Product data processing apparatus

Abstract

To simply set reading voice of a predetermined item.SOLUTION: A product data processing apparatus 1 which prints product information on a label paper comprises: a display unit 31a which displays a label issue screen G10 indicating a printing item printed on the label paper, according to called product information; voice output means 77 which outputs by audio the printing item; and editing means 73 which can edit a content of the voice output by the voice output means of the printing item in the product information, while maintaining the printing item corresponding to the called product information in the label issue screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product data processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a product data processing device that outputs predetermined items by voice. Therefore, there is a need for a technique for easily setting the reading voice.

[0003] In this regard, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for inputting settings for a special sale period on a pricing screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-67145 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows easy setting of a reading voice for a specified item. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the product data processing device of the present invention is a product data processing device that prints product information on label paper, and comprises: a display unit that displays a label issuance screen indicating printing items to be printed on the label paper in accordance with the called-up product information, audio output means that outputs the printing items as audio, and editing means that enables editing of the audio output content of the printing items in the product information by the audio output means while maintaining the printing items corresponding to the called-up product information on the label issuance screen. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a product data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a product data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing an example of product data in the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of print items in the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processes executed by the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a label issuance screen displayed in the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, for setting voice read-out data. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in a product data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the screen being used to set print items to be output by voice and their order. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is used to select print items to be output as voice. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is used to select print items to be output as voice. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is used to set a price read-out setting. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a label preview screen displayed on the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, for setting a mode of audio output. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the product data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the screen being used to select a type of sound. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Overview of product data processing device 1 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a product data processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The product data processing device 1 is a device that stores product data and processes the product data, and has at least a function of printing and issuing labels based on the product data, and includes devices such as packaging machines, pricing machines, and weighing machines, regardless of their names.

[0009] The product data processing device 1 is installed, for example, in the back room of a store and is a device that issues labels to be affixed to various products or product containers.It is configured by having an operation display unit 31 and a key operation unit 32 installed on the top surface of a base unit 10, a pair of label issuing ports 11, 12 installed on the front surface of the base unit 10, and a weighing unit 50 for weighing products connected by a cable (which may be wireless).

[0010] Hardware configuration of product data processing device 1 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the product data processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The product data processing device 1 has a calculation unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, and storage units such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, and is connected to an operation unit 30, a voice output unit 40, a weighing unit 50, and a printing unit 60 via an interface circuit I / O. In addition, the product data processing device 1 may also include a handy scanner or a CCD camera for reading symbol codes such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes.

[0011] The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that reads out a control program stored in the ROM 23 and various information stored in the RAM 22, and controls each part based on the read out control program and various information. The CPU 21 also stores necessary information in the RAM 22.

[0012] The RAM 22 is a readable and writable memory, and is a temporary storage area that stores information used by the CPU 21. The RAM 22 also stores values ​​input (set) by an operator and various files.

[0013] The ROM 23 is a read-only memory, and stores various information used by the CPU 21, including the control program.

[0014] The operation unit 30 includes an operation display unit 31 (31a, 31b) and a key operation unit 32, and the operator can use this operation unit 30 to edit print data and perform label printing operations. The operation display unit 31 has a structure in which a touch panel 31b is layered on a liquid crystal display 31a, allowing data to be displayed and input on the same surface. The liquid crystal display 31a displays, for example, various setting screens for setting various files according to a menu screen, and a label printing screen G10 (see FIG. 7) showing the contents to be printed on label paper based on product information and format information stored in the RAM 22. When the operator touches the touch panel 31b with his / her finger, it detects the position of the touch and accepts input according to the detected position. The key operation unit 32 includes a numeric keypad and a print key. For example, the numeric keypad accepts input of numbers, and the print key accepts input of print instructions. For example, the key operation unit 32 can accept the designation of a print item touched on the preview screen in response to a touch operation on the label printing screen G10 (see FIG. 7) displayed on the liquid crystal display 31a.

[0015] The audio output unit 40 includes a speaker 41, and outputs predetermined print items by voice when the print items on the label are edited, confirmed, etc. The speaker 41 may be provided in advance in the product data processing device 1, or may be connected externally. In addition, multiple speakers 41 may be provided and the product data processing device 1 may be equipped with a human presence sensor (or a function for detecting a short-range communication connection with a mobile terminal), so that when it is determined that an operator is near the product data processing device 1, audio is output from the speaker 41 provided in the product data processing device 1, and when there is no operator near the product data processing device 1, audio is output from a large externally connected speaker 41 or a speaker 41 provided in the operator's mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

[0016] The weighing unit 50 includes a load cell 51 and weighs the weight of the product. In particular, the load cell 51 is composed of a weight detection unit and an AD converter, and the A / D converter converts an analog signal input from the weight detection unit into a digital signal. This makes it possible, for example, to not only weigh the product weight, but also to perform a tare subtraction process from the weighing result by referring to a tare weight reference value for a product placed in a container, thereby determining the product weight.

