JPH0355626A - Label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To search for a corresponding merchandise number in a short time and simultaneously to decrease the input mistakes by displaying a list of merchandise names and numbers on a display device in response to the sorts of merchandises having the produced labels. CONSTITUTION:For instance, a weighing label printer 1 is provided on a meat department, a fish department, and a vegetable department respectively. The printer 1 is controlled by a store controller 3 consisting of a host computer, etc., via a transmission line 2. A list display mode is selected by a mode key 34 and simultaneously a piece of merchandise sort information is set to a retrieving/sorting memory 42. Under such conditions, an instruction is received for execution of the list display. Thus the merchandise names and numbers belonging to the merchandise sort information are extracted out of a merchandise number file 4 and displayed on a screen display device 18. When a merchandise number key 33 designates a merchandise number under such conditions, the merchandise number data corresponding to the designated merchandise number is read out of the file 4 and displayed on the device 18. Simultaneously, a label is produced from a printing part 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a label printer used for pricing products in supermarkets and the like.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, for example, a weighing label printer equipped with a scale,
There is a product number file in which product number data such as product name, unit price, expiration period, etc. are preset for each product number, and when the product number is input and specified from the keyboard, the product number corresponding to the specified product number is retrieved from the above product number file. At the same time as reading the product number data, the weight value of the product is taken from the scale, and its f! The price is calculated from the i quantity value and the unit price. Generally, a printing unit prints product information such as the product name, unit price, weight value, price, date of processing, and expiration date (validity date) on label paper before issuing the label. Such a weighing label printer is used, for example, in a supermarket, etc., when pricing weighing products such as meat and vegetables. This price setting process involves recognizing the product number attached to the product from the name of the product, which has been packaged in appropriate quantities in advance, and entering the corresponding product number from the keyboard.Then, the product is placed on a scale and weighed. conduct,
This is the task of attaching the automatically issued label to the product.

However, in this pricing process, the process of recognizing and inputting the product number of the product for which a label is to be issued is extremely inefficient. Normally, this task involves preparing in advance a correspondence table between the product name and product number of each product, and the person in charge searches for the corresponding product number from this correspondence table and inputs it by operating keys on a keyboard.

As a result, work efficiency is poor, and it takes time and effort to find the product number, and the wrong product number may be entered due to reading or operation errors.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, in conventional label printers, it is necessary to find the product number of the product to be labeled using a correspondence table of product names and product numbers created in advance, which is inefficient and time-consuming. Not only was it time-consuming, it was also prone to human errors in the part numbers.

Therefore, the present invention is capable of displaying a list of at least the product name and product number of each product according to the classification to which the product for which a label is to be issued belongs, on a display device, making it possible to search for the corresponding product number in a short time, reducing input errors, and simplifying the product number search process. The present invention aims to provide a label printer that can be simplified.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The label printer of the present invention prints the product name, unit price, etc. in correspondence with the product number assigned to each product. A product number file in which product number data such as various product classification information is preset, a printing section that prints on predetermined label paper, a product number designation means for designating the product number of the product for which a label is to be issued, a screen display device, and this screen display. mode switching means for switching between a normal display mode for displaying product number data of one product on a container and a list display mode for displaying a list of at least product numbers and product names of a plurality of products; and any one of various product classification information. A classification information setting means for setting information, a list display instruction means for instructing a screen display to display a list, and a product number designation means designating a product number while the mode switching means selects the normal display mode. and a list display mode is selected by the first label issuing control means which reads out the product number data corresponding to the specified product number from the product number file and displays it on the screen display and drives the printing unit to issue the label, and the mode switching means selects the list display mode. When execution of list display is instructed by the instruction means in a state where the list is displayed, the product number and product name of each product belonging to the product classification information set by the classification information setting means are extracted from the product number file and displayed on the screen display. and when a product number is specified by the product number designation device while the list display is being performed by the control device, the screen display device is returned to the normal display mode and the display device corresponds to the specified product number from the product number file. The apparatus is equipped with a second label issue control means that reads product number data and displays it on a screen display, and drives a printing unit to issue a label.

[Operation] In a label printer having such a configuration, the list display mode is selected by the mode switching means, and any one product classification information is set by the classification information setting means, and the list displaying means is used to select the list display mode. When the execution of list display is instructed, at least the product number and product name of each product belonging to the product classification information are extracted from the product number file and displayed as a list on the screen display. When a product number is designated by the product number designation means in this state, product number data corresponding to the designated product number is read from the product number file, displayed on the screen display, and a label is issued by the printing unit.

