JPH07119132B2 - Label printer - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a label printer used for product pricing in a supermarket or the like.

[Prior Art] A label printer for printing / issuing a pricing label attached to a product, for example, a weighing label printer equipped with a scale, generally has a product number corresponding to the product number appropriately attached to each product. There is a product number file in which product number information (JAN, EAN, etc.), label name, unit price per unit weight, expiration date, etc. is preset. In the label issuing mode, you can specify the product number from the keyboard. Then, the product number information corresponding to the input product number is read from the product number file, the weight value of the product is taken in from the scale, and the price is calculated from the weight value and the unit price. Then, a bar code symbol, which is a bar code of the product code, is printed on the label paper together with the product name, unit price, weight value, price, processing date, effective date, etc. at the printing unit.

Such a weighing label printer is used, for example, when performing a pricing operation for fresh products such as meat and vegetables. That is, the person in charge of the pricing operation inputs the product number of the product to be priced, which is prepackaged in appropriate amounts, from the keyboard or the like, and puts the product on the scale for weighing. By doing so, the pricing label of the corresponding product is automatically issued, and the pricing label is attached to the product.

By the way, the product code of each product handled in the store (JA
Product information such as product name, unit price, etc. is preset corresponding to N, EAN, etc., and a product file for accumulating sales data for each product code is provided in the file processor. A so-called POS system (point-of-sale information management) in which the cash registers are connected via in-line lines and the registration information of products sold at each electronic cash register is centrally managed by the file processor.
The system is widely used in supermarkets and the like. Then, a label printer for issuing a price label is connected to the inline line, and the file processor also manages information about products priced by the label printer.

However, in this case, it is necessary to match the product code of each product preset in the product file of the file processor with the product code corresponding to the product number of each product preset in the product number file of the label printer.
This is because the product sales registration is performed by reading the bar code of the priced label issued from the label printer with the electronic cash register. If they do not match, the registration will result in an error or a completely different registration. It will be registered as a product. Therefore, in the past, the price label of each product was actually issued with a label printer at the appropriate time, and the barcode of the issued label was read by the barcode scanner of the electronic cash register, and the product code of the product number file for the same product I was checking if the product code in the product file matches.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, conventionally, a label printer actually issues a price label for each product, and the barcode of the issued label is read by a barcode scanner of an electronic cash register. , It was checked whether the product code of the product number file and the product code of the product file for the same product match. Therefore, checking requires a lot of time and labor, and many labels are wasted, which is a problem in terms of cost.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and quickly check whether the product code of the product number file and the product code of the product file for the same product match without actually issuing a label. It is an object of the present invention to provide a label printer which can reduce the burden, prevent the label from being wasted, and save the cost.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] The present invention has a product number file in which product number information such as a product code, label name, unit price, etc. of each product is preset corresponding to the product number attached to each product, In the label printer that reads the product number information corresponding to the specified product number from this product number file and issues a label, connect to the file processor that manages the product file in which product information such as product name and unit price is preset corresponding to the product code of each product. In the state that the product code corresponding to each product number in the product number file exists in the product file, the file processor is queried for the existence of the product code, and the response information from the file processor for this inquiry is output. Whether the product code in the product number file for the product matches the product code in the product file The check is performed only by sending and receiving data without actually issuing a label.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire system of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of electronic cash registers (ECRs) 1 for registering products for sale and a price label for products are issued. A plurality of label printers 2 for performing the above, and a file processor for centrally managing information about products registered in the electronic cash registers 1 and information about products issued by the label printers 2 ( FP) 3 and inline line 4
Are connected in a closed loop. A store processor (SP) 6 including a host computer is connected to the file processor 3 via an online line 5. The store processor 6 collects information managed by the file processor 3 to analyze sales and manage inventory.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the file processor 3 has a name (14 characters) corresponding to the product code (for example, JAN code: 13 digits) of each product that can be registered in each electronic cash register 1, Product information such as unit price is preset, and a product file 7 is provided for accumulating sales data of products registered in each electronic cash register 1 for each product. The setting of each item information in the item file 7 is performed by the download / download from the store processor 6.
It is done by line loading.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the label printers 2 has a product code (for example, 4 digits) unique to the product corresponding to the product number (for example, 4 digits) attached to the product for which the label can be issued by the label printer for convenience. Each has a product number file 8 in which product number information such as JAN code: 13 digits, label name (22 characters) and unit price is preset. This part number file 8
The setting of each item number information is performed by the corresponding label printer 2 by key operation.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the file processor 3. A CPU 11 as a control unit main body stores, via a bus line 12, a ROM 13 in which a control program, a communication program and the like are stored, a RAM 14 in which memory areas such as a transmission buffer and a reception buffer are formed, and each storage of the product file 7. Section, an in-line controller 15 for controlling data transmission / reception performed between the electronic cash register 1 or each label printer 2 via the in-line line 4, and the store processor 6 via the online line 5. It controls each controller unit of the online controller 16 that controls the data transmission and reception performed between them.

