JP2011026073A - Control device, recording device control method, recording device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adequately calculate the remaining number of receipts to be issued by a recording device which uses rolled paper for issuing the receipts. <P>SOLUTION: A host computer 5 calculates a prediction value for the length of the receipts to be issued by a receipt issuing printer 1 in accordance with the length of the receipts issued in the past, and calculates the remaining number of the receipts to be issued in accordance with the calculated prediction value and the remaining amount of the rolled paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control apparatus that controls a recording apparatus that issues a receipt using roll paper, a control method for the recording apparatus, a recording apparatus, and a program for controlling the recording apparatus.

  Conventionally, printers that issue receipts using roll paper are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of printer, when the remaining amount of roll paper is low, the roll paper is replaced.

JP 2000-166652 A

In printers that require roll paper replacement, such as the printer described above, there is a need to calculate the remaining number of printable receipts so that an operator can grasp the timing of roll paper replacement. In particular, there is a need to appropriately calculate the remaining number of issueable receipts in consideration of the specific situation that the length of a receipt to be issued is not necessarily constant.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to appropriately calculate the remaining number of issueable receipts in a recording apparatus that issues receipts using roll paper.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a control device for controlling a recording device that issues a receipt using roll paper, and is issued by the recording device based on the length of a receipt issued in the past. Calculate the estimated number of receipts to be issued, and calculate the remaining number of sheets that can be issued based on the calculated prediction value and the remaining amount of roll paper acquired by the roll paper remaining amount acquisition unit It comprises a part.
According to this configuration, the control device calculates a predicted value of the receipt length based on the receipt length issued in the past, and issues the remaining receipt based on the predicted value and the remaining amount of roll paper. Calculate the possible number. In this way, the length of the receipt issued in the past by the recording apparatus is reflected by calculating the remaining possible number of issued receipts using the predicted value calculated based on the length of the receipt issued in the past. Appropriate number of remaining receipts that can be issued can be calculated.

Here, in the control device of the above invention, the issuable number calculation unit is configured to calculate an average length of receipts issued in the past, a length of a receipt issued most recently among receipts issued in the past, and a past The predicted value may be calculated by a calculation method using any one of the longest receipts issued.
Thus, any one of the average value of the lengths of receipts issued in the past, the length of the most recently issued receipts, and the length of the longest receipt among the receipts issued in the past. If the predicted value is calculated by a calculation method using the method, the predicted value can be calculated after appropriately reflecting the length of the receipt issued by the recording apparatus in the past. By calculating the remaining number of issuable sheets, it is possible to calculate an appropriate remaining number of sheets that can be issued on receipts reflecting the length of receipts issued by the recording apparatus in the past.

In the control device according to the invention, the issuable number calculating unit may switch the calculation method of the predicted value according to a variation in the length of receipts issued in the past.
Here, depending on the nature of the receipt issued by the recording device, that is, depending on what type of payment the recording device issues continuously, the length of the issued receipt varies widely and small There is a case.
Based on this, according to the above configuration, since the calculation method is switched according to the variation in the length of receipts issued in the past, it is possible to calculate an appropriate predicted value corresponding to the variation in the length of the receipt, By calculating the remaining possible issue number of receipts using this predicted value, it is possible to calculate the appropriate remaining issueable number of receipts reflecting the length of receipts issued in the past by the recording apparatus.

The control device according to the invention further includes a status information storage unit that stores the length of the receipt issued by the recording device and the status information indicating the status when the receipt is issued, in association with each other. The possible number calculating unit calculates a predicted value of the length of a receipt issued by the recording device based on the length of a receipt stored in association with the situation information indicating a situation similar to the current situation. It may be.
According to this configuration, among the receipts issued in the past by the recording apparatus, the predicted value is calculated based on the length of the receipt issued under the same situation as the current situation. A more appropriate predicted value can be calculated, and by using this predicted value to calculate the remaining number of issued receipts, the remaining number of appropriate receipts reflecting the length of receipts issued in the past by the recording device can be calculated. The number of sheets that can be issued can be calculated.

