JP2020001329A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent occurrence of a situation where, when a plurality of printers having automatic power off functions and disposed close to each other are used, one of the printers is in a power-off state.SOLUTION: In a printer 1 has a platen roller 111, a thermal line head 112, a communication control unit 141, and a control circuit 140. The control circuit 140 performs: an automatic power-off process in which the printer 1 is brought into a power-off state in a case where a lapse of time from when the printer 1 has brought into a predetermined state becomes equal to or longer than a set time; a distance determination process in which it is determined whether a distance from other printer 1, detected via the communication control unit 141, is equal to or shorter than a threshold; an information acquisition process in which, in a case where it is determined in the distance determination process that the distance is equal to or shorter than the threshold, setting information about the automatic power-off process is acquired from the other printer 1; and an information update process in which when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the set information for the printer 1 is updated to the set information for the other printer 1 acquired in the information acquisition process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs desired printing on a print-receiving medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art As a printing apparatus for performing desired printing on a print-receiving medium, a printing apparatus having a so-called auto power-off function is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this conventional technique, in order to save energy, after a predetermined set time elapses in the operation stop state, the power supply voltage is switched to the supply cutoff state.

JP 2005-99960 A

  When printing is performed using a plurality of printing apparatuses having an auto power-off function as in the above-described related art, the setting time of each printing apparatus may be different. Further, even if the set time is the same, a case may be considered in which the elapsed time from when a predetermined state is reached in each printing apparatus is different. In such a case, when printing is performed using a plurality of printing apparatuses, a situation may occur in which some printing apparatuses are in a power-off state. In that case, there is a problem that it is necessary to turn on the power of the printing apparatus again.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent a situation in which some of the printing apparatuses are in a power-off state when using a plurality of printing apparatuses having an auto power-off function and arranged in the vicinity. .

  Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a transport unit that transports a print medium, a print unit that prints on the print medium transported by the transport unit, a communication unit that performs wireless communication, Means, the control means comprising: an automatic power supply for setting the printing apparatus to a power-off state when an elapsed time from when the printing apparatus enters a predetermined state is equal to or longer than a set time. Off processing, a distance determination process for detecting a distance from another printing apparatus via the communication unit, and determining whether the distance is equal to or less than a threshold value, If it is determined to be the following, information acquisition processing for acquiring setting information related to the automatic power-off processing from the other printing apparatus, and, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, the setting information of the printing apparatus Information update process of updating the acquired the setting information of another printing apparatus in broadcast acquisition process, characterized by execution.

  When printing is performed using a plurality of printing apparatuses having an auto power-off function, the setting time of each printing apparatus may be different. Further, even if the set time is the same, a case may be considered in which the elapsed time from when a predetermined state is reached in each printing apparatus is different. In such a case, when printing is performed using a plurality of printing apparatuses, a situation may occur in which some printing apparatuses are in a power-off state. In that case, the user needs to turn on the power of the printing apparatus again, which requires the user's trouble.

  In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit executes a distance determination process, an information acquisition process, and an information update process. In the distance determination processing, a distance to another printing apparatus is detected via the communication unit, and it is determined whether the distance is equal to or smaller than a threshold. In the information acquisition process, when it is determined in the distance determination process that the distance is equal to or smaller than the threshold, the setting information regarding the auto power-off process is acquired from another printing apparatus. In the information updating process, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the setting information of the printing device is updated to the setting information of another printing device acquired in the information acquiring process.

  Accordingly, when a plurality of printing apparatuses having an auto power-off function are arranged in the vicinity, setting information relating to the auto power-off processing of each printing apparatus can be automatically shared. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation where some of the printing apparatuses are in a power-off state when using a plurality of printing apparatuses arranged in the vicinity thereof. Therefore, the trouble of turning on the power of the printing apparatus in the power-off state again can be omitted, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when using the several printing apparatus arrange | positioned near and provided with the automatic power-off function, it can prevent the situation where some printing apparatuses are in a power-off state. .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is sectional drawing by the FF cross section in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing apparatus and an operation terminal. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of distance detection between printing devices arranged in close proximity. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control routine executed by a control circuit of the printing apparatus. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another example of the control routine executed by the control circuit of the printing apparatus. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating still another example of the control routine executed by the control circuit of the printing apparatus. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating still another example of the control routine executed by the control circuit of the printing apparatus. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating still another example of the control routine executed by the control circuit of the printing apparatus. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control routine executed by a control circuit of the printing apparatus in a modified example in which a set time is restored when the printing apparatus is released.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the scale of the components of the illustrated embodiment is appropriately changed to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

<Printing device>
First, a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower right direction in FIG. 1 is defined as right, the upper left direction as left, the upper right direction as backward, the lower left direction as forward, the upper direction as upper, and the lower direction as lower. Arrow illustration).

