U.S. patent application number 10/454588 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-06 for method and apparatus for printing merchandising information.
This patent application is currently assigned to ISHIDA CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hewitt, Richard C. W., Rawlings, Michael J., Sielski, Joseph.
Application Number | 20030205412 10/454588 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29273609 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030205412 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hewitt, Richard C. W. ; et
al. |
November 6, 2003 |
Method and apparatus for printing merchandising information
Abstract
A weighing scale which includes a label printer for printing
labels having a detachable portion. A label cassette is easily
inserted or removed from the weighing scale. The label cassette is
changed depending on the type of label to be printed. Standard
labels can be printed, or labels having detachable portions along
one side can be printed. The detachable portion can have
merchandising information printed thereon including coupon
information, advertising information, discounts, specials, and
product information. The information on the label and detachable
portions is easily edited by an operator at a control panel of the
weighing scale. A conversational display is provided which allows
easy editing and also allows specials, recipes, etc., to be
displayed. A molded cover is provided to prevent moisture from
entering the weighing scale without interfering with the operation
of the weighing scale.
Inventors: |
Hewitt, Richard C. W.;
(Washington, NJ) ; Rawlings, Michael J.;
(Rockaway, NJ) ; Sielski, Joseph; (Orange,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
ISHIDA CO., LTD.
Kyoto
JP
|
Family ID: |
29273609 |
Appl. No.: |
10/454588 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10454588 |
Jun 5, 2003 |
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08591161 |
Jan 16, 1996 |
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08591161 |
Jan 16, 1996 |
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08274154 |
Jul 14, 1994 |
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08274154 |
Jul 14, 1994 |
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07877144 |
May 1, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
177/25.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 40/166 20200101;
G06Q 20/387 20130101; Y10T 428/14 20150115; Y10T 428/1495 20150115;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; Y10T 428/15 20150115; G07B 1/02 20130101; Y10T
428/149 20150115; G07G 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
177/25.15 |
International
Class: |
G01G 019/40 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for printing merchandising information, comprising the
steps of: (a) programming label designs; (b) entering product and
merchandising information; and (c) printing a label including the
product and merchandising information.
2. A method for printing merchandising information according to
claim 1, wherein said step (a) comprises the substeps of: (i)
determining general field position parameters; (ii) determining
field positions for each label; (iii) converting field positions
into coordinate numbers; (iv) programming the coordinate numbers
into a desired label format; and (v) generating a label in
accordance with the desired label format.
3. A method for printing merchandising information according to
claim 2, wherein said step (v) comprises the substep of generating
a label having a perforated portion along one of four edges.
4. A method for printing merchandising information according to
claim 3, wherein the perforated portion of the label includes
coupon information, item information, merchandising information and
advertising information.
5. A method for printing merchandising information according to
claim 1 wherein said step (b) comprises the substeps of: (i)
creating and storing a table of merchandising messages for
products, in a microprocessor; (ii) programming the table of
merchandising messages into sales messages; (iii) programming
products to refer to the sales messages; (iv) editing the sales
messages to change the merchandising messages; and (v) changing the
text of the sales messages by editing the contents of the sales
messages.
6. A method for printing merchandising information according to
claim 1, wherein said step (c) comprises the substeps of: (i)
selecting a label cassette containing desired label designs; (ii)
inserting the label cassette into a scale/label printer; (iii)
selecting a product number for the product being weighed; and (iv)
printing a label identifying the product and a selected message in
accordance with the selected product number.
7. A method for printing merchandising information according to
claim 6, wherein said substep (iv) comprises the substep of
producing a label having a perforated portion along one of four
edges.
8. A method for printing merchandising information according to
claim 7, wherein the perforated portion of the label includes
coupon information, item information, merchandising information and
advertising information.
9. A weighing scale, comprising: a label cassette easily inserted
or removed from a cavity in the weighing scale; labels, inserted
into said label cassette, said labels having an attachable portion
and a detachable portion; and printing means for printing said
attachable portion of said labels, to be attached to a weighed
product, with product information, and printing said detachable
portion of said labels with merchandising information.
