JP2013240964A - Media processing device, and pos system - Google Patents

Abstract

A plurality of media processing apparatuses can be appropriately used by simple control.
A roll paper printing unit for processing roll paper, a first interface for receiving a command transmitted from a POS terminal, and a command received by the first interface for receiving the command from the roll paper printing unit. The second interface 115 that transmits to the printer 200 that performs common processing, the control that causes the roll paper printing unit 120 to execute processing based on the received command, and the command that is transmitted to the printer 200 by the second interface 115 And a control unit 150 that performs control. When the received command is a preset command, the control unit 150 causes the second interface 115 to transmit the preset command to the printer 200.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus and a POS system.

  Conventionally, a printer that is an example of a medium processing apparatus and a POS (Point Of Sales) system including a plurality of printers are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the configuration of Patent Document 1, a receipt printer that prints a receipt is connected to a POS register, and a label printer that prints a sticker is connected to the first printer. When the POS register outputs the accounting process data, the receipt printer prints the receipt, and the receipt printer outputs the seal print data under a predetermined condition. The label printer prints a sticker according to the sticker print data output from the receipt printer.

JP 2009-199588 A

In the above conventional configuration, a receipt printer dedicated to receipt printing and a label printer dedicated to sticker printing are connected. That is, a dedicated medium processing device for different processing is connected. Therefore, since the role of each media processing device is fixed, it is not necessary to control the proper use of the media processing device.
On the other hand, when a system is constructed by connecting a plurality of media processing devices having common functions, it is necessary to control which media processing device is operated in which case. In this case, a control device such as a computer that controls the media processing device needs to control each of the plurality of media processing devices.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable a plurality of medium processing apparatuses to be appropriately used by simple control.

To achieve the above object, a medium processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a processing unit that processes a medium, a first connection unit that receives a command transmitted from a host computer, and a command received by the first connection unit. A second connection unit that transmits an external processing device that performs processing common to the processing unit, a control that causes the processing unit to execute processing based on a command received by the first connection unit, and A control unit that performs control to transmit a command to the external processing device through the second connection unit, and the control unit is configured such that the command received at the first connection unit is a preset command. In addition, the preset command is transmitted to the external processing device by the second connection unit.
According to the medium processing device of the present invention, a command transmitted from a host computer can be received, the medium can be processed by the processing unit based on the received command, and a preset command can be processed by an external processing device. For example, an external processing device can process the medium. For this reason, when the host computer transmits a command to the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the medium processing apparatus processes the medium, or the command is appropriately transferred to an external processing apparatus. Therefore, it is not necessary for the host computer to perform control for using the medium processing device and the external processing device properly, and a plurality of processing devices can be appropriately used by simple control.
Further, the medium processing apparatus includes a second connection unit connected to an external processing apparatus in addition to a first connection unit connected to the host computer. For this reason, the host computer may transmit a command or the like as in the case where one medium processing apparatus is connected. Therefore, it is not necessary to make the function and software of the host computer dedicated to use a plurality of processing devices. For example, there is an advantage that the configuration of an existing host computer can be used as it is.

Further, the present invention is the above-described medium processing device, wherein the control unit sends commands executed by the external processing device out of commands received by the first connection unit to the second connection unit. Transmitting to the external processing device.
According to the present invention, the medium processing device transmits a command that can be executed by the external processing device among commands received from the host computer to the external processing device. Therefore, when the host computer transmits a command, the external processing device can be operated by the function of the medium processing device. Therefore, the host computer can appropriately use the plurality of processing devices by simple control.

The present invention is the above-described medium processing device, comprising: a second processing unit that executes processing different from the processing unit; and an external device control unit that detects processing that can be executed by the external processing device. When the external device control unit detects that the external processing device does not have a processing unit in common with the second processing unit, the control unit receives the command received by the first connection unit. Among them, the command that can be executed by the processing unit is executed by the second processing unit.
According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a process that can be executed by an external processing apparatus while the medium processing apparatus includes a processing unit and a second processing unit that execute different processes. When the medium processing device detects that the external processing device does not have a processing unit in common with the second processing unit, the second processing unit executes a command received from the host computer. That is, the second processing unit executes a command that cannot be executed by the external processing device. As a result, the host computer can execute a process that can be executed by an external processing device and the other processing can be executed by the medium processing device simply by transmitting a command. In other words, the medium processing device appropriately operates the external processing device in accordance with the function of the external processing device. Therefore, a plurality of processing devices can be appropriately used without the host computer performing control according to the function of each processing device.

Further, the present invention provides the medium processing device, wherein the command is processed when the command received by the first connection unit is a command executed by the processing unit and the external processing device. A switching unit that switches to a first mode to be executed by a unit or a second mode to transmit the command to the external processing device by the second connection unit.
According to the present invention, the media processing device can switch which processing device executes a command that can be executed by both the media processing device and the external processing device. For example, it is possible for the host computer to switch the device for executing commands by the media processing device. In addition, for example, it is possible for the medium processing apparatus to switch an apparatus that executes a command according to a predetermined condition. Therefore, even if the host computer does not perform complicated control, the medium processing device and the external processing device can be properly used according to the purpose and contents of the processing.

