JP2013222325A - Ticket dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ticket dispenser capable of considerably reducing a printing cost and a maintenance cost of a ticket dispenser, while easily detecting a near-end state of a residual quantity of a printing medium.SOLUTION: The ticket dispenser includes: printing means (26) for printing print information on printing areas (37, 64, and 70) of a printing medium (22); ticketing means (32) for dispensing the printing medium; warning detection means (34) for detecting that the residual amount of the printing medium is a near-end state less than a specified quantity; and ticketing size change means (18) that, when the warning detection means detects that the residual amount of the printing medium is the near-end state, reduces the size of the printing medium dispensed by the ticketing means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a ticket issuing machine, and more particularly to a ticket issuing machine provided with a means for detecting the remaining amount of consumables and the operating state of constituent devices related to printing on a printing medium.

  In this type of ticket issuing machine, a ticket expiration notice device for a ticket issuing machine that displays a notice on the display section of a ticket expiration notice from the total number of tickets that can be issued from roll paper as printing media (for example, patent documents) 1) or a ticket vending machine provided with printing means for printing by adding a specific mark to the printing paper when it is detected that the remaining amount of printing paper has been reduced by the paper out detection means (see, for example, Patent Document 2) Is disclosed.

JP-A-9-305801 Japanese Patent No. 3050274

  Conventionally, the roll paper winding center end is often colored with red ink or the like, and when the roll paper is in a near-end state in which the remaining amount of the roll paper is less than a predetermined amount, By confirming the presence or absence of coloring, it is possible to determine that the paper is about to run out and roll paper needs to be replenished. However, although the coloration of the receipt is necessary information for warning the user who manages the ticket issuing machine to replenish the roll paper, it is unnecessary information for the customer who receives the receipt, and the appearance of the receipt is also improved. It is an unsightly thing to lose.

Therefore, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, a notice that the ticket has run out is displayed on the display unit of the ticket issuing machine, or a receipt is printed with a specific mark on the receipt of the roll paper. It may be possible to warn the user of a near-end condition.
However, although these technologies can detect the near-end state of the roll paper without deteriorating the appearance of the receipt, the consumables related to the ticket issuing machine including the roll paper and printing ink in the near-end state can be saved. No special consideration has been given to reducing the frequency of replenishment of consumables and the optimal operation of the ticketing machine according to the operating conditions of the components of the ticketing machine. Challenges remain.

  The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to save consumables related to a ticket issuing machine including roll paper and printing ink in a near-end state, and thus replenishment frequency of these consumables. Reduced printing costs and maintenance of the ticket issuing machine while easily detecting the near-end state of the remaining amount of the medium to be printed by realizing the optimal operation of the ticket issuing machine according to the operating state of the components of the ticket issuing machine An object of the present invention is to provide a ticket issuing machine capable of greatly reducing the cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, a ticket issuing machine according to the present invention includes a printing unit that prints printing information on a printing area of a printing medium, a ticketing unit that issues a printing medium, and a remaining amount of the printing medium is a predetermined amount. A warning detection means for detecting that there is less near-end state, and when the warning detection means detects that the remaining amount of the print-receiving medium is in the near-end state, the size of the print-receiving medium issued by the ticket issuing means is determined. The ticket issuing size changing means for reducing the size is provided.

Preferably, the size of the print printed on the print medium issued by the ticket issue size changing means is reduced.
Preferably, the line spacing of the prints printed on the print medium issued by the ticket issue size changing means is narrowed.
Preferably, the printing information printed on the printing medium issued by the ticket issuing size changing means is reduced (claim 4).

  According to the present invention, the consumables related to the ticketing machine including the roll paper in the near-end state can be saved, and thus the replenishment frequency of these consumables can be reduced, so that the near-end state of the remaining amount of the printing medium can be easily achieved. While detecting, the printing cost and maintenance cost of the ticket issuing machine can be greatly reduced.

