JP2022099918A - Label issuing device and label reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a label issuing device and a label reading device that can reduce a decrease in the reading accuracy of a barcode by reading means even when both a barcode and a digital watermark are printed on one product label.SOLUTION: A label issuing device includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of product information related to products, a print control unit in which a barcode in which at least one product information stored in the storage unit is encoded, and a digital watermark with at least one product information embedded in the product information encoded as a barcode are placed on one product label, and that generates print data that defines that the barcode and the digital watermark are placed at different positions on the one product label, and a label issuing unit that issues the product label in which the barcode and the digital watermark are displayed at different positions by printing information based on the print data on the label.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a label issuing device and a label reading device.

Traditionally, a product label printed with a barcode that encodes product information has been affixed to the product. Then, by reading the barcode with a reading means, the goods are settled at the cash register or the like, and the inventory is managed at the warehouse or the like. However, for example, if the product label is wrinkled or a part of the barcode is soiled, there is a problem that the barcode cannot be read by the reading means. Therefore, it has been proposed to print a digital watermark on a product label, which can be printed on the entire product label and has excellent reading accuracy by a reading means such as a camera (see Patent Document 1). If such a digital watermark is adopted for a product label, it is considered that the above-mentioned problems can be solved.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-252482

However, since reading means capable of reading a digital watermark have not yet become widespread, the inventors have a need to print a product label with a barcode on it together with the digital watermark. I thought there was. However, when the digital watermark overlaps with the barcode, the contrast between the bar and the space in the barcode cannot be obtained, and a new problem arises that the reading accuracy of the barcode by the reading means is lowered.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is a label issuing device and a label issuing device capable of reducing a decrease in the reading accuracy of a barcode by a reading means even when both a barcode and a digital watermark are printed on one product label. The purpose is to provide a label reader.

The label issuing device according to the present invention has a storage unit that stores a plurality of product information related to the product, a barcode in which at least one product information stored in the storage unit is encoded, and a product encoded as a barcode. It is defined that an electronic watermark with at least one product information embedded in the information is placed on one product label, and a barcode and an electronic watermark are placed at different positions on one product label. A print control unit that generates print data, and a label issuer that issues product labels in which barcodes and electronic watermarks are displayed at different positions by printing information based on the print data on the label. Be prepared.

A label issuing device having this configuration issues a single product label displaying both a barcode related to at least one product information and an electronic watermark, so that, for example, the product label may have wrinkles or a part of the barcode may be present. Even if it is soiled, the above product information can be obtained from the electronic watermark. In addition, the label issuing device having this configuration is based on print data in which the barcode and the electronic watermark are defined to be arranged at different positions (so as not to overlap each other) on one product label, and the barcode and the electronic label are electronically arranged. Since product labels are issued with the watermarks placed at different positions from each other, the contrast between the bar and the space in the barcode is ensured. As a result, even when both the barcode and the digital watermark are printed on one product label, it is possible to reduce the decrease in the reading accuracy of the barcode by the reading means.

In the label issuing device according to the present invention, the product information encoded as a barcode and the product information embedded as a digital watermark may be the same. In this configuration, the amount of information embedded as a digital watermark can be minimized.

In the label issuing apparatus according to the present invention, the print control unit may generate print data in which a digital watermark is defined to be arranged so as to surround the periphery where the barcode is arranged. In this configuration, the digital watermark can be widely arranged on one product label. This makes it possible to improve the readability of the digital watermark by the reading means.

In the label issuing apparatus according to the present invention, the label issuing unit may issue a product label on which a digital watermark is printed so as to surround the periphery on which the barcode is printed. In this configuration, the digital watermark can be widely arranged on one product label. As a result, it is possible to issue a product label that can improve the readability of the digital watermark by the reading means.

In the label issuing device according to the present invention, the print control unit generates print data defined to have a margin area in which an electronic watermark is not arranged around the barcode, and the label issuing unit is around the barcode. A product label with a margin area may be issued. This makes it possible to further improve the readability of the barcode by the reading means.

