Printers and Printing Systems

Abstract

To provide a printer configured to reduce a burden or an error of a user regarding entering information, and a printing system.SOLUTION: A printer 1 includes: a read unit; a printing unit; a read control unit which causes the read unit to read an image including entry item information and an entry area on a medium; a storage unit which stores association information obtained by associating comparison key information with print target information; a storage control unit which reads the association information from the storage unit; a determination unit which identifies the entry item information and the entry area from the image read by the read unit and determines print target information associated with comparison key information corresponding to the entry item information; a conversion unit which converts a size for printing the print target information determined by the determination unit on the medium in accordance with the size of the entry area identified by the determination unit; and a print control unit which causes the printing unit to print the print target information with the size converted by the conversion unit in an entry area which is identified through a comparison between the entry area identified by the determination unit and a new image read by the read unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to printers and printing systems. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Handy mobile printers have been known that include a mechanism for scanning and reading already printed content and a mechanism for executing printing.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for printing documents containing data obtained from an ID card or a storage device, with the aim of allowing users to easily create documents such as application forms without placing a burden on the user.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for digitizing a written document and then enabling electronic input in an area where handwritten input is required. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with conventional technology, it was only possible to issue documents that conformed to a predetermined document format stored on an ID card or the like, and there was a problem in that a system had to be built in advance and standard formats had to be registered.

[0006] Furthermore, according to the prior art, when a form is specified, it is difficult to output handwritten information in a manner that corresponds to a specific position on the form.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to reduce the burden on users and the likelihood of errors when entering information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a method for printing a document including a reading unit, a printing unit, a reading control unit that reads an image including entry item information and an entry area on a medium using the reading unit, and Compared with the information entered Comparison key information and , the comparison key information Print target information and 、 a storage unit that stores association information associated with the entry item information; a storage control unit that reads out the association information from the storage unit; and a storage control unit that identifies the entry item information and the entry area from the image read by the reading unit and associates the entry item information with the comparison key information that matches the entry item information. The aforementioned a determining unit that determines information to be printed; and a converting unit that converts the size of the information to be printed determined by the determining unit when printed on the medium according to the size of the writing area identified by the determining unit; The reading unit newly reads an image including the entry item information and the entry area on the medium, and the printing target information corresponding to the entry item information is printed on the medium. a print control unit that causes the printing unit to print; When printing the printing target information corresponding to the entry item information on the medium, the print control unit compares the entry area identified by the determination unit with the image newly read by the reading unit to align them, and for the entry areas that are deemed to be identical, causes the printing unit to print the printing target information whose size has been converted by the conversion unit to match the entry area of the medium. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention has the effect of reducing the burden on the user and reducing typographical errors associated with entering information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a handy printer. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the handy printer. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a medium including entry item information and a writing area. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the association information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a method for controlling the handy printer. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of identification of a medium. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of printing on a medium. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a printing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device and a cloud. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of a printer and a printing system will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] (First embodiment) [System configuration example] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system includes a handheld printer 1 and an information processing device 2. The information processing device 2 can be an electronic device capable of wireless communication (wired communication is also acceptable), such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal device, or a notebook or desktop personal computer. The information processing device 2 transmits image data of an image to be printed to the handheld printer 1.

[0013] 1, the handy printer 1 is a lightweight and compact printer that is held by a user in one hand and scanned in the direction indicated by arrow A over a medium P such as paper, thereby printing an image of image data received from an information processing device 2 onto the medium P. The handy printer 1 is also held by a user in one hand and scanned in the direction indicated by arrow A over a medium P such as paper, thereby acquiring an image on the medium P.

[0014] The medium P is, for example, a resume or a document to be submitted to a government office. The material of the medium P is not limited to paper and can be any material. The medium P is not limited to being in the shape of paper. The medium P may be in the shape of paper, cardboard, or even thicker material, or may be three-dimensional (such as a box or an envelope already filled with contents).

[0015] [Example of handy printer hardware configuration] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the handy printer 1. As shown in FIG.

[0016] The handy printer 1 of this embodiment includes a control device 10, an operation device 111, a printing device 112 that is a printing unit, a reading device 113 that is a reading unit, and a display device 114. The control device 10 also includes a host I / F (Interface) 101, a CPU 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, a storage device 105, and a network I / F 106.

