JPH02273259A - Label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a label printer used for creating labels for pricing products in supermarkets and the like.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, for example, a weighing label printer equipped with a scale has a product name corresponding to the product number assigned to each product.

It has a product number file in which product number data such as unit price and validity period are preset. Then, when the product number of the registered product is entered using the number keys and product number keys on the keyboard,
Reads the product number data corresponding to the input product number from the above product number file, and imports the weight value of the product from the scale.
The price is calculated from the weight value and unit price. If the issue key is input in this state, the product name will be printed on the label paper at the print section.

Labels are printed with unit price, weight, price, processing date, validity period (effective date), etc.

Therefore, once the operator inputs the product number for each product, it is necessary to operate the issue key to complete label issue for that product.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, in conventional label printers, one worker has to alternately input the product number and the issue key, leading to decentralized work. The workability was poor. In addition, the operator is burdened with having to memorize all the product numbers of the products for which labels are to be issued, and is prone to input errors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a label printer that can centralize the input operation of the product number and the input operation of the issuance key, thereby improving work efficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a label printer that does not require the operator to memorize the product number of the product for which a label is to be issued, thereby reducing the burden on the operator and reducing input errors.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The present invention has a product number file in which product number data such as product name and unit price is preset corresponding to the product number assigned to each product, and the product number file corresponds to the input product number. In a label printer that reads product number data from a product number file and issues labels, there is a reservation mode instruction key, a reservation product number buffer that sequentially stores product numbers input while reservation mode is specified by this instruction key, and this reservation product number buffer. The device is equipped with a product number extracting means for taking out the product number stored in the product number, and a reserved label issuing means for reading product number data corresponding to the product number extracted by the extracting means from the product number file and issuing a label.

It is desirable to provide a barcode scanner and input the product number by reading the barcoded product number using the barcode scanner.

[Operation] With a label printer having such a configuration, when the product number of each product is sequentially input while the reservation mode is designated by the reservation mode instruction key, the input product numbers are sequentially stored in the reservation product number buffer. In this state, when the product number in the reserved product number buffer is taken out by the product number extracting means, the product number in the reserved product number buffer is taken out, product number data corresponding to the product number is read out from the product number file, and a label is issued. Therefore, the input operation of the product number and the operation of issuing the label are performed independently and intensively.

Furthermore, by allowing the product number to be input by scanning with a barcode scanner, the product number input operation is simplified and input errors are eliminated.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a weighing label printer will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a weighing label printer, in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1 constitutes the main body of the control unit, and storage units such as ROM 2, RAM 3, and product number file 4, a keyboard controller 5, and a display. It controls each controller section of the controller 6 and the print controller 7. Further, the CPUI takes in the current date and time data from the clock circuit 8, and also takes in count data corresponding to the weight value measured by the weighing section 10 from the A/D converter 9. Furthermore, the CPUI is configured to input a barcode reading signal from a barcode scanner 12 via an I10 port 11.

In this embodiment, a product number label on which a barcode corresponding to the product number of each product is printed is prepared in advance for each product, and the barcode scanner 12 reads the barcode on the label to obtain the product number. input is possible. An example of the above product number label is shown in FIG.

In the figure, 21 is the product number, 22 is the product name, and 23 is an 8-digit bar code that includes the product number. , the second to fifth digits are the product number (r00 in the same figure)
01J), the most significant digit (“2” in the figure) is an identification flag to distinguish it from a label.

In FIG. 1, a keyboard 13 is connected to the keyboard controller 5. As shown in FIG.
, a clear key 32 used for clearing the set number, canceling an error, etc., a reservation key 33 as a reservation mode instruction key and a reservation mode release key, a product number key 3 used for inputting the product number.
4. An issue key 35 for instructing label issuance, a cancellation key 36 for instructing cancellation of label issuance, etc. are provided.

The display controller 6 contains the product name, unit price/weight, f
It! A display 14 made of, for example, a CRT display capable of displaying columns and the like is connected.

A printing unit 14 is connected to the printing controller 7, which prints on the transported label paper and issues a label.

The ROM 2 stores fixed data such as program data for the CPU to control each section.

In addition to a calculation work memory, a display buffer, a print buffer, etc., the RAM 3 includes the following as shown in FIG.
A reserved product number buffer 41 that can store input product numbers up to n (>1) #, a pointer memory 42 of write pointer Pw that indicates the data write position of this buffer 41, and an extraction pointer that indicates the data retrieval position of the buffer 41. Pr's pointer memory 43, in reservation mode, "1"
”, a flag memory 44 for the reservation flag F1, which is set to “
A numeric buffer 45 that temporarily stores the numeric data set by the numeric key 31, and a flag memory 4 for an issue flag F2 that is set to "1" when reading product number data from the product number file 4.
6 is formed.

