JP2010012667A - Printing apparatus, control method and control program of printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce consumption of recording paper by carrying out reduction printing of a bar code automatically. <P>SOLUTION: A printing apparatus 10 for printing on continuous paper in response to a print request transmitted from a host computer 20 and according to print data includes a height of bar code determination section 13 which determines whether the height of a bar code is more than a predetermined value or not when a bar code is printed in response to a print request, and a height of bar code setting section 14 which reduces the print height of a bar code and sets a height of a predetermined value when a determination is made that the print height of a bar code is more than a predetermined value, and prints a bar code having a set height on the continuous paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus control method, and a printing control program, and in particular, printing that prints a barcode transmitted from a host computer with a specified value or a size equal to or less than a specified value according to a printing area of a recording sheet. The present invention relates to an apparatus, a printing control method, and a printing control program.

  In a printing apparatus of a POS (Point of Sale) system, payment information such as purchased product name and price is printed on continuous paper (recording paper) such as roll paper, and is appropriately cut and issued as a receipt. A one-dimensional bar code (hereinafter simply referred to as a bar code) in which such information, identification number, etc. are encoded in a predetermined area such as the lower end of the receipt so that payment information and various additional information can be easily input to the computer. May also be printed (for example, FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-335125, FIG.

  However, a receipt issued by a conventional POS system printing apparatus becomes longer due to the addition of a bar code, and extra recording paper is consumed by the height of the bar code (the length of the recording paper in the paper feed direction). Therefore, there is a problem that the consumption of recording paper increases. In addition, when the width of the barcode (the length in the direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction of the recording paper) is large, there is a problem that printing on a narrow recording paper becomes difficult.

  The present invention relates to solving the above-described problem, and a printing apparatus and printing that can automatically reduce the barcode to reduce the consumption of recording paper and print on a narrow recording paper. It is an object to provide an apparatus control method and a print control program.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints on recording paper in accordance with print data received from a host computer,
A barcode height determination unit that determines whether the height of the barcode is equal to or higher than a predetermined specified height when printing the barcode included in the print data;
A barcode height setting unit that reduces the barcode printing height and sets the barcode printing height to the prescribed value height when it is determined that the barcode printing height is equal to or higher than the prescribed value height When,
The barcode having the set height is printed on the recording paper.
According to the above configuration, since the barcode height can be automatically reduced and printed, the consumption of the recording paper can be reduced.
Preferably, in addition to the above-described configuration, a barcode width determination unit that determines whether or not the barcode width is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified value width;
A barcode width setting unit that reduces the width of the barcode and sets the width to the specified value when the width of the barcode is determined to be equal to or greater than the specified value;
And a barcode having the set height and / or width is printed on the recording paper.
As a result, it is possible to automatically reduce the height and / or width of the barcode, so that the consumption of the recording paper can be reduced, and printing on a narrow recording paper can be realized. You will also be able to. In addition, since an empty space can be secured around the barcode by reducing the barcode, various information can be printed in the empty space.
Preferably, in addition to the above configuration, a paper feed counter for counting a paper feed amount;
A count value determination unit that determines whether or not the count value of the paper feed counter is within a predetermined paper feed regulation amount when printing the barcode;
The bar code having the set height and / or width is printed on the recording paper when the count value of the paper feed counter exceeds the prescribed paper feed amount.
As a result, when the barcode is printed, if the count value of the paper feed counter exceeds the specified paper feed amount, the barcode can be printed with a reduced height, so the paper feed count value is the specified paper feed amount. When a long receipt is issued as a recording sheet that exceeds the above (the number of printed lines is large), the length of the receipt can be shortened.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A method of controlling a printing apparatus that prints on recording paper according to print data received from a host computer,
When printing a barcode included in the print data, checking whether the height of the barcode is equal to or higher than a predetermined specified value; and
When the barcode printing height is equal to or higher than the prescribed value, the barcode printing height is reduced and set to the prescribed value height; and
And printing the barcode of the set height on the recording paper.
According to the above configuration, since the barcode height can be automatically reduced and printed, the consumption of the recording paper can be reduced.
A step of determining whether the width of the barcode is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified width;
When it is determined that the width of the barcode is equal to or greater than the width of the specified value, reducing the width of the barcode and setting the width to the specified value;
And printing a barcode having the set height and / or width on the recording paper.
As a result, it is possible to automatically reduce the height and / or width of the barcode, so that the consumption of the recording paper can be reduced, and printing on a narrow recording paper can be realized. You will also be able to. In addition, since an empty space can be secured around the barcode by reducing the barcode, various information can be printed in the empty space.
In order to achieve the above object, a control method of a printing apparatus according to the present invention is a control method of a printing apparatus that prints on a recording sheet according to print data received from a host computer,
If the print data includes a barcode, checking the count value of the paper feed counter to check whether the count value is within a predetermined paper feed regulation amount; and
When the paper feed count value exceeds the paper feed prescribed amount, determining whether the height of the barcode is equal to or higher than a predetermined prescribed value;
If it is determined that the height of the barcode is equal to or higher than the height of the specified value, the step of setting the height of the barcode contracted to the height of the specified value;
The barcode having the set height is printed on the recording paper.
Since the bar code height is automatically reduced and printed by the above control method, the consumption of the recording paper can be reduced.
Preferably, in addition to the above control method, the step of determining whether or not the width of the barcode is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified value width;
If it is determined that the width of the barcode is equal to or greater than the width of the specified value, the step of setting the width of the barcode contracted to the width of the specified value;
And printing a barcode having the set height and / or width on the recording paper.
As a result, the barcode height and / or width is automatically reduced and printed, so that the consumption of recording paper can be reduced and printing on narrow recording paper can be realized. You will also be able to. In addition, since an empty space can be secured around the barcode by reducing the barcode, various information can be printed in the empty space.
A printing apparatus control program according to the present invention causes a control unit such as a CPU mounted on the printing apparatus to execute each step of the printing apparatus control method.
By causing the CPU installed in the printing apparatus to execute the control program for the printing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the recording paper, and it is also possible to realize printing on a narrow recording paper.

