JP3403749B2 - Label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To administrate merchandise, when the price is cut down, taking the budget in relation to the markdown into consideration and avoid congestion at the cashier gates by a system in which, in execution of the markdown, a bar code for the new reduced price is printed, data relating to the old price and the new one are stored, and the data can be transmitted to the host computer. CONSTITUTION:When merchandise is marked down, a desired markdown division processing is carried out to select one of, for example, fixed amount markdown, percent markdown, and new price determination markdown by operation of the operation part 3; the resulting data are stored in a division markdown memory 42 of a RAM 31 on the one hand and on the other hand processed by an analytic processing and then transferred to a data transmission memory 46. Next by operating numeric keys, etc., of the operating part 3 the amount of the markdown, such as one by a fixed amount, is inputted and stored in an arithmetic and logic register 47. After that, an arithmetic work memory 43 works out bar code data representing the new price corresponding to the old price read from the bar code of the label by scanning with a scanner 15 and a printing mechanism 20 issues a label bearing a bar code representing the new price.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a label printer that prints product information such as a product price on a label by a bar code. In particular, when the product price is changed in a food POS system, this new price reduction is applied. The present invention relates to a label printer capable of printing a bar code, storing data on an old price before change and a new price after change, and transmitting the data to a host computer such as a store controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a supermarket, time sales (discount sales by time zone) are performed from day to night in each department such as fresh food and daily products.
The reduction price is dealt with by handwriting the new price on the package or label of the product.

Therefore, the sales information of the reduced price product is
The operator had to manually input from the cash register at the cash register, and there were many mistakes in typing especially in the evening when the customers were crowded.

Further, in the backyard of the supermarket, it becomes necessary to process the selling price change slip for changing the selling price due to the price reduction of the product, which makes the work complicated and makes a mistake in the description of the slip.

Further, some supermarkets employ a system in which each person is assigned a daily price reduction budget, and the price is reduced according to the budget to sell the product. In such a case, the price reduction is carried out. If you try to reduce the amount of money, you will miss the sales opportunity and retain the product, and frequent price reductions will reduce profits.Therefore, it is required to manage the price reduction products by always considering the discount budget. It was

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. When the price of a commodity is reduced, the new price is reduced by a bar code and the old price before the change is changed. An object of the present invention is to provide a label printer capable of storing data regarding a new price later and transmitting the data to a host computer such as a store controller.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides the above-mentioned label of a strip-shaped label continuous body which is connected to a host computer and is formed by connecting a large number of labels on a strip-shaped mount, product price, etc. In a label printer for barcode printing of product information regarding a product through a printing mechanism, a central processing unit, and product information input means connected to the central processing unit for inputting product type information and product price information. A first storage means for storing the first price information inputted from the commodity information input means, and a change information relating to a price reduction of the first price information, which is connected to the central processing unit. Price change information input means, and new price creation means for creating the second price information by changing the first price information based on the change information input by the price change information input means. Second storage means for storing the second price information created by the new price creation means; new product information creation means for creating new product information based on the second price information; Output means for outputting the new product information created by the new product information creating means to the printing mechanism, and a host based on the first and second price information.
Create transmission data for upload to computer
Transmission data creating means, and the transmission data creating means
Transmission data storage for storing the created transmission data
And whether or not there is transmission data in the transmission data storage means
Determining means for determining, anda transmitting means for transmitting said first and second price information, to said determining means
Presence of transmission data in the transmission data storage means
The transmission data is stored in the transmission data storage means.
If available, allows selective transmission to host computer
It is characterized in that the content was. Also, the price information is small.
At least the same price is represented by a barcode and readable characters
You can In addition, the presence or absence of transmission data
Set at power-on, first and second price information
The transmission data created by the transmission data creation means based on
Data stored in the transmission data storage means
And the transmission data was stored as a result of the presence / absence determination.
In some cases, a display means may be provided to notify. Well
In addition, the transmission data may be
And values under division to set the type, such as price, barcode to be printed
Bar type indicating the type of card, old price, new price, number of issued cards
Can be equipped with numbers.

