Buzzer unit for kitchen printer and kitchen printer system

Abstract

To provide a buzzer unit for kitchen printers with enhanced convenience.SOLUTION: A buzzer unit for a kitchen printer connected to the kitchen printer that receives a print request from a terminal and prints is equipped with: a buzzer unit that generates a buzzing sound in response to a sound request output by the kitchen printer; and a stop operation unit that stops generation of the buzzing sound from the buzzer unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a buzzer unit for a kitchen printer and a kitchen printer system. [Background technology]

[0002] Printers that form images on media have a wide range of applications, and therefore printers are used in a variety of environments depending on the applications. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a kitchen printer that is intended for use in a kitchen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-127707 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, from the perspective of increasing the convenience of a kitchen printer system used in a kitchen, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is not sufficient and there is room for improvement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the buzzer unit for a kitchen printer according to the present invention is as follows: A buzzer unit for a kitchen printer connected to a kitchen printer that receives a print request from a terminal and prints the print request, a buzzer unit that generates a buzzer sound in response to a sound output request output by the kitchen printer; a stop operation unit for stopping the generation of the buzzer sound from the buzzer unit; Equipped with.

[0006] One aspect of the kitchen printer system according to the present invention is to A kitchen printer that receives print requests from the terminal and prints them; a buzzer unit for a kitchen printer connected to the kitchen printer; Equipped with The buzzer unit for a kitchen printer includes: a buzzer unit that generates a buzzer sound in response to a sound output request output by the kitchen printer; a stop operation unit for stopping the generation of the buzzer sound from the buzzer unit; Equipped with. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a kitchen printer system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the structure of a kitchen printer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the structure of a kitchen printer. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a buzzer unit. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining an example of a method for fixing the buzzer unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the functional configuration of the kitchen printer system. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a sounding operation of a buzzer unit connected to the kitchen printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used for the convenience of explanation. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0009] 1. Kitchen Printer System Overview An overview of the kitchen printer system PS of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the kitchen printer system PS. As shown in FIG. 1, the kitchen printer system PS of this embodiment is used in a kitchen KT where food to be served is cooked in a restaurant RT or the like. The restaurant RT of this embodiment has a kitchen KT where employees cook the food and a hall HL where customers stay and the cooked food is served, and the restaurant RT will be described as having the kitchen KT and the hall HL separated. Note that the restaurant RT is not limited to a structure in which the kitchen KT and the hall HL are separated. Furthermore, the restaurant RT may be any structure that includes a kitchen KT, and examples of this include restaurants, dining halls, hotels, and inns.

[0010] An employee of the hall HL receives orders from customers in the hall HL. The employee of the hall HL inputs the received order information into the portable terminal PT. The portable terminal PT generates an order information signal OD including the input order information and transmits it to the register terminal CT and the kitchen printer system PS.

[0011] The register terminal CT is installed in the hall HL. The register terminal CT receives an order information signal OD from the portable terminal PT. The register terminal CT then stores the order information contained in the received order information signal OD in association with the information of the customer who placed the order. The information stored in the register terminal CT can be used, for example, for the payment when the customer leaves the store.

[0012] The kitchen printer system PS is equipped with a kitchen printer KP and a buzzer unit BU, and is installed in the kitchen KT. The order information signal OD sent by the portable terminal PT is received by the kitchen printer KP in the kitchen printer system PS. The kitchen printer KP prints the order information contained in the received order information signal OD and activates the buzzer unit BU. This notifies an employee of the kitchen KT in charge of cooking that an order has been placed by a customer, and the details of that order.

[0013] As described above, in the kitchen printer system PS of this embodiment, the kitchen printer KP receives an order information signal OD from the portable terminal PT, prints the order information contained in the received order information signal OD, and sounds a buzzer unit BU connected to the kitchen printer KP. That is, the kitchen printer system PS has a kitchen printer KP that receives the order information signal OD from the portable terminal PT as a print request and prints, and a buzzer unit BU connected to the kitchen printer KP. In other words, the buzzer unit BU is connected to the kitchen printer KP that receives the order information signal OD from the portable terminal PT as a print request and prints.

[0014] 2. Kitchen Printer System Structure Next, an example of the structure of the kitchen printer system PS of this embodiment will be described. As described above, the kitchen printer system PS includes a kitchen printer KP and a buzzer unit BU connected to the kitchen printer KP. First, a specific example of the structure of the kitchen printer KP included in the kitchen printer system PS will be described.

