JP3748317B2 - Taximeter-attached printer and its printing ticket - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a taximeter-attached printer device and a printing ticket printed thereby.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Taxi meter-attached printer device is based on taxi usage fee data calculated by a taxi meter equipped with a calculation circuit using a microcomputer, etc. (Hereinafter, printing means not only characters but also printouts of numbers, figures, etc. are generally referred to collectively as printing).
[0003]
The printer device with a taximeter is usually installed near the taximeter. There are various types of drivers' seats such as speedometers and other instruments mounted on general automobiles, operation recorders such as tachographs, taximeters, toll indicators, and commercial wireless devices. The taxi sales equipment is very narrowly arranged.
[0004]
Accordingly, there is a strong demand for a printer device with a taximeter arranged at such a position to reduce the external dimensions of the printer device as much as possible. In order to meet such a need, the taximeter-attached printer device used in the past has been reduced in size, and inevitably a printing ticket (such as a roll-shaped ticket) such as a receipt issued by printing. In addition to the printing paper (the same applies hereinafter), a small one is used in response to the miniaturization of such an apparatus.
[0005]
However, the receipt is generally important as a certificate about money, so it is necessary to reduce the size within a range that does not impair such functionality. It is. That is, it is necessary to make the printing area larger than a certain size.
[0006]
In addition, the printing ticket used for such a printer device is generally printed in a predetermined format with fixed information such as a taxi company name and a date entry column, and is then rolled into a roll shape. It is stored in.
At the time of printing, the printing paper is sent to a printing position by a paper feeder inside the printer apparatus. At this time, alignment can be performed so that printing can be performed at a predetermined position of the preprinted format. is necessary.
[0007]
Therefore, in order to perform the alignment at the time of such printing, an alignment mark is arranged on the printing paper, and the alignment mark is detected on the printer device side and the feeding by the paper feeder is controlled. Detection / control means is provided.
However, at this time, since the printer apparatus and its printing paper are strongly required to be downsized as described above, it is not easy to additionally arrange the means and marks for performing the alignment as described above. Therefore, in order to cope with this, the alignment mark is arranged in the peripheral portion of the printing paper, particularly in the blank portion on either one of the left and right sides of the side edge portion. In this way, while effectively using the blank portion in the printing paper, a detection means having a relatively simple structure such as an optical sensor for optically detecting this is formed in a small size in the printer device. It is possible to provide a means for performing the above alignment without impairing the downsizing of the printer apparatus and without impairing the printing space as a receipt or the like.
[0008]
On the other hand, taxi tickets with a post-payment system are used in which taxi fee payments are postpaid by a ticketing contractor.
In general, the taxi ticket is distributed from a taxi company or a ticket issuing company (ticket association) to which the taxi company belongs to a usage contractor such as a corporation that has a specific contract with the ticket issuing company.
[0009]
A passenger who has received a taxi ticket from a user of a corporation or the like who has signed the contract passes the taxi ticket to the crew member instead of paying the taxi fee in cash when getting off at the destination using the taxi. At this time, the passenger enters the payment amount and his / her name in a predetermined entry column of the taxi ticket and hands them over.
[0010]
However, for example, if a crew member enters an incorrect amount, there is a possibility that unpaid money will be charged to the use contractors with the incorrect amount.
In addition, the taxi ticket collection and usage fee deposit and withdrawal process was done by manually reading the amount handwritten on the taxi ticket and entering it manually. Was becoming difficult.
[0011]
Accordingly, the present applicant has proposed a technique for processing uncollected data using a barcode disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 6-271222 in order to deal with such a problem of uncollected taxi tickets. .
As a result of this technique, it is possible to prevent erroneous entry of the usage fee in the taxi ticket due to an entry error of the taxi crew, etc., and there is no false claim of unpaid money. In addition, taxi fees and tax-issuing companies can be collected with the simple operation of reading the barcode printed on the taxi ticket to collect the tax-paying fee data that has been receivable on the host computer. It is possible to drastically reduce the time, simplification, and cost reduction of the collection process of the unpaid data by the host computer.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if a printer device for printing a barcode or the like on the taxi ticket as described above is additionally provided around the driver's seat, a problem arises that the driver's seat around the driver's seat is made more dense. Alternatively, it is practically extremely difficult or impossible to install such a printer device around the driver's seat in terms of installation space.
[0013]
On the contrary, unless the bar code printer device for taxi tickets is installed due to such difficulty, the above-described huge and complicated uncollected processing relating to taxi tickets cannot be performed.
Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, it is necessary to provide a printer device for bar code for taxi tickets, etc. inside the printer device for receipt printing, or to partially share the device housing and the printing unit. The inventor has devised.
[0014]
However, to print both taxi ticket barcodes and receipt charges and other information on a single printer, the user selects the taxi ticket printing mode and the receipt printing mode by operating the selection button. It is necessary to switch selectively depending on the situation.
[0015]
In particular, when printing on a taxi ticket, when a taxi driver receives a taxi ticket from a passenger, the taxi driver performs an operation such as switching to a print mode for printing on the taxi ticket. In such a case, a receipt or the like is printed on the taxi ticket.
[0016]
Each taxi ticket should be handled in the same way as a gold voucher, so it cannot be reissued, so the wrongly printed taxi ticket can no longer be used, and a mistake is returned. Is no longer attached. Therefore, it is not allowed to make a mistake in the type of printing.
[0017]
Or, conversely, you should print a receipt, but if you accidentally select a taxi ticket-compatible print mode and print the taxi ticket information on the receipt printout paper, the receipt is completely useless. Will have to be reissued. Such a receipt is generally printed at the time of payment. In that case, taxi drivers and passengers need to process the payment within a short time due to traffic conditions, etc. Reissuing a receipt is also inconvenient for both parties.