  1 and 2, the printing apparatus 1 can be driven using a rechargeable battery as a power supply, and executes printing corresponding to print data received from an external device (for example, the operation terminal 300). Further, the printing apparatus 1 can be connected to other printing apparatuses and the operation terminal 300 as an external device via a network by a well-known mutually recognizable wireless communication method via a built-in antenna (not shown).

  The printing apparatus 1 includes a substantially box-shaped casing 100 that forms an outer casing of the apparatus. The housing 100 includes a top cover 101 forming an upper portion of the device outer shell, and an under cover 102 forming a lower portion of the device outer shell. The top cover 101 includes a fixing portion 101A and an opening / closing lid 101B.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a roll storage section 161 is provided below the opening / closing lid 101B of the top cover 101 (inside the housing 100). A roll paper S as an example of a print-receiving medium is rotatably supported at both ends by a support member (not shown) and stored in the roll storage section 161. It is possible to supply the roll paper S efficiently. At this time, the opening / closing lid 101B is rotatably connected to the rear end of the under cover 102 via the hinge H, and by opening the opening / closing lid 101B, the roll storage portion 161 is exposed to the outside of the apparatus. As a result, the mounting and replacement of the roll paper S can be easily performed. At a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the top cover 101, a discharge port 107 for discharging the roll paper S after printing is provided.

  A platen roller 111 is rotatably supported at the front end of the opening / closing lid 101B as an example of a conveying unit. The platen roller 111 transports the roll paper S when the opening / closing lid 101B is in a closed state.

  A desired print is formed on the roll paper S conveyed as described above by the thermal line head 112 as a printing unit that comes into contact with the platen roller 111 with a predetermined pressing force. At this time, a transport roller motor 32 (see FIG. 3) that generates a driving force for rotating the platen roller 111 is provided inside the housing 100. When the open / close lid 101B is closed, the transport roller motor 32 is closed. Is transmitted to the platen roller 111 by a gear mechanism (not shown). The drive of the transport roller motor 32 is controlled by a control board 170 (see FIG. 2) disposed rearward inside the housing 100.

  Below the control board 170 inside the housing 100, a battery storage section 163 (see FIG. 2) in which the battery is inserted and arranged from the lower surface side of the under cover 102 is provided. Although not shown, the battery is stored horizontally in the battery storage section 163 from the viewpoint of stability and the center of gravity arrangement. Then, the control board 170 controls the thermal line head 112 and the transport roller motor 32 while using the electric power supplied from the battery stored in the battery storage section 163. The battery includes a lithium ion battery in this example.

<Schematic operation of printing device>
In the above configuration, at the time of printing, print data is transmitted from an external device (for example, the operation terminal 300) to the printing apparatus 1 via wireless communication (or wired communication or infrared communication). Further, the roll paper S is fed out from the roll storage unit 161 by the rotation of the platen roller 111 based on the driving force of the transport roller motor 32. The fed roll paper S is inserted between the thermal line head 112 and the platen roller 111, and the thermal line head 112 performs printing on the roll paper S in a desired mode based on the print data. The roll paper S (corresponding to a printed material) after printing is discharged from the outlet 107 to the outside of the housing 100. At this time, a fixed blade 160 is attached inside the outlet 107 along the outlet 107. The user can manually cut the end of the roll paper S that has been printed as described above and has been discharged from the discharge port 107 by using the fixed blade 160.

