JP2014182691A - Print control program, pring control device, and print control method - Google Patents

Abstract

A print control program for a host device, which can prevent erroneous execution of real-time processing without changing an existing application or the like.
A program that operates by an OS in an OS layer and executes predetermined processing by an application in an application layer, and causes a computer having a communication port to execute processing for adding a command to print data output from the application to the communication port. Whether the print data is acquired in the OS layer before the communication port and whether each command of the acquired print data in the application layer is a first command that may cause a real-time command to be erroneously executed. A step of determining, and a step of adding an execution prohibition command of a real-time command before the command and sending the command to the communication port when each command of the determined print data is determined to be the first command in the application layer To run on a computer.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control program for a host device of a printer, and more particularly to a print control program that can prevent erroneous execution of real-time processing in a printer without changing existing applications and drivers.

  In a POS system used in a retail sales business such as a supermarket, a plurality of terminal devices (registers) connected to a server via a network operate according to an application provided in the device and execute various processes. Usually, each of the terminal devices (POS terminals) is provided with a printer, and outputs a receipt or a coupon according to an instruction from the application. In addition, as a system having a configuration similar to the POS system with such output, there are a system used in a hospital, a system used in a transportation company, and the like.

  Even in such a system, there is a need for system improvement in line with technical improvements and business improvement requests after introduction. However, such a system is generally used as a business center at all times. In many cases, it is not easy to modify the application.

  As for this problem, the following proposals have conventionally been made regarding the functions of the output processing system.

  The following Patent Document 1 describes a device that performs a modem function in a personal computer that can remove the microprocessor and memory required for a conventional modem without having to modify an existing application program. Has been.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 below, by accessing one communication port without changing the application, it is possible to cause a printer connected to another communication port to execute printing simultaneously. A device is described that enables it.

  On the other hand, the print data transmitted to the printer when the application issues a print instruction generally includes a normal command and a real-time command that is immediately executed when received by the printer. The normal command includes a print instruction command for each print object, and the print instruction command for the image image includes binary data representing the image image. In such a normal command that includes binary data, the same data string as the real-time command may appear in the data string by chance. In this case, it is misunderstood as a real-time command even though it is a normal command on the printer. Therefore, there is a possibility that the processing by the real-time command is erroneously executed.

  As a proposal for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 discloses that a driver in a printer host device executes a process for adding a command for prohibiting execution of a real-time command.

JP-A-8-69427 JP 2006-338443 A Japanese Patent No. 4496594

  However, as a system improvement in the above-described POS terminal or the like, when trying to solve the problem of the above-described real-time command, the above-described patent document does not disclose a technique to be performed without changing an existing application or printer driver. .

  Further, in the processing in the OS kernel layer as shown in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that function construction (program development or the like) is generally not easy and functions are limited.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a print control program for a printer host device, which can easily prevent erroneous execution of real-time processing in the printer without changing existing applications and drivers, Etc. is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a computer having a communication port, which is operated by an operating system of an OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer. A data acquisition step in which a print control program for executing a process of adding a command to print data output from the application to the communication port acquires the print data in the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data; In the application layer, it is determined whether or not each command of the print data acquired in the data acquisition step is a first command that may cause erroneous execution of a real-time command executed with priority over a normal command. Data analysis process and application For each command of the print data determined in the data analysis step, a command that prohibits execution of a real-time command is added before the first command when it is determined that the command is the first command. If it is determined that the command is not the first command, no command is added, a command addition process is executed, and a data processing step of outputting the processed print data to the communication port is executed by the computer. That is.

  Furthermore, in the above-mentioned invention, the preferable aspect is that the data processing step further includes a process of adding a command permitting execution of a real-time command after the first command when it is determined that the data processing step is the first command. It is characterized by including.

  Further, in the above invention, one aspect is characterized in that the determination that the command is the first command in the data analysis step is made when the command is a normal command including binary data.

  In the above invention, according to one aspect, the determination that the command is the first command in the data analysis step is made when the command is a normal command including image data.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, one aspect is characterized in that the determination that the first command in the data analysis step is a normal command including the same data string as the real-time command is made. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, another aspect of the present invention is composed of a computer having a communication port, which is operated by an operating system of the OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer. A data acquisition unit that acquires, in the OS kernel layer, the print control apparatus that executes processing for adding a command to print data output from the application to the communication port before the communication port receives the print data And, in the application layer, data analysis for determining whether each command of the acquired print data is a first command that may cause erroneous execution of a real-time command that is executed in preference to a normal command And the determined printing in the application layer When it is determined that the command is the first command, a command that prohibits execution of the real-time command is added before the first command, and when it is determined that the command is not the first command Includes a data processing unit that does not add a command, executes command addition processing, and outputs the processed print data to the communication port.

