JP5348679B2 - POS system, printer control apparatus, single color printer, printing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for printing an image with a monochrome printer such as a thermal printer.

  A single-color printer such as a thermal printing printer (hereinafter referred to as “thermal printer”) used in a POS system or the like is a high-function printer, and prints in a plurality of gradations for color shading. be able to. This thermal printer cannot print a large size image due to the specifications of the thermal head and thermal paper.

  Therefore, when printing a color image taken with a digital camera or the like with a thermal printer, it is necessary to convert the image format to a resolution that can be printed by the thermal printer in monochrome or gray scale.

Regarding the resolution conversion, the POS (Point of Service) terminal described in Patent Document 1 adjusts the size of the captured image to a size that matches the thermal paper, and outputs it to the printer so that the user can view the image. This makes it possible to save the trouble of manually performing the conversion.
Utility Model Registration No. 3083506

  However, the POS terminal described in Patent Document 1 does not convert the image format for the number of gradations. For this reason, the user has to convert an image to be printed into an image format having a gradation number corresponding to the thermal printer every time printing is performed, and there is a problem that the thermal printer is still unusable.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving the convenience of a monochrome printer in a POS system.

In order to achieve the above object, the POS system of the present invention inputs an image, converts the input image into a print image that is an image having a gradation number corresponding to a predetermined single-color printer, and A printer control device for transmitting image information indicating an image to the monochrome printer;
A monochrome printer that prints the image for printing based on the image information transmitted by the printer control device;
I have a,
The printer control device converts the input image into a printing image which is an image having a gradation number and an absolute resolution corresponding to the single color printer, and stores one or more printing images in a storage unit. The input of instruction information for instructing one or more printing among the printed images is received, and when the instruction information is input, the printing image indicated by the instruction information is transmitted to the monochrome printer .

The printer control device of the present invention is a printer control device in a POS system, and an image input means for inputting an image;
Image conversion means for converting the image input by the image input means into an image for printing which is an image having a gradation number corresponding to a predetermined monochrome printer;
Transmitting means for transmitting image information indicating the printing image converted by the image converting means to the monochrome printer;
Storage means for storing one or more images for printing converted by the image conversion means;
Instruction information input means for inputting instruction information for instructing printing of one or more images among the printing images stored in the storage means;
The image conversion means converts the image input by the image input means into an image for printing which is an image having a gradation number and an absolute resolution corresponding to the single-color printer,
When the instruction information is input by the instruction information input unit, the transmission unit transmits image information indicating the printing image indicated by the instruction information to the single-color printer.

  According to the present invention, the printer control device converts the input image into a printing image having the number of gradations corresponding to the monochrome printer, so that the user has to manually change the number of gradations every time printing is performed. The convenience of the monochrome printer in the POS system is improved.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of a POS system 1 of the present embodiment. The POS system 1 is a system that prints an image desired by a user with a single-color printer. Referring to FIG. 1, the POS system 1 includes a controller 10 and a thermal printer 11. The controller 10 and the thermal printer 11 are connected by an RS-232C cable or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

  Needless to say, the controller 10 and the thermal printer 11 are not limited to wired cables, and may be connected wirelessly.

  The controller 10 is a device (printer control device) that controls the thermal printer 11. For example, a dedicated terminal in a personal computer or POS system is used as the controller 10.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 10. Referring to FIG. 1, the controller 10 includes an image input / setting unit 101, an image conversion engine 103, and a printer driver 105.

  The image input / setting unit 101 has an interface for inputting an image file 1011. The image file 1011 is information indicating an image such as a photograph, a figure, or a character. The image file 1011 is stored in a predetermined storage medium such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that can be read by the controller 10, for example. The image input / conversion unit 101 reads an image file 1011 from a predetermined storage medium and inputs the image file 1011 to the image conversion engine 103 in accordance with a user operation.

  The image input / setting unit 101 may be configured to receive an input target image file 1011 from an external device.

  Further, the image input / setting unit 101 includes setting data 1013. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the setting data 1013. Referring to the figure, setting data 1013 includes information indicating “file format”, “number of gradations”, and “resolution”.

  The “file format” is a file format of an image file that can be printed (corresponding) by the thermal printer 11. For example, a “BMP (Bitmap)” format is set as the “file format”. The “number of gradations” is the number of gradations of the image file corresponding to the thermal printer 11. For example, “16” gradation is set as the “number of gradations”.

  “Resolution” is the absolute resolution of the image file printed by the thermal printer 11, that is, the size of the image. For example, a resolution equal to or lower than the maximum absolute resolution that can be printed by the thermal printer 11 is set. For example, when printing an image of 300 dots vertically and 300 dots horizontally, “300 × 300” is set as the “resolution”.

  The image input / setting unit 101 may be configured to update the setting data 1013 in accordance with a user operation.

  The setting data 1013 does not need to include information indicating all of the number of gradations, the file format, and the resolution, and may be any data that includes at least information indicating the number of gradations.

