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: 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: This invention relates to a printer, an information processing apparatus, control methods for the printer and the information processing apparatus, and a storage medium. The printer is connected to the information processing apparatus to receive a predetermined command and a data stream composed of data or the like for carrying out printing and predetermined processing corresponding to the command. In the printer, a receiver receives a data stream including a normal command and/or a real-time command. When the data stream received by the receiver is a real-time command data stream and when an indication device, provided to give an indication as to whether or not the real-time command is to be executed, indicates permission for the real-time command, a real-time processing section executes real-time processing corresponding to the real-time command data stream.

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: A printer controller, printer control method, and data storage medium detect a real-time command pattern in the print data to prevent unintended real-time commands from being executed by the printer. The evaluating unit detects whether a command data stream for printing image data sent to a printer contains a specific data sequence. When the specific data sequence, such as the data sequence of a real-time command, is present in the command data stream, the generating unit generates a plurality of command data stream segments not containing the specific data sequence but producing printing image data identical to the image data of the original data stream to the printer; the sending unit then sends the plurality of command data stream segments generated by the generating unit to the printer.

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: Color graphic-based receipts can be issued from a color printer without changing a monochrome, text-based application. The printer generates background image data by laying out multiple copies of unit image data representing a unit image used to build the background pattern, and then applying a filter. When print data is sent from the terminal, the printer adds this background image data to the print data to produce the print data with an embedded background image. The print data with embedded background image is then printed to receipt.

Abstract: An interface device for a printer, a control method for the interface device, and a data storage medium for storing the control method. The receiver part of the interface device receives data sent by a host computer, and the transmitter part of the interface device sends received data to the printer through the printer expansion slot to which the interface device is installed. A detector detects whether the printer can receive data. Memory stores received data when the detector determines that the printer cannot receive data. A real-time command transmission controller assures that real-time commands are sent to the printer even when the printer cannot receive other data because the receive buffer is full, for example.

Abstract: Color graphic-based receipts can be issued from a color printer without changing a monochrome, text-based application. The printer generates background image data by laying out multiple copies of unit image data representing a unit image used to build the background pattern, and then applying a filter. When print data is sent from the terminal, the printer adds this background image data to the print data to produce the print data with an embedded background image. The print data with embedded background image is then printed to receipt.

Abstract: Background image data representing a background image are stored in a printer in advance. When print data representing receipt print information are obtained from a personal computer, the background image and the receipt print information are printed on a receipt so as to overlap each other. Here, a start character string and an end character string are detected from the print data, and the background image is printed in a print region equivalent to the region between lines where the start character string and the end character string are printed. A color-graphic-based receipt can thus be issued without changing a monochrome-text-based application program.

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: To print in two or more colors based on print data for monochrome printing, a POS application program run by a host outputs monochrome print data. The print data is passed to a service object (SO), a printer driver for the printer. The data processing part of the service object (SO) applies a colorization process according to the content of colorization information, and generates a print command for two-color printing. The colorization process adds color to text or the text background in units containing a specified number of printing lines. The print commands generated by the data processing part are then sent by a command output part to the printer.

Abstract: [Problem] To enable printing with multiple colors according to a print command for a single color.

Abstract: A printing system, a thermal printer, a printer driver, a printing control method, and a data storage medium control the printing process according to the type of thermal paper that is loaded into the printer when the paper is replaced. By appropriately controlling address selector 1103, a print head controller 811 stores black print pixel data and red print pixel data in first data buffer 1104a for storing low energy level print pixel data or second data buffer 1104b for storing high energy level print pixel data according to the type of thermal paper in use. A logic circuit unit 1105 outputs the current pattern data to the print head 152 based on the low level print pixel data and high level print pixel data.

Abstract: An advertisement delivering method and system that accepts an application for advertisement information and determines an inherent code to the advertisement information and converts the same code into a machine readable code such as a bar code to be added to a print medium. The advertisement information is delivered to a store through a network and is read through the bar code in a store using the print medium. Consequently, advertisement information corresponding to the bar code is determined, and is printed and output to the receipt of the store.

Abstract: A paper cutter includes a blade extending in the width of a rolled paper, the blade having a linear edge and a serrated edge formed at an end of the linear edge. A paper guide for discharging the paper is disposed downstream from the cutter, the paper guide having an upper and a lower member and a discharge port at the downstream end thereof. A cutout section is formed at the upper member of the paper guide, and the position of the cutout section corresponds to the serrated blade edge in the width direction of the paper. The cutout section permits the paper to be grasped with fingers by the operator. When the paper is pulled, a force acts on the paper in a direction to press it against the serrated blade edge, cutting the paper from the edge.

Abstract: A printing system, a thermal printer, a printer driver, a printing control method, and a data storage medium control the printing process according to the type of thermal paper that is loaded into the printer when the paper is replaced. By appropriately controlling address selector 1103, a print head controller 811 stores black print pixel data and red print pixel data in first data buffer 1104a for storing low energy level print pixel data or second data buffer 1104b for storing high energy level print pixel data according to the type of thermal paper in use. A logic circuit unit 1105 outputs the current pattern data to the print head 152 based on the low level print pixel data and high level print pixel data.

Abstract: An image reader includes a main unit having a plate-like document holder on which an original document is to be placed, and an image reading section for reading an image carried by the original document. The image reader further has a cover secured to the main unit. The cover can be turned to open and close a space on the document holder. The cover is turnable about a first axis defined by a straight line extending in a first direction substantially on the plane of the document holder. At least part of the cover is turnable about a second axis defined by a straight line extending in a second direction which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The image reader can be placed on, for example, a desk top selectively either in a horizontal posture in which the document holder extends substantially parallel to the desk top plane or a vertical posture in which the document holder extends substantially vertically to the desk top plane.

Abstract: A printer and printing method suitable for high speed multicolor printing. A paper transport section (112) advances the printing medium (113), and a print head (110) prints text or graphics on the printing medium (113) by driving printing elements corresponding to a plurality of colors. A transport unit (111) moves the print head (110) orthogonally to the direction in which the printing medium (113) travels. A plurality of image buffer units (109) store information indicating where the printing elements are driven. A logic device (102) performs a logic operation on information read from image buffer units (109) to detect whether at least one of the printing elements is driven at a particular dot column position. A logic operation results memory (114) stores the logic operation results correlated to a print head (110) position.

Abstract: An advertising placement processing method and system enabling the information placement application process to be accomplished over the Internet, the system being a system for placing various information, including advertisements, introductions, event announcements, help wanted ads, looking to buy notices, announcements, and requests for assistance, on receipts issued from a POS terminal, vouchers issued by a kiosk terminal, and queuing number tickets issued from queuing number issuing devices in banks, for example. Information relating to the advertising application, advertising information, and advertising fee payment information is sent from a client PC via the Internet to a server system; the server system calculates fee information according to the received advertising information, and sends it via the Internet to the client PC.