[0017] The printing unit 60 has first and second printing mechanisms 61 and 62. These first and second printing mechanisms 61 and 62 both print labels and eject the printed labels from label issuing ports 11 and 12.

[0018] ● Software configuration of product data processing device 1 3 shows an example of a software configuration of the product data processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The product data processing device 1 includes an information storage unit 71, a weight information acquisition unit 72, a setting processing unit 73, a printing processing unit 74, a display processing unit 75, an input processing unit 76, and an audio output processing unit 77.

[0019] The information storage unit 71 is a storage unit that stores various types of information, and the various types of information include, for example, product data, performance data, print item data, and setting data. The data stored in the information storage unit 71 may be registered in a cloud server configured to be capable of communicating via the Internet or the like.

[0020] Product data is data about products, and as shown in the example of Figure 4, is composed of information such as the product number (product number), product name, unit price, processing date, expiration date, and place of origin, which are associated with each other. In addition, the product data includes the measurement category of the product. Measurement categories include, for example, variable weight (variable weight product) whose sales price is determined based on the unit price per unit weight and the measurement value, fixed weight (fixed weight product) whose sales price is determined based on the unit price per unit quantity and the sales volume converted from the unit weight, and fixed price (fixed price product) whose sales price is determined based on the unit price per unit quantity and the sales volume. The method of calculating the price of a product varies depending on the measurement category.

[0021] The performance data is data related to the label issuance performance and is composed of information on the labels that have been issued. From the label issuance performance, it is possible to ascertain the content and quantity of the products for which labels have been issued, as well as the printed content.

[0022] Print data is data to be printed on the label, and consists of the printing items to be printed and their contents. Figure 5 shows an example of printing items, and in this example, the printing items include product number (product number), unit price / price, date and time, advertising copy, name of place of production (place of origin, etc.), image, content volume / content volume unit, upper and lower limit weight, comments, storage temperature, individual identification number / lot number, additives, barcode, store name, manufacturer, tare, product name, processing date and time, best before date and time (expiration date), etc. The print data is not limited to print items, and may include information on print contents such as label formats, as well as information on packaging conditions and packaging settings. The print data may be edited by an operator, etc., and a flag indicating that editing has been performed may be set.

[0023] The setting data is data related to the settings when outputting the print items aloud. The setting data includes, for example, the print items to be output aloud among the print items to be printed on the label, the order in which the print items are output aloud, voice readout data for the print items, and the output mode. In other words, the print items are an example of data that determines the content of the voice output.

[0024] The print items to be output as voice may be selected and set by the operator from among the print items to be printed on the label, or may be predetermined. Also, the print items to be output as voice may be different for each product or each product category.

[0025] For the print items to be output by voice, the contents to be output by voice may be set in detail for certain print items. For example, for the print items related to the price of a product, a setting of either tax-exclusive or tax-inclusive may be registered, and the price excluding or including tax may be output by voice depending on the setting. Similarly, for the print items related to the price of a product, the price may be output by voice for fixed-weight products, and the unit price may be output by voice for non-fixed-weight products depending on the measurement category of the product.

[0026] The order in which the print items are output by voice is applied when there are multiple print items to be output by voice. This order may be an order arbitrarily set by the operator, or may be based on a predetermined ranking.

[0027] The voice readout data for a printed item is the reading of a product written in kanji or English letters, and is data that determines the voice output content for the printed item separately from the content of the printed item. When outputting voice, for a printed item for which voice readout data is set, the voice based on the set voice readout data is output preferentially over the printed item. The voice readout data may be text data or voice data. Alternatively to the above example, a configuration may be adopted in which voice readout data is stored in advance for all printed items. In this case, the voice readout data stores the readout text of the printed item, which is generated according to a predetermined rule by an appropriate voice readout function, in a form in which the reading is uniquely determined, for example, in hiragana or katakana.