In the control device of the above invention, the status information may include at least one of information related to time, information related to a time zone, information related to a day of the week, and information related to a season.
According to this configuration, the predicted value can be calculated based on the time zone including the current time, the day of the week similar to the current day of the week, and the length of past receipts issued in the same season as the current season. More appropriately, the budget value can be calculated, and by using this predicted value to calculate the remaining possible number of receipts to be issued, an appropriate receipt that reflects the length of receipts issued in the past by the recording device can be calculated. The remaining issueable number can be calculated.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention controls a recording apparatus that issues a receipt using roll paper, and the receipt issued by the recording apparatus based on the length of a receipt issued in the past. A predicted value of the length of the paper is calculated, and the remaining issueable number of receipts is calculated based on the calculated predicted value and the remaining amount of roll paper.
According to this control method, a predicted value of a receipt length is calculated based on the length of a receipt issued in the past, and the remaining number of sheets that can be issued is calculated based on the predicted value and the remaining amount of roll paper. calculate. In this way, the length of the receipt issued in the past by the recording apparatus is reflected by calculating the remaining possible number of issued receipts using the predicted value calculated based on the length of the receipt issued in the past. Appropriate number of remaining receipts that can be issued can be calculated.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a recording apparatus that issues a receipt using roll paper, and predicts the length of a receipt to be issued based on the length of a receipt issued in the past. A printable sheet number calculating section that calculates a value and calculates the remaining printable number of receipts based on the calculated predicted value and the roll paper remaining amount acquired by the roll paper remaining amount acquiring section. To do.
According to this configuration, it is possible to calculate an appropriate remaining issueable number of receipts reflecting the length of receipts issued by the recording apparatus in the past on the recording apparatus side.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a program executed by a control unit that controls a recording device that issues a receipt using roll paper, and the control unit is configured to store a receipt issued in the past. An issuance that calculates a predicted value of the length of a receipt issued by the recording device based on the length, and calculates the remaining number of sheets that can be issued based on the calculated predicted value and the remaining amount of roll paper It is made to function as a possible number calculation part.
By executing this program by the control unit, a predicted value of the receipt length is calculated based on the receipt length issued in the past, and the remaining receipt is calculated based on the predicted value and the remaining amount of roll paper. Calculate the number of sheets that can be issued. In this way, the length of the receipt issued in the past by the recording apparatus is reflected by calculating the remaining possible number of issued receipts using the predicted value calculated based on the length of the receipt issued in the past. Appropriate number of remaining receipts that can be issued can be calculated.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately calculate the remaining number of sheets that can be issued for a recording apparatus that issues a receipt using roll paper.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a receipt issuing printer. Functional block diagram of a receipt issuing printer and a host computer. It is a functional block diagram of an issuable number calculation part. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of a past receipt length table. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a predicted value calculation part. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a host computer. The figure which shows typically the structure of the past receipt length table in another embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a receipt issuing printer 1 (recording apparatus) according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
A printer 1 for issuing a receipt according to the present embodiment is a printer that issues a receipt by using roll paper 2 wound in a roll shape, and ejects ink from a recording head 3 (FIG. 2) to roll paper 2. It is an ink jet printer that records images such as letters, figures, and patterns. The receipt issuing printer 1 is connected to a host computer 5 (FIG. 2), and records an image on the roll paper 2 on the basis of control data input from the host computer 5 and also transfers the roll paper 2 to a predetermined value. Cut at the position and issue a receipt.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receipt issuing printer 1 includes a main body case 10. The main body case 10 is provided on a front surface of the case cover 11 and the case cover 11. And a front panel 12 constituting the front surface.
The front panel 12 is provided with a roll paper storage unit cover 13 that can be opened and closed. A roll paper storage unit 14 that stores the roll paper 2 is formed inside the roll paper storage unit cover 13. When the roll paper 2 is replaced, the roll paper storage section cover 13 is opened (the state shown in FIG. 1), and the roll paper storage section 14 is exposed and then replaced. The roll paper storage unit cover 13 is formed with a paper discharge port 15 for discharging the roll paper 2 when the roll paper storage unit cover 13 is closed, and the receipt is discharged from the paper discharge port 15. Is done.
The front panel 12 is provided with a cartridge mounting portion cover 16 that can be freely opened and closed. A cartridge mounting portion 17 is formed inside the cartridge mounting portion cover 16, and the cartridge mounting portion 17 has an ink cartridge. A cartridge 18 is mounted. The ink cartridge 18 accommodates four ink packs that respectively store four color liquid inks of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow used in the receipt issuing printer 1. When replacing the ink cartridge 18, the cartridge mounting portion cover 16 is opened (the state shown in FIG. 1), and the cartridge mounting portion 17 is exposed and then replaced.
Further, on the side portion of the front panel 12, a power button 20 for turning on / off the power of the receipt issuing printer 1, a status display unit 21 including a plurality of LEDs that emit light according to the operating state of the receipt issuing printer 1, An operation button 22 including a manual feed button for feeding the roll paper 2 is provided.
In addition, the receipt issuing printer 1 discharges ink onto the roll paper 2 by the operation of the actuator, and a recording head 3 for recording an image, and a carriage 25 on which the recording head 3 is mounted and scans the recording head 3 (see FIG. 2) Necessary for issuing receipts such as a transport roller 26 (FIG. 2) for transporting the roll paper 2 and a cutter device 27 (FIG. 2) for cutting the roll paper 2 to create a receipt of a predetermined length. It has various components.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the receipt issuing printer 1 and the host computer 5 that controls the receipt issuing printer 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the receipt issuing printer 1 includes a printer-side control unit 30 (control unit), a recording head drive unit 31, a carriage drive unit 32, a roll paper transport unit 33, and a cutter device drive unit 34. And an input unit 35, an LED drive unit 36, and an interface unit 38.
The printer-side control unit 30 centrally controls each unit of the receipt issuing printer 1, and includes a CPU as a calculation execution unit, a basic control program executed by the CPU, and data related to the basic control program. Are stored in a nonvolatile manner, a program executed by the CPU, a RAM that temporarily stores data related to the program, and other peripheral circuits.

