JP2014106578A - Record control system, method for controlling record control system, and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To impart an added value to a recorded result by using such characteristics that a recording device can record in accordance with a template.SOLUTION: A record control system 1 comprises: a printer 3; and a host computer 2. The printer 3, which is capable of performing color printing, stores area definition information defining each area of a template composed of one or a plurality of areas by each template; and when the printer receives a control command from the host computer 2, the printer records an image in each area in accordance to a designated template based on the area definition information of each area constituting the template. When the host computer 2 controls the printer 3 to record an image relating to a given commercial product, the host computer acquires information relating to the stock of the given commercial product; creates a control command which includes information for converting a color relating to a specified area constituting a given template into a specified color in accordance with the stock condition relating to the commercial product, and for recording the resultant color; and transmits the command.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording control system including a control device and a recording device connectable to the control device, a control method for the recording control system, and the recording device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system including a recording apparatus that performs recording using a template prepared in advance is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of recording apparatus performs recording according to a template based on a control command input from the control apparatus.

JP 2012-048415 A

Here, in the case where the recording apparatus can record according to the template as in the above-described system, for example, the convenience of the user is improved by using the characteristic that the recording apparatus can record according to the template. There is a need to add value to recording results, such as recording such images.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to add value to a recording result by using a characteristic that a recording apparatus can perform recording according to a template.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a control device and a recording device connectable to the control device, and under the control of the control device, the recording device displays an image relating to a product on a recording medium. A recording control system for recording, wherein the recording device defines an area for a template composed of a recording head capable of color printing and one or a plurality of areas formed in a recording area of the recording medium. The storage unit that stores the definition information for each template, the template is specified, and the control command for instructing the recording of the image in each area constituting the specified template is received from the control device. Based on the area definition information of each area constituting the template, the recording head is controlled, and each area according to the template is controlled. A recording execution unit that records an image of the product, and the control device causes the recording device to record an image relating to one product on the recording medium according to one template. The control command including the information for converting the color relating to the specific area constituting the one template into the specific color and recording the information is acquired according to the stock status of the one commodity. And a recording control unit for transmission.
According to this configuration, for a specific area constituting the template, a color relating to the specific area is converted into a specific color and recorded depending on the stock status of the product. As a result, the user can easily and accurately grasp the stock status by visually recognizing the color related to the specific area among the areas formed on the recording medium, and the convenience for the user is improved. That is, it is possible to add value to the recording result.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the recording control unit of the control device causes the recording device to record an image relating to one product on the recording medium according to one template, the amount of inventory of the one product is increased. Obtaining and generating a control command including information for converting the color related to a specific area constituting the template of the one into a specific color and recording according to the amount of inventory related to the one product, It is characterized by transmitting.
According to this configuration, the user can easily and accurately grasp the stock amount of the corresponding product by visually recognizing the color related to the specific area among the areas formed on the recording medium. Improved convenience.

Further, according to the present invention, the recording control unit of the control device obtains the amount of stock of one product based on data related to stock management stored in the control device, or manages the stock of the product. The apparatus is characterized in that the amount of stock of one product is acquired by inquiring of the apparatus.
According to this configuration, the recording control unit of the control device can appropriately acquire the inventory amount of the product.

According to the present invention, when the recording control unit of the control device causes the recording device to record an image relating to one product on the recording medium according to one template, the inventory of the one product is reduced. A control command including information for acquiring the degree and converting the color related to the specific area constituting the template of the one into a specific color according to the degree of the decrease in the inventory related to the one product. It generates and transmits.
According to this configuration, the user can easily and accurately grasp the degree of decrease in the corresponding product by visually recognizing the color related to the specific area among the areas formed on the recording medium. Improved convenience.

Further, according to the present invention, the recording control unit of the control device calculates and acquires the degree of decrease in the inventory of one product based on the data relating to inventory management stored in the control device, and stores the inventory of the product. Inquires the server device to be managed, acquires information related to the inventory of one product, and calculates and acquires the degree of decrease in the inventory of the one product based on the acquired information, or manages the inventory of the product Inquiry of a server having a function of calculating the degree of decrease in the inventory of the product, the degree of decrease in the inventory of one product is obtained.
According to this configuration, the recording control unit of the control device can appropriately acquire the degree of decrease in the inventory of goods.

