JP2005222310A - Printer, pos system, program, and point giving method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To implement a point giving service without adding any change in an existing POS terminal computer 60. <P>SOLUTION: This system is provided with; a character string extracting means for extracting an amount-specifying character string to specify the target amount of money for which points are given from print data while printing on a receipt R based on the print data received from the POS terminal computer 60; an acquired points calculation means for calculating acquired points to be given based on the amount-specifying character string and a point conversion coefficient for converting the amount specified by the amount-specifying character string, into the points; an accumulated points reading means for reading accumulated points being accumulation of the points previously given, from a data carrier; and a current points writing means for writing current points to which the accumulated points and the acquired points are added, to the data carrier. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a POS system, a program, and a point assigning method.

  In recent years, in stores, etc., as part of customer service aimed at promoting customer purchasing motivation and acquiring fixed customers, the number of points according to the purchase amount and the number of visits has been recorded on the customer's point card When the number of achievement points is reached, a point granting service that allows customers to receive benefits according to the number of points is widely known.

As a conventional terminal for processing point cards, a subordinate terminal (see Patent Document 1) controlled by a POS terminal computer that performs accounting processing based on the input of product information related to a customer's purchased product, and the purchase price etc. are input There is a stand-alone terminal (see Patent Document 2) provided with input means such as a keyboard.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-75088 JP-A-6-60273

  In the subordinate type terminal, the point granting process is performed by the host POS terminal computer, so that the process itself is easy and the processing time is shortened. However, when a new point granting service is introduced. In addition, capital investment such as changing POS terminal computers and POS applications is required. On the other hand, since the stand-alone terminal is not linked to the POS terminal computer that performs accounting processing, it is necessary for the operator to manually input the amount of money again when giving points, resulting in accounting transaction processing with the customer. Led to a decrease in work efficiency.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a POS system, a program, and a point grant method that can perform a point grant service without changing an existing POS terminal computer or POS application.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus that is used in connection with a POS terminal computer that performs accounting processing based on the input of product information related to a customer's purchased product, and is based on print data transmitted from the POS terminal computer. Printing means for printing on receipt paper, printing data on receipt paper, having a point grant service function for giving points according to the amount of purchased goods via a data carrier presented by a customer, and print data A character string extracting means for extracting an amount specifying character string for specifying the amount of money to which points are to be given, an amount specifying character string, and an amount specified by the amount specifying character string for converting into points Acquired point calculation means for calculating the number of acquired points to be granted based on the point conversion coefficient, and data A cumulative point reading means for reading a cumulative point number that is a cumulative number of points given in the past, and a current point writing means for writing the current point number obtained by adding the cumulative point number and the acquired point number to the data carrier. It is characterized by having.

  The point granting method of the present invention is a point granting method for a printing apparatus used in connection with a POS terminal computer that performs accounting processing based on input of product information relating to a customer's purchased product, and prints on receipt paper. A printing step to be performed, a character string extraction step for extracting an amount specifying character string for specifying the amount of money to which points are to be given, an amount specifying character string, and an amount specified by the amount specifying character string Based on the point conversion coefficient for converting points into points, the acquisition point calculation process that calculates the number of acquisition points to be granted, and the accumulated points that read the accumulated number of points given in the past from the data carrier Write the current number of points on the data carrier, which is the sum of the reading process and the accumulated and acquired points. No the current point writing process, characterized by execution.

  According to this configuration, a point grant service can be obtained without changing an existing POS terminal computer by extracting a character string for identifying the amount of points to be given points from print data for printing on a receipt. Can be realized. In addition, since it is not necessary for the operator to manually input the amount of points to be given, input errors can be eliminated, the operator's work load can be reduced, and work efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to install a separate device for processing the point card, it is possible to effectively use the space without taking an installation place.

  Also, in this case, when the total of the accumulated point number and the acquired point number reaches a predetermined achievement point number, the current point writing means calculates the current point number by subtracting the achievement point number from the total. It is desirable that the printing means performs printing for giving a privilege for achievement of points and / or printing to the effect that the total has reached the number of achievement points.

