JP2019220112A - Printing system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printing system that prevents the forgetting to attach a POP sheet (spotter or the like) printed on a new commodity or the like and prevents a target commodity from being attached by mistake.SOLUTION: A printing system used for printing a specified commodity information on a printing medium includes: storing means for storing the commodity information; and print data generating means for generating print data on the basis of the commodity information. When the storing means is also storing a special information related to the commodity information, the print data generating means generates the print data in an aspect showing that the commodity information and special information are associated with each other on the basis of the commodity information and special information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system for printing POP advertisements, shelf labels, and the like used in mass retailers and supermarkets, and a printing program used in the printing system.

  2. Description of the Related Art A printing system for printing POP advertisements, shelf labels, and the like used in mass retailers and supermarkets is known. (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2006-164367

When creating a POP advertisement or shelf label with product information, if the product is a product to which special points are given or a new product, a normal POP advertisement or In some cases, a special POP sheet (such as a spotter) is desired to be created according to a shelf label.
In the printing system of the prior art document, a shelf label (POP advertisement or the like) on which product information is described, and a POP sheet (spotter or the like) for increasing customer attraction of the product are provided by a shelf label printer and a POP sheet. Printing from the printer for each.

  However, in the printing system of the above-mentioned prior art document, a shelf label (POP advertisement or the like) and a POP sheet (spotter or the like) are printed separately, and the relationship between the two is ambiguous. Forgotten to attach the POP sheet (spotter, etc.) in order to grasp the relationship between the shelf label (POP advertisement, etc.) and the POP sheet (spotter, etc.) and attach the POP sheet (spotter, etc.) by the instruction etc. The target product to be attached was sometimes mistaken.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a worker or the like who attaches a POP advertisement or the like can print a POP sheet (spotter or the like) printed on a product or a new product to which special points or the like are given. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system in which the user does not forget to attach the product or mistakenly attaches the target product.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a printing system that prints designated product information on a print medium, a storage unit that stores the product information, and a print data generation unit that generates print data based on the product information. And the print data generating unit, when the storage unit also stores special information related to the product information, the product information and the special information based on the special information. This is a printing system that generates print data in such a manner that it can be understood that it is related to special information.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the worker who attaches a POP advertisement etc. grasp | ascertains easily the target goods etc. of the POP sheet (spotter etc.) printed with respect to the goods to which a special point etc. are given, new goods, etc. This makes it possible to prevent the user from forgetting to attach the POP sheet (spotter or the like) or installing the target product by mistake.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system including a print data output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a product information file in the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a card information file in the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a paper information file in the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall flowchart of a printing system including a print data output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a sheet selection procedure of a printing system including the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a card change process of a printing system including the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a combination card setting process of the printing system including the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a substitute sheet setting process of a printing system including a print data output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 7 is an example of a sheet that has been pre-printed on a substitute sheet in a printing system including a print data output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a list input screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a card selection window. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a card input screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a preview screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a card correction screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a card setting screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a card setting screen in which a “paper switching setting” column is displayed in detail. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a card setting screen in which a “paper switching setting” column is displayed in detail. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a card setting screen on which a card combination column is displayed. FIG. 1 is a diagram of a print medium printed in a card combination state by a printing system including a print data output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of the print data output device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a card setting screen on which a card change column is displayed. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a print medium printed in a multiple tax rate printing state by a printing system including a print data output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display means of the print data output device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the card input screen of the card in which a reduced tax rate is set.

Hereinafter, a product information output device (print data output device) according to an embodiment of the present invention and a product information output system (print system) including the device will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Overall configuration of product information output system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a product information output system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a product information output system according to the present embodiment includes a headquarters server 1 disposed at a headquarters or the like and performing management processing regarding product sales or the like at each store, a shelf label or a POP advertisement disposed at each store. Product information output device (print data output device) 2 for generating and outputting product information output data used for printing and the like, and product information generated and output by the product information output device (print data output device) 2 An output device (printing unit) 3 that prints the shelf label and the POP advertisement based on the output data (print data) is provided. In the present embodiment, a description will be given using a print data output device as the product information output device 2, a printing unit 3 for printing on paper as the output device 3, and using print data as product information output data. The device 3 may be an electronic shelf label, a signage, or the like, in addition to a printing unit that performs printing on a paper medium or the like.

The headquarters server 1 and the print data output device 2 are connected to a cloud server via, for example, the Internet, and the headquarters server 1, the print data output device 2, and the printing unit 3 perform LAN (Local Area Network) enabling information communication. ) Are connected via a network 4.
The network 4 that connects the head office server 1, the print data output device 2, and the printing unit 3 is not limited to a wired network, and may be wirelessly connected.

  The headquarters server 1 manages various information including information used when creating a shelf label, a POP advertisement, and the like. The database to be managed includes, for example, a product master database that stores information such as the name and selling price of each product, a customer information database that stores customer information, and a store information database that stores the sales status of each store. Then, it is connected to the Internet via the connection means 11.

  The print data output device 2 is configured by a personal computer or the like, and is operated by a user as a terminal arranged at each store, for example, for printing on a print medium such as paper or displaying on an electronic shelf label or the like. Of print data. The print data output device 2 includes a controller 21 that controls and controls the generation and output processing of print data, an input unit 22 including a keyboard, and a display unit 23 including a display device.

The controller 21 includes a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, a memory 214, a network I / F 215, an input unit I / F 216, a display unit I / F 217, and a connection unit 218.
The CPU 211 is an element that executes a command of a software program.
The ROM 212 is a storage element in which a program for operating on the controller 21 is stored in advance. The program or the like may be stored in a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM and read by an external device such as a CD-ROM drive.

The RAM 213 is a storage element used as a work storage area necessary for storing programs and operating software.
The memory 214 is a storage unit that includes a hard disk device or the like and stores information for performing processing such as generation, output, and management of print data used for printing shelf labels and POP advertisements.
The network I / F 215 is a circuit for exchanging data with a unit connected on the network 4.
The input unit I / F 216 is a circuit for performing input and output with the input unit 22.
The display means I / F 217 is a circuit for performing input and output with the display means 23.
The connection unit 218 is a unit for connecting to the Internet.

The printing unit 3 includes a controller 31 that generates image data based on print data output (transmitted) from the print data output device 2 and a printer engine 32 that drives a printing unit based on the generated image data to print. Have.
The controller 31 has a CPU 311, a ROM 312, a memory 313, and a network I / F 314.

  In the present embodiment, the printing unit 3 is connected to the head office server 1 and the print data output device 2 via the network 4, but may be directly connected to the print data output device 2. Further, the print data output device 2 having a program for printing a POP advertisement and the printing unit 3 may be configured as a dedicated device such as a label printer.

(Function block diagram)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the print data output device 2 and the printing unit 3 according to the present embodiment.
The print data output device 2 includes a print data output unit (product information output unit) 201, a print data generation unit (product information output data generation unit) 202, a paper selection unit 203, a product information storage unit 204, a card information storage unit 205, It functions as a device including the paper information storage unit 206 and the communication unit 207.
The printing unit 3 includes a print control unit 301, an engine control unit 302, a sheet detection unit 303, and the like, and functions as a device that develops print data and prints it on a sheet.

  The print data output unit 201 is a unit that controls the print data output device 2 in a centralized manner. The print data output unit 201 stores information input by the input unit 22 in each storage unit and displays information stored in each storage unit. It transmits and receives data to and from the printing means 3 such as displaying it on the means 23 and outputting the print data generated by the print data generating means 202 to the printing means 3.