[0028] As the voice reading data, both text data and voice data may be linked to one print item and stored. Furthermore, as the voice reading data, a plurality of text data or a plurality of voice data may be linked to one print item and stored. For example, as the voice reading data, text data or voice data in a plurality of languages ​​may be stored. In this case, for example, when a language to be used is set by a language selection button G12 (see FIG. 7) described later, the voice reading data corresponding to the language is outputted. Furthermore, a language to be used may be stored in advance in association with identification information of an operator of the commodity data processing device 1, and when the identification information of the operator is recognized, the setting may be changed to the language to be used associated with the identification information. The identification information can be recognized by an appropriate operation such as logging in with an ID and password or reading an ID card.

[0029] Also, for print items that include multiple numbers in parallel, such as product numbers, the manner in which numbers are read out may be selectively set. For example, for print items, the manner in which numbers are read out may be registered as either "digit reading," in which each digit is output aloud, or "monotone reading," in which only the reading of the numbers is output aloud in order. The manner in which numbers are read out may be set collectively for the entire product data processing device 1, or may be set for each product or print item, etc.

[0030] The output mode includes, for example, the pitch of the voice, the output speed, the type of voice, the sound quality, and whether or not the voice is output. This output mode can be set arbitrarily based on, for example, product data, print items, and predetermined conditions. This allows, for example, the following settings:

[0031] That is, in the first example, the print items of a specified product can be output as audio in a different output mode from that of other products in accordance with the product data. For example, the print items of products classified as "fresh foods" can be output as audio at a lower speed than other products, and the print items of products classified as a specified product category can be output as audio in a different output mode from that of products of other product categories. Similarly, the print items of specific products, such as sale products, can be output as audio in a different output mode from that of other products. Furthermore, depending on the product measurement category, print items related to the weight of fixed-weight products can be output as audio, and print items related to the weight of non-fixed-weight products can be not output as audio.

[0032] In the second example, only certain print items can be output as voice in an output mode different from that of other print items. For example, only print items related to price can be output as voice at a slower output speed than other print items.

[0033] In the third example, the output mode can be changed depending on whether or not a predetermined condition is met. For example, the print items may be output as audio in a different output mode from normal if the weight value of the product exceeds a predetermined threshold, the period until the expiration date is longer or shorter than a predetermined period, the contents of the print items have been changed since the previous label was issued (this can be determined based on performance data), or the print items have been edited.

[0034] The types of voices include, for example, male, female, or voices expressing each of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

[0035] In addition, the information storage unit 71 appropriately stores information that can be used when issuing labels or outputting audio, such as the sound source for audio output, the tax rate required to calculate the price of the product, and store information for the store in which the product data processing device 1 is installed.

[0036] The weight information acquisition unit 72 acquires the weighing value measured by the weighing unit 50 as the product weight. Note that when acquiring the weight value, the weight value can be acquired not only from the weighing unit 50 included in the product data processing device 1 itself, but also from a weighing device or the like externally connected to the product data processing device 1 via a network or the like. Also, the product weight can be acquired by inputting the number of items to be placed.

[0037] The setting processing unit 73 is a functional unit that registers settings related to label printing items and audio output received from the operator in the setting data of the information storage unit 71, and the settings are reflected by this processing. The voice output settings can be made collectively for all products, or for each product. Even if the settings are made collectively for all products, the voice output mode and print items to be output can be set appropriately according to the classification and contents of the products. The setting processing unit 73 is an example of the editing means in the claims.

[0038] The print processing unit 74 controls the print unit 60 to print product information on a label and execute a label issuing process.

[0039] The display processing unit 75 executes data display processing by controlling the operation display unit 31. The display processing unit 75 can display, for example, a preview screen of the label to be printed.

[0040] The input processing unit 76 controls the operation display unit 31 to execute a process of accepting data input. The input processing unit 76 can accept, for example, setting input of print items and voice output from an operator. The input processing unit 76 is an example of a voice input means.

[0041] The input processing unit 76 also receives input of voice readout data associated with the print items. The voice readout data may be voice data as well as text data.

[0042] The audio output processing unit 77 controls the audio output unit 40 to output audio of the print items of the product for which a label is to be issued. The audio output processing unit 77 refers to the setting data and outputs audio of the print items in accordance with the setting data. In the referenced setting data, for example, hyphens and dashes are registered in advance so as to be output by voice with distinction.

[0043] The audio output processing unit 77 may execute audio output by referring to different setting data depending on the registered data. For example, when voice readout data is registered in association with a print item, the audio output processing unit 77 may perform audio output according to the voice readout data, and when voice readout data is not registered, the audio output may be performed according to the text data registered as a print item. With this configuration, even in cases where the text data registered as a print item would be misread by a normal readout function, the voice readout data is given priority, thereby realizing correct reading.