  The operation terminal 300 is, for example, an information terminal such as a portable information terminal having a wireless communication function (hereinafter, also abbreviated as “PDA”) or a smartphone (a mobile phone terminal having a PDA function). The operation terminal 300 has, for example, a liquid crystal display 301 and operation buttons 302. The liquid crystal display 301 has a display function of displaying various information and messages, and allows a user to input desired instructions and information in combination with the operation buttons 302 by a touch panel method or the like. Therefore, hereinafter, the display function of the liquid crystal display 301 is referred to as “display unit 301”, and the operation function of the touch panel and the operation function of the operation button 302 are collectively referred to simply as “operation unit 302”.

<Functional configuration of printing device and operation terminal>
The functional configuration of the printing device 1 and the operation terminal 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 1 includes a print drive circuit 31 that controls a thermal line head 112 to perform desired printing on the roll paper S, a transport roller motor 32 that drives a platen roller 111, and a transport roller motor. 32, a battery sensor 36 for detecting the remaining amount of the battery, and a control circuit 140 for controlling the overall operation of the printing apparatus 1 via the print drive circuit 31, the transport roller drive circuit 33, and the like. A communication control unit 141 for performing mutual recognition communication with connection authentication between the operation terminal 300 and another printing apparatus 1 by a known method, and a memory 142 such as a RAM or a ROM. , And a power supply circuit 143. The ROM of the memory 142 stores a print processing program for executing each procedure (process) of the flow of FIGS. 5 to 10 described below.

  The communication control unit 141 includes a configuration required for wireless communication such as an antenna, and constitutes a communication unit. The communication control unit 141 performs mutual recognition communication with connection authentication with the operation terminal 300 by a known method, and also performs mutual recognition communication with the other printing apparatuses 1.

  The control circuit 140 controls the power supply circuit 143 when the elapsed time from the start of counting after the printing apparatus 1 enters a predetermined state (for example, the non-operation state) is equal to or longer than a preset time. Then, the printer 1 executes an auto power-off process for turning the printing apparatus 1 into a power-off state (a state in which power supply from a battery is cut off).

  The control circuit 140 detects the distance between the printing apparatus 1 of the own apparatus and the printing apparatus 1 of the other apparatus via the communication control unit 141, and determines whether the distance is equal to or less than a threshold value. Execute the process. For example, in a wireless communication system based on BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)), as shown in an example in FIG. 4, a distance between devices is detected in three stages, for example, “far”, “close”, and “very close”. can do. In this case, for example, by setting “close” as the threshold value, it is possible to determine whether the printing apparatuses 1 are arranged close to each other. FIG. 4 shows an example in which three printing apparatuses 1 are arranged within a “close” distance. Note that a wireless communication method other than the above may be used as long as the distance between the communication devices can be detected, and the distance may be detected in more stages (or as a continuous value).

  If the control circuit 140 determines that the distance is equal to or smaller than the threshold value in the distance determination processing, the control circuit 140 executes information acquisition processing for acquiring setting information relating to the auto power-off processing from another printing apparatus 1. The setting information relating to the auto power-off process is, for example, elapsed time information or setting time information, and is stored in the memory 142 of each printing apparatus 1. The setting information may be any one of the elapsed time information and the setting time information, or may include other information.

  Further, the control circuit 140 executes an information update process of updating the setting information of the printing device 1 of the own device to the setting information of the printing device 1 of the other device acquired in the above information acquisition process when a predetermined condition is satisfied. I do. The contents of the predetermined condition for executing the information update process (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “update condition”) will be described later.

  The operation terminal 300 includes a CPU 303, a memory 304 such as a RAM or a ROM, an operation unit 302, a display unit 301, a large-capacity storage device 305 including a hard disk device or the like and storing various information, and a mutual recognition communication. And a communication control unit 306 that controls transmission and reception of information with at least one printing apparatus 1.

  The CPU 303 performs signal processing according to a program stored in the ROM in advance while using the temporary storage function of the RAM, and thereby transmits and receives various instruction signals and information signals to and from the printing apparatus 1.

<Control routine executed by control circuit>
Next, a control routine executed by the control circuit 140 of each printing apparatus 1 will be described for each type of the update condition with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. In the following description, it is assumed that a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 exist in a network area where wireless communication can be performed with each other. It will be described as. The control routine shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 is repeatedly performed while the power of the printing apparatus 1 is ON (or when the update mode of the setting information is ON / OFF). Be executed. When there are a plurality of other devices, the control routine shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 may be performed for each of the other devices one by one, or may be performed for a plurality of other devices collectively. You may.

