JPH07314794A - Label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce burden of an operator and improve operability by dividing a data of article names in a PLU file of a commodity information memory means into a plurality of blocks and deleting the data of article names stored in an edit memory by reading from the PLU file starting from a block whose priority order is low. CONSTITUTION:A PLU file 31 is provided with a block information area 44 which divides a data of article names into a plurality of blocks and stores a data of the number of characters at every block, and a priority information area 45 for storing a data of priority order at every block. An edit memory 32 is provided for storing the data of article names read from the PLU file 31. When the number of characters of the data of article names stored in the edit memory 32 is larger than the number of printable characters in an article name column of a label paper, a data whose priority order is low in the article name data stored in the edit memory 32 is firstly deleted based on the priority order data in the priority information area 45 and the article name data read from the PLU file 31 is edited so as to automatically set the number of characters printable in the article name column of the label paper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

This invention relates to a PLU (price look
up) A label printer that has a file and prints at least the product name on a predetermined label sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some conventional label printers are provided with a PLU file that stores product information for each product. This PLU file generally stores product information such as product name and unit price for each product code (product number).
When printing the label, enter the product number of the corresponding product
Product information such as the product name and unit price of the corresponding product is called from the PLU file. For example, the price is calculated from the weight data and unit price supplied from a scale separately or integrally provided in this label printer, and the product name is displayed on the label. Print the unit price and price.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional label printer, the product name data is stored in the PLU file for each product, and the product name data is stored in the PLU file. Print the product name.

There is also known a label printer which can use a plurality of types of label papers having different label widths. The number of printable characters that can be printed on one line (one line) of a label sheet is limited by the label width, and the number of printable characters of the product name on the label sheet is also limited according to this limitation.

If the number of printable characters in the product name column on the label paper is larger than the number of characters of the product name data stored in the PLU file, all the product name data stored in the PLU file can be printed. If the number of printable characters in the product name column on the label paper is smaller than the number of characters of the product name data stored in the PLU file when the label paper with a narrow label width is used, all the product name data cannot be printed.

As described above, when the number of printable characters in the product name column on the label paper is smaller than the number of characters of the product name data stored in the PLU file, in the conventional label printer, the product name data equivalent to the shortage is generated. There was a problem that the data at the end could not be printed.

As a countermeasure, the product name data set in the PLU file is reset by the operator so that the product name data is within the number of printable characters in the product name column of the label paper. The work of resetting the product name data of such a PLU file is a burden on the operator, and this resetting work takes time and there is a problem that operability is poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a label printer capable of automatically editing the product name data from the PLU file so that the number of printable characters in the product name column of the label paper fits.

[0009]

The present invention comprises a product information storage means for storing product information such as a product name for each product,
In a label printer that calls up product information from this product information storage means and prints product information including at least a product name on a predetermined label paper, for each product, the product name information stored in the product information storage means is divided into a plurality of blocks. Block information storage means that divides and stores the character number information of each block, priority setting means that stores the priority information of each block, and whether the number of characters of product name information is larger than the number of characters that can be printed on label paper When the number of characters in the product name information is determined to be greater than the number of printable characters by the number of characters determination unit for determining whether or not the number of characters in the product name information is less than or equal to the printable character number, the priority setting unit is set. Provided is a product name editing means for sequentially deleting blocks having lower priorities based on the stored priority information and editing the product name information. It is intended.

[0010]

In the present invention having such a structure, the product name information stored in the product information storage means is divided into a plurality of blocks for each product, and the character number information of each block is stored in the block information means. Further, the priority order setting means stores information on the priority order of each block.

The number-of-characters determining unit determines whether the number of characters of the product name information stored in the product information storage unit is larger than the number of characters printable on the label paper, and it is determined that the number of characters of the product name information is larger than the number of printable characters. Then, until the number of characters of the product name information becomes less than or equal to the printable number of characters by the product name editing means, the product name information is edited by sequentially deleting from the block with lower priority based on the priority information stored by the priority setting means. To be done.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of essential parts of an electronic fee scale with a label printer to which the present invention is applied.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU (centr that constitutes the main body of the control unit.
al processing unit).

A ROM (read only memory) 2 in which program data for processing performed by the CPU 1 is stored, and the C
A random access memory (RAM) 3 in which areas of various memories used when the PU 1 performs processing and an A / D (analogue / analog / digital) 5, keyboard 6
D / P / RAM connected to a keyboard interface 7 for controlling transmission of data to and from, a display controller 9 for controlling the display device 8, and a printer 10 for printing labels
Each (Dual port random access memory) 11 is connected to the CPU 1 via a system bus 12.