[0015] Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams showing an example of the structure of a kitchen printer KP. In Figures 2 and 3, an explanation will be given with an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are perpendicular to each other. In the following explanation, the starting point side of the arrow indicating the illustrated X-axis will be referred to as the -X side, and the tip side as the +X side, the starting point side of the arrow indicating the illustrated Y-axis will be referred to as the -Y side, and the tip side as the +Y side, and the starting point side of the arrow indicating the illustrated Z-axis will be referred to as the -Z side, and the tip side as the +Z side.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the kitchen printer KP has a housing 5, a roll paper cover 6, a roll paper exit 7, a power switch 13, a paper feed operation unit 14, a display panel 15, a cover open lever 18, a power input IF 11, and multiple external IFs 16.

[0017] The housing 5 houses various circuits that operate the kitchen printer KP. Additionally, on the +Z side of the housing 5, a roll paper cover 6, a roll paper exit 7, a power switch 13, a paper feed operation unit 14, a display panel 15, and a cover open lever 18 are located.

[0018] The roll paper cover 6 and the housing 5 form a storage space (not shown). Thermal roll paper is stored as a medium in the storage space formed by the roll paper cover 6 and the housing 5. The roll paper outlet 7 communicates with the storage space formed by the roll paper cover 6 and the housing 5, and ejects the medium after the kitchen printer KP has executed the printing process. In other words, the kitchen printer KP executes the printing process on the medium stored in the storage space formed by the roll paper cover 6 and the housing 5, and ejects it from the roll paper outlet 7. The cover open lever 18 is used to open and close the storage space formed by the roll paper cover 6 and the housing 5. Specifically, the user of the kitchen printer system PS operates the cover open lever 18 to open the storage space formed by the roll paper cover 6 and the housing 5. This allows the user of the kitchen printer system PS to set a medium in the storage space and replace the medium stored in the storage space.

[0019] The power switch 13 switches the operation of the kitchen printer KP between ON and OFF. For example, a push button switch, a slide switch, a rocker switch, or the like can be used as the power switch 13.

[0020] The paper feed operation unit 14 is operated by the user to transport a predetermined transport distance of the medium contained in the storage space formed by the roll paper cover 6 and the housing 5. Here, when the paper feed operation unit 14 is operated, the kitchen printer KP may transport the medium by an amount equivalent to one line of characters to be printed on the medium, or may transport the medium continuously for the period during which the paper feed operation unit 14 is being operated.

[0021] The display panel 15 notifies the user of the status of the kitchen printer KP, such as the printing status of the kitchen printer KP, information about any errors that have occurred in the kitchen printer KP, information about the remaining amount of media contained in the storage space, etc. Such a display panel 15 may include one or more LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements and notify the user of information by turning on, blinking, or off the LED elements, or may include a display such as a liquid crystal panel or EL (Electro Luminescence) panel and notify the user of information by displaying information on the display in response to the notification information signal Cd.

[0022] Further, on the -Z side of the housing 5, a wiring space 8 having openings on the -Z side and +Y side of the housing 5 is formed. In this wiring space 8, a power input IF11 and a plurality of external IFs 16 are provided.

[0023] A DC voltage of, for example, 24 V is supplied to the power input IF 11. The kitchen printer KP operates using the DC voltage supplied via the power input IF as its drive source. Note that the voltage value of the DC voltage supplied to the power input IF is not limited to 24 V.

[0024] The multiple external IFs 16 are external devices provided outside the kitchen printer KP, and connect the kitchen printer KP to the portable terminal PT and the buzzer unit BU so that they can communicate with each other. Such external IFs 16 can be a USB connector shaped in accordance with the USB communication standard, an Ethernet connector shaped in accordance with the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication standard, or a modular connector to which a specific cable such as a modular cable can be attached and detached. The external IFs 16 are configured to perform wireless communication with external devices provided outside the kitchen printer KP, and may include a wireless communication module or antenna that is compliant with communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0025] The devices communicatively connected to the kitchen printer KP via the external IF16 are not limited to the portable terminal PT and the buzzer unit BU, but may be various external devices such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a display, a handheld scanner, and a cash drawer.

[0026] Next, an example of the structure of the buzzer unit BU of the kitchen printer system PS will be described. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the buzzer unit BU. As shown in Fig. 4, the buzzer unit BU has a housing 30, a stop switch 31, a sound emission hole 32, a buzzer 33, a volume adjustment dial 34, and a cable 35.

