JP2968529B2 - Label printer - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a label printer capable of printing an image on a label.
Related to data, and in particular, a line that has simplified image data input.
Concerning the bell printer. [Prior art] In recent years, in supermarkets and general stores, etc.
Affixes various elaborate labels to products,
The company is promoting sales. One of them is Popra
Various images (Iras
Print, special characters, special numbers, etc.)
Attach to consumers by attaching it to the product along with the bell
A pulling method is used. As an apparatus for producing this kind of label, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
A label printer described in Japanese Patent No. 187560 is known.
You. This allows you to key in the image data to be printed on the label.
Input in hexadecimal data. This allows
Print images of cuts, logos, maps, etc. on labels
I can do it. [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in the conventional label printer described above, the image
Enter the data as hexadecimal data.
It took a lot of time to work. In particular, there are countless image patterns
The image requested by the user varies widely, so
Prepare standard patterns like numbers and letters
The image pattern requested by the user
It must be created and registered in memory each time. Therefore, the task of writing image data to memory is
This is a huge burden on the
If you can not easily change / add image pattern
There was such an inconvenience. In addition, all image patterns required by the user are
Writing to the memory in advance is
Requires a very large amount of memory to store
Up due to the size of the control unit, etc.
Extremely impossible. The present invention has been made under such a background,
Creating and modifying image data is extremely easy.
The purpose is to provide a label printer that can
You. [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for solving the above problems by using numerals,
Other than label printers that can print images.
To read the image of the product
Image reading means for generating data, first and second
A memory, and image data from the image reading means,
The first data is associated with a registration number specifying the image data.
First writing means for writing to the memory of
Identify the product by linking it to the product identification number for identification.
Along with data for printing labels with prices such as prices, effective dates, product names, etc.
Writing the registration number into the second memory
Input means for inputting the product identification number
When the commodity identification number is input from the input means.
In the case where the registration number corresponds to the second
When written on the memory,
The data for label printing with price specified above and
Reading the registration number from the second memory;
The image specified based on the read registration number
Reading data from the first memory,
The registration number corresponds to the second memo corresponding to the product identification number.
When not written in the
The data for label printing with price specified in
Reading means for reading from the second memory, and the second memory.
The data for label printing with value read from the memory
Based on the unit price, effective date, product name, etc. of the product based on the label
And the image data from the first memory.
Is read out, based on the image data,
Printing means for printing an image of the image on a label.
It is characterized by having. [Operation] According to the above configuration, the input means is operated by the operator.
When the product identification number is input, the reading means
The registration number is written in the second memory corresponding to the product identification number.
Data and images for printing labels with prices
Image data is read from the first and second memories, respectively.
As a result, the printing means uses the unit price of the product and the effective
Print the date, product name, etc. and print the image on the label.
Print the page. On the other hand, the registration number corresponding to the entered product identification number
Reading means when not written in the second memory;
Reads the data for printing a label with a value from the second memory.
put out. By this, the printing means, the unit price of the product on the label,
Only the effective date, product name, etc. are printed. Therefore, according to the present invention, special knowledge and special
Image data suitable for the product without any skill
Can be automatically selected and printed on the label
The effect is obtained. Also, according to the present invention, the worker is conscious of nothing.
Product price, effective date, product name, etc.
Data is printed or the unit price of the product is
When it is automatically selected whether to print only the date, product name, etc.
The above effect can be obtained. Example An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the embodiment.
is there. In these figures, 1 is the main body of the label printer.
is there. A control unit shown in FIG. 2 is provided inside the main body 1.
The scale 2 is connected to the control unit.
On the other hand, on the front surface of the main body 1, first and second two label marks are provided.
The character mechanism units 3 and 4 and the operation unit 5 are provided. Second
The printing mechanism 4 is detachable from the main body 1.
You. These printing mechanism units 3 and 4 are equipped with thermal printers for dot printing.
Data for one dot line and the
The shift register to supply to the thermal head and the label
A stepping motor that moves one dot line at a time
And can print any letters, numbers, and images.
It has become so. In addition, the above-mentioned printing mechanism parts 3 and 4 include:
Weighing labels (pricing labels) with different sizes are set
The weighing label is set on the first printing mechanism 3, and the second
Pop label (product advertising label) in the printing mechanism 4
Different types of labels one after another.
Can be printed. The operation panel of the operation section 5 is provided with a bellows 6 for angle adjustment.