The D / P / RAM 11 stores commands and print data from the CPU 1 side and status from the printing device 10 side. That is, the CPU 1 uses the D
-The status stored in the P-RAM 11 is read, the state of the printer 10 is confirmed based on this status, and the command and print data are transferred to the D-P-RAM 11
Write to. On the other hand, the printer 10 has the D / P / R
The command and print data written in AM11 are read, the label is printed based on the print data according to this command, and the status indicating the current state (for example, waiting for printing, printing, etc.)・ P ・ RA
Write to M11.

In the RAM 3, a PLU file 31 as a product information storage means and an edit memory 32 for editing a product name are formed. In the PLU file 31,
As shown in FIG. 2, a product number area 41, a unit price area 42, a product name area 43, a block information area 44 as block information storage means, a priority information area 45 as priority setting means, etc. are formed for each product, and further, In the block information area 44 and the priority information area 45, 3 corresponding to the A block, B block, and C block, respectively.
Individual areas are formed.

Although not shown, the keyboard 6 is provided with various keys such as a mode switch, a block key, a priority 1 key, a priority 2 key, a priority 3 key, and a numeric keypad.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of the PLU setting process performed by the CPU 1 in the PLU setting mode.

First, as the processing of step 1 (ST1), it is determined whether or not the key input from the keyboard 6 is a key input for designating a product name input (product number input). Here, if it is not the key input for inputting the product name input, another setting process is performed, and when the other setting process is completed, the process returns to the above-mentioned step 1 again.

When the key input from the keyboard 6 is the key input for designating the product name input, 0 is set to the character number counter, the block counter, and the data counter (all not shown) formed in the RAM 3.

Next, as a process of step 2 (ST2), it is determined whether or not a character code is input from the keyboard 6.

When the character code is input from the keyboard 6, it is determined whether the count value of the character number counter is 23 as the number of printable characters on the label paper. Here, if the count value of the character number counter is 23, an error process is performed as a character number over error.

The count value of the character number counter is 23.
If not (less than 23), the count value of the character number counter is incremented by +1 and the count value of the data counter is incremented by +1 and the number of characters is written in the product name area 43 of the PLU file 31. The input character code is set using the count value of the counter as the write start pointer. When the setting of the character code is completed, the process returns to the above-mentioned step 2 again.

In the processing of step 2 described above, the keyboard 6
If the character code is not input from, it is determined whether the block key is input.

Here, if the block key is not input from the keyboard 6, it is determined whether or not the input for ending the product name input is input from the keyboard 6. here,
When an input for ending the product name input is made from the keyboard 6, the process returns to the above-mentioned step 1 again. Further, if the input for ending the product name input is not made from the keyboard 6, the process returns to the above-mentioned step 2 again.

When the block key is input from the keyboard 6, it is determined whether the count value of the block counter is 3 as the maximum number of blocks. here,
If the count value of the block counter is 3, error processing is performed as a block over error.

Further, the count value of the block counter is 3
If not (less than 3), +1 is added to the count value of the block counter.

Next, an area corresponding to the count value of the block counter of the block information area 44 of the PLU file 31 (for example, if the count value is 1, the A block area of the block information area 44, and if the count value is 2, B area).
Set the count value of the data counter at that time to the block area, and if the count value is 3, the C block area corresponds.

When the setting of the block information area 44 is completed, the data counter is set to 0 and the priority information setting process described later is performed. When this priority information setting process is completed, the process returns to the above-mentioned step 2 again.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of the above-mentioned priority information setting process.

First, as the processing of step 3 (ST3), it is determined whether or not a key input by the priority 1 key of the keyboard 6 has been performed.

Here, if the key input by the priority 1 key is performed, the priority information area 45 of the PLU file 31.
It is determined whether or not the priority information 1 is already set in. Here, if priority information 1 is already set,
Error handling is performed as a priority order double error.

If the priority information 1 is not set in the priority information area 45, 1 is set in the area corresponding to the count value of the block counter in the priority information area 45, and this priority information setting process is completed. It is supposed to do.

In the processing of step 3 described above, the keyboard 6
If the key input by the priority 1 key is not performed, it is determined in step 4 (ST4) whether or not the key input by the priority 2 key is performed.

Here, if the key input by the priority 2 key is performed, it is determined whether or not the priority information 2 is already set in the priority information area 45. Here, if the priority information 2 is already set, an error process is performed as a priority order double error.

If priority information 2 is not set in the priority information area 45, 2 is set in the area corresponding to the count value of the block counter in the priority information area 45, and this priority information setting process is completed. It is supposed to do.

In step 4 described above, the keyboard 6
If the key input by the priority 2 key is not performed, it is determined whether or not the key input by the priority 3 key is performed.
Here, if the key input by the priority 3 key is not performed, the process returns to the above-mentioned step 3 again.

When the key input is made by the priority 3 key, it is determined whether or not the priority information 3 is already set in the priority information area 45. Here, if the priority information 3 has already been set, an error process is performed as a priority order double error.

