Printer device and program

Abstract

This invention provides a printer device and program that can achieve both a reduction in receipt printing time and an extension of the print head's lifespan. [Solution] The thermal printer (printer device) includes a receipt length storage unit (storage unit) that stores the receipt length, which is the length of a receipt on which the contents of a purchase have been printed, for a predetermined number of times; an average receipt length calculation unit (calculation unit) that calculates the average receipt length (representative receipt length) according to the predetermined number of receipt lengths; and a maximum printing speed determination unit (first determination unit) that determines the maximum transport speed of the receipt paper when printing the next receipt according to the average receipt length.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a printer device and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in a thermal receipt printer, in order to meet the specified power supply specifications, the conveyance speed of the receipt is changed between the maximum speed and the minimum speed according to the printing density for each raster in the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the receipt, and printing is performed. And the printing speed for each raster is determined based on the amount of data (number of dots) in the main scanning direction. Therefore, even for a short receipt, by performing high-speed printing, there is a problem that the burden on the print head increases and the life of the print head is shortened.

[0003] On the other hand, in order to shorten the waiting time for receipt issuance, it is desired that the printing time of the receipt be as short as possible.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer device and a program capable of achieving both shortening the printing time of a receipt and extending the life of a print head.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The printer device according to the embodiment includes a storage unit, a calculation unit, and a first determination unit. The storage unit stores the receipt length, which is the length of the receipt on which the contents of shopping are printed, for a predetermined number of times. The calculation unit calculates a representative receipt length according to the receipt lengths for a predetermined number of times. The first determination unit determines the maximum conveyance speed of the receipt paper when printing the next receipt according to the representative receipt length.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of a receipt printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a receipt printed by a receipt printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a receipt printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a receipt length record table stored in a receipt printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a maximum print speed determination table stored in a receipt printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram showing how a receipt printer according to the embodiment determines the printing speed according to the average receipt length and the number of dots in the main scanning direction. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a receipt printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the receipt printer according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of a receipt printer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0008] (Overall configuration of the receipt printer) The schematic configuration of the receipt printer 10 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of the receipt printer according to this embodiment. Note that the receipt printer 10 is an example of a printer device in this disclosure.

[0009] The receipt printer 10 prints by drawing out the receipt paper 18 from the roll paper 16, which is wound in a roll shape around the roll core 17.

[0010] The receipt printer 10 has a transport roller 19, a platen roller 20, a thermal head 25, and a cutter 26 inside the housing 9.

[0011] The transport roller 19 is a free roller that forms a transport path that guides the receipt paper 18, which has been pulled out from the roll paper 16, toward the thermal head 25 in the direction of arrow C.

[0012] The platen roller 20 rotates around the axis 24 in the direction of arrow A when the driving force from the platen roller drive motor 23 is transmitted, thereby pulling the receipt paper 18 from one end of the roll paper 16 in the direction of arrow B. The pulled-out receipt paper 18 is then transported toward the thermal head 25.

[0013] The thermal head 25 is positioned perpendicular to the transport direction of the receipt paper 18 and has a structure in which multiple (e.g., 640) heating elements are arranged in a line. The thermal head 25 is pressed against the platen roller 20. The receipt paper 18 is transported toward the paper output port 27 while being held between the thermal head 25 and the platen roller 20. The thermal head 25 prints on the surface of the receipt paper 18 (the positive Z-axis side in Figure 1) held between the thermal head 25 and the platen roller 20 by heating the heating elements corresponding to the print pattern.

[0014] The cutter 26 cuts the receipt paper 18 that has been printed and ejected from the paper output slot 27. The cutter 26 is driven by a motor (not shown) to cut the receipt paper 18 that has been ejected from the paper output slot 27.

[0015] (Example of a receipt printed by a receipt printer) An example of a receipt 5 printed by the receipt printer 10 will be explained using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt printed by the receipt printer according to the embodiment.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, on receipt 5, according to the content of the goods purchased by the customer, a store logo, store name, issue date and time, product name, unit price, quantity, amount, subtotal, total amount, consumption tax amount, payment amount, change amount, etc. are printed.

[0017] These pieces of information are printed item by item along the main scanning direction Da which is the width direction of receipt paper 18. Note that the main scanning direction Da coincides with the installation direction of thermal head 25 provided in receipt printer 10.

[0018] In addition, each of the above-mentioned items is line-fed at the right end in the width direction of receipt paper 18 and printed across the longitudinal direction of receipt 5. The longitudinal direction of receipt 5 is called the sub-scanning direction Db. Receipt 5 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Db according to the rotation of platen roller 20. In the present embodiment, the conveyance speed at which receipt 5 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Db is also referred to as the printing speed of the receipt printer.

