JP2012171265A - Recording apparatus and method for controlling recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording apparatus for easily registering image data having validity, and a method for controlling the recording apparatus.SOLUTION: The recording apparatus includes an optical reading part (scanner 10) which reads, as the image data, the information written down on registration paper having a prescribed registration form, a data registering part which registers the read image data, a printing data generating part which generates printing data by synthesizing the registered image data and authentication information showing the validity of the image data (both are realized mainly by CPU 24), and a printing data printing part (recording head 16) which prints the generated printing data on a recording medium.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus capable of registering new image data in its own apparatus and a control method for the recording apparatus.

  As this type of recording apparatus, a recording apparatus that receives a character registration command from a host apparatus and registers a character pattern in the own apparatus is known (see Patent Document 1). This recording device receives character information indicating a new character pattern to be registered from the host device in association with the character registration command. This character information is created by a device other than the recording device such as a host device.

JP 7-125337 A

  Now, in order to save the trouble of imprinting the same seal on a plurality of documents, there is a demand for registering image data in which a plurality of characters and images are arranged and imprinted as new image data in a recording apparatus. However, even when registering such image data, if the recording device described in Patent Document 1 is used, a dedicated software is prepared by an external device such as a host device to create image data of an imprint. It is necessary to cause the recording apparatus to acquire the image data. Therefore, time and labor must be spent before registering desired image data. In addition, when a seal imprint requiring notarity is registered and printed in a recording apparatus, it is necessary to separately record authentication information indicating the authenticity of the seal in order to prevent improperness such as forgery of the seal.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus and a control method for the recording apparatus that can easily register legitimate image data that requires notarization, in view of the above points.

  The recording apparatus of the present invention includes an optical reading unit that reads information entered on a registration form having a predetermined registration form as image data, a data registration unit that registers the read image data, registered image data, A print data generation unit that generates print data by combining authentication information of image data, and a print data printing unit that prints the generated print data on a recording medium.

  The recording apparatus control method of the present invention includes an optical reading step in which the recording apparatus reads information entered on a registration form having a predetermined registration form as image data, a data registration step in which the read image data is registered, A print data generation step of generating print data by combining the registered image data and authentication information (notary information) of the image data; and a print data printing step of printing the generated print data on a recording medium. It is characterized by performing.

  According to these configurations, since the information entered on the registration form is registered as image data, the image data can be easily registered by the recording apparatus alone without the need to acquire information from the external apparatus. Further, by synthesizing notarized authentication information with the registered image data, it is possible to show more reliable legitimacy (notarization) of the image data and to save the trouble of recording the authentication information separately.

  In this case, it is preferable that the print data generation unit deletes a predetermined area of the image data and inserts at least a part of the authentication data into the predetermined area for synthesis.

  Alternatively, it is preferable that the print data generation unit synthesizes by overwriting at least part of the authentication data in a predetermined area of the image data.

  For example, it is possible to print imitating a seal that can be stamped with a changeable date in the center of the seal. In this case, an area for printing the date may be deleted from the image data, and date authentication information may be combined with the deleted area. Alternatively, the date authentication information may be overwritten in the area for printing the date on the image data. Other authentication information may be combined instead of the date.

  In this case, the authentication information preferably includes at least one of recording device identification information unique to the recording device, recording medium specifying information for specifying the recording medium, and time information when the recording medium is printed.

  According to this configuration, when the authentication information is an ID such as a production number for identifying the recording device, it can be proved by which recording device the printed matter is printed. Further, for example, when the authentication information is a unique serial number for specifying the recording medium, since there is no same one, it is possible to prove the validity of the printed matter itself. When the authentication information is the printing time, the printing time of each printed matter can be proved.

  In this case, it is preferable to further include a registration form printing unit for printing the registration form.

  According to this configuration, there is no need to separately prepare a registration sheet on which a registration form is printed.

  In this case, it is preferable to further include a mode switching unit that switches between a first mode for registering image data and a second mode for performing printing based on the print data.

  According to these configurations, image data registration and printing based on print data can be performed by the recording apparatus alone. Also, since registration sheets for registering image data can be printed, a series of operations from preparation of registration sheets for image data to printing of image data can be performed only by the recording apparatus. It is desirable to print the registration form in the first mode.

  In this case, an image data storage unit that stores one or more image data, a command reception unit that receives a command transmitted from the host device, and arbitrary image data from one or more image data according to the received command. It is preferable that an image data selection unit to be selected is further provided, and the print data generation unit generates print data by combining the selected image data and authentication information of the image data.

