Printer, information processing method, and printer system

Abstract

To set a printer more easily than in a conventional practice.SOLUTION: According to an aspect of the present invention, a printer can perform radio communication with another printer. The printer includes an acquisition unit for acquiring setting information of the another printer by radio communication in the case of coming close to the another printer to a distance for enabling the radio communication, and a setting unit for performing own setting on the basis of the setting information of the another printer acquired by the acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] When a printer is newly installed or put into operation, multiple settings must be configured to suit the operating environment, but this configuration process can be tedious. For example, when a user uses the printer's built-in input device to perform input operations, inputting parameters for LAN connection, for example, requires a lot of input, which is time-consuming. Also, unlike computer terminals, printers often have small input keys and relatively small screens, making input errors more likely to occur. Furthermore, small mobile printers may not be equipped with input devices, making manual configuration impossible.

[0003] Therefore, various methods have been proposed to allow printer settings to be performed easily and reliably. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method of using an NFC communication terminal to copy printer setting information of a printer and reflect it in the settings of another printer. According to this method, the printer is configured to have an information acquisition and setting unit that performs an information acquisition and setting operation to read printer setting information stored and held in a terminal storage unit of the NFC communication terminal when communication with the NFC communication terminal becomes possible, and store and hold the printer setting information in a setting information storage unit of the printer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-061042 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned conventional method requires the NFC communication terminal to be used as an intermediary for copying setting information between printers. In other words, when a user sets up a printer, the user must carry an NFC communication terminal and must first store the setting information of the printer from which the copy is to be made in the NFC communication terminal. Therefore, it is desirable to further simplify printer setting. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to make printer settings easier than ever before. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a printer capable of wirelessly communicating with another printer, Wireless communication with the other printer is possible. in position an acquisition unit that acquires the setting information of the other printer by wireless communication in this case; a determination unit that determines whether the product information of the other printer received by wireless communication is the same as the product information of the printer itself; Depending on the determination result of the determination unit, a setting unit that sets its own settings based on the setting information of the other printer acquired by the acquisition unit; It is a printer equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, printer settings can be made more easily than ever before. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functions of a printer system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printer system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a printer that acquires setting information in the printer system of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functions of a printer system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5]10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer that acquires setting information in a printer system according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In this disclosure, "product information" refers to information for distinguishing or identifying different products, such as product type, model name, and product code. In this disclosure, "setting information" refers to information such as data and parameters that are set to enable the printer, which is a product, to perform its functions. A printer has multiple pieces of setting information for multiple items corresponding to different functions. "Product-independent setting information" refers to setting information that is shared among multiple printers with different product information among the multiple setting information stored in a printer. An example of product-independent setting information is connection information (such as an SSID (Service Set Identifier)) for connecting to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Note that product-independent setting information does not include personal user information, such as the user's personal password or user name. "Product information-dependent setting information" refers to the setting information among the multiple setting information stored in a printer, excluding setting information that does not depend on product information. From another perspective, product information-dependent setting information refers to setting information that can be set commonly only for printers with the same product information, such as print speed and density adjustment.

[0010] In one embodiment of the printer system, when two printers are placed close to each other, one printer acquires the setting information of the other printer and configures itself based on the acquired setting information. In this printer system, the two printers that exchange setting information can wirelessly communicate with each other. When the two printers are placed close enough to each other that wireless communication is possible, communication is established between the two printers, and the setting information of one printer is sent to the other printer. That is, in the printer system of one embodiment, there is no need to use a separate communication terminal when copying setting information between printers, and printer settings can be made more easily than ever before.

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a printer system 1 according to one embodiment includes a printer 2A and a printer 2B. In one embodiment, the printers 2A and 2B are configured to be capable of short-range wireless communication. FIG. 1 illustrates a case in which wireless communication is performed between the printers 2A and 2B of the same model, and a case in which wireless communication is performed between the printers 2A and 2B of different models. Here, printer 2A and printer 2B being the same model means that the product information for printer 2A and printer 2B are the same. Printer 2A and printer 2B being different models means that the product information for printer 2A and printer 2B are different.

