JP2017081682A - Roll sheet near end detection system, printer, roll sheet near end detection unit and method for detection of roll sheet near end - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a roll sheet near end detection system which can detect a near end of a roll sheet and has a lage degree-of-freedom of a design.SOLUTION: A roll sheet near end detection system comprises a printer 10 for printing a roll sheet based on print data, and a POS terminal device 100 which transmits the print data to the printer 10. An image of a page space of a roll sheet accommodated in the printer 10 is picked up by a camera 17 while the page space being irradiated with illumination light by an LED lamp 16, and the picked-up image is analyzed, whereby a near end mark given onto the page space of the roll sheet is identified and detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a roll paper near-end detection system, a printer, a roll paper near-end detection unit, and a roll paper near-end detection method for detecting a near-end mark on roll paper.

  In general, a printer built in or attached to a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal device including an external machine at a self-service station performs printing on roll paper and outputs the printed roll paper as a receipt, a ticket, or the like. .

  In order to detect that the roll paper is near the end and notify the POS terminal operator or the like, a near-end mark is pre-printed or pasted near the end of the roll paper and the near-end mark is detected on the printer. There is a technology that has a function. As a printer having a near-end mark detection function, for example, an optical sensor is provided in a functional section of the printer, that is, a paper transport section that transports paper or a print section that performs printing, and the near-end mark of roll paper is optically There is something to detect. A technique for optically detecting a near-end mark on a roll paper is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. The image recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a termination sensor 20 between a guide roller 6 and a set roller pair 7a and 7b in a roll paper transport unit. The end sensor 20 receives the reflected light reflected by the near end mark (black sticker) provided near the end of the roll paper by the phototransistor 47 and the near end mark based on the difference in reflectance. Is an optical sensor for detecting

  By the way, printers that use roll paper include a type (also called a throw-in type) that does not support the roll paper and only accommodates the roll paper in the roll paper accommodation unit. Among this type of printers, those that detect that the roll paper is near the end portion are disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3. In the printer disclosed in Patent Document 2, the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit is consumed by the switch provided in the conveyance path having a predetermined size adjacent to the roll paper storage unit, and the roll paper is near the terminal part. It is detected that the diameter has been reduced to a diameter corresponding to the above. The printer disclosed in Patent Document 3 has a diameter corresponding to that the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit is consumed and the roll paper is in the vicinity of the terminal end by the optical sensor provided in the roll paper storage unit. It is detected that the diameter has been reduced to.

Japanese Patent No. 2562491 JP-A-11-157716 JP 2012-056441 A

  The printers according to the related art of the present invention include those that detect the near-end mark disclosed in Patent Document 1 with an optical sensor and those that detect the diameter of the roll paper disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3. The structure and members for detecting the near end mark and the diameter of the roll paper are provided in the section and the roll paper storage section.

  In other words, in this type of printer, the original structure of the printer, such as the functional unit and roll paper storage unit, and the structure and members for detecting the near end of the roll paper are concentrated in one place or overcrowded. Will be. As a result, the degree of freedom in designing the printer may be reduced.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a roll paper near-end detection system that can detect the near end of the roll paper and has a high degree of design freedom.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can detect the near end of roll paper and has a high degree of design freedom.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a roll paper near-end detection unit capable of detecting the near end of the roll paper and having a high degree of design freedom.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a roll paper near-end detection method that contributes to the realization of the roll paper near-end detection system, printer, or roll paper near-end detection unit as described above.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the printer includes a printer that prints on roll paper based on print data, and a POS terminal device that transmits the print data to the printer, and is provided on the surface of the roll paper housed in the printer. A roll paper near-end detection system that identifies and detects a near-end mark preliminarily attached to a paper surface of a roll paper by imaging the paper surface while illuminating illumination light and analyzing the captured image. can get.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a roll paper storage unit that stores roll paper to be printed, an illumination unit that irradiates illumination light onto the surface of the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit, and illumination An imaging unit that images the surface of the roll paper irradiated with light, and outputs image data captured by the imaging unit to a host device, or by analyzing an image captured by the imaging unit, A printer is obtained that identifies and detects a near-end mark preliminarily attached to the surface of the roll paper, and outputs a signal indicating the detection result to a host device.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, an illuminating unit that illuminates illumination light onto the surface of a roll paper that is used while being mounted inside, outside, or inside the printer, and roll paper that is illuminated with illumination light. An image pickup unit that picks up an image of the paper sheet, and outputs image data picked up by the image pickup unit to a higher-level device, or analyzes the image picked up by the image pickup unit in advance to attach the image data to the paper surface of the roll paper Thus, a roll paper near-end detection unit can be obtained that identifies and detects the near-end mark that has been detected and outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the host device.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the illuminating step of illuminating the paper surface of the roll paper to be printed, the imaging step of imaging the paper surface of the roll paper irradiated with the illuminating light, and the imaging step A roll paper near-end detection method characterized by including a mark identifying step of identifying and detecting a near-end mark previously attached to the surface of the roll paper by performing image analysis on the captured image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a roll paper near-end detection system that can detect that the roll paper is near the end portion and has a high degree of design freedom.