So that the angle can be adjusted
Has become. The operation unit 5 has a configuration as shown in FIG.
ing. That is, the numeric keypad 7 and the
A function key 8, a label feed switch 9,
Zero reset switch 10 and power switch 11 of scale 2
Work / display unit 12 and connector 13 for image scanner connection
And equipped. Numeric keypad 7 has clear key C and wind
A bag key T is added. Also, function keys
8 is a part number key PLU used when setting a unit price, etc.,
Numeric keypad 7 and part number key PLU
And shift key SHIFT for use as
I have. The operation / display unit 12 has a touch panel on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display 12b.
Panels 12a are stacked on the same surface.
Data can be displayed and entered. Sand
The liquid crystal display 12b has a 480 x 200 dot display.
Thus, various displays as described later are performed. On the other hand, the touch panel 12a is located on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display 12b.
On the transparent panel on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display 12b.
When the data touches, the touched position will be detected and input.
Swelling. That is, around the operation / display unit 12
Has five LEDs on the left and five on the right
Phototransistors PT are vertically arranged facing each other
On the other hand, ten light emitting diode LEDs
10 phototransistors PT face each other horizontally
It is arranged in the direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Then, when the operator touches the touch panel 12a with a finger,
LED and phototransistor corresponding to the
It is cut off from the PT and the touched position is recognized.
Is entered. The control unit receives an image via the connector 13.
The scanner 14 can be connected. Images
Canna 14 is a line sensor with a resolution of 8 dots / mm
By moving on the image, the maximum width is 64 mm
(512 dots). reading
Each dot that makes up the embedded image is
"Black"("1" signal) or "white"
(“0” signal) and converted to 1-bit signal
Is output as The above-described units are connected to the control unit shown in FIG.
First, the load cell 2a of the scale 2 is connected via the load cell control unit 21.
And connected to the CPU 20. The first printing mechanism 3,
And the second printing mechanism unit 4 is connected to the CPU 2 via a printing control unit 22.
Connected to 0. Image scanner 14
It is connected to the CPU 20 via the control unit 23. Similarly,
Switch panel 12a and various keys 7 to 11 are connected via an operation unit control unit 24.
Then, the liquid crystal display 12b receives C through the display control unit 25, respectively.
Connected to PU20. The scanner control unit 23 includes:
Stores image data input from the image scanner 14.
A buffer is built-in. Further, a RAM 30 and a ROM 40 are connected to the CPU 20.
You. FIG. 5 shows the internal configuration of the RAM 03, and shows various processes.
Working area 31 and PLU (price
Lookup) file 32a and image data file 32b
The reserved preset area 32 and the total data
Tabulation area 33 to be stored and data to be displayed on the LCD 12b.
Display buffer 34 for storing data, printing mechanism 3,
Print buffer 35 for storing data to be printed in 4
Etc. are provided. The PLU file 32a described above corresponds to the product
Memorize unit price, tare, effective date, product name, and POP NO
Is what you do. Here, POP NO is an image described later
This is the registration number of the data. That is, each weighing label
Image data can be set arbitrarily.
It has become so. If POP NO is not set
If not, the pop label is not printed. The image data file 32b is stored in the image scanner 14
Area for storing image data input from
, Image data areas 32b-1, 32b-2,.
… Consisting of Each of the above image data areas 32b-i
(I = 1,2,3 ... n) contains image data for one screen.
The registration number of the image data is the first byte
Is stored. Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in (1) Image of weighing label.
Creation and printing (when pop labels are not printed),
(2) Creation and registration of image data, (3) Registration of image data
(4) Image of weighing label and pop label
The description will be made separately for four items, page creation and printing. (1) Image creation and printing of weighing labels (Pop labels
When the power switch 11 is turned on, the total number shown in FIG.
The quantity mode screen is displayed. However, as the initial screen
Displays only the frame excluding variables such as the product name and unit price.
Here, the operator operates the keys of the operation unit 5 to make the product
When the CPU 20 enters the part number, the PLU file 32a
Preset data such as product name and unit price corresponding to this part number
Read and write to the specified area of the working area 31
No. When the product is weighed in this state, the weighing value is
Transferred to U20. Multiply the weighing value by the unit price to calculate the price
Of the working area 31 together with the weighing value.
Written to the area. The weighing label created in this way
Image is transferred to the display buffer 34 and print buffer 35.
