JP3788137B2 - Printer and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer that performs printing on continuous paper, a control method thereof, a system, and an information storage medium, and more particularly, to a printer characterized by conveyance control of cut sheet paper after printing and a control method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Widely known printers that are built into ATM devices, etc., and output receipts, etc. are equipped with roll paper or other continuous paper, and are cut and separated appropriately by a facility cutting mechanism and output as sheet paper. It has been. Since this type of printer is often installed in a place where the administrator or engineer is not resident, it is an important issue to minimize the troubles associated with its use.
[0003]
Some printers of this type include a device (hereinafter referred to as a collection device) for collecting the received receipt in consideration of the case where the customer does not need the supplied receipt. The collection device includes a conveyance path and conveyance rollers for conveying the cut sheet from the carry-out port to a sheet collection position, and a sheet stacking tray for storing the collected sheets in a stacked form at the sheet collection position.
[0004]
In a printer equipped with a collecting device, a printed receipt is held for a predetermined time by a pair of conveying rollers provided in the vicinity of a discharge port. If the customer does not take out this predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the time-out time), the conveyance roller pair is driven in the reverse direction to guide the receipt to the paper collection position through the conveyance path.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional printer, the collection device may not be usable (for example, when the collection box is full). In such a case, the receipt is not collected after the timeout time, There is a desire to discharge from the outlet. In particular, in the case where the collection device is configured to be detachable from the printer body depending on the usage situation, the collection device may not be equipped depending on the installation mode, and handling of the receipt after a timeout In other words, it is convenient if it is possible to easily set remotely whether to collect in the collection device or to discharge from the discharge port.
[0006]
Also, in a printer equipped with a conventional collecting device, the time until the timeout is fixed, but there is a demand to easily change this from a remote location depending on the installation location, operation time, and usage mode of the printer. .
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of setting whether to collect or discharge a cut sheet such as a receipt after a time-out and a control method therefor.
[0008]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer which can easily and remotely set or change whether to collect or eject cut sheets and a control method therefor.
[0009]
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a printer and a control method therefor that can easily and remotely set and change the time until timeout.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a pair of conveying rollers provided upstream of a discharge port for discharging printed cut paper and a collecting device for collecting the cut paper, and is provided by a host computer. In the printer control method controlled in accordance with the various commands, a step of driving the pair of conveyance rollers in the forward direction to convey the cut sheet out of the housing from the discharge port, and a leading end side of the cut sheet Maintaining the state in which the cut sheet is held by the pair of transport rollers at a position where the cut sheet exits from the housing, and discharging or collecting the preset cut sheet after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the read operation setting is a setting for discharging the cut sheet paper, the pair of conveyance rollers is driven in the forward direction to remove the cut sheet paper from the housing. A step of discharging outside the body; A step of driving the pair of conveying rollers in the reverse direction and conveying the cut sheet into the collecting device when the extracted operation setting is a setting for collecting the cut sheet. Is done.
[0011]
As described above, by collecting or discharging the cut sheets according to the operation setting, it is possible to ensure an appropriate operation according to the installation mode of the printer.
[0012]
The present invention further includes a step of receiving a command designating an operation of discharging or collecting the cut sheet paper, and a step of setting the designation by the command on a predetermined storage area. be able to.
[0013]
The present invention may further comprise a step of receiving a command designating the predetermined time, and a step of setting designation by the command on a predetermined storage area.
[0014]
By the command from the host computer, it is possible to specify the processing method of the cut sheet after the predetermined time and the predetermined time, so that setting and changing from a remote location are possible, depending on the installation location, operating time, usage mode, etc. Appropriate settings can be set.
[0015]
Further, instead of the step of transporting the cut paper into the collecting device, the cut-out paper can be collected by the collecting device when the read operation setting is a setting for collecting the cut paper. And a step of driving the pair of conveyance rollers in the reverse direction to convey the cut paper into the collecting device when it is determined that the cut paper can be collected. And a step of driving the pair of transport rollers in the forward direction and discharging the cut paper out of the housing when it is determined that the cut paper cannot be collected. It can also be configured.
