JP2001310538A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a printing device that allows a user to select a priority process from a printing output process and a sales registration process according to a use condition of the device. SOLUTION: Print data transmitted through a communication interface 11 is printed by a journal print control unit 8 and a receipt print control unit 7. According to a command from the host machine and an input from the switch 12, for example, the detection of no journal paper is enabled and the detection of no receipt paper is disabled. When the journal paper detection unit 10 detects the absence of journal paper, the operation of the journal print control unit 8 is stopped while the print data is stored in the print buffer 14, and the error lamp 21 is turned on. Even if the absence of the receipt paper is detected, the operation of the receipt print control unit 7 does not stop, and printing is performed only by the journal print control unit 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer and a POS (Point of Sales) terminal.
The present invention relates to a printing device for printing an output result.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printer is connected to a host machine such as a POS (Point of Sales) terminal via a communication interface. When a sales registration process of a product is performed by a POS main unit, the registration information and a command relating to a printing process are transmitted. Receives and prints registration information based on command.
If an error such as running out of print paper or a paper jam occurs, the printer is stopped until the error is avoided by replenishing the paper and removing the jammed paper. And cause a lot of trouble for customers. In contrast, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-205
The electronic cash register described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 47,
Equipped with a receipt and journal printing unit, when a register detects an abnormality in the printing unit, it sends a mask command to prevent the printing operation of the printing unit where the abnormality has occurred, and continues printing operation only in the normal printing unit . by this,
Since the printing is performed at least from the printing section on the normal side, the sales registration process does not stop.

[0003]

However, as described above, the printer is stopped to give priority to the print output processing over the sales registration processing, or as described in the electronic cash register disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-20547. Whether register or journal printing should be given priority over sales output processing by printing from the normal printing section depends on the time zone when the printing device is used, the target customer segment and the store management policy. Etc.
It depends on the usage conditions of the device, but in the conventional technology,
There is a problem that priority processing cannot be selected in the same apparatus.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus in which a user can select a process to be prioritized according to a use condition of the apparatus.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a communication interface for receiving print data from a host machine, a storage means for storing the received print data, and a printing means for printing the received and stored print data on recording paper. In the printing apparatus comprising: a paper absence detecting means for detecting that the recording paper has run out during the printing operation; and in response to the paper absence detection, stopping the printing operation and storing the received print data in the storage means. A printing method comprising a control unit for selecting and executing one of a first mode for notifying detection of no paper as it is and a second mode for discarding received print data from a storage unit. Device.

According to the present invention, print data transmitted from the host machine via the communication interface is printed on recording paper. As processing when the absence of recording paper is detected by the paper absence detection means, a first mode in which the printing operation is stopped and the absence of recording paper is notified while print data is stored, and the print data is stored from the storage means. Since either one of the second mode of discarding and the second mode can be selected and executed, when there is no recording paper, whether to give priority to print output processing or sales registration processing depending on the use conditions of the apparatus is used. Can choose.

According to the present invention, the printing device receives a command specifying one of the first mode and the second mode from a host machine via the communication interface, and Is characterized in that each mode is switched based on a received command.

According to the present invention, one of the first and second aspects is designated by a command transmitted from the host machine via the communication interface, and each aspect can be switched. The user can select whether to prioritize the print output process or the sales registration process according to the usage conditions of the device when the machine reduces the load for processing the paper absence detection and there is no recording paper. .

According to the present invention, the printing apparatus includes input means for inputting a command for designating one of the first mode and the second mode, and the control means includes:
Each mode is switched based on an input command.

According to the present invention, one of the first and second aspects is designated by a command input from the input means included in the printing apparatus, and each aspect can be switched. When the machine eliminates the burden of processing for detecting the absence of paper and there is no recording paper, the user can select whether to give priority to print output processing or sales registration processing depending on the usage conditions of the apparatus.

The present invention comprises a communication interface for receiving print data from a host machine, a storage means for storing the received print data, and a plurality of printing means for printing the received and stored print data on different recording papers. A printing device provided with a paper absence detecting means for detecting for each of a plurality of printing means that recording paper has run out during a printing operation, and a printing operation of a printing means in which paper absence is detected in response to the paper absence detection. The first mode of notifying the absence of paper while stopping and storing the received print data in the storage unit, and the second mode of printing the received print data by the printing unit that has not detected the absence of paper. Control means for selecting and executing any one of the above.

