Printing device and method for controlling printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus capable of accomplishing activation with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: a connector which can receive supply of first electric power from the exterior; a switching circuit which can supply the first electric power to a regulator; a latch circuit which controls the switching circuit; a power switch which can hold the latch circuit in a prescribed state; a control part which can hold the latch circuit in the prescribed state, and can detect operation of the power switch; and a storage part which can store set information. When the first electric power is supplied to the regulator, the latch circuit turns ON the switching circuit and supplies the first electric power to the regulator when the first electric power is supplied and the prescribed state is a first state, the regulator generates second electric power on the basis of the supplied first electric power and supplies the second electric power to the control part and the storage part, and the control part does not detect operation of the power switch and maintains the latch circuit in the first state when set information in the storage part is effective.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device and a control method for a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, a power supply startup device for a printing device is known in which a moment-type switch is used as a power switch, and when a breaker is turned on, a control unit determines the state of the power switch, and if it is off, an automatic startup unit, which is an arbitrary electrical circuit, turns the switch on. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-188941 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as in the device described in Patent Document 1, the configuration for turning on a moment-type switch using an automatic startup unit is complicated, making it difficult to achieve startup with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printing device includes a connector capable of receiving a first power from an external source, a switch circuit capable of supplying the first power to a regulator, a latch circuit controlling the switch circuit, a power switch capable of holding the latch circuit in a predetermined state, a control unit capable of holding the latch circuit in the predetermined state and capable of detecting operation of the power switch, and a memory unit capable of storing setting information, wherein when the first power is supplied to the connector, the latch circuit, if the first power is supplied and the predetermined state is a first state, turns on the switch circuit and supplies the first power to the regulator, the regulator generates a second power based on the supplied first power and supplies the second power to the control unit and the memory unit, and if the setting information of the memory unit is valid, the control unit does not detect operation of the power switch and maintains the latch circuit in the first state.

[0006] A control method for a printing device including a connector capable of receiving a first power from an external source, a switch circuit capable of supplying the first power to a regulator, a latch circuit controlling the switch circuit, a power switch capable of holding the latch circuit in a predetermined state, and a memory unit capable of holding the latch circuit in the predetermined state and capable of storing setting information, wherein when the first power is supplied to the connector, if the first power is supplied and the predetermined state is a first state, the latch circuit turns on the switch circuit and supplies the first power to the regulator, the regulator generates a second power based on the supplied first power and supplies the second power to the memory unit, and if the setting information of the memory unit is valid, does not detect operation of the power switch and maintains the latch circuit in the first state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus. [Diagram 2] 13 is a state transition diagram when the setting information is valid. [Diagram 3] 13 is a state transition diagram when the setting information is invalid. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram when the setting information is invalid and the power is turned off by the power switch. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a state transition diagram after the power is turned off without using the power switch when the setting information is invalid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] 1. Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. A printing device 1 according to the embodiment is used, for example, in a POS (Point Of Sale) system. POS systems are systems used in retail businesses such as shopping centers, department stores, convenience stores, and in-car sales, and food and beverage businesses such as restaurants, coffee shops, and izakayas. POS systems have functions such as a function to perform accounting for products and services purchased by a customer, and a function to issue a receipt according to the accounting. When staff at a retail or restaurant establishment need to print a receipt or other document for a transaction, they operate the POS system, send print data from the computer to printer 1, and have printer 1 print the receipt and hand it over to the customer. The printing device 1 is installed at the counter where the transaction takes place in the store. If the store is large, there will be multiple counters and multiple printing devices 1 installed. Staff may want to turn on the power to each printing device 1 individually for maintenance, and may also want to turn on multiple printing devices 1 at once when the store is closed, for example, so there is a demand for both of these possibilities. Note that in the following explanation, on and off of power supplies, switches, etc. will be expressed as ON and OFF.

[0009] 1-1. Printer configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 includes a control unit 10, a memory unit 11, a power switch 12, a latch circuit 13, a switch circuit 14, a regulator 15, an actuator 16, and a connector 17.

[0010] The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each part of the printing device 1, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that manages input and output, and logic circuits such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). The CPU is also called a processor. The storage unit 11 includes a flash ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a volatile memory, and the like. The CPU of the control unit 10 reads out programs such as firmware and setting information stored in the non-volatile memory of the storage unit 11, and executes them using the RAM of the storage unit 11 as a working area.

