JPH11232067A - Label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To update a product information file from a remote place at time similar to that when a buyer or a person in charge lays in products by updating stored product information in accordance with received product information data. SOLUTION: CPU 21 supervises and controls an electronic charge scale. In RAM 21, a product information file is formed in addition to various work areas. A password approval flag, a password memory storing a password, a message file storing a message and quartz data counting present time are stored. A printer 31 constituted of a thermal head is connected to a printer controller 25 and the printer 31 prints a label adhered to the product. Product information stored in RAM 23 is updated by CPU 21 in accordance with product information data in various pieces of data received by MODEM 12 as a data reception part transmitting/receiving various pieces of data sent from outside by communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label printer used for an electronic toll scale used in supermarkets such as meat, fruits and vegetables, and fresh fish.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In supermarkets and the like, electronic toll scales in which commodities such as meat and fresh fish are weighed and the names and prices of the commodities are printed on labels are widely used.

[0003] For example, the purchase price of a commodity such as fresh fish or fruits and vegetables varies from day to day. A label on which the product name and sale price are printed is attached to the surface of the prepacked product on which the product is wrapped.

[0004] The selling price to be printed on this label must be determined in consideration of the purchase price.

[0005] The determined selling price of the product has been manually input by the operator to the electronic toll scale.

[0006] By the way, products such as fresh fish and fruits and vegetables are usually purchased in the early morning.

[0007] Therefore, in order to reflect the purchase price determined by the buyer or the responsible person dispatched from the supermarket to the wholesale market for fresh fish and fruits and vegetables in the selling price of the product on that day, the buyer or the responsible person installs the product in the supermarket as soon as possible. It was necessary to set the selling price on the label printer.

[0008]

However, since no operator is working at a supermarket in the early morning, such a contact could not be made. In addition, even if there is an operator who works at a supermarket, it is extremely difficult to accurately convey the selling prices of many commodities when two or more buyers and operators intervene to report the selling price by telephone. .

[0009] For this reason, when a buyer or a responsible person dispatched from a supermarket or the like to a wholesale market for fresh fish or fruits and vegetables returns to the supermarket and decides on selling prices, the pre-packed products must be purchased by the day of opening. There was a problem that the label could not be applied in time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to externally access a product information file storing sales prices and the like of products through a communication line, and to provide a fresh fish from a supermarket or the like. Another object of the present invention is to provide a label printer capable of updating a product information file from a remote place at the same time as a buyer or a manager dispatched to a wholesale market for fruits and vegetables or purchasing.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label printer, comprising: a product information storage unit for storing product information for each product; and a label printer based on the product information stored in the product information storage unit. A data receiving unit that receives various data transmitted by communication from the portable terminal, and stores the product information according to the product information data among the various data received by the data receiving unit. Updating means for updating the product information stored in the section.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the product information stored in the product information storage unit is updated in accordance with the product information data transmitted from the outside via the data receiving unit. I have.

[0013] For this reason, since the commodity information can be updated in real time from a remote wholesale market, by printing a label based on the updated commodity information, the purchase price of the commodity in the wholesale market can be changed. This can be reflected in selling prices sold at supermarkets and the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the label printer of the first aspect, the product information storage unit stores at least production amount data of the product, and the updating unit stores the product data received by the data receiving unit. The production amount data stored in the product information storage unit is updated based on the information data.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the commodity information including the production amount data can be updated in real time from a wholesale market located in a remote place, the label is printed based on the updated commodity information, so that the wholesale market can be updated. The purchase price of a product in the market can be reflected not only in the selling price of the product at a supermarket or the like, but also in the number of products produced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a label printer stores product information for each product, and prints product information on a label based on the product information stored in the product information storage. A printing unit, a display unit for displaying various data, a data receiving unit for receiving various data transmitted from outside via communication, and the product information storage unit according to the product information data received by the data receiving unit. And updating means for updating the product information stored in the data receiving section, and means for displaying message data of the various data received by the data receiving section on the display section.

