JP2006130806A - Printing system, adapter device, printing control method of printing system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system or the like which can realize the printing service to home delivery slips by a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system 10 includes a printer 20 which carries out printing of the home delivery slips, a scanner 60 which reads a symbol image which represents coded address information as a fill-in item to the home delivery slip, and an adapter device 40 used by being connected to the printer 20 and the scanner 60. The adapter device 40 is equipped with a printing format information storage means 310 which stores printing format information related to a printing format on the home delivery slip of the address information, a decoding means 320 which acquires and decodes the symbol image read by the scanner, a printing data generating means 330 which generates printing data by adding the printing format information to text data of the address information acquired by decoding, and a data transferring means 350 which transfers the generated printing data to the printer 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, an adapter device, a printing control method for a printing system, and a program for performing printing on a delivery slip used by being attached to a delivery item.

Conventionally, when requesting delivery of a delivery item, a user directly brings the delivery item to a convenience store or a sales office of a delivery company, or requests collection at home by telephone or the Internet (for example, Patent Document 1). At this time, in any case, a handwritten description of the home delivery slip to be attached to the home delivery is required.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-245094 (page 2-3, FIG. 2)

  For example, in the case of the former, the user receives the delivery slip form at the destination where the delivery item is brought in, the user's address / name / phone number, and the delivery address / name / phone number, etc. Necessary items such as address books and memos must be filled in. If there are a plurality of delivery destinations, it is necessary to fill in the delivery slip sheet for the number of delivery destinations. For this reason, there has been a problem that it takes time to fill in the delivery slip form. In particular, in cases where temporary delivery is accepted, such as local agricultural sales offices or regional shipping reception desks, there is often no place to fill in the home delivery slip form, making filling in the home delivery slip form even more troublesome. there were.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a printing system, an adapter device, and a printing system that can realize a printing service for a home delivery slip with a simple configuration even when temporary delivery is performed, such as at a local sales office for agricultural products. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system print control method and program.

  A printing system according to the present invention is a printing system that includes a printing apparatus, a scanner that reads at least a symbol image in which address information that is an entry item on a home delivery slip is encoded, and an adapter apparatus that is connected to the printing apparatus and the scanner. The adapter device includes a printing format information storage means for storing printing format information relating to a printing format of the delivery slip such as a printing position and / or ruled lines and entry fields of address information on the delivery slip, and a symbol image read by the scanner The print data generation means for generating print data by adding the print format information to the text data of the address information obtained by decoding, and the generated print data And a data transfer means for transferring to the apparatus.

  Further, the printing control method of the printing system of the present invention includes a printing apparatus, a scanner that reads at least a symbol image in which address information that is an entry in a delivery slip is read, a printing apparatus, and an adapter apparatus connected to the scanner. The printing apparatus has a printing control method for a printing system, and the adapter device stores printing format information related to the printing position of address delivery information on the home delivery slip and / or ruled line, entry form, etc. A step of decoding the read symbol image, a step of generating print data by adding print format information to the text data of the address information obtained by decoding, and a step of transferring the generated print data to a printing apparatus And executing.

  According to these configurations, it is possible to construct a printing system that provides a home delivery slip printing service easily and inexpensively by simply connecting the adapter device and the scanner to the printing device. Further, since the symbol image in which the address information is encoded is read, decoded, and printed on the home delivery slip, it is possible to save time and effort for handwritten input by the delivery requester. The “address information” includes information on the address, postal code, telephone number, and name of the delivery destination and delivery source. A “symbol image” refers to an image in which information is encoded (encoded) in accordance with an arbitrary symbol code system (symbolism), and is a bar code or a two-dimensional code (QR code, Maxi code, Veri). Examples thereof include a code, a data matrix, and PDF417. “Decoding a symbol image” refers to converting a symbol image into text data.

  In this case, the scanner is provided with decoding means.

  According to this configuration, since the scanner has a built-in decoder, the control configuration of the adapter device can be simplified in addition to the above-described operations and effects.

  In these cases, it is preferable that the adapter device further includes a display unit, and the display unit is configured to display at least the address information after decoding.

  In this case, it is preferable that the adapter device further includes a display unit, and further executes a step of displaying at least the decoded address information on the display unit.

  According to these configurations, since the address information after decoding is displayed on the display means, it is possible to confirm that decoding has been executed and whether the decoding has been performed correctly.

  In these cases, the address information is composed of delivery destination information relating to the delivery destination and delivery source information relating to the delivery source. The scanner individually reads the symbol image of each information, and the print format information storage means includes the delivery destination information and the delivery. Each of the original information print format information is stored, the adapter device further includes reading instruction means for instructing the start of symbol image reading of each information, and the print data generation means is a text of information instructed by the reading instruction means It is preferable to generate print data by adding print format information of the information to the data.

