Printer, Program, Information Processing System

Abstract

To appropriately print a printing object without performing a complicated operation in even the case of changing a data format of data to be received in a printer for receiving the data including the printing object.SOLUTION: According to a certain aspect of the present invention, a printer communicable with an external device according to a prescribed communication protocol includes a data reception part for receiving data including a character string to be a printing object from the external device, an acquisition part for acquiring extraction setting information being information on an extraction method for the character string included in the data received by the data reception part, an extraction part for extracting the character string from the received data on the basis of the extraction setting information acquired by the acquisition part in the case of receiving the data from the external device, and a printing part for printing the character string extracted by the extraction part on a printing medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer, a program, and an information processing system.

Background Art

[0002] When weighing and selling products such as meat and vegetables in a store or the like, the measurement result of the weight of the product is printed on a label, and the printed label is attached to the product. At that time, a device is known in which the measurement result of the weight by a weighing instrument is wirelessly transmitted to a printer, and the printer prints the received measurement result on a label. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a weighing and printing device having a case separated into upper and lower two-stage stacked cases of an upper case and a lower case. The upper case is provided with a battery that supplies power to a load cell and a circuit unit, and a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a digital weight signal output from the circuit unit. The lower case is provided with a receiving unit that wirelessly receives a digital weight signal, a control unit that outputs print data based on the received digital weight signal, a printer that prints predetermined items on a label or a receipt based on the print data, and a power supply circuit that supplies power to the control unit and the printer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the data format of the data (digital weight signal) received by the above-described conventional printer is limited to a specific format, and in the case of other data formats, the correct weight cannot be printed. Therefore, when changing the data format of the data received by the printer, it is difficult to make a flexible response such as changing the printer driver.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable appropriate printing of a printing target without performing complicated operations even when the data format of data received by a printer that receives data including the printing target is changed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a printer capable of communicating with an external device according to a predetermined communication protocol, the printer including: a data receiving unit that receives data including a character string to be printed from the external device; an acquisition unit that acquires extraction setting information regarding a method for extracting a character string included in the data received by the data receiving unit, the extraction setting information having the start digit and the number of digits of the character string set; an extraction unit that extracts a character string from the received data based on the extraction setting information acquired by the acquisition unit when data is received from the external device; and a printing unit that prints the character string extracted by the extraction unit on a printing medium. When the data format of the data received by the data receiving unit is changed, the extraction unit extracts a character string from the received data based on the extraction setting information in which the start digit and the number of digits of the character string are newly specified. It is a printer.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, in a printer that receives data including a printing target, even when the data format of the received data is changed, it is possible to appropriately print the printing target without performing complicated operations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] In the following description, an "object" is defined as, for example, a predetermined area within the printable range of a printing medium, and includes at least one of a character string and a code as an object to be printed within the predetermined area. When a user determines the printing content on the printing medium, it is preferable that the object be movable within the printable range. When the object moves within the printable range, the character string and the code included in the object also move. The object to be printed included in the object is not limited to a character string or a code, and may include a graphic, a symbol, a mark, or the like in addition thereto.

[0010] (1) First Embodiment (1-1) System Overview Hereinafter, a data distribution system 1, which is an embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the data distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state when a label is issued by the printer of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the printing operation of the printer according to the present embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, in the data distribution system 1 of the present embodiment, for example, an information processing apparatus 2 and a printer 3 are connected to a server 5 via a network NW such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The printer 3 and a scanner 6 (an example of an external device) can perform short-range wireless communication. Various protocols are known for the short-range wireless communication method, and it is not limited to a specific protocol. For example, it is Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition to Bluetooth (registered trademark), it may be NFC (Near field communication). In the following description, a scanner 6 is taken as an example of an external device for explanation. However, the external device is not limited thereto, and it may be a LAN (Local Area Network) device or the like. The external device is not limited to a device that performs wireless communication with the printer 3, and may be a communication device that performs communication by wire such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, or a device directly connected to the connector of the printer 3 such as a USB memory device. In the example of this embodiment, the data distribution system 1 is operated by a retailer who operates a store, and is a system for issuing labels for products sold in the store. In this embodiment, the case where the label is issued at the store is taken as an example for explanation. However, the label may be issued at a factory or the like.

[0012] An information processing device 2 is arranged at the head office of the retailer. The information processing device 2 (hereinafter referred to as "PC2") is a computer device such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal. A printer 3 is arranged at the store. Although only one printer 3 is shown in FIG. 1, this is not the limit. When a plurality of stores are operated, a printer 3 is arranged at each store. At the head office, the basic layout design of the label is designed using the PC2. At each store, based on the layout design of the label provided from the head office, a label to be attached to the product is issued using the printer 3.

[0013] The PC2 is installed with a label creation application program (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "label creation application") that creates a project file including data on the layout design of the label, data on each item included in the label, and various settings. A project file is a file that indicates a management unit for data related to the layout of labels. According to a predetermined operation by the user on PC2, the project file is converted into a format file on PC2, and the format file is distributed from PC2 to printer 3 via server 5. That is, in response to a predetermined operation of the user, the format file is uploaded from information processing device 2 to server 5 and downloaded from server 5 to printer 3 at a predetermined timing.

[0014] An label issuing application program (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as the "label issuing application") for issuing labels based on the format file acquired from PC2 is installed in printer 3. By executing the label issuing application, issuance data is selected from the downloaded format file according to the user operation. The label issuing application changes at least a part of the data (character string) of the selected issuance data to the data (character string) acquired from scanner 6 and then issues a label.