  In order to achieve the above object, still another aspect of the present invention provides a computer with a communication port, which is operated by an operating system of an OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer. A print control method for executing processing for adding a command to print data output from the application to the communication port acquires the print data at the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data; In the application layer, it is determined whether or not each command of the print data acquired in the data acquisition process is a first command that may cause erroneous execution of a real-time command that is executed in preference to a normal command. Data analysis process and the application For each command of the print data determined in the data analysis step at the application layer, if it is determined that the command is the first command, a command prohibiting execution of the real-time command is added before the first command. And a data processing step of executing a command addition process that does not add a command when it is determined that the command is not the first command, and outputting the print data after the process to the communication port. .

  Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below.

It is a functional block diagram which concerns on the embodiment of the POS terminal device to which this invention is applied. It is the flowchart which illustrated the processing procedure at the time of printing. It is a figure for demonstrating the improvement of a POS terminal device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such an embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

  FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a POS terminal device to which the present invention is applied. A POS terminal apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In this apparatus, print data output from the POS application 101 is acquired by the virtual port 103 (data acquisition unit) of the OS kernel layer 130. The data analysis unit 104 of the application layer 120 receives the acquired data, analyzes each command included in the print data, and determines the possibility of erroneous execution of the real-time command. In accordance with the determination result, the data processing unit 105 of the application layer 120 also executes command addition / non-addition processing on the print data, and the processed print data is output to the printer 2 via the communication port 107. The The POS terminal apparatus 1 executes such processing to prevent erroneous execution of real-time commands in the printer 2 without changing the POS application 101 and the printer 2 driver 102.

  In this embodiment, a POS system used in a supermarket or the like is assumed, and the POS terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a POS server (not shown) via a network. The POS server is configured by a computer system, and executes processing such as aggregation and management of various data acquired from a POS terminal device under management, such as the POS terminal device 1.

  The POS terminal device 1 (printing control device) is installed as a cash register in a store and connected to the printer 2. The printer 2 outputs a receipt or a coupon according to the print data output from the POS terminal device 1. Therefore, the POS terminal device 1 is positioned as a host device for the printer 2.

  The POS terminal device 1 is configured by a computer and includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an HDD, and the like (not shown). A POS application 101 program, a data analysis program, and a data processing program, which will be described later, are stored in the ROM, and each process is executed by the CPU operating in accordance with these programs.

  The POS terminal device 1 includes a display, a keyboard, a barcode reader, a card reader, and the like. The POS terminal device 1 generates information to be printed on a receipt or a coupon based on information acquired from the above-described keyboard, barcode reader, card reader, and the like, and outputs the information to the printer 2.

  Further, the POS terminal device 1 has a functional configuration as shown in FIG. The POS application 101 performs processing for generating and outputting information to be printed on the receipt and coupon described above. The generated data is data in a format that can be output to the printer 2 as it is, or data in a format that is passed to the driver 2 for the printer 2. The former is generated in the case of simple print data such as printing of text only.

  The printer 2 driver 102 is a printer driver for the printer 2, and print data that can be received and printed by the printer 2 according to a command dependent on the model (device) of the printer 2 of data output from the POS application 101. Output as.

  The output print data is composed of commands for instructing the operation of the printer 2, and there are a normal command and a real-time command. The normal command is a control command for a printing operation performed by the print execution unit of the printer 2 at the time of printing, and includes a command for instructing execution of a printing operation, a line feed operation, and a command for instructing parameter settings such as changing the amount of line feed. . The command for instructing the printing operation includes a data string representing a character to be printed and an image image, and the image image is expressed by binary data.

  In addition, the real-time command is read from the reception buffer in the main process of the printer 2 in order to be interpreted, but is interpreted and executed as soon as the printer 2 receives it in the reception buffer. This command is processed with priority. As the real-time command, there are a command for instructing validity / invalidity of a panel switch provided in the printer 2, a command for instructing selection of a paper detector, a command for instructing real-time transmission of status information of the printer 2, and the like. This real-time command is discarded during the main printing process.

As shown in FIG. 1, the POS application 101 and the printer 2 driver 102 are located in an application layer 120 on which a program executes each process based on an operating system (OS) of a computer. Both are constituted by a program stored in the ROM for instructing each processing content and the CPU for executing processing according to the program.

  Next, the virtual port 103 is a part that receives print data output from the POS application 101 or the printer 2 driver 102 at the OS kernel layer 130 in which the operating system is located before the communication port 107 receives the print data. Then, the virtual port 103 delivers the acquired print data to the data analysis unit 104.

  The data analysis unit 104 analyzes the received print data and determines whether each normal command included in the print data can include the same data string as the real-time command.

