JP2022142636A - Label printer and control program of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a label including a period longer than a date as information expressing timing of an event to be printed.SOLUTION: A label printer according to an embodiment comprises: a print device; decision means; print means; acquisition means; and determination means. The print device prints an image on a label sheet. The decision means decides print information for the label sheet. The print means causes the print device to print the print information decided by the decision means on the label sheet. The acquisition means acquires timing information expressing timing at which the decision means decides the print information. The determination means determines whether or not the timing expressed by the timing information acquired by the acquisition means belongs to any of a plurality of periods. The decision means includes an identification name of the period determined by the determination means in the print information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a label printer and its control program.

Some label printers have a function of automatically printing the date on which the label is printed as the date of processing or the date of manufacture.
However, if the date is displayed, even if the quality of the product is sufficiently maintained, it gives the purchaser the impression that the product with an earlier date is outdated. There was a risk that people would hold back on buying based on a false impression.
Under such circumstances, it has been desired to be able to print a label containing a period longer than the date as information indicating the timing of an event such as processing.

JP 2019-45986 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a label printer and its control program capable of printing a label containing a period longer than a date as information representing the timing of an event.

A label printer of an embodiment comprises a printing device, a determining means, a printing means, an obtaining means and a determining means. The printing device prints the image on the label paper. The determining means determines print information to be printed on the label paper. The printing means causes the print information determined by the determining means to be printed on the label paper by the printing device. The acquiring means acquires timing information representing the timing at which the deciding means decides the print information. The determining means determines to which of the plurality of periods the timing represented by the timing information acquired by the acquiring means belongs. The determination means also includes the identification name of the period determined by the determination means in the print information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the main parts of the label printer according to one embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of one piece of format-related setting data; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of a group of set values relating to the print area for the item “processing date”; Flowchart of processing routine for format selection and editing. Flowchart of processing routine for format selection and editing. The figure which shows a selection screen as an example. The figure which shows the edit screen as an example. The figure which shows the setting confirmation screen as an example. The figure which shows the setting screen as an example. Flowchart of a processing routine for date and time change. The figure which shows the date-and-time setting screen as an example. 4 is a flow chart of a processing routine for label printing; The figure which shows a label image as an example.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the essential circuitry of a label printer 1 according to this embodiment.
The label printer 1 includes a processor 11 , memory unit 12 , hardware clock 13 , display unit 14 , input unit 15 , print unit 16 , interface unit 17 and transmission line 18 .

Processor 11 can communicate with memory unit 12 , hardware clock 13 , display unit 14 , input unit 15 , print unit 16 and interface unit 17 via transmission line 18 . A computer for controlling the label printer 1 is configured by connecting the processor 11 and the memory unit 12 via a transmission line 18 .

The processor 11 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 11 executes information processing for realizing various functions of the label printer 1 according to information processing programs such as an operating system, firmware, and application programs. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit).

The memory unit 12 corresponds to the main memory and auxiliary memory of the computer. Memory unit 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The memory unit 12 stores the above information processing program in a nonvolatile memory area. The memory unit 12 may store data necessary for the processor 11 to execute information processing in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The memory unit 12 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11 . Non-volatile memory areas are, for example, ROM (read only memory) and EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory) storage areas. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (random access memory) storage area. The non-volatile memory area may be, for example, a storage area such as an HDD (hard disc drive) or an SSD (solid state drive). The memory unit 12 uses a non-volatile memory area as an area for storing data used when the processor 11 performs various types of processing, data created by the processing in the processor 11, and the like.

One of the information processing programs stored in the memory unit 12 is the control program PR. The control program PR is an information processing program describing information processing for controlling the operation of the label printer 1 including control processing to be described later.

The hardware clock 13 always keeps time and outputs date information. Date information indicates at least the month and day. In this embodiment, the date information indicates year, month, day, hour, minute, and second. That is, in this embodiment, the date information indicates date and time. Hardware clock 13 may be replaced by a software clock, such as a system clock managed by an operating system.

The display unit 14 performs various display operations for notifying the operator of various information. As the display unit 14, known display devices such as a screen display device such as a liquid crystal display and a light emitting device such as an LED lamp can be used singly or in combination. A display device included in the display unit 14 is, for example, a display device provided in a touch panel.

