JP2000020829A - Label issuing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize the issue of a label having a label format which is the same to each merchandise and the issue of a label having a label format which is individual to each merchandise without any complicate operation. SOLUTION: Whether the retrieval of a label format should be operated to first format specific information common to each merchandise set in a format set area (a step S3), or to second format specific information individual to each merchandise set in a PLU(price look-up) file (a step S2) can be selected. Then, merchandise information registered in the PLU file is developed to a printing buffer according to the retrieved label format, and printed on a label sheet based on the print data developed to the printing buffer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label issuing machine which prints product information registered in a PLU file (PLU: Price Look Up) according to a predetermined label format.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A label issuing machine which prints merchandise information registered in a PLU file in accordance with a predetermined label format is configured so that a desired label format can be selected from a plurality of label formats. It is common. In other words, such a label issuing machine holds a plurality of label formats in advance, develops print data in a print buffer according to the selected label format, and prints desired product information registered in the PLU file on the label. I am trying to do it.

Here, there are two methods for selecting a label format in a conventional label issuing machine. The first method is a method in which a PLU file has information on a label format for each product, that is, format specifying information, and selects a label format based on the format specifying information (hereinafter, referred to as a “format”).
For convenience, this is referred to as a PLU file setting method). This PLU
The file setting method has a characteristic that format specifying information can be freely set for each product. Another method is a method in which a label issuing machine itself has a label format selection function, and selects a label format by this selection function (hereinafter, referred to as a machine setting method for convenience). This machine setting method has a characteristic that the format specifying information can be shared for each product.

[0004] Some conventional label issuing machines can be connected to a second label issuing machine. In other words, in a system with such a connection structure,
By enabling data transfer to a second label issuer connected to the label issuer, a second
By transferring the print data to the label issuing machine, the label can be issued from the second label printer. In this case, the label format of the label issued from the second label issuing machine is specified on the label issuing machine side and the label format specified on the second label issuing machine side. There are two types. In any case, in the system configured to connect the second label issuing machine to the label issuing machine, the label format of the label issued by the label issuing machine and the second label issuing machine for the same product information Is generally configured so that the label format of the label to be issued can be selected independently and independently.

[0005]

When a PLU file setting method is adopted as a method of selecting a label format, the label format depends on the contents of the PLU file. For this reason, when it is desired to issue a label having the same label format for each product, there is a disadvantage that the format specifying information in the PLU file must be the same for each product. In this case, not only does the characteristic of the PLU setting method that the format specifying information can be freely set for each product not be utilized, but also the PLU is set every time a label is issued.
The operation of resetting all the format specifying information in the file to the same for each product lacks realism.

Next, when a machine setting method is adopted as a method of selecting a label format, the label format depends on the label format selection function of the label issuing machine. In this case, the label is issued only by one selected label format. Therefore, unless the label format is reselected, labels are issued for all products according to the label format. For this reason, when it is desired to change the label format for each product, reselection of the label format must be repeated, which is disadvantageous in that the operation is complicated.

Further, in the case of a system in which a second label issuing machine is connected to a label issuing machine, the format of a label issued from the second label issuing machine is determined only by a machine setting method. For this reason, when it is desired to change the label format for each product, the label issuing machine or the second label issuing machine must repeat the label format reselection, and the operation is complicated. There is an inconvenience.

An object of the present invention is to realize the issuance of a label having the same label format for each product and the issuance of a label having a unique label format for each product without complicated operations.

Another object of the present invention is to enable a label having a unique label format for each product to be issued from a second label issuing machine connected to the label issuing machine without complicated operations. It is to be.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label issuing machine which selects one of a plurality of pieces of product information registered in a PLU file and stores the selected product information in a print buffer according to a predetermined label format. And a format storage area for storing a plurality of types of label formats in a label issuing machine configured to perform printing on label paper based on print data developed in a print buffer.
A format setting area in which first format specifying information for specifying a predetermined label format is set, first format specifying information set in the format setting area, and a predetermined label set for each product in the PLU file Selecting means for selecting which format specifying information to use from among the second format specifying information for specifying a format, and formatting from one of the format setting area and the PLU file according to the selection by the selecting means A format acquisition unit for acquiring the specific information; and a format development unit for calling a label format specified by the format specification information acquired by the format acquisition unit from the format storage area and developing the label format in the print buffer.