It is a front view of the ticket issuing machine which concerns on Examples 1-3 of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating constituent devices and a control unit of the printer of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the normal receipt in the time of the normal printing mode of the ticket issuing machine of FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control routine for print mode change control according to the first embodiment of the invention. It is a figure which shows the simple receipt in the simple printing mode of the ticket issuing machine of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other simple receipt in the simple printing mode of the ticket issuing machine of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine of another example of the printing mode change control which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine of the printing mode change control which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine of another example of the printing mode change control which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine of the printing mode change control which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine of another example of the printing mode change control which concerns on Example 3 of this invention.

  A ticket issuing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the ticket issuing machine 1 according to the first embodiment. On the front face 1 a of the ticket issuing machine 1, a bill insertion unit 2, a coin insertion unit 4, a change return button 6, a product selection button 8, a display unit 10, a ticketing port 12, a change payment outlet 14 and the like are arranged. Further, the ticket issuing machine 1 includes a printer 16, a control unit (ticket issuing size changing means) 18 that controls the components of the ticket issuing machine 1 including the printer 16, and the components of the ticket issuing machine 1 including the printer 16 and the control unit 18. A power supply device 20 and the like for supplying electric power are provided internally.

As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the printer 16 according to the present embodiment includes a roll paper (medium to be printed) 22 on which printing paper having a predetermined width made of, for example, thermal paper is wound, and a roll provided with a thermal head 24. A printing mechanism (printing means) 26 for the paper 22 and a ticket issuing mechanism (ticketing means) 32 including a transfer mechanism 28 and a cutting mechanism 30 for the roll paper 22 are provided.
Further, a remaining paper amount detection sensor (warning detection means) 34 is disposed in the vicinity of the roll paper 22.

  The remaining paper amount detection sensor 34 is, for example, an optical distance measuring sensor that detects the distance from the remaining paper amount detection sensor 34 to the roll paper 22 and sets the detected distance to the thickness of the roll paper 22 in the winding diameter direction. By converting, a paper out state in which the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is zero, that is, an end state of the roll paper 22 is detected, and the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is less than a predetermined amount Q set in advance, and an end state is about to come. That is, it is configured to be able to detect the near-end state of the roll paper 22.

  A temperature sensor (warning detection means) 35 is disposed in the vicinity of the thermal head 24. The temperature sensor 35 has a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature T set in advance by the thermal head 24 when the printing operation by the printing mechanism 26 is continuously performed for a long time or due to adhesion of dirt to the thermal head 24. It is configured to be able to detect the state. The mechanisms 26, 28, 30 and sensors 34, 35 constituting the printer 16 are electrically connected to the control unit 18 and the power supply device 20.

  In the ticketing machine 1 configured as described above, a customer who has entered a store or the like where the ticketing machine 1 is installed inserts cash into the banknote insertion unit 2 or the coin insertion unit 4 and presses the product selection button 8 to select a desired item. By selecting and purchasing these services and products, a printing instruction is given to the control unit 18. When a printing instruction is given to the control unit 18, the printer 16 that has received a command from the control unit 18 prints display items (printing information) corresponding to the purchase history of the customer on the bill surface (printing area) 37 of the roll paper 22. Then, the roll paper 22 having a length (size) corresponding to the area of the ticket surface 37 is sequentially cut and transferred by the ticket issuing mechanism 32 and, for example, a receipt (medium to be printed) 36 which is a receipt for the customer is sent from the ticket issuing opening 12. Issue a ticket.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the normal receipt 36 in the normal printing mode of the printer 16 includes, for example, a logo 38 representing a store brand, a brand name 40, a store name 42, an inquiry telephone number 44, and a nominal (receipt) 46. The display items such as a thank-you note 48, a use date 50, a price 52, a nominal sentence 54, and a management number 56 are printed horizontally on a ticket face 37 which is usually one side of the receipt 36.

  The normal receipt 36 is highlighted with line breaks 58 provided above and below the display item of the price 52 that is intended to alert the customer, and the normal receipt 36 has a bill surface 37 to improve its appearance. Margins 60 are provided at the upper and lower ends. In FIG. 3, the areas occupied by the display items 38 to 56, the line feed blank 58, and the blank space 60 on the ticket surface 37 are indicated by broken lines that are not actually present.