The input unit 15 inputs various instructions from the operator. As the input unit 15, well-known input devices such as touch sensors, key switches and keyboards can be used singly or in combination. An input device included in the input unit 15 is, for example, a touch sensor provided in the above touch panel.

The print unit 16 prints a label image representing characters and the like on the label paper pasted on one side of the mount while conveying the long and narrow mount. The mount and label paper are typically made of paper, but may be made of a material other than paper, such as resin. Also, the materials of the backing paper and the label paper may be different from each other. The printing unit may employ any of various well-known printing methods such as thermal, thermal transfer, dot impact, or inkjet. This print unit 16 is an example of a print device.

The interface unit 17 performs communication processing for exchanging data with an external information terminal device or the like. As the interface unit 17, for example, a well-known communication device conforming to the LAN (local area network) standard or the USB (universal serial bus) standard can be used.
The transmission line 18 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc., and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected units.

Data stored in the memory unit 12 includes a setting data group DA. The setting data group DA is a set of setting data regarding various settings related to the operation of the label printer 1 . One of the setting data represents the format of the label image to be printed on the label. The setting data group DA can contain a plurality of setting data regarding different formats. One of the setting data indicates the start date and end date of each period in association with the identification name of each of a plurality of periods applied to year-month-season print to be described later. Thus, by storing the setting data, the memory unit 12 corresponds to storage means for storing the range of each of the plurality of periods and the identification name of each of the plurality of periods in association with each other.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of one format-related setting data DAA.
The setting data DAA are associated with one format. The format defines multiple print areas within the label image as areas for printing information about different items. The setting data DAA includes fields FAA, FAB, FAC, FAD . . . Field FAA is set with a format number as an identifier of the associated format. A format name as an identification name of the associated format is set in the field FAB. After the field FAC, area data relating to each print area defined by the associated format is set. The number of print areas is arbitrary for each format. Therefore, the number of fields after the field FAC included in the setting data DAA varies depending on how many print areas are set in the format associated with the setting data DAA.
One region data is associated with one print region and includes fields FBA, FBB, FBC. Field FBA is set with an area number as an identifier of the associated print area. A field FBB is set with an item number as an identifier of an item relating to the associated print area. A field FBC is set with a group of setting values for the associated print area. A setting value group includes a plurality of setting values. What setting values are included in the set value group changes depending on which item the associated print area relates to.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the set value group regarding the print area for the item "processing date".
The set value group shown in FIG. 3 includes set values VAA, VAB, VAC, VAD, VAE, VAF, VAG, and VAH.
All of the set values VAA to VAH indicate various settings related to characters to be printed in the corresponding print area to represent the date of processing. The set value VAA indicates the type of character. The set value VAB indicates the magnification of characters. The setting VAC indicates the orientation angle of the character. The set value VAD indicates the arrangement of characters within the print area. The set value VAE indicates the number of characters. The set value VAF indicates the expression pattern of the processing date. The set value VAG is an era name flag that indicates whether or not characters representing the era name are included. The set value VAH is a year-month-season flag indicating whether to apply the year-month-season display.

Next, the operation of the label printer 1 configured as described above will be described. It should be noted that the contents of the processing described below are only examples, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add other processes as appropriate.
The label printer 1 is used, for example, to issue labels to be affixed to products displayed and sold in stores.

The processor 11 executes a processing routine for format selection and editing according to the control program PR in response to the operator declaring that the format will be selected by a predetermined operation on the input unit 15, for example.
4 and 5 are flowcharts of processing routines for format selection and editing.

As ACT 11, the processor 11 causes the display unit 14 to display a selection screen. The selection screen is a screen for allowing the operator to select one of the formats represented by the setting data included in the setting data group DA.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a selection screen SCA as an example.
The selection screen SCA represents a key group KAA and a plurality of soft keys such as a soft key KAB that are not included in the key group KAA.
Key group KAA includes a plurality of soft keys for the operator to designate any one of the formats represented by the setting data included in setting data group DA. In the example of FIG. 6, the topmost soft key is an operation key for designating a format with a format number of "1" and a format name of "AAA". and "AAA".
Other soft keys such as soft key KAB are operation keys associated with each of a plurality of functions designated by processor 11 on selection screen SCA and for designating the function as a function to be executed. The soft key KAB is an operation key for designating format editing as a function to be executed.
These softkeys are GUI (graphical user interface) elements for the processor 11 to receive an operator's operation on the selection screen. Other display elements of the selection screen SCA may also be GUI elements.

