JP2007290289A - Printing system and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system and printer which prints information in which personal information such as receivers addresses and a client is provided, in a medium such as a slip, and to reduce a working volume of the client. <P>SOLUTION: In the printer 1, a printing format wherein printing items to be printed at least in the printed medium 2 are specified, is memorized in ROM 12, and, if the printing item is transmitted to a mobile phone handset 3 by a radio communications section 11 and then the information for printing in the printing item is received through the radio communication section 11, CPU 13 develops an image data for the received information into the drawing area of RAM 14, based on the printing format, and the developed image data is printed in the printed medium 2 by the control of a printing control section 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing apparatus for printing on a printing medium such as a slip or a label, and more particularly to a printing system and printing apparatus for printing information received from a portable terminal such as a mobile phone on a printing medium.

For the purpose of efficient delivery work, workers who deliver packages enter only the delivery address and the requester's phone number into the mobile information terminal.
A slip issuing system has been proposed in which a slip reflecting customer information of a delivery destination and a client is printed from a portable information terminal by referring to a customer information database of a vehicle side information management device based on an input telephone number (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  However, in the prior art, if the customer information is not managed by the delivery company side, it cannot be handled, and the requester must hand the form filled with personal information such as the delivery destination and the requester to the delivery company. However, there was a problem that the work amount of the client was not reduced.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-53453

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to reflect personal information such as a delivery destination and a client even if the customer information is not managed on the delivery company side. Can be printed on a printing medium such as a slip, and a printing system and a printing apparatus that can reduce the amount of work of the client are provided.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration.
The gist of the invention described in claim 1 is a printing system comprising a printing device for printing on a printing medium and a portable terminal, wherein the printing device defines at least printing items to be printed on the printing medium. Print format storage means for storing a print format that is stored, print item information transmission means for transmitting the print item to the portable terminal, and print information reception for receiving information for printing on the print item from the portable terminal Means, image data expanding means for expanding the information received by the print information receiving means into image data based on the print format, and printing the image data expanded by the image data expanding means on the print medium Print item information for receiving the print item from the printing device. Communication means, personal information storage means for storing personal information, input means for selecting the personal information stored in the personal information storage means, and the selection selected by the selection input from the input means A printing system comprising: a printing information transmitting unit that transmits personal information to the printing apparatus as information for printing personal information on the printing item.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for printing on a printing medium, and a printing format storage means for storing a printing format in which at least printing items to be printed on the printing medium are defined. Print information receiving means for receiving information for printing on the print item from a portable terminal; and image data expanding means for expanding the information received by the print information receiving means into image data based on the print format; A printing apparatus comprising printing means for printing the image data developed by the image data development means on the print medium.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided print item information transmitting means for transmitting the print item to the portable terminal, and the print information receiving means transmits information for printing on the print item to the portable terminal. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the print medium includes a personal information printing field for printing personal information, and the print information receiving means stores the personal information stored in the portable terminal. The personal information selected from the information is received, and the image data expanding means expands the personal information received by the print information receiving means into the image data based on the print format, and the printing means 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image data expanded by the image data expansion means is printed in the personal information print column.

  In the printing system of the present invention, in the printing apparatus, at least a print format in which a print item to be printed on a printing medium is specified is stored, and the print item is transmitted to the portable terminal and information for printing on the print item is stored. Is received from the mobile terminal, and the received information is expanded into image data based on the print format and printed on the print medium, so that the information to be printed on the print medium is obtained from the requesting mobile phone. Therefore, it is possible to save the time required for the client to fill in a print medium such as a voucher and to reduce the work amount of the client.

  Furthermore, the printing system of the present invention is configured to store personal information in a portable terminal and transmit the personal information selected by the selection input to the printing apparatus as information for printing on a print item. Since personal information stored in the client's portable terminal can be transmitted to the printing device as information for printing on the print item, input of information to be printed on a print medium such as a slip is simplified. In addition, the work amount of the client can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the printing system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a print medium shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile phone shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the printing system according to the first embodiment is installed in a store such as a convenience store or a supermarket, and has a printing device 1 that prints on a printing medium 2 such as a delivery slip used for delivery of luggage, and a portable device. The mobile phone 3 is a terminal.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 1 stores a wireless communication unit 11 that transmits and receives data to and from the mobile phone 3, a predetermined control program, and various data relating to printing such as font data and a print format. ROM (read only memory) 12, a CPU (central processing unit) 13 that operates according to a control program stored in the ROM 12, and various data necessary for the operation of the CPU 13 are stored. A random access memory (RAM) 14, a printing mechanism 15 that prints on the printing medium 2, and a printing control unit 16 that controls the printing mechanism 15.