  In these cases, the address information includes delivery destination information about the delivery destination and delivery source information about the delivery source, and the adapter device stores the delivery destination information and the print format information of the delivery source information. The step of individually instructing the start of symbol image reading and the step of individually reading the symbol image of each information are further executed, and in the step of generating print data, the text data of the information instructed to start reading It is preferable to generate print data by adding the print format information of the information.

  According to these configurations, even when the symbol image is generated for each piece of information of the delivery destination information or the delivery source information, that is, even when both pieces of information are not included in one symbol image, it is placed at an appropriate position on the home delivery slip. Both pieces of information can be printed.

  In this case, the adapter device further includes a print data storage unit that stores the generated print data, and a transfer instruction unit that instructs the data transfer unit to transfer the print data stored in the print data storage unit. It is preferable.

  In this case, the adapter device preferably further executes a step of storing the generated print data and a step of instructing transfer of the stored print data.

  According to these configurations, even when the delivery destination information or the delivery source information is read in two steps, the print data based on both pieces of information can be collectively transferred to the printing apparatus. Both information can be printed with. In other words, the print data is transferred in two steps, and either the delivery destination information or the delivery source information is printed, and then the home delivery slip is set (inserted) in the printing apparatus again to print the other. Can be saved.

  In these cases, the print format information storage means stores the print format information corresponding to the form of the delivery slip of the delivery company for each delivery company, and the adapter device further includes a delivery company designation means for designating the delivery company. Preferably, the print data generation means generates print data by adding print format information corresponding to the delivery company designated by the delivery company designation means to the text data of the address information.

  According to this configuration, print format information corresponding to the form of a delivery slip of the delivery company is stored for each delivery company, and print data corresponding to the designated delivery company is added to generate print data. Therefore, it is possible to realize a delivery slip printing service for a plurality of delivery companies with one system.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention has a plurality of printing units of different systems and can perform printing by a plurality of printing systems. The printing format information storage unit is provided for each delivery company in addition to the printing format information for each delivery company. Preferably, the printing method information for specifying the printing method is stored, and the printing apparatus is configured to be able to select the printing unit corresponding to the delivery company designated by the delivery company designating unit.

  According to this configuration, even if the printing method differs for each delivery company depending on the form of the delivery slip, printing is performed with a printing method corresponding to the delivery slip handled by the delivery agent simply by specifying the delivery agent. be able to. Examples of the “printing method” include an ink jet method, a thermal method, and a wire dot method.

  In these cases, it is preferable that the adapter device further includes calculation means for functioning as an electronic desk calculator.

  According to this configuration, when calculating a delivery fee, it can be used as an electronic desk calculator.

  The adapter device according to the present invention is provided in the printing system according to any one of the above.

  The program of the present invention is characterized by causing each step in the printing control method of the printing system described in any one of the above items to be executed.

  According to these configurations, it is possible to construct a printing system capable of realizing a printing service for a home delivery slip easily and inexpensively.

  Hereinafter, a printing system, an adapter device, a printing control method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention makes it possible to easily and inexpensively realize a printing system that provides a delivery service for a home delivery slip. In addition, it is possible to print delivery slips of a plurality of delivery companies, and to specify a delivery company that requests delivery. Therefore, a case where a printing system is constructed using a stand-alone type printing apparatus that is not connected to a network will be described below as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the printing system 10 of this embodiment includes a printing apparatus 20 that prints on a home delivery slip P (Pa, Pb), and an adapter that controls a user interface such as a print data transfer instruction to the printing apparatus 20. The apparatus 40 has a scanner 60 (an image reader such as a CCD) that reads a symbol image B in which address information (delivery destination information and delivery source information), which are items to be entered in the delivery slip P, is coded. The adapter device 40 is connected via a printing device interface 27 provided in the printing device 20, and the printing device 20 and the scanner 60 are controlled by the adapter device 40. Therefore, the system 10 can be realized by connecting the adapter device 40 to the existing printing device 20 and connecting the scanner 60 to the adapter device 40.

