JP2017217858A - Printer and printer control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer and a printer control method capable of stably, quickly and easily acquiring the setting information stored in a wireless tag and setting communication and the like. A printer 160 to which the present invention is applied has a LAN interface 162 that can be connected to a network NT, a connector that can output a control signal to a cash drawer 155, and setting information that is attached to the cash drawer 155 and includes network setting information. It is provided with a reading unit 161a that wirelessly reads the setting information from the RF tag 300 in which the above is stored, and a setting unit 163a that sets the communication of the LAN interface 162 based on the setting information read by the reading unit 161a. [Selection diagram] FIG. 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer and a printer control method, and more particularly to a printer and a printer control method capable of reading and setting setting information from a wireless tag.

  Conventionally, printers (network compatible printers) that communicate using a network address (for example, an IP address) when a host computer is connected via a network are known.

When replacing this type of printer with another printer (typically when replacing a failed printer with another printer), the setting information (for example, network setting information or printer setting information) It is required to set again.
On the other hand, conventionally, when replacing a printer, setting information is read wirelessly by a reader / writer from a wireless tag (for example, RF tag) attached to a communication cable (cable body), and the read setting information is exchanged. Setting to a printer has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-74344 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, the wireless tag is attached to a flexible communication cable (cable body), and the relative positional relationship between the wireless tag and the reader / writer is not determined. Depending on the relative positional relationship, the setting information cannot be read stably from the wireless tag in the printer after replacement (as a result, the setting information cannot be set quickly and appropriately).

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

(Application example 1)
The printer according to this application example includes a communication unit that can be connected to a network, a connection unit that can output a control signal to an external device, and a wireless tag that is attached to the external device and stores setting information including network setting information. A reading unit that wirelessly reads the setting information, and a setting unit that sets communication of the communication unit based on the setting information read by the reading unit.

  According to this application example, the position of the wireless tag attached to the external device is defined by placing the printer near the external device such as a cash drawer. Therefore, the printer can stably read the setting information wirelessly, and can set the communication unit quickly and easily.

(Application example 2)
In the application example, the network is connected to be communicable with a computer, and the communication unit that is set for communication by the setting unit communicates with the computer via the network.

  According to this application example, the printer can stably, quickly, and easily communicate with the computer via the network.

(Application example 3)
In the application example, when the communication unit receives a command related to the external device from the computer, the communication unit includes a control unit that outputs the control signal to the external device from the connection unit.

  According to this application example, the printer can control the external device by a command from the computer.

(Application example 4)
In the application example described above, the wireless communication device includes a writing unit that wirelessly writes the setting information to the wireless tag, and when the communication unit receives a command to change the setting information from the computer, the writing unit The setting information is changed.

  According to this application example, the printer writes the setting information changed by the printer by a command from the computer to the wireless tag attached to the external device. Therefore, when the printer is replaced, the changed setting information is reflected in the replaced printer.

(Application example 5)
In the above application example, a printing unit that prints on a print medium, the setting information includes printer setting information, and the printing unit is controlled based on the setting information read by the reading unit to perform printing. The control part which performs is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to this application example, the printer can print by controlling the printing unit based on the print setting information acquired from the wireless tag.

(Application example 6)
In the application example, the reading unit reads the setting information from the wireless tag when the power is turned on or reset.

  According to this application example, the printer can read the setting information from the wireless tag at the timing when the system is activated such as when the power is turned on or reset.

(Application example 7)
The printer control method according to this application example stores a communication unit that can be connected to a network, a connection unit that can output a control signal to an external device, and setting information that is attached to the external device and includes network setting information. And a reading unit that wirelessly reads the setting information from a wireless tag, wherein the reading unit reads the setting information from the wireless tag, and based on the read setting information, the communication unit It is characterized by communication setting.

  According to this application example, the position of the wireless tag attached to the external device is defined by placing the printer near the external device such as a cash drawer. Therefore, the printer can stably read the setting information wirelessly, and can set the communication unit quickly and easily.