[0011] The actuator 16 is composed of a transport mechanism including a transport motor that rotates the transport rollers, a printing mechanism including a printing head, and a cutting mechanism including a cutter motor that moves a cutting blade. The recording medium is, for example, thermal paper. In this case, the head is a line thermal head. The control unit 10 drives the transport motor of the transport mechanism to rotate the transport roller to transport the thermal paper, drives the line thermal head of the printing mechanism to print on the thermal paper, and drives the cutter motor of the cutting mechanism to move the cutting blade to cut the printed thermal paper. The printed and cut thermal paper is handed over by the staff to the customer as a receipt.

[0012] 1, N denotes a node, which is a connection point, and in this embodiment, N is used to indicate an applied voltage, and S is used to indicate a signal. The commercial power source 2 is a power source that supplies power of, for example, 100V AC (Alternating Current) which is an alternating current voltage. The breaker 3 is a wiring circuit breaker that can be turned on and off. The commercial power source 2 supplies AC 100V AC power to the AC adapter 4 via the breaker 3. When the staff turns breaker 3 ON, 100V AC is applied to node N1, which is the rear stage of breaker 3. An outlet is provided at node N1, and the plug of AC adapter 4 is connected to it. When the staff turns breaker 3 OFF, the supply of 100V AC is cut off, and node N1 becomes 0V. The AC adapter 4 is capable of converting AC 100 V power and outputting, for example, a direct current (DC) power of 24 V. In the following, when expressing a direct current voltage, DC will be omitted. The function of the AC adapter 4 may be included in the printing device 1. Specifically, a circuit that converts 100V AC power to 24V power, such as a smoothing circuit or a switching regulator, may be configured in the printing device 1 after the connector 17 and before the node N2.

[0013] The connector 17 can receive a first power of 24V from the outside, for example, via the AC adapter 4. When the breaker 3 is turned ON by a staff member and the AC adapter 4 is connected to the connector 17 of the printer 1, 24V is applied to the node N2 following the connector 17, and power is supplied to the printer 1. As a result, 24V is supplied from the connector 17 to the switch circuit 14 and the latch circuit 13. The staff may also pull out the AC adapter 4 from the connector 17 of the printing device 1 in an attempt to cut off the power supply to the printing device 1. Alternatively, the staff may pull out the plug of the AC adapter 4 from the outlet in an attempt to cut off the power supply to the printing device 1.

[0014] The latch circuit 13 is configured to include, for example, a combination of an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor. The latch circuit 13 is a circuit that, by using a combination of these transistors, holds the ON state once it is turned ON, or holds the OFF state once it is turned OFF. As described later, by inputting a signal S1 from the power switch 12 or a signal S4 from the control unit 10 as a so-called trigger signal, the latch circuit 13 can be turned ON or OFF and hold that state. By wiring the terminal of the NPN transistor or PNP transistor of the latch circuit 13 to the GND (Ground) level, the initial state of the latch circuit 13 when 24 V is supplied can be set to either ON or OFF. In this embodiment, the latch circuit 13 is wired so that the initial state is ON. The latch circuit 13 may also be configured by a logic circuit.

[0015] The switch circuit 14 includes, for example, a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). When a voltage is applied between G (Gate) and S (Source), the MOSFET is turned ON, and a conductive state is established between D (Drain) and S. The latch circuit 13 outputs a signal S2 to the switch circuit 14, thereby turning the switch circuit 14 ON or OFF. For example, when the latch circuit 13 turns ON and outputs an ON signal S2 to the switch circuit 14, a voltage is applied between the GS terminals of the MOSFET of the switch circuit 14, turning it ON and establishing a conductive state between the DS terminals. As a result, the switch circuit 14 outputs 24 V. In this manner, the latch circuit 13 controls the switch circuit 14. Furthermore, when the latch circuit 13 turns OFF and outputs an OFF signal S2 to the switch circuit 14, no voltage is applied between GS of the MOSFET of the switch circuit 14, the MOSFET turns OFF, and the MOSFET becomes non-conductive between DS. As a result, the output of the switch circuit 14 becomes 0V.

[0016] When the switch circuit 14 is turned ON, it outputs 24 V, and therefore 24 V is applied to the node N3. As a result, 24 V is supplied to the regulator 15 and the actuator 16. The regulator 15 is, for example, a linear regulator. Specifically, the regulator 15 includes a so-called three-terminal regulator having three terminals, an input terminal, an output terminal, and a ground terminal, and constitutes a constant voltage circuit. When 24V is input to the regulator 15, it outputs 3.3V, which is the second power and the logic voltage. At this time, 3.3V is applied to the node N4. As a result, 3.3V is supplied to the control unit 10 and the storage unit 11, enabling them to operate. The CPU of the control unit 10 can start up. The logic voltage is a voltage that operates ICs (Integrated Circuits) such as the control unit 10 and the storage unit 11. On the other hand, 24V is a voltage that operates the actuator 16 and the like.