The recording head drive unit 31 operates the actuator of the recording head 3 under the control of the printer-side control unit 30 to eject a predetermined amount of ink from the recording head 3.
The carriage drive unit 32 includes a carriage drive motor, and outputs a drive current and a drive pulse to the carriage drive motor under the control of the printer-side control unit 30 to rotate the carriage drive motor. The carriage 25 scans according to the rotation of the carriage drive motor.
The roll paper transport unit 33 includes a roll paper transport motor, outputs a drive current and a drive pulse to the roll paper transport motor under the control of the printer-side control unit 30, and moves the roll paper transport motor in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount. Just rotate. In accordance with the rotation of the roll paper transport motor, the transport roller 26 rotates and the roll paper 2 is transported.
The cutter device drive unit 34 drives the movable blade of the cutter mechanism included in the cutter device 27 under the control of the printer-side control unit 30, cuts the roll paper 2, and creates a receipt having a predetermined length.
The input unit 35 is connected to the power button 20 and the operation button 22, detects the operation of these buttons by the user, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the detected operation to the printer-side control unit 30.
The LED drive unit 36 outputs a drive signal to each LED included in the status display unit 21 under the control of the printer-side control unit 30, and performs light emission control of each LED.
The interface unit 38 is connected to the host computer 5 via a signal transmission cable or the like, and transmits / receives various signals to / from the host computer 5 under the control of the printer-side control unit 30.

On the other hand, the host computer 5 includes a host-side control unit 40, a display unit 41, an input unit 42, a storage unit 43, and an interface unit 44.
The host-side control unit 40 centrally controls each unit of the host computer 5 and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, other peripheral circuits, and the like, similar to the printer-side control unit 30. The host-side control unit 40 includes an issuable number calculating unit 45, which will be described later.
The display unit 41 is connected to a display such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and displays various images on the liquid crystal display under the control of the host side control unit 40. Information (described later) indicating the remaining number of sheets that can be issued is displayed on the display unit 41.
The input unit 42 is connected to an input device such as a keyboard, detects an operation of the input device by the user, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the detected operation to the host-side control unit 40.
The storage unit 43 is a storage device such as an EEPROM that stores various data in a rewritable manner. The storage unit 43 stores a past receipt length table 46. The past receipt length table 46 will be described later.
The interface unit 44 is connected to the receipt issuing printer 1 via a signal wire cable or the like, and transmits / receives various signals to / from the receipt issuing printer 1 under the control of the host-side control unit 40.

  The host computer 5 stores a printer control program (program) such as a printer driver for controlling the receipt issuing printer 1. The host-side control unit 40 of the host computer 5 reads out and executes the printer control program, generates control data, outputs the control data to the receipt issuing printer 1, and controls the receipt issuing printer 1. To do. That is, the host computer 5 functions as a control device that controls the receipt issuing printer 1 based on the printer control program.

