JP2021125094A - Printing system, operation terminal of printing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent a user from forgetting closing a lid and to prevent deterioration of printing quality as a state where the lid of the printing apparatus is closed before starting printing, in a printing system including an operation terminal and a printing apparatus.SOLUTION: In a printing system in which an operation terminal and a printing apparatus communicate to each other to request the printing apparatus to print, the printing apparatus stores connection information for communicating with the printing apparatus within a lid being openable and closable, and the operation terminal comprises: input means that inputs the connection information; communication means that communicates with the printing apparatus on the basis of the connection information input by the input means; and display control means that controls display means to display notification for encouraging closing the lid of the printing apparatus after inputting the connection information by means of the input means or after establishing communication with the printing apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a printing system using a printing device and an operation terminal that performs an operation for printing on the printing device.

In order to print an image taken by a mobile terminal, there is a system that prints by wirelessly connecting the mobile terminal and a small printer and issuing a print request to the small printer using the mobile terminal as an operation terminal. This system is supposed to print images. Therefore, in the thermal transfer method of a small printer, a thermal transfer method called a sublimation type is adopted, which can obtain an image quality excellent in gradation expression by enabling the density of the ink to be transferred.

There is a technique for displaying a message prompting to close the lid when it is detected that the lid for protecting the memory card is open during recording on the memory card in the camcorder (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-226045

Patent Document 1 is provided with a lid open / close detection function. Therefore, when it is detected that the lid is open, the memory card is notified by notifying the fact and restricting or prohibiting the operation on the memory card. Recording can be done safely. However, if the lid opening / closing detection function is not provided, the user cannot be notified even if the lid is open, and the operation cannot be restricted or prohibited. In the printing system of the operation terminal and the printing device, if the printing device does not have the opening / closing detection function of the lid, the printing device can print even if the lid is open. However, for example, when the lid for the ink cartridge of the printing apparatus is opened at the time of printing, the ink film of the ink cartridge may be dusted and the print quality may be deteriorated. In addition, the ink cartridge may move due to the opening of the lid, which may hinder the ink film transfer of the ink cartridge and cause a jam error of the ink film.

In the present invention, in a printing system including an operation terminal and a printing device, a notification prompting the user to close the lid of the printing device is given on the operation terminal to prevent the user from forgetting to close the lid, and printing is performed before the start of printing. The purpose is to prevent deterioration of print quality by keeping the lid of the device closed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the printing system of the present invention
A printing system in which an operation terminal and a printing device communicate with each other to request printing from the printing device. The printing device holds connection information for communicating with the printing device inside an openable / closable lid. The operation terminal has an input means for inputting connection information, a communication means for communicating with the printing device based on the connection information input by the input means, and after inputting the connection information by the input means, or with the printing device. It is characterized by having a display control means for controlling the display means to display a notification for prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device after the communication is established.

In a specific case where the lid of the printing device is thought to have been opened, a notification prompting the user to close the lid of the printing device is given on the operation terminal to prevent the user from forgetting to close the lid of the printing device and to prevent the user from forgetting to close the lid of the printing device before starting printing. It is possible to prevent deterioration of print quality by keeping the closed state.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the print system 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing apparatus 200. It is a figure which shows the structure of the operation terminal 300. This is a display example on the operation terminal 300. This is a processing flow in the print system 100.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the present embodiment, the operation terminal 300 and the printing device 200 wirelessly communicate with each other, the operation terminal 300 issues a printing request to the printing device 200, and the printing device prints an image in response to the printing request. Will be described as an example. The standard for wireless communication is Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11b), but other standards may be used. Further, the communication between the operation terminal 300 and the printing device 200 does not have to be wireless, and may be wired communication. Further, although the printing device 200 of the present embodiment is a small and portable mobile printer, it may be a printing system using a non-small stationary printing device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mobile print system 100 (printing system 100) of the present embodiment.