Therefore, the operator (person in charge of pricing work) can recognize the product number of the corresponding product by visually checking the list display screen of each product selectively extracted based on the classification information to which the labeled product belongs, eliminating the need for a correspondence table. Become. Moreover, since the search target is narrowed down by setting the classification information, the time required for the search is shortened. Furthermore, since the product number can be specified while looking at the list display screen, input errors are reduced.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, weighing label printers 1 are provided for each department, such as a meat department, a fish department, a vegetable department, etc., and each label printer 1 is connected in-line by a transmission line 2, so that, for example, a host A case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a system in which each label printer 1 is controlled via the transmission line 2 by a store controller 3 consisting of a computer or the like.

Here, the store controller 3 has a product number file 4.
is provided. This product number file 4 contains product names corresponding to the product numbers of each product, as shown in Figure 2. Product setting information such as unit price and validity period, and departments (meat department r01J, fish department r02J, vegetable department r03J). Product classification information such as bargain sale status (bargain item "1", non-bargain item "0") is preset.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the weighing label printer 1. As shown in FIG. Reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) as the main body of the control section, which controls the storage section and the controller section via the bus line 12. Here, the storage unit includes a ROM 13 for storing program data, character generator data, etc., a calculation work memory, a display buffer,
RAM14 where various memories such as print buffers are stored
and is provided. On the other hand, the controller section includes a communication controller 15 that controls data transmission and reception performed via the transmission line 2 with the store controller 3, a keyboard controller 17 that inputs and processes key signals from the keyboard 16, and drives a display 18. Characters that control and correspond to display data. A display controller 19 for displaying numbers and the like, and a print controller 21 for driving and controlling a printing section 20 to print on a predetermined label paper are provided.

In addition, the CPU of the previous generation uses the clock circuit 22 at a predetermined timing.
In addition to capturing the current date and time data from
Count data corresponding to the weight value measured by the weighing section 24 is taken in from the A/D converter 23.

The display 18 is a screen display made of, for example, a CRT display, and has a normal display mode in which the product number, product name, unit price, weight value, price, etc. of one product can be displayed as shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 4B, it has a list display mode that can display product numbers and product names for 20 products.

The keyboard 16 has keys from "0" to "0" as shown in FIG.
Number key 31 for "9", * key 32, product number key 33 as a product number designation means for specifying the product number of the product for which a label is to be issued.
, a mode key 34 for instructing the display 18 to switch to a list display mode, and a display key 35 as a list display instructing means for instructing the display 18 to execute a list display.
, various keys such as a cancel key 36 used for canceling the list display mode on the display 18, etc. are provided. Here, the mode key 34 and the cancel key 36 constitute a mode switching means for switching the display 18 between a normal display mode and a list display mode.

In addition to the above-mentioned calculation work memory, display buffer, and print buffer, the RAM 14 includes a numeric buffer 41 for temporarily storing numeric data set by the numeric keys 31, a search classification memory 42, and a search memory, as shown in FIG. A content memory 43, a next product number memory 44, an area 45 for setting flag F1, an area 46 for displaying flag F2, etc. are shaped.

The CPU 1 is program-controlled to execute various key operations shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 in the normal label issuing mode.

FIG. 7 shows the key processing of the mode key 34, and when an input of the mode key 34 on the keyboard 16 is detected via the keyboard controller 17, first the area 4 of the RAM 14 is
6, it is checked whether the display flag F2 is set. If the flag F2 is set (1), this key processing is ended. On the other hand, if the flag F2 has been reset (0), it is checked whether the setting flag F1 in the area 45 is set. If the flag F1 is set (1), it is reset and this key processing is completed. On the other hand, if the flag F1 has been reset (0), it is set, and then a search classification setting guide screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display 18, and this process is ended.

FIG. 8 shows the key processing of the * key 32, in which the * key 32 on the keyboard 16 is operated via the keyboard controller 17.
When human power is detected, it is first checked whether the setting ψ flag F1 is set in the area 45 of the RAM 14. If the flag F1 is set (1), the numeric data stored in the numeric buffer 41 is checked. And if the number data is rOJ, rlJ or "2",
The set number data is stored in the search classification memory 42 (classification information setting means), and this process is ended. On the other hand, if the number data is other than "0" to "2", an error is displayed and the process is terminated.

Note that if the setting flag F1 has been reset, the conventional * key processing is executed.