[0018]
Or, in addition to the existing taxi tickets and receipts as mentioned above, it will be used in combination with other types of transportation tickets such as railways due to the recent diversification of cards. Taxi tickets, etc. are expected to be added as new types. Even in such cases, new types of tickets and conventional taxi tickets and receipts are distinguished and their formats and contents are compatible. It is required to print the information without mistakes. However, when a new type of printing ticket is added in this way, the selection of the printing mode becomes more complicated and mistakes are more likely to occur. Even when there are more types of printing paper (formats for each type of ticket), it is possible to prevent information on a different ticket type from being erroneously printed on at least a taxi ticket as described above. Must-have. Alternatively, more preferably, it is required to automatically perform correct printing corresponding to each ticket type.
[0019]
However, as described above, the printer device is required to be as small as possible. Therefore, in addition to the conventional printer device for receipt or unaccepted, a printer device for each ticket type is newly added. Arrangement and the like are practically impossible from the viewpoint of the installation space around the driver's seat as described above. Moreover, even on the side of the printing paper such as taxi tickets or receipts, the printing space that can be used effectively has already been used almost to the limit, and the usable portion of the surrounding blank area has already been considerably used as described above. Therefore, there is a problem that it is practically impossible to further enlarge the area used for the means for automatically selecting the print mode on such print paper.
[0020]
As a result, there is a high possibility that the wrong type of information will be printed on the taxi ticket as described above, and it is also possible to use a printer device that uses both a taxi ticket and a receipt. It will not be possible. If a printer with such a small size is not feasible, it is practically difficult to install a taxi ticket printer as described above. As a result, barcode printing on the taxi ticket is difficult. However, there is a problem that the huge and complicated uncollected processing related to the taxi ticket as described above becomes practically impossible.
[0021]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and does not impair the downsizing of the printer device as described above, and is capable of printing that accurately corresponds to the type of printing ticket (printing paper). It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer device with a taximeter that can perform the above.
[0022]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
First, the taxi meter-attached printer device of the present invention is operated on at least a taximeter (not shown) corresponding to the printing ticket for any of a plurality of types of printing tickets including a taxi ticket. In the taximeter-attached printer apparatus, comprising: a printing unit 100 for printing information including taxi fare information; and a selection unit 200 for selecting a printing target by the printing unit 100 from the plurality of types of printing tickets. The voucher 300 is a printing voucher 300 in which an identifier 301 corresponding to the voucher type of the printing voucher 300 is disposed on the outer peripheral portion 303 so as to avoid the printing area 302, A determination unit 400 for determining whether the voucher 300 is a taxi ticket based on the identifier 301, and the selection unit 2 When the taxi ticket is selected as the object to be printed at 0 and the discriminating means 400 determines that the printing ticket 300 is a taxi ticket, the taxi ticket corresponds to the taxi ticket. The above-mentioned printing is performed, and when the other-type printing ticket is selected as the printing object by the selection means 200, and the determination means 400 determines that the printing ticket 300 is a taxi ticket. Comprises a printing control means 500 for controlling the printing means 100 so as not to print the taxi ticket.
[0023]
In other words, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately print the taxi ticket in the printing ticket 300 separately from the receipt. Incorrect printing of information can be prevented.
Moreover, according to the present invention, even if the identifier 301 is added, the area of the printing area 302 of the printing ticket 300 is hardly damaged. Therefore, the preferred size of the printing area as a taxi ticket certificate and its size While ensuring the miniaturization of the outer shape, the problem of erroneous printing can be solved.
[0024]
Secondly, the taxi meter-attached printer device according to the present invention is the taxi fare information calculated by at least the taximeter corresponding to the printing ticket for any one of a plurality of types of printing tickets including at least a taxi ticket. In the taximeter-attached printer device, the printing ticket 300 includes a printing unit 100 that prints information including information, and a selection unit 200 that selects a target to be printed by the printing unit 100 from the plurality of types of printing tickets. Is a printing ticket 300 in which the identifier 301 corresponding to the ticket type of the printing ticket is disposed on the outer peripheral portion 303 avoiding the printing area 302, and the printing ticket 300 inserted into the printing means 100 is Based on the identifier 301, a determination unit 400 that determines whether the ticket is a taxi ticket, and the selection unit 200 When the taxi ticket is selected, if the discriminating means 400 determines that the printing ticket 300 is a taxi ticket, the taxi ticket is printed corresponding to the taxi ticket, When the selection means 200 selects the other-type printing ticket as the printing target, if the determination means 400 determines that the printing ticket 300 is the other-type printing ticket, the other type The above-mentioned printing corresponding to the other-type printing ticket is performed on the seed printing ticket. If the printing unit 300 determines that the printing ticket 300 is a taxi ticket, Includes a printing control means 500 for controlling the printing means 100 so as not to perform printing.
[0025]
That is, in the second technique, in addition to the print target of the first description using the identifier 301 and the discriminating means 400 having a small and simple structure almost the same as the first description, a taxi ticket or a receipt In addition to this, for example, even when a third printing ticket 300 such as a business certificate is added to the selected branch, erroneous printing that erroneously prints information on the ticket type on the taxi ticket is prevented. Information corresponding to the printing ticket 300 other than the taxi ticket can be printed.
[0026]
Thirdly, the taxi meter-attached printer device of the present invention is a taxi fare calculated by at least a taximeter corresponding to the printing ticket for any one of a plurality of types of printing tickets including a taxi ticket. A taximeter-attached printer apparatus comprising: a printing unit 100 that prints information including information; and a selection unit 200 that selects a target to be printed by the printing unit 100 from the plurality of types of printing tickets. Reference numeral 300 denotes a printing ticket 300 in which an identifier 301 corresponding to the ticket type of the printing ticket 300 is disposed on the outer peripheral portion 303 so as to avoid the printing area 302, and the printing ticket inserted into the printing means 100. Based on the identifier 301, a determination unit 400 that determines whether 300 is a taxi ticket, and the determination unit 400 When it is determined that the printing ticket 300 is a taxi ticket, the information corresponding to the taxi ticket is printed on the taxi ticket, and the printing ticket 300 is a printing ticket different from the taxi ticket. When it is determined that there is a print ticket, the print ticket control unit 500 controls the print unit 100 to print information corresponding to the print ticket 300 on the print ticket 300.
