Sheet discharge device and sheet discharge unit

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet discharging device and a sheet discharging unit capable of selecting a loop direction of a sheet.SOLUTION: A sheet discharge device according to an embodiment includes a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet printed by a printer and discharges the sheet to the outside, a conveyance stop unit that stops the conveyance of the sheet by the conveyance unit during printing of the sheet, a loop mechanism that selectively loops the sheet printed during the conveyance stop to either one of a printing surface side or a non-printing surface side of the sheet from a conveyance path provided upstream of the conveyance unit in a sheet conveyance direction, and a sheet discharge unit that discharges the looped sheet by driving the stopped conveyance unit when printing of the sheet is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a paper ejection device and a paper ejection unit. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in point-of-sale (POS) terminals that process payments for purchased items at stores, and automated teller machines (ATMs) that deposit and withdraw cash at banks, receipts are issued with payment and processing information printed on them after processing. To prevent people from touching the receipt while it is being printed, these devices are sometimes equipped with paper ejection devices (built into POS terminals, ATMs, etc.) that issue a receipt after printing is complete. These paper ejection devices are designed to hold the receipt internally (do not issue a receipt) while the printer is printing. Specifically, they have a loop mechanism that loops the printed paper in a direction approximately perpendicular to the receipt's transport direction to hold the receipt while the printer is printing.

[0003] However, in conventional paper ejection devices, the loop direction of the receipt is fixed to only one of the printed side or non-printed side of the receipt. Therefore, if, for example, the receipt loop direction is on the printed side (e.g., above the receipt transport direction) and a display is installed in the same direction, or if the receipt loop direction is on the non-printed side (e.g., below the receipt transport direction) and a card reader or change dispenser is installed in the same direction, the space available for looping is limited, and in some cases it can be difficult to use the loop mechanism. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a paper discharge device and a paper discharge unit that are capable of selecting the loop direction of the paper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The paper discharge device of the embodiment comprises a conveying section that conveys paper printed by a printer and discharges it to the outside, a conveying stop means that stops the conveying of the paper by the conveying section while the paper is being printed, a loop mechanism that selectively loops the printed paper while conveying is stopped from a conveying path provided upstream of the conveying section in the paper conveying direction to either the printed side or the non-printed side of the paper, and a paper discharge means that drives the stopped conveying section to discharge the looped paper when printing on the paper is completed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper discharge unit incorporated in an information processing apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the paper ejection device and the printer. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the paper ejection device and the printer. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the paper ejection device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the lower flapper protrudes upward from the home position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the state in which a receipt has been conveyed in the state shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows the receipt in FIG. 6 looped upward. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the upper flapper protrudes downward from the home position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows the state of FIG. 8 after a receipt has been conveyed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the receipt in FIG. 9 looped downwards. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printer. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the paper ejection device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the main data exchange and processing between the printer and the paper discharge device in chronological order. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printer and the paper ejection device. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the control flow of the printer. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the control flow of the paper discharge device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a paper ejection unit incorporated into an information processing device such as a POS terminal, ATM, or kiosk terminal will be described. In the embodiment, a POS terminal will be described as an example of an information processing device, and a receipt will be described as an example of paper.

[0008] Fig. 1 shows an information processing device H and a paper discharge unit 1 incorporated in the information processing device H. In Fig. 1, when the information processing device H is a POS terminal, the information processing device H executes product registration processing and payment processing for products sold in a store. Then, the paper discharge unit 1 prints and issues a receipt that lists product information (product name, product price) for the product that has been registered and paid for, and payment information (total amount, deposit amount, change, etc.).

[0009] The paper discharge unit 1 includes a printer 10 and a paper discharge device 40. The printer 10 is a device (e.g., a thermal printer) that prints product information and payment information for a product for which payment has been processed on paper (e.g., thermal paper). The paper discharge device 40 is a device that issues receipts printed by the printer 10. Specifically, the printer 10 pulls out paper wound in a roll and prints the product information and payment information for a product for which payment has been processed on the paper, and sends the printed receipt to the paper discharge device 40. After printing is complete, the printer 10 cuts the receipt using a cutter. The paper discharge device 40 is connected to the printer 10 via a communication line L. The paper discharge device 40 stores receipts sent from the printer 10 internally, and when it receives a signal from the printer 10 via the communication line L indicating that the receipt has been cut, it discharges the receipt stored internally to the outside.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the printer 10 and paper discharge device 40 that make up the paper discharge unit 1. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer 10 and paper discharge device 40. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the printer 10 and paper discharge device 40 are fixedly connected (for example, by screws) at a connection part S.

[0011] Printer 10 has a paper inlet 11, a transport path 12, a platen 13, a platen motor 14, a print head 15, a cutter 16, and a receipt outlet 17. Paper inlet 11 is an opening through which paper pulled from the outermost portion of a roll of long paper (for example, thermal paper) wound in a roll is transported into printer 10. Transport path 12 is a transport path that guides the transported paper to print head 15. Platen 13 is, for example, a cylindrical rubber member that rotates when driven by platen motor 14 (see FIG. 3) to transport paper transported into paper inlet 11.

