JP5862045B2 - RECORDING DEVICE, RECORDING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus connectable to a control apparatus, a control method for the recording apparatus, and a program for controlling the recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus (printer) that is configured to be connectable to a control apparatus (host PC) and includes a recording head (printing head) and a cutting unit (cutting apparatus) disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording head. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2005-59502

In the recording apparatus described above, the margin between the leading edge of the recording medium generated due to the separation in the transport direction between the recording head and the cutting unit and the leading edge of the image recorded on the recording medium is reduced as much as possible, and the recording medium is wasted. There is a need to reduce consumption. In particular, it is implemented in the control device by responding to the need without causing the control device to perform a special operation to respond to the need or outputting a special control command different from normal to the recording device. There is a need to avoid altering programs and various mechanisms as much as possible.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and the front end of the recording medium generated due to the separation in the transport direction between the recording head and the cutting unit without modifying the control device, and the recording medium An object of the present invention is to reduce the margin with the leading edge of the image recorded in the image as much as possible.

To achieve the above object, a recording apparatus of the present invention includes a recording head, a conveyance unit for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction, it is arranged downstream of the transport direction of the recording head, which cuts the recording medium A cutting command and a control command recorded in a predetermined range of the leading end of the recording medium and including information on a first image including a character string and information on a second image recorded in a range different from the predetermined range Based on the receiving unit for receiving and the control command received by the receiving unit, recording on the recording medium by the recording head, conveyance of the recording medium by the conveying unit, and the cutting unit by the cutting unit When the control command is received by the recording control unit that controls cutting of the recording medium and the receiving unit, a keyword character string that is a predetermined character string set in advance is detected from image information included in the control command. And the information from the head of information of the image up to the keyword string is extracted as information of the first image, and an top image information storage unit for storing, the recording control unit, the when controlling the cutting of said recording medium at the cutting portion, on the basis of the said information of the first image stored in said first image information storage unit, on the upstream side in the transport direction of the cutting position of the recording medium, wherein The information of the first image is recorded by a recording head, the recording medium is conveyed by the conveying unit until the cutting position of the recording medium reaches a position corresponding to the cutting unit, and the recording medium is obtained by the cutting unit. When the control command is newly received by the receiving unit after the first image is recorded, the head image information storage unit among the information of the image included in the new control command Remember Based on the first information other than the information of the image, and performs recording of images following the recorded first image.
Further, in the recording apparatus of the present invention, when the head image information storage unit receives the control command at the receiving unit when the information of the first image is not stored, the first image information storage unit The information is memorized.
Further, in the recording apparatus of the present invention, when the first image information storage unit includes the additional information related to the decoration of the character string constituting the first image in the information of the first image, The additional information is stored.
Also, the control method of the recording apparatus of the present invention is a second image recorded in a predetermined range at the leading end portion of the recording medium and recorded in the first image information including a character string and a range different from the predetermined range. receiving a control command including information by the receiving unit, from the information of the image included in the control command, detect the keyword string is preset predetermined character string, the beginning of the information of the image keywords The information up to the character string is extracted and stored as the information of the first image, the information of the first image and the information of the second image are recorded by the recording head, and the recording medium is conveyed. The information of the first image is recorded on the recording medium by the recording head, the recording medium is conveyed until the cutting position of the recording medium reaches a position corresponding to the cutting portion, and the recording is performed by the cutting portion. Cut the medium and said When receiving a new said control command signal portion, of the information of the image included in the new said control command, based on remembers the information other than the information of the first image, it recorded the first It is characterized in that an image is recorded following the image.
The program of the present invention includes a recording head, a conveyance unit for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction, it is arranged downstream of the transport direction of the recording head, and a cutting unit for cutting the recording medium, said recording medium A receiving unit that receives a control command that includes information on a first image that is recorded in a predetermined range of the leading end of the first image and includes information on a second image that is recorded in a range different from the predetermined range. A keyword that is a program executed by a control unit that controls a recording apparatus provided, the control command being received by the reception unit, and a predetermined character string set in advance from information on an image included in the control command detecting a character string, the information from the head of information of the image up to the keyword string extracted and stored as the information of the first image, the first image in the recording head And the information on the second image are recorded, the recording medium is conveyed by the conveyance unit, the information on the first image is recorded on the recording medium by the recording head, and the cutting position of the recording medium There is conveyed to the recording medium up to the position corresponding to the cut portion in the transport portion, the cutting portion is cut the recording medium, after recording the first image, a new said by the receiving unit when receiving the control command, among the information of the image included in the new said control command, based on remembers the first information other than the image, following the recorded first picture It is characterized in that recording is performed.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a recording apparatus that can be connected to a control device, and is disposed downstream of the recording head, a transport unit that transports the recording medium in the transport direction, and the transport direction of the recording head. A cutting unit for cutting the recording medium, a receiving unit for receiving a control command including recording data including at least information of an image to be recorded on the recording medium from the control device, and the control received by the receiving unit A recording control unit for controlling the recording head, the conveying unit, and the cutting unit based on a command to perform recording on the recording medium, conveyance of the recording medium, and cutting of the recording medium; When the control command is received by the receiving unit, based on the information of the image included in the recording data, among the images to be recorded on the recording medium, a predetermined part of the leading end of the recording medium A first image information storage unit that extracts and stores information of a first image that is an image recorded in the box, and the recording control unit includes the first image information when the recording medium is cut by the cutting unit. Based on the information of the head image stored in the storage unit, the cutting position of the recording medium is recorded in the cutting unit while the head image is recorded by the recording head on the upstream side in the transport direction of the cutting position of the recording medium. The recording medium is transported by the transport unit until a corresponding position is reached, and the recording medium is cut by the cutting unit.
According to this configuration, the recording device extracts and stores the information of the head image from the recording data included in the control command input from the control device, and when cutting the recording medium, Along with the conveyance, the leading image is recorded on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the cutting position in the recording medium, so that the leading edge of the recording medium caused by the separation in the conveyance direction between the recording head and the cutting unit It is possible to reduce the margin with the leading edge of the image to be reduced as much as possible.
In particular, if the control device outputs a normal control command to the recording device, the information on the first image is automatically stored on the recording device side, and thereafter, the recording medium is recorded based on the information on the first image. Since the recording of the head image accompanying the conveyance for cutting is executed, it is not necessary to modify the program relating to the control device and various mechanisms.

Further, in the recording apparatus according to the above invention, in the present invention, when the head image information storage unit receives the control command by the receiving unit when the information of the head image is not stored, The information of the head image is stored.
According to this configuration, when the first image information is not stored, the first image information is stored based on the control command. Thereafter, the first image is recorded based on the stored first image information. As a result, the number of times of processing related to recording of the information of the head image can be reduced, and the processing efficiency is improved.
In addition, as the case where the information of the top image is not stored, for example, when the recording apparatus receives a control command for the first time, or when the information of the top image is stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a RAM, It is assumed that the product is turned on again after turning off.

Further, in the recording apparatus according to the invention, the recording control unit may record the head image along with the conveyance for cutting the recording medium, and then newly perform the control command by the receiving unit. Is received, based on information other than the information on the first image stored in the first image information storage unit among the information on the image included in the recording data of the new control command. It is characterized by recording an image.
According to this configuration, when a new control command is received after executing the recording of the leading image associated with the conveyance for cutting based on the stored leading image information, the previously recorded leading image is duplicated. Thus, the image to be recorded can be recorded without excess or deficiency.

Further, in the recording apparatus according to the invention, the recording control unit may execute the control command next to the one control command before starting to cut the recording medium according to the one control command. If the next control command satisfies a predetermined condition when being received by the receiving unit, the recording medium is transported without recording the leading image based on the leading image information, After cutting, recording on a recording medium is performed according to the next control command.
According to this configuration, it is possible not to record the leading image accompanying conveyance for cutting unconditionally, but not to record the leading image in the case of a predetermined condition. Can be processed according to the situation.

Further, in the recording apparatus according to the above invention, in the present invention, the information on the head image is information including a character string, and the head image information storage unit stores information on an image included in the recording data. A keyword character string which is a predetermined character string set in advance is detected from the information, information from the head of the information to the keyword character string is extracted and stored as information of the head image To do.
According to this configuration, it is possible to specifically specify the information of the head image from the information of the image included in the recording data using the set keyword character string. In particular, the information of the head image is specified by a very simple means of detecting the keyword character string from the image information contained in the recorded data and extracting the information from the head of the information to the keyword character string. it can.

Further, in the recording apparatus according to the above invention, in the present invention, the information of the top image is information including one or a plurality of lines of character strings, and the recording control unit includes: When the recording medium is transported by the transport unit until the cutting position of the recording medium reaches a position corresponding to the cutting unit while the head image is recorded by the recording head on the upstream side in the transport direction of the cutting position, When recording of an image based on a character string in any line is completed and the next character string exists, the recording medium is disconnected in a state where image recording based on the next character string is not started. The character string line to be recorded is determined before cutting by the cutting unit so that the cutting is performed at a position corresponding to the cutting unit.
Here, when cutting the recording medium, it is necessary to stop the conveyance of the recording medium and the recording to the recording medium by the recording head. However, when recording an image relating to the character on the recording medium, the character is recorded. If the recording medium is cut in the middle of recording, the character recording is temporarily interrupted, and after the disconnection, the character recording is resumed. This may cause streak and dot shift and may cause a decrease in print quality.
Based on this, according to the above configuration, when the recording of the image based on the character string of any line is completed and the next character string exists, the recording of the image based on the next character string is started. In this state, the cutting position of the recording medium reaches the position corresponding to the cutting portion, and the cutting is performed. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the deterioration of the print quality due to the above-described factors.

