same time the data is added to the accumulator memory, that is to say that unwanted data is accumulated. The printing efficiency is then reduced under these conditions since additional work is necessary for the determination of the undesirable data and for the correction of the accumulated erroneous data.

 In conventional label printers in general, the labels are applied to a transport paper formed from a strip and they are separated along the strip at predetermined intervals. The label backing paper intermittently advances in a certain direction and stops in a determined position, opposite the print head.

When the length of the label run is only specified by the displacement of a stroke, the stop position is shifted when sliding in the label feed device so that a mark is not indicated in a deposit specified on the label.

 In practice, a label position detector assembly is mounted on the label path so that it indicates this position by determining the presence of labels or intervals. Each label is certainly printed in the desired position when the advance of the labels is interrupted when the assembly detects the intervals between the labels.

 The aforementioned conventional label position detection assembly consists of a detector which comprises a photosensitive element and a receiving element, and a comparator of the output voltage of the detector to a preset reference voltage, determining, after the voltage difference, if the label or an interval is in the detection position. The photo-emissive and receiving elements are placed one opposite the other and the label backing paper is placed between the two elements.

When transporting the labels, the light from the photo-emissive element reaches the receiving element through the transport paper alone, or through the label and this superimposed paper. The reference voltage is adjusted to a predetermined value between the high voltage transmitted by the detector when it notes the presence of an interval between labels, and the low voltage obtained during detection of the label, by implementing d 'a division by electrical resistors or by programming.

 Since changes in the material and thickness of the backing paper modify the light transmission, the reference voltage must be adjusted each time the labels are changed or new labels are introduced, due to differences. ie variations presented by the paper bearing the labels.

Failure to set the reference voltage when renewing can often cause defective labels and improper printer operation.

Thus, an improvement is desirable for this purpose.

 The invention relates to a label printer in which dot printing is carried out and an article name is transmitted to a printing assembly and is printed on a label in the form of a drawing formed by characters. , this drawing being assigned by keywords of information elements, so that the operation of introducing the information elements is very flexible and the convenience of use is good.

 When several characters of the name of an article are printed using such a printer, a character corresponds to a keyword stored in a memory. Thus, the constitution of a word in ten characters requires the command of ten corresponding keywords, so that the introduction operation is so inconvenient that the aforementioned advantages cannot be implemented.

 The invention also relates to the simplification of the operation of entering data into a label printer, and the use of the advantages of printers without typing, by preparing keywords corresponding to phrase terms formed from names of articles to be printed on a label, the keywords of the terms being treated.

 The invention also relates to the formation of a balanced label, easily visible and having a great flexibility of use by points, by prior adjustment of the necessary number of characters and lines in the column of information elements of the label. and by setting the character interval or by partially omitting the writing of the characters when the article name to be printed has a number greater or less than the necessary number of characters and lines.

 The invention also relates to the transmission of a label te having an advertising function, thanks to the development of the aforementioned setting of the interval of the characters, corresponding to the number of characters present in a column of element of information, the name of the item being printed in the news item column with additional characters previously specified, forward or backward simultaneously.

 Item names printed on the label using the printer sometimes have common words, except one, such as BEEFILLED BEEF and BEEF FILLET. If the change of sets comprising common words is carried out by erasing all the characters and using new characters, the operation takes time and is inconvenient and may cause errors.

 The invention simplifies and makes effective the operation of storing information elements, with very few errors, by identifying characters presented in a column of information element of the printer and by maintaining words common and deletion of different words only for the subsequent adjustment operation.

 The invention also relates to a label printer having excellent processing and precision properties, such that the correction operation is convenient when one or more characters of a stored article name are incorrectly entered. following an operation error.

 When a new article is used with the label printer, an information element code designating the new article name must be set and keys corresponding to the name of the article to be printed must be pressed successive. Since there are a number of keys corresponding to the name of the item to be printed, the operation of setting the item name takes time and can cause errors.

 The invention also allows the entry of the article name in an easy and error-free manner, by using the bar code which is printed and which corresponds to the name of the article, and by keeping in memory the key code of information elements and character key code obtained by reading the stick code in the appropriate reading apparatus.

 The invention also relates to the formation of an information display area intended to indicate characters of information elements stored in memory during a verification or a printing, so that the corresponding characters are indicated in the display area by command of the information item calling device, and the error of the item calling operation can be easily found.

 In the label printer, the data representing the article name, the unit price, the expiry date or the like, are written beforehand in a preset memory, during the entry operation. Conventional label printers have drawbacks because the capacity of the unwritten part of the memory cannot be known during writing to the preset memory.

 The invention also relates to the indication of the capacity of the unwritten part of the preset memory in the display area by writing the preset memory, so that the operator can identify the capacity and the implementation is facilitated.

 The invention also relates to a label printer which includes a date display and a clock, so that the preparation date printed on the label cannot be erroneous by printing the contents of the calendar and the calendar. clock on the label, automatically.

 The invention also relates to the simplification of the operation of adjusting the expiration date by adjusting the preparation date and the validity period, and by automatic calculation of the expiration date corresponding to the duration of use, with printing of this expiration date.

 The invention also relates to a drawing verification method which allows simple and precise detection of an erroneous operation of the head of the printing assembly of the printer.

 The invention also relates to a label which allows simple verification of the print head at any time.

 The invention also prevents the addition of superfluous data in an accumulation memory contained in the printer, and allows the improvement of the accuracy of the values of the total weight, the added price and the number of pieces accumulated in the memory.

 The invention also relates to a label advance system which allows a label to be stopped precisely in the printing position during operation of the printer, without an erroneous label being able to be transmitted, without the printer stops working, and with better processing characteristics.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows, given with reference to the attached drawings in which
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a mantis printed label according to the invention
Figures 2a and 2b are plan views of examples of printed labels;
Figure 3 is an elevation showing the constitution of a print head;
Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of an example of character design
FIG. 5 is an enlarged table allowing the comparison of the characters or symbols with keywords of information elements;
FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of a comparison table of information item code and information item keywords;
Figure 7 is a block diagram of an alternative label printer;
FIG. 8 is a table allowing the comparison of the keywords of terms and the keywords of characters;
FIG. 9 is a table allowing the comparison of the codes of information elements with the keywords;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a printing mode;
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the distribution of the printing characters corresponding to the number required
FIG. 12 is a diagram representing the characters in number less than the number necessary;
FIG. 13 is a diagram representing the characters in number greater than the number necessary;
FIG. 14 is a diagram representing the printing lines in number greater than the number necessary ;;
Figures 15a and 15b are plan views of alternative labels
Figure 16 is a perspective of another embodiment of label printer
Figure 17 is a block diagram of the printer in Figure 16
FIGS. 18 to 21 are plan views of display areas illustrating the implementation of a method for adjusting information elements
Figure 22 is a block diagram of another example
Fig. 23 is a plan view of an example of an item name and stick code comparison sheet;
Figures 24 to 26 are diagrams showing the display state of information elements during the call
Figures 27 and 28 are diagrams showing a variant display state of information elements;
Figures 29 to 31 are diagrams showing the display state of information elements during the introduction of the element
FIG. 32 is a block diagram representing the writing of data in the preset memory
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating the organization of the memory;
Figure 34 is a perspective of another embodiment of label printer;
Figure 35 is a block diagram of the printer of Figure 34;
Figure 36 is a plan view of an exemplary display area;
Figures 37 to 39 are plan views of examples of verification drawings
Figure 40 is a plan view of a label having a verification design
Figure 41 is a plan view of an alternative label ;;
Figure 42 is a side elevation of a label printer according to another embodiment
Figure 43 is an enlarged section showing the label feed portion
Figure 44 is a block diagram showing the construction of the label printer;
Figure 45 is a side elevation of the system.

label position detection; and
FIG. 46 is a diagram of the circuit of the detection system of FIG. 45.

 A label printer according to the invention provides dot-type printing, of the thermosensitive type, of ink jet, of electrostatic recording, of electrophotographic type, of points written by wires or the like. Among these different types, a heat-sensitive device is particularly advantageous in the case of a label printer. Consequently, the description which follows relates to the use of dot printing by carrying out a heat-sensitive operation.

 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the constitution of a label printer 1, while FIGS. 2a and 2b are plan views of examples of labels 2 printed using the printer 1. The characters carried by an article and printed with the printer 1 are designated in a column 2a of information elements of the label 2. As shown in FIG. 1, an input set 3 comprises a keyboard with ten numeric keys and a function keyboard or the like, and is intended for the introduction of codes or keywords of information elements.

