JP3896771B2 - Information processing vending machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Prior art]
The present invention relates to a vending machine type information processing vending machine for printing an image taken by a digital camera or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, vending machines such as drinking water are known. In recent years, digital cameras have rapidly spread. Accordingly, various printers for printing images taken with a digital camera have been developed. As one of these printers, a vending machine type printer (hereinafter referred to as a vending machine printer) has been proposed. This is a configuration in which a predetermined printing fee is collected by directly inserting a medium (PC card, compact flash, etc.) storing a photographed image into a vending machine printer and printing the contents of the storage medium. . This vending machine printer does not require the user to purchase a printer body, and is similar to the conventional system flow from shooting to development in silver halide photography, and is considered to be easily accepted by users. It is expected to spread.
[0003]
By the way, in the vending machine printer, there are the following two methods for printing data in the storage medium inserted by the user.
First, there is a method (hereinafter referred to as a parallel processing method (A)) in which an operation for reading data to be printed from a medium and a printing operation are processed in parallel. This is because the data reading operation and the printing operation are performed in parallel, so that the time from when the user inserts the storage medium until the completion of the entire printing process is fast.
[0004]
On the other hand, there is a method in which all print data is first read from the medium, stored in a memory inside the vending machine printer, and then all the data is printed (hereinafter referred to as a sequential processing method (b)). According to this method, once the data is read from the medium, all the printing processes can be performed. Therefore, there is no loss of sales opportunities like the parallel processing method.
[0005]
The above method (A) and method (B) will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if only the former parallel processing method (the method (A) above) is used, the media must be inserted into the vending machine printer until all printing is completed. In addition, if the medium is pulled out before printing is completed, the printing process cannot be continued. In addition, when printing cannot be continued, it is necessary to return the charge for the number of sheets that could not be printed.
[0007]
Normally, vending machine printers collect a printing fee from the user before starting the printing operation. Therefore, if the parallel processing method is adopted, the fee will be charged regardless of the number of prints made when the printing fee is collected. It is necessary to have a change that can be returned. Therefore, since there is a possibility that it cannot be returned in the case of a change shortage, it becomes impossible to perform the sale itself. In other words, if the parallel processing method is adopted, there is a risk that sales opportunities may be lost.
[0008]
On the other hand, when only the latter sequential processing method (the method (b) above) is used, the user inserts a storage medium in comparison with the parallel processing method because first all data is read and then printed. It takes a long time to complete the entire printing process.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and by controlling the print processing method according to the status of the number of change held by the vending machine printer, the time until the completion of all print processing is shortened, and the sales opportunity is increased. The present invention provides an information processing vending apparatus capable of suppressing loss.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium loading unit, an information reading unit for reading information from a storage medium loaded in the loading unit according to an order, a storage unit for storing the information, A printing unit that prints stored information; the information reading unit; and a control unit that controls the printing unit. The control unit stores all information from the storage medium based on a preset condition. Information processing vending that selects a process for reading out and storing in the storage means and performing printing by the printing means, and a process for sequentially reading a part of information from the storage medium and sequentially performing printing by the printing means This can be achieved by providing a machine.
[0011]
With this configuration, it is possible to shorten the time until the printing of the vending machine printer is completed, and to perform high-speed printing processing. Further, the capacity of the vending machine printer can be fully exploited without losing sales opportunities.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the condition is based on, for example, a change situation.
For example, a parallel control process in which an operation for reading a part of the read information and an operation for printing the partial information are performed in parallel, and the entire information is printed after reading the entire read information. The sequential control process is performed based on the change number situation.
[0013]
Even with this configuration, it is possible to perform control so that a refund operation can be reliably performed when there is a change, and it is possible to fully exploit the capabilities of the vending machine printer without losing sales opportunities.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the condition is based on, for example, an ordered print data capacity.
For example, a parallel control process in which an operation for reading a part of the read information and an operation for printing the partial information are performed in parallel, and the entire information is printed after reading the entire read information. Sequential control processing is performed based on the volume of the ordered print data.
[0015]
By configuring in this way, even when the amount of print data is large, the reading process can be performed at high speed, the user can be kept waiting for a long time, and discomfort can be avoided, and the vending machine printer's ability can be reduced. It can be pulled out sufficiently.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the condition is based on, for example, the type of storage medium.
For example, a parallel control process in which an operation for reading a part of the read information and an operation for printing the partial information are performed in parallel, and the entire information is printed after reading the entire read information. The sequential control process is performed based on the type of storage medium.