In the label issuing device according to the present invention, the print control unit has a first process of generating first data in which electronic watermarks are defined to be arranged in the entire area of one product label, and a first predetermined in the product label. Based on the second process that generates the second data defined to place the barcode in the area, and the first data and the second data, in a position different from the first predetermined area in one product label. The third process of generating the third data in which the electronic watermark is defined and the fourth process of generating the print data based on the second data and the third data may be executed. A label issuing device including such a process can generate print data defined by arranging a barcode and a digital watermark so as not to overlap each other on one product label.

In the label issuing device according to the present invention, the print control unit performs the fifth process of generating the fifth data in which the bar code is defined to be arranged in the predetermined area of one product label, and the one product label. By the dividing line based on the sixth process to generate the sixth data, which is defined to arrange the dividing line dividing into two areas so as not to intersect the predetermined area, and the sixth data and the sixth data. Of the two areas to be divided, the seventh process for generating the seventh data in which the electronic watermark is defined to be arranged in all the areas in the area where the predetermined area does not exist, and the fifth data and the seventh data. The eighth process of generating print data based on the above may be executed. A label issuing device including such a process can generate print data defined by arranging a barcode and a digital watermark so as not to overlap each other on one product label.

In the label issuing apparatus according to the present invention, the print control unit may determine the size of the product label based on the product information included in the print data. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the product label from becoming unnecessarily long.

The label reading device according to the present invention includes a reading means for reading a product label issued from the above-mentioned label issuing device and a reading control unit for decoding the read information, and the reading means is printed on the product label. Reading both the barcode and the electronic watermark, the reading control unit reads the information decoded from at least one of the barcode and the electronic watermark if it is determined that at least one of the barcode and the electronic watermark read by the reading means can be decoded. , It may be determined that the product information is related to the product. In this configuration, the identity of the information written on the product label and the information read by the reading means can be enhanced.

According to the present invention, even when both a barcode and a digital watermark are printed on one product label, it is possible to reduce a decrease in the reading accuracy of the barcode by the reading means.

It is an external perspective view which showed the weighing package pricing apparatus including the label printer of one Embodiment. It is a block diagram which showed the functional structure of the weighing package pricing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3A is an example of a product label issued by the label printer of one embodiment. FIG. 3B is an example of a product label as a comparative example. 4 (A) to 4 (D) are diagrams illustrating a flow of print data generation processing according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the client terminal. 6 (A) to 6 (D) are diagrams illustrating a flow of print data generation processing according to the first modification. 7 (A) to 7 (D) are diagrams illustrating a flow of print data generation processing related to further deformation of the first modification. 8 (A) to 8 (E) are diagrams illustrating a flow of print data generation processing according to a further modification.

Hereinafter, a case where the label printer (label issuing unit) 11 which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention is applied to the weighing and packaging pricing device (label issuing device) 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The weighing and packaging pricing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that, after weighing and packaging a product, issues a product label L on which information about the product is printed and affixes it to the product. In the weighing and packaging pricing device 1 of the present embodiment, after the product is weighed, the product, which is the content placed on a tray such as fresh food, or fruits and vegetables, etc. Film packaging is performed by pushing up the product not to be placed on the tray and folding the peripheral part of the film to the bottom side of the tray or below the product, and then automatically or manually affixing the product label printed on the packaged product. .. Hereinafter, a process of issuing a product label of a product placed on a tray and affixing the issued product label to the product will be described after the device configuration is outlined.

The weighing and packaging pricing device 1 includes a weighing and carrying mechanism 2 in which a weighing mechanism is incorporated, a lift mechanism (not shown) which is arranged in the subsequent stage and raises the product to the packaging station 3, a film roll support mechanism 4, and a film roll support mechanism 4. It includes a film delivery mechanism 5, a film transfer mechanism 6, a folding mechanism 7, a sealing mechanism 8, a pricing machine 10, and a control device 9.

The weighing carry-in mechanism 2 is provided at the center of the front surface of the main body 1a. The weighing loading mechanism 2 loads a load sensor such as a load cell to measure the weight of a product such as food placed on a tray, and a weighing table 21 and a product placed on the measuring table 21 to a packaging station 3. It has a transport mechanism 25 for transporting. When the product is placed on the measuring table 21, the weight of the product is weighed by the load sensor supporting the measuring table 21, and then the product is transported by the transport mechanism 25 to the packaging station 3. The film roll support mechanism 4 is arranged on both sides of the main body 1a and holds the film roll, respectively. The film feeding mechanism 5 feeds the film drawn from the film roll upward. The film transport mechanism 6 receives the film from the film delivery mechanism and transports the film to the packaging station 3, which is a space formed in the main body 1a.

