Label issuance device, system, and program

Abstract

To achieve discount more suitably.SOLUTION: Provided is a label issuance device that issues a commodity label, including: receiving means for receiving information about a commodity for which a commodity label is to be issued; and issuance means for issuing a commodity label at least including a commodity name of the commodity, a sales price of the commodity, and a consumption time limit or a freshness date of the commodity. The receiving means can receive information about discount. In a case in which the information about discount is received by the receiving means, the issuance means issues, in a region different from a region in which the consumption time limit or the freshness date of the commodity is printed, a commodity label on which a sales limit of the commodity and discount notification information that notifies a customer of a fact that discount is performed has been printed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a label issuing device, a system, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A technique for printing information regarding price discounts on product labels is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement regarding price discounts.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for more suitably realizing price discounts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is a label issuing device that issues product labels, including: a receiving unit that receives information regarding a product for which a product label is to be issued; and an issuing unit that issues a product label including at least the product name of the product, the selling price of the product, and the expiration date or best-before date of the product. The receiving unit is capable of receiving information regarding price discounts. When information regarding price discounts is received by the receiving unit, the issuing unit issues a product label in which the selling expiration date of the product and price discount notification information notifying that a price discount is being applied are printed in an area different from the area where the expiration date or best-before date of the product is printed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a network for explaining the sales system 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an example of a product label. FIG. 3 is a display example of the display device 60.

[0009] The sales system 1 shown in FIG. 1(A) includes a server 10, a store controller 20 (for example, a server or the like), a label printing device 30, a transaction status management device 40 (for example, a personal computer or the like), a registration settlement device 50, a display device 60 (for example, a signage or the like), and a mobile terminal 70.

[0010] The store controller 20, the label printing device 30, the transaction status management device 40, the registration settlement device 50, and the display device 60 are communicably connected via a LAN 19 (which may be wired or wireless). The store controller 20 is communicable with the server 10. The sales system 1 can be introduced into various stores (such as supermarkets, convenience stores, drugstores, home centers, home appliance mass retailers, etc.).

[0011] In FIG. 1, the number of each device (terminal) is an illustration. For example, in FIG. 1, although "..." is illustrated on the right side of the registration settlement device 50, the number of the registration settlement devices 50 may be one or more.

[0012] The sales system 1 provides services in modes such as when a customer registers and settles a product using the registration settlement device 50, and when a customer registers a product using the mobile terminal 70 and settles it using the registration settlement device 50. Although not shown in the figure, the sales system 1 can also provide services in a mode where a store clerk registers a product using a registration device (not shown) and a customer settles it using a settlement device (not shown).

[0013] Server 10 is installed outside the store (e.g., at the head office, data center, etc.) and is a server that manages the entire sales system 1. Server 10 stores, for example, various types of information necessary for the operation of each service (e.g., product master (product file), customer master, various files), and performance information of services in the store (e.g., sales performance information, product sales performance information, etc.). Server 10 communicates with each device (e.g., label printing device 30, transaction status management device 40, registration and settlement device 50, display device 60) within LAN 19 via (or without) store controller 20. Server 10 may be composed of multiple servers.

[0014] Store controller 20 is a device that controls the part of sales system 1 related to the store. Store controller 20 communicates with server 10 and each device within LAN 19. For example, store controller 20 transmits the information stored in server 10 to each device within LAN 19.

[0015] Label printing device 30 is installed, for example, in the backyard and is used by store employees. The label printing device mainly prints and issues product labels for products manufactured within the store (e.g., boxed lunches, prepared dishes, etc.). Label printing device 30 prints and issues product labels as shown in, for example, FIGS. 2(A) to 2(D). The details of FIGS. 2(A) to 2(D) will be described later.

[0016] Label printing device 30 includes, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, display unit, printing unit, and communication unit. The display unit may be, for example, a liquid crystal display capable of accepting touch operations.

[0017] The label printing device 30 may be a weighing device (weighing value - attaching device) having an appearance as shown in FIG. 1(B). That is, the label printing device 30 (weighing device) may weigh a product and print and issue a product label of the product after weighing. The label printing device (weighing device) 30 may include, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a display unit (reference numeral 302 in FIG. 1(B)), a printing unit (reference numeral 303 in FIG. 1(B)), a communication unit, and a weighing unit (reference numeral 301 in FIG. 1(B)).

[0018] The label printing device 30 may be a packaging device (weighing value - attaching packaging device) having an appearance as shown in FIG. 1(C). That is, the label printing device 30 (packaging device) may weigh a product placed on a packaging object (such as a foam tray, a clear tray, etc.), package the product with a film (such as a vinyl chloride film, a polypropylene film, etc.) after weighing, print and issue a product label, and attach it to the film. The label printing device (packaging device) 30 may include, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a display unit (reference numeral 312 in FIG. 1(C)), a printing unit, a communication unit, a weighing unit, and a packaging unit.

[0019] Note that the label printing device 30 may further include a scanner unit capable of reading barcodes (such as a store clerk code, etc.), an operation unit with one or more buttons, and a hard disk (or an SSD (Solid State Drive)).

[0020] The transaction status management device 40 is a device used by a store clerk and mainly manages each device within the LAN 19. For example, the transaction status management device 40 communicates with each device within the LAN 19 and monitors the processing status, operation status (operating status), etc. of each device within the LAN 19. Also, the transaction status management device 40 communicates with the server 10 via (or without) the store controller 20.

[0021] The registration and settlement device 50 is a so-called full self-service POS register mainly used by customers. The registration and settlement device 50 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk (or SSD), a scanner unit, a display unit, a settlement unit, a printing unit, a communication unit, an imaging unit, and a signature pole. Note that the registration and settlement device 50 includes a non-cash settlement unit for non-cash (card) as a settlement unit. The registration and settlement device 50 may include a cash settlement unit for cash instead of or in addition to the non-cash settlement unit as a settlement unit.

[0022] The display device 60 is installed in the store and mainly displays various information (for example, product discount information) to customers. The display device 60 displays product discount information as shown in FIGS. 3(A) to 3(E), for example. Note that the details of FIGS. 3(A) to 3(E) will be described later.

[0023] The mobile terminal 70 is a terminal for customers to register products at the product display location. The mobile terminal 70 includes a recognition function for recognizing various codes (barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc.) in addition to a communication function and an imaging function (camera). For example, the mobile terminal 70 recognizes the barcode attached to the product. For example, the mobile terminal 70 may extract feature points in the captured image (the image acquired as a through image (live view) captured by the imaging function) and recognize an object (various codes). Note that the mobile terminal 70 may be owned by an individual customer (or a corporation) or may be lent by the store side.

[0024] Hereinafter, the discount according to the embodiment will be described. For the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the business hours of the store introducing the sales system 1 are as follows.

[0025] (Business hours of the store) It is assumed that the business hours of the store are 12 hours from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. (Manufacture, etc. of products to which product labels are attached) At the store, products (bento, prepared dishes, etc.) are manufactured twice a day, and labels are attached to the manufactured products and displayed in the store. Specifically, the process is as follows: manufacturing start → manufacturing completion → label printing, issuance, and attachment → in-store display. Specifically, for the first time, at 11:00 am before noon, product labels are attached to the products that are manufactured and completed at that time (11:00 am) and displayed in the store. For the second time, at 4:00 pm in the evening, product labels are attached to the products that are manufactured and completed at that time (4:00 pm) and displayed in the store. (Length of the expiration date of the product to which the product label is attached) At the store, two types of products with different expiration date lengths (time from manufacturing (display) to expiration date) are manufactured. Specifically, products with an expiration date length of 12 hours and products with an expiration date length of 24 hours are manufactured. (Expiration date, selling period) At the store, for products with a set expiration date, they are sold until 2 hours before the expiration date. At the store, for products that reach the expiration date outside of business hours (10 pm to 10 am), they are sold during business hours (10 am to 10 pm).

[0026] Figures 4 to 8 are examples of files used in the sales system 1. Figure 4 is an example of a sales management type file. The sales management type file shown in Figure 4 stores the content for each sales management type. The sales management type is the type of product grouped by the combination of the manufacturing time and the length of the expiration date. The sales management type "01" is the type of product (group) with an expiration date length of 12 hours manufactured at 11:00 am (before noon). The sales management type "02" is the type of product (group) with an expiration date length of 24 hours manufactured at 11:00 am (before noon). The sales management type "03" is the type of product (group) with an expiration date length of 12 hours manufactured at 16:00 (evening). The sales management type "04" is the type of product (group) with an expiration date length of 24 hours manufactured at 16:00 (evening). The sales management type file shown in Figure 4 stores the above-mentioned content for each sales management type.

[0027] FIG. 5 is an example of a product master (product file). Prior to printing and issuing a product label, information regarding the product (the product to be manufactured) for which the product label is to be printed and issued is registered in the product master. The apparatus for registering the information in the product master is not particularly limited. In the product master shown in FIG. 5, a product name, a selling price (excluding tax), the length of the expiration date, etc. are stored in association with a product code. Note that, separately from the product master of the product purchased from a manufacturer (the product with a barcode attached), a product master for storing information regarding the product for which the product label is to be printed and issued may be prepared.

[0028] FIG. 6 is an example of an expiration date / sales deadline correspondence file. The expiration date / sales deadline correspondence file shown in FIG. 6 stores the expiration date and the sales deadline in association with each other. For example, in the expiration date / sales deadline correspondence file shown in FIG. 6, the expiration date “17:00 today” and the sales deadline “15:00 today” are stored in association with each other (reference sign a in FIG. 6). The stored content indicates that the sales deadline of the product with the expiration date “17:00 today” is “15:00 today” (indicating that the sales deadline of the product with the expiration date “17:00 today” is set to “15:00 today”).

[0029] According to the expiration date and selling deadline correspondence information file shown in FIG. 6, the selling deadline of the product with an expiration date of "23:00 today" is "21:00 today" (reference sign b in FIG. 6). That is, the selling deadline is set to "21:00 today", which is two hours before the expiration date of "23:00 today". Also, the selling deadline of the product with an expiration date of "1:00 the next day" is "22:00 today" (reference sign c in FIG. 6). That is, since two hours before the expiration date of "1:00 the next day" is "23:00 today (outside business hours)", the selling deadline is advanced to "22:00 today". Also, the selling deadline of the product with an expiration date of "4:00 the next day" is "22:00 today" (reference sign d in FIG. 6). That is, since two hours before the expiration date of "4:00 the next day" is "2:00 the next day (outside business hours)", the selling deadline is advanced to "22:00 today". Also, the selling deadline of the product with an expiration date of "11:00 the next day" is "22:00 today" (reference sign e in FIG. 6). That is, since two hours before the expiration date of "11:00 the next day" is "9:00 the next day (outside business hours)", the selling deadline is advanced to "22:00 today". Also, the selling deadline of the product with an expiration date of "12:00 the next day" is "22:00 today" (reference sign f in FIG. 6). That is, since two hours before the expiration date of "12:00 the next day" is "10:00 the next day (opening time)" (because it will be collected at the opening time), the selling deadline is advanced to "22:00 today". Also, the selling deadline of the product with an expiration date of "16:00 the next day" is "14:00 the next day" (reference sign g in FIG. 6). That is, the selling deadline is set to "14:00 the next day", which is two hours before the expiration date of "16:00 the next day".

[0030] In the expiration date / sales expiration date correspondence information file shown in Fig. 6, the sales expiration dates are memorized for each one-hour expiration date from "17:00 today (symbol a)" to "16:00 the next day (symbol g)". However, in the expiration date / sales expiration date correspondence information file, it is sufficient to memorize the sales expiration dates for at least four types of expiration dates: 23:00 today (symbol b), 4:00 the next day (symbol d), 11:00 the next day (symbol e), and 16:00 the next day (symbol g). That is, as described above, since the products are manufactured twice a day (at 11:00 am and 4:00 pm) and there are two types of expiration date lengths (12-hour products and 24-hour products), the expiration date / sales expiration date correspondence information file may memorize the sales expiration dates for four types of expiration dates: 23:00 today (the expiration date of the product with a 12-hour expiration date length manufactured at 11:00), 4:00 the next day (the expiration date of the product with a 12-hour expiration date length manufactured at 16:00), 11:00 the next day (the expiration date of the product with a 24-hour expiration date length manufactured at 11:00), and 16:00 the next day (the expiration date of the product with a 24-hour expiration date length manufactured at 16:00).