  The print data generation unit 202 is based on, for example, the product information stored in the product information storage unit 204, the card information stored in the card information storage unit 205, the sheet information stored in the sheet information storage unit 206, and the like. To generate print data.

  The paper selection unit 203 is based on, for example, product information stored in the product information storage unit 204, card information stored in the card information storage unit 205, paper information stored in the paper information storage unit 206, and the like. The user selects and switches paper to be used for printing in the printing unit 3 to select the paper.

  The product information storage unit 204 stores a product information file having product information for each product. The card information storage unit 205 stores a card file having card information (print format information) used when printing on a print medium. The sheet information storage unit 206 stores a sheet information file having information on sheets stored in a sheet cassette or the like of the printing unit 3. The communication unit 207 exchanges data with the printing unit 3.

The print control unit 301 expands the print data output (transmitted) from the print data output unit 201 into image data and transmits the image data to the engine control unit 302, or outputs the sheet information detected by the sheet detection unit 303 to the print data. To the means 201.
The paper detection unit 303 detects information on paper stored in a paper cassette or the like.

(Various databases)
Here, the merchandise information file, card information file, and paper information file processed in the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the product information file will be described with reference to FIG.

(Product information file)
The product information file is a product information file that stores items defined for each product. The product information file sets predetermined conditions (for example, products whose tomorrow is the “sale start date”) by the print data output device 2 of each store and stores each server (product master data) such as the head office server 1. For example, by inquiring the product master server or the planning master server storing the special sale schedule, etc.), the product information, the selling price information, the special sale schedule information, etc. held by each server are acquired and generated. The product information file is stored in, for example, a text file and stored in the product information storage unit 204 of the print data output device 2 of each store.

  Note that when a special sale schedule is planned at each store, a plurality of special sale schedules may be set, but the priority of the special sale schedule is automatically determined based on a special sale start date and an end date, and each store may be set. By setting a priority flag or the like on the special sale schedule planned in the above, a special sale schedule or the like of the product information file can be set. Specifically, if the special sale start date is closer to the current day, the special sale end date is closer to the same day, or if the special sale start date and the special sale end date are the same, Any priority may be set.

  The product information includes “JAN code”, “product name”, “standard name”, “current selling price”, “print instruction 1”, “card 1”, “(print) number 1”, “print instruction 2”, "Card 2", "(Print) number 2", "Special sale start date", "Special sale end date", "Special sale price", "Special point 1", "Eligible tax rate", "Tax rate 1", "Tax rate 2" , "Order point", "order quantity" and the like, and are data in which each item is associated with each product.

  The item “JAN code” represents a JAN code printed for each product. In this embodiment, the JAN code is used, but another bar code such as a UPC code may be used. The items of “card 1” and “card 2” represent print formats associated with each product. The items “print instruction 1” and “print instruction 2” indicate whether or not there is a print instruction in the print format of “card 1” and “card 2” of each product information, and “(print) number 1”, “( The item “print) number 2” indicates the number of prints to be printed in the print format of “card 1” and “card 2”.

  The item "current selling price" indicates the current value of the selling price or the price including tax used at the time of selling at the store, and the item "special selling price" indicates a value such as a special price having a value different from the current selling price. The item “sale start date” indicates the date and time when the application of the special price such as the sale price starts, and the item “sale end date” indicates the date when the application of the special price ends. The item of "special point 1" means that the associated product is a target product of the special point, and indicates a value of the special point to be added.

The item of “reduced tax rate target” indicates that the associated product is a product subject to the reduced tax rate, the item of “tax rate 1” is the value of the standard tax rate to which the reduced tax rate is not applied, and the item of “tax rate 2” is , Represents the value of the reduced tax rate. The item “order point” indicates the timing of ordering the associated products (the remaining number, etc.), and the item “order quantity” indicates the quantity of the associated products at the time of ordering.
The product information file has items of “card 1” and “card 2” as print formats associated with the product information. For example, the print format is further changed from “card 1” to “card 5”. Many print formats may be provided.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the product information on the first line of the product information file includes a JAN code of “123456890”, a product name of “canned coffee”, a standard name of “280 ml”, a current selling price of “100” yen, A product in which the print format 1 (card 1) is “card A” and the number of prints in the print format (card) 1 is “1” is set. Further, the product information on the first line includes a special sale start date of “January 12, 2017”, a special sale end date of “January 31, 2017”, a special sale price of “95” yen, and a special point 1 “100 points” is set.
In the product information on the second line, “advertisement B” is set in the print format 2 (card 2), and “1” is set in the number of prints in the print format (card) 2.

(Card information file)
Next, the card information file will be described with reference to FIG. The card information file is a file of print format information (card information) used when printing each product. The card information file is obtained by the print data output device 2 of each store, for example, by obtaining the information created in the head office or the like and stored in the cloud server, and as a text file, stored in the card information storage unit 205 of the print data output device 2. It is remembered.

  The user can display the card information of the card information file on the display unit 23 of the print data output device 2 of each store. Further, the user can correct, delete, or newly create card information displayed on the display means 23.

  The card information includes “card name”, “paper”, “paper direction”, “size”, “print item 1”... “Print item n”, “card attribute 1”, “card attribute 2”, “combination”. Each of the cards includes items such as "condition 1", "combination card 1", "change condition", "change card", "paper switching condition", "switching paper", "alternative paper printing condition", and "alternative paper". Is data associated with each item.

  The item of “card name” indicates the name of a card to be used. The item “paper” represents the name of the print medium to be printed, the item “paper direction” represents the transport direction of printing when printing, and the item “size” represents the dimensions of the shelf label or the like to be printed. Represents The items of “print item 1” to “print item n” represent items of product information defined in a print frame arranged in print format data used when printing on a print medium.

  The items of “card attribute 1” and “card attribute 2” indicate the attributes of the defined card. As attributes of the card, attributes relating to the purpose of use such as "advertisement goods", "normal shelf label", "sale for sale", "normal POP", "multiple tax rates", and attributes relating to paper such as "A3" and "A4" There is.

A plurality of attributes can be defined for each card information. Note that the card attributes include “card attribute 1” and “card attribute 2”, but three or more card attributes may be defined.
The card attribute can be arbitrarily registered on a system setting screen (not shown). For example, when a print format corresponding to a plurality of tax rates is newly created, a card attribute “multiple tax rates” is newly added as a card attribute. You can register and define a new card.

  The item of “combination condition 1” represents a condition for printing by combining another card with the card on which the product information is printed, and the item of “combination card 1” represents a card to be combined. The item of “change condition” represents a condition for changing the card on which the product information is printed to another card, and the item of “change card” represents the card to be changed. The item of “paper switching condition” represents a condition for printing using special paper such as pre-printed paper (pre-printed paper, pre-colored paper), and the item of “switching paper” is a paper to be switched. Represents

In the example shown in FIG. 4, as the print format (card information) on the first line of the card information file, the card name is “card A”, the paper is “A4 white”, the paper transport direction is “vertical”, and the size is “ 74 mm × 52.5 mm ”and card attributes“ normal shelf label ”and“ A4 ”.
Further, as the card information on the second line, it is set that the “combination condition 1” is “special point 1 ≧ 1” and the combination card 1 is “for spotter”.
In addition, as the card information of the sixth line, the paper switching condition is set to “sale end date = sale start date” and the switching paper is set to “A4 yellow”.

