JP6572785B2 - Network system, control device, and control method of control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a network system, a control device , and a control method for the control device.

A technique relating to reduction in power consumption of a printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, there is a control device that can communicate with the printing apparatus, and appropriately requests the printing apparatus for a response to information regarding the state of the printing unit, and acquires the information.

JP 2011-245791 A

In a printing apparatus that responds to information related to the status of the printing unit in response to a response request from the control apparatus, it is desirable to efficiently reduce the power consumption of the printing apparatus based on the fact that the printing apparatus executes such processing. There is a need to.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to efficiently save power in a printing apparatus that responds to information on the state of a printing unit in response to a response request from a control apparatus. And

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a network system including a printing unit that has a printing unit and that prints on a recording medium by the printing unit, and a control device that can communicate with the printing device, When the printing apparatus receives response request data requesting a response of information related to the status of the printing unit from the control device in a normal state that is not a sleep state in which the operation of the printing unit is restricted, the printing device Printing apparatus status information data including information relating to the status of the printing unit is transmitted to the control apparatus, and the control apparatus does not transmit the printing apparatus status information data when the response request data is received in the sleep state. Monitors the power status of the printing apparatus, and transmits the response request data to the printing apparatus when the printing apparatus is powered on. When it becomes received the printing apparatus status information data as a response corresponding to, wherein said printing apparatus is determined to the a sleep state.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress unnecessary reduction of the period during which the sleep state continues, and to achieve efficient power saving in the printing apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, when the printing apparatus receives power state response request data used for checking a power state from the control device in the sleep state, the printing apparatus shifts from the sleep state to the normal state. Without transmitting power state response data indicating that the power is on to the control device, the control device transmitting the power state response request data to the printing device, the power state The power supply state of the printing apparatus is monitored based on a response state corresponding to the response request data.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the control device can accurately monitor the power state of the printing apparatus regardless of whether the printing apparatus is in the sleep state or not.

The present invention further includes an information processing device capable of communicating with the control device via a network, and the control device is configured to check the status of the printing unit based on the printing device status information data received from the printing device. When the printing apparatus status information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the printing apparatus is determined to be in the sleep state, the printing apparatus status information having the same content as the most recently transmitted printing apparatus status information is The information processing apparatus transmits the information to the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus manages the printing apparatus status information received from the control apparatus.
According to the configuration of the present invention, when the printing apparatus is in the sleep state, the control apparatus realizes power saving without shifting to the normal state, and then transmits the printing apparatus state information with appropriate contents to the information processing apparatus. Can be sent.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a control device having a printing unit and capable of communicating with a printing device that prints on a recording medium by the printing unit, and monitors a power supply state of the printing device. When the response request data for requesting a response of information related to the status of the printing unit is transmitted to the printing device when the printing device is powered on, the status of the printing unit as a response corresponding to the response request data And a control device controller that determines that the printing device is in a sleep state in which the operation of the printing unit is restricted when it does not receive the printing device state information data including the information regarding the printing device.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress unnecessary reduction of the period during which the sleep state continues, and to achieve efficient power saving in the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing apparatus that can communicate with a control apparatus, and is in a normal state that is not a sleep state in which an operation of a printing unit that prints on a recording medium is restricted. When response request data requesting a response of information related to the state of the printing unit is received from the control device, printing device state information data including information related to the state of the printing unit is transmitted to the control device, and the sleep state When the response request data is received, a printing apparatus control unit that does not transmit the printing apparatus status information data is provided.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress unnecessary reduction of the period during which the sleep state continues, and to achieve efficient power saving in the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a control method for a control device having a printing unit and capable of communicating with a printing device that prints on a recording medium by the printing unit, the power state of the printing device When response request data requesting a response of information related to the state of the printing unit is transmitted to the printing apparatus when the printing apparatus is powered on, the printing is performed as a response corresponding to the response request data. When printing apparatus state information data including information regarding the state of the printing unit is not received, the printing apparatus determines that the printing apparatus is in a sleep state in which the operation of the printing unit is restricted.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress unnecessary reduction of the period during which the sleep state continues, and to achieve efficient power saving in the printing apparatus.

The figure which shows the structure of the network system which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of a store system. The block diagram which shows the functional structure of each apparatus with which a management system is provided. The block diagram which shows the functional structure of each apparatus with which a shop system is provided. The figure which shows the data flow between each apparatus of a network system. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of each apparatus of a network system. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating information included in printing apparatus status information data. The figure which shows status data. The figure which shows the data structure of a status database. The figure which shows a printing apparatus identification information input screen. The figure which shows an information provision screen. 6 is a flowchart showing operations of a POS terminal and a printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of an agent terminal. The figure which shows status data.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system 1 according to the present embodiment. The network system 1 is a system that is used by companies that provide products, services, etc., such as supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, restaurants, etc., and operate stores that perform accounting according to the provisions.
As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 1 includes a management system 2 and a plurality of store systems 3. The management system 2 and each of the store systems 3 are communicably connected via a global network GN configured to include the Internet and other networks.

  The management system 2 is a system provided at the head office of a company that uses the network system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 2 includes a head office-side local network HLN that is a local network. Any communication standard may be used for communication performed via the head office-side local network HLN, and communication performed via the local network may be wired communication or wireless communication.

One or more head office terminals 5, a maintenance server 7 (information processing device), and a communication device 12 are connected to the head office-side local network HLN.
The head office terminal 5 is a computer that is used by corporate employees and other corporate personnel at the head office.
The maintenance server 7 (information processing apparatus) is a server that communicates with an agent terminal 6 (control apparatus) described later and executes predetermined processing.
Details of the configuration, functions, and processing based on the functions of the maintenance server 7 will be described later.

The communication device 12 is an interface device that connects a local network such as a head office-side local network HLN or a store-side local network TLN described later to the global network GN. The communication device 12 has a function as a modem (or ONU (Optical Network Unit)), a router function, a NAT (Network Address Translation) function, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server function, and the like. The communication device 12 transfers data transmitted / received between devices during communication between a device connected to the local network and a device connected to the global network GN. In FIG. 1, the communication device 12 is represented by one block, but the communication device 12 may have a plurality of devices according to functions.
The maintenance server 7 of the management system 2 communicates with the agent terminal 6 via the head office local network HLN, the global network GN, and a store local network TLN described later, using the function of the communication device 12.

  In FIG. 1, the maintenance server 7 is expressed by one block, but this does not mean that the maintenance server 7 is configured by a single server device. For example, the maintenance server 7 may be configured to include a plurality of server devices.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the store system 3.
As shown in FIG. 2, the store system 3 includes a store-side local network TLN that is a local network. Any communication standard may be used for communication performed through the store-side local network TLN, and communication performed through the local network may be wired communication or wireless communication.

One or a plurality of printing devices 9 are connected to the store-side local network TLN.
The store is provided with a cashier counter for customers to check out. The cashier counter is provided with a printing device 9 and a POS terminal 8 that is connected to the printing device 9 and controls the printing device 9.
The POS terminal 8 is a terminal in which a POS application and a printer driver are installed. The POS terminal 8 executes an accounting process according to the accounting performed at the checkout counter, and causes the printing apparatus 9 to issue a receipt based on the accounting process. The receipt issued by the printing device 9 is delivered to the customer by the cashier.
Details of the configuration, functions, and processing based on the functions of the printing apparatus 9 and the POS terminal 8 will be described later.