[0008]

According to the present invention, since the new product information regarding the reduced price can be printed on the label by the bar code, the new price information can be read from the above label by using the optical reader at the cash register. As a result, there is no typo in the conventional cash register input operation, and the new price product input operation can be performed quickly, thereby eliminating congestion at the cash register.

Further, according to the present invention, the first price information as the old price of the product and the second price information as the price reduction price can be stored , and the judging means can be stored.
Whether or not transmission data is stored in the transmission data storage means
Judged, the transmission data is stored in the transmission data storage means
If it is possible to selectively transmit the price information to the host computer, if the first and second price information is transmitted to the host computer and data processing is performed, processing work of the selling price change slip in the backyard of the supermarket etc. Is unnecessary, and as a result, write down the price reduction amount on the slip,
Total work, entry, and total mistakes are eliminated, and the work can be simplified.

Further, according to the present invention, if the stored first and second price information is transmitted to the host computer and data processing is performed, it is possible to manage product information relating to product price reduction. For example, each person in charge can quickly and surely understand how the budget for reducing the price of the product is consumed, and it is possible to perform fine product management without unnecessary inventory remaining.

[0011]

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

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a label printer according to this embodiment. Reference numeral 1 denotes a label printer main body, and a display portion 2 formed of an LED and an operation portion 3 formed of a keyboard are provided above the label printer main body. Display unit 2
A predetermined signal is sent to the control unit 4 described later by an input operation of the operation unit 3 by an operator, and a product code, a product price, an operation command to the operator, etc. are displayed by a predetermined command signal of the control unit 4. Is.

The operation unit 3 functions as a price change information input means, and as shown in FIG.
Including 9 to 9, a numeric key 5 for entering price data and numerical data, a registration key 6 for setting and storing various types of driving data, and a mode for shifting the driving data to a transmission mode. A transmission key 7, a setting key 8 for transferring a series of business processes to a menu screen, a call key 9 for calling the previous screen on the display unit 2 during various business operations, and a predetermined screen on the display unit 2. Is selected and when entering numbers, the left shift key 10 and the right shift key 11 for shifting the cursor left and right, and the label 23
Paper feed key 12 for idling without printing
And an issuing key 13 for printing and issuing the label 23,
A clear key 14 for initializing the display screen on the display unit 2 and various other function keys are arranged.

Further, on the side portion of the label printer main body 1,
As shown in FIG. 1, a scanner mounting portion 1 to which a scanner 15 as a product information input means is detachably mounted
6 and a cable for transmitting predetermined data to a host computer (not shown) are detachably attached R
An external device connection unit 17 having S232C is provided. Reference numeral 18 is a label issuing port provided in the front part of the label printer main body 1, and 19 is a power switch.

Further, inside the label printer body 1,
A printing mechanism 20 is provided.
It will be described with reference to FIG. First, reference numeral 21 is a roll-shaped label continuous body in which a label 23 having a predetermined size is releasably formed on a strip-shaped backing sheet 22, and the roll-shaped label continuous body 21 is provided at a predetermined position of the label printer main body 1. It is rotatably held, and its tip is taken up by a take-up unit (not shown) between the thermal head 24 and the platen 25, the peeling pin 26, and the pair of rotating rollers 27. There is. Then, the label continuum is moved in the direction of the arrow by the drive of a drive motor (not shown), the desired bar code is printed on the label 23 between the thermal head 24 and the platen 25 along with the movement, and the printed label is printed. 23 is peeled off from the strip-shaped mount 22 by the peeling pins 26, and the labels are issued one by one from the label issuing port 18 provided in the front part of the label printer body 1.

Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control unit 4 of the label printer which is the main part of the present invention. In the figure, 28 is a central processing unit (C
PU), the CPU 28 includes a display unit 2, an operation unit 3, a ROM 30 (read only memory), a RAM 31 (random access memory), via a bus line 29.
Connected to the scanner control unit 32, the transmission control unit 33, and the printing mechanism control unit 34, respectively, the display unit 2, the operation unit 3, R
The OM 30, the RAM 31, the scanner controller 32, the transmission controller 33, and the printing mechanism controller 34 are controlled respectively. A scanner 15 for reading a barcode on a label is detachably attached to the scanner control unit 32 via the scanner attaching unit 16.

