JPH05290195A - Printer device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To improve the operability of the handy scanner by sending data from the handy scanner to the printer in real time. [Structure] A scanner-side interface section including a first light emitting section 23, a first light receiving section 24, a first infrared interface 25, and a first modulation circuit 26 in a handy scanner terminal 11 and a handy printer 31, respectively. 16 and the second light receiving portion 37, the second light emitting portion 38, the second
Infrared interface 39, the printer side interface unit 35 composed of the second modulation circuit 40,
Infrared data communication.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device equipped with a handy scanner for reading bar codes, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printer having a handy scanner, as shown in, for example, FIGS. 3A and 3B, a printer comprising a handy scanner for reading a bar code and a portable handy printer. The device is known.

In FIG. 3A, the handy scanner 1 is
CCD (charge coupled device) (not shown) that has a built-in battery (not shown) to read barcodes
Etc. The handy scanner 1 and the handy printer 2 that prints on paper are connected by a stretchable connection cable 3. A rechargeable lead storage battery 2a is detachably provided in the handy printer 2, and a printed sheet is discharged from a discharge port 2b provided on the front surface.

When the bar code is read by the handy scanner 1, the read information is converted inside the handy scanner 1 into binary data of 0 and 1. This data is transmitted to the handy printer 2 via the connection cable 3 in real time, the handy printer 2 prints on the paper based on the transmitted data, and the printed paper is discharged from the discharge port 2b.

In FIG. 3B, the handy scanner 4 is
A battery (not shown) is built in, and is composed of a CCD (not shown) for reading a barcode and a buffer memory (not shown) for storing the data of the read barcode. A first contact type optical interface 4a is provided on the side surface of the handy scanner 4. In addition, the handy printer 5 that prints on paper also includes the first contact type optical interface 4 of the handy scanner 4.
Second contact optical interface 5 for communicating with a
a is provided. Therefore, the data stored in the buffer memory of the handy scanner 4 is collected in the handy printer 5 by bringing the first contact type interface 4a and the second contact type optical interface 5a of the handy printer 5 into contact with each other. Can be sent.

A rechargeable lead-acid battery 5b is detachably provided in the handy printer 5, and the printed paper is ejected from an ejection port 5c provided on the front surface.

When the bar code is read by the handy scanner 4, the read information is converted into binary data of 0 and 1 inside the handy scanner 4 and stored in the buffer memory. A predetermined amount of data can be stored in this buffer memory. When it becomes necessary to issue printing of paper, the first contact-type optical interface 4a of the handy scanner 4 is brought into contact with the second contact-type optical interface 5a of the handy printer 5 so that the data stored in the buffer memory is contacted. Are collectively transmitted to the handy printer 5. The handy printer 5 prints on a sheet based on the transmitted data, and the printed sheet is discharged from the discharge port 5c.

[0008]

In the former conventional example described above, since the handy scanner 1 and the handy printer 2 are connected by the connection cable 3, the connection cable 3 is restricted in the operability of the handy scanner 1. There was a problem that it would end up. In addition, handy scanner 1
There was a problem that it got in the way during the operation of.

In the latter conventional example described above, a memory (buffer memory) for storing the data read from the bar code.
However, there is a problem that printing is delayed because data cannot be transmitted in real time. Further, there is a problem that the first optical interface 4a of the handy scanner 4 has to be brought into contact with the second optical interface 5a of the handy printer 2 in order to transmit data, which is troublesome.

That is, the conventional printer device including a handy scanner and a handy printer has a problem that the operability of the handy scanner is poor.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer device capable of transmitting data from the handy scanner to the printer body in real time and improving the operability of the handy scanner.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a reading section for reading image information such as a bar code and a printer main body for printing on a sheet based on the information read by the reading section are separated from each other. The unit includes a reading unit that reads image information such as a barcode, a conversion unit that converts the image information into transmission information when the reading unit reads the image information, and a conversion unit that converts the image information into transmission information. Then, an infrared transmitting means for transmitting this transmission information using infrared rays is provided, and the printer body receives the infrared rays emitted from the reading section and the printing means for printing on the paper, and converts the infrared rays into print information. The infrared receiving means and the printing control means for controlling the printing means based on the printing information converted by the infrared receiving means to print on the paper are provided.