Therefore, in addition to the operation described in claim 1,
Since data transmitted from the outside can be displayed on the display unit, an instruction can be given from the outside to an operator who operates the label printer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label printer, comprising: a determination unit for determining whether a password is correct among various data received by the data receiving unit according to the first aspect,
Only when the determination unit determines that the password is correct, the updating unit updates the product information stored in the product information storage unit in accordance with the product information data among the various data received by the data receiving unit. It is made possible.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the product information stored in the product information storage unit can be updated only when the passwords match. Security can be improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label printer, comprising: a product information storage unit for storing product information for each product; and a printing unit for printing a label based on the product information stored in the product information storage unit. A data receiving unit that receives various data transmitted from the outside through communication, and among the various data received by the data receiving unit, the product information stored in the product information storage unit according to the product information data. Updating means for updating, a power control unit for controlling supply of power to the label printer main body, and when various data are received by the data receiving unit, the power control supplies power to the label printer main body. It is characterized by the following.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when various data are received by the receiving unit, power is supplied to the label printer main body. Therefore, even if an operator operating the label printer is not present. The product information stored in the product information storage unit can be updated.

[0022]

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 an example in which a label printer according to the present invention is applied to an electronic gold balance.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an electronic fee scale.
The electronic toll scale 11 includes a modem 1 as a data receiving unit for transmitting and receiving various data transmitted from outside through communication.
2 are connected.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a personal computer (PC) installed for operation by a buyer or a person dispatched to a wholesale market for fresh fish and fruits and vegetables. The personal computer 13 includes the modem 12
And a modem 14 connected via a telephone line L.

Next, a block diagram showing a system configuration of the electronic toll scale 11 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a CPU that controls the electronic toll scale.
(Central processing unit). A ROM (read only memory) is provided in the system bus 21a from the CPU 21.
22, RAM (random access memory) 23, I
I / O port 24, printer controller 25, display controller 26, keyboard controller 27,
The RS232C terminal 28 is connected.

The ROM 22 stores a control program for performing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

Further, in addition to the various work areas, a product information file as shown in FIG. 4 is formed in the RAM 12, a password approval flag, a password memory for storing a password, and a message file for storing a message. In addition, quartz data for counting the current time is stored.

The I / O port 24 has a measuring section 29.
Are connected via the A / D converter 30. The weighing unit 29 electrically measures the weight of a product such as fresh fish or fruits and vegetables. The weighing unit 29 outputs analog weighing data.

The analog weighing data is converted into digital weighing data in the A / D converter 30,
Input to the I / O port 24.

A printer 31 composed of a thermal head is connected to the printer controller 25.
In the printer 29, a label to be attached to a product is printed.

Further, the display controller 2
A display 32 is connected to 6. The display control on the screen of the display 32 is performed by the display controller 26.

Further, a keyboard 33 is connected to the keyboard controller 27. The keyboard 33 is provided with keys for inputting data to be set in the product information file existing in the RAM 23 described above. In addition, the keyboard 33 has “OFF”,
A mode switch (not shown) for setting various modes such as “registration”, “inspection”, “payment”, and “setting” is also provided.

An outlet 41 is connected to a 100 V AC power supply. The 100 V AC power supplied through the outlet 41 is input to the A / D converter 42 and converted into a 5 V DC voltage.

The power supply from the A / D converter 42 to the electronic toll scale 11 is performed by a power supply control described later.
This is performed in response to the permission signal e from the control circuit 43.

The signal received by the modem 12 is connected to the power control circuit 43.

The modem 12 has a power control circuit 33.
Is connected to the RS232C terminal 28 via the.

The power supply control circuit 33 includes the modem 12
When the data is received via the A / D converter 42, the permission signal e is output to the A / D converter 42.

As described above, the power is supplied to the electronic toll scale 11 when the data is received by the modem 12.
Is automatically supplied in response to the data, but when data from the modem 12 is not input, power can be supplied by a power switch (not shown).

Next, an external view of the electronic toll scale will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 51 denotes a housing of the electronic fee scale. The display 32 is provided on the upper end of the housing 51.

Further, near the upper end of the housing 51,
A keyboard 33 is provided.

Further, at the center of the side surface of the housing 51,
A printer 31 for printing and issuing labels is provided.

Further, in the immediate vicinity of the housing 51, a weighing section 29 for weighing the product is provided.

