JP2021149864A - Print control device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To smoothly issue a print medium excellent in visibility.SOLUTION: A print control device according to an embodiment includes an instruction unit and an output unit. The instruction unit instructs printing based on first print data corresponding to a first receipt or a first coupon and second print data corresponding to an identification image of a business operator or a shop for a second receipt or a second coupon to be issued next according to a print request for the first receipt or the first coupon. The output unit outputs an instruction of printing based on the first and second print data to a printer that prints the image on a recording medium, cuts the recording medium at a predetermined position and issues the receipt or the coupon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to print control devices and programs.

Many stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores have introduced a POS (Point Of Sales) system. The processing performance and capacity of the POS system have been improved due to the development of computer hardware technology, and functions for sale have been added to the POS system one after another. For example, a POS system that issues coupons for sales promotion is known.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-07922

In general, there are various restrictions on the use of coupons. For example, there are restrictions such as using it at a store operated by a coupon issuing company, or using it at the same store as the coupon issuing store. However, such restrictions are difficult to understand from printed coupons and can be misused. Therefore, there is a demand for measures to prevent misuse of coupons. On the other hand, in order to prevent misuse of coupons, it is desirable to avoid cost increases and long waiting times for printing due to changes in printing processing of coupons and the like.

An object to be solved by the embodiment of the present invention is to smoothly issue a print medium having excellent visibility.

The print control device according to the embodiment includes an indicator unit and an output unit. In accordance with the printing request of the first receipt or the first coupon, the instruction unit receives the first print data corresponding to the first receipt or the first coupon, and the second receipt or the second receipt issued next. Instruct printing based on the second print data corresponding to the identification image of the business operator or store for the second coupon. The output unit outputs a printing instruction based on the first and second print data to a printer that prints an image on a recording medium, cuts the recording medium at a predetermined position, and issues a receipt or a coupon.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the product sales data processing system 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the server 13 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the registered payment device 11 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the processor 1101 of the registered payment device 11 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of printing processing of a receipt with an identification image and a coupon with an identification image by the registered payment device 11 according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a printing unit and an issuing unit based on print data by the registered settlement device 11 according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon with an identification image according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the product sales data processing system 10 according to the present embodiment. The product sales data processing system 10 includes one or a plurality of registered payment devices 11, a server 13, and a network 14 that connects them. The network 14 is typically a LAN (local area network). The network 14 may use another communication network such as the Internet or a wireless LAN instead of the LAN.

The registration payment device 11 is arranged for each checkout lane of the store. The operator of the registered payment device 11 is a clerk 21 who plays a role called a checker. The registered payment device 11 is attached to the work table 23 in FIG. The work table 23 has a rectangular top plate. By arranging the plurality of work tables 23 so that the longitudinal directions of the top plates are substantially parallel to each other, a passage for the customer 22, a so-called checkout lane, is formed.

The registration settlement device 11 has a function of registering a product to be purchased and generating accounting data. The registration of the product to be purchased means that the clerk 21 registers the product to be purchased in the registration settlement device 11. For example, by scanning the barcode symbol attached to the product with a scanner, the product is registered in the registration payment device 11 as a product to be purchased. The generation of accounting data is to generate data related to the accounting of one or more purchase target products registered in one transaction.

In addition, the registered payment device 11 has a payment processing function for settling the price of the product to be purchased. The settlement process is to process the settlement of a transaction, which is an act of buying and selling goods, based on accounting data. For payment, cash, credit card, electronic money, etc. are used as payment methods.

