JP2015102930A - Print control system and print control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a terminal to use a function of a print control device, and control a printer thereby in a system in which the printer and the print control device communicate with each other via a network.SOLUTION: A control system 1 includes: a tablet terminal 9 for transmitting print instruction data and terminal identification information; a printer 12 having a printer storage section 19 for storing printer identification information, and a printing section 18 for executing printing on the basis of print control data; and a print control device having a control server storage section 28 for storing the terminal identification information and the printer identification information in association with each other, a print data processing section 27 for generating print control data on the basis of the print instruction data, and a communication management section 25 for acquiring the printer identification information corresponding to terminal identification information, and transmitting the print control data to the printer 12 which stores the printer identification information acquired.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control system including a printing apparatus and a print control method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a print control system that prints on a print medium by a printing apparatus and issues a receipt according to the control of the printing control apparatus is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this type of print control system, a printing apparatus and a print control apparatus are connected via a network and communicate via the network.

JP 2011-108097 A

In a system in which a printing apparatus and a printing control apparatus communicate via a network, such as the printing control system described above, a terminal is connected to the printing control apparatus via a network, and the printing apparatus is connected to the printing control apparatus by the terminal according to the function of the printing control apparatus. There is a need to be able to control.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and for a system in which a printing apparatus and a printing control apparatus communicate via a network, the printing apparatus can be controlled by a terminal using the functions of the printing control apparatus. The purpose is to.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing control system according to the present invention is based on a terminal that transmits printing instruction data and terminal identification information for instructing printing, a storage unit that stores printing apparatus identification information, and printing control data. A printing apparatus having a printing unit that executes printing, a first connection unit to which the printing apparatus is connected, a second connection unit to which the terminal is connected, the terminal identification information and the printing apparatus identification information are associated with each other An identification information storage unit for storing, a print data processing unit for generating the print control data based on the print instruction data received from the terminal, and the printing device identification information corresponding to the terminal identification information received from the terminal. A printing control device having a communication management unit that transmits the printing control data to the printing device that has acquired and stored the acquired printing device identification information. And butterflies.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the correspondence relationship between the terminal and the printing apparatus is managed by the print control apparatus, and when the terminal transmits print instruction data to the print control apparatus, printing is performed via the print control apparatus. Print control data based on the instruction data is transmitted to the printing apparatus, and printing based on the print control data is performed by the printing apparatus. That is, the terminal can control the printing apparatus by transmitting data to the printing apparatus via the printing control apparatus using the function of the printing control apparatus.

The print control apparatus and the printing apparatus perform asynchronous bidirectional communication.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the print control apparatus can transmit data to the printing apparatus at an arbitrary timing. For this reason, when receiving the print instruction data from the terminal, the print control apparatus can generate the print control data based on the print instruction data using the reception as a trigger, and transmit the print control data to the printing apparatus. .

The asynchronous bidirectional communication is WebSocket communication.
According to the configuration of the present invention, asynchronous bidirectional communication can be performed between the printing apparatus and the print control apparatus by WebSocket communication.

In addition, the terminal includes a user interface to which information related to accounting is input, and a terminal control unit that generates the print instruction data based on the information input to the user interface.
According to the configuration of the present invention, based on information related to accounting input to the terminal via the user interface, the terminal can print information related to accounting on the print medium by the printing device using the function of the print control device.

The print control system of the present invention includes a terminal that transmits print instruction data and terminal identification information for instructing printing, a storage unit that stores printing apparatus identification information, and a printing unit that executes printing based on the print control data. A printing apparatus having an identification information storage unit that associates and stores the terminal identification information and the printing apparatus identification information; and when the print instruction data is received from the terminal, the terminal of the terminal that has transmitted the print instruction data The printing apparatus identification information associated with the terminal identification information is acquired, and the printing apparatus identification information is added by the management apparatus control unit that adds the acquired printing apparatus identification information to the print instruction data. A management device having a first communication connection unit for transmitting the print instruction data and a second communication connection unit to which the terminal is connected; A communication interface for receiving the print instruction data to which the printing apparatus identification information is added by connecting to the management apparatus, and the print control data based on the print instruction data received from the management apparatus. A print data processing unit to be generated; and a communication management unit that transmits the print control data generated by the print data processing unit to the printing device that stores the printing device identification information added to the print instruction data. And a printing control apparatus.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the management apparatus manages the correspondence between the terminal and the printing apparatus. When the terminal transmits print instruction data to the management apparatus, the management apparatus manages the print control apparatus via the management apparatus. Print instruction data is transmitted, print control data based on the print instruction data is generated and transmitted to the printing apparatus in the print control apparatus, and printing based on the print control data is performed by the printing apparatus. That is, the terminal can control the printing apparatus by transmitting data to the printing apparatus via the management apparatus and the print control apparatus using the functions of the management apparatus and the print control apparatus. .

