JP2004255831A - Printing device and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device which can display date information such as a date of manufacture or a best-before date by a reduced number of digits, and to provide a printing method therefor. <P>SOLUTION: The printing device prints a product identification code related to a product and a date identification code related to a date. The printing device has an input means 17 for inputting the product identification code and information related to the date, a day number calculating means 12 for calculating the number of days elapsing from a specific reference date on the basis of the inputted date, a bar code generating means 12 for generating a basic bar code pattern by synthesizing the number of passed days and the product identification code, and a printing means 5 for printing the basic bar code pattern formed by the bar code generating means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention particularly relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of displaying date information such as a manufacturing date with a small number of digits.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, consumers have been concerned about food safety, or they are responsible for the disposal of home appliances and other products according to the Recycling Law, or as a service for inquiries about the expected arrival of goods and the status of logistics. Tea) has become popular.
[0003]
Since it is relatively inexpensive and easy to use for object tracking, a unique identification ID is converted into a barcode using a printing device such as a label printer, and the label with the barcode is printed on the label. Is generally applied.
[0004]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a pricing device (printing device) for printing a label for fresh food as a "thing", for example, the one shown in Patent Document 1 is known. If the `` thing '' to be tracked is a food item, the expiration date and indication of the place of origin based on the Food Sanitation Law, or the indication of food additives etc. is required for processed products, such as the date of manufacture and the expiration date Need to be displayed in so-called human characters that can be seen and understood by consumers (for example, see FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1).
However, in order to manage the expiration date, it is necessary to convert the date into a bar code. As disclosed in Patent Document 1, apart from the production date and the expiration date displayed in human characters, the standard NON-PLU format is used. There is a method in which a first label printed with one barcode and a second barcode including a second date code indicating a production date code and a second price code is issued to manage a term such as a price reduction.
[0005]
By the way, in fresh foods, the period until the expiration date expires is short, and time management is often required. Therefore, when the expiration date is displayed as a bar code, for example, the second bar code in Patent Document 1 shows The remaining 10 digits excluding the 2 digits of the flag and 1 digit of the check digit (C / D) among the 13 digits must indicate the date and time of manufacture and the second price. If four digits are used, it is necessary to represent the date and time with the remaining six digits, and it is not possible to display all of the date and time, so give up the year display and assign two digits to the manufacturing time. (See FIG. 4B of Patent Document 1).
Therefore, it has been desired that the date of manufacture (date information) can be displayed with a small number of digits.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-48143 A (FIG. 4)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of displaying date information such as a manufacturing date and a shelf life with a small number of digits. And
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a printing device according to the present invention is a printing device that prints information on a product identification code and a date on a product, and an input unit that inputs the product identification code and information on a corresponding date, Based on the input date, the number of days calculating means for calculating the number of days elapsed based on a specific date set in advance,
Bar code generating means for generating the basic bar code pattern by combining the elapsed days and the product identification code, and printing means for printing the basic bar code pattern generated by the bar code generating means. It is characterized by the following.
The basic barcode pattern may include a pattern ID area, a days area in which the elapsed days are displayed, a product identification code area in which the product identification code is displayed, and a check digit area.
Further, the number-of-days calculating means can further convert the calculated number of elapsed days into a hexadecimal number.
Reading means for reading the printed basic barcode pattern; and a relevant date calculation for obtaining the number of elapsed days from the basic barcode pattern read by the reading means and calculating a relevant date from the number of elapsed days for the specific date. Means.
Further, a printing method according to the present invention is a printing method for printing information on a product identification code and a date on a product, wherein the information on the product identification code and the relevant date is input from input means, and a predetermined identification information is input. From the date, the number of days elapsed up to the input date is calculated by a number-of-days calculating unit, and the number of days elapsed and the product identification code are combined by a barcode generating unit to generate a basic barcode pattern. The code pattern is printed using a printing unit.
Further, the number-of-days calculating means can further convert the calculated elapsed days into a hexadecimal number.
