JP6940137B2 - Label issuing device for food - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a food label issuing device.

Conventionally, a printing method in which a label (printing medium) that develops different colors depending on the heating temperature is used and the temperature of the heating element of the thermal head that heats the label is controlled to cause the label to develop a plurality of different colors. Are known.

Patent Document 1 describes a label issuing machine capable of coloring the background of printed items. Further, Patent Document 2 describes a technique for determining whether a combination of a character size, a character color, and a font of a print item is appropriate or inappropriate.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-190541 Japanese Patent No. 4459700

However, for example, in the case of a label that develops two colors, a color that develops at a high temperature (black) and a color that develops at a low temperature (red), the conditions of the thermal head and the printing medium (aging deterioration, stains, and wrinkles). Etc.), the heat energy may not be transmitted well, and a phenomenon may occur in which the part of the color (red) that develops at a low temperature disappears. At that time, the portion of the color (black) that develops at a high temperature is printed in the color (red) that develops at a low temperature. For example, in order to make allergens stand out, there is a tendency to print a color different from the normal printing color (for example, red), but if there is dirt on the head, there is a problem that the printing disappears. do. FIG. 7 shows a printing example when the red portion disappears when the allergen is printed in red and emphasized. Originally, allergens such as chicken, pork, beef, and soybeans are printed in red among the raw material names, but in the example shown, heat energy is not transmitted well and the raw material names are printed in red. The chicken, pork, beef and soybeans have disappeared.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is a case where a predetermined print item is emphasized by using a predetermined color different from a normal character color and the color development of the predetermined color is deteriorated. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide a label issuing device for foods capable of printing the predetermined print item so that it can be read.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems, a label issuing apparatus for printable food in multiple colors, based on the contents of each print item of the plurality of print items in labels for food, each For foods, it is provided with a control unit for controlling whether the characters to be printed of the print item are printed in an emphasized color different from the normal character color or printed in the normal character color against the background of the emphasized color. It is a label issuing device.

Another embodiment of the present invention, in the label issuing apparatus for said food, said control unit, each printing item, based-out on whether any printable item or an essential printable item, respectively, The control is performed .

Another embodiment of the present invention, in the label issuing apparatus for said food, said control unit, said print size of each print item based-out to or less than a predetermined value, respectively, performs the control , Characterized by.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned label issuing device for food, the printing medium is thermal paper, and the emphasized color is a color that develops at a lower temperature than the usual character color.

As described above, according to the present invention, a predetermined print item is emphasized by using a predetermined color different from the normal character color, and even when the color development of the predetermined color deteriorates, the said It is possible to print a predetermined print item so that it can be read.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the label issuing apparatus (printing apparatus) in embodiment of this invention. It is a table which shows the example of the product file in embodiment of this invention. It is a table which shows the example of the format file in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the pricing screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the label in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation procedure example of the label issuing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the label which the print item to be printed in red has disappeared.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the label issuing device 1 (printing device) by a block diagram. The label issuing device 1 is a weighing and pricing label printer, for example, a device installed in the backyard of a store and issuing labels to be attached to various products or product containers. The label issuing device 1 includes a control device 100, a scale 2, a printing mechanism unit 3, and an operation unit 5.

The scale 2 has a load cell 2a. The load cell 2a measures the weight of the product and outputs a signal indicating the weight of the product to the control device 100.

The printing mechanism unit 3 includes a thermal head that heats a label (printing medium) for printing, a stepping motor that feeds the label on paper, a cutter that cuts (cuts) the printed label into a sheet, and the like, and controls the label. Based on the control by the device 100, the print information is printed on the label in a predetermined format, and the printed label is issued. The label is a thermal paper that develops a plurality of colors that differ depending on the heating temperature. For example, in the present embodiment, the label is a thermal paper that develops a red color at a lower heating temperature and a black color at a higher heating temperature among the heating temperatures for coloring. The thermal head can generate heat by switching between two types of heat generation temperatures. Specifically, the thermal head can switch between the heat generation temperature on the high temperature side that causes the label to develop a black color and the heat generation temperature on the low temperature side that causes the label to develop a red color. That is, red, which is an emphasized color, is a color that develops at a lower temperature than black, which is a normal character color.

The operation unit 5 includes a key operation unit 7 and a touch panel 9a. The key operation unit 7 receives an operation input by the operator and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation input via the key operation unit 7 to the control device 100. The touch panel 9a receives an operation input by an operator (for example, an operation input for inputting print information), and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation input via the touch panel 9a to the control device 100.