  According to this configuration, when the total of the accumulated points and the earned points reaches the achieved points, the fact that the points have been achieved is printed on the receipt, or a discount ticket corresponding to the achieved points is printed. A reliable point grant service can be implemented. Moreover, the point grant service can be continuously performed by writing the remaining number of points on the data carrier.

  In these cases, the number of acquired points and / or the current number of points is generated based on point data generation means for generating point data for printing on a receipt and / or data carrier, and the number of acquired points and And / or point printing means for printing the current number of points.

  According to these configurations, even when using a data carrier that does not have a display function, the customer always confirms the latest point information by printing the number of earned points and / or the number of current points on the receipt. Can do. In addition, when using a data carrier with a display function, the number of earned points and / or the current number of points is printed on the data carrier, so that even if a customer loses a receipt, the data carrier can be The latest point information can be confirmed just by looking.

  The POS system according to the present invention includes any one of the above-described printing apparatuses, a POS terminal computer, and a POS server that is connected to the POS terminal computer via a network and performs overall control thereof. Features.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a POS system capable of performing a point grant service without requiring a change of a POS terminal computer or an input operation such as a purchase amount for giving a point.

  In this case, the printer driver incorporated in the POS terminal computer activates a setting screen for setting the printing operation of the printing apparatus, and the setting screen displays the point conversion coefficient, the number of achievement points, and the amount specifying character string. It is preferable to perform display for setting at least one of them.

  According to these configurations, since the setting relating to the point grant service is possible on the POS terminal computer side, the setting is easy, and it is not necessary to provide the point grant service setting function on the printing apparatus side. In addition, an effective sales promotion service such as setting the point conversion coefficient to double during the sale period can be implemented. In addition, point grant services are implemented in response to store requests (needs), such as granting points only to specific products purchased by customers, or targeting points that exclude consumption tax from the total amount. it can.

  A program according to the present invention causes a computer to function as each unit in the printing apparatus described in any one of the above.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a program for executing the point grant service without requiring a change of the POS terminal computer or an input operation such as a purchase price for the point grant.

  According to the printing apparatus, the POS system, the program, and the point grant method of the present invention, the POS terminal computer extracts the money amount specifying character string that specifies the money amount for giving points from the print data for printing on the receipt. The point grant service can be implemented without the need to input the change amount or the purchase amount for the point grant. Furthermore, even when a data carrier that does not have a display function is adopted as a point card, the latest point information can be provided to the customer by printing the point data on the receipt.

  Hereinafter, a printing apparatus, a POS system, a program, and a point assigning method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is a point to be given from print data transmitted from a POS terminal computer in a printing apparatus used in connection with a POS terminal computer that performs accounting processing based on an input of product information related to a customer's purchased product. An amount specifying character string for specifying the amount is extracted, and the acquired points calculated from the amount specifying character string are added to the accumulated number of points read from the data carrier presented by the customer and written to the data carrier.

  Therefore, hereinafter, a printing device used in a store such as a restaurant or retail store (a function as a point processing device including cumulative point number reading, earned point number calculation, and current point number writing, and a receipt printing device. An apparatus having a function as the above will be described as an example. In addition, a POS system including the printing apparatus will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a POS system 1 according to the present invention includes a POS terminal computer 60 that calculates merchandise information by inputting product information by an operator, a point card P and a receipt R in which points are recorded (see FIG. 11). ) And a POS server 70 to which a POS terminal computer 60 is connected via a network 75.

  The point card P shown in FIG. 12 is composed of a white turbid PET card made of polyester, printed with card printing point data including the number of points and a point information message to the customer, and erased / printed embedded inside. And a storage unit P2 including a magnetic recording layer in which recording point data including the current number of points stacked on the back side is written (see FIG. 7). The storage unit P2 stores recording point data written by the printing apparatus 10 in the past as magnetic data. In addition to the above, the point card P includes a write-once thermal card in which the entire card surface is a printing surface, a rewritable leuco card that can be erased and printed, and the like. Is also possible.

  The POS terminal computer 60 stores a main body 61, a keyboard 62 for inputting product information such as a product code and a price, a display screen 63 for displaying the input product information and the price, and money (cash). A cash drawer 64 and a printer driver 65 that is a program for controlling the printing apparatus and is incorporated in the main body 61 are connected to the POS server 70 via a network 75.