[0044] When the text-to-speech data is text data, i.e., when text-to-speech text is registered, the voice output processing unit 77 reads out the text and outputs it as voice. When the text-to-speech data is voice data, the voice output processing unit 77 outputs the voice data as it is. When both text data and voice data are registered as the text-to-speech data, the voice output processing unit 77 may be configured to output one of the data set in advance with priority. For example, the voice output processing unit 77 may be configured to output voice data with priority.

[0045] Furthermore, when the text to be read aloud contains numbers, the voice output processing unit 77 may change the manner in which the numbers are read aloud depending on the attributes of the operator. For example, the voice output processing unit 77 may switch the manner in which the numbers are read aloud depending on whether the operator is a Japanese speaker or a speaker of a language other than Japanese, whether the operator is Japanese or a foreigner, etc. The attributes of the operator are acquired by the above-mentioned recognition operation of the operator's identification information. Furthermore, the voice output processing unit 77 may switch the manner in which the numbers are read aloud and output the numbers depending on the selected language used. With this configuration, even an operator who is unable to understand the reading of digits due to lack of Japanese language skills can check the contents of the printed items by listening to the monotone voice.

[0046] The timing of the voice output of the print items can be any, but for example, it is executed when product data is called up by calling up the part number, when the print items are edited on the label printing screen, or when a request for voice output of the print items is received by manual operation. Also, voice output is executed when voice read-out data is registered or edited.

[0047] The voice output processing unit 77 may output a part of the printed items or voice readout data. For example, in the voice output when product data is called up, the printed items or voice readout data of the product data called up immediately before may be compared with the printed items or voice readout data of the product that triggered the voice output, and only the difference may be read up. For example, when "Beef Loin" is called up and then "Beef Loin (2 slices)" is called up, only "Nimai" may be output by voice. The voice output processing unit 77 may refer to the presence or absence of a subcode in the product number, and when a product number that has a common main code and a subcode is called up, only the difference in the voice readout data may be read up. The product information of the product number having a subcode may have difference data from the main data stored in advance. Also, when the printed items or voice call up data is edited, only the difference before and after the edit may be read up. With such a configuration, the operator can more clearly grasp the changes by the voice output.

[0048] Furthermore, when audio is being output by the audio output processing unit 77, a mark indicating that audio is being output, a message such as "talking", or a waveform according to the volume, etc. may be displayed. Even if audio output is in the middle of being output, label printing may be executable when the label printing operation is accepted, in which case audio output may be stopped or may continue. On the other hand, when confirming label printing, it may be possible to set it so that label printing is not accepted until the audio for the specified print items has been output to the end. This makes it possible to encourage label printing without mistakes.

[0049] ●Processing flow FIG. 6 shows an example of the flow of processing executed by the product data processing device 1. When the label printing screen is displayed by calling up a product number, or when the settings of the printing items on the label printing screen are changed (S101), this triggers the voice output processing unit 77 to refer to the information storage unit 71 and read the setting data (S102).

[0050] The audio output processing unit 77 determines whether or not voice readout data is registered in the setting data (S103). If voice readout data is registered, the voice readout data is output audibly (S104). If voice readout data is not registered, the print items are output audibly (S105). If multiple print items are registered as data to be output audibly, the presence or absence of voice readout data is determined for each print item, and the data is output audibly in a predetermined order. The type of voice, volume, etc. are also output according to the settings.

[0051] When the voice output ends and a request to issue a label is received from the operator (S106), the product data processing device 1 issues a label by the print processing unit 74 (S107). On the other hand, if other product information is called up after the voice output but before the label is issued, or if the settings of the print items are changed (Y in S108), the setting data is read again and the voice output of the specified print items is executed.

[0052] This allows the predetermined printing items to be confirmed by voice before the label is issued. It is also possible to control so as to prohibit the printing of labels from proceeding until all print items set for voice output have been read out. Also, immediately before printing, a preview of the label may be displayed by any setting, and in this case, predetermined print items may also be output by voice in the preview.

[0053] ●Screen example FIG. 7 shows an example of the label printing screen G10 for a predetermined product. The print data of a specific product is called from the information storage unit 71 based on, for example, a product number that can identify the specific product. On the screen, the print items that make up the print data for a specific product ("Assorted Sashimi" in the illustrated example) are displayed in an editable format. Also displayed is a label image that reflects the content of each print item. This allows the user to intuitively grasp what type of label will be printed when the print items are edited.