Further, the registered payment device 11 corresponds to a print control device and has a function of issuing a receipt and issuing a coupon. Receipt issuance is the printing of accounting data for one or more products to be purchased registered in one transaction on a recording area drawn from a long recording medium such as roll paper, and the recording medium at a predetermined position. Is a process of cutting and issuing the recording area separated by the cut as a receipt. Coupon issuance means printing a coupon that can be used as a discount coupon for a predetermined product or data related to a coupon that can be used as a cash voucher in a recording area drawn from a recording medium, cutting the recording medium at a predetermined position, and then cutting the recording medium. This is a process of issuing a recording area separated by cutting as a coupon. For example, a barcode indicating the value of the discount coupon or a barcode indicating the amount of money is printed on the coupon. In the present embodiment, the registered payment device 11 issues a receipt and a coupon with an identification image of the business operator or the store. Details of these publications will be described in detail later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the server 13 according to the present embodiment. The server 13 corresponds to an information processing device and includes a processor 1301, a main storage device 1302, an auxiliary storage device 1303, a communication unit 1304, a keyboard 1305, a touch panel 1307, a display 1308, and a system transmission line 1311. The system transmission line 1311 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The system transmission line 1311 interconnects the processor 1301, the main storage device 1302, the auxiliary storage device 1303, the communication unit 1304, the keyboard 1305, the touch panel 1307, and the display 1308. The computer of the server 13 is configured by connecting the processor 1301, the main storage device 1302, and the auxiliary storage device 1303 on the system transmission line 1311.

The processor 1301 is an information processing unit corresponding to the central part of the computer. The processor 1301 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the server 13 according to the operating system and the application program. The processor 1301 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The main storage device 1302 includes a non-volatile storage area and a volatile storage area. The non-volatile storage area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile storage area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The non-volatile storage area stores some or all of the operating system and application programs. The volatile storage area temporarily stores the processing data and the like of the processor 1301.

The auxiliary storage device 1303 includes a non-volatile storage area, and is one of, for example, EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) (registered trademark), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like. Or it is composed of a plurality. Auxiliary storage device 1303 stores some or all of the operating system and application programs. Further, the auxiliary storage device 1303 stores data used by the processor 1301 to perform various processes, data generated by the process of the processor 1301, and the like.

For example, the auxiliary storage device 1303 stores the management area, and the management area stores the member information and the point management information. Member information includes member identification information, member names, and the like. The point management information includes point history information. The point history information includes addition points (assigned points), subtraction points (used points), and total points by expiration date corresponding to the member identification information.

The application program stored in at least one of the main storage device 1302 and the auxiliary storage device 1303 includes a control program described for information processing executed by the server 13. The method of installing the control program on the auxiliary storage device 1303 is not particularly limited. The control program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or the control program can be distributed by communication via the network 14 and installed in the auxiliary storage device 1303. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it is a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a memory card that can store a program and can be read by the apparatus.

The communication unit 1304 communicates with the registered payment device 11 connected via the network 14.

The keyboard 1305 is a keyboard on which well-known keys such as a numeric keypad, a multiplication key, a subtotal key, a transmission key, and a clear key are arranged. For example, the product management information can be edited via the keyboard 1305.

The touch panel 1307 is a device having both an input device and a display device. The touch panel 1307 displays information to a clerk who is an operator of the server 13, and receives an operation input by the clerk.
The display 1308 displays product management information, point management information, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the registered payment device 11 according to the present embodiment. The registration payment device 11 includes a processor 1101, a main storage device 1102, an auxiliary storage device 1103, a communication unit 1104, a keyboard 1105, a scanner 1106, a touch panel 1107, a customer display 1108, a printer 1109, a drawer opening mechanism 1110, and a system transmission line 1111. Be prepared. The system transmission line 1111 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The system transmission line 1111 includes a processor 1101, a main storage device 1102, an auxiliary storage device 1103, a communication unit 1104, a keyboard 1105, a scanner 1106, a touch panel 1107, a customer display 1108, a printer 1109, a drawer opening mechanism 1110, and a reader / lyra. It connects with 1112 to each other. The computer of the registered payment device 11 is configured by connecting the processor 1101, the main storage device 1102, and the auxiliary storage device 1103 on the system transmission line 1111.

The processor 1101 is an information processing unit corresponding to the central part of the computer. The processor 1101 controls each unit in order to realize various functions as the registered payment device 11 according to the operating system and the application program. The processor 1101 is, for example, a CPU.

The main storage device 1102 includes a non-volatile storage area and a volatile storage area. The non-volatile storage area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile storage area is, for example, RAM. The non-volatile storage area stores some or all of the operating system and application programs. The volatile storage area temporarily stores the processing data and the like of the processor 1101.

The auxiliary storage device 1103 includes a non-volatile storage area, and is composed of, for example, one or more of EEPROM, HDD, SSD, and the like. Auxiliary storage device 1103 stores some or all of the operating system and application programs. Further, the auxiliary storage device 1103 stores data used by the processor 1101 to perform various processes, data generated by the processes of the processor 1101, and the like.