It is sent, displayed and printed. In the case of printing, the selection of the printing mechanism units 3 and 4 is shown in FIG.
By operating the print switching key PC on the screen of (a),
It can be carried out. (2) Creation and registration of image data State in which the above-mentioned initial screen of FIG. 7A is displayed
The operator presses the lower right menu key MK lightly
And the menu screen of FIG. 7 (b) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12b.
Is displayed. This menu screen is used to register and set products.
Fixed mode, total mode, second printer function, immediately before
It is a screen for selecting each function of correction. On this screen
Product registration means creating the weighing label described above.
The setting mode is a mode for various data
This is the mode for resetting. Also, the total mode is
A mode to print out total data, a second printer function,
Is a mode for specifying a method of using the second printing mechanism unit 4,
Immediate correction is a mode for correcting the immediately preceding registered data.
You. The second printer function includes a first printing mechanism.
Print a different type and size of weighing label than part 3
Function, function to print pop labels, print total labels
Function. Here, the operator may lighten the "setting mode"
Press this button to select it, and the screen shown in Fig. 7 (c) will be displayed.
Is displayed to indicate that the setting mode has been selected. this
The screen also shows the "Execute key" and "End key"
Have been. When the operator touches the “execute key”, the
The setting mode screen shown in FIG. 7D is displayed. This setting mode screen displays product registration, ad text,
Store name, logo (store mark), external character, image key
Screen for selecting one of the following functions:
Plane. On this screen, product registration is
Register the preset data in the PLU file 32a shown in FIG.
Function, ~, is, each sentence, symbol, name, etc.
The function of registering the image scanner is
Function to input and register image data using
I taste. Here, the operator selects “Image Scanner”
Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (e), the image scanner
Is displayed. Operators
When the "Execute key" is operated, the screen shown in Fig. 7 (f) is displayed.
(Step S1 in FIG. 6). This screen shows the image
For instructing the scanner 14 to read an image.
Call the "Execute key" and the screen data
Key to scan the image,
"End key" is displayed when touching
You. Here, when the operator touches any key,
CPU 20 recognizes that there is an input through the touch panel 12a.
(Step S2). And the steps S3 to S5
Thus, the type of input is determined. When the operator
If you touch “-”, go from step S3 to step S7
The image scanner in the setting mode is selected.
The screen (e) indicating that the operation has been completed is displayed again. Also,
If you touch a part other than the three keys, the screen (f) appears.
The process proceeds from step S5 to step S6 as shown. So
Output an alarm and return to step S2,
Wait for the next instruction. If the operator touches the "Execute key",
Depending on the operation, input and registration of image data are executed. First, in step S8, the screen shown in FIG.
Instead, the screen shown in FIG. This screen is
An instruction to start reading by the image scanner 14
It is. At this point, the operator
When you move the scanner by touching it,
The image data from 14 is stored in the buffer in the scanner controller 23.
It is temporarily stored in the memory (step S9). In addition,
Image data from the scanner 14 is 512 x 2 per screen
56 bits of data, which is equivalent to 16k bytes
You. Thus, when the input of the image data is completed, the step
The process proceeds from step S10 to step S11, and the screen shown in FIG.
Instead, the screen shown in FIG. This screen is
This indicates that the image data is being processed. this
While the screen is displayed, the CPU 20 executes the processing of the input data
(Step S12). This input data is processed by the image scanner described above.
This process compresses the image data input from 14 to 1/4.
You. This converts the input image data into a pop label size.
This is a process for adapting to the FIG. 8 illustrates this compression processing. this
In processing, 2 × 2 dots of image data are converted to 1 dot
doing. That is, out of 4 dots of 2 × 2 dots,
If there are more black dots than white dots,
If the black dot is less than the white dot,
Converted to dots. And the converted image data
(4 kbytes) is stored in the working area 31 of the RAM 30
Once stored in the rear. Thus, the screen data compression
When the processing is completed (step S13), the CPU 20 proceeds to FIG.
The screen shown in FIG. 7I is displayed in place of the screen shown in FIG.
(Step S14). This screen displays the compressed image data.
The image data is called “special price” in the figure.
Is displayed. The screen also indicates the registration of this image data.
Key to re-enter image data
"Re-key" for instruction and end of image data input
"End key" for instructing the user is displayed. here
When the operator touches any key,
U20 is recognized as "input" (step S15). This
If the input of “End key” is
The process proceeds to step S7, and the screen of FIG.