  The POS server 70 is connected to a plurality of POS terminal computers 60 (only one is shown in the figure), and performs batch management of product information and inventory information input to the POS terminal computer 60. Specifically, the POS server 70 acquires product information input to the POS terminal computer 60, and extracts information on product names and amounts from a price list (PLU list) stored in advance based on the product information. Then, the POS server generates product data used for printing on a receipt R (to be described later) and displaying the display screen 63 from the extracted information, and transmits the product data to the POS terminal computer 60. Correspondingly, the POS terminal computer 60 generates print data to be printed on the receipt R based on the product data transmitted from the POS server 70, transmits this to the printing apparatus 10, and displays the display screen. Display data to be displayed at 63 is generated.

  The printing apparatus 10 is wired or wirelessly connected to the POS terminal computer 60 via a connector (not shown), and in addition to issuing a receipt R, the point granting service such as reading point data on the point card P, generating and writing point data, etc. It is comprised so that the process regarding can be performed. Therefore, by simply connecting this printing apparatus to the POS terminal computer, the printing apparatus 10 can function as a receipt printer and realize a point grant service.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printing apparatus 10 includes a receipt storage unit 31 that stores the receipt paper R wound in a roll shape, a receipt printing unit 140 that performs printing on the receipt paper R, and the like. Point data printing unit 40 that is attached so as to cover the upper surface of the mechanism unit 11 and the rear part of the main body mechanism unit 11 and prints point data on the point card display unit P1 and reading and writing point data in the point card storage unit P2 And a point processing unit 13 that accommodates the point data reading / writing unit 50 and the like.

  The point processing unit 13 is provided with a plurality of transport rollers 43, 45, and 46 in addition to a point data reading / writing unit 50 that reads and writes point data of the point card P. Various processes are performed while being conveyed to each part by the conveyance rollers 43, 45, and 46. The transport rollers 43, 45, and 46 are configured to be able to transport forward and backward (forward and reverse rotation). Details of the point data reading / writing process will be described later.

  Next, each member around the receipt transport path 35 will be described with reference to FIG. The receipt R is accommodated in the receipt accommodating portion 31 in a wound state, and the receipt R fed out from the receipt accommodating portion 31 is a receipt conveyance formed between the main body mechanism portion 11 and the point processing portion 13. It is sent out along the path 35 toward the receipt discharge opening 35a opened on the upper surface.

  The receipt transport path 35 has a thermal printing head 33 and a platen roller 32 that is in rolling contact with the receipt R, and printing on the receipt R is performed by the thermal printing head 33 in accordance with step feed by the platen roller 32. Is called. The printed receipt paper R is cut to an appropriate length by the auto-cutter 34 disposed above the thermal printing head 33 and the platen roller 32, and is discharged from the receipt discharge port 35a. The auto cutter 34 has a fixed blade 34a disposed on one side of the receipt transport path 35 and a movable blade 34b disposed on the other side of the receipt transport path 35 and at a position corresponding to the fixed blade 34a. The movable blade 34b moves in the direction A in the figure toward the receipt conveyance path 35, whereby the receipt R is sandwiched between the fixed blade 34a and cut.

  On the other hand, a frame 51 that supports the point processing unit is provided below the point processing unit 13, and the frame 51 rotates with respect to a fixing unit 53 provided in the main body mechanism unit 11 via the hinge unit 52. It is configured to be movable. In addition, the point processing unit 13 is configured to be openable / closable with respect to the receipt storage unit 31. When the receipt R is exchanged, the point processing unit 13 is opened upward and the receipt paper R is wound. Is loaded and loaded (replaced) into the receipt storage unit 31.

  Next, the structure around the point data reading / writing unit 50 and the point data printing unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the point data reading / writing unit 50 and the point data printing unit 40 are built in between the upper surface cover 13 a and the receipt storage unit 31, and are operated by an operator who operates the POS terminal computer 60. When the point card P is inserted from the insertion port 41a, the point card P is detected by a card detector 15a to be described later, and the point data is read and written, and the point data for card printing is printed on the card display unit P1. Is called. The printing surface of the point card P is composed of a thermoreversible film, and characters and images can be printed and erased by repeating heating and cooling. That is, the point data printing unit 40 once erases characters and images on the printing surface of the point card P printed last time, and then prints the card printing point data on the printing surface of the point card P by the print head 44.