  The printing apparatus 20 is a hybrid printer including a plurality of different types of printing means capable of printing on two types of home delivery slip sheets, copy paper Pa and thermal paper Pb, and an insertion port 22 for manually inserting the copy paper Pa; Printing is performed by the thermal method on the first discharge port 23 that prints by the wire dot method and discharges the printed copy paper Pa and the roll paper accommodated in the printing apparatus 20, and the printed thermal paper Pb is discharged. A second discharge port 24 is provided on the device case 21.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the copy sheet Pa is a copy-type delivery slip in which a plurality of sheets such as a requester copy Pa1, a reception store (delivery station) copy Pa2, and a home delivery affixing Pa3 are stacked. By manually inserting a portion into the opening 22 (in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1), the sheets stacked by the wire dot method are copied and printed, and discharged from the first discharge opening 23. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the thermal paper Pb is obtained by arranging thermal labels L of a predetermined size on a long mount Pb1 at equal intervals, and is accommodated inside the apparatus in a wound state. ing. The thermal paper Pb is printed by a thermal method, and a portion of the mount Pb1 is cut in the width direction by a cutting mechanism (cutting means 212d, see FIG. 2) disposed near the second discharge port 24. And the thermal label L3 for home delivery sticking is peeled off from the mount Pb1, and it is used as the home delivery slip P by sticking on the home delivery. The thermal paper Pb is also printed with the label L of the requester copy L1 and the reception store (delivery station) copy L2 in addition to the L3 for home delivery sticking.

  The adapter device 40 has a display 42 for displaying input information on a device case 41, a key group 43 including a plurality of keys (number keys, symbol keys, etc.) for inputting information, a printing device 20, a cable 45, and A first interface 47 for adapter device for connection via a connector (not shown) and a second interface 48 for adapter device for connection via a scanner 60, a cable 65 and a connector (not shown) are provided. Yes.

  The first interface 47 for the adapter device and the second interface 48 for the adapter device are serial data transfer such as RS-232 standard, parallel data transfer such as Centronics standard, and network connection such as 10Base-T of Ethernet (registered trademark). Alternatively, a device compatible with a data transfer standard such as USB can be employed. Also, a wireless communication method such as IrDA (infrared communication) or Bluetooth (wireless communication), which does not disturb the cable and has good workability, may be used.

  Further, when the drive voltage levels of the internal TTL (Transistor Transistor Logic) of the adapter device 40 and the inside of the printing device 20 and the scanner 60 are different, the adapter device first interface 47 and the adapter device second interface 48 are provided. It is preferable to provide a driver circuit that performs level conversion. According to this configuration, the signal level can be easily converted.

  Further, the adapter device 40 has two processing modes of “normal mode” and “home delivery mode”. In the “normal mode”, the adapter device 40 is used as an electronic desk calculator (calculation means). Then, in addition to an instruction to start reading address information and an instruction to transfer print data to the printing apparatus 20, it is used as an input means for specifying a delivery company. Therefore, in the “home delivery mode”, data transmission / reception for home delivery processing between the printing apparatus 20 and the scanner 60 is possible. Further, the mode transition from the “normal mode” to the “delivery mode” and from the “delivery mode” to the “normal mode” is performed by, for example, pressing and holding the numeric key “0” (see D1 to D2 in FIG. 5). Further, in the “delivery mode”, text data or the like, which is a decoding result of the address information read by the scanner 60, is displayed on the display 42 (see D5 and D7 in FIG. 5).

  The scanner 60 includes an apparatus main body 61 having a gripping part, an abutting member 62 protruding from the apparatus main body 61, an imaging button 63 for instructing imaging of an imaging target, the printing apparatus 20, a cable 65, and a connector 66. And a scanner interface 67 for connecting via the scanner. Then, imaging (reading of an image) is performed by bringing the tip of the abutting member 62 into contact with or close to the object support on which the object to be imaged is displayed or placed. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone 80 displays a symbol image B (for example, a QR code) obtained by two-dimensionally encoding the delivery destination information about the delivery destination of the delivery item or the delivery source information about the delivery source of the delivery item as the imaging object. What is displayed on the screen 81 is read.

  The mobile phone 80 is owned by the delivery requester (requester for creating the home delivery slip P), and uses the address book function installed in the mobile phone 80 to provide information (address, Specify data such as zip code, telephone number, and name). The address book function includes an “address book menu” display function for displaying a list of acquaintances' addresses and telephone numbers, and a “profile” display function for displaying information of the delivery requester itself. When the owner (person) makes a delivery request, by specifying the delivery address from the “Address Book Menu” and the delivery source from the “Profile”, each information is encoded (encoded). A symbol image B of information is generated. Then, when the generated symbol image B is displayed on the display screen 81 and presented to an operator who operates the printing system 10, the operator images the image with the scanner 60.

