Relay device, control method and system

Abstract

To facilitate the replacement of printing equipment. [Solution] A relay device comprising: a first communication unit that is communicatively connected to an information processing device; a second communication unit that is communicatively connected to a first printing device or a second printing device; and a generation unit that, when the first printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the first printing device based on a print command from the information processing device; and when the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay device, a control method, and a system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a POS system having a printing device such as a receipt printer. Patent Document 1 discloses a business printing system having an operation terminal and a business printer connected to the operation terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional POS system, when replacing a printing device due to a failure of the printing mechanism or the like, a kitting operation is involved to make the printing command from the operation terminal compatible with the new printing device as the replacement destination. This kitting operation involves changing setting values corresponding to the printing mechanism of the new printing device, so a service technician has to go to the site to perform it. Therefore, the downtime during which the printing device cannot be used may be prolonged.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a relay device comprising: a first communication unit communicated with an information processing device; a second communication unit communicated with a first printing device or a second printing device other than the first printing device; and a generation unit that, when the first printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the first printing device based on a print command from the information processing device, and when the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a control method in which a computer connected to a first communication unit communicably connected to an information processing device and a second communication unit communicably connected to a first printing device or a second printing device other than the first printing device generates a print command corresponding to the first printing device based on a print command from the information processing device when the first printing device is connected to the second communication unit, and generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device when the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit.

[0007] A further aspect of the present disclosure is a system comprising: an information processing device; a first printing device or a second printing device other than the first printing device; a relay device comprising: a first communication unit communicately connected to the information processing device; a second communication unit communicately connected to the first printing device or the second printing device; and a generation unit that, when the first printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the first printing device based on a print command from the information processing device; and when the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Block diagram of a POS system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]A sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a POS system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] An example diagram illustrating model information. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram of an example print command. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, some descriptions may be omitted to avoid unnecessary detail. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted.

[0010] Furthermore, this disclosure may use common abbreviations. For example, POS is an abbreviation for Point of Sales. USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. MPU is an abbreviation for Micro Processing Unit. RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. VID is an abbreviation for Vendor Identifier. PID is an abbreviation for Product Identifier. JSON is an abbreviation for JavaScript Object Notation. Note that JavaScript is a registered trademark.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a POS system according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the POS system 100 includes a relay device 1, a POS terminal 2, and a printing device 3. The POS terminal 2 is an example of an information processing device, and the POS system 100 is an example of a system. For example, the POS system 100 may be a business system or information processing system in which the POS terminal 2 is replaced with a personal computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, server device, etc. Note that the above-mentioned POS system 100 is just one example of a system. For example, the system may be a business system having a personal computer as an information processing device, a relay device 1, and a printing device 3.

[0012] The relay device 1 is connected between the POS terminal 2 and the printing device 3 and relays communication between the POS terminal 2 and the printing device 3. The relay device 1 is sometimes called a hub box. Note that the devices that the relay device 1 relays are not limited to the above configuration. For example, the relay device 1 may be configured to allow connection of POS peripheral devices. For example, when the POS terminal 2 is configured as a tablet terminal, the relay device 1 may be configured to allow wired or wireless connection of a handheld scanner and keyboard for inputting product codes, a touch panel device for displaying a touch panel screen, and a cash drawer for storing cash.

[0013] POS terminal 2 is a terminal device that performs accounting processing in POS system 100. POS terminal 2 includes, for example, a handheld scanner and keyboard for inputting product codes, a touch panel device for displaying a touch panel screen, and a cash drawer for storing cash.

[0014] POS terminal 2 has a communication interface such as a USB interface. POS terminal 2 connects to equipment such as relay device 1 via this communication interface. The communication interface of POS terminal 2 may be configured to connect to equipment such as relay device 1 via either a wired or wireless connection.

[0015] Printing device 3 is, for example, a receipt printer. For printing device 3, a dot impact printer or a non-impact printer such as a direct thermal or thermal transfer thermal printer can be used. Note that the non-impact printer is not limited to direct thermal or thermal transfer printers; printers using inkjet or electrophotographic printing methods may also be used.