  A table 13b for guiding the insertion of the point card P is formed on the front side of the insertion port 41a, and the operator inserts the point card P along the table 13b. Moreover, the LED display part 16 for alert | reporting the information regarding reading operation of the point card P is provided in the upper surface cover 13a adjacent to the insertion port 41a.

  The LED display unit 16 includes a card state LED 16a that is lit based on the processing state of the point card P, and a transport state LED 16b that is lit based on the transport state of the point card P. The former is the insertion or discharge of the point card P. Lights up according to the detection result and the point data reading and writing state of the point card P, and the latter lights up when there is a conveyance error of the point card P.

  The point data reading / writing unit 50 and the point data printing unit 40 are mainly composed of a magnetic head 58 facing the back surface of the point card P and a print head 44 facing the surface of the point card P, respectively. The print head 44 and the magnetic head 58 are arranged in this order from the insertion port 41a side. After the point card P is inserted, the point data is read by forward feeding of the plurality of transport rollers 43, 45, and 46, and after being transported to a predetermined position, the point card P is moved in the reverse direction of the transport rollers 43, 45, and 46. By feeding, the point data is printed on the point card display unit P1 by the print head 44, and further the point data is written to the point card storage unit P2 by the magnetic head 58. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, when using the rewritable card which can erase and print a printing surface as the point card P, you may provide printing erasing apparatuses, such as a heat roller.

  The plurality of transport rollers 43, 45, 46 are arranged on the upper side of the card transport path 41, and the first transport roller 43 a and the second transport roller 46 a driven by the motor 90 (see FIG. 6), and the card transport path 41 The point card P is composed of a first pressing roller 43b, a pressing roller 45, and a second pressing roller 46b disposed on the lower side. The point card P is conveyed by the first feeding roller 43a and the first pressing roller 43b and faces the magnetic head 58. . The second feed roller 46 a and the second pressing roller 46 b are disposed on the downstream side of the magnetic head 58. That is, the first feed rollers 43a and 46a constituted by grip rollers convey the point card forward and backward, and the pressing roller 45 constituted by a single roller functions as a platen.

  The magnetic head 58 is for reading the magnetic data magnetically recorded in the point card storage unit P2 and writing the point data calculated based on the total amount on the point card P. It is provided at the corresponding position.

  The first pressing roller 43b, the pressing roller 45, and the second pressing roller 46b are rotatably supported by an internal frame 42 disposed between the card conveyance path 41 and the receipt storage unit 31, and the internal frame 42 is Through the hinge portion 55, the point processing portion 13 is rotatably attached to guide walls 54 and 54 (see FIG. 5) that are erected substantially perpendicular to the card conveying direction. The hinge portion 55 is provided on the back side of the internal frame 42, and the front side of the internal frame 42 facing upward is pulled out toward the front side of the printing apparatus 10 with the point processing unit 13 being opened. Various members of the card transport path 41 can be maintained from the front side of the printing apparatus 10.

  The guide walls 54, 54 to which the inner frame 42 is attached serve as guide members for guiding the insertion direction of the point card P inserted into the card transport path 41 as shown in FIG. For example, when the point card P is inserted slightly obliquely with respect to the card conveying direction, the point card P is abutted against either one of the guide walls 54 and 54 while being conveyed by the first feeding roller 43a and the second feeding roller 46a. By being guided in contact, the insertion direction of the point card P is bent, and the conveyance direction of the point card P is aligned with the card conveyance direction. Thereby, even when the insertion direction of the point card P has a slight angle with respect to the normal card conveyance direction, the point card P is guided by the guide walls 54 and 54 and is conveyed while correcting the conveyance direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a card detector 15a is provided in the vicinity of the card insertion port 41a of the card transport path 41. The card detector 15a is a sensor that detects insertion of the point card P, and the first feed roller 43a and the second feed roller 46a are driven based on the detection of the card detector 15a. That is, the card feeding operation in the card transport path 41 is started by the insertion of the point card P as a trigger. As shown in FIG. 3, after the magnetic recording layer (not shown) formed on the back surface of the inserted point card P faces the magnetic head 58, the lower end P1a of the printing surface of the point card display unit P1 (FIG. 12). Is fed to a position completely exceeding the point data printing unit 40. Thereafter, the printing roller 44, 45, and 46 are fed in the reverse direction to face the print head 44, and printing is performed from the printing surface lower end portion P1b to the upper end portion P1a of the card display portion as the conveyance roller is conveyed. It is discharged from the insertion port 41a. The series of processes described above are executed at once each time the point card P is inserted.