[0054] In this embodiment, the voice output processing unit 77 outputs predetermined print items by voice in response to the product being called up from the product number and the label printing screen G10 being displayed. The voice output processing unit 77 can also output predetermined print items by voice in response to a change in the settings of any of the print items or print items that are the subject of voice output. When the print items are output as voice, the setting data is referenced, and the voice is output in the set order and output mode.

[0055] For example, in the illustrated example, if the printed items "Product name", "Price", and "Advertising copy" are to be output by voice in that order, then "Assorted sashimi", "Fixed price 580 yen", and "Great value" will be output by voice in that order. Note that since the measurement category of this product is "Fixed price", when the price is output by voice, the voice for "Fixed price" is added to the price "580 yen". Similarly, it may be possible to set the name of the printed item to be output by voice at the beginning of the product, for example, "Assorted sashimi" will be output as "Product name Assorted sashimi".

[0056] Note that on the label issuance screen G10, the print items that are the subject of voice output may be provided with a distinguishing effect that allows them to be distinguished from other print items, such as a color or frame. Also, regarding the order of voice output, a number indicating the order may be displayed for each print item. In this way, when voice output is being performed on the label issuance screen, the print items being voice output can be confirmed while recognizing the order in which the print items are being voice output.

[0057] Furthermore, a language selection button G12 may be provided at the bottom of the label printing screen G10. The language selection button G12 accepts at least the selection of the language of the voice output by the voice output processing unit 77. When a language is selected with the language selection button G12, data in the selected language is output as voice from among multiple voice read-out data associated with the print items.

[0058] In the label printing screen G10 shown in FIG. 7, a voice read data registration button B10 is displayed on the right side of the product name display field G11. This registration button B10 is an example of an operator provided corresponding to a print item, and is provided corresponding to the product name in the same figure. Note that for other print items for which voice read data can be registered, a registration button may be provided in the lower right corner of the display area of ​​each print item. When the registration button B10 is pressed, a pop-up screen G20 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed superimposed on a part of the label printing screen G10 while holding the product information called up in the label printing screen G10. Note that the pop-up screen G20 is not displayed in at least the area where the product name is displayed in the product name display field G11 of the label printing screen G10, and the product name is exposed even when the pop-up screen G20 is displayed. With this configuration, it is possible to perform the registration and editing of voice read data while checking the product name.

[0059] FIG. 8 is an example of a pop-up screen G20 that accepts registration and editing of voice reading data. The voice reading text can be input from this screen. Also, a voice input means such as a microphone may be provided in the product data processing device 1, and voice input may be accepted on this screen. In this case, a microphone icon or the like may be displayed on the pop-up screen G20, and voice input may be accepted by selecting the microphone icon. The input voice may be converted into character information by an appropriate character recognition technology and registered as the voice reading text. Also, the input voice may be stored as it is as voice data.

[0060] The registration button B10 is composed of a new registration button B11 (an example of an operator for starting editing by a first editing means) and an edit button B12 (an example of an operator for starting editing by a second editing means), and the contents displayed in the preview area G21 of the pop-up screen G20 that appears may differ depending on the button selected. When the new registration button B11 is selected, the preview area G21 is displayed blank, and the voice readout data is set from 1. When the edit button B12 is selected, the text data of the voice currently being output is displayed in the preview area G21, and the text data can be edited. This text data is, for example, the data of the print item displayed as is. Also, if a voice readout text is registered in the print item, the text is displayed. With this configuration, when a part of the voice readout is incorrect, the text data can be edited to create the voice readout text, and the input work is simplified.

[0061] Furthermore, with a configuration that allows the user to set voice readout data from the label issuance screen G10, if a misreading is discovered during label issuance work, the user can register the voice readout text of the called-up product, making it possible to set voice readout data while maintaining the called-up product information on the label issuance screen G10. In other words, there is no need to return to the menu screen to call up the product again, making it easy to register voice readout data. Furthermore, by closing screen G20, the user can return to the label issuance screen G10 from which the product information was called, allowing the user to smoothly resume label issuance work.

[0062] In the above example, the pop-up screen G20 is described as accepting the registration or editing of voice reading data, but this is not limited to this, and the voice output settings of print items by the voice output processing unit 77 other than the voice reading data may be edited as appropriate.