Therefore, the selection of the selection means selects whether the label format search target is the format setting area or the PLU file. In this case, the first format specifying information set in the format setting area is common to each product, and the second format specifying information set in the PLU file is unique to each product. Therefore, when issuing labels having the same label format for each product, the format setting area may be selected, and when issuing a label having a unique label format for each product, P
What is necessary is just to select an LU file.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the label issuing machine according to the first aspect, wherein the data is transferred to the second label issuing machine connected by permitting the connection of the second label issuing machine. Transfer means, label format transfer means for calling a label format specified by the second format specifying information set in the PLU file from the format storage area and transferring data to the second label issuing machine by the data transfer means, Product information transfer means for transferring the product information acquired by the information acquisition means to the second label issuing machine by the data transfer means.

Therefore, the label format specified by the second format specifying information set in the PLU file and called from the format storage area is transferred to the data transfer means to the second label issuing machine. Thus, the second label issuing machine that has received the transfer of the product data generates print data in accordance with the label format. In this case, since the second format specifying information set in the PLU file is unique to each product, a unique label format for each product can be obtained from the second label issuing machine connected to the label issuing machine. Can be issued without complicated operations.

[0014]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example of application to a label issuing machine that performs line-type printing on label paper 101 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) using a thermal printer head (not shown). Further, the present embodiment includes a weighing unit, and information obtained based on the weighing result by the weighing unit is used for label 10.
1 can also be printed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the electrical connection of each part. First, there is provided a CPU 1 for centrally controlling various units by executing various arithmetic processing. The CPU 1 has a flash ROM 3 for storing an operation program and a PLU file 2 (see FIG. 2) and rewrites various variable data. A RAM 4 that can be freely stored and used as a work area, a print buffer, or the like is connected via a bus line 5, thereby forming a microcomputer 6 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a microcomputer 6). This microcomputer 6
Thereby, each part in the label issuing machine is controlled. Here, in the present embodiment, the operation program is the flash R
OM3 is stored in the flash ROM
It is only performed for the purpose of effectively utilizing the free space of No. 3. In practice, a ROM is provided separately and this ROM
May be a so-called firmware configuration in which an operation program is written in the firmware. In the present embodiment,
Although the PLU file 2 is stored in the flash ROM 3, for example, even when the PLU file 2 is completely or partially downloaded from the LAN via the Ethernet interface 7 connected to the bus line 5, the PLU file 2 may be downloaded. good.

Next, a first printer unit 8 including the above-described thermal printer head is provided. The first printer unit 8 is connected to the bus line 5 via the first printer engine 9 and is controlled by the microcomputer 6. .
Further, the load cell unit 10 constituting the weighing unit described above
The load cell unit 10 is connected to the bus line 5 via the scale interface 11 and is controlled by the microcomputer 6. The keyboard 13 connected to the bus via the key controller 12 includes a keyboard 13 connected to the bus line 5 and controlled by the microcomputer 6.
And LC connected to the bus via the display controller 14.
D display 15 and LED 16 and I / O port 1
There are provided various sensors 18 which are connected to the bus via. Here, the LCD display 15 has a touch panel configuration. Further, a second printer unit 20 as a second label issuing machine is connected to the bus line 5 via a second printer interface 19. The second printer interface 19 is an indispensable element for executing the function of the data transfer means for transferring data to the second printer unit 20 connected to the label issuing machine under the overall control of the microcomputer 6.