[0016] The printer 3 has a communication interface such as a USB interface. The printer 3 connects to equipment such as the relay device 1 via this communication interface. The communication interface of the printer 3 may be configured to connect to equipment such as the relay device 1 via either a wired or wireless connection.

[0017] In the POS system 100, a printing device 3 that has malfunctioned, such as a failure in its printing mechanism, will be replaced with a new printing device 3. Specifically, the user of the POS system 100 will replace the printing device 3 by removing the printing device 3 connected to the relay device 1 and connecting a new printing device 3 to the relay device 1.

[0018] In the following explanation, the printing device 3 before replacement will be referred to as the first printing device 3a, and the printing device 3 after replacement will be referred to as the second printing device 3b. For example, the first printing device 3a is the printing device connected to the relay device 1 when the POS system 100 was installed. The second printing device 3b is a separate printing device prepared in addition to the first printing device 3a, and is the replacement printing device that replaces the first printing device 3a after installation. Unless otherwise specified, the first printing device 3a and the second printing device 3b will be referred to as printing device 3.

[0019] The relay device 1 includes a first communication unit 11, a second communication unit 12, a control unit 13, and a storage unit 14.

[0020] The first communication unit 11 is a communication interface that is communicably connected to the POS terminal 2. The first communication unit 11 can apply, for example, a USB interface or the like, and may be configured to be connected to the POS terminal 2 either by wire or wirelessly.

[0021] The second communication unit 12 is a communication interface that is communicably connected to the printing device 3. The second communication unit 12 can apply, for example, a USB interface or the like, and may be configured to be connected to the printing device 3 either by wire or wirelessly.

[0022] The control unit 13 is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU or MPU. The control unit 13 reads out and sequentially executes the program 30 stored in the storage unit 14, and executes various processes through the cooperation of hardware and software.

[0023] The storage unit 14 is a storage device composed of, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, or the like. In addition to the program 30 described above, the storage unit 14 stores the model information 31 and the print setting information 32.

[0024] The model information 31 is information regarding the model unique to the printing device 3. Specifically, the model information 31 includes information regarding the specifications of the printing device 3, such as the language used by the printing device 3, the paper width of the printing paper to be printed, and the printing range. In addition, the model information 31 includes function information indicating the functional configuration of the printing device 3. The model information 31 is an example of unique information.

[0025] Regarding the function information indicating the functional configuration of the printing device 3, at least the name of one function of the printing device 3 is included. For example, the functions of the printing device 3 include a cutting function for printing paper, a slip printing function, a verification function, and a magnetic ink character recognition function.

[0026] The print setting information 32 is information indicating the print settings used when generating a print command corresponding to the printing device 3 connected to the second communication unit 12. Specifically, the print setting information 32 includes the specifications of the printing device 3 and the print settings corresponding to the functional configuration of the printing device 3.

[0027] The control unit 13 performs the functions of an acquisition unit 21, a setting unit 22, and a generation unit 23 through various processes performed by the program 30 described above.

[0028] The acquisition unit 21 is a processing unit that acquires information such as model information 31 from the printing device 3 connected to the second communication unit 12. Specifically, when the acquisition unit 21 recognizes that the printing device 3 has been connected to the second communication unit 12, it queries the printing device 3 for identification information via the second communication unit 12. Based on the response from the printing device 3 to this query, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the identification information of the printing device 3. For example, the identification information of the printing device 3 may include the VID, which identifies the manufacturer of the printing device 3, and the PID, which is uniquely assigned to the printing device 3.

[0029] Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 21 recognizes that the printing device 3 is connected to the second communication unit 12, it queries the printing device 3 for model information 31 via the second communication unit 12. Based on the response from the printing device 3 to this query, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the model information 31 of the printing device 3. The acquisition unit 21 stores the acquired model information 31 in the storage unit 14.

[0030] The setting unit 22 is a processing unit that performs print settings to generate print commands corresponding to the printing device 3 connected to the second communication unit 12, based on the model information 31.