[0015] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a mark display sheet MP printed with one or a plurality of printing marks M is prepared in the store in advance. Each printing mark M includes a two-dimensional code and a visible character (human-readable) corresponding to the two-dimensional code (for example, "pork belly 03"). When the user performs a scan operation on any one of the printing marks M, the two-dimensional code is read by scanner 6, and printer 3 acquires the read data through wireless communication with scanner 6. By reading the printing mark M and issuing a label, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to store various data (character strings) corresponding to each item in printer 3. Also, once the format file is acquired, there is an advantage that labels for various products can be issued offline by printer 3 thereafter. The project file and issuance data will be described later.

[0016] In the data distribution system 1 of the present embodiment, although there is no intention to limit the form, printing method, etc. of the printer 3, an exemplary thermal printer 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 3 of the present embodiment includes a housing 42 and a cover 43, and a display panel 34a is disposed on the upper part of the cover 43. The display panel 34a is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel having a touch panel function, and provides an input / output interface for the user in a state where the cover 43 is closed.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, a roll paper R is accommodated in an accommodation chamber 48 inside the printer 3. The roll paper R is a continuous paper P having a plurality of labels temporarily attached at predetermined intervals on a strip-shaped base paper wound in a roll shape. For example, a thermosensitive coloring layer is formed on the surface of the label, an adhesive layer is formed on the back surface of the label, and the adhesive layer is attached to the peeling surface of the base paper. The cover 43 is swingable with respect to the housing 42 about a shaft portion 49 at an end, and opens or closes the accommodation chamber 48. To accommodate the roll paper R in the accommodation chamber 48, the cover 43 is set in an open state.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, a platen roller 45 is pivotally supported on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the housing 42 so as to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. The platen roller 45 is a conveying means for conveying the continuous paper P fed out from the roll paper R, and is formed in a state of extending along the width direction of the continuous paper P. Note that the platen roller 45 is mechanically connected to a stepping motor (not shown) or the like and driven.

[0019] The printer 3 receives a format file from the server 5 and generates print data based on a user operation, as will be described later. The thermal head 46 is disposed on the cover 43 so as to face the platen roller 45 when the cover 43 is in the closed state, and prints on the label of the continuous paper P based on print data. On the printing surface of the thermal head 46, a plurality of heating resistors (heating elements) that generate heat by energization are arranged side by side along the width direction (line direction) of the continuous paper P. The thermal head 46 prints by selectively energizing the heating elements according to each line data of the print data to change the color of the thermosensitive coloring layer of the label. The continuous paper P printed by the thermal head 46 is discharged to the outside of the printer 3 from the discharge port 47 (see FIG. 2), which is the gap between the housing 42 and the cover 43 when the cover 43 is in the closed state (that is, the label is issued). The store employee peels off the label from the backing paper of the continuous paper P discharged from the discharge port 47 and attaches the label to the merchandise in the store.

[0020] (1-2) Flow of data distribution Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10, a series of procedures from when the project file is created by the PC2 until the format data is distributed to the printer 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the project file creation screen of the PC2. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the data format of the data acquired from the scanner 6 in the present embodiment. FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrams showing the procedures for setting the data input method in the PC2, respectively. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the procedure for displaying the call table in the PC2. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the procedure for uploading the format file to the server in the PC2.

[0021] FIG. 4 is an example of the PC screen G1 (project file creation screen) displayed on the PC2 when the label creation application is launched. On the project file creation screen, the user can design the label issued by the printer 3 by setting the objects to be arranged within the effective printing range of the label.

[0022] In the label creation application, data is managed by project files. As described above, project files are files created by the label creation application and indicate the management unit of data regarding the label layout.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the PC screen G1 includes an instruction button group 101, an object button group 102, a design window 103, a project setting section 104, and an object property setting section 105. In the project setting section 104, the data included in the project file is displayed in a hierarchical structure. As shown in this hierarchical structure, the project file includes a call table and layout data. By performing button operations within the instruction button group 101, it is possible to read the project file from the storage, save the project file to the storage, or convert the project file into a format file and upload it to the server 5, etc.

[0024] The call table (an example of printing data) is data for printing labels in the label issuing application of the printer 3. The layout data is design data for issuing labels with the printer 3 in combination with the call table, and is displayed in the design window 103 of the PC screen G1 during editing, for example.

[0025] The design window 103 corresponds to a label creation / editing area. By performing operations such as placing and moving objects within this creation / editing area, a label is designed. That is, the design window 103 is a window for performing the layout design of a label. In the example of this embodiment, a case is exemplified where a label including four objects, namely, an object OBJ1 corresponding to the "product name" item, an object OBJ2 corresponding to the "added value" item, an object OBJ3 which is a date / time object corresponding to the "expiration date" item, and an object OBJ4 which is an object corresponding to the "(INP-DEV)" item (described later), is designed. When the button b2 ("input screen") is operated, instead of the design window 103, a window (not shown) for inputting the character string or code included in each object is displayed. When the button b1 ("layout") is operated in the state where the window is displayed, the display returns to the design window 103.

[0026] Note that the added value is a value added to the reference date of the printer 3 as the date value set for the date / time object of the layout data created by the label creation application. When a product has an expiration date, in the headquarters that creates the layout design of the label, it may be difficult to set the expiration date of the product directly received at the store. In that case, the expiration date of the product is determined by adding the added value to the reference date of the printer 3. Any of year, month, day, and hour can be selected as the unit of the added value. In the following description, the added value in units of days is appropriately referred to as the "added day".