The terminal transmits the print instruction data with the terminal identification information added thereto.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the terminal can notify the management apparatus of terminal identification information when transmitting the print instruction data to the management apparatus.

The printing control method of the present invention receives printing instruction data, acquires printing apparatus identification information corresponding to terminal identification information of a terminal that has transmitted the received printing instruction data, and acquires the acquired printing apparatus identification information. A printing apparatus having the printing control data generated based on the printing instruction data is transmitted to the printing apparatus to cause the printing apparatus to perform printing based on the printing control data.
According to the printing control method of the present invention, it is possible to control the printing apparatus by transmitting data from the terminal to the printing apparatus via the printing control apparatus. That is, the terminal can control the printing apparatus by using the function of the printing control apparatus to transmit data to the printing apparatus via the printing control apparatus.

The printing apparatus identification information is acquired with reference to information in which the terminal identification information and the printing apparatus identification information are associated with each other.
According to the printing control method of the present invention, the printing apparatus corresponding to the terminal that has transmitted the print instruction data can be determined by referring to the information that associates the terminal identification information with the printing apparatus identification information.

The figure which shows the structure of the control system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the communication path established between the control server and the printing apparatus. The block diagram which shows the functional structure of each apparatus with which a control system is provided. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a printing apparatus and a control server. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of each apparatus with which a control system is provided. The figure which shows a 1st user interface. The block diagram which shows the functional structure of each apparatus with which the control system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system 1 (printing control system) according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 1 includes a control server 10 (printing control apparatus), and a plurality of store systems 11 are connected to the control server 10 via a network GN such as the Internet.
The store system 11 is a system that is applied to stores such as supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, and restaurants. The store system 11 has at least a function of performing an accounting process and issuing a receipt to a customer who has visited the store.
The store system 11 is provided with one or more cashier counters RC. The cashier counter RC is provided with a printing device 12 and a tablet terminal 9 (terminal). The printing apparatus 12 has a printing function for printing on a printing medium and issues a receipt. The tablet terminal 9 is a tablet-type (plate-like) computer. In the present embodiment, a touch panel 31 is provided on the front surface of the tablet terminal 9, and various information can be input by a touch operation on the touch panel 31. The tablet terminal 9 provides a user interface for a cashier person to input information related to accounting at the cashier counter RC. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, the function of the control server 10 causes the printing apparatus 12 to issue a receipt according to information input to the user interface of the tablet terminal 9.
The printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9 are connected to a local area network LN built in the store. Connected to the local area network LN is a network communication control device 13 including a network router and a communication device such as a modem. The printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9 access the network GN via the network communication control device 13. For example, the store system 11A is a system applied to the supermarket SM. The supermarket SM is provided with a plurality of cashier counters RC, and the cashier counter RC is provided with the printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9. The printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9 related to the store system 11A are connected to the local area network LN and access the network GN via the network communication control device 13.
As will be described later, in the control system 1, the printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9 establish a WebSocket connection CT (communication path) with the control server 10, and perform WebSocket communication with the control server 10 through the connection. I do.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a communication path established between the control server 10, the printing apparatus 12, and the tablet terminal 9 in the control system 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the control system 1, a WebSocket connection CT of WebSocket is established between the control server 10 and each printing device 12 of each store system 11. Similarly, in the control system 1, a WebSocket connection CT of WebSocket is established between the control server 10 and each tablet terminal 9.
WebSocket is one of the communication standards that enables asynchronous two-way communication between a server and a client connected via a network. In the WebSocket, after the server and the client establish the WebSocket connection CT, data transmission / reception is performed using the protocol using the connection. For this reason, it is not necessary to establish a connection every time data transmission occurs.
The WebSocket connection CT is a logical communication path for transmitting and receiving data according to the WebSocket standard and procedure between the printing apparatus 12 connected via the connection and the control server 10. Therefore, after a predetermined handshake is performed between the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 and the WebSocket connection CT is established, the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 are asynchronously transmitted by the WebSocket connection CT. Can send and receive data. That is, the control server 10 can transmit data to the printing apparatus 12 through the WebSocket connection CT at an arbitrary timing, and the printing apparatus 12 can transmit data to the control server 10 through the WebSocket connection CT at an arbitrary timing.
WebSocket communication is asynchronous two-way communication according to the WebSocket protocol and procedure, which is performed between the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 by the WebSocket connection CT.
The control server 10 and the printing apparatus 12 perform asynchronous two-way communication (WebSocket communication) using the WebSocket connection CT. That is, the control server 10 can push-transmit data to the printing apparatus 12 through the WebSocket connection CT at an arbitrary timing without receiving a request from the printing apparatus 12 as a client. Therefore, the control server 10 can control the printing device 12 to print on the printing medium at an arbitrary timing. Similarly, the printing apparatus 12 can push-transmit data to the control server 10 through the WebSocket connection CT at an arbitrary timing. The same applies to the control server 10 and the tablet terminal 9.