Further, in the present invention, the process of converting a color related to a specific area constituting one template into a specific color is a process of converting the frame color of the specific area into a specific color, or It includes at least one of processes for converting the background color of the specific area into a specific color.
According to this structure, the color regarding an area can be effectively converted into a specific color using recording based on a template configured by one or a plurality of areas.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a control device and a recording device including a recording head configured to be connectable to the control device and capable of color printing, and is controlled by the control device. The recording apparatus is a control method of a recording control system for recording an image relating to a product on a recording medium, and the recording apparatus is a template composed of one or a plurality of areas formed in a recording area of the recording medium. The area definition information for defining each area is stored for each template, the template is designated, and a control command for instructing recording of an image in each area constituting the designated template is received from the control device. In this case, the print head is controlled based on the area definition information of each area constituting the specified template, and the template is In the meantime, when the control device causes the recording device to record an image relating to one product on the recording medium according to one template, the control device records the image in each area. A control command including information for acquiring information related to inventory and converting a color related to a specific area constituting the template of the one into a specific color according to the status of the inventory related to the one product. It generates and transmits.
According to this control method, for a specific area constituting the template, the color relating to the specific area is converted into a specific color and recorded according to the stock status of the product. As a result, the user can easily and accurately grasp the stock status by visually recognizing the color related to the specific area among the areas formed on the recording medium, and the convenience for the user is improved. That is, it is possible to add value to the recording result.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a control device and a recording device including a recording head configured to be connectable to the control device and capable of color printing, and is controlled by the control device. The recording device is a program for controlling the control device and each control unit of the recording device in a recording control system for recording an image relating to a product on a recording medium, the recording device including the recording medium. For a template composed of one or a plurality of areas formed in the recording area, area definition information for defining each area is stored for each template, a template is designated, and each area constituting the designated template is stored. When a control command for instructing recording of an image is received from the control device, each area constituting the designated template Based on the area definition information, the recording head is controlled to record an image in each area according to a template, and the control device causes the recording device to store an image relating to one product in one template. When recording on the recording medium according to the above, the information on the stock of the one product is acquired, and the color related to the specific area constituting the one template according to the status of the stock of the one product, A control command including information to be recorded after being converted into a specific color is generated and transmitted.
According to this program, for a specific area constituting the template, the color relating to the specific area is converted into a specific color and recorded according to the stock status of the product. As a result, the user can easily and accurately grasp the stock status by visually recognizing the color related to the specific area among the areas formed on the recording medium, and the convenience for the user is improved. That is, it is possible to add value to the recording result.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a recording apparatus configured to be connectable to a control apparatus, and records an image relating to a product on a recording medium under the control of the control apparatus, wherein color printing is performed. A storage unit that stores area definition information that defines each area for each template and a template that includes a possible recording head and one or more areas that are formed in a recording area of the recording medium. A control command for recording an image. When a control command for designating a template and instructing recording of an image in each area constituting the designated template is received from the control device, the designated template is constructed. Based on the area definition information of each area, the recording head is controlled to While the image is recorded, the information regarding the stock of the one product is acquired, and the color related to the specific area constituting the one template is changed to the specific color according to the stock status of the one product. And a recording control unit for recording after conversion.
According to this configuration, for a specific area constituting the template, a color relating to the specific area is converted into a specific color and recorded depending on the stock status of the product. As a result, the user can easily and accurately grasp the stock status by visually recognizing the color related to the specific area among the areas formed on the recording medium, and the convenience for the user is improved. That is, it is possible to add value to the recording result.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to add value to the recording result by utilizing the characteristic that the recording apparatus can perform recording according to the template.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording control system according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a template. It is a figure which shows the content of the template database. It is a figure which shows an example of the image recorded according to the template. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of each apparatus which comprises a recording control system. It is a figure which shows the content of the stock quantity threshold value table.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a recording control system 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a recording control system 1 is connected to a host computer 2 (control device) and the host computer 2 via a network 4, and records an image on a recording medium under the control of the host computer 2. And a printer 3 (recording apparatus) that performs the above-described process. In the printer 3, a label sheet in which labels with adhesive material cut to a predetermined size are arranged on a long release sheet is set. The printer 3 prints an image on each label on the release sheet according to a template. Make a record.
The network 4 is a network configured by, for example, a wired LAN or a wireless LAN conforming to the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard. The network 4 may include a network device that conforms to the USB or RS-232C standard.
Before the printer 3 was connected to the host computer 2, the pre-replacement printer 6 was connected, and the host computer 2 controlled the pre-replacement printer 6 to record an image on the label. . The pre-replacement printer 6 is a monochrome recording printer, while the printer 3 is a printer capable of color printing. The recording control system 1 according to the present embodiment (1) does not change the control command output by the host computer 2 before and after replacement from the pre-replacement printer 6 to the printer 3, in other words, the host computer. 2 so that an image can be recorded on the label by the printer 3 without any software modification, and the replacement from the printer 6 before replacement to the printer 3 can be performed smoothly. ) Utilizing the fact that color printing is possible to achieve appropriate colorization, and (3) Utilizing the possibility of color printing to add value to the recorded result of the label, One of the purposes is to improve the convenience of the user.
As shown in FIG. 1, a template terminal 5 described later can be connected to the network 4.

The recording control system 1 is a system that is applied to a store related to a retail store such as a supermarket, a convenience store, or a department store. The recording control system 1 has a function of issuing, by the printer 3, a label that is pasted in association with a product at a predetermined position of a display shelf for displaying the product in a store.
As shown in FIG. 1, a server device 7 is connected to the network 4. The server device 7 is a server that centrally manages the recording control system 1 applied to the store, a so-called PO server, and includes a server-side control unit 71 that centrally controls the server device 7 and rewrites various data. A server-side storage unit 72 that stores data in a non-volatile manner is provided. The server-side storage unit 72 stores a product master and a customer master, as well as an inventory management database 72a. The inventory management database 72a is a database that manages the inventory of each product that is sold in the store, and at least the product code uniquely assigned to each product corresponds to the number of stocks of the corresponding product. It is remembered.