Display the setting mode screen of (e) and instruct the operator
I will wait. On the other hand, if the operator's input
Return from step S17 to step S1,
The screen shown in FIG. 7 (f) for instructing re-input is displayed.
It is. If the operator inputs “memory key”,
The process moves from step S18 to step S20, and is performed as shown in FIG.
The screen of (j) is displayed instead of the screen. This screen
Is used to instruct the user to enter a registration number attached to the image data.
Things. Note that the keys other than the three keys
If the perlator touches, step S18 to step S19
And an alarm is output, and the process returns to step S15. sand
That is, in the state of the screen (i), the user may operate the keys again.
Required. The screen (j) displayed in step S20 described above includes:
The area RN where the registration number is displayed is secured, and
Key "is displayed. Here, the operator
Touch the end key or enter the registration number from the numeric keypad 7.
And press the part number key PLU, this is recognized by the CPU 20 (scan
Step S21). If you touch the "End key",
Returning to step S7, instead of the screen of FIG. 7 (j), (e)
Is displayed and the system waits for an instruction from the operator. one
If the operator enters the registration number,
The process moves from step S23 to step S25, and performs the following process.
If the input is not one of the above, step S2
3 to step S24, output an alarm, and
Return to step S21, and repeat the operation in the state of screen (j).
Wait for. When the registration number is entered and the process proceeds to step S25, the image
Stores data. First, the CPU 20 executes the image data file
File area 32b-i from the file 32b.
You. Then, the first byte of the image data area 32b-i is
Write the registration number just entered in the Also compressed
Read the subsequent image data sequentially from the working area 31
This is obtained from the second byte of the image data area 32b-i.
Write in. Thus, the image data is stored
Then, the process proceeds from step S26 to step S27, and the screen
In the lower right corner of (j), display "Remember" and process
To end. In this case, the screen with the same registration number as the input registration number
Image data has already been registered in the image data area 32b.
If so, the image data is rewritten. (3) Image data registration confirmation operation The image data registered as described above is as follows.
Will be confirmed. While screen (f) is displayed,
When an operation is detected (step S5), the screen (f) is displayed.
Instead, the screen of FIG. 7 (k) is displayed (step
S28). This screen allows you to enter a registration number for image data.
Display field for input data and "end key"
And are displayed. Here, the operator
Enter the registration number you want to check from 7 and enter the part number key PL
Press U or operate the above "End key"
20 is detected (step S29). Then, "End key
-Is operated, the steps S30 to S30 are performed.
7 and the setting mode screen (e) is displayed.
Wait for data instructions. If the input is not performed properly
If it has, the process proceeds from step S31 to step S32 to
Information and wait for proper input. On the other hand, a numerical value is input from the ten keys 7 and then the product number key.
-When the PLU is operated, the process moves to step S33 and the image data is
Search for data. That is, the image data file 32b
Search for the start address of each image data area 32b-i
(Step S33), registration number that matches the entered numerical value
(Step S34) and enter this registration number in Fig. 7.
It is displayed as shown in (l) (step S35). Note that
If no registration number is found, go to step S34.
Proceeding to step S36, the screen shown in FIG.
Message and prompts you to enter your registration number again. This
You can check the registered image data
You. Note that, from the screen (l) or (m) described above,
Then you can check the registered image data
Has become. (4) Creating images of weighing labels and pop labels
Print Prints two types of labels: weighing labels and pop labels.
POP NO for each part number as described above.
(The above registration number) and the first mark
The weighing label is set on the character mechanism 3, and the second printing mechanism is set.
Attach a pop label to 4. Also, the image of FIG.
Screen, select the second printer function, and
Set the printer to print mode. In this state, in (1) above
Create and print an image of the weighing label as described
Character. When the printing of the weighing label is completed, the CPU 20
Create an image of the pop label corresponding to the label.
That is, the PO corresponding to the product on which the measurement label is printed
Enter the P NO (registration number) in the PLU file 32a shown in FIG.
And read each image data using this POP NO as a key.
Searches the first byte of area 32b-i and matches
Find the image data of the number. Then, this image data
To the print buffer 35, where the pop label image
Create a page. In this way, the print buffer 35
An image of the provel has been created. When the pop label print image is created, the CPU 20
Instructs the printing mechanism unit 4 to print a pop label. This
Thereby, printing of the pop label is executed. In the above description, the input from the image scanner 14
The stored image data is stored in association with the registration number.