  According to the present invention, it is also possible to detect a near end of the roll paper and to obtain a printer with a high degree of design freedom.

  Further, according to the present invention, a roll paper near-end detection unit that can detect the near end of the roll paper and has a high degree of design freedom can be obtained.

  The present invention also provides a roll paper near-end detection method that contributes to the realization of the roll paper near-end detection system, printer, or roll paper near-end detection unit as described above.

It is a perspective view which shows the roll paper near end detection system by embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the inside of the printer in the roll paper near end detection system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the roll paper near end detection system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the roll paper near end detection system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the roll paper near end detection system by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the roll paper near end detection system by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the roll paper near end detection unit by Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the roll paper near end detection unit by Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the roll paper near end detection system by Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the roll paper near end detection system by Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the paper surface of the terminal part vicinity of roll paper.

  A printer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a roll paper storage unit, an illumination unit, an imaging unit, and a mark identification unit.

  The roll paper storage unit has an open container shape and stores roll paper to be printed. The illumination unit irradiates illumination light onto the surface of the roll paper accommodated in the roll paper accommodation unit. An imaging part images the paper surface of the roll paper irradiated with illumination light. The mark identifying unit identifies a near-end mark that is previously attached to the surface of the roll paper by performing image analysis on the image captured by the imaging unit.

  As described above, in the printer, both the illumination unit and the imaging unit are provided in the functional unit of the printer (paper transport unit that transports paper and print unit that performs printing) and the roll paper storage unit. Absent. In other words, in this printer, the original structure of the printer, such as the functional unit of the printer and the roll paper storage unit, the illumination unit, and the imaging unit are not concentrated in one place or overly dense. Therefore, this printer has a high degree of design freedom with respect to the structure of the main parts (functional part and roll paper storage part). In addition, the designed and manufactured printer has a relatively simple structure.

  Hereinafter, a printer according to the present invention and a more specific embodiment of the printer will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
1 to 3, a printer (printing apparatus) 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a POS terminal apparatus 100. In other words, the POS terminal device 100 has a printer 10. The POS terminal device 100 and the printer 10 constitute a roll paper near-end detection system.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the printer 10, the POS terminal device 100 displays a terminal control unit 110 that controls the overall operation of the own device, an input unit 120 that inputs data, and at least information related to the own device. Display unit 130. Although not shown, the POS terminal device 100 may include a speaker or a buzzer.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printer 10 includes a casing 21, a roll paper container cover 23, printer functional units such as a paper transport unit 12, a printing unit 13, and a paper cutting unit 14, and roll paper. And an accommodating portion 22.

  The roll paper storage unit 22 has an open container shape and stores the roll paper 600 to be printed. In the present embodiment, the roll paper storage unit 22 is a so-called throw-in type that supports the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper 600 without pivotally supporting the roll paper 600.

  The housing 21 includes an opening communicating with the roll paper storage unit 22 and a wall 21 </ b> A on the rear side when mounted on the POS terminal device 100. The roll paper storage unit cover 23 is attached to the opening of the housing 21 so as to be opened and closed with a shaft 23a extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11, in the vicinity of the end portion of the roll paper 600, strip-shaped near end marks 600 </ b> A are preliminarily printed over a predetermined length on both sides in the width direction of the paper surface. The near end mark 600A is not limited to light red, and may be black or the like. Alternatively, a thin seal such as light red or black may be attached. In the present embodiment, the width of the roll paper 600 is 58 mm, and the width of each pair of near end marks 600A is about 5 mm. The near end mark 600A may be attached only to either the left or right side in the width direction of the roll paper.

  Further, the printer 10 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp 16, a camera 17, and a mark identification unit 11A.

  The LED lamp 16 is an illumination unit that irradiates illumination light over the entire width direction of the surface of the roll paper 600 accommodated in the roll paper accommodation unit 22.

  The camera 17 is an imaging unit that captures an image in the entire width direction of the surface of the roll paper 600 irradiated with illumination light from the LED lamp 16.

  11 A of mark identification parts identify the near end mark previously attached | subjected to the paper surface of the roll paper 600 by analyzing the image imaged with the camera 17. FIG. In the present embodiment, the mark identification unit 11A is configured as a part of the printer control unit 11 that controls the overall operation of the printer function unit according to a command from the terminal control unit 110 of the POS terminal apparatus 100.

  The LED indicator may be provided so as to be visible from the outside, and when the identification result by the mark identification unit 11A is a near-end mark, it may be a near-end notification unit that notifies the fact that the roll paper 600 is near the terminal end by a light-emitting display. . Further, the printer 10 may include a speaker or a buzzer for notifying the fact that the roll paper 600 is near the terminal end as a near-end notification unit.

  The LED lamp 16 and the camera 17 are mounted on the inner surface of the roll paper accommodation unit cover 23.

  In FIG. 2, the wiring for connecting the LED lamp 16, the camera 17, and the mark identification unit 11 </ b> A (printer control unit 11) is not shown. It is preferable that at least an end of the wiring on the printer control unit 11 side is a connection type using a connector.

