Identification information setting method, computer, and program for manufacturing metallic button product

Abstract

In the present invention, association between a printer and a crimping machine is easily and accurately performed. A method for setting identification information in a device driver of a metallic button badge manufacturing apparatus 1 comprises: a step (S19) in which a display unit 15 is caused to display a connection instruction screen 107 showing an instruction to connect USB cables 51, 52 that enable communication between a PC 10 and a printer 30 and between the PC 10 and a crimping machine 40; a step (S25) in which installation of the device driver with respect to the PC 10 is started after the connection instruction screen 107 has been displayed and two lines of communication have been enabled; and a step (S26) in which, after the installation has been started, printer identification information is acquired from the printer 30, crimping machine identification information is acquired from the crimping machine 40, and the acquired identification information is set in the device driver in association with each other.

Description

Method, computer, and program for setting identification information for manufacturing can products

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method, a computer, and a program for setting identification information for manufacturing can products.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 describes a can product manufacturing device that produces can badges by placing a sheet with an image printed on it on a front member and crimping the front member and back member together. The device includes a printing unit that prints on a print medium, a mold unit that has a lower mold that supports the front member and an upper mold that separates the front member from the lower mold, and a transport unit that transports the print medium above the front member in a transport direction from the printing unit to the mold unit.

[0003] WO 2024 / 95817

[0004] When constructing the can product manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to use an existing printer as the printing unit. The printing unit has a first board that controls the printer's functional components. The can product manufacturing apparatus also requires a second board that controls the mold unit and the conveying unit. In this case, the first board and the second board are physically separate boards.

[0005] Furthermore, a computer is required to control each of the first and second substrates, and the first and second substrates are connected to this computer. In order to operate the printing unit, the mold unit, and the transport unit in coordination, it is necessary to set the identification information of the first substrate and the identification information of the second substrate in correspondence with each other in the computer.

[0006] In many cases, a computer stores identification information for other devices in addition to the identification information for the first board and the identification information for the second board. However, the names of the first board and the second board are unfamiliar to a user who is using a can product manufacturing apparatus for the first time. Furthermore, the user must select the name of the first board and the name of the second board from among multiple names. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to correctly select the name of the first board and the name of the second board from among the names of multiple other devices in order to associate and set the identification information for the first board and the identification information for the second board.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a means for easily and reliably associating a printer with a crimping machine.

[0008] (1) The identification information setting method disclosed herein is a method for setting printer identification information and crimping machine identification information in a control program executed by a computer that controls a printer and a crimping machine, and includes the steps of: displaying a first screen on a display unit of the computer indicating that a connection operation will be performed to enable a first communication between the computer and the printer and a second communication between the computer and the crimping machine; starting installation of the control program on the computer after the first screen is displayed and the first communication and the second communication are enabled; and, after the installation has started, acquiring the printer identification information from the printer and acquiring the crimping machine identification information from the crimping machine, and associating the acquired printer identification information with the crimping machine identification information and setting them in the control program.

[0009] According to the above-described identification information setting method, the display unit displays a first screen indicating that a connection operation is to be performed. After the first and second communications are enabled, installation of the control program begins, and the acquired printer identification information and crimping machine identification information are associated and set in the control program. Therefore, when the user performs a connection operation, the printer identification information and crimping machine identification information are automatically acquired, and the two can be associated and set in the control program. Therefore, the association between the printer and the crimping machine can be easily and reliably performed.

[0010] (2) The identification information setting method may further include a step of displaying a second screen on the display unit before displaying the first screen, the second screen confirming that the first communication and the second communication are not possible.

[0011] (3) The identification information setting method may further include a step of accepting input from a user through a user interface of the computer while the second screen is displayed, and may execute a step of displaying the first screen when the input indicates that the first communication and the second communication are not possible.

[0012] (4) The identification information setting method may further include the steps of: acquiring, as a first model, the model of a device capable of communicating with the computer before the first communication and the second communication are enabled; acquiring, as a second model, the model of a device capable of communicating with the computer after the first communication and the second communication are enabled; acquiring a difference between the first model and the second model; and, if the difference matches the model of the printer that is to perform the first communication with the computer and the model of the crimping machine that is to perform the second communication with the computer, acquiring the models included in the difference as the model of the printer that is to perform the first communication with the computer and the model of the crimping machine that is to perform the second communication with the computer.

[0013] (5) The identification information setting method may further include a step of accepting input from a user through a user interface of the computer while the first screen is displayed, and a step of confirming that the first communication and the second communication are possible when the input indicates that the connection operation has been performed.

[0014] (6) In the identification information setting method, when it is confirmed that the first communication and the second communication are possible, a step of starting installation of the control program may be executed.

[0015] (7) In the above-described identification information setting method, if it is not confirmed that the first communication and the second communication are possible, the step of displaying the first screen may be executed again.

[0016] (8) In the above-mentioned identification information setting method, the first communication and the second communication are communications conforming to the USB standard, the first communication is possible when the USB interface of the printer and the first USB interface of the computer are connected by a USB cable, and the second communication is possible when the USB interface of the crimping machine and the second USB interface of the computer are connected by a USB cable, and the printer identification information may be acquired from the printer through the first USB interface of the computer, and the crimping machine identification information may be acquired from the crimping machine through the second USB interface of the computer.

[0017] (9) The computer disclosed herein is a computer that sets printer identification information and crimping machine identification information in a control program for a printer and a crimping machine, and includes a display unit and a control unit. The control unit executes the following processes: a process of displaying a first screen on the display unit indicating that a connection operation is being performed to enable a first communication between the computer and the printer and a second communication between the computer and the crimping machine; a process of starting installation of the control program on the computer after the first screen is displayed and the first communication and the second communication are enabled; and a process of acquiring the printer identification information from the printer, acquiring the crimping machine identification information from the crimping machine, and associating the acquired printer identification information with the crimping machine identification information and setting them in the control program after the installation has started.