[0027] The housing 30 accommodates various circuits that constitute the buzzer unit BU.

[0028] Cable 35 connects buzzer unit BU and kitchen printer KP so that they can communicate with each other. Specifically, one end of cable 35 is electrically connected to the internal circuitry of buzzer unit BU provided inside housing 30, and the other end is electrically connected to one of the external IFs 16 of the kitchen printer KP. As a result, a signal output by the kitchen printer KP is supplied to buzzer unit BU, and buzzer unit BU sounds under the control of the kitchen printer KP.

[0029] It is preferable to use a modular cable as the cable 35 that is communicatively connected to the kitchen printer KP. That is, the buzzer unit BU has a modular cable that is electrically connected to the kitchen printer KP, and the signal that is output by the kitchen printer KP to activate the buzzer unit BU is input to the buzzer unit BU via the modular cable. A modular cable can transmit a larger current than the USB communication standard, etc. Using such a modular cable as the cable 35 that communicatively connects the buzzer unit BU and the kitchen printer KP makes it possible to select the volume of the sound from the buzzer unit BU from a wider range, which increases user convenience. Furthermore, using a modular cable as the cable 35 that connects the buzzer unit BU and the kitchen printer KP makes it possible to establish communication between the buzzer unit BU and the kitchen printer KP using a modular jack that is generally provided on the kitchen printer KP, which also increases user convenience from this perspective.

[0030] Stop switch 31 stops the sound of buzzer unit BU independent of control by the kitchen printer KP. Such stop switch 31 is preferably a push button switch that can be easily operated by a user to stop the sound of buzzer unit BU, and considering that the kitchen printer system PS will be used in the kitchen KT, it is more preferable that stop switch 31 is waterproofed, and furthermore, it is more preferable that at least a part of stop switch 31, the portion that a user touches to stop the sound of buzzer unit BU, is configured to contain silicone.

[0031] Because stop switch 31 includes a push button switch, the user can easily stop the buzzer unit BU from ringing by operating the push button switch, without relying on control of the kitchen printer KP. Furthermore, because stop switch 31 includes a corrosion-resistant silicone resin and is waterproofed, the reliability of the buzzer unit BU, and the kitchen printer system PS including the buzzer unit BU, can be increased even when the kitchen printer system PS is used in a kitchen KT where a lot of oil is splashed and a lot of water is used.

[0032] Buzzer 33 is housed in housing 30. Sound emission hole 32 is a through hole penetrating the outside and inside of housing 30, and is formed in housing 30 near buzzer 33. This reduces the risk that the buzzer sound emitted by buzzer 33 will be blocked by housing 30.

[0033] The volume adjustment dial 34 adjusts the volume of the buzzer sound emitted by the buzzer 33.

[0034] The buzzer unit BU configured as described above is used in the kitchen KT, for example, by being fixed to a wall of the kitchen KT or the kitchen printer KP. In other words, the buzzer unit BU has a fixing portion for being fixed to a wall of the kitchen KT or the kitchen printer KP.

[0035] 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for fixing the buzzer unit BU. As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 30 of the buzzer unit BU has a fixing surface Fs to which the buzzer unit BU is fixed. The fixing surface Fs is a surface of the housing 30 where the stop switch 31 of the housing 30 is provided, the surface where the sound emission hole 32 is formed, and the surface where the volume adjustment dial 34 is provided are all different surfaces, and are formed substantially flat. Then, the buzzer unit BU is fixed to the wall of the kitchen KT or the kitchen printer KP by attaching a fixing member Fm to the fixing surface Fs. Here, the fixing member Fm attached to the fixing surface Fs includes, for example, a double-sided tape or a hanging tool such as a hook.

[0036] That is, the buzzer unit BU includes a housing 30 that houses at least some of the components included in the buzzer unit BU, and a fixing surface Fs that fixes the housing. This stabilizes the installation state of the buzzer unit BU installed in the kitchen KT. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to press the stop switch 31, improving user convenience.

[0037] 3. Functional configuration of the kitchen printer system An example of the functional configuration of the kitchen printer system PS configured as above will now be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the kitchen printer system PS. As described above, the kitchen printer system PS of this embodiment includes a kitchen printer KP and a buzzer unit BU. The kitchen printer KP will be described as a so-called thermal printer that prints on a medium by applying heat to a desired position on thermal roll paper as the medium. It should be noted that the kitchen printer KP is not limited to a thermal printer, and may also be a so-called inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink at a desired position on the medium.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, the kitchen printer KP includes a main control circuit 10, a power input IF 11, a power generation circuit 12, a power switch 13, a paper feed operation unit 14, a display panel 15, an external IF 16, and a printing unit 20.