  FIG. 5 is a control routine in a case where the parent device and the child device are set in the printing device 1 and the update condition is that the printing device 1 of the own device is set as the child device.

  In step S1, the control circuit 140 of the own device determines whether the printing device 1 of the own device is set as a slave device. The setting of the master unit and the slave unit may be manually set by the user, or may be automatically performed, for example, by setting the one that is used most frequently by communication between the printing apparatuses 1 as the master unit and the other unit as the slave unit. May be set. When the control circuit 140 of the own device determines that the printing device 1 of the own device is not set as the slave device (that is, set as the master device) (No), the control circuit 140 ends this routine. On the other hand, when the control circuit 140 of the own device determines that the printing device 1 of the own device is set as the slave device (Yes), the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the control circuit 140 of the own device detects the distance from the printing device 1 of the other device via the communication control unit 141, and determines whether or not the distance is equal to or smaller than a threshold value. Execute If it is determined that the distance to the other device is larger than the threshold value (No), the process waits in a loop until the distance to the other device becomes equal to or less than the threshold value. If it is determined that the distance to the other device is equal to or smaller than the threshold (Yes), the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the control circuit 140 of the own apparatus acquires the address information of the printing apparatus 1 of the other apparatus via the communication control unit 141, and shifts the processing to step S4. The address information is information for specifying a device on a predetermined network, and is, for example, a MAC address or an IP address.

  In step S4, the control circuit 140 of the own device determines whether or not the printing device 1 of the other device that has acquired the address information in step S3 is set as the master device. If it is determined that the printing device 1 of the other device is not set as the master device (that is, set as the slave device) (No), the process returns to step S2. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing device 1 of the other device is set as the parent device (Yes), the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information acquisition process of acquiring set time information relating to the auto power-off process from the printing device 1 of the other device determined to have been set as the master device in step S4. Then, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information obtaining process of obtaining elapsed time information relating to the auto power-off process from the printing device 1 of the other device determined to be set as the master device in step S4. Then, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information update process of updating the set time information of the printing device 1 of the own device stored in the memory 142 to the set time information of the master device acquired in step S5. Then, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information updating process of updating the elapsed time information of the printing device 1 of the own device stored in the memory 142 to the elapsed time information of the master device acquired in step S6. This routine is terminated.

  According to the above control contents, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 including the printing apparatus 1 set as the master unit and the printing apparatus 1 set as the slave unit are arranged in the vicinity, the automatic power-off process of the slave unit is performed. The setting information can be automatically shared with the setting information of the master unit.

  FIG. 6 shows a control routine when the update condition is that the set time of the auto power off of the own device is shorter than that of the other device.

  In step S11, the control circuit 140 of the own device detects the distance to the printing device 1 of the other device via the communication control unit 141, and determines whether the distance is equal to or less than a threshold value. Execute If it is determined that the distance to the other device is larger than the threshold value (No), the process waits in a loop until the distance to the other device becomes equal to or less than the threshold value. If it is determined that the distance to the other device is equal to or less than the threshold (Yes), the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the control circuit 140 of the own apparatus acquires the address information of the printing apparatus 1 of the other apparatus via the communication control unit 141, and shifts the processing to step S13.

  In step S13, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information obtaining process of obtaining set time information relating to the auto power-off process from the printing device 1 of the other device that has obtained the address information in step S12, and proceeds to step S14. Transfer processing.

  In step S14, the control circuit 140 of the own device determines whether the set time information of the other device obtained in step S13 is longer than the set time information of the own device. If the set time information of the other device is shorter than that of the own device (No), this routine ends. On the other hand, if the set time information of the other device is longer than the own device (Yes), the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information updating process of updating the set time information of the printing device 1 of the own device stored in the memory 142 to the set time information of the other device acquired in step S13. This routine is terminated.

  According to the above control contents, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 having the auto power-off function are arranged in the vicinity, the setting time of the auto power-off of each printing apparatus 1 is set to the maximum time among the plurality of printing apparatuses 1. Can be automatically made common.