The external device connection unit 17 is connected to the transmission control unit 33, and the printing mechanism 20 is connected to the printing mechanism control unit 34.

The ROM 30 includes a main processing program memory 35 in which a main processing program for controlling each unit is stored, and a reading program in which a reading program for analyzing the bar code data read by the scanner 15 is stored. A memory 36, a print control program memory 37 in which a print control program for controlling the print operation of the print mechanism 20 is stored via the print mechanism control unit 34, and predetermined transmission data based on the transmission data for uploading. Communication program memory 38 storing a communication program for creating and controlling transmission
It consists of and.

The RAM 31 has a display memory 39 for storing data displayed on the display unit 2, a reading memory 40 for storing bar code data read by the scanner 15, and a bar read by the scanner 15. The old price memory 41 for storing the old price data of the product in the code data, the price reduction division memory 42 for storing the data regarding the price reduction processing division input from the operation unit 3, and the product input from the operation unit 3 The arithmetic logic register 47 for storing the arithmetic logic expression relating to the price reduction processing category, and the new price of the product by performing the arithmetic processing based on the old price data of the old price memory 41 and the data relating to the price reduction processing category of the price reduction category memory 42. The calculation work memory 43 used for calculating The calculation result memory 44 for storing the calculation result, that is, the new price of the product, and the bar code generation memory 45 for transferring the new price data of the calculation result memory 44 to generate the bar code data of the product information having the new price.
And a print data buffer 48 for temporarily storing the bar code data having the new price product information when the bar code data having the new price product information in the bar code generating memory 45 is transferred to the printing mechanism controller 34. And a transmission data memory 46 for storing data to be transmitted to a host computer such as a store controller or a workstation.

FIG. 5 shows a label 23a attached to the product before the price reduction process. The label 23a has a product code and product price displayed in 13 digits of NON-PLU. Product data such as is displayed in a bar code, and a display that the price of the product is 800 yen is displayed in human-readable characters.

Further, FIG. 6 shows a label 23b attached to the product after the price reduction processing, and the label 23b is NON.
-The product code such as the product code displayed in 13 digits of the PLU and the new product price is displayed in a bar code, and the display that the new price of the product is 720 yen is displayed in human-readable characters. ing.

Next, the price reduction label issuing processing operation of the label printer according to the above embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIG.
Dzu There will be described. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the concept of the price reduction label issuing processing operation.

First, when the power of the printer main body 1 is turned on, the CPU 28 performs processing in accordance with the main processing program of the ROM 30, and the display memory 39 stores the data regarding the price reduction processing and is displayed on the display unit 2.

[0024] The operator performs the selection of the desired price cuts processing division business by a key input operation that put the operation unit 3. The price reduction processing classification work includes a fixed price reduction for reducing a certain amount from the old price, a percentage price reduction for reducing a certain rate from the old price, and a new price reduction for setting a new reduction price for the old price. It should be noted that although the product price reduction processing itself is not performed, the product may be disposed of, and this product disposal is also included in the product price reduction processing classification work in the present invention. In the present embodiment, the following description will be made assuming that the operator has selected the fixed price reduction. When this fixed amount price reduction is selected, the data is stored in the price reduction division memory 42 of the RAM 31, the data is analyzed and transferred to the data transmission memory 46.

Next, by operating the numeric keys 5 of the operation unit 3 and the like and inputting a desired fixed amount price reduction amount of 80 yen in this embodiment, this data is stored in the arithmetic logic register 47 as an arithmetic expression for the fixed amount price reduction. To be done.

Then, the scanner 15 scans the bar code of the label 23a shown in FIG.
The bar code data read in 5 is analyzed according to the read data program of the ROM 30 and stored in the read memory 40 of the RAM 31.

The price data in the bar code data of the reading memory 40 is stored in the old price memory 41 of the RAM 31 as the old price data of the product.

Then, the old price data is arithmetically processed in the arithmetic work memory 43 together with the fixed amount price reduction arithmetic expression of the arithmetic logic register 47 to generate the new price data reduced in price. In this embodiment, the price is 80 to 80 yen.
It is the new price data of 720 yen, which is the yen price reduction.