[0017] The power switch 12 is a so-called momentary type switch that turns ON when the staff member presses the button with their finger and returns to the OFF state when the staff member releases their finger from the button. A momentary type switch is also called a self-resetting switch. In the following explanation, the operation of the power switch 12 by the staff member is referred to as pressing.

[0018] As a non-momentary type switch, there is the so-called alternate type switch, which turns ON when the button is pressed once and maintains the ON state even when the finger is released without returning to the OFF state. In the ON state, the button of an alternate type switch remains pressed, so it is used with a gap around the button. There is a risk of dirt or liquid getting in through this gap. In particular, alternate type switches are not recommended for use in the food and beverage industry, where dirt and liquids can easily get in. Momentary switches are less likely to leave gaps around the buttons, which can prevent dust and liquids from getting in. Also, momentary switches have a flat surface in both the ON and OFF states, making it easy to wipe off dirt and other contaminants. In this way, momentary switches can be used favorably in the food and beverage industry and other places where the printing device 1 is installed.

[0019] When a staff member presses the power switch 12, the power switch 12 turns to the ON state. At this time, the power switch 12 can output the ON signal S1 as a trigger signal to the latch circuit 13. As a result, the latch circuit 13 turns ON, turning on the switch circuit 14 and applying 24 V to the node N3. In this manner, the power switch 12 can hold the latch circuit 13 in a predetermined state, that is, the first state, that is, the ON state.

[0020] Furthermore, when the power switch 12 is pressed, it can output an ON signal S3 to the control unit 10. As a result, the control unit 10 can detect that the power switch 12 has been pressed by receiving the signal S3. Incidentally, setting information for enabling or disabling the control unit 10 to output the signal S4 to the latch circuit 13 regardless of the signal S3 of the power switch 12 is stored in the storage unit 11. The control unit 10 can read out the setting information from the storage unit 11 and determine whether or not to output the signal S4 to the latch circuit 13 regardless of the signal S3 of the power switch 12, and execute the determination.

[0021] For example, when the setting information stored in the memory unit 11 is valid, the control unit 10 outputs a signal S4 to the latch circuit 13 regardless of the signal S3 of the power switch 12. In this case, the signal S4 is a signal that turns on the latch circuit 13. In other words, the control unit 10 does not detect the signal S3, i.e., does not detect the pressing of the power switch 12, and outputs the signal S4 to the latch circuit 13. When the control unit 10 does not detect the signal S3, i.e., performs control without detecting the pressing of the power switch 12, this is also referred to as ignoring the signal S3.

[0022] The control unit 10 can output an ON signal S4 to turn on the latch circuit 13, turn on the switch circuit 14, apply 24 V to the node N3, and power on the printer 1. If the switch circuit 14 is already ON, the control unit 10 can keep the switch circuit 14 ON.

[0023] In this way, if the setting information is valid, the staff member can supply power to the printer 1 by turning on the breaker 3 without pressing the power switch 12. In other words, the staff member can turn on the power to multiple printers 1 at once by turning on the breaker 3. In this case, with the breaker 3 turned on, the staff can connect the AC adapter 4 to the connector 17 of the printing device 1 or plug the AC adapter 4 into an outlet, thereby supplying power to the printing device 1 and turning it on without pressing the power switch 12.

[0024] Furthermore, if the setting information is valid, when the printer 1 is powered on, the staff member does not press the power switch 12, but turns off the breaker 3 to cut off the power supply to the printer 1. By turning off the breaker 3, the staff member can power off multiple printers 1 at once. Alternatively, with the breaker 3 turned ON, the staff can cut off the power supply to the printing device 1 and turn the power OFF by unplugging the AC adapter 4 from the connector 17 of the printing device 1 or by unplugging the AC adapter 4 from the outlet, without pressing the power switch 12.

[0025] On the other hand, if the setting information stored in the memory unit 11 is invalid, when the power switch 12 is pressed by a staff member, the control unit 10 detects the input of a signal S3 from the power switch 12 and outputs a signal S4 to the latch circuit 13. In this case, the signal S4 is a signal that turns the latch circuit 13 ON. In this manner, the control unit 10 can hold the latch circuit 13 in a predetermined state, that is, the first state, that is, the ON state.