  Further, at least one of the LED lamp 16 and the camera 17 may be mounted on the inner wall surface of the wall portion 21 </ b> A on the rear side of the housing 21. Even in this case, it is preferable to attach the printer function unit or the roll paper storage unit 22 at a location away from it.

  Next, the operation of the printer 10, particularly the processing executed by the printer control unit 11, will be described.

  In step S11 of FIG. 4, the printer control unit 11 of the printer 10 confirms whether print data has been received from the terminal control unit 110 of the POS terminal device 100, and if received (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12. If not received (NO in step S11), step S11 is repeated.

  In step S <b> 12, the printer control unit 11 performs printing by the printing unit 13 based on the print data while conveying the roll paper 600 by the sheet conveyance unit 12. After printing, the roll paper 600 is cut by the paper cutting unit 14. After cutting the paper, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S <b> 13, the printer control unit 11 turns on the LED lamp 16 and irradiates illumination light over the entire width direction of the surface of the roll paper 600.

  In step S <b> 14, the printer control unit 11 images the entire width direction of the surface of the roll paper 600 with the camera 17.

  In step S15, the printer control unit 11 turns off the LED lamp 16.

  Subsequently, the printer control unit 11 performs image analysis on the captured image by the mark identification unit 11A. As a result, if the near end mark 600A is present (YES in step S16), the process proceeds to step S17. If the analysis result does not include the near end mark 600A (NO in step S16), the process returns to step S11.

  Here, the detection of the near end mark 600A is assumed to have detected the near end mark 600A, for example, in any of the following cases. For example, the following identification conditions are stored in advance in the memory of the mark identification unit 11A (printer control unit 11).

  (Identification condition 1) When a predetermined color is recognized in the image when the camera 17 captures a color image. In the above roll paper 600, light red color is recognized.

  (Identification condition 2) When the camera 17 captures a black and white image, when a white area having a predetermined width sandwiched between black areas having a predetermined width is recognized. In the above-mentioned roll paper 600, a white area of about 48 mm sandwiched between a pair of black areas of about 5 mm width is recognized. Or you may identify the image of the same ratio (5: 48: 5) as a white area | region of about 48 mm sandwiched between about 5 mm width black area | regions instead of an exact size.

  (Identification condition 3) When the near-end mark is not a band-like mark on the left and right ends of the roll paper 600 but is a mark of a specific character or a specific shape, the specific character or a mark of a specific shape When is recognized.

  In step S <b> 17, the printer control unit 11 notifies the POS terminal device 100 that the roll paper 600 is near the terminal end (that is, it is time to replace the roll paper), and the process returns to step S <b> 11. Upon receiving the near-end notification, the terminal control unit 110 of the POS terminal apparatus 100 displays on the display unit 130 that the roll paper 600 is near the terminal end (that it is time to replace the roll paper). The POS terminal device 100 may be provided with a speaker, a buzzer, or the like, and notify by voice that the roll paper 600 is near the end portion. Further, as described above, in step S17, the printer control unit 11 notifies the terminal control unit 110 of the POS terminal device 100, or without notifying the terminal control unit 110 of the POS terminal device 100, the LED indicator. You may make it perform alerting | reporting by the light emission display by or voice | voice alert | report by a speaker or a buzzer.

  The process of detecting and notifying the near end mark from the LED lamp lighting to the near end notification may be executed before the start of the printing process, not after the end of the printing process.

  Further, the mark identification unit 11A is provided not in the printer control unit 11 of the printer 10 but in the terminal control unit 110 of the POS terminal device 100, and the printer control unit 11 transmits the image data of the surface of the roll paper 600 captured by the printer control unit 11 to the terminal control unit. 110, the mark identifying unit 11A of the terminal control unit 110 performs image analysis to detect the near-end mark 600A, and a display unit indicating that the roll paper 600 is near the terminal end (it is time to replace the roll paper) You may make it display on 130. FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the printer control unit determines whether or not the near end mark is detected. When the near end mark is detected, the printer control unit notifies the POS terminal device, which is a host device, of the near end. Whether or not the control unit of the host device has detected the near end mark only by outputting the image data to the host device that is not the POS terminal device (for example, a host device connected to the communication line to manage the POS terminal device). When the near end mark is detected, the operator may be notified that it is time to replace the roll paper.

  According to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a printer that can detect the near end of the roll paper without affecting the structure of the printer function unit and the roll paper storage unit 22.

[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the POS terminal device controls the operation of the LED lamp and the camera.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the POS terminal device 100 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a printer 10 ′. The POS terminal device 100 'and the printer 10' constitute a roll paper near-end detection system.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the POS terminal device 100 ′ is related to at least the terminal device 110 ′ that controls the overall operation of the device itself, the input unit 120 that inputs data, and at least the device itself, in addition to the printer 10 ′. And a display unit 130 for displaying information.

  Similar to the printer 10 of the first embodiment, the printer 10 ′ includes a casing, a roll paper storage unit cover, printer function units such as a paper transport unit 12, a printing unit 13, and a paper cutting unit 14, and a roll paper storage unit. And have.