  When the mobile phone 80 is used in this way, for example, by using an online service of the mobile phone 80, an application for generating the symbol image B can be easily downloaded from a predetermined mobile site. It is possible to mount a function for generating / displaying a symbol image including information relating to an identifier that can be recognized as delivery destination information or delivery source information in the printing system 10. In this case, the symbol image B in which the address information is coded can be generated / displayed by key-inputting each item according to the input format provided by the downloaded application. However, if the mobile phone 80 originally has a function of generating the symbol image B by designating address information from the “address book menu” or “profile”, it is naturally not necessary to download the above application.

  In addition to the method using the mobile phone 80, it is also possible to present the printed symbol image B. In this case, the delivery requester needs to generate the symbol image B using his or her personal computer and print it out with a printer. Also in this case, as in the case of using the mobile phone 80 described above, a predetermined application for generating the symbol image B is downloaded from the Web or the like, and each item is input according to the input format provided by the application. Thus, it is possible to easily generate the symbol image B.

  Further, the symbol image B can be displayed using a portable information terminal such as a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) instead of the mobile phone 80. A “symbol image” refers to an image obtained by encoding (encoding) information in accordance with an arbitrary symbol code system (symbolism). In addition to the above two-dimensional code, a barcode is an example. Can be mentioned. In addition to the illustrated QR code, a Maxi code, Veri code, data matrix, PDF417, and the like can be used as the two-dimensional code.

  Next, the control configuration of the printing system 10 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. The scanner 60 includes an image reading unit 610 that reads the symbol image B when the imaging button 63 is pressed. Imaging data (symbol image B) as a reading result of the image reading unit 610 is transmitted to the adapter device 40 via the scanner interface 67, the cable 65, and the adapter device second interface 48 (see FIG. 1). The

  The adapter device 40 has a display means 410 comprising a display 42, a delivery company specifying means 420 for specifying a delivery company that requests delivery, and an instruction to start reading either delivery destination information or delivery source information. A read instructing unit 430; and a transfer instructing unit 440 for instructing to transfer the generated print data to the printing apparatus main body (printing unit 210). The delivery company specifying unit 420, the read instructing unit 430, and the transfer The instruction means 440 includes a key group 43 (see FIG. 1).

  Further, the adapter device 40 prints information on the printing position and / or ruled lines, entry fields, and other printing formats of address information (delivery destination information and delivery source information) on the home delivery slip P, and a printing method (wire dot method or Print format information storage means 310 for storing print information including print method information relating to the thermal method for each delivery company, decoding means 320 for decoding image data acquired from the scanner 60, decoding results by the decoding means 320, delivery company Print data generation means 330 for generating print data based on the specification by the specification means 420 and the instruction by the read instruction means 430, print data storage means 340 for storing the print data generated by the print data generation means 330, and transfer Based on the instruction by the instruction means 440, the mark The print data stored in the data storage unit 340, and data transfer means 350 for transferring the printing unit 210, and a control unit 360 (CPU, etc.) for controlling each unit 310～350,410～440 above.

  These means 310 to 350 and 410 to 440 function in the “delivery mode”. Further, the delivery company specifying means 420, the reading instructing means 430 and the transfer instructing means 440 constituted by the key group 43 are assigned arbitrary numeric keys or symbol keys so that each means functions in the “delivery mode”. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the print format information storage unit 310 includes a print position, ruled lines such as an entry field, and further predetermined items according to the form (type) of the delivery slip P handled by the delivery company. A “print information table” in which a print format (print format) and a printing method are associated with each other is stored. Therefore, for example, when “delivery company A” is designated by the delivery company designation means 420, the control means 360 specifies the printing position of the delivery destination information or the delivery source information based on the print format “a” from the “print information table”. Print format information is read out. That is, the “print format a” includes the print format information in the delivery destination print column 91 for printing the delivery destination and the delivery source for printing the delivery source in the delivery slip P (thermal paper Pb) handled by the “delivery company A”. The print format information in the print field 92 is included (see FIG. 7). The “print information table” stores, as “print format”, information such as character size, character type, character color (in the case of color printing), in addition to the print format information of the delivery destination information and the delivery source information. Yes. Further, as “print format information”, information related to the print range such as the print start position, print end position, and line feed position of each information is stored.

  Further, the control unit 360 reads a print command for designating a thermal method as print method information from the “print information table”. The control unit 360 adds the print format information and the printing method information to the decoding result (the delivery destination information or the text data of the delivery source information) by the decoding unit 320 by using the print data generation unit 330, thereby generating the print data. Can be generated. At this time, the designation of the printing method can be realized by adding a parameter for designating the printing method to a command for transmitting print data. In addition, it can be realized by providing the printing system 10 with a function for determining which printing means 211 and 212 in the printing apparatus main body is valid when a function for designating a delivery company is executed.