A lift mechanism (not shown) raises the goods received from the weighing and carrying mechanism 2 and lifts the film stretched on the packaging station 3 from below. The folding mechanism 7 wraps the product by folding the film lifted by the product around the product at the packaging station 3. The sealing mechanism 8 heat-seals the film folded on the bottom surface side of the product by the folding mechanism 7. The pricing machine 10 issues a product label L on which product information (weight, price, etc.), which is information about the product, is printed, and automatically or manually attaches the product label L to the product. The pricing machine 10 is arranged above the folding mechanism 7 and the sealing mechanism 8.

The pricing machine 10 includes a label printer 11 and a sticking machine 12, and the label printer 11 and the sticking machine 12 are integrally configured. The label printer 11 issues a product label L (see FIG. 3A) by printing information based on the print data described in detail later on the label LR. The label LR of the present embodiment may be a label with a mount, or may be a mountless label to which a mount is not attached. The label printer 11 stores a label roll in which the label LR is wound around a core material or the like, and issues a product label L by printing information based on print data on the label LR unwound from the label roll. .. The sticking machine 12 is provided so as to be movable between the label printer 11 and the product to which the product label L is attached, and the product label L received from the label printer 11 is attached to the product packaged by the film.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a control device 9 having a display panel 91, an operation key 92, a control unit (print control unit) 93, and a storage unit 94 is arranged on the upper part of the main body 1a. The control device 9 includes the above-mentioned mechanisms (weighing carry-in mechanism 2, lift mechanism (not shown), packaging station 3, film roll support mechanism 4, film delivery mechanism 5, film transfer mechanism 6, folding mechanism 7, sealing mechanism 8, and pricing. Control the operation of the machine 10).

The display panel 91 is a touch panel capable of displaying various information for the operator and accepting the operation of the operator. The operation key 92 receives a confirmation operation or the like by an operator.

The control unit 93 has an input / output interface for inputting / outputting signals to / from the outside, a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and information for processing, and a RAM (Random) for temporarily storing data. It has a storage medium such as Access Memory), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a communication circuit, and the like. The control unit 93 stores the input data in the RAM based on the signal output by the CPU, loads the program stored in the ROM into the RAM, and executes various processes by executing the program loaded in the RAM. do.

When the product selected by the operation of the operation key 92 by the operator is placed on the weighing table 21, the control unit 93 calculates the price of the product based on the weight of the weighed product. The control unit 93 reads product information such as raw materials stored for each product from the storage unit 94, controls the label printer 11, and issues a product label L on which the weight, price, and the like of the product are printed. The issuance process of the product label L will be described in detail later. The control unit 93 encodes the JAN code stored in the storage unit 94 as a barcode A3 (see FIG. 3A), or embeds the JAN code as a digital watermark A5 (see FIG. 3A). Also run. The control unit 93 controls the affixing machine 12 to affix the product label L to the film-wrapped product.

The storage unit 94 stores a plurality of product information related to the product. The storage unit 94 stores, for example, product information such as a product ID, a manufacturer ID, a product name, a unit price, a production area, a processing date, an expiration date, and a JAN code for each product. Further, the storage unit 94 also stores a format or the like in which which product information is arranged in which area of one product label L is defined.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the weighing / packaging pricing device 1 has a barcode A3 in which at least one product information stored in the storage unit 94 is encoded, and a product encoded as the barcode A3. One feature is to issue a product label L printed with an electronic watermark A5 in which at least one product information in the information is embedded. In the weighing and packaging pricing device 1 of the present embodiment, a barcode A3 in which a JAN code, which is one of the product information, is coded, and an electronic watermark A5 in which the JAN code is embedded are arranged on one product label L. Issue the product label L. Further, the weighing and packaging pricing device 1 of the present embodiment issues a product label L displayed so that the digital watermark A5 surrounds the area on which the barcode A3 is displayed.

