JPH08310061A - Ticket issuing printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To shorten a parameter setting time and reduce misoperation by reading each parameter from a medium in which parameters for communication and operation setting are written and setting parameters based on it. CONSTITUTION: When an operator presses down an execution key 12 for selectively executing a local test, a CPU 17 enters a parameter print mode in a local test mode and indicates 'test parameter print' on a display screen of a display section 9. When the operator presses down the execution key 12 for executing parameter printing, the CPU 17 sends a command for the parameter printing to a printer mechanism control section 3 and indicates 'parameter print execution' on the display screen of the display section 9. The printer mechanism control section 3 reads a parameter stored in a parameter memory 7 when the command is sent from the CPU 17 and makes a printer mechanism print the parameter so as to execute parameter memory medium issuing processing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is applicable to airline tickets, coupons,
The present invention relates to a ticket issuing printer that issues event tickets, etc., and is particularly useful for a ticket issuing printer that can easily set parameters when connecting to various systems and host devices and meet user needs.
Communication-related parameters such as communication speed for connecting and communicating with other devices, presence / absence of parity bit, odd / even, bit length, etc., notification when a ticketing operation or buzzer sounds when an error occurs, or when a medium near end is detected (alarm) Etc.) There are parameters for operation settings such as the operation to be performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional ticket-issuing printer, various parameters such as setting the above parameters by hardware with a dip switch or rotary switch, setting by software in a non-volatile memory by a display section and an operation panel, etc. The method is known. In particular, in recent years, a method of setting parameters in a non-volatile memory or the like has become common because of diversification of setting items and cost advantages. Therefore, a method of setting parameters in a non-volatile memory or the like will be briefly described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional ticket issuing printer. In the figure, the ticket issuing printer 1 has the following components. A printer mechanism unit 2 conveys a medium to perform printing and magnetic encoding. A printer mechanism unit control unit 3 is connected to the printer mechanism unit 2 and controls the printer mechanism unit 2.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a bus, which is a transmission line for transmitting signals by connecting the printer mechanism control unit 3 and the like. 5 is C
The PU is connected to the bus 4 and controls the ticket issuing printer 1 as a whole. A program memory 6 is connected to the bus 4 and stores a program for operating the CPU 5.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a parameter memory, which is the bus 4
Connected to the computer to store environment parameters, etc., such as battery backup memory or EEPROM.
Etc. is composed of a non-volatile memory. 8
Is an operation unit, which is connected to the bus 4 and connects the display unit 9 and the operation switch 10 so that an operator or the like can input various commands from the operation switch 10 while looking at the display unit 9. It is what is done.

The display unit 9 may be of any type such as a CRT or liquid crystal screen, and the operation switch 1 may be used.
You may make it display 0 as a touch sensor. The operation switch 10 includes, for example, a “local” key 1
1, function keys such as an “execute” key 12, a “setting +” key 13 and a “setting −” key 14 are provided. The function of each key will be described later.

