JP7360700B2 - label issuing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a label issuing device that issues labels.

2. Description of the Related Art Label issuing devices that issue labels displaying product information and the like are conventionally known. (Patent Document 1)

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-213605

However, with the label issuing device of Patent Document 1, when issuing a label, it is necessary to set the display position and display size for each item to be written on the label, which is troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to provide a label issuing device that can easily create a label format.

An embodiment of the present invention is a label issuing device that includes a display unit that displays an image of a label to be issued, and includes a selection unit that selects a printing item to be printed on the label, and a printing format for printing the label. a print format generating means for generating a print format, the print format generating means displaying the print area of the print item selected by the selection means in a changeable manner on the display section, This label issuing device displays a plurality of overlapping printing items as a list in an image display of the display unit when the printing areas are arranged in an overlapping manner.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a label issuing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a diagram of a screen displayed on a display unit of a label issuing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is an example of a label to be issued. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the screen displayed on the display part of the label issuing device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is data of print items displayed on a label issued by a label issuing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram and a hardware block diagram of a label issuing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

-Basic configuration of label issuing device-
A label issuing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A label issuing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device that issues labels to be attached to meat, side dishes, lunch boxes, etc., and is placed on a showcase etc. for displaying products sold by weight such as meat and side dishes. Issue product labels.

Note that the label issuing device of the present invention may be a label issuing device that is placed, for example, in the backyard of a store and automatically attaches labels while packing prepared foods and the like.
The label issuing device does not necessarily have to include a measuring section, and its form is not limited in any way.

As shown in FIG. 1, the label issuing device 1 of this embodiment includes a device main body 10 that issues a label in response to an operation by a store clerk or the like, and a weighing section 20 that has a weighing function.

The device body 10 of the label issuing device 1 has a built-in control section 100 that controls the entire label issuing device 1, and a first display input section 11 such as a touch panel that displays information to the store clerk and accepts operations by the store clerk. It has a printing section 12 that issues a label printed with registered product information, an input section 13 consisting of a mechanical key, and a reading section 14 that reads information from an IC chip.

The label issuing device 1 displays various screens for creating and issuing labels on the first display input section 11. A store clerk or the like can create and issue a label by operating various screens displayed on the first display input section 11.
Note that the device main body 10 of the label issuing device 1 may have a second display input section 15 facing the customer on the side opposite to the first display input section 11, if necessary.

The weighing section 20 of the label issuing device 1 includes, for example, a device such as a load cell, and outputs the weighing value data of the product placed on the placing section.
Since the label issuing device 1 includes the measuring section 20, it is possible to measure the meat and delicatessens that a customer purchases, and it is possible to issue a label suitable for selling by weight.
Note that the weight detection device included in the weighing section 20 is not limited to a load cell, and may be any type of device.

Next, operations for creating and issuing a label in the label issuing device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the screen displayed on the first display input section 11.
(1) Setting the label size First, set the size of the label to be issued.
The label issuing device 1 displays a menu screen (not shown) on the first display input section 11.
The label issuing device 1 displays a label size setting screen 500 on the first display input section 11 when a store clerk or the like operates the menu screen (such as "Free format > label size setting").
An example of the label size setting screen 500 is shown in FIG. 2(a).

The label issuing device 1 has a label size setting screen 500 with a label width field 500a, a label length field 500b, a label spacing field 500c, a backfeed amount setting field 500d, a backfeed field 500e, and a printer type setting field. 500f, a next button 500g, etc. are arranged.

A store clerk or the like enters numerical values in the label width field 500a, label length field 500b, and label spacing field 500c on the label size setting screen 500, and selects either standard or linerless in the printer type setting field 500f. By operating the , next button 500g, the label issuing device 1 sets the label size, etc.
Then, the label issuing device 1 displays a label format screen 600.
An example of the label format screen 600 is shown in FIG. 2(b).

(2) Label Settings The store clerk selects a label for creating a label format by operating the label format screen 600.
The label issuing device 1 arranges a single item label selection button 600a, a subtotal/total label selection button 600b, an addition label selection button 600c, etc. on the label format screen 600.
The store clerk can set the label to be created by selecting one of the selection buttons displayed on the label format screen 600.

For example, when a store clerk operates the single item label selection button 600a on the label format screen 600, the label issuing device 1 sets the single item label as the label to be issued, and displays the item selection screen 700 for the single item label.

Note that the label issuing device 1 allows a store clerk or the like to display a subtotal/total label item selection screen by operating the subtotal/total label selection button 600b on the label format screen 600, and then operating the addition label selection button 600c. Display the addition label item selection screen.