Further, in the recording device according to the above invention, in the present invention, the head image information storage unit may include additional information related to decoration of a character string constituting the head image in the recording data. The additional information is stored together with the information of the head image.
Here, the decoration of the character string is a character string enlargement, reduction, rotation, emphasis, bolding, addition of a decoration character or decoration symbol, movement of the character string, or any other drawing related to drawing performed on the character string. It is processing.
And according to the said structure, it becomes possible to record a head image with the conveyance for a cutting | disconnection, after giving suitably the decoration assumed to apply to a head image.

Further, in the recording device according to the invention, the control device is configured to be able to input the change of the keyword character string and change the setting of the keyword character string based on the input. And a keyword character string setting unit that changes the keyword character string that has been set based on the keyword setting command input from the control device. .
According to this configuration, it is possible to change the set keyword character string by inputting the change of the keyword character string to the control device, and the convenience is improved.

Further, in the recording apparatus according to the invention, the leading image information storage unit is configured such that the leading end of the recording medium is positioned at a position corresponding to the cutting unit based on image information included in the recording data. If it is, the information of the image corresponding to the area sandwiched between the cutting unit and the recording head is extracted and stored as the information of the head image.
Here, in order to achieve the object of reducing the margin between the leading edge of the recording medium generated due to the separation in the transport direction between the recording head and the cutting portion and the leading edge of the image recorded on the recording medium, As the first image information, at least the information of the image corresponding to the area sandwiched between the cutting part and the recording head when the leading edge of the recording medium is located at the position corresponding to the cutting part is stored. Based on this information, it is necessary to record an image until the cutting position of the recording medium reaches the position corresponding to the cutting portion after the conveyance for the cutting is started.
Based on this, according to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably store information that needs to be stored as the head image.

In the recording device according to the invention, the head image information storage unit may be configured to display an image decoration based on the additional information when the recording data includes additional information related to an image decoration. In this case, the image information corresponding to the area is extracted.
According to this configuration, when the tip of the recording medium is appropriately positioned at a position corresponding to the cutting portion, reflecting the decoration, the image corresponding to the area sandwiched between the cutting portion and the recording head is displayed. Information can be extracted.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured to be connectable to a control device, and is disposed downstream of the recording head, a transport unit that transports the recording medium in the transport direction, and the transport direction of the recording head, A control method for a recording apparatus comprising: a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium; and a receiving unit that receives a control command including recording data including at least information of an image to be recorded on the recording medium from the control device. When the control command is received by the receiving unit, the image to be recorded on the recording medium is recorded in a predetermined range of the leading end of the recording medium based on the image information included in the recording data. In the case of extracting and storing the information of the first image that is an image to be recorded and cutting the recording medium by the cutting unit, the cutting position of the recording medium is determined based on the stored information of the first image. The recording medium is transported by the transporting unit until the cutting position of the recording medium reaches a position corresponding to the cutting unit while the head image is recorded on the upstream side of the transporting direction by the recording head, and the cutting is performed. The recording medium is cut by a section.
According to this control method, the recording device extracts and stores the information of the head image from the recording data included in the control command input from the control device, and cuts the recording medium for cutting. In order to record the leading image on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the cutting position in the recording medium, the leading edge of the recording medium generated due to the separation in the conveyance direction between the recording head and the cutting unit, and the recording medium It is possible to reduce the margin with the leading edge of the recorded image as much as possible.
In particular, if the control device outputs a normal control command to the recording device, the information on the first image is automatically stored on the recording device side, and thereafter, the recording medium is recorded based on the information on the first image. Since the recording of the head image accompanying the conveyance for cutting is executed, it is not necessary to modify the program relating to the control device and various mechanisms.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured to be connectable to a control device, and is disposed downstream of the recording head, a transport unit that transports the recording medium in the transport direction, and the transport direction of the recording head, Control each unit of the recording apparatus comprising: a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium; and a receiving unit that receives a control command including recording data including at least information of an image to be recorded on the recording medium from the control device. When the control unit receives the control command by the receiving unit, the program is executed by the control unit, and based on the image information included in the recording data, the image to be recorded on the recording medium Among them, the head image information storage unit that extracts and stores the information of the head image that is an image recorded in a predetermined range of the front end portion of the recording medium, and the receiver that is received by the receiver Based on the control command, the recording head, the conveyance unit, and the cutting unit are controlled to perform recording on the recording medium, conveyance of the recording medium, and cutting of the recording medium, and the cutting unit When the recording medium is cut by the recording head, the head image is recorded by the recording head on the upstream side in the transport direction of the cutting position of the recording medium based on the information of the head image stored by the head image information storage unit. Meanwhile, the recording medium is conveyed by the conveying unit until the cutting position of the recording medium reaches a position corresponding to the cutting unit, and functions as a recording control unit that cuts the recording medium by the cutting unit. It is characterized by.
If this program is executed, the recording apparatus extracts and stores information of the first image from the recording data included in the control command input from the control apparatus, and when cutting the recording medium, In order to record the leading image on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the cutting position in the recording medium, the leading edge of the recording medium generated due to the separation in the conveyance direction between the recording head and the cutting unit, and the recording medium It is possible to reduce the margin with the leading edge of the recorded image as much as possible.
In particular, if the control device outputs a normal control command to the recording device, the information on the first image is automatically stored on the recording device side, and thereafter, the recording medium is recorded based on the information on the first image. Since the recording of the head image accompanying the conveyance for cutting is executed, it is not necessary to modify the program relating to the control device and various mechanisms.

  According to the present invention, the margin between the leading edge of the recording medium generated due to the separation in the transport direction between the recording head and the cutting unit and the leading edge of the image recorded on the recording medium without any modification to the control device. Can be reduced as much as possible.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the POS terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a printer. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a POS terminal. It is a figure which shows recording data and a receipt typically. It is a sequence diagram of a conventional host computer and printer. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship between a recording head and a cutter unit. It is a figure which shows the mode of a receipt typically. The flowchart which shows operation | movement with a host computer and a printer. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship between a receipt and a head image. The figure which shows a mode that the drawing data which concern on a head image were expand | deployed to the predetermined coordinate system. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the POS terminal which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer. The figure which expanded the drawing data which concern on the image which recording data shows to a predetermined coordinate system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a POS terminal 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of the printer 2 (recording apparatus) included in the POS terminal 1.
A POS terminal 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a terminal provided on a point-of-sale management system (POS system) built in a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, and includes a host computer 3 that performs sales registration processing and settlement processing, The printer 2 is connected to the host computer 3 and issues a receipt 10 under the control of the host computer 3.
The host computer 3 has a display 12 for displaying the contents of the sales registration process and the settlement process, a bar code scanner 13 for reading a bar code attached to the product during the sales registration process, and a key input including various keys such as a sales registration key. The unit 14 includes a cash drawer 15 that accommodates cash for settlement. The host computer 3 is connected to a POS server 16 that collects information registered for sales.
When issuing the receipt 10, the host computer 3 is necessary to access the POS server 16 and issue the receipt 10 as appropriate based on the input value from the barcode scanner 13 or the input value from the key input unit 14. Control information is generated, and a control command for causing the printer 2 to perform various operations related to the issuance of the receipt 10 is generated and output to the printer 2. The printer 2 operates each unit based on a control command input from the host computer 3 and issues a receipt 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer 2 as a recording apparatus accommodates a thermal roll paper 22 as a recording medium in a main body 20, and a roller-shaped platen 23 (conveying unit) that conveys the thermal roll paper 22. ), A recording head 24 disposed opposite to the platen 23, and a cutter unit 25 (cutting unit) for cutting the thermal roll paper 22.
The printer 2 drives the conveyance motor 26 (FIG. 3), rotates the platen 23, and conveys the thermal roll paper 22 in the conveyance direction Y1, while the thermal roll is provided by the recording head 24 in which the heating elements are arranged. The thermal line printer records an image by applying heat to the recording surface of the paper 22 and forming dots on the recording surface of the thermal roll paper 22.
The thermal roll paper 22 on which the image is recorded is conveyed outward from a paper discharge port 28 formed on the upper surface of the main body 20, and is cut by the cutter unit 25 on the upstream side of the paper discharge port 28 in the conveyance direction Y1. The receipt 10 is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cutter unit 25 provided in the printer 2 includes a fixed blade 30 disposed on one side of the conveyance path of the thermal roll paper 22 and a conveyance path of the thermal roll paper 22 facing the fixed blade 30. A movable blade 31 disposed on the other side of the blade and a cutter drive motor 32 that slides the movable blade 31 toward the fixed blade 30. The drive force of the cutter drive motor 32 causes a drive mechanism (not shown) to pass through. The movable blade 31 is moved toward the cutter drive motor 32, and the thermal roll paper 22 after printing is sandwiched between the fixed blade 30 and the movable blade 31 and cut.
As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 20 of the printer 2 is provided with a cover 35 that can be opened and closed. The main body 20 is provided with a lever 36 for opening the cover 35. When the cover 35 is opened, a space for accommodating the thermal roll paper 22 is exposed, and the thermal roll paper 22 can be replenished or replaced. Further, the main body 20 has a power switch 37 for turning on / off the power of the printer 2, a paper feed switch 38 for manually operating the heat-sensitive roll paper 22, and the like, and is turned on / off in a predetermined manner. Accordingly, an LED 39 for displaying the status of the printer 2 and the presence or absence of an error is provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the POS terminal 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the host computer 3 includes a host-side control unit 40, a host-side input unit 41, a host-side display unit 42, a host-side storage unit 43, and a host-side interface unit 44. Yes.
The host-side control unit 40 centrally controls the host computer 3, and includes a CPU that executes various programs, a ROM that stores basic control programs executed by the CPU, programs executed by the CPU, and processing targets. It includes a RAM that forms a work area for temporarily storing data and the like, and other peripheral circuits. The host-side control unit 40 includes a POS application execution unit 40a and a printer driver execution unit 40b, which will be described later.
The host side input unit 41 is connected to various input devices including the key input unit 14 described above, detects an operation on the input device, and outputs it to the host side control unit 40.
The host-side display unit 42 is connected to the display 12 described above, and displays various types of information such as sales registration processing and payment processing contents on the display 12 under the control of the host-side control unit 40.
As described above, the host computer 3 is connected to various register peripheral devices such as a barcode scanner 13 and a cash drawer. The host computer 3 is provided with an interface for connecting these devices. In addition, device drivers for controlling these devices are installed in advance.
The host-side storage unit 43 includes a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores various data in a rewritable manner.
The host side interface unit 44 performs communication based on the communication standard with the printer 2 under the control of the host side control unit 40.

The printer 2 is a thermal line printer that issues the receipt 10 as described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 50, the print engine 51, the input unit 52, the display unit 53, the storage unit 54, and the like. And an interface unit 55.
The control unit 50 centrally controls each unit of the printer 2 and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, other peripheral circuits, and the like, similar to the host-side control unit 40 described above.
The print engine 51 operates the recording head 24, the conveyance motor 26, the cutter driving motor 32, and the like under the control of the recording control unit 60 included in the control unit 50, and records an image on the thermal roll paper 22, and the image is recorded. The receipt 10 is issued by cutting the recorded thermal roll paper 22. The function of the recording control unit 60 is realized by cooperation of hardware and software, such as reading and executing a program with a CPU and firmware.
The input unit 52 is connected to the power switch 37 and the paper feed switch 38, detects operations on these operation switches, and outputs them to the control unit 50.
The display unit 53 outputs a drive signal to the LED 39 under the control of the control unit 50, and turns on / off the LED 39 in a predetermined manner.
The storage unit 54 includes a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a hard disk, and stores various data in a rewritable manner. Each data stored in the storage unit 54 will be described later.
The interface unit 55 performs communication based on the communication standard with the host computer 3. The interface unit 55 and the control unit 50 cooperate to function as a receiving unit that receives a control command from the host computer 3.

Next, the basic operation of the POS terminal 1 when issuing one receipt 10 will be described through the description of the POS application execution unit 40a and the printer driver execution unit 40b.
The POS application execution unit 40a executes the POS application preinstalled in the host computer 3, thereby accessing the POS server 16 for each transaction to obtain necessary information and information indicating the purchased product. Information that should be described in the receipt 10 (FIG. 4B) such as information indicating the unit price of the product and information indicating the total purchase price, and based on the acquired information, the image to be recorded on the receipt 10 Print data including information is generated and output to the printer driver execution unit 40b.
The printer driver execution unit 40b generates a control command corresponding to the command specification of the printer 2 based on the print data input from the POS application execution unit 40a by executing a printer driver installed in the host computer 3 in advance. And output to the printer 2.
The control command is a group of commands for causing the printer 2 to perform various operations related to issuance of the receipt 10, and includes a conveyance instruction command HC that instructs conveyance of the thermal roll paper 22 by a predetermined conveyance amount, and a cutter unit. In addition to the cutting instruction command SC for instructing cutting by 25, recording data 80 is included.
The recording data 80 (FIG. 4A) is information on the image to be recorded on the thermal roll paper 22, specifically, the content of the image to be recorded (character string, predetermined graphic, barcode, etc.) The information to be recorded by specifying the order in detail. A specific mode of the recording data 80 will be described in detail later.
Control commands output from the host computer 3 to the printer 2 are sequentially stored in the reception buffer 56. The recording control unit 60 of the control unit 50 of the printer 2 sequentially reads and executes the control commands stored in the reception buffer 56 to control the print engine 51 and perform various operations related to the issue of the receipt 10. Run. In particular, the recording control unit 60 controls the print engine 51 based on the recording data 80 to perform recording of a predetermined image on the thermal roll paper 22 and necessary conveyance accompanying recording of the image.

  Next, a specific example of the recording data 80 and the receipt 10 on which an image is recorded based on the recording data 80 will be described.

4A is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the recording data 80, and FIG. 4B illustrates an example of the receipt 10 on which an image is recorded based on the recording data 80 of FIG. 4A. FIG.
In the receipt 10 of FIG. 4B, the upward direction in the drawing is the direction corresponding to the transport direction Y1. Therefore, when the receipt 10 is issued, after the thermal roll paper 22 is cut to form the leading end 10a, dots are sequentially formed by the recording head 24 from the leading end 10a side to the trailing end 10b side of the receipt 10. The formed image is recorded, and then the thermal roll paper 22 is cut to form the rear end 10b.

In the present embodiment, the layout of the receipt 10 issued by the printer 2 is basically the same for all the receipts 10 with a predetermined exception.
That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the receipt 10, in order from the leading end 10a to the trailing end 10b, in other words, in the order in which recording by the recording head 24 is performed, the leading image area A1, the receipt information. An area A2, a graphic area A3, and a barcode area A4 are formed.
The first image area A1 is an area where a predetermined character string is routinely recorded in a predetermined manner. In the example of FIG. 4B, the character string “AAAΔStore” (Δ is a space, the same applies hereinafter) is double the reference size and is centered (the center of the receipt 10 in the width direction). The character string “atΔBBBΔArea” is stored in the next line at a reference size and centered.
In the present embodiment, with the exception of predetermined exceptions, the same character string is recorded in the same manner in the first image area A1 for all receipts 10 issued by the printer 2. Hereinafter, the above two lines of character strings recorded in the head image area A1 are expressed as “head image”. That is, the head image is an image relating to a character string that is routinely recorded at the tip of the receipt 10.
The receipt information area A2 is an area where the date and time when the receipt 10 is issued, the name of the purchased product, the unit price of the product, the total purchase price, and other additional information are recorded as character strings.
The graphic area A3 is an area where a predetermined graphic image is recorded. The graphic image will be described later.
The barcode area A4 is an area where barcodes are recorded.

As described above, the recording data 80 is data including information on an image to be recorded on the thermal roll paper 22. More specifically, the recording data 80 is to record a predetermined image on the thermal roll paper 22 in a predetermined mode. The command to be instructed is data arranged in the order of recording. The recording control unit 60 of the control unit 50 of the printer 2 needs to accompany the recording of the image on the thermal roll paper 22 and the recording of the image by sequentially reading and executing each command constituting the recording data 80. Carry out proper transport.
In FIG. 4A, a command group H1 is a command group for recording a character string “AAAΔStore” in a predetermined manner among the two lines of character strings constituting the top image of the receipt 10. Two commands, a decoration command MS1 and a character string recording instruction command MK1, are included.
The character string decoration command MS1 is a command for designating decoration to be applied to the character string “AAAΔStore”. Specifically, the character string decoration command has a size twice as large as the reference, and This command specifies that the character string is centered. Note that decoration means performing some processing related to drawing on a character string to be recorded. For example, in addition to the above-described character string enlargement and character string position movement, for example, reduction, rotation, and emphasis. Bolding, adding decorative characters or decorative symbols, etc. correspond to decoration.
The character string recording instruction command MK1 is a command for instructing to record the character string “AAAΔStore”. In the present embodiment, basically, the character string recording instruction command is configured by combining an instruction code and a character string formed by a combination of characters expressed by a predetermined character code (for example, ASCII code). ing. For example, the character string recording instruction command MK1 is “XXXΔ“ AAAΔStore ”” (where XXX is an instruction code for instructing to record a character string. The character string in double quotations is an ASCII code. A character string composed of a combination of expressed characters.).

The recording control unit 60 controls the print engine 51 to apply the decoration specified by the character string decoration command MS1, and then records the character string described in the character string recording instruction command MK1 on the recording medium. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the center-aligned character string “AAAΔStore” is recorded with a size twice as large as the reference.
More specifically, a font table 70 is stored in the storage unit 54 of the printer 2. The font table 70 is a table that collects and stores font data, and the font data is actual data that expresses characters in a form that can be recorded on the thermal roll paper 22. In the present embodiment, the font data mode is bitmap font data. Examples of font data include bitmap font data, scalable font data, vector font data, outline font data, and the like.
In the present embodiment, “characters” to be recorded on the thermal roll paper 22 are not only characters having a meaning used in a language, but also on the thermal roll paper 22 based on font data stored in the storage unit 54. It is a concept that indicates all “graphics” that can be recorded.
Each character expressed in ASCII code has a corresponding relationship with any one of the font data stored in the font table 70, and information indicating the corresponding relationship is stored in the storage unit 54 in advance. For example, a table in which each ASCII code and the position of font data corresponding to each ASCII code (address of the storage area in the font table 70) are stored in association with each other is stored in the storage unit 54 in advance.
When the character string “AAAΔStore” is recorded based on the character string decoration command MS1 and the character string recording instruction command MK1, the recording control unit 60 includes the font table 70, the ASCII code, and the font data. The font data of each character constituting the character string is obtained by referring to the information indicating the correspondence relationship between the character string and the decoration designated by the character string decoration command MS1, and based on the obtained font data, Image data (bitmap data) relating to a character string is developed in a print buffer (not shown). Next, the recording control unit 60 drives the recording head 24, the conveyance motor 26, and the like based on the image data related to the character string developed in the print buffer, and configures the image related to the character string on the thermal roll paper 22. The character string “AAAΔStore” is recorded by forming dots to be used.

The command group H2 following the command group H1 is a command group that records the character string “atΔBBBΔArea” in a predetermined manner, and sets the size of the character string as a reference size, and A character string decoration command MS2 for designating that the character string is to be centered and a character string recording instruction command MK2 for instructing to record the character string “atΔBBBΔArea” are configured.
The recording control unit 60 controls the print engine 51 on the basis of each command included in the command group H2, and, as shown in FIG. Record the character string “Area”.
The command group H2 is followed by two line feed commands LF. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, two line breaks are inserted after the character string “atΔBBBΔArea”.

  A command group H3 follows the two line feed commands LF. The command group H3 is a command group for recording an image in the receipt information area A2 of the receipt 10, and is configured by combining the above-described character string decoration command, character string recording instruction command, and line feed command. Details of the command group H3 are omitted.

The command group H3 is followed by a graphic recording instruction command GS.
The recording control unit 60 records a graphic image on the thermal roll paper 22 based on the graphic recording instruction command GS.
Specifically, a registered graphic table 71 is stored in the storage unit 54 of the printer 2. In the registered graphic table 71, a plurality of graphic image data and an identification code uniquely assigned to each graphic image are stored in association with each other. The graphic image data is bitmap data representing a predetermined image (graphic image) that is not an image recorded based on the font data. For example, the graphic area A3 of the receipt 10 in FIG. Is a bitmap data representing a graphic image (image in which a character string “10% Off” is drawn in a decorative frame for emphasis).
The graphic recording instruction command GS includes information for specifying the identification code of the graphic image to be recorded. When recording the graphic image based on the graphic recording instruction command GS, the recording control unit 60 registers the graphic image. With reference to the graphic table 71, graphic image data corresponding to the identification code is acquired, the acquired graphic image data is expanded in a print buffer, the print engine 51 is controlled based on the expanded graphic image data, and the graphic Record an image.
Note that the graphic recording instruction command GS may be configured to include bitmap data of an image to be recorded in the graphic area A3, and may be a command for recording an image related to the bitmap data. In this case, the recording control unit 60 develops the bitmap data included in the graphic recording instruction command GS in the print buffer and records an image.

The bar code recording instruction command BS follows the graphic recording instruction command GS.
The bar code recording instruction command BS is used to specify various settings relating to the HRI character (whether or not to record the HRI character, where to record the HRI character in relation to the bar code, etc.) A command for specifying the size of a character, a character string to be converted into a barcode (hereinafter referred to as “character string before conversion”) and an instruction to record a barcode image based on the character string before conversion It includes commands and so on.
When recording a barcode based on the barcode recording instruction command BS, the recording control unit 60 acquires the pre-conversion character string included in the barcode recording instruction command BS, and implements the acquired pre-conversion character string in the firmware. By using the predetermined function, the image data is converted into bitmap data representing the barcode as an image, and the barcode as the image is expressed after reflecting various settings relating to the HRI characters and various settings relating to the barcode size. The bitmap data is developed in the print buffer, and the print engine 51 is controlled based on the developed bitmap data, and the image relating to the barcode and the HRI character is recorded on the thermal roll paper 22.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining operations of the printer 2 and the host computer 3 in the conventional POS terminal 1 before applying the present invention.
Conventionally, when a plurality of receipts 10 are issued, the printer 2 and the host computer 3 perform various processes in the following procedure.
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the host computer 3 transmits recording data 80 to the printer 2 (step SA1).
Next, the recording control unit 60 of the printer 2 records an image based on the content of the recording data 80 on the thermal roll paper 22 based on the received recording data 80 (step SA2).
Next, the host computer 3 has the cutting position of the thermal roll paper 22 (the position where the thermal roll paper 22 should be cut to issue the receipt 10, hereinafter referred to as “paper cutting position”) as the cutting of the cutter unit 25. A conveyance instruction that instructs to convey the thermal roll paper 22 by a predetermined amount until reaching a position T2 (a position where cutting is performed by the cutter unit 25. That is, a position where the fixed blade 30 and the movable blade 31 face each other). Command HC is transmitted to printer 2 (step SA3).

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing these apparatuses in order to explain the positional relationship between the recording head 24 and the cutter unit 25.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, in this embodiment, a recording head 24 is provided at a predetermined position on a conveyance path (FIG. 6) K through which the thermal roll paper 22 is conveyed. A cutter unit 25 for cutting the thermal roll paper 22 is provided downstream in the transport direction Y1.
As shown in FIG. 6, a gap G is formed between the recording position T <b> 1 where the image is recorded by the recording head 24 (position where the heating element is disposed) and the cutting position T <b> 2 of the cutter unit 25. .

In step SA3, after the transport instruction command HC is transmitted from the host computer 3 to the printer 2, the recording control unit 60 of the printer 2 controls the print engine 51 based on the received transport instruction command HC, and the thermal roll. The paper 22 is conveyed by a predetermined amount (step SA4).
Next, the host computer 3 transmits a cutting instruction command SC for instructing cutting of the thermal roll paper 22 by the cutter unit 25 to the printer 2 (step SA5).
Next, the recording control unit 60 of the printer 2 controls the print engine 51 based on the received cutting instruction command SC to cut the thermal roll paper 22 (step SA6).
When the next receipt 10 is issued after issuing one receipt 10 in this way, the host computer 3 sequentially transmits the recording data 80, the conveyance instruction command HC, and the cutting instruction command SC, and the printer 10 2 sequentially executes the received commands (steps SA7 to SA12).

  In the prior art in which a plurality of receipts 10 are issued in the sequence as described above, there are the following problems.

FIG. 7A is a diagram schematically showing the thermal roll paper 22 for explaining the conventional problems.
As described with reference to FIG. 6, according to the conventional sequence, after the image recording based on the recording data 80 relating to one receipt 10 is completed, the paper cutting position of the thermal roll paper 22 reaches the cutting position T2. This is a procedure in which the thermal roll paper 22 is cut after the thermal roll paper 22 is transported, and then image recording based on the recording data 80 relating to the next receipt 10 is started. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, due to the gap G in the transport direction Y1 between the recording position T1 of the recording head 24 and the cutting position T2 of the cutter unit 25, the leading end 10a of the receipt 10 and the receipt 10 There is a tendency that the margin M formed between the leading edge of the recorded first image is enlarged.

Since this margin M is a useless area where no image is recorded, there is a need to reduce the margin M as much as possible to suppress useless consumption of the thermal roll paper 22.
In particular, there is a need to reduce the margin M without modifying the host computer 3, for example, without modifying the program, rewriting the program, replacing the host computer 3 itself, or modifying various mechanisms. This is because, for example, when the present invention is applied to the POS terminal 1, workability is good because the host computer 3 is not modified. Furthermore, in a situation where the POS terminal 1 is constructed by connecting the printer 2 to the existing host computer 3 installed in the store, there is no need to modify the existing host computer 3. Therefore, there is a merit in terms of ease of work and connection reliability for the store side where the printer 2 is purchased and introduced, and for an entity (for example, a manufacturer) that sells and provides the printer 2, the printer 2 This is because there is a merit in that the product value of 2 can be improved.
Based on the above, the printer 2 according to the present embodiment performs the following operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operations of the printer 2 and the host computer 3 according to the present embodiment, where (A) shows the operation of the host computer 3 and (B) shows the operation of the printer 2.
FIG. 8 shows operations of the printer 2 and the host computer 3 when issuing one receipt 10.
In the following description, the functions of the control unit 50, the recording control unit 60, and the head image information storage unit 61 are based on the cooperation of hardware and software, such as the CPU reading and executing a program such as firmware. Realized.
As shown in FIG. 8, first, the host computer 3 transmits recording data 80 (step SB1).
Next, the printer 2 receives the recording data 80 transmitted from the host computer 3 (step SC1). The received recording data 80 is temporarily stored in the reception buffer 56.
Next, the leading image information storage unit 61 determines whether leading image data 72 (described later) is already stored in the storage unit 54 (step SC2).
Hereinafter, first, the operation of the printer 2 when the head image data 72 (described later) is not yet stored in the storage unit 54 in step SC2 (step SC2: NO) will be described.
If “NO” is determined in step SC 2, it is assumed that the leading image is not recorded at the leading end of the thermal roll paper 22. Therefore, in addition to the case where the top image data 72 is not stored in the storage unit 54, the case where the top image data 72 is stored in the storage unit 54 due to the timing of replacement of the thermal roll paper 22 or an error. Even so, if the leading image is not recorded at the leading end portion of the thermal roll paper 22, “NO” is determined in the step SC2.
When the head image data 72 is not yet stored in the storage unit 54 (step SC2: NO), the head image information storage unit 61 refers to the keyword character string data 73 stored in the storage unit 54, and determines the keyword character string. Obtain (step SC3). The keyword character string will be described later.
Next, the head image information storage unit 61 uses the keyword character string acquired in step SC3 to extract the information of the head image from the image information included in the recording data 80 received in step SC1 (step SC4). .
Hereinafter, the operation of step SC4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, for all receipts 10 issued by the printer 2, a predetermined character string is recorded in a predetermined manner as a leading image at the leading end (top) of the receipt 10. Specifically, a character string “AAAΔStore” and a character string “atΔBBBΔArea” following the character string are routinely recorded at the leading end of the receipt 10.
The keyword character string is a character string corresponding to the end of the character string constituting the head image. In the above example, “Area” corresponds to this keyword character string.
In step SC4, the head image information storage unit 61 analyzes the recording data 80 stored in the reception buffer 56, and uses each character string recording instruction command (a combination of a character including a predetermined command code and a predetermined character code). The keyword character string is searched from the character strings included in the command including the expressed character string. As described above, in the character string recording instruction command, since the character string is expressed by a combination of characters having a predetermined character code, the keyword is recorded from the recorded data 80 using the existing algorithm for character string search. You can search for strings.
Next, when an image is recorded based on the recording data 80, the head image information storage unit 61 stores a series of character strings from the character string recorded at the head to the searched keyword character string. It is assumed that the image is a character string that is routinely recorded at the tip of the receipt 10, and a series of commands relating to the recording of the series of character strings is extracted from the recording data 80. In the example of FIG. 4A, each command of the command group H1 including a series of commands relating to the recording of the character string “AAAΔStore” and a series relating to the recording of the character string “atΔBBBΔArea”. Each command of the command group H2 including these commands is extracted. Thus, the head image information storage unit 61 extracts not only the character string recording instruction command but also a character string decoration command that is a command for designating decoration to be applied to the character string.
A series of commands extracted as described above (in the above example, commands included in the command group H1 and the command group H2) correspond to “information on the top image”.

After extracting the top image information in step SC4, the top image information storage unit 61 stores the extracted top image information (a series of commands) in the storage unit 54 as the top image data 72 (step SC5).
Next, the recording control unit 60 performs the character string constituting the head image and then the row of the character string to be recorded along with the conveyance for cutting, in other words, the thermal roll after starting the conveyance for cutting. Before the paper 22 is cut, the line of the character string to be recorded and the position on the thermal roll paper 22 at which the recording of the character string related to the head image is started are determined (step SC6).
Hereinafter, the operation of step SC6 will be described in detail.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the leading image is recorded on the thermal roll paper 22 in a predetermined manner in order to explain the operation of step SC6.
As described above, the present invention records on the tip 10a of the receipt 10 and the receipt 10 due to the gap G in the transport direction Y1 between the recording position T1 of the recording head 24 and the cutting position T2 of the cutter unit 25. One of the purposes is to reduce the margin M formed between the leading edge of the first image to be generated.
In order to achieve the object, the printer 2 uses the thermal roll paper 22 to cut the thermal roll paper 22 after the image recording based on the recording data 80 is completed, as shown in FIG. When transporting in the transport direction Y1, the leading image is recorded in parallel with the transport, thereby reducing the margin M.
Based on this, it is assumed that the relationship between the gap G and the leading image on the thermal roll paper 22 is in a state as shown in FIG. In FIG. 9A, the distance between the leading edge of the thermal roll paper 22 and the leading edge of the leading image is the margin Mmin. The margin Mmin is a minimum margin required from the viewpoint of the appearance of the receipt 10 in consideration of the balance between the frame of the receipt 10 and the image. Therefore, if the margin M is the margin Mmin, the margin M can be reduced most.
In the state shown in FIG. 9A, the recording is temporarily interrupted while the character string “atΔBBBΔArea” is being recorded on the thermal roll paper 22, and the thermal roll paper 22 is cut. After the cutting is completed, the remaining portion of the character string “atΔBBBΔArea” is recorded again. In this case, the temporary interruption of the recording of the character string may cause white streaks and dot deviation of the recorded character string, which may cause a decrease in print quality. In particular, when the thermal roll paper 22 is cut, a certain pressure is applied to the thermal roll paper 22 in association with the physical contact of the cutter unit 25, so that there is a slight shift in the thermal roll paper 22 before and after cutting. It can be said that white streaks and dot displacement may occur.

Further, it is assumed that the relationship between the gap G and the leading image on the thermal roll paper 22 is in a state as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 9B, the distance between the character string “AAAΔStore” and the character string “atΔBBBΔArea” is larger than the amount of separation assumed by the recording data 80.
In this case, although the print quality does not deteriorate as shown in FIG. 9A, the character string “AAAΔStore” and the character string “atΔBBBΔArea” are more than expected. The image recorded on the receipt 10 may be deteriorated in appearance.
Further, it is assumed that the relationship between the gap G and the leading image on the thermal roll paper 22 is in a state as shown in FIG.
In this case, it is possible to prevent a decrease in print quality in FIG. 9A, and it is possible to prevent poor appearance as shown in FIG.
Based on the above, in step SC6, the head image is recorded before cutting the thermal roll paper 22 among the character strings of the plurality of lines constituting the head image so that the head image is recorded in the manner shown in FIG. 9C. The line of the power string and the timing for starting the recording of the top image are determined.
The details will be described below.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which each pixel is developed in a predetermined coordinate system when pixels conforming to the resolution of the printer 2 are virtually arranged in the entire area of the thermal roll paper 22. In the coordinate system, each pixel is arranged on the dot matrix in accordance with the shape of the thermal roll paper 22, and each pixel can be specified by the position with respect to the origin.
With reference to FIGS. 9C and 10, the point Q0 in FIG. 9C corresponds to the origin P0 (0, 0) of the coordinate system, and the point Q1 is a point on the x-axis. To the point P1 (x1, y1), the point Q2 corresponds to the point P2 (x2, y2) which is a point on the y-axis, and the point Q3 corresponds to the point P3 (x3, y3). Point P1 is a point separated from the origin P0 in the x-axis (+) direction by the number of dots corresponding to the width of the thermal roll paper 22, and point P2 is recorded by the recording head 24 in the printer 2 from the origin P0. This is a point separated in the y-axis (−) direction by the number of dots corresponding to the gap G in the transport direction Y1 between the position T1 and the cutting position T2 of the cutter unit 25. Further, the point P3 is separated from the point P1 by the number of dots corresponding to the gap G in the y-axis (−) direction, and from the point P2 by the number of dots corresponding to the width of the thermal roll paper 22, and the x-axis (+ ) In the direction.
In step SC6, first, the control unit 50 defines the coordinate system shown in FIG. 10 in a predetermined storage area.
Next, the control unit 50 performs pixel data (hereinafter referred to as “drawing data”) of the top image with a predetermined decoration based on the top image data 72 stored in the storage unit 54 in the following procedure. Expand to coordinate system.
That is, the control unit 50 does not change the number of dots in the space between character strings in the defined coordinate system, and the drawing data of any character string does not straddle the virtual straight line KT2 (= any A state in which the virtual straight line KT2 extends between the drawing data of the character string and the drawing data of the character string next to the character string, or the last of the character strings of a plurality of lines constituting the top image In a state where the virtual straight line KT2 is located on the y-axis (−) direction side of the drawing data of the line character string from the end of the y-axis (−) direction) The leading image is displayed in the coordinate system so that the drawing data of character strings on as many lines as possible is expanded in a range surrounded by the separated virtual straight line KT1 and the virtual straight line KT2 connecting the points P2 and P3. Expand the drawing data.

  For example, the drawing data of the head image is a predetermined decoration obtained by rendering drawing data related to the character string “AAAΔStore” with a predetermined decoration and the number of dots corresponding to a predetermined space from the drawing data. And is drawn with virtual lines KT1 and KT2, without changing the number of dots corresponding to the space between the character strings. If the drawing data related to all the character strings can be expanded in the range, the drawing data related to all the character strings is expanded in the range. On the other hand, compared to the number of dots in the y-axis direction of the virtual straight line KT1 and the virtual line KT2, the number of dots in the y-axis direction of the drawing data of the first image including the space between the character strings is large, and all the character strings Such drawing data cannot be developed in a range surrounded by the virtual straight line KT1 and the virtual straight line KT2, and compared to the number of dots in the y-axis direction of the virtual straight line KT1 and the virtual straight line KT2, “AAAΔStore When the number of dots in the y-axis direction of the drawing data related to the character string “” is small and the drawing data related to the character string “AAAΔStore” can be expanded into the range, as shown in FIG. Drawing related to each character string in a state where the virtual straight line KT2 extends in a space between the drawing data related to the character string “Store” and the drawing data related to the character string “atΔBBBΔArea”. data It is deployed to coordinate system. Here, the character string developed in the range sandwiched between the virtual straight line KT1 and the virtual straight line KT2 is a character string recorded after the start of conveyance for cutting and before cutting, and the virtual straight line KT2 The character string expanded in the y-axis (−) direction is a character string recorded after the cutting. The control unit 50 uses the coordinate system to output as many character strings as possible for character strings that can be recorded before starting cutting after conveyance for cutting the thermal roll paper 22 is started. In the case of recording, the line to be recorded before the cutting is specified among the lines of the character string constituting the head image.

Next, the control unit 50 sets the distance D1 between the end on the y-axis (+) side of the drawing data related to the first character string and the x-axis among the drawing data related to the character string developed in the coordinate system (FIG. 10). ) Is detected.
In the example of FIG. 10, a state in which the virtual straight line KT2 extends in a space between the drawing data related to the character string “AAAΔStore” and the drawing data related to the character string “atΔBBBΔArea”. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9C, the drawing data relating to the head image is developed in the coordinate system. As shown in FIG. 9C, the cutting position (front end) of the thermal roll paper 22 by a distance L1 corresponding to the separation amount D1. If recording of the head image is started from a position separated from (), after the recording of the character string “AAAΔStore” is completed, the recording of the character string “atΔBBBΔArea” is started before the cutter unit 25 is started. Then, the thermal roll paper 22 is cut, and then the recording of the character string “atΔBBBΔArea” is started, and the deterioration of the print quality described with reference to FIG. 9A can be prevented.
In step SC6, the control unit 50 expands the drawing data related to the head image in the coordinate system as described above, and then expands the line of the character string expanded in the range surrounded by the virtual straight line KT1 and the virtual straight line KT2. After the start of conveyance for cutting, it is determined that the line is to be recorded on the thermal roll paper 22 before cutting, and further, the thermal roll paper is set by a distance L1 (FIG. 9C) corresponding to the distance D1 (FIG. 10). A position spaced from the leading end of 22 is determined as a position to start recording of the top image (recording start position Z1, see FIG. 9C).
A table that stores the number of dots of the separation distance D1 in the coordinate system and the length of the distance L1 on the thermal roll paper 22 in association with each other is stored in advance in a predetermined storage area, and the control unit 50 stores the table. Based on the above, the separation amount D1 is converted into the distance L1. The value of the distance L1 may be, for example, a value expressed by the number of steps when the transport motor 26 is a stepping motor.

Returning to FIG. 8, the head image information storage unit 61 stores information indicating the character string line to be recorded before cutting and the position where the head image starts to be recorded, determined in step SC 6. Are stored in association with each other (step SC7).
Next, the recording control unit 60 controls the print engine 51 based on the recording data 80 to record an image on the thermal roll paper 22 (step SC8).
Next, the host computer 3 transmits a transport instruction command HC to the printer 2 as in the conventional case (step SB2). The recording control unit 60 of the printer 2 skips the received conveyance instruction command HC (step SC9). Further, the host computer 3 transmits a cutting instruction command SC to the printer 2 (step SB3), but the recording control unit 60 of the printer 2 skips the received cutting instruction command SC (step SC10).
Since no modification has been made to the host computer 3, the host computer 3 sequentially sends the commands to the printer 2 in the order of the recording data 80, the transport instruction command HC, and the cutting instruction command SC as in the conventional case. The printer 2 according to the present embodiment skips these commands in order to execute conveyance and cutting for cutting according to a predetermined procedure for reducing the margin M without being controlled by the host computer 3. In addition, since the printer 2 performs a process of skipping these commands, the host computer 3 only needs to transmit the command in the same procedure as before, and no modification to the host computer 3 is required.

Next, the recording control unit 60 of the printer 2 starts conveying the thermal roll paper 22 for cutting (step SC11).
During conveyance of the thermal roll paper 22, the recording control unit 60 monitors whether or not the recording start position Z1 (see FIG. 9C) on the thermal roll paper 22 has reached the recording position T1 of the recording head 24 (step). SC12). The printer 2 manages the transport amount of the thermal roll paper 22 by, for example, the number of steps of the transport motor 26 configured as a stepping motor, and detects the transport amount and the position of the thermal roll paper 22. The recording start position Z1 and the position of the cutting position in the printer 2 are managed based on the detection value of a predetermined center or the like, and the recording start position Z1 and the cutting position have reached the recording position T1 and the cutting position T2. Can be detected.
When the recording start position Z1 on the thermal roll paper 22 reaches the recording position T1 of the recording head 24, the recording control unit 60 associates the head image data 72 of the storage unit 54 with the head image data 72 in step SC7. The control command related to the character string of the line to be recorded before cutting is read out from the plurality of character strings constituting the head image based on the information of the line to be recorded before cutting, and executed. As a result, the character string of the line is recorded (step SC13).
For example, referring to FIG. 9C, among the character string “AAAΔStore” and the character string “atΔBBBΔArea”, the character string “AAAΔStore” should be recorded before cutting. When it corresponds to the character string of the line, the recording control unit 60 includes the character string decoration command MS1 that is a command related to the command group H1 among the commands included in the head image data 72 of the storage unit 54, and the character string recording instruction. The command MK1 is acquired, and these commands are read and executed to record a character string “AAAΔStore” in the transport amount of the thermal roll paper 22 with a predetermined decoration.

The recording control unit 60 stops the conveyance of the thermal roll paper 22 at the timing when the cutting position of the thermal roll paper 22 reaches the cutting position T2 of the cutter unit 25 after the recording of the character string of the specific line is completed. Then, the thermal roll paper 22 is cut by the cutter unit 25 (step SC14).
Since the recording start position Z1 and the line to be recorded are adjusted in the first image by the above-described means, the thermal roll paper is not after the character string is recorded but after the character string recording is completed. The cutting position 22 reaches the cutting position T2 of the cutter unit 25.
Next, the recording control unit 60 determines whether or not there is a character string in a line that has not been recorded in the head image (step SC15). If it exists (step SC15: YES), the head image data 72 is determined. Based on the control command related to the character string in the line, a predetermined decoration is applied, and the character string in the line is recorded (step SC16).

Now, returning to step SC2, the case where the top image data 72 is already stored in the storage unit 54 (step SC2: YES) will be described.
If “YES” is determined in step SC 2, the state in which the leading image has already been recorded at the leading end of the thermal roll paper 22 based on the leading image data 72 stored in the storage unit 54. Assumed. Whether or not the leading image is recorded with the conveyance for cutting the thermal roll paper 22 may be managed by a flag, or may be detected by an optical detection means. Thereby, when the leading image is not recorded on the thermal roll paper 22 due to the replacement timing of the thermal roll paper 22 or some error, this can be detected appropriately.
When the head image data 72 is already stored in the storage unit 54 (step SC2: YES), the recording control unit 60 excludes the command related to the head image from the recording data 80 stored in the reception buffer 56. An image is recorded based on the command (step SC17). For example, when the state of the recording data 80 is the state shown in FIG. 4A, the recording control unit 60 sequentially reads and executes the commands except for the command group H1 and the command group H2, thereby executing image recording. Make a record. Thereby, it is possible to record an image without duplicating the head image.
In step SC17, the recording control unit 60 determines that the head of the commands included in the recording data 80 is based on the comparison result between the head image data 72 in the storage unit 54 and the recording data 80 stored in the reception buffer 56. A command other than the command related to the image is specified.
In step SC17, after the image is recorded on the thermal roll paper 22, the recording control unit 60 moves the processing procedure to step SC9, and records the leading image accompanying the conveyance for cutting.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the head image information storage unit 61 receives a control command from the host computer 3, the head image information storage unit 61 is based on image information included in the recording data 80 and is a thermal roll as a recording medium. From the image to be recorded on the paper 22, information on the first image that is an image recorded in a predetermined range at the front end is extracted and stored as the first image data 72. In addition, when the thermal roll paper 22 is cut by the cutter unit 25, the recording control unit 60 receives the conveyance instruction command HC that instructs conveyance of a predetermined conveyance amount received from the host computer 3, and instructs cutting by the cutting unit. The cutting instruction command SC to be read is discarded, and the head image is recorded by the recording head 24 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the cutting position of the thermal roll paper 22 based on the head image data 72 stored in the head image information storage unit 61. The thermal roll paper 22 is conveyed until the cutting position of the thermal roll paper 22 reaches a position corresponding to the cutter unit 25, and the thermal roll paper 22 is cut by the cutter unit 25.
According to this, the printer 2 extracts the information of the head image from the recording data 80 included in the control command input from the host computer 3 and stores it as the head image data 72 and cuts the thermal roll paper 22. In order to record the leading image on the upstream side in the transport direction of the cutting position on the thermal roll paper 22 in conjunction with the transport for cutting, the recording position T1 of the recording head 24 and the cutting position T2 of the cutter unit 25 are The margin M between the leading edge of the thermal roll paper 22 generated due to the separation in the transport direction and the leading edge of the image recorded on the thermal roll paper 22 can be reduced as much as possible.
In particular, if the host computer 3 outputs a normal control command to the printer 2, the information on the top image is automatically stored as the top image data 72 on the printer 2 side. Based on this, the recording of the leading image accompanying the conveyance for cutting the thermal roll paper 22 is executed, so there is no need to modify the host computer 3.

In the present embodiment, the head image information storage unit 61 stores the head image data 72 when a control command is received when the head image data 72 is not stored.
According to this, when the head image data 72 is not stored, the head image data 72 is stored based on the control command, and thereafter, the head image is recorded based on the stored head image data 72. As a result, the number of processes relating to recording of the information of the head image can be reduced, and the processing efficiency is improved.
In addition, when the first image data 72 is not stored, for example, when the control command is received for the first time or when the first image data 72 is configured to be stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a RAM, the power is turned off. It is assumed that it will be re-entered later.

In the present embodiment, when the recording control unit 60 newly receives the control command after recording the head image as the thermal roll paper 22 is cut, it is included in the recording data 80 of the new control command. Recording on the thermal roll paper 22 is performed based on commands other than commands included in the head image data stored in the head image information storage unit 61 among the commands (image information).
According to this, when a new control command is received after executing the recording of the leading image accompanying conveyance for cutting based on the leading image data 72, the previously recorded leading image is recorded in duplicate. Thus, the image to be recorded can be recorded without excess or deficiency.

In the present embodiment, the information of the head image in the recording data 80 is information including a character string composed of a predetermined character code. Specifically, the information of the head image in the recording data 80 includes a character string recording instruction command including a character string to be recorded.
Then, the head image information storage unit 61 detects a keyword character string that is a predetermined character string set in advance from the recording data 80, extracts information up to the keyword character string, and starts the head image data 72. Is stored in the storage unit 54.
According to this, it is possible to specifically specify the information of the head image from the information of the image included in the recording data 80 using the set keyword character string. In particular, the information of the head image is obtained by a very simple means of detecting the keyword character string from the image information included in the recording data 80 and extracting the information from the head of the information to the keyword character string. Can be identified.
In other words, in the present embodiment, the leading image is composed of a character string, and in the recorded data 80, each character of the character string constituting the leading image is represented by a predetermined character code. Therefore, it is possible to identify the information of the head image in the recording data 80 with certainty by using an easy means.

In the present embodiment, the top image includes a character string of one or more lines.
Then, the recording control unit 60 records the leading image by the recording head 24 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the cutting position of the thermal roll paper 22, and the cutting position of the thermal roll paper 22 reaches a position corresponding to the cutting position T2. When transporting the roll paper that sleeps until the image recording based on the character string of one line is completed and the next character string exists, the image recording based on the next character string is started. In such a state, the character string row to be recorded is determined before cutting so that the cutting position of the thermal roll paper 22 reaches the cutting position T2.
According to this, when the recording of the image based on the character string of any line is completed, and the next character string exists, the recording of the image based on the next character string is not started, Since the cutting position of the heat-sensitive roll paper 22 reaches the cutting position T2 and the cutting is performed, it is possible to effectively suppress the deterioration of the printing quality.

In the present embodiment, the head image information storage unit 61 also stores the command if the record data 80 includes a character string decoration command (additional information) related to the decoration of the character string constituting the head image. Also memorize.
According to this, it is possible to record the head image along with the conveyance for cutting after appropriately applying the decoration assumed to be applied to the head image.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the POS terminal 1 according to the present embodiment.
As is clear from comparison between FIG. 11 and FIG. 3, the printer driver execution unit 40 b of the host computer 3 according to the present embodiment includes a keyword character string changing unit 90, and the control unit 50 of the printer 2 includes: A keyword character string setting unit 91 is provided.
Similar to the printer 2 according to the first embodiment described above, the printer 2 according to the present embodiment uses the keyword character string to extract a portion related to the head image from the recording data 80. In the printer 2 according to the first embodiment, the keyword character string is stored as the keyword character string data 73 in the storage unit 54, and the value cannot be changed from the host computer 3 side. In the present embodiment, the user can freely change the value of the keyword character string stored in the storage unit 54 of the printer 2 by performing a predetermined operation on the host computer 3.

More specifically, the keyword character string changing unit 90 of the host computer 3 provides a user interface for the user to input a keyword character string to be changed. In the user interface, a predetermined display screen for inputting a keyword character string to be changed is displayed on the display 12. When changing the keyword character string, the user performs a predetermined operation on the host computer 3 to display the display screen on the display 12, and then refers to the display screen while the key input unit 14. The keyword character string is input by operating the input device such as.
When the keyword character string is input and the keyword character string changing unit 90 detects that the input is confirmed, the keyword character string changing unit 90 calculates the value of the keyword character string data 73 stored in the storage unit 54 of the printer 2 as the input keyword character string. A dedicated keyword setting command for instructing to change to a value is generated and output to the printer 2.
The function of the keyword character string changing unit 90 is realized by a printer driver.
When the keyword setting command is input, the keyword character string setting unit 91 of the control unit 50 of the printer 2 rewrites the value of the keyword character string data 73 based on the keyword setting command. As a result, thereafter, a process for extracting a portion related to the head image from the recorded data 80 by the keyword character string indicated by the rewritten keyword character string data 73 is performed.
In this case, in step SC2 of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the keyword character string data 73 has been rewritten most recently, in addition to whether or not the head image data 72 has already been stored in the storage unit 54. If the keyword character string data 73 has been rewritten most recently, the processing procedure shifts to step SC3. If not, the processing procedure shifts to step SC17, and new recording data 80 is added. If the existing leading image data 72 is rewritten based on the data relating to the leading image extracted in step S1, the leading image data 72 can be appropriately rewritten according to the rewriting of the keyword character string data 73. .

  In the case of the present embodiment, although it is necessary to add a function for generating a keyword setting command for instructing to change to the value of the input keyword character string and outputting it to the printer 2 to the host computer 3, the host computer 3 This makes it possible to freely change the contents of the keyword character string by simple means, thereby greatly improving convenience.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the host computer 3 is configured to be able to input a change of the keyword character string, and the keyword setting for changing the setting of the keyword character string based on the input. The command can be output.
Then, the keyword character string changing unit 90 of the printer 2 changes the set keyword character string based on the input keyword setting command.
According to this, it is possible to change the set keyword character string by inputting the change of the keyword character string to the host computer 3, and the convenience is improved.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
When the first image data 72 is stored in the storage unit 54, the printer 2 according to the first embodiment described above executes recording of the first image accompanying the conveyance for cutting based on the first image data 72. Was.
However, when the printer 2 according to the present embodiment receives a control command next to the one control command based on the one control command, the next command satisfies a predetermined condition. After recording an image based on the recording data 80 of the first control command, after recording the thermal roll paper 22 without recording the image accompanying the conveyance for cutting, the recording data of the next command 80 is configured to record an image.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printer 2 according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 12, the printer 2 receives one control command, stores the one control command in the reception buffer 56 (step SD1), then continuously receives the next control command, and receives the next control command. 56 (step SD2).
The host computer 3 sequentially transmits the generated commands to the printer 2 regardless of the progress of processing on the printer 2 side, and temporarily stores the control commands in the reception buffer 56 on the printer 2 side. The printer 2 can sequentially read and execute each command included in the printer 2 so that the printer 2 can continuously receive a plurality of control commands and issue a receipt 10 based on these control commands. It is.
Next, the recording control unit 60 of the printer 2 determines whether or not the next control command satisfies a predetermined condition (step SD3). Note that the timing of the processing in step SD3 may be any timing before the conveyance for cutting in the issuance of the receipt 10 relating to one control command is started.
The predetermined condition is provided in advance for determining that the process of issuing the receipt 10 related to one control command is not to record the leading image accompanying the conveyance for cutting the thermal roll paper 22. It is a condition.
As a predetermined condition, for example, when related receipts 10 are continuously issued, the above-mentioned standard top image is recorded on the receipt 10 to be issued first, while the next receipt 10 to be issued has a fixed form. In place of the first image, the receipt 10 is determined to record a word or mark indicating that the receipt 10 is related to the previously issued receipt 10, and the related receipts 10 are continuously recorded. In the case of issuance, the reception of the next control command relating to the issuance of the next receipt 10 is started within a predetermined elapsed time after the receipt of one control command relating to the issuance of one receipt 10. If the time from the completion of reception of one control command to the start of reception of the next control command is within the predetermined elapsed time, etc. That.
In addition, the predetermined condition is a case where a command indicating that fact is included in the next control command or a case where predetermined data is included.