For example, the auxiliary storage device 1103 includes a product registration area, and the product registration area stores product data generated for each purchase target product registered in one transaction. The product data includes a product code, a product name, a unit price, and the like. Further, the auxiliary storage device 1103 includes a payment settlement processing area, and the payment processing area stores payment processing information. The settlement processing information includes the product data generated for each purchase target product registered in one transaction and the total billing amount corresponding to the product data. Further, in the case of cash payment, the data of the deposit amount and the change amount are stored in the settlement processing area. In the case of credit card payment, the data of the payment amount by the credit card is stored in the payment processing area. In the case of electronic money payment, the data of the payment amount by electronic money is stored in the payment processing area.

The application program stored in at least one of the main storage device 1102 and the auxiliary storage device 1103 includes a control program described for information processing executed by the registered payment device 11. The method of installing the control program on the auxiliary storage device 1103 is not particularly limited. The control program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or the control program can be distributed by communication via the network 14 and installed in the auxiliary storage device 1103. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it is a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a memory card that can store a program and can be read by the apparatus.

The communication unit 1104 communicates with the server 13 connected via the network 14.
The keyboard 1105 is a registration-only keyboard in which well-known keys such as a numeric keypad, a multiplication key, a subtotal key, a transmission key, and a clear key are arranged. The keyboard 1105 may be a general-purpose keyboard including a numeric keypad to which functions such as a multiplication key, a subtotal key, a transmission key, and a clear key are assigned.

The scanner 1106 reads code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional data codes. The scanner 1106 may be of a type that reads a code symbol by scanning a laser beam, or may be a type that reads a code symbol from an image captured by an imaging device.

The touch panel 1107 is a device having both an input device and a display device. The touch panel 1107 displays information to a clerk who is an operator of the registered payment device 11, and receives an operation input by the clerk.

The customer display 1108 displays information to a customer who has registered a product to be purchased in the registration payment device 11.

The printer 1109 prints various characters, numbers, symbols, images, etc. on a recording area drawn from a long recording medium such as roll paper, cuts the recording medium at a predetermined position, and is separated by cutting. The recorded area is issued as a receipt or coupon. The information to be printed is the identification image of the business operator or the store and the information regarding the receipt or the coupon. For example, the identification image of a business operator or a store is called a logotype (hereinafter, abbreviated as a logo), and includes decorated characters or character strings. Therefore, the issued receipt or coupon is a receipt or coupon with a logo. For example, the logo attached to the receipt and the coupon is the same logo, and is a fixed-length image regardless of the contents of the receipt and the coupon.

For example, the printer 1109 prints the first logo between the tip and a predetermined position based on the first printing instruction. The printer 1109 also prints a receipt or coupon after the first logo and prints the second logo, based on the second print instruction. The cutter of printer 1109 cuts the recording medium at a predetermined position. The sheet separated from the body of the recording medium by this cut contains the image of the first logo and the receipt or coupon, and the sheet remaining on the body of the recording medium contains the image of the second logo. ..

The printer 1109 also prints a coupon or receipt after the second logo and prints the third logo, based on the third print instruction. The cutter of printer 1109 cuts the recording medium at a predetermined position. The sheet separated from the body of the recording medium by this cut contains the image of the second logo and the coupon or receipt, and the sheet remaining on the body of the recording medium contains the image of the third logo. ..

That is, the first logo is a logo for a receipt or coupon that is printed after the first logo is printed, and is printed in advance for immediate issuance of the receipt or coupon and is awaiting issuance. The first logo is linked to the receipt or coupon printed after the first logo is printed, and the first logo and the receipt or coupon printed after the first logo is printed. Issued as a unit. The second logo is a logo for a coupon or receipt that is printed after the second logo is printed, and is pre-printed and awaiting issuance for immediate issuance of the coupon or receipt. The second logo is linked to the receipt or coupon printed after the second logo is printed, and the second logo and the receipt or coupon printed after the second logo is printed. Issued as a unit.

The drawer opening mechanism 1110 opens a drawer for accommodating cash or cash vouchers such as gift certificates and coupons.