Hereinafter, creation of a label format will be explained using creation of a format for a single item label as an example.
An example of the item selection screen 700 for a single item label is shown in FIG. 3(a).

(3) Creation of Label Format The label issuing device 1 selectably arranges print items to be printed on the single item label on the item selection screen 700 for the single item label. The label issuing device 1 also arranges an image button 700a on the item selection screen 700 for displaying an image screen of a label on which the selected print item is arranged.

The printing items displayed on the item selection screen 700 are classified by multiple item selection tabs, and when the clerk selects any item selection tab, multiple printing items related to the item selection tab are displayed. Ru.

The item selection screen 700 has item selection tabs such as "Name" tab 701, "Basic items" tab 702, "Price" tab 703, "Date" tab 704, "Comment" tab 705, "Frame" tab 706, and "Other" tab. ” tab 707, etc., and FIG. 3A shows a state in which the “Name” tab 701 is selected.

In the item selection screen 700 of this embodiment, the "Name" tab 701 includes "Product name", "Additive", "Special message", "Advertisement text", "Producing area name", "Store name", "Part 1~ It has items such as ``3'' and ``locality name 1 to 3''.
Note that FIG. 14 shows an example of print items related to each item selection tab.
Descriptions of print items related to item selection tabs other than the "name" tab 701 will be omitted.

Then, when the clerk selects a print item to be printed on the label and operates the image button 700a, the label issuing device 1 displays a print image screen 800.
The print image screen 800 displays an image of the label format of the label to be issued.
An example of the print image screen 800 is shown in FIG. 3(b).

In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the image button 700a is operated on the item selection screen 700 after the store clerk selects the printing items "Product name", "Additive", and "Production area name" on the name tab 701. An example is shown below.

The label issuing device 1 randomly displays a selected "product name" print area 801, "additive" print area 802, and "production area name" print area 803 on the print image screen 800, and also sets the label size. The outer frame line 800f of the label having the dimensions set on the screen 500 is displayed.

The label issuing device 1 also displays, on the print image screen 800, an enlargement button 800a, a reduction button 800b, a detailed setting button 800c, a return button 800d, and the like.
By operating the return button 800d, the label issuing device 1 returns to the item selection screen 700.

The location of each print area on the print image screen 800 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the printing areas may be arranged so as to partially overlap.

The arrangement form of the printing area may be determined by the setting by the store staff, but the label issuing device 1 may also automatically set the arrangement form of each printing area based on the size of the label, the number of printing items, etc. good. Further, the label issuing device 1 may automatically arrange the labels according to frequently used formats stored in the storage unit.

The clerk can change the print position and size on the label by directly operating the print area displayed on the print image screen 800.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), a store clerk can change the position on the screen by directly tapping the "product name" area 801 on the print image screen 800 displayed on the first display input section 11. can.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5B, the store clerk can change the size of the print item by directly tapping the edge of the frame in the "product name" area 801 on the print image screen 800 to widen the frame. .

Further, when the store clerk performs an operation such as long-pressing a desired print area (in the figure, the "product name" area 801) on the print image screen 800, the label issuing device 1 prints the desired print area on the print image screen 800. A setting screen 801a for setting the coordinates and dimensions of the printing area may be displayed.
The store clerk can change the printing position and size of the "item name" area 801 on the single item label by directly inputting numerical values into the setting screen 801a.

Note that when the clerk performs an operation such as long-pressing a desired print area displayed on the print image screen 800, the label issuing device 1 displays a detailed setting screen (FIG. 7(b)) for setting the properties of the print item. may be displayed.
The clerk may be able to set the size of the characters displayed in the print item and the fixed length or variable length of the print item on the detailed setting screen.
The properties of print items may be set by selecting a plurality of print items and setting them all at once on the detailed setting screen.

Further, the label issuing device 1 may change and display the setting screen in order by pressing and holding a desired print area or the like.
For example, the first long press displays the "Size change" setting screen, the second long press displays the "Position change" setting screen, and the third long press displays the "Fixed length, variable length" setting screen. A setting screen may be displayed.

The label issuing device 1 may automatically set whether the print item has a variable length or a fixed length based on information stored in the storage unit, and the area for variable length print items may be set automatically based on information stored in the storage unit. , the area and display form of fixed-length print items may be different.

When the clerk operates the enlarge button 800a displayed on the print image screen 800, the print image screen 800 is enlarged and displayed on the first display input section 11, as shown in FIG. 6(b).
A scroll bar 800e is appropriately displayed on the enlarged printed image screen 800, and by scrolling, the entire printed image can be viewed.