Then, the CPU 11 is program-controlled to execute the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 after the file processor 3 is powered on and a predetermined initialization processing is performed. That is, the inline controller 15 and the online controller 16 are monitored, and the inline line 4
It is determined whether data is being sent from each electronic cash register 1 or each label printer 2 via the, or whether data is being sent from the store processor 6 via the online line 5. And
When it is confirmed that the data is sent through any of the lines, the normal processing according to the received data is executed.

Here, when data is sent from each electronic cash register 1 or each label printer 2 through the inline line 4 and it is confirmed that the received data is an inquiry message of the product code, the message in the message is The product file 7 is searched using the product code. If the product code corresponding to the product file 7 has been preset, the product information such as the name and unit price corresponding to the product code is read out and incorporated in an affirmative response (ACK response), and the electronic cash register of the inquiry source is read. 1 or reply to the label printer 2. On the other hand, if the corresponding product code is not preset, a negative response (NAK response) is returned to the inquiry origin electronic cash register 1 or the label printer 2.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of the label printer. CPU21 as the control unit main body
Via, a ROM 23 in which program data, character generator data, numeric code / bar code conversion data, etc. are stored, a RAM 24 in which various memory areas such as a work memory for data processing, a print buffer, and a display buffer are formed, and An in-line controller 25 for controlling transmission / reception of data between each memory unit of the product number file 5 and the file processor 3 via the in-line line 4, a numeric keypad for inputting numerical data such as a product number, and a numerical value A product number, a unit price of a product is controlled by driving and controlling a keyboard controller 27 to which a key signal is input from a keyboard 26 provided with a product number key or the like for indicating that the data is a product number, and a display 28 such as a CRT display. Display controller 29 for displaying weight, price, etc.,
Each controller unit of a print controller 31 for controlling the printing unit 30 to print data on a conveyed label sheet or the like is provided. The keyboard controller 27 is also connected to a mode switch 32 operated by a key for selecting various business modes such as a label issuing mode and a data setting mode.

Further, the CPU 21 is adapted to fetch the date and time data from the clock circuit 33, which keeps time and date.

Further, the weight value (count value) digitally converted by the A / D (analog / digital) converter 35 for converting the weight signal from the weighing section 34 for weighing the product into a digital count value is set at a predetermined timing. Is read by the CPU 21.

Then, the CPU 21 is program-controlled to execute the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 after the label printer 2 is powered on and a predetermined initialization processing is performed. That is, it monitors the keyboard controller 27 and waits for a key signal to be input from the keyboard 26. Then, when it is detected that a key signal is input by the key input operation of the keyboard 26, the keyboard controller 27
Check the state of the mode switch 32 via. Then, the key processing of the input key signal according to the business mode designated by the mode switch 32 is executed.

Here, assuming that the data setting mode is designated by the mode switch 32 and the input key signal is due to the input of the product number key, it is determined whether or not the numeric keypad is used immediately before the input of the product number key. If it is judged, it is an error to enter the product number key. On the other hand, if the number is not set, the built-in counter A is initialized to "1", then the product code corresponding to the product number A is read from the product number file 8 and the inquiry message of the product code is edited. , To the file processor 3 via the inline line 4. At this time, the file processor 3 searches the product file 7 as described above, and returns an affirmative response when the product code is preset and a negative response when the product code is not preset. Therefore, the response message is received, and predetermined data (product number, product number,
A label name, a product code, a name, a message corresponding to a response message, etc.) are displayed (see FIG. 7), and the printing unit 30 prints the predetermined data on the recording paper (8th embodiment).
See figure). After that, the counter A is updated by "+1" each, an inquiry about the corresponding product code is made, and display and print output are performed according to the response result. In this way, the product codes corresponding to the product numbers of all the products (N products) preset in the product number file 8 are sequentially inquired, and if the display and the print output according to the response result are performed, this processing is ended.