  Next, a control block diagram of the printing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus 10 includes an input / output unit 12 having an interface 12a for inputting print data transmitted from the POS terminal computer 60, a card detector 15a for detecting insertion of a point card P, a card A drive unit 17 including a plurality of transport rollers 43, 45, and 46 disposed in the vicinity of the transport path 41, and a motor 90 that drives the feed roller 46a among the plurality of transport rollers 43, 45, and 46; A point data reading / writing unit 50 having a magnetic head 58 for reading magnetic data written on the point card P and writing magnetic data generated by the printing apparatus 10, and a point card display unit P1 having a printing head 44 Point data printing unit 40 for printing point data, thermal print head 33 and receipt paper , And a receipt printer unit 30 for printing receipts to R with an auto cutter 34, is connected to each unit, it is constituted by a control unit 80 for controlling the entire printing apparatus 10.

  The control unit 80 includes a CPU 82, a ROM 90, a RAM 100, and an input / output control device 81 (hereinafter referred to as “IOC: Input Output Controller”), which are connected to each other via an internal bus 110. The ROM 90 is a program for performing control for generating point data from the print data transmitted from the POS terminal computer 60, control for writing the point data to the point card P, and control for printing the print data on the receipt R, as well as the CPU 82. A control program block 91 for storing various programs to be processed in the above, a control data block 92 for storing control data and various tables for generating point data based on the transmitted print data, and the number of points achieved. The discount coupon print format block 93 stores image data to be printed on the discount coupon C (see FIG. 7) provided to the customer as the privilege.

  The RAM 100 includes various work area blocks 101 that are used as flags and the like, an extracted character block 102 that stores an amount-specific character string extracted from print data, an accumulated number of points read from the point card P, and an amount-specific character string. Point data block 103 for storing the amount of points to be awarded extracted from the point, points for storing the point conversion coefficient for converting the amount to points, and the number of achievement points that are the number of points for issuing the discount coupon C Points for storing a point format for a card such as a sentence structure to be printed on the attached data block 104 and the point card display unit P1, and a point format for a receipt such as a message to be printed on a receipt R when the points reach the achieved number of points. Print format block 1 5, includes a, is used as a work area for control processes.

  In the IOC 81, a logic circuit that complements the function of the CPU 82 and handles interface signals with various peripheral circuits is configured and configured by a gate array, a custom LSI, or the like. As a result, the IOC 81 captures the print data and control data from the POS terminal computer 60 as they are or processes them and imports them into the internal bus 110, and in conjunction with the CPU 82, outputs the data and control signals output from the CPU 82 to the internal bus 110. The data is output to the input / output unit 12, the point data reading / writing unit 50, the receipt printing unit 30, and the like as they are or after being processed.

  Then, the CPU 82 controls the various signals and data of each part in the POS terminal computer 60 and the printing apparatus 10 via the IOC 81 in accordance with the control program in the ROM 90 with the above configuration, thereby recording points on the point card P. Data writing processing, receipt R printing processing, and the like are performed.

  Next, a functional block diagram of the printing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the point data reading / writing unit 50 reads point data from the point card P by the magnetic head 58, and passes through a point data reading / writing control unit 86 for controlling the reading and writing processing of the point data. To the data processing control unit 83 that controls the entire printing apparatus. The data processing control unit 83 stores the received point data in the point data storage unit 113.

  On the other hand, when print data is transmitted from the POS terminal computer 60, the input / output unit 12 receives the print data and transmits it to the data processing control unit 83. The data processing control unit 83 calculates the amount to be given points from the print data based on the amount specified by the amount specifying character string stored in the extracted character storage unit 111, and the calculated amount is used as the point data storage unit. Save to 113. Further, the data processing control unit 83 converts the calculated amount into earned points according to the point conversion coefficient stored in the point grant data storage unit 112, and adds the read point data to generate recording point data. At the same time, the card printing point data and the receipt printing point data are generated based on the card point format and the receipt point format.