[0012] The communication protocol used for short-distance wireless communication is not limited, but examples include Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy, and NFC (Near Field Communication). Among these, Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy are preferred because they enable communication with low power consumption. Note that the range over which wireless communication is possible (i.e., the short-distance range) is not limited. In the following description, an example will be given in which the printer 2A and the printer 2B communicate with each other via Bluetooth (registered trademark). In the following description, when referring to matters common to the printer 2A and the printer 2B, they may be collectively referred to as "printer 2."

[0013] In FIG. 1, if printer 2A is the source product of the setting information and printer 2B is the destination product of the setting information, bringing printer 2A closer to printer 2B, or bringing printer 2B closer to printer 2A, will establish communication between printer 2A and printer 2B via Bluetooth (registered trademark). Once communication is established, printer 2A sends the setting information it has stored to printer 2B. Upon receiving the setting information, printer 2B configures itself based on the received setting information.

[0014] If printer 2A and printer 2B are the same model, printer 2A sends both setting information that depends on product information and setting information that does not depend on product information to printer 2B. In this case, since printer 2A and printer 2B are, for example, products of the same model, it is preferable to copy not only setting information that does not depend on product information but also setting information that is specific to the model of printer 2A (i.e., setting information that depends on product information) to printer 2B. Non-limiting examples of configuration information that depends on product information include configuration information for the following items:

[0015] (item) Print speed, print darkness level, print darkness, vertical label size, horizontal label size, pitch correction, vertical reference point correction, horizontal reference point correction, automatic operation mode selection, print operation, peeling operation (backfeed operation), cutter operation, linerless label operation (backfeed operation), offset adjustment during tear-off, cutter offset adjustment, peeling offset adjustment, print method, sensor type, paper end sensor type, eject cut setting, paper jump check, head check, head check mode, head check number, language setting, time zone, calendar setting (date, time), table Display language icon, power save setting, buzzer volume, printer power off sound, screen offset adjustment, auto online, initial feed, online feed, optical sensor adjustment (light receiving, light emitting), ribbon near-end detection, priority setting, moving the effective print area, density adjustment, optional feed amount, total number of pages printed, hexadecimal dump mode enable / disable, application mode, calendar check, reprint, host notification of barcode check results, barcode number specification method, communication protocol, serial communication connection, log collection, automatic paper length measurement, number of paper length measurements

[0016] A non-limiting example of setting information that does not depend on product information is the wireless LAN connection information mentioned above.

[0017] If printer 2A and printer 2B are different models, printer 2A will send only setting information that does not depend on product information to printer 2B. In this case, for example, it would not be appropriate to copy setting information specific to printer 2A, which is a certain model of product, to printer 2B, which is a different model of product. For this reason, printer 2A is controlled so as not to send setting information that depends on product information to printer 2B.

[0018] Next, the internal configuration of the printer 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 2A includes a control unit 21A, a storage 22A, an operation input unit 23A, a display unit 24A, a conveyance unit 25A, a printing unit 26A, a LAN communication unit 27A, and a short-distance communication unit 28A. The printer 2B includes a control unit 21B, a storage 22B, an operation input unit 23B, a display unit 24B, a conveyance unit 25B, a printing unit 26B, a LAN communication unit 27B, and a short-distance communication unit 28B. The following describes the commonalities between the corresponding parts of printer 2A and printer 2B. For example, when referring to commonalities between conveying unit 25A and conveying unit 25B, they will be referred to as conveying unit 25. The same applies to other components.