[0026] As a result, the control unit 10 can turn on the latch circuit 13, turn on the switch circuit 14, apply 24 V to the node N3, and power on the printer 1. If the switch circuit 14 is already on, the control unit 10 can keep the switch circuit 14 on. In this way, if the setting information is invalid, staff can turn on the power to the printing devices 1 one by one by pressing the power switch 12 during maintenance or the like.

[0027] Furthermore, if the setting information is invalid, when the power switch 12 is pressed by a staff member while the printer 1 is powered on, the control unit 10 detects the input of a signal S3 from the power switch 12 and outputs a signal S4 to the latch circuit 13. In this case, the signal S4 is a signal that turns the latch circuit 13 OFF.

[0028] As a result, the control unit 10 can set the latch circuit 13 to the OFF state, which is a predetermined state and the second state, and turn the switch circuit 14 OFF, thereby stopping the application of 24V to the node N3 and setting it to 0V. Since 24 V is no longer being input to the regulator 15, the output becomes 0 V, and the node N4 becomes 0 V. Since 3.3 V is no longer being supplied to the control unit 10 and the storage unit 11, they stop operating and the printer 1 is powered off. In this way, if the setting information is invalid, staff can turn off the power to the printing devices 1 one by one by pressing the power switch 12 during maintenance or the like.

[0029] As described above, if the setting information is invalid, when the printing device 1 is turned on and the power switch 12 is pressed by a staff member, the control unit 10 detects the input of a signal S3 from the power switch 12, powers the printing device 1 off, and shuts down. At this time, the control unit 10 may store "information that the printing device 1 has been powered off in response to the pressing of the power switch 12" in the storage unit 11 before the power goes down. Hereinafter, the "information that the printing device 1 has been powered off in response to the pressing of the power switch 12" will be referred to as "power-off information." After the printer 1 is powered off, the next time power is supplied to the printer 1 and the control unit 10 starts up, the storage unit 11 is referenced to check whether "power-off information" has been stored.

[0030] If the "power-off information" is not stored in the memory unit 11, the control unit 10 can determine that the power supply to the printing device 1 has been forcibly cut off by a staff member turning off the breaker 3 or removing the AC adapter 4 without pressing the power switch 12. The control unit 10 can then determine that power has been forcibly supplied to the printing device 1 without the power switch 12 being pressed when the staff has turned on the breaker 3 and connected the AC adapter 4, etc.

[0031] Therefore, when the control unit 10 starts up, if the "power OFF information" is not stored in the memory unit 11, regardless of the signal S3 of the power switch 12, a signal S4 is output to the latch circuit 13 to turn the latch circuit 13 ON, the switch circuit 14 is turned ON, and the power to the printing device 1 is turned ON. The case where the "power OFF information" is not stored in the storage unit 11 also includes the case where the CPU of the control unit 10 is reset due to an error or the like. In this case, the control unit 10 operates in the same manner as in the case where the "power OFF information" is not stored, as described above.

[0032] On the other hand, if "power OFF information" is stored in the memory unit 11, the control unit 10 can determine that the printing device 1 was turned off by pressing the power switch 12, and then the power switch 12 was pressed by a staff member in an attempt to turn the printing device 1 on.

[0033] The control unit 10 can store the setting information in the storage unit 11 based on a command specifying the setting information from the computer of the POS system. The control unit 10 may also store the setting information in the storage unit 11 based on the operation of a panel or a sensor (not shown) provided in the printing device 1.

[0034] 1-2. Printing device control method A method of controlling the printer 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. The figures show the state of the connector 17 and the node N2 downstream of it, the state of the latch circuit 13 and the signal S2 it outputs, the state of the switch circuit 14 and the node N3 downstream of it, the state of the regulator 15 and the node N4 downstream of it, the state of the power switch 12 and the signals S1 and S3 it outputs, and the state of the control unit 10 and the signal S4 it outputs. The printer 1 performs processing in accordance with the arrows in the figures.

[0035] First, a control method for turning on the power of the printing device 1 in a case where the setting information stored in the storage unit 11 is valid will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, it is assumed that the staff member turns on the breaker 3, connects the AC adapter 4, and supplies power to the printing device 1 without pressing the power switch 12. At this time, 24 V is applied to the node N2 subsequent to the connector 17, and 24 V is supplied from the connector 17 to the switch circuit 14 and the latch circuit 13.

[0036] As described above, the latch circuit 13 is configured to be initially ON. Therefore, when 24V is supplied to the latch circuit 13, the latch circuit 13 turns ON and outputs an ON signal S2 to the switch circuit 14, turning ON the switch circuit 14. As a result, the switch circuit 14 outputs 24V, 24V is applied to the node N3, and 24V is supplied to the regulator 15 and the actuator 16. The regulator 15 supplied with 24 V outputs 3.3 V, and 3.3 V is applied to the node N4. As a result, 3.3 V is supplied to the control unit 10 and the storage unit 11, and the CPU of the control unit 10 can start up.

