Printer and printing system

Abstract

This disclosure discloses a printer comprising: a host communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a host device of a target device; and a target processing portion that performs predetermined processing in accordance with target device information acquired from said target device when said host communication device performs information transmission and reception with said target device.

1 . A printer comprising:
 a host communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a host device of a target device; and   a target processing portion that performs predetermined processing in accordance with target device information acquired from said target device when said host communication device performs information transmission and reception with said target device.   
     
     
         2 . The printer according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said host communication device performs information transmission and reception with said target device via a USB bus; and   said target processing portion further includes:   a suitability determination portion configured, in a case where an arbitrary USB target device is connected as said target device to a target side of said USB bus, to determine whether or not the connectability of said USB target device to said printer is suitable;   a notification device that performs illumination notification of a predetermined form in accordance with a determination result of said suitability determination portion; and   a notification control portion that controls said notification device so that a corresponding first notification is performed when said suitability determination portion determines that the connectability is suitable, and a corresponding second notification is performed when said suitability determination portion determines that the connectability is unsuitable.   
     
     
         3 . The printer according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said target processing portion further includes:   a driver storage device that stores in advance driver software corresponding to specific types of a USB target device that is connectable to a target side of said USB bus;   a type information storage device that stores in advance type information of said specific types of the USB target device for which said driver software is stored in said driver storage device; and   a type information acquisition portion that acquires type information of an arbitrary USB target device via said USB bus when the USB target device is connected to said USB bus;   said suitability determination portion includes a type information comparison portion that compares type information acquired by said type information acquisition portion with type information stored in advance in said type information storage device; and   said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said first notification is performed when a comparison performed by said type information comparison portion indicates a match, and said second notification is performed when a comparison performed by said type information comparison portion indicates a mismatch.   
     
     
         4 . The printer according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 said type information storage device stores specific class information, specific sub-class information, and specific protocol information, as type information of said specific types of the USB target device;   said driver storage device stores the driver software corresponding to said specific class information, said specific sub-class information, and said specific protocol information;   said type information acquisition portion acquires class information, sub-class information, and protocol information of said connected USB target device as said type information;   said type information comparison portion respectively compares said class information, said sub-class information, and said protocol information acquired by said type information acquisition portion with said specific class information; said specific sub-class information, and said specific protocol information stored in advance in said type information storage device; and   said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said first notification is performed when all of the class information, the sub-class information, and the protocol information match, and said second notification is performed when at least one of class information, sub-class information, and protocol information does not match, as a result of a comparison of said type information comparison portion.   
     
     
         5 . The printer according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 said type information storage device stores specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs, as type information of said specific types of the USB target device;   said driver storage device stores the driver software corresponding to said specific vendor IDs and specific product IDs;   said type information acquisition portion acquires a vendor ID and product ID of said connected USB target device as said type information;   said type information comparison portion respectively compares said vendor ID and said product ID acquired by said type information acquisition portion with said specific vendor IDs and said specific product IDs stored in advance in said type information storage device; and   said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said first notification is performed when both vendor ID and protocol ID match, and said second notification is performed when at least one of vendor ID and protocol ID does not match, as a result of a comparison of said type information comparison portion.   
     
     
         6 . The printer according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said type information storage device distinguishably stores said specific vendor IDs and said specific product IDs as first vendor IDs and first product IDs for operation guaranteed genuine products, and second vendor IDs and second product IDs for other products;   said type information comparison portion includes a type information determination portion that determines whether or not said acquired vendor ID and product ID are said first vendor ID and said first product ID or said second vendor ID and said second product ID when both vendor ID and product ID match as a result of said comparison; and   said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said first notification is performed in different forms in accordance with whether the vendor ID and product ID are said first vendor ID and said first product ID or said second vendor ID and said second product ID.   
     
     
         7 . The printer according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said first notification is performed using a common color but different illumination forms for a case where the vendor ID and product ID are said first vendor ID and said first product ID, and a case where the vendor ID and product ID are said second vendor ID and said second product ID.   
     
     
         8 . The printer according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 said notification control portion controls said notification device so that said second notification is performed using a color that differs from said common color.   
     