  The data processing unit 105 is a part that executes a command addition process for each normal command based on the determination result of the data analysis unit 104. Specifically, when the determination result can include the same data string as the real-time command, a command that prohibits execution of the real-time command and the execution of the real-time command, respectively, before and after the normal command Add a command that allows On the other hand, if the determination result cannot include the same data string as the real-time command, the received data is transmitted to the communication port 107 as it is without adding the command. A command that prohibits / permits execution of a real-time command is prepared as a command that controls execution of a real-time command, and by setting a parameter in the command, it means that the execution is prohibited / permitted. be able to.

  The data storage unit 106 is a part that stores various data used by the data analysis unit 104 and the data processing unit 105. Here, sample data for determining what kind of command each received command is and data of a command to be added are stored.

  The virtual port 103, the data analysis unit 104, and the data processing unit 105 are each configured by a program that instructs processing performed by each unit and the CPU that executes processing according to the program. These programs correspond to the print control program of the present invention.

  Next, the POS terminal device 1 includes a communication port 107 in the physical layer 140 and is connected to the printer 2. The communication port 107 is, for example, a COM communication port for serial communication or a USB communication port. The printer 2 is an inkjet color printer, for example. Here, although one communication port 107 is provided and one printer 2 is connected to the POS terminal device 1, the number of communication ports 107 and printers 2 to be connected is not limited to this.

  In the POS terminal device 1 having the configuration described above, processing is performed in the following procedure during printing. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure during printing. First, as described above, print data is output directly from the POS application 101 or via the printer 2 driver 102 (step S1 in FIG. 2). For example, the print data is receipt print data that is assumed to be output from the printer 2, and is represented by a command that depends on the printer 2.

Next, the output print data is received by the virtual port 103 before reaching the communication port 107 (step S2 in FIG. 2). Such processing is realized by changing the (priority) setting of the registry so that the virtual port 103 receives data destined for the communication port 107, and the setting change is executed when the OS is started. Is done. Thereafter, the received print data is sent from the virtual port 103 to the data analysis unit 104 of the application layer 120 (step S2 in FIG. 2).

  Next, the data analysis unit 104 analyzes the sent print data and determines whether or not the same data string as the real-time command described above can be included (step S3 in FIG. 2). Specifically, for the print data transferred from the virtual port 103, each command included in the print data is sequentially analyzed, and whether or not the command is a normal command that can include the same data string as the real-time command is determined. judge. More specifically, it is determined whether or not the command is a normal command including binary data such as image data. For the analysis and determination, sample data stored in the data storage unit 106 is referred to. The sample data represents, for example, the characteristics of each normal command including binary data, and the data analysis unit 104 compares the received command data with the sample data and performs the above determination.

  Next, the result of the determination and the data of the command that has received the determination are sequentially delivered from the data analysis unit 104 to the data processing unit 105, and the data processing unit 105 sequentially executes the command for each command data. Additional processing is executed (step S4 in FIG. 2). Specifically, if the result of the determination is a normal command including binary data, that is, a normal command that can include the same data string as the real-time command, the data of the command A command for prohibiting execution of the real-time command is added immediately before the command, and further, a command for permitting execution of the real-time command is added immediately after the data of the command. When the command is added, the data storage unit 106 is referred to, and the command data stored therein is acquired.

  On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that the command is not a normal command including binary data, that is, the command is not a normal command that can include the same data string as the real-time command, Does not execute the command addition process. That is, the received command data is left as it is without being processed.

  When the command addition / non-addition process is completed in this way, the data processing unit 105 sequentially outputs the processed data (print data) to the communication port 107 (step S5 in FIG. 2).

  The output print data is appropriately transmitted to the printer 2 (step S6 in FIG. 2), and the print data is received by the printer 2.

  The printer 2 executes a printing process according to the received print data and outputs a printed matter (step S7 in FIG. 2). At the time of the printing process, since the execution of the real-time command is prohibited for the normal command that has been subjected to the command addition process before the execution of the command, the same data string as the real-time command was included. However, it is possible to prevent a process from being erroneously executed as a real-time command and to perform a normal process. Further, since the processing of the real time command is permitted immediately after the normal command, the processing can be correctly executed when the real time command is actually received thereafter.

  As described above, the printing process in the POS terminal device 1 is completed.

Thus, in the POS terminal device 1 according to the present embodiment, the POS application 1
By adding a command to the print data output from 01, it is possible to prevent erroneous execution of the real-time command. Then, a POS terminal device that cannot perform the command addition process can be improved to the present POS terminal device 1 by a relatively easy method.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the improvement. This figure is the same functional configuration diagram as FIG. 1, and the solid line portion shows a POS terminal device that does not perform the above-described command addition. That is, the apparatus before improvement is configured such that print data output directly from the POS application 101 or via the printer driver 102 is received by the communication port 107 and output from the printer 2. And it is possible to make this POS terminal device 1 by adding the part shown with a dotted line to the device of such composition.