A communication control unit 15 is connected to the bus 4 and communicates with a host device such as a host computer. Next, parameter setting in the ticket issuing printer 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a parameter setting procedure, and FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of a display screen when parameters are set. It is assumed that the ticket printer 1 is in the initial state in the online mode and the display screen of the display unit 9 is also in the online mode display screen as shown in FIG. Sb1: When the operator presses the “local” key 11, the CPU 5 switches from the online mode to the local mode, and the display screen of the display unit 9 is also changed to the local mode display screen shown in FIG. 9B. This local mode has multiple modes such as local test mode,
As shown in FIG. 9B, the local test mode is first selected, and the process proceeds to Sb2. Sb2: In the state of Sb1 above, the operator “sets +”
When the key 13 is pressed, the CPU 5 changes the mode to another local mode. Sb3: The CPU 5 waits for an operator's command as to whether or not to execute the displayed mode. When the operator selects another mode, the process of Sb2 is repeated, and when the operator executes the displayed mode, the process of Sb3 is performed. Here, it is assumed that the local transmission rate setting mode is displayed as shown in FIG. 9C. Sb4: When the operator presses the "execute" key 12 to execute the displayed mode, the display screen of the display unit 9 displays the set value of the transmission speed as shown in (d) of FIG. Here, for example, "1200" (unit is, for example, bps) is displayed, the instruction of the operator is waited, and the CPU 5 shifts the processing to Sb5. Sb5: The CPU 5 waits for an operator's instruction as to whether or not the displayed setting value is acceptable. As for the instruction, the operator judges whether or not the set value displayed in Sb4 is acceptable, and if so, moves to the operator's processing in the next Sb7,
If another set value is desired, the operation of the operator at Sb6 is performed. Sb6: The operator presses the “SET +” key 13 to display another set value. Here, for example, as shown in (e) of FIG. 9, the set value of the transmission speed of the display screen is set to "4.
It has been switched to "800". It should be noted that if the "SET-" key 14 is pressed, it is possible to return to the previous display screen. Sb7: When the operator presses the "execute" key 12 when the transmission speed displayed on the display unit 9 is good, C
The PU 5 executes the setting, and the display of the display unit 9 is changed to (f) in FIG.
As shown in, "Soushin Sokdo 4800 OK"
The fact that the selection has been executed is displayed, the executed value is recorded in the parameter memory 7, and the process proceeds to Sb8. Sb8: The CPU 5 waits for the next command from the operator while keeping the display screen of Sb7. If other items are not set, the operator performs the process of Sb9. If other items are to be set, the process returns to Sb2 and the "SET +" key 13 is pressed.
Press to move to the processing of other items. For example, the local parity and the like are set as shown in FIG. Sb9: When the operator presses the "execute" key 12,
The CPU 5 returns the display screen to the "online" screen as shown in FIG. 9H, switches the local mode to the online mode, and completes the parameter setting.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional ticket issuing printer, the parameters of the ticket issuing printer must be set for each printer. Therefore, in the case of setting the parameters of a plurality of ticket issuing printers, any one of them must be set. Even if the ticket-issuing printer parameters are the same, it is necessary to set each ticket-issuing printer separately, so that the parameter setting is troublesome. In this case, the number of parameter setting operations increases, and the operations become complicated and time-consuming, so that there is a problem that the installation time of the ticket issuing printer on the site becomes long. For this reason, the labor cost increased, which was also a factor of cost increase. Further, if the operation becomes complicated, it is easy to cause human error such as operation error.

Further, when the parameter setting is divided into two or more types, the parameters of each ticket issuing printer are recorded in advance, and when the parameter setting is performed on the spot, it is continued depending on the installation state of the ticket issuing printer. Since the same parameter may not be set in each case, there is a problem in that the setting contents of the parameter are changed each time so that an operation error or the like is likely to occur and the time required for checking increases.

[0010]

Therefore, according to the present invention, specific information is written in an unused medium housed in a housing unit,
In a ticket-issuing printer that issues tickets with a certain value, each parameter is read by a reading unit from a medium in which communication-related parameters for connecting and communicating with other devices and operation setting parameters are written, Parameter setting means for setting parameters based on the above is provided.

[0011]

According to this structure, a medium storing the parameters is prepared in advance by setting the parameters of one ticket-issuing printer, etc. Since the parameter setting means can set the parameter based on the above, it becomes possible to easily set the same parameter for a plurality of ticket issuing printers. For this reason, it becomes possible to set the parameters via the medium. Therefore, even when a plurality of ticket issuing printers with the same parameters are installed, the setting of the parameters does not take time, and an artificial operation error is made. Etc. can be reduced.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional ticket issuing printer. In the figure, the ticket issuing printer 16 has the following components. A printer mechanism unit 2 conveys a medium to perform printing and magnetic encoding. The printer mechanism unit 2 is constructed and operates, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in the figure, the feeding rollers c feed out a plurality of ticket-issuing media a, such as admission tickets, from the media hopper b to be transported on the transport path. For the transportation, the transportation is performed by a transportation roller d which is appropriately provided on the transportation path, the magnetic writing head e magnetically stores it in a magnetic stripe or the like of the ticket issuing medium a, and the magnetic reading head f magnetically writes the magnetic stripe or the like. It is designed to read information. A print head g is provided so as to face the platen roller h.
Printing is performed on the ticket issuing medium a by the platen roller h and the platen roller h. Then, from the ejection stacker i, the ticket issuing medium a
Is to be discharged. Further, the ticket issuing medium a and other media can be transported from the inserter j onto the transport path.

A printer mechanism unit control unit 3 is connected to the printer mechanism unit 2, and the printer mechanism unit 2 is connected to the printer mechanism unit 2.
Is for controlling. Reference numeral 4 is a bus, which is a transmission line for connecting the printer mechanism control unit 3 and the like to transmit signals. A CPU 17 is connected to the bus 4 and controls the ticket issuing printer 16 as a whole.

A program memory 18 is connected to the bus 4 and stores a program for operating the CPU 17. 7 is a parameter memory,
It is connected to the bus 4 and is for storing environment parameters and the like, and is used for battery backup memory and E
It is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM.