[0012] The print head 15 is, for example, a thermal head with heating elements arranged in a line. The print head 15 is positioned opposite the platen 13 and is in pressure contact with the platen 13 by a pressure contact mechanism (not shown). In FIG. 3, the print head 15 is attached to the top of the platen 13 and is in pressure contact with the platen 13 from above. The print head 15 and the platen 13 hold the paper at the contact point. The print head 15 prints on the held paper. That is, the print head 15 prints on the paper being transported as the platen 13 rotates. In the example of FIG. 3, the print head 15 prints on the transported paper from above. That is, the surface of the paper that comes into contact with the print head 15 is the printing surface, and the surface that comes into contact with the platen 13 is the non-printing surface. The platen 13 transports the paper printed by the print head 15 as a receipt from the receipt outlet 17 to the paper discharge device 40 (i.e., the platen 13 rotates to send the receipt from the receipt outlet 17 to the paper discharge device 40).

[0013] The cutter 16 is located downstream and close to the platen 13 and print head 15. The cutter 16 cuts the receipt when the cutter solenoid 31 (see Figure 5) is driven. The cutter 16 cuts the trailing edge of the receipt that has been printed by the print head 15 and transported by the platen 13. When the receipt is cut by the cutter 16, the receipt has been sent into the paper discharge device 40.

[0014] In this printer 10, the platen 13 rotates to transport paper fed in through the paper inlet 41 along the transport path 12 to the print head 15, where it is printed. The printed receipt is then sent out through the receipt outlet 17 to the paper discharge device 40. When printing by the print head 15 is complete, the printer 10 uses the cutter 16 to cut off the trailing edge of the receipt. The printer 10 then sends a cut signal (end signal) to the paper discharge device 40 to indicate that the receipt has been cut.

[0015] The paper discharge device 40 has a paper entrance 41, a transport path 42 (transport path), feed rollers 43 (transport section), a feed motor 45, pinch rollers 46, and a receipt discharge port 50. The paper entrance 41 is located close to the receipt outlet 17 and is an opening through which receipts sent out from the receipt outlet 17 enter the paper discharge device 40. The transport path 42 is a transport path that guides receipts sent in through the paper entrance 41 to the feed rollers 43. The feed rollers 43 are, for example, cylindrical rubber members that rotate around a support shaft 44 to transport receipts sent into the paper entrance 41. The feed motor 45 is a motor (for example, a stepping motor) that rotates the feed rollers 43. The pinch roller 46 is a driven roller that is pressed against the feed roller 43 and rotates when the feed roller 43 rotates. The receipt is clamped between the feed roller 43 and the pinch roller 46. The receipt conveyed by the rotation of the feed roller 43 is discharged from the receipt discharge port 50 to the outside of the POS terminal H (from the receipt issuing port). The discharged receipt is then removed by the customer.

[0016] The paper discharge device 40 also has a paper sensor 51. As shown in FIG. 4, the paper sensor 51 is located immediately upstream of the feed roller 43 and pinch roller 46 in the receipt transport direction. The paper sensor 51 is a sensor that detects receipts that are sent out from the printer 10, carried in through the paper inlet 41, and transported along the transport path 42. The paper sensor 51 is, for example, an optical sensor. The paper sensor 51 detects the receipt as it is transported to the feed roller 43 and pinch roller 46 and just before it is pinched between the feed roller 43 and pinch roller 46.

[0017] The paper discharge device 40 also has an upper flapper 47 and a lower flapper 49. The upper flapper 47 and the lower flapper 49 are provided between the paper entrance 41 and the feed roller 43. The configurations of the upper flapper 47 and the lower flapper 49 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the lower flapper 49 is rotatable about a support shaft 44. The lower flapper 49 rotates when a flapper motor 57 (see FIG. 6), which is, for example, a stepping motor, rotates. The paper discharge device 40 also has a home position sensor 58 (see FIG. 6) that detects whether the flapper motor 57 is positioned at the home position P. The home position sensor 58 is, for example, an optical sensor. When the home position sensor 58 detects the lower flapper 49, it stops the rotation of the flapper motor 57, thereby positioning the lower flapper 49 at the home position P. In other words, the lower flapper 49 is positioned at the home position P when detected by the home position sensor 58.

[0018] The upper flapper 47 is configured to be rotatable about a support shaft 48. The upper flapper 47 rotates about the support shaft 48 due to its own weight and abuts against the lower flapper 49 from above. When the lower flapper 49 is located at home position P, the upper flapper 47 abutting against the lower flapper 49 is also located at home position P. The conveying path 42 is formed by the lower flapper 49 and the upper flapper 47 located at home position P. Specifically, the lower flapper 49 has a conveying surface 491, and the upper flapper 47 has a conveying surface 471. When the upper flapper 47 abuts against the lower flapper 49 located at home position P (when the upper flapper 47 is also located at home position P), the conveying surface 491 and the conveying surface 471 face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. When both the lower flapper 49 and the upper flapper 47 are positioned at the home position P, the space formed by the conveying surface 491 and the conveying surface 471 is the conveying path 42 .