[0018] (10) The program disclosed herein is a program for setting printer identification information and crimping machine identification information in a control program for a printer and a crimping machine, and causes a computer having a display unit to execute the following steps: displaying on the display unit a first screen indicating that a connection operation will be performed to enable a first communication between the computer and the printer and a second communication between the computer and the crimping machine; starting installation of the control program on the computer after the first screen is displayed and the first communication and the second communication are enabled; and after the installation has started, acquiring the printer identification information from the printer, acquiring the crimping machine identification information from the crimping machine, and associating the acquired printer identification information with the crimping machine identification information and setting them in the control program.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, the printer and the crimping machine can be associated with each other easily and reliably.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a connection between a can badge production device 1 and a PC 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2(A) is a perspective view of a can badge 2 produced by the can badge production device 1, FIG. 2(B) is a perspective view of a front member 3 of the can badge 2, FIG. 2(C) is a perspective view of a back member 4 of the can badge 2, and FIG. 2(D) is a cross-sectional view of the can badge 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the can badge production device 1 and the PC 10. FIG. 4(A) illustrates the state of the memory unit 13 before the control unit 11 of the PC 10 executes the setup wizard 20, and FIG. 4(B) illustrates the state of the memory unit 13 after the control unit 11 executes the setup wizard 20. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the setup wizard 20. FIG. 6(A) illustrates a start screen 101 displayed on the display unit 15 of the PC 10, and FIG. 6(B) illustrates a contract screen 102 displayed on the display unit 15. FIG. 7(A) is a diagram showing a first standby screen 103 displayed on the display unit 15, and FIG. 7(B) is a diagram showing a power-on instruction screen 104 displayed on the display unit 15. FIG. 8(A) is a diagram showing a disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 displayed on the display unit 15, and FIG. 8(B) is a diagram showing a second standby screen 106 displayed on the display unit 15. FIG. 9(A) is a diagram showing a connection instruction screen 107 displayed on the display unit 15, and FIG. 9(B) is a diagram showing a third standby screen 108 displayed on the display unit 15. FIG. 10(A) is a diagram showing a driver installation completion screen 109 displayed on the display unit 15, and FIG. 10(B) is a diagram showing an app installation start screen 110 displayed on the display unit 15. FIG. 11(A) is a diagram showing a fourth standby screen 111 displayed on the display unit 15, and FIG. 11(B) is a diagram showing a completion screen 112 displayed on the display unit 15. Fig. 12(A) is a diagram showing a first error screen 121 displayed on display unit 15, Fig. 12(B) is a diagram showing a second error screen 122 displayed on display unit 15, Fig. 12(C) is a diagram showing a confirmation screen 123 displayed on display unit 15, and Fig. 12(D) is a diagram showing a third error screen 124 displayed on display unit 15. Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of can badge production device 9 and PC 60 according to a modified example.Fig. 14(A) is a diagram showing an outgoing call stop instruction screen 131 displayed on the display unit 15 of the PC 60, and Fig. 14(B) is a diagram showing an outgoing call start instruction screen 132 displayed on the display unit 15 of the PC 60. Fig. 15(A) is a diagram showing a connection instruction screen 133 displayed on the display unit 15 of the PC 60, and Fig. 15(B) is a diagram showing another connection instruction screen 134 displayed on the display unit 15 of the PC 60.

[0021] Below, a method for setting identification information for producing canned products and a computer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present disclosure, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. In the following description, a personal computer will be abbreviated as "PC," an interface as "I / F," and a USB interface as "USB-I / F."

[0022] [Overview of the Can Badge Production System] The can badge production system shown in Fig. 1 includes a can badge production device 1 and a PC 10. The can badge production device 1 includes a printer 30 and a crimping machine 40. The crimping machine 40 has a conveying unit 41 and a main body unit 49. In the following description, the up-down direction is defined based on the state in which the can badge production device 1 is installed and ready for use. Furthermore, the front-rear direction is defined with the side where the conveying unit 41 is located being the front. Furthermore, the left-right direction is defined when the can badge production device 1 is viewed from the front.

[0023] The printer 30 and the crimping machine 40 are generally rectangular parallelepiped in shape. The top surface (not shown) of the printer 30 is flat. The main body 49 is placed on the top surface of the printer 30. The conveying unit 41 is formed integrally with the main body 49 and is disposed in a position that covers the paper discharge port of the printer 30 from the front.

[0024] [Configuration of Can Badge 2] The can badge 2 produced by the can badge production device 1 has a disk shape as shown in Fig. 2(A). The can badge 2 is produced by crimping a metal front member 3 shown in Fig. 2(B) and a metal back member 4 shown in Fig. 2(C). The can badge 2 has the cross-sectional structure shown in Fig. 2(D). In the can badge 2, the surface of the front member 3 is covered with a transparent film 5 and a white sheet 6. The peripheral portions of the transparent film 5 and the white sheet 6 are sandwiched between the peripheral portions of the crimped front member 3 and back member 4.

[0025] When the can badge 2 is viewed from the front, the front member 3 is not visible, but the image printed on the transparent film 5 covering the front member 3 is visible. However, in the areas where no image is printed, the white sheet 6 is visible through the transparent film 5. The back member 4 may be provided with a through-hole (not shown) through which a fastener (such as a hook pin or safety pin) for the can badge 2 can be inserted.

[0026] 3, the printer 30 includes a medium storage unit 31, a printing unit 32, and a USB-I / F unit 33. The crimping machine 40 includes a conveying unit 41, a cutting unit 42, a front member supply unit 43, a back member supply unit 44, a crimping unit 45, a finished product storage unit 46, a CPU 47, and a USB-I / F unit 48. The crimping machine 1 produces a crimp badge 2 by printing an image on a transparent film 5, and then stacking and crimping the transparent film 5 with the printed image, the white sheet 6, the front member 3, and the back member 4 in that order.