In addition, in the "region where the bar code A3 is displayed" referred to in this specification, if it is a one-dimensional bar code, the area between the bars arranged at both ends in the arrangement direction of the bars (the first predetermined area shown in the lower row). Area PA1 (synonymous with area PA1), which is a quiet zone (a margin area provided around the area actually printed as a barcode) located outside the bars arranged at both ends, and the width varies depending on the standard of each barcode. A defined margin area around the barcode) is not included. That is, "displayed so that the digital watermark A5 surrounds the area where the barcode A3 is displayed" means that the digital watermark A5 may be arranged in the quiet zone, or "the area where the barcode A3 is displayed". It means that the digital watermark A5 may be arranged around the quiet zone and / or the area including the margin area. Further, the "area in which the barcode A3 is displayed" refers to an area composed of cell groups arranged in a grid pattern in the case of a two-dimensional bar code, and is arranged around these cell groups. Quiet zone is not included. However, depending on the density of the digital watermark A5 to be arranged and the accuracy of the device for reading, there is a possibility that the barcode A3 cannot be read even by arranging the digital watermark in the quiet zone. In this case, the control unit 93 may be configured so that the digital watermark is not arranged (generates print data defined to be arranged) also in the quiet zone and / or the margin area.

The digital watermark in the present embodiment means information that can be visually recognized by the human eye, but the embedded information cannot be discriminated. An example of a digital watermark is a tint block (pattern) in which information that can be retrieved by scanning with a scanner 103 (see FIG. 6) (reading means) or the like is embedded. More specifically, the digital watermark of the present embodiment refers to a character that can be read by a human on a product label and a tint block as described above printed on a background such as a barcode A3. Further, the digital watermark can extract the information included in the digital watermark by reading a part of the digital watermark without reading the whole (even if the whole cannot be read) by the scanner 103.

The label printer 11 issues the product label L as shown in FIG. 3A described above by printing the information based on the print data generated by the control unit 93 on the label LR. Hereinafter, an example of the processing flow when the control unit 93 generates print data will be described. The control unit 93 has a barcode A3 in which at least one product information stored in the storage unit 94 is encoded, and an electron in which at least one product information in the product information encoded as the barcode A3 is embedded. Print data defined that the watermark A5 is arranged on one product label L, and the barcode A3 and the electronic watermark A5 are arranged at different positions (so as not to overlap each other) on one product label L. To generate.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 93 measures the product name A1, which is one of the product information stored in the storage unit 94, and the unit price, which is one of the product information stored in the storage unit 94, by the weighing table 21. Print data for arranging the price A2 multiplied by the value, the barcode A3 in which the JAN code stored in the storage unit 94 is encoded, and the electronic watermark A5 in which the JAN code is embedded on one product label L. Generate. In other words, print data is generated in which the product information obtained by decoding the barcode A3 and the product information obtained by decoding the digital watermark A5 are the same. Further, the control unit 93 arranges the digital watermark A5 so as to surround the periphery where the barcode A3 is arranged as a method of arranging the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5 at different positions on one product label L. The placement method is adopted.

A method of generating such print data will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (D). The control unit 93 generates first data in which the digital watermark A5 is defined to be arranged in the entire area of one product label L as shown in FIG. 4 (A) (first process). The size of one product label L is stored in a storage unit 94 or the like. Next, the control unit 93 determines the product information other than the electronic watermark A5 as shown in FIG. 4B according to the format in which which product information is arranged in which region of one product label L. Generates second data in which the placement position of each product information is defined when it is assumed that the product is printed on the product label L (second process).

When the arrangement direction of the bars constituting the barcode A3 is the first direction and the extending direction of each bar is the second direction, the first predetermined region PA1 in which the barcode A3 is arranged is in the first direction. From two points at both ends of the bar located at one end in the second direction and at both ends of the bar placed at the other end in the first direction in the second direction A rectangular area with four points as corners. The definition of such a first predetermined region PA1 is an example. The first predetermined region may be, for example, a region in which each bar is included entirely inside and has a side parallel to the extending direction (second direction) of each bar.