It is the perspective view which looked at the POS terminal device from the operator side. It is the perspective view which looked at the POS terminal device from the customer side. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of RF tag. It is a network diagram including a POS terminal device and a store server. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer.

Hereinafter, the form of the POS terminal device 150 including the printer 160 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings referred to in the following description, the vertical and horizontal scales of members or parts may be shown differently from the actual ones for convenience of description and illustration. In addition, illustrations of components other than those necessary for the description may be omitted.

(Configuration of POS terminal)
1A and 1B are schematic views showing the appearance of a POS terminal device 150 to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1A is a view from the operator side, and FIG. 1B is a view from the customer side.

  The POS terminal device 150 includes a host computer 151 as a computer, an operator keyboard 153, a customer display 154, a cash drawer 155, an operator display 156, a card reader 158, a receipt printer 160, a barcode scanner 157, and the like. Yes. As an example, the printer 160 uses a thermal head, and thermal recording paper is used as a printing medium. An RF tag 300 is attached to the top or side of the cash drawer 155.

In FIG. 1A, a barcode scanner 157 is used when reading a barcode attached to a product in a store or the like.
In the POS terminal device 150, under the control of the host computer 151, the barcode information attached to the product to be purchased by the customer (customer) is read by the barcode scanner 157, and the product name and price corresponding to the barcode information are read. Product information is acquired from a database 152 (FIG. 3) called a product master that stores product information such as. The product information is displayed on the operator display 156 and confirmed by the operator. In addition, payment information is generated based on the product information and displayed on the customer display 154 to inform the customer of the payment amount. Further, the operator operates the operator keyboard 153 to transmit the payment information to the printer 160 via the network NT (FIG. 3), print it as a receipt 170, and give it to the customer. Then, the operator operates the operator keyboard 153 to open the cash drawer 155 and exchange money. In the case of credit settlement, the operator passes the card through the card reader 158 and settles.

(Cash drawer)
The cash drawer 155 is connected to the connector 168 (connector) of the printer 160 via a cable 180 (FIG. 3). Based on the operation of the operator keyboard 153 by the operator, the LAN interface 162 (FIG. 4) of the printer 160 as a communication unit receives a command (command related to an external device) related to opening or closing of the cash drawer 155 from the host computer 151. The control unit 163 (FIG. 4) of the printer 160 outputs a control signal for driving the actuator inside the cash drawer 155 to the cash drawer 155 to open or close the cash drawer 155. The cash drawer 155 is provided with a sensor that detects opening or closing, and can be detected by the control unit 163 of the printer 160 via the cable 180.

(RF tag)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the RF tag 300. The RF tag 300 includes an antenna unit 320 that transmits and receives radio waves, a rectifier 330 that separates a signal and current from radio waves received from the antenna unit 320, a regulator 331 that rectifies current, and a regulator 331 that detects power from the current voltage value. BGR 332 that performs feedback control of unit 334, and a power source detection unit 334 that detects power by regulator 331 and notifies data processing unit 360 that it can operate. The RF tag 300 further includes a communication control unit 350 that controls the entire communication, a transmission circuit 370 that controls the rectifier 330 to generate radio waves during data transmission, a carrier detection unit 340 that detects a received carrier, and a data processing unit 360. An OSC 380 for generating a clock signal is provided. The RF tag 300 further includes a data processing unit 360 that performs data processing, network setting information 310a (FIG. 3) such as an IP address, and a memory 310. The memory 310 stores printer setting information 310b (FIG. 3) such as paper width, print area, print density, print speed, and printer identification information. Note that the RF tag 300 may be called an electronic tag, an IC tag, a wireless tag, an RFID tag, or the like.