[0019] When a paper discharge unit equipped with such a printer 10 and paper discharge device 40 is incorporated into a POS terminal and the lower flapper 49 and upper flapper 47 are both in their home positions as shown in Figure 3, the receipt discharge opening 17, paper entrance 41, and transport path 42 are positioned in a straight line at approximately the same height. In other words, a receipt discharged from the receipt discharge opening 17 is transported through the paper entrance 41 and transport path 42 in a straight line.

[0020] Here, the upper flapper 47, which is in contact with the lower flapper 49, moves in accordance with the movement of the lower flapper 49. For example, when the lower flapper 49 rotates upward from the home position P, the upper flapper 47 rotates in accordance with the movement of the lower flapper 49, and more specifically, rotates upward by the distance that the lower flapper 49 rotates. When the lower flapper 49 rotates upward, at least a portion of the conveying surface 491 (i.e., at least a portion of the lower flapper 49) protrudes above the home position P.

[0021] 5 shows a state in which at least a part of the lower flapper 49 protrudes upward from the home position P. In FIG. 5, at least a part of the lower flapper 49 (specifically, a part of the conveying surface 491) protrudes upward from the home position P. In addition, as the lower flapper 49 rotates upward, the upper flapper 47 is lifted upward by the amount of movement of the upper flapper 47.

[0022] FIG. 6 shows a state in which a receipt is fed from the printer 10, causing at least a portion of the lower flapper 49 to protrude upward from the home position P. As shown in FIG. 6, the receipt Y fed from the printer 10 is sandwiched between the feed roller 43 and the pinch roller 46, causing the conveying surface 491 of the lower flapper 49 to protrude upward. When the receipt Y fed from the printer 10 with the lower flapper 49 in the home position is detected by the paper sensor 51, the feed roller 43 rotates a predetermined amount (i.e., the receipt Y is conveyed a predetermined distance), and the fed receipt Y is sandwiched between the feed roller 43 and the pinch roller 46. After rotating the predetermined amount, the feed roller 43 stops rotating. The conveying surface 491 of the lower flapper 49 then protrudes upward. FIG. 6 shows this state.

[0023] FIG. 7 shows the state in which a receipt Y has been further fed from the state shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the leading edge of the receipt Y is pinched between the stationary (non-rotating) feed roller 43 and pinch roller 46, and the receipt Y is protruding upward due to the lower flapper 49, which protrudes above the home position P. Therefore, when the receipt Y is further fed, the receipt Y bends upward and loops upward. The upwardly looped receipt Y lifts the upper flapper 47 upward. The lifted upper flapper 47 rotates around the support shaft 48, opening the top of the paper discharge device 40 (resulting in the state shown in FIG. 7). The upwardly looped receipt Y is exposed to the external space 54 from the top of the paper discharge device 40 and is retracted into the external space 54 (receipt Y is stored in the external space 54). However, because the paper discharge unit 1 is built into the POS terminal H, the customer cannot touch the retracted receipt Y.

[0024] Furthermore, when the lower flapper 49 rotates downward from the home position P, the upper flapper 47 initially rotates downward in response to the movement of the lower flapper 49, but when it abuts against a stopper (not shown) (the stopper is formed, for example, on the frame of the paper discharge device 40), the upper flapper 47 no longer follows the downward rotation of the lower flapper 49 and remains in the position where it abuts against the stopper. When the upper flapper 47 rotates downward to the position of the stopper, at least a part of the conveying surface 471 (i.e., at least a part of the upper flapper 47) protrudes downward from the home position P.

[0025] 8 shows a state in which at least a portion of the upper flapper 47 protrudes downward from the home position P. In FIG. 8, the lower flapper 49 is located at a retracted position rotated downward by approximately 90 degrees from the home position P. Furthermore, since the upper flapper 47 abuts against a stopper, the rotation of the upper flapper 47 is stopped at a position where at least a portion of the upper flapper 47 (specifically, a portion of the conveying surface 471) protrudes downward from the home position P. Note that, by rotating the lower flapper 49 to the retracted position, a space 53 is formed inside the paper discharge device 40.

[0026] FIG. 9 shows the state in which a receipt is fed from the printer 10, with at least a portion of the upper flapper 47 protruding downward from the home position P. When the lower flapper 49 and upper flapper 47 are positioned in their home positions, the receipt Y fed from the printer 10 is transported through the paper discharge device 40. When the receipt Y is detected by the paper sensor 51, the feed roller 43 rotates a predetermined amount (i.e., the receipt Y is transported a predetermined distance), and the fed receipt Y is pinched between the pinch roller 46. After rotating a further predetermined amount, the feed roller 43 stops rotating. After that, the lower flapper 49 rotates to the retracted position and the upper flapper 47 moves downward, causing the transport surface 471 of the upper flapper 47 to protrude vertically. FIG. 9 shows this state.