  FIG. 7 shows a control routine when the update condition is that the elapsed time of the auto power off of the own device is longer than that of the other device.

  In step S21, the control circuit 140 of the own device detects the distance to the printing device 1 of the other device via the communication control unit 141, and determines whether or not the distance is equal to or smaller than a threshold value. Execute If it is determined that the distance to the other device is larger than the threshold value (No), the process waits in a loop until the distance to the other device becomes equal to or less than the threshold value. If it is determined that the distance to the other device is equal to or smaller than the threshold (Yes), the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the control circuit 140 of the own apparatus acquires the address information of the printing apparatus 1 of the other apparatus via the communication control unit 141, and shifts the processing to step S23.

  In step S23, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information obtaining process of obtaining elapsed time information related to the auto power-off process from the printing device 1 of the other device that has obtained the address information in step S22, and proceeds to step S24. Transfer processing.

  In step S24, the control circuit 140 of the own device determines whether or not the elapsed time information of the other device obtained in step S23 is shorter than the elapsed time information of the own device. If the elapsed time information of the other device is longer than that of the own device (No), this routine ends. On the other hand, if the elapsed time information of the other device is shorter than the own device (Yes), the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information update process of updating the elapsed time information of the printing device 1 of the own device stored in the memory 142 to the elapsed time information of the other device acquired in step S23. This routine is terminated.

  According to the above control contents, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 having an auto power-off function are arranged in the vicinity, the elapsed time of the auto power-off of each printing apparatus 1 is minimized among the plurality of printing apparatuses 1. Can be automatically made common.

  FIG. 8 is a control routine in the case where both the setting time of the auto power off of the own device is shorter than that of the other device and the elapsed time of the auto power off of the own device is longer than that of the other device. is there.

  In step S31, the control circuit 140 of the own apparatus detects the distance to the printing apparatus 1 of the other apparatus via the communication control unit 141, and determines whether the distance is equal to or smaller than a threshold value. Execute If it is determined that the distance to the other device is larger than the threshold value (No), the process waits in a loop until the distance to the other device becomes equal to or less than the threshold value. If it is determined that the distance from the other device is equal to or smaller than the threshold (Yes), the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, the control circuit 140 of the own device acquires the address information of the printing device 1 of the other device via the communication control unit 141, and shifts the processing to step S33.

  In step S33, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information obtaining process of obtaining set time information relating to the auto power-off process from the printing device 1 of the other device that has obtained the address information in step S32, and proceeds to step S34. Transfer processing.

  In step S34, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information obtaining process of obtaining elapsed time information relating to the auto power-off process from the printing device 1 of the other device that has obtained the address information in step S32, and proceeds to step S35. Transfer processing.

  In step S35, the control circuit 140 of the own device determines whether or not the set time information of the other device acquired in step S33 is longer than the set time information of the own device. If the set time information of the other device is shorter than that of the own device (No), the process proceeds to step S37. On the other hand, if the set time information of the other device is longer than the own device (Yes), the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S36, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information update process of updating the set time information of the printing device 1 of the own device stored in the memory 142 to the set time information of the other device acquired in step S33. Then, the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S37, the control circuit 140 of the own device determines whether the elapsed time information of the other device obtained in step S34 is shorter than the elapsed time information of the own device. If the elapsed time information of the other device is longer than that of the own device (No), this routine ends. On the other hand, if the elapsed time information of the other device is shorter than that of the own device (Yes), the process proceeds to step S38.

  In step S38, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information update process of updating the elapsed time information of the printing device 1 of the own device stored in the memory 142 to the elapsed time information of the other device acquired in step S34. This routine is terminated.

  According to the above control contents, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 having the auto power-off function are arranged in the vicinity, the setting time of the auto power-off of each printing apparatus 1 is set to the maximum time among the plurality of printing apparatuses 1. And the elapsed time of the auto power-off of each printing device 1 can be automatically shared with the smallest one among the plurality of printing devices 1.

  FIG. 9 is a control routine in the case where the update condition is that the remaining time (the difference time between the set time and the elapsed time) until the own device is turned off by the auto power off function is shorter than that of the other device. .

  In step S41, the control circuit 140 of the own apparatus detects the distance to the printing apparatus 1 of another apparatus via the communication control unit 141, and determines whether the distance is equal to or less than a threshold value. Execute If it is determined that the distance to the other device is larger than the threshold value (No), the process waits in a loop until the distance to the other device becomes equal to or less than the threshold value. If it is determined that the distance from the other device is equal to or smaller than the threshold (Yes), the process proceeds to step S42.

  In step S42, the control circuit 140 of the own apparatus acquires the address information of the printing apparatus 1 of the other apparatus via the communication control unit 141, and shifts the processing to step S43.

  In step S43, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information obtaining process of obtaining set time information related to the auto power-off process from the printing device 1 of the other device that has obtained the address information in step S42, and proceeds to step S44. Transfer processing.

  In step S44, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information obtaining process of obtaining elapsed time information related to the auto power-off process from the printing device 1 of the other device that has obtained the address information in step S42, and proceeds to step S45. Transfer processing.

  In step S45, the control circuit 140 of the own device determines a difference time obtained by subtracting the elapsed time information acquired in step S44 from the set time information acquired in step S43 (remaining time until the auto power-off process is executed). Is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S46. The control circuit 140 of the own device also calculates the difference time of the own device based on the set time information and the elapsed time information stored in the memory 142.

  In step S46, the control circuit 140 of the own device determines whether or not the difference time of the other device calculated in step S45 is longer than the difference time of the own device. If the difference time of the other device is shorter than that of the own device (No), this routine ends. On the other hand, if the difference time of the other device is longer than that of the own device (Yes), the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S47, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information update process of updating the set time information of the printing device 1 of the own device stored in the memory 142 to the set time information of the other device acquired in step S43. Then, the process proceeds to step S48.

  In step S48, the control circuit 140 of the own device executes an information updating process of updating the elapsed time information of the printing device 1 of the own device stored in the memory 142 to the elapsed time information of the other device acquired in step S44. This routine is terminated.

  According to the above control contents, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 having the auto power-off function are arranged in the vicinity, the difference time (power-off state) between the set time and the elapsed time of the auto power-off of each printing apparatus 1 (Remaining time until the printing time) becomes the largest among the plurality of printing apparatuses 1 automatically.

<Effects of Embodiment>
According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. That is, when printing is performed using a plurality of printing apparatuses provided with the auto power-off function, the setting time of each printing apparatus may be different. Further, even if the set time is the same, a case may be considered in which the elapsed time from when a predetermined state is reached in each printing apparatus is different. In such a case, when printing is to be performed using a plurality of printing devices, for example, when printing print data on a plurality of types of print-receiving media, some of the printing devices are in a power-off state. Can occur. In that case, the user needs to turn on the power of the printing apparatus again, which requires the user's trouble.

  In the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the control circuit 140 performs a distance determination process, an information acquisition process, and an information update process. In the distance determination process, the distance between the printing device 1 of the own device and the printing device 1 of the other device is detected via the communication control unit 141, and it is determined whether the distance is equal to or smaller than a threshold value. In the information acquisition processing, when it is determined in the distance determination processing that the distance is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the setting information relating to the auto power-off processing is acquired from the printing apparatus 1 of another machine. In the information updating process, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the setting information of the printing device 1 of the own device is updated to the setting information of the printing device 1 of the other device acquired by the information acquiring process.

  Thus, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 having an auto power-off function are arranged in the vicinity, setting information relating to the auto power-off process of each printing apparatus 1 can be automatically shared. As a result, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 arranged in the vicinity are used, it is possible to prevent a situation in which some of the printing apparatuses 1 are in a power-off state. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of turning on the power supply of the printing apparatus 1 in the power-off state again, thereby improving the convenience for the user.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, in the information acquisition process, when the printing apparatus 1 of the own apparatus is set as the slave apparatus, the setting information is acquired from the other printing apparatus 1 set as the master apparatus, and the information is acquired. In the update process, when the printing device 1 of the own device is set as the slave device, the setting information of the printing device 1 is set as the master device acquired by the information acquisition process. Update to