As ACT 12 in FIG. 4, the processor 11 confirms whether or not one of the formats has been specified. If the event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO and proceeds to ACT13.
In ACT 13, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the function to be executed has been designated. If the event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO and returns to ACT12.
Thus, processor 11, for ACT 12 and ACT 13, waits for formats or functions to be specified.

The operator designates one of the formats by a predetermined operation such as tapping a soft key associated with the desired format among the key group KAA on the selection screen SCA. Then, if such an operation is input by the input unit 15, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT12 and proceeds to ACT14.
As ACT 14, processor 11 sets the specified format as a valid format. The processor 11 then returns to the standby state of ACT12 and ACT13. Note that the processor 11 highlights softkeys associated with formats set as valid formats by a predetermined method. In the selection screen SCA shown in FIG. 6, the processor 11 displays a highlight by displaying a thick line frame surrounding the topmost soft key. That is, the selection screen SCA shown in FIG. 6 represents a situation in which the format with the format name "AAA" is set as the valid format.

When the operator finishes selecting the format and proceeds to some treatment, the operator performs a predetermined operation such as tapping a soft key associated with the function for that treatment. If such an operation is input by the input unit 15, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT13 and proceeds to ACT15.
In ACT 15, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the specified function is format editing. Then, if the corresponding event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO, and proceeds to the processing relating to the specified function. For example, the operator performs a predetermined operation such as tapping a soft key for designating label printing using a valid format as the function to be executed. After confirming that this operation has been input by the input unit 15, the processor 11 shifts to a processing routine for label printing, which will be described later. However, the description of other processes of the processor 11 after the determination of NO in ACT15 will be omitted.

If the operator wants to edit the valid format, he performs a predetermined operation such as tapping the soft key KAB in FIG. If the processor 11 proceeds to ACT15 in response to such an operation being input by the input unit 15, it determines YES in ACT15 and proceeds to ACT16.
As ACT 16, the processor 11 causes the display unit 14 to display an edit screen. The editing screen is a screen for receiving various specifications related to editing of the effective format.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an editing screen SCB as an example.
The edit screen SCB represents GUI elements for designating one of the items for each of the print areas included in the effective format. The GUI elements of interest include display areas ABA, ABB and softkeys KBA, KBB. The processor 11 displays the item number and item name for one item in the display areas ABA and ABB, respectively. The soft keys KBA and KBB are operation keys for instructing forward and reverse feed of the items displayed in the display areas ABA and ABB, respectively.
The edit screen SCB also displays a plurality of soft keys including the soft key KAC in addition to the soft keys KBA and KBB. These soft keys are operation keys for designating functions associated with them as functions to be executed. The soft key KAC is an operation key for the operator to designate a function to edit an item set as a target item, as will be described later.

As ACT 17, the processor 11 confirms whether or not one of the items has been specified. If the event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO and proceeds to ACT18.
As ACT 18, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the function to be executed has been designated. If the event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO and returns to ACT17.
Thus, processor 11, for ACT 17 and ACT 18, waits for items or functions to be specified.

The operator designates one of the items by a predetermined operation such as tapping soft keys KBA and KBB. Then, if such an operation is input by the input unit 15, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT17 and proceeds to ACT19.
As ACT 19, the processor 11 sets the specified item as an item to be edited. For example, every time one of the soft keys KBA and KBB is tapped, the processor 11 changes the items representing the item numbers and item names in the display areas ABA and ABB, and sets the items as target items. The processor 11 then returns to the standby state of ACT17 and ACT18.

When the operator finishes selecting items and proceeds to some action, the operator performs a predetermined operation such as tapping any soft key other than the soft keys KBA and KBB, for example. At this time, if the operator wants to edit the target item, he/she performs a predetermined operation such as tapping the soft key KBC in FIG. If such an operation is input by the input unit 15, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT18 and proceeds to ACT20.
As ACT 20, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the specified function is item editing. Then, if the corresponding event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO, and proceeds to the processing relating to the specified function. For example, when finishing editing and returning to format selection, the operator performs a preliminary operation such as tapping a soft key for designating the return as a function to be executed. After confirming that this operation has been input by the input unit 15, the processor 11 returns to, for example, ACT11. However, a description of the processing of the processor 11 after ACT 20 determines NO will be omitted.