The operation unit 5 has a liquid crystal display 9b (display unit). The liquid crystal display 9b is provided integrally with the touch panel 9a, and displays an image based on the control by the control device 100. The resolution of the liquid crystal display 9b is, for example, 640 × 480 [dots]. The display unit is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and may be, for example, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display.

The control device 100 controls each part of the label issuing device 1. The control device 100 includes a CPU 20 (Central Processing Unit), a load cell control unit 21, a print control unit 22, an operation control unit 24, a display control unit 25, a RAM 30 (Random Access Memory), and a ROM 40 (Read Only Memory). ) And.

The CPU 20 (control unit) is connected to each unit of the control device 100 via a bus. The CPU 20 controls each part of the control device 100 based on the control program developed in the RAM 30. Further, the CPU 20 stores various data in the RAM 30. The ROM 40 stores the control program in advance. The ROM 40 expands the control program into the RAM 30 when the power of the control device 100 is turned on and the electric power is supplied.

A signal indicating the weight of the product is input to the load cell control unit 21 from the load cell 2a of the scale 2. The load cell control unit 21 transfers a signal indicating the weight of the product to the CPU 20. The print control unit 22 executes image processing (for example, bitmap processing) based on the control by the CPU 20 to control the print mechanism unit 3. For example, the print control unit 22 controls the print mechanism unit 3 so as to print the print information on the label based on a predetermined format file. A signal indicating a printing result (for example, a signal indicating the completion of printing) may be input to the printing control unit 22 from the printing mechanism unit 3.

The display control unit 25 executes image processing based on the control by the CPU 20. In addition, the display control unit 25 controls the liquid crystal display 9b so as to display various images as image processing results.

A signal corresponding to the operation input via the key operation unit 7 is input to the operation control unit 24 from the key operation unit 7 of the operation unit 5. For example, when a signal indicating print information is input from the key operation unit 7, the operation control unit 24 transfers the signal indicating the print information to the CPU 20. A signal corresponding to the operation input via the touch panel 9a is input to the operation control unit 24 from the touch panel 9a of the operation unit 5. For example, when the signal indicating the print information is input from the touch panel 9a, the operation control unit 24 transfers the signal indicating the print information to the CPU 20.

The RAM 30 temporarily stores various types of information. For example, the RAM 30 temporarily stores the control program expanded from the ROM 40. Further, for example, the RAM 30 temporarily stores the product file and the format file.

In FIG. 2, an example of a product file is shown by a table. The product file contains print information printed on the label. The items of the product file include, for example, a product number, a product name, a unit price, a place of origin, a format number, an advertisement text, and a comment. These items are associated with each other. The items in the product file may include the individual identification number of the product, the name of the additive of the product, and the expiration date of the product.

In the product file, the product number indicates the product identification number. The product name indicates the name of the product. The unit price indicates the unit price of the product. The place of origin indicates the place of origin of the product. The format number indicates the identification number of the printing format used when the print information is printed. The advertisement text is an advertisement text printed on the label. This advertisement text may be printed on a label (advertisement label) (POP (Point Of Presence) label) different from the label (price label) on which the price of the product or the like is printed. The comment in the product file is a predetermined character string, for example, a character string (text) for instructing a position where the printed label is attached to the product.

In this figure, the product number "012345", the product name "hamburger", the unit price "184", the production area "made in Hokkaido", the format number "1", the advertisement text "bargain", and the comment "price label" Please put it on the lower right. Please put the advertisement label on the upper left. "

In FIG. 3, an example of a format file is shown in a table. The format file is a file containing information indicating the printing mode (printing format) of the print information. The format file items include, as an example, a format number, a print item, a print position (X coordinate), a print position (Y coordinate), a print orientation (vertical / horizontal), a font, and required / optional. There is. These items are associated with each other.

In the format file, the format number indicates the format number in the product file. The print item indicates an item of the product file including the print information printed on the label. The print position (X coordinate) indicates the X coordinate of the position of the print information printed on the label. The print position (Y coordinate) indicates the Y coordinate of the position of the print information printed on the label. The print orientation indicates the orientation (vertical or horizontal) of the print information printed on the label. The font indicates a typeface (for example, Gothic typeface, color-reversed Gothic typeface) used for print information printed on a label, a character size, a character color, a background color, and the like. Required / Optional indicates whether the print item is an essential print item for which printing is essential or an arbitrary print item for which printing is optional in the format.

In this figure, the format number "1" includes print items "product name", "processing date", "expiration date (expiration date)", "price", and "allergen". Further, the format number "2" includes print items "product name", "price", and "additive".