According to the present invention, the print data transmitted from the host machine via the communication interface is printed on different recording papers by a plurality of printing means. As a process when the absence of recording paper is detected by the paper absence detection means, the printing operation of the printing means in which the paper absence is detected is stopped, and the first report for notifying that there is no recording paper while the print data is stored. And the second mode in which print data is printed by the printing means in which no paper is detected can be selected and executed. Therefore, when there is no recording paper, depending on the use conditions of the apparatus, The user can select whether to give priority to print output processing or sales registration processing.

According to the present invention, the printing device receives a command specifying one of the first mode and the second mode from a host machine via the communication interface, and Is characterized in that each mode is switched based on a received command.

According to the present invention, one of the first and second aspects is designated by a command transmitted from the host machine via the communication interface, and each aspect can be switched. The user can select whether to prioritize the print output process or the sales registration process according to the usage conditions of the device when the machine reduces the load for processing the paper absence detection and there is no recording paper. .

According to the present invention, the printing apparatus includes input means for inputting a command for designating one of the first mode and the second mode, and the control means includes:
Each mode is switched based on an input command.

According to the present invention, one of the first and second aspects is designated by a command input from the input means included in the printing apparatus, and each aspect can be switched. When the machine eliminates the burden of processing for detecting the absence of paper and there is no recording paper, the user can select whether to give priority to print output processing or sales registration processing depending on the usage conditions of the apparatus.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The printing device 1 has a POS which is an electronic cash register.
The terminal is connected to a terminal or the like, and prints out sales registration data transmitted from the POS terminal on receipt paper for customers and journal paper for store storage. This printing device 1
Is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, RAM (Random Access Memory)
4, various keys 5, LED (light emitting diode) unit 6, receipt print control unit 7, journal print control unit 8, receipt paper detection unit 9, journal paper detection unit 1.
0, a communication interface 11 and a switch 12.

The CPU 2 controls the overall operation of the printing apparatus 1 in accordance with micro instructions stored in the ROM 3. Specifically, the ROM 3 stores microinstructions for controlling operations of peripheral circuits such as the receipt print control unit 7, the journal print control unit 8, the communication interface 11, and the switch 12. The ROM 3 stores font data for converting print data received via the communication interface 11 into a print image. The RAM 4 includes a reception buffer 13, a print buffer 14,
And a storage unit including a setting memory 15. The print data and the command received from the host machine via the communication interface 11 are stored in the reception buffer 13. The print buffer 14 stores a print image obtained by converting print data using the font data stored in the ROM 3. The setting memory 15 stores setting data included in the received command and for setting the operation of the apparatus.

The key 5 has an online key 16, a receipt paper feed key 17, and a journal paper feed key 18. The online key 16 enables communication between the host machine and the printing device 1 to put the printing device 1 in a printable state. The receipt paper feed key 17 and the journal paper feed key 18 forcibly feed the receipt paper and the journal paper, which are the recording papers, provided in the receipt print control unit 7 and the journal print control unit 8 without printing. . The LED unit 6 includes an LED 19 indicating power-on, an LED 20 indicating online status, and an L indicating error occurrence.
It has ED21. The power-on LED 19 is turned on by a power switch (not shown) when the power is on, and notifies the operator. LE indicating online status
D20 is turned on by the online key 16 when the printing apparatus 1 is in the online state, and notifies the operator. The LED 21 indicating the occurrence of an error is
In this case, when an abnormality such as the absence of paper occurs in the receipt print control unit 7, the light is turned on to notify the operator.

The receipt print control unit 7 includes a print buffer 14
Is printing means for printing the print image stored in the printer on receipt paper and feeding the paper. The journal print control unit 8 is a printing unit that prints a print image stored in the print buffer 14 on journal paper and feeds the paper. Receipt paper detector 9
Is paper absence detection means for notifying that there is no receipt paper provided in the receipt print control unit 7, and is composed of, for example, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and the light emitted by the light-emitting element is a sample, and in this embodiment, the receipt paper is reflected. A photo-interrupter or the like that detects the presence or absence of a sample by detecting the reflected light by a light receiving element is used. The journal paper detection unit 10 is also a paper absence detection unit that detects that there is no journal paper provided in the journal print control unit 8, similarly to the receipt paper detection unit.