[0027]
That is, in both the first and second technologies described above, the taxi driver uses the selection means 200 to switch between the taxi ticket print mode and the receipt print mode. However, in this third taximeter-attached printer device, the printer device automatically discriminates the type of the printing ticket 300 by using the identifier and the discriminating means having a small and simple structure in the same manner as the first description. The print mode is automatically switched according to the type.
[0028]
As a result, it is possible to automatically select a print that accurately corresponds to the type of the printing ticket 300, and to prevent different types of information from being printed on the printing ticket 300. In addition, since the printing mode can be automatically switched, there is an advantage that the operation of the taxi driver at the time of printing the receipt or taxi ticket can be further simplified and accurate.
[0029]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the taximeter-attached printer device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the printing ticket 300 inserted into the printing means 100 reaches a predetermined position. A position detecting unit 600 that detects the fact that the printing ticket 300 has reached the position, and the determination unit 400 performs the determination until the printing ticket 300 reaches the position. The ticket 300 is provided with an identifier 301 used when the type of the printing ticket 300 is discriminated by the discriminating means 400 and an alignment mark 601 by which the position detection means 600 detects the inserted position. And a printing ticket 300 in which the identifier 301 and the alignment mark 601 are arranged to share at least a part of each other. It is characterized in that.
[0030]
That is, a registration mark 601 is disposed on a receipt printing ticket (including roll-shaped printing paper) 300, and a print position detecting means (print alignment mechanism) 600 is disposed on the printer side. However, in the fourth technique, a part of the discriminating means 400 of the first to third techniques is formed by using such a printing position alignment mechanism, that is, the main structure of the printing position detecting means 600. Further, since the identifier 301 used for the determination unit 400 is formed by partially using the alignment mark 601 used therefor, there is almost no loss in miniaturization of the entire printer apparatus. In the printing ticket 300, the effective area of the printing area 302 for originally necessary information such as a taxi fare is hardly impaired. Therefore, it is possible to realize the accuracy of printing and the automatic selection of the printing mode without impairing the downsizing which is strongly demanded of the printer device attached to the taximeter. It is possible to realize a taximeter-attached printer device capable of accurate printing without any problem.
[0031]
In addition, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided printing means 100 for printing information including at least taxi fare information corresponding to the printing ticket 300 for any one of a plurality of types of printing tickets including at least a taxi ticket. , A position detecting means 600 for detecting that the printing ticket 300 inserted in the printing means 100 has reached a predetermined position, and a plurality of types of the printing ticket as a target of printing by the printing means 100. A selection means 200 for selecting from among the determination means 400 for determining whether or not the printing ticket 300 is a taxi ticket in a process until the printing ticket 300 reaches the position; When the taxi ticket is selected as the object to be printed by the means 200, the printing ticket 300 is displayed in the taxi ticket by the determination means 400. If the taxi ticket is determined to be, a taxi meter-attached printer device comprising a print control unit 500 that controls the printing unit 100 to print the information corresponding to the taxi ticket on the taxi ticket. A printing ticket 300 to be used, and an identifier 301 used when the type of the printing ticket 300 is determined by the determination unit 400 is disposed at a predetermined position of the printing ticket 300. The printing ticket 300 is characterized by the following.
[0032]
That is, the fifth technique is a technique related to a printing ticket (or printing paper) 300 such as a taxi ticket or a receipt provided with an identifier 301 used in the fourth taximeter-attached printer device. As described above, the effects described in the fourth and the like can be obtained by using the printer device in which the main part is configured as described above.
[0033]
According to the present invention, sixthly, in the printing ticket 300 according to the fifth aspect, the printing ticket 300 is further provided with an alignment mark 601 for detecting the inserted position by the position detecting means 600. The printing ticket is characterized in that the identifier 301 and the alignment mark 601 are arranged to share at least a part of each other.
[0034]
That is, the sixth technique is a technique related to a printing ticket (or printing paper) 300 such as a taxi ticket or a receipt used in the fourth taximeter-attached printer device or the like. By forming a part of the alignment mark 601, the identifier 301 can be formed with almost no loss of the effective area of the printing area 302 on the printing ticket 300. By using it, the effect as described in the fourth aspect can be obtained.
[0035]
Further, as in the sixth technique, the identifier 301 and the alignment mark 601 are arranged at substantially the same position, and so that they also serve as a part of each other, whereby the printing ticket (printing paper) 300 is replaced with a printer. In the process of feeding the paper until it matches the printing position in the apparatus and performing the printing position alignment, it is possible to determine the type of the printing ticket 300 almost simultaneously with it, so that the structure and the determination process are further simplified. And speeding up can be realized.
[0036]
Seventhly, according to the present invention, in the printing ticket 300 according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the printing ticket 300 further includes the identifier 301 disposed on an outer peripheral portion 303 so as to avoid the printing area 302 on which the information is printed. It is a printing ticket characterized by being made.
By arranging the identifier 301 on the outer peripheral portion 303 of the printing ticket 300 in this way, printing can be performed with almost no loss of the effective area of the printing area 302 for printing information necessary for taxi fare etc. on the printing paper 300. The type of the voucher 300 can be determined.
[0037]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a printer device with a taximeter according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a printer device attached with a taximeter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0038]
The taximeter-attached printer device according to the present invention corresponds to the printing ticket for any one of a plurality of types of printing tickets such as a receipt, a usage calculation sheet, and a non-collected receipt including at least a taxi ticket. Printing means 100 for printing at least information including taxi fare information calculated by a taxi meter (not shown), that is, various information relating to taxi fare such as general usage amount, usage date and car number, and this printing unit 100 Selecting means 200 for selecting the printing object by the above-mentioned plural types of printing tickets.