A printing unit 4 is a "heat-sensitive printer" and prints characters designated in column 2a of information elements, in FIG. 2. The printing unit 4 has a printing head 6, as shown in FIG. 3. The head 6, formed of a certain number of heating elements D1,
D2, D3 .... (230 heating elements in the embodiment considered) aligned laterally, and transported in the longitudinal direction by 16 steps. A first memory 7 of passive type initially contains a certain number of character designs.

 We now consider the character designation process in this embodiment. A character or symbol is displayed by a 16 x 16 bit drawing. For example, the Chinese character BUTA (meaning "pork") is shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, various characters or symbols are assigned to item name keywords.

 The numbers starting from 1000 are assigned to the Chinese characters (punctuation and the French translation are added to facilitate understanding, the punctuation being indicated as described in the remainder of this memo), the numbers starting with 2000 correspond to the Japanese characters " kana "(punctuation is also indicated), numbers starting at 3000 correspond to alphabetic characters and numbers starting at 4000 correspond to symbols and numbers. The Chinese symbols or characters are prepared in case of possible use and other foreign characters are prepared if necessary.The number of heating elements D1-D230 (230 elements) and a character drawing (16 x 16 bits) are specified in printing set 4 assuming the use of characters including Chinese characters, but may be reduced when using Latin characters.

 The memory 7 relates to a character drawing represented in FIG. 4 and corresponding to the keywords of information elements of FIG. 5. When the keywords are addressed and transmitted in the form of signals to the memory 7, the drawing of character corresponding to the keywords of information elements is read.

A second memory 8 is a direct access memory intended to keep the table of comparison of the codes and keywords of information elements, as indicated in FIG. 6. Codes of information elements are specified and correspond to pieces of information such as
BUTAKATANIKUSURAISU (USUKIRI) (denoting pork tenderloin) or USIHIKINIKU (denoting minced beef). In this embodiment, the information element code 001 is assigned to BUTAKATANIKUSURAISU (USUKIRI), exodus 002 to USIHIKINIKU, the code 003 to steak, and so on. In the table of FIG. 6, the characters or symbols constituting the names of articles are listed in the order of the keywords of information elements. The memory 8 contains the keywords of corresponding information elements. to the characters of the information element codes in the address specified by these codes.

 An inverter 9 designates the operation of the memory 8, that is to say the writing or the reading. A control system, hereinafter called "central processing unit" and marked 10, controls the above-mentioned assemblies and usually includes a microcomputer.

 We now consider the operation of the label printer 1 represented in FIG. 1, with reference essentially to the central unit 10.

 In the printer 1, an operator prepares the table of FIG. 6 in the memory 8, initially, and an article name is automatically printed on the label 2 by transmission of the code of information elements using of the data entry assembly 4 in the presence of a buyer.

We first consider the preparation of the table in FIG. 6, introduced into memory 8.

The inverter 9 is put in a first state and the code of information elements 001 is introduced by the assembly 3. The code passes into the central unit 10 and arrives as an address signal in the memory 8, and the address 001 of memory 8 is ready for writing. When keywords from Figure 6 information elements such as
BUTAKATANIKUSURAISU (USUKIRI, 1001, 1005, 1004, 2013, 2039, 2002, 2013, 4001, 1006, 1007 and 4002 are introduced in order by the introductory device 3, the keywords of information elements are written to address 001 of memory 8.

 When the information element code 002 is entered and when the information element keywords 1002, 2027, 2007 and 1004 are entered in this order, the corresponding keywords USIHIKINIKU are written at the address 002 in the memory 8. When the code of information elements 003 is introduced and then when the keywords 3002, 3005, 3005, 3006, 3019, 3020, 3005, 3001 and 3011 are introduced, keywords corresponding to BIFTECK are written at address 003.

When repeating a similar procedure, the code 1B04 or another code can be entered with the necessary keywords, so that table 6 is prepared. As the table for comparing symbols or characters with the keywords of information elements in FIG. 5 has been previously prepared, an operator can introduce keywords of information elements with reference to this table.

 We now consider the article name printing operation on the label 2. The inverter 9 is put in a second state and the code 001 for example is introduced by the set 3. This code 003 of elements information is transmitted by the central unit 10 and arrives as an address signal in the memory 8, so that the content of the address 001 in the memory 8, that is to say the element code of information corresponding to the characters of BUTAKATANIKUSURAISU (USUKIRI) is read in the central unit 10. The code read is then transmitted as an address signal to the memory 7. In this way, a character drawing corresponding to the code transmitted is read in the central unit 10. A first line of the character drawing read in the unit 10 (for example that which is designated by the reference 4a in FIG. 4) is transmitted to the printing assembly 4. Those of the elements heating D D2, D3, of the head 6 of the assembly 4 which must display a point receive signals and are heated s i although they have a dot in the first line of the character design.

Head 6, at the same time as it displays the points, descends one notch and the second line is ready to be displayed in the form of points. The central unit 11 then transmits lines 2, 3 .... 16 of the character drawing to the printing unit-4, and thus, the expression BUTAKATANIKUSURAISU (USUKIRI) read at address 001 from the memory 8 is printed in column 2a of information elements of label 2 (as shown in Figure 2a).

When the code of information elements 002 is introduced by the set 3, the characters corresponding to the keywords of information elements preserved at the address 002 of the memory 8, that is to say the USIHIKINIKU characters are printed on label 2. When the code 003 is entered by unit 3, the BIFTECK characters stored at address 003 are printed on label 2 (Figure 2b). When the code 004 is entered by unit 3, the symbols or characters
res corresponding to the keywords kept at address 004 of
memory 8 are printed.

 Although it has been indicated that the head 6 moves 16 steps successively, the label 2 can also move successively.

 The memory 8 can store keywords of information elements with unit price, tare, consumption day or other data corresponding to the information element, so that when the code of information elements is introduced by the unit 3, the central unit 10 can read the keyword of information elements as well as the unit price, the tare, the day of consumption or the like simultaneously.

 Although the table for comparing the code and of the information element keyword of FIG. 6 is prepared with keys in the unit 3 for entering data, this table can be kept in an external memory, for example on a tape of a cassette, then transferred to memory 8 by the central unit 10 or directly.

 FIG. 7 represents the constitution of the aforementioned printer 1, accompanied by a third memory 11 which stores the keywords of terms.

 In FIG. 7, the second memory 8 stores the code-keyword table of FIG. 6 as well as the keyword term-keyword keyword table of FIG. 8.

 In FIG. 7, the third memory 11 is a read-only memory which previously contains keywords of terms in combination with keywords of characters, as indicated in FIG. 5. The keywords of terms are assigned to terms correspondents (combination of characters, numbers, symbols, etc.) that are frequently printed on labels.

 Examples of key words of terms corresponding to terms frequently used in column 2a of FIG. 2 are the following: those which designate kinds of food such as KATANIKU, SAROIN, HIRE in Chinese or kana characters, and BEEF, BIFTECK in French, those which indicate the cooking such as SITIU-, MUSIYAKI, YAKINIKU, and those which indicate the state of the meat such as HIKINIKU, HONETUKI.

When an operator prepares the table of FIG. 9 to introduce it into memory 8, the inverter is put in its first state and the information element code OD1 is introduced by the set 3. In this state , when the keywords 1001, 9001 and 9003 are introduced in order by the introduction set 3, the content of the information element keyword
BUTAKATANIKU SURAISU (USUKIRI) is written to address 001 of memory 8. When the information element code 002 is entered and when the keywords 1002 and 9201 are entered in this order, the keyword USIHIKINIKU is writes to address 002 of memory 8. When the code 003 is entered and when
that the keywords 9301 and 9302 are then transmitted, the keyword of information element BIFTECK is written at the address 003 of the memory 8. Thus, the keywords of information elements are easily written in the memory 8 during the above operation.

 When an article name is printed on the label 2 the inverter 9 is put in the second state and the code 001 for example is introduced by the assembly 3. This code 001 passes into the central unit 10 and reaches in the form of an address signal to memory 8, so that the contents of address 001 of memory 8, that is to say the keywords 1001, 9001 and 9203 are read in the unit central 10. Among the keywords read in the central unit 10, those which are different from the character keywords, that is to say the keywords of terms 9001 and 9203, are transmitted to the memory 11. The content of the addresses 9001, 9203 in the memory 11, that is to say the character keywords 1005, 1004, 2013, 2041, 2002, 2013, 4001, 1006, 1007, 4002 are read in the central unit 10 The character keywords read from unit 10 are transmitted as an address signal to memory 7, so that BUTAKATANIKUSURAISU (USUKIRI) is printed in information element column 2a of label 2.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 10 to 14 for the description of the method for adjusting the printing intervals of the characters of information elements to be printed in column 2a of the label. In this embodiment, the characters printed in column 2a are represented by A,
B, C, ... and are displayed as 16 point and 16 point length matrices. The heating elements D1 - D230 are arranged laterally and parts of the heating elements D1 - D230 corresponding to the characters A, B, C, are heated and colored by a thermal pulse. The points of the 16 x 16 matrix which must be heated are set by the central processing unit of the printer, so the characters A, B, C, ... are printed and a space x corresponding to two points ( for example the elements D17 and D18) is arranged between the characters A, B, C ...