In the present embodiment, the control server 10 is a cloud server in a cloud system. That is, the control server 10 has an arithmetic processing function, and performs predetermined arithmetic processing triggered by a request to the printing device 12 from an external device such as the printing device 12 or the tablet terminal 9 or establishment of a predetermined condition. The data based on the result of the arithmetic processing is transmitted to the printing apparatus 12 and the tablet terminal 9 through the WebSocket connection CT.
In FIG. 2, the control server 10 is represented by one block, but this does not mean that the control server 10 is configured by a single server device. For example, the control server 10 may be configured to include a plurality of server devices, or may be a server realized by some functions of a predetermined system. That is, the configuration is not limited as long as various processes described later can be realized.
In the present embodiment, WebSocket communication is performed between the control server 10 and the printing apparatus 12. However, these devices may be configured to perform asynchronous bidirectional communication similar to WebSocket communication instead of WebSocket communication. The same applies to the control server 10 and the tablet terminal 9.
In the following description, the WebSocket connection CT established between the control server 10 and the printing device 12 is referred to as a first WebSocket connection CT1. The WebSocket connection CT established between the control server 10 and the tablet terminal 9 is referred to as a second WebSocket connection CT2. When the first WebSocket connection CT1 and the second WebSocket connection CT2 are not particularly distinguished, they are collectively referred to as “WebSocket connection CT”.

As described above, the control system 1 controls the printing apparatus 12 having the printing function and the tablet terminals 9 related to the control of the printing apparatus 12 by a plurality of (for example, 1000) WebSocket connection CT of the WebSocket. Communication with the server 10 is established.
Due to such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, the control server 10 can collect, manage, and analyze information based on data received from the plurality of printing apparatuses 12 and the plurality of tablet terminals 9. For this reason, useful information can be accumulated. The accumulated information can be used as so-called big data.
In addition, the construction of the store system 11 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. That is, in the control system 1, the printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9 are connected to the control server 10 through the WebSocket connection CT. For this reason, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus 12 and the tablet terminal 9 to execute various processes using the service provided by the control server 10. For example, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus 12 to execute printing based on a printing instruction from the tablet terminal 9 using a service provided by the control server 10. Therefore, the manager who constructs the store system 11 may perform a simple operation of installing the printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9 in a desired place and connecting to the network GN when constructing the store system 11. . Accordingly, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus 12 to execute a desired process, for example, a process related to the receipt issuance, using the service provided by the control server 10. It is also possible to cause the tablet terminal 9 to execute a desired process, for example, display of a predetermined image on the touch panel 31.
Further, since the printing devices 12 of different store systems 11 are connected to the control server 10 by the WebSocket connection CT, the control server 10 can manage a plurality of printing devices 12 connected to the plurality of store systems 11. Further, the control server 10 can operate a plurality of printing apparatuses 12.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of the printing apparatus 12, the control server 10, and the tablet terminal 9 according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 12 includes a communication control unit 15, a communication unit 16, a print control unit 17, a printing unit 18, and a printing device storage unit 19 (storage unit).
The functions of the communication control unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the print control unit 17 will be described later.
The printing unit 18 includes a printing mechanism that prints on a printing medium, a conveyance mechanism that conveys the printing medium, a printing mechanism such as a cutting mechanism that cuts the printing medium, and a control board that controls each mechanism.
The printing device storage unit 19 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data. The printing device storage unit 19 stores communication destination information data 19a and printing device identification information data 19b, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control server 10 includes a communication management unit 25, a first connection unit 26, a print data processing unit 27, a control server storage unit 28 (identification information storage unit), and a second connection unit 29. And comprising.
The functions of the communication management unit 25, the first connection unit 26, the second connection unit 29, and the print data processing unit 27 will be described later.
The control server storage unit 28 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data. The control server storage unit 28 stores a first connection management database 28a, a second connection management database 28b, and an identification information management database 28c, which will be described later.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the tablet terminal 9 includes a terminal control unit 30, a touch panel 31, and a terminal WebSocket interface 32 (hereinafter referred to as “terminal WSI / F32”).
The function of the terminal WSI / F 32 will be described later.
The terminal control unit 30 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, other peripheral circuits, and the like, and controls the tablet terminal 9.
The touch panel 31 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel disposed on the front surface of the tablet terminal 9 and a touch sensor disposed on the display panel. The touch panel 31 displays various images on the display panel under the control of the terminal control unit 30. The touch panel 31 detects a touch operation with a touch sensor and transmits the detected touch operation to the terminal control unit 30.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the control server 10 and one printing device 12 connected to the control server 10. When a plurality of printing devices 12 are connected to the control server 10, the control server 10 includes a plurality of first connection units 26 (WebSocket interfaces) corresponding to the plurality of printing devices 12. WebSocket connection CT is established between each of the printing apparatuses 12 and WebSocket communication is performed with each printing apparatus 12 using WebSocket connection CT.
FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the control server 10 and one tablet terminal 9 connected to the control server 10. When a plurality of tablet terminals 9 are connected to the control server 10, the control server 10 includes a plurality of second connection units 29 (WebSocket interfaces) corresponding to the plurality of tablet terminals 9. WebSocket connection CT is established between each tablet terminal 9 and WebSocket communication is performed with each tablet terminal 9 using WebSocket connection CT.