(Paper information file)
Next, the paper information file will be described with reference to FIG. The paper information file is a file of paper (printing medium) information used when printing each product.
The paper information includes items such as “paper name”, “paper size”, “surface information”, “storage location”, and “remaining number”, and is data in which each item is associated with each paper.

  The item “paper name” represents the type of paper, and the item “paper size” represents the dimensions of the paper. The item of “surface information” indicates information on the surface of the sheet, and indicates information such as pre-print information (image information) and a yellow band. The item of “storage location” indicates a location of a sheet cassette or the like in which sheets are stored, and the item of “remaining number” indicates the number of stored sheets.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, as the paper information of the first line of the paper information file, the paper name is “A4 white”, the paper size is “A4”, the storage location is “cassette 1”, and the remaining number is “500 (sheets)”. Is set.
Further, as the sheet information in the second line, the sheet name is set to “A3 white”, the sheet size is set to “A3”, the storage location is set to “cassette 2”, and the remaining number is set to “500 (sheets)”.
Further, as the sheet information of the three lines, the sheet name is set to “A4 yellow”, the sheet size is set to “A4”, the storage location is set to “cassette 3”, and the remaining number is set to “100 (sheets)”.
Further, as the paper information of the four lines, the paper name is set to “A4 prior”, the paper size is set to “A4”, the storage location is set to “manual feed”, and the remaining number is set to “0 (sheets)”.

(Product information output processing)
FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart illustrating the entire flow of the printing process in the printing system according to the present embodiment.
First, the print data output unit 201 waits for the user to operate the input unit 22 to select a product and input a print (product information output) instruction (step S101).

  When the user selects the product information and inputs a print instruction, the print data output unit 201 reads the product information of the selected product from the product information storage unit 204 (step S102). Subsequently, the print data output unit 201 reads the card information from the card information storage unit 205 based on the read product information (step S103).

  Next, the paper selecting unit 203 selects paper to be used for printing based on the product information and the card information (step S104).

Next, the print data generation unit 202 generates print data based on the product information and the card information.
When generating print data, the print data generating unit 202 performs a card change process (procedure S105) for changing a card (print format) on which product information is printed, and a combination card setting process (procedure for combining a special card with a normal print card). S106), and perform processing such as alternative paper setting processing (step S107) performed when the paper selected by the paper selecting unit 203 is insufficient.

Then, the print data output unit 201 transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit 202 and the paper information of the selected paper to the printing unit 3 (step S108).
The printing unit 3 that has received the print data and the sheet information prints on a sheet (print medium) based on the print data and the sheet information (step S109), and ends the printing (output) of the product information. The present invention does not have to include all of the above procedures.

Subsequently, each of the processes in steps S104 to S107, which is one feature of the print data output device 2 according to the present embodiment, will be described in detail.
FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart showing the flow of the sheet selection process (step S104) in the print data output device 2 of the present embodiment.

  In the paper selection process, the paper selection unit 203 selects a paper based on the product information to be printed. Specifically, when the product information to be printed satisfies a predetermined condition, that is, when the product information includes information to print using a special paper, a special paper is selected as the printing paper. Process. For example, when the product information to be printed is a product for sale, there is a case where a special sheet such as yellow paper is selected as a sheet used for printing.

  First, the paper selecting unit 203 detects whether or not there is a predetermined condition for switching and selecting a paper to be used for printing in the card information read based on the product information in step S103 (step S1041).

  The setting of the predetermined condition can be performed, for example, by setting some condition for switching and selecting the paper in the “paper switching condition” column of the card information for printing the product information shown in FIG. The conditions for switching and selecting the paper include, for example, the special sale start date and the special sale set in the product information to be printed, such as those set in the “paper switching condition” column of the card information of the advertisement B in FIG. That the end date is the same day can be set as the sheet switching condition.

  As a result, among the merchandise information to be printed, the merchandise to be printed using the card of the advertisement A and having the same sale start date and special sale end date are set in the “switching paper” column as the paper to be used for printing. The selected “A4 yellow” paper is switched and selected.

  The paper selecting unit 203 prints when detecting that the paper switching condition is set in the read card information (for example, when some condition is set in the “paper switching condition” column). It is detected whether or not the product information satisfies the sheet switching condition set in the card information (step S1042).

  On the other hand, if the paper selecting unit 203 detects in step S1041 that the paper switching condition is not set in the read card information, the paper information “paper” is used as the paper used for printing the product information. The paper set in the column is selected (step S1044), and the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S1042 that the product information to be printed satisfies the paper switching condition in step S1042, the paper selection unit 203 sets the paper used for printing the product information in the “switching paper” column of the card information. Switch to paper and select it (step S1403), and end the process.

On the other hand, if the paper selection unit 203 detects that the product information to be printed does not satisfy the paper switching condition, the paper set in the “paper” column of the card information is used as the paper used for printing the product information. After selection (procedure S1404), the process ends.
The paper switching condition is not limited to the condition using the date, but can be appropriately set by the user.
The example of the procedure S104 of the sheet selection process in the print data output device 2 according to the embodiment has been described above.

FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart showing the flow of a card change process (procedure S105) in the print data output device 2 according to the present embodiment.
The card change means, for example, changing the card (print format) for printing the product information to another card (print format) when the product information to be printed satisfies a predetermined condition when printing the product information. Say. For example, when the product information to be printed is set to be a product subject to a plurality of tax rates, when printing a shelf label or the like, a card (print format) for printing normally used product information is This refers to generating print data for printing a shelf label or the like by changing the printing form, such as by changing to a card (print format) that can print a plurality of different tax rates together.

First, the print data generation unit 202 substitutes the number of the product information read in step S102 into n1, and substitutes an initial value 1 into a variable n (step S1051).
Next, the print data generation unit 202 detects whether the card change condition is set in the card information set in the n-th product information from the plurality of pieces of read product information (step S1052).

  The card change condition is a condition for changing the card (print format) on which the product information is printed (printing format is different). For example, when the product information to be printed is a product subject to the tax reduction rate, the card (printing format) ) Can be set as a card change condition for changing the print format, in which “1” is set in the “reduced tax rate target” column of the read product information. If set, it indicates that the product is eligible for reduced tax rates.)

  If the print data generation unit 202 detects that the card change condition is set in the read card information, the print data generation unit 202 determines whether the product information to be printed satisfies the card change condition set in the card information. It is detected (procedure S1053).

  On the other hand, when the print data generation unit 202 detects that the card change condition is not set in the read card information, the read data of the normally used card is used as a print format for printing the product information. Print data is generated using (print format) (step S1055).

  If the print data generation unit 202 detects in step S1053 that the product information to be printed satisfies the card change condition set in the card information, the print data generation unit 202 sets the card information “change card” as the print format for printing the product information. The print data is generated using the card (print format) set in the "" field (step S1054).

  On the other hand, when the print data generation unit 202 detects that the product information to be printed does not satisfy the card change condition set in the card information, the print data generation unit 202 uses the read normal use format as the print format for printing the product information. The print data is generated using the existing card (print format) (step S1055).