 The arrangement of the characters A, B, C, etc. will now be considered by way of illustration in FIG. 10. When the heating elements D1 to D230 are used, the maximum number of characters available (hereinafter called "necessary number" characters ") becomes 12, given the following calculation: (230 + 2) / (16 + 2) = 12.888. When the character A at the left end is displayed using the heating elements D1 to D16 as shown in FIG. 10, the elements D215 to D230 of the 16 elements to the right of the twelfth character L remain unused. number less than 12, for example 8, are printed by the heating element-Dl, as shown in Figure 10, as the number of dots necessary for printing 8 characters is equal to 16 x 8 + (8 - 1) x 2 = 142, the 88 point D143 and 0230 elements remain unused to the right of the eighth character A.

The arrangement of 8 whole characters gathered on the left gives an unattractive aspect.

 Thus, the invention makes it possible to adjust the space between the characters, corresponding to the number of characters, according to one of three methods. A first method is such that the necessary number of characters corresponding to the number of heating elements is set beforehand by the central unit 10 and, after detection of the number of characters to be printed less than the number necessary, using the central unit 10, space x is set to the same width. A second method is such that, when a number of characters to be printed greater than the necessary number is detected by the central unit 10, a part is omitted in the direction of arrangement of the characters.

In the third method, when several printing lines are used and when the number of lines to be printed is greater than the number necessary, part of the arrangement is omitted in the perpendicular direction.

 The first method is now considered in detail.

If we call Td the number of points in the direction of the character arrangement on the column of information element of the label, N the number of characters, has the number of points in the direction of arrangement of characters necessary for writing a character, x the number of points corresponding to the space X between adjacent characters,
K1 the residual space at the front (or left) end of the character arrangement direction, and K2 the residual space at the rear end, the relationship is represented by the equation
Td = aN + x (Nl) + (K1 + K2) (1)
We assume that K1, K2 have positive values and that K2 is one point greater than or equal to K1, and we obtain the relationships ::
K2 K1 0 (2)
1 (K2 - K1) 0 (3)
When the number of characters N varies, the parameters a,
K1, K2 are determined.

We consider a first example, with reference to FIG. 11. In FIG. 10, the necessary number of characters
N is determined at a value equal to 12, for Td = 230, a = 16 and x = 2. On the contrary, x, K1, K2 must be specified when N = 12 and x = K1 + K2. If we modify equation (l), we obtain
Td = aN + x (Nl) + x (4)
= aN + xN
x = Td - aN (5)
NOT
= 230 - 16 x 12
12 = 3.16666
Consequently, the value x = 3 is specified and the fraction below the decimal point is distributed between K1 and K2. If we modify equation (1), we obtain K1 + -K = Td - aN - x (Nl ) (6)
= 230 - 16 x 12 - 3 (12-1)
= 5
Thus, K1 = 2 and K2 = 3 can be specified, so that the space X between the characters AN, the margin Y to the left of the character A, and the margin Z to the right of the character L are determined. We now consider a second example, with reference to FIG. 12, the number of information element characters being equal to 4. From equation (5), we obtain
230 - 16 x 4
4
= 41.5
Consequently, the value x = 41 is specified and the parameters K1 and K2 are specified according to equation (6), in the form
K1 + K2 = 230 - 16 x 4 - 41 (4-1)
= 43
Thus, K1 = 21, K2 = 22 can be specified, so that the characters are distributed in a balanced manner as shown in Figure 12.

We now consider the second method already described with reference to FIG. 10, when the heating elements
D1 to D230 are used and the number of points necessary for writing a character is equal to 16 while the number of points corresponding to the space X between the characters A - L is equal to 2, the number of characters to be printed becoming less than or equal to 12. The second method eliminates the disadvantage of a piece of information in number greater than 12 and is intended to increase the number of print characters N by giving a value as low as possible to parameters a, x in equation (1). For example, the character
A of FIG. 10 US1 in Chinese characters can be read US1 even when the display of the heating elements D1, D2,
D15, D16 is omitted in the lateral direction, so when the number of characters to be printed in the column of information elements exceeds the necessary number of characters, the modification of equation (4) allows the determination of the range of the number of characters to print, according to the equation:
Td (7)
N = Td (7) in which Co denotes the number of points to be omitted.

We now consider a third example, with reference to FIG. 13, the number of information element characters being equal to 14. The modification of equation (7) gives
(a - Co) + x = Td
NOT
(a- Co) = rnd - x (8)
NOT
When Td = 130, x = 1, N = 14, we get
a - Co = 230 ~
14 = 15.428571
As a result, a period at the left or right end of each character is omitted, and one character is presented by 15 points. The values of the parameters K1 and K2 are specified from equation (6) in the form
K1 + K2 = 230 - 15 x 14 - (14 - 1) = 7
Thus, the values K1 = 3 and K2 = 4 can be specified, so that the display is performed as shown in Figure 13.

We now consider a fourth example. When a character can be read properly even with 4 dots omitted, 2 to the right and 2 to the left, such as US1 and NIKU in Chinese characters, as shown in Figure -10, the maximum number of characters that can be displayed in the information element column is calculated using equation (2) in the form
N = 230
(16 - 4) + 1
= 17.692
Consequently, the maximum number-l becomes equal to 17 and we can specify the values K1 = 5 and K2 = 5.

We now consider the third method. If Te is the number of points in the direction perpendicular to the character arrangement on the label's information element column, P the number of lines, b the number of points in the direction perpendicular to the character arrangement. necessary for writing a character, r the number of points corresponding to the space n between the lines, the number of points corresponding to the margin of the upper end, and 52 the number of points corresponding to the margin from the lower end, the relationship is represented by the equation
Te = bP + r (P 1) + (S1 + S2) (8).

We now consider a fifth example. The maximum number of lines becomes 2 when Te = 41 and b = 16 as shown in Figure 10. We take from equation (8)
r (Pl) + (S1 + S2) = Te - bP = 41 - 16 x 2 = 9
r (2-1) + S1 + S2 52
r S1 +
Consequently, the distribution is ensured when r = 5.51 = 2, S2 = 2. In this state, P represents the necessary number of lines, and the printing is carried out in one or two lines.

The third method omits an upper or lower (for example lower) part of the characters A, B, C arranged laterally as indicated in FIG. 10. In the case of printing on lines in numbers greater than the number required as indicated in the figure 14, we obtain, by modification of equation (8)
bP = Te - r (Pl) Te = r (Pl) - (51 + 52) (9)
P
When P = 3, SL = '52 = O, Te = 41, we get
b = 41 - rx 2 = 13.666 - 2 r
3 3
Consequently, b = 13 in the example considered and the allocation of the fraction to the space between the lines gives r = 1. As indicated in FIG. 14, TOKUBAIHIN in Chinese characters (designating a case); BUTANIKUSOTOO ( designating the ham) and KAITEN 7 SIYUNENKINEN (designating the seventh anniversary of the opening of the store) are placed on three lines, and the number of points corresponding to the height of a character is equal to 13, the space between the lines being equal to 1. As the characters A, B, C, .. are printed with 13 points, the lower part of the characters is reduced by three points.

Japanese words can be read properly even with the removal of part of the lower end (or upper and lower ends) as described above.

The third method implements this characteristic of Japanese words (for example USINIKU in FIG. 10 can be read properly even after omitting three dots at the bottom end).

 In FIGS. 10 to 14, the heating elements D1 to D230 of the heat-sensitive printer form a line arranged laterally and the printing is carried out when the heating elements D1 - D230 or the labels to be printed move in longitudinal direction, successively . However, the method can also be applied to a dot printer other than a heat sensitive printer, with printing during the lateral displacement of the head. In addition, the method is suitable for printing characters having a different dimension, for example the dimension of the numeric characters "kana" is smaller than that of the Chinese characters.

 As shown in Figures 15a and 15b, the item name 12 and additional characters 14 can be printed on the information element column 2a of the tag 2.

 An additional device 15 for adjusting a character, intended to participate in this aforementioned impression, is incorporated into the input assembly 3 of FIG. 1 or of FIG. 7, and a code corresponding to additional characters (comprising sentences) in the form of a drawing is transmitted to the memory of the central unit 10 by command of the device 15.