Next, operations of the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 when the printing apparatus 12 is turned on will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations of the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 after the printing apparatus 12 is turned on. (A) shows the operation of the printing apparatus 12, and (B) shows the control server 10. Shows the operation.
The trigger of the process in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is not limited to when the power is turned on. For example, the case where the printing apparatus 12 is connected to the network GN so as to be communicable or the case where an instruction is given from the user may be used.
In the following description, the printing apparatus 12 is connected to the local area network LN of the corresponding store system 11 and can access the network GN.

In the following description, the functions of the functional blocks of the communication control unit 15, the print control unit 17, and the communication management unit 25 and the print data processing unit 27 included in the control server 10 are, for example, as follows. This is realized as follows.
That is, for example, these functional blocks are objects. An object is a function block defined as a set of instances, that is, data and methods generated by object-oriented programming. And the function of these functional blocks is implement | achieved by calling the method mounted in each functional block.
Further, for example, the functions of these functional blocks are realized by an application being read and executed by a hardware resource such as a CPU. A configuration in which the function of one functional block is realized by one application may be employed. Moreover, the structure by which the function of a some functional block is implement | achieved by one application may be sufficient. Moreover, the structure by which the function of one functional block is implement | achieved by several applications may be sufficient.
That is, each function block represents each function as a block, and does not mean a specific application, hardware, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the printing apparatus 12 is turned on (step SX1), the communication control unit 15 accesses the printing apparatus storage unit 19 and stores the communication stored in the printing apparatus storage unit 19. The destination information data 19a is acquired (step SA1).
The communication destination information data 19a is data indicating the address (domain name, IP address, path name, etc.) of the control server 10 to be accessed when establishing the WebSocket connection CT. Here, in the WebSocket, when establishing the WebSocket connection CT, the client (printing apparatus 12 in this example) performs a handshake to the server (control server 10 in this example) based on HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). I do. In this handshake, the client transmits a message in which the server address is described, but the communication destination information data 19a is data indicating the address.
Next, the communication control unit 15 establishes the first WebSocket connection CT1 between the communication unit 16 and the first connection unit 26 together with the communication management unit 25 of the control server 10 based on the address indicated by the communication destination information data 19a. (Step SA2, Step SB1). That is, the printing apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment establishes the first WebSocket connection CT1 using the power-on as a trigger without receiving a user instruction or a request from the control server 10.

The communication unit 16 and the first connection unit 26 are WebSocket interfaces that transmit and receive data in accordance with WebSocket standards and procedures. These functional blocks are generated using, for example, a socket library of WebSocket.
That is, the communication unit 16 has a function of performing processing according to the WebSocket for the data received from the communication control unit 15 and transmitting the data through the first WebSocket connection CT1 according to the WebSocket procedure. Further, the communication unit 16 has a function of performing processing according to WebSocket on the data received through the first WebSocket connection CT1 and transmitting the data to the communication control unit 15. The same applies to the first connection unit 26, the second connection unit 29, and the terminal WSI / F32.
With the establishment of the first WebSocket connection CT1, the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 can perform two-way communication asynchronously. That is, the control server 10 can transmit data to the printing apparatus 12 by push transmission through the first WebSocket connection CT1 without receiving a request from the printing apparatus 12 as a client.