[0017]
By configuring in this way, when the reading speed of the storage medium is slow, it can be read by a processing method that does not take a reading time, can be read at high speed, and the user can wait for a long time. It is possible to eliminate discomfort and to fully exploit the capabilities of the vending machine printer.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the condition is based on, for example, a fee payment form.
For example, a parallel control process in which an operation for reading a part of the read information and an operation for printing the partial information are performed in parallel, and the entire information is printed after reading the entire read information. The sequential control process is performed based on the payment form of card payment or cash payment.
[0019]
By configuring in this way, in the case of card payment without change, parallel processing that can be processed at high speed is performed, and in the case of a cash payment method in which change may occur, sequential processing is performed. Thus, the refund operation can be controlled with certainty, and the ability of the vending machine printer can be fully exploited without losing the sales opportunity.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
First, FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of a vending machine printer (information processing vending machine) to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, a storage medium insertion slot 1 is a place to insert a medium on which an image to be printed by a user is recorded. The display touch panel 2 is an I / F (interface) with a user or an operator, displays a screen for requesting an operation to the user or the operator, and accepts a key input.
[0021]
The fee insertion / return port 3 is a place where the printing fee is collected and returned, and change is paid out. The issued receipt is also discharged from the fee insertion / return port 3.
The photo takeout port 4 is a box for outputting a print (photograph) that has been printed, and the user takes out the photo output to the photo takeout port 4.
[0022]
Next, a printing process when using the vending machine printer having the above configuration will be described.
(A) First, a user inserts a medium on which an image is recorded into the storage medium insertion slot 1. (B) Next, the vending machine printer in which the medium is inserted causes the display touch panel 2 to select whether to print all the images in the medium or to print a part of the images in the medium. Displays a selection on the display touch panel 2 in order to make a selection such as printing the color brighter or printing with the edge emphasized. (C) Next, the user selects one of the displays by touching a button on the display touch panel 2. Here, for simplicity, it is assumed that all images are printed, and the total number of prints is assumed to be 50.
[0023]
(D) Next, the vending machine printer counts the number of all image files in the medium and calculates the total print fee. Then, the calculated fee is displayed on the display touch panel 2, and a message prompting the user to insert the fee into the fee insertion / return port 3 is also displayed on the display touch panel 2. For example, if the print unit price is 10 yen, 500 yen is displayed as a charge.
[0024]
(E) Next, the user inputs a fee according to the display. Here, it is assumed that the user has inserted one 1000 yen bill. (F) In this case, the vending machine printer starts the printing operation when it is confirmed that the fee has been charged. At this time, even if fishing is necessary, the fishing is not paid out.
[0025]
(G) After all the print processing is completed, the vending machine printer determines whether or not the change of the change is necessary. If change is necessary, the change is calculated and the change is output from the charge insertion / return port 3. To do.
[0026]
The vending machine printer's print processing method (particularly, the processing after (f) above) can be classified into two types: a parallel processing method and a sequential processing method as described above.
First, the parallel processing method will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 include the prior art, but are necessary for explaining the present invention and are used for easy understanding of the explanation.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a system block diagram when the parallel processing method is used, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing. In FIG. 2, this system is composed of a vending machine printer main controller 5, a media data read controller 6, a memory 7, and a print controller 8, and after the media is inserted into the storage media insertion slot 1, the media data read controller 6 The file is read. The vending machine printer main controller 5 controls the amount of data to be read when the media data read controller 6 reads information from the media.
[0028]
The memory 7 stores the data read by the media data reading controller 6, reads the data in accordance with the address designation of the print controller 8, and performs a printing process on recording paper. At this time, the data read control of the print controller 8 is performed by the vending machine printer main controller 5.
[0029]
Hereinafter, description will be given according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, it waits for a medium to be inserted into the vending machine printer (S1 is NO). After that, when the medium is inserted (S1 is YES), it waits for the next charging (S2 is NO). If the fee is charged (S2 is YES), the vending machine printer main controller 5 shown in FIG. 2 transmits a print data read command for one sheet to the media data read controller 6 (S3). The media data read controller 6 reads one sheet of data from the medium and stores it in the memory 7.
[0030]
Next, when the media data read controller 6 finishes storing the data for one sheet in the memory 7, it sends a read completion notice to the vending machine printer main controller 5. At the same time, the start address and data size (number of bytes) of the stored data are also notified.