An operation unit 8 is connected to the bus 4, connects a display unit 9 and an operation switch 10, and an operator or the like inputs various commands from the operation switch 10 while looking at the display unit 9. It is something that can be done. The display unit 9 may be of any type such as a CRT or a liquid crystal screen, and the operation switch 10 may be displayed as a touch sensor.

The operation switch 10 is provided with function keys such as a "local" key 11, an "execute" key 12, a "setting +" key 13 and a "setting-" key 14.
The function of each key is the same as in the conventional case, and will be described later. A communication control unit 15 is connected to the bus 4 and communicates with a host device such as a host computer.

The CPU 17 and the printer mechanism control unit 3 control the operation by a program stored in the program memory 18. The control can be conceptually understood as the following two means. That is, the parameters are read from the parameter memory 7 that stores parameters relating to communication and parameters for operation setting for connecting and communicating with another device, and the parameters are written to the medium by the magnetic write head e, and the medium is written. A parameter storage medium issuing means for issuing and a medium for storing communication-related parameters for connecting and communicating with another device and parameters for operation setting are read by the magnetic reading head f shown in FIG. And parameter setting means for setting parameters based on the parameters.

The setting of parameters by the ticket issuing printer having the above configuration will be described below. It is assumed that the CPU 17 operates according to the program in the program memory 18. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a parameter storage medium issuing procedure. Sa1: The operator sets the parameters of one ticket issuing printer 16 as in the conventional case described with reference to FIG. The display screen of the display unit 9 displays “online” shown in FIG. 4A and is in the online mode. Sa2: When the operator presses the "local" key 11, the CPU 17 switches to the local mode, sets the "local test mode", and displays "local test" on the display screen of the display unit 9 as shown in FIG. 4B. . Sa3: When the operator presses the "execute" key 12 to select and execute the "local test", the CPU 17
Displays the parameter print mode in the local test mode and displays "TEST PARAMETER INJ" on the display screen of the display unit 9 as shown in FIG. Sa4: When the operator presses the "execute" key 12 to execute the parameter printing, the CPU 17 issues a parameter printing command to the printer mechanism control unit 3, and the display screen of the display unit 9 is displayed as shown in FIG. As shown in d), "Parameter change" is displayed. Sa5: When the above-mentioned command is received from the CPU 17, the printer mechanism unit control unit 3 reads the parameter stored in the parameter memory 7, causes the printer mechanism unit 2 to print the parameter, and executes the parameter storage medium issuing process. To do.

Next, the operation of the printer mechanism unit 2 during the parameter storage medium issuing process will be described. Here, as the storage medium, a ticket issuing medium a such as an admission ticket stored in the medium hopper b is used. The printer mechanism unit 2 performs the following operations under the control of the printer mechanism unit control unit 3. That is, the issuing medium a is unwound from the medium hopper b by the unrolling roller c, is transported on the transport path by the transport roller d, and each parameter is written to the magnetic stripe a1 of the issuing medium a shown in FIG. Then, the issuing medium a is conveyed on the conveying path by the conveying roller d, and as shown in FIG. 6 by the print head g, for example, each parameter is set to “communication speed: 4800” on the surface opposite to the magnetic stripe a1 surface. And the like, and the sheet is ejected from the ejection stacker i.

It should be noted that a plurality of ticket issuing media in which the parameters are stored may be issued. Further, when the issuing medium a stored in the medium hopper b is a medium such as securities that is under severe management, it is stored in a medium for storing parameters or a medium which may store parameters as follows. It may be issued. In this case, the printer mechanism unit 2
When the CPU 17 issues a command, the inserter j is placed in a medium receiving state. Then, the medium is inserted from the inserter j into the printer mechanism unit 2, and the medium is stored, printed, and issued. In this way, even a ticket-issuing printer of a medium such as securities in which the parameter cannot be stored can issue the medium storing the parameter.

On the other hand, when the same parameters are set in other ticket issuing printers, the medium in which the parameters are stored as described above is set in the inserter j of the target ticket issuing printer.
Then, the content of the parameter is read by the magnetic reading head f and stored in the parameter memory 7 via the printer mechanism control unit 3, whereby the parameter setting of another ticket issuing printer is performed.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, when a plurality of ticket issuing printers are set, the ticket issuing printers having the same parameters store the medium storing the same parameters in the parameter memory of each ticket issuing printer. As a result, it becomes possible to set the parameters of each ticket-issuing printer, so that the operator does not have to perform the same procedure for setting the parameters at the time of setting the parameters, and the operator's mistakes can be eliminated.