  Then, the print data generation unit 202 detects whether the variable n is equal to or greater than n1 (step S1056), terminates the process if the variable n is equal to or greater than n1, and ends n = n + 1 if the variable n is less than n1. (Step S1057), the process returns to Step S1052, and repeats Steps S1052 to S1056 by the number of pieces of product information selected for printing.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print data generation unit 202 is controlled to perform a card change (change of the print mode) when detecting that the card change condition is satisfied. Therefore, the card may be changed immediately. In addition, by setting store information or the like as a card change condition, control may be performed such that a card change is not performed in a store that is a product subject to a plurality of tax rates but supports only one tax rate.

The print data generated by the print data generation unit 202 as described above is output (transmitted) to the printing unit 3 by the print data output unit 201.
The example of the procedure S104 of the print data generation process of changing the card (print mode) according to the predetermined condition of the product information in the print data output device 2 according to the embodiment has been described above.

FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing the flow of the combination card setting process (procedure S106) in the print data output device 2 of the present embodiment.
A combination card prints a special card (print format) in addition to a normally printed card (print format) when the product information to be printed satisfies a predetermined condition when printing the product information. For example, when it is set that special points are given to product information to be printed, for example, printing is performed in combination with a card for emphasizing that special points are given together with a card for printing product information. And so on.

  First, the print data generation unit 202 substitutes the number of the product information read in step S102 into n1 and substitutes an initial value 1 into a variable n (step S1061).

  Next, the print data generation unit 202 detects whether or not the combination card condition is set in the card information set in the n-th product information from the plurality of pieces of read product information (step S1062).

  The combination card condition is a condition for printing by combining a print format (card) for printing product information with a special print format (card). For example, a special point is given to the product information to be printed. When a special card is combined with the product information card, whether or not points are set in the “special point 1” column of the read product information is set as a combination card condition for combining the cards (product Special information can be stored along with the information).

When the print data generation unit 202 detects that the combination card condition is set in the read card information, the print data generation unit 202 determines whether the product information to be printed satisfies the combination card condition set in the card information. It is detected (procedure S1063).
On the other hand, when the print data generation unit 202 detects that the card combination condition is not set in the read card information, the processing ends.

  In step S1063, the print data generation unit 202 detects that the product information to be printed satisfies the card combination condition set in the card information (special information such as a combination card is also stored in association with the product information). If so, print data is generated in a mode (combination) in which the relationship between the card on which the product information is printed and the special card is recognized (step S1064).

On the other hand, when the print data generation unit 202 detects that the product information to be printed does not satisfy the card combination condition set in the card information, the process proceeds to step S1065.
Then, the print data generation unit 202 detects whether or not the variable n is equal to or greater than n1 (step S1065). If the variable n is equal to or greater than n1, the process ends. If the variable n is less than n1, n = n + 1. (Step S1066), the procedure returns to Step S1062, and the above-described Steps S1062 to S1065 are repeated by the number of pieces of product information selected for printing.

In the above-described embodiment, the print data generating unit 202 generates print data by combining cards when detecting that the combination card condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the print data may be generated immediately by combining the cards.
In addition, as a card combination condition, a value of a special point may be set, for example, and the print data may be generated by combining the cards only when the value is equal to or more than a predetermined value. May be generated to generate print data.
As above, an example of the print data generation process for the combination card in the print data output device 2 of the present embodiment has been described.

FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart showing the flow of the substitute sheet setting process (step S107) in the print data output device 2 of the present embodiment.
The substitute sheet setting is to detect whether there is a substitute sheet that can be substituted for the selected sheet when the sheet selected by the sheet selection unit 203 or the like cannot be fed due to a shortage of sheets or the like. If the substitute paper can be supplied, the paper to be used for printing is switched to the substitute paper and selected to perform the printing process.

  First, the paper selecting unit 203 determines whether or not the selected paper can be fed in step S104, based on the information stored in the paper information file, Alternatively, it is detected whether the selected sheet is stored in the manual feed tray and the sheet can be fed (whether or not the value of the “remaining number” column of the sheet information file is not 0, etc.) (step S1071).

  When the paper selection unit 203 detects that the selected paper can be fed, that is, the paper selected by the paper selection unit is normally stored in one of the paper feeding cassettes or the manual feed tray of the printing unit 3. If so, the process ends without switching to the alternative paper and selecting it.

  On the other hand, if the paper selection unit 203 detects that the selected paper cannot be fed, that is, if the paper selected by the paper selection unit is normal in any of the paper feed cassettes or the manual feed tray of the printing unit 3 If the value of the “remaining number” column of the paper cassette in which the selected paper is stored is 0 in the paper information file, the paper selection unit 203 It is detected whether or not a substitute sheet that can be substituted for the set sheet can be fed (step S1072).

  As a sheet that can be replaced, a sheet having the same sheet size and a plain sheet can be set. For example, when the special paper of yellow A4 is selected in the paper selection step S104, the “paper name” column of the paper information file of FIG. When it is detected that the value in the "number" column is 0, the value in the "remaining number" column of the cassette 1 storing A4 white paper is detected, and the value in the "remaining number" column is not 0. In this case, A4 white paper is set as the substitute paper, and it is detected that the paper can be fed.

  If the paper selecting unit 203 detects in step S1702 that the alternative paper cannot be fed, the print data output unit 201 displays an error message indicating that there is no paper and stops printing (step S1076). . In addition, it is preferable to control the printing unit 3 by transmitting an error release flag as needed so as not to hinder the next printing of the printing unit 3.

On the other hand, when the paper selection unit 203 detects that the substitute paper can be fed, the paper selection unit 203 switches and selects the paper on which the product information is to be printed (step S1703).
Next, the print data generation unit 202 detects whether or not the previously selected sheet has pre-print information (step S1704). The pre-print information refers to information that is pre-printed on paper. For example, in the case of yellow A4 paper, it is yellow background color information, and in the case of pre-printed paper on which a manufacturer's logo or the like is written. For example, there is printing information such as illustration information such as a logo. The pre-print information can be stored in a paper information file or the like.

  When the print data generation unit 202 detects that the previously selected paper has pre-print information, the print data generation unit 202 generates the print data by including the pre-print information in the information (product information) that is the source of the print data. I do. For example, when printing using alternative paper, if the previously selected paper is yellow paper, pre-print information that colors the background yellow in addition to the product information to be printed is printed information. Print data is generated (step S1075).

  Note that the pre-print information to be added does not necessarily have to be pre-printed or the like on pre-print paper, and for example, both ends are colored yellow or another similar color as shown in FIG. Any print information that is conspicuous to the customer, such as printing a mark on the strips a and a or printing a mark on a circle b colored yellow or another similar color at one corner, may be used. In addition, it may be a band mark printed on one end in yellow, a mark with character information, a mark with a predetermined shape, or the like.

Further, the pre-print information or the like can be stored in, for example, card information or the like, and a storage unit for storing the pre-print information can be separately provided.
On the other hand, if it is detected that the previously selected paper does not have the pre-print information, the process is terminated.
As above, an example of the generation of the print data with the setting process of the substitute paper in the print data output device 2 of the present embodiment has been described.

As described above, the print data output device 2 of the print system of the present embodiment can automatically switch the paper according to the product information.
In the present embodiment, the paper information is associated with a plurality of paper cassettes and a manual feed tray of the printing unit 3 to detect the paper information and switch the paper to be used. A sensor or the like for detecting the type of paper may be provided, and information on the surface of the paper may be detected by the paper detection means to detect the type, remaining amount, and the like of the paper.