[0031]
On the other hand, the vending machine printer main controller 5 waits for a read completion notification (NO in S4), and when it receives the read completion notification (YES in S4), the vending machine printer main controller 5 sends media data to the print controller 8. The start address and data size of the stored data notified from the read controller 6 are transmitted, and a print start command is issued (S5).
[0032]
The vending machine printer main controller 5 transmits a print start command, and then transmits a print data read start command for the next sheet to the media data read controller 6 (S6). As a result, the media data read controller 6 starts reading the next print data for one sheet, and sends a read completion notice to the vending machine printer main controller 5 when the read is completed.
[0033]
In parallel with this, the print controller 8 that has received the print start command reads the data size from the notified start address of the memory 7 and performs printing. When printing is completed, the vending machine printer main controller 5 is notified of printing completion. Then, the vending machine printer main controller 5 waits for reception of both the read completion notification from the media data read controller 6 and the print completion notification from the print controller 8 (NO in S7). Thereafter, when both receptions are completed (YES in S7), the vending machine printer main controller 5 determines whether reading of all data has been completed (S8).
[0034]
If reading of all data has not been completed (NO in S8), the print controller 8 starts printing and the media reading controller 6 starts reading the next data as described above, and print processing is performed. By repeating, the media reading operation and the printing operation can be processed in parallel. However, the reading of all data is completed (S8 is YES), and when the last one sheet is printed, only the printing operation is performed without performing the medium reading operation (S9).
[0035]
As can be seen from the above description, in this parallel processing method, the media must be inserted into the vending machine printer until printing of all the data in the media is completed. If the media is pulled out halfway, it will be impossible to continue printing. For this reason, in the parallel processing method, it is determined whether there is enough change in the vending machine printer to return the change regardless of the number of prints up to the order quantity at the time the money is inserted. There is a need to.
[0036]
In the above example, since the print order is 50 sheets, “Are you able to refund 990 yen when printing 1 sheet?”, “Can you refund 980 yen when printing 2 sheets”, “Can you refund 500 yen when printing 50 sheets”, etc. Judgment must be made on the case of As a vending machine, it is a matter of course that a refund is surely made when printing cannot be continued.
[0037]
Therefore, when controlled by the parallel processing method, print sales can be performed only when it is determined that refunds can be made in all of these cases. Therefore, if there is a shortage of change, it will be in a state where the print sales themselves cannot be performed, leading to a loss of sales opportunities.
[0038]
On the other hand, the sequential processing method does not cause such a loss of sales opportunities. Here, the sequential processing method also includes a conventional example, but will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a system block diagram inside the vending machine printer in the sequential processing method, and includes a vending machine printer main controller 9, a media data read controller 10, a memory 11, and a print controller 12.
[0039]
Hereinafter, description will be given according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the vending machine printer main controller 9 waits for a medium to be inserted (S10 is NO), and when a medium is inserted (S10 is YES), then waits for a fee to be charged (S11 is NO). ).
[0040]
Thereafter, when a fee is charged for the vending machine printer (YES in S11), the vending machine printer main controller 9 instructs the media data read controller 10 to read all print data from the media (S12). The media data read controller 10 reads all data and stores it in the memory 11. When this processing is completed, a read completion notification is sent to the vending machine printer main controller 9. Then, the vending machine printer main controller 9 waits for all data to be read (NO in S13).
[0041]
Further, the media data read controller 10 transmits to the vending machine printer main controller 9 a table indicating the relationship between the stored head address and the number of data bytes for each data. When the vending machine printer main controller 9 receives the read completion notification and the table (YES in S13), the vending machine printer main controller 9 represents the relationship between the stored head address and the number of data bytes for each data to the print controller 12. The table is transmitted, and a print start command for all data is transmitted (S14).
[0042]
When the print controller 12 receives the print start, the print controller 12 reads the data one by one from the memory 11 and prints it while referring to the table of the head address and the number of data bytes. Thereafter, the vending machine printer main controller 9 waits for all data to be read (NO in S15), and when all printing is completed, the print controller 12 notifies the vending machine printer main controller 9 of the completion of printing.
[0043]
As can be seen from the above description, the sequential processing method does not prevent printing from being continued even if the medium is removed during printing. Further, if the media is removed while the media data reading controller 10 is reading data, the processing may be terminated without printing one sheet, and the inserted money may be refunded as it is. In other words, there is no loss of sales opportunities like the parallel processing method.