[0027] The object button group 102 is an operation target for performing operations such as selecting and moving an object on the design window 103 or newly setting an object. In the object button group 102, object types such as a string object, a price object, a barcode object, a date and time object, and a graphic object can be selected. Various settings of the object can be performed in the object property setting section 105. In the example shown in FIG. 4, various settings for the selected object OBJ1 can be performed in the object property setting section 105. For example, depending on the item name (in this example, "product name") in the object property setting section 105, the item used in the layout design within the design window 103 is set. As the input method, any one of "fixed", "at issue (data)", or "reference / join" can be selected. When "fixed" is selected as the input method, it indicates that the value set in the "data" column (in this example, "chicken thigh meat") is printed. When "at issue (data)" is selected as the input method, it indicates that the initial value set in the "data" column can be changed in the label issuing application of the printer 3. When "reference / join" is selected as the input method, it indicates that data of other items is referenced or data of multiple items is joined.

[0028] When "reference / join" is selected in the object property setting section 105, detailed settings can be made by operating the detailed setting button b3. In this embodiment, in this detailed setting, settings for acquiring data from the scanner 6 are performed.

[0029] Hereinafter, the procedure for performing settings for acquiring data from the scanner 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. In this exemplary procedure, it is assumed that the data format of the data acquired from the scanner 6 is the format shown in FIG. 5. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the data format of the read data from the scanner 6 is the following format. [Data Format of Read Data] ·Number of digits: 22 digits ·The values from the 1st digit to the 20th digit are the values of the "Product Name". ·The two digits of the 21st digit and the 22nd digit are the values of the "Addition Value".

[0030] In the design window 103 of the PC screen G1, when the object OBJ4 corresponding to the item name "(INP-DEV)" is selected, the display mode of the object property setting unit 105 is shown in FIG. 6. The data corresponding to the item name "(INP-DEV)" means the read data that the printer 3 acquires from the scanner 6 at the time of label issuance, and "At issuance (data)" is selected as the input method. Note that what is input in the data column of the object property setting unit 105 in FIG. 6 is only the initial value.

[0031] In the design window 103 of the PC screen G1, when the object OBJ1 corresponding to the item name "Product Name" is selected, the display mode of the object property setting unit 105 is shown in FIG. 7. Here, when "Reference / Association" is selected as the input method and the detailed setting button b3 is operated, a setting table TL1 consisting of "Type", "Data", "Start digit", "Number of digits", and "Filling type" is displayed. The value of the "Type" field in the setting table TL1 indicates either fixed or reference. The value of the "Data" field is either the data to be referenced or the value input by the user. The value of the "Start digit" field specifies from which digit of the data to reference when referencing the data. The value of the "Number of digits" field specifies up to which digit from the start digit of the data to reference when referencing the data. The value of the "Filling type" field specifies the method of filling in digits when the data has less than the specified number of digits when referencing the data.

[0032] The value of the "Data" field in the setting table TL1 shown in FIG. 7, which is "(INP-DEV)", indicates that the data acquired from the scanner 6 at the time of label issuance is referenced.

[0033] The value of the "padding type" field in the setting table TL1 shown in FIG. 7, which is "left-justified space padding", means that when the data is less than the input digit count, half-width spaces equal to the digit count are padded after the actual data. As the value of the "padding type" field, in addition to "left-justified space padding", "right-justified space padding" and "right-justified 0 padding" can be input. "Right-justified space padding" means that when the data is less than the input digit count, half-width spaces equal to the digit count are padded before the actual data. "Right-justified 0 padding" means that when the data is less than the input digit count, "0"s equal to the digit count are padded before the actual data. In the example shown in FIG. 7, in order to input the product name string from the read data in the data format of FIG. 5, the values of the "start digit" and "digit count" fields input in the setting table TL1 are set to refer to (or extract) 20 digits starting from the first digit of the read data.

[0034] FIG. 8 shows the display mode of the object property setting unit 105 when the object OBJ2 corresponding to the item name "addition value" is selected in the design window 103 of the PC screen G1. Here, when "reference / join" is selected as the input method and the detailed setting button b3 is operated, the setting table TL1 consisting of "type", "data", "start digit", "digit count", and "padding type" is displayed. The data with the item name "addition value" is also set to refer to the data obtained from the scanner 6 in the same way as the data with the item name "product name". In the example shown in FIG. 8, in order to input the addition value string from the read data in the data format of FIG. 5, the values of the "start digit" and "digit count" fields input in the setting table TL1 are set to refer to (or extract) 2 digits starting from the 21st digit of the read data.

[0035] The setting table TL1 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is an example of the extraction setting information for the character string included in the data received from the scanner 6. In addition, when the data format of the read data is changed from the format illustrated in FIG. 5, it is necessary to change the values of the "start digit" and "number of digits" fields corresponding to each item of the product name and the added value accordingly.

[0036] Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the call table will be described. The call table is a data table for registering data for printing labels for predefined items. As shown in FIG. 9, the call table TL2 is displayed by operating (for example, double-clicking) the "call table" of the project setting unit 104. In this exemplary call table TL2, in addition to the fields of "call No.", "call name", and "layout specification", fields for four item names of "product name", "content volume", "added value", and "expiration date" that have been defined are provided.

[0037] Each record in the call table TL2 indicates a label layout for issuing one label and data (character strings) for each defined item name. The data of each record is hereinafter referred to as "issued data". The user can associate the label layout with the character strings corresponding to each item name by inputting values (character strings) corresponding to each item name into the call table TL2, but the values input here are initial values. That is, in the object property setting unit 105 (see FIG. 4), when "fixed" is selected as the input method, the value input to the call table TL2 is directly reflected at the time of label issuance. However, when "at issuance (data)" or "reference / join" is selected as the input method, the value input to the call table TL2 is not necessarily directly reflected at the time of label issuance. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when "reference / join" is selected as the input method, since the data acquired from the scanner 6 is referenced, the value input to the call table TL2 is only an initial value for confirmation on the design window 103.

[0038] In the call table TL2, the values of the fields "Call No." and "Call Name" are provided for the printer 3's label issuance application to call the issued data. Note that the call table TL2 may not have a plurality of records, and may have only one record (that is, one issued data).