  Here, in the control unit 18 of the present embodiment, the print information printed on the roll paper 22 by the printing mechanism 26 when the remaining paper amount detection sensor 34 detects that the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is in the near-end state. Is changed to a simple print mode subtracted from the normal print mode for printing the display items of the normal receipt 36.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control routine for the print mode change control. When this control routine is started, first, the control unit 18 determines whether or not a print instruction has been issued (step S1).
If the determination result in step S1 is false (NO), that is, if no print instruction is issued to the control unit 18, the present control routine is directly returned to step S1 to be in a standby state.

On the other hand, when the determination result in step S1 is true (YES), that is, when a print instruction is issued to the control unit 18, the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is then detected by the remaining paper amount detection sensor 34. It is determined whether or not the end state is zero <step S2>.
When the determination result in step S2 is true (YES), that is, when it is determined that the roll paper 22 is in an end state where the remaining amount of paper is zero, it is determined that the paper has run out, and the printing mechanism 26 Printing is stopped and the control routine is returned <step S3>.

On the other hand, when the determination result of step S2 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined that the remaining state of the roll paper 22 is not in the end state, the paper remaining amount detection sensor 34 next rolls. It is determined whether or not the paper 22 is in a near-end state in which the remaining amount of the paper 22 is less than a predetermined amount Q set in advance <step S4>.
When the determination result of step S4 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is not in the near-end state, the normal printing mode is executed, and this control routine is returned <step S5>.

In the normal printing mode, normal printing information which is a display item of the normal receipt 36 shown in FIG. 3 is printed on the ticket surface 37 by the printing mechanism 26, and the length corresponding to the area of the ticket surface 37 shown in FIG. A normal receipt 36 is issued.
On the other hand, when the determination result in step S4 is true (YES), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is in the near-end state, the simple print mode is executed, and this control routine is returned. <Step S6>.

  In the simple print mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the print information reduced by reducing the number of display items by the print mechanism 26 as compared with the normal receipt 36 is printed on the bill surface (print region) 64. Depending on the area, the ticket issuing mechanism 32 changes the size from the normal receipt 36, and specifically, a simple receipt (printed medium) 62 that is shorter (smaller) than the normal receipt 36 is issued.

  Specifically, in the simple receipt 62, for example, the display items such as the logo 38, the brand name 40, the store name 42, the thank you letter 48, and the management number 56 that are normally printed on the receipt 36 are deleted, and the print information that is essential for the customer For example, only the display items of the inquiry telephone number 44, the nominal 46, the usage date 50, the price 52, and the nominal text 54 are printed, and the ticket face 64 is about 2/3 of the ticket face 37 of the normal receipt 36. It has been shortened.

  Such selection of display items in the simple receipt 62 can be set by a print information setting unit 66 electrically connected to the control unit 18, as shown in FIG. In addition, the print information setting unit 66 reduces the number of line feeds printed on the bill surface 64 of the simple receipt 62, narrows the spacing between print lines, or prints compared to the bill surface 37 of the normal receipt 36. It is also possible to set a small font.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to issue a simple receipt 68 in which the simple receipt 62 is further simplified by making settings in the print information setting unit 66. The simple receipt 68 deletes the line feed blank 58 and the blank 60 from the simple receipt 62, and further reduces the font for printing, so that the telephone number for inquiry 44 and the usage date 50 are an area for one line of the ticket surface 70 of the simple receipt 68. The number of line breaks is smaller than that of the simple receipt 62 and the display items are the same as those of the simple receipt 62. However, the ticket surface 70 is shortened to half or less of the ticket surface 64 of the simple receipt 62, and is usually received. It is shortened to 1/3 or less of 36 bill faces 37.

  As described above, in the ticket issuing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, by performing the above-described print mode change control, it is possible to easily detect the near-end state of the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 and to print the print information on the receipt in the near-end state. Since optimization can be achieved, it is possible to save the roll paper 22 in the near-end state and to reduce the replenishment frequency of the roll paper 22. Therefore, the printing cost and maintenance cost of the ticket issuing machine 1 can be significantly reduced.

