JP7349930B2 - printer - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the invention relate to printers.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers have been used that are used together with POS (Point Of Sales) terminal devices to issue receipts and the like (for example, Patent Document 1). In recent years, one type of such printers has been equipped with a display section such as a liquid crystal panel. The display unit is used to display transaction amounts, two-dimensional codes for cashless payments, digital signage, and the like.

When making cashless payments by displaying a two-dimensional code on the display, we have not found any cases in which the display provides other guidance (for example, guidance related to the progress of the cashless payment process). There is still room for improvement in the utilization of the display section.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer that allows the use of the display unit to be more fully utilized, including during cashless payment.

The printer of the embodiment is connected to a sales data processing device that is separate from the printer itself so as to be able to send and receive information, and issues a receipt in payment processing for products registered for sale with the sales data processing device, A display unit that displays information, a communication module that performs short-range wireless communication with an external device, a short-range communication unit that controls communication via the communication module, and a display unit that controls the display of the display unit. and when a code symbol used for cashless payment is displayed on the display section, information is transmitted and received via the communication module with a terminal device that performs cashless payment using the code symbol. and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display information regarding the progress of cashless payment when the cashless payment becomes possible.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printer. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functional units realized by the control unit. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of display control processing executed by the control unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of the display section.

(First embodiment)
Embodiments will be described using drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a printer 1 according to an embodiment. The printer 1 is used by being connected to a sales data processing device such as a POS terminal, and issues printed matter such as a receipt. The printer 1 includes a housing 110, a roll paper storage section 120, a printing section 130, a display section 140, and an operation section 150.

The casing 110 is a box-shaped container equipped with a paper discharge port 111, and contains a roll paper storage section 120 and a printing section 130. The roll paper storage unit 120 stores roll paper in which a band-shaped paper is wound. The printing unit 130 prints on paper pulled out from the roll paper storage unit 120. The paper discharge port 111 is provided on the top surface of the housing 110 and discharges the paper after printing to the outside of the housing 110. Note that the paper discharge port 111 discharges the paper with the printed surface facing toward you.

The display section 140 includes electronic paper 141 and a hinge section 142. The hinge part 142 attaches the electronic paper 141 to the front part of the housing 110 so as to be rotatable about its upper side. Thereby, the display unit 140 can be tilted (the elevation angle can be changed). The electronic paper 141 continuously displays the information displayed when power is supplied even when there is no power supply (including when the power supply is small; the same applies hereinafter).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printer 1. As shown in FIG. The printer 1 further includes a control section 210, a storage section 220, a short-range wireless communication I/F (Interface) 160, and a network communication I/F 170. Further, the printing unit 130 includes a print head 131, a platen roller, a motor 132, and the like.

The print head 131 is, for example, a line thermal head, and prints on a sheet of paper held between it and a platen roller. The platen roller conveys the paper held between it and the print head 131 by the driving force of the motor 132.

The operation unit 150 includes a power button 151 and a paper feed button 152. When the power button 151 is operated, the control unit 210 switches the printer 1 between operation and non-operation. When the paper feed button 152 is operated, the control unit 210 drives the motor 132 to feed the paper.

The short-range wireless communication I/F 160 is provided in the display unit 140, for example, as shown in FIG. The short-range wireless communication I/F 160 is an example of a communication module for performing short-range wireless communication with an external device, and performs communication using a technique such as NFC (Near Field Communication), for example. The short-range wireless communication I/F 160 exchanges information by transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from a communication target.

Here, in this embodiment, the communication target of the short-range wireless communication I/F 160 is a terminal (customer terminal) 3 owned by a customer. The customer terminal 3 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet, and includes a communication module for short-range wireless communication and a camera (image sensor) capable of capturing an image of a code symbol.

The network communication I/F 170 mediates communication with, for example, a POS terminal 2 connected via a LAN (Local Area Network). Here, the LAN may be wired or wireless.

The control unit 210 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). A CPU is a processor and executes programs. ROM is a program memory that stores various programs and control data. RAM is a working memory and is used to expand various data. The control unit 210 controls each unit in an integrated manner by causing the CPU to read a program stored in the ROM to the RAM and execute it.

The storage unit 220 is a storage device including a rewritable nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The storage unit 220 stores various programs and various data related to the operation of the printer 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functional units realized by the control unit 210. The control unit 210 functions as various functional units such as a print processing unit 211, a display control unit 212, a communication control unit 213, and a short-range communication unit 214 when the CPU executes a program.

The print processing unit 211 performs print processing by controlling the print head 131 and motor 132.