[0039] The value of the "Layout Specification" field in the call table TL2 is a value indicating any one of the one or more layout data created in the design window 103 (see FIG. 4). In this example, when two layout data, [1] expiration date label and [2] content display label, have been created in the "Layout Specification" field value, it indicates which of these two layout data each issued data corresponds to.

[0040] For example, in the label design within the design window 103 shown in the PC screen G1 of FIG. 4, the issued data corresponding to the record of Call No.: 1 (Call Name: "Meats") in the call table TL2 is displayed. In this example, the label design of the design window 103 corresponds to the value of the "Layout Specification" field ([1] expiration date label) of the record corresponding to Call No.: 1. The character string within the object OBJ1 corresponding to the product name corresponds to the value of the "Product Name" field of the record of Call No.: 1 in the call table TL2. The character string within the object OBJ2 corresponding to the added value corresponds to the value of the "Added Value" field of the record of Call No.: 1 in the call table TL2.

[0041] The value of the "Expiration Date" field of the record corresponding to Call No.: 1 indicates the maximum number of digits of the date within the object OBJ3, which is a date-time object corresponding to the expiration date. In the label design of the design window 103, as the date within the object OBJ3 corresponding to the expiration date, for example, the reference date of PC2 or the current date is displayed. Note that when issuing a label by the printer 3, the value within the object OBJ3 becomes the date and time obtained by adding the value of the "Addition Value" field to the reference date set in the label issuing application of the printer 3.

[0042] By registering data in the call table TL2, the user of PC2 can design labels with different layouts or labels with the same layout but different printed contents for each item. For example, in the example shown in the call table TL2 of FIG. 9, the labels issued for Call No.: 1 and the labels issued for Call No. 2 differ in layout and printed content.

[0043] As described above, in the label creation application of PC2, layout data and a call table are created. Then, by operating the output button within the instruction button group 101, a project file including the layout data and the call table is created, and a format file obtained by converting the project file is created. The format file is uploaded to the server 5 according to a predetermined operation. Specifically, when an output button within the instruction button group 101 is operated, a data output window W1 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. In the output destination selection section 204 of window W1, it is possible to select the storage within PC2 ("Devices and drives") or server 5 ("Server") as the output destination. Here, when "Server" is selected, window W2 is displayed. In window W2, by inputting the address (URL) corresponding to server 5, the login ID, and the file name of the format file, and then operating the OK button, the upload of the format file is performed (window W3). Note that in window W3, authentication using a password may be performed for security reasons. In the example shown in FIG. 10, a format file with the file name "Food data (Scanner-linked)" is uploaded to server 5.

[0044] (1-3) Issuance of labels Hereinafter, the procedure for issuing a label in printer 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen of printer 3 according to the present embodiment. First, the label issuance application of printer 3 is launched, and an operation to download a format file from server 5 is performed. Next, as shown in the printer screen g1 of FIG. 11, "Food data (Scanner-linked)" is selected as the format file corresponding to the label that the user wants to issue from among the downloaded format files. In the subsequent printer screen g2, a list of call numbers and call names in the selected format file (that is, a list corresponding to each record of call table TL2) is displayed. It is possible to select any call number and call name from this list. Here, for example, when call number: 001 and call name "Meats" are selected, the issuance data of the record corresponding to call number: 1 in the call table of FIG. 9 is called, and printer screen g3 is displayed.

[0045] The printer screen g3 includes the reference date of the printer 3, the issued data display section 106, the input box bx1 for inputting the number of issued copies, and the issue button b4. In the issued data display section 106, the initial values of each item of the issued data corresponding to Call No.: 1 are displayed. Specifically, in the issued data display section 106, the string "Chicken thigh meat" is displayed as the string corresponding to the item of product name, and the string "01" is displayed as the string corresponding to the item of added value. In addition, in the issued data display section 106, a column of "(INP-DEV)" is provided for referring to the data acquired from the scanner 6. When the issue button b4 is operated on the printer screen g3, the printer becomes capable of receiving the read data as reference data from the scanner 6. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, when the user executes an operation of scanning any one of the print marks M on the mark display paper MP using the scanner 6, the printer screen g4 in FIG. 11 is displayed.

[0046] On the printer screen g4, the read data acquired from the scanner 6 is displayed in the column of "(INP-DEV)" in the issued data display section 106, and by referring to this read data, the values of the item names of "product name" and "added value" are updated from the values at the time of the printer screen g3. In the example of this embodiment, according to the setting table TL1 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the values of the item names of "product name" and "added value" are extracted from the read data of the scanner 6.

[0047] By operating the issue button b4 on the printer screen g4, a label is issued. The issued label PL is shown in FIG. 11. The layout of the label PL shown in FIG. 11 is the same as that shown in the design window 103 of FIG. 4, but the values of the items corresponding to each object are those in which the values shown in the issued data display section 106 of the printer screen g4 are reflected. Here, the expiration date is the value (2019.8.26) obtained by adding the value of the added value ("3") to the reference date (2019.8.23) of the printer 3.

[0048] (1-4) Configuration of the data distribution system 1 Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the configurations of the PC 2, printer 3, scanner 6, and server 5 included in the data distribution system 1 will be described.

[0049] (1-4-1) PC2 As shown in FIG. 12, the PC 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage 22, an operation input unit 23, a display unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The communication unit 25 is a communication interface that communicates with the server 5.

[0050] The control unit 21 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and controls the entire PC 2. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 21 loads and executes the label creation application program recorded in the storage 22, and displays the execution result on the display unit 24. The storage 22 is a non-volatile memory and may be, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) such as a flash memory. In addition to the label creation application program, the storage 22 stores project files and the like created by executing the label creation application.