Next, the issueable number calculation unit 45 provided in the host-side control unit 40 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the function of the issuable number calculator 45.
The function of the issuable number calculating unit 45 is realized by cooperation of software and hardware, such as a CPU provided in the host-side control unit 40 executing a program stored in the ROM.
The issuable sheet number calculation unit 45 calculates the remaining issuable sheet number of receipts, and includes a roll paper remaining amount acquisition unit 50, a predicted value acquisition unit 51, and an issuable sheet number acquisition unit 52. The remaining number of receipts that can be issued is the number of receipts that are expected to be issued after the current time by the receipt issuing printer 1 without replacing the roll paper 2.

The roll paper remaining amount acquisition unit 50 acquires the remaining amount of the roll paper 2. The remaining amount of the roll paper 2 is the remaining length of the roll paper 2 at the present time. Here, a specific operation of the remaining roll paper amount acquisition unit 50 will be described with an example.
For example, when the roll paper 2 is replaced, the roll paper remaining amount acquisition unit 50 acquires the total length of the roll paper 2 after replacement, and sets the length of the issued receipt every time a receipt is issued. get. Then, the remaining amount of roll paper acquisition unit 50 sets the value obtained by subtracting the total length of the issued receipts from the total length of the roll paper 2 as the remaining amount of the roll paper 2.
Further, for example, a mechanism capable of acquiring the current diameter of the roll paper 2 is provided in the receipt issuing printer 1. The mechanism includes, for example, a light emitting unit such as an LED that emits light toward the roll paper 2 from a side surface of the roll paper 2 and a light receiving unit such as a phototransistor that receives light reflected from the roll paper 2. A mechanism is provided for detecting the diameter of the roll paper 2 based on the detection value of the light receiving unit. Based on the diameter acquired by the mechanism, the roll paper remaining amount acquisition unit 50 calculates the remaining amount of the roll paper 2.
Other existing methods can be used as a method for acquiring the remaining amount of the roll paper 2.

The predicted value acquisition unit 51 acquires a predicted value of the receipt length. The predicted value of the receipt length is a value predicted as the length of a receipt issued after the current time. In the present embodiment, the predicted value acquisition unit 51 acquires a predicted value according to the current status of the receipt issuing printer 1 based on the length of a receipt issued in the past by the method described below.
As shown in FIG. 3, the predicted value acquisition unit 51 includes a current time acquisition unit 53, a receipt length acquisition unit 54, a table generation unit 55, and a predicted value calculation unit 56.
The current time acquisition unit 53 acquires the current time.
The receipt length acquisition unit 54 acquires the length of the receipt every time a receipt is issued by the receipt issuing printer 1. For example, the receipt length acquisition unit 54 acquires the length of a receipt to be issued based on data relating to printing processing included in control data output from the host computer 5 to the receipt issuing printer 1.
The table generation unit 55 stores each time a receipt is issued by the receipt issuing printer 1 based on the current time acquired by the current time acquisition unit 53 and the length of the receipt acquired by the receipt length acquisition unit 54. One record of the past receipt length table 46 stored in the section 43 is generated. Here, the past receipt length table 46 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the past receipt length table 46.
The past receipt length table 46 is a table for storing the receipt length and the time zone when the receipt was issued for each of the receipts issued in the past from a certain roll paper 2, As shown in FIG. 4, a serial number field 46a, a receipt length field 46b, and a time zone field 46c are provided.
The serial number field 46a is a serial number of issued receipts, that is, a number that is incremented by 1 each time a receipt is issued, with the first issued receipt as the number “1” for a certain roll paper 2. Is a field in which serial number data is stored.
The receipt length field 46b is a field in which receipt length data indicating the length of the issued receipt is stored.
The time zone field 46c is a field in which time zone data (situation information) indicating a time zone when a receipt is issued is stored. In the following description, the time is expressed by a 24-hour display. In this embodiment, the time zone is 00: 00-01: 59, 2: 00-3: 59. It is assumed that it is set every 2 hours starting from 00.

