Printer and printing method

Abstract

Perform printing by a printing portion onto the printing paper sheet after collating a content of a code optically or electromagnetically read by a reading device connected to a printer main body and a content of printing data supplied from a memory connected to this printer main body.

Claims

1. A printer comprising: a printing portion configured to perform printing on a paper sheet; a control unit configured to control the printing portion; a memory connecting terminal configured to receive an external memory that stores printing data for printing by the printer; a reading device configured to optically or electromagnetically read an operation code for the printer; and a display configured to display a content that demands the reading operation of the operation code by the reading device, wherein the control unit is configured such that prior to any printing of the printing data, the control unit compares a collation keyword included in the operation code read by the reading device and a collation keyword included in the printing data supplied from the external memory, and if the collation keywords match, the control unit controls the printing portion to print the printing data from the external memory onto the paper sheet, the operation code includes an in-code keyword identification command for identifying the collation keyword in the operation code, and the printing data includes an in-printing data keyword identification command for identifying the collation keyword in the printing data.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing data is created outside the printer.

3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer performs printing of the printing portion onto the paper sheet at every reading operation of the operation code by the reading device.

4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the operation code includes a barcode or a two-dimensional code.

5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the external memory comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive.

6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing data further comprises an authentication number, a barcode, a two-dimensional code, a date, a system name, or a manufacturer name.

7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing data further comprises a barcode printed on a same side of the paper sheet as the collation keyword.

8. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the in-printing data keyword identification command comprises a command specifying a position of the collation keyword in the printing data.

9. A system comprising: the printer of claim 1; and a computer provided at a second location different from a first location at which the printer is provided, wherein the computer is programmed to input or alter the printing data or the collation keyword included in the printing data at the second location, and the printing data or the collation keyword included in the printing data cannot be input or altered at the first location of the printer.

10. A printer comprising: a printing portion configured to perform printing on a paper sheet; a control unit configured to control the printing portion; a memory connecting terminal configured to receive an external memory that stores printing data for printing by the printer; a reading device configured to optically or electromagnetically read an operation code for the printer; and a display configured to display a content that demands the reading operation of the operation code by the reading device, wherein the control unit is configured such that prior to any printing of the printing data, the control unit compares a collation keyword included in the operation code read by the reading device and a collation keyword included in the printing data supplied from the external memory, and if the collation keywords match, the control unit controls the printing portion to print the printing data from the external memory onto the paper sheet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of a collation keyword (for example, AAA) in printing data among contents of the printing data from a USB flash drive.

(3) FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of an in-printing data keyword identification command for identifying a collation keyword.

(4) FIG. 2C is an explanatory diagram of an collation keyword in an operation code among contents of the operation code read by a scanner.

(5) FIG. 2D is an explanatory diagram of an in-operation code keyword identification command for identifying a collation keyword.

(6) FIG. 3 is a flowchart describing printing operation of a printer.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(7) In the embodiments according to the present invention, a printer, a printing method and a non-volatile memory thereof that can perform a printing operation easily and reliably even with an operation unfamiliar with a personal computer or a data input operation are achieved, with a non-volatile memory supplying printing data and a relatively simple and reliable operation which is a reading operation of an operation code by a reading device.

(8) The following describes a printer 1, its printing method, and a non-volatile memory according to embodiments of the present invention on the basis of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

(9) FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the printer 1. The printer 1 is a printer of any printing system, for example, a thermal printing system including a thermal head and a platen roller.

(10) The printer 1 has a printer main body 2, a control unit (CPU) 3, a ROM 4, a RAM 5, an operating portion 6, a display 7, a printing portion 8, a USB connecting terminal 9, a scanner connecting terminal 10, and a power switch 11.

(11) The printer main body 2 is a stand-alone, and includes the ROM 4, the RAM 5, the operating portion 6, the display 7, the printing portion 8, the USB connecting terminal 9, the scanner connecting terminal 10, and the power switch 11. The printer main body 2 can have a USB flash drive (non-volatile memory) 12 connected to the USB connecting terminal 9, and a scanner (reading device) 13 connected to the scanner connecting terminal 10.

