This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-141973, filed Jul. 21, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Embodiments described herein relate generally to a printer.
In the related art, a printer, such as a receipt printer, a portable printer, and a label printer for printing a label, which may be mounted on or connected to a point of sales (POS) terminal that processes a sales registration of a purchased commodity, often uses a thermal printer having a line thermal head, which transfers heat using the line thermal head while conveying a thermal paper (hereinafter, referred to as “paper”) to develop color on the thermal paper. These printers perform printing by increasing a conveying speed of a paper at high speed as much as possible.
If a character, a number, a symbol, or the like (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “characters”) is printed, by the thermal printer, on the paper, the character generally can be formed accurately and read even if high-speed printing is performed. However, if a code such as a bar code and a two-dimensional code and a pattern such as a logo and a coupon (hereinafter, code and pattern are collectively referred to as “figure”) are printed and high-speed printing is performed, “tailing” phenomenon may occur in which unintentional printing is caused due to residual heat accumulated in the head. If such a phenomenon occurs, for example, the printed code including the tailing may not be read correctly, or a gradation of the figure may not be properly printed out.
Therefore, if printing of an image including the figure is performed, printing is no longer performed at a high speed, and instead performed at a low speed.
However, if printing of an image including a figure and characters is performed and the figure and characters are simultaneously printed by the line thermal head, the conveying speed is set to be low because of the presence of the figure. Therefore, for simultaneous printing of the figure and characters, electric power consumed for printing of the character is larger than necessary.
Embodiments provide a printer capable of suppressing the amount of electric power used for printing to a low level if characters and a figure are simultaneously printed.
A printer according to an embodiment includes a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements to print on a paper that is conveyed thereto, a controller configured to control a speed of the paper that is conveyed and an amount of power supplied to the heating elements, and a processor configured to determine from image data of an image that is to be printed on the paper using the thermal head whether or not a character and a figure other than the character are to be simultaneously printed and instruct the controller based on the determination. The processor instructs the controller to set the speed of the paper to a first speed which is slower than a second speed, which is the speed for printing the character without the figure, upon determining that the character and the figure are to be simultaneously printed.
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. A printer mounted on a POS terminal will be described as an example of the printer. The embodiment is not limited by the embodiment described below.
The POS terminal is installed in a store and performs sales registration processing and settlement processing of a commodity sold at the store. The sales registration processing is processing of optically reading a code represented by a symbol such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code attached to the commodity to be sold, acquiring a commodity code specifying the commodity, displaying commodity information (e.g., commodity name, price, and the like) read out based on the acquired commodity code, and storing the commodity information in a RAM or the like in a transaction with a customer. The settlement processing is processing of displaying the total amount relating to the transaction, processing of calculating and displaying a change based on a deposit received from the customer, and processing of instructing a changer to issue the change, based on the commodity information stored in the RAM or the like in association with the sales registration processing. The commodity information and settlement information (e.g., total amount, deposit amount, change amount, and the like) after the settlement processing are issued as a receipt printed by the printer.
Next, a hardware configuration of a POS terminal 1 will be described.
The RAM 13 is provided with a commodity information unit 131. The commodity information unit 131 stores the commodity information (e.g., commodity code, commodity name, commodity price, and the like) processed for sales registration based on the commodity code specifying the commodity acquired from a code read by a code reader 27.
The memory unit 14 is a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive (HDD) that holds stored information even if the power is turned off. The memory unit 14 is provided with a control program unit 141 and a commodity master 142.
The control program unit 141 stores a control program for controlling the POS terminal 1. The commodity master 142 stores commodity information relating to each commodity that is associated with the commodity code.
In addition, the control unit 100 is connected to an operation unit 21, an operator display unit 22, a customer display unit 23, a printer 24, a card reading unit 25, and the code reader 27 via the bus 15 and a controller 16. In response to an instruction from the control unit 100, the controller 16 controls the operation unit 21, the operator display unit 22, the customer display unit 23, the printer 24, the card reading unit 25, and the code reader 27. Hereinafter, for the convenience of description, control that is performed by the controller 16 is referred to as control that is performed by the control unit 100.
The operation unit 21 is a keyboard provided with a key such as a register key for entering numbers and a settlement key 211 for declaring an end of sales registration. The operator display unit 22 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays the commodity information, the settlement information, and the like to an operator. The customer display unit 23 is, for example, the liquid crystal display device or the like, and displays the commodity information, the settlement information, and the like to the customer.