This new price data is stored in the calculation result memory 44.
And is transferred to the bar code generation memory 45, and the bar code data of the new price product is generated by adding the product code data and the like in the bar code generation memory 45.

The bar code data of the new-priced product is transferred to the print data buffer 48, the operator designates a predetermined number of prints to be issued, and then the issuance key 13 of the operation unit 3.
When is pressed, the data of the number of issued sheets is set in the print data buffer 48, and the data in the print data buffer 48 is output to the print mechanism 20 via the print control unit according to the print control program of the ROM 30 and is printed on the label 23. The barcode is printed as shown in Fig. 6,
A predetermined number of labels 23b displaying the reduced price of the new price of 720 yen are issued.

The new price data in the calculation result memory 44 is transferred to the transmission data memory 46. In the transmission data memory 46, the old price data transferred from the old price memory 41 and the reading bar code data transferred from the reading memory 40 through the bar type analysis process,
Based on the data relating to the number of printed sheets transferred from the print data buffer 48 and the price reduction classification data transmitted from the price reduction classification memory 42, STX, ETX, BCC are added according to the communication program of the ROM 30, and the transmission data for uploading is added. Created. In addition, in FIG.
It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the transmission data for one price reduction process.

Data for distinguishing fixed price reductions,% price reductions, new price reductions, etc. is shown in the price reduction classification column in FIG. 8, and in-store 02 and in-store 2 are shown in the bar type column.
Data for distinguishing barcode types such as 0, JAN 13 digits, and JAN 8 digits, barcode data of the old price scanned by the scanner 15 in the read barcode column, and old price column in the old price column. The data relating to the old price transferred from the old price memory 41, the data relating to the new price transferred from the operation result memory 44 are transferred to the new price column, and the print data buffer 48 is transferred to the issue number column. The data relating to the number of printed labels is described in a predetermined format.

In the STX column, START OF
In the TEXT and ETX columns, END OF TEXT, B
CC column is BLOCK CHECK CHARACT
ER is shown, and in the dummy column, from STX to BCC
Data for setting the number of digits up to the specified number of digits is described.

Next, in the label printer, the transmission operation of the data had flowchart based Dzu <br/> shown in FIG. 9 will be described.

First, when the operator turns on the power (step 1), the CPU 28 checks the transmission data memory 46 of the RAM 31 to transmit the data to be transmitted in the transmission data memory 46, that is, the data which has been price-reduced before the power is turned on. Is stored (step 2).
If the transmission data is stored in step 2, the process proceeds to step 3, and the CPU 28 displays the message “Transmit” on the display unit 2 and the transmission data to be transmitted to the operator is stored. Notify that there is, and move on to the processing of step 4.

In step 4, a confirmation message asking whether or not to transmit the above-mentioned transmission data to the host computer is displayed on the display unit 2, and when the operator selects "transmit", at step 5, the predetermined data in the transmission data memory 46 is selected. Data is transmitted to the host computer via the transmission control unit 33.

In step 2, the CPU 2
When it is determined that the transmission data is not stored in the transmission data memory 46, the process proceeds to step 6. In step 6, the above-mentioned price reduction label issuing processing work is performed. When the operator depresses the transmission key 7 in step 7 after the price reduction label issuance work, the process proceeds to step 3, and then the data in the transmission data memory 46 is transmitted via step 4 and step 5. Done.

In step 4, if the operator selects "not transmit" the data, the process goes to the price reduction label issuing process in step 6.

As described above, when the transmission data is stored in the data transmission memory when the power is turned on, and when the transmission data is not stored in the data transmission memory when the power is turned on, the transmission data is not stored by the price reduction label issuing process of the label printer. Data stored in the transmission data memory 46 can be transmitted to the host computer.

In the above embodiment, the scanner 15 is disclosed as the product information input means for inputting the product type information and the product price information, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the input of a keyboard or the like is possible. In this case, the product information input means such as a keyboard may be provided separately from the price change information input means, and the product information input means and the price change information input means may be the same input means. . Further, the scanner 15 in the above embodiment may be a pen scanner, a touch scanner, or another bar code reading device, and as the product information input means of the present invention, Any means can be used as long as it can input the product information printed by the barcode.