Next, the communication control unit 15 of the printing apparatus 12 accesses the printing apparatus storage unit 19 and acquires the printing apparatus identification information data 19b stored in the printing apparatus storage unit 19 (Step SA3). The printing apparatus identification information data 19b is data indicating identification information of the printing apparatus 12 (hereinafter referred to as “printing apparatus identification information”). The printing device identification information is, for example, a serial number assigned to the printing device 12 at the manufacturing stage of the printing device 12.
Next, the communication control unit 15 transmits the printing apparatus identification information data 19b through the first WebSocket connection CT1 (Step SA4).
As shown in FIG. 4B, the communication management unit 25 of the control server 10 receives the printing apparatus identification information data 19b (step SB2).
Next, the communication management unit 25 accesses the first connection management database 28a stored in the control server storage unit 28 (step SB3). The first connection management database 28a is a database that stores, in association with the established WebSocket connection CT, connection identification information that is identification information of the WebSocket connection CT and the above-described printing apparatus identification information in association with each other.
Next, the communication management unit 25 generates one record in the first connection management database 28a. The communication management unit 25 associates the connection identification information of the first WebSocket connection CT1 established in step SB1 with the printing device identification information indicated by the printing device identification information data 19b received in step SB2 in the generated record. Store (step SB4). Note that when the WebSocket connection CT is established, the communication management unit 25 generates connection identification information having a value different from the connection identification information of the already established WebSocket connection CT. By the processing in step SB4, the correspondence relationship between the WebSocket connection CT and the printing apparatus 12 is managed.
As described above, the printing apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment establishes the first WebSocket connection CT1 using the power-on as a trigger without receiving a user instruction or a request from the control server 10. Due to such a configuration, the user does not need to perform a complicated operation to establish the first WebSocket connection CT1. Also, no specialized knowledge is required to establish the first WebSocket connection CT1. Further, immediately after the power is turned on, the printing apparatus 12 is ready to execute various processes under the control of the control server 10.

The operations of the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 when establishing the first WebSocket connection CT1 have been described above.
Note that the same processing is performed when the second WebSocket connection CT2 is established between the tablet terminal 9 and the control server 10. The tablet terminal 9 establishes the second WebSocket connection CT2 at a predetermined timing, such as when a predetermined application is launched, when connected to the network GN, or when instructed by the user.
With the establishment of the second WebSocket connection CT2 between the tablet terminal 9 and the control server 10, one record is generated in the second connection management database 28b. In the record, terminal identification information that is identification information of the tablet terminal 9 and connection identification information of the second WebSocket connection CT2 are stored in association with each other.

  As described above, the first WebSocket connection CT1 is established between the communication unit 16 and the first connection unit 26. Accordingly, a communication path KT between functional units based on the first WebSocket connection CT1 is established between the print control unit 17 of the printing apparatus 12 and the print data processing unit 27 of the control server 10. The print control unit 17 and the print data processing unit 27 can perform asynchronous bidirectional communication via the first functional unit communication path KT1. Asynchronous bidirectional communication performed by the inter-function unit communication path KT will be described later.

Next, the operation of each apparatus during the accounting process, that is, until information relating to accounting is input to the tablet terminal 9 and the printing apparatus 12 issues a receipt based on the input information will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device provided in the control system 1 during the accounting process. (A) shows the operation of the tablet terminal 9, (B) shows the operation of the control server 10, and (C) shows the operation of the printing device 12.
In the following description, the printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9 are provided in the same register counter RC in one store system 11. That is, in the following, at one cash register counter RC, a cashier person inputs information related to accounting to the tablet terminal 9 installed at the one cash register RC, and the printing device 12 installed at the cash register counter RC is one. A series of processing of each device until issuing a receipt on which information related to accounting is printed will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5A, a cashier person or the like starts an application of the tablet terminal 9 (step SY1). This process is executed before the accounting process, such as when a store is opened.
In response to the start-up of the application, the terminal control unit 30 displays the first user interface 35 (user interface; hereinafter referred to as “first UI 35”) on the touch panel 31 by the function of the application (step SC1).
Note that a configuration may be adopted in which a web browser is installed in the tablet terminal 9, a predetermined server (which may be the control server 10) is accessed by the function of the web browser, and the first UI 35 is displayed as a web page. Good.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first UI 35 displayed on the touch panel 31.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the first UI 35, a list display area 39 in which the name of the product purchased by the customer, the unit price of the product, and the quantity of the product are displayed as a list is provided in the upper left part. On the right side of the list display area 39, there is provided an amount related information display area 38 for displaying the total amount of products purchased by the customer, the amount of money deposited from the customer at the time of accounting, and the amount of fishing delivered to the customer. . A software numeric keypad 37 is provided below the money amount related information display area 38.
Although illustration is omitted, the tablet terminal 9 has a configuration in which data indicating a reading result of a barcode reader that reads a product or a barcode attached to the packaging of the product is input. The terminal control unit 30 displays a list of information on products purchased by the customer in the list display area 39 based on the reading result of the barcode reader and other inputs by the function of the application. The tablet terminal 9 can communicate with a POS server that stores a product master and a customer master. And the terminal control part 30 acquires the information regarding goods, the information regarding a customer, and the information regarding other accounts with reference to a goods master or a customer master.