[0039] A DC voltage signal Vd is supplied to the kitchen printer KP via the power input IF11. The voltage signal Vd is input to the power generation circuit 12. The power generation circuit 12 converts the input voltage signal Vd into a voltage value used by the various components of the kitchen printer KP by stepping up or stepping down the voltage signal Vd. The power generation circuit 12 then outputs a constant voltage signal Vdd at the converted voltage value to the corresponding components. Such a power generation circuit 12 includes a DC-DC converter. Here, the power generation circuit 12 may generate a constant voltage signal Vdd at a voltage value corresponding to each of the various components of the kitchen printer KP and output it to the corresponding components. Therefore, the power generation circuit 12 may output multiple voltage signals Vdd with different voltage values, or may include multiple DC-DC converters that output multiple voltage signals Vdd.

[0040] The power switch 13 generates a power signal Pw that switches the kitchen printer KP ON / OFF when operated by the user, and outputs the power signal Pw to the main control circuit 10.

[0041] The main control circuit 10 receives a voltage signal Vdd output by the power generation circuit 12 and a power supply signal Pw output by the power switch 13. When the voltage signal Vdd is being input from the power generation circuit 12, the main control circuit 10 starts operating when the power supply signal Pw that controls the kitchen printer KP to ON is input from the power switch 13.

[0042] Additionally, an order information signal Od corresponding to the order information signal OD output by the portable terminal PT is input to the main control circuit 10 via the external IF 16. The main control circuit 10 outputs signals that control various components of the kitchen printer KP in response to the input order information signal Od. Here, the external IF 16 to which the order information signal OD output by the portable terminal PT is input is configured to perform wireless communication, and is configured to include a wireless communication module and antenna that comply with communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

[0043] Specifically, the main control circuit 10 outputs a print control signal Pc for printing the order information included in the order information signal Od. The print control signal Pc output by the main control circuit 10 is input to the printing unit 20. The printing unit 20 also receives a voltage signal Vdd output by the power supply generating circuit 12. The printing unit 20 operates based on the print control signal Pc input from the main control circuit 10, using the voltage signal Vdd as a drive voltage. As a result, the printing unit 20 prints the order information included in the order information signal Od.

[0044] The printing unit 20 includes a thermal head 21, a head driving unit 22, a transport unit 23, and a cutting unit 24. The thermal head 21 also includes a plurality of heating elements 25.

[0045] The transport unit 23 transports the medium under the control of the main control circuit 10. Specifically, the transport unit 23 has a transport roller (not shown) that supports or clamps the medium. The transport roller of the transport unit 23 is driven to rotate based on a print control signal Pc output by the main control circuit 10. Then, as the transport roller is driven to rotate, the medium supported or clamped by the transport roller is transported along a predetermined transport direction.

[0046] The cutting unit 24 cuts the medium to a predetermined size under the control of the main control circuit 10. The cutting unit 24 includes a fixed blade and a movable blade (not shown). The fixed blade is fixed to a predetermined cutting position, and the movable blade moves between a predetermined standby position and a predetermined cutting position. When the size of the medium transported by the transport unit 23 reaches a predetermined size defined based on the print control signal Pc, the movable blade of the cutting unit 24 moves to the predetermined cutting position, and then moves to engage with the fixed blade. As a result, the transported medium is cut to the predetermined size.

[0047] The head driver 22 outputs a drive signal Drv corresponding to each of the plurality of heating elements 25 of the thermal head 21 at a timing determined based on the print control signal Pc output by the main control circuit 10. This controls the drive state of each of the heating elements 25, and thus the presence or absence of heat generation in the heating elements 25.

[0048] In the printing unit 20 configured as above, the multiple heating elements 25 of the thermal head 21 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction in which the medium is transported. The transport unit 23 transports the medium based on the print control signal Pc, and the head drive unit 22 outputs a drive signal Drv to the heating elements 25 based on the print control signal Pc. That is, the head drive unit 22 outputs a drive signal Drv to the heating elements 25 at a timing synchronized with the transport of the medium. As a result, heat generated by the heat generated by the heating elements 25 is applied to a desired position on the transported medium. As a result, a desired character or image is formed on the medium. Then, when the dimensions of the medium on which the desired character or image is formed reach a predetermined dimension defined based on the print control signal Pc, the cutting unit 24 cuts the medium on which the desired character or image is formed. The medium cut to a predetermined dimension by the cutting unit 24 is discharged from the roll paper discharge port 7.