If priority information 3 is not set in the priority information area, 3 is set in the area corresponding to the count value of the block counter in the priority information area 45, and this priority information setting process is terminated. It is like this.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of the product name editing process performed by the CPU 1 in the label issuing mode.

First, the product name data of the corresponding product number, the product name data including the block information and the priority information is read from the PLU file 31, stored in the editing memory 32 formed in the RAM 3, and based on the condition of the specified paper or the like. The number of printable characters thus obtained is set in a storage area M (not shown) formed in the RAM 3.

Next, as the processing of step 5 (ST5), the number of product name characters obtained by adding all the numerical values of the block information stored in the editing memory 32 is set in the storage area N (not shown) formed in the RAM 3. .

Next, it is determined whether or not the number N of product name characters set in the storage area N is less than or equal to the number M of printable characters set in the storage area M (character number determination means). If the number N of product name characters is less than or equal to the number M of printable characters, it is determined that editing is not necessary and the product name editing process is terminated.

If the product name character number N is larger than the printable character number M, it is determined whether or not the priority information stored in the editing memory 32 is all 0 except the priority information 1. If all are 0 except for priority information 1,
When it is determined that further editing is impossible, the product name editing process is terminated.

In this case, the product name may be printed in the product name column and data indicating that the product is not clean may be set in the RAM 3 or the like to notify the occurrence of an editing error.

If it is determined that the priority information stored in the editing memory 32 is not 0 except for the priority information 1, that is, there is one or both of 2 or 3, step 6 (ST6) As the processing of (1), it is determined whether or not a numerical value larger than the numerical value of the priority information set in the A block of the priority information is set in another block.

If a value larger than the value set in the A block of the priority information is not set in another block, the value set in the A block of the block information stored in the edit memory 32. Is set as the number of deleted characters, and the delete pointer is set to 0.

From the product name data stored in the editing memory 32, the data for the set number of deleted characters is deleted from the set delete pointer 0 (from the beginning of the product name data), and the remaining product name data is pointered. A process of packing is performed so as to start from 0.

Next, 0 is stored in the A block of the block information and the A block of the priority information stored in the edit memory 32.
Is set (product name editing means), and the process returns to the above-mentioned step 5 again.

In the processing of step 6 described above, the priority information A
If a value greater than the priority information value set in the block is set in another block, step 7 (S
As a process of T7), it is determined whether or not a numerical value larger than the numerical value set in the B block of the priority information is set in another block.

Here, if a numerical value larger than the numerical value set in the B block of the priority information is not set in another block, the numerical value set in the B block of the block information stored in the edit memory 32. Is set as the number of deleted characters, and the delete pointer is set to the numerical value of the block A of the block information stored in the edit memory 32.

From the product name data stored in the editing memory 32, data corresponding to the number of deleted characters set by the set delete pointer is deleted, and the remaining product name data is deleted so that there is no empty area. Perform processing.

Next, the B block of the block information and the B block of the priority information stored in the edit memory 32 are set to 0.
Is set (product name editing means), and the process returns to the above-mentioned step 5 again.

In the process of step 6 described above, the priority information B
If a value greater than the value set in the block is set in another block (C block), the value set in the C block of the block information stored in the edit memory 32 is set as the number of deleted characters. , Delete pointer A of block information stored in edit memory 32
The result of adding the numerical value of the block and the numerical value of the B block is set.

From the product name data stored in the edit memory 32, the data corresponding to the number of deleted characters set by the set delete pointer is deleted, and the C block and the priority of the block information stored in the edit memory 32 are given. The C block of the information is set to 0 (product name editing means), and the process returns to step 5 described above.

In this embodiment having such a structure, the product name data is set by a character code. In the product name area 43 of FIG. 2, characters (images) corresponding to the character codes are shown, but the character codes are set in the order of these characters. The triangle in Fig. 2 is a space (a blank space for one character).
Is shown.

As for the product number 0001, the three-character data "Special Δ" is the product name data of the A block. The third Δ mark indicates a space, and this Δ mark will be used as a space according to FIG.

Further, the 7-character data including the 7th space "Wagyu roast meat Δ" below is the product name data of the B block. Further, the 9-character data "(for shabu-shabu)" is the product name data of the C block.

In this input setting method, first, the character code of "special", the character code of "select", and the code of "Δ" (space) are input, and then the block key is input to select "special Δ". It is set as a block, and 3 is set in the A block of the block information area 44. Further, by inputting the priority 3 key, 3 is set in the A block of the priority information area 45.

Next, "wa", "beef", "b", "-",
After inputting each character code of "su", "meat", and "Δ" (space), press the block key to set "Wagyu loin meat Δ" as B block, and B in block information area 44 7 is set in the block. Further, by inputting the priority 1 key, 1 is set in the B block of the priority information area 45.