[0019] That is, receipt printer 10 performs printing for each row in the main scanning direction Da by thermal head 25 while conveying receipt paper 18 in the sub-scanning direction Db at a predetermined conveyance speed (printing speed).

[0020] Receipt 5 printed by receipt printer 10 has a receipt length L corresponding to the number of goods purchased by the customer. Receipt printer 10 calculates receipt length L by integrating the conveyance amount of receipt paper 18 in each printing row (raster) each time receipt 5 is printed.

[0021] (Hardware Configuration of Receipt Printer) The hardware configuration of receipt printer 10 will be described using FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the receipt printer according to the embodiment.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, receipt printer 10 has a structure in which a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a peripheral device controller 14, and a communication controller 15 are connected to each other by an internal bus 13.

[0023] The control unit 11 controls the overall operation of the receipt printer 10. The control unit 11 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113. The CPU 111 connects to the ROM 112 and the RAM 113 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 111 loads various programs stored in the ROM 112 and the memory unit 12 into the RAM 113. The CPU 111 controls the operation of the receipt printer 10 by operating according to the various programs loaded into the RAM 113. In other words, the control unit 11 has the configuration of a typical computer.

[0024] The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). Alternatively, the storage unit 12 may be a non-volatile memory such as flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 12 stores a control program 121, a receipt template 122, a receipt length record table 123, and a maximum print speed determination table 124.

[0025] The control program 121 is a program that controls the overall operation of the receipt printer 10. The control program 121 may be provided stored in the storage unit 12, or it may be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD. The control program 121 may also be provided by storing it on a computer connected to a network and downloading it via the network. Furthermore, the control program 121 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0026] Receipt template 122 is the layout data for receipt 5. Receipt template 122 also stores the store logo, store name, etc.

[0027] The receipt length record table 123 is a file that records the receipt length L of receipts 5 printed by the receipt printer 10 over a predetermined number of past transactions. The receipt length record table 123 will be described in more detail later (see Figure 4).

[0028] The maximum print speed determination table 124 is a master file that stores the maximum print speed at which the receipt printer 10 prints receipts 5, associated with the average receipt length of receipts 5 printed by the receipt printer 10 over a predetermined number of past prints. The maximum print speed determination table 124 will be described in more detail later (see Figure 5).

[0029] The control unit 11 is connected via the peripheral device controller 14 to various input / output devices, namely a display device 21, an operation device 22, a platen roller drive motor 23, a thermal head 25, and a cutter 26. The display device 21 displays various information related to the operation of the receipt printer 10 and various operation screens. The display device 21 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The operation device 22 acquires various operation information for the receipt printer 10. The operation device 22 is, for example, a touch panel stacked on the display device 21. Alternatively, the operation device 22 may be a physical switch. The other input / output devices are as described above, so a further explanation is omitted.

[0030] The control unit 11 is connected to a POS terminal (not shown) via a communication controller 15. The receipt printer 10 obtains product transaction information to be printed on the receipt 5 from the POS terminal. The product transaction information includes the product name, unit price, quantity, amount, subtotal, total amount, and consumption tax amount of the products purchased by the customer. The receipt printer 10 also obtains payment information, such as the payment amount and the change amount, from the POS terminal.

[0031] (Data structure of the receipt length record table) The data structure of the receipt length record table 123 is explained using Figure 4. Figure 5 shows an example of a maximum print speed determination table stored in the receipt printer according to the embodiment.

[0032] The memory unit 12 of the receipt printer 10 stores the receipt length record table 123 shown in Figure 4.

[0033] The receipt length record table 123 stores the receipt length 42 in association with the number of times receipt 5 has been printed 41.

[0034] The print count of 41 represents the number of times receipt 5 related to a customer's purchase was printed.

[0035] The receipt length 42 is the length of the printed receipt 5. The receipt printer 10 constantly measures the number of rasters printed on one receipt 5, and calculates the receipt length 42 by adding the corresponding transport amount for one raster to the measured number of rasters.

[0036] The receipt printer 10 of this embodiment stores the print results of the most recent 100 receipts 5. The number of past receipt lengths 42 to store is set as appropriate.

[0037] When a new receipt 5 is printed, the receipt printer 10 updates the receipt length record table 123 by deleting the oldest receipt length 42 stored in the receipt length record table 123 and instead storing the latest receipt length 42.