[0016]
In this case, the collecting device is configured to be detachable from the printer, and the step of determining whether or not the cut sheet can be collected includes the step of collecting the cut sheet when the collecting device is removed. Preferably comprises determining that is impossible.
[0017]
The cut sheet is preferably obtained by cutting and separating continuous paper after printing.
[0018]
The present invention also relates to a printer controlled according to various commands given by a host computer. The printer according to the present invention includes a pair of transport rollers capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions provided upstream of a discharge port for discharging printed cut paper, a collection device for collecting the cut paper, and the cut paper. Storage means for storing operation settings for discharging or collecting; and a state in which the cut sheet is held by the pair of conveying rollers at a position where the leading end side of the cut sheet is taken out of the housing from the discharge port. And a control means for driving the pair of transport rollers in the forward or reverse direction according to the operation setting to discharge the cut sheet out of the housing or transport it into the collecting device after a predetermined time has elapsed. It is configured with.
[0019]
In this case, it is preferable that the operation setting to the storage means is specified by a command from the host computer.
[0020]
The storage means preferably stores the setting of the predetermined time, and the setting of the predetermined time in the storage means is designated by a command from a host computer.
[0021]
Further, a system including the host computer of the present invention and a printer controlled according to various commands given by the host computer,
The printer includes a print head for printing on roll paper, a cutting mechanism for cutting the roll paper printed by the print head, a transport unit for transporting the paper cut by the cutting mechanism to a discharge port, and the transport unit Holding means for removably holding the paper conveyed by the discharge port,
Based on a command from the host computer, the printer determines whether the paper held in the discharge port is automatically discharged or collected after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0022]
According to this configuration, a system can be easily constructed using a printer based on a command from the host computer.
[0023]
The printer controlled according to various commands given by the host computer of the present invention is
The printer includes a print head for printing on roll paper, a cutting mechanism for cutting the roll paper printed by the print head, a transport unit for transporting the paper cut by the cutting mechanism to a discharge port, and the transport unit Holding means for holding the paper conveyed by the discharge port so as to be removable,
According to a command from the host computer, there is provided a determining unit that determines whether the paper held in the discharge port is automatically discharged or collected after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0024]
Furthermore, it comprises receiving means for receiving data from the host computer as a predetermined time at which the discharge or collection should be determined,
The determining means determines based on the received data.
[0025]
Furthermore, when the receiving unit determines that a certain value is received as the received data, the determining unit does not perform discharge or collection.
[0026]
According to this configuration, the printer can be controlled based on a command from the host computer. In addition, by receiving the specific value, it is possible to easily realize a printer that keeps waiting for the user's removal permanently.
[0027]
Further, the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention determines whether the cut sheet held at the printer outlet is automatically discharged or collected after a predetermined time has elapsed since being held. Sending a command to the printer;
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing a step of transmitting a command for determining a predetermined time until discharging or collecting to the printer.
[0028]
According to this configuration, the program software for controlling the printer with commands can be easily provided as program software set up in the host computer.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 10 is a receipt printing printer mounted on an ATM or the like, and stores the roll paper R therein. A print head 12, a paper cutting mechanism 13, a feed-side transport roller (hereinafter referred to as “feed roller”) 14 and a discharge-side transport roller (hereinafter referred to as “the feed roller”) are disposed on a paper path that communicates from the roll paper R storage portion to the roll paper discharge port 11. (Referred to as first and second discharge rollers) 15 and 16. In accordance with a print command from the host, these transport rollers 14 to 16 are appropriately driven, and the roll paper R is sequentially pulled out from the roll portion.
[0030]
As the roll paper R is fed by the feed roller 14, the print head 12 is scanned (driven) and desired characters, symbols, and the like are printed on the roll paper R. The printed area of the roll paper R is further conveyed toward the discharge port 11, and when the rear end portion reaches the position of the auto cutter 13 that is a paper cutting mechanism, the printed region is cut and separated by this, from the discharge port 11. It is supplied to the user as a single receipt.
[0031]
The first discharge roller 15 and the second discharge roller 16 receive the leading end of the roll paper R fed by the feed roller 14 and guide it to the discharge port 11. The transport speed of the roll paper R by the first discharge roller 15 and the second discharge roller 16 is basically set to be the same as the transport speed of the feed roller 14. Accordingly, the feed roller 14 and the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16 are driven, and the feed roller 14 feeds the leading end of the feed roller 14 and the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16. The rolled paper R is not subjected to a pulling force or excessive bending.