[0031] Specifically, the setting unit 22 reads information about the specifications of the printing device 3, such as the language used, the paper width of the paper to be printed on, and the print range, which are included in the model information 31. Then, the setting unit 22 stores the print settings corresponding to the specifications of the printing device 3 in the print setting information 32 in the storage unit 14. For example, the setting unit 22 includes print settings in the print setting information 32 that match the specifications of the printing device 3, such as the language used, the paper width of the paper to be printed on, and the print range.

[0032] Furthermore, the setting unit 22 reads the function information, which is included in the model information 31 and indicates the functional configuration of the printing device 3. Then, the setting unit 22 stores the print settings corresponding to the functional configuration of the printing device 3 in the storage unit 14, including them in the print setting information 32. For example, for functions of the printing device 3, the setting unit 22 includes print settings that enable those functions in the print setting information 32.

[0033] The generation unit 23 is a processing unit that generates a print command corresponding to the printing device 3 connected to the second communication unit 12, based on a print command from the POS terminal 2 connected via the first communication unit 11. The generation unit 23 outputs the generated print command to the printing device 3 via the second communication unit 12.

[0034] Specifically, when the generation unit 23 receives a print command from the POS terminal 2, it analyzes the contents of the print command. Then, the generation unit 23 converts the contents of the analyzed print command to match the specifications and functions of the printing device 3 based on the print setting information 32. Finally, the generation unit 23 uses the converted print command as the print command to the printing device 3 and outputs it to the printing device 3 via the second communication unit 12.

[0035] For example, if the language used by the printing device 3 is Japanese, the generation unit 23 converts the character code of the print data included in the print command from the POS terminal 2 into a Japanese character code. The generation unit 23 also converts the print data included in the print command from the POS terminal 2, adjusting line breaks and other elements to match the paper width and print range of the printing device 3.

[0036] Furthermore, if the print command from the POS terminal 2 includes an instruction to execute a predetermined function, the generation unit 23 identifies the function with the execution instruction from among the functions enabled in the print setting information 32. Then, for the identified function, the generation unit 23 includes the execution instruction for that function in the converted print command. If the function with the execution instruction is not among the functions enabled in the print setting information 32, the generation unit 23 notifies the POS terminal 2 via the first communication unit 11 that the function with the execution instruction is not installed in the printing device 3.

[0037] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation of the POS system 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, first, user 4 connects the POS terminal 2 to the first communication unit 11 of the relay device 1 and connects the first printing device 3a to the second communication unit 12 of the relay device 1 to set up the POS system 100 (S1).

[0038] Here, user 4 performs the initial setup of the relay device 1 via a terminal device such as a POS terminal 2 (S11). Specifically, user 4 saves the initial setup settings of the relay device 1 to the storage unit 14 by running an initial setup program, such as an installer, on the terminal device such as a POS terminal 2 (S12). As a result of S12, the storage unit 14 of the relay device 1 stores model information 31 and print setting information 32 related to the first printing device 3a.

[0039] After the installation of the POS system 100 is completed, the POS system 100 becomes operational (S2). After the POS system 100 becomes operational, user 4 performs accounting processing using the POS terminal 2 (S21).

[0040] Next, POS terminal 2 generates print data for printing accounting results, etc. (S22). Then, when POS terminal 2 receives an operation instruction from user 4, such as executing a print, it generates a print command including the generated print data and outputs it to relay device 1 (S23).

[0041] The generation unit 23 of the relay device 1 converts the print command from the POS terminal 2 into a print command corresponding to the first printing device 3a, based on the print setting information 32 for the first printing device 3a. Then, the generation unit 23 outputs the converted print command to the first printing device 3a via the second communication unit 12 (S24). As a result, the first printing device 3a can print the results of accounting processing, etc., based on the print command from the POS terminal 2.

[0042] After the POS system 100 is put into operation, a malfunction occurs in the printing mechanism of the first printing device 3a, so the first printing device 3a is to be replaced with the second printing device 3b (S31). In this case, user 4 disconnects the connection between the first printing device 3a and the second communication unit 12 of the relay device 1, and connects the newly prepared second printing device 3b to the second communication unit 12 of the relay device 1.