  Preferred embodiments of a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus control method, and a printing apparatus control program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is, for example, a printing apparatus 10 of a POS system 1 and is connected to a host computer 20 that is a host terminal of the POS system 1.

  The connection between the host computer 20 and the printing apparatus 10 may be a connection via a wired or wireless network such as a LAN, or may be a one-to-one direct connection. The host computer 20 includes an OS (Operating System) 21, a POS application 22 that operates on the OS 21, a printer driver 23, and the like, and print data is created by the POS application 22. The printer driver 23 converts the print data into a command or image and transmits it to the printing apparatus 10.

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus 10 has a function of receiving print data transmitted from the host computer 20 and printing it on continuous paper (recording paper) such as roll paper and automatically reducing and printing barcode data. Have. The printing apparatus 10 includes a paper feed counter 11, a count value determination unit 12, a barcode height determination unit 13, a barcode height setting unit 14, a barcode width determination unit 15, and a barcode width setting. 16, a printing unit 17, a paper feeding unit 18, a CPU 19, a paper feeding prescribed amount storage unit 19 </ b> B, and a prescribed value storage unit 19 </ b> C.

  The paper feed counter 11 functions to count the paper feed amount as the paper feed unit 18 feeds paper.

  The count value determination unit 12 functions to determine whether or not the count value of the paper feed counter is within the prescribed paper feed amount stored in the prescribed paper feed amount storage unit 19B when a barcode printing request is made. To do.

  The barcode height determination unit 13 functions to determine whether or not the barcode height is equal to or higher than the specified value stored in the specified value storage unit 19C.

  When it is determined that the barcode printing height is equal to or higher than the specified value, the barcode height setting unit 14 reduces the barcode printing height and stores the reduced barcode printing height in the specified value storage unit 19C. It functions to set the height of the specified value.

  The barcode width determination unit 15 functions to determine whether or not the barcode width is equal to or greater than the specified value width stored in the specified value storage unit 19C.

  When it is determined that the barcode width is equal to or greater than the width of the specified value stored in the specified value storage unit 19C, the barcode width setting unit 16 reduces the barcode width and sets it to the specified value width. To function.

  The printing unit 17 executes printing of print data requested for printing. The printing unit 17 includes, for example, a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, and performs printing in batches in units of lines.

  The paper feeding unit 18 feeds continuous paper (roll paper or the like) in cooperation with the printing timing of the printing unit 17. As the continuous paper, for example, a roll paper having a width of 5.8 mm and a length of 72 m is used.

  The CPU 19A functions to control each unit of the printing apparatus 10. The prescribed paper feed amount storage unit 19B is configured by a RAM, a ROM, or the like, and stores a prescribed paper feed amount of a count value that serves as a reference for determining whether or not to reduce the barcode. The specified value storage unit 19C is configured by a RAM, a ROM, or the like, and stores specified values of the height and width of the barcode.

  Next, the procedure of the control method of the printing apparatus 10 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  When the power is turned on and the printing apparatus 10 is in an operating state, the printer driver 23 in the host computer 20 displays the store logo, purchase date and time, and settlement information (purchased product name, quantity, etc.) created by the POS system application 22. The product price, subtotal, etc.) and other character and image print data such as additional information, control commands for controlling the printing apparatus 10, barcode data, etc. are transmitted to the printing apparatus 10.