  The generated point data is transferred to the point data reading / writing unit 50, the point data printing unit 40, and the receipt printer via the point data reading / writing control unit 86, the point data printing control unit 85, and the receipt printer control unit 84. Transmitted to the unit 30. Thereafter, the point data reading / writing unit 50 writes the recording point data to the point card storage unit P2, and the point data printing unit 40 prints the card printing point data on the point card display unit P1. In addition, the receipt printer unit 30 prints the receipt printing point data on the receipt R together with the print data received from the POS terminal computer 60 (see FIG. 11).

  By the way, the printing apparatus 10 displays an option setting screen for the point card P displayed on the display screen 63 of the POS terminal computer, with the point conversion coefficient, the number of achievement points, and the amount specifying character string stored in the point grant data storage unit 112. 63a can be set. The option setting screen 63a is one of the screens that are activated by the printer driver 65 incorporated in the POS terminal computer 60 and sets the printing operation of the printing apparatus 10. This setting is connected to the POS terminal computer 60. The keyboard 62 is operated. This will be specifically described with reference to the option setting screen 63a of the point card P shown in FIG.

  The part C shown in the figure is a part for making settings related to the point addition method. The operator can input and set a numerical value as a point conversion coefficient in a text box next to the character string “point conversion coefficient”. (In this example, set to “100”. See C1.) In addition to the point conversion coefficient, when converting from a monetary amount to the number of points, the decimal point is rounded up, rounded down or rounded off. (See C2), or select whether or not to print the current number of points at the end of the receipt (see C3).

  The part D shown in the figure is a part for performing settings related to processing when the number of points reaches the achieved number of points. The operator can input and set a numerical value as the point achievement number in the text box next to the character string of “point achievement number”. (Refer to D1, set to “100” in this embodiment.) Furthermore, it is possible to freely input the necessity of printing (see D2) indicating that the number of achievement points has been reached, and the message text. (See D3). The printer driver 65 stores a plurality of images of image data to be printed on the discount coupon C with a registration number assigned in advance, and the operator can select which image to print on the discount coupon C on the screen. Can be set by inputting the registration number (see D4). Also, a function may be provided in which a registered image is displayed on the display screen 63 for confirmation, or an operator modifies the registered image and newly registers it (see D5).

  Further, the part shown in FIG. 5B is a part for performing settings relating to extraction of the point grant target amount. The operator can input and set a monetary amount specifying character string for specifying the amount of money to be given points in the text box next to “search character string”. (See B1, set to “total” in the present embodiment.) Furthermore, a character string for specifying an excluded amount can be input and set in preparation for specifying an amount that is not a point grant target. (See B2, set to “consumption tax” in this example.)

  In addition to the above, it is also possible to make settings relating to the provision method of the point grant service (see the part A in the figure). In this case, as in the present embodiment, it is selected whether the point grant service is provided solely by the printing apparatus 10 (see A2) or whether the point grant service is provided by controlling from the POS terminal computer 60 (see A1). Can do. According to this function, even when a POS terminal computer 60 or a POS terminal application having a future point grant service function is introduced, the printing apparatus 10 of the present invention can be used as it is.

Furthermore, although illustration is omitted, by setting more items to be set on the option screen 63a, such as setting a point conversion coefficient for each day of the week, more detailed settings regarding the point grant service can be made. Further, a password for editing the option screen 63a may be further provided so that only the password holder can change the setting. In this case, since the setting relating to the point grant service can be limited to, for example, the system administrator, it is possible to prevent malfunction caused by an unfamiliar operator.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a control process regarding the point assignment in the printing apparatus 10 will be described. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing a control process related to the point assignment of the printing apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the input / output unit 12 receives print data transmitted from the POS terminal computer 60 (S11) and transmits it to the data processing control unit 83, the data processing control unit 83 first extracts the print data from the print data. An amount specific character string (referred to as “total” in this embodiment) stored in the character storage unit 111 is detected. When the character string “total” is detected (S12: Yes), the character string for one line from the character string “total” to the line feed code is extracted, and the total amount of the numeric part is extracted from the extracted character string. Is taken out and stored in the point data storage unit 113. If the print data is not a character string including “total” (S12: No), the print data is transmitted as it is to the receipt printer controller 84 (S13).

  Subsequently, when the card detector 15a detects the insertion of the point card P (S14: YES), the point data reading / writing unit 50 reads the point data from the point card P by the magnetic head 58, and the point reading / writing control unit. The point data is transmitted to the data processing control unit 83 via 86, and the data processing control unit 83 temporarily stores the point data in the point data storage unit 113 (S15). Next, the data processing control unit 83 calculates the number of acquired points from the total amount stored in the point data storage unit 113 based on the point conversion coefficient stored in the point grant data storage unit 112, and calculates the acquired acquisition points The current point is calculated by adding the number to the accumulated number of points stored in the point data storage unit 113 (included in the point data read from the point card P) (S16).

Here, it is determined whether the current point number has reached the achieved point number (S17). If the current point number has reached the achieved point number (S17: YES), the achieved point number is subtracted from the current point number ( S18) Based on the print format of the discount coupon C stored in the discount coupon print format storage unit 115, the discount coupon print data is generated, and based on the receipt point format stored in the point print format storage unit 114. Then, message print data to be printed on the receipt R when the points are achieved is generated (S19). Next, the data processing control unit generates recording point data based on the calculated current point number (S20), and card printing point data based on the card point format stored in the point printing format storage unit 114. Is generated (S21).

  Next, the data processing control unit 83 transmits the generated point data for recording to the point data reading / writing unit 50 via the point data reading / writing control unit 86 and prints the point data for card printing as point data printing. The data is transmitted to the point data printing unit 40 via the control unit 85. The point data reading / writing unit 50 writes the point data for recording to the point card by the magnetic head 58 (S22), and the point data printing unit 40 uses the print head 44 to write the point data for card printing to the point card display unit P1. Is printed (S23). Further, the data processing control unit 83 generates receipt print point data for printing on the receipt R based on the receipt point format stored in the point print format storage unit 114 (S24), and then the receipt R The received print data is transmitted to the receipt printer control unit 84 until the end of issuance is detected (S26).

  Thereafter, the data processing control unit 86 detects the end of the print data by receiving data indicating the end of the print data such as an auto cut command for automatically cutting the trailing end of the printed receipt R (S25: YES). And the receipt printing point data is transmitted to the receipt printer control unit 84 (S27). Further, when the discount coupon print data and the message print data are generated (S28: YES), the discount coupon print data and the message print data are transmitted to the receipt printer controller 84 together with the receipt printing point data (S29). Based on the print data transmitted to the receipt printer control unit 84, the receipt printer unit 30 prints the receipt R as shown in FIG. 11 (S30). If discount coupon print data and message print data are received, the receipt R is printed based on the print data and message print data, and the discount coupon C is printed simultaneously (S31). When the point card P is not detected (S14: No), when the end of the print data is detected, the point grant service solicitation that recommends the customer to join the point grant service after the print data is detected. A message may be added and printed on the receipt R (S32).

  As described above, according to the printing apparatus 10, the POS system 1, the program, and the point assigning method of the present invention, the money amount specifying character string is extracted from the print data transmitted from the POS terminal computer 60, and the money amount specifying character is concerned. Since points are awarded based on the amount specified by the column, it is possible to introduce a point grant service without changing existing POS terminal computers. In addition, since the operator does not need to manually input the amount of money, there is no mistake in inputting the amount of money, the operator's work load is reduced, and the work efficiency of accounting transaction processing with the customer can be improved.

  In addition, each function (each unit) in the printing apparatus 10 shown in the above example can be provided as a program. Further, by storing the program in a storage medium (not shown) and installing the program in a personal computer or the like, the printing apparatus of the present invention can be realized in addition to the POS system shown in the present embodiment. As the recording medium, a CD-ROM, a flash ROM, a memory card (compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, memory stick, etc.), a compact disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital versatile disk, a flexible disk, and the like can be used.