Furthermore, when the clerk operates a reduction button 800b displayed on the print image screen 800, the print image screen 800 is displayed in a reduced size on the first display input section 11.

As described above, in the label issuing device 1 of the present embodiment, the store clerk can directly operate the print image screen 800 displayed on the first display input section 11 to determine the position of the print item to be printed on the label. Since dimensions can be changed, label formats can be easily created.

(4) Example of creating a label format (operation example on the print image screen)
FIG. 7A shows an example of a print image screen 800 that is displayed when the store clerk selects a desired print item on the item selection screen 700 and operates the image button 700a.
Specifically, "product name" in the "name" tab 701, "contents", "barcode", and "manufacturer" in the "basic items" tab 702, and "price" and "date" in the "price" tab 703. Select "Processing date" and "Expiry date" on the tab 704, "Comment 1", "Comment 2", "Mark 1" on the "Comment" tab 705, "Frame 1" on the "Frame" tab 706, and select the image. This is an example of a print image screen 800 displayed by operating the button 700a.

Note that when the image button 700a is operated without a print item being selected, the label issuing device 1 displays a print image screen 800 in which all print items are arranged, and deletes unnecessary print items from there. By doing so, the print image screen 800 may be formed.

In the example shown in FIG. 7(a), the display areas of the selected items include a "product name" area 801, a "barcode" area 804, an "expiration date" area 805, a "price" area 806, and a "content amount" area. ” area 807, “Processing date” area 808, “Comment 1” area 809, “Comment 2” area 810, “Manufacturer” area 811, “Mark 1” area 812, and “Frame 1” 813 are displayed on the print image screen 800. They are arranged from the upper left within the displayed outer frame line 800f.
Note that "frame 1" 813 is a frame displayed on the label.

By selecting one of the print areas displayed on the print image screen 800 and operating the detailed setting button 800c, the clerk can set the properties of the print area.
Specifically, when the clerk selects one of the printing areas and operates the detailed setting button 800c, the label issuing device 1 displays a detailed setting screen 900 for making detailed settings for the selected printing item.
An example of the detailed setting screen 900 is shown in FIG. 7(b).

The clerk can set the size, position, etc. of the printing area by selecting an item arranged on the detailed setting screen 900 and directly entering a numerical value in the input field.
The label issuing device 1 displays information about the item on the detailed setting screen 900 when the clerk selects (touches) an item arranged on the detailed setting screen 900 (in the example of FIG. 7(b), "font size" 901). A detailed setting list 901a may be displayed. The clerk can set items by appropriately selecting items from the detailed setting list 901a.

In addition, the label issuing device 1 opens a text window on the print image screen 800 or detailed setting screen 900 in which the clerk can input information in text by selecting (touching) the "comment 1" area 809 displayed on the print image screen 800. It may be displayed as a pop-up above.
The store clerk can set the content to be displayed in comment 1 by appropriately inputting a comment into the displayed text window.

Further, when the clerk performs an operation such as a long press on the print image screen 800, the label issuing device 1 may display a detailed setting screen for setting properties of the print item.

For example, the label issuing device 1 displays the item list 830 by pressing and holding the print image screen 800 on which a plurality of print items are arranged.
A print image screen 800 on which an item list 830 is displayed is shown in FIG. 8(a).
When the store clerk selects an arbitrary item (in the figure, the "price" item) from the item list 830, a detailed setting screen 900 for the selected item is displayed.

When displaying the detailed setting screen 900, the label issuing device 1 may also display an image screen 950 in the lower area of the detailed setting screen 900, as shown in FIG. Image screen 950 may be updated by editing the screen.
In the example shown in FIG. 8B, the dimensions of the "Price" area 806 of the image screen 950 have been changed by editing the dimensions of the "Price" item.

Note that the label issuing device 1 may display a detailed setting screen 900 for the printing item by long-pressing any printing item on the item selection screen 700 shown in FIG. 3(a).

By setting the position and dimensions of each printing area displayed on the printing image screen 800, the clerk creates a label format in which each printing area is arranged on the printing image screen 800, as shown in FIG. 9(a). can do.
FIG. 9(b) shows an example of a label that is actually printed.

As described above, by selecting a print item on the item selection screen 700, the label issuing device 1 of this embodiment displays a print image screen in which the print area of the selected print item is arranged. Since the clerk can create a label format on the print image screen, there is no need to set the display position and dimensions for each print item, and the clerk can easily create and issue the desired label.