Next, based on the second data, the control unit 93 creates a frame-shaped second predetermined area (margin area) PA2 that surrounds the outside of the product label L as shown in FIG. 4 (B). Generate modified second data defined to be placed in L. The second predetermined region (margin region) PA2 may completely include the quiet zone, may include a part of the quiet zone, or may be another region that does not include the quiet zone. .. The control unit 93 may directly generate the modified second data without generating the second data, or generate the modified second data by modifying the once generated second data. You may. Next, the control unit 93 sets the first predetermined area PA1 and the second predetermined area PA1 and the second predetermined area in one product label L as shown in FIG. 4C based on the first data and the modified second data. Generate third data in which it is defined that the digital watermark A5 is not arranged in the region PA2 (third process). Next, the control unit 93 has a barcode A3 in which the JAN code stored in the storage unit 94 is encoded, as shown in FIG. 4D, based on the second data and the third data. And the electronic watermark A5 in which the JAN code is embedded are placed on one product label L, and the barcode A3 and the electronic watermark A5 are placed at different positions (so as not to overlap each other) on one product label L. Generate print data defined to be placed (fourth process).

The control unit 93 controls the label printer 11 so as to print the information based on the print data generated by the above-mentioned processing on the label LR, and issues the product label L as shown in FIG. 4 (D). Let me.

The product label L issued in this way can be read by, for example, a scanner (reading means) 103 provided in the client terminal (label reading device) 100. The client terminal 100 is arranged in a store or the like and is used for sales management, for example. As shown in FIG. 5, the client terminal 100 includes a control unit (reading control unit) 101, a display unit 102, a scanner 103, and a communication unit 104.

The control unit 101 has an input / output interface, a storage medium such as a ROM and a RAM, a CPU, a communication circuit, and the like, and stores input data in the RAM based on a signal output by the CPU, and is stored in the ROM. The program is loaded into the RAM, and various processes are executed by executing the program loaded in the RAM. If the control unit 101 of the present embodiment determines that at least one of the barcode A3 and the digital watermark read by the reading means can be decoded, the information decoded from at least one of the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A is obtained. , Judge that it is product information about the product.

The scanner 103 reads both the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5 printed on the product label L, and transmits the read information to the control unit 101. The display unit 102 is a part for displaying various information, and in the present embodiment, the display unit 102 displays the product information decoded from the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5 read by the scanner 103. That is, the display unit 102 of the present embodiment displays the JAN code decoded from the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5. Further, when both the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5 read by the scanner 103 cannot be decoded, the display unit 102 displays to that effect. The communication unit 104 is provided so as to be able to communicate with, for example, a server device. The information for decoding the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5 read by the scanner 103 may be acquired via the communication unit 104, or may be acquired from a storage unit or the like provided in the client terminal 100.

In the weighing and packaging pricing device 1 of the above embodiment, one product label L on which both the barcode A3 and the electronic watermark A5 relating to at least one product information are displayed is issued, so that the product label L is wrinkled, for example. Even if a part of the barcode A3 is contaminated, the product information can be obtained from the electronic watermark A5. Further, in the label printer 11 of the above embodiment, the product label L is issued based on the print data in which the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5 are defined to be arranged at different positions on one product label L. .. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, the print data is as compared with the product label L0 in which the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5 are arranged so as to overlap each other (at the same position as each other). In the product label L shown in FIG. 3A, which is printed based on the above, the contrast between the bar and the space in the barcode A3 is ensured. As a result, even when both the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5 are printed on one product label L, it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the reading accuracy of the barcode A3 by a reading means such as a scanner.

In the weighing and packaging pricing device 1 of the above embodiment, print data is generated in which the digital watermark A5 is defined so as to surround the periphery where the barcode A3 is arranged. As a result, the digital watermark A5 can be widely arranged on one product label L, and the readability of the digital watermark A5 by the scanner 103 can be improved.

In the weighing and packaging pricing device 1 of the above embodiment, a product label L on which a digital watermark A5 is printed is issued so as to surround the periphery on which the barcode A3 is printed. As a result, the digital watermark A5 can be widely arranged on one product label L, so that the readability of the digital watermark A5 by the scanner 103 can be improved.

In the client terminal 100 of the above embodiment, if it is determined that at least one of the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5 read by the scanner 103 can be decoded, the information decoded from at least one of the barcode A3 and the digital watermark A5 can be obtained as a product. Judged as product information related to. This makes it possible to enhance the identity between the information written on the product label L and the information read by the scanner 103.

Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

(Modification 1)
The print data generated by the control unit 93 is not limited to the print data generated by the above-mentioned processing, and may be, for example, the print data generated by the processing shown below. Hereinafter, a method of generating print data according to this modification will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 (A) to 6 (D).

In the control unit 93, product information other than the electronic watermark A5 as shown in FIG. 6A is a product label according to a format in which which product information is arranged in which region of one product label L is defined. The fifth data in which the arrangement position of each product information is defined when it is assumed to be printed on L is generated (fifth process). The fifth data of the present embodiment defines that the barcode A3 is arranged in the first predetermined area (predetermined area) PA1.

Next, the control unit 93 arranges the dividing line L1 that divides one product label L into two regions, as shown in FIG. 6B, so as not to intersect the first predetermined region PA1. Generates the sixth data in which is defined (sixth process). Next, the control unit 93 has the area A11 on the side where the first predetermined area PA1 does not exist among the two areas A11 and A12 divided by the dividing line L1 based on the fifth data and the sixth data. The seventh data (see FIG. 6C) in which the digital watermark A5 is defined to be arranged in all the areas (the hatched areas) is generated (seventh process).

Next, the control unit 93 has a barcode A3 in which the JAN code is encoded and an electron in which the JAN code is embedded, as shown in FIG. 6D, based on the fifth data and the seventh data. Print data defined that the watermark A5 is arranged on one product label L, and the barcode A3 and the electronic watermark A5 are arranged at different positions (so as not to overlap each other) on one product label L. Is generated (eighth process). The control unit 93 controls the label printer 11 so as to print the information based on the print data generated by the above-mentioned processing on the label LR, and issues the product label L as shown in FIG. 6 (D). Let me.

In FIG. 6B, the control unit 93 arranges a straight dividing line L1 in the left-right direction (so as not to intersect the first predetermined region PA1) above the barcode A3 with a slight interval. An example is shown. However, the dividing line is not limited to a straight line, but may be a curved line. Further, the dividing line may be a polygonal line. For example, with respect to the barcode A3 shown in FIG. 6A, a polygonal line or a curve that passes through the upper side and the right side of the barcode A3 at a certain interval from the barcode A3 is arranged as a dividing line. You may.

Further, in the above modified example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the control unit 93 has described by giving an example of dividing one product label L into two regions, but FIG. 7B shows the example. As shown, the control unit 93 is divided into three regions A11, A12, and A13 by the dividing line L1 and the dividing line L2, and for example, a barcode A3 as shown in FIG. 7B is arranged. The seventh data defined to arrange the digital watermark A5 in the two regions A11 and A12 other than the region A13 may be generated. Then, the control unit 93 has a barcode A3 in which the JAN code is encoded and a digital watermark in which the JAN code is embedded, as shown in FIG. 7D, based on the fifth data and the seventh data. Print data defined that A5 is arranged on one product label L and barcode A3 and digital watermark A5 are arranged at different positions (so as not to overlap each other) on one product label L. It may be generated.

Further, in order to arrange the digital watermark A5 in the same region A11 and the region A12, an L-shaped bent division composed of a straight line L11 which is a part of the dividing line L1 and a straight line L12 which completely coincides with the dividing line L2. The seventh data defined to specify the two regions A13 and the region consisting of the regions A11 and the region A12 by the line L10, and to arrange the digital watermark A5 in the region other than the region A13 in which the barcode A3 is arranged. May be generated.

As described above, the control unit 93 does not necessarily have to arrange the digital watermark A5 so as to surround the four sides of the barcode A3 on the top, bottom, left, and right, and the control unit 93 does not necessarily have to arrange the digital watermark A5 on one, two, or three sides of the top, bottom, left, and right when viewed from the barcode A3. A digital watermark may be placed so that it is located.

(Modification 2)
The method of generating print data according to the second modification will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 (A) to 8 (E).