[0051] The label creation application provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on the project file creation screen, and creates, updates, and stores in the storage 22 a project file including layout data and a call table in response to a user operation on the operation input unit 23. This process includes the following contents (1-i) to (1-iii). (1-i) Placing objects corresponding to the items in the label within the printable range of the label to create and update layout data (1-ii) Performing various settings for each object (including settings for the input method for the data illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8) (1-iii) By creating an outgoing table, associate layout data and the value (string) of each item with each issued data corresponding to the call number. Furthermore, the label creation application converts the project file into a format file and uploads the format file to the server 5 via the communication unit 25.

[0052] The display unit 24 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel and displays the execution result of the label creation application. The operation input unit 23 includes, for example, input devices such as a pointing device and a touch panel. When the display unit 24 includes a display panel for touch panel input, the display unit 24 constitutes a part of the operation input unit 23.

[0053] (1-4-2) Printer 3 As shown in FIG. 12, the printer 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage 32, an operation input unit 33, a display unit 34, a conveyance unit 35, a printing unit 36, a communication unit 37, and a short-range communication unit 38. The communication unit 37 is a communication interface for communicating with the server 5. The short-range communication unit 38 is a communication interface for performing wireless communication according to Bluetooth (registered trademark) with the scanner 6 and is an example of a data receiving unit. The control unit 31 is an example of an acquisition unit and an extraction unit. The storage 32 is an example of a storage unit.

[0054] The control unit 31 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and controls the entire printer 3. The storage 32 is a non-volatile memory and may be an SSD such as a flash memory, for example. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 31 loads and executes the firmware and the label issuance application program recorded in the storage 32. The control unit 31 requests the server 5 to transmit a format file, receives the format file transmitted in response to the request via the communication unit 37, and stores it in the storage 32. The timing at which the control unit 31 requests the server 5 to transmit the format file is not limited, but for example, it is at the time of starting the printer 3, at a predetermined time every day, or at the timing when a predetermined download operation is performed by the user, etc.

[0055] The display unit 34 has a display panel 34a (see FIG. 2), and displays the execution result of the label issuing application on the display panel 34a. The operation input unit 33 includes a touch panel input provided on the display panel 34a and its input circuit.

[0056] The label issuing application has an extraction method acquisition module 311 (an example of acquisition means) and a character string extraction module 312 (an example of extraction means). The extraction method acquisition module 311 is a module for executing the following processing. (2-i) Identifying a format file based on a user operation from among the format files stored in the storage 32 (2-ii) Reading out (calling) the issuing data corresponding to the calling No. based on the selection input of the user's calling No. from among the identified format files (2-iii) Acquiring a setting table TL1 (see FIGS. 7 and 8; an example of extraction setting information) when the communication unit 37 receives the format file

[0057] As described above, the setting of the input method of the data corresponding to each item is any one of "fixed", "at the time of issuance (data)", or "reference / join". In the example of this embodiment, the setting of the input method of the data for each item of the product name and the added value is as shown in the setting table TL1 of FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0058] The character string extraction module 312 is a module for executing the following processing. When the input method of the data is set to refer to "(INP-DEV)", the short-range communication unit 38 is controlled to establish wireless communication in accordance with Bluetooth (registered trademark) with the scanner 6. (3-ii) When the short-range communication unit 38 receives data from the scanner 6, a character string is extracted from the received data based on the setting table TL1 acquired in (2-iii). In the case of the read data conforming to the data format of the printing mark M (see FIG. 2) described above, as the data (character string) corresponding to "product name", 20 digits from the first digit of the read data are extracted, and as the data (character string) corresponding to "addition value", 2 digits from the 21st digit of the read data are extracted.

[0059] The firmware has a printing module 313 (an example of printing means) that prints the character string extracted by the character string extraction module 312 on a label. By executing the printing module 313, the issued data is converted into bitmap data for printing (printing data), and a process of sequentially sending line data, which is the data for each line of the printing data, to the printing unit 36 is performed.

[0060] The conveyance unit 35 and the printing unit 36 perform printing based on the line data sequentially sent. The conveyance unit 35 includes a platen roller 45 (see FIG. 3), and a motor drive circuit and a stepping motor (not shown), and conveys the continuous paper P in the printer 3. For example, based on a conveyance request by the firmware, the motor drive circuit drives a stepping motor that controls the rotation of the platen roller 45 to convey the continuous paper P. The printing unit 36 includes a thermal head 46 (see FIG. 3) and a head drive circuit (not shown). The head drive circuit selectively passes current through each heating element of the thermal head 46 based on the line data to perform printing on the label of the continuous paper P.

[0061] (1-4-3) Scanner 6 As shown in FIG. 12, the scanner 6 includes a control unit 61, a light source 62, an image processing unit 63, and a short-range communication unit 64 (an example of a data transmission unit). The short-range communication unit 64 is a communication interface that performs wireless communication according to Bluetooth (registered trademark) with the printer 3. The control unit 61 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and controls the entire scanner 6. The image processing unit 63 includes, for example, an image sensor of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type. The emitted light from the light source 62 irradiates the printing mark M (see FIG. 2), and the reflected light forms an image on the image sensor. Thereby, the image sensor captures an image of the printing mark M. The control unit 61 obtains the read data by extracting a two-dimensional code from the image and performing a decoding process. When the read data is obtained, the control unit 61 controls the short-range communication unit 64 to transmit the read data to the printer 3.

[0062] (1-4-4) Server 5 As shown in FIG. 12, the server 5 includes a control unit 51, a storage 52, and a communication unit 53. The communication unit 53 is a communication interface that communicates with the PC 2 and the printer 3. The storage 52 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores the format file transmitted from the PC 2 in association with the login ID. The control unit 51 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and controls the entire server 5. The control unit 51 controls the communication unit 53 to transmit a format file, for example, in response to a request from the printer 3.