     
         9 . The printer according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said target processing portion further includes an overcurrent detecting device that detects whether or not a power current that flows to said USB bus exceeds a predetermined permissible value when an arbitrary USB target device is connected to said USB bus; and   said suitability determination portion determines that the connectability is suitable when overcurrent is not detected by said overcurrent detecting device, and unsuitable when said overcurrent is detected by said overcurrent detecting device.   
     
     
         10 . The printer according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said target processing portion further includes a current shutoff device that shuts off the power current that flows to said USB target device via said USB bus when said overcurrent is detected by said overcurrent detecting device.   
     
     
         11 . The printer according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a housing that constitutes an outer shell; and   a host connecting device as said host communication device provided to said housing that detachably mounts another end connection part of a USB cable as said USB bus, said USB cable connected to said USB target device by one end connection part thereof; wherein:   said notification device is provided in the vicinity of said host connecting device of said housing.   
     
     
         12 . The printer according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said host connecting device and said notification device are provided to a front surface part of said housing.   
     
     
         13 . The printer according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said printer is a first label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a first label tape, and   said first label producing apparatus comprises:   a first cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a first tape cartridge having a first label tape roll around which is wound said first label tape, a first tape detecting device that detects a type of said first label tape of said first tape cartridge mounted to said first cartridge holder, a first feeding device that feeds said first label tape supplied from said first tape cartridge mounted to said first cartridge holder, and a first printing device that performs desired printing on said first label tape fed by said first feeding device, wherein:   said host communication device is a first host connecting device that detachably mounts one end connection part of a communication cable having said one end connection part that causes a connected device to function as a host and another end connection part that causes a connected device to function as a target, and that performs information transmission and reception with at least one second label producing apparatus as said target device that is capable of producing a print label using a second label tape, said second label producing apparatus comprising: a second cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a second tape cartridge having a second label tape roll around which is wound said second label tape, a second tape detecting device that detects a type of said second label tape of said second tape cartridge mounted to said second cartridge holder, a second feeding device that feeds said second label tape supplied from said second tape cartridge mounted to said second cartridge holder, a second printing device that performs desired printing on said second label tape fed by said second feeding device, a second target connecting device to which is mountable said other end connection part of said communication cable whereby said one end connection part thereof is connected to said first host connecting device of said first label producing apparatus, and a second output portion that outputs second tape related information based on a detection result of said second tape detecting device via said communication cable mounted to said second target connecting device;   said target processing portion includes:   a first information generating portion that generates said first tape related information in accordance with said second tape related information outputted from said second output portion of said second label producing apparatus and inputted via said communication cable and a detection result of said first tape detecting device; and   a first output portion that outputs said first tape related information to an operation terminal that operates said first label producing apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . The printer according to  claim 1  wherein:
 said printer is a third label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a third label tape, and   said third label producing apparatus comprises:   a third cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a third tape cartridge having a third label tape roll around which is wound said third label tape, a third tape detecting device that detects a type of said third label tape of said third tape cartridge mounted to said third cartridge holder, a third feeding device that feeds said third label tape supplied from said third tape cartridge mounted to said third cartridge holder, and a third printing device that performs desired printing on said third label tape fed by said third feeding device, wherein:   said host communication device is a host infrared communication device that performs information transmission and reception for the functioning as a host device of said target device by infrared communication with the target device, and performs information transmission and reception with at least one fourth label producing apparatus as said target device capable of producing a print label using a fourth label tape, said fourth label producing apparatus comprising: a fourth cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a fourth tape cartridge having a fourth label tape roll around which is wound said fourth label tape, a fourth tape detecting device that detects a type of said fourth label tape of said fourth tape cartridge mounted to said fourth cartridge holder, a fourth feeding device that feeds said fourth label tape supplied from said fourth tape cartridge mounted to said fourth cartridge holder, a fourth printing device that performs desired printing on said fourth label tape fed by said fourth feeding device, a target infrared communication device that performs information transmission and reception for the functioning as a target device of said third label producing apparatus by infrared communication with said host infrared communication device, and a fourth output portion that outputs fourth tape related information based on a detection result of said fourth tape detecting device to said third label producing apparatus via said target infrared communication device; wherein:   said target processing portion includes:   a third information generating portion that generates said third tape related information in accordance with said fourth tape related information outputted from said fourth output portion of said fourth label producing apparatus and inputted via said infrared communication and a detection result of said third tape detecting device; and   a third output portion that outputs said third tape related information via a communication cable to an operation terminal that operates said third label producing apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . A printing system comprising a printer which is a host device of a target device, and said target device, wherein:
 said printer comprises:   a host communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a host device of said target device; and   a target processing portion that performs predetermined processing in accordance with target device information acquired from said target device when said host communication device performs information transmission and reception with said target device; and   said target device comprises a target communication device that performs information transmission and reception by wired or wireless communication for the functioning as a target device of said printer.   
     