 The additional character adjustment device 15 selectively controls auxiliary keys 15a, which display phrases such as "day to recommend", "advertisement", "discount today" -, "special discount", "pattern selection" , "last arrival", ..., so that a sentence code corresponding to the display of the auxiliary key 15a is called in the memory and is transmitted to the central unit. The code is interrupted at the rear end of the article name, as previously set in the central unit, and the character intervals are re-specified so that they correspond to the number of characters in the article name and the additional sentence, and the whole "cooked ham (advertisement)" is printed on label 2, as shown in Figure 15a.

 Although the additional sentence 14 is interrupted at the rear end of the article name 12 as shown in FIG. 15a, it can be interrupted at the front end of the name 12. Apart from the auxiliary key 15a of the keypad , an encoding keyboard having recording keys and function keys can be used as an additional character setting device.

 Reference is now made to FIGS. 16 to 21 for the description of an improved method for adjusting the data elements entered in the printer. The printer control panel has a record button, an item setting button, an item memory button, a clear button, and a display button. piece of information.

Item name characters corresponding to the device calling the item name are displayed in the information item display area and entered and stored in the printer control unit. The information element characters indicated above are separated into blocks per word, any block can be erased by command in combination with the record key and the erase key.

A new word is entered and stored in the block deleted by command in combination with the information item setting key and the store key.

 The information element setting key is used for entering and setting the item name in the form of a character signal transmitted to the control unit.

The setting key enters the article name in the form of information element characters, in Arabic, Kana or Chinese characters or in any combination of these characters with numbers.

 In the information item setting keyboard, a key can enter a word or, alternatively, a key can enter a character, as happens in the case of a typewriter with Latin or Kana characters.

 The information element character corresponding to the information element calling device is given by the following relation. The information element code number is designated for each information element and information element characters corresponding to the code number are entered. When the code number is entered by the registration register in the printing state, the corresponding information item characters can be displayed in the display area.

 The information element memory can implement an independent information element memory or a method according to which the store key is also used as a record key or as an information element setting key or , in a variant, the keyboard can be controlled successively.

In the case of information element characters
BEEF FILLET GRILLED, for example, a block of characters is represented by each of the words CONTRE, FILET, DE,
BEEF and GRILL. The characters are separated into entered blocks and only the necessary block can be deleted.

 The word block is made up of a series of individual characters such as B, I, F, T, E, C, K. The word block can be separated into individual characters and only the necessary character of the block can be deleted.

 FIG. 16 represents a label printer A comprising a body a, a control panel b, a weight detection assembly c and a printing assembly d. The control panel has a recording keyboard 21, an information item setting keyboard 22, an information item display area 23, an operation control key assembly 24, an area 25 tare display, unit price display area 26, weight display area 27, price display area 28, code display area 29 and inverter 30, each part being connected to the body control system a '.

 The operation control assembly 24 comprises a key 31 for memorizing an item of information, a key 32 for erasing an item of information, a key 33 for entering a code and a key 34 for erasing. total.

 The inverter 30 is put in the adjustment position when data such as an item name, a unit price or a date are entered and stored in the control system a ', or it is put in the recording position when that the item is weighed and printed automatically.

 The recording keyboard 21 comprises ten numeric keys having a key for each of the numbers and a delete key.

The information element setting keyboard 22 is of the typewriter keyboard type with Latin characters, having keys representing the alphabetic characters
A, B, C, ... Each key can also be used for a kana character, and the recording keyboard 21 can also be used when used in the form of a typewriter with kana characters.

 In the information element setting keyboard 22, of course, it is possible to use keys of Latin characters and keys of kana characters independently. In addition, a number of information element keys can be used with "BEEF" and "STRIKET".

 The adjustment keyboard 22 introduces information which is stored in the control system a ′, with the item of information item number stored in the keyboard 21.

For example, we introduce the expression CONTRE-FILET
BEEF GRILLADE using the keyboard 22, the word blocks being separated by spacing a column thanks to the operation controlled by a key 22 'for spacing the words.

The setting keyboard 22 can be used for erasing each block using the erase key 32, and individual characters (sub-blocks in a word) from the word block can be erased, character by character, using key 32. This is linked to display area 23
by the control system a '.

The position of the blocks of the information element character is designated by the recording keyboard 21. By
example, the expression GRILLED BEE COUNTER-FILET is designated in positions 1, 2, 3, ... coming from the block
higher in the sequence. CONTRE is initially set in register 1 (block 1), FILET is set in register 2 (block 2), BEEF is set in register 3 (block 3) and GRILLADE in register 4 (block 4).

 The sub-blocks in an information element character word are designated in positions 1, 2, 3, starting from the upper character, successively, so that a character required in the block is designated by the keyboard 21 registration. The spacing key 22 ′ is controlled between the two register values so that the designation of the word block and of the sub-block in a word is distinguished.

 The character E of the word NET is the fourth character of block 2. Consequently, E is designated by command of the register key 2, the space key 22 'and the register key 4.

When the item name of printer A is con
served and set, the inverter 30 is set to the first position and the necessary information element code number, for example 1200, is recorded using the keyboard 21. The code command key 33 is pushed and the information element storage key, containing the expression AGAINST
GRILLED BEEF TENDERLOAD is pushed by key 32, so that a 1200 GRILLED BEEF TENDER LIST signal is kept in the control system a 'and at the same time the expression is displayed in zone 23 while 1200 is displayed in the code display area 29 (FIG. 18).

When the BEEFILLED FILLET information element
GRILLADE is entered with the code number 1201, the value 1201 is entered by the keyboard 21 and the code command key 33 is pressed, then a "3" is recorded by
the keyboard 21. The block AGAINST is erased by pressing
key 32 (figure 19). When FALSE is introduced to the
place of the block erased by the keyboard 22 and the memory storage key 31 is pressed, the signal 1201 FALSE FILLET DE BEEF
GRILLADE is memorized and displayed in zones 23, 29 (figure 20).

When the introduction of the expression CONTRE-FILET
OF BEEF GRILLADE using the keyboard 22 becomes CONTRE-FILAT
OF BEEF GRILLADE due to a bad order (figure 21), a "2" is recorded using the keyboard 21, the key 22 'is pressed and a "4" is recorded by the recording key and the delete key 32 is pressed, so that the fourth character of block 2 is deleted and forms the expression CONTRE-FIL T DE BOEUF GRILLADE (figure 21). In this state, when the character E is entered using the keyboard 22, it is put in the erased part and ensures the correction. Similarly, a number of characters and a code number are entered into the control system. The erase key 32 can be of the type which implements the erase key c of the keyboard 21, as an option.

 Consider, in an example of implementation of a variant of the apparatus of FIG. 1, the introduction of the keyword of information element in the memory with a printed bar code corresponding to the article name. In FIG. 22, the references 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10 denote members having the same functions as in the apparatus of FIG. 1, so that they are not described. In FIG. 22, a keyboard coupling circuit 40, comprising a key coder or the like, ensures the transmission of signals between the introduction assembly 3 and the various members. A printer coupling circuit 41 ensures the transmission of signals between the printing assembly 4 and the various members. A video pencil 42a reads the printed stick code 44, corresponding to the article name 43, as shown in Fig. 23. A stick code decoder 42b converts to a character code corresponding to the code signal with sticks transmitted by the video pen. A stick code reader 42 includes the decoder 42b and the pencil 42a. The latter and the reader 42 can be detachably connected to the printer.

A bar code coupling circuit 45 ensures the transmission of the signals between the bar code decoder and the various members. An external memory 46 is temporarily connected to the signal bus 47. The external memory 46 comprises an external memory 46a of permanent type, for example a flexible disk (or a magnetic tape, a paper tape), or an integrated circuit memory having a backup power supply, and a coupling circuit 46b of external memory intended for the transmission of signals between the external memory 46 and the various organs
When an operator prepares the table of FIG. 6 in memory 8, the information element code 001 is introduced by the assembly 3 and the rod code 44 corresponding to the information element code 43, by example
BUTAKATANIKUSURAISU (USUKIRI), as shown in Figure 23 is read by pencil 42a. In this way, the corresponding codes 1001, 1005, 1004 ... are written successively to the address 001 of the memory 8. When the bar code 44 printed on a paper 48 represented in FIG. 23 is read by the pencil 42a , the codes 1001, 100.5 .... 1007, 4002 are transmitted by the encoder 42b. When the code 002 is entered and when the code 44 with rods corresponding to the code 43 USIHIKINIKU is read by the pencil 42a, the codes 1002, 2027, ... are written in memory 8. Thus, the table of FIG. 6 is prepared in memory.

 The content of the table kept in the memory 8 is transferred to the external memory 46 following a transfer order originating from the central unit and kept in the external memory 46a. Thus, the external memory 46 maintains a table for comparing code and keywords of information element represented in FIG. 6 and coming from memory 8, as well as data such as a day of consumption.

