JP3908199B2 - Label printer system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a label printer system that distributes product information to a label printer via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a labeling system in which a plurality of labelers are connected to a management device in order to speed up the processing, when the number of issued labels for a specific product is very large compared to other products, There is a problem that the work amount of the labeler is unbalanced. To cope with this problem, there has been a technique for efficiently assigning the number of labels to be issued to a plurality of labelers. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-45121 (page 2-7, FIG. 1)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, users who process or produce fresh food, receive product data via the network, and price each product using a label printer need to use a server to manage the product master data However, in order to maintain and manage the server, it is necessary to employ human resources with specialized knowledge about computers and networks, and there is a problem that labor costs are large.
[0005]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a label printer system capable of maintaining product data from anywhere without using a server for data management of a product master or the like. With the goal.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The invention according to claim 1Consists of a common master and a store master corresponding to a given storeProduct masterPer userMemoryMeans to do,And change information storage means for storing change information of the product master,A server that performs a desired process in response to an application service request from each user, and is provided for each user and connected to the server via a network, and is priced based on a product master or product data distributed from the server. A user terminal connected to the server via a network, receiving a product master of each user stored in the server, and transmitting an application service requestAndHavein frontThe label printer requests the server to send the change information when the power is turned on.When,When the server receives the request signal, it sends the change information stored in the change information storage means to the label printer.When the user terminal transmits the change information of the product data in the common master to the server, the server sends the change information of the sent product data to the label printer of the store that does not correspond to the store master. While delivering, selectably deliver to the label printer of the store corresponding to the store masterA label printer system characterized by this is proposed.
[0007]
  According to the present invention, since the user does not need to maintain and manage the product master stored in the server, the user constructs a system that does not require a server for managing data such as the product master as in the past. Can do. In addition, since the server, the user terminal, and the label printer are connected via a network, product data in the product master can be maintained from anywhere by configuring a system using the Internet as a network.
  In addition, when the label printer is turned on, a signal requesting batch transmission of change information related to the product master is sent to the server, so even if the product master stored in the server is changed, the label printer A label using the latest product data can be issued from the start of operation.
  Furthermore, the product master is composed of a common master and a store master, and the products handled by each store are different or are the same product to be distributed to the label printer of the store corresponding to the store master. Even different prices can be set freely.
[0009]
  Claim2The invention according to claim1As for the label printer system described in the above, the user terminal has sent change information of product data in the store master to the serverCaseIn addition,The serverA label printer system is proposed in which only product data in a store master is updated, and the transmitted change information is distributed to a label printer in a store corresponding to the store master.
[0010]
  Claim3The invention according to claim1Or claims2In the label printer system described in the above, a label printer system is proposed in which the store master corresponds to a group of a plurality of stores.
[0011]
  According to these inventions,shopSince the store master can be configured in units of groups, for example, a plurality of stores having a common sales strategy such as similar purchase layers can be grouped to create a common master in the group.
[0012]
  Claim4The invention according to claim1Claims from3For the label printer system described in any of the above items, the server transmits the store master setting screen to the user terminal, and the store master setting screen can be set on the common master setting screen, A label printer system has been proposed in which pre-selected items are displayed so as to be settable.
[0013]
According to the present invention, since only necessary items can be displayed and set on the setting screen of the store master, it is easy to visually recognize the setting items displayed on the screen, and data input mistakes can be reduced.
[0014]
  Claim5The invention according to claim 1 is the label printer system according to claim 1, wherein the server stores a seasonal product master related to the seasonal product, and starts selling the seasonal product based on the sales time set in the seasonal product master. The product data of the seasonal product is transmitted to the label printer from the seasonal product master at a time, and a signal for deleting the product data of the seasonal product is transmitted to the label printer when the sales period ends. Label printer system.
[0015]
According to the present invention, since the user can automatically add and delete only seasonal product information to the stored product file without having a server, the amount of data related to the product file on the label printer side can be reduced. Can do.
