Abstract: To implement a colorization process which generates color data from monochrome data to print a receipt or other sales document, a user interface is provided. Such interface includes components for setting text color, background color and background style, respectively. The interface enables visual conformation of the settings to be used in the colorization process.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method for printing receipts and for controlling the cutting of each receipt in succession from a recording medium such as print paper at an appropriate position determined from the print data received from a host computer. The printing apparatus 50 prints first print data representing transaction information with a paper cut command appended thereto and second print data representing additional information from print data received from a host computer 40. A first control unit 521 prints the first print data and delays executing the paper cut command added to the first print data when first print data is received from the host computer. When print data is received while execution of the paper cut command is delayed, a print data detection unit 522 determines the type of print data received based on the presence or absence of an identifier in the received print data.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electronic POP apparatus having: a price tag apparatus mounting unit on which an electronic price tag apparatus is detachably mounted, the electronic price tag apparatus receiving display control data that controls to display a retail price of an item and an additional information to be added to the retail price from an external apparatus and displaying the retail price; an interface unit that communicates with the electronic price tag apparatus; an additional information display unit displaying the additional information; and an additional information display control unit that displays the additional information on the additional information display unit based on the display control data obtained via the interface unit.

Abstract: A check processing apparatus and method acquire and save data verifying the identity of a person using a check, and output this information in an effective manner to prevent improper use of the check. A check scanner 140 images all or part of the presented check C. A photo ID scanner 110 scans personal identification 71 presented as proof of identity by the person using the check, and a controller 160 converts the scanner output to generate personal identification image data. A merge file generating means 170 merges the image data from the check scanner with the personal identification image data to produce a merged file. The merged file is stored in merged file storage means 180 and output to a display 33.

Abstract: Provided herein is a printing apparatus having a frame image take-in means which takes in a plurality of frame images at a predetermined interval from a content file as recorded target including image information on an optical disk medium, a frame image discriminating means which discriminates whether each of the taken-in frame images is appropriate for printing on a label face by comparing each of the frame images taken in by the frame image take-in means with prior and following frame images thereof and using a discriminating result whether differences between the taken-in frame images and the prior and following frame images thereof are small, a label print data generating means which generates label print data to be printed on the label face of the optical disk medium based on frame images discriminated as appropriate for printing on the label face by the frame image discriminating means, and a label print means which prints the label print data generated on the label face of the optical disk medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to the following problem: when using an electronic price tag device attached to a POP panel, an advertising content of the POP panel may be inconsistent with a price displayed on the electronic price tag device, and such inconsistency is left as is until a person in charge of a store site notices that. An electronic price tag device 1 includes detecting elements SW1 to SW3. A POP panel 30 is provided with a projected and recessed part 33 at a position, with the electronic price tag device 1 attached thereto, facing a detecting unit 16. The projected and recessed part 33 is formed to have different shapes corresponding to the types of the POP panel. Type information of the POP panel based on a signal output from the detecting elements SW1 to SW3 engaged with the projected and recessed part 33 is output to a display 4.

Abstract: A printing system has an interface unit (51) receivable for the first printing data for printing settlement-processing information and the second data for printing advertising and sales promotion information, and a plurality of printing apparatuses (50a, 50b) for print processing data obtained via the interface unit (51). When the interface unit (51) receives the first printing data, it transmits to the predetermined first printing apparatus (50a) among a plurality of printing apparatuses. When the interface unit (51) receives the second printing data, it determines if the second printing data is printable or not by the first printing unit (50a) and transmits the second printing data to the first printing unit (50a) or the second printing unit (50b) based on the determination result.

Abstract: Advertising information input control module of a POS system receives advertising information, and a billing amount calculating module calculates a billing amount based on advertising information received by input control module. A payment confirming module confirms payment of the billing amount calculated by the billing amount calculating module, and an advertising information storing control module stores the advertising information in a storing device. A check-out information input control module receives input of customer check-out information, and an advertising information retrieving module retrieves the advertising information stored in the storing device. A printing data generating module synthesizes or combines check-out information with the advertising information so as to generate printing data, which is output at a printing device, and printed as a receipt with an ad.

Abstract: To implement a colorization process which generates color data from monochrome data to print a receipt or other sales document, a user interface is provided. Such interface includes components for setting text color, background color and background style, respectively. The interface enables visual conformation of the settings to be used in the colorization process.

Abstract: A host device to control transmission of bit-map data and/or one or more real-time commands to an imaging device controls processing of a data stream including the bit-map data. In one aspect, if a detector of the host determines that a data stream to be transmitted includes bit-map data, then a processor of the host sends a real-time processing disable command; and then sends the data stream including the bit-map data. In another aspect, if a detector of the host determines that real-time command receipt by the imaging device is disabled, then a processor of the host transmits a data stream including bit-map data, followed by the transmission of a real-time processing enable command, and then the transmission of a real-time command. An imaging device and controlling its receipt and processing of data are also provided.