The host computer 2 includes a host side control unit 18 (recording control unit), a host side storage unit 19, a host side display unit 40, and a host side input unit 41.
The host side control unit 18 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, other peripheral circuits, and the like, and centrally controls each unit of the host computer 2. The host storage unit 19 includes a memory for storing various data in a nonvolatile manner, and stores at least an application program 21, a device driver 23, and an inventory quantity threshold table 24. The inventory quantity threshold table 24 will be described later.
When the printer 3 records an image on a label, the application program 21 generates information about an image to be recorded on the label (hereinafter referred to as “label image information”) and outputs the information to the device driver 23.
The device driver 23 is a program for controlling the pre-replacement printer 6 created in accordance with the hardware specifications and software specifications of the pre-replacement printer 6. When the label image information is input from the application program 21, the device driver 23 generates a control command described in the command system of the pre-replacement printer 6 and outputs it to the printer 3. The printer 3 records an image on a label according to a template based on a control command described in the command system of the pre-replacement printer 6 by a method described in detail later.
The host side display unit 40 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information on the display panel under the control of the host side control unit 18. The host side input unit 41 includes various switches such as operation switches and a mouse and a keyboard, detects an operation on the input unit, and outputs the operation to the host side control unit 18.

The printer 3 includes a recording unit 39 having an inkjet head 39a (recording head) capable of color printing, a transport mechanism 39b for transporting the set label paper, and a cutting mechanism 39c for cutting the label paper at a predetermined position. The recording unit 39 can record an image according to the template on the label on the label sheet, cut it, and issue a label as a piece of paper.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printer 3 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and includes a printer-side control unit 30 that centrally controls each unit of the printer 3. The printer-side control unit 30 includes a recording execution unit 32 that interprets the control command and causes the recording unit 39 to execute image recording when a control command of the command system of the pre-replacement printer 6 is received from the host computer 2. ing. The function of the recording execution unit 32 is realized by cooperation of hardware and software such that the CPU of the printer-side control unit 30 reads and executes firmware.
The printer 3 also includes a printer-side storage unit 33 (storage unit) that stores programs and data in a nonvolatile manner. A template database 35 is stored in the storage area of the printer-side storage unit 33, which will be described later.

The template terminal 5 includes a terminal-side control unit 51, a terminal-side display unit 52, a terminal-side input unit 53, and a terminal-side storage unit 54.
The terminal side control unit 51 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and centrally controls the template terminal 5. The terminal side display unit 52 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays various types of information on the display panel under the control of the terminal side control unit 51. The terminal side input unit 53 includes operation switches and various input means such as a mouse and a keyboard, detects an operation on the input means, and outputs the operation to the terminal side control unit 51. The terminal-side storage unit 54 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk and stores various data in a nonvolatile manner. A dedicated tool 55 that is a software tool is installed in the template terminal 5, and the terminal-side control unit 51 executes various processes to be described later by the function of the dedicated tool 55.

Now, the printer 3 according to the present embodiment records an image on a label according to a template under the control of the host computer 2.
A template is a rule for recording an image in a label recording area. In the present embodiment, the template includes information indicating an aspect (pattern) of an area formed in the label recording area. The label recording area is the maximum area in which an image can be recorded (dot formation) in one label. An area is an area divided according to the content of an image (information) to be recorded. In this embodiment, a plurality of templates having different areas in the recording area are prepared in advance, and the printer 3 can execute recording of an image on a label according to any one of the templates.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a template T1 which is one of a plurality of templates prepared in advance. As shown in FIG. 2, in the template T1, four rectangular areas A1 to A4 are formed in a label recording area according to a predetermined pattern.
The template T1 is a template for a label that is pasted in association with a product at a predetermined position on a display shelf for displaying the product in a retail store such as a supermarket, a convenience store, or a department store. The customer of the retail store can obtain the price, name, and other information of the corresponding product by viewing the label.

Information about each area formed in the template and information defining each area are defined in the template database 35 for each template.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the template database 35. FIG. 3 illustrates a record related to the template T1 of FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, the template database 35 is a relational database, but the data structure of the template database 35 may be any form.
The template name D1 is a name (identification information) uniquely assigned to each template.
The area name D2 is a name (identification information) given to each of the areas formed in the template. As shown in FIG. 2, the template T1 has four areas A1 to A4. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the template database 35 includes four areas A1 to A4. Four corresponding records are provided, and an appropriate area name D2 is stored in the corresponding field of each record.
The area reference coordinate D3 is the coordinates of the reference point of the area in the coordinate system having the origin at a specific position in the label recording area. An arbitrary position in the label recording area can be designated by the coordinates in the coordinate system. Here, in this example, the shape of each area in the recording area is formed with two sides facing each other in parallel to the short direction YJ1 (see FIG. 2) of the label, and parallel to the long direction YJ2 (see FIG. 2). And a rectangle in which two other opposing sides are formed. The area reference point refers to a vertex located in a specific direction among the four vertices formed in the area frame. In this example, as shown in the vertex P1 of the area A1 in FIG. 2 and the vertex P2 of the area A2 in FIG. 2, the upper left vertex in FIG. 2 is the reference point among the four vertices.
The size D4 is information indicating the length W in the short direction YJ1 and the length H in the long direction YJ2 of each area. For example, in the area A1 in FIG. 2, information indicating the length W1 and the length H1 corresponds to the size D4. As described above, since each area is rectangular, the position, shape, and size in the recording area of each area are fixed by the area reference coordinates D3 and the size D4.
The frame information D5 is information for specifying the color of the area frame. As described above, the printer 3 can perform color printing. However, in the present embodiment, the frame color can be designated for each area, and the frame can be recorded on the label with the designated color. In the present embodiment, “color” includes colorlessness (no frame color or no background color described later).
The background information D6 is information for specifying the background color of the area. For example, when the background information D6 is information indicating blue, the entire corresponding area is blue.
The area attribute D7 is information indicating an area attribute. An area attribute is information that represents the characteristics, characteristics, contents, and the like of an image (information) recorded in the area. As described above, the template T1 is a template related to a label attached to a display shelf of a product in a retail store. The area A1 in the template T1 is an area in which the name of the product is recorded, and its attribute is “product”. Name ". The area A2 is an area in which the price of the product is recorded, and its attribute is “price”. The area A3 is an area in which a barcode used by a person in charge on the store side is recorded, and its attribute is “barcode”. The area A4 is an area where the content of the recorded image such as a message about the product and useful information related to the product is not fixed, and the attribute thereof is “free area”.