The mobile print system 100 includes a printing device 200 and an operation terminal 300. The printing device 200 and the operation terminal 300 can be communicated and connected by the wireless network 101. When the operation terminal 300 makes print settings such as selection of an image to be printed and selection of print conditions and a print request for the image to be printed is transmitted from the operation terminal 300 to the printing device 200, the printing device 200 receives the received print request. The print process of the image to be printed is executed according to.

(Configuration of printing device)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus 200, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the appearance of the printing apparatus 200. In the present embodiment, the printing device 200 is assumed to be a small and portable mobile printer, but it does not have to be a mobile printer.

The communication control unit 201 is composed of a communication unit that communicates with the operation terminal 300 and a control unit for controlling the communication unit, performs wireless communication with an external device such as the operation terminal 300, and controls communication. .. In this embodiment, wireless communication is performed, but it may be wired.

The arithmetic unit (CPU) 202 is composed of one or more processors, and controls the entire printing apparatus 200 and performs arithmetic processing based on an input from a user, an external device, or the like or a program read from the ROM 204. The DRAM 203 is a memory used as a work memory of the CPU 202. Data when the CPU 202 executes various processes is temporarily stored in the DRAM 203. The ROM 204 stores data such as programs and various settings for operating the CPU 202. The CPU 202 reads a program from the ROM 204, controls and calculates each part based on the read program, and executes various processes.

The power button 205 is a button for turning on the power of the printing device 200. When the power button 205 is operated, a signal indicating that the power button is operated is input to the CPU 202, and the CPU 202 processes the power ON. To execute. The LED display unit 206 notifies the user of the power supply state and the printing process state by changing the color of the LED and the lighting / blinking state. The LED display unit 206 is displayed and controlled by the CPU 201. Since the printing device 200 of the present embodiment is small, it has only the power button 205 as an operation member and does not have a display screen such as an LCD. However, the LCD display unit and various operation buttons other than the power button are used. An operation member such as a touch panel may be provided to execute processing according to the operation member, or the state of the printing device may be displayed on the LCD display unit.

The paper transport unit 207 includes a paper feed roller, a motor for driving the paper feed roller, a motor for activating the transport roller, the transport roller, and the like. Based on the control of the CPU 202, the paper transport unit 207 performs a paper feed process for transporting the photographic paper from the paper storage unit containing the photographic paper to the print unit 208, a paper transport process during printing, a paper discharge process after printing, and the like. Run. The printing unit 208 is composed of a printing head and the like. The CPU 202 performs printing with the printing head based on the printing data generated by the CPU based on the image to be printed while transporting the printing paper fed by the paper feeding process by the transport roller, whereby the printing target is printed. Executes the printing process for printing the image on photographic paper. Then, after the printing process is completed, the photographic paper is discharged from the paper ejection port by the conveying roller. The printing process including the paper feeding process, the conveying process, the printing process, and the paper ejection process is executed under the control of the CPU 202.

209 is a CPU bus, which includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a lid that can be opened and closed with respect to the printing apparatus 200, and is a lid that is opened and closed when the ink cartridge is attached and detached to protect the ink cartridge.

Reference numeral 212 denotes a QR code (registered trademark) including connection information for establishing a wireless communication connection with the printing device 200. The QR code 212 is held inside the lid 211 of the printing apparatus 200 in order to protect information and prevent stains and damage. In the present embodiment, the sticker on which the QR code is written is the lid 211. It is pasted on the inside. In the present embodiment, the connection information is the SSID and the password, and these information are embedded in the QR code. Further, not only the QR code but also a number or a character string indicating the SSID and the password may be written on the sticker.

Reference numeral 213 is an ink cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus 200.

The user needs to open the lid 211 when attaching / detaching the ink cartridge 213 or when using the QR coat 212. Since it is necessary to close the lid 211 when performing the printing process in the printing apparatus 200, the lid 211 must be closed after the ink cartridge 213 is attached or the QR coat 212 is used. The printing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment does not have a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the lid 211. Therefore, after opening the lid 211, it is necessary to urge the user to close the lid.

(Configuration of operation terminal)
Next, the operation terminal 300 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the operation terminal 300. The operation terminal 300 of the present embodiment is assumed to be a mobile terminal such as a tablet PC or a smartphone (mobile phone terminal), but may be realized by an information device such as a PC.

