Medium issuing device, medium issuing system, and medium issuing method

Abstract

To provide a medium issuing device which increases printing accuracy of a small-sized bar-code or the like.SOLUTION: A printing data generation unit 200 generates printing data 300 enlarged in a conveyance direction of a card 4 in comparison with a case of an original size that does not include code data when generating the printing data 300 that includes the code data. A drive unit 14 drives a conveyance mechanism that conveys the card 4 in the conveyance path. A print unit 13 performs printing on the card 4 by reading out the printing data 300 according to the drive of the drive unit 14. A control unit acquires the enlarged printing data 300 from a host device 2 and performs control of making a driving speed of the drive unit 14 a lower speed than a normal driving speed according to an enlargement magnification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium issuing device, a medium issuing system, and a medium issuing method for issuing media, particularly cards. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been card issuing systems that issue card-shaped recording media (hereinafter simply referred to as "cards"). Such a card issuing system is configured by connecting a card issuing device that issues cards to a higher-level device such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). Such a card issuing device often includes a storage unit in which cards are stacked and stored before being issued, and a printing unit such as a printer that prints on the cards. On the other hand, printing on the card may include printing a machine-readable code such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode.

[0003] As an example of a printing method for printing such conventional codes, Patent Document 1 describes a technology that, when printing an n-dimensional code pattern, sets the dimensions slightly smaller in advance depending on the resolution and dot dimensions of the printer used so that the dimensions of the black pattern portion when printed are close to the original pattern, thereby making it possible to print n-dimensional codes such as one-dimensional barcodes and two-dimensional codes in small dimensions with good dimensional accuracy even with a dot matrix printer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-203098 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, when printing codes such as barcodes that are smaller than the standard size that can be captured by smartphones, which have become more common in recent years, the resolution is too low and the print becomes blurred, making it impossible to recognize.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a medium issuing device that can solve the above problems and print even small codes with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A medium issuing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a medium issuing device that issues a medium, and includes: a drive unit that drives a transport mechanism that transports a medium within a transport path; a print unit that reads print data and prints on the medium in response to driving by the drive unit; and a control unit that, when the print data includes code data, acquires the print data enlarged in the transport direction of the medium compared to an original size that does not include the code data, and controls the drive speed of the drive unit to be slower than a normal drive speed in accordance with the enlargement rate for at least the portion of the code data. The printing unit performs printing according to color data included in the enlarged print data each time the medium is transported multiple times, and the control unit changes the readout of the print data so that the print data is printed in a size similar to the original size while slowing down the drive speed only for the print color of the code data and setting the drive speed to the normal drive speed for colors other than the print color. It is characterized by: This configuration allows even small codes to be printed accurately. This helps prevent a decrease in printing speed. .

[0008] In the medium issuing device of this embodiment, the enlarged print data including the code data is bitmap data that is n times larger than the original size in the transport direction, and the control unit controls the drive speed so that the speed at which the medium is transported is 1 / n of the normal drive speed. By configuring in this way, even print data that has been enlarged n times can be printed in the original size.

[0010] A medium issuing system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a medium issuing device that issues a medium, and a host device that generates print data for the medium issuing device. The host device includes a print data generation unit that, when generating print data including code data, generates the print data enlarged in a conveyance direction of the medium compared to an original size that does not include the code data. The medium issuing device includes a drive unit that drives a conveyance mechanism that conveys the medium within a conveyance path, a print unit that reads the print data and prints it on the medium in response to driving of the drive unit, and a control unit that acquires the enlarged print data from the host device and controls the drive speed of the drive unit to be slower than a normal drive speed for at least the code data portion in response to an enlargement ratio. The printing unit performs printing according to color data included in the enlarged print data each time the medium is transported multiple times, and the control unit changes the readout of the print data so that the print data is printed in a size similar to the original size while slowing down the drive speed only for the print color of the code data and setting the drive speed to the normal drive speed for colors other than the print color. It is characterized by: This configuration allows even small codes to be printed accurately. This helps prevent a decrease in printing speed. .

[0011] Another aspect of the medium issuing method of the present invention is a medium issuing method executed by a medium issuing device that issues a medium, which includes driving a transport mechanism that transports a medium in a transport path, and if code data is included in the print data, acquiring the print data that is enlarged in the transport direction of the medium compared to an original size that does not include the code data, and controlling the drive speed to be slower than a normal drive speed in accordance with the enlargement rate for at least the code data portion, and reading out the print data and printing it on the medium in accordance with the drive. Each time the medium is conveyed a plurality of times, printing is performed according to color data included in the enlarged print data, and the drive speed is slowed down only for the print color of the code data, and the drive speed is set to the normal drive speed for colors other than the print color, while changing the readout of the print data so that the print data is printed in a size similar to the original size. It is characterized by: This configuration allows even small codes to be printed accurately. This helps prevent a decrease in printing speed. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, when code data is included in the print data, the print data is obtained at a size larger than the original size in the direction of transport of the medium, and the drive speed of the drive unit is controlled to be slower according to the enlargement ratio, thereby providing a medium issuing device that can print even small codes with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a card issuing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart of a card issuing process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 is a conceptual diagram of print data, enlarged data, and a printed card in the card issuing process shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing the details of the enlarged data printing process shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] <Embodiment> [Configuration of Card Issuance System X] The configuration of a card issuing system X according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. The card issuing system X according to this embodiment is an example of a medium issuing system that issues a medium. Specifically, the card issuing system X is a device for issuing new cards 4 (medium). Examples of the card issuing system X include ATMs with card issuing functions, kiosk terminals, transportation ticket issuing systems, point card issuing systems for convenience stores and the like, member card issuing systems for retail stores, card issuing and payment systems for gaming machines, entrance and exit management systems, ticket issuing systems for vehicles, parking lot management systems, and the like (hereinafter simply referred to as "ATMs, etc."). Specifically, the card issuing system X includes a card issuing device 1 and a higher-level device 2. In this embodiment, the card issuing device 1 and the higher-level device 2 are connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like.