Further, although the fixed price reduction is disclosed as the price change information in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the price reduction is a percentage reduction to reduce the fixed rate from the old price, and the new price reduction to the old price. It may be a new price reduction to set the price, and in addition, the product may be disposed of,
This product disposal is also included in the price change information in the present invention.

Further, in the above embodiment, the strip-shaped mount 22 is provided at the position of the peeling pin 26 as the printing mechanism 20 for the label 23.
Although the label 23 is configured to be peeled off one by one, the present invention is not limited to this, and the label may be a strip-shaped mount 22.
It may be configured to be continuously issued from the label issuing port 18 together with the strip-shaped mount 22 without being further peeled off,
Other configurations can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, the new product information regarding the reduced price product can be printed on the label by the bar code.
The new price information can be read from the above label using an optical reader at the cash register, which eliminates the typos that accompany the conventional input work at the cash register and speeds up the input of new price products. As a result, congestion at the cash register is eliminated.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to store the first price information as the old price of the product and the second price information as the price reduction price, and at the same time , the judging means.
It is possible to determine the presence or absence of transmission data in the transmission data storage means.
The transmission data is stored in the transmission data storage means.
In this case, since the selective transmission to the host computer is possible, if the first and second price information are transmitted to the host computer and data processing is performed, the selling price change slip processing work in the backyard of the supermarket etc. As a result, it becomes possible to simplify the work by eliminating the need to write down the price reduction amount on the voucher, the totaling work and the entry and the totaling error.

Further, according to the present invention, if the stored first and second price information is transmitted to the host computer and data processing is performed, it is possible to manage product information relating to product price reduction. For example, each person in charge can quickly and surely understand how the budget for reducing the price of the product is consumed, and it is possible to perform fine product management without unnecessary inventory remaining.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a label printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a printing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control unit.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a label on which an old price is displayed.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a label on which a new price is displayed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a concept of a reduction label issuing processing operation.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a structure of transmission data for one price reduction process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a transmission operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 ... Operation part 15 ... Scanner 28 ... CPU 30 ... ROM 31 ... RAM 40 ... Reading memory 41 ... Old price memory 42 ... Price cut memory 43 ... Calculation work memory 44 ... Calculation result memory 45 ... Bar code generation memory 46 ... Transmission data memory

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Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A label printer which is connected to a host computer and prints a bar code of product information such as a product price on the above label of a band-shaped label continuous body composed of a number of labels formed on a band-shaped backing paper through a printing mechanism. In the central processing unit, product information input means connected to the central processing unit for inputting product type information and product price information, and first price information input from the product information input means. And a price change information input means connected to the central processing unit for inputting change information relating to the price reduction of the first price information, and input from the price change information input means. New price creating means for creating the second price information by changing the first price information based on the changed information, and the second price created by the new price creating means. Second storage means for storing information, new product information creation means for creating new product information based on the second price information, and new product information created by the new product information creation means The output means for outputting to the printing mechanism and the host computer based on the first and second price information.
Transmission data that creates transmission data for uploading to the data
Data creating means and the transmission data created by the transmission data creating means
And a transmission data storage unit that stores the transmission data and determines whether or not there is transmission data in the transmission data storage unit.
A judging means for, anda transmitting means for transmitting said first and second price information, transfer of the transmission data storage means by said determining means
Whether or not there is send data is determined, and the send data is stored as send data.
If stored in the method, select the host computer.
A label printer characterized by allowing selective transmission . 2. The price information should be at least the same price.
A contract characterized by being represented by a bar code and readable characters.
The label printer according to claim 1. 3. The presence / absence judgment of the transmission data by the judging means.
Set at power-on and the above first and second prices
Created by the above transmission data creation means based on information
Transmission data was stored in the transmission data storage means
If the transmission data is stored as the result of the presence / absence determination
If there is a display means to notify
The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the label printer is a printer. 4. The transmission data includes the price reduction amount and rate.
Price reduction categories that set types such as price reduction new prices,
Bar type indicating the type of bar code to be printed, old price,
The new price and the number of issued sheets are provided.
Label printer as described.