In order to achieve the above object, a POS system of the present invention includes a POS terminal that transmits a command, a first processing unit that performs a first process on a recording medium, and a process different from the first processing unit. Received by the first connection unit, the first connection unit that receives the command transmitted from the POS terminal, the second connection unit that transmits the command received by the first connection unit, and the first connection unit. When the command received by the first connection unit and the control for executing the processing by the first processing unit based on the received command are preset commands, the preset command is sent by the second connection unit. A first medium processing device having a control unit for executing transmission, and a command connected to the second connection unit of the first medium processing device and receiving a command transmitted from the second connection unit. And a second medium processing device having a medium processing unit that performs processing common to the first processing unit of the first medium processing device based on a command received by the receiving unit. To do.
According to the POS system of the present invention, the first medium processing apparatus receives the command transmitted from the POS terminal, the first medium processing apparatus can process the medium, and the preset command is the second. For example, the second medium processing apparatus can process the medium by transmitting to the medium processing apparatus. For this reason, when the POS terminal transmits a command, the first and second medium processing apparatuses appropriately execute processing. Therefore, the POS terminal does not need to perform control for properly using the first and second media processing devices, and can appropriately use a plurality of media processing devices by simple control.
Further, the first medium processing device includes a second connection unit connected to the second medium processing device in addition to the first connection unit connected to the POS terminal. For this reason, the POS terminal only needs to transmit a command or the like as in the case of controlling the first medium processing apparatus, so that the function and software of the POS terminal are configured exclusively for using a plurality of medium processing apparatuses. There is no need. For example, there is an advantage that the configuration of an existing POS terminal can be used as it is.

Further, the present invention is the POS system, wherein the first processing unit included in the first medium processing apparatus is a printing unit that performs printing on roll paper, and the second processing unit records on a cut sheet. It is a reading unit that reads out the read information.
According to the POS system of the present invention, the first medium processing apparatus capable of executing processing for printing on roll paper and processing for reading information recorded on a cut sheet, and processing common to at least a part of the above The second medium processing apparatus capable of executing the above can be properly used to execute the processing.

Further, the present invention is the POS system, wherein the second medium processing device includes a second medium processing unit different from the medium processing unit, and the control unit of the first medium processing device includes the first medium processing unit. Of the commands received by one connection unit, a command related to a function that is not executed by the second medium processing device, and a command that can be executed by the first processing unit or the second processing unit is the first processing unit. Or it makes the said 2nd process part perform.
According to the present invention, different types of processing can be executed by the first medium processing device, and processing that can be executed by the second medium processing device can be detected. The first media processing device executes a command that is not executed by the second media processing device among the commands transmitted by the POS terminal. As a result, the POS terminal simply transmits a command to cause the second medium processing device to execute an executable process, and causes the first medium processing device to execute other processes. That is, the first medium processing apparatus appropriately operates the second medium processing apparatus in accordance with the function of the second medium processing apparatus. Therefore, a plurality of media processing devices can be appropriately used without the POS terminal performing control in accordance with the functions of the first and second media processing devices.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately use a plurality of processing devices without the host computer performing control for properly using the plurality of processing devices.

1 is a functional block diagram of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating in detail a configuration of a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a POS system 3 according to the embodiment.
The POS system 3 is a system that is installed in a retail store or the like, and performs processing such as sales data registration at the time of product sales, accounting processing, and receipt printing. The POS system 3 includes a POS terminal 20 (host computer) operated by an operator, a multifunction device 100 (medium processing device, first medium processing device) connected to the POS terminal 20, and a printer 200 connected to the multifunction device 100. (External processing device, second medium processing device).

  The POS terminal 20 reads an operator display 31 for displaying various information, a customer display 32 for displaying the amount of money for the customer, a cash drawer 33 for storing money, a keyboard 36 operated by the operator, and a product barcode. A barcode scanner 37 and a card reader 38 that reads magnetic information recorded on a card such as a credit card or a cash card are connected. The operator operates the keyboard 36 or performs a reading operation using the barcode scanner 37 and inputs product information. The POS terminal 20 makes an inquiry to the POS server 10 based on the input product information. The POS server 10 searches for the product master based on the product information transmitted from the POS terminal 20, extracts information on the product code, product name, and amount from the product master, and returns the information to the POS terminal 20. The POS terminal 20 displays the product price on the display 31 and the customer display 32 based on the information returned from the POS server 10. When this process is completed for all commodities in one transaction, the operator executes an accounting process by operating the keyboard 36 or the like, and pays change from the cash drawer 33 as necessary. The POS terminal 20 controls the MFP 100 or the printer 200 to print out a receipt.

The multifunction machine 100 has a function of printing a receipt on roll paper as a recording medium. The multi-function device 100 also has a magnetic reading function for reading information magnetically recorded on a form such as a check, and a validation function for printing that the form is used on a form such as a check. In the accounting process, when the customer uses a check, the operator sets the check in the multi-function peripheral 100 and reads the magnetic information of the check. The multi-function device 100 reads magnetic information on checks and performs validation printing. The POS terminal 20 performs accounting processing based on the information read by the multifunction device 100.
The printer 200 has a function of printing a receipt on roll paper. The multifunction device 100 and the printer 200 may be a thermal printer that prints a receipt on thermal roll paper, or may be a serial dot impact printer or an ink jet printer that prints on a roll paper made of plain paper.