[0017] First, the configuration of the control device 10 will be described. The Host I / F 101 is an interface for connecting the information processing device 2. The CPU 102 controls the overall operation of the handy printer 1. The ROM 103 stores programs used to drive the CPU 102. The RAM 104 is used as a work area for the CPU 102.

[0018] The storage device 105 stores various data such as programs for the handy printer, image data, etc. The network I / F 106 is an interface for data communication using a communication network such as the Internet and a gateway (repeater).

[0019] The operation device 111 receives instructions from a user and outputs the instructions to the CPU 102. The operation device 111 is, for example, an input device such as a numeric keypad or a touch panel, and also includes buttons such as a print start button.

[0020] The printing device 112 prints an image on the medium P. In this embodiment, the printing device 112 is an inkjet head that prints an image by ejecting liquid onto the medium P. Note that the printing device 112 is not limited to an inkjet head. For example, it may be a thermal head that prints on the medium P by using heat.

[0021] The reading device 113 reads an image printed on the medium P. In this embodiment, the reading device 113 is a reading device equipped with an image sensor that functions as a line scanner. Examples of the image sensor include a one-dimensional CCD (Charged Coupled Device) image sensor and a one-dimensional CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. The reading device 113 is installed close to the reading surface, and can read an image by tracing the medium P.

[0022] The reading device 113 may be a camera (an optical camera such as a CCD / CMOS). Even when a camera is used as the reading device 113, it is possible to read an image by tracing the medium P. A line scanner needs to be installed on the surface to be read, but since the handy printer 1 of this embodiment also needs to have the printing device 112 built in, a camera may be used in consideration of ease of installation within the handy printer 1.

[0023] In this embodiment, the reading device 113 reads the image printed on the medium P when the user scans the handy printer 1. The reading device 113 is also provided further forward in the movement direction of the handy printer 1 than the printing device 112 in the movement direction during printing.

[0024] The display device 114 displays an operation screen and the like of the handy printer 1. The display device 114 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0025] The hardware configuration of the handy printer 1 is not limited to the above. For example, the handy printer 1 may be provided with a sensor that detects coordinates, and may be configured to be able to correct the position of the printing device during rescanning based on the coordinates and the information of the image printed on the medium P read by the reading device 113.

[0026] The program executed by the handheld printer 1 of this embodiment may be configured to be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0027] Furthermore, the program executed by the handy printer 1 of this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the program executed by the handy printer 1 of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0028] [Example of functional configuration of handy printer] Next, we will explain the functions that are realized by the CPU 102 of the handy printer 1 reading and executing programs. Note that some or all of the functional blocks described below may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC) rather than by software.

[0029] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the handy printer 1. The handy printer 1 includes a reading control unit 11, a memory control unit 12, a memory unit 13, a determination unit 14, a conversion unit 15, a print control unit 16, a communication control unit 17, and an input control unit 18.

[0030] The reading control unit 11 causes the medium P including the entry item information and the entry area to be read by the reading device 113. The entry item information and the entry area are information used in the determination process by the determination unit .

[0031] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a medium P including entry item information and entry areas. In the example resume shown in Fig. 4, the entry item information is, for example, name, name in katakana, address, address in katakana, telephone number, and email address. The entry area is an area provided corresponding to the entry item information, and is, for example, an area indicated by a frame in which to write the details necessary for an application or subscription.

[0032] Resumes and documents to be submitted to government offices, such as those shown in Figure 4, often require handwritten, standardized characters. However, while the content required for such applications and applications can be written based on a certain degree of common information, the format and required items vary. For those with standard formats, it is sufficient to arrange the information to be entered according to the registered format and output it, but sole proprietors and small businesses often have their own unique formats, so it is necessary to create and register the format in advance.

[0033] Therefore, in this embodiment, the reading device 113 installed in the handheld printer 1 performs image processing to identify the entry item information and entry area of the medium P, and when printing content corresponding to the entry item information on the medium P, the recognized entry area is compared with the image captured at the time of printing to align the position, and the print output is adjusted to match the entry area of the medium P.

[0034] Returning to Fig. 3, the memory control unit 12 controls reading of information from the memory unit 13 and writing of information to the memory unit 13. The memory unit 13 is realized, for example, by a storage device 105 of the handy printer 1. Note that the memory unit 13 may also be realized by an external device connected to the handy printer 1 via a network such as the Internet.

[0035] The storage unit 13 stores information read by the reading control unit 11, information received by the communication control unit 17, information input by the input control unit 18, and the like.