One or a plurality of agent terminals 6 are connected to the store-side local network TLN.
The agent terminal 6 communicates with one or a plurality of printing apparatuses 9 to be monitored via the store-side local network TLN, monitors the state of the printing apparatus 9, and transmits information related to the state of the printing apparatus 9 to the maintenance server 7. It is an apparatus provided with the function to perform.
The agent terminal 6 communicates with the maintenance server 7 via the store-side local network TLN, the global network GN, and the head office-side local network HLN using the function of the communication device 12.
Although a detailed description is omitted, between the maintenance server 7 and the agent terminal 6, encryption technology such as VPN (Virtual Private Network) or a virtual private line (even if it is a physical private line) Secure communication is performed by the technology according to the above.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of the maintenance server 7 and the head office terminal 5 included in the management system 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the maintenance server 7 includes a maintenance server control unit 20, a maintenance server storage unit 21, and a maintenance server communication unit 22.
The maintenance server control unit 20 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits (not shown), and controls the maintenance server 7.
The maintenance server control unit 20 includes a status data receiving unit 201, a response unit 202, an analysis unit 203, and an information providing unit 204. These functional blocks are processed by the cooperation of hardware and software, such as the CPU reading and executing the corresponding program (for example, an OS (Operating System) or a dedicated program that runs on predetermined server software). To do. The functions of these functional blocks and the processing based on the functions will be described later.
The maintenance server storage unit 21 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data.
The maintenance server communication unit 22 accesses the global network GN and communicates with devices (including the agent terminal 6) connected to the network under the control of the maintenance server control unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the head office terminal 5 includes a head office terminal control unit 30, a head office terminal storage unit 31, a head office terminal communication unit 32, and a head office terminal display unit 33. The head office terminal control unit 30 controls the head office terminal 5. The head office terminal storage unit 31 stores various data. The head office terminal communication unit 32 communicates under the control of the head office terminal control unit 30. The head office terminal display unit 33 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays various types of information under the control of the head office terminal control unit 30.
A predetermined browser is installed in the head office terminal 5.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the POS terminal 8, the printing device 9, and the agent terminal 6 provided in the store system 3.

The POS terminal 8 is a host computer that controls the printing apparatus 9. In particular, the POS terminal 8 performs an accounting process based on the accounting performed at the checkout counter, controls the POS terminal 8 based on the accounting process, and causes the POS terminal 8 to issue a receipt.
As shown in FIG. 4, a POS terminal control unit 40, a POS terminal storage unit 41, and a POS terminal device communication unit 42 are provided.

The POS terminal control unit 40 includes a CPU (not shown), ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits, and controls each unit of the POS terminal 8. A POS application and a printer driver are installed in the POS terminal 8. The POS terminal control unit 40 controls the printing apparatus 9 by generating a control command for controlling the printing apparatus 9 by using the functions of the POS application and the printer driver, and transmitting the control command to the printing apparatus 9.
The POS terminal storage unit 41 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data.
The POS terminal device communication unit 42 includes a port according to the USB standard, a port according to a serial communication standard other than USB (such as RS232C), a port according to a predetermined parallel communication standard (such as IEEE 1284), and other communication standards. An interface board having ports according to The POS terminal device communication unit 42 communicates with devices connected to the port (including the printing apparatus 9) according to the communication standard corresponding to the connected port under the control of the POS terminal control unit 40. The POS terminal device communication unit 42 may have a wireless communication function and wirelessly communicate with the device.

  In the example of FIG. 3, a printer 9, a barcode scanner BS, a customer display CD, a cash drawer KS, and a display DP are connected to the POS terminal 8 as devices.

  In the present embodiment, the printing device 9 and the POS terminal 8 are connected via a USB cable KB. The POS terminal device communication unit 42 communicates with the printing apparatus 9 according to USB under the control of the POS terminal control unit 40.

The barcode scanner BS reads a barcode attached to a product or product packaging, and outputs data indicating the read result to the POS terminal device communication unit 42. The POS terminal device communication unit 42 outputs the data input from the barcode scanner BS to the POS terminal control unit 40.
The customer display CD is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various types of information under the control of the POS terminal control unit 40. The customer display CD is provided at a position where the information displayed on the customer display CD can be visually recognized by a customer who performs accounting at the checkout counter.
The cash drawer KS includes a tray that stores cash, a mechanism that locks and unlocks the tray, a mechanism that pulls out the tray, and the like, and the lock is released and the tray is pulled out under the control of the POS terminal control unit 40.
The display DP includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel, and displays various types of information under the control of the POS terminal control unit 40. The display DP is provided at a position where the information displayed on the display DP can be visually recognized by a cashier in charge of accounting at the cashier counter.

The printing device 9 is a line thermal printer that stores roll paper and prints an image by forming dots on the roll paper using a line-type thermal head.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the printing device 9 includes a printing device control unit 60, a printing unit 61, a printing device storage unit 62, a printing device network communication unit 63, and a printing device device communication unit 64.

The printing apparatus control unit 60 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and other peripheral circuits (not shown), and controls each unit of the printing apparatus 9.
The printing apparatus control unit 60 includes a log writing unit 601, a printing apparatus state management unit 602, an operation mode control unit 603, and a printing control unit 604. These functional blocks execute processing in cooperation with hardware and software, such as a CPU reading and executing a corresponding program (for example, firmware). The functions of these functional blocks and the processing based on the functions will be described later.
The printing unit 61 includes a transport mechanism that transports roll paper accommodated in the casing of the printing apparatus 9, a printing mechanism that prints on roll paper using a thermal head, a cutting mechanism that cuts roll paper using a cutter, and the like. The printing unit 61 controls the printing apparatus control unit 60 to print information relating to the receipt on the roll paper by the thermal head while conveying the roll paper by the conveyance mechanism, and cut the roll paper at a predetermined position by the cutter. A receipt can be issued.

  The printing device storage unit 62 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data. The printing device storage unit 62 stores at least a log file 621.

The printing device network communication unit 63 communicates with the agent terminal 6 according to a predetermined communication standard via the store-side local network TLN under the control of the printing device control unit 60. The printing apparatus network communication unit 63 can communicate with devices connected to the store-side local network TLN.
The printing apparatus network communication unit 63 includes a command analysis unit 631. The command analysis unit 631 will be described later.

  The printing device device communication unit 64 communicates with the POS terminal 8 according to the USB under the control of the printing device control unit 60.

The agent terminal 6 communicates with the one or more printing devices 9 to be monitored via the store-side local network TLN to monitor the state of the one or more printing devices 9, and the state of the one or more printing devices 9 This is a device having a function of transmitting information related to the maintenance server 7.
As shown in FIG. 4, the agent terminal 6 includes an agent terminal control unit 80 (control device control unit), an agent terminal storage unit 81, and an agent terminal network communication unit 82.

The agent terminal control unit 80 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits (not shown), and controls each unit of the agent terminal 6.
The agent terminal control unit 80 includes a status data generation unit 801 and a response processing execution unit 802. These functional blocks execute processing in cooperation with hardware and software, such as a CPU reading and executing a corresponding program (for example, client software corresponding to server software of the maintenance server 7). The functions of these functional blocks and the processing based on the functions will be described later.
The agent terminal storage unit 81 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data. The agent terminal storage unit 81 stores at least a transmission interval setting file 811 and a monitoring target printing apparatus management file 812.

The agent terminal network communication unit 82 communicates with the printing apparatus 9 via the store-side local network TLN under the control of the agent terminal control unit 80.
The agent terminal network communication unit 82 communicates with the maintenance server 7 through the global network GN under the control of the agent terminal control unit 80.
Further, the agent terminal network communication unit 82 communicates with devices connected to the store-side local network TLN and devices connected to the global network GN under the control of the agent terminal control unit 80.