  Thereby, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 including the printing apparatus 1 set as the master unit and the printing apparatus 1 set as the slave unit are arranged in the vicinity, the setting information regarding the auto power-off process of the slave unit is transmitted. It can be automatically shared with the setting information of the base unit. As a result, by setting a desired printing device 1 (for example, a printing device that is frequently used) as a master device, it becomes possible to specify a target to which the setting information of the auto power-off is to be matched, which is convenient for the user. Can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, in the information acquisition process, the setting time information regarding the setting time is acquired from the printing device 1 of the other device as the setting information, and in the information updating process, the printing device of the other device acquired in the information acquisition process is acquired. If the set time information of the printing device 1 of the own device is longer than the set time information of the printing device 1 of the own device, the set time information of the printing device 1 of the own device is updated to the set time information of the printing device 1 of the other device.

  Thereby, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 having the auto power-off function are arranged in the vicinity, the setting time of the auto power-off of each printing apparatus 1 is set to the maximum time among the plurality of printing apparatuses 1. It can be automatically standardized. By extending the set time in this way, it is possible to extend the use time until the power-off state at the present time, and to extend the use time after the elapsed time is reset. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, in the information acquisition process, the elapsed time information relating to the elapsed time is acquired from the printing device 1 of the other device as setting information, and in the information update process, the printing device of the other device acquired in the information acquisition process is acquired. When the elapsed time information of the printing device 1 of the own device is shorter than the elapsed time information of the printing device 1 of the own device, the elapsed time information of the printing device 1 of the own device is updated to the elapsed time information of the printing device 1 of the other device.

  Accordingly, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 having an auto power-off function are arranged in the vicinity, the elapsed time of the auto power-off of each printing apparatus 1 is minimized among the plurality of printing apparatuses 1. It can be automatically standardized. By shortening the elapsed time in this way, it is possible to lengthen the use time until the power-off state at the present time, so that the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, in the information acquisition process, the setting time information relating to the setting time and the elapsed time information relating to the elapsed time are acquired from the printing apparatus 1 of the other machine as the setting information. If the acquired difference between the set time information and the elapsed time information of the printing device 1 of the other device is longer than the difference between the set time information and the elapsed time information of the printing device 1 of the own device, the printing device 1 of the own device is Is updated to the set time information and the elapsed time information of the printing apparatus 1 of the other machine.

  Accordingly, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 having an auto power-off function are arranged in the vicinity, the difference between the set time and the elapsed time of the auto power-off of each printing apparatus 1 (the time until the power-off state is reached). The remaining time) can be automatically shared with the largest one among the plurality of printing apparatuses 1. By increasing the remaining time in this way, the usage time until the power-off state at the present time can be extended, so that the convenience for the user can be further improved.

<Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the technical idea. Hereinafter, such a modified example will be described.

(1) In the case where the set time is restored when the printing apparatus is released When the apparatus is driven by the battery as in the above-described printing apparatus 1, the set time of the auto power off is set to a relatively short time in order to save power consumption. Often set. When such a printing apparatus 1 is arranged near another printing apparatus 1 and updated so as to have a longer set time, the printing apparatus 1 is separated from the vicinity of the other printing apparatus 1 and used alone. In such a case, the battery consumption increases and the usable time is shortened. Therefore, in such a case, the set time may be returned to the original set time before updating.

  FIG. 10 shows a control routine executed by the control circuit 140 of the printing apparatus 1 of the present modification. The control routine shown in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed in parallel with the control routine shown in FIGS.

  In step S51, the control circuit 140 of the own device determines whether or not the set time information has been updated, for example, in step S7 in FIG. 5, step S15 in FIG. 6, step S36 in FIG. 8, and step S47 in FIG. Is determined. If the set time information has not been updated (No), this routine ends. On the other hand, if the set time information has been updated (Yes), the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the control circuit 140 of the own device detects the distances to all the other printing devices 1 via the communication control unit 141, and determines whether all the detected distances are greater than the threshold value. judge. The threshold value is set to, for example, a distance at which wireless communication between the printing apparatuses 1 is disabled. If it is determined that the distance to at least one other device is equal to or less than the threshold value (No), the process waits in a loop until all the distances to other devices are greater than the threshold value. If it is determined that the distances to all the other devices are larger than the threshold value (Yes), the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the control circuit 140 of the own device updates the set time information updated in the information updating process (for example, step S7 in FIG. 5, step S15 in FIG. 6, step S36 in FIG. 8, step S47 in FIG. 9). Returning to the set time information before the update (the set time information originally set in the printing device 1 of the own device before being arranged close to the printing device 1 of the other device; stored in the memory 142) The process is executed, and this routine ends.