[0031] Fig. 7 is an example of a planning setting file that memorizes the setting contents of a discount plan (hereinafter referred to as a discount plan). The planning setting file shown in Fig. 7 memorizes the plan name and plan contents in association with the plan code. The plan code is identification information for identifying the discount plan. The plan name is the name of the discount plan. The plan contents are the contents (setting information) of the discount plan.

[0032] Specific examples will be given to explain the contents of the discount plan. For example, the plan contents of plan code "00001" are "Remaining business hours until the sales expiration date: 3 hours, 15% discount" and "Remaining business hours until the sales expiration date: 2 hours, 20% discount" (symbol a in Fig. 7). The said plan contents indicate that for the one-hour business hours from the time when the remaining business hours until the sales expiration date are 3 hours to the time when the remaining business hours until the sales expiration date are 2 hours, there is a 15% discount, and for the two-hour business hours from the time when the remaining business hours until the sales expiration date are 2 hours to the time when the remaining business hours until the sales expiration date are 0 hours (sales expiration date), there is a 20% discount (as set respectively).

[0033] That is, for example, if the expiration date of a certain product is hypothetically 21:00 today (for example, in the case of reference sign b in FIG. 6), for the business hours of 1 hour (from 18:00 today to 19:00 today) between the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 3 hours (18:00 today) and the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours (19:00 today), the price of the product is reduced by 15%, and for the business hours of 2 hours (from 19:00 today to 21:00 today, which is the expiration date) between the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours (19:00 today) and the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 0 hours (21:00 today, which is the expiration date), it indicates that the price of the product is reduced by 20%. Also, for example, if the expiration date of a certain product is hypothetically 14:00 the next day (for example, in the case of reference sign g in FIG. 6), for the business hours of 1 hour (from 11:00 the next day to 12:00 the next day) between the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 3 hours (11:00 the next day) and the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours (12:00 the next day), the price of the product is reduced by 15%, and for the business hours of 2 hours (from 12:00 the next day to 14:00 the next day, which is the expiration date) between the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours (12:00 the next day) and the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 0 hours (14:00 the next day, which is the expiration date), it indicates that the price of the product is reduced by 20%.

[0034] Also, for example, the content of the plan with the plan code "00004" is "5% discount when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 5 hours", "10% discount when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 4 hours", "30% discount when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 3 hours", and "50% discount when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours" (reference sign b in FIG. 7). This plan content indicates that for the business hours of 1 hour between the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 5 hours and the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 4 hours, there is a 5% discount, for the business hours of 1 hour between the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 4 hours and the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 3 hours, there is a 10% discount, for the business hours of 1 hour between the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 3 hours and the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours, there is a 30% discount, and for the business hours of 2 hours between the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours and the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 0 hours (the expiration date), there is a 50% discount (each is set as such).

[0035] That is, for example, if the expiration date of a certain product is hypothetically 21:00 today (for example, in the case of reference sign b in FIG. 6), for the one-hour business hours from the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 5 hours (16:00 today) to the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 4 hours (17:00 today) (16:00 today to 17:00 today), the price of the product is reduced by 5%. For the one-hour business hours from the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 4 hours (17:00 today) to the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 3 hours (18:00 today) (17:00 today to 18:00 today), the price of the product is reduced by 10%. For the one-hour business hours from the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 3 hours (18:00 today) to the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours (19:00 today) (18:00 today to 19:00 today), the price of the product is reduced by 30%. For the two-hour business hours from the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours (19:00 today) to the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 0 hours (21:00 today, which is the expiration date) (19:00 today to 21:00 today), it indicates that the price of the product is reduced by 50%. Also, if the expiration date of a certain product is hypothetically 14:00 the next day (for example, in the case of reference sign g in FIG. 6), for the one-hour business hours from the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 5 hours (21:00 today) to the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 4 hours (22:00 today) (21:00 today to 22:00 today), the price of the product is reduced by 5%. For the one-hour business hours from the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 4 hours (10:00 the next day) to the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 3 hours (11:00 the next day) (10:00 the next day to 11:00 the next day), the price of the product is reduced by 10%. For the one-hour business hours from the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 3 hours (11:00 the next day) to the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours (12:00 the next day) (11:00 the next day to 12:00 the next day), the price of the product is reduced by 30%. For the two-hour business hours from the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 2 hours (12:00 the next day) to the time when the remaining business hours until the expiration date is 0 hours (14:00 the next day, which is the expiration date) (12:00 the next day to 14:00 the next day), it indicates that the price of the product is reduced by 50%.

[0036] In addition, for example, the content of the plan with the plan code "00005" is "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline 5 hours: set as appropriate", "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline 4 hours: set as appropriate", "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline 3 hours: set as appropriate", and "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline 2 hours: set as appropriate" (reference symbol c in Fig. 7). This plan content indicates that the discount rates for each 1-hour business hour between the time point of the remaining business hours of 5 hours until the sales deadline and the time point of the remaining business hours of 4 hours until the sales deadline, each 1-hour business hour between the time point of the remaining business hours of 4 hours until the sales deadline and the time point of the remaining business hours of 3 hours until the sales deadline, each 1-hour business hour between the time point of the remaining business hours of 3 hours until the sales deadline and the time point of the remaining business hours of 2 hours until the sales deadline, and each 2-hour business hour between the time point of the remaining business hours of 2 hours until the sales deadline and the time point of the remaining business hours of 0 hours (sales deadline) are to be set as appropriate (not set in advance).

[0037] Fig. 8(A) is an example of a sales management type mark setting file that stores the setting content of a sales management type mark (symbol, image, etc.). The sales management type mark setting file shown in Fig. 8(A) stores the sales management type mark in association with the sales management type. The sales management type mark for the sales management type "01" (products with a consumption deadline length of 12 hours manufactured at 11:00) is "A". The sales management type mark for the sales management type "02" (products with a consumption deadline length of 24 hours manufactured at 11:00) is "B". The sales management type mark for the sales management type "03" (products with a consumption deadline length of 12 hours manufactured at 16:00) is "C". The sales management type mark for the sales management type "04" (products with a consumption deadline length of 24 hours manufactured at 16:00) is "B".

[0038] Fig. 8(B) is an example of a plan mark setting file that stores the setting content of a plan mark (symbol, image, etc.). The plan mark setting file shown in Fig. 8(B) stores the plan mark in association with the plan code. Note that in the plan mark setting file, the plan mark itself may be stored, or information for identifying the plan mark may be stored. The same applies to the product label issuance file (described later) and the discount schedule file (described later).

[0039] In the planning mark setting file shown in FIG. 8(B), chopsticks are set (stored) as the planning mark for the planning code "00001" (Plan 1) (reference numeral a in FIG. 8(B)), a spoon is set as the planning mark for the planning code "00002" (Plan 2) (reference numeral b in FIG. 8(B)), a fork is set as the planning mark for the planning code "00003" (Plan 3) (reference numeral c in FIG. 8(B)), a knife is set as the planning mark for the planning code "00004" (Plan 4) (reference numeral d in FIG. 8(B)), and a cup is set as the planning mark for the planning code "00005" (Plan 5) (reference numeral e in FIG. 8(B)).

[0040] Each of the files shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 may be stored in any device used by the store clerk as long as it can be accessed from each device (label printing device 30, transaction status management device 40, registration settlement device 50, display device 60, mobile terminal 70). However, devices used by customers rather than store clerks (registration settlement device 50, mobile terminal 70) do not display the entire information even if they access each file (they only inquire about the content of the file). The same applies to the product label issuance file (described later) and the discount schedule file (described later).

[0041] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining discounts. Specifically, FIG. 9(A) shows the schedule and the like for the sales management type "01" (products with a shelf life of 12 hours manufactured at 11:00). FIG. 9(B) shows the schedule and the like for the sales management type "02" (products with a shelf life of 24 hours manufactured at 11:00). FIG. 9(C) shows the schedule and the like for the sales management type "03" (products with a shelf life of 12 hours manufactured at 16:00). FIG. 9(D) shows the schedule and the like for the sales management type "04" (products with a shelf life of 24 hours manufactured at 16:00).

[0042] In FIGS. 9(A) to 9(D), "No plan" indicates that no discount plan is applied. "Plan 1" indicates that plan 1 with the plan code "00001" is applied. "Plan 2" indicates that plan 2 with the plan code "00002" is applied. "Plan 3" indicates that plan 3 with the plan code "00003" is applied. "Plan 4" indicates that plan 4 with the plan code "00004" is applied. "Plan 5" indicates that plan 5 with the plan code "00005" is applied.

[0043] In FIGS. 9(A) to 9(D), the "discount mark" is a mark related to discount. The discount mark is a mark combining the plan mark (FIG. 8(B)) and the sales management type mark (FIG. 8(A)). The discount mark is printed on the product label of the product to which the discount plan is applied (FIG. 2). The discount mark is displayed on the display device 60 when the discount is being made (FIG. 3).

[0044] (Product with sales management type "01") The sales management category mark for sales management category "01" is "A". The discount mark is a combination of the planning mark and the sales management category mark as described above. The planning mark for Plan 1 is chopsticks, the planning mark for Plan 2 is a spoon, the planning mark for Plan 3 is a fork, the planning mark for Plan 4 is a knife, and the planning mark for Plan 5 is a cup. Therefore, when applying Plan 1 to the products of sales management category "01", the discount mark is a mark that combines the planning mark "chopsticks" and the sales management category mark "A". That is, when applying Plan 1 to the products of sales management category "01", print the discount mark that combines the planning mark "chopsticks" and the sales management category mark "A" on the product label. "Chopsticks + A" in the column of Plan 1 in Figure 9(A) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the planning mark "chopsticks" and the sales management category mark "A". When applying Plan 2 to the products of sales management category "01", the discount mark is a mark that combines the planning mark "spoon" and the sales management category mark "A". That is, when applying Plan 2 to the products of sales management category "01", print the discount mark that combines the planning mark "spoon" and the sales management category mark "A" on the product label. "Spoon + A" in the column of Plan 1 in Figure 9(A) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the planning mark "spoon" and the sales management category mark "A". When applying Plan 3 to the products of sales management category "01", the discount mark is a mark that combines the planning mark "fork" and the sales management category mark "A". That is, when applying Plan 3 to the products of sales management category "01", print the discount mark that combines the planning mark "fork" and the sales management category mark "A" on the product label. "Fork + A" in the column of Plan 1 in Figure 9(A) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the planning mark "fork" and the sales management category mark "A". When applying Plan 4 to the products of sales management category "01", the discount mark is a mark that combines the planning mark "knife" and the sales management category mark "A". That is, when applying Plan 4 to the products of sales management category "01", print the discount mark that combines the planning mark "knife" and the sales management category mark "A" on the product label.In the "Knife + A" in the "Plan 1" column of Fig. 9(A), the discount mark indicates that it is a mark combining the plan mark "Knife" and the sales management type mark "A". When applying Plan 5 to products of sales management type "01", the discount mark will be a mark combining the plan mark "Cup" and the sales management type mark "A". That is, when applying Plan 5 to products of sales management type "01", the discount mark combining the plan mark "Cup" and the sales management type mark "A" is printed on the product label. "Cup + A" in the "Plan 1" column of Fig. 9(A) indicates that the discount mark is a mark combining the plan mark "Cup" and the sales management type mark "A".

[0045] Also, as shown at the bottom of Fig. 9(A), the expiration date of products of sales management type "01" is 23:00 today. The sales deadline is 21:00 today. The purchasable time is 10 hours (11:00 today to 21:00 today). Therefore, the time when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 5 hours is 16:00 today. The time when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 4 hours is 17:00 today. The time when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 3 hours is 18:00 today. The time when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 2 hours is 19:00 today.

