JP3956257B2 - Label issuing machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a label issuing machine configured to print product information registered in a PLU file (PLU: Price Look Up) according to a predetermined label format.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A label issuing machine that prints product information registered in a PLU file in accordance with a predetermined label format is generally configured so that a desired label format can be selected from a plurality of label formats. is there. In other words, such a label issuing machine holds a plurality of label formats in advance, expands the print data in the print buffer according to the selected label format, and prints the desired product information registered in the PLU file on the label. Like to do.
[0003]
Here, there are two selection methods for selecting a label format in the conventional label issuing machine. The first method is a method in which the PLU file has information relating to the label format for each product, that is, format specifying information, and a label format is selected based on the format specifying information (hereinafter referred to as PLU for convenience). This is called file setting method). This PLU file setting method has a characteristic that format specifying information can be freely set for each product. Another method is a method in which a label format selection function is provided in the label issuing machine itself, and a label format is selected by this selection function (hereinafter referred to as a machine setting method for convenience). This machine setting method has a characteristic that format specifying information can be shared for each product.
[0004]
Next, some conventional label issuing machines can be connected to a second label issuing machine. In other words, in a system having such a connection structure, print data can be transferred from the label issuing machine to the second label issuing machine by enabling data transfer to the second label issuing machine connected to the label issuing machine. Thus, the label can be issued from the second label printer. In this case, the label format of the label issued from the second label issuing machine is configured to be specified on the label issuing machine side, and the label format specified on the second label issuing machine side is specified. There are two types. In any case, with the system configured to connect the second label issuing machine to the label issuing machine, the label format of the label issued by the label issuing machine and the second label issuing machine for the same product information In general, it is configured such that the label format of the label to be issued can be selected independently.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the PLU file setting method is adopted as a method for selecting the label format, the label format depends on the contents of the PLU file. For this reason, when it is desired to issue a label having the same label format for each product, there is an inconvenience that the format specifying information in the PLU file must be the same for each product. This not only takes advantage of the characteristic of the PLU setting method that format specification information can be freely set for each product, but the format specification information in the PLU file is the same for each product every time a label is issued. The operation of resetting to is lacking in reality.
[0006]
Next, when the machine setting method is adopted as a method for selecting the label format, the label format depends on the label format selection function of the label issuing machine. In this case, since the label is issued only by one selected label format, labels are issued for all products according to the label format unless the label format is reselected. For this reason, when it is desired to change the label format for each product, reselection of the label format must be repeated, and there is a disadvantage that the operation is complicated.
[0007]
Further, in the case of a system in which the second label issuing machine is connected to the label issuing machine, the format of the label issued from the second label issuing machine is determined only by the machine setting method. For this reason, when it is desired to change the label format for each product, it is necessary to repeat reselection of the label format on the label issuing machine side or the second label issuing machine side, and the operation is complicated. There is an inconvenience.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to realize the issuance of a label having the same label format for each product and the issuance of a label having a unique label format for each product without complicated operations.
[0009]
Another object of the present invention is to enable a label having a unique label format for each product to be issued without complicated operations even from a second label issuing machine connected to the label issuing machine. It is.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The label issuing machine according to claim 1 selects one of a plurality of product information registered in the PLU file and develops the selected product information in a print buffer according to a predetermined label format. In a label issuing machine that prints on label paper based on the print data, a format storage area for storing a plurality of types of label formats and first format specifying information for specifying a predetermined label format are set. Any format of the format setting area, the first format specifying information set in the format setting area, and the second format specifying information specifying a predetermined label format set for each product in the PLU file depending the settings storage unit for storing or use of specific information on the operation input A selection configurable selection means, according to the selection of the setting contents of the storage unit by the selection means, and formatting acquiring means for acquiring the format specific information from one of the formatting region and the PLU file have been acquired by the format acquiring means Format expansion means for calling a label format specified by the format specifying information from the format storage area and expanding the label format in the print buffer.
[0011]
Accordingly, the selection of the selection means selects whether the target for searching the label format is the format setting area or the PLU file. In this case, the first format specifying information set in the format setting area is common to each product, and the second format specifying information set in the PLU file is unique to each product. Therefore, when issuing labels having the same label format for each product, it is only necessary to select a format setting area. When issuing labels having a unique label format for each product, a PLU file is used. Should be selected.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the label issuing machine according to the first aspect, data transfer means for transferring data to the second label issuing machine connected to allow the second label issuing machine to be connected. A label format transfer means for calling a label format specified by the second format specifying information set in the PLU file from the format storage area and transferring the data to the second label issuing machine by the data transfer means, and a product information acquisition means Product information transferring means for transferring the product information acquired by the data to the second label issuing machine by the data transferring means.