[0036] For example, the storage unit 13 stores association information that associates comparison key information with information to be printed. The comparison key information is key information that is compared with entry item information. The information to be printed includes at least one of name, address, date of birth, age, gender, telephone number, and email address. Note that the information to be printed is not limited to characters, and may also include symbols, numbers, images, etc.

[0037] The storage control unit 12 reads out from the storage unit 13 association information in which the comparison key information and the print target information are associated with each other.

[0038] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of association information. In the example of Fig. 5, for example, the comparison key information "Name" is associated with the print target information "Yamada Taro." Also, in the example of Fig. 5, for example, the comparison key information "Name Furigana" is associated with the print target information "Yamada Taro."

[0039] 3, the determination unit 14 determines whether or not the entry item information and the comparison key information match, and also determines the entry area.

[0040] The conversion unit 15 converts the size of the print target information associated with the comparison key information that matches the entry item information when printed on the medium P according to the size of the entry area on the medium P.

[0041] The print control unit 16 causes the printing device 112 to print on the medium P the print target information associated with the comparison key information that matches the entry item information.

[0042] The communication control unit 17 receives at least one of the comparison key information and the print target information associated with the comparison key information.

[0043] The input control unit 18 accepts at least one of the input of comparison key information and the input of print target information to be associated with the comparison key information. The input control unit 18 may accept input from an operation device 111 or the like provided on the handy printer 1 body, or may accept input from an information processing device 2 or the like connected to the handy printer 1.

[0044] The handy printer 1 can receive comparison key information and print target information from the user via the communication control unit 17 or the input control unit 18.

[0045] The handy printer 1 may store destination information such as a URL or a file path in the storage unit 13 within the main body, and store the information to be printed in a destination (outside the main body, such as the cloud) specified by the destination information. In other words, the information to be printed itself may be stored outside the main body, and association information that associates the destination information with the comparison key information may be stored in the storage unit 13.

[0046] The handheld printer 1 may also be equipped with an information reading unit that reads association information that associates comparison key information with the information to be printed. From the perspective of security or personal information, it may be desirable not to store the association information in the memory unit 13 of the handheld printer 1 or in a storage location (outside the printer itself, such as the cloud). In this case, the association information can be stored and carried in a storage medium such as an ID card or USB memory, and output data can be created based on the association information by reading the storage medium into the information reading unit of the handheld printer 1. For convenience, it is preferable that the information reading unit reads the association information by holding an NFC card over the device.

[0047] [Example of how to control a handheld printer] Next, a method for controlling the handy printer 1 will be described.

[0048] 6 is a sequence diagram showing a control method of the handy printer 1. First, the input control unit 18 accepts a preliminary information input of the information to be printed (step S1). Specifically, the input control unit 18 accepts, as the preliminary information input, comparison key information such as a name, a name in katakana, an address, an address in katakana, a telephone number, and an email address, and the corresponding information to be printed.

[0049] The information to be printed includes at least one of the following: name, address, date of birth, age, sex, telephone number, and email address. In this embodiment, the information (print content) that needs to be written on the medium P is extracted from the information to be printed that has been stored in advance, and printed out in the corresponding writing area.

[0050] Next, the input control unit 18 stores the print target information received by the processing of step S1 in the storage unit 13 (step S2). Specifically, the input control unit 18 inputs the print target information to the storage control unit 12, and the storage control unit 12 associates the print target information with the comparison key information and stores it in the storage unit 13 as associated information.

[0051] Next, the reading control unit 11 causes the reading device 113 to read the entry item information and entry area on the medium P that needs to be filled in, in response to the user's scanning action of tracing the specified entry item information and entry area on the medium P with the handy printer 1 (step S3).

[0052] Next, the reading control unit 11 inputs a request for judgment to the judgment unit 14 to judge the scan data read by the processing of step S3 (step S4). Here, Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of identification for the medium P. Fig. 7 is an example in which "Name" and "Name in Furigana" are identified as entry item information, and the entry area is also identified.

[0053] Next, the determination unit 14 acquires the association information from the storage unit 13 (step S5).

[0054] Next, the determination unit 14 compares the scan data read in the process of step S3 with the association information acquired in the process of step S5 and selects information to be printed (step S6). Specifically, the determination unit 14 identifies character strings from the scan data and acquires entry item information included in the scan data. If the entry item information included in the scan data matches the comparison key information included in the association information, the determination unit 14 selects the information to be printed associated with the comparison key information.