[0027] The printer 30 is a commercially available printer. The medium storage unit 31 has a tray (not shown). This tray alternately stores transparent film 5 before an image is printed and white sheets 6. The transparent film 5 and white sheets 6 stored in the medium storage unit 31 are, for example, rectangular in shape. Note that the medium storage unit 31 may also have a tray that stores transparent film 5 and another tray that stores white sheets 6.

[0028] The USB-I / F unit 33 is an interface circuit for performing communication conforming to the USB standard between the printer 30 and the PC 10. The USB-I / F unit 33 is connected to the USB-I / F unit 16 of the PC 10 via a USB cable 51. The PC 10 outputs an image to be printed on the transparent film 5 (hereinafter referred to as the print image) to the printer 30 via the USB-I / F unit 16. The printing unit 32 receives the print image from the PC 10 via the USB-I / F unit 33.

[0029] The printing unit 32 is supplied with the transparent film 5 stored in the medium storage unit 31. The printing unit 32 prints the print image received from the PC 10 on the back side of the supplied transparent film 5, flipping it left and right. The transparent film 5 with the printed image is discharged outside the printer 30. The printing unit 32 is also supplied with the white sheet 6 stored in the medium storage unit 31. The printing unit 32 discharges the supplied white sheet 6 outside the printer 30 as is, without printing an image on it.

[0030] The conveying unit 41 conveys the transparent film 5 and white sheet 6 discharged from the printer 30 to the main body unit 49. The cutting unit 42 cuts the transparent film 5 and white sheet 6 conveyed by the conveying unit 41 to fit the shape of the can badge 2. For example, the transparent film 5 and white sheet 6 before cutting may have perforations formed in advance to fit the shape of the can badge 2, and the cutting unit 42 may cut the transparent film 5 and white sheet 6 along the perforations. Alternatively, the cutting unit 42 may have a blade that fits the shape of the can badge 2, and cut the transparent film 5 and white sheet 6 by pressing the blade against the can badge 2.

[0031] The front member supply unit 43 accumulates front members 3 and supplies the accumulated front members 3 to the crimping unit 45. For example, the front member supply unit 43 accumulates multiple front members 3 stacked vertically and supplies the lowest one of the accumulated front members 3 to the crimping unit 45. The back member supply unit 44 accumulates back members 4 and supplies the accumulated back members 4 to the crimping unit 45. For example, the back member supply unit 44 accumulates multiple back members 4 stacked vertically and supplies the lowest one of the accumulated back members 4 to the crimping unit 45. The front member supply unit 43 and the back member supply unit 44 may supply the front members 3 and the back members 4 to the crimping unit 45 in any manner other than the above. The finished product storage unit 46 stores the manufactured can badges 2. The finished product storage unit 46 is, for example, a rectangular box with an open top that stores the can badges 2. The finished product receiving section 46 may have any shape other than that described above.

[0032] The crimping unit 45 receives the front member 3 supplied from the front member supply unit 43, the back member 4 supplied from the back member supply unit 44, the transparent film 5 cut by the cutting unit 42 after an image has been printed by the printing unit 32, and the white sheet 6 cut by the cutting unit 42. The crimping unit 45 deforms the front member 3 and the back member 4 to fit the finished shape of the can badge 2 (crimping process) while these materials are stacked in the order of transparent film 5, white sheet 6, front member 3, and back member 4. This crimping process secures the back member 4 to the front member 3 with the peripheral portions of the transparent film 5 and white sheet 6 sandwiched between the peripheral portions of the front member 3 and back member 4 (see FIG. 2(D)). This completes the can badge 2, with the printed image appearing in the front region on the surface of the front member 3.

[0033] The CPU 47 controls the operation of the crimping machine 40. The CPU 47 outputs a control signal for causing the conveying unit 41 to convey the transparent film 5 and the white sheet 6, a control signal for causing the cutting unit 42 to cut the transparent film 5 and the white sheet 6, a control signal for causing the front member supply unit 43 to supply the front member 3, a control signal for causing the back member supply unit 44 to supply the back member 4, a control signal for causing the crimping unit 45 to perform the crimping process, a control signal for causing the completed can badges 2 to be stored in the completed product storage unit 46, and the like.

[0034] The USB-I / F unit 48 is an interface circuit for performing communication in accordance with the USB standard between the crimping machine 40 and the PC 10. The USB-I / F unit 48 is connected to the USB-I / F unit 17 of the PC 10 via a USB cable 52. The PC 10 outputs instructions to the crimping machine 40 via the USB-I / F unit 17. The CPU 47 is connected to the USB-I / F unit 48 and receives instructions from the PC 10 via the USB-I / F unit 48. The CPU 47 outputs control signals to the conveying unit 41, the cutting unit 42, the front member supply unit 43, the back member supply unit 44, and the crimping unit 45 based on the instructions received from the PC 10.

[0035] [Configuration of PC 10] The PC 10 includes a CPU 12, a storage unit 13, an input unit 14, a display unit 15, and USB-I / F units 16 and 17. The storage unit 13 includes memories such as ROM and RAM, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, etc. The storage unit 13 stores programs executed by the CPU 12, data used by the CPU 12, etc. The CPU 12 controls the operation of the PC 10 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 13. The CPU 12 and the storage unit 13 function as a control unit 11 of the PC 10.

[0036] The input unit 14 is an input device that allows input from a user of the badge production device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "user"), and is, for example, a mouse, keyboard, or keypad. The display unit 15 is a display device that displays a screen, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The control unit 11, the input unit 14, the display unit 15, and the USB-I / F units 16 and 17 are connected to a bus 18 inside the PC 10. The PC 10 may have any configuration.