  The POS terminal 20 includes a control unit 21 that controls each unit of the POS terminal 20. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, and the like (not shown), and executes a program stored in the storage unit 23. The control unit 21 includes a printer driver execution unit 22 that executes the printer driver program 24 stored in the storage unit 23. The printer driver execution unit 22 generates and transmits a command for instructing print execution and print data to be printed on a receipt to the printer connected to the interface 27. The printer driver execution unit 22 executes a printer driver program 24 corresponding to a specific manufacturer's printer or a specific model. Therefore, the commands and print data generated by the printer driver execution unit 22 are commands and print data of a command system corresponding to a printer of a specific manufacturer or a specific model. The printer driver program 24 may be a general-purpose printer driver. That is, the printer driver execution unit 22 may be a command system command and print data corresponding to a plurality of manufacturers' printers or a plurality of models.

  In the present embodiment, when both the multifunction device 100 and the printer 200, or at least the printer 200 does not support the printer driver program 24, more specifically, at least the command output by the printer driver execution unit 22 is output to the printer. 200, or a case where both the multifunction device 100 and the printer 200 cannot be executed will be described as an example. For example, when the printer driver program 24 is a printer driver program corresponding to a device different from the multifunction peripheral 100 and the printer 200 or a device such as a manufacturer's printer, or the printer driver program 24 is a general-purpose printer driver program. This is a case where the multifunction peripheral 100 and the printer 200 or the printer 200 requires the dedicated printer driver program 24.

The POS terminal 20 includes an output unit 28 having a connector (not shown) to which a display 31, a customer display 32, and a cash drawer 33 are connected. The output unit 28 outputs display data from the output unit 28 to the display 31 and the customer display 32 under the control of the control unit 21. Further, the output unit 28 outputs a signal for opening the cash drawer 33 to the cash drawer 33 under the control of the control unit 21. The output unit 28 may have a function of detecting the state (open / closed) of the cash drawer 33 and outputting the detection result to the control unit 21. An interface 27 connected to an external printer is connected to the output unit 28. The interface 27 has a connector (not shown) compliant with standards such as USB, RS-232C, Ethernet (registered trademark), and is connected to the printer by a cable connected to the connector. The interface 27 may include a wireless communication interface and be connected to the printer via a wireless communication line. Specific examples of the wireless communication interface are IEEE 802.11, wireless USB, Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB, and the like. In the present embodiment, the multifunction device 100 is connected to the interface 27 via the cable 6. The POS terminal 20 and the multifunction device 100 are connected on a one-to-one basis.
The POS terminal 20 includes a communication interface 26 connected to the communication line 5, and is connected to the POS server 10 via the communication interface 26. The communication interface 26 may include, for example, a communication interface circuit such as a LAN interface or a modem compliant with Ethernet.

  The multifunction device 100 includes a first interface 110 (first connection unit) and a second interface 115 (second connection unit) connected to an external device. The first interface 110 is connected to the POS terminal 20 via the cable 6. The second interface 115 is connected to the printer 200 via the cable 7. The first interface 110 is connected to the POS terminal 20 on a one-to-one basis, and the second interface 115 is connected to the printer 200 on a one-to-one basis.

The multifunction machine 100 includes a control unit 150. The control unit 150 includes, for example, a CPU, RAM, ROM, and a non-volatile storage device such as an EEPROM or a flash memory (not shown). The control unit 150 controls each unit by executing a program stored in a non-volatile storage device. This program may be so-called firmware for operating the multifunction peripheral 100.
The multifunction device 100 also includes a roll paper printing unit 120 (processing unit, first processing unit), a magnetic reading unit 130 (processing unit, second processing unit), and a form printing unit 140 (operating according to the control of the control unit 150. A processing unit and a second processing unit). That is, the multi-function device 100 is a multi-function device having a plurality of functions including a receipt printing function, a form magnetic information reading function, and a form printing function.
The control unit 150 transmits / receives data to / from the POS terminal 20 via the first interface 110 and transmits / receives data to / from the printer 200 via the second interface 115.

Although not shown, the roll paper printing unit 120 detects a print head that prints characters and images on the roll paper, a conveyance mechanism that conveys the roll paper, a cutter mechanism that cuts the roll paper, the presence or absence of the roll paper, and the position of the tip. The detector etc. which do are provided. The roll paper printing unit 120 prints on the roll paper under the control of the control unit 150 and outputs it as a receipt.
The magnetic reading unit 130 reads information magnetically recorded on a form such as a check set by the operator. Although not shown, the magnetic reading unit 130 includes a conveyance mechanism that conveys the form, a MICR head that reads information (for example, MICR characters) magnetically recorded on the form, and the like. In addition, the form printing unit 140 prints, for example, characters indicating that processing has been performed on the form read by the magnetic reading unit 130. The form printing unit 140 includes a print head (not shown). For example, the print head is provided at a position where the form is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism of the magnetic reading unit 130, and prints the form.

