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.

1 . A supply of labels for use in pricing products and distributing coupons, comprising:
 a liner including a release surface;   a plurality of labels removably attached to the release surface of the liner such that the labels are separate from each other and arranged in a manner to provide exposed areas of the release surface between the labels, each label including a pre-printed coupon bar code located at a rear side thereof, the pre-printed coupon bar code faces toward the release surface of the liner, the rear side of each label contacting the release surface of the liner, the pre-printed coupon bar code relating to a predetermined product, each label including a front side with a region for having product and price information and a coupon discount message printed thereon, the region includes an associated thermal layer for producing visible indicia responsive to heat, wherein placement of the pre-printed coupon bar code at the rear side of each label prevents scanner confusion of the preprinted coupon bar code with any product pricing bar code later printed on the front surface of the label;   wherein the liner and labels are formed into a roll;   wherein each label includes at least one separation line to divide the label into at least a coupon part and a product pricing part, on the coupon part the rear side includes the pre-printed coupon bar code and has an adhesive layer over which a deadening layer is applied to render the coupon part non-adhesive, on the product pricing part the front side includes the region and the rear side is adhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The supply of labels of  claim 1  wherein the coupon discount message is printed on a front side of the coupon part of the label. 
     
     
         3 . The supply of labels of  claim 2  wherein when the coupon part is detached from the product pricing part, the pre-printed coupon bar code on the rear side stays with the coupon discount message on the front side. 
     
     
         4 . The supply of labels of  claim 1  wherein the coupon discount message correlates with the pre-printed coupon bar code. 
     
     
         5 . The supply of labels of  claim 1  wherein each label includes a layer having the pre-printed coupon bar code, wherein the layer is applied over the deadening layer. 
     
     
         6 . An in-store printer mechanism, the printer mechanism comprising:
 a supply of labels loaded to the printer mechanism, the supply of labels comprising:
 a liner including a release surface; 
 a plurality of labels removably attached to the release surface of the liner such that the labels are separate from each other and arranged in a manner to provide exposed areas of the release surface between the labels, each label including a pre-printed coupon bar code located at a rear side thereof, the pre-printed coupon bar code faces toward the release surface of the liner, the rear side of each label contacting the release surface of the liner, the pre-printed coupon bar code relating to a predetermined product, each label including a front side with a region for having product and price information and a coupon discount message printed thereon, the region includes an associated thermal layer for producing visible indicia responsive to heat, wherein placement of the preprinted coupon bar code at the rear side of each label prevents scanner confusion of the pre-printed coupon bar code with any product pricing bar code later printed on the front surface of the label; 
   wherein the liner and labels are formed into a roll; and   wherein each label includes at least one separation line to divide the label into at least a coupon part and a product pricing part, on the coupon part the rear side includes the pre-printed coupon bar code and has an adhesive layer over which a deadening layer is applied to render the coupon part non-adhesive, on the product pricing part the front side includes the region and the rear side is adhesive.   
     
     
         7 . The in-store printer mechanism of  claim 6  wherein the printer mechanism is disposed in a weight scale system, the weight scale system further comprising a controller configured to:
 receive weight information of a weighed product, the weighed product being different than the predetermined product; and 
 control the in-store printer mechanism for printing the weight information of a weighed product on the product pricing part of the label. 
 
     
     
         8 . The in-store printer mechanism of  claim 7  wherein the controller is further configured to effect printing of the coupon discount message on the coupon part of the label. 
     
     
         9 . The in-store printer mechanism of  claim 6  wherein each label of the supply of includes a layer having the pre-printed coupon bar code, wherein the layer is applied over the deadening layer. 
     