[0037] The control unit 10, whose CPU has been started, reads out the setting information stored in the memory unit 11. Hereinafter, the setting information will be simply referred to as "setting." In this case, the setting is valid. Based on the fact that the setting is valid, the control unit 10 ignores the signal S3 of the power switch 12 and outputs an ON signal S4 to the latch circuit 13. Since the latch circuit 13 is already ON, the latch circuit 13 remains ON and the switch circuit 14 also remains ON, making it possible to continue supplying 24 V. As a result, the power of the printing device 1 is turned ON.

[0038] Next, a control method for turning off the power of the printing device 1 when the settings stored in the storage unit 11 are valid will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the power supply to the printing device 1 is cut off by the staff member by turning off the breaker 3 and removing the AC adapter 4 without pressing the power switch 12. When the power supply to the printing device 1 is cut off, the node N2 following the connector 17 becomes 0 V. Since the supply of 24 V from the connector 17 to the latch circuit 13 and the switch circuit 14 is cut off, the switch circuit 14 turns OFF and the node N3 becomes 0 V. Then, the supply of 24 V to the regulator 15 is cut off, causing the regulator 15 to stop and the node N4 to become 0 V. The supply of 3.3 V to the control unit 10 and the memory unit 11 is cut off, causing the control unit 10 and the memory unit 11 to go down and the printer 1 to be powered off.

[0039] When the staff turns on the breaker 3 and connects the AC adapter 4, etc., and power is supplied to the printing device 1, if the settings stored in the memory unit 11 are valid as described above, the control unit 10 can turn on the power to the printing device 1 regardless of whether the power switch 12 is pressed.

[0040] Next, a control method for powering on the printing device 1 in a case where the settings stored in the storage unit 11 are invalid will be described with reference to FIG. Assume that after the power switch 12 is pressed and "power-off information" is stored in the memory unit 11, the printer 1 is powered off, and then the staff turns off the breaker 3, unplugs the AC adapter 4, etc., cutting off the power supply to the printer 1. Alternatively, as described below, assume that the memory unit 11 is set to the factory settings, so-called initial settings. Then, the staff turns on the breaker 3, connects the AC adapter 4, etc., and power is supplied to the printer 1.

[0041] When power is supplied to the printing device 1, 24 V is applied to the node N2 subsequent to the connector 17. At this time, 24 V is supplied from the connector 17 to the switch circuit 14 and the latch circuit 13. Since the initial state of the latch circuit 13 is ON, when 24 V is supplied, the latch circuit 13 turns ON and outputs an ON signal S2 to the switch circuit 14, turning ON the switch circuit 14. As a result, the switch circuit 14 outputs 24 V, 24 V is applied to the node N3, and 24 V is supplied to the regulator 15 and the actuator 16. The regulator 15 supplied with 24 V outputs 3.3 V, and 3.3 V is applied to the node N4. As a result, 3.3 V is supplied to the control unit 10 and the storage unit 11, and the CPU of the control unit 10 can start up. Up to this point, the method is the same as the above-mentioned method of controlling the printing device 1 when the power is turned ON in the case where the settings stored in the storage unit 11 are valid.

[0042] The control unit 10 reads out the settings stored in the memory unit 11. In this case, the settings are invalid. Furthermore, the control unit 10 reads out the "power OFF information" stored in the memory unit 11. Note that in the initial setting of the memory unit 11, the settings are invalid and the "power OFF information" is stored. The process following the connector A in Fig. 3 is referred to as Process A. Process A will be used in Fig. 4 described later. The control unit 10 detects the input of the signal S3 of the power switch 12 based on the fact that the setting of the memory unit 11 is invalid and "power OFF information" is stored. That is, the control unit 10 detects the pressing of the power switch 12. Unlike the case where the setting described in Fig. 2 is valid, the control unit 10 does not ignore the signal S3 of the power switch 12. The time during which the control unit 10 detects the input of the signal S3 of the power switch 12 may be within a predetermined time.

[0043] When the control unit 10 detects the input of the signal S3 of the power switch 12, it can determine that the power switch 12 has been pressed. In this case, for example, the signal S3 is a signal that has changed from OFF to ON. When the control unit 10 determines that the power switch 12 has been pressed, it outputs an ON signal S4 to the latch circuit 13. Since the latch circuit 13 is already ON, the latch circuit 13 remains ON and the switch circuit 14 also remains ON, making it possible to continue supplying 24 V. As a result, the power of the printing device 1 is turned ON.