The printer 24 draws out a roll-shaped receipt paper stored in a main body, prints the commodity information, the settlement information, and the like with a thermal printer having, for example, a thermal transfer type thermal head 241 (refer to
In addition, the control unit 100 is connected to a communication unit 26 via the bus 15. The communication unit 26 is connected to another POS terminal 1 installed in the store or a store server (not illustrated) connected to the POS terminal 1 via a communication line (not illustrated). The store server receives the commodity information and the settlement information from each POS terminal 1 and performs sales management of the commodity at the store.
Next, the printer 24 provided in the POS terminal 1 will be described.
The pair of rollers 244 are configured to draw the paper P out by nipping, and convey the paper P that is drawn out toward the thermal head 241.
In the thermal head 241, multiple heating elements 2411 aligned in one line in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the paper P are disposed. The thermal head 241 generates heat by energizing each of the heating elements 2411. The heat generated by the heating element 2411 is transferred to the paper P, so that the paper P is discolored and printing is performed. Printing control of the thermal head 241 will be described later with reference to
The platen 242 is provided at a position facing the heating element 2411 of the thermal head 241. The platen 242 is formed in columnar shaped in the depth direction, and is formed of a rubber-like material, for example. The thermal head 241 is biased toward the platen 242. The platen 242 is in contact with the thermal head 241 at a position where the heating element 2411 is provided. The platen 242 is rotated by being driven by the motor 243 serving as a stepping motor, for example, and conveys the nipped paper P in the direction of an arrow F. In this state, the thermal head 241 generates heat in the heating element 2411 and performs printing on the nipped paper P.
The RAM 33 is provided with an image region 331. The image region 331 is a region where the print information input from the POS terminal 1 via the controller 16 is stored as a bitmap by the control unit 300.
The memory unit 34 is a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or an HDD that holds stored information even if the power is turned off. The memory unit 34 is provided with a control program unit 341 and a printing table 342. The control program unit 341 stores a control program for controlling the printer 24.
Next, the printing table 342 will be described.
In addition, the energization time column 3422 stores the energization time associated with the constant speed 1 and the constant speed 2. In the constant speed 1, the energization time to the heating element 2411 corresponding to a region H1, where the character is printed, out of the multiple heating elements 2411 is T1 (refer to
The description is returned to the description of
In addition, the control unit 300 is connected to the communication unit 39 via the bus 35. The communication unit 39 is connected to the controller 16 via a communication line.
Next, a structure of the thermal head 241 will be described.
In the example of
The example of
Hereinafter, the control processing of the POS terminal 1 will be described.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the commodity code is not input (No in Act 11), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the settlement key 211 is operated (Act 13). If it is determined that the settlement key 211 is operated (Yes in Act 13), the control unit 100 performs settlement processing based on the commodity information stored in the commodity information unit 131 (Act 14). The control unit 100 outputs a printing data relating to the commodity information and the settlement information to the printer 24 (Act 15). The control unit 100 returns to Act 11.
The printing data is a command representing character information relating to the commodity information and the settlement information. In addition, the printing data may include data for printing a code such as a bar code and a two-dimensional code, a command indicating the code, data indicating the printing position of the code, and the like. In addition, the printing data may include data for printing a pattern such as a coupon ticket, a command representing the pattern, data indicating a printing position of the pattern, and the like.
If it is determined that it is not an operation of the settlement key 211 (No in Act 13), the control unit 100 returns to Act 11.
Hereinafter, control from the printer 24 will be described.
The first determination unit 301 has a function of determining whether or not to simultaneously print the character and the figure using the thermal head 241.
The speed control unit 302 has a function of conveying the conveying speed of the paper P at a constant speed which is slower than the conveying speed when only the character is printed, if it is determined that the first determination unit 301 simultaneously controls to print the character and the figure.
The electric power amount control unit 303 has a function of performing printing by reducing the amount of electric power to be supplied to the first region H1 where the character is printed to be smaller than the amount of electric power to be supplied to the second region H2 where the figure is printed, if it is determined that the first determination unit 301 simultaneously controls to print the character and the figure.
The second determination unit 304 has a function of determining whether the figure is a code represented by a symbol or a pattern with gradation.
Next, the control unit 300 reads the image data corresponding to one block of the block obtained by dividing the image data stored in the image region 331 into predetermined blocks (Act 23). The first determination unit 301 and the second determination unit 304 determine whether or not code data representing a code is included in the read image data (Act 24). If it is determined that the code data is included (Yes in Act 24), the control unit 300 reads out the conveying speed (4 ips) of constant speed 1 from the paper conveying speed column 3421 of the printing table 342. The speed control unit 302 sets the read conveying speed in the RAM 33 (Act 35).