[0032]
The leading end portion (hereinafter referred to as “paper r”) of the paper cut from the upstream portion of the roll paper R by the paper cutting mechanism 13 is continuously conveyed by the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16, and substantially the entire area is discharged. It is sent out from the outlet 11. The second discharge roller 16 on the downstream side in the transport direction pinches the paper r with a weaker pressing force than the first discharge roller 15 on the upstream side. As will be described later, the trailing edge of the cut sheet r is finally held by the second discharge roller 16 on the downstream side. Thus, since the paper r is held by the second discharge roller 16 with a weak force, the user can easily pull it out. Regarding the control according to the present invention, the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16 are driven and stopped independently of the feed roller 14. Details of this control will be described later.
[0033]
The printer 10 also includes a first paper sensor 17 between the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16, and a second paper sensor 18 on the downstream side of the second discharge roller 16. The first paper sensor 17 detects when the roll paper R is conveyed and the leading end of the roll paper R exceeds the first discharge roller 15 on the upstream side. The first paper sensor 17 also detects this when the trailing edge of the paper r after being cut exceeds this. The second paper sensor 18 detects when the paper r has been completely discharged from the discharge port 11 by the user or when it has been completely recovered by the recovery device. Various controls are executed based on detection signals from the first and second paper sensors 17 and 18.
[0034]
The printer 10 includes a collection device 20 for collecting a cut and separated receipt (paper after cutting). When the receipt is left in the discharge port 11 for a predetermined time, the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16 reversely feed the receipt based on a command received in advance from the host and pull it into the printer 10. . The receipts that are pulled in are carried into the collection path 21 and are sequentially collected into the collection tray 22. A paper sensor (not shown) is installed in the vicinity of the collection tray 22 in connection with printer control described later. When the receipt in the collection tray 22 is full, this paper sensor detects this and notifies the control unit. In the embodiment, the collection device 20 is unitized and configured to be detachable from the printer 10 body. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the collection device 20 is attached or not attached in accordance with the installation mode of the printer 10.
[0035]
The printer 10 includes a control CPU, EEPROM (rewritable nonvolatile memory such as flash memory), and RAM (not shown). The CPU mounted on the printer 10 controls each mechanism part of the printer according to a control command from a host computer and a control program stored in the EEPROM. In connection with the present invention, the CPU built in the printer drives and controls the feed roller 14, the first and second discharge rollers 15, 16, and the paper cutting mechanism 13, thereby realizing a predetermined paper discharge operation. Further, in connection with the present invention, the control command from the host computer includes a command for setting the collection of paper to the collection device 20 or the discharge of paper from the discharge port 11 (hereinafter referred to as a collection / discharge command). ) Is included. The collection / discharge setting command can be configured as follows, for example.
[0036]
<ESC X 1>
Here, “ESC X” designates a control command for collection / discharge setting, and an argument “1” designates collection as its set value. When the argument is “0”, discharge is designated as a set value. The state specified by the collection / discharge setting command is interpreted by the CPU of the printer 10 and recorded in a predetermined area on the RAM. As will be described later, when the paper r is not taken out by the user and remains in the discharge port 11 even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the set value on the RAM is read out, and the paper is It will be collected or discharged.
[0037]
Further, the control command includes a command for setting a certain time for executing the collection or discharge of the sheet, that is, a time until timeout (hereinafter referred to as a timeout setting command). The timeout setting command can be configured as follows, for example.
[0038]
<ESC Y 60>
Here, “ESC Y” designates a control command for setting a timeout time, and an argument “60” designates the set timeout time (seconds). The state specified by the timeout setting command is interpreted by the CPU of the printer 10 and recorded in a predetermined area on the RAM. The argument can take a value of 10 to 2550 (seconds), for example. In particular, when “0” is specified as an argument, the timeout time becomes invalid, and the printer does not automatically collect or discharge, but continues to wait for the user to be removed forever.