[0027] Figure 10 shows the state in which a receipt Y has been further fed in from the state shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 11, the leading edge of the receipt Y is pinched between the stationary (not rotating) feed roller 43 and pinch roller 46, and the receipt Y is protruding downward due to the upper flapper 47, which protrudes downward from the home position P. Therefore, when the receipt Y is further fed in, it bends downward and loops downward. In other words, the receipt Y loops downward and is withdrawn into space 53 (receipt Y is accumulated in space 53). Because the paper discharge unit 1 is built into the POS terminal H, the customer cannot touch the receipt Y withdrawn into space 53.

[0028] Next, the hardware of the printer 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 11, the printer 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a memory unit 24, and the like. The CPU 21 is the main controller. The ROM 22 stores various programs. The RAM 23 loads programs and various data. The memory unit 24 stores various programs. The CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, and memory unit 24 are connected to one another via a bus 25. The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 constitute a control unit 200. That is, the control unit 200 executes the control processing of the printer 10, which will be described later, by the CPU 21 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 22 and memory unit 24 and loaded in the RAM 23.

[0029] The RAM 23 includes a print information section 231. The print information section 231 stores print information received from the information processing device.

[0030] The memory unit 24 is configured with a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 24 has a control program unit 241. The control program unit 241 stores a control program for controlling the printer 10.

[0031] The control unit 200 is also connected to the print head 15, platen motor 14, and cutter solenoid 31 via the bus 25 and controller 26. The print head 15 applies heat to print characters and figures on the printing surface of the paper held between the print head 15 and the platen 13. The print head 15 prints based on the printing information stored in the print information unit 231. The platen motor 14 rotates the platen 13 when driven. The cutter solenoid 31 operates the cutter 16 when driven. When the cutter 16 operates, the receipt Y is cut.

[0032] The controller 26 receives instructions from the control unit 200 and controls the print head 15, the platen motor 14, and the cutter solenoid 31. For convenience of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that the control performed by the controller 26 is performed by the control unit 200.

[0033] The control unit 200 is also connected to a communication unit 32 (I / O interface) via a bus 25. The communication unit 32 is communicably connected to the paper discharge device 40 via a communication line L such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0034] Next, the hardware of the paper discharge device 40 will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the paper discharge device 40. As shown in FIG. 12, the paper discharge device 40 includes a CPU 61, which is an example of a processor, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, a memory unit 64, etc. The CPU 61 is the main controller. The ROM 62 stores various programs. The RAM 63 loads programs and various data. The memory unit 64 stores various programs. The CPU 61, the ROM 62, the RAM 63, and the memory unit 64 are connected to one another via a bus 65. The CPU 61, the ROM 62, and the RAM 63 constitute a control unit 600. That is, the control unit 600 executes the control processing of the paper discharge device 40, which will be described later, by the CPU 61 operating in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 62 or the memory unit 64 and loaded in the RAM 63.

[0035] The RAM 63 has an evacuation information section 631. The evacuation information section 631 stores evacuation information indicating whether the receipt Y should be looped (evacuated) upward or downward. The evacuation information is received from the POS terminal H via the communication line NW, which will be described later. Depending on the surrounding conditions of the paper discharge unit 1 incorporated in the POS terminal H, for example, if there is no other device such as a display above the paper discharge unit 1 but there is other device below it, the operator will send evacuation information from the POS terminal H indicating that the receipt Y should be evacuated upward. Also, if there is another device such as a display above the paper discharge unit 1 but no other device below it, the operator will send evacuation information from the POS terminal H indicating that the receipt Y should be evacuated downward.

[0036] The memory unit 64 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 64 has a control program unit 641 and a flapper information unit 642. The control program unit 641 stores a control program for controlling the paper discharge device 40. The flapper information unit 642 stores movement information for the lower flapper 49 from the home position P. The flapper information unit 642 stores movement information for the lower flapper 49 from the home position P for each piece of evacuation information stored in the evacuation information unit 631. For example, when the evacuation information unit 631 stores evacuation information indicating that the receipt Y is to be evacuated upward, the evacuation information unit 631 stores information indicating the movement distance of the lower flapper 49 from the home position P (specifically, information (the number of rotation steps of the flapper motor 57) for rotating the lower flapper 49 from the home position P to the protruding position shown in FIG. 6). Furthermore, when the evacuation information section 631 stores evacuation information indicating that the receipt Y is to be evacuated downward, the evacuation information section 631 stores information indicating the movement distance from the home position P of the lower flapper 49 to the evacuation position shown in FIG. 9 (specifically, information (the number of rotation steps of the flapper motor 57) for rotating the lower flapper 49 located at the home position P to the evacuation position shown in FIG. 9) as movement information.