(12) The control unit 3 controls the operating portion 6, the display 7, and the printing portion 8, using the RAM 5 as a working area, on the basis of a program preliminarily saved in the ROM 4.

(13) The operating portion 6 and the display 7 can input and display required data and command by a key operation or a touch operation.

(14) The printing portion 8 prints, by any printing system, predetermined information on a printing paper sheet (for example, a label 14) which is discharged and issued outside the printer main body 2.

(15) The USB flash drive 12 connected to the USB connecting terminal 9 preliminarily creates and stores printing data required by a host computer 15 including any personal computer installed at a different work area from the printer 1 disposed at a printing operation site.

(16) Connecting the USB flash drive 12 to the USB connecting terminal 9 and turning on the power switch 11 can supply the above-described printing data to a receive buffer in the RAM 5 of the printer 1.

(17) As a content of the above-described printing data, such as a command for printing or a collation keyword, and required application software can be included (will be described later on the basis of FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D) as well as a printing content onto the label 14 by the printing portion 8.

(18) The scanner 13 connected to the scanner connecting terminal 10 optically or electromagnetically reads contents of various kinds of a operation code 17 preliminarily printed or prepared on an operation list 16 made from, for example, a sheet-shaped material.

(19) As the operation code 17, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code, in addition, various kinds of code by RFID medium applied with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification; wireless automatic identification) technique, which ensures a wireless data communication, is included. The operation code 17 is identification information such as a name, a feature, a shipping address, and/or a manufacturer name of a good or a product on which the label 14 is applied. An operation that the scanner 13 reads any of the operation codes 17 triggers performing of the printing operation by the printer 1 onto the label 14.

(20) It should be noted that when the operation code 17 includes various kinds of code by the RFID medium, prepare the reading device that allows a wireless data communication as a reading device.

(21) FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are explanatory diagrams schematically illustrating one example of a content of printing data supplied from the USB flash drive 12 to the printer 1, and one example of a content of the operation code 17 that is read by the scanner 13.

(22) FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of a collation keyword 18 (for example, AAA) in printing data as well as the above-described printing content onto the label 14 by the printing portion 8 among contents of the printing data from the USB flash drive 12.

(23) FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of an in-printing data keyword identification command 19 for identifying this collation keyword 18. A content of printing data from the USB flash drive 12 includes the collation keyword 18 and the in-printing data keyword identification command 19. Any keyword and command can be set as the collation keyword 18 and the in-printing data keyword identification command 19 in advance. For example, a command specifying a position of the collation keyword 18 in the printing data in FIG. 2A and its content can be set as the in-printing data keyword identification command 19 in FIG. 2B.

(24) FIG. 2C is an explanatory diagram of the above-described collation keyword 18 in the operation code 17 among contents of the operation code 17 optically or electromagnetically read by the scanner 13. FIG. 2D is an explanatory diagram of an in-operation code keyword identification command 20 for identifying this collation keyword 18. A content of the operation code 17 read by the scanner 13 includes the collation keyword 18 and the in-operation code keyword identification command 20.

(25) Any command can be set as the in-operation code keyword identification command 20 in advance, similarly to the in-printing data keyword identification command 19.

(26) The control unit 3 controls to perform printing by the printing portion 8 onto the label 14 after collating a content of the operation code 17 that is read by the scanner 13 connected to the printer main body 2 (for example, the above-described collation keyword 18) and a content of the printing data supplied from the USB flash drive 12 connected to the printer main body 2 (for example, the above-described collation keyword 18).

(27) That is, the operation code 17 and the printing data each include the collation keywords 18, and the control unit 3 controls to print desired data in the printing data (for example, BBB illustrated in FIG. 2A) on the label 14 when the collation keywords 18 in the operation code 17 and in the printing data match.