  That is, the existing POS terminal apparatus can be improved by adding the virtual port 103, the data analysis unit 104, the data processing unit 105, and the data storage unit 106 without changing the existing POS application 101 and the printer driver 102. It becomes possible. And this improvement (addition) can be performed by the operation | work of installing a new program and data, etc.

  As described above, by using the print control program according to the present embodiment, a function for preventing erroneous execution of a real-time command is added by an easy method that does not involve changing the existing POS application program and printer driver program. be able to. In addition, since the data analysis and the command addition process are configured to be performed in the application layer of the computer, the program can be easily developed.

  In this embodiment, the POS terminal device 1 and the printer 2 are connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration and is applied to an environment where the host device and the printer are connected. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, an example of a POS system is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to a POS system, but a predetermined application including output of printed matter from a printer, such as a system used in a hospital or a transportation company. The present invention can be applied to a provided system, and is particularly effective when it is difficult to modify an existing application program.

  In the above-described embodiment, the command addition process is performed when it is determined that the command is a normal command that can include the same data string as the real-time command, that is, the command includes the same data string as the real-time command. This process is performed when it is determined that there is a risk, but when it is determined that the command is a normal command including the same data string as that of the real-time command, the command addition process may be performed. In this case, the data analysis unit 104 compares the received command data string with the data string of each real-time command stored in the data storage unit 106 and performs the above determination.

  In the present embodiment, the POS application program and each command addition program are stored in the ROM. However, these programs are not limited to the ROM, and may be stored in a storage medium such as a RAM or an HDD. It may be stored. These programs may be stored in separate storage media.

  The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but covers the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1 POS terminal device, 2 printer, 101 POS application, 10
2 Printer 2 driver, 103 virtual port, 104 data analysis unit, 105 data processing unit, 106 data storage unit, 107 communication port, 120 application layer, 130 OS kernel layer, 140 physical layer

Claims (7)

Processing for adding a command to print data output from the application to the communication port to a computer having a communication port, which is operated by an operating system of the OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer A print control program for executing
A data acquisition step of acquiring the print data in the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data;
In the application layer, it is determined whether or not each command of the print data acquired in the data acquisition step is a first command that may cause erroneous execution of a real-time command executed with priority over a normal command. Data analysis process;
In the application layer, for each command of the print data determined in the data analysis step, a command that prohibits execution of a real-time command is added before the first command when it is determined that the command is the first command. If it is determined that the command is not the first command, the computer is caused to execute a data processing step of executing a command addition process without adding a command and outputting the processed print data to the communication port. A print control program characterized by that. In claim 1,
When the data processing step is determined to be the first command, the data processing step further includes a process of adding a command permitting execution of a real-time command after the first command. In claim 1 or 2,
The print control program according to claim 1, wherein the first command in the data analysis step is determined to be a normal command including binary data. In claim 1 or 2,
The print control program according to claim 1, wherein the first command in the data analysis step is determined to be a normal command including image image data. In claim 1 or 2,
The print control program according to claim 1, wherein the first command in the data analysis step is determined to be a normal command including the same data string as the real-time command. Consists of a computer with a communication port that runs on the operating system of the OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer, and adds commands to the print data output from the application to the communication port A print control apparatus that executes processing to perform
A data acquisition unit that acquires the print data in the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data;
A data analysis unit that determines whether or not each command of the acquired print data is a first command that may cause erroneous execution of a real-time command that is executed in preference to a normal command in the application layer; ,
If each command of the determined print data is determined to be the first command in the application layer, a command for prohibiting execution of a real-time command is added before the first command, and the first command is added. And a data processing unit that executes a command addition process that does not add a command when it is determined that the command is not a command, and outputs the processed print data to the communication port. . Processing for adding a command to print data output from the application to the communication port in a computer having a communication port, which is operated by an operating system of the OS kernel layer and executes predetermined processing by an application provided in the application layer A print control method for executing
A data acquisition step of acquiring the print data in the OS kernel layer before the communication port receives the print data;
In the application layer, it is determined whether or not each command of the print data acquired in the data acquisition step is a first command that may cause erroneous execution of a real-time command executed with priority over a normal command. Data analysis process;
In the application layer, for each command of the print data determined in the data analysis step, a command that prohibits execution of a real-time command is added before the first command when it is determined that the command is the first command. And a data processing step of executing a command addition process that does not add a command when it is determined that the command is not the first command, and outputting the processed print data to the communication port. Print control method.

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