  The printer 200 is a single-function printer having a function of printing a receipt. The printer 200 includes an interface 210 connected to the multifunction peripheral 100 via the cable 7, a roll paper printing unit 220 (medium processing unit) including a print head for printing on roll paper, and control for controlling these. Part 250. Similar to the first interface 110 or the second interface 115, the interface 210 is a wired interface having a connector (not shown) or a wireless communication interface. The control unit 250 transmits / receives data to / from the multifunction device 100 via the interface 210.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the POS system 3 and particularly shows the configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes a main board 101 on which a CPU that controls each unit of the multi-function machine 100 is mounted, and an interface board 103 provided separately from the main board 101. For example, the interface board 103 may be connected to the main body board 101 via a bus line (not shown) that can be contacted / separated, and may be detachable from the main body of the multifunction peripheral 100. A first interface 110 and a roll paper printing unit 120 are mounted on the interface substrate 103, and a control unit 150 is mounted on the main body substrate 101. The main body substrate 101 is connected to the roll paper printing unit 120, the magnetic reading unit 130, the form printing unit 140, the changeover switch 170, and the operation panel 180 provided in the main body of the multifunction peripheral 100.

The first interface 110 includes a connector 111 to which the cable 6 can be connected, and the second interface 115 includes a connector 116 to which the cable 7 can be connected. These connectors 111 and 116 are provided independently on the interface board 103. As a specific example, a form in which the connectors 111 and 116 are exposed side by side on the back surface of the main body of the multi-function peripheral 100 can be cited. Further, the first interface 110 and the second interface 115 can execute communication independently of each other.
The connectors 111 and 116 are connectors compliant with standards such as USB, RS-232C, and Ethernet (registered trademark), and can connect cables 6 and 7 compliant with these standards. Further, the first interface 110 and the second interface 115 may include a wireless communication interface, and may be connected to the POS terminal 20 and the printer 200 via a wireless communication line. Specific examples of this wireless communication interface are IEEE 802.11, wireless USB, Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB, and the like.

  The control unit 150 executes various programs by a CPU mounted on the main body substrate 101, thereby allowing an external device control unit 151, an operation mode control unit 153 (switching unit), a data analysis unit 155, a conversion unit 157, and a command analysis unit. 158 and the process control unit 159.

  The external device control unit 151 transmits / receives data to / from a device connected to the second interface 115, the device type (multifunction device or printer), model name, manufacturer name, and command system corresponding to the device. (Command type), functions that can be executed by the device, and the like. In the present embodiment, the external device control unit 151 specifies at least the types of processing that can be executed by the device connected to the second interface 115. More preferably, the external device control unit 151 specifies a command system used by a device connected to the second interface 115. The command system is specified by, for example, transmitting data inquiring about the type of command via the second interface 115 and specifying based on a response to the data, or by a device connected to the second interface 115. There is a method for identifying the corresponding command system by determining the model name or manufacturer name. In this embodiment, since the printer 200 is connected to the second interface 115, the external device control unit 151 specifies a command system used by the printer 200.

The operation mode control unit 153 controls switching of the operation mode of the multifunction peripheral 100. When the POS terminal 20 outputs a command for instructing execution of printing, the multi-function device 100 can execute a first mode in which the multi-function device 100 performs printing and a second mode in which the printer 200 performs printing. The first mode and the second mode are exclusively selected.
In other words, in the first mode, the multifunction device 100 executes all commands related to processing that can be executed by the multifunction device 100 among the commands received by the first interface 110. On the other hand, in the second mode, the multifunction device 100 transmits, from the second interface 115, a command related to processing that can be executed by a device connected to the second interface 115 among the commands received by the first interface 110. The multifunction device 100 executes a command related to processing that cannot be executed by the device connected to the second interface 115.

When receiving a command for instructing execution of printing from the first interface 110 in the first mode, the multifunction peripheral 100 executes printing by the roll paper printing unit 120 based on the print data received together with this command.
When receiving a command for instructing execution of printing from the first interface 110 in the second mode, the multifunction peripheral 100 transmits the command and the print data received together with the command from the second interface 115. The printer 200 receives a command for instructing printing and print data via the interface 210, and executes printing by the roll paper printing unit 220.

  The switching between the first mode and the second mode is performed, for example, when a data analysis unit 155 described later detects a text command, when a change-over switch 170 provided in the multifunction device 100 is operated, and an operation panel provided in the multifunction device 100. This is executed when the operation mode is instructed by the operation 180. The changeover switch 170 is a switch disposed outside the exterior panel of the multifunction machine 100, for example. The shape of the changeover switch 170 may be a push button switch, a touch sensor type switch, or a lever switch. The operation mode control unit 153 switches the operation mode being executed to another operation mode each time the changeover switch 170 is operated and turned on. The operation panel 180 includes various switches (not shown) that control the operation of the multifunction device 100 and an indicator lamp (not shown) that displays the operation state of the multifunction device 100. When the operation of a specific switch on the operation panel 180 is detected, the operation mode control unit 153 switches the operation mode being executed to another operation mode. The operation panel 180 may be provided with an indicator lamp (not shown) or a display indicating the operation mode being executed.