[0043] When the second printing device 3b is connected to the second communication unit 12, the control unit 13 of the relay device 1 recognizes the connection of the second printing device 3b (S32). Then, the acquisition unit 21 queries the second printing device 3b, which has recognized the connection, for identification information and acquires it (S33).

[0044] Next, the acquisition unit 21 queries the second printing device 3b for model information 31 (S34) and receives a response of model information 31 from the second printing device 3b (S35). Then, the setting unit 22 performs print settings to generate a print command corresponding to the second printing device 3b based on the model information 31 of the second printing device 3b (S36).

[0045] Next, the setting unit 22 performs print settings based on the model information 31 of the second printing device 3b, enabling print commands corresponding to the functions of the printing device 3, i.e., compatible commands (S37). This determines that the compatible commands corresponding to the functions of the printing device 3 are valid. Next, the setting unit 22 stores the contents of the print settings in S36 and S37 as print setting information 32 in the storage unit 14.

[0046] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of model information. As shown in Figure 3, the first model information 31a and the second model information 31b are JSON data in which the specifications of the printing device 3 are listed in the "Spec" block and the functions of the printing device 3 are listed in the "Device" block.

[0047] Here, the first model information 31a corresponds to, for example, the first printing device 3a, which is a thermal printer. The second model information 31b corresponds to the second printing device 3b, which is a dot matrix printer.

[0048] For example, the first model information 31a indicates the specifications for the first printing device 3a, stating that the paper width is 80 mm and the printing area is 576 dots / 203 dots. It also indicates that the first printing device 3a has an AutoCutter function, which is a paper cutting function.

[0049] Therefore, in the print settings based on the first model information 31a, the print area of ​​the converted print command is set to 576 dots / 273 dots. In addition, the print command for the cut function on the print paper is determined to be valid.

[0050] The second model information document 31b indicates the specifications for the second printing device 3b, stating that the paper width is 80 mm and the printing area is 512 dots / 180 dots. It also indicates that the second printing device 3b has the following functions: AutoCutter, SlipUnit, ValidationUnit, and MICRUnit. The SlipUnit supports slip printing functionality. The ValidationUnit supports verification functionality. The MICRUnit supports magnetic ink character recognition functionality.

[0051] Therefore, in the print settings based on the second model information 31b, the print area of ​​the converted print command is set to 512 dots / 180 dots. In addition, the print commands for the cut function, slip printing function, verification function, and magnetic ink character recognition function for the print paper are determined to be valid.

[0052] After the print settings for the second printing device 3b are completed, user 4 performs accounting using the POS terminal 2 (S41).

[0053] Next, POS terminal 2 generates print data for printing accounting results, etc. (S42). Then, when POS terminal 2 receives an operation instruction from user 4, such as executing a print, it generates a print command including the generated print data and outputs it to relay device 1 (S43).

[0054] The generation unit 23 of the relay device 1 converts the print command from the POS terminal 2 into a print command corresponding to the second printing device 3b, based on the print setting information 32 for the second printing device 3b. Then, the generation unit 23 outputs the converted print command to the second printing device 3b via the second communication unit 12 (S44). As a result, the second printing device 3b can print the results of accounting processing, etc., based on the print command from the POS terminal 2.

[0055] Furthermore, if the second printing device 3b does not have the function that is instructed to be executed by the print command from the POS terminal 2, i.e., the function is not installed, the generation unit 23 of the relay device 1 responds to the POS terminal 2 that the function is not installed (S45). This allows the user 4 to confirm, via the display unit of the POS terminal 2 or the like, that the second printing device 3b does not have the function that was instructed to be printed.

[0056] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a print command. As shown in Figure 4, the print command 41 output from the POS terminal 2 to the relay device 1 in S23 and S43 is assumed to be the same. When the first printing device 3a is connected, the relay device 1 converts the print command 41 to a print command 42a corresponding to the first printing device 3a based on the print setting information 32 for the first printing device 3a. As a result, in S24, the relay device 1 outputs the print command 42a corresponding to the first printing device 3a to the first printing device 3a.