  With the above control contents, the set time can be returned to the original short time, so that power consumption can be saved and the usable time can be prevented from becoming short.

  In addition to the case where the own printing apparatus 1 is separated from the other printing apparatuses 1 as described above, for example, when the power of the printing apparatus 1 is turned off, the updated set time is used as the original set time. May be restored.

(2) Others Although not particularly taken into consideration in the above-described embodiment, the target to which the setting information of the auto power-off is matched may be selected in consideration of the remaining battery level detected by the battery sensor 36. For example, when a plurality of printing apparatuses 1 having an auto power-off function are arranged in the vicinity, the setting information of the auto power-off of each printing apparatus 1 is stored in the plurality of printing apparatuses 1. The smallest one may be automatically shared. Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation where the printing apparatus 1 is in a power-off state due to insufficient battery power.

  Note that, in the above, the arrows shown in FIG. 3 show an example of a signal flow, and do not limit the signal flow direction.

  Also, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 are not intended to limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the above flow, but to add / delete or change the order of the procedures without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention. May be.

  Further, in addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiment and each modified example may be appropriately combined and used.

  Although not specifically exemplified, the present invention is embodied with various changes without departing from the spirit thereof.

S Roll paper (printed medium)
1 printing device 111 platen roller (conveying means)
112 Thermal line head (printing means)
140 control circuit (control means)
141 communication control unit (communication means)

Claims (6)

Conveying means for conveying the printing medium,
Printing means for performing printing on the print medium transported by the transport means,
Communication means for performing wireless communication;
Control means;
A printing device having
The control means includes:
An auto power-off process for setting the printing apparatus to a power-off state when an elapsed time after the printing apparatus enters a predetermined state is equal to or longer than a set time;
A distance determination process for detecting a distance to another printing apparatus via the communication unit and determining whether the distance is equal to or less than a threshold value;
An information acquisition process of acquiring setting information relating to the auto power-off process from the another printing device when the distance determination process determines that the distance is equal to or smaller than a threshold value; and when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Information update processing for updating the setting information of the printing apparatus to the setting information of the other printing apparatus acquired in the information acquisition processing;
A printing apparatus for performing the following. The printing device according to claim 1,
In the information acquisition process,
When the printing device is set as a child device, obtain the setting information from the other printing device set as a parent device,
In the information updating process,
When the printing device is set as a child device, the setting information of the printing device is updated to the setting information of the other printing device set as the master device obtained in the information obtaining process. Printing device. The printing device according to claim 1,
In the information acquisition process,
As the setting information, obtain setting time information on the setting time from the other printing device,
In the information updating process,
If the setting time information of the other printing device obtained in the information obtaining process is longer than the setting time information of the printing device, the setting time information of the printing device is updated to the setting time information of the other printing device. A printing device characterized by the above-mentioned. The printing device according to claim 1,
In the information acquisition process,
As the setting information, obtain elapsed time information on the elapsed time from the other printing device,
In the information updating process,
When the elapsed time information of the other printing device obtained in the information obtaining process is shorter than the elapsed time information of the printing device, the elapsed time information of the printing device is updated to the elapsed time information of the other printing device. A printing device characterized by the above-mentioned. The printing device according to claim 1,
In the information acquisition process,
As the setting information, setting time information related to the setting time and elapsed time information related to the elapsed time are obtained from the other printing apparatus,
In the information updating process,
When the difference between the set time information and the elapsed time information of the other printing device acquired in the information acquisition process is longer than the difference between the set time information and the elapsed time information of the printing device, A printing apparatus, wherein the set time information and the elapsed time information of a printing apparatus are updated to the set time information and the elapsed time information of the another printing apparatus. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein
The control means includes:
After updating the setting information in the information updating process, when the distance determining process determines that the distance is greater than the threshold value, the setting information updated in the information updating process is changed to the setting information before updating. Information recovery processing to recover;
A printing apparatus for performing the following.

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