Next, the PLU is stored in the flash ROM 3.
In addition to the file 2 and the like, a plurality of types of label formats are stored and held. These label formats are
This is format information for printing on the label 101.
Therefore, the flash ROM 3 functions as a format storage area for storing the label format. Here, in the present embodiment, the flash ROM 3 is used as the format storage area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various information storage media such as a hard disk and an optical medium can be used. it can.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the PLU file 2 stored in the flash ROM 3. The PLU file 2 contains, for each product, 1 to 38 items, such as a product number (1 item), a classification code (2 items),
For JAN codes (4 items) etc., the number of digits, the number of bytes,
It has a file structure in which data types and remarks are set. The PLU file 2 includes a label format 2a for the first printer unit 8 arranged in the 22nd item and a label format 2b for the second printer unit 20 arranged in the 38th item. It can be set for each product. These label formats 2a and 2b function as second format specifying information for specifying one of a plurality of label formats stored in the flash ROM 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the printer information backed up in the RAM 4. Printer information includes
As the printer switching information 21 for determining which printer unit 8, 20 to use, only the first printer unit 8, only the second printer unit 20, or
Three types of settings for both the first printer unit 8 and the second printer unit 20 are possible. In the printer information, a label format 22a for the first printer unit 8 and a label format 22b for the second printer unit 20 can be set. These label formats 22a and 22b can be set for each of 50 types, and function as first format specifying information for specifying the label format stored in the flash ROM 3. Therefore, an area for storing printer information in the RAM 4 is used as a format setting area.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the initial setting contents in the RAM 4. In the label issuing machine of the present embodiment, it is possible to set each item from 1 item to 8 items as the initial 5 during the initial setting. That is, when the execution of the initial setting operation is designated by the keyboard 13 or the touch panel of the LCD display 15, a screen corresponding to the setting contents illustrated in FIG. Of these setting items, in the seventh item,
Whether the label format of the PLU is used or not can be set. That is, to select a label format from the flash ROM 3, whether to use the label formats 22a and 22b in the printer information backed up in the RAM 4 or to use the label formats 2a and 2b in the PLU file 2. ,
It can be set on the initial setting screen. 7
"Not use" label format of PLU of item
Is selected, label formats 22a and 22b are used as identifiers for selecting a desired label format from the flash ROM 3. If "use" is selected for the label format of the PLU, the flash ROM 3 is used.
Label formats 2a and 2 in the PLU file 2 as identifiers for selecting a desired label format from
b is used. Here, the selection between “not use” and “use” for the label format of the PLU is performed by, for example,
It can be realized by a well-known touch panel method such as touching any display area with a finger on the LCD display 15.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a screen for setting a printer on the LCD display 15. When the selection of the printer is designated by the keyboard 13 or the touch panel of the LCD display 15, the microcomputer 6 displays a screen as illustrated in FIG. On this printer setting screen, you can change the printer, label format, feed amount, test print,
The issuing method, label sensitivity, print density, and type of sensor 15 can be set. For example, whether one or both of the first printer unit 8 and the second printer unit 20 are to be used, and what is the label format assigned to each of the printer units 8 and 20 is as shown in FIG. Can be set based on the printer setting screen illustrated in FIG. More specifically, under the overall control of the microcomputer 6, when the "first printer" is touched, the first printer unit 8 can be used, and when the "second printer" is touched, the second printer unit 20 can be used. Becomes In this case, when both the “first printer” and the “second printer” are touched, both printer units 20
Can be used. Such printer type settings are
In response to input from the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 5, the printer switching information 21 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes “00” (first printer), “01” (second printer), and “02” (first and second printers). 2 printer). Touching the label format field corresponding to the first printer sets the input value from the keyboard 13 at that location, and touching the label format field corresponding to the second printer touches the location from the keyboard 13 at the location. The microcomputer 6 controls each part so that the input value is set. The setting of such format information is performed by setting “1 to 5” in the label formats 22a and 22b illustrated in FIG. 3 according to the input from the setting screen illustrated in FIG.
This is performed by setting a numerical value of “0”. here,
The function of the format setting means is executed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a part number calling screen on the LCD display 15. After the various settings are completed, the product number to be labeled is designated by, for example, key input from the keyboard 13 to specify the product number shown in FIG.
When the item number calling screen as shown in (1) is called on the LCD display 15 (product information obtaining means), an image of the label 101 in which the product information of the product is set in each item of the set label format is displayed. Predetermined editing is also possible for this image. And
In this state, when the issue key included in the keyboard 13 is pressed, the label 101 is issued.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of the label issuing process. First, the initial setting contents illustrated in FIG. 4 set in the RAM 4 are searched, and the PL of the seventh item is searched.
The state of the label format of U is confirmed (step S1). In other words, according to the status of the label format of the PLU, the label formats 22a, 22a, which are the first format specifying information backed up in the RAM 4, are stored.
2b (see FIG. 3) or label formats 2a and 2b (see FIG. 2), which are the second format specifying information provided in the PLU file 2, are selected. Here, the function of the selecting means for selecting which format information to use is executed.

Next, if the label format of the seventh item PLU is set to "use" in the initial setting contents shown in FIG. 4, the information of the label formats 2a and 2b is called from the PLU file 2 (step S2). ), RA if set to "do not use"
Label format 22 backed up in M4
a and 22b are called (step S3). In this case, the label formats 22a and 22b are common to each product, and the label formats 2a and 2b are unique to each product. Therefore, when it is desired to issue the label 101 having the same label format for each product, the label format of the seventh PLU may be set to “not used” as the initial setting content illustrated in FIG. When issuing a label having a unique label format for each product, the label format of the seventh PLU may be set to "use" as the initial setting content illustrated in FIG. good.