[0044]
However, since all data reading processing from media and printing processing of all data are sequentially performed, there is a drawback that it takes time until all printing is completed after the user inserts the media into the vending machine printer.
Next, a control method that takes advantage of both the parallel processing method and the sequential processing method will be described with reference to FIGS. This process is the process of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a system block diagram for explaining this processing, and comprises a vending machine printer main controller 13, a media data read controller 14, a memory 15, and a print controller 16 as described above. Here, unlike the vending machine printer main controllers 5 and 9 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the vending machine printer main controller 13 can select a read start instruction for all data and a read instruction for each image data.
[0045]
This will be specifically described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the vending machine printer main controller 13 waits for a medium to be inserted (S16 is NO), and when a medium is inserted (S16 is YES), it waits for a fee to be charged (S17 is NO). After that, when a fee is charged, the vending machine printer main controller 13 determines whether there is a change that can be refunded regardless of the number of prints, up to the number of sheets ordered, with respect to the amount charged (S18). .
[0046]
When it is determined that the change can be paid out in any case (S18 is YES), a print data read command for one sheet is transmitted to the media data read controller 14 (S19). The media data read controller 14 reads data for one sheet from the medium and stores it in the memory 15. When the data for one sheet is stored in the memory, a read completion notice is sent to the vending machine printer main controller 13. Then, the vending machine printer main controller 13 waits for a read completion notification (NO in S20).
[0047]
At the same time, the media data read controller 14 also sends the stored data start address and data size (number of bytes) to the vending machine printer main controller 13. When the vending machine printer main controller 13 receives the read completion notification (YES in S20), the vending machine printer main controller 13 transmits the start address and data size of the stored data received from the media data read controller 14 to the print controller 16. Further, the vending machine printer main controller 13 issues a print start command (S21).
[0048]
The vending machine printer main controller 13 issues a print start command, and then transmits a print data read start command for the next sheet to the media data read controller 14 (S22). As a result, the media data read controller 14 starts reading the next print data for one sheet, and sends a read completion notice to the vending machine printer main controller 13 when the reading is completed.
[0049]
In parallel with this, the print controller 16 that has received the print start command reads the data size from the notified start address of the memory 14, performs print processing, and when the print processing is completed, the vending machine printer main The controller 13 is notified of the print completion. The vending machine printer main controller 16 waits for both a read completion notice from the media data read controller 14 and a print completion notice from the print controller 16 (S23 is NO), and when received (S23 is YES), all data is read. (S24), if not completed yet (S24 is NO), the print controller 16 starts printing as described above, and the media data read controller 14 reads the next data. To start. By repeating the above processing, the media reading operation and the printing operation can be processed in parallel.
[0050]
Next, when the vending machine printer main controller 13 confirms that all data has been read (YES in S24), the printing operation of the medium is not performed during the printing of the last sheet, but only the printing operation is performed. (S25).
[0051]
On the other hand, if it is determined in the above-described determination (S18) that there is not enough change at the time of charging (S18 is NO), the vending machine printer main controller 13 reads all print data from the medium to the media data read controller 14. Is commanded (S26). The media data read controller 14 reads all data and stores it in the memory 15.
[0052]
When this process is completed, a read completion notification is sent to the vending machine printer main controller 13. Then, the vending machine printer main controller 13 waits for a read completion notification (NO in S27).
[0053]
Also, a table showing the stored head address and the number of data bytes for each data is transmitted to the vending machine printer main controller 13. Upon receiving this, the vending machine printer main controller 13 (YES in S27) transmits a table indicating the stored head address and the number of data bytes for each data to the print controller 16, and issues a print start command for all data. Transmit (S28).
[0054]
When receiving the print start, the print controller 16 reads out data from the memory one by one and prints it. When all printing is completed, a print completion notification is transmitted to the vending machine printer main controller 13. The vending machine printer main controller waits for the print completion notification (NO in S29), and when the print completion notification is received (YES in S29), the printing process ends.
[0055]
In the description of the above embodiment, the processing method is branched depending on the change. However, as another branching method, the processing is changed depending on the total capacity (total file size) of all print data provided by the user's media. There is also a method. If the total capacity is large, parallel processing is performed, and if not, sequential processing is performed so that priority is given to speed. On the contrary, if the total capacity is large, it is possible to select a method that gives priority to safety by performing sequential processing, and otherwise performing parallel processing.