9A and 9B show the key processing of the display key 35, and when the human power of the display key 35 on the keyboard 16 is detected via the keyboard controller 17, first the RAM is
It is checked whether the display flag F2 is set in the area 46 of No. 14. If the flag F2 has been reset (0), it is set and then the numeric data in the numeric buffer 41 is checked. Here, if the number data is 5 digits or more, an error is displayed, the displaying flag F2 is reset, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the number data is 4 digits or less, the number data is stored in the search content memory 43. Next, the data in the search classification memory 42 is examined. Here, the data is "2"
If so, the data in the search content memory 43 is used as the product number, and from the product number file 4, the product number or later is designated as a special sale item (
Special sale status-1) Request the store controller 3 to extract product numbers and product names for a maximum of 20 products. As a result, when the corresponding data is returned from the store controller I roller 3, all the product numbers and product names in the data are displayed on the display 18 (list display control means).

Further, the product number next to the last product number in the reply data is stored in the next product number memory 44, and this process is ended.

When the data in the search classification memory 42 is "1", the data in the search content memory 43 is set as a department, and the store is used to extract up to 20 product numbers and product names belonging to that department from the first product number in the product number file 4. Request to controller 3. As a result, when the corresponding data is returned from the store controller 3, all the product numbers and product names in the data are displayed on the display 18 (list display control means). Further, the product number next to the last product number in the reply data is stored in the next product number memory 44, and this process is ended.

If the data in the search classification memory 42 is "0", the data in the search content memory 43 is used as the product number, and the data is sent to the store controller 3 in order to extract the product numbers and product names of products after that product number from the product number file 4 for up to 20 products. request. As a result, when the corresponding data is returned from the store controller 3, all the product numbers and product names in the data are displayed on the display 18 (list display control means). Further, the product number next to the last product number in the reply data is stored in the next product number memory 44, and this process is ended. In addition, the search classification memory 4
If the contents of 2 are other than rOJ~r2}, an error is displayed, the displaying flag F2 is reset, and this process ends.

On the other hand, if the display flag F2 in the area 46 is set in response to an input from the display key 35, the data in the search classification memory 42 is checked. Here, if the data is "2", the product number and product name of the product specified as a special sale product after the product number in the next product number memory 44 is stored in the product number file 4 up to 20 times.
A request is made to the store controller 3 to extract the product.

As a result, when the corresponding data is returned from the store controller 3, all the product numbers and product names in the data are displayed on the display 18 (list display control means).

Further, the product number next to the last product number in the reply data is stored in the next product number memory 44, and this process is ended.

When the data in the search classification memory 42 is rlJ, the store controller 3 extracts the product numbers and product names belonging to the department in the search content memory 43 for up to 20 products from the product numbers in the next product number memory 44 in the product number file 4. request to. As a result, if the corresponding data is returned from the store controller 3, all product numbers and product names in the data are displayed on the display 18 (list display control means). Further, the product number next to the last product number in the reply data is stored in the next product number memory 44, and this process is ended.

If the data in the search classification memory 42 is "0", a request is made to the store controller 3 to extract from the product number file 4 the product numbers and product names of products after the product number in the next product number memory 44 for a maximum of 20 products. As a result, if the corresponding data is returned from the store controller 3, all the product numbers and product names in the data are displayed on the display 18 (
list display control means). Further, the product number next to the last product number in the reply data is stored in the next product number memory 44, and this process is ended.

Note that the store controller 3 searches the product number file 4 according to requests from each label printer 1;
In this case, if the preset last product number is searched, the search destination is automatically returned to the first product number.

FIG. 10 shows the key processing of the product number key 33. When the input of the product number key 33 on the keyboard 16 is detected via the keyboard controller 17, first the area 46 of the RAM 14 is
Check whether the display flag F2 is set.

If the flag F2 is reset (0), the numeric data in the numeric buffer 41 is checked. Here, if the number data is 5 digits or more, the key input is regarded as an error and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the number data is 4 digits or less, the number data is used as the product number, and the product name and unit price corresponding to the product number are obtained from the product number file 4. A request is made to the store controller 3 to read product number data such as validity period. As a result, if the corresponding product number data is returned from the store controller 3, the product name, unit price, etc. in the data are displayed on the display 18.

Thereafter, when the scale unit 24 detects that weighing has been performed, the count data is taken in from the A/D converter 23 and converted into a weight value, and the price is calculated from the unit price and weight and displayed on the display 18. . In addition, the printing unit 20 is driven and controlled to print the product number and product name on the label paper in a preset format.
The unit price, weight value, price, etc. are printed, a label is issued, and this process ends. (First Label Issue Control Means) On the other hand, also when the display flag F2 is set (1) in response to the input of the product number key 33, the numeric data in the numeric buffer 41 is checked. Here, if the number data is 5 digits or more, the key input is regarded as an error and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the number data is 4 digits or less, the number data is used as the product number, and the product name corresponding to the product number is obtained from the product number file 4. A request is made to the store controller 3 to read product number data such as unit price and validity period. Further, the display screen of the display 18 is temporarily restored to the normal pricing display screen.