[0063] In addition to or instead of the above example, a report button may be provided on the screen G10. The report button is an operator for notifying the administrator that the text to be read aloud is incorrect. The notification is sent to, for example, an appropriate administrator terminal connected to the product data processing device 1 via a network. The notification may be displayed in an appropriate manner on the screen of the product data processing device 1. For example, an appropriate mark or the like may be displayed on the label issuing screen G10 of the product for which the report button is selected. When the report button is pressed, the notification may be displayed on the administrator screen displayed on the product data processing device 1. With this configuration, an error in the text to be read aloud discovered by an operator who is about to issue a label can be easily communicated to the administrator. Even if the operator is not familiar with editing the text to be read aloud or is busy with label issuing work, the operator can be prompted to correct the text to be read aloud by the administrator by notifying the administrator that an error has been found.

[0064] Alternatively to the above example, the voice readout data may be inputted by the product data processing device 1, while the received data may be in a provisionally edited or provisionally registered state, and whether the data is finally reflected in the information storage unit 71 and becomes a so-called permanently edited or permanently registered state may be determined by an input from an appropriate administrator terminal by an administrator. Also, the data inputted by the product data processing device 1 may be viewed and edited from the administrator terminal. With such a configuration, the administrator can determine whether or not the data should be reflected in the information storage unit 71, which can make the database more accurate.

[0065] In the above example, the pop-up screen G20 is displayed in response to the selection of the registration button B10, but instead of or in addition to this, the pop-up screen G20 may be automatically superimposed and displayed on the label printing screen G10 when the called-up product satisfies a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition may be, for example, when the product called up on the label printing screen G10 is called up for the first time after the product data is registered, when it is a product that has never been output as voice, or when voice reading data is not registered for the product. In this case, the print data of the product is displayed on the label printing screen G10, voice is output, and the pop-up screen G20 is displayed.

[0066] Furthermore, under the above-mentioned predetermined condition, instead of the pop-up screen G20, an appropriate selection screen that allows the operator to select and input whether the output voice is successful or not may be displayed. This selection screen displays, for example, a message "Was the voice read correctly?", as well as an operator to select and input "Correct" or "Misreading" for each print item, and an operator to "Listen again" for commanding re-voice output. When the "Misreading" button is selected, the pop-up screen G20 is displayed in which the voice output data of the print item can be edited. This pop-up screen G20 may be configured to be displayed immediately after the "Misreading" button is selected, or when input for all print items is completed, the pop-up screen G20 for the print item for which the "Misreading" button was selected may be displayed in sequence. The order of the print items that accept editing may be the same as the order in which they are read aloud. Also, the editing screen may be provided with an "All Correct" button that is selected when all voice outputs are correct.

[0067] Furthermore, for the print item for which the "misreading" button has been selected, the same process as when the report button has been selected, i.e., a notification to the administrator terminal, may be performed. Also, on this selection screen, a "confirmation complete" operator is displayed, which can be selected after inputting success or failure for all print items to confirm the selection. Note that, instead of the confirmation complete button, the selection may be confirmed when inputting success or failure for all print items is completed.

[0068] In the above-mentioned configuration in which a pop-up screen is displayed superimposed on the label issuing screen G10 when the called product satisfies a predetermined condition, a pop-up screen may be displayed in which the reading of numbers such as unit price and price is set to be read out by digits or monotone as a setting linked to the identification information of the product data processing device 1 or the operator, and the numbers are output again. This pop-up screen may be displayed at the same time as the above-mentioned selection screen, or the selection screen may be displayed together with the setting for reading out numbers, or it may be displayed separately after the setting on the selection screen is completed.

[0069] In addition, in a configuration in which the voice output language is set by the language selection button G12, when the registration button B10 is selected, a pop-up screen G20 may be configured to accept registration and editing of voice read-out data for the set language.

[0070] 9 shows an example of an editing screen G30 for the text to be read aloud, which is displayed by transitioning from the main menu. The operator can edit the contents of the text to be read aloud from the editing screen G30. Note that the text to be read aloud is not necessarily set for all print items, but is set only for items registered by the operator, etc.

[0071] In the illustrated example, the text "sashimi mori" is set for a product displayed under the product name "sashimi mori". The setting made here is reflected in the print data and / or product data. As a result, for example, "sashimi mori" is not erroneously output as "sashimi zakari", but is output in the correct reading. Note that this example is an example in which the character "sashimi" is output correctly by automatic voice, but the "mori" part is not output correctly, and only the "mori" part is registered in hiragana. In this way, if the part that is to be output correctly by automatic voice is set to be input in kanji, it is only necessary to input kana while paying attention to only the necessary parts, so that setting can be made efficiently. However, regardless of this, all text can be input and set in hiragana.