[0015] The card issuing device 1 is a printer and card reader that prints and issues necessary information on a card 4 in response to an instruction from the higher-level device 2. In this embodiment, communication between the card issuing device 1 and the higher-level device 2 is performed, for example, via a connected USB cable.

[0016] In this embodiment, the higher-level device 2 is an information processing device that controls the card issuing device 1 and realizes each function of the ATM, etc. Specifically, the higher-level device 2 is, for example, a main body device of the ATM, etc., and includes a control PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, or other control and arithmetic device. Therefore, the higher-level device 2 executes application software (hereinafter simply referred to as "app") for realizing the functions of the card issuing system X. In this embodiment, the higher-level device 2 is connected to the card issuing device 1 to be controlled. In addition, the higher-level device 2 can also be connected to a network, various peripheral devices, and the like.

[0017] The card 4 according to this embodiment is an example of a medium compatible with the medium issuing system of this embodiment. The card 4 is a contactless IC card, a contact IC card, and / or a magnetic card with a magnetic stripe. The card 4 is, for example, a rectangular vinyl chloride card with a thickness of approximately 0.7 to 0.8 mm. If the card 4 is a magnetic card, for example, a magnetic stripe on which magnetic data is recorded is formed. If the card 4 is a contactless IC card and / or a contact IC card, for example, an IC chip is built in. Here, the card 4 may be provided with both an IC chip and a magnetic stripe. In addition, if the card 4 is a contactless IC card, it may have a built-in R / W (Read / Write) antenna for short-range wireless communication. The card 4 may be a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) card having a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36 mm, a paper card having a predetermined thickness, or the like.

[0018] The consumables 3 compatible with the card issuing system X according to this embodiment are, for example, ink ribbons for the printing unit 13, which will be described later. This ink ribbon may be, for example, a dye-sublimation or thermal transfer ink ribbon for printing in color or black and white on the card 4. Furthermore, in this embodiment, this ink ribbon may be a color ink ribbon that includes, as a rule, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black films. This color ink ribbon may further include an overcoat layer film to protect the printed surface. In addition, ink ribbons include black-only ink ribbons, anti-counterfeit colors containing special metal particles, metallic colors, fluorescent colors, holograms, and special ink ribbons (hereinafter referred to as "special colors"), such as thermal expansion films that expand upon heat. In addition, ink ribbons include multi-time ink ribbons (multiple-use ink ribbons). In this embodiment, an RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as a "wireless tag") using the same communication method (ISO 14443) as a contactless IC card may be attached to the consumables 3, and consumable information, including the type of consumables 3, ID, serial number, etc., may be managed.

[0019] (System configuration of card issuing device 1) The card issuing device 1 includes units such as a common substrate 12, a printing unit 13, a driving unit 14, and an issuing unit 15.

[0020] The common board 12 is a device for connecting the issuing unit 15 and the printing unit 13 to the higher-level device 2. In this embodiment, the common board 12 is, for example, a circuit and an interface of a USB board provided on the board of the card issuing device 1. The common board 12 includes a control and calculation unit and a USB hub circuit, and is connected to the issuing unit 15 and the printing unit 13 via this hub.

[0021] Of these, the control and calculation unit includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. Specifically, the common board 12 can receive commands from the higher-level device 2 and respond to the commands via the USB cable. In addition, the common board 12 can store the print data 300 acquired from the higher-level device 2 in the recording medium 11 of the printing unit 13.

[0022] The printing unit 13 is a card printer or the like that reads out the print data 300 and prints it on the card 4 in response to the driving of the driving unit 14. In this embodiment, the printing unit 13 is, for example, a thermal transfer or dye-sublimation printer, and performs borderless, double-sided, color printing on the new card 4. This allows the printing unit 13 to print photographic-quality images and text on the surface of the card 4. Specifically, for example, the printing unit 13 includes the circuitry and mechanism of a print head such as a thermal head, and prints full-color bitmap images such as print data 300 (described below) at several hundred dpi. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the dpi for normal printing of print data 300 (described below in original size) is 300 dpi.

[0023] The thermal head according to this embodiment may be a heater array or the like for melting or sublimating the ink contained in the ink ribbon and fixing it on the card 4. In this embodiment, the printing unit 13 may also be capable of printing using special ink ribbons such as metallic colors, fluorescent colors, holograms, overcoats, and thermal expansion films for Braille or identification by unevenness (hereinafter referred to as "special printing").

[0024] The drive unit 14 drives a transport mechanism that transports the card 4 in a transport path formed inside the card issuing device 1. The drive unit 14 is equipped with a drive roller and a platen roller, and transports the card 4 in the front-to-rear direction of the transport path. A common stepping motor, encoder, etc. are connected to the drive roller and the platen roller via a power transmission mechanism. Here, in this embodiment, in the transport direction of the card 4 in the transport path, the side from which the card 4 is issued and ejected is defined as the front direction, and the inside side where the issuing unit 15 where the card 4 is stored is defined as the rear direction.