Further, by setting an IP address or the like in the printing unit 3, paper management may be performed for a plurality of printers. The paper can be switched by managing the paper feed tray without setting an address or the like.
Further, when the issuance of the POP advertisement or the like is determined, the necessary special paper can be calculated by simulation, and the necessary special paper can be grasped. In such a case, the number of special sheets required for printing is stored in the paper feed tray in advance, and information on the number of special papers stored in each paper feed tray is stored in the print data output device 2. By storing in the storage means, it is possible to detect that the selected sheet cannot be fed by detecting that the stored number of sheets have been printed.
In this case, an input means for setting the number of special sheets to be stored in the sheet cassette in advance may be provided to manage the number of special sheets.

Further, the print data output device 2 of the printing system according to the present embodiment may be configured such that the product information for which printing is instructed includes product information for which the output format needs to be changed, for example, product information subject to reduced tax rates. For example, the product information output data can be output by changing the display mode, such as automatically changing the card (print format or the like), for example, changing to a card capable of displaying a plurality of tax rates.
Thereby, for example, for a product for which a plurality of tax rates are set, a shelf label or the like on which a plurality of tax rates are displayed can be prepared, and the customer can easily understand the tax rate when the customer purchases. be able to.

Further, the print data output device 2 of the printing system according to the present embodiment, when the product information for which printing is instructed includes product information to be printed by combining a special POP or the like, a special POP or the like And print data is output in combination so that the relevance to the product information can be understood.
Thereby, the POP of the product information to be advertised by the special POP can be easily understood, and the handling and arrangement of the special POP can be easily performed.

Further, the print data output device 2 of the printing system according to the present embodiment detects whether or not there is a substitute sheet that can be substituted when the sheet used for printing the product information cannot be fed due to shortage or the like. If there is an alternative sheet, the alternative sheet is switched and selected as the sheet to be used for printing.
If the sheet that cannot be fed is a sheet having special surface information such as a sheet that has been printed in advance, the print data generation unit 202 prints the print data on a special sheet in advance. The print data is generated by including the pre-printed information or information equivalent thereto.
Accordingly, the user can perform printing equivalent to printing on preprinted paper, can continue printing such as POP, and can prevent a decrease in work efficiency.

(Explanation of display screen)
In the print data output device 2 of the present embodiment, the user operates the operation screen displayed on the display unit 23 to issue a print instruction, add / modify product information in the product information file, and edit the card information file. Add, modify, etc. the card information.
Hereinafter, a display screen displayed on the display unit 23 in the print data output device 2 of the present embodiment will be described.

(List entry screen)
The print data output unit 201 of the print data output device 2 displays, on the display unit 23, a list input screen 5 for selecting product information to be printed, adding or modifying product information, and instructing printing.
The list input screen 5 is displayed on the display unit 23 by, for example, operating the “list input” button or the like displayed on the menu screen of the program according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the list input screen 5. The list input screen 5 has a “display item” column 51, a “query selection” column 52, a “list display” column 53, and a “card preview” column 54. By setting the “card preview” column 54 to non-display by the user, the list data of the product information file can be displayed on the entire surface of the “list display” column 53.

  The “list display” column 53 displays product information of the selected products in a list. The item of the item information to be displayed can be set in the “display item” column 51. For example, when the user selects an arbitrary template in the “display item” column 51, the “list display” column 53 displays an arbitrary item of the product information file according to the selected template. In the example shown in FIG. 12, a "JAN / card" template is set in the "display item" column 51, and the "selection" column, "JAN code" column, "Product name" column, "Print instruction 1" column, "Card 1" column, "(Print) number 1" column, "Print instruction 2" column, "Card 2" column, "(Print) number 2" column, " A “sale start date” column, a “sale end date” column, and the like are displayed. The user can display the information hidden to the right by operating the scroll bar 531 arranged below.

  The “card preview” column 54 displays the output (print) state of the product information of the product selected in the “selection” column of the “list display” column 53. The “card preview” section 54 has a “preview” section 541, a “previous article” button 542, a “after article” button 543, and a “detailed information” section 544.

The “Preview” column 541 displays the card on which the product information is printed, and the “Detailed Information” column 544 displays the product information of the card displayed in the “Preview” column 541.
The user can check the print state of the product information in the “preview” column 541, and operates the “previous product” button 542 and the “after product” button 543 to display the product information in the “preview” column 541. Product information can be changed.

  The list input screen 5 has a “menu” button 501, an “list input” button 502, and a “card input” button 503 at the upper position. When the user operates the “menu” button 501, the print data output unit 201 displays a menu screen on the display unit 23. Similarly, when the “card input” button 503 is operated, a card input screen 6 described later is displayed on the display unit 23.

The list input screen 5 has a “new” button 556, a “delete product” button 557, a “preview” button 558, and a “print” button 559 at a lower position of the screen.
When the user operates the “new” button 556, the print data output unit 201 adds one line of data to the “list display” column 53. When the user selects the product information in the “list display” column 53 and operates the “delete product” button 557, the print data output unit 201 deletes the display of the selected product information. When the user selects the product information in the “list display” column 53 and operates the “preview” button 558, the print data output unit 201 displays the print preview screen 7 of the print status of the selected product information on the display unit 23. indicate. The print preview screen 7 will be described later.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, a check is put in the “select” column at the left end of the product information of the products from the first row to the tenth row in the “list display” column 53, and the product information of the ten products is displayed. Selected as a print target. The selected product information is selectively displayed in the “preview” column 541, and the product information to be displayed is changed by operating the “previous product” button 542 and the “after product” button 543. .

“Card A” is set in the “Card 1” column of the selected product information, and printing by card 1 is set in the “Print Instruction 1” column. The number of cards to be printed is one.
In addition, in the merchandise information of the second and fourth lines in the “list display” column 53, “advertisement B” is set in the “card 2” column, and printing by the card 2 is set in the “print instruction 2” column. The number of cards 2 to be printed is one.

  Therefore, when the user operates the “print” button 559 in the state shown in FIG. 12, the print data generation unit 202 determines the products in the first to tenth rows based on the product information and the card information of the card A. Print data is generated based on the merchandise information and the card information of the advertisement B for the merchandise on the second and fourth lines. Then, the print data output unit 201 outputs (transmits) the print data generated by the print data generation unit 202 to the print unit 3. The printing unit 3 that receives the print data prints a shelf label, an advertisement, and the like based on the print data.

(Card selection window)
When the user clicks the “card 1” column 53a and the “card 2” column 53b on the list input screen 5, the print data output unit 201 displays a card selection window 56. The user can set a print format (card information) for printing product information in the card selection window 56.

  FIG. 13A shows an example of the card selection window 56. The card selection window 56 has a “card name narrowing” column 561, a “card attribute list” column 562, and a “card selection” column 563. The print data output unit 201 displays a list of selectable cards in a “card selection” column 563. When the user selects (inverts) a card to be used for printing and operates the “OK” button 564, the print data output unit 201 sets the card selected as Card 1 or Card 2.

  The user can narrow down a card when selecting a card by using a “card name narrowing down” column 561 and a “card attribute list” column 562 of the card selection window 56. Specifically, a part of the name of the card desired to be used is input in the “card name narrowing down” field 561, and the “narrow down” button 561a is operated. Alternatively, a card attribute to be obtained is selected (inverted) from the card attributes displayed in the “card attribute list” column 562. As a result of these operations, the print data output unit 201 generates a card with a name including a part of the card input in the “card name narrowing down” column 561 or a card in which the card attribute selected in the “card attribute list” column 562 is defined. Is displayed in the "card selection" column 563.