[0063] (1-5) Operation of the data distribution system 1 Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the operation of the data distribution system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a sequence chart when issuing a label in the data distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following description, it is associated with the printer screen shown in FIG. 11 as appropriate. Although not shown in the sequence chart of FIG. 13, assume a case where the printer 3 has already downloaded a format file from the server 5. The downloaded format file includes layout data of the label to be issued and a call table.

[0064] The label issuing application of the printer 3 selects a format file according to the user's operation (step S2). For example, as shown on the printer screen g1, "Food Data (Scanner Interlock)" is selected. Next, referring to the call table included in the selected format file, a list of call numbers and call names is displayed (step S4; printer screen g2). Here, when a call number is input, that is, when any call number and call name are selected and input, the label issuing application refers to the issuing data corresponding to the call number in the call table and updates the screen including the issuing data display unit 106 (step S8; printer screen g3). When the input method of the data of any item of the issuing data is set to refer to the read data acquired from the scanner 6 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the label issuing application controls the short-range communication unit 38 to establish wireless communication conforming to Bluetooth (registered trademark) with the scanner 6 (step S10).

[0065] The label issuing application waits until the read data is received. When a scan operation on any printing mark M in the mark display paper MP by the user is recognized (step S12: YES), the scanner 6 executes reading of the printing mark M (step S14). Next, the scanner 6 transmits the read data to the printer 3 (step S16).

[0066] When the printer 3 receives the read data, the label issuing application extracts the data (string) corresponding to each item from the received read data according to the setting of the input method set for each item (step S18). Note that information regarding the setting of the input method for each item is included in the layout data. The setting of the input method for each item is a setting of from which digit to extract how many digits of the read data, as exemplified in FIGS. 7 and 8. When the data is extracted, the label issuing application updates the screen so as to associate the extracted data (string) with each item (step S20; printer screen g4). Then, in response to the user's issuing instruction operation, the label issuing application and the firmware cooperate to print and issue the label PL (step S22).

[0067] As described above, in the data distribution system 1 of the present embodiment, when the printer 3 prints the print target string (string corresponding to each item) included in the read data received from the scanner 6 on the label, it obtains from the PC 2 via the server 5. The character string is extracted according to the setting of the input method for the data of each item (that is, the setting of the setting table TL1). The setting of the input method is specified by the start digit and the number of digits of the read data, as exemplified in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example. In this case, even when the data format of the read data received from the scanner 6 is changed, it is possible to easily adapt to the read data of the new data format by re-specifying the start digit and the number of digits in the setting of the input method. If such a setting of the input method were performed by the printer driver of the printer 3, it would be necessary to reinstall the printer drivers of all the printers 3 at the distribution destination. On the other hand, in the data distribution system 1, since the information regarding the setting of the input method corresponding to the data format of the read data from the scanner 6 is included in the format file downloaded from the server 5, on the printer 3 side, there is no need for complicated operations such as adapting to the change in the data format.

[0068] In this embodiment, the case where the setting for extracting the character string corresponding to each item from the read data is specified by the start digit and the number of digits of the read data has been described, but this setting is only an example. The setting for extracting the character string from the read data can be arbitrarily performed according to the data format of the data received by the printer 3 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0069] (2) Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 18. In the first embodiment, the scanner 6 was applied as an external device of the printer 3, but in this embodiment, the measuring instrument 7 is referred to as an external device of the printer 3. FIG. 14 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 referred to in the first embodiment, and shows a state when the printer 3 according to this embodiment issues a label. As shown in FIG. 14, wireless communication is possible between the measuring instrument 7 and the printer 3, for example, in accordance with Bluetooth (registered trademark). The measuring instrument 7 is used, for example, when selling food such as meat by weighing in a store, and transmits measurement data including the weight of the food to the printer 3 by wireless communication. The printer 3 extracts a character string indicating the actual data (that is, the weight value itself) from the measurement data received from the measuring instrument 7, and prints and issues it on a label to be attached to the food.

[0070] FIG. 15 illustrates different data formats F1 and F2 for the measurement data transmitted from the measuring instrument 7. As shown in FIG. 15, for example, in measuring instruments 7 manufactured by different manufacturing companies, measurement data is transmitted according to the individual specifications of each company, so the data formats may be different. For example, in the data format F1 of FIG. 15, it consists of 14 digits in total, and the second to seventh digits indicate the measured value, and control characters are inserted into the other digits (the first digit and each digit after the ninth digit). On the other hand, in the data format F2 of FIG. 15, it consists of 23 digits in total, and the tenth to eighteenth digits indicate the measured value, and control characters are inserted into the other digits (each digit from the first digit to the ninth digit and each digit after the eighteenth digit).

[0071] Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, in the PC 2, in the label creation application, the data input method for each object defined in the label design is set. In the example of this embodiment, an object corresponding to the "(INP-DEV)" item and an object corresponding to the "weight" item are defined. Although not shown, when an object corresponding to the "(INP-DEV)" item is selected, in the object property setting unit, "(data at issue)" is selected as the input method. "(Data at issue)" indicates that the data to be input is measurement data received by the printer 3 from the weighing instrument 7 at the time of label issuance. Also, when an object corresponding to the "weight" item is selected, in the object property setting unit, "reference / join" is selected as the input method, and in the detailed settings (see FIG. 7), it is set to refer to the measurement data received from the weighing instrument 7.

[0072] FIG. 16 shows the setting of the data input method corresponding to the data formats F1 and F2 in FIG. 15. Similar to what was illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, FIG. 16 shows the setting of the input method corresponding to the data formats F1 and F2 in FIG. 15 in the object property setting unit 105 of the project file creation screen of the label creation application. As shown in FIG. 16, in order to correctly extract the measured value from the measurement data, in the case of data format F1, the start digit: 2 and the number of digits: 7 are set, and in the case of data format F2, the start digit: 10 and the number of digits: 8 are set.