  The roll paper storage unit has an open container shape and stores the roll paper 600 (only the vicinity of the end portion is shown in FIG. 11) to be printed. In this embodiment as well, the roll paper storage unit is a so-called throw-in type that supports the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper 600 without pivotally supporting the roll paper 600.

  Although not shown, the housing includes an opening communicating with the roll paper accommodating portion and a wall portion on the rear side when mounted on the POS terminal device 100 ′. The roll paper storage unit cover is attached to the opening of the housing so as to be openable and closable with the shaft as a pivot.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the vicinity of the end portion of the roll paper 600, a strip-shaped near end mark 600A is printed in advance on the both sides in the width direction of the paper over a predetermined length from the end of the roll paper. The near end mark 600A is not limited to light red, and may be black or the like. Alternatively, a thin seal such as light red or black may be attached. In the present embodiment, the width of the roll paper 600 is 58 mm, and the width of each pair of near end marks 600A is about 5 mm. The near end mark 600A may be attached only to either the left or right side in the width direction of the roll paper.

  Furthermore, the printer 10 ′ includes an LED lamp 16 that is an illuminating unit that irradiates illumination light on the entire width direction of the surface of the roll paper 600 accommodated in the roll paper accommodating unit, and a roll irradiated with illumination light by the LED lamp 16. The camera 17 is an image pickup unit that picks up an image of the entire area of the paper 600 in the width direction.

  In the present embodiment, the mark identifying unit is provided as the mark identifying unit 110A in the terminal control unit 110 'of the POS terminal apparatus 100'.

  Similar to the mark identification unit 11A of the first embodiment, the mark identification unit 110A analyzes the image captured by the camera 17 to thereby display the near-end mark 600A (FIG. 11) previously attached to the surface of the roll paper 600. Identify.

  In addition to displaying information on the operation and the like of the POS terminal device 100 ′, the display unit 130 displays a screen indicating that the roll paper 600 is near the end when the identification result by the mark identification unit 110A has a near-end mark. To inform. Although not shown, the POS terminal device 100 ′ may include a speaker or a buzzer that informs by voice that the roll paper 600 is near the end portion, as a near-end notification unit.

  The LED lamp 16 and the camera 17 are mounted on the inner surface of the roll paper accommodation unit cover, as in the first embodiment. That is, it can be said that the LED lamp 16, the camera 17, and the roll paper accommodation unit cover constitute a single unit.

  Therefore, in place of the roll paper storage unit cover of the existing printer, the unit is mounted, and the program of the terminal control unit of the existing POS terminal device is changed to provide the mark identification unit, thereby allowing the existing configuration to be handled. It is possible to apply the present invention to a POS terminal device without adding.

  Note that at least one of the LED lamp 16 and the camera 17 may be mounted on an inner wall surface on the rear side of the printer housing. Even in such a case, it is preferable to attach the printer function unit or the roll paper storage unit at a location away from the printer function unit or roll paper storage unit.

  Next, the operation of the POS terminal device 100 ', particularly the processing executed by the terminal control unit 110' will be described.

  In step S21 of FIG. 6, the terminal control unit 110 ′ of the POS terminal device 100 ′ outputs print data to the printer control unit 11 ′ to perform printing, and receives a notification of the end of the printing process from the printer control unit 11 ′. Then, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S <b> 22, the terminal control unit 110 ′ turns on the LED lamp 16 and irradiates illumination light over the entire width direction of the paper surface of the roll paper 600.

  In step S <b> 23, the terminal control unit 110 ′ takes an image of the entire width direction of the roll paper 600 with the camera 17.

  In step S24, the terminal control unit 110 'turns off the LED lamp 16.

  Subsequently, the terminal control unit 110 ′ performs image analysis on the captured image by the mark identification unit 110 </ b> A. As a result, when the near end mark 600A is present (YES in step S25), the process proceeds to step S26. If the identification result is that there is no near end mark 600A (NO in step S25), the process returns to step S21.

  Here, the identification of the near end mark 600A can be performed under the same identification condition as exemplified in the first embodiment.

  In step S26, the terminal control unit 110 ′ displays on the display unit 130 to notify the operator of the POS terminal device 100 ′ that the roll paper 600 is in the vicinity of the end portion (that is, it is time to replace the roll paper). Then, the process returns to step S21.

  Note that the step of detecting and notifying the near end mark from the LED lamp lighting to the near end notification may be executed before the start of the printing process, not after the end of the printing process.

  According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a POS terminal device having a printer capable of detecting the near end of the roll paper without affecting the structure of the printer function unit and the roll paper storage unit is provided. can do. Furthermore, while the operation program of the printer control unit of the printer cannot be rewritten, the operation program of the device control unit of the POS terminal device may be rewritable. According to the present embodiment, since the mark identification unit is configured as a part of the device control unit of the POS terminal device, not the printer control unit, the mark identification unit is configured by rewriting the operation program of the device control unit. be able to. Therefore, it is suitable when the present invention is applied to existing POS terminal devices and printers.

[Embodiment 3]
In the third embodiment of the present invention, a roll paper near-end detection unit including an illumination unit, an imaging unit, a unit control unit, and a communication unit is provided separately from the printer, and is used by being attached to the printer. Different from 1.