[0037] An OS 21 runs on the PC 10. The OS 21 is, for example, a commercially available OS such as Windows (registered trademark). The CPU 12 executes device drivers under the OS 21 to control the badge production apparatus 1 and produce the badges 2. The device drivers include a printer driver 23, which is a device driver for the printer 30, and a crimping machine driver 24, which is a device driver for the crimping machine 40. The CPU 12 also executes a badge application 22 that runs on the OS 21 so that the user can easily control the badge production apparatus 1.

[0038] [Role of Setup Wizard 20] OS 21 is pre-installed on PC 10. Pin badge application 22, printer driver 23, and crimping machine driver 24 (hereinafter referred to as the "three programs") may not be installed on PC 10. A program called a Setup Wizard is provided to the user to install the three programs on PC 10. Setup Wizard 20 shown in FIG. 4A installs the three programs on PC 10 by displaying a screen on display unit 15 and receiving input from the user via input unit 14. The user can install the three programs on PC 10 by running Setup Wizard 20 on PC 10.

[0039] FIG. 4A shows the state of the storage unit 13 before the control unit 11 executes the setup wizard 20. In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the control unit 11 can execute the setup wizard 20 on the OS 21, but cannot execute the three programs. FIGS. 3 and 4B show the state of the storage unit 13 after the control unit 11 executes the setup wizard 20. In the state shown in FIG. 4B, the control unit 11 can execute the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24 under the OS 21, and can execute the badge application 22 on the OS 21. Note that, normally, once the setup wizard 20 is executed, it is not executed again. For this reason, the setup wizard 20 is omitted from FIGS. 3 and 4B.

[0040] The setup wizard 20 may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include recording media such as ROM, RAM, EEPROM, hard disk drive, solid state drive, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc. Furthermore, non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, an electrical signal carrying a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0041] In order to correctly associate and control the printer 30 and the crimping machine 40, the three programs installed on the PC 10 need to be able to refer to the identification information of the printer 30 and the identification information of the crimping machine 40 in association with each other. The setup wizard 20 has the function of acquiring the identification information of the printer 30 and the identification information of the crimping machine 40 and setting them in the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24. The identification information is, for example, the model names of the printer 30 and the crimping machine 40. The identification information may also be IP addresses assigned to the printer 30 and the crimping machine 40.

[0042] [Operation of Setup Wizard 20] Before the control unit 11 executes the setup wizard 20, the setup wizard 20 is stored in the storage unit 13. The operation of the setup wizard 20 (the operation of the control unit 11 that executes the setup wizard 20) will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 12. Note that in Figure 5, the device driver is referred to as a "driver" and the can badge application 22 is referred to as an "app."

[0043] In the following description, the window displayed on the display unit 15 when the setup wizard 20 is executed will be referred to as a "screen." One or more buttons may be displayed at the bottom of the screen. When the user selects a button, the user operates the input unit 14 to click the button on the screen. Figure 5 describes the operation of the control unit 11 when the user clicks a button (for example, the "Next" button) that instructs the user to continue processing.

[0044] When starting execution of the setup wizard 20, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display the start screen 101 shown in FIG. 6A (S11). The start screen 101 displays information that execution of the setup wizard will start and that the can badge application 22 will be installed on the PC 10. The start screen 101 also displays an instruction to close all other applications before continuing the process. The start screen 101 also displays an instruction to click the "Next" button to continue the process, or the "Cancel" button to end the setup. Note that CanbadgeMachineController is the name of the can badge application 22. The user clicks the "Next" button on the start screen 101.

[0045] Next, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display the contract screen 102 shown in FIG. 6B (S12). The contract screen 102 displays the text of the license agreement, a message indicating that the user must agree to the agreement in order to execute the installation, a radio button corresponding to "Agree," and a radio button corresponding to "Disagree." In S12, the control unit 11 first causes the display unit 15 to display the contract screen 102 in which the radio button corresponding to "Disagree" is selected and the "Next" button is not clickable. When the user clicks the radio button corresponding to "Agree," the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display the contract screen 102 in which the "Next" button is clickable. On the contract screen 102, the user clicks the radio button corresponding to "Agree," and then clicks the "Next" button.

[0046] Next, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display the first standby screen 103 shown in Fig. 7A (S13). The first standby screen 103 displays a message to check whether the can badge application 22 is installed on the PC 10, an instruction to wait, and a bar indicating the progress of the process. The user waits until the next screen is displayed.

[0047] While the first standby screen 103 is displayed on the display unit 15, the control unit 11 registers the device driver and acquires the installation status of the can badge application 22 (S14). More specifically, in S14, the control unit 11 registers the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24 in a driver store stored in the storage unit 13. The driver store is a storage location for device drivers managed by the OS 21. The device driver registered in the driver store is installed from the driver store into the memory included in the storage unit 13 when the device is detected. Next, the control unit 11 checks whether the can badge application 22 is already installed on the PC 10. If the can badge application 22 is already installed, the control unit 11 acquires the version of the installed can badge application 22.

[0048] Next, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display a power-on instruction screen 104 shown in FIG. 7B (S15). The power-on instruction screen 104 displays instructions to plug the power cords of the printer 30 and the crimping machine 40 into outlets, and an instruction to click the "Next" button after plugging the two power cords into the outlets. The user looks at the power-on instruction screen 104, plugs the power cords of the printer 30 and the crimping machine 40 into the outlets, and clicks the "Next" button on the power-on instruction screen 104.

[0049] Next, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display a disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 shown in FIG. 8A (S16). The disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 displays an instruction to confirm that the USB cable 51 connected to the printer 30 and the USB cable 52 connected to the crimping machine 40 are not connected to the PC 10. The disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 also displays an instruction to click "Next" after confirming that the USB cables 51 and 52 are not connected to the PC 10. The disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 also displays an instruction to unplug the USB cables 51 and 52 connected to the PC 10 from the PC 10. To enable the user to easily recognize the instruction, the disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 displays an image in which the USB cables 51 and 52 are circled to indicate that they are not connected to the PC 10. The user looks at the disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 and confirms that the USB cables 51 and 52 are not connected to the PC 10 (or after unplugging the USB cables 51 and 52 from the PC 10), and then clicks the "Next" button on the disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105.

[0050] Next, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display the second standby screen 106 shown in Fig. 8(B) (S17). The second standby screen 106 displays an instruction to wait and a bar indicating the progress of the process. The user waits until the next screen is displayed.

[0051] The control unit 11 acquires a printer list while the second standby screen 106 is being displayed on the display unit 15 (S18). In S18, the control unit 11 acquires the printer list using a function of the OS 21. The printer list includes the model names of printers that can communicate with the PC 10. The control unit 11 acquires a list of model names and the number of models included in the list from the acquired printer list.

[0052] Next, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display a connection instruction screen 107 shown in FIG. 9A (S19). The connection instruction screen 107 displays an instruction to connect the USB cable 51 connected to the printer 30 and the USB cable 52 connected to the crimping machine 40 to the PC 10. To enable the user to easily recognize the instruction, the connection instruction screen 107 displays an image in which the USB cables 51 and 52 are surrounded by a circle to indicate that they are connected to the PC 10. The user looks at the connection instruction screen 107, connects the USB cables 51 and 52 to the PC 10, and then clicks the "Next" button on the connection instruction screen 107.

[0053] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the USB cables 51 and 52 are connected (S20). In S20, the control unit 11 determines whether the USB cable 51 connected to the printer 30 is connected to the PC 10, and whether the USB cable 52 connected to the crimping machine 40 is connected to the PC 10. If the control unit 11 does not determine that the USB cables 51 and 52 are connected (S20: No), the control unit 11 proceeds to S19. In this case, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display a connection instruction screen 107.

[0054] If the control unit 11 determines that the USB cables 51 and 52 are connected (S20: Yes), the process proceeds to S21. In this case, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display the third standby screen 108 shown in FIG. 9B (S21). The third standby screen 108 displays an instruction to wait and a bar indicating the progress of the process. The user waits until the next screen is displayed.

[0055] The control unit 11 reacquires the printer list (S22) while the third standby screen 108 is being displayed on the display unit 15. In S22, the control unit 11 performs the same operation as in S18. The control unit 11 acquires a list of model names and the number of models included in the list from the reacquired printer list.

[0056] Next, the control unit 11 obtains the difference between the printer list obtained in S18 and the printer list obtained in S21 (S23). When the user looks at the connection instruction screen 107 displayed in S19 and connects the USB cables 51 and 52 to the PC 10, the difference in the printer list includes two model names. Furthermore, one of the two model names matches the model name of the printer 30, and the other matches the model name of the crimping machine 40.

[0057] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the difference model acquired in S23 is the expected model (S24). In S24, if the difference in the printer list includes two model names, one of the two model names matches the model name of the printer 30 and the other matches the model name of the crimping machine 40, the control unit 11 determines that the difference model is the expected model.

[0058] If the control unit 11 determines that the model of the difference is the expected model (S24: Yes), the process proceeds to S25. In this case, the control unit 11 installs the drivers while displaying the third standby screen 108 on the display unit 15 (S25). In S25, the control unit 11 installs the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24 registered in the driver store into the memory included in the storage unit 13. The user continues to wait until the next screen is displayed.

[0059] Next, the control unit 11 sets the identification information in the driver (S26). In S26, the control unit 11 acquires the printer identification information from the printer 30 via the USB-I / F unit 16, and acquires the crimping machine identification information from the crimping machine 40 via the USB-I / F unit 17. Next, the control unit 11 associates the acquired printer identification information and crimping machine identification information and sets them in the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24.

[0060] Next, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display a driver installation completion screen 109 shown in Fig. 10A (S27). The driver installation completion screen 109 displays a message that the installation of the device driver has been completed. The user clicks the "Next" button on the driver installation completion screen 109.

[0061] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not it is necessary to install the can badge application 22 (S28). In S28, the control unit 11 determines whether or not it is necessary to install the can badge application 22 based on the installation status of the can badge application 22 obtained in S14. The control unit 11 determines that it is necessary to install the can badge application 22 if the can badge application 22 is not installed on the PC 10 or if the version of the installed can badge application 22 is not the latest. If the control unit 11 determines that it is necessary to install the can badge application 22 (S28: Yes), it proceeds to S29. If the control unit 11 determines that it is not necessary to install the can badge application 22 (S28: No), it proceeds to S32.

[0062] In the former case, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display the application installation start screen 110 shown in Fig. 10(B) (S29). The application installation start screen 110 displays a message that preparation for installing the can badge application 22 is complete, and an instruction to click the "Install" button to continue the installation. The user clicks the "Install" button on the application installation start screen 110.

[0063] Next, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display a fourth standby screen 111 shown in Fig. 11(A) (S30). The fourth standby screen 111 displays a message indicating that the can badge application 22 is being installed, an instruction to wait, and a bar indicating the progress of the process. The user waits until the next screen is displayed.

[0064] The control unit 11 installs the can badge application 22 on the PC 10 (S31) while the fourth standby screen 111 is being displayed on the display unit 15. In S31, the control unit 11 installs the can badge application 22 on the PC 10, and after the installation is complete, causes the display unit 15 to display an icon (not shown) indicating a shortcut to the can badge application 22.

[0065] Next, the control unit 11 sets the identification information in the badge application 22 (S32). In S32, the control unit 11 sets the printer identification information and the crimping machine identification information acquired in S26 in the setting file of the badge application 22 in association with each other.