[0049] The paper feed operation unit 14 transports the medium by operation of the user. Specifically, when the user operates the paper feed operation unit 14, the paper feed operation unit 14 outputs a medium transport signal Pf to the main control circuit 10. When the medium transport signal Pf requesting transport of the medium is input, the main control circuit 10 outputs a print control signal Pc for transporting the medium by a predetermined amount. This causes the transport roller of the transport unit 23 to rotate by a predetermined amount, and the medium is transported by a predetermined amount. Here, the main control circuit 10 may output a print control signal Pc for transporting the medium by an amount equivalent to one line of characters printed on the medium by operating the paper feed operation unit 14 by the user, or may output a print control signal Pc for continuously transporting the medium during the period when the paper feed operation unit 14 is operated by the user.

[0050] The main control circuit 10 also generates a notification information signal Cd for notifying the user of various information, including the operating status of the kitchen printer KP, and outputs this to the display panel 15. The display panel 15 notifies the user of information according to the input notification information signal Cd.

[0051] The external IF 16 functions as an interface for communicating between the kitchen printer KP and an external device provided outside the kitchen printer KP. Such an external IF 16 may include a connector that complies with the USB communication standard, a connector that complies with the Ethernet communication standard, a connector to which a specific cable such as a modular cable can be attached and detached, and may also include an interface circuit that complies with each communication standard. The external IF 16 may also include a wireless communication module, antenna, interface circuit, etc. that complies with communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

[0052] As described above, the portable terminal PT and buzzer unit BU are connected to the kitchen printer KP via the external IF 16. As a result, an order information signal Od based on the order information signal OD output by the portable terminal PT is input to the main control circuit 10, and a buzzer sound signal BS based on the buzzer sound signal Bc output by the main control circuit 10 is input to the buzzer unit BU.

[0053] The buzzer unit BU has a stop operation unit 36, a volume adjustment circuit 37, and a buzzer 33. The buzzer sound signal BS output by the kitchen printer KP is input to the buzzer 33 via the stop operation unit 36 ​​and the volume adjustment circuit 37. This causes the buzzer 33 to sound, notifying the staff member in charge of cooking that an order has been placed by a customer.

[0054] The stop operation unit 36 ​​stops the buzzer 33 from sounding, regardless of whether or not the kitchen printer KP outputs a buzzer sound signal BS. In other words, the stop operation unit 36 ​​switches whether or not the input buzzer sound signal BS is supplied to the buzzer 33. Specifically, the stop operation unit 36 ​​has a stop switch 31. When the user operates the stop switch 31 to stop the sound of the buzzer 33, the stop operation unit 36 ​​stops the supply of the buzzer sound signal BS to the buzzer 33. Such a stop operation unit 36 ​​may be configured to block the propagation path of the buzzer sound signal BS to the buzzer 33, and may use, for example, a semiconductor element such as a transistor or a thyristor, or a relay circuit. The stop operation unit 36 ​​may also be configured by combining a semiconductor element and a relay circuit.

[0055] The volume adjustment circuit 37 adjusts the volume of the buzzer sound emitted by the buzzer 33. Specifically, the volume adjustment circuit 37 includes a volume adjustment dial 34. The volume adjustment circuit 37 adjusts the volume of the buzzer sound emitted by the buzzer 33 by changing at least one of the voltage value, current value, and frequency of the buzzer sound signal BS supplied to the buzzer 33 according to the setting value of the volume adjustment dial 34. Such a volume adjustment circuit 37 can be configured by having the volume adjustment dial 34 include a variable resistance element and a variable capacitance element, and by changing at least one of the resistance value of the variable resistance element and the capacitance value of the variable capacitance element according to the setting value of the volume adjustment dial 34.

[0056] The buzzer 33 sounds in response to the input buzzer sound signal BS. Such a buzzer 33 may be, for example, a piezoelectric buzzer that generates a buzzer sound by vibration of a piezoelectric diaphragm, or an electromagnetic buzzer that generates a buzzer sound by vibration caused in response to a change in the magnetic field of an electromagnet.