Next, the merchandise information file set in the RAM 23 will be described with reference to FIG. This product information file stores a product code, a product name, a unit price, a tare, and the number of packs for each product number.

For example, the product number "0001" has a product code of "100001", a product name of "sardine", a unit price of "150 (yen)", and a tare of "5 (gram 9g).
“20 (months)” is set as the number of packs.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. When data is received by a power switch (not shown) of the electronic toll scale or the modem 12, power is supplied to the electronic toll scale 11.

As described above, when power is supplied to the electronic toll scale 11, the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is started. First, the contents of the RAM 23 are cleared (step S1).

Next, the contents of the ROM 22 are checked (step S2).

Then, the I / O port 24 is checked (step S3).

Next, it is determined whether or not there is a task process (step S4). In the process of step S4, "YE
If "S" is determined, the task determination processing of steps S5 and S6 is performed.

First, it is determined whether a key task has occurred (step S5). Here, the key task is a task generated by operating the keyboard 33.

If the determination in step S5 is "YES", it is posted to the key task process.
That is, activation is performed.

This key task processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

On the other hand, if "NO" is determined in the determination in step S6, it is determined whether the task is a communication task (step S6).

If the determination in step S6 is "YES", it is posted to the communication task process.
That is, activation is performed.

This communication task processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

If the determination in step S6 is "NO", the above-described determination processing in step S4 is performed.

Next, the key task processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, a wait (waiting process) is performed (step S11).

Next, the mode switch is set to the "off" position,
"Registration" position, "Inspection" position, "Checkout" position, "Setting"
Depending on the position, corresponding processing is performed.

First, it is determined whether the mode switch is at the "OFF" position (step S12). This step S
If it is determined to be "YES" in the determination of 12, the process of blinking the display on the display 32 is performed (step S13).

Then, the weighing process is performed in the weighing section 29 (step S14).

Here, in the determination of step S12, "N
If it is determined to be "O", it is determined whether the key position of the mode switch is the "registration" position (step S1).
5).

In this step S15, "YES"
Is determined, it is determined whether initialization is necessary (step S16).

In this step S16, "YES"
Is determined, initialization processing such as display and flags is performed (step S17).

Then, a test display is made on the display 32 (step S18).

Further, it is determined whether the weighing data output from the weighing section 29 is stable (step S19).

As long as "NO" is determined in step S19, the test display process of step S18 is continuously performed.

On the other hand, "YES" in the determination in step S19.
Is determined, the check of the zero range is checked (step S20).

Further, an initial registration display is made on the display 32 (step S21).

Thereafter, the registration process is started (step S
21a).

This registration processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

By the way, in the determination of step S22, "N
If it is determined to be "O", it is determined whether the key position of the mode switch is the "inspection" position (step S2).
2).

If "YES" is determined in step S22, it is determined whether initialization is necessary (step S22).

"YES" in the determination at step S22
Is determined, it is determined whether initialization is necessary (step S23).

If the determination in step S23 is "YES", an initial display of the inspection mode is performed (step S24).

Thereafter, an inspection process is performed (step S).
25).

On the other hand, if the determination in step S22 is "NO", it is determined whether the key position of the mode switch is in the "pay-out" position (step S26).

If the determination in step S26 is "YES", it is determined whether initialization is necessary (step S27).

If the determination in step S27 is "YES", an initial display of the settlement mode is performed (step S28).

Thereafter, a settlement process is performed (step S).
29).

On the other hand, if "NO" is determined in the determination in step S26, it is determined whether the key position of the mode switch is the "set" position (step S30).

If the determination in step S30 is "YES", it is determined whether initialization is necessary (step S31).

If "YES" is determined in step S31, an initial display of the setting mode is performed (step S32).

Thereafter, a setting process is performed (step S
32).

Next, the registration process of FIG. 2 (step S21)
The detailed operation of a) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not there is key input data input from the keyboard 33 (step S41).

If the determination in step S41 is "YES", a process for the input key is performed (step S42).

Next, the weighing data measured by the weighing unit 29 is read out to the CPU 21 (step S43).

Then, the CPU 21 performs a scale data process for performing various processes on the scale data (step S44).