The network system 1 includes a maintenance server 7. The maintenance server 7 has a function of managing the state of the printing device 9 included in the store system 3. The maintenance server 7 provides information that can be used for maintenance of the printing apparatus 9 to a person in charge of maintenance of the printing apparatus 9 of the store system 3 (hereinafter referred to as “maintenance person”).
Hereinafter, the operation of each device of the network system 1 when managing the state of the printing device 9 will be described.

Here, the agent terminal 6 and the maintenance server 7 basically perform communication in the following manner according to HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). That is, the agent terminal 6 corresponds to a “client” in the client server system, and the maintenance server 7 corresponds to a “server” in the client server system. Then, the agent terminal 6 transmits an HTTP request (response request) to the maintenance server 7. As will be described later, the agent terminal 6 transmits an HTTP request to the maintenance server 7 at a predetermined interval. The maintenance server 7 transmits an HTTP response (response) to the agent terminal 6 in response to the reception of the HTTP request.
As described above, the agent terminal 6 and the maintenance server 7 transmit and receive data between these devices by transmitting a response request from the agent terminal 6 and transmitting a response according to the response request from the maintenance server 7. Therefore, data cannot be transmitted asynchronously from the maintenance server 7 to the specific agent terminal 6. When data is transmitted from the maintenance server 7 to the specific agent terminal 6, the specific agent terminal 6 Data is transmitted in the form of a response to a response request from.

  Hereinafter, processing of the printing apparatus 9, the agent terminal 6, and the maintenance server 7 when the maintenance server 7 manages the state of the printing apparatus 9 will be described.

FIG. 5 shows the functional blocks provided in the printing device control unit 60 of the printing device 9, the functional blocks provided in the agent terminal control unit 80 of the agent terminal 6, and the functional blocks provided in the maintenance server control unit 20 of the maintenance server 7. It is a figure shown with the data to do.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, when the maintenance server 7 manages the state of the printing device 9, basic data transmitted and received among the functional blocks of the printing device 9, the agent terminal 6, and the maintenance server 7 are described. The flow will be described.
In the description using FIG. 5, the details of the processing of the functional blocks and the details of the contents of data transmitted / received between the functional blocks will be omitted because they will be described later.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the log writing unit 601 of the printing apparatus 9 writes log information to the log file 621 at a predetermined timing.
The log file 621 is a file in which log information is recorded.
The log information is a log of a plurality of monitoring items.
The monitoring item is an item for which the state of the printing unit 61 is determined in advance to be monitored and logged. In the present embodiment, at least monitoring items: monitoring item: printer error, monitoring item: print head forming line cumulative number, and monitoring item: cutter use cumulative number exist. Note that the monitoring items described in the present embodiment are examples, and other monitoring items may exist in addition to the exemplified monitoring items or instead of at least a part of the exemplified monitoring items. That is, the monitoring item may be anything as long as it is an item relating to the state of the printing unit 61.

Monitoring item: As a printer error log, in the log file 621, information indicating that a printer error has occurred and information indicating that the generated printer error has been resolved are recorded in time series together with information indicating the date and time. Is done. A printer error refers to a state in which printing cannot be performed normally, such as running out of roll paper, paper jam in the roll paper, or abnormal heat generation of the print head.
The log writing unit 601 monitors whether or not a printer error has occurred and whether or not the printer error has been resolved (monitoring item: monitoring the status of the printer error), and based on the monitoring result, the log file In 621, a log of monitoring item: printer error is recorded.

Monitoring item: As a log of the total number of print head formation lines, information indicating the total number of print head formation lines is recorded in the log file 621 in time series together with information indicating the date and time.
The cumulative number of print head formation lines is the cumulative number of lines formed by the thermal head. The printing unit 61 of the printing apparatus 9 according to the present embodiment alternately repeats the formation of dots for one line by the thermal head and the conveyance of the roll paper for one line by the conveyance mechanism, thereby providing information to the roll paper. Print.
The log writing unit 601 acquires the cumulative number of print head lines at a predetermined interval (monitoring item: monitors the cumulative number of print head formation lines), and logs the monitoring item: cumulative number of print head formation lines in the log file 621. Record.

As a log of monitoring item: cumulative number of cutters used, information indicating the cumulative number of cutters used is recorded in the log file 621 in time series together with information indicating the date and time.
The cumulative number of cutters used is the cumulative number of roll paper cuts made by the cutter.
The log writing unit 601 acquires the cumulative number of cutters used at a predetermined interval (monitoring item: monitors the cumulative number of cutters used) and records a log of the monitoring item: cumulative number of cutters used in the log file 621.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the printing apparatus state management unit 602 generates printing apparatus state information data JD based on the log information written in the log file 621 in response to a response request from the agent terminal 6, and the agent terminal. 6 (arrow Y1).

The status data generation unit 801 of the agent terminal 6 receives the printing apparatus state information data JD from each of the monitored printing apparatuses 9 among the printing apparatuses 9 connected to the store-side local network TLN to which the agent terminal 6 is connected. To do.
The status data generation unit 801 refers to the transmission interval setting file 811 and generates status data ST based on the received printing apparatus state information data JD at intervals indicated by the file.
The status data generation unit 801 transmits the generated status data ST to the maintenance server 7 (arrow Y2). That is, the status data generation unit 801 generates the status data ST and transmits it to the maintenance server 7 at intervals indicated by the transmission interval setting file 811.
Transmission of the status data ST to the maintenance server 7 by the status data generation unit 801 is performed as an HTTP request according to HTTP.

  The status data receiving unit 201 of the maintenance server 7 receives the status data ST. The status data receiving unit 201 outputs the status data ST to the response unit 202 (arrow Y3). Further, the status data receiving unit 201 outputs the received status data ST to the analyzing unit 203 (arrow Y4).

  The response unit 202 generates response data TD and transmits the generated response data TD to the agent terminal 6 (arrow Y5). The response data TD is transmitted by the response unit 202 as an HTTP response according to HTTP.

The analysis unit 203 updates the status database 211 based on the status data ST input from the status data reception unit 201.
Further, the information providing unit 204 informs the maintenance staff about the maintenance of the printing apparatus 9 in response to a request from the head office terminal 5 based on the instructions of the maintenance staff based on the status database 211 updated by the analysis section 203. I will provide a.

  The response processing execution unit 802 of the agent terminal 6 receives the response data TD. The corresponding process execution unit 802 executes a process based on the received response data TD.

  Thereafter, the status data generation unit 801 refers to the transmission interval setting file 811, generates status data ST at an interval indicated by the file, and transmits it to the maintenance server 7.

  As described above, the agent terminal 6 transmits the status data ST to the maintenance server 7 at intervals, and the maintenance server 7 transmits the response data TD to the agent terminal 6. Data is transmitted / received between them.

Next, operations of the printing apparatus 9, the agent terminal 6, and the maintenance server 7 when managing the state of the printing apparatus 9 will be described in detail.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operations of the printing apparatus 9, the agent terminal 6, and the maintenance server 7.
FIG. 6A shows the operation of the printing apparatus state management unit 602 of the printing apparatus 9. 6B shows the operation of the status data generation unit 801 of the agent terminal 6, and FIG. 6C shows the operation of the corresponding process execution unit 802 of the agent terminal 6. 6D shows the status data receiving unit 201 of the maintenance server 7, FIG. 6E shows the response unit 202 of the maintenance server 7, and FIG. 6F shows the operation of the analysis unit 203 of the maintenance server 7.

  In the following description using FIG. 6, it is assumed that the operation mode of the printing apparatus 9 is not the sleep mode (sleep state) but the normal mode (normal state).