[0072] FIG. 10 shows an example of a setting screen G40 for setting print items to be output by voice. On the screen, the user can select the print items to be output by voice along with numbers indicating the order. In selecting a print item, for example, when a specific print item field is selected, selectable print items are displayed as candidates, as shown in screen G50 in Fig. 11. Note that the illustrated example shows the case where the fourth print item, which was "none," is selected. The operator selects the print item to be set from among the candidates. The set print items are output as voice in a specified order according to the settings on this setting screen.

[0073] 12 shows an example of a screen G60 for setting the manner of voice output of the price, which allows the user to select whether the price is to be voice output as a price including tax or a price excluding tax.

[0074] 13 shows a preview screen G70 of the label to be printed, where the printing items can be confirmed. Screen G70 is provided with an enlarge button to enlarge the display, a button to reduce the display, and a stop button to cancel printing of the label, so that the label can be enlarged or reduced as needed to confirm the contents.

[0075] On this preview screen G70, predetermined print items may be output as voice in response to an operation by the operator. For example, the printing items that need to be confirmed when printing a label are set (these may be printing items that are set as targets for voice output), and the printing items are marked with a double circle and their display range is displayed surrounded by an orange frame. Also, a message prompting confirmation of the confirmation items is displayed: "Please confirm the label image. Please touch all target areas marked with ◎." When the operator touches a specific print item with a mark, the specific print item is output as voice, so that the operator can confirm the content. When the specific print item is confirmed by the voice output, the double circle mark may be deleted or the color of the display range may be changed, so that the operator can know that the confirmation has been completed. In addition, the printing items and their order that are output audibly when product data is called up may be the same as the printing items and their order that are output audibly when the label image is displayed or before label issuance is confirmed, or they may be able to be set to be different. Also, on this preview screen G70, predetermined print items may be output as voice in accordance with the display of the preview, regardless of the operation of the operator.

[0076] FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen G80 for setting the audio output mode. On this screen G80, the settings of each of the items, voice, voice quality, pitch shift, speech rate, and volume, can be changed. In the voice item, the type of voice can be selected. FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen G90 for selecting the type of voice, and any of the different types of voices 1 to 5 can be selected arbitrarily. The voices set according to the selection may be finely classified, for example, into voices according to gender and age types, such as female, male, child, young, and elderly, as well as voices according to emotional elements, such as angry, shy, happy, normal, and sad.

[0077] In addition, a settings screen may be further displayed having a volume adjustment button, a selection button for selecting the type of sound, and a button for testing the volume of the left and right speakers, allowing audio-related settings to be made by operating the screen. The volume may be adjusted by accepting a volume setting from an operating means provided on the externally connected speaker itself. The externally connected speaker may be, for example, a speaker of a portable terminal such as a smartphone carried by the operator, and in this case, the product data processing device 1 can communicate with the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0078] Regarding the volume, the volume when outputting the print items and the volume of other operation sounds may be set to the same value, or they may be set separately. In the case where they can be set separately, it is advisable to provide a volume adjustment screen for operation sounds and a volume adjustment screen for the voice output of the print items, and to provide volume adjustment buttons for each. Furthermore, audio output of the printed items may be provided by an external speaker, and audio output of operation sounds and the like other than the printed items may be provided by the product data processing device 1.

[0079] In the above embodiment, audio output of the printing items is performed when a label is issued or when the printing items are edited, but in other embodiments, audio may be output while the printing process is being executed or when the printing process is completed, announcing the progress or completion of the label issuance process or printing process, to notify the operator of the printing status.

[0080] More specifically, when the label printing process reaches a state where a predetermined number of labels are printed before it is completed, when the label printing process is completed, when the printing process has been performed for a predetermined number of labels since the start, and when the progress of the printing process has reached or exceeded a predetermined percentage of the total, a sound is output according to each situation. This allows the operator to be notified of the label issuance status and become aware of the status. In particular, when the number of issued labels is equal to or exceeds a certain value, or when the number is equal to or exceeds a predetermined set value (predetermined length) in continuous issuance, the operator may move away from the product data processing device 1, and by outputting a sound, the status can be reliably notified to an operator at a distance. In addition, when there is a certain error that requires immediate attention even if the operator is far away, or when there are not enough labels, an audio output may be provided to inform the operator that the certain error has occurred or that there are not enough labels. The voice announcing the status of the label issuance process may be in a different form from other voices. Also, such voices may be output from a terminal other than the product data processing device 1, for example, a portable terminal held by an operator that is communicably connected to the product data processing device 1.