The control unit 93 generates the first data in which the digital watermark A5 is defined to be arranged in the entire area of one product label L as shown in FIG. 8A. Next, the control unit 93 determines the product information other than the electronic watermark A5 as shown in FIG. 8B according to the format in which which product information is arranged in which region of one product label L. Is assumed to be printed on the product label L, and the second data in which the arrangement position of each product information is defined is generated. The second data of the present embodiment defines that the barcode A3 is arranged in the first predetermined area PA1. The second data does not necessarily have to be generated in a state where the barcode A3 is actually arranged in the first predetermined region PA1.

Next, the control unit 93 has the product name A1 which is one of the product information stored in the storage unit 94 as shown in FIG. 8C based on the first data and the second data. And the price A2 obtained by multiplying the unit price, which is one of the product information stored in the storage unit 94, by the measured value by the measuring table 21, and the electronic watermark A5 in which the JAN code is embedded are arranged on one product label L. Generate the fifth data defined to be done.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8D, the control unit 93 generates a barcode image data BD including the barcode A3 and the frame-shaped portion F surrounding the barcode A3. That is, the barcode image data BD is one size larger than the size of the barcode A3. The frame-shaped portion F is a margin area in which information such as characters is not displayed. The control unit 93 superimposes the barcode image data BD on the fifth data on which the product label L can be issued as shown in FIG. 8 (C), so that the control unit 93 superimposes the barcode image data BD on the JAN as shown in FIG. 8 (E). The barcode A3 in which the code is coded and the electronic watermark A5 in which the JAN code is embedded are arranged on one product label L, and the barcode A3 and the electronic watermark A5 are placed on one product label L. Generates print data that is defined to be arranged so that they do not overlap.

(Modification 3)
In the weighing and packaging pricing device 1 of the above embodiment and the second modification, a margin region is formed around the barcode A3, and a digital watermark A5 is arranged around the margin region. Not limited to. For example, the digital watermark A5 may be arranged in the above margin area.

(Modification example 4)
In the above-described embodiment and modification, the case where the product information encoded as the barcode A3 and the product information embedded as the electronic watermark A5 are completely the same has been described as an example. In addition to product information (JAN code) coded as A3, other product information (for example, information on allergic ingredients, transportation route from processing to sale, inspection record information, or WEB page where these information can be viewed. URL information, etc.) may be embedded. Further, the individual identification number of the product may be embedded as a digital watermark. Since the digital watermark can generally contain a larger amount of information than the barcode A3, various information can be further included in addition to (a part of) the information of the barcode A3.

(Other variants)

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the control unit 93 generates data in which the digital watermark A5 is defined to be arranged in the entire area of one product label L, and then FIG. 4A. Although the description has been given with an example of generating data in which the digital watermark A5 is defined not to be arranged in the second predetermined region PA2 in one product label L as shown in (C), the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit 93 divides the data into a predetermined number (for example, four) after generating data in which the digital watermark A5 as shown in FIG. 4A is defined to be arranged. , The divided data may be superimposed on the periphery (for example, four sides) where the barcode A3 is arranged. Even in this case, the control unit 93 can generate print data in which the digital watermark A5 is defined to be arranged around the barcode A3.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, the control unit 93 has described with reference to an example of generating print data in which the digital watermark A5 is arranged so as to be continuous, but the control unit 93 is divided into two or more regions. You may generate print data arranged so as to be.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, the example in which the product label L in which the product information is printed on the label LR with the mount is issued has been described, but the product label in which the product information is printed on the mount-less label is issued. You may. In this case, the control unit 93 may determine the size of the product label based on the product information included in the print data. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the product label from becoming unnecessarily long.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, the product label L issued from the label printer 11 has been described by taking as an example the case where the product label L is used for the purpose of sales management in a store or the like, but for example, inventory management in a warehouse, a processing center or the like. , May be used for the purpose of distribution management and the like. In this case, as an example of the product information encoded as the barcode A3 and the product information embedded in the electronic watermark A5, the identification number of the product or the like may be barcoded or electronically watermarked, or the store name or product name of the delivery destination may be used. It is conceivable that information such as the number of items is bar-coded and electronically watermarked.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and modification, the position of the barcode A3 is shown at the lower left with respect to the entire product label L, but the barcode A3 may be arranged anywhere on the product label L. The control unit 93 appropriately sets the area of the digital watermark A5 according to the position of the barcode A3.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and modification, one bar code A3 is arranged on the product label L, but the number of bar codes A3 is not limited to one. When the control unit 93 arranges a plurality of barcodes A3, the barcodes A3 and the digital watermark A5 are arranged so that none of the barcodes A3 overlaps with the digital watermark A5.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and modification, an example in which the barcode A3 arranged on the product label L is a so-called one-dimensional barcode is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a so-called two-dimensional bar code (for example, a QR code (registered trademark) or the like) may be arranged instead of the one-dimensional bar code.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, the control unit (print control unit) 93 for generating print data has been described with reference to an example in which the control unit (print control unit) 93 is built in the main body of the weighing and packaging pricing device 1. It may be provided in an external server or the like capable of communicating with the weighing / packaging pricing device 1. That is, in the weighing / packaging pricing device 1 according to the modification, the control unit 93 provided in the external server acquires information from the storage unit 94 to generate the above-mentioned print data, and the weighing / packaging pricing device 1 is used. The label printer 11 provided in the main body downloads or receives the above-mentioned print data from the control unit 93, and prints the information based on the print data on the label LR, whereby the barcode A3 and the electronic watermark A5 are formed. Product labels L displayed at different positions may be issued.