Next, the operation of the label issuing device 1 will be described. When issuing a label, the label issuing device 1 displays a pricing screen for determining print information to be printed on the label. On the pricing screen, operation keys for determining or displaying print information such as the price printed on the label are arranged.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a pricing screen. The printing information selected from the product file by the operator is displayed on the pricing screen. In the example shown in this figure, the print information associated with the product code "012345" in the product file is selected as an example of the print information to be printed.

On the pricing screen, the label preview key 210 displays a preview of an image of the label on which the print information is drawn in a manner of being printed based on the format file. In the example shown in this figure, the label in which the print information such as the product name "hamburger" associated with the product code "012345" in the product file is printed based on the printed mode corresponding to the format number "1". However, the preview is displayed. Here, when the print information divided according to the amount of print information is printed separately on a plurality of labels, the label preview key 210 is pressed with an image of the plurality of labels selected by the operator. It may be previewed.

The CPU 20 generates a print image, which is an image of a label, based on a product file and a file file format. At this time, the CPU 20 emphasizes the allergen, which is a predetermined print item set in advance, by printing using red (emphasized color) different from black, which is a normal character color. For example, the CPU 20 determines, based on a predetermined condition, whether to print the characters for printing the allergen in a red color different from the normal character color black, or to print the characters in black against a red background. The predetermined conditions are based on whether the allergen is an essential print item or an arbitrary print item on the label to be issued. Further, the predetermined condition is based on the character size (printing size) for printing the allergen on the label.

More specifically, when the allergen is an essential print item in the label (format) to be issued, or the print size is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the CPU 20 has a red background and black characters. Decide to print allergens with. For example, when issuing the label of the product code "012345", the CPU 20 specifies the label format "1" corresponding to the product code "012345" in the product file. Then, the CPU 20 is required / optional corresponding to the print item "allergic substance" of the label format "1" in the format file, or when the print size set in the font is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Decide to print allergens in black letters against a red background. On the other hand, the CPU 20 determines that the allergen is printed in red characters when the allergen is an arbitrary print item and the print size is larger than a predetermined value in the issued label. For example, when issuing the label of the product code "012345", the CPU 20 is indispensable / optional corresponding to the print item "allergic substance" of the label format "1" in the format file, and is set to the font. When the printed size is larger than the predetermined value, it is determined that the allergen is printed in red letters.

The display control unit 25 previews the print image generated by the CPU 20 on the pricing screen. That is, the display control unit 25 preview-displays the allergen on the pricing screen in the printing mode determined by the CPU 20 (the background color is red and the characters are printed in black, or the characters are printed in red). Display on the label image. In the example shown in this figure, the allergens chicken, pork, beef, and soybean have a red background color and a black character color.

When the operation control unit 24 determines that the operation unit 5 has received the print instruction for issuing the preview-displayed label, the CPU 20 prints the print data for printing the preview-displayed print image on the label. Output to the control unit 22.

The print control unit 22 causes the print mechanism unit 3 to issue a label previewed on the pricing screen based on the print data input from the CPU 20. That is, the print control unit 22 prints the allergen on the label in the printing mode determined by the CPU 20. The printing mechanism unit 3 prints the print information on the label based on the instruction of the print control unit 22, and issues the label.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a label issued by the label issuing device 1 in the present embodiment. FIG. 5A shows a product label affixed to a product or a product container. Further, FIG. 5B shows a shelf label attached to the shelf on which the product is displayed.

This figure shows an example in which an allergen is an essential item in each label, or the print size thereof is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Therefore, in each label, chicken, pork, beef, and soybean, which are allergens, have a red background color and a black character color.

In this way, by printing the allergen in normal black with red as the background color, the allergen can be emphasized and printed. In addition, since the characters are printed in black, allergens can be read even when the red color is poor.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the label issuing process executed by the label issuing device 1 in the present embodiment. When the label issuing device 1 receives the input of the instruction to display the pricing screen, the label issuing device 1 executes the process shown in this figure.

(Step S101) The display control unit 25 causes the liquid crystal display 9b to display the pricing screen. After that, the process proceeds to step S102.

(Step S102) The CPU 20 acquires a product file including print information from the RAM 30. After that, the process proceeds to step S103.

(Step S103) The CPU 20 acquires a format file indicating the printing mode of the print information from the RAM 30. After that, the process proceeds to step S104.

(Step S104) The CPU 20 acquires the print item of the format number corresponding to the product for which the label is issued from the format file, and acquires the print information of the acquired print item from the product file. After that, the process proceeds to step S105.