[0044] On the other hand, when the control unit 10 does not detect the input of the signal S3 of the power switch 12, it can determine that the power switch 12 has not been pressed. In this case, for example, the signal S3 remains OFF and does not change. When the control unit 10 determines that the power switch 12 is not pressed, it outputs an OFF signal S4 to the latch circuit 13, switching the latch circuit 13 to OFF. The latch circuit 13 outputs an OFF signal S2 to the switch circuit 14, switching the switch circuit 14 to OFF. The switch circuit 14 turns OFF, node N3 becomes 0 V, and the supply of 24 V to the regulator 15 is cut off, so the regulator 15 stops and node N4 also becomes 0 V. The supply of 3.3 V to the control unit 10 and memory unit 11 is cut off, so the control unit 10 and memory unit 11 go down. As a result, the printer 1 does not turn on.

[0045] Next, a control method for turning off the printer 1 will be described when the settings stored in the storage unit 11 are invalid. In this case, the printer 1 is turned on by pressing the power switch 12. Based on the fact that the setting is invalid, the control unit 10 detects the input of the signal S3 of the power switch 12. That is, the control unit 10 detects the pressing of the power switch 12. Unlike the case where the setting is valid, the control unit 10 does not ignore the signal S3 of the power switch 12. The control unit 10 may be configured to detect the input of the signal S3 of the power switch 12 at a predetermined time interval.

[0046] When the control unit 10 detects the input of the signal S3 of the power switch 12, it can determine that the power switch 12 has been pressed. In this case, for example, the signal S3 is a signal that has changed from OFF to ON. When the control unit 10 determines that the power switch 12 has been pressed, it stores "power OFF information" in the storage unit 11. Then, the control unit 10 outputs an OFF signal S4 to the latch circuit 13, switching the latch circuit 13 to OFF. The latch circuit 13 outputs an OFF signal S2 to the switch circuit 14, switching the switch circuit 14 to OFF. The switch circuit 14 turns OFF, node N3 becomes 0 V, and the supply of 24 V to the regulator 15 is cut off, so the regulator 15 stops and node N4 also becomes 0 V. The supply of 3.3 V to the control unit 10 and memory unit 11 is cut off, so the control unit 10 and memory unit 11 go down. As a result, the power to the printer 1 is turned OFF. As described above, when the settings stored in the memory unit 11 are invalid and "power OFF information" is stored, the control unit 10 can turn the power ON of the printing device 1 in response to pressing of the power switch 12. Furthermore, the control unit 10 can also turn the power OFF of the printing device 1 in response to pressing of the power switch 12.

[0047] 4, a method for controlling the printing device 1 will be described when the settings stored in the memory unit 11 are invalid and the staff member turns the printing device 1 off by pressing the power switch 12 and then turns the printing device 1 on again by pressing the power switch 12. Since the printing device 1 was turned off by pressing the power switch 12, "power off information" is stored in the memory unit 11. Since the staff member turned off the power to the printing device 1 by pressing the power switch 12, it is assumed that the breaker 3 remains ON and the AC adapter 4 remains connected. Therefore, 24V is continuously applied to the node N2 subsequent to the connector 17. 24V is supplied from the connector 17 to the switch circuit 14 and the latch circuit 13.

[0048] As when the printer 1 is powered off by pressing the power switch 12, the latch circuit 13 remains OFF and continues to output an OFF signal S2 to the switch circuit 14, keeping the switch circuit 14 OFF. Node N3 is at 0V, and since 24V is not being supplied to the regulator 15, the regulator 15 is stopped. Therefore, node N4 is also at 0V, and 3.3V is not being supplied to the control unit 10 and the memory unit 11. The control unit 10 and the memory unit 11 remain down. The printing device 1 remains in a power-off state.

[0049] In this state, when a staff member presses the power switch 12, the power switch 12 is turned on. The power switch 12 outputs the ON signal S1 to the latch circuit 13 as a trigger signal. As a result, latch circuit 13 switches ON, switching circuit 14 ON, and 24 V can be applied to node N3. 24 V is supplied to regulator 15 and actuator 16, regulator 15 outputs 3.3 V, and 3.3 V is applied to node N4. 3.3 V is supplied to control unit 10 and storage unit 11, and the CPU of control unit 10 starts up.