[0013]

In the present invention having such a structure, the image information such as the bar code is read by the reading unit separated from the printer body in the reading unit. When the image information is read by the reading means, the image information is converted into transmission information by the conversion means, and when the image information is converted into transmission information by the conversion means, the transmission information uses infrared rays by the infrared transmission means. Sent.

In the printer body, the infrared rays emitted from the reading section are received by the infrared receiving means, and the received infrared rays are converted into print information. The print control unit controls the print unit based on the print information to print on the paper.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a printer device including a handy scanner terminal and a handy printer, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the whole printer device. To the handy scanner terminal 11 as a reading unit, a reading head 12 for reading a bar code, a first input key unit 13 for inputting various data, a liquid crystal display 14 for displaying data, and various data are input. A second input key unit 15 for scanning, and a scanner side interface unit 16 for receiving infrared rays while receiving infrared rays.
Is provided.

Handy printer 3 as a printer body
1, a belt 32 for hanging the handy printer on the shoulder, and a rechargeable lead storage battery 3 having a detachable structure.
3, a discharge port 34 for discharging printed paper, and a printer-side interface unit 35 for emitting infrared rays and receiving infrared rays are provided.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a circuit configuration of a main part of this printer. The handy scanner terminal 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a first control unit 17 that processes various data and controls each unit, a CCD (charge coupled device) 18 as a reading unit that constitutes the reading head 12, and this CC.
An amplifier circuit 19 for amplifying the signal output from D18, a binarization circuit 20 for converting the signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 18 into data of 0 and 1 according to the voltage level,
The decoder circuit 21 for converting the data obtained by the digitization circuit 20 into data such as numerical values and codes and outputting it to the first controller 17, and the first circuit outputting the data inputted to the first controller 17 Operation unit 22 including the input key unit 13 and the second input key unit 15, the display unit 14 for displaying data and the like according to the output signal from the first control unit 17, and the first light emission for emitting infrared rays. Section 23, a first light receiving section 24 for receiving infrared rays, outputs a control signal for causing the first light emitting section 23 to emit infrared rays based on an input transmission signal, and outputs from the first light receiving section 24. First to input a signal, convert it to a modulatable signal and output it
Infrared interface 25, modulates a modulatable signal output from the first infrared interface 25 and outputs the modulated signal to the first controller 17 as a received data signal, and also from the first controller 17. The first modulation circuit 26 outputs a transmission signal to the first infrared interface 25 based on the output transmission data signal.

The amplification circuit 19, the binarization circuit 20 and the decoder circuit 21 constitute a conversion means.

The first control unit 17 stores a CPU (central proc-essing unit) that constitutes the control unit main body, and an RO that stores program data for processing performed by this CPU.
M (read only memory), RAM (rand) in which various memory areas used when the CPU performs processing are formed.
om access memory), I / O (input / output) ports, etc. Further, the scanner side interface section 16 is constituted by the first light emitting section 23, the first light receiving section 24, the first infrared interface 25, and the first modulation circuit 26 as infrared transmitting means. There is.

The above-mentioned circuit of the handy scanner terminal 11 includes the handy scanner terminal 11
Power is supplied from a battery (not shown) built in the.

Further, the handy printer 31 has a second control section 36 for processing various data and controlling each section.
A second light receiving portion 37 that receives infrared rays, a second light emitting portion 38 that emits infrared rays, an output signal from the second light receiving portion 37 is input, converted into a signal that can be modulated, and output.
A second infrared interface 39 that outputs a control signal for causing the second light emitting unit 38 to emit infrared light based on the input transmission signal, and the second infrared interface 39.
The modulated signal output from the second control unit 36 is modulated and output to the second control unit 36 as a reception data signal, and the transmission signal is output based on the transmission data signal output from the second control unit 36. From the second modulation circuit 40, the second modulation circuit 40 for outputting to the second infrared interface 39, the serial interface 41 connected to the second control unit 36 for connecting to an external device such as a host computer, and the like. A print buffer 42 that prints dot image data on the basis of print data such as an output received data signal, a thermal head 43 as a printing unit that prints on paper, and a control signal from the second controller 36 A thermal head that drives the thermal head 43 based on the dot image data drawn in the print buffer 42. And a dynamic circuit 44.