Then, an auto-zero process is performed on the scale data (step S45).

Next, a process of reading the time data from the quartz timer is performed (step S46).

Next, it is determined whether the net calculation is necessary or not (step S47). here,
When measuring by the weighing unit 29, since the measurement is performed with the product placed on the tare, the actual product weight (gross)
The product weight, including the tare weight (net)
Is determined by subtracting the tare weight from the gross weight.

By the way, in the determination of step S47, "YE
If it is determined to be "S", a process of calculating gross is performed first (step S48).

Next, an auto clear process is performed (step S49).

Next, a process of calculating a net (= gross-tare) is performed (step S50).

Then, the auto clear condition is checked (step S51).

Next, it is determined whether price calculation is necessary (step S52). If “NO” is determined in the above-described step S47, this step S52 is performed.
Skipped until

If the determination in step S52 is "YES", the net weight is multiplied by the weight unit price, and
The price is calculated (step S53).

Next, a price rounding process for rounding the price fraction is performed (step S54).

Next, a lamp is displayed (step S).
55).

Then, the data to be printed on the label is displayed on the display 32 (step S56).

Next, the label is printed out from the printer 31 (step S57).

Then, a process of incrementing the number of packs of the product information file in the RAM 23 by "+1" is performed (step S5).
8).

When this process ends, the process returns to the key task process (step S5) in FIG.

Next, in step S6 of FIG. 5, "Y
The communication task processing when it is determined as "ES" will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 8, PC 1 is connected via modem 12.
3 is read (step S61).

Then, it is determined whether the data received by modem 12 is a communication start command (step S6).
2).

If "YES" is determined in the step S62, an instruction to input a password is returned to the PC 13 (step S63).

Then, the password approval flag is set to "0" (step S64).

Thereafter, the process returns to step S4 to perform the task process.

The PC 13 transmits the password via the modem 14 in response to the instruction for inputting the password transmitted in step S62.

In this way, the password transferred from the PC 13 is taken into the CPU 21 via the modem 14.

Then, the password transferred from the PC 13 is compared with a password preset in the RAM 23 of the electronic fee scale 11 (step S66).

Then, it is determined whether the two passwords match (step S67).

If the determination in step S67 is "YES", the electronic toll scale 11 transmits to the PC 13 that the passwords match (step S6).
8).

Then, the password approval flag set in the RAM 23 is set to "1" (step S69).

The PC 13 that has received the password approval message transmitted in step S68 transmits various commands to the electronic toll scale 11.

Here, the various commands include a command for reading a product information file, a command for writing a product information file, a command for writing to a message file, and the like.

Thus, various commands transmitted from the PC 13 are taken into the CPU 21 via the modem 12.

In step S6, "YE
S ", and the communication task of FIG. 8 is executed.

Here, when various commands are input via the modem 12, "N" is determined in step S62.
O "," NO "is determined in step S65, and it is determined whether the password approval flag is" 1 "(step S70).

The determination means is constituted by the processing of steps S65 to S70.

If the determination in step S70 is "NO", an error message indicating that the passwords do not match is transmitted to PC 13 (step S71).

Then, a message for inputting the password again is transmitted to PC 13 (step S72). Thereafter, the process returns to the process of step S4 in FIG.

By the way, in the determination of step S70, "YE
When it is determined to be "S", the processing for each command is executed (step S73). The processing for these various commands will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the processing for the various commands has been performed, the process returns to step S4 in FIG.

Next, the processing for various commands will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, CP
U21 determines whether the received command is a command for reading the product information file (step S8).
1).

If the determination in step S81 is "YES", a process of transferring the contents of the commodity information file stored in the RAM 23 based on the read command selection instruction to the PC 13 is performed. (Step S82).

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the determination in step S81, the received command is stored in the RAM 23
It is determined whether the command is a write command for writing data to the product information file stored in step S8.
3).

If the determination in step S83 is "YES", a writing process to the product information file is performed (step S84).

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the determination in step S83, it is determined whether the received command is a command to write to a message file (step S85).

If the determination in step S85 is "YES", a process for writing to the message file is performed (step S86).