(Network diagram)
FIG. 3 shows a network diagram including the POS terminal device 150 and the store server 131.
The POS terminal device 150 and the store server 131 are configured to communicate with each other via a network NT such as a LAN. The store server 131 periodically sends product master update information to the host computer 151 of the POS terminal device 150, and the host computer 151 rewrites the product master stored in the database 152. In addition, payment information is transmitted from the host computer 151 to the store server 131. The store server 131 aggregates the received payment information and uses it for sales analysis and ordering.

The host computer 151 and the printer 160 are configured to be communicable with each other via the network NT. The printer 160 receives the payment information and prints it as a receipt 170.
The printer 160 is connected to the cash drawer 155 via a cable 180 and, when receiving a drive command for opening the cash drawer 155 from the host computer 151, outputs a control signal for driving and opening the cash drawer 155.

In the cash drawer 155, the RF tag 300 is attached to an upper surface, a side surface or the like by being stored in a storage item such as a case with an adhesive. When the printer 160 is installed near the top or side of the cash drawer 155, the transmission / reception unit 161 located on the bottom or side of the printer 160 is positioned closest to or opposite to the RF tag 300 mounted on the cash drawer 155. . Due to this positional relationship, the printer 160 can reliably communicate with the RF tag 300 in a stable radio wave state.
The printer 160 can communicate with the RF tag 300 by radio waves by the transmission / reception unit 161, and can receive and acquire network setting information 310a and printer setting information 310b such as print density stored in the RF tag 300.

  The network setting information 310a is, for example, a unique IP address assigned to the printer 160. The printer setting information 310b is, for example, paper width, print area, print density, print speed, font setting, margin setting, printer ID, and the like. The printer ID is unique identification information (for example, a production number) assigned to the printer 160.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 160 includes a transmission / reception unit 161 including a reading unit 161 a and a writing unit 161 b, a setting unit 163 a, a control unit 163 (CPU) including a setting change determination unit 163 b, and a printing unit 164. A storage unit 165 (ROM, RAM), a LAN interface 162, and the like.

  Each unit is controlled by the control unit 163 reading and executing a predetermined program such as firmware written in the storage unit 165.

  The reading unit 161a includes an antenna and the like, and wirelessly reads the network setting information 310a and the printer setting information 310b from the RF tag 300 at a predetermined timing.

  The predetermined timing is determined by, for example, the timing when the power switch of the printer 160 is turned on in the state where the printer 160 is installed in the vicinity of the cash drawer 155 to which the RF tag 300 is attached, and operation switches (not shown) or commands. This is the timing when the printer 160 is reset.

The setting unit 163a stores the network setting information 310a and the printer setting information 310b read by the reading unit 161a in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160.
Then, the setting unit 163a performs each setting of the printer 160 based on the network setting information 310a and the printer setting information 310b read by the reading unit 161a.

  The writing unit 161b can wirelessly write the network setting information 310a and the printer setting information 310b to the RF tag 300. The writing unit 161b includes an antenna.

  As will be described later, the writing unit 161b updates or changes at least a part of the setting information such as the network setting information 310a and the printer setting information 310b stored in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 by the setting change determination unit 163b. When it is determined that it has been changed (hereinafter referred to as “changed”), the setting information after the change is written to the RF tag 300 wirelessly.

When receiving a command, print data, or the like from the host computer 151, the control unit 163 controls the printing unit 164 to print the receipt 170 based on the printer setting information 310b stored in the storage unit 165.
For example, the control unit 163 permits printing when the printer ID received by the command matches the setting, processes the received print data into a set format such as a paper width, a print area, a font, a margin, and the like. Printing is performed at a printing density and printing speed set by controlling the head and motor 164.

  The setting change determination unit 163b determines whether at least a part of each setting information stored in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 has been changed. Specifically, it can be determined by detecting whether each setting information has been changed based on reception of a command related to each setting information received from the host computer 151 or operation of an operation switch of the printer 160.

  Next, an example of the operation (printer control method) of the printer 160 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Specifically, in the POS terminal device 150 shown in FIG. 4, the printer 160 installed near the cash drawer 155 or the like fails, and the failed printer 160 (hereinafter referred to as the printer 160 before replacement). Will be described by taking as an example a situation where the printer 160 is replaced with another printer 160 that operates normally (hereinafter referred to as a printer 160 after replacement).