  Note that when the reading instruction unit 430 has designated the reading start of the delivery destination information, the control unit 360 assumes that the result of reading by the image reading unit 610 of the scanner 60 is the delivery destination information, and the “print information table The printing format information in the delivery destination printing column 91 is read out from “. If the reading instruction means designates the reading start of the delivery source information, the printing format information in the delivery source printing column 92 is read from the “printing information table”.

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus 20 (main body) includes a printing unit 210 including two types of printing methods, a wire dot method and a thermal method. The wire dot type printing unit 211 includes a conveying unit 211a that conveys the copy paper Pa inserted into the insertion port 22 toward the first discharge port 23, and a wire dot type printing head 211b. The thermal printing unit 212 includes a paper storage unit 212a that stores the wound thermal paper Pb, and a transport unit 212b that feeds the thermal paper Pb from the paper storage unit 212a toward the second discharge port 24. And a thermal printing head 212c and a cutting means 212d for cutting the printed thermal paper Pb. Based on the printing method information read from the “printing information table” (see FIG. 3) in accordance with the designation by the delivery company designation unit 420, either the wire dot printing unit 211 or the thermal printing unit 212 is selected. Drive.

  Next, the printing process of the printing system 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is performed by the adapter device 40 or the scanner 60, but it is assumed that the process is performed by the adapter device 40 unless a subject is described below. When any key input is made to the adapter device 40 (S1: Yes), first, it is determined whether or not it is currently in the “delivery mode” (S2), and if it is not the “delivery mode” (S2: No), that is, “ If it is “normal mode”, it is determined whether or not the key input is a mode switching key (S3). This determination is made, for example, based on whether or not the numeric key “0” is pressed for a long time (see D1 to D2 in FIG. 5). If it is determined that the key is a mode switching key (S3: Yes), the mode is set to “home delivery mode” (S4). If it is determined that the key is not a mode switching key (S3: No), the key input is processed as calculator input data (calculation parameter) (S5).

  On the other hand, when it is the “home delivery mode” (S2: Yes), it is determined whether or not the key input is a mode switching key (S6), and when it is determined that the key input is a mode switching key (S6: Yes). ), “Normal mode” is set (S7). If it is determined that the key is not a mode switching key (S6: No), it is determined whether the key is a delivery company designation key (S8). This determination is made, for example, depending on whether one of the numeric keys “1”, “2” or “3” (corresponding to the delivery company A, B or C, respectively, see FIG. 3) is pressed (D2 in FIG. 5). To D3).

  If it is determined that the key is a delivery company designation key (S8: Yes), the delivery company is specified based on this (S9). That is, by specifying the delivery company, it is determined which of the delivery companies A to C in the “print information table” is to be read.

  If the key input is not a delivery company designation key (S8: No), it is determined whether or not it is a delivery destination information reading start key (S10). This determination is made, for example, based on whether or not the symbol key “+” is pressed (see D3 to D4 in FIG. 5). If it is determined that the key is a delivery destination information reading start key (S10: Yes), the delivery destination information reading mode is entered (S11). When the adapter device 40 is in the delivery destination information reading mode and the symbol image B is read by the scanner 60 (S12), the adapter device 40 includes the print format information in the delivery destination print column 91, Print data is generated by adding print method information specified by the delivery company (S13). Then, the generated print data is stored in the print data storage means 340 (see FIG. 2) (S14). If the delivery company is not specified, print format information and printing method information of default values (for example, delivery company A) are added.

  If the key input is not a delivery destination information reading start key (S10: No), it is determined whether or not the key input is a delivery source information reading start key (S15). This determination is made, for example, based on whether or not the symbol key “-” is pressed (see D5 to D6 in FIG. 5). If it is determined that the key is a delivery source information reading start key (S15: Yes), the delivery source information reading mode is entered (S16). In this state, when the symbol image B is read by the scanner 60 (S17), the adapter device 40 includes the print format information in the delivery source print field 92 and the printing method information specified by the delivery company as a result of the reading. Are added to generate print data (S18), which is stored in the print data storage means 340 (S19).

  If the key input is not a delivery source information reading start key (S15: No), it is determined whether or not it is a transfer instruction key (S20). This determination is made based on, for example, whether or not the symbol key “=” is pressed (see D7 to D8 in FIG. 5). If it is determined that the key is a transfer instruction key (S20: Yes), the print data stored in the print data storage unit 340 is transferred to the printing unit 210 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when the print data based on the delivery destination information and the print data based on the delivery source information are stored in the print data storage unit 340, the print data based on both information is transferred to the printing unit 210 at once. It will be.