Next, "(", "shi", "ya", "bu",
After inputting each character code of "shi", "ya", "bu", "for", ")", by inputting the block key,
"(For shabu-shabu)" is set as C block,
2 is set in the B block of the block information area 44. Further, by inputting the priority 2 key, 2 is set in the C block of the priority information area 45.

When a label of 55 mm is used, 23 characters can be printed as a product name, and when a label of 48 mm is used, 18 characters can be printed as a product name.

That is, when a label of 55 mm is used, 23 characters are set as the number of printable characters, so that the product name of the product number 0001 "Special Δ Wagyu loin Δ (for shabu-shabu)" is 19 characters. You can print everything from.

However, when a 48 mm label is used, 18 characters are set as the number of printable characters, so that the product name of the product number 0001 is 19 characters, and therefore printing cannot be performed. Therefore, the product name editing process is automatically performed. That is, the product name data stored in the editing memory 32 is sequentially deleted from the largest priority information until the number of printable characters is less than or equal to the printable character number. In the product number 0001, the data “special Δ” set in the block A in which the priority information 3 is set is deleted.

Then, the product name of the product number 0001 stored in the editing memory 32 is "Japanese beef loin Δ (for shabu-shabu).
) ”(16 characters), and in the block information area 44, A block is 0, B block is 7, and C block is 9
In the priority information area 45, A block is 0, B is
The number of blocks is 1, and the number of C blocks is 2.

In actual printing, product name data, price data, etc. are drawn in the drawing memory based on the product name data and other data stored in the editing memory 32, and the drawn contents are printed on the label. It

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the PLU file 31, the product name data is divided into a plurality of blocks, and the block information area 44 for storing the character number data for each block and the priority order for each block. A priority information area 45 for storing data and an editing memory 32 for storing the product name data read from the PLU file 31 are provided, and the number of characters of the product name data stored in the editing memory 32 can be printed in the product name column of the label paper. When the number of characters is larger than the number of characters, the product name data stored in the editing memory 32 is deleted from the data of lower priority based on the data of the priority order in the priority information area 45, thereby printing the product name data in the product name column of the label paper. By editing until the number of characters is less than or equal to the number of characters that can be printed, the number of characters that can be printed in the product name field of the label paper is automatically set. , It is possible to edit the item name data read from the PLU file 31.

In this embodiment, the number of characters is changed according to the label width. For example, the number of characters to be printed in the product name is set for each of a plurality of print formats, and when one format is selected, the product name The number of characters may be determined.

Since the words having lower priority are automatically deleted according to the priority, it is possible to automatically select the important words and edit the product name data. Therefore, the number of printable characters edited in this way can be changed. The item name data in is the best item name.

Therefore, there is no burden for the operator to change the product name, there is no time loss, and the product name data can be printed in the product name column of the label paper without character breaks, and the operability can be improved. .

In this embodiment, the product name printing field is shown as one line, but when the product name can be printed on two lines, when the label width is changed and printing cannot be performed on two lines, the priority order is changed. You may make it delete a low block.

Further, when a character having a low priority is deleted and the character is shifted to the left end, it is possible to widen the character interval or to print the character in the center of the print area.

[0074]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
By dividing the product name data of the PLU file into multiple blocks, and deleting the product name data read from the PLU file and stored in the editing memory from the block with the lowest priority, the number of printable characters in the product name column of the label paper will fit. In addition, it is possible to provide a label printer that can automatically edit the product name data from the PLU file, reduce the burden on the operator, and improve the operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of an electronic fee scale with a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a PL of an electronic charge balance with a label printer according to the same embodiment.
The figure which shows the memory structure of a U file.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of PLU setting processing performed by the electronic fee scale with the label printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of priority information setting processing performed by the electronic fee scale with the label printer of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of a product name editing process performed by the electronic fee scale with the label printer of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... CPU, 6 ... Keyboard, 31 ... PLU file, 32 ... Editing memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A product information storage means for storing product information such as a product name for each product is provided, and the product information is called from the product information storage means to print the product information including at least the product name on a predetermined label paper. In the label printer, for each product, the product name information stored in the product information storage unit is divided into a plurality of blocks, and the block information storage unit storing the character number information of each block and the priority order of each block. Priority setting means for storing information, character number determination means for determining whether the number of characters of the product name information is larger than the number of characters printable on label paper, and the number of characters of the product name information is printed by the character number determination means. When it is determined that the number of characters in the product name information is less than or equal to the number of printable characters, it is determined that the number of characters stored in the priority setting means is greater than A label printer, characterized in that a product name editing means is provided for sequentially deleting blocks having lower priorities based on information on priorities and editing product name information.