[0016]
  Claim6The label printer system according to claim 1, wherein the server includes user setting means for limiting the number of input characters of an additive contained in a product name or a product for each department of the user, and the user terminal A label printer system is proposed in which, when a character relating to the product name or additive is input, input of characters exceeding the number of input characters set by the user setting means is prohibited.
[0017]
According to this invention, even when the user terminal is operated to input characters related to a product name or an additive, an appropriate limit can be imposed on the number of input characters, so input mistakes can be reduced.
[0018]
  Claim7In the label printer system according to claim 1, when the server receives a request signal for requesting transmission of product master data from the label printer, the requested product master data is stored in the label printer system. A label printer system has been proposed which is characterized in that it is collectively transmitted to a printer.
[0019]
According to the present invention, since the product master data is transmitted at a time by transmitting a request signal from the label printer to the server, it is not necessary to provide a product file backup on the label printer side.
[0022]
  Claim8The label printer system according to claim 1, wherein the label printer has a plurality of printing units, and sends the issuance results of the labels issued for each printing unit to the server. A label printer system is proposed, characterized in that the server has issue result storage means for storing the issue results for each of the printing units transmitted.
[0023]
According to this invention, the user can easily obtain the label issuance record for each printing unit without having a dedicated server.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a label printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a label printer system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a user operating a plurality of retail stores is operated by an ASP that manages an ASP (ASP: Application Service Provider). A configuration example when a contract is made is shown. However, in an actual system, many users are connected via the Internet.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, a label printer system according to this embodiment includes a PC (PC: Personal Computer) 1 as a user terminal, a PDA (PDA: Personal Data Assistant) 4, and a weighing value adding machine including a label printer. 2 or automatic packaging pricing machine 3, fixed price pricing machine 7, server 5 provided in the data center of the management company, and network 6 for constructing the Internet are connected as shown by arrows. The PC 1 and the PDA 4 as user terminals display a product master distributed from the server 5 and have a function of adding, deleting, and changing desired processing, for example, product data in the product master, using an input unit such as a keyboard. . The weighing value attaching machine 2 or the automatic packaging price attaching machine 3 equipped with a label printer performs a price based on the product master distributed from the server 5 and issues a label.
[0026]
In addition, a rewritable storage means such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores a product master distributed from the server 5 is provided, and a communication means for requesting the server 5 to collectively send product data. I have. The server 5 includes storage means such as a hard disk for storing the product master, and provides various applications in response to the application service request from the personal computer or each pricing machine.
[0027]
In the configuration example of FIG. 1, for example, a product master related to the user in the server 5 can be referred to from the PC 1 of the user's head office, or data maintenance can be performed. The server 5 provided in the data center includes a product master including a common master, a store group master, and a store master for each login ID, a setting item master, an additive master, a seasonal product master, a department specified value master, and a production record log. Stores and manages files. The login ID is provided for each department that categorizes the sales items of each user, and the respective data can be managed for each department. Therefore, when logging in from the user terminal, data corresponding to the input login ID is designated.
[0028]
Next, the relationship between the common master, the store group master, and the store master will be described with reference to FIGS.
The common master is a product master common to all stores registered in the label printer system, and the store group master is a product master common to stores grouped based on certain common conditions. The store master is a product master set for each store. In the present system, the three masters are composed of the same items, and the store group master and the store master are created by changing only the different items based on the contents of the common master. Items that can be individually set can be arbitrarily specified for each master.
[0029]
In the server 5, when creating maintained data to be distributed to each label printer, priorities are defined in the order of store master, store group master, and common master. In addition, the product data setting pattern for each store includes: setting by common master only, combination of common master and store group-specific master, combination of common master and store-specific master, common master and store group-specific master, and store-specific master There are four possible combinations.
[0030]
Next, regarding the above four patterns, a method for setting new data, a method for changing data, and a method for deleting data will be described.
FIG. 2A is a conceptual diagram when the merchandise master is common in all stores, that is, when only the common master is set. In this case, when newly setting data, one record of a product master common to all stores may be created and distributed as maintenance information to stores connected to the network. When there is a change in the product master, if the content of the product master common to all stores is changed according to the content of the change, the changed product master is distributed to all stores. Also, when deleting product data, if the corresponding product data is deleted from the product master common to all stores, the changed product master is distributed to all stores.
