JP5759738B2 - Printer with scanner and control method of printer with scanner - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a printer with a scanner and a method for controlling the printer with a scanner.

  There is a printer with a scanner that reads a product code representing a product from a barcode or the like printed on a tag attached to each product, and executes a related process related to the product represented by the read product code.

  In general, a printer with a scanner cannot be used by an unauthorized user by performing authentication of a user code and a password when turning on the power of the printer with a scanner (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, a printer with a scanner that restricts the related processing executed by the printer with a scanner, such as manual input of a discount amount, printing of a price tag, printing of a discount label, etc., by a class of a user who uses the printer with a scanner has been developed.

  For example, the scanner-equipped printer executes all related processing when the user is an administrator class, but only executes discount label printing when the user is a user.

JP 2004-326561 A

  However, in conventional printers with scanners, execution of related processing is restricted by the user class specified by the user code and password, so users other than the administrator know the user code and password of the administrator. In this case, there is a problem that the price of the product is easily changed by the user.

  In addition, even when the administrator enters a user code or password and the scanner printer is in the user's hand, there is a problem that the price of the product is modified by the user.

  An object of the embodiment of the present invention is to provide a printer with a scanner and a control method for the printer with a scanner that have high security and good operability.

A printer with a scanner according to this embodiment includes a reading unit that reads product information of a product, a grip unit that has a switch that requests reading of the product information by the reading unit, and a fingerprint authentication that stores a plurality of fingerprint authentication information of a user and information storage means, provided in the switch, detecting means for detecting a plurality of fingerprint information of the user who has operated the switch holding the grip portion, a plurality of the user who operates the switch by the detection means On the condition that the fingerprint information is detected, the user is authenticated by checking whether any of the plurality of fingerprint information of the user matches the fingerprint authentication information stored in the fingerprint authentication information storage means. An authenticating means for determining, a determining means for determining a related process relating to a product for which the user authenticated by the authenticating means has execution authority, Comprising an execution means for executing said associated processing determined by the constant means.

Further, the control method of the printer with a scanner according to this embodiment is a control of the printer with a scanner including a reading unit that reads product information of a product, and a grip that has a switch that requests the reading unit to read the product information. In the method, the detection unit detects a plurality of fingerprint information of the user who operates the switch while holding the grip portion, and the authentication unit detects the plurality of fingerprints of the user who operates the switch by the detection unit. Fingerprint authentication information stored in a fingerprint authentication information storage means in which any one of the plurality of fingerprint information of the user is stored on the condition that the information is detected. And the determination means authenticates the user and verifies whether the user authenticated by the authentication means Determining the execution means executes the relevant processing determined by said determining means.

1 is an external view of a handy scanner according to an embodiment. The internal structure figure of the handy scanner concerning this Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the handy scanner concerning this Embodiment. The functional block diagram of the handy scanner concerning this Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the step of execution of the related process concerning this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a printer with a scanner and a method for controlling the printer with a scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

  In the present embodiment, the scanner-equipped printer and the control method for the scanner-equipped printer according to the present invention apply light to a barcode or the like printed on a product tag or the like, and read an image from the reflected light. An example applied to a handy scanner will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a handy scanner 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an internal structure diagram of the handy scanner 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The handy scanner 1 according to the present embodiment includes a scanner 101, a display 102, a key input unit 103, a trigger switch 104, a grip unit 105, a thermal head 106, a platen roller 107, a roll paper 108, and the like.

  The scanner 101 is a reading unit that illuminates a barcode or a two-dimensional code printed on a product tag or the like and reads product information representing the product from the reflected light.

  The display 102 displays product information, operation information (for example, manually input discount amount), etc., such as a liquid crystal display.

  The key input unit 103 is used by the user to input operation information and the like.

  The grip portion 105 is a portion where the user grips the handy scanner 1, and a portion indicated by reference numeral 105a is formed of a conductive polymer material.

  The portion denoted by reference numeral 105a discharges static electricity generated in the handy scanner 1 through the human body in contact with the portion due to the conductivity that is a characteristic of the conductive polymer material.