[0019] The control unit 21 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and memory (ROM and RAM), and controls the entire printer. The storage 22 is a non-volatile memory, such as a solid state drive (SSD) such as a flash memory. The storage 22 stores firmware for the printing operation and the conveying operation, as well as a setting information copy application program (hereinafter abbreviated as "setting information copy application"). The storage 22 also stores multiple pieces of setting information. The setting information is information such as data and parameters that are set to enable the printer 2A or the printer 2B to perform its functions. The multiple pieces of setting information are setting information for multiple items corresponding to different functions.

[0020] The operation input unit 23 includes, for example, a touch panel input mechanism mounted on the display panel of the display unit 24, but may also include physical input buttons. The display unit 24 includes a display panel such as an LCD and a display drive circuit, and displays, for example, the results of executing firmware or a setting information copy application.

[0021] By executing the firmware, control unit 21 generates drawing data and line data (data for each line of drawing data) based on the print data, and generates control signals for conveyance unit 25 and print unit 26. The print data is received, for example, from a host computer (not shown) via LAN communication unit 27. Control unit 21 sequentially sends the line data to print unit 26. The transport unit 25 includes a platen roller (not shown) and a motor drive circuit and motor (not shown), and transports the continuous paper within the printer. The continuous paper may be, for example, a strip of paper with multiple labels temporarily attached to a backing, or a strip of labels without a backing. Based on a transport request from the firmware, the motor drive circuit drives the motor that controls the rotation of the platen roller, thereby transporting the continuous paper. The printing unit 26 includes a thermal head and a head drive circuit (both not shown). The head drive circuit selectively applies current to each heating element of the thermal head based on line data, thereby printing on the continuous paper label.

[0022] The control unit 21 functions as an acquisition unit and a setting unit by executing the setting information copy application. Here, when the printer approaches close enough to the other printer that wireless communication via Bluetooth (registered trademark) is possible, the acquisition unit acquires the setting information of the other printer via wireless communication. The setting unit sets its own settings based on the setting information of the other printers acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0023] The LAN communication unit 27 is a communication interface for communicating with a host computer (not shown). The short-range communication unit 28 is a communication interface for communicating with other printers that are relatively close by via Bluetooth (registered trademark). Note that the Bluetooth (registered trademark) operation may be enabled or disabled (ON or OFF) manually or automatically. As shown in FIG. 2, setting information is exchanged by communication between the short-distance communication unit 28A of the printer 2A and the short-distance communication unit 28B of the printer 2B.

[0024] In one embodiment, the printer 2 is set as a slave (the printer that receives setting information) when shipped from the factory after manufacture, and a printer 2 that has already been configured is controlled to be set as a master (the printer that sends setting information). Therefore, in one embodiment, when communication is established, both printers recognize that the printer 2A of the copy source product is the master and the printer 2B of the copy destination product is the slave, and then the setting information is exchanged. In another embodiment, the user may be able to set on the setting menu whether the printer 2 is the master or the slave (manual setting). In this case, the user sets on the setting menu of each printer so that the printer 2A of the copy source product is the master and the printer 2B of the copy destination product is the slave.

[0025] Next, the operation of the printer system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of printer 2B when printer 2A (an example of a second printer), which is a copy source product, is moved closer to printer 2B (an example of a first printer), which is a copy destination product. This flowchart is executed by the setting information copy application of printer 2B. The same operation occurs when the printer 2B is brought closer to the printer 2A.

[0026] The flowchart in FIG. 3 assumes that Bluetooth (registered trademark) of printers 2A and 2B is set to ON (enabled) (step S2). For example, the setting information copy application is configured to keep Bluetooth (registered trademark) set to ON for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 to 8 minutes; typically 5 minutes) after the power of printer 2A set as the master is turned ON. In this case, the power of printer 2B set as the slave is turned ON first, followed by the power of printer 2A. Note that, as long as the series of processes in FIG. 3 are completed within the predetermined time, either printer may be turned ON first. The setting information copy application may be configured so that the user manually turns on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) setting. In this case, there is no time constraint, so it does not matter which printer is turned on first.