The reader / writer 1112 has a function of reading data recorded on a medium such as a card or a smartphone, and a function of writing data on the medium. The card may include a member's card, a point card, or the like, in addition to a payment card such as a credit card, a debit card, an electronic money card, or a prepaid card. The reader / writer 1112 may be a magnetic, contact, or non-contact device, and may include a plurality of types of devices.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the processor 1101 of the registered payment device 11 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the processor 1101 includes an instruction unit 11011 and an output unit 11012. The processor 1101 executes a program stored in at least one of the main storage device 1102 and the auxiliary storage device 1103, and realizes a print instruction by the instruction unit 11011, an output of a print instruction by the output unit 11012, and the like. Further, the processor 1101 realizes printing based on the printing instruction in cooperation with the hardware configuration of the printer 1109 and the like.

The instruction unit 11011 follows the print request of the first receipt or the first coupon, the first print data corresponding to the first receipt or the first coupon, and the first receipt or the first coupon. Instruct printing based on the second print data corresponding to the logo for the second receipt or the second coupon issued. For example, the first print data is data for printing a first image of a first length, and the second print data is data for printing a second image of a second length. The output unit 11012 outputs a printing instruction based on the first and second print data to the printer 1109.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of printing processing of a receipt with an identification image and a coupon with an identification image by the registered payment device 11 according to the embodiment. Further, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a printing unit and an issuing unit based on the printing data by the registered settlement device 11 according to the embodiment. Further, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon with an identification image according to the embodiment.

The registration payment device 11 starts preparation for registration payment processing, for example, preparation for printing a logo receipt and a logo coupon, based on the activation signal. When the instruction unit 11011 of the processor 1101 detects the logo printing request (ACT101, YES), the instruction unit 11011 instructs the printing based on the logo printing data according to the logo printing request (ACT102). The output unit 11012 outputs the logo print data (print unit) for one printing (ACT103), and the printer 1109 is based on the logo print data from the tip of the recording medium to the first position. The logo 61 is printed on the screen (ACT104). Since the logo 61 has a fixed length, the length from the tip to the first position also has a fixed length. The logo 61 is printed on the sheet pulled out from the main body of the recording medium, and in this state, the receipt printing request or the coupon printing request is awaited.

When the instruction unit 11011 detects the receipt print request (ACT105, YES), the instruction unit 11011 instructs the print based on the print data of the receipt and the logo in accordance with the receipt print request (ACT106). The output unit 11012 outputs the print data (print unit data) of the receipt and the logo for one printing (ACT107), and the printer 1109 is the first recording medium based on the print data of the receipt and the logo. The receipt 62 is printed between the positions and the second position, and the logo 63 is printed between the second position and the third position (ACT108). Since the receipt 62 has a variable length depending on the transaction content, the length from the first position to the second position also has a variable length. On the other hand, since the logo 63 has a fixed length, the length from the second position to the third position also has a fixed length. The printer 1109 cuts the recording medium at a predetermined position and issues it as a logo-attached receipt (receipt of the issuing unit) including the logo 61 pre-printed by the ACT 104 and the receipt 62 printed by the ACT 108 this time (ACT109). The logo 63 is printed on the sheet pulled out from the main body of the recording medium, and in this state, the next receipt printing request or coupon printing request is awaited.

When the instruction unit 11011 detects the coupon printing request (ACT110, YES), the instruction unit 11011 instructs printing based on the printing data of the coupon and the logo in accordance with the coupon printing request (ACT111). The output unit 11012 outputs the print data (print unit data) of the coupon and the logo for one printing (ACT112), and the printer 1109 is the third recording medium based on the print data of the coupon and the logo. The coupon 64 is printed between the positions and the fourth position, and the logo 65 is printed between the third position and the fourth position (ACT113). The coupon 64 may have a fixed length or a variable length. Therefore, the length from the third position to the fourth position is also a fixed length or a variable length. On the other hand, since the logo 65 has a fixed length, the length from the fourth position to the fifth position also has a fixed length. The printer 1109 cuts the recording medium at a predetermined position, and issues a coupon with a logo (coupon for each issuance unit) including the logo 63 pre-printed by the ACT 108 and the coupon 64 printed by the ACT 113 this time (ACT114). The logo 65 is printed on the sheet pulled out from the main body of the recording medium, and in this state, the next receipt printing request or coupon printing request is awaited.