The processor 11 determines YES in ACT 20 if the operation that triggered the process to proceed to ACT 20 is an operation for specifying a function to edit an item, such as tapping the soft key KBC. Proceed to ACT21.
As ACT 21, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the target item is "processing date". If the corresponding event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO, and proceeds to processing for editing the target item. However, the explanation of the processing of the processor 11 after it is determined as NO in ACT21 will be omitted.

On the other hand, if the target item is "processing date", the processor 11 determines YES in ACT21, and proceeds to ACT22 in FIG.
As ACT 22, the processor 11 causes the display unit 14 to display a setting confirmation screen. The setting confirmation screen is a screen for allowing the operator to confirm the current setting status of the "processing date".
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a setting confirmation screen SCC as an example.
The setting confirmation screen SCC shows display areas ACA, ACB, ACC, ACD, ACE and soft keys KCA, KCB, KCC, KCD, KCE.
The display areas ACA to ACE are areas for displaying the contents of each set value included in the set value group regarding the print area for the item "processing date". The processor 11 displays the type indicated by the set value VAA in the display area ACA. The processor 11 displays the magnification indicated by the set value VAB in the display area ACB. The processor 11 displays the angle indicated by the set value VAC in the display area ACC. The processor 11 displays the layout indicated by the set value VAD and the number of characters indicated by the set value VAE in the display area ACD. The processor 11 displays the pattern indicated by the set value VAF in the display area ACE.
Soft keys KCA-KCE are associated with display areas ACA-ACE, respectively, and are located to the left of their associated display areas. The soft keys KCA to KCE are operation keys for the operator to specify changes in the set values whose contents are displayed in the associated display areas ACA to ACE.
The setting confirmation screen SCC includes, in addition to the soft keys KCA to KCE, a plurality of soft keys such as the soft key KCF for designating other functions as functions to be executed. Other display elements of the setting confirmation screen SCC may also be GUI elements.

As ACT 23 in FIG. 5, the processor 11 confirms whether or not one of the setting items related to "processing date" has been specified. If the event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO and proceeds to ACT24.
As ACT 24, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the function to be executed has been specified. If the event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO and returns to ACT24.
Thus, processor 11, for ACT 23 and ACT 24, waits for items or functions to be specified.

When the operator wants to execute some function other than changing the setting related to "processing date", the operator performs a predetermined operation such as tapping a soft key other than the soft keys KCA to KCE. If such an operation is input by the input unit 15, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT 24, and proceeds to processing regarding the specified function. For example, if the operator wishes to return the display on the display unit 14 to the editing screen, the operator performs a predetermined operation such as tapping the soft key KCF for designating the function to be returned. After confirming that this operation has been input by the input unit 15, the processor 11 returns to, for example, ACT 16 in FIG. However, description of other processes of the processor 11 after the determination of NO in ACT24 will be omitted.

If the operator wants to change the setting related to the "processing date", the operator taps the soft keys KCA to KCE associated with the display area showing the setting content to be changed among the display areas ACA to ACE. Specify the setting value to be changed by the specified operation. Then, if such an operation is input by the input unit 15, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT23 and proceeds to ACT25.
In ACT 25, the processor 11 confirms whether or not "print pattern" has been specified as a change target. A print pattern is an expression pattern when printing a date representing a processing date. For example, "21.12.31", "2021.12.31", "12.31.2021" are examples of print patterns. If the designated item is not "print pattern", the processor 11 determines NO, and proceeds to processing for changing the setting of the designated item. However, the description of the processing of the processor 11 after the determination of NO in ACT25 will be omitted.

The processor 11 determines YES in ACT25 if the item "print pattern" is specified by tapping the soft key KCE, for example, and proceeds to ACT26.
As ACT 26, the processor 11 causes the display unit 14 to display a setting screen. The setting screen is a screen containing GUI elements for setting the print pattern.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a setting screen SCD as an example.
The setting screen SCD is a screen showing a window WDA superimposed on the setting confirmation screen SCC.
A window WDA represents softkeys KDA, KDB, and KDC each associated with a plurality of print patterns. Window WDA displays two softkeys KDD and KDE for designating "yes" and "no" of era name printing, respectively. The window WDA displays two soft keys KDF and KDG for designating "yes" and "no" of year-month-season print, respectively. A window WDA displays soft keys KDH and KDI for designating cancellation or execution of the change of the print pattern settings, respectively.