 The external memory 46 is disconnected from the bus 47 after memorizing the table, and it is connected to another printing set, for example to the signal bus 47 of the printing device used in the stores of a chain, so that the table of comparison of the codes and keywords of information element stored in the external memory 46 is transferred to the memory 8 of the printing assembly which is connected. Although the data transmitted by the input device 3 and the pencil 42 are kept in the memory 8 and then transferred to the external memory 46 in this embodiment, the data of the assembly 3 and of the pencil 42a can also be kept directly in the external memory 46. Several external memories 46 can be connected to the bus 47. In addition, an information element code such as 001 (or 002, ...) can obviously be entered using the code sticks shown in Figure 23. In this case, the data entry operation can be easily performed.

We now consider the extraction of the article name which has been kept in a label printer represented in FIGS. 16 and 17, that is to say a recall operation. Description refers to the item name HAMBURGER
PUR BEEF, with code number 5001 for illustration.

 When the information element call operation is performed, the inverter 30 is put in the recording position and the control keyboard 24 and the recording keyboard 21 are controlled. Data such as tare and unit price are entered and the article is then placed on the weighing set c. The information element call operation can be performed automatically by entering the prescribed information element code number corresponding to the article with the keys, using the keyboard 21, after pressing the key 33 of code command.

 For example, when the number 5001 is registered by the keyboard 21, the corresponding information element character signal is called by the control unit a 'and is transmitted to the display area 23. The characters of the prescribed HAMBURGER PUR BOEUF information element are displayed in zone 23 and detected and the corresponding signal, with the data signal such as the tare, the unit price and the price, is transmitted to the set of printing, based on a print command signal, so that the label is printed.

The display in area 23 during the calling operation is performed so that all of the information item characters are displayed simultaneously. When the number of columns in area 23 is not sufficient, the display is divided into two or more times, as shown in Figures 24 and 25. In this case, the characters HAMBURGER in Figure 24 flash, so that the existence of an additional display can be confirmed. After the display of the characters indicated in FIG. 25, the start part of the characters is displayed in series in the column in the form HAMBURGER
P as shown in Figure 26. Figures 27 and 28 show variants of Figures 24 and 25 corresponding to the display of the characters of the information elements
HAMBURGER, PUR BOEUF, at the front end.

 In addition to the usual weight information, the display can be performed in one operation, following the prescribed call operation when checking the printer, or it can be performed with a printing operation ( test) print characters on the label, so the printer's display function is checked regardless of the print indicating the weight.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 29 to 31 which indicate that the display of information item can be performed during the input operation in such a way that the front character of the item name, for example H, for
HAMBURGER is displayed with offset from the lower order column of zone 23 to the higher order column, successively and in steps.

 We now consider, with reference to FIGS. 32 and 33, a label printer having a preset memory and a capacity for displaying the unwritten part of the preset memory. Figure 32 is a block diagram showing the construction of the main part of the label printer 50. Reference 51 designates an input assembly having a ten-key keyboard or the like.

The assembly 51 introduces the data to be written into a preset memory 52, for example an item of information code, a unit price, a period, a number of pieces, a tare, or an item name . The data entered with the aid of the assembly 51 arrive at an operation control unit 53. This writes the data transmitted by the input assembly into memory 52, sequentially, according to the mode indicated in FIG. 33. This represents the state of the information element code written in five words (1 word = 4 bits), unit price data in five words, delay in two words, number of pieces in five words, tare in three words and article name in eight words.

 The control unit 53 specifies the number of words in the unwritten regions of the preset memory 52. The number of words used has the prescribed average capacity of information element (i.e. the average value of the number of words constituting the information elements) and the result obtained, i.e. the number of words which can be written, is kept in the register 54. The number kept in this register is displayed by a numerical indicator 55. The aforementioned element of information designates an aggregation of article name data, data of unit price, and deadline set by item name.

 We now consider the use of the preset memory 52, in this embodiment.

 The preset memory is conventionally used with a fixed number of words in the information element. This method has drawbacks because part of the memory is lost when using a smaller number of columns in the item name data or the like. Thus, this embodiment implements a variable number of words in the information element. In this embodiment, data of relatively variable lengths, for example an item name code, a unit price, a tare, or a time limit, have a fixed number of words while data having a length which varies greatly and which corresponds to the article name, for example article name data, have a variable number of words. In this way, memory 52 can be used very effectively.

 In this embodiment, it is not necessary for the average capacity of the information element to correspond to the exact value of the number of words constituting the information element. An approximate average value is suitable.

 A price indicator installed in the label printer can also replace the 55 indicator.

 A circuit incorporated in the printer can also replace the operation control unit 53.

 Writing to the pre-setting memory 52 can be carried out using data specified by the bar code, introduced by the video pen, without using the digital keyboard.

 The invention is also suitable for a preset memory 52 used with a fixed number of words in the information element.

 The invention applies not only to a label printer transmitting a label with a weighing but also to a printer transmitting a label carrying data taken from the memory (without weighing function).

 As the operation control unit specifies the number of pieces of information that can be written to the preset memory and as the result is displayed by a digital indicator, the number of pieces of information can being written can always be known during writing to the preset memory, according to the invention.

 We now consider, with reference to FIGS. 34 to 36, a label printer having a date setting function. FIG. 34 represents the external appearance of a printer 60. This detects the weight of the articles and transmits a label which presents the necessary data such as the date of preparation and the expiration date, corresponding to the articles. The printer comprises a body 61 which contains an electronic circuit and a clock as described in the remainder of this specification, a weighing assembly 62 fixed to the body 61 and carrying the articles (to be weighed), a printing assembly 63 which transmits a label and applies it to the items carried by the weighing assembly 62, and a control panel 64 mounted on the upper part of the body 61.

 The control panel 64 has a display assembly 79 which has a zone 71 for displaying the date of preparation, a zone 72 indicating the expiry date (day of consumption of the food products), a zone 73 indicating codes by section. , a zone 74 indicating a weight of the item placed on the set 62, a unit price, a price and a cumulative number of labels transmitted, a unit price display zone 75, a display zone 76 of price, a tare display area 77 and a display area 78 of a number of packages. The control panel 64 also has a unit 86 comprising a numeric keypad 81, a time setting key 82, a consumption day setting key 83, an addition key 84, an S key 85, a key 87 for setting of the preparation date and a 88 subtraction key.

 FIG. 35 is a block diagram of the printer 60. The weight of the articles placed on the assembly 62 is determined with a strain gauge, by balancing or the like, and the analog signal is transformed into a digital signal. The latter reaches a control unit 92 (central processing unit, microcomputer or the like) in which data such as the weight and the price are processed and stored. The content of the stored data is transmitted to the display unit 79 and to the printing unit 63 so that the label is transmitted. A clock 94 is connected to the control unit 92 and constitutes an automatic calendar. The clock 94 is connected to a storage battery 95 and it normally transmits signals representative of the year, the month, the day, hour, minute, second and day of the week at control unit 92.

 The unit 86 is connected to the control unit 92 and it controls the latter. The unit 86 has a device 96 for adjusting the preparation date intended for the unit 92, with the keyboard 81 and the key 87, and a control 97 ensures the calculation of the delay by the control unit 92, from from the day of consumption, by using the key 83 and the keyboard 81, the control unit 92 changing the date of preparation when using the keys 84 for addition and 88 for subtraction.

 We now consider the implementation of printer 60.

 When the content of the calendar of clock 94 is set (year, month, day, hour, minute or the like), the key 82 for setting the unit 86 is pressed and the clock 94 is ready for correction made at using unit 86.

When the key 82 is pressed, the calendar content is displayed in the weight zone 74, the unit price zone 75 and the price zone 76, as shown in FIG. 36. When the calendar content is not suitable , the S 85 key is pressed and a part corresponding to the year, month, day, hour or minute indicated in FIG. 36, flashes and goes to zero when the d key is commanded erase c of the keyboard 81, this key allowing the recording. For example, when the year 1980 is set, the key 85 is pressed once and the zone 74 of FIG. 36 flashes. When the key 85 is pressed again, the two-column month indication part of the zone 75 flashes. When the content of the calendar is completely adjusted as indicated in FIG. 36 by this successive command, the key 82 for adjusting the time is pressed again and returns to the original state.

 In the normal state, the content of the calendar of the clock 94 is constantly transmitted to the control unit 92, whatever the working state of the printer. If it works, the date is displayed in the zone 71 and the content is transmitted to the printing unit 63.

 When the preparation date is set, the key 87 of the unit 86 is pressed and the control unit 92 is ready for correction. The preparation date, that is to say the year, the month, the day, corresponding to the date, is entered into the control unit 92 using the numeric keypad 81 and is displayed in the zone. 71. When the key 87 is pressed again, the setting of the control unit 92 is released.