[0025] The issuing unit 15 is a hopper unit or the like that stores new cards 4 before they are issued. Under the control of the upper device 2, the issuing unit 15 can eject the stored cards 4 along an internal transport path toward the printing unit 13.

[0026] Furthermore, the printing unit 13 includes a control unit 10 and a recording medium 11 for controlling the transport and reading / writing of the card 4 in accordance with the received commands.

[0027] Of these, the control unit 10 is a control and calculation unit including a CPU, MPU, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), DSP, ASIC, etc. that controls each part of the card issuing device 1. Furthermore, the control unit 10 includes a non-transitory recording medium 11, either built-in or as a chip-on module, etc., that stores a control program and various data including encrypted data.

[0028] The recording medium 11 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM includes a flash memory or other non-volatile semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the ROM may constitute an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard).

[0029] The printing unit 13 may include, as the recording medium 11, a magnetic recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an optical recording medium such as an optical disk, or other non-transitory recording medium.

[0030] The card issuing device 1 may also have a function as a card reader that can take the card into the device by motor drive of the drive unit 14 and read or write to the card 4. In this case, the card issuing device 1 may be able to read / write the IC chip and read / write the magnetic stripe, for example. Furthermore, the card issuing device 1 may be equipped with a card sensor such as an optical sensor or a switch for detecting where the card 4 is located in the transport path.

[0031] (System configuration of upper device 2) More specifically, the higher-level device 2 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, a connection unit 22, and the like.

[0032] The control unit 20 is a control and calculation unit including a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, a DSP, an ASIC, and the like.

[0033] The storage unit 21 is a recording medium including RAM and ROM. Of these, ROM includes flash memory and other non-volatile semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the storage unit 21 is a magnetic recording medium such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an optical recording medium, an optical disk, or other non-transitory recording medium.

[0034] The connection unit 22 is a circuit and physical interface such as a chipset and I / O (Input / Output) for connecting to an external device. The connection unit 22 includes a general-purpose serial interface such as USB for connecting to the card issuing device 1, a parallel interface, a digital video interface, etc. Furthermore, the connection unit 22 also includes a physical layer of a network interface for connecting to a network.

[0035] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the card issuing device 1 is connected via USB by the connection unit 22. In addition, the connection unit 22 also connects peripheral devices such as displays such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panels and organic EL panels provided in ATMs, touch panels, and various buttons.

[0036] [Functional configuration of card issuing system X] Next, a functional configuration for printing and issuing the card 4 in the card issuing system X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The control unit 20 of the higher-level device 2 includes a print data generation unit 200. The storage unit 21 stores print data 300. The recording medium 11 of the printing unit 13 of the card issuing device 1 stores print data 300.

[0037] The print data generating unit 200 generates print data 300 to be printed when the card 4 is issued. At this time, the print data generating unit 200 can also generate print data 300 that includes code data, which will be described later. In this case, the print data generating unit 200 generates print data 300 (hereinafter also referred to as "enlarged data") in which the card 4 is enlarged in the transport direction compared to the original size that does not include the code data.

[0038] Additionally, the print data generation unit 200 executes an application such as an ATM that performs various payments and causes the card issuing device 1 to issue a card 4. That is, in this embodiment, the print data generation unit 200 also functions as an application execution unit. In this embodiment, in addition to payments, this application can also interactively respond to the user and design the card 4 to assist in issuance.

[0039] Furthermore, the print data generation unit 200 also executes device drivers, middleware, etc. for controlling the card issuing device 1. As a result, the print data generation unit 200 transmits and receives commands and associated data to and from the card issuing device 1. The print data generation unit 200 also transmits various commands and data when making a payment or issuing a card 4. In addition, the print data generation unit 200 can also transmit a card read command for reading information stored in the card 4, a card write command for writing information to the card 4, and the like.

[0040] In this embodiment, the control unit 10 of the printing unit 13 stores the print data 300 sent from the higher-level device 2 in the built-in recording medium 11. The printing unit 13 can then print on the card 4 based on this stored print data 300. In this embodiment, for example, the printing unit 13 performs printing according to the bitmap data for each color included in the print data 300 of the enlarged data each time the card 4 is transported multiple times.

[0041] In this embodiment, the control unit 10 of the printing unit 13 acquires the enlarged print data 300 from the upper device 2, and controls the drive speed of the drive unit 14 to be slower than the normal drive speed, at least for the code data portion, depending on the enlargement ratio. Specifically, in this embodiment, when printing data 300 that is enlarged n times the original size, the control unit 10 controls the drive speed at the code data location so that the speed at which the card 4 is transported is 1 / n of the normal drive speed.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 10 may slow down the drive speed only for the printing color of the code data (hereinafter referred to as the "code printing color"). In this case, for colors other than the code printing color, the control unit 10 sets the drive speed to the normal drive speed, and changes the reading of the print data 300 so that it is printed in the same size as the original size. Specifically, for example, the control unit 10 may read the print data 300 while thinning it out in the transport direction.