When the registration settlement process is continued (ACT115, NO), the processor 1101 (indicator 11011) waits for the receipt print request (ACT105) or the coupon print request (ACT110), and when it is not continued (ACT115, YES), the process ends. do.

If the receipt print request is not detected (ACT105, NO) and the coupon print request is detected after ACT104 (ACT110, YES), the logo printed in advance by ACT104 and the coupon printed this time by ACT113 are used. A coupon with a logo consisting of will be issued.

Also, after ACT109, if the coupon print request is not detected (ACT110, NO) and the receipt print request is detected (ACT105, YES), the logo pre-printed by ACT109 and the next ACT109 are printed this time. A receipt with a logo will be issued.

Further, after the ACT 114, if the receipt print request is not detected (ACT 105, NO) and the coupon print request is detected (ACT 110, YES), the logo pre-printed by the ACT 114 and the next ACT 114 are printed this time. A coupon with a logo will be issued.

That is, a receipt with a logo and a coupon with a logo can be issued alternately, a receipt with a logo can be issued continuously, or a coupon with a logo can be issued continuously. In either case, the pre-printed logo is combined with the receipt or coupon printed this time.

By sharing the logo of the receipt and the coupon, it is not necessary to select the logo and it can be printed in advance. Further, by printing the logo in advance, it is not necessary to print the logo when issuing the receipt with the logo or the coupon with the logo, and the time until the receipt with the logo and the coupon with the logo is issued can be shortened.

Further, by sharing the logo, the customer 22 can easily recognize that the receipt and the coupon are related. In addition, the customer 22 can recognize the issuing business operator or issuing store of the coupon from the receipt and the logo of the coupon. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to smoothly issue a print medium having excellent visibility.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

10 ... Product sales data processing system 11 ... Registered payment device 13 ... Server 14 ... Network 1101 ... Processor 1102 ... Main storage device 1103 ... Auxiliary storage device 1104 ... Communication unit 1105 ... Keyboard 1106 ... Scanner 1107 ... Touch panel 1108 ... Customer display 1109 ... Printer 1110 ... Drawer opening mechanism 1111 ... System transmission line 1112 ... Reader / writer 1301 ... Processor 1302 ... Main storage device 1303 ... Auxiliary storage device 1304 ... Communication unit 1305 ... Keyboard 1307 ... Touch panel 1308 ... Display 1311 ... System transmission line 11011 ... Indicator 11012 ... Output unit

Claims (5)

For the first print data corresponding to the first receipt or the first coupon, and for the second receipt or the second coupon issued next, in accordance with the print request of the first receipt or the first coupon. An instruction unit that instructs printing based on the second print data corresponding to the identification image of the business operator or store of
An output unit that prints an image on a recording medium, cuts the recording medium at a predetermined position, and outputs a printing instruction based on the first and second print data to a printer that issues a receipt or a coupon.
A print control device comprising. The first print data is data for printing a first image of a first length.
The second print data is data for printing a second image of a second length.
The printer prints the first image between the first position and the second position of the recording medium, and prints the second image between the second position and the third position. The print control device of claim 1, which prints and cuts the second position. Based on the printing request of the second receipt or the second coupon, the instruction unit uses the second receipt or the third print data corresponding to the second coupon, and the third print data to be issued next. Instruct printing based on the second print data for the receipt or the third coupon of
The third print data is data for printing a third image having a third length.
The print control device according to claim 2, wherein the printer prints the third image between the second position and the third position, and cuts the second position. The first print data is data for printing a variable-length image.
The print control device according to claim 2, wherein the second print data is data for printing a fixed-length image. On the computer
For the first print data corresponding to the first receipt or the first coupon, and for the second receipt or the second coupon issued next, in accordance with the print request of the first receipt or the first coupon. Procedure for instructing printing based on the second print data corresponding to the identification image of the business operator or store of
A printer that prints an image on a recording medium, cuts the recording medium at a predetermined position, and issues a receipt or a coupon is made to execute a procedure of outputting a printing instruction based on the first and second print data. program.

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