Now, in step SC2, the terminal control part 30 performs an accounting process. In the accounting process in step SC2, the following process is performed. That is, at the cashier counter RC, an input based on reading a barcode related to a product purchased by a customer, an input via the software numeric keypad 37, and other inputs are performed on the first UI 35. And the terminal control part 30 displays the information regarding the goods which the customer purchased in the list display area 39 by referring to the goods master etc. based on the input with respect to 1st UI35. Further, the terminal control unit 30 calculates the total purchase amount and displays the calculated total purchase amount in a predetermined area of the amount related information display area 38. At the cashier counter RC, the customer pays the price and the cashier in charge returns the change. In accordance with these processes, the terminal control unit 30 displays information corresponding to the money amount related information display area 38.
After the transaction process is performed in step SC2, the terminal control unit 30 generates print instruction data for instructing the issuance of a receipt on which information related to the transaction is printed based on the information input to the first UI 35 (step SC3). ). The print instruction data is data in which information is described according to a predetermined format, and includes information related to the accounting to be printed on the receipt.
Next, the terminal control unit 30 adds the terminal identification information of the tablet terminal 9 to the print instruction data (step SC4). As the terminal identification information, a serial number assigned to the tablet terminal 9 or a MAC address held by the network card of the tablet terminal 9 can be used.
Next, the terminal control unit 30 transmits print instruction data to the terminal WSI / F 32 (step SC5).
The terminal WSI / F 32 transmits the print instruction data to the control server 10 through the second WebSocket connection CT2 (step SC6).

As shown in FIG. 5B, the second connection unit 29 receives the print instruction data through the second WebSocket connection CT2 (step SD1). Next, the second connection unit 29 transmits the print instruction data to the communication management unit 25 (step SD2).
The communication management unit 25 acquires terminal identification information added to the received print instruction data (step SD3). Next, the communication management unit 25 transmits the received print instruction data to the print data processing unit 27 (step SD4).
The print data processing unit 27 generates print control data related to the control of the printing apparatus 12 based on the received print instruction data, and transmits the print control data to the communication management unit 25 (step SD5).
The print control data is an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file in which information to be printed by the printing apparatus 12 is described. The print control data describes information to be printed by the printing apparatus 12 according to the XML format, for example, image data, information indicating the position of the image, and the like.
Next, the communication management unit 25 refers to the identification information management database 28c stored in the control server storage unit 28 (step SD6).
The identification information management database 28 c stores the printing device identification information of the printing device 12 and the terminal identification information of the tablet terminal 9 in association with each other for the printing device 12 that can establish the WebSocket connection CT with the control server 10. Database. In the identification information management database 28c, the identification information of the printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9 whose control target is the printing device 12 is associated. For example, the printing device 12 provided in one register counter RC is a control target of the tablet terminal 9 provided in the one register counter RC. Therefore, in the identification information management database 28c, the identification information of the printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9 provided in the one cash register counter RC is stored in association with each other. The contents of the identification information management database 28c can be rewritten by a predetermined means.

Next, the communication management unit 25 acquires the printing device identification information associated with the identification information in the identification information management database 28c using the terminal identification information acquired in step SD3 as a key (step SD7). Next, the communication management unit 25 accesses the first connection management database 28a stored in the control server storage unit 28 (step SD8). Next, the communication management unit 25 acquires the connection identification information of the WebSocket connection CT associated with the identification information in the first connection management database 28a using the printing apparatus identification information acquired in step SD7 as a key (step SD9). ). The connection identification information acquired by the communication management unit 25 in step SD9 is connection identification information of the first WebSocket connection CT1 established with the printing apparatus 12 to be printed.
Next, the communication management unit 25 transmits print control data to the first connection unit 26 corresponding to the first WebSocket connection CT1 indicated by the connection identification information acquired in step SD9 (step SD10).
The first connection unit 26 push-transmits the received print control data by WebSocket communication using the first WebSocket connection CT1 (step SD11).

As shown in FIG. 5C, the communication unit 16 receives the print control data through the first WebSocket connection CT1 (step SE1).
The communication unit 16 transmits the received print control data to the communication control unit 15 (step SE2).
The communication control unit 15 transmits the received print control data to the print control unit 17 (step SE3).
The print control unit 17 converts the received print control data into a control command of the command system of the printing unit 18 (step SE4). That is, the print control unit 17 converts the print control data that is an XML file into a command that can be interpreted by the control board of the printing unit 18. Next, the printing control unit 17 transmits a control command to the printing unit 18 (step SE5).
The printing unit 18 executes printing on the print medium based on the control command and issues a receipt (step SE6).
Thus, in the present embodiment, the control server 10 manages the correspondence relationship between the printing device 12 and the tablet terminal 9. Then, when receiving the print instruction data from the tablet terminal 9, the control server 10 generates print control data based on the print instruction data and transmits the print control data to the corresponding printing device 12.
In the present embodiment, the control server 10 generates print control data triggered by receiving print instruction data from the tablet terminal 9, and transmits the generated data without receiving a request from the printing apparatus 12. Is possible. For this reason, when a request is intermittently sent from the printing apparatus 12 to the control server 10 and printing is desired to be performed by the printing apparatus 12, the print control data is transmitted in response to the request. Printing can be started more quickly. Further, resource consumption can be suppressed as compared with a case where the control server 10 is configured to create a pending state for the request.