As described above, the table generation unit 55 issues a receipt by the receipt issuing printer 1 based on the current time acquired by the current time acquisition unit 53 and the length of the receipt acquired by the receipt length acquisition unit 54. Each time a record for one record in the past receipt length table 46 is generated. More specifically, when a receipt is issued, serial number data for the receipt is generated and stored in the serial number field 46a. The receipt length acquisition unit 54 acquires the length of the receipt and indicates the length. Receipt length data is generated and stored in the receipt length field 46b, based on the current time acquired by the current time acquisition unit 53, a time zone including the current time is acquired, and a time zone indicating the acquired time zone Data is generated and stored in the time zone field 46c.
In this way, each record of the past receipt length table 46 is generated by the table generation unit 55.
In the present embodiment, the table generation unit 55 stores the length of the receipt issued by the receipt issuing printer 1 and the time zone data (situation information) indicating the time zone when the receipt is issued in association with each other. It functions as a status information storage unit.

The predicted value calculation unit 56 refers to the past receipt length table 46 and calculates a predicted value. Here, the operation of the predicted value calculation unit 56 will be described using a flowchart.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the predicted value calculation unit 56.
First, the predicted value calculation unit 56 determines whether or not there is a large variation in the length of receipts issued in the past based on the contents of the receipt length field 46b of the past receipt length table 46 (step SA1). For example, the predicted value calculation unit 56 acquires all the receipt length data stored in the receipt length field 46b, calculates the standard deviation for all receipts issued in the past from the acquired receipt length data, and calculates If the standard deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the variation is large, and if the standard deviation is less than the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the variation is small.
Further, for example, the predicted value calculation unit 56 uses the receipt length data indicating the minimum receipt length and the receipt length data indicating the maximum receipt length among the receipt length data stored in the receipt length field 46b. When the absolute value of the difference in receipt length indicated by these receipt length data exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the variation is large, and when the absolute value is below the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the variation is small. To do.

Here, the receipt issued by the receipt issuing printer 1 depends on the nature of the issued receipt, in other words, depending on what type of payment the receipt issuing printer 1 continuously issues a receipt. The variation may be large or small. For example, when the receipt issuing printer 1 is installed in a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store and issues a receipt relating to payment of a customer who visits the store, the number of products purchased and the payment amount differ depending on the customer. The length of the receipt is different for each customer, and the variation in the length of the issued receipt becomes large. On the other hand, when the receipt issuing printer 1 is installed in a store such as a gas station or a movie ticket purchase window and issues a receipt relating to gasoline or ticket payment, the length of the issued receipt varies greatly depending on the customer. Without this, the variation in the length of the issued receipt is small.
Based on this, in the present embodiment, the large variation in the length of the receipt means that the length of the receipt varies irregularly for each receipt due to the nature of the issued receipt. A small variation in the value means a state in which the length hardly changes depending on the receipt due to the nature of the issued receipt. Therefore, when the predicted value calculation unit 56 determines whether or not the variation is large by using a predetermined threshold, the length of the predetermined threshold varies irregularly for each receipt due to the nature of the issued receipt. The value is determined so as to distinguish between the state and the state in which the length hardly changes depending on the receipt.

In step SA1, when the variation in the lengths of receipts issued in the past is small (step SA1: NO), the predicted value calculation unit 56 refers to the past receipt length table 46 (step SA2) and has been issued most recently. A record related to the receipt is acquired (step SA3). Next, the predicted value calculation unit 56 acquires the receipt length indicated by the receipt length data stored in the receipt length field 46b of the record acquired in step SA3 as a predicted value (step SA4).
Thus, in this embodiment, when the variation of the receipts issued in the past is small, the predicted value calculation unit 56 uses the length of the most recently issued receipt as the predicted value among the receipts issued in the past. To do. This is because when the variation in receipts is small, that is, when the length of each receipt hardly changes due to the nature of the issued receipt, the length of the receipt issued after the current time is approximately the length of the most recent receipt. This is because the predicted values can be made to be highly reliable values by predicting that they are the same and using the length of the most recent receipt as the predicted value.