(Other example 1 of print image screen)
The label issuing device 1 may arrange the print areas of the plurality of print items selected on the item selection screen 700 so as to partially overlap on the print image screen 800.
However, since a plurality of print areas are arranged overlappingly on the print image screen 800, it may be difficult for a store clerk to recognize a print item whose position or size is to be changed.

The label issuing device 1 according to the present embodiment has a function of improving the operability of the print areas arranged overlappingly on the print image screen 800.

For example, when a store clerk operates (touches) printing areas 801, 802, and 803 that are arranged overlappingly on the print image screen 800, the label issuing device 1 generates a list showing all overlapping printing items. A window 800g is displayed on the print image screen 800.
FIG. 10A shows a print image screen 800 in which a list-up window 800g showing all print items is displayed.

In the example shown in FIG. 10A, a "product name" region 801, an "additive" region 802, and a "production area name" region 803 overlap to form a group of regions 850 on the print image screen 800.
When the clerk operates (touches) the area 850 where the items are duplicated, the label issuing device 1 prints out a list window 800g in which "Product name", "Additive" and "Producing area name" are listed. It is displayed on the screen 800.
Note that the list up window 800g may be automatically displayed when the print image screen 800 is displayed.

By selecting an appropriate item (for example, "product name") from the items listed in the list window 800g, the store clerk selects an appropriate item (for example, "Product Name") from among the overlapped item areas, as shown in FIG. 10(b). The item area (“Product Name” area 801) selected from is active (for example, this can be indicated by changing the color of the frame of the area, etc.), and the position and dimensions can be changed or the detailed setting screen can be displayed. Can be set.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the store clerk moves one print area (the "barcode" area 804) arranged on the print image screen 800 to another print area (the "additives" area). 802), the label issuing device 1 displays a list-up window 800g showing the duplicate print items.

As shown in FIG. 11(b), the store clerk selects a print item in another overlapping print area (``Additives'' area 802) from the list window 800g. ” area 802) becomes active and can be moved to another non-overlapping location.

As described above, even when the item areas of the print items selected on the item selection screen 700 are arranged overlappingly, the store clerk can easily recognize the item he or she wants to operate.

(Other operation example 3 on the print image screen)
The label issuing device 1 may be placed over the print image screen 800 so that the item selection screen is transparent.
For example, as shown in FIG. 12(a), an item selection window 750 may be displayed overlappingly on the print image screen 800.

When the clerk selects a desired item in the item selection window 750, the label issuing device 1 displays the selected print item on the print image screen 800.
In FIG. 12B, a “store name” area 814 is added to the print image screen 800 because the “store name” item in the item selection window 750 is selected.

(Other operation example 4 on the print image screen)
The label issuing device 1 may arrange the item selection screen 700 and the print image screen 800 side by side on the same screen.
For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, an item selection screen 700 may be displayed in the upper area of the screen, and a print image screen 800 may be displayed in the lower area of the screen.

By displaying the item selection screen 700 and the print image screen 800 side by side, each time the clerk selects a print item (“product name”, “additive”) on the item selection screen 700, the selected item area is displayed on the print image screen 800. (“Product name” area 801, “Additive” area 802) may be displayed.

(Other operation example 5 on the print image screen)
The label issuing device 1 may automatically set the placement positions and dimensions of some of the print items and place them on the print image screen 800 depending on the type of label.

For example, in a single product label, a "barcode" is often placed at the upper left position of the label, and "manufacturer" and "mark 1" are often displayed at the lower position of the label.
As shown in FIG. 13(a), when displaying the print image screen 800, the label issuing device 1 arranges a "barcode" area 804 at the upper left position of the label, and places a "store name" area 814 and a "mark 1" area on the label. ” area 812 may be automatically placed below the label.
However, it is preferable that the positions and dimensions of the item areas automatically arranged on the print image screen 800 can be changed in accordance with the operations of the store clerk.

Note that for automatically arranged item areas, the display method with respect to other areas may be changed, such as by changing the color of the frame indicating the area.
The label issuing device 1 determines the placement position of a predetermined print item or the display dimensions of a predetermined print item using a standard format stored in a storage unit or a frequently used label that has been created and issued in the past. It may also be automatically set by inferring it based on format information.

-Functional block diagram of label issuing device 1-
An example of a functional block diagram of the label issuing device 1 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 15(a).
The control unit 100 of the label issuing device 1 includes a display unit 101a that displays various information on display units such as a first display input unit 11 and a second display input unit 15, and a display unit 101a that displays various information on display units such as a first display input unit 11 and a second display input unit 15. a receiving means 101b for accepting operations on the display input section 15; a selecting means 102 for selecting printing items to be printed on the label; a printing format generating means 103 for generating a printing format for printing on the label; It has printing means 112.