  The print medium 2 can correspond to various forms such as a label and a form. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, a destination print field and a requester print field An example of using a delivery slip provided with a product name printing field, a number printing field, a remarks printing field, and a receipt stamp field will be described.

  The wireless communication unit 11 has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the mobile phone 3 via a wireless transmission path such as infrared rays, radio waves, and microwaves, and a print item request for requesting a print item to be printed on the print medium 2. The print data corresponding to the print item is received from the mobile phone 3, the print item information for designating the item to be printed on the print medium 2, and the print medium 2 is issued, that is, printing on the print medium 2 is performed. An issuance completion notice for notifying completion is transmitted to the mobile phone 3.

  The print format stored in the ROM 12 is data in which print items to be printed on the print medium 2 and print positions of the print items are defined. In the first embodiment, the print format is shown in FIG. In the medium 2 to be printed, the postal code, address, telephone number and name of the package recipient are printed as the print items to be printed in the destination print column, and the postal code, address, A telephone number and name are specified. Note that the receipt stamp column is a column in which the recipient receives a seal stamp when the delivery of the package is completed, and is therefore excluded from the print items.

  When the CPU 13 receives a print item request from the mobile phone 3 via the wireless communication unit 11, the CPU 13 specifies a print item based on the print format stored in the ROM 12, and performs wireless communication using the specified print item as print item information. The data is transmitted to the mobile phone 3 using the unit 11.

  When the CPU 13 of the printing apparatus 1 receives print data (personal information) transmitted from the mobile phone 3 via the wireless communication unit 11, the font data and print format corresponding to the character code included in the received print data. Are read out from the ROM 12, the print data is developed as bitmap image data in the drawing area of the RAM 14 based on the read font data and print format, and the printing of the bitmap image data developed in the drawing area of the RAM 14 is printed. 16 is instructed.

  The printing mechanism 15 is a printing unit that prints on the printing medium 2 and can employ various printing methods such as a thermal transfer method, a thermal method, an ink jet method, an impact method, and an electrophotographic method.

  The printing control unit 16 controls the printing mechanism 15 based on an instruction from the CPU 13 to print the bitmap image data developed in the drawing area of the RAM 14 on the printing medium 2.

  The mobile phone 3 has a function of performing communication for voice calls with the public line network 4 and also has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the printing apparatus 1. Referring to FIG. Is stored in the ROM 31, the CPU 32 that operates according to the control program stored in the ROM 31 and controls each unit, the RAM 33 that stores various data necessary for the CPU 32 to operate, the input unit 34, and the display Unit 35, call communication unit 36, voice input / output unit 37, personal information storage unit 38, and wireless communication unit 39.

  The ROM 31 stores a call control program for causing it to function as a normal telephone, and an issuance program for causing the printing apparatus 1 to issue the print medium 2, and the CPU 32 performs normal operations based on the call control program. And various processes for issuing the printing medium 2 from the printing apparatus 1 based on the issuing program.

  The input unit 34 includes a group of key buttons such as a telephone number input key and various function keys. The input unit 34 accepts various inputs related to a call, and inputs an activation instruction for instructing activation of an issuing program, and issuance of the printing medium 2. Accept various inputs.

  The display unit 35 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various guidance screens related to a call and various guidance screens related to the issue of the print target medium 2.

  The call communication unit 36 has a function of performing wireless communication with the public line network 4, and outputs voice call data obtained by demodulating radio waves received from the public line network 4 to the voice input / output unit 37. The voice call data from the voice input / output unit 37 is modulated and transmitted to the public line network 4.

  The voice input / output unit 37 outputs the voice call data acquired via the call communication unit 36 as voice from the receiving speaker and uses the voice input from the transmission microphone as voice call data. To the unit 36.

  The personal information storage unit 38 is, for example, a non-volatile flash memory whose stored contents are not erased even when the power is turned off, and stores personal information of the owner and personal information of a third party registered by the owner. . In the first embodiment, a telephone number, a zip code, and an address are stored in the personal information storage unit 38 as personal information.