[0039]
Further, the printing ticket 300 is the printing ticket 300 in which the identifier 301 corresponding to the ticket type of the printing ticket 300 is disposed on the outer peripheral portion 303 so as to avoid the printing area 302, and the printing means When a taxi ticket is selected as a printing target by the discriminating means 400 for discriminating whether or not the printing ticket 300 inserted in 100 is a taxi ticket based on the identifier 301, When it is determined by the determination unit 400 that the printing ticket 300 is a taxi ticket, printing corresponding to the taxi ticket is performed. If it is determined that the printing ticket 300 is a taxi ticket by the determination means 400, the taxi ticket So as not to perform printing for, and a print control unit 500 for controlling the printing means 100.
[0040]
Further, the taximeter-attached printer apparatus further includes position detecting means 600 for detecting that the printing ticket 300 inserted into the printing means 100 has reached a predetermined position. And the said discrimination means 400 discriminate | determines the said ticket type during the process until the said printing ticket 300 reaches | attains a predetermined position. For this purpose, the printing ticket 300 includes an identifier 301 used when the discrimination means 400 discriminates its type and an alignment mark 601 used by the position detection means 600 to detect the inserted position. Is arranged. The identifier 301 and the alignment mark 601 are arranged so as to share at least a part of each other.
[0041]
FIG. 2 is an outline view (a) and a partially omitted cross-sectional view (b) showing an outline of the structure as a mechanism of the printer device with attached taximeter according to the present invention having the above-described schematic configuration.
The printer apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a print sheet 304 stored in a roll shape in a casing 700 of the printer apparatus to be used as a print ticket 300 for a receipt, and the print sheet 304 or taxi ticket 305 (that is, A printing head 101 such as a thermal transfer type printer head that prints taxi fare information corresponding to the ticket type on the printing ticket 300), and the position where the printing head 101 prints in the printing area 302. A printing ticket feeder (printing feeding mechanism) 102 that feeds out the printing paper 304 and, at the time of printing, the printing ticket 300 is fed out in accordance with the progress of the printing, and the printing ticket feeder 102 feeds out the printing paper. A discharge port 103 through which the printed ticket 300 is finally discharged, and the printing paper 304 or taxi ticket for the receipt. When the printing ticket 300 such as the printing paper 305 for printing is fed out and the printing position is aligned, it is detected that the printing ticket 300 has reached a predetermined position, and the printing ticket In order to discriminate 300 ticket types, the optical sensor 602 for irradiating light to the outer peripheral portion 303 of the printing ticket 300 and detecting the reflected light, and the control of the printing function including the operation of the entire printer device, A microcomputer (microcomputer; hereinafter abbreviated as microcomputer) 501 that forms print data from data relating to taxi fare read from a taxi meter (not shown), and a receipt selection button 201 that is pressed when selecting receipt printing. Operation buttons including a taxi ticket selection button 202 and other print mode selection buttons 203 that are pressed when selecting a taxi ticket A group 204 includes the main part of its structure.
[0042]
In each of the above structures, the print head 101 and the print ticket feeder 102 are mechanical main parts of the printing means 100, and the receipt selection button 201 and taxi ticket selection button 202 are mechanical main parts of the selection means 200. The optical sensor 602 constitutes the main mechanical parts of the discrimination means 400 and the position detection means 600, respectively. The main part of the print control means 500 that controls the above means and performs data processing is constituted by a microcomputer 501.
[0043]
In particular, since the optical sensor 602 is used as both the discriminating unit 400 and the position detecting unit 600, it contributes to the miniaturization almost the same as the external size of the conventional apparatus.
In the taximeter-attached printer apparatus according to the present invention as described above, a format 306 is printed in advance as a printing ticket 300 at a predetermined position as shown in FIG. Receipt printing paper 304 on which mark-like identifiers 301a are arranged, or there is no format as shown in FIG. 5B, and only a set of two black mark-like identifiers 301a is preliminarily provided for each predetermined position. Taxi having printed receipt paper 304 for printing and a format 307 printed in advance at a predetermined position as shown in FIG. 5 (c) and one black mark-like identifier 301b. Ticket printing paper 305 is selected and printed as desired by the user of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 5, the feeding direction (feed direction) of each printing ticket 300 is upward in the figure, and the insertion direction to the printer device (limited to the ticket piece type) is upward in the figure. is there.
[0044]
Next, the operation centering on the printing of taxi fare information in the taximeter-attached printer apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the main part of which is configured as described above, is shown in the outline flowcharts of FIGS. This will be explained based on.
First, at the start of the printing operation, the microcomputer 501 resets the flag F to the initial value F = 0 (step 1; hereinafter abbreviated as s1).
[0045]
When the optical sensor 601 detects that a ticket-like printing ticket 300 such as a taxi ticket 305 in this embodiment is inserted and set through the discharge port 103 (s2), the printing ticket 300 is printed. Is fed out of the printer by the printing ticket feeder 102 (s3).
[0046]
This feed is continued until the black mark of the identifier 301 disposed on the printing ticket 300 is detected (N in s3 to s4 to N to s3 in s5). Alternatively, in the case of the printing paper 304 of a roll paper receipt, since it is set in advance, the process has already been completed up to s2, and then the black mark on the printing paper 304 is detected (Y in s5) and stopped. The feeding of the printing paper 304 is continued until (s6) (s3).
[0047]
Here, when the black mark is not detected (N of s5), the feeding of the printing ticket 300 is continued, so if the printing ticket 300 is the printing sheet 305 of a ticket-like taxi ticket. In this case, the feed is continued to the end, and finally the printing paper 305 is discharged (Y in s4).
[0048]
When the optical sensor 601 detects this, the printing process is stopped under the control of the microcomputer 501 (s7).
Such cases may occur when, for example, the taxi ticket printing paper 305 is inserted upside down or in the wrong direction, or the taxi ticket printing paper 305 is set in an insufficient state. This is the case. In other words, when the taxi ticket printing paper 305 is inserted in the wrong state at step s5, the printer apparatus automatically discharges the taxi ticket printing paper 305 without printing. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent erroneous printing due to an incorrect setting of the ticket-shaped printing ticket 300.