  Further, the setting data 1013 may include information indicating a color space such as RGB (Red Green Black) and HSV (Hue Saturation Value). The setting data 1013 may include information indicating a predetermined area of the image, and the thermal printer 11 may be configured to cut out and print the area.

  The image conversion engine 103 converts the image file 1011 input by the image input / setting unit 101 into a monochrome print image file 1031 based on the setting data 1013.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image conversion engine 103 compares the number of gradations, the file format, the color mode, and the resolution of the image file 1011 with the values indicated by the setting data 1013. Convert the image format to match the value. Then, the image conversion engine 103 outputs the converted data to the printer driver 105 as a print image file 1031.

  The printer driver 105 has a registration memory 1051, and the printing image file 1031 converted by the printer driver 105 is stored in the registration memory 1051. The registration memory 1051 is a storage medium such as a flash memory or an HDD, and is not limited to a single sheet, and can store a plurality of print image files 1031.

  The printer driver 105 reads out the print image file 1031 stored in the registration memory 1051 according to the user's operation, transmits it to the thermal printer 11, and transmits a command for instructing printing.

  The thermal printer 11 is a thermal printer and receives a print image file 1031 from the controller 10. The thermal printer 11 prints the image indicated by the received print image file 1031 according to the command transmitted from the controller 10.

  In this embodiment, a thermal printing method is used as a printer. However, a monochrome printer such as a monochrome laser printer can be used as a printer in the POS system 1 instead of a thermal printer.

  Next, the operation of the controller 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller 10. This operation starts when a predetermined application is executed. Referring to the figure, the image input / setting unit 101 executes image input / setting processing (step S1), the image conversion engine 103 executes image conversion processing (step S3), and the printer driver 105 performs transmission processing. Execute (Step S5).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing image input / setting processing. Referring to the figure, the image input / conversion unit 101 determines whether or not an operation for changing the setting is performed by the user (step S11).

  If an operation for changing the setting is performed (step S11: YES), the image input / conversion unit 101 updates the setting data 1013 in accordance with the user operation (step S13).

  When the operation for changing the setting is not performed (step S11: NO), or after step S13, the image input / conversion unit 101 reads the image file 1011 designated by the user from the storage medium and inputs it to the controller 10 (step S13). S15). After step S15, the image input / conversion unit 101 ends the image input / setting process.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the image conversion process. Referring to the figure, the image conversion engine 103 determines whether all of the file format, the number of gradations, and the resolution value of the image file 1011 match the values indicated by the setting data 1013 (step S31). ).

  If any of the values such as the file format does not match (step S31: NO), the image conversion engine 103 converts the image format of the image file 1011 so that these values match (step S33). Then, the image conversion engine 103 outputs the converted image file as a print image file 1031 to the printer driver 105 (step S35).

  If all values such as the file format match (step S31: YES), or after step S35, the image conversion engine 103 ends the image conversion process.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the transmission process. Referring to the figure, the printer driver 105 stores the print image file 1031 in the registration memory 1051 (step S51). The printer driver 105 determines whether or not a command for instructing printing of the printing image file 1031 has been issued (step S53).

  If a command for instructing printing is issued (step S53: YES), the printer driver 105 transmits the image file for printing 1031 and a command for instructing printing to the thermal printer 11 (step 55).

  If a command for instructing printing has not been issued (step S53: NO), or after step S55, the printer driver 105 ends the transmission process.

  Subsequently, an operation example of the POS system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is an example of a screen displayed on the controller 10 when an application for controlling the thermal printer 11 is activated. Referring to the figure, a “setting change” button, a “register” button, and a “print” button are displayed on the screen of the controller 10.

  The “setting change” button is operated to display a screen for updating the setting data 1013. The “Register” button is operated to display a screen for inputting the image file 1011. The “print” button is operated to display a print screen of the print image file 1031. For example, the user causes the controller 10 to display a desired screen by bringing the touch pen into contact with these buttons.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a screen for updating the setting data 1013. If the “change setting” button is operated by the user (step S11: YES), the controller 10 displays a screen for updating the setting data 1013. On this screen, the current setting value indicated by the setting data 1013 is displayed. The user can perform an operation for changing the setting value indicated by the setting data 1013 by operating a numeric key. In response to a user operation, the image input / setting unit 101 updates the setting data 1013 (step S13).

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen for inputting the image file 1011. If the “register” button is operated by the user, the controller 10 displays a screen for inputting the image file 1011. On this screen, an image file stored in a predetermined storage medium is displayed. The user can perform an operation of selecting and registering any one or more of the displayed image files. In response to a user operation, the image input / setting unit 101 inputs the selected image file (1011) to the image conversion engine 103 (step S15).

  The image conversion engine 103 converts the image file 1011 into a single color printing image file 1031 based on the setting data 1013 (step S33).

  The printer driver stores (registers) the print image file 1031 in the registration memory 1051 (step S51).

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a print screen for the print image file 1031. If the “register” button is operated by the user, the controller 10 displays a print screen of the print image file 1031. Referring to the figure, a list of image files for printing 1031 and a “print start” button are displayed on this screen. The “print start” button is operated to cause the thermal printer 11 to print the printing image file 1031.