When the processing in steps S82, S84 and S86 is completed, the flow returns to the processing in step S4 in FIG.

Updating means is constituted by steps S83 to S86 described above.

As described above, the contents of the product information file can be updated only when the password transmitted from the outside matches the preset password, so that the security can be enhanced.

A setting method when a password is set in the RAM 23 in the electronic fee scale 11 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the key position of the mode switch is set to the "set" position, "18" is input as the item number, and the "item select" key is operated. After inputting "3546" as the password, the user operates the "end setting" key.

By operating as described above, as shown in FIG.
46 "is set.

Next, when the message sent from the PC 13 is displayed on the display 32, the key position of the mode switch is set to the "registration" position as shown in FIG. 12, and then the "message display" key is operated. Then, FIG.
The message stored in the message file is displayed on the display 32 as shown in FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, the transmission and reception of data between the electronic toll scale 11 and the remote PC 13 are performed via the modems 12 and 14.
As shown in the figure, PHS 51 and PHS 52 are connected to the electronic toll scale 11 and the mobile PC 13a, respectively.
The data described in the above embodiment may be transmitted and received between S51 and S52.

Further, a flash memory may be used instead of the ROM 22.

[0139]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the product information stored in the product information storage unit according to the product information data transmitted by communication from the portable terminal via the data receiving unit. I try to update.

[0140] For this reason, the commodity information can be updated in real time from a remote wholesale market. By printing a label based on the updated commodity information, the purchase price of the commodity in the wholesale market can be updated. This can be reflected in selling prices sold at supermarkets and the like.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the commodity information including the production amount data can be updated in real time from the remote wholesale market, the label is printed based on the updated commodity information. The purchase price of the product in the wholesale market can be reflected not only in the selling price of the product at a supermarket or the like, but also in the number of products produced.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, data transmitted from the outside can be displayed on the display unit, so that an operator operating the label printer can be displayed. Instructions can be given from outside.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the product information stored in the product information storage unit can be updated only when the passwords match each other. Security can be improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when various data are received by the receiving section, power is supplied to the label printer main body. Therefore, even if an operator operating the label printer is not present. The product information stored in the product information storage unit can be updated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an electronic toll scale according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the electronic fee scale.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electronic gold balance.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product information file according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the power is turned on.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a key task.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a registration process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a communication task.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining each command processing;
G.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary view for explaining a key input method for setting a password.

FIG. 11 is a view showing data set in a password memory.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining key input processing for displaying a message on a display.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display state of a display.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11: Electronic toll scale, 12, 14: Modem, 13: PC, 21: CPU, 29: Metering unit, 31: Printer, 32: Display, 43: Power control circuit.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A product information storage unit for storing product information for each product, a printing unit for printing a label based on product information stored in the product information storage unit, and communication from a portable terminal. A data receiving unit for receiving various data transmitted by the data receiving unit; and updating means for updating the product information stored in the product information storage unit in accordance with the product information data among the various data received by the data receiving unit. And a label printer comprising: 2. The product information storage unit stores at least production amount data of the product, and the updating unit stores the product amount data in the product information storage unit based on the product information data received by the data receiving unit. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the production amount data is updated. A product information storage unit for storing product information for each product; a printing unit for printing product information on a label based on the product information stored in the product information storage unit; A display unit for displaying, a data receiving unit for receiving various data transmitted from the outside through communication, and product information stored in the product information storage unit according to the product information data received by the data receiving unit. And a means for displaying message data among the various data received by the data receiving unit on the display unit. And determining means for determining whether the password is correct among the various data received by the data receiving unit. Only when the determining means determines that the password is correct, the updating means sets the data. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the product information stored in the product information storage unit can be updated according to the product information data among the various data received by the receiving unit. 5. A product information storage unit for storing product information for each product; a printing unit for printing product information on a label based on the product information stored in the product information storage means; A data receiving unit for receiving various data transmitted by the data receiving unit; and updating means for updating the product information stored in the product information storage unit in accordance with the product information data among the various data received by the data receiving unit. And a power control unit that controls the supply of power to the label printer main body. When various data are received by the data receiving unit,
The power supply control supplies power to the label printer body.