[0057] As described above, the kitchen printer system PS of this embodiment comprises a kitchen printer KP that prints in response to an order information signal OD input from the portable terminal PT, and a buzzer unit BU connected to the kitchen printer KP that prints in response to the order information signal OD input from the portable terminal PT, and the buzzer unit BU comprises a buzzer 33 that generates a buzzer sound in response to a buzzer sound signal BS output by the kitchen printer KP, and a stop operation unit 36 ​​that stops the generation of the buzzer sound from the buzzer 33.

[0058] And because the kitchen printer system PS has the above configuration, the buzzer unit BU that generates the buzzer sound can stop the buzzer sound without relying on control from the kitchen printer KP. In other words, after the staff member in charge of cooking has confirmed the customer's order, they can stop the buzzer 33 from sounding without waiting for control from the kitchen printer KP. This reduces the risk that the buzzer sound in response to the order information signal OD will continue to sound in the kitchen KT. As a result, this reduces the risk that the continuous sound of the buzzer sound in the kitchen KT will cause anxiety to customers of the restaurant RT and employees of the hall HL.

[0059] 4. Sound operation of the buzzer unit for kitchen printers Next, a specific example of the sounding operation of the buzzer unit BU connected to the kitchen printer KP will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the sounding operation of the buzzer unit BU connected to the kitchen printer KP.

[0060] When the kitchen printer system PS is driven, the kitchen printer KP executes an initialization process (step S10). Here, the initialization process executed by the kitchen printer KP includes a process of setting the buzzer sound time tbz, which is used to measure the time for which the buzzer unit BU produces a buzzer sound, to "0".

[0061] After the initialization process of the kitchen printer KP is complete, the kitchen printer KP receives an order information signal OD from the portable terminal PT (step S20). When the kitchen printer KP receives the order information signal OD from the portable terminal PT, the main control circuit 10 starts a print process according to the order information contained in the received order information signal OD (step S30), and starts outputting a buzzer sound signal BS to the buzzer unit BU via the external IF 16 (step S40), and also starts measuring the buzzer sound time tbz, which is the time for which the buzzer unit BU generates a buzzer sound (step S50). Here, the main control circuit 10 may execute the processes from steps S30 to S50 in parallel, or in a different order.

[0062] Thereafter, the stop operation unit 36 ​​judges whether the stop switch 31 has been operated (step S60). If the stop operation unit 36 ​​judges that the stop switch 31 has been operated (Y in step S60), that is, if the stop operation unit 36 ​​detects that the employee in charge of cooking has requested that the buzzer 33 stop ringing, the stop operation unit 36 ​​blocks the propagation path along which the buzzer ringing signal BS is propagated to the buzzer 33. In other words, the stop operation unit 36 ​​stops the supply of the buzzer ringing signal BS to the buzzer 33 (step S70). This stops the supply of the buzzer ringing signal BS to the buzzer 33, and the buzzer 33 stops ringing.

[0063] When the stop operation unit 36 ​​determines that the stop switch 31 has been operated (Y in step S60), or after the stop operation unit 36 ​​stops supplying the buzzer sounding signal BS to the buzzer 33, the main control circuit 10 determines whether the measured buzzer sounding time tbz has elapsed a predetermined time (step S80). When the main control circuit 10 determines that the measured buzzer sounding time tbz has not elapsed the predetermined time (N in step S80), the stop operation unit 36 ​​again determines whether the stop switch 31 has been operated (step S60).

[0064] Then, when the main control circuit 10 determines that the measured buzzer sounding time tbz has elapsed a predetermined time (Y in step S80), the main control circuit 10 stops outputting the buzzer sounding signal BS (step S90), and the stop operation unit 36 ​​releases the stop of the supply of the buzzer sounding signal BS to the buzzer 33 after the output of the buzzer sounding signal BS from the main control circuit 10 has stopped (step S100). In other words, the stop operation unit 36 ​​releases the blockage of the propagation path through which the buzzer sounding signal BS is propagated to the buzzer 33 after the output of the buzzer sounding signal BS from the main control circuit 10 has stopped.

[0065] The main control circuit 10 then determines whether printing processing according to the order information contained in the received order information signal OD has been completed (step S110), and if the main control circuit 10 determines that printing processing according to the order information contained in the received order information signal OD has not been completed (N in step S110), the kitchen printer KP waits until printing processing according to the order information contained in the received order information signal OD has been completed.On the other hand, if the main control circuit 10 determines that printing processing according to the order information contained in the received order information signal OD has been completed (Y in step S110), the kitchen printer KP ends processing.