The communication interface 11 is a printer 1
An interface for transmitting and receiving print data, a command for instructing control of the apparatus, a command for setting a communication method, and the like, between the printer and the host machine. Interface standards include RS232C and Centronics interface. Switch 12
Is input means provided with dip switches 30 and 31. The DIP switches 30 and 31 are used to input a command for instructing control of the printing apparatus 1 and a command for instructing setting of a communication method.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the communication interface 11. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a connection example between the printing apparatus 1 and a POS terminal 22 as a host machine.
The printing device 1 includes a communication interface of the RS232C standard, and is connected to the POS terminal 22 via a cable of the RS232C standard.

The connection example and the communication between the printing apparatus 1 and the POS terminal 22 are performed under the communication conditions shown in FIG. The communication condition 24 includes a communication method, a communication speed, a communication standard, and the like. There are two types of communication: synchronous type, which sends data and commands according to the clock sent by the modem, and asynchronous type, which uses no clock.
In this embodiment, since no modem is connected, an asynchronous communication system is used.

The communication speed is 1200, 4800, 960
0, 19200 and 38400 bps (bit per seco
Select and use any speed from nd).

In the communication standard, the addition of a start bit and a stop bit, the data bit length, and the type of parity check are set. In the asynchronous communication method, transmission is performed without using the clock of the modem, so in order to clarify the location of the data, a start bit indicating the beginning of the data and a stop bit indicating the end of the data are used. Is added to the data. One character is represented by a data bit length of 7 bits when transmitting only alphanumeric characters, and 8 bits when transmitting and receiving Kana characters. The parity check is a check performed to confirm the data transfer result, and a check bit is added to the end of the data bit string. The receiving side counts the number of 1 bits out of the 0 and 1 bits, and when the number is even, it is an even parity check when there is no error, and when it is odd, it is the odd parity check. . The above communication conditions are based on the transmission from the POS terminal 22 and the switch 1
2 can be set.

FIG. 2C is a diagram showing an example of a command transmitted from the POS terminal 22 to the printing device 1 based on the set communication conditions. For example, when the printing device 1 prints “ABC”, the ASCII code [41h] indicating “A”, the ASCII code [42h] indicating “B”, the ASCII code [43h] indicating “C”, and [LF] (Line feed)] from the POS terminal 22 to the cable 23
And transmitted via the communication interface 11,
It is stored in the reception buffer 13 of AM4. The print data stored in the reception buffer 13 is converted into a print image using the font data stored in the ROM 3.
The converted print image is stored in the print buffer 14 of the RAM 4.
And deletes the converted data from the reception buffer 13. The print image stored in the print buffer 14 is printed out from the receipt print control unit 7 and the journal print control unit 8. The printed print image is deleted from the print buffer 14.

When a command is stored in the reception buffer 13, processing corresponding to the stored command is performed. After "ABC" is printed by the command [LF], a line feed is performed.

Another example of the command is a command for printing a character rotated by 90 degrees [ESC] V [01
h], a command to be printed with an underline [E
SC]-[01h], and a command [GS] a [08h] for instructing the printing apparatus to automatically notify the host machine when paper empty is detected.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a command example 26 transmitted from the POS terminal 22 to the printer 1. For example, when the absence of recording paper is detected by the paper absence detection means, the detection result is validated, the operation of the printing means is stopped, and the operator is notified by the LED error lamp 21. A command for setting whether paper absence detection is valid or invalid for each of a plurality of printing units provided in the printing apparatus 1 is shown.

Specifically, an ASCII code [1Bh] indicating [ESC] and an ASCII code [63] indicating "c"
h] and an ASCII code [34h] indicating “4”, and data “n” indicating a printing means for which paper absence detection is valid among a plurality of printing means, to form a command [ESC] c4n. For example, the data "n" indicating that paper absence detection is enabled for the receipt print control unit 7 and paper absence detection is disabled for the journal print control unit 8 is [10h]. Data [10h] indicates that bit 4 is 1 and other bits are 0.