Further, a reading means for reading the printed basic barcode pattern, and the elapsed days are obtained from the basic barcode pattern read by the reading means, and the corresponding days are calculated from the elapsed days for the specific date by using a corresponding day calculating means. Date can be calculated.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a main configuration of a label printer as a printing device. As shown in FIG. 1, a label printer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a printer) 100 includes a control unit 10 for controlling each unit, and a paper sheet. 1, a thermal head (hereinafter, simply referred to as a head) 5; a stepping motor (hereinafter, simply referred to as a motor), which is driven by the control of a control unit 10, a timing belt (hereinafter, simply referred to as a motor); In this case, the paper 1 is rotated by the rotational driving force of a motor 7 transmitted via a belt 8 to convey the paper 1 mounted on the supply shaft 2 described later and press the paper 1 against the head 5. A platen roller (hereinafter simply referred to as a platen as appropriate) 6, a supply shaft 2 for rotatably supporting the paper 1, and a guide roller 3 for guiding the paper 1 to the head 5 A light emitting unit that emits predetermined light, and light reflected from the paper 1 of light emitted from the light emitting unit, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light (the amount of light received per unit time). A light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit are arranged on the back surface of the sheet 1 and an identification mark (black rectangular mark) (not shown) formed by printing or the like on the back surface of the sheet 1 And a pitch sensor 9 (hereinafter simply referred to as a sensor as appropriate) 9 based on the above.
[0010]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the embodiment of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 10 includes a read only memory (ROM) 11 that stores a predetermined control program, and a central processing unit (CPU) 12 that operates according to the control program stored in the ROM 11 and controls each unit. A RAM (random access memory) 13 for storing various data necessary for the operation of the CPU 12, a motor control unit 14 for driving the motor 7, and characters, graphics, and bar codes to be printed supplied from the CPU 12. A control signal corresponding to print data such as the print data is generated and supplied to the thermal head 5 to perform a printing operation. The control signal is emitted from the light emitting unit of the position detecting sensor 9 under the control of the CPU 12. The electric signal is received by the light receiving unit and converted to digital data. A display controller 18 for analyzing and displaying operations input from a display 17 for inputting various operations and displaying various information; and a power supply. , An electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM) 20 for storing various data that is desired to be retained even when the scanner is turned off, a scanner control unit 22, and a reading unit that is connected to the scanner control unit 22 and reads a bar code described later. A scanner 23, an interface unit 19, and a power supply unit 21. Various data and commands are exchanged between devices externally connected via the interface unit 19, for example, a host computer (not shown). To send and receive And can be done.
[0011]
Next, a printing process performed on a label by the label printer 100 as a printing device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0012]
In step S01, the specific date (reference date) set and stored in the EEPROM 20 is displayed on the display unit 17. In step S02, it is determined whether or not the date has been changed. Go to S04.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S02 that the date needs to be changed, the specific date (reference date) is input in step S03, and the specific date stored in the EEPROM 20 is rewritten. Here, "January 1, 2000" is set in advance in the EEPROM 20 as the reference date, and the description will proceed assuming that the date has not been changed.
[0013]
In step S04, the date of manufacture is input. Here, it is assumed that “October 23, 2003” is input as the manufacturing date. The date of manufacture can be omitted by automatically setting today's date using a calendar function (not shown) mounted. The input or automatically set manufacturing date is temporarily stored in the RAM 13.
[0014]
In step S05, a production number as a product identification code is input. Here, it is assumed that the six-digit “000012” has been input as the production number. As the manufacturing number, for example, a unique number automatically counted up in the EEPROM 20 can be adopted.
