Printer

Abstract

To provide a printer that enables more efficient use of its display, including during cashless payments.SOLUTION: A printer is connected to a sales data processing unit, which is separate from the printer, so as to enable the transmission and reception of information, and issues receipts in the settlement process for articles registered for sale by the sales data processing unit. The printer includes: a display unit for displaying information; a communication module for short-range wireless communication with an external device; a short-range communication unit for controlling communication via the communication module; and a display control unit that controls the display of the display unit. While the display unit is displaying a code symbol used for cashless payment, and it becomes possible to send and receive information via the communication module to and from a terminal device that performs cashless payment using the code symbol, the display control unit displays information about the progress of cashless payment on the display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present embodiment relates to a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, printers are used together with POS (Point Of Sales) terminal devices to issue receipts and the like (for example, Patent Document 1). In recent years, some of these printers are equipped with a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel. The display unit is used to display the bill amount, a two-dimensional code for cashless payment, digital signage, and the like.

[0003] In the case of cashless payment using a two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit, there are no cases where the display unit provides other guidance (such as guidance related to the progress of the cashless payment process), and there is still room for improvement in the use of the display unit, including during the cashless payment. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a printer that makes better use of the display unit, including during cashless payment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printer of the embodiment is connected to a sales data processing device separate from the printer itself so as to be able to transmit and receive information, and issues a receipt in a payment process for a product registered for sale in the sales data processing device, The receipt ejection port is provided on the top surface of the device housing. The receipt ejection port is attached to the front of the device housing so as to be tiltable. A display unit for displaying information; provided on the display unit, A communication module for performing short-distance wireless communication with an external device, a short-distance communication unit for controlling communication via the communication module, and a display unit for controlling a display, It is possible to carry out cashless payment using the code symbol displayed on the display unit. Cashless payment using short-range wireless communication It is possible Between the terminal device A state in which information can be transmitted via the code symbol displayed on the display unit, orThe communication module is now ready to send and receive information. the law of nature As cashless payments progress, When the cashless payment is completed by the terminal device The sales data processing device provides R and a display control unit that, when it is determined based on the information that the cashless payment has been completed, causes the display unit to display a message to send off the customer carrying the terminal device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the appearance of a printer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functional units realized by the control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the display control process executed by the control unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] (First embodiment) An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a printer 1 according to an embodiment. The printer 1 is used by connecting it to a sales data processing device such as a POS terminal, and issues printed matter such as receipts. The printer 1 includes a housing 110, a roll paper storage section 120, a printing section 130, a display section 140, and an operation section 150.

[0008] Housing 110 is a box-shaped container with paper discharge port 111, and houses roll paper storage section 120 and printing section 130. Roll paper storage section 120 stores roll paper around which a strip of paper is wound. Printing section 130 prints on paper pulled out of roll paper storage section 120. Paper discharge port 111 is provided on the top surface of housing 110, and discharges paper after printing outside housing 110. Note that paper discharge port 111 discharges the paper with the printed side facing forward.

[0009] Display unit 140 includes electronic paper 141 and hinge unit 142. Hinge unit 142 attaches electronic paper 141 to the front surface of housing 110 so that it can rotate freely around its upper edge. This allows display unit 140 to be tilted (the elevation angle can be changed). Electronic paper 141 continues to display information displayed when power is being supplied even when there is no power supply (including when the power supply is very small; the same applies below).

[0010] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of printer 1. Printer 1 further includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, a short-range wireless communication I / F (Interface) 160, and a network communication I / F 170. Furthermore, printing unit 130 includes print head 131, a platen roller, motor 132, and the like.

[0011] The print head 131 is, for example, a line thermal head, and performs printing on paper held between the print head 131 and a platen roller. The platen roller transports the paper held between the print head 131 and the platen roller by the driving force of a motor 132.

[0012] The operation unit 150 includes a power button 151 and a paper feed button 152. When the power button 151 is operated, the control unit 210 switches the printer 1 between operation and non-operation. When the paper feed button 152 is operated, the control unit 210 drives the motor 132 to feed paper.

[0013] 1, the short-distance wireless communication I / F 160 is provided in the display unit 140. The short-distance wireless communication I / F 160 is an example of a communication module for performing short-distance wireless communication with an external device, and performs communication using a technology such as NFC (Near Field Communication). The short-distance wireless communication I / F 160 exchanges information by transmitting and receiving radio waves with a communication target.

[0014] In this embodiment, the communication target of the short-range wireless communication I / F 160 is a terminal carried by a customer (customer terminal) 3. The customer terminal 3 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet, and includes a communication module for short-range wireless communication and a camera (image sensor) capable of capturing an image of a code symbol.

[0015] The network communication I / F 170 mediates communication with the POS terminal 2 and the like connected via, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), etc. Here, the LAN may be either wired or wireless.

