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

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         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, simultaneously 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, simultaneously 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 discounts 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 non-adhesive, 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, distributor and advertiser for 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 thereon, 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 simultaneous 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 simultaneous 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 changed 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 in-store advertising by a product manufacturer/distributor utilizing an in-store printing mechanism, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing an in-store label printing mechanism including a communications link for receiving information remotely from the product manufacturer/distributor;    (b) providing a table of predetermined message options stored in memory of the in-store label printing mechanism, the table associating a particular message indicator with each message option;    (c) providing a supply of labels each having a pre-printed scannable coupon bar code on a rear surface thereof;    (d) printing, with the in-store label printing mechanism, messages on labels according to a selected message indicator, wherein the messages are printed on a front surface of the labels and comprise at least coupon discount amounts and coupon validity information;    (e) sending at least one message control signal from the product manufacturer/distributor to the in-store label printing mechanism via the communications link, the message control signal identifying a new selected message indicator, enabling the product manufacturer/distributor to selectively control which of the predetermined message options is printed on labels by the in-store label printing mechanism; and    (f) applying the printed labels to product packages.    
     
     
         16 . A method for controlling an in-store label coupon printing system, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing an in-store label printing mechanism including a controller and associated memory, and a user input device;    (b) providing a supply of labels for the in-store printing mechanism, each label including a pre-printed coupon bar code on a rear surface portion thereof;    (c) selectively utilizing the user input device to establish a coupon message to be printed on a front surface of the labels by the in-store printing mechanism;    (d) 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    (e) adjusting the stored discount amount to coincide with changes made in the coupon message printed by the in-store label printing mechanism.    
     
     
         17 . 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) during a first state of the scale system printing mechanism, simultaneously printing on a first-label both: 
 (i) at least one of product name and price 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 product to which the first label will be applied;  
   (c) receiving, by the in-store scale system, a message control signal via the communications link which configures the scale system label printing mechanism in a second state; and    (d) during the second state, simultaneously printing on a second label both: 
 (i) at least one of product name and price information for a 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.  
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the product to which the first message pertains in step (b)(ii) is the same as the product to which the second message pertains in step (d)(ii).  
     
     
         19 . A method for selectively printing different messages on labels output by an in-store printing mechanism, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing an in-store label printing mechanism with a supply of labels, and a communications link for receiving information from a site external to the store;    (b) simultaneously printing on a first label both: 
 (i) at least one of product name and price information for a product to which the first label will be applied, and  
 (ii) a first message pertaining to a product which is different than the product to which the first label will be applied;  
   (c) receiving, by the in-store label printing mechanism, a message control signal via the communications link; and    (d) simultaneously printing on a second label both: 
 (i) at least one of product name and price information for a product to which the second label will be applied, and  
 (ii) a second message, different than the first message and established by the message control signal of step (c), and also pertaining to a product which is different than the product to which the second label will be applied.  
   
     
     
         20 . A method for selectively printing messages on a label output by an in-store printing mechanism, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing an in-store label printing mechanism with a supply of labels, and a communications link for receiving information from a site external to the store;    (b) receiving, by the in-store label printing mechanism, a message control signal via the communications link;    (c) subsequent to step (b), simultaneously printing on a label both: 
 (i) at least one of product name and price information for a product to which the first label will be applied, and  
 (ii) a message pertaining to a predetermined product which is different than the product to which the first label will be applied, the message corresponding to the message control signal received in step (b).  
   
     
     
         21 . A label structure, comprising: 
 a base paper including front and rear surfaces, at least one pre-printed information region toward the rear surface of the base paper, the printed information region comprising: 
 an adhesive layer adjacent the rear surface;  
 an adhesive deadening layer overlaying the adhesive layer in a defined area; and  
 printed information in at least portions of the defined area.  
   
     
     
         22 . The label structure of  claim 21  wherein the printed information overlays at least portions of the adhesive deadening layer and the layer of printed information comprises a scannable coupon bar code.  
     
     
         23 . The label structure of  claim 22  wherein a scannable product bar code is positioned toward the front surface of the base paper at a position spaced from but proximate to the scannable coupon bar code.  
     
     
         24 . The label structure of  claim 23  wherein at least a portion of the printed information region is defined by a separation line formed in the base paper.  
     
     
         25 . A roll of labels of the type specified in  claim 23 , wherein the roll includes a backing material having a release coating on a surface thereof, the rear surface of the labels applied to and facing the backing material surface including the release coating.  
     
     
         26 . A labeled package assembly, comprising: 
 a package;    a label adhesively attached to the package, the label including an outwardly facing front surface having a scannable product information bar code thereon and a rear surface which faces inwardly toward an outer surface of the package, a portion of the label rear surface having a scannable coupon information bar code thereon;    wherein the scannable product information bar code is positioned at a location spaced from but proximate to a location of the scannable coupon information bar code;    wherein the portion of the label rear surface including the scannable coupon information bar code is defined by at least one separation line of the label and is removable from the package in a manner which leaves the scannable product information bar code remaining on the package.