[0015]
In step S06, a number-of-days calculation process is performed. Here, the total number of days (elapsed days) from the specific date (reference date) to the date of manufacture is calculated. That is,
Production date (October 23, 2003)-Reference date (January 1, 2000)
, And
From January 1 to December 31, 2000, the total number of days was 366 days,
From January 1 to December 31, 2001, the total number of days is 365 days,
From January 1 to December 31, 2002, the total number of days is 365 days,
The total number of days from January 1 to October 23, 2003 is 296, and the total number of days from January 1, 2000 as a base date to the date of manufacture, October 23, 2003 (elapsed) Is calculated to be “1392” days.
The calculated total number of days (elapsed days) is temporarily stored in the RAM 13.
[0016]
In step S07, a barcode generation process is performed. The RAM 13 is provided with a 13-digit barcode creation work area 30 shown in FIG. 4. The first and second digits are a pattern ID area 31, the third to sixth digits are days days 32, and the seventh to twelfth digits are. A production number area 33 for a production number as a product identification code, and a 13th digit is a check digit area 34.
The pattern ID area 31 is an identification ID added so that the generated barcode is generated in a pattern (type) of 4 digits of decimal number and 6 digits of serial number, and an arbitrary numerical value (NN) Or characters can be set.
In the days area 32, the elapsed days “1392” stored in the RAM 13 are read and set, and in the production number area 33, the production numbers “0000012” stored in the RAM 13 are read and set. It should be noted that a check digit (“n” in the example of FIG. 4) calculated by a known method is added to the check digit area 34, and the details are omitted here. Based on the set value of the barcode creation work area 30 created in this way, the barcode is converted into a barcode by a known method to generate a basic barcode pattern.
[0017]
In step S08, print data including the basic barcode pattern is developed and created in a drawing area (not shown) or the like, and is output from the head 5 via the print control unit 15 and printed on the paper 1.
[0018]
Next, an example of printing on a label as the paper 1 by the printer 100 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a label 24 on which a name plate of a certain product is printed. The product name 25, the manufacturer 26, the printed basic barcode pattern 27, and a part of the contents of the basic barcode pattern 27 are visually read. A possible human character portion 28 is formed, and in the example shown in the figure, a “barcode printer”, “O Corporation”, a basic barcode pattern converted into a barcode, and “1392-0000012” are printed and displayed. Have been. The printed basic barcode pattern 27 has a pattern ID area 27a, a number of days area 27b, a product identification code area 27c, and a check digit area 27d corresponding to the set items of the barcode creation work area 30, respectively. ing.
[0019]
Next, referring to FIG. 6, a description will be given of a process of reading the label 24 in which the date of manufacture is represented by the total number of days (elapsed days) from a specific date (reference date).
[0020]
In step S11, the basic barcode pattern 27 printed on the label 24 is read, converted into a code, and set in a barcode reading work area (not shown). The bar code reading work area (not shown) has the same configuration as the bar code creation work area 30. By checking the pattern ID (not shown) of the first and second digits, the third to sixth digits are determined. This is the number of days elapsed from the reference date, and the seventh to twelfth digits are known to be the serial numbers.
[0021]
In step S12, a date calculation process is performed. The number of days “1392” elapsed since the base date “January 1, 2000” is calculated, and it is calculated that the relevant date is “October 23, 2003”.
[0022]
Normally, in order to display October 23, 2003, the last two digits of the year are "031023" and six digits are required. However, as described above, the specific date (reference date) By displaying the total number of days from to the corresponding date, a four-digit display is possible.
With the limited number of digits for bar code printers, information such as the date of manufacture is indispensable for products that require long traceability (traceability) such as home appliances specified by the Recycling Law. This is particularly effective in situations where there is no desire to reduce the number of digits in conventional product codes, and the applicable date, such as the date of manufacture, which usually has to be displayed in 6 digits, can be displayed in 4 digits. is there.
[0023]
Also, since the basic barcode pattern 27 of the label 24 is read by the label printer 100 as a printing device, converted into a regular Christian era inside the printer, and printed as a corresponding date such as the manufacturing date, Consumers who see the numbers have the advantage that they can keep track of the date information without knowing it.