  If the key input is not a transfer instruction key (S20: No), the key input is ignored on the assumption that a key to which no function is assigned in the “delivery mode” is pressed.

  Next, a user operation method for executing the above-described print processing will be described with reference to screen display examples D1 to D8 (displayed on the display 42 of the adapter device 40) in FIG. The screen D1 shows an initial screen of “normal mode”. In the initial screen D1, when the numeric key “0” (mode switching key) is pressed for a long time, the mode shifts to the “delivery mode” (D2). In the “home delivery mode”, the display “> home delivery” is displayed to indicate the “home delivery mode” except when the decoding result of the symbol image B is being displayed (see D5 and D6) (see D2, D3, etc.).

  Here, when the numeric key “1” (delivery trader designation key) is pressed, the delivery trader A is specified, and this is displayed on the screen “> Home delivery> Trade trader A” (D3). Further, after the delivery company A is specified, when the symbol key “+” (delivery address information reading start key) is pressed, a message indicating that the delivery address information reading mode is set is displayed on the screen. Delivery destination "(D4). In this state, when the symbol image B is read by the scanner 60, the text data obtained by decoding the read result is scroll-displayed (D5). The text data displayed here is printed in the delivery destination printing column 91 (see FIG. 7). The scroll display is performed for a predetermined time (several seconds) or a predetermined number of times, and then returns to the screen D3.

  Similarly, when the symbol key “-” (delivery source information reading start key) is pressed on the screen D3 or the screen D5, a message indicating that the mode is the delivery source information reading mode is displayed on the screen. A> Delivery source ”(D6). In this state, when the symbol image B is read by the scanner 60, the text data obtained by decoding the read result is scroll-displayed (D7). The text data displayed here is printed in the delivery source print field 92 (see FIG. 7).

  Further, after the delivery destination information is read (D5) and / or the delivery source information is read (D7), when the symbol key “=” (transfer instruction key) is pressed, this is displayed on the screen. “> Home Delivery> Transfer” (D8). In addition, pressing the symbol key “=” effectively becomes a print instruction for the home delivery slip P, and the home delivery slip P is printed using this as a trigger. If the symbol key “=” is pressed in a state where neither the delivery destination information nor the delivery source information is read (the data is not stored in the print data storage unit 340), Printing will not be executed (ignored).

  If no key input is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed after displaying the screen on the screens D2, D3, D5, and D7, the screen transitions to the initial screen D1. In addition, when the symbol image B is not read by the scanner 60 after the screen is displayed on the screens D4 and D6, the screen transitions to the initial screen D1 also when the imaging data is not received from the scanner 60.

  Next, contents to be printed on the home delivery slip P will be described with reference to print result examples in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows an example of the printing result on the copy paper Pa handled by the delivery company B, and FIG. 7 shows an example of the printing result on the thermal paper Pb handled by the delivery company A. As shown in FIG. 6, the copy paper Pa is a general store used in a convenience store or the like in which each sheet of a requester copy Pa1, a reception store (delivery station) copy Pa2, and a home delivery paste Pa3 is laminated. It is in the form of a home delivery slip. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the thermal paper Pb is such that the requester copy L1, the reception store copy L2, and the home delivery sticking L3 are printed on different labels L. This is called a “label”.

  As shown in both figures, since the print format is a format designated by each of the delivery companies A and B (see FIG. 3), the positions of the print fields are different. Therefore, for example, when the delivery company A is designated, the delivery source information is printed in the delivery source information printing column 92 near the upper right of the thermal paper Pb based on the print format a (print format information) (see FIG. 7). When the delivery company B is designated, the delivery source information is printed in the delivery source information printing column 92 near the lower left of the copy paper Pa based on the print format b (print format information) (see FIG. 6).

  In this embodiment, both the copy paper Pa and the thermal paper Pb are designated for delivery date, product name (contents), delivery form (refrigerated delivery etc.), delivery delivery size (weight, size etc.), etc. A delivery information printing field 93 for hand-filling home delivery information, a settlement content printing field 94 for hand-filling payment contents such as a payment destination and a delivery fee, a slip number 95, and a barcode 96 encoded with the slip number 95. Pre-printed (pre-printed) material is used (in the case of thermal paper Pb, since three sheets are one set, three home delivery slips P having the same slip number are arranged in succession. ) However, in the case of the thermal paper Pb, it is also possible to print each print field together with the address information on a blank label on which the ruled lines and the like of each print field are not printed in advance. In this case, the print format includes information regarding the print position and line type of the ruled lines.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to construct the printing system 10 that provides the printing service for the home delivery slip P easily and inexpensively by simply connecting the adapter device 40 and the scanner 60 to the printing device 20. Therefore, it is convenient when it is difficult to connect to the network, such as on-site sales of agricultural products or regional shipping receptions, and when temporary delivery processing is performed. In addition, since the symbol image B in which the address information is encoded is read, decoded, and printed on the home delivery slip P, it is possible to save the handwriting input by the delivery requester.