[0013]
Therefore, the label format specified by the second format specifying information set in the PLU file and called from the format storage area is transferred to the second label issuing machine to the data transfer means. As a result, the second label issuing machine that has received the product data transfer generates print data according to the label format. In this case, since the second format specifying information set in the PLU file is unique to each product, the label format unique to each product can be obtained from the second label issuing machine connected to the label issuing machine. Labels with can be issued without complicated operations.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an application example to a label issuing machine that performs line-type printing on label paper 101 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) using a thermal printer head (not shown). Moreover, this Embodiment can also be equipped with a scale part and can also print the information obtained based on the measurement result by this scale part on the label 101. FIG.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of electrical connection of each part. First, a CPU 1 is provided to execute various arithmetic processes and control each part centrally. This CPU 1 rewrites various variable data with a flash ROM 3 for storing an operation program, a PLU file 2 (see FIG. 2), and the like. A RAM 4 that can be freely stored and used as a work area, a print buffer, or the like is connected via a bus line 5, thereby constituting a microcomputer 6 (hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer 6). The microcomputer 6 controls each unit in the label issuing machine. Here, in the present embodiment, the operation program is stored in the flash ROM 3, but this is only performed for the purpose of effectively utilizing the free area of the flash ROM 3. In implementation, a ROM may be provided separately, and a so-called firmware configuration in which an operation program is written in the ROM may be employed. In the present embodiment, the PLU file 2 is stored in the flash ROM 3. However, in the implementation, for example, all or part of the PLU file 2 from the LAN via the Ethernet interface 7 connected to the bus line 5. May be configured to be downloaded.
[0016]
Next, the first printer unit 8 including the above-described thermal printer head is provided. The first printer unit 8 is connected to the bus line 5 via the first printer engine 9 and is controlled by the microcomputer 6 in an integrated manner. Further, the load cell unit 10 constituting the above-described scale unit is provided, and this load cell unit 10 is connected to the bus line 5 via the scale interface 11 and is controlled by the microcomputer 6 in an integrated manner. Further, as a thing connected to the bus line 5 and controlled by the microcomputer 6, a keyboard 13 connected by a bus via a key controller 12, an LCD display 15 and an LED 16 connected by a bus via a display controller 14, , Various sensors 18 connected via a bus via the I / O port 17 are provided. Here, the LCD display 15 has a touch panel configuration. Further, a second printer unit 20 as a second label issuing machine is connected to the bus line 5 via a second printer interface 19. The second printer interface 19 is an indispensable element when the function of data transfer means for transferring data to the second printer unit 20 connected to the label issuing machine is executed under the overall control of the microcomputer 6.
[0017]
Next, the flash ROM 3 stores and holds a plurality of types of label formats in addition to the PLU file 2 and the like. These label formats are format information for printing on the label 101. Therefore, the flash ROM 3 functions as a format storage area for storing the label format. In this embodiment, the flash ROM 3 is used as the format storage area. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and various information storage media such as a hard disk and an optical medium may be used. it can.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the PLU file 2 stored in the flash ROM 3. The PLU file 2 includes, for each product, contents of 1 to 38 items, such as part number (1 item), classification code (2 items), JAN code (4 items), the number of digits, the number of bytes, Has a file structure with data types and remarks set. Such a PLU file 2 includes a label format 2a for the first printer unit 8 arranged in the 22nd item and a label format 2b for the second printer unit 20 arranged in the 38th item. It can be set for each product. These label formats 2a and 2b function as second format specifying information for specifying one of a plurality of label formats stored in the flash ROM 3.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of printer information backed up in the RAM 4. In the printer information, as the printer switching information 21 for determining which printer unit 8 or 20 is to be used, only the first printer unit 8, only the second printer unit 20, or the first printer unit 8 and the second Three types of settings for both the printer unit 20 and the printer unit 20 are possible. In the printer information, a label format 22a for the first printer unit 8 and a label format 22b for the second printer unit 20 can be set. These label formats 22a and 22b can be set for each of 50 types, and function as first format specifying information for specifying the label format stored in the flash ROM 3. Therefore, an area for storing printer information in the RAM 4 is used as a format setting area.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the initial setting contents in the RAM 4. In the label issuing machine according to the present embodiment, each item from 1 to 8 items can be set as the initial 5 during initial setting. That is, when execution of the initial setting work is designated by the keyboard 13 or the touch panel of the LCD display 15, a screen corresponding to the setting content illustrated in FIG. 4 is displayed on the LCD display 15 by the overall control of the microcomputer 6. Among these setting items, the seventh item can be set to use or not use the label format of the PLU. That is, for selecting the label format from the flash ROM 3, whether to use the label formats 22a and 22b in the printer information backed up in the RAM 4 or the label formats 2a and 2b in the PLU file 2 is used. It can be set on the initial setting screen. If “not use” is selected as the label format of the seventh PLU, the label formats 22a and 22b are used as identifiers for selecting a desired label format from the flash ROM 3, and “use” is selected as the label format of the PLU. If selected, the label formats 2a and 2b in the PLU file 2 are used as identifiers for selecting a desired label format from the flash ROM 3. Here, the selection of “do not use” and “use” as the label format of the PLU can be realized by a known touch panel technique such as touching one of the display areas with a finger on the LCD display 15, for example. It is.