     
         16 . The printing system according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 said printer is a first label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a first label tape, said first label producing apparatus comprising: a first cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a first tape cartridge having a first label tape roll around which is wound said first label tape, a first tape detecting device that detects a type of said first label tape of said first tape cartridge mounted to said first cartridge holder, a first feeding device that feeds said first label tape supplied from said first tape cartridge mounted to said first cartridge holder, and a first printing device that performs desired printing on said first label tape fed by said first feeding device;   said target device is at least one second label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a second label tape, said second label producing apparatus comprising: a second cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a second tape cartridge having a second label tape roll around which is wound said second label tape, a second tape detecting device that detects a type of said second label tape of said second tape cartridge mounted to said second cartridge holder, a second feeding device that feeds said second label tape supplied from said second tape cartridge mounted to said second cartridge holder, and a second printing device that performs desired printing on said second label tape fed by said second feeding device;   said printing system further comprises:   an operation terminal that operates said first label producing apparatus; and   a plurality of communication cables comprising one end connection part for causing a connected device to function as a host, and another end connection part for causing a connected device to function as a target;   said first label producing apparatus further comprises:   a first target connecting device that detachably mounts said other end connection part of said communication cable by which said one end connection part thereof is connected to said operation terminal; and   a first host connecting device as said host communication device that detachably mounts said one end connection part of said communication cable by which said other end connection part thereof is connected to said second label producing apparatus;   said second label producing apparatus further comprises:   a second target connecting device as said target communication device that detachably mounts said other end connection part of said communication cable by which said one end connection part thereof is connected to said first host connecting device of said first label producing apparatus; and   a second output portion that outputs second tape related information based on a detection result of said second tape detecting device via said communication cable mounted to said second target connecting device;   said first label producing apparatus comprises as said target processing portion:   a first information generating portion that generates said first tape related information in accordance with said second tape related information outputted from said second output portion of said second label producing apparatus and inputted via said communication cable and a detection result of said first tape detecting device; and   a first output portion that outputs said first tape related information generated by said first information generating portion to said operation terminal via said communication cable mounted to said first target connecting device.   
     
     
         17 . The printing system according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a plurality of said second label producing apparatuses, wherein:   each of said plurality of second label producing apparatuses further comprises a second host connecting device that detachably mounts said one end connection part of said communication cable, wherein:   said one end connection part of said communication cable is mounted to said second host connecting device of one second label producing apparatus, and said other end connection part of said communication cable is mounted to said second target connecting device of another second label producing apparatus, thereby connecting said plurality of second label producing apparatuses in series via said communication cable; and   said second target connecting device provided to one said second label producing apparatuses of said plurality of second label producing apparatuses detachably mounts said other end connection part of said communication cable by which said one end connection part thereof is connected to said first host connecting device of said first label producing apparatus; and   each of said plurality of second label producing apparatuses further comprises a second information generating portion that generates new second tape related information in accordance with said second tape related information outputted from said second output portion of the other said second label producing apparatus and inputted via said communication cable and a detection result of said second tape detecting device, wherein:   said second output portion outputs said new second tape related information generated by said second information generating portion.   
     
     
         18 . The printing system according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 said first label producing apparatus further comprises as said target processing portion:   a first signal input portion that inputs from said operation terminal a first tape interrogation signal configured to specify a tape type to be used for label production; and   a first tape determination portion that determines whether or not said tape type specified by said first tape interrogation signal inputted from said first signal input portion matches a detection result of said first tape detecting device or said second tape related information outputted from said second output portion of said second label producing apparatus and inputted via said communication cable; wherein:   said first output portion outputs said first tape related information in accordance with the determination result of said first tape determination portion to said operation terminal.   
     