  In FIG. 2, when a print request is made by a control command from the host computer 20 (step S1: Yes), the printing apparatus 10 checks conditions for initializing the paper feed counter 11 (step S2). This initialization condition satisfies any of operations other than printing, such as cutting a receipt, printing a specific content such as logo printing, or when a certain period of time has passed (such as shifting to a power saving mode). Is the case.

  If the initialization condition is satisfied in step S1 (step S2: Yes), the paper feed counter 11 is initialized (step S3), and it is determined whether or not the print target by the print request is a barcode (step S3). S4). On the other hand, if the initialization condition is not satisfied (step S2: No), step S4 is executed without initializing the paper feed counter 11.

  In step S4, when the print target is other than the barcode (step S4: No), the print target is printed and the roll paper is fed (step S5). Along with this paper feed, the count value of the paper feed counter 11 is counted up.

  In step S4, if the object to be printed is a barcode (step S4: Yes), the count value of the paper feed counter 11 is checked, and the count value is stored in the specified paper feed amount storage unit 19B. It is checked whether it is within the prescribed amount (step S6).

  As a result of this check, if the paper feed count value is within the paper feed prescribed amount (step S6: Yes), the barcode to be printed is printed in the same size (step S7), and the paper feed unit 18 feeds the paper. I do. Along with this paper feed, the count value of the paper feed counter 11 is counted up.

  The prescribed paper feed amount is set in advance in the paper feed prescribed amount storage unit 19B as an initial value in the printing apparatus 10, and the user arbitrarily rewrites the paper feed prescribed amount in the paper feed prescribed amount storage unit 19B. You may do it.

  On the other hand, when the paper feed count value exceeds the paper feed prescribed amount (step S6: No), the size of the barcode to be printed is reduced and printed (step S8), and the paper feed unit 18 prints the roll paper. Feed the paper. Along with this paper feed, the count value of the paper feed counter 11 is counted up.

  After printing (steps S5, S7, S8), the process returns to step S1.

  With the above procedure, when issuing a long receipt that causes the paper feed count value to exceed the paper feed prescribed amount (the number of printed lines is large), the barcode size can be reduced and printed. Can be shortened.

Next, the detailed procedure for reducing the barcode size in each step S8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for reducing the barcode size.
In FIG. 3, the barcode height determination unit 13 determines whether or not the height of the barcode requested to be printed is equal to or greater than a specified value of the barcode height stored in the specified value storage unit 19C (step S11). ).

  When it is determined that the barcode height is equal to or higher than the specified value (step S11: Yes), the barcode height setting unit 14 contracts the barcode to the specified height, and sets the height of the barcode to be printed. The specified value is set (step S12).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the barcode is less than the specified value (step S11: Yes), the height of the barcode requested for printing is maintained without shrinking the height. Set (step S13).

  After the execution of step S12 or step S13, the barcode width determination unit 15 subsequently determines whether or not the barcode width is equal to or greater than the specified value of the barcode width stored in the specified value storage unit 19C (step S14). ).

  When it is determined that the barcode width is equal to or greater than the specified value (step S14: Yes), the barcode width setting unit 16 contracts the barcode width to the specified value width and defines the barcode width to be printed. A value is set (step S15).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the barcode width is less than the specified value, the width of the barcode requested for printing is maintained without shrinking the width (step S16).

  After the execution of step S15 or step S16, the barcode having the set height and width is printed (step S17), and the paper feeding unit 18 feeds the roll paper. Along with this paper feed, the count value of the paper feed counter 11 is counted up.

  In addition to the preset values of the barcode height and the barcode width, the values arbitrarily set and changed by the user can be used in addition to those set in advance in the printing apparatus 10 as initial values.

  An example of a receipt that is printed on continuous paper according to the procedure of the control method of the printing apparatus 10 in the above-described embodiment, and that is issued by appropriately cutting the continuous paper will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an example of a conventional receipt on which a barcode is printed, and FIG. 4B is an example of a receipt according to the present embodiment on which a reduced barcode is printed.

  In addition to the store logo 31, purchase date and time 32, and payment information 33 (purchased product name, quantity, product price, subtotal, etc.), the receipt of the roll paper 30a (continuous paper) shown in FIG. A bar code 34 including information such as information and various additional information is printed below the settlement information 33 (paper feeding direction).

