Method and system for controlling messages printed by an in store label printer and related label structure

• US 7,026,556 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valassis In-Store Solutions, Inc. (MX Holdings One LLC)
• Original Assignee: Premark FEG LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Schuller, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W.
• Application Number:
  US09/663,285
• Time in Patent Office: 2,034 Days
• Field of Search: 177/2, 177/3, 177/4, 177/5, 177/6, 177/7, 177/8, 177/9, 177/10, 177/11, 177/12, 177/13, 177/25.15, 177/25.19, 705/414, 705/415, 705/416, 705/14
• US Class Current: 177/25.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/14 Layer or component removable to expose adhesive

Abstract

A method for selectively printing different messages on labels printed by an in-store scale involves providing an in-store scale including a label printing mechanism with a supply of labels and a communications link for receiving information from a site external to the store. The scale label printing mechanism is configured in a first state and, during the first state, simultaneous printing of two types of information on a first label takes place. In particular, both (i) product information for a specified product to which the first label will be applied and (ii) a first message pertaining to a product which is different than the specified product to which the first label will be applied, are printed on the first label. The in-store scale receives a message control signal via the communications link which configures the scale label printing mechanism in a second state. During the second state, simultaneous printing of two types of information on a second label takes place. In particular, both (i) product information for a specified product to which the second label will be applied and (ii) a second message, different than the first message, and also pertaining to a product which is different than the specified product to which the second label will be applied, are printed on the second label.

Claims

1. A method for selectively printing different messages on labels printed by an in-store scale system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an in-store scale system including a label printing mechanism with a supply of labels, and a communications link for receiving information from a site external to the store;

(b) configuring the scale system label printing mechanism in a first state;

(c) during the first state, for each label output by the scale system label printing mechanism, printing both;

(i) at least one of product name and price information for a product to which the label will be applied, and

(ii) a first message pertaining to a predetermined product which is different than the product to which the label will be applied,

(d) receiving, by the scale system, a message control signal via the communications link which configures the scale system label printing mechanism in a second state; and

(e) during the second state, for each label output by the scale system label printing mechanism, printing both;

(i) at least one of product name and price information for a product to which the label will be applied, and

(ii) a second message, different than the first message, and also pertaining to the predetermined product which is different than the product to which the label will be applied.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes providing at least one of a pre-printed name and design element of the predetermined product on each label.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes providing a pre-printed scannable coupon bar code on each label, and in steps (c)(ii) and (e)(ii) the first and second messages each comprise at least respective coupon discount amounts for the predetermined product.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the pre-printed coupon bar code is associated with a stored discount amount in at least one of an in-store point-of-sale system and a store computer system, the method comprising the further step of:

(f) adjusting the stored discount amount associated with the pre-printed coupon bar code to correspond to the coupon discount amount printed in step (e)(ii).

5. The method of claim 3 wherein in steps (c)(ii) and (e)(ii) the first and second messages each further comprise coupon validity information.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the pre-printed coupon bar code is associated with a stored discount amount in at least one of an in-store point-of-sale system and a store computer system, the method comprising the further step of:

(f) adjusting the stored discount amount associated with the pre-printed coupon bar code at a time which corresponds to expiration of the first coupon message and beginning of a validity period of the second coupon message.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein the pre-printed coupon bar code is provided on a rear surface portion of the labels, and the first and second messages are printed on an opposed front surface of the labels.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes providing a stored table of message options in memory of the scale system, each message option having an associated respective message indicator, and in step (d) the message control signal received via the communications link comprises at least one message indicator associated with one of the message options stored in memory of the scale system.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes providing the first message at a storage location in memory of the scale system, and in step (d) the message control signal received via the communications link comprises at least the second message, the method including storing the received second message in memory of the scale system.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (d) the message control signal received via the communications link is sent by one of a manufacturer of the predetermined product, distributor of the predetermined product or advertiser of the predetermined product.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein step (a) includes providing a stored table of predetermined message options in memory of the scale system, the table associating a particular message indicator with each message option, and in step (d) the message control signal received via the communications link comprises at least one message indicator associated with one of the message options stored in memory of the scale system.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein subsequent to steps (c) and (e) the printed labels are applied to product packages.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) occurs subsequent to step (c).

14. An in-store label printing arrangement adapted for printing coupon information on labels to be applied to packages, comprising:

an in-store scale system including a print head and a supply of labels movable along a label path past the print head for having indicia printed on front surfaces thereof the labels each including a coupon bar code on its rear surface, a controller operatively connected for controlling the print head, memory having a table of message options stored therein, each message option having an associated respective message indicator;

a communications link associated with the controller of the scale system for receiving information from a site external to the store;

wherein in a first scale system configuration the controller is operable to effect printing of both (i) product information of a product to which a label is to be applied and (ii) a first coupon message according to a selected message indicator stored in memory, the first coupon message relating to a product which is different than the product to which the label is to be applied;

wherein the selected message indicator stored in memory is changed according to a message control signal received via the communications link, placing the scale system in a second configuration; and

wherein in the second scale system configuration the controller is operable to effect printing of both (i) product information of a product to which a label is to be applied and (ii) a second coupon message according to the change d selected message indicator stored in memory, the second coupon message also relating to a product which is different than the product to which the label is to be applied.