[0046] Therefore, when applying Plan 1 to products with sales management type "01", as shown in the column of Plan 1 in Fig. 9(A), for the one-hour period from 18:00 to 19:00 today, the products will be sold at a 15% discount, and for the two-hour period from 19:00 to 21:00 today, the products will be sold at a 20% discount. When applying Plan 2 to products with sales management type "01", as shown in the column of Plan 2 in Fig. 9(A), for the one-hour period from 16:00 to 17:00 today, the products will be sold at a 5% discount, for the one-hour period from 17:00 to 18:00 today, the products will be sold at a 10% discount, for the one-hour period from 18:00 to 19:00 today, the products will be sold at a 15% discount, and for the two-hour period from 19:00 to 21:00 today, the products will be sold at a 20% discount. When applying Plan 3 to products with sales management type "01", as shown in the column of Plan 3 in Fig. 9(A), for the one-hour period from 18:00 to 19:00 today, the products will be sold at a 30% discount, and for the two-hour period from 19:00 to 21:00 today, the products will be sold at a 50% discount. When applying Plan 4 to products with sales management type "01", as shown in the column of Plan 4 in Fig. 9(A), for the one-hour period from 16:00 to 17:00 today, the products will be sold at a 5% discount, for the one-hour period from 17:00 to 18:00 today, the products will be sold at a 10% discount, for the one-hour period from 18:00 to 19:00 today, the products will be sold at a 30% discount, and for the two-hour period from 19:00 to 21:00 today, the products will be sold at a 50% discount. When applying Plan 5 to products with sales management type "01", as shown in the column of Plan 5 in Fig. 9(A), the discount rates for each of the one-hour periods from 16:00 to 17:00 today, from 17:00 to 18:00 today, from 18:00 to 19:00 today, and the two-hour period from 19:00 to 21:00 today are undetermined. That is, Plan 5 is a plan that allows setting discounts based on the sales performance, etc. after the products are displayed. According to Plan 5, it is possible to respond flexibly by observing the sales situation, etc. of the products after display.

[0047] (Products with sales management type "02") The sales management type mark for sales management type "02" is "B". Therefore, when applying Plan 1 to the products of sales management type "02", the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "B". That is, when applying Plan 1 to the products of sales management type "02", print the discount mark combined by the plan mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "B" on the product label. "Chopsticks + B" in the column of Plan 1 in Figure 9(B) indicates that the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "B". Similarly, as shown in Figure 9(B), when applying Plan 2 to the products of sales management type "02", the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Spoon" and the sales management type mark "B". When applying Plan 3 to the products of sales management type "02", the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Fork" and the sales management type mark "B". When applying Plan 4 to the products of sales management type "02", the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Knife" and the sales management type mark "B". When applying Plan 5 to the products of sales management type "02", the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Cup" and the sales management type mark "B".

[0048] Also, as shown at the bottom of Figure 9(B), the expiration date of the products of sales management type "02" is 11 o'clock the next day. The sales deadline is 22 o'clock today. The purchasable time is 11 hours (from 11 o'clock today to 22 o'clock today). Therefore, the time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 5 hours is 17 o'clock today. The time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 4 hours is 18 o'clock today. The time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 3 hours is 19 o'clock today. The time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 2 hours is 20 o'clock today.

[0049] Therefore, when applying Plan 1 to products with sales management type "02", as shown in the column of Plan 1 in Figure 9(B), the products are sold at a 15% discount for the one-hour period from 19:00 to 20:00 today, and at a 20% discount for the two-hour period from 20:00 to 22:00 today. When applying Plan 2 to products with sales management type "02", as shown in the column of Plan 2 in Figure 9(B), the products are sold at a 5% discount for the one-hour period from 17:00 to 18:00 today, at a 10% discount for the one-hour period from 18:00 to 19:00 today, at a 15% discount for the one-hour period from 19:00 to 20:00 today, and at a 20% discount for the two-hour period from 20:00 to 22:00 today. When applying Plan 3 to products with sales management type "02", as shown in the column of Plan 3 in Figure 9(B), the products are sold at a 30% discount for the one-hour period from 19:00 to 20:00 today, and at a 50% discount for the two-hour period from 20:00 to 22:00 today. When applying Plan 4 to products with sales management type "02", as shown in the column of Plan 4 in Figure 9(B), the products are sold at a 5% discount for the one-hour period from 17:00 to 18:00 today, at a 10% discount for the one-hour period from 18:00 to 19:00 today, at a 30% discount for the one-hour period from 19:00 to 20:00 today, and at a 50% discount for the two-hour period from 20:00 to 22:00 today. When applying Plan 5 to products with sales management type "02", as shown in the column of Plan 5 in Figure 9(B), the discount rate for each of the one-hour period from 17:00 to 18:00 today, the one-hour period from 18:00 to 19:00 today, the one-hour period from 19:00 to 20:00 today, and the two-hour period from 20:00 to 22:00 today is undetermined (for example, the discount is set based on the sales performance after the product is displayed).

[0050] (Products with sales management type "03") The sales management type mark for sales management type "03" is "C". Therefore, when Plan 1 is applied to the products of sales management type "03", the discount mark is the mark combined with the plan mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "C". That is, when Plan 1 is applied to the products of sales management type "03", the discount mark combined with the plan mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "C" is printed on the product label. "Chopsticks + C" in the column of Plan 1 in Figure 9(C) indicates that the discount mark is the mark combined with the plan mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "C". Similarly, as shown in Figure 9(C), when Plan 2 is applied to the products of sales management type "03", the discount mark is the mark combined with the plan mark "Spoon" and the sales management type mark "C". When Plan 3 is applied to the products of sales management type "03", the discount mark is the mark combined with the plan mark "Fork" and the sales management type mark "C". When Plan 4 is applied to the products of sales management type "03", the discount mark is the mark combined with the plan mark "Knife" and the sales management type mark "C". When Plan 5 is applied to the products of sales management type "03", the discount mark is the mark combined with the plan mark "Cup" and the sales management type mark "C".

[0051] As shown at the bottom of Figure 9(C), the expiration date of the products of sales management type "03" is 4 o'clock the next day. The sales deadline is 22 o'clock today. The purchasable time is 6 hours (16:00 today to 22:00 today). Therefore, the time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline become 5 hours is 17:00 today. The time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline become 4 hours is 18:00 today. The time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline become 3 hours is 19:00 today. The time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline become 2 hours is 20:00 today.

[0052] Therefore, when applying Plan 1 to products with sales management category "03", as shown in the column of Plan 1 in Figure 9(C), they are sold at a 15% discount for the one-hour period from 19:00 to 20:00 today, and at a 20% discount for the two-hour period from 20:00 to 22:00 today. When applying Plan 2 to products with sales management category "03", as shown in the column of Plan 2 in Figure 9(C), they are sold at a 5% discount for the one-hour period from 17:00 to 18:00 today, at a 10% discount for the one-hour period from 18:00 to 19:00 today, at a 15% discount for the one-hour period from 19:00 to 20:00 today, and at a 20% discount for the two-hour period from 20:00 to 22:00 today. When applying Plan 3 to products with sales management category "03", as shown in the column of Plan 3 in Figure 9(C), they are sold at a 30% discount for the one-hour period from 19:00 to 20:00 today, and at a 50% discount for the two-hour period from 20:00 to 22:00 today. When applying Plan 4 to products with sales management category "03", as shown in the column of Plan 4 in Figure 9(C), they are sold at a 5% discount for the one-hour period from 17:00 to 18:00 today, at a 10% discount for the one-hour period from 18:00 to 19:00 today, at a 30% discount for the one-hour period from 19:00 to 20:00 today, and at a 50% discount for the two-hour period from 20:00 to 22:00 today. When applying Plan 5 to products with sales management category "03", as shown in the column of Plan 5 in Figure 9(C), the discount rate for each of the one-hour periods from 17:00 to 18:00 today, from 18:00 to 19:00 today, from 19:00 to 20:00 today, and the two-hour period from 20:00 to 22:00 today is undetermined (for example, the discount is set based on the sales volume after the product is displayed).

[0053] (Products with sales management category "04") The sales management type mark for sales management type "04" is "D". Therefore, when applying Plan 1 to the products of sales management type "04", the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "D". That is, when applying Plan 1 to the products of sales management type "04", print the discount mark combined by the plan mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "D" on the product label. "Chopsticks + D" in the column of Plan 1 in Figure 9(D) indicates that the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "D". Similarly, as shown in Figure 9(D), when applying Plan 2 to the products of sales management type "04", the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Spoon" and the sales management type mark "D". When applying Plan 3 to the products of sales management type "04", the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Fork" and the sales management type mark "D". When applying Plan 4 to the products of sales management type "04", the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Knife" and the sales management type mark "D". When applying Plan 5 to the products of sales management type "04", the discount mark is the mark combined by the plan mark "Cup" and the sales management type mark "D".

[0054] As shown at the bottom of Figure 9(D), the expiration date of the products of sales management type "04" is 16:00 the next day. The sales deadline is 14:00 the next day. The purchasable time is 10 hours (16:00 today - 22:00 today, 10:00 - 14:00 the next day). Therefore, the time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 5 hours is 21:00 today. The time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 4 hours is 10:00 the next day. The time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 3 hours is 11:00 the next day. The time point when the remaining business hours until the sales deadline is 2 hours is 12:00 the next day.

[0055] Therefore, when applying Plan 1 to products with sales management type "04", as shown in the column of Plan 1 in Fig. 9(D), the products will be sold at a 15% discount for one hour from 11:00 the next day to 12:00 the next day, and at a 20% discount for two hours from 12:00 the next day to 14:00 the next day. When applying Plan 2 to products with sales management type "04", as shown in the column of Plan 2 in Fig. 9(D), the products will be sold at a 5% discount for one hour from 21:00 today to 22:00 today, at a 10% discount for one hour from 10:00 the next day to 11:00 the next day, at a 15% discount for one hour from 11:00 the next day to 12:00 the next day, and at a 20% discount for two hours from 12:00 the next day to 14:00 the next day. When applying Plan 3 to products with sales management type "04", as shown in the column of Plan 3 in Fig. 9(D), the products will be sold at a 30% discount for one hour from 11:00 the next day to 12:00 the next day, and at a 50% discount for two hours from 12:00 the next day to 14:00 the next day. When applying Plan 4 to products with sales management type "04", as shown in the column of Plan 4 in Fig. 9(D), the products will be sold at a 5% discount for one hour from 21:00 today to 22:00 today, at a 10% discount for one hour from 10:00 the next day to 11:00 the next day, at a 30% discount for one hour from 11:00 the next day to 12:00 the next day, and at a 50% discount for two hours from 12:00 the next day to 14:00 the next day. When applying Plan 5 to products with sales management type "04", as shown in the column of Plan 5 in Fig. 9(D), the discount rates for each of the one hour from 21:00 today to 22:00 today, the one hour from 10:00 the next day to 11:00 the next day, the one hour from 11:00 the next day to 12:00 the next day, and the two hours from 12:00 the next day to 14:00 the next day are undetermined (for example, the discount is set after observing the sales performance after the product is displayed).

[0056] Fig. 10 is an example of a plan setting screen. The plan setting screen is a screen for a store clerk to set a discount plan, etc. The plan setting screen is displayed, for example, on the label printing device 30. In addition to or instead of the label printing device 30, other devices (for example, a transaction status management device 40, a registration and settlement device 50, a server 10, a server (not shown) that can communicate with the server 10, etc.) may also display the plan setting screen. In the following description, the label printing device 30 will be described as the one that displays the plan setting screen.

[0057] On the planning setting screen shown in Fig. 10, there are provided a work classification column, a planning code column, a start date column, an end date column, a planning name column, and a planning mark column. Also, on the planning setting screen shown in Fig. 10, there are provided a discount condition 1 area (reference symbol a in Fig. 10), a discount condition 2 area (reference symbol b in Fig. 10), a discount condition 3 area (reference symbol c in Fig. 10), and a discount condition 4 area (reference symbol d in Fig. 10). In each discount condition area (reference symbols a to d), there are provided a time column and a discount column. Also, on the planning setting screen shown in Fig. 10, there are provided a planning mark button BT01, a condition addition button BT02, a cancel button BT03, and a completion button BT04.

[0058] (New Setting of Discount Planning) When a store clerk newly sets a discount plan, the clerk enters "1" in the work classification column. When the store clerk newly sets a discount plan (when "1" is entered in the work classification column), the clerk enters a 5 - digit unused number (a 5 - digit number not registered as the planning code of the set discount plans) in the planning code column as the planning code of the newly set discount plan. When newly setting a discount plan, the label printing device 30 may display a 5 - digit number in use (a 5 - digit number registered as the planning code of the set discount plans) and prompt the input of an unused 5 - digit number. Also, when newly setting a discount plan, the label printing device 30 may display (automatically input) an unused 5 - digit number (for example, the smallest of the unused 5 - digit numbers) in the planning code column. When the store clerk newly sets a discount plan, the clerk enters the application start date of the newly set discount plan in the start date column and the application end date in the end date column. When the newly set discount plan is to be applied from today, the application start date may be left blank. Also, when the application end date of the newly set discount plan is not set, the application end date may be left blank. When the store clerk newly sets a discount plan, the clerk enters the planning name of the newly set discount plan in the planning name column.