On the other hand, if there is a large variation in the length of receipts issued in the past in step SA1 (step SA1: YES), the predicted value calculation unit 56 acquires the current time by the current time acquisition unit 53 (step SA5). . Next, the predicted value calculation unit 56 refers to the time zone field 46c of the past receipt length table 46 (step SA6), and the time zone data indicating the time zone including the current time acquired in step SA5 is included in the record. The record stored in the time zone field 46c is acquired (step SA7). Next, the predicted value calculation unit 56 calculates the average value of the receipt length indicated by the receipt length data stored in the receipt length field 46b of each record acquired in step SA7, and uses the calculated average value as the predicted value. (Step SA8).
As described above, in this embodiment, when the variation in the length of the receipt is large, the predicted value calculation unit 56 determines the length of the receipt issued in the time zone including the current time among the receipts issued in the past. The average value is used as the predicted value for the following reason.
That is, when the variation of receipts is large, in other words, due to the nature of the issued receipt, when the length of the receipt changes irregularly, the average value of the receipts issued in the past is used as the predicted value, This is because the predicted value can be a highly reliable value reflecting the state of the length of receipts issued in the past.

Here, when the variation in the receipt length is large, there may be a certain tendency in the variation in the receipt length for each time zone. For example, in the case where the receipt issuing printer 1 is installed in a store that sells groceries, the time zone of 16:00:00 to 17:59 in which the ingredients for dinner are purchased is compared to other time zones. There is a case where the length of is apt to become long. Based on this, in this embodiment, when the variation in the receipt length is large, when calculating the predicted value, the average value of the receipt length issued in the time zone including the current time is used as the predicted value. . As a result, a more reliable predicted value reflecting the tendency of the length of the receipt according to the time zone is calculated.
In calculating the predicted value, the receipt value issued closer in time to the current time may be weighted so as to be reflected in the predicted value, and the predicted value may be calculated using a weighted average. . According to this, it is possible to calculate a predicted value with higher reliability.

The issuable number obtaining unit 52 calculates the remaining issuable number based on the remaining amount of the roll paper 2 obtained by the roll paper remaining amount obtaining unit 50 and the predicted value obtained by the predicted value obtaining unit 51. And get. That is, the value calculated by dividing the predicted value from the remaining amount of roll paper 2 is set as the remaining number of issuable sheets.
In this way, the issuable number calculating unit 45 calculates a predicted value based on the length of a receipt issued in the past, and based on the calculated predicted value and the remaining amount of the roll paper 2, Calculate the remaining number of cards that can be issued.

Next, the operation of the host computer 5 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host computer 5.
The host-side control unit 40 of the host computer 5 monitors whether a receipt has been issued (step SB1). When a receipt is issued (step SB1: YES), the issuable number calculation unit 45 of the host-side control unit 40 calculates the remaining issuable number of receipts by the method described above (step SB2). Next, the host-side control unit 40 causes the display unit 41 to display information indicating the remaining number that can be issued (step SB3). A cashier person, an operator, or the like can recognize the remaining number of receipts that can be issued by referring to the display unit 41 of the host computer 5, and can perform measures such as replacing the roll paper 2 based on this recognition. it can.
In particular, in the present embodiment, every time a receipt is issued, the remaining number of sheets that can be issued is calculated and displayed on the display unit 41 of the host computer 5. Therefore, the display unit 41 of the host computer 5 always displays the remaining number of receipts that can be issued, calculated after the most recent receipt is issued, so that the cashier or operator can issue the remaining receipts. The possible number can be recognized at any time.

As described above, the host computer 5 according to this embodiment controls the receipt issuing printer 1 that issues a receipt using the roll paper 2. Then, the host computer 5 calculates a predicted value of the receipt length based on the length of the receipt issued in the past by the receipt issuing printer 1, and calculates the calculated predicted value and the remaining amount of the roll paper 2. Based on this, an issuable sheet number calculating unit 45 that calculates the remaining issuable sheet number of receipts is provided.
According to this, the host computer 5 uses the predicted value, which is a value reflecting the length of the receipt issued in the past, to calculate the remaining possible number of issued receipts. Reflecting this situation, it is possible to appropriately calculate the remaining number of receipts that can be issued.

Further, in the present embodiment, the issuable number calculating unit 45 calculates the average value of the lengths of receipts issued in the past or the calculation method using the length of the most recently issued receipts among the receipts issued in the past. The predicted value is calculated.
By calculating the predicted value by such a calculation method, the predicted value can be calculated by reflecting the status of the length of the receipt issued in the past by the printer 1 for issuing the receipt, and the remaining receipt can be made using this predicted value. By calculating the number of issued sheets, it is possible to appropriately calculate the remaining number of sheets that can be issued, reflecting the status of the length of receipts issued in the past.