As a result, if the corresponding product number data is returned from the store controller 3, the product name, unit price, etc. in the data are displayed on the display 18. Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, once the weighing is performed in the weighing section 24, the weight value is determined, and the price is calculated and displayed on the display 18. Also,
Driving and controlling the printing unit 20 to print on label paper,
A label is issued and this process ends. (Second label issue control means) FIG. 11 shows the key processing of the cancel key 36. When the input of the cancel key 36 on the keyboard 16 is detected via the keyboard controller 17, first the area 46 of the RAM 14 is
Check whether the display flag F2 is set.

If the flag F2 is set (1), the display screen of the display 18 is returned to the normal pricing display screen.

After that, the display flag F2 is reset and this process is ended. Note that if the display flag F2 is reset (0), the conventional cancel key process is executed.

In this embodiment configured in this way, after selecting the list display mode with the mode key 34, the number key 31 is pressed.
By setting data "0" to the search classification memory 42 using the and * keys 32, it becomes possible to display a list of product numbers and product names of each product after the desired product number. In this state, by manually inputting a desired product number using the numeric key 31 and then instructing list display using the display key 35, the product numbers and product names of products after the desired product number are extracted for 20 products from the product number file 4. and a list is displayed on the display 18.

Furthermore, by setting data "1" to the search classification memory 42 in the list display mode, it becomes possible to display a list of product numbers and product names of each product classified into a desired department. In this state, by inputting a desired department using the numeric keys 31 and then instructing list display using the display key 35, the product numbers and product names of products belonging to the desired department are extracted from the product number file 4 for 20 products. and a list is displayed on the display 18.

Further, by setting data "2" to the search classification memory 42 in the list display mode, it becomes possible to display a list of product numbers and product names of each product classified as special sale designated products. In this state, by manually inputting a desired product number using the number keys 31 and then instructing list display using the display key 35, the product numbers and product names of the products specified for sale after the desired product number are displayed from the product number file 4. Twenty products are extracted and displayed as a list on the display 18.

On the other hand, when the product number and product name of each product are displayed in a list on the display 18, by specifying the product number using the number keys 31 and the product number key 33, the specified product number can be entered from the product number file 4. The corresponding product number data is read out and labels can be issued.

At this time, the display screen of the display 18 is switched from the list display screen to a normal pricing screen, and the product name, unit price, etc. in the product number data are displayed. Here, when the product is weighed in the weighing section 24, its weight value is determined and the price is calculated. Then, the printing unit 20 prints the product number on the label paper in a predetermined format. Product name, unit price, weight value. Prices etc. are printed on it and it is issued as a label.

Note that when the display key 35 is manually operated again in the list display state, the display contents are updated, and a list of product numbers and product names for the next 20 applicable products is displayed.

In addition, by inputting the cancel key 36 in the list display state, the display returns to the normal display mode, and the display screen of the display 18 changes from the list display screen shown in FIG. 4B to the normal pricing screen shown in FIG. 4A. Switch. In this state, when the product number is designated and the product is weighed by the weighing section 24, a label for the product with the designated product number is issued in the same manner as in the past.

Therefore, for example, when pricing a meat department, first input the mode key 34 on the keyboard 16 of the label printer 1 to change the display mode of the display 18 from the normal pricing screen display mode to the list display mode. Switch to Then, the search classification setting guide screen as shown in FIG. 12 will be displayed.
1 to input the data "1" that specifies the department, and then press the * key 32. Next, the code "01" indicating the meat department is input using the number key 31, and then the display key 35 is operated. Then, by the action of the store controller 3, the product name and product number of each product belonging to the meat category "01" are extracted for 20 products from the first product number of the product number file 4, and the display 18 of the label printer 1 is displayed as shown in the iJB diagram. displayed as a list. Therefore, the person in charge can confirm the product number of the meat product by visually checking the list on this display screen. Here, if the product name and product number of the product for which the label is to be issued are not displayed, press the display key 3 again.
5 is operated manually. By doing so, the product numbers and product names for the next 20 products are extracted and displayed on the display 1 in the same way.
8 is listed.

Once the product number of the product for which the label is to be issued is confirmed in this manner, the corresponding product number is entered using the number keys 31, and then the product number key 33 is operated manually. Then, the display on both sides of the display 18 temporarily returns to the normal pricing double side as shown in FIG. 4A, and the product name, unit price, etc. in the product number data corresponding to the designated product number are displayed. When the weighing section 24 weighs the product, the price is automatically calculated from the weight and unit price, and the printing section 20 prints the product number and name on the label paper. A label is issued with the unit price, weight value, price, etc. printed on it, and the label is affixed to the product.