[0059] When setting a new discount plan, the store clerk selects the plan mark for the new discount plan to be set. Specifically, the store clerk operates the plan mark button BT01. When the plan mark button BT01 is operated, the label printing device 30 displays a list of unused marks (marks not selected as the plan marks for the set discount plans) from among a plurality of pre-prepared marks on a small screen (not shown) or the like. The store clerk selects one mark from the small screen or the like displayed after operating the plan mark button BT01. When one mark is selected from the small screen or the like, the label printing device 30 displays the selected mark in the plan mark field. Note that when the plan mark button BT01 is operated, the label printing device 30 may display (automatically select) one unused mark from among a plurality of pre-prepared marks in the plan mark field.

[0060] When setting a new discount plan, the store clerk inputs the content of the new discount plan to be set. Specifically, the store clerk inputs the content of the new discount plan to be set into the discount condition area (time column, discount column). If the conditions are insufficient, the store clerk operates the condition addition button BT02. Each time the condition addition button BT02 is operated, the label printing device 30 additionally displays the discount condition area (if it cannot be fully displayed on one page, it is displayed on the next page).

[0061] When setting a new discount plan based on the content displayed in each column, the store clerk operates the completion button BT04. If the store clerk does not set a new discount plan, the store clerk operates the cancel button BT03. When the completion button BT04 is operated, the label printing device 30 deletes the information displayed in each column and sets a new discount plan.

[0062] For example, in the planning setting file shown in FIG. 7, as the planning content of Plan 1 (Discount Small, Normal Start) identified by the planning code "00001", "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline: 3 hours, 15% discount" and "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline: 2 hours, 20% discount" are set (stored) (reference symbol a in FIG. 7). In the planning mark setting file shown in FIG. 8(B), chopsticks are set (stored) as the planning mark for the planning code "00001" (reference symbol a in FIG. 8(B)). The above setting content is what the label printing device 30 stores in the planning setting file and the planning mark setting file when the completion button BT04 is operated in the state where, in the planning setting screen shown in FIG. 10, the work classification "1", the planning code "00001", the planning name "Plan 1 (Discount Small, Normal Start)", the planning mark "chopsticks", time "3" and discount "15" as discount condition 1, and time "2" and discount "20" as discount condition 2 are displayed.

[0063] Also for example, in the planning setting file shown in FIG. 7, as the planning content of Plan 4 (Discount Large, Early Start) identified by the planning code "00004", "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline: 5 hours, 5% discount", "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline: 4 hours, 10% discount", "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline: 3 hours, 30% discount" and "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline: 2 hours, 50% discount" are set (stored) (reference symbol b in FIG. 7). In the planning mark setting file shown in FIG. 8(B), a knife is set (stored) as the planning mark for the planning code "00004" (reference symbol d in FIG. 8(B)). The above setting content is what the label printing device 30 stores in the planning setting file and the planning mark setting file when the completion button BT04 is operated in the state where, in the planning setting screen shown in FIG. 10, the work classification "1", the planning code "00004", the planning name "Plan 4 (Discount Large, Early Start)", the planning mark "knife", time "5" and discount "5" as discount condition 1, time "4" and discount "10" as discount condition 2, time "3" and discount "30" as discount condition 3, and time "2" and discount "50" as discount condition 4 are displayed.

[0064] For example, in the planning setting file shown in FIG. 7, as the planning content of Planning 5 (start, discount rate undetermined) identified by the planning code "00005", "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline: 5 hours: set as appropriate", "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline: 4 hours: set as appropriate", "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline: 3 hours: set as appropriate", and "Remaining business hours until the sales deadline: 2 hours: set as appropriate" are set (stored) (reference c in FIG. 7). In the planning mark setting file shown in FIG. 8(B), a cup is set (stored) as the planning mark for the planning code "00005" (reference e in FIG. 8(B)). The setting content is that in the planning setting screen shown in FIG. 10, with the work classification "1", the planning code "00005", the planning name "Planning 5 (start, discount rate undetermined)", the planning mark "cup", the discount condition 1 with time "5" and discount "(blank)", the discount condition 2 with time "4" and discount "(blank)", the discount condition 3 with time "3" and discount "(blank)", and the discount condition 4 with time "2" and discount "(blank)" being displayed, when the completion button BT04 is operated, the label printing device 30 stores the content in the planning setting file and the planning mark setting file.

[0065] (Modification of Discount Planning) When a store employee modifies a discount plan, the employee enters "2" in the work classification column. When a store employee modifies a discount plan (when "2" is entered in the work classification column), the employee enters the planning code of the discount plan to be modified in the planning code column. When modifying a discount plan, the label printing device 30 displays (automatically enters) the application start date of the discount plan to be modified (the discount plan with the planning code entered in the planning code column) in the start date column, displays (automatically enters) the application end date in the end date column, displays (automatically enters) the planning name in the planning name column, displays (automatically enters) the planning mark in the planning mark column, and displays (automatically enters) the content in the discount condition area. The store employee modifies as appropriate and operates the completion button BT04. If the store employee does not modify, the cancel button BT03 is operated. When the completion button BT04 is operated after modification, the label printing device 30 deletes the information displayed in each column and modifies the discount plan.

[0066] (Deletion of Discount Planning) When the store clerk deletes a discount plan, the clerk enters "3" in the operation classification column. When the store clerk deletes a discount plan (when "3" is entered in the operation classification column), the clerk enters the plan code of the discount plan to be deleted in the plan code column. When deleting a discount plan, the label printing device 30 displays (automatically enters) the application start date of the discount plan to be deleted (the discount plan with the plan code entered in the plan code column) in the start date column, displays (automatically enters) the application end date in the end date column, displays (automatically enters) the plan name in the plan name column, displays (automatically enters) the plan mark in the plan mark column, and displays (automatically enters) the content in the discount condition area. When the store clerk deletes the discount plan, the clerk operates the completion button BT04. Note that when the store clerk does not delete it, the clerk operates the cancel button BT03. When the completion button BT04 is operated, the label printing device 30 deletes the information displayed in each column and deletes the discount plan.

[0067] (Inquiry of Discount Plan) When the store clerk inquires about a discount plan, the clerk enters "4" in the operation classification column. When the store clerk inquires about a discount plan (when "4" is entered in the operation classification column), the clerk enters the plan code of the discount plan to be inquired about in the plan code column. When inquiring about a discount plan, the label printing device 30 displays (automatically enters) the application start date of the discount plan to be inquired about (the discount plan with the plan code entered in the plan code column) in the start date column, displays (automatically enters) the application end date in the end date column, displays (automatically enters) the plan name in the plan name column, displays (automatically enters) the plan mark in the plan mark column, and displays (automatically enters) the content in the discount condition area. When the store clerk finishes the inquiry, for example, the clerk operates the completion button BT04. When the completion button BT04 is operated, the label printing device 30 deletes the information displayed in each column.

[0068] FIG. 11 is an example of the display of the label printing device 30. Specifically, FIG. 11 is an example of a label printing and issuing screen displayed when the label printing device 30 (weighing device, packaging device) including a weighing unit prints and issues a product label. Note that in the label printing and issuing screen displayed by the label printing device 30 that does not include a weighing unit, columns related to weighing (such as the tare weight column and the weight column) may not be present.

[0069] The label printing and issuing screen shown in FIG. 11 is provided with a current date and time column, a product name column, a product code column, a cost column, a weight column, a unit price column, a price column, and a sales management type column at the upper part (the part indicated by reference sign a in FIG. 11). Further, the label printing and issuing screen shown in FIG. 11 is provided with a label image area, a processing date and time area, an expiration date area, a sales expiration date management area, and a discount plan area at the center (the part indicated by reference sign b in FIG. 11). Further, the label printing and issuing screen shown in FIG. 11 is provided with a cancel button BT13 and a print button BT14. The label image area is an area for displaying an image of the product label to be printed and issued after the operation of the print button BT14.

[0070] The processing date and time area is provided with a date and time column for product processing and an arrow button for displaying a small screen (a small screen on which the date and time can be selected) as an input aid for the date and time column. The expiration date area is provided with a date and time column for the expiration date and an arrow button for displaying a small screen (a small screen on which the date and time can be selected) as an input aid for the date and time column. The sales expiration date management area is provided with a column for indicating whether or not the sales expiration date management is to be executed and a change button for changing the presence or absence in the presence / absence column (that is, changing from "yes (present)" to "no (absent)" or from "no (absent)" to "yes (present)"). Note that the sales expiration date management is "yes" in principle. The discount plan area is provided with a column for indicating whether or not the discount plan is to be executed, a change button for changing the presence or absence in the presence / absence column, a plan code column, and an arrow button for displaying a small screen (a small screen on which the discount plan can be selected) as an input aid for the plan code column.

[0071] The label printing device 30 displays the label printing and issuing screen based on a predetermined operation by a store clerk (for example, an operation of a label issuing button on a menu screen (not shown)).

[0072] As described above, prior to the printing and issuing of the product label, information regarding the product (the product to be manufactured) for which the product label is to be printed and issued has already been registered in the product master (FIG. 5).

[0073] When the label printing device 30 displays the label printing issuance screen, it displays the current date and time in the current date and time field and the processing date and time in the date and time field of the processing date and time area. When the current date and time is 10:55 on July 27, 2021, the label printing device 30 displays "202107271055" in the current date and time field and "2021072711" in the date and time field of the processing date and time area as shown in FIG. 11. Further, when the label printing device 30 displays the label printing issuance screen, it initially displays "Yes" in the presence / absence field of the expiration date management area.

[0074] The store clerk inputs the product code of the product for which the product label is to be issued into the product code field. Note that an arrow button may be provided to display a small screen (a small screen on which the product code (or product name) of the product for which the product label is to be issued can be selected) for assisting input to the product code field.

[0075] When the product code is input into the product code field, the label printing device 30 refers to the product master etc., displays the product name of the product with the product code in the product name field, displays the selling price of the product with the product code in the price field, displays the sales management type in the sales management type field, and displays the expiration date in the date and time field of the expiration date area. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the label printing device 30 displays the product name "Seasonal Nigiri Sushi" of the product with the product code in the product name field, displays the selling price "631" of the product with the product code in the price field, displays the sales management type "01" in the sales management type field, and displays the expiration date "2021072723" in the date and time field of the expiration date area. Note that the length of the expiration date of the product (Seasonal Nigiri Sushi) is 12 hours (FIG. 5), and since a product with an expiration date length of 12 hours is manufactured at 11:00, the sales management type is "01" (FIG. 4).

[0076] When the store clerk executes a discount plan for the product, the clerk enters "Yes" in the "Existence of Discount Plan Area" column, and when not executing a discount plan for the product, the clerk enters "No" in the "Existence of Discount Plan Area" column. When the store clerk executes a discount plan (when "Yes" is entered in the "Existence of Discount Plan Area" column), the clerk enters the plan code in the "Plan Code" column of the discount plan area. In the example shown in FIG. 11, "Yes" is entered in the "Existence of Discount Plan Area" column, and "00001" of Plan 1 is entered in the "Plan Code" column of the discount plan area.

[0077] When there is no problem with the input content, the store clerk operates the print button BT14. Note that the label printing device 30 displays the print button BT14 operable when there is no problem with the input content. That is, the label printing device 30 does not display the print button BT14 operable when there is a problem with the input content. As an example, when "Yes" is entered in the "Existence of Discount Plan Area" column, but the plan code is not entered in the "Plan Code" column of the discount plan area or the entered plan code does not exist, since the information is insufficient, the label printing device 30 does not display the print button BT14 operable (for example, non-display, grayed-out display, etc.).

[0078] FIG. 12 is a flowchart or the like showing an example of the operation of the label printing device 30. Specifically, FIG. 12(A) is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the label printing device 30. FIG. 12(B) is an example of a small screen displayed by the label printing device 30.