In the present embodiment configured as described above, the setting of each item information for the item file 7 provided in the file processor 3 is performed under the control of the store processor 6. On the other hand, in order to set the product number information in the product number file 8 provided in each label printer 2, the data setting mode is selected by the mode switch 32 in the corresponding label printer 2 and the predetermined key of the keyboard 26 is input. Is done by doing. Therefore, the product code as the product number information of a certain product may not match the product code of the product in the product file 7 due to an error in setting the product number information in the product number file 8. In such a case, even if the barcode of the pricing label issued from the corresponding label printer 2 is read by the scanner of the electronic cash register 1 and the product is registered for sale, the registration may result in an error or another registration may be required. This causes a problem that the product is registered for sale.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, after setting the product number information for the product number file 8 of the label printer 2, the data setting mode is selected by the mode switch 32 with the label printer 2 connected to the file processor 3 via the inline line 4. Then, only the product number key on the keyboard 26 is keyed. Then, the product code as the product number information set in the product number file 8 of the label printer 2 is sequentially read out, and the file processor 3 is inquired.

Here, when the inquired product code is not preset in the product file 7 of the file processor 3, a negative response is returned. Then, in response to the negative response, the product code inquired on the display 28 as shown in 71 in FIG. 7, the product number and label name preset in the product number file corresponding to the product code, and the negative response are displayed. A message (for example, "NG") indicating that there was is displayed. Also, the printing unit 30 prints on the recording paper 80, for example, in FIG.
As shown at 81, the product code, product number, label name, and negative response message are printed.

On the other hand, when the inquired product code is preset in the product file 7 of the file processor 3, a positive response is returned. Then, in response to the affirmative response, the product code inquired on the display 28, for example, as shown at 72 in FIG. 7, the product number and label name preset in the product number file corresponding to this product code, and the affirmative response message are transmitted. The name in the sentence and a message (for example, "OK") indicating that the response was an affirmative response are displayed. Also, the printing unit 30 prints on the recording paper 80, for example, the product code as shown by 82 in FIG.
The product number, label name, name and acknowledgment message are printed.

Therefore, by checking the display content of the display 28 or the printing content of the recording paper 80 by the printing unit 30, the product code as the product number information of each product preset in the product number file 8 of the label printer 2 and the file It is possible to check whether the product codes of the same product preset in the product file 7 of the processor 3 match.
That is, when the determination result is “NG”, the product number file 8
The product code of the corresponding product is incorrect. Even if the determination result is "OK", if the label name and the name read from the product file 7 are inconsistent, the product code of the corresponding product in the product number file 8 is incorrect. On the other hand, when the determination result is “OK” and the label name and the name read from the product file 7 correspond to each other, the product number file 8
The product code of the corresponding product of is matched.

In this case, label paper is not used as the recording paper 80, and relatively inexpensive roll paper on which nothing is printed is used. After the product code is checked, the label printer 2 can be used with or without being connected to the in-line line 4.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, with the label printer 2 connected to the file processor 3 via the in-line line 4, the label printer 2 is set in the data setting mode and the product number key of the keyboard 26 is simply input. By a simple operation, the product code as the product number information of each product preset in the product number file 8 of the label printer 2 and the product code of the same product preset in the product file 7 of the file processor 3 match. It is possible to check whether or not there is. Therefore, the labor and time required for the check can be significantly reduced, the work efficiency can be improved, and the problem of wasted use of the label can be eliminated, so that the cost can be saved.

In the above embodiment, the product code as the product number information of each product preset in the product number file 8 of the label printer 2 and the product code of the same product preset in the product file 7 of the file processor 3 match. Although the case of collectively checking whether or not there is a case is shown, it is also possible to perform only the check of the products newly set in the product number file 8. In addition, the present invention is a scale unit.
It goes without saying that it can also be applied to a label printer that does not have 34 and issues labels for fixed-price products.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to actually issue a label to check whether or not the product code of the product number file and the product code of the product file match for the same product. It is possible to provide a label printer which can be carried out easily and in a short time, which can reduce the burden on the operator, prevent the label from being wasted, and save the cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a system, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a file format of a product file, and FIG. 3 is a file format of a product number file. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the file processor, FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing main operations of the CPU in the file processor,
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the weighing label printer, FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the main operation of the CPU in the weighing label printer, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example at the time of checking the product code in the weighing label printer. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a print example at the time of checking the product code in the weighing label printer. 1 ... Electronic cash register, 2 ... Label printer, 3 ... File processor, 4 ... In-line line, 7 ... Product file, 8 ... Product number file.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A product number file in which product number information such as a product code, label name, and unit price of the product is preset corresponding to the product number attached to each product, and a product number corresponding to the designated product number from this product number file In a label printer that reads out information and issues a label, while connected via a line to a file processor that manages a product file in which product information such as product name and unit price corresponding to the product code of each product is preset, Product code inquiry means for inquiring to the file processor whether or not the product code corresponding to each product number in the product number file exists in the product file, and response information output for outputting response information from the file processor to the inquiry means A label printer comprising: