[Title of Invention] Printing system and printer
[Technical Field]
[00011
The invention relates to a printing system including a server,
adata terminal, andaprinter communicativelyconnectedover anetwork,
and to the printer of the printing system.
Thepresentapplicationclaimsprioritybasedonandincorporates
byreference the entire contents of JapanPatentNo. 2012-066923 filed
in Japan on 2012 March 23, and Japan patent No. 2012-079643 filed
on 2012 March 30.
[Background]
[00021
In a printing system such as described above, the printer is
connected to the data terminal, which is communicatively connected
tothe Internet, andcommunicationbetweenthe printer and the server
passes through the data terminal (see, for example, PTL 1).
When the Internet connection becomes unstable in a system that
c~nnects a server and a data terminal over the Internet and uses an
application program that runs on the server from the data terminal,
operationoftheapplicationprogramusedbythedataterminalbecomes
unstable. Addressing this problem, PTL 2, for example, describes a
system that connects the server and a proxy server over the Internet,
connects the proxy server and the data terminal over aLAN, downloads
the application program from the server to the proxy server and runs
the program on the proxy server, and uses the application program
running on the proxy server from the data terminal. Because the data
terminal uses anapplicationprogramrunningonaproxy server connected
to a LAN in this system, operation of the application program used
by the data terminal is stable regardless of the state of the Internet
connection.
[Citation List]
[Patent Literature]
[00041
[PTL 11 JP-A-2006-201997
[PTL 21 JP-A-2008-90578
[Summary of Invention]
[Technical Problem]
[00051
Because the data terminal is connecteddirectly to aglobal network
such as the Internet using the technology described in PTL 1, a
communication setting such as assigning a global IP address to each
individual data terminal is required. Furthermore, when using an.
application program that runs on a server from a data terminal, settings
enabling using the application program must be made on each data
terminal. In order to apply communication settings and settings for
using an application individually to the data terminals, configuring
these settings becomes complicated when installing a printing system
having plural data terminals or when replacing a data terminal due
to an equipment failure, for example.
[0006]
With the technology described in PTL 2, if a service provided
by the application program is a service that is completed on a LAN
or other local network, the same service can be provided by the
application program even the application program downloaded
from the server to a proxy server (relay device) and run on the proxy
server. However, when a service that is not completed on the local
networkisincludedintheservicesprovidedbytheapplicationprogram,
such as when a service executed based on input on the server side
is included, providing the same service as when the application program
runs on the server is difficult when the application program is
downloaded from the server and run on the proxy server.
[00071
Considering the foregoing problems, an object of the present
invention is to provide a printing system in which configuring the
data terminal is simple when using an application program that runs
on a server from the data terminal, and both an application program
that runs on a server and an application program that runs on a relay
device canbeused fromadataterminal connected tothe serverthrough
the relay device.
[Solution to Problem]
[0008]
(Example 1)
A printing system according to the invention includes a server
on which a POS application program runs; a data terminal having a
communication capability; and a printer connecting communicatively
tothe serverthroughanetwork;theprinterincludingacommunication
unit that communicatively connects to the data terminal, a
communication relay unit that communicatively connects the data
terminal andthe server through the network, a configuration settings
acquisition unit that acquires configuration settings to configure
the POS application from the server based on printer-specific
identification informationunique tothe printer, andan application
configuring unit that configures the POS application based.on the
configuration settings when communication with the data terminal is
established, and enables using the POS application from the data
terminal.
[00091
In this configuration, a printer communicatively connected to
a server through a network has a communication relay function that
communicatively connects a data terminal and the server. Network
communication settings therefore do not need to be made on the data
terminal. Furthermore, because the printer configures the POS
application, settings on the data terminal for using POS application
can be eliminated or simplified. Configuring the data terminal is
therefore simplified. Furthermore, because the printer acquires the
configuration settings of the POS application based on
printer-specific identification information, the configuration
settings of the POS application can be managed related to the
printer-specific identification information. Note that the POS
application is an application program as an example of a printing
application, and has a function for printing images on paper/.using
a printer, or instead of or in addition this function, has functions
for editing, displaying, transmitting, and storing images or data
on which images are based.
[OOlO]
(Example 2)
In the invention, the communicationunit has a password generating
unit that generates a password based on the printer-specific
identification information, a password output unit that outputs the
password, a password receiving unit that receives the password from
the data terminal, and a communication establishing unit that
establishes communicationwiththedataterminalbasedonthepassword
generated by the password generating unit and the password received
by the password receiving unit; and the data terminal has a password
. .
input unit that receives input of the password, and a password
transmittingunit that sendsthe password input tothe password input
unit to the printer.
[00111
Thisconfigurationprovidessecurityonthelocalnetworkbetween
the printer and the data terminal. Local network security can also
be managed using the printer-specific identification information.
[0012]
(Example 3)
In the invention, the communicationunit has aunique data terminal
identifier acquisition unit that acquires a unique data terminal
identifier specific to the data terminal from the data terminal when
establishing communication with the data terminal; a passwordmixing
unit that combines all or part of the printer-specific identification
information, dataterminalconnectionattributes sentfromtheserver,
the unique data terminal identifier, and time information in the
password generating unit; and a connection control unit that limits
connection to the printer and the server from a data terminal that
communicatively connects to the printer based on all or part of the
unique data terminal identifier, theprinter-specific identification
information, the data terminal connection attributes, and the time
information.
[0013]
This configurationcanimprove the securityofthelocalnetwork
betweentheprinterandthedataterminal, andcanimprove the security
of communications between the data terminal and the server through
the printer. The data terminal connection attributes sent from the
server include, for example, the number of data terminals allowed
to connect to the printer; the type or model of data terminal that
can connect; and the time communication between the data terminal
and server is permitted.
[00141
(Example 4)
In the invention, the password output unit prints the password
as an optically-readable code; and the data terminal has an input
unit that inputs the code, and an analyzing unit that analyzes the
code, and acquires and supplies the password to the password input
unit.
This configuration can easily establish communication between
the printer and data terminal because the password can be input using
a camera or other reading device. Optically readable codes include
barcodes and other 2D codes, and printed encrypted numbers. When the
code is a 2D code or printed encrypted number, the code can be input
totheinputunitusingthe reading device. When the code is aprinted
encrypted number, the operator can read and input the code Lo the
input unit.
[00161
(Example 5)
In the invention, the password output unit outputs a code
encrypting the password by near-field communication; and the data
terminal has a receivingunitthatreceives the code, andananalyzing
unit that analyzes the code, and acquires and supplies the password
to the password input unit. .
[00171
Becauseinputtingthepasswordissimplewiththisconfiguration,
the task of establishing communication between the printer and data
terminal is simplified.
[0018]
(Example 6)
In the invention, the unique data terminal identifier is an ID
codestoredinthedataterminal, anopticallyreadable IDcodeaffixed
to the data terminal, or electronic tag data affixed to the data
terminal.
Electronic tag data is, for example, RFID tag data.
[ 0 0 2 0 ]
, (Example 7)
In the invention, the printer has a forgery prevention data
I generatingunit that generates forgerypreventiondatainthepassword
I generating unit, and a forgeryprevention data print unit that prints
the forgery prevention data on the print medium when printing on the
print medium.
Becausetheforgerypreventiondatamakesidentifyingtheprinter
- .
that printed on the print medium simple, forgery of printed print
media can be prevented or suppressed.
[ 0 0 2 2 ]
(Example 8)
Inthe invention, afirstapplicationprogramruns onthe server;
I a second application program runs on the printer communicatively
1 connected to the server through a first network; the data terminal
is communicativelyconnectedtotheprinterthrougha secondnetwork;
the printer has a data merging unit that acquires first display
I informationgeneratedbythe first application programand generates
I third display information combining the first display information
with second display information generated by the second application
program, and a print unit that prints.print data generated by the
second application program; and the data terminal has a display unit
that acquires and displays the third display information.