The data analysis unit 155 analyzes text data included in the print data received by the first interface 110 and determines whether or not a text command is included in the text data. The text command is a command included in the print data output from the POS terminal 20. The print data includes text data for printing characters, and this text data is an enumeration of characters and symbols. Since characters and symbols included in the text data are printed on a receipt and viewed by the customer, they usually constitute meaningful content that can be recognized by a person. For this reason, a character string having no specific meaning as a word or symbol (including a case where no meaning is assigned) is not printed. For example, “$ 10” is a character string indicating the amount of money. On the other hand, for example, the character string “# 1122” is a character string having no meaning unless any meaning is assigned to the character “#”. Since the character string having no meaning is not printed on the receipt, it can be used as a command that can be interpreted by the multifunction peripheral 100. A command transmitted to the multi-function peripheral 100 as part of text data in the print data is called a text command in this embodiment.
Here are some specific examples of text commands. It is assumed that “# 1122” is set in advance as a command for instructing the MFP 100 to switch the operation mode. The preset command is stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) included in the control unit 150, for example. The data analysis unit 155 acquires text data in the print data received via the first interface 110, and searches for whether “# 1122” is included in the text data. When “# 1122” is detected, the data analysis unit 155 notifies the operation mode control unit 153 that a command instructing switching of the operation mode has been detected. As a result, the operation mode control unit 153 switches the operation mode being executed to another operation mode.

  The text command is output as part of the print data. Therefore, a new command can be added without changing the command set (command system) used by the POS terminal 20. That is, the text data included in the print data is generated by an application program that outputs the print data to the printer driver program 24. The printer driver program 24 converts the print data generated by the application program into a data format for the multifunction peripheral 100, and transmits it together with a command for instructing print execution. Therefore, if the application program outputs print data including a text command, the multifunction peripheral 100 operates according to the text command even if the printer driver program 24 cannot recognize the text command. Therefore, any command related to the operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 can be added without changing the content of the printer driver program 24 executed by the POS terminal 20.

  In addition, when the data analysis unit 155 detects a text command in the print data received by the first interface 110, the data analysis unit 155 deletes the text command and newly generates print data. As a result, a meaningless character string can be prevented from being printed on the receipt. The data analysis unit 155 removes the text command from the print data in both the first and second modes.

  The conversion unit 157 converts the command received by the first interface 110 into a command having the same meaning in another command system. As described above, the POS terminal 20 generates and transmits a command in a predetermined command system by the function of the printer driver program 24. The command system varies depending on the manufacturer and model of the device including the multifunction peripheral 100 and the printer 200. For this reason, the command system transmitted by the POS terminal 20 may not match the command system that can be executed by the multifunction peripheral 100 and / or the printer 200. In the present embodiment, as described above, at least the printer 200 or both the multifunction peripheral 100 and the printer 200 cannot execute a command output from the printer driver execution unit 22. The conversion unit 157 converts the command output from the printer driver execution unit 22 so that the multifunction peripheral 100 and the printer 200 can execute processing supported by the command output from the printer driver execution unit 22.

  The conversion unit 157 stores a table that defines a correspondence relationship between commands in at least one command system and commands in another command system. The control unit 150 may store a table that associates a command system of commands transmitted from the POS terminal 20 with a command system that can be executed by the multifunction peripheral 100. The control unit 150 may store a table that associates a command system of commands transmitted from the POS terminal 20 with a command system that can be executed by the printer 200. When the command received by the first interface 110 is not a command command that can be executed by the multifunction device 100, the conversion unit 157 converts the command into a command command that can be executed by the multifunction device 100. Accordingly, the multifunction device 100 can execute all commands received by the first interface 110. In addition, when the command received by the first interface 110 is not a command command that can be executed by the printer 200 during execution of the second mode, the conversion unit 157 converts the command command to a command that can be executed by the printer 200. Perform conversion. Commands that can be executed by the printer 200 can be specified by the external device control unit 151. Therefore, if the command system does not match between the POS terminal 20 and the multifunction peripheral 100 and / or the printer 200, the command transmitted by the POS terminal 20 can be executed in both the first mode and the second mode. Thereby, for example, when the printer constituting the POS system 3 is replaced with the multifunction device 100 or the printer 200 which is a model of another manufacturer, the multifunction device 100 or the printer 200 is operated without changing the printer driver program 24. Can be made.

The conversion unit 157 may convert the content of the command and the content of the print data when converting the command received by the first interface 110 into a command suitable for the printer 200. For example, the printer 100 has the printing conditions such as the resolution of the print head of the printer, the line feed amount, the font size, the font type, the margin between characters, the left and right margins of the roll paper, and the roll paper size. The roll paper printing unit 120 may be different. Further, the printing conditions may be different from those of the roll paper printing unit 220 of the printer 200. Furthermore, printing conditions may differ between the roll paper printing unit 120 and the roll paper printing unit 220.
In such a case, the conversion unit 157 converts the contents of the command and the print data so that the same or similar print result can be obtained even if the printer has different print conditions. For example, the conversion unit 157 may print the print position designation command included in the command received by the first interface 110 so that the roll paper printing unit 120 can print in the same or similar form as the printer corresponding to the printer driver program 24. Command, parameters such as margin specification command, line feed command, font specification command, character margin specification command, etc. are converted. Further, the conversion unit 157 may convert the number of pixels of the image data included in the print data. Similarly, the conversion unit 157 allows the roll paper printing unit 220 to print in the various types of commands included in the command received by the first interface 110 so that printing can be performed in the same or similar form as the printer corresponding to the printer driver program 24. Commands and parameters, and the number of pixels of image data included in print data are converted. As a result, the same or similar printed matter can be obtained by the multifunction device 100 and the printer 200 without modifying the software of the POS terminal 20.