[0027] When Bluetooth® is operational, the printer 2B sends an advertising packet according to the communication protocol and searches for nearby Bluetooth® devices (step S4). A nearby printer 2A responds to the advertising packet to the printer 2B (step S6: YES). If the printer 2A is a device from a specific manufacturer (step S8: YES), pairing between the printer 2A and the printer 2B is preferably established (step S10). Here, the "specific manufacturer" may be, for example, the same manufacturer as the printer 2B, or a manufacturer that produces printers with the same specifications as (or compatible with) the printer 2B. In one embodiment, the printer 2A sends a manufacturer code to the printer 2B to identify its own manufacturer, and the printer 2B verifies whether the received manufacturer code is the specific manufacturer code.

[0028] By confirming that printer 2A is a device from a specific manufacturer, if there are two or more Bluetooth (registered trademark) devices near printer 2B, printer 2A, which is the copy source product, can be identified as the correct communication partner. In another embodiment, confirmation that the printer 2A is a device from a specific manufacturer may be performed after pairing is established. If it is confirmed that the printer 2A is not a device from a specific manufacturer after pairing is established, the printer 2B cancels the pairing with the printer 2A that was once established.

[0029] After pairing is established, printer 2B acquires the model code (or serial number) of printer 2A from printer 2A and determines whether printer 2A is the same model as itself or a different model (step S12). If printer 2A is the same model, printer 2B acquires all setting information from printer 2A (step S14). The setting information acquired here includes both setting information that depends on product information and setting information that does not depend on product information. If the printer 2A is a different model, the printer 2B acquires part of the setting information from the printer 2A, that is, setting information that does not depend on the product information (step S16). When printer 2B receives the setting information, it performs a setting process for itself based on the received setting information (step S18). When the setting process is complete, printer 2B sets itself as the master (the side that sends the setting information).

[0030] As described above, in printer system 1, when printer 2A, the copy source product, is brought closer to printer 2B, the copy destination product, or when printer 2B is brought closer to printer 2A, the setting information of printer 2A is copied to printer 2B. Therefore, there is no need to use a separate communication terminal when copying setting information between printers, and printer setting can be performed more easily than before.

[0031] The above-described method of copying setting information is particularly effective when setting the same setting information to multiple printers 2 newly installed in, for example, a kitting center, warehouse, or large-scale store. FIG. 4 shows a case where setting information for multiple printers 2 is copied sequentially. FIG. 4 shows an example in which printer 2A is the copy source product, and the setting information stored in printer 2A is sequentially copied to multiple other printers 2. In this case, after printer 2 itself becomes the copy destination product and receives the setting information, it then becomes the copy source product and transmits the setting information to another printer (copy destination product). In other words, if there is one printer 2A set as the master, it is possible to increase the number of master printers by sequentially setting other printers to the same setting, making it possible to set multiple printers 2 based on the same setting information in a relatively short period of time.

[0032] In one embodiment, the printer is configured so that new setting information cannot be received from a printer whose settings have already been completed. In other words, after setting based on the setting information of another printer has been completed, the setting unit prohibits setting based on the setting information of a printer different from the other printer. This prevents settings from another printer from being copied to a printer whose settings have already been completed, making it possible to perform reliable setting work.

[0033] An example of a flowchart for preventing a printer that has already completed configuration from receiving new configuration information is shown in Figure 5. In this case, as in Figure 3, the operation of printer 2B when printer 2A, the copy source product, is brought close to printer 2B, the copy destination product, is shown. 5, the setting information acquisition flag is set to "1" when the setting information has already been acquired (received), and is set to "0" when the setting information has not yet been acquired. The initial value of the setting information acquisition flag at the time of shipment from the factory is "0."

[0034] When printer 2A is moved closer to printer 2B, if the setting information acquisition flag of printer 2B is "0" (step S20: NO), printer 2A executes the series of processes (setting control process) shown in Fig. 3 (step S22) and configures itself based on the setting information received from printer 2A (step S22). Next, printer 2B sets the setting information acquisition flag to "1" (acquired) (step S24). After that, when a printer other than printer 2A is brought closer to printer 2B, the setting information acquisition flag is "1" (step S20: YES), so no new setting control processing is performed.