  According to these configurations, a plurality of types of image data can be registered, and each image data can be used properly according to circumstances.

1 is a schematic side sectional view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a recording apparatus. It is an example of a registration sheet on which a registration form for registering a stamp image is printed. It is a figure which shows the registration paper in which the stamp image was filled. It is the figure which showed the content of the print command from a host computer. (A) is the issue number of the medical examination slip for the stamp image. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a position where the device ID of the recording device can be inserted, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a medical examination form on which a stamp image is printed. Issue number of medical checkup card 2 is an example of a stamp image in which a device ID of a recording device is configured. Issue number of medical checkup card 2 is an example of a stamp image in which a device ID of a recording device is configured. It is the flowchart which showed the registration process of the stamp image. 6 is a flowchart illustrating stamp image printing processing.

  Hereinafter, a recording apparatus and a control method for the recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The recording apparatus of the present invention includes a scanner for reading a stamp image that forms a seal imprinted on a dedicated registration sheet, and a so-called recording head for printing print data including the stamp image on a recording medium. It is a multifunction device. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a stamp image, which is an issuance certification stamp of a hospital, is printed on a medical examination slip issued at a hospital. The recording apparatus inserts authentication information indicating the validity of the stamp image into the stamp image entered on the registration form and prints it. In the present embodiment, the authentication information is “examination date of medical examination form”, “issue number of medical examination form”, and “device ID of recording apparatus”.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a side cross section of a recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The recording apparatus 1 has an appearance formed by a case 2, a manual feed port 3 into which a print medium is manually inserted, a first drive roller 5 a and a first driven roller 5 b facing each other via a medium conveyance path 4, a carriage unit 6, and the like. A platen 7, a second drive roller 8a and a second driven roller 8b, a third drive roller 9a and a third driven roller 9b are provided. Further, the recording apparatus 1 is opposite to the carriage unit 6 with respect to the medium conveyance path 4 between the second driven roller 8b and the second driving roller 8a and the third driven roller 9b and the third driving roller 9a. A scanner 10 facing from below is provided. In addition, the recording apparatus 1 is provided with an operation panel 11 on the upper part of the manual feed slot 3 for a user to perform an operation.

  As shown in the figure, the operation panel 11 includes a power switch 12 for turning on / off the recording apparatus 1, a mode of the recording apparatus 1, a “registration mode (first mode)” for registering a stamp image, and print data. A mode switching button 13 for performing switching operation between “print mode (second mode)” for printing, and registration for issuing a stamp image registration sheet 40 (see FIG. 3) when the mode is “registration mode”. A paper issue button 14 and a display 15 for displaying various message screens are provided.

  The carriage unit 6 includes a recording head 16 that performs printing on a print medium, and a carriage 17 on which the recording head 16 is mounted. The carriage 17 is inserted through the carriage guide shaft 18 and is driven via a timing belt by forward and reverse rotation of a carriage drive motor 21 (see FIG. 2) that drives the carriage 17, and in the X-axis direction (direction penetrating the paper surface). Moving. While the recording head 16 is scanned in the X-axis direction together with the carriage 17, an ink ribbon (running parallel to the print medium) is formed by causing a wire to protrude from a wire protrusion (not shown) provided on the front end surface facing the print medium. The ink ribbon is attached to the print medium and printing is performed. The platen 7 faces the medium conveyance path 4 so as to face the front end surface of the recording head 16 and is urged toward the recording head 16 by an urging spring (not shown) and is elastically supported.

  The first drive roller 5 a and the first driven roller 5 b are disposed on the manual feed port 3 side (upstream side) with respect to the carriage unit 6 and the platen 7. The second driven roller 8 b and the second drive roller 8 a are disposed between the carriage unit 6 and the scanner 10 in the medium conveyance path 4. The third driven roller 9b and the third drive roller 9a are disposed on the downstream side of the scanner. The first drive roller 5a, the second drive roller 8a, and the third drive roller 9a are rollers that are driven by the medium transport motor 22 (see FIG. 2), and the first drive roller 5a, the second driven roller 8b, and the third drive roller. The driven roller 9b rotates in association with the rotation of these driving rollers.