[0073] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of each device of the data distribution system of this embodiment. In FIG. 17, the difference from FIG. 12 corresponding to the first embodiment is that a weighing instrument 7 is included instead of the scanner 6. Therefore, duplicate descriptions of each device other than the weighing instrument 7 are omitted.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 17, the weighing instrument 7 includes a control unit 71, a measurement unit 72, and a short-range communication unit 73. The control unit 71 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and controls the entire weighing instrument 7. The measurement unit 72 is equipped with a load cell and sends the detection signal from the load cell to the control unit 71. The control unit 71 converts the detection signal acquired from the measurement unit 72 into a digital signal (measurement value) and generates measurement data in a predetermined data format including the measurement value as a character string. Then, the control unit 71 controls the short-range communication unit 73 to send the measurement data to the printer 3.

[0075] Note that it is preferable that the control unit 71 controls such that the measurement data including the measurement value as a character string is sent to the printer 3 when the variation in the measurement result by the measurement unit 72 is within a predetermined value. For example, when selling food by weight, the measurement value may vary (become unstable) when an operator places the food on the weighing instrument 7 rather roughly. In that case, it is preferable to wait until the variation in the measurement value falls within the predetermined value, and after it falls within the predetermined value, control to send the measurement data including the measurement value to the printer 3. Thereby, the weight value printed by the printer 3 becomes more accurate.

[0076] FIG. 18 shows an example of issuing a label by the printer 3 when measurement data of different data formats F1 and F2 are received. The data (character string) corresponding to each weight item is the measurement value of each data format shown in FIG. 15. It can be seen that the display modes are different between the two labels due to the difference in the number of digits and the difference in the character string of each data format.

[0077] As described above, in the data distribution system of the present embodiment, when the printer 3 prints the character string to be printed included in the read data received from the weighing instrument 7 on the label, it extracts the character string according to the setting of the input method for the data of each item acquired from the PC 2 via the server 5. Therefore, for example, even when a different weighing instrument is used in the store during operation and the printer 3 receives measurement data in a data format different from the previous one accordingly, it can be easily adapted to the measurement data in the new data format.

[0078] In addition, it is preferable to provide a check box indicating whether to print data in the object property setting unit 105 (see FIG. 4) of the label creation application. Thereby, it is possible to adapt measurement data in different data formats to one layout data. For example, two objects are defined in the design window 103, and data in different data formats are associated with each object. Then, for the data corresponding to the two objects, the on / off of the check box for whether to print or not may be appropriately switched in the object property setting unit 105. In the label design illustrated in FIG. 4, the object OBJ4 whose item name is "(INP-DEV)" (that is, the read data from the scanner 6) is set, but the character string of this item is often not actually printed. In order not to print the character string of this item, the data corresponding to the object OBJ4 is set not to be printed (turn on the check box) in the object property setting unit 105.

[0079] In this embodiment, the case where the printer 3 and the measuring instrument 7 are connected by wireless communication exemplified by Bluetooth (registered trademark) has been described, but there are the following advantages by using wireless communication. For example, when measuring the weight of a product in a clean room and issuing a label including the measurement result, it is possible to issue a label even when the printer 3 is placed outside the clean room.

[0080] (3) Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment is characterized in that, compared with the second embodiment, the selection of the issuance data is automatically performed according to the measurement data received from the measuring instrument 7. In the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, on the PC 2, a plurality of layout data with different data formats are created, and a call table including a plurality of issued data corresponding to each layout data is created. The printer 3 displays, on the display panel 34a, the plurality of issued data included in the call table created on the PC 2 in the format file downloaded from the PC 2. The user performs a selection operation on the issued data in the data format corresponding to the meter 7 that communicates with the printer 3 from among the plurality of displayed issued data. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the printer 3 analyzes the measurement data received from the meter 7, and automatically selects the issued data corresponding to the data format of the received measurement data from among the plurality of issued data.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the point that the printer 3 acquires the format file from the PC 2 is the same as in the second embodiment. Specifically, the following processing is performed. (1-i) On the PC 2, a layout file including setting tables corresponding to different data formats is created. For example, layout files La, Lb, Lc including setting tables Ta, Tb, Tc (each an example of extraction setting information) corresponding to the data input methods of the meters 7 of manufacturing companies A, B, C are created. Each setting table describes a data input method corresponding to the data format unique to the corresponding manufacturing company. (1-ii) On the PC 2, a call table including issued data Ia, Ib, Ic (for example, corresponding to call numbers 1 to 3) designating the layout files La, Lb, Lc respectively is created. (1-iii) On the PC 2, the project file including the created layout data and call table is converted into a format file and uploaded to the server 5. (1-iv) The printer 3 downloads the format file from the server 5 and stores it in the storage 32. That is, the data format acquisition module 311 of the printer 3 in the present embodiment acquires a plurality of issued data corresponding to a plurality of setting tables with different character string extraction methods.

[0082] When the printer 3 of this embodiment receives measurement data from the measuring instrument 7, it performs the following processing. (2-i) The printer 3 analyzes the measurement data received from the measuring instrument 7 to identify the data format of the measurement data. The analysis of the measurement data can be performed from various viewpoints. For example, based on the preamble of the received data, the data length, the position of a predetermined control character in the received data, etc., it is possible to estimate the data format in which the measured value starts from which digit. In this estimation, it may be performed to compare the data formats of a plurality of known measurement data with the preamble of the actually received data, the data length, the position of a predetermined control character in the received data, etc.