When the code [ESC] c4 [10h] is received from the POS terminal 22, the RAM 4
It is stored in the setting memory 15 that the paper absence detection of the receipt paper is valid and the paper absence detection of the journal paper is invalid. When there is no receipt paper, the setting memory 15 is referred to and the receipt printing control is performed. Stop the printing operation of the unit 7, and
The error lamp 21 is turned on, but when there is no journal paper, the print operation of the journal print control unit 8 is not stopped and the print data is printed out by the receipt print control unit 7 with reference to the setting memory 15.

FIG. 4 shows a switch 12 provided in the printing apparatus 1.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an input example of “.” The switch 12 includes dip switches 30 and 31, and the dip switch 30 is a switch 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-4, 1-.
6, 1-7 and 1-8, and a dip switch 31
Are the switches 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-
5, 2-6, 2-7 and 2-8. Arbitrary setting items can be assigned to the switches 1-1 to 1-8 and the switches 2-1 to 2-8.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the input setting of the communication condition 24 by the DIP switch 30. Bit length by switch 1-2, presence or absence of parity check by switch 1-3, type of parity check by switch 1-4, switches 1-6, 1-7 and 1
The communication speed can be input by -8. When switch 1-2 is turned on, the communication bit length is 7
Set to 8 bits, set to 8 bits when turned off. When the switch 1-3 is turned on, a parity check is performed during communication, and when the switch 1-3 is turned off, the parity check is not performed. When the switches 1-4 are turned on, an even parity check is performed, and when the switches 1-4 are turned off, an odd parity check is performed.

The communication speed can be set by inputting switches 1-6, 1-7 and 1-8 as shown in FIG. For example, when the switch 1-6 is turned on, the switch 1-7 is turned off, and the switch 1-8 is turned off, the communication speed is set to 2400 bps, the switch 1-6 is turned off, the switch 1-7 is turned on, and the switch 1-8 is turned on. When turned off, the communication speed is set to 9600 bps. As described above, the communication speed can be set from 2400 to 38400 bps by using the switches 1-6, 1-7 and 1-8.

FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an example of an input setting in which the DIP switch 31 sets whether or not the detection result is valid when the absence of recording paper is detected by the paper absence detection means. It is. The switch 2-7 sets journal printing, and the switch 2-8 sets receipt printing. When the switch 2-7 is turned on, the detection result is made valid when there is no journal paper, and the printing operation of the journal print control means 8 is stopped.
When the switch 2-7 is turned off, the detection result is invalidated, and the printing operation is not stopped. When the switch 2-8 is turned on, the detection result is made valid when there is no receipt paper, and the printing operation of the receipt printing control means 7 is stopped. When the switch 2-8 is turned off, the detection result is invalidated, and the printing operation is not stopped.

As described above, the command [E] is sent from the host machine 22 to the printer 1 via the communication interface 11.
SC] c4 [10h] is transmitted and the switch 2-7 is turned off in the switch 12, and the switch 2-
When the receipt paper detection unit 9 detects that no paper is present, the printing operation of the receipt print control unit 7 is stopped while the print image stored in the print buffer 14 is stored, and the LED error lamp 8 is turned on. 21 is turned on. When the paper absence is detected by the journal paper detection unit 10, a print image is output only from the receipt print control unit 7.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 show flowcharts of the mode switching control of the printing apparatus 1. FIG. The following four types of settings can be selected by the operator by switching the mode of the printing device 1. Here, when the absence of paper is detected by the paper detection unit, which is the paper absence detection means, the printing operation of the print control unit is stopped and the absence of paper is notified, and the absence of paper is regarded as valid. The case where the printing operation is not stopped even when the detection is performed is regarded as that the no-paper detection is invalid.

The first setting is a setting that enables both the detection of no journal paper and the detection of no receipt paper. The second setting is that the detection of no journal paper is valid and the detection of no receipt paper is invalid. The third setting is that the detection of no journal paper is invalid, and the detection of no receipt paper is valid. The fourth setting is a setting that invalidates both the detection of no journal paper and the detection of no receipt paper.