[ 0 0 2 3 ]
Inthis configuration, theprinter functioningas arelay device
I betweentheserveranddataterminalacquiresfirstdisplayinformation
generatedby a first applicationprogram running on the server, combines
this first display information with second display information
generated by a second application program running on the printer,
and produces third display information. The data terminal connected
to the printer acquires and displays the third display information.
The first application program running on the server, and the second
application program running on the printer, can therefore both be
used fromthe data terminal. If the secondapplicationprogramrunning
on the printer is an application program essential to business
operations, and the application program running on the server is an
application program for performing a task complementary to the
essential operation, essential operations using the second
application program can continue without interruption even if the
first network connection becomes unstable.
[00241
(Example 9)
In the invention, the data terminal has an input unit that receives
first information input .to the first application program and second
informationinputtothesecondapp1icationprogram, andatransmission
unit that sends the first informationandthe secondinformation input
to the input unit to the printer; and the printer has a communication
relay unit that sends the first information from the data terminal
to the server.
[00251
This configuration enables both input to the first application
program running on the server and input to the second application
program running on the printer from the data terminal.
(Example 10)
In the invention, the printer has a connection monitor that
monitorsthe connectiontothe server, andaninput/outputtermination
unit that stops at least one of receiving the first information by
the input unit and transmission to the server when interruption of
the server connection is detected.
[00271
When the first network connection is lost, this configuration
stops input to the first application program from the data terminal
or transmissions fromtheprintertothe server. Transactionsthrough
the first network can therefore be avoided.
(Example 11)
In the invention, the datamergingunit combines stop-input data
indicating input of the first information from the data terminal is
stopped with the second display information to generate the;third
display information when interruption of the server connection is
detected.
[00291
Thisconfigurationcaninformtheoperatorusingthedataterminal
that the first application program cannot be used from t,he data
terminal.
[0030]
(Example 12)
In the invention, the data merging unit outputs stop-input data
indicating input of the first information from the data terminal is
disabled by sound from the data terminal when interruption of the
server connection is detected.
[00311
Thisconfigurationcaninformtheoperatorusingthedataterminal
that the first application program cannot be used from the data
terminal.
[0032]
(Example 13)
In the invention, the data merging unit outputs stop-input data
indicating input of the first information from the data terminal is
disabled by vibration from the data terminal when interruption of
the server connection is detected.
[00331
Thisconfigurationcaninformtheoperatorusingthedataterminal
that the first application program cannot be used from the data
terminal.
[00341
(Example 14)
In the invention, the communication relay unit temporarily s:tores
the first information if loss of the server connection is dekected
when sending the first information to the server, and sends the first
information to the server after the server connection is
re-established.
[00351
When the connection to the first network is interrupted after
first information is input to the data terminal, this configuration .
sends the first information to the server after the connection is
restored, andenables the first applicationprogram to execute adata
process based on the first information'.
[00361
(Example 15)
In the invention, a web browser runs on the data terminal; and
the web browser embodies the display unit, the input unit, and the
transmission unit.
This configuration enables using a generic data terminal that
runs a web browser as the data terminal.
[0038]
(Example 16)
In the invention, the first application program generates and
sends secondprint data tothe printer; and the print unit has a print
control unit that, when the printer receives the second print data,
controls whether or not to print, the printing range, the printing
position, and the print timing of the second print data, combines
the second print data with the print data, and prints.
[0039]
This configuration enables a first application program running
on the server to execute a printing process.
[00401
(Example 17)
In the invention, the first application program is a
coupon-issuing application that generates couponprint data to print
a coupon based on the first information; the second application program
is a second POS application program that generates transaction
information to print a receipt based on the second information; the
transaction information is the print data; and the coupon print data
is the second print data.
[00411
This configuration enables using the printing system as a POS
system.
[0042]
(Example 18)
Aprinteraccordingtotheinventionis aprinteroftheprinting
system described above.
[00431
, Because the printer in this configuration has a communication
relay unit, the data terminal and server can communicatively connect
by applying the network communication settings to the printer, and
configuring the data terminal for communication can be simplified.
Furthermore, because the printer configures the POS application,
settings for using the POS application can be omitted or simplified
simplified, aprinting systemusingaprinter according to the invention
can be easily constructed. Furthermore, because the printer gets
configuration settings for configuring the POS application from the
server based on printer-specific identification information unique
to the printer, the configuration settings of the POS application
can be managed related to the printer-specific identification
information
[00441
a
(Example 19)
A printer according to the invention includes: a first
communicationunit that communicatively connects to a server through
a first network; a processor that runs a second application program;
a second communication unit that communicatively connects through
a second network to a data terminal, and receives first information
input to the first application program from the data terminal, and
second information input to the second application program; a data
mergingunitthatcommunicativelyconnectstoaserverthroughafirst
networkandacquires firstdisplayinformationgeneratedbythe first
applicationprogram running on the server, combines the first display
information with second display information generated by the second
application program, and generates third display information
displayable by the data terminal; a print unit that prints print data
generated by the s econd application program; and .cation relay
unit that sends the first information from the data terminal through
the first network to the server.
[0045]
In this configuration, the printer communicatively connected
to the server and data terminal acquires first display information
generatedbyafirstapplicationprogramrunningontheserver, combines
this first display information with second display information
generated by a second application program running on the printer,
and.produces third display information. The printer also relays and
sends the first information input to the data terminal to the server.
The first application program running on the server, and the second
application program running on the printer, can therefore both be
used from the data terminal connected to the printer.
LO0461
(Example 20)
The invention is further characterized by a connection monitor
that monitors the connection to the server; and an input/output
termination unit that stops at least one of receiving the first
information by the input unit and transmission to the server when
interruption of the server connection is detected; the data merging
unit combining stop-input data indicating input of the first
information fromthe data terminal is stoppedwiththe second display
information to generate the third display information when
interruption of the server connection is detected.
[00471
When the server connection is interrupted, this configuration
can prevent transactions with the server. That the f ikst application
program cannot be used can also be displayed on the data terminal
connected to the printer when the server connection is interrupted.
[Advantageous Effects of Invention]
[0048]
Because a printer communicatively connected through a net.work
to a server has a communication relay function that communicatively
connects a data terminal with the server, there is no need with the
inventiontoapplynetworkcommunicationsettingstothedataterminal.
Furthermore, because the printer configures the POS application,
settings on the data terminal for using the POS application can be
omittedor simplified. Inaddition, because the printer acquires the
configuration settings of the POS application based on
printer-specific identification information, the configuration
settings of the POS application can be managed related to the
printer-specific identification information.
[0049]
Aprinteraccordingtotheinventionfunctioningasarelaydevice
betweentheserveranddatater~inalacquiresfirstdisplayinformation
generatedbyafirstapplicationprogramrunningontheserver, combines
this first display information with second display information
generated by a second application program running on the printer,
and produces third display information that can be displayed on the
data terminal. A first application program running on the server,
anda secondapplicationprogram running on the printer, cantherefore
both be used from the data terminal.
[Brief Description of Drawings]
[00501
FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a POS system
according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a basic block diagram of a POS system according to
the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the POS system configuration
operation according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of a POS system
according to a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a basic block diagram of a POS system according to
the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 describes a third web page displayed on a data terminal
according to the second embodiment of the invention.
[Description of Embodiments]
[00511
Embodiment 1
A printer and a POS system as an example of a printing system
accordingtothe first embodiment ofthe inventionare describedbelow
with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. Note that the first embodiment
relates to connection settings for using the POS system.
