DE20007594U1 - Labeling system - Google Patents

Description

·· ·· ·· t it4 ·

HERMA GmbH+Co KG
70302 Stuttgart
27 April 2000
H759GM

Labeling system

The invention relates to a labeling system for so-called dual-currency labels. This term includes labels with at least two currency details, as well as labels with more than two currencies, such as those used on ferries, for example. It also relates to a set with a labeling program for dual-currency labels, and with label sheets adapted to this.

In practice, it is a problem that errors keep occurring with dual-currency labels, which lead to customer complaints or competition disputes (UWG), or as a result of which large quantities of incorrectly issued dual-currency labels have to be disposed of.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new labeling system for dual currency labels and a corresponding set.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Because the price information for the two currencies is factorially linked by the labeling program, incorrect entries are excluded as long as the price entered by the user of the system in one of the two currencies is correct. This makes it possible to print large quantities of labels with the certainty that the information on the individual labels is error-free.

Another solution to the problem according to the invention is the subject of claim 7. It enables the user to work very productively and error-free, since all parts of the set are coordinated with one another and errors in the conversion are excluded.

Further details and advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the drawings,

» · H SC

•**t ♦« .. i »» ti

in no way to be understood as a limitation of the invention, as well as from the dependent claims. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of a labeling system according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a first pattern for dual currency labels with two price indications which are factorially linked according to the invention,

Fig. 3 a second pattern analogous to Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 shows a third pattern similar to Fig. 2 and 3, in which the dual-currency labels additionally contain a field with a barcode and the EAN (EAN = European article number).

Fig. 1 shows schematically a computer 10 with a processor unit 12, drives 14, a screen 16, a keyboard 18 connected to the processor unit 12 and a mouse 20 for manipulating data and images on the screen 16.

The processor unit 12 is connected to a printer 22, e.g. a laser or inkjet printer, which serves to print label sheets 24, one of which is shown schematically in Fig. 1.

Furthermore, a labeling program 26 is provided which controls the processor unit 12 and possibly the printer 22 (via a printer driver), which is indicated by corresponding lines of action 28, 30. If a suitable operating system is used for the processor unit 12, e.g. Windows, the printer driver is usually provided by this operating system and the active connection 30 is then indirect.

The label sheet 24 is printed with a plurality of labels 30 of a predetermined size, e.g. in the format 25 x 10 mm, 35 x 16 mm, etc. These labels are pre-punched on the label sheet 24, and the corresponding data for printing different label sizes and, if necessary, label sheets are in

As is known, this is provided in the labeling program 26. Label sheets 24 with pre-punched labels suitable for price labeling are preferably supplied as a set together with the labeling program 26 in order to enable easy handling by the user and thus high productivity.

On each label, certain information can be arranged as desired by the user, see the examples below.

If the user wants to enter a price on a label, he uses the mouse 20 to draw a field at the desired location on the screen 16, which is symbolically indicated at 50 in Fig. 1 and 2 and can also be printed out if necessary. He then clicks with the mouse 20 in this field 50 and enters the desired price F1, e.g. "7.95 DM". The user confirms this amount, e.g. by clicking with the mouse 20 outside of the field 50.

The converted amount F2 then appears automatically in field 50 below this amount F1, i.e. in this example "4.06 euros", as shown in Fig. 2. The two price details F1 and F2 are thus linked to one another by a factor and, if necessary, rounding rules in the labeling program 26 so that when the price F1 in DM is entered into field 50 via the keyboard 18 on the screen 16, the correctly converted price F2 in euros automatically appears below. The amount can also be entered in euros in the same way, and an automatic conversion to DM takes place.

If the user wants to change the appearance of the price information, e.g. choose a different font or font color, or arrange the price information next to each other (see Fig. 4), he clicks twice in the field 50 with the price information and can then make the desired changes. The user can also add additional information, e.g. a barcode and the associated EAN, as explained below in Fig. 4. Other options are: graphics; frames; lines; sequential numbers; additional text, e.g. company names or texts such as "special offer", "special price", or similar.