[0039]
FIGS. 2A to 2F are side views of the vicinity of the discharge portion showing each stage from printing on the roll paper R to discharge in the printer 10. Prior to the description of the control according to the present invention, the processing will be described. In the printer 10, in order to prevent the user from pulling the paper during printing, conveyance control is performed so that the paper does not exit from the discharge port until the printing is completed.
[0040]
In other words, when the printer 10 receives data from the host computer, it temporarily stores it in the reception buffer, and sequentially interprets the contents by the interpretation unit realized by the CPU. When the interpreted data is a print command, the CPU drives the print head 12 while feeding the paper r by the feed roller 14, and performs printing according to the print data following the command on the paper surface (FIG. 2). (A)). At this time, the CPU drives the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16 in synchronization with the feed roller 14 (the movements of these rollers are indicated by arrows).
[0041]
With this printing operation, the paper r is gradually sent toward the discharge port 11, the leading end thereof reaches the first discharge roller 15 on the upstream side, the first discharge roller 15 bites the leading end of the paper, and further It is sent further downstream by the driving force ((B) in the figure). When the leading edge of the paper r exceeds the first discharge roller 15, the first paper sensor 17 installed on the downstream side detects the leading edge of the paper. Upon receiving this detection signal, the CPU temporarily stops driving the first discharge roller 15. Due to the stop of the first discharge roller 15, the vicinity of the leading edge of the paper r is held between the first discharge rollers 15.
[0042]
On the other hand, printing is continued at the print head 12, and the feed roller 14 conveys the paper r until all the print data is printed. As a result, the sheet r having its leading end fixed by the first discharge roller 15 gradually bends as shown in FIG. 2C, and loops between the printing unit and the first discharge roller 15. Is formed.
[0043]
In this way, when the printing length cut between the cutter (printing unit) and the first discharge roller 15 is longer, the first discharge roller 15 is discharged without being stopped before being cut by the cutter 13. If the paper is discharged from the outlet 11, the user misunderstands that printing has been completed and the paper that has come out of the outlet 11 is removed, and the paper becomes messy inside the printer, causing a paper jam. It is for preventing. Such a situation can be prevented by stopping the first discharge roller 15 to hold the paper and preventing the paper from coming out. Further, since the print length (paper length) obtained by the print data is different, if the paper length becomes longer than the distance between the cutter 13 and the first discharge roller 15, a loop is naturally formed.
[0044]
Following the print data for one receipt, a cutting command for cutting the paper r is transmitted from the host computer (this is equivalent to a command indicating the end of printing for one receipt in this embodiment). . At this time, the feed roller 14 is stopped. When the CPU interprets the cutting command for the paper r by the data interpretation unit, the CPU starts a print end process.
[0045]
In the printing end process, the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16 are first driven. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4D, the leading edge of the sheet r is discharged from the discharge port 11, and accordingly, the loop of the formed sheet r is gradually reduced. Then, the paper cutting mechanism 13 is driven, and the rear end portion of the paper r is cut and separated from the upstream roll paper R ((E) in the same figure). The cutting of the paper r is completed before the formed loop is completely removed. The paper r cut from the roll paper R by the paper cutting mechanism 13 is conveyed out of the discharge port 11 by the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16 as shown in FIG. Then, when the trailing edge of the cut paper r exceeds the first paper sensor 17, this is detected. When receiving the detection signal, the CPU of the printer 10 stops driving the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16. As a result, the rear end portion of the paper r is weakly held by the second discharge roller 16 and can be taken out by the user. When the user removes the paper r, the second paper sensor 18 in front of the discharge port 11 detects this and notifies the CPU.
[0046]
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart according to an embodiment of the control of the printer according to the present invention. According to this flowchart, the printer 10 is controlled so that when the user leaves the paper r held on the second discharge roller 16 for a predetermined time, it is recovered to the recovery device or discharged from the discharge port.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 2F, when the trailing edge of the paper r is detected by the first paper sensor 17 (step 301 in FIG. 3), the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16 are driven. Is stopped and the trailing edge of the paper r is held weakly by the second discharge roller 16 (step 302). When the first and second discharge rollers 15 and 16 are stopped, a timer for counting the duration time is set and setting information of the timeout time is read (steps 303 and 304). As described above, the time-out time is set in advance by a time-out setting command from the host computer and is written in a predetermined area of the RAM of the printer 10, so that it is read out.