[0066] Next, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display a completion screen 112 shown in FIG. 11B (S33). The completion screen 112 displays information that execution of the setup wizard has been completed and that the can badge application 22 has been installed. The completion screen 112 also displays an instruction to select the shortcut displayed in S30 to execute the can badge application 22. The completion screen 112 also displays an instruction to click the "Complete" button to complete the setup. The user clicks the "Complete" button on the completion screen 112.

[0067] If the control unit 11 determines that the model of the difference acquired in S23 is not the expected model (S24: No), the control unit 11 proceeds to S34. In this case, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display an error screen shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B (S34). If the control unit 11 determines that the model of the printer 30 does not match the expected model, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display a first error screen 121 shown in FIG. 12A. The first error screen 121 displays a message that the printer 30 was not found and an instruction to click an "OK" button to retry the installation procedure. If the control unit 11 determines that the model of the crimping machine 40 does not match the expected model, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display a second error screen 122 shown in FIG. 12B. The second error screen 122 displays a message that the crimping machine 40 was not found and an instruction to click an "OK" button to retry the installation procedure. The user clicks the "OK" button on the first error screen 121 or the second error screen 122. When the "OK" button on the first error screen 121 or the second error screen 122 is clicked, the control unit 11 proceeds to S15.

[0068] The user may click the "Cancel" button on the screen described above. In this case, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display the confirmation screen 123 shown in FIG. 12C. The confirmation screen 123 displays information indicating that the setup work is not complete, that the program will not be installed if the setup work is canceled, that the setup will be run again if the program is to be installed again, and a message to confirm the completion of the setup. The user clicks the "Yes" button or the "No" button on the confirmation screen 123. When the "Yes" button is clicked, the control unit 11 terminates the execution of the setup wizard 20. When the "No" button is clicked, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display the screen that was displayed before the confirmation screen 123.

[0069] Furthermore, when starting execution of the setup wizard 20, the control unit 11 may detect that another program is executing setup. In this case, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display a third error screen 124 shown in FIG. 12(D) instead of the start screen 101. The third error screen 124 displays a message indicating that it has detected that another program is executing setup. The third error screen 124 also displays an instruction to click the "OK" button or the "Cancel" button after suspending all running application programs. The user clicks the "OK" button or the "Cancel" button on the third error screen 124. If the "OK" button is clicked, the control unit 11 starts execution of the setup wizard 20. If the "Cancel" button is clicked, the control unit 11 cancels execution of the setup wizard 20.

[0070] In the above description, the PC 10 is an example of a computer. The printer 30 is an example of a printer. The crimping machine 40 is an example of a crimping machine. The printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24 (device driver) are examples of control programs. The setup wizard 20 is an example of a program. The input unit 14 is an example of a user interface. The USB-I / F unit 16 is an example of a first USB interface of the computer. The USB-I / F unit 17 is an example of a second USB interface of the computer. The USB-I / F unit 33 is an example of a USB interface of the printer. The USB-I / F unit 48 is an example of a USB interface of the crimping machine.

[0071] The connection instruction screen 107 is an example of a first screen. The operation of connecting the USB cables 51 and 52 to the PC 10 is an example of a connection operation. S19 is an example of a step of displaying the first screen and a step of accepting input from the user while the first screen is displayed. The disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 is an example of a second screen. S16 is an example of a step of displaying the second screen and a step of accepting input from the user while the second screen is displayed. S25 is an example of a step of starting installation of a control program. S26 is an example of a step of setting printer identification information and crimping machine identification information in the control program.

[0072] S18 is an example of a step of acquiring the first model. S22 is an example of a step of acquiring the second model. S23 is an example of a step of acquiring a difference. S24 and S26 are examples of steps of acquiring a model included in the difference when the models match. S20 is an example of a step of confirming that the first communication and the second communication are possible.

[0073] [Effects of the Embodiment] As described above, the identification information setting method using the setup wizard 20 has been described. This identification information setting method is executed by the PC 10 (computer) that controls the printer 30 (printer) and the crimping machine 40 (crimping machine). This identification information setting method sets printer identification information and crimping machine identification information in the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24 (control program). This identification information setting method includes a step (S19) of displaying, on the display unit 15 of the PC 10, a connection instruction screen 107 (first screen) that indicates a connection (connection operation) of the USB cables 51, 52 that enable the first communication between the PC 10 and the printer 30 and the second communication between the PC 10 and the crimping machine 40. This identification information setting method also includes a step (S25) of starting installation of the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24 on the PC 10 after the connection instruction screen 107 is displayed and the first communication and the second communication are enabled. Furthermore, this identification information setting method includes a step (S26) of acquiring printer identification information from the printer 30, acquiring crimping machine identification information from the crimping machine 40, and associating the acquired printer identification information with the crimping machine identification information and setting them in the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24 after installation has begun.

[0074] According to the above-described identification information setting method, a connection instruction screen 107 indicating that a connection operation should be performed is displayed on the display unit 15. Furthermore, after the first communication and the second communication are enabled, installation of the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24 begins. Furthermore, the acquired printer identification information and crimping machine identification information are associated and set in the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24. Therefore, when the user performs a connection operation, the printer identification information and the crimping machine identification information are automatically acquired, and the two can be associated and set in the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24. Therefore, the printer 30 and the crimping machine 40 can be associated with each other easily and reliably.

[0075] The identification information setting method further includes a step (S16) of displaying, on the display unit 15, a disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 (second screen) for confirming that the first communication and the second communication are not possible before displaying the connection instruction screen 107. Therefore, the disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105, which indicates confirmation that the first communication and the second communication are not possible, is displayed before the connection instruction screen 107, which indicates that a connection operation should be performed, is displayed. Therefore, the first communication and the second communication can be made possible by the user performing a connection operation in a state in which the first communication and the second communication are not possible.