[0049]
Subsequently, when a black mark is detected by the optical sensor 601 (Y in s5), the printing paper feeder 102 stops feeding (s6).
When the passenger arrives at the destination and pays the taxi fare, the receipt printing sheet 304 or the taxi ticket printing sheet 305 is printed. By pressing a selection button of a desired ticket type from 204, the information to be printed is selected (any of s8 to s10).
[0050]
Here, when the taxi ticket selection button 202 is pressed and a taxi ticket is selected as the type of ticket to be printed (Y in s8), taxi fare data calculated by a taxi meter (not shown) and accompanying taxi Data such as date of use and car number printed on the ticket 305 is read from the taximeter. Needless to say, a RAM in the microcomputer 501 or a RAM or EEPROM arranged as a peripheral device thereof may be used as the reading destination.
[0051]
When the taxi ticket 305 is selected as a printing target in this way, printing based on the taxi fare data or the like is performed by the printer head 102 which is a mechanism unit of the printing unit 100. That is, the information corresponding to the taxi ticket can be printed at the correct position (s11).
[0052]
At this time, if the taxi ticket printing sheet 305 is not set at the stage s2, as a result, the printing at s9 is printed on the receipt printing sheet 304. In this case, Since the printing paper 304 can be discarded, after it is disposed of, the taxi ticket printing paper 305 is correctly set and the selection button 202 is pressed again, and the taxi ticket printing paper 305 is placed on the printing paper 305. It is only necessary to print the corresponding information correctly.
[0053]
On the other hand, if the receipt selection button 201 is pressed and printing of the receipt (information corresponding to it) is selected (Y in s9), whether the taxi ticket printing sheet 305 is actually set or not Regardless of whether the printing paper 304 is set, the printing ticket feeder 102 feeds the printing ticket 300 first (s12).
[0054]
If the second black mark is detected while continuing the feed (Y of s13), the printing ticket 300 having such a second black mark, that is, the identifier 301a is used for the receipt. Therefore, the information on the receipt is printed assuming that it corresponds correctly (s16).
However, at this time, in order to detect the second black mark, the printing paper 304 is fed in s12 and the position is moved. Therefore, in order to print at a predetermined correct position, Here, it is necessary to perform alignment for printing again. Therefore, the second black mark used as the identifier 301a is also used as the alignment mark 601 to perform printing alignment.
[0055]
That is, even after the optical sensor 602 once detects the black mark, the printing ticket 300 is further fed (s14), and after passing through the end of the black mark, the whitish ground color of the paper is detected again. (S15), the printing for the receipt is started from that time (s16). In this way, printing corresponding to the bill type and the printing position is performed on the printing paper 304 for receipt.
[0056]
On the other hand, if the taxi ticket printing paper 305 is mistakenly inserted even though the selection button 201 is pressed and printing of the receipt is selected, printing is performed on the printing paper 305. It is automatically discharged without being done.
This is because the taxi ticket printing sheet 305 has only one black mark as the identifier 301b as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, so it is unlikely that the second black mark will be detected in s13. . Accordingly, the feed of s12 is continued even after the end of the printing paper 305, and as a result, the printing paper 305 is discharged from the printer apparatus (s17). When the printing paper 305 is discharged, the optical sensor 602 detects this and the printing process is stopped (s18).
[0057]
Here, if the taxi ticket printing paper 305 is set in an inappropriate state from the time of setting s2, depending on the state, only one black mark on the printing paper 305 may be the second piece. The black mark may be detected as a print mark 304, and may be erroneously determined as the receipt print sheet 304. However, in fact, it is impossible to execute printing in such a case.
[0058]
This is because in the case of the printing paper 305 in which only one black mark is disposed, only one black mark (that is, the alignment mark 601 and identifier 301b) has already been detected in s5. On the contrary, unless it is detected, it does not proceed to the process including the subsequent printing process. Therefore, it is not possible to detect another black mark after the detection of only one black mark. It is impossible.
[0059]
As described above, according to the technique of the present invention, it is possible to perform a double / triple check that checks not only the type of print information but also the setting state and alignment of the print paper, and the reissue is not required. Correct printing can be realized by reliably preventing erroneous printing on possible taxi tickets.
[0060]
Moreover, since the means for performing such double / triple reliable checks can be constructed using an extremely simple mechanism, the printing ticket can be printed without any loss of downsizing as a printer device. Therefore, it is very suitable as a printer device which is arranged around the driver's seat of a taxi vehicle and issues various certificates.
[0061]
In the above printing process, when it is desired to stop the printing process after s6, it goes without saying that the printing stop may be selected and executed as shown in s10. For this purpose, for example, the selection button 205 shown in FIG. 2 may be allocated as a print cancel button, and a program may be set so that a print stop command is input to the print control means 500, that is, the microcomputer 501 when this button is pressed.
[0062]
(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the case where one type of taxi ticket and receipt is selected as the print information has been described. However, the type of information to be printed is not limited to the selection from the above two types. . In addition, the present invention can also be applied to a case where printing is selected from more types of information. That is, even when a third type other than the taxi ticket or the receipt is added, the technique of the present invention can be used as described above.
[0063]
The third type corresponds to, for example, a business statement or a payment instruction written by printing information such as daily sales, etc., but such information has conventionally been mainly recorded on a roll-type printing paper 304. It is almost printed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the roll-type printing paper 304 is used as the printing ticket 300 on which the business statement is printed. That is, the business statement and the receipt are printed on the same printing paper 304 using the same printing paper 304. As the printing paper 304, as shown in FIG. 5B, a plain printing paper 304 whose format is not printed in advance and other than the identifier 301a can be suitably used.
[0064]
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a taxi ticket is printed on a ticket-like (that is, sheet-fed) printing paper 305, and a receipt and a business certificate are printed on a roll-type printing paper 304.
In the following description and drawings, the same parts and steps as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment in order to simplify the description.