(28) Especially, as illustrated in FIG. 1, as the above-described desired data, besides the above-described BBB (specifically, an authentication number 21 of a component, for example), a necessary printing content such as the above-described collation keyword 18 (for example, AAA), in addition, a barcode or a two-dimensional code, a date, a system name, and a manufacturer name (see FIG. 1) is selectable.

(29) Furthermore, printing by the printing portion 8 onto one piece of the label 14 is performed at every one reading operation of the operation code 17 by the scanner 13.

(30) The printing operation of the printer 1 of such configuration will be described on the basis of FIG. 3.

(31) FIG. 3 is a flowchart describing a printing operation of the printer 1. First, at the step S1, by connecting the USB flash drive 12 to the USB connecting terminal 9, and the power switch 11 is turned on, printing data saved in the USB flash drive 12 is supplied to a receive buffer in the RAM 5 of the printer 1.

(32) The above-described printing data is obtained, and its content is analyzed at step S2. Especially, as described in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, a content of the collation keyword 18 in the printing data (AAA) is identified on the basis of the in-printing data keyword identification command 19.

(33) Whether the operation code 17 that requires the operation list 16 has been read or not by the scanner 13 is determined at step S3.

(34) In a case where the reading operation is not yet performed, the reading operation by the scanner 13 is demanded to an operator at step S4. Specifically, for example, by displaying a content that demands the reading operation of the operation code 17 by the scanner 13 on the display 7, the operator understands that it is a timing to perform the reading operation by the scanner 13.

(35) After the reading operation by the scanner 13 is performed, at step S5, a content of the operation code 17 is obtained, and this is analyzed. Especially, as described in FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D, a content of the collation keyword 18 in the operation code 17 (AAA) is identified on the basis of the in-operation code keyword identification command 20.

(36) At the next step S6, the collation keywords 18 in the operation code 17 and the printing data are checked, and the control unit 3 collates the collation keyword 18 from the scanner 13 and the collation keyword 18 from the USB flash drive 12. When the collation keywords 18 match one another, a date is obtained at step S7, then, printing by the printing portion 8 onto the label 14 is performed at step S8.

(37) After this printing, returning to step S3, the reading operation of the operation code 17 by the scanner 13 is confirmed. In a word, at every reading operation by the scanner 13, the printing operation onto the label 14 is performed sequentially with this as a trigger.

(38) At step S6, in a case where the collation keywords 18 do not match, an error display is performed on the display 7 as a data error at step S9, and returning to step S3, the reading operation of the operation code 17 by the scanner 13 is confirmed.

(39) It should be noted that in a case where there is a content requiring the alteration prevention and the fraudulent act prevention as a printing content onto the label 14, printing on the label 14 can be performed by obtaining the required data (for example, the authentication number 21 of a certain component BBB) from the contents illustrated in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D.

(40) That is, as for the collation keyword 18 and desired data for printing, only an operator of the host computers 15 such as a personal computer installed at a different location apart from the printing operation site can change this by inputting as necessary, and an operator at the printing operation site cannot change the collation keyword 18 and the desired data for printing, thereby the alteration prevention and the fraudulent act prevention of the printing content onto the label 14 is ensured.

(41) Furthermore, as for the USB flash drive 12 (non-volatile memory), the USB flash drive 12 stores printing data printing onto the label 14 by the printing portion 8 to make this printing data suppliable to the printer 1; the printing operation of the printing data onto the label 14 by the printing portion 8 is allowed after the control unit 3 collates a content of the operation code 17 read by the scanner 13 connected to the printer 1 and a content of the printing data supplied by the USB flash drive 12; thus the USB flash drive 12 can be used with the printer 1 of the stand-alone connected.

(42) The embodiment of the present invention described above are merely illustration of one application example of the present invention and not of the nature to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific constructions of the above embodiments.

(43) This application claims the priority based on Patent Application No. 2014-147746 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Jul. 18, 2014, and every content of this application is incorporated herein by reference.