  The wireless communication unit 39 has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the printing apparatus 1 via a wireless transmission path such as infrared rays, radio waves, and microwaves, and a print item request for requesting a print item to be printed on the print medium 2. Print data corresponding to the print item is transmitted to the printing apparatus 1, print item information for specifying an item to be printed on the print medium 2, and an issue completion notification for notifying that the print medium 2 has been issued. Is received from the printer 1.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6 and 7 show examples of display on the display unit of the mobile phone shown in FIG. FIG. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the printing apparatus 1 is installed in a store such as a convenience store or a supermarket, and a delivery slip used as a print medium 2 for delivering a package is issued from the printing apparatus 1.

  First, the owner of the mobile phone 3 uses the input unit 34 of the mobile phone 3 to input a start instruction for instructing start of the issuing program. The CPU 32 of the mobile phone 3 activates an issue program stored in the ROM 31 (step A1), and prints a print item request for requesting a print item to be printed on the print medium 2 by the wireless communication unit 39 based on the issue program. A print item acquisition operation to be transmitted to the apparatus 1 is executed (step A2), and a progress state guidance screen 5 for notifying the progress state of the print item acquisition operation as shown in FIG.

  When the CPU 13 of the printing apparatus 1 receives the print item request from the mobile phone 3 via the wireless communication unit 11 (step A3), it identifies the print item based on the print format stored in the ROM 12, and identifies the specified print. The item is transmitted as print item information to the mobile phone 3 using the wireless communication unit 11 (step A4). In the first embodiment, the print format shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the ROM 12, and the print items (postal code, address, telephone number and name of the package delivery destination) to be printed in the delivery destination print column, the request Print item information including print items to be printed in the main print field (postal code, address, telephone number and name of the package requester) is transmitted from the printer 1 to the mobile phone 3.

  When the CPU 32 of the mobile phone 3 receives the print item information from the printing apparatus 1 via the wireless communication unit 39, the CPU 32 displays a print item input screen 6 for accepting input to the print item as shown in FIG. The input to the print item specified by the print item information is received.

  With reference to FIG. 6B, the print item input screen 6 is referred to as a destination input field 61 for receiving a destination input, a requester input field 62 for receiving a requester's input, and a destination address input in the destination input field 61. A delivery destination detail confirmation key 63 for instructing a detail confirmation, a requester detail confirmation key 64 for instructing a detail confirmation of the requester entered in the requester input field 62, and a delivery destination and requester input entered in the delivery destination entry field 61 An OK key 65 for confirming with the client input in the column 62 is provided.

  When a cursor (not shown) is moved to the addressee input field 61 by a selection input from the input unit 34 and execution is instructed, the CPU 32 shifts to a personal information search mode based on a call control program stored in the ROM 31. . When one of the personal information stored in the personal information storage unit 38 is specified by the owner of the mobile phone 3 in the personal information search mode, the CPU 32 uses the specified personal information as the destination personal information, Accepted as input to the print item (step A5).

  When a cursor (not shown) is moved to the requester input field 62 by a selection input from the input unit 34 and execution is instructed, the CPU 32 searches the personal information search mode based on the call control program stored in the ROM 31. To migrate. When one of the personal information stored in the personal information storage unit 38 is specified by the owner of the mobile phone 3 in the personal information search mode, the CPU 32 uses the specified personal information as the requester personal information and requests it. Accepted as input to the main print item (step A6). Note that the owner's personal information stored in the personal information storage unit 38 may be accepted as an input to the print item of the client without shifting to the search mode. FIG. 6B shows a state where the personal information of the addressee and the personal information of the requester are input. The name of the addressee personal information is displayed in the addressee input field 61, and the requester input field 62 is displayed in the requester input field 62. The name of the main personal information is displayed.

  When a cursor (not shown) is moved to the delivery destination detail confirmation key 63 by selection input from the input unit 34 and execution is instructed, the CPU 32 confirms the input to the delivery destination print item as shown in FIG. A personal information confirmation screen 7 for display is displayed on the display unit 35, and confirmation of the personal information of the receiver by the owner of the mobile phone 3 is accepted (step A7). When a cursor (not shown) is moved to the OK key 71 provided on the destination personal information confirmation screen 7 by selection input from the input unit 34 and execution is instructed, that is, when the destination personal information is confirmed, the CPU 32 The print item input screen 6 is displayed on the display unit 35. In addition, on the delivery destination personal information confirmation screen 7, correction input of the delivery destination personal information can be performed, and if there is no delivery destination in the personal information stored in the personal information storage unit 38, the new delivery destination personal information is displayed. Input can be made.