  The process illustrated in FIG. 5 is, for example, a process executed in the printer 160 after replacement. This is realized by the control unit 163 of the printer 160 after replacement executing a predetermined program such as firmware read from the storage unit 165.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the RF tag 300 stores network setting information 310a (IP address) and printer setting information 310b as setting information in advance. Note that the printer setting information 310b is a result of execution of processing described later (processing for writing the printer setting information 310b stored in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 before replacement in the RF tag 300) in the printer 160 before replacement. It is written in the RF tag 300.

  When the printer 160 of the POS terminal device 150 breaks down, the printer 160 before replacement is replaced with the printer 160 after replacement by the following procedure prior to the processing shown in FIG.

  First, the faulty pre-replacement printer 160 installed near the cash drawer 155 or the like is removed. Instead, the replaced printer 160 is installed near the cash drawer 155. The RF tag 300 is attached to the cash drawer 155. The mounting position of the RF tag 300 is a position close to the replaced printer 160 installed in the vicinity of the cash drawer 155, and preferably a position facing the cash drawer 155, such as the top or side of the cash drawer 155. 155 is attached.

This configuration has the following effects.
By installing the replaced printer 160 in the vicinity of the cash drawer 155, the transmission / reception unit 161 is positioned in the immediate vicinity or opposite to the RF tag 300 mounted on the cash drawer 155, and a short radio wave path or a direction in which the radio wave goes straight It becomes. Therefore, the transmission / reception unit 161 is a position where reading and writing can be performed stably. The RF tag 300 can be disposed at a position close to and opposite to the board on which the transmission / reception unit 161 in the printer 160 is mounted, and the relative positional relationship with the transmission / reception unit 161 can be kept constant. As a result that the relative positional relationship between the RF tag 300 and the transmission / reception unit 161 can be kept constant, each setting information can be stably read from the RF tag 300 by the transmission / reception unit 161 compared to the related art. Further, the setting information can be stably and wirelessly written to the RF tag 300 by the transmission / reception unit 161.

  As described above, since the RF tag 300 in which each setting information is stored is provided in the cash drawer 155, the setting information of the printer 160 before the replacement can be obtained by placing the replaced printer 160 in the vicinity of the cash drawer 155. (For example, the network setting information 310a and the printer setting information 310b) can be set quickly and appropriately in the printer 160 after replacement.

  Note that the printer 160 after the replacement reads the setting information wirelessly from the RF tag 300 tag when the power switch of the printer 160 after the replacement is turned on (step S1) or the printer 160 from the host computer 151. The control unit 163 controls to start when a reset command is received or when the operation switch of the printer 160 is operated. The host computer 151 may be reset by a signal line.

The control unit 163 reads the IP address stored in the storage unit 165, and determines whether or not the IP address is an initial value at the time of factory shipment (step S2). Since the printer 160 prepared as a copy is often in a purchased state, the IP address is an initial value at the time of factory shipment or the like (for example, a hexadecimal value, a continuous value of 0 or a continuous value of F), Can be judged by no. If it is not the initial value, there is a possibility that the printer 160 has failed before the replacement. Therefore, it is possible that the printer 160 has not been replaced without any subsequent processing, or it has already been used by another POS terminal device 150. Since there is a possibility of a thing, it complete | finishes (step S2: N). The determination may be made based on whether or not the initial value of the printer setting information stored in the storage unit 165 is used instead of the initial value of the IP address.
Note that if it is clear that the printer 160 prepared as a copy has been used elsewhere but has not failed, it is not necessary to determine whether or not it is an initial value.

  When the IP address of the printer 160 after replacement is an initial value (step S2: Y), the control unit 163 reads the state of the open / close switch (SW) of the cash drawer 155 connected by the cable 180 (step S2). S3). When the switch is in the closed state, the cash drawer 155 is connected and closed. When the switch is open, the cash drawer 155 is not connected or is open.