[0021]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a printer setting screen on the LCD display 15. When the selection of the printer is designated by the keyboard 13 or the touch panel of the LCD display 15, the microcomputer 6 displays a screen as illustrated in FIG. 5 on the LCD display 15. On this printer setting screen, it is possible to set printer switching, label format, feed amount, test printing, issuing method, label sensitivity, printing density, and sensor 15 type. For example, whether or not one or both of the first printer unit 8 and the second printer unit 20 are used, and what is the label format assigned to each printer unit 8 and 20 are shown in FIG. The setting can be made based on the printer setting screen illustrated in FIG. More specifically, the first printer unit 8 can be used when the “first printer” is touched by the overall control of the microcomputer 6, and the second printer unit 20 can be used when the “second printer” is touched. It becomes. In this case, when both “first printer” and “second printer” are touched, both printer units 20 can be used. Such printer type settings are made by adding “00” (first printer), “01” (second printer) to the printer switching information 21 illustrated in FIG. 3 in response to an input from the setting screen illustrated in FIG. , “02” (first and second printers) is set. When the label format column corresponding to the first printer is touched, the input value from the keyboard 13 is set at that location, and when the label format column corresponding to the second printer is touched, the location from the keyboard 13 is set. The microcomputer 6 controls each part so that the input value is set. Such setting of the format information is performed by setting numerical values “1 to 50” in the label formats 22a and 22b illustrated in FIG. 3 in accordance with the input from the setting screen illustrated in FIG. Here, the function of the format setting means is executed.
[0022]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a product number calling screen on the LCD display 15. After the various settings are completed, for example, when the product number calling screen as illustrated in FIG. 6 is specified on the LCD display 15 by designating the product number of the product to be issued a label by key input from the keyboard 13 (product information acquisition means) ), An image of the label 101 in which the product information of the product is set in each item of the set label format is displayed. Predetermined editing is also possible for this image. In this state, when the issue key included in the keyboard 13 is pressed, the label 101 issuance process is performed.
[0023]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of the label issuing process. First, the initial setting contents illustrated in FIG. 4 set in the RAM 4 are searched, and the state of the label format of the seventh PLU is confirmed (step S1). That is, according to the state of the label format of the PLU, the label formats 22a and 22b (see FIG. 3) which are the first format specifying information backed up in the RAM 4 are designated or the second format provided in the PLU file 2 is specified. It is selected whether to specify label formats 2a and 2b (see FIG. 2), which are format specifying information. Here, the function of the selection means for selecting which format information is used is executed.
[0024]
Next, if the label format of the seventh PLU in the initial setting content illustrated in FIG. 4 is set to “use”, the information of the label formats 2a and 2b is called from the PLU file 2 (step S2). If “not used” is set, the label formats 22a and 22b stored in the RAM 4 as backup are called (step S3). In this case, the label formats 22a and 22b are common to each product, and the label formats 2a and 2b are unique to each product. Therefore, if it is desired to issue a label 101 having the same label format for each product, it is sufficient to set the label format of the seventh PLU as “not used” as the initial setting content illustrated in FIG. In addition, when issuing a label having a unique label format for each product, the label format of the seventh PLU is set to “use” as the initial setting contents illustrated in FIG. good.
