JP2002366884A - Device and method for printing two-dimensional code - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for printing, which shorten the read time of a two-dimensional code of small size and prevents the two-dimensional code from being overlooked and a method thereof. SOLUTION: This device has a two-dimensional code generating means 1 which generates the two-dimensional code based upon specific standards according to given input data, a storage means 3 which previously stores a plurality of identification marks for displaying a specific article regarding each two-dimensional code, a mark selecting means 4 which selects one identification mark corresponding to the two-dimensional code according to property data including a kind code included in the two-dimensional code and corresponding to the specific article regarding the two-dimensional code, and a printing means 6 which prints the identification mark selected by the mark selecting means 4 together with the two-dimensional code to be printed. Here, each identification mark is composed of at least one of a character, a figure, a pattern, a numeral, a symbol, a trademark, a design, a symbol mark, and a character mark, and combinations of these and colors.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the printing of a two-dimensional code for printing a two-dimensional code and an identification mark for displaying the position of the two-dimensional code on a printing medium such as a product label, a stamp sheet, and various kinds of stickers. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a printing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, two-dimensional codes have been proposed. This two-dimensional code has two orthogonal directions (X
(Axial direction and Y-axis direction). Since the two-dimensional code has a plurality of elements in two orthogonal directions, the two-dimensional code can be configured to have character code information that is several tens times or more as compared with the conventional barcode. Therefore, the two-dimensional code is
The display size can be reduced, and it is used for small components such as semiconductor chips.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a two-dimensional code 101 is described at one end of a substrate 102. Also,
FIG. 6 shows a two-dimensional code 101 at one end of a substrate 102 in the center of a region 103 in which a color different from that of the substrate 102 is applied. Further, a two-dimensional code 101 is described at one end of the substrate 102 together with an arrow 104 in FIG.

There has also been proposed a method for describing URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) of a plurality of homepages on the Internet with two-dimensional codes on a print medium and searching for the homepages using these two-dimensional codes.

[0005]

However, when a small two-dimensional code is used, when the operator tries to read the two-dimensional code with a reading device, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, since it is difficult to find a two-dimensional code, it takes time to read the two-dimensional code, and there is a problem that the two-dimensional code is overlooked.

In the case where URLs of a plurality of homepages on the Internet are described on a print medium using a plurality of two-dimensional codes, an operator can imagine an outline of the homepage just by looking at the two-dimensional code indicating the URL information. There is a problem that can not be.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the time for reading a two-dimensional code even when a small two-dimensional code is used,
2 which can prevent overlooking the two-dimensional code
An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device and a printing method for a dimensional code.

In addition, when a two-dimensional code is added to a printed matter, the rectangular black-and-white pattern often obstructs the original printed matter in terms of paper design.
The aim is to provide a way to mitigate and blend into the design.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a two-dimensional code which allows an operator to easily imagine an outline of a homepage when the URL of the homepage on the Internet is described in a plurality of two-dimensional codes on a print medium. A printing device and a printing method are provided.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a two-dimensional code generation means for generating a two-dimensional code based on a predetermined standard based on given input data; Storage means for preliminarily storing a plurality of identification marks for displaying a specific product or service (hereinafter, referred to as “product”) related to the two-dimensional code, and the two-dimensional code included in each of the two-dimensional codes Mark selection means for selecting one identification mark corresponding to the two-dimensional code, based on attribute data including a type code corresponding to the specific product according to the above, and an identification mark selected by the mark selection means. 2 to be printed
And printing means for printing together with the dimensional code.

Here, the identification marks are 2
It has a form reminiscent of a specific product, product group, service or service group represented by the dimensional code, and is defined and stored for each product, product group, service or service group.

Further, the identification mark is formed of at least one of a character, a figure, a pattern, a number, a symbol, a trademark, a design, a symbol mark, a character mark, or a combination of these and a color. I do.

[0013] Further, the mark selecting means can select so as to arrange the two-dimensional code at any one of positions inside, above, below, right and left of the identification mark. And

Also, the present invention is characterized in that the position of the two-dimensional code with respect to the identification mark is determined in advance, and the mark selecting means selects the position of the two-dimensional code by selecting the identification mark. It is characterized by becoming.

Further, the storage means receives the two-dimensional code or the identification mark from an external device and stores it.

The two-dimensional code printing device includes:
Display means for displaying the identification mark selected by the mark selection means together with the two-dimensional code together with the printing means, whereby the two-dimensional code is printed on a print medium together with the selected identification mark. Alternatively, it is configured to be displayed on a display medium.

The method for printing a two-dimensional code according to the present invention further includes various products or services (hereinafter, referred to as “products”).
Storing in advance a plurality of identification marks for displaying, a step of creating a two-dimensional code based on a predetermined standard based on given input data, and a step of creating a two-dimensional code included in each of the two-dimensional codes Selecting a specific identification mark corresponding to the two-dimensional code based on attribute data including a type code corresponding to the specific product according to the two-dimensional code; And a step of printing together with the two-dimensional code to be printed.