[0055] Additionally, the determination unit 14 identifies the writing area by well-known image processing that recognizes frame lines and blank spaces from the scan data read in the process of step S3 (step S6).

[0056] Furthermore, the determination unit 14 determines the size of characters to be used when printing the information to be printed on the medium P, depending on the size of the identified writing area (step S6). For example, the determination unit 14 calculates the point size of characters that can be written in the writing area included in the scan data, depending on the number of characters in the information to be printed, and determines the size of characters to be printed.

[0057] In the comparison and collation process of step S6, the determination unit 14 performs character recognition on the scanned data to convert it into character information before comparison and collation, but the comparison and collation may also be performed as an image. Also, the user may be able to register in advance in the handy printer 1 the size of the characters to be used when printing the information to be printed on the medium P.

[0058] Next, the determination unit 14 inputs a request to convert the size of the print target information when it is printed on the medium P to the conversion unit 15 (step S7).

[0059] Next, in response to the conversion request input by the process of step S7, the conversion unit 15 converts the information to be printed into a character size suitable for printing on the medium P (step S8).

[0060] Next, in accordance with the user's scanning action of tracing the specified entry items and entry areas on the same medium P as in step S3 with the handheld printer 1 (step S9), the conversion unit 15 inputs a print request to print the information to be printed to the print control unit 16 (step S11), on the condition that the entry item information and entry areas on the medium P where information needs to be entered have been read by the reading device 113 (step S10).

[0061] Next, the print control unit 16 causes the printing device 112 to print the information to be printed on the medium P in accordance with the print request input by the processing of step S11 (step S12). The print control unit 16 determines the position of the writing area on the medium P that is deemed to be the same by comparing the scan data read in step S9 with the writing area identified in step S6, and starts printing the information to be printed immediately after the specific mark (in this embodiment, a vertical line).

[0062] 8 is a diagram showing an example of printing on a medium P. In FIG. 8, "Name" and "Name in Furigana" are printed in the writing area of the medium P as the information to be printed.

[0063] By repeating the processes of steps S3 to S12 over the entire medium P, the writing area of the entire medium P is automatically filled in.

[0064] As described above, in the handy printer 1 of the first embodiment, the reading control unit 11 causes the reading device 113 to read the medium P including the entry item information and the entry area. The storage control unit 12 reads association information that associates the comparison key information with the information to be printed from the storage unit 13. Then, the printing control unit 16 determines the size of the information to be printed that is associated with the comparison key information that matches the entry item information according to the identified entry area, and causes the printing device 112 to print it on the medium P.

[0065] As described above, according to this embodiment, the reading device 113 installed in the handy printer 1 uses image processing to identify the entry items and entry areas on the medium P, and when printing the content to be entered on the medium P, the identified entry area is compared with the image captured by the reading device 113 at the same time as printing, and alignment is performed, while the printout is made to fit the size of the entry area on the medium P, thereby automating the entry process. This reduces the burden on users and the chances of errors when entering information on application forms, postal and courier slips, etc. at the counter.

[0066] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same description as in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which a plurality of devices are combined to achieve the same functions as in the first embodiment.

[0067] [Example of functional configuration] 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a printing system 100 according to a second embodiment. The printing system 100 according to this embodiment includes a handy printer 1, an information processing device 2, a cloud 3, and a gateway 4. The information processing device 2, the cloud 3, and the gateway 4 are external devices. The gateway 4 is a device that relays data across a network. The handy printer 1 and the information processing device 2 exchange data with the cloud 3 via the gateway 4.

[0068] The printing system 100 includes a handheld printer 1, an information processing device 2, and a cloud 3. The handheld printer 1 includes a reading control unit 11, a printing control unit 16, and a communication control unit 17. The information processing device 2 includes an input control unit 21. The cloud 3 includes a memory control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a communication control unit 33, a determination unit 34, and a conversion unit 35. The cloud 3 is realized, for example, by one or more server devices on a network.

[0069] In the second embodiment, the input control unit 21 of the information processing device 2 receives association information (see FIG. 5 ) when inputting the prior information (step S1 described above), and transmits the association information to the cloud 3. Upon receiving the association information from the information processing device 2, the storage control unit 31 of the cloud 3 stores the association information in the storage unit 32. That is, in the second embodiment, the association information is saved in the storage unit 32 on the cloud 3. Note that the association information may also be saved in the storage unit 32 on the information processing device 2.