[00521
General configuration of a POS system
A POS system used as an example of a printing system according
to the first embodiment of the invention is described first with
reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of a POS
system according to the first embodiment of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the POS system 1 includes a server 3 on which
a POS application program (printing application program) 2 runs, a
printer 5 that is communicatively connected to the server 3 over the
Internet (network) 4, and a data terminal 6 with a communication
function. The dataterminal6 communicativelyconnects tothe printer
5, and communicatively connects to the server 3 through the printer
5.
[00531
The data terminal 6 and printer 5 are installed at a checkout
counter in a store. The server 3 is, for example, installed in an
office separated from the store. A web browser 7 runs on the data
terminal 6, and the POS application program 2 can be used from the
data terminal 6 through the web browser 7. A transaction process is
executed at the checkout counter using the data terminal 6, and a
receipt8 isissuedfromtheprinter 5. More specifically, theprinter
5printstransactioninformationgeneratedbythetransactionprocess
on receipt paper 9.
[00541
Server
The server is described next with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2
is a schematic block diagram of the POS system according to the first
embodiment of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the server 3 has a processor 10 that runs
the POS applicationprogram2, adatabaseunit13 that stores aproduct
information database 11 and a transaction information database 12,
andaconfigurationsettings storageunit14thatstoresconfiguxation
settings for using the POS application from the data terminal 6.
[0055]
The POS application program 2 has a web page 2a (FIG. 1) that
can be displayed by the web browser 7 as a front end. The POS application
program2 accesses theproductinformationdatabase11basedoninput
to the web page 2a to get product information such as product price
information, and executes atransaction process. The POS application
program 2 also displays the transaction information on the web page
2a, sends transaction information from the server 3 to the printer
5 based on input of a print receipt command to the web page 2a, and
printsthetransactioninformationwiththeprinter5.Whentransaction
information is generated, the POS application program 2 also updates
the transaction information database 12 based on the generated
transaction information.
[00561
Includedinthe configurationsettings aretheURL for accessing
the web page 2a of the POS application program 2, and the addresses
on the server 3 of the product informationdatabase llandtransaction
information database 12 used by the POS application program 2. The
configuration settings are stored in the configuration settings
storage unit 14 related to the serial number (printer-specific
identification information) for identifying a specific printer 5.
[0057]
Printer
A printer according to the first embodiment of the invention
isdescribedwithreferencetoFIG. 2. Theprinter5hasacommunication
unit 20 that controls communication with an external device, and a
print unit 21 that controls printing. The printer 5 has nonvolatile
memory 22 that stores the URL for getting the configuration settings
of the POS application program 2, and a serial number.
[0058]
The communication unit 20 includes an Internet commun~ication
unit23 communicativelyconnectedtothe server3 andprinter5through
the Internet 4; a local communication unit 25 that communicatively
connects the printer 5 and data terminal 6 through a wireless LAN
(wireless communication) 24; and a communication relay 26 that
communicatively connects the data terminal 6 and server 3 through
the wireless LAN 24 and Internet 4. The local communication unit 25
includes anetworkname generator 27, passwordgenerator 28, password
output unit 29, network name receiver 30, password receiver 31, and
communication establishing unit 32.
[0059]
Based on the serial number of the printer 5, the network name
generator 27 generates a network name of the wireless LAN 24 that
connects the printer 5 and the data terminal 6. Based on the serial
numberof,theprinter5, thepasswordgenerator28 generatesapassword
forconnectingthe dataterminal6tothewireless LAN24. Thepassword
output unit 29 outputs the password as a 2D code. More specifically,
the password output unit 29 converts the password produced by the
password generator 28 to a 2D code, supplies this 2D code to the print
unit 21, and prints the 2D code on the receipt paper 9. The 2D code
is printed in this embodiment by operating a switch 33 (FIG. 1) on
the printer 5. Barcodes and color barcodes are examples of a 2D code.
[00601
The network name receiver 30 then receives the network name sent
from the data terminal 6 to the printer 5. The password receiver 31
receives the password sent from the data terminal 6 to the printer
5. The communication establishing unit 32 then establishes
communication with the data terminal 6 based on the netw~rk~~name
producedbythenetworknamegenerator27 andthenetworknamereaeived
by the network name receiver 30 from the data terminal 6, and the
password generated by the password generator 28 and the password
received by the password receiver 31 from the data terminal 6. The
data terminal6 andprinter 5 are therefore communicativelyconnected
when the network names and passwords match.
[00611
The communicationunit20 also includes aconfiguration settings
acquisition unit 34 that gets the configuration settings from the
server 3; and an application configuration unit 35 that configures
the POS application program 2 based on the configuration settings
once communication with the data terminal 6 is established, enabling
using the POS application program 2 from the data terminal 6.
[0062]
The configuration settings acquisitionunit 34 accesses the URL
stored in memory 22 (in this embodiment, the URL of the configuration
settings s t o r a g e u n i t o f t h e s e r v e r 3 ) , anddownloadstheconfiguration
settings linked to the serial number. The URL stored in the memory
22 is stored when the printer 5 is shipped.
[0063]
The application configuration unit 35 sends the addresses of
the product information database 11 and transaction information
database 12 contained in the configuration settings to the server
3, and sets the product information database 11 and transaction
information database 12 that the POS application program 2 uses. The
application configuration unit 35 starts the web browser 7 on the
data terminal 6 to which a communication link with the printer 5 was
established, and accesses the URL contained in the configuration
settings. As a result, the web page 2a of the POS application program
2 is displayed on the browser running on the data terminal 6. The
POS applicationprogram 2 cantherefore be used fromthe data terminal
6.
[00641
Theprintunit21prints areceipt8 when transaction information
is suppliedfromtheserver3. Theprintunit21alsoincludesaforgery
prevention data generator 36 and a forgery prevention data print unit
37.
[0065]
The forgery prevention data generator 36 produces forgery
prevention data based on the serial number of the printer 5. The forgery
prevention data print unit 37 prints the forgery prevention data on
the receipt paper 9 when transaction information is printed on the
receipt paper 9. In this example, the forgery prevention data print
unit 37 prints the forgery prevention data after the transaction
information has been printed.
[0066]
Data terminal
Adata terminal according to the first embodiment of the invention
is described next with reference to FIG. 2. The data terminal 6 is
desirably a so-called generic tablet data terminal, such as a tablet
computer, that runs a web browser 7. The data terminal 6 has a touch
panel 6a as the input/output device (input unit) (FIG. 1) . The data
terminal 6 includes a data terminal processor 40, and a wireless
communication unit 41 that detects and connects to the wireless LAN
24.
LOO671
he wireless communication unit 41 includes a network name
acquisitionunit42, passwordinputunit43, andpasswordtransmitter
44. When a wireless LAN 24 is detected, the network name acquisition
unit 42 gets the network name of 'the detected wireless LAN 24. The
password input unit 43 is displayedon the touch panel 6a when a wireless
LAN24 is detected, andwaits for input ofthepassword for connecting
to the wireless LAN 24. When the password is input to the password
input unit 43, the password transmitter 44 sends the network name
and password to the printer 5, which is an access point of the wireless
LAN 24.
The data terminal 6 also has a camera 45 (FIG. 1) as a 2D code
reader (input unit) . The data terminal processor 40 of the data terminal
6 also has an analyzer 46 that analyzes the 2D code imaged by the
camera 45 and supplies the result to the password input unit 43.
[0069]
Configuring a POS system
Configuring a POS system according to the first embodiment of
the invention is described next with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is
a flow chart describing configuring a POS system according to the
first embodiment of the invention.
[00701
As shown in F I G , 3, t o configure the POS system 1, the p r i n t e r
5 i s first connected to the Internet 4 , enabling the p r i n t e r 5 and
server 3 t o communicate (step ST1) . More s p e c i f i c a l l y , the Internet
I comn~unicationuni2t 3 communicatively connects the p r i n t e r 5 and server
I 3. Once the p r i n t e r 5 and server 3 can communicate, the configuration
settings a c q u i s i t i o n u n i t 34 of the p r i n t e r 5 accesses the previously
storedURL and gets the configuration s e t t i n g s of the POS application
I program 2 from the server 3 (step ST2) . The local communication unit
I 25 of the p r i n t e r 5 then creates a wireless LAN 24 with the network
I name created based on the s e r i a l number of the p r i n t e r 5 (step ST3) .
The data terminal 6 is then controlled to d e t e c t t h e wireless
LAN 2 4 . Once the data terminal 6 d e t e c t s t h e wireless LAN 2 4 , the
networknameacquisitionunit42 o f t h e d a t a t e r m i n a l 6 getsthenetwork
name of the wireless LAN 24. Once the data terminal 6 d e t e c t s t h e
wirelessLAN24, thepasswordinputunit43 forinputtingthepassword
is displayed on the touch panel 6a of the data terminal 6 (step ST4) .
Whentheoperatoroperatestheswitch33 o n t h e p r i n t e r 5 , receipt
paper 9 with the 2D code printed thereon is output from the p r i n t e r
5 (step ST5) .
paper 9 with the camera 45 of the data terminal 6 (step ST6), and
the analyzer 46 of the data terminal 6 gets and supplies the password
from the 2D code to the password input unit 43. When the password
is supplied to the password input unit 43, the password transmitter
44 sends the passwordwith the r-etworkname acquiredby t h e data terminal
6 to the p r i n t e r 5 (step ST7) .
When the p r i n t e r 5 receives the network name and password, the
communicationestablishingunit32 comparesthe receivednetworkname
with the network name generated by the network name generator 27,
and compares the received password with the password generated by
the password generator 28. If the network names and passwords match,
the communication establishing unit 32 establishes communication
between the printer 5 and the data terminal (step ST8).
[0074]
Once communication between the printer 5 and data terminal is
established, the application configuration unit 35 of the printer
5 sendsthedatabase addresses containedinthe configurationsettings
to the server 3, and sets the product information database 11 and
transactioninformationdatabase12usedbythePOSapplicationprogram
2 (step ST9). The application configuration unit 35 of the pqinter
5 also causesthe dataterminal6to start the webbrowser 7 andaccess
the URL contained in the configuration settings (step STlO),. As a
result, the web page 2a of the POS application program 2 running on
the server 3 is displayed in the web browser 7 of the data terminal
6. The POS application program 2 can therefore be used from the data
I
I terminal 6.
[00751
Processing operations on the POS system
Processing operations on the POS system according to the first
i embodimentoftheinventionaredescribednext. Inatransactionprocess
in a store, for example, the operator inputs the product number and
quantity of a product purchased by a customer to the web page 2a of
the POS application program 2 displayed in the web browser 7 of the
dataterminal6. Basedonthe input product number, the POSapplication
program 2 retrieves the price byreferencingthe product information
database 11, and processes the transaction based on the price and
the quantity purchased. When the transaction process ends, the POS
application program 2 displays the transaction information on the
web page 2a, and the transaction information is thus displayed on
the touch panel 6a of the data terminal 6. When the operator then
operates the touch panel 6a and input a print receipt command, the
transaction information is sent from the server 3 to the printer 5,
and a receipt 8 is issued from the printer 5. The transaction information
and forgery prevention data are printed on the issued receipt 8. The
database is also updated on the server 3 based on the information
at the same time the receipt 8 is issued.
[0076]
The effect of the first embodiment is described below.
(1) A printer 5 communicatively connected to a server 3 through
the Internet4hasacommunicationrelayfunctionthatcommunicatively
connects a data terminal 6 with the server 3. Configuring the data
terminal 6 to communicate with the Internet 4 is theref ore not necessary.
Because the printer 5 configures the POS application program 2 for
use by the data terminal 6, there is also no need to apply settings
for using the POS application program 2 to the data terminal 6.
Configuring the data terminal 6 is theref ore simple, and configuring
the POS system 1 is simple. When the data terminal 6 is replaced due
to a terminal failure, for example, reconfiguring is also simple.
Because there are few settings to configure on the data terminal 6
in this embodiment, the POS application program configuration
settings can be prevented from leaking if the data terminal 6 is stolen,
for example.
[0077]
(2) Because the printer 5 gets the configuration settings of
thePOSapplicationprogram2basedonthe serialnumberoftheprinter
5asdescribedabove, theconfigurationsettingsoTthePOSapplication
program 2 can be managed linked to the serial number of the printer
[00781
(3) Because communicationbetweentheprinter5 anddata terminal
6is establishedusinganetworknameandpasswordas describedabove,
the wireless LAN 24 is also secure. Furthermore, because the network
name and password are generated based on the serial number of the
printer 5, the network name and password of the wireless LAN 24 can
be managed linked to the serial number.
. [00791
(4) As described above, the password for establishing
communication over the wireless LAN 24 is printed as a 2D code and
output by the printer 5. The password is acquired on the data terminal
6 side by scanningthe 2D code, and is sent to the printer 5. Inputting
thepasswordisthereforeeasy, andestablishingcommunicationbetween
the printer 5 and data terminal 6 is simple.
(5) Forgery of a receipt 8 can theref ore be prevented or suppressed
because the printer that produced the receipt 8 can be easily
identified.
[OO811-
Embodiment 2
A printer and a POS system as an example of a printing system
according to a secondembodiment of the inventionare describedbelow
with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6. Note that the second embodiment
relates to the flow of data when the printing system is used after
a connection is completed iri the first embodiment, Note also that
configurationsandcontent that are the sameas inthe first embodiment
are identified by like reference numerals, and further description
thereof is omitted.
General configuration of a POS system
The general configuration of POS system according to the second
embodiment ofthe inventionis describedfirstwithreferenceto F I G .
4. F I G . 4 shows the basic configuration of a POS system according
to the second embodiment of the invention.
As shown in F I G . 4, the POS system 1A according to the second
embodiment includes a server 3 onwhich a coupon-issuing application
(first application program) 2A runs, a printer 5 on which a second
POS applicationprogram (second applicationprogram) runs, anda data
terminal 6A with a communication function. The printer 5
communicatively connects to the server 3 over the Internet ('first
network) 4. Thedataterminal6communicativelyconnectstotheprinter
5overawirelessLAN (secondnetwork) 24, andcommunicativelyconnects
to the server 3 through the printer 5. A computer 51 is connected
as an input/output device to the server 3. In this embodiment the
second POS application program 2B includes a product database that
relationallystoresproductcode, productname, andpriceinformation,
a transaction database that stores transaction information, and a
program for referencing and updating these databases.
The data terminal 6A and printer 5 are installed at a checkout
counter in a store. The server 3 and computer 51 are, for example,
installed in an off ice separated from the store. A web browser 7 runs
on the data terminal 6A, and the coupon-issuing application 2A and
second POS application program 2B can be used from the data terminal
6A through the web browser 7.
A transaction process for products purchased by a customer is
executed at the checkout counter using the second POS application
program 2B from the data terminal 6A, and a receipt 8 is issued from
the printer 5. More specifically, the second POS application program
2B executes a transaction process based on the name and quantity of
the purchased products input to the data terminal 6A and the amount
paid by the customer, and generates transaction information (print
data). When the transaction information is generated, the printer
5 prints the transaction information on receipt paper 9. Using the
coupon-issuing application 2A from the data terminal 6A, a coupon
53 is also issued from the printer 5 at the checkout counter. More
specifically, based on a print coupon command (first data) input to
the data terminal 6A, coupon print data (second print data) is sent
from the coupon-issuing application 2A of the server 3 to the printer
5. When the printer 5 receives the coupon print data, the printer
*
5 prints the coupon print data on receipt paper 9. The coupon 53 is,
for example, a ticket providing a discount off the product purchase
amount the next time the customer comes to the store.
