JP2022139176A - handy printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a handy printer which can print output data to a predetermined print position on a document.SOLUTION: An optical reader 11 optically reads an image from a part of a recording medium, and a scanning detection part 22 detects a scanning amount of manual scanning. A print processing part 24 allows a printer 12 to execute printing of a print image. A print position detection part 23 specifies a current print position of the handy printer 1 on the basis of the scanning amount of the manual scanning when a character string detected in the image read by the optical reader 11 coincides with a predetermined label, and allows the print processing part 24 to execute printing of output data corresponding to the label when the current print position of the handy printer 1 coincides with a specific relative position from the label.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a handy printer.

A certain handy printer is manually scanned by a user and prints print images (characters, figures, photographs, etc.) in accordance with relative positions from a print start position (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100003). Unlike conventional printers, manual scanning handheld printers do not need to transport recording media (media on which printed images are printed, printing paper, etc.), so they can print images on a variety of recording media. be able to.

On the other hand, a certain form management system has an OCR with a printing function, conveys a sheet-like document, and based on a print position specification file, identifies an ID in a document image read from the sheet-like document with the OCR with a printing function. A corresponding print position is specified, and printing is performed at that print position (see Patent Document 2, for example).

JP 2009-208291 A JP-A-2000-331102

As described above, if the layout data (the above-described print position specification file) that specifies the print position on the sheet is prepared in advance, the output data can be printed at the specified print position. In the case of a printer, since there is no document image of the entire document, it is difficult to specify the print position by the layout data as described above, and it is difficult to print the output data at a predetermined print position on the document.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a handy printer capable of printing output data at a predetermined print position on a document.

A handy printer according to the present invention is a handy printer that prints a printed image while being moved by manual scanning by a user, and includes a printing device that prints on a recording medium, and an image that is optically printed from a part of the recording medium. an optical reading device for reading, a scanning detection unit for detecting a scanning amount of the manual scanning, a print processing unit for causing the printing device to print the print image, and an image detected in the image read by the optical reading device. if the character string matches a predetermined label, the current print position of the handy printer is identified based on the scanning amount of the manual scanning, and the current print position of the handy printer is a specific relative position from the label and a print position detection unit that causes the print processing unit to print output data corresponding to the label when the label matches.

According to the present invention, a handy printer capable of printing output data at a predetermined print position on a document can be obtained.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a handy printer according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the handy printer 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium used in the application form mode. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of output data printed corresponding to labels on the recording medium shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium used in the invoice/statement of delivery mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of output data printed corresponding to labels on the recording medium shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium used in the list mode. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of output data printed corresponding to labels on the recording medium shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium used in the address label mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of output data printed corresponding to labels on the recording medium shown in FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a handy printer according to an embodiment of the invention. The handy printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a manual scanning type handy printer that prints a print image while being moved by manual scanning by a user.

The handy printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an optical reading device 11, a printing device 12, a storage device 13, a communication device 14, an input device 15, a display device 16, an arithmetic processing device 17, etc. in a housing (not shown). It operates on the power of the battery (primary or secondary battery) in the housing.

The optical reader 11 is installed on the bottom side of the housing, and irradiates a recording medium (document, etc.) with light and detects the reflected light to obtain a surface image (pre-printed character strings, ruled lines, etc.) of the recording medium. is read optically. Specifically, the optical reading device 11 optically reads an image from a portion of the recording medium (that is, the reading area where the reflected light is detected).

The printing device 12 is an internal device that prints a print image (characters, figures, photographs, etc.) on a recording medium by, for example, an inkjet method.

The storage device 13 is a non-volatile storage device such as flash memory, and stores data and programs. For example, print data 13a and setting data 13b are stored.

The communication device 14 is a wired or wireless network interface, peripheral device interface, or the like, and is an internal device that performs data communication with the terminal device 2 . The terminal device 2 is a personal computer or the like having a data communication function, and transfers print data 13a of a print image desired by the user to the handy printer 1 by executing a driver program.

The input device 15 is a hard key, a touch panel, or the like that is arranged on the housing and receives user operations. The display device 16 is an indicator, a liquid crystal display, or the like that is arranged on the housing and displays various information to the user.

The arithmetic processing unit 17 includes a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and loads programs stored in the ROM and the storage device 13 into the RAM. It is executed by the CPU and operates as various processing units. Here, the arithmetic processing unit 17 operates as a controller 21 , scanning detection section 22 , print position detection section 23 and print processing section 24 .

The controller 21 receives the print data 13a through the communication device 14, and causes the print processing unit 24 to start printing based on the print data 13a in accordance with a predetermined user operation on the input device 15 (for example, pressing a start key). The print data 13a includes output data corresponding to the label and print settings (character size, etc.). The output data is text data of a character string desired by the user corresponding to the label (character string) already printed on the recording medium. The setting data 13b indicates a relative position described later for each label and/or each output data.

Further, in this embodiment, the controller 21 selects an output mode specified by the user from among a plurality of output modes based on user operations on the input device 15 or print settings specified in the print data 13a. The setting data 13b indicates a relative position described later for each label and/or each output data for each of the plurality of output modes.

The scanning detection unit 22 detects the scanning amount of manual scanning (for example, the moving distance for each predetermined time). In this embodiment, the scanning detection unit 22 detects the amount of scanning based on changes in the image obtained by the optical reading device 11 . Note that a roller that contacts the recording medium and is rotatable may be provided, and the scanning detection unit 22 may detect the scanning amount by measuring the number of rotations and the rotation speed of the roller during manual scanning.

If the character string detected (in the character recognition process) in the image read by the optical reader 11 matches a predetermined label, the print position detection unit 23 detects the handy printer based on the scanning amount of manual scanning described above. 1, and when the current print position of the handy printer 1 matches a specific relative position from the label, the print processing unit 24 causes the print processing unit 24 to print the output data corresponding to the label. Let The print processing unit 24 causes the printing device 12 to print a print image (output data such as a character string).

The print position can be specified as a relative position at a known predetermined distance from the reading position of the optical reader 11, and the print position at the time of label detection is specified as a relative position at a predetermined distance from the reading position at the time of label detection. , the current print position is identified based on the integrated value of the scanning amount (two-dimensional vector amount) from that position.

In this embodiment, the above relative position is set for each label or output data in the print data 13a or setting data 13b.

For example, when printing output data in tabular form, a plurality of output data (that is, a plurality of character strings) are set corresponding to the heading label of each column or row, and the plurality of output data are printed from the heading label. A relative position is set. That is, for one label, multiple output data are printed across multiple columns or multiple rows (ie, at different relative positions).

Further, for example, when printing output data in a tabular layout, the print position detection unit 23 may correct the print position based on the positions of ruled lines detected in the read image. That is, when the current print position of the handy printer 1 matches a specific relative position from the label, the output data is printed at a predetermined relative position (for example, a position separated by a predetermined margin width) from the position of the ruled line. The print position is corrected as shown.

Further, when the output mode is selected as described above, the print position detection unit 23 extracts output data from the print data 13a specified by the user according to the format corresponding to the selected output mode. The relative position is specified by referring to the setting data 13b corresponding to the selected output mode. For example, when output data is printed on a recording medium in a tabular form, the output data are extracted from the print data 13a in the order in which the output data are arranged in the tabular form according to the format of the tabular output mode (CSV format, etc.). .

Next, operation of the handy printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the handy printer 1 shown in FIG.

The user turns on the power of the handy printer 1, operates the terminal device 2, selects a desired print image, and makes a print request. The terminal device 2 generates print data 13a and setting data 13b for the print image according to the driver program, and transfers them to the handy printer 1 (communication device 14) using a predetermined communication protocol. On the other hand, in the handy printer 1 , the controller 21 uses the communication device 14 to receive the print data 13 a and the setting data 13 b and store them in the storage device 13 .

Then, the controller 21 selects the output mode specified by the user from among a plurality of output modes based on the user's operation on the input device 15 or the print settings specified in the print data 13a (step S1).

Here, an application form mode, an invoice/statement of delivery mode, a list mode, and an address label mode can be selected as output modes.

Next, when the start of manual scanning is detected based on the amount of scanning, the print position detection unit 23 acquires the image read by the optical reading device 11, and executes character recognition processing and the like on the image. (step S2), and whether the current print position is a predetermined relative position from the detected label (step S3). , and print end conditions (detection of predetermined user operation, end of manual scanning, etc.) are repeatedly determined (step S4).

When the character string is detected (step S2), the print position detector 23 prints the detected character string on a predetermined label (here, one of the labels set for the selected output mode). It is determined whether or not they match (step S5).

In step S2, if the detected character string matches a predetermined label, the print position detector 23 determines whether or not the print data 13a includes output data corresponding to the label (step S6). The output data corresponding to the label is held in RAM or the like (step S7).

Further, in step S3, if it is determined that the current print position for any of the detected labels is the relative position from that label, the print position detector 23 outputs the output data (holding data) corresponding to that label. print processing unit 24 (step S8).

Further, when it is determined in step S4 that the print end condition is satisfied, the controller 21 ends the printing of the print data 13a.

Each output mode will now be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium used in the application form mode. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of output data printed corresponding to labels on the recording medium shown in FIG.

In the application form mode, for example, the recording medium (application form sheet printed with labels 101-1 to 101-6) as shown in FIG. When . 4, output data 102-i corresponding to label 101-i is printed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium used in the invoice/statement of delivery mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of output data printed corresponding to labels on the recording medium shown in FIG.

In the invoice/statement of delivery mode, for example, the handy printer 1 manually scans a recording medium (an invoice sheet on which labels 201-1 to 201-5 are printed) as shown in FIG. =1, . , for example, as shown in FIG. 6, output data 202-i corresponding to label 201-i is printed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium used in the list mode. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of output data printed corresponding to labels on the recording medium shown in FIG.

In the list mode, for example, the recording medium (labels 301-1 to 301-5 and a list sheet on which ruled lines are printed) as shown in FIG. . . , 5) are detected, a plurality of output data 302-i corresponding to the label 301-i are extracted and held according to the table format, and the print position of the handy printer 1 is changed to the label 301- When a predetermined relative position from i is reached, output data 302-i corresponding to label 301-i is printed in a tabular layout, as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

For example, as in the recording medium shown in FIG. 7, when there are horizontal ruled lines and vertical ruled lines, the print position is corrected so as to have a predetermined relative distance from the horizontal ruled lines in the vertical direction, and the vertical ruled lines are corrected in the horizontal direction. is corrected to a predetermined relative distance from .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium used in the address label mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of output data printed corresponding to labels on the recording medium shown in FIG.

In the address label mode, for example, the recording medium (address label sheet on which labels 401-1 to 401-3 are printed) as shown in FIG. When detected, a set of output data 402-1 to 402-3 corresponding to the labels 401-1 to 401-3 are held, and the print position of the handy printer 1 is set to the label 401-i (i=1, 2 , 3), the output data 402-i corresponding to the label 401-i is printed as shown in FIG. 10, for example. After a set of output data 402-1 to 402-3 corresponding to the labels 401-1 to 401-3 are set in the print data 13a, the same labels 401-1 to 401-3 are separately detected. , the next set of output data 402-1 to 402-3 corresponding to labels 401-1 to 401-3 are retained, and similarly corresponding to the other labels 401-1 to 401-3. Similarly, the next set of output data 402-1 to 402-3 are printed.

That is, in the address label mode, a plurality of mutually identical label sets (labels 401-1 to 401-3) are printed on a plurality of address labels, respectively, and a plurality of different sets of output data 402-1 to 402-3 are printed. are printed corresponding to a plurality of identical label sets.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, the optical reading device 11 optically reads an image from a portion of the recording medium, and the scanning detection section 22 detects the scanning amount of manual scanning. The print processing unit 24 causes the printing device 12 to print the print image. When the character string detected in the image read by the optical reader 11 matches a predetermined label, the print position detection unit 23 detects the current print position of the handy printer 1 based on the amount of manual scanning. and causes the print processing unit 24 to print the output data corresponding to the label when the current print position of the handy printer 1 matches the specific relative position from the label.

As a result, by manually scanning the document (recording medium) with the handy printer 1, the output data can be printed at a predetermined print position on the document (recording medium).

Various changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of its subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the claims.

For example, in the above embodiment, a flag is provided for each output data (each character string) and a predetermined initial value is set in the flag, and when the corresponding label is detected and the output data is held, The value of the flag of the output data may be changed, and the output data whose flag value has been changed may be held again and prohibited from being printed. In this case, it is possible to prevent one set of output data from being printed multiple times when there are a plurality of identical label sets, such as in the address label mode.

Further, in the above embodiment, another output data may be printed at a position a predetermined distance from the print position of the already printed output data.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the detected label and the corresponding output data may be displayed on the display device 16 until printed to notify the user.

The present invention is applicable to, for example, handy printers.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 handy printer 11 optical reading device 12 printing device 21 controller 22 scanning detection unit 23 print position detection unit 24 print processing unit

Claims (5)

In a handy printer that prints a print image while moving by manual scanning by the user,
a printing device for printing on a recording medium;
an optical reading device that optically reads an image from a portion of the recording medium;
a scanning detection unit that detects a scanning amount of the manual scanning;
a print processing unit that causes the printing device to print the print image;
If the character string detected in the image read by the optical reader matches a predetermined label, the current print position of the handy printer is identified based on the scanning amount of the manual scanning, a print position detection unit that causes the print processing unit to print output data corresponding to the label when the current print position matches a specific relative position from the label;
A handy printer comprising: 2. A handy printer according to claim 1, wherein said relative position is set for each label or said output data. A plurality of output data are set corresponding to the label,
the relative position is set for each output data;
3. The handy printer according to claim 2, characterized by: 4. The handy printer according to claim 1, wherein the print position detection section corrects the print position based on the positions of ruled lines detected in the image. It further has a controller that selects the output mode specified by the user from multiple output modes,
The print position detection unit extracts the output data from the print data specified by the user according to the format corresponding to the selected output mode, and determines the relative position according to the selected output mode. to identify
5. The handy printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by:

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