Whether the paper absence detection by the journal paper detection unit 10 and the receipt paper detection unit 9 is valid or invalid is determined by the command transmitted from the POS terminal 22 as the host machine and the input from the switch 12 by the operator. Can be determined, and the operator can arbitrarily select and switch the above-described first to fourth settings depending on the conditions for using the printing apparatus 1.

First, the flow at the time of the first setting will be described. First, the switching control is started in step a1, and in step a2, the CPU 2 refers to the switch 2-7 to determine whether the detection of no journal paper is valid. In the first setting, the detection of no journal paper is effective, so step a
Proceed to 3. In step a3, switch 2
8 is determined. Since the receipt sheet absence detection is effective in the first setting, the process proceeds to step a4. At step a4, the CPU 2 refers to the setting memory 15 to determine whether the detection of no journal paper is valid. In the first setting, the detection of no journal paper is valid, and the process proceeds to step a5. In step a5, the determination is made with reference to the setting memory 15 as in step a4. Since the receipt paper absence detection is effective in the first setting, the process proceeds to step a6.

In step a6, the CPU 2 determines the presence or absence of the journal paper and the receipt paper based on the detection signals of the journal paper detection unit 10 and the receipt paper detection unit 9. If neither sheet is detected, the process proceeds to step a7. In step a7, the print image is transferred from the print buffer 14 to the CPU.
2 outputs the read data to the journal print control unit 8 and the receipt print control unit 7 to perform printing from each print control unit.
When the printing is completed, the print image is deleted from the print buffer 14, and the switching control process is terminated in step a24. If either sheet is detected, the process proceeds to step a8. In step a8, the printing operation of the printing control unit in which no paper is detected is stopped, and the LED error lamp 21 is turned on to notify the operator that there is no paper. Also P
The communication between the OS terminal 22 and the printer 1 is stopped and
The ED online lamp 20 is turned off. Since the printing has not been completed, the print image is kept stored in the print buffer 14 until the paper is set. When the paper is set by the operator and the online key 16 is pressed, communication between the POS terminal 22 and the printing device 1 starts, and the print image stored in the print buffer 14 is printed from the print control unit. The switching control process ends.

The flow of the second setting will be described. First, the switching control is started in step a1, and the process proceeds to step a2. In the second setting, since the detection of no journal paper is valid, the process proceeds to step a3. In the second setting, the receipt paper absence detection is invalid, so the process proceeds to step a17.

In step a17, the CPU 2 determines the presence or absence of the journal paper and the receipt paper based on the detection signals of the journal paper detection unit 10 and the receipt paper detection unit 9.
If the absence of the journal paper is detected without detecting the absence of the journal paper, the process proceeds to step a16. In step a16, the CPU 2 reads the print data from the print buffer 14, outputs the print data to the journal print control unit 8, and performs printing only from the journal print control unit 8. When the printing is completed, the print image is erased from the print buffer 14 and a step a24 is executed.
Ends the switching control process. If no receipt paper is detected, the process proceeds to step a6. If the absence of journal paper is detected, the flow advances to step a8 to stop printing,
In step a24, the process of the switching control ends. If the absence of journal paper is not detected, the process proceeds to step a7, where printing is performed from both print control units, and the switching control process ends in step a24.

When setting is selected by a command transmitted from the POS terminal, the switches 2-7 and 2-8 are turned on. Therefore, step a1
From a2 and a3 to a4. In the second setting, since the detection of no journal paper is valid, the process proceeds to step a5. In the second setting, the receipt paper absence detection is invalid, so the process proceeds to step a23.

In step a23, the CPU 2 determines the presence or absence of the journal paper and the receipt paper based on the detection signals of the journal paper detection unit 10 and the receipt paper detection unit 9. If the absence of journal paper is not detected and the absence of receipt paper is detected, the process proceeds to step a16, where printing is performed only from the journal print control unit 8, and the switching control process ends in step a24. If no receipt paper is detected, the process proceeds to step a6. If the absence of journal paper is not detected, the flow proceeds to step a7, where printing is performed from both print control units, and the switching control process ends in step a24.
If the absence of journal paper is detected, the flow advances to step a8 to stop printing, and the switching control process ends in step a24.