[0085]
Server
The server is described next with reference to F I G . 5 and F I G .
6 . F I G . 5 is a schematic block diagram of the POS system according
to the second embodiment of the invention. F I G . 6 describes a third
web page displayed on the data terminal in the second embodiment,
and more specifically describes a web page displayed through the web
browser 7 on the touch panel of the data terminal 6A. F I G . 6 (a) shows
an example of the web page when the server 3 and printer 5 are
communicatively connected, and F I G . 6 (b) shows an example when the
connection between the server 3 and printer 5 is interrupted.
COO861
As shown in F I G . 5, the server 3 has a processor 55 that runs
the coupon-issuing application 2A.
[00871
The coupon-issuing application 2A produces coupon print data
forproducinga coupon 53 basedon information input fromthe computer
51. The coupon-issuing application 2A displays coupon information
for coupons 53 that can be printed in the store on the data terminal
6A, and generates a first web page (first display information) 71
enabling inputting a print coupon command from the data terminal 6A.
The first web page 71 is written in HTML, and as shown in FIG. 6 (a)
has aprintcouponcommandinputbutton72 forinputtingaprint coupon
command. Whenaprintcouponcommandis receivedfromthedataterminal
6A side, the coupon-issuing application 2A sends coupon print data
to the printer 5 based on the received print coupon command.
[0088]
The server 3 has a configuration settings storage unit 14 that
stores the second POS application program 2B. The latest version of
the second POS application program 2B is stored in the configuration
settings storage unit 14 when the operating system is updated.
[0089]
Printer
A printer according to the second embodiment of the invention
is described with reference to FIG. 5 . As shown in FIG. 5, the printer
5 has a printer processor 57 as a processor that runs the second POS
application program 2B, a communication unit 20 that controls
communication with an external device, and aprint unit 21 that controls
printing. The printer processor 57 is connected to memory 22 that
stores the second POS application program 2B.
[00901
Whentheprinter 5 powerturns on, theprinterprocessor 57 reads
and runs the second POS application program 2B from memory 22. The
second POS application program 2B run by the printer processor 57
generates a second web page (second display information) 59 for
executing atransactionprocess through the webbrowser 7 of the data
terminal 6A. The second web page 59 is written in HTML, and as shown
in FIG. 6 (a) and (b) , has product name input buttons 60 for inputting
the names of purchasedproducts tothe second POS application program
2B, a keypad 61 for inputting product quantity and payment amount
information tothe second POS appli~ationprogram2Ba~p rintreceipt
command input, button 62 for inputting a print receipt command to the
second POS application program 2B, and a transaction information
display area 63.
[00911
WhenthesecondPOSapplicationprogram2Breceivesproductname,
purchased quantity, and payment amount information (second
information) input through the second web page 59 from the data terminal
6A, it acquires the product price from the product database based
on the product name, executes the transaction process based on the
product price, quantity, and payment amount, and displays progress
of the transaction process and the transaction information in the
transaction information display area 63. In addition, when a print
receipt command (second information) input through the second web
page 59 is received, the second POS application program 2B supplies
the transaction information to the print unit 21. Parallel to this,
the second POS application program 2B stores the transaction
information in the transaction database. Note that the printer
processor 57 can read and run the second POS application program 2B
from memory 22 any time after communication between the.printer 5
and server 3 is established.
The communication unit 20 has an Internet communication unit
(first communication unit) 64, a local communication unit (second
communication unit) 65, a communication relay 66, and a connection
monitor 67. The Internet communication unit 64 communicatively
connects the server 3 and printer 5 through the Internet 4. The local
communicationunit 65 communicativelyconnects the printer 5 anddata
terminal 6A through a wireless LAN 24. The communication relay 66
communicatively connects the data terminal 6A and server 3 through
thewirelessLAN24 andInternet4. More specifically, whentheprinter
5 receives a print coupon command from the data terminal 6A, the
communication relay 66 sends the print coupon command through the
Internet 4 to the server 3.
[00931
The connection monitor 67 monitors the connection between the
server 3 and printer 5, that is, the Internet 4 connection. When the
connection monitor 67 reports that the connection with the server
3 was interrupted, the communication unit 20 stops transmission from
the printer 5 to the server 3. More specifically, when the connection
monitor67detectsthattheconnectiontothe server3wasinterr~pted~
the communication unit 20 functions as an input/output termination
unit that stops transmission from the printer 5 to the server 3.
[O 0 94 I
When transaction information is supplied from the second POS
application program 2B, the print unit 21 prints the transaction
information on receipt paper 9. When the Internet communication unit
64 receives coupon print data from the server 3, the print unit 21
also prints the coupon print data on receipt paper 9.
[00951
The printer 5 also has a data merging unit 68 and an application
program updater 69.
[0096]
The data merging unit 68 gets the first web page 71 generated
by the coupon-issuing application 2A, combines this first web page
71withthe second web page 59 generatedbythe second POS application
program2B, and create st he thirdwebpage (thirddisplay information)
70 shown in FIG. 6 (a) . More specifically, the data merging unit 68
accesses a specific address on the server 3 through the Internet 4,
and acquires the first web page 71. The data merging unit 68 then
uses HTML frame tags, for example, to combine the first web page 71
and second web page 59, and generate a single combined third web page
70.
[00971
When the connectionmonitor 67 detects that the server 3 connection
was interrupted, the data merging unit 68 combines a fourth web page
(stop input data) 75, which indicates that input of a print coupon
command from the data terminal 6A is not received, instead o,f the
first web page 71 with the second web page 59, and outputs the third
web page 70 as shown in FIG. 6 (b) . When the connection monitor 67
detects that the server 3 connection was restored, the data merging
unit68 againgetsthe firstwebpage 71generatedbythecoupon-issuing
POS application program 2B with the first web page 71, and outputs
the third web page 70 as shown in FIG. 6 (a) . The print coupon command
input button 72 in the first web page 71 is either omitted or disabled
in the fourth web page 75 as shown in FIG. 6 (b) . The data merging
unit 68 thus functions as aninput/output termination unit that stops
input of a print coupon command in the data terminal 6A when interruption
of the server 3 connection is detected by the connection monitor 67.
[0098]
The application program updater 69 regularly accesses the
configuration settings storage unit 14 of the server and compares
the version of the second POS application program 2B stored in the
configuration settings storage unit14 with the version of the second
POS application program 2B stored in memory 22 on the printer 5. When
the version of the second POS application program 2B stored in the
configuration settings storage unit 14 is newer than the version of
the second POS application program 2B stored in memory 22, the
2B from the configuration settings storage unit 14 of the server 3,
and updates the second POS application program 2B stored in memory
22. The programs and product databases in the second POS application
program 2B are thus updated to the new version.
Data terminal
Thedataterminalaccordingtothesecondembodimentisdescribed
next with reference to FIG. 5.
As shown in FIG. 5, the data terminal 6A is a generic device,
such as a generic tablet-type input/output terminal or computer 51,
on which a web browser 7 runs. The data terminal 6A has a touch panel
6a as the input/output device. The data terminal 624 includes a data
terminal processor 76 that runs a web browser 7, and a data terminal
communication unit 77 that communicatively connects to the printer
5 and data terminal 6A through the wireless LAN 24.
