JPS6125196B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic ticket vending machine that prints and issues given information on the face of a ticket at the time of sale.

As a device for printing and issuing predetermined ticket face information on the face of a ticket, there is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 38598/1983. In such a ticket issuing device, the format of the ticket surface is determined in advance, and the ticket surface information is printed in accordance with this format. FIG. 1 shows and explains a ticket issued from a food ticket vending machine, and the format of this ticket is such that the name of the store, the name of the product being sold, and the selling price are printed sequentially from the top. However, it is preferable for the appearance of the ticket that the printed information be arranged at equal intervals in the center of the ticket surface, that is, in the left and right margins.
Assuming that the format is such that it is possible to print up to 4 characters, in order to print the sales product name ``coffee'', it is best to leave a margin of 3 characters from each end and print the 4 characters in the center. Therefore, in order to store the print information in the format memory, it is necessary to load the print information into the center of the storage area for the product name and leave spaces at both ends. In other words, Figure 2 starts from address 3000.
This is the product name storage area of the format memory that can store a menu name of up to 10 characters in 10 bytes up to address 3009. At this time, to set the print information "coffee", print information must be stored between addresses 3003 and 3006. , and other addresses are spaces. However, according to the prior art, it is difficult to make such settings once the ticket vending machine is installed, so the print information is printed from the first character of the format, resulting in an unbalanced ticket surface.

However, when printing aggregated sales data using a ticket issuing printer, the printed information, which is aggregated data, should be printed uniformly starting from the edge of the ticket, as shown in the above publication. is easy to read for tabulators.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a device that can print inputted print information at the center of the format when issuing tickets, and can automatically switch and print from the beginning of the format when tabulating sales.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 3 shows the entire automatic ticket vending machine, and the customer service section 1 includes a sales type display section 2, a selection button 3 for each type, a coin slot 4, a display section 5 for store name, etc., and an amount display for the input amount or change amount. portions 6 are arranged. The ticket issuing unit 7 is equipped with an external sales outlet 8 for dispensing change and tickets, and after an internal printer prints predetermined print information regarding the menu of the selection button 3 operated by the customer, the ticket is sent to the sales outlet 8. It is configured to send. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the printer 9, in which a predetermined amount of ticket paper passed through a shaft 10 is extracted by a ticket paper extraction roller 11 for each sales operation, and predetermined characters or numbers are printed by a printing head 12. It is issued after being cut with a cutter 13. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the print head 12, which is equipped with seven dots of heating elements 14 in a vertical row.While the print head 12 moves in the horizontal direction in synchronization with a timing signal, the seven elements 14 are energized or de-energized. Printing is performed by doing this. FIG. 6 shows the printing of "A", and the print head 12 is moved along five timing pulses to operate the element 14 in the shaded area.
As shown in the figure, between T ₁ and T ₅ timing, 7
Printing is performed by outputting "1" or "0" to each element. The character pattern separated into dots for each character is stored in a memory called a character generator, and since the character pattern is controlled by five timing pulses, a storage capacity of 5 bytes is required, as shown in Figure 7. Seven bits of data in columns as shown are stored for each byte.