[0057] Furthermore, if the second printing device 3b is connected, the relay device 1 converts the print command 41 to a print command 42b corresponding to the second printing device 3b based on the print setting information 32 for the second printing device 3b. As a result, in S44, the relay device 1 outputs the print command 42b corresponding to the second printing device 3b to the second printing device 3b.

[0058] Therefore, in the POS system 100, printing compatible with the second printing device 3b can be performed simply by replacing the first printing device 3a, which is connected from the POS terminal 2 via the relay device 1, with the second printing device 3b. In other words, in the POS system 100, when replacing the first printing device 3a with the second printing device 3b, there is no need for kitting work to make the print command 41 from the POS terminal 2 compatible with the replacement second printing device 3b.

[0059] The embodiments described above are preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0060] For example, in the embodiment described above, a configuration was shown in which the print settings of the first printing device 3a are configured using an installer when the POS system 100 is installed. However, the print settings of the first printing device 3a may also be configured by the acquisition unit 21 and the setting unit 22 performing the processing in S32 to S37, similar to the case of the second printing device 3b.

[0061] Furthermore, during the initial setup of the POS system 100, the model information 31 of multiple models to be connected to the relay device 1 may be pre-configured in the relay device 1. In this case, the setting unit 22 can perform print settings by identifying the model information 31 of the corresponding model based on the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 21.

[0062] In addition, in the POS system 100, after replacing the first printing device 3a with the second printing device 3b, it may be replaced with yet another printing device 3. In this case, the second printing device 3b before the replacement is the first printing device 3a, and the other printing device 3 is the second printing device 3b.

[0063] Furthermore, the functional units of the control unit 13 shown in Figure 1 represent functional configurations realized through the cooperation of hardware and software, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. Therefore, it is not necessarily required that hardware corresponding to each functional unit be implemented individually, and it is certainly possible to have a configuration in which a single processor executes a program to realize the functions of multiple functional units. In addition, some of the functions realized by software in the above embodiment may be realized by hardware, and some of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software.

[0064] Furthermore, the program 30 executed by the control unit 13 to realize the control method described above may be provided by recording it on a recording medium readable by the control unit 13. The recording medium readable by the control unit 13 may be an optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory device, or the like. The program 30 may also be provided or distributed in the form of a transmission medium, stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and provided or distributed by allowing download via the network.

[0065] Furthermore, the processing units in the sequence shown in Figure 2 are divided according to their main processing content in order to facilitate understanding of the processing of the control unit 13, and the present invention is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or named as shown in the sequence in Figure 2. In addition, the processing of the control unit 13 can be further divided into more processing units depending on the processing content, or it can be divided so that one processing unit contains even more processing. Moreover, the processing order of the above sequence is not limited to the example shown.

[0066] [Summary of this disclosure] A summary of this disclosure is provided below.

[0067] (Note 1) A relay device comprising: a first communication unit communicates with an information processing device; a second communication unit communicates with a first printing device or a second printing device other than the first printing device; and a generation unit that, when the first printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the first printing device based on a print command from the information processing device; and when the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device.

[0068] This eliminates the need for kitting work to adapt print commands from the information processing device to the second printing device when replacing the first one. Therefore, replacing printing devices becomes easier.

[0069] (Note 2) The relay device according to Appendix 1, further comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires unique information of the second printing device from the second printing device when the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit in a communicative manner; and a setting unit that performs print settings for generating a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on the acquired unique information.

[0070] This allows for easy configuration of print settings when switching from the first to the second printing device. By connecting the second printing device to the second communication unit, it becomes possible to generate print commands corresponding to the second printing device.

[0071] (Note 3) The relay device according to Appendix 2, wherein the unique information includes at least one of language, paper width, and print range in the second printing device.

[0072] This allows printing settings corresponding to the second printing device to be configured for at least one of the language, paper width, and print range.

[0073] (Note 4) The relay device according to Appendix 2 or 3, wherein the unique information includes functional information indicating whether or not the second printing device has a predetermined function, and the setting unit sets whether or not to enable the printing command for the predetermined function based on the functional information included in the acquired unique information.