[0056]
In addition, the processing is based on the average value (file size) of each print data. If the average value of one data capacity is large, parallel processing is performed in units of one data, and if the average value is small, sequential processing is performed. Control to prioritize speed. Conversely, a method may be used in which safety is prioritized by performing sequential processing if the average value of one data capacity is large and parallel processing otherwise.
[0057]
Further, the processing is performed according to the type of the medium to be read. If the reading speed of the medium is slow, parallel processing is performed, and if not, control is performed so that the speed is prioritized. Conversely, a method of giving priority to safety by performing sequential processing if the media reading speed is slow and parallel processing otherwise may be used. For example, a compact flash memory, smart media, memory stick, PC card, or the like is used as a medium having a high reading speed, and a floppy disk or the like is used as a medium having a low reading speed.
[0058]
In addition, it is a method of processing according to the payment form of the user's fee, and a control method such as parallel processing at the time of payment by credit card or prepaid card and sequential processing if payment by cash is considered.
[0059]
Further, in any of the above-described modified methods, the parallel processing for performing data reading and printing in units of one screen in parallel and the sequential processing for performing printing for all screens after data reading for all screens are branched, and A method may be considered in which parallel processing in which data reading and printing in units of one line are performed in parallel and sequential processing in units of one screen are branched.
[0060]
Also, instead of branching between parallel processing and sequential processing, parallel processing that prints one line while reading one line of data, and one screen unit while reading all data of one screen unit A method of branching from sequential processing for printing data is also conceivable.
[0061]
Further, the branching may be performed according to a decoding condition in which two or more of the above modifications are combined, and the branch destination need not be fixed to two, and may be branched to three or more selected from the above. .
[0062]
Furthermore, in the above description, it is expected that a tag is generated in which two controllers access the memory at the same time.
<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0063]
This example is an invention relating to a method of changing sales conditions in accordance with the state of the vending machine printer, such as paper jam of the vending machine printer and the inability to change change.
Hereinafter, a description will be given using the flowchart shown in FIG. The process shown in FIG. 8 is obtained by applying the invention in this embodiment to the flowchart shown in FIG. In particular, the difference from FIG. 7 is a processing portion after determining whether or not change can be paid out regardless of the number of prints (S30), and after the change cannot be paid out (S30 is NO). Therefore, while the process proceeds to the flow of reading all data as it is in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not to permit sales when there is a change shortage (S31).
[0064]
If it is permitted by this determination (S31 is YES), the process proceeds to the same flow as FIG. 7, but if it is prohibited (S31 is NO), the entire amount input by the user is refunded and processed without printing one sheet. Is finished (S32). Since the other processes shown in FIG. 8 are the same as those described above, description thereof is omitted.
[0065]
By the way, the setting as to whether or not to permit the sale may be made in a special mode used by the vending machine printer operator during the maintenance of the vending machine printer.
[0066]
For example, a display as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display touch panel 2 of FIG. 1 and is selected by the operator. Then, the selected contents are stored in a memory inside the vending machine printer, and the value of the memory is referred to in the processing flow.
[0067]
In the case of vending machine printers with multiple printers, a threshold is set according to the number of printers that can operate normally, and whether or not to sell is decided based on whether or not the threshold is exceeded, or whether or not sale is possible depending on the remaining number of sheets of the printer May be determined.
[0068]
Moreover, it is good also as a structure which determines whether sales are possible by the present time which is selling. For example, a method of controlling so that sales are performed during a manned time zone and not sold during an unmanned time zone is also conceivable.
<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0069]
In this example, as the third embodiment, the number of printable sheets is checked, and when a print order larger than the remaining printable number comes, control is performed so that only orders up to the remaining print number are accepted.
[0070]
Conventionally, a method has been proposed in which the number of prints is counted by a consumer printer or the like and the number of printable sheets is notified to the user. However, no configuration has been proposed in which control is performed so as not to accept a print command from a user as described below.
[0071]
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining this example. Hereinafter, the control method of this example will be described. First, it is confirmed that a medium is inserted in the vending machine printer (S33). Next, when the insertion of the medium is confirmed, the number of image files in the medium is calculated (S34). Then, it is determined whether or not there are more image files in the medium than the number of printable sheets (S35). Here, when there are many image files in the medium (YES in S35), the display “Display order cannot be over OO sheets” is displayed on the display touch panel 2 in FIG. 1 (S36). On the other hand, if the number is less than the number of printable sheets (NO in S35), the process proceeds as it is.