As described above, the control system 1 (printing control system) according to the present embodiment includes the tablet terminal 9 (terminal), the printing device 12, and the control server 10 (printing control device).
The tablet terminal 9 transmits print instruction data for instructing printing and terminal identification information.
The printing device 12 includes a printing device storage unit 19 that stores printing device identification information, and a printing unit 18 that executes printing based on print control data.
The control server 10 stores a first connection unit 26 to which the printing device 12 is connected, a second connection unit 29 to which the tablet terminal 9 is connected, and an identification information management database 28c that associates terminal identification information with printing device identification information. Control server storage unit 28 (identification information storage unit), print data processing unit 27 that generates print control data based on print instruction data received from the tablet terminal 9, and printing corresponding to the terminal identification information received from the tablet terminal 9 The communication management unit 25 transmits the print control data to the printing apparatus 12 that acquires the apparatus identification information and stores the acquired printing apparatus identification information.
According to this configuration, the correspondence relationship between the tablet terminal 9 and the printing device 12 is managed by the control server 10. When the tablet terminal 9 transmits print instruction data to the control server 10, the control server 10 The print control data based on the print instruction data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 12 via the print instruction data, and the printing apparatus 12 performs printing based on the print control data. That is, the tablet terminal 9 can control the printing apparatus 12 by transmitting data to the printing apparatus 12 via the control server 10 using the function of the control server 10.

In addition, the tablet terminal 9 includes a first UI 35 to which information related to accounting is input, and a terminal control unit 30 that generates print instruction data based on the information input to the first UI 35.
According to this configuration, the tablet terminal 9 can print the information related to the accounting on the print medium by the printing device 12 by the function of the control server 10 based on the information related to the accounting input to the terminal via the first UI 35.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of each device included in the control system 1 according to the second embodiment.
In the following description, components corresponding to those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a management device 14. The tablet terminal 9 is connected to the management device 14 instead of the control server 10. The management device 14 is connected to the control server 10.
The management device 14 is a device that manages one or a plurality of store systems 11. For example, the management device 14 is provided at the head office of a company that operates a store, and manages the store system 11 that is provided at a plurality of stores that belong to the group of companies that operate the store. The management device 14 is connected to the control server 10 via the network GN.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the management device 14 includes a management device control unit 40, a management device storage unit 41 (identification information storage unit), a first communication connection unit 42, and a second communication connection unit 43. .
The management device control unit 40 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the management device 14.
The management device storage unit 41 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data. The management device storage unit 41 stores the identification information management database 28c described in the first embodiment. As described above, the identification information management database 28c is a database that stores the printing apparatus identification information and the terminal identification information in association with each other for the corresponding printing apparatus 12 and tablet terminal 9.
The first communication connection unit 42 communicates with the control server 10 according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the management device control unit 40. The communication standard is not limited to WebSocket.
The second communication connection unit 43 communicates with the tablet terminal 9 according to a predetermined communication standard as controlled by the management device control unit 40. The communication standard is not limited to WebSocket.
As shown in FIG. 7, the tablet terminal 9 includes a terminal communication interface 34 (hereinafter referred to as “terminal communication I / F 34”) instead of the terminal WSI / F 32. The terminal communication I / F 34 communicates with the management device 14 according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the terminal control unit 30. The communication standard is not limited to WebSocket.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control server 10 includes a control server communication interface 22 (communication interface; hereinafter, expressed as “control server communication I / F 22”) instead of the second connection unit 29. The control server communication I / F 22 communicates with the management apparatus 14 according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the communication management unit 25. The communication standard is not limited to WebSocket. Further, the identification information management database 28c is not stored in the control server storage unit 28 of the control server 10 according to the present embodiment.

Next, the operation of each device when the printing device 12 executes printing based on the printing instruction of the tablet terminal 9 will be described.
For example, the terminal control unit 30 of the tablet terminal 9 generates print instruction data based on the information input to the first UI 35 described above. Next, the terminal control unit 30 adds terminal identification information to the generated print instruction data, and transmits it to the management apparatus 14.
The management device control unit 40 of the management device 14 refers to the identification information management database 28c stored in the management device storage unit 41, and acquires printing device identification information corresponding to the terminal identification information added to the print instruction data. Next, the management apparatus control unit 40 adds the acquired printing apparatus identification information to the print instruction data and transmits it to the control server 10.
The communication management unit 25 of the control server 10 acquires the printing apparatus identification information added to the print instruction data. Next, the communication management unit 25 transmits print instruction data to the print data processing unit 27. The print data processing unit 27 generates print control data based on the received print instruction data and transmits it to the communication management unit 25.
The communication management unit 25 refers to the first connection management database 28a and acquires connection identification information corresponding to the acquired printing apparatus identification information. Next, the communication management unit 25 transmits print control data to the printing apparatus 12 using the first WebSocket connection CT1 indicated by the connection identification information. The printing apparatus 12 performs printing based on the received print control data.
According to the second embodiment described above, when the management device 14 manages the correspondence between the tablet terminal 9 and the printing device 12, the tablet terminal 9 transmits print instruction data to the management device 14. Then, print control data based on the print instruction data is transmitted to the printing device 12 via the management device 14 and the control server 10, and printing based on the print control data is performed. That is, for a system in which the printing apparatus 12 is connected to the server, the printing apparatus 12 can be controlled by a terminal such as the tablet terminal 9 using the server function.