  Further, since the address information after decoding is displayed on the display 42 of the adapter device 40, it is possible to confirm that decoding has been executed and whether the decoding has been performed correctly.

  Further, the delivery destination information and the delivery source information are read in two steps, but they are stored in the print data storage means 340 (see FIG. 2), and both information is read based on the pressing of the transfer instruction key. Since the print data based on the above is collectively transferred to the printing apparatus 20, both pieces of information can be printed in one printing process. That is, the print data is transferred in two steps, one of the delivery destination information and the delivery source information is printed, and then the home delivery slip P is reinserted into the printing apparatus 20 to print the other. Can be saved.

  Also, for each delivery company, a print format (print format information) corresponding to the form of delivery package P of the delivery company is stored, and print data corresponding to the designated delivery company is added to generate print data Therefore, the delivery slip printing service for a plurality of delivery companies can be realized with one system 10. In addition to the print format, printing method information for each delivery company is also stored, so even if the printing method is different for each delivery company, the delivery slip handled by that delivery company can be handled simply by specifying the delivery company. Printing can be performed by a printing method according to P. Further, since a format is generally printed in advance in a copy slip, it is only necessary to store print position information as print format information. In this case, a printing apparatus having a wire dot type print head is generally used. In the thermal method, it is better to store the print format information including ruled lines, entry fields, predetermined items, etc., and merge the text data of the delivery destination and the delivery source at the time of printing to generate print data. It can be used efficiently.

  Further, since the adapter device 40 is provided with the “normal mode” (calculation means), it can be used as an electronic desk calculator when calculating the delivery fee.

  In the above description, the symbol image B in which the address information is encoded is read separately for each of the delivery destination information and the delivery source information. The included symbol image may be read at a time. In this case, since it is not necessary to press the delivery destination information reading start key or the delivery source information reading start key, the control configuration can be simplified and the processing time required for printing the home delivery slip P can be shortened.

  In the above description, the symbol image B in which the address information (delivery destination information and delivery source information) is coded is read. In addition to the address information, the designated delivery date and time, the name of the delivery item, the delivery form, the delivery A symbol image obtained by coding home delivery information including home delivery information such as the size of an object may be read. That is, each piece of information necessary for home delivery may be printed on paper in advance, or printed on a label and pasted on a mount to read the corresponding symbol image. According to this configuration, the delivery requester can further save the trouble of handwriting input. In this configuration, when the delivery destination information, the delivery source information, and the delivery information are read as separate symbol images (when the symbol image including all information is not read at a time), the delivery destination information reading starts. It is preferable to provide a delivery information reading start key in addition to the key and the delivery source information reading start key.

  In the above description, the adapter device 40 has a function as an electronic tabletop calculator. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the configuration (adapter device 400) includes only a simple input unit 410 and a display 4420. Also good. In this case, for example, the input unit 410 is assigned buttons 411, 412, and 413 as delivery company designation keys, and can designate delivery companies A, B, and C, respectively. Further, a button 411 is assigned as a delivery destination information reading start key, a button 412 is assigned as a delivery source information reading start key, and a button 413 is assigned as a transfer instruction key. First, after the delivery company is specified by pressing the buttons 411, 412 and 413, the button 411 and / or the button 412 is pressed, the symbol image B is read by the scanner 60, and the print data is based on the read result. Is generated. Thereafter, when the button 413 is pressed, the generated print data is transferred to the printing apparatus main body. According to this configuration, the cost required for manufacturing the adapter device 40 can be reduced. In addition, since the input unit 410 has a simple configuration, it is easy for the user to understand the operation method, and erroneous operation can be prevented.

  Further, it is possible to omit the input unit 410 and simply use the adapter device 40 as a display device. In this case, since there is no input means 410, the symbol image B is read by the scanner 60 in a predetermined order, for example, (1) delivery destination information, (2) delivery source information, and print data is based on the respective reading results. Will be generated. When the input unit 410 is omitted, the delivery company designation key can be substituted by providing a dip switch or the like in the scanner 60 or the printing apparatus 20. According to this configuration, it is possible to manufacture the adapter device 40 at a lower cost while leaving the effects that the decoding has been performed reliably and the decoding result can be confirmed.