In the product number file 4, corresponding to the product number of each product,
Product number data such as the product name, unit price, and validity period are set for each product.

The CPU is programmed to execute the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 when the power is turned on. That is, after initializing the write pointer Pw and read pointer P'' of each pointer memory 42, 43 to ``0'' in response to power-on, the keyboard 1
It waits for a key input from 3 or a scanner input from barcode scanner 12.

In this state, when a key signal of the reserved key 33 on the keyboard 13 is input via the keyboard controller 5, the reserved key process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed. That is, the state of the reservation flag F1 in the flag memory 44 is checked.

If the flag F1 has been reset to "0", set it to "1" to instruct the reservation mode, and if it was set to "1", reset it to "0" to cancel the reservation mode. Then, this key processing ends.

In FIG. 5, the keyboard 1 is connected to the keyboard 1 via the keyboard controller 5 in a standby state for key input or scanner input.
When the key signal of the product number key 34 on 3 is input, the product number key processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is executed. That is, first, the state of the reservation flag F1 in the flag memory 44 is checked. If the flag F1 is set to "1", it is the reservation mode, so it is determined whether or not the numeric data is stored in the numeric buffer 45. If it is not stored here, an error will occur. If the numeric data is stored, it is recognized that the product number was input using the numeric key 31 immediately before the input of the product number key 34, and the write pointer Pw is set to "
After updating by "+1", the set number data in the set number buffer 45 is written as the product number in the address area of the reserved product number buffer 41 that matches the write pointer Pw, and this key processing is completed. Note that if the write pointer Pw exceeds n (the number of areas of the reserved product number buffer 41) due to updating, the key input is treated as an error.

On the other hand, even if the reservation flag F1 has been reset to "0", it is determined whether or not the number data is stored in the number buffer 45. If it is stored here, it is a normal product number calling process, so the product number file 4 is searched using the stored number data as the product number. If the above product number is set in product number file 4, issue flag F2 is set to "
1", then read out the product number data such as the product name, unit price, and expiration date corresponding to that product number. Also, A/D converter 9
The weight data measured by the weighing section 10 is taken in through the weighing section 10. Then, calculate the price from the Wffi value and unit price,
Display 14 shows product name, unit price 2 and weight value.

The respective prices are displayed and this key processing ends.

Note that if the corresponding product number is not set in the product number file 4, an error will occur.

On the other hand, if the numeric data is not stored in the numeric buffer 45, the reserved part number is called, so after updating the read pointer Pr by "+1", the reserved part number buffer 41 that matches the read point P Retrieve data from the address area (product number and retrieval means).If the data to be retrieved is not stored here, an error occurs.

If the data is stored, the data is recognized as a reserved product number, and the product number file 4 is searched using the reserved product number. After that, in the same way as above, if the reserved product number is set in the product number file 4, set the issue flag F2 to rlJ, and then read the product number data such as the product name, unit price, and validity period corresponding to the reserved product number. At the same time, the weight data measured by the scale unit 10 is taken in via the A/D converter 9, the price is calculated, and the product name and unit price 1 weight value price are displayed on the display 14, and this key processing is performed. end.

In FIG. 5, the keyboard 1 is connected to the keyboard 1 via the keyboard controller 5 in a standby state for key input or scanner input.
When the key signal of the issue key 35 on the top 3 is input, the issue key processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is executed. That is, first, the state of the issue flag F2 in the flag memory 46 is checked. If the flag F2 has been reset to "0", it is determined as an error. If the flag F2 is set to "1", the printing unit 15 is driven and controlled to issue a label for the product number data called up by the normal product number calling process or the reserved product number calling process.

Thereafter, it is determined whether the write pointer Pw and the read pointer P" match or not. If they do not match, the issue flag F2 is reset to rOJ and this key processing is terminated. Both pointers Pw , Pr match, initialize both pointers Pw and Pr to rOJ and clear the reserved part number buffer 41. After that,
The issue flag F2 is reset to rOJ and this key processing is ended.

In FIG. 5, the keyboard 1 is connected to the keyboard 1 via the keyboard controller 5 in a standby state for key input or scanner input.
When the key signal of the cancel key 36 on the top 3 is input, the cancel key process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is executed. That is, first, the state of the issue flag F2 in the flag memory 46 is checked. If the flag F2 is set to "1", it is determined whether the write pointer Pw and the read pointer P" match. If they do not match, the issue flag F2 is set to rOJ. This key processing is then terminated.If both pointers Pw and Pr match, both pointers Pw and Pr are initialized to "0" and the reserved product number buffer 41 is cleared. Thereafter, the issue flag F2 is reset to "0" and this key processing is ended.