The display control unit 212 controls the electronic paper 141 and rewrites the displayed content. More specifically, the display control unit 212 generates, changes, and erases the display content of the electronic paper 141 based on information provided from the POS terminal 2. Thereafter, the electronic paper 141 maintains the displayed content even when no power is supplied. Note that an example of the information provided by the POS terminal 2 is information for displaying a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code used for cashless payment.

The communication control unit 213 communicates with an external device such as the POS terminal 2 connected via the network communication I/F 170 via a network such as a LAN. The short-range communication unit 214 performs communication using short-range wireless with a terminal device connected via the short-range wireless communication I/F 160.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of display control processing executed by the control unit 210. The control unit 210 controls the electronic paper 141 as the display control unit 212, and causes the electronic paper 141 to display information based on the information provided from the POS terminal 2 (step S1). The display content of the electronic paper 141 in step S1 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, and includes the total purchase amount and code symbols such as two-dimensional codes used for cashless payment.

Next, the control unit 210, as the short-range communication unit 214, determines whether short-range wireless communication with the customer terminal 3 is established, and waits until it is established (No in step S2). In step S2, if near field communication with the customer terminal 3 has been established (Yes in step S2), the control unit 210 controls the electronic paper 141 as the display control unit 212, and displays a message on the electronic paper 141 prompting operation. Display (step S3).

Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit 140. In step S3, a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code and a message are displayed on the electronic paper 141, as shown in FIG. 5(a). The code symbols displayed here are the same as those in step S1. In addition, the message displayed here is an appropriate wording to urge the customer who has the customer terminal 3 that reads the code symbol to proceed with the next action, such as "Please perform the payment operation." This is information regarding the progress of cashless payments.

Next, the control unit 210 waits for the customer terminal 3 to complete the cashless payment procedure based on the information provided from the POS terminal 2 (No in step S4). If it is determined that the payment procedure has been completed (Yes in step S4), the control unit 210 controls the electronic paper 141 as the display control unit 212 to display a message to be sent on the electronic paper 141 (step S5). ). The message to be sent has content appropriate for sending to a customer who has completed payment, and includes, for example, words such as "Thank you" as shown in FIG. 5(b).

Next, the control unit 210 waits for a predetermined time to elapse (No in step S6), and when the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S6), controls the electronic paper 141 as the display control unit 212. A greeting message is displayed on the screen (step S7). The greeting message has content appropriate for welcoming the next customer, for example, wording such as "Welcome" as shown in FIG. 5(c).

In the embodiment using the printer 1 as described above, when a customer brings a product to be purchased to a checkout counter where a POS terminal 2 is installed, information on the product is transmitted to the operator of the POS terminal 2. A store clerk registers on the POS terminal 2. After registering the product, the clerk performs an operation on the POS terminal 2 to proceed to payment processing.

In the payment process, if the customer requests cashless payment using a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code, the store clerk will display a code symbol according to the customer's request on the electronic paper 141 of the printer 1. Perform operations.

The customer activates application software (hereinafter simply referred to as an application) on the customer terminal 3 for performing the desired cashless payment. The customer terminal 3 running the application acquires information for executing cashless payment by reading the code symbol through a camera installed in the terminal.

When the customer brings the customer terminal 3 close to the electronic paper 141 in order to read the code symbol displayed on the electronic paper 141, the short-range wireless communication I/F 160 becomes communicable with the customer terminal 3. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the customer terminal 3 is reading the code symbol. When the short-range wireless communication I/F 160 and the customer terminal 3 become communicable, the control unit 210 changes the display of the electronic paper 141 from the initial state for cashless payment (see FIG. 1) to the payment operation for cashless payment. Change the content to encourage the following (see Figure 5(a)). By changing the display at such timing, the printer 1 can give the customer a sense of security that the system including the POS terminal 2 and the printer 1 recognizes the progress of the cashless payment. becomes.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the printer 1 in which the display unit 140 can be more fully utilized, including during cashless payment.

(Modified example)
Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below.

The message displayed on the electronic paper 141 in the above embodiment is merely an example, and may have other contents. Further, in the above embodiment, the display unit 140 displays information on the electronic paper 141, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display unit 140 may include a liquid crystal panel instead of the electronic paper 141, and display information on the may be displayed.

When the display unit 140 displays information on the electronic paper 141 as in the above embodiment, it is possible to display the information on the electronic paper 141 even after the printer 1 is powered off. The information to be displayed on the electronic paper 141 after the printer 1 is powered off may be, for example, a message announcing the end of business at the store.