     
         10 . A scale device comprising:
 a printer; and   a supply of labels loadable to the printer, the supply of labels comprising:
 a liner including a release surface; 
 a plurality of labels removably attached to the release surface of the liner such that the labels are separate from each other and arranged in a manner to provide exposed areas of the release surface between the labels, a multiplicity of the labels each including a coupon part and a product pricing part, the coupon part having a pre-printed coupon bar code printed on an ink-based layer located on a rear side thereof, the preprinted coupon bar code faces toward the release surface of the liner, the pre-printed coupon bar code relating to a predetermined product, the product pricing part having a front side with a region for having product and price information printed thereon, the region includes an associated thermal layer for producing visible indicia responsive to heat, at least one separation line is formed between the coupon part and the product pricing part; 
 the liner and labels are formed into a roll; 
 the front side of each coupon part having pre-printed information regarding the predetermined product, the pre-printed information facing away from the release surface of the liner; 
 a rear side of each product pricing part contacts the release surface and comprises adhesive for purpose of attachment, and the rear side of each coupon part contacts the release surface and comprises adhesive that has been deadened by an overlayer to render the coupon part non-adhesive,
 wherein the ink-based layer having the pre-printed coupon bar code is applied over the overlayer. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The scale device of  claim 10  wherein the printer is disposed in a weight scale system, the weight scale system further comprising a controller configured to:
 receive weight information of a weighed product, the weighed product being different than the predetermined product; and 
 control the in-store printer mechanism for printing the weight information of a weighed product on the product pricing part of the label. 
 
     
     
         12 . The scale device of  claim 11  wherein the controller is further configured to effect printing of a coupon message on the coupon part of the given label. 
     
     
         13 . The scale device of  claim 10  wherein a coupon discount message correlating with the pre-printed coupon bar code is additionally printed on a front side of the label. 
     
     
         14 . The scale device of  claim 13  wherein the scale device further comprises a communications interface for receiving, over a communication path, adjustments to the discount amount associated with the pre-printed coupon bar code, the adjustments corresponding with a change to the coupon discount message. 
     
     
         15 . The scale device of  claim 10  wherein each label of the supply of labels includes a layer having the pre-printed coupon bar code, wherein the layer is applied over the deadening layer. 
     
     
         16 . A scale system comprising:
 a label printing mechanism including a supply of labels loaded to the printing mechanism, the supply of labels comprising:
 a liner including a release surface; 
 a plurality of labels removably attached to the release surface of the liner such that the labels are separate from each other and arranged in a manner to provide exposed areas of the release surface between the labels, a multiplicity of the labels each including a coupon part and a product pricing part, the coupon part having a pre-printed coupon bar code located on a rear side thereof, the pre-printed coupon bar code faces toward the release surface of the liner, the pre-printed coupon bar code relating to a predetermined product, the product pricing part having a front side with a region for having product and price information printed thereon, the region includes an associated thermal layer for producing visible indicia responsive to heat, at least one separation line is formed between the coupon part and the product pricing part; 
 the liner and labels are formed into a roll; 
 the front side of each coupon part having pre-printed information regarding the predetermined product, the pre-printed information facing away from the release surface of the liner; and 
 a rear side of each product pricing part contacts the release surface and comprises adhesive for purpose of attachment, and the rear side of each coupon part contacts the release surface and comprises adhesive that has been deadened by an overlayer to render the coupon part non-adhesive; 
   a weighing device for weighing products and outputting weight indicative signals;   a controller connected for receiving weight indicative signals from the weighing device, and for controlling printing operations of the label printing mechanism, wherein   the controller is operable in at least one mode to:
 calculate a price for a weighed product based in part upon a weight indicative signal produced by the weighing device; 
 effect printing of the calculated price and a pricing bar code on the product pricing part of a given label of the multiplicity of labels; and 
 output both the product pricing part and coupon part of the given label. 
   
     
     
         17 . The scale system of  claim 16  wherein the controller is further operable to effect printing of a coupon message on the coupon part of the given label. 
     
     
         18 . The scale system of  claim 16  wherein the weighed product is different than the predetermined product. 
     
     
         19 . The scale system of  claim 16  wherein a coupon discount message is additionally printed on a front side of the label. 
     
     
         20 . The scale system of  claim 19  wherein the coupon discount message is printed on a front side of the coupon part of the label, wherein when the coupon part is detached from the product pricing part, the pre-printed coupon bar code on the rear side stays with the coupon discount message on the front side.