Here, the terminal-side control unit 51 of the template terminal 5 has a function of generating each record of the template database 35 based on information on the template stored in the pre-replacement printer 6. As a result, an appropriate record is generated in the template database 35 for each template that can be used by the pre-replacement printer 6, and the printer 3 can record an image in accordance with the template used by the pre-replacement printer 6. It becomes.
More specifically, the pre-replacement printer 6 has data of a predetermined format (hereinafter referred to as a template) including at least a template name, a name of each area in the template, and a position and a size of each area. , “Template data before replacement”). For example, the pre-replacement template data relating to the template that is the origin of the template T1 includes the template T1 as the template name, the areas A1 to A4 as the area names, and the positions and sizes of the areas A1 to A4. And at least information to be displayed.
The terminal-side control unit 51 of the template terminal 5 sends a pre-replacement template data transmission request to the pre-replacement printer 6 by communication via the network 4. The pre-replacement printer 6 transmits pre-replacement template data to the template terminal 5 in response to the transmission request.
Next, the terminal-side control unit 51 communicates with the printer 3 via the network 4 and generates each record related to the template in the template database 35 based on the received pre-exchange template data.
At that time, for each record to be generated, the terminal-side control unit 51 stores the name of the template included in the pre-replacement template data as it is in the field related to the template name D1 of the template database 35, and also relates to the area name D2. In the field, the name of the area included in the pre-exchange template data is stored as it is. Thereby, for each template used by the printer 6 before replacement, the name of the template in the printer 6 before replacement, the name of the area, the name of the template indicated by the template name D1 in the template database 35 of the printer 3, and The area name indicated by the area name D2 completely matches the area name.
Further, the terminal-side control unit 51 calculates and generates area reference coordinates D3 and size D4 for each area of the template based on information indicating the position and size of the area included in the pre-exchange template data. The calculated values are stored in the fields related to the area reference coordinates D3 and the size D4 of the record. The dedicated tool 55 includes a program having an algorithm for outputting the area reference coordinates D3 and the size D4 with the information indicating the position and size of the area included in the pre-replacement template data as input. The area reference coordinates D3 and size D4 of each area are calculated by the function of the program.

As described above, the terminal-side control unit 51 sets the template name D1, the area name D2, the area reference coordinates D3, and the size D4 as appropriate fields for each record generated for each area included in the template. After the storage, corresponding default values are stored for the frame information D5, the background information D6, and the area attribute D7. The default value to be stored is configured to be set in advance by the user.
Further, the terminal-side control unit 51 of the template terminal 5 can update specific information of a specific record among the records constituting the template database 35 under the instruction of the user. That is, the dedicated tool 55 communicates with the printer-side control unit 30 of the printer 3 to access the template database 35 stored in the printer-side storage unit 33 and acquire the contents thereof. It has a function of providing a user with a user interface that accepts an update of specific information of a specific record after displaying the contents on a display panel. The user can update various information by operating the input device of the terminal side input unit 53 while referring to the user interface on the display panel. As a result, for example, the user can use the fact that the printer 3 can perform color printing, such as changing the color of the frame of a specific area to red, or setting the background of the specific area to blue. Appropriate colorization can be realized. In particular, the user interface is provided with a field for selectively inputting area attributes, and the user can selectively update the area attribute D7 of the template database 35. It should be noted that the attributes of selectable areas are sufficiently prepared.
In the present embodiment, the area name D2, area reference coordinates D3, size D4, frame information D5, background information D6, and area attribute D7 in the template database 35 correspond to “area definition information”.

Next, basic operations of the host computer 2 and the printer 3 when recording an image on a label according to a template will be described.
As described above, when recording an image on a label, first, the application program 21 of the host computer 2 generates label image information and outputs the label image information to the device driver 23. The device driver 23, based on the label image information, A control command for instructing recording of an image on the label is generated and output to the printer 3.
This control command is a command that complies with the command system of the pre-replacement printer 6 and includes information for specifying the name of the template to be used. For each area related to the specified template, the name of the area and the area Information associated with information related to the image to be recorded is included in the area to which the name is assigned. When the image to be recorded in the area is a character string, the information related to the image to be recorded in the area includes information representing the character string by a combination of predetermined character codes.
When a control command is input, the recording execution unit 32 of the printer 3 analyzes the control command and extracts the name of the designated template. As described above, the name of the template managed by the printer 6 before replacement completely matches the template name D1 in the template database 35 of the printer 3. Then, the recording execution unit 32 refers to the template database 35 and identifies a record in which the extracted template name is stored in the field related to the template name D1. The record specified here is a record related to a template used for recording an image on a label. Next, the recording execution unit 32, based on the specified record, the area position, shape, and recording based on the area reference coordinates D3, size D4, frame information D5, and background information D6 of each area included in the template. An image is recorded in each area according to a template while managing a default image to be managed, its position, frame color, and background color. At that time, the recording execution unit 32 manages the image to be recorded in each area and the position thereof by analyzing a command conforming to the command system of the pre-replacement printer 6, and sets the appropriate position in each area. Record the appropriate image as directed by the control command. The firmware has a function of analyzing a control command that conforms to the command system of the printer 6 before replacement.

FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a label on which an image is recorded in accordance with the template T1.
In the example of FIG. 4A, the product name “Aomori apples” is recorded in the area A1. In the area A2, the price of the product “100 yen” is recorded. In the area A3, a barcode indicating a product code is recorded. The bar code is appropriately read and used by a bar code reader by a person in charge on the store side. In the area A4, a word for advertising the product is recorded as a character string.
As described above, in this embodiment, the template terminal 5 acquires necessary information about the template from the pre-replacement printer 6 and then generates each record of the template database 35 based on the acquired information. At that time, the identification information (template name) of the template and the identification information (area name) of each area in the template are managed by the printer 6 before replacement, and are managed by the printer 3. Are completely matched. As a result, the printer 3 appropriately manages the template to be used and the area in the template based on the control command output to the printer 6 before replacement, and records the image on the label according to the template. be able to. Thereby, without modifying the control command output from the host computer 2 to the pre-replacement printer 6, in other words, without modifying the application program 21 and the device driver 23, It is possible to record an image using a template in accordance with the template used by the pre-replacement printer 6 after appropriately coloring the background and the like.

By the way, in the recording control system 1 according to the present embodiment, when issuing a label related to a certain product, the aspect of the image recorded on the label changes according to the stock status of the one product. This adds value to the recorded results. Hereinafter, the operation of each device constituting the recording control system 1 when issuing a label will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device of the recording control system 1 when issuing a label. (A) shows the operation of the host computer 2, (B) shows the operation of the server device 7, and (C). Respectively show the operations of the printer 3. In the following description, the host-side control unit 18 functions as a “recording control unit”.
When issuing a label related to a certain product, the user forms the template name of the template to be used, the product code of the product related to the label to be issued, and the template used to the host computer 2 Information on an image to be recorded on each label is input (step SX1). The application program 21 has a function of providing a user interface for the user to input the above-described information, and the user can input each of the above-described information simply and accurately using the user interface. For example, in the user interface, the user can select any one template name while visually checking the preview of each template, and can also selectively input a product code. In addition, in the example of FIG. 4, the image information to be recorded on each label formed on the template is “Aomori apples” in the area A1, “100 yen” in the area A2, and the product in the area A4. In the user interface, the user can easily determine the character string to be recorded in each area, the decoration to be applied to the character string, and the position to record the character string while visually checking the template preview. It can be input with. Also, a bar code is recorded in the area A3. If an input for recording a bar code related to the product indicated by the product code is made in the area, the bar code is automatically accessed by accessing the server device 7 or the like. Necessary information such as the code of the code is obtained.
Note that the user input has no time restriction on the input timing. For example, the user input may be stored in the past and the input may be used.

When information is input by the user in step SX1, the host-side control unit 18 of the host computer 2 starts generating a control command for instructing recording of an image on a label (step SA1).
First, the host-side control unit 18 functioning as a recording control unit communicates with the server device 7 and inquires about the number of products in stock indicated by the product code input in step SX1 (step SA2). A protocol for the inquiry is determined in advance.
In response to the inquiry in step SA2, the server-side control unit 71 of the server device 7 refers to the inventory management database 72a of the server-side storage unit 72 and acquires the number of products in stock indicated by the product code using the product code as a key. And responds (step SB1).
When the inventory quantity of the commodity related to the label to be issued is acquired by the response of the server device 7 (step SA3), the host-side control unit 18 of the host computer 2 refers to the inventory quantity threshold table 24 (step SA4).

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the contents of the inventory quantity threshold table 24 in a mode suitable for explanation.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the inventory threshold value table 24 is a table that stores a product code, a first threshold Ta1, and a second threshold Ta2 in association with each product code. The first threshold value Ta1 and the second threshold value Ta2 are reference values to be compared with the inventory quantity, and will be described later in detail.
The host-side control unit 18 refers to the inventory quantity threshold table 24 and acquires the first threshold value Ta1 and the second threshold value Ta2 of the product with the product code of the product related to the label to be issued as a key ( Step SA5).

Next, the host-side control unit 18 determines whether or not the stock quantity acquired in Step SA3 is equal to or less than the first threshold value Ta1 (Step SA6).
When the stock quantity is equal to or less than the first threshold Ta1 (step SA6: YES), the background color of the specific area among the areas included in the template to be used is set to a specific color (hereinafter referred to as “first A control command including a command to be converted into “color” is generated (step SA7) and transmitted to the printer 3 (step SA8). The specific area to be converted from the background color to the first color and the specific color of the first color are determined in advance for each template, and are defined in advance in the device driver 23 and other programs. Has been. In the present embodiment, when the template T1 is used and the inventory quantity is equal to or less than the first threshold Ta1, the host-side control unit 18 sends a control command including a command for converting the background of the area A1 to “red”. Generate. When the printer 3 records an image on a label based on the control command, the background color of the area A1 is red. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the template T1 is used and the stock quantity of the corresponding product is equal to or less than the first threshold Ta1, the background of the area A1 of the label related to the corresponding product is red.
Here, the first threshold value Ta1 is a value such that the value of the inventory quantity is equal to or less than the value of the first threshold value Ta1 when the inventory quantity of the corresponding product is very small and the inventory should be replenished. Set to Accordingly, when the number of corresponding products in stock is very small and the stock should be replenished, the background color of a specific area of the label relating to the product is converted to the first color. .
Thereby, the following effects can be produced.
In other words, it is a situation for the store-side person to easily and accurately refer to a specific color in a specific area of the label, so that the number of items related to the label is very small and the inventory should be replenished. Can be grasped. Also, for example, if the background of the area in which the product name is recorded is red, the relationship between the label color and the number of stocks is clearly indicated to the customer who purchases the product at the store, such as the number of stocks being small. By doing so, the customer can easily and accurately grasp that the number of products in stock is small, and can take appropriate actions such as purchasing early if there is an intention to purchase. In addition, the fact that the number of stocks is small suggests the possibility of being a popular product, which can also motivate customers to purchase.
That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to add value to the recording result so as to achieve the above-described effect.
In step SA6, the host-side control unit 18 functioning as a recording control unit obtains the amount of product stock by comparing the number of product stock with the first threshold Ta1.