The communication control unit 301 is composed of a communication unit that communicates with an external device such as a printing device 200 and a control unit for controlling the communication unit, and executes wireless communication with the external device and controls the communication. In this embodiment, wireless communication is performed, but it may be wired.

The arithmetic unit (CPU) 302 is composed of one or more processors, and controls the entire operation terminal 300 based on inputs from a user or an external device, a program read from ROM 305, and application software read from flash memory 304. And perform arithmetic processing.

The DRAM 303 is a memory used as a work memory of the CPU 302. The CPU 302 temporarily stores data when executing various processes and arithmetic processes in the DRAM 203.

The flash memory 304 is a non-volatile memory that stores application software, various parameters used in the application software, image data, and the like.

The ROM 305 is a read-only memory that stores a control program or the like for execution by the CPU 302.

The operation unit 306 is a touch panel and is used by the user to give various instructions to the operation terminal 300. A mouse or keyboard may be used instead of the touch panel.

The display unit 307 is a display unit for displaying image data and a graphical user interface (GUI), and is composed of an LCD or the like. The display unit 307 is displayed and controlled by the CPU 302.

The input unit 308 is used to input connection information necessary for establishing wireless communication with the printing device 200. As described above, the connection information required for establishing wireless communication is a QR code or a number / character string. When the connection information is a QR code, it is preferable to use an imaging unit as the input unit 308, photograph the QR code with the imaging unit, and acquire the connection information from the photographed QR code. When inputting connection information of numbers / character strings, it is preferable to use an operation unit (including a soft keyboard using a touch panel) such as a keyboard for inputting character strings / numbers as an input unit.

Reference numeral 309 is a CPU bus, which includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus.

(Processing flow in mobile print system 100)
Hereinafter, the processing flow in the mobile print system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This processing flow is started by starting the application software dedicated to the print system 100 on the operation terminal 300. When the user instructs to start the application dedicated to the print system 100, the CPU 302 reads the application from the flash memory 304 and executes it, and the processing flow of FIG. 5 is started. In the processing flow of FIG. 5, the processing of the operation terminal 300 is realized by the CPU 302 controlling and processing based on the application dedicated to the print system 100.

When the application dedicated to the print system 100 is started, first, in step S500, the CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 determines whether or not the connection information of the printing device has been acquired and is stored in the flash memory 304. If the connection information has already been acquired, the process of acquiring the connection information in steps S501 to S503 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S504. If it is determined in step S500 that the connection information has not been acquired, the process proceeds to step S501 to execute the process of acquiring the connection information.

In step S501, the CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 displays a QR code photographing screen on the display unit 307 for photographing the QR code inside the lid of the printing device 200 and acquiring the connection information. On the QR code shooting screen, the QR coat shooting screen is displayed with the message "Open the lid for the ink cartridge of the printer and shoot the QR coat". In order to show the user the position where the QR code is held in an easy-to-understand manner, how to open the lid and the position where the QR coat is held may be displayed together with the figure of the printer. When the user confirms the message on the QR code photographing screen, the user opens the lid 211 of the printing device 200 in order to photograph the QR coat (step S51). Then, in step S502, when the CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 receives the QR coat shooting instruction from the user, the input unit 308 (imaging unit) shoots the QR code. Then, in step S503, the CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 acquires the SSID and password from the QR coat photographed in step S502.

In step S504-1, the CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 is stored in the flash memory 304 when it is determined that the connection information (SSID and password) acquired in step S503 or the connection information has been acquired in step S500. The existing connection information (SSID and password) is transmitted to the printing device 200 via the communication control unit 301. When the communication control unit 201 of the printing device 200 receives the connection information from the operation terminal 300, in step S504-2, the communication control unit 201 executes a process of establishing a wireless connection with the communication control unit 301 of the operation terminal 300 by using the connection information. do. When the connection is established, in step S504-3, the communication control unit 201 of the printing device 200 notifies the communication control unit 301 of the operation terminal 300 that the connection has been established.