[0079] Step S1: The label printing device 30 displays a label printing issuance screen based on an operation. For example, the label printing device 30 displays a label printing issuance screen based on the operation of a label issuance button on a menu screen (not shown). Step S2: The label printing device 30 displays each item on the label printing issue screen based on operations or the like. As an example, the label printing device 30 receives the input of the product code into the product code field, and thereby displays the product code in the product code field, displays the product name of the product corresponding to the product code in the product name field, displays the selling price of the product corresponding to the product code in the price field, displays the sales management type in the sales management type field, and displays the expiration date in the date and time field of the expiration date area. Step S3: The label printing device 30 determines whether the input content is consistent. That is, the label printing device 30 checks whether there is any problem with the content on the label printing issue screen. If the input content is consistent (Step S3: YES), the process proceeds to Step S4. If the input content is not consistent (Step S3: NO), the process returns to Step S2.

[0080] Step S4: The label printing device 30 displays the print button BT14 as operable. Subsequently, the process proceeds to Step S5. Step S5: The label printing device 30 receives the operation of the print button BT14. Subsequently, the process proceeds to Step S6. Step S6: The label printing device 30 determines whether to execute a discount plan. That is, the label printing device 30 determines whether the "yes / no" field in the discount plan area is "yes". If the discount plan is to be executed (Step S6: YES), that is, if the "yes / no" field in the discount plan area is "yes", the process proceeds to Step S7. If the discount plan is not to be executed (Step S6: NO), that is, if the "yes / no" field in the discount plan area is "no", the process proceeds to Step S10.

[0081] Step S7: The label printing device 30 notifies the discount plan to be executed (that is, the discount plan corresponding to the plan code entered in the plan code field). For example, the label printing device 30 may display a small screen showing the schedule of the discount plan to be executed in front of the label printing issue screen. Subsequently, the process proceeds to Step S8.

[0082] FIG. 12(B) is an example of a small screen SG01 displayed on the front of the label printing issuance screen in the state shown in FIG. 11 when a store clerk operates the print button BT14. The expiration date "23:00 today" of the small screen SG01 is based on the date and time "2021072723" in the date and time column of the expiration date area of the label printing issuance screen shown in FIG. 11. The sale deadline "21:00 today" of the small screen SG01 is based on the date and time "2021072723" in the date and time column of the expiration date area of the label printing issuance screen shown in FIG. 11 and the information in the expiration date-sale deadline correspondence file shown in FIG. 6 (reference symbol b in FIG. 6). The schedule of the small screen SG01 (from 11:00 to 16:00 today (5 hours) at the normal price, from 16:00 to 17:00 today (1 hour) at the normal price, from 17:00 to 18:00 today (1 hour) at the normal price, from 18:00 to 19:00 today (1 hour) with a 15% discount, from 19:00 to 21:00 today (2 hours) with a 20% discount) is based on "01" in the sales management type column of the label printing issuance screen shown in FIG. 11 and "00001" in the planning code column of the planning code area (refer to the column of Plan 1 in FIG. 9(A)).

[0083] Step S8: The label printing device 30 determines whether the change button has been operated on the small screen SG01. If the change button has been operated (Step S8: YES), the small screen SG01 is erased, and the process returns to Step S2. If the change button has not been operated (Step S8: NO), the process proceeds to Step S9. Note that, for example, when the schedule of the confirmed discount plan is different from what was intended (for example, when issuing the product label in FIG. 2(B), the normal price sales time is 1 hour, but it was not intended that the normal price sales time be 1 hour), the store clerk operates the change button.

[0084] Step S9: The label printing device 30 determines whether the OK button has been operated on the small screen SG01. If the OK button has been operated (Step S9: YES), the small screen SG01 is erased, and the process proceeds to Step S10. If the OK button has not been operated (Step S9: NO), the process returns to Step S8.

[0085] Step S10: The label printing device 30 refers to various files, prints and issues product labels. Subsequently, it proceeds to step S11.

[0086] (Details of step S10) Step S10 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 2(A) to 2(D), the label printing device 30 issues product labels printed with a barcode (reference numeral a in FIG. 2), a date mark (reference numeral c in FIG. 2), and a discount mark (reference numeral b in FIG. 2), in addition to the product name, processing date and time, expiration date, price excluding tax, and price including tax. The date mark is a mark indicating the date (including the day of the week) to which the sales expiration date of the product belongs.

[0087] (Barcode printed on the product label) FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the barcode. The label printing device 30 prints a barcode on the product label as shown in FIG. 13. The configuration of the barcode (barcoded information. Barcode information) is, for example, as follows. The 13 digits from the left (reference numeral a in FIG. 13) are the product code. The subsequent 1 digit (reference numeral b in FIG. 13) indicates whether a discount plan is executed. "0" indicates no execution, and "9" indicates execution. The subsequent 5 digits (reference numeral c in FIG. 13) are the plan code. It is "00000" when the discount plan is not executed. The subsequent 1 digit (reference numeral d in FIG. 13) indicates whether sales expiration date management is executed. "0" indicates no execution, and "1" indicates execution. The subsequent 7 digits (reference numeral e in FIG. 13) are the expiration date (YMMDDHH). For example, 23:00 on July 27, 2021 is "1072723", and 4:00 on July 28, 2021 is "1072804". The expiration date is referred to when performing sales expiration date management or a discount plan. The subsequent 1 digit (reference numeral f in FIG. 13) is the check digit.

[0088] (Product label in FIG. 2(A)) When selling the "Seasonal Nigiri Sushi (shelf life: 12 hours)" manufactured at 11:00 (before noon) on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 under the discount plan (Plan 1), the label printing device 30 prints and issues a product label as shown in Fig. 2(A). In the product label of Fig. 2(A), the 13-digit product code and 1-digit check digit of the barcode are shown as "X" (the same applies to the barcodes of the product labels in Figs. 2(B) to 2(D)).

[0089] On the product label shown in Fig. 2(A), as a discount mark, a mark combining the plan mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "A" (the "Chopsticks + A" mark in Plan 1 of Fig. 9(A)) is printed. That is, the plan mark for Plan 1 (plan code "00001") is "Chopsticks" (Fig. 8(B)), and for products with a shelf life of 12 hours manufactured at 11:00 (before noon), the sales management type mark for the sales management type (sales management type "01" as shown in Fig. 4) is "A" (Fig. 8(A)). Therefore, the label printing device 30 displays "Chopsticks + A" as the discount mark (reference symbol b in Fig. 2(A)).

[0090] On the product label shown in Fig. 2(A), as the date mark, "27th (Tuesday)" is printed. That is, since the sales deadline for this product is 21:00 today (Fig. 9(A)), the label printing device 30 displays "27th (Tuesday)" as the date mark (reference symbol c in Fig. 2(A)). As shown in Fig. 2(A), the date mark "27th (Tuesday)" is printed in an area different from the area (location) where the expiration date "21.7.27 11:00 PM" is printed. The same applies to other product labels as shown in Figs. 2(B) to 2(D).

[0091] Note that the schedule of the product related to the product label in Fig. 2(A) is as follows according to the Plan 1 column in Fig. 9(A). 11:00 - 18:00 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021: Regular price 18:00 - 19:00 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021: 15% off 19:00 - 21:00 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021: 20% off

[0092] (Product label in Fig. 2(B)) When selling "Meat Dumplings (shelf life: 12 hours)" manufactured at 16:00 (evening) on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday) under the discount plan (Plan 2), the label printing device 30 prints and issues a product label as shown in Fig. 2(B).

[0093] On the product label shown in Fig. 2(B), as a discount mark, a mark combining the plan mark "Spoon" and the sales management type mark "C" (the "Spoon + C" mark in Plan 2 of Fig. 9(C)) is printed. That is, the plan mark for Plan 2 (plan code "00002") is "Spoon" (Fig. 8(B)), and for products with a shelf life of 12 hours manufactured at 16:00 (evening), the sales management type mark for the sales management type (sales management type "03" as shown in Fig. 4) is "C" (Fig. 8(A)). Therefore, the label printing device 30 displays "Spoon + C" as the discount mark (reference sign b in Fig. 2(B)).

[0094] On the product label shown in Fig. 2(B), as the date mark, "27th (Tuesday)" is printed. That is, since the sales deadline for this product is 22:00 today (Fig. 9(C)), the label printing device 30 displays "27th (Tuesday)" as the date mark (reference sign c in Fig. 2(B)).

[0095] Note that according to the second column of Plan 2 in Fig. 9(C), the schedule of the product related to the product label in Fig. 2(B) is as follows. 16:00 - 17:00 on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday): Regular price 17:00 - 18:00 on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday): 5% off 18:00 - 19:00 on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday): 10% off 19:00 - 20:00 on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday): 15% off 21:00 - 22:00 on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday): 20% off

[0096] (Product label in Fig. 2(C)) When selling the "assorted salad (shelf life: 24 hours)" manufactured at 16:00 (evening) on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 under the discount plan (Plan 1), the label printing device 30 prints and issues a product label as shown in Fig. 2(C).

[0097] On the product label shown in Fig. 2(C), as a discount mark, a mark combining the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "D" (the "chopsticks + D" mark in Plan 1 of Fig. 9(D)) is printed. That is, the plan mark for Plan 1 (plan code "00001") is "chopsticks" (Fig. 8(B)), and for products with a shelf life of 24 hours manufactured at 16:00 (evening), the sales management type mark for the sales management type (sales management type "04" as shown in Fig. 4) is "D" (Fig. 8(A)). Therefore, the label printing device 30 displays "chopsticks + D" as the discount mark (reference sign b in Fig. 2(C)).

[0098] On the product label shown in Fig. 2(C), as a date mark, "28th (Wednesday)" is printed. That is, since the sales deadline for the product is 14:00 the next day (Fig. 9(D)), the label printing device 30 displays "28th (Wednesday)" as the date mark (reference sign c in Fig. 2(C)).

[0099] Note that according to the Plan 1 column in Fig. 9(D), the schedule of the product related to the product label in Fig. 2(C) is as follows. 16:00 - 22:00 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021: Regular price 10:00 - 11:00 on Wednesday, July 28, 2021: Regular price 11:00 - 12:00 on Wednesday, July 28, 2021: 15% off 12:00 - 14:00 on Wednesday, July 28, 2021: 20% off

[0100] (Product label in Fig. 2(D)) When selling the "assorted salad (shelf life: 24 hours)" manufactured at 11:00 (before noon) on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 under the discount plan (Plan 1), the label printing device 30 prints and issues a product label as shown in Fig. 2(D).

[0101] On the product label shown in FIG. 2(D), as a discount mark, a mark combining the planning mark "Chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "B" (the mark "Chopsticks + B" in Plan 1 of FIG. 9(B)) is printed. That is, the planning mark for Plan 1 (planning code "00001") is "Chopsticks" (FIG. 8(B)), and since the sales management type mark for products with a shelf life of 24 hours manufactured at 11:00 (before noon) is "B" (sales management type "02" as shown in FIG. 4) (FIG. 8(A)), the label printing device 30 displays "Chopsticks + B" as the discount mark (reference sign b in FIG. 2(D)).

[0102] On the product label shown in FIG. 2(D), as a date mark, "28th (Wed)" is printed. That is, since the sales deadline for the product is 22:00 today (FIG. 9(B)), the label printing device 30 displays "28th (Wed)" as the date mark (reference sign c in FIG. 2(D)).

[0103] Note that the schedule of the product related to the product label in FIG. 2(D) is as follows according to the first column of Plan 1 in FIG. 9(B). 11:00 - 19:00 on July 28, 2021 (Wed): Regular price 19:00 - 20:00 on July 28, 2021 (Wed): 15% off 20:00 - 22:00 on July 28, 2021 (Wed): 20% off

[0104] Return to the flowchart of FIG. 12. Step S11: The label printing device 30 stores information related to the issuance of the product label. And this flowchart ends.

[0105] (Details of Step S11) Step S11 will be described in detail. FIG. 14 is an example of a file used in the sales system 1. Specifically, FIG. 14(A) is an example of a product label issuance file related to the printed and issued product label. FIG. 14(B) is an example of a discount schedule file that stores the schedule of the discount plan registered for execution.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 14(A), the product label issuance file stores, in association with the barcode information of the barcode printed on the issued product label, the number of issued product labels (i.e., the number of sold products of the product), the date mark and discount mark (a combination of the date mark and discount mark) printed on the product label.

[0107] As shown in Fig. 14(B), the discount schedule file stores, in association with the date mark and discount mark, the schedule information regarding the discount of the product of the product label on which the date mark and discount mark are printed.