The second control unit 36 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O port, etc., which constitutes the main body of the control unit. Further, the printer-side interface section 35 is constituted by the second light receiving section 37, the second light emitting section 38, the second infrared interface 39, and the second modulation circuit 40 as infrared receiving means. There is. The second control unit 36, the print buffer 42, and the thermal head drive circuit 44 constitute print control means.

Electric power is supplied to the above-mentioned circuit of the handy printer 31 from the lead storage battery 33 detachably provided in the handy printer 31.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, in the handy scanner terminal 11, the image information read by the CCD 18 is converted into data such as numerical values and codes via the amplifier circuit 19, the binarization circuit 20 and the decoder circuit 21. To be done. Transmission data is created by the first control unit 17 based on this data, and the first light emitting unit 23 is transmitted via the first modulation circuit 26 and the first infrared interface 25.
Emits infrared rays as a transmission signal.

In the handy printer 31, the radiated infrared rays are received by the second light receiving section 37, and a signal of a level corresponding to the amount of received infrared rays is output. This output signal is converted into reception data via the second infrared interface 39 and the second modulation circuit 40. Based on the print data such as the received data, the second control unit 36 draws dot image data in the print buffer 42 and controls the thermal head 43 via the thermal head drive circuit 44 to print on the paper. On the other hand, the second control unit 36 outputs the transmission data in response to the reception to the second modulation circuit 40. The response transmission data is radiated by infrared rays as a response transmission signal by the second light emitting unit 38 via the second modulation circuit 40 and the second infrared interface 39.

In the handy scanner terminal 11, the emitted infrared rays are received by the first light receiving section 24,
A signal having a level corresponding to the amount of received infrared rays is output. This output signal is the first infrared interface 25.
Also, the received data of the response is converted via the first modulation circuit 26. When the received data of this response is input to the first control unit, it is determined that the transmission has been completed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the first light emitting portion 23, the first light receiving portion 24, the first infrared interface 25, and the first modulation are respectively provided in the handy scanner terminal 11 and the handy printer 31. The scanner-side interface unit 16 including the circuit 26, the second light-receiving unit 37, the second light-emitting unit 38, the second infrared interface 39, and the printer-side interface unit 35 including the second modulation circuit 40 are provided. With the provision, data communication can be performed by infrared rays.

Therefore, within the communicable range by infrared rays, the handy scanner terminal 11 can be freely operated at a position away from the handy printer 31, so that the operability of the handy scanner terminal can be improved. Moreover, the data read by the handy scanner terminal 11 can be transmitted to the handy printer 31 in real time.

In this embodiment, the bar code (one-dimensional code) is read by the CCD 18 of the handy scanner terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a two-dimensional code. The present invention can also be applied to a handy scanner equipped with a reading unit for reading images, graphics, and the like.

[0030]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a printer device capable of transmitting data from the handy scanner to the printer body in real time and improving the operability of the handy scanner.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an entire conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Handy scanner terminal, 16 ... Scanner side interface section, 23 ... First light emitting section, 24 ... First
Light receiving part, 25 ... First infrared interface, 26 ...
1st modulation circuit, 31 ... Handy printer, 35 ... Printer side interface section, 37 ... Second light receiving section, 38
... second light emitting part, 39 ... second infrared interface,
40 ... A second modulation circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A reading unit for reading image information such as a bar code and a printer main body for printing on a sheet based on the information read by the reading unit are separated from each other, and the reading unit includes a bar code and the like. Reading means for reading the image information, converting means for converting the image information into transmission information when the reading means reads the image information, and infrared light for converting the transmission information when the image information is converted by the converting means. And an infrared receiving means for receiving the infrared rays emitted from the reading section and converting the infrared rays into print information. And a print control means for controlling the print means based on the print information converted by the infrared receiving means to print on the paper. Device.