[0066] Here, the buzzer unit BU connected to the kitchen printer KP is an example of a kitchen printer buzzer unit, the order information signal that causes the kitchen printer KP to execute a print process is an example of a print request, the buzzer sound signal BS that causes the kitchen printer KP to output a buzzer sound from the buzzer unit BU is an example of a sound output request, and the buzzer 33 that generates a buzzer sound in response to the buzzer sound signal BS is an example of a buzzer section. Additionally, the housing 30 of the buzzer unit BU is an example of a housing, and at least one of the fixing surface Fs and the fixing member Fm of the housing 30 is an example of a fixing section.

[0067] 5. Effects In the kitchen printer system PS and buzzer unit BU of this embodiment configured as described above, the buzzer unit BU has a buzzer 33 that generates a buzzer sound in response to a buzzer sound signal BS output by the kitchen printer KP, and a stop operation unit 36 ​​that stops the buzzer sound from the buzzer 33. This allows a user of the kitchen printer system PS to stop the buzzer sound generated by the buzzer 33 without waiting for control from the kitchen printer KP that the kitchen printer system PS has. This reduces the risk that the buzzer sound in response to the order information signal OD will continue to sound in the kitchen KT, improving user convenience and reducing the risk that a continuous buzzer sound in the kitchen KT will cause anxiety to customers of the restaurant RT and employees of the hall HL.

[0068] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above embodiments can be appropriately combined.

[0069] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same functions, methods and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effect). The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments or that can achieve the same purpose. The present invention also includes configurations in which publicly known technology is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0070] The following can be derived from the above-described embodiment.

[0071] One embodiment of the buzzer unit for a kitchen printer is as follows: A buzzer unit for a kitchen printer connected to a kitchen printer that receives a print request from a terminal and prints the print request, a buzzer unit that generates a buzzer sound in response to a sound output request output by the kitchen printer; a stop operation unit for stopping the generation of the buzzer sound from the buzzer unit; Equipped with.

[0072] With this kitchen printer buzzer unit, the buzzer sound emitted by the kitchen printer buzzer unit can be stopped without relying on control from the kitchen printer, improving convenience for the user and reducing the risk of people in the kitchen feeling uneasy due to the continuous generation of the buzzer sound.

[0073] In one aspect of the buzzer unit for a kitchen printer, The stop operation portion may include a silicone resin.

[0074] This kitchen printer buzzer unit reduces the risk of the stop operation part being corroded by oil, even when used in a kitchen with a lot of oil, thereby improving the reliability of the kitchen printer buzzer unit.

[0075] In one aspect of the buzzer unit for a kitchen printer, The stop operation unit may include a push button switch.

[0076] With this buzzer unit for kitchen printers, the user can easily stop the buzzer sound with just a touch of a finger.

[0077] In one aspect of the buzzer unit for a kitchen printer, The stop operation portion may be waterproofed.

[0078] This kitchen printer buzzer unit reduces the risk of moisture causing an abnormality in the stop operation section, even when used in a kitchen with a lot of moisture, thereby improving the reliability of the kitchen printer buzzer unit.

[0079] In one aspect of the buzzer unit for a kitchen printer, a modular cable electrically connected to the kitchen printer; The sound output request may be input from the kitchen printer via the modular cable.

[0080] This kitchen printer buzzer unit can use a modular jack that is commonly used in kitchen printers, further enhancing convenience for the user.

[0081] In one aspect of the buzzer unit for a kitchen printer, a housing that accommodates at least a part of the buzzer unit and at least a part of the stop operation unit; A fixing portion that fixes the housing; The present invention may also include:

[0082] With this kitchen printer buzzer unit, the kitchen printer buzzer unit can be easily fixed, improving the operability of the kitchen printer buzzer unit, and by providing a fixing portion in advance, convenience for the user is improved.

[0083] One aspect of the kitchen printer system is: A kitchen printer that receives print requests from the terminal and prints them; a buzzer unit for a kitchen printer connected to the kitchen printer; Equipped with The buzzer unit for a kitchen printer includes: a buzzer unit that generates a buzzer sound in response to a sound output request output by the kitchen printer; a stop operation unit for stopping the generation of the buzzer sound from the buzzer unit; Equipped with.

[0084] With this kitchen printer system, the buzzer sound emitted by the kitchen printer buzzer unit can be stopped without relying on control of the kitchen printer, improving convenience for the user and reducing the risk of people in the kitchen feeling uneasy due to the continuous buzzer sound.