     
         19 . The printing system according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 said second label producing apparatus further comprises:   a second signal input portion that inputs a second tape interrogation signal configured to specify a tape type to be used for label production from said first label producing apparatus or another second label producing apparatus; and   a second tape determination portion that determines whether or not said tape type specified by said second tape interrogation signal inputted by said second signal input portion matches a detection result of said second tape detecting device of said second label producing apparatus or said second tape related information outputted from said second output portion of another second label producing apparatus and inputted via said communication cable; wherein:   said second output portion outputs said second tape related information in accordance with the determination result of said second tape determination portion to said first label producing apparatus.   
     
     
         20 . The printing system according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 said first host connecting device of said first label producing apparatus is provided to a front surface part of a housing constituting the apparatus outer shell.   
     
     
         21 . The printing system according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 said second host connecting device of said second label producing apparatus is provided to a front surface part of a housing constituting the apparatus outer shell.   
     
     
         22 . The printing system according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 said first target connecting device of said first label producing apparatus or said second target connecting device of said second label producing apparatus is on a rear surface part of a housing constituting the apparatus outer shell.   
     
     
         23 . The printing system according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 said printer is a third label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a third label tape, said third label producing apparatus comprising: a third cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a third tape cartridge having a third label tape roll around which is wound said third label tape, a third tape detecting device that detects a type of said third label tape of said third tape cartridge mounted to said third cartridge holder, a third feeding device that feeds said third label tape supplied from said third tape cartridge mounted to said third cartridge holder, and a third printing device that performs desired printing on said third label tape fed by said third feeding device;   said target device is at least one fourth label producing apparatus capable of producing a print label using a fourth label tape, said fourth label producing apparatus comprising: a fourth cartridge holder to which is detachably mounted a fourth tape cartridge having a fourth label tape roll around which is wound said fourth label tape, a fourth tape detecting device that detects a type of said fourth label tape of said fourth tape cartridge mounted to said fourth cartridge holder, a fourth feeding device that feeds said fourth label tape supplied from said fourth tape cartridge mounted to said fourth cartridge holder, and a fourth printing device that performs desired printing on said fourth label tape fed by said fourth feeding device;   said printing system further comprises:   an operation terminal that operates said third label producing apparatus; and   a communication cable having one end connection part for causing a connected device to function as a host, and another end connection part for causing a connected device to function as a target;   said third label producing apparatus comprises:   a third target connecting device that detachably mounts said other end connection part of said communication cable by which said one end connection part thereof is connected to said operation terminal; and   a host infrared communication device as said host communication device that performs information transmission and reception for the functioning as a host device of said fourth label producing apparatus by infrared communication with the fourth label producing apparatus;   said fourth label producing apparatus comprises:   a target infrared communication device as said target communication device that performs information transmission and reception for the functioning as a target device of said third label producing apparatus or another fourth label producing apparatus by infrared communication with said host infrared communication device or said other fourth label producing apparatus; and   a fourth output portion that outputs fourth tape related information based on a detection result of said fourth tape detecting device to said third label producing apparatus or said other fourth label producing apparatus via said target infrared communication device; and   said third label producing apparatus further comprises as said target processing portion:   a third information generating portion that generates said third tape related information in accordance with said fourth tape related information outputted from said fourth output portion of said fourth label producing apparatus and inputted by said infrared communication and a detection result of said third tape detecting device; and   a third output portion that outputs said third tape related information generated by said third information generating portion to said operation terminal via said communication cable mounted to said third target connecting device.   
     
     
         24 . The printing system according to  claim 23 , wherein:
 said host infrared communication device of said third label producing apparatus is provided on a side surface part of one side in a horizontal direction of a housing constituting an apparatus outer shell; and   said target infrared communication device of said fourth label producing apparatus is provided on a side surface part of another side in the horizontal direction of a housing constituting an apparatus outer shell.   
     
     
         25 . The printing system according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 said printer is a printer with a USB host function connected on a host side of a USB bus via said host communication device; and the printer further comprises as said target processing portion:   a suitability determination portion that determines whether or not the connectability of an arbitrary USB target device to said printer is suitable when that USB target device is connected as said target device to a target side of said USB bus;   a notification device that performs illumination notification of a predetermined form in accordance with a determination result of said suitability determination portion; and   a notification control portion that controls said notification device so that a corresponding first notification is performed when said suitability determination portion determines that the connectability is suitable, and a corresponding second notification is performed when said suitability determination portion determines that the connectability is unsuitable.