[0037] The control unit 600 is also connected to the paper sensor 51, home position sensor 58, feed motor 45, and flapper motor 57 via the bus 65 and controller 66. The paper sensor 51 detects the receipt Y at a position immediately in front of the feed roller 43 and pinch roller 46. The home position sensor 58 detects the lower flapper 49, which is located at home position P. When the home position sensor 58 detects the lower flapper 49, the lower flapper 49 is located at home position P. The feed motor 45 is a motor that rotates the feed roller 43. The flapper motor 57 is a motor that rotates the lower flapper 49.

[0038] The controller 66 receives instructions from the control unit 600 and controls the paper sensor 51, the home position sensor 58, the feed motor 45, and the flapper motor 57. For convenience of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that the control performed by the controller 66 is performed by the control unit 600.

[0039] The control unit 600 is also connected to a communication unit 55 (I / O interface) via a bus 65. The communication unit 55 is connected to the printer 10 via a communication line L so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0040] The control unit 600 is also connected to a communication unit 56 (I / O interface) via a bus 65. The communication unit 56 is connected to a POS terminal H via a communication line NW so as to be able to communicate with the POS terminal H.

[0041] Next, we will explain the processing of the printer 10 and paper discharge device 40 in the paper discharge unit 1 and the exchange of signals between the devices. Figure 13 is a sequence diagram showing the main data exchange and processing between the printer 10 and paper discharge device 40 in chronological order. When the paper discharge unit 1 is installed in the POS terminal H, a decision is made as to whether to evacuate the receipt Y to the upper or lower side based on the layout of the devices around the installed paper discharge unit 1, and this information is set in the POS terminal H. The POS terminal H sends evacuation information based on the set information to the paper discharge device 40. The paper discharge device 40 stores the received evacuation information in the evacuation information section 631 (T1).

[0042] In this way, in the POS terminal H incorporating the paper discharge device 40 that stores the evacuation information, the upper flapper 47 and lower flapper 49 remain in their home positions until the paper discharge device 40 detects the receipt printed by the printer 10. When the payment process for the product is executed, the POS terminal H sends the product information and payment information for the product for which payment has been processed as print information to the printer 10. The printer 10 receives the print information (T11). The printer 10 then transports the paper and uses the print head 15 to print the print information on the transported paper (T12). The printer 10 then sends the printed receipt Y to the paper discharge device 40 (T13).

[0043] The paper discharge device 40 receives the fed receipt Y. The paper sensor 51 of the paper discharge device 40 then detects the leading edge of the received receipt Y (T14). The paper discharge device 40 then rotates the feed roller 43 a predetermined amount to transport the receipt Y a predetermined distance (T15). By transporting the receipt Y a predetermined distance, the leading edge of the receipt Y is pinched between the feed roller 43 and the pinch roller 46. The paper discharge device 40 then stops the rotation of the feed roller 43 (T16). The paper discharge device 40 then drives the flapper motor 57 a predetermined number of steps based on the retraction information stored in T1, and rotates the lower flapper 49 to either a position where at least a portion of the lower flapper 49 protrudes above the home position P (the position in FIG. 5) or to a retracted position (the position in FIG. 8) (T17). When the lower flapper 49 is rotated to the retracted position, at least a part of the upper flapper 47 is positioned at a position protruding downward from the home position P (T17).

[0044] In this state, the printer 10 continues to feed the printed receipt Y. Therefore, the paper discharge device 40 retracts the receipt Y by looping the middle part of the receipt Y upward or downward based on the positions of the lower flapper 49 and the upper flapper 47, which were positioned at T2.

[0045] Meanwhile, once printing is complete, the printer 10 cuts off the trailing edge of the receipt Y (T18). The printer 10 then sends a cut signal (an example of an end signal) to the paper discharge device 40 indicating that the receipt Y has been cut (T19). Upon receiving the cut signal, the paper discharge device 40 resumes rotation of the feed rollers 43, which were stopped in T16, and resumes transport of the looped and retracted receipt Y (T20). The transported receipt Y is then discharged outside the POS terminal H (the receipt Y is issued).

[0046] Next, we will explain the functional configuration of printer 10 and paper discharge device 40. Figure 14 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of printer 10 and paper discharge device 40. Control unit 200 of printer 10 functions as printing means 201, feeding means 202, and transmission means 203 by following the control program stored in ROM 22 or control program section 241 of memory unit 24.

[0047] The printing means 201 prints information on paper. Specifically, the printing means 201 uses the print head 15 to print product information and payment information related to the purchased product on a long piece of thermal paper carried in through the paper carrying inlet 11.

[0048] The delivery means 202 delivers the printed receipt Y to the paper discharge device 40. Specifically, the delivery means 202 rotates the platen 13 to deliver the printed receipt Y to the paper discharge device 40.

[0049] The transmitting means 203 transmits a completion signal indicating that printing has finished to the paper discharge device 40. Specifically, the transmitting means 203 transmits a cut signal indicating that the cutter 16 has cut the receipt Y to the paper discharge device 40. Even more specifically, when the cutter 16 cuts the receipt Y, the transmitting means 203 transmits a cut signal indicating that the receipt Y has been cut to the paper discharge device 40.