Further, the control section 100 of the label issuing device 1 includes an input means 113 for controlling the input section 13 , a reading means 114 for controlling the reading section 14 , and a measuring means 120 for controlling the measuring section 20 .

The display means 111a displays various screens for issuing a label on the first display input section 11 or the second display input section 15 (display processing).
Note that the display means 111a can display the same screen on the first display input section 11 and the second display input section 15, but may display a screen for setting different formats.

The reception means 111b receives operations by a store clerk or the like on various screens displayed on the first display input section 11 or the second display input section 15 (operation reception processing).

The selection means 111c selects printing items to be printed on the label based on operations by a store clerk or the like (printing item selection processing).

The print format generation means 111d generates a print format of a label on which the print item selected by the selection means 111c is printed (print format generation processing).
For example, the print format generating means 111d changesably arranges the print area of each print item selected by the selection means 111c on the image screen of the first display input section 11.
Then, the position and dimensions of the print area on the label are set in accordance with the clerk's operation on the print area displayed on the image screen.

The printing unit 111e creates print data based on the generated print format, and issues a label from the printing unit (printing process).

In addition, the control unit 100 controls the label issuing device 1 in general, and for example, stores input (acquired) or detected information in a storage device such as a memory as appropriate, reads out each information from the storage device, etc. The information is displayed on a display section such as the first display input section 11, and information is exchanged with other devices.
The functions of the label issuing device 1 have been described above.

-Hard block diagram of label issuing device-
Next, an example of a block diagram of the label issuing device 1 is shown in FIG. 15(b).
The label issuing device 1 of this embodiment includes, as a control unit 100, a CPU 1001, a ROM 1002, a RAM 1003, a memory 1004, a network I/F 1005, an input unit I/F 1006, a display unit I/F 1007, and a printing unit. It has an I/F 1008 and the like.

The CPU 1001 constitutes a computer and executes instructions of a software program.
The ROM 1002 stores in advance programs and the like for the CPU 1001 to operate. Note that the program and the like may be configured to be stored in a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM and read by an external device such as a CD-ROM drive.

The RAM 1003 is used as a work storage area necessary for storing programs and operating software.
The memory 1004 is composed of a hard disk device, etc., and stores information such as a product master.

The network I/F 1005 is a circuit for exchanging data with means connected on the network.
The input unit I/F 1006 is a circuit for performing input/output with the input unit 13 such as a barcode scanner or mechanical key.
The display unit I/F 1007 is a circuit for performing input/output with a display unit such as a touch panel.
The printing unit I/F 1008 is a circuit for performing input/output with a printing unit such as a printer.

-Label issuing device of embodiment-
As described above, the present invention relates to a label issuing device that issues labels.
Conventionally, label issuing devices that display each item of a product on a label are known.
(Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-213605)
However, with the label issuing device of Patent Document 1, when issuing a label, it is necessary to set the display position and display size for each item to be written on the label, which is troublesome.
An object of the present invention is to provide a label issuing device that can easily create a label format.
According to the label issuing device of this embodiment, the print area of the print item to be printed on the label to be issued can be displayed on the image screen, and the position and dimensions can be changed by directly operating the print area. Label formats can be easily created.

-Modified example-
The screen for generating a label displayed on the display unit of the label issuing device 1 of the above embodiment can be created by, for example, installing an application on a smartphone or tablet so that the label printing format can be generated on the smartphone or tablet. Good too.
At this time, for example, a property setting screen for a print item may be displayed by a flick operation.

It goes without saying that the above embodiments are not intended to limit the invention described in the claims, but are to be treated as illustrative.

1: Label issuing device 11: First display input section (display section)
100: Control unit 101a: Display means 101b: Reception means 102: Selection means 103: Print format generation means

Claims (2)

A label issuing device comprising a display unit that displays an image of a label to be issued,
selection means for selecting printing items to be printed on the label;
Print format generation means for generating a print format for printing the label,
The print format generation means displays a print area of the print item selected by the selection means on the display section in a changeable manner ;
When the printing areas of the plurality of selected printing items are arranged in an overlapping manner, the plurality of printing items arranged in an overlapping manner are displayed as a list in the image display of the display unit.
Label printing device. 2. The printing format generating means according to claim 1, wherein when one printing item is selected from the printing items displayed as the list, the printing area of the selected printing item can be changed. Label printing device.

Images