[0048]
If it is determined in step 305 that the paper r is removed from the discharge port 11 by the user before the duration of the timer reaches the read timeout time, that is, the second paper sensor 18 When the passage of the end portion is detected, the recovery / discharge process is not executed, and the process according to this process ends via the process 306.
[0049]
If the set time-out time elapses without the user taking out the paper r, the process proceeds to step 307, and the state on the RAM set by the collection / discharge setting command is read. If it is determined in step 308 that the set discharge method indicates “discharge”, the process proceeds to step 309, where the second discharge roller 16 is driven in the forward direction, whereby the sheet r is discharged to the discharge port 11. Remove from the outside of the housing.
[0050]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 308 that the set discharging method indicates “collection”, the process proceeds to step 310. In step 310, it is determined whether or not the paper r can be collected by the collecting device 20. For example, when the collecting device 20 is not attached to the printer 10, when the paper in the collecting tray 22 is full, or when a paper jam occurs in the collecting path 21, the collecting is performed. It is judged impossible. If it is determined in step 310 that the collection is possible, the second discharge roller 16 is driven in the reverse direction, whereby the paper r is conveyed to the collection path 21 shown in FIG. Guided (step 311). On the other hand, if it is determined in step 310 that the collection is impossible, the second discharge roller 16 is driven in the forward direction regardless of the read setting, and thereby the sheet r is removed from the discharge port 11. Drop outside the body. As described above, the paper r held in the discharge port 11 is collected by the collection device 20 through the above-described processing, and is discharged outside the housing.
[0051]
As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in the embodiment, and the description of the claims and the detailed description of the invention, as well as the well-known technology. Based on the above, a range in which those skilled in the art can make changes and applications thereof is included. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the discharge rollers are two pairs of the upstream side and the downstream side has been described. However, the present invention can be realized by a discharge roller including a pair of rollers. In the above-described embodiment, a printer having a configuration in which roll paper is cut to obtain cut paper is shown. However, the present invention can also be applied to a printer including a plurality of stacked cut paper.
[0052]
Further, the setting by the command may be stored in the EEPROM instead of the RAM.
[0053]
In the present invention, when the printer 10 is turned on and is ready for printing, the collection / discharge is performed as a default until ESC X and ESC Y are sent from the host computer. The timeout value is 0 (permanent automatic collection and no discharge).
[0054]
When ESC Y is sent, the timeout value of ESC Y is determined based on the value determined by ESC X, that is, the timeout until collection or the timeout until discharge.
[0055]
The timeout value of the present invention is written in the RAM of the printer 10 if the command ESCY is sent once when the host computer is turned on. Therefore, the timeout value is valid unless the printer 10 is turned off. It is. When the printer of the present invention is applied to, for example, an ATM (automated teller machine), the time-out value is set to be short when there are many people in and out of the station depending on the installation location of the ATM and the usage time of each user is short. can do. Further, when the ATM is not in a city, there are few people and the usage time per user is long, the timeout value can be set long. Further, according to the usage time of the ATM, for example, a time-out value corresponding to the usage status and usage location, such as setting a short daytime and a long nighttime, is easily set in the printer by a control command from the host computer. It becomes possible.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to set whether to collect or discharge a cut sheet after a predetermined timeout, and it is possible to execute an appropriate discharge process according to the installation mode of the printer.