10. A weighing scale according to claim 9, wherein said
merchandising information includes coupon information, advertising
information or product information.
11. A weighing scale according to claim 10, wherein said detachable
portion of said labels is detachable in a vertical direction along
a left or right portion of said labels.
12. A weighing scale according to claim 11, further comprising a
molded plastic cover means for covering the weighing scale for
preventing moisture and condensation from entering the weighing
scale.
13. A weighing scale according to claim 9, wherein said detachable
portion of said labels is detachable in a horizontal direction
along a top or bottom portion of said labels.
14. A weighing scale according to claim 13, further comprising
molded plastic cover means for covering the weighing scale for
preventing moisture and condensation from entering the scale.
15. A weighing scale, having internal electronics, including a
label printer, comprising: a weighing platter for holding a product
to be weighed; a weighing cross for determining a weight of the
product on said weighing platter; and a molded plastic cover for
covering the weighing scale, located under said weighing cross, for
preventing moisture from entering the internal electronics.
16. A weighing scale according to claim 14, further comprising a
label cassette, wherein the weighing scale has a receptacle for
receiving said label cassette, and wherein said molded plastic
cover is molded in two pieces, one of said two pieces having an
opening for covering the receptacle for receiving said label
cassette.
17. A weighing scale according to claim 15, wherein said molded
plastic cover is formed from a thin material which tightly covers
the weighing scale.
18. A label, comprising: a first portion having a removable
backing; a second portion attached to said first portion and being
detachable from said first portion; and a perforation separating
said first portion from said second portion.
19. A label according to claim 18, wherein said first portion
includes merchandising information printed thereon, and wherein
said second portion includes coupon and advertising
information.
20. A label according to claim 19, wherein said perforation is in a
vertical direction from a top portion to a bottom portion of the
label.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for
printing merchandising information including programming labels,
entering product and merchandising information and printing a label
including merchandising information at the point of weighing or
labelling. The merchandising information includes product
information such as a special price, advertising information,
and/or product information along with a coupon for a related
item.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, labels for items purchased at a deli department
or bakery department in a grocery store are printed at a weighing
station. The labels are preprogrammed into a weighing scale and are
printed on command. The labels contain a description of the item,
weight, price per pound and UPC code.
[0005] Coupons are distributed in a variety of different ways
including through newspapers, attached to items to be purchased, or
generated at a checkout. Coupons printed in newspapers, magazines,
or other related media must be clipped by the consumer, taken to a
store and redeemed. The problem with this method is that there is
little control over how many coupons are produced and no control as
to when and where the coupons will be redeemed. Producing these
types of coupons is also very expensive and lacks impact because
they are unfocused from a merchandising point of view.
[0006] Coupons generated in-store at the point of sale (POS)
require a separate printer interfaced to the POS system. The
problem with this method is that coupons are generated after a
customer has paid and therefore are only useable at the next time
of purchase. This does not promote impulse purchases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
label/detachable merchandising information printer as an integral
part of a weighing scale, the merchandising information being
easily changed.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to produce
labels for randomly weighed items provided with label/merchandising
information in which the merchandising information includes a
detachable store-generated coupon or a coupon printed by a
manufacturer and/or advertising information.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
label/merchandising information which can be used with any type of
weighing scale, is easily edited and has the option of printing up
to three dates and a time.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
label/merchandising information such that specials can be displayed
or scrolled on a display without the need for performing special
additional programming.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
durable molded plastic cover for a weighing scale which prevents
moisture and condensation from entering the interior of the
scale.
[0012] The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are
obtained by providing a method for printing merchandising
information comprising the steps of programming label designs,
entering product and merchandising information and printing a label
including the product and merchandising information. Programming
the label designs includes the steps of determining general field
position parameters, determining field positions for each label,
converting the field positions into coordinate numbers, programming
the coordinate numbers into a desired label format and generating a
label in accordance with the desired label format. In addition, the
generated label has a portion which is perforated for easy
detachability. The perforated portion of the label includes coupon
information, product information, merchandising information and/or
advertising information. Product and merchandising information is
entered by creating and storing a table of merchandising messages
in a microprocessor for each of the products to be sold,
programming the table of merchandising messages into sales
messages, programming products to refer to the sales messages,
editing the sales messages to change the merchandising messages and
changing the text of the sales messages by editing the contents of
the sales messages. A label is printed by selecting a label
cassette containing desired label designs, inserting the label
cassette into a scale/label printer, selecting a product number for
the product being weighed and printing a label with product
information and a selected message in accordance with the selected
product number.