[0083] (2-ii) The printer 3 selects, from among the plurality of issued data included in the format file stored in the storage 32, the issued data for which the data input method corresponding to the data format of the measurement data identified in (2-i) is set. (2-iii) The printer 3 applies the data input method set for the issued data selected in (2-ii) to the measurement data received from the measuring instrument 7, and extracts the data corresponding to the "weight" item. (2-ii) and (2-iii), the character string extraction module 312 of the printer 3 of this embodiment selects the issued data corresponding to the data format of the measurement data received from the measuring instrument 7 from among the plurality of issued data acquired in (1-iv), and extracts a character string from the measurement data based on the selected issued data.

[0084] As described above, the printer 3 of this embodiment automatically selects the issued data according to the measurement data received from the measuring instrument 7. Therefore, since there is no need for the user to perform a selection operation on the issued data that matches the measuring instrument 7, there is an advantage that the convenience when issuing a label is improved as compared with the second embodiment.

[0085] As described above, one embodiment of the printer, program, and information processing system of the present invention has been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Further, various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, the printer 3 may be set in advance with a plurality of input methods corresponding to a plurality of data formats, identify which of the plurality of data formats is based on the data configuration of the received data from an external device, and extract data (character string) from the received data according to the identified data format. That is, the printer 3 may identify the data format of the received data and adjust the input method by itself. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the printer 3 acquires the format file by uploading the format file to the server 5 and the printer 3 downloading the format file from the server 5 has been described. However, it is not limited to that. For example, the PC 2 and the printer 3 may be connected by a USB cable, and the PC 2 may be configured to export the format file to the printer 3.

Explanation of Signs

[0086] 1…Data distribution system 2…Information processing device (PC) 21…Control unit 22…Storage 23…Operation input unit 24…Display unit 25…Communication unit 3…Printer 31…Control unit 311…Extraction method acquisition module 312…Character string extraction module 313…Printing module 32…Storage 33…Operation input unit 34…Display unit 34a…Display panel 35…Conveying unit 36…Printing unit 37…Communication unit 38…Short-range communication unit 42…Housing 43…Cover 45…Platen roller 46…Thermal head 47…Outlet 48…Storage chamber 49…Shaft portion 5…Server 51…Control unit 52…Storage 53…Communication unit 6…Scanner 61…Control unit 62…Light source 63…Image processing unit 64…Short-range communication unit 7…Meter 71…Control unit 72…Measurement unit 73…Short-range communication unit 101…Indicator button group 102…Layout setting button group 103…Design window 104…Project setting section 105…Object property setting section 106…Issued data display section 204…Output destination selection section R…Roll paper M…Printing mark MP…Mark display paper PL…Label G1…PC screen g1~g4…Printer screen W1~W3…Window TL1…Setting table TL2…Call table

Claims

1. A printer capable of communicating with an external device according to a predetermined communication protocol, a data receiving unit that receives data including a character string to be printed from the external device; an acquisition unit that acquires extraction setting information relating to a method for extracting a character string included in the data received by the data receiving unit, the extraction setting information setting a start digit and a number of digits of the character string; an extraction unit that extracts a character string from the received data based on the extraction setting information acquired by the acquisition unit when the data is received from the external device; a printing unit that prints the character string extracted by the extraction unit on a printing medium; Equipped with When the data format of the data received by the data receiving unit is changed, the extraction unit extracts a character string from the received data based on the extraction setting information in which the starting digit and the number of digits of the character string are re-specified.

2. a storage unit that stores print data including a character string object, the character string object being an object positioned within an effective print area of ​​the print medium, and in which a character string to be printed is specified within the object; the printing unit prints the character string extracted by the extraction unit on the print medium based on the printing data such that the character string object includes the character string extracted by the extraction unit.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

3. A printer that receives data including a character string to be printed from an external device according to a predetermined communication protocol, an acquisition means for acquiring extraction setting information regarding a method for extracting a character string included in the data received from the external device, the extraction setting information including a start digit and a number of digits of the character string; an extraction means for extracting a character string from the received data based on the extraction setting information acquired by the acquisition means when the data is received from the external device; a printing means for printing the character string extracted by the extraction means on a printing medium; A program for causing a computer to realize the above, The extraction means is a program that, when the data format of the data received from the external device is changed, extracts a character string from the received data based on the extraction setting information in which the starting digit and the number of digits of the character string are re-specified.

4. An information processing system including an external device and a printer capable of communicating with the external device in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol, the external device includes a data transmission unit that transmits to the printer data including a character string to be printed by the printer; The printer includes: a data receiving unit for receiving the data from the external device; an acquisition unit that acquires extraction setting information relating to a method for extracting a character string included in the data received by the data receiving unit, the extraction setting information setting a start digit and a number of digits of the character string; an extraction unit that extracts a character string from the received data based on the extraction setting information acquired by the acquisition unit when the data is received from the external device; a printing unit that prints the character string extracted by the extraction unit on a printing medium, An information processing system in which, when the data format of the data received by the data receiving unit is changed, the extraction unit extracts a character string from the received data based on the extraction setting information in which the starting digit and the number of digits of the character string are re-specified.

5. the acquiring unit acquires a plurality of pieces of extraction setting information each having a different character string extraction method, the extraction unit selects extraction setting information corresponding to a data format of the data received from the external device from among the plurality of extraction setting information, and extracts a character string from the data based on the selected extraction setting information.

5. An information processing system according to claim 4.

6. The external device is a scanner that reads a code, the data transmission unit transmits data including a character string corresponding to the read code to the printer; 6. An information processing system according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The external device is a weighing device having a measuring unit that measures the weight of an object, the data transmission unit transmits data including the measurement value as a character string to the printer when a fluctuation in the measurement result by the measurement unit falls within a predetermined value.

6. An information processing system according to claim 4 or 5.

Images