  The scanner 10 is an optical image sensor that is arranged between the second driving roller 8a and the third driving roller 9a and reads information recorded on a medium passing over the scanner 10. The scanner 10 includes, for example, a light irradiation unit that irradiates light on a reading area of a print medium, and a plurality of light receiving sensors arranged in the X-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the scanner 10 reads the stamp image entered on the registration form 40.

  In the “print mode”, the print medium inserted from the manual feed port 3 is conveyed in the Y-axis direction by the forward rotation of each drive roller. On the other hand, the carriage unit 6 scans in the X-axis direction to print on the print medium. When printing is completed, each drive roller rotates in the reverse direction, and the print medium is discharged from the manual feed port 3. On the other hand, in the “registration mode”, the registration sheet 40 inserted from the manual feed port 3 is similarly conveyed in the Y-axis direction by the forward rotation of each drive roller. When the registration sheet 40 passes over the scanner 10, the stamp image entered by the scanner 10 is read. Note that the user manually inserts the registration form 40 with the surface on which the stamp image is entered facing down.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the recording apparatus 1. As illustrated, the recording apparatus 1 includes a recording head 16, a carriage drive motor 21, a medium transport motor 22, a scanner 10, a date recognition unit 23, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 24, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 25, a ROM ( Read Only Memory) 26, a communication interface 27, and an operation panel 11, and each component is connected by a bus 28 as shown.

  The recording head 16 functions as a registration form printing unit that prints a registration form on the registration sheet 40 and as a print data printing unit that prints print data on a print medium. As described above, the scanner 10 functions as an optical reading unit that reads the stamp image written on the registration form 40.

  The date recognizing unit 23 analyzes the stamp image read by the scanner 10 and, at the time of issuing the medical examination form, a character string “DATE” indicating the position where the “issue date of the medical examination form” is inserted into the stamp image (see FIG. 4). Is detected. Then, the area where the detected character string “DATE” is entered is recognized as the issue date insertion area 45 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Actually, the position, size, and character area of the entered character string “DATE” (in the example in the figure, the horizontal length from the left end of “D” to the right end of “E” and the vertical length of each character) The position, size, aspect ratio, and the like of the issue date insertion area 45 are determined from a rectangular area specified from the maximum value of the height.

  The RAM 25 is directly connected to the CPU 24, which is a central processing unit, and is used as a work area when the CPU 24 performs various controls. The ROM 26 stores control data and a control program for the CPU 24 to perform various controls. In the present embodiment, a registration form storage area 31 for storing a registration form (see FIG. 3) to be printed on the registration form 40, a stamp image storage area 32 for storing a registered stamp image, and a “check sheet” The insertion position storage area 33 stores a position (see FIG. 6A) where the “issue number” and “recording apparatus ID” can be inserted. The control program includes a stamp image registration program (data registration unit), an insertion program (image data selection unit and print data generation unit) that inserts authentication information into the designated stamp image, and printing including the stamp image. A printing program for printing data is stored.

  The communication interface 27 is for communicating with the host PC 100. In the present embodiment, the communication interface 27 functions as a command receiving unit that receives a print command command including print data.

  The CPU 24 performs communication control with the host PC 100, display control of the display 15, reading operation of the scanner 10, and drive control of printing operation.

  The operation panel 11 transmits various button press signals to the CPU. In this embodiment, it functions as a mode switching unit by transmitting a pressing signal of the mode switching button 13. If date information is not detected from the stamp image entered on the registration form 40, an error message such as “Date information is not entered. Please insert the registration form again” is displayed.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a registration sheet 40 on which a registration form is printed for registering a stamp image. The registration form fills in a stamp image entry area 41 in which a registrant enters a desired stamp image, a plurality of position confirmation marks 42 that serve as indices when the scanner 10 reads the stamp image, and a registrant's signature or seal. The signature entry area 43 and the registration number of the stamp image. Stamp registration No. printed And a print area 44. The registrant enters the stamp image to be registered in the stamp image entry area 41 of the registration form 40 and enters the signature or seal in the signature entry area 43. The registrant enters the letters “DATE” in a desired size in a desired area in the stamp image entry area 41 where the “issue date of the medical examination slip” is to be placed for the stamp image.

  FIG. 4 shows a registration form 40 on which information for registering a stamp image is entered by a registrant. As shown in the figure, the stamp image entry area 41 is filled with an image in which a plurality of characters and images shaped as seals are arranged. In the illustrated entry example, the character string “DATE” is entered in the center of the stamp image. The character string “DATE” is detected by the date recognition unit 23, and the issue date insertion area 45 is determined (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In the stamp image entry area 41, a stamp image may be handwritten, an existing seal may be stamped, or an image created by a PC or the like may be pasted. In the signature entry area 43, the signature of the registrant of the stamp image (in the figure, “Sansan Shijo Roku Hospital”) is entered.