[0050] In addition, the control unit 600 of the paper discharge device 40 functions as a transport stop means 601, a paper discharge means 602, a lower flapper moving means 603, and an upper flapper moving means 604 by following the control program stored in the ROM 62 or the control program section 641 of the memory section 64.

[0051] The transport stop means 601 stops the transport of the receipt Y by the feed rollers 43 while the printer 10 is printing on the paper. Specifically, the transport stop means 601 stops the transport of the receipt Y by the feed rollers 43 until a cut signal is received from the printer 10.

[0052] When printing of the receipt Y is complete, the paper discharge means 602 drives the stopped feed rollers 43 to discharge the looped receipt Y. Specifically, when the paper discharge means 602 receives a cut signal, it drives the stopped feed rollers 43 to discharge the looped receipt Y outside the POS terminal H.

[0053] The lower flapper moving means 603 causes at least a portion of the lower flapper 49 to protrude upward from the home position P. Specifically, the lower flapper moving means 603 drives the flapper motor 57 to rotate the lower flapper 49 upward, causing at least a portion of the lower flapper 49 to protrude upward from the home position P.

[0054] The upper flapper moving means 604 causes at least a portion of the upper flapper 47 to protrude downward from the home position P. Specifically, the upper flapper moving means 604 rotates the lower flapper 49 downward, so that the upper flapper 47 rotates downward until it abuts against a stopper, causing at least a portion of the upper flapper 47 to protrude downward from the home position P.

[0055] Next, we will explain the control of the printer 10. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the printer 10. As shown in Figure 15, the control unit 200 of the printer 10 determines whether print information has been received from the POS terminal H (S11). The control unit 200 waits until it is received (No in S11), and if it determines that print information has been received (Yes in S11), the control unit 200 stores the received print information in the print information unit 231 (S12). The control unit 200 then drives the platen motor 14 to rotate the platen 13 and begin paper transport (S13). The printing means 201 then drives the print head 15 to print on the paper based on the stored print information (S14). The feeding means 202 then rotates the platen 13 and feeds the printed receipt Y from the receipt feed opening 17 to the paper discharge device 40 (S15).

[0056] Next, the control unit 200 determines whether printing based on the print information has finished (S16). If it determines that printing has not finished (No in S16), the control unit 200 returns to S14 and continues printing. If it determines that printing has finished (Yes in S16), the control unit 200 stops the platen 13 from feeding the receipt Y (S17). The control unit 200 then drives the cutter 16 using the cutter solenoid 31 to cut off the trailing edge of the receipt Y (S18). The transmission means 203 then transmits a cut signal (end signal) to the paper discharge device 40 indicating that the receipt Y has been cut in S18 (S19). The control unit 200 then ends the process and returns to S11.

[0057] Next, the control of the paper discharge device 40 will be described. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the paper discharge device 40. When the paper discharge device 40 is incorporated into the POS terminal H, the paper discharge device 40 receives evacuation information from the POS terminal H. As shown in Fig. 16, the control unit 600 of the paper discharge device 40 determines whether evacuation information has been received from the POS terminal H (S21). The control unit 600 waits until evacuation information is received (No in S21), and if it is determined that evacuation information has been received (Yes in S21), the control unit 600 stores the received evacuation information in the evacuation information unit 631 (S22).

[0058] The upper flapper 47 and lower flapper 49 are located in their home positions. In this state, the control unit 600 determines whether the paper sensor 51 has detected the leading edge of the receipt Y fed from the printer 10 (S31). If it is determined that the paper sensor 51 has detected the leading edge of the receipt Y (Yes in S31), the control unit 600 rotates the feed roller 43 a predetermined amount to convey the receipt Y a predetermined distance (S32). By performing the process of S32, the feed roller 43 and pinch roller 46 pinch the leading edge of the receipt Y. Then, the conveyance stopping means 601 stops the rotation of the feed roller 43 with the leading edge of the receipt Y pinched, thereby stopping the conveyance of the receipt Y (S33).

[0059] Next, the control unit 600 determines whether the evacuation information stored in the evacuation information unit 631 indicates that the receipt Y should be evacuated upward (toward the external space 54) (S34). If it is determined that the evacuation information indicates that the receipt Y should be evacuated upward (Yes in S34), the lower flapper movement means 603 rotates the lower flapper 49 to a position where at least a portion of the lower flapper 49 protrudes upward from the home position P based on information read from the flapper information unit 642 indicating the distance the lower flapper 49 should be moved upward from the home position P (information (the number of rotation steps of the flapper motor 57) for rotating the lower flapper 49 located at the home position P to the protruding position shown in FIG. 6). The control unit 600 then returns to S31.

[0060] On the other hand, if it is determined that the evacuation information does not indicate an upward evacuation (i.e., the evacuation information indicates a downward evacuation) (No in S34), the upper flapper moving means 604 rotates the lower flapper 49 to the evacuation position based on information (the number of rotation steps of the flapper motor 57) that is read from the flapper information unit 642 and indicates the downward movement distance from the home position P of the lower flapper 49 to the evacuation position shown in FIG. 8 (S36). When the lower flapper 49 rotates to the evacuation position, the upper flapper 47, which is located at the home position P, moves to a position where it abuts against a stopper, and the upper flapper 47 rotates to a position where it protrudes downward from the home position P shown in FIG. 8. Then, the control unit 600 returns to S31.