[0074] This allows the print settings for generating print commands corresponding to the second printing device to be configured to enable the functions of the second printing device.

[0075] (Note 5) The relay device as described in Appendix 4, wherein the function information includes at least one of a cutting function for printing paper, a slip printing function, a verification function, and a magnetic ink character recognition function.

[0076] This allows the second printing device to be configured to enable at least one of the following functions for printing paper: cutting function, slip printing function, verification function, and magnetic ink character recognition function.

[0077] (Note 6) The relay device described in Appendix 4 or 5, wherein when the generation unit generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device, if a print command for a function that is not set to be enabled is included in the print command from the information processing device, the relay device notifies the information processing device that the second printing device does not have that function.

[0078] This allows the information processing device to confirm that a print command from the information processing device includes a print command with a function that the second printing device does not possess.

[0079] (Note 7) A control method comprising a computer connected to a first communication unit communicatively connected to an information processing device and a second communication unit communicatively connected to a first printing device or a second printing device separate from the first printing device, wherein the computer generates a print command corresponding to the first printing device based on a print command from the information processing device when the first printing device is connected to the second communication unit, and generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device when the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit.

[0080] This eliminates the need for kitting work to adapt print commands from the information processing device to the second printing device when replacing the first one. Therefore, replacing printing devices becomes easier.

[0081] (Note 8) A system comprising: an information processing device; a first printing device or a second printing device separate from the first printing device; a relay device comprising: a first communication unit communicated with the information processing device; a second communication unit communicated with the first printing device or the second printing device; and a generation unit that, when the first printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the first printing device based on a print command from the information processing device; and when the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device.

[0082] This eliminates the need for kitting work to adapt print commands from the information processing device to the second printing device when replacing the first one. Therefore, replacing printing devices becomes easier. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1...Relay device, 2...POS terminal, 3...Printing device, 3a...First printing device, 3b...Second printing device, 4...User, 11...First communication unit, 12...Second communication unit, 13...Control unit, 14...Storage unit, 21...Acquisition unit, 22...Setting unit, 23...Generation unit, 30...Program, 31...Model information, 31a...First model information, 31b...Second model information, 32...Print setting information, 41...Print command, 42a...Print command, 42b...Print command, 100...POS system.

Claims

1. A first communication unit that is communicatively connected to an information processing device, A second communication unit is connected to a first printing apparatus or a second printing apparatus other than the first printing apparatus in a manner that enables communication with the first printing apparatus. The system includes a generation unit that, when the first printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the first printing device based on a print command from the information processing device, and when the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device. Relay device.

2. When the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit in a communicative manner, an acquisition unit acquires unique information of the second printing device from the second printing device, The system further includes a setting unit that performs print settings for generating a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on the acquired unique information. The relay device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned unique information includes at least one of language, paper width, and print range in the second printing apparatus. The relay device according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned unique information includes functional information indicating whether or not the second printing device has a predetermined function. The setting unit sets whether or not to enable the print command for the predetermined function based on the function information included in the acquired unique information. The relay device according to claim 2.

5. The aforementioned functional information includes at least one of a cutting function for printing paper, a slip printing function, a verification function, and a magnetic ink character recognition function. The relay device according to claim 4.

6. When the generation unit generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device, if the print command from the information processing device includes a print command for a function that is not enabled, it notifies the information processing device that the second printing device does not have that function. The relay device according to claim 4.

7. A computer is connected to a first communication unit which is communicatively connected to an information processing device, and to a second communication unit which is communicatively connected to a first printing device or a second printing device different from the first printing device. If the first printing device is connected to the second communication unit, the system generates a print command corresponding to the first printing device based on a print command from the information processing device, and if the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit, the system generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device, and performs the following processes. Control method.

8. Information processing equipment and A first printing apparatus or a second printing apparatus separate from the first printing apparatus, A relay device comprising: a first communication unit communicates with the information processing device; a second communication unit communicates with the first printing device or the second printing device; and a generation unit that, when the first printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the first printing device based on a print command from the information processing device; and when the second printing device is connected to the second communication unit, generates a print command corresponding to the second printing device based on a print command from the information processing device. system.

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