  The trigger switch 104 is a switch that is provided in the grip portion 105 and requests reading of product information by the scanner 1.

  Furthermore, the trigger switch 104 includes a detection unit 104a that detects fingerprint information of a plurality of fingers of a user who operates the trigger switch 104.

  As in the present embodiment, when the detection unit 104a is provided in the trigger switch 104, it is assumed that the finger to be touched is the left hand or the right hand, the size of the finger to be touched, and the like.

The platen roller 107 is disposed opposite to a thermal head 106 to be described later, pulls out the label with the mount from the roll paper 108 around which the label with the mount is wound, and conveys the pulled label with the mount to the printing position of the thermal head 106. It is a conveyance roller and is made of a conductive polymer material to ensure conductivity.

  The thermal head 106 prints a discount amount or a price tag by heating a label with a mount that has been conveyed to a printing position by a platen roller 107.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the handy scanner according to the present embodiment. The handy scanner 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 that executes various arithmetic processes and centrally controls each unit. The CPU 201 is connected via a system bus 212 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 and a FROM (Flash Read Only Memory) 202 which is a nonvolatile storage unit capable of retaining stored contents even when the power is turned off. ing.

  The FROM 202 stores an operation program of the handy scanner 1 and various setting information.

  The CPU 201 controls each unit by copying an operation program stored in the FROM 202 (including a program for executing processing related to a product such as discount amount and price tag printing, manual input of the discount amount) to the RAM 203 and executing it. .

  Furthermore, in the FROM 202, a fingerprint information table that is a fingerprint authentication information storage means in which a user and fingerprint information of a plurality of fingers of the user are associated with each other, an administrator class user and an administrator class user have execution authority. An administrator class table in which related processes are associated with each other, a user class table in which users in the user class are associated with related processes in which the user in the user class has execution authority, and the like are stored.

  The RAM 203 temporarily stores various types of variable information, and print information in which a user who has performed printing by the handy scanner 1 is associated with print information indicating the number of prints and print contents actually printed by the user. A table, a time information table in which a user who has performed printing with the handy scanner 1 and time information indicating the time when the user has performed printing with the handy scanner 1 are associated with each other are stored.

  When the handy scanner 1 is equipped with a clock function, the RAM 203 stores a user who has performed printing by the handy scanner 1 and a printing date and time actually performed by the user.

  The RAM 203 is used as a print buffer in which print data (image data) such as a discount amount and a price tag to be printed on a label with a mount is developed. The print data may be data to be printed received from the host computer 2, data stored in the FROM 202, or a discount amount input from the key input unit 103. Also good.

  The CPU 201 includes a display control circuit 204, a communication I / F 205, a motor control circuit 206, a head control circuit 208, a power supply circuit 209, a scanner control circuit 211, a key input unit 103, and a trigger switch 104 via a system bus 212. It is connected.

  The display control circuit 204 controls display on the display unit 102 (such as a menu screen including an operation image for selecting related processing) under the control of the CPU 201.

  The communication I / F 205 is an interface for communicating with an external device such as the host computer 2. The communication I / F 205 is configured by infrared communication such as IrDA, USB (Universal Serial Bus), wireless LAN (Local Area Network), RS-232C, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like, and is provided in the host computer 2. Communication with the I / F is possible.

  The motor control circuit 206 controls a stepping motor 207 that is a drive source of the platen roller 107 under the control of the CPU 201.

  The head control circuit 208 outputs a print control signal to the thermal head 106 under the control of the CPU 201.

  The scanner control circuit 211 controls reading of product information by the scanner 101 under the control of the CPU 201.

  The power supply circuit 209 controls supply / cut-off of power from the battery 210 to each part of the handy scanner 1 in accordance with ON / OFF of the power of the handy scanner 1 by the key input unit 103.

  Next, the function of the CPU 201 executing the operation program stored in the FROM 202 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the handy scanner 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The program executed by the handy scanner 1 of the present embodiment has a module configuration including each unit (an authentication unit 401, a determination unit 402, a display unit 403, an execution unit 404, etc.) as shown in FIG. As the hardware, the CPU 201 reads out and executes the program from the FROM 202, and the above-described units are loaded onto the RAM 203. The above-described units (the authentication unit 401, the determination unit 402, the display unit 403, the execution unit 404, etc.) It is supposed to be generated above.