  Further, the remaining amount detection sensor 34 detects the degree of the near-end state of the roll paper 22 step by step, and the print information setting unit 66 prints the print information (each display item 38) printed on the bill surfaces 60 and 70 of the simple receipts 62 and 68. ˜56, and blank 58 and margin 60) may be set. In this case, not only the print mode change control shown in FIG. 4 but also the degree of the near-end state detected stepwise by the remaining paper amount detection sensor 34 and the priority of the print information set by the print information setting unit 66. Accordingly, it is also possible to perform control in which the print information printed on the simple receipts 62 and 68 by the printing mechanism 26 is gradually reduced from the print information with the lower priority.

Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of the print mode change control in FIG. 7, when this control routine is started, steps S11 to 13 which are the same processes as steps S1 to S3 in FIG. 4 are performed.
If the determination result in step S12 is false (NO), that is, if the remaining paper amount detection sensor 34 determines that the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is not in the end state, then the paper is It is determined by the remaining amount detection sensor 34 whether or not the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is in a near-end state A that is less than a predetermined amount QA set in advance <step S14>.

  When the determination result in step S14 is true (YES), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is in the near-end state A, the simple print mode A is executed, and this control routine is returned. <Step S15>. In the simple print mode A, for example, a simple receipt 68 that is the ticket surface 70 shown in FIG. 6 preset in the print information setting unit 66 is issued.

  On the other hand, when the determination result in step S14 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is not in the near-end state A, the remaining paper amount detection sensor 34 next detects the roll paper. It is determined whether the remaining amount 22 is near-end state B smaller than a predetermined amount QB set in advance <step S16>. The predetermined amount QB is a value larger than the predetermined amount QA, and the near-end state B is a state in which the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is larger than the near-end state A and there is a margin to the end state.

When the determination result in step S16 is true (YES), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is in the near end state B, the simple print mode B is executed, and this control routine is returned. <Step S17>. In the simple printing mode B, a simple receipt 62 is issued which becomes the ticket surface 60 shown in FIG.
On the other hand, when the determination result in step S16 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 is not in the near-end state B, the normal printing mode is executed, and this control routine is returned. <Step S18>. In the normal printing mode, a normal receipt 36 is issued which becomes the ticket surface 37 shown in FIG.

  By performing such print mode change control, the normal receipt 36 is shifted to the simple receipt 62 and the simple receipt 62 to the simple receipt 68 according to the degree of the near-end state of the roll paper 22, and the print information is optimized step by step. Therefore, the printing cost and maintenance cost of the ticket issuing machine 1 can be further reduced.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of print mode change control according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, about the content which overlaps with Example 1 except printing mode change control, the same code | symbol or the same name is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted, and it is the same also about the other Example demonstrated below.
When the control routine of this embodiment is started, first, step S21 which is the same processing as step S1 of FIG. 4 is performed.

When the determination result in step S21 is true (YES), that is, when a print instruction is given to the control unit 18, various values including the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 35 transmitted to the control unit 18 are next. It is determined whether or not the thermal head 24 is in a failure state based on the information <step S22>.
If the determination result in step S22 is true (YES), that is, if it is determined that the thermal head 24 is in a failure state, then it is determined that printing is impossible and printing by the printing mechanism 26 is stopped. Then, this control routine is returned <step S23>.

On the other hand, when the determination result in step S22 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined that the thermal head 24 is not in a failure state, the temperature sensor 35 then sets a predetermined thermal head 24 in advance. It is determined whether or not the temperature is higher than the temperature T <Step S24>.
When the determination result in step S24 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined that the thermal head 24 is not in a high temperature state, the normal receipt 36 is issued by executing the normal printing mode, and this control routine is executed. <Step S25>.

  On the other hand, when the determination result of step S24 is true (YES), that is, when it is determined that the thermal head 24 is in a high temperature state, the simple receipt 62 or the simple receipt 68 is displayed by executing the simple print mode. The ticket is issued and the control routine is returned <step S26>.

  As described above, in the ticket issuing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the print load on the thermal head 24 is reduced by executing the simple print mode when the thermal head 24 is in a high temperature state in the print mode change control described above. Thus, the thermal head 24 can be cooled. Therefore, failure of the thermal head 24 due to the continued high temperature state of the thermal head 24 can be suppressed, and its durability can be enhanced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the maintenance cost related to the replacement of the thermal head 24, and consequently to delay the renewal timing of the ticket issuing machine 1 due to the failure of the thermal head 24.