[0016] The control unit 210 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU is a processor and executes programs. The ROM is a program memory and stores various programs and control data. The RAM is a working memory and is used to expand various data. The control unit 210 performs overall control of each unit by the CPU reading out the programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing them.

[0017] The storage unit 220 is a storage device that includes a rewritable non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 220 stores various programs and various data related to the operation of the printer 1.

[0018] 3 is a block diagram illustrating functional units realized by control unit 210. Control unit 210 functions as various functional units such as print processing unit 211, display control unit 212, communication control unit 213, and short-range communication unit 214 by the CPU executing a program.

[0019] The print processing unit 211 controls the print head 131 and the motor 132 to perform the print process.

[0020] The display control unit 212 controls the electronic paper 141 and rewrites the display contents. More specifically, the display control unit 212 generates, changes, and erases the display contents of the electronic paper 141 based on information provided by the POS terminal 2. After that, the electronic paper 141 maintains the display contents even in a state where there is no power supply. Note that an example of the information provided by the POS terminal 2 is information for displaying a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code used for cashless payment.

[0021] The communication control unit 213 communicates with an external device such as the POS terminal 2 connected via the network communication I / F 170 over a network such as a LAN. The short-distance communication unit 214 communicates with a terminal device connected via the short-distance wireless communication I / F 160 using short-distance wireless communication.

[0022] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a display control process executed by the control unit 210. The control unit 210 controls the electronic paper 141 as the display control unit 212, and causes the electronic paper 141 to display information based on information provided from the POS terminal 2 (step S1). The display content of the electronic paper 141 in step S1 is, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, and includes a total purchase amount and a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code used for cashless payment.

[0023] Next, the control unit 210, functioning as the short-range communication unit 214, determines whether short-range wireless communication with the customer terminal 3 has been established, and waits until it has been established (No in step S2). In step S2, if short-range wireless communication with the customer terminal 3 has been established (Yes in step S2), the control unit 210, functioning as the display control unit 212, controls the electronic paper 141 to display a message on the electronic paper 141 prompting an operation (step S3).

[0024] Here, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit 140. In step S3, as shown in Fig. 5(a), a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code and a message are displayed on the electronic paper 141. The code symbol displayed here is the same as that in step S1. The message displayed here is appropriate wording to encourage the customer who has the customer terminal 3 that will read the code symbol to carry out what is about to be done, and is information regarding the progress of the cashless payment, such as "Please perform the payment operation".

[0025] Next, the control unit 210 waits for the completion of the cashless payment procedure by the customer terminal 3 based on the information provided by the POS terminal 2 (No in step S4). When it is determined that the payment procedure is completed (Yes in step S4), the control unit 210 controls the electronic paper 141 as the display control unit 212 to display a message to be sent on the electronic paper 141 (step S5). The message to be sent has appropriate content for sending a customer who has completed payment, such as "Thank you very much" as shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0026] Next, the control unit 210 waits for a predetermined time to elapse (No in step S6), and when the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S6), the display control unit 212 controls the electronic paper 141 to display a welcoming message on the electronic paper 141 (step S7). The welcoming message has appropriate content for welcoming the next customer, such as a phrase such as "Welcome" as shown in FIG. 5(c).

[0027] In an embodiment using the printer 1 as described above, when a customer brings a product to be purchased to a checkout counter where a POS terminal 2 is installed, a store clerk who is an operator of the POS terminal 2 registers information about the product in the POS terminal 2. After registering the product, the store clerk operates the POS terminal 2 to move to payment processing.

[0028] In the payment process, if a customer requests cashless payment using a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code, the store clerk performs an operation to display the code symbol according to the customer's request on the electronic paper 141 of the printer 1.

[0029] A customer starts application software (hereinafter referred to as an app) for performing a desired cashless payment on the customer terminal 3. While the app is running, the customer terminal 3 reads a code symbol via a camera or the like provided on the terminal to obtain information for performing the cashless payment.

[0030] When a customer brings the customer terminal 3 close to the electronic paper 141 to have the code symbol displayed on the electronic paper 141 read, the short-range wireless communication I / F 160 becomes capable of communicating with the customer terminal 3. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the customer terminal 3 is reading the code symbol when this occurs. When the short-range wireless communication I / F 160 and the customer terminal 3 become capable of communicating, the control unit 210 changes the display on the electronic paper 141 from the initial state for cashless payment (see FIG. 1) to content that prompts the customer to perform a payment operation for cashless payment (see FIG. 5(a)). By changing the display at such a time, the printer 1 can give the customer a sense of security that the progress of the cashless payment is recognized by the system side including the POS terminal 2 and the printer 1.

[0031] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a printer 1 that further enhances the use of the display unit 140, including during cashless payment.

[0032] (Modification) Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the message displayed on electronic paper 141 is an example, and other contents may be used. In the above embodiment, display unit 140 displays information on electronic paper 141, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, display unit 140 may include a liquid crystal panel instead of electronic paper 141, and information may be displayed on the liquid crystal panel.

[0034] When the display unit 140 displays information on the electronic paper 141 as in the above embodiment, it is possible to keep the information displayed on the electronic paper 141 even after the printer 1 is powered off. One example of information to be displayed on the electronic paper 141 after the printer 1 is powered off is a message announcing that the store is closing.

[0035] Furthermore, in the implementation, the control unit 210 (for example, the short-distance communication unit 214) may adjust the strength of the radio wave emitted by the short-distance wireless communication I / F 160 for transmitting and receiving information according to the situation. For this purpose, first, the short-distance communication unit 214 can change the output strength of the radio wave emitted by the short-distance wireless communication I / F 160. Furthermore, in the case of cashless payment using a code symbol, the short-distance communication unit 214 sets the radio wave strength of the short-distance wireless communication I / F 160 to a first output strength at which communication is possible when the camera of the customer terminal 3 is located in a first range suitable for capturing an image of the code symbol. Furthermore, in the case of cashless payment using short-distance wireless communication, the short-distance communication unit 214 sets the radio wave strength of the short-distance wireless communication I / F 160 to a second output strength at which communication is possible when the customer terminal 3 is located in a second range farther from the printer 1 than the first range.

[0036] In other words, when making a cashless payment using a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code, the radio wave strength of the short-range wireless communication I / F 160 is set to a low level. By doing so, it is possible to detect when the customer terminal 3 is sufficiently close to the printer 1. This allows the display content of the electronic paper 141 to be changed at an appropriate timing.

[0037] Furthermore, when making a cashless payment using NFC communication, the radio wave strength of the short-range wireless communication I / F 160 is set to be strong. By doing so, even if the distance between the customer terminal 3 and the printer 1 is somewhat far, the cashless payment using NFC communication can be completed. This allows for good operability when making a cashless payment using NFC communication.

[0038] Furthermore, in implementation, an app for cashless payment using the code symbol executed by the customer terminal 3 may be configured to return some information X to the printer 1 via short-range wireless communication in response to reading the code symbol. With such a system, the printer 1 can recognize that the customer terminal 3 has certainly read the code symbol, not just guessed. Therefore, it becomes possible to display a message such as "Please perform payment operation" as shown in FIG. 5(a) at a more appropriate timing. The information X may be predetermined information such as the ID of the customer or the customer terminal 3.

[0039] The programs executed by the printer 1 in the above-described embodiment and modified examples are provided in a state that they are pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0040] The programs executed by the printer 1 in the above embodiments and modified examples may be configured to be provided by recording them on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD) in an installable or executable format.

[0041] Furthermore, the programs executed by the printer 1 of the above embodiment and modified examples may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the programs executed by the printer 1 of the above embodiment and modified examples may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0042] The programs executed by printer 1 of the above embodiment and modified example have a modular configuration including the above-mentioned units (print processing unit 211, display control unit 212, communication control unit 213, and short-range communication unit 214). A CPU (processor) loads the above-mentioned units onto a main storage device by reading and executing the programs from the above-mentioned storage medium. As a result, print processing unit 211, display control unit 212, communication control unit 213, and short-range communication unit 214 are generated on the main storage device.

[0043] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, 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 modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 … Printer 110: housing; 111: paper outlet 120…Roll paper storage section 130: Printing unit, 131: Print head, 132: Motor 140: display unit, 141: electronic paper, 142: hinge unit 150: operation unit, 151: power button, 152: paper feed button 160...Short-range wireless communication I / F (an example of a communication module) 170…Network communication I / F 2. POS terminal 210: control unit, 211: print processing unit, 212: display control unit, 213: communication control unit, 214: short-range communication unit 220...Storage section 3. Customer terminal [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0045] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-167232 A

Claims

1. A printer that is connected to a sales data processing device separate from the printer itself so as to be capable of transmitting and receiving information, and issues a receipt in a payment process for a product registered for sale in the sales data processing device, a display unit that displays information and is tiltably attached to the front of a device housing having a top surface on which a receipt is discharged; a communication module provided in the display unit for performing short-distance wireless communication with an external device; a short-range communication unit that controls communication via the communication module; a display control unit which controls the display of the display unit, and when a state is reached in which it is possible to transmit information via the code symbol displayed on the display unit or to transmit and receive information via the communication module between the display unit and a terminal device capable of performing a cashless payment using the code symbol displayed on the display unit and capable of performing a cashless payment using the short-range wireless communication, and when it is determined that the cashless payment has been completed based on information provided by the sales data processing device when the cashless payment is completed by the terminal device as the cashless payment progresses, causes the display unit to display a message to send off the customer carrying the terminal device; A printer comprising:

2. The display control unit displays a message welcoming the next customer when a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of the message. The printer of claim 1 .

3. The display unit displays information on electronic paper.

3. The printer according to claim 1 or 2.

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