Printer and printer search system
阅读说明:本技术 打印机及打印机搜索系统 (Printer and printer search system ) 是由 宮内和夫 于 2020-02-10 设计创作,主要内容包括:本发明公开了一种打印机及打印机搜索系统,用户即使遗失了打印机也能够容易地发现打印机。该打印机包括通信I/F及控制部。通信I/F与外部装置进行无线通信。控制部进行控制以使所述通信I/F从所述外部装置接受到搜索命令后向所述外部装置通知通信连接信息。(The invention discloses a printer and a printer search system, which can easily find the printer even if a user loses the printer. The printer includes a communication I/F and a control section. The communication I/F performs wireless communication with an external device. The control unit controls the communication I/F to notify communication connection information to the external device after receiving a search command from the external device.)
1. A printer, comprising:
a communication I/F that performs wireless communication with an external device; and
and a control unit configured to control the communication I/F to receive a search command from the external device and to notify the external device of communication connection information.
2. The printer according to claim 1,
the control unit notifies the external device of the communication connection information of an access point that transmits a radio wave of a strongest radio wave intensity among the communication radio waves received via the communication I/F.
3. Printer according to claim 1 or 2,
the communication connection information includes at least an identification ID of the access point or information indicating that it is a near field wireless communication possible state.
4. A printer, comprising:
a communication I/F that performs wireless communication with an external device;
a timer for measuring time; and
and a control unit configured to control to notify the external device of communication connection information when the timer measures a predetermined time in a non-operation state.
5. The printer according to claim 4,
the control unit notifies the external device of the communication connection information of an access point that transmits a radio wave of a strongest radio wave intensity among the communication radio waves received via the communication I/F.
6. Printer according to claim 4 or 5,
the communication connection information includes at least an identification ID of the access point or information indicating that it is a near field wireless communication possible state.
7. The printer of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:
a printing unit for forming an image by applying heat to an object to be printed,
the control unit prints the loss notification information through the printing unit when the I/F receives the search command from the external device.
8. The printer according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising:
a notification unit for performing notification operation by sound, light or vibration,
the control unit notifies a person in the vicinity of the printer of a position where the printer is placed by the notification unit when the I/F receives a notification operation command from the external device.
9. The printer according to claim 8,
the control unit notifies a person in the vicinity of the printer of a position where the printer is placed by the notification unit after the timer measures a predetermined time in a non-operation state.
10. A printer search system is composed of a printer and an external device, wherein,
the printer includes:
a first communication I/F for performing wireless communication; and
a control section controlling to notify communication connection information to the external apparatus after the communication I/F accepts a search command from the external apparatus,
the external device includes:
a second communication I/F that wirelessly communicates with the first communication I/F; and
and a display unit that displays the communication connection information acquired by the second communication I/F.
Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a printer and a printer search system having a function of supporting a search by notifying a user of a place where the printer is placed when the printer is lost.
Background
Conventionally, there is known a mobile terminal that receives a search command from an external device and transmits current position information to the external device. Such a portable terminal can acquire the location information of the portable terminal itself by the GPS function, and can assist in searching for a lost portable terminal by notifying the location information to an external device by wireless LAN communication or the like.
However, for example, when a device having no position detection function with a function such as GPS is lost, such as a portable printer, the user cannot acquire position information of the device.
Disclosure of Invention
An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a printer and a printer search system that enable a printer user to easily find a printer even if the printer user is lost.
In order to solve the above problem, the printer of the embodiment includes a communication I/F and a control unit. The communication I/F performs wireless communication with an external device. The control section controls to notify communication connection information to the external apparatus after the communication I/F receives a search command from the external apparatus.
With this configuration, even if the printer user is lost, the user can easily find the printer.
In one possible embodiment, the control unit notifies the external device of the communication connection information of the access point that transmits the radio wave of the strongest radio wave intensity among the communication radio waves received through the communication I/F, for the printer.
With this configuration, the search range of the printer can be greatly reduced.
For a printer, in one possible implementation, the communication connection information contains at least an identification ID of the access point or information indicating that it is a near field wireless communication capable state.
With this configuration, the user can estimate the position of the printer from the identification ID of the access point, and can transmit direct communication connection information to an external device or the like by near field wireless communication.
A printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a communication I/F that performs wireless communication with an external device; a timer for measuring time; and a control unit that controls to notify the external device of communication connection information when the timer measures a preset time in a non-operation state.
According to this configuration, since the printer notifies the user of the identification ID of the access point after a predetermined time period has elapsed without receiving the operation command, the user who receives the notification can greatly narrow the search range of the printer.