[0061] With the upper flapper 47 and lower flapper 49 moved in this manner, receipts Y continue to be fed from the printer 10. In this case, if the process of S23 is executed and at least a portion of the lower flapper 49 is positioned so that it protrudes above the home position P, the receipt Y fed from the printer 10 loops upward and is evacuated to the external space 54. Also, if the process of S24 is executed and at least a portion of the upper flapper 47 is positioned so that it protrudes below the home position P, the receipt Y fed from the printer 10 loops downward and is evacuated to the space 53. The control unit 600 then returns to S31.

[0062] Furthermore, if it is determined that the leading edge of the receipt Y has not been detected (No in S31), the control unit 600 determines whether a cut signal has been received from the printer 10 (S37). If it is determined that a cut signal has not been received (No in S37), the control unit 600 returns to S31, but if it is determined that a cut signal has been received from the printer 10 (Yes in S37), the paper discharge means 602 rotates the feed rollers 43 that were stopped in S33, and begins discharging the retreated receipt Y outside the POS terminal H (S38).

[0063] Next, the control unit 600 determines whether the paper sensor 51 has detected the trailing edge of the receipt Y to be discharged (S39). If it determines that the trailing edge of the receipt Y has not been detected (No in S39), the control unit 600 returns to S38 and continues discharging the receipt Y. If it determines that the trailing edge of the receipt Y has been detected (Yes in S39), the control unit 600 conveys the receipt Y a predetermined distance until it is completely discharged (S40). The control unit 600 then stops the rotation of the feed rollers 43 (S41). The control unit 600 then returns the upper flapper 47 and lower flapper 49 to their home positions (S42). The control unit 600 then returns to S31.

[0064] The paper discharge device 40 of this embodiment includes a lower flapper 49 and an upper flapper 47. When the paper discharge unit 1 is installed in the POS terminal H, the lower flapper 49 and the upper flapper 47 can be positioned to select whether the receipt Y is looped to the top side (the printed side in this embodiment) or the bottom side (the non-printed side in this embodiment). This allows the receipt Y to be evacuated without being affected by the relationship with surrounding devices.

[0065] Furthermore, the paper discharge unit 1 of the embodiment not only has the effect of the paper discharge device 40, but also discharges the retreated receipt Y from the POS terminal H when the receipt Y is cut. This type of paper discharge unit 1 prevents the customer from touching the receipt Y during printing, which makes it possible to maintain the print quality of the receipt Y and prevent the receipt Y from jamming.

[0066] As described above, the paper discharge device 40 of the embodiment comprises a feed roller 43 that transports the receipt Y printed by the printer 10 and discharges it to the outside, a transport stop means 601 that stops the transport of the receipt Y by the feed roller 43 while the receipt Y is being printed, a loop mechanism (lower flapper 49 and upper flapper 47) that selectively loops the printed receipt Y while transport is stopped from the transport path 42 located upstream of the feed roller 43 in the transport direction of the receipt Y to either the printed side or the non-printed side of the receipt Y, and a paper discharge means 602 that rotates the stopped feed roller 43 to discharge the looped receipt Y when printing of the receipt Y is completed.

[0067] According to the paper discharge device 40 of this embodiment, the loop direction of the paper can be selected.

[0068] The paper discharge unit 1 of the embodiment is a paper discharge unit 1 equipped with a printer 10 that prints information on paper and a paper discharge device 40 that discharges the receipt Y printed by the printer 10. The printer 10 is equipped with a printing means 201 that prints information on paper, a sending means 202 that sends the printed receipt Y to the paper discharge device 40, and a sending means 203 that sends a cut signal to the paper discharge device 40 indicating that printing has ended. The paper discharge device 40 is equipped with a feed roller 43 that transports the receipt Y printed by the printer 10 and discharges it to the outside, and The printer is equipped with a transport stop means 601 that stops the transport of receipt Y by the feed rollers 43 while the sheet Y is being printed, a loop mechanism (lower flapper 49 and upper flapper 47) that selectively loops the printed receipt Y while transport is stopped from the transport path 42 located upstream of the feed rollers 43 in the transport direction of the receipt Y to either the printed side or the non-printed side of the receipt Y, and a paper discharge means 602 that drives the stopped feed rollers 43 to discharge the looped receipt Y when a cut signal is received from the printer 10.

[0069] According to the paper discharge unit 1 of this embodiment, the loop direction of the paper can be selected, and since the customer does not touch the receipt Y during printing, it is possible to maintain the print quality on the receipt Y and prevent the receipt Y from jamming.

[0070] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0071] For example, in the embodiment, the cut signal has been described as an example of an end signal, but the end signal is not limited to this and may be any signal that indicates that printing in the printer 10 has ended.