  In the requester input field 62, when a cursor (not shown) is moved to the requester detail confirmation key 64 by selection input from the input unit 34 and execution is instructed, the CPU 32 confirms the input to the requester's print item. A requester personal information confirmation screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 35, and confirmation of the requester personal information by the owner of the mobile phone 3 is accepted (step A8). The requester personal information confirmation screen is the same as the destination personal information confirmation screen 7 shown in FIG. When a cursor (not shown) is moved to an OK key provided on the client personal information confirmation screen by selection input from the input unit 34 and execution is instructed, that is, when client personal information is confirmed, the CPU 32 The print item input screen 6 is displayed on the display unit 35. On the client personal information confirmation screen, the client personal information can be corrected and input, and if there is no client in the personal information stored in the personal information storage unit 38, the client personal information is displayed. New information can be entered.

When a cursor (not shown) is moved to the OK key 65 in response to a selection input from the input unit 34 and execution is instructed, the CPU 32 transmits transmission destination personal information and requester personal information as shown in FIG. A transmission instruction screen 8 for instructing is displayed on the display unit 35. When a cursor (not shown) is moved to the transmission instruction key 81 by a selection input from the input unit 34 and execution is instructed, the CPU 32 uses the wireless communication unit 39 by the wireless communication unit 39 as the print destination personal information and requester personal information as print data. (Step A9). When a cursor (not shown) is moved to the return key 82 by the selection input from the input unit 34 and execution is instructed, the CPU 32 causes the display unit 35 to display the print item input screen 6.

  When the CPU 13 of the printing apparatus 1 receives the recipient personal information and the requester personal information from the mobile phone 3 via the wireless communication unit 11 as print data (step A10), the CPU 13 corresponds to the character code included in the received print data. The font data and the print format are read from the ROM 12, layout editing is performed to develop the print data and bitmap image data corresponding to the print format in the drawing area of the RAM 14 (step A11), and the bitmap developed in the drawing area of the RAM 14 is performed. The print controller 16 is instructed to print image data. The printing control unit 16 controls the printing mechanism 15 to print the bitmap image data developed in the drawing area of the RAM 14 on the printing medium 2, and the personal address information as shown in FIG. The printing medium 2 on which the requester personal information is printed in the requester print field is issued in the delivery destination print field (step A12).

  When the printing control unit 16 completes the issuance of the print medium 2, the wireless communication unit 11 is used to transmit an issuance completion notification to the mobile phone 3 (step A13), and the CPU 32 of the mobile phone 3 causes the wireless communication unit 39 to When an issuance completion notification is received from the printing apparatus 1 via this, an unillustrated issuance completion screen notifying the issuance completion is displayed on the display unit 35 (step A14).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 stores in the ROM 12 a print format that defines at least print items to be printed on the print medium 2, and the wireless communication unit 11. When the print item is transmitted to the mobile phone 3 and information for printing on the print item is received via the wireless communication unit 11, the CPU 13 draws the received information on the RAM 14 based on the print format. By expanding the image data into the area and printing the expanded image data on the print medium 2 under the control of the print control unit 16, information to be printed on the print medium 2 is transmitted to the requesting mobile phone 3. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of work of the client by saving the user from having to fill in the printing medium 2 such as a slip. The effect say.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, in the mobile phone 3, personal information is stored in the personal information storage unit 38, and the personal information selected by the selection input from the input unit 34 is printed on the print item. Since the personal information stored in the requester's mobile phone 3 can be transmitted to the printing apparatus 1 as information for printing on the print item, the information can be transmitted to the printing apparatus 1 as information for printing. It is possible to simplify the input of information to be printed on the printing medium 2 such as a slip, and to reduce the work amount of the client.

  In the first embodiment, the name, zip code, address, and telephone number to be printed in the delivery address print column and the name, zip code, address, and phone number to be printed in the requester print column are printed as print item information. Although the apparatus 1 is transmitted to the mobile phone 3 and other product names and numbers are handwritten, the print items to be printed in the product name print field, the number print field, and the remarks print field are also printed as print item information from the print device 1 to the mobile phone. 3, information printed in the product name printing field, the number printing field, and the remarks printing field may be received from the mobile phone 3.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the printing system according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 explains the operation of the second embodiment of the printing system and the mobile phone according to the present invention. It is a flowchart for doing.