15. A method for printing coupon messages on labels by an in-store scale system, where the coupon messages are set by a manufacturer, distributor or advertiser of a certain product or certain products to which the coupon messages apply, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an in-store scale system in a perishables department of a store, the in-store scale system including a label printing mechanism and a communications link for receiving information established by the manufacturer, distributor or advertiser;

providing a supply of labels in association with the in-store scale system label printing mechanism;

responsive to input of codes identifying products for weighing operations, accessing a table of predetermined message options and retrieving coupon messages from the table using message indicators associated with the codes identifying the products and printing, with the in-store scale system label printing mechanism, the retrieved coupon messages on labels, wherein the messages are printed on a front surface of the labels and comprise at least coupon discount amounts and coupon validity information; and

receiving, at the in-store scale system via the communications link, at least one message control signal established by the manufacturer, distributor or advertiser, the message control signal identifying at least one message indicator change for at least one product, enabling the manufacturer, distributor or advertiser to selectively control which of the predetermined message options is printed on labels by the in-store scale system label printing mechanism.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein an operator or owner of the store and the manufacturer, distributor or advertiser agree upon the predetermined message options prior to the step of providing the table of predetermined message options.

17. A method for controlling an in-store scale system to print coupon labels, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an in-store scale system with a label printing mechanism, a controller and associated memory, and a user input device;

providing a supply of labels for the in-store scale system label printing mechanism, each of the labels including a pre-printed coupon bar code on a portion thereof;

selectively utilizing the user input device to change a coupon message to be printed on a front surface of the labels by the in-store scale system label printing mechanism;

providing a stored discount amount associated with the coupon bar code in at least one of an in-store point-of-sale system memory and a store computer system memory; and

adjusting the stored discount amount to coincide with changes made in the coupon message printed by the in-store scale system label printing mechanism.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the pre-printed coupon bar code is located on a rear portion of each label.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the first specified product and the second specified product are a same product.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the perishables department is a deli department.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein the perishables department is a meat department.

24. The method of claim 18 wherein the in-store scale system comprises a weigh/wrap machine.

25. The method of claim 18 wherein each label of the supply of labels includes a pre-printed coupon code thereon.

19. A method for selectively printing different messages on labels output by an in-store scale system label printing mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an in-store scale system label printing mechanism with a supply of labels, and a communications link for receiving information from a site external to the store;

printing on a first label both;

(i) at least one of product name and price information for a weighed product to which the first label will be applied, and

(ii) a first message pertaining to a product which is different than the weighed product to which the first label will be applied,

receiving, by the in-store scale system label printing mechanism, a message control signal via the communications link; and

printing on a second label both;

(i) at least one of product name and price information for a weighed product to which the second label will be applied, and

(ii) a second message, different than the first message and established by the received message control signal, and also pertaining to a product which is different than the weighed product to which the second label will be applied.

20. A method for selectively printing messages on a label output by an in-store scale system label printing mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an in-store scale system label printing mechanism with a supply of labels, and a communications link for receiving information from a site external to the store;

receiving, by the in-store scale system label printing mechanism, a message control signal via the communications link;

subsequent to receiving the message control signal, printing on a label both;

(i) at least one of product name and price information for a weighed product to which the first label will be applied, and

(ii) a message pertaining to a predetermined product which is different than the weighed product to which the first label will be applied, the message corresponding to the message control signal received in step (b).

26. A method for selectively printing different messages on labels output by an in-store scale system label printing mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an in-store scale system including a label printing mechanism with a supply of labels and a communications link for receiving control information, the in-store scale system located in a perishables department of a store;

specifying a first product to be weighed;

printing, by the in-store scale system label printing mechanism, on a label a first coupon message pertaining to a product that is different than the specified product, the first coupon message established based at least in part based upon the specified first product;

receiving, by the in-store scale system, a control signal via the communications link, the control signal containing coupon message control information generated from a site external to the store;

specifying a second product to be weighed; and

printing, by the in-store scale system label printing mechanism, on a subsequent label of the supply of labels a second coupon message different than the first coupon message and corresponding to the message control information contained in the received message control signal, the second coupon message pertaining to a product that is different than the second product and established based at least in part upon the specified second product.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein both the specified product and the subsequent product are specified by entering a corresponding product code via a user input device.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the control signal is received from an in-store computer system, the message control information generated from the site external to the store being initially passed to the in-store computer system.

29. The method of claim 26, comprising the further steps of:

subsequent to specifying the first product, calculating a price for the first product based upon weight; and

subsequent to specifying the second product, calculating a price for the second product based upon weight.