[0108] The label printing device 30 may perform processing as described in the following (1) and (2) as the processing of step S11, for example. (1) The label printing device 30 updates the product label issuance file. Specifically, when the barcode information of the barcode printed on the issued product label is not stored in the product label issuance file, the label printing device 30 stores, in association with the barcode information, the issue number "1", the date mark, and the discount mark in the product label issuance file. Note that when no discount plan is carried out, since there is no date mark and discount mark, they are not stored. On the other hand, when the barcode information of the barcode printed on the issued product label is already stored in the product label issuance file, the label printing device 30 increments the issue number corresponding to the barcode information in the product label issuance file. (2) The label printing device 30 updates the discount schedule file. Specifically, the label printing device 30 refers to the discount schedule file and, if the date mark and discount mark printed on the issued product label are not stored in the discount schedule file, stores the date mark, discount mark, and schedule information in the discount schedule file in association with each other. On the other hand, if the date mark and discount mark printed on the issued product label are already stored in the discount schedule file, the label printing device 30 does not update the discount schedule file.

[0109] In addition, in the above (1), if the product label issuance file is stored in the label printing device 30, the label printing device 30 updates the product label issuance file in its own device. On the other hand, if the product label issuance file is stored in another device (for example, the server 10), the label printing device 30 transmits information necessary for the other device to update the product label issuance file to the other device. The same applies to the discount schedule file in the above (2).

[0110] (Display example of the display device 60) When the product labels in FIGS. 2(A) to 2(C) are printed and issued on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday) (that is, when the product label in FIG. 2(A) is printed at 11:00 on the same day, and the product labels in FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C) are printed and issued at 16:00 on the same day), the display device 60 refers to the discount schedule file and displays (notifies) information regarding the discount plan as shown in FIG. 3. It is assumed that the corresponding products (the products for which the product labels in FIGS. 2(A) to 2(C) are printed and issued) are not out of stock.

[0111] FIG. 3(A) shows the display content at 17:30 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, for example. According to the discount schedule file shown in FIG. 14(B), at 17:30, the date mark "27th (Tuesday)" and the discount mark "Spoon + C" are subject to a 5% discount. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(A), the display device 60 displays "5% OFF at the cash register" corresponding to the date mark "27th (Tuesday)" and the discount mark "Spoon + C".

[0112] The aspect ratio of the display screen of the display device 60 shown in FIG. 3(A) is for convenience of explanation and is not limited to the aspect ratio shown in the figure. That is, it may be landscape as shown in the figure, portrait, or square. Also, the size of the display screen of the display device 60 (screen size) and the ratio of the display screen to the display information (the size of the display information relative to the display screen) are not particularly limited. The same applies to FIGS. 3(B) to 3(E). When installing a plurality of display devices 60 in the store, a plurality of display devices 60 with different aspect ratios and screen sizes may be installed.

[0113] FIG. 3(B) shows the display content at 18:30 on the same day, for example. That is, according to the discount schedule file shown in FIG. 14(B), at 18:30, the date mark "27th (Tuesday)" and the discount mark "Chopsticks + A" are subject to a 15% discount, and the date mark "27th (Tuesday)" and the discount mark "Spoon + C" are subject to a 10% discount. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the display device 60 displays "15% OFF at the cash register" corresponding to the date mark "27th (Tuesday)" and the discount mark "Chopsticks + A", and displays "5% OFF at the cash register" corresponding to the date mark "27th (Tuesday)" and the discount mark "Spoon + C".

[0114] Similarly, FIG. 3(C) shows the display content at 19:30 on the same day, for example. Also, FIG. 3(D) shows the display content at 20:30 on the same day, for example. Also, FIG. 3(E) shows the display content at 21:30 on the same day, for example.

[0115] Note that the display content (information regarding the discount plan) on the display device 60 described above is based on the product label issuance file (Fig. 14(A)) and the discount schedule file (Fig. 14(B)). However, the display device 60 itself may control the display content of its own device, or another device (for example, the server 10 or the transaction status management device 40) may control the display content of the display device 60. That is, the display device 60 may refer to the product label issuance file and the discount schedule file to control the display content, or another device may refer to the product label issuance file and the discount schedule file to control the display content of the display device 60.

[0116] In addition, when all the products with a certain "date mark and discount mark" are sold out, the display device 60 does not display the information regarding the "date mark and discount mark". When the products with the product label printed with the date mark "Tuesday, 27th" and the discount mark "Chopsticks + A" (in this example, it is seasonal nigiri sushi, but also includes products other than seasonal nigiri sushi) are sold out at the regular price (sold out before the discount by the discount plan is applied), the display device 60 does not display the discount information of the date mark "Tuesday, 27th" and the discount mark "Chopsticks + A". Also, when the corresponding products are sold out after the discount information of the date mark "Tuesday, 27th" and the discount mark "Chopsticks + A" is displayed, the display device 60 deletes the discount information of the date mark "Tuesday, 27th" and the discount mark "Chopsticks + A". Note that this control may also be performed by the display device 60 itself or by another device.

[0117] Also, although it was explained that the corresponding products (the products with the product labels printed and issued in Figs. 2(A) to 2(C)) are assumed not to be sold out, in actuality, they may be sold out (due to the time lag from putting the product in the shopping cart until settlement). Therefore, the display device 60 may notify of the possibility of being sold out. For example, a message such as "There may be no products with the corresponding label" may be displayed.

[0118] (Display example of the registration settlement device 50) Figure 15 shows a display example of the registration and settlement device 50. When the product labels in FIGS. 2(A) to 2(C) are printed and issued on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 (that is, when the product label in FIG. 2(A) is printed at 11:00 on the same day, and the product labels in FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C) are printed and issued at 16:00 on the same day), the registration and settlement device 50 refers to the product label issuance file and the discount schedule file, and registers the products as shown in FIG. 15.

[0119] For example, when the registration and settlement device 50 reads the barcode "XXXXXXXXXXXXX90000111072723X" printed on the product label in FIG. 2(A) at 18:30 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, as shown in FIG. 15, the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) on the product label in FIG. 2(A) is registered at a 15% discount. That is, the registration and settlement device 50 refers to the product label issuance file, and obtains the date mark "27th (Tuesday)" and the discount mark "Chopsticks + A" as the date mark / discount mark corresponding to the read barcode "XXXXXXXXXXXXX90000111072723X" (FIG. 14(A)). Subsequently, the registration and settlement device 50 refers to the schedule information, obtains the discount rate "15%" corresponding to the current time "18:30 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021" from the schedule information of the date mark "27th (Tuesday)" and the discount mark "Chopsticks + A" (FIG. 14(B)), and registers the product at a 15% discount.

[0120] (Mobile terminal 70) First, the process of product registration by the mobile terminal 70 will be briefly described. Although it has been described that the server 10 may be composed of multiple servers, it is assumed that the server 10 mainly includes a head office server 10A that communicates with the store controller 20, and a cloud server 10B that supports product registration by the mobile terminal 70. The cloud server 10B has a transaction information file (also referred to as a cart file) that stores the registration information by each mobile terminal 70.

[0121] When the mobile terminal 70 reads a barcode attached to a product (including the barcode of the product label printed and issued by the label printing device 30), it transmits the barcode information to the cloud server 10B.

[0122] The cloud server 10B that has received the barcode information from the mobile terminal 70 identifies the product by referring to the product master (Fig. 5). Also, the cloud server 10B that has received the barcode information from the mobile terminal 70 determines whether the product is a target product for the discount plan by referring to the product label issuance file (Fig. 14(A)). For example, if a date mark / discount mark is stored in association with the barcode information, the cloud server 10B determines that the product is a target product for the discount plan. If the cloud server 10B determines that the product is a target product for the discount plan, it refers to the discount schedule file (Fig. 14(B)) to determine whether a discount is currently being applied, and if it determines that a discount is currently being applied, it obtains the discount rate.

[0123] If the cloud server 10B determines that the product identified from the barcode information is not a target product for the discount plan, or if it determines that the product identified from the barcode information is a target product for the discount plan but no discount is currently being applied, it adds the product information (product name, price, etc.) of the product to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 and transmits the product information to the mobile terminal 70.

[0124] If the cloud server 10B determines that the product identified from the barcode information is a target product for the discount plan and a discount is currently being applied, it adds the product information and the discount rate of the product to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 and transmits the product information and the discount rate to the mobile terminal 70.

[0125] If a discount is applied to a target product for the discount plan for which no discount was applied at the time of receiving the barcode information (when registering the product information in the cart file) before the settlement process is completed, the cloud server 10B adds the discount rate of the product to the cart file and transmits the discount rate of the product to the mobile terminal 70.

[0126] If the discount rate changes while the settlement process for a discounted product in a discount promotion is not yet complete, the cloud server 10B updates the discount rate of the product stored in the cart file to the new discount rate and transmits the new discount rate of the product to the mobile terminal 70.

[0127] The process until the completion of the settlement is as follows. Based on a predetermined operation (button BT604 to proceed to checkout in FIG. 16), the mobile terminal 70 displays a two-dimensional code for settlement (a two-dimensional code encoding information that can identify the cart file of the mobile terminal 70. For example, a two-dimensional code encoding a URI that can identify the location of the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 in the cloud server 10B). The customer causes the registration settlement device 50 to read the two-dimensional code for settlement displayed on the mobile terminal 70. That is, the registration settlement device 50 reads the two-dimensional code for settlement displayed on the mobile terminal 70. The registration settlement device 50 that has read the two-dimensional code for settlement uses the information that can identify the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 to acquire the information in the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 from the cloud server 10B and displays it on a product list screen (not shown). After the customer transitions from the product list screen (not shown) to a settlement screen (not shown), the customer executes the settlement in a desired settlement mode (cash, card, etc.). The registration settlement device 50 transmits settlement completion information (settlement completion information) to the cloud server 10B. The number of sales per product can be grasped from the settlement completion information. Therefore, although related to the above-mentioned out-of-stock situation, in the case of purchased products, the inventory quantity (the number of products before display + the number of products on display + the number of products before settlement in the shopping basket) is grasped by subtracting the number of sales from the number of purchased products. Similarly, for products with product labels issued by the label printing device 30, the inventory quantity (in the case of immediately displaying after label issuance, the number of products on display + the number of products before settlement in the shopping basket) is grasped by subtracting the number of sales from the number of issued sheets in the product label issuance file. The same applies when registering products in the registration settlement device 50. That is, in the sales system 1, it is possible to determine whether a product is out of stock by calculating from the production quantity (number of label issuances) of the product and the number of times passed through the cash register (the judging entity may be the server 10, the store controller 20, the label printing device 30, the transaction status management device 40, the registration device 50, or the display device 60). Note that, separately from the registration settlement device 50, a device (referred to as the settlement device 51) for settling the products registered by the mobile terminal 70 may be provided.

[0128] (Example of display on the mobile terminal 70) FIG. 16 shows a display example of the mobile terminal 70. When the product labels in FIGS. 2(A) to 2(C) are printed and issued on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday) (that is, when the product label in FIG. 2(A) is printed at 11:00 on the same day, and the product labels in FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C) are printed and issued at 16:00 on the same day), the mobile device 70 registers the product as shown in FIG. 16.

[0129] For example, when the mobile terminal 70 reads the barcode "XXXXXXXXXXXXX90000111072723X" printed on the product label in FIG. 2(A) at 17:57 on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday), as shown in FIG. 16(A), the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) on the product label in FIG. 2(A) is registered at the regular price. That is, at 17:57 on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday), the cloud server 10B that receives the barcode information from the mobile terminal 70 refers to the product label issuance file (FIG. 14(A)) and determines that it is a target product for the discount plan, and refers to the discount schedule file (FIG. 14(B)). However, it is determined that no discount is being applied at the current time "17:57 on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday)". Therefore, the cloud server 10B adds the product information (product name, price, etc.) of the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 and transmits the product information to the mobile terminal 70. As a result, the mobile terminal 70 registers the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) on the product label in FIG. 2(A) at the regular price, as shown in FIG. 16(A).