As shown in FIG. 6B, the status data generation unit 801 of the agent terminal 6 refers to the transmission interval setting file 811 and determines whether or not the timing for generating the status data ST has come (step SB1). ).
The transmission interval setting file 811 is a file in which information indicating the interval at which the status data ST is generated and transmitted is recorded. In step SB1, the status data generation unit 801 refers to the transmission interval setting file 811, and after generating and transmitting the status data ST last time, if the interval indicated by the transmission interval setting file 811 has elapsed, the status data ST is stored. It is determined that the generation timing has arrived.

When it is time to generate the status data ST (step SB1: YES), the status data generation unit 801 refers to the monitoring target printing apparatus management file 812 (step SB2).
The monitoring target printing device management file 812 is a file that manages information related to the printing device 9 that is monitored by the agent terminal 6. In the monitoring target printing apparatus management file 812, information regarding the printing apparatus 9 is recorded for each of the monitoring target printing apparatuses 9 in association with the printing apparatus identification information of the printing apparatus 9. Information related to the printing apparatus 9 includes at least information necessary for transmitting response request data DD of printing apparatus status information, which will be described later, to the monitoring target printing apparatus 9, such as an address in the store-side local network TLN of the printing apparatus 9. Is done.
The printing apparatus identification information is identification information for uniquely identifying the printing apparatus 9. For example, the serial number of the printing apparatus 9 (a number uniquely assigned to the printing apparatus 9 when the printing apparatus 9 is manufactured) is identified as the printing apparatus. It can be used as information.

After referring to the monitoring target printing apparatus management file 812, the status data generation unit 801 controls the agent terminal network communication unit 82 based on the contents of the monitoring target printing apparatus management file 812, so that the monitoring target printing apparatus 9 Response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information is transmitted to each (step SB3).
The printing apparatus status information response request data DD is data for requesting the printing apparatus 9 to respond to printing apparatus status information data JD described later.
Note that the subject of the processing in the flowchart of FIG. 6A is one of the printing devices 9 to be monitored by the agent terminal 6 that is the subject of the processing of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the printing device status management unit 602 of the printing device 9 controls the printing device network communication unit 63 to send response request data DD of the printing device status information transmitted by the agent terminal 6. Receive (step SA1).
Next, the printing apparatus state management unit 602 refers to the log file 621 and generates printing apparatus state information data JD (step SA2).

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating information included in the printing apparatus state information data JD.
As shown in FIG. 7, the printing apparatus state information data JD includes printing apparatus identification information.
Further, the printing apparatus state information data JD includes log related information for each monitoring item. That is, the printing apparatus state information data JD includes monitoring item: log related information of printer error, monitoring item: log related information of cumulative number of print head formation lines, and monitoring item: log related information of cumulative number of cutter use.
The log related information includes monitoring item identification information that is identification information for identifying a corresponding monitoring item, and monitoring item log information that is a log of the corresponding monitoring item. That is, monitoring item: printer error log related information includes monitoring item: monitoring item identification information for identifying printer error (hereinafter referred to as “printer error identification information”) and monitoring item: monitoring item log information for printer error ( Hereinafter referred to as “printer error log information”). The log-related information of monitoring item: print head formation line cumulative number includes monitoring item: monitoring item identification information for identifying the print head formation line cumulative number (hereinafter referred to as “print head formation line cumulative number identification information”), and monitoring. Item: Monitor item log information (hereinafter referred to as “print head formation line cumulative number log information”) of the cumulative number of print head formation lines. The log related information of monitoring item: cumulative cutter usage count includes monitoring item: monitoring item identification information for identifying the cumulative cutter usage count (hereinafter referred to as “cutter cumulative usage number identification information”) and monitoring item: cumulative cutter usage count. Monitoring item log information (hereinafter referred to as “cutter use cumulative number log information”).
As described above, the printing apparatus state information data JD includes information regarding the state of the printing unit 61.

  After generating the printing apparatus state information data JD, the printing apparatus state management unit 602 controls the printing apparatus network communication unit 63 to transmit the printing apparatus state information data JD generated in step SA2 to the agent terminal 6 ( Step SA3).

  Details of the processing of the printing apparatus 9 from receiving the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information from the agent terminal 6 to transmitting the printing apparatus status information data JD as a response to the data will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the status data generation unit 801 of the agent terminal 6 controls the agent terminal network communication unit 82 to receive the printing apparatus state information data JD (step SB4). In step SB4, the status data generation unit 801 receives the printing apparatus state information data JD from each of the monitoring target printing apparatuses 9.
Next, the status data generation unit 801 generates status data ST based on each of the printing apparatus state information data JD received from the monitoring target printing apparatus 9 (step SB5).

  The status data ST is text data (for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language) format or JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark) Object) that can record information by hierarchizing information by combining hierarchized keys (items) and values. Notation) format data) that can be transmitted to the maintenance server 7 as a request.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the contents of the status data ST in a mode suitable for explanation.
The status data ST includes store identification information indicating the store where the agent terminal 6 that generated the status data ST is provided. Store identification information indicating the store where the agent terminal 6 is provided is registered in each of the agent terminals 6. In the status data ST illustrated in FIG. 8, store identification information is recorded in the area A81.
The status data ST includes agent terminal identification information of the agent terminal 6 that generated the status data ST. The agent terminal identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to the agent terminal 6. In each of the agent terminals 6, agent terminal identification information indicating the agent terminal 6 is registered. In the status data ST illustrated in FIG. 8, agent terminal identification information is recorded in the area A82.

The status data ST includes the printing device status information of each printing device 9 to be monitored (= each printing device 9 that is the transmission source of the printing device state information data JD). In the status data ST illustrated in FIG. 8, printing device status information for each printing device 9 is recorded in the area A83.
The printing apparatus status information includes printing apparatus identification information of the corresponding printing apparatus 9 and printing apparatus status information of the corresponding printing apparatus 9.
The printing apparatus status information includes log-related information (a combination of monitoring item identification information and monitoring item log information) for each monitoring item.
In the status data ST illustrated in FIG. 8, printing apparatus status information related to one printing apparatus 9 is recorded in the area A831. In the printing apparatus status information recorded in the area A831, the printing apparatus identification information of the one printing apparatus 9 is recorded in the area A8311. In the printing apparatus status information recorded in the area A831, the area A8312 includes the printing apparatus status information of the one printing apparatus 9 (log related information of each monitoring item (monitoring item identification information, monitoring item log information, and Combination))) is recorded. In area A 8312, monitoring item: log-related information related to printer error is recorded in area A 83121, monitoring item: log-related information related to the cumulative number of print head formation lines is recorded in area A 83122, and monitoring item is recorded in area A 83123. : Log related information relating to the cumulative number of cutters used is recorded.

  As described above, the status data ST related to the agent terminal 6 includes store identification information and agent terminal identification information. In addition, the status data ST related to the agent terminal 6 includes printing device status information (a combination of printing device identification information and printing device status information) of each monitored printing device 9.

As shown in FIG. 6B, after generating the status data ST in step SB4, the status data generating unit 801 controls the agent terminal network communication unit 82 to send the generated status data ST to the maintenance server 7. Transmit (step SB6).
In step SB5, the status data generation unit 801 transmits an HTTP request in which the status data ST is recorded in the request body to the maintenance server 7 according to HTTP. Information necessary for transmitting the status data ST to the maintenance server 7 as a response request, such as the URL of the maintenance server 7 that transmits the status data ST and the protocol to be used, is registered in the agent terminal 6. After the process of step SB6, the status data generation unit 801 returns the process procedure to step SB1.

As shown in FIG. 6D, the status data receiving unit 201 of the maintenance server 7 controls the maintenance server communication unit 22 to receive the status data ST (step SD1).
Next, the status data receiving unit 201 outputs the received status data ST to the response unit 202 (step SD2) and outputs it to the analysis unit 203 (step SD3).