[0072]
Thereafter, the vending machine printer displays a screen for selecting a printing method (whether to print all the images in the medium or select a part of the images for printing) (S37), and the printing method is selected by the user. (S38).
[0073]
Next, for example, when “print all images” is selected (YES in S38), if the number of all image files in the medium is smaller than the printable number (S39 is NO), normal print processing is performed as it is (S45). ). On the other hand, if the number is larger than the number of printable sheets (S39 is YES), the message “You cannot order more than OO prints. Please place an order for selected prints. Do you want to place an order? S40).
[0074]
Then, it waits which is selected by the user (S41). And when canceling, a process is complete | finished as it is (S41 is NO). On the other hand, when placing an order, the process proceeds to an order reception routine for “selected print” (YES in S41).
[0075]
On the other hand, when “select some images and print” is selected on the print method selection screen (NO in S38), an order acceptance screen for “selected print” is displayed (S42). Here, the user performs operations such as how many images are to be printed. While waiting for the user's order to be completed, the vending machine printer constantly monitors the number of prints ordered by the user and checks whether the total number of orders exceeds the printable number (S43).
[0076]
If the number of orders exceeds the printable number (YES in S43), a display saying "You cannot order more than OO" is displayed (S44), and no more orders are accepted.
[0077]
If the user completes the order, a print process is performed (S45), and the process ends. By controlling in this way, a print order larger than the number of printable sheets is not accepted.
[0078]
If the number of orders is equal to the number of printable sheets, for example, it is assumed that a paper jam has occurred during the printing process. In such a case, even if the invention in the above embodiment is applied, the printing process is interrupted.
[0079]
By the way, when the vending machine printer has a plurality of built-in printers and distributes print orders to these printers, printing is possible unless all the built-in printers become inoperable.
[0080]
Therefore, it is preferable that the limit value of the maximum number of orders received is not a value equal to the printable number, but a value slightly smaller than the printable number. In other words, if one printer becomes inoperable midway, control is performed so that printing is performed by reassigning to the remaining operable printers. As a result, the vending machine printer can perform the printing process more reliably. Specifically, (the number of operable printers−1) × (the number of printable sheets) / (the operable printer) so that half of the printable number of sheets is set as a limit value, and there is no problem even if one built-in printer breaks down. It is conceivable to use a value calculated based on the number of units) as a limit value.
<Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0081]
This example is a control method that allows a user to intuitively cancel an order in a vending machine printer. When the purchase of a product is stopped on the way with a vending machine such as a general juice, it is common to perform an operation of turning (pushing) a money return lever.
[0082]
A vending machine such as a juice accepts an order as to which juice to sell after confirming the input of a fee. Therefore, when the return lever is turned, all operations are completed simply by performing a refund operation. Consider applying this conventional control technology directly to a vending machine printer.
[0083]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the above-described conventional control technique. First, the vending machine printer waits for the media to be inserted (NO in S46). When the medium is inserted (YES in S46), a screen for selecting a printing method (whether to print all data of the medium or to print a part of the data) is displayed (S47). Then, it waits for the user to select a print method (S48: NO), and when the print method is selected (S48: YES), a print fee is displayed (S49).
[0084]
Next, when the print charge is displayed, it is confirmed that the charge input from the user is completed (S50). If the fee is charged as it is (YES in S50), the printing operation is performed (S52). On the other hand, when the charge is not charged (S50 is NO), it is confirmed whether the return lever is turned while waiting for the charge to be charged (S51).
[0085]
When the return lever is not turned (NO in S51), it waits for the charge to be charged again. When the return lever is turned (S51 is YES), the application of the conventional control technology only returns money as a process when the return lever is turned (S52 ').
[0086]
After returning, wait for the charge to be completed again. In other words, a print to which a conventional control technique is applied cannot be canceled (in response to a refund lever operation). Also, in vending machine printers using the prior art, the return lever only monitors when accepting charges.
[0087]
Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12, the state of the return lever is always monitored, and control is performed to cancel the print order itself when the return lever is turned. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart when the control method of the fourth embodiment is applied. First, it waits for the media to be inserted (S53 is NO), and when the media is inserted (S53 is YES), the printing method (whether to print all data on the media or to print some data) ) Is displayed (S54). Then, it is confirmed that the printing method is selected by the user (S55). If the printing method is not selected (S55 is NO) and the printing method is turned (S56 is YES), the printing method selection screen is deleted (S57), and the processing is ended as it is.