FIG. 8 shows a control circuit of the print information setting device according to the present invention in a block diagram. Reference numeral 15 is a keyboard which generates a character signal by key operation, and 16 is a format memory, such as a RAM, which can be read and written. 17 is a read/write control device, and 18 is a storage device that stores the maximum number of characters that can fit in the space between both ends of the bill. In this example, 10 characters are set and stored. 19 is the set character number counter, 20
is a subtraction counter, 21 is an arithmetic unit, 22 is a print control device, 23 is an address setting device, and the thick arrow indicates a character code or address data path.The keyboard 15 displays necessary characters from "A" to "N". It consists of letter keys for each, numeric keys from 0 to 9, and function keys used when setting print information.When setting the issuing store name,
Function key FK _{1 is} operated, function key FK ₂ is operated when setting the sales price, function key FK ₃ is operated when setting the sales product name, and function key FK ₄ is operated when setting is completed. A character code generated when a character or number key is operated is introduced into the RAM 16 and stored in a predetermined storage area, and a character code generated when a function key is operated is introduced into the address setting device 23. This information is necessary for specifying the storage area of the RAM 16. The operation of setting sales product names in this system is explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 11.
When the character code generated by the operation of the FK ₃ key is introduced into the address setting device 23, the address setting device 23 specifies address 3000 of the product name storage area of the RAM 16 (FIG. 2). When a character key is operated, a character code indicating the character is written at address 3000, and the set character number counter 19 counts "1". Subsequently, when an arbitrary character key is operated again, the address setting device 23 specifies the address 3001 based on the count content "1" of the counter 19, and a character code indicating the character in question is written at the same address, and the counter 19 Step one step and get "2"
count. After writing the character code, the address setting device 23 specifies address 3000 and waits. Further, when a character key is operated subsequently, the address setting device 23 specifies address 3002 and writes a character code based on the count of "2" in the counter 19, and the counter 19 counts "3". Therefore, each time the character keys are operated in sequence according to the spelling of the sales product name, the address setting device 23 specifies the upper address by one address from address 3000, and the character code corresponding to each character is written in that address. The counter 19 counts the number of times the character or numeric key is pressed. For example, when setting "coffee" as print information, if you operate the character keys in sequence, the character code of each character from address 3000 to address 3003 will be stored, and after the writing is completed, the address setting device 23 will set address 3000. Specified and waiting. When the FK ₄ key or the FK ₁ and FK ₂ keys for specifying other setting operations such as store name and price are operated after setting the sales product name, the count contents of the counter 19 are transferred to the subtraction counter 20, and the arithmetic unit 21 Maximum number of characters storage device 18
Half of the difference between the numerical value 10 stored in the subtraction counter 20 and the content transferred by the counter 19 to the subtraction counter 20 is calculated and stored in the storage device 24. When the above-mentioned "coffee" is set, the counter 19 counts "4" and transfers this content to the counter 20, so the arithmetic unit 21 calculates "3". If the calculation result is not an integer, use an integer above or below the division value.

Next, the address setting device 23 uses a subtraction counter 20.
The address 3003 is specified based on the count content "4" and a read signal R is output to the read/write control device 17. Therefore, the read/write control device 17
The character code corresponding to "-" stored at address 3003 in the RAM 16 is read and held. Then, the address setting device 23 receives the count content "4" of the subtraction counter 20 and the storage content "3" of the storage device 24.
Based on this, address 3006 is designated and a write signal W is output to the read/write control device 17. Therefore, the read/write control device 17 reads and holds the "-" character code at 3006 in the RAM 16.
Write to address. Furthermore, after the writing is completed, the address setting device 23 outputs a subtraction pulse to the subtraction counter 20 to count "3".

Next, the address setting device 23 sets the subtraction counter 2.
3002 of RAM 16 in order to specify address 3002 and output the read signal R based on the count content "3" of 0.
The character code corresponding to "hi" stored at the address is read and held by the read/write control device 17. Thereafter, the address setting device 23 sets the address 3005 of the RAM 16 to "hi" in order to designate the address 3005 and output the write signal W based on the count content "3" of the subtraction counter 20 and the storage content "3" of the storage device 24. ” character code is written. Further, after the writing is completed, the subtraction counter 20 counts "2".

The above operation is repeated until the subtraction counter 20 calculates "0" by subtraction count, and the following
The character code corresponding to "-" stored at address 3001 of the RAM 16 is written to address 3004, and the character code corresponding to "ko" stored at address 3000 is written to address 3003.

When the transport operation of the setting information inside the RAM 16 is completed, the address setting device 23
sequentially specifies three addresses 3000, 3001, and 3002 according to the memory content “3” of the storage device 24, and sends a clear signal to the read/write control device 17.
Output CL. Therefore, "0" is written to the above addresses that are specified sequentially, and as a result, in the area from 3000 to 3009, the character code corresponding to the character "coffee" is set only at addresses 3003 to 3006. It means that it was done. Although not shown, the sales price can be up to 4 characters (4 digits).
The store name can be stored up to 10 characters in length, and a 4-byte selling price storage area and a 10-byte store name storage area are each allocated to _a predetermined address in the RAM 16. Each address is specified by operating _one key.
In the case of selling price and store name, after operating the function key, if printing information is set by operating the letter or number keys, the information is automatically transferred to the center of each storage area. Although not shown in the control circuit of FIG. 8, in a ticket vending machine that issues multiple types of tickets, there is a function key for specifying the ticket type, and the RAM 16 also has a function key for specifying the ticket type. There is a storage area for sales product names. Therefore, when setting print information, after operating the function key to designate the ticket type, the FK ₂ key and FK ₃ key may be operated in accordance with the sales item name or sales price setting.