[0031]
FIG. 2B is a conceptual diagram when an original setting is made for a certain store group. In this case, when setting new data, one record is created for the merchandise master that is common to all stores, and for the merchandise data for which the store group master exists, the values set in the store group master are preferentially set. Product masters are distributed to each store. Specifically, the common master is distributed to the D store and the E point, but the merchandise master in which the store group master is reflected in the common master is distributed to the A store, the B store, and the C store. When there is a change in the product master, when the store group master is changed, the contents are reflected in the product master distributed to the A store, the B store, and the C store.
[0032]
On the other hand, when the common master is changed, it is reflected in the product master distributed to the D store and the E store, and a message as to whether or not to copy this information to the store group-specific master according to the initially set distribution conditions. Displayed on the user terminal. Here, when an operation is performed for copying, the store group master is changed, and the information is distributed to A store, B store, and C store. Further, when the product data is deleted from the common master, the corresponding data is also deleted from the store group master. However, even if the product data is deleted from the store group master, the corresponding data in the common master is not deleted.
[0033]
FIG.2 (c) is a conceptual diagram in the case of making an original setting about a certain store. In this case, when setting new data, one record is created for the merchandise master common to all stores, and for the merchandise data for which the store master exists, the value set in the store master is preferentially set. The master is distributed to each store. Specifically, the common master is distributed to the B store, the D store, and the E point, but the merchandise master in which each store master is reflected in the common master is distributed to the A store and the C store. When there is a change in the product master, when the store master is changed, the contents are reflected in the product master distributed to the A store and the C store.
[0034]
On the other hand, when the common master is changed, it is reflected in the product master distributed to the B store, the D store, and the E store, and a message as to whether or not to copy this information to the store-specific master is displayed on the user terminal. Processing is performed in the same manner as the store group master in (b). Further, when the product data is deleted from the common master, the corresponding data is also deleted from the store master. However, even if the product data is deleted from the store master, the corresponding data in the common master is not deleted.
[0035]
FIG. 2D is a conceptual diagram in the case where a certain store belonging to the store group makes an original setting. In this case, when setting new data, one record is created for the merchandise master common to all stores, and for the merchandise data in which the store group and master store master exist, the values set in the store group and store master have priority. These product masters are distributed to each store.
[0036]
Specifically, the common master is reflected in store D, the product master in which store group master is reflected in the common master in store B, and the store master is reflected in the common master in store E. A merchandise master in which the store master and the store master are reflected in the common master is distributed to the store A and the store C. When there is a change in the product master, when the common master is changed, the change content is reflected in the product master distributed to the store D, and whether or not the change content is copied to the store group master and the store master is displayed. (B) Processed in the same manner as (c), the change contents are reflected in the merchandise master distributed to the stores A and C, and the change contents of the store master are reflected in the merchandise master distributed to the shop E. The That is, there is no influence on the master higher than the master changed from the user terminal, and it is possible to select whether or not to change to the lower master.
[0037]
In this way, the label printer in the store has information that coincides with the contents of the corresponding master directly. When the product data is deleted from the common master, the corresponding data is also deleted from the store group master and the store master. However, even if the product data is deleted from the store group master, the corresponding data in the common master is not deleted. That is, even if the product data is deleted from the store master corresponding to the store A, the corresponding product data is not deleted from the common master and the store group master, which are higher ranks.
[0038]
Next, each setting screen will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows a common master setting screen called from the main menu of the user terminal. As shown in FIG. 7, the actual product master is configured with more detailed items. On the common master setting screen displayed on the user terminal, only items that can be set by the user are displayed. In addition, the item name item is input-limited by the number of item name input characters set in a section specification value master (not shown). The department specified value master is provided for each department of each user, and setting values unique to each department can be set.