As shown in FIG. 6E, the response unit 202 acquires the status data ST output from the status data receiving unit 201 (step SE1).
Next, the response unit 202 generates response data TD based on the status data ST acquired in step SE1 (step SE2).
The response data TD is data including at least information indicating that the reception of the status data ST has been normally completed. The information included in the response data TD is not limited to information indicating that reception of the status data ST has been normally completed. For example, the response data TD may include information related to processing to be executed by the printing apparatus 9 based on the response data TD, and information instructing change of an interval for transmitting the status data ST.

Next, the response unit 202 controls the maintenance server communication unit 22 to transmit the generated response data TD to the agent terminal 6 as a response (step SE3).
For example, the response unit 202 transmits an HTTP response in which the response data TD is recorded in the response body to the agent terminal 6 according to HTTP.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the response processing execution unit 802 of the agent terminal 6 controls the agent terminal network communication unit 82 to receive the response data TD (step SC1).
Next, the corresponding process execution unit 802 executes a corresponding process based on the response data TD (step SC2).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6F, the analysis unit 203 acquires the status data ST output from the status data reception unit 201 (step SF1).
Next, the analysis unit 203 updates the status database 211 based on the acquired status data ST (step SF2). Hereinafter, the process of step SF2 will be described in detail.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the status database 211.
The status database 211 has a record for each printing device 9. As shown in FIG. 9, one record in the status database 211 includes at least printing apparatus identification information, printer error presence / absence information, print head error presence / absence information, and cutter error presence / absence information.
The printer error presence / absence information is information indicating whether or not a printer error has occurred. A value indicating that a printer error has occurred (expressed as “present” in FIG. 9), or that no printer error has occurred. It has one of the values shown (represented as “none” in FIG. 9).
The print head error presence / absence information is information indicating whether or not a print head error has occurred, and is a value indicating that the print head error has occurred (represented as “present” in FIG. 9) or has not occurred. It has one of the values (represented as “None” in FIG. 9) indicating this. The print head error is a state in which the cumulative number of print head formation lines by the thermal head exceeds a predetermined threshold value that serves as a reference for determining the life of the thermal head.
The cutter error presence / absence information is information indicating whether or not a cutter error has occurred, a value indicating that it has occurred (represented as “present” in FIG. 9), or that it has not occurred. It has one of the values shown (represented as “none” in FIG. 9). A cutter error is a state in which the cumulative number of cutters used by the cutter exceeds a predetermined threshold value that serves as a reference for determining the life of the cutter.

In step SF2, the analysis unit 203 acquires each of the printing apparatus status information recorded in the status data ST. As described above, the printing apparatus status information includes printing apparatus identification information and printing apparatus status information.
Next, the analysis unit 203 determines one piece of printing device status information as a processing target among unprocessed printing device status information. Next, the analysis unit 203 identifies a record having printing device identification information having the same value as the value of the printing device identification information included in the printing device status information to be processed among the records in the status database 211. Next, the analysis unit 203 converts the values of the printer error presence / absence information, the print head error presence / absence information, and the cutter error presence / absence information of the identified record into the printing device status information included in the processing target printing device status information. Update based on.

  In step SF2, the analysis unit 203 sets each printing device status information included in the status data ST as a processing target, and updates a corresponding record in the status database 211 based on the printing device status information as a processing target.

Next, when providing useful information for maintenance of the printing apparatus 9 to a maintenance person (meaning a person in charge of maintenance of the printing apparatus 9 of the store system 3 as described above). The operation of the maintenance server 7 will be described.
In the following description, it is assumed that the maintenance staff works at the head office and uses the head office terminal 5.
First, a maintenance person who desires to acquire information related to a specific printing device 9 starts up a browser of the head office terminal 5 and accesses a predetermined URL of a predetermined maintenance server 7.
The information providing unit 204 of the maintenance server 7 generates an HTML file for displaying the printing apparatus identification information input screen G101 (FIG. 10) in response to access to a predetermined URL, and transmits the HTML file to the head office terminal 5.
The head office terminal control unit 30 of the head office terminal 5 receives the HTML file by the browser function, controls the head office terminal display unit 33 based on the received HTML file, and displays the printing apparatus identification information input screen G101 on the display panel. Display.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a printing apparatus identification information input screen G101.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the printing apparatus identification information input screen G101 includes a printing apparatus identification information input field R101 in which printing apparatus identification information can be input. The maintenance staff inputs the printing device identification information of the printing device 9 whose information is desired to be acquired in the printing device identification information input field R101, and confirms the input by operating the confirmation button B101. In response to the confirmation of the input, the input printing device identification information is transmitted to the maintenance server 7 by the function of the script implemented in the HTML file.

The information providing unit 204 of the maintenance server 7 receives the printing apparatus identification information. Next, the information providing unit 204 specifies a corresponding record in the status database 211 based on the received printing apparatus identification information. The corresponding record is a record having printing device identification information having the same value as the value of the received printing device identification information. Next, the information providing unit 204 generates an HTML file for displaying the information providing screen G111 (FIG. 11) based on the identified record, and transmits the HTML file to the head office terminal 5.
The head office terminal control unit 30 of the head office terminal 5 receives the HTML file by the browser function, controls the head office terminal display unit 33 based on the received HTML file, and displays the information providing screen G111 on the display panel.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an information provision screen G111.
As shown in FIG. 11, the information provision screen G111 includes an area A111 and an area A112.
In the area A111, basic information related to the printing device 9 of the printing device identification information input by the maintenance staff is displayed. In the example of FIG. 11, basic information about the printing device 9 includes information indicating the model number of the printing device 9, information indicating the version of firmware installed in the printing device 9, and the name of the store where the printing device 9 is provided. The information indicating the address of the store, the information indicating the telephone number of the store, and the information indicating the lane number of the cashier counter provided with the printing device 9. The basic information regarding the printing apparatus 9 is not limited to the exemplified information.
Here, the maintenance server storage unit 21 of the maintenance server 7 stores a database that stores the printing apparatus 9 in association with the printing apparatus identification information and basic information about the printing apparatus 9. The information providing unit 204 acquires basic information about the printing apparatus 9 based on the database.
The maintenance staff can obtain basic information about the printing apparatus 9 by referring to the information displayed in the area A111 of the information provision screen G111, and can perform work such as telephone to the store as necessary. It can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the area A112, information indicating whether or not a printer error has occurred, information indicating whether or not a print head error has occurred, and information indicating whether or not a cutter error has occurred are displayed.
The maintenance staff can recognize whether or not each of the printer error, the print head error, and the cutter error has occurred by referring to the information displayed in the area A112, and responds based on the recognition. Work can be done. Corresponding work means, for example, when an error has occurred, to notify the person in charge of the store of the occurrence of the error and the work to be performed in response to the error.

  Next, operations of the POS terminal 8 and the printing device 9 when a transaction is made at the register counter of the store will be described.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operations of the POS terminal 8 and the printing device 9 when accounting is performed. (A) shows the operation of the POS terminal 8, and (B) shows the operation of the printing device 9. Show.
As shown in FIG. 12A, the POS terminal control unit 40 of the POS terminal 8 executes transaction processing according to customer transaction (step SG1).
In the accounting process, the cashier in charge reads the barcode attached to the product purchased by the customer with the barcode scanner BS. The POS terminal control unit 40 acquires the product code of the product based on the reading result of the barcode scanner BS, and refers to the product master of a POS server (not shown) as necessary, and is necessary for accounting processing such as the unit price of the product. Get information about the product. The POS terminal control unit 40 displays information about the product on the customer display CD or the display DP based on the acquired information about the product. In addition, the POS terminal control unit 40 calculates the total amount and calculates the change based on the information related to the acquired product, confirms the accounting, and displays information indicating the calculation result on the customer display CD and the display DP. In addition, the cash drawer KS is controlled.