  In the printing mode change control described above, the simple receipts 62 and 68 are cut shorter than the normal receipt 36 by the cutting mechanism 30, but the simple receipt 62 on the bill surface having the same length (area) as the normal receipt 36. 68 may be issued. Even in this case, since the display items on the simple receipts 62 and 68 are smaller than those on the normal receipt 36, the load on the thermal head 24 in a high temperature state can be reduced. Maintenance costs can be reduced, and as a result, the renewal time of the ticket issuing machine 1 accompanying the failure of the thermal head 24 can be delayed.

  Further, the print information (each display item 38 to 56, the blank 58 and the blank 60) is printed on the receipt sheet by the print information setting unit 66 by causing the temperature sensor 35 to gradually detect the degree of the high temperature state of the thermal head 24. The priority may be set. In this case, not only the print mode change control shown in FIG. 8 but also the degree of the high temperature state detected stepwise by the temperature sensor 35 and the print information set by the print information setting unit 66 in the simple print mode. Depending on the priority, it is also possible to perform a control in which the print information printed on the receipt by the printing mechanism 26 is gradually reduced from the print information with the low priority.

Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of the print mode change control in FIG. 9, when this control routine is started, steps S31 to 33, which are the same processes as steps S21 to S23 in FIG. 8, are performed.
If the determination result in step S32 is false (NO), that is, if it is determined that the thermal head 24 is not in a failure state, then the temperature of the thermal head 24 is preset by the temperature sensor 35. It is determined whether or not the high temperature state A is higher than the predetermined temperature TA <step S34>.

When the determination result in step S34 is true (YES), that is, when it is determined that the thermal head 24 is in the high temperature state A, the simple print mode A is executed to issue the simple receipt 68, and this control is performed. The routine is returned <step S35>.
On the other hand, if the determination result in step S34 is false (NO), that is, if it is determined that the thermal head 24 is not in the high temperature state A, then the thermal head 24 is preset by the temperature sensor 35. It is determined whether or not the high temperature state B is higher than the predetermined temperature TB <step S36>. The predetermined temperature TB is a value smaller than the predetermined temperature TA, and the high temperature state B is a state where the temperature of the thermal head 24 is lower than that of the high temperature state A and there is a margin until the failure state.

When the determination result of step S36 is true (YES), that is, when it is determined that the thermal head 24 is in the high temperature state B, the simple print mode B is executed to issue the simple receipt 62 and this control is performed. The routine is returned <step S37>.
On the other hand, when the determination result of step S36 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined that the thermal head 24 is not in the high temperature state B, the normal printing mode is executed, the normal receipt 36 is issued, The control routine is returned <step S38>.

  By performing such print mode change control, the normal receipt 36 is shifted from the simple receipt 62 and the simple receipt 62 to the simple receipt 68 in accordance with the degree of the high temperature state of the thermal head 24, and the thermal head 24 that is in a high temperature state. Since the load can be reduced in stages, failure of the thermal head 24 can be efficiently suppressed and its durability can be enhanced. Therefore, the maintenance cost related to the replacement of the thermal head 24 can be effectively reduced, and as a result, the renewal time of the ticket issuing machine 1 accompanying the failure of the thermal head 24 can be effectively delayed.

  As shown in FIG. 2 with reference numerals in parentheses as parts different from those in the first embodiment, the printer 16 of this embodiment is a roll paper (printed medium) on which ink printing paper that is not thermal paper is wound. ) 72, a ticket issuing mechanism 32 including a printing mechanism 26, a transfer mechanism 28, a cutting mechanism 30, and the like for the roll paper 72 including the ink tank 74.