Next, following the processing in step S2 or S3, the printer switching information 21 illustrated in FIG. 3 is referred to, and when the set value is "00" (step S3).
4 and Y in S9), the label 101 is printed and issued only from the first printer unit 8 (steps S5 and S1).
0). In the case of "01" (Y, Y in step S6)
In S11, the label 101 is printed and issued only from the second printer unit 20 (steps S7, S12). At this time, the control of the microcomputer 6 in the label issuing machine causes the second
The label format and the product information are transferred to the second printer unit 20 via the printer interface 19 (label format transfer means, product information transfer means). In this case, the label format is a label format 2b provided in the PLU file 2 or a label format 22b set on the printer setting screen.
Is either. Further, if neither "00" nor "01" (N in step S6, N in S11), the label 101 is printed and issued from both printer units 8, 20 (steps S8, S13). In this case, "0
Instead of recognizing the case that is neither "0" nor "01",
A configuration that positively recognizes the case of “02” may be used.

Here, the printing of the label 101 is issued by RA
The label format retrieved and retrieved from the backup area in the M4 or the PLU file in the flash ROM 3 is expanded in the print buffer in the RAM 4 (format expanding means), and the product information obtaining means obtains according to the expanded label format. The generated product information is also developed in a print buffer to generate print data (print data generating means), and printing is performed on label paper based on the generated print data. In the present embodiment, in steps S7 and S8, a label having a unique label format for each product can be issued from the second printer unit 20, which is the second label issuing machine, without complicated operations. .

FIG. 8 is a front view of the label showing an example of printing on the label 101, and FIG. 9 is a front view of the label 101 showing another example of printing on the label. FIG. 8A shows a label 101 printed by the first printer unit 8 based on the label format 2a included in the PLU file 2.
FIG. 8B is an example of the label 101 printed by the second printer unit 8 based on the label format 2b included in the PLU file 2. In FIG. 8, it can be seen that a label 101 having a unique label format is issued for each product.
On the other hand, FIG. 9A shows a label 101 printed by the first printer unit 8 based on the label format 22a set in the backup area of the RAM 4.
FIG. 9B illustrates a label 101 printed by the first printer unit 8 based on the label format 22b set in the backup area of the RAM 4.
This is an example. In the present embodiment, printing and issuing of the label 101 according to such a label format can be executed for all products. Thus, the issuance of the label 101 having the same label format for each product and the label 10 having the unique label format for each product
Issue 1 is compatible with no complicated operation.

[0028]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the label format is searched for the first format specifying information common to each product set in the format setting area or set in the PLU file. Since it is possible to select whether or not to perform the unique second format specifying information for each product, when issuing a label having the same label format for each product, select the format setting area, and select each product. If you want to issue a label with a unique label format for each product, select a PLU file to issue a label with the same label format for each product and issue a label with a unique label format for each product Can be achieved without complicated operations.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the label format based on the second format specific information unique to each product is transferred to the second label issuing machine connected to the label issuing machine. The second connected to the issuing machine
Can issue labels having a unique label format for each product without complicated operations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical connection of each unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of printer information backed up in a RAM.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing initial setting contents in a RAM.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a PLU file stored in a flash ROM.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a printer setting screen on a display.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a part number calling screen on a display.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a label issuing process.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the label showing an example of printing on the label.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the label showing another example of printing on the label.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 PLU file 2a, 2b Second format specifying information (label format) 3 Format storage area (flash ROM) 4 Print buffer (RAM) 4 Format setting area (RAM) 20 Second label issuing machine (second printer unit) 21a, 21b First format specifying information (label format) S1 selecting means S2, S3 format obtaining means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A method in which one of a plurality of product information registered in a PLU file is selected, and the selected product information is developed in a print buffer according to a predetermined label format, and the print data developed in the print buffer is developed. And a format storage area storing a plurality of types of the label formats, and a format in which first format specifying information for specifying the predetermined label format is set. A setting area; a first format specifying information set in the format setting area; and a second label specifying a predetermined label format set for each product in the PLU file.
Selecting means for selecting which format specifying information to use from among the format specifying information; and, according to the selection by the selecting means, the format specifying information from one of the format setting area and the PLU file. A label issuing device comprising: a format acquiring unit for acquiring the label format specified by the format specifying information acquired by the format acquiring unit from the format storage area and developing the label format in the print buffer. . 2. A data transfer means for permitting connection of a second label issuing machine and transferring data to the second label issuing machine connected thereto, and specifying a second format set in a PLU file. Label format transfer means for calling the label format specified by the information from the format storage area and transferring the data to the second label issuing machine by the data transfer means, and merchandise information acquired by the merchandise information acquisition means, 2. The label issuing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: merchandise information transferring means for transferring data to the second label issuing machine by data transferring means.