[0130] Three minutes after the scene shown in Fig. 16(A), at 18:00 on the same day, as shown in Fig. 16(B), the mobile terminal 70 displays (re-registers) the registered product (seasonal nigiri sushi) with a 15% discount. That is, at 18:00 on the same day, since the product is subject to a 15% discount, the cloud server 10B adds the discount rate of the product to the cart file and transmits the discount rate of the product to the mobile terminal 70. As a result, as shown in Fig. 16(B), the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) on the product label in Fig. 2(A) is displayed with a 15% discount on the mobile terminal 70. In the example shown in Fig. 16(B), the mobile terminal 70 displays a message MS01 indicating that the product is discounted for the products subject to the discount plan. Note that the mobile terminal 70 may erase the message MS01 (similarly for the message MS02) based on a predetermined operation (for example, touching the area of the balloon part where the message is displayed), or may erase the message MS01 (similarly for the message MS02) based on the elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) from the start of display regardless of the operation. Further, the mobile terminal 70 may display a message MS02 (not shown) indicating that the discount rate has changed for the products subject to the discount plan even when the discount rate changes.

[0131] If there is a product that is the same as the product for which the barcode has been read and is more advantageous than the product for which the barcode has been read (the product has a lower selling price than the product for which the barcode has been read because the expiration date (or sales expiration date) is closer), the registration of the product for which the barcode has been read is temporarily suspended, and the customer is notified of the existence of the more advantageous product (or the purchase of the more advantageous product may be recommended).

[0132] As a specific example, it is assumed that the product label in Fig. 2(C) was printed and issued on July 27, 2021 (Tuesday), and the product label in Fig. 2(D) was printed and issued on July 28, 2021 (Wednesday). That is, at 16:00 on July 27 (Tuesday), the product label of the mixed salad (the product label in Fig. 2(C)) was printed and issued, and at 11:00 on the next day, July 28 (Wednesday), the product label of the mixed salad (the product label in Fig. 2(D)) was printed and issued.

[0133] For example, when the mobile terminal 70 reads the barcode printed on the product label in Fig. 2(D) at 13:00 on July 28 (Wednesday), it displays the small screen SG02 as shown in Fig. 16(C).

[0134] That is, the mobile terminal 70 transmits the barcode information of the product (the mixed salad manufactured at 11:00 on July 28 (Wednesday)) on the product label in Fig. 2(D) to the cloud server 10B. The cloud server 10B refers to the product label issuance file and the discount schedule file, and determines whether there is a remaining product of the same product (mixed salad) as the product read by the mobile terminal 70 (the mixed salad manufactured at 11:00 on July 28 (Tuesday)) and with a lower selling price than the product read by the mobile terminal 70. When the cloud server 10B determines that there is a remaining product of the same product as the product read by the mobile terminal 70 and with a lower selling price than the product read by the mobile terminal 70 (that is, when it is determined that the mixed salad manufactured at 16:00 on July 27 (Tuesday) is currently (13:00 on July 28 (Wednesday)) sold at a 20% discount), the cloud server 10B notifies the mobile terminal 70 of the date mark, discount mark, and discount rate printed on the product label (the product label in Fig. 2(C)) of the product (the mixed salad manufactured at 16:00 on July 27 (Tuesday)). The mobile terminal 70 that receives the notification displays the small screen SG02 as shown in Fig. 16(C).

[0135] When the purchase button BT605 is operated as it is on the mobile terminal 70, the small screen SG02 is erased and the read product is registered. For example, the mobile terminal 70 notifies the cloud server 10B that it intends to register the product, and the cloud server 10B adds the product information of the product to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 and transmits the product information to the mobile terminal 70. On the other hand, when the product change button BT606 is operated on the mobile terminal 70, the small screen SG02 is erased and the reading of the product is canceled. For example, the mobile terminal 70 notifies the cloud server 10B that it does not intend to register the product, and the cloud server 10B discards the product information of the product (does not add it to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70).

[0136] Figure 17 shows a display example of the mobile terminal 70. As shown in Fig. 17(A), when the mobile terminal 70 captures images of the three products (pork steak, fried shrimp, and meatball) on the display stand, as shown in Fig. 17(B), information about each product may be displayed using AR (Augmented Reality) technology. It is assumed that there is no discount plan set for the pork steak and fried shrimp, but there is a discount plan set for the meatball. Specifically, it is assumed that the product label shown in Fig. 2(B) is attached to the meatball. The product with the product label shown in Fig. 2(B) is subject to a 20% discount from 21:00 to 22:00 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 (Fig. 14(B)). The current time is, for example, 21:30 on the same day, and it is assumed that the 20% discount has been applied.

[0137] In the example shown in Fig. 17(B), the mobile terminal 70 AR-displays the product name and the regular price for each product (reference signs a to c). Further, for the meatball, which is a product targeted by the discount plan and actually has a 20% discount, the mobile terminal 70 AR-displays the details of the discount ("Currently 20% off the display price") (reference sign d) and AR-displays information to attract attention to the discount (an image showing "Great deal!!" inside a star-shaped polygon) (reference sign e). The display content of the AR display only needs to be stored at a position accessible by the mobile terminal 70. The example shown in Fig. 17 is for the case of capturing images of multiple products, but the same applies to the case of a single product.

[0138] Note that an AR marker corresponding to each product may be printed on the product label of each product (or a label printed with an AR marker may be attached separately from the product label), and the mobile terminal 70 may execute AR display (reference signs a to e) based on the read AR marker. Further, regarding the AR display related to the discount (reference signs d and e), the "date mark and discount mark" may be the AR marker. Also, since it is possible to identify the product from the barcode printed on the product label and also to identify the presence or absence and content of the "date mark and discount mark" (reference sign a in FIG. 13, FIG. 14), the mobile terminal 70 may recognize the barcode (that is, function the barcode as an AR marker) and perform AR display.

[0139] The mobile terminal 70 may determine whether to execute AR display according to the imaging distance. For example, when the distance from the product is within a predetermined distance (for example, when the size of the imaged barcode is equal to or greater than a predetermined size), the product may be registered, and when the distance from the product is less than the predetermined distance (for example, when the size of the imaged barcode is less than the predetermined size), AR display may be performed for the product as shown in FIG. 17. Further, the mobile terminal 70 may, instead of or in addition to the above, determine whether to execute AR display according to settings (for example, setting information based on a customer's setting operation in the mobile terminal 70. The setting information may be stored in the mobile terminal 70 or in another device such as the cloud server 10B).

[0140] Note that in FIG. 17(B), regions (speech bubble regions, star-shaped polygon regions) serving as backgrounds such as characters are displayed in the through-image, and characters and the like are displayed within the background, but characters and the like may be directly displayed in the through-image. When directly displaying characters and the like in the through-image, characters and the like in a color different from the color of the through-image or characters and the like outlined in a color different from the color of the through-image may be displayed. Also, the AR display may be something that moves (scroll text, animation, etc.).

[0141] As described above, the embodiments have been explained. According to the embodiments, discounts can be realized more preferably.

[0142] (Modification example, etc.) The above describes the embodiments. However, the configuration of the device, the configuration of the data, the processing flow, the display and output modes, etc. can be appropriately changed as shown in, for example, the following (1), (2),.... Further, the following (1), (2),... may be appropriately combined with each other.

[0143] (1) In the above embodiment, the expiration date is used, but the best-before date may be used instead of or in addition to the expiration date.

[0144] (2) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which when the label printing device 30 executes a discount plan (when the presence / absence column of the discount plan area is "yes"), it notifies about the discount plan (displays the small screen SG01) after receiving the operation of the print button BT14. However, instead of or in addition to after receiving the operation of the print button BT14, the discount plan may be notified before receiving the operation of the print button BT14 (for example, when the plan code is entered in the plan code column of the discount plan area).

[0145] (3) In the above embodiment, the date mark was described as a mark indicating the date (including the day of the week) to which the expiration date of the product belongs. However, the date mark may be a mark indicating the date (including the day of the week) to which the consumption expiration date of the product belongs. Also, the day of the week may not be included in the date mark. Also, the month may be included in the date mark.

[0146] (4) In the above embodiment, an example in which a mark combining a planning mark (showing a plan (plan code), see Fig. 8(B)) and a sales management type mark (showing a sales management type, see Fig. 8(A)) is used as a discount mark was described. For example, in the above embodiment, "chopsticks" indicating Plan 1 (plan code "00001") and "A" indicating sales management type 01 are combined to form a discount mark "chopsticks + A". In the above embodiment, "spoon" indicating Plan 2 (plan code "00002") and "C" indicating sales management type 03 are combined to form a discount mark "spoon + C". Alternatively, a mark indicating the combination of a plan code and a sales management type may be used as the discount mark. For example, "tulip" may be used as the discount mark indicating the combination of Plan 1 (plan code "00001") and sales management type 01, and "morning glory" may be used as the discount mark indicating the combination of Plan 2 (plan code "00002") and sales management type 03. That is, a single mark replacing the planning mark and the sales management type mark may be used as the discount mark. When a mark combining a planning mark (showing a plan (plan code)) and a sales management type mark (showing a sales management type) is used as the discount mark, a store clerk can relatively easily recognize the plan and the sales management type from the discount mark. On the other hand, when a mark indicating the combination of a plan code and a sales management type is used as the discount mark, since information is aggregated and simplified, the appearance of the product label and the notification on the display device 60 is improved.

[0147] (5) In the above embodiment, an example in which the date mark and the discount mark are arranged and output (printed, displayed) was described. However, similar to the above (4), a single mark replacing the date mark and the discount mark may be displayed.

[0148] (6) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a plurality of ongoing discount plans are distinguished by various marks (plan marks, sales management type marks, discount marks, date marks) has been described. However, instead of or in addition to the marks, they may be distinguished by patterns (overall or partial background patterns) or decorations (for example, display modes such as frames and lines). That is, in the above-described embodiment, the discount information specified by the mark is notified using the mark. However, the discount information specified by the mark and the other element may be notified using the mark and other elements (frames, lines, etc.), or the discount information specified by the other element may be notified using only the other element.

[0149] (7) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the discount information is notified in the display device 60 has been described. However, the device for notifying the discount information is not limited to the display device 60. For example, instead of or in addition to the display device 60, the discount information may be notified in one or more of the transaction status management device 40, the registration device 52 (described later), the registration settlement device 54 (described later), the registration settlement device 55 (described later), a smartphone or a tablet terminal used by a store clerk. Further, the discount information may be notified in the mobile terminal 70 used by the customer. For example, the mobile terminal 70 may notify the discount information based on a predetermined operation. As an example, a discount information display button may be provided on the menu screen or the registration screen of the mobile terminal 70, and when the discount information button is operated, the same discount information as that displayed on the display device 60 may be displayed. Further, the discount information may be displayed on the electronic shelf label of each product. For example, the electronic shelf label may display the normal selling price and the discount information on the same screen, or may display the normal price and the discount information alternately.

[0150] (8) In the above embodiment, the display device 60 has been described as an example of notifying the current discount rate as discount information. However, in addition to the current discount rate, the display device 60 may also notify the past discount rate as discount information. That is, the display device 60 may notify the state (transition) of the price decrease. Note that the display device 60 may notify the past discount rate in such a manner that it is understood that it is the past discount rate. For example, the display device 60 may display the past discount rate in a size smaller than the display of the current discount rate, may display the past discount rate in a grayed-out manner, or may display the past discount rate with a strikethrough such as a double line. The same applies to devices other than the display device 60 (for example, the transaction status management device 40 shown in the above (7), the registration device 52, the registration settlement device 54, the registration settlement device 55, a smartphone used by a store clerk, etc., the portable terminal 70, the electronic shelf label).

[0151] (9) In the above embodiment, the display device 60 has been described as an example of notifying the current discount rate as discount information. However, the display device 60 may also notify the future discount rate as discount information. Similar to the above (8), the same applies to devices other than the display device 60.

[0152] (10) In the above embodiment, an example of notifying the discount rate for each of the "date mark and discount mark" has been described. However, the product (product name) corresponding to the "date mark and discount mark" may be displayed. For example, the product (product name) may be displayed based on a predetermined operation. As shown in FIG. 3(B), when a plurality of "date marks and discount marks" are displayed, the product with the product label printed with the designated "date mark and discount mark" may be displayed (listed) based on an operation of designating one of the "date marks and discount marks", or simply, based on a predetermined operation, the products with the product labels printed with the respective "date marks and discount marks" may be displayed (listed) for each of the "date marks and discount marks".