 When the expiration date is set, the device 96 of the unit 86 is controlled as follows. The key 83 for setting the consumption day is pressed and the control unit 92 is ready for correction.

The day of consumption of the article is transmitted to the unit 92 using the keyboard 81. The control unit calculates the expiration date by adding the day of consumption to the date of preparation. The expiration date is set by the control unit 92 according to the change of year or month if necessary.

 We now consider an example in which the preparation date is June 10, 1980 and the consumption period is 20 days. The control unit 32 automatically orders the year 1980, month 6 and day 10 + 20.

 The expiry date is then specified as being the year 1980, the month 6 and the day 30, the fact that this thirtieth day is contained in the month of June or not being undetermined.

 When the condition is satisfied, the thirtieth day of June 1980 is kept as the expiration date in the control unit 92 and is displayed in zone 72.

 We now consider another example, the preparation date being June 10, 1980 and the consumption period of 60 days. The control unit 92 indicates the year 1980, the month 6 and the day 10 + 60.

 The expiry date is determined by the year 1980, the month 6 and the day 70, the fact that this day is included in the month of June or not being decided. Since 70 is greater than 30, the specified date corresponds to the year 1980, to month 6 + 1 and to day 70 - 30. In the year 1980, month 7 and day 40, the fact that this day is included in the month is determined at this time.- As 40 is greater than 31, the specified day corresponds to the year 1980, to month 7 + 1 and to day 40 - 31.

The date specified then corresponds to the year 1980, to month 8 and to day 9, the fact that this ninth day being well in the month of August being then decided. Since 9 is much less than 31, the date corresponding to August 9, 1980 is kept as the expiration date in the control unit 92 and is displayed in zone 72.

 We now consider a third example corresponding to a preparation date of December 15, 1980 and a consumption period of 90 days.

 The control unit 92 indicates the year 1980, the month 12 and the day 15 + 90. i.e. the year 1980, the month 12 and the day 105 and the fact that this day 105 is included in the month of December or no is decided. As 105 is greater than 31, the specified date corresponds to the year 1980, at least 12 + 1 and to the day 105 - 31. This date corresponds to the year 1980, at least 13 and to the days 74. As 13 is greater at 12, the year and the month must advance. The date specified therefore corresponds to the year 1981, to month 1 and to day 74 and the fact that 74 is included in the month of January is then decided or not. As 74 is greater than 31, the date specified corresponds to the year 1981, month 1 + 1 and day 74 - 31, i.e. year 1981, month 2 and day 43 and the fact that day 43 is included in the month of February which has only 28 days (1981 is not a leap year) is then decided. Since 43 is greater than 28, the date specified corresponds to the year 1981, to month 2 + 1 and to day 43 - 28.

 It is therefore a date corresponding to the year 1981, to month 3 and to days 15 and the fact that this day 15 is well understood in the month of March is then determined. As the condition is satisfied, the expiration date of March 15, 1981 is displayed in field 79.

 As described above, when the consumption period is transmitted to the control unit 92, the expiration date is automatically calculated by the unit 92 and is displayed in the area 72, and the signal is then transmitted to the unit 63 printing if necessary.

 When a container is prepared with the label and the prepared article is not introduced until the next day, i.e. when the label is to be sent with a different date, the addition key 84 is engaged for the setting of the preparation date setting key 87, the latter being determined according to the number of depressions, by means of the control unit 92. When the subtraction key 88 is pressed, the preparation date is advanced by setting the unit 92. The advanced date is necessary when carrying over to the next day of filling the containers.

When the preparation date is changed, the expiration date is also automatically corrected.

 When the preparation date is corrected using clock 94, the time setting in clock 94 is used as preparation. Thus, if the time setting is executed first, the date is changed automatically and no boring work is required to change the date.

 When the expiration date is set with the clock 94, the key 83 for adjusting the consumption period of the unit 86 is pressed and the display area 72 flashes intermittently. When the consumption period is transmitted to the control unit 92 with the keyboard 81, the control unit 92 adds this consumption period to the preparation date, so that the expiration date is calculated automatically. Even when the date changes from the end of the month to the start of the month and from the end of the year to the start of the year, the control unit 92 performs the operation corresponding to the preparation date and it there is no wrong operation. Key 85 is pressed and the flashing state is deleted, so that the expiry date is set.

 When the label with an advanced date is transmitted using the clock 94, each press of the key 84 of the unit 86 advances the preparation date by one day so that the label is transmitted with an advanced date.

When the keyboard 81 is pressed and when the addition key 84 is pushed, the advanced date corresponding to the key of the keyboard 81 is obtained. At the end of the transmission of the label having the advanced date, the time setting key 82 is pressed again and the preparation date returns to its original value.

 In an embodiment shown in Fig. 36, the display and printing of the calendar hour and minutes are suppressed. However, the label giving the impression of very precise quality control can be formed by printing the hour and the minute. You can also use the seconds and the day of the week.

 We now consider, with reference to FIGS. 37 to 39, a method of verifying an erroneous operation of the printer head. More specifically, the operation of the head is verified by transmission of a label having a predetermined impression in the form of a verification drawing.

 Figure 37 shows a first example of a verification drawing. The references 10A to 10 designate a number of dot print heads. The heads 10la at 101 g are controlled by a circuit such as a control system or the central unit of the printer (for example according to a balanced electrical operation in cooperation with the label transmission function). The required drawing is programmed and the prescribed verification drawing is printed on the label. The heads 10a, 10s of the ends are ordered continuously or intermittently and the drawing 102, 103 is printed in line, including broken lines. The heads 10Ob to 10s are ordered between the drawings 102, 103, with half spacing mutual, so that a check pattern 104, 105 of checkerboard is printed.

The adjacent parts of the drawings 104, 105 alternately printed overlap, so that a drawing 106 parallel to the lines 102, 103 is printed simultaneously,
Figure 38 shows another example of a drawing due to verification. The lines 102, 103 are printed and simultaneously a drawing 107, 108 in the form of a comb is printed between the lines 102, 103 using the other heads 10Ol to 10Oly.

 Figure 39 shows a third example of a verification drawing. The lines 102 and 103 are printed and simultaneously, a design 109 formed of oblique bands is printed between the lines 102, 103 using the residual heads îOlb to lOly.

 When the operation of the heads 10a to 10 is verified by printing a drawing as shown in FIGS. 37 to 39, on a label, a part of the head which does not work does not correspond to an impression and a solid line having the color of the label appears in the feed direction (of the label or head). In Fig. 38, the interval between the drawings 107 and 108 varies partially, so that the malfunction of the corresponding head can be detected. In the two lines 102, 103 and the drawing 106, the decision depends on a continuous printing or not. If the lines 102, 103 or the drawing 106 are deleted, the detection of the erroneous operation of the head lova, lOîz is difficult even when the two side parts are not printed.

 In the preceding examples, the heads 10a, 10O of the two catés operate continuously, one on each side. However, multiple heads can be used on each side. The covering drawing 106 is not necessarily in the form of a checkered drawing but it may also include blocks displaced obliquely.

 We now consider a device for verifying the erroneous operation of the print head using a label printed and transmitted by the printer.

 FIG. 40 shows an example of a label 110 transmitted by the printer. The label 110 is initially printed in the necessary manner (printing of the common part such as a frame, the characters of the item of information, the date of preparation and the price) before loading into the printer. In it, when it includes a certain number of points forming a transverse line, the area 112 of information element (BIFTECK in the example considered), the area 113 of date of preparation (55.11.19 in the example), the deadline display area 114 (55.11.30 in the example considered), the unit price display area 115 (123 in the example considered) and the display area 116 weight (1000 in the example considered) are printed. The bar code display area 119 carries a code 120 forming longitudinal lines which must be read by a suitable reader, and the verification drawing 121 forms a line. thick below code 120, with a width (lateral dimension) greater than the width of the display of code 120) (width in the figure).

 In the label 110, like the code 120 with sticks and the drawing 121 of verification are printed, when one of the printheads of the code 126 is operating erroneously for any reason and if the printing is not performed, the drawing 121 for verification corresponding to the heads operating erroneously keeps the color of the label 110 and the drawing 121 is printed in the form of a thick line partially cut, so that the failure of the heads corresponding to this part is easily identified. The width of the drawing 121 is greater than that of the code 120, so that the drawing 121 of FIG. 40 normally allows the verification of the entire code 120 and of the part comprising the date display areas 113, 114 and 112 of preparation, deadline and article.