  If one or more of the image files 1011 registered in the registration memory 1051 are selected by the user and the “print start” button is operated (step S53: YES), the controller 10 causes the printer driver 105 to Then, the image file for printing 1031 selected by the user and a command for instructing printing are transmitted to the thermal printer 11 (step S55).

  The thermal printer 11 prints the received print image file 1031 according to a command instructing printing.

  FIG. 12 is an example of an image printed by the thermal printer 11. Referring to the figure, a color image having a resolution of 1158 × 768 and 256 gradations is converted by the controller 10 into a monochrome image having a resolution of 300 × 300 and 16 gradations.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the controller 10 converts the input image file 1011 into the print image file 1031 having the number of gradations corresponding to the thermal printer 11, so that the user can print each time. In addition, the trouble of manually changing the number of gradations can be saved, and the user can print without being conscious of the image format. As a result, the convenience of the thermal printer 11 is improved.

  Since the controller 10 converts the absolute resolution in addition to the number of gradations, the user does not need to manually change the resolution when printing an image with a large resolution, which improves convenience.

  The controller 10 can store the converted print image file 1031 in the registration memory 1051, so even when printing a plurality of sheets, the overhead for the image conversion process can be limited to one time, High-speed printing is possible.

  Of course, all or part of the processing shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 may be realized by execution of a computer program.

  In this embodiment, the image conversion engine 103 and the printer driver 105 are separately provided. However, as shown in FIG. 13, the printer driver 105 may have a function of the image conversion engine 103. .

  In this embodiment, the controller 10 and the thermal printer 11 are used in the POS system. However, if the system prints an image file designated by the user, the controller 10 and the thermal are used in a ticket or ticket issuing system or an order entry system. The printer 11 can also be used.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the thermal printer 11a of this embodiment. Referring to the figure, the thermal printer 11 a includes an image input / conversion unit 111, an image conversion engine 113, a printer driver 115, and a printing unit 117. The configuration of the present embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment in that the controller and the thermal printer are integrated.

  In the thermal printer 11a, the configurations of the image input / conversion unit 111, the image conversion engine 113, and the printer driver 115 are the same as the configurations of the image input / conversion unit 101, the image conversion engine 103, and the printer driver 105 of the first embodiment. The same.

  The printing unit 117 prints the image indicated by the printing image file 1031 according to a command instructing printing.

  As described above, by integrating the controller and the thermal printer, the installation space is reduced and the convenience of the thermal printer is improved.

1 is an overall view showing a configuration of a POS system according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the setting data of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the controller of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the image input and setting process of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the image conversion process of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the transmission process of 1st Embodiment. 6 is an example of a screen displayed on the controller of the first embodiment. 6 is an example of a setting change screen displayed on the controller of the first embodiment. 3 is an example of an image input screen displayed on the controller of the first embodiment. 3 is an example of a printing screen displayed on the controller of the first embodiment. It is an example of the image printed by the thermal printer of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the thermal printer of a modification. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the thermal printer of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 POS system 10 Controller 11 Thermal printer 101, 111 Image input / setting part 103, 113 Image conversion engine 105, 115 Printer driver 117 Printing part 1011 Image file 1013 Setting data 1051 Registration memory 1031 Printing image file S1-S5, S11 -S15, S31-S35, S51, S53 Steps

Claims (5)

A printer control apparatus that inputs an image, converts the input image into a printing image that is an image having a gradation number corresponding to a predetermined single-color printer, and transmits image information indicating the printing image to the single-color printer When,
A monochrome printer that prints the image for printing based on the image information transmitted by the printer control device;
I have a,
The printer control device converts the input image into a printing image which is an image having a gradation number and an absolute resolution corresponding to the single color printer, and stores one or more printing images in a storage unit. A POS system that accepts input of instruction information for instructing one or more prints among the printed images, and transmits the print image indicated by the instruction information to the single-color printer when the instruction information is input . The POS system according to claim 1 , wherein the monochrome printer is a thermal printer. The POS system according to claim 1 , wherein the printer control device includes a printer driver that converts the input image into a printing image that is an image having a gradation number corresponding to a predetermined single-color printer. A printer control device in a POS system,
An image input means for inputting an image;
Image conversion means for converting the image input by the image input means into an image for printing which is an image having a gradation number corresponding to a predetermined monochrome printer;
Transmitting means for transmitting image information indicating the printing image converted by the image converting means to the monochrome printer;
Storage means for storing one or more images for printing converted by the image conversion means;
Instruction information input means for inputting instruction information for instructing printing of one or more images among the printing images stored in the storage means;
Have
The image conversion means converts the image input by the image input means into an image for printing which is an image having a gradation number and an absolute resolution corresponding to the single-color printer,
A printer control device that, when the instruction information is input by the instruction information input means, transmits the image information indicating the printing image indicated by the instruction information to the single color printer. The printer control apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the image conversion unit is a printer driver.

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