FIG. 13B shows the card selection window 56 in which the card attributes are narrowed down by the “card attributes” column 562. When the user selects (inverts) “normal shelf label” and “A4” in the “card attribute” column 562, the print data output unit 201 displays “normal shelf label” and “normal shelf label” in the “card selection” column 563. Only cards (card A, card B) in which the attribute of "A4" is defined are displayed.
As described above, in the print data output device 2 of the present embodiment, when setting card (print format) information for printing print information, the card information can be narrowed down, so that the user can easily select the card. I have to.

(Card input screen)
When the user operates a “card input” button 503 displayed on the menu screen or the list input screen 5, the print data output unit 201 displays the card input screen 6 on the display unit 23.
FIG. 14 shows an example of the card input screen 6. The card input screen 6 has a “card preview” column 61, a “product information” column 62, and a “card selection” column 63. At the upper position of the card input screen 6, a “menu” button 601, a “list input” button 602, a “card input” button 603, and a “card setting” button 604 are provided. When the user operates the “menu” button 601, the print data output unit 201 displays a menu screen on the display unit 23. Similarly, when the “input list” button 602 is operated, the list input screen 5 is displayed on the display unit 23. Similarly, when the “card setting” button 604 is operated, a card setting screen 9 described later is displayed on the display unit 23.

The “product information” column 62 displays product information and the like acquired from the product master database or the like of the head office server 1. When the user clicks the "Card 1" column 63a in the "Card selection" column 63, the print data output unit 201 displays a card selection window 56 shown in FIG. The user can set a card to be used for the product.
When the user clicks the print item 61a in the "card preview" column 61, the print data output unit 201 sets the corresponding portion 62a in the "product information" column 62 to an editable state. The user can change the data at the portion where the editing is enabled.

(Print preview screen)
When the user selects the product information in the “selection” column on the list input screen 5 and operates the “preview” button 558 on the list input screen 5, the print data output unit 201 generates the print data for the selected product. The print data is displayed on the print preview screen 7.
FIG. 15 shows an example of the print preview screen 7. The print preview screen 7 has a “print preview” column 71. The print data output unit 201 displays a “correction” button 721 for correcting the displayed print data on the print preview screen 7.
The print preview screen 7 has a “menu” button 701, an “list input” button 702, an “card input” button 703, and a “card setting” button 704 at the upper position.

In the “Print Preview” field 71 of the print preview screen 7 shown in FIG. 15, the ten product information selected on the list input screen 5 shown in FIG. 12 is printed on A4 paper using the print format of “Card A”. The status of the print data to be printed is displayed. An arrow 711 indicating the paper transport direction is displayed at an appropriate place in the “print preview” column 71.
The print data output unit 201 selects the card displayed in the “print preview” column 71 (indicated by a dotted line 71a in the drawing), and selects the card in order to change the print form. By operating the "" button 721, the card correction screen 8 is displayed.

(Card correction screen)
FIG. 16 shows an example of the card correction screen 8. The card correction screen 8 has a “card preview” section 81 and a “product information” section 82.
The “card preview” column 81 displays the output state of print data used for printing or the like in the form of a card. The “product information” column 82 displays a list of product information items displayed in the “card preview” column 81. Above the “product information” column 82, a “correct” button 821 and a “return” button 822 are provided.
The card correction screen 8 has a “menu” button 801, a “list entry” button 802, a “card entry” button 803, and a “card setting” button 804 at the upper position.

When the user changes the data of the item in the “product information” column 82, the print data generation unit 202 reflects the product information changed by the user on the print data displayed in the “card preview” column 81. The user can check the change state by looking at the “card preview” column 81. In the example shown in FIG. 16, since the user has changed the current selling price data 82a in the "product information" column 82 to 95 yen, the print data generating means 202 corrects the print data, and the "card preview" column 81 in the "card preview" column 81 The display of the selling price item 81a is changed to "95 yen".
Then, when the user operates the “return” button 822, the print data output unit 201 stores the changed contents in the product information storage unit 204, and displays the print preview screen 7, which is the previous screen.

(Card setting screen)
When the user operates a “card setting” button displayed on a menu screen or the like, the print data output unit 201 displays the card setting screen 9 on the display unit 23. The user can set and correct card (print format) information used for printing product information on the card setting screen 9.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the card setting screen 9. The card setting screen 9 has a card design section 91 and a card information section 93. The user can create print format data by arranging various objects in the card design column 91, and create card (print format) information by defining print items of the product information file as objects.
The card information column 93 includes a “(card) name” column 931, a “paper” column 932, a “paper switching setting” column 933, a “card attribute information” column 934, a “card dimension” column 935, and a “expiration date” column 936. Etc.

Above the card information column 93, an “information” button 921, a “combination” button 922, and a “change” button 923 are provided. When the user operates the “combination” button 922, the print data output unit 201 displays a “card combination” window 94 for setting a card combination state. When the user operates the “change” button 923, the print data output unit 201 displays a “card change” window 95 for setting a card change.
Above the card setting screen 9, a “menu” button 901, an “list input” button 902, an “card input” button 903, and a “card setting” button 904 for shifting to a menu screen are provided.

  The card setting screen 9 shown in FIG. 17 defines the card created in the card design column 91 as “Card A” as the name, “A4 white” as the paper, and “Normal shelf label” and “A4” as the card attributes. The size is set to “74 mm × 52.5 mm”. Note that the card size is set to a minimum unit (for example, 37 mm × 26.25 mm) and is set to a size that is an integral multiple of the minimum unit so that the card can be allocated without waste. , An arbitrary dimension may be set.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of the card setting screen 9 in which the “paper switching setting” column 933 is displayed in detail. When the user checks the check box 933 a in the “paper switching setting” column 933 of the card setting screen 9, the print data output unit 201 displays the “paper switching setting” column 933 in detail on the card setting screen 9. The “paper switching setting” column 933 has a “switching paper” column 933b, a “product item link” column 933c, and a “condition setting” column 933d. A “product item link” column 933c indicates items of product information that are targets of a paper switching condition, and a “condition setting” column 933d is a column for setting a paper switching condition.

  When the user sets the switching condition in the “product item link” field 933c and the “condition setting” field 933d and sets the switched paper in the “switching paper” field 933b, the paper The selecting unit 203 selects a sheet to be used for printing according to the set switching condition.

  More specifically, on the card setting screen 9 shown in FIG. 18, “advertisement A” is set in the “card name” column 931 and “A4 white” is set in the “paper” column 932. Then, the check box 933a is checked, and the “paper switching setting” column 933 is displayed in detail. “A4 yellow” is set in the “Switching paper” column 933b of the “Paper switching setting” column 933, “Special sale last date” is set in the “Product item link” column 933c, and “Special sale last” is set in the “Condition setting” column 933d. Date = sale start date ”is set.

  According to the above setting, the paper selecting unit 203 of the print data output device 2 sets the “advertisement A” as the card on which the product information is to be printed, If it is detected that the "sale start date" column is the same, that is, if it is detected that the sale date is only one day, "A4 yellow" is selected as the paper used for printing the product information. Then, it is detected that the "paper switching setting" column 933 is not checked, or the "sale end date" column and "sale start date" column of the product information to be printed are not the same. When detected, "A4 white" set by the card of "advertisement A" is selected as the paper used for printing the product information.