[0070] The input control unit 21 also notifies the handy printer 1 of destination information such as a URL or a file path. For example, by linking the destination information to an ID, which is information for identifying a user and is attached to various cards, the handy printer 1 can easily obtain the associated information linked to the user.

[0071] The reading control unit 11 of the handy printer 1 scans the medium P from in front of the location where the information to be printed is to be printed, and acquires the scan data. In addition, the reading control unit 11 of the handy printer 1 scans a card or the like bearing an ID that identifies the user, and has the card read by the reading device 113, and acquires the scan data. The reading control unit 11 inputs the scan data to the communication control unit 17. When the communication control unit 17 receives the scan data from the reading control unit 11, it transmits the scan data to the cloud 3.

[0072] The reading control unit 11 of the handheld printer 1 is configured to obtain the ID identifying the user from the scan data obtained by scanning a card or the like bearing an ID identifying the user with the reading device 113, but this is not limited to this, and a device (e.g., a card reader) that reads the ID identifying the user may be provided separately from the reading device 113.

[0073] When the communication control unit 33 of the cloud 3 receives scan data from the handy printer 1, it inputs the scan data to the determination unit 34. Based on an ID that identifies the user contained in the scan data, the determination unit 34 compares the scan data with the association information in the storage unit 32, selects information to be printed (e.g., character strings, etc.), identifies a writing area, and determines the size of the information to be printed (e.g., font size in the case of character strings) according to the writing area. This makes it possible to identify the user and easily obtain association information linked to that user.

[0074] Selection of information to be printed (for example, character strings, etc.) and identification of writing areas require processing power (requires more power), so it is preferable to perform these on the cloud 3 side.

[0075] The determination unit 34 inputs a conversion request including the print target information and the size of the print target information to the conversion unit 35. When the conversion unit 35 receives the conversion request from the determination unit 34, it converts the size of the print target information when printed on the medium P based on the conversion request, and inputs the print target information with the converted size to the communication control unit 33.

[0076] When the communication control unit 33 receives the print target information from the conversion unit 35, it transmits the print target information to the handy printer 1.

[0077] When the communication control unit 17 of the handy printer 1 receives the information to be printed from the cloud 3, it inputs the information to be printed to the print control unit 16. When the print control unit 16 receives the information to be printed from the communication control unit 17, it causes the printing device 112 to print the information to be printed on the medium P, on the condition that the reading device 113 has read the entry item information and entry area on the same medium P where information needs to be entered.

[0078] In this way, some of the functions that were realized by the handy printer 1 in the first embodiment may be realized by the information processing device 2 or the cloud 3.

[0079] [Example of hardware configuration] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 2 and the cloud 3. Since the hardware configurations of the information processing device 2 and the cloud 3 are similar, the following description will be given taking as an example the case of a computer that realizes the cloud 3. The hardware configuration of the gateway 4 is also similar to the hardware configurations of the information processing device 2 and the cloud 3.

[0080] The cloud 3 includes a control device 301, a main memory device 302, an auxiliary memory device 303, a display device 304, an input device 305, and a communication device 306. The control device 301, the main memory device 302, the auxiliary memory device 303, the display device 304, the input device 305, and the communication device 306 are connected via a bus 310.

[0081] The control device 301 executes a program read from the auxiliary storage device 303 to the main storage device 302. The main storage device 302 is a memory such as a ROM and a RAM. The auxiliary storage device 303 is a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, or the like.

[0082] The display device 304 displays display information. The display device 304 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device 305 is an interface for operating the computer. The input device 305 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. If the computer is a smart device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, the display device 304 and the input device 305 are, for example, a touch panel. The communication device 306 is an interface for communicating with other devices.

[0083] Programs that are executed by a computer are provided as computer program products, recorded in the form of installable or executable files on computer-readable storage media such as CD-ROMs, memory cards, CD-Rs, and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs).

[0084] The program to be executed by the computer may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network, or the program to be executed by the computer may be provided via a network such as the Internet without being downloaded.

[0085] The program executed by the computer may be provided in advance in a ROM or the like.

[0086] The program executed by the computer has a modular configuration including functional blocks that can also be realized by the program, among the functional configurations (functional blocks) of the cloud 3 described above. As actual hardware, each functional block is loaded onto the main memory device 302 by the control device 301 reading and executing the program from a storage medium. In other words, each functional block is generated on the main memory device 302.