  A roll paper near-end detection unit is attached to the printer of this embodiment. The printer is provided with the illumination unit and the imaging unit of the roll paper near-end detection unit, but the control unit of the printer does not control the illumination unit and imaging unit of the roll paper near-end detection unit.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the roll paper near-end detection unit of the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, a printer and a host device (for example, a POS terminal device) that constitute a roll paper near-end detection system together with this unit are not shown.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the roll paper near-end detection unit A includes an LED lamp A16 as an illumination unit, a camera A17 as an imaging unit, a unit control unit A11 that controls the LED lamp A16 and the camera A17, and a communication unit A19. It has.

  The unit controller A11 controls the entire roll paper near-end detection unit A including the control of the LED lamp A16 and the camera A17. The communication unit A19 communicates with a host device (not shown) (for example, a POS terminal device) by wire or wireless. The LED lamp A16 irradiates illumination light onto the surface of the roll paper accommodated in the printer. The camera A17 images the paper surface of the roll paper irradiated with the illumination light.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing executed while the unit control unit A11 of the roll paper near-end detection unit A of the present embodiment is in operation. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, a process executed by the unit controller A11 of the roll paper near-end detection unit A will be described.

  In step S41 of FIG. 8, the unit control unit A11 of the roll paper near-end detection unit A monitors whether or not a print processing end notification has been received from the host device, and if received (YES in step S41), the process proceeds to step S42. If not received (NO in step S41), step S41 is repeated.

  The printer receives print data from the host device, prints based on the print data while transporting the roll paper, performs print processing for cutting the roll paper after printing, and indicates that when the print processing ends. Notify the host device.

  In step S42, the unit controller A11 turns on the LED lamp A16 and irradiates illumination light over the entire width direction of the roll paper in the printer.

  In step S43, the unit controller A11 captures an image of the entire width direction of the surface of the roll paper with the camera A17.

  In step S44, the unit controller A11 turns off the LED lamp A16.

  Subsequently, the roll paper near-end detection unit A performs image analysis on the captured image. As a result, if there is a near end mark (YES in step S45), the process proceeds to step S46. If the identification result is no near end mark (NO in step S45), the process returns to step S41.

  Here, the identification of the near-end mark can be performed under the same identification conditions as those exemplified in the first embodiment.

  In step S46, the unit control unit A11 notifies the near end to the host device via the communication unit A19, and the process returns to step S41.

  Upon receiving the near-end notification from the roll paper near-end detection unit A, the host device displays the near-end on the display unit, sends a near-end message, sends an alarm sound, etc. Notify that the paper is near the end (it is time to replace the roll paper).

  Note that the step of detecting and notifying the near end mark from the lighting of the LED lamp to the notification of the near end may be executed before the start of the printing process, not after the end of the printing process.

  According to the invention of the third embodiment, it is possible to provide a roll paper near-end detection unit capable of detecting the near end of the roll paper without affecting the main part of the printer and the structure of the roll paper storage unit.

  Furthermore, according to the invention of the present embodiment, a roll paper near-end detection unit is attached and the roll paper near-end detection unit is controlled by the control unit of the host device, even for an installed or existing printer that does not have a near-end detection function. Thus, by changing the software of the host device, a printer having a near-end detection function can be obtained.

  In the third embodiment, the unit control unit of the roll paper near-end detection unit determines whether or not a near-end mark has been detected. When the near-end mark is detected, the upper apparatus is notified of the near-end. When the control unit of the detection unit only outputs image data to the host device (for example, a POS terminal device), the control unit of the host device determines whether or not the near end mark has been detected, and detects the near end mark. The operator may be notified that it is time to replace the roll paper.

  In this embodiment, the roll paper near-end detection unit communicates with the host device, but may communicate with the printer instead of the host device.

  In the present embodiment, the host device is a POS terminal device, but it may be an external machine of a gas station system.

  In the present embodiment, the roll paper near-end detection unit is incorporated in the printer. However, in the present invention, the roll paper near-end detection unit may be attached to the outside of the printer (of the illumination unit). Excluding the light irradiation end and the image entrance end of the imaging unit).

  Further, as the roll paper near-end detection unit, it may be configured to only take an image by the imaging unit and output the image data, and to analyze the image with a POS terminal device.

[Embodiment 4]
The fourth embodiment of the present invention differs from the second embodiment in that the POS terminal device has a mark identification unit and the host device has a near-end notification unit.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the POS terminal apparatus 100 ″ according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a printer 10 ′.

  As shown on the left side in FIG. 9, the POS terminal device 100 ″ is connected to the host device 300, which is a host device, via a network (wired LAN, wireless LAN, etc.). It is connected to the host device 300 via the network, and the POS system is configured by the host device 300 shown in FIG. 9, the POS terminal device 100 ″ and other POS terminal devices connected via the network. . Further, the roll paper near-end detection system is configured by the host device 300, the POS terminal device 100 "including the printer 10 'and the other POS terminal device including the printer 10' connected via the network. .