  Here, it is assumed that the width D2 of the roll paper 30b shown in FIG. 4B is narrower than the width D1 of the roll paper 30a shown in FIG. Similarly, the receipt of the narrow roll paper 30b includes payment information and various additional information in addition to the store logo 31, purchase date and time 32, and payment information 33 (purchased product name, quantity, product price, subtotal, etc.). The reduced bar code 35 including the information is printed below the settlement information 33 (paper feeding direction).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, on the roll paper 30a, a barcode 34 having a large size in the height (paper feeding direction) and width (direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction) was printed. As shown in FIG. 4B, for example, when there are many lines for printing the settlement information 33 and the paper feed count value exceeds the paper feed regulation amount, the barcode 35 with a reduced print size is printed.

  When the roll paper to be used is narrow like the roll paper 30b, there is a possibility that the barcode 34 having a large size cannot be printed. The barcode having the same information can be printed on the narrow roll paper 30b.

Also, the height B (paper feed direction) of the print area of the barcode 35 reduced to the specified width in the roll paper 30b with respect to the height A (paper feed direction) of the print area of the barcode 34 on the roll paper 30a. Therefore, the reduction amount (length) of roll paper is C per receipt.
In addition, since an empty space can be secured around the barcode 35, various information can be printed in this empty space.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the printing procedure of the barcode in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the barcode size adjustment step in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reduction effect of the receipt usage-amount by embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing apparatus, 11 ... Paper feed counter, 12 ... Count value judgment part, 13 ... Bar code height judgment part, 14 ... Bar code height setting part, 15 ... Printing part, 16 ... Paper feed part, 17 barcode Width determining unit, 18 ... Barcode width setting unit, 19A ... CPU, 19B ... Paper feed prescribed amount storage unit, 19C ... Prescribed value storage unit, 20 ... Host computer, 21 ... OS, 22 ... POS application, 23 ... Printer driver , 30a, 30b ... roll paper (continuous paper (recording paper)), 31 ... store logo, 32 ... date of purchase, 33 ... payment information, 34 ... bar code, 35 ... (reduced) bar code

Claims (8)

A printing apparatus that prints on recording paper according to print data received from a host computer,
A barcode height determination unit that determines whether the height of the barcode is equal to or higher than a predetermined specified height when printing the barcode included in the print data;
A barcode height setting unit that reduces the barcode printing height and sets the barcode printing height to the prescribed value height when it is determined that the barcode printing height is equal to or higher than the prescribed value height When,
And printing a barcode having the set height on the recording paper. Furthermore, a barcode width determination unit that determines whether or not the width of the barcode is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified value width;
A barcode width setting unit that reduces the width of the barcode and sets the width to the specified value when the width of the barcode is determined to be equal to or greater than the specified value;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: printing a barcode having the set height and / or width on the recording paper. Furthermore, a paper feed counter for counting the paper feed amount,
A count value determination unit that determines whether or not the count value of the paper feed counter is within a predetermined paper feed regulation amount when printing the barcode;
The bar code having the set height and / or width is printed on the recording paper when the count value of the paper feed counter exceeds the prescribed paper feed amount. The printing apparatus according to 2. A method of controlling a printing apparatus that prints on recording paper according to print data received from a host computer,
When printing a barcode included in the print data, checking whether the height of the barcode is equal to or higher than a predetermined specified value; and
When the barcode printing height is equal to or higher than the prescribed value, the barcode printing height is reduced and set to the prescribed value height; and
And printing the barcode with the set height on the recording paper. A step of determining whether the width of the barcode is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified width;
When it is determined that the width of the barcode is equal to or greater than the width of the specified value, reducing the width of the barcode and setting the width to the specified value;
The printing apparatus control method according to claim 4, further comprising: printing a barcode having the set height and / or width on the recording paper. A method of controlling a printing apparatus that prints on recording paper according to print data received from a host computer,
If the print data includes a barcode, checking the count value of the paper feed counter to check whether the count value is within a predetermined paper feed regulation amount; and
When the paper feed count value exceeds the paper feed prescribed amount, determining whether the height of the barcode is equal to or higher than a predetermined prescribed value;
If it is determined that the height of the barcode is equal to or higher than a predetermined specified value, the height of the barcode is set to be contracted to the specified value;
And printing the bar code having the set height on the recording paper. A step of determining whether the width of the barcode is equal to or greater than a predetermined specified width;
If it is determined that the width of the barcode is equal to or greater than the width of the specified value, the step of setting the width of the barcode contracted to the width of the specified value;
The printing apparatus control method according to claim 6, wherein the barcode having the set height and / or width is printed on the recording paper.   A printing apparatus control program causing a control unit mounted on the printing apparatus to execute each step of the printing apparatus control method according to claim 4.

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