The concept of the field is understood here - metaphorically - as is usual in computer science and was first defined by Bill Atkinson in his program HyperCard.

Fig. 2 shows a section of a label sheet 24A. The various contents have already been described above.

Fig. 3 shows a second example of a label sheet 24B with labels 30B, the punch lines of which are indicated at 34. As in Fig. 2, the price information F1 in DM and the price information F2 in Euro are located one above the other. The price information F1 and F2 are factorially linked by the program 26 so that errors are avoided.

Fig. 4 shows a third example of a label sheet 24C with labels 3OC, the punching lines of which are indicated at 34.

In an upper row there is the price F1 in DM and next to it the price F2 in Euro, with F1 and F2 being factorially linked, below that at F3 the barcode of the article in question and at F4 its EAN.

Naturally, many other variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention, e.g. the transfer to three-currency labels, such as those used on ferries or aircraft, which are also covered by the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Labeling system for dual currency labels,
with a computer ( 10 ),
with a screen ( 16 ) associated therewith for displaying an image of a label ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B; 30 C),
with a printer ( 22 ) for printing a label sheet ( 24 ; 24 A; 24 B; 24 C) with a plurality of labels ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B; 30 C) of a predetermined size with a visual representation which essentially corresponds to this screen image ( 50 ),
and with a labeling program ( 26 ) which is associated with the computer ( 12 ), the screen ( 16 ) and the printer ( 22 ) and contains a currency conversion program which automatically adds a converted price in a predetermined second currency to a price in a first predetermined currency entered by the user of the program into the screen image ( 50 ). 2. Labeling system according to claim 1, in which the position of the price information in the two predetermined currencies on a label ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B; 30 C) to be printed can be selected by the user on the screen ( 16 ). 3. Labeling system according to claim 1 or 2, in which the size of the price information in the two predetermined currencies on a label ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B; 30 C) to be printed can be selected by the user on the screen ( 16 ). 4. Labeling system according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the font for displaying the price information in the two predetermined currencies on a label ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B; 30 C) to be printed can be selected by the user on the screen ( 16 ). 5. Labeling system according to one or more of the preceding claims, which contains as a set the labeling program ( 26 ) together with coordinated label sheets ( 24 ; 24 A; 24 B; 24 C). 6. Labeling system according to claim 5, wherein the label sheets ( 24 ; 24 A; 24 B; 24 C) have pre-punched labels ( 30 A; 30 B; 30 C) which are designed for price labeling and are coordinated with the program with regard to their position on the label sheets ( 24 ; 24 A; 24 B; 24 C). 7. Set containing a labeling program ( 26 ) for producing dual-currency labels ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B; 30 C) and label sheets ( 24 ; 24 A; 24 B; 24 C) adapted to this labeling program ( 26 ), which labeling program ( 26 ) contains a currency conversion program which automatically adds a converted price (F2) in a predetermined second currency to a price indication (F1) in a first predetermined currency entered by the user of the program into a screen image ( 50 ) of a dual-currency label for the simultaneous printing of both price indications (F1, F2) on labels of such a label sheet ( 24 ; 24 A; 24 B; 24 C). 8. Set according to claim 7, wherein the labeling program ( 26 ) is designed such that the position of the price information (F1, F2) in the two predetermined currencies on a label ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B; 30 C) to be printed can be selected by the user. 9. Set according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the labeling program ( 26 ) is designed such that the size of the price information (F1, F2) in the two predetermined currencies on a label ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B; 30 C) to be printed can be selected by the user. 10. Set according to one of claims 7 to 9, in which the labeling program ( 26 ) is designed such that the font of the representation of the price information (F1, F2) in the two predetermined currencies on a label ( 30 ; 30 A; 30 B; 30 C) to be printed can be selected by the user.