(Step S105) The CPU 20 generates a print image which is an image of a label on which print information is drawn in a printed manner based on a product file and a format file. At this time, the CPU 20 determines whether to print the characters for printing the allergen in red or to print in black with the red background as the background, based on the predetermined conditions. After that, the process proceeds to step S106.

(Step S106) The display control unit 25 displays the print image generated by the CPU 20 on the label preview key 210 on the pricing screen. After that, the process proceeds to step S107.

(Step S107) The operation control unit 24 determines whether or not the operation unit 5 has received a print instruction for issuing a label. When the operation control unit 24 determines that the print instruction has been accepted, the process proceeds to step S108. If the operation control unit 24 determines that the print instruction has not been accepted, the process of step S107 is executed again.

(Step S108) The print control unit 22 causes the print mechanism unit 3 to issue a label of the print image generated by the CPU 20. After that, the process ends.

As described above, the label issuing device 1 of the present embodiment is a printing device capable of printing in a plurality of colors, and prints a predetermined print item (allergen) based on a predetermined condition as a normal character. The CPU 20 is provided with a CPU 20 that controls whether to print in an emphasized color (red) different from the color (black) or to print in a normal character color (black) with the emphasized color (red) as a background.

According to the above configuration, allergens can be emphasized by the red background, and characters can be recognized even when the head becomes dirty and the red color is deteriorated. Moreover, since the characters are printed in black, even a person who has difficulty in recognizing red can read the characters.

Further, the predetermined condition is based on whether the predetermined print item (allergic substance) is an essential print item or an arbitrary print item. As a result, for example, a label in which an allergen is an essential print item is printed with black characters with a red background color, and a label in which an allergen is an arbitrary print item is printed with red characters. The printing mode can be changed according to the type.

Further, the predetermined condition is based on the print size of the predetermined print item (allergic substance). As a result, for example, when printing with small characters, the background color is set to red and printing is performed with black characters, and when printing with large characters, printing is performed with red characters. The printing mode can be changed.

Further, the printing medium is thermal paper, and the emphasized color is a color that develops at a lower temperature than a normal character color. As a result, even when the color development of the emphasized color is deteriorated, it is possible to print a predetermined print item (allergic substance) so that it can be read.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the predetermined print item is an allergic substance has been described, but the predetermined print item is not limited to this, and may be another print item to be emphasized and printed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 20 determines the printing mode of the allergen based on a predetermined condition, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the background color and the character color are set in advance in the font or the like of the format file. You may leave it.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the normal color is black and the emphasized color different from the normal color is red has been described, but the plurality of different colors are not limited to this, and the difference in color can be discriminated. It may be gold, silver, blue, or the like. By adjusting the density of the portion where heat is applied to the print medium from the thermal head, it is possible to add light and shade such as black, dark gray, light gray, dark red, and light red.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the background is filled when the print item is printed in the normal character color (black) with the emphasized color (red) as the background has been described, but the background is not limited to this, for example. It may be an underline, a frame, a mesh, a stripe, or the like.

The above-mentioned program for realizing the function as the label issuing device 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read by the computer system and executed. The processing as the label issuing device 1 may be performed. Here, "loading and executing a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system" includes installing the program in the computer system. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and a dedicated line. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. As described above, the recording medium in which the program is stored may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

The recording medium also includes an internal or external recording medium that can be accessed from the distribution server to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format that can be executed by the terminal device. That is, the format stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed by the terminal device. The program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined by the terminal device, or the distribution server for distributing each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network, and holds the program for a certain period of time. It shall also include things. Further, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Further, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

1 ... Label issuing device (printing device), 2 ... Scale, 2a ... Load cell, 3 ... Printing mechanism unit, 5 ... Operation unit, 7 ... Key operation unit, 9a ... Touch panel, 9b ... Liquid crystal display (display unit), 20 ... CPU (control unit), 21 ... load cell control unit, 22 ... print control unit, 24 ... operation control unit, 25 ... display control unit, 30 ... RAM, 40 ... ROM, 100 ... control device

Claims (4)

A food label issuing device that can print in multiple colors.
Based on the content of each print item of the plurality of print items in labels for food, it said or printed with different highlight color from the normal character color characters to be printed for each print item, a normal character and background the highlight color A label issuing device for foods, which comprises a control unit that controls whether to print in color. Wherein the control unit, each printing item, based-out on whether any printable item or an essential printable item, respectively, performs the control,
The label issuing device for foods according to claim 1. Wherein the control unit, the print size of each print item based-out to or less than a predetermined value, respectively, performs the control,
The food label issuing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The printing medium is thermal paper,
The food label issuing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the emphasized color is a color that develops at a lower temperature than the usual character color.

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