[ OlOO]
When the data terminal 6A is connected to the wireless LAN 24
and the web browser 7 starts, the web browser 7 accesses the printer
5 and displays the third web page 70. As a result, the coupon information
of the coupon 53 to be printed and the print coupon command input
button 72 are displayed on the touch panel 6a of the data terminal
6A, and a print coupon command can be input through the touch panel
6a. The product name input buttons 60 and keypad 61 are also displayed
on the touch panel 6a of the data terminal 6A, and the product name,
quantity, and payment amount can be input through the touch panel
6a. The print receipt command input button 62 is also displayed on
thetouchpanel6aofthe dataterminal6A,.andaprintreceiptcommand
can be input. Information such as the input print coupon command,
product name, purchased quantity, payment amount, and print receipt
command input is then sent through the web browser 7 to the printer
5 by tapping appropriately on the print coupon command input button
72, product name inputbuttons 60, keypad61, andprint receipt command
input button 62. The web browser 7 together with hardware such as
the touch panel 6a of the data terminal 6A and the data terminal
communication unit 77 thus embodies a display unit that acquires and
displays a third web page 70 from the printer 5; an input unit that
receivesaprintcouponcommandinputtothecoupon-issuingapplication
2A, and product name, purchase quantity, payment information, and
a print receipt command input to the second POS application program
2B ; and a transmission unit that sends the print coupon command, product
name, purchase quantity, payment information, and print receipt
command input to the input unit to the printer 5.
[OlOl]
Processing operations on the POS system
Processing operations on the POS system according to the second
embodiment of the invention are described next. When a customer
processes a transaction in a store, for example, the operator inputs
theproductnameandquantityofeachproductpurchasedbythecustomer
through the third web page 70 displayed on the web browser 7 of the
data terminal 6A. The input product name and quantity are sent from
the data terminal 6A to the printer 5, the transaction process is
executed by the second POS application program 2B on the printer 5.
Progress of the transaction process is displayed in the transaction
informationdisplay area 63 of the thirdweb page 70. When information
for all purchased products is input and the operator receives the
payment amount from the customer, the payment amount is sent from
the data terminal 6A to the printer 5. This completes the transaction
process, and the second POS application program 2B generates
transaction information and displays the transaction information in
the transaction information display area 63 of the third web page
70.
[01021
When the operator then taps the print receipt command input button
62 and inputs a print receipt command, the print receipt command is
sent from the data terminal 6A to the printer 5. When the printer
5 receives the print receipt command, the secondPOS applicationprogram
2B supplies the transaction information to the print unit 21, and
a receipt 8 with the printed transaction information is issued from
the printer 5.
[01031
The operator thenissue sthe coupon53. If communicationbetween
the printer 5 and server 3 is possible when the operator tries to
issue the coupon 53, the print coupon command input button 72 is
displayed as shown in FIG. 6 (a) on the third web page 70 presented
in the web browser 7 of the data terminal 6A because the data merging
unit 68 has combined the first web page 71 and second web page 59.
Theoperatorcanthereforetapontheprintcouponcommandinputbutton
72 in the third web page 70 on the data terminal 6A, and issue a print
coupon command to the data terminal 6A.
When a print coupon command is input to the data terminal 6 ~ .
the print coupon command is sent from the data terminal 6A through
the printer 5 to the server 3. When the server 3 receives the print
coupon command, the coupon-issuing application 2Asends couponprint
data corresponding to the tapped print coupon command input button
72 to the printer 5. When the printer 5 receives the coupon print
data, the coupon print data is supplied to the print unit 21, and
a coupon 53 is output from the printer 5. The operator then hands
the issued receipt 8 and coupon 53 to the customer, and completes
the transaction.
[01051
If the connectionbetween theprinter 5 andserver 3 was interrupted
when the operatortriestoissue acoupon53, the print couponcommand
input button 72 is not displayed as shown in FIG. 6 (b) on the third
web page 70 presented in the web browser 7 of the data terminal 6A
because the data merging unit 68 has combined the fourth web page
75 and second web page 59, and a print coupon command cannot be input.
The operateor therefore hands onlythe issued receipt 8 tothe customer
and ends the transaction.
[0106]
The effect of the second embodiment is described below.
(1) As described above, the printer 5 functions as a relay that
communicatively connects the server 3 and data terminal 6A, and the
datamergingunit68 oftheprinter5 getsafirstwebpage 71generated
by the coupon-issuing application 2A, and combines the first web page
71 with a second web page 59 generated by the second POS application
program 2B running on the printer 5, creating a third web page 70
that canbe displayedonthe data terminal 6A. The forgeryprevention
data generator 36 of the printer 5 then relays to the server 3 a print
coupon command input to the data terminal 6A and sent to the printer
5. Both a coupon-issuing application 2A running on the server 3 and
a second POS application program 2B running on the printer 5 can
therefore be used from the data terminal 6A.
[01071
(2) As described above, because the application program run by
the printer 5 is the second POS application program 2B for executing
a transaction process that is central to business operation, and the
2Aforperformingtaskscomplementarytoessentialbusinessoperations,
performingtasks essential tobusiness operations can continue using
the.second POS application program 2B even when the Internet 4
connection is unstable.
(3) As describedabove, when loss of the connection tothe server
3 is reported, the data merging unit 68 merges a fourth web page 75,
which shows that input of the print coupon command from the data terminal
6A is disabled, instead of the first web page 71 with the second web
page 59 to create the third web page 70, and stops input of a print
coupon command on the data terminal 6A. As a result, transactions
thatrelyonanInternet4 connectioncanbe avoidedwhenthe Internet
4 connection is interrupted. The operator of the data terminal 6A
can also be informed that the coupon-issuing application 2A cannot
be used because the Internet 4 connection is broken.
[01091
(4) As described above, because the printer 5 has an application
programupdater69,programssuchasthesecondPOSapplicationprogram
2Brunningontheprinter5 canberegularlyupdatedtothenewversion.
Managing the version of the second POS application program 2B is
therefore simple.
[OllOI
Preferredembodiments of the invention are described above, but
the foregoing embodiments can be modified as desired in many ways
without departing from the scope of the invention. Some examples of
such other embodiments are described below.
[Olll]
Theprinter5 anddataterminal6 (6A) are connectedbyawireless
LAN 24 in the foregoing embodiments, but could be communicatively
connected using a cable. In the foregoing embodiments the printer
5 generates a network name, password, and forgery prevention data
based on a serial number, but these could be generated based on the
MAC.address of the printer 5, for example. The password generator
28 could also be configured to include the forgery prevention data
generator 3 6 .
[01121
In the foregoing embodiments the password output unit 29 prints
the password as a 2D code, but if the printer 5 has a display, the
password output unit 29 could present the password on the display
as a 2D code. In this configuration the data terminal 6 can acquire
the 2D code by imaging the display with the camera 45. The password
output unit 29 could also directly output the password. In this .
configuration, the operator can simply read and input the password
to the password input unit 43 of the data terminal 6 .
Further alternatively, the password output unit 29 could output
the password as a printed encrypted number. In this configuration,
the analyzer 46 of the data terminal 6 can analyze the encrypted numeric
string imaged by the camera 45, and supply the result to the password
input unit 43. Alternatively, the operator could read and input the
encrypted number from the printout to the touch panel 6a, and the
analyzer 46 ofthe dataterminal6thenanalyzethe encryptednumeric
stringinputtothetouchpanel6aandsupplytheresulttothepassword
input unit 43.
[01141
Further alternatively, the password output unit 29 could output
an encrypted password code by near-field communication. In this
configuration, the data terminal 6 has a receiver that receives the
code by near-field communication, and the analyzer 46 of the data
terminal 6 analyzes the code received by the receiver, acquires the
password, and supplies the password to the password input unit 43.
[01151
The server 3 outputs transaction information to the printer 5
and produces a receipt 8 based on input of a print receipt command
to the web page 2a in the foregoing embodiments , but if the data terminal
6 is configured to acquire transaction information from the server
3 when the transaction information is displayed in the web browser
7, the transaction information could be sent from the data terminal
6 to the printer 5 to print a receipt 8 based on input of a print
receipt command to the web page 2a.
[0116]
Next, the local communication unit 25 of the printer 5 could
be configured with the ability to restrict the information devices
that can connect to the wireless LAN 24.