Further, the method of printing a two-dimensional code according to the present invention can be applied to various products or services (hereinafter referred to as "products").
Receiving a plurality of identification marks for displaying from an external device; receiving a two-dimensional code based on a predetermined standard from an external device based on given input data; A step of selecting a specific identification mark corresponding to the two-dimensional code based on attribute data including a type code corresponding to the specific product included in the two-dimensional code, and an identification selected by the mark selection means. And a step of printing a mark together with the two-dimensional code to be printed.

Here, the printing method of the two-dimensional code is as follows.
A step of displaying the selected identification mark together with the two-dimensional code instead of or together with the step of printing the selected identification mark together with the two-dimensional code. .

The two-dimensional code printing method may be such that the identification mark is at least one of a character, a figure, a pattern, a number, a symbol, a trademark, a design, a symbol mark or a character mark, and a combination of these and a color. It is characterized by comprising.

Further, the printing method of the two-dimensional code is as follows.
The two-dimensional code is located inside, above, below,
A step of selecting one of right and left adjacent positions is provided before the printing step.

[0022]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a two-dimensional code printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a two-dimensional code printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a two-dimensional code generation unit 1, an input unit 2, a storage unit 3, a mark selection unit 4, a display unit 5, And printing means 6.

The two-dimensional code generation means 1 has a central processing unit 7 and a RAM 8 connected thereto. The central processing unit 7 is connected to the input means 2, the storage means 3, the mark selection means 4, the display means 5, and the printing means 6. The central processing unit 7 controls the overall operation of the two-dimensional code printing device based on a program stored in the RAM 8 in advance.

The input means 2 is operated by an operator to supply predetermined input data to the central processing unit 7. The central processing unit 7 generates a two-dimensional code based on a predetermined standard based on given input data from the input means 2 according to a program stored in the RAM 8 in advance.

As shown in FIG. 2, the two-dimensional code C has a plurality of elements arranged in two orthogonal directions. The two-dimensional code C can have information of thousands of characters in English letters, numbers or symbols. As the two-dimensional code C, a code that can be read at high speed from any direction of 360 degrees has been developed. In this embodiment, the two-dimensional code C has attribute data including a type code corresponding to a specific product related to the two-dimensional code C.

The storage means 3 stores a specific product or service (hereinafter referred to as "product") related to each two-dimensional code.
Are stored in advance. The identification mark has a form reminiscent of a specific product, product group, service or service group represented by each two-dimensional code C, and is defined and stored for each product, product group, service or service group. . Further, the identification mark is composed of at least one of a character, a graphic, a pattern, a number, a symbol, a trademark, a design, a symbol mark, a character mark, or a combination of these and a color. Note that a method other than the identification mark previously stored in the storage unit 3 may be created or loaded from a network or another medium each time.

The mark selecting means 4 determines one of the two-dimensional codes corresponding to the two-dimensional code based on the attribute data included in the two-dimensional code C and the type code corresponding to the specific product related to the two-dimensional code. This is for selecting an identification mark.

The mark selecting means 4 is used to select the inside of the identification mark,
It is possible to select to place the two-dimensional code C at any of the upper, lower, right and left positions. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the mark selecting means 4 outputs the identification mark M1.
To M6 can be selected so that the two-dimensional codes C1 to C6 are arranged. Note that the position of the two-dimensional code C with respect to the identification mark may be determined in advance, and the mark selection unit 4 may select the identification mark to select the position of the two-dimensional code.

The display means 5 displays information from the central processing unit 7. When the operator inputs data using the input means 2, the display means 5 can display necessary information. When the operator selects one identification mark by the mark selection means 4, the display means 5
Can display a plurality of identification marks for displaying a specific product according to the two-dimensional code. Further, the display means 5 can display a two-dimensional mark code and an identification mark to be printed with the two-dimensional mark code.

The printing means 6 prints the identification mark selected by the mark selecting means 4 together with the two-dimensional code to be printed on a piece of paper as a printing medium. The print medium may be a product label, a stamp sheet, various seals, or the like. The printing means may display the identification mark on the display medium together with the two-dimensional code to be printed.

In the embodiment, the two-dimensional code generated by the two-dimensional code generation means 1 and the information of the identification mark selected by the mark selection means 4 may be stored in the storage means 3. -It may be configured to be stored in a print medium such as a ROM. Storage means 3
May be configured to receive information of a two-dimensional code or an identification mark from an external device and store the information.

Next, a method of printing a two-dimensional code according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a two-dimensional code printing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S1, a plurality of identification marks for displaying various products are stored in the storage means 3 in advance. Next, in step S2, the two-dimensional mark generation means 1 generates a two-dimensional code based on a predetermined standard based on given input data.

Next, in step S3, the mark selecting means 4 sets the two-dimensional code included in each two-dimensional code.
A specific identification mark corresponding to the two-dimensional code is selected based on attribute data including a type code corresponding to a specific product related to the two-dimensional code. Next, in step S4, the identification mark selected by the mark selection means is printed by the printing means 6 together with the two-dimensional code to be printed.

In the two-dimensional code printing method, the step S1 is a step of receiving a plurality of identification marks for displaying various products from an external device, and the step S2 is a step of receiving a given mark. A step of receiving a two-dimensional code based on a predetermined standard from an external device based on input data may be adopted.