In the above description of the embodiment, magnetic information is read from and written to the medium, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a bar code reader / writer is provided in the printer mechanism section, and the bar code reader / writer prints a bar code representing a parameter on a medium.
This medium may be set in a ticket issuing printer without setting, and the barcode of the medium may be read by the barcode reader / writer and stored in the parameter memory. Also,
In addition, any medium may be used as long as it is a medium capable of storing parameters and has a mechanism capable of reading and writing.

According to the above embodiment, when the parameters of a plurality of ticket-issuing printers are set, if the ticket-issuing printers have the same parameter settings, the parameters can be set by inserting the medium. It is not necessary to set for each printer, and parameter setting becomes easy. In this case, since the number of times of parameter setting operations is sufficient for only one ticket issuing printer, it is possible to shorten the installation time of the ticket issuing printer in the field, reduce labor costs, and reduce costs. Further, once it becomes possible to confirm a setting mistake and the like while looking at the medium printed and stored during the parameter input operation, it becomes possible to reduce human mistakes.

Further, even when the parameter setting is divided into two or more ways, it is possible to issue a medium in which the parameters of each ticket issuing printer are stored in advance. Even if the same parameters are not set, the parameters of each issuing printer can be set while checking the printed contents of the medium storing the target parameters, reducing the time required for checking. Will be able to.

[0026]

As described above, according to the ticket issuing printer of the present invention, when the parameters of a plurality of ticket issuing printers are set, if the ticket issuing printers have the same parameter settings, the parameters are set by the medium inserting operation. Since it can be performed, it is not necessary to set each ticket issuing printer, and the parameter setting can be easily performed. In this case, since the number of times of parameter setting operations is sufficient for only one ticket issuing printer, it is possible to shorten the installation time of the ticket issuing printer in the field, reduce labor costs, etc., and to expect cost reduction. .

Further, even when the parameter setting is divided into two or more ways, it is possible to issue a medium storing the parameters of each ticket issuing printer in advance.
Even if the same parameters are not set continuously depending on the installation status of the ticket-issuing printer, you can check the printed contents of the medium storing the target parameter and simply insert the medium into each issuing printer. Can be set, so that an effect that the time required for checking can be reduced can be expected.

Furthermore, by preparing a medium in which parameters are stored according to the model and manufacturer of the host device to which the ticket issuing printer is connected, it is possible to easily set the parameters at the factory line or at the time of installation. You can expect an effect. Further, by storing the medium, it is possible to expect an effect that the parameters of the ticket-issuing printer can be easily set even if the parameter is forgotten or even a user who has no knowledge of parameter setting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a ticket issuing printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a printer mechanism unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a procedure for issuing a parameter storage medium.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a display screen when a parameter storage medium is issued.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view of a magnetic surface of a parameter storage medium.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a printing surface of a parameter storage medium.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional ticket issuing printer.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a parameter setting procedure.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary view of a display screen when parameters are set.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 printer mechanism section 3 printer mechanism section control section 4 bus 7 parameter memory 8 operation section 9 display section 10 operation switch 16 ticket issuing printer 17 CPU 18 program memory

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical display location // G06F 3/12 B41J 29/00 T (72) Inventor Sadao Sone 1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 7-12 Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A ticket-issuing printer that writes specific information to an unused medium stored in a storage unit and issues it as a ticket having a predetermined value, in a communication-related printer for connecting and communicating with another device. A ticket-issuing printer having a parameter setting unit that reads each parameter from a medium in which parameters and operation setting parameters are written by a reading unit and sets the parameters based on the parameters. 2. A ticket-issuing printer that writes specific information in an unused medium stored in a storage unit and issues a ticket having a predetermined value, an operation unit operated by an operator, and a command from the operation unit. A storage unit that stores communication-related parameters and operation setting parameters for connecting to and communicating with another device based on the above, and reading the parameters from the storage unit and writing the parameters to the medium by the writing unit. A ticket issuing printer, comprising: a parameter storage medium issuing means for issuing the written medium. 3. A ticket-issuing printer that writes specific information to an unused medium stored in a storage unit in advance and issues it as a ticket having a predetermined value, in order to connect to another device for communication. Parameters and operation setting parameters are written from the medium in which the parameters are read by the reading unit, and the parameter setting means for setting the parameters based on the parameters, and the communication-related parameters for connecting and communicating with other devices And a parameter storage medium issuing means for issuing the medium in which the parameter has been written and written in the medium by the writing unit, and the medium in which the parameter has been written is issued. 4. The magnetic-stripe of a medium as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3, wherein communication-related parameters and operation setting parameters for connecting and communicating with another device are read and written. A ticket-issuing printer. 5. The communication-related parameter or operation setting parameter for connecting an unused medium stored in advance in a storage unit to another device for communication, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A ticket-issuing printer characterized by writing and issuing.