When the communication connection is established and the operation terminal 300 receives the notification of the establishment of the communication connection, in step S505, the CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 determines whether or not the process of acquiring the connection information in steps S501 to S503 has been executed. do. If the process of acquiring the connection information is executed, the process proceeds to step S506, and if not, the process proceeds to step S508. In step S506, the CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 displays a message prompting the closing of the lid 211 of the printing device 200 on the display unit 307.

FIG. 4 is an example of a display screen that prompts the user to close the lid 211 of the printing device 200 displayed on the display unit 307 of the operation terminal 300.

On the display screen 401, the OK button 402 is displayed together with a message (character) prompting the user to close the lid of the printing device 200. The user can turn off the display screen 401 and proceed to the next process by pressing the button 402 after closing the lid 211 of the printing device 200 after seeing this message.

The message displayed on the screen 401 may be displayed not only as a message with only characters as shown in FIG. 4A, but also as an icon of a printing device having an open lid as shown in FIG. 4B. .. Further, the position of the lid may be displayed so that the user can understand it by displaying the figure of the printing device having the lid open as shown in FIG. 4 (c). In addition to combining messages (characters), icons, and figures, one of them may be used to notify the user that the lid is open and prompt the user to close the lid.

The user looks at the display screen 401 displayed on the display unit 307 of the operation terminal 300 to prompt the user to close the lid of the printing device, confirms whether the lid 211 of the printing device 200 is closed, and if it is open, the lid 211. Is closed (step S52). The user operates the OK button 402 after closing the lid 211 (or even before closing it). The CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 displays the display screen 401 prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device on the display unit 307, and then monitors whether the OK button 402 has been operated (step S507). Then, in response to the user pressing the OK button 402 and the CPU 302 detecting the operation to the OK button, the CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 proceeds to step 508 and performs the next print setting process. In step S508, the CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 displays the print setting screen on the display unit 307 and starts accepting the print setting operation from the user. On the print setting screen, it is possible to select an image to be printed and set printing conditions, and the user operates the operation unit 306 to make these settings. When the print setting is completed and the user gives an instruction to execute printing, the CPU 302 of the operation terminal 300 transmits a print request including a print target image and print conditions to the printing device 200 via the communication control unit 301 (step). S509-1). When the printing device 200 receives the printing request by the communication control unit 201, the CPU 202 operates the paper transport unit 207 and the printing unit 208 so as to print the image to be printed requested to be printed under the printing conditions requested to be printed. Then, the printing process is executed (step S509-2). When the printing process is completed, the CPU 202 transmits a print completion notification indicating that printing is completed to the operation terminal 300 via the communication control unit 201 (step S509-3). When the operation terminal 300 receives the print completion notification via the communication control unit 301, the CPU 302 displays a message indicating that printing is completed on the display unit 307 (step S510). After displaying the print completion message, the communication connection between the printing device 200 and the operation terminal 300 may be disconnected, or the processing of the operation terminal 300 may be returned to S508 so that the printing of the next image can be set. May be good.

As described above, in the pushin system 100 of the present embodiment, when the connection information acquisition process (S501 to S503), which requires opening the lid of the printing device, is performed, the printing device is performed after the connection information acquisition process. By displaying a message prompting the user to close the lid, the user is prevented from forgetting to close the lid and the print quality is prevented from deteriorating. In the above-described embodiment, the display prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device is displayed after the communication connection is established. However, the lid of the printing device is shown not after the establishment of the communication connection, but immediately after the acquisition of the SSID and the password by taking a picture of the QR coat, after the transmission of the connection information of the SSID and the password, and before the establishment of the communication, etc. A message prompting the user may be displayed on the display unit of the operation terminal.