[0039]
Note that items that can be set in the department specified value master include product names and additive characters, and for these, the maximum number of input characters can be set for each line. Further, when specifying specific product data on the store group master or the store master, first, the product number of the specified product is input on the screen of the common master, and all product data is displayed and confirmed. Next, "Store group master settings" displayed at the bottom of the common master screen (if there are multiple, multiple displays for each number), "Store master settings" (if there are multiple, multiple displays for each number Each master can be displayed by clicking the “OK” button, and unique information can be input regarding the item of the designated product.
[0040]
The item selection screen is configured as shown in FIG. 4, and a setting item master is selected from the main menu screen on the user terminal, which item is displayed among the setting items of the store group master or the store master, and the user's It is a screen for designating whether setting is possible. Items that have been selected by the user are displayed with black marks. FIG. 6 shows a setting screen of the store group master, and only the items marked black in the setting item master can be displayed or set. Although the store master setting screen is not shown, the basic configuration is the same except that the store group master setting screen is partially different in name.
[0041]
In the initial state, there is no data in the store group master and the store master. By inputting the product number, product data corresponding to the product number input from the common master is copied and displayed as initial data. In the store group master and the store master, when performing a unique setting, data of an item selected in the setting item master described later is key-input. Therefore, the store group master and the store master can reduce the data amount as compared with the common master. In addition, with regard to the data distribution conditions, whether or not there is a product number corresponding to the store group master and the store master by referring to the company store setting, the company store group setting, the company store master setting, the connection opportunity master, etc. described later. Determined by judgment.
[0042]
Next, the configuration of each master will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the product master, as shown in FIG. 7, various items related to the product are defined. These items are classified into items that can be changed by the user using the terminal and items that cannot be changed. The items that can be changed by the user are displayed on the common master setting screen. In the additive master, as shown in FIG. 8, various items related to the additive are defined. In addition, when inputting characters related to additives from the user terminal, the number of input characters is limited to the value set in the department specified value master of the same department. As shown in FIG. 9, the production result file defines various items related to production results.
[0043]
In addition to this, information on the model connected to the network, for example, the connected model master or season that stores the division number, store number, label printer number, single labeler or twin labeler for each user's department Season master that stores information about products, allergy substance name master that stores information about allergen names, comment master that stores information about comments to be included in labels, special message master that stores information about messages such as recipes, etc. There is.
[0044]
Further, in the server 5, a store number can be set for each user's department, a company store setting that can refer to what kind of store exists, a store group master number, a store number, and distribution conditions for each user department. There are data such as company store group settings that can set multiple stores, group store settings, store master numbers, store numbers and delivery conditions for each user department, and company store master settings that can set the relationship between store master and store . As the distribution condition setting data, if the product data distributed from the higher-level master with the same product code is in the master, select whether to copy or not to copy. it can.
[0045]
Next, the operations of the weighing pricer 2, the automatic packaging pricer 3, and the fixed amount pricer 7 which are label printers will be described. Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as a label printer.
First, when the power of the label printer is turned on, a command for requesting product data or additive data for which a login ID, printer ID, product master or additive master is changed or an addition flag is set is sent to the server 5 via the router. Send. Receiving the request command, the server 5 transmits data corresponding to the request command to the label printer, clears the flag, and updates the product file and additive file of the label printer. Therefore, when the label printer is turned on, the information on the product file and the additive file is always the latest.
[0046]
When the product file stored in the label printer is destroyed or erased, the transmission request command of all files including the product file destroyed by the server 5 or the product file destroyed etc. and the login ID And a label printer ID. Upon receiving the file transmission request command from the label printer, the server 5 transmits data corresponding to the request command to the label printer. Therefore, in preparation for an unexpected situation on the label printer side, the system can be maintained and managed without a data backup system.
[0047]
Also, when the product number is input to the label printer, the product data is called up and a predetermined number of labels are issued, the label printer prints the login ID, label printer ID, number of labels issued, date and time, total amount, total weight, and printing. When there are a plurality of copies, the print portion number and the like are transmitted to the server 5. The server 5 receiving these pieces of information stores the received data in the storage device in order. Therefore, since the server 5 accumulates data related to production results from the label printer as a log, for example, production results for each product and printing unit can be easily obtained.