The above-described embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 12 is provided in the store system 11 built in the store. However, the printing apparatus 12 is not necessarily provided in the store system 11. For example, it may be provided in another system.
In the embodiment described above, the print control data of the XML file is transmitted from the control server 10 to the printing apparatus 12. However, the data format of the print control data may not be XML. For example, it may be data generated in another markup language, or may be a control command of the command system of the printing unit 18.
Each functional block shown in FIG. 3 can be arbitrarily realized by hardware and software, and does not suggest a specific hardware configuration. Further, each function of the printing apparatus 12 may be provided to another apparatus externally connected to the apparatus. The printing apparatus 12 may perform various processes by executing a program stored in an externally connected storage medium.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control system (print control system), 9 ... Tablet terminal (terminal), 10 ... Control server (print control apparatus), 12 ... Printing apparatus, 14 ... Management apparatus, 18 ... Printing part, 19 ... Printing apparatus memory | storage part ( Storage unit), 22 ... control server communication interface (communication interface), 25 ... communication management unit, 26 ... first connection unit, 27 ... print data processing unit, 28 ... control server storage unit (identification information storage unit), 29 ... 2nd connection part, 30 ... terminal control part, 40 ... management apparatus control part, 41 ... management apparatus storage part (identification information storage part), 42 ... 1st communication connection part, 43 ... 2nd communication connection part, CT ... WebSocket Connection (communication path).

Claims (8)

A terminal that transmits print instruction data for instructing printing and terminal identification information;
A storage unit that stores printing apparatus identification information; and a printing apparatus that includes a printing unit that executes printing based on print control data;
A first connection unit to which the printing device is connected; a second connection unit to which the terminal is connected; an identification information storage unit that stores the terminal identification information and the printing device identification information in association with each other; received from the terminal A print data processing unit that generates the print control data based on the print instruction data, and the printing apparatus identification information corresponding to the terminal identification information received from the terminal, and stores the acquired printing apparatus identification information A printing control apparatus having a communication management unit for transmitting the printing control data to the printing apparatus;
A printing control system comprising:   The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the print control apparatus and the print apparatus perform asynchronous bidirectional communication.   The print control system according to claim 2, wherein the asynchronous bidirectional communication is WebSocket communication.   The said terminal has a terminal control part which produces | generates the said print instruction data based on the user interface into which the information regarding accounting is input, and the information input into the said user interface. Printing control system. A terminal that transmits print instruction data for instructing printing and terminal identification information;
A printing apparatus having a storage unit for storing printing apparatus identification information and a printing unit for executing printing based on the print control data;
An identification information storage unit that stores the terminal identification information and the printing apparatus identification information in association with each other, and when the print instruction data is received from the terminal, corresponds to the terminal identification information of the terminal that has transmitted the print instruction data A management apparatus control unit that acquires the printing apparatus identification information to be attached and adds the acquired printing apparatus identification information to the print instruction data; and the print instruction data to which the printing apparatus identification information is added by the management apparatus control unit A management device having a first communication connection unit that transmits the second communication connection unit to which the terminal is connected;
Based on the first connection unit connected to the printing apparatus, the communication interface connected to the management apparatus and receiving the print instruction data to which the printing apparatus identification information is added, and the print instruction data received from the management apparatus The print data processing unit that generates the print control data, and the print control data generated by the print data processing unit are transmitted to the printing device that stores the printing device identification information added to the print instruction data. A print control apparatus having a communication management unit;
A printing control system comprising:   The print control system according to claim 5, wherein the terminal transmits the print instruction data with the terminal identification information added thereto. Receive print instruction data,
Obtaining printing device identification information corresponding to the terminal identification information of the terminal that has transmitted the received print instruction data;
Printing, characterized in that print control data generated based on the print instruction data is transmitted to a printing apparatus having the acquired printing apparatus identification information and causing the printing apparatus to execute printing based on the print control data. Control method.   The printing control method according to claim 7, wherein the printing apparatus identification information is acquired with reference to information in which the terminal identification information and the printing apparatus identification information are associated with each other.

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