  As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the printer 10 ′, the POS terminal device 100 ″ includes a terminal control unit 110 ″ for controlling the overall operation of the own device, an input unit 120 ″ for inputting data, and at least the own device. It has a display unit 130 that displays related information, and a communication unit 140 that communicates with the host device 300 via a network.

  In addition, the host device 300 controls the overall operation of the host device, manages the POS terminal device 100 ″ under its control, the POS terminal device 100 ″ and other POS terminals via the network. A communication unit 320 that communicates with the apparatus and a display unit 330 that displays information related to the POS system under the host apparatus 300 are included. Further, the host device 300 may include an input unit for inputting data.

  Like the printers 10 and 10 ′ of the first and second embodiments, the printer 10 ′ includes a housing, a roll paper storage unit cover, printer function units such as a paper transport unit 12, a printing unit 13, and a paper cutting unit 14. And a roll paper container.

  The roll paper storage unit has an open container shape and stores the roll paper 600 (only the vicinity of the end portion is shown in FIG. 11) to be printed. In this embodiment as well, the roll paper storage unit is a so-called throw-in type that supports the outer peripheral surface of the roll paper 600 without pivotally supporting the roll paper 600.

  Although not shown, the housing includes an opening communicating with the roll paper storage unit and a wall portion on the rear side when mounted on the POS terminal device 100 ″. The roll paper storage unit cover includes a housing. It is attached to the opening of the body so that it can be opened and closed with a shaft as a pivot.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the vicinity of the end portion of the roll paper 600, a strip-shaped near end mark 600A is printed in advance on the both sides in the width direction of the paper over a predetermined length from the end of the roll paper. The near end mark 600A is not limited to light red, and may be black or the like. A thin seal such as light red or black may be attached. In the present embodiment, the width of the roll paper 600 is 58 mm, and the width of each pair of near end marks 600A is about 5 mm. The near end mark 600A may be attached only to either the left or right side in the width direction of the roll paper.

  Furthermore, the printer 10 ′ includes an LED lamp 16 that is an illuminating unit that irradiates illumination light on the entire width direction of the surface of the roll paper 600 accommodated in the roll paper accommodating unit, and a roll irradiated with illumination light by the LED lamp 16. The camera 17 is an image pickup unit that picks up an image of the entire area of the paper 600 in the width direction.

  In the present embodiment, the mark identifying unit is provided as the mark identifying unit 110A in the terminal control unit 110 ″ of the POS terminal apparatus 100 ″ as in the second embodiment.

  Similarly to the second embodiment, the mark identifying unit 110A performs image analysis on the image captured by the camera 17 to identify the near-end mark 600A (FIG. 11) attached in advance to the paper surface of the roll paper 600.

  In the present embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, the near-end notification unit is provided as the display unit 330 of the host device 300.

  In addition to displaying information related to the POS terminal devices under the host device 300, the display unit 330 indicates that the roll paper 600 is near the end when the identification result by the mark identification unit 110A is near end mark. Is displayed on the screen. Although not shown, the host device 300 may include a speaker, a buzzer, or the like that informs by voice that the roll paper 600 is near the end portion, as a near-end notification unit.

  The LED lamp 16 and the camera 17 are mounted on the inner surface of the roll paper accommodation unit cover, as in the second embodiment. That is, it can be said that the LED lamp 16, the camera 17, and the roll paper accommodation unit cover constitute a single unit.

  Therefore, in place of the roll paper storage unit cover of the existing printer, the unit is mounted, and the program of the terminal control unit of the existing POS terminal device is changed, or the mark is added by adding an additional circuit board By providing the identification unit, the present invention can be applied to the POS terminal device without modifying the existing configuration.

  Note that at least one of the LED lamp 16 and the camera 17 may be mounted on an inner wall surface on the rear side of the printer housing. Even in such a case, it is preferable to attach the printer function unit or the roll paper storage unit at a location away from the printer function unit or roll paper storage unit.

  Next, the operation of the POS system according to the present embodiment, particularly the processing executed by the terminal control unit 110 ″ of the POS terminal device 100 ″ will be described.

  In step S31 of FIG. 10, the terminal control unit 110 ″ of the POS terminal apparatus 100 ′ outputs print data to the printer control unit 11 ′ to perform printing, and receives a notification of the end of the printing process from the printer control unit 11 ′. Then, the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S <b> 32, the terminal control unit 110 ″ turns on the LED lamp 16 and irradiates illumination light over the entire width direction of the paper surface of the roll paper 600.

  In step S <b> 33, the terminal control unit 110 ″ captures an image of the entire width direction of the roll paper 600 with the camera 17.

  In step S <b> 34, the terminal control unit 110 ″ turns off the LED lamp 16.

  Subsequently, the terminal control unit 110 ″ performs image analysis on the captured image by the mark identification unit 110A. As a result, when the near-end mark 600A is present (YES in step S35), the process proceeds to step S36. If the result is no near end mark 600A (NO in step S35), the process returns to step S31.

  Here, the identification of the near end mark 600A can be performed under the same identification condition as exemplified in the first embodiment.