  If the switch is in the closed state (step S4: Y), it can be determined that the replaced printer 160 is installed near the cash drawer 155 and connected. This is because when the printer 160 is replaced due to a failure or the like, the POS terminal device 150 does not perform a payment process, so it does not send or receive money, and it can be assumed that the cash drawer 155 is normally closed.

When the control unit 163 determines that the switch is in the closed state (step S4: Y), the control unit 163 controls the transmission / reception unit 161 to access the RF tag 300 wirelessly, and receives the network setting information 310a (IP address, etc.) and the printer setting information 310b. Read (step S5).
Note that when at least one of the network setting information 310a and the printer setting information 310b is set to be read, at least one is read based on the setting.

  As described above, the reading unit 161a turns on the power switch of the replaced printer 160 at a predetermined timing, that is, in a state where the printer 160 is installed in the vicinity of the cash drawer 155 provided with the RF tag 300. Each setting information is read from the RF tag 300 wirelessly at timing (step S1) or the like.

  Next, the replaced printer 160 (setting unit 163a) sets each setting information read by the reading unit 161a in the replaced printer 160. At this time, the setting unit 163a stores (sets) the network setting information 310a (IP address) and the printer setting information 310b read by the reading unit 161a in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 after replacement (step S6).

  Processing is executed based on the network setting information 310a (IP address) set in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 after replacement, and a communication path (the communication path between the host computer 151 and the LAN interface 162 of the printer 160 after replacement) For example, a TCP connection) is established (step S7).

  In this way, the replaced printer 160 communicates with the host computer 151 via the network NT based on the network setting information 310a (IP address) set in the replaced printer 160 as described above. It can be carried out.

  Next, when the LAN interface 162 of the printer 160 after replacement receives print data from the host computer 151 that has established communication via the network NT, the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 after replacement receives the received print data. The printing unit 164 is controlled based on the printer setting information 310b and the like set in the above, and is issued as a receipt 170.

  Next, an example of a process of writing each setting information (for example, printer setting information 310b) stored in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 before replacement to the RF tag 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Each setting information (for example, printer setting information 310b) stored in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 before replacement is written into the RF tag 300 via the transmission / reception unit 161.

  For example, in the printer 160 before replacement (the same applies to the printer 160 after replacement), the printer 160 (control unit 163) before replacement executes a predetermined program such as firmware read from the storage unit 165. .

The printer setting information 310b stored in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 before replacement is written to the RF tag 300 every time at least a part of the printer setting information 310b is changed.
The printer setting information 310b is changed when the printer 160 receives a command related to changing the printer setting information 310b from the host computer 151 or when the printer 160 is changed by operating the operation switch of the printer 160. 163a memorize | stores in the memory | storage part 165, and performs.

  The printer 160 before replacement (setting change determination unit 163b) determines whether at least a part of the printer setting information 310b stored in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 before replacement has been changed.

  When it is determined that at least a part of the printer setting information 310b of the printer 160 before replacement has been changed, the writing unit 161b of the printer 160 before replacement uses the RF tag 300 as the change information of the printer setting information 310b after the change. The printer setting information 310b is written wirelessly.

  As described above, the printer setting information 310b stored in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 before replacement is written to the RF tag 300 every time at least a part of the printer setting information 310b is changed (for example, Overwritten). Note that the network setting information 310a stored in the storage unit 165 of the printer 160 before replacement is also written (for example, overwritten) in the RF tag 300 each time the network setting information 310a is changed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the RF tag in which the setting information (for example, the network setting information 310a and the printer setting information 310b) is attached to the cash drawer 155 by installing the printer 160 in the vicinity of the cash drawer 155. 300 (wireless tag) can be read or written stably. As a result, it is possible to provide a printer 160 and a printer control method capable of setting each setting information quickly and appropriately.