After that, when the display key 35 is inputted again, the product numbers and product names for the next 20 products are extracted and displayed on the display 18.
will be listed. Note that when the search is performed up to the last product number in the product number file 4, the search automatically returns to the first product number and the search for the corresponding product is repeated.

Further, for example, when pricing a product designated for sale, after switching to the list display mode, data "2" is entered, and then the * key 32 is inputted. Next, after manually inputting an appropriate product number using the number keys 31, the display key 35 is operated manually. Then, the product name and product number of each product designated for special sale after the manual product number are extracted for 20 products and displayed in a list on the display 18 of the label printer 1. Therefore, the person in charge can confirm the product number of the special sale designated product by visually checking the list on this display screen.

Thereafter, similarly, if the product name and product number of the product for which a label is to be issued are not displayed, the user inputs the display key 35 again. After confirming the product number of the product for which the label is to be issued, the product number is specified using the number key 31 and the product number key 33, and the product is weighed. By doing so, a label for the corresponding product will be issued.

In this way, by specifying the department to which a product for which a label is to be issued belongs, the product number and product name of each product that belongs to that department among the products preset in the product number file 4 are displayed in a list on the display 18, and other Since the product number and product name of the product belonging to the department are omitted, the person in charge of pricing work can easily and reliably confirm the product number of the product for which the label is to be issued by visually checking the display screen. Then, by specifying the product number when the corresponding product number is confirmed, the product number data corresponding to the specified product number is read out, and the label can be issued. Therefore, there is no need to look up a correspondence table that associates the product number and product name of each product as in the past. Moreover, by looking at the screen of the display unit 18 and finding the product number,
Since the user can immediately specify the corresponding product number by operating keys on the keyboard 16, work efficiency is improved and errors in entering the product number can be reduced. Further, since only products belonging to a desired department are selectively displayed in a list and the search target is narrowed down, the time required for the search is also shortened.

In addition, if the product for which the label is issued is a special sale designated product, the corresponding product number is selected by selectively extracting and displaying a list of the product numbers and product names of the special sale designated products from among the products preset in the product number file 4. It is also possible to search. In this case as well, workability can be improved, input errors are reduced, and working time is also shortened.

In the above embodiment, the product number file 4 was explained as being held by the upper store controller 3, but the present invention can of course be applied even if the product number file is held by a single label printer. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a fixed price label printer that does not have a weighing section.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, at least the product name and product number of each product can be displayed in a list on the display according to the classification to which the product to which a label is issued belongs, and the corresponding product can be quickly identified. It is possible to provide a label printer that can search product numbers, reduce input errors, and simplify product number search work.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system incorporating a weighing label printer related to the present invention, Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a product number file, and Figure 3 is a diagram of a weighing label printer. A block diagram of the printer, FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of the display screen of the display unit, FIG. 5 is a diagram of the key layout of the keyboard, FIG. 6 is a diagram of the main memory configuration of the RAM, and FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing main key processing in the CPU, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the display. 1... Label printer, 4... Product number file, 11
...CPU, 14...RAM, 16...Keyboard, 18...Display unit, 20...Printing section, 24...
Weighing section, 33...Product number key 34...Mode key 3
5...Display key 36...Cancel key

Claims (1)

[Claims] A product number file in which product number data such as product name, unit price, various product classification information, etc. is preset corresponding to the product number assigned to each product, a printing unit that prints on predetermined label paper, and a product number for which labels are issued. A product number specifying means for specifying a product number, a screen display device, a normal display mode for displaying product number data of one product on the screen display device, and a list display for displaying a list of at least product numbers and product names of a plurality of products. mode switching means for switching between modes, classification information setting means for setting any one of the various product classification information, list display instruction means for instructing the screen display to display a list, and the mode switching means When a product number is designated by the product number designation means while the normal display mode is selected, the product number data corresponding to the designated product number is read from the product number file and displayed on the screen display, and the printing unit is driven. a first label issuance control means for causing a label to be issued; and when a list display mode is selected by the mode switching means and the instruction means instructs the execution of the list display, the classification information setting means list display control means for extracting the product number and product name of each product belonging to the set product classification information from the product number file and displaying it on the screen display; When a product number is designated by the product number designation means, the screen display device is returned to the normal display mode, and product number data corresponding to the designated product number is read from the product number file and displayed on the screen display device, and the printing unit is driven. A label printer comprising a second label issuing control means for issuing a label.