The command analysis unit 158 analyzes a command received by the first interface 110 and identifies a function corresponding to the received command. For example, the command analysis unit 158 specifies whether the received command is a command related to the function of the roll paper printing unit 120, a command related to the function of the magnetic reading unit 130, or a command related to the function of the form printing unit 140.
When the command received by the first interface 110 is a command related to the function of the magnetic reading unit 130 or the form printing unit 140, the command analysis unit 158 causes the processing control unit 159 described later to execute the command.
When the command received by the first interface 110 is a command related to the function of the roll paper printing unit 120, the command analysis unit 158 determines the operation mode of the multifunction peripheral 100. When the operation mode of the multifunction peripheral 100 is the first mode, the command analysis unit 158 causes the processing control unit 159 to execute a command related to the roll paper printing unit 120. On the other hand, when the operation mode of the multifunction peripheral 100 is the second mode, the command analysis unit 158 causes the second interface 115 to transmit a command related to the roll paper printing unit 120 to the printer 200. Here, when the command received by the first interface 110 is accompanied by print data, the command analysis unit 158 causes the second interface 115 to transmit the command and the print data.

  The processing control unit 159 executes the command received by the first interface 110 and drives the roll paper printing unit 120, the magnetic reading unit 130, and the form printing unit 140 to print receipts, read magnetic information, or to form. Execute printing.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction machine 100.
When the control unit 150 detects that a command has been received by the first interface 110 (step S11), the conversion unit 157 determines whether or not conversion of the received command is necessary (step S12). If the received command is different from the command corresponding to the multifunction device 100, the conversion unit 157 determines that the command needs to be converted (step S12; Yes). In this case, the conversion unit 157 converts the received command into a corresponding command in a command system supported by the multifunction peripheral 100 (step S13). If the conversion unit 157 determines that command conversion is not necessary (step S12; No), the conversion unit 157 does not convert the command.

  Subsequently, the data analysis unit 155 determines whether text data is received together with the command by the first interface 110 (step S14). When text data is received (step S14; Yes), the data analysis unit 155 analyzes the received text data (step S15) and searches for a text command (step S16). If the received text data includes a text command (step S16; Yes), the data analysis unit 155 outputs the text command to the operation mode control unit 153. The operation mode control unit 153 performs a process of switching (setting) the current operation mode to another operation mode in accordance with the text command (step S17). The data analysis unit 155 removes the text command output to the operation mode control unit 153 from the received text data to generate new text data (step S18), and proceeds to the next step S19. If the received text data does not contain a text command (step S16; No), the data analysis unit 155 proceeds to step S19.

In step S19, the command analysis unit 158 analyzes the received command. The command analysis unit 158 determines whether the received command is a print command (step S20). If the received command is not a print command (step S20; No), the command analysis unit 158 outputs the command to the processing control unit 159, and the processing control unit 159 controls the magnetic reading unit 130 or the form printing unit 140, The process is executed according to the command (step S21).
On the other hand, when the received command is a print command (step S21; Yes), the data analysis unit 155 determines the operation mode set by the operation mode control unit 153 (step S22). When the operation mode is the first mode (step S23; Yes), the data analysis unit 155 outputs a command to the processing control unit 159, and the processing control unit 159 controls the roll paper printing unit 120 to perform printing according to the print command. Is executed (step S24). On the other hand, when the operation mode is the second mode (step S23; No), the conversion unit 157 determines whether or not the command needs to be converted (step S25). Since the command is transmitted to the printer 200 in the second mode, the conversion unit 157 determines that the command needs to be converted when the command received by the first interface 110 is different from the command used by the printer 200. (Step S25; Yes). In this case, the conversion unit 157 performs conversion into commands in the command system used by the printer 200 (step S26), and transmits a print command and print data to the printer 200 through the second interface 115 (step S27). If the command conversion is not necessary (step S25; No), the conversion unit 157 transmits the command and print data received by the first interface 110 via the second interface 115. Note that the print data transmitted by the second interface 115 in step S27 is the print data received by the first interface 110 or the data from which the text command has been removed in step S18.