After executing the accounting process in step SG1, the POS terminal control unit 40 has printed information relating to accounting (information relating to merchandise, information relating to the total amount, information relating to change, etc.) on the printing device 9 based on the accounting process. A control command for issuing a receipt is generated (step SG2). A POS application and a printer driver are installed in the POS terminal 8, and the POS terminal control unit 40 generates a control command using the functions of these programs.
Next, the POS terminal control unit 40 controls the POS terminal device communication unit 42 and transmits the generated control command to the printing apparatus 9 (step SG3).

As shown in FIG. 12B, the print control unit 604 of the printing device control unit 60 of the printing device 9 controls the printing device network communication unit 63 to receive a control command (step SH1).
Next, the print control unit 604 controls the printing unit 61 based on the received control command to issue a receipt (step SH2). The issued receipt is delivered to the customer by the cashier.

Incidentally, the printing apparatus 9 includes a normal mode (normal state) and a sleep mode (sleep state) as operation modes.
In the normal mode, power is supplied from a power source (not shown) to each unit of the power supply destination in the printing apparatus 9 in a normal manner, and the printing apparatus 9 can execute each process including a process related to printing by the printing unit 61.
In the sleep mode, power supply from a power source (not shown) to each unit of the power supply destination in the printing apparatus 9 is restricted in a predetermined manner, and processing that can be executed by the printing apparatus 9 is restricted. In this sleep mode, the printing apparatus 9 cannot execute processing related to printing by the printing unit 61. In the sleep mode, power consumption is suppressed compared to the normal mode.
In the present embodiment, when the printing apparatus 9 receives the response request data DD for the printing apparatus status information from the agent terminal 6, the printing apparatus status information data JD is transmitted as a response to the data. The period during which the sleep mode continues is suppressed from being unnecessarily reduced, and efficient power saving in the printing apparatus 9 is achieved.
Hereinafter, the processing of the printing apparatus 9 and the agent terminal 6 relating to the realization of efficient power saving of the printing apparatus 9 will be described in detail.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the main part of the printing apparatus 9 in a mode suitable for explanation.
In FIG. 13, for convenience of explanation, physical components and functional blocks are represented by blocks in the same diagram.
As shown in FIG. 13, the printing apparatus 9 includes a communication interface board B1 and a control board B2 as boards housed in a housing.
The communication interface board B1 is a board on which communication interfaces related to various communication protocols supported by the printing apparatus 9 are mounted.
The communication interface board B1 includes a network interface B11 and a device communication interface B12.

The network interface B11 is an interface board corresponding to a communication protocol related to a wired LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless communication module corresponding to a communication protocol related to a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and other LANs. A communication interface according to the communication protocol is provided. The network interface B11 includes a CPU, a dedicated chip, and other control circuits, and functions as the printing apparatus network communication unit 63. The printing apparatus network communication unit 63 includes a command analysis unit 631 as a functional block.
The device communication interface B12 includes at least a communication interface related to USB. The device communication interface B12 functions as the printing apparatus device communication unit 64.

In the normal mode, power is supplied to the communication interface board B1 and the control board B2 in a normal manner.
On the other hand, in the sleep mode, power supply to the control board B2 is restricted in a predetermined manner. For this reason, in the sleep mode, the operating frequency of the CPU of the control board B2 is lowered, and the processing of each functional block included in the printing apparatus control unit 60 is limited. Therefore, while the operation mode is the sleep mode, printing by the printing unit 61 under the control of the printing control unit 604 and information on the log file 621 by the log writing unit 601 are limited.

  The control board B2 is a board on which various circuits related to the control of the printing apparatus 9 are mounted. The control board B2 includes a CPU, a dedicated chip, and other control circuits, and functions as the printing apparatus control unit 60. As described above, the printing apparatus control unit 60 includes the log writing unit 601, the printing apparatus state management unit 602, the operation mode control unit 603, and the printing control unit 604.

Next, the operation mode control unit 603 will be described.
The operation mode control unit 603 controls transition between the normal mode and the sleep mode described above with respect to the operation mode of the printing apparatus 9.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation mode control unit 603.
Note that at the start of the flowchart of FIG. 14, the operation mode is the normal mode.

As shown in FIG. 14, the operation mode control unit 603 monitors whether or not a condition for shifting the operation mode to the sleep mode is satisfied while the operation mode is the normal mode (step SI1).
The condition for shifting the operation mode from the normal mode to the sleep mode is based on the control data not received from the external device (including the agent terminal 6 and the POS terminal 8) for a predetermined period. The processing was not performed.
When the condition for shifting to the sleep mode is satisfied (step SI1: YES), the operation mode control unit 603 shifts the operation mode from the normal mode to the sleep mode (step SI2).

After shifting to the sleep mode, the operation mode control unit 603 monitors whether a condition for shifting from the sleep mode to the normal mode is satisfied (step SI3).
Note that while the operation mode is the sleep mode, the operation mode control unit 603 is in a state where the operation is restricted. In step SI3, the operation mode control unit 603 detects that when an interrupt signal to be described later is input to the CPU from the printing device network communication unit 63 or the printing device device communication unit 64. It is determined that the condition for shifting from the sleep mode to the normal mode is satisfied.

When the condition for shifting to the normal mode is satisfied (step SI3: YES), the operation mode control unit 603 shifts the operation mode from the sleep mode to the normal mode (step SI4). Along with the transition to the normal mode, processing by various functional blocks provided in the printing apparatus control unit 60 becomes possible.
After the process of step SI4, the operation mode control unit 603 shifts the processing procedure to step SI1.

Next, the printing apparatus device communication unit 64 will be described.
First, the printer device communication unit 64 when the operation mode is the normal mode will be described.
While the operation mode is the normal mode, the printing apparatus device communication unit 64 monitors whether a control command is received from the POS terminal 8 connected via the USB cable KB.
When the control command is received, the printing apparatus device communication unit 64 sequentially stores the received control commands in a reception buffer (not shown) and outputs a predetermined signal to the printing apparatus control unit 60 to receive the control command. Notify you.
In response to the notification, the printing apparatus control unit 60 processes the control command stored in the reception buffer. For example, when the control command is a control command for instructing issuance of a receipt, the print control unit 604 reads and executes the control command from the reception buffer and controls the printing unit 61 to issue a receipt.

Next, the printer device communication unit 64 when the operation mode is the sleep mode will be described.
While the operation mode is the sleep mode, the printing apparatus device communication unit 64 monitors whether a control command is received from the POS terminal 8 connected via the USB cable KB.
When the control command is received, the printing apparatus device communication unit 64 sequentially stores the received control commands in a reception buffer (not shown) and outputs an interrupt signal to the operation mode control unit 603 of the printing apparatus control unit 60. To notify that the control command has been received.
As described above, the operation mode control unit 603 shifts the operation mode from the sleep mode to the normal mode in response to the input of the interrupt signal from the printing apparatus device communication unit 64. After shifting to the normal mode, the printing apparatus control unit 60 processes the control command stored in the reception buffer. For example, when the control command is a control command for instructing issuance of a receipt, the print control unit 604 reads and executes the control command from the reception buffer and controls the printing unit 61 to issue a receipt.