Next, the control unit 300 reads an energization time T1 for printing the character from the energization time column 3422. The electric power amount control unit 303 sets the read energization time in the RAM 33 (Act 36). The speed control unit 302 and electric power amount control unit 303) control printing of the code while conveying the paper P at the constant speed 1 (Act 28). At that time, the control unit 300 energizes for the energization time TC to print the code. In addition, the control unit 300 energizes for the energization time T1 that is shorter than the energization time TC and controls printing of the character. Next, the control unit 300 determines whether or not printing of all the image data is completed (Act 29). In addition, if image data to be printed still exists in the image region 331 (No in Act 29), the control unit 300 returns to Act 23 and reads the image data corresponding to the next block. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing of all of the image data is completed (Yes in Act 29), the control unit 300 controls issuing of the printed receipt and returns to Act 21.
In addition, if it is determined that the code data is not included (No in Act 24), the first determination unit 301 and second determination unit 304 determine whether or not the read image data includes pattern data representing a pattern (Act 25). If it is determined that the pattern data is included (Yes in Act 25), the control unit 300 reads the conveying speed (2 ips) at the constant speed 2 from the paper conveying speed column 3421 of the printing table 342. The speed control unit 302 sets the read conveying speed in the RAM 33 (Act 31). Next, the control unit 300 reads the energization time T2 for printing the character from the energization time column 3422. The electric power amount control units 303 sets the read energization time in the RAM 33 (Act 32). The control unit 300 prints the pattern while conveying the paper P at the set constant speed 2 (Act 28). At that time, the control unit 300 energizes for the energization time TZ to print the pattern. In addition, the control unit 300 energizes for the energization time T2 that is shorter than the energization time TZ to print the character. The control unit 300 performs the processing of Act 29.
In addition, if it is determined that the pattern data is not included (No in Act 25), the control unit 300 calculates the conveying speed of the paper P necessary for printing only the character. The control unit 300 calculates the conveying speed of the paper P according to the number of dots as the image data in the block B. The control unit 300 sets the calculated conveying speed of the paper P in the RAM 33 (Act 26). Next, the control unit 300 sets a predetermined energization time for printing only the character (Act 27).
The control unit 300 sets the time to be equivalent to the energization time T1 or the energization time T2. The control unit 300 controls printing of the character while conveying the paper P at the set conveying speed (Act 28). The control unit 300 performs the processing of Act 29.
Here, the relationship between the state of printing processed by the control unit 300 and the issued receipt will be described.
Subsequently, the control unit 300 controls printing on the block B2. Only the character data exists in the block B2. Therefore, the control unit 300 sets the conveying speed of the paper P based on the number of dots representing the character existing in the block B2, and performs printing by energizing for a predetermined energization time. Since the block B3 and the block B4 have only the character data, the control unit 300 performs the same processing as that of the block R2.
On the block B5, the character data in the region H1 and the code data in the region H2 are respectively printed.
Therefore, the control unit 300 carries the paper P at the constant speed 1. In addition, the control unit 300 energizes for the energization time T1 and controls printing of the character existing in the region H1. In addition, the control unit 300 energizes for the energization time TC and controls printing of the code existing in the region H2.
According to the present embodiment as such, when printing the code or the pattern, the energization time for printing the character can be set short. Therefore, power consumption while printing the code or the pattern can be suppressed without supplying excessive electric power to the printing of the character to be simultaneously printed when printing the code or the pattern. In addition, since excessive power is not supplied to print the character, the character can be prevented from blurring due to excessive application of heat.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
For example, the amount of electric power is suppressed by controlling the energization time to the heating element 2411 to be short when the character is printed. However, by setting the voltage to be applied to the heating element 2411 for printing the character to be low, the amount of electric power may be suppressed.
In addition, the printer 24 incorporated in the POS terminal 1 is described as a printer. However, the printer 24 may be a device which is different from the POS terminal 1, provided outside the POS terminal 1, and connected to the POS terminal 1 via a communication line.
A program executed by the printer 24 is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a digital versatile disk (DVD).
In addition, a program executed by the printer 24 may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. In addition, the program executed by the printer 24 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.
In addition, the program executed by the printer 24 may be configured to be incorporated in advance in ROM or the like and provided.
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Entry |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20190023024 A1 | Jan 2019 | US |