[0013] In addition, the present invention provides labels for use
in a weighing machine in which a label cassette is easily inserted
or removed from a cavity in the weighing machine. The labels have a
detachable portion. A printer prints the labels to be attached to
the weighed product with product information and prints the
detachable portion of the labels with, for example, merchandising
information. As noted above, the merchandising information
includes, for example, coupon information, advertising information
or product information. The detachable portion of the label is
detachable in a vertical direction along a left or right portion of
the label or in a horizontal direction along a top or bottom
portion of the label.
[0014] Further, a weighing scale having internal electronics is
provided including a weighing platter for holding a product to be
weighed, a weighing cross for determining the weight of the object
on the weighing platter and a molded plastic cover for covering the
weighing scale and preventing moisture from entering the internal
electronics of the weighing scale. The molded plastic cover is
located under the weighing cross so as not to interfere with the
weighing operation. It can be held in place with screws or similar
devices. The molded plastic cover can be molded into two pieces,
the two pieces being joined together by an adhesive and in such a
manner as to not allow moisture or condensation into the weighing
scale. One of the two pieces of the molded plastic cover has an
opening with a flap for allowing receipt of a label cassette.
[0015] These objects, together with other objects and advantages
which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of
construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and
claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming
a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a weighing scale employing a method
according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for generally explaining the operation
of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a detailed flowchart for programming label designs
according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart for entering product and
merchandising information according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart for printing a label having
merchandising information according to the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 6A-6D are diagrams of labels including
label/merchandising information generated by the method according
to the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a weighing scale employing a molded
plastic cover according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus
for producing labels. The labels are printed in a portion of a
weighing scale 20 provided with a removable label cassette 22. The
removable label cassette 22 includes, for example, a roll of label
material (not shown). A label format is programmed and then printed
on the label material when an item is weighed. Various cassettes
including various label materials can easily be inserted or removed
from the weighing scale. Information is printed on the label
material and can include, for example, product information,
ingredient information, recipes, sell by dates, use by dates, store
receipt dates, a time, price per pound, weight of the product,
total price, discount price, and UPC symbol. The label material can
have a perforated portion on any of its four sides. The perforation
allows merchandising information, including advertisements,
manufacturers coupons or store coupons, printed thereon, to be
easily detached from the label (product) information which
includes, for example, the name of the product, the weight of the
product, UPC code, and price per pound. The coupon can include, for
example, information pertaining to any discounts, specials on the
purchased item, advertising, cents-off on a product, UPC code,
expiration date, etc.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the weighing scale 20 employed in the
present invention includes a main body 21 having an opening 24 for
the insertion or removal of the label cassette 22. The label
cassette 22 can be front loading or side loading. The optimum
placement of the cassette opening is in the front of the weighing
scale for easy access by the operator for inserting and removing
the label cassette 22 and removal of the labels printed by the
label cassette 22. The weighing scale 20 also includes a control
panel 26, a key sheet 28 located on the control panel 26, a weigh
platter 30, and a display column 31 including a seven segment
display 32 and a dot matrix display 34.
[0025] The method for generating a label according to the present
invention is described with respect to the flowchart in FIG. 2.
That is, generally, the present invention prints merchandising
information by programming label designs and entering product and
merchandising information by way of the key sheet 28. The display
prompts the operator and shows the operator what has been
programmed. A label is then printed having the merchandising
information programmed therein.
[0026] The flowchart in FIG. 3 discloses a method for programming
the label designs. First, for example, a distributor which sells
the weighing scale meets with a customer to agree on general field
position parameters for the labels to be generated. Each label is
drawn and the position of each field is clearly measured in
millimeters. The position of each field is then converted into
coordinate numbers. The coordinate numbers are programmed into a
desired label format in a microprocessor (not shown) in the
weighing scale 20. A sample of the label is then produced for the
customer to determine whether any changes should be made. If the
customer does not agree to the format of the label, the label is
then redrawn with different field positions. Once the customer
agrees to the format of the label, all of the customer's weighing
scales 20 are then programmed with the label format before
installation into the store, supermarket, etc.