  FIG. 5 shows the contents of a print command received from the host PC 100. As shown in the figure, the print command includes “print data for a health check slip to be printed”, “issue number of a health check slip to be printed”, “registration number of a stamp image to be printed”, “to stamp image” The “position where the issue number of the medical examination slip is inserted” and “the position where the apparatus ID of the recording apparatus is inserted into the stamp image” are included.

  FIG. 6A shows insertion positions P1 to P8 into which “medical examination slip issue No.” and “recording device ID” can be inserted into the stamp image. The print command from the host PC 100 includes information for designating an insertion position into which “medical examination card issue No.” and “recording device ID” are inserted, and the recording device 1 performs stamp image according to the print command. “Medical examination card issue No.” and “Recorder ID” are inserted. FIG. 6B is a diagram schematically showing a medical examination form on which a stamp image is printed. The recording apparatus 1 reduces the stamp image into which the authentication information is inserted at a predetermined scale, and prints it on a predetermined area of the medical examination slip.

  7 and 8 are examples of stamp images into which the authentication information “issue date of medical checkup slip”, “issue number of medical checkup slip”, and “device ID of recording device” are inserted. As shown in the figure, “issue date of medical checkup card” is inserted into the issue date insertion area 45 determined by the date recognition unit 23 for the stamp image entered in the stamp image entry area 41 of the registration form 40. . In addition, “issue number of medical examination slip” and “device ID of recording device” are inserted at the insertion positions (insertion positions P3 and P7) designated by the received command. In this way, the stamp image with the authentication information inserted is printed in a predetermined area of the medical examination slip. In this case, the portion of the issue date insertion area 45 is deleted from the acquired stamp image data, and the data of “issue date of medical checkup slip” is inserted. Alternatively, the data of “issue date of medical checkup” is overwritten in the issue date insertion area 45 in the acquired stamp image data. It can be an imprint imitating a seal that can be stamped with the date.

  Next, stamp image registration processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the recording apparatus 1 switches the mode to the “registration mode” upon reception of a pressing signal of the mode switching button 13 (S01). When the registration signal issue button 14 pressing signal is received (S02: Yes), the stamp image registration No. (S03), registration form and registration No. Is printed and a registration sheet 40 is issued (S04). When the registration sheet 40 on which the stamp image is written is inserted (S05: Yes), the stamp image is read (S06). When the read stamp image is analyzed and the character string “DATE” is detected (S07: Yes), the issue date insertion area 45 of the stamp image is determined (S08). Then, the registration number printed on the registration sheet 40 is registered. And the stamp image and the issue date insertion area 45 are stored in association with each other (S09). Then, the registered stamp image is printed for confirmation (S10). At this time, it is preferable to insert a frame image indicating the position, size, and shape of the issue date insertion area 45 into the stamp image for printing. Then, the mode is switched from the “registration mode” to the “normal mode” and the process is terminated (S11). On the other hand, when the character string “DATE” is not detected from the read stamp image (S07: No), an error message is displayed on the display 15 (S12), and the registration sheet 40 is discharged (S13).

  Note that if a registration signal issuance signal is not received in S02, the registration sheet is not issued. If the registration sheet 40 is not inserted in S05, the process ends without registering the stamp image. Accordingly, only the registration sheet 40 is issued in the “registration mode”, or only the stamp image entered on the issued registration sheet 40 can be registered.

  The issuance of the registration sheet 40 may be performed by the mode switching button 13 according to the display on the display 15 without providing a dedicated button as in the present embodiment. Alternatively, the mode may be switched to “registration mode” by pressing the registration sheet issue button 14 as a trigger.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the printing process of the medical examination slip including the stamp image will be described. First, when receiving a print command from the host PC 100 (S21), the recording apparatus 1 selects a stamp image to be printed from the stored stamp images according to the print command (S22). Then, the character string indicating the “issue date of the medical examination slip” having a predetermined size is inserted into the issue date insertion area 45 of the selected stamp image (S23). Then, according to the print command, a character string indicating “medical examination card issue No.” and “recording device ID” is inserted into the stamp image at a predetermined position (S24 and S25). The stamp image into which the authentication information is inserted is reduced at a predetermined magnification (S26), and placed at a predetermined position with respect to the print data of the medical examination slip (S27). Then, printing is performed based on the generated print data (S28).