In the example shown in FIG. 18, “the last day of bargain sale” is set as the item of the product information that is the target of the paper switching condition, and “the bargain last date = The "sale start date" is set, but the conditions for switching the paper are not limited to those specifying the date.
For example, it can be set as appropriate according to a product manufacturer, a department to which the product belongs, a plan in a store, and the like.

  FIG. 19 shows another example of the card setting screen 9 in which the “paper switching setting” column 933 is displayed in detail. In the card setting screen 9 shown in FIG. 19, “Card C” is set in the “Card Name” column 931 and “A4 white” is set in the “Paper” column 932. Then, the check box 933a is checked, and the “paper switching setting” column 933 is displayed in detail. In the “paper switching setting” column 933, “A4 pre-print” is set in the “switching paper” column 933b, and “illustration 1”, which is an item of product information, is set in the “switching condition link” column 933c. In the column 933d, "illustration 1 = set exists (data exists)" is set.

  According to the above setting, the paper selecting unit 203 of the print data output apparatus 2 sets “Card C” as the card on which the product information is to be printed, and sets “Card 1” in the “Illustration 1” column of the product information to be printed. When information such as a logo mark is detected, preprinted paper is selected and set as paper used for printing product information. The pre-printed paper is a paper in which a logo mark or the like corresponding to “illustration 1” is pre-printed at an illustration position 91a shown in the card design column 91. If it is detected that the “paper switching setting” column 933 is not checked, or if it is detected that there is no information such as a logo mark in the “illustration 1” column, the paper is changed. Instead, "A4 white" set by the card of "advertisement A" is selected and set as the paper used for printing the product information.

  In the print data output apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, special paper such as colored paper (A4 yellow) or preprinted paper is used according to the paper switching setting on the card setting screen 9 shown in FIGS. If the shortage of the special paper is detected during printing, the printing can be performed using another replaceable paper.

  More specifically, when the color paper (A4 yellow) is set as the paper to be used for printing by the paper switching setting on the card setting screen 9 shown in FIG. Is detected, it is detected whether or not there is another replaceable sheet (for example, A4 blank paper having the same size). If the presence of the replaceable sheet is detected, the substitute sheet is detected. Select and set another possible paper as the paper to be used for printing. At this time, the print data generation unit 202 may newly generate print data by adding yellow background information to normally generated print data.

  When the pre-printed paper (A4 pre-print) is set as the paper to be used for printing by the paper switching setting on the card setting screen 9 shown in FIG. Is detected, it is detected whether or not there is another replaceable sheet (for example, A4 blank paper having the same size). If the presence of the replaceable sheet is detected, the substitute sheet is detected. Select and set another possible paper as the paper to be used for printing. At this time, the print data generation unit 202 may generate print data by adding preprint information (such as a logo mark) to the normally generated print data.

  FIG. 20 shows an example of the card setting screen 9 on which the “card combination” window 94 is displayed. When the user operates the “combination” button 922 on the card setting screen 9 and checks the “set of card combination condition” check box 941 in the “card combination” window 94, the print data output unit 201 A “card combination” window 94 is displayed on the setting screen 9.

  The “card combination” window 94 has a “merchandise item link” column 942a, a “condition setting” column 942b, a “combination card 1” column 943a, and a “(combination) position” column 942b. A “merchandise item link” column 942a indicates items of merchandise information that is a target of card combination conditions, and a “condition setting” column 942b is a column for setting card combination conditions, and a “combination card 1” column 943a. Is a column for setting a card to be combined, and a “(combination) position” column 942b is a column for setting the position of a card to be combined.

  The card setting screen 9 shown in FIG. 20 is obtained by displaying a “card combination” window 94 on the card setting screen 9 in which “card A” is set as the card 1. Then, "special point 1" is set in the "item link" field 942a, "with value set" is set in the "condition setting" field 942b, and "spotter" cards are set in the "combination card 1" field 943a. Is set, and “left” is set in the “combination position” column 943b.

  According to the above setting, the print data generation unit 202 determines that the special information (point value) is set in the item “special point 1” of the product information in which “card A” is set as the card to be printed. That is, for a product that satisfies the conditions for combining cards, print data based on special information is generated in addition to print data normally generated based on the product information and card (print format) information of card A.

  At this time, the print data generation unit 202 generates normal print data generated based on the product information and the print layout (card information) of “Card A”, the special information, and the card information (layout for “spotter”). ), Print data is generated by arranging the print data generated side by side, and the like, so that the special information is related to the product information.

  Specifically, as shown in the card design field 91 of the card setting screen 9 shown in FIG. 20, the print data generation unit 202 compares the normal print data (right side) of the product information with the layout of “card A” with the “s Generate print data by arranging and combining print data (left side) of special information in a layout for "potter".

  FIGS. 21A and 21B show examples of print media printed by combining print data of the product information in the layout of the "card A" and print data of special information in the layout of "spotter". The example shown in FIG. 21 shows a print state when a print instruction is issued for ten products selected on the list input screen 5 shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 shows prints A1 and B1 of normal print data based on the layout of “Card A” of the product information and special information of two products for which “special point 1” is set among the 10 product information items. The print data A2 and B2 by the print data “for spotter” are adjacent to each other, and are printed so as to be understood to be related.
In FIG. 21A, the print A1 and the print A2 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, and the print B1 and the print B2 are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. The direction in which the print data (right side) of the special information and the print data of the special information by the layout for “spotter” are adjacent is not limited.
In FIG. 21B, the print A1 and the print A2 are replaced with the normal print data (right side) of the product information according to the layout of the “card A” and the “spotter”, as if the prints were upside down. There is no limitation on the direction of the print data of the special information according to the layout of the above.
As described above, waste of paper can be eliminated by appropriately controlling the orientation and the adjacent direction.
However, the user may set the adjacent direction or the printing direction in advance so that the printing can be performed in the set direction or the printing direction.

  Specifically, the special information “for spotters” indicating that 100 points are given to the prints A1 and B1 in the layout of “card A” of the canned coffee on the first line and the tea on the third line Are printed adjacent to each other. The user can easily recognize that the printing of the canned coffee on the first line and the tea on the third line are related to the printing by “for spotter”.

  In the above embodiment, the "combination position" column 943b of the combination card is set on the left side, but the number of cards to be combined is not limited to one. Further, the positional relationship for associating the product information with the special information is not limited to left and right. Furthermore, two or more cards can be combined by setting in the "combination card 2" column 944a and the "position" column 944b of the "setting of card combination condition" column 54.

  Also, the combination card is not limited to a card such as a POP card to be shown to the customer. For example, a card used by an employee who describes the purchase time and purchase amount of a product is set as the combination card. Is also good.

  In addition, as a method of printing so that the relationship between the main body card indicating the normal product information and the combination card can be understood, in addition to printing adjacent to the main body card and the combination card, printing is performed so that the main body card and the combination card are surrounded by a specific frame. May be. In addition, a mark or the like that is understood to be related to a part of the main body card or the combination card may be printed. Further, a part of the main body card or the like may be printed on the back surface of the combination card so that the association between the main body card and the combination card can be understood.