[0088]
On the other hand, when the return lever is not turned (S56 is NO) and the printing method is selected (S55 is YES), the print fee is displayed (S58) and it is confirmed whether the fee has been charged (S58). S59). If no charge is inserted (NO in S59), it is confirmed whether or not the return lever is turned (S60).
[0089]
When the return lever is turned (YES in S60), the print fee display screen is erased instead of waiting for the completion of the charge input as in the conventional method (S61), and the amount already input is displayed. The full amount is refunded (S62), and the process ends. If the return lever is not turned (NO in S60) and the charging is completed (YES in S59), the normal printing operation is performed as it is (S63), and the process is terminated.
[0090]
As described above, in this example, the state of the return lever is always monitored, and when the return lever is turned, control is performed so as to cancel the print even when the charge is not accepted. With this control, the return lever can be used as a print order cancel lever. Therefore, according to this example, the user can operate the vending machine printer with an operation feeling similar to that of a conventional vending machine such as juice.
[0091]
In this example, no processing is performed when the return lever is turned during the printing operation. However, when the return lever is turned during the printing operation, the printing may be controlled to be stopped on the spot.
[0092]
In this example, when the return lever is turned, the print order is unconditionally cancelled. However, before canceling, the user may be inquired about whether to cancel. A flowchart in this case is shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is obtained by incorporating the above contents into the flowchart of FIG.
[0093]
That is, processing for inquiring the user is performed during control of the return lever. First, a process when the print method is not selected and the return lever is turned will be described.
[0094]
If the print method selection screen is erased in the flowchart of FIG. 9, next, “Do you want to cancel the print order” is displayed (S64), and it is confirmed whether or not the order is canceled (S65). If the order is not canceled (NO in S65), the process returns to the print method selection screen and the process is continued. On the other hand, when the order is canceled (S65 is YES), the process ends as it is.
[0095]
When the printing method is selected and the return lever is turned, after refunding, a message “Do you want to cancel the print order” is displayed (S66), and the user is asked whether to cancel the order (S67). ). If the order is not canceled (NO in S67), the process returns to the charge display screen and the process is continued. If the order is canceled (YES in S67), the process ends.
[0096]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time until the printing by the vending machine printer is completed, and it is possible to perform control so that a refund operation can be reliably performed when the change is insufficient.
[0097]
Therefore, it is possible to perform control without fully losing the opportunity for sales and fully drawing out the capabilities of the vending machine printer.
Further, according to the present invention, when an absolute sufficient condition is not satisfied due to a change shortage, control can be performed so that branch processing can be performed depending on whether or not print sales are performed, and the operation flexibility of the vending machine printer is increased. Can do.
[0098]
Further, according to the present invention, since an order larger than the number of printable sheets is not received, the printing process is not interrupted during printing, and the order can be placed reliably and promptly.
[0099]
Also, the status of the return lever is constantly monitored, and if the return lever is turned, even if the charge is not accepted, the return lever can be used as a print order cancel lever by controlling to cancel the print. can do.
[0100]
With the above configuration, the user can operate the vending machine printer with the same operation feeling as a conventional vending machine such as juice.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a vending machine printer according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a system structure diagram in a vending machine printer according to a parallel processing method;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a parallel processing method.
FIG. 4 is a system structure diagram in a vending machine printer according to a sequential processing method.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a sequential processing method.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a system structure diagram in the vending machine printer according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a second embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display state.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a third embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional control technique.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Recording media insertion slot
2 Display touch panel
3 Charge insertion / return port
4 Print photo take-out port
5, 9, 13 Vending machine printer main controller
6, 10, 14 Media data read controller
7, 11, 15 memory
8, 12, 16 Print controller

Claims (5)

Storage medium loading means;
Information reading means for reading information from the storage medium loaded in the loading means according to the order;
Storage means for storing the information;
Printing means for printing the stored information;
And a control means for controlling the information reading means and the printing means,
The control unit reads out all information from the storage medium based on a preset condition, stores the information in the storage unit and causes the printing unit to perform printing, and sequentially stores some information from the storage medium. An information processing vending machine that selects processing for reading and sequentially performing printing by the printing means. The information processing vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the condition is based on a change situation. The information processing vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the condition is based on a capacity of the ordered print data. The information processing vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the condition is based on a type of the storage medium. The information processing vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the condition is based on a payment form of a fee.

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