  As described above, according to the recording apparatus 1, it is possible to reliably record the issuance certification mark on each of the medical examination slips issued in large quantities. In addition, the time can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where a stamp is manually pressed on each medical examination slip. Further, by inserting “the device ID of the recording device” as the authentication information in the stamp image, it is possible to prove the location where the medical examination slip is printed, and to suppress forgery of the medical examination slip.

  Further, according to the recording apparatus 1 described above, the stamp image can be registered only by the recording apparatus 1. Therefore, the stamp image can be easily registered without requiring an external device such as a PC. If a stamp image is handwritten on the registration form 40, a free design such as a PC specification can be registered as a stamp image.

  Note that instead of the character string “DATE”, a QR code may be arranged at a position indicating the issue date insertion area 45 with respect to the stamp image. In this case, a QR code including information indicating that “the date of issuance of the medical examination slip” is printed in advance outside the frame of the registration form 40, and the registrant cuts out the cut area including the printed QR code. Thus, it is desirable that the cut piece is pasted at a desired position on the stamp image. If the cut area is set to the same size and shape as the issue date insertion area 45 that is actually inserted into the stamp image, the registrant can paste the cut piece to issue the issue date insertion area. The arrangement of 45 can be confirmed.

  In addition, a QR code including information on the “issue date of the medical examination slip” is printed in advance outside the frame of the registration form 40, and the registrant cuts out a cut area including the printed QR code, and displays the stamp image on the stamp image. You may make it stick in the desired position. In this case, a stamp image in which the QR code is inserted is printed on the medical examination slip. According to this, since the recording apparatus 1 does not need to determine the issue date insertion area 45 when registering the stamp image, the processing process can be simplified. In place of the process of inserting the issue date, a QR code generation process including the “issue date of the medical examination slip” is required.

  Further, a character string “DATE” or a QR code indicating the issue date insertion area 45 may be arranged in advance on the registration form and printed on the registration form 40. According to this, the registrant does not need to select the arrangement of the issue date insertion area 45. Further, since the recording apparatus 1 does not need to determine the issue date insertion area 45 again when registering the stamp image, the processing process can be simplified.

  In the “registration mode”, a list of stamp images currently registered in the recording apparatus 1 is displayed as a registration number. You may enable it to print together. The registered stamp image may be erasable. The image data to be registered is not limited to the stamp image, and can be applied to other image data such as an external character pattern and a pictograph.

  Further, the recording head 16 provided in the recording apparatus 1 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be an inkjet head or the like. The apparatus configuration of the recording apparatus 1 is not limited to the above configuration.

  1: Recording device 10: Scanner 13: Mode switching button 16: Recording head 23: Date recognition unit 24: CPU 26: ROM 27: Communication interface 31: Registered form storage area 32: Stamp image storage area 33: Insertion position storage area 40 : Registration paper P1 to P8: Insertion position 100: Host PC

Claims (8)

An optical reading unit that reads information entered on a registration form having a predetermined registration form as image data;
A data registration unit for registering the read image data;
A print data generation unit that generates print data by combining the registered image data and authentication information of the image data;
A recording apparatus comprising: a print data printing unit that prints the generated print data on a recording medium.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data generation unit deletes a predetermined area of the image data and inserts and synthesizes at least a part of the authentication data in the predetermined area.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data generation unit overwrites a predetermined area of the image data with at least a part of the authentication data. The authentication information is:
The recording apparatus identification information unique to the recording apparatus, recording medium specifying information for specifying the recording medium, and time information when the recording medium is printed are included. A recording apparatus according to any one of the above.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a registration form printing unit that prints the registration form.   6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a mode switching unit that switches between a first mode for registering the image data and a second mode for performing printing based on the print data. The recording device described. An image data storage unit for storing one or more of the image data;
A command receiving unit for receiving a command transmitted from the host device;
An image data selection unit that selects arbitrary image data from the one or more image data according to the received command;
The print data generation unit generates print data by synthesizing the selected image data and authentication information of the image data. Recording device. The recording device
An optical reading step of reading information entered on a registration form having a predetermined registration form as image data;
A data registration step of registering the read image data;
A print data generation step of generating print data by combining the registered image data and authentication information of the image data;
And a printing data printing step of printing the generated printing data on a printing medium.

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