As described above, the MFP 100 included in the POS system 3 according to the present embodiment includes the roll paper printing unit 120 that processes roll paper as a medium, and the first interface that receives commands transmitted from the POS terminal 20. 110, a second interface 115 that transmits a command received by the first interface 110 to the printer 200 that performs processing common to the roll paper printing unit 120, and a roll received based on the command received by the first interface 110. A control unit 150 that executes processing by the paper printing unit 120 and a control unit 150 that controls the command to be transmitted to the printer 200 through the second interface 115, and the control unit 150 receives the command received by the first interface 110. Is a preset command. The set command by the second interface 115 is sent to the printer 200.
Accordingly, the multi-function device 100 can receive the command transmitted from the POS terminal 20, print on the roll paper by the roll paper printing unit 120 on the basis of the received command, and send a preset command to the printer. For example, a receipt can be printed on the printer 200. Therefore, when the POS terminal 20 transmits a command to the multifunction device 100, the multifunction device 100 performs printing or the command is appropriately transferred to the printer 200. Therefore, the POS terminal 20 does not need to perform control for using the multifunction device 100 and the printer 200 properly, and can appropriately use the multifunction device 100 and the printer 200 with simple control.
Furthermore, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes a second interface 115 in addition to the first interface 110. For this reason, the POS terminal 20 may transmit a command or the like similarly to the case where one multifunction device 100 is connected. Therefore, the function and software of the POS terminal 20 do not need to have a dedicated configuration for using a plurality of processing devices. For example, there is an advantage that the configuration of the existing POS terminal 20 can be used as it is.

In addition, the control unit 150 causes the second interface 115 to transmit the command executed by the printer 200 among the commands received by the first interface 110 to the printer 200. For this reason, the POS terminal 20 can operate the printer 200 by the function of the multifunction device 100 when the command is transmitted.
In addition, the multifunction device 100 includes a magnetic reading unit 130 and a form printing unit 140 as a second processing unit that executes processing different from that of the roll paper printing unit 120, and an external device control unit 151 that detects processing that can be executed by the printer 200. The control unit 150 further includes a command received by the first interface 110 when the printer 200 detects that the printer 200 does not have a processing unit common to the magnetic reading unit 130 and the form printing unit 140. The roll paper printing unit 220 executes commands that can be executed by the roll paper printing unit 220 as a processing unit provided in the printer 200. As a result, the printer 200 can cause the printer 200 to execute a type of process that can be executed by the printer 200 simply by transmitting a command from the POS terminal 20, and the MFP 100 can execute other processes. In other words, the multifunction peripheral 100 appropriately operates the printer 200 in accordance with the functions provided in the printer 200. Therefore, even if the POS terminal 20 does not perform control according to the function of each processing device, a plurality of processing devices can be used appropriately.

  In addition, when the command received by the first interface 110 is a command that can be executed by both the roll paper printing unit 120 and the roll paper printing unit 220 of the printer 200, the multi-function device 100 sends the command to the roll paper printing unit. An operation mode control unit 153 that switches to a first mode executed by 120 or a second mode in which commands are transmitted to the printer 200 through the second interface 115 is provided. For this reason, the multifunction device 100 can switch which processing device executes a command that can be executed by both the multifunction device 100 and the printer 200.

  A specific example of how to use the POS system 3 will be given. In a configuration in which the multi-function device 100 and the printer 200 are installed at separate locations, the multi-function device 100 and the printer 200 can be used properly. For example, when there is an operator near the multifunction peripheral 100, the POS system 3 is used in a form in which the multifunction peripheral 100 prints a receipt by setting the operation mode of the multifunction peripheral 100 to the first mode. If the operator leaves the vicinity of the multifunction peripheral 100 and there is no operator near the multifunction peripheral 100, a command is transmitted from the POS terminal 20 to switch the multifunction peripheral 100 to the second mode. Thereby, the receipt is printed by the printer 200. In this way, the location where the receipt is output can be changed by switching the operation mode of the multifunction peripheral 100.

The above-described embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, among the functional units of the external device control unit 151, the operation mode control unit 153, the data analysis unit 155, the conversion unit 157, the command analysis unit 158, and the processing control unit 159 included in the multifunction peripheral 100 described in the above embodiment. Even if the configuration is partially omitted, the effect of the present invention can be obtained. For example, when information about the type of processing that can be executed and the command system is preset in the control unit 150 for a device connected to the second interface 115, the external device control unit 151 has a function of detecting the printer 200. Can be omitted. For example, when the multifunction device 100 and the printer 200 correspond to the command system of the command transmitted by the POS terminal 20, the function of converting the command by the conversion unit 157 can be omitted. Further, for example, when a text command is not used and a command for the POS terminal 20 to instruct the MFP 100 to switch the operation mode is defined in the same way as a print command or the like, the data analysis unit 155 sends a text command The detection function can be omitted. Furthermore, for example, when the command transmitted from the second interface 115 among the commands received by the first interface 110 is set individually or for each corresponding function to the control unit 150, the operation mode control is performed. The unit 153 may transmit the command from the second interface 115 when the received command corresponds to the set command, so that the function of analyzing the command by the command analysis unit 158 can be omitted.
In the above embodiment, since the operation mode can be switched by operating the changeover switch 170 or the operation panel 180, the present invention is applied without using a text command or a command for switching the operation mode. Also good.