  In step S36, the terminal control unit 110 ″ transmits information indicating that the roll paper is near the terminal end from the communication unit 120 ″ to the host device 300 via the network, and then returns to step S31.

  The system control unit 310 of the host apparatus 300 that has received the information that the roll paper is near the terminal end from the POS terminal device 100 ″ displays the information on the display unit 330 based on the received information, whereby the roll paper 600 is terminated. The operator of the host device 300 is notified that the paper is near the copy section (it is time to replace the roll paper).

  When a plurality of POS terminal devices are connected to the host device 300, the POS terminal device that has become near-end of the printer roll paper is communicated and notified.

  Further, the step of detecting and notifying the near-end mark from the LED lamp lighting to the near-end notification may be performed before the start of the printing process, not after the end of the printing process.

  In the above description, the POS terminal device including the printer is the POS terminal device according to the second embodiment. However, the POS terminal device including the printer may be provided with the communication unit according to the first or third embodiment. POS terminal devices including the printers 3 to 3 may be mixed.

  According to the fourth embodiment, as in the first to third embodiments, a POS terminal apparatus having a printer that can detect the near end of the roll paper without affecting the structure of the printer function unit and the roll paper storage unit. Can be provided. Furthermore, when the POS terminal is an external machine for a self-service station system, the employees of the self-service station are not always near the external machine, but in an office where the host device is installed. There are many times. According to the present embodiment, the employee of the self-service station can know that the roll paper of the printer is near the terminal end in the office where the host device is installed. Is preferred.

  In the embodiment described above, a printer used as a constituent unit of a POS terminal device also called a register as shown in FIG. 1 has been described as an example. However, the printer of the present invention is installed outside a gas station. A printer used as a constituent unit of a POS terminal device such as a printer may be used.

  The printer of the present invention is not limited to a printer built in the POS terminal device, but may be a printer provided in the POS terminal device.

  Furthermore, the printer of the present invention is not limited to a throw-in printer that uses roll paper, but may be a shaft-supported printer that uses roll paper.

  Furthermore, the printer of the present invention is not limited to a printer that is used in combination with a POS terminal device, but may be a printer for electronic equipment that uses a roll paper type printer.

  A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Supplementary Note 1) A printer that prints on roll paper based on print data, and a POS terminal device that transmits the print data to the printer,
The paper surface of the roll paper accommodated in the printer is irradiated with illumination light, the paper surface is imaged, and the captured image is analyzed to identify and detect a near-end mark previously attached to the paper surface of the roll paper. A roll paper near-end detection system.

  (Additional remark 2) The said printer has the illumination part which irradiates illumination light to the paper surface of roll paper, and the image pick-up part which images the paper surface of the roll paper irradiated with illumination light, The roll paper near end detection system of Additional remark 1 .

  (Supplementary note 3) The roll paper near-end detection system according to supplementary note 2, wherein the printer identifies and detects a near-end mark by performing image analysis on an image captured by the imaging unit.

(Supplementary Note 4) A roll paper near-end detection unit is used that is mounted on the inside, outside, or inside / outside of the printer.
The roll paper near-end detection system according to appendix 2, wherein the roll paper near-end detection unit includes the illumination unit, the imaging unit, and a control unit that controls the illumination unit and the imaging unit.

  (Supplementary note 5) The roll paper near-end detection system according to supplementary note 4, wherein the roll paper near-end detection unit identifies and detects a near-end mark by performing image analysis on an image captured by the imaging unit.

(Supplementary Note 6) The printer has a casing provided with an opening communicating with the roll paper accommodating portion, and an opening container shape provided in the casing and communicating with the opening of the casing, and performs printing. A roll paper storage unit that stores roll paper to be performed, and a roll paper storage unit cover that is attached to the opening of the housing so as to be opened and closed;
The roll paper near-end detection according to any one of appendices 2 to 5, wherein the illumination unit and the imaging unit are attached on an inner wall surface on the rear side of the casing or on an inner side surface of the roll paper storage unit cover. system.

(Appendix 7) A roll paper storage unit for storing roll paper to be printed, an illumination unit for irradiating illumination light onto the surface of the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit, and a roll paper irradiated with illumination light An imaging unit for imaging the paper surface of
The image data captured by the imaging unit is output to a higher-level device, or the image captured by the imaging unit is image-analyzed to identify and detect a near-end mark previously attached to the paper surface of the roll paper, A printer that outputs a signal indicating a detection result to a host device.

(Appendix 8) Used by mounting inside, outside or inside and outside the printer,
An illumination unit that irradiates illumination light onto the paper surface of the roll paper, and an imaging unit that images the paper surface of the roll paper irradiated with the illumination light;
The image data captured by the imaging unit is output to a higher-level device, or the image captured by the imaging unit is image-analyzed to identify and detect a near-end mark previously attached to the paper surface of the roll paper, A roll paper near-end detection unit that outputs a signal indicating a detection result to a host device.

(Additional remark 9) The illumination process which irradiates illumination light to the paper surface of the roll paper which should perform printing,
An imaging step of imaging the surface of the roll paper irradiated with illumination light;
A roll paper near-end detection method, comprising: a mark identifying step of identifying and detecting a near-end mark preliminarily attached to the surface of the roll paper by performing image analysis on an image captured by the imaging unit.