In the above-described embodiment, the connection information for establishing the communication between the printing device and the operating terminal is the SSID and the password, but if the information is for establishing the communication between the printing device and the operating terminal, other information may be used. There may be.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the operation terminal inputs the connection information by photographing the QR code, but the character string written on the sticker inside the lid of the printing device is used instead of the QR coat. You may take a picture of a number and acquire connection information from the pictured character string or number. Alternatively, the connection information may be input by the user inputting a character string or a number using the keyboard of the operation terminal (including a soft keyboard using a touch panel). Further, the connection information may be input by combining these methods.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, after the display prompting the user to close the lid is displayed, the user must press the OK button 402 to confirm the display prompting the user to close the lid before processing the next print setting. I try not to proceed to. Since the printing process cannot proceed until the user confirms the display prompting the user to close the lid surely, it is possible to more reliably prevent the printing process from being executed without closing the lid. Become.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various embodiments within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. Some of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program. This is the process to be executed.

Claims (23)

A printing system in which an operation terminal and a printing device communicate with each other to request printing from the printing device.
The printing device holds connection information for communicating with the printing device inside a lid that can be opened and closed.
The operation terminal is
An input means for inputting the connection information and
A communication means that communicates with the printing device based on the connection information input by the input means.
A display control means for controlling the display means to display a notification for prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device after inputting the connection information by the input means or after establishing communication with the printing device. When,
A printing system characterized by having. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus does not have a detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of the lid. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printing device holds a QR code indicating connection information for communicating with the printing device inside the lid. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein a sticker on which a QR code indicating the connection information is described is attached to the inside of a lid of the printing device. The input means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the input means inputs the connection information by photographing the connection information held on the lid by an imaging means of the operation terminal. Printing system. The display control means is controlled to display a notification for prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device in response to the input of the connection information by the input means. 5. The printing system according to any one of 5. The display control means prompts the user to close the lid of the printing device in response to the start of processing for communication with the printing device by the communication means after inputting the connection information by the input means. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the printing system is controlled to display a notification for. Claims 1 to 5 are characterized in that the display control means controls to display a notification for prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device in response to the establishment of communication with the printing device. The printing system according to any one of the above. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the notification for prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device is a character for prompting the closing of the lid. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the notification for prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device is an icon or a figure for prompting the closing of the lid. The operation terminal has a print setting means for receiving print settings from a user.
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the printing setting means receives a printing setting from a user after giving a notification for urging the lid of the printing device to be closed. .. When the operation terminal gives a notification for urging the lid of the printing device to be closed, the operation terminal accepts an operation indicating that the user has confirmed the operation, and terminates the notification in response to the acceptance of the operation. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the printing request from the user is started to be accepted. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lid of the printing device is a lid that is opened and closed for attaching and detaching an ink cartridge. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the operation terminal is a mobile phone. An operation terminal that communicates connection information for communication with a printing device that holds the connection information for attaching / detaching an ink cartridge inside a lid, and makes a printing request to the printing device.
An acquisition means for acquiring the connection information and
A communication control means that controls communication with the printing device based on the connection information acquired by the acquisition means, and
A display control means for controlling the display means to display a notification for prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device after the connection information is acquired by the acquisition means or after communication with the printing device is established. When,
An operation terminal characterized by having. The operation terminal according to claim 15, wherein the acquisition means acquires the connection information by photographing the connection information held on the lid by an imaging unit. 15. The display control means is controlled to display a notification for prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device in response to the acquisition of the connection information by the acquisition means. 16. The operation terminal according to 16. The display control means closes the lid of the printing device in response to the start of processing for communication with the printing device by the communication control means after acquiring the connection information by the acquisition means. The operating terminal according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the operation terminal is controlled to display a notification for prompting. 15. Operation terminal described in. The operation terminal according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the notification for prompting the closing of the lid of the printing device is a character, an icon, or a figure for prompting the closing of the lid. .. When giving a notification for prompting to close the lid of the printing device, an operation indicating that the user has confirmed is accepted, the notification is terminated in response to the acceptance of the operation, and a printing request from the user is performed. Control means to start accepting
The operation terminal according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the operation terminal has. In any one of claims 15 to 21, the operation terminal is a mobile phone. A program that causes a computer to function as each means of an operation terminal according to any one of claims 15 to 22.

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