As ACT 27 in FIG. 5, the processor 11 confirms whether or not a change in the setting regarding the print pattern has been specified. If the event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO and proceeds to ACT28.
In ACT 28, the processor 11 confirms whether execution of setting change is specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm the relevant event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT29.
In ACT 29, the processor 11 confirms whether or not cancellation of the setting change has been designated. If the event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO and returns to ACT27.
Thus, the processor 11 waits for ACT27 to ACT29 to specify any of change, execution and cancellation.

If the operator changes the print pattern to be applied to the print area of the "process date" among the plurality of print patterns, for example, the software associated with the changed print pattern among the soft keys KDA, KDB, and KDC. A predetermined operation such as tapping a key designates a change in the print pattern. If the operator wants to print the era name in the print area of "processing date", he/she designates change to "yes" printing of the era name by a predetermined operation such as tapping the soft key KDD. If the operator does not want the era name to be printed in the print area of "processing date", the operator designates a change to "no" printing of the era name by a predetermined operation such as tapping the soft key KDE. . If the operator wants to apply the year/month/month to printing in the print area of the "processing date", the operator can change the year/month/season print to "yes" by a predetermined operation such as tapping the soft key KDF. specify. If the operator does not want to print the year/month/season in the print area of "processing date", the operator can change the year/month/season print to "no" by a predetermined operation such as tapping the soft key KDG. specify.
Note that the year, month, and month refers to a form such as "early January, 2021", for example.

The processor 11 determines YES in ACT 27 and proceeds to ACT 30 when the above-described operation for designating a change is input by the input unit 15 .
As ACT 30 processor 11 reserves the specification of the changes that have been made. The processor 11 stores in the memory unit 12, for example, pending data representing the latest designations for each of the print pattern, era name print, and year/month/month print. The processor 11 then returns to the standby state of ACT27-ACT29. Note that the processor 11 highlights the softkey corresponding to the setting represented by the reserved data by a predetermined method. In the setting screen SCD shown in FIG. 9, the processor 11 highlights the soft keys KDA, KDE, and KDF by enclosing them with thick-line frames. That is, the setting screen SCD shown in FIG. 9 represents a situation in which the print pattern "YY.MM.DD", the era name print "absent", and the year/month/season print "yes" are the latest designations.

The processor 11 determines YES in ACT 28 and proceeds to ACT 31 when the above-described operation for designating execution of change is input by the input unit 15 .
As ACT 31, the processor 11 reflects the pending designation to the setting. For example, the processor 11 updates the form data included in the setting data group DA in accordance with the change specification indicated in the pending data. The processor 11 then returns to ACT22.
It should be noted that the processor 11 determines YES in ACT29 and returns to ACT22 without executing ACT31 if the above operation for designating cancellation of change is input by the input unit 15 .
As described above, the operator can arbitrarily set for each format whether or not year/month/month printing is to be applied with respect to printing of the processing date.

The processor 11 executes a processing routine for changing the date and time according to the control program PR in response to the operator declaring that the date and time will be set by a predetermined operation on the input unit 15, for example.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a processing routine for changing the date and time.

As ACT 41, the processor 11 causes the display unit 14 to display a date and time setting screen.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a date and time setting screen SCE as an example.
The date and time setting screen SCE shows display areas AEA and AEB for date and time. The processor 11 also uses these display areas AEA and AEB as input areas as GUI elements. The processor 11 displays the date and time indicated by the date information output by the hardware clock 13 in the display areas AEA and AEB in real time. The date and time setting screen SCE sets an identification name, a start date and an end date for each of a plurality of periods to be applied to the year-month-season print based on the setting data included in the setting data group DA and representing them. show. In the present embodiment, three periods are applied to the year/month/season print, and their identification names are defined as "early", "mid", and "late". In this embodiment, the processor 11 includes displays such as "early 1st to 10th", "midly 11th to 20th", and "late 21st to last day" on the date setting screen. Then, the processor 11 displays the end dates of the periods with the identifiers "early" and "mid" in the display areas AEC and AED, respectively. The processor 11 also uses the display areas AEC and AED as input areas as GUI elements.