[0081] Also, the product data processing device 1 may be provided with a voice input means such as a microphone so that the input voice can be recognized. After the voice output by the voice output processing unit 77, the operator may be notified by voice or display to utter the same content into the microphone, and the voice uttered by the operator may be collected by the microphone, and confirmation may be determined as successful when the content matches through voice recognition. In this case, when changing the data of the print items, the change may be completed when the content matches, but the change may not be completed until it matches. Also, when printing a label for the first time, label printing may be completed when the content matches, but printing may be prohibited until it matches. The voice recognition process may be executed by the product data processing device 1 or another device such as a server connected to the product data processing device 1.

[0082] Furthermore, although this embodiment is directed to labels for printing product information in retail stores such as supermarkets, in other embodiments the present invention can be applied to situations in which a label needs to be affixed to a specified object, such as in logistics.

[0083] Furthermore, the software resources possessed by the above-mentioned product data processing device 1 can be distributed or consolidated in any of the hardware resources by appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as physically integrated devices or separate devices. As a result, for example, some or all of the software resources can be configured to be possessed by a centralized upper device or controller, or can be possessed by an external server connected by a specified network. Also, the printer that actually prints the labels and the display operation unit for instructing printing can be separate entities, and these may be located nearby or remotely, and a speaker that outputs sound (including a microphone if there is one) may be installed within audible range of the operation display unit 31.

[0084] In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the product data processing device 1 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform the above-mentioned processing of the product data processing device 1. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, and other communication lines. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0085] The recording medium also includes a recording medium installed inside or outside the distribution server and accessible from the distribution server in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable by the terminal device. Note that the program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined in the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a storage medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network. The above program may also be a storage medium for implementing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0086] Summary of the implementation form The present invention relates to a product data processing device.

[0087] There is known a product data processing device that outputs predetermined items by voice. Therefore, there is a need for a technique for easily setting the reading voice.

[0088] In this regard, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-67145 describes a technique for inputting settings for a special sale period on a pricing screen.

[0089] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows easy setting of a reading voice for a specified item.

[0090] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the product data processing device of the present invention is a product data processing device that prints product information on label paper, and comprises: a display unit that displays a label issuance screen indicating printing items to be printed on the label paper in accordance with the called-up product information, audio output means that outputs the printing items as audio, and editing means that enables editing of the audio output content of the printing items in the product information by the audio output means while maintaining the printing items corresponding to the called-up product information on the label issuance screen.

[0091] The editing means may be capable of editing by operating an operator corresponding to the print item to be edited.

[0092] The editing means may comprise a first editing means for accepting input of the audio output content on an editing screen, and a second editing means for displaying the original audio output content on the editing screen and accepting editing of the audio output content.

[0093] The apparatus may further comprise a voice input means, and the editing means may change the voice output contents based on the voice input means.

[0094] The editing means may perform character recognition on the voice inputted by the voice input means to generate the voice output content.

[0095] The editing means may be configured to output, by the audio output means, audio data inputted by the audio input means.

[0096] According to the present invention, the reading voice for a predetermined item can be easily set. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1: Product data processing device 30:Operation unit 31: Operation display section 32: Key operation section 40: Audio output section 41: Speaker 50:Measuring part 51: Load cell 60: Printing section 61: 1st printing mechanism section 62:Second printing mechanism section 71: Information storage section 72: Weight information acquisition section 73: Setting processing unit (editing means) 74: Print processing section 75: Display processing section 76: Input processing unit (voice input means) 77: Audio output processing unit (audio output means)

Claims

1. A product data processing device that prints product information on label paper, a display unit that displays a label printing screen showing print items to be printed on the label paper in accordance with the retrieved product information; a voice output means for outputting the print items by voice; an editing means for editing the voice output contents of the print items in the called product information by the voice output means while maintaining the print items corresponding to the called product information on the label printing screen; A product data processing device comprising:

2. The editing means enables editing by operating an operator corresponding to the print item to be edited. The product data processing device according to claim 1.

3. the editing means comprises a first editing means for receiving an input of the audio output content on an editing screen, and a second editing means for displaying the original audio output content on the editing screen and for receiving editing of the audio output content; The product data processing device according to claim 1.

4. a voice input unit is further provided, and the editing unit changes the voice output content based on the voice input unit. The product data processing device according to claim 1.

5. The editing means performs character recognition on the voice input by the voice input means to generate the voice output content. The product data processing device according to claim 4.

6. The editing means outputs the voice data inputted by the voice input means by the voice output means. The product data processing device according to claim 4.

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