[0076] The identification information setting method further includes a step (S16) of accepting an input from the user through the input unit 14 (user interface) of the PC 10 while the disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 is displayed. If the user input is "Next" (indicating that the first communication and the second communication are not possible), a step of displaying the connection instruction screen 107 is executed. Therefore, after the user confirms that the first communication and the second communication are not possible, the first communication and the second communication can be enabled.

[0077] The identification information setting method further includes a step (S18) of acquiring a printer list before the first communication and the second communication are enabled, and a step (S22) of acquiring a printer list after the first communication and the second communication are enabled. The identification information setting method further includes a step (S23) of acquiring a difference between the printer lists. If the difference in the model is the expected model (S24: Yes), the identification information setting method further includes a step (S26) of acquiring the model included in the difference as the model of the printer 30 and the model of the crimping machine 40. Therefore, by acquiring the difference in the printer lists before the first communication and the second communication are enabled and after the first communication and the second communication are enabled, the model of the device that has newly become capable of communication can be acquired.

[0078] The identification information setting method also includes a step (S19) of accepting input from the user through the input unit 14 of the PC 10 while the connection instruction screen 107 is displayed. The identification information setting method also includes a step (S20) of confirming that the USB cables 51 and 52 are connected (that the first communication and the second communication are possible) when the input is "Next" (indicating that a connection operation has been performed). Therefore, even if the user has performed an input indicating that a connection operation has been performed, by confirming that the first communication and the second communication are possible, the printer identification information and the crimping machine identification information can be reliably obtained.

[0079] Furthermore, in the identification information setting method, when it is confirmed that the USB cables 51, 52 are connected (S20: Yes), a step (S25) is executed to start installation of the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24. Therefore, when the user connects the USB cables 51, 52, the first communication and the second communication are enabled, and then installation of the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24 is started. Therefore, the printer identification information and the crimping machine identification information can be set in association with the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24.

[0080] Furthermore, in the identification information setting method, if it is not confirmed that the USB cables 51 and 52 are connected (S20: No), the step (S19) of displaying the connection instruction screen 107 is executed again. Therefore, after the user does not connect the USB cables 51 and 52 and the first communication and the second communication are not enabled, the connection instruction screen 107 can be displayed again, and installation of the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24 can be attempted again.

[0081] The first and second communications are compliant with the USB standard. The first communication is possible when the USB-I / F unit 33 (USB interface) of the printer 30 and the USB-I / F unit 16 (first USB interface) of the PC 10 are connected by a USB cable 51. The second communication is possible when the USB-I / F unit 48 (USB interface) of the crimping machine 40 and the USB-I / F unit 17 (second USB interface) of the PC 10 are connected by a USB cable 52. The printer identification information is acquired from the printer 30 via the USB-I / F unit 16 of the PC 10. The crimping machine identification information is acquired from the crimping machine 40 via the USB-I / F unit 17 of the PC 10 (S26). Therefore, when communication conforming to the USB standard is performed between the printer 30 and the PC 10, and between the crimping machine 40 and the PC 10, the printer identification information and the crimping machine identification information can be obtained in association with each other.

[0082] The above also describes a PC 10 that sets printer identification information and crimping machine identification information in the device drivers of the printer 30 and the crimping machine 40. The PC 10 includes a display unit 15 and a control unit 11. The control unit 11 executes a process (S19) of displaying a connection instruction screen 107, a process (S25) of starting installation of the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24, and a process (S26) of acquiring the printer identification information and the crimping machine identification information, and associating the acquired identification information with each other and setting them in the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24.

[0083] The above also describes a setup wizard 20 (program) that sets printer identification information and crimping machine identification information in the device drivers of the printer 30 and the crimping machine 40. The setup wizard 20 executes the following steps: a step (S19) of displaying a connection instruction screen 107 on the PC 10 having the display unit 15; a step (S25) of starting installation of the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24; and a step (S26) of acquiring the printer identification information and the crimping machine identification information, associating the acquired identification information with each other, and setting them in the printer driver 23 and the crimping machine driver 24.

[0084] [Modifications] Various modifications can be made to the above embodiment. For example, in a modification, communication between the PC and the printer, and between the PC and the crimping machine, conforms to a wireless communication standard. Examples of wireless communication standards include Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0085] 13, PC 60 has a wireless communication I / F unit 61 instead of USB-I / F units 16 and 17. Can badge production device 9 has printer 70 and crimping machine 80. Printer 70 has a wireless communication I / F unit 71 instead of USB-I / F unit 33. Crimping machine 80 has a wireless communication I / F unit 81 instead of USB-I / F unit 48. Wireless communication I / F units 61, 71, and 81 are all interface circuits that comply with the Wi-Fi Direct standard, or all are interface circuits that comply with the Bluetooth standard.

[0086] The operation of the setup wizard according to the modification differs from the operation of the setup wizard 20 according to the embodiment in the following respects. After S15, instead of S16, the control unit 11 executes a step of displaying an outgoing call stop instruction screen 131 shown in FIG. 14A on the display unit 15. The outgoing call stop instruction screen 131 displays an instruction to stop the transmission of radio waves for wireless communication and to click the "Next" button, as well as a link to a page that describes how to stop the transmission. To enable the user to easily recognize the instruction, the outgoing call stop instruction screen 131 displays an image showing the state in which the transmission of radio waves from the PC 60 has been stopped. The user refers to the outgoing call stop instruction described on the linked page, performs an operation to stop the transmission of Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth radio waves, and clicks the "Next" button on the outgoing call stop instruction screen 131.

[0087] After S18, the control unit 11 executes the following two steps instead of S19. The first step is to display an outgoing call start instruction screen 132 shown in Fig. 14(B) on the display unit 15. The second step is to display either a connection instruction screen 133 shown in Fig. 15(A) or a connection instruction screen 134 shown in Fig. 15(B) on the display unit 15. The outgoing call start instruction screen 132 displays an instruction to start transmitting radio waves for wireless communication and to click the "Next" button, as well as a link to a page that describes how to start outgoing calls.