  In the above description, the reading result read by the scanner 60 is decoded by the adapter device 40 (see the decoding unit 320 in FIG. 2). However, the scanner 60 may have a built-in decoder. According to this structure, there exists an effect that the control structure of the adapter apparatus 40 can be simplified.

  In addition, the system configuration, the apparatus configuration, and the like can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention, regardless of the example of the printing system 10 in the above-described embodiment.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of a printing system. It is a figure which shows a printing information table. It is a flowchart which shows a printing process. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of an adapter apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a printing result of a copy paper. It is a figure which shows the example of a printing result of thermal paper. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the modification of an adapter apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing system 20 Printing apparatus 40 Adapter apparatus 42 Display 60 Scanner 63 Imaging button 80 Mobile phone 81 Display screen 210 Printing means 310 Print format information storage means 320 Decoding means 330 Print data generation means 340 Print data storage means 350 Data transfer means 360 Control Means 410 Display means 420 Delivery company designation means 430 Reading instruction means 440 Transfer instruction means 610 Image reading means B Symbol image L Thermal label P Delivery slip Pa Delivery slip (copy paper)
Pb home delivery slip (thermal paper)

Claims (14)

A printing device;
A scanner that reads at least a symbol image obtained by encoding address information that is an entry in a home delivery slip;
An adapter device connected to the printing device and the scanner;
The adapter device is
Print format information storage means for storing print format information relating to the print format of the home delivery slip such as the print position and / or ruled lines and entry fields of the address information on the home delivery slip;
Decoding means for acquiring a symbol image read by the scanner and decoding it;
Print data generating means for generating print data by adding the print format information to the text data of the address information obtained by decoding;
A printing system comprising: data transfer means for transferring the generated print data to the printing apparatus.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the scanner includes the decoding unit. The adapter device is
The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display at least the decoded address information. The address information includes delivery destination information about a delivery destination, and delivery source information about a delivery source,
The scanner individually reads a symbol image of each information,
The print format information storage unit stores the print format information of the delivery destination information and the delivery source information,
The adapter device is
Further comprising reading instruction means for instructing to start reading the symbol image of each information
The print data generation unit generates the print data by adding the print format information of the information to the text data of the information instructed by the reading instruction unit. The printing system described. The adapter device is
Print data storage means for storing the generated print data;
5. The printing system according to claim 4, further comprising transfer instruction means for instructing transfer of print data stored in the print data storage means to the data transfer means. The print format information storage means stores the print format information according to the form of the delivery slip of the delivery company for each delivery company,
The adapter device is
A delivery agent specifying means for specifying the delivery company;
The print data generation unit generates the print data by adding the print format information corresponding to the delivery company designated by the delivery company designation unit to the text data of the address information. The printing system according to any one of 1 to 5. The printing apparatus has a plurality of printing means of different methods, and can print by a plurality of printing methods,
The printing format information storage means stores printing method information for specifying the printing method for each delivery company in addition to the printing format information for each delivery company,
The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the printing apparatus is configured to be able to select a printing unit corresponding to a delivery company designated by the delivery company designation unit. The adapter device is
8. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising calculation means for functioning as an electronic desk calculator.   An adapter device provided in the printing system according to claim 1. A printing device;
A scanner that reads at least a symbol image obtained by encoding address information that is an entry in a home delivery slip;
A printing control method for a printing system having the printing device and an adapter device connected to the scanner,
The adapter device is
Storing the print format information on the print format of the home delivery slip such as the print position and / or ruled lines and entry fields of the address information on the home delivery slip;
Decoding a symbol image read by the scanner;
Adding the print format information to the text data of the address information obtained by decoding to generate print data;
And a step of transferring the generated print data to the printing apparatus. The adapter device has display means,
11. The printing control method for a printing system according to claim 10, further comprising a step of displaying at least the decoded address information on the display means. The address information includes delivery destination information about a delivery destination, and delivery source information about a delivery source,
The adapter device stores the print format information of the delivery destination information and the delivery source information, respectively.
Individually instructing to start reading symbol images of each information;
Further reading the symbol image of each information individually,
12. The print data is generated by adding the print format information of the information to text data of information instructed to start reading in the step of generating the print data. Printing control method of the printing system of the present. The adapter device is
Storing the generated print data; and
The printing control method for a printing system according to claim 12, further comprising a step of instructing transfer of the stored print data.   The program for making a computer perform each step in the printing control method of the printing system of any one of Claims 10 thru | or 13.

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