[0050] The control unit 10 reads out the settings stored in the memory unit 11. In this case, the settings are invalid. Furthermore, the control unit 10 reads out the "power OFF information" stored in the memory unit 11. The control unit 10 reads out these, and thereafter executes process A in FIG. 3. Note that process A is the same as that described in FIG. 3 above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0051] 4, regardless of the control unit 10, in other words even if the control unit 10 is down, the latch circuit 13 can be switched ON by pressing the power switch 12. As a result, the switch circuit 14 is turned ON and the regulator 15 outputs 3.3V, enabling the CPU of the control unit 10 to start up. Incidentally, the signal S3 of the power switch 12 changes from OFF to ON together with the signal S1 in response to pressing of the power switch 12. The signal S3 of the power switch 12 may be configured to maintain the ON state until the control unit 10 detects the input of the signal S3.

[0052] A staff member turns off the printer 1 by pressing the power switch 12, and then tries to turn the printer 1 on again by pressing the power switch 12. At this time, if the settings stored in the memory unit 11 are invalid and "power-off information" is stored as described above, the control unit 10 can turn the printer 1 on in response to the pressing of the power switch 12. The control unit 10 can also turn the printer 1 off in response to the pressing of the power switch 12.

[0053] Next, using Fig. 5, it is assumed that a staff member turns on the printer 1 by pressing the power switch 12, and then turns off the breaker 3 and removes the AC adapter 4. A method of controlling the printer 1 when the staff member then turns on the breaker 3, connects the AC adapter 4, and so on to power on the printer 1 will be described. Note that the memory unit 11 stores therein that the setting is invalid. In this case, the printing device 1 has been powered off by the staff by turning off the breaker 3 and removing the AC adapter 4, and so the memory unit 11 does not store “power off information”.

[0054] After pressing the power switch 12 to keep the latch circuit 13 in the ON state and power the printer 1 to ON, the supply of 24V to the connector 17 is cut off, and when the staff turns on the breaker 3 again or connects the AC adapter 4 to supply power to the printer 1, 24V is applied to the node N2 following the connector 17. At this time, 24V is supplied from the connector 17 to the switch circuit 14 and the latch circuit 13.

[0055] Since the latch circuit 13 is initially ON, when 24 V is supplied, it turns ON and outputs an ON signal S2 to the switch circuit 14, turning ON the switch circuit 14. As a result, the switch circuit 14 outputs 24 V, 24 V is applied to the node N3, and 24 V is supplied to the regulator 15 and the actuator 16. The regulator 15 supplied with 24 V outputs 3.3 V, and 3.3 V is applied to the node N4. As a result, 3.3 V is supplied to the control unit 10 and the storage unit 11, and the CPU of the control unit 10 can start up.

[0056] The control unit 10 reads out the setting stored in the storage unit 11. In this case, the setting is invalid. As described above, the storage unit 11 does not store "power OFF information." Even if the setting in the memory unit 11 is invalid, the control unit 10 ignores the signal S3 of the power switch 12 and outputs an ON signal S4 to the latch circuit 13 based on the fact that the "power OFF information" is not stored. In other words, the control unit 10 does not detect that the power switch 12 has been pressed. Since the latch circuit 13 is already ON, the latch circuit 13 remains ON and the switch circuit 14 also remains ON, making it possible to continue supplying 24 V. As a result, the power of the printing device 1 is turned ON.

[0057] Next, a description will be given of a control method for powering off the printing device 1. Based on the fact that the setting is invalid, the control unit 10 detects the input of the signal S3 of the power switch 12. In other words, the control unit 10 detects whether the power switch 12 has been pressed. When the control unit 10 detects the input of the signal S3 of the power switch 12, it can determine that the power switch 12 has been pressed. When the control unit 10 determines that the power switch 12 has been pressed, it stores "power OFF information" in the storage unit 11. Then, the control unit 10 outputs an OFF signal S4 to the latch circuit 13, switching the latch circuit 13 to OFF.

[0058] Then, the latch circuit 13 outputs an OFF signal S2 to the switch circuit 14, turning the switch circuit 14 OFF. The switch circuit 14 turns OFF, node N3 becomes 0V, and the supply of 24V to the regulator 15 is cut off, so the regulator 15 stops and node N4 also becomes 0V. The supply of 3.3V to the control unit 10 and memory unit 11 is cut off, so the control unit 10 and memory unit 11 go down. As a result, the power to the printer 1 is turned OFF.