  This is because, since the RF tag 300 is attached to the cash drawer 155, the printer 160 is installed in the vicinity of the cash drawer 155 where the RF tag 300 is provided. This is because the relative positional relationship of can be kept constant. Furthermore, it is because each setting information can be stably read / written by radio | wireless from the RF tag 300 in the positional relationship kept constant.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, by placing the replaced printer 160 in the vicinity of the cash drawer 155, each setting information of the printer 160 before replacement can be quickly and appropriately set in the printer 160 after replacement. It is difficult for an operator who has no specialized knowledge of the printer 160 to check each setting information such as the network setting information 310a and the printer setting information 310b of the printer 160 before replacement. In addition, it is difficult to set the examined setting information in the printer 160 after replacement. According to the present embodiment, there is no need for the operator to make such investigations and settings.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, each setting is performed by a very simple procedure of removing the printer 160 before replacement from the cash drawer 155, installing the replaced printer 160 near the cash drawer 155, and turning on the power switch. Information can be set (successful) in the printer 160 after replacement.

  In the above-described embodiment, the RF tag 300 is used as a wireless tag in which each setting information is stored, and the example in which the setting information is read and written wirelessly from the wireless tag (for example, the RF tag 300) by the transmission / reception unit 161 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other wireless communications such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IrDA (registered trademark), NFC (registered trademark), and the like can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the POS printer that issues the receipt 170 is exemplified as the printer 160. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to other printers.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the printer 160 has failed and the failed printer 160 is replaced with another printer 160 that operates normally, an example in which the printer 160 is applied to another printer 160 after replacement has been described. Not limited to.

  For example, when the printer 160 is newly installed in the POS terminal device 150, it can be applied to the printer 160 after the new installation.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the network setting information 310a is an IP address has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other network addresses may be used as the network setting information 310a.

(Function and effect)
As described above, the printer 160 includes the LAN interface 162 as a communication unit that can be connected to the network NT, and the connector 168 as a connection unit that can output a control signal to the cash drawer 155. The printer 160 wirelessly reads setting information from the RF tag 300 attached to the cash drawer 155 and stored with setting information including the network setting information 310a, and the setting information read by the reading unit 161a. And a setting unit 163a for setting communication of the LAN interface 162.

  According to this configuration, by placing the printer 160 near an external device such as the cash drawer 155, the position of the RF tag 300 attached to the external device is defined, and the host computer 151 can be stably, quickly, and easily. You can set up communication with

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 150 ... POS terminal device 151 ... Host computer, 155 ... Cash drawer, 160 ... Printer, 161 ... Transmission / reception part, 162 ... LAN interface, 163 ... Control part, 164 ... Printing part, 165 ... Storage part, 300 ... RF tag.

Claims (7)

A communication unit connectable to the network;
A connection that can output a control signal to an external device;
A reading unit that wirelessly reads the setting information from a wireless tag that is attached to the external device and stores setting information including network setting information;
A printer comprising: a setting unit configured to set communication of the communication unit based on the setting information read by the reading unit. The network is communicatively connected to a computer,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit that is set for communication by the setting unit communicates with the computer via the network.   The printer according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that outputs the control signal from the connection unit to the external device when the communication unit receives a command related to the external device from the computer. A writing unit for wirelessly writing the setting information to the wireless tag;
The printer according to claim 2, wherein when the communication unit receives a command to change the setting information from the computer, the writing unit changes the setting information of the wireless tag. A printing section for printing on a print medium,
The setting information includes printer setting information,
The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the printing unit based on the setting information read by the reading unit to perform printing.   The printer according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit reads the setting information from the wireless tag when the power is turned on or reset. A communication unit that can be connected to a network, a connection unit that can output a control signal to an external device, and a wireless tag that is attached to the external device and stores setting information including network setting information is read out wirelessly And a printer control method comprising:
The setting information is read from the wireless tag by the reading unit,
Based on the read setting information, communication setting of the communication unit,
And a printer control method.

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