[0025]
Next, following the processing in step S2 or step S3, the printer switching information 21 illustrated in FIG. 3 is referred to. If the set value is “00” (Y in step S4, Y in S9), the first printer The label 101 is printed and issued only from the unit 8 (steps S5 and S10). In the case of “01” (Y in step S6, Y in S11), the label 101 is printed and issued only from the second printer unit 20 (steps S7 and S12). At this time, the label format and the product information are transferred to the second printer unit 20 through the second printer interface 19 under the control of the microcomputer 6 in the label issuing machine (label format transfer means, product information transfer means). The label format in this case is either the label format 2b included in the PLU file 2 or the label format 22b set on the printer setting screen. Further, when it is neither “00” nor “01” (N in Step S6, N in S11), the label 101 is printed from both the printer units 8 and 20 (Steps S8 and S13). In this case, instead of recognizing a case that is neither “00” nor “01”, a configuration that positively recognizes a case of “02” may be used.
[0026]
Here, the printing and printing of the label 101 is performed by expanding the label format retrieved and called from the backup area in the RAM 4 or the PLU file in the flash ROM 3 in the printing buffer in the RAM 4 (format expanding means). The product information acquired by the product information acquisition unit according to the format is also developed in the print buffer to generate print data (print data generation unit), and printing is performed on the label sheet based on the generated print data. Is made by In this embodiment, in steps S7 and S8, a label having a unique label format can be issued for each product without complicated operations even from the second printer unit 20 as the second label issuing machine. .
[0027]
8 is a front view of the label showing an example of printing on the label 101, and FIG. 9 is a front view of the label 101 showing another example of printing on the label. 8A is an example of the label 101 printed by the first printer unit 8 based on the label format 2a included in the PLU file 2, and FIG. 8B is included in the PLU file 2. This is an example of the label 101 printed by the second printer unit 8 based on the label format 2b. In FIG. 8, it can be seen that a label 101 having a unique label format is issued for each product. 9A is an example of the label 101 printed by the first printer unit 8 based on the label format 22a set in the backup area of the RAM 4, and FIG. This is an example of the label 101 printed by the first printer unit 8 based on the label format 22b set in the backup area. In the present embodiment, the printing and printing of the label 101 according to such a label format can be executed for all products. Thus, the issuance of the label 101 having the same label format for each product and the issuance of the label 101 having a unique label format for each product are compatible without complicated operations.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the label format search is performed on the first format specifying information common to each product set in the format setting area, or is uniquely specified for each product set in the PLU file. Since it is possible to select whether to perform for the second format specifying information, select a format setting area when issuing labels with the same label format for each product, and each product has its own label When issuing labels with a format, selecting a PLU file makes it complicated to issue labels with the same label format for each product and issue labels with a unique label format for each product. Can be compatible without.
[0029]
In the invention described in claim 2, since the label format based on the second format specifying information unique to each product is transferred to the second label issuing machine connected to the label issuing machine. Even from the connected second label issuing machine, it is possible to issue a label having a unique label format for each product without complicated operations.
[Brief description of the drawings]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of electrical connection of respective portions showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of printer information backed up in a RAM.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing initial setting contents in a RAM.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a PLU file stored in a flash ROM.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a printer setting screen on a display.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a product number calling screen on the display.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of label issuance processing.
FIG. 8 is a front view of a label showing an example of printing on the label.
FIG. 9 is a front view of a label showing another example of printing on the label.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 PLU files 2a, 2b Second format specifying information (label format)
3 Format storage area (flash ROM)
4 Print buffer (RAM)
4 Format setting area (RAM)
20 Second label issuing machine (second printer unit)
21a, 21b First format specifying information (label format)
S1 selection means S2, S3 format acquisition means

Claims (2)

One of a plurality of product information registered in the PLU file is selected, and the selected product information is developed in a print buffer according to a predetermined label format, and a label sheet is generated based on the print data developed in the print buffer. In a label issuing machine designed to print on
A format storage area for storing a plurality of types of label formats;
A format setting area in which first format specifying information for specifying the predetermined label format is set;
Either of the first format specifying information set in the format setting area and the second format specifying information for specifying the predetermined label format set for each product in the PLU file. Selection means capable of selecting and setting the setting content of the storage unit storing whether to use by an operation input ;
Format acquisition means for acquiring the format specifying information from either the format setting area or the PLU file according to the selection of the setting content of the storage unit by the selection means;
Format expansion means for calling up the label format specified by the format specifying information acquired by the format acquisition means from the format storage area and expanding the label format in the print buffer;
A label issuing machine. Data transfer means for transferring data to the second label issuing machine connected to allow connection of the second label issuing machine;
Label format transfer means for calling the label format specified by the second format specifying information set in the PLU file from the format storage area and transferring the data to the second label issuing machine by the data transfer means; Product information transfer means for transferring the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means to the second label issuing machine by the data transfer means;
The label issuing machine according to claim 1.

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