[0059] A staff member turns on the printer 1 by pressing the power switch 12, then turns off the breaker 3 and unplugs the AC adapter 4, and then attempts to turn the printer 1 on by turning on the breaker 3 and plugging in the AC adapter 4. At this time, if the staff turns on the breaker 3, connects the AC adapter 4, and supplies power to the printing device 1, and if the settings stored in the memory unit 11 are invalid and "power OFF information" is not stored as described above, the control unit 10 can turn the power ON to the printing device 1 regardless of whether the power switch 12 is pressed. Furthermore, based on the fact that the settings are invalid, the control unit 10 can turn the power OFF to the printing device 1 when it detects that the power switch 12 has been pressed.

[0060] According to the embodiment described above, the control unit 10 can start up the printing device 1, i.e., turn the power ON, with a simple configuration using a moment-type power switch 12 by determining whether the settings stored in the memory unit 11 are valid or invalid.

[0061] Although these embodiments have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and may be changed, substituted, deleted, etc. without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0062] As described above, the head of the printing device 1 has been described as a line thermal head, but the type of head is not important. For example, the head may be an inkjet head. Although the recording medium has been described as being thermal paper, in the case where the head is an inkjet head, it may be plain paper. As described above, when the settings stored in the memory unit 11 are invalid, the control unit 10 determines whether or not "power-off information" is stored in the memory unit 11 and performs control, but it is not necessary to determine whether or not "power-off information" is stored. In this case, the control unit 10 may perform the process described in Fig. 3 and perform control so as to detect pressing of the power switch 12 both when powering the printing device 1 on and when powering it off. As mentioned above, the logic voltage is 3.3V, but it may be 5V. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...printing device, 4...AC adapter, 10...control unit, 11...memory unit, 12...power switch, 13...latch circuit, 14...switch circuit, 15...regulator, 17...connector.

Claims

1. a connector capable of receiving a first power supply from an external source; a switch circuit capable of supplying the first power to a regulator; a latch circuit for controlling the switch circuit; a power switch capable of holding the latch circuit in a predetermined state; a control unit capable of holding the latch circuit in the predetermined state and capable of detecting an operation of the power switch; A storage unit capable of storing setting information, When the first power is supplied to the connector, the latch circuit turns on the switch circuit and supplies the first power to the regulator when the first power is supplied and the predetermined state is a first state; the regulator generates a second power based on the supplied first power and supplies the second power to the control unit and the storage unit; When the setting information in the storage unit is valid, the control unit does not detect operation of the power switch and maintains the latch circuit in the first state.

2. The control unit is If the setting information of the storage unit is invalid, detecting an operation of the power switch; When the operation of the power switch is detected, the latch circuit is maintained in the first state; 2. A printing device as described in claim 1, wherein when operation of the power switch is not detected, the latch circuit is switched to a second state different from the first state, the switch circuit is turned off, and the supply of the first power to the regulator is cut off.

3. The control unit is After maintaining the latch circuit in the first state, the operation of the power switch is further detected; 3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein when operation of the power switch is detected, the latch circuit is switched from the first state to the second state, the switch circuit is turned off, and the supply of the first power to the regulator is cut off.

4. the latch circuit maintains the second state after the switch circuit is turned off based on an operation of the power switch, The printing device according to claim 3 , wherein when the power switch is operated, the power switch switches the latch circuit from the second state to the first state, turns on the switch circuit, and supplies the first power to the regulator.

5. After the latch circuit is maintained in the first state, the supply of the first power to the connector is interrupted, and then the first power is supplied to the connector again, the latch circuit is in the first state, turns on the switch circuit, and supplies the first power to the regulator; the regulator generates the second power based on the supplied first power and supplies the second power to the control unit and the storage unit; The control unit is even if the setting information of the storage unit is invalid, the operation of the power switch is not detected, and the latch circuit is maintained in the first state; 3. The printing device according to claim 2, further comprising: a power supply circuit for supplying power to the regulator, the power supply circuit being turned off; a switch circuit being turned off; and a power supply circuit being turned on.

6. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the power switch is of a moment type.

7. A control method for a printing device including a connector capable of receiving a first power from an external source, a switch circuit capable of supplying the first power to a regulator, a latch circuit controlling the switch circuit, a power switch capable of holding the latch circuit in a predetermined state, and a storage unit capable of holding the latch circuit in the predetermined state and capable of storing setting information, comprising: When the first power is supplied to the connector, the latch circuit turns on the switch circuit and supplies the first power to the regulator when the first power is supplied and the predetermined state is a first state; the regulator generates a second power based on the supplied first power and supplies the second power to the storage unit; A control method for a printing device, comprising: when the setting information of the storage unit is valid, not detecting operation of the power switch, and maintaining the latch circuit in the first state.

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