When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the recording control unit 60 determines that the recording of the leading image accompanying the conveyance for cutting is not executed when issuing the receipt 10 based on one control command (step SD4).
On the other hand, when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the recording control unit 60 performs recording of the leading image accompanying the conveyance for cutting using the leading image data 72 when issuing the receipt 10 based on one control command. Then, it is determined (step SD5).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the recording control unit 60 receives the control command next to the one control command before starting the cutting of the thermal roll paper 22 related to the one control command. If the next control command satisfies a predetermined condition, the thermal roll paper 22 is cut without recording the leading image based on the leading image data 72, and then the thermal roll according to the next control command. Recording on paper 22 is performed.
According to this, since it is not possible to unconditionally record the leading image accompanying the conveyance for cutting, it is possible to not record the leading image in the case of a predetermined condition. It becomes possible to perform processing according to the situation.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment described above, the head image information storage unit 61 is configured to extract information of the head image from the recording data 80 using a keyword character string. In this case, when the top image is composed of character strings, it is possible to appropriately extract the information of the top image. However, when the top image is a graphic image, the method extracts the information of the top image. There was a problem that it was not possible.
Based on the above, the leading image information storage unit 61 according to the present embodiment executes the following operation when extracting the leading image information from the recording data 80.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a coordinate system similar to FIG.
First, the head image information storage unit 61 develops drawing data of the image in the coordinate system when an image is recorded on the thermal roll paper 22 based on the recording data 80. At that time, with respect to the graphic image and the image related to the character string, the drawing data is developed in the coordinate system after reflecting the decoration to be applied to these images.
For example, it is assumed that the state in which the drawing data of the image related to the recording data 80 is developed in the coordinate system is the state shown in FIG.
In the example of FIG. 13, the leading image that is routinely recorded at the leading end of the thermal roll paper 22 is not an image relating to a character string but a graphic image. Further, the top image as a graphic image is determined in advance to be recorded in a range sandwiched between a position away from the leading edge (cutting position) of the thermal roll paper 22 by a margin Mmin and a position away from the leading edge by the gap G. Yes.
After developing the drawing data of the image related to the recording data 80 in the coordinate system, the head image information storage unit 61 specifies the image recorded in the range between the virtual straight line KT1 and the virtual straight line KT2 in the coordinate system. To do. The image specified here is “the leading image is recorded in a range sandwiched between a position away from the leading edge (cutting position) of the thermal roll paper 22 by a margin Mmin and a position away from the leading edge by the gap G”. Because it is a premise, it corresponds to the top image.
Further, the head image information storage unit 61 extracts a command group for recording the specified image from the commands included in the recording data 80, and uses the extracted command group as head image data 72 as information of the head image. Store in the storage unit 54. At this time, as in the first embodiment described above, if there is a command related to decoration of the head image, it is included in the head image data 72 and stored.
Then, when cutting the thermal roll paper 22, the recording control unit 60 records the leading image, which is a graphic image, based on the leading image data 72 along with the conveyance for cutting. As a result, even if the leading image data 72 is not configured in a character string, the leading image that is routinely recorded on the leading end of the thermal roll paper 22 is recorded along with the conveyance for cutting. Thus, the margin M can be reduced.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the leading image information storage unit 61 determines that the cutting position T2 and the recording position when the leading edge of the thermal roll paper 22 is located at the cutting position T2 from the recording data 80. A command group corresponding to a region sandwiched between T1 is extracted and stored as head image data 72.
Here, in order to achieve the purpose of reducing the margin M caused by the gap G, when it is assumed that the leading edge of the thermal roll paper 22 is located at least at the cut position T2 as information of the top image, It is necessary to store image information corresponding to an area sandwiched between the cut position T2 and the recording position T1 and record the image based on the information.
Based on this, according to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably store information that needs to be stored as the head image.
In particular, in the present embodiment, even if the head image is a graphic image, the head image data 72 can be appropriately stored in the storage unit 54.

In the present embodiment, the head image information storage unit 61 reflects the predetermined decoration related to the decoration of the image in the recording data 80 and develops the drawing data related to the image of the recording data 80 in the coordinate system. The drawing data corresponding to the head image is specified.
According to this, it is possible to appropriately identify the image corresponding to the head image and extract the information of the head image from the recording data 80, reflecting the decoration.

The above-described embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, each functional unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 can be arbitrarily realized by cooperation of hardware and software, and does not suggest a specific hardware configuration.
In the above embodiment, the printer 2 itself includes the control unit 50 including the recording control unit 60, the head image information storage unit 61, the keyword character string setting unit 91, and the like. Alternatively, another apparatus externally connected to the printer 2 may be provided.
The present invention is not limited to a thermal printer, but can be applied to an arbitrary type of printer such as an ink jet printer, a dot impact printer, a laser printer, or a thermal sublimation printer. Moreover, the printer incorporated in other apparatuses, such as a printer in ATM, may be used. Further, it may be recorded on a medium other than paper, such as a CD label surface or a DVD label surface.
A program to which the present invention is applicable may be included in a printer driver installed in the host computer 3.
In addition, a program that executes each step of the above-described flowchart can be read out and stored in a storage medium external to the printer 2 and executed by the control unit 50.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Printer (recording apparatus), 3 ... Host computer (control apparatus), 10 ... Receipt, 22 ... Thermal roll paper (recording medium), 24 ... Recording head, 25 ... Cutter unit (cutting part), 40 ... Host side control 40a ... POS application execution unit, 40b ... printer driver execution unit, 50 ... control unit, 51 ... print engine, 60 ... recording control unit, 61 ... first image information storage unit, 72 ... first image data (information of first image) ), 80... Recorded data, 90... Keyword character string changing unit, 91.

Claims (5)

A recording head;
A transport unit for transporting the recording medium in the transport direction;
Disposed downstream of the conveying direction of the recording head, and a cutting unit for cutting the recording medium,
A receiving unit that receives a control command that is recorded in a predetermined range at the leading end of the recording medium and includes information on a first image that includes a character string and information on a second image that is recorded in a range different from the predetermined range When,
Based on the control command received by the receiving unit, the recording on the recording medium by the recording head, the conveyance of the recording medium by the conveying unit, and the cutting of the recording medium by the cutting unit are controlled. A recording control unit,
When the receiving unit receives the control command, the keyword character string, which is a predetermined character string set in advance, is detected from the image information included in the control command, and the keyword characters are detected from the head of the image information. A leading image information storage unit that extracts and stores information up to the column as information of the first image;
The recording control unit
When controlling the cutting of the recording medium at the cutting unit,
Wherein said stored at the top image information storage unit based on the first information of the image, the said upstream side in the conveying direction of the cutting position of the recording medium, to record information of the first image in the recording head, The recording medium is transported by the transport unit until the cutting position of the recording medium reaches a position corresponding to the cutting unit, and the recording medium is cut by the cutting unit,
When the control command is newly received by the receiving unit after recording the first image, the first image information stored in the head image information storage unit among the information of the image included in the new control command. A recording apparatus that records an image following the recorded first image based on information other than the information of one image. The head image information storage unit
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information on the first image is stored when the receiving unit receives the control command when the information on the first image is not stored. 3. The head image information storage unit
3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is stored when the information of the first image includes additional information related to a decoration of a character string constituting the first image. A receiving unit receives a control command that is recorded in a predetermined range at the leading end of the recording medium and includes information on a first image that includes a character string and information on a second image that is recorded in a range different from the predetermined range. ,
A keyword character string, which is a predetermined character string set in advance, is detected from image information included in the control command, and information from the top of the image information to the keyword character string is detected as the first character string. Extract and store as image information,
Recording the information of the first image and the information of the second image with a recording head;
Conveying the recording medium,
Recording the information of the first image on the recording medium with the recording head;
Transport the recording medium until the cutting position of the recording medium reaches a position corresponding to the cutting portion;
Cutting the recording medium at the cutting unit;
When receiving the newly the control command by the reception unit, among the information of the image included in the new said control command, based on remembers the first information other than the information of the image, the first recorded A method for controlling a recording apparatus, comprising: recording an image after one image. A recording head, a conveyance unit for conveying the recording medium in the conveying direction, are arranged downstream of the transport direction of the recording head, and a cutting unit for cutting the recording medium in a predetermined range of the front end portion of the recording medium A control unit for controlling the recording apparatus, the receiving unit receiving a control command including information of a first image recorded and including a character string and information of a second image to be recorded in a range different from the predetermined range A program executed in
Causing the receiving unit to receive the control command;
A keyword character string, which is a predetermined character string set in advance, is detected from image information included in the control command, and information from the top of the image information to the keyword character string is detected as the first character string. Extract and store as image information,
Recording the information of the first image and the information of the second image with the recording head,
Transport the recording medium in the transport unit;
Recording the information of the first image on the recording medium with the recording head;
The recording medium is conveyed by the conveyance unit until the cutting position of the recording medium reaches a position corresponding to the cutting unit,
Cutting the recording medium at the cutting unit;
After recording the first image, when receiving a new said control command by the reception unit, among the information of the image included in the new said control commands, except remembers the information of the first image A program for recording an image subsequent to the recorded first image based on the information.

Images