  In the second embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 and the host computer 9 are connected, and the print data to be printed on the printing medium 2, that is, the personal information of the recipient and the requester transmitted from the mobile phone 3 to the printing apparatus 1. The point that personal information is collected by the host computer 9 is different from the first embodiment. Note that the same steps as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 9, when the CPU 13 of the printing apparatus 1 receives the recipient personal information and the requester personal information from the mobile phone 3 as print data via the wireless communication unit 11 (step A10), the wireless communication unit 11 is used. The recipient personal information and the requester personal information received are transmitted to the host computer 9 (step B1).

  The host computer 9 stores management data for managing the personal address information and the requester personal information. Upon receiving the personal address information and the requester personal information from the printing apparatus 1 (step B2), the host computer 9 A new management number is assigned to the requester personal information (step B3), and the management data is updated by registering the recipient personal information and the requester personal information to which the management number is assigned (step B4).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the host computer 9 collects and manages the destination personal information and the requester personal information transmitted from the mobile phone 3 to the printing apparatus 1. Thus, the recipient personal information and the requester personal information can be collected and managed by the host computer 9 without reading the recipient personal information and the requester personal information from the printing medium 2 issued from the printing apparatus 1. There is an effect that the delivery work is made more efficient. In addition, when a user connects to a home page from an Internet connection terminal or the like and inputs a management number on this home page, it is possible to recognize where the delivered package is currently located and to track the package.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that each embodiment can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In this embodiment, an example of printing on a delivery slip has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can also be used for admission tickets to exhibitions and facilities, and counting and management of visitors. In addition, a mobile phone has been described as an example of the mobile terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a terminal that stores personal information, for example, a PDA (personal digital assistance) may be used. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a suitable number, position, shape, and the like in practicing the present invention. In each figure, the same numerals are given to the same component.

1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the example of a to-be-printed medium shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement in 1st Embodiment of the printing system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display on the display part of the mobile telephone shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display on the display part of the mobile telephone shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of 2nd Embodiment of the printing system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating 2nd Embodiment of the printing system which concerns on this invention, and operation | movement of a mobile telephone.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing apparatus 2 Medium to be printed 3 Mobile phone 4 Public line network 5 Progress status guidance screen 6 Print item input screen 7 Delivery destination personal information confirmation screen 8 Transmission instruction screen 9 Host computer 11 Wireless communication section (print information receiving means, print item information Transmission means)
12 ROM (print format storage means)
13 CPU
14 RAM
15 Printing Mechanism 16 Printing Control Unit 31 ROM
32 CPU (Image data expansion means)
33 RAM
34 Input unit 35 Display unit 36 Call communication unit 37 Voice input / output unit 38 Personal information storage unit 39 Wireless communication unit (print information transmission means, print item information reception means)
61 Destination input field 62 Requester input field 63 Destination details confirmation key 64 Requester details confirmation key 65 OK key 71 OK key 81 Transmission instruction key 82 Return key

Claims (4)

A printing system comprising a printing device for printing on a printing medium and a portable terminal,
The printing apparatus includes a print format storage unit that stores a print format that defines at least a print item to be printed on the print medium;
Print item information transmitting means for transmitting the print item to the mobile terminal;
Print information receiving means for receiving information for printing on the print item from the portable terminal;
Image data expanding means for expanding the information received by the print information receiving means into image data based on the print format;
Printing means for printing the image data developed by the image data development means on the print medium;
The portable terminal includes a print item information receiving unit that receives the print item from the printing device;
Personal information storage means for storing personal information;
An input means for selecting and selecting the personal information stored in the personal information storage means;
A printing system comprising: print information transmitting means for transmitting the personal information selected by the selection input from the input means to the printing apparatus as information for printing on the print item. A printing device for printing on a printing medium,
Print format storage means for storing a print format in which at least print items to be printed on the print medium are defined;
Print information receiving means for receiving information for printing on the print item from the mobile terminal;
Image data expanding means for expanding the information received by the print information receiving means into image data based on the print format;
A printing apparatus comprising: printing means for printing the image data developed by the image data development means on the print medium. Comprising print item information transmitting means for transmitting the print item to the portable terminal;
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print information receiving unit receives information for printing on the print item from the portable terminal. The printing medium is provided with a personal information printing field for printing personal information,
The print information receiving means receives the personal information selected from the personal information stored in the portable terminal,
The image data expanding means expands the personal information received by the print information receiving means into the image data based on the print format,
4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit prints the image data developed by the image data development unit on the personal information printing column.

Images