 FIG. 41 represents a label 110 ′ according to a variant of FIG. 40. In the label 1lu ′, a design 122 for verification is indicated under the code 120 and has a width equal to that of this code. The verification drawing 122 comprises a thick line 122a parallel to the width and short perpendicular lines 122b connected to the two ends of the thick line 122a. When the code 120 has a width equal to that of the drawing 122 or when one end of the drawing 122 is printed by one end of the print head, the verification is carried out with the thick line 122a, as described with reference to the figure 40 and simultaneously the corresponding head is checked using the perpendicular line 122b. (If the perpendicular line does not appear, the decision is difficult when the end head does not work).

 In the example of Figures 40 and 41, the drawing 121 or 122 is printed near the code 120, below it. However, the drawing 121 or 122 can be printed in any part requiring a verification of the printing range (for example over the entire width, - on the part for printing numbers or on the part for printing characters ) or all characters, frames, numbers and symbols can be printed on the label with the printer and used as an audit drawing.

 Reference is now made to FIGS. 42 to 44 for the description of an improvement of label printer containing a memory accumulating data necessary for the label transmitted, successively, the memory retaining the accumulated data.

 The printer 200 shown in Figures 42 and 43 has an input control unit 210, a weighing unit 230, a label printing unit 240 and a label holder 250. A control system 220 shown in FIG. 24 controls the operation of the above-mentioned units.

An accumulation memory 224 is connected to the system 220 or incorporated into it.

 The system 220 includes a memory 221 which contains the necessary data such as the weight data transmitted by the unit 230, the price data and the name coming from the unit 210, up to 11 printing of the data, a unit 222 control unit transmitting the printing order and the order P1 of addition to the memory as a function of the input signals transmitted to the printing unit 240 and to the memory 224 so that the prescribed operations are executed at a time convenient, and a unit 223 for processing the input signals coming from the units 230 and 210. The control system 220 is integral with the unit 210 placed above the printer 200.

 The 240 label printing unit prints the item name, item code, unit price, preparation date, expiration date, barcode data, weight, the price or the like of an article carried by the weighing unit 230, on labels 203 regularly spaced apart and temporarily stuck on a paper 202 of support, according to a printing order originating from the system 220.

 The labels 23 are transmitted intermittently to a roller 204, by using a feed device, not shown. After printing in the unit 240, the labels 203 are removed from the paper 202 when the latter rotates at the level of a dispensing device 205.

 The label holder 250 is placed forward in the direction of advance of the labels near the unit 240 d> printing. The underside of the support 250 has a suction hole which normally exerts a vacuum by connection to a fan and which forms a bonding surface 210 which maintains and adheres to the label 203 'which is transmitted.

 A label detector 226 mounted on the support 250 optically detects the removal of the transmitted label 203 ′ which is normally glued and maintained on the surface of the support 250, and the detection signal P2 is transmitted to the system 230 ordered.

 The accumulation memory 224 keeps the total weight, the added price, the total number of pieces of the item (a) per item of information as a function of the order P1 of addition in memory originating from the system 220.

 The printer 200 enters the necessary data by key command and after determining the weight of the article (a) by the unit 230, the unit price, the weight, the price or the like, are indicated by the unit of display of the input control unit and are printed on the label 203. When the transmitted label 203 ′ is removed from the support 250 manually, the detector 226 transmits a detection signal P2 reaching the control system 220.

After reception of this signal P2, the system 220 transmits the order P1 of addition to memory and the memory 224 executes the addition operation and keeps the necessary data corresponding to the article (a).

 When the label 203 ′ is printed and is not maintained by the support 250 due to a bad advance, the detector 226 does not transmit the signal P2 and the addition operation in the memory 224 is not performed.

 When the label 203 'is transmitted with erroneous data due to incorrect key control, when the label 203' is transmitted but when the corresponding article (a) is lower or when the label 203 'pasted and maintained on the support 250 is broken, the memory 224 is put in the non-addition state by command of a non-addition key, so that the detection signal P2 is not transmitted by the detector 226 during removal of the label 203 'and consequently, this is removed and and the label 203' is reformed.

 The reference 206 designates a nozzle which projects air downward with a force greater than the suction force exerted on the surface 208. The nozzle 206, when it receives the order of sticking of labels coming from the control unit 222, operates in such a way that the transmitted label 203 ′, carried by the support 250, automatically adheres to the article (a).

 In the printer 200, the necessary data are added and kept in the accumulation memory, when the label 38 from the printing unit is removed. Even when the label is transmitted with superfluous data due to a wrong operation in the input control unit, superfluous data is not kept in the accumulation memory. Consequently, the operation of correcting this memory is superfluous and the precision of the accumulation is increased.

 Figure 45 shows a label position detection system 260 incorporated in the printing unit 240, and Figure 46 is an electrical diagram of such an apparatus.

Reference 262 denotes a carrier paper detector, reference 266 a label detector and reference 270 a comparator.

 The detector 262 comprises a photo-emissive element 263 and a receiving element 264. The detector 262 is placed at a place where only the support paper 202 passes, that is to say at a place where the paper 202 is placed after removal of the label 203 at the distributor device 205.

 More specifically, the photo-emissive element 263 and the receiving element 264 are arranged in front of the paper from which the label 203 has been removed, so that the lumen of the element 263 always passes through the support paper and appears on the receiving element 264, and the latter and the comparator 270 are connected so that the output voltage of the element 264 which receives the light from the element 263 arrives as a reference voltage at the comparator 270.

 When the label is stuck to the backing paper and there is a margin on both sides, the backing paper sensor can be placed on the margin. In this case, the paper detector and the label detector can be integral.

 The label detector 266 comprises a photoemissive element 267 and a receiving element 268 and it is arranged at a place through which the label 203 pasted to the support paper 202 passes.

 More specifically, the photo-emissive element 267 and the receiving element 268 are placed opposite the support paper 202 carrying the label 203 which is glued, so that the light from the element 267 is projected towards the label 203, then towards the space separating two labels 203, then towards a label 203, ... during the transport of labels and the light passes through the label 203 and the paper 202 and reaches the element 268 when it is projected towards the label 203 but it only crosses the paper 202 when it passes into the space separating the labels, as indicated by the reference ~ Q. . Element 268 and comparator 270 are connected so that the output voltage of element 266 which receives light from element 267 reaches comparator 270. The two photo-emissive elements 263 and 267 are connected in parallel, if although the transmitted voltages are equal. In addition, the two photo-emissive elements 263 and 267 and the two receiving elements 264 and 268 preferably have the same nominal values.

 Comparator 270 compares the output voltage of detector 262, constituting a reference voltage, with that of detector 266, constituting the voltage to be compared, and it transmits a predetermined actuation voltage when the input voltage deviates from the reference voltage.

 When the detectors 262 and 266 of paper and labels of the circuit of FIG. 46 occupy a predetermined position relative to the paper 202 on which the labels 203 are stuck at regular intervals, as indicated in FIG. 45 and when the paper 202 of support advances in longitudinal direction with advancement of the labels 203, the reference voltage coming from the detector 262 becomes a constant voltage V1 of the element 264 which receives the light projected by the element 263 under the action of a voltage source Vcc , the light passing through the paper 202; the voltage reaching comparator 270 from detector 266 is an output voltage V2 produced when detector 266 detects the presence of a space Q between two labels 203; the voltage V2, obtained when the voltage source Vcc is connected to the photo-emissive element 267 while the light passes through the support paper 202, is the same as that of the detector 262, this voltage being greater than the voltage V1, thanks to the presence of a resistance divider circuit or the like. A voltage V2 'obtained when the detector 266 notes the presence of a label 203, that is to say when the light from the element 267 passes through the label-203 and the paper 202 before reaching the element 268, is lower than the two voltages V1 and V2, and the voltages V2 and V2, are created alternately and constitute pulses. When the input voltage exceeds the reference voltage, that is to say when the detector 266 detects space Q, the comparator 270 transmits the actuation voltage.

 When the support paper 202 is replaced by a paper having a different thickness and / or transmission coefficient, the output voltage V1 of the detector 262 forming the reference voltage and the output voltage V2, V2 'of the detector 266 vary by compared to the voltages corresponding to the original paper 202. However, the reference voltage and the voltage V2 are the same following the change, so that the voltage V2 is greater than the reference voltage by a predetermined value, and the voltage V2 'is less than the reference voltage by a predetermined value. When the detector 266 detects the space Q, the comparator 270 transmits the actuation voltage in an analogous manner.

 Thus, when the actuation voltage is transmitted by the comparator, the space Q between two labels occupies the detection position of the detector 266, so that the position of a label 203 is identified.

 In label printing assembly 240, the reference voltage is automatically adjusted, even when the backing paper to which the labels are bonded has varying thickness and transmittance.

The disadvantages of the conventional label position detection device, appearing when changing the backing paper which requires a modification of the reference voltage, can thus be eliminated.