  Further, a level sensor (warning detection means) 76 is disposed in the vicinity of the ink tank 74. The level sensor 76 is, for example, a flow type level sensor, detects the position of the liquid level of the printing ink stored in the ink tank 74, and converts this liquid level into the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink tank 74. Thus, the ink remaining state in which the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink tank 74 is zero, that is, the ink end state is detected, and the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink tank 74 is set to a predetermined amount. It is configured to be able to detect an ink near-end state that is less than L and will soon be in an end state. The mechanisms 26, 28, 30 and the sensors 74, 76 constituting the printer 16 are electrically connected to the control unit 18 and the power supply device 20.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of print mode change control performed by the control unit 18 of the ticket issuing machine 1 configured as described above. When the control routine of this embodiment is started, step S41, which is the same process as step S1 in FIG. 4, is first performed.
When the determination result in step S41 is true (YES), that is, when a print instruction is issued to the control unit 18, the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink tank 74 by the level sensor 76 is next. It is determined whether or not the end state is zero <step S42>.

If the determination result in step S42 is true (YES), that is, if it is determined that the ink remaining amount is in the end state, then it is determined that the ink has run out and printing by the printing mechanism 26 is performed. Is stopped, and this control routine is returned <step S43>.
On the other hand, when the determination result in step S42 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined that the ink remaining amount is not in the end state, the level sensor 76 next determines the ink remaining amount in advance. It is determined whether or not the near-end state is smaller than the set predetermined amount L <step S44>.

When the determination result in step S44 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is not in the near-end state, the normal print mode is executed to issue the normal receipt 36, and this control routine <Step S45>.
On the other hand, when the determination result in step S44 is true (YES), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is in the near-end state, the simple receipt 62 or the simple receipt 68 is executed by executing the simple print mode. Is issued and the control routine is returned <step S46>.

  As described above, the ticket issuing machine 1 according to the present embodiment optimizes the print information on the receipt in the near-end state while easily detecting the near-end state of the remaining amount of ink by performing the above-described print mode change control. Therefore, it is possible to save ink in the near-end state and to reduce ink replenishment frequency. Therefore, the printing cost and maintenance cost of the ticket issuing machine 1 can be significantly reduced.

  In the printing mode change control described above, the simple receipts 62 and 68 are cut shorter than the normal receipt 36 by the cutting mechanism 30, but the simple receipt 62 on the bill surface having the same length (area) as the normal receipt 36. 68 may be issued. Even in this case, the number of display items in the simple receipts 62 and 68 is smaller than that in the normal receipt 36, so that it is possible to save ink in the near-end state and to reduce the ink replenishment frequency. Printing costs and maintenance costs can be reduced.

  Further, the level sensor 76 detects the degree of the near-end state of the ink in stages, and priority is given to the print information (each display item 38 to 56, the blank 58 and the blank 60) printed on the receipt sheet by the print information setting unit 66. You may make it set a degree. In this case, not only the print mode change control shown in FIG. 10 but also the degree of the near-end state detected stepwise by the level sensor 76 and the print information set by the print information setting unit 66 in the simple print mode. In accordance with the priority, it is possible to perform control so that the print information printed on the receipt by the printing mechanism 26 is gradually reduced from the print information with the lower priority in order.

Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of the print mode change control in FIG. 11, when this control routine is started, steps S51 to S53, which are the same processes as steps S41 to S43 in FIG. 10, are performed.
Then, when the determination result in step S52 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined by the level sensor 76 that the remaining amount of ink is not in the end state, the ink level of the ink is next detected by the level sensor 76. It is determined whether the remaining amount is in a near-end state A that is less than a predetermined amount LA set in advance <step S54>.

When the determination result in step S54 is true (YES), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is in the near-end state A, the simple receipt 68 is issued by executing the simple print mode A, This control routine is returned <step S55>.
On the other hand, if the determination result in step S54 is false (NO), that is, if it is determined that the ink remaining amount is not in the near-end state A, then the ink remaining amount is set in advance by the level sensor 76. It is determined whether or not the near-end state B is smaller than the predetermined amount LB <step S56>. The predetermined amount LB is a value larger than the predetermined amount LA, and the near-end state B is a state in which the remaining amount of ink is larger than the near-end state A and there is room to the end state.

When the determination result in step S56 is true (YES), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is in the near-end state B, the simple print mode B is executed to issue the simple receipt 62, The control routine is returned <step S57>.
On the other hand, when the determination result of step S56 is false (NO), that is, when it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is not in the near-end state B, the normal printing mode is executed to issue the normal receipt 36, This control routine is returned <step S58>.