Next, the ticket issuing operation will be explained. After inserting a predetermined amount of money, the customer operates one of the selection buttons 2...2 and inputs the selection signal _SL1 , _SL2 ... _SLo ,
The address setting device 23 corresponds to the selected ticket type.
The storage area of the RAM 16 is addressed and the read/write control device 17 is placed in a read state. Therefore, the read/write control device 17 sequentially reads out the character codes stored in the storage area and introduces them into the print control device 22. Print control device 22
contains the character generator, reads out a specific character pattern based on the input character code, and prints it out using a dot printer.

In addition to the above-mentioned ticket issuing, the printing operation performed by the printer includes the issuance of a sales summary table, which is an operation in response to the totalization signal T generated by the operation of the totalization switch. FIG. 9 shows a sales summary table in which the names of sold products and the number of sold tickets are printed for each ticket type. In this case, unlike the face of the ticket, it is easier to read the product name by printing it with the initials aligned at regular intervals from the left edge of the front, regardless of the length of the spelling of the product name. For this purpose, the print control device 22 is configured as shown in FIG. That is, a gate device 25 is interposed between the read/write control device 17 and the character generator 26, and the gate device 25 is connected to the gate control device 2.
7 controls conduction. The gate control device 27 controls conduction of the gate device 25 according to the ticket issuing signal a or the issuing signal b. That is, when the ticket issuing signal a is generated by the generation of any one of _the selection signals SL ₁ , SL ₂ . When the issue signal b is generated, the gate control device 27 controls the conduction of the gate device 25 in accordance with the print information from the read/write control device 17. For example, the print information stored in addresses 3000 to 3009 of the RAM 16 shown in FIG.
3000 to 3009 because the gate device 25 is conductive at the time of ticket issuance.
All the store data at each address up to is introduced into the character generator 26. Therefore, 3000
No character code is stored from the address to address 3002, that is, the store data is "0", and the printer 9 is driven but nothing is printed.
Characters based on this character code are printed from address 3006 to address 3006, and no character code is stored again from address 3006 to address 3009, so nothing is printed. Therefore, when issuing a ticket, in order to print it according to the format set in RAM 16, "coffee" is placed in the center of the ticket.
can be printed. On the other hand, at the time of issuing the sales summary table, the gate control device 27
The store data at each address up to 3009 is read, and if the store data is "0", the gate device 25 is made non-conductive, and this store data is introduced from the read/write control device 17 to the character generator 26. If the stored data is a character code, the gate device 25 is made conductive.
This character code is introduced into the character generator 26. Therefore, the store data from addresses 3000 to 3002 in the print information of the RAM 16 is not output to the character generator 26 and the printer 9 is not driven. Since the character code corresponding to the character "U" is stored at address 3003, the gate device becomes conductive and is output to the character generator 26, and the printer 9 starts driving, and first prints the character "U". . Therefore, when issuing a sales summary table, in order to start printing from the address where the character code of the RAM 16 is stored, it is possible to print the sales item names with the initial letters aligned from the left end of the table.

According to the present invention, when print information is set by operating a character or numeric data key, the print information is automatically stored in the center of the storage area of the memory.
A format to be printed in the center of the ticket surface is automatically created when the ticket is issued. Therefore, it is possible to issue tickets with a well-balanced appearance regardless of the number of printed characters. When a sales summary table is issued, an easy-to-read table that can be printed with the initial letters of the printed information aligned is issued.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 shows an example of issued tickets, Figure 2 shows RAM
Figure 3 is an external view of the automatic ticket vending machine, Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of the printer, Figure 5 is the print head, Figure 6 is the character pattern for the letter "A," Figure 7 is
The figure shows print data for the letter "A", Figure 8 shows a control circuit for setting print information, Figure 9 shows an example of a sales summary table, Figure 10 shows a specific diagram of the print control device, and Figure 11 shows format creation. This is a flowchart showing the following. 15...Keyboard, 18...Storage device, 19
...Counter, 16...Memory, 22...Print control device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard that generates a character code corresponding to the characters or numbers constituting the print information to be set by key operation, and a storage device that stores the maximum number of characters that can be printed in a predetermined direction on the ticket surface;
a counter that counts the number of characters in the printed information;
A memory is provided with a storage area corresponding to the maximum number of characters and stores the character codes sequentially generated address by address from the highest or lowest address by performing key operations according to the printed information, and A device that transfers the printed information to an address in the center of the storage area based on the number of characters and the number of characters counted by the counter; A print issuing device for an automatic ticket vending machine, comprising a print control device that prints information in the center and prints the printed information from the edge of the sales summary table with initial letters aligned when issuing the sales summary table.