The flow of the third setting will be described. First, the switching control is started in step a1, and the process proceeds to step a2. In the third setting, the detection of no journal paper is invalid, so that the process proceeds to step a9. In step a9, the determination is made with reference to the switch 2-8 in the same manner as in a3. In the third setting, the receipt paper absence detection is valid, so the process proceeds to step a10.

In step a10, the CPU 2 determines the presence or absence of journal paper and receipt paper based on the detection signals of the journal paper detection unit 10 and the receipt paper detection unit 9. If the absence of the receipt paper is detected without detecting the absence of the receipt paper, the process proceeds to step all. Step a1
In step 1, the CPU 2 reads out print data from the print buffer 14, outputs the print data to the receipt print control unit 7, and performs printing only from the receipt print control unit 7. When the printing is completed, the print image is deleted from the print buffer 14 and a step a24 is executed.
Ends the switching control process. If no journal paper is detected, the process proceeds to step a6. If the absence of the receipt paper is detected, the flow proceeds to step a8 to stop printing,
In step a24, the process of the switching control ends. If the absence of the receipt paper is not detected, the process proceeds to step a7, where printing is performed from both print control units, and the switching control process ends in step a24.

When setting is selected by a command transmitted from the POS terminal, the switches 2-7 and 2-8 are turned on. Therefore, step a1
From a2 and a3 to a4. In the third setting, the detection of no journal paper is invalid, so the process proceeds to step a18.
In step a18, a determination is made with reference to the setting memory 15, as in step a5. In the third setting, the receipt paper absence detection is valid, so the process proceeds to step a19.

In step a19, the presence or absence of journal paper and receipt paper is determined in the same manner as in a10. If the absence of the receipt paper is not detected and the absence of the journal paper is detected, the process proceeds to step a11, where printing is performed only from the receipt print control unit 7, and the switching control process ends in step a24. If no journal paper is detected, the process proceeds to step a6. If the absence of the receipt paper is detected, the flow advances to step a8 to stop the printing, and the processing of the switching control ends in step a24. If the absence of the receipt paper is not detected, the process proceeds to step a7, where printing is performed from both print control units, and the switching control process ends in step a24.

Finally, the flow of the fourth setting will be described. First, the switching control is started in step a1, and the process proceeds to step a2. In the fourth setting, the detection of no journal paper is invalid, so the process proceeds to step a9. In the fourth setting, the receipt paper absence detection is invalid, so the process proceeds to step a12.

In step a12, the CPU 2 determines the presence or absence of the journal paper and the receipt paper based on the detection signals of the journal paper detection unit 10 and the receipt paper detection unit 9.
If neither sheet is detected, the process proceeds to step a13. In step a13, the CPU 2 reads the print image from the print buffer 14 and discards it, and in step a24, ends the switching control process. If at least one of them has detected no paper, the process proceeds to step a14.

At step a14, the presence or absence of journal paper and receipt paper is determined similarly to a10. If the absence of the receipt paper is not detected and the absence of the journal paper is detected, the process proceeds to step a11, where printing is performed only from the receipt print control unit 7, and the switching control process ends in step a24. If no journal paper is detected, step a
Proceed to 15. In step a15, the presence or absence of journal paper and receipt paper is determined as in step a17. If the absence of journal paper is not detected and the absence of receipt paper is detected, the process proceeds to step a16, where printing is performed only from the journal print control unit 8, and the switching control process ends in step a24. If the absence of the receipt paper is not detected, the process proceeds to step a6. At step a6, the absence of paper is not detected for both the journal paper and the receipt paper, so the process proceeds to step a7, where printing is performed from both print control units.
At 24, the switching control process is terminated.

When selecting a setting by a command transmitted from the POS terminal, the switches 2-7 and 2-8 are turned on. Therefore, from a1 to a
The process proceeds to a4 via 2, a3. In the fourth setting, the detection of no journal paper is invalid, so that the process proceeds to step 18. In the fourth setting, the detection of no receipt paper is invalid, so step a20
Proceed to. In step a20, the presence or absence of journal paper and receipt paper is determined similarly to a12. If neither sheet is detected, the process proceeds to step a13, where the print image is discarded, and the switching control process ends in step a24. If at least one of them has not detected the absence of paper, the process proceeds to step a21.