[0043] The print data 300 is image data to be printed on the card 4 by the printing unit 13. In this embodiment, the print data 300 uses color bitmap data corresponding to the resolution (dpi) of the printing unit 13. This bitmap data may be, for example, primary colors such as R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue), or complementary colors such as C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black, Key Plate). The bitmap data of the print data 300 may be in Windows® BMP format, TIFF format, PNG format, or other formats, and may be uncompressed or compressed using run-length compression, LZW, or other formats. The bitmap data may also be lossy compressed bitmap data such as JPG format. The number of bits for each color in the print data 300 may be, for example, 8 bits (0 to 255), 16 bits (0 to 65536), or a logarithmic scale. In addition, the print data 300 may also include bitmap data for special printing.

[0044] Here, the print data 300 may include data (referred to as "code data") for drawing information (simply referred to as "code") that can be mechanically read as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode, color code, dot cluster, optical watermark, or pattern of optical, magnetic, electrostatic capacitance, physical unevenness, etc. using a smartphone camera, dedicated reader, etc. In this case, in this embodiment, it is possible to use print data 300 that is enlarged n times in the transport direction from the normal resolution (original size).

[0045] In a specific example of this embodiment, the print data 300 is color bitmap data with an original size of 960 (horizontal) x 600 (vertical) pixels at 300 dpi. In other words, this size means that one pixel is approximately 0.084 mm, and the aspect ratio is 1:1. In this example, the code data is directly rendered as a pattern within the bitmap data. In this case, if a one-dimensional barcode smaller than the standard size of a JAN code or ITF code is printed, which is intended to be read by a smartphone camera or the like, it is difficult to represent numerical values ​​with a line width of one pixel, resulting in "blurring" and insufficient resolution. For this reason, in this embodiment, the enlarged data including such code data is print data 300 of 2880 (horizontal) x 600 (vertical) pixels. That is, in this example, the transport direction is horizontal, and the print data 300 of the enlarged data (enlarged print data 300) is enlarged three times in the horizontal direction, resulting in an aspect ratio of 1:3.

[0046] In addition, the print data 300 may also include data such as print feed speed, strobe value, temperature correction value, output gradation value, etc. as metadata, etc., as setting values ​​for printing appropriately according to the state of the printing consumables 3. Furthermore, the print data 300 is transmitted by the print data generation unit 200 to the card issuing device 1 via the connection unit 22 and stored in the recording medium 11 of the printing unit 13. At this time, the print data 300 may be stored in the RAM or flash memory of the recording medium 11 of the printing unit 13.

[0047] Here, the control unit 20 of the higher-level device 2 is made to function as a print data generating unit 200 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 21. Furthermore, the above-mentioned higher-level device 2 and each part of the card issuing device 1 are hardware resources that execute the card reader control method of this embodiment. Note that a part or any combination of the above-described functional components may be configured in terms of circuitry or hardware using an IC, programmable logic, FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

[0048] [Card issuance processing by card issuance system X] Next, the card issuing process of the card issuing system X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the card issuance process of this embodiment, the higher-level device 2 executes an application such as an ATM and uses the card issuing device 1 to print and issue a card 4. At this time, when the higher-level device 2 generates print data 300 including code data, it generates print data 300 of enlarged data that is enlarged in the transport direction of the card 4 compared to the original size, and draws (adds) the code. Then, the card issuing device 1 slows the drive speed of the drive unit 14 down from the normal drive speed in accordance with the enlargement rate of the enlarged data, and prints on the card 4 using the acquired print data 300.

[0049] In the card issuance process of this embodiment, in the card issuance device 1, the control unit 10 of the printing unit 13 and the control means of each unit execute a control program (not shown) stored in a recording medium 11, etc., and in the higher-level device 2, the control unit 20 executes a control program (not shown) stored in a memory unit 21 in cooperation with each unit using hardware resources. Below, the card issuing process of this embodiment will be explained step by step with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0050] (Step S101) First, the print data generating unit 200 of the higher-level device 2 performs print data generation processing. Here, the print data generation unit 200 executes an application for issuing and printing cards for ATMs, etc. This application may be executed in response to a user instruction, card settlement using the card 4, point card issuance, etc.

[0051] Next, the print data generation unit 200 receives user operations on a touch panel, numeric keypad, or the like, and generates print data 300 for card issuance. The print data generation unit 200 may initially generate print data 300 of the original size described above. At this time, the print data generation unit 200 may read image data of the default (prescribed) original size stored in the storage unit 21 and copy this to the print data 300 to set it as the default (prescribed) data. Furthermore, at this time, the print data generation unit 200 may take a photograph of the face of the user operating the ATM or the like using a camera (not shown) and add this to the print data 300.

[0052] 3A shows an example of print data 300-1 in the original size to which a photograph has been added. The print data 300-1 may include metadata indicating that it is in the original size.

[0053] (Step S102) Next, the print data generating unit 200 determines whether or not a code is to be added to the print data 300 to be generated. The print data generation unit 200 determines "Yes" when the application instructs that a code be added, i.e., when print data 300 including code data is generated. The print data generation unit 200 determines "No" in all other cases. If the answer is Yes, the print data generating unit 200 advances the process to step S103. If the answer is No, the print data generating unit 200 advances the process to step S104.

[0054] (Step S103) If the generated print data 300 contains a code, the print data generating unit 200 performs enlarged data generation processing. The print data generating unit 200 generates print data 300 that is enlarged to n times the original size in the transport direction of the card 4, that is, enlarged data with a size of n times the enlargement rate.

[0055] At this time, the print data generating unit 200 may enlarge the image data that has already been drawn in the print data 300 of the original size by n times. In this case, the print data generation unit 200 may simply copy one pixel to n pixels in the transport direction. Alternatively, the print data generation unit 200 may extend one pixel to n pixels using bilinear filtering or the like to smooth the transitions in color and gradation. Alternatively, the print data generation unit 200 may simply fill the extended area with colors other than the code printing color with gradations such as white or black to speed up processing.