When the stock quantity exceeds the first threshold value Ta1 in step SA6, the host-side control unit 18 further determines whether or not the stock quantity is equal to or less than the second threshold value Ta2 (step SA9). When the stock quantity is equal to or less than the second threshold Ta2 (step SA9: YES), the host-side control unit 18 uses the first color described above as the background color of the specific area among the areas included in the template to be used. Generates a control command including a command to be converted into a different specific color (hereinafter referred to as “second color” for convenience) (step SA10), and transmits it to the printer 3 (step SA8). The specific area to be converted from the background color to the second color and the specific color of the second color are determined in advance for each template and are defined in advance in the device driver 23. In the present embodiment, when the template T1 is used and the inventory quantity exceeds the first threshold value Ta1 and is equal to or less than the second threshold value Ta2, the host-side control unit 18 changes the background of the area A1 to “blue”. A control command including a command to be converted is generated. When the printer 3 records an image on a label based on the control command, the background color of the area A1 is blue. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the template T1 is used, if the stock quantity of the corresponding product exceeds the first threshold value Ta1 and is equal to or less than the second threshold value Ta2, the area of the label related to the corresponding product The background of A1 becomes blue.
Here, the second threshold value Ta2 is less than the value of the second threshold value Ta2 when the stock quantity of the corresponding product is small and it is better to consider that the stock should be replenished. Is set to a value such that Therefore, when the number of corresponding products is small and it is better to consider that the stock should be replenished, the background color of a specific area of the label related to the product is converted to the second color. Will be.
Thereby, the same effect as the case where the background color of the specific label described above is converted into the first color can be expected. In other words, the store side can easily and accurately grasp the inventory status by referring to a specific color in a specific area of the label, and the customer should take appropriate action for purchasing the product. Can do. In addition, customers can be motivated to purchase. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to add value to the recording result so as to achieve the above-described effect.
In step SA9, the amount of the inventory of the product is acquired by comparing the number of the inventory of the product functioning as the recording control unit with the second threshold Ta2.

In step SA9, when the inventory quantity exceeds the second threshold Ta2 (step SA9: NO), the host-side control unit 18 generates a control command by a normal method (step SA11) and transmits it to the printer 3. (Step SA8).
In step SA8, when the host computer 2 transmits a control command to the printer 3, the recording execution unit 32 of the printer 3 receives the control command (step SC1), and each mechanism of the recording unit 39 is based on the control command. The apparatus is controlled to record an image on the label (step SC2).
FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of an image recorded on the label in step SC2 when the template T1 is used and the number of stock items related to the label is equal to or less than the first threshold Ta1. . In this case, since the control command includes a command for converting the background color of the area A1 to “red”, the background color of the area A1 in the template T1 is red as shown in the figure. The effect of this is as described above. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of an image recorded on the label in step SC2 when the template T1 is used and the number of products in stock related to the label is equal to or less than the second threshold Ta2. It is. In this case, since the control command includes a command for converting the background color of the area A1 to “blue”, the background color of the area A1 in the template T1 is blue as shown in the figure. The effect of this is as described above.

The first embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
Specifically, in the first embodiment, when the number of products in stock satisfies a specific condition, the background color of a specific area of a template to be used is converted to a specific color. However, instead of this, the color of the frame of a specific area may be converted, and the background color of the specific area and the color of the frame may be converted into specific colors, respectively. . Even in this case, it is possible to achieve the same effect as when the background color is converted to a specific color.
In the first embodiment, the server device 7 manages the inventory of each product. However, the host computer 2 itself manages the inventory of each product and stores data relating to the inventory in the host-side storage unit 19. It may be configured to. In the case of this configuration, the host-side control unit 18 of the host computer 2 for one product, based on the data relating to the management of the product inventory stored in the host-side storage unit 19, The relationship between the first threshold value Ta1 and the second threshold value Ta2 is acquired (a product inventory amount is acquired).

As described above, in the recording control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the printer 3 includes the inkjet head 39a that is a recording head capable of color printing, and one or a plurality of recording heads formed in the recording area of the recording medium (label). A printer-side storage unit 33 that stores area definition information for defining each area for each template with respect to a template constituted by areas. When the recording execution unit 32 of the printer 3 specifies a template and receives a control command from the host computer 2 for instructing recording of an image in each area constituting the specified template, the specified template is displayed. The inkjet head 39a is controlled based on the area definition information of each area to be configured, and an image is recorded in each area according to the template. On the other hand, when the host computer 2 causes the printer 3 to record an image relating to one product on a label in accordance with the one template, the host computer 2 acquires information relating to the stock of the one product, and the stock status relating to the one product Accordingly, a host-side control unit 18 (recording control unit) that generates and transmits a control command including information for converting a color related to a specific area constituting the one template into a specific color and recording the color. It has.
According to this configuration, for a specific area constituting the template, a color relating to the specific area is converted into a specific color and recorded depending on the stock status of the product. As a result, the user can easily and accurately grasp the stock status by visually recognizing the color related to the specific area among the areas formed on the label, and the convenience for the user is improved. That is, it is possible to add value to the recording result.