In the present embodiment, the predicted value calculation unit 56 of the issuable number calculation unit 45 switches the prediction value calculation method according to the variation in the length of receipts issued in the past.
According to this, it is possible to appropriately calculate the predicted value reflecting the variation in the length of the receipt, and by using this predicted value to calculate the remaining number of issuable receipts issued in the past Reflecting the status of the length of the receipt, the remaining issueable number of receipts can be calculated appropriately.

In this embodiment, the table generation unit 55 (situation information storage unit) obtains the length of the receipt issued by the receipt issuing printer 1 and the time zone data indicating the time zone when the receipt is issued. A past receipt length table 46 to be stored in association is generated. Then, the predicted value calculation unit 56 of the issuable number calculation unit 45 calculates the predicted value based on the length of the receipt stored in association with the time zone data indicating the time zone including the current time.
According to this, since the predicted value can be calculated based on the length of the receipt issued in the time zone including the current time among the receipts issued in the past by the receipt issuing printer 1, the prediction is more appropriately performed. A value can be calculated.

Next, another embodiment will be described.
In this other embodiment, a safety mode is provided as an operation mode, and while the safety mode is selected, the length of the longest receipt among the receipts issued in the past regardless of the variation in the receipts in the past. Is used as a predicted value, and the remaining issueable number of receipts is calculated based on the predicted value and the remaining amount of roll paper 2. The operation will be described more specifically. When the safety mode is selected, the predicted value calculation unit 56 refers to the receipt length field 46b of the past receipt length table 46 and is issued in the past when calculating the predicted value. The length of the receipt having the longest length is obtained, and the obtained length is set as the predicted value. Then, the issuable sheet number obtaining unit 52 calculates and obtains the remaining issuable sheet number of the receipt based on the predicted value and the remaining amount of the roll paper 2. In this case, the remaining issueable number of receipts is a value indicating how many receipts can be issued when a receipt having the same length as the longest receipt issued in the past is continuously issued.
According to this, when a cashier or operator or the like continues to issue a receipt having the same length as the longest receipt issued in the past by referring to the display unit 41 of the host computer 5, It is possible to quickly and easily recognize how many more receipts can be issued, and based on this recognition, before the roll paper 2 runs short, Necessary advance preparations can be made so that the roll paper 2 can be reliably replaced.

Still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the above-described embodiment, the receipt length issued in the past and the time zone data indicating the time zone are stored in association with each other. However, as shown in FIG. A day-of-week field 46d for storing day-of-week data indicating the day of the week is provided instead of the time zone field 46c, and the length of a receipt issued in the past and the day-of-week data indicating the day of the week when the receipt was issued are stored in association with each other. You may make it do. In this case, the current time acquisition unit 53 is configured to be able to acquire the current day of the week in addition to the current time. In step SA7 in FIG. 5, the predicted value calculation unit 56 acquires a record in which day-of-week data indicating the current day of the week is stored in the day-of-week field 46d. Further, in step SA8, the predicted value calculation unit 56 calculates the average value of the receipt length indicated by the receipt length data stored in the receipt length field 46b of each record acquired in step SA7, and calculates the calculated average value. A predicted value is set (step SA8).
According to this, when there is a certain tendency in the variation of the receipt length for each day of the week, for example, the receipt issuing printer 1 is provided in a store that sells leisure-related products, such as Friday or Saturday. On the weekend, when a receipt tends to be longer than other days of the week, it is possible to calculate a highly reliable predicted value reflecting the tendency.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, in the past receipt length table 46, a season field 46e for storing season data indicating the season is provided instead of the time zone field 46c, and the length of the receipt issued in the past is set. The seasonal data indicating the season when the receipt is issued may be stored in association with each other. In this case, the current time acquisition unit 53 is configured to be able to acquire the current season in addition to the current time. In step SA7 in FIG. 5, the predicted value calculation unit 56 acquires a record in which season data indicating the current season is stored in the season field 46e. Further, in step SA8, the predicted value calculation unit 56 calculates the average value of the receipt length indicated by the receipt length data stored in the receipt length field 46b of each record acquired in step SA7, and calculates the calculated average value. A predicted value is set (step SA8).
According to this, when there is a certain tendency in the variation in the length of receipts for each season, for example, the receipt issuing printer 1 is provided in a store that sells ski-related products. When the receipt tends to be long compared to the season, it is possible to calculate a highly reliable predicted value reflecting the tendency.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, in the past receipt length table 46, in addition to the time zone field 46c, a day of the week field 46d and a season field 46e are provided, and all of the current time zone, day of the week, and season are provided. After the reflection, the remaining issueable number of receipts may be calculated.