[0087] Note that some or all of the above-described functional blocks may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC) instead of by software.

[0088] Furthermore, when each function is realized using a plurality of processors, each processor may realize one of the functions, or may realize two or more of the functions.

[0089] As described above, according to this embodiment, by processing the necessary information in the information processing device 2 and the cloud 3, processing becomes possible even if the handy printer 1 itself does not have many resources (CPU power and storage capacity).

[0090] In this embodiment, some of the functions that were previously implemented by the handy printer 1 are implemented by the information processing device 2 and the cloud 3, but this is not limiting and processing on the cloud 3 side may be implemented by a gateway, which is a device that relays information across a network. By processing the necessary information on the gateway side in this way, processing is possible even if the handy printer 1 itself does not have many resources (CPU power or storage capacity). Furthermore, response and communication loads are lower than if all processing were done on the cloud 3 side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1. Printer 2,3,4 External device 11 Reading control unit 12 Memory control unit 13 Storage section 14 Judgment section 15 Conversion unit 16 Printing control unit 100 Printing Systems 112 Printing Department 113 Reading unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0092] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-006602 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-130867

Claims

1. A reading unit; A printing department; a reading control unit that reads an image including entry item information and an entry area on the medium with the reading unit; a storage unit that stores association information in which comparison key information to be compared with the entry item information and print target information related to the comparison key information are associated; a storage control unit that reads the association information from the storage unit; a determination unit that identifies the entry item information and the entry area from the image read by the reading unit and determines the print target information associated with the comparison key information that matches the entry item information; a conversion unit that converts the size of the print target information determined by the determination unit when printed on the medium according to the size of the writing area identified by the determination unit; a print control unit that reads a new image including the entry item information and the entry area on the medium using the reading unit, and causes the printing unit to print the print target information corresponding to the entry item information on the medium; and Equipped with When printing the printing target information corresponding to the entry item information on the medium, the print control unit compares the entry area already identified by the determination unit with the image newly read by the reading unit to align them, and for the entry areas that are deemed to be identical, causes the printing unit to print the printing target information whose size has been converted by the conversion unit so as to fit into the entry area of the medium. A printer characterized by:

2. The information to be printed includes at least one of name, address, date of birth, age, sex, telephone number, and email address.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

3. an information reading unit that reads the association information from the storage unit; 3. The printer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the reading unit is a line scanner; 4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

5. The reading unit is a camera.

4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

6. the printing unit prints on the medium by being held by a user and scanned over the medium; 6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

7. the reading control unit reads an image including information for identifying a user with the reading unit; the determination unit identifies the entry item information based on information identifying the user from the image read by the reading unit.

7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

8. A printing system including a printer having a printing unit and at least one external device connected to the printer, A reading unit; a reading control unit that reads an image including entry item information and an entry area on the medium with the reading unit; a storage unit that stores association information in which comparison key information to be compared with the entry item information and print target information related to the comparison key information are associated; a storage control unit that reads the association information from the storage unit; a determination unit that identifies the entry item information and the entry area from the image read by the reading unit and determines the print target information associated with the comparison key information that matches the entry item information; a conversion unit that converts the size of the print target information determined by the determination unit when printed on the medium according to the size of the writing area identified by the determination unit; a print control unit that reads a new image including the entry item information and the entry area on the medium using the reading unit, and causes the printing unit to print the print target information corresponding to the entry item information on the medium; and Equipped with When printing the printing target information corresponding to the entry item information on the medium, the print control unit compares the entry area already identified by the determination unit with the image newly read by the reading unit to align them, and for the entry areas that are deemed to be identical, causes the printing unit to print the printing target information whose size has been converted by the conversion unit so as to fit into the entry area of the medium. A printing system characterized by:

9. the external device is an information processing device, 9. The printing system according to claim 8.

10. the external device is a cloud realized by one or more server devices on a network; 9. The printing system according to claim 8.

11. The external device is a gateway, which is a device that relays data over a network.

9. The printing system according to claim 8.

12. the storage unit is provided in the external device, the storage control unit is provided in the printer, The association information stored in the storage unit is read by the storage control unit of the printer.

12. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the printing system is a printing system for printing a plurality of images.

13. the reading control unit reads an image including information for identifying a user with the reading unit; the determination unit identifies the entry item information based on information identifying the user from the image read by the reading unit.

13. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the printing system is a printing system for printing a plurality of images.

Images