[0048]
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are possible. included. For example, in the present embodiment, a PC and a PDA have been described as examples of user terminals. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a system may be constructed using a device that can be connected to the Internet, such as a mobile phone.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a system can be constructed without using a server for managing data such as a product master, so that the cost of the entire system can be reduced. . Further, even when the product master stored in the server is changed, a label using the latest product data can be issued from the start of operation of the label printer.Furthermore, there is an effect that different products can be handled for each store, and different prices can be set freely even for the same product.
[0050]
  Claim 2OrClaim3According to the invention,shopSince the store master can be configured in units of groups, there is an effect that a plurality of stores having a common sales strategy can be grouped to create a common master in the group.
[0051]
  Claims4According to this invention, it is easy to visually recognize the setting items displayed on the screen, and it is possible to reduce data input mistakes and the like. Claims5According to this invention, since the user can automatically add and delete only seasonal product information to the stored product file without having a server, the amount of data related to the product file on the label printer side can be reduced. There is an effect that can be.
[0052]
  Claims6According to the invention, since it is possible to appropriately limit the number of input characters, it is possible to reduce input errors and the like. Claims7According to this invention, since it has the function which transmits merchandise data collectively from the server side, there exists an effect that it is not necessary to provide the backup of the stored data.
[0053]
  Claims8According to this invention, there is an effect that the user can easily obtain the label issuance record for each printing unit without having a dedicated server.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a label printer system.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship among a common master, a store group master, and a store master.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen for a common master.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an item selection screen.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a setting screen of a store group master.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a product master.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an additive master.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a production performance file.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PC, 2 ... Weighing value attaching machine, 3 ... Automatic packaging price attaching machine, 4 ... PDA, 5 ... Server (data center), 6 ... Network (Internet), 7 ... machine with fixed price,

Claims (8)

It includes change information memory means for storing means for storing the product master configured for each user from the store master corresponding to the common master and predetermined shops, and the change information of the commodity master application service request from each user A server that performs the desired processing,
A label printer that is provided for each user, is connected to the server via a network, and performs pricing based on a product master or product data distributed from the server;
Are connected via the server and the network, receives the product master of each user stored in the server, and a user terminal that transmits the application service request,
Before SL label printer, and requests the transmission of the change information to the server when it is ON the power, the server, the modified information stored in the change information storing means when receiving the request signal Send to the label printer ,
When the user terminal transmits product data change information in a common master to the server, the server distributes the transmitted product data change information to a label printer in a store that does not correspond to the store master. On the other hand, a label printer system that distributes selectably to a label printer of a store corresponding to the store master . When the user terminal transmits the change information of the commodity data in the store master to the server, the server updates only the product data in the store master, the transmitted change information to the store master The label printer system according to claim 1 , wherein the label printer system is distributed to a label printer of a corresponding store. The store master, label printer system described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that corresponding to the group consisting of a plurality of stores. The server transmits a setting screen for the store master to the user terminal, and the setting screen for the store master displays a preselected item among the items that can be set on the setting screen for the common master. label printer system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in.   The server stores a seasonal product master related to the seasonal product, and based on the sales time set in the seasonal product master, the product data of the seasonal product from the seasonal product master is labeled printer at the sales start time of the seasonal product. The label printer system according to claim 1, wherein a signal for deleting the product data of the seasonal product is transmitted to the label printer when the sales period ends.   When the server has user setting means for limiting the number of input characters of the product name or additive contained in the product for each user's department, and the user inputs characters related to the product name or additive from the user terminal, the user 2. The label printer system according to claim 1, wherein input of characters exceeding the number of input characters set by the setting means is prohibited.   2. The server according to claim 1, wherein when the server receives a request signal for requesting transmission of product master data from the label printer, the requested product master data is collectively transmitted to the label printer. Label printer system.   The label printer has a plurality of printing sections, and sends the printing results of labels issued for each printing section to the server, and stores the printing results for each printing section sent by the server. The label printer system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit.

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