[0056] Furthermore, the print data generation unit 200 may set the metadata etc. of the print data 300 to include the n-fold increased resolution and code. In addition, the print data generation unit 200 may set the metadata etc. to include data etc. for slowing down the printing speed to 1 / n times. Then, the print data generating unit 200 draws the code on the print data 300 enlarged in the transport direction, with the resolution in the transport direction enlarged by n times.

[0057] Figure 3(b) shows an example in which the print data generation unit 200 generates enlarged bitmap data 300-2 that is three times larger in the transport direction as enlarged data, and draws a one-dimensional barcode B on this data at three times the resolution in the horizontal direction. In this example, the print data generating unit 200 renders one-dimensional barcode B with each bar having a width three times larger in the horizontal direction (transport direction).

[0058] Furthermore, the print data generation unit 200 can store data such as the code printing color, rectangular coordinates of the location where the code is drawn, start and end coordinates in the transport direction, or polygon coordinates as the location of the code data in the metadata of the print data 300. The print data generation unit 200 may set these rectangular coordinates, start and end coordinates, or polygon coordinates based on the number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions (the transport direction and the direction opposite to the transport direction) of the print data enlarged three times. Note that if multiple codes are drawn, the print data generation unit 200 may store all of these coordinates.

[0059] (Step S104) Next, the print data generating unit 200 performs a data transmission process. The print data generating unit 200 executes a device driver, middleware, etc., and transmits the print data 300 selected by the print data generating unit 200 to the card issuing device 1 using a transmission command. Specifically, if the print data is enlarged data such as print data 300-2, the print data generation unit 200 may indicate this by using a flag in the transmission command, etc. After that, the print data generation unit 200 transmits the print data 300 as data accompanying the command to the card issuing device 1 via USB or the like.

[0060] (Step S201) Next, the control unit 10 of the printing unit 13 performs a data reception process. Here, the control means of the common substrate 12 receives the print data 300 from the higher-level device 2. Then, the control means of the common substrate 12 decodes (decodes) the print data 300 and transmits it to the printing unit 13. As a result, the control unit 10 of the printing unit 13 acquires the print data 300 received from the common substrate 12 and stores it in the recording medium 11. Alternatively, the control means of the common board 12 may directly store the print data 300 in the recording medium 11 of the printing unit 13 using DMA (Direct Memory Access) or the like.

[0061] (Step S202) Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the data is enlarged data. The printing unit 13 determines "Yes" if the acquired print data 300 is enlarged data that is larger than the original size. The printing unit 13 determines "No" if the acquired print data 300 is otherwise, that is, if the acquired print data is the original size. If the answer is Yes, the printing unit 13 advances the process to step S203. If the answer is No, the printing unit 13 advances the process to step S204.

[0062] (Step S203) If the print data 300 is enlarged data, the control unit 10 performs enlarged data printing processing. The control unit 10 controls the drive unit 14 to drive the enlarged print data 300 at a speed slower than the normal drive speed in accordance with the enlargement ratio, and causes the print unit 13 to print on the card 4. As a result, even if the data is enlarged, it is printed at the same size as the original, but with a higher resolution in the transport direction. Details of this process will be described later. The control unit 10 then proceeds to step S205.

[0063] Figure 3(c) shows an example of a card 4 on which a code has been printed in this way. In this example, one-dimensional barcode B is drawn on card 4 of its original size at a resolution three times higher than 300 dpi.

[0064] (Step S204) On the other hand, if the print data 300 is of the original size, the control unit 10 performs normal printing processing. In this process, the control unit 10 performs normal printing using the print data 300. That is, in the example described above, the control unit 10 drives the drive unit 14 so that the printing unit 13 prints at a normal dpi, such as 300 dpi, and prints on the card 4 based on the print data 300 that does not include code data.

[0065] (Step S205) Here, the printing unit 13 and the driving unit 14 perform the medium ejection process. After printing is completed, the printing unit 13 notifies the host device 2 of the print result via the common board 12. Then, the printing unit 13 drives the drive unit 14 to transport the card 4 forward in the transport path and eject it, thereby allowing the user operating the ATM or the like to obtain the printed card 4. This completes the card issuing process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Next, the enlarged data printing process in step S203 in FIG. 2 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0067] (Step S211) First, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the color is a code printing color. In this embodiment, the control unit 10 reads out the print data 300 for each color and performs printing for each corresponding color of the consumable 3. Specifically, the control unit 10 moves the ink ribbon to the location of the corresponding color, for example.

[0068] The control unit 10 then determines whether the corresponding color to be printed next is the code printing color. If the corresponding color is the code printing color, the control unit 10 determines Yes. Here, the control unit 10 may also determine Yes if the code printing color is a printing color for special printing. If the color is a color other than the code printing color, the control unit 10 determines No. If the answer is Yes, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S212. If the answer is No, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S214.

[0069] (Step S212) If it is a code printing color, the control unit 10 determines whether it is a location containing code data. When printing the print data 300, the control unit 10 determines Yes if it reaches a specific pixel before a location containing code data during transport. The control unit 10 determines No for locations in the print data 300 where there is no code data. In this case, the control unit 10 may determine No if printing of the code data has been completed or if the location is one that has not yet been printed. If the answer is Yes, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S213. If the answer is No, the control unit 10 advances the process to step S214.