Abstract: A printer 10 has a reception unit 28 for receiving print commands from a host 12, and has print heads 64, 66 capable of printing multiple colors. A data processing part 24 applies a specific colorization process according to a print command received by a reception unit 28 and generates color print data for printing multiple colors. The content of a colorization process is determined by colorization information stored in a colorization information storage unit 62. The colorization information is set by a data configuration unit 26 according to a color setup command from the host 12.

Abstract: Methods of controlling an information processing device in the sending of commands to a printer for control thereof, methods of controlling transmission of bit-map data, and systems embodying data and command flow control distinguish between true and false real-time commands. In one aspect, it is determined if a data stream to be transmitted includes bit-map data. If so, then a real-time processing disable command is sent; and then the data stream including the bit-map data is sent. In another aspect, if the status of real-time command receipt is disabled, then a data stream including bit-map data is transmitted, followed by the transmission of a real-time processing enable command, and then the transmission of a real-time command.

Abstract: In a terminal system having a printing function for printing additional information about special events, introductions, or advertising to sales receipts issued by a convenience store or kiosk when a purchase is made, or to queuing number tickets issued to customers waiting in a bank, customers can select information of personal interest from a list of advertising information so that the selected information is printed to the receipt or ticket issued by the system. A functional terminal of a POS system having an input device, printer, display, and controller for use in various applications comprises a display for presenting plural advertising information entries, a means for selecting desired entries from the displayed list, and a means for printing the selected information to a receipt issued by the terminal device. Information wanted by the customer can thus be selectively printed with the sales transaction information normally printed to the receipt that is handed to the customer.

Abstract: A POS system is made up of: a POS terminal having a printing apparatus for printing on a receipt based on printing data, and a terminal apparatus for obtaining input information inputted by a user and for generating receipt printing information; a POS server connected to the POS terminal through a network, for controlling the POS terminal; a memory card for providing advertising information; and printing data generating part for generating printing data by adding the advertising information provided by the memory card to the receipt printing information obtained by the terminal apparatus. The printing data generating part is constituted by an additional apparatus connectable to the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A POS system is made up of: a POS terminal having a printing apparatus for printing on a receipt based on printing data, and a terminal apparatus for obtaining input information inputted by a user and for generating receipt printing information; a POS server connected to the POS terminal through a network, for controlling the POS terminal; a memory card for providing advertising information; and printing data generating part for generating printing data by adding the advertising information provided by the memory card to the receipt printing information obtained by the terminal apparatus. The printing data generating part is constituted by an additional apparatus connectable to the printing apparatus.

Abstract: In a method of controlling a printing apparatus which performs printing by adding image data already stored in the printing apparatus to payment transaction print data generated on the basis of input information concerning merchandise sales, a predetermined character string indicating a print position of the image data is retrieved from the payment transaction print data and the predetermined character string is extracted. A line number specified by the extracted predetermined character string is obtained and an image addition setting command is generated on the basis of the line number. The payment transaction print data and the image addition setting command are transmitted to the printing apparatus. Even if a low-speed interface is used as an interface between a PC and the printing apparatus, the image data can be printed rapidly.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method for printing receipts and for controlling the cutting of each receipt in succession from a recording medium such as print paper at an appropriate position determined from the print data received from a host computer. The printing apparatus 50 prints first print data representing transaction information with a paper cut command appended thereto and second print data representing additional information from print data received from a host computer 40. A first control unit 521 prints the first print data and delays executing the paper cut command added to the first print data when first print data is received from the host computer. When print data is received while execution of the paper cut command is delayed, a print data detection unit 522 determines the type of print data received based on the presence or absence of an identifier in the received print data.

Abstract: A printer, printer control method, and medium for storing the control method meter and store cumulative values relating to the operation of replaceable units (parts or devices) in the printer to make maintenance easier and more reliable, and enable more accurate analysis of part or device failure. The printing processor of the printer prints text or graphics, and a holder holds a replaceable part or device that operates or a consumable that is used in conjunction with the printing operation of the printing processor. A counting processor meters operation or use of the replaceable part or device, and a detection processor detects when the part or device in the holder has been replaced or newly installed. Values indicative of the operation or use metered by the counting processor are stored in nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A POS system is made up of: a POS terminal having a printing apparatus for printing on a receipt based on printing data, and a terminal apparatus for obtaining input information inputted by a user and for generating receipt printing information; a POS server connected to the POS terminal through a network, for controlling the POS terminal; a memory card for providing advertising information; and printing data generating part for generating printing data by adding the advertising information provided by the memory card to the receipt printing information obtained by the terminal apparatus. The printing data generating part is constituted by an additional apparatus connectable to the printing apparatus.

Abstract: Advertising or sales promotion information can be additionally printed on a sales receipt without changing the POS application of the POS system, which includes a terminal computer for generating first print (e.g., sales) data based on transaction information, a server for generating second print data comprising advertising or sales promotion information, and a printer in which an interface device for communication with the terminal computer and the server is installed. The interface device has a first print data processing unit and a second print data processing unit, the former of which passes the first print data received from the terminal computer to both the printer and server. The server generates the second print data based on the content of the first print data, and then sends the second print data to the interface device, which sends that data to the printer.