  In this embodiment, a magnetic card is used as a point card (data carrier) for reading and writing points. However, an RFID (Radio Frequency-Identification) card may be used as a point card. Good. According to the configuration of the RFID card, it is possible to read and write magnetic data in a non-contact manner, so that the customer places the wallet in a predetermined position without handing over the point card from the wallet to the operator each time an account is made. You can earn points. Furthermore, it is possible to store point data in a memory in a mobile phone or PDA instead of a card type terminal. In this case, the point data may be displayed on the screen of the mobile phone or PDA.

  Further, the money amount specifying character string may be a specific product name. Further, a plurality of settings may be configured. According to these configurations, it is possible to realize a point grant service according to the store's request (needs) such as granting points only to a specific product purchased by a customer. In the case of a data carrier having a display unit, printing of point print data on a receipt may be omitted. According to this configuration, the processing time required for the point providing service can be shortened, and the receipt paper can be saved, so that an effect of resource saving can be expected.

1 is a configuration diagram of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view of a printing apparatus including functions of a point processing terminal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a point processing unit of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the card conveyance path upper surface side which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen which shows the example of a display of the point option setting screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the receipt printing example which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of a point card concerning an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 POS system 10 Printing apparatus 12 Input / output part 30 Receipt printer part 40 Point data printing part 50 Point data reading / writing part 60 POS terminal computer 63 Display screen 63a Point option setting screen 65 Printer driver 83 Data processing control part 84 Receipt printer control 85 Point data print control unit 86 Point data read / write control unit 111 Extracted character storage unit 112 Point grant data storage unit 113 Point data storage unit 114 Point print format storage unit 115 Discount voucher print format storage unit P Point card P1 Point card Display unit P2 Point card storage unit R Receipt C Discount coupon

Claims (7)

A printing apparatus used by being connected to a POS terminal computer that performs accounting processing based on input of product information relating to a customer's purchased product, and printing on receipt paper based on print data transmitted from the POS terminal computer And having a point grant service function that gives points according to the amount of the purchased product through the data carrier presented by the customer,
Printing means for printing on the receipt paper;
A character string extracting means for extracting, from the print data, an amount specifying character string for specifying the amount to which the points are to be given;
Based on the amount specifying character string and a point conversion coefficient for converting the amount specified by the amount specifying character string into points, an acquisition point calculating means for calculating the number of acquisition points to be granted;
Accumulated point reading means for reading the accumulated number of points, which is the accumulation of points given in the past, from the data carrier;
Current point writing means for writing a current point number obtained by adding the cumulative point number and the acquired point number to the data carrier;
A printing apparatus comprising: When the total of the accumulated points and the acquired points reaches a predetermined achievement point,
The current point writing means writes the number of points obtained by subtracting the achievement point number from the total as the current point number to the data carrier,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit performs printing to the effect that the total has reached the number of achievement points and / or printing for giving a privilege for achievement of points. Point data generating means for generating point data for printing the acquired point number and / or the current point number on the receipt and / or the data carrier;
3. A point printing unit that prints the acquired number of points and / or the current number of points on the receipt and / or the data carrier based on the point data. The printing apparatus as described in.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, the POS terminal computer, and a POS server that is connected to the POS terminal computer via a network and performs overall control thereof. POS system. The printer driver incorporated in the POS terminal computer activates a setting screen for setting the printing operation of the printing apparatus,
5. The POS system according to claim 4, wherein a display for setting at least one of the point conversion coefficient, the number of achievement points, and the amount specifying character string is displayed on the setting screen.   The program for functioning a computer as each means in the printing apparatus of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3. A point grant method for a printing apparatus used in connection with a POS terminal computer that performs accounting processing based on input of product information related to a customer's purchased product
A character string extraction step of extracting an amount specifying character string for specifying the amount of money to which the points are to be given from the print data;
Based on the amount specific character string and a point conversion coefficient for converting the amount specified by the amount specific character string into points, an acquisition point calculation step for calculating the number of acquisition points to be granted;
A cumulative point reading step of reading a cumulative point number that is a cumulative number of points given in the past from the data carrier;
A current point writing step of writing a current point number obtained by adding the accumulated point number and the acquired point number to the data carrier;
The point granting method characterized by performing.

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