  (Supplementary note 10) The roll paper near-end detection method according to supplementary note 9, wherein the illumination process, the imaging process, and the mark identification process are executed every time printing is completed.

(Additional remark 11) The said illumination part irradiates illumination light to the width direction whole region of the paper surface of roll paper,
The printer according to appendix 7, wherein the imaging unit images the entire width direction of the surface of the roll paper irradiated with illumination light.

  (Additional remark 12) The said roll paper accommodating part is a printer of Additional remark 7 or 11 which supports the outer peripheral surface of the accommodated roll paper.

  (Additional remark 13) The said illumination part is attached on the inner surface of the said roll paper accommodating part cover, The said imaging part is attached on the inner wall surface of the back side of the said housing | casing, Additional remarks 7 and 11 characterized by the above-mentioned. And the printer according to any one of 12 above.

  (Additional remark 14) When the identification result in the said mark identification process has a near-end mark, it has further the near-end alerting | reporting process which alert | reports at least one of a display and an audio | voice that a roll paper is near the termination | terminus. The roll paper near-end detection method according to 9 or 10.

(Additional remark 15) In the said illumination process, illumination light is irradiated to the whole width direction of the paper surface of roll paper,
15. The roll paper near-end detection method according to any one of appendices 9, 10 and 14, wherein in the imaging step, the entire width direction of the paper surface of the roll paper irradiated with illumination light is imaged.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10 'Printer 11, 11' Printer control part 11A Mark identification part 12 Paper conveyance part 13 Printing part 14 Paper cutting part 16, A16 LED lamp 17, A17 Camera 21 Case 21A Wall part 22 Roll paper accommodating part 23 Roll paper Housing part cover 23a Axis 100, 100 ', 100 "POS terminal device 110, 110', 110" Terminal control part 110A Mark identification part 120, 120 "Input part 130 Display part 140 Communication part 300 Host device 310 System control part 320 Communication Section 330 Display section 600 Roll paper 600A Near end mark A Roll paper near end detection unit A11 Unit control section A19 Communication section

Claims (10)

A printer that prints on roll paper based on the print data, and a POS terminal device that transmits the print data to the printer,
The paper surface of the roll paper accommodated in the printer is irradiated with illumination light, the paper surface is imaged, and the captured image is analyzed to identify and detect a near-end mark previously attached to the paper surface of the roll paper. A roll paper near-end detection system.   2. The roll paper near-end detection system according to claim 1, wherein the printer includes an illumination unit that irradiates illumination light onto a surface of the roll paper, and an imaging unit that captures an image of the paper surface of the roll paper irradiated with the illumination light.   The roll paper near-end detection system according to claim 2, wherein the printer identifies and detects a near-end mark by analyzing an image captured by the imaging unit. A roll paper near-end detection unit used by being mounted on the inside, outside or inside and outside of the printer;
The roll paper near-end detection system according to claim 2, wherein the roll paper near-end detection unit includes the illumination unit, the imaging unit, and a control unit that controls the illumination unit and the imaging unit.   The roll paper near-end detection system according to claim 4, wherein the roll paper near-end detection unit identifies and detects a near-end mark by analyzing an image captured by the imaging unit. The printer includes a housing having an opening communicating with the roll paper storage unit, and a roll paper that is provided in the housing and has an opening container shape communicating with the opening of the housing to perform printing. A roll paper storage portion that is openably and closably attached to the opening of the housing;
The roll according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein each of the illumination unit and the imaging unit is mounted on an inner wall surface on a rear side of the casing or on an inner surface of the roll paper storage unit cover. Paper near-end detection system. Imaging a roll paper storage unit that stores roll paper to be printed, an illumination unit that irradiates illumination light onto the surface of the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit, and a paper surface of the roll paper irradiated with illumination light And an imaging unit
The image data captured by the imaging unit is output to a higher-level device, or the image captured by the imaging unit is image-analyzed to identify and detect a near-end mark previously attached to the paper surface of the roll paper, A printer that outputs a signal indicating a detection result to a host device. Used by mounting inside, outside or inside / outside of the printer,
An illumination unit that irradiates illumination light onto the paper surface of the roll paper, and an imaging unit that images the paper surface of the roll paper irradiated with the illumination light;
The image data captured by the imaging unit is output to a higher-level device, or the image captured by the imaging unit is image-analyzed to identify and detect a near-end mark previously attached to the paper surface of the roll paper, A roll paper near-end detection unit that outputs a signal indicating a detection result to a host device. An illumination process for irradiating illumination light onto the surface of the roll paper to be printed;
An imaging step of imaging the surface of the roll paper irradiated with illumination light;
A roll paper near-end detection method, comprising: a mark identifying step of identifying and detecting a near-end mark preliminarily attached to the surface of the roll paper by performing image analysis on an image captured by the imaging unit.   The roll paper near-end detection method according to claim 9, wherein the illumination process, the imaging process, and the mark identification process are executed every time printing is completed.

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