[0036] The method of printing a two-dimensional code may include the step of printing the selected identification mark together with the step of printing the two-dimensional code, or the step of printing the selected identification mark. A step of displaying the two-dimensional code may be provided.

In the method of printing a two-dimensional code, the identification mark is at least one of a character, a figure, a pattern, a number, a symbol, a trademark, a design, a symbol mark, a character mark, and a combination of these and a color. It is configured.

Further, the printing method of the two-dimensional code is as follows.
A step of selecting whether the two-dimensional code is located inside, above, below, right, or left of the identification mark may be provided before the printing step.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the identification mark can be printed on the print medium together with the two-dimensional code, the two-dimensional code can be found by visually recognizing the identification mark. Therefore, even when a small two-dimensional code is used, the two-dimensional code can be read. Can be shortened and the two-dimensional code can be prevented from being overlooked.

Further, according to the present invention, since the identification mark can be printed on the print medium together with the two-dimensional code, the identification mark can be associated with a product, a product group, a product or a product group. Is described on a print medium with a plurality of two-dimensional codes, it is easy for an operator to imagine the outline of a homepage.

Further, by incorporating a two-dimensional code into an identification mark excellent in design, the non-design property inherent in the two-dimensional code can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a printing device for a dimensional code.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a two-dimensional code used in the two-dimensional code printing device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a two-dimensional code and an identification mark printed by the two-dimensional code printing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention.
5 is a flowchart for explaining a method of printing a dimension code.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a description of a conventional two-dimensional code.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of description of a conventional two-dimensional code.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of description of a conventional two-dimensional code.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. Two-dimensional code generation means. 2. Input means. 3. Storage means. 4. Mark selection means 5. Display means. 6. Printing means. 7. Central processing unit. 8 ... RAM

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A two-dimensional code generating means for generating a two-dimensional code based on a predetermined standard based on given input data, and a specific product or service (hereinafter, “product”) related to each of the two-dimensional codes. )), Based on attribute data including a type code corresponding to a specific product related to the two-dimensional code included in each of the two-dimensional codes included in each of the two-dimensional codes. Mark selection means for selecting one identification mark corresponding to the two-dimensional code, printing means for printing the identification mark selected by the mark selection means together with the two-dimensional code to be printed,
2. A two-dimensional code printing device, comprising: 2. The identification mark has a form reminiscent of a specific product, product group, service or service group represented by each two-dimensional code, and is defined for each product, product group, service or service group. 2. The two-dimensional code printing device according to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional code printing device is stored. 3. The identification mark includes a character, a figure, a pattern,
3. The two-dimensional code printing device according to claim 2, wherein the printing device is configured by at least one of a number, a symbol, a trademark, a design, a symbol mark, a character mark, and a combination of these and a color. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mark selecting means is capable of selecting to place said two-dimensional code at any one of positions inside, above, below, right and left of said identification mark. The two-dimensional code printing device according to claim 3. 5. The position of the two-dimensional code with respect to the identification mark is determined in advance, and the mark selection means selects the position of the two-dimensional code by selecting the identification mark. Claim 3
2. A printing device for a two-dimensional code according to claim 1. 6. The two-dimensional code printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit receives the two-dimensional code or the identification mark from an external device and stores it. 7. The two-dimensional code printing device further comprises display means for displaying, together with the printing means, the identification mark selected by the mark selection means together with the two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code is configured to be printed on a print medium or displayed on a display medium together with the selected identification mark. . 8. A step of preliminarily storing and storing a plurality of identification marks for displaying various goods or services (hereinafter, referred to as “goods”), and based on predetermined data based on given input data. Generating a two-dimensional code; and a specific identification corresponding to the two-dimensional code based on attribute data including a type code corresponding to a specific product related to the two-dimensional code included in each of the two-dimensional codes. A step of selecting a mark; and a step of printing the identification mark selected by the mark selecting means together with the two-dimensional code to be printed. . 9. Receiving a plurality of identification marks for displaying various goods or services (hereinafter, referred to as “goods”) from an external device, and two-dimensional based on a predetermined standard based on given input data. Receiving a code from an external device; and identifying the corresponding two-dimensional code based on attribute data including a type code corresponding to a specific product related to the two-dimensional code included in each of the two-dimensional codes. And a step of printing the identification mark selected by the mark selection means together with the two-dimensional code to be printed. Printing method. 10. The method of printing a two-dimensional code, wherein the selected identification mark is replaced with a step of printing the selected identification mark together with the two-dimensional code, or together with the printing step, The method for printing a two-dimensional code according to claim 8, further comprising a step of displaying the two-dimensional code together with the two-dimensional code. 11. The identification mark is formed of at least one of a character, a figure, a pattern, a number, a symbol, a trademark, a design, a symbol mark, a character mark, and a combination of these and a color. Claim 10
2. The method for printing a two-dimensional code according to item 1. 12. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the step of selecting whether the two-dimensional code is located inside, above, below, right, or left of the identification mark is provided before the printing step. The method of printing a two-dimensional code according to claim 11, wherein: