Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printer that is able to print a time at the time when a current time could not be acquired, even when the current time is acquired after a print command is accepted.SOLUTION: A CPU of a printer measures an elapsed time from a time when a power is turned on. The CPU 31 acquires an NTP time from a server device. When accepting, in a state before the NTP time is acquired, a print command for printing a print image on a print medium, the CPU 31 stores print data, a print ID, and time information indicating the measured elapsed time in a storage unit in association with one another. When the NTP time is acquired after the print command is accepted, the CPU specifies a time at the time when the print command has been accepted, based on the acquired NTP time, the time information and the measured elapsed time stored in the storage unit (S81). When the CPU accepts a print command again after the acquisition of the NTP time, the CPU executes a process of printing a partial image, the print ID, and the specified time at the time on the print medium (S83).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a printing device that is a laser beam printer as an example of an image forming device. The image forming device receives a print job from a host computer via a network and performs printing. The image forming device counts the time that has elapsed since the image forming device was started. The image forming device acquires the current time from a server device on the network. Before acquiring the current time, the image forming device generates a log based on the elapsed time since the image forming device was started. After acquiring the current time from the server device, the image forming device converts the time of printing included in the print log into the time of printing based on the acquired current time and the elapsed time since the image forming device was started. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-155367 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since the image forming device cannot obtain the current time in an environment where it cannot connect to a server device, it cannot include the current time in the print image and print it even if it receives a print command. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to include the time when printing was performed in a state where it was not possible to connect to a server device in the print image after the environment becomes one where it can connect to a server device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device that can print the time when the current time could not be obtained, even if the current time is obtained after a print command is received. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printing device according to the present invention is a printing device having a printing unit that prints on a print medium, and is equipped with a timing unit that measures the elapsed time since the printing device is turned on, an acquisition unit that acquires the current time from a server device, a storage unit, and a control unit, and when the control unit receives a print command to print a print image on the print medium in a state before the acquisition unit acquires the current time, the control unit performs a storage process that associates print data for printing the print image, specific information, and time information indicating the elapsed time measured by the timing unit and stores them in the storage unit; When the current time is acquired by the acquisition unit after the print command is accepted, a determination process is executed to identify the time when the print command was accepted based on the current time acquired by the acquisition unit, the time information stored in the memory unit, and the elapsed time measured by the timing unit; and when the print command is accepted again after the current time is acquired by the acquisition unit, a first printing process is executed to print the print image, the determination information, and the current time identified by the determination process on the printing medium by the printing unit.

[0007] Even if the printing device later acquires the current time, it can print the time when the current time was not available.

[0008] The control unit may execute a first determination process to determine whether or not to execute printing without acquiring the current time, and execute a second print process to print the print image, the specific information, and the time information stored in the storage unit on the print medium by the printing unit only if it is determined in the first determination process that printing is to be executed. Even if the printing device cannot identify the time at that time, it executes printing of the print image, the specific information, and the time information. If the printing device is later able to acquire the current time from the server device, it prints the print image, the specific information, and the time at that time on the print medium. Since the specific information is printed on the print medium on which the time at that time is printed, the user can easily identify the relationship with the print medium printed earlier.

[0009] The control unit may execute a third printing process in which, when the acquisition unit acquires the current time before the specific information and the time information are stored in the storage unit by the storage process and the control unit accepts the print command, the printing unit prints the print image and the current time acquired by the acquisition unit on the print medium. The printing device can print the print image and the current time on the print medium.

[0010] The printing apparatus may further include a first reception unit that receives the specific information, and when the specific information received by the first reception unit is stored in the storage unit in the first printing process, the control unit may print the print image, the specific information, and the current time based on the print data related to the received specific information. Thus, a user can specify print data related to desired specific information and execute printing.

[0011] The control unit may store the print data, the specific information, and the time information in the storage unit in association with each other multiple times in the storage process, and the control unit may print the print image, the specific information, and the current time on the print medium for each piece of print data in the first printing process. Even when multiple pieces of print data are stored in the storage unit, the printing device can print the print image, the specific information, and the current time on the print medium for each piece of print data. Therefore, the printing device is highly convenient for users.

[0012] The printer may further include a second reception unit that receives an off signal for turning off the power supply, and a display unit, and when the control unit receives the off signal from the second reception unit, the control unit may execute a notification process that notifies the user by the display unit that the time information will be erased when the power supply is turned off. Thus, the user can recognize that when the power supply is turned off, the time information will be erased and the time at that time will no longer be printable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a system 1. [Diagram 2] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing print images Im1, Im2, and Im3. [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart showing a main process. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a printing process. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart showing a printing process after time acquisition. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing an ID selection printing process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] <System 1> A system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that the present invention can employ, and the configurations of the devices described are not intended to be limiting, but are merely illustrative examples.

[0015] The system 1 includes a server device 2 and a printing device 3. The server device 2 is communicatively connected to an access point 11 via a network line 10. The printing device 3 is communicatively connected to the access point 11 wirelessly. Therefore, the server device 2 and the printing device 3 can communicate with each other via the network line 10 and the access point 11.

[0016] The server device 2 has a function of providing NTP (Network Time Protocol) time indicating the current time. The server device 2 has a CPU 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The CPU 21 is responsible for the overall control of the server device 2. The storage unit 22 stores programs and the like to be executed by the CPU 21. The communication unit 23 is a communication module for communicating with the printing device 3 via the network line 10 and the access point 11.

[0017] The printing device 3 has a function of printing a print image on a thermal label (hereinafter also referred to as "printing medium S"). The printing device 3 is portable and can be driven by power supplied from a battery (not shown). The battery is housed in a housing section (not shown) of the printing device 3. The printing device 3 can charge the battery using power supplied from an AC adapter (not shown). Note that the printing device 3 can also be driven by power supplied from the AC adapter.

[0018] The printing device 3 has a CPU 31, a storage unit 32, a display unit 33, an input unit 34, a communication unit 35, a timer unit 36, and a printing unit 37. The CPU 31 functions as a control unit that is responsible for the overall control of the printing device 3. The storage unit 32 stores a main program to be executed by the CPU 31, print data for printing, etc. The print data includes templates of print images Im1 to Im3, a print ID associated with the templates, etc.

[0019] The display unit 33 is a liquid crystal display. The display unit 33 is capable of displaying various information. The input unit 34 is a plurality of operation keys provided below the display unit 33. The user can select a template for print data, edit objects, and the like by operating the operation keys.

[0020] The communication unit 35 is a communication module for communicating with the server device 2 via the network line 10 and the access point 11. Through communication between the communication unit 35 and the communication unit 23, the CPU 31 can obtain the NTP time provided by the server device 2.

[0021] The clock unit 36 ​​counts the time that has passed since the printer 3 was powered on. In other words, the clock unit 36 ​​measures the time that has passed since the printer 3 was powered on. In addition, when the CPU 31 accesses the server device 2 and acquires the NTP time, the CPU 31 can calculate the current time based on the acquired NTP time and the elapsed time measured by the clock unit 36.

[0022] The printing unit 37 is a line thermal head (not shown) capable of printing on the print medium S. The heating elements of the line thermal head are selectively heated to heat the transported print medium S. The CPU 31 controls the printing unit 37 based on the print data stored in the memory unit 32, thereby printing the print data on the print medium S.

[0023] 2, a user causes the printer 3 to print, for example, print images Im1 to Im3 on a print medium S. For example, the print medium S on which the print images Im1 to Im3 are printed is attached as a marker to a car, motorcycle, etc. parked in a location where parking is prohibited. The print images Im1 to Im3 are printed respectively according to the acquisition status of the NTP time.

[0024] Print image Im1 is printed when the NTP time can be obtained from the server device 2. Print image Im1 is composed of partial images P1, P2, and P3. Partial image P1 consists of the character string "No Parking". Partial image P2 consists of the character string "2020.12.01". "2020.12.01" is information indicating the year and date. Partial image P3 consists of the character string "14:30". "14:30" indicates the time when CPU 31 received the print command.

[0025] Print image Im2 is printed when the NTP time cannot be obtained from the server device 2. Print image Im2 is composed of partial images P1 and P4. Partial image P1 is composed of the character string "No Parking". Partial image P4 is composed of the character string "AB0315". "AB0315" is the print ID associated with the print data. In the print ID, the character string "AB" indicates information such as a template. In the print ID, the number "0315" indicates the elapsed time measured by the timing unit 36 ​​until the print command is accepted. The number "0315" is a value in which "1" is added every minute, for example. In other words, the print ID includes time information when 315 minutes have elapsed since the power was turned on to the printing device 3.

[0026] Print image Im3 is printed if the NTP time could not be obtained from server device 2 when the print command was received, but the NTP time can be obtained later from server device 2. Print image Im3 is composed of partial images P1, P2, P3, and P5. Partial image P1 consists of the character string "No Parking". Partial image P2 consists of the character string "2020.12.01". "2020.12.01" is information indicating the year and date. Partial image P3 consists of the character string "14:30". "14:30" indicates the time when the print command was first received. The method of identifying the time at that time will be described later. Partial image P5 is the print ID associated with the print data.

[0027] <Main processing> 3 to 6, a description will be given of main processing executed by the CPU 31 of the printing device 3. The main processing is started when the user turns on the power of the printing device 3. In this case, the CPU 31 reads out and executes a main program stored in the storage unit 32.

[0028] When the main process starts, the CPU 31 initializes the time of the clock kept by the timing unit 36 ​​(S1). The CPU 31 starts to keep track of the time that has elapsed since the power was turned on (S3). The CPU 31 determines whether or not a print command has been received (S5). If it determines that a print command has not been received (S5: NO), the CPU 31 determines whether or not the elapsed time since the NTP time was acquired is stored in the memory unit 32 (S9).

[0029] When it is determined that the elapsed time from the time of acquisition of the NTP time is not stored (S9: NO), the CPU 31 determines whether or not the server device 2 has been accessed (S11). When it is determined that the server device 2 has not been accessed (S11: NO), the CPU 31 accesses the server device 2 and acquires the NTP time from the server device 2 (S13). The CPU 31 stores the acquired NTP time and the elapsed time from the time of acquisition in the storage unit 32 (S15). The CPU 31 updates the time of the clock of the timing unit 36 ​​based on the acquired NTP time (S17). This allows the CPU 31 to always acquire the correct current time. Therefore, after the CPU 31 acquires the NTP time once, it is assumed that the CPU 31 will not access the server device 2 again. The CPU 31 returns the process to S5.

[0030] On the other hand, when it is determined that a print command has been received (S5: YES), the CPU 31 executes the print process shown in FIG. 4 (S7). When the print process is executed, the CPU 31 determines whether the TNP time has been acquired (S31). When it is determined that the NTP time has been acquired (S31: YES), the CPU 31 executes, for example, a process of printing a print image on the print medium S (S33). In this case, for example, the print image Im1 is printed. That is, the process of S33 is executed before the print ID and the elapsed time are stored in the memory unit 32 (S35), when the NTP time is acquired (S13), and when a print command has been received (S5: YES). The CPU 31 returns to the main process and advances the process to S5.

[0031] On the other hand, if it is determined that the NTP time has not been acquired (S31: NO), the CPU 31 associates the print data for printing the print image Im, a specific print ID, and the elapsed time, and stores them in the storage unit 32 (S35). In other words, the process of S35 is executed when a print command is received in a state before the NTP time is acquired. The stored print ID includes time information of the elapsed time measured by the timing unit 36.

[0032] The CPU 31 judges whether or not to execute printing in a state where the NTP time is not stored (S37). It is assumed that whether or not to execute printing in a state where the NTP time is not stored is set in advance by the user. When it is judged that printing is not executed in a state where the NTP time is not stored (S37: NO), the CPU 31 returns to the main processing and proceeds to S5.

[0033] On the other hand, if it is determined that printing is to be performed without storing the NTP time (S37: YES), the CPU 31 executes a process of printing a print image and a print ID including time information of the elapsed time on the print medium S (S39). In this case, for example, a print image Im2 is printed. The CPU 31 returns to the main process and advances the process to S5.

[0034] Here, in the main process, if it is determined that the time when the NTP time was acquired is stored (S9: YES), or if it is determined that the server device 2 has been accessed (S11: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether or not there is a command to print after acquiring the time (S19). Note that whether or not to execute printing after acquiring the time is set in advance by the user. If it is determined that there is no command to print after acquiring the time (S19: NO), the CPU 31 advances the clock of the timing unit 36 ​​(S21). In this case, the timing unit 36 ​​continues to acquire the elapsed time since the power was turned on.

[0035] The CPU 31 determines whether an OFF signal for turning off the printing device 3 has been received (S23). If it is determined that an OFF signal has not been received (S23: NO), the CPU 31 advances the process to S5. On the other hand, if an OFF signal has been received by the user's power operation (S23: YES), the CPU 31 executes a process to notify the user that time information such as elapsed time will be erased when the power is turned off (S25). In this case, the CPU 31 displays a message such as "Time information of elapsed time will be erased", "Printing will not be possible after time acquisition", "Warning", etc. on the display unit 33. The CPU 31 advances the process to S5.

[0036] On the other hand, if it is determined that a command to print after time acquisition has been issued (S19: YES), the CPU 31 executes the print process after time acquisition shown in Fig. 5 (S27). When the print process after time acquisition is executed, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the NTP time has been acquired (S51). If it is determined that the NTP time has not been acquired (S51: NO), the CPU 31 cannot execute printing based on the NTP time, so it returns to the main process and advances the process to S5.

[0037] If it is determined that the NTP time has been acquired (S51: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether or not to specify a print ID and execute printing (S53). It is assumed that whether or not to specify a print ID is set in advance by the user. If it is determined that a print ID is specified and executed, (S53: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether or not the print ID has been accepted (S55). If it is determined that the print ID has not been accepted (S55: NO), the CPU 31 returns the process and waits.

[0038] When a print ID is received by the user operating input unit 34 (S55: YES), CPU 31 determines whether or not the received print ID is stored in storage unit 32 (S57). When it is determined that the print ID is not stored in storage unit 32 (S57: NO), CPU 31 returns the process to the main process and proceeds to S5 since there is no print data corresponding to the received print ID. On the other hand, when it is determined that the print ID is stored in storage unit 32 (S57: YES), CPU 31 sets the received print ID to a selected state (S59).

[0039] The CPU 31 executes the ID selection print process shown in Fig. 6 (S61). When the ID selection print process is executed, the time when the print command was received is identified (S81). The CPU 31 identifies the time based on the acquired NTP time, the time information included in the print ID stored in the memory unit 32, and the measured elapsed time (S81).

[0040] For example, if the time information of the print ID is "0315", the time when the print command was received is 315 minutes after the power was turned on. Here, the elapsed time of the clock unit 36 ​​is counted up by 1 every minute. For example, if the time information when the NTP time is later acquired is "0375", the time that has elapsed since the print command was received is 60 minutes. From this, if the acquired NTP time is, for example, 15:00, the time when the print command was received can be determined to be 14:00, 60 minutes earlier.

[0041] The CPU 31 executes a process to print the partial images P1, P2, the print ID, and the identified time on the print medium S (S83). In this case, for example, the print image Im3 is printed on the print medium S. That is, if a print command is received again after the NTP time is acquired (S19, S55) and the received print ID is stored in the storage unit 32 (S57: YES), the CPU 31 executes a process to print the partial images P1, P2, the print ID, and the time on the basis of the print data related to the received print ID. After acquiring the time, the CPU 31 returns the process to the print process. Thereafter, the CPU 31 returns to the main process and executes the process of S5.

[0042] On the other hand, if it is determined that printing is not to be performed by specifying a print ID (S53: NO), the CPU 31 selects any one of the print IDs stored in the storage unit 32 (S63). In this case, as an example, the CPU 31 selects print IDs in ascending order of numbers included in the print IDs. The CPU 31 executes the ID printing process shown in FIG. 6 (S65). When the ID printing process is executed, the CPU 31 executes the processes of S81 and S83 to print the partial images P1, P2, the print ID, and the current time, and returns the process to the printing process after acquiring the time.

[0043] The CPU 31 determines whether printing based on all print data associated with the multiple print IDs has been completed (S67). If it is determined that printing based on all print data has not been completed (S67: NO), the CPU 31 returns to the process and executes the processes of S63 to S67. That is, when the CPU 31 has associated print data, print IDs, and time information and stored them in the storage unit 32 multiple times (S35), it executes a process of printing partial images P1, P2, the print ID, and the current time on the print medium S for each print data. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing based on all print data has been completed (S67: YES), the CPU 31 returns to the main process and proceeds to S5.

[0044] <Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment> As described above, when the CPU 31 receives a print command to print a print image on the print medium S before the NTP time is acquired, the CPU 31 associates the print data for printing the print image with a specific print ID and stores them in the storage unit 32. When the CPU 31 acquires the NTP time after accepting the print command, the CPU 31 identifies the time when the print command was accepted based on the acquired NTP time, the elapsed time included in the print ID, and the measured elapsed time. When the CPU 31 accepts a print command again after the NTP time is acquired, the CPU 31 executes a process to print the partial images P1, P2, the print ID, and the identified time on the print medium S.

[0045] Even if the printing device 3 later acquires the NTP time, it can print the time when the NTP time was not acquired.

[0046] Only when it is determined that printing should be performed, the CPU 31 executes a process of printing the partial images P1, P4 and the print ID stored in the memory unit 32 onto the print medium S. The printing device 3 executes printing of the partial image P1 and the print ID even if the current time cannot be identified. If the printing device 3 is later able to obtain the NTP time from the server device 2, it prints the partial images P1, P2, the print ID and the current time onto the print medium S. Because the print ID is printed on the print medium S on which the current time is printed, the user can easily identify the relationship with the print medium S that was printed earlier.

[0047] When the CPU 31 acquires the NTP time before storing the print ID in the memory unit 32 and receives a print command, the CPU 31 executes a process of printing the partial images P1, P2 and the acquired current time on the print medium S. Therefore, the printing device 3 can print the partial images P1, P2 and the current time on the print medium S.

[0048] When the accepted print ID is stored in the storage unit 32, the CPU 31 executes a process of printing the partial images P1, P2, the print ID, and the current time based on the print data related to the accepted print ID. Therefore, the user can specify the print data related to the desired print ID and execute printing.

[0049] The CPU 31 associates the print data with the print ID multiple times and stores them in the storage unit 32. The CPU 31 executes a process of printing partial images P1, P2, the print ID, and the current time on the print medium S for each piece of print data. Therefore, even if multiple pieces of print data are stored in the storage unit 32, the printing device 3 can print partial images P1, P2, the print ID, and the current time on the print medium S for each piece of print data. Therefore, the printing device 3 is highly convenient for the user.

[0050] When the CPU 31 receives the off signal, it executes a process to notify the user that the elapsed time will be erased when the power is turned off, so that the user can recognize that when the power is turned off, the elapsed time will be erased and the time at that time will no longer be printed.

[0051] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. All or part of the main processing may be executed by an electronic device (such as a PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone) not shown. The CPU of the electronic device may execute all or part of the main processing by reading and executing a main program stored in a storage unit of the electronic device.

[0052] Although the CPU 31 acquires the NTP time only once in the main process, this is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 31 may connect to the server device 2 and acquire the NTP time every time a print command is received. The timekeeping unit 36 ​​counts up the elapsed time every minute, but this is not limited to this. For example, the timekeeping unit 36 ​​may count up every second or every three minutes.

[0053] Of the print images Im1 to Im3, partial image P1 is, as an example, the character string "No Parking", but is not limited to this. For example, partial image P1 may be expressed by other character strings, symbols, figures, etc. Print image Im3 includes partial images P1, P2, P3, and P5, but is not limited to this. For example, partial image P5 may not be printed, but may be printed in the same way as print image Im1.

[0054] The print ID is "AB0315", which includes the character string "AB" and the time information "0315" indicating the elapsed time, but is not limited to this. For example, the print ID may be composed of only the character string "AB" and may be associated with a predetermined template. In this case, the time information "0315" indicating the elapsed time may be associated with the character string "AB" and stored in the storage unit 32. In this case, the character string "AB" and the time information "0315" may be printed at a predetermined position on the print medium S.

[0055] When the printing device 3 receives an OFF signal, the printing device 3 displays a character string on the display unit 33, but this is not limited to the above. For example, an LED on the display unit 33 may be turned on, or the user may be notified by voice, buzzer, etc.

[0056] <Other> The partial images P1 and P2 are an example of the "print image" of the present invention. The NTP time is an example of the "current time" of the present invention. The print ID is an example of the "specific information" of the present invention. "0315" is an example of the "time information" of the present invention. The CPU 31 performing the process of S13 is an example of the "acquisition unit" of the present invention. The process of S35 is an example of the "storage process" of the present invention. The process of S81 is an example of the "specific process" of the present invention. The process of S83 is an example of the "first print process" of the present invention. The process of S37 is an example of the "first judgment process" of the present invention. The process of S39 is an example of the "second print process" of the present invention. The process of S33 is an example of the "third print process" of the present invention. The CPU 31 performing the process of S55 is an example of the "first reception unit" of the present invention. The CPU 31 performing the process of S23 is an example of the "second reception unit" of the present invention. The CPU 31 performing the process of S25 is an example of the "notification process" of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1: System 2: Server device 3:Printing device 31 :CPU 32: Storage section 36: Timekeeping section 37: Printing Department S:Print media Im1, Im2, Im3: Print image P1, P2, P3, P4, P5: Partial images

Claims

1. A printing device having a printing unit that prints on a print medium, a timer unit that measures an elapsed time since the printing device was powered on; An acquisition unit that acquires a current time from a server device; A storage unit; A control unit, The control unit is a storage process in which, when a print command to print a print image on the print medium is received before the acquisition unit acquires the current time, print data for printing the print image, specific information, and time information indicating the elapsed time measured by the timing unit are stored in the storage unit in association with each other; when the acquisition unit acquires the current time after the print command is accepted, a process of identifying the time when the print command was accepted based on the current time acquired by the acquisition unit, the time information stored in the storage unit, and the elapsed time measured by the timing unit; a first printing process in which, when the print command is received again after the acquisition unit has acquired the current time, the print image, the identification information, and the current time identified by the identification process are printed on the print medium by the printing unit; a first determination process for determining whether or not to execute printing in a state where the current time has not been acquired; a second printing process in which the print image, the specific information, and the time information stored in the storage unit are printed on the print medium by the printing unit only when it is determined in the first determination process that printing is to be performed; A printing device that executes the above.

2. The control unit is a third printing process in which, when the acquisition unit acquires the current time before the specific information and the time information are stored in the storage unit by the storage process and the print command is received, the print image and the current time acquired by the acquisition unit are printed on the print medium by the printing unit.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus executes the steps of:

3. a first reception unit that receives the specific information, When the specific information accepted by the first accepting unit is stored in the storage unit in the first printing process, the control unit prints the print image, the specific information, and the current time based on the print data related to the accepted specific information.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second printing units are arranged in a first direction.

4. the control unit causes the print data, the specific information, and the time information to be stored in the storage unit in association with each other a plurality of times in the storage process; The control unit prints the print image, the specific information, and the current time on the print medium for each of the print data in the first printing process.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus further comprises:

5. A second reception unit that receives an off signal for turning off the power supply; A display unit, When the control unit receives the off signal from the second reception unit, the control unit executes a notification process of notifying, by the display unit, that the time information will be erased when the power supply is turned off.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus further comprises:

Images