[0038] (Data structure of the maximum print speed determination table) The data structure of the maximum print speed determination table 124 will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 4 shows an example of a receipt length record table stored in a receipt printer according to the embodiment.

[0039] The maximum print speed determination table 124 stores the average receipt length 43, which is the average value of the receipt lengths 42 stored in the receipt length record table 123, and the maximum print speed 44 when the receipt printer 10 prints receipt 5, in association with each other.

[0040] The maximum print speed 44 is the maximum transport speed (or maximum print speed) at which the platen roller 20 transports the receipt paper 18 when the receipt printer 10 prints a receipt 5.

[0041] For example, if the average receipt length 43 is less than 10 cm, the receipt printer 10 will transport the receipt paper 18 at a maximum transport speed of 10 ips (inch / sec).

[0042] Furthermore, if the average receipt length 43 is 10 cm or more but less than 20 cm, the receipt printer 10 will transport the receipt paper 18 at a maximum transport speed of 12 ips.

[0043] Furthermore, if the average receipt length 43 is 20 cm or more but less than 30 cm, the receipt printer 10 will transport the receipt paper 18 at a maximum transport speed of 14 ips.

[0044] Furthermore, the receipt printer 10 transports the receipt paper 18 at a maximum transport speed of 16 ips if, for example, the average receipt length 43 is 30 cm or more.

[0045] The receipt printer 10 automatically reduces the paper transport speed during printing as the average receipt length 43 decreases. This suppresses the increase in power consumption caused by high-speed printing and reduces the load on the thermal head 25, thereby extending the lifespan of the thermal head 25. Even if this function reduces the transport speed of the receipt paper 18, the printed receipt length 42 is expected to be short, so it does not significantly affect the overall printing performance. Note that the maximum transport speed (maximum printing speed) shown in Figure 5 is just an example and is not limited to this value.

[0046] (How to determine the printing speed (feed speed) of a receipt printer) Using Figure 6, we will explain how the receipt printer 10 of this embodiment determines the printing speed of the receipt 5. Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram showing how the receipt printer according to the embodiment determines the printing speed according to the average receipt length and the number of dots in the main scanning direction.

[0047] The receipt printer 10 of this embodiment determines the printing speed of each line (each raster) of the receipt 5 according to the maximum printing speed 44 based on the average receipt length 43 described above and the number of print dots along the main scanning direction Da.

[0048] The receipt printer 10 first calculates the average receipt length 43 by averaging the receipt lengths 42 recorded in the receipt length record table 123.

[0049] The receipt printer 10 then determines the maximum printing speed (maximum transport speed) according to the average receipt length 43 based on the maximum printing speed determination table 124. For example, in the example shown in Figure 6, when the average receipt length 43 is long, the receipt printer 10 decides to set the maximum printing speed (maximum transport speed) to Sb. On the other hand, when the average receipt length 43 is short, the receipt printer 10 decides to set the maximum printing speed (maximum transport speed) to Sa. Here, Sb > Sa.

[0050] Next, the receipt printer 10 analyzes the print data for each line (each raster) to be printed and calculates the number of printed dots N for each line (each raster). A higher number of printed dots N for each line (each raster) indicates a higher number of black dots in that line. In other words, the case where black lines are drawn along the main scanning direction Da (see Figure 2) results in the highest number of printed dots N.

[0051] The receipt printer 10 sets the transport speed of the receipt paper 18 in the line (raster) to be slower within the range of the previously determined maximum print speed (maximum transport speed) as the number of print dots N in the main scanning direction Da increases. As a result, as shown in Figure 6, in the region where the number of print dots N in the main scanning direction Da is high, the receipt printer 10 monotonically increases the print speed (transport speed) S in accordance with the decrease in the number of print dots Da in the main scanning direction, within the range of the previously determined maximum print speed (maximum transport speed). The slope of the print speed (transport speed) S in this region is set appropriately based on the power consumption of the receipt printer 10, the specifications of the thermal head 25, etc.

[0052] This allows the receipt printer 10 to qualitatively set the printing speed (feed speed) S of the receipt paper 18 shown in Figure 6.

[0053] (Functional configuration of a receipt printer) The functional configuration of the receipt printer 10 will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the receipt printer according to the embodiment.