[0088] The connection instruction screen 133 is displayed when communication conforming to the Wi-Fi Direct standard is performed between the PC 60 and the printer 70, and between the PC 60 and the crimping machine 80. The connection instruction screen 133 displays instructions to perform a Wi-Fi Direct connection operation so that the printer 70 and the crimping machine 80 are recognized as printers. The connection instruction screen 134 is displayed when communication conforming to the Bluetooth standard is performed between the PC 60 and the printer 70, and between the PC 60 and the crimping machine 80. The connection instruction screen 134 displays instructions to perform a Bluetooth connection operation so that the printer 70 and the crimping machine 80 are recognized as printers.

[0089] The user refers to the call start method described on the linked page in the call start instruction screen 132, performs an operation to start transmitting radio waves via Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth, and clicks the "Next" button on the call start instruction screen 132. Next, the user refers to the connection method described on the linked page in the connection instruction screens 133 and 134, performs a connection operation in accordance with the wireless communication standard, and clicks the "Next" button on the connection instruction screens 133 and 134.

[0090] According to the modified identification information setting method and PC 60, printer identification information and crimping machine identification information can be obtained in association with each other even when communication conforming to wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth is performed between the printer 70 and PC 60, and between the crimping machine 80 and PC 60.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 executes the step (S16) of displaying the disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 and the step (S16) of accepting input from the user while the disconnection confirmation instruction screen 105 is being displayed, but in a modified example, the control unit 11 may not execute these steps or may not execute the latter step. In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 executes the step (S19) of accepting input from the user while the connection instruction screen 107 is being displayed, but in a modified example, the control unit 11 may not execute this step.

[0092] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 60... PC (computer) 11... Control unit 14... Input unit (user interface) 15... Display unit 16... USB-I / F unit (first USB interface) 17... USB-I / F unit (second USB interface) 20... Setup wizard (program) 23... Printer driver (control program) 24... Crimping machine driver (control program) 30, 70... Printer 33, 48... USB-I / F unit (USB interface) 40, 80... Crimping machine 105... Disconnection confirmation instruction screen (second screen) 107, 133, 134... Connection instruction screen (first screen)

Claims

1. A method for setting printer identification information and crimping machine identification information in a control program executed by a computer that controls a printer and a crimping machine, comprising the steps of: displaying a first screen on a display unit of the computer indicating that a connection operation will be performed to enable a first communication between the computer and the printer and a second communication between the computer and the crimping machine; starting installation of the control program on the computer after the first screen is displayed and the first communication and the second communication are enabled; and after the installation has started, acquiring the printer identification information from the printer and the crimping machine identification information from the crimping machine, and associating the acquired printer identification information with the crimping machine identification information and setting them in the control program.

2. An identification information setting method as described in claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying a second screen on the display unit before displaying the first screen, the second screen confirming that the first communication and the second communication are not possible.

3. The identification information setting method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of accepting input from a user through a user interface of the computer while the second screen is displayed, and executing a step of displaying the first screen when the input indicates that the first communication and the second communication are not possible.

4. An identification information setting method as set forth in claim 3, further comprising the steps of: acquiring, as a first model, the model of a device capable of communicating with the computer before the first communication and the second communication are enabled; acquiring, as a second model, the model of a device capable of communicating with the computer after the first communication and the second communication are enabled; acquiring a difference between the first model and the second model; and, if the difference matches the model of the printer that is to perform the first communication with the computer and the model of the crimping machine that is to perform the second communication with the computer, acquiring the models included in the difference as the model of the printer that is to perform the first communication with the computer and the model of the crimping machine that is to perform the second communication with the computer.

5. The identification information setting method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of: accepting input from a user through a user interface of the computer while the first screen is displayed; and, if the input indicates that the connection operation has been performed, confirming that the first communication and the second communication are possible.

6. The identification information setting method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of starting installation of the control program when it is confirmed that the first communication and the second communication are possible.

7. The identification information setting method according to claim 5, wherein the step of displaying the first screen is executed again if it is not confirmed that the first communication and the second communication are possible.

8. The identification information setting method according to claim 1, wherein the first communication and the second communication are communications conforming to the USB standard, the first communication is possible when the USB interface of the printer and the first USB interface of the computer are connected by a USB cable, the second communication is possible when the USB interface of the crimping machine and the second USB interface of the computer are connected by a USB cable, the printer identification information is obtained from the printer through the first USB interface of the computer, and the crimping machine identification information is obtained from the crimping machine through the second USB interface of the computer.

9. A computer that sets printer identification information and crimping machine identification information in a control program for a printer and a crimping machine, comprising a display unit and a control unit, wherein the control unit executes the following processes: a process of displaying on the display unit a first screen indicating that a connection operation will be performed to enable a first communication between the computer and the printer and a second communication between the computer and the crimping machine; a process of starting installation of the control program on the computer after the first screen is displayed and the first communication and the second communication are enabled; and a process of acquiring the printer identification information from the printer and the crimping machine identification information from the crimping machine after the installation has started, and associating the acquired printer identification information with the crimping machine identification information and setting them in the control program.

10. A program for setting printer identification information and crimping machine identification information in a control program for a printer and a crimping machine, the program causing a computer having a display unit to execute the following steps: displaying on the display a first screen indicating that a connection operation will be performed to enable a first communication between the computer and the printer and a second communication between the computer and the crimping machine; starting installation of the control program on the computer after the first screen is displayed and the first communication and the second communication are enabled; and after the installation has started, acquiring the printer identification information from the printer and the crimping machine identification information from the crimping machine, and associating the acquired printer identification information with the crimping machine identification information and setting them in the control program.

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