In addition, embodiment mentioned above shows the one aspect | mode of this invention to the last, and a deformation | transformation and application are arbitrarily possible within the scope of the present invention.
In the embodiment described above, the host computer 5 and the receipt issuing printer 1 are communicably connected, and the host computer 5 calculates the remaining number of receipts that can be issued. The issueable number of sheets may be calculated, and the receipt issuer printer 1 alone may calculate the remaining number of issueable receipts. In this case, the receipt issuing printer 1 itself functions as a control device for controlling itself. This eliminates the need for preparation of the host computer 5, installation of software on the host computer 5, connection between the host computer 5 and the receipt issuing printer 1, and the like. Convenience can be improved.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, every time a receipt is newly issued, the remaining number of receipts that can be issued is calculated and displayed on the display unit 41 of the host computer 5, but the remaining receipts can be issued from the host computer 5. When there is an instruction to calculate the number of sheets, the receipt issuing printer 1 calculates the remaining number of sheets that can be issued and sends it to the host computer 5, and the host computer 5 displays it on the display unit 41. Good.
In the embodiment described above, the receipt issuing printer 1 is an ink jet printer, but may be a thermal printer.
In the above-described embodiment, information indicating the remaining number of sheets that can be issued is displayed on the display unit 41 of the host computer 5. However, a display is provided in the receipt issuing printer 1, and the information is displayed on the display. It may be. If a customer display is connected, it may be displayed on the customer display.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Receipt issue printer (recording device), 2 ... Roll paper, 5 ... Host computer (control device), 30 ... Printer side control part (control part), 40 ... Host side control part (control part), 45 ... Issue Possible number calculation unit, 55... Table generation unit (status information storage unit).

Claims (8)

A control device for controlling a recording device that issues a receipt using roll paper,
Based on the length of receipts issued in the past, a predicted value of the length of receipt issued by the recording apparatus is calculated, and the calculated predicted value and the remaining amount of roll paper acquired by the roll paper remaining amount acquisition unit And a issuable sheet number calculating unit for calculating the remaining issuable sheet number based on the above.   The issuable sheet number calculating unit includes an average length of receipts issued in the past, a length of a receipt issued most recently among receipts issued in the past, and a length of the longest receipt among receipts issued in the past. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predicted value is calculated by a calculation method using any one of the above.   The control device according to claim 1, wherein the issuable number calculation unit switches the calculation method of the predicted value according to variations in the length of receipts issued in the past. A situation information storage unit that stores the length of the receipt issued by the recording apparatus and the situation information indicating the situation when the receipt is issued;
The issuable number calculating unit calculates a predicted value of the length of a receipt issued by the recording apparatus based on the length of a receipt stored in association with the situation information indicating a situation similar to the current situation. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is a control device.   The control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the status information includes at least one of information on a time zone, information on a day of the week, and information on a season. Control the recording device that issues receipts using roll paper,
Based on the length of receipts issued in the past, the predicted value of the length of receipts issued by the recording device is calculated, and the remaining issue of receipts is issued based on the calculated predicted value and the remaining amount of roll paper. A control method for a recording apparatus, wherein the possible number of sheets is calculated. A recording device that issues a receipt using roll paper,
Based on the length of receipts issued in the past, a predicted value of the length of the issued receipt is calculated. Based on the calculated predicted value and the remaining amount of roll paper acquired by the roll paper remaining amount acquisition unit A recording apparatus comprising: an issueable sheet number calculating unit for calculating a remaining issueable sheet number of receipts. A program executed by a control unit that controls a recording apparatus that issues a receipt using roll paper,
The control unit
Based on the length of receipts issued in the past, the predicted value of the length of receipts issued by the recording device is calculated, and the remaining issue of receipts is issued based on the calculated predicted value and the remaining amount of roll paper. A program that functions as an issuable number calculating unit that calculates a possible number.

Images