[0054] The control unit 11 of the receipt printer 10 deploys the control program 121 to the RAM 113 and operates it, thereby realizing the following functional units as shown in Figure 7: the receipt length storage unit 31, the average receipt length calculation unit 32, the maximum print speed determination unit 33, the print data acquisition unit 34, the print speed determination unit 35, the print execution unit 36, and the receipt length calculation unit 37. Some or all of these functional units may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0055] The receipt length storage unit 31 stores the receipt length 42, which is the length of the receipt 5 on which the contents of the purchase are printed, in the receipt length record table 123 for a predetermined number of times. The receipt length storage unit 31 is an example of a storage unit in this disclosure. It is preferable that the receipt length storage unit 31 stores only the receipt length 42 of the receipt 5 on which the actual purchase results are printed. That is, it is preferable that the receipt length 42 of the receipt 5 that does not show the actual purchase results, such as test prints, is not stored in the receipt length record table 123. When receipts other than those showing the results of a purchase, such as test prints, are printed, the receipt printer 10 can store the type of the printed receipt 5. Therefore, the receipt length storage unit 31 reads the type of the printed receipt and, if it is not a receipt 5 showing the results of a purchase, does not store the receipt length 42 in the receipt length record table 123.

[0056] The average receipt length calculation unit 32 calculates the average receipt length 43, which is the average value of the receipt lengths 42 for a predetermined number of times stored in the receipt length record table 123. The average receipt length calculation unit 32 is an example of a calculation unit in this disclosure.

[0057] The maximum print speed determination unit 33 determines the maximum transport speed of the receipt paper 18 when printing the next receipt 5, according to the average receipt length 43. The maximum print speed determination unit 33 is an example of a first determination unit in this disclosure.

[0058] The print data acquisition unit 34 acquires the print data necessary to print receipt 5 from, for example, a POS terminal connected to the receipt printer 10.

[0059] The print speed determination unit 35 determines, for each line of the receipt 5 to be printed, the print speed corresponding to the number of dots to be printed on that line, within the range of the maximum transport speed determined by the maximum print speed determination unit 33. The print speed determination unit 35 is an example of a second determination unit in this disclosure.

[0060] The printing execution unit 36 ​​prints one line on the receipt paper 18 in the main scanning direction. The printing execution unit 36 ​​also transports the printed receipt paper 18 one line at the transport speed determined by the printing speed determination unit 35. The printing execution unit 36 ​​also determines whether printing of the receipt 5 is complete.

[0061] The receipt length calculation unit 37 calculates the receipt length 42 of the receipt 5 printed by the receipt printer 10.

[0062] In this embodiment, the average receipt length calculation unit 32 calculates the average receipt length 43, which is the average value of the receipt lengths 42 for a predetermined number of times stored in the receipt length record table 123, and the maximum printing speed determination unit 33 determines the maximum transport speed of the receipt paper 18 when printing the next receipt 5 according to the average receipt length 43. However, the statistical amount of the receipt length 42 of past receipts 5 used by the receipt printer 10 is not limited to the average receipt length 43.

[0063] Instead of calculating the average receipt length 43, the receipt printer 10 may use the median or mode of the past predetermined number of receipt lengths 42. The median is the receipt length that is exactly in the middle of the distribution of receipt lengths 42 over the past predetermined number of receipt lengths. For example, if the receipt length record table 123 records the receipt lengths 42 for the past 100 receipts, the median is the average of the 50th receipt length and the 51st receipt length. The mode is the receipt length that appears most frequently in the distribution of receipt lengths 42 over the past predetermined number of receipt lengths. Based on such median and mode, the receipt printer 10 may determine the maximum transport speed of the receipt paper 18 when printing the next receipt 5. In other words, the average receipt length calculation unit 32 can also be said to be a functional part that calculates a representative receipt length corresponding to the receipt lengths 42 over a predetermined number of receipt lengths. In this way, when determining the maximum transport speed, by using the median or mode of the receipt lengths 42 for a predetermined number of times, it is possible to calculate an appropriate representative value of the receipt length even if the distribution of printed receipt lengths 42 includes extremely short or extremely long receipts 5.

[0064] (Process flow performed by a receipt printer) The processing flow of the receipt printer 10 will be explained using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the receipt printer according to this embodiment.

[0065] The average receipt length calculation unit 32 calculates the average receipt length 43, which is the average value of the receipt lengths 42 for a predetermined number of times stored in the receipt length record table 123 (step S11).

[0066] The maximum printing speed determination unit 33 determines the maximum transport speed of the receipt paper 18 when printing the next receipt 5, according to the average receipt length 43 (step S12).

[0067] The print data acquisition unit 34 acquires the print data necessary to print receipt 5 from, for example, a POS terminal connected to the receipt printer 10 (step S13).

[0068] The print speed determination unit 35 determines, for each print line in the main scanning direction of the receipt 5 to be printed next, the print speed (transport speed of the receipt paper 18) corresponding to the number of print dots on that print line, within the range of the maximum transport speed determined by the maximum print speed determination unit 33 (step S14).

[0069] The printing unit 36 ​​prints one line on the receipt paper 18 (step S15).

[0070] The printing execution unit 36 ​​transports the printed receipt paper 18 in one line at the transport speed determined by the printing speed determination unit 35 (step S16).

[0071] The printing execution unit 36 ​​determines whether the printing of receipt 5 is complete (step S17). If it is determined that the printing of receipt 5 is complete (step S17: Yes), the process proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the printing of receipt 5 is complete (step S17: No), the process returns to step S14.

[0072] In step S17, if it is determined that printing of receipt 5 is complete, the receipt length calculation unit 37 calculates the receipt length 42 of the printed receipt 5 (step S18).

[0073] The receipt length storage unit 31 updates the receipt length record table 123 by storing the receipt length 42 calculated in step S18 in the receipt length record table 123 (step S19). After that, the receipt printer 10 terminates processing.

[0074] As described above, the receipt printer 10 (printer device) of the embodiment includes a receipt length storage unit 31 (storage unit) that stores the receipt length 42, which is the length of the receipt 5 on which the contents of the purchase are printed, for a predetermined number of times; an average receipt length calculation unit 32 (calculation unit) that calculates an average receipt length 43 (representative receipt length) corresponding to the predetermined number of receipt lengths 42; and a maximum print speed determination unit 33 (first determination unit) that determines the maximum transport speed of the receipt paper 18 when printing the next receipt 5 according to the average receipt length 43. Therefore, when the expected receipt length 42 is short, the load on the thermal head 25 can be reduced by keeping the transport speed of the receipt paper 18 low. Also, if the receipt is short, the receipt issuance time will not be extended even if the print speed is kept low, so it is possible to shorten the receipt printing time and extend the life of the thermal head 25 (print head) at the same time.

[0075] Furthermore, the receipt printer 10 (printer device) of this embodiment is further equipped with a print speed determination unit 35 (second determination unit) that determines, within the range of the maximum transport speed, the print speed corresponding to the number of dots to be printed on each line of the receipt 5 to be printed next. Therefore, printing can be performed at the fastest possible speed within the range of the receipt printer 10's maximum power consumption.

[0076] Furthermore, in the receipt printer 10 (printer device) of this embodiment, the representative receipt length is the average, median, or mode of a predetermined number of receipt lengths 42 stored in the receipt length storage unit 31 (storage unit). Therefore, even if the receipts 5 printed by the receipt printer 10 include extremely short or extremely long receipts 5, an appropriate representative value for the receipt length can be calculated.

[0077] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 5 receipts 10. Receipt printer (printer device) 16 rolls of paper 17 Roll core 18 Receipt paper 19 Conveyor rollers 20 Platen Rollers 23 Platen roller drive motor 24 axis center 25 Thermal Heads 26 Cutter 27 Paper output slot 31. Receipt length memory unit (memory unit) 32. Average receipt length calculation unit (calculation unit) 33. Maximum printing speed determination unit (first determination unit) 34 Print data acquisition unit 35 Printing speed determination unit (second determination unit) 36 Printing Execution Unit 37 Receipt length calculation unit 41 Number of prints 42 Receipt length 43. Average receipt length 44 Maximum print speed 122 Receipt Templates 123 Receipt Length Record Table 124 Maximum Print Speed ​​Determination Table Da Main scanning direction Db Sub-scanning direction L Receipt length N Number of print dots S Printing speed (conveyor speed) [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0079] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-533

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores the receipt length, which is the length of the receipt on which the purchase details are printed, for a predetermined number of times, A calculation unit that calculates a representative receipt length corresponding to the length of the predetermined number of receipts, The system includes a first determination unit that determines the maximum transport speed of the receipt paper when printing the next receipt, according to the aforementioned representative receipt length. Printer device.

2. The system further includes a second determination unit that determines, within the range of the maximum transport speed, the printing speed corresponding to the number of dots to be printed on each line of the receipt to be printed next. The printer device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned representative receipt length is the average, median, or mode of the receipt lengths for a predetermined number of receipts stored in the storage unit. A printer device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The computer that controls the printer device, A storage unit that stores the receipt length, which is the length of the receipt on which the purchase details are printed, for a predetermined number of times, A calculation unit that calculates a representative receipt length corresponding to the length of the predetermined number of receipts, It functions as a first determination unit that determines the maximum transport speed of the next receipt when printing the next receipt, according to the length of the representative receipt. program.

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