And store this registration number in association with the product number
Every time the weighing label of the product is printed,
Example of issuing a pop label based on image data
Although described above, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. for example
For example, the following modifications are possible. Image data can be obtained without the registration number
Is stored in association with the product number. In this case, the PL
Set the registration number in the U file 32a corresponding to each product number
Labor can be omitted. However, the same for different products
Even when using image data, separate image data
Data must be stored. Do not memorize the registration number in association with the product number.
Each time a print label is printed, enter the registration number and
Data. Match the image data with the call number such as registration number, product number, etc.
Print pop labels instead of storing them
To enter. In this case, a memo for storing image data
The image data to be printed is sufficient for one image.
Each time the data is changed, input processing of image data is required.
You. In the case of the embodiment and the above-mentioned ~, the weighing label and the
When printing with the label attached,
It is also possible to print only the label. Image data and character data by character pattern
Print in combination with. An example of this is a weighing label.
Image data as pop advertisements
Conceivable. In this case, the color of the image data is
Is printed in a different color, for example, red,
Advertising will be more effective. In addition, image data is appropriately reduced according to the label size.
Small or enlarged, or black and white inverted
It is also conceivable that image data is reprocessed and printed.
You. Furthermore, with electronic scales for face-to-face sales, cassettes can be replaced.
Can be selectively printed on labels or receipts
Things are being developed and used. In this case,
Image data, such as shop marks and logos
Etc. can be configured to be printed. [Effect of the Invention] As described above, the present invention provides an image reading unit
The following effects are created because image data is created by
Can be obtained. The work of creating and writing image data is simplified. This
As a result, significant labor savings are realized. As a result of the simplified creation process, the
The addition can be performed when needed by the user. If you prepare figures for image scanner input,
All image data to be used must be stored in memory
There is no. For this reason, the first memory for storing image data
The amount is small, and the cost is reduced. Also,
The size of the manufacturing section can be reduced. Further, according to the present invention, the product identification number
Image data along with the data for printing labels with prices.
The registration number to be set is stored in the second memory.
In addition, the following effects can be obtained by adding the effects of
Can be. According to the present invention, the worker who performs the label issuing work,
Issuing a label with a price to enter the product identification number
Just do the normal operation in case you want to issue a priced label and
In addition, it is automatically determined whether to print image data on a label.
It is performed dynamically and is used when printing image data on a label.
In the case of
Automatically selects image data suitable for priced labels issued from
It is done dynamically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the label printer, and FIG. 5, FIG. 4 is a sectional side view for explaining the operation of the touch panel 12a, FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the RAM 30, and FIG. Flowchart for explaining the calling operation,
FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of various screens displayed on the liquid crystal display 12b, and FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a process of compressing image data. 2 ... scale, 3,4 ... printing mechanism (printing means), 5 ... operating section, 7 ... numeric keypad, 8 ... function keys (7 and 8 are input means), 12a ... touch panel, 12b ……
Liquid crystal display, 14 ... Image scanner (image reading means), 20 ... CPU (writing means, reading means), 30
…… RAM (memory).

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page       (56) References JP-A-60-187560 (JP, A)                 JP-A-60-159885 (JP, A)                 JP-A-62-55766 (JP, A)                 JP-A-62-27836 (JP, A)                 JP-A-62-272067 (JP, A)                 60-80936 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] In a label printer capable of printing images other than numbers and characters, an image reading means for reading an image of a product and generating image data, first and second memories, and an image from the image reading means A first writing unit that writes data into the first memory in association with a registration number that specifies the image data, and a product identification number that identifies the product,
A second writing unit that writes the registration number into the second memory together with data for printing a label with a price such as a unit price of a product, an effective date, and a product name; an input unit that inputs the product identification number; If the product identification number is input,
When the registration number is written in the second memory corresponding to the product identification number, the data for label printing with price and the registration number specified based on the product identification number are stored in the second memory. While reading from the memory, each of the image data specified based on the read registration number is read from the first memory, and the registration number is written to the second memory corresponding to the product identification number. Reading means for reading the value-added label printing data specified based on the product identification number from the second memory, and the value-added label printing data read from the second memory. The unit price, effective date, product name, etc. of the product are printed on a label based on the data of the item, and the image data is read from the first memory. A printing means for printing an image of the image on a label based on the image data.