[0065]
The main part of the printer device with a taximeter according to the second embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 1 as in the first embodiment. An identifier 301 used for the same is the same as that in the first embodiment.
Thus, the mechanical part of the printer apparatus of the second embodiment can be constructed using the same parts as those of the first embodiment. And the operation | movement as shown below can be performed with the program of the microcomputer 501 used in it, and also 3rd ticket type can be printed.
[0066]
The selection button 203 shown in FIG. 2 is used as a selection button to be pressed to select information on the business statement, and the button shown in FIG. 2 is used as a print processing stop button as described in the first embodiment. 205 is used.
As shown in the schematic flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7, the taximeter-attached printer device of the second embodiment is a taxi as information to be printed after passing through the steps s1 to s6 similar to the flowchart of FIG. One of the ticket, the receipt, the business certificate, or the print processing cancellation is selected, and the corresponding one of the selection buttons 204 is pressed (Y in s21 to s24).
[0067]
When a taxi ticket is selected (Y in s21), information corresponding to the taxi ticket is printed as shown in FIG. 7 (s25). Printing at this time is the same as in the first embodiment (s11, etc.).
When a receipt is selected (Y in s22), a flag (hereinafter abbreviated as F) F = 1 is set (s26).
[0068]
When the business certificate is selected (Y in s23), F = 2 is set (s27).
Alternatively, if cancel is selected (Y in s24), the process returns to s2.
When the printing of the business certificate or the receipt is selected, the set printing ticket 300 is converted into a taxi ticket through a series of steps s12 to s15 as in the first embodiment. It is determined in the same manner as in the first embodiment that the print ticket 305 is not. If it is determined, printing corresponding to the selection is executed (s28 to s31). That is, if F = 1 (Y in s28), printing corresponding to the receipt is executed (s29). Or if F = 2 (Y of s30), the printing corresponding to the business certificate is executed (s31). However, if F is neither 1 nor 2 (N in s30), the process returns to s6 without executing printing and waits for a command type selection command.
[0069]
When each printing is completed, F is also reset, the process returns to s1, and a waiting state is set until the printing ticket 300 is set next time.
As described above, according to the present invention, even when the third type is added as the type of information to be printed, taxi tickets are distinguished from other ticket types in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and taxi ticket printing is performed. In particular, erroneous printing on the voucher 305 can be reliably prevented.
[0070]
(Embodiment 3)
In both the first and second embodiments, there are two or three types of information to be printed. However, as a ticket type of the printing ticket 300 to be printed, a sheet-type taxi ticket or a receipt and There were two types of rolls that are also used in business statements.
[0071]
However, the present invention can also be applied to cases where taxi tickets, receipts, and business statements are all different types of ticket 300 for printing. For example, a taxi ticket is a unique sheet-fed printing ticket as a taxi ticket, a receipt is a roll-type printing ticket, and a business statement is a unique sheet-fed printing ticket as a business statement. The technique of the present invention can also be applied to the case where each is printed on a ticket.
[0072]
In addition, according to the technique shown in the third embodiment, it is possible to automatically discriminate between the three different types of printing paper and execute printing corresponding to each of them, particularly erroneous printing. Accurate printing can be performed by reliably preventing an erroneous printing for an unacceptable taxi ticket in advance.
[0073]
Also in the third embodiment, the main part of the printer device attached to the taximeter is configured as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as in the first embodiment. Then, the operation as shown below is executed by the program of the microcomputer 501, and the third bill type can be printed.
[0074]
On the other hand, the identifier 301 used for the taxi ticket and the receipt is the same as in the first embodiment, and the same one as that in the first embodiment can be used. As for the printing paper 308 of the business description, an identifier 301c including three black marks is disposed as the identifier 301 as shown in FIG. Further, the feeding direction of the printing paper 308 is upward in the figure, and the insertion direction is downward in the figure.
[0075]
In the following description and drawings, the same parts and steps as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment in order to simplify the description.
As shown in the schematic flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9, the taximeter-attached printer apparatus according to the third embodiment waits for an input of an issue start command through the same steps s1 to s6 as in the flowchart of FIG. It becomes the state of.
[0076]
Subsequently, when the issue button 206 is pressed (s31), the printing ticket feeder 102 is controlled by the microcomputer 501 to feed the printing ticket 300 over a preset length (s32). The mechanical technology of the conventional printing ticket feeder 102 that feeds a plain roll paper over a predetermined length can be applied to the mechanical feed function itself. That is, if the feed length at one time is set to a length necessary for reading the identifier 301, the mechanical feed over the predetermined length as described above can be executed.
[0077]
The identifier 301 crossing under the optical sensor 602 is detected while the feeding of the printing ticket 300 over the preset length is continued. The number n is counted by the microcomputer 501 that substantially constitutes the print control means 500 until the feed is completed (s33).
[0078]
Corresponding to the counted number n of black marks, when n = 0 (Y in s34), the information corresponding to the taxi ticket is printed by the printer head 101, which is the mechanism of the printing means 100 (s35). When n = 1 (Y in s36), information corresponding to the receipt is printed (s37). Alternatively, when n = 2 (Y in s38), information corresponding to the business statement is printed (s39). When printing is completed, the process returns to s2 and F is reset to the initial value.
[0079]
Here, by controlling the taxi ticket printing ticket 305 to perform printing only when n = 0 as described above, erroneous printing on the taxi ticket can be avoided.
That is, in the case of the technique of the present embodiment, the misprinting of the bill type for the taxi ticket occurs when a mistake occurs in the count of n as described above. It disappears by making it correspond to a taxi ticket. This is because the taxi ticket printing ticket 305 has only one black mark as the identifier 301b, one of which is before the n is counted as the alignment mark 601 to start counting n. Since it has already been detected and passed, it is impossible for the one black mark to be counted when counting n. That is, by controlling to print a taxi ticket only when n = 0 as in the present embodiment, information on other types of other ticket types is erroneously printed on the taxi ticket printing ticket 305. Disappears.