In the present embodiment, when the host-side control unit 18 of the host computer 2 causes the printer 3 to record an image related to one product on the recording medium according to one template, the inventory of the one product is large. (Whether the number of inventory is less than or equal to the first threshold Ta1 or less than or equal to the second threshold Ta2) is acquired, and the specific template constituting the one template is determined according to the amount of inventory related to the one product A control command including information to be recorded by converting the color relating to the area into a specific color is generated and transmitted.
According to this configuration, the user can easily and accurately grasp the stock amount of the corresponding product by visually recognizing the color related to the specific area among the areas formed on the label. Convenience is improved.

In the present embodiment, the host-side control unit 18 of the host computer 2 inquires of the server device 7 that manages the inventory of products, and acquires the amount of inventory of one product.
According to this configuration, the host-side control unit 18 can appropriately acquire the amount of merchandise inventory.
Note that, as described above, the host-side storage unit 19 of the host computer 2 may store data related to inventory management, and may acquire the inventory amount of one product based on the data.

In the present embodiment, the host-side control unit 18 causes the printer 3 to perform processing for converting the background color of a specific area into a specific color in accordance with the number of items in stock.
According to this structure, the color regarding an area can be effectively converted into a specific color using recording based on a template configured by one or a plurality of areas.
As described above, instead of the above processing, the printer 3 may be configured to perform processing for converting the color of the frame of a specific area into a specific color.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment described above, the host-side control unit 18 of the host computer 2 issues the number of stocks of one product, the first threshold value Ta1, and the second threshold value Ta2 when issuing a label related to one product. When the relationship becomes a predetermined state, among the areas included in the template to be used, the background color and the frame color of the specific area are converted to the specific color. That is, in the first embodiment, the color related to the area is converted into a specific color according to the amount of stock.
On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the host-side control unit 18 of the host computer 2 obtains the degree of decrease in the inventory of one product when issuing a label related to the one product, and the degree of decrease in the inventory of the product. Accordingly, the color related to the specific area among the areas included in the template to be used is converted into the specific color.
More specifically, in the present embodiment, the server device 7 manages the degree of decrease in the inventory of products in addition to the number of stocks for each product. “Degree of decrease in product inventory” is information indicating the rate at which product inventory is decreasing, for example, information indicating that the number of inventory is decreasing by 5 on average per day. . The server device 7 acquires the number of stocks of each product at a fixed period, and manages the degree of decrease in the stock of each product using a statistical method.
Then, the host-side control unit 18 of the host computer 2 inquires the server device 7 when issuing the label relating to one product, and acquires the degree of decrease in the inventory of the one product. Next, for example, when the degree of inventory reduction is larger than a predetermined threshold set for each product, the host-side control unit 18 changes the color of the frame of a specific area of the template to be used to a specific color. Conversion is performed, or the background color of a specific area is converted into a specific color, and an image is recorded on the label by the printer 3.
Thereby, the following effects can be produced.
That is, for the person on the store side, by referring to a specific color in a specific area of the label, it is possible to easily and accurately grasp the degree of reduction in the inventory of commodities related to the label. In addition, for example, if the background of the area where the product name is recorded is red, the relationship between the label color and the degree of decrease in the inventory of the product, such as the degree of decrease in the number of inventory, is By clearly indicating to the customer who purchases the product in advance, the customer can easily and accurately grasp that the degree of the decrease in the inventory of the product is large. Appropriate action can be taken. In addition, the fact that the degree of the reduction in the inventory of products is large suggests the possibility of being a popular product, and can also encourage customers to purchase.
That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to add value to the recording result so as to achieve the above-described effect.
Similar to the first embodiment, a plurality of thresholds to be compared with the degree of reduction in the inventory of goods may be set, and the color relating to the area may be made different in relation to each threshold. By doing in this way, the degree of decrease in the inventory of goods can be notified more precisely.
In the above description, the server device 7 has a function of managing the inventory of products and calculating the degree of decrease in the inventory of products. The host-side controller 18 of the host computer 2 In this case, the degree of decrease in the inventory of the product is acquired, but the following configuration may be used. That is, data related to inventory management of products is stored in the host-side storage unit 19 of the host computer 2, and the host-side control unit 18 reduces the inventory of one product based on the stored data related to inventory management. The host-side control unit 18 may query the server device 7 that manages the inventory of the product to acquire and acquire information related to the inventory of one product. The configuration may be such that the degree of decrease in the inventory of the one product is calculated and acquired based on the information. In any case, the host-side control unit 18 can appropriately acquire the degree of decrease in the inventory of goods.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
In the first and second embodiments described above, the host computer 2 obtains information related to product inventory, specifically, the number of product inventory (the amount of product inventory) or the degree of decrease in product inventory. Information that causes the host-side control unit 18 of the host computer 2 to convert a color related to a specific area constituting the one template into a specific color and record it according to the stock status of the one product. A control command including “” is generated and transmitted to the printer 3.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the printer-side control unit 30 of the printer 3 acquires information related to the stock of the product, and the color related to the specific area constituting the one template according to the status of the stock related to the product, Perform recording by converting to a specific color. The method described in the first and second embodiments can be applied to the method in which the printer-side control unit 30 acquires information relating to the inventory of products. In other words, the printer-side control unit 30 may obtain the data by inquiring the server device 7 or the host computer 2, and stores data relating to the inventory of goods in the printer 3, and based on the data, the printer-side control unit 30 may acquire information related to the stock of the product. In this embodiment, in this case, the printer-side control unit 30 functions as a “recording control unit”.