[0024]
Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the following, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.
[0025]
FIG. 7 is a diagram of a barcode creation work area 35 before the basic barcode pattern is generated. The first to second digits are the pattern ID area 36, the third to sixth digits are the days area 37, 7 to 12. The digit is the manufacturing number area 33, and the thirteenth digit is the check digit area.
The pattern ID area 36 is an identification ID added so that the generated barcode is generated in a pattern (type) of 4 digits of hexadecimal number and 6 digits of serial number of decimal number, and an arbitrary numerical value. (NN) or characters can be set.
The present embodiment is characterized in that the number of elapsed days is set in the number of days area 37 in hexadecimal. In other words, it was calculated that the total number of days (elapsed days) until October 23, 2003, which is the date of manufacture, was January 1st, 2000 as the base date, and was "1392" in decimal notation. Thereafter, this is further converted into a hexadecimal number, and the elapsed days converted to “0570” in hexadecimal are set in the days area 37.
Further, the serial number “000012” stored in the RAM 13 is read into the serial number area 33, and the check digit (“n” in the example of FIG. 7) calculated by a known method is input into the check digit area 34. ).
[0026]
Based on the set value of the bar code creation work area 35 created in this way, the bar code is converted into a bar code by a known method to generate a basic bar code pattern and print it.
The basic barcode pattern (not shown) which is converted into a barcode based on the set value of the barcode creation work area 35 and printed on a label has a pattern ID (not shown) corresponding to the pattern ID area 36. Since the bar code corresponding to the days area 36 is known to be a hexadecimal number, when reading the bar code, it is converted into a decimal "1392" and the number of days elapsed from the reference date "January 1, 2000" The “1392” date is calculated, and the corresponding date is calculated as “October 23, 2003”.
[0027]
As described above, in the above-described embodiment, a date such as the date of manufacture, which was conventionally represented by six digits, can be displayed in four digits. By further converting the number of days to hexadecimal, it is possible to display three digits in effect, and one digit can be assigned to another code. Especially effective.
Other configurations, operations, and effects are substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description is omitted.
[0028]
FIG. 8 is a diagram of a barcode creation work area 38 for explaining still another embodiment, wherein the first and second digits are a pattern ID area 41, the third and fourth digits are a day area 42, and a 5 to 6 digit. The eye is a time area 43, the 7th to 12th digits are a manufacturing number area 33, and the 13th digit is a check digit area 34.
The pattern ID area 41 is added so that it can be seen that the generated barcode is a pattern (type) of 2 digits of hexadecimal number, 2 digits of decimal number, and 2 digits of decimal number. This is an ID, and an arbitrary numerical value (NN) or a character can be set.
As the specific date (base date), “October 1, 2003” on the first day of the month is set or entered, and the date such as the manufacturing date is “October 23, 2003”. Day ”.
Therefore, in the days area 42, “17” obtained by converting 23 days into a hexadecimal number is set, and the time is set to, for example, “10” hour in decimal.
The present embodiment is characterized in that in the days area 42, the number of elapsed days is set in two digits of a hexadecimal number, and the manufacturing time is set in two digits of a decimal number.
In the case of a product (product) with a short management period, such as the shelf life of food, set the first day of the month as a reference date (specific date) and display the number of days since this reference date. The date set in the area 42 has only two digits, and the other two digits can be assigned to time.
[0029]
Based on the set values of the barcode creation work area 38 created in this way, the barcodes are converted into barcodes by a known method, and a basic barcode pattern (not shown) is generated and printed.
When the print of the basic bar code pattern (not shown) converted into a bar code based on the set value of the bar code creation work area 38 is read, the bar code corresponding to the date area 42 is changed from "17" in hexadecimal to "10". The date is converted to the base number "23", and the number of days elapsed since the beginning of the month "October 1, 2003" is calculated to obtain the manufacturing date "October 23, 2003, 10:00". .
Other configurations, operations, and effects are substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description is omitted.