[0080]
Alternatively, although it is considered that the following event occurs only with a low probability, even if a mistake occurs in reading the black mark by the optical sensor 601, according to the technique of the present invention, It is possible to avoid erroneous printing of information on different types of taxi tickets.
[0081]
That is, if n is not 0, 1, or 2 in s38 (N in s38), there should be some trouble when detecting the black mark by the optical sensor 602. In this case, The feeding of the printing ticket 300 by the printing paper feeder 102 is executed again (s40).
[0082]
If the black mark is not detected even when the printing ticket 300 is fed to its end while continuing such feeding (N in s41), it is the smallest number of black marks (ie, one). This means that the probability of being a taxi ticket printing paper 305 is the highest. In addition, at this time, unless the black mark shared as the identifier 300 and the alignment mark 601 is detected, the printing ticket 300 continues to be fed as it is, so the printing ticket 300 having a high probability of being a taxi ticket is discharged ( Y of s42). That is, the taxi ticket is discharged with the highest probability as a result without causing erroneous printing. Then, the printing process is stopped (s43).
[0083]
By controlling the taxi ticket printing that is most necessary to prevent erroneous printing as described above only when the number of n is the smallest (that is, n = 0), erroneous printing occurs in a normal case. Nothing will happen.
Even if a mistake occurs in the counting of the black mark (even if such a mistake occurs with a low probability), the highest probability of erroneous printing on the taxi ticket Can be prevented.
[0084]
This is because if a mistake occurs in the optical reading of the black mark due to a disturbance cause such as the setting position when the printing ticket 300 is inserted is not suitable, it is different from the printing ticket 300. There is a high possibility that the ticket type will be printed incorrectly. Therefore, in such cases, printing on taxi tickets must be avoided. In other words, in this case, information other than taxi tickets must not be printed.
[0085]
Therefore, the printing of information other than taxi tickets is limited to be performed only when the number of detected black marks is greater than that of taxi tickets (ie, n = 1, 2, 3, etc.), so that black marks However, the probability that this will occur is reduced as the number of times of detection is increased, so the probability that the above-mentioned different type of printing is performed on a taxi ticket having only one black mark can be reduced.
[0086]
In this way, even if a black mark counting error of the identifier 301 having a lower occurrence probability than the original occurs, the probability that different types of information are erroneously printed on the taxi ticket can be made extremely low.
As described above, according to the technique of the present invention, even when the black mark of the identifier 300 cannot be read accurately due to some disturbance as described above, the taxi ticket which is not allowed to be erroneously printed is given priority. It can be discharged without printing so that it can be protected from erroneous printing.
[0087]
On the other hand, if a black mark is detected before the printing ticket 300 is discharged in s39 to s40 (Y in s40), there are at least two black marks in the printing ticket 300. Therefore, there is a high probability that the printing ticket 300 is not a taxi ticket. And in this case, even if information of a different type from the ticket type is erroneously printed on the printing ticket 300, it is different from a gold ticket such as a taxi ticket and can be reissued. It may be left to the judgment of the taxi driver or passenger who performs the printing to execute or cancel the printing. Therefore, in this case, the process returns to the state waiting for pressing the issue button (s6). Alternatively, it goes without saying that this return destination may return to the step indicated by s2 in FIG.
[0088]
As described above, in the third embodiment according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically discriminate between three different types of printing paper, and to accurately print information corresponding to each of them. Even if a mistake occurs in the automatic determination, it is possible to prevent erroneous printing and to perform accurate printing especially for a taxi ticket that does not allow erroneous printing.
[0089]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the receipt is printed on the roll-type printing ticket 304. However, the receipt sheet is not limited to this, and a single-wafer-type ticket piece may be used. Needless to say. In this case, however, it goes without saying that the identifier 301 is used differently as described above.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in the detailed description, according to the present invention, first, according to the present invention, the taxi ticket of the printing ticket 300 can be accurately distinguished from the receipt and printed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous printing of other types of information such as receipts on taxi tickets that are not particularly reissued. Moreover, according to the present invention, even if the identifier 301 is added, the area of the printing area 302 of the printing ticket 300 is hardly damaged. Therefore, the preferred size of the printing area as a taxi ticket certificate and its size While ensuring the miniaturization of the outer shape, the problem of erroneous printing can be solved. Second, in addition to the technology for printing on taxi tickets, using a small and concise identifier and discriminating means, the printing ticket 300 other than a taxi ticket such as a receipt, It is possible to prevent mistakes such as printing different types of information such as taxi ticket information different from the type. Third, the printer device automatically determines the type of the printing ticket 300 using a small and simple structure identifier and determination means, and automatically switches the printing mode in accordance with the type. Can do. As a result, it is possible to automatically select printing corresponding to the type of the printing ticket 300, and not only can prevent different types of information from being printed on the printing ticket 300, but also printing. Since the mode switching itself can be performed automatically, there is an advantage that the operation by the taxi driver at the time of receipt can be further simplified. Fourthly, a part of the discriminating means 400 is formed by using the main structure of the print position adjusting mechanism, that is, the print position detecting means 600, while the discriminating means 400 is partially used by the alignment mark 601 used therefor. Since the identifier 301 used for the printer is formed, the downsizing of the entire printer apparatus is hardly lost. In the printing ticket 300, the effective area of the printing area 302 for originally necessary information such as a taxi fare is hardly impaired. Therefore, it is possible to realize the accuracy of printing and the automatic selection of the printing mode without impairing the downsizing which is strongly demanded of the printer device attached to the taximeter. It is possible to realize a taximeter-attached printer device capable of accurate printing without any problem. Fifth, a printing ticket (or printing paper) 300 such as a taxi ticket or a receipt provided with the identifier 301 is used in the printer device having the main part as described above, and is combined with the printer device. Thus, the effects as described above can be realized. Sixth, since the identifier 301 is also formed as a part of the alignment mark 601, the identifier 301 is formed with almost no loss of the effective area of the printing area 302 on the printing ticket 300. be able to. Furthermore, by arranging the identifier 301 and the alignment mark 601 at substantially the same position and so that they also serve as a part of each other, the printing ticket (printing paper) 300 matches the printing position in the printer device. In the process of adjusting the printing position by feeding the paper until it is possible, the type of the printing ticket 300 can be discriminated almost at the same time, so that the structure and discrimination processing can be further simplified and speeded up. Can do. And, seventhly, by disposing the identifier 301 on the outer peripheral portion 303 of the printing ticket 300, the effective area of the printing area 302 for printing originally necessary information such as taxi fare on the printing paper 300 is almost completely lost. Therefore, it is possible to determine the type of the printing ticket 300.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a printer device attached with a taximeter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are an outline view (a) and a partially omitted cross-sectional view (b) showing an outline of a structure as a mechanism of a printer apparatus with a taximeter according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation centering on printing taxi fare information in the taximeter-attached printer device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation centered on printing taxi fare information in the taximeter-attached printer device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a printing paper 304 (a) for receipt, a printing paper 305 (b) for taxi tickets, and a ticket 305 (c).
FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation centering on printing taxi fare information in the printer device with attached taximeter according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation centering on printing taxi fare information in the taximeter-attached printer device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation centering on printing taxi fare information in a taximeter-attached printer device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation centering on printing taxi fare information in a printer device attached with a taximeter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a printing sheet 308 for a business statement.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Printing means, 200 ... Selection means, 300 ... Printing ticket, 400 ... Discrimination means, 500 ... Print control means, 600 ... Position detection means

Claims (7)

Printing means for printing information including at least taxi fare information calculated by a taximeter corresponding to the printing ticket for any one of a plurality of types of printing tickets including at least a taxi ticket; and the printing means Taximeter-attached printer device having a selection means for selecting a printing target from among the plurality of types of printing tickets,
The printing ticket is a printing ticket in which an identifier corresponding to the ticket type of the printing ticket is arranged on the outer peripheral portion avoiding the printing area,
Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the printing ticket put into the printing means is a taxi ticket based on the identifier;
When the taxi ticket is selected as the object to be printed by the selection unit, and the discriminating unit determines that the printing ticket is a taxi ticket, the taxi ticket corresponds to the taxi ticket. When the other type printing ticket is selected as the object to be printed by the selection unit, and the determination unit determines that the printing ticket is a taxi ticket, A taximeter-attached printer device comprising: a printing control means for controlling the printing means so as not to print on a taxi ticket. Printing means for printing information including at least taxi fare information calculated by a taximeter corresponding to the printing ticket for any one of a plurality of types of printing tickets including at least a taxi ticket; and the printing means Taximeter-attached printer device having a selection means for selecting a printing target from among the plurality of types of printing tickets,
The printing ticket is a printing ticket in which an identifier corresponding to the ticket type of the printing ticket is arranged on the outer peripheral portion avoiding the printing area,
Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the printing ticket put into the printing means is a taxi ticket based on the identifier;
When the taxi ticket is selected as the print object by the selection unit, the taxi ticket corresponds to the taxi ticket when the printing unit determines that the printing ticket is a taxi ticket. When the printing is performed, and when the other-type printing ticket is selected as the printing object by the selection unit, and the printing unit is determined to be the other-type printing ticket by the determination unit The printing corresponding to the other-type printing ticket is performed on the other-type printing ticket, but if the printing unit determines that the printing ticket is a taxi ticket, And a printer control unit for controlling the printing unit so as not to perform printing. Printing means for printing information including at least taxi fare information calculated by a taximeter corresponding to the printing ticket for any one of a plurality of types of printing tickets including at least a taxi ticket; and the printing means Taximeter-attached printer device having a selection means for selecting a printing target from among the plurality of types of printing tickets,
The printing ticket is a printing ticket in which an identifier corresponding to the ticket type of the printing ticket is arranged on the outer peripheral portion avoiding the printing area,
Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the printing ticket put into the printing means is a taxi ticket based on the identifier;
When the determination means determines that the printing ticket is a taxi ticket, the information corresponding to the taxi ticket is printed on the taxi ticket, and the printing ticket is different from the taxi ticket. A taximeter-attached printer comprising: a printing control means for controlling the printing means so as to print information corresponding to the printing ticket on the printing ticket when it is determined that the ticket is a ticket apparatus. In the taximeter-attached printer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
It further comprises position detection means for detecting that the printing ticket inserted into the printing means is delivered and reaches a predetermined position,
The determination means is a determination means for performing the determination in a process until the printing ticket reaches the position,
The printing ticket includes an identifier used when the type of the printing ticket is discriminated by the discriminating means, and an alignment mark for detecting the inserted position by the position detecting means. And a taximeter-attached printer device, wherein the identifier and the alignment mark are printing tickets arranged to share at least a part of each other. Printing means for printing information including at least taxi fare information corresponding to the printing ticket for any one of a plurality of types of printing tickets including at least a taxi ticket; A position detecting means for detecting that the ticket has been delivered and reaching a predetermined position; a selecting means for selecting an object to be printed by the printing means from the plurality of types of printing tickets; and the printing ticket. Determining means for determining whether or not the printing ticket is a taxi ticket in a process until reaching the position; and when the taxi ticket is selected as the printing object by the selecting means, the determining means If the printing ticket is determined to be a taxi ticket, the information corresponding to the taxi ticket is printed on the taxi ticket. The use in a taxi meter accessory printer that includes a print control means for controlling the printing means to perform, a banknote printing,
An identifier used when the type of the printing ticket is determined by the determining means is formed at a predetermined position of the printing ticket. In the printing ticket according to claim 5,
The printing ticket is further provided with an alignment mark for detecting the inserted position by the position detecting means, and the identifier and the alignment mark also serve as at least a part of each other. A printed ticket characterized by being formed. In the printing ticket according to claim 5 or 6,
The printing ticket is further characterized in that the identifier is formed on an outer peripheral portion avoiding a printing area where the information is printed.

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