[0057]
In addition, the control command from the host computer makes it possible to set / change whether to collect or eject cut sheets, and to set / change the time until timeout. The setting can be changed, and an appropriate setting according to the installation location, operating time, usage mode, and the like of the printer can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an internal structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the vicinity of a discharge unit showing each stage of roll paper discharge control in the printer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart according to an embodiment of printer control according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Printer
11 Discharge port
12 Print head
13 Paper cutting mechanism
14 Feed roller
15 First discharge roller
16 Second discharge roller
17 First paper sensor
18 Second paper sensor
20 Recovery device
21 Collection route
22 Collection tray
r paper

Claims (15)

Control of a printer comprising a transport roller provided upstream of a discharge port for discharging cut sheet paper after printing, and a collecting device for collecting the cut sheet paper, and controlled according to various commands given by a host computer In the method
Driving the pair of transport rollers in the forward direction to transport the cut sheet out of the housing from the discharge port;
Maintaining the state in which the cut sheet is held by the pair of conveying rollers at the position where the leading end side of the cut sheet is taken out of the housing from the discharge port;
A step of reading a preset operation setting for discharging or collecting the cut sheet paper after a predetermined time; and
When the read operation setting is a setting for discharging a cut sheet, driving the pair of transport rollers in a forward direction to discharge the cut sheet out of the housing; and
When the read operation setting is a setting for collecting cut paper, driving the pair of conveyance rollers in the reverse direction to convey the cut paper into the collecting device; and
Control method for a printer comprising: Receiving a command specifying an operation of discharging or collecting the cut sheet; and
Setting the designation by the command on a predetermined storage area;
The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: reading the operation setting. Receiving a command designating the predetermined time;
Setting the designation by the command on a predetermined storage area;
The printer according to claim 2, further comprising: reading the operation setting in the storage area. Instead of the step of transporting the cut sheet into the collection device,
When the read operation setting is a setting for collecting cut paper, it is determined whether or not the cut paper can be collected by the collecting device; and
When it is determined that the cut sheet paper can be collected, driving the pair of conveying rollers in the reverse direction to convey the cut sheet paper into the collecting device;
When it is determined that the cut sheet cannot be collected, driving the pair of transport rollers in the forward direction and discharging the cut sheet out of the housing;
A printer control method according to claim 1, 2 or 3. The step of determining whether the collecting device is configured to be detachable from the printer and the cut sheet can be collected is not possible to collect the cut sheet when the collecting device is detached. The method for controlling a printer according to claim 4, comprising determining that the printer is present. 6. The printer control method according to claim 1, wherein the sheet paper is obtained by cutting and separating continuous paper after printing. In a printer controlled according to various commands given by a host computer,
A transport roller provided on the upstream side of a discharge port for discharging cut sheet paper after printing;
A collecting device for collecting the cut sheet;
Storage means for storing an operation setting for discharging or collecting the cut sheet;
At the position where the leading edge side of the cut sheet is taken out of the housing from the discharge port, the state where the cut sheet is held by the transfer roller is maintained, and after a predetermined time has passed, the transfer roller is moved according to the operation setting. Control means for driving in the forward or reverse direction to discharge the cut sheet out of the housing or to transport it into the collecting device;
With printer. 8. The printer according to claim 7, wherein the operation setting in the storage means is designated by a command from a host computer. The storage means stores the setting of the predetermined time,
9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein the setting of the predetermined time in the storage means is designated by a command from a host computer. The printer according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the cut sheet paper is obtained by cutting and separating continuous paper after printing. In a system including a host computer and a printer controlled according to various commands given by the host computer,
The printer includes a print head for printing on roll paper, a cutting mechanism for cutting the roll paper printed by the print head, a transport unit for transporting the paper cut by the cutting mechanism to a discharge port, and the transport unit Holding means for removably holding the paper conveyed by the discharge port,
Based on a command from the host computer, the printer determines whether the paper held in the discharge port is automatically discharged or collected after a predetermined time has elapsed. . In a printer controlled according to various commands given by a host computer,
The printer includes a print head for printing on roll paper, a cutting mechanism for cutting the roll paper printed by the print head, a transport unit for transporting the paper cut by the cutting mechanism to a discharge port, and the transport unit Holding means for holding the paper conveyed by the discharge port so as to be removable,
A printer comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the paper held in the discharge port is to be automatically discharged or collected after a lapse of a predetermined time based on a command from the host computer. . Receiving means for receiving data from the host computer as a predetermined time for determining the discharge or collection;
The printer according to claim 12, wherein the determining unit determines based on the received data. 14. The printer according to claim 13, wherein when the receiving unit determines that a certain value is received as the received data, the determining unit does not perform discharge or collection. Transmitting a command to the printer for determining whether to automatically discharge or collect the cut paper held at the discharge port of the printer after a predetermined time has elapsed since being held;
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing a step of transmitting a command for determining a predetermined time until discharging or collecting to the printer.

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