Furthermore, in implementation, the control unit 210 (for example, the short-range communication unit 214) may adjust the intensity of radio waves emitted by the short-range wireless communication I/F 160 for transmitting and receiving information according to the situation. good. For this purpose, first, the short-range communication unit 214 can change the output intensity of radio waves emitted by the short-range wireless communication I/F 160. In addition, the short-range communication unit 214 outputs a first output intensity that enables communication when the camera of the customer terminal 3 is located in a first range suitable for capturing an image of the code symbol when making a cashless payment using the code symbol. The radio field strength of the short-range wireless communication I/F 160 is set. Further, the short-range communication unit 214 is configured to enable communication in a state where the customer terminal 3 is located in a second range that is farther from the printer 1 than the first range when making a cashless payment using short-range wireless communication. The radio wave intensity of the short-range wireless communication I/F 160 is set to the output intensity of 2.

That is, when performing cashless payment using a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code, the radio field strength of the short-range wireless communication I/F 160 is set to be weak. By doing so, it is possible to detect when the customer terminal 3 approaches the printer 1 sufficiently. Thereby, the display content of the electronic paper 141 can be changed at an appropriate timing.

Furthermore, when performing cashless payment using NFC communication, the radio field strength of the short-range wireless communication I/F 160 is set to be strong. By doing so, even if the distance between the customer terminal 3 and the printer 1 is somewhat long, the cashless payment using NFC communication can be completed. Thereby, good operability can be obtained during cashless payment using NFC communication.

Furthermore, in implementation, the application for cashless payment using code symbols executed by the customer terminal 3 will return some information X to the printer 1 by short-range wireless communication as a response to reading the code symbol. It may be made. With such a system, it becomes possible for the printer 1 to recognize that the customer terminal 3 has actually read the code symbol rather than just an estimate. Therefore, it is possible to display the message such as "Please perform payment operation" as shown in FIG. 5(a) at a more appropriate timing. Note that the information X may be predetermined information such as the ID of the customer or the customer terminal 3.

The programs executed by the printer 1 of the above embodiments and modified examples are provided in advance in a ROM or the like.

The programs executed by the printer 1 of the above embodiments and modifications are files in an installable or executable format that can be stored on a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. It may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and provided.

Furthermore, the program executed by the printer 1 of the above embodiments and modifications may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the programs executed by the printer 1 of the above embodiments and modified examples may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

The program executed by the printer 1 of the above embodiment and modification has a module configuration including the above-mentioned units (print processing unit 211, display control unit 212, communication control unit 213, short-range communication unit 214). The CPU (processor) loads each of the above units onto the main storage device by reading and executing the program from the storage medium. As a result, a print processing section 211, a display control section 212, a communication control section 213, and a short-range communication section 214 are generated on the main storage device.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

1...Printer 110...Housing, 111...Paper outlet 120...Roll paper storage section 130...Printing section, 131...Print head, 132...Motor 140...Display section, 141...Electronic paper, 142...Hinge section 150...Operation section , 151...Power button, 152...Paper feed button 160...Near field wireless communication I/F (an example of a communication module)
170...Network communication I/F
2... POS terminal 210... control unit, 211... print processing unit, 212... display control unit,
213...Communication control unit, 214...Near field communication unit 220...Storage unit 3...Customer terminal

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-167232

Claims (5)

A printer that is connected to a sales data processing device that is separate from its own device so as to be able to send and receive information, and that issues a receipt in payment processing for products that are registered for sale with the sales data processing device,
a display section that displays information;
a communication module for performing short-range wireless communication with an external device;
a short-range communication unit that controls communication via the communication module;
The control unit controls the display of the display unit, and when the code symbol used for cashless payment is displayed on the display unit, between the code symbol and the terminal device that performs the cashless payment using the code symbol, a display control unit that causes the display unit to display information regarding the progress of cashless payment when information can be transmitted and received via the communication module;
A printer equipped with The short-range communication unit is capable of changing the output strength of radio waves emitted by the communication module to perform short-range wireless communication, and when making a cashless payment using a code symbol, the terminal device The first output intensity is such that communication is possible when the terminal device is located in a first range suitable for imaging, and when making a cashless payment using short-range wireless communication, the terminal device The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer has a second output intensity that enables communication even when the printer is located in a far second range. The printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display content that prompts a payment operation and then displays content that indicates completion of the payment, depending on the progress of the cashless payment. . The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display unit is tiltably attached to the front face of the device housing. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the display section displays information on electronic paper.

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