[01171
In this configuration the local communicationunit 25 has aunique
data terminal identifier acquisitionunit that acquires aunique data
terminal identifier specific to the data terminal 6 from the data
terminal 6 when establishing communication with a data terminal 6,
and a connection control unit that restricts the data terminal 6 that
communicatively connect to the printer 5 based on the unique data
terminal identifier. This unique data terminal identifier could be,
for example, an ID code stored in the data terminal 6 (such as the
MAC address) , anoptically readable ID code affixed to the data terminal
6, or electronic tag data (such as an RFID tag) affixed to the data
terminal6. Thisconfigurationcanimprovethesecurityofthewireless
LAN 24 between the printer 5 and data terminal 6.
[0118]
Further alternatively, the local communication unit 25 could
have auniquedataterminalidentifieracquisitionunitthatacquires
a unique data terminal identifier specific to the data terminal 6
from the data terminal 6 when establishing communication with a data
terminal 6; a password mixer that combines all or part of
printer-specific identification information, data terminal
connectionattributes sent fromthe server3, theunique data terminal
identifier, and time information in the password generator 28; and
a connection control unit that restricts connecting to the printer
5 and server 3 from a data terminal 6 that communicatively connects
to the printer 5 based on all or some of the unique data terminal
identifier,theprinter-specificidentificationinformation,thedata
terminal connection attributes, and the time information. The data
terminal connection attributes sent from the server 3 include
informationsuchas the number of data terminals 6 allowedto connect
tothe printer 5; the type ormodel of dataterminal6thatcanconnect;
and the time communication between the data terminal 6 and server
3isallowed.Thedataterminalconnectionattributescouldalsoinclude
the ID of the operator permitted to operate the data terminal 6; the
identification number of the POS application program 2 that can be
used from the data terminal 6 ; or the URL on the Internet 4 to which
the data terminal 6 can connect through the printer 5. This
configuration can improve the securityof thewireless LAN24 between
the printer 5 and data terminal 6, and can improve the security of
communication between the data terminal 6 and server 3 through the
printer 5.
to1191
The connection control unit could also monitor the operating
log of the data terminal 6, and based on an operating log pattern
previously registered in the memory 22 of the printer 5, for example,
change connection rights and/or present operating instructions to
the operator that used the touch panel 6a of the data terminal 6.
This configurationsimplifies establishingcommunicationbetweenthe
printer 5 and data terminal 6.
[012 01
In this event, the connection control unit could be configured
to display a re-input prompt requiring the operator to re-enter the
unique data terminal identifier using the touch panel 6a of the data
terminal 6 if the operating log of the data terminal 6 has not been
updated for longer than a set period of time, and if the data is not
re-enteredwithinthe set time, prohibit or restrict thedata terminal
6 from connecting tothe printer 5 andprompt enteringthe data again.
This configuration can further improve security between the server
3, printer 5, and data terminal 6.
[01211
In this configuration, the connection control unit could also
prohibit or restrict connectionofthe data terminal 6 tothe printer
5, displayapromptrequiringre-enteringthepasswordusingthetouch
p a n e l 6 a o f t h e d a t a t e r m i n a l 6 , and/orprohibitorrestrictoperation
of the data terminal 6 when an operating log pattern indicatingmistaken
operation appears repeatedly in the operating log, the data terminal
6 attempts to access information the data terminal 6 is not permitted
to access, the communication signal strength is below a specific signal
level, or the power supply capacity of the data terminal 6 is
insufficient. This configurationcanfurther improve securitybetween
the server 3 ,. printer 5, and data terminal 6.
[01221
Theprinter5 anddataterminal6canalsocommunicativelyconnect
using a cable in the above examples.
[01231
When loss of a connection to the server 3 is reported when the
forgery prevention data generator 36 relays a print coupon command
receivedfromthedataterminal6totheserver3,theaboveembodiments
couldalternativelybeconfiguredtotemporarilystoretheprintcoupon
command and then send the print coupon command to the server 3 after
the server 3 connection is restored. More specifically, when loss
of the Internet 4 connection is detected after a print coupon command
is input to the data terminal 6, sending the print coupon command
tothe server3 couldbe delayeduntilafterthe connectionis restored
and the coupon 53 then issued.
LO1241
When loss of the connection to the server 3 is detected in the
above embodiments, the data merging unit 68 merges the fourth web
page 75, which disables receiving input of a print coupon command
from the data terminal 6, instead of the first web page 71 wlth the
second web page 59 to produce the third web page 70, but when loss
of the connection to the server 3 is detected, the data merging unit
68 could merge the first web page 71, the fourth web page 75 that
disables receiving input of a print coupon command from the data
terminal 6, and the second web page 59 to produce the third web page
70.
[01251
Furtheralternatively, whenloss ofthe connectiontothe server
3 is detected, the data merging unit 68 could output stop-input
information indicating that input of a print coupon command from the
data terminal 6 is stoppedbyoutputting sound fromthe data terminal
6. In this configuration, the data merging unit 68 merges,a fourth
web page 75 containing a command that outputs sound from,the data
terminal 6 with the second web page 59 to create the third web page
70. Further alternatively, when loss of the connection to the server
3 is detected, the data merging unit 68 could output stop-input
information indicating that input of a print coupon command from the
data terminal 6 is stoppedbyproducingvibration from the data terminal
6. In this configuration, the data merging unit 68 merges a fourth
web page 75 containing a command that causes the data terminal 6 to
vibrate with the second web page 59 to create the third web page 70.
[01261
The print unit 21 in the foregoing embodiments prints the
transaction information on receipt paper 9 when transaction
information is supplied from the second POS application program 2B,
and prints the coupon print data on receipt paper 9 when the Internet
communication unit 64 receives coupon print data from the serv.er 3,
but the print unit 21 could alternatively have a print control unit
that, when coupon print data. is received, controls whether or not.
to print the coupon print data, the printing range, the printing
position, andtheprint timing, andprintsthe couponprint datamerged
with the transaction information.
[01271
The server 3 could also store access rights information related
tothe range ofthe coupon-issuingapplication2Athatcanbe accessed
through the printer 5 related to the ID of the printer 5, and the
printer5 couldbeconfiguredwithanaccess controlunit that accesses
theserver3andacquiresaccessrightsinformationbasedontheprinter
5ID, andlimitsaccesstothecoupon-issuingapplication2Aaccordingly.
In this configuration, the data merging unit 68 can merge the first
web page 71, the second web page 59, and the access rights information
tocreatethe thirdwebpage 70. This configurationcan further improve
the security of the POS system 1A because access to the server 3 from
a data terminal 6 connected to the printer 5 can be restricted.
[0128]
The coupon-issuingapplication2Aandthe secondPOS application
program 2B respectively create the first web page 71 and second web
page 59 written in HTML in the above embodiments, but the coupon- issuing
application 2A and second POS application program 2B could also
conceivablybe written inHTML. The datamergingunit 68 that combines
the first display information created by the coupon-issuing
application 2A, and the second display information created by the
second POS applicationprogram 2B, couldalternativelybe configured
to create the third web page combining the first display information
and the second display information using HTML.
[0129]
When loss of a connection between the server 3 and printer 5
is detected in the above embodiments, the data merging unit 68 stops
receiving a print coupon command by displaying the fourth web page
75, but the printer 5 could conceivably have a stop input unit that
sends script command stopping input a print coupon command
to the data terminal 6 when loss of a connection between the server
3 andprinter 5 'is detected, and stops input of aprintcoupon command
from the third web page 70.
The applicationprogram running on the server 3 is a coupon-issuing
application 2A and the application program running on the printer
5 is a second POS application program 2B in the above embodiments,
but these application programs are onlyused as examples, and a.printing
system using the invention is not limited to a POS system 1A.
[Industrial Applicability]
[01311
As describedabove, the invention is advantageous in sprinting
system, a printer, and a POS system, and is particularly well-suited
to applications that use both an application program running on a
server and an application program running on a printer from a data
terminal in an environment in which a printer is communicatively
connected between a data terminal and a server through a network.
[Reference Signs List]
[0132]
1, 1A POS system as an example of a printing system
2 POS applicationprogramas an example of sprinting application
program
2A couponprintingapplicationas anexampleof a first application
program
2B second POS application program as an example of secondapplication
program
3 server
4 Internet
5 printer
I 6, 6A 6, 6A data terminal
7 web browser
8 receipt
10 processor
I 13 database unit
1 20 communication unit
21 print unit
I 22 memory
I 23 Internet communication unit
25 communication unit
I 27 network name generator
! 28 password generator
! 29 password output unit
I 30 network name receiver
31 password receiver
configuration settings acquisition unit
application configuration unit
forgery prevention data generator
forgery prevention data print unit
data terminal processor
network name acquisition unit
password input unit
password transmitter
analyzer
computer
coupon
processor
printer processor
second web page
transaction information display area
Internet communication unit
data merging unit
application program updater
third web page
first web page
print coupon command input button
fourth web page
[ CLAIMS I
[Claim 11
A printing system comprising:
a server on which a POS application program runs;
a data terminal having a communication capability; and
a printer connecting communicatively to the server through a
network;
the printer including
a communication unit that communicatively connects to the
data terminal,
a communication relay unit that communicatively connects
the data terminal and the server through the network,
a configuration settings acquisition unit that acquires
configurationsettingstoconfigurethePOSapplicationfromtheserver
based on printer-specific i'dentification information unique to the
printer, and
an application configuring unit that configures the POS
application based on the configuration settings when communication
with the data terminal is established, and enables using the POS
application from the data terminal.
[Claim 21
The printing system described in claim 1, wherein:
the communication unit has a password generating unit that
generates a password based on the printer-specific identification
information, a password output unit that outputs the password, a
password receiving unit that receives the password from the data
terminal, and a communication establishing unit that establishes ,
communication with the data terminal based on the password generated
by the password generating unit and the password received by the
password receiving unit; and
the data terminal has a password input unit that receives input
of the password, and a password transmitting unit that sends the
password input to the password input unit to the printer.
[Claim 31
The printing system described in claim 2, wherein:
the communication unit has a unique data terminal identifier
acquisition unit that acquires a unique data terminal identifier
specific tothe data terminal fromthe data terminal whenestablishing
communication with the data terminal; a password mixing unit that
combines all or part'of the printer-specific identification
information, dataterminalconnectionattributessentfromtheserver,
the unique data terminal identifier, and time information in ther
password generating unit; and a connection control unit that limits
connection to the printer and the server from a data terminal that
communicatively connects to the printer based on all or part of the
uniquedataterminal identifier, theprinter-specific identification
information, the data terminal connection attributes, and the time
information.
[Claim 41
The printing system described in claim 2, wherein:
the password output unit prints the password as an optically
readable code; and
the data terminal has an input unit that inputs the code, and
an analyzing unit that analyzes the code, and acquires and supplies
the password to the password input unit.
[Claim 51
The printing system described in claim 2, wherein:
the passwordoutput unit outputs a code encryptingthepassword
by near-field communication; and
the data terminal has a receiving unit that receives the code,
andananalyzingunitthatanalyzesthe code, andacquires andsupplies
the password to the password input unit.
[Claim 61
The printing system described in claim 3, wherein:
the unique data terminal identifier is an ID code stored in the
data terminal, an optically readable ID code affixed to the data
terminal, or electronic tag data affixed to the data terminal.
[Claim 71
The printing system described in claim 2, wherein: ,
the printer has a forgery prevention data generating unit that
generates forgery prevention data in the password generating unit,
and a forgery prevention data print unit that prints the forgery
preventiondataontheprintmediumwhenprintingontheprintmedium.
[Claim 81
The printing system described in claim 1, wherein:
a first application program runs on the server;
a secondapplicationprogram runs on the printer communicatively
connected to the server through a first network;
the data terminal communicatively connected to the printer
through a second network;
the printer has a data merging unit that acquires first display
informationgeneratedbythe first applicationprogram, andgenerates
third display information combining the first display information
with second display information generated by the second application
program, and a print unit that prints print data generated by the
second application program; and
the data terminal has a display unit that acquires and displays
the third display information.
[Claim 91
The printing system described in claim 8, wherein:
the data terminal has an input unit that receives first information
input to the first application program and second information input
tothe secondapplicationprogram, andatransmissionunitthatsends
the first information and the second information input to the input
unit to the printer; and
the printer has a communication relay unit that sends the first
information from the data terminal to the server.
[Claim 101
The printing system described in claim 9, wherein:
theprinterhasaconnectionmonitorthatmonitorsthe connection
to the server, and an input/output termination unit that stops at
least one of receiving the first information by ,the input unit and
transmission tothe server when interruptionof the server connection
is detected.
[Claim 111
, .
The printing system described in claim 10, wherein:
the data merging unit combines stop-input data indicating input
of the first information from the data terminal is stopped with the
second display information to generate the third display information
when interruption of the server connection is detected.
I
[Claim 121
The printing system described in claim 10, wherein:
the data merging unit outputs stop-input data indicating input
of the first information from the data terminal is disabled by sound
from the data terminal when interruption of the server connection
is detected.
[Claim 131
The printing system described in claim 10, wherein:
the data merging unit outputs stop-input data indicating input
the rst information from the dat terminal is disabled vibration
from the data terminal when interruption of the server connection
is detected.
[Claim 141
The printing system described in claim 9,. wherein:
the communication relay unit temporarily stores the first
information if loss of the server connection is detected when sending
the first information to the server, and sends the first information
to the server after the server connection is re-established.
[Claim 151
The printing system described in claim 8 or 9, wherein:
a web browser runs on the data terminal; and
the web browser embodies the display unit, the input unit, and
the transmission unit.
[Claim 161
The printing system described in claim 8, wherein:
the first application program generates and sends second print
data to the printer; and
the print unit has a print control unit that, when the printer
receives the second print data, controls whether or not to print,
the printing range, the printing position, and the print timing of
the second print data, combines the second print data with the print
data, and prints.
[Claim 171
The printing system described in claim 8, wherein:
the first application program is a coupon-issuing application
that generates coupon print data to print a coupon based on the first
information;
thesecondapplicationprogramisasecondPOSapplicationprogram
that generates transaction information to print a receipt based on
the second information;
the transaction information is the print data; and
the coupon print data is the second print data.
[Claim 181
A printer of a printing system described in any of claims 1 to
[Claim 191
A printer comprising:
a first communication unit that communicatively connects to a
server through a first network;
a processor that runs a second application program;
a second communication unit that communicatively connects
through a second network to a data terminal, and receives first
information input to the first application program from the data
terminal, and second information input to the second application
program ;
a data merging unit that communicatively connects to a server
through a first network and acquires first display information
gene rated the first application program running the server,
combinesthefirstdisplayinformationwithseconddisplayinformation
generated by the second application program, and generates third
display information displayable by the data terminal;
a print unit that prints print data generated by the second
application program; and
acommunicationrelayunitthatsendsthe first information from
the data terminal through the first network'to the server.
[Claim 201
The printer described in claim 19, further comprising:
a connectionmonitor that monitors the connection tothe server;
an input/output termination unit that stops at least one of
receiving the first information by the input unit and transmission
tothe server when interruptionof the server connection is detected;
thedatamergingunitcombiningstop-inputdataindicatinginput
of the first information from .the data terminal is stopped with the
seconddisplay information to generate the third display information
when interruption of the server connection is detected.
. .
Dated : this
k~ & GROSER
R THE APPLICANTS