[0070] (Step S213) If the data is code data, the control unit 10 performs low-speed drive processing. The control unit 10 controls the drive speed of the drive unit 14 to be slower than the normal drive speed for a portion of the code data in the print data 300, in accordance with the enlargement ratio of the enlarged data in the print data 300. Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the drive speed so that the speed at which the card 4 is transported is 1 / n of the normal drive speed.

[0071] For example, in the example of FIG. 3 described above, when the magnification is 3 times, the transport speed of the card 4 is slowed from 4 milliseconds / line per line of the print data 300 to 12 milliseconds / line.

[0072] Then, the control unit 10 reads all of the bitmap data of the print data 300 in the transport direction, and applies an output with a density corresponding to the brightness value of the pixels of this bitmap data to the thermal head or the like of the printing unit 13, and prints it on the card 4. As a result, the print data 300 is printed in the transport direction at a resolution n times the original size.

[0073] In the example of Figure 3 above, if the print data 300 contains code data for a black one-dimensional barcode B with a resolution three times 300 dpi, the resolution in the horizontal width of the bar in this area will be three times the original size. This means that even barcodes smaller than normal can be recognized with fewer errors, even with a smartphone camera.

[0074] (Step S214) If the color is other than the code print color, the control unit 10 performs the normal drive thinning readout process. The control unit 10 sets the drive speed to the normal drive speed. In the example of Fig. 3, when the magnification is 3 times, the transport speed of the card 4 is set to 4 milliseconds / line.

[0075] However, in this case, since the print data 300 has been enlarged in the transport direction, the control unit 10 changes the readout of the print data 300 so that it is printed in the same size as the original size. Specifically, for example, the control unit 10 reads the print data 300 by thinning (skipping) every n pixels in the transport direction, and causes the thermal head of the printing unit 13 to print on the card 4. Alternatively, the control unit 10 may calculate a brightness value by, for example, averaging the n pixels of data in the transport direction of the print data 300, obtaining the maximum value, or performing edge processing, without thinning. Then, the control unit 10 causes the thermal head of the printing unit 13 to add an output with a density corresponding to this brightness value, and print on the card 4.

[0076] In the example of FIG. 3 described above, this results in the parts of the image other than the code being drawn in the same color as the original size and resolution.

[0077] (Step S215) Here, the control unit 10 performs the medium transport process. When printing of a color on the card 4 is completed, the control unit 10 drives the drive unit 14 to transport the card 4 to a position where printing in another color is possible again. In this embodiment, the control unit 10 transports the card 4 that has been transported to the rear side to the front side. At this time, the control unit 10 may use the card sensor described above to transport the card to the starting position for card printing.

[0078] (Step S216) Here, the control unit 10 determines whether or not all the colors on the card 4 have been printed. The control unit 10 determines "Yes" when all colors of the print data 300 have been printed and printing of the card 4 is complete. In this case, the control unit 10 may determine "Yes" when printing of the overcoat layer is complete. In other cases, i.e., when other colors need to be printed, the control unit 10 determines "No." If the answer is Yes, the control unit 10 ends the enlarged data printing process. If No, the control unit 10 returns the process to step S211 and continues printing other colors. This concludes the description of the enlarged data printing process according to this embodiment.

[0079] [Major Effects of the Present Embodiment] The above configuration can provide the following effects. Conventionally, in devices such as those described in Patent Document 1, when printing codes using a dot impact printer with low resolution, it was possible to prevent a decrease in resolution due to bleeding, etc. by setting the coefficient to a slightly smaller value when printing. However, conventional devices could not be applied to printing small codes. Specifically, in the case of a conventional printing unit capable of printing at 300 dpi, if a 1:1 size was used as printing data, the length of one pixel would be approximately 0.084 mm, which limited the resolution when printing barcodes.

[0080] In contrast, a card issuing system X according to an embodiment of the present invention is a medium issuing system including a card issuing device 1 (medium issuing device), which is a medium issuing device that issues cards 4 (medium), and a higher-level device 2 that generates print data 300 for the card issuing device 1. When generating print data 300 that includes code data, the higher-level device 2 is equipped with a print data generation unit 200 that generates print data 300 that is enlarged in the transport direction of the card 4 compared to the original size that does not include the code data. The card issuing device 1 is characterized by being equipped with a drive unit 14 that drives a transport mechanism that transports the card 4 within the transport path, a printing unit 13 that reads the print data 300 and prints it on the card 4 in accordance with the drive of the drive unit 14, and a control unit 10 that obtains the enlarged print data 300 from the higher-level device 2 and controls the drive speed of the drive unit 14 to be slower than the normal drive speed, at least for the code data portion, in accordance with the enlargement ratio.

[0081] This configuration makes it possible to provide a card issuing device 1 that can print even small codes with high accuracy, which makes it possible to accurately recognize the code even with a smartphone camera or the like. As in the specific example above, if the resolution is tripled in the transport direction of the card 4, the width of one pixel becomes 0.084 / 3 = 0.028 mm, and even in the case of a one-dimensional barcode, it can be printed accurately enough to be readable by a smartphone camera, etc. In other words, even with a printing unit 13 of about 300 dpi as in the example above, it is possible to print a code that is finer than that. Furthermore, since there is no need to make structural changes such as increasing the printing performance of the printing unit 13, it is possible to achieve high-precision printing while reducing cost performance.

[0082] In the card issuing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the enlarged print data 300 containing code data is bitmap data that is n times larger than the original size in the transport direction, and the control unit 10 controls the drive speed so that the speed at which the card 4 is transported is 1 / n of the normal drive speed.

[0083] This configuration prevents bitmap data that is n times larger from being enlarged in the direction of transport of the card 4 when it is printed as is as print data 300. In other words, by increasing the transport speed of the card 4 by n / 1 times, printing can be performed at the original size.

[0084] Furthermore, by enlarging the code at an integer multiple (n times) of magnification, errors caused by rounding or truncation when the width of the code bars is indivisible can be minimized, allowing for more accurate printing. Furthermore, during printing, the card 4 can be driven at a slower speed so that it is transported at a fixed speed of 1 / n times the magnification, depending on the magnification. In other words, it becomes easier to control the drive speed, and jitter, wow and flutter, and other issues caused by slight changes in drive speed can be suppressed, allowing for more accurate printing.

[0085] Furthermore, in the past, if a small barcode image was pasted onto a bitmap with a resolution of, say, 300 dpi as mentioned above, the resolution would be reduced and the image would appear "crushed." Simply enlarging the image horizontally by three times would only stretch the image, and the resolution of the code could not be increased. In other words, if the code was printed on a card in this state, it would naturally not be possible to print with high precision.

[0086] In contrast, the print data generation unit 200 of the higher-level device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that when adding a code to the print data 300, the resolution of the print data 300 is multiplied by n in the transport direction of the card 4.

[0087] This configuration prevents the code resolution from becoming low when generating the print data 300, resulting in highly accurate printing. That is, when the higher-level device 2 adds (draws) the code to the print data 300, it creates enlarged print data 300, adds the code, and then prints it, making it possible to print the code with high accuracy.

[0088] In the card issuing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the printing unit 13 prints according to the color data contained in the enlarged print data 300 each time the card 4 is transported multiple times, and the control unit 10 reduces the drive speed only for the printing color of the code data, and for colors other than the printing color, sets the drive speed to the normal drive speed, while changing the reading of the print data 300 so that it is printed at the same size as the original size.

[0089] This configuration makes it possible to print the card 4 at the same printing speed as when it was printed at the original size for colors other than the code, thereby minimizing the decrease in printing speed required to print the code with high precision.

[0090] Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a one-dimensional barcode is printed at a high resolution with the conveyance direction of the card 4 being the width direction (horizontal direction) of each bar. However, even if a two-dimensional barcode or the like is used as the code, the resolution can be increased in the transport direction, thereby increasing the recognition rate on smartphones and the like. Furthermore, in other dot aggregates and the like, the recognition rate can be further improved by increasing the resolution in the transport direction. Furthermore, in the direction opposite to the transport direction, in the vertical direction in the above example, it may be possible to enlarge the image by n times or a magnification other than n times, and perform dithering, etc., to artificially improve printing accuracy.

[0091] Furthermore, the code data added to the print data 300 may not be directly drawn on the bitmap data, but may be separately attached as vector data or bitmap data image data. Furthermore, the print data 300 itself may be data including vector data such as PDF (Portable Document Format), PS (PostScript), or object-based data. This configuration makes it possible to accommodate a variety of configurations.

[0092] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the higher-level device 2 adds code data to the print data 300 and further specifies that the data has a higher resolution. However, the control unit 10 of the card issuing device 1 may analyze and determine the print data 300 using image processing such as a convolutional neural network, and if it determines that a code has been added, perform the above-mentioned processing. Furthermore, the print data 300 may not be bitmap data, or image data of the code may be sent separately. In this case, the control unit 10 may send a command to request image data of the code in its original size from the higher-level device 2, and receive the data sent from the higher-level device 2. This makes it possible to enlarge the print data 300 before adding the code when adding (drawing) the code directly to the print data 300 stored on the recording medium 11. With this configuration, it is possible to print high-resolution codes without installing a special application or the like on the higher-level device 2.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the drive speed is slowed down only in areas of the print data 300 where code data exists in the print color of the code data. However, for all printing colors, the locations where code data exists may be driven at a low speed. Alternatively, the drive speed may be set to a low speed for the printing colors of code data regardless of the location of code data. Alternatively, if code data exists, the drive speed may be set to a low speed for all printing colors. In these cases, as described above, the location of the code data from the print data 300 may be identified to determine whether to drive at a low speed. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to suppress a decrease in speed when printing the code, and also to suppress the occurrence of minute misalignments due to changes in the speed at which the code data is printed, and changes in printing due to changes in resolution, thereby making it possible to print the card 4 with high precision.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the brightness value and density control of the print data 300 are not changed when driving at low speed. However, if driving at a low speed results in a high density, it may be controlled to be low. In this case, rather than simply reducing the density by a factor of n, it is possible to control the density in stages or according to a specific density change curve according to the brightness value of the pixels in the print data 300. This allows for even greater accuracy in printing on the card 4.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, examples have been described in which printing is performed on the card 4 mainly by a thermal transfer or dye-sublimation printer using an ink ribbon. However, printers using other printing methods, such as thermal printers using thermal paper, inkjet printers, dot matrix printers, electronic dry-photography printers, laser engraving printers, and melting or ultraviolet curing 3D printers, can also be used as the printer that transports the card 4. Furthermore, the printer may be a roll paper printer instead of a cut-sheet printer, and may be a black-and-white printer instead of a color printer. Furthermore, the density control method described above can be changed depending on the printing method. By configuring in this way, it becomes possible to print cards 4 that correspond to various configurations.