As ACT 42 in FIG. 10, the processor 11 waits for any operation on the date and time setting screen.
For example, if the operator wishes to correct the date information output by the hardware clock 13, the operator performs a predetermined operation such as tapping either of the display areas AEA and AEB. If the operator wants to change the end date of the period whose identification name is "early", the operator performs a predetermined operation such as tapping the display area AEC. Also, if the operator wants to change the end date of the period whose identification name is "mid", the operator performs a predetermined operation such as tapping the display area AED. Then, the operator operates the input unit 15 so as to input the changed value in the tapped display area.

The processor 11 determines YES in ACT 42 and proceeds to ACT 43 if any operation such as the above operation is input through the input unit 15 .
As ACT 43, the processor 11 confirms whether or not a value relating to the end date of the period whose identification name is "early" has been input. If the processor 11 can confirm the event, it determines YES, and proceeds to ACT44.

As ACT 44, the processor 11 updates the setting data, which is included in the setting data group DA and represents the setting regarding the period to be applied to the year/month/month print, according to the operation performed. For example, the processor 11 rewrites the end date associated with the identifier "early" in the relevant setting data with the input value, and changes the start date associated with the identifier "mid" to Rewrite to a value that is one larger than the entered value. The processor 11 then returns to the standby state of ACT42.

On the other hand, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT 43 and proceeds to ACT 45 unless a value relating to the end date of the period with the identification name "early" has been input.
As ACT 45, the processor 11 confirms whether or not a value relating to the end date of the period whose identifier is "mid" has been input. If the processor 11 can confirm the event, it determines YES, and proceeds to ACT46.
As ACT 46, the processor 11 updates the setting data, which is included in the setting data group DA and represents the setting regarding the period to be applied to the year/month/month print, according to the operation performed. For example, the processor 11 rewrites the end date associated with the identification name "late" in the corresponding setting data to the value input in the display area AEC, and the end date indicated in association with the identification name "late". Overwrites the start date with a value that is one larger than the entered value. The processor 11 then returns to the standby state of ACT42.
As a result of the processor 11 executing information processing based on the control program, the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as updating means.

On the other hand, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT 45 unless a value has been input to the display area for the end date of the period with the identification name "mid", and proceeds to processing according to the operation performed. For example, if a value is entered in the date display area, the processor 11 causes the hardware clock 13 to adjust the date managed by the hardware clock 13 to match the value entered in the display area AEA. instruct. However, the description of other processes of the processor 11 after the determination of NO in ACT15 will be omitted.
As described above, the operator can arbitrarily change the start date and end date of each period applied to year-month-season print.

In this embodiment, the start date of the period of the identification name "early" is fixed to "1st", and the end date of the period of the identification name "late" is fixed to the "last day". Also, the start dates of the periods of the identifiers "mid" and "late" are the days following the end dates of the periods of the identifiers "early" and "mid". Therefore, values representing these days may not be included in the configuration data. However, values for these days are also included in the setting data, and after receiving an operation to input the changed values, the processor 11 changes the values in the setting data according to the operation. may

The processor 11 executes a processing routine for label printing according to the control program PR in response to the operator instructing the start of label printing operation by a predetermined operation on the input unit 15, for example. do.
FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a processing routine for label printing.

As ACT 51, the processor 11 acquires information on various items to be indicated on the label based on the effective format. The information acquired here includes, for example, product names, unit prices, manufacturer information, barcodes, and the like. Various types of information may be acquired, for example, by manual input by an operator, or information stored in a product master managed by a store server (not shown) or other databases may be acquired via the interface unit 17. It may be acquired by communication. Acquisition of various information can be performed by the same processing as that performed by another existing label printer.

As ACT 52, the processor 11 causes the display unit 14 to display an issue screen. The issue screen is a screen for allowing the operator to confirm various information printed on the label. The processor 11 displays the information obtained in ACT 51 on the issue screen. The processor 11 also periodically acquires the date information output by the hardware clock 13, and displays the date and time represented by the latest date information on the issue screen. The processor 11 also includes, for example, a GUI element for the operator to specify the function in the selection screen. Note that the GUI elements are, for example, soft keys.