[0153] (11) In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that a plurality of display devices 60 may be installed, but information corresponding to the installation position (for example, a fruit and vegetable section, a fresh fish section, a meat section, a bento and prepared food section, etc.) may be displayed. That is, the display content may be varied according to the display position of the product. Specifically, the display position information (or section information) for each product is managed, and when a discount is applied to a certain product due to a discount plan, the discount information may be displayed on the display device 60 in the vicinity of the product (or the display device 60 within a predetermined distance from the position of the product). Similarly, for the electronic shelf label, information corresponding to the installation position may be displayed.

[0154] (12) In the above-described embodiment, as a plan that can respond flexibly by observing the sales situation of the products after display, the plan 5 in which all the discount rates for each time are undetermined has been described, but the method of responding flexibly by observing the sales situation etc. is not limited to this.

[0155] For example, instead of or in addition to the plan (plan 5) in which all the discount rates for each time zone are undetermined, a plan may be prepared in which the discount rate for a part of the time zone (for example, the time zone with more remaining time until the sales deadline) is specifically set, and the discount rate for another part of the time zone (for example, the time zone with less remaining time until the sales deadline. That is, the final stage time zone) is undetermined.

[0156] Also, for example, for a plan in which the discount rate for each time zone is specifically set (for example, plan 1 to plan 4), the time and the discount rate may be made changeable. For example, in the case of plan 3, as shown in FIG. 7, the discount rate becomes 50% at the timing 2 hours before the sales deadline, but if the sales before that timing are good, the time when the discount rate is changed from 30% to 50% may be changed from the timing 2 hours before the sales deadline to the timing 1 hour before the sales deadline (the start time of applying the 50% discount rate may be delayed by 1 hour), or the discount rate applied at the timing 2 hours before the sales deadline may be changed from 50% to 30% (the 30% discount rate may be maintained until the sales deadline).

[0157] In the sales system 1, it was explained that it is possible to determine whether a product has sold out based on the number of products manufactured (the number of labels issued) and the number of products that have passed through the cash register. Similarly, it is also possible to determine the sales status of the product. Therefore, the transaction status management device 40 (server 10, low controller 20, label printing device 30, display device 60, registration settlement device 50, etc.) may determine an undetermined discount rate such as plan 5, etc., or change the time or discount rate for a plan in which the discount rate for each time zone is specifically set, based on the sales status of the product for each time. As a result, for example, for products with good sales, it is possible to automatically delay the price reduction or not to reduce the price.

[0158] (13) In the above embodiment, an example in which the mobile terminal 70 performs AR display based on the product label has been described, but it may also read the electronic shelf label and perform AR display.

[0159] (14) In the above embodiment, a discount plan in which the degree of price reduction is indicated by a percentage (for example, a 10% reduction from the normal price, etc.) has been described. However, instead of or in addition to the discount plan in which the degree of price reduction is indicated by a percentage, a discount plan in which the degree of price reduction is indicated by the amount of price reduction (for example, a 30 yen reduction, etc.) may be used.

[0160] (15) In the above embodiment, a discount plan in which the target product (a product with a short time until the expiration date of sales, etc.) is sold at a special sale price as a privilege for customers who purchase the target product has been described. However, the privilege for customers who purchase the target product is not limited to selling at a special sale price. For example, instead of or in addition to selling the target product at a special sale price, special points that are granted on the condition of purchasing the target product may be granted, or special coupons that are issued on the condition of purchasing the target product may be issued.

[0161] (16) In the above-described embodiment, it was explained that the business hours of the store are from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (12 hours), but the business hours of the store are not limited to the above (it may be open 24 hours a day). In the above-described embodiment, an example of manufacturing products at 11:00 (before noon) and 16:00 (evening) was explained, but the number of times of manufacturing products in a day and the manufacturing time are not limited to the above. In the above-described embodiment, an example of manufacturing products with a shelf life of 12 hours or 24 hours was explained, but the length of the shelf life of the products to be manufactured is not limited to the above (it may not be two types). In the above-described embodiment, an example of setting the schedule of the discount plan in units of 1 hour was explained, but it may be in units of 1 minute.

[0162] (17) In the above-described embodiment, the selling deadline was explained as depending on the manufacturing time and the length of the shelf life for each product (Figs. 4, 5, and 6), but the closing time of the store on the manufacturing day may be used as the selling deadline regardless of the manufacturing time and the type of product. That is, if there is no problem in terms of the shelf life when any product manufactured at any time is sold until the closing time of the store on the manufacturing day (even if the product with the shortest shelf life manufactured at the opening time is sold at the closing time and there is still a certain amount of time until the shelf life), the closing time of the store on the manufacturing day may be set as the selling deadline for the products sold out on the same day.

[0163] (18) In the above-described embodiment, the registration settlement device 50 and the settlement device 51 were explained as the POS registers installed in the store in the sales system 1, but other types of POS registers may be installed. For example, instead of or in addition to the registration settlement device 50 and the settlement device 51, one or more of a device for a store clerk to register products (registration device 52), a device for settling the products registered by the store clerk (products registered by the registration device 52) (settlement device 53), and a device for a store clerk to register and settle products (registration settlement device 54) may be installed. A device (registration settlement device 55) having a plurality of operation modes (operation modes of operating as the registration settlement device 50, operation modes of operating as the registration device 52, operation modes of operating as the settlement device 53, etc.) and operating in a single switchable operation mode may be installed.

[0164] (19) In the above embodiment, an example where a customer registers a product using the mobile terminal 70 at the display location has been described. However, any mobile (portable) device capable of registering a product at the product display location may be used instead of the mobile terminal 70. For example, a tablet terminal (owned by an individual customer (or a corporation), or a tablet terminal lent by the store side) or a shopping cart equipped with a display unit (or a display device detachable from the shopping cart) may be used to register the product. The above shopping cart may be equipped with an electronic tag recognition unit for recognizing the information of the electronic tag. The above shopping cart may be equipped with a power storage unit for storing the power supplied to the display unit and a charging unit for charging the power storage unit.

[0165] (20) Some or all of the functions (input / output, storage, processing (including judgment)) of the label printing device 30 in the above embodiment may be realized in another device different from the device described as the execution subject of the function. For example, as the processing of the label printing device 30, at least a part of the processing described with reference to FIG. 12(A) may be executed by the store controller 20 or the server 10 instead of the label printing device 30. In relation to the above, the label printing device 30 may function as a so-called thin client specialized for an interface for input / output including sensor input. The same applies to the registration settlement device 50, the settlement device 51, the registration device 52, the settlement device 53, the registration settlement device 54, the registration settlement device 55, and the display device 60.

[0166] <Summary of the Embodiment> [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a label issuing device. [Background Art] A technique for printing information related to price discounts on product labels is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-185731 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, there is room for improvement regarding price cuts. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for more suitably realizing price cuts. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0167] (1) In order to solve the above-described problems, one aspect of the present invention is a label issuing device (for example, label printing device 30) that issues a product label, the receiving means (for example, a display unit capable of receiving a touch operation) for receiving information regarding the product for which the product label is to be issued, and at least a product name of the product, a selling price of the product, and an expiration date or best-before date of the product. An issuing means (for example, a printing unit) for issuing a product label (for example, see FIG. 2) including the above, the receiving means being capable of receiving information regarding a price cut (for example, see FIG. 11), and the issuing means being configured such that when information regarding a price cut is received by the receiving means, in a region different from the region for printing the expiration date or best-before date of the product, the selling expiration date of the product (for example, "27 (Tue)" at reference sign c in FIG. 2(A), "28 (Wed)" at reference sign c in FIG. 2(C), etc.) and price cut notification information for notifying that a price cut is being made (for example, "Chopsticks + A" at reference sign b in FIG. 2(A), "Spoon + C" at reference sign b in FIG. 2(B), etc.) are printed on the product label (for example, see FIG. 2). A label issuing device characterized by issuing a product label printed with the above. (1) According to the configuration of (1), price cuts can be realized more suitably. For example, by printing the selling expiration date and price cut notification information on the product label, the burden on the store staff can be reduced.

[0168] (2) The issuing means issues a product label printed with the price cut notification information corresponding to the time zone when the product label is issued (for example, "A" in "Chopsticks + A" and "C" in "Spoon + C" are related to the time zone when the product label is issued (FIGS. 4, 8(A))). The label issuing device according to (1), characterized in that. (2) According to the configuration of (2), price cuts can be realized more suitably. For example, a product label printed with appropriate price cut notification information can be automatically issued.

[0169] (3) The issuing means issues a product label printed with the discount notice information corresponding to the expiration date of consumption or the expiration date of palatability (for example, "A" in "Chopsticks + A" and "C" in "Spoon + C" are related to the expiration date of consumption (Figs. 4 and 8(A))), which is the label issuing device according to (1) or (2). (3) According to the configuration of (3), a discount can be realized more preferably. For example, a product label printed with appropriate discount notice information can be automatically issued.

[0170] (4) The issuing means issues a product label printed with the discount notice information corresponding to the content of the discount (for example, the planning code) (for example, "Chopsticks" in "Chopsticks + A" and "Spoon" in "Spoon + C" are related to the planning code (Fig. 8(B))), which is the label issuing device according to any one of (1) to (3). (4) According to the configuration of (4), a discount can be realized more preferably. For example, a product label printed with appropriate discount notice information can be automatically issued.

[0171] (5) The discount notice information is a discount notice image for notifying that a discount is made, which is the label issuing device according to any one of (1) to (4). (5) According to the configuration of (5), a discount can be realized more preferably. For example, it becomes easier to intuitively grasp the discount.

[0172] (6) The sales expiration date is a term based on the expiration date of consumption or the expiration date of palatability and the business hours, which is the label issuing device according to any one of (1) to (5). (6) According to the configuration of (6), a discount can be realized more preferably. For example, a discount based on a reasonable sales expiration date can be executed.

[0173] Note that a program for realizing the functions of each of the devices (server 10, store controller 20, label printing device 30, transaction status management device 40, registration settlement device 50, settlement device 51, etc.) described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of each of the above devices. Here, "reading the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program in the computer system. The "computer system" as used herein shall include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, or dedicated line. Also, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, ROM, CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the recording medium includes an internal or external recording medium provided to be accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a form executable by the terminal device. That is, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form executable by the terminal device, the form stored in the distribution server does not matter. Note that the program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined on the terminal device, or the distribution servers for distributing each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" shall also include a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network and holds the program for a certain period of time. Also, the above program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above.Furthermore, it may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system for the above-described functions.

Description of Signs

[0174] 1…Sales system 10…Server 20…Store controller 30…Label printing device 40…Transaction status management device 50…Registration settlement device 60…Display device 70…Mobile terminal

Claims

1. A label issuing device that issues product labels based on the operations of a store clerk, comprising: a receiving means for receiving the operations of the store clerk; Based on the operation of the store clerk for issuing a product label of one product received by the receiving means, at least the product name of the product, the selling price of the product, and the expiration date or best-before date of the product are printed, and in an area different from the area for printing the expiration date or best-before date of the product, the selling expiration date of the product and discount notification information for notifying that a discount is being made are printed, and an issuing means for issuing a product label; and the issuing means issues a product label printed with the discount notification information corresponding to the time zone when the product label is issued. A label issuing device characterized by the above.

2. The discount notification information is a mark. The label issuing device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. A system including a label issuing device that issues product labels based on the operations of a store clerk, wherein the label issuing device comprises a receiving means for receiving the operations of the store clerk; Based on the operation of the store clerk for issuing a product label of one product received by the receiving means, at least the product name of the product, the selling price of the product, and the expiration date or best-before date of the product are printed, and in an area different from the area for printing the expiration date or best-before date of the product, the selling expiration date of the product and discount notification information for notifying that a discount is being made are printed, and an issuing means for issuing a product label; and the issuing means issues a product label printed with the discount notification information corresponding to the time zone when the product label is issued. A system characterized by the above.

4. including a display device, wherein the display device is capable of displaying the discount notification information. The system according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. A program for causing a computer to function as a label issuing device that issues product labels based on the operations of a store clerk, wherein the computer is caused to function as a receiving means for receiving the operations of the store clerk, Based on the operation of the store clerk for issuing a product label of one product received by the receiving means, at least the product name of the product, the selling price of the product, and the expiration date or best-before date of the product are printed, and in an area different from the area for printing the expiration date or best-before date of the product, the selling expiration date of the product and discount notification information for notifying that a discount is being made are printed, and an issuing means for issuing a product label and the issuing means Issue a product label printed with the discount information according to the time zone when the product label is issued. A program characterized by the above.

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