 Thus, the production of wrong labels due to improper setting of a reference voltage or failure in the printer can be avoided, and the operating properties of the printer can be improved.

Claims (42)

1. Label printer, characterized in that it comprises a dot printing unit (4), a first memory (7) containing a character design, a second memory (8) retaining keywords of information elements, at an address corresponding to an information element code, and a control system (10) for reading the information element keyword corresponding to the information element keyword code transmitted by an input unit, in the second memory, to read the pattern of characters in the first memory according to the keyword read of information element, and to transmit the pattern of characters read to the unit printing. 2. Printer according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a third memory (11) intended to keep character keywords in the form of terms, and the control system (10) is intended to read the words- keys transmitted by an input unit, in the second and third memory, and then reading the character design in the first memory and transmitting it to the printing unit. 3. Printer according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the dot printing system is of the heat-sensitive type. 4. Printer according to claim 1, in which characters necessary for dot printing in a column of information elements are indicated beforehand in the control system (10), and an article name is entered, said printer being characterized in that it comprises a device for adjusting additional characters, connected to the control system (10), additional characters being interrupted in the front or rear part of the set item name according to an order of the adjusting device additional characters. 5. Printer according to claim 4, characterized in that the device for adjusting additional characters comprises a keyboard (22) with keys indicating the additional characters 6. Printer according to claim 4, characterized in that the device for adjusting additional characters comprises a coding keyboard combined with a keyboard (20) for recording and a keyboard (24) for functions. 7. Printer according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a reading unit (42) of printed stick codes and corresponding to an article name, to characters or to such a name and such characters, and a memory retaining the data transmitted by the stick code reading unit. 8. Printer according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises an external memory (46) which can be temporarily connected, and a data transfer is carried out between the memory retaining the data coming from the reading unit and the memory external (46). 9. Printer according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the stick code reading unit (42) comprises a decoder (42b) and a video pencil  (42a), and it is temporarily connected to the label printer. 10. Printer according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a preset memory, and the control system comprises an operation control unit (53) specifying the capacity of a region not written in the memory presetting, this unit dividing the specified capacity by the average capacity of information element and transmitting the result, a register (54) keeping the data transmitted to the operation control unit, and a digital indicator ( 55ï indicating the content of the register, so that it prints and transmits a label according to the content of the preset memory. 11. Printer according to claim 10, characterized in that the operation control unit 153) uses the printer control system. 12. Printer according to claim 10, characterized in that the digital indicator (55) uses the 11 printer indicator. 13. Printer according to claim 1, intended to transmit a label on which it has printed a preparation date and an expiration date, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (92) for the transmission of the label and a clock (94) connected to the control unit and having an automatic calendar function, so that it transmits date and time signals, the printing unit (63) being connected to the control unit ordering and printing items such as a preparation date. 14. Printer according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a weighing unit (62) connected to the control unit (92) and transmitting weight data, and an actuation unit (86) connected to the control unit and causing the transmission of labels by the printing unit and the setting of the consumption period or the like in the control unit. 15. Printer according to claim 1, intended to transmit labels on which it has printed a preparation date and an expiration date, said printer being characterized in that it comprises a control unit (92) for the transmission of labels, an adjustment device connected to the control unit and fixing a preparation date, and a control device connected to the control unit and transmitting data such as an advanced date, intended to replace the data representing the date of preparation. 16. Printer according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a weighing unit (62) connected to the control unit (92) and transmitting weight data. 17. Printer according to one of claims 15 and 16, characterized in that the device for adjusting the preparation date comprises a keyboard for adjusting the preparation date and a recording key. 18. Printer according to one of claims 15 and 16, characterized in that the preparation date adjustment device comprises a clock (94) having an automatic calendar function and transmitting date, time or similar signals. 19. Printer according to claim 1, characterized in that the control system (220) is intended to process an input signal from an actuation unit, and the printing unit (240) prints the data item kits on the label based on orders from the control system, and the printer further includes an accumulation memory (224) for accumulating and storing data successively, a label carrier (250) now a label transmitted by the printer, and a label detector (266) detecting the removal of the label transmitted to the medium, an addition being performed in the accumulation memory by the control system according to the detection signal. 20. Printer according to claim 19, characterized in that the removal of the label is carried out manually by an operator. 21. Printer according to claim 19, characterized in that the removal of the label is carried out by an automatic adhesive device. 22. Printer according to claim 19, characterized in that it comprises a device intended to inhibit the addition operation, and a device intended to transmit a label again. 23. The printer as claimed in claim 1, in which a strip-shaped support paper is transported in a predetermined direction and a necessary mark is printed on labels placed and glued at regular intervals to the backing paper, characterized in that it comprises a label position detection unit which comprises a detector (262) of the support paper placed at a place where only the support paper passes, and a detector (266) of labels placed at a place where it passes the labels, the output voltage of the support paper detector and that of the label detector arriving at a comparator (270), the output voltage corresponding to the support paper constituting a reference voltage for the comparator. 24. A method of printing by using a printer according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the prior introduction into the control system (10) of the necessary number of characters or lines of code information elements of a label to be printed by dots, and, when the number of characters or lines entered is greater or less than a set number, the adjustment of the interval between the characters, the partial omission of the characters, or this setting and this partial omission in combination, so that the interval for printing columns of information items is set in the printer. 25. The method of claim 24, characterized in that, when the control system (10) detects that the number of characters in the column of printed printing elements is less than the necessary number of characters, the intervals included between adjacent characters to be printed are set to equal values. 26. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that, when the control system (10) detects that the number of characters in the column of information elements to be printed exceeds the necessary number of characters, the characters to be print are omitted in part in the direction of the character arrangement. 27. The method of claim 24, characterized in that, when the control system (10) detects that the number of rows of the column of information items to be printed exceeds the necessary number of rows, the characters to be print are partially omitted in a direction perpendicular to the character arrangement. 28. A method of printing by using a printer according to claim 1, the printer comprising a keyboard (22) for recording, a keyboard for adjusting information elements, a memory for elements of information, a key for erasing information elements and an area (23) for displaying information elements on a control panel of the printer, the method being characterized in that it comprises display of the characters of information elements corresponding to a device for calling up information elements, the display being carried out in the information element display area, before transmission and storage of the characters in the printer control unit so that the name of an item can be set in the printer. 29. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that each character of information elements is divided into blocks per word, each block being erased by command in combination with the recording keyboard and the erase key, and a new word is transmitted and stored in the erased block part by combined command of the information element setting keyboard and the information element memory keyboard. 30. The method of claim 29, characterized in that the block is further divided into characters in the word and any character is deleted. 31. A method of printing by using a printer according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the formation of a display zone (23) on a control panel of the printer, the prior introduction and storage in the control system (10) of the printer of information item characters corresponding to a device for calling up information items in the display area (23) according to the control of the device for calling up information elements so that an article name is indicated. 32. Method according to claim 31, characterized in that the display operation indicating the name of information element in the display area (23) is executed with the printing operation. 33. Method according to claim 31, characterized in that the area (23) for displaying information elements comprises indicator tubes forming several columns, the characters of information elements are displayed in the indicator tubes, successively from the front end, shifted during the store operation, and all information item characters are displayed simultaneously during the call operation. 34. Method according to claim 33, characterized in that, when the number of columns of indicator tubes is insufficient for the indication of all the characters of information element, an identification signal is formed, and characters of l display are erased, the remaining characters being displayed. 35. Method according to claim 34, characterized in that, after the display of all the characters has ended, the first character is displayed successively in the range of columns formed in the display area. 36. A method of printing by using a printer according to claim 1, having a large number of printheads, said method being characterized in that it comprises controlling the continuous operation of part of the heads of the printer, one or more heads being controlled at each end, so that a line is printed and a verification drawing is printed between the two side parts forming lines. 37. Method according to claim 36, characterized in that it comprises the printing of a verification drawing in the form of blocks, and the printing of a covering drawing of verification drawing. 38. Method according to claim 36, characterized in that the verification design is chosen from checkerboard designs, comb-shaped designs and designs with oblique bands. 39. Label printed by use of a printer according to claim 1 and carrying a verification design, characterized in that the verification design has a width greater than that of the area to be printed in the dot printer , and it is printed near the part that requires checking the print area. 40. Label according to claim 39, characterized in that the verification design is printed in the bar code display area and comprises a thick line (121) having a width greater than the width of display of the bar code . 41. Label according to claim 39, characterized in that the verification design (122) is printed in the bar code display area, and comprises a thick line (122a) having a width equal to the display width , parallel to the width of the rod code, and a short perpenicular line (122b) at each end of the thick line. 42. Label according to claim 39, characterized in that the verification design forms the characters, a frame, numbers and symbols printed on the label.