  When the detection unit 104a included in the trigger switch 104 detects fingerprint information of a plurality of fingers, the authentication unit 401 authenticates a user indicated by the detected fingerprint information.

  In the present embodiment, authentication unit 401 includes a plurality of fingerprint information in a fingerprint information table in which any one of a plurality of fingerprint information (for example, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger) detected by detection unit 104a is stored in FROM 202. When one of them matches, the user indicated by the detected fingerprint information is authenticated.

  Next, when the authentication unit 401 authenticates the user, the determination unit 402 determines a related process for which the user has execution authority according to the authenticated user.

  More specifically, when the authenticated user is an administrator, the determination unit 402 uses a related process (a discount amount or price tag) associated with the authenticated user in the administrator class table stored in the FROM 202. Printing and manual input of discount amount) are determined to be related processes (such as printing of discount amount and price tag and manual input of discount amount) to which the user has execution authority.

  On the other hand, when the authenticated user is a user, the determination unit 402 performs a related process (printing discount price or price tag) associated with the authenticated user in the user class table stored in the FROM 202. Then, the relevant process (such as discount price or price tag printing) for which the user has execution authority is determined.

The display unit 403 displays a menu screen including an operation image (for example, a button) for selecting a desired related process from the related processes determined by the determination unit 402 on the display 102.

The execution unit 404 executes the related process determined by the determination unit 402. The related process selected by the operation image on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 102 (for example, printing of discount amount, price tag, discount) Manually enter the amount).

  In addition, when the discount unit or price tag is printed, the execution unit 404 causes the RAM 203 to store a print information table, a time information table, a print date and time, and the like.

  Further, the execution unit 404 performs the print information table and the time stored in the RAM 203 during a period in which the related processing such as discount printing or price tag printing is not performed (for example, during charging or after a predetermined time has elapsed from the standby time). The information table and printing date / time are updated in the host computer 2.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of execution of related processing.

  First, under the control of the scanner control circuit 211, the scanner 101 reads product information of the product from a barcode printed on a tag attached to the product (step ST501).

  Furthermore, the detection unit 104a detects a plurality of fingerprint information of a plurality of fingers (for example, an index finger, a middle finger, and a ring finger) of the user touching the trigger switch 104 (step ST502).

  When the product information of the product is read by the scanner 101, the authentication unit 401 detects a plurality of fingerprint information detected by the detection unit 104a, for example, fingerprint information of the index finger, which is fingerprint authentication information storage means registered in the FROM 202. Match the table. If the fingerprint information of the index finger matches, the user is authenticated (step ST503—YES).

  When the user is authenticated by the authentication unit 401, the determination unit 402 determines a related process for which the authenticated user has execution authority among related processes related to the product represented by the product information read by the scanner 101. (Step ST504). The display unit 403 displays a menu screen including an operation image for selecting a desired related process from the related processes determined by the determination unit 401 on the display 102.

  The execution unit 404 executes related processing in which the operation image included in the menu screen displayed on the display 102 is operated (step ST505).

  On the other hand, when the fingerprint information of the index finger does not match the fingerprint information table due to injury of the index finger or the like (step S503—NO), user authentication is not authenticated.

  Next, the authentication unit 401 collates the fingerprint information of the middle finger detected by the detection unit 104 a with a fingerprint information table registered in the FROM 202. If the fingerprint information of the middle finger matches (YES in step S506), the process proceeds to step S504 by user authentication.

  On the other hand, if the fingerprint information of the middle finger does not match the fingerprint information table due to injury of the middle finger or the like (step S506—NO), user authentication is not authenticated.

  Next, the authentication unit 401 collates the fingerprint information of the ring finger detected by the detection unit 104 a with a fingerprint information table registered in the FROM 202. If the fingerprint information of the ring finger matches (step S505-Y), the process proceeds to step S504 by user authentication.

  On the other hand, when the user authentication fails due to a ring finger injury (step S507—NO), the authentication unit 401 discards the fingerprint information detected by the detection unit 104a (step S508).