As ACT 53, the processor 11 confirms whether or not a condition for starting printing of one label (hereinafter referred to as a print condition) has been established. If the event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO and proceeds to ACT54.
As ACT 54, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the function to be executed has been specified. If the event cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 determines NO and returns to ACT53.
Thus, the processor 11 waits for ACT53 and ACT54 to satisfy print conditions or to designate a function.

When the operator wants to execute some function other than label printing, the operator performs a predetermined operation such as tapping a soft key associated with that function. Then, if such an operation is input by the input unit 15, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT 54, and proceeds to the processing related to the designated function. However, a description of the processing of the processor 11 after ACT 54 determines YES will be omitted.

It is assumed that the print condition is defined as, for example, ``an operation instructing the start has been performed'' or ``printing of the previous label has been completed''. Note that the weight scale may be built in or externally attached to the label printer 1, and the print condition may be "completion of measurement of product weight with the weight scale". Alternatively, the label printer 1 may incorporate or externally include a sensor for detecting removal of the printed label from the backing paper, and the print condition may be "removal of the printed label detected by the sensor". Such print conditions may be arbitrarily determined by the creator of the control program PR, the administrator of the label printer 1, or the like. Then, the processor 11 makes a determination of YES in ACT53 and advances to ACT55 if the determined print conditions are established.

In ACT 55, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the "processing date" is included as an item to be printed. For example, the processor 11 confirms the format data of the valid format, and confirms whether or not "processing date" is included as an item to be printed. If the "date of processing" is included, the processor 11 determines YES and proceeds to ACT56.

In ACT 56, the processor 11 confirms whether or not year-month-season print is set to "yes". For example, the processor 11 confirms the format data of the valid format, and confirms whether or not the setting regarding year/month/month print is set to "yes". Then, the processor 11 determines YES if year/month/season print is set to "yes" and advances to ACT57.

As ACT 57 , the processor 11 acquires the latest date information output by the hardware clock 13 .
In ACT58, the processor 11 converts the date represented by the date information acquired in ACT57 into year, month, and month. For example, if the "day" of the relevant date is any day from the start date to the end date of the period whose identifier is "early", the processor 11 converts the relevant date into a valid format. Among the character strings represented by the print pattern according to the setting, the number or number string representing "day" is replaced with the character string "early". For example, if the "day" of the relevant date is any day from the start date to the end date of the period whose identifier is "mid", the processor 11 converts the relevant date into a valid format. Among the character strings represented by the print pattern according to the setting, the number or number string representing "day" is replaced with the character string "middle". For example, if the "day" of the applicable date is any day from the start date of the period whose identifier is "late" to the last day of the "month" of the applicable date, For example, among the character strings representing the relevant date with a print pattern according to the setting in the valid format, the number or number string representing "day" is replaced with the character string "late". As a specific example, the processor 11 determines the start date and end date of the period whose identification name is "mid" when the character string representing the relevant date with a print pattern according to the setting in the valid format is "21.1.20". If the day is set to "11" and "20", convert the above "21. 1.20" to "21. 1. Mid".
Thus, the processor 11 determines here to which of the three periods of the identification name "early", "mid" or "late" the date represented by the date information as timing information belongs. In other words, the processor 11 executes information processing based on the control program PR, so that the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as determination means.

As ACT 59 processor 11 generates a label image. For example, the processor 11 generates a label image by arranging the print information obtained in ACT51 and the date obtained in ACT58 in each print area according to the setting in the effective format. Note that the processor 11 arranges the date obtained in ACT 58 in the print area associated with the "date of processing".
Thus, the processor 11 here determines the print information obtained in ACT 51 and the date obtained in ACT 58 as print information for the label. The processor 11 acquires date information as ACT 57 as timing information representing the timing for determining print information in this manner. In other words, the processor 11 executes information processing based on the control program PR, so that the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as determination means and acquisition means.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a label image IMA as an example.
The image IMA represents the character string CSA. The character string CSA is a character string obtained by converting the date “21.

On the other hand, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT 55 or ACT 56 in FIG. , and the process proceeds to ACT60 in either case.
As ACT 60 , processor 11 acquires the latest date information output by hardware clock 13 .