Next, the command analysis unit 631 of the printing apparatus network communication unit 63 will be described.
First, the command analysis unit 631 when the operation mode is the normal mode will be described.
While the operation mode is the normal mode, the command analysis unit 631 monitors whether data is received from an external device (including the agent terminal 6) via the store-side local network TLN.
When the data is received, the command analysis unit 631 sequentially stores the received data in a reception buffer (not shown) and outputs a predetermined signal to the printing apparatus control unit 60 to notify that the data has been received. .
In response to the notification, the printing device control unit 60 processes the data stored in the reception buffer. For example, when the data is the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information transmitted by the agent terminal 6, the printing apparatus status management unit 602 reads the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information from the reception buffer, and stores the response request data DD in the data. As a corresponding response, the printer status information data JD is transmitted to the agent terminal 6.

Next, the command analysis unit 631 when the operation mode is the sleep mode will be described.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the command analysis unit 631 when the operation mode is the sleep mode.
As shown in FIG. 15, while the operation mode is the sleep mode, the command analysis unit 631 monitors whether data is received from an external device (including the agent terminal 6) via the store-side local network TLN. (Step SJ1).
When data is received (step SJ1: YES), the command analysis unit 631 analyzes the received data and determines whether or not the received data is response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information (step SJ2). ).

If the received data is not the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information (step SJ2: NO), the command analysis unit 631 determines whether or not the received data is power status response request data (step SJ3). ). When the received data is power state response request data (step SJ3: YES), the command analysis unit 631 transmits power state response data as a response to the data (step SJ4). If the received data is not power supply state response request data (step SJ3: NO), the command analysis unit 631 shifts the processing procedure to step SJ6.
The power status response request data is data that the status data generation unit 801 of the agent terminal 6 transmits to the monitoring target printing apparatus 9 in order to confirm whether the printing apparatus 9 is turned on or off.
The status data generation unit 801 of the agent terminal 6 transmits power supply state response request data to the monitoring target printing apparatus 9 at regular intervals. When the status data generation unit 801 receives the power status response data within a predetermined period as a response to the power status response request data, the status data generation unit 801 determines that the power of the printing apparatus 9 is on. On the other hand, if the status data generation unit 801 does not receive the power status response data within a predetermined period after transmitting the power status response request data, the status data generation unit 801 determines that the power of the printing apparatus 9 is off.
Note that the command analysis unit 631 executes the response of the power state response data regardless of the operation mode.

When the power supply state response data is transmitted in step SJ4, the command analysis unit 631 does not output an interrupt signal to the operation mode control unit 603 (step SJ5).
As a result, the operation mode does not shift to the normal mode, and the state where the operation mode is the sleep mode is maintained.

In step SJ6, the command analysis unit 631 sequentially stores the received data in the reception buffer (step SJ6), and outputs an interrupt signal to the operation mode control unit 603 to notify that the control command has been received. (Step SJ7).
As described above, the operation mode control unit 603 shifts the operation mode from the sleep mode to the normal mode in response to the input of the interrupt signal from the command analysis unit 631. After shifting to the normal mode, the printing apparatus control unit 60 processes the data stored in the reception buffer.

When the received data is the response request data DD for the printing apparatus status information (step SJ2: YES), the command analysis unit 631 stores the response request data DD for the printing apparatus status information in the reception buffer, and the operation mode. The interrupt signal is not output to the control unit 603 (step SJ8).
As a result, the operation mode does not shift to the normal mode, and the state where the operation mode is the sleep mode is maintained. Further, as a result of the above, the response request data DD for the printing apparatus status information is not processed, and therefore the printing apparatus status information data JD is not transmitted as a response corresponding to the data.

The reason why such processing is performed by the command analysis unit 631 is as follows.
That is, when the operation mode is the sleep mode, processing by the printing unit 61 is limited, and thus the state of the printing unit 61 does not change. Specifically, the monitoring items exemplified in this embodiment are monitoring item: printer error, monitoring item: cumulative number of print head formation lines, and monitoring item: cumulative number of cutters used, but the operation mode is sleep mode. Basically, the status of these monitoring items does not change. Here, the agent terminal 6 transmits the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information to the printing apparatus 9 at intervals. The interval at which the agent terminal 6 transmits the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information is sufficient compared to the average value during the period in which the sleep mode is maintained when the printing apparatus 9 shifts to the sleep mode. Small. For this reason, when the printing apparatus 9 receives the response request data DD of one printing apparatus status information and then receives the response request data DD of the next printing apparatus status information, the operation mode shifts to the sleep mode. The state of the printing unit 61 when the response request data DD of the first printing device state information is received and the state of the printing unit 61 when the response request data DD of the next printing device state information is received are: Very likely not changed.
Based on the above, when the printing apparatus 9 receives the response request data DD for the printing apparatus status information when the operation mode is the sleep mode, the printing apparatus 9 responds to the data without shifting the operation mode to the normal mode. The printer status information data JD is not transmitted as a response. As a result, an unnecessary reduction in the period during which the sleep mode continues is suppressed, and efficient power saving in the printing apparatus 9 can be realized.
As will be described later, when the agent terminal 6 does not receive the printing apparatus state information data JD in response to the response request data DD of the transmitted printing apparatus state information, the agent terminal 6 performs a corresponding process, so that the printing apparatus 9 Does not respond to the problem.

Next, details of the processing of the agent terminal 6 will be described.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of processing of the agent terminal 6 when the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information is transmitted.
As shown in FIG. 16, the status data generation unit 801 of the agent terminal 6 transmits response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information to the monitoring target printing apparatus 9 (step SK1). The process of step SK1 is a process corresponding to step SG3 of FIG.
In the following description with reference to FIG. 16, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the status data generation unit 801 transmits response request data DD of printing apparatus status information to one printing apparatus 9 in step SK1. .

After transmitting the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information, the status data generation unit 801 monitors whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed (step SK3), and before the predetermined period has elapsed, the printing apparatus status. It is monitored whether or not the information data JD has been received (step SK2).
The predetermined period is the maximum period required until the printing apparatus 9 that has received the printing apparatus status information response request data DD transmits the printing apparatus status information data JD when the operation mode of the printing apparatus 9 is the normal mode. It is a predetermined period.
When the printing apparatus state information data JD is received before the predetermined period has elapsed (step SK2: YES), the status data generation unit 801 executes the processing after step SG4 in FIG. SK4).

When the predetermined period has elapsed without receiving the printing apparatus state information data JD (step SK3: YES), the status data generation unit 801 supplies the power of the printing apparatus 9 that has transmitted the response request data DD of the printing apparatus state information. Is determined to be on or not (step SK5).
As described above, the status data generation unit 801 periodically transmits power supply state response request data to the monitoring target printing device 9 at intervals, and based on the response state corresponding to the data, The power supply state of the printing apparatus 9 is monitored.

When the power is not on (step SK5: NO), the status data generation unit 801 sets the printing device status information of the printing device 9 as unconnected information when generating the status data ST (step SK6).
The unconnected information is information indicating that the printing device 9 to be monitored is not connected to the agent terminal 6. The fact that the monitoring target printing apparatus 9 is not connected to the agent terminal 6 means that the agent terminal 6 cannot communicate with the monitoring target printing apparatus 9.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing status data ST in which printing apparatus state information of unconnected information is recorded.
As illustrated in FIG. 17, when one monitoring device 9 to be monitored is not connected to one agent terminal 6, the status data ST generated by the one agent terminal 6 includes the one printing device 9. As the printing apparatus status information, unconnected information is recorded instead of the log related information of each monitoring item.

  When the power is on (step SK5: YES), the status data generation unit 801 determines that the operation mode of the printing apparatus 9 is the sleep mode (step SK7). As described above, even if the printing apparatus 9 is powered on, if the operation mode is the sleep mode, the printing apparatus status information data JD is sent as a response corresponding to the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information. It is because it does not transmit.