In the above embodiment, as an example of a medium processing apparatus that processes a medium and an external processing apparatus, the configuration including the multifunction peripheral 100 and the printer 200 that performs printing on roll paper has been described as an example. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a synthetic resin sheet limited to paper can be used as the medium, and the surface of the medium may be processed. The medium may be a cut sheet cut to a predetermined size, or may be a continuous sheet such as sprocket paper. Further, for example, a configuration in which copy paper is used as a medium may be adopted. Furthermore, the roll paper printing units 120 and 220 are not limited to thermal printers that print by applying heat to the thermal paper, and various recording methods such as an ink jet method and a dot impact method can be employed. In the above-described embodiment, the magnetic reading unit 130 and the form printing unit 140 are exemplified as processing units other than the printing included in the multifunction peripheral 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and printing is performed on another type of medium. It may be a printing unit, a scanner that optically reads a medium such as a check, or a processing unit that performs authentication using an IC card or the like.
Furthermore, the POS system 3 of the above embodiment is configured such that the multifunction device 100 having a plurality of functions is connected to the POS terminal 20 and the printer 200 is connected to the multifunction device 100. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer 200 may be connected to the POS terminal 20, and the multifunction peripheral 100 or another printer 200 may be connected to the printer 200.
In the above embodiment, the POS terminal 20 is described as an example of the host computer, but the present invention is not limited to this. The host computer is not limited as long as it has a function of transmitting commands and text data to a medium processing apparatus such as the multifunction peripheral 100, and is a computer device such as a general personal computer, a mainframe computer, or a server. Alternatively, a portable device can be used. Further, the use of the host computer is not limited to the accounting processing as POS, and the present invention can be applied to general uses such as document creation processing and image editing processing, or a system including a computer used for a specific use. .
Each functional block shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be arbitrarily realized by cooperation of hardware and software, and does not suggest a specific hardware configuration.
Further, for example, the control unit 150 of the multi-function device 100 may be configured to implement various functions of the control unit 150 by executing a program stored in an externally connected storage medium. Of course, other detailed configurations can be arbitrarily changed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... POS system, 10 ... POS server, 20 ... POS terminal (host computer), 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Printer driver execution part, 23 ... Memory | storage part, 24 ... Printer driver program, 40 ... Checkout system, 100 ... Multifunction machine (medium processing apparatus, first medium processing apparatus), 101... Body substrate, 103... Interface board, 110... First interface (first connection unit), 115. Roll paper printing unit (processing unit, first processing unit), 130 ... magnetic reading unit (processing unit, second processing unit), 140 ... form printing unit (processing unit, second processing unit), 150 ... control unit, 151 ... external device control unit, 153 ... operation mode control unit (switching unit), 155 ... data analysis unit, 157 ... conversion unit, 158 ... command analysis unit 159 ... Processing control unit, 170 ... Changeover switch, 180 ... Operation panel, 200 ... Printer (external processing device, second medium processing device), 220 ... Roll paper printing unit (medium processing unit), 250 ... Control unit, R …receipt.

Claims (7)

A processing unit for processing the medium;
A first connection for receiving a command transmitted from a host computer;
A second connection unit that transmits a command received by the first connection unit to an external processing device that performs processing common to the processing unit;
A control unit that performs control to execute processing in the processing unit based on a command received by the first connection unit, and control to transmit the command to the external processing device through the second connection unit; With
The control unit causes the second connection unit to transmit the preset command to the external processing device when the command received by the first connection unit is a preset command;
A medium processing apparatus.   The control unit causes a command executed by the external processing device among commands received by the first connection unit to be transmitted to the external processing device by the second connection unit. Item 4. The medium processing apparatus according to Item 1. A second processing unit that executes processing different from the processing unit;
An external device control unit that detects processing that can be executed by the external processing device,
When the external device control unit detects that the external processing device does not have a processing unit in common with the second processing unit, the control unit includes the command received by the first connection unit. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second processing unit causes the second processing unit to execute a command that can be executed by the second processing unit.   When the command received by the first connection unit is a command executed by the processing unit and the external processing device, the first mode in which the command is executed by the processing unit, or the command is executed by the first unit. 4. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit configured to switch to a second mode in which transmission is performed to the external processing apparatus by two connection units. 5. A POS terminal that sends a command;
A first processing unit that performs a first process on a recording medium; a second processing unit that performs a process different from the first processing unit; a first connection unit that receives a command transmitted from the POS terminal; A second connection unit that transmits a command received by one connection unit, and a control that causes the first processing unit to execute a process based on the command received by the first connection unit and the first connection unit that receives the command. A first medium processing device having a control unit that executes control for transmitting the preset command by the second connection unit when the command is a preset command;
A receiving unit connected to the second connection unit of the first medium processing device and receiving a command transmitted from the second connection unit, and the first medium processing device based on the command received by the receiving unit A second medium processing apparatus having a medium processing unit that performs processing common to the first processing unit of
A POS system comprising:   The first processing unit included in the first medium processing apparatus is a printing unit that performs printing on roll paper, and the second processing unit is a reading unit that reads information recorded on a cut sheet. The POS system according to claim 5. The second medium processing apparatus has a second medium processing unit different from the medium processing unit,
The control unit of the first medium processing device is a command related to a function that the second medium processing device does not execute among commands received by the first connection unit, the first processing unit or the second The POS system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a command executable by a processing unit is caused to be executed by the first processing unit or the second processing unit.

Images