As ACT 61 processor 11 generates a label image. For example, the processor 11 generates a label image by developing the print information obtained in ACT51 and the date information obtained in ACT60 in each print area according to the settings in the effective format. When the processor 11 determines NO in ACT56, the date represented by the date information obtained in ACT60 is displayed in the print area associated with the "processing date" in the print pattern corresponding to the setting in the effective format. Place the string represented by . That is, in the above specific example, the processor 11 arranges "21.1.20" in the print area associated with the "processing date".

When processor 11 finishes generating the label image in ACT 59 or ACT 61, it proceeds to ACT 62 in either case.
As ACT62, the processor 11 operates the print unit 16 to print the label image generated in ACT59 or ACT61 on label paper. The processor 11 then returns to the standby state of ACT53 and ACT54.

Printing the label image generated in ACT 59 on the label paper corresponds to printing the print information determined by the determining means on the label. In other words, the processor 11 executes information processing based on the control program PR, so that the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as printing means.

As described above, the label printer 1 prints a label representing a date such as "21. 1. Mid" converted from a date such as "21. 1.20" in the print area associated with the "processing date". can be printed. In other words, it is possible to print a label that contains information representing the timing of an event that is longer than the date.

Further, the label printer 1 allows the operator to appropriately set the start date and end date of each of a plurality of periods longer than the date. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly operate according to the circumstances of each store.

In addition, the label printer 1 can arbitrarily set for each format whether to apply the year, month, and month to the print area associated with the "processing date". Therefore, by selecting a format, it is possible to print a label to which year/month/month is applied and a label to which is not applied in the print area associated with the "processing date".

This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows.
The number of multiple periods longer than the date may be two or four or more. For example, there may be two periods, one with the identifier "early" or "early" and the other with the identifier "late" or "late". Alternatively, for example, it may be four periods with identifier names of "first quarter,""secondquarter,""thirdquarter," and "fourth quarter."

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the multiple periods longer than the date are defined as periods obtained by dividing a "month" into multiple periods. However, each period may be defined as a period in which any period other than "month", such as "year", is divided into a plurality of periods.

Various settings performed by the processor 11 in the above embodiment may be performed by an external information terminal device or the like connected to the interface unit 17 . In this case, the setting data may be held in the external information terminal device and not stored in the memory unit 12 . Alternatively, setting data created by an external information terminal device may be loaded into the label printer 1 via the interface unit 17 or via a storage medium and stored in the memory unit 12 .

A print area to which printing in a form such as year/month/season is applied may be associated with items other than "processing date" such as "manufacturing date" or "cooking date".

Each function realized by the processor 11 by information processing can be partially or entirely realized by hardware such as a logic circuit that executes information processing not based on a program. Further, each of the functions described above can be implemented by combining hardware such as the logic circuit described above with software control.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Label printer, 11... Processor, 12... Memory unit, 13... Hardware clock, 14... Display unit, 15... Input unit, 16... Print unit, 17... Interface unit, 18... Transmission line.

Claims (5)

a printing device for printing images on label paper;
determining means for determining print information on label paper;
printing means for causing the printing device to print the print information determined by the determining means on label paper;
Acquisition means for acquiring timing information representing timing at which the determination means determines print information;
determination means for determining to which of a plurality of periods the timing represented by the timing information acquired by the acquisition means belongs;
and
The determination means includes the identification name of the period determined by the determination means in the print information.
label printer. The determining means determines print information for each label sheet each time an image is printed on one label sheet.
A label printer according to claim 1. storage means for storing the range of each of the plurality of periods and the identification name of each of the plurality of periods in association with each other;
3. A label printer according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: update means for updating the range stored in the storage means in accordance with a change instruction;
4. The label printer of Claim 3, further comprising: A computer controlling a label printer equipped with a printing device for printing images on label paper,
determining means for determining print information on label paper;
printing means for causing the printing device to print the print information determined by the determining means on label paper;
Acquisition means for acquiring timing information representing timing at which the determination means determines print information;
determination means for determining to which of a plurality of periods the timing represented by the timing information acquired by the acquisition means belongs;
to make it work,
and causing the determining means to include the identification name of the period determined by the determining means in the print information;
control program.

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