In the above embodiment, a label issuing / pasting device having a weighing function and a packaging function, which weighs a product and then wraps it with a film, has been described as an example, but the present invention has only a function of issuing a product label. It may be applied to a product label issuing device. The present invention is applicable to various devices having a function of issuing a product label.

1 ... Weighing and packaging pricing device (label issuing device), 9 ... Control device, 10 ... Pricer, 11 ... Label printer (label issuing unit), 93 ... Control unit (print control unit), 94 ... Storage unit, 100 ... Client terminal (label reading device), 101 ... Control unit (reading control unit), 102 ... Display unit (reading control unit), 103 ... Scanner (reading means), 104 ... Communication unit.

Claims (9)

A storage unit that stores multiple product information related to products,
A barcode in which at least one product information stored in the storage unit is encoded, and an electronic watermark in which at least one product information in the product information encoded as the barcode is embedded. A print control unit that generates print data that is defined to be arranged on one product label and that the barcode and the electronic watermark are arranged at different positions on the product label.
A label issuing device including a label issuing unit that issues a product label in which a barcode and a digital watermark are displayed at different positions by printing information based on the print data on a label. The label issuing device according to claim 1, wherein the product information encoded as the barcode and the product information embedded as a digital watermark are the same. The label issuing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the print control unit generates the print data in which the digital watermark is defined to be arranged so as to surround the periphery where the barcode is arranged. The label issuing device according to claim 3, wherein the label issuing unit issues the product label on which the digital watermark is displayed so as to surround the periphery on which the barcode is displayed. The print control unit generates the print data defined to have a margin area in which the digital watermark is not arranged around the barcode.
The label issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the label issuing unit issues the product label having the margin area around the barcode. The print control unit
The first process of generating the first data defined by arranging the digital watermark in the entire area of the product label on one sheet, and
The second process of generating the second data in which the barcode is defined to be placed in the first predetermined area of the product label, and the second process.
Based on the first data and the second data, a third data is generated in which the digital watermark is defined to be arranged at a position different from the first predetermined area on one product label. Three processes and
The label issuing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fourth process of generating the print data based on the second data and the third data is executed. The print control unit
The fifth process of generating the fifth data, which is defined to place the barcode in a predetermined area on one product label, and the fifth process.
A sixth process for generating sixth data, which is defined as arranging a dividing line that divides one product label into two regions so as not to intersect the predetermined region.
Based on the fifth data and the sixth data, it is defined that the digital watermark is placed in all the regions in the region where the predetermined region does not exist among the two regions divided by the dividing line. The seventh process to generate the seventh data and
The label issuing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the eighth process of generating the print data based on the fifth data and the seventh data is executed. The label issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the print control unit determines the size of the product label based on the product information included in the print data. A reading means for reading the product label issued from the label issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a reading control unit for decoding the read information are provided.
The reading means reads both the barcode and the digital watermark printed on the product label.
If the reading control unit determines that at least one of the barcode and the digital watermark read by the reading means can be decoded, the information decoded from at least one of the barcode and the digital watermark is related to the product. A label reading device that determines that the product information is used.

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