The above-described embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the first embodiment, any number of threshold values may be set that are compared with the number of products in stock, and in the second embodiment are compared with a decrease in product stock.
Further, for example, each functional block shown in FIG. 1 can be arbitrarily realized by cooperation of hardware and software, and does not suggest a specific hardware configuration. Further, the functions of the functional blocks of the host computer 2 and the printer 3 may be provided in another device externally connected to the host computer 2 and the printer 3. Further, the host computer 2 and the printer 3 may execute various operations by executing a program stored in an externally connected storage medium.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording control system, 2 ... Host computer (control apparatus), 3 ... Printer (recording apparatus), 7 ... Server apparatus, 18 ... Host side control part (recording control part, control part), 30 ... Printer side control part ( Recording control unit, control unit) 32... Recording execution unit 33... Printer side storage unit (storage unit) 35... Template database (area definition information) 39 a.

Claims (8)

A recording control system comprising: a control device; and a recording device connectable to the control device, wherein the recording device records an image relating to a product on a recording medium under the control of the control device,
The recording device comprises:
A recording head capable of color printing;
A storage unit that stores, for each template, area definition information that defines each area for a template configured by one or a plurality of areas formed in a recording area of the recording medium;
When a control command for designating a template and instructing recording of an image in each area constituting the designated template is received from the control device, it is based on the area definition information of each area constituting the designated template. A recording execution unit for controlling the recording head and recording an image in each area according to a template,
The control device includes:
When the recording device records an image related to one product on the recording medium according to one template, the information about the stock of the one product is acquired, and according to the status of the stock related to the one product, A recording control system comprising: a recording control unit that generates and transmits a control command including information for converting a color relating to a specific area constituting the one template into a specific color and recording the color. The recording control unit of the control device includes:
When the recording apparatus records an image related to one product on the recording medium according to one template, the amount of stock of the one product is acquired, and according to the amount of stock related to the one product, The recording control system according to claim 1, wherein a control command including information for converting a color related to a specific area constituting the one template into a specific color to be recorded is generated and transmitted. . The recording control unit of the control device includes:
Based on the inventory management data stored in itself, obtain the amount of inventory of one product, or
3. The recording control system according to claim 2, wherein an inquiry is made to a server device that manages the inventory of merchandise, and the quantity of the inventory of one merchandise is acquired. The recording control unit of the control device includes:
When the recording apparatus records an image relating to one product on the recording medium according to one template, the degree of decrease in stock of the one product is acquired, and the degree of decrease in stock related to the one product 4. A control command including information for converting a color related to a specific area constituting the one template into a specific color and recording the generated command, and transmitting the generated control command. The recording control system according to any one of the above. The recording control unit of the control device includes:
Based on the inventory management data stored in itself, calculate and obtain the degree of inventory decrease for one product,
Inquires of the server device that manages the inventory of the product, acquires information related to the inventory of the one product, calculates the degree of decrease in the inventory of the one product based on the acquired information, or
5. The recording control according to claim 4, wherein the inventory control of the product is managed and an inquiry is made to a server having a function of calculating the degree of decrease in the inventory of the product, and the degree of decrease in the inventory of one product is acquired. system. In the process of converting a color related to a specific area constituting one template into a specific color,
A process for converting the color of the frame of the specific area into a specific color, or
6. The recording control system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of processes for converting a background color of the specific area into a specific color. A control device and a recording device including a recording head configured to be connectable to the control device and capable of color printing, and under the control of the control device, the recording device displays an image relating to a product on a recording medium. A control method of a recording control system for recording,
The recording device comprises:
For each template formed of one or more areas formed in the recording area of the recording medium, area definition information for defining each area is stored for each template,
When a control command for designating a template and instructing recording of an image in each area constituting the designated template is received from the control device, it is based on the area definition information of each area constituting the designated template. And controlling the recording head to record an image in each area according to the template,
The control device includes:
When the recording device records an image related to one product on the recording medium according to one template, the information about the stock of the one product is acquired, and according to the status of the stock related to the one product, A control method of a recording control system, comprising: generating and transmitting a control command including information for converting a color relating to a specific area constituting the one template into a specific color and recording the color. A recording device configured to be connectable to a control device, and recording an image relating to a product on a recording medium under the control of the control device,
A recording head capable of color printing;
A storage unit that stores, for each template, area definition information that defines each area for a template configured by one or a plurality of areas formed in a recording area of the recording medium;
A control command for recording an image related to one product, when a template is specified and a control command for instructing recording of an image in each area constituting the specified template is received from the control device;
Based on the area definition information of each area constituting the specified template, the recording head is controlled to record an image in each area according to the template,
A record for acquiring information relating to the inventory of the one product, and converting the color relating to the specific area constituting the one template into a specific color according to the status of the inventory related to the one product. A control unit;
A recording apparatus comprising:

Images