[0035] In one embodiment, the control unit 21 of the printer 2 may function as a mode selection unit that executes a setting information copy application to select either the first mode or the second mode in response to a user operation. Here, the first mode is a mode in which the setting unit allows the printer 2 to configure its own settings based on the setting information of another printer. The second mode is a mode in which the setting unit does not allow the printer 2 to configure its own settings based on the setting information of another printer. The user operation is performed, for example, on a setting menu of the printer 2 via the operation input unit 23. By allowing the user of the printer to select whether or not to configure the printer based on the configuration information of another printer, the copying of configuration information can be performed flexibly. For example, for a newly installed printer that has already been configured at a location other than the kitting center, the user can set in advance not to configure the printer at the kitting center.

[0036] Although the printer, information processing method, and printer system of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, various improvements and modifications to the above embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the individual technical features described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate, provided that no technical contradictions arise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1. Printer system 2 (2A, 2B)...Printer 21 (21A, 21B)...Control section 22 (22A, 22B)...Storage 23 (23A, 23B)...Operation input section 24(24A,24B)...Display section 25 (25A, 25B)...Transport section 26(26A,26B)…Printing section 27(27A,27B)…LAN communication department 28(28A,28B)…Short range communication department

Claims

1. A printer capable of wireless communication with other printers, an acquisition unit that acquires setting information of the other printer by wireless communication when the other printer is located in a position where wireless communication with the other printer is possible; a determination unit that determines whether the product information of the other printer received by wireless communication is the same as the product information of the printer itself; a setting unit that sets its own settings based on the setting information of the other printer acquired by the acquisition unit in accordance with the determination result of the determination unit; A printer equipped with

2. The printer further includes a mode selection unit that selects, in response to a user's operation, either a first mode in which the setting unit allows the printer to configure its own settings based on the setting information of the other printer, or a second mode in which the setting unit does not allow the printer to configure its own settings based on the setting information of the other printer. The printer according to claim 1 .

3. When the product information of the other printer received by wireless communication differs from the product information of the printer itself, the acquisition unit acquires setting information of the other printer that does not depend on the product information.

3. The printer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The setting information independent of product information includes setting information commonly used for a plurality of products.

4. The printer according to claim 3.

5. When the product information of the other printer received by wireless communication is the same as the product information of the printer itself, the acquisition unit acquires setting information of the other printer that is not dependent on the product information and setting information that is dependent on the product information.

3. The printer according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The setting information depending on the product information includes at least one of setting information regarding print speed, print density, language setting, and print operation.

6. The printer according to claim 5.

7. the setting unit prohibits setting based on setting information of a printer different from the other printer after setting based on setting information of the other printer is completed; A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The wireless communication is communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy as a communication protocol. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An information processing method between a first printer and a second printer, comprising: the first printer and the second printer are capable of wireless communication with each other; The information processing method includes: When the first printer is located in a position where wireless communication with the second printer is possible, the first printer acquires setting information of the second printer via wireless communication; The first printer determines whether the product information of the second printer received via wireless communication is the same as the product information of its own printer; the first printer performs its own settings based on the acquired setting information of the second printer in accordance with the result of determining whether the product information of the second printer is the same as the product information of its own printer; Information processing methods.

10. A printer system including a first printer and a second printer capable of wirelessly communicating with each other, The first printer an acquisition unit that acquires setting information of the second printer by wireless communication when the second printer is located in a position where wireless communication with the second printer is possible; a determination unit that determines whether the product information of the second printer received by wireless communication is the same as the product information of the printer itself; a setting unit that sets the second printer itself based on the setting information of the second printer acquired by the acquisition unit in accordance with the determination result of the determination unit, Printer system.

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