Further, when printing the combination card, the print data output unit 201 controls the order in which the product information is output, such as printing the product information to be printed by combining the cards first, to reduce waste of paper. It is preferable to do so.
In addition, the print data output unit 201 can also sequentially output according to the type of the product so that, for example, a card indicating the product information regarding the beverage and a card indicating the product information regarding the food are not mixed. In the example of the printing state, the merchandise information having the combination card is output first, and thereafter, the merchandise information regarding the beverage and the merchandise information regarding the food are output in this order.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the print data output unit 201 outputs and prints the product information output data of the combination card so that the relevance to the product information output data of the normal product information card can be understood. Therefore, the user can intuitively understand the relationship between the two cards, and can appropriately place the combination card at the counter or the like.

  FIG. 22 shows an example of the card setting screen 9 on which the “change card” window 95 is displayed. When the user operates the “change” button 923 on the card setting screen 9 and checks the “set card change condition” check box 951 in the “card change” window 95, the print data output unit 201 sets “ "Change card" window 95 is displayed.

  The “change card” window 95 has a “item link” column 952a, a “condition setting” column 952b, and a “change card” column 953. A "product item link" column 952a indicates items of product information that are subject to a card change condition, and a "condition setting" column 952b is a column for setting a card change condition, and a "change card" column. A column 953 is for setting a card after the change.

  The card setting screen 9 shown in FIG. 22 shows a state in which a “card change” window 95 is displayed on the card setting screen 9 in which “card A” is set as the print layout. A “product tax link” column 952a has a “reduced tax rate target” item set therein, a “change setting” column 952b has “value set”, and a “change card” column 953 has a “card D” card set. ing.

  With the above settings, if “card A” is set as the print layout, the print data output unit 201 checks whether a value is set (checked) in the item of “reduced tax rate target” in the product information to be printed. If a value is set (checked) in the item of “reduced tax rate target” of the product information to be printed, that is, a reduced tax rate for which a plurality of tax rates are set according to purchase conditions for the product to be printed If the product is a target product, the format used for printing the product information is changed from "Card A" to "Card D", and based on the product information and the card information (format) of "Card D". Generate print data.

Note that the card design field 91 of the card setting screen 9 shown in FIG. 22 displays the printing state of the reduced tax rate target product based on the product information and the print data generated based on the card information of “Card D”.
As shown in the card design column 91, the product is set with a tax rate for two purchase conditions of eat-in (when eating and drinking the purchased product in the store) and eat-out (when bringing the purchased product home). It is displayed.

  FIG. 23 shows an example of a print medium in a case where a product to be printed includes a product subject to the reduced tax rate. The example shown in FIG. 23 is a print state when a print instruction is issued for the product information of ten items selected on the list input screen shown in FIG. The print data generation unit 202 determines that the card information (layout) of the normal “Card A” is used for eight products (first products) of which the value is not set to “reduced tax rate target” among the ten product information. ) To generate print data. Then, for the two products (second products) of the “reduced tax rate target”, the card information (layout) of “card D” corresponding to the reduced tax rate instead of the card information (layout) of the normal “card A” Is generated based on the print data.

  Specifically, for the “roll bread” on line 5 and the “curry bread” on line 8 of the product information file, print data is generated based on the card information (layout) of “card D” corresponding to the reduced tax rate. Have been. In the above embodiment, when the product is a product subject to the reduced tax rate (second product), one piece of card information (card D) is automatically set, but is not limited to this example. It is not done. For example, the print data output unit 201 may display a plurality of compatible card (layout) candidates on the display unit 23. The user can select from the candidates displayed on the display unit 23.

  Further, in the print data output device 2 of the present embodiment, the user directly selects a card corresponding to a plurality of tax rates as the “card 1” set in the product information on the card input screen 6 to perform printing. The data generation unit 202 may generate print data corresponding to a plurality of tax rates.

  FIG. 24 shows the card input screen 6 in a state where a card (layout) corresponding to a plurality of tax rates is selected. In the card input screen 6, when the user clicks the "Card 1" column 63a in the "Card selection" column 63, the print data output unit 201 displays a card selection window 56 shown in FIG. When the user reverses and narrows down the “multiple tax rates” attribute from the card attributes displayed in the “card attribute list” column 562 of the card selection window 56, the print data output unit 201 outputs the “card selection” column 563. Only the cards with multiple tax rate attributes defined. The user may select an arbitrary card from the cards displayed in the “select card” column 563.

Specifically, in the card input screen 6 shown in FIG. 24, the user sets “Card D” in which the card attribute of the reduced tax rate is defined in the “Card 1” column 63a, so that the print data generation unit 202 generates print data based on the card D, and the print data output means 201 displays in the “card preview” column 61 the selling price (150 yen) at the time of eat-in generated by the print data generating means 202 and the time of take-out The print data of the layout in which the sales price (147 yen) is described is displayed.
As described above, for a product for which a plurality of tax rates are set, the normal tax rate and the reduced tax rate are printed side by side on a shelf label, a POP, or the like. It is possible to easily recognize the price of the product.

  Further, printing at a plurality of tax rates can also be exerted by using the combination card. For example, in the setting of the card combination condition, by setting the “reduced tax rate target” item as the product item link and setting that the item is checked as the combination condition, the product information satisfying the combination condition is Alternatively, the reduced tax rate card can be printed side by side in combination with the normal tax rate card.

In addition, even if a product is subject to the reduced tax rate, some stores may only sell at the normal tax rate, or may only sell at the reduced tax rate. In such a case, in the card selection window 56 shown in FIG. 13, the card attributes are narrowed down by an attribute such as “only reduced tax rate” to narrow down the cards to print only the reduced tax rate. By selecting, the card can be printed by a card (layout) on which only the reduced tax rate is printed.
When a predetermined condition is satisfied by linking the display of a plurality of tax rates to a predetermined condition such as store information, a card for printing only the normal tax rate or only the reduced tax rate is automatically set. Can also be controlled.

The means for making the printing format of the first product different from the printing format of the second product is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, for each tax rate, at least one of the font, character color, background, size, etc. Either one may be different.
As described above, in the print data output apparatus according to the present embodiment, for a product for which a plurality of tax rates are set according to the purchase conditions, normal printing is performed such that the product is automatically recognized as a target product of a plurality of tax rates. Since the printing is performed in a printing mode different from the mode, the purchaser can easily understand the tax rate at the time of purchase.
It is needless to say that the above embodiments do not limit the invention described in the claims but are treated as examples.

1: Headquarters server 2: Print data output device 3: Printing means 21: Controller 201: Print data output means 202: Print data generation means 203: Paper selection means 204: Product information storage means 205: Card information storage means 206: Paper information Storage unit 207: Communication unit 22: Input unit 23: Display unit 31: Controller 32: Printer engine 301: Print control unit 302: Engine control unit 303: Paper detection unit

Claims (3)

A printing system for printing specified product information on a print medium,
Storage means for storing the product information;
Print data generating means for generating print data based on the product information,
The print data generation unit, when the storage unit also stores special information related to the product information, associates the product information with the special information based on the product information and the special information. And a print system that generates print data in a manner that the print data can be recognized. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print data generation unit arranges the print data based on the product information and the print data based on the special information so as to be adjacent to each other. A program for printing designated product information on a print medium,
On the computer,
A procedure for detecting whether or not the storage unit has special information related to the designated product information;
When it is detected that the storage unit has the special information, the print data is displayed in such a manner that the product information and the special information are related based on the product information and the special information. To generate the
The program to execute.

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