[0096] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the higher-level device 2 is the main body of an ATM or the like. However, the higher-level device 2 may also be a PC, smartphone, or the like that designs the card 4. In this case, an application for designing the card 4 may be installed on the PC, smartphone, or the like, and may be connected to the printing unit 13 via a wired or wireless connection.

[0097] Additionally, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the print data 300 is transmitted from the higher-level device 2 to the directly connected card issuing device 1. However, it is also possible to encrypt the print data 300 using a common key, a public key, or the like, and then transmit it to the card issuing device 1 via a network. This configuration makes it possible to support a variety of configurations, and encryption can improve security.

[0098] Furthermore, the printing unit 13 of the card issuing device 1 may not be mounted on the card issuing device 1, but may be separately connected via USB, wirelessly, etc. Alternatively, the card issuing device 1 may not be connected to the higher-level device 2 within the housing, but may be connected to the higher-level device 2, such as a PC or smartphone, via USB, wirelessly, etc. Furthermore, the card issuing device 1 may be capable of printing in a so-called "standalone" manner, without being connected to the higher-level device 2. In this case, the standalone card issuing device 1 may be able to temporarily connect to the higher-level device 2 or a maintenance terminal to acquire the above-mentioned print data 300.

[0099] In the above embodiment, an example of printing a code has been described using the card 4 as an example of a medium. However, it is possible to issue media other than cards 4 using a similar configuration, such as parking tickets, admission tickets, train or plane tickets, other tickets, labels printed by a label printer, receipts, conductive ink printing devices such as RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier), and other media that require printing of codes. This configuration makes it possible to accommodate a variety of media.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the configuration of the card issuing device 1 relating to the issuance of the card 4 has been mainly described. However, the card issuing device 1 may also have the functionality of a card reader equipped with a head or the like that reads information stored in the card 4. This head or the like includes, for example, a magnetic head, an encrypted magnetic head, an IC contact, an electromagnetic induction antenna, etc. In the case of a magnetic head, it is possible to read and write magnetic information recorded on a magnetic stripe provided on the card 4 by contacting and sliding the card 4. In the case of an IC contact, an electromagnetic induction antenna, etc., it is possible to read and write information stored in an IC built into the card 4 by contacting the contact of the card 4 or by electromagnetic induction, etc.

[0101] It goes without saying that the configurations and operations of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1. Card issuing device 2 Upper device 3 Consumables 4 Cards 10, 20 Control unit 11 Recording media 12 Common board 13 Printing Department 14 Drive unit 15 Publishing Department 21 Memory section 22 Connection 200 Print data generation unit 300 print data B One-dimensional barcode X Card Issuance System

Claims

1. A medium issuing device that issues a medium, a drive unit that drives a transport mechanism that transports the medium within the transport path; a printing unit that reads print data and prints on the medium in response to driving by the driving unit; a control unit that, when code data is included in the print data, acquires the print data enlarged in the transport direction of the medium compared to an original size that does not include the code data, and controls the drive speed of the drive unit to be slower than a normal drive speed in accordance with the enlargement rate for at least the portion of the code data; The printing unit Each time the medium is conveyed a plurality of times, printing is performed according to color data included in the enlarged print data; The control unit The driving speed is slowed down only in the case of the printing color of the code data, In the case of a color other than the print color, the drive speed is set to the normal drive speed, and the readout of the print data is changed so that the print data is printed in the same size as the original size. A medium issuing device characterized by:

2. the enlarged print data including the code data is bitmap data that is n times the original size in the transport direction; The control unit The drive speed is controlled so that the speed at which the medium is transported is 1 / n of the normal drive speed.

2. The medium issuing device according to claim 1.

3. A medium issuing system including a medium issuing device that issues a medium, and a host device that generates print data for the medium issuing device, The higher-level device is a print data generating unit that, when generating the print data including code data, generates the print data enlarged in the transport direction of the medium compared to the print data of an original size not including the code data; The medium issuing device a drive unit that drives a transport mechanism that transports the medium within the transport path; a printing unit that reads the print data and prints on the medium in response to the driving of the driving unit; a control unit that acquires the enlarged print data from the host device and controls the drive speed of the drive unit to be slower than a normal drive speed in accordance with the enlargement ratio at least for the code data portion; The printing unit Each time the medium is conveyed a plurality of times, printing is performed according to color data included in the enlarged print data; The control unit The driving speed is slowed down only in the case of the printing color of the code data, In the case of a color other than the print color, the drive speed is set to the normal drive speed, and the readout of the print data is changed so that the print data is printed in the same size as the original size. A media publishing system.

4. A medium issuing method executed by a medium issuing device that issues a medium, Driving a transport mechanism that transports the medium within the transport path; If code data is included in the print data, the print data is acquired in a size enlarged in the transport direction of the medium compared to an original size that does not include the code data, and the drive speed is controlled to be slower than the normal drive speed in accordance with the enlargement ratio for at least the portion of the code data; In response to the drive, the print data is read and printed on the medium. Each time the medium is conveyed a plurality of times, printing is performed according to color data included in the enlarged print data; The driving speed is slowed down only in the case of the printing color of the code data, In the case of a color other than the print color, the drive speed is set to the normal drive speed, and the readout of the print data is changed so that the print data is printed in the same size as the original size. A medium issuing method comprising:

Images