[0027] Product and merchandising information is entered as shown in
FIG. 4. That is, a table of merchandising messages for each product
is created and then programmed into the microprocessor in the
weighing scale 20. The merchandising table is then converted into
sales messages. The sales messages have numbers, for example, from
7 to 99, but are not limited to these numbers. Product look-up
codes (PLUs) are then programmed into the weighing scale 20 and are
programmed to refer to a respective sales message, for example, 7
to 99. To change the merchandising information programmed for each
respective PLU code, the sales message can be easily edited by an
operator and/or distributor. To change the text programmed as a
sales message, that is, change the sales message in location 7, the
contents of this location, or any of the locations 7-99, can be
quickly and easily edited by an operator. Once all the information
regarding the product and message associated therewith is
programmed, a label is printed with the programmed information.
[0028] The method for printing a label is shown by the flowchart in
FIG. 5. First, a label cassette 22 containing the type of
merchandising labels required for that product is inserted into the
opening 24 in the weighing scale 20. That is, if a coupon is not to
be generated for that product, a label cassette containing standard
labels can be quickly and easily inserted into the weighing scale
20. If a label to be printed also has a coupon or advertisement
associated with the product being weighed, then, for example, a
label cassette containing labels having perforations thereon is
selected and inserted into the weighing scale. Once the label
cassette 22 is inserted into the weighing scale 20, the labels are
correctly aligned by, for example, pressing a feed key on the
control panel 26. The product to be weighed is then placed on the
scale, or if it is a bakery item, the PLU code corresponding to
that product is selected. Once the PLU number is selected, a label
is printed having the required information thereon by pressing a
key on the control panel 26. The weighing scale 20 can also be set
to automatically print labels when a package is placed on the weigh
platter 30, rather than having to hit a print key.
[0029] FIGS. 6A-6D are diagrams of various label formats in which
label/merchandising information generated by the method of the
present invention is printed on a label. Labels of the present
invention are shown in FIGS. 6A-6D. Labels 40 according to the
present invention have a perforated portion 41 on one of four
sides. That is, for example, either a top portion or a bottom
portion is perforated in a horizontal direction or a left portion
or right portion is perforated in a vertical direction. The portion
42 of the label 40 having product information, can include the
product name, ingredients, price per pound, weight, and date, for
example. The back of the portion 42 is peeled off so that it
adheres to the package. The detachable portion 44 of the label 40
includes a coupon or advertisement. The portion 44 can include the
name of an item, cents-off, expiration date, date generated,
discounts, a bar code for allowing automatic scanning of the
coupon, and any advertising messages. The portion 44 maintains its
backing so that it does not stick to the package when the label is
adhered thereto. If the customer wishes to use the coupon
(detachable portion 44) attached to the label 40, all that is
required is that the coupon be torn off at the perforated portion
41. If the label material is sticky, then the backing remains on
the coupon. If the label material is non-sticky, then the backing
can be removed from the coupon. As noted above, the labels 40 can
have a store-generated coupon attached thereto as shown in FIG. 6A.
In addition, the labels can be printed by the manufacturer as shown
in FIG. 6B so that everyone receives the same coupon no matter what
product is being weighed. The manufacturer's label/coupon can be
pre-printed with the manufacturer's name. Any of the labels and
coupons, whether store generated or manufacturer generated, can be
colored using various colors for each label/coupon.
[0030] Further, the store coupon can match certain items with
certain products such as shown in FIG. 6A or 6C. That is, if, for
example, a package of bagels is purchased, a coupon off of cream
cheese can be generated. Or, for example, a coupon for a packet of
cajun spices can be generated when shrimp or fish is purchased,
etc. Thus, the coupon can be generated by the weighing scale 20 in
accordance with the product purchased. In addition, the weighing
scale 20 and printer (not shown) can print regular labels as shown
in FIG. 6D without a coupon. If it is not desired to generate a
coupon with a purchased product, an advertising message or recipe
can be generated instead. The messages and coupons can be easily
changed according to various codes in the microprocessor in the
weighing scale 20. This allows a store to target its marketing,
have control over coupons being generated and easily discount a
product if the store is overstocked.