[0072] In the embodiment, the upper flapper 47 does not have its own driving means and rotates by its own weight. However, this is not limiting, and the upper flapper 47 may be driven by a driving source such as a flapper motor, like the lower flapper 49.

[0073] In the embodiment, the paper sensor 51 is located upstream of the feed rollers 43 in the conveyance direction of the receipt Y. However, this is not limiting, and the paper sensor 51 may be located close to the downstream side of the feed rollers 43 in the conveyance direction of the receipt Y. In this case, when the paper sensor 51 detects the receipt Y, the rotation of the feed rollers 43 is immediately stopped, and the conveyance of the receipt Y is stopped. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Paper ejection unit 10 Printers 11 Paper entrance 12 Transport path 13 Platen 15 print head 16 Cutter 17 Receipt outlet 40 Paper ejection device 41 Paper entrance 42 Transport path 43 Feed roller 46 Pinch roller 47 Upper flapper 49 Lower flapper 50 Receipt outlet 51 Paper sensor 53 Space 54 Exterior Space 58 Home position sensor 200 control section 201 Printing means 202 Sending means 203 Transmission Method 231 Printing information section 471 Conveying surface 491 Conveying surface 600 control section 601 Transport stop means 602 Paper ejection means 603 Lower flapper movement means 604 Upper flapper movement means 631 Evacuation Information Department 642 Flapper Information Department H POS terminal P Home Position Y receipt [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0075] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-335008

Claims

1. a conveying unit that conveys paper printed by the printer and discharges it to the outside; a transport stop means for stopping the transport of the paper by the transport unit while printing on the paper; a loop mechanism that selectively loops the paper, on which printing has been performed while the paper is stopped, from a conveyance path provided upstream of the conveyance unit in the paper conveyance direction to either a print side or a non-print side of the paper; a paper ejection means for driving the stopped conveyance unit to eject the looped paper when printing on the paper is completed; A paper ejection device comprising:

2. The print surface side is the side where the paper is looped upward from the transport path, and the non-print surface side is the side where the paper is looped downward from the transport path. The paper ejection device according to claim 1 .

3. the loop mechanism has an upper flapper and a lower flapper, and the upper flapper and the lower flapper are disposed opposite each other across the conveyance path at a home position; a lower flapper moving means for causing at least a portion of the lower flapper to project upward from the home position; upper flapper moving means for causing at least a portion of the upper flapper to project downward from the home position; Equipped with the lower flapper moving means causes at least a portion of the lower flapper to protrude upward from the transport path, thereby looping the paper upward; and the upper flapper moving means causes at least a portion of the upper flapper to protrude downward from the transport path, thereby looping the paper downward. The paper ejection device according to claim 2 .

4. the lower flapper moving means rotates the lower flapper upward from the home position, causing at least a portion of the lower flapper to protrude upward from the conveying path, and the upper flapper moving means rotates the lower flapper downward from the home position, causing the upper flapper to rotate downward under its own weight, causing at least a portion of the upper flapper to protrude downward from the conveying path.

4. The paper ejection device according to claim 3.

5. A paper discharge unit including a printer that prints information on paper and a paper discharge device that discharges paper printed by the printer, The printer a printing means for printing information on the paper; a delivery means for delivering the printed paper to the paper discharge device; a transmitting means for transmitting an end signal indicating that printing has been completed to the paper ejection device; Equipped with The paper discharge device a conveying unit that conveys paper printed by the printer and discharges it to the outside; a transport stop means for stopping the transport of the paper by the transport unit while printing on the paper; a loop mechanism that selectively loops the paper, on which printing has been performed while the paper is stopped, from a conveyance path provided upstream of the conveyance unit in the paper conveyance direction to either a print side or a non-print side of the paper; a paper ejection means for driving the stopped transport unit to eject the looped paper when the end signal is received; A paper ejection unit comprising:

6. The print surface side is the side where the paper is looped upward from the transport path, and the non-print surface side is the side where the paper is looped downward from the transport path. The paper discharge unit according to claim 5 .

7. the loop mechanism has an upper flapper and a lower flapper, and the upper flapper and the lower flapper are disposed opposite each other across the conveyance path at a home position; a lower flapper moving means for causing at least a portion of the lower flapper to project upward from the home position; upper flapper moving means for causing at least a portion of the upper flapper to project downward from the home position; Equipped with the lower flapper moving means causes at least a portion of the lower flapper to protrude upward from the transport path, thereby looping the paper upward; and the upper flapper moving means causes at least a portion of the upper flapper to protrude downward from the transport path, thereby looping the paper downward. The paper discharge unit according to claim 6.

8. the lower flapper moving means rotates the lower flapper upward from the home position, causing at least a portion of the lower flapper to protrude upward from the conveying path, and the upper flapper moving means rotates the lower flapper downward from the home position, causing the upper flapper to rotate downward under its own weight, causing at least a portion of the upper flapper to protrude downward from the conveying path. The paper discharge unit according to claim 7.

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