[0085] In one aspect of the above kitchen printer system, The stop operation portion may include a silicone resin.

[0086] With this kitchen printer system, even when used in a kitchen with a lot of oil, the risk of the stop operation unit being corroded by the oil is reduced, improving the reliability of the kitchen printer buzzer unit and the kitchen printer system.

[0087] In one aspect of the above kitchen printer system, The stop operation unit may include a push button switch.

[0088] With this kitchen printer system, the user can easily stop the buzzer sound with just a touch of a finger.

[0089] In one aspect of the above kitchen printer system, The stop operation portion may be waterproofed.

[0090] This kitchen printer system reduces the risk of moisture causing an abnormality in the stop operation unit, even when used in a kitchen with a high moisture content, thereby improving the reliability of the kitchen printer buzzer unit and the kitchen printer system.

[0091] In one aspect of the above kitchen printer system, a modular cable electrically connected to the kitchen printer; The sound output request may be input from the kitchen printer via the modular cable.

[0092] This kitchen printer system can use a modular jack that is commonly used in kitchen printers, further enhancing convenience for the user.

[0093] In one aspect of the above kitchen printer system, a housing that accommodates at least a part of the buzzer unit and at least a part of the stop operation unit; A fixing portion that fixes the housing; The present invention may also include:

[0094] With this kitchen printer system, the kitchen printer buzzer unit can be easily fixed, improving operability of the kitchen printer buzzer unit, and by providing a fixing portion in advance, convenience for the user is improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 5...housing, 6...roll paper cover, 7...roll paper exit, 8...wiring space, 10...main control circuit, 12...power generation circuit, 13...power switch, 14...paper feed operation section, 15...display panel, 16...external IF, 18...cover open lever, 20...printing section, 21...thermal head, 22...head drive section, 23...transport section, 24...cutting section, 25...heating element, 30...housing, 31...stop switch, 32...sound emission hole, 33...buzzer, 34...volume adjustment dial, 35...cable, 36...stop operation section, 37...volume adjustment circuit, BU...buzzer unit, CT...register terminal, Fm...fixing member, Fs...fixing surface, HL...hole, KP...kitchen printer, KT...kitchen, PS...kitchen printer system, PT...portable terminal, RT...restaurant

Claims

1. A buzzer unit for a kitchen printer connected to a kitchen printer that receives a print request from a terminal and prints the print request, a buzzer unit that generates a buzzer sound in response to a sound output request output by the kitchen printer; a stop operation unit for stopping the generation of the buzzer sound from the buzzer unit; Equipped with A buzzer unit for a kitchen printer.

2. The stop operation portion includes a silicone resin.

2. The buzzer unit for a kitchen printer according to claim 1.

3. The stop operation unit includes a push button switch.

2. The buzzer unit for a kitchen printer according to claim 1.

4. The stop operation unit is waterproofed.

2. The buzzer unit for a kitchen printer according to claim 1.

5. a modular cable electrically connected to the kitchen printer; the sound output request is input from the kitchen printer via the modular cable; 2. The buzzer unit for a kitchen printer according to claim 1.

6. a housing that accommodates at least a part of the buzzer unit and at least a part of the stop operation unit; A fixing portion that fixes the housing; Equipped with 6. The buzzer unit for a kitchen printer according to claim 1.

7. A kitchen printer that receives print requests from the terminal and prints them; a buzzer unit for a kitchen printer connected to the kitchen printer; Equipped with The buzzer unit for a kitchen printer includes: a buzzer unit that generates a buzzer sound in response to a sound output request output by the kitchen printer; a stop operation unit for stopping the generation of the buzzer sound from the buzzer unit; Equipped with A kitchen printer system.

8. The stop operation portion includes a silicone resin.

8. The kitchen printer system according to claim 7.

9. The stop operation unit includes a push button switch.

8. The kitchen printer system according to claim 7.

10. The stop operation unit is waterproofed.

8. The kitchen printer system according to claim 7.

11. a modular cable electrically connected to the kitchen printer; the sound output request is input from the kitchen printer via the modular cable; 8. The kitchen printer system according to claim 7.

12. a housing that accommodates at least a part of the buzzer unit and at least a part of the stop operation unit; A fixing portion that fixes the housing; Equipped with 12. The kitchen printer system according to claim 7, wherein the printer is a printer that is connected to the printer.

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