  Next, when the status data generating unit 801 generates the status data ST, the status information ST of the printing apparatus 9 has the same content as the printing apparatus status information recorded in the corresponding status data ST transmitted most recently. (Step SK8). As described above, since the operation mode of the printing apparatus 9 is the sleep mode, it is very likely that the state of the printing unit 61 has not changed.

As described above, the network system 1 includes the printing unit 61, the printing device 9 that prints on the roll paper (recording medium) by the printing unit 61, and the agent terminal 6 (control device) that can communicate with the printing device 9. With.
When the printing device 9 is in a normal mode (normal state) that is not a sleep mode (sleep state) in which the operation of the printing unit 61 is restricted, a response of information regarding the state of the printing unit 61 is received from the agent terminal 6 (control device). When the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information requesting the printing apparatus 61 is received, the printing apparatus status information data JD including information related to the status of the printing unit 61 is transmitted to the agent terminal 6. Further, when the printing apparatus 9 receives the response request data DD for the printing apparatus state information in the sleep mode, the printing apparatus 9 does not transmit the printing apparatus state information data JD. The agent terminal 6 monitors the power state of the printing apparatus), and when response request data DD of the printing apparatus state information is transmitted to the printing apparatus 9 when the printing apparatus 9 is turned on, as a response corresponding to the data If the printer status information data JD has not been received, it is determined that the printer 9 is in the sleep mode.
According to this configuration, when the printing apparatus 9 receives the response request data DD of the printing apparatus status information from the agent terminal 6, it is based on the configuration in which the printing apparatus status information data JD is transmitted as a response to the data. The period during which the mode continues can be prevented from being unnecessarily reduced, and efficient power saving in the printing apparatus 9 can be achieved.

In the present embodiment, when the printing apparatus 9 receives the power state response request data used for confirming the power state from the agent terminal 6 in the sleep state, the printing apparatus 9 does not shift from the sleep mode to the normal mode. Then, power state response data indicating that the power is on is transmitted to the agent terminal 6. The agent terminal 6 transmits power state response request data to the printing device 9 and monitors the power state of the printing device 9 based on the response state corresponding to the power state response request data.
According to this configuration, the agent terminal 6 can accurately monitor the power state of the printing apparatus 9 regardless of the operation mode of the printing apparatus 9.

Further, in the present embodiment, the agent terminal 6 transmits printing device state information regarding the state of the printing unit 61 to the maintenance server 7 (information processing device) based on the printing device state information data JD received from the printing device 9. . On the other hand, when the agent terminal 6 determines that the printing apparatus 9 is in the sleep state, the agent terminal 6 transmits to the maintenance server 7 printing apparatus state information having the same contents as the printing apparatus state information transmitted most recently. The maintenance server 7 manages the printing apparatus status information received from the agent terminal 6.
According to this configuration, when the operation mode of the printing apparatus 9 is in the sleep mode, the agent terminal 6 realizes power saving without shifting the operation mode to the normal mode, and the printing apparatus state having an appropriate content Information can be sent to the control server 15.

The above-described embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, when the above-described control method of the agent terminal 6 (control method of the control device) is realized using a computer included in the agent terminal 6 or an external device connected to the agent terminal 6, the present invention is It is also possible to configure the program executed by a computer to realize the control method of the terminal 6, a recording medium in which the program is recorded so as to be readable by the computer, or a transmission medium for transmitting the program. As the recording medium, a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device can be used. Specifically, flexible disk, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, magneto-optical disk, flash memory, card Examples thereof include portable or fixed recording media such as mold recording media. The recording medium is a nonvolatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or an HDD that is an internal storage device of a computer included in the agent terminal 6 or an external device connected to the agent terminal 6. It may be a storage device.
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the invention has been described by exemplifying the case where the store system 3 is applied to a store, but the facility to which the store system 3 is applied is not limited to a store.
Further, for example, any method may be used as a communication method for each device constituting the network system 1.
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the recording method of the printing apparatus 9 is the thermal method, but any recording method may be used.
Further, for example, each functional block in the above-described embodiment can be arbitrarily realized by hardware and software, and does not suggest a specific hardware configuration.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network system, 3 ... Store system, 6 ... Agent terminal, 8 ... POS terminal, 9 ... Printing apparatus, 12 ... Communication apparatus, 60 ... Printing apparatus control part, 80 ... Agent terminal control part (control apparatus control part), GN ... Global network, TLN ... Store side local network.

Claims (4)

A network system comprising: a printing device that has a printing unit, and that prints on a recording medium by the printing unit; a control device that can communicate with the printing device; and an information processing device that can communicate with the control device via a network Because
The printing apparatus includes:
When response request data requesting a response of information related to the status of the printing unit is received from the control device in a normal state, printing device status information data including information related to the status of the printing unit is transmitted to the control device. Send
Even when the response request data is received without changing the printing apparatus state information data when the printing unit is in a sleep state in which the operation of the printing unit is restricted, the state being different from the normal state, Without shifting from the sleep state to the normal state, the printer status information data is not transmitted,
The controller is
The power status of the printing apparatus is monitored, and when the response request data is transmitted to the printing apparatus when the printing apparatus is turned on, the printing apparatus status information data is used as a response corresponding to the response request data. If not, determine that the printing device is in the sleep state ;
Based on the printing device status information data received from the printing device, while transmitting printing device status information relating to the status of the printing unit to the information processing device,
If it is determined that the printing apparatus is in the sleep state, the printing apparatus status information having the same content as the printing apparatus status information transmitted most recently is transmitted to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A network system that manages the printing apparatus status information received from the control apparatus . The printing apparatus includes:
When the power supply state response request data used for checking the power supply state is received from the control device in the sleep state, the power supply is turned on without shifting from the sleep state to the normal state. Power state response data indicating that to the control device,
The controller is
The power status response request data is transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the power status of the printing apparatus is monitored based on a response status corresponding to the power status response request data. The network system described. A normal state in which the printing unit has a printing unit, prints on a recording medium by the printing unit, and is capable of operating the printing unit, and is in a state different from the normal state and in which the operation of the printing unit is restricted And when the printer is in the sleep state, the printer status information data relating to the status of the printing unit is not changed, and even when response request data for the printer status information data is received, A control device capable of communicating with a printing device that does not transmit the printing device state information data without shifting to the normal state, an information processing device that manages printing device state information regarding the state of the printing unit , and
When the power supply state of the printing apparatus is monitored, and the response request data is transmitted to the printing apparatus when the printing apparatus is turned on, the printing apparatus state information data is not received. Is in the sleep state ,
While transmitting the printing device status information to the information processing device based on the printing device status information data received from the printing device,
A control device control unit configured to transmit the printing device status information having the same content as the printing device status information transmitted most recently to the information processing device when it is determined that the printing device is in the sleep state; Control device. A normal state in which the printing unit has a printing unit, prints on a recording medium by the printing unit, and is capable of operating the printing unit, and is in a state different from the normal state and in which the operation of the printing unit is restricted And when the printer is in the sleep state, the printer status information data relating to the status of the printing unit is not changed, and even when response request data for the printer status information data is received, A control method of a control device capable of communicating with a printing device that does not transmit the printing device state information data without shifting to the normal state, an information processing device that manages printing device state information related to the state of the printing unit, and the like. And
When the power supply state of the printing apparatus is monitored, and the response request data is transmitted to the printing apparatus when the printing apparatus is turned on, the printing apparatus state information data is not received. Is in the sleep state ,
Based on the printing device status information data received from the printing device, while transmitting printing device status information relating to the status of the printing unit to the information processing device,
When it is determined that the printing apparatus is in the sleep state, the printing apparatus state information having the same content as the printing apparatus state information transmitted most recently is transmitted to the information processing apparatus.
The control method of the control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

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