Note that if the issue flag F2 has been reset to rOJ, other processing is executed.

In FIG. 5, the barcode scanner 1 is connected to the I10 port 11 in a standby state for key input or scanner input.
When two barcode reading signals are input, scanning processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is executed. That is, first, the state of the reservation flag F1 in the flag memory 44 is checked. If the flag F1 is set to "1", it is the reservation mode, so it is determined whether the scanned barcode is the product number on the product number label. Here, if the most significant digit of the barcode is anything other than "2", it is not a product number label and is therefore treated as an error. If the most significant digit is "2", it is a product number label, so after updating the write pointer Pw by "+1", the product number included in the barcode is recognized in the address area of the reserved product number buffer 41 that matches the write pointer Pw. , and finish this key processing. In addition,
If the write pointer Pw exceeds n (the number of areas of the reserved product number buffer 41) due to updating, the key person is treated as an error. Further, if the reservation flag F1 has been reset to "0", other processing is executed.

In this embodiment configured as described above, after the power is turned on, if the reservation mode is selected by inputting the reservation key 33, pricing is done by entering the product number of each product for which a label is to be issued and pressing the number key 31 and the product number. Continuous input is made using the key 34. By doing so, the key-input product numbers up to n data are sequentially stored in the reserved product number buffer 41. (Product number input work)
Thereafter, only the product number key 34 is inputted. Then, one piece of product number data stored in the reserved product number buffer 41 is retrieved, the corresponding product number data is read from the product number file 4, and the product name, price, etc. are displayed on the display 14. If the issue key 35 is pressed in this state, a label will be issued for the product to which the product number has been set.

Thereafter, by alternately inputting the product number key 34 and the issue key 35 in the same way, labels for products corresponding to the product numbers of the maximum n data stored in the reserved product number buffer 41 are issued. (Label Issuance Work) Furthermore, in order to cancel label issuance for a reserved product number, the cancellation key 36 may be input in place of the issue key 35.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the product number input work for each product for which a label is to be issued and the label issuance work can be performed independently and intensively, thereby improving work efficiency and reducing the burden on the worker. be done.

Further, in this embodiment, a product number label in which the product number is converted into a barcode is prepared for each product, and the product number can be input by reading the barcode of this product number label with the barcode scanner 12. Therefore, inputting the product number can be simplified, operability can be improved, and input errors can be eliminated.

Furthermore, since there is no need for the operator to memorize the product number in advance, anyone can easily input the product number.

In the previous embodiment, a case was shown in which the product number was input using a barcode only in the reservation mode, but it is also possible to input the product number using a barcode during normal product number calling. Further, in the previous embodiment, the present invention was applied to a weighing label printer, but it is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that it can also be applied to, for example, a flat rate label printer that does not have a weighing unit.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a label printer that can centralize the input operation of the product number and the input operation of the issue key, and can improve work efficiency.

According to claim 2, the product number can be entered by reading the barcode, so there is no need for the worker to memorize the product number, improving operability and reducing input errors. We can provide you with the label printer you want.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures are diagrams showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a weighing label printer, in which Fig. 1 is an overall block diagram, and Fig. 2
The figure is an example of the product number label, Figure 3 is a diagram showing the key arrangement of the keyboard, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the main memory configuration of RAM, and Figures 5 to 10 are flowcharts showing the operation of this embodiment. It is. 1...CPU, 2...ROM, 3...RAM, 4
...Product number file, 10...Weighing unit, 12...Barcode scanner, 13...Keyboard, 14...Display unit, 15...Printing unit, 31...Number key 33.
... Reservation key 34 ... Product number key 35 ... Issue key 36 ... Cancellation key, 41 ... Reserved product number buffer,
Fl...Reservation flag, F2...Issuance flag.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) There is a product number file in which product number data such as product name and unit price are preset corresponding to the product number assigned to each product, and the product number data corresponding to the input product number is read from the product number file and labeled. In the printing label printer, there is a reservation mode instruction key, a reservation product number buffer that sequentially stores the product numbers input while the reservation mode is specified by this instruction key, and a product number extractor that retrieves the product numbers stored in this reservation product number buffer. 1. A label printer comprising: a means for issuing a label; and a reserved label issuing means for reading product number data corresponding to the product number retrieved by the retrieving means from the product number file and issuing a label. (2) The label printer according to claim 1, further comprising a barcode scanner, and the product number is input by reading a barcoded product number using the barcode scanner.