  As described above, according to the handy scanner 1 according to the present embodiment, the fingerprint information table as the fingerprint authentication information storage means is formed so as to register fingerprint authentication information (for example, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger) of a plurality of fingers. ing. For example, even if the index finger is injured, the detection unit 104a can detect another finger and authenticate the user based on the detected fingerprint information of the other finger. In other words, by registering fingerprint authentication information of a plurality of fingers in the fingerprint information table in this way, even if a part of the finger is injured, the fingerprint information is authenticated by another finger of the user, so that the operability is improved. Are better.

  As described above, the handy scanner 1 according to the present embodiment can prevent a user other than the authenticated user from requesting execution of related processing on behalf of the authenticated user, so that the security of the handy scanner 1 is improved. In addition, the handy scanner 1 having excellent operability can be provided.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The printer with a scanner and the control method for the printer with a scanner according to the present invention have the effects of improving security and improving operability.

  Note that the handy scanner 1 according to the present embodiment detects a plurality of fingerprint information of the user instead of inputting the user code and password, so that it is not necessary to input the user code and password, and the user can easily work. It is no longer necessary to update the user code and password to prevent the leakage of the code and password.

  Further, according to the handy scanner 1 according to the present embodiment, it is assumed that the administrator handed the handy scanner 1 to the user during work by detecting fingerprint information each time the product information is read by the scanner 101. In addition, since the user cannot request execution of related processing (for example, manual input of discount amount, etc.) for which only the administrator has execution authority, when the administrator passes the handy scanner 1 to the user during work. It is possible to prevent the discount amount from being altered by the user.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited as they are, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention at the stage of implementation.

  In this embodiment, a reading unit is used that illuminates a barcode or a two-dimensional code and reads product information representing the product from the reflected light. For example, an infrared ray is applied to a barcode or a two-dimensional code. And a reading unit that reads product information representing the product from the reflected wave, or a reading unit that reads and analyzes image data using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) scanner.

  In this embodiment, the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger, and the like are used as the plurality of fingerprint information. However, other easy-to-use fingers may be used as the fingerprint information.

  As described above, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Handy scanner, 101 ... Scanner (reading means), 104 ... Trigger switch, 104a ... Detection part (detection means), 401 ... Authentication part (authentication means), 402 ... Determination part (determination means), 403 ... Display part ( Display means), 404... Execution unit (execution means).

Claims (3)

Reading means for reading the product information of the product;
A grip portion having a switch for requesting reading of the product information by the reading means;
Fingerprint authentication information storage means for storing a plurality of fingerprint authentication information of the user;
Provided in the switch, detecting means for detecting a plurality of fingerprint information of the user who has operated the switch holding the grip portion,
Each time the product information is read by the reading unit , any one of the plurality of fingerprint information of the user is detected on the condition that the detection unit detects the plurality of fingerprint information of the user who operated the switch . Authentication means for authenticating the user by checking whether the fingerprint information matches the fingerprint authentication information stored in the fingerprint authentication information storage means,
A determination unit that determines related processing related to a product for which the user authenticated by the authentication unit has an execution right;
Execution means for executing the related processing determined by the determination means;
A printer with a scanner. A display unit for displaying an operation image for selecting a desired related process from the related processes determined by the determining unit;
The printer with a scanner according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes the related processing selected based on the displayed operation image. A method for controlling a printer with a scanner including a reading unit that reads product information of a product, and a grip unit having a switch that requests reading of the product information by the reading unit,
The detecting means detects a plurality of fingerprint information of a user who operates the switch by grasping the grip portion,
Each time the product information is read by the reading means , the authentication means detects a plurality of fingerprint information of the user who has operated the switch by the detecting means. The fingerprint information of any one of the above is matched with the fingerprint authentication information stored in the fingerprint authentication information storage means storing the plurality of fingerprint authentication information of the user to authenticate the user,
The determining unit determines a related process related to a product for which the user authenticated by the authenticating unit has execution authority,
A method for controlling a printer with a scanner, wherein execution means executes the related processing determined by the determination means.

Images