[0031] The microprocessor in the weighing scale 20 can be
programmed to store various label formats. The label format of the
machine can be changed to match the label format in the label
cassette.
[0032] As noted above, different label formats are preprogrammed by
the dealer or distributor. The store determines the UPC code and
the PLU code--the PLU code being the product look-up code. In the
program mode, the PLU code is typed in along with the product,
ingredients, recipes, price, etc. A weighed mode or non-weighed
mode is then selected in accordance with whether the item is, for
example, a deli item or a bakery item. Further, UPC codes, up to
three dates and a time and a discounted price and regular price
(see, for example, 46 in FIGS. 6A and 6C) can be programmed.
[0033] To protect the weighing scale 20 from moisture and
condensation, a cover 50 can be provided as shown in FIG. 7. The
cover 50 is a molded plastic cover which covers everything on the
scale except for the opening 24 for the label cassette 22 and the
weighing platter 30. The cover 50 has a flap to cover the opening
24 so that the label cassette 22 can be easily inserted and
removed. The cover 50 is attached under the weighing cross 52 which
actually weighs the item, so as not to affect the weight of the
item. The molded plastic cover 50 is thin, lightweight and is
molded to tightly fit the weighing scale 20 so that there is no
problem operating the weighing scale 20. The only portion not
covered by the cover 50 is the display column 31 including the
7-segment display 32 and the dot matrix display 34. The cover 50 is
removable to allow entry to the weighing machine 20 when servicing
is required. The cover 50 can be made of two portions joined
together with double-sided tape. The seam is intended to overlap
and be in a downward direction to ensure that water does not seep
through.
[0034] The features of the present invention include a large bright
fluorescent alphanumeric dot display 34 plus a numeric display 32.
Nine messages can be programmed into the display at selectable
speeds. Each message can hold up to 100 characters. In addition,
there are, at this time, 93 extra text areas which can be used for
recipes, ingredients, or coupon labels. Depending on the
microprocessor employed, this area could be increased. Further,
nutritional facts can be programmed as part of the PLU code and can
be changed immediately by an operator. A word dictionary can be
employed in the microprocessor so that codes can be used to replace
words in the product description so as to save memory. The device
can also network at least 31 scales to a master scale (a total of
32 scales) to facilitate the ease of programming, price changes,
etc. A mark down can be shown by price or percent and batch file
prices can be updated (that is, an operator can program in price
changes for a future date and can activate these price changes when
needed). As above-mentioned, optimally, the label cassette 22 is
front loading for ease in label production and detachment. Further,
at least three dates, for example, a use by date, a sell by date,
and the date the store received the product, and a time can be
printed. The time can be printed to allow a customer to know when a
short shelf life item such as a sandwich has been made, or coffee
has been ground. In addition, items can be programmed to be
displayed on the display without the need to create a new message
or to require additional programming. That is, an item that has
been programmed into the memory of a microprocessor can be
displayed by merely hitting a sequence of keys rather than retyping
the pertinent information. In addition, messages can be programmed
to scroll across the display. The messages can hold up to, for
example, four lines of information and can correspond to specials
for the day, helpful hints or recipes for preparing an item, as
noted above. The speed at which the message scrolls across the
display is adjustable. The message can flash and/or it can be set
up to come on at certain times of the day or on particular
days.
[0035] The printer employed in the present invention can be any
type of printer feasible for use in a weigh scale environment.
Programming of information and fixed position parameters depends on
the type of programming the microprocessors employ. The present
invention was developed and tested employing an AC-2000
manufactured by ISHIDA SCALES MFG. CO., LTD. and ISHIDA U.S.A.
INC., but can be adapted to any type of weigh scale.
[0036] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the present invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and application shown and described, and accordingly
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention and the appended claims
and their equivalents.
* * * * *