[0030]
It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is clear that each embodiment can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It is, of course, possible to set the reference date).
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a basic barcode pattern is generated by combining the number of days elapsed based on a specific date and a product identification code, and the basic barcode pattern is printed as a barcode. Even if the last two digits of the year are displayed, six digits are required to specify a date such as a day. By displaying the total number of days from the specific date to the corresponding date, it is possible to display four digits. As a result, long-term (traceability) is required for foods and information subject to the Recycling Law, for which information such as the date of manufacture is indispensable, and there is no need to reduce the number of digits in conventional product codes. There is an effect that the number of display digits of the date can be reduced below.
[0032]
In addition, by converting the number of elapsed days to hexadecimal by the number of days calculation means, the number of elapsed days can be represented by three digits, so that the number of displayed digits of the date can be reduced, and the number of remaining digits is allocated to another code. There is an effect that it can be.
[0033]
Further, the printed basic barcode pattern is read, the number of elapsed days is extracted from the read basic barcode pattern, and the corresponding date is calculated based on the number of elapsed days and a predetermined specific date. There is an effect that a corresponding date such as a manufacturing date can be obtained from the display.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the printing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of printing on a label by the printing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a barcode creation work area.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a label printed by the printing device.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a label reading process.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a configuration example of a barcode creation work area according to another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 4, illustrating a configuration example of a barcode creation work area according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Printing device (label printer, printer)
1 paper 2 supply shaft 3 guide roller 5 thermal head (head)
6 Platen roller (platen)
7 Stepping motor (motor)
8 Timing belt (belt)
9 Pitch sensor (sensor)
10 control unit 11 ROM
12 CPU
13 RAM
14 Motor control unit 15 Print control unit 16 Sensor control unit 17 Display 18 Display control unit 19 Interface unit 20 EEPROM
21 Power supply unit 22 Scanner control unit 23 Scanner 24 Label 25 Product name 26 Manufacturer 27 Basic barcode pattern 27a Pattern ID area 27b Date area 27c Product identification code area 27d Check digit area is formed.
28 Human character part 30, 35, 38 Barcode creation work area 31, 36, 41 Pattern ID area 32, 37, 42 Days area 33 Product identification code (serial number area)
34 Check digit area 43 Time area

Claims (7)

A printing device for printing information on a product identification code and a date related to a product,
Input means for inputting information on the product identification code and the corresponding date;
Based on the input date, the number of days calculating means for calculating the number of days elapsed based on a specific date set in advance,
Bar code generating means for generating a basic bar code pattern by combining the elapsed days and the product identification code,
Printing means for printing the basic barcode pattern created by the barcode generation means,
A printing device comprising: The basic barcode pattern includes a pattern ID area, a number of days area in which the elapsed days are displayed, a product identification code area in which the product identification code is displayed, and a check digit area. 2. The printing device according to 1. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number-of-days calculating unit further converts the calculated elapsed days into a hexadecimal number. Further, reading means for reading the printed basic barcode pattern,
Corresponding day calculating means for extracting the number of elapsed days from the basic barcode pattern read by the reading means and calculating a corresponding date from the number of elapsed days with respect to the specific date;
The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising: A printing method for printing information on a product identification code and date relating to a product,
While inputting the product identification code and the information on the applicable date from the input means, from the specific date set in advance, calculate the number of days elapsed until the input applicable date by the number of days calculating means,
A basic barcode pattern is generated by synthesizing the elapsed days and the product identification code by barcode generation means,
A printing method characterized by printing the basic barcode pattern using printing means. The printing method according to claim 5, wherein the number-of-days calculating unit further converts the calculated elapsed days into a hexadecimal number. Further, reading means for reading the printed basic barcode pattern,
7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the number of elapsed days is obtained from the basic barcode pattern read by the reading unit, and the relevant date is calculated from the number of days elapsed with respect to the specific date by using a relevant day calculating unit. Printing method.

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