In one possible implementation of the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the control unit notifies the external device of the communication connection information of an access point that transmits a radio wave of the strongest radio wave intensity among the communication radio waves received via the communication I/F.
With this configuration, the search range of the printer can be greatly reduced.
With the printer of the second embodiment of the present invention, in one possible implementation, the communication connection information includes at least an identification ID of the access point or information indicating that it is a near field wireless communication capable state.
With this configuration, the user can estimate the position of the printer from the identification ID of the access point, and can transmit direct communication connection information to an external device or the like by near field wireless communication.
For the printer of the second embodiment of the present invention, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: and a printing unit configured to form an image by applying heat to an object to be printed, wherein the control unit prints the loss notification information by the printing unit when the I/F receives the search command from the external device.
With this configuration, the user or a person near the printer can be notified of more information than can be displayed on the display unit. Further, even a printer not equipped with a display unit can perform a loss notification. Further, power consumption can be suppressed compared to when a loss notification is issued on the display unit.
For the printer of the second embodiment of the present invention, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: and a notification unit configured to perform a notification operation by sound, light, vibration, or the like, wherein the control unit notifies a person in the vicinity of the printer of a position where the printer is placed by the notification unit when the I/F receives a notification operation command from the external device.
According to such a configuration, the user can be notified of the position where the printer is placed by, for example, emitting a sound based on a notification operation command from an external device.
In a possible embodiment of the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the control unit notifies a person in the vicinity of the printer of a position where the printer is placed by the notification unit after the timer measures a predetermined time in a non-operation state.
According to this configuration, the printer performs the notification operation after a predetermined time has elapsed in the non-operation state even if the printer does not perform wireless communication with the external device, and therefore, the presence of the printer can be notified to a person in the vicinity of the printer.
According to a printer search system of a third embodiment of the present invention, the printer includes: a first communication I/F for performing wireless communication; and a control section that controls to notify communication connection information to the external apparatus after the communication I/F receives a search command from the external apparatus, the external apparatus including: a second communication I/F that wirelessly communicates with the first communication I/F; and a display unit that displays the communication connection information acquired by the second communication I/F.
With this configuration, even if the printer user is lost, the user can easily find the printer.
Drawings
Next, a printer and a printer search system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein the accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form a part of this application, and wherein the illustrated embodiments of the invention and the description thereof are intended to illustrate and not limit the invention, wherein:
fig. 1 is a perspective view of a printer in the first embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the printer in the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printer in the first embodiment;
fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an external device in the first embodiment;
fig. 5 is a plan view showing a positional relationship of an access point and a printer in the first embodiment;
fig. 6(a) is a diagram showing a screen of a loss notification in the first embodiment;
fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing a search screen in the first embodiment;
fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a loss notification process of the printer in the first embodiment;
fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a printer search process of the external device in the first embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printer in the second embodiment;
fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a loss notification process in the second embodiment;
fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a loss notification process in the third embodiment; and
fig. 12 is a flowchart showing a loss notification process in the fourth embodiment.
Description of the reference numerals
100
110 operating
122 external to the
206
210 communication I/F212 notification unit
302 timers A-F Access Point
Detailed Description
Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(first embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a
The configuration of the
The
The
The
The
The communication I/F112 receives, for example, print data by performing data communication with the
The paper storage section 114 stores a printing object. Examples of the objects to be printed include bill paper, label paper, and linerless label paper. The bill paper is a strip-shaped paper that is cut after printing and becomes a bill. The label paper is formed by adhering an adhesive layer provided on the back surface of the label printing surface to a tape-shaped base paper. A label sheet without a liner paper is a tape-shaped label sheet having an adhesive layer on the back surface thereof, and is cut after printing to be used as a label. These print targets are stored in the paper storage section 114 in a roll shape.
The
The peeling section 118 is configured to peel the label from the base paper. When printing on a receipt sheet or a label sheet without a mount, the peeling section 118 is not used but is stored in the
Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the
The processor (control Unit) 120 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) (microprocessor) for controlling the overall operation. The Memory (storage section) 122 is, for example, a semiconductor Memory, and has a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various control programs are stored. The various control programs correspond to, for example, operation information, setting information, and operation programs. In addition, the
The
Next, the configuration of the
The processor (control unit) 202 includes a CPU or MPU that controls the overall operation. The memory (storage section) 204 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, and includes a ROM in which various control programs are stored. The various control programs correspond to, for example, operation information, setting information, and operation programs. In addition, the memory 204 includes a RAM that provides a temporary operating area to the processor 202. Various kinds of processing information are stored in the RAM. The processor 202 controls each section of the
The
The
The communication I/F210 transmits, for example, print data by performing data communication with the printer in accordance with a control signal from the processor 202. The communication I/F210 is configured to be able to communicate with the
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the
The access points a1 to F1 are provided with unique identification IDs. In general, when setting an access point, a setter manages the position information and the identification ID information in association with each other in a facility in which the access point is installed. That is, if the user or the like knows the identification ID, the user or the like can specify the location where the access point including the identification ID is set.
For example, when the
Next, a loss notification mode of the
First, the
In the loss notification mode, the
Fig. 6 shows an example of loss notification. Fig. 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of the loss notification displayed on the
The loss notification may be performed by a method other than the method of displaying on the
Fig. 6(b) shows an example of a printer search screen displayed on the
Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a loss notification process performed by the
After the
In the ACT103, when there is no additional operation command (YES in ACT 103), the
In the ACT101, when the
Next, a search process of the
The
As described above, the printer according to the present embodiment receives a search command from an external device and notifies the identification ID of the access point to which the printer is connected, so that the user who received the notification can greatly narrow the search range of the printer.
(second embodiment)
Next, a printer that can notify the loss of the printer even if the printer does not receive a search command from an external device will be described. For convenience of explanation, the same components as those of the
Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printer 300 of the second embodiment. The timer 302 measures a prescribed time. The predetermined time is, for example, a time elapsed after the user performs the operation or a time elapsed after the printing operation is ended. When the time measured by the timer 302 exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), the printer 300 shifts to a loss notification mode using the
Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a loss notification process. In this description, a state in which the slave printer 300 is on standby in a state in which power is turned on will be described.
Upon receiving an operation command via the
In the ACT302, when there is no additional operation command (ACT302, YES), the printer 300 ends a series of processes.
In the ACT300, when the printer 300 does not accept an operation command via the
In ACT306, the communication I/F112 is in a state of being unable to communicate with the access point (ACT306, NO), and the printer 300 ends the operation and a series of processes.
As is apparent from the above description, the printer of the present embodiment notifies the user of the identification ID of the access point after a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving the operation command, so that the user receiving the notification can greatly narrow the search range of the printer.
(third embodiment)
Next, description will be given taking an example in which the printer transmits the direct communication connection information to the smartphone or the like by near field wireless communication without passing through the access point. In the following example, BLE communication is described as an example of near field communication means between a printer and a smartphone. However, the near field wireless communication means is not limited to this, and Ibeacon (registered trademark) or the like may be used. Further, the printer may include communication means for communicating via a wireless LAN in addition to near field wireless communication.
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a loss notification process. In this description, a standby state in which the printer 300 is powered on will be described.
The printer 300 stands by until it is connected to the
In the ACT404, when there is no additional operation command (ACT404, YES), the printer 300 ends a series of processes.
In the ACT402, when the printer 300 does not receive an operation command via the
After the printer 300 receives the notification operation command from the external apparatus 200 (YES in ACT 408), the
In ACT408, if the communication I/F112 does not receive an operation signal from the external apparatus 200(ACT 408, NO), the printer 300 stands by (ACT411), and a predetermined standby time elapses, or after the
As can be seen from the above, the printer according to the present embodiment communicates with the external device by the near field wireless communication means, notifies the printer of the fact that the printer is placed in the vicinity of the user, or can notify the user of the location where the printer is placed by making a sound or the like based on a notification operation command from the external device.
Further, although the loss notification by wireless LAN communication is described in the first and second embodiments, and the loss notification by near field communication is described in the third embodiment, these processes may be performed simultaneously by a single printer, or the communication method may be switched as appropriate.
(fourth embodiment)
Next, a printer capable of notifying the position of the printer even in a state where the printer does not perform wireless LAN communication or near field wireless communication will be described. For example, after the non-operation time is continued and the timer counts a predetermined time, the printer shifts to a loss notification mode and the
Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing a loss notification process. For convenience of the following description, the printer 300 described in the second embodiment is described as an example. In this description, a standby state in which the printer 300 is powered on will be described.
Upon receiving an operation command from the
In the ACT502, if there is no additional operation command (ACT502, YES), the printer 300 ends a series of processes.
In the ACT500, when the printer 300 does not receive an operation command via the
In ACT505, the communication I/F112 is not in a state of being connected to an access point (ACT505, NO), and the
As described above, since the printer performs the notification operation after the elapse of the predetermined time period in the non-operation state even without performing wireless communication with the external device, the presence of the printer can be notified to a person in the vicinity of the printer.
In addition, although the portable printer is described as an example of the embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any electronic device such as a smartphone or a PC can be used as long as it can be connected by wireless LAN communication or near field distance wireless communication.
While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be embodied in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, and the like may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above-described embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the scope of claims and the equivalent scope thereof.