By performing such print mode change control, the normal receipt 36 is shifted to the simple receipt 62 and the simple receipt 62 to the simple receipt 68 according to the degree of the near end state of the ink, and the print information is optimized step by step. Therefore, the printing cost and maintenance cost of the ticket issuing machine 1 can be further reduced.
The present invention is not limited to the ticket issuing machine 1 of each of the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

  For example, in the ticket issuing machine 1, the print mode change control based on the remaining amount of the roll paper 22 of the first embodiment, the print mode change control based on the temperature of the thermal head 24 of the second embodiment, or the ink of the third embodiment. The printing mode change control based on the remaining amount may be combined, and in this case, the printing cost and the maintenance cost of the ticket issuing machine 1 can be reduced more effectively.

  In each of the above embodiments, the print information setting unit 66 can set the display items of the simple receipts 62 and 68 in the simple print mode and the priority for reducing the display items. However, the display on the normal receipt 36 in the normal print mode is possible. You may enable it to set an item. As a result, when the roll paper 22 and the ink are not in stock, the roll paper 22 and the ink are not in stock, but the roll paper 22 and the ink are more actively saved. In case of concern, the simple receipts 62 and 68 can be issued even in the normal printing mode. Therefore, it is preferable that the ticket issuing machine 1 can be operated while reducing the printing cost and the maintenance cost in a proactive manner.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the ticket issuing machine 1 using the roll paper 22 and the receipts 36, 62, and 68 as the print medium has been described. However, the print medium is not limited thereto. Specifically, if the remaining amount can be detected, printing paper that is not wound like the roll paper 22 may be used, and it is not limited to thermal paper or ink printing paper, but may be a train ticket. The present invention can also be applied to magnetic paper, a rewritable prepaid card made of resin other than paper, and a card with an IC chip built therein. Of course, the use of the medium to be printed is not limited to receipts as receipts, but can be applied to not only the ticket issuing machine 1 but also these ticket vending machines such as tickets, cash vouchers and tickets.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, a horizontally printed medium when viewed in the ticketing direction has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to a vertically printed medium when viewed in the ticketing direction.
In each of the above embodiments, the print medium on which the printing information is printed on one side of the bill has been described as an example. However, when the ink printer of the third embodiment is used, the print medium can be applied to a double-sided print medium. It is.

In addition, various configurations can be considered for the ticket issuing machine 1 and the receipts 36, 62, and 68 within the range in which the print mode change control of each of the above embodiments can be performed, and there are various ways to reduce display items depending on priority. It goes without saying.
Finally, the present invention can be applied to the ticket issuing machine 1 that performs various modes of print mode change control by utilizing the means for detecting the remaining amount of consumables and the operating state of the constituent devices related to printing on the printing medium. It is.

1 Ticketing machine
18 Control unit (ticketing size changing means)
22, 72 Roll paper (medium to be printed)
26 Printing mechanism (printing means)
32 Ticketing mechanism (ticketing means)
34 Remaining paper amount detection sensor (warning detection means)
35 Temperature sensor (Warning detection means)
36 Normal receipt (medium to be printed)
37, 64, 70 Ticket surface (printing area)
62, 68 Simple receipt (medium to be printed)
76 Level sensor (Warning detection means)

Claims (4)

Printing means for printing printing information on a printing area of a printing medium;
Ticket issuing means for issuing the print medium;
Warning detection means for detecting that the remaining amount of the printing medium is in a near-end state less than a predetermined amount;
Ticket issuing size changing means for reducing the size of the printed medium to be issued by the ticket issuing means when the warning detection means detects that the remaining amount of the printed medium is in the near-end state. Characteristic ticketing machine.   2. The ticket issuing machine according to claim 1, wherein a size of printing printed on the printing medium issued by the ticket issuing size changing unit is reduced.   The ticket issuing machine according to claim 1, wherein a space between lines of printing printed on the printing medium issued by the ticket issuing size changing unit is narrowed.   2. The ticket issuing machine according to claim 1, wherein printing information printed on the printing medium issued by the ticket issuing size changing unit is reduced.

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