In step a21, the presence or absence of journal paper and receipt paper is determined in the same manner as in a10. If the absence of the receipt paper is not detected and the absence of the journal paper is detected, the process proceeds to step a11, where printing is performed only from the receipt print control unit 7, and the switching control process ends in step a24. If no journal paper is detected, step a
Proceed to 22. In step a22, the presence or absence of journal paper and receipt paper is determined as in step a17. If the absence of journal paper is not detected and the absence of receipt paper is detected, the process proceeds to step a16, where printing is performed only from the journal print control unit 8, and the switching control process ends in step a24. If the absence of the receipt paper is not detected, the process proceeds to step a6. At step a6, the absence of paper is not detected for both the journal paper and the receipt paper, so the process proceeds to step a7, where printing is performed from both print control units.
At 24, the switching control process is terminated.

As described above, if, for example, the first setting is selected, if either one of the journal paper or the receipt paper is used up, the printing operation is stopped, so that the print output process is prioritized so that the print data is always printed. can do. If the fourth setting is selected, the sales registration process can be prioritized so that the printing operation is not stopped when either the journal paper or the receipt paper runs out.

In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus has two types of printing means, receipt printing and journal printing, but three or more printing means may be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus is connected to the POS terminal as a host machine. However, any apparatus having a function of transmitting print data, such as a computer, may be used.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to select the processing when the recording paper is exhausted, so that the print output processing and the sales registration are performed according to the conditions of using the printing apparatus such as the store management policy. The user can select which of the processing and the processing is prioritized.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to select the processing when the recording paper runs out by transmitting a command from the host machine, so that the burden on the host machine for processing the paper absence detection is reduced. The user can select which of the printout process and the sales registration process is to be prioritized according to the conditions for using the printing device such as the store management policy.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to select the processing when the recording paper is exhausted by inputting from the input means included in the printing apparatus. Can be eliminated, and the user can select which of the printout process and the sales registration process is to be prioritized according to the conditions for using the printing device such as a store management policy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication interface 11;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a command 26 transmitted from the POS terminal 22 to the printing device 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an input example of a switch provided in the printing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a mode switching control of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a mode switching control of the printing apparatus 1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a mode switching control of the printing apparatus 1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a mode switching control of the printing apparatus 1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a mode switching control of the printing apparatus 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 printing device 2 CPU (central processing unit) 3 ROM (read only memory) 4 RAM (random access memory) 7 receipt print control unit 8 journal print control unit 9 receipt paper detection unit 10 journal paper detection unit 11 communication interface 12 switch 21 Error lamp

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a communication interface for receiving print data from a host machine; a storage unit for storing the received print data; and a printing unit for printing the received and stored print data on recording paper. A paper absence detecting means for detecting that the recording paper has run out during the operation, and a paper stopping means for stopping the printing operation in response to the paper absence detection and notifying the paper absence detection while storing the received print data in the storage means. A printing apparatus comprising: a control unit that selects and executes one of a first mode and a second mode in which received print data is discarded from a storage unit. 2. The printing device receives a command designating one of the first mode and the second mode from a host machine via the communication interface, 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each mode is switched based on a received command. 3. The printing apparatus includes input means for inputting a command for designating one of the first mode and the second mode. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each mode is switched based on the status. 4. A printing apparatus comprising: a communication interface for receiving print data from a host machine; a storage unit for storing the received print data; and a plurality of printing units for printing the received and stored print data on different recording papers. In the apparatus, a paper absence detecting means for detecting for each of a plurality of printing means that the recording paper has run out during the printing operation, and in response to the paper absence detection, stopping the printing operation of the printing means in which the paper absence is detected. And a second mode in which the received print data is stored in the storage unit and the absence of paper is notified while the received print data is stored in the storage unit. And a control means for selecting and executing one of them. 5. The printing device receives a command specifying one of the first mode and the second mode from a host machine via the communication interface, and the control unit includes: 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each mode is switched based